job & interview

Unsung Hero or MVP: What Workplace Superlative Best Describes You?

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Unsung Hero or MVP: What Workplace Superlative Best Describes You?</h1>
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It's never too early to start thinking about the impact you want to make in your career.</h2>
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Are you the office MVP or its unsung hero? Think about what superlatives fit the legacy you'd like to leave professionally.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Starting a new job or internship this summer? Before you step into your</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">new place of work</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">, think about the legacy you want to leave. It's never too early to think about the impact you want to make and how you want your peers and management to perceive you. Likewise, it's never too late to alter your behavior and establish a positive and memorable reputation.</span></div>
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<b></b><br />No matter what your past legacy was, you have the opportunity to create a new one. Rather than focus on what you need to fix, your weaknesses and flaws, choose to lead from a position of power by accentuating your natural talents. Whether you're starting a new job or holding on to one, set a new course. Review the list below and think about which award will fit most comfortably with your strengths and motivation.</div>
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<b>1. Unsung hero.</b> You may have strong <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/02/21/7-key-skills-you-need-to-get-hired-right-now" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/02/21/7-key-skills-you-need-to-get-hired-right-now">organizational skills</a> or excel at managing details. Are you the type of person who does your best work behind the scenes? The unsung hero award goes to players, like you, who modestly make a difference. You don’t do it for the recognition. You're probably the type of employee who says “I was just doing my job.”</div>
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<b>Success tip</b>: When you find yourself with extra time in your day, look for the opportunity to help someone. Offer to pitch in on a special project or help a teammate. Not only is your willingness to help appreciated, it can also set you apart as an invaluable asset. Be sure you have completed your own work to the highest standards before going the extra mile.</div>
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<b>2. Customer appreciation award.</b> Both internal and external customers love you. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/24/8-keys-to-communicating-effectively-during-the-job-search" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/24/8-keys-to-communicating-effectively-during-the-job-search">Your ability to listen</a>with an open mind and help resolve problems is a desirable skill. Whenever possible, look for the chance to delight your customers. You can resolve an issue ahead of schedule, give more than your customers ask for or keep customers up-to-date on your progress. A word of caution when trying to serve: Always adhere to company guidelines. Your customer-service strengths apply to almost every job you’ll ever have from this point forward.</div>
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<b>Success tip</b>: Be sure you collect the raving testimonials from satisfied customers and share them with your manager.</div>
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<b>3. Best in class.</b> You can’t compete against everyone. This may be the reason carmakers use “best in class” designations. It allows a vehicle to stand out in its appropriate category. Is your category “new hire,” “accounting,” “team leader” or something else? Think about where you are in your career and organization and then think about how you can stand out in your category. You can use your job-specific knowledge and dedication to your field to set yourself apart. Consider one of these ideas: attend a professional conference to keep up to date on new trends, volunteer to develop content for the new hire orientation or offer to deliver training for your team. Overachieve in whatever category or class in which you want to receive recognition.</div>
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<b>Success tip: </b>Talk to your manager about ways you can help raise the knowledge level within your department or group. Once you’ve completed your project or assignment, don’t forget to ask for a<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin">recommendation on LinkedIn</a> from your manager and teammates.</div>
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<b>4. MVP.</b> The most valuable player award goes to the best-performing athlete in a game, someone who outshines all other players. You can take advantage of your confidence, hustle, dedication or effort to bask in the glory of being a star. Use your innate strengths in problem-solving or taking initiative to make a difference. Step forward to lead a project or take on a challenging issue.</div>
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<b>Success tip</b>: No one ever achieves greatness alone. Be sure you give credit and <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/02/06/how-to-truly-show-appreciation-to-colleagues-and-clients" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/02/06/how-to-truly-show-appreciation-to-colleagues-and-clients">show your appreciation</a> to your colleagues. Be humble and show gratitude.</div>
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<b>5. Best tech gadget of the year.</b> No, you aren’t a gadget, but you know how to get the most from technology. You naturally gravitate toward shiny new apps and your friends and family may already consider you their go-to tech genius. Why not carry your expertise over to the workplace? Keep in mind you may not be the only employee in your organization with great tech skills. Share your reviews of apps and software solutions among your teammates, and perhaps your entire organization.</div>
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<b>Success tip:</b> Partner up with the other gurus for a greater overall impact and visibility. And always be sure to show the financial impact or efficiency gained through using the new technology</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/25/unsung-hero-or-mvp-what-workplace-superlative-best-describes-you" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Unsung Hero or MVP: What Workplace Superlative Best Describes You?

