3 Surefire Ways To Connect With Your Interviewer

3 Surefire Ways To Connect With Your Interviewer

The difference between most areas of life and the job search process is that, in most areas of life, you know who your competition is. You can analyze the competition’s strengths, capitalize on their weaknesses, and prepare accordingly to give yourself the best chance to win.

The job search process is different: you don’t know who you are competing against.

Dozens, sometimes hundreds of applicants are competing for a single role within a company. And you never quite know how you stack up against them. So, how do give yourself the best chance to win?

The key is connection. When we connect with others (in this case, an interviewer), it is going to be harder for them to forget your name. Don’t make it easy for them to forget you. You have to focus on what makes you unique, and what makes you unique in relation to your interviewer.

Here are three ways you can connect with your interviewer:

1. Research & Relate

Woman on laptop researches how to connect with an interviewer

When you are given the name of the person conducting your interview, the first thing you should do is research their role within the company. Find out as much as you can about their professional life: where they went to school, what roles they held before this one, and what big projects they’ve had the opportunity to work on.

This not only demonstrates your curiosity but also opens up a space where you can ask questions and connect with the interviewer on a deeper level (in a deeper way than you would if your questions were primarily focused on the job and company as a whole).

The goal is to find something you and the interviewer have in common. No matter how different your professional paths have been, there are commonalities. You just have to do the work to find them.

2. Compliment (The Right Way)

Man connects with his interviewers during a job interview

In some cases, it’s probably not the best idea to compliment your interviewer on their outfit. While it might be genuine or innocent, it can come off as insincere, even flirtatious—and you likely won’t receive any “brownie points” for it.

Complimenting (the right way) is an art. For an interview, it comes down to research (again!) and specificity. Avoid complimenting your interviewer on their appearance. Instead, focus on their career accomplishments.

For example, if in your research you come across a project your interviewer worked on, don’t be afraid to bring it up. You can say something like: “I noticed you worked on X project last year. The solutions you proposed to deal with Y problem were really creative and original. How did completing this project change your role?”

By complimenting your interviewer in this way, you are focusing on the interviewer as a productive and valuable employee. They will remember how you made them feel long after the interview

3. Tell A Story

Woman tells a story during her job interview

Nothing engages an audience like a story. During an interview, you should think of your interviewer as your audience. Storytelling has the power to connect anyone. It can also help you ace those tough interview questions.

When asked about an obstacle you’ve overcome recently, don’t just go over the facts. Tell them a story. You might find the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model used for answering behavioral interview questions to be helpful.

But remember, every story should end with you on top. What did overcoming that obstacle teach you? What skills did you develop by overcoming it? How did it change your outlook on work? Life?

Don’t be afraid to get personal. That is, after all, how we connect with others.

Doing these three things in your next job interview will help you connect with your interviewer, therefore helping you stand out in the hiring process. Connection is the key to making your interview unforgettable.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.


How To Leave A Job (Without Burning A Bridge)

How To Leave A Job (Without Burning A Bridge)

Before you start your new job, you have to take care of business at your current one. Depending on your relationship with your employer, this can be a difficult conversation. But, it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s how you can leave your job without burning any bridges:

Before You Quit, Think About Your Colleagues (Especially Your Boss)

We all would like to have a good relationship with our boss. That’s not always the reality, though.

Sometimes, we just have bad managers (which can sometimes explain the job change). But that doesn’t mean you can give them anything less than two weeks’ notice. Not only is it the polite thing to do but it might also be part of the company policy. And, even if you had a bad boss, maybe you loved your team and co-workers, so you should also consider them when deciding how much notice you give your employer.

For those who’ve been fortunate to have a respectful and trusting relationship with their boss, two weeks’ notice probably isn’t enough. It’s important that you maintain that foundation of trust and respect even when you’re leaving the job.

Unless your new job needs you to start in two weeks, it’s probably best to let your boss know you’re leaving a month in advance. If you have to start in two weeks, clearly explain your situation to your boss—and make sure you apologize for the short notice.

If You Decide To Quit, Break The News To Your Boss Like This…

Serious woman tells her boss she's leaving her job

Honesty is the best policy when you’re breaking the news to your boss that you found another job. Walk them through your thought process to reduce the amount of misunderstandings. Have a good, open conversation. Communication is key here, like in so many other aspects of your professional and personal life.

Frame your conversation like a story to help your boss understand the situation. Talk about your career goals and how your next job is giving you an opportunity you can’t pass up. If they’re a good manager, they’ll respect your decision without giving you any grief or uncomfortably trying to persuade you to stay.

When You Leave A Job, Don’t Forget To Say This…

Man thanks his boss after quitting his job during a meeting

One of the most powerful forces in the universe is gratitude. Use it to your advantage when you’re having this tough conversation with your boss. Communicate your appreciation for your boss’s leadership and support. Make sure you say the words “thank you.”

