Hugging Etiquette at Work

Hugging Etiquette at WorkHugging Etiquette at WorkBusiness hugs. Many of us are guilty of doling them out from time to time. When you work in the creative industry and in a casual environment, a handshake can sometimes feel too formal when interacting with colleagues.In fact, 65 percent of advertising and marketing managers recently surveyed by The Creative Group said its at least somewhat common to hug coworkers. And 52 percent said the same regarding clients and business contacts. (You can view the full survey results in the infographic below.)But just because business hugs are happening in todays professional world doesnt mean theyre always appropriate. Non-huggers and fist-bumpers would agree.So whats a creative professional to do? We reconsulted Daniel Post Senning, author of The Etiquette Advantage in Business, 3rd Edition, for hugging etiquette pointers, particularly in light of the Me Too movement.TCG Given current events and growing attention on harassment, whats your curren t stance on business hugs?Daniel Post Senning Traditional etiquette standards are in place for a reason They make people feel comfortable. The handshake remains the standard for a business greeting or introduction. If you deviate from it, know that youre deviating from the standard.The handshake is like the tie - it gets a bad rap. People think its formal and artificial, but it can be a warm and genuine gesture.Were curious Do you shake hands or hug it out when greeting business contacts?Its situationally dependent. But in a business setting, I defer to a slightly more formal standard because the stakes are higher. In an increasingly casual world, were asked to make a lot of choices. We have the option to greet people with a handshake, a fist bump or a hug. Generally speaking, unless youre sure its going to be OK to hug someone, stick with a handshake. Its a universally accepted and globally understood gesture of goodwill and friendship.What if youre someone who likes to hug? Is th ere any stigma of being the office hugger?There can be. You need to be aware of other peoples perspectives. Some teams may be comfortable hugging, but its not always appropriate. Its contextual. Know your audience and assume that not everyone is as comfortable with hugging as you are.People wont always tell you how they feel - and asking someone if he or she is open to hugging can get awkward. In a professional setting, dont impose hugs on anyone. Observe body language and let others take the lead.Finally, find ways to greet people that are fair to everyone versus handling it on case-by-case basis. Think of etiquette as people being courteous to people.Would you be comfortable hugging both male and female colleagues, for example? Treating people differentially could be problematic.Are there certain business contacts you should never greet with a hug?Stick with a handshake when meeting people for the first time. Hugs are only an option once youve gotten to know someone.Whats the bes t way to recover from an awkward business hug?Dont dwell on it, and then try not to let it happen again. This is why I love the handshake. People know what to expect with a handshake, so you avoid any uncertainty. By offering your hand, you can take control of the situation. And good eye contact and a smile also help.

Wheres my computer Survey finds onboarding needs improvement

Wheres my computer Survey finds onboarding needs improvementWheres my computer Survey finds onboarding needs improvementThe first few days of work are always awkward. Half the time, it seems like no one knows where youre supposed to sit. Then, your computer doesnt work. And wheres the bathroom? What is all this paperwork for? And the person who is supposed to teach you the proprietary CMS is on vacation ServiceNow, a cloud platform, surveyed2001 U.S. office workers about the onboarding experience, conducted by Edelman Intelligence.Companies processes for managing their new hires everything from first-day wheres my computer issues to first-month whats my job training tasks are supposed to make everything run smoothly.It doesnt always work out that way, although onboarding is crucial a recent study showed that companies with a good onboarding process can improve its new-hire retention by up to 82%. One in three office workers would rather go on a cringe-worthy first date than an onb oarding orientation for a new job, the survey found.Thats because onboarding isnt always as well thought-out as employers might think it is. Seventy-nine percent of office workers have experienced glitches during the onboarding process. Of that percentage28% felt they had no clearly defined job responsibilities and goals26% had IT issues26% had no real onboarding program19% didnt feel completely onboarded, even after 3 months18% didnt have a computerSome of the top things that workers said would make their first day at a new job great (and heres another list)A walk-through of important processes (58%)Being assigned a buddy to ask questions (58%)Being given time to review the onboarding materials (47%)A welcome lunch (40%)Frustrated? Onboard yourselfSometimes, a successful onboarding process is one you can take control of yourself Instead of waiting for the company to guide you, go ahead and make a friend, set expectations for 30, 60, and 90 days with your manager, document your earl y successes, and begin to scout around for a mentor. You dont even have to wait until the first day to begin taking action like reaching out on social media with members of your new organization.Harvard Business Review also recommends seizing the reigns on your own onboarding by taking initiative to ask your boss key questions in the first months about how you can help them succeed, what theyd like you to accomplish in certain time frames, and how your success will be measured.Just make sure you have a computer first.

