How To Get Ahead In Your Career

How To Get Ahead In Your Career My younger cousin has always been wise beyond his years, and it’s no surprise that he’s now a senior executive at one of the world’s most respected financial institutions. He recently shared some advice that can help you get ahead in your career and in life. Why I always listen to my younger cousin I remember one of our family visits to Asia when he was just nine years old. He was already giving the rest of us older cousins great advice: the best route to get to the restaurant, the best brand of camera to buy, the pitfalls to avoid in order for us visitors to get around safely. And living with our grandfather, a man of the highest integrity, my cousin couldn’t help but learn to “do the right thing” even when it’s inconvenient. As we would say back in New Jersey, “the kid has his head screwed on straight”. Fast forward to my recent trip to China. Over lunch, I asked my cousin what career advice he gives to the younger people coming up the ranks. After thinking for a moment, he said the following three things. Here’s his best career advice 1. Don’t be a “BMW” â€" which stands for “Bitch, Moan and Whine” “I’m always surprised that so many people come into my office simply to complain. It doesn’t reflect well on them.” I know just what he means. In fact, it’s a real negative as far as your career is concerned. There's downside to being a BMW. Imagine you’re the big boss (and maybe you are) and some of your people treat you like the complaints department. They vent their negative energy on you. Sure, the proverbial buck stops with you. And yes, you have the power to make more decisions than many others do. But you’re not a magician. Yet they seem to expect you to wave your wand and make their problems disappear. You’re amazed at how self-absorbed people can be. Don’t they realize you’re forming impressions about who is an up and coming leader, and who is not? What does that tell you about those people? Among other things, this comes across as having a sense of entitlement. It implies a learned helplessness â€" a lack of recognition that they can and do have the ability to make things happen or at least influence them. And you certainly won’t want to spend extra time with them or recommend them for bigger responsibilities. In fact, this BMW behavior is so prevalent in organizations that another leader I respect has instituted a policy: “no complaining without a solution”. On the other hand, there's significant upside when you're not a BMW. So if you have a complaint, do your homework before you voice it. Have a proposed solution or set of solutions, and use positive words. Taking a glass half full approach will stand you in much better stead. You’ll set yourself apart from others. And you’re more likely to get what you want. 2. Do what you love, love what you do “Life is short. You have to enjoy your work.” I have to agree. What I like best about this piece of advice is that it you can interpret it in several different ways, and one of them is sure to be helpful. You can focus on the first part of the advice and interpret this one as “follow your passion,” which is great advice if you actually know what your passion is. But for those of us who don't know, it’s also somewhat terrifying. As in, “oh no! I’m the only person who doesn’t have a passion!” In that case, you can focus on the second part, which encourages us to find enjoyment and reward in what we are doing. Which doesn’t require knowing what you love, but helps us on the road to finding what we love through experimentation. As you can tell, this is the one that helps me most. And of course, there’s the truism that if you’re doing what you love, you’re going to enjoy what you do. And who can argue with that? Underlying this advice is that you have to take ownership of your career. It’s up to each of us to identify what we love even if means experimenting and kissing lots of frogs to find it. And then it’s about putting ourselves in a position to keep learning and growing. Careers aren’t static “set and forget” endeavors, and it’s up to each of us to take charge. 3. Be like you were in kindergarten “Play nice. Don’t eat other people’s food.” My cousin is talking about being a good human being, and showing respect in our basic human interactions. It’s not rocket science, but it’s amazing how easy it is to forget to do in the stress and busy-ness of adulthood. In fact there’s a great little book called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten that reminds us of just this point. It’s so tempting to get sucked down into the petty competitions and office politics that tend to pit people against each other. But that kind of “zero sum” thinking leads us onto the “low road”. The reality is that those behaviors and mindsets drag us down. They bring us to the lowest common denominator. They make us less than who we are meant to be as people. This is what leads to waking up one day and not liking ourselves. Instead, take out that “kindergarten playbook” and set a new example. Be kind. Help others. Lighten up and don’t take yourself too seriously. Take the high road. You can be ambitious without going overboard on competing. You can understand the politics of the situation without “playing office politics”. You can rise without putting others down. Look for ways to find mutual benefit. And take on the challenge of being the best person you can be. One thing that’s not on the list I was also interested to note what didn’t make the “top 3” list. In particular, being the best in technical skills. Yes, it’s necessary to have great skills and to be excellent in the technical aspects required for the job. However, that alone is not sufficient, especially beyond the early years. Once you’ve mastered the technicals, it’s time to round out your experience and capabilities to include a broader set of ways to differentiate yourself and add value. For example, how you work with people, how you develop yourself, and taking a more strategic approach to the business. How you can get ahead in your career No matter where we are in our careers, the question is always how can you stand out and get ahead? One way to do that is to take my cousin’s advice. It sounds simple, and in fact it’s pretty straightforward. What’s less simple is to put the advice into action. It’s the sum of lots of small decisions you make moment to moment. It’s what you think and do when you think no one’s looking. So by all means, find that killer app, land that big piece of business, win the coveted award. These are all ways to stand out and get ahead. But while you’re hunting for those big wins, you can set yourself apart by taking my cousin’s principles: Don’t be a BMW â€" be a positive, constructive, solutions-oriented professional. Do what you love and love what you do â€" when you’re energized, you’re in a better position to win. Be like you were in kindergarten â€" play nice and don’t eat other people’s food. Being guided by these bigger principles makes it easier to be your best self, and to do your best. And you’ll like yourself better too. So, which of these principles will you put into action to stand out and get ahead?