Unsung Hero or MVP: What Workplace Superlative Best Describes You? It's never too early to start thinking about the impact you want ...

The 7 Ingredients of a Well-Written Entry-Level Résumé

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The 7 Ingredients of a Well-Written Entry-Level Résumé</h1>
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How to play up your strengths and experiences on a résumé when just starting your career.</h2>
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<span class="item drawer_paddingTop" style="display: block; float: left; padding-top: 8px;"><a href="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/23ab258/2147483647/crop/367x330%2B80%2B0/resize/300x270/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2Ff3%2Fe845db30736815954ad24a20b3e7a7%2Fresizes%2F500%2F44248WideModern_Resume_120709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The ABCs of Résumés" border="0" src="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/23ab258/2147483647/crop/367x330%2B80%2B0/resize/300x270/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2Ff3%2Fe845db30736815954ad24a20b3e7a7%2Fresizes%2F500%2F44248WideModern_Resume_120709.jpg" style="line-height: 1.5;" /></a><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-resumes" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-resumes">Writing a résumé</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> is rarely fun – but having a good résumé ready to go is critical to job-seeking success. A résumé serves many purposes. Obviously, it displays pertinent contact information and an overview of your skills and experience. It also is one of the best ways to display a job seeker’s commitment to her career, writing/editing skills, level of detail orientation and overall professional sophistication. As a new graduate, even with limited out-of-the-classroom experience, it is still possible to maximize the critical first impression. Here are seven ways to make more of your entry-level résumé.</span></span></div>
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<b>1. Font and point size</b>. Your choice in font and point size is <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/01/22/6-resume-red-flags-you-can-avoid" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/01/22/6-resume-red-flags-you-can-avoid">the first thing</a> an employer sees. Make sure to choose a style that visually matches the level of professionalism of your selected industry. Arial, Times New Roman and Calibri are popular choices. Other selections are fine, but make sure your choice doesn’t make your résumé look too casual or trendy. A 10-point size is commonly used. You can go a little smaller or larger, but remember that less than 9 is usually hard for the eyes, and larger than 11 makes is obvious that you're trying to compensate for a lack of content.</div>
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<b>2. Contact </b><b>information</b>. Emphasize your name by making it several point sizes larger than everything else on your résumé and in bold. Include your phone number, your email address and your LinkedIn public profile address. These days, including your physical address is preferred but no longer a must, particularly if you're running low on space. If you still live on campus but you're looking to work in a neighboring city or back home, try to include the address closest to the work location. Make sure the layout of your contact information is symmetrical and doesn’t waste valuable space at the top of the page. Also, use only <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/12-steps-to-email-rehabilitation" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/12-steps-to-email-rehabilitation">email addresses</a> that paint a professional picture of you. Whatupdawg@gmail.com is less likely to get a recruiter’s call for that accounting position than johndoe123@gmail.com.</div>
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<b>3</b>. <b>Objective</b>. Only include an objective if it's specific regarding position type and possibly timing. For example, “Targeting internship roles in social media marketing for the fall of 2014” is helpful and targeted. Writing “Looking for a role in a great company where I can apply my educational background in a dynamic environment” is generic and not a good use of space. The top third of your résumé is often all that is seen if it is opened on a mobile device, so make the most of that space. If you don’t have a specific objective, skip it all together to allow room for other important details.</div>
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<b>4. Summary</b>. A summary is helpful to provide a two to three sentence overview of a larger or very diverse track record of work experience, projects and professional skills. This is most often used with more experienced professionals who have years of experience and should be customized for each position for which you apply. Most new graduates don't have enough content to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/02/04/5-things-you-might-not-have-on-your-resume-but-should" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/02/04/5-things-you-might-not-have-on-your-resume-but-should">require a summary</a>. As with the objective, generic or cliché-filled summaries should be avoided – as they don't assist the reader in determining your candidacy and waste valuable visual space.</div>
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<b>5.</b> <b>Education</b>. Typically, the greatest accomplishment for most entry-level job seekers is their college degree. List your education as close to the top of a résumé, and include your GPA if it's 3.3 or higher. You may also include RELEVANT coursework, based on the role to which you're applying. Don't feel the need to list all of your courses if they will not aide a recruiter in determining that you're prepared for their role. Most new graduates should not include high school graduation information after their second year of college. The only exception would be someone who has exemplary pre-college education that is professionally relevant or may give an advantage in networking with alums from a certain school.</div>
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<b>6. Experience</b>. Include internships, volunteering and other relevant out-of-the-classroom experiences. To determine relevancy, look at the targeted job description to see the top three to five required skills or experiences for the role. Now, reflect on your background to think of what you have done that would show you have that background. Include these with descriptions that highlight your accomplishments. Do your best to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/09/27/7-steps-to-break-into-a-new-career-with-no-experience" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/09/27/7-steps-to-break-into-a-new-career-with-no-experience">customize your descriptions</a> to the position requirements. Also remember that most employers are looking for basic traits of problem solving ability, communication skills, drive/initiative, leadership and certain technical skills that match their needs. Make sure to highlight how your past allowed you to learn or demonstrate these traits.</div>
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<b>7. Skills</b>. The ability to use specific software or knowledge of desirable technical processes is a great differentiator for qualified candidates. Include a skills section that lists your software and relevant technical skills.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/17/the-7-ingredients-of-a-well-written-entry-level-resume" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

