Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Want to read more books without losing comprehension Learn to resist regression

Want to read more books without losing comprehension Learn to resist regressionWant to read more books without losing comprehension Learn to resist regressionReading is not a human ability hardwired into our brains.Its a skill that takes practice. But rapid reading is not a difficult skill to learn, says Peter Kump, author ofBreakthrough Rapid Reading.Reading can transform your health, wealth, and productivity.Comprehension has always been more important than just reading.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWithout comprehension, reading is a wasted effort.You read because you want to learn something new, improve a specific skill or enjoy a great narrative or novel.Comprehension is the core of reading any material. Its also the reason many people spend a lot of time on a single book.The one habit that may be hindering your progress when you choose to read is regression. But you can eliminate your reading inefficiencies and increase your reading speed while improving retention.Regression (backtracking)One of the biggest obstacles to speed reading is regression.Its the habit of re-reading something you have already read in buchung to be sure you really understood the message you read.When regression is compulsive, the habit can be harder to break.When you regress like this, you lose the flow and structure of the text, and your overall understanding of the subject can decrease. Be very conscious of regression, and dont allow yourself to re-read material unless you absolutely have to,saysApril Troester, PhD.Lack of confidence in your reading skills can cause regression.If you dont trust yourself to have fully understood what youve just read, you will regress all the time.For many readers, this can happen over and over and over again.Instead of improving their reading habits, many people use this habit to refocus when they feel they are being distracted.In as much as you think regression is helping you, it actually slows you down more than you think.Regression probably wastes about a third of every hour you spend reading.Its like taking two steps forward with your eyes and one step back, and for many people, a lot more than one step back.Sometimes - but not very often - regression necessary, especially if you are reading about a technical subject and want to understand better.Or when the author is not engaging better and you have to figure out the message yourself.But more often than not, people regress because its a habit theyve developed over time.If you are aiming to read faster and get the most important ideas in any book you pick up, you have to quit the habit of going back to chapters youve already read.Instead of revisiting pages, what you could do is to focus better, remove distractions and aim to read a particular number of pages every time you start reading again.Improve your concentration habit, and you wont have to regress so ma ny times before you actually schliff that book.When your brain develops the habit of re-reading at any time, it relaxes and does not concentrate properly because it knows it will go back at some point.It stops you from immersing yourself deeply in any book.When that happens, you wont fully grasp all the ideas in the book.How to quit regressingThe simplest approach to stop re-reading over and over again is to choose books or topics you deeply care about.Reading a book should be an experience that provides you joy and value, not something to labor through,saysPatrick Allen of Lifehacker.If reading takes more effort and its a struggle, youre going to want to do less of it.Before you even start reading any book, ask yourself if you are curious enough about the topic to give it your full attention or concentration.Passive readers hardly finish any book because they are not curious enough.They read because they have time to spend instead of investing in a topic.Get curious before you even start reading.What do you look for in any book you choose? Let that be your guide and you will focus better when you read.Schedule you reading and stick to your allocated time.Get curious before you even start reading.What do you look for in any book you choose? Let that be your guide and you will focus better when you read.Schedule you reading and stick to your allocated time.Example, you can set aside half an hour of your time to read your favorite book without distraction.Start by eliminating all the distractions that may prevent you from reading (social media, email notifications, news notifications, background music, etc.).You could disable all notifications on your phone.You will be more focused when its only you and book you are reading.Aim to concentrate the whole half an hour.Dont hurry the process.Just enjoy the book and the ideas the author is conveying during that time.To retain the information better, you can take notes after every reading sprint.Use the 50/50 principl eto retain better and remember the core ideas of any book. You wont have to regress if you are not distracted.To reduce the number of times you backtrack, Troesterrecommendsyou ansturm a pointer (a finger, a pen, or the cursor) along the line as you read.Your eyes will follow the tip of your pointer, helping you avoid skipping back. The speed at which you read using this method will largely depend on the speed at which you move the pointer, she says.Its important to note that you dont have to finish every book to fully embrace better reading habits.I tend to have at least 5 books in my active pile of books Im currently reading, but I try not to regress to make real progress as I focus on comprehending the ideas in each book.Closing thoughtsRegression seriously slows your reading speed.The good news is, you can easily replace it with a better habit, but it takes concentration and practice.Start slow and aim to make progress instead of trying to change the habit as soon as possible, e specially if your brain is already used to re-reading all the time.Quitting regression can increase your reading speed and help you read more books every months or year.As you invest more time reading, it will get easier and you know what habits are helping you read more books.This article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Thursday, December 26, 2019