Also, communicate your appreciation for your colleagues. Remember, these people are a part of your professional network. Your kind words might reach the ear of the person you’re complimenting, and they’ll remember how you made them feel. When leaving, it’s a good idea to be kinder than necessary.

And, most of all, thank your boss for the opportunity to work there! Without your boss, you wouldn’t be where you are now.

Remember: Quitting The RIGHT Way Is Very Important For Your Career

Woman quits her job the right way and shakes hands with her boss before she leaves

If you don’t really care how you leave your current job, it’s important to realize that it’s a very small world. Your actions at your current job could impact your job opportunities down the road. Word travels fast in an industry. You never know who your boss knows.

Don’t go out with a bang unless you want your quitting story to be told in other places of employment—where you may one day apply for a job. Brand or be branded!

When an employee leaves, it’s a big transition for everyone involved. If you had a good experience working for your current employer, despite any difficulties with a boss or co-worker, it’s in your best interest to do whatever you can to make the transition as smooth as possible.

And if you decide to go out with a bang, make it a positive one.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Parts Of A Cover Letter (AKA How To Write A Good One!)

5 Parts Of A Cover Letter (AKA How To Write A Good One!)

Every resume should be accompanied by the five parts of a cover letter. In this article, I am going to demonstrate the mechanics of a well written cover letter. I hope this provides some knowledge about the parts of a cover letter, and enables you to generate interest from a hiring manager.

How do you structure a cover letter?

A great cover letter has five parts: the salutation, the opening, the hook, the paragraph of knowledge, and the close.

1. The Salutation (The Hello)

Before writing your cover letter, you should research the company you’re applying to. This includes finding the name of the hiring manager who will be reading your resume and cover letter. Get a name, any name. By hook or by crook try to get a name. Sometimes you can’t—then try Dear hiring manager.

2. The Opening (The Grab)

Man writes a cover letter on his laptop

The opening paragraph of your cover letter is your introduction and presents the reader with some immediate and focused information about your connection to the company. Don’t just reiterate what you say in your resume. Explain what you admire about the company you’re applying to. Essentially, you need to tell a story about why you want to work for them. It should “grab” the hiring manager and disrupt them in some way (hence a disruptive cover letter).

3. The Second Paragraph (The Hook)

Woman reads her cover letter on her laptop

This paragraph should define some examples of the work performed and the results achieved. It should be connected to your resume. This does not mean you should copy verbatim what is in the resume. Rather, cover some key competencies that you feel define your success. Provide the hiring manager with some added context about your unique background, blending those facts with language from the job description. Set the stage for how you are qualified for the role you are applying to. But, don’t overdo it.

In the event you are highlighting some information not contained in the resume (if you are switching careers, or have a unique value proposition), this is the perfect place to cover that information.

4. The Third Paragraph (Paragraph Of Knowledge)

Job seeker writes his cover letter on his laptop

Next, demonstrate something you know about the company (its goals, recent achievements, etc.) that prompted you to write. Then, select a couple of examples from your resume that you believe will impress recruiters and hiring managers. Reword these achievements and frame them in a way that shows the employers what you can do for them. This shows the reader that you did some preliminary homework and understand the company’s drivers and goals.

Try to include quantifiable examples wherever possible since numbers usually resonate more than words.

5. The Fourth Paragraph (The Close)

Woman on laptop writing her cover letter for a job posting

In the closing paragraph, quickly summarize what you offer, ask for the interview, and close by thanking the hiring manager for taking the time to read your cover letter.

It’s important to help the reader connect the dots to show them why you are a great job candidate, a business-of-one who can provide a service they need with a personal connection to the company that is invaluable.

That’s it!

What should not be included in a cover letter?

Your cover letter should not include:

  • A boring opening line
  • Long paragraphs
  • A recap of your resume
  • Irrelevant information
  • A boring closing statement
The above template provides what I believe to be the most important parts of any cover letter.​ I hope these tips help you feel confident when writing your next cover letter!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Why Great Leaders Need These 3 Personal Leadership Skills

Why Great Leaders Need These 3 Personal Leadership Skills

Personal leadership is taking responsibility for all aspects of your life and leading it in the direction that is best for you. In order to be successful in leading at work, having strong personal leadership skills is critical.

When you are able to take responsibility for your own life decisions, you are better able to have a positive and inspiring impact on others. You are also able to be a role model for others in the leadership arena.

There are three factors that impact strong personal leadership skills…

A Good Mindset

Mindset is defined as “a fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations.”

Having a positive attitude and perspective about personal leadership and making decisions that are in your best interest is your first step toward strong personal leadership skills. Having positive beliefs and expectations about what will result when you make choices is part of having a positive mindset about personal leadership.

Having the right attitude about developing your personal leadership skills is a great first step on the path to success. Then, you can transfer that success to your leadership skills at work.

