Organized Chaos - Is It Possible?

Sometimes the need to let go and let chaos take over is overwhelming and for some people, it is irresistible.  That's why we whould let our creative sides take over sometimes.  But giving in to chaos and letting our creative side have its way doesn't have to be a waste of time.  In fact it can be very valuable.

For example, have you ever had a problem where the answer always seemed to be just out of your grasp?  You've check all the books and the answers you've come up with are technically right but...it's just not what you're looking for.  This might be a great time to use some creative problem solving strategies.  Stop looking at the books and look into the corners of your mind and you might be surprised with what you come up with.

Sometimes all those good solutions that come from creativity can get lost in the chaos if we don't have some form of organization.  But too much organization can put a halt to the creativity.  So, how do you let the creativity flow and still hold on to enough organization that you are able to get the great ideas that come from it?  One of the best ways to do this is with mind mapping.

Mind mapping can be informal and drawn on paper or it can be more formal and done with a computer program.  The above example is fairly informal and definitely creative.  But it helps you to take a big idea and break it down into smaller ideas.  Or it can help you to take a problem and break it down in to several possible solutions and even the possible outcomes.  It allows you to be creative but when you want to get the best ideas from it you are able to because you can follow the train of thought along the various paths.

While this second example is more structured it still allows for creativity and gives you the ability to visualize the possibilities.

So, when you need to think outside of the box and come up with new ways of doing things and new ways to visualize mind mapping can be very effective.  It makes organized chaoe possible!

Are You a Good Story Teller?

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I know - you're likely thinking, "What does story telling have to do with getting a job or education?"  It just doesn't seem to fit.  Or does it?

Think about the last couple of job interviews you have been on.  How many times were you asked a questions like, "Tell me about a time that you..." or "Tell me how you handled a situation like..." It likely happened at least 2 out of 3 times, if not every time.  Employers want to know about real life situations that you have been in and how  you handled them.

Sound like a story?  Maybe not at first but if you think about it, you'll see that it really is just a mini-story.  It has a beginning, a middle, and an end.  There is usually some sort of conflict involved.  And it has a resolution.  It's a story.  And if you are not a good story teller the interviewer will get bored.

The first thing you need to do to be a good storyteller is be prepared.  By the time you tell your story at an interview, you should know it inside and out.  You don't want to have to back up to fill in details that you missed, otherwise the listener may have a hard time following along.  Practice telling your "story" in the mirror and practice on real people, too. Record yourself and listen to it so that you can hear what you sound like.  Do you sound like a drone?  Then you'd better put some feeling into it.  Can you understand your words?  The more you practice, the better your story will get.

In an interview it is important to keep the "story" short.  You need to remember that there may be other people waiting or the interviewer may have other appointments so keep only the most important details in your "story".  The interviewer likely doesn't really need to know that the co-worker that was involved just got through a bad divorce.

When you are telling a story you need to keep it interesting by not only choosing the right words but by using other tools. You can change the tone or pitch of  your voice, talk faster or slower, louder or quieter - all of these things change the meaning of your story just a little bit and it make it that much more interesting to listen to.  You can also use hand gestures and movement to get the listener excited and feel what you felt.

Finally, remember that while you are essentially telling a story it is NOT a fictional story.  Don't embellish the story with little details that you think will make it better.  Tell the truth, always.  You're in an interview after all!

Questions to Ask Before Enrolling in an Online College

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College is a big investment no matter what kind of course you are taking but when you are considering enrolling in an online college you should definitely take the time to ask some questions.  The more questions you ask the better informed you will be and the better of an investment you will make.

Here are some of the questions you can ask before enrolling in an online college course in Canada:

1. What is the mission of the college?  What are the goals of the college?  What rules and policies are set up so that students and instructors follow them? You might be able to find this information on the college’s online web site under the information section or the FAQ section.  If not, you should ask.  The college should know what their purpose and direction is.
2. How many students have graduated from the online programs and how many are enrolled?  You likely don’t want to be one of the students that they are making mistakes with or finding out what works with.  If they are fairly new to online courses, they might still be working out the glitches.
3. Will there be other costs besides tuition?  Will you have to travel to take the exam or is there a place that you can take it locally?  Is there a fee to take the exam?  Will you need to purchase any kind of program to run the courses?

Don’t be afraid to speak with an advisor either by email or on the phone.  They should be responsive and willing to answer your questions.  They should provide you with any information you might want before you enrol in a course.

