10 ways to make your direct reports more efficient

10 ways to make your direct reports mora efficient10 ways to make your direct reports more efficientAs a leadership development expert, one of the things I find that managers struggle with the most is when direct reports dont meet their wertzuwachs expectations. Most managers are in their roles because they are high performers with high standards. Theyve likely never been coached for low performance or inefficiency, so that makes it doubly difficult when they encounter the situation in their direct reports. Fortunately, there are several things you can do when your employee is struggling.1. Do routine performance diagnostic testsBefore taking any action, I recommend conducting a performance diagnostic. All too often, managers assume they know the reason for the inefficiency and rush to correct the problem before even confirming that that is the issue. For example, managers will often assume any performance problem is caused by a lack of training, and will provide additional training in order to correct the problem. This is a mistake, because elend knowing how to perform a task is only one possible reason for poor performance.2. Talk in terms of behaviors, bedrngnis labelsMost managers use labels instead of behaviors to describe performance and this is often the crux of the problem. If you were to ask employees if theyre efficient, or motivated, most will tell you yes, because most people assume they are performing better than they actually are Instead of using words like efficient, be specific about what you want. For example, Please make sure you go through the whole inbox before going to the file room so you only have to make one trip is more effective than Can you please file more efficiently?3. Clarify tasksIn applied behavioral science terminology, task clarification refers to the process of explaining what needs to be done as well as how to do it. If you look at the job descriptions in most organizations, we do a pretty good job of telling people what, bu t not so good at how. To get top notch performance and efficiency, managers need to explain what and how. Great leaders will also throw in why, to keep people inspired.4. Provide feedbackI tell all my clients that more feedback is best. Employees assume no news is good news, so if youre not giving them feedback about their lack of efficiency, they wont know they need to improve. Giving frequent, objective feedback alone can improve performance by up to 15%5. Reinforce good behaviorCatch them doing something right, and reward them. How to properly reward employees is a science in and of itself, but suffice it to say a good manager is like a social vending machine. Good vending machines are consistent, they give you what youve asked for, they dont give you what you didnt ask for, and they only give up the goods if youve done your part. Thats how you as a manager should deliver your positive reinforcement.6. Set goalsIf employees dont know what you expect then you cant blame them for n ot delivering it. In addition to explaining how to do something, you should also explain what you expect in terms of output. If you think its appropriate for an employee to get through 50 work tickets a day, for example, then for goodness sakes tell them this If someones new its okay if they have mini-goals to shape their performance while theyre learning. Just make sure they understand this so they dont feel youre always asking for more.7. Be clear on prioritiesIf you want your employee to be more efficient, sometimes you need to coach them on how to spend their time or the companys money. Its a mistake to assume your employees see things the way you do. Some managers are so concerned about being perceived as the dreaded micro-manager that they neglect to provide much-needed guidance on priorities, and then seethe silently (or not so silently) when the employee chooses incorrectly.8. Educate on costsDont assume your employee understands the big picture. A lot of inefficiency and wa ste can be chalked up to simply not knowing whats at stake. If you explain to your line manager, for example, how having the highest paid employee sweep the floors while three minimum wage people learn a new skill inflates labor unnecessarily, they will be in a better position to manage tasks the next time. Just barking that overtime is too high will not solve the problem.9. Interview effectivelySometimes you need to solve a problem before it even starts, and in the case of inefficient employees this is in the interview process. Make sure to be as clear as possible during the interview about the work quality and quantity expectations, and ask detailed behavioral questions to determine employees previous capacity. Its essential to paint an accurate picture of the job, and to select the people who have done similar work in the past. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, after all.10. Mandate organizationIf all else fails, or as a safeguard, you can always make the mo st efficient processes the required processes. Most candidates I interview these days prefer some latitude regarding how they accomplish their job, but they also agree that it makes sense to learn established best practices before innovating. Consider documenting the most efficient way to perform the job and making that your standard operating procedures.Like most problems, an inefficient employee wont improve if you just ignore the situation. You dont have the time or energy to let poor performance linger, so put on your big girl pants and deal with it head-on. If your employee is worth keeping, theyll thank you for your input.Carrie Maldonado is the founder of Todays Leadership Solutions Seattle-based consulting firm dedicated to providing business owners peace of mind and job fulfillment by ensuring their management teams are equipped to run their businesses successfully. A certified executive coach, organizational development expert, and HR Professional, Carrie consults with sma ll to medium-sized businesses on management, leadership, and recruiting solutions in addition to providing career coaching to managers and executives in transition.A version of this post previously appeared onFairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.

3 Goal-Setting Mistakes You Can#8217;t Afford to Make

3 Goal-Setting Mistakes You Can8217t Afford to Make 3 Goal-Setting Mistakes You Can8217t Afford to Make Goals are like your roadmap in life, or a compass. If you dont know where you want to go, you can never get there. - Spyros Thalassinos, founder of Design HavenWe harp on productivity metrics and constantly refine performance management programs, hoping all the attention will lead to more productive workforces and better business results.But what if the real issue occurs much earlier in the process? What if performance is being stunted at the very outtischtischtischset?It happens and it happens quite often when leaders and managers neglect to set performance goals with their workers, leaving employees without the roadmaps they need to succeed.Here are three common mistakes companies make with respect to the goal-setting processMistake 1 Not Setting Goals in the First PlaceOne of the most common goal-setting mistakes is not setting any goals to begin with. Only 36 percent of org anizations have standard, company-wide strategies for setting goals. Theres a significant chance your company isnt making a regular, concerted effort to set meaningful employee goals. This lack of goals is damaging toall involved, but especially to your newest hires. You invested so much in attracting them, and now they lack the guidance they need to thrive.The Solution Theres no shortcut here. To fix this mistake, you have to create an organization-wide goal-setting process leaders and employees can follow. The protocol should be scalable and applicable to everyone from interns to executives. That way, the goal-setting process will build good habits across the organization and remind everyone that no one is too new or too experienced to aim for improvement.Mistake 2 Setting Goals That Are Too AttainableNo one reaches greatness unless they consciously set themselves up for it. Theres nothing wrong with focusing on the little tasks that lead to the end of a big project, but those are daily goals. Theyre different from the big goals we use to guide our career trajectories or the achievements of an entire company.When setting goals with employees, its important that you find a balance between big challenges and smaller, more obvious wins. An even mix will mean a motivated and satisfied employee, while too much of one or the other canlead to frustration.The Solution Set goals with employees, not for them. Doing so will increase transparency and communication between you and your employees, who will jump at the chance to provide input on the direction of their career. Additionally, the process gives employees a more personal stake in achieving their goals.Mistake 3 Forgetting to Maintain GoalsMaybe you already have a goal-setting plan. Maybe you already work hard to name common goals and align employees personal aims with the company mission.And yet, at the end of the year, those goals you worked so hard to develop are left unattained.The problem isnt that you negl ected to set goals, nor did you fail to take employees motivations into account. Rather, the problem is that you overlooked the planning phase You cant just set goals in order for employees toactually achieve their goals,theyll need plans that keep them on track.The SolutionDid you know people who write down their goals are 50 percent more likely to achieve them? Thats why employees should leave goal-setting meetings with written lists of the objectives they need to achieve and the timeframes in which they need to achieve them. To further increase the chances of achievement, you should help the employee break their overarching goals down into week-by-week or month-by-month plans of tasks and objectives.Setting goals is important for any organization that wants to see real employee progress. To make sure your goal-setting process actually works, be sure to avoid these three mistakesA version of this article originally appeared on theiRev blog.Michael Heller is the CEO and founder ofi Rev.

10 Places You Can Find a Tech Job Online

10 Places You Can Find a Tech Job Online10 Places You Can Find a Tech Job OnlineTime for the boring part of the job hunt - the actual job hunting. It doesnt help that there are so many internet job boards, sometimes its difficult to tell which ones are worth your time, especially if youre looking for a specialized career or a site that recognizes your unique skill set. Here is a list of some of the top job boards and search sites for technology careers, to help you find a job online. 01Experience Experience.com is one of the largest new stufe and internship databases available. They have a comprehensive jobs database for those with anywhere from 0-3 years of experience. Also, they also offer links to tips on resume writing and networking, which is always a plus.ConclusionThis list isnt meant to be exhaustive, but it should be a good place to start on your journey to getting a tech job you love.