Energy Management

Male leader talking to his coworkers about personal leadership skills in a work meeting

The next important area is your energy. How are you managing your energy? Are you taking time to renew yourself? This all supports you in being able to make the best decisions.

This, again, translates into your leadership skills at work. Managing your energy in all areas of your life enables you to give your best—both personally and professionally—and to be at your best when you are both at home and at work.

Strong Support Systems

A group of leaders developing their personal leadership skills at work

The third important area of personal leadership is your support systems. Having strong personal leadership skills means you have a network of people to support you through making choices that are in your best interest.

These people are your sounding boards, your trusted colleagues, your family and friends, and really anyone who you define as part of your inner circle of confidantes. These are the people who know you and trust. They are the ones with whom you can share ideas and seek guidance.

This, again, translates to your being a strong leader at work. We all know the importance of having a strong network in our careers. When people advocate for us, listen to us, and help us, we repay the favor. Strong personal leadership skills require the same type of network.

Strong personal leadership is about being the best leader in your personal life in addition to your professional life. Having strong personal leadership skills also makes you an outstanding role model for those you lead at work and demonstrates vital skills they can incorporate into their own lives.

Development Tip: How are your personal leadership skills? Do you have the right mindset about leading your own life? Are you managing your energy well and do you have a support system behind you? Take some time to think about whether or not you are leading your own life as well as leading your work life.

Are you looking to land a leadership role soon?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.


Not 100% Qualified? No Problem! Why Personality Can Get You A Job Over Experience

Not 100% Qualified? No Problem! Why Personality Can Get You A Job Over Experience

Most people think experience is the most important factor in getting hired. And yes, having the right skills and experience is essential to land a job interview. But experience won’t be the thing that gets you the job.

This is why the most qualified job candidates often don’t get a job offer. Experience is important, but it’s not the deciding factor in the hiring process. Hiring managers consider other factors when deciding who to hire for an open position.

Personality + Aptitude + Experience = HIRED

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @malice.in.chains Why personality wins of experience in job search. #jobtok #careertok #career #job #personality #experience #aptitude ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

People get hired based on personality over experience all the time. In fact, there are three things that hiring managers evaluate you on: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order).

Why doesn’t the most qualified candidate with the most experience get hired? It doesn’t work that way. Companies tend to get a whole bunch of people who all have relatively the same experience, so they could all do the job. So what they have to do is discriminate. And I know you hate that word, but that’s what hiring is. Hiring managers look for other attributes like personality as a way to figure out which person will be the easiest to work with on the job.

This happens every single day. Only 39% of people who get placed in jobs have the exact experience. Think about that number. Sixty-one percent get placed because they have other things like personality.

Now, you can’t convey personality on a resume and LinkedIn profile. Don’t even try, because when people do that, it’s kind of like thinking you have style and a sense of humor. When you don’t, it can come out all wrong. Instead, you need to learn the tools for conveying your personality in the job search. And Work It Daily can help.

Join our community to learn how to convey your personality in the job search and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

5 Unhealthy Job Search Habits Keeping You Unemployed

5 Unhealthy Job Search Habits Keeping You Unemployed

Sometimes in life, our actions are completely counterintuitive. For example, deciding to go on a diet. The first thing most people do is think they must eliminate something or cut back. In reality, the challenge of a diet is you must add more good foods versus taking away bad foods. The good naturally replaces the bad. But, it’s a huge challenge to plan and add good healthy foods to your diet five to six times a day versus going to the drive-thru two times a day.
The same is true for your job search.

Are you going to get “job healthy” by adding good habits to your daily routine, or are you going to stay fat, miserable, and unemployed by choosing the “fast food” route? Of course, the challenge is to know what is healthy and what is not.

Here are the top five unhealthy job search habits and how to replace them with healthy ones:

1. Targeting Human Resources And Recruiters

Unemployed man on laptop and phone calls HR and recruiters to find a job

Yes, eventually you will likely have to talk to those folks, but they should be the last group you actually try to get in front of. Most people think they make the hiring decisions. They don’t; the hiring manager does. And not only that, but the hiring manager is the one who has a vested interest in filling the position. They are the person who will lose sleep if the position is not filled.

So, change your habit of going to HR and instead start going directly to the source, or even better: get a referral to the source (that gives you the inside edge). You can accomplish this by networking your way into the company. Reach out to and connect with current employees on LinkedIn. Mention things you have in common, and explain why you’re passionate about the company.

Also, HR and recruiters should be reaching out to YOU. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is optimized so they can easily find you on the platform.

2. Thinking The Interview Has Anything To Do With You

Unemployed woman interviews for a job

In reality, your objective should be just like a salesperson when they are trying to make the sale. Your number one job is to serve others. And, the better job you do of proving that, the better you will be received.

