Substantiate Yourself Part II

Substantiate Yourself Part II One of my favorite concepts was (poorly) captured in my (wordy) blog post Substantiate Yourself. Recently I was asked by a new graduate for my thoughts on her job search.  My advice started with this: 140 chars just isnt enough to share a thought sometimes.  Heres the second tweet, linking to my Substantiate Yourself post: She responded with this: and I responded with this: Again, 140 chars is not enough to get the point across, and I think even with that last tweet I failed to communicate it well. Let me break it down here. Very simply, this is what I have seen. A job seeker is in a job search, and eventually gets branded as a job seeker (needy, helpless, hurt, desperate, really trying hard to be positive, staying active, etc.). The longer they go, the more something might be wrong with them.  I had that happen to me even if no one thought that, I thought it about myself. When I started JibberJobber, which was a small project during my job search, something changed. I was different. I acted differently. I had a different attitude. Whats more, I had something that people could understand. I TOLD THEM who I was and what I did. They did not understand, even though they nodded their heads, and wanted to understand, and to help. I told them many times how they could help me, or what I was looking for. It wasnt until they could SEE a website (JibberJobber) that they understood. I was perplexed. How could they see one web interface and understand me? They really didnt understand who I was, but they thought they did. Going live with my website PROVED I was good. It proved something.  Im not sure exactly what it proved, or what they understood, but it was something almost-tangible that they could understand. The point of the post Substantiate Yourself is to do something (sound  familiar?  I wrote about doing it this week and last week) that can produce tangible, or near-tangible results so your contacts can finally understand. Even if they understand just 10% of you, thats more than before, and can open the door to more understanding. Whats more, when they understood, they were excited about introducing me to their contacts, and getting an excited introduction is much better than a forced or obligated introduction. How can you substantiate yourself? Substantiate Yourself Part II One of my favorite concepts was (poorly) captured in my (wordy) blog post Substantiate Yourself. Recently I was asked by a new graduate for my thoughts on her job search.  My advice started with this: 140 chars just isnt enough to share a thought sometimes.  Heres the second tweet, linking to my Substantiate Yourself post: She responded with this: and I responded with this: Again, 140 chars is not enough to get the point across, and I think even with that last tweet I failed to communicate it well. Let me break it down here. Very simply, this is what I have seen. A job seeker is in a job search, and eventually gets branded as a job seeker (needy, helpless, hurt, desperate, really trying hard to be positive, staying active, etc.). The longer they go, the more something might be wrong with them.  I had that happen to me even if no one thought that, I thought it about myself. When I started JibberJobber, which was a small project during my job search, something changed. I was different. I acted differently. I had a different attitude. Whats more, I had something that people could understand. I TOLD THEM who I was and what I did. They did not understand, even though they nodded their heads, and wanted to understand, and to help. I told them many times how they could help me, or what I was looking for. It wasnt until they could SEE a website (JibberJobber) that they understood. I was perplexed. How could they see one web interface and understand me? They really didnt understand who I was, but they thought they did. Going live with my website PROVED I was good. It proved something.  Im not sure exactly what it proved, or what they understood, but it was something almost-tangible that they could understand. The point of the post Substantiate Yourself is to do something (sound  familiar?  I wrote about doing it this week and last week) that can produce tangible, or near-tangible results so your contacts can finally understand. Even if they understand just 10% of you, thats more than before, and can open the door to more understanding. Whats more, when they understood, they were excited about introducing me to their contacts, and getting an excited introduction is much better than a forced or obligated introduction. How can you substantiate yourself? Substantiate Yourself Part II One of my favorite concepts was (poorly) captured in my (wordy) blog post Substantiate Yourself. Recently I was asked by a new graduate for my thoughts on her job search.  My advice started with this: 140 chars just isnt enough to share a thought sometimes.  Heres the second tweet, linking to my Substantiate Yourself post: She responded with this: and I responded with this: Again, 140 chars is not enough to get the point across, and I think even with that last tweet I failed to communicate it well. Let me break it down here. Very simply, this is what I have seen. A job seeker is in a job search, and eventually gets branded as a job seeker (needy, helpless, hurt, desperate, really trying hard to be positive, staying active, etc.). The longer they go, the more something might be wrong with them.  I had that happen to me even if no one thought that, I thought it about myself. When I started JibberJobber, which was a small project during my job search, something changed. I was different. I acted differently. I had a different attitude. Whats more, I had something that people could understand. I TOLD THEM who I was and what I did. They did not understand, even though they nodded their heads, and wanted to understand, and to help. I told them many times how they could help me, or what I was looking for. It wasnt until they could SEE a website (JibberJobber) that they understood. I was perplexed. How could they see one web interface and understand me? They really didnt understand who I was, but they thought they did. Going live with my website PROVED I was good. It proved something.  Im not sure exactly what it proved, or what they understood, but it was something almost-tangible that they could understand. The point of the post Substantiate Yourself is to do something (sound  familiar?  I wrote about doing it this week and last week) that can produce tangible, or near-tangible results so your contacts can finally understand. Even if they understand just 10% of you, thats more than before, and can open the door to more understanding. Whats more, when they understood, they were excited about introducing me to their contacts, and getting an excited introduction is much better than a forced or obligated introduction. How can you substantiate yourself?

