Sunday, 17 May 2015
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Make a Great Impression
JACQUELINE WHITMORE CONTRIBUTOR Author, Etiquette Expert, and Founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Either consciously or unconsciously, we make judgments about the professionalism, character and competence of others based on first impressions. Just as you evaluate potential business partners, employees and personal acquaintances on your first-time encounter with them, others will judge you and your business by how you conduct yourself. Related: 8 Little Ways to Become a More Well-Rounded Person The best way to make a positive first impression, especially in business, is to embrace uncommon common sense. Many entrepreneurs overlook the importance of poise and professionalism. A few common courtesies will help you make a positive impression when you meet someone for the first time. Use these six tips to guarantee you’ll make a great first, and lasting, impression — no matter the circumstance.
1. Prepare ahead of time. Preparation reduces anxiety and will help you show more authority. If you do your homework, you’ll have an enormous advantage over your competition. Before an important meeting, learn everything you can about your potential client and his or her unique approach to business. Familiarize yourself with the industry in which you’ll be working and brush up on current events. Visit the company website to learn more about the company’s history, staff and recent news releases. When you take the time to prepare, you’ll appear interesting and knowledgeable — two qualities that help make a good impression. Related: 6 Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make -- And How to Avoid Them
2. Find out who will attend the meeting. To go above and beyond, reach out to the meeting organizer to learn which stakeholders will be in attendance. Memorize each person’s name so you’ll be able to address everyone directly throughout the meeting. Log onto LinkedIn and learn more about each person and their background, as well as hobbies and interests. If you find you have something in common, use it as a way to break the ice with a little small talk before you move on to business.
3. Arrive a few minutes early. It’s important to be punctual, but when you arrive on time you send the clear message that you’re responsible, capable and respectful of others’ time. Those few extra minutes will give you the opportunity to go to the restroom, check your appearance and gain your composure before you walk into an important meeting. Always schedule extra time on your calendar to account for travel, traffic delays, inclement weather and finding a parking spot.
4. Suit up for success. A professional appearance will enhance your personal brand. The more “put together” you appear, the more likely you will leave a positive impression. You don’t have to purchase expensive designer suits to look your best. Instead, invest in timeless classic pieces to create the foundation of your wardrobe. Always dress for your client’s comfort, not yours. If you’re meeting with a group of bankers, a dark suit is most appropriate. Some occasions, however, call for a more creative approach. It’s okay to show more of your personal style if you work in an artistic career or when you meet with a group of designers. Be sure your wardrobe consists of clothes that fit and flatter your body shape. Related: 5 Tips on How to Avoid Losing Your Temper at Work
5. Give a firm handshake. In most cultures, a solid handshake carries a lot of weight. Your handshake should be warm, friendly and sincere. If it is too firm or too weak, you may convey a negative impression. If you’re seated when you’re introduced to someone, stand before you shake his or her hand — it shows respect for yourself and the person you’re meeting. Remember to keep it short and sweet; many people will become uneasy if a handshake lasts for more than a few seconds. Finally, be sure to smile and make eye contact as you shake hands.
6. Listen effectively. Attentive listening builds trust. Throughout your meeting, ask pertinent questions. When someone else speaks, make eye contact and show you’re fully engaged in what he is saying. Always allow others time to fully express themselves. If you interrupt or attempt to finish someone’s sentence, he may assume you’re in a hurry or feel you don’t respect his opinion. Effective listening skills will help you establish rapport with new clients and business partners.
Friday, 27 June 2014
Unemployed Advantage
4 Ways To Take Advantage Of Being Unemployed
There are many strategies you can use to help you empower yourself, take control of your situation and make the most of the time you have on your hands. Here are top five ways to take advantage of being unemployed:
1. Volunteer
Take an interest in what is happening in your community and get involved. Join one or more local community groups and volunteer some of your time and expertise. Volunteering always looks good a resume and showing an active interest in your community will be positively viewed by employers. In addition, volunteering gives you the opportunity to network with people from all walks of life and this in turn could lead to your next job. Good points of contact are your local Lions or Rotary clubs.