4 Common Resume Red Flags and How to Fix Them

4 Common Resume Red Flags and How to Fix Them 4 Common Resume Red Flags and How to Fix Them If your job search hasnt been going too well, it may be because your resume contains some of these red flags. This is why its vital that you look over your resume thoroughly to identify and address any possible red flags. Doing so could turn your arduous job search into an absolute breeze or at least make things easier on you.Here are fourclassic red flags to look for on your resume, along with some tips on how to address them1. Being UnemployedThere is considerable bias against unemployed applicants, according to research from The Pew Charitable Trusts.This bias grows worse the longer one is unemployed Those who have been unemployed for six months or longer haveto send out, on average, 3.5 times as many resumes as the short-term unemployed before they receivean interview invite.Employers dont really have any just cause for this bias, but the fact remains that being unemployed is seen as a red flag for many companies.What canyou do about it?First, never apologize forbeing unemployed. Unemployment is simply a fact of life especially in todays economy. Dont feed the interviewers bias by painting your unemployment in a negative light. Just focus on the positives. Where possible, show that you have successfully gotten interviews and received good feedback. This will put many employers at ease, as it will show them that other organizations thing well enough of you to give you a shot. Third-party validation will enhance your credibility in the eyes of most any interviewer.Second, be sure tooutline any new skills you have learned while unemployed especially skills that areimmediatelyrelevant to the job at hand. Doing so will show employers that, contrary to their biases, being unemployed has actually helped youimprove.2. Unexplained Gaps in ResumesUnexplained gaps in a resume make employers feel like youre hiding something.Combat this by actually explaining the gaps. Dont justpresent the gaps on your resume outline exactly what you were doing while you were out of work.Were you studying, volunteering, taking a sabbatical, looking for work, looking after a sick loved one, or raising children? These pursuits canall addgreater value to a resume than an unexplained gap. For example, if you were raising children, you probably picked up a variety of transferable management and coordination skills. Emphasize these on your resume3. Multiple Short Tenures (A.K.A., a History of Job Hopping)Employers are slowly beginning to understand thatjob hopping is the new normal. These days, the lifelong job has been largely replaced by shorter tenures, and employers simply have to accept this fact.Nevertheless,some employers are stuck in their old ways, and they continue to view short tenures with suspicion. To combat this suspicion, show employers that you are a responsiblejob hopper. Prove to employers that you have always honored and completed all contracts and proje cts before leaving a company. Show employers, too, that you always provide the proper notice you dont just up and leaveIts also worth showing employers that you have a history of performing well in each job, no matter how short your time there was. You can do this by listing your achievements in each role on your resume. You should also try to get as many LinkedIn recommendations as possible, which will demonstrate to employers that you left your previous roles on good terms.Employers should know that, for you, job hopping is a deliberate part of your career strategy, and that you deliver great value to every employer you work with, regardless of your length of time with each company.4.A Template ResumeIts fairly easy to spot a generic resume that has not been tailored to a specific job opening. If youre simply firing off template resumes to every opening you come across, employers will pick up on that fact and many of them will instantly dismiss you because of it.Make sure you wr ite a tailored deckblatt letter and resume for each and every application. Emphasizeyourskills and qualities that are most relevant to this position and company.-There are plenty of reasons that a resume might be rejected and, often, resumes are rejected for very good reasons. Sometimes, you just arent the right person for the job.That being said, its never a bad idea to tighten up your resume by addressing these red flags. Doing so will greatly improve your chances of landing an interview and maybe even the role itself.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

