Saturday, May 30, 2020

11 Ways to Be a Good Manager

11 Ways to Be a Good Manager What makes a good manager? The answer may vary according to the size of the business, the industry it operates in and lots of other factors. Yet, we can find similarities between great managers: they are all leaders with a clear vision of the future and a heartfelt desire to innovate. A good leader will also influence people and know how to motivate them. This infographic created by blucarrot showcases other characteristics that great managers embody. Takeaways: Great managers excel at time management, negotiation, problem solving, communication and influencing others. There are 11 main ways to be a good manager. Management style has radically changed in the last few years. RELATED: Why Positivity Breeds Success

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

The Most Impressive Resume Examples That Can Help You Land Your Dream Job

The Most Impressive Resume Examples That Can Help You Land Your Dream JobIn the midst of selecting the most impressive resume examples for your job application, you will have to keep in mind that there are some things that can make your resume seem even more impressive. The list of traits and tips will be very useful if you find yourself in a similar situation. However, you have to know that these tips cannot really give you that boost but only make your resume look more impressive. Here are some ideas that may make your resume look more professional and impressive:Whether you are applying for a part-time or full-time position, you will need to include your education background as one of the first things. If you know where you got your degree, this is just perfect. However, if you are looking for another information, make sure that you include it. You may also include other facts about your educational career including awards and certificates. If possible, add your work experience as one of the crucial things that you have.Longevity is another important detail that should be listed on your resume. Although not all employers want to see an applicant who has been working for one year, a one year salary works well with all companies. If you are someone who has been working since two years, you will have to prepare a different resume.If you were ever responsible for planning or directing an organization or project, you will have to list your experience on the resume. Employers will be impressed by your experience if you have directed or coordinated with other people. You may choose to share with them any projects that you were involved in and what type of results you achieved.If you know that you have always been good at one thing, do not hesitate to include it on your resume. For example, if you love photography, you will have to include photos. It is however not a must that you share your passion, especially if it has already been published on the Internet. Howev er, make sure that your photo does not come off as too overdramatic and does not contain any inappropriate content.Although there are many different factors that you can consider when writing a resume, one of the main factors is how you have reacted to the situations that you have faced. Make sure that you consider all the negative things that have happened in your life and try to apply them in your resume. There are also plenty of positive and exciting things that you may have done in your career. When you can relate to the positive things that you have done, you will surely be successful.If you have several passions and interests, you will have to include all of them on your resume. You can have a big part in your career through various activities that you are passionate about. This makes it look more professional and impressive.These are the most impressive resume examples that you can get hold of. They can be used to make your resume even more impressive. To achieve this, all yo u have to do is to use the tips provided above and you will definitely have a great resume!

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Assert Yourself How to Show Strength in a Job Interview