Write the Resume Before the Job Search

Write the Resume Before the Job SearchWrite the Resume Before the Job SearchTim Ide changed his resume and discovered he was qualified for mora jobs than he ever imagined.The resume rarely comes first. But perhaps it should.A job search typically begins when a job seeker decides what he wants to do and for what jobs he wants to apply. He will usually craft a resume designed to land those jobs. Tim Ide of Carlton, Ore., would argue those job seekers have it backward.Ide, the general manager of a small electronics-manufacturing plant near Portland, Ore., unintentionally put his resume first after a rewrite and let the document tell him the jobs for which to apply.Ide had his resume rewritten by Don Burns, a certified professional resume writer who works with the Ladders, and the resulting resume convinced Ide he had skills beyond his position and industry. Its even allowed him to consider jobs in locations with a warmer climate, important to the health of his wife, he said.The re-done resume gave me a shotgun instead of a rifle, he said. I realized I could branch out a bit.I am looking at positions (now) that would be the director of operations in an electronics-manufacturing business, he said. I have looked at some CFO (chief financial officer) positions in other businesses. The position I applied for today is general manager of a business that imports and resells motorcycle accessories.A resume often puts into focus the pieces of a career and the jobs a candidate is qualified to do, said Burns. Often, he said, it requires a dispassionate outsider to help see the whole picture.People often come to a realization after redoing their resumes, he said. What I do is almost like portrait painting. Im an outsider, putting together their portrait. Some people look at their rewritten resume and say, It doesnt look like me. But I dont make anything up. When you have an outsider look at you objectively, you are going to get a new view of yourself.Death by bulletsIde has be en at the same company for 10 years but decided to look for a job this year after the company was acquired by a new owner and his wife developed some minor medical issues that doctors have told him would benefit from living in a warmer climate. Hes been researching jobs in warmer cities, such as Orlando, as well as Oregon.Ide had recently updated his resume to address his current job description and title. But when I got the critique back (as part of Ladders premium membership), it said let me see if I can remember this correctly death by bullets, he said.Bullet points and keywords (a resume standard) are important but often overused, Burns said. A laundry list of job descriptions does little to explain what he brings to the job and can confuse the employer.Often, an employer cant determine from their resume what job the employee wants, he said. Tims resume was disorganized. You could see he had a background in operations, but most of the recent information was a jumble it was mor e general management. He lumped together all types of skills marketing, finance, sales, menschlich resources which needed to be presented as more of a progression. We did that with a summary paragraph.Its important that the potential employer sees the portrait the candidate wants to paint and quickly, Burns said.Someone looks at a resume for 10 or 15 seconds, he said. They look at what the person has done, where he has been. The resume needs to present that information, plus accomplishments, clearly.Ide said that he understood why the changes were necessary. When I got the critique back, I agreed with it in the sense that it was definitely much less oriented toward accomplishments, he said. Im more oriented toward very concise summaries. And yet, I recognize that not all people think the same way I do. The rewrite was such that it was more verb-oriented. More of I accomplished this, as opposed to this was my task.For instance, he continued, I originally had, responsible for all as pects of operations. The rewrite came out, designed and implemented cost-accounting processes. It broke down all the functions of my job and gave information on my accomplishments instead of responsible for all aspects of accounting and human resources.Transferring skillsNew resume in hand, Ide is looking at positions as a CFO, director of operations, general manager, even a job as marshal of a court of appeals in Florida. This position is the administrative boss of the court, the person who handles the personnel, the budget it seems like a great position. It uses a lot of my skills but is different than manufacturing stuff that Ive been doing.While all of these jobs sound a little different, they all require the skills of someone who can manage a project, manage a budget, handle human resources and more.My skills are transferrable, he said. If I could find a job that would pay me to play with motorcycles, I couldnt think of anything that would be much better, he said. I do have opt ions. I just have to convince other people.

The Undeniable Reality About Legal Resume That Nobody Is Sharing With You

The Undeniable Reality About Legal Resume That Nobody Is Sharing With You Get the Scoop on Legal Resume Before Youre Too Late On your side of the equation, contract work can provide you an opportunity to display your dedication and talent, and to meet those who might be the real key to a full-time prospect. Your resume should be formatted in an easy, professional way. Your goal in constructing your resume is to make an effective advertising tool. In addition, you can look for attorney jobs on Monster. Furthermora, you can look for legal assistant jobs on Monster. Apply now and receive the most effective Legal Assistant job available. The job of a company lawyer isnt in any respect easy. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Legal Resume What follows is a wide selection of professional resume samples for jobs in a variety of industries. The skills section will be able to help you show hiring managers more thorough information that proves you are going to be an excellent asset to their company. There was not any third option. If you wish to go from really being a legal secretary to an arbitration representative, then you want a great legal resume. The Basics of Legal Resume Pay attention to the following guidelines to ensure youre not overlooked or dismissed. If thats the case, be certain your descriptions reflect that information. In Appendix II, you will locate a sample resume. A sample legal resume should incorporate an easy sentence stating the objective that you want to achieve to your legal resume. Just make sure, whichever format you opt for, which youre targeting it for the job that youre applying to. Imagine you have two resumes before you. So how can you compose a resume cover letter is all-important to comprehend. The absolute most efficient cover letters possess lots of white space. The Foolproof Legal Resume Strategy While Simple Resume Templates may give you basic examples to use, you still need to modify your r esumes further so they can represent you better. Studying career-specific resume samples is among the most effective ways to understand how to format and focus your abilities and abilities. Should you ever needed a resume to submit an application for a job, then youve got likely needed tools like Basic Resume Templates. Ladders best resume templates are sure to offer you an advantage in your job search. Legal Resume Fundamentals Explained Employers wish to employ someone with a great attitude. Know the field youre trying to break in to. Theres no limit to where it is possible to go The highly competitive area of legal resume writing services possesses a substantial number of opportunities for career development, and a chance for successful career change. There are several unique qualifications, expectations, and hiring practices that you ought to be familiarized with to maximize your odds of being hired. Maybe you need a growth opportunity in your existing field. Next you wish to place your employment history, in chronological order starting with the latest position. Be sure all info is up-to-date. You must include your own personal contact information whereby the employer might get in contact with you. Its true, you would like to have as much information as possible there, but nevertheless, it also needs to be easily readable. It is very important to exclude all irrelevant info, including experience, employment and superfluous details. What follows is a very long way removed on the internet. There are a lot of things to take into consideration when thinking about whether to set up shop on ones own. There are more than a few reasons and the major one being that most other legal resumes are one page. Before the days of the web, the only means to discover a new job was supposed to look for one. How to Choose Legal Resume Use keywords that will attract prospective employers and thatll be relevant to their requirements. Resumes arent usual ly one of the more important things that admissions committees consider. LinkedIn is a little different. Our LinkedIn resume writer also teaches you how to quickly compose a CV that any employer might want to read. Legal Resume - the Story Legal assistants provide aid to lawyers. Finding that dream job is easy with the assistance of a good lawyer resume. After all, the law can be tough to break into, thus the demand for a resume that may advertise you properly. If you are practicing law for a number of years have many accomplishments below your belt, you dont need to be limited to a single page resume. Work experience and qualities The employers are extremely much interested to understand what all tasks you performed in your prior workplace. Even if your information is in bullet format, it may still be hard to quickly recognize the pertinent abilities and accomplishments which are important to the possible employer. Other crucial areas in your work experience will likewis e be explored to highlight your credentials and make a stand-out resume. Because your work title may mean various responsibilities and skills to various employers, you ought to use descriptions to get rid of doubt and clarify your position.

The Fundamentals of Resume Writing Sand Comics Revealed

The Fundamentals of Resume Writing Sand Comics Revealed With the correct practice and research, the possibility of you getting the job is only going to increase. No worries, understanding how to create a perfect resume isnt as hard as it looks. Initially working with Cherie was a way to find a better job. You will not ever send your master resume to anybody, therefore it is irrelevant how much time it is. The comedy writers must be acknowledged for entertaining multitudes of people across the world. Its far better include published work, but inexperienced writers may consist of work thats unpublished. The art of indenting was lost. Freelance editing jobs come from a variety of places so that you may have to consider what kind of article youre editing and what its objective is. Its sufficient to make any professional a tiny frustrated. Scannable resumes need specific page designs because computer scanners cannot read certain products. ur 20 templates supply you with exam ples for most instances which you will face. In virtually all scenarios, the response is yes. Inexperienced writers will need to acquire creative when preparing clips. You may be asked to check at it again. Read through some samples, and customize your own letter so that it shows why you ought to be selected for an interview. The War Against Resume Writing Sand Comics A sample is able to help you decide what things to put in your letter, and the way to format the letter. Youre now prepared to be seriously interviewed You may be surprised at how many writing gems you find when you get started searching your files. Cramming as much information regarding yourself as text dimensions and margins will allow makes it harder for the hiring manager to get the most relevant info. Resume Writing Sand Comics Can Be Fun for Everyone Bear in mind, employers have a tendency to have many resumes they should look over, and so dont tend to devote much time on any individual resume at le ast in the first stages of the application procedure. If youve got many abilities, the previous skill paragraph may be called Additional Skills. On occasion the Skills and Accomplishments section is a distinct section. Skills, courses or projects of interest to the domain of the possible employer will interest the recruiter. Articles The majority of the online writing jobs are going to be about articles. You would like an entry-level job for a web content writer. If you are a newcomer to the work market, your Summary is going to be based more on ability than experience. If you dont understand how to get going on your job search, I can provide help For one, you dont need to be accountable for writing a totally original idea. You will be provided a simple outline on the essence of the announcement that you need to make and you might be given the link of the company where you are able to do the required research. At times, an write-up requires you to turn into strict with col loquial terms and other little details you wouldnt normally pay lots of attention to. It will also need a short summary to go on top.