10 scary job search mistakes -

10 scary job search mistakes - It’s a spooky time of year. Ghoulish decorations, goblins, and jack-o-lanterns abound, reminding us that it’s time to stock up on bowls of candy for greedy trick-or-treaters. It’s a good reminder to make sure that you aren’t frightening off hiring managers and squandering opportunities to land jobs. Is it time to dress up your job search strategy? You don’t need to transform into someone else altogether, but if you haven’t been successful in the past, make sure you avoid these 10 scary job search mistakes. Frightening your network. Unwittingly, many job seekers compel their contacts to turn and run as if Freddy Krueger were chasing them. If you are asking everyone you know to help you find a job and are not having any luck, change your approach. Focus on what you have to offer people you want to meet and do not mention anything about looking for a job when you network and you may have more luck. Not following up with contacts you meet during networking. Most job seekers are guilty of not keeping in touch with the people who may be able to influence their searches. Not identifying and including targeted keywords in your resume and online materials. If you are applying for jobs and hoping for the best, you may as well dig a hole and throw your resume inside and place a “RIP” tombstone on top. Making your resume about your past instead of your future. Be sure you don’t mummify your skills. Failing to eliminate errors. Mistakes are a job search killer. Scaring off hiring managers by applying for every position. You may be surprised to learn that 43% of recruiters would blacklist a candidate for applying to irrelevant positions, according to research from Bullhorn. (Hat tip Dan Schawbel.)   Just because you can apply for every job does not mean you should. Not preparing to answer important questions in interview. If you want to win a competitive costume contest, you’ll plan in advance and have everything you need to create your “look.” Similarly, when it’s time to interview, it’s up to you to practice what you’ll say. Not tapping into social media. If you’ve decided your privacy is more important than anything else and you don the equivalent of Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak online, you are making a big mistake. Throwing up your hands and giving up. Unlike unsuspecting people in scary movies who always seem to find trouble, people who aren’t putting out the right feelers are not likely to find jobs. Letting your guard down once you get a job. Once you do land in the job you’ve been seeking, celebrate, but don’t get complacent. No job is forever. You don’t have to lose your brains during your job search proper preparation can help you to avoid making common mistakes. Read all of the tips on my U.S. News World Report column. Halloween bonus! This infographic from Careerleaf, an all-in-one job search platform, outlines their 10 scariest job seeker mistakesand how to avoid them. Enjoy! Follow all this advice to land more treats than tricks this year.