Remember to utilize the web site.  Colleges that offer online courses should have a web site that gives you lots of information like the courses available, the length of the courses, and how the information will be relayed. 

Robertson College has been offering online courses for over a year and has a wide array of courses to suit your needs.  Visit our online web site, iRobertsonCollege.com, today!

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What Are The Office Supplies You Can't Do Without?

Office supplies are part of our business.  We need lots of supplies to help us stay on top of our jobs.

So, what are the office supplies that you can’t do without?  Here’s my list:

• Sticky notes – I love them.  I have them in all sizes, too.  I like the little ones for quick notes that I know I’ll get rid of as soon as I finish a task.  The bigger ones are great for putting additional notes in a book or on a report.  Like when you need to add something to it.
• Note pads.  I always have a notepad handy to jot down messages, things I need to do but not until later.  I fill up a small note pad every week almost so I like to have lots of them in stock.
• Colored file folders.  Those colored file folders help me keep everything organized and it is so much easier to find something when I can narrow my search down to a specific color.
• Paper clips.  I know staples are annoying to have to remove so when I need to keep papers together for my own purposes I use paper clips.  And the colored plastic covered ones make it easy to color code things, too.
• Colored highlighters.  Different colors of highlighters help you to edit documents.  You don’t need to make notes about what is wrong because you can color code your edits.  Green for spelling, pink for grammar, yellow for wordiness.
• Hole puncher.  I put lots of documents into binders and a hole puncher makes life easier.

So, what office supplies can you not live without?  Leave a comment!

Professional Business Letter

There are some stand formats for professional business letter but before you go ahead and start on your own you should always check your company policies.  There tends to be a company policy or a company preference for almost everything you might come across. 

So, first – ask someone if there is a company preference.

If there isn’t see if you can find some samples of business letters that have been written by those that came before you.  It should not be too difficult to find some business letter in the files as most companies will keep a copy of all correspondence that they send out.

Finally, if there is nothing to look back on the Block Format business letter is most widely accepted.  Most businesses prefer this format because it is easiest to look at and it is clear where each section is.

The most recognizable feature of the Block Format letter is the fact that all paragraphs are justified to the left.  There are no indents for paragraphs or for greetings or closings.  Instead, they are identified and kept separate by a blank line.

The Block Format business letter will start with the return address of the company that is sending the letter.  Sometimes this may be in the form of a letterhead that might be centered or right justified.  Unless there is a letterhead though, you should keep it left justified. 

Skip a line and put the date.

Skip a line and then move on to the address of the person/company you are sending the letter to.  Make sure to include the name of the person the letter is addressed to, their position, the company name, and then the address.

Skip a line and put your greeting.

Skip a line and put your SUBJECT.

Skip a line and write your opening paragraph.  This should be a short introduction that includes the purpose of the letter.  It is usually only 2-3 sentences long.

Skip a line between each following paragraph.

Skip a line and put your closing and then skip 3-4 lines for a signature and then type your name (or the name of the person the letter is from) with your title.

If there are enclosures (additional documents they should take note of) skip a line and type ENCLOSURES.  Put the number of enclosures in brackets if there is more than one.

If you are typing the letter for someone else go to the next line and type your initials in capital letters and if there is a typist (besides yourself) put their initials in lowercase letters.

Other types of business letter formats you might use include the Modified Block Format and the Semi-Block Format

Rise Above the Competition

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With the job market being so competitive these days, you need to be ready to stand out and rise above the competition.  Not only do you have to have the right skills and education but you also have to have something that makes you more memorable, because there are likely to be many others applying for the same jobs as you are that have the same education and skills that you have. 

The job interview is your place to show off that something special and make sure that you stand out.  How do you do that?

Practice Good Body Language

Whether you know it or not, your body language tells the interviewer things about you that you may not be realizing.  And yes, they are paying attention.  Practice talking without fidgeting.   We all have those little things we do like twirling our hair or tapping our feet.  Remember that crossed arms mean that you are holding something back or your feel defensive.  People who can’t make eye contact are often thought to be untrustworthy or suspicious.  And dress like you want to get the job!

Have a Friendly Attitude

If the employer has read your resume and cover letter, they know that you have the skills to do the job.  The interview will tell them if you are someone that will get along with others in the company.  If they like you after the interview they are more likely to hire you.  Smile.  Laugh at their jokes.  Be interested.  Ask questions.  Show enthusiasm.  These things are contagious and these are the kinds of people that employers like to have on their team.

