job & interview

How to Toughen Up at Work

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How to Toughen Up at Work</h1>
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Buck up. Take mistakes and critiques with grace and guts.</h2>
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These tips will help you resolve workplace conflicts like a champ.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">It's natural to feel bruised when you trip over a bump in the road. A bad performance review stings. A botched project bulldozes your confidence. Micromanagement makes you feel microscopic on the corporate ladder.</span></div>
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But conflict is guaranteed in the working world (and life). And if your emotional response – getting defensive, depressed, angry – distracts you from your work, you'll both derail your performance and potentially taint your image. "Successful people aren't perfect, but they know how to manage their emotions," says Andrea Kay, career consultant and author of “Work’s a Bitch and then You Make it Work: 6 Steps to Go From Pissed Off to Powerful.”</div>
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As David Reiss, a psychiatrist based in San Diego, puts it: "The most valued employees are the ones that can handle conflict and resolve it."</div>
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<b>[Read: </b><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/22/the-5-things-you-must-know-about-yourself-as-an-employee" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/22/the-5-things-you-must-know-about-yourself-as-an-employee"><b>The 5 Things You Must Know About Yourself as an Employee</b></a><b>.]</b></div>
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To help you resolve conflict like a champ – sans passive aggressiveness or tears – follow the expert tips below:</div>
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<b>Know thyself. </b>You're innovative in brainstorming meetings, and you're enthusiastic as a team player. Good to know. Equally important to understand: You get defensive when peppered with questions about your project's status, and you tend to perceive critiques as personal attacks. Whew. Glad we got that out there.</div>
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Being conscious of both your strengths and your Achilles' heel – "that button that gets pushed that makes you crumble and feel bad about yourself," as Kay puts it – will help you control your emotions in and outside the workplace.</div>
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Ask yourself, "What gets under my skin and why?" to strengthen your "awareness muscle," Kay says. You could even keep a journal to track the times your panic button has been pushed and how you reacted. Or if you're really brave, ask a close friend or colleague to point out these situations. Maybe you don't realize how passive aggressive (or flat-out aggressive) you get in meetings when given constructive feedback.</div>
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When you identify these blind spots, you're more likely to react out of logic rather than emotion next time. (Think: I know I get stressed when my colleagues ask me so many questions about my project's progress because they make me feel like I'm not good at my job. But really, they're probably just asking questions because they care about the project.)</div>
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If you never step back and you only see a narrow interpretation of the situation – they're asking questions because they think I'm an idiot! – you react out of emotion. Cue the eye rolls, defensiveness, anger, tears. But whatever the case, "if your emotion is running you, you've lost control," Kay says.</div>
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<b>Prepare and practice. </b>Now that you're aware of what gets to you, practice how you'll react to it. Maybe deep breathing calms you, or perhaps it's a five-minute walk, a cup of tea, a scroll through Instagram, some seated yoga, a text to your sibling or a little Kenny G. Everyone is different, so choose what works for you to get grounded.</div>
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Don't wait until you're upset to find an effective stress neutralizer, says Beverly Flaxington, author of "Self-Talk for a Calmer You" and adjunct professor of leadership and social responsibility at Suffolk University in Boston. That's like waiting until the Olympics to learn your sport. Try a few de-stressing exercises when the pressure is off, and practice them. So next time you start to feel yourself getting overly emotional or stressed, you know to start taking deep breaths or cue the smooth jazz.</div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.5;">Expect mistakes and criticism. </b><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Some tough love from Kay: "In the workplace, you're going to be criticized, you're going to be judged and your performance will be rated," she says. "There will be lots of challenging moments, and you're going to make mistakes." Sound bleak? Here's how to get by: "Make peace with the notion that you can't control anything besides your own reaction to others and to your mistakes," she says. Speaking of reactions ...</span></div>
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<br /><b>Don't beat yourself up. </b>"Reasonably self-criticize, but avoid self-punishment," Reiss says. Say you made a mistake – not a screw-up big enough to get you fired – but a mistake nonetheless. "If you catch yourself really putting yourself down as a person or in terms of your abilities, step back and see it as a learning experience," he says. No, you're not an idiot for letting that typo slip into the big report. (And your boss isn't a monster for pointing it out.) But next time you'll proofread the report a few more times, right?</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/09/16/how-to-toughen-up-at-work/*" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How to Toughen Up at Work

How to Toughen Up at Work Buck up. Take mistakes and critiques with grace and guts. These tips will help you resolve workplace confl...