These are the best and worst airports of 2018

These are the best and worst airports of 2018These are the best and worst airports of 2018We already know airports are disgusting places full of germs just waiting to get us sick, but there are definitely some airports and airlines that are better than others. Like there are some airports where you just regret leaving your house at all and there are others where you actually had a relatively pleasant time. How Tom Hanks ever lived in one for a whole movie, well never know.AirHelp, a company thatadvocates on behalf of air travelersfor compensation in cases of delays or cancelations, put together a ranked list of the 141 best and worst airports in the world. The rankings were based on on-time performance, quality of service, and online consumer opinions. So where do people just sit back and enjoy their airport experience and where do people try to crawl into a corner and die?The 10 best airports of 20181. Hamad zwischenstaatlich Airport, Doha (DOH)2. Athens International Airport, Athen s(ATH)3. Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Tokyo (HND)4. Cologne Bonn Airport, Cologne, Germany (CGN)5. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore (SIN)6. Nagoya Chubu Centrair Airport, Nagoya, Japan (NGO)7. Viracopos International Airport, Campinas, Brazil (VCP)8. Amman Queen Alia Airport, Amman, Jordan (AMM)9. Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport, Recife, Brazil (REC)10. Quito International Airport, Quito, Ecuador (UIO)Sadly no U.S. based airports made the cut so that is a bummer but not too surprising.The only U.S. airport that it made it anywhere near the top 10 isSeattle-Tacoma in 33rd place.Ashley Raiteri, an industry adviser for AirHelp, told Bloomberg Different airports deal with different problems, noting that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta has had many power outages, and airports in the Scandinavian region are often prone to bad weather.In some places, the local culture can leave people feeling cold, he added.On the plus side, no U.S. airports made the bottom 10 so that s somewhat uplifting.The 10 worst airports of 2018132. Eindhoven Airport, Eindhoven,Netherlands (EIN)133. Bordeaux Merignac, Bordeaux, France (BOD)134. Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)135. Boryspil International Airport, Kiev, Ukraine (KBP)136. schnrlsamt Airport, Manchester, United Kingdom (MAN)137. Stockholm Bromma Airport, Stockholm (BMA)138. Paris Orly, Paris (ORY)139. LyonSaint-Exupry Airport, Lyon, France (LYS)140. London Stansted Airport, London (STN)141. Kuwait International Airport, Farwaniya, Kuwait (KWI)

A look at the daily routine of Benjamin Franklin, who didnt always follow his own early to bed, early to rise advice

