Blog | Reach Your Destination

I’m Great at My Job—So Why Do I Feel Stuck?

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:56:01 GMT

You’re good at what you do. People come to you with questions. You know your stuff, your boss relies on you, and maybe you’ve even been told you’re “too valuable to lose.”

So why do you feel like your career has stopped moving?

Here’s the hard truth: being competent doesn’t always equal being fulfilled. In fact, getting too good at your job can sometimes become the very reason you feel stuck.

At RYD Career Coaching , we work with professionals in this exact spot—people who are capable, respected, and quietly wondering if they’ve outgrown the version of success they’re currently living.

Competency vs. Fulfillment: They’re Not the Same Thing

You might be performing well on paper, but inside? You’re restless. A little bored. Maybe even dreading Monday—but not in the burn-it-all-down way. More like a slow, quiet ache that says: I need something else.

That “something else” might not be more money or a better title. It could be:

More creativity or ownership
A different kind of team or culture
A role that aligns with your long-term purpose
The ability to leave work at work (imagine!)

Competency gets you promotions. Clarity gets you progress.

Signs You’re Ready for a Change (Even If You’re Still Doing Well)

Not sure if you’re really stuck or just in a weird phase? Here are a few common signs our clients bring to coaching:

You’re tired but not challenged
You feel like you’re pretending to care
You can do the job with your eyes closed, and that’s not a flex anymore
You’re not learning, growing, or even curious about what’s next

Sometimes, the worst thing a job can be is "fine."

Why Promotions and Pay Raises Aren’t Always the Answer

You might be tempted to wait for the next promotion or a bump in salary. And hey—if you want that and it’ll bring you satisfaction, great!

But if the thought of doing more of what you’re already doing leaves you cold, then climbing higher in the same direction probably won’t fix what’s underneath.

More responsibility, longer hours, and higher stakes in a role you’ve already outgrown? That’s a recipe for burnout—not fulfillment.

You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Broken

This is one of the hardest parts for high-achievers to admit: "I don’t hate my job. I just don’t want it anymore."

We see this constantly, especially among mid-career professionals who have spent a decade building a version of success that now feels like a box.

Let’s be clear:

Outgrowing your role doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful
Wanting something new doesn’t mean you’re flaky
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing

It means you're evolving.

How RYD Career Coaching Can Help

At RYD, we specialize in helping mid-career professionals get unstuck without tossing everything into chaos. You don’t need to burn it down—you just need a plan.

Here’s how we support clients through transitions:

Clarity coaching to define what you really want (not just what’s next on paper)
Career storytelling to help you position your strengths in a new light
Strategic job search planning so you’re not applying into the void
Resume and LinkedIn support that aligns with your next move—not just your last title

You can be grateful for where you are and ready for more.

You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck

It’s okay if your current role isn’t the dream anymore. It’s okay to want something different—even if it doesn’t come with a clear title yet. And it’s definitely okay to ask for help figuring it out.

At RYD, we help professionals like you explore options, build a roadmap, and take action without burning out or blowing up your life. Let’s figure out your next move—together.

Where Are All the Good Jobs?

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:34:57 GMT

(And How to Find Them Faster)

Let me guess: You’ve submitted 27 applications this week. Maybe 40. You’ve rewritten your résumé a dozen times, toggled endlessly between Indeed and LinkedIn, and maybe even started questioning whether the jobs you want actually exist anymore.

If this sounds familiar, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong—it’s because the job search system is broken . Especially for professionals in their 30s, 40s, and beyond, who aren’t just looking for any job—they’re looking for one that fits.

The good news? There are good jobs out there. You just need a better strategy to find them.

Why You’re Not Seeing the Jobs You Actually Want

First, a reality check: many of the best jobs never make it to public job boards.

Why? Because:

They’re filled internally or through referrals
The posting exists only to “satisfy policy”
Hiring managers rely on recruiters and their networks before opening the floodgates to 400+ random résumés

If you’re only searching on LinkedIn, Indeed, and the same handful of company websites, you’re fishing with a broken net.

A Smarter Strategy for Finding the Right Role

Here’s what we teach our coaching clients when they’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ghosted by every online application:

Define Your Target

Start by identifying:

Your must-haves (remote? salary? mission?)
The industries or job functions you’re open to
The kind of life you want your job to support

This is your North Star. Without it, you’ll say yes to roles you don’t actually want—and burn out applying to ones that don’t align.

Shortlist 10 Dream Companies

Seriously, just ten.
Research them. Follow them. Connect with their employees. Check for hidden job boards on their websites. This focused approach is way more effective than applying to 100 vague listings you barely skimmed.

Tailor Everything

Your résumé and LinkedIn profile should speak directly to your audience. That means:

Industry-relevant language
Clear, quantifiable accomplishments
Headlines that actually tell people what you do (not just your job title)

If you’re not sure how to frame your experience for a pivot or leadership leap—this is where RYD comes in. We specialize in resumes that tell your story.

Where to Actually Look (That Isn’t a Giant Job Board)

Let’s get creative. Here are some underused job search resources we love:

Niche job boards : The Muse , HIREBLACK , WorkDesign , and even local chambers of commerce
Company websites (especially small-to-mid-sized employers)
Your alumni network (seriously—most people forget to use this)
Recruiters like TDM & Associates , our sister company, who specialize in engineering, operations, and manufacturing roles
Your own network (we’ll get to that next)

Relationships Still Matter More Than Résumés

Referrals remain the #1 way people land great jobs. That doesn’t mean awkward networking events and asking strangers on LinkedIn to "pick their brain."

Instead, try this:

Reconnect with someone you actually know and like
Ask if they’ve seen any open roles that sound like a fit
Tell them what you’re looking for (and what you’re not)

Want a sample message to use? Here you go:

“Hi [Name], I’m exploring new roles in [industry/role] that align more with [your values/goals]. If anything comes to mind—or you know someone I should talk to—I’d love a quick introduction.”

Keep it casual. Keep it clear.

What We Recommend at RYD

If your brain feels fried from juggling job boards, résumés, and existential dread—pause. You don’t need to do this alone. Here’s how we help:

A personalized job search strategy that won’t drain your soul
A resume and LinkedIn audit that speaks directly to decision-makers
Role-specific interview prep and career coaching
Access to recruiter partnerships (like TDM & Associates) if your field aligns

You don’t have to chase a hundred jobs to find one that fits. You just need to build a process that respects your time, energy, and priorities.

TL;DR: Let’s Find a Job You Actually Want

Yes, the job market is weird. Yes, you're allowed to feel frustrated. But no, you don’t have to keep applying into the void.

If you’re ready to:

Find a role that matches your goals and values
Stop wasting time on the wrong applications
Get strategic support from a certified resume writer and career coach…

We’re ready when you are.

Book a free discovery call or explore our services to see how we can help you land your next role—without losing your mind.

You Don’t Have to Climb a Ladder You Don’t Like

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:15:01 GMT

The Myth of Upward-Only Growth

For a long time, career advice came with a single metaphor: climb the ladder. Each rung was supposed to represent progress—higher title, higher pay, higher stakes. But here’s the truth: a lot of people climb that ladder only to realize it’s leaning against the wrong wall.

At RYD Career Coaching , we work with mid-career professionals who followed the “right” path—only to end up overworked, burned out, or quietly unfulfilled. They did what they were supposed to do. Now they’re ready to figure out what they want to do.

Because traditional career ladders don’t leave room for what many of us need: flexibility, values alignment, and the freedom to evolve. You don’t have to chase promotions that don’t serve you. You don’t have to prove your worth by staying in a role that drains you. And you definitely don’t have to apologize for wanting something different.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in middle management, itching for a career change, or just starting to question what success even means—you’re not broken. You’re just outgrowing the story you were told.

Let’s rewrite it.

Where the Ladder Analogy Breaks Down

The idea of the corporate ladder has been around for decades—and for some people, it works. But for many professionals, especially those navigating career changes in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, that metaphor starts to feel narrow and outdated.

Here’s why:

It doesn’t account for detours, pauses, or value shifts.

Life isn’t linear. Careers aren’t either. You might step back to care for family, take a lateral move to escape a toxic environment, or pursue a new path that aligns better with your values. None of those decisions make you less driven—they make you human.

Yet the ladder model treats these shifts like setbacks. That mindset is harmful and inaccurate.

It treats burnout like a badge of honor.

The ladder glorifies constant upward motion: more hours, more stress, more responsibility. But if each rung brings you more pressure without more fulfillment, is it really progress?

We work with clients who’ve checked all the boxes—title, salary, performance reviews—and still feel empty. That’s not failure. That’s a sign that the system wasn’t built for sustainability.

It ignores the messy, meaningful middle.

There’s real growth in staying still long enough to know yourself. In deepening your skills. In redefining success on your terms.

Sometimes you don’t need another rung. You need a wider platform.

Signs You’ve Outgrown the Current Path

You don’t have to hate your job to know it’s not working. Sometimes the signs are subtle—a slow erosion of energy, a growing sense that you're no longer learning, or the quiet dread that starts creeping in on Sunday night. If you’re wondering whether it’s time for a change, here are some common signals we see in coaching clients who’ve outgrown their current career path :

You feel bored, even when you’re busy.

Your calendar might be full, but you’re running on autopilot. You’re executing tasks, attending meetings, getting things done—but there’s no real spark. No growth. No curiosity. That’s a red flag.

You’re performing well, but it doesn’t feel like progress.

You’re meeting goals, getting positive feedback, maybe even earning promotions. And still… something’s off. This kind of “empty achievement” is incredibly common among mid-career professionals, and it often points to values misalignment.

You feel like you’re shrinking to fit the role.

You’ve adjusted. You’ve compromised. You’ve let go of creative ideas or ways of working that once felt important to you. And now? You feel like a watered-down version of yourself at work. That’s a problem worth addressing.

You catch yourself wondering, “What else is out there?”

Even if it’s just a passing thought between Zoom calls, that question matters. It’s often your first clue that you’re ready for something different—whether that’s a new role, a new industry, or a whole new direction.

Alternatives to Linear Advancement

For a long time, the only direction that seemed to count in a career was “up.” But up isn’t always the right move—and it’s definitely not the only one. In our work with mid-career professionals, we often help clients discover that the most fulfilling paths are the ones that break from tradition.

Here are three alternatives to climbing a ladder that still move you forward in meaningful ways:

Lateral moves

A lateral move—switching roles or departments at the same level—can open up fresh challenges, better culture, or a healthier team dynamic without the pressure of a title jump. It’s one of the most underappreciated strategies for long-term career growth, especially when you’re looking to pivot or protect your energy.

Pivoting to new industries or functions

If your skills are transferable—and they probably are—you’re not stuck in one sector forever. We help clients identify adjacent industries or job families where their experience still holds weight but the environment offers a better fit. Think supply chain to sustainability, or project management to people ops.

This is where strong career storytelling makes all the difference.

Growth through deepening

Sometimes, growth doesn’t mean doing something new—it means doing something deeper. That might look like building mastery in your current field, mentoring others, or finally prioritizing work-life balance after years of overextending. These kinds of changes aren’t always visible on a resume, but they’re powerful.

How to Figure Out What “Success” Means to You

If your version of success no longer matches the one you started out with—good. That means you’re paying attention.

The most meaningful career shifts we’ve seen at RYD start not with a job title or industry, but with a better question:
What does success look like for me now?

Here’s how to start answering that:

Use journal prompts to go deeper

You don’t need a five-year plan—you need five honest answers. Try these prompts to reconnect with your own voice:

What part of your current work gives you energy? What drains it?
When do you feel most confident or proud in your role?
What would you keep doing even if you didn’t get paid for it?

If your answers feel scattered, that’s okay. Patterns emerge over time—and clarity follows action.

Ask better coaching questions

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Our clients often uncover new possibilities just by talking it out in a space where they don’t have to perform. Coaching creates room for the “what ifs” you’ve been avoiding.

Some of our favorites:

What would you want if no one was watching?
What kind of support would help you move forward?
Who do you admire—and why?

These aren’t surface-level questions. They’re invitations to take yourself seriously.

Make values-driven decisions

You can’t build a sustainable career on someone else’s definition of success. When you anchor your goals in your values—things like autonomy, connection, creativity, or stability—you’ll make choices that lead to alignment, not exhaustion.

This is the heart of the work we do at RYD Career Coaching : helping you realign your career path with who you are now, not who you were when you chose your major or said yes to that first job.

Your Career Should Work for You—Not the Other Way Around

You don’t need to keep climbing just because the ladder is there. If your current path feels misaligned, unsustainable, or just flat-out wrong—it’s not too late to change direction. In fact, it’s one of the most courageous and strategic moves you can make.

At RYD Career Coaching , we work with mid-career professionals who are ready to stop following someone else’s idea of success and start defining their own. Whether you’re craving more purpose, more flexibility, or just a job that feels like it fits, we can help you figure out what’s next—and how to get there without burning out in the process.

Your career isn’t stuck. You’re not too old. And you’re definitely not behind. You’re ready to take the next step—your step.

Let’s figure out what that looks like.

Unlocking Career Growth

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:49:34 GMT

The Power of Mentors and Sponsors

In your career journey, finding the right mentor or sponsor can feel like unlocking a hidden treasure map. Not only do these relationships guide you toward success, but they also provide insights and opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden. So, what’s the real difference between a mentor and a sponsor? And more importantly, how can you leverage these relationships for growth?

The Mentor vs. Sponsor Dilemma

Let’s clear this up: mentors and sponsors are both valuable, but they serve different purposes. A mentor offers guidance, shares knowledge, and helps you navigate your career path. They’re like a personal GPS, helping you avoid potholes and dead ends. A sponsor, on the other hand, is more like a career advocate. They speak up for you when you’re not in the room, opening doors and creating opportunities you might not have otherwise had access to.

Building Lasting Mentor Relationships

Building a mentor relationship isn’t just about asking for advice—it’s about fostering a two-way street of learning and growth. Here’s how to get started:

Identify potential mentors: Look for someone who has walked the path you aspire to. It could be a colleague, a manager, or even someone outside your organization.
Be intentional: Approach the relationship with clear goals in mind. What do you want to learn? How do you hope this relationship will help you grow?
Give and receive feedback: Mentorship is a dialogue, not a monologue. Share your progress and be open to constructive feedback. At the same time, offer your mentor feedback too—this builds trust and respect.

Leveraging Sponsors for Career Growth

Sponsors are all about action. While mentors guide you, sponsors champion you. They’re the people who will mention your name in important meetings, push for your promotion, or connect you with higher-ups. To effectively leverage a sponsor:

Showcase your value: Consistently demonstrate your skills and results. Sponsors need to know that advocating for you is a smart move.
Maintain strong communication: Keep your sponsor informed of your achievements, challenges, and career aspirations.
Be patient: Sponsorships are built on trust and performance, so be patient as the relationship develops.

Adding Mentorship to Your Resume

When updating your resume, don’t forget to highlight any mentorship or sponsorship experiences that have led to career success. Whether you’ve provided guidance or received it, showcasing these experiences reflects leadership, collaboration, and a growth mindset—qualities recruiters love.

Working with Recruiters: Why Mentorship Matters

When engaging with recruiters, bringing up your mentor and sponsor relationships can give you an edge. It signals that you’re invested in your growth and that others are invested in your success too. Whether it’s a mentor helping you through a tricky career decision or a sponsor elevating your profile, these relationships are golden nuggets that enhance your personal brand.

Conclusion: Make Mentorship and Sponsorship a Career Priority

Mentorship and sponsorship aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essential components of career growth. Whether you're seeking guidance or opening doors for others, these relationships help you navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and reach your full potential. By investing time in finding the right mentors and sponsors—and by being open to offering the same support—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. So, if you haven’t already, start building these relationships today. Your future self will thank you.

How to Outsmart Those Pesky Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Land Your Dream Job

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:33:58 GMT

Alright, let’s talk about the modern-day job hunt nightmare: the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS for short. Picture this (or potentially remember it): you’ve crafted the perfect resume, filled with all your stellar achievements, and sprinkled it with some clever wordplay. You hit send, and then...nothing. Crickets. No call, no email. Why? Because your resume got lost in the ATS abyss. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered on how to navigate this digital minefield and get your resume seen by real human eyes.

1. Keywords are Your New Best Friend

Okay, let’s break this down. An ATS is like a picky eater at a salad bar; it’s only looking for specific ingredients (keywords). The trick here is to feed it exactly what it wants. This means you’ve got to use the right keywords that match the job description.

Pro tip: Go through the job listing with a fine-tooth comb. See those words that keep popping up? Use them. But, please, don’t just stuff them in randomly—make them flow naturally in your resume. For example, if the job description mentions "project management" three times, you better believe that’s a keyword you want to include (assuming you have experience, of course!).

2. Keep the Formatting Simple (and I Mean Really Simple)

Look, I get it. You want your resume to stand out, and that’s great! But intricate layouts and fancy graphics? Not ATS-friendly. Stick to the basics of font size, bold, and italics, and keep the formatting simple—no columns, no text boxes, and no graphics UNLESS you know the workarounds (that's where professional resume writers shine).

The golden rule: If it looks like something out of a graphic design magazine, the ATS will likely choke on it. Stick to a classic, clean format.

3. Check Your File Format

If you're uploading into an ATS, you do actually need to make sure you're uploading in one of the compatible file formats. There's a lot of talk out there about how an ATS can't read a pdf, which is simply untrue. The formatting (images, graphs, columns) are what confuse the ATS, not the file type.

4. Customize, Customize, Customize!

Here’s the biggie: customization. Don’t just fire off the same resume to every job opening like it’s a one-size-fits-all sweater. Tailor each resume to match the job description. Yes, it takes more time, but it’s worth it. Remember, your goal is to make your resume scream “perfect fit” to both the ATS and the human recruiter on the other side.

5. Keep It Real with Your Skills

This isn’t the time to embellish. If the job description asks for advanced proficiency in Python and the closest you’ve come to Python is owning a pet snake, it’s best to leave it off. The ATS can be sneaky—some even use skills tests to verify your knowledge. Honesty is the best policy here; align your actual skills with what the job requires.

Final Thoughts: Play the ATS Game, But Don’t Forget the Humans

Remember, getting through the ATS is just the first hurdle. Your ultimate goal is to impress the real-life human beings who will actually read your resume. So while it’s important to optimize for the system, don’t lose your unique voice. Inject a bit of your personality where it counts—because at the end of the day, people hire people, not robots!

So, there you have it! Follow these tips, outsmart those pesky ATS, and you’ll be well on your way to landing that dream job. Happy job hunting!

The Essential Guide to Sharing Your Resume

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 17:43:42 GMT

Permissions and PDFs

In the digital-first world of job hunting, the way you share your resume can significantly impact your application's success. Utilizing file managers like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive to distribute your resume ensures easy and universal access. However, mastering the details—specifically, setting the right permissions and choosing the correct format—can set you apart in a crowded field of candidates. Let's explore how these seemingly small steps are critical in showcasing your professionalism and attention to detail.

The Pitfalls of Overlooking Permissions

Neglecting to adjust sharing permissions on your resume can create unnecessary obstacles for recruiters, potentially reflecting poorly on your professional image. Incorrect permissions might mean your resume ends up being inaccessible, requiring extra steps for recruiters to request access. This added friction could result in your application being overlooked in favor of more accessible candidates. In the fast-paced recruitment world, where first impressions are everything, ensuring seamless access to your resume is paramount.

The Power of PDF: Preserving Your Resume's Integrity

Equally important to how you share your resume is the format in which it's presented. While file managers excel in making your resume accessible, saving and sending it as a PDF is a critical step in preserving its formatting. Different versions of word processing software can alter the layout and design of your document, but a PDF maintains your resume's integrity across all platforms and devices. This ensures that every recruiter sees your resume exactly as you intended, free from compatibility issues or formatting discrepancies that could detract from your professional presentation.

Setting Permissions Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Drive

Right-click on the file and select "Share."
Click on "Change to anyone with the link."
Ensure the setting is on "Viewer" to prevent unauthorized edits.
Share the link with intended recipients.

Dropbox

Click "Share" next to the desired file or folder.
Choose "Copy link."
The link allows for viewing by default, ensuring recipients cannot make edits.

Microsoft OneDrive

Right-click the file and select "Share."
Click on "Anyone with the link can view."
Make sure to uncheck "Allow editing" before sharing the link.

Converting Your Resume to PDF

Before uploading your resume to any file manager, ensure it's saved as a PDF to maintain its formatting:

In Microsoft Word : Go to "File" > "Save As" and select "PDF" from the dropdown menu in the "Save as type" option.
In Google Docs : Go to "File" > "Download" and select "PDF Document (.pdf)".

This simple step underscores your attention to detail and ensures your resume is reviewed as intended, without formatting issues.

