Careers and Employment Archives - Page 18 of 129

Why You Need Achievements On Your LinkedIn Profile

November 14, 2023

If you want to stand out from other job candidates, both your resume and LinkedIn profile need to have specific, tangible, quantifiable achievements.

We see so many resumes that are very “duty-oriented”âthe candidate lists what they’ve done but doesn’t mention anything about what they’ve achieved.

Here are a few tips on how to write an achievement-based LinkedIn profile…

1. Highlight Your Main Skills In Your LinkedIn Summary (“About” Section)

Your resume and LinkedIn profile are your personal branding tools, and first impressions are important. Highlight your skills in your LinkedIn profile just as you would on your resume. People often say generic stuff like, “I worked in marketing,” but that doesn’t tell recruiters anything about what they’ve done.

What powerful words can you use to stand out? What specifically have you done that would be relevant to the jobs you’re applying for? Think about these questions as you list your hard skills at the end of your “About” section.

2. Include Accomplishments & Quantify Your Results With Numbers

Recruiters want you to tell them why you’re the right fit for the job, so don’t be shy about emphasizing what your skills are and how they’d help the company.

Quantify your results as best you can. Use examples that include numbers. if you’ve saved time or moneyâby how much? List your accomplishments as bullet points. If something can’t be quantified (like job responsibilities), it won’t impress recruiters and employers. Therefore, don’t waste space on your LinkedIn profile by including them.

3. Prove That You’re A Self-Starter

What is it that you’ve initiated in your job? Did you start any new projects or come up with new ideas? Highlighting projects you’ve set out to achieve on your own is a great way to show that you’re someone who takes initiative, without always being told what to do.

Of course, you should quantify as much information about these projects as possible. This will catch the eye of recruiters and act as a great conversation starter with your network.

Writing an achievement-based LinkedIn profile is a great way to highlight why you’re a good fit for the job. You’ll stand out to recruiters as a qualified job candidate, one who could achieve great things at the company.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Reasons To Quit Pursuing Career Happiness

November 14, 2023

This may be controversial, but as a 20-year career coaching veteran, I think one of the biggest mistakes people are making post-pandemic is they are overly focused on trying to pursue career happiness when in reality you should be focused on building career resilience.

Career Happiness Is Elusive. Building Career Resilience Will Give You Career Satisfaction.

There are three reasons why career happiness is very difficult to achieve. First, career happiness is a state of mind. So if you’re sitting here and wondering, “How can I just be happier in my career today?” you can’t. Instead, certain things need to happen that are going to make you stronger and more resilient, feel more in control, and give you more satisfaction.

Career satisfaction will make you feel happy.

The second reason you should quit trying to pursue career happiness is that it constantly evolves. It’s like a moving target. The moment that you start to feel happy, the situation will change, or your circumstances will change. So it’s not a one-and-done sort of thing. Many people struggle with the concept of “happiness,” and say something like, “I was happy here and now I’m not. I’ll never be able to achieve this.” That’s not true at all. Happiness is a constantly moving state.

The third reason you don’t want to focus on career happiness is that it’s different for every person. I coach people every day who tell me they tried something that worked for someone else, but they didn’t get the same results, and now they feel bad about itâabout themselves, their situation, etc. You can’t compare someone else’s success, someone else’s perceived happiness, with your own ideas of success and happiness.

Career happiness just isn’t the right thing to pursue for all three of these reasons.

So, what do you do instead? You focus on building up your career resilience. Why do you do that? Because the stronger you get, the more in control you will feel, and the more satisfied you will be with your careerâand that will make you feel happy.

How To Build Career Resilience

There are three things you need to build career resilience. First is the environment. You need to surround yourself with a community of people who are all focusing on career resilience as well. What happens is you end up learning from these people. In fact, they show you things you didn’t know you needed to know. But also, candidly, you look around the room and you go, “These people aren’t any better than me. I can do this.” And that’s going to give you motivation, which many people lack.

The second thing you’re going to need is coaching. You’re going to need people who have done this, who have hacks, who have tips, who have tricks, who are keeping up with the latest techniques, who can understand your particular situation and get you the advice you need. Think about all the people in your life you use when you can’t get results on your own. They’re essentially coaches. That’s what you need right now to get you to the next level. If you think about it, coaching isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s the path to greatness, especially in things like sports. And this is no different. You’re playing a sport here in your career.

The third thing that you’re going to need is knowledge. Knowledge is power. Knowledge is the one thing nobody can take away from you. Employers can never take away your knowledge. That’s your power. That’s your value. That’s your worth when it comes to work.