Unknown Facts About No Experience Resume Template

Unknown Facts About No Experience Resume schablone The Debate Over No Experience Resume Template As soon as its a little unusual, thats ok so long as your resume is crystal clear and provides all the essential info, you can format your resume any manner that you would really like. If you would like to provide lots of information, you should decide on the lengthier version and should you would like to be precise and easy, a shorter version would be better. If you dont locate a template that is particular to your job requirement, you can decide on the template that is made for a job very similar to the one that youre interested in. This template was produced to help you within your resume writing procedure. Resume creators make it possible for jobseekers to make and download their finished resumes right from the net to begin applying straight away. Your application should reflect that you are able to execute a number of cleaning and housekeeping tasks and that youre eager to a ssist and assist where necessary. Producing your resume is critical. Include contact details. The Pain of No Experience Resume Template Every section needs a slightly different strategy. The Objective section is normally a brief one. The very first section of your resume should consist of information on the way in which the employer can contact you. The Extracurricular Activities section will reveal your own personal interests and the way you spend your time. Youll speak about your unique situation, in detail, to establish the most efficient actions you may take to land the job. In case you have any part-time work, that will go a ways towards an amazing experience section. Finding work with no experience is a process which needs a great quantity of patience, energy, and energy. Deficiency of relevant experience is a typical issue for many individuals going into the workforce, and for people who need to modify career paths. Getting the Best No Experience Resume Templat e You must understand how to make a great impression so its possible to land the face-to-face interview. Provided that youre able to emphasize and highlight the skills you know can promote the businesss well-being, you are certain to find short-listed and be invited for an interview. Everyone with a work right now has, sooner or later, had a very first job. An interview could also be needed to land the job, but a resume is crucial to begin the approach. Top No Experience Resume Template Secrets Many employers cross-reference your resume to your on-line presence. Since there are several kinds of legal professionals based on specialties, you want to learn first what does the employer searches for before you get started composing your curriculum vitae. At the right time of filling the resume templates, youll need to concentrate on your qualifications and include all your abilities and also those skills that youre able to map to the skills needed by the job. Selecting The Resume Templates Since each sort of job demands different abilities, experience and educational qualifications, its important to choose the appropriate resume template so it will stand out when its filled up with your attributes. The Honest to Goodness Truth on No Experience Resume Template Make certain to include your contact information in order for the hiring manager can contact you. It is possible to use samples to offer you a blue print about how to compose your own resume. For instance, a bigger company may take care of their employment exclusively through HR. Resumes offer the all important first impressions to an employer an applicant cannot give during the first phase of the application procedure. Ruthless Experience Resume Template Strategies Exploited Learning how to do a resume when do not have any work experience is much simpler if it is possible to demonstrate some seasonal or short-term work experience. Building a resume can be a difficult task especially if youve g ot no prior work experience. If you dont have experience including all the requirements listed dont worry. This form of resume can be great if youve got little if any conventional work experience. The Ultimate Experience Resume Template Trick You will need experience to have a job, but you require a job to acquire experience. If you are a newcomer to the work search, take assessments to learn what your interests and skills are so you can narrow in on specific jobs. Be certain that the skills are related to the job that you desire. Concentrate on highlighting relevant coursework to the job youre applying for. Importance Of A Proper Resume Template Your resume is the first thing which the HR of the business will get when you submit an application for work. Resumes give potential employers a means to learn about applicants quickly and readily, and theyre your very first step toward new job opportunities. The Debate Over No Experience Resume Template Taking the correct kind o f action and having the proper mindset can help to make the search simpler. Everyone was in the exact situation when they were searching for their very first job No matter what kind of job experience youve got or what occupation youre searching for, the following ideas will allow you to compose a top-notch resume. This way, its clear what type of experience you gained. However tempting it may be to stretch the truth, lying on your resume is always a poor idea. There are quite a lot of places where it is possible to acquire good resume examples. Its critical, however, to keep up a strong presence on social networking. Make certain you always have a skilled and positive presence.

How to Avoid a Mid-Life Crisis (or Quarter-Life Crisis)

How to Avoid a Mid-Life Crisis (or Quarter-Life Crisis)How to Avoid a Mid-Life Crisis (or Quarter-Life Crisis)Peering out of the window of a skyscraper in New York City at the people hurriedly rushing to their jobs, I felt a sinking feeling in my gut. Just moments ago, I was one of them, and this had been my routine every day over the curse of my career dash to work to do a job that, even on the best days, felt like I was spinning my wheels. Deep down I knew something needed to change I just couldnt put a finger on it. I sat back in my chair, looked around at the white walls of my office, then back toward the window again. I thought Is this really all there is? At that point, I had a secure job in advertising backed by advanced degrees, I was making a good amount of money, and I was locationed to keep moving up within my company. To others, I had made it- but to me, I felt disconnected and disappointed day after day.Wow, I thought. I was only five years into my career, and I could al ready sense that I was headed for crisis. Perhaps you can relate? Or fear that one day youll find yurself at that point?Many of us departure out our careers with lofty ambitions, high expectations, and optimistic pursuits, yet somewhere along the line we hit a lull of confusion, frustration, and feelings of failure. Although the stereotype is that this crisis hits folks in their mid-40s, it is also known to happen (as was the case for me) in your 20s and 30s. As a career coach to people of all ages throughout the years, I have seen this happen many times to individuals who were able to successfully navigate their way through it.If youre feeling on the brink of a job crisis or in the midst of one right now, youre definitely not alone, but there are things you can do to help prevent or mitigate the event. No matter where you are on your professional journey or what age you happen to be, here are four steps Ive found that will help you avoid the dip or get you through to the other side .1. Take Time to Build Your FoundationThe best careers are built on a critical foundation that will stand the test of time and can weather the inevitable pitfalls youll encounter- things like your core values, passions, and strengths. Unfortunately, many of us dive straight into a job that we think looks good on paper and dont take the time to build this foundation, which can lead to upset down the road. But its never too late to go back to the basics. If youve never gone through this process or its been some time since you did, start by blocking out some quiet time to hone in on or revisit a few important things about yourselfWhat are your core values? Or, in other words, what matters to you most in life? Identifying your values can feel overwhelming, but there are plenty of resources to guide you along the way. Two of my favorites the free core values workbook offered by Dawn Barclay of Living Moxie and Danielle LaPortes resources for finding your core desired feelings- essentiall y another way of identifying the same thing.What are your strengths? Sure, you probably know some of these offhand (hello, interview question prep), but sometimes it can be most helpful to get other peoples impressions of you. Try asking 10 friends, colleagues, or mentors what they think your three greatest strengths are, and youll likely start to see some patterns. And, truthfully, the answers might surprise you- often our strengths are the things we do so innately that we dont even recognize them as something special.What are your passions? For some, this might seem like the easiest to answer, but a lot of people struggle with it. If youre not 100% sure, ask yourself questions like When do I find myself in the zone, both at work and in my personal life? What skills or talents come most natural to me? What gets me out of bed in the morning? What did I love as a child that still excites me? Collect your answers to these questions in one central place so you can start to see a clear imagination of yourself. Consider your current job satisfaction (or lack thereof), and see how this foundation relates. If you realize that key aspects of your situation arent aligning with your values, strengths, and passions, thats a clear sign that its time to start making some changes. On that note 2. Make Choices Based Off Your CoreWhenever you find yourself at a crossroads in your career- be it about accepting a new job, taking on new responsibilities, handling a conflict at work, or anything in between- remember to return to your foundation to help guide you. This way youre not making decisions based on whims or out of stress, but on how you intentionally want to build your career for the long haul. Here are a few questions worth asking before you make a choice How does this decision align with my core values, strengths, and passions?How do I truly feel about the decision I am about to make?How would the person I want to be handle this situation?How would I feel tomorrow if I make this choice today?For example, I worked with a woman who was offered a promotion at a higher salary, but the new position would increase her already intense travel schedule. While she was excited about the idea of moving up, she was conflicted about spending more time away from home. She was able to assess her decision more thoughtfully, with her values and professional aspirations as a guide, and decided to negotiate the terms of her promotion to an arrangement that was mutually beneficial. She is much happier with her decision, and her employer gets to grow the company. Win-win Without this level of clarity, you may make a decision that will disappoint later on. When making choices from your core, you can even start small As you face day-to-day decisions, like whether or not to delegate a task, do a quick gut check about whether it aligns with your core before proceeding.Ready to build a long-lasting career? Check out open roles at Wells Fargo3. Find Ways to Follow Curiositi esEven if youve chosen a career, a job, and a company based on your foundation, it doesnt mean youll always feel like thats the only gig for you. In fact, youre bound to have other things pop up that spark your interests, and I always encourage people to find ways to pursue them. After all, we tend to want what we dont have, and ignoring these curiosities or letting them fester could leave you with a sense that there is something missing and cause you to make some drastic career decisions. But by giving them a little bit of attention, you can quiet that sense of FOMO and maybe even become more inspired at your day job. For example, early on in my career, I became curious about photography and took some lessons on evenings and weekends. Picking up the camera and tapping into my creative side satisfied a need I didnt even know I had. After a couple of months of playing with the camera in my spare time, my co-workers even noticed a change in my mood and overall energy at work. I felt m ore inspired and less stressed because I had other interests in addition to my main gig. So look for opportunities to explore other interests in your free time. Whether its picking up a book, taking an evening class, attending a meetup group, or starting a side project, a few hours each week is usually all the time you need to dip your toe in. Or, you could look for opportunities to bring these activities into your job by taking ownership of special projects and initiatives. If you have an idea for a new sales strategy or a womens leadership program, for example, follow it You never know where your curiosity might lead you. 4. Dont Get Too ComfortableEven if youve built your career based on your foundation, youre making core-based decisions like a boss, and youre following your side interests in your spare time, dont stop there When things are going well, its easy to coast and get a little too comfortable. While you should enjoy the ride, its equally important to resist the urge to become complacent and continue to seek out opportunities that will stretch you and keep your mind fueled with inspiration. Continually checking in on your career journey allows you to stay on track or course correct if necessary, as well as explore the areas you want to push yourself to grow in. I recommend bi-annual career check-ins (put it on your calendar to stay accountable) to think aboutYour long-term goals, how youre progressing toward them, and what next steps will get you even closer Your accomplishments from the past six monthsAreas or skills youd like to learn or develop in the next six monthsWhats working in your career and whats not (and how you can change that)Of course, even if youre doing all of the above, you may still find yourself in a place of uncertainty or unhappiness. If this happens, think of this as a great opportunity to slow down, reflect, and re-evaluate some things in your life and career. One way to move through this time is to revisit your core values. You may discover that somewhere along the way, youve drifted away from them- or that theyre actually not your values anymore Set aside time to do a quick inventory List out what is going really well and what is missing. For the items in the latter category, see if you can create mini goals that will allow you to actively address them.Going through a professional crisis happens to the best of us and is just a sign of being human. For better or for worse, the pain brings with it an incredible gift to re-examine our lives and make better decisions. So while we do our best to avoid pitfalls in our career, rest assured that this period in time is a sign of better things to come. Photo of happy woman at work courtesy of Hero Images/Getty Images.