Conclusion

In the journey towards your next great opportunity, the details of how you share your resume—through carefully managed permissions and the strategic choice of PDF format—speak volumes about your professionalism and technical savvy. These practices not only protect your personal information but also ensure your resume makes the best possible first impression. By taking control of the accessibility and presentation of your professional credentials, you demonstrate a level of care and meticulousness that is highly valued in any candidate.

The Anatomy of a Winning Resume in 2023

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:15:00 GMT

In today's rapidly evolving job market, the tools we use to present ourselves professionally are also undergoing transformations. As we step into 2023, understanding resume tips and the modern resume format is more crucial than ever. Gone are the days when a basic chronological list of past jobs sufficed. Instead, the landscape now demands strategically crafted documents tailored to specific roles—documents that can navigate the sophisticated ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) algorithms and catch the discerning eyes of recruiters.

But what does an effective resume look like this year? How does one optimize the resume keywords for ATS optimization without compromising the genuine narrative of their career journey? Furthermore, with the rise of digital resumes and platforms that host online portfolios for job applications, how can job seekers ensure they're maximizing their first impression?

Whether you're fresh into the workforce or a seasoned professional looking to make a switch, this guide will delve deep into the job application 2023 trends, offering invaluable insights on creating a resume that stands out in the crowd.

The Fundamental Principles of a Modern Resume

Navigating the job application 2023 landscape requires not just awareness but also adeptness in the foundational principles of modern resume crafting. While the essence of a resume remains the same—a portrayal of your professional journey—the methods of its presentation have evolved. Here's what's at the core of a winning resume this year:

Clarity and brevity: The 6-second rule:

Recruiters, inundated with applications, often spend just six seconds on an initial scan of a resume. This calls for clear, concise content that gets straight to the point. A clutter-free design and strategic placement of key achievements can make all the difference in these crucial seconds.

Tailoring content to the specific job and industry:

Generic resumes are a thing of the past. In 2023, tailoring your resume's content to the specifics of the job description is not just recommended—it's essential. Incorporating resume keywords from the job listing not only increases your chances with ATS optimization but also demonstrates your genuine interest and alignment with the role.

The rise of ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and keyword optimization:

More than 90% of large companies use ATS software to screen resumes, making it vital to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly. This involves using relevant keywords naturally, maintaining a simple format, and avoiding graphics that the system might not read.

By firmly grounding your resume in these principles, you create a foundation that can then be adorned with your unique experiences, skills, and aspirations—making sure your application isn't just another in the pile, but a standout testament to your professional journey.

Resume Components and Structure

A stellar resume is like a well-constructed puzzle, with each piece fitting seamlessly to create a cohesive picture of your professional persona. While certain elements of a resume are timeless, the modern resume format in 2023 calls for a nuanced approach. Let's break down these components:

Contact Information:

While this may seem straightforward, it's essential to keep up with the times. Apart from the traditional name, phone number, and email, consider adding a link to your LinkedIn or other professional online portfolios. However, be cautious of including personal details that aren't relevant or could lead to bias, like marital status or date of birth.

Objective or Summary:

Gone are the lengthy, generic objectives. Instead, craft a concise pitch or summary that aligns with the specific role you're applying for. Tailor it with resume keywords that resonate with the job description, emphasizing your eagerness and suitability for the position.

Experience:

It's not just about listing your past roles. In 2023, it's all about showcasing tangible achievements and how you made a difference. Use quantifiable metrics where possible, and format this section in a way that highlights your most significant accomplishments.

Education:

Detail your academic background, but also spotlight any additional training or certifications relevant to the job. With the rise of online courses and alternative education paths, don't hesitate to include these if they boost your qualifications.

Skills:

Distinguish between hard and soft skills, ensuring that the most pertinent ones are easily noticeable. Given the emphasis on ATS optimization, make sure to incorporate skills that match the job listing.

Additional Sections:

Modern resumes often go beyond the basics. Whether it's projects you've spearheaded, languages you speak, or volunteer work you're passionate about, these sections provide a fuller picture of who you are both professionally and personally.

Crafting a resume is a balancing act—between presenting comprehensive information and maintaining brevity, between showcasing your individuality and adhering to industry standards. By understanding and effectively organizing these components, you'll be well on your way to creating a document that captures attention and opens doors.

Design and Format

In the digital age of 2023, a resume isn't just a compilation of your experiences—it's also a reflection of your personal brand. While the content reigns supreme, the design and format you choose can significantly impact a recruiter's first impression of you. Here's how to ensure your resume's design speaks as loudly as its content:

Clean layouts:

A cluttered resume is a recruiter's nightmare. Embrace white space, use consistent spacing, and stick to a layout that directs the eye naturally from one section to the next. The goal is to enhance readability, making it effortless for someone to grasp your professional journey within a few seconds.

Use bullet points for clarity and brevity:

Long paragraphs can be daunting and often overlooked. Bullet points break down information into digestible bits, allowing for quicker absorption of your achievements and skills.

Appropriate colors and fonts:

While it's tempting to use vibrant colors and fancy fonts to make your resume stand out, it's crucial to remember that less is often more. Stick to a maximum of two complementary colors (preferably subtle) and choose fonts that are professional and easily legible. Keep in mind that some ATS systems may not process intricate fonts correctly.

Digital considerations:

Considering that most job applications are online, factor in digital nuances. This includes using universally accepted file types like PDF, ensuring hyperlinks (to portfolios or LinkedIn profiles) are active and accessible, and avoiding headers or footers that might get overlooked by ATS.

In 2023, mastering the modern resume format is as much about aesthetic appeal as it is about content relevance. A well-designed resume not only captures attention but also ensures that the content within is easily navigable, maximizing the chances of your application leaving a lasting impression.

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

No matter how accomplished one's career, a few resume missteps can tarnish the impression made on potential employers. As we navigate the intricacies of the job application 2023 landscape, it's crucial to be aware of pitfalls that might undermine the effectiveness of your resume. Here's what to steer clear of:

One-size-fits-all approach:

Tailoring your resume for each job application isn't just recommended—it's imperative. A generic resume can come off as impersonal and disinterested, lacking the specific resume keywords that show alignment with the job's requirements.

Overlooking ATS optimization:

In the digital age, bypassing the ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) can cost you the job even before a human sees your application. Using complex designs, incorrect file types, or missing out on critical keywords can result in your resume being filtered out.

Being vague about achievements:

Using generic phrases like "responsible for" without quantifying results or detailing specifics can dilute the impact of your accomplishments. Instead, highlight achievements with metrics, giving a clearer picture of your contributions.

Grammatical and typographical errors:

While it may seem trivial, typos or grammatical mistakes can be detrimental, portraying a lack of attention to detail. Always proofread multiple times or use professional services to ensure your resume is impeccable.

Overemphasis on duties, not impact:

Instead of just listing job duties, focus on the impact you made in each role. How did you contribute to the company's growth or solve a pressing issue? This shift in presentation can make your application more compelling.

Outdated or irrelevant information:

While your first job or that course you took a decade ago might be dear to you, it might not be relevant to the job you're applying for now. Be discerning in what you include, focusing on recent and pertinent experiences.

Crafting a standout resume is as much about what you include as what you sidestep. By being aware of these common missteps and actively avoiding them, you position yourself favorably in the eyes of recruiters, ensuring that your professional narrative shines through without distractions.

The Digital Dimension: Online Portfolios and LinkedIn

In 2023, the realm of job applications has expanded beyond traditional paper resumes to the vast digital expanse. While your resume remains the cornerstone, enhancing it with a strong online presence can significantly amplify your professional image. Here's how you can harness the power of the digital world:

LinkedIn – The Professional's Social Network:

Profile Optimization: Begin with a clear, professional profile picture and a compelling headline. Ensure that your summary reflects your career aspirations and showcases your expertise. Remember, this isn't just an online resume—it's a platform to narrate your professional story.
Endorsements & Recommendations: Having colleagues, superiors, or clients vouch for your skills and accomplishments adds credibility. Regularly update and seek endorsements and, when possible, request detailed recommendations to enhance your profile's authority.
Networking: Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and foster genuine relationships. Networking on LinkedIn can open doors to opportunities that might not be publicly advertised.

Online Portfolios:

Whether you're a designer, writer, developer, or any professional with tangible work to showcase, an online portfolio can make a difference.
Content Curation: Select your best works, ensuring they're diverse enough to showcase your range and depth.
User Experience: Your portfolio's design and navigation should be intuitive. It's not just about the works you showcase but also about the user experience you provide.
Regular Updates: Like any professional tool, your portfolio needs upkeep. Regularly update it with new projects, ensuring potential employers see your current capabilities.

Staying Active and Updated:

Digital platforms evolve rapidly. It's essential to stay updated with the latest features, trends, and best practices. Attend webinars, read articles, or take short courses to ensure your online profiles remain at the forefront of digital professionalism.

In today's interconnected world, your digital footprint often serves as the first impression long before your physical resume does. By strategically leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and maintaining an updated online portfolio, you position yourself not just as a job applicant but as a dynamic professional in the digital age.

The Art of Narrating Your Career Journey

Beyond the specifics of design, format, and digital presence, your resume and online profiles serve a deeper purpose: they tell your story. In the competitive landscape of 2023, how you narrate your career journey can be the differentiator that captures an employer's attention. Here's how to master this art:

Starting Strong:

Your introduction, be it the resume summary or LinkedIn headline, sets the tone. Craft it to not just reflect who you are, but also to resonate with what the employer seeks. A strong start piques interest, urging the recruiter to delve deeper.

Showcasing Growth:

Instead of merely listing job roles, arrange your experiences in a manner that demonstrates progression. Highlight moments where you took on more responsibilities, learned new skills, or transitioned between industries, painting a picture of continual growth.

Emphasizing Impact:

Numbers speak volumes. Wherever possible, quantify your achievements. Did you lead a project that increased revenue? State the percentage. Did you streamline a process? Mention the time or resources saved. Concrete metrics provide a clear understanding of the impact you've made.

Personal Touch:

Employers don't just hire skills; they hire people. Weaving in elements that showcase your personality, values, and passions can make your profile more relatable. Whether it's mentioning volunteer work, detailing a project close to your heart, or sharing a brief anecdote, these elements bring your profile to life.

Closing with Vision:

As you conclude your resume or online profile, give employers a glimpse into your future. What are your aspirations? What challenges are you eager to take on next? This not only showcases ambition but also helps potential employers see where you might fit into their growth trajectory.

Your career journey is uniquely yours—full of trials, triumphs, learnings, and aspirations. By artfully narrating this journey, you move beyond the confines of a traditional resume, offering potential employers an engaging and holistic view of your professional life.

Seeking Professional Guidance: The Edge of Expertise

While personal efforts in crafting a resume are commendable, there's undeniable value in seeking expert intervention. In the intricate dance of job applications, professional resume writers bring to the table a blend of industry insight, a keen understanding of recruitment dynamics, and a flair for presentation. Here’s why turning to the pros, especially at Reach Your Destination (RYD), can be a game-changer:

Expert Eye:

A professional resume writer is trained to spot inconsistencies, redundancies, and areas of improvement that might elude the untrained eye. Their expertise ensures your resume isn’t just good, but stellar.

Industry Trends:

The job market is ever-evolving, and so are resume trends. Professionals at RYD stay abreast with what's current, ensuring your resume doesn't just fit in, but stands out in the crowd of 2023.

Tailored Approach:

Each individual is unique, and so should be their resume. Professional writers take the time to understand your career trajectory, aspirations, and strengths, crafting a resume that’s as unique as your journey.

Time Efficiency:

In today's fast-paced world, time is of the essence. Leveraging the services of experts not only assures quality but also saves you precious time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your job search.

Beyond the Resume:

RYD’s services extend beyond just resume writing. With their vast experience, they provide cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview coaching, and holistic career guidance, ensuring you're well-equipped at every step of your job application process.

Your career is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and vision. Don't let it be undersold by a subpar resume. Invest in your future by allowing the seasoned professionals at Reach Your Destination (RYD) to sculpt your narrative, ensuring it resonates with potential employers. Contact RYD today and set the stage for the next triumphant chapter in your professional journey.

Adapting to Automation and AI

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 13:15:00 GMT

Essential Reskilling and Upskilling Guidance from Career Coaches

In an evolving job market shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the concept of lifelong learning has become an absolute necessity. Reskilling and upskilling are now essential tools for those seeking career progression, job security, or a change in professional direction. As experienced career coaches and resume writing specialists, we understand the importance of continually updating skills and have a unique vantage point to offer guidance on the most valuable competencies to learn and ways to obtain them.

Why Reskilling and Upskilling Matters in the Age of Automation and AI

The advent of AI and automation has not only revolutionized various industries, but it has also significantly impacted job markets globally. According to a recent study by the World Economic Forum, around 50% of all employees will require reskilling by 2025 as adoption of technology increases. Automation is not merely replacing repetitive jobs; it's altering job roles across various sectors, making a wide range of skills obsolete.

To remain competitive, it's essential to respond to these changes proactively. This is where reskilling and upskilling come into play. Reskilling involves learning new skills to pivot to a different job role or industry, while upskilling involves enhancing your current skills to advance in your existing career path.

Valuable Skills in the AI and Automation Era

As career coaches, we emphasize that in the AI and automation era, a mix of technical and soft skills is required.

Technical Skills:

Data Literacy: As businesses become more data-driven, the ability to interpret and analyze data is increasingly important.
Digital Skills: Proficiency in digital tools and platforms, as well as knowledge about cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI, will set you apart in the job market.
Coding and Programming: Learning languages like Python, Java, and R can open doors to a wide range of opportunities.

Soft Skills:

Critical Thinking: AI and automation might perform tasks efficiently, but they lack the human capacity for critical thinking and problem-solving.
Creativity: Innovative thinking cannot be automated. Organizations need creative minds to develop fresh ideas and solutions.
Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions are skills that AI has yet to master, making emotional intelligence a valuable asset in the workplace.

Ways to Obtain New Skills

As a leading resume writing agency and career coaching service, we offer several pathways to acquire these valuable skills:

Online Learning Platforms: Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a multitude of courses across various domains. These platforms are convenient, cost-effective, and allow you to learn at your own pace.

Professional Development Programs: Many organizations offer in-house training programs to help their employees upgrade their skills. Be proactive and take advantage of these opportunities if they're available to you.

Career Coaching: Personalized career coaching can help identify your skill gaps and offer tailored solutions to fill them. Career coaches can also guide you in aligning your skills with your career goals.

Networking: Join professional networks and attend industry conferences. They can provide you with insights into the latest trends and skills in demand.

In conclusion, adapting to the AI and automation era requires commitment to lifelong learning. Embrace reskilling and upskilling as part of your career strategy to ensure you remain an indispensable asset in your industry. Remember, a well-rounded skillset coupled with the guidance of a career coach can lead you to unparalleled professional growth. Stay competitive, stay relevant, and stay ahead.

Smooth Career Transitions

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 18:22:00 GMT

Harnessing Pandemic-Driven Reflections for Effective Change

As a result of the recent global pandemic, many individuals have embarked on a profound period of self-reflection, leading them to reconsider their career paths. Are you considering a career change too? This transition can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. As an experienced career coach and resume writing agency, we've developed an insightful guide to help you navigate career transitions successfully, focusing on skill evaluation and transfer.

Making a Career Change: It's More Common Than You Think

Before we delve into the specifics, it's essential to understand that career transitions, especially in this pandemic era, are not unusual. Many professionals are harnessing their pandemic-driven reflections to shift towards more fulfilling careers. This new wave, often referred to as the "Great Resignation" or the "Great Reshuffle," emphasizes the increasing importance of job satisfaction and work-life balance.

Identify Your Transferable Skills

As a critical first step, start by identifying your transferable skills. These are the skills that can be applied across various jobs and industries. Examples include leadership, problem-solving, communication, project management, and technological prowess.

To identify these, consider previous roles you've played and any transferrable skills you've gained during those experiences. Reflect on your accomplishments, how you achieved them, and the skills you employed. Don't limit yourself to your current job or even your professional life. Transferable skills can be learned through volunteer work, hobbies, or even your personal life.

Evaluate Your Skills

Once you've identified these skills, it's time to evaluate them. In the context of a career change, understanding the relevance of your skillset to your new career path is essential.

Consider asking yourself the following questions:

How do your skills match up to the requirements of your new industry or role?
Which skills can be directly applied, and which ones need a little tweaking?
Do you have any gaps that need to be filled through further training or education?

Transfer Your Skills

Skill transfer is about marketing your existing skills effectively to prospective employers. This is where your resume plays a significant role. As a leading resume writing agency, we recommend tailoring your resume to each job you apply to. Highlight the relevant skills you've identified and evaluated, demonstrating how they can add value to your new role.

In your cover letter, weave a compelling narrative about your career transition. Be open about your motivation for change, focusing on the positives that this transition brings. Your goal is to show potential employers that you are adaptable and eager to learn, even if you lack industry-specific experience.

Networking and Professional Development

A critical element often overlooked in career transitions is networking. Reach out to professionals in your desired industry, attend industry events, or join relevant LinkedIn groups. Networking can provide valuable insights into your chosen field, and can often lead to job opportunities.

Additionally, consider professional development opportunities such as courses or certifications. These not only fill any skills gap but also demonstrate your commitment to your new career path.

Consult with a Career Coach

Finally, consider engaging a career coach to guide you through your transition. As experienced career coaches, we provide personalized advice, including identifying and evaluating skills, preparing effective resumes, and developing career strategies that align with your goals.

In conclusion, career transitions, although challenging, are achievable with careful planning, self-reflection, and professional guidance. Leverage your transferable skills, engage in continuous learning, and network effectively to make your career change a resounding success.

Remember, it's never too late to pursue a career that aligns with your values and aspirations. So why wait? Start your career transition journey today!

Navigating the Remote Work Landscape

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:15:00 GMT

How to Thrive in a Work-From-Home Environment

In the modern era of employment, the rise of remote work is significantly reshaping our daily routines. The virtual workspace has become a new normal, transforming traditional office structures and influencing the dynamics of employee productivity. With the shift to remote work, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, building effective work-from-home routines, and ensuring productivity can be challenging. In this blog post, we'll help you navigate this changing landscape, offering valuable advice from our expert career coaches and seasoned resume writers.

Remote Work: A New Age of Productivity

Remote work can offer increased flexibility, lower commuting costs, and the comfort of working in your own personal space. However, it can also bring unique challenges, such as isolation, distractions, or the difficulty of separating work from home life. As a trusted career coaching and resume writing agency, we understand these challenges and are committed to helping you overcome them.

Building Effective Work-From-Home Routines

A successful work-from-home routine is critical to thriving in a remote work environment. Here are some tips to help you establish a routine that works for you:

Structure Your Day: Treat your remote work as you would a regular job. Define your work hours and ensure you adhere strictly to these timelines. This practice helps to maintain discipline and increases productivity.
Create a Dedicated Workspace: Even in a home environment, it's important to have a specific workspace. This helps create a professional atmosphere and minimizes distractions.
Breaks are Crucial: Don't forget to incorporate breaks into your workday. Taking a few minutes to stretch or relax can help you maintain focus throughout the day.

Maintaining Productivity in Remote Work

As a career coaching agency, we understand the need for productivity in any work environment. Here are some strategies to enhance productivity while working remotely:

Leverage Technology: Use productivity apps to manage tasks and stay organized. Tools like Slack, Trello, or Asana can help keep track of tasks and communicate effectively with your team.
Prioritize Tasks: Use the Eisenhower Matrix or other time management strategies to prioritize your tasks based on their urgency and importance.
Set Clear Goals: Establish daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Having clear objectives can guide your daily work and motivate you to achieve more.

Balancing Work-Life in Remote Settings

The line between work and home can blur when you're working remotely. Here are some tips to maintain a healthy work-life balance:

Define Boundaries: Set clear boundaries between work time and personal time. Inform your family about your work hours and ensure they respect this time.
Self-Care is Vital: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and sufficient rest are essential. Remember, your health and wellbeing are just as important as your work.
Stay Socially Connected: Engage in virtual meetups, team bonding activities, and social events to maintain your social connections and avoid feeling isolated.

Conclusion

Navigating the remote work landscape can be challenging, but with effective strategies, you can thrive in this environment. If you need further assistance in managing your career path or updating your resume for remote work roles, our team of expert career coaches and resume writers are here to help. Remember, adapting to change is a hallmark of a successful career. Embrace the changes that come with remote work, and unlock new levels of productivity and success.

How to Transition Into a Leadership Role After Years in the Same Position

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:17:27 GMT

Are you a professional with years, or even decades, of experience in your industry but find yourself contemplating a career move into a leadership role? Navigating this kind of career transition can be daunting, especially if you've been in the same position for many years and are now uncertain how this process even works anymore.