How To Subtly Network At A Holiday Party

How To Subtly Network At A Holiday PartyHow To Subtly Network At A Holiday PartyThe holiday season is the perfect time to network for your next job. Its the best time to reconnect with old colleagues and meet new connections that can lead to job leads. The trick to networking during the holidays is to leave your job search agenda at the door, and just enjoy yourself. Here are some ways to use the plethora of social gatherings to your advantage in your job hunt.Motivate yourself to attend the party.You might have a million other things youd rather do than go to a holiday party, but the face-to-face interaction can propel your job search ahead. Were lucky to have technology like email and LinkedIn to reconnect with former colleagues, but its definitely easier to connect in person. It is also easier to build a relationship with a new acquaintance in person versus reaching out to them on social media or a cold email. Guests also tend to be be more relaxed at a holiday party that at a nor mal networking event. Attend a class or workshop instead. If youre really dreading holiday parties, at least put yourself out there by attending a class or workshop related to your industry. Youll learn a new skill, and meet people who might have connections to people in need of someone with your skill set. Attending a class or workshop might be ideal for people who arent as outgoing because there isnt any pressure to mingle with others, while at holiday parties the main purpose is to socialize. The lightened pressure to network, can make it easier for you to make valuable connections. Plant seeds and reap benefits later.Networking at a holiday party is for planting seeds, and following up later to reap the benefits. Use the event as a jumping board for a later meet-up or informational interview. At the holiday party, just enjoy the conversation and let it organically lead to how youre looking for your next career move. A tactful way to let someone know youre interested in a post-pa rty meet-up is, Id love to learn more. We should grab coffee or lunch soon to discuss. Make sure to exchange contact information, and gracefully move on to another guest. Throw your own get-together.Planning your own holiday happy hour will ensure that youre in control of the guest list and the entire feel of the party. Make sure to include invitees on your guest list from the same industry or job function as well as inviting any colleague you would like to know better. Encourage invitees to bring along another guest, and promote talk between strangers by introducing everyone. Soon, you will be the buzz of the party and you can use your new connections to find new job leads in the new year.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

How imaginary deadlines can boost productivity

How imaginary deadlines can boost productivityHow imaginary deadlines can boost productivityDo you tend to procrastinate and cut your timing too close to your deadlines? Whether youre a job seeker, employee, freelancer, or entrepreneur, youre likely used to working toward deadlines that are set by a hiring manager, employer, or client. But sometimes waiting to start a project based on when it is actually due can cause you to procrastinate.If this is the case, you might benefit from a different approach to time management creating imaginary deadlines. An imaginary or internal deadline is simply an intermediary step you can use toPut power back into your hands about your work processGive yourself a sense of having more time to reach your goalsHelp you reach your due dates with less last-minute stressPower a productivity boost by building in a cushion for your momentumBy setting an internal deadline that you work toward independent of your real deadline imposed by a boss or client, you can kickstart your creative juices and avoid 11th-hour scrambling to complete your deliverables. Follow the steps below to learn how to effectively set imaginary deadlines no matter what your line of work is.Work backwardsSetting an imaginary deadline isnt rocket science- it just takes commitment and a calendar. Theres no magic formula for selecting an internal deadline the key is to pick a date thats far enough ahead of your drop-dead deadline to give you a comfortable cushion for any unexpected challenges that may arise.A good rule of thumb in setting your internal deadline when you have an actual deadline of two weeks is to work backwards one week from your real deadline and see what happens. Pretend as you work that you really, honestly, no-matter-what must get everything completed not in two weeks, but in a single week. If it ends up difficult or impossible to complete the full workload in that time, at least you will be a week ahead of where you would have been if youd waited to start later in the process- and youll still have a week left for completion.Harness the energy of just startingAnyone who struggles to get out the door to exercise- but ultimately triumphs in this task- knows the power of beginning. Once you take that first step to walk, run, or bike down the road, momentum kicks in and you wonder what took so long to get you started. When it comes to working out, getting out the door is half the battle. So too with your work projects- once you make that anfangsbuchstabe move to commence the task, one action leads to the next.Before you know it, youve created energy that develops a life of its own, leading you to do what needs to be completed next and powering your productivity. By setting an imaginary deadline, you enable yourself to benefit earlier from the power of getting started, and you give yourself a longer runway to get more done once youve cleared that first hurdle.Make it easier for yourselfIf just getting started is easier said than d one for you, then you may need to do a few things on the front end to grease the wheels for this to happen. Just as runners can improve their chances of actually getting out the door for their morning run by selecting their workout clothes and shoes the night before, you as a worker can kickstart your motivation and creative juices with some preparation.Gather all of the materials youll need for the project before you start working in earnest on it, whether thats requesting files from a client, asking your supervisor for initial guidance on a preliminary question, or simply organizing your thoughts around what needs to be done. By starting to sort out these items in advance of the real work beginning, youll be familiarizing yourself with the task, making it much easier to dive in when youre ready.Job seekers give up cram preparationSearching for work brings its own set of sometimes difficult time pressures, so imaginary deadlines can really help you organize your job search. For exa mple, if you have an interview scheduled in a weeks time and your usual style is to use cram preparation the night before, researching the company and practicing your responses to potential hiring-team questions, why not push up your process by three days and get things done ahead of your usual schedule? That way, youll have more time during the week to rehearse your answers if needed, and you can use the night before the interview to rest up and review logistics for arriving at your meeting on time.You may be thinking, But I always manage to reach my actual deadlines even if Im panicked before I do it Even if you ultimately meet your cut-off date by pulling an all-nighter and submitting your project under the wire moments before its due, powered by a rush of adrenaline, this isnt a healthy way to work long-term, and can cause you to feel resentful and burnt out over time- a clear productivity killer. Using the tactic of imaginary-deadline setting can help you reach the finish line in a way thats much more graceful, sustainable, and ultimately productive.This article was originally published on FlexJobs.com.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Use EFT Become Brilliant Public Speaker