The 7 Ingredients of a Well-Written Entry-Level Résumé

The 7 Ingredients of a Well-Written Entry-Level Résumé How to play up your strengths and experiences on a résumé when just starting your...

How to Be a Better Communicator in the Workplace

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How to Be a Better Communicator in the Workplace</h1>
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Successfully interacting with others is a key to your professional success.</h2>
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Gain the respect of your co-workers by being a good listener.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Whether you are an aspiring leader or in a support role, developing your communication skills can impact your success. First, let’s take a look at the complexities of communication. It's more than the words you use. It's how and when you choose to share information. It's your</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><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; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/05/07/6-body-language-tells-that-ruin-your-job-interviews">body language</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">and the tone and quality of your voice.</span></div>
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<i>These are things you should consider as you strive to improve your interactions with others:</i> </div>
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<b>Know the outcome. </b>Before you begin planning what you will say in an upcoming meeting, consider what you want the outcome of your communication to be. What actions do you want others to take? How will you move people? That's the term used in Daniel Pink’s "To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others."<b> </b>Pink contends that we are all in sales today. “Whether we’re employees pitching colleagues on a new idea, entrepreneurs enticing funders to invest or parents and teachers cajoling children to study, we spend our days trying to move others.”</div>
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<b>Build a reputation. </b>In the workplace, other people's perceptions of you don't form based on a single encounter. But never forget how valuable a good first impression is! In order to gain respect and be seen as a trusted authority, eager team member or dedicated employee, you will need to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/09/11/how-to-build-a-great-professional-reputation" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/09/11/how-to-build-a-great-professional-reputation">build your reputation</a> over time. Every interaction – from how you greet your co-workers in the morning to how you summarize a status update in an email – contributes to how people view you.</div>
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<b>Avoid flaunting power and intellect. </b>Compelling communicators don’t strong-arm people into paying attention or dazzle listeners by showing off how much they know. Leave your ego at the door when speaking to people. Establish an even playing field, and place yourself at the same level with your listeners. Avoid a condescending tone of voice and terminology your audience will not immediately understand. While you may be the smartest, most knowledgeable person on a particular topic, wait for the invitation to share your expertise.</div>
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<b>Be confident. </b>A wimpy response isn’t going to gain the recognition or support you desire. Confidence is queen when it comes to effective communication. Use strong action verbs, avoid filler words, such as "um"’ or "‘ah," look people in the eye and sit or stand up straight when called on to speak.</div>
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<b>Show awareness of others. </b>Shoving your great ideas or accomplishments down throats of listeners isn’t going to work. Building relationships is part of the communication process and is key to your success in conveying your message. When you deeply understand how your audience thinks and feels and what is important to them, you can use that information to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/01/17/7-steps-to-deliver-your-best-elevator-pitch" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/01/17/7-steps-to-deliver-your-best-elevator-pitch">craft a message</a> that will resonate with your listeners. Your message should imply concern for others. As the saying goes, "walk a mile in their shoes" to understand what's important to the people you are communicating with.</div>