When you gain new insights, when you learn new things, it is going to make you much smarter. You’re going to make more informed decisions, and you’re going to take yourself from being an employee who feels like they don’t have any power to an employee who realizes they’re a business-of-one, and you want to be a partner with that employer. They’re not any better than you. You want to partner up, and you want the mutual trust and respect that you deserve. But that only comes when you build up that resiliency.

I like to call people who build career resiliency “Workplace Renegades” because they get off the hamster treadmill, think for themselves, and learn how to take ownership of their carer using the right environment, the right community, the right education, the right courses and knowledge, and then the right coaching, the right support.

If you would like some help building resiliency in your career, become a Work It DAILY member today. Sign up for our 7-day FREE trial and see how easy it is to get the results you want and deserve.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

Summary Sunday: Issue 543

November 12, 2023

Everyone needs a little help with their job search. Whether it’s updating your resume, following up after a networking meeting, or applying artificial intelligence tools to the process, there are things you can improve on. In this week’s Summary Sunday, you’ll find curated articles to help with: Please follow these experts and sources to up […]

The post Summary Sunday: Issue 543 appeared first on Career Sherpa.

5 Steps To Present Your Best Self During An Interview

November 10, 2023

If you needed to convince someone that Girl Scout Cookies are delicious or that rainbows are really beautiful, you’d have to first know what the cookies taste like and what rainbows look likeâright? The same applies when it’s time for you to sell yourself in an interview to strangers.

In a job interview, you need to know where you’ve been, what you’ve accomplished, and where you’re headed.

On the one hand, that might sound really simple. They are your experiences, so you would be the best one to know how far you’ve come. Yet how many times do we easily forget by Monday what we just did on Saturday and Sunday? How often do we make the same mistakes over and over because we failed to assess our experiences and extract the lessons learned so we don’t repeat those mistakes?

These things happen often, only to leave us stumped and running in circles. The same thing can happen in a job interview if we don’t take the time beforehand to really understand our past and know what we have to offer in the future.

Preparing for an interview is crucial to ensuring that you come across as a competent potential employee. You need to be able to recount your previous work experiences as if they were yesterday. You need to be able to tell a future employer what you’re good at; they aren’t going to know yet, so you need to be able to tell them. You need to be able to show them that you think about the future and have goals and aspirations you’re working towards. All of this requires you, the applicant, the interviewee, to know yourself first.

Below are some simple steps every job seeker should take before each interview to ensure they present their best self in the most confident way:

1. Review Your Past

Where have you worked?
What positions did you hold?
How long were you in those positions?
What unique responsibilities, experiences, or opportunities were you given in these positions?
Ultimately, what did you learn from all of these?

2. Assess Your Present

What is your current position?
What are your current responsibilities?
What are you doing now to improve yourself?
If you were laid off or took a voluntary hiatus, how are you utilizing that time to your advantage?

3. Envision Your Future

What are your goals?
Do you plan to pursue more education?
Would you ultimately like to achieve a leadership role in the new organization?
What ideas might you have to propel the industry forward?

4. Know Who You Are

In addition to steps 1-3, know what you are good at and where you could stand to use improvement. Be confident (not cocky) when you tell the interviewers what your strengths and weaknesses are.

What current skills do you have that would easily crossover into a new role or industry? These are your transferable skills. Don’t underestimate their value in your job interview.

5. Practice

Practice telling your stories. Which words sound good when you say them? Which words don’t? What key elements do you want the employer to know and which are irrelevant? Be able to tell a story, hit all the key points, and don’t bore the interviewer(s) in the process.

Have a friend conduct a mock interview with you so you get practice in front of another person. One caveat: don’t memorize anything. Just know what information you’d like to share and how you’d like to share it when the opportunity arises.

Remember, in the end, you are the one who needs or wants the job. As unique as you are, the employer can easily find another person who will perform the same tasks.

By knowing who you are, you will be more readily able to express to the interviewer what you as a unique individual have to offer and why they need to hire you. By embracing all of who you are before the interview, you will have the tools you need to settle into a place of confidence. When you exude this confidence and sense of knowing who you are, you’ll present the image of an articulate, focused, and self-aware individual who employers will want to have on their team.

Now, who are you?

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Create Your First Budget: Making Breakthrough Habits

November 9, 2023

As a rookie manager, embarking on the journey to create your first budget can be a daunting and nerve-wracking experience. The key to success lies in knowing where to begin, understanding the starting point, and making breakthrough habits.

But fear not! In this article, we will guide you through budget creation with a focus on avoiding rookie mistakes, navigating the approval process, and effectively locking and monitoring your budget.