You are a business-of-one. The interview has very little to do with you and everything to do with how you are going to solve the problems the company is facing. You find that out through research and good Socratic and behavioral interviewing.

3. Trying To Be The “Most Qualified Candidate”

Man shakes the hand of a hiring manager during his job search

Honestly, the most qualified person rarely gets the job. First of all, the most qualified person probably didn’t even apply. Second, he or she may have the best technical qualifications and years of experience, but be an absolutely horrible fit for the culture and objectives of the company.

The best candidate is the best fit, the one who can help the organization meet its goals, not cause a huge rift, and stay for a long, long time. Simple enough, but more challenging to prove than just copying the qualifications from a job description and expecting an offer.

4. Using Quick Fix (Fast Food) Solutions

Unemployed woman on a laptop applies for a job online

The list goes on and on and includes “resume distribution” services, fancy resume writing packages, and SEO services. Unfortunately, all of these quick fixes have one thing in common: they are passive (and ineffective) ways to get a job.

That is also called gambling. Sure, sometimes they work; and sometimes people win the lottery. Instead, do what 80% of successful job seekers do and get proactively involved by researching and contacting as many companies and individuals as you possibly can.

It’s always been about who you know. So, get out there and make new connections!

5. Posting Your Resume On Major Job Boards

Unemployed man on laptop makes the mistake of posting his resume to job boards

This may be the most unhealthy solution of all! Why? Because it serves our need for immediate gratification, yet gives us virtually no benefit. We feel like we have done something, but in reality, we just took a shortcut and went through the drive-thru. By taking the time to continually post your resume and apply for jobs you are taking valuable time away from healthy, proactive solutions.

Think about the act of posting a resume online. It’s not even as good as buying a lottery ticket. At least when you play the lottery, you find out in a week or so why you didn’t win! Taking the easy way out is what most people do (you know, because it’s easy).

For true success, you have to do just the opposite of what most people are doing. Customize your resume for each position you apply for. Include the hard skills and transferable skills the job requires that you can quantify from your previous work experience. It may not be the easiest thing to do, but it’s the best strategy to get your resume past the ATS and in front of the hiring manager.

Wow, we can see the job search fat just melting off! Congratulations, you have now joined the ranks of fit, active, fulfilled job seekers.

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10 Reasons Why You Need A Career Coach

10 Reasons Why You Need A Career Coach

A good friend recently sent me the link to an article all about the value of coaching. I’m sure it’s no surprise to all of you that I loved it. However, it also reminded me that I should be reminding all of you why having a career coach is the best thing you can do for your professional development.

Here are the top 10 reasons you need a career coach right now:

1. You Could See A 300% Return On Your Investment

Professional man at a job he landed by utilizing a career coach

According to a survey in the article I mentioned above, wellness programs have been shown to provide approximately a 300% return on investment (ROI). In other words, companies that spend $1 on a wellness program earn $3 as a result of decreased turnover, fewer sick days, reduced health insurance costs, etc.

It’s no wonder wellness programs have experienced such tremendous growth; it makes financial sense. The same can be said about career coaching. If you invest in yourself and your career by getting a coach, you’ll see a return on investment in the form of professional growth and development.

2. Your Relationships Will Improve

Woman talks to a career coach or a coworker

Another study shows that professional coaching has an even greater impact on things like relationships and teamwork. The study says recipients of coaching saw a 77% improvement in relationships, 67% improvement in teamwork, 61% improvement in job satisfaction, and 48% improvement in quality.

Getting coaching on one aspect of our lives, like career coaching, can have a positive effect in many different areas. It’s a good kind of domino effect.

3. You’ll Have More Positivity In Your Life

Man chats with a career coach online

Career coaches are trained to focus on positive outcomes and be a source of motivation. They tailor their efforts to help you find greater satisfaction. Since no two people are the same, having a career coach ensures you are getting assistance that speaks to your wants and needs—not someone else’s. More importantly, it’s been proven that the best way to get what you want is to surround yourself with positive people.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with family and friends. So, hiring a career coach ensures you’ve got at least one positive influence in your life!

4. You’ll Be Following In The Footsteps Of Star Performers

Group of successful people/professionals who get career coaching

One outdated stigma about career coaching is that it’s for people who are underperforming or troubled. On the contrary! Most smart folks who seek out career coaching do so because they want to be high performers and feel satisfied with their efforts.

In the article mentioned above, Paul Michelman, editor of Harvard Business School’s Management Update, says, “whereas coaching was once viewed by many as a tool to help correct underperformance, today it is becoming much more widely used in supporting top producers. In fact, in a 2004 survey by Right Management Consultants, 86% of companies said they used coaching to sharpen the skills of individuals who have been identified as future organizational leaders.”

So, by choosing to invest in coaching, you are saying to the world you believe in yourself and your ability to be a star performer!