Senior Management or Executive-Level Jobs

Senior Management or Executive-Level JobsSenior Management or Executive-Level JobsAfter working hard and gaining years of experience, you might find yourself getting promoted up the ladder to a senior management position within your firm. Senior management jobs generally include positions within the following groups Director, Vice President, C-level, and CEO. Depending on the size of the company, and the industry in which it operates, you could find that the same job title has different meanings, different responsibilities, and a very different salary. However, these jobs generally carry a certain level of responsibility in common and have tasks relevant to thepositions title. CompanyDirectors A director is a senior management position responsible for the strategic and tactical management of a significant piece of the company. Directors typically manage a few subordinate managers. Within their area of responsibility, they generally have wide latitude, with an expectation to meet broad goals. Normally they have responsibility for managing the profit and loss of their group or division and have hiring authority within their budget. Some larger organizations may have associate director or assistant director jobs. The individuals in such positions usually assist another director in managing his area. However, the title can also be used for someone with director-level responsibility, but for a smaller parte of the organization or someone whose lack of experience or seniority in the company doesnt justify the higher title. The Senior Director title may be assigned to an individual responsible for a larger part of the organization. It also may be assigned to someone who has been on the job longer. Many large organizations also use the managing director title. This individual manages a substantial part of the organization. This person manages a group of other managers and/or directors. The managing director may be responsible for managing an entire region, a functi on across all regions, or a specific business unit. In a few organizations, like consulting firms where the director title is used by all management levels, managing directors have the responsibility not only to oversee teams and direct work efforts on client engagements but to also bring in new clients to the firm. Vice President A Vice President is normally the second-highest management level. He or she reports to the president or another top executive. The vice president may be assigned responsibility for specific functional areas or assigned to assist the president in all areas Some larger organizations may have multiple vice presidents as described below and some very large organizations may have a level of executives above the vice president level. These are referred to as C-level positions. Some organizations, especially in the banking and commercial real estate industries, may have associate vice president or assistant vice president titles. The individuals in these posi tions usually assist another vice president. However, the title can also be used for a more juniorchefin individual. Senior Vice President The Senior Vice President title can be assigned to an individual who has responsibility for a larger part of the organization. However, it has become more commonplace for individuals at this management level to have titles such as Group Vice President, Division Vice President, Area or Region Vice President, or Executive Vice President that denote that individuals area of responsibility. The C-Suite In the largest organizations or ones that choose to emulate them, a management level exists for personnel with so-called C-level executive titles. These include CAO, COO, CFO, CTO, and many newer variations. The initial C in each of these titles stands for chief, and its where C-level gets its name. The CAO acronym stands for Chief Accounting Officer, the COO is the Chief Operating Officer, CFO is the Chief Financial Officer, and CTO is the Chi ef Technology Officer. Other titles at this management level can include Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Sales Officer, and Chief Customer Officer, among others. Technically, the CEO is part of this group but has a higher level of responsibility. The individual in a C-level job has achieved the highest executive level in that company for that functional area. All the other executives in that functional area report to the C-level executive. For example, all of the Regional Vice Presidents of Sales would report to the CSO, Chief Sales Officer. The vice presidents of finance, treasury, and investor relations report to the CFO. When smaller companies assign C-level titles, they use them more to grant prestige than out of functional necessity. In such cases, people with lower-level management titles report directly to a C-level executive. For example, a CFOs direct reports in a small company might include the accounting manager and the payroll supervisor. CEO The top executive in an organization can have many titles. These include owner, founder, or manager. The title could also be managing partner or president. In the largest organizations, and more frequently in smaller ones, the title of president has been replaced by CEO, Chief Executive Officer. This person has overall responsibility for the entire organization. The CEO has full responsibility for the companys profits and losses,or its PL, and serves as the ultimate hiring authority. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO has complete discretion in day-to-day operations to meet the goals set by the board.? Bottom Line Many titlesexist for individuals in senior management jobs. If you have a career goal to earn one of these titles, remember that they are easier to lose than to attain. People work very hard to get theirsenior management job title, and even harder to keep it, by producing real and consistent results.

The Most and Least Challenging Parts of a Job

The Most and Least Challenging Parts of a Job The Most and Least Challenging Parts of a Job In an interview, your potential employers ultimate goal is to assess if the  position is a good fit for you. One way your interviewer might go about this is to figure out which aspects of the job will be the toughest for you to master. Some interviewers will ease into this topic by having you reflect on what you think are the most challenging aspects of the job. The second way to assess your suitability is to ask the opposite question: “Which part of this job would you find to be the least challenging?” Here are some suggestions about how to respond effectively to these two questions.   Most Challenging Aspects As with the common interview question, What is your greatest weakness? it is important that you be  honest  but not rule yourself out as a candidate. The tips below will help you present a strong response:   Focus on the Job Description The best way to approach this question is to  analyze the job at hand  and think about which tasks will be most difficult for you based on your past experiences. Start by breaking down the job into its various components and thinking about the skills, knowledge, and experiences you would need to master each component. You should also think about elements of the job that will require learning or adjustments youll need to make. Make sure to  match your qualifications to the positions requirements. Highlight Solvable Challenges   It is usually best to choose aspects of the job that arent absolutely critical to your specific role. For example, if youre a journalist applying for a position as a web editor, you might mention youre working on improving your photojournalism or video skills. Dont say that proofreading or writing copy will be your biggest challenge because as a web editor these are core responsibilities of the position. Selecting a knowledge or skill area that you lack is generally more advisable than choosing a personality trait that would be hard to change. For example, if youre applying for a sales position, you would not want to mention that reaching out to new people makes you nervous. Instead, you might mention that you have modest skills in PowerPoint but would be glad to take workshops or complete online tutorials to upgrade your skills. Show How Youll Surmount the Challenge If possible, you should also discuss how you might get yourself up to speed in the least amount of time. For example, you might take a course, complete online training, or take seminars on a topic you need help with.  Whenever possible, mention a fundamental strength you possess that would help you overcome the challenge. For example, you could say that youve always been a quick learner.   Be Honest and Specific When it comes to questions that require you to mention something negative, it can be tempting to give a vague response that doesnt truly reveal any weaknesses. However, dodging the question is not the way to go. For one thing, your interviewer will probably notice youre not being forthright.  And for another, it can actually be helpful for your candidacy if you are aware of areas youll need to work on, and are capable of formulating a plan of action. Examples of the Best Answers Here are sample responses when interviewers ask what the most challenging part of the job would be:   One of my big challenges will be adjusting to the new workflow and creating a new type of report to present to clients. My plan would be to ask a lot of questions when preparing my first report. Ill also ask a colleague to review the report before sharing it with the client.Ive previously used Microsoft Word processing and presentation software exclusively, and havent used Googles online equivalents. Although Ill have to learn a whole new set of keyboard shortcuts, Ill devote time to reading blog posts that walk me through the differences between the two types of software, and Ill watch online tutorials. Im excited by the idea of scheduling an offsite conference but itll definitely be a challenge. On the plus side, although I havent organized large corporate events before, I have planned personal events, including a 100-person family reunion, and team-wide holiday dinners for 200 people. If I get this job, one of the first things Ill do is meet with the person who organized last years offsite event to get pointers. Ill also touch base with a former colleague of mine who orchestrated offsite conferences for her company.   Least Challenging Aspects Even though the employer may start by asking about the one simplest aspect of the job, they may well follow up by asking about other parts of the job that would be relatively easy for you to carry out.  You should be ready to share parts of the job that would be comparatively simple for you to master. You should think of a question about the simplest aspect of a job much in the same way as you would a question about  your greatest strength. Start by reviewing the job description and, once again, breaking the position down into its components. Then, focus special attention on the parts of the job that appear to add the most value to the organization and look for a connection with your  skill set. It wont mean as much if you say youll be able to easily handle the parts of the job that they dont value as highly. You can, however, make favorable points if you match your skills with what they value the most. Be prepared to share multiple examples of similar tasks that you have successfully completed in past jobs.  You should be able to describe the situation, actions which you took, skills you drew upon, and the results which you generated. Having multiple examples gives you a better chance of striking gold with matching your skills to the ones they consider key to the position and to the success of their company. Answers to Avoid You dont want to give the impression that you will be quickly bored in the job, as it will present you no challenge at all. Respond with enthusiasm about the parts of the job that wont be challenging, perhaps focusing on skills that you enjoy using, even though you are skilled and experienced with them.