When Delivering Feedback Should We Dwell on Our Strengths Marla Gottschalk

When Delivering Feedback â€" Should We Dwell on Our Strengths Marla Gottschalk Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash For some odd reason â€" performance feedback often becomes an exercise in dwelling upon our shortcomings. (Read a recent HBR post on feedback here.) As a psychologist, this concerns me deeply. I’m sure many of us agree that we learn more from shared feedback concerning our strengths. This likely occurs for a number of reasons, including not only how the information is delivered, but how we process the negative bits. We remain acutely aware that information about weaknesses shouldn’t be ignored. Yet when negative information enters the picture, things seem to go off the rails. On the delivery side, we know we should be addressing both sides of the coin. As recipients, most of us really do want to hear the whole story (even as we brace for it, gritting our teeth.) Still â€" we havent mastered the art. I fear that on many occasions we simply avoid it. On a related note, this predisposition sets our managers up for the unsavory task of ripping us down. I’ve never heard a manager say, “I can’t wait to deliver performance appraisals”. I wonder in this moment, if negative information is the reason why. We know it is loaded and can drive a perfectly constructive conversation into the proverbial ditch. Being honest about weaknesses while leaving our core fully intact, is not an easy stretch of the road to maneuver. Yet, we still need to complete the journey. As detailed here, confirmation bias can hide the deal-breaking flaws that affect our work (and organizations). But as human beings we have “tender” hearts when it comes to negative information. Resilience, that nifty quality that allows us to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off, is about self-efficacy â€" not self-doubt. So, I suppose “radical transparency” can have its pitfalls. I’m wondering is there is a way for the two goals to marry? How do we deliver negative information, yet leave our inner work life core intact? There are options that may help us. One theory, is hitting a comfortable ratio of positive to negative feedback that is offered. (Hint: We should dwell on the positive much more than the negative and a little negative information goes a long, long way). Another strategy is to use less judgemental language and present alternative behaviors, so that change doesn’t appear unreachable. This also demands that we note where someone is on the learning curve. This is all a very delicate process. You may have your own theory as well. There is probably a wealth of information living out there. Strategies that we have learned along the way. I do know that solving this is imperative. Let’s share both our experiences and ideas. Thoughts? Dr. Marla Gottschalk is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist. She is a charter member of the LinkedIn Influencer Program. Her thoughts on work life have appeared in various outlets including Talent Zoo, Forbes, Quartz and The Huffington Post.