5. It Doesn’t Take Up A Lot Of Time

Woman talks to a career coach on her laptop

Many people assume coaching is like working out: you need to do it daily to see any results. That’s true! But the good thing about career coaching, like working out, is that it doesn’t take much time if you have a plan, know what you’re doing, and have the right mindset.

Good coaches understand that you need to work professional development into your schedule. Moreover, studies show that just a few hours per month can have a huge impact.

At Work It Daily, for example, our slogan is “If you want to win, you’ve got to work it daily.” Working on your career for just a few minutes a day is enough to transform your professional outlook. This is the strategy we promote at Work It Daily, and it has helped thousands of our members find jobs and grow their careers.

6. Career Coaches Tell You What You NEED To Hear

Professional woman meets with a career coach

While you may be friendly with your career coach, they are not your friend. They are your advocate for change.

Unlike your family and friends who are opinionated and biased about you and your career, a career coach will look at you objectively and strive to empower you to take the necessary actions to achieve your goals.

In short, while the people in your life tend to tell you what you want to hear, your career coach will be honest and tell you what you need to hear to make your career goals a reality.

7. You Could Get Your Employer To Pay For It

Man listens to a career coach on his laptop

For the longest time, companies have only paid for their executives to have career coaches. But that trend is changing. According to the article previously mentioned, online shoe and clothing company Zappos.com, known for their outstanding commitment to creating a culture of unparalleled customer service (they even teach this through Zappos Insights), has a full-time goals coach who works with any employee—not just management—on helping them create better lives.

Now is the time to see if your company is considering budgeting for career coaching services as part of its benefits program. With all the surveys showing the positive impact it has, there’s a good chance your employer may see value in footing the bill for your career coach.

In the event you are laid off, you should still ask your employer if they will provide outplacement services to help you find your next job. Career coaching at any stage in your professional life, no matter what kind of challenges you face, can be a true game changer.

8. They’ll Help You Break Bad Habits

Thinking woman addresses her bad habits with a career coach on her laptop

A good coach will never tell you what to do. Instead, they’ll help you identify habits that are holding you back from success. Then, they’ll coach you on the actions you should take to learn new, better ways to accomplish your goals.

In short, career coaches teach you how to remove roadblocks to success on your own, ensuring you can do this for yourself both now and in the future.

9. It Shows You Think Like An Executive

Two executives/professional women talk about career coaching

The article I mentioned above indicates some executives will pay as much as $3,500/hour for a particular coach. Yikes! That’s too rich for my blood. But the article goes on to say that most personal coaches charge a monthly retainer between $500 to $2,000 a month. What this means is either there are a lot of really silly executives wasting their money on coaching each month or they are getting results that make them feel it’s worth the investment.

At Work It Daily, our goal is to make career coaching accessible to everyone, not just executives with deep pockets, so you can think like an executive without worrying about the price tag.

10. You Deserve Better In Your Career

Happy professional man receives career coaching

Forget the economy for a second and just ask yourself, “Do I deserve better?” If the voice in your head says, “Yes!” then you need to take action.

Let’s face it: if you could have found greater career satisfaction and success on your own, you would have by now. So, why not give yourself some well-deserved support that will help you get what you want and deserve?

We spend a third of our lives at our jobs. Isn’t it time you felt good about your career?

Think career coaching is for you?

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4 Personal Branding Tips EVERYONE Needs To Know

4 Personal Branding Tips EVERYONE Needs To Know

Why is your personal brand so important anyway? Do you REALLY need one?

Great questions. Allow me to explain…

Here are four personal branding tips absolutely EVERYONE should know:

Brand Or BE Branded!

Whether you like it or not, you’ve got a brand. Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s what comes to mind when people think about you, and how people describe you to their friends.

Chances are, you want SOME say in what people say about you. You want to make sure people are perceiving you the way YOU want to be perceived, right?

In order to do that, you need to create a brand for yourself—a brand that represents you, your goals, and your accomplishments. As Work It Daily founder and CEO, J.T. O’Donnell, says, you must “brand or BE branded!”

Be Honest About Your Brand

Happy professional with a strong personal brand gives the thumbs up

This is important. Don’t build a brand that’s not true to you. Not only is it exhausting to try and keep up with something you’re not, but everyone can see right through it. Don’t strip your brand of its true flavor! Embrace who you are—all of your quirks included.

Strategically Polarize

Coworkers talk to each other in the office

One of the biggest keys to a strong brand is to strategically polarize—to fully embrace who you are (your brand) with no apologies.

“I think for a lot of us, we want so much to be liked that we boil ourselves down to this grey, watery mush,” says Sally Hogshead, author of FASCINATE, in an interview with bestselling author and web TV host Marie Forleo. “If you’re trying to create messages for everybody, you end up speaking to nobody.”

Yes, there will be people who don’t agree with your brand. They may even hate it. But the people who love you will REALLY love you. They will be able to connect with you, engage with you, and trust you because your brand is honest. And, in the end, who else do you need? You can’t please everyone, so be selective. Who do you want to associate with your brand?