We understand the challenges that experienced professionals face when contemplating a leadership or executive role, and this guide will offer actionable steps to prepare you for this significant career change.

The Value of Leadership

For many professionals with years of experience under their belts, the natural next step in career growth is transitioning into a leadership role. Whether you're contemplating a managerial role or have your sights set on an executive position, moving up the ladder comes with a plethora of benefits that extend beyond a higher paycheck. Let's delve into the value of taking that crucial career step.

Increased Influence

One of the most significant advantages of being in a leadership role is the heightened level of influence you have within your organization. This newfound influence isn't just an ego boost; it's an opportunity to effect real change. Whether you're in manufacturing, IT, finance, or any other industry, leaders have the power to set strategies, influence organizational culture, and make decisions that can have a long-lasting impact.

Greater Job Satisfaction

Most experienced professionals find that the increased responsibility that comes with a managerial or executive role provides a greater sense of job satisfaction. You're no longer simply executing tasks but have a hand in shaping policies, setting team goals, and contributing to the overall success of the organization. This added layer of involvement can make your career feel more fulfilling, and your years of experience are invaluable in this context.

Opportunity for Career Growth

The transition into leadership can open doors you might not have known existed. In many organizations, moving into a managerial or executive role puts you on a different career trajectory, one that offers opportunities for further growth and advancement. It allows you to diversify your skill set and become more marketable, making you more eligible for even higher leadership roles in the future.

Financial Benefits

Let's not overlook the financial benefits that often come with leadership positions. In most cases, transitioning from an individual contributor role to a managerial or executive position entails a substantial salary increase, better benefits, and sometimes even equity options. For seasoned professionals looking for financial growth, taking the plunge into leadership can be a strategic career move.

Self-Assessment: Are You Ready?

Before making a significant career move into a leadership role, it's essential for seasoned professionals to engage in thoughtful self-assessment. With years of experience behind you, you may feel prepared for the challenges ahead. However, not all skills that made you a successful individual contributor will automatically translate into effective leadership. Here, we'll guide you through a self-assessment process that every experienced professional should undertake before stepping into a managerial or executive role.

Skills Inventory: What Skills Do You Already Possess?

Begin by taking stock of your existing skills. You've likely honed a variety of soft and hard skills over your years of experience, but it's crucial to identify which of these will be most useful in a leadership position. Are you good at project management? Do you excel at conflict resolution or strategic thinking? Acknowledge these strengths as you prepare for this new chapter in your career.

Gap Analysis: What Skills Do You Lack?

After inventorying your strengths, the next step is to conduct a gap analysis to identify skills you might lack but are crucial for effective leadership. Even seasoned professionals can benefit from continued learning. Whether it's advanced technical expertise, emotional intelligence, or budget management, knowing your gaps can help you create a roadmap for self-improvement before your transition.

Mindset Shift: Individual Contributor to Leader

Transitioning into a leadership role often requires a fundamental shift in mindset. As an individual contributor, your focus might have been on your tasks and responsibilities. In a managerial or executive role, you'll need to think more broadly about team dynamics, strategy, and organizational goals. Your years of experience may have prepared you for this, but recognizing the shift and actively working to adjust your mindset is key to success in leadership.

Risk Assessment: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Every significant career change comes with both opportunities and challenges. It's crucial to weigh the pros and cons realistically. Will the increased workload impact your work-life balance? Are you ready for the scrutiny that often comes with increased visibility in the organization? This kind of thoughtful risk assessment can guide you in making a well-informed decision.

Building the Right Skill Set

Transitioning into a leadership role after years in the same position requires more than just a rich resume and decades of industry experience. As many seasoned professionals realize, moving from an individual contributor to a managerial or executive role demands a specific set of skills. Here we'll delve into the soft and hard skills you need to cultivate to ensure your career move into leadership is a successful one.

Soft Skills

Emotional Intelligence

For those eyeing a leadership role, emotional intelligence is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Understanding and managing your own emotions, as well as those of your team, can set the stage for effective communication and a more harmonious work environment. Emotional intelligence is often what separates good leaders from great ones, especially in emotionally charged industries like healthcare or high-stress sectors like finance.

Communication Skills

Even if you've been effective in lower-level roles, taking on a managerial or executive role requires a new level of communication expertise. Whether it's being clear about project objectives or navigating sensitive office politics, your ability to communicate will be under the microscope like never before.

Decision-Making

The shift from individual contributor to leader also entails making higher-stakes decisions that can impact the entire team or organization. Being decisive yet thoughtful is crucial, and your years of experience can serve as a solid foundation for making better decisions.

Hard Skills

Project Management

Coordinating multiple moving parts, managing team resources, and ensuring project success are fundamental aspects of many leadership roles. While you might have managed projects in the past, the scale and scope are often greater in managerial or executive positions.

Budgeting

Especially in executive roles, understanding and managing budgets is vital. Your financial decisions will have broader consequences, and an error in judgment can be costly. Seasoned professionals transitioning into leadership roles must familiarize themselves with budgeting at a scale that may be new to them.

Technical Skills Relevant to Your Industry

While soft skills are universally important, the hard skills required can vary greatly depending on your industry. Whether you're in IT, healthcare, or finance, staying updated on the latest tools and technologies is essential. In some industries, additional certifications may be required or highly beneficial.

Navigating Office Politics

Moving into a leadership role often brings its own set of challenges, and one of the most intricate yet unavoidable aspects is navigating office politics. As a seasoned professional with years of experience, you've undoubtedly encountered workplace dynamics before, but their complexity tends to increase as you ascend into managerial or executive positions. This section aims to equip you with strategic insights to adeptly navigate the often murky waters of office politics as you make this significant career move.

Understanding the Landscape

Before you can successfully navigate office politics in your new leadership role, you must first understand the existing landscape. Who are the influencers within the organization? What internal alliances exist? Being aware of these dynamics can give you a head start in forming your own alliances and avoiding potential conflicts.

Building Strategic Alliances

Having allies is important at every stage of your career, but it becomes increasingly crucial when transitioning into a managerial or executive role. Strategic alliances can offer you support and provide valuable insights into the workings of your organization. Seek out relationships with individuals whose skills and areas of influence complement your own.

Conflict Resolution

Even with years of experience, dealing with conflict is an inevitable part of any leadership role. Your ability to resolve disputes effectively—whether between team members or among higher-ups—can set you apart as a strong leader. It's not just about putting out fires but also about fostering a positive work environment that minimizes conflicts in the first place.

The Art of Diplomacy

A critical skill for anyone in a leadership role is the art of diplomacy. Whether you're negotiating deals, mediating conflicts, or presenting proposals to stakeholders, diplomacy can make or break your success. Understanding when to push forward and when to compromise is crucial, and your years of experience can provide valuable lessons in this area.

Visibility and Credibility

In a managerial or executive role, visibility is often greater, but so is the scrutiny. Building and maintaining your credibility becomes vital. Ensure your actions and decisions align with your words. Integrity goes a long way in helping you successfully navigate office politics.

Networking and Mentorship

Making the transition into a leadership role is a monumental career move that can be both exhilarating and daunting for seasoned professionals with years of experience. A key element that can ease this transition and set you up for success in your new managerial or executive role is focusing on networking and mentorship. Even with decades of work behind you, the wisdom and connections that come from a strong professional network and guidance from mentors are invaluable assets. In this section, we'll discuss how you can leverage both to enhance your leadership skills.

The Importance of Networking

In any career, but especially in leadership roles, the adage "It's not what you know, but who you know" often rings true. Networking isn't just about collecting business cards; it's about building meaningful relationships that can provide both personal and professional growth. Whether you are in healthcare, IT, finance, or any other sector, a strong network can offer invaluable insights and open doors that might otherwise remain closed.

How to Network Effectively

Successful networking as a seasoned professional may differ from when you were just starting out. You likely already have a solid foundation but expanding it strategically is crucial. Attend industry-specific events, engage in online forums related to your field, and don't underestimate the power of social media platforms like LinkedIn. Reach out to colleagues and industry leaders you admire; a simple coffee invitation can go a long way.

Mentorship: Why It's Essential at Every Stage

Regardless of your years of experience, there is always something new to learn. A mentor can provide personalized guidance tailored to your career aspirations and challenges in your new managerial or executive role. This relationship can help you avoid common leadership pitfalls, navigate office politics more effectively, and even offer technical advice that you may not have considered.

Becoming a Mentor

With your level of experience, you also have the opportunity to serve as a mentor to less-experienced colleagues. This not only contributes to your personal satisfaction but also enhances your leadership skills. Being a mentor can provide new perspectives that you can incorporate into your own leadership style.

Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile

Transitioning into a leadership role is a significant milestone, especially for seasoned professionals who have accumulated years of experience. While your skills and know-how are essential for success in a managerial or executive position, the importance of an updated resume and LinkedIn profile cannot be overstated. These are often the first points of contact between you and potential employers or business partners. In this section, we'll guide you through the necessary updates, and how Reach Your Destination can help you make your profiles standout.

Why Update Your Resume?

Even if you're not actively job hunting, having an up-to-date resume is a smart career move. In a leadership role, your responsibilities and achievements should be well-documented and easily accessible. You'll also want to adjust the language to reflect your new position and focus more on leadership skills, project management, and other managerial tasks. Reach Your Destination offers specialized resume writing services tailored to seasoned professionals transitioning into leadership roles.

Tailoring Your LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is essentially your online resume and a networking platform rolled into one. Just as with your paper resume, your LinkedIn should be updated to reflect your transition into a managerial or executive role. This includes updating your job title, responsibilities, and skills section to highlight your leadership abilities. Reach Your Destination can help optimize your LinkedIn profile to attract the right connections and opportunities.

Recommendations and Endorsements

As a seasoned professional, you likely have a substantial network. Utilize this by seeking recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn. These social proofs can add considerable weight to your profile and make you more appealing to recruiters and other professionals in your industry.

Visibility and Activity

Simply updating your resume and LinkedIn profile isn't enough; you need to be active. Post relevant articles, share insights, and engage in meaningful conversations on LinkedIn. This activity not only keeps your profile visible but also showcases your expertise in real-time. Reach Your Destination offers coaching on how to effectively maintain an active and engaging LinkedIn profile as part of our career services.

Preparing for the Interview

Even seasoned professionals with extensive years of experience can find interviews for managerial or executive roles intimidating. After all, the stakes are high, and the questions can be uniquely challenging. In this significant career move, it's not just about reviewing your past experiences but also demonstrating how they have prepared you for leadership roles. Here, we’ll provide key strategies for preparing for these high-stakes interviews, and how Reach Your Destination can assist you in making the right impression.

Understand the Leadership Expectations

Transitioning into a leadership role often means that interviews focus more on strategic thinking, leadership philosophy, and your approach to handling complex projects and teams. Make sure to align your preparation with these key themes. Reach Your Destination provides mock interviews designed specifically for leadership roles, ensuring you're well-prepared for these nuanced discussions.

Highlight Relevant Experience

Your resume got you in the door; now it's time to elaborate. Delve into specific instances where you demonstrated leadership, managed large projects, or navigated challenging workplace scenarios. Don't just list accomplishments—tell a story that shows you're uniquely suited for managerial or executive responsibilities.

Leverage Your Network for Insight

If you have connections within the company or industry, now is the time to consult them for insights into the interview process, company culture, and key players. A simple conversation can provide a wealth of information that can give you an edge in your interview.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

As a seasoned professional, you're likely familiar with the concept of behavioral interview questions. These questions are even more critical when you're transitioning to a leadership role as they offer a window into your problem-solving and leadership skills. Reach Your Destination can coach you on formulating strong answers to these questions.

Follow Up After the Interview

An interview isn't over once you leave the room. Sending a thoughtful follow-up email can make a lasting impression and set you apart from other candidates. Reach Your Destination can guide you on the best practices for post-interview etiquette.

The First 90 Days: Making Your Mark as a New Leader

For seasoned professionals with multiple years of experience, stepping into a managerial or executive role often comes with heightened expectations. The first 90 days are critical for setting the tone for your leadership style and making a strong impression within the organization. This period can either make or break your transition into a more prominent role. In this section, we'll discuss how to successfully navigate these pivotal first 90 days, and how Reach Your Destination can provide personalized support to ensure your success.

Setting Priorities

You will have a plethora of tasks to manage, but it's essential to recognize which are the most urgent and impactful. Prioritizing effectively is a hallmark of good leadership. Whether you use the Eisenhower Box method or another prioritization tool, Reach Your Destination can guide you in setting the right objectives from the start.

Building Relationships

Creating strong professional relationships is crucial at this stage. As a new leader, you need to establish trust and credibility, both with your team members and higher-ups. Reach Your Destination offers coaching on effective communication and team-building strategies tailored to leaders.

Understanding Organizational Culture

Seasoned professionals understand that each company has its own unique culture and politics. Navigating this effectively is crucial for long-term success in any managerial or executive role. Reach Your Destination can help you analyze and understand the organizational culture to ensure you fit in seamlessly.

Addressing Quick Wins and Long-term Goals

Quick wins generate momentum and can solidify your reputation as a competent leader. However, it's equally important to start laying the foundation for long-term goals and initiatives. Balancing both is an art, and Reach Your Destination can help you master it through our tailored leadership programs.

Ongoing Learning and Development

Even seasoned leaders with years of experience must continually adapt and grow. Reach Your Destination provides ongoing coaching and development programs to help you evolve your leadership skills continuously.

Conclusion

Stepping into a leadership role is a significant milestone that requires thoughtful preparation and strategy, especially for seasoned professionals with years of experience. Throughout this blog post, we've covered crucial aspects of this transition, from understanding the value of leadership and self-assessment to updating your resume and preparing for interviews. We also delved into the importance of networking, mentorship, and navigating the pivotal first 90 days in a managerial or executive role. The path to leadership is multifaceted; however, taking proactive steps in preparation will make your transition smoother and more effective.

Your journey towards a successful leadership role can be both challenging and rewarding. Reach Your Destination specializes in assisting seasoned professionals like you transition into managerial and executive positions through personalized career coaching and specialized resume writing services. Reach out to us today to better prepare for your leadership role and make the most of your years of experience.

How to Conduct a Passive Job Search

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 17:21:21 GMT

Passive searches are the key to fulfillment

Long gone are the days of starting in the mailroom, working your way up, and spending your entire career with one company. Unless you’re only looking at another 5-10 more years before retirement, you will probably be changing employers for your next career move. And even then, reorganizations and layoffs can upset the most carefully laid plans.

Active Searching vs Passive Searching

Active searches can be stressful and frantic. With a deadline looming, you spend money (that you are now carefully budgeting) to make sure your resume and profiles are solid, you may be hard-pressed to apply for anything and everything just to ensure a steady income, and you’re fielding every call from potential recruiters and employers. You make decisions based off the old adage, “a bird in the hand beats two in the bush” and can’t always wait for the ideal position. It’s a lot.

When you preemptively position yourself as a passive candidate, you can alleviate much of this stress and have the leisure of waiting for the two birds in the bush. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to position yourself as a passive candidate with very little effort on your part, and let others do the heavy lifting for you.

Update your resume
Update your social media profiles
Be active within your network
Use a Career Agent

Update your resume

Take the time to work with a professional resume writer to update your resume: they are aware of current trends, technology requirements, and established standards (and it’s always easier to sing someone else’s praises than your own). A good, professionally written resume can be pricey, but they also open up doors to opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available. Check in at least yearly to keep your resume current with your most recent accomplishments.

Update your social media profiles

LinkedIn (or GitHub, Twitter, Reddit, Medium, …) can play a crucial part in a passive search. I know. Social media isn’t everyone’s game. However, if you can find an area of the social media space focused on your professional interests and interact from a position of expertise, it can go a long way toward establishing your credibility in the area. Join LinkedIn groups, follow hashtags on Twitter, engage in subreddits: thoughtful questions and responses will help others, your field, and you!

Be active within your network

Being active in your network doesn’t have to mean going to happy hour. The goal is really just to stay top-of-mind with the professionals you know well. Share relevant news with them, a quick “this worked well for me, maybe it will for you!” Or when you hear of an opportunity that isn’t of interest to you, take the time to share it with your professional network. Doing so will encourage more sharing and might introduce you to some incredible opportunities you wouldn’t have come across otherwise.

Use a Career Agent

A Career Agent functions a little differently than a typical recruiter. Most recruiters work for their client. They are given a job opening and sent off to fill it. Recruiters have the jobs they have open, and otherwise…there’s not a lot they can do for you.

A Career Agent focuses on the candidate (but lucky you, they’re typically still paid by the client company). Searching out top-notch candidates who are passively open to the next right career move, Career Agents network with a vast number of other recruiters and employers to watch for and identify the ideal position for their candidates. They can also research and create introductions into companies that are of particular interest to you.

While you likely won’t be spending your entire career with one company, you can take steps to avoid stressful and hurried active job searches, allowing yourself to move into the right next position rather than the first next position. Best of all, it doesn’t take much effort on your part when you’re prepared and work with an excellent Career Agent (and we just happen to know some over at TDM & Associates ).

Are cover letters necessary in 2023?

stephanie@tdm-assoc.com (Stephanie Swilley) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:45:00 GMT

The Cover Letter: Necessary or a Waste?

Gone are the days of printing out and mailing in resumes, so surely cover letters are a thing of the past...right? Well, recent research shows that isn't quite the case. I hear the rebuttal all the time that cover letters are a waste of time and no one ever reads them, but according to a 2020 study by ResumeGo, 87% of hiring managers read cover letters and consider them to be vital information in the hiring process. You read that right - 87% read them . But why? If a cover letter is no longer serving the purpose of introducing the resume (as was its original function), what is the purpose?

Show off your research skills

A cover letter is a great vehicle for demonstrating that you have researched the company and role, and have a solid understanding of how your skills would meet their needs. When you can speak in an educated manner about their current projects or pain points, then tie in your experience and positive impact in similar situations, the cover letter becomes a vital asset in your application.

Cover letters allow you to tell the whole story

Sometimes we have non-traditional experience or circumstances that need a little explanation to give the hiring manager a little insight on your situation. Some examples might include:

Career transitions: This is a great opportunity to discuss your relevant transferrable skills and detract from a non-linear career path.
Employment gaps: Employment gaps can be quick red flags for hiring managers, so taking a minute to give context can smooth over any concerns.
Out-of-area applications: If you're relocating or hoping to, this is key information to give so the hiring manager understands why you are apply from a different area. Otherwise, they may assume you think the opportunity is remote and dismiss your application.
Personal connections to a company or job referrals: Cover letters are the perfect place to do a little name dropping! If someone is referring you for the job, this is where you let them know!

Demonstrate skillsets that might be light on the resume

Whether you are a recent graduate with minimal professional experience, changing career directions, or a serial-learner who picks up skills just for fun, the cover letter is a great place to demonstrate skillsets that you haven't been able to use professionally.

All that to say, INCLUDE A COVER LETTER! Need help? That's what we're here for.

How to Market Yourself in the Professional World

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:53:00 GMT

The time when both employee and employer looked at their relationship as being a long-term commitment is past. Employers are constantly looking for new employees, new ideas, and new ways to make money. They carefully market themselves to potential talent to draw the interest of those who may be of value to the company. Branding, selective advertising, and careful management of social media messages are all part of corporate marketing. So as a potential employee, you need to be doing the same. Even if you already have a job, especially is you already have a job, you need to be preparing for your future opportunities. Here are some tips:

1. Use social media to create your brand. LinkedIn especially seems to be a place to carefully describe what makes you of value to an employer. Link to coworkers and interest groups of career-related topics. Do not use this for cat videos, political rants, or inspirational posts. In fact, do not use ANY social media for cat videos, political rants, or inspiration posts. Potential employers can and will find them. Cleanse your Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat/Tumblr/Etc. postings of pictures from the pub crawl and delete the argument you had on Twitter about whatever was in the news. Unfriend those who blanket your feed with garbage; you need to be professional everywhere!

2. Join and attend some professional groups near you. Meetup.com is one place to find them. Establish relationships, do some educational work (give or take), take on a leadership position if you want. What counts is that others see you as a great worker with a passion for whatever field you are in.

3. A personal/blog is another way to establish yourself as a passionate participant in your field. A word of warning, you have to keep it updated because nothing is more irritating than a stale message of your supposed competence.

4. Carry a business card with you at all times. The card can be simple: name, phone number, email, your title, and any necessary degrees or certifications you may have. Any time you leave your house, you have a chance of making a connection and you do not want to be empty-handed.

Do not wait until you need a new job to prepare for the new job. It may not even require you to change employers, but you always need to be up to date and ready to market yourself to anyone you may meet.

