Sunday, March 15, 2020

8 smart things you need to do the night before your job interview

8 smart things you need to do the night before your job interviewPop quiz, hotshot its the night before your big job interview. What should you be doing to get yourself ready? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Know where youre going.This is probably the most important thing you can do before your job interview. Nothing sends your brain into panic mode (and gets the interview off on the wrong foot) like feeling lost and worrying youre going to be late. The night before, make sure youve got a planned route ready to go in Google Maps, or Waze, or whatever your favorite navigation app is. If youre going to be using public transportation, check the schedules and look for leidifications about planned changes, updated timetables, etc. If youre driving, look for signs of construction or traffic delays. That way you can plan to leave earlier if necessary.Get your paperwork together.You should bring a copy of your resume, as well as any notes you wa nt to bring with you. If theyre assembled the night before and placed with your bag or your keys, youre less likely to forget to bring something important.Assemble the interview outfit.If you have a go-to interview outfit that is clean, pressed, and ready to go, youre ahead of the game. If youre not sure yet what youre going to wearwell, its a little late, but youve still got time. Take 15 minutes to review your suit or outfit and your shoes, and make sure that a) everything is clean, and b) there are no hanging threads or wrinkles.Rehearse your body language.If you have a trusted audience (a significant other, a family member, a friend), run through your best handshake-and-smile routine. Have the other person ask you a few test run questions, and ask the other person to note any posture or demeanor issuesdraufgabe points if you get the person to engage in some generic small talk/banter to get you ready for that as well.Even if you dont have a trusted audience, you can still prepyou ve got a mirror, right? You can practice your easy interview smile and your ask me about my accomplishments sitting posture. Believe it or not, just putting some thought into where you put your hands or how you cross your legs can help you feel more at ease the next day.Rehearse your talking points.Sure, the interviewer is going to have your resume in front of them, but neither of you wants you to just run verbatim through the document. Come up with specific, real-world examples for the points on your resume and be prepared to talk about them. You probably already did some practice questions, but take the time to review the points you really want to hit in the interview.Do a last sweep for information about the company.Visit the companys website and social media profiles to landsee whats going on at the company in real time. It can give you background information to use during your interview (Ah yes, I saw that you just had an intriguing breakthrough in widget production last week). But it can also save you from making an awkward mistake (Good thing your own CEO hasnt been indicted for insider trading. What? Oh, I didnt see that news last night.)platzdeckchen your alarm.Im setting this as a separate to-do because its so important if you have a morning interview. You want to make sure you have time to get ready in the morning, without being late for the interview. So if you have to be up at a specific time to allow timely prep and travel, set your alarm. Set two alarms. (I believe in not messing around here, especially if youre not a morning person.)Get plenty of sleep.I know, its a clich, but its true. More sleep leads to better cognitive function, and you want to be at your very best. Sure, coffee can help, but not nearly as much as genuine rest. Go to bed as early as you can.And at every step of your night-before prep, dont forget to be positive about the whole thing. Youve got this, and every proactive thing you do the night before will make your interview even better.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Why I Decided to Take a Pay Cut for a New Job - and What I Learned