Be Ready to Talk About Your Technical Skills

Technical skills are one of the most sought out aspects in a new employer and they are going to ask you about them.  If you mentioned something on your resume be ready to demonstrate your knowledge in that skill.  Be ready to give concrete examples.  Be confident in what you know and be ready to tell the interviewer exactly how you are going to be able to use your technical skills in the position that you are being interviewed for.

Be Ready for Anything

Interviewers often like to test you by seeing how well you react to the unexpected.  They know that you have practiced those tried and true interview questions over and over again (I hope you have anyway!) so they are going to throw some questions in that you just can’t possibly anticipate.  Be ready for them.  Know that the purpose of them is to test how well you stand up under pressure and when you are put in a situation that you can’t plan for. Be ready to answer questions about your online activity because employers may have already looked it that.  Always remember that they want to know how you can benefit the company.  And don’t be afraid to ask for a second to consider that.  Thinking before you speak is a good asset in any employee!

I Just Lost My Job - Now What?

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Finding out that  you’ve lost your job can be a terrifying thing.  I’ve seen people’s reactions when they have been told that they no longer have a job and they can be mixed with terror, anger, and just general frustration.  It’s hard because the job market is tough and everyone knows it.

So, what do you do when you’ve lost your job?

Get Your Frustration Out Of Your System

You need to get rid of that anger, terror, or frustration that is filling up inside you before it takes over so call email or text a friend and have a good vent.  Heck, call 10 friends.  Do it right away because telling your story and your experience will help you move on to a place where you can be more productive.  If  you hover in this stage too long it can turn into self-pity and that won’t help you get another job.

Have a Professional Look Over Legal Papers

Before signing off on any legal papers that the company you’ve been let go from is likely to want you to sign, make sure you have adequate time to read them.  Don’t sign them blindly.  And if there is anything that even remote raises warning flags in your mind or that you just don’t understand, have a legal professional look it over and explain it to you.  Make sure that you really are in agreement with what you are signing.

Ask for Support

You need to tell your family and closest friends right away and let them know that you are depending on them for support.  If you are one of the main bread winners in the house, there is bound to be some worry and concern but remind them that with their support you will be fine.  Keep them up to date and don’t hide things so that they don’t worry in the future.

See a Career Coach Or Counselor

A counsellor or career coach can be especially helpful if you have been working at the same job for a long period of time.  They can get you up to date with what the current job market is like, what skills are most desirable, and what steps you need to take.  They can help you formulate a plan for your job search and give you guidance and advice that you may not come across otherwise.

Start Researching Jobs on the Internet that Very Night

When you go home that night don’t let yourself wallow in self-pity.  Get on the Internet and start thinking about where you want to work.  If you think about this as a chance to get your dream job you will feel a little bit better about the whole thing.  Think about the company that you have always wanted to work for and start looking for every little bit of information you can find about them.  Look for news articles, blog posts, videos, and anything else that pertains to the company and the leaders of that company. Start taking notes and get ready to put together the best job application package they have every seen.

6 Factors That May Affect Your Career Success

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Employability

Employers are looking for different skills - each suited for the position that they are hiring for.  People always ask what skills employers are looking for  but you are likely to get different answers from each employer you ask.  There are some answers that are likely to turn up over and over again though because they are transferable skills that can be used in almost any job.

Let’s look at some of the skills that you can use in almost any job that employers are likely to be looking for.

Essential Skills - Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

Believe it or not, employers still place these skills high on the list of the requirements and part of the reason for that is because they are not skills that everyone has.  You may have graduated from high school but that does not necessarily mean  that these are skill you have developed, unfortunately.  Many graduates from high school can’t read or do math at a grade 9 level. 

Most people can read but can they read for understanding?  This is important.  You need to be able to read and understand the material and then be able to use that material in future tasks.  Same with writing.  Anyone can write a couple of lines of text but can you write them in a way that conveys your message?  Most people know how to use a calculator but many people cannot do simple  math problems in their head, like figuring out how much change to give back to a customer.

Verbal Communications

In almost every job you will have to communicate  verbally with other people.  You may have to communicate with external customers (those that buy from your business) or internal customers (those that you work with).  You need to  be able  to answer questions thoroughly and provide people with the information they need.  You will need to be able to request information from others.  You will also need to be able to deal with a certain amount of conflict.

Other Factors

Employability is only part of the ways that you will reach career success.  There are other factors that will come into play as well.  4 more factors that you should think about if you want to have success in your career are:

Desire & Motivation

It isn’t easy to find the job you want.  You need to put a lot of work  into it and you might hear a lot of “no”s.  This can be very discouraging and many people give up along the way.  You need to put in your full effort  all of the time because  if you slack off and start putting in a half-hearted effort you will not get the results you desire.