7 Ways Women Can Build Confidence at Work

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7 Ways Women Can Build Confidence at Work</h1>
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How to speak up, stand out and climb the corporate ladder.</h2>
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Part of feeling confident is acting confident. Walk with purpose, make eye contact and stand tall.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">When it comes to appearing confident on the job, many women follow what men are doing. A few sports analogies, a neutral business suit ... what could exude confidence better than</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/05/29/how-to-negotiate-salary-like-a-man" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;">acting like a man</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">? Try this instead: Be yourself.</span></div>
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Women still are underrepresented in many industries, in government positions and in the board room. But that can change. Exuding confidence is one step toward getting off that sticky floor and moving up the corporate ladder. And you don’t have to act like a man to get there.</div>
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<b>1. Be aware of your word choice. </b>Women tend to undermine themselves by using softer wording, such as “I think” or “maybe,” or even apologizing for interjecting. You don’t have to interrupt or be rude, but use more <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/05/21/10-pack-a-punch-verbs-to-include-on-your-resume" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/05/21/10-pack-a-punch-verbs-to-include-on-your-resume">confident words</a> that make a statement – not a gentle suggestion.</div>
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<b>2. Pretend you’re confident. </b>We don’t all feel like Oprah, even on our best days, but the rest of the office doesn’t have to know that. Realize that how you walk, shake hands and make (or avoid) eye contact each tells someone whether or not you are self-assured. So stand up tall, square those shoulders, walk with purpose and look everyone in the eye. You’ll soon find that even if you don’t feel confident at first, you will soon.</div>
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<b>3. Dress the part. </b>You don’t have to wear pantsuits to prove you’ve got grit. Always <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/03/06/how-to-boost-your-work-wardrobe-without-busting-your-wallet" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/03/06/how-to-boost-your-work-wardrobe-without-busting-your-wallet">dress appropriately</a>, but <i>own</i> your style. If you’re more bohemian than shoulder pads, you can still wear what you love and exude personality. You’ll come off more certain of yourself if you like what you wear, rather than if you dress like you think others expect you to.</div>
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<b>4. Speak up.</b> You were hired because of your smart ideas, so it’s time to share them! Don’t be a wallflower in meetings. Don’t over-assert yourself, either. Find the balance between holding back what you’re thinking and dominating the conversation.</div>
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<b>5. Play to people’s preferences.</b> Your boss can talk about golf all day. Sally in accounting likes<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/03/05/can-office-gossip-work-in-your-favor" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/03/05/can-office-gossip-work-in-your-favor">commiserating about work</a> over coffee. Steve glows when you laugh at his silly jokes. Everyone’s got a different button, and knowing what makes them light up can win you points around the office. We’re not talking brown-nosing here, but simply paying attention to people can help you build relationships.</div>
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<b>6. Go in a different direction.</b> It’s sometimes tempting to do what the successful people in your firm are doing, but realize you’ll stand out if you go in the opposite direction. If you’re the only person who thinks the proposed logo is horrible, don’t be afraid to say so. You might be surprised when others agree with you – once you’re brave enough to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/10/07/how-to-disagree-with-your-boss-and-keep-your-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/10/07/how-to-disagree-with-your-boss-and-keep-your-job">say how you feel</a>.</div>
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<b>7. Leverage that performance review.</b> When it’s time to sit down with your boss and assess the past year, don’t be shy. Come armed with a list of accomplishments, as well as goals for the coming year. He’ll appreciate your forthrightness, and that bonus will be all but in the bag.</div>
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Confidence doesn’t always come naturally for us, but it still remains an important component for advancing in our professional world. With a little practice, you’ll ooze confidence from your pores!</div>
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<b>Lindsay Olson</b> is a founding partner and public relations recruiter with Paradigm Staffing and Hoojobs, <a class="" href="http://hoojobs.com/" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://hoojobs.com/">a niche job board</a> for public relations, communications and social media jobs. Hoojobs was voted as a Top Career website by Forbes. She blogs at LindsayOlson.com, where she discusses recruiting and job search issues and is chief editor of the HooHireWire – The Hoojobs Guide to Hiring & Getting Hired. </div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/07/7-ways-women-can-build-confidence-at-work" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

7 Ways Women Can Build Confidence at Work

7 Ways Women Can Build Confidence at Work How to speak up, stand out and climb the corporate ladder. Part of feeling confident is acti...