Choosing Atlanta Resume Writing Service Is Simple

Choosing Atlanta Resume Writing Service Is Simple The Hidden Truth About Atlanta Resume Writing Service Robin's Resumes can assist you! Executive Resumes Atlanta earned its spot on the list due to their steady stream of decent output. The executive resume services supplied by SES Resume Writers can help you stick out from a crowded area of applicants, boosting your probability of landing that all-important job interview. Your Job Search Goals We will understand your work search goals ahead of the building of your resume. The Foolproof Atlanta Resume Writing Service Strategy Consider customer support representative skills job application for a tool, which you might strategically creates to keep a place to target a particular work and discover the center of the organization. Employing flash cards and building blocks it isn't difficult to see and feel the distance of a particular time value. For more than ten years, the procedure to write and create a resume has been accomplis hed more efficiently and affordably because of technology. If you're not certain which skills you prefer to share, consider your prior experiences. Our writers aren't just some random individuals who know English. An expert writer with several years of experience features expertise to come up with interview-winning resume packages. A specialist writer with many years of experience offers expertise to produce interview-winning resume packages. A fast look at their site shows you the extensive number of career-building services they offer their clientele. If you're on the lookout for a professional, IT, resume-writing service which will provide you an outstanding resume, then you've arrived at the ideal spot. If you don't feel like it's possible to talk to the individual honestly, you'll have a difficult time sharing the information that they should craft your resume. Your resume must stick out and immediately grab the interest of the work search expert, otherwise it may end up in the discard pile in case you don't get it right. The Ultimate Atlanta Resume Writing Service Trick When you compare various reviews, you will be able to discover the top resume services that fulfill your standards. It is wise to look for the one which has a great reputation and offers high-quality papers at economical prices. Well, it's dependent on the business. What's more, you merely have a couple local resume services to select from versus the variety of resume services available to you online. The One Thing to Do for Atlanta Resume Writing Service Within seconds, hiring managers will ascertain if your executive resume is well worth another glance. Most professionals will provide a completely free consultation and are delighted to reply to your questions over the telephone. J. Lopex Our executive resume-writing service will allow you to elaborate on your distinctive skill set while keeping up a succinct and direct presentation that appeals to possible employers. Want to Know More About Atlanta Resume Writing Service? Be certain you are currently assigning just what the manager would love to see, not everything you wish to inform. The website should explain fees and supply you with a very good idea of the way the service works. If you see a service we haven't evaluated, don't hesitate to drop us a message and we're going to take a look whenever possible. Among the benefits of going after a return to service over the internet is the simplicity of contact. If you're open to different kinds of jobs, let us know. A great resume isn't the magic elixir to resume work. When it has to do with your job search, there's nobody size fits all approach.