A look at the daily routine of nestkken Franklin, who didnt always follow his own early to bed, early to rise adviceA look at the daily routine of Benjamin Franklin, who didnt always follow his own early to bed, early to rise adviceBenjamin Franklinwas a true Renaissance man.After getting his start in the printing business, he went on to establish himself as a leading writer and political thinker in the English colonies in North Americainventthe lightning rod, bifocals, and swim fins make a number of crucial scientific discoveries and help draft theDeclaration of Independenceand secure his countrys freedom from England.TheFounding Fathergot a lot done, so its no surprise that he earned the unofficial moniker of First American.And its definitely not a shock that he was pretty intentional about his time, according to his autobiography.Heres a breakdown of what Franklins days looked likeYou probably know the old cliche, which is popularly attributed to Franklin Early to bed, early to ri se, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. According to his autobiography, the Founding Father did wake up early, rising at 5 a.m.He would then wash up and practice positivity and gratitude by addressing Powerful Goodness. This Powerful Goodness was Franklins concept of God. The Founding Father was a Deist, meaning he believed in a higher being.As part of his daily routine, Franklin would also rate himself on 13 virtues - temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility.Every week, Franklin would pick a different virtue to focus on and musiknote his failings on a special chart. In his autobiography, he wrote, I was surprised to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.Franklin would also break his fast before 8 a.m. Its unclear what breakfast foods he favoredBut it is known that he had a particular hankering for cranberries, honey, and, of course, apples. Not surprising, given the phrase an apple a day keeps the doctor away is commonly attributed to the statesman - though the saying actually predates Franklin.Franklin even once wrote a letter criticizing his wife Deborah for forgetting to ship him a barrel of apples while he was living abroad.After eating, Franklin would work until noon. Over the years, the nature of this work varied as the Founding Fathers career took a number of twists and turns.Franklins hypothetical rsum could feature the titles of statesman, printer, author, scientist, inventor, diplomat, drafter of the Declaration of Independence, and delegate to the Constitutional Convention. So its safe to say that his schedule likely varied based on his role and other circumstances.Still, on an average day, Franklin wrote that he would read or overlook my accounts, and dine from noon to 2 p.m. This midday dinner was Franklins primary meal of the day. In terms of Franklins favorite foods, we do know that he wrote about his approval of potatoes, ginseng, maple syrup, corn, parmesan cheese, and turkey.Franklin can also be credited with helping to introduce tofu, rhubarb, and Scottish kale to colonial America.By two oclock in the afternoon, Franklin went back to work, and he would keep at it until 6 p.m. in the evening.Franklin is popularly imagined as a somewhat portly, gout-ridden older man, but he was far more active and athletic in his youth. According to Real Clear Science, he kept in shape as a typesetter by running up and down stairs with heavy trays of lead type and foregoing alcohol in favor of water.He was also a competent swimmer and was even honored by the zwischenstaatlich Swimming Hall of Fame. He once clocked a three and a half mile swim in the Thames, going from Chelsea to Blackfriars.From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Franklin wrote that he liked to put things in their places, eat supper, and enjoy music and conversation. The Founding Father played the viola da gamba, and even invented a musical instrument the glass harmonica. After all that, Franklin said he would commence with an examination of the day.Franklin would then turn in at 10 p.m. and proceed to sleep for seven hours.John Adams wrote that Franklin believed in the benefits of fresh air at night - contrary to popular opinion at the time, which lambasted night air as unhealthy - and slept with the window open. Adams learned this the hard way. He and Franklin had to share a bed in September 1776 while traveling together.Of course, Franklin himself would admit that he wasnt always perfect about applying some of his popular wisdom to his own life.Adams would agree. The two men worked together in Paris while attempting to convince the French monarchy to support their revolutionary cause. He got to witness his colleagues daily behaviors up close, and he wasnt always impressed.While he may have abstained from booze earlier in his life, Adams wrote that Franklin enjoyed his champagne while in F rance. Franklin also praised wine in a 1777 letter, writing that the beverage is a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.Franklin also recorded a number of euphemisms for being drunk under the alias Silence Dogood in 1736. His suggestions included Been too free with Sir John Strawberry, Hes contending with Pharaoh, and Hes Eat a Toad and half for Breakfast.Historian David McCullough wrote that Adams, who had read Poor Richards Almanack growing up, was dismayed to see his idolized sage forsake his early to bed, early to rise advice in favor of rising at 10 a.m.While Franklin sometimes fell short of his lofty scheduling ambitions, that didnt stop him from accomplishing much in his 84 years. And his writings continue to inspire readers to strive to lead productive, fulfilling, and healthy lives.SourceBusiness Insider,Britannica,Britannica, The Autobiography of Benjamin FranklinThis article was originally posted on BusinessInsider.com.

