Showing posts with label for. Show all posts
Showing posts with label for. Show all posts

How To Brand Yourself For A Career Change

• 2-minute read •
Job-seekers worry about their branding, but the folks who worry about it the most are people who are trying to change careers.
They wonder whether hiring managers will consider them for open positions when their resumes don't seem to show any relevant experience in their pasts.
Here are some of the branding questions that keep career-changers up at night:
• "I'm accomplished and credible in my traditional field, but there are no jobs in that field anymore. That's why I'm changing careers -- but why would a hiring manager choose me over somebody who's already worked in their function and industry?"

People In High-Powered Jobs May Be Harder To Treat For Depression

• 2-minute read •
Depression may be harder to treat in people with high-status jobs than it is in people whose positions are on lower levels of the corporate ladder, a new study suggests.

Researchers studied how 650 people in Belgium, Italy, Israel and Austria responded to treatments for depression. About half (56 percent) of the 336 patients with high-status jobs didn’t experience fewer depressive symptoms after undergoing two rounds of different antidepressants and psychotherapy. About 40 percent of people with mid- to low-level jobs showed a poor response to the treatment, according to research presented last month at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress in Vienna.

8 Tips For Acing That Interview

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1. Research, research, and research some more about the company you are applying for (via Internet, newspapers, trade publications, newsletters, and of course, your library's reference desk). The more you know about what they do, how they operate, the better. Use this knowledge in your interview. When there is a lull in the conversation, you can say something like this: "So, I have heard that the company is expanding its production line to include xyz gadget. When are you starting the production of these?"

2. Dress comfortably and conservatively. Men: wear a dark gray or blue suit with an ironed white shirt, conservative tie, dark socks and shoes. If the job you are applying for doesn't require a suit, wear dark, solid color pants or slacks with a sport shirt in a solid color or with subtle stripes. Don't wear jeans or athletic shoes. Women: no flashy jewelry or heavy makeup. Wear a medium to dark color suit, or a dress with a jacket, or a jacket and skirt together. Choose a light colored blouse -- preferably white or ivory.

Both men and women: Make sure that your overall appearance is professional and as perfect as possible.

3. Treat everyone you come in contact with at the company as if they have the authority to hire you (in fact, they might have, you never know.) It isn't rare for the hiring authority to ask the receptionist/secretary after the interview has been concluded how friendly the potential employee was while waiting for the interview.

4. Make and maintain good eye contact.

5. If you are nervous, feel free to say so. Say something like: "I find myself very nervous because I'm very interested in your organization." Acknowledging your nervousness and anxiety often reduces it and interviewers are usually very understanding. (Remember, it has been known that people hire people who they feel comfortable with. So, make yourself as comfortable as possible!)

6. Ask questions, don't just sit there waiting to be interrogated. You have just as much right to find out everything about the company as they have finding out about you. Sample questions:

"In your opinion, what are the most relevant abilities for this job?" "Would you describe the long-term goals of the company?" "Is there anything from my previous experiences that you would like me to elaborate on?"

7. Make sure you indicate that you want the job! One of the top 10 reasons why a person doesn't get hired is the lack of enthusiasm and interest in both the company and the particular position.

8. Make sure that you have several copies of your résumé with you in case the interviewer asks for it and in case a panel of people will interview you. Also, have your four to five professional references listed on a separate sheet of paper (same quality paper as résumé). When the interviewer asks about your references, voila, you will have them right there to present to him/her. (Having your references ready and with you for the interview shows a degree of preparedness & professionalism.)

9. Follow up the interview -- IMMEDIATELY -- with a thank-you letter. About 95% of job candidates ignore this essential step. If you want to stand out from your competition and leave a final, positive impression with the person who interviewed you, you need to send a thank-you letter. Use quality stationery whether you handwrite it or type it. Include these elements:

  • Appreciation of the interviewing person's time
  • The understanding of duties in your job; highlight ways your qualifications match them
  • Mention that you are highly motivated and eager to succeed
  • Also mention that you hope you are being considered for the job, because you are very interested in it
  • Say that you look forward to talking to him/her in the near future.

Good luck to you! Go and get them!
Be confident in your abilities!

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Do You Have Enough Time For Fun?