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<b>Consider timing. </b>There is a time and a place for everything. When you are aware of the events or emotional state of those you are communicating with, you can improve the timing of your message. Appropriate timing means you have taken the person and occasion into consideration and know when to share your message.</div>
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<b>Master the art of listening. </b>The most adept communicators are experts at listening and reading between the lines. Mastering the art of listening isn’t easy. You will most likely feel tempted to share your own insights, opinions or assumptions while listening to someone. Avoid commentary or interjecting. Instead, ask open ended follow-up questions. This provides evidence that you are hearing and listening to the person. It shows your respect for the person speaking and for the information they are sharing. Practicing good <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/08/19/7-ways-to-be-a-better-listener-while-interviewing" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/08/19/7-ways-to-be-a-better-listener-while-interviewing">listening skills</a> will help you gain the respect of those you encounter.</div>
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<b>Earn respect and trust. </b>Earning respect and trust from your colleagues, managers and customers doesn’t happen automatically. Your title and role don’t give you any special privileges. If you work hard to exceed expectations and deliver with integrity, you are on your way to establishing the right to be trusted. Consistently repeat these steps to earn the right to be heard.</div>
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All these things probably sound familiar. You’ve read them before. What you really want is concrete help in improving your communication. There are thousands of books on the topic of communication. These self-help books can arm you with more insight and tools to improve your understanding of the intricacies of communication, but there is nothing as powerful as practicing what you learn. </div>
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<i>Here's how to develop your communication skills:</i></div>
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<b>Learn from mentors.</b> Enlist help from managers or leaders you respect. These mentors can provide constructive feedback and real-time coaching.</div>
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<b>Watch TED Talks.</b> Learn how to present by watching <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/01/5-ways-innovative-hr-leaders-find-great-talent" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">innovative thinkers</a> featured in TED Talks. In 18 minutes or less, these videos capture presentations of great communicators. Since 2006, TED has been hosting conferences and events centered around science, technology, business, culture, art and design to share – as TED puts it – “Ideas Worth Spreading.”</div>
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<b>Join Toastmasters International</b>. Join a Toastmasters club, and build your skills in a “learn-by-doing” meeting. Toastmasters International has been around 90 years helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills.</div>
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<b>Attend a Dale Carnegie program.</b> Go to one of Dale Carnegie’s well-known leadership development programs, which are based on his legendary book, “How to Win Friends & Influence People.” According to the Dale Carnegie Training website, these programs teach you how to: "strengthen interpersonal relationships, manage stress and handle fast-changing workplace conditions." The description continues: "You'll develop more effective communication skills and be better equipped to perform as a persuasive communicator, problem-solver and focused leader. And you'll develop a take-charge attitude initiated with confidence and enthusiasm.”</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/03/how-to-be-a-better-communicator-in-the-workplace" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How to Be a Better Communicator in the Workplace