Rookie Mistakes: Setting The Right Foundation

Rookie mistakes in budgeting often stem from the absence of a clear vision. To avoid this trap, communicate openly with your superiors to understand the department’s future directions. Sometimes, you might be directed to keep the new budget flat at last year’s spending.

When starting your budget, referencing the previous year’s budget is a safe and valuable starting point. It provides insights into past expenditures and helps lay a foundation for the new budget. Remember that a budget is a living and breathing document that requires periodic revisiting and adjustment.

Don’t hesitate to seek input from colleagues; their insights can be invaluable. Communicating with stakeholders will lend a sense of ownership of the budgeting process.

One common oversight is the failure to include new initiatives in your budget plan. As your supervisors introduce new programs or investments, it’s essential to incorporate these changes into your budget. Equally important is removing outdated or one-time initiatives from the previous budget.

Understanding salary and contractual changes is crucial. In certain industries, such as sports, specific costs are predetermined due to collective bargaining agreements, making up a significant portion of the budget. Recognizing these fixed costs helps you accurately plan the remaining flexible expenses.

To create an adequate budget, it’s essential to understand your business thoroughly. Dive into past financial records, departmental spending, and the profit and loss statements from previous years. Understanding the spending patterns and where the money goes is vital for effective budgeting.

Interacting with various stakeholders within your department is crucial. Gather information about their plans, changes, and needs. Creating an inclusive budget process may not incorporate all suggestions, but it fosters valuable input and enhances the decision-making process.

The Approval Process: Navigating The Path To Success

Once you’ve crafted your budget, it’s time to navigate the approval process. Before you head out to show your new budget to your boss, take a step back and ensure you donât miss anything. Make sure that your formulas are cross-checking your numbers.

Proper coding of expenses is crucial for accurate financial tracking. Assign codes to invoices and categorize them within the budget to ensure the appropriate allocation of costs to specific departments or categories. Make it a habit to utilize the budget daily to determine expense placement and maintain financial clarity.

Lock And Monitor The Budget

After the finance team approves your budget, it becomes a finalized document, entering the ‘lock and monitor’ phase. In dynamic environments, such as the sports industry, urgent changes may arise; they might be a one-time expense or a large purchase requiring immediate budget adjustments. In such cases, you can change your financial position by updating the quarterly forecast. The budget cannot be adjusted because it is locked.

Calendarizing your budget assists in managing cash flow. Now that you have a final budget, you can distribute the expenditures when they occur during a 12-month period. This approach ensures better tracking and aligns costs with the correct quarters, providing a more transparent financial overview.

Contesting miscoded expenses to your budget line item is expected. Whenever this occurs, a simple phone call to the recording department typically settles the issue. This is why a budget to actual expense analysis is necessary periodically.

Categories like travel and entertainment expenses tend to fluctuate and be less controllable in budgeting due to unforeseen pricing and travel demands. These challenges can test the accuracy of budget projections, but adaptability and vigilance are your allies.

Building Trust, Credibility, And Accountability

The critical lesson in creating a budget is establishing trust, credibility, and accountability. When stakeholders know and trust the validity of your numbers, they tend to relax and believe in your executive presence.

Creating your first budget is a transformative journey that empowers you to take control of your department’s financial destiny. By avoiding rookie mistakes, mastering the approval process, and effectively locking and monitoring your budget, you pave the way for success.

Budgeting is not merely a financial task; it’s a strategic tool that propels your organization to take hold of its current position and predict the future with confidence. Embrace the process, learn from your experiences, and let your budget become a beacon of financial prosperity and strategic mastering. Be that lighthouse on the hill that others look to as an example of excellence. You can do this!

7 Ways To Make Dense Content Relatable

November 9, 2023

By the age of 23, Iâd written articles for the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and Los Angeles Times. By 25, I had signed my first book deal. My publisher told me I was the second person they ever contracted without an agent.

What was my secret? Connections? Noâmy most prestigious pieces were simply submitted to open editorial inboxes like [email protected]. My book manuscript was also picked up through cold emailsâ¦ and I got not one, but two publishers interested. Simply put, my writing spoke for itself.

I had the âitâ factor.

And I wasnât writing about rainbows and butterflies. Most of my pieces were either about Middle Eastern foreign policy dilemmas or mathematical statistics and probabilities found in Texas Hold âEm poker (ex. The 2-3% equity changes a hand like King-Ten suited has vs. King-Ten offsuit). For the general public, it wasnât fun stuff.

But thatâs where âitâ comes inâthe unique beauty of making dense content relatable.