5 Tricky Résumé Questions – Answered

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5 Tricky Résumé Questions – Answered</h1>
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How to write a résumé that stands out for all the right reasons.</h2>
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Consider bulking up your résumé with a career profile that's tailor-made for the job you're applying for.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Job seekers can write their résumés in so many different ways that they often land with loads of questions. They may wonder if they should use a résumé template, for example, or if they should list</span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/05/7-reasons-job-seekers-should-volunteer" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;">volunteer work</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">. Here are some other commonly asked questions from recent graduates to senior-level professionals. The answers can help guide you as you put your résumé together for the first time, update it or simply work to improve it.</span></div>
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<b>1. As a recent college graduate, I’m having trouble filling in my résumé with things employers would care about. What should I include?</b></div>
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As a new graduate, you should list the standard information: name and contact information, education, work, internship and volunteer experience and any professional associations to which you belong. There are pieces you can add to fill out your résumé. In the education section, you may want to include relevant coursework, awards and extracurricular activities. If you’ve attended seminars or conferences, or if you've written a thesis, include those items, too.</div>
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Think about your school years and how your teachers, professors and peers would describe you. It may help to talk to close friends and family to start this thought process. Translate your key skills in bullets describing your activities and experience or in a separate section named, "core competencies."</div>
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<b>2. During my college years, I started a student organization, belonged to several clubs and graduated with honors. Should I include that information in my résumé?</b></div>
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These are all outstanding accomplishments, and if you’re just starting out after college, include this information. If you graduated several years ago or more, and this extra information is going to push your résumé to more than two pages, delete it. Move those accomplishments to your <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">LinkedIn profile</a>. The only exception to the two-pages-or-less rule is if you’re in the academic, scientific or medical field and have a curriculum vitae that's expected to be longer. Applications for overseas jobs and those in the federal government often call for a CV.</div>
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<b>3. I feel like my résumé is just a list of my work experience. How can I make it stand out?</b></div>
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Add a tailored career profile at the top, just below your name and contact information. Read the job description closely – particularly the required qualifications – and answer how you fit those qualifications in two to three lines. For example, say the posting asks for five or more years of marketing experience, and you’ve got seven years under your belt. Include a statement like, “Seven years of marketing experience [at start-up firms].”</div>
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<b>4. My job title does not totally define what I do every day. How can I make it reflect my work so employers won’t gloss over my résumé?</b></div>
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It’s not a good idea to alter your job title on your résumé where you list your work experience. A company that wants to give you an offer will likely check in with your past employers. You don’t want to cause confusion or have your potential employer decide not to hire you if they detect misinformation.</div>
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Showcase that you've done more than what your title suggests in the bullets or career profile that headlines your résumé. Think about using a title ahead of your career profile that encompasses the work you’ve performed. For example, say you have the title of <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/administrative-assistant" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">office manager</a>, but you also contribute to sales and financial management. You could use a title there like, "business development and operations manager."</div>
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<b>5. I’ve worked in the telecommunications industry for many years, and now I’m trying to get into real estate. What do I do?</b></div>
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Search for real estate jobs and titles that you're either interested in or possibly qualified for on Indeed or another job search engine. Read several of these posts, and then take a look through your résumé. What skills do you have, and what tasks have you performed in your telecommunications jobs that are valuable in the real estate industry? Those are the bullets you want to keep when applying to a job in the industry.</div>
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You may also want to consider a different <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/02/03/which-type-of-resume-is-right-for-you" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/02/03/which-type-of-resume-is-right-for-you">résumé style</a>. The most commonly used résumé is a chronological format that lists your jobs and experience in reverse order. A functional résumé can be ideal for a career transition, because it focuses on your skills and accomplishments. Typically, you would list relevant skills and specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated them in your jobs, and then you'd provide general information about each job below that (company, title, dates and location). Another option is a combined format in which you use elements of both résumé styles.</div>
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A relevant résumé that makes you stand out is not easy to write. However, these clues should help you land an <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/02/starting-your-first-entry-level-job-here-are-10-things-you-need-to-know" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">entry-level job</a> or transition to a different role. The most important thing is to make it applicable to the job to which you’re applying.</div>
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As you read a job posting, pay close attention to the required and preferred qualifications. Find the matches between those and your background and skills. If you meet enough of the qualifications, you should apply. But don’t leave it to the recruiter or human resources manager to figure out if there’s a fit. Do the work for them, and make sure you clearly state why you’re a match in the résumé you forward to that organization – both in your bullets and the career profile.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/14/5-tricky-resume-questions-answered" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

5 Tricky Résumé Questions – Answered

5 Tricky Résumé Questions – Answered How to write a résumé that stands out for all the right reasons. Consider bulking up your résumé ...