Use EFT Become Brilliant Public Speaker Use EFT Become Brilliant Public Speaker Use EFT to Become a Brilliant Public SpeakerWeve all heard the statisticsthat public speaking is one of our greatest fears and some people are more afraid of giving a speech than dying. As Jerry Seinfeld once said, To the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, youre better off in the coffin than giving the eulogy. Of course, there are many methods for overcoming this common phobia, including the venerable and highly successful Toastmasters International. There is a lesser-known technique that, with some simple training, takes only a few minutes a day, can be practiced in the privacy of your home or office, and can transform you into a confident, masterful speaker. Its called the Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. Created by Gary Craig, an engineering graduate from Stanford University, the technique is based on the idea that when we experience distress, a disruption occurs within our energy path ways, or meridians, causing a negative emotion that results in an energy blockage. That blockage can be released with EFT. Many untreated negative emotions (energy blockages) such as trauma, grief, stress, and betrayal often lead to emotional issues and fears that keep us from doing the things we want to do, or create intense stress when we do themlike public speaking, says Paula Winchel, a certified clinical hypnotherapist, performance coach, and EFT coach in Madison, WI. EFT is the process of sending positive impulses through the energy pathways by tapping on the endpoints of the major meridians on the face and upper torso. This clears the blockages caused by the original events so the energy can flow and the negative emotions dissipate, allowing the once-stressful act to be viewed in a new, positive light. Fear of Public Speaking Fear of public speaking is often the result of deeply held, limiting beliefs about the selfthings like fear of rejection, feelings of inadequacy, being afraid of looking foolish or failingall of which contribute to a lack of confidence. These limiting beliefs often result from childhood experiences and are compounded by later uncomfortable, painful, or humiliating events that seem to reinforce the truth of these deeper feelings. The fear of public speaking is often a complex issue stemming from past events, the subconscious belief system that welches created from those events, and the actual components of the nervousness leading up to the talk, standing in front of the audience, creating the speech, the uncomfortable or embarrassing physical sensations, etc., says Winchel. Each part needs to be addressed. Any negative feeling or emotion can be dealt with immediately using the basic EFT process taught by Winchel and Craig. If you find yourself suddenly having to give a speech in 30 minutes, this quick and easy EFT allows you to calm your nerves, release fear, and regulate breathing. Honest Reflection However, most fears have much de eper causes that require more time to be addressed. Honest reflection (often on unpleasant experiences) is needed to understand the past events that have created these negative blockages. Once understood, however, specific core affirmations or statements can be developed that are repeated during tapping, weakening and releasing these blockages at a deeper level and speeding personal improvement. Winchel herself once harbored extreme fears of public speaking but is now an accomplished public speaker and presenterthanks to EFT, she says. I remember being up the entire night before my friends wedding because all I could think about was the three-minute toast I had to give, she says. Now I feel very confident to lead a four-hour presentation at a corporate retreat. The first time I used tapping before a talk my nervous system was amazingly relaxedI even yawned on the way to the event. Once I got there I was actually excited to do the talkit was such a completely different public speakin g experience than I had ever experienced. Once the negative emotions around public speaking are released or neutralized, you can use EFT to build your confidence and charisma and actually look forward to speaking. Mark Crawford is an independent writer.The fear of public speaking is often a complex issue stemming from past eventsthe subconscious belief system that was created from those events.Paula Winchel, hypnotherapist

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Good Objectives for Resume - What Is It?