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Is there enough time in your day for fun? Are you able to find moments to laugh at the little things? Are you able to see the joy in your job, you family, and your friends?

Or, are you too focused on getting things done rather than focusing on what's important to you? Are you too busy checking off items on your to-do list? Are you unable to remember the last time you had fun?

Fun is what brightens our world. It gives us a reason to get out of bed everyday. It improves our health, mental well-being, and self-confidence. You can not feel bad about the things we should be doing when we are having fun every day.

Would You Like To Have More Fun? Follow These Easy Steps:

1) Acknowledge That You Are Not Having Fun
The first step to having fun is admitting that fun is missing. Once you know it's gone, you can take steps to put it back in.

2) Recognize That Life Is Too Short
We say that we understand this, but sometimes our actions are not consistent with our words. If we really understood that we may not be here tomorrow, we would do everything in our power to enjoy today.

3) Realize That We All Make Mistakes
Sometimes we cannot have fun because of guilt we feel from past mistakes. All your guilt does is prevent you from moving forward. It does not matter what you did yesterday. You did the best you could and you should congratulate yourself for trying. Put it behind you so you can be free to enjoy the future.

4) Spend Time Around Kids
There is nothing that fills the heart more than watching kids. (Usually) They enjoy life to the fullest and they do so without inhibitions or restraints. They laugh because they want to. They run because they want to. They roll in the mud, snow, grass, etc. because it feels good. Imagine if you could incorporate that kind of freedom into your day. I bet it would be different.

5) Delegate Or Eliminate
If the day to day tasks are weighing you down, find ways around them. Are you asking for help with the chores, or are you doing everything yourself? What can you order online so you don't have to go to the store? And, who can you hire to help with the cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc. Yes these things cost money, but do you think that not having fun is costing you more?

6) Schedule Time For Fun
In the beginning you may have to put fun into your calendar until you are used to having it in your life again. I know this may sound funny, but old habits die hard and your goal is to acquire new habits. After a while you will find that fun will become a daily part of who you are. But, in the meantime, you may have to put in some discipline.

7) Reward Yourself For Having Fun
Guess how you do this? With more fun!

So, are you ready to find time for fun? In return, you bring joy, love, passion, and intimacy into your life. You will find that you are enjoying yourself more. Your friends and family will want to be around you because there's something about you that makes them feel really good about themselves. Imagine being able to give them the gift of a fun you? So, will you make time for fun today?

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Beat the Post-Vacation Blues Before They Begin Strategies for Getting Back to Work After Going Away

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Summer vacations -- or vacations taken at any time of year -- are good for business. Workers get to recharge their batteries with rest and relaxation, and their employers usually reap the benefits. But no matter how much you love your job and how much you unwind on your vacation, you still may feel anxious about your initial return to work.

Why? Blame it on a backlog. According to a new survey from The Creative Group, one third of respondents claimed to dread getting back to the daily grind because of "the work awaiting their return." However, half of those surveyed admitted that vacations made them feel happy and refreshed. So how can you keep your post-vacation afterglow upon re-entry to the professional world? Use the tips below to reduce the work that will accumulate in your absence and enjoy the lasting effects of your time away.

Help Someone Else Step Up

Do you know someone who's waiting for an opportunity to spread her wings? Maybe a junior team member or an assistant has been chomping at the bit for a chance to move up. Megan Slabinski, executive director of The Creative Group, reveals, "High-potential employees who are being considered for management roles may welcome the chance to prove themselves while their supervisors are away."

To help your new protege be most effective, she advises professionals to "ensure their second-in-command understands the resources available and has a good framework for making decisions." Take time to bring your charge up to speed so she will succeed in your stead.

Spread the Word

You can put out fires and lessen your load while you're out of town with the push of a button (or two). Says Slabinski, "Leave outgoing messages on your email and voicemail to let others know you are away and whom to contact in your absence." Not only will this immediately direct people to connect with your newly named second-in-command, but, adds Slabinski, it "will reduce the number of calls and messages you must attend to on your return."

(Enabling an auto-response with Yahoo! Mail takes only a few moments and a couple of clicks. Learn how here.)