Here are my tips and tricks on how you can do it too.

1. Raise Your Voice! First order of business, we have to know that article is distinctly coming from you. No one else couldâve ever written it. No one else couldâve possibly dreamed of using your same vocabulary, pacing, and tone! Generally speaking, confidence is key. Not sure what Iâm talking about here? Then donât start with writingâstart with reading. Find favorite authors and develop your taste. You donât even have to like their opinions. Just their way of communicating things. For me, those two journalists are Derek Thompson and Jennifer Rubin. I donât agree with half of what Jennifer says and Derekâs economic analysis is almost always beyond me, but I like their style. Iâll never forget how struck I was when Ms. Rubin started a Washington Post article with the word âbizarrely.â No matter what followed, I was already hooked. You want people to feel that same way about you too.

2. Itâs Not What You Say, Itâs How You Say It. Many people have heard that when youâre talking to someone, 70% of communication is non-verbal. What you say isnât nearly as important as how you say it. Believe it or not, this applies to writing as well. Style, flow, and finesse matter. You canât simply rest on the content of your message; you need to deliver it with ease. Writing is like a dance. When you read it out loud, it shouldnât have two left feet. Or two clunky syllables. Great writing is incredibly agile, nodding its head to literary grace.

3. Be Fearless. Say what needs to be said. Say what you mean. Donât fear a controversial conclusionâpeople are drawn to strength. It takes bravery to express our ideas clearly, but trust me, it gets rewarded.

4. Set Limits. Whenever I write, I limit my commas. I never let consecutive sentences contain three or more of those little squiggly marks. I also try not to stuff too many big words together. People get tripped up here because they confuse accuracy with greatness. Just because what youâre saying is valid and true doesnât make it readable. In order for your brilliance to reach wider audiences, you need to dial down the density. Information should be given as a slow dripânot a dam-breaking explosion.

5. Use Three Words. It is punchier.

6. Make âEm Laugh. It is funnier.

7. Encourage Critical Thinking. Weâve drilled down pretty hard on the delivery of your message. Now we need to address the substance. Obviously, hot takes generate buzz. But you donât always need a controversial opinion in order to make your work sell. People are struck by simplicity. The bolder you can state your claim, the better. It doesnât have to be original. You can move the masses just by being unapologetic. I donât care if your stance is saying something as mundane as, âWe need to stick to our diets!â or âKids need to read more!â If you can articulate your ideas clearly and powerfully, you are bound to reach people. Most of us âoverthinkâ thingsâby taking affirmative stands, your writing will inspire people to think more deeply.

Transforming dense content into something relatable requires practice, creativity, andâdare I say itâa touch of your own personal magic. You need to be able to charm your reader. This includes when discussing tough subjects. Yet I guarantee that if you can incorporate the above strategies into your writing, your dazzling prose will breathe new life into your most meaningful findings. Sometimes the best way to convince someone of an argument is to demonstrate conversational mastery.

Quest For Top Talent And The Neurodiversity Superpower

November 9, 2023

I attended a cybersecurity conference and there were sessions about zero trust, securing generative AI, and emerging threats. And then there was a very atypical keynote session called âUnderstanding and Managing Neurodivergent Staffâ (presented by @Rick Doten). It was one of those âyou donât know what you donât knowâ presentations.

I learned that there is a wide spectrum of neurodiversity, and ADHD, autism, and dyslexia are a few of the conditions. Generally speaking, neurodivergent individuals interpret, experience, and socialize with the world differently. They typically approach problem-solving and critical thinking in innovative ways producing creative insights and solutions. You may know neurodivergent individuals and not realize that they are neurodiverse. Or individuals may be undiagnosed and not realize that they are neurodiverse.

Neurodivergent Skill Sets

If everyone thinks differently anyway, how do you know if someone may be neurodivergent? Some examples of the skill set neurodivergent individuals may have are:

High level of attention to detail â noticing errors and inconsistencies that others might overlook;
Strong analytical and problem solving â being able to problem solve quickly with creative solutions without any previous knowledge or experience (aka fluid reasoning);
Strong pattern recognition â tasks involving pattern analysis and drawing inferences;
Determination and persistence in overcoming challenges;
Hyperfocus on specific tasks â completing tasks with resolute attention;
Creative thinking and innovation â coming up with fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box solutions; and
Honesty and ethical behavior.

Neurodivergent individuals arenât limited to these skill sets. Their abilities will vary based on their interests and strengths. As part of their personal development, find out whatâs important to them. You should be encouraging and having open conversations with each team member anyway.