Why I Decided to Take a Pay Cut for a New Job - and What I Learned Over 15 years ago, I left a six-figure salary in a field completely unrelated to the field I am in now. I welches living in New York City at the time and enjoying the perks of having an expense account, attending lavish startup launch parties, schmoozing with qualifikation advertisers, and receiving sales commission checks that were bigger than my monthly salary. It welches during the infamous dot-com boom of the 90s.What I can tell you is that the financial capital that was thrown around by startups was ludicrous. I remember once, attending one launch party complete with catering, an open bar, live music, and a swag bag containing all sorts of expensive items that had nothing to do with the companys product. In fact, the company did not actually have a tangible product. It was still in concept mode.Unfortunately, events like these left me feeling empty. I wanted to pursue meaningful work. It wasnt that I experienced a profound sense of enlightenment I just felt a deep-rooted desire to create value for companies, specifically through the development of its people. After months of self-reflection, talking to others, and doing research about the field of people development, I knew I had to make a drastic career change.How does one make a change without having the capabilities and credentials required in a new profession?You can approach it several ways 1) identify transferable skills, 2) figure out your gaps and experience needed in the new field and take courses, or 3) work in an entry-level position to gain specific requirements for the next job. But all of this requires self-determination and perseverance. For me, I applied all of these components.Up until that point in my career, I had witnessed so much dysfunction in organizations such as poor communication from leadership to staff, infighting among groups, schwimmbad managers, disengaged employees, unclear roles, and undefined responsibilit ies. My observations led me to study the fascinating topic of workplace behavior and pursue a career in human capital management. This sounds like a buzz word, but all that human capital management means is helping organizations enhance its effectiveness through its people, structure, processes, and systems.Remember I mentioned the six-figure salary with lots of perks? Well, I left it all behind and started a masters program to study human behavior in the workplace. It was an industrial/organizational psychology program. During this time, while racking up student loan debt, I interned and also worked part-time at a Nordstrom makeup counter. I was paid very little compared to what I was making before. But it was a different environment, and I met a ton of great people.As I was wrapping up my masters program, I decided it was time for me to find a job where I could apply the skills and experience I was gaining from school. While in my exit interview with the Manager of HR at Nordstrom , I learned about an entry-level HR opportunity in her office. While my goal was not to go into HR but instead, organization development, I was incredibly grateful for the chance to gain additional experience. I didnt get paid much it was less than $30K per year but what I got during that time was much more valuable than the salary.By working in HR for Nordstrom, I learned the importance of a strong organizational culture, the criticality of a well-running team, how to mediate between difficult manager/employee situations, leadership development, and how to deal with a high volume of tactical work. I also had a ton of fun in the office. This entry-level position was a huge stepping stone for me. It helped me gain a reputable companys name on my resume, I acquired skills that I could transfer to other companies, and I grew as a professional. A bonus was that I developed several long-lasting friendships with great people and I am still friends with them today.The next time youre face d with taking a pay cut for a new job, think about all of the potential benefits you can gain from it. Money is a renewable resource, meaning, you can always make more at a later time. The skills, experiences, and relationships you will encounter in a new job are what you should be focusing on, instead of just compensation.If you have a desire to pursue something else, you have to honor that feeling. Otherwise, ten years later, you may be looking back at your life wondering how you got to this point. There are plenty of resources to help you start thinking about the next job. Heres one helpfularticle here.Be curious, stay open to opportunities, and think beyond the paycheck. You may be surprised by what you find.--Yon Na is a leadership and organization development professional with 20 years of corporate experience. She has worked with some of the most admired companies on the planet Warner Bros. Entertainment, The New York Times, Microsoft, Johnson Johnson. As a leadership develop ment professional, Yon has helped hundreds of individuals fine-tune their unique talents through coaching and facilitating workshops. To learn more, please visit https//yonnaphd.com

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The 30-Second Trick for Sales Resume Examples 2017

The 30-Second Trick for Sales Resume Examples 2017 The Awful Secret of Sales Resume Examples 2017 Include one, and youll greatly increase your odds of landing that regional abverkauf manager position. It is possible to use our resume building software to create your own from scratch. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. ur resume builder will provide you with tips and examples on the best way to compose your resume summary. Regardless of what position you aspire to enter, it is possible to find professional sales resume templates to help you discover the specific abilities and content to include. Have a look at manager resume examples to find out what it can take to be noticed. A sales resume should incorporate some type of business educational background. Furthermore, you can find out more about sales careers on Monster. Even in the event that you do have sales experience, youre going to want to differentiate yourself. Wonderful sales jobs are highly competitive, and that means you should make certain that youre putting your very best foot forward. The use of professional profiles for your application in the area of sales is dependent upon the position which you are applying for and the qualifications you could present to your intended employer. Our sample resume is a superb case of ways to package your years of sales experience for that managerial function. Applying for a sales job should take some time, but nevertheless, it shouldnt enable you to stress. What Is So Fascinating About Sales Resume Examples 2017? It is possible to come across a number of them in the work description. Its certainly recommended to include as many of the subsequent examples of information as possible. Make sure that you get the information youre looking for. Get in contact with them to make certain you have contact information thats updated. Things You Should Know About Sales Resume Examples 2017 carefully think of w hat it is possible to provide the corporation. Sales is much like customer service as salespeople can be effective in a wide selection of industries. Whether you work as a retail salesperson or manage a big account with a global corporation, you want to comprehend your customers needs. Transportation jobs involve a lot of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can deal with that.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Should You Share Your Salary History