Someone that has desire and motivation will take the time to do job research.  They will learn how to present themselves in the most appealing manner.  They will learn how to speak clearly and effectively.  They will put serious time and effort into resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation.  If you do these things with the least amount of effort that you can get away with, you will get the least amount of results.

Be a Survivor

In our day and age, layoffs are the norm.  We hear about them  every day.  Large companies lay off entire departments, sometimes entire offices in a city.  How do you survive these layoffs?  Sometimes you can’t - you just have to be ready to move on at any given time.  You need to have contacts and a resume that is ready to go when you need it.  You need to keep up to date with  current job search trends and know who is hiring in your industry.

That being said, not everyone is subjected to the company layoff.  There are people who consistently take initiative and make it a priority to be an asset to the company that they work for.  Sometimes that is  so obvious to the owners of the company that they know they simply can’t let these people go and they provide them with other opportunities within the company.  You might be offered a job in another city or the opportunity to continue working from home.  There are options and businesses might provide them for those that show that they are worth going above and beyond for.

Professional Development

You should always be on the lookout  for ways that you can increase your skill set.  You need to constantly be working on professional development.  Update your skills, learn new ones, and think about skills that might be useful to your career in the future.  Look for workshops, seminars, and short courses that you can take.  Learning should be a lifelong activity.

Career Development

Career development is the process of planning and setting goals.  You should have short term and long term goals for your career.  Write them down.  Make sure that they are measureable.  Give them deadlines.  Work out steps for each goal to determine how you are going to get there.  Make your goals known and discuss them with a mentor in your company.  Business love it when people plan to stay with the company for the long term and by working on your goals with your superiors you can demonstrate that you have that intention.

Go Above and Beyond When You are Job Searching

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These days there is so much more you can do than just resume writing, cover letters, and interviews to help you get a job.  If you stop there, you will likely be at a disadvantage and it will take longer to get the job that you have been trained for.  If you really want to get a great job in less time than the average graduating student, you need to go above and beyond the standard job search tactics.

Here are some ideas for ways that you can step it up a notch:

• Create a web site.  Or a blog.  Or both.  A web site is different from a blog in that it has static pages that don't change and generally present unchanging information. There are many places where you can create a web site for free like Yola.com or Webs.com and present your information in an attractive and eye catching manner.  I do suggest that you spend the less than $10 fee to get your own domain name though.  It gives you an air of professionalism that a sub-domain name does not have.  If you blog, you'l have a chance to demonstrate your knowledge in the field that you would like to work in.
• Write guest posts. If you don't want to keep you your own blog, there are blogs online that cater to almost any field of study you can imagine.  And most of them will accept guest posts if they are well written.  And many of them already have an audience that is filled with people that are already working in your field.  Not only can you make some great connections, but if you mention in your  bio (the place where you can leave information about yourself and links to where you can be found) that you are currently seeking employment (and be specific - what kind? where?) you might be contacted by someone that is hiring.
• Do your research.  I know  I've said this a thousand times but most people aren't doing this.  Not big time anyway.  Spend some time researching the company you really want to work for and your resume and cover letter will be more targeted, you'll have more to talk about at the interview, and you'll know where to connect with those important employees online so that they might be willing to vouch for you when the time comes.

Have you ever tried any of these things?  How did it work?  If you haven't why not?

Tips for Getting Focused - Part 1

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One of the biggest problems that cause inefficiency at work is losing focus. When we lose focus it is hard to get it back. When we are focused we tend to do a better job at the task at hand and we also get it done faster, so focus is critical if you want to be considered a good employee.

Here are a few tips to keeping your focus:

Do Things That Take the Most Concentration First.

Most people are more focused and attentive at the beginning of the day so plan to do things that require a lot of concentration then. It may be tempting to start your day off with easy things but simple tasks are better left to mid-afternoon or the end of the day when our focus is waning.

Make Sure Small Tasks Are Done Daily

If you don’t get those little tasks that have to be done regularly done every day guess what happens? They build up! And the more they build up, the less likely you are to want to do them. And then all you can think about are those hundred little things that you need to take care of and you lose focus. So just do them daily and then you won’t have to worry about them!

Have a Plan for Time Management

The people who have the biggest issue with time management are those that don’t have a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So have a plan to manage your time. That might involve using an electric or online calendar (like Outlook or Google Calendar) or you may choose to have an “old fashioned” day planner (as old fashioned as some might consider them they can be very effective). Some people include lists in their time management plan and they can be very effective if used consistently.