Individuals with these skill sets are a great fit for jobs that require meticulous work or breaking down complex problems and systematically analyzing them. Depending on their interests and strengths, some roles and careers that could be a great fit are accountants, administrative assistants, graphic designers, librarians, or pharmacists.

Neurodivergent individuals have a deep passion for specialized knowledge and have a natural aptitude for technical skills such as math, programming, and scientific research. This means they may naturally gravitate towards the IT and security fields. Some roles and careers that could be a great fit are statisticians, data analysts, IT support specialists, quality assurance testers, and ethical hackers (Red Team).

Leveraging Neurodiversity Superpowers

Pause the next time you look at a job description (JD) either as a job seeker or as a hiring manager. A person may not be an obvious choice superficially but may be an excellent fit and a superstar! Some common job description skill sets that may align with the strengths of neurodivergent individuals are:

JD Skill Set & Strength Descriptors

Attention to Detail â Meticulous, precision, accuracy, thoroughness
Analytical Thinking â Analytical skills, problem-solving, data analysis
Pattern Recognition â Identify trends, discern details detecting subtle patterns
Persistence â Persistence, resilience, dedication
Creativity â Creative problem solvers, innovators
Honesty and Integrity â Confidentiality, customer service

Compare the job description with the specific skills and interests of the individuals. Hopefully, your application process allows individuals to highlight their relevant skills and experiences during the application and interview processes.

If you have the right role for the right person, neurodiversity could be an advantage. Offer reasonable accommodations to enable neurodivergent individuals to thrive. This could include flexibility in work hours/environment, a quiet/sensory-friendly workplace, communication preferences for expectations, as well as structured feedback.

For example, neurodivergent individuals may range from non-communicative to overly communicative. There are several tools and technologies (such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and task/time management apps) to facilitate communication, organization, and well-being for both personal and work life. If you demonstrate an inclusive work environment, research shows that neurodivergent employees may have lower turnover rates, which can reduce recruitment and training costs for the organization.

Having a diverse team with diverse perspectives makes the team stronger. Each person, whether neurodiverse or not, is unique and brings something different to the table. Appreciate those different perspectives and encourage and be supportive of each person.

For more information on understanding that neurodiversity is a superpower, follow me on LinkedIn!

3 BIG Resume Mistakes (That Are Easy To Fix)

November 8, 2023

When you’re looking for a new job, your resume is your calling card. It’s often the first time a potential employer gets to meet you. Obviously, you want to make a good first impression. This means you don’t want a resume that leaves potential employers shaking their heads.

When most people think of mistakes, they think of misspelled words, poor formatting, and typos. These things are easy to avoid by proofreading your documents thoroughly. But there are other resume mistakes that you probably don’t realize you’re making. These mistakes can look pretty careless, but they are easy to fix if you spot them before it’s too late.

Here are three of the biggest resume mistakes:

Inconsistencies

The first thing a recruiter is likely to do after receiving your resume is to check you out on LinkedIn. This is often when inconsistencies crop up because the information on your resume might not match the information on your LinkedIn profile. This is not to say that your resume and LinkedIn profile should be mirror images. But they should match when it comes to current and past employers, job titles, and dates of employment.

Unfortunately, when candidates prepare a resume they often “lump” all their work at an employer under their current (and likely most prestigious) title. This is bad for two reasons. First, it fails to show career advancement. Second, it makes employers wonder what other inaccuracies they may find.

Incomplete Contact Information

This may seem like a no-brainer, but some people are so focused on the meat of their resume that they forget to include their contact info. When you’re looking for a job, it’s important to make it easy for interested parties to contact you. Some recruiters prefer to contact candidates via email. Others would rather just call.

Of course, if they really want to contact you it’s not impossible to find your phone number or email address. But why would you want to make a potential employer jump through hoops? Be respectful of the preferred communication styles of others by providing complete contact information. While you’re at it, put your LinkedIn URL on your resume, too.

Irrelevant Information

Resumes that highlight outside activities that directly contradict a candidate’s job aspirations are just a waste of valuable space! Think an accountant with a side business designing jewelry. Or resumes that include sports activities, like being on the soccer team, when the candidate graduated 15 years ago. While you’re at it, unless you graduated in the last five years, there’s no reason to include graduation dates or your GPA.

Besides being irrelevant, including a few lines about leading your college team to victory (unless you’re a recent grad) takes up valuable space that could be used to focus on your skills and achievementsâthings employers actually care about!