Assert Yourself How to Show Strength in a Job Interview There’s a rising awareness of the need to tackle equality in the workplace. More and more employers are now setting targets to ensure equal representation of genders, and making efforts to close the pay gap. Unfortunately, for all of that we still live in a culture where the expectations of behaviour are heavily stereotyped. So, while we might want to believe that women can act in exactly the same way as men and be treated fairly, the truth is that isn’t always the case. Assertiveness is Important Being able to assert your opinion or authority is important for many roles. If you’re going to make decisions, manage people and projects, or chair meetings, then being able to make your voice heard without tipping over into aggressive behaviour is vital. Psychologists consider there to be four different communication styles â€" Passive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive and Assertive. The ideal way to communicate in a business setting is to be assertive, that is to be able to find a balance between making your own voice heard and giving way to hear the voices of others. One issue that we have to contend with, as women, is that men can often over-estimate how much we are talking. A study done at Cambridge University asked participants to review a conversation and decide on what percentage of time men and women spent talking. They discovered that even though women spoke less, men perceived them as talking more. What that means is, men can often see women as being dominant in conversations, even when we’ve spoken for less than half the time. So, if you want to be seen as assertive you (regrettably) have to keep this misconception in mind. How to get the balance right At a job interview you won’t be expected to dominate or lead the meeting. Although there may be exceptions, it’s usually best to respond to questions rather than try to control the interview yourself. In the case of an interview, you should focus on responding assertively; that is being confident in speaking your answers to even difficult questions. How can you do that? Give yourself extra time to understand a question by taking a brief pause before you answer. If you need more time, you can ask a clarification question, or repeat the question out loud before you begin stating your position. Put your feet on the ground, and practice breathing from your diaphragm, this will give you the best chance of answering in a calm and confident voice. If you tend to be nervous during interviews, you may speak more rapidly than normal. Make an effort to speak extra slowly and you’ll probably end up at your regular talking speed. Try and look relaxed. Keep your body posture open â€" don’t cross your arms or your legs. These are subconscious gestures that show we are feeling vulnerable, so practice sitting with your hands softly in your lap. When you answer questions, do so clearly and concisely. Don’t worry about memorising a thesaurus and using complicated terminology, just get your point across as quickly and clearly as you can. Preparation is key The best way that you can help yourself feel confident and in control before a job interview is to do your homework. Spend some time researching the role and the company, and thinking about what makes you the right person for the job. If you can convince yourself you’re a great match, you’re one step closer to convincing them. Practice interview questions can be really helpful. Have a friend or family member take the role of interviewer and practice some of the most common interview questions. Identify areas where you feel that you are weaker, and try to think of strategies for handling those questions which are likely to make you feel more stressed. Is there a way you can turn a negative into a positive? If not, then consider admitting to your failings candidly â€" honesty and personal responsibility are both qualities employers look for and you will be demonstrating them. You will also be demonstrating assertiveness, taking charge of what could be an awkward conversation and handling it like a pro. Although it’s sad that women still have to think strategically to get the same opportunities as men, until society changes and equality becomes normal, we will be living with the residual effects of everyday sexism for some time. But once we’ve landed those dream jobs and have equal representation? Then we can start effecting change from the inside. Sarah Dixon writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in sourcing candidates for  internships and graduate jobs.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Enough Passion, Cant I Just Have A Job

Enough Passion, Can’t I Just Have A Job The Passion Push Why does it seem like every other blog, video or tweet we see these days is about being passionate about work? Interviewers ask you why you are passionate about getting this job (and blogs tell you how to answer the question). Videos (by supposedly wildly successful people) urge you to make a business out of your passion. Corporate initiatives require that you read a new motivational book every year. It seems like everyone these days is expected to devote themselves, body and soul, to work. Theres more to life than work This push for ‘passion at work’ devalues the rest of life. What if I want to be passionate about model trains? Or horses, or crocheting? Or walking backwards up all the mountains in England? Why do I have to turn it into a business, or make it the center of a job? I have had many jobs. Some of them have been fantastic; I looked forward to work every day. Some were terrible, and getting up in the morning to go to the office was a struggle. Most have been somewhere in the middle: good days, bad days, average days…the normal variety of days that make up a career. I work to pay the bills, to be able to do the non-work activities that I enjoy and to be sure that I will have enough money when I stop working. In each job, no matter whether I loved or tolerated it, I did my best. I shared my expertise, learned, contributed, and helped my company succeed. What makes any company think they have the right to expect more? Society puts more pressure on us every day. Not only must we have a cool home, the latest phone, extreme holidays, and the widest, wildest circle of friends, we’re supposed to devote ourselves 200% to work we are ‘wildly passionate’ about. And just when you think you’ve made it, expectations go up and the cycle starts again. Well I, for one, am stopping this merry-go-round. Here’s my commitment to myself. Would you like to join me? Put what matters to you at the center What’s important to me matters more than what anyone else, or any employer, thinks should be most important in my life. I’m proud of doing a good job at work. I’m proud of other parts of my life too. Give 100% at work During the work day, I give my all to my job. Once my work day is finished, my personal time begins. The company phone is off, the emails will wait until tomorrow. Having worked in a profession that actually did make life and death decisions, I recognize when a job doesn’t have that level of responsibility. Prioritize the genuinely important Friends, family, health, a relaxed frame of mind…no job, no matter how amazingly fabulous, can ever replace your mother, father, siblings, friends, or the ability to breath and move easily. Long nights talking with friends about life. Laughing over dinner with family. Enjoying nature’s beauty. These experiences create the kinds of memories that nights spent working on another project report cannot provide. That report will be forgotten in a year (at best); your memories will last a lifetime. Stop trying to find an all-consuming passion I enjoy all kinds of activities: reading, writing, baking, model trains…and working towards a business goal. None of them is a single overriding passion. That’s fine, it makes me a balanced person. And that makes a good life. Burying your whole life in your work is a fast track to burnout and unhappiness. Don’t make this mistake! Give your all at work, sure. And when the work day ends, give your all to yourself.   No guilt, no excuses. Just enjoy your life. You only get one!