What Not To Do When Networking On LinkedIn - Work It Daily

What Not To Do When Networking On LinkedIn - Work It Daily Yesterday, I was speaking at a business group on the concept of career management, and among the many topics I covered, we discussed networking. Particularly, the do’s and don’ts of how to do it right. Then, ironically, I received the following astounding e-mail shortly after my speech concluded. As an open networker, I don’t mind connecting to folks, but when any of us get messages from someone we’ve never met or interacted with (like the one below), we totally cringe: Good afternoon Dawn, Thank you for connecting with me via LinkedIn. I’ve been with (ABC Company) for 5+ years. During that time I’ve managed to elude the rounds of layoffs due to the economy…until three weeks ago. Please review my Linkedin profile, endorse any of my qualifications you deem appropriate and should you hear of any job opportunities in (state), I hope you will reach out to me or point them in my direction. I have been in the (XYZ) industry for many years, have stellar references, am extremely hands-on, and strategically capable. Thank you in advance for your any assistance you can offer. With kind regards, Person A What do you think is wrong with this picture?? This person didn’t get it… at all â€" which was my first impression. But as a career services provider, I saw someone who was basically becoming their own biggest obstacle to their job search. So, I sent the following e-mail back in response: Dear Person A, I got your message and wanted to respond with some insights that will hopefully help you with your job search. Please accept this advice in the helpful spirit in which is intended. The message you sent (not sure if you are sending other ones out that are similar) was extremely off-putting â€" not many people would take the time to provide the reasons as to why, but please forgive me as I am currently channeling my inner career coach right now… Asking for endorsements from someone you don’t know one iota simply comes across as very desperate, and not very focused. It would be better if you asked folks that have first-hand experience with your performance and abilities, rather than asking complete strangers to do this. From the “other side of the coin” perspective, this request comes across as an attempt to leverage my reputation (and subsequent endorsement) for your own personal gain… most folks would walk away, seeing this as unethical. Additionally, requesting to connect then immediately turning around a demand for any job leads seems very entitled. “I don’t know you- why on earth should I help you?” is what most people would think once they read that part of your message. Having worked with many folks in the exact same situation as yourself, my advice is to take the time to build up a meaningful connection before making any kind of “ask” â€" otherwise, you risk alienating people rather than galvanizing them to act on your behalf. Another helpful suggestion is to pay attention to where the contacts are located; I am in Oregon, so what would be the odds that I would have a lot of connections in (state)? Not very good. Try to find the best-connected people in YOUR target area... that’s critical. Also, as a job search advisor, I frequently coach clients and speak to groups about the value of setting up a job search that is focused on target companies, then leveraging your existing network of contacts to make connections at those top businesses. That’s how networking can pay off. I understand that you are likely in “panic” mode which precipitated the e-mail that you sent, but you’ll be much more effective if you work to build meaningful connections, cultivate the ones you have, and are as specific as possible about target companies that you would like to reach. Hope this helps, and I wish you best of luck in your job search… I know this is a tough time, so hang in there. Best regards, Dawn Of course, it occurred to me this person might take my message the wrong way and I would get back an ugly response. But I hoped that they wouldn’t. Fortunately, I got an e-mail back that was very appreciative, and the person actually checked on their end and was chagrined to see they had sent me the wrong e-mail content. But the important message here is any time we reach out to someone we don’t know, we need to be mindful of how we are coming across and careful about what we send to them. One networking mistake can completely blow our chances of ever having developed a meaningful relationship with them! Now you know what not to do when networking on LinkedIn, so you can focus more time on the moves that will help you develop useful symbiotic relationships. Image Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Your 2018 guide to asking for a promotionÂ