3 Ways to Wow Your Interviewer

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3 Ways to Wow Your Interviewer</h1>
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Do this homework to prove you're the top candidate for the job.</h2>
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Rewriting application materials and sending thank-you notes may seem like a lot of work, but they could be the very factors that land you the job.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Job seeking is hard work. Not only do you have to be qualified and interested, but now you have to compete against thousands of candidates from around the world. How do you set yourself apart from many well-written résumés and impressive backgrounds? The answer is through creative customization. To compete for a highly desirable position, you need to wow your interviewers with your knowledge of both your skills and their needs. Try these three tips to give yourself an advantage during</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/8-important-questions-to-ask-a-job-interviewer-and-yourself" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/8-important-questions-to-ask-a-job-interviewer-and-yourself">your next interview</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">:</span></div>
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<b>1. Write a customized cover letter specific to the interviewer. </b>Often, a third party may actually be the one who contacts you to set up an interview. Make sure to ask that human resources representative or recruiter everything you can about the professional with whom you will speak. Can they tell you more about his department, management style, interview process, core values or tenure with the company?</div>
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Take some time to research his or her profile on LinkedIn as well as review his or her Twitter, Instagram, Vine or any other social media channels he or she may use professionally. The emphasis is on <i>professional</i>, given that most people would be creeped out if you reference their kids and dog in a cover letter without knowing them personally.</div>
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Once you've done your research, write a letter to the interviewer that's seven to 10 sentences long and explains a little about you and why you would be an excellent addition to his or her specific team. Like a good tweet, <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/24/is-your-cover-letter-read-worthy" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/24/is-your-cover-letter-read-worthy">excellent cover letters</a> get right to the point and are crafted very strategically to say as much as possible with the fewest characters. Resist the urge to regurgitate your résumé. This is your chance to present why you are right for this exact role working with this specific manager. The final version of your custom cover letter can be sent via email to the interviewer shortly before the meeting if it would be acceptable for you to already have his or her address. Or it can be handed to him or her along with your résumé at the time of an in-person meeting.</div>
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<b>2. Rewrite your résumé to match the position for which you are interviewing.</b> I know this seems like a waste of time when you have already been asked to interview, but it's actually a powerful move. First, by matching your skills and experience to the job description, you are actually practicing for your<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/02/24/the-most-common-job-interview-questions-and-how-to-answer-them" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/02/24/the-most-common-job-interview-questions-and-how-to-answer-them">interview questions</a>. Your thoughts will be organized, and you will have examples available to illustrate your relevant qualifications. Second, you are achieving a deeper understanding of the prospective role. This critical review of the role can become the starting point for generating interesting questions for the interview. Third, when you present a customized résumé<b> </b>to the interviewer, he or she will be impressed that you took the time to match your background to his or her needs. It also gives the interviewer a compelling document to use if he or she needs to get your candidacy approved by senior executives. This is a winning move on all levels.</div>
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<b>3. Send a well-written thank you note. </b>There is little doubt that you have heard about the importance of thank-you notes. Unfortunately, while it is universally known that writing a note is critical, it typically goes the way of hand-washing. We all know a thorough hand-washing after using the bathroom and before eating is essential to avoiding the germs that cause illness. However, all of us have skipped this important task at least a time or two. Same goes for the note of appreciation – many interviewees neglect to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/09/24/job-seekers-how-to-follow-up-like-you-mean-it/*" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">send a note</a> or email after the interview to express gratitude for the consideration and to reaffirm interest in the role.</div>
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Simply sending a note puts you in a better light than many note-neglecting applicants. Take this further by analyzing your interview so you can use the note strategically. If the interviewer dwelt on a specific weakness or discussed a pain spot with previous hires, the note is your time to address how you will work through those issues. If you know of future department- or company-wide initiatives, the note may be a great place to assert specifically how you could add value. In short, take the time to write a thoughtful (and error-proof) thank-you note. As an aside, go ahead and remember to wash your hands before and after the interview, too.</div>
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In summary, while you can’t change your <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/05/12/how-to-get-a-job-when-you-dont-have-much-experience" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/05/12/how-to-get-a-job-when-you-dont-have-much-experience">past experience</a>, there is much you can do to improve your candidacy today. The global, online world means more potential applicants, but sincerity, depth and passion really distinguish top candidates from the rest. The tips listed above are just a few examples of how you can display your interest and engagement. These tactics require research, preparation, self-assessment and lots of extra effort – all qualities that are in short supply but in high demand. Finding someone with this level of commitment is a huge win for any company. </div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/25/3-ways-to-wow-your-interviewer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

3 Ways to Wow Your Interviewer

3 Ways to Wow Your Interviewer Do this homework to prove you're the top candidate for the job. Rewriting application materials and...