Short-term vs long-term goals: when to use each

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:38:36 GMT

In the current whipsaw environment of stock market measurements, evaluations, and executive compensation programs, it can be easy to forget that no product will last forever. No market share will remain unchallenged. Everyone will refine the process as time goes on. These are simple facts. We often lose ourselves in the effort to perfect the current situation which leads to the detriment of preparing for the next situation.

Executives need to remember their job is to think for the future, not about the present; even the board of directors needs to be reminded to extend their focus on to a longer time frame. There are plenty of managers to hold kaizen events; executives need to be thinking about the next product, market, and focus should be. There is one question you need to ask which will help determine whether you are focusing on a short or long-term goal: Can you measure its effect quickly?

This applies to any project. If you can see a change in pieces per hour coming off an assembly line, it is a short-term goal. If you will not know for another year or two if the market will accept it, then it is a long-term goal. The time frame to measure success is what defines whether it is a short-term goal, as a real long-term goal cannot be determined as right or wrong for a longer period of time which involves greater risk. This is why executives need to be focused on the long-term and big-picture roles because they have the scope and power to take risks with a business. Leave short-term goals for lower levels of management as they have the focus and ability to accomplish those easily and efficiently.

Everything goes back to that one question: can you measure its effect quickly? So, now use your discretion and answer this question to the best of your ability in order to maximize productivity on every level of your company.

How To Handle Different Personalities At Work

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:17:52 GMT

Being a part of a team means being a part of a group of people with different backgrounds and different personalities, learning to handle those different personalities can be hard but necessary to the proper functionality of the team. Here are some tips to help you better handle all of the personalities that you'll encounter in the workplace:

Stay Focused On The Team

Remember that at the end of the day, you're all on the same team. Try your very best to get along with the people you have to work with, because if you don’t, it will make team work much more difficult than it needs to be.

Learn To Let Go

The key to working with a lot of different people with a lot of different personalities is to learn to not take everything so personally. Someone may say something that you might consider rude, but to them it’s funny, people have different senses of humor among other differences, so learning to go with the flow a little more will help you to better handle those different personalities.

Learn To Handle Egos

Some people have bigger egos than others, some people need to act like they're better than everyone else to make themselves feel better. This is just how some people are and when working in a team, it is crucial to understand this. Sometimes you just have to let people talk themselves up to get the job done, and that’s okay, it’s all in how you handle it.

Stay Positive

Gossip happens, it’s inevitable. The key is to always keep it positive, talk about how great people are doing on their projects or how well the new guy seems to be fitting into the team. The second gossip turns negative, the team will begin to turn against each other and fall apart.

Crafting a Diversified Resume

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 07:18:28 GMT

One of the biggest traps that people fall into is thinking they have to craft the perfect resume and that will get them the job. This is wrong for one reason: no one resume fits the needs of every company. When applying for positions, it is important to recognize that every company, position, and recruiter is looking for something different. That is why it does not matter how perfect your resume is if you only send out the same resume for every job you apply for. Here are a few things you can do to diversify your resume to appeal to a variety of companies:

1. Look for keywords in the job application - The wording used in job applications is a great way to understand what the employer is looking for in candidates for that position. Once you have identified what these qualities are, try and work them into your resume. If the company wants someone who is good with finances, then it would be best to mention the previous work you did with accounting. If a company values someone who is a leader, then write down the experience you had managing a team at your last job.

2. Do your best to tailor your work experience on the resume to the things that the company is actually looking for- I am sure you have countless different jobs, projects, or internships that you have been involved with and all of them are incredibly impressive, but the people reading your resume do not care about anything outside of their sphere of work. Do yourself a favor and cut out all of the extra unrelated work. The fastest way to have your resume thrown out is if it is five pages long and includes everything you have ever worked on since college.

3. Make sure you have a variety of experiences to draw from - Each company will be looking for something different and it helps if you have actual experience you can write down. Jump on different opportunities at each chance you get, you want to be able to appeal to as many employers as possible and have experience in a wide variety of roles. You never know when you are looking for a new job what skills you can bring to the company.

The most important thing to remember is that you should almost never be able to use the same resume on more than one application. Diversify your resume and tailor it for every position you apply for and you will get more responses than ever before.

Who knew a tomato would help you manage your time?

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 07:06:25 GMT

Okay, not a real tomato. The Pomodoro Technique , named after the cute little tomato-shaped kitchen timers, is an amazing tool for maintaining focus, managing your time, and giving your brain the necessary breaks for your best performance.

Created in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo, the Pomodoro Technique focuses on working for a set chunk of time, and scheduling in small and large breaks. The biggest part for me is that you set a timer, which forces you to take breaks even when you’re absorbed.

Traditionally, the flow would go: 25 min work, 5 min break, 25 min work, 5 min break, 25 min work, 5 min break, 25 min work, 15-30 min break…rinse and repeat.

The beauty of this system is that it is completely customizable. If you know you work better in longer chunks, you can adjust the time as needed. Have a LOT to get done today? Keep some (not all) of your breaks productive by using that time to do simple things like checking and responding to easy emails.

Note that I did say you can replace some of your breaks with easy productive work, but not all. Even on your busiest days - perhaps most importantly on your busiest days - your brain and body both need a break from staring at a computer screen, pushing buttons, or making phone calls all day. A quick 5-minute break to stretch, walk around, drink some water, and clear your desk (and head) will go along way toward keeping you productive and effective.

One (very important) simple task everyone is forgetting this January

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 06:45:01 GMT

January is full of goals, resolutions, clearing out, planning…but no one ever thinks to do this one simple task that will repay you tenfold down the road!

UPDATE YOUR RESUME!!

Think back on the past year and make detailed note of your accomplishments, the details of your large projects (scope, measurable results, etc), and any training you’ve taken. Keep the full details in your notes and add the highlights to your resume now, before you forget the details! Numbers fade from our memory quickly but they are incredibly valuable when telling the story of the impact you’ve made, so make sure you jot down all those relevant figures like budgets, team size, cost savings, ROI, growth, etc.

We’re also right around the time that annual reviews are wrapping. Most people dread this process, but this information can be extremely valuable for you during a job search. Use the feedback from your manager as a way to “prove” your unquantifiable accomplishments on your resume (Not sure how to do that? Stay tuned – a post on that is coming in the future!). Always keep a copy of your performance review at home in your personal files.

Another good idea is just to read through your resume and give it a little spruce. Are there any points in it that are a little vague or confusing and could use some clarification? Is there any jargon that needs to be updated? Do you see any responsibilities that you forgot to turn into accomplishments?

An annual 10-15 min check and update when you don’t need the resume can save you hours of headache when you urgently need a world-class resume. Go ahead and put a recurring reminder on your calendar for every January to make sure you take a few minutes to update your resume and save your review!

How Working Out Increases Productivity

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 06:01:18 GMT

In order to be productive in the workplace, one must be driven, alert, and focused. Working out can help boost employees' drive, alertness, and focus, among other things.

Increased Alertness and Energy

Working out increases blood flow to the brain, which can sharpen the senses. Thus, sharpening increases alertness, making employees more prepared to start their next big task. Exercising also gives you more energy, making employees feel more awake and ready to go when at the office.

Improved Mental and Physical Health

Exercising greatly improves one’s mental health, by helping to curb feelings of anxiety and depression. The process of working out sends out chemicals that improve mood and relieve stress, making it much easier to focus on the tasks at hand. Working out has the obvious physical benefits of getting one healthy and in shape, but it also helps prevent illnesses and infections, through increased immunity. This means that employees will be able to take less sick days as they will be overall much happier and healthier

Spring Cleaning: Tidy Up Your Social Media

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 05:55:42 GMT

Well, Spring has officially sprung…along with COVID-19 turning all our lives upside down. I’ve seen so many people taking advantage of the quarantine by organizing their homes, starting messy house projects, and digging into the yard work. Who is ruthlessly scrubbing away at their professional life though?

During your excessive hours on Facebook and Twitter, trying to feel some human interaction, make sure you are tidying up your public profiles and keeping them appropriate for public consumption.

93% of hiring managers check the social media profiles of every candidate prior to making a final hiring decision. What would yours say about you (especially right now), and how do you put your social media to work for you all while remaining authentic?

According to Jobvite’s 2017 Recruiter Nation Report , the biggest red flags when researching a candidate tend to pop up in a social media search. When recruiters are browsing your profiles, we’re looking for indicators of your personality and whether you’ll mesh with the company culture. And let’s be real, we’re also looking for any indicators that things aren’t what they seem.

So, what are some of the biggest red flags?
61% of recruiters are turned off by marijuana use in the last year (although the attitude toward marijuana use is changing as more states legalize it, and this number has decreased 10% in the last year).
51% shudder at your political rants.
48% are judging your spelling and grammatical errors. After all, clear and effective communication is an important quality for any candidate.
35% are turned off by alcohol consumption.
19% roll their eyes at showing off wealth. Not having wealth, but showing it off.
16% might rethink their decision if you’re showing too much skin.
12% will start to question what’s going on if you have a limited social presence.
-7% are done with the selfies.

In general, I would strongly suggest you just lock down your Facebook and Twitter privacy settings and keep LinkedIn completely professional. Anything you’re sharing publicly should be something you’re okay with grandma seeing.

So, what should you make sure is visible? Work samples, accomplishments, volunteer/community work, and anything that shows you’ll be a good team player who is nice to work with. While you’re at it, add a little polish to your LinkedIn profile by getting some strong recommendations from past/present managers, clients, and co-workers!

Stress Management: Take Time to Reconnect

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 05:50:02 GMT

April is Stress Management month – how appropriate! As we juggle sudden changes, additional responsibilities, isolation, and possible job loss, it is important to check in with your mental health and manage stress levels. One way is through conversation.

Take some time to reconnect with your professional contacts. With Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and so many other platforms out there, you have plenty of avenues for a virtual coffee date (and most people are itching for some human interaction). Just remember that these are professional contacts, so you’ll need to get dressed (pants, too!) and have a clean space behind you!

This time for reconnecting will probably look a little different than your standard networking conversation. Most people’s figurative cups are feeling pretty empty right now, so make sure you are doing something to fill theirs.

Do:

Check in with how they are handling the situation.
Share your healthy coping strategies and commiserate on the difficulty of being thrown into remote work with no warning or preparation.
Share technology tips if you have them!
Really listen to hear, not just to respond.
Enjoy some human interaction – no agenda.

Don’t:

Complain about everything.
Tell them how easy they have it or how much harder it is for you. We are all struggling right now.
Make it strictly about work. We all need some water cooler talk.

So clean up that “workspace”, get dressed, and fill your calendar with some virtual coffee dates. Nurture your relationships, build community, and we’ll all get through this together.

Stress Management: Add Some Mindfulness to Your Day

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 05:44:58 GMT

Our professional lives can be stressful on a good day. Add to that a global pandemic, economic downturn, “quarantine schooling” your kids, and throwing everyone into remote work and you have a recipe for extreme stress levels.

As we journey through Stress Awareness Month, I want to invite you to try out a variety of stress management exercises and find something that helps you to let go and center. One of my favorite techniques is practicing mindfulness.

Mindfulness, as defined by Lexico , is “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” Exercises in mindfulness don’t require a lot of time and are perfect for sprinkling throughout the day. So set your pomodoro timer and check in with yourself at least once an hour with one of these exercises.

Zentangle

Have you seen these all over Instagram? Zentangle has gotten very popular in recent years and for good reason! You don’t have to be an “artist” and all you need is pen and paper. No fancy supplies, no mess or setup. My favorite way to work is by creating sections (boxes, blobs, meandering lines, whatever) and filling each with a different pattern. You don’t have to complete it all at once. Take a break and just fill in one section.

Use repeating patterns to fill in (no decisions necessary). Notice how your pen glides over the paper – is it smooth? Does it catch? Notice the smell of the ink. Just allow yourself to be consumed by the process. There is no room left in your mind for worry and stress.

Stretching/Yoga

We all know that stress leads to tension, so make sure you’re taking regular breaks to stretch. We’re not talking about increasing flexibility, contorted yoga knots, or balancing sessions here. This is about slowing down, taking care of our muscles, and letting go of the tension. In the words of one of my favorite yogis, Adriene Mishler , Find What Feels Good.

One of the key tenants in mindfulness, however, is to acknowledge but not judge. So when you go to touch your toes and your lower back makes you want to cry, don’t get negative. Just slow down and breathe into your muscles to help them relax. Acknowledge all your body is doing right now and give it some grace.

Body Scan

In line with stretching/yoga comes the body scan…and this one should maybe happen every half hour when we are stressed. It doesn’t have to take long as a check-in, but a nice, long body scan can be incredibly relaxing.

Calm has an excellent guided body scan available , but the gist is just to check in with each part of your body, notice how its feeling, and relax any tension you find. As with the yoga, no judgment (this is a good lesson in changing what we can and accepting what we can’t).

Breathing

We all probably know that a nice, deep breath can help us re-center, but somehow that seems to be the last thing we think of when we’re feeling overwhelmed. And even when we do think to do some deliberate breathing, it can be hard to truly slow it down and deepen your breathing without a little outside help.

Calm, again, has come to the rescue with this simple animation . Spend a minute or so with it every hour and feel your heart rate and stress levels lower.

Mindful Observation

Mindful observation can be a tricky one, because it’s building self-discipline. You don’t need any tools or helpers, and that is part of the struggle! You are simply relying on yourself and your own ability to focus.

Pick an object, any object. Study it. Look at that object as though you’ve never seen it before. Notice the colors, shading, variegation. Notice the textures. How does it feel in your hand? Is it smooth, rough? Light, heavy? Warm, cold? What does it smell like? Take in all the nuances and details you possibly can.

Spoiler alert: you will get distracted. Your mind will wander. That’s okay. It’s not a competition and the goal is progress, not perfection.

Practice Gratitude

One of the best ways to combat stress is with gratitude. Afterall, it’s simply putting negativity up against positivity.

There are many different ways to practice gratitude: journaling, meditation, affirmations, etc. Showing your gratitude is a great method, as well, and could make a considerable impact on others during this time. So take some time to reflect on all you have to be grateful for during this time.

Coloring

Just like the zentangles, coloring can be extremely therapeutic. Try limiting your color palette to just a handful of colors to cut back on decision-making, which we’ve all been doing enough of.

Enjoy creating something superfluous. Be in the moment and let it consume you.

Mindful Eating/Drinking

A favorite, especially when so many of us are indulging for comfort, is mindful eating and drinking. Consume that treat slowly and experience every nuance. How does it feel in your mouth? Notice the explosion of taste as you bite into it.

It may sound crazy in our busy society, but slowing down to notice these little things will have a profound effect on your outlook, gratitude, and attitude.

Career Growth: Let Your Personality Guide You

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 12:02:10 GMT

Have you ever looked at someone and just wondered how on Earth they enjoyed their job? Some of us can’t imagine sitting at a computer all day, getting up to present to rooms full of people, or even starting up conversations with perfect strangers all day every day. And yet, others thrive in those environments! It takes all kinds, right?

It can be easy to look at an environment or role and know straight off that it is absolutely not a fit for you, and you can probably tell which ones will be passable and even good. But how do you know what environment and role will be the best fit for you?

There are many factors involved and trial and error will probably play a big role, but understanding yourself, what drives you, and your personality type can be the perfect starting place.

Whether you use Myers-Briggs, DiSC, Enneagram, or one of the many other tests out there, these tools can help you understand the why you work the way you do, what drives you, and where your natural strengths lie. Some people feel certain tests reflect who they are more accurately than others (personally, I found my MBTI to feel more accurate than DiSC and Enneagram, but that’s not the case for others), so be willing to take more than one…but stick to established and credible tests rather than discovering which Hogwarts House you should belong to.

Once you’ve taken the test and have your results, read the assessments thoroughly and with an open mind. Most of us don’t fit the mold 100% perfectly, but be sure you aren’t dismissing valuable insight out of defensiveness or denial (especially when reading about your weaknesses).

Use these assessments to help you understand:

Your strengths and underlying passions. You probably already know what you enjoy, but this can help you understand why. This can expand your options for environments and roles you had never before considered.

Your weaknesses. Without much introspection, most of us have weaknesses we’ve never acknowledged or addressed. Take these in carefully, assess where you can improve, and take steps to grow. Also consider which weaknesses will impact your contentment and success in different environments and roles.

Your work style . Much like understanding your learning style can affect your success in learning, understanding how you think and work can allow you to increase productivity and eliminate counterproductive activities.

Many personality tests even recommend “ideal” career paths based on your results, which can broaden your horizon and open new possible paths. Working with a certified professional can help guide you in career paths specifically based on your results.

How to Talk About Yourself: 6 Tips to Create Engaging and Meaningful Conversations

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 11:54:32 GMT

Whether you’re interviewing or networking, talking about yourself can stress just about anyone out. How much is too much? How personal should you get? Isn’t it impolite to drone on and on about yourself? Who really cares??

These tricky questions can stop you in your tracks, make you doubt and question everything you were about to say, and bring your conversation to a screeching halt. So how do you deal with them? Here are 6 tips to help you talk about yourself in an engaging and meaningful way:

1. Believe in Your Value

This comes much more easily for some than others, but at the end of the day, it is 100% essential for success here. Your story is worth sharing. You bring unique experiences to the table and you solve problems. If you are struggling to believe in your value, make sure you’ve taken the time to really determine what your value is. Once you truly understand how you positively impact others, it’s easier to see the value in your own story.

2. Stay On Topic

One common problem people have when talking about themselves is staying on topic. It can be such a broad topic – and let’s be real, everything that’s ever happened to you is related to every other thing that’s ever happened to you…because, well, it’s you – that people find themselves segueing from story to story, leaving relevant information out completely. That means: don’t get distracted talking about the cute dog you saw hiking in the Alps during your study abroad. Talk about the unique experiences you had overseas that play into your professional experience.

3. Make it Relatable

One of the best ways to ensure your “All About Me” is engaging for your audience is to make sure it is relatable. By knowing your audience and the context for your conversation, you can carefully choose your stories based on what the listener will be most interested in. If you are in an interview, you will want to tell your story from the perspective of how you will impact their organization. For example, I’ve recently picked up mountain biking as a family hobby, but I’ll probably leave that out of my introduction if I’m interviewing for a job as a Resume Writer.

4. Be Unique

All Project Managers manage projects. All Programmers write code. Talk about something that makes you uniquely qualified for the role. What are you bringing to the table that others aren’t? Were you a musician in a former life and interviewing for a marketing position with a symphony? Is this a sales role with a large customer base in Asia and you spent 3 years living in Beijing?

5. Own It

Don’t be shy about your accomplishments. No one else is going to sing your praises, so it’s up to you to do so. That doesn’t mean you have to be arrogant or obnoxious. Present the facts, quantifiable if possible. You aren’t bragging. You are sharing relevant information about how you will help solve their problems.

6. Make it a Conversation

This is possibly the most important tip and it’s one of the easiest to implement. All you have to do is pay attention to the other person! Watch for non-verbal cues about interest (or lack-there-of), elaborate or move on as appropriate. Ask them questions. Allow them to ask you questions! Make it a two-way conversation and ensure that they are engaged in what you are saying!

Automation: 3 Ways to Touch the Things You Don't Like Less

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 11:50:39 GMT

No matter who you are or what job you have, there WILL be aspects of it that you don’t particularly enjoy. When those aspects start outweighing what you love about your job, you find yourself headed straight for burnout, frustration, and ultimately a job search.

Thankfully, modern technology can help us touch those undesirables less through automation! Here are 4 ways to touch the things you don’t like less!

1.Scheduling

It can’t just be me who dreads every “let’s find a time that works for everyone” email thread that pops up. Whether you’re scheduling for two or twenty, this can be an absolute nightmare.

For scheduling interviews and, I live by Calendly . Connect your Google or Outlook calendar, set your availability windows and buffer, and send your link. The other person will be able to look at the choices and reserve a time that works for them as well. The appointment will be automatically added to your calendar! You can also use Calendly for round-robin, collective availability, and group meetings.

2.Emailing

If you’re like a lot of us, once you send the email it gets marked of your to-do list and forgotten forever…whether they respond and things are actually done or not. Or you think about an email that you should really send next week and then when next week comes around you completely forget. Or you find yourself answering the same questions over and over.

Enter: Email Automation! Check out this Zapier article overviewing some amazing email automations!

3.All the Little Details

Raise your hand if you love tools like Trello ! The sky seems to be the limit on what and how you can organize and manage with Trello, but sometimes you can get overwhelmed by all the little details that can go into it. Thankfully Trello gets that and you can utilize Butler and Zapier to automate the little things and extra steps like marking things complete, taking ownership, or even publishing to Facebook.

All of these tools will take some time to learn and setup, but the payoffs in time saved and annoyance avoided will be well worth it! What are some of your favorite workplace automations?