Tips for Getting Focused - Part 2

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As I mentioned yesterday, focus is an important part of any job.  So here are some more tips for staying focused:

Keep Breaks Short But Regular

If you don’t take regular breaks your mind will start to wander. We’ve all experienced that. But if your breaks are too long, it is hard to get back into work mode. So keep your breaks to ten minutes and make sure you get one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Don’t get suckered into long conversations at the water cooler though. Otherwise that 10 minute break might turn into a 20 minute break and by the time you get back to your desk you are out of work mode and in break mode.

Group Similar Tasks

It is easier to concentrate on similar things so try to group them together. Every time that you change to a different task you have to switch your train of though. Moving from something repetitive to something creative requires a big switch and the more extreme the change of thought the more time it will take to move between tasks.

Develop a Routine

Our brains crave routine and if we know that we are going to be doing specific tasks at the same time every day it will be easier to get into the right frame of mind. Routines are also good for training our co-workers to know when we are available and when we cannot be interrupted.

Get to Work Early

This can be one of the best ways to get focused for the day. Get to work a good 15 minutes early. Get your coffee, say hi to your co-workers, take a quick glimpse through your emails – by the time you should be starting work your brain will be prepared to get right into work. If you come in right as you are supposed to start your first 15 minutes are going to be wasted getting into the work frame of mind.

Qualities of a Travel Counselor

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Are you considering starting a career as a travel counselor?  If you love travel and discovering new places and learning about different cultures this may be the perfect job for you.  The travel counselor course in Winnipeg and the travel counselor course in Calgary at Robertson College locations is a good start.  You can learn all about the many qualities of a travel counselor and you can be well on your way to and exciting career in under a year!

Before you decided that this is the right career for you though, you should consider the qualities that a travel counselor must possess:

• Passion - If you want to get other people excited about traveling to a location you need to be excited about it yourself.  Be able to tell them what is so fabulous about a place and show your passion with body language and your voice.
• Organization - You don’t want to send Mr. And Mrs. Smith on Spring Break in Daytona Beach and send your college co-ed on the history tour of Timbuktu! 
• Customer service - You need to be able to deal with people one on one and on the phone and through email and you need to have a great attitude every moment of your day.
• Writing skills - Because a lot of your communications is through email you will need to be able to convey your needs accurately in writing.
• Research skills - Obviously you can’t know everything about every destination and every tour package available but you need to utilize research skills to find out for your clients when they want to know something.
• Internet skills - The Internet will be one of the best sources for finding information in your field.
• Attention to detail - You need to keep good records and if you record the wrong information or if you record the right information in the wrong spot, your clients will not be happy.

There are many skills that the travel counselor must possess.  Some of them come naturally to certain people but these are skills that can be learned and practiced, too.  That is one of the benefits of taking a travel counselor course in Calgary or Winnipeg at Robertson College.  Not only do you get to learn the skills through valuable instruction, but you will also get to put your skills to use with a practicum where you work with a practicing travel agency before you are sent out into the world to get a job.

A travel counselor is a great job for those who love working with people and are willing to go the extra mile to keep clients happy.  

5 Tips to Make Your Next Networking Event a Success

The China Business Network Silicon Dragon Dinner SF
(Photo credit: Elliottng)

Networking is a great way to meet new people in the field that you want to work in.  You can learn more about the companies and you have an opportunity to put yourself in the forefront of employers minds before you apply for a job (or after).  As you know, your network is more likely to help you find a job than the want ads so you need to get out there and network.

Networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone though so here are 5 tips that can help you find success at networking events:

1. Plan ahead

See if you can find out what companies are going to be at the event and who is going to be representing those companies.  Do some research and see what you can find out about them.  Find their LinkedIn account.  Check to see if they have been published online.  See if they have been interviewed in any news articles.  The more you know about the companies and their representatives the more you will be prepared to hold an intelligent conversation. 

You can also get prepared by making sure you have business cards ready and resumes that you can hand out if the opportunity arises.

2.  Use your business cards

Don’t have business cards yet?  Get them!  A good business card is an absolute must for networking.  How else are they going to be able to contact you later? 

In the past, business cards have contained things like your address and phone number and your position in a company.  But since you likely don’t have a company that you work at that last point is not applicable.  That stuff is boring anyway.  Instead, include your social networks - especially LinkedIn.