Good Objectives for Resume - What Is It? The Fight Against Good Objectives for Resume Our resume builder makes it simple to create a well-written resume in a couple of minutes. Employing an online resume builder is a powerful tool that will help you compose a winning resume. As a consequence the resume may be put under file. Your resume was made to sell one particular productyou. Facts, Fiction and Good Objectives for Resume Bear in mind the objective of the objective statement is to acquire the recruiter interested enough to learn more about the remainder of your resume. To answer that question, you want to learn how to compose an objective statement that could sum up all the strongest points of your resume inside a few sentences. You must have five objective statements. You may learn to compose a resume objective pretty easily, because its a comparatively straightforward statement of intent. A Startling Fact about Good Objectives for Resume Uncovered Stick to the stand ard education and experience format, but be aya your resume can lead prospective employers to your on-line presence, Collamer states. Knowing the fundamental steps of writing a good resume does not indicate you have to write alone. Therefore, if youre searching for a new job, it is very important that your resume stands from the crowd to guarantee you a spot on the shortlist. As you definitely want a great job, your audience would like to understand what you can do for them. If you wish to emphasis on your previous knowledge in your resume career objective below are some examples youll be able to look at. Employers like to realize that you have work experience of some sort, at least. When youre crafting your resume objective, you should concentrate on particular abilities and experiences which are directly associated with the job. When you compose a resume for work, you include what job you wish to acquire. In most instances, a resume objective is merely a couple of sentence s long. Well-crafted resume objectives are able to convince an employer a candidate is acquainted with a position, the business and the requirement for success in that area. Your resume objective ought to be relevant and targeted to every different job prospect. As a result, while your resume objective should incorporate information on the career which you want, you also need to spell out why you are the perfect candidate for the job. You might not know where to start in regards to writing a resume objective. An objective is a brief statement that clarifies your goals concerning the form of employment desired and the way in which your skills make you a nice fit. The aim on a resume tells a possible employer what your teen hopes to escape his job. Writing a winning college student career objective is a fairly simple approach to bolster your application for this internship or job youve got in sight. If you should have an objective, make certain its the perfect one. An objective is a brief statement that defines a specific aim or goal. It has to be personally-tailored to the employer. It is also a good place to mention some of your skills. Actually, youre able to actually hinder your probability of getting called for an interview due to your objective. It is thus very important to understand how to compose a captivating Objective if you need your resume to get a possibility of getting you the much desired interviews. Whilst you write your summary for your resume, attempt to think of what you want them to discuss with you, and what exactly you desire an opportunity to discuss.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Evening for Women in Gaming with Zyngas Women Tech Leaders

Evening for Women in Gaming with Zyngas Women Tech Leaders Attention Austin-based women in gaming PowerToFly is thrilled to be partnering with Zynga, a global leader in interactive entertainment, to present a one-night-only evening of networking and tech talks led by Zyngas women tech leaders. This is your chance to meet the women behind franchises like CSR Racing, Empires Puzzles, Merge Dragons, Words With Friends and Zynga Poker. We have plenty of other fun surprises in store for the night so you wont want to miss itThe event will be held on Wednesday, June 19th from 530pm to 8pm at Zyngas office, located at 12357A Riata Trace Parkway, Suite 200, Building 5, Austin.Agenda (Subject to Change)530pm - Check-In Networking over Food Refreshments600pm - Event Kickoff by PowerToFly605pm - Keynote Address by Zyngas Janean Bowen, Senior Director of HR and Andrew Ice, VP of Product (Social Casino).615pm - Tech Talk Product Demo featuring from ZyngaLauren Adabie, Data Analyst 3 (Slots)Tam i Sigmund, Lead Producer (Wizard of Oz Slots)Savanna Scales, Art Director (Wizard of Oz Slots)Michelle Del Rosario, Principal Software Engineer (Match 3)635pm - Panel Discussion + Audience QA featuring women leaders from ZyngaLauren Adabie, Data Analyst 3 (Slots)Tami Sigmund, Lead Producer (Wizard of Oz Slots)Savanna Scales, Art Director (Wizard of Oz Slots)Tracey Thomas, Learning and Development ManagerKatherine James, Principal Game Designer705pm - Networking Continues over Food RefreshmentsZynga actively cultivates a culture of diversity, creativity, and growth in the pursuit of their core mission Connecting the World Through Games. Zynga offers competitive pay, industry leading perks and benefits, and an environment committed to success for all.50% female representation on the Zynga Board of DirectorsRecognized by Comparably for Best CEO for Women and Best Company for DiversityWomen at Zynga and zPride are our most active Employee Resource GroupsCharter member of the California Pay Equity PledgeSignatory in Human Rights Campaign Business meinung for Transgender EqualityMost teams can accommodate a flexible work scheduleChampion of Gamers for Good - Zyngas Charitable Match ProgramzCares enables our employees to give back through volunteering opportunitiesZynga is focused on building a stable and durable businessAbout our Events All RSVPd attendees are welcome, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, or age. If you require accommodation to fully participate in this event, please email hipowertofly.com, and we will contact you to discuss your specific needs.Unfortunately, PowerToFly and Zynga cannot admit outside recruiters to this particular event. Please email hipowertofly.com if you have any questions about this policy.Related Articles Around the Web Zynga Aki Merced