How to Crush Your First Day at a New Job

How to Crush Your First Day at a New Job How to Crush Your First Day at a New Job Congratulations, you’re hired! Now you are getting ready for your first day of work. The first day is always a bit hectic. You are filled with a million different emotions and you want to ensure that you are prepared, make a good impression on your new boss and start the day off right. What you will need You want to make sure you have all the materials necessary for your first day. This includes a pen, paper, lunch, a bottle of water, USB stick, cash for vending machine or bring snacks with you and anything that your employer asked you to bring with you. Getting ready You want to make sure you get 8 hours of sleep the night before. A good night’s sleep is key to a productive first day! Wake up nice and early. Give yourself a couple of hours to get ready and still be able to leave early enough to get to work a bit early. Eat a good breakfast, This will help you to feel more energetic throughout the day. Check the weather! This is important to avoid any weather-related clothing disasters and potential delays in your commute. Wash and get dressed. You are ready to go! When to arrive Your first day it’s important to get to work a bit early to get yourself acclimated with your new work environment and the people you will be working with. You want to aim to get there about 10 minutes early and no later than 20 minutes, you don’t want to look too eager. Throughout the day By the time you actually get to your desk, you should have had the run-down of what you will be doing and how your typical day will go. Take notes, say hello to everyone and don’t forget to smile! Ask questions and write down any questions you may have for later. You also want to take notes on anything you may want to remember later on. On top of trying to make a good first impression on your new boss and coworkers, you will be taking in a lot of new information. Learning the ropes, what your day to day job tasks will be and remembering everyone's names can be terrifying! Just take a breath, try to relax. You are doing great! Keep an open mind Don’t go into your new job with high expectations. You have to be willing to learn and adapt to your new work environment. Be willing to accept any and all feedback, whether negative or positive, you are learning. Take it with a grain of salt and use it to improve yourself. Stay organized You will be getting a lot of new information and learning a lot during your first day. This can be a bit overwhelming when your head is being filled with a million new things. Staying organized will help you stay focused and keep track of all of the things you learn and take some of the chaos out of your day. Ask questions If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s expected. If you are unsure about something ask a coworker or your boss. Questions are important so that you can learn to do things right the first time. Following these tips will help you to make the best of your first day at a new job. It may even help relieve a bit of the anxiety you may be feeling about getting started. If you think you’ll need some help throughout the day, jot some of these tips down in your new notebook, you will be bringing it to work with you anyway. Good luck, and have a great first day!

How to Deal With Boss Unrealistic Expectations - The Muse

How to Deal With Boss Unrealistic Expectations - The Muse How to Deal With Boss Unrealistic Expectations No one wants to disappoint his or her boss. Even if you’re not always in agreement with your manager, if you respect him and generally want to do good work, you probably want to avoid doing anything that’ll make him unhappy with you. But what if this person has such high expectations that you think there’s no way you can live up to them? What happens if you start to feel like his growing expectations are setting you up for failure? It’s important to note that there’s a fine line between a supervisor with high expectations who challenges you to do your best work and a boss with unrealistic expectations. The trick is to know which one you’re dealing with before taking action. There are a few ways to spot the differences. A boss with high, but manageable expectations often has a record of successful employees that have advanced in their careers and moved into leadership roles. A manager with unrealistic expectations oftentimes has high turnover rates within his department and doesn’t do a good job of preparing his employees for advancement opportunities. Whether your boss expects you to work with total disregard for work-life balance or expects high quality work delivered in an unrealistic timeframe, these pressures can cause a lot of stress and will eventually (or not so eventually) lead you to look for a new job. Once you’ve determined that your manager’s expectations are truly unrealistic, you can take action- without putting your job on the line. The key is to “train” your boss to lower his expectations to a reasonable, sane level. Your goal is to try and actually change your boss’ bad behavior. It’s all about setting boundaries and being confident, firm, and consistent in your approach. 1. Respond to Late Night and Weekend Emails with Timelines Many managers today expect their employees to be tuned into their work email at all times. If this is the case with your boss, there’s probably not much you can do about it. In fact, I recommend always responding to emails outside of work hours if that’s an expectation that’s been set early on. However, my advice is that you don’t respond with actual answers or completed work- unless you’ve been given an unmistakable, urgent deadline. Instead, give a reasonable timeline for which you’ll complete the assignment; lay out a clear plan to avoid any subsequent confusion or further emailing. Try this: I reviewed your email and the assignment details. I will be able to have X deliverable completed and sent to you by 2 PM on Monday afternoon. I’ll let you know if I have any questions as I’m plugging away. Reply like this enough times, and your boss will start to recognize your boundaries. An acknowledgment of the request and a stated timeline provides peace of mind for your manager (you received and read the email) and reduced stress for you (you’re available outside work hours to read and answer her emails, but you’re not working 24 hours a day). 2. Don’t Wait to Be Told What to Do If you have a boss that routinely waits until Friday afternoon to assign tasks that are due on Monday, take notice of this trend and work to change it. Instead of waiting for your assignment at 2 PM on a Friday, make a point to ask if there is anything you can get wrapped up before the weekend on Thursday afternoon. You might even suggest something to help things along. Here’s what you can say, I finished X and Y, and I’ve got some time left today to start looking at anything pressing for Monday. Let me know if I can begin working on [insert name of potential project]. Not only does this approach allow you to clear up your weekend and make it work-free, but it also shows that you are taking the initiative in asking for additional projects instead of surfing the internet while you wait for him to present you with your next task. 3. Team Up When your boss gives you a deadline that you know cannot be met during reasonable work hours, instead of staying up all night or missing a weekend getaway you’ve had planned for two months, request to have a colleague team up with you on the project. This allows you to further put boundaries in place and enjoy life outside of work. It can also have the added benefit of helping you build leadership skills. Suggest pairing up with a newer colleague or even an intern who is eager to prove herself. If you get the green light from your manager, you can delegate tasks and be the point-person throughout the project. The next time you receive an assignment that threatens to take over your Saturday and Sunday, approach your boss with this: This is a meaty assignment, and I’m happy to be heading it up, but if Monday is the hard deadline, I think it’d be great to loop in [Co-worker Name] so we can divide, conquer, and turn in the highest quality work before the end of the workday. Having a “can-do” attitude and putting in extra hours at work when needed is important and likely to happen from time to time, but when your boss’ expectations are extreme and detrimental to either the quality of the work or your personal well-being, it’s necessary to speak up and modify what’s expected so that you can thrive and make your manager happy. Never underestimate going the extra mile to prove yourself, but also be confident in your ability to draw clear lines between work and personal life. Photo of employee and boss courtesy of Shutterstock

Paid Internship Opportunities at J.P.Morgan

Paid Internship Opportunities at J.P.Morgan Paid Internship Opportunities at J.P.Morgan J.P.Morgan is one of the top leaders in the financial services industry worldwide and is a part of JPMorgan Chase Co. which is a global financial services firm with assets over $2 trillion. A leader in asset management, investment banking, private banking, treasury, and securities services along with commercial banking, J.P.Morgan is able to offer top quality assistance and advice to its clients around the globe. According to Jamie Dimon, J.P.Morgan Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, their “aim is to be the world’s most trusted and respected financial services institution”. Summer Undergraduate Opportunities Interning at J.P.Morgan gives students an opportunity to network with successful professionals in the field, learn about the various areas of the business that best suit your talents and interests, and a chance to get hired as a full-time Analyst once successfully completing a Summer Analyst internship over the summer. Interns at J.P.Morgan get some of the best training available while working as a Summer Analyst over the summer. Each student is given responsibilities to get a first-hand look at the knowledge and skills required to do the job. The opportunity to build a strong professional network is also a valuable aspect of the job as interns are invited to special events that provide them with additional opportunities to meet their peers along with the senior management team. J.P.Morgan visits many campuses throughout the year but the formal recruiting process for Summer Analysts usually begins in November. The process usually ends in February with an internship start date that takes place around June. Summer Analysts positions are available in the following areas: Investment BankingSales TradingResearchIB RiskAsset ManagementTreasury Security ServicesJPMorganChase CorporateInternships for freshmen and sophomores Qualifications Excellent quantitative, analytical and communications skillsAbility to work under pressure and tight deadlinesAptitude so absorb large amounts of information and come up with innovative solutionsAbility to manage projects independentlyPrepared to assume a high level of responsibility as a valued member of the teamStrong academic background with coursework completed in finance or economics recommendedMinimum GAP of 3.2 for juniors and 3.5 for freshman and sophomoresAptitude for working with numbers Benefits J.P.Morgan offers an excellent salary for its interns along with organized events to help each student build a strong network of professionals in the field. A large majority of students who come to work at J.P.Morgan as interns end up securing a full-time job after graduation. Summer Graduate Opportunities By completing a graduate internship with J.P.Morgan you will be taking your MBA to a new level. The experience you will get by working at alongside professionals in the field will be invaluable in preparing for a future career in the business. Recruitment takes place during January and early February on campuses for various schools around the country. The interviewing process happens almost immediately following the initial meeting that takes place on campus. Internships are available in many of the same areas as the Undergraduate Summer Analyst Program. Summer Ph.D. Opportunities As a Ph.D. intern, your theoretical skills will be challenged and tested in a professional team-oriented group setting. The summer internship program is intensely competitive so it’s important to get your application in early. PhDs in a variety of disciplines are accepted into the program and many of them come with an economics, mathematics, and computer science background. Even chemistry majors have been accepted into the program so anyone who possesses the right attitude and aptitude may have a chance to be accepted into the program. Ph.D. programs include: Quantitative ResearchFixed Income Strategy