2. Learn New Skills
Keep your mind active by learning a new skill. Potential employers will look positively on the fact that you have been using your time wisely to keep up with industry changes or develop a new skill. A great place to start look is at your local university, it might be worth considering taking a MBA. Of course, these courses cost money but consider them as an investment in yourself.
In addition, keep abreast of any industry developments in the news so that when it comes time to apply for that dream job, you are prepared to discuss not just your role but the industry at large.
3. Work Out
At such a stressful time, you need to take extra good care of yourself. There’s no excuse now for putting off starting an exercise regime because you don’t have the time. You have plenty of it. You don’t have to join a gym – get a personal trainer, take up cycling, go on expeditions to explore your local area, or simply create your own at-home daily exercise regime and stick to it. You’ll look better, feel better, and feel less stressed – all of which will boost your confidence.
4. Rework Your Resume/CV
Now is definitely the time to update and polish your resume. If you’ve been in the same job for a long time, it might be a good idea to engage the services of a professional resume writer or get a recruiter to take a look.
In addition, start improving your online presence by creating or updating your profiles on LinkedIn and Google+ and start by joining professional industry groups. This is all a form of networking and is a great way for you to find opportunities that may not be widely advertised.
Also, sign up for daily job alerts and submit your resume to employment agencies that specialize. The wider you spread your net the sooner you will find suitable new employment.
Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/unemployed-ways-take-advantage/#axuFVug7uB3epeRH.99
Thursday, 2 May 2013
How to Become the Best in Your Field
The notion of a miraculous genius being born smarter
and more capable than the rest of us mere mortals charms our curiosity.
Robert Greene, author of the popular The 48 Laws of Power (Penguin,
2000), would disagree. The fascination we have in prodigies, he says,
is “bogus. It’s completely bogus.” Exceptional talent is about hard
work, he says.
Greene studied the lives of exceptionally successful people for his latest book, Mastery (Viking/Penguin, 2012). He says that there is no such thing as being born into superior success. Rather, those politicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, athletes and artists who rise above the rest in their field, achieving what he calls a “high-level intuitive feel” for their specialty, have an unyielding focus and work ethic.
“It’s not a question of some natural talent or brilliance that you have, it’s that you have reached that level of experience or practice,” Greene said. “We have to get rid of that old-fashioned notion of genius and creativity.” He holds himself to the standard he preaches, having put in more 20,000 hours researching and writing his last five books.
In Mastery, Greene examines the cultural poster-children for natural-born genius: Mozart and Einstein. For example, by the time he was 9 years old, Mozart had already put in 10,000 to 20,000 hours of work, equaling the efforts of an average person in his or her 20s, says Greene. Einstein attributed his own success to persistence, he says.
Greene developed a near cult-following for his methodical and — some say — Machiavellian breakdown of power and the people who wield it in The 48 Laws of Power. Part of what makes Greene popular is that he studies powerful people and then breaks down their process such that others can emulate it. Here are recommendations from Greene for entrepreneurs eager to be the next Steve Jobs.
1. Chose a topic to focus on that you are deeply in love with.
“Masters and highly successful people are emotionally and personally engaged in their work” on a level beyond intellectual curiosity, Greene says. It’s the personal commitment to a topic, problem or skill that is ultimately necessary for motivating and maintaining the long hours and fervent curiosity required to rise to the level of “mastery” in a field. “Otherwise you are never going to have the energy, the patience, the persistence, the ability to put up with the criticism, you will give up too easily, you won’t push through all the crap the world is going to throw at you.”
2. Skip all the extra school. Learn by doing.
According to Greene, learning entrepreneurship in school is inane. “Being an entrepreneur is making something, it’s like Legos,” Greene says and the best way to become an entrepreneur is to try building businesses.
Henry Ford’s first two automobile companies failed miserably, notes Greene. “You want to actually psychologically desire failure because it is how you are going to learn.” If you aren’t going to start your own business, at least work in as small a company as possible to learn as many skills as possible. Avoid large corporations and business school, Greene says. As an entrepreneur, “you are going to hire the people that have the MBAs. They are going to bring in that nuts-and-bolts knowledge.”
3. Don’t focus on making money in your 20s.
“Tune out the idea of making your first million. It’s about learning. You are there to accumulate as much experience building a business and you want to build several, if possible,” says Greene. In the first five to 10 years after college, pursue experience over money. You will learn more than you could earn in those years.