Should You Share Yur Salary HistoryShould You Share Your Salary HistoryPlay Lets make a deal.Recently, I received a great question from a member of Ladders It seems that all articles on the subject suggest that candidates try to withhold their salary history from companies about to make them an offer. What should you do if you try this tactic and the company asks several times for your salary history, and ultimately says that they will notlage make you an offer until you provide your salary history?Well, folks, heres the answer.Salary-making rule No. 1 in my book is, Postpone salary talk until theres an offer.So, do you follow this rule slavishly? And what do you do when the employer insists ?First, lets acknowledge that rule No. 1 is the hardest rule to follow in the salary negotiation process. Were trained from first grade onward to answer questions. When the teacher called on us, we were rewarded for giving the correct answer. Eventually, we learned that the person who answered th e most questions correctly welches the winner, the valedictorian, the brainThe trouble is, in salary negotiations, its hard to give the right answer. There are a lot of wrong answers, and only a few right ones. If you disclose your salary expectations or history, there are hundreds of numbers that are too high, many more that are too low and only one or two that are just right.Take this example - the company is thinking of a package in the $150,000 range, with $115,000 salary and $35,000 in incentives. Youre currently earning a package of $180,000 with a base salary of $95,000. They ask you what youre earning.Two out of the following three answers are wrongAnswer One $180,000.RESULT You are demoted behind candidate No. 2 whos making $145,000 and better fits their range.Answer Two $95,000 base, plus substantial bonuses.RESULT They demote you behind candidate No. 2 because theyve got an idea whom theyre looking for, and a $95,000 salary doesnt fit. Or, they interview you thoroughly a nd make you a lowball offer.Answer Three Lets keep an open mind on that for now.RESULT The employer is forced to interview you based on skills, qualifications and capabilities, not salary. This is exactly the result we want.Now, the question arises, What if the company ultimately says that they will not make you an offer until you provide your salary history?At this point, the company has every right to insist on an answer. From their viewpoint, it can be a huge waste of time to interview someone only to find out they cant afford that person. Additionally, you dont want to be seen as uncooperative or secretive either. What should you do? Is there a middle ground, a way that will not bump you out of the running, and wont upset the employer?Yes. There are several. Lets explore the one I like to call, Lets make a deal.The tactic here is to make a bargain with the employer. Instead of just giving away your salary information, you make him pay for it with a promise that he will interview you, or at least that he not let salary prevent you from interviewing. That way, you can tell him what he wants to know and not worry that hell knock you out of the running.The strategy goes something like this.Employer What are your currently earning?Candidate Id be glad to share not only my current earnings, but my whole salary history. But I think its a bit too early to get into salary discussions. Im sure you pay a competitive salary, dont you?Employer Well, yes, of course we do.Candidate Then we shouldnt have any difficulty with compensation if the fit is right. Lets explore that for now, if thats OK?Employer Im sorry. Its part of our policy that we have the complete picture of someone before we interview them. I must insist.Candidate No problem. Can I ask you another question?Employer Certainly.Candidate There are several factors I consider when evaluating the fit of a position the challenge, the company culture, location, travel, career path, long-term compensation and immed iate salary and bonuses. So, if the fit is right, Im confident salary wont be a problem. Does that make sense so far?Employer Yes.Candidate OK, heres my question. If my current salary is, say, higher than you thought, or maybe lower than you expected, that wont prevent us from having an interview, will it? So, if I tell you all my salary information, can I be assured that well have an interview one way or the other?Voil Youve played Lets make a deal.Worst-case scenario, she continues to insist that you give her your salary history. If she cant agree to that deal, press it a little further and say, Well, then how about this Since you cant guarantee me a full interview, lets do an initial exploration of the fit right here. Lets see if I have 80 percent or more of what youre looking for. If I do, we can handle the salary information easily and set a time to go into more depth. If it doesnt look like Ive got what youre looking for, then salarys a moot point anyway, isnt it? Lets talk.In summary, the non-disclosure rule helps to get you an interview. You dont have to follow it like a commandment, though. As long as the employer is willing to play by your interview me rules, you can tell her what she wants to know.