How to Be a Better Communicator in the Workplace Successfully interacting with others is a key to your professional success. Gain the ...

The 7-Step Interview Playbook

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he 7-Step Interview Playbook</h1>
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Here's what to do before, during and after the interview to come out a winner.</h2>
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You got this. The morning of your interview, mentally prepare by getting in a professional and upbeat mindset.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Whether you’re a recent graduate new to the job search or a veteran desk jockey looking for a career change, getting an interview is only half the battle. Without knowing the basics of what leads to an offer and what tanks one, your time spent enhancing your</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/04/5-steps-to-enhance-your-online-job-search" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/04/5-steps-to-enhance-your-online-job-search">online job search</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">and networking may be wasted.</span></div>
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Need a crash course in job interviewing 101? Try these seven steps explain exactly what you need to do before, during and after meeting with a potential employer.</div>
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<i>The Week Before Your Interview</i></div>
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Getting an offer begins long before you’re seated across the table from the hiring manager.</div>
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<b>Prepare for tough questions.</b> If you lack conviction when responding to a hard interview question, you may kill your momentum and cause the hiring manager to decide against you. Avoid getting thrown off by anticipating typical toughies and thinking through your responses in advance. One topic that rattles many candidates is being asked to describe failure. “The key to this story is to demonstrate that you have the resilience and insight to utilize failure as an opportunity for learning and personal-professional growth,” says Susan Jewkes Allen, a career counselor.</div>
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<b>Understand the players.</b> Social media has raised the bar for job seekers, increasing expectations of <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/30/3-types-of-recruiters-and-how-to-impress-them" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/30/3-types-of-recruiters-and-how-to-impress-them">recruiters</a> and hiring managers that you’ve done ample due diligence. Therefore, it’s crucial during the week before your interview to thoroughly research the position, company and your interviewers. Author and consultant Brad Harker suggests seeking answers to the following questions before your interview:</div>
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<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;">What does the company do?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;"> How has the company performed?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;"> Who are the interviewers?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;"> What are they looking for?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;"> What can you learn about the job?</li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.9em; text-indent: -0.9em;"> What have you done that is similar?</li>
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Find out everything you can from the job listing, but check other online sources as well, including LinkedIn and the company’s Facebook page.</div>
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<i>The Morning of Your Interview</i></div>
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How you spend the hours before your interview can set the tone for your performance.</div>
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<b>Prepare physically.</b> Interview morning is the time to gather your materials, dress the part and put on your game face. Belinda Plutz, president of Career Mentors Inc., advises packing several clean copies of your résumé, your portfolio, pen and notebook before you head to your meeting. Selecting your<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-wardrobe-musts-for-your-next-interview" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">interview outfit</a> is also important, because first impressions are powerful. “You must look as if you will fit into the organization. But if they are very casual, you need to dress up and not be too casual,” Plutz says. “Be well-groomed and businesslike.”</div>
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<b>Prepare mentally.</b> Don’t wing it when it comes to the attitude you bring to your interview. Take time before you leave the house to regroup mentally and get into a professional mindset. “You should be upbeat, enthusiastic, positive, eager and factual,” Plutz says. “If you believe that you are the ideal person for the job, you have a good chance of convincing the interviewer. An interview is the primary opportunity to sell yourself.”</div>
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<i>During Your Interview</i></div>
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You’ve done everything right leading up to the interview – now it’s show time. To avoid blowing your moment of truth:</div>
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<b>Treat your interview as a conversation.</b> While conventional wisdom dictates that a job interview puts the candidate on the hot seat to be grilled by a potential employer, effective interviews should really be a two-way street. “Try not to just sell yourself, but find out if the position and company you’re applying for are the right fit for you,” says Heidi Baldwin, account supervisor at J Public Relations. “Ask about the culture, what qualities are needed in an ideal candidate, what a typical day in this position would look like and the manager’s expectations.”</div>
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<b>Connect with the interviewers.</b> Research has shown that differing too much from your interviewer can backfire when it comes to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/04/finding-landing-and-loving-a-hard-to-fill-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">landing a job</a>. Instead, demonstrating similarity to the hiring team can help create alignment with the decision-makers. If you did your research the week before the interview, this step should be easier. “Quite often, when it comes down between choosing Candidate A or Candidate B, it’s a matter of how well the candidate connected with those interviewing,” says leadership coach and author Keith Wyche. “In the back of their minds, they are all asking the question: How well will this candidate fit within our company’s culture?”</div>
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<i>After Your Interview</i><b><br /></b>You think you’ve nailed it – but you’re not done yet.</div>
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<b>Send thank-you emails to every interviewer.</b> A well-timed and thoughtfully crafted thank-you message can help seal the deal for a candidate who interviewed well. There’s no need to send thank-you cards via snail mail; emailing thanks is common practice today. Elizabeth Famiglietti, senior vice president of human resources at PAN Communications, emphasizes the importance of sending a personally targeted message to each person who interviewed you.</div>
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“Do <i>not</i> send the same email to each person (yes, we share this info)," Famiglietti says. “Show you are a <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/08/19/7-ways-to-be-a-better-listener-while-interviewing" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">good listener</a> and call out at least one thing that was specific to that interview with that person in your thank-you note. Show your enthusiasm for the company and joining the team, and offer to provide any additional info if needed.”</div>
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Acing the interview is a job in itself. But approaching the interview process in stages of actions to take before, during and after your meeting can raise you above your competitors and help you win the job you want.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/19/the-7-step-interview-playbook" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

The 7-Step Interview Playbook

he 7-Step Interview Playbook Here's what to do before, during and after the interview to come out a winner. You got this. The morn...

Veterans Do This When Re-Entering the Workforce. We All Need to Try It.

