Career Advice

Whether you call it networking, schmoozing or just being personable, it all boils down to one thing when you’re applying for job: You have to sell yourself. And surprisingly, it’s not that different than selling any other product of service. You have to know what you’re selling, be confident that it can help the person, and know how to talk about it without coming across as bragging. In fact, applying for a job is one of the first opportunities that you’ll have to brush up on your selling skills because more likely than not, when you have that job, you’re going to have to sell something at one point or another. Now is the perfect time to hone your selling skills, and here are five steps you can use to land your dream job and get practice for your future career. Network This can’t be stressed enough. Looking good on paper is only going to get you so far. You have to know people. Use any contacts that you’ve made throughout school or previous jobs to be your extra eyes and ears in the … [Read more...] about How to Sell Yourself and Land Your Dream Job

With the buzz created around outdoor activities, many people without thinking, may conclude that it is another high end product or perhaps has some special requirements. But these are not always the truth. Simple outdoor activities like climbing a mountain, riding a bike, hiking, walking, swimming  and many others, are not only fun but provide untold additional benefits for our physical health, emotional health and balance, intellectual performance and of course, a healthy social lifestyle.Benefits of Outdoor Activities Physical Health and Balance: Experts have proven that effective outdoor activities, like hiking, canoeing and numerous other physical activities promote healthy heart performance and provide muscular fitness. Emotional Balance: Adequate participation in outdoor recreational activities has been identified as the major source for improved self-esteem, stress reduction, confidence, creativity stimulation, spiritual growth, and a balanced sense of … [Read more...] about How Outdoor Activities Benefit Your Career Success

You either love the Jersey Shore or you hate it. Its critics say that the show provides nothing of value, just senseless partying, hooking up, and drama. Its fans say that that’s why it so addicting! Furthermore, who would have thought that the show can be the basis for 5 valuable career lessons? Brand Yourself Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino is known for his six pack abs and his large, yet funny, ego. DJ Pauly D is never shown DJing on the show. Regardless, his stereotypical guido looks and likability have made him one of the most sought after DJs in the US. Career Lesson: Differentiate your resume and in your interviews by focusing on numbers and results. What do you have that very few of your competition have?  It may not be a bulging biceps, but it may be impressive sales. Have Fun Each cast member of the Jersey Shore gets paid $100,000 per episode to have 2 month long vacations, while the average American gets 14 days of vacation per year, or less. Career Lesson: The … [Read more...] about 5 Career Lessons From Jersey Shore

Communication between business and customer has changed rapidly since the inception of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking platforms. No longer will hiding behind exhibition stands at tradeshows and job fairs do the trick – if you’re a member of one of these sites, you can expect Joe Public to let you know just how he feels about you, which might be good or it might be bad. The important thing is to be prepared. Let me explain. Last week, I was gearing up to see one of my favourite bands play at one of my least favourite venues in the city. My excitement, although dampened somewhat by the unfortunate location where this band (or more likely the band’s label) had chosen to play, spilled onto Twitter: My reasons for disliking company X (company name removed out of pure fear) are pretty much summed up by the above tweet, so I won’t go into it. Let me just say that hiking drinks prices when a band plays a venue is something I have never agreed with. Nor do I agree … [Read more...] about Twitter for Businesses: How to Avoid Embarrassment

A recent Cornerstone OnDemand/Harris 2012 U.S. Employee Report indicated that only 20 percent of employees have established career goals with their manager or employer through a performance review. What’s worse is that less than half (45 percent) said the feedback they receive is a fair and accurate representation of their performance. By pairing these statistics together, we can see that workers don’t feel like they’re getting the right feedback--and not much is being done to correct the way a manager feels about an employee’s performance. So, what can an employee do on their end? Believe it or not, your manager may have no idea, or at least have little direction, in what your active goals are. So, it may be a good idea to fill them in: What are active goals? Active goals can be anything you’re working on right now. As a rule of thumb: Shorter term goals: 30 days or less Short-term goals: 45 days or less Long-term goals: several months Typically, your goals (short-term or … [Read more...] about Survive Your Performance Review By Utilizing Active Goals

Although most people assume that their boss is supposed to do all the managing in the workplace, this isn’t so. While your boss is dictating, delegating and often disrespecting, you should be reacting the correct way to control how they view and treat you. It does not matter if you are plagued with Mr. Grumpy, Ms. Annoying or the extra-friendly, always-hugging, shoulder-touching, second-glance type, there are things that you can do to manage your boss. Grumpy McGrumperson It is amazing how some people get into the position they do. How leaders expect to motivate a staff when they are always grumpy, angry or stressed, is a question no one seems to know the answer to. So, how do you handle these bosses? Do you hide in your cubicle? Never make eye contact in hopes that they won’t talk to you? Kiss up beyond belief until you are so annoying you can’t even stand to listen to yourself? The first thing to do is divert with good news. Turn the negative into something positive. Don’t let … [Read more...] about How to Manage Your Boss

I was a bit surprised when a friend told me that companies routinely check your credit history when you apply for a job and are a promising candidate. That’s a new a wrinkle to me, but I’ve been self-employed for years. Why would a low credit rating be relevant to a potential employer? I’m a bit baffled by it, especially in this economy with unemployment so high. Many people have lost their homes to foreclosure or had to file bankruptcy do to job loss, high medical bills, etc. To me, it has a very strong “blame the victim” feel to it – to get that bad credit history; you must have done something shady or used incredibly poor judgment in managing your finances. In many cases, that’s unfair thinking.How is it Applicable?I suppose if you were job hunting in the financial sector, in a position of high responsibility, your credit score or bad history could be a red flag. It might suggest that you aren’t very good at handling money or maybe … [Read more...] about Should a Low Credit Rating Jinx a Job Offer?

How do you feel about your job? Do you wake up in the morning, looking forward to see what the day brings, or do you press the snooze button four times because your stomach is turning at the thought of even one more minute there? Believe it or not, a job is not just a job. This is a place you spend a considerable amount of time at, and therefore plays a role in your overall health, whether you realize it or not. Fulfillment There is nothing worse than feeling as though you aren’t accomplishing what you had hoped in your life. When roles and responsibilities come together in the right way while doing something you love, you feel complete and satisfied. This amounts to less stress and better sleep quality, which both play roles in your overall health. If you have ever requested life insurance quotes online, then you know how important overall health is in rates and approval. Make a Difference If you don’t believe in the job you are doing, it is pretty difficult to believe in … [Read more...] about Life is Short, Love Your Job

You've spent the past four (or five) years attending classes and studying, all in preparation for receiving a diploma and entering the workforce. While graduation day is an exciting time for most college students, it may be a day you’re dreading if you’ve suddenly realized you chose the wrong major. Often, the realization of a failed major selection comes at the most inopportune time. Perhaps you realized it while studying for final exams. Maybe the realization came while being handed your diploma. Regardless, rather than freaking out, take a moment to breath and assess your options. Calm Your Nerves Often, soon-to-be graduates who are stressing about having chosen the wrong major haven’t properly pinpointed the cause of their stress. Perhaps your stress is due to worries about adapting to the workforce more so than about the field of work you’ve chosen. The working world is drastically different than college in many ways and dealing with those changes can be frightening. Rather … [Read more...] about Soon-to-be College Graduates: What to do When You’ve Chosen the Wrong Major