Make sure to collect business cards too, and as soon as you get home, organize them and take some notes on what you talked about with each person.  If their business card has a web site or a LinkedIn profile, look it up.  If there is a way of contacting that person, do so within 24 hours of the networking event so that they will remember you.  It is also a good way to carry on the conversation that you started at the event.

3.  Present value

People need to know why they should connect with you so make sure that the first few words that you utter to someone you meet at a networking event give them a reason to get to know you more.  Talk about something current in your field to show that you are up to date with what is going on.  If you’ve done your research you might be able to draw attention to a shared interest.  For example, if you know that the company you work for does a lot of work with a certain charity and you happen to feel the same (don’t lie about it) you can mention that right away.  The more value your present to the person you are speaking to, the more likely they are to remember you when they are hiring.

4.  Don’t be a technological savant

Knowing how to use technology - especially the Internet and social media - can be very valuable.  If you don’t even have a LinkedIn account how are you going to connect with those that do after the event?  If you don’t know how to use the Internet, how are you going to do the research?

You can even have an electronic business card that makes sharing information even easier!

5.  It’s OK to put your own motives aside

Sometimes one of the best things you can do is put your own motives aside when you are connecting with others.  Either during or after the event you might know someone that should meet someone you are talking to.  You might be able to help others out along the way and employers like to know that you are not completely focused on yourself all the time.

7 Job Search Mistakes You Must Avoid

Job seekers destination (Photo credit: Newton Free Library)

Have you graduated from college recently and started your job hunt?  Or perhaps you’ve been laid off from a job or for some other reason have found yourself looking for a job again.  If this is the case you need to avoid these 7 big mistakes that job hunters make:

1. Job search with no direction

When you start a job search you should know what kind of job you are looking for, what your idea job is, what department of a company that you want to work in, and more.  Spend some time thinking about what your dream job is if you want to find it.  The next time you fill out an application or get a resume ready to send out you will be able to target your answers towards getting the job that you really want.

2. Your resume is way too long

Longer resumes are not better.  In fact, they are worse than a nice one or two page resume.  Make sure that the information you include on your resume is targeted towards a specific job and week out the extraneous information so that your resume is relevant to the employer.  Don’t waste his/her time by including information that has nothing to do with the job.  Highlight critical information  and skip the boring details.

3. Not taking your job search offline

It is very easy to conduct your job search online. You can apply for jobs on company web sites.  You can email your resume and cover letter.  You could potentially do your entire job search online, but it might not be a very fruitful job search.  Get off the computer and go to some networking events or job fairs where you can actually meet people, shake hands, and connect in the real world.  And don’t forget to talk to others that are attending the events - you never know where your next job is going to come from.

4. You don’t look employable

Yes, I’m talking about the way you dress.  If you want to get that job you need to be dressed like a professional, not like a sexy co-ed that is on her way to a party and not like you just came from the gym.  If you dress unprofessionally you are telling potential employers that you don’t really care about the job you are applying for.

5.  You lack interviewing skills

The interview is your big chance to sell yourself and do you really think you are going to do that if you can’t answer a question or you are chewing your nails.  Practice good interviewing skill like making eye contact, sitting up straight, and answering common interview questions before you even step foot into the interview room.

6.  You put your previous employer in a negative light

Even if what you are saying is true you should never say negative things about your employer.  When asked why you left your last job be prepared to give an answer that will leave them thinking that your last employer was great but you are just so motivated that you are ready for bigger challenges.

7.   You follow through

After the interview, if you think you are done with this prospective employer until you get the job you are wrong.  Follow up the interview with a thank you note.  Timed right it might be just the thing that you need to get the job.  Don’t talk about things that you’ve already told them.  Perhaps bring something new to their attention or just let them know that the interview solidified your belief that this is the right company for you to work at.

Personalizing Your Professional Space

Image by Paul Worthington via Flickr

Most companies today realize that by allowing their employees to personalize their personal spaces at work they contribute to improved employee morale.  Generally, when people have a space to work in that is theirs and reflects their personality, they are able to relax and work more effectively.

But, you need to be careful about what you include in your personal space.  You can have fun with it but you should always appear professional.

Here are some ideas of things that you can bring into your personal place to make you feel good and still remain professional

• Photos of family and friends.  
• Live plants (make sure to keep it alive!)
• Stress toys
• Motivational calendar or poster
• Candy bowl
• Pen holders 
• Note holder/spike
• Fun pens/pencils

Skills for College Success

Image via Wikipedia

People talk about the skills you need to do well on the job.  But what if you're in college?  Are those skills really much different?  What skills can you develop to be a better student?