4 Ways to Boost Your Career Prospects – Today

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4 Ways to Boost Your Career Prospects – Today</h1>
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The best time to prepare for a career change? When you're already employed.</h2>
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Knowledge is power in the workplace. Study industry trends, advancements and success stories.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">The worst time to look for a job is when you must have a new one immediately.</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/10/07/8-stages-of-a-successful-job-hunt" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/10/07/8-stages-of-a-successful-job-hunt">Job searching</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">under duress often results in nervous interviewing, surface-level research and decision making from relatively few options – none of which may be ideal long-term career matches. Don’t leave your future to chance. If you are one of the millions who is professionally employed and not in need of an immediate career change, here are ways you can improve your long-term career prospects today:</span></div>
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<b>1. Identify at least two different roles that seem compelling to you.</b> You do not have to be qualified for these positions today, nor do they have to exist in your company. However, these roles should be remotely related to your current skill set. They are career options that look interesting. Once you have a couple targets, think about why and what interests you. Is it that the role involves travel or allows you to train and mentor others? Maybe it pays more or offers some flexibility for <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/04/18/7-secrets-of-a-kick-butt-telecommuter" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">working from home</a>? Perhaps it is in an industry that fascinates you or involves challenging projects.</div>
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There is no right or wrong answer, but pay close attention to what appeals to you, and write it down. This will give insight into your motivations and targets. With this knowledge, you can examine your current role to see if there are ways to incorporate more of your motivators today. Also, you can make future decisions to aid in moving to a more desired path. With long-term goals, even if they are lofty, you can add additional purpose to your daily tasks and make ongoing decisions that are more in line with your career “big picture.”</div>
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<b>2. Subscribe to an industry or career-specific magazine or news source.</b> Knowledge is power in the workplace. All businesses must stay relevant to their customers in order to beat competition and increase revenue. Reading about industry trends, advancements and success stories keeps you in touch with market conditions. This information gives you plenty to talk about with peers, managers and clients, but it also allows you to see which companies and professionals are leading the pack. You can follow their examples in your own workplace and look for opportunities to interact with the best in your field through <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/dont-be-that-guy-or-gal-8-networking-turn-offs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">industry events</a>, presentations and associations.</div>
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You are often judged by the company you keep. If you associate with and learn from those that stand out from the rest, you are likely to find yourself with better opportunities both inside and outside your firm.</div>
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<b>3. Do exceptional work. </b>In any role, there is a way to perform at your best. Look for ways to deliver a top performance. Show up early, be flexible to new assignments, have a positive attitude, collaborate with other departments, pay attention to the little details and figure out how your role impacts the company’s big picture. Employees who value their work perform better than those who don’t understand how they fit into the business.</div>
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Also, be honest with yourself about why others are in roles more senior than yours. Most often, promotion results from top performance in your current role and showing the professional skills and demeanor relevant for the next role. People who <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/12/6-rock-star-habits-that-lead-to-a-promotion" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">get promoted</a> exhibit the skills necessary for a higher-level position before you are offered the position. Make your work count.</div>
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<b>4. Be professionally curious. </b>Talk to people about their careers. Learn more about how success is measured in other roles, departments and companies. Ask people their thoughts on different industries. Take a class on a professionally relevant subject. Attend an industry conference or association group. In short, challenge yourself to expand your business knowledge through interactions with people every week. This is called networking, but it can be as simple as sharing a coffee break with Jim in accounting to hear about the impact of the new online expense reporting policy.</div>
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People hire people. You never know what connections may be relevant when you start your next job search, so make a habit of <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/24/10-ways-to-nurture-your-network" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">making good connections</a> everywhere you go. Be interested, responsive and polite, and you will be amazed at how many people will become part of your “network.” In general, most people like to be helpful. Take the time to learn about others, and be helpful when you can. It is no secret that those who excel socially have a much easier time with the job search and interview process.</div>
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As in all things in life, getting in front of a daunting task early is always easier and less stressful than reacting to a career surprise. Changing jobs is to be expected. No matter how secure you feel today, the time will come when either you or your employer will decide it is time to change. Take these small steps now to prepare for a smooth career transition on your terms. After all, isn’t luck where opportunity meets preparation? </div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/10/09/4-ways-to-boost-your-career-prospects-today" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

4 Ways to Boost Your Career Prospects – Today

4 Ways to Boost Your Career Prospects – Today The best time to prepare for a career change? When you're already employed. Knowledg...