How to Tell a Story That Will Get You Hired

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 11:44:55 GMT

In this line of work, I talk to countless people who have incredible experience, skills, and credentials, but just can’t land an interview or new job.

The problem is almost always the same. They think the hiring process is about them .

It’s not. It’s about them and their problems…and how you can solve them. And it’s on you to show them how you can solve their problems and make their lives easier.

Whether we’re talking about an elevator pitch, networking, resume, cover letter, or interview answers, your job is to convey that you understand their pain, and know-how to ease it (and even better, have demonstrated success in the matter). You have no choice but to talk about you , but do it from the perspective of what you can do for them.

Imagine a world where superheroes interview for their job and Tony Stark is meeting with Nick Fury about joining the Avengers.

With all of that Tony Stark arrogance, he talks about having finished two Master’s degrees at MIT by 19, how much Stark Industries is worth…and then prattles on about all the technological details about the Iron Man suit and how he built it.

Turns out, Iron Man CAN be boring!

Instead, even with his volatile personality, Fury would know immediately that Tony Stark belongs in the Avengers if he had said, “I fight all manner of bad guys with my scientific know-how, ability to fly, sound logic and planning, and repulsor beams, so that the Earth doesn’t get destroyed and you can go on living your life.”

Not a superhero? You can totally apply this rule as well.

The first step is truly understanding who the main character is, what their goals are, and what is standing in their way. Why? Because they will feel understood on a deeper level. It’s like when you meet someone new and they’ve been through the same struggles as you, whether they’re familial, medical, professional, or whatever…you connect more quickly because of those similar experiences. You feel like they understand you, like you can relate to each other.

Once you determine what their new services, mergers, growth opportunities, etc are, you narrow down to your specific expertise that will solve their problem. Do you excel at rescuing failing projects? Can you sell ice in a blizzard? What is your unique skill set that will allow them to succeed?

Take time to go through your accomplishments and determine which ones demonstrate your ability to solve their problems. This is what you will want to highlight in your resume. And note: we’re talking about results and accomplishments, NOT responsibilities.

Write your resume with your audience at the forefront of your mind and you will be on your way to an interview!

How the Time of Day Can Impact Your Work

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:50:56 GMT

Mark Twain famously said to eat a live frog first thing in the morning and then be assured nothing worse would happen to you that day. While this is not exactly the most appetizing image, the concept of getting your most difficult task done early is based on basic physiological principals. We each have biorhythms which ebb and flow in 3 to 4 hour cycles as our waking day progresses. Although we may be groggy when we first tumble out of bed, by the time we are dressed and headed out our brain chemicals will be flowing at their peak rate. This is the time to tackle the most challenging tasks you have on the list (i.e. eat the frog).

As the day progresses these brain chemicals slowly get used up, and by about mid-morning we are in need of a little energy. This is the origin of the concept of a coffee break. Once refueled with some energy, the ability to concentrate returns and we can again be quite productive through lunchtime. Then the typical biorhythm causes a drop in the chemical level, and even with a nice pile of calories to fuel the body, a slump will occur. There is a reason we tend to nod off in those after lunch meetings, and it’s not just because of how boring the topic or speaker may be.

About mid-afternoon another peak of brain chemicals occurs and the pace of work can be high for a few hours. In most people, they will experience the same slump around dinner and peak an hour or two later making early evening a very productive time personal and social tasks. As we approach bedtime, those brain chemicals drop off once again to enable sleep. Another peak even occurs while we are asleep, and those who can push themselves past the bedtime slump may experience another high productivity time about 1 to 2 hours after normal bedtime as this peak is not dependent on being asleep or awake. Another down cycle will occur before the up-and-at-em morning peak; this down cycle corresponds to the deep sleep period of our nightly cycle and is when most of the body’s resting occurs. If you try to push to stay awake through it, there can be negative effects on your bio-cycles for the next few days.

By using this knowledge of the body’s biorhythms, you can plan the best times to complete different tasks. This will increase your productivity and make the work day more bearable.

Transitioning from Summer to Fall

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Every worker knows that things change during the Summer when kids are out of school. The roads are less busy during commute, the heat keeps people indoors in their cubicles, and at any given time someone is on vacation. Once August hits, and the children start back for the new school year things start to speed up again. Budgeting season hits, planning begins for next year’s projects, and there is the final push to finish up this year’s projects. Do not get left behind in the excitement of the Fall season!

The first thing to do is take a deep breath; recognize that this is happening and just give yourself a moment to shift your mindset. Also, be aware that many of your employees and customers who have children may be overloaded for a few weeks until they settle into a routine. The best way to help your employees get back on track with the business pace is to set a few goals and deadlines to create clear objectives that they can meet and readjust to timewise. Create these goals as a way to prepare your employees to dive into the third quarter and finish out the fiscal year strong. This is especially important because as customers work on their own budgets and plans for next year, you may see in influx in requests for your information and proposals. These are going to set up next year’s work and many businesses have a cycle of what is planned in the Fall is done in the New Year. Do not lose out on these opportunities because your company is stuck in the Summer slump.

Another great way to kick off the new season is to host a back-to-school team building event to get everyone excited for finishing their current projects and starting new ones. Note, this is not the time to have a go away retreat; try bringing in bagels or donuts one morning and have everyone gather for a stand-up meeting. These “coffee and catch-up” sessions go a long way in building internal relationships and increasing employee motivation.

Do not get caught up in the slow Summer pace and give your company a boost by using a few simple tricks to get your employees ready to transition into Fall.

How to Make the Most of Your Workday - Time Management

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 18:36:16 GMT

The Power of Grit: You Do Not Have to Be the Smartest in the Room, You Just Have to Try the Hardest

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 18:19:14 GMT

The winner of the race is not always the fastest runner, it is not always the most prepared, nor the one with the best shoes, but it is always someone who finished. Perseverance (aka stubbornness) is one of the most overlooked character traits in the hiring process, but it is one of the most important indicators for success on the job. This is especially true of high stress, high risk, and high return potential jobs. It is almost a cliché that the higher the value the harder it will be to do. Achieving great results usually means several cycles of failure, retrospective, and retry. Well-known inventors and entrepreneurs all have stories of failure, usually several times before succeeding. It is not the vision to dream which is hard, it is the courage to see your dream shattered, learn from it, and dream again that achieves greatness.

Some of the best advice I was ever given: there is nothing more devastating than a life with no failures because that is a life waster. Go ahead and grieve, it is natural, but then take a look at the situation. Learn from the failure; that is the only important thing to do. Trying again is not necessary unless you decide on a different path to take. Remember Einstein’s definition of insanity: doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.

A certain amount of wisdom is required to recognize what is really possible and what is not. Usually, though, the reason we failed is that we really did not think and act early enough or insufficient quantity, and sometimes the reason for that is because we really did not care. So look carefully at why you think you failed, and plan what you can do about it.

How to Build a Professional Network from Scratch

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 17:38:48 GMT

We all know the best way to land new opportunities is through our network, but what if you don’t have one?

When you’re just starting out in your career, it is imperative to take careful steps to grow and nurture your professional network. But where do you start?

Friends and Family

If you’re fortunate enough to have well-connected friends and family, be sure to take advantage of it! This is a great place to start because you’ll (probably) be more comfortable talking to these connections and they are truly invested in your success (meaning they won’t be offended if this conversation comes off as completely one-sided).

Grabbing coffee with your uncle who works in a similar field, or your mom’s best friend who works at your dream company and knows everyone, can give you insight into the career, the company, and how to navigate professional life. It can also lead to valuable introductions. That’s how you build your network. While you’re at it, don’t forget your friends who have maybe already started in the field!

Professor Mentor

If your degree program had you working closely with a professor who acted as a mentor, this would be an excellent source for growing your network. Ask for their advice on groups and organizations you could join to make professional connections – they may even introduce you to some previous students who are already out in the field.

Organizations and Events

Most people dread networking events, but they’re still around for good reason. Networking events, conferences, or gatherings for professional organizations are perfect venues for meeting and connecting with folks in your field and building your network.

Be sure to follow the three “be’s”:Be curious (ask questions, show interest in them). Be approachable (mind your body language). Be authentic (put your best foot forward, but make sure it’s your foot).

Social Media

Raise your hand if you have more than one friend who you’ve never met in real life. Thanks to a plethora of social platforms, our social circles have expanded beyond physical locations…and with so many options, there is something for everyone.

Spend some time engaging on your favorite professional social platform. Read articles and respond with carefully considered (and value-adding) comments. Engage in an authentic conversation over your professional interests and nurture the connection as it grows.

No matter how you decide to go about building your network, be sure to show genuine interest in the person you are talking to and their experience, interests, and viewpoints. Your relationships will be strongest if they aren’t one-way and your connection won’t feel used. With that said, don’t hesitate to be clear in asking for introductions! Just be sure to do as much of the work for them as you can – be clear about who you want to meet and why.

Building a professional network can be intimidating and quite stressful, but with practice and preparation you can become a competent networker.

you can become a competent networker.

Stress Management: Address Your Bad Habits

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 05:38:42 GMT

During times of stress, it can be all too easy to fall into the habit of shortcuts, self-neglect, and other bad habits. What if, instead of adding new bad habits, we did a little self-assessment and worked to address some existing bad habits?

As most of the country is entering their second month of isolation, self-improvement is a hot topic (along with where to buy toilet paper and how to touch-up your roots). Whether staving off depression and anxiety or trying to fill a suddenly empty day planner, this could be the perfect time to address some bad habits in both your personal and professional life.

Procrastination

Are you a procrastinator, waiting until the deadline is taunting you to even get started, then rushing through and delivering subpar work? That bad habit is likely to cost you career advancement or even your job.

This bad habit isn’t going to go away easily. Start small by beginning each day getting one dreaded task (that you would usually put off) done and out of the way. If you don’t have any small tasks, put in 20 minutes of quality effort toward a larger project. Then sit back and acknowledge your accomplishment.

Poor Email Communication

Oooh, boy. If you’re working from home right now, this is an even bigger issue. When we don’t take care to consider tone and clarity in our emails, it can lead to ruffled feathers, confusion, wasted time, and so very much frustration.

Take the time this week to review/revise your emails before you send them. Check for tone (are you coming across professionally?), grammar/spelling, completeness (did you address all the points?), and clarity (is it detailed, clearly written, organized, and correct?).

Addiction to Scrolling

This is going to be another that is even worse working remotely. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or whatever, turning to social media for escape or a mind-numbing scroll, especially during times of crisis, can become even more addictive.

As luck would have it, there is now technology to protect us from technology! Apps such as Freedom , StayFocusd Chrome extension, and Waste No Time for Chrome and Safari allow you to temporarily block certain websites so you can focus on your work.

Poor Time Management

Do you ever wonder how your colleagues manage to accomplish more in a 3 hour period than you do all day? It might be that they’re super-human…but more likely they’re just better at managing their time effectively.

There are plenty of time management tips and techniques out there, many of which can be used in concert. Try them out and see what works for you. Some favorites include:

Pomodoro Technique . You’ll be amazed what you can accomplish in 25 minutes if that’s all the time you give yourself. This technique also forces you to take regular breaks, which is good for productivity.
Make a to-do list for the next day at the end of your workday. Stop wasting time trying to figure out where you left off and what you need to accomplish.
Find your productive time frame and time block .
Batch your work. Instead of bouncing from application to application, take a page out of manufacturing’s handbook and batch similar tasks together.

As you work on your bad habits, remember that while it takes 21 days to form a new habit, it takes much longer to break a bad one. You’ll have setbacks and bad days, and those are to be expected. So take baby steps and focus on the progress.

Stress Management: Using Social Media Wisely

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 05:27:19 GMT

If you’re anything like the rest of the world, the last 6 or so weeks have probably glued you to your social media accounts more than you’d care to admit. We go seeking the positivity of human connection, get caught up in finger-pointing and comparisons, and leave feeling even worse.

It’s a fine line during these times to connect while keeping all that toxicity at bay. And while you’re at it, make sure you aren’t contributing to the toxicity. This is possible and you can use social media in a healthy way, connecting with loved ones and brilliant minds while we’re under quarantine.

Be Choosy

Not all social networks are created equally, and you’ll certainly get a different experience depending on which one you choose. Spend some time connecting with brilliant minds on LinkedIn, Twitter, or another professional network. Share ideas, muse on interesting topics together. Feed your mind and soul through growth.

While you’re at it, make sure you take the time to update your LinkedIn profile with current interests and project information so people know who they’re connecting with!

Be Intentional

Be careful about mindless scrolling. The connection is generally superficial at best and you have no control over what you will see. Being inundated with stories of tragedy, loss, and anger will certainly not be helpful to your mental health. Instead, seek out certain individuals to connect with (curious about Joe? Check out his feed to see what he’s been up to lately, then message him directly to connect) or carefully curate your feed. Hide that conspiracy theorist aunt, snooze your friend who is railing in anger (but maybe check in on them individually, if you can handle it), and follow some new accounts that share uplifting, funny, or inspirational posts.

If you’re really looking for a mindless scroll, spend some time on Pinterest or Instagram, search something that brings you joy, and just soak up all the pretty pictures.

Be the Good

Sometimes, taking the time to care for others is just the salve our heart needs. Send a friend a funny GIF. Share a heartwarming story, a picture of a beautiful sunset, or a photo of a goofy animal. Do one of those silly “ask your kids” posts (not the ones that have you share personal information used for security purposes) so everyone can get some joy out of the innocence of children. Notice someone has been extra quiet or completely MIA? A quick “thinking of you” can make a world of difference…and you’ll feel that difference, too.

As we work our way through this second month of uncertainty, where no one agrees with each other, the world is upside down, and our lives have all changed, just remember the wisdom of Rumi: “Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates. At the first gate, ask yourself ‘Is it True?’. At the second gate ask ‘Is it necessary?’. At the third gate ask ‘Is it Kind?’”

Take care of yourself. Take care of each other.

Spring Cleaning: Update Your References

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:23:57 GMT

Spring is right around the corner, the snow is melting, and peeks of green are starting to show again. Have you caught the Spring Cleaning bug? As you’re airing out the house, purging and decluttering, we’re going to focus on ways for you to spruce up your professional life with all that energy this month!

This week, take a few minutes to revisit your list of professional references (you do have one, right?). When is the last time you talked to them? Do they know what is going on in your career? Are they still the best choice for a reference?

If it’s been a couple of months (or more!) since you last spoke, it’s time for a check-in. Send them a message to see if you can grab them a coffee and catch up. Find out what’s new in their life, and don’t be afraid to share the new and exciting in yours! Talk big ideas, current events, and goals. Just remember to nurture the relationship – don’t make it all about you! While you’re at it, double-check that their contact information is the same and they’re still okay being used as a reference.

If you’re thinking they may no longer be the best choice for a reference, don’t just delete them and move on! This is still a great opportunity to nurture a professional relationship and do a little networking.

Does someone else need to join the list of references? Take a minute to reach out to them and ask if it’s okay to list them as a reference AND if they will give you a positive reference. If they agree, you’ll want to have their current phone number and email address, in addition to title and company.

Now that you have dusted off your list of references, make sure you don’t wait until next Spring to do it again! Set a calendar appointment to check in with everyone in a couple of months to keep the relationship healthy and current.

8 Ways to Practice Hygge at Work

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 19:15:51 GMT

If you’ve scrolled through Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram in the last couple of years, you’re probably familiar with the term hygge. This Danish concept of embracing warmth, coziness, and joy is a form of self-care that can help you find productivity and contentment during cold, dark days…and draining days spent under fluorescent lights.

If you search hygge on Pinterest right now, you’ll see a lot of candles, cozy blankets, mugs of tea, and fireplaces…but unless you work from home, I’m not sure those are the best ways to bring this practice to work with you. Instead, check out these 8 ways to practice hygge in the workplace.

1.Plants

Nothing softens a room and brings a little life to it quite like…well, life! Bring some plants to the office for some fresh air and some green. Are you in a cubicle mid-office without a window to be found? Check out some of the beautiful lowlight options ! Snake plants are gorgeous, easy to care for, and bring some much-needed interest to most sterile office environments.

2.Coffee/Tea breaks

First and foremost is the “break” part of this. Your brain needs to disconnect and take a real break to be able to perform at its best. I know I’m guilty, like most of you, of taking a “break” by switching to another task, but that isn’t actually what our brains need. Creativity, ideas, inspiration – they all come from quiet time and even boredom. Drink a cup of tea or coffee while you stare at a blank wall. Don’t listen to a podcast. Don’t watch a show. Let your brain relax.

3.Potluck lunch

Do you ever go through an entire workweek, surrounded by colleagues, but completely isolated in your cubicle? Gathering around the watercooler has been frowned for so long, but human interaction and community is what will energize you and get you through the day productively, not to mention it will make you more excited to come back the next day! The key is balance. Build some community in the workplace by organizing monthly potluck lunches. Invite your colleagues to bring in their favorite dishes, put out a spread, and take a break to socialize. Side benefit: eating real food for lunch instead of scarfing fast food because you forgot to pack your lunch…again.

4.Music

Music can affect your mood more than almost anything, so put together a playlist that will keep your spirits high during the workday, put on your headphones, and relax. Most streaming services already have “hygge” playlists running, so pick one that you enjoy and find relaxing.

5.Art/Photos/Things You Love

What is on the walls of your workspace, or on your desk? Plain, white walls with only work stuff? A beige or gray desk? Is it completely barren of any personality? Bring yourself smiles throughout the day by decorating your workspace with things you love: art, photos of loved ones, goofy bobbleheads. Whatever makes you smile, surround yourself with it! Just don’t go overboard so your area is cluttered and you can’t work easily.

6.Walks

Turning into a mushroom growing from your chair won’t benefit your mood. Get moving and you can reduce stress and boost your mood within 10 minutes . You don’t have to break a sweat, just get up and walk. Walk in silence just observing nature or grab a friend and have a quick visit walking around the building. Just move.

7.Natural Lighting

Harsh fluorescent lighting never did anything for anyone’s headaches or mood. Natural light can improve mood and productivity among many other benefits. If possible, try to work in more natural light – open the blinds, sit near the window if you can. If you’re stuck in the middle of an office, consider a desk lamp with a daylight bulb.

8.Kindness

And perhaps the most important, practice random acts of kindness. There is no quicker way to spread joy than being kind, and random acts of kindness tend to spread like wildfire. Best of all – nothing is standing in your way. Cubicle in the center of a giant room? Corner office? Work from home? You can be kind in every single one of these environments and see how you change someone’s day. Bring someone a coffee, give a sincere compliment, hold a door, bring donuts. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture. It just needs to be heartfelt.

The Power of Breathing

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 18:46:54 GMT

Breathing is something we do without thinking from the time we’re born until the time we die, but breathing can serve a much greater purpose in our lives if we let it.

Learning to control your breathing through breathing exercises can have significant physical impacts. Controlling your breathing helps relieve stress by focusing your mind so that you can better concentrate on what’s most important. In the same way, it also helps reduce anxiety by slowing down the mind’s processes to help you better focus on the things that are causing the anxiety.

Some studies have even shown that controlling your breathing can increase longevity in the long run. High stress can lead to an early onset of many diseases, and even early death in some people, but through controlled breathing you can relax more, which over time will have a positive impact on your life and overall life expectancy.

Also, breathing slowly and intentionally before bed has been shown to reduce the effects of insomnia. If you learn to slow your breathing before bed, you can fall asleep without even knowing that you're trying to fall asleep, thus avoiding the sleepless nights of insomnia.

Controlling your breathing takes a lot of focus, so in doing so, you leave yourself little room to focus on anything else, thus pushing all other ailments or worries away from your mind. Along with controlled breathing, one can try also meditation in any of its forms. Meditation relies heavily on controlled breathing, which is why it has many of the same positives as controlled breathing.

Spring Cleaning: Spruce Up Your Resume

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 06:11:40 GMT

As I made my way around my little town this weekend during this “False Spring”, it was invigorating to see everyone outside cleaning up flower beds, airing out rugs and houses, cleaning windows, and all manner of other Spring Cleaning activities! This month we’re working to bring that energy into our professional world, and a quick sprucing up of your resume is a great way to do so!

When is the last time you looked at your resume? So many people ignore that little document for years at a time, only pulling it back out when it’s time to look for a new position. That sets you up for so much extra work, though!

Pull out your resume this week (try to do this every 3-4 months) and give it a readthrough.

Did you find typos that have you mortified that you’ve sent that resume out for applications?

Time away from a document can give you a fresh set of fresh eyes. This break should allow your brain to read your resume as if it is new information, actually processing what is written rather than what it assumes will be there.

Does it accurately reflect your career objectives or goals?