Style Your Brand

Professional woman on laptop looks for a job

Don’t just keep your awesome, quirky, AMAZING brand to yourself—let it shine! Embrace your brand and reinforce it in everything you do. This isn’t just limited to your work. Think about your style and behavior, too!

“Develop your personal dress style, appearance, and image that consistently screams what you are about,” writes Deborah Shane in her article “How To Be Memorable: Develop Your Unique Brand Style.”

Who are you? How can you reinforce your brand through your personal style and behavior? Don’t just brand yourself on paper. Live your brand!

Need more help with your personal brand?

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6 Ways To Make Your Boss Love You

6 Ways To Make Your Boss Love You

Has your relationship with your boss suddenly changed (and you’re not sure why)? It’s smart of you to notice, and even smarter of you to do something about it.

So many of us settle for an unhealthy relationship with our manager, hoping that it will eventually blow over. The truth is, relationships are a lot like icebergs—what you see above the water is usually rooted in something much bigger happening beneath the surface. What you may experience as a pattern of sharp feedback or increased micromanaging might be rooted in something bigger. Even if it’s not, sweeping these concerns under the rug will likely put you on edge and make you more likely to make mistakes or assume the worst.

If you’re serious about improving your relationship with your manager, you’ll have to be willing to take 100% responsibility for making the relationship a success. In a dream world, your manager may see what you’re doing and want to meet you halfway, but you can’t bank on that. If trust has been broken, it will take a while to rebuild. If your competence is in question, you may need several successes before you chip away at their false perception of you. No matter what the root cause of the breach is, you must be willing to stay the course and be consistent until the relationship turns around.

To improve your relationship with your manager, you must convince them that you can and will help them be successful. This convincing isn’t about apologies or persuasive words; it’s about consistently communicating through your language, work products, loyalty, and warmth that you care about your company, your boss, and your team—and that you have the skills to get your job done well.

So, how do you do that? It’s easier than you think.

Here are six ways to make your boss love you:

1. Find Reasons To Like And Respect Your Manager

Human beings aren’t stupid. We are biologically programmed to know when someone is faking admiration for us. Our gut tells us not to trust them, and our suspicion goes into high gear. Your manager is no different. You won’t be able to build a relationship with your manager if, deep down, you don’t respect them. Unfortunately, respecting them isn’t something we can pretend our way into.

To like or respect someone, you have to find things about them you want to emulate. The good news is, even if your manager is Mr. Hyde on steroids, chances are there are things about them worth admiring. Take a minute to decide what those things are and keep them top of mind. One way to do this is to create a sincere one-sentence response to the question, “What do you admire most about your manager?” Have that response handy, and find a way to use it when asked about them and their skills. You’ll find that telling others what you like about them makes you believe it more.

As a bonus, if your manager hears that you’ve been spreading praise about them, it can’t hurt your relationship!

2. Be Meticulous About Keeping Your Word

Woman improves relationship with her boss during a work meeting

If you say you’ll be at work at 8:30 am, do it. If you promise a deliverable by a deadline, keep that deadline. Don’t lie or exaggerate, even if it will save you a headache. If you make a mistake or miss a deadline, acknowledge it before they do. Lastly, keep what they tell you in confidence private. If you’ve been inconsistent in the past where your word is concerned, admit it. Share what you’re working on to make it better. By being transparent about your intentions, and then keeping those intentions, you prove you’re worth trusting.

3. Set Sustainable Boundaries And Occasionally Say No

Man sets boundaries with his manager at work during a meeting

Seasoned bosses respect people who tell them the truth—even when the truth is “no.” By setting manageable (but realistic) boundaries and expectations with your boss, you protect yourself from burnout and ensure you can deliver for them long term. Sometimes these boundaries need to be stretched in particularly busy seasons, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth setting.

By setting boundaries before they’re needed, you ensure that you won’t become bitter or resentful about work patterns you’ve inadvertently agreed to (working late or on weekends, checking your email on vacation, etc.). Similarly, by negotiating project context and deadlines on the front end, you prove that you take delivering on deadlines seriously. It’s much better to underpromise and delight your boss by overdelivering than to verbally assent to something you know won’t happen.

4. Prioritize What Matters (To Them)

Woman talks to her boss at work

Chances are there are a handful of projects your boss cares about the most. Ensure that these projects are front and center on your to-do list. When you hit a major milestone with these projects, keep your boss in the loop.

When you burn the midnight oil, ensure they know that you’re prioritizing this task because it’s important AND because it’s important to them. Share some of the praise for the project’s successes by heralding them as a champion of the project. Arm them with stats, sound bites, and other information to share with their boss and peers about what you’ve accomplished together.