1. Listening skills.  They say that we have two ears and one mouth because we should listen more than we speak and this is true.  The more you listen, the more you will learn.  This is especially critical on the first day of school.  Make sure you are listening to the instructor when he/she speaks and not trying to make new friends.  There will be plenty of time to make friends after class!  Remember that any time the instructor speaks he/she is likely giving you information that you need, so pay attention!
2. Reading skills.  A lot of the information and instructions that you receive will be relayed in written form so learn to read carefully.  Watch for key words and pay attention to what the instructions are really asking.  Before you ask a question, go back to the instructions to make sure that you have not missed something important.  I found that about 50% of the time, when a student asked a question, the answer could be found in the written instructions they were given.
3. Time management.  When you are going to school you will need to manage your time (both in the class and outside of the class) very carefully.  Know how long you should spend working on a problem before you go for help.  Know how much time you should be spending on each project.  Those who are going to school as adults will likely have other commitments, too, such as family or jobs.  You will need to figure out the best way to use your time so that your outside commitments do not get pushed to the back burner.
4. Accountability.  Remember that you alone are responsible for your learning.  While your instructor has the responsibility to make sure that you have all the information you need to learn, only you can be accountable for what you do with that information.

Keep Your Head Up

Image via Wikipedia

We all know that when you are job searching for an extended period of time it can be very stressful. It can wear on you emotionally and it can be very difficult to have a positive attitude. We all also know that a positive attitude can make all the difference in the world when you walk into an interview room.

So what do you do? How do you keep your head up and a smile on your face when you feel like you’ve done this a zillion times before?

If keeping a positive attitude during your job search is becoming difficult for you, follow some of these tips:

1. Eat right. Yes, I know that this doesn’t seem to have anything to do with job search, but if you want to have a strong mind you need to fuel it. You need to make sure that you are getting the proper nutrients and minerals in your body. What you eat can affect your outlook on life. What happens when you eat/drink too much sugar? Everything seems pretty great for awhile doesn’t it? Good nutrient and vitamins can help you feel good, too, but unlike sugar, the feeling will last longer.

2. Exercise. Along with eating right you should make a point of getting some exercise every day. Take a break from the job hunt and the computer and go for a walk or a run or go and play some basketball on the courts. Study after study has shown that people who are active tend to have a better outlook on life and tend to feel better about themselves, overall.

3. Learn from past interviews. As soon as possible after each interview, write down as many details as possible about it. What did the interviewer look like when you first met him/her? What kind of non-verbal signals did you observe? What kind of answers had the best response? What kind of answers that you gave was not as favourable as you might have hoped? What do you want to change in the future? When you take the time to analyze each interview you will be able to adapt in the future and you will feel more in control of the situation.

4. Take a day or two off. You don’t have to always be “on” when it comes to job search and taking a day to not think about it will likely do more good than harm. Get out of town if you can or just stay at home in bed for an entire day. Watch bad movies or pick up that trashy romance novel that you’ve been putting off reading because you’ve been so busy. A day off is good for your mind.

5. Turn off the television and the radio and quit reading the news. It seems like every time we turn around someone is telling us how bad the economy is. Someone has a story about this person or that person who has been out of work for years. Shut as much off as you can. Focus on yourself and not other people’s experiences.

How to Find Out What Employers are Learning About You Online

Google Chrome (Photo credit: thms.nl)

A couple days ago I talked about being careful about what you do online because more and more employers are using the Internet to find out what potential employees are really like.  If you took that seriously you might be wondering what potential employers can see about you.  If you haven't you should be thinking about that.

It is easy to see what potential employers can see about you with Google.  There are many different ways that you can search for information though so you should use several different means to search for yourself.

Here are some of the ways you can search for yourself online:

• Search for your first and last name in quotes: "John Smith"
• Search for your full name, including your middle name, in quotes: "John Malcom Smith"
• Search for your last name first, comma, then your first name, in quotes: "Smith, John"
• Search for your last name first, comma, then your first name and your second name, in quotes: "Smith, John Malcom"
• Search for your email address: john.smith@email.com
• Search for your phone number: 555-555-5555
• Search for your street address, in quotes: "555 Street Name Blvd"

Now what if you do find out that a web site has published information about you that you don't want to be public info?

First, you can contact them and ask them to remove the content.  Not all web sites are easy to find contact info for though so if you can't find a contact form or they don't have an email address easily findable, look them up at WhoIs.net - just put their web site into the search box and it should give you all their information you need about who owns that domain, including an email address.