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Veterans Do This When Re-Entering the Workforce. We All Need to Try It.</h1>
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Learn to rebrand yourself. You'd be surprised how many experiences are transferable for a new career.</h2>
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It's important to connect the dots from your former skills to the ones you're pursuing currently.</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">Maybe you’re a stay-at-home mom looking to reboot your career, maybe you’re</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">returning to employment</a><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">after completing your Ph.D. or maybe you’re among the thousands of veterans returning home every year. When it comes to connecting the dots from your former skills and experiences to the ones you’re pursuing currently, there are several ways to build your confidence with a meaningful story to convince prospective employers your background isn’t only relevant, it’s an asset to the potential role and organization.</span></div>
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According to Dorie Clark, author of "Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future," the most important step involves creating your narrative so you can explain your past and how it adds value to the new role you’re aiming for. “Your past experiences – whether it’s dismantling explosives for the army or caring for preschoolers – have taught you powerful lessons, from keeping cool under pressure to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/05/27/learning-to-manage-yourself-and-not-your-time" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/05/27/learning-to-manage-yourself-and-not-your-time">time management</a>,” she says. </div>
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Clark adds that unless you make the connection clear, the hiring manager may be unsure how your past relates to the corporate world. "They’re used to linear paths, so if your experience deviates, you need to create a narrative that shows what you learned and why it’s valuable.”</div>
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Just ask Alex Hooper, Army Special Forces veteran and consultant at AKF Partners. He learned to create that narrative by attending the Career Opportunity Redefinition & Exploration (CORE) Leadership Program at Deloitte University. His biggest a-ha moment? Learning what he had to say and why he needed to say it. “For me, the special forces regimen motto is ‘quiet professional’ so any time anyone bragged about themselves, it was off-putting and not part of the culture," Hooper says. "It’s like, do your job and get over yourself.”</div>
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At first, his most challenging hurdle was getting over that uncomfortable feeling of <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing">talking to a potential employer</a>. Hooper learned to think about what to say, why he was different from others and why he’d be good for this position. Not only that, but he learned why this was so important. “You have to be able to tell your story and appreciate the necessity to tell your story,” he explains.</div>
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This point is critical, says Christie Smith, managing principal at Deloitte University Leadership Center for Inclusion. “They have confidence that they have something to say. That’s what companies are looking for in hires – it’s that confidence. That comfort in who you are in your own skin,” she says.</div>
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For veterans, that comfort is gained through leveraging resources. For Hooper, it meant applying for and participating in the CORE Leadership Program, experiencing a safe, supportive environment, honing personal branding and his elevator pitch creation and practicing informational interviews and networking. “When you leave our door, it’s easy to have a cup of coffee with you,” Smith says. "That’s certainly something for rebooters to think about – the ease with which to tell their story, which comes from practice."</div>
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Whether you’re going from battlefield to boardroom or carpools to conference calls, there’s the issue of translating words to make then relevant. “We even tell them you don’t need to use corporate speak just like you don’t need to use military terminology just be authentic," says Terry Bickham, talent leader, dean of the CORE Leadership Program and U.S. Coast Guard veteran. "They’re extremely specialized, they’re used to taking orders, being given a task to accomplish and achieving that task.” The good news? Bickham says most organizations are <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/02/21/7-key-skills-you-need-to-get-hired-right-now" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/02/21/7-key-skills-you-need-to-get-hired-right-now">looking for people</a> who are very adaptable, can innovate, can look at a challenge, figure out how to overcome obstacles and be agile.</div>
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Chris Robinette, also a veteran of the Army Special Forces, says this agility is a change in mindset. “You never really had to think about how to get from point A to point B, it’s how do I excel at point B?" he notes. "Here, you have to evaluate, 'well maybe I’m not going to point B, maybe I’m going to point C or D or G, and what do I have to do to communicate that I have the aptitude and skills to do that and what are the mechanisms to build connections to explore those options?'” Outside of a structured, defined environment networking is critical for career navigation. “That’s how you explore ideas and fill gaps with information,” he adds.</div>
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Not only is that exploration critical, but the confidence around exploration is key. Smith says: “What is their story? What are the elements of that story, what are the elements of what they’re good at? They have to think about that in the context also of who they are. That’s the equation that we play – who are you, how does that perform/what kind of leader or manager you’ve been [in the armed forces], what are you good at, now how do you package and tell that story?”</div>
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<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/12/11/if-you-want-a-great-job-tell-a-great-story" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/12/11/if-you-want-a-great-job-tell-a-great-story">Telling the story</a> with confidence and conviction is one part, and as for the other? It's connecting with people. “Build your network,” Smith says. “I’m a people collector and I encourage people to just collect as many people as you can, you never know how it’s all going to come together.”</div>
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Robinette concurs. “And a number of jobs are never posted – it’s all internal or through that network not so much who you know but we didn’t know you were out there, you didn’t know this job existed but it’s a great marriage once you find each other.”</div>
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<br />
<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/03/veterans-do-this-when-re-entering-the-workforce-we-all-need-to-try-it" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Veterans Do This When Re-Entering the Workforce. We All Need to Try It.

Veterans Do This When Re-Entering the Workforce. We All Need to Try It. Learn to rebrand yourself. You'd be surprised how many exper...