4. When you have some experience, select a mentor.
When selecting a mentor, look for somebody who is already doing what you see yourself doing in five to 10 years, says Greene. If you are going to try to approach a master to be your mentor, wait to do so until you have already started amassing a body of work.
A healthy mentorship relationship is like that between a parent and a child, says Greene. A good mentor should be older than you and at a point in his or her career that he or she is wants to give back. Personality is important, too. “You want somebody who matches your spirit. If you are a very rebellious type, you don’t want a stuffy conservative type mentor,” says Greene.
5. Be flexible and creative.
For the book, Greene interviewed Paul Graham, the computer programmer entrepreneur who started Viaweb, a company acquired by Yahoo in 1998 to become the Yahoo Store, and a partner of Y Combinator, an accelerator for startup entrepreneurs. In the highly competitive interview process for Y Combinator, Graham “can tell after one minute if he has the next Zuckerberg or this guy is useless, and it is because they are open-minded, they’re flexible and they love, they are excited, they have a childlike interest,” says Greene. Building a company will inevitably confront you with unexpected challenges, and your ability to adjust your path to deal with those surprises is critical.
Do you think mastery is available to those who put in time and effort? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Greene studied the lives of exceptionally successful people for his latest book, Mastery (Viking/Penguin, 2012). He says that there is no such thing as being born into superior success. Rather, those politicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, athletes and artists who rise above the rest in their field, achieving what he calls a “high-level intuitive feel” for their specialty, have an unyielding focus and work ethic.
“It’s not a question of some natural talent or brilliance that you have, it’s that you have reached that level of experience or practice,” Greene said. “We have to get rid of that old-fashioned notion of genius and creativity.” He holds himself to the standard he preaches, having put in more 20,000 hours researching and writing his last five books.
In Mastery, Greene examines the cultural poster-children for natural-born genius: Mozart and Einstein. For example, by the time he was 9 years old, Mozart had already put in 10,000 to 20,000 hours of work, equaling the efforts of an average person in his or her 20s, says Greene. Einstein attributed his own success to persistence, he says.
Greene developed a near cult-following for his methodical and — some say — Machiavellian breakdown of power and the people who wield it in The 48 Laws of Power. Part of what makes Greene popular is that he studies powerful people and then breaks down their process such that others can emulate it. Here are recommendations from Greene for entrepreneurs eager to be the next Steve Jobs.
Robert Greene
Image credit: Susan Anderson
Image credit: Susan Anderson
1. Chose a topic to focus on that you are deeply in love with.
“Masters and highly successful people are emotionally and personally engaged in their work” on a level beyond intellectual curiosity, Greene says. It’s the personal commitment to a topic, problem or skill that is ultimately necessary for motivating and maintaining the long hours and fervent curiosity required to rise to the level of “mastery” in a field. “Otherwise you are never going to have the energy, the patience, the persistence, the ability to put up with the criticism, you will give up too easily, you won’t push through all the crap the world is going to throw at you.”
2. Skip all the extra school. Learn by doing.
According to Greene, learning entrepreneurship in school is inane. “Being an entrepreneur is making something, it’s like Legos,” Greene says and the best way to become an entrepreneur is to try building businesses.
Henry Ford’s first two automobile companies failed miserably, notes Greene. “You want to actually psychologically desire failure because it is how you are going to learn.” If you aren’t going to start your own business, at least work in as small a company as possible to learn as many skills as possible. Avoid large corporations and business school, Greene says. As an entrepreneur, “you are going to hire the people that have the MBAs. They are going to bring in that nuts-and-bolts knowledge.”
3. Don’t focus on making money in your 20s.
“Tune out the idea of making your first million. It’s about learning. You are there to accumulate as much experience building a business and you want to build several, if possible,” says Greene. In the first five to 10 years after college, pursue experience over money. You will learn more than you could earn in those years.
4. When you have some experience, select a mentor.
When selecting a mentor, look for somebody who is already doing what you see yourself doing in five to 10 years, says Greene. If you are going to try to approach a master to be your mentor, wait to do so until you have already started amassing a body of work.