Your resume needs to make a good first impression, one that will make a recruiter or hiring manager want to learn more and possibly contact you for an interview. Don’t waste space with irrelevant information. Don’t confuse them with inconsistencies or make them go into detective mode to find you. Begin your relationship with a potential employer as the candidate to beat.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Executive Spotlight: How To Manage Stress At Work

November 8, 2023

The pressures of meeting deadlines, achieving goals, navigating office politics, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can often lead to overwhelming levels of stress. However, it’s crucial to remember that managing stress at work is not only essential for our mental and physical well-being but also for our overall job performance and satisfaction. So, how can we effectively manage stress at work? What stress management tips actually help?

We recently asked our leading executives for their best tips on how to manage stress at work.

Here are their responses…

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive

In this argument, we will explore how embracing tension with a calculated risk-taking approach can not only make you a better manager of stress but also propel your career to new heights.

1. Stress as a Natural Byproduct of Ambition: Consider this: Stress often arises when we push our boundaries, take on challenging projects, or strive for ambitious goals. In such scenarios, stress is not a sign of failure but rather evidence of our commitment to growth and excellence. By accepting stress as a natural byproduct of ambition, we can shift our perspective and view it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

2. Stress as a Source of Motivation: Stress, when managed effectively, can serve as a powerful motivator. It can push us to think creatively, find innovative solutions, and unlock hidden reserves of resilience. By reframing stress as a motivator, individuals can channel their energy into productive endeavors, ultimately increasing their chances of achieving their goals.

3. Calculated Risk-Taking: Embracing stress involves calculated risk-taking. Rather than shying away from challenging situations, consider them as opportunities to grow. When you take calculated risks at work, you open the door to innovation and transformation. Remember, some of the greatest success stories in business were born out of taking risks in high-stress environments.

4. Stress-Resilience as a Skill: Managing stress at work is not about eliminating it but developing resilience to handle it effectively. Like any other skill, stress resilience can be cultivated through experience and learning. By approaching stressful situations as opportunities to sharpen your strength, you not only manage stress better but also build a valuable skill set that can be applied throughout your career.

5. The Competitive Advantage of Stress-Embracers: In a world where competition is fierce, those who can effectively manage stress while embracing calculated risks often stand out. They demonstrate their ability to adapt to challenging circumstances, inspire team confidence, and lead resiliently. This competitive advantage can lead to career advancements, greater responsibilities, and increased recognition.

In conclusion, stress at work should not be viewed as an enemy to be defeated but as a companion on your journey to success.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M – $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive

Can you relate to this? You work in a fast-paced company with tight deadlines, long hours, and multiple project setbacks. You miss deadlines, and your co-workers are constantly catching up on shared assignments. If any of this sounds familiar, you probably know what it feels like to be stressed on the job. Here are five tips for how to manage stress at work:

Self-Awareness: The first step is to recognize the signs of stress, which starts with self-awareness. Stress can manifest differently, but common symptoms include irritability, fatigue, headaches, or stomach pains. Research shows that 95% of us believe we are self-aware, yet the actual number is 10 or 15%. Most of us are oblivious to how it’s affecting us and how others truly perceive us. Why is this important? Because when you become self-aware, it allows you to reshape how you present yourself to the world by aligning your self-perception with the perception of others.

Mindfulness & Meditation: Taking just a few minutes daily to focus on your breath, clear your mind, and be present can significantly reduce stress levels. As a type A person who struggles to unwind during high-stress situations, taking a moment to count slowly to 20 can be quite therapeutic. Identify tools (i.e., deep breathing exercises, guided meditation, mindfulness apps) to integrate into your day that aid in stress reduction and promote being present.

Self-Care Matters: Prioritize a well-rounded approach, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. Your food choices can influence stress levels; avoid excessive caffeine and sugar as they can contribute to anxiety. Opt for nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating balanced meals helps stabilize mood and energy levels. Regular physical activity offers various benefits, one being stress reduction. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, natural stress relievers. Quick walks during breaks or desk stretches can significantly improve your well-being. Strive for seven to nine hours of sleep per night, as recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Sleep deficiency can impair productivity, focus, and decision-making. High-quality sleep is crucial for effective stress management.

Stay Calm: Amid conflict, maintaining composure is vital. By staying calm and removing emotion, you can take an objective step back to evaluate the situation effectively and find constructive solutions. Most importantly, it will make the people around you feel safe, secure, and confident in your leadership.

Maintain Control Over Your Reactions: There are things in life that are out of our control, like an angry co-worker reacting to your project. What you can control is your response, handling the situation, and managing your emotions, which ultimately reduces stress. When faced with someone’s unhappiness or criticism, adopt a curious and empathetic approach:

Ask, “What makes you feel that way?”
Express understanding, “It sounds like something I said was offensive to you.”
Replace defensiveness with curiosity.
Stay inquisitive and keep asking questions.