In Case of Emergency

If there's a pressing issue or pending deal that you need to be involved with even if you're away, say so. Addressing a problem as it arises could save you time and heartache when you're back at work. However, warns Slabinski, "Clearly communicate if and when you want to be contacted about business matters while you're away to help minimize disruptions and ensure a peaceful break." Setting boundaries ahead of time will make sure you're not being bothered unnecessarily.

Hire Extra Help

You're probably not the only person in your department or even on your team who's taking a vacation this summer. So why not make life easier for everyone by bringing in some hired guns on a temporary basis?

"Hiring freelancers to augment your team during staff vacations can prevent remaining employees from becoming overburdened," says Slabinski. It will also keep the work that awaits you to a minimum.

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Are You Too Sexy For Your Job?

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Warning: Too much cleavage can be hazardous to your career. This past year brought us two high-profile cases involving women who were deemed too sexy for their jobs.

In the U.S., Harvard librarian Desiree Goodwin, who holds two post-graduate degrees from Cornell University, claimed that she was passed over for promotion sixteen times because of the way she dressed and her physical attractiveness. Goodwin claimed the jobs she sought were given to women with less experience and education and that a supervisor told her she was perceived as a "pretty girl" who wore "sexy outfits."

Meanwhile, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, Caterina Bonci, a Roman Catholic religion teacher, said she was fired from her job at a state-run school for being too sexy. (The school principal said both parents and teachers complained about her short skirts and extensive cleavage.)

"In the 14 years I had this job, I have always been attacked by my female colleagues and the rest of the staff because of my attractiveness," Bonci was quoted saying in the Italian media.

"And if you consider that at our parent-teacher meetings it was always the fathers who came to see me, one can see why I have so often been at the centre of attention and a target of gossip."

Bonci failed to win her job back; Goodwin not only lost her civil law case, but also had to foot the bill for Harvard's legal costs.

Fair or not, courts around the U.S. are upholding employers' rights to ban "sexy" dressing in the workplace. Just how do the courts define "sexy?" According to Eric Matusewitch, deputy director of the New York City Equal Employment Practices Commission, the courts consider "sexy" attire to be clothing that is particularly revealing and of extreme fit, as well as excessive use of make-up.

To those who argue that this discriminates against women, Matusewitch replies, "The code applies equally to both sexes. So, if employers require men to dress conservatively, they can require women to avoid tight, flashy and revealing outfits as well."

But forget legalities. The cases of Goodwin and Bonci illustrate what career experts have always known: dressing provocatively is a sure-fire way to sabotage your credibility at the office.

"If you flaunt your figure in a professional setting, colleagues and clients may question your judgment or make unflattering assumptions about your character," warns Susan RoAne, lecturer, author and business etiquette expert, who adds that several clients have sought her advice on how to inform employees that their revealing attire detracts from the company's image.

"After all, who wants to entrust their child to a teacher who dresses as if she'd rather be clubbing or invest their money with a financial planner who looks like she should be swinging from a strippers' pole?"

With the current "skin is in" fashions and the media full of images that suggest provocative dress is acceptable – even desirable – in the workplace, how can you make sure you don't cross the line? Here are some guidelines:

Skirts: Too little is too much. Skirt lengths should be no more than one hand-width above the knee.

Tops: Make sure there is at least one-inch of room between body and fabric and that it is long enough to conceal your midriff. Stomach, breasts, back and shoulders should be covered. Fabric should not be overly thin and a bra should be worn (with no straps revealed).

Dresses: No halter tops or cleavage-baring necklines. Avoid overly snug fits. Hemlines should hit no more than one hand-width above the knee.

Trousers: Shun overly tight or hip-hugger trousers or jeans that expose the midriff. Stick with neutral colours.

Shoes: Heels should be no higher than two inches; toe should be closed. Avoid shoes with straps, bright colours and patterns.

Hair: Keep your hair sleek and off your face. Avoid the high-maintenance, over-processed look.

Make-up: Keep it clean and natural. Avoid heavy eyeliner or evening lipsticks.

"Clothing and appearance are visual shorthand," RoAne concludes. "The point is to be noticed for your business skills, not your short skirts or push-up bra.

"If you want a job, dress the part. If you want to show off your body... well, that's what your free time is for."
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