5. Show Them You Take Their Feedback Seriously

Man talks to his boss at work

When your boss pulls you aside with some corrective feedback, show them you prize their feedback by:

  • Writing it down and repeating their points to them to ensure you captured the feedback correctly.
  • Following up the conversation with an email (or a note at your next check-in) thanking them for the feedback and telling them what you plan to do differently.
  • Building systems or habits to remind yourself of the feedback and integrate the change they suggested.
  • Picking a few moments over the next few months to remind them of the feedback they gave and what you’ve done to internalize it. If there has been a positive impact as a result of implementing their feedback, be sure to share it.

6. Be Loyal When They’re Not Around

Happy manager talks with her colleagues during a work meeting

Trust is the frailest component of your relationship with your manager; breaking it can be fatal to your relationship. Don’t say anything about them publicly, or even behind closed doors, that you wouldn’t say to their face. Don’t give feedback about them to their manager if you haven’t voiced it to them first. Work as hard when they’re home sick as you would if they were with you in the office. Don’t conspire against them, period—even if they deserve it. By keeping your loyalty to your manager, you mark yourself as a person who can be trusted and with high ethical standards. This makes you extremely rare and worth keeping around.

Repairing a broken relationship with your manager takes work, but yields dividends in your immediate job and later in your career. By taking the time to build trust and demonstrate your loyalty and competence, you not only save your job—you win a friend and mentor for life.

Need more help improving your relationship with your boss?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Why Your Resume Will NOT Get You The Job

Why Your Resume Will NOT Get You The Job

If you’re like most job seekers, you probably think that your resume has the power to get you the job. It can make or break a hiring manager’s decision to hire you. Well, that’s actually not true.

I need to make this clear to all of you job seekers out there: your resume is not going to get you the job.

Here’s why…

Your Resume Will Get You The Interview (NOT The Job)

@j.t.odonnell Your #resume will NEVER, EVER get you the job. Here is why… #resumetips #jobsearch #careerhelp #careertok #jobtok #job #jobtips #jobs #careeradvice #career #recruiter #careers ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

The resume’s purpose is to get you the interview. Its purpose is to get past the ATS using the correct keywords, and then it needs to give the hiring manager just enough information to want to call you to learn more about your skills and experience.

Unfortunately, so many job seekers are agonizing over their resumes, spending weeks and months on them as time goes on and they’ve yet to find a job. Or worse, spending hundreds of dollars on a resume writer who will write them an overdone, stuffy, wordy, subjective resume that recruiters do not want.

The truth is, you don’t need to spend that much time or money on your resume.

Today, recruiters want a skimmable resume—a six-second resume that they can quickly interpret to decide if they should call you. And given the fact that less than 3% of people who apply online ever hear back, the more you can create a skimmable resume that gets them to want to call you, the better.

But the most important thing I need you to understand about your resume is to stop making it the main focus of your job search. Your time will be far better spent on updating a LinkedIn profile and learning how to connect with employers so you can get around the ATS.

Please stop thinking your resume is the thing that’s going to get you the job because it won’t. It just needs to get you the interview.

Need more help with your resume?

Sign up for my FREE Resume & LinkedIn Bootcamp today to learn how to update your resume and LinkedIn profile the way recruiters want!

8 Simple Interview Questions To Ask Hiring Managers

8 Simple Interview Questions To Ask Hiring Managers

You’ve just spent the last 45 minutes answering questions from a hiring manager. You gave it all you had. You think you did okay. The hiring manager seemed to smile and nod a lot when you were speaking. Then, suddenly, she asks, “Do you have any questions for me?”

While your initial instinct might be to quit while you are ahead and say, “No. I’m good,” the right thing to do is ask a set of strategic questions designed to help you stand out and get the job.

4 Cs Of Interview Questions

In the video above, I map out why you need a strategy for asking questions in an interview.

If you don’t know what to ask and why, you will not only miss out on the opportunity to make a good impression, but also fail to get the insights you need to determine if this employer is right for you.

The secret to asking great questions in an interview is to use the following four Cs as your guidelines:

  • Connect
  • Corporate culture
  • Company challenges
  • Closing conversation

When you use these correctly, you can craft questions that will make you look friendly, collaborative, well researched, and professional—all great qualities to display to a hiring manager during a job interview!

8 Simple Interview Questions You Can Ask A Hiring Manager (That Support The 4 Cs Mentioned Above):

Woman asks the hiring manager questions during her job interview

  1. How did you come to work here? (CONNECT)
  2. What do you love most about working here? (CONNECT)
  3. Who’s the most successful person hired here in the last year and how have they succeeded? (CORPORATE CULTURE)
  4. Who’s been the least successful person hired and what did they do wrong? (CORPORATE CULTURE)
  5. What’s the biggest challenge the company will face this year and how will it be overcome? (COMPANY CHALLENGES)
  6. As an employee, what can I do to make a difference and have an impact on the company this year? (COMPANY CHALLENGES)
  7. Is there anything about my candidacy that you would change to make me a better fit for this job? (CLOSE CONVERSATION)
  8. What are the next steps in the hiring process? (CLOSE CONVERSATION)

NOTE: To learn exactly why these are the perfect questions to ask, watch the video above.