By implementing these five tips, you can transform a stressful work environment into a place of balance, productivity, and well-being. If you found this helpful, I invite you to explore my book How to Develop a Brand Strategy and insightful brand marketing articles.

Lisa Perry helps companies drive revenue by using consumer trends, insights, and data analytics to innovate their approach to marketing.

How do you manage stress at work? Join the conversation inside Work It DAILY’s Elite Program.

Young And Unemployed? 3 Reasons Why Youâre Not Getting Hired

November 7, 2023

If you’re a recent college graduate and you’re unemployed, you might have an idea of what we’re about to talk about.

You’ve spent four years of your life hitting the books, getting good grades, participating in relevant extra-curricular activities, and maybe even juggling a part-time job in between. You’ve worked really hard for your degree and you’ve been told time and time again that a degree is essential to finding employment in today’s competitive job market.

So, why are you not getting hired?

First of all, you’re not alone. Though the unemployment rate has slowly declined for bachelor’s degree owners, it’s still lagging. For that reason, the competition is fiercer than ever. This means you really have to re-evaluate your job search strategy.

Here are some reasons why you might not be getting hired as a recent college graduate:

Your Resume Isn’t Job-Specific

While it’s good to have a strong resume with all of your professional skill sets, your resume can become generic when all you do is send the same resume to every open position you find.

Take the time to rewrite your resume on multiple occasions and use specific keywords that are in the job description.

According to an article on the Job Center of Wisconsin website, gathering information specific to the job you are applying for and matching it with your experience on your resume is what makes a good resume. You have to “think like an employer,” the article states, and “do not give unrelated or negative information.”

You’re Not Applying For Jobs That Are Specific To Your Skills

You have every reason to apply for every job in sight. However, it doesn’t do you any favors when you apply for every single job you see and send the same resume to each one.

Apply for the jobs you want and are qualified for. After all, it’s what you studied for.

Try to make a list of potential places you’d like to work for (your interview bucket list) and target those companies any way you can. Use social media sites like LinkedIn to find people you can network with, and keep an eye out for any open positions. You have a better chance of getting hired at a job where your skills are relevant than at a job you’re 100% unqualified for.

You Don’t Take Your Social Media Profiles Seriously

According to an article on the Undercover Recruiter, a survey of 300 professionals by Reppler found that “hirers are using social networks to screen job applicants.” This means you should clean up your Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok profiles to present a more positive, but more importantly, professional image of yourself.

It might be in your best interest not to post that picture of you doing a keg stand as your default, or post about how you hate looking for jobs because you’d rather be partying with your friends.

We understand how difficult it is for recent college grads and young professionals to find a job right now. By following these tips, you’ll shorten your job search and get hired quicker than your peers.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Coaching For Growth: Lessons Learned On The Path To Self-Transformation

November 7, 2023

Understanding one’s stage of self-awareness development as an executive coach who facilitates leaders to practice conscious leadership is crucial. My own developmental journey emphasized the need to pay attention to how my beliefs and assumptions enabled my effectiveness in varied contexts and interactions.

I realized the importance of aligning my developmental stage with my role and goals. As a learning practitioner, it was clear to me that unless I became able to make sense of my own way of being and acting at a level essential for enabling others to transform, I would not be acting with a high degree of integrity. Nor would I be effective.

What provoked the realization that I was stuck in a level of mindset that was not going to serve me was my encounter with one of the leaders of consultancy that I was seeking to join.

My Pivotal Moment

During an interview, the company director asked me, “What are your strengths?” Proudly, I responded, “According to my StrengthsFinder, my strengths are Activator, Communication, Connectedness, Woo, and Positivity.” I believed I was showcasing my expertise. However, my ego took a hit when the director responded, “I don’t want you to define yourself by an instrument. I want to know your essence, who you are.”

My Transformation Journey

Despite the rocky start, I was hired. At the beginning of our professional relationship, the director played the bad cop, challenging my tendency to act as the subject matter expert. He aimed to unveil my authentic self, and this feedback served as a wake-up call for me to reflect on who I truly was.

At this point, I needed a framework that I could understand that would help me find my way to what many call a âlater stage of meaning-making.â Enter Robert Kegan’s five stages of adult development, a framework that, despite my conceptual understanding, revealed a disparity between my self-assessment and reality. Believing I was at a stage referred to as Self-Authoring Mind focused on what I could create of value according to my own standards, I discovered I was operating from the perspective of Socialized Mind, which draws self-esteem and orientation based on how others would judge me.