Should You Take a Salary Cut for That Next Job

Should You Take a Salary Cut for That Next Job This question is one that stimulates varying opinions from prospective employees, hiring managers, recruiters, and wise counsel.But the final decision to take a salary cut will be made by the one considering the job. It’s understandable that you’ve worked hard for that salary, climbed the corporate ladder, negotiated that raise and now you’re faced with the prospect of a new job with a lower salary.Should You Take a Salary Cut for That Next Job?I must add that if you’re in a desperate financial situation and you need a job to feed your family, then that’s another scenario and discussion altogether. Let’s assume you have choices when making this decision. I'll tell you how I made my decision to take a more than $15,000 yearly pay cut by asking myself these 5 questions:1. Am I taking a pay cut to change careers?I actually went into an interview for a Business Development position but was offered an executive recruiter role. I was not looking to change careers when I went in for my initial job interview but when the opportunity arose I was actually thrilled at the prospect of embarking on a new career path with an established, well-respected, company willing to take a chance on me.The job piqued my interest, which grew into excitement. The only caveat was that I’d be taking a salary cut of more than $15K my normal yearly pay, but with the potential to earn more in commissions. There was no guarantee.I’d be starting my career over, taking a pay cut for a better job, and going back to the basics in a new industry. I had been in my current company and industry for 12 years. I could have easily gone to a competitor and got $15K to $20K more in pay. So, taking a salary cut was a real risk I had to think over.2. Does the new role bring more fulfillment?I would say a resounding, “Yes” in my scenario, especially the more I vacillated over this decision of taking a pay cut to change careers. I read aGallup Poll that said only 33 percent of American work ers were engaged in their work, which Forbes defines as “the emotional commitment the employee has to the organization and its goals”.This emotional commitment means engaged employees actually care about their work and their company. I had been in my previous role for so long with no productive change happening in my work area during the last few years. So, I was losing the passion I once had for the work that I was doing, which is important for me in my career.The thought of having a job where I interacted with people I’m trying to genuinely help in their future job endeavors was something I craved. I knew of people in my inner circle that were looking for jobs. Just think of the hundreds of others I’d be trying to help. At least, that’s where my rational mind took me.3. Will taking a pay cut for a better job help in my future endeavors?Like many people, I have a lot going on in my life. In addition to working outside of the house full-time, spending regular quality time with my husband, and staying actively involved in my kids' endeavors, I run my own blog.When I was presented with the prospect of becoming a recruiter I was not only delighted but looked beyond the job and into the future. One of the responsibilities I’d be tasked with would be to interview a minimum of ten candidates per week, in-person.I saw this as a way to improve my communication skills and refine my interviewing abilities since I regularly interview people for my blog. For me, there was the prospect of taking a salary cut, but I’d be growing in the process.4. Will I have more work-life balance?According to a recentCNBC report, a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the average American works 44 hours per week or 8.8 hours per day. A 2014 national Gallup Poll put the average number at 47 hours per week, or 9.4 hours per day, with many saying they work 50 hours per week.I was presented with the prospect of a great work-life balance with this new opportunity and it sounded appealing. Since I have young kids it was something I was striving for.I had put in more than my share of late nights at my previous company, so I definitely needed more balance and if that came with taking a pay cut for a better job I was willing to consider it.5. Can my household afford the salary cut?Consider all the bills, debts, family needs, etc., you regularly pay out. I live in a 2-income household so matters of money are something that must be discussed. My husband and I weighed the pros and cons together and found that we could afford the salary cut.And it might even be worth it for the reward of a new career that brought more passion, more balance, and more overall fulfillment. And besides, if I couldn’t afford the salary cut then the above points wouldn’t matter to my decision.All in all, taking the leap of faith in a new job, with less pay, was the best move for me. Keep in mind, there are other reasons people consider a salary cut like a shorter commute, m ove to a new city, you’re unemployed, you’re transitioning to non-profit, and many other reasons.Every Scenario Is DifferentIs the prospect of taking a salary cut a risk? Yes, it is, so weigh the pros and cons.You just might find that in your scenario that taking a pay cut for a better job is a risk worth the reward.