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

7 Quick and Easy Resume Hacks You Need to Know

7 Quick and Easy Resume Hacks You Need to Know 7 Quick and Easy Resume Hacks You Need to Know In an ideal world, wed all have hours on end at our disposal to learnhow to write a resume and tailor it to each position we apply for. In reality, nobody has that kind of time, so we have to strike a balance between working efficiently and creating attention-grabbing job application materials. Sometimes, the best option is to make use of simple solutions to get the job done as well as we can in the time available to us.With that in mind, are are seven quick and easy resume hacks everyone should know1. Use a Resume BuilderThe structure of your resume is as important as its content, and no recruiterwill read a submission that is sloppy or poorly organized. Reputable resume builders and resume templates can help by doing the formatting work for you, saving you the hassle of making difficult decisions about font, color, headers, and section order.2.Use Word Clouds to Identify Important Keywor dsMost employers use applicant tracking systems (ATSs) to screen resumesbefore they are seen by any human team members. These ATSs look for specific keywords in your resume,forwarding only those resumes that contain the right keywords to the hiring team.Tapping into the power of keywords is one of the most important resume hacks you can implement to get past gatekeeping ATSs.It is also the fastest way to tailor your resume to the job.To identifythe best keywords to include in your resume, try running the job description through a word-cloud generator.Youll end up with a visual depiction of the most frequently used words and phrases, which you can then integrate into your resume. Once your resume is written, you can also run it through the word-cloud generatorto make sure the terms you want recruiters to associate with you predominate.3. Include HyperlinksAdding links to your personal website and social profiles to your resume header is an effortless way to get a hiring managers atte ntion. Recruiters and employees will want to visit unterstellung platforms anyway, so make it easier for them. Plus, when they click through, they will discover more attractive information about your skills and accomplishments, all those extra little details and work samples you just couldnt squeeze into your resume.4.Vary Your VocabularyWhile it is important to include relevant keywords for ATSs, you dont want your resume to get lost in the crowd because it sounds like everyone elses. Replacing words that are vague, generic, or clichd with more concrete and powerful language is one of the easiest resume hacks to execute.Terms like experienced and responsible are used too often, meaning theyve lost most of their impact with employers. Unique and original descriptions add more color to your narrative and make you more memorable. Remove subjective descriptors like clever, innovative, and acclaimed. You want to show your value rather than simply telling it, which you can do by outlinin g your actual accomplishments. Start bullet points in your work history section with action verbs, but be sure to replace static terms with success wordsthat indicate change and improvement, such as increased, optimized, and minimized.5.Quantify When You CanThe one question your resume must answer is, How is your previous employer different as a result of you working there? You can answer this question by including metrics that capture your impact. Skim through your resume, highlight places where youve referred to a duty or accomplishment in vague terms, and rewrite these instances with numerical values where possible. For example, instead of saying you wrote articles and newsletter content, you could say you wrote 10 articles per week and raised the newsletter open rate from 15 to 65 percent. Whenever you can, mention how much money you generated or time you saved for the company.6. Front-Load Your ResumeIf you only have time for one hack, use it tomake the top part of your resumes first page as powerful as possible. Why? Because this might be the only bit recruiters read.Craft a strong summary statement that captures all the attributes that make you a brilliant candidate and includes important phrases like job titles. Consider leading with a core competencies section that summarizes your skills and expertise usingrelevant keywords.7. Employ an Online Proofreading ToolOnce your resume is complete, use an online proofreading tool to scan it for errors. You could also ask a friend to look over the finished product, buta digital tool can catch errors neither of you would have noticed on your own. Most platforms will check everything from grammar and spelling to structure, flow, and readability while providing advice on how to make improvements.LiveCareer develops tools to help job seekers draft cover letters, prepare for interviews, and build targeted resumes via itsresume builderand an extensive collection ofresume templates.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