Best Times of the Year to Start Job Hunting

Best Times of the Year to Start Job HuntingBest Times of the Year to Start Job HuntingIf you are thinking of looking for a new job, it is helpful to know the best time of year to abflug looking. Job markets have their seasons for hiring. It is good to know when they are in order to avoid demotivating job searches during slow hiring months.In addition to the perfect months to start job hunting, there are also things that happen in your career which let you know it is time to start a new job search.Best months January and FebruaryThis is a great time to start applying for new jobs. Companies have their new hiring budgets, people are returning from the holidays ready to work, and all of the key hiring decision-makers will be in the office. The beginning of January starts off slow, but by mid-month, the pace picks up until the end of February. There are a wide variety of industries that do the bulk of their hiring during these two months. It is a good time to be active.2nd best months Ma rch, April, and MayWith time moving fast and the summer months drawing near, hiring managers may feel pressure to fill roles in a company quickly. Heading into the summer months and vacations while short-staffed is a bad idea for any company. This ultimately means that it is a good idea to start your job search at the beginning of the year, then aggressively continue it for the next five months. If you are not hired quickly, at least by May when the pressure is on for hiring managers to find someone, youll be ready.3rd best months September and OctoberThe summer is now over and the Holiday Season is just around the corner. There will be plenty of interviews and open positions. The process will also move quickerthan other months to get people hired before the end of the year. It is a good time to have your resume in circulation amongst job recruiters and companies hiring.Something to tryThe above best months are great times to be applying for jobs. So, it is a good idea to get your r esume out a week before the best months for applying begin. This way your resume gets in front of the right people first.Not-so-great months June, July, August, Novemberand DecemberDecision-makers are on vacation and hiring slows down. This does not mean you should completely stop applying for jobs and networking. After all, if you want to work and others are on vacation, there could be some opportunities waiting for you in temporary or contract work. Stay diligent and make the most of your interviews when they come around.Honorable mentionsTwo other great times of the year to start job hunting includeWhen you know your industry is hiringWhen you do not need a jobWhy? Times change quickly these days and it is always good to keep your options open. It does not hurt to talk to people and see what they have going on. In addition, it always seems like the best jobs we land in our career come to us when we least expect it.Do not wait for fate to fall into your lap. Keep your eyes open fo r new opportunities and know when your industry or company is going through changes. There are very few jobs these days that promise lifelong job security. It is better to stay proactive about your career.

Typical Resume - an in Depth Anaylsis on What Works and What Doesnt

Typical Resume - an in Depth Anaylsis on What Works and What Doesnt The Unexposed Secret of Typical Resume An acting resume template enables you to be spared from the pressures of needing to create a resume from ground up. Perhaps your skill set is entirely different. Its particularly important to use a great template when making an infographic resume. Keep this in mind while you copy the examples above. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the substantial cost saving in comparison to traditional hiring methods. For example, if you have a substantial employment gap since your final position, you might want to use a functional resume rather than a chronological one. Many employers cross-reference your resume to your on-line presence. Many currently employed GS employers wonder if theyll have to wait a particular period prior to applying for a new position in a greater grade. What all you will need is getting the assistance from a specialist and EssaysChief is g oing to be the expert that you seek out. For a business analyst resume, lots of emphasis is going to be put on the extra skills section. You might understand what youre attempting to say, but sometimes other individuals can be left in doubt. Therefore, taking the opportunity to thoroughly craft a new version for each job youre applying to is usually advisable. You should keep in mind that you have to put in the effort to provide the writer everything they want. Reading content backwardsawkward and time-consuming though it can beis a fantastic way to catch minor mistakes that you may otherwise miss. If youre out of work for an elongated time, it might be an indication your skills need updating. Based at work, it may also be worthwhile to list certain skills like typing speed, phone communication, or public speaking experience. Resume trends have a tendency to change so that its ideal to make sure yours is doing all it can to receive a hiring managers interest. Some businesses will talk to you about your requirements, then quote you a flat rate based on the product theyll create for you. A lot of the advice around federal resumes focuses on the value of critical words. Take a peek at our list of guides and resume examples for certain professions. Featuring only the experience and techniques that mirror the job needs of the position youre seeking can continue to keep the length in check. If youve got minimum experience regarding the job to which youre applying, then you will have to highlight the most relevant abilities and achievements from previous jobs or even go with the combination format mentioned before. Remember to concentrate on responsibilities and achievements applicable to the job which youre applying for Make certain that you tailor your resume to the job youre applying for. The Hidden Truth About Typical Resume Actually, every word should earn its keep no matter the quantity of pages you write. Then think about a few basic question s to allow you to clarify which format would be ideal for you. Have a look at the following examples to decide it is best for you. Thus a very simple format highlights precisely what they want Use headings to organize the info in your resume. Once youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a highly effective accomplishment statement. There are three major forms of universally-acknowledged resume formats like different manners of presenting your resume-relevant information as outlined above. A number of factors impact the typical price tag of resume writing services. Heres What I Know About Typical Resume Resumes may be used for a number of reasons, but most often theyre utilised to secure new employment. They may be organized in different ways. They are typically quite short often only about a page but they are often the first chance you will have to make an impression. Many job listings also incorporate a minimum education requirement, also. Distinct recruiters have various opinions about exactly what makes the ideal CV. Think as a recruiter filling the job that you want next. With a skills-based resume, you place the focus on what you could do, not just what youve done in preceding jobs.