Conflict An Opportunity To Learn

Conflict An Opportunity To Learn Conflict is something to avoid.  Isnt it?  For most of us, since we were little conflict was something that must be resolved as quickly as possible.  Or even better, avoided altogether.  In our no-shades-of-gray world, conflict was placed squarely in the bad column.  But what if conflict isnt bad at all?  What if its really a naturally occurring tool to spur us to making positive changes in the world around us? What Is Conflict? Sometimes, we toss words and concepts around without clear definitions.  Sometimes, even the way we do define things gets in the way.  In regards to conflict, Nate Regier has a short and intriguing definition: Conflict is energy. If you can accept that definition, then its easy to see that the problem isnt the conflict.  Its the energy.  Or more specifically the kind of energy that is of concern.  In his book Conflict Without Casualties, he goes on to examine that energy. Struggle Against or With? Theres a huge difference in working, or struggling, to defeat something or someone, and struggling to achieve a desirable outcome.  When the struggle or conflict is framed as an opportunity to learn and create an acceptable result, the energy takes on a much more positive feel. Metaphorically, its like choosing to paddle a canoe against a churning current or choosing to work with the current, and let it help you to your destination.  Its not that the current is bad or good, its simply how you view it and use it. Drama or Compassion? Often, the conflict we experience is accompanied by drama.  While either embracing or pushing away the drama will likely be unproductive, theres another option.  When confronted with conflict and drama, showing compassion and understanding is an effective alternative.  Applying the wisdom of Stephen R. Covey, seek first to understand, then to be understood, is exactly whats required. Conflict Without Casualties is a thought-provoking look at conflict and how to effectively respond with what Regier calls compassionate accountability.  Id highly recommend it.  Its written from a business perspective, but the concepts presented are equally applicable in all relationships.