Use Social Media to Build a Personal Brand and Stand Out from the Crowd

Use Social Media to Build a Personal Brand and Stand Out from the Crowd Use Social Media to Build a Personal Brand and Stand Out from the Crowd We live in an increasingly transparent world, with access to people like we’ve never had before. Don’t believe me? Go ahead and login to Twitter and send a tweet to Sir Richard Branson, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lady Gaga herself. Social media removes many of the access barriers we’ve traditionally dealt with in previous years. As an employee, if your CEO is active on social media (which they all should be), you can reach him or her in an instant. That great idea you wanted to share or important business connection you’ve wanted to make may have taken months of work to initiate in the past, can now be accomplished quickly through a tweet, status post, video and/or GIF. Like it or not, social media is here to stay. It also happens to be the best place to build your personal brand . I know that’s easy for me to say â€" I live and breathe social as part of my job daily â€" but I truly believe it. Truth is, the sooner you realize you can, and should, have a personal brand, the better. The term “personal branding” was first thought to be used and discussed in a 1997 article by Tom Peters . Just as a business uses branding to create a unique name or image for a product or service, you too can use branding to position yourself as a thought leader and move ahead in your career. The trick is getting people to pay attention to your content and making your profile stand out amongst all the digital noise. Here are a few of my personal tips, strategies and suggestions I use when working with individuals or organizations on their social media and brand presence. So, you see the value in social media and want to dedicate your time here to build your personal brand â€" great! Now what? Do you create an account on every social media platform? Wrong! A sure-fire way to fail on this social journey is to start too broadly on too many platforms. Instead, I recommend starting small and deciding on one or two platforms to become proficient with before adding another one. Doing social media well takes some effort, and if you’re spread too thin, it can be discouraging to see people not engaging with your content immediately. Do yourself a favor and conduct some research to learn all the tips and tricks to effectively utilizing the social platform of your choice. This is also the perfect time to ask yourself what, where, when and how . For example, if you’re a blogger, you might consider Twitter as your first social media network to tackle. On the other hand, I’d recommend a photographer start with an Instagram account. Answering some of tough questions up front can save you some heartache later. You’ve heeded my advice and conducted some research to determine the best social media networks to start small with. The next step is clear: begin posting regular content to build out your social profile. However, what’s not so clear is deciding what you want to post â€" but it doesn’t have to be. Curating content , defined as “the act of sorting through large amounts of content on the web and presenting the best posts in a meaningful and organized way,” is a simple strategy to start building your personal brand. To find this great content, you can follow other thought leaders in your space or subscribe to industry blogs and newsletters. There’s vast amounts of content being created and published every day. By sharing with others what you find valuable and interesting, you can start defining your voice, building your personal brand and showing others that you know what’s happening in your industry. When I first started out using my social media presence for more than cute pictures of my children (and trust me, they’re cute!), I had no idea what to write or, maybe more importantly, why anyone would care. However, after I had a good grasp on curated content, I was inspired to create some original content. It was time to join in on the digital conversation by sharing my own thoughts and ideas. Digital marketing and social media pioneer Gary Vaynerchuk  has built a hugely successful empire by creating valuable content. In his best-selling book   Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook , he says, “Creating content that allows us to share our experiences, thoughts, and ideas in real time is becoming an intrinsic part of life in the twenty-first century.” When creating original content, determine what naturally excites you and just start . Writing is like any muscle, it needs to be worked out to be at full strength. Just remember, the key to successful content is authenticity. Finally, you’ve decided what social media network to focus on, curated content and even started creating your own original content. Some stop here, but the real experts realize the work is done after you click “post.” The final, and maybe most crucial step, is to engage with your audience. If you’ve built a following, that means you have a group of people who have virtually raised their hand and said they’re interested in what you have to say. Never take that for granted â€" don’t let them down. After all, the first word in social media is social! When people share your content, thank them. When they comment on your content, start a conversation with them. Today, most social media networks have the functionality to like a comment. Never underestimate the power of clicking that heart or like button. There you have it, my secret sauce to social media: Decide ? Curate ? Create ? Engage. A robust social media presence and authentic personal brand won’t happen overnight. However, with a little persistence and a developed game plan, you too can use social media to build your personal brand and stand out from the crowd. Chris Skaggs is the head of talent and brand at TSP , a privately-held IT services company, and co-founder and president of Leighton’s Gift , a non-profit with a mission of turning a tragedy into something positive. Branding, digital marketing, talent acquisition and HR are all functions Chris has developed building teams, processes and strategies from the ground-up. Passionate about giving back, he also serves on the boards of a variety of different organizations. A natural storyteller, Chris’ work and experiences have been featured on CNN, Marketing Sherpa, CBS Radio, Recruiter.com and Glassdoor. Get connected online, @skaggschrisL.