Our career goals are constantly evolving as we grow in our professional life, so a resume you wrote 3 years ago may no longer be relevant to where you are now. Spring clean it with some tweaks to keep it growing as you do.

Do you have new projects and key accomplishments that you can add?

Now is the time to add details to your resume, while they’re fresh in mind and you still have access to the data! Add project details, quantifiable results from your work. Don’t overlook the feedback from your employee evaluation either! Positive feedback can be incorporated into your resume to validate skills (especially soft skills)!

Dedicate an hour to your resume this week and get to sprucing!

Market Yourself: How to use a marketing strategy in your job search

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 05:00:28 GMT

I’ve been soaking up some Lynda.com and am currently studying digital marketing. As I was learning about business marketing strategies, it hit me that there’s huge crossover into conducting a productive job search. I mean, what is a job search but an effort to market yourself?

Posting a resume online with the hopes of getting a job is about the same as opening an online store and crossing your fingers that someone will stumble across it and buy your stuff…and applying to only online job ads is like just yelling, "BUY MY STUFF!!" on Facebook.

The Solution? Strategy. You need to develop strategies just as you would if you were creating a new business and marketing it. This is how I translated a Marketing Strategy to a Search Strategy:

Creating your strategy will force you to understand who you are, what you want, and what you have to offer at a deeper level, and it will help you to customize your materials and presentation for each aspect of your search by understanding what is most relevant to the company’s needs.

Most importantly, building your strategy will help you to plan your search, measure your efforts, and lead you to success.

I’m barely scratching the surface when it comes to marketing (the above is definitely just a starting point), and I’m hopeful to find more crossover as I dig in. Do you use marketing techniques in your search? What’s your strategy?

Check out these resume tips before you create your “marketing materials”

The Best Jobs for an Optimist

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:06:24 GMT

One of the most common pieces of advice given to young people deciding what they want to do professionally for the rest of their lives is to “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” That is easier said than done depending on what a person loves to do, but it is made easier depending on the imagination of the person contemplating their professional future. Another thing that aids in the choosing of a career is choosing one that matches or compliments a person’s personality, rather than one that contradicts it. One big personality characteristic that people use to define themselves is whether a person is an optimist or a pessimist. Below are some career paths that are popularly known to be compatible with optimists.

Optimists typically bring a shine or energy to whatever job they choose. Many people bring their optimism to the profession of teaching, where it is sometimes vitally important due to the various challenges of being a teacher. A teacher sets the mood for their classroom, which has a big impact on the facilitation of learning. Optimistic teachers frequently radiate the optimism that is associated with young, fresh minds interested in learning and experiencing new things, back to their students. Even for students who don’t find learning as easy as their counterparts, a teacher’s optimism to help them pull through is typically remembered decades later by the thankful students.

Creative jobs such as writer or artist are also ripe for optimists. Frequent revisions, or outright rejections, are typically commonplace in such jobs but can be weathered or balanced by an optimistic person’s personality. When such people do succeed professionally, their optimism helps lay the groundwork for some truly remarkable final products. Optimists are also typically known for making up their own rules and thinking outside of the box, which is crucial for writers and artists.

Nurses are on the front lines when it comes to caring for all kinds of patients in the healthcare system. Sometimes nursing jobs can be difficult when things do not go in favor of a patient, but an optimistic nurse can power through to focus on being able to help the next patient. Because of the typically unexpected or dire circumstances that causes people to interact with the healthcare system, optimist nurses are a vital part of guiding patients through the difficulties related to their care so they can hopefully get back to their normal life as soon as possible.

The 6 Second Rule: How to get your resume into the yes pile

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 05:07:00 GMT

There’s been a little research on how recruiters view resumes that shows that you get about 6 seconds before you’re tossed into the yes, no, or maybe pile. I hear a lot of disgruntlement about this point (and you’re completely allowed to be frustrated by it), but here’s the deal: when recruiters get 100+ resumes for a position that needed to be filled yesterday, we don’t have much choice…and if you’re going to apply to a job rather than relying solely on networking, this is the reality. So how do you deal?

First, you realize that the 6 second rule only covers the initial scan. Does this person have relevant experience? Are they at the right career level? Do they have the required degrees and certifications? Anything alarming? Are they worth further review?

This is not the final review. It’s not even close. BUT, you can’t get to the final review without first passing this test. These three tips will help you get into the yes pile.

A place for everything and everything in its place. If we have to hunt for the basics, chances are you’ll land in the no pile. While you want your resume to stand out from the rest, there is a standard format and order. You should start with your contact information, move on to summary, skills, and experience, and, unless you’re a recent grad, your education should go last (without relevant professional experience, highlight the education and put it after skills).

Negative space. Does your resume look like a book? Is it margin-to-margin words? A resume that’s written like a book has a needle-in-a-haystack effect on the eyes and we can’t see the important information. You want it to be more needle-on-an-empty-table. Avoid heavy paragraphs and opt for 1-2 line bullet notes where possible.

Put it on display. Please, please customize your resume for the position. Whatever experience is most relevant to the position should be listed first. If your bullet about an impressive accomplishment directly related to the position is in the middle/end of the chunk, it will almost certainly be missed.

These three tips are easy to implement and will help your resume get through the first 6 seconds of its battle. Once you’ve passed this, you can be assured that it will be carefully reviewed…so hopefully the rest of the content is good!

5 Tips for Successful Job Interviews

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 05:35:27 GMT

Job interviews can be a difficult task for some job seekers, below are 5 tips for more successful interviews:

1. Familiarize Yourself With The Company

Before going in for an interview, it is helpful to do a little research on the company that you'll be interviewing for, and it can even be helpful to familiarize yourself with the person you'll be interviewing with. Getting to know the company will not only help you answer the interviewer’s questions, but it will also make you seem all around more prepared.

2. Make A Good First Impression

It is important to make a good first impression with the way you speak and act. However, possibly more importantly, it is crucial to make a good first impression in the way you present yourself. Showing up on time and looking professional are two great ways to present yourself to make a better first impression.

3. Be Positive

There is nothing an interviewer hates more than a candidate with a bad attitude. Even if you did not like your previous job or employer, focus on some things that you did like, make the negative more positive. Also, if an employer asks about your personal weaknesses, that is a great opportunity to show your positivity, don't just list your weaknesses, talk about things you're not great at and discuss ways you plan to improve in the future.

4. Ask Questions

Near the end of the interview, when the employer asks if you have any questions, think of something to ask. Asking meaningful questions about the position lets the employer know that you were not just listening to them, but you were also processing what they were saying and you are interested in being more informed.

5. Send A Thank You

Whether by phone or email, it is important to follow up with an employer shortly after an interview to thank them for the opportunity to interview. This not only keeps you fresh in their mind, but it also lets them know they you are truly interested and dedicated to the position.

Brave the Cold: Get Out and Network

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 07:50:38 GMT

February. Is it STILL winter? It really is, so now is a great time to rekindle the fire of your professional passion.

Get Out and Network

Whenever someone mentions networking, many of us automatically think of networking events and cringe inside (or outside, if we’re being real). I know a lot of extroverts who just love these events, while introverts (like me) would rather be anywhere else. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to network!

Bridge Maintenance: Reconnect with Who You Already Know

via MEME

Effective networking is about relationships. Real, genuine relationships. Step one should always be to nurture our existing relationships, especially connections we don’t interact with regularly.

Take a few minutes to scroll through your contacts and send personal messages to those you haven’t talked to in a while. Ask about their lives, offer genuine help where you can, and/or see if you can grab a coffee to catch up! Just remember, you’re here because you care about this person…not just what they can do for you.

Build New Bridges: Expand Your Network

Hopefully your network will grow organically, with your current connections introducing you to new ones. Sometimes, however, we have to help it along. If there’s someone, in particular, you’d love to know better or who you think would be instrumental in helping your career, don’t be afraid to take the first step!

When you make your initial contact, try to find any existing connection to build from. Did you work for the same company? Did you go to the same school or grow up in the same town? Do you share a passion for hang gliding? We don’t always have an existing connection, but often it’s there if you just look for it.

Once you’ve determined if you have a connection (and what it is), it’s not a bad idea to embrace sincere flattery. Did they write an article that resonated with you? Did their keynote address inspire you in some way? What are they doing that makes you interested in them? We all love to hear that what we are doing is making an impact, and who doesn’t love to talk to new people about our passions? Just be sure to take an interest in them and their story, not just what they can do for yours!

And when you take the step to make the connection, make sure you’re buying the coffee!

Reevaluating Your Career Needs

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:02:59 GMT

The recent global COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to take a long, hard look at our values and priorities, especially where our careers and work-life balance are concerned.

With schools and daycares closed, we watched as parents scrambled to find a way to continue working from home while juggling children, and the desperation of those who couldn’t work remotely as they sought childcare.

We watched countless people receive their pink slip or furlough notice, felt their pain, and wondered about our own “essential” qualities.

The beauty of times of crisis is that they often are accompanied by stark clarity. What drives you? What are our priorities? What is necessary to you for survival? What is essential for your mental and physical health?

Spend some time with these thoughts and really evaluate whether your current career is meeting your needs.

Does your job allow you enough family time?
Do you even like what you do?
Are your stress levels through the roof?
Is there room for advancement that meets your goals?
Are you being paid what you’re worth?

Consider your needs and wants regarding your career, then really consider how your current job rates. Is it time to move on? Change industries? Or even go back to school?

If it’s just time to move on, you’ve done a lot of the hard work already. You’ve determined your minimum requirements for your next position, you know what you’re looking for. All you have left to do is to get your resume and professional social profiles into shape, update your network, and connect with a solid recruiter . Create a plan to manage your job search, complete with realistic schedules and attainable goals (that are within your control), and get started.

If you’re ready to change industries, we strongly recommend working with a resume writer (Hey! We know some of those!) to make sure your resume is working for you and not against you and a career coach as a resource to guide you through the process.

And if returning to school is on your mind, Minnesota State has some excellent recommendations for what to consider and where to start.

Top Three Ways to Improve Productivity at Work

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 06:08:03 GMT

It goes without saying that productivity is one of the most important objectives that every company has. Employees need to be motivated and focused when they are at work so they can be efficient in completing their tasks. That being said, what are the best ways to improve productivity at work? Here are our top three ways to do it!

1.Define objectives and let the workers figure out how to meet them - An objective is something of actual value to the end customer (the people paying). If it doesn’t hold value to a paying customer, it doesn’t mean much. By creating clear objectives that are tangible to workers, they will feel motivated when they see the direct results of their work and how it affects the customers. The key here is to allow the workers to discover on their own how to meet the objective; this allows them to cognitively think about the best way to complete their work and challenge them to find the most efficient way to do so. Not only will the employees be happier, but they will also be able to think through problems easily and come up with applicable solutions.

2.Encourage actions; praise results - Actions can be defined by using the example of evaluating workflow of the spare part room, but what was the result of doing that task? Actions should include implementing an idea, even if it does not work, that tries to do something and makes it easier on the customer and the other workers. Pay attention to what actually takes up time. This may mean that an employee observes that other workers are spending too much time in the spare part room trying to get screws which are in the very back, so in order to cut that time spent searching the screws are moved to the front of the closet. An action has been turned into a result which can positively affect the company; simply observing the problem does not help anyone, so encourage them to take action and praise them once they have introduced a solution that creates a result.

3.One task at a time - There is no such thing as multitasking; all that is doing is taking multiple tasks and making them last longer than they would. This stresses workers and helps them burn out faster. Multitasking is simply switching back and forth from one project to another and everyone has their limit on how many tasks they can juggle before they become inefficient. This is referred to as a person’s cognitive load and it is important that workers are able to identify and limit themselves based on their cognitive ability. Otherwise overloading projects slows people down and makes a company inefficient. By creating manageable tasks and assigning them one at a time, it may seem counterproductive, but it actually allows workers to complete the project efficiently and without any distractions of other problems and deadlines weighing on them.

Increasing productivity is vital to any company that hopes to continue to grow and make a profit, so use these three tips to help move forward with your employees.

5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Productivity at Work

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 04:39:49 GMT

You spend only a certain amount of time in the office. It would be a bad idea if your concentration is spiraling, not being able to focus on one task. You would end up missing deadlines or rushing to meet them.

Are there times when you find yourself mindlessly clicking away on your office computer browser? Alright, so you start every day with a To-Do list, but you soon find yourself becoming distracted on tasks that are the least of your priorities, or just, simply, procrastinating. Keep in mind that you are only in the office for a certain period of time during the day, so it is important to make the most out of it.

Being productive at work isn’t exactly hard; you just need to know how to increase your output. That is, you either work hard and redouble your efforts or you work smart. The latter is preferable especially in time constraints and that means, it is required that you learn how to manage your timetable.

So how do you get your focus on and get some work done? Here is the list of five easy ways to improve your productivity at work:

1: Set Your Schedules

You might say ‘Isn’t this the same as a To-Do List? You know those things don’t work for me.’ Do not assume that setting your schedules and your to-do list are the same. While the to-do list enumerates what you have to do for the day, it does not always mean that you can effectively manage your time.

Think of it as a time table on what are the tasks you should be doing by the hour. The problem with To-Do Lists is that they can be counterproductive: these lists enumerate what you have to do, but not give you the appropriate time. You cannot focus one task at hand, but instead your focus would shift to the rest of the projects you have to finish.

The human brain is a muscle and it can only really focus for 25 minutes. You may notice as time progresses, your attention and focus shifts elsewhere, like for example, the rest of the projects and what can you to finish them within the day. A time table keeps track of what you should achieve or what you are able to finish within a designated time. Finished or not, proceed to the next task. This will help you increase your productivity level and get the results that you need.

Also make sure to establish a contingency plan. There are factors such as your personal life can get in the way of your schedules.

2: Have A Routine

After you have established a schedule, it is time to establish a routine. For example, what time will you answer all your emails? What time would you be doing these sheets? What time should you take a break?

Routines may sound bland, but they can actually make you more productive. You have set your concentration and your focus on a designated field or topic. Even checking your emails, which category do you check first, sets your brain to kickstart the concentration it needs. Routines actually help you condition for your day.

3: Stretch and Take a Break

Think you can get more work done by sitting on that chair until the end of your shift? Think again.

According to Dr. James Levine , sitting for a prolonged period of time can actually increase cholesterol levels and excess waistline fat, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and also the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Simply put: sitting for long periods of time is harmful. Spending a few hours in the gym during the weekend is not enough to deter these health risks. In a study conducted by Stockholm University doing exercise at work helps increase in productivity levels. Learn how to manage your energy and stress levels. Try taking a break after every hour to get up and stretch. One of such workplace exercise is, instead of sitting down during meetings, walk laps with your colleagues. It helps circulation and improve stamina after a long day sitting down.

4: Do Not Procrastinate

You have set a schedule and a routine for each of your task, but that does not mean that you will have that “I’ll do it tomorrow instead’ attitude. That is no longer time management; that is called procrastinating.

You only stay in the workplace for a certain period of time, so learn how much work you can do it that shift. Making time and learning how to manage your tasks, helps you increase your productivity levels, and helps you minimize your distractions. Discipline yourself to not put off tasks to the next day. Learn to do them now efficiently.

5: Do Not Stop Learning and Improving

Being productive is a learning process. It is not just about making timetables or routines, but it builds your character on how to discipline yourself to overcome any obstacle. Improving your productivity and your schedules may not remain the same; it is about overcoming challenges and hardships, avoiding bad habits, and finding ways to achieve your goals efficiently. Always keep your mind open, accept challenges, appreciate your success and even your failures.

Improving your productivity at work is not at all hard to learn. Always remember to work hard and to work smart.

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Why It's So Hard to Trim Your To-Do List (and How to Make it Easier!)

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:36:53 GMT

“But Tracy, I literally have to do everything on my to-do list.”

I hear this all the time, and I’m sure it really feels that way...for lots of reasons. These are the big two I see A LOT.

You’re an Obliger

Gretchen Rubin developed a personality framework she calls The Four Tendencies that divides the world into Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels. Her research shows the majority of the population is Obliger.

If you’re an Obliger, you might feel great pressure to meet outside expectations, but have a hard time meeting your own.

If that’s you, you probably subconsciously feel that it’s more important to do all the things than it is to consider how things should be easier on you .

So when you’ve tried to trim your to-do list in the past, you’ve had a hard time cutting things that you think you have to do for someone else, but you’ve easily cut things that are just for you, like rest, self-care, or activities that only you like.

That’s how it’s always been

Even if you’re not an Obliger, it’s easy to get stuck on this idea. Newton’s law of inertia says an object in motion stays in motion.

You said yes to a task or responsibility once before, so now you just do it by default. That’s what so-and-so does, so you better do it, too. You’ve taken on all these tasks, so now you just have to figure out how to get it done.

Big nope to all of that!

So can you really trim things from your to-do list?

One trick for determining whether something is actually essential to you is to think about whether you would choose that task again if you weren’t already doing it or if you weren’t just trying to meet outside expectations.

Ask yourself these questions:

IS THIS A WANT OR A SHOULD?

Do you think you need to do this task to meet your own expectations or someone else’s? Are you doing it because you enjoy it, because you know it’s going to make a great impact, because you’re good at it? Or are you just doing it because some “expert” scared you into it?

Obligers can think about how you also deserve your expectations met, or at the very least, how meeting your own wants will help others in the long run (because you can’t pour from an empty cup, right?).

And just because this task works for someone else (build this funnel! use discovery calls to sell!) doesn’t mean you have to do it.

DOES IT ACTUALLY HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS?

Does this task directly impact your customers and help you serve them the service you’re literally in business to provide them?

Obligers, you’re all about helping others right? Don’t waste your time on stuff that isn’t really gonna help!

DOES THIS TO-DO LIST TASK “SPARK JOY?”

Do you groan everytime you see this task on your to-do list? Does it take you forever or make you resentful?

Just because you’ve always said yes, someone expects you to do it, or you feel like you should, if you don’t like it, you can totally choose to toss it!

Think of purging your to-do list like cleaning out your closet. You’d look at each item and think about whether you really want to keep it, whether you actually lie to wear it. If you didn’t already own that dress, would you buy it? If you weren’t already used to trying to get that task done, would you sign up for it?

The 3 Ways to Maximize the Value of Breaks

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 11:39:35 GMT

Taking breaks throughout the work day actually increases productivity in the workplace by helping employees refocus their attention on the tasks at hand. Here are three ways to maximize the value of breaks to ensure increased productivity:

1. Get Moving

Sitting at a desk can get redundant, which allows you to lose focus of what you should be working, so just take a quick walk around the office if you need to. Walking away from a task, especially one you have been working on for a prolonged period of time can allow you to stop and think about it without the pressure of feeling like you need to do it right away because it is right there in front of you. Many studies have also come out recently detailing the health hazards of sitting all day, so walking for even a few minutes every few hours can both help you focus more on your work and benefit your health.

2. Meditate

Meditation has been shown to relieve stress, so if you're having a particularly stressful day at the office, take a break, meditate and clear your mind. Clearing your mind through meditation not only allows you to de-stress, but it also allows you to refocus and prioritize the tasks at hand to prevent future stress from becoming a problem.

3. Take a Nap

I know this one may seem a little out of the norm for most places, but a short 30-minute nap has many benefits. It can help reenergize the body just enough to finish out the workday, and much like walking, it also increases cognition and focus. Short naps have also been shown to increase memory and mental alertness which can help employees finish more tasks faster than they would have been able to before.

Breaks can be incredibly beneficial to employees, employers, and companies as a whole, but the benefits depend on how you maximize the value of your break time.

Tips for minimizing workplace negativity

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 06:04:15 GMT

Negativity in the workplace is never good, but it happens all too often. Taking steps to avoid or resolve workplace negativity is crucial to your team’s survival. Here are six ways to reduce workplace negativity:

Treat All Employees Equally

Negativity energy in the workplace can often stem from employees feeling that others are being treated better than them. If all employees are treated in the same manner, following the exact same rules than employees will be less hostile, making them more likely to get along, reducing negativity in the workplace.

Allow Employees the Freedom to Express Their Opinions

Allowing your employees to give input in decision making, helps make them feel more like they are a part of the team. It also helps employees feel like you are listening to them, and you care about what they have to say. Overall, listening to your employees allows them to feel more involved, making their feelings about the workplace more positive.

Help Promote Team Building

By encouraging camaraderie among your team through team building exercises, you allow employees to become more familiar with one another. As a result, employees will be more likely to get along, thus making them more positive towards one another overall.

Do Not Allow One Person’s Missteps Reflect the Team

When one person breaks a rule, or does something bad, do not make a new rule or take it out on the team as a whole. If you take one person’s mistakes out on the whole team, you will cause the rest of the team to gang up against that one person, making the workplace environment extremely tense and negative.