Yur 2018 guide to asking for a versetzungNew yearnew job title? Many of us look upon a new year as a time for new opportunities, from setting and achieving new personal goals to exploring new passions and hobbies and reaching new professional milestonesincluding moving up the career ladder. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Most of us have an ultimate professional goal that we one day wish to fully achieve, and many of us have plotted out a series of steps on our career ladder that will hopefully get us there. With the ushering in of a new year, we often hope that well be able to take a bold step forward toward our goalwhich means getting a aufsteigen at work.Of course, in a perfect world, wed never have to actually ask for a promotionour baboes would simply recognize our undeniable talents and contributions over and over, resulting in a series of promotions. But for most of us, this is more of a pleasant dream than a tangible reality, and waiting for this to happen is like waiting for a beutel of money to drop out of the sky and into your lapnot the most efficient use of your productive work years.The truth is, most of us who want a promotion are going to have to ask for one, which can be among the most stressful, anxiety-inducing, and nerve-wracking experiences we subject ourselves to. Asking for a promotion is no simple task, especially if youre relatively new to your company or industry and may still be proving yourself. According to a recent article published by Forbes, Asking for a promotion can be one of the most stressful experiences in your careerespecially in todays uncertain economy. Why?Because you know youre putting yourself at some level of riskIt should be no surprise that, in comparison to only a few decades ago, todays average employee has larger workloadsand more (and better) competition to contend with. Add to this the highly evolved social and political networks one needs to master, and you have o ne tough road to travelto move from employment offer to promotion without a single misstep is unlikely, and mistakes happen often enough.Yes, the mere thought of asking for a promotion may send you into a panic and have you reconsidering the entire idea, but fear not In the professional world fortune often favors the bold, and if you attack the promotion situation smartly and with a solid game plan, you can really increase your chances that things will go your way when you pop the big questionUse the following strategies to help you stack the deck in your favor, and to avoid the biggest mistakes most people make when gearing up to asking for a promotion.Read the signs.The first crucial step to determining if now is a good time to ask for a promotion or if youre better off waiting is to take the temperature of the company. Was 2017 a good year, or were there lots of struggles and challenges? Did your company meet or exceed its annual goals, or did it fall short? Have there been a gre at deal of layoffs or employee turnover recently, or do things feel relatively stable. Or better yet, are signs of growth and new innovation in the air? It isnt difficult to envision which of these scenarios are more conducive to asking for a promotion, so try to figure out if now is the right time for you to make the big ask.Also, be koranvers to take your own workplace temperature. Was 2017 a hot or cold year for you as an employee? Did you achieve or surpass your goals? Many of us have clearly defined performance metrics, which are often reviewed regularly with our bosses (often annually), so determining if 2017 was a good year for you shouldnt be too difficult. If you had a banner year in 2017, then perhaps now is the perfect time to go after that promotion. If you struggled a bit over the year, perhaps its wiser to wait a few months and really work hard to establish yourself as a valuable employee before taking the plunge.Build a good case.In many instances, asking for a promot ion is like interviewing for a new job, and youll likely have to make a case for yourselfnot just for why you deserve a promotion, but also, and perhaps more importantly, for how your company will benefit from promoting you. This is your opportunity to resell yourself to your companythis time in a new role with greater responsibility.So, approach the situation like you did when you first interviewed with the company. Convince them that youre the perfect person for this new position and that your background, experience, and skill set are the perfect mix to handle the job effectively. You want them to think that promoting you will ultimately benefit the companys bottom line.Choose your moment.Pop quiz Do you think your chances for getting a promotion will be better when you ask your boss after a particularly tense and stressful morning or in the middle of a terrible workplace crisis, or when your boss is in a good mood, relaxed, and hopefully open to new ideas? Not the most difficult quiz, right? Well, youd be surprised by how many unfortunate employees, who are so nervous and desperate to get the promotion question over with, just blindly jump in and ask their bosses for a promotion without determining if the timing is right. Not a good move. Dont make this easily avoidable mistake.Mind the details.Perhaps just as important as the things youll say when asking for a promotion are the supporting detailsthe tone you use, the outfit you decide to wear when you ask, and your body language and facial expressions. Youve already successfully interviewed with the company before, so you have a good idea of what works and what doesnt. The key here is to take this opportunity seriously and to bring your A game when you do decide the time is right to ask for a promotion. Dress well, use a confident and positive tone, and make sure your body language reflects your best possible self.If it goes your wayIf the stars align, things go your way, and fate looks favorably on you, t hen congratulations Graciously and humbly accept your promotion and new role and be sure to use this as an opportunity to prove to your bosses that they made the right calldont forget, at some point in the future you might be facing the promotion question once again, and you want to make sure that you have a solid case for why its once again well deserved.If it doesnt go your wayPutting yourself out there by asking for a promotion and meeting rejection can be incredibly difficult. If you dont get the promotion you were looking for, you may leave the meeting with a wide range of conflicting emotions. The key here is to not do anything rash. Instead, listen carefully to the reasoning you were given for the decision. Was it based on something completely out of your control, or did it include things that you can work on? Were you given a timeline to make improvements and revisit the promotion question?Take the information you were given during the discussion, consider it carefully, and weigh your options for moving forward. The key here is to not consider this the final step on your career ladderyoull have many more professional opportunities in the futureAsking for a promotion can be a stressful experiencebut it doesnt have to be Use the strategies provided here to ensure that when the time is right and you decide to ask for a promotion that youre putting your best foot forward and setting yourself up for success.