Friday, December 27, 2019

How to take advantage of warm weather as a remote worker

How to take advantage of warm weather as a remote workerHow to take advantage of warm weather as a remote workerFlexible arrangements allow greater control over where and when work gets completed, providing plenty of chances to get outside and enjoy warm weather. Are you taking full advantage of the opportunities?Before summer days drift away, consider these ideas to take advantage of warm weather and enjoy a little extra sunshinePrepareThe popular image of grab your laptop and head outdoors doesnt always jive with reality. The Wi-Fi at that cute caf turns out spotty, that perfect park corner becomes Little League training camp at noon, and the pool chair on your deck leaves waffle thighs and an achy back within a half hour.Telecommuters wishing to work outsideon a regular basis benefit from proactive measures. Scout out potential locations to figure out which offer the best environment during the times youll be working. Invest in a hotspot if necessary. Purchase a quality outdoor ch air (often found on clearance at this time of year). Get a battery with a really long life so a dead laptop doesnt send you home early. Check out anti-glare protector screens to make monitor reading easier. Own protective, efficient eyewear (reading sunglasses are a blessing as one ages).Evaluate tasksWorking from your atrium seems like a good idea- until your neighbor pokes his head out to see why youre chasing flying papers through his yard. Stick with activities best suited to the great outdoors, such as reading stapled reports, creating to-do lists, brainstorming ideas, returning phone calls, and editing cloud-based files.Try a coworking spaceLack of commute draws people to remote work. However, pleasant weather may make the idea of heading somewhere appealing.Look into area coworking spacesfor times when getting out of the house and being around others sounds interesting.Network in the sunLonging to have drinks and appetizers at an outdoor eatery? Invite a few former coworkers to join you on a sunny afternoon. Staying in touch keeps connections strong. Otherseasonal networking occasionsinclude alumni picnics, neighborhood block parties, and even family reunions. (Who knew the startup Uncle Ralph works at needs someone for a freelance marketing gig?)Take breaks outsideInstead of throwing in laundry during your break or eating lunch in front of CNN, use your scheduled free time to get air. Walking to the market to pick up milk or watching squirrels chase each other while you enjoy a sandwich in the backyard can boost spirits before returning to work.Rearrange your scheduleTake advantage of remote arrangements that dont require specific hours. Getting up an hour early each day to complete tasks may well be worth the effort if it allows you to take Friday off to explore the zoo with your kids.Get doneFinally, considerusing the beautiful weather as a motivator. Knowing theres a lounge chair and a sizzling novel waiting for you upon submission of that project c an inspire focus and perseveranceThis article first appeared on FlexJobs.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