Give Employees Opportunities to Advance

If employees are held in the same position with no opportunities for advancement, they will start to resent the company and have a more negative attitude. Allowing employees the opportunities to advance makes them more excited about coming to work and doing their job.

Recognize Hard Work

Reward employees, within reason, when necessary. When an employee really shines, it is important to let them know that you appreciate all of their hard work and you are happy for them. Letting employees know when they're doing well makes them more excited to keep doing their job, which not only makes the company more productive, but it also makes the workplace environment focus more on positivity.

Is your resume failing you?

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 05:35:50 GMT

In today's day, it is unfortunately the norm for a candidate to apply to an opening and never hear back. When you never hear why you are no longer being considered, it can be quite difficult to address the problems to improve your chances in the future. Take a look at these common reasons that resumes are rejected...how many apply to your resume? Do you know?

Reasons Resumes Are Rejected:

Poorly prepared, organized, and hard to read resumes and cover letters.
Use of improper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Career objectives incompatible with current or future openings.
Salary objectives incompatible with the organization's compensation guidelines.
Education and/or experience incompatible with requirements.
Work history contains too many jobs within a period of time.
Gaps in work history.
Lack of U.S. Citizenship or permanent residency status.
Incompatible geographical requirements.

What the Resume Reader Wants:

The resume reader is looking for certain information on the resume to determine whether the resume can be retained and considered for present or future positions. The following questions reflect some of the information the reader is considering while reviewing your resume:

Does the candidate have the length of experience necessary in the areas required to meet the prerequisites of the position?
Does the candidate fall short in the critical areas of experience required?
Does the candidate's technical knowledge meet requirements?
Does the candidate have the management or leadership skills required for this assignment?
Does this candidate appear to have achieved a good record of accomplishments and career growth?
How does this candidate measure up to other internal and external candidates?
Overall, does this candidate meet all or most of the criteria required for this assignment?

If you are sending your resume into a never-ending black hole, it might be time to look at professional help from a skilled Resume Writer. They can guide you on how to avoid/deal with any of the pitfalls and how to structure your resume so the reader can easily and accurately find everything they're looking for.

What pitfalls are you currently struggling with?

Trim the Fat: 5 Tips to Effectively Condense Your Resume

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 11:31:00 GMT

Your resume will get no more than a 10-second cursory overview to decide if it’s worth digging into. Can someone skim your complete resume in 10 seconds?

If your resume is over three pages long, odds are it’ll be tossed...and your chances for an interview were tossed out along with it.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to list one bullet per position so that it fits neatly on one page either! I’m happy to report that the rule of the one-page resume has lived its life, but excessively long resumes are still a no-no.

For most professionals, a solid overview of your experience can fit nicely onto two pages, leaving the resume easy to scan and get the highlights in a matter of seconds.

Struggling?

You aren’t alone. I work with people all the time who just can’t seem to cut down their experience to fewer than five pages. And trust me, 8pt font is not the solution. So how do we trim the fat?

1. If it goes without saying…don’t say it! There are some responsibilities that we know you did even without mentioning. Emailing? Answer the phone? Monitoring systems? We already know.

2. Leave it off if it isn’t relevant! Most of us have previous roles that aren’t directly related to our targeted role. Hit the highlights on those, but don’t waste space detailing experience that isn’t relevant.

3. Cover it in the accomplishments . When you detail your results and accomplishments, you can overview (if needed) how you got to them, but often it’s implied. Sometimes you can shorten the content by converting it to results, but you can always combine the responsibilities and results into one.

4. Use industry-standard acronyms. Self-explanatory, but do make sure they aren’t corporate lingo. It’s also not a bad idea to have the whole thing spelled out once somewhere else in the resume just to be safe.

5. Thin it out as it gets older. As your experience gets 10 or more years old, it will most likely warrant less detail. Sometimes relevance overrides this rule, but it’s a good general rule.

Overall, the idea is: no fillers, no irrelevant information…just the meat that is going to grab their attention and get them to read more.

Social Media Profiles: What Does Yours Say About You?

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 05:40:16 GMT

A Tech fan through and through, Jim was geared up for the Georgia vs Georgia Tech game. A handful of his college buddies came over to watch the game and relive the old days (with improvements). Instead of Bud Light, they each have a bottle of their favorite craft beer. They're in Jim's man-cave basement, kicked back in La-Z-Boys, and watching the game on his 50" LCD...no more sitting around a 19" tube TV in metal folding chairs for them.

As the game progresses, empty bottles start to accumulate. The game is going well for Tech and the guys take to their smartphones during a break. With a little too much social lubrication, Jim's Facebook feed is flinging insults at UGA grads (who will only end up working at McDonalds, surely) and he is sharing links to www.walmartacademy.com (which redirects to UGA's homepage). All in the spirit of fun, healthy competition...of course.

.....

What Jim didn't consider was that the hiring manager he was interviewing with was a UGA graduate...and, like 93% of hiring managers, checks the social media profiles of every candidate prior to making a final hiring decision.

As demonstrated in the 2014 Jobvite Social Recruiting Survey , social media has a very real role in the hiring process, and it's not a role you can afford to ignore. The impression your profile gives has the potential to make you look like a quality employee...or a hiring mistake to avoid at all costs. So, how do you put your social media to work for you all while remaining authentic?

Facebook:

Check your privacy settings; check them often. Keep your privacy settings to friends only and you shouldn't have to worry about anyone seeing your posts/pictures unless they already know and (probably) accept you for who you are.

Since Facebook's privacy settings seem to change on a whim, err on the safe side and try to limit your posts to updates and pictures you'd be okay showing your grandma. Jobvite's survey shows that recruiters and hiring managers reconsider hiring decisions negatively over illegal drug references (83%) and sexual posts (70%).

Twitter:

Think before you tweet. Once your tweet makes its way to the internet, it's there. You can edit, delete, whatever...the original can always resurface.

It's a common belief that spelling, grammar, and punctuation are unimportant in social media, but the 66% of hiring managers and recruiters who have negatively reconsidered a hiring decision beg to differ.

Other things to avoid or handle with care: politics, alcohol, guns, and profanity.

LinkedIn:

LinkedIn isn't just a source for checking out a candidate's "personality"; 79% of recruiters have made a hire through LinkedIn. Keep it honest; keep it professional.

Let Facebook be the home of all your personal and/or controversial content. LinkedIn should be reserved for professional, business-related content.

Give your LinkedIn profile the care and attention it deserves. This is often your first impression with a recruiter or hiring manager - make it as positive as possible. 65% of hiring managers/recruiters have positively reconsidered a hiring decision based on listed volunteer and charitable work.

You might decide that you wouldn't want to work for someone who decides your merit based on your political affiliations and that's fine. Just make an educated decision.

With new services such as Cyber Dust and Xpire on the horizon, the situation will surely change. For now: lock it down, exercise good sense, and keep it classy. And if you want to make the most of your LinkedIn profile, Reach Your Destination can help you do so!

What about you? Has social media ever cost you a job?

Benefits of a Well-Done To-Do List

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 06:54:48 GMT

There have been countless articles written about the power of a to-do list and creating tangible goals. With all of the focus and time spent on this topic, why do people still struggle to understand the power of a well-done to-do list? The reason is that people just do not take the time to do it. We are all natural procrastinators and a to-do list can force us to work harder.

In order to understand the benefits of a great to-do, it is important to understand how to create one. A list should be tailored to your life: what are your life goals and values? This list should not be like a grocery list, yes you may need to pick up bread, but that is not the point of a to-do list. Understand your goals and break them down to little steps that you can do every day to get closer to that goal. Write down what you need to accomplish each day and then do it! Do not let your to-list become a reminder of what you cannot get done- beat the list and finish it each day by choosing manageable tasks. Once you identify your tasks for each day and work to complete them, you will find that you get a lot more done. It can be easy to fall into the trap of creating a mental list of things-to-do, but by writing everything down you can better plan your day. A physical list allows you to visualize everything that needs to be accomplished and prevents anything from falling through the cracks.

This leads to the benefits of a well-done to-do list. The major benefit comes from the motivation and proud feeling you get when everything is checked off at the end of the day. Creating and completing small tasks each day will eventually turn into great progress. Has some goal been eluding you for a long time? A promotion that you want? A new certification? A to-do list may be your way to finally accomplish this goal. Let’s go with the promotion; each day create a list of extra tasks you can do to prove you are ready to take on more responsibility. Once you create a to-do list of your normal tasks and the extra steps you want to add, you can better organize and optimize your day.

Allow your to-do list to work for you and take the hard part out of planning your day. Watch with each day you check everything off your list as you become more productive and start taking steps towards reaching your goals in life!

Personality types and their best fit in a company

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:55:04 GMT

Unfortunately, not every personality type will work well with every company. It’s important to know what your personality type is, so you can figure out which jobs would be best for you.

The most common way to figure out your personality type is through the Myers-Briggs personality test. There are 16 different personality types, based upon a combination of four different categories:

1. Introversion (focuses more on the inner world) vs. Extroversion (focuses more on the outer world),

2. Sensing (focuses on basic information as it’s taken in) vs. Intuition (interpreting and adding to the information as it’s taken in),

3. Thinking (uses logic more in decision making) vs. Feeling (focuses more on people and special circumstances in decision making),

4. Judging (prefers to make decisions quickly) vs. Perceiving (prefers being open to new information).

Based on one’s individualized personality type, they may be better fit for a management position in a company, while someone with a different personality type may be better fit for a groundskeeping position.

Forbes writer, Ashley Stahl, breaks down each of the 16 personality types and their ideal careers in her article: What Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type Means for Your Career.

1. ISTJ

People with this personality type are practical, factual, organized, and logical. They’re great problem-solvers who thrive in careers that are heavy with facts, numbers, and data. They make excellent accountants, engineers, air traffic controllers, and security guards.

2. ISFJ

ISFJ’s are warm and sympathetic, but also detailed, organized, and thorough. They are natural protectors, so they tend to thrive as health care professionals or working with children, but because they are so detail-oriented, they also do well in positions that work closely with money, like bookkeeping.

3. INFJ

Sensitive, creative, and intense. They thrive with language and symbols. They long for meaning in their careers, and because they are adept at reading people, they do best in the arts, medicine, education, and science.

4. INTJ

Decisive, innovative, insightful, and logical. They’re able to apply their big-picture thinking along with their problem-solving skills, which makes them best-suited for work in very technical careers like architecture, science, and engineering.

5. ISTP

People with this personality type are very hands-on and are analytical, practical, and exacting. They are natural troubleshooters and problem-solvers, so they do very well in careers with computers, electronics, and technology, but they also thrive in the outdoors so are well-suited for farming and ranching as well.

6. ISFP

This personality type is gentle, adaptable, observant, and loyal. They’re sympathetic and reflective and love to help others, so they are natural-born teachers, nurses, and coaches.

7. INFP

INFP’s are creative, empathic, and inquisitive. They’re natural helpers and are deeply caring. They tend to have excellent communication skills, so they make great writers, and they thrive in other artistic positions as well such as musicians, graphic designers, and in language arts.

8. INTP

Individuals with this personality type are intellectually curious but also analytical, objective, and conceptual. They thrive as architects and engineers, as well as in various scientific fields and in construction.

9. ESTP

Smart and energetic, they make great entrepreneurs. They’re realistic, analytical, and efficient. They have solid people skills, so they’re awesome in sales, and they’re best-suited for careers that don’t require a lot of routine.

10. ESFP

Energetic, caring, resourceful, and adaptable. Hands-on. They’re enthusiastic and seek excitement, so they make fantastic performers. They thrive when helping others and working closely with people, so ideal career paths include hospitality, health care professionals, and food service.

11. ENFP

Individuals with this personality type are imaginative, creative, insightful, and caring. They’re very service-oriented and have great communication skills . They do best in careers where they are helping others and/or being creative, so they’re great as counselors, fitness trainers, and therapists, as well as artists, actors, dancers, and musicians.

12. ENTP

This personality type tends to be energetic, analytical, enthusiastic, and theoretical. They are adept at solving problems creatively. Because they work so well with others, they make

great leaders—they thrive as executives and can function well in a variety of different fields, including business, the arts, and even sports and media.

13. ESTJ

People with this personality type are logical, assertive, decisive, and results-oriented. They’re critical and tend to take charge, so they’re natural-born leaders. They make excellent executives and are diverse enough to be successful in a wide variety of industries.

14. ESFJ

ESFJ’s are sociable, caring, and very people-oriented. They’re most successful in roles that enable them to serve others and fulfill their needs—nurses, doctors, childcare workers, and teachers, to name a few.

15. ENFJ

ENFJ’s are passionate and charismatic. They’re sociable, warm, empathetic, and imaginative. Born leaders, they have strong humanitarian values and do best in positions that allow

them to help and support others. They’re great communicators and enjoy working with people, so they are great teachers and counselors, but they also thrive in the arts.

16. ENTJ

Individuals with this personality type are organized, critical, and logical. Organizers and planners, they’re strong leaders and very career-driven, so they thrive in the corporate world. They’re exceptionally hard workers and do very well in the following industries: legal, engineering, scientific, sports, and even the arts.

Not everyone is meant to do everything; each personality type is unique, as are the jobs that they're suited for. Figuring out your personality type and where you fit in the workforce can be extremely helpful in the long run.

Resume Myths: Does the Bell Still Ring for You?

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 05:47:18 GMT

If you have young children (or even if you don't) you may be familiar with The Polar Express - the story of sleigh bells that only ring for those who truly believe. And while believing in Santa, his reindeer, and his magic sleigh seems to be natural to outgrow, there are some myths about resumes that people can't seem to stop believing.

The One Page Resume

Perhaps in the days of working for one to two companies during your entire career the one page resume was possible. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that workers born between 1957 and 1964 held an average of 11.3 jobs between the ages of 18 and 46. Trying to fit all of this experience into one page results in cramped formatting, an underwhelming lack of information, or unintelligible shorthand.

Set the One Page Rule aside; two or more pages are fine, provided that they are warranted. Make your top priority the content in the resume, but keep in mind that information need only be included if it is relevant. Short, sweet, and to the point.

Including Your Complete Street Address

It's almost 2015 and I know we've all been warned of the perils of sharing too much private information online, especially with social media. Posting everything someone could need to find you on a job board isn't necessarily any safer. Protect yourself and just list city/state or metropolitan area (ie: Greater Chicago Area). If you're applying directly to the client through a portal, you can include your complete address at your discretion, but do consider that you could be faced with discrimination based on your neighborhood.

The Objective

We know what your objective is: to get a job. Save yourself the headache of figuring out how to write an objective in a way that doesn't just say "to get a job" and replace the objective with a summary. As recruiters or hiring managers, we would like to think that your objective is to get the job you applied for, so just skip telling us this and tell us why you should be considered for the job instead.

Include Your Entire Work History

Working as a server in college probably isn't relevant to being a Project Manager 20 years later, so just leave it off. In general, stick to your relevant work history and, unless called for, keep the experience to the most recent 10-15 years. If you really want to include everything to demonstrate that you come from a specific background, just list company/title/date for the early experience.

No Gaps Allowed

While it would be great to be able to avoid gaps in employment all together, sometimes they just happen. Don't panic and definitely don't go into elaborate detail defending your lack of employment. Just have one job end June 2004 and the next begin February 2005. The client or recruiter will probably ask for information regarding the gaps during an interview, and that's when you can calmly (and not defensively) explain your situation if you choose.

That said, if you find yourself actively in one of these gaps, try to turn it into something. Go back to school, do some volunteer work, get a certification. All of these things can be listed on your resume and magically close that gap.

Everyone Lies on Their Resume

Please, please just don't. As I already mentioned, it's almost 2015; anyone can check if you're lying...and they will. Don't lie about dates of employment to cover a gap or for any other reason - the client will almost certainly run an employment verification check and if there are discrepancies, they will likely withdraw their offer. Don't lie about education - the client can and will verify any and all listed degrees and certifications. If you lied about them, your offer will be withdrawn even if the degree/certification wasn't even necessary for the position. And last - but certainly not least - don't lie about responsibilities and experience. It's a small world out there and it's easier than you might think for a prospective employer to find your current or former colleagues and learn what you actually did.

In short, don't lie. Honestly and trustworthiness are far more important to a prospective employer than whether or not you speak Dutch...and if speaking Dutch is that important they would definitely have discovered that lie anyway!!

Include Your GPA

Unless you are a recent grad with no work history, don't include your GPA. And unless you have a minimum of a 3.9, don't include your GPA. At best, your GPA will make no difference whatsoever. At worst, it will hurt your chances. Just leave it off.

References Available Upon Request

This goes without saying. If you are trying to get a job, your references should always be available upon request. And they should be professional references - not personal.

Cover Letter Not Required

Although something like only 18% of recruiters/hiring managers actually read cover letters, they still need to be included with every application. Even if the cover letter is never read, a customized cover letter speaks to your commitment and interest in the position and demonstrates the kind of thorough work you would do on the job. If the cover letter IS read, you are immediately set apart from those who didn't provide one and have the opportunity to directly sell your skills and experience in a way that is most relevant to the position to which you are applying. Not submitting a cover letter is just wasting an opportunity to sell yourself.

Let's silence these bells and replace them will bells that ring with the belief that 2015 will bring new, exciting careers!

Tips and Tricks for Noteworthy Presentations

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 07:37:16 GMT

There are many companies that teach seminars and even college credit classes focused on the topic of creating a noteworthy presentation. For those of you who are still looking to improve, here are ten steps which, if followed, will get you 80% of the way to outstanding presentation skills. As a bonus, here is how to get started: close that blank PowerPoint presentation that you had opened because you need to think first.

Know what results you actually want from the presentation- Be honest! If all you want is to impress the audience with your vocabulary, knowledge, and wit, then admit it. Usually, the desired outcome is an action you want the audience to perform: closing a sale, making a correction in business tactics, or perhaps going in a new strategic direction. Think carefully about what you want your audience to do! This is your win for the presentation. Now, write your goal down on a stick note and put it on the wall in front of your face. It is far too easy to forget the main purpose when you get deep into putting the actual presentation together. Make it so visible that every time you look up from the keyboard, you will see your note.
Define the audience members- Who are they? What is their role? Are they supporters? Are they skeptics? Decision makers? Influencers? Vetoers? What is their age, intellectual, and cultural background? The more you can know about them, the better chance you have of getting the results of Step 1. Write down anything you know in a list. Hint: skipping the part about writing this down will guarantee that you will not convince them. It is a mental trick on yourself, so use it!
Take the list and write in one sentence why they care- Are they concerned? Do they want something? Are they scared of something? You are defining the wins and losses for the audience, and to be successful you need to address each of these items. Note: “so they will understand” is not a reason for your audience to attend the presentation. They want or are worried about something.
Presentation logistics- You need to write this down as well; consider whether this will be an in-person or electronic communication. Will the audience be able to see a visual presentation, or will it be solely audio? What time of day/week will it take place> Are they going to be at a biorhythm high or low? What are the cultural considerations? How long do you have for the presentation?
List three points you intend to make- This means only three points. People do not remember or even notice anything over three major points, but they also may actually get insulted and feel their time was wasted when only one point is made. This is not an easy step because you have to address all the concerns listed in Step three while still requesting the result of Step 1.
Write the conclusion first- This goes back to Step 1 because people tend to remember the last, most important, and first things they head in a presentation, in that order. Make sure the last thing they hear or see is the very best. This should include all three of your points and a request for your win from Step 1. Please do not end with a question and answer session! This is a guaranteed way to ensure the presentation is less memorable than the odd unanticipated question which inevitably comes up. If you must do a Q&A session, then give your conclusion after that time.
Define a few example stories for the three points- This means only for the three points! If you tell an entertaining story which does not illustrate/support one of those points, you have potentially replaced a significant point with an insignificant piece of entertainment.
Pictures and diagrams- These can be great, but only if they illustrate one of the points. The same risk as Step 7 applies here.
Practice, practice, then practice again- You should have your presentation memorized by the time you finish practicing. This enables you to maintain audience contact as well as bolsters confidence during the actual presentations.
Retrospect- Shortly after the presentation is complete, sit and evaluate your work, consider the message given and the methods you used, and then think carefully about how you handled yourself as the presenter. Write all of these thoughts down so that the next presentation will be even better.

How to Make Your Weekends Work for You

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 05:56:56 GMT

The workweek can be tiring and when the weekend finally hits many people are not sure what to do with their time. Some try and get even more work done while others completely check out until they step back in the office Monday morning. Studies have shown that humans need a break about every 5 to 7 days or else their productivity, focus, and creativity can suffer. A break does not have to mean laying around in your sweat pants for two days and sometimes working through the weekend is unavoidable, but here are a few ways that you can enjoy your two-day break while still being productive.