Promissory Note FAQ - Australia

Promissory Note FAQ - Australia Promissory Note FAQ - Australia DefinitionsWho is the Borrower?The Borrower is the person or corporation that receives value (money, property or some service) from the Lender on the condition that the Borrower will pay the principal amount plus any interest to the Lender at sometime in the future. Who is the Lender?The Lender is the person or corporation that gives something of value (money, property or some service) to the Borrower on condition that the Lender will be paid a certain amount in the future. What is the governing law for a Promissory Note?The governing law is the law of the jurisdiction in which the promissory note will be entered into. Often the parties select the jurisdiction where the Lender resides. If the promissory note relates to the purchase of certain assets, then the location of those assets is selected. What is the Principal amount?The principal is the original amount of the note that is owed by the Borrower to the Lender on the date the Promissory Note is signed. Once the Borrower has begun to pay back the note, the principal refers to the amount of money still owing to the Lender at any given moment in time. What is interest?Interest is an amount charged to a Borrower for the use of the Lender's money. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed and is calculated at a specified interval over the course of the term of the Promissory Note. The interest rate is the annual interest rate. What does compounded mean?Compounded refers to how frequently the interest is calculated and added to the principal amount of the note to arrive at a new balance. The more frequently the interest is calculated, the more interest the Borrower will end up paying to the Lender. What is a demand promissory note?The balance owing in a demand promissory note does not need to be paid until the Lender demands to be repaid. In other words, the loan is repayable 'on demand'. There is no fixed end date for the repayment of the note. Upon demand, the Borrower is given a certain period of time to repay the outstanding balance of the note. What is the difference between a Promissory Note and a Loan Agreement?Both contracts evidence a debt owed from the Borrower to the Lender, but the Loan Agreement contains more extensive clauses than the Promissory Note. What is the Term?The Term is the time length of the note. At the end of the term, the Borrower must repay the outstanding balance of the note. Promissory Note DetailsI am a shareholder. Should I use the Loan Agreement, the Shareholder Loan Agreement, or the Promissory Note?As a shareholder, if you are lending money to the corporation, use our Shareholder Loan Agreement. If you are borrowing money from the corporation, use either our Loan Agreement or promissory note. If you want an extensive contract, use our Loan Agreement. Use our promissory note if you prefer a standard basic contract. Do I have to charge the Borrower interest?No, the Lender can choose whether or not to charge interest. If the Lender decides to charge interest, they can pick how much interest to charge. However, there may be tax consequences to the Lender or Borrower if interest is charged but it is not a reasonable rate. What are the payment options available?There are four options for the method of repayment. Specific periodic amounts - the Borrower will make a certain payment to the Lender on regular intervals. Lump sum payment at the end of the term - the Borrower pays nothing to the Lender until the end of the note term, at which time the Borrower repays the entire note in one payment. Interest only - the Borrower makes regular payments to the Lender that are put toward paying off the interest on the principal amount only, with no portion of the payment going towards the principal amount itself. Interest and principal - the Borrower makes regular payments to the Lender that are put toward paying off both the principal amount and the interest as it is compounded. At the end of the term of the Loan Agreement, there will be no outstanding balance to be repaid. Should the Borrower be able to pay the Outstanding Principal without penalty?Granting this option enables the Borrower to pay the outstanding balance at any time without having to pay an additional sum as a penalty. If the Lender is making this loan as an investment, the Lender may not want to allow prepayment without a penalty as the lender would incur expenses and possible lost income in reinvesting this amount. Should the Lender require the Borrower to provide security/collateral for the note?If you do not take collateral, and the Borrower defaults on the note, you will have to take the Borrower to court in order to recover your money and your judgement can only be enforced against certain assets of the Borrower. However, if you take collateral for the note, then you may be entitled to seize and sell the collateral if the Borrower fails to repay the note. Does the collateral need to be equivalent in value to the note amount?No, if collateral is given for the note, it can be for any amount. If the Borrower fails to repay the note, and the collateral is worth less than the note, then the Lender can seize the collateral and sue the Borrower for the remaining amount of the note. If the Lender recovers more than the outstanding balance from the sale of the collateral, any surplus amount would be returned to the Borrower or his other debtors depending upon the situation. National Consumer Credit Protection Act and Required DisclosuresWhat is the National Consumer Credit Protection ActThe National Consumer Credit Protection Act (the 'Act') is a set of laws developed to standardise credit practice in Australia. If you pay a business for credit and use the credit (loan) mainly for personal, household or domestic purposes, then the National Consumer Credit Protection Act will affect you. Does the Act apply to my promissory note?The Act will apply to your promissory note if: the borrower is a natural person ordinarily resident in Australia or a strata corporation formed in Australia; and the credit is provided or intended to be provided wholly or predominantly for personal, domestic or household purposes; and a charge is or may be made for providing the credit; and the credit provider provides the credit in the normal course of business or incidentally to any other business of the credit provider. Are there any disclosures that the lender must provide to the borrower before entering into a promissory note?If the Act applies to your agreement, the lender must provide the following to the borrower: a precontractual statement setting out the matters required by section 17 of Schedule 1 to the Act; and an information statement in the form required by the regulations stating the borrowers statutory rights and statutory obligations. Where can I access the information statement?You can access the information statement in the regulations at: (Form 5) comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2012C00052 The information statement may be in the form of a separate document or part of the credit contract document. You only need to provide information if it is relevant to the credit contract concerned. Where can I access the precontractual statement?Requirements for your precontractual statement are set out in s.17 of Schedule 1 to the Act (the National Credit Code). You can access the code at: austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/nccpa2009377/sch1.html Generally speaking here are some of the issues you need. The contract document must contain: The credit providers name. The amount of credit to be provided. The persons, bodies or agents to whom payments are to be paid. If the credit is provided by the supplier for a sale of land or goods by instalments then include a description of the land and its cash price or a description of the goods and their cash price. The annual percentage rate or rates under the contract. If there is more than one percentage rate, how each rate applies. The method of calculation of the interest charges payable. The total amount of interest charges payable. The number, amount and frequency of repayments. Any credit fees and charges and as well as changes to those fess, if applicable. Any penalty interest rate where payments are in default. Details of any commissions to be paid if applicable. Details of any credit-related insurance if applicable. Details of any changes that can be made under the contract. A statement that, in the event of a breach, enforcement expenses may become payable. Depending on your circumstances, an amortization schedule will usually provide most of this information. Signing DetailsI do not know when the Promissory Note will be signed. Can I fill in the date later?Yes, by selecting 'Unsure' as the date the note will be signed, a blank line will be inserted into the contract so that you can add the correct date after printing the document. Do I need witnesses to sign the Promissory Note?Generally speaking, there is no requirement for a witness or notary public to witness the signing of the Promissory Note. However, depending on the nature of the note and the governing law of the jurisdiction in which you're entering into the note, you may be required to have witnesses or a notary public witness the Promissory Note. Even if it is not required, having an objective third party witness the signing of the note will be better evidence when you need to enforce the repayment of the note. Signing the note in front of a notary public is the best evidence that the Borrower signed the note. Who should sign the promissory note?In general, at least the borrower should sign the promissory note. Depending how much the parties trust each other, you may also wish to have the lender sign as well AND get the signatures notarized.

How to win the emotional battle of procrastination

How to win the emotional battle of procrastination How to win the emotional battle of procrastination Procrastination is the absence of progress.Everyone makes New Year’s resolutions. But only 8% of will succeed. The rest will get caught in the gap between intention and action.Procrastination is the illusion of a quick-win - you compromise long-term success for short-term pleasure. If you are reading this, you probably spend too much time daydreaming - you fail to launch.Most people can’t overcome procrastination because they treat it as a productivity problem - they forget the real battleground is in your mind, not your calendar.Procrastination has nothing to do with time-management. As Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology at DePaul University explains, “To tell the chronic procrastinator to just do it would be like saying to a clinically depressed person, cheer up.”What if you approach procrastination as an emotional battle rather than a productivity one?Why we fail to launchWe all procrastinate - we voluntary delay doing activities we want despite the negative con sequences. But not everyone suffers from it.Approximately 80% of students and 25% of adults admit to being chronic procrastinators, according to research - and it’s getting worse.Procrastination is a self-inflicted wound - we feel good now at the expense of long-term goals. It has nothing to do with being lazy or having a personality problem - we just can’t win the emotional battle in our mind.During times of stress, procrastination kicks in as an effortless coping mechanism. However, it’s anything but harmless.As Tim Pychyl, the author of Solving the Procrastination Puzzle, explains: “We have a brain that is selected for preferring immediate reward. Procrastination is the present-self saying I would rather feel good now. So we delay engagement even though it’s going to bite us on the butt.”According to research by DePaul University, we procrastinate when our brains become overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. Our feelings take over. Fear of failure: we worry the outcome won’t be perfect. Impulsiveness: we get distracted by sexier activities that pop up while we are about to launch. Denial: we don’t like doing certain things, so we erase them from our mind. Rebelliousness: when we feel forced to do something, we just fight back and resist. Several studies have shown that negative emotions promote procrastination. People avoid doing things more when they are sad or upset - the pleasantness of any distraction helps regulate our feelings.Procrastination means we fail to manage our emotions, not our time.Procrastination is a vicious cycle“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” - Pablo PicassoThe more you fail to launch, the more difficult it becomes to start something new. Continuous postponing doing something creates a vicious cycle.One of the first studies about the harmful nature of procrastination tracked academic performance, stress, and overall health among college students throughout a semester. Originally, the procrastinators showed a lower level of stress. At the end of the research, not only their became more stressful but earned lower grades. True procrastinators didn’t just finish their work later - the quality of it suffered.“Thus, despite its apologists and its short-term benefits, procrastination cannot be regarded as either adaptive or innocuous,” concluded the study authors.Failing to cope with our emotions cause us more harm - the stress of starting something is nothing compared to the aftermath of avoiding a task.A study by Harvard University showed that, when people are daydreaming about something pleasant, it only makes them as happy as when they are on task. The rest of the time, mind-wandering makes people less happy than when they are on the job.The emotional battle affects our relationship with doing. We don’t just procrastinate what we like but even the things we love. The vicious cycle makes us hate doing anything.We must reframe our emotional connection with work. That requires shifting our inner-dialogue from “have to” to “want to.”Procrastination is an emotional battle“The chronic procrastinator, the person who does this as a lifestyle, would rather have other people think that they lack effort than lacking ability.” - Joseph FerrariWe all experience negative and positive emotions each day. Guilt, self-blame, frustration, sadness, or self-pity can make us feel overwhelmed. Emotion Regulation is a term coined to describe our ability to cope with our emotional experience - some strategies are healthier than others.Research makes it clear that procrastination is a problem with emotional regulation - instead of dealing with our feelings, we avoid doing a task because of how we feel. This turns into a self-defeating strategy. Our emotions won’t run away - we just add more stress as we watch our to-do list piling up.“Emotional regulation, to me, is the real story around procrastination, because to the extent that I can deal with my emotions, I can stay on task,” says Pychyl.Avoidance acts as a short-term mood fix. We escape facing our fears, anxiety, or frustrations, but then feel worse with ourselves. Deep inside, we know procrastination is not an accident, but a personal choice .So, how can we overcome this emotional tension?Start by treating yourself kindly - playing the blame game doesn’t help.To win the mental battle, we must apply emotion-focused strategies. Self-appreciation builds a stronger foundation to help us grow and overcome our flaws.Unforgiveness gets us stuck in continuous rumination. A study conducted by Tim Pychyl showed that students who forgave themselves after procrastinating on the first exam were less likely to delay studying for the second one. Those who couldn’t forget themselves failed to study again.Self-forgiveness is a powerful remedy for procrastination.Don’t run against the windSelf-awareness is essential to win the emotional battle in your head.Start by facing the enemy rather than by being harsh on yourself - stress fuels procrastination. Ask yourself: “Why am I avoiding doing something? Why do I hate this task?”Fighting your emotions is like running against the wind.Being aware of what you are thinking - ‘met a-awareness’ - will help you develop a reflective approach to procrastination. Instead of avoiding or amplifying your emotions, try to understand them.Systematic training of Emotional Regulation - to tolerate and modify aversive emotions - can help you reduce procrastination. Developing ER skills includes: Becoming aware of your emotions Identifying and taming your emotions Understanding what triggers those feelings Acknowledging negative emotions and turning them into positive ones Supporting yourself Practicing mindfulness throughout the day, journaling, daily gratitude, breathing exercises, or meditation can help you increase self-awareness. The key is to pause and reflect on what emotions are getting on your way.How do you feel? Are you procrastinating because you are afraid of failing or because you are under external pressure? What’s holding you back?Increasing self-awareness takes time. We spent years perfecting our procrastinating act - now we must undo it. Be patient.Launch now“You don’t have to be great to get started but you have to get started to be great.”   ? Les BrownProcrastination is an emotion-management problem - you must reframe how you engage with your feelings. Experts are confident that learning to regulate your emotions can help procrastinators overcome avoidance.Fuschia Sirois from Bishop’s University believes the best way to rebuild that relationship is to find something worthwhile in the activity or task.“You’ve got to dig a little deeper and find some personal meaning in that task,” the psychologist recommends. “That’s what our data is suggesting.”Self-awareness is key, but too much introspection can get you stuck. Jump into action - procrastinators find it difficult to take the first step.The best way to overcome procrastination is to launch now.Open that book. Write that first word. Dial that number. Ask the first question. Start practicing.Cross the line. Chop up tasks into smaller ones. Create internal deadlines. Own your priorities. Start with what you hate. Or what you love. Mix up things. Build momentum.Facing your emotions is key to jump into action. Go fight the battle in your mind.Gustavo Razzetti is a change instigator that helps organizations lead positive change. Author, Consultant, and Speaker on team development and cultural transformation.This article first appeared on Medium.