How to Build Conflict Resolution Skills and Overcome Fear

How to Build Conflict Resolution Skills and Overcome FearHow to Build Conflict Resolution Skills and Overcome FearA former colleague holds complete conversations in his head with people with whom he is angry. He rarely speaks directly with the other person. This anger in his mind continues to build because of his frustration, yet he never lets the other person know that he is frustrated and subsequently angry. His conflict avoidance almost cost him his marriage because he didnt let his wife into the conversations he welches having with herbut by himself in his head. It was almost too late by the time he did bring her into the real conversation. His need to avoid confrontation is so strong that he has a safe confrontation in his mind and feels that he has dealt with the issue. As you can imagine, this doesnt work- especially for the other person involved who doesnt even know that they are involved in the conversation. Do You Hold Mental Conflict Confrontations or Practice Conflict Avoidance? Are you guilty of holding mental conflicts and confrontations? Many people are uncomfortable when it comes to confrontation. You can understand the concept of having the conversation in your head so you can plan out what you want to say and how you want to say it. Sometimes these mental conversations are enough to settle the issue, as you realize you are making too much out of a simple situation. Many of you know that you have spent hours lying in bed at night having conversations with people with whom you are angry and frustrated. Not only does this practice disrupt your sleep, your attitude, and your health, it never really resolves the issue, and this approach is also potentially damaging to your relationships. Dont get this advice wrong, you dont need to confront every action that other people take. If you have the conversation once in your head, dont worry about it. If it comes back and you have it again, perhaps start thinking about holding a real conversation. Or, figure out what you are afraid of that you are avoiding an essential confrontational conversation. By the third in your head confrontation, you need to start planning how you will deal with the real confrontationbecause it looks as if you are going to need to have one. How to Hold a Real, Necessary Conflict or Confrontation Start by preparing yourself to confront the real issue. Be able to state the issue in one (or two), non-emotional, factual based sentences. For example, assume you want to confront your coworker for taking all of the credit for the work that the two of you did together on a project. Instead of saying, You took all the credit, blah, blah, blah... and venting your frustration, which is what you might say in your mind, rephrase your approach using the above guidelines. Say instead, It looks as if I played no role in the Johnson account. My name does elend appear anywhere on the document, nor I have been given credit anywhere that I can see. (You will notice tha t additional communication techniques such as the I-language have also been used in this gutachten. Notice that using the words I feel was avoided because that is an emotional statement, without proof and facts. The facts in this statement cannot be disputed, but an I feel statement is easy for your coworker to refute.) Make your initial statement and stop talking. When the person you are confronting responds, allow them to respond. Its a human tendency, but dont make the mistake of adding to your initial statement, to further justify the statement. Defending why you feel the way you do will generally just create an argument. Say what you want to say (the confrontation), then just allow the other person to respond. You want to listen very carefully to catch the differences between what your initial statement indicated and your coworkers response. This is not a time when you should rehearse responses in your mind. Just listen effectively and stay open to the possibility that your cow orker has a good reason for the actions taken. Especially since youve probably held the conversation in your head a few times, you may think you know how the other person is going to respond. But, its a mistake to jump to that point before they have the opportunity to respond. Resist the temptation to say anything else at this point. Let them respond. Avoid arguing during the confrontation. Confrontation does not mean fight. It means that you need to state what you have to say. Listen to what they have to say. Many times the conflict actually ends right there. Do you need to prove the other person right or wrong? Does someone have to take theblame? Get your frustration off your chest, and move on. Figure out the conflict resolution you want before the confrontation. If you approached your coworker with the initial statement, You took all the credit, blah, blah, blah... her response is likely going to be quite defensive. Perhaps shell say something like, Yes, you have been given cred it. I said both of our names to the anfhrer just last week. If you already know what you are looking for in the confrontation, this is where you move the conversation. Dont get into an argument about whether she did or didnt mention anything to the boss last week- that isnt really the issue and dont let it distract you from accomplishing the goal of the confrontation. Your response could be, I would appreciate if in the future that we use both of our names on any documentation, and include each other in all of the correspondence about the project. Focus on the real issue of the confrontation. The other party will either agree or disagree. Keep to the issue at this point, and avoid all temptation to get into an argument. Negotiate, but dont fight. The issue is that you arent receiving credit, your colleague left your name off of the documentation, and you want your name on the documentation. (Projects in written form are better remembered in organizations than verbal credit when perf ormance development planning and meetings about raises or promotions are held.) Thats it. It isnt about blame, about who is right or wrong or anything other than your desired resolution. You want to affect how this issue is handled in future projects you work on with this individual. They will remember that you called them on their schwimmbad behavior. You will rarely look forward to confrontation you may never become completely comfortable with, or even skilled in holding a confrontation. However, it is important that you say something when you are frustrated and angry. If you cant stand up for yourself, who will? More About Meaningful Confrontation and Conflict Resolution For additional ideas about confrontation and conflict, see Fight for Whats Right Ten Tips to Encourage Meaningful ConflictHow to Tackle Annoying Employee Habits and IssuesHow to Hold a Difficult Conversation