If they refuse to remove the content or you are not getting a response from there WiredSafety.org can often mediate for you and help you out.

5 Tips to Make Monday Mornings More Efficient

You all know what Monday mornings are like.  Sometimes they are rushed.  Sometimes they lag.  And sometimes they are just plain chaotic.  It just seems to be a Monday thing.  On Monday morning, no one seems to get very much done.  But you could be the one your boss is looking at on Monday morning and thinking, “Gee - look at them go!  I wish everyone was that efficient on Monday mornings!”

Do you want to be that person?  Or do you at least want to not feel like someone has slowed down your brain?  Here’s some tips to make Monday mornings more efficient for you:

1. Plan for them.  On Friday when you leave the office know what you have to do on Monday when you get back.  Prepare a list and have it somewhere you can see it when you come in Monday morning.  Start with something that you can do with your eyes closed and then move into the more complicated stuff.  Yes, I know, most people will tell you to start with the hardest thing first.  But not on Monday.  If you accomplish something right away you will feel more motivated by the time you get to the more complicated stuff.
2. Have a good meal before you leave for the office.  A hot meal will get you revved up and give you the energy you need but cold cereal and milk can do the trick, too.  At the very least, have a breakfast bar or shake that will give you the calories and protein that you need.
3. Play something that will get your mind jumping on the way to work.  Whether you drive or take public transportation you can listen to some heavy metal music or some techno sounds to get you revved up.  Or maybe music isn’t your thing.  Try a great comedy recording to make you laugh or your favourite morning show on the radio. Or how about a heated political discussion. 
4. Get to the office early.  Yes, I said early - on a Monday morning.  You and I both know that Monday mornings are hard to get your brain wrapped around so give your brain some extra time.  If you need to sit there staring mindlessly at the computer screen for five minutes at least it won’t put you behind.  Get your coffee, organize something on your desk, or whatever you need to do to be ready to get down to business but by the time you are supposed to start you will be ready to go.
5. Greet everyone with a smile and put some pep in your step.  There’s some truth in they saying, “Fake it until you make it.”  It means that if you smile long enough you will feel happy.  If you put some bounce in your step, you will feel energized.  It doesn’t take much.  Energy and happiness are contagious so when you send it out there into the work world it will be returned and you’ll feel even better.

Inspirational Thoughts

11 Rules That You Won't Learn in High School

High school is supposed to be a teaching ground where you learn everything you need to know in life.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case.  All too often, graduates leave and find out that high school is nothing like the real world.  The real world does not follow the same rules that you had in high school.

And Bill Gates recognized that.

Check out these 11 rules you will  never learn in school:

You Can Get the Job You Want - Even Without Experience

A diverse group of artists took part in Artscape's skills
 development programme (Photo credit: Development Works Photos)

When you want a job that you don’t quite have the experience for, how you present your resume can make a big difference.  Resumes are one of the tools that almost all employers look at to help them decide if you might be a good fit.  Yes, they look at experience and job history.  But if you use your resume to your advantage you might be able to convince them that you are worth a shot.

One of the most difficult resumes to write is the one that presents you in a good light, even though you are fresh out of school or are in the middle of a career change.  You don’t have the experience that employers are seeking for the position you really want.  So what do you do?  You change their focus from job history to a summary.

When you are going through a career change you are likely to come across this problem.  Your past job history doesn’t give you the experience you need to qualify for the job that you want.  But there are likely some transferable skills that you have learned along the way that you can carry across to a new job. 

Some of the transferable skills that employers seek no matter what job you are applying for are management skills (both people and time),  organizational skills, computer skills, and knowledge of programs.  Even if you do not know the specific programs that are needed for the job, you can demonstrate your ability to learn new programs by showing them that you have previously learned to use programs and software that are needed for the job.

Consider starting your resume with a summary or a profile to highlight this critical information.  This is not the norm for most resumes but it can be effect when you are going through a career change.  Focus on the skills that you can bring to the table and how they will be useful in the job that you are applying for.  You can draw attention to volunteer experience or community activities if they relate to the position, as well.

Those who are just out of college can use this technique, too.  When writing your profile focus on the skills that your education has helped you develop.  Draw attention to practical education that has been implemented.  If you received honors or awards, make sure to mention those. 

Just because you don’t have the experience it does not mean that you can’t get the job you want.  Utilize your resume to your best advantage and then follow up with a great interview by being prepared.  Focus on what you can do!