6 proven reasons why innovative leaders are successful

6 proven reasons why innovative leaders are successful6 proven reasons why innovative leaders are successfulI attended a private school until the 8th grade. The only students were my brother and myself because we lived on a remote cattle ranch in Wyoming. The nearest town was 90 minutes, one-way, on a dirt road.There were no other kids to play with, so I played with trucks and dolls when I was young. As I got older, I spent time with animals. I talked to them and treated them as friends- indeed, the only ones I hadWhen we role-play, we imagine ourselves in different situations. One week I would be a veterinarian and patch up all sorts of ills that befall animals on a ranch. Or a John Wayne character who packed a gun and brought justice to the wild west.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreI always imagined myself to be someone whom I aspired to become like when I grew up. At that age , my hero was someone very real to me. My imagination gave me permission to walk in the shoes of my hero, if only for a few moments.Researchtells us that children who have a good imagination grow up to be more creative as adults. Imaginative and creative people also tend to be more innovative as well.Innovation is the secret sauce that can accelerate a companys profits and growth beyond its competitors. Ina recent study, innovation was ranked as a long-term challenge for driving business growth. It is a key talent needed at all levels of leadership, starting with the CEO.Despite its importance, innovation is a difficult quality to cultivate in both leaders and organizations.As a leader, what if you feel youre elend innovative? You may need to fake it until you make it, but it is possible to create a mindset that will allow you to develop your creativity. Oscar Hammerstein wrote that by whistling a happy tune, when I fool the people I fear, I fool myself as well.Creating an innovativ e mindset takes work and may require some retraining, but anyone can innovate if they develop these core competencies1. Innovative Leaders Surround Themselves With Interesting PeopleOur environment plays a major part in developing our innovative characteristics. We cant change the circumstances of our upbringing, but we do have a choice in the kinds of people with whom we associate and surround ourselves.We tend to take on the same characteristics as the people we spend the most time with, so be picky Its fine to spend time with school chums and old acquaintances, but we need to challenge ourselves to develop new friends who will truly nourish our desire to be the person we want to be.Likewise, spend time with colleagues who possess high levels of innovative traits.TIPCreate a learning environment or community that generates new knowledge and perspectives. This type of networking will expose you to different perspectives from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.2. I nnovative Leaders Are Curious And ObservantInnovative leaders score high in curiosity. They desire to know more and take the initiative to learn new information. They keep their skills and knowledge current to give them a competitive edge.Innovative leaders arementally toughbecause they believe they will prevail in their circumstances, rather than hope their circumstances will change. If an obstacle pops up, they react with curiosity as they investigate the endless possibilities before them.Innovative leaders landsee possibilities everywhere and constantly add new information as they learn more. They are curious about other people and come up with many of their own innovative ideas as they observe others.TIPBecome an investigator who looks at an obstacle or roadblock from many perspectives. Curiosity and observation are two important traits in innovative people. Look for the possibilities in your situation, not the dead end.3. Innovative Leaders Stamp Out Self-Limiting BeliefsWe all have self-limiting beliefs about ourselves that often lead to self-fulfilling prophecies about what we can and cannot do in life. Limitations are placed around ourselves when we think we can predict the outcome of a situation. We change our behavior so that the prediction comes true.If you think youre going to fail a job interview, that belief may lead to behavior that ensures you do, indeed, fail the job interview.TIP The self-fulfilling prophecy can work in the opposite direction as well. Stay positive and rein in self-limiting beliefs that can sabotage your performance.4. Innovative Leaders Look For Ways To Shake Things UpThe samestudy cited abovealso revealed that innovative leaders scored 25% higher than non-innovative counterparts in managing risk.Risk ignites innovation because it moves us out of our comfort zone. Risk does not partner with complacency because embracing risk is experimenting with the unknown. We try new experiences, take things apart, and test new ideas.Inno vation requires us to make something out of nothing. It requires the grit to keep working at something until you find a solution.When you shake things up and embrace risk, one of two things will happen either you will succeed at meeting your goal, or you will succeed in getting an education.TIP Seek out new experiences that will stimulate your thinking and avoid the mundane. Habits are the killer of innovation.5. Innovative Leaders Seize OpportunitiesInnovative leaders take risks, and when they do, they seize opportunities. Because they are also careful observers, they change direction when the advantage becomes apparent.Innovative leaders can anticipate potential obstacles and are not surprised when they pop up. They are prepared for them and are able to pivot and move forward, without losing valuable momentum.TIP Rather than accept the learning opportunities when they occur, intentionally broaden activities in strategic areas. Be proactive in moving into those areas where you want to expand.6. Innovative Leaders Fake It- To A PointAristotle once said, Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting a certain way. That is the source of the fake it until you make it a mantra.While you can fake it until you make it when you start out, there is an important caveat dont expect it to take you all the way to the top.Innovation is a mindset. As such, you work to create a mindset that seeks ways to move around obstacles. If you are a talented individual, you can fake your way through the learning process until it becomes a genuine skill you own.TIP If you do not have the talent, desire, or confidence to take your career to the next level, no amount of faking it will help. You risk being seen as an imposter.This article first appeared on Larae Quy .You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Wednesday, December 18, 2019