13 Go-To Hacks for When You Need a Boost of Creativity

13 Go-To Hacks for When You Need a Boost of Creativity Article by YECCreativity inspires us. It gives us purpose and direction, providing a way to pursue goals and establish dreams.However, creativity does bedrngnis always come naturally, particularly during moments of stress. Sometimes, even the most creative minds need a little help to get that spark back.Boosting your creativity can be a simple matter of taking a step back and discovering what works best to motivate you. For more insight, we asked members of the Young Entrepreneur Council about their go-to hacks when they need a boost of creativity. Here is what they said1. Learn a New SkillWhen you need a boost of creativity, usually your unconscious is having difficulty surfacing to your consciousness. To circumvent this, learn a new skill.For example, if youre struggling with writers block and you normally write technical pieces, take a quick course on how to write comedy. It frees up your abili ty to think and changes your perspective enough that you can tap into creativity.-Klyn Elsbury, Shark School2. Go on Social MediaIf I need a boost of creativity, I like to go on social media to take my mind off of anything technical. Immersing myself in something completely different gets the wheels in my head turning and encourages me to think differently. Its important not to focus on one thing for too long, and social media helps medo just that.-Jared Atchison, WPForms3. Write Things DownWhen I need a boost of creativity, I like to brainstorm by writing things down. I write down anything that comes to mind thoughts, feelings, ideas, concepts, and so on without giving it much thought.Afterward, I read my list. I always find that at least one of my random thoughts can inspire some creativity.-Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms4. Go for a WalkIts incredibly simple, but dont let that put you off. Studies have shown that walking increases creativity.Every time I catch myself in a slu mp, I take a 20-30 minute walk near the office without trying to force anything to happen. As you walk, youll slowly ponder onthe problem youre trying to solve, and you are likely to come up with a unique angle as you do. Worst case, you come back to work refreshed.-Karl Kangur, Above House5. Research Other BrandsOne of the best ways to find inspiration and trigger creativity is by researching other brands. Avoid competitors and, instead, look at what companies in similar industries are doing with their customer service, marketing, and design. Browse their websites, social media profiles, and customer reviews to see what theyre doing differently. This knowledge canhelp you ideate new ways to improve your business, too.-Firas Kittaneh,Amerisleep6. Have Dinner With a Diverse Group of Smart PeopleBy bringing people from different backgrounds togetherto break bread, you will spark amazing conversations. When business leaders, engaged citizens, sharp engineers, scientists, artists, socia l entrepreneurs, and others come together for innovative exchange and big thinking, you will definitely receive a personal boostfrom these creative conversations.-Eric Mathews,Start Co.7. Play Video GamesI like playing video games because it diverts my mind to a different way of thinking, which allows me to come back later and do something more creative. Its stimulating for me and provides the outlet Im looking for to give my brain a break.-Angela Ruth,Calendar8. Listen to a PodcastThere are thousands of podcasts to choose from that cover all different topics and use different approaches to connect with listeners. I like to listen to storytelling podcasts that have nothing to do with work when I need to unwind. It refreshes my mind and activates other parts of my brain. Listening to something completely different from what Im working on sparks my creativity.-Chris Christoff,MonsterInsights9. Listen to MusicWhether listening to it or playing it myself, music is my go-to hack when I n eed a boost of creativity. Its hard to focus your thoughts sometimes when you have so many things on your mind. When I listen to music, I can just relax and focus on the song. Thats when the ideas come more easily.-John Turner,SeedProd, LLC10. Play With Your KidsKids have a never-ending supply of creativity. Im constantly inspired by the way my almost-2-year-old makes everything fun. He finds ways to use and play with things I would have never considered. When I need a creative boost, I play with him (blocks, painting, reading, etc.), ask him questions, and draw inspiration from his endless fascination with the world.-Brittany Hodak,Keynote Speaker11. Take a Power NapA short nap can reset your brain and get you in the right frame of mind for creating. I usually take a 20-minute nap if Im feeling creatively bankrupt.At first, youll find it difficult to nap when thinking about a project, but a short nap helps fuel creativity more than staring blankly at your screen ever could.-Blair W illiams, MemberPress12. Try Sensory DeprivationImproving your focus through sensory deprivation can be a great boost for creativity. While going for a walk is a simple way to do this, a lot of entrepreneurs and professionalsgo so far as to usesensory deprivation services like Urban Float.Whatever you do, when you get rid of the overstimulation of the environment around you, it becomes easier to achieve clarity and creativity.-Andy Karuza,FenSens13. Write a Top 10 ListWhen I need a boost of creativity, I develop a top-10 list on the topic. The first seven ideas are usually fairly easy to come by. Its ideas 8-10 where I slow down and really have to think. The boost of creativity kicks in after all the easy ideas are out of the way, and then youre stacking on good ideas or something completely outside the box.-Richard Fong, Bliss DriveA version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) is an invite-only organization composed of the worlds most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