11 Things To Never Say in a Job Interview

11 Things To Never Say in a Job Interview 11 Things To Never Say in a Job Interview The hiring manager has already sifted through resumes and decided that they want to meet you. Now it’s your turn to make an impression. And, unfortunately for you, every sentence you utter during the job interview is going to be a part of that impression. The best way to prepare for potential embarrassment? Know what’s off limits.   Avoid these 11 statements next time you’re up for a job, and you’ll be well on your way to wowing your interviewer. While this phrase may be a great addition to social conversations, it’s not something an interviewer needs to hear. Instead of sounding surprised that the recruiter asked a question, remember that you’ve prepared for this interview. Plus, the questions they ask are almost always from a pre-set list . Playing the game of flattering your interviewer is tricky, and should be used sparingly. Get straight down to answering their questions. “What is the title of the role, again?” Any questions showing your lack of research into the company , the job description, or the industry itself show that you haven’t adequately prepared. Preparing for a job interview is like preparing for a final exam â€" you need to know your stuff. There’s no doubt it’s important to ask your interviewer questions, but the questions you ask should be targeted towards information you can’t find online: what the company culture is like, how the values of the company play out in day-to-day business, etc. “I’ve actually never done this type of job before, but…” If you have a lack of experience, your resume will show it. There’s no need to further underscore your lack of qualifications. In fact, the interview is your chance creatively connect the dots between your resume and your decision to apply for the job. It’s where you’re able to tell the interviewer why you’ll be a perfect fit for the job, even if that’s not what it looks like on paper. “I really can’t imagine anyone more qualified than me.” Self-aggrandizing during an interview only serves to hurt you in the end. Since you haven’t seen the resumes of the other applicants, there’s no use in overtly comparing yourself to them. What’s important to learn is the art of the subtle comparison . “We all have room for improvement, so be honest with yourself: How would an interviewer see you as compared to other candidates?” writes personal brand expert Brenda Bence . The key is being able to talk about the things that make you special â€" not just saying that you’re special. Absolutely no griping about your last company allowed , unless there’s some really special circumstance. Complaining about how you didn’t get along in your last work environment is detrimental on two levels. First, it shows your lack of ability to cope with a challenging situation and move past it. Second, the last thing your interviewer wants is for you to be talking trash about their company or employees in the future. Obviously, it’s important to talk about past challenges you’ve faced on the job â€" but critically evaluate, don’t complain. “This will be a great stepping stone to my next career move.” While this may be the exact reason you want this job, it’s not a savvy move to share with the interviewer. Hiring managers are generally looking for someone who will display a long-term commitment to the company. Instead, career expert Lynn Williams recommends asking questions about your opportunities for advancement in the company. This shows, according to her , “that you mean to stay with the company and let them benefit from your developing skills, knowledge, and maturity. You’re not just showing commitment, but long-term commitment.” There’s always a better way to respond to a question you’re unsure of than  saying, “I don’t know.” Of course, it’s always important to be humble and not makeup what you’re not sure of, but this is where your communication skills come into play. “I don’t have any questions for you.” Having questions prepared for your interviewer is almost as important as being able to answer the questions they throw at you. The questions you ask are an opportunity to display the deep knowledge you have of the company. “That’s a really nice watch you have on!” Attempts to flatter your interviewer will most likely fall short â€" especially in relation to appearance or material possessions. If you really must compliment the interviewer, make it related to something you know they’ve done in the business, or even talk about a move the company made that you admired. As in any situation where you want to sound confident, intelligent, and collected: cut the filler words. This is also another reason to practice what you’re going to say out loud, beforehand, so you’re not searching for your words when you’re in the real interview. “Do people generally like working here?” Don’t try to beat around the bush. Ask specific questions about company culture and team morale, and be direct. The best way to get the down low on what’s happening in an office is to talk to current or former employees there.

What You Should Do to Find Out About Caregiver Resume Before Youre Left Behind

What You Should Do to Find Out About Caregiver Resume Before You're Left Behind The Upside to Caregiver Resume Today you Could have the capacity to fulfill some of your instructors on the fashion. Volunteers will advice for a few hours. Finally, any extra skills ought to be described. Most training is performed through an apprenticeship which will survive as many as five decades. Employers want to find individuals who will address their problems. Caring for others is a difficult job, sohiring managers wish to understand you've got the enthusiasm needed to present your all. If You need help to make certain your resume climbs within the remainder, get in contact with the Palmer team for support. The Fight Against Caregiver Resume Unless the work description specifically mentions education for a requirement, you don't need to include it on your resume. Resumes vary in line with the applicant's background, but you could want a section labeled Core Qualifications with bullet p oints relevant to your skills, wisdom and abilities. Based on the status of the cared one, your skills will be different. To put it simply, you must think of what skills the particular sort of role you're applying for requires. As an Independent Contractor, you've got to look for your own customers. Job objectives are highly essential as they can let employers know what you're able to offer. It is possible to market your services on lots of on-line job communities although referrals are the very best source of chances for self-employed Home Health Aides. Caregiver resume contains all the very important info, recruiters might want to understand. Ok, I Think I Understand Caregiver Resume, Now Tell Me About Caregiver Resume! Before you make a resume for the caregiver position, the very first issue to do is to experience the work description given by your prospective employer in order to recognize the demands of the hirer in conditions of skills, education, and experience. Ba sed on the sort of environment you're going to be working in, if it be in-home, in assisted living, or inside a nursing home, the skill set you must put on display will differ. Hands-on skills can't be learned online, and based on which state you reside in, only the theoretical portion of your education can be done online or none in any way. No matter your employment preference, you will need to prepare a strong resume to find the job which you desire. The Good, the Bad and Caregiver Resume There are lots of tasks a caregiver could possibly be accountable for. Skills section is a crucial area of the caregiver resume. Now, irrespective of the character of your caregiving job, you must think of a good caregiver resume that may present you in the very best light possible. As a caregiver, it's also a distinctive chance to showcase your personal characteristics that are hard to express through your professional experience and abilities. The Secret to Caregiver Resume The use of our caregiver resume objective sample isn't just convenient and quick, but in addition, it is powerful. In reality, the resume summary statement is far more effective. Make certain to include any info you think may be relevant. Among the biggest issues you may face is ensuring that your resume has all of the appropriate information which you require, but isn't too long. The senior must be showing improvement for those visits to continue to get approved. You are going to want to include your experience, skills and background along with any honors and awards you've been given. Match your skills with the requirements to make sure that you just include relevant info in your resume. Show how you have developed a specific skill on the job. Now you have whatever you want to compose the ideal caregiver cover letter, you might want to provide a helping hand to your caregiver resume too! The caregiver will nonetheless return to their own house at the conclusion of their shift. A jo b for a caregiver entails a whole lot of unique positions. You can also check babysitter resumes. When you start your resume be certain to place your name on top in large, bold typeface and include your contact info. In the event that you would like to receive the job to acquire a warehouse associate, your resume should demonstrate you're perhaps not merely a machine. Above all, be certain your resume is targeted at a specific caregiver agency or hirer by utilizing language and keywords extracted from the work description. Top Caregiver Resume Choices You're basically assuming the use of the patient's loved ones in providing love and attention for their parents and other vital folks. It is problematic for children to offer appropriate care for their parents not since they don't need to but because they don't have the expertise and medical training. Due to her ability to do extra functions, families will be more inclined to hire her. It is problematic for children to stay objective when they're emotionally invested in the individual.