Avoid These Pitfalls of Entrepreneurship

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Avoid These Pitfalls of Entrepreneurship</h1>
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How the entrepreneurial spirit itself can disrupt your business' success.</h2>
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Entrepreneurs should be attuned to the latest industry trends to stay one step ahead of competitors.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Either by choice or by circumstance, entrepreneurs launch into their businesses determined to make a living. They're then often accosted by fear, uncertainty, time demands,</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/05/01/preparing-for-the-financial-roller-coaster-of-entrepreneurship" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;">cash flow concerns</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">and a barrage of advertisers eager for them to spend their money for reach and visibility in the marketplace. All of that is just on the business front. On the personal side, there are also concerns about disappointment and their responsibilities to their families.</span></div>
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When someone becomes an entrepreneur and launches into a business venture, his or her frame of mind is often to start fresh. It’s out with the old and in with the new. Plus, best practices learned at corporations are thrown out as old, outdated forms of themselves. It’s in that freeing feeling of striking out on your own that entrepreneurs' mindsets fail them.</div>
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<b>What got you there will get you here</b></div>
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A common saying among entrepreneurial circles is: “What got you here won’t get you there.” In the case of a newly developing entrepreneur, a better decision is to make use of that wisdom that you put the time in for.</div>
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Here's what likely got an entrepreneur to this point in his or her career: being on time, <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/09/30/do-you-know-how-to-run-a-meeting" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">scheduling events</a>, creating and following systems and processes, taking notes and honing project management skills. That valuable wisdom that can be applied to this new venture.</div>
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The allure of the brave new entrepreneurial world leaves people wondering what to do next. Often, home-based entrepreneurs find themselves busy with daily tasks and chores related to the household, the children or the yard. Or they’re lured into being in constant weekend mode, filling their days with volunteer, sports and church activities.</div>
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Entrepreneur must employ themselves – much like their past employers expected them to start work on time, deliver and contribute to the company during working hours and diligently follow through with commitments. Entrepreneurs must do all of this for the hardest and most demanding boss they’ll ever work for – themselves.</div>
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Compound that with no guarantee of a paycheck or a sure climb up the corporate ladder, and many entrepreneurs abandon what rewarded them with success in the corporate world. They're not giving their own business the schedule and <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/03/20/5-soft-skills-to-showcase-in-an-interview" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/03/20/5-soft-skills-to-showcase-in-an-interview">work ethic</a> they once gave to previous employers. Successful entrepreneurs benefit from what they learned doing corporate time and apply that same commitment, dedication and structure to their own endeavor.</div>
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<b>Networking matters even more</b></div>
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In the corporate world, networking and focusing efforts on influencers and a high-return individuals is quite common. New entrepreneurs are often all too ready to dismiss this business practice. Even more prevalent in the entrepreneurial world is the practical belief that people do business with people they know, like and trust. The only way that trust can be built is through relationships and communication. The only way communication and visibility can happen is through connections and introductions. And those happen through networking. Identifying a couple key events with a clear plan of what the desired outcome is helps entrepreneurs rationalize and plan networking events with precision and focus.</div>
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To this date, Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” still applies and provides insights and structure into beginning and <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;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/24/10-ways-to-nurture-your-network">developing lasting relationships</a> that yield great results on the personal and business landscapes.</div>
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<b>Focus on learning your industry</b></div>
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Entrepreneurs often wait a long time for their businesses to come to fruition, and when they do, the focus is on building and developing the business. At that point, education in the industry often takes a back seat. This mistake often goes undetected until a competitor creates momentum and overtakes them.</div>
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Successful entrepreneurs stay focused on learning their craft or industry. Their appetites for cutting-edge information about their industry is voracious and serves them by positioning them as people who stay current and connected in their field. The most successful take advantage of industry and<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;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/dont-be-that-guy-or-gal-8-networking-turn-offs">networking events</a>, as well as opportunities to learn about their industry.</div>
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The most successful entrepreneurs bring with them best practices they honed on the job, a drive for networking and a clear understanding that people do business with and through the assistance of others. They also understand that staying at the forefront of their industry is vital to their entrepreneurial success.</div>
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<b>Maria Elena Duron</b> is a brand relationship trainer, national presenter, author and small business marketing coach specializing in helping individuals, teams, businesses and organizations apply the concepts of the book “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” in their daily business and interactions with customers. She is editor-in-chief of the <a class="" href="http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/author/mduron/" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/author/mduron/">Personal Branding Blog</a><a href="http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/author/mduron/)" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/author/mduron/)"></a>.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/10/09/avoid-these-pitfalls-of-entrepreneurship" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Avoid These Pitfalls of Entrepreneurship

Avoid These Pitfalls of Entrepreneurship How the entrepreneurial spirit itself can disrupt your business' success. Entrepreneurs s...