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Resume Writing Tips For Education

Resume Writing Tips For EducationIf you want to find out what resume writing tips for education can do for you, then read on. The best tip is that it all comes down to being truthful. When it comes to a job or career, you need to be able to point out your achievements and experiences in the best possible light. You may have to learn how to be a little more subtle here.Education is a very important part of life. Your resume needs to focus on your experiences and your achievements as a whole. Here are some resume writing tips for education.It is always a good idea to start with a few highlights from your education. If you want to keep your educational background to a minimum, you will be happier if you focus only on the highlights. If you think about it, it is much easier to make up an extensive history when it comes to an academic subject.Since you will be focusing on highlights, it will make it easier for the employer to remember you if you are being an even tone and a little bit mor e subtle. Tell them about your highlights, and tell them about yourself. This will help you establish yourself as an expert in the field.When it comes to giving a summary of your accomplishments and your education, you need to impress your boss enough that he/she will be impressed by you, and that you are not just going through the motions. You need to show that you know your stuff and that you can relate to the position that you are applying for.You will find that most academic material will focus on course outlines and syllabi and other bits of academic material. The best way to avoid this is to tell the best possible story that can relate to the educational pieces.However, it is not impossible to talk about your education in detail if you would like to. Make sure that you spend some time talking about the curriculum and about the subjects that you would like to include in your resume.There are some resumes that focus entirely on English classes. This may work out for some, but fo r others, it may seem to go against their natural style. In any case, you will need to write a resume based on your strengths, and not on what you think will impress the hiring manager.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Online Networking Tips for Job Search

Online Networking Tips for Job Search Online networking has revolutionized the way people build and maintain relationships and search for jobs. Imagine being able to go into the offices of everyone you know and search through their Rolodex or have a conversation with dozens of people from all over the world, all from the comfort of your keyboard. That is the power of online networking. Here are some tips on how to maximize your online presence, build meaningful relationships, and connect with people who may be able to help you in your search.Create profiles on business and social networking and online identity sites to make it easier to be found by hiring managers.With traditional networking you can only be in one place at a time; with online networking you can interact with multiple communities simultaneously.Put your name in quotes into a search engine and see what comes back. Do you exist online and is your online presence distinctive?Networking sites are not just for socializing; they are robust searchable databases full of critical information on people and companies.Every online community has its own culture. Spend some time observing the culture before you jump in.Nix the Im looking for work status updates when chatting in online communities. They make you sound desperate and dont show your value.Online networking does not have a build it and they will come mentality; work your online network daily.Spend about an hour a day working your online network.Hiring managers conduct online searches on candidates before the interview and may reject candidates based on what they do or do not find.People who dont think online networking is relevant to their job search will become irrelevant to the hiring managers who think it is.Add a professional headshot to your online profiles. When the photo is missing, people wonder why.When inviting someone to your online network, be authentic and write a personal message. Nothing screams lazy like a canned invitation.Take the time to create a robust profile on y our networking sites; a complete profile is more searchable by recruiters and hiring managers.Create a public profile with a vanity URL on your networking profiles, with your first and last name, to maximize your exposure.Commit to adding at least five new contacts per week and reconnecting with at least five people in your network each week.Reconnecting with someone you havent spoken to in years by calling them is awkward; reconnecting through social media platforms is not.Online networking is a great option for shy job seekers because unlike live networking, you can craft or edit a message before you hit send.