Create the Life You Want During a Mid-Career Crisis

Create the Life You Want During a Mid-Career CrisisCreate the Life You Want During a Mid-Career CrisisAt a point in their working lives, many people experience a mid-career crisis, staying in jobs that they no longer find satisfying or rewarding. This typically occurs between 10 and 25 years in the same sector. Although it can be a stressful time, some methods of handling a career crisis can act as a catalyst to get you making moves toward a career you love, resulting in overall happiness and personal growth. Determine What Is Wrong or Missing You do not need to switch geschftliches miteinander sectors entirely if you can figure out what is wrong. Maybe the only thing you need is to switch positions. Certain career-crisis triggers are common ask yourself some hard questions so that you can identify the issues as either a temporary slump or the sign of a deeper problem Are you finding yourself dreading going to work every day? This is a common problem, but if it lasts longer than a few weeks, it can be a sign you need a change. It can also be a sign of job-related fatigue or depression and should be discussed with your general practitioner.Do you think you would be happier almost anywhere other than your current position? Consider the realities of a change, not just the dream, before deciding.In your position, are you given the creative freedom that allows you to feel pride in your work? Personal satisfaction is extremely important to the happiness you experience at work. Sometimes a little autonomy can help you find a better place within the same industry. Do you think you can take a different approach toward your work that might make you see it differently? Perhaps all you need is a change of perspective.Might you simply not be working in a job suited to your skillset? A dead giveaway is when others tell you that you seem unhappy. It could be the company, but more likely, it is the work itself. Find a New Direction With Thinking Exercises Personal thou ght time and daydreaming help you explore your options, but guided thinking exercises direct your thoughts in more concrete, helpful directions. It wont help to just read through all of the exercises. The thinking time and recording your thoughts help you achieve your result in making your dreams a reality. Write down your 10 favorite activities. These can be hobbies, past professions, or anything you enjoy doing. No fulfilling career is suitable unless you get to do some of your favorite activities at least weekly. Some people find they want to help others. Others want to play with toy cars. No matter what you write, there is a working position directly related to it.Write down the top five goalsyou want to accomplish in your career. Think money, impact, contribution, and more. Your selected career must enable you to achieve these goals. If it doesnt, youre in the wrong career and could use a change. List everything youd like to do in your lifetime. These lists can run several hund red items. Your chosen career should be one that you can attain with realistic effort, allowing you as much creativity and fulfillment as possible. Changing large parts of your life during a career crisis can be tough, but sometimes you need a little push to get you moving in the right direction.