I engaged the support of an executive coach, driven by my eagerness to learn, enabling a breakthrough that helped me transition from a Socialized Mind to Self-Authoring Mind. I was able to free myself from always needing to know the answers, to be more comfortable with the ambiguity of not knowing, and to be more collaboratively accepting of othersâ perspectives.

Power Of Coaching In My Journey

This experience highlighted the power of coaching that fosters self-awareness and transformation. I acknowledged that I wouldn’t have progressed to higher stages without my coach’s guidance. This personal evolution equipped me with the wisdom to help others grow.

Another resource, Jennifer Garvey Berger’s book Changing on the Job: Developing Leaders for a Complex World, deepened my understanding of transformation. It guided me on how to assist others in identifying their level of development and fostering corresponding growth.

My journey underscored the importance of self-awareness, coaching, and aligning developmental stages with professional roles. This experience fueled my passion for enabling others to navigate their transformative journeys.

Your Journey

As you reflect on my journey of self-discovery and professional growth, consider your own path. What stage of development are you in, and where do you feel called to be to lead more effectively? Are you ready to embrace the transformative power of coaching, self-reflection, and continuous learning?

If you’re ready to unlock your full potential, take the first step today. Seek a coach, explore relevant literature, and commit to your own evolution. Remember, the journey to self-awareness and authentic leadership is ongoingâembrace it and you will empower yourself to inspire meaningful change in both your professional and personal spheres. Your transformative journey awaits!

How To Ask About Work-Life Balance In A Job Interview

November 7, 2023

As a career coaching veteran for over 20 years, many professionals have sought my advice on how to ask about work-life balance in a job interview. It’s a difficult question to ask without it being a red flag. Still, there’s definitely a way you can find this information out in a job interview.

Asking about work-life balance in a job interview starts with using emotional intelligence to avoid being overly blunt. You also don’t want this to be the first question you ask in a job interview.

When a hiring manager asks, “Do you have any questions for us?” at the end of a job interview, the very first question you ask says a lot about you.

I’ll give you an example. I was hiring for my company at one point, and I had two candidates. The first candidate came in and when I said, “Do you have any questions for me?” she replied, “Yeah, what’s it pay?” Meanwhile, the pay was posted in the job description. So that told me the only thing she cared about was the money.

The second candidate came in and when I said, “Do you have any questions for me?” she said, “Yes, can you tell me how this job will impact the success of the organization as a whole? How will I know that I’m doing a good job?” This was a very thoughtful question. I knew she wanted to understand how to create value so she could be successful. It was also a strategic question on her part. But I loved it.

Best Interview Questions To Ask To Learn About A Company’s Work-Life Balance

When it’s your turn to ask questions in a job interview, after you’ve asked a few strategic questions, you would transition to asking about the company’s work-life balance. Here are some great examples of questions you could ask the hiring manager:

Can you tell me about your company’s strategies for work-life balance?
Can you give me some examples of how the company ensures work-life balance?
Can you tell me the company’s policies on working outside the normal hours? For example, will I be expected to work nights or weekends? Can you walk me through those expectations?

These are totally fair, positive questions to ask on the subject of work-life balance. By asking these questions, you’re making the assumption that they support work-life balance and giving them the opportunity to elaborate.

Now, the hiring manager can say whatever they want. They could lie to you in this interview. So my advice is if you get a lot further along in the process and you’re still wondering about work-life balance, ask to speak to a peer. This is especially true if you get the job offer and you haven’t met any of your potential co-workers. You can say, “I’m really excited about this job and I want to accept on the spot. But I was hoping to talk to somebody who would be my peer and also just get a sense of the job from them.” That way, you can talk to a potential co-worker and ask them:

Can you tell me about work-life balance here?
Do you find yourself having to work nights or weekends very often? If so, what are the circumstances?
What can I expect at this job?

That peer can be more forthcoming with you. And if they’re not forthcoming, you can usually read people and tell if they’re hiding something or not being honest.

So find the right spot to ask about work-life balance in the interview. Frame your questions in a way that isn’t too negative. Most importantly, if you’re still not getting the right vibe, ask to meet other people in the organization. Ask to meet your peers, and then ask them those same questions and pay attention to how they respond. This is how we start to look under the hood of a company to figure out what’s going on.

Finally, there are websites you can go to that have anonymous reviews of companies and what it’s like to work there. Make sure you visit those as well. Do your homework. Be careful. You don’t want to be sucked into a bad job where it’s not what you expected it to be. So make sure you research the company beforehand and ask about work-life balance in your job interviewâthe right way.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!