Friday, May 8, 2020

How tough is todays interview process Look at this real-life example

How tough is todays interview process Look at this real-life example How tough is todays interview process? For those of you in finance and other technical positions, the following is the actual interview process experienced by a candidate for a finance position in a non-financial company. First phone interview This interview was with the hiring manager, who asked a combination of behavioral-based and standard questions such as, “Why this job? Why are you leaving your current company? What is your biggest accomplishment? Your best role? Your least favorite role? We also walked through my résumé. There was one question on the hiring company: What is our biggest asset? At the end of the phone call, I was advised I would advance to the next phone interview. Second phone interview The senior finance manager conducted this interview, and I was asked a series of behavioral-based questions, similar to those in the first phone interview. I heard at the end of this interview that they would probably fly me out for face-to-face interviews. Face-to-face interviews (full day) I was stationed in a conference room (the same one all day), and interviewers came in and out with their computers for the interviews. First interview: The interviewer came in with his laptop to conduct an Excel-based forecasting test. I was given sales data by month for one quarter, various currencies and geographic locations. I was asked to organize the data by three regions and use foreign exchange (FX) rates to calculate sales data in U.S. dollars. I was given base prices and purchase prices, then calculated split base plus options, and used the resulting data to forecast where sales should be optimized for the next quarter. Second interview: The interviewer brought her laptop for an Excel-based financial statements test. I had to link “blanks within a balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash flow statement. Third interview: Again the interviewer was armed with a laptop, and I was asked to scrub data and use Excel to calculate budget versus actuals. Given thousands of expense lines, I was tasked with pivoting/organizing the data so I could understand cost centers and groupings. Then, I was asked to explain why variances occurred â€" usually an expense item didnt belong or was way out of whack. For example, the company opened a new store that wasnt in the budget and the resulting rent total was up. In another case, repair expenses were up because one item was incorrectly categorized: It should have been capitalized rather than expensed. Working lunch: I lunched with a couple of analysts who asked me questions like, “Why did I want to join the company? Plus, they just paused to see what kind of conversation I made. Fourth interview: On his laptop, the interviewer asked me to perform an Excel-based go/no-go consulting-type project. The scenario was, “Should we do a project that lasts 12 months? I was given x-amount of expenses, x-amount of fees, different currencies and rates of return. It was basically a net present value (NPV) test. Once I calculated the NPV, I was asked to explain my thinking and advise which other variables should be taken into account in deciding whether to accept the proposal. Fifth interview: This interview was with a senior manager who asked all behavioral-based questions, similar to those in the second phone interview. There were two questions not usually asked: “Convince me NOT to buy our product, and “What are our main products biggest weaknesses? In this interview, I got to ask my pre-prepared questions, too. Sixth and final interview: The final interview was with the CFO, who also asked more behavioral-based questions. It was mainly just a conversation, but he was pretty deep and asked questions like, What do you want to do? I think he pushed me because he wanted a pretty clear understanding of my career ambitions. Whew! Im exhausted just thinking about this interview day. And most of us would have bombed this big-time. This company, however, had many candidates who “passed these interviews and they had a hard time selecting Michael, my coaching client. Way to go, Michael! Its pretty clear: Companies are being thorough, and candidates better know their stuff! I dont think I need to close this with lessons learned â€" Ill just remind you to prepare, prepare some more and then prepare even more! You can do it!