How To Build Your Personal Brand

How To Build Your Personal BrandHow To Build Your Personal BrandCreating a great personal brand could be exactly what you need to get your foot in the door. What is a personal brand? Creating your own personal brand is a way to market yourself and your career. Think of how a company comes up with a logo, name, and slogan for their product. These are all part of their brand, techniques created to make you remember who they are. You want to do that for yourself to help further your career along.How are you different?When you get into your brand, you want to show off what makes you different from everyone else. Once you figure out what that is, you need to showcase it. This is what will help you get the job over the next candidate. If you arent quite sure what makes you different, there are a few things you can reflect on. Take a look at your strengths and passions. What type of work are you most willing and happy to do? If you were to leave your current job, what would the company mis s from you?Build your presence online.You are probably already online, with social media and the like. Its now time to utilize these tools to your advantage. You should secure a personal website that is setup to showcase your career achievements. Your resume should be included, as well as a brief introduction to yourself. There should be a link to your portfolio, if necessary for your industry. There should also be a link to other social media sites that you are on, including LinkedIn. You dont have to departure off elaborately. You can create a small, two or three page website in a matter of hours.Get your name out there.Start participating in online discussions that are relevant to your industry. An easy way to do this is through the groups on LinkedIn. Give out relevant and correct advice and experience. Talk about what you are currently doing in your career and how you are seeking to improve yourself. Go to networking events and do the same. To take it a step further, if you c an get a time slot speaking at a networking event, do it. If you are not good with public speaking, take the time to practice in front of friends and family. The more public speaking you do, the better you will become with time.Find connections.During your time you spend networking, you should be building up a list of connections that may be able to help you later down the road. You want to foster these connections as much as possible. Pick a couple of these connections that you believe will be the most beneficial, and spend some time building them up and becoming part of their innerhalb circle. Keep track of their writing and make comments on it, follow them on social media, and ask to do guests blog-posts for them. In time, they can help you take your brand to the next level.Create goals.There is no point creating your personal brand if you dont know what you want to get out of it. This should be your very first step in the process. Once you know what you want, then you can tailo r your brand to create an image that will get you there. Do you want to find a higher paying job? Do you want to switch career paths? Is there a dream company you want to work for? Once youve decided this, you need to set a timeline. How long are you giving yourself to reach this goal? You can decide on a few months, a year, or even a couple of years. Creating a plan of action will help you achieve the things you want to get done.Start a blog.As said before, you should set up your own personal website. That is where you can collect all of your information in one place. A blog is a different story. This is where you can get your voice out there and go into more detail when it comes to your brand. Talk about topics that are relevant to your career field and that you are knowledgeable about. Remember to do your research- this is writing that will represent you. You should also know who your audience is. Just like Toys R Us has an audience of children and adults with children, you shoul d have a clear idea of who you want to read your blog.

5 Tips for a More Successful Online Job Search

5 Tips for a More Successful Online Job Search5 Tips for a More Successful Online Job SearchBefore the rise of the Internet, the first distribution policy you would go to find out what jobs were available was your local nachrichtensendungpapers classified ads. Now, of course, you can see all manner of jobs, from any kind of employer, with a simple search on job boards like Monster or aggregation sites, such as Indeed and SimplyHired. And, with some quick clicking, you can apply to scores of jobs in an evening. Unfortunately, many people feel that this is the way you are supposed to conduct a job search to the exclusion of everything else. When you approach it this way, you are in for a long and frustrating experience with diminished chances for success. Recently, a person complained that hes been diligently applying to jobs on Indeed. He claimed to be selective and, over the last several months, sent out more than 80 applications. So, whats your response been to all this activity? he was asked. Nada. Zilch. Zero not a single interview, he reported with a marked sense of exasperation. People often dont realize how great the odds are stacked against job seekers for virtually every online advertisement. Recruiters and human resources screeners commonly see hundreds upon hundreds of resumes submitted in response to ads. Of those, only a scant few will result in a conversation. Yet, on the employer side, its not uncommon to find someone to hire by placing an advertisement. Put differently, you have only a small likelihood of success with any given response you make to an online job posting because each application is, statistically speaking, like flipping a coin. No matter how many jobs you apply to, youll still have the same odds one in however many scores or hundreds of applicants reply. At this point, you might throw up your hands in despair. Dont. There are things that you can do to increase your odds of being chosen for a position that fits you well. Her e are some strategies that are often most effective. 1. Take time to build your network, both in person and online. Attend networking events, participate in your professional organizations and introduce yourself to people. Practice the art of small talk. Understand that, with every new acquaintance you make, you enlarge your network. 2. Narrow your applications to a relatively few positions. Dont bother with a lot of Hail Marys for which you clearly arent well suited to meet the employers needs. Instead, look for positions where you can add value to employers. 3. Do your research before you reach out to the employer. Check out the company in the news or on LinkedIn. Figure out its challenges, and how you can add value with your skills and experience. Use this research as you make your case for being considered in your cover letter. 4. Figure out how you can network your way into the company before you apply. You can use LinkedIn to find people in the company you can proactively r each out to for informational interviews. Dont ask for help at the onset, but instead spend some time building a relationship and make yourself the first one to offer help before you ask for it. 5. Ask your contact if the company has an employee referral program. If so, would he be interested in forwarding your resume to the right person? Remember that, if youve already submitted your resume to the company, the employee wont get credit for your application, and that makes a big difference. Remember the old story of the tortoise and the hare. Slow but sure can win the race. The same is true with your job hunt. Go for fewer job applications, but do a thorough job of researching each and making a clear argument for how and why you can add value to the company. Its tedious work, but in the end, your chances of success will skyrocket. Happy hunting