You’ll impress the hiring manager if you ask these eight questions during your next job interview. But don’t just do it to stand out. Ask these questions to better figure out if you really want to work at this certain company.

It’s your career. You want to make sure you’re making the right decision for YOU!

There’s no better way to do that than remembering the four Cs and asking the eight questions above.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 BIG Career Change Mistakes

5 BIG Career Change Mistakes

After months (maybe even years) of careful thought, you have decided that the time is finally right to make a career change. This is one of the biggest decisions of your professional life and it will have a significant impact on your quality of life moving forward.

Buckle up! This change won’t happen overnight and it’s going to be a roller coaster of a process.

As you navigate your way through the career change process, here are five mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Believing That A Career Change Will Be Easy

As alluded to in the opening paragraphs, the career change process is a roller coaster ride of emotions and there’s nothing easy about it! Some people go into the process, think they’ll apply for a few jobs, and just hope something will come together. Then, after the setbacks mount, they lose confidence and become frustrated.

You need to take a step back and taper your expectations.

The job market is as competitive as ever and, depending on how long you were at your previous job, the job search process has changed significantly. From the way you find jobs, apply for jobs, and interview for jobs, the process is not the same as it used to be.

Mistake #2: Not Doing Enough Research

Man looks at his phone while researching companies to work for

You’ve decided you don’t want to continue with your current career path and have narrowed in on another career to pursue.

Guess what? That’s not enough!

You need to research the industry you’re going into to see how many of your professional skills will transfer over to the new career field. You also need to take a serious inventory of the skills that you’re lacking and investigate your options for upskilling to gain those valuable skills. This may be the most difficult of all the career change challenges. However, addressing it early in the job search process will only benefit you more in the long run.

In addition to all of that, you need to have a strong understanding of the state of the industry you’re targeting. Some industries, such as journalism, are struggling and seeing significant reductions in the workforce while other professions are in danger of being automated. It’s important to make sure that the profession you’re going into is better than the one you’re leaving behind.

It’s also important to research salaries for the profession, so there are no surprises as you go along in the process (more on that in a bit).

Mistake #3: Attacking The Career Change Process Alone

Woman at a networking event talking to colleagues who could help her with her career change

If you’ve neglected your professional network or don’t have one, you may want to make that your first priority before starting your job search.

A career change is hard enough as it is, but very few people are able to accomplish it without a little help. This is where your professional network comes in handy. Talking to former colleagues, professional acquaintances, and mentors can not only help shape your career path, but they may also be able to recommend companies that may be a good fit for you and make some initial introductions.

If your professional network needs some work, try to reach out to colleagues to see if they’re willing to introduce you to some professionals in their networks. In addition, you may want to look into attending some local networking events to meet new people.

Online networking tools such as LinkedIn also give job seekers an opportunity to run their own proactive job searches. If you’ve identified some companies that you’re interested in, you can use LinkedIn to connect with people at those companies. You can also contact the recruiter for those companies.

Your networking efforts should run concurrently with your job search.

Mistake #4: Neglecting Your Resume

Job seeker on laptop shows a lack of interest in working on his resume

There may have been a time a long time ago when a one-size-fits-all resume was fine but it’s not like that now. Every resume needs to be tailored to the specific job you’re targeting. The modern-day recruiter handles so many resumes that they only have time to skim them.

You basically have six seconds to get that recruiter’s attention, so all the relevant skills that you possess for that job need to be at the top of your resume.

There are still some people that fall into the trap of spending most of their time writing a good cover letter but using the same resume over and over again. Both documents deserve an equal amount of attention. It may take a little extra time but it beats being repeatedly passed over for job interviews.

Mistake #5: Expecting To Make More Money

Woman saving money during the career change process

If you’re making a career change just to make more money, you may be in for a surprise.

Sure, depending on your industry and professional experience, there are some career changes that lead to instant raises.

But in many cases, any financial gain that comes from career change happens in the long term, not the short term. It’s very possible that you’ll have to take a pay cut initially until you prove yourself in your new position. This is especially true if a company takes a chance and hires you with little experience. The company wants to make sure you can do the job before it makes a significant investment.

That’s why it’s important to do salary research early in the process and plan accordingly.

The job search process isn’t easy, but if you take the proper steps, it doesn’t have to be miserable. Hopefully by avoiding these five mistakes, making a career change will be a little less daunting and intimidating. And (even though it didn’t make the list) make sure you don’t prematurely quit your current job before you’ve secured a new one (unless you have the resources) because even the smoothest career changes take a little time.

Need more help with your career change?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.