How to Create an Eye-Catching, Graphic-Design-Focused Resume - CareerMetis.com

How to Create an Eye-Catching, Graphic-Design-Focused Resume - â€" CareerMetis.com Source: Shutterstock.comWhen you are trying to land a job as a graphic designer, you need a resume that does more than tells the reader about your experience in the field. You need one that shows off what you can do. This can be tricky, but it’s a rare opportunity. There aren’t very many fields in which you can show off your work-related skills right on the resume, and this unique opportunity is something every graphic designer should take advantage of.The design of your resume can set you apart from fellow applicants and give employers an idea of your style as well as your skills. While it still needs to contain relevant contact information, qualifications, etc., you can do so in a way that shows off your capabilities. Because the standard rules don’t apply, though, creating an impressive graphic-design-focused resume isn’t easy.Whether you have been working in the field for several years or you are a recent graduate looking to land your first gig, here are a few tips for cr eating an eye-catching and professional graphic design resume.1. Start with the BasicsevalevalNo matter what type of job you are applying for, start with your full contact information, including your name, email address, website URL, and phone number. If you are submitting the document via snail mail, you’ll also need to include your address. This information should be placed either at the top or bottom of the page. If your resume is more than one page long, make sure your contact information is on each page.List your work experience and your education, starting with the most recent. Include dates, job titles, and a brief synopsis for every piece of work experience you list. Keep it short, though. An overly wordy resume won’t get you far when you are applying for a job in the graphic design field.2. Use the Right SoftwareMicrosoft Word is an excellent tool for creating resumes…if you aren’t a graphic designer. When building a graphic-design-focused resume, it’s best to use design software like Illustrator or InDesign. These programs allow you to develop cohesive designs that work well for both printed and digital resumes. Using them to create your resume also shows off your skills for working with the tools that frequently surface in the field.3. Think Twice Before Using a TemplateResume templates are useful, but, if you’re applying for a graphic design job, you probably shouldn’t use them. Your resume is an opportunity to show off your skills, and if a prospective employer discovers that you used a template rather than designing one yourself, you probably aren’t going to get the job.Even if the hiring manager doesn’t realize you created your resume using a template, it could still lead to problems. If they are impressed by design and later discover that it’s not something you are capable of doing on your own, you may not be able to hold on to the job for very long.Ideally, you should create your design that showcases your capabilities. If you are running short on time and feel you absolutely must use a template, you should, at the very least, make enough alterations to make it your own.4. Be Mindful of Font and Color ChoicesSource: Shutterstock.comIn most fields, basic black and a plain font are your best bet for a resume. As a designer, though, you are free to get a bit more creative. While you should be careful to ensure that your resume is legible and easy to read, using various fonts and pops of color could help make your resume stand out.evalWhen choosing fonts, look for ones that are simple and easy to read. Use a few different fonts to make certain elements stand out, but don’t go overboard. Be careful when choosing colors, too. Generally, it’s best to stick with darker colors that aren’t difficult to read. Yellow ink on white paper isn’t a good choice, but you could make a big impression by using colors like burgundy or navy blue in addition to basic black. It’s also beneficial to print your resume with a quality laser or inkjet printer, on high-quality paper. This extra effort will be noticed and appreciated.eval5. Show Off Your Personality and StyleGraphic design jobs are few and far between, and it’s common for hiring managers to receive hundreds of resumes for a single position. While your resume should be simple and easy to read, adding small touches to show off your personality and style will help set you apart from the competition. Choose a non-traditional format. Highlight your achievements using your favorite color. Make a chart or diagram that showcases your skills.While adding too many personal touches could result in a disaster of a resume, sprinkling a few in here and there helps set you apart from other applicants and gives the readers a better feel of who you are and whether your style is one that will suit their needs.Source: Shutterstock.com… But Don’t Get Too Crazy with Your DesignShowing off your creativity could help you land your dream job, but getti ng carried away could wreck your chances. Add personal touches, but resist the temptation to do something off-the-wall. Sometimes great risk leads to great rewards, but, more often, going too far outside of the box is likely to cost you. Express your creativity in a way that is relevant to the job and which won’t annoy your prospective new boss. There are lots of ideas for creative resumes, but be careful not to get too creative for your audience.IN CONCLUSIONevalAs a graphic designer, you already know all about how to create things that are eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing. By applying these skills to your resume, you can set yourself apart from fellow candidates and put yourself one step closer to landing the job of your dreams.