A healthy mentorship relationship is like that between a parent and a child, says Greene. A good mentor should be older than you and at a point in his or her career that he or she is wants to give back. Personality is important, too. “You want somebody who matches your spirit. If you are a very rebellious type, you don’t want a stuffy conservative type mentor,” says Greene.
5. Be flexible and creative.
For the book, Greene interviewed Paul Graham, the computer programmer entrepreneur who started Viaweb, a company acquired by Yahoo in 1998 to become the Yahoo Store, and a partner of Y Combinator, an accelerator for startup entrepreneurs. In the highly competitive interview process for Y Combinator, Graham “can tell after one minute if he has the next Zuckerberg or this guy is useless, and it is because they are open-minded, they’re flexible and they love, they are excited, they have a childlike interest,” says Greene. Building a company will inevitably confront you with unexpected challenges, and your ability to adjust your path to deal with those surprises is critical.
Do you think mastery is available to those who put in time and effort? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Monday, 22 April 2013
How To Show Your Boss You Deserve A Promotion By Joshua Turner
How To Show Your Boss You Deserve A Promotion
You
work hard, spend your time at office judiciously, and meet targets
without failing deadlines. For the work you do everyday, you feel you
deserve a promotion.
But when it comes to asking your boss directly, you find it awkward and
difficult to approach him/her. It can indeed be quite nerve-wracking to
go up to your boss and ask for a promotion directly. Instead, you can
show that you are ready for it and convince your boss easily.How To Show Your Boss You Deserve A Promotion
Here are some useful tips to show your boss you are ready for a promotion:Upgrade Your Skills
A promotion means new responsibilities and greater challenges. To meet these new challenges, you must have the desired skills. One of the best ways to show that you are ready for a promotion, therefore, is to upgrade your competencies. Understand your job role, browse the net and find courses that can take you ahead.Many large organizations have online courses for their employees. On the completion of those courses, managers are immediately notified. If your organization also has such courses, sign up for them frequently.
You can also attend workshops and seminars to learn more about what courses will upgrade your skills and make you a more valuable resource in your company. Another simple tip is to follow people on LinkedIn. Find professionals who have a similar background and check the courses they completed. A simple Google search will give you a lot of information.
Be Innovative
In the present business climate, organizations need people who can not only perform their responsibilities well but also deliver greater value. To make yourself more valuable for the business, think out-of-the-box. Look for unforeseen challenges and hidden opportunities. Start by observing your team keenly. Once you identify a problem, look for ways in which it can be addressed.Be A Dependable Team Player
One of the things managers pay special attention to when it comes to promoting their team members is their maturity to handle things. In other words, you should be someone your manager can depend on when things are difficult to handle. You must, therefore, be proactive and extremely organized.Create folders as per your convenience to arrange documents, presentations and spreadsheets in order. Be responsive and always respond to important mails. If you find it too tough to handle multiple responsibilities, use sticky notes to stay on top of things. The way you do your job sets you apart from your colleagues. So, don’t leave a bad impression by doing a shoddy job.
Ask Your Manager To Mentor You
This is the easiest way to grab your boss’s attention and show that you are keen to learn. During the mentoring phase, you get an opportunity to collaborate closely with your manager. Moreover, you come across as an enthusiastic learner and get an opportunity to demonstrate your skills. By leaving a good impression, you can have an influential ally backing your contention for promotion.Rock Your Current Role
While pitching yourself for a promotion, you must show that you have excelled in your current role and that staying in the same profile will be stagnating for your career. Gain the trust of your team members so that they approach you when they have a problem at hand. Your boss will be more convinced if he sees that you have done a great job in your role and are now ready to take on more responsibilities.When you bring value to the business, your manager will be convinced to promote you at work. You just need to find the right balance of hard work, people skills and enthusiasm to brighten your prospects.
Joshua Turner is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to business. In this article, he offers tips to individuals working for a promotion and aims to encourage further study with an online marketing MBA.
Monday, 8 April 2013
Where Does Volunteer Work Belong On A Resume?
Most often, volunteer work appears toward the end of a resume, after work history.However, if you have been out of the workforce for a while, are a recent college graduate or are changing careers, your volunteer activities may be the showcase for your most important skills and accomplishments.