Diversity Hangout Where Do You Fit In

Diversity Hangout Where Do You Fit In Diversity Hangout Where Do You Fit In?WayUp is excited to announce that on Wednesday, February 20th at 11 AM PST, were partnering with Geico, Viacom/MTV, Facebook, and Saks Fifth Avenue to bring you our pioneering Diversity Hangout on Google+Wondering where your perfect fit is? Each company will send an HR representative who will explain what its like to work at their company, their diversity initiatives, and how to find the right internship or entry-level opportunity for you. Student organization representatives from SMASH, the College Success Foundation, and Rainier Scholars will also be live to join the conversation.Participating is free and easy, and open to all university students. Just add WayUp to your circles on Google+ and RSVP to the event Youll be invited to watch the Hangout live and have the opportunity to write in questions.These companies want to hear your take on diversity in the workplacesend us questions youd like to direct towa rds employersPut them in the comments belowSend them on Google+Post on Facebookwheredoyoufit onTwitterCant wait to landsee you thereExcited to Announce a New Edition to the EventWayUpand BrazenCareerist are teaming up to host a virtual networking session after the event, where you can meet the speakers, other students and more. Participating is easy, just take five seconds to register here. Move fast as there are just 200 spaces open

How to Find Candidates with the Communication Skills of the Future

How to Find Candidates with the Communication Skills of the FutureCommunication skills are always in-demand, but since the ways we communicate change, recruiters arent always looking for the same old skills from candidates. Wouldnt it be great if you knew what the next hot skill is going to be?To get you ahead of the game, we asked recruiting experts about the most important communication trends impacting the workplace in the near future. Based off those trends, they have predictions about the communication skills you should start looking for now. This way, as new changes pop up, you already have the employees you need to succeed as a team.Here are four communication trends that experts have noticed and the skills they suggest prioritizing to make the most of the trendAsynchronous communicationAs mentioned in a 2018 survey, 55 percent of remote workers now telecommute on a full-time basis. This means employees have to work in varying time zones, on top of having to communicate with p eople from diverse cultural backgrounds. Being remote means employees have to depend mora on asynchronous communication (e.g. emails). Methods of speaking in person, on the phone, or through live chat may be challenging due to varying time zones.Find out if candidates have peers, colleagues, friends, and family members in different time zones, and what tools they use to communicate with them. This helps determine if the candidates are able to explain their views about a complex topic through written text without relying on verbal or in-person communication. Syed Irfan Ajmal, managing director of GigWorkerTelecommuniting is changing the communicationskills recruiters need to look for.Click To TweetStorytellingWhether youre a rising manager or the CEO, being a strong storyteller will take you far. And in todays always-on, always-connected virtual world, being able to tell a compelling story effectively is even more critical. People have less time and their attention is being pulled in more directions than ever. So its crucial that employees and leaders alike become skilled in storytelling. Actions people need to take to ensure they can be effective communicatorsProactively close the gap between what we say and what we mean. Make your strategy a compelling story so people will want to be a part of it. Dont place foolish emphasis on WIIFM (Whats In It For Me). While that is certainly an important question to gain clarity on, we have found that engaging people in the adventure and possibilities of what can be created together is even more important. Jim Haudan, co-founder and Chairman of Root Inc. and Rich Berens, CEO of Root Inc. co-authors of What Are Your Blind Spots? Conquering the 5 Misconceptions that Hold Leaders BackAI and social mediaWith all the digitalization of communication, candidates and employees should be technically savvy and familiar with remote communication skills. Being able to present oneself online in a way that is eloquent and professional through digital communications like email and social media will be more important to thecompanys public image. With all the automation, it is also important to be personable and engaging in all of their communication between co-workers, customers,and clients.At ProSky, were a big supporter of performance-based hiring, or basically, testing candidates on their soft skills and technical skills through projects and challengesbefore hiring. These projects can be completed in a team-setting with current employees or on an individual basis to get an accurate representation of communication skills proficiency and cultural fit with the company.Crystal Huang, CEO of ProSkyWith the rise of AI communication, employees need to have the soft skills to communicate with coworkers.Click To TweetUsing multiple toolsAs technology continues to advance, global communication becomes easier, and remote teams become more prevalent in organizations. And I can see the ability to communicate effectively over digital becoming a skill that hiring managers look for in candidates, especially those in managerial or leadership positions.Being able to clearly communicate directives and strategies over voice, video, and text-based tools (such as text messaging, direct messaging, and email) will become increasingly important. You can also add the ability to leverage project planning or organizational tools to track tasks across global teams as a skill that will become increasingly more important for hiring managers building teams for the future.Kane Carpenter, director of Employment BOOST