Careers In the Stock Market - CareerAlley

Careers In the Stock Market - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The stock market is where the public can come to buy or sell equity holdings in corporations. It is a very large market. For example, the New York Stock Exchange had a market capitalization of over $28 trillion at the end of June 2018. Such a huge market will naturally spawn a lot of lucrative jobs. For those that might want a change of career after adequate consideration, we will take a closer look at four of the best careers in the stock market arena. Careers in Financial Services are some of the most challenging and rewarding careers. It is certainly one of the higher-paying industries and the last few years has seen renewed hiring and plenty of opportunities if you know where to look. Tweet This 1. Portfolio Managers These are the people responsible for managing investment assets in the form of stocks and bonds for specific individuals, families, and or institutional bodies. Usually, the portfolio manager follows a mandate agreed with the investor, then carefully screens stock with tools like the FinViz Screener for the construction of the clients portfolio. At other times, the mandate is pre-defined and then the investing public can buy into it, as in the case of mutual funds. They constantly evaluate portfolios under their management to ensure that the mandate is being followed and the investment objectives are being achieved. Training Requirements An undergraduate degree in finance, economics, or any management science is a basic requirement. Some years of experience in Asset Management is also a must. Then there is the statutory FINRA Series 66 license, and then one or more professional qualifications, with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter being the most recognized. Portfolio managers remunerations are very competitive with a lot of bonuses, especially when investment targets are met or exceeded. Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay 2. Stockbroker The buying and selling of stocks are usually done by highly trained licensed individuals called stockbrokers who are themselves employees of brokerage firms. These firms are members of the exchange that are allowed to trade on behalf of other individuals and firms. The brokerage firms charge a fee or commission for each trade, but compensation for the traders usually comes as monthly emoluments and productivity bonuses. It is one of the most highly paid jobs in the finance industry. Training Requirements Stockbroker jobs require, at the minimum, a bachelors degree in finance or economics to be employed in a brokerage firm. Then one or more licenses will be required and these licenses can only be obtained by passing one or more licensing examinations. These exams vary according to country, In the United States, one has to hold at least the FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) Series 7 and series 63 or 66 licenses and be sponsored by a broker-dealer or investment firm that is a member of the exchange. The job requires that the individual be able to perform under stress. Applicants for this role must be highly focused and analytical with good communication and strong interpersonal skills. 3. Financial Analyst This is a very important role in the stock market industry and analysts are found both on the buy-side and the sell-side of the market. Financial analysts can be qualitative or quantitative. Either way, they serve to advise traders, portfolio managers, and a lot of other decision-makers in the industry. Quantitative analysts look at trends and crunch numbers to try and predict which direction a stock, or even the market, maybe going. Qualitative analysts do a holistic review of a company, its fundamentals, its industry, and the general economy, to try and predict the direction its stock is going. Training Requirements Financial analysts must have a minimum of a bachelors degree preferably in the management field, economics, or even mathematics. They are expected to have strong analytical and excellent communication skills to be recruited into a firm. After recruitment, they are taken through rigorous training in securities analyses if they do not already possess relevant professional qualifications. The Chartered Financial Analyst designation is the premium professional qualification for practitioners in various fields of the investment management industry. Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash 4. Investment Banking This is the field of banking that is dedicated to raising capital for other companies or even government bodies. Investment banks analyze and underwrite new debt and equity issuance for most private corporations, government agencies, and municipal councils. They handle most large and sophisticated banking transactions as well as provide financial advisory for large corporations. They help to arrange mergers and acquisitions and help in the sale of securities by facilitating trade for institutional and private clients. In essence, they are the go-between for companies and investors. Training Requirements Investment bankers are arguably the best-paid professionals in the finance industry. This is quite fitting as their job requires very specialized knowledge and extensive training. Educational requirements start with a minimum of an MBA, and most times the rigorous CFA professional charter is also a requirement. Extensive on-the-job training also goes into making an investment banker. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Get The Help You Need With Resume Builder Apps

Get The Help You Need With Resume Builder AppsIf you are not familiar with the term 'resume builder app,' you may want to revisit that time you were in high school. You know, back when you had to build a resume all by yourself. Well, most people these days have access to the resources that you did not when you were in high school, so you have to keep up and make sure your resume reflects what you want it to portray.The resume builder app has several things in common with the traditional resume. It has a cover page, which will list your name, the company you work for, and your position title, and you can add your work history if you wish. You should be able to post to your personal page as well if you choose to do so.Then there is the portfolio which lists the qualifications and additional information that you have. In most cases, employers prefer to receive resumes that are detailed and complete. By leaving off key details, you are actually reducing your chances of getting a job. The re is no reason to include anything that would be considered irrelevant.While it may seem unusual, there are some individuals who find it necessary to have the ability to customize their resume to reflect the way they think and feel about the job in today's world. If you feel that the career you are pursuing requires a more personalized approach, a resume builder may be the way to go.These apps allow you to create three different options. The first option allows you to write from scratch, and simply includes the basics. The second option allows you to write the resume on your own, but gives you the ability to adjust some key details for some positions, such as contact information or related jobs.The third option is one of the most popular, as it allows you to use popular search engines to locate jobs that match your qualifications. It also allows you to sort your job search based on the time frame that you prefer, such as short-term jobs or long term jobs.One of the best parts of th e app is that it offers developer tools that you can download to help you write the perfect resume. These tools can be useful for those who are new to resume writing or for those who need a little help figuring out how to write the perfect cover letter.The most important thing to remember when you are considering investing in an app like this is that you need to get the best results possible, and you need to know exactly what you are getting before you spend any money. This is especially true if you need to buy in bulk, which is a very common scenario.