4 Salary Negotiation Secrets for Women

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4 Salary Negotiation Secrets for Women</h1>
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Expert advice for landing a raise.</h2>
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Plan ahead. Be ready to share the purpose of the meeting, your objective and the data on why you believe you’ve earned a raise.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Sad but true: Women are still earning about three-fourths of what men are, across all industries. And while we can shake our fists at the unfairness of it all, it often boils down to our unwillingness to negotiate for more money.</span></div>
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Let’s face it: Your boss isn’t going to hand you a raise without some prodding, so sharpening your<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/05/08/11-tips-for-negotiating-your-next-job-offer" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/05/08/11-tips-for-negotiating-your-next-job-offer">negotiation skills</a> can only help. Here are stellar secrets from professionals that can help you turn your next performance review into a raise:</div>
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<b>1. Practice the art of negotiation. </b>Don’t wait until you’re sitting across your boss to sharpen your skills, says Daria M. Brezenski, a psychologist and professor who teaches entrepreneurs and career professionals. She says: “The problem with asking for money of any type – raise, promotion, price of a product or otherwise – has to do with confidence, and confidence has to do with practice. She adds that rather than a "boxed set of replies," the right words "come from being familiar with the situation [and] being able to frame the present." For the latter, she cites examples such as the emotional state of boss, volume of the setting and feeling in the room, like if it it's relaxed or chaotic.</div>
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She has seen effective results when her students – particularly women – practice negotiation in real life. She encourages them to go to farmer's markets, flea markets and yard sales to negotiate the price of objects for purchase. “This gives my students and clients experience and confidence, learning how to evaluate the environment. In asking, getting turned down and going on to the next dealer without feeling discouraged, <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/07/7-ways-women-can-build-confidence-at-work" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/07/7-ways-women-can-build-confidence-at-work">gaining confidence</a>, learning 'how to' techniques [and] recognizing who is amenable and what to ask for.”</div>
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<b>2. Plan the discussion. </b>Walking into your boss’s office in a tizzy over how little you’re earning won’t get you far. Instead, prepare what you'll say, and even write out your presentation, says Dana Manciagli, career coach, speaker and author. “Don't wing it or think that having a conversation is effective. It's not.”</div>
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She suggests writing out the flow of your discussion and limiting the topics to three items. Specifically, you should be ready to share the purpose of the meeting and your objective, share data on why you believe you’ve earned a raise and then <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/17/7-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-asking-for-a-raise" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/17/7-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-asking-for-a-raise">request a salary increase</a>.</div>
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After that, she says, review you plan with a friend or mentor to find any holes, and fix them. Finally, book a 30-minute meeting with your boss. Make the agenda solely about your career. “Be sure you don't let him or her or yourself start it with other work-related topics. Dive right in. Lead the meeting and be clear and prepared. Take notes, listen and respond in an impactful way.”</div>
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<b>3. Be aware of body language. </b>Don’t put so much focus on researching what you’re worth and preparing your discussion that you overlook body language. Women especially can give off the vibe of submission if they’re not careful. In a negotiation conversation, you want to come off powerful and confident.</div>
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Carol Kinsey Goman, is a speaker, author and <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/05/07/6-body-language-tells-that-ruin-your-job-interviews" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">body language</a> coach who says it’s important to keep your head straight during negotiations. “Head tilting is a signal that someone is listening and involved – and a particularly feminine gesture. As such, head tilts can be very positive cues under some circumstances, but they are also subconsciously processed as submission signals. (Dogs tilt their heads to expose their necks, as a way to show deference to the dominant animal.) When you want to project confidence and authority, you should keep your head straight up in a more neutral position.”</div>
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She also says it’s important to take up space – rather than condensing your body – with elbows at your side and legs crossed. She says that status and authority are nonverbally demonstrated through claiming height and space.</div>
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<b>4. Keep a bragging folder. </b>If you’re like many women, you find it difficult to talk about <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/02/13/transforming-your-dreams-into-accomplishments" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">your accomplishments</a>. But you’ll need them to convince your boss that you’re worth more.</div>
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Cristy Villarreal, a public relations specialist for Beckman Coulter, suggests keeping a folder in your email inbox labeled “Compliments.” Anytime someone gives you a kudos via email for your hard work, store it there.</div>
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“Some people find it difficult to brag about oneself. That is something we should all work on, but until then, let others speak for you. Print out the emails, highlight key statements and place in a file folder. Bring the folder with you when you meet with your supervisor. Ask for a raise and have the data to back up why you deserve one.”</div>
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While you’re not guaranteed to get the salary or wage increase you want every time, these tips will better position you as an assertive and valuable asset to your company and increase your likelihood of making what you’re worth.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/11/4-salary-negotiation-secrets-for-women" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

4 Salary Negotiation Secrets for Women

4 Salary Negotiation Secrets for Women Expert advice for landing a raise. Plan ahead. Be ready to share the purpose of the meeting, yo...