What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer

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What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer</h1>
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There are a number of red flags to look for before accepting a position.</h2>
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<span class="item drawer_paddingTop" style="display: block; float: left; padding-top: 8px;"><a href="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/843593f/2147483647/thumbnail/300x270/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2Fe2%2F22d0afc24714e07ca3d3ea8201fe86%2Fresizes%2F500%2F50222WideModern_EmployeeRelief_131125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The 22 Best Business Jobs of 2014" border="0" src="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/843593f/2147483647/thumbnail/300x270/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2Fe2%2F22d0afc24714e07ca3d3ea8201fe86%2Fresizes%2F500%2F50222WideModern_EmployeeRelief_131125.jpg" style="line-height: 1.5;" /></a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">A long-anticipated</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">job offer</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">can give feelings of security and relief to fresh graduates. But just because a company wants you doesn’t mean you should say yes to the first employer that extends an offer. There are a number of red flags that prospective candidates should look for when deciding whether to accept a position.</span></span></div>
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<b>Instability.</b> It’s no secret that many young employees job hop – and some experts think this is good. While changing employers frequently and by choice has become more common, having your first job pulled out from under you will be much less appealing to most new employees. That’s why it’s important to look for signs of an organization’s ability to withstand market pressure <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/02/how-to-evaluate-a-job-offer" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/02/how-to-evaluate-a-job-offer">before you join</a> it.</div>
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Rona Borre, CEO and founder of the tech staffing firm Instant Technology, notes that in the digital age, new companies are popping up rapidly in many industries – particularly in technology. Unfortunately, this means that not all of them will have the longevity to make it long-term. “Though the innovation, hard work and ‘bet big, win big’ mentality of a startup can be an incredible match for some newcomers, it is something to keep in mind for those seeking stability in their career choice,” she says.</div>
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<b>Poor reputation</b><b>.</b> One advantage for today’s graduates is technology allows greater access to information about specific companies than was available before. Borre points out that there is a wealth of information on nearly every company available online, including reviews from CareerBuilder, Glassdoor and other career sites, where current and former employees can discuss how they feel about their organization and its management and culture.</div>
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Researching companies using these tools, as well as social media sites like <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin">LinkedIn</a>, can help you identify potentially problematic work environments. If a large number of employees have taken the time to vent about their dissatisfaction, it could be a red flag. However, Borre advises against letting online reviews sway you completely. “It’s important to take these reviews with a grain of salt, as often times the most vocal employees are the most dissatisfied,” she says. “If there are consistent issues among the reviews, it may be important to keep in mind.”</div>
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<b>Lowball salary. </b>As a new employee, you may feel grateful for whatever starting salary is offered, since even a lower salary will likely be more than you’ve ever made in your life. What’s more, many graduates (<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/05/29/how-to-negotiate-salary-like-a-man" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/05/29/how-to-negotiate-salary-like-a-man">particularly women</a><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/04/08/300290240/why-women-dont-ask-for-more-money" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/04/08/300290240/why-women-dont-ask-for-more-money"></a>) may feel reluctant to push for more pay given their lack of experience, concern about seeming pushy and the tougher job market.</div>
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Think twice before accepting the first number offered. According to Lisa Kaess, economist and producer and founder of the consulting firm Feminomics, negotiating for a few thousand dollars more in salary at the outset not only can help students pay down their loans faster, but it can add up to $1 million more in earnings over the course of your career. If you’re not sure what the market rate is for your position in your location, check sites like PayScale.com and Salary.com for averages.</div>
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“This is particularly crucial for young women, who typically earn less to begin with, and are reluctant to<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/02/21/the-exact-words-to-use-when-negotiating-salary" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/02/21/the-exact-words-to-use-when-negotiating-salary">ask for more</a>,” Kaess says. “When negotiating, be ready to discuss your skills and align yourself with a company’s goals.” She adds that even if the employer doesn’t come up with extra cash, they might be willing to sweeten the deal with more paid vacation, personal days and other benefits.</div>
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<b>Unhappy people.</b> The interview stage provides a great opportunity to observe employees in their element. Be observant during your limited time at the job site to notice whatever you can about its culture and environment. Your interviewers may certainly provide some signs, whether subtle or overt, into how they feel about their own jobs. But other people you see in the office as you walk through may also offer clues. “Arrive to a job interview appointment about 15 minutes early (so you can do all <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing">pre-interview</a> prep such as using the bathroom, calming yourself, etc.) and sit and observe how the people in the office interact with each other,” suggests Randall Hansen, webmaster and publisher of Quintessential Careers. “If people seem cold and uncommunicative and you are accustomed to a happy/friendly work environment, then this place may not be for you.”</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/24/what-new-grads-should-know-before-accepting-that-first-job-offer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer

What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer There are a number of red flags to look for before accepting a position...

How to Get the Job by Thinking Like a Hiring Manager

How to Get the Job by Thinking Like a Hiring Manager

How to Get the Job by Thinking Like a Hiring Manager Consider the perspectives of recruiters and employers while applying to jobs. ...