As a recent college graduate or a career changer, you might hone new skills as a volunteer in your field, in preparation for a full-time job.
For example, if you want to work in the healthcare industry, you might volunteer at a hospital; if you want to become a graphic designer, you might lend your skills to a nonprofit in search of a logo.
If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, volunteering may be an excellent way to keep your skills sharp. An IT professional might volunteer to help a nonprofit organization maintain its computers; develop a program to track donors or clients; or enhance their website.
In all those cases, it might be worthwhile to mention your volunteer work early in the resume.
Wherever it is placed in a resume, even a brief mention of volunteer work is important. Most companies are conscious that they need a thriving community around them in order to succeed, both as employers and as providers of products and services.
Hiring managers and recruiters know companies appreciate a spirit of “giving back” in their employees.
Your volunteer work identifies you as someone who also appreciates that spirit.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Your Portfolio
5 Benefits Of Creating An Online Portfolio
(New) 5 LinkedIn Profile Secrets
Watch Video Here
Watch Video Here
Online portfolios aren’t just for certain fields or industries anymore. The importance of having a professional online presence is more important than ever, and an online portfolio
will certainly increase your visibility and presence. Creating your
portfolio website allows you to share and showcase your work easily with
the employers you’d like to work for.5 Benefits Of Creating An Online Portfolio
Here are five benefits of showcasing your work online:1. Professional Way To Showcase Your Work
Building a website about your brand and experience is a polished way to share your expertise with others. Websites can be more creative and innovative than traditional portfolios and are able to share with anyone in the world.Suggested resources:
- WordPress
- Weebly
- Wix
- DoYouBuzz
- Brand-Yourself
- Webs
- Carbonmade
- Flavors.me
2. It’s A Great First Impression For Employers
If an employer sees your website link in your signature or on your resume, they’ll likely click on it to see what you’ve built. Seeing you’ve taken the time to build a website featuring work samples, recommendations, previous presentations and more will be a killer first impression.3. Increases Your Visibility And Online Presence
When an employer Googles your name, your professional portfolio will be one of the first search results that pops up.4. Shows You’re More Than Just A Resume
Because of the flexibility of an online portfolio, you’re able to show your personality by choosing design, layout and the copy you write.5. Flexibility
With the click of a button, you can change content, videos, copy and pictures on your online portfolio. You can also constantly create new content to add to your site to show your continuous learning process—whether employed or not.Do you have an online portfolio? What else would you add?
Thursday, 28 March 2013
Your Career
How To Write A One-Page Job Proposal
(New) 5 LinkedIn Profile Secrets
Watch Video Here
Watch Video Here
Out-of-the-box
job search ideas can work wonders in a competitive job market. But if
you struggle to come up with a creative, yet still professional idea
that hasn’t been overdone, you might end up sticking with the
old-fashioned resume and cover letter in order to land your next job.How To Write A One-Page Job Proposal
The good news? There’s something else you can be using in your job search to land your ideal position: a one-page job proposal.What Is A One-Page Job Proposal?
Similar to a business proposal, a one-page job proposal sums up why the employer should hire you. You need to find out a company’s pain points and determine how you can solve them. In the proposal, make reference to your skills, qualifications, education and past accomplishments—and tell them how having these on board will benefit the organization. Your proposal should be highly targeted, well researched and compelling.What To Include
Patrick G. Riley, author of The One Page Proposal, says this type of proposal works because it “follows a logical and organic progression of thought and argument.” Here the eight pieces of a one-page job proposal:- Title and Subtitle label and define the entire proposal.
- Target and Secondary Target sections identify the goals of the proposal.
- Rationale section lays out the basic reasons why the action is necessary.
- Financial section puts dollars and cents to the deal.
- Status states how things stand at the moment.
- Action makes clear exactly what the proposer wants the recipient to do.
The 1-Page Job Proposal website assists you in creating a compelling and concise job proposal, by taking your ideas, goals, and values and helping you compress them into a short proposal. It guides you through the research process, shows you how to deliver your proposal, and gives you all of the tools you need to write a job proposal.
Would you consider drafting a one-page proposal for a job opportunity? Have you before?
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Monday, 25 March 2013
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