How to Interview Your Interviewer

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How to Interview Your Interviewer</h1>
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Five tips for assessing a job and a potential employer.</h2>
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Ask yourself: Would you hire your interviewers to work with you?</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">You get the jitters before an interview. Who doesn’t? You’re in your</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-wardrobe-musts-for-your-next-interview" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-wardrobe-musts-for-your-next-interview">best outfit</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">, you’re well prepared and you just really want this job.</span></div>
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Or<i> do</i> you?</div>
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We assume the interview is all about selling ourselves to the interviewer to land the job, but it’s much more than that. It's your chance to get to know the organization and the people who work there. Even if a company gives you a job offer, if you didn’t get a good feeling from the interviewers or if you have second guesses, you need to put a lot of thought into your decision before accepting.</div>
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An interview is your chance to assess <i>them</i>. Here's how:</div>
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<b>1. Be yourself. </b>You should be looking for the right fit during an interview just as companies are when they look at us as candidates. That’s why it’s vital to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/30/how-your-personality-could-help-you-find-a-job-or-keep-you-unemployed" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/30/how-your-personality-could-help-you-find-a-job-or-keep-you-unemployed">be yourself</a> at the interview, within limits, of course. You don’t need to talk about how much you partied last night, but it’s OK to show your sense of humor or discuss hobbies.</div>
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<b>2. Get the scoop on the job. </b>A job description does not tell all. In fact, many times people who do not work in the same department or field write the descriptions, which may be inaccurate. You may wind up interviewing for a role completely different than the one advertised – and it may be something you're not interested in. During the interview, make sure you get a clear picture of your daily responsibilities and the skills required to be <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/08/08/12-things-killer-employees-do-before-noon" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">successful in the job</a>.</div>
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<b>3. Understand the culture. </b>Look around the office, and observe what is going on. Is it an open office space with cubicles? Is there a lot of chatter, or is it completely silent? Think about what environment you perform best in. Perhaps you work better with background noise and are an outgoing person who likes a lively office. Or you might prefer quiet.</div>
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You may receive strong signals during an interview about the culture or people who work there. A candidate was once put in a difficult position when two interviewers suddenly made a joke about her current employer out of the blue. This turned her off from the organization.</div>
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<b>4. Ask powerful questions. </b>One of the most <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/10/23/the-best-questions-to-ask-during-a-job-interview" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/10/23/the-best-questions-to-ask-during-a-job-interview">telling questions</a> you can ask is: “How did this position come to be open?” If the interviewer is honest, you will find out if the role is new, or if someone left or was fired. It should give you some insight into what you’re up against and what kinds of expectations the employer may have of you if you are hired.</div>
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Another useful question is: “What is the most positive part of working here, and what would you change if you could?” The answer to this should help you decide whether you’d be happy there or not.</div>
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<b>5. Evaluate the interview overall. </b>You might have a great experience talking to your interviewers and feel like there was good chemistry. Then they may surprise you with an awkward question or request. One candidate was unexpectedly given a timed test of 30 items to demonstrate his Excel expertise. He was disappointed, because he felt it was unrealistic to assume a candidate knew uncommon Excel functions.</div>
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Maybe you interview at your <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/08/28/5-dream-jobs-that-arent-so-dreamy" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/08/28/5-dream-jobs-that-arent-so-dreamy">dream company</a>, and do not like any of the people you meet with. While it may be worth searching your contacts to find people to talk to about the company, pay attention to your gut. We spend countless hours a week at work, and you want to spend that time with people you like to be around and can work with. It has a substantial effect on the quality of your life.</div>
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Perhaps you get an offer, and you feel you need more information to make an informed decision. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your point of contact and ask additional questions. It shows your genuine interest and tells the employer that you want to find the right match just like they do. You want to spend your working hours at a place that respects and values you, so make sure you conduct your own thorough evaluation of your interviewers and the company. Ask yourself: Would you hire your interviewers to work with you?</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/28/how-to-interview-your-interviewer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How to Interview Your Interviewer

How to Interview Your Interviewer Five tips for assessing a job and a potential employer. Ask yourself: Would you hire your interviewe...