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Why an Adult Internship Can Be Good for Your Career

Why an Adult Internship Can Be Good for Your CareerWhy an Adult Internship Can Be Good for Your Career12 really good for your career. Heres why.In a story called Internships Arent Just for College Kids, career coach Nancy Collamer discusses why so many adults are now heading back into the workforce as interns. Affectionately known as returnships, these adult interns are acutely aware that many people view interns as high school or college-aged kids. And while some intern postings will be targeted towards the younger set, theres no reason why an adult cant enjoy the benefits of interning.Adult Internships for Career ChangeUnder the right circumstances, internships can provide a useful bridge to a new field later in life and offer a smart way to take a test-drive before investing a lot of time and money retraining yourself, says Collamer, who runs the site My Lifestyle Career. Interning also provides a safe way in which people can dip their toes into a new industry without making a big financial commitment, such as shelling out big bucks by going back to school. It provides an outlet for workers who feel bored or stuck in their current positions, and a way to explore other career possibilities so they can eventually become unstuck.Companies Where You Might Find an Adult InternshipWhile there are a number of internships listed on job sites (such as ), some midlife internships are created by the individual herself. There are some companies, however, that have internship programs designed for adults changing careers or returning to the workforce after time away. Sara Lee and Goldman Sachs are just two companies that offer this type of program. Or you can always check with your alumni association to see if there are any interesting internships being offered.How to Make Your Own Adult InternshipIf you find a company that youd love to work for but isnt currently hiring interns, that doesnt mean that you cant work for them. Youll need to sell yourself, your years of wor k experience, and your dedication and loyalty. Craft a great cover letter that details why youre passionate about working for that company sans pay.Says Collamer To overcome an employers concern that youre unfamiliar with its field, stress that you bring years of transferable skills and experiences you can put to work. And according to Collamer, nonprofits tend to be a bit more welcoming to older interns than for-profit companies. Why? They value skills similar to those of a remote worker, such as the ability to self-manage and work independently.Understand Your Goals with an Adult InternshipBefore you start the first day of your internship, you should know ahead of time what youd like to get out of it. Your expectations and goals should be clearly defined and communicated with your boss ahead of time. After all, you are working for free, so topics such as your hours, responsibilities, learning opportunities, and your boss expectations should be mutually agreed upon by both of you.W hile the goal of many interns is to turn your internship into a full-time job, there will most likely be no guarantees that will happen. Companies dont want interns or volunteers to come with the agenda of potentially getting hired for a regular job. Rather, they want you to learn, grow, show passion for their mission, and become a part of the team. By doing all those things, youre showing them youd be a worthwhile hire without needing to say it.That said, you should definitely make the most of your internship Your goal should be to learn as much as you possibly can, take advantage of any opportunities given to you, grow your network, and above all, decide if this is a field that you would really love to continue on in.An internship is the opportunity to have a front row seat to the potential next phase in your career. That alone, job seekers, can be priceless.Readers, have you considered, or are you considering, an adult internship or returnship? What industry were you in before, a nd which one would you like to try now? Let us know in the comments section below