How to Explain Your Fabulous Unemployment Stint

It's all fun and games until you have to explain that employment gap in your résumé. But, with careful planning, you can ease your interviewer's concerns.</P><P>Interviews are nerve-wracking enough without a hulking elephant in the conference room. The pachyderm's name? "Ralph, The Yearlong Unemployment Stint." He's got value, really – he's a good elephant! – but it's hard to tell as he chews a gaping hole through your work history.</P><P>Maybe your break from the workforce was intentional. You wanted to travel, try a new hobby or just hang out. Or maybe the break was unintentional, but at one point you didn't worry too much about finding a new job. Whatever the case, now you have to explain the stint and why it shouldn't concern employers. Here's your plan for acknowledging – and perhaps even celebrating – the elephant in the room:</P><P><B>Keep calm.</B> For starters, "don't panic," says Jenny Foss, founder of the career blog JobJenny.com. While unexplained gaps may still raise employers' eyebrows, she says, "there are a lot of ways you can thoughtfully and strategically manage the message surrounding the gap." Here's how to get working on that message:<BR><B><BR>[See: Famous CEOs and Executives Share Their Best Career Advice.]</B> </P><P><B>Think about what you gained in that period of unemployment.</B> Do some soul-searching, and ask yourself what you learned during your break, says Andrea Kay, career consultant and author of “This Is How to Get Your Next Job: An Inside Look at What Employers Really Want.” Did you volunteer? Perhaps you gained new perspectives or discovered more about your community. Took a class? You (hopefully) learned new skills. Did you travel? Perhaps you learned about certain cultures, became more resourceful or honed your Spanish skills.</P><P>"These are all great qualities to bring to an employer," Kay says, so log them. For example, the adaptability and comfort with other cultures you developed while traveling are worth showcasing when interviewing with companies that have offices throughout the globe, Foss adds.</P><P>If you didn't travel, volunteer or take classes, the break may shed less obvious lessons – but they’re there. “I don’t care what you’re doing, people always gain or learn something,” Kay says. “They always go from being something to something else.” Maybe you learned more about what kind of person you are or what you want to focus on, she says, while writing in a journal, building better habits or talking to others.</P><P>Or maybe you simply gained a sense of renewed energy or focus – a chance to hit the refresh button. This is a common result of work hiatuses, Kay says, and it definitely counts as a gain.</P><P><B>[See: </B><B>The 25 Best Jobs of 2014</B><B>.]</B></P><P><B>Write down your worries. </B>What are you concerned employers will assume about your gap in employment? Maybe you're worried they'll think you're a slacker or someone who has no valuable skills. Consider your red flags, Kay says, which will "give you more fodder for the response you’re going to craft." Speaking of which ...</P><P><B>Craft your message. </B>You've got the raw materials in front of you. Now mold them into an articulate explanation. Say how you decided to take some time off for such-and-such reason, and "here's what I learned, and here's how it helped me," Kay says. Cue enthusiastic references to the new perspectives, renewed energy and other takeaways you mapped out earlier. And those anxieties about how employers may perceive the unemployment stint? Here's your chance to weave counterpoints to them in the explanation. You probably won't come off as a slacker as you describe how you spent your unemployment gap volunteering or learning new things. Be sure to finish with something like, "Now I’m focused and ready to make the transition back to [insert your line of work]," Foss suggests. </P><P><B>Keep the explanation succinct. </B>Practice your "funemployment" message like you would rehearse other interview answers, like why you want to work at that particular company. While practicing, aim for a message that's thorough but concise. As Foss points out, over-explaining can seem inauthentic. "When you rattle on and on about something, you immediately look like you're nervous or trying to cover something up," she says.</P><P><B>[See: </B><B>The 10 Things You Do That Turn an Interviewer Off</B><B>.]</B></P><P><B>Be proactive. </B>Mention the employment gap on your own terms, rather than "with your back up against the wall and your defenses up," Foss says. Don't wait for your interviewer to call out the break – and he or she will. Bring it up in the beginning, when asked to talk a little bit about yourself. You'll have already perfected and practiced this message, so launch into it. As Foss puts it: "Your best defense is almost always a good offense."<BR></P><br /><p><a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/10/09/how-to-explain-your-fabulous-unemployment-stint" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

How to Explain Your Fabulous Unemployment Stint

It's all fun and games until you have to explain that employment gap in your résumé. But, with careful planning, you can ease your inte...