The most important thing to understand about the term “break” is that this does not just refer to taking a nap or watching TV all day. A break can be anything that is different from your daily routine. Saturday and Sunday are days designated for your enjoyment and spending time the way you want to, but do not waste the free time you have been given.

Take away some personal errands that you would have to run during the week: getting your oil changed, buying groceries, cleaning your house, going to the doctor, etc.
Do something physical that will allow you to move around and work muscles that you do not use at work: go to the gym, hike a trail, play a round of golf, etc. Anything that will get you moving and out of your second place of work: your house (because sometimes even home can be stressful and tiring).
Have social interaction, and preferably it should be with people outside of your workplace. It is great to be friends with your coworkers but try and spend time with non-work friends. These are the people that you can talk about kids, sports, politics, or basically anything that does not have to do with the project you are on.

This does not mean you cannot have a weekend routine, just make sure whatever you do that it is separate from your weekday activities; its important because different activities cause other pathways in your brain to fire and exercise places not normally used. This can make you a better well-rounded person and actually help your work abilities.

Admittedly, there are many positions where people worry if they do not know what is going on at work. It is perfectly fine to read your email over the weekend, but DO NOT ANSWER IT. Many people find it beneficial to read it on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, so they can prioritize what they do on Monday.

A bonus activity to do on the weekend which will make your work week so much more productive is to meal prep. Go to the grocery store and buy ingredients to make some of your favorite meals that you can refrigerate and pop in the microwave as needed. This means less time spent eating out, eating fast food, or not even eating at all. Prepared meals mean no more late nights coming home from the office where you are too exhausted to make anything besides cereal or a frozen pizza. Also, this is a great helper for working parents! Have snacks prepared ahead of time for when the kids get back from school, do lunch prep so you are not up late at night making their sandwiches, or make and freeze some casseroles that you can cook in the oven when you get home from work. This will ease the strain on your already limited time at home and help you to stay healthy while being kind to your wallet.

Five Tips for Organizing Meetings That Get the Job Done

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 06:42:17 GMT

We have all been there: the meeting is scheduled to last thirty minutes, but the executive shows up late and the team will not start until they arrive, forty-five minutes later everything but the actual topic for the meeting has been discussed, and half the room is comprised of people who have no say in the matter and are just “silently observing”. This is the reason that everyone dreads face-to-face meetings and has led to the rise of the email and phone team discussions. Here are some easy ways to organize meetings that will be both time-efficient and help the team tackle problems.

1.Start on time and end on time - Employees are busy, and they usually have to run from one meeting to the next while finding time in between to do their actual work. They do not have time to waste waiting for everyone in the room to get their coffee or for catching up on how the weekend went. The meeting is scheduled to start at 1:30 then everyone is seated and ready to start at 1:30. If the most important person is late, it’s even more important to start on time because if everyone else can make it on time, so can they.

2.Have a purpose for the meeting - This can be in the form of an agenda, but overall just a clearly defined purpose for the meeting. Having a clear goal for the meeting allows the team to focus on the task at hand and know if they have done their job. Creating a purpose also prevents time being wasted trying to pick a topic to work on and can direct the flow of the meeting so you do not spend half of it trying to decide who goes next. This is such a simple thing to do but it can really affect the duration and effectivity of your meeting.

3.Everybody in the meeting is there to actually participate - People are not there to listen - they either have a say in the matter or they do not need to be in the meeting. When executives sit in the meeting to listen, it gives a feeling that they do not trust that you are doing work or your ability to do it well. It is imperative that the employees are confident that upper management and executives trust their skills and that they do not need to be babysat while at work.

4.Somebody has to take notes - Afterwards, assemble them and send them out. Especially if decisions were made, or actions were assigned. This will prevent a million emails being sent reminding everyone about what they signed up for in the meeting.

5.Stick to the topic - Do not allow the excuse of having all the right people in the room to warrant talking about another topic. If a meeting ends early, then let it end early. The meeting has a purpose, so that time should be spent on tackling that issue and not a catch-all for every topic that the team wants to discuss.

Here is a bonus tip to help organize a better meeting:

If at all possible, make it face to face- Well over half of communication is non-verbal and people listening on phone calls cannot get the full message. Face to face meetings are more efficient and effective than phone conferences or email.

Do not continue to let meetings be a drain on time and resources; use these tips to organize meetings that get the job done!

3 Things to Take from Work (and what to do with them)

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 09:07:44 GMT

3 things to take from work

...and what to do with them

No, we’re not talking about pens or staplers. We’re talking about three really important things that are actually YOURS. So make a note, start bringing these things home today, and save them in a safe place.

Annual Performance Reviews

These tedious little exercises can actually be a lifesaver for you later down the road. Not only are they usually chock-full of great information for your resume or interview details, but you can use them as a great initial reference when interviewing for new opportunities. A little "John exceeds expectations and consistently delivers on our established goals and objectives" goes a long way!

Your Accomplishments

At least once a month I talk to someone who doesn’t know the quantifiable details of any of their accomplishments. A great way to avoid this is to sit down once a year and write down what you accomplished and any non-confidential statistics to accompany/demonstrate your success.

Atta-boy Emails

You know those times when you deliver on a project and your manager and leadership are just blown away? Forward those feedback emails over to yourself and keep them in a tidy file for future reference. Unsolicited accolades can carry a lot of weight with potential employers!

It Is Not Enough to Say What You Do, You Have to Say Why You Do It

Thu, 26 May 2022 06:41:16 GMT

Everyone has heard of the infamous “elevator pitch” in which you are supposed to justify your importance to the organization in the time it takes you and the Big Boss/ Important Client to ride the elevator. There are many guides for how to put together this short but powerful message and how you need to prepare, memorize, and practice it. Essentially, these all offer some variation on how to state, who you are, what you do, and why it is of value in 30 seconds or less. In addition to your short pitch, you will probably want to prepare a longer version, between 3 to 5 minutes, in case you are asked that question at a social gathering and have a little longer to introduce yourself.

Let’s go back to that 30 second pitch and the last part of it; specifically, let’s discuss the part that is least likely to be remembered by you, but the most important to that career influencer in the elevator: why. Why do you do what you do? It is a statement of value. Why do you get paid? What does the organization really get from you that counts? If you can answer that question, then you have justification for being part of the team. If the answer is purely procedural and administrative, then try again. Here are some examples:

Good:

I help customers by (insert action).
I increase profits by (insert action).
I control costs by (insert action).
I help with customer retention by (insert action).

Bad:

I answer calls from customers.
I manage product margins.
I search out waste.
I try to talk customers into not leaving.

Take note of the first set, they are all starting with a short but very business value-oriented statement. The second set is really just the action you take, although several could be a little more carefully worded. The action alone is not enough; you need to explain the value too, but do not assume it is obvious. On an elevator, with other things on their mind, the career influencer with whom you converse may also be thinking, “Do you know why you matter?”

The 4 Best Ways to Reduce Stress at Work

Tue, 17 May 2022 09:32:53 GMT

Stress is on the rise in today’s society, with work being one of the leading causes. However, there are many ways to reduce stress in the workplace and thus reduce individuals overall stress. Here are four of the best ways to reduce stress in the workplace:

1. Move More

Standing up and walking around for a few minutes every couple of hours can both increase productivity and reduce stress. Walking, working out, and other forms of exercise increase blood flow throughout the body, allowing employees to refocus their responsibilities. Focusing on the tasks at hand allows employees to decide what needs to be given the most attention and what can wait until a later time, this prioritization can lead to reduced stress throughout the workplace.

2. Eliminate Multitasking

Multitasking is a big cause of stress in the workplace, so by giving employees fewer tasks at once you reduce the need to multitask and alleviate stress. When people are given multiple tasks to work on at once, it is hard to prioritize what needs to be done when and how much time to spend on each task so that everything gets done on time. The need to multitask can leave employees confused and stressed, it can even lead to a decrease in productivity, missed deadlines, and lower quality output.

3. Meet Less

Instead of having a 30-minute meeting every day to talk about where everyone is with their responsibilities, think about limiting meetings to once a week. Having one 1-2 hour meeting a week not only clears up a lot of free time in everyone’s schedules, but it also reduces stress. A lot of time and effort goes into preparing for a meeting, so having to worry about those preparations more than once a week adds a lot of unnecessary stress to everyone involved. Also, when there is a meeting every day, employees feel the need to rush through their work just so they can have updates to share at the next days meeting, which not only increases their stress levels, but also reduces the quality of work produced.

4. Separate Work and Home Life

It is not uncommon for work to follow people home these days. With all of the new technology, it is nearly impossible to separate between work life and home life. One way to help make this division clearer is to get separate technology. If you have a work computer that you use for all of your work, then leave it at work. Taking the same computer to and from work every day and linking your work email directly to your smartphone can become very overwhelming, as even when you are off, you're still at work. Drawing a clear line between work life and home life will allow you to get the break that you need while you are out of the office. Having down time away from the office will allow you destress and come back to the office refreshed and ready to work.

Practice Practice Practice Your Presentations

Tue, 17 May 2022 06:01:20 GMT

Presentations. The word itself sends a chill down the spine and you can feel your blood pressure spike. This is one of the most dreaded aspects of the business world and unfortunately, all of us have to give presentations or speeches to small to large groups at some point. To avoid the panic that ensues when this occurs, it is highly recommended that you practice making speeches and presentations often so you are in “good shape”. Just like exercising at the gym, creating presentations comes down to practicing until it is all muscle memory. Almost any volunteer organization or activity you get involved in will give you the opportunity to practice. This can be from your local Rotary Club, to teaching at church, to organizations like Toast Masters.

Join groups and organizations to take the opportunity of practicing how to be able to quickly pull together a presentation on some topic. It does not matter if this is related to your job or if you have joined the Earthworm Enthusiasts Society; all that counts is you taking the time to pull together your sources and being able to deliver your presentation to a crowd of listeners. You know your business well; it is the difficulty organizing into a presentation that this practice will give you. Get used to knowing your material and content and then formatting it to present in front of a crowd. Many people who are used to a weekly Bible Study can do a quick presentation on a project situation because they are used to short deadlines and speaking in front of an audience that is not always interested in what they have to say. Martin Luther King Jr. did not give his famous “I Have a Dream” speech as his first public presentation. He was accustomed to preaching to a congregation every week, the only difference was a matter of scale.

With time, practice should help you be able to quickly organize your thoughts and clearly explain and display it, so your audience can understand what you are saying. Remember: practice practice practice makes perfect.

The Importance of Periodic Self-Evaluations

Mon, 16 May 2022 07:16:18 GMT

You and everyone already knows the importance of employers conducting periodic evaluations on their employees, but they are not the only ones who should be checking on your work. Take the time every few months or when you switch projects to take a step back and look at yourself. Are you at the top of your game? There are a few important questions that you need to ask in order to ensure you are working at your fullest capacity and being an asset to the company.

First, take a look at the projects you are working on. Have you been consistently meeting deadlines? If not, why? Are you not being productive or is this an issue outside of your control?

The next thing to look at is your attitude. What is your expression when you walk into work every morning? How well are you interacting with your coworkers? Are you approaching your work with positivity or with dread?

These questions lead to: how is your attitude affecting your work? Are you putting your focus into work or are you distracted by something else? How is your life going outside of the office? Is there anything preventing you from working at 100%?

The questions are not hard, but it is important that you are completely honest with yourself. It can be hard to admit that you might not be doing your best work, but the sooner you confront this issue the sooner it can be fixed. This is why periodic self-evaluations are so important; you do not want to wait until your manager notices that something is wrong with your work because at that point it might be too late to fix it. Take the time to check in with yourself and see what you are doing well and what can be improved. This will affect your attitude, productivity, workmanship, and overall status as a valuable employee.

Making Connections: How to Effectively Network

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 07:26:40 GMT

The first step in successful networking is identifying what you want in a connection; relationships take energy and you have to be willing to put in the effort into the connections which will make a difference. Be sure to spend some time and physically write down the goals you for the connection, this will ensure you get results. In most cases, the connections we want are business oriented. We want sales leads, future employers, potential employees, technical ideas, or simply credentials that come from belonging to the “right club”.

The best way to make connections in the modern business world is to have a professional social media presence, i.e. LinkedIn, Ladders, etc. This is a pre-requisite, as anyone you might start to connect with will use these to check you out at some point in the relationship formation process. Notice that this is necessary, but not sufficient alone to establish a strong network. Physical presence is almost always required to start a relationship. You have to go to where the right connections go, talk the talk and walk the walk. You will find that many groups are welcoming to new members, as long as you have shown the initiative to find them. Social and service organizations have traditionally been the best places to meet local business and political leaders. Beware, you may also be meeting nothing but salesmen eager to network with you. Another idea for find groups: look online at places like Meetup.com. These websites are especially useful for connection with specific populations interested in a well-defined topic. If you do not find one convenient to you, then start one in your area!

That is the easy part; you now know where to find and meet contacts who could be good connections and you are ready to start networking. What next? The first step to prepare yourself is to dress appropriately for the group. In some cases, this means: a dark suit, white shirt, power tie and other times it means jeans and a clean t-shirt. Always dress based on what you think the contact would be comfortable wearing themselves. Do not forget to bring a stack of business cards with you; in addition to giving them to a potential connection, they are good notepaper. Bring a pen and an extra one in case someone else needs to borrow yours.

Networking is all about establishing a relationship. The best way to do that is by paying attention to the other person and asking questions that give them the opportunity to speak; basically, show interest in them! At a first meeting, your objective is simply to get to know them. If they have a business card, take it and use it to make notes about them and their situation while they talk. Practice your own short introduction about who you are, make it short and then turn the conversation back to them. After your first meeting, you need to decide whether the person meets the criteria for a good connection. If they pass, then send them a note, and email is fine at this point, expressing your interest in what they were talking about and try to ask a question. The follow up is critical as it cements the start of a network relationship.

The next step in the networking process is to schedule a coffee or a lunch. You should have plenty to talk about due to the email correspondence. By the time the next meeting of your group occurs, you have established at least one contact in your network. Remember to maintain your network with a monthly email and contact at the group event. Follow these steps and you will be a professional at making business connections and expanding your network.

Incorporating Self-Care into the Workplace

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 07:24:25 GMT

Self-care has become a hot topic in the media as people are trying to be more intentional about taking care of their mental and physical health. It is both the right and the responsibility of the employee to take care of themselves, but employers can take steps to ensure their employees feel comfortable doing what they need to do. Often, simply knowing that the employer cares and tries to help is enough to instill loyalty and inspire motivation in employees. It is important to remember that each employee is different, and every job is different, but some things transcend the differences. No matter what, every employee needs to be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit for their role.

Office workers who sit at a computer all day may need a periodic break to stretch and move around; health studies have shown that simply standing and walking a few dozen steps every 20 to 30 minutes dramatically increases an individual’s energy level as well as having long-term health benefits. An employer should communicate that they know this and promote that 1 to 3-minute break to help their employees get better work out of the rest of their time. Mental stress can also be reduced by having these mini-breaks incorporated into the workday.

Health and wellness committees at different companies can really help to improve and promote self-care in the lives of their fellow employees. Some programs that are popular are: lunchtime walkers, diet support groups, etc. These types of initiatives show that the employer appreciates their workers and cares about their general well-being. A great way to encourage team and relationship building among the workforce is to have these programs be employee led. This is an area which has a strong influence over employee retention.

Another area for self-care improvement is the stress induced by having personal business which must be postponed or delegated due to lack of available time. Giving employees an area and some time to make private calls or do online work for personal business, awards points to the employer too. This does not have to be much time either! Just 5 to 10 minutes a day to call a doctor or dentist, order a gift online, or fire off a quick note to a teacher from a personal email, can be the difference between feeling stressed by the job and feeling appreciated. People will take this time anyway, but by making it official is what counts for happy employees.

Finally, offer help with career coaching and planning for the future. No matter what the age of the employee, they are considering their future whether it is at the company or elsewhere. Smart employers recognize this and make available resources that may not even be directly related to the employee’s current role. Bringing on-site a short seminar or class is what shows the employer actually cares about employee growth. Examples of this might include hosting a Toastmasters group, bringing in a financial planner for a seminar, small-scale technical seminars, or classes; all show commitment to growth for the employee. Even try hosting a local college or trade school fair where employees can see what educational opportunities are available and negotiating a discount for company employees is often quite easy. The key to incorporating self-care into the workplace is to be obvious and intentional about any programs supported by the company that are meant to help their employees.

How to Support Your Coworkers

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 07:14:09 GMT

We have all been in situations where we are overloaded, or feel that way, with an impossible deadline that demands all of our attention. These always seem to occur when another competing priority has its own timer ticking away too. We have also seen our coworkers in a similar pickle. Here are a few things you can do to help your comrades; some are trivial in effort, but HUGE in impact:

1. Be aware of any external events which may be causing the stress- Working late is not always bad, but on your spouse’s or child’s birthday, etc., it sure might be. Sometimes offering to pick up the cake, get a card, or just do a short task is most appreciated.

2. Offer to help- This may not always be possible, but the offer itself says you notice their situation.

3. When their crunch is over, give them a little compliment for the effort- Only the boss/customer knows if they did a “good” job, but you know they did a hard job. Say so!

4. Bring them a cup of coffee or soda- It is not the refreshment, but the noticing of their effort which you are doing. It is always appreciated even if they turn down the drink.

Three Tips to Deal with Difficult Co-Workers

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 07:46:31 GMT

Working in any job can be difficult, but when you add in office politics, work can become almost impossible.

Everyone has different personalities and it can be hard to navigate difficult coworkers on a daily basis. Here are three tips to help deal with coworkers so that you can stay focused on your job:

Avoid “watercooler” gossip

It is one thing to come home to your family and friends and blow off a little steam by talking about an incident, but do not discuss these issues at work. It may seem like you can trust your coworkers to remain quiet, in many cases you can, but word spreads like a disease in an office environment and the person you are complaining about will find out. Avoid any extra drama that may be caused by talking about people behind their backs.

Create boundaries

When dealing with difficult coworkers, it is important to maintain a professional relationship; there is no reason you have to be best friends with them. Create boundaries that prevent you having to spend extended amounts of time with any coworker that you have problems with. By limiting the amount of personal time you spend with this co-worker, you can hopefully avoid any extra stress. Try changing the time you eat lunch or taking a walk when you feel any frustration starting to rise. Keep boundaries between your professional interactions and personal ones in order to deal better with a difficult coworker.

Confront them with any major issues

The best way to get rid of any issue with a coworker is to try and work out a solution with them. Do not be rude or try to incite anger; just talk with them about the issue and politely try and come up with a solution that works for both of you. If your co-worker becomes angry or does not agree with a solution, try talking to the HR department about mediation. By allowing issues go unresolved, the tension will continue to rise and it will become more difficult for you to work with your coworker.

All of these tips will help you to better handle working with a difficult coworker, and just remember that they are just one part of the job. You will always have to deal with people you do not like and find ways to handle your differences. This being said, if you feel your coworker is crossing any lines such as harassment, then file a formal complaint with your superior. It is one thing to deal with someone who is very nosy or steals your food, but you do not have to tolerate any illegal harassment. So take charge of your interactions at work and find a way to be comfortable in your office environment.

Best Jobs For A Pessimist

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 05:21:31 GMT

Actuaries appraise, manage, and advise their clients on areas of potential financial risk. It is vitally important that their calculations are correct because of the impacts they could have downstream. Pessimists can thrive as actuaries because of their knack for sticking to what the numbers truly are instead of trying to dress them up. Because actuaries typically deal with worst-case scenarios, who better to conceptualize a worst-case scenario than a pessimist? Businesses who rely on the work produced by pessimistic actuaries rarely find themselves facing scenarios worse than the ones foretold by their calculations.

Solicitors (also known as barristers in the UK) are attorneys paid to represent their clients in court regarding legal matters. Pessimism can be a vital tool for these career paths for a variety of reasons. Because of the dire circumstances than can accompany legal proceedings, clients typically appreciate being apprised of exactly how bad their situation could be so they can plan accordingly. Pessimistic solicitors and barristers can be reliable communicators of such topics without the temptation to soften up potentially bad news. Also because of the high stakes of such proceedings, legal opponents are frequently stooping to new lows to represent their clients. A solicitor or barrister armed with pessimism is less likely to be caught off guard by such tactics.

Quality control engineers are tasked with ferreting out potential defects of a finished product to prevent various levels of financial, reputational, or legal harm down the line. This is done by creating benchmarks for product quality and testing products to test for statistically significant variations. A pessimist will be more likely to raise an alarm (and less likely to sweep under the rug) if a product is not up to par.

New Year, New You

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 07:59:47 GMT

The transition to a new year always brings reflection on our lives, who we are, where we are, and what our next steps will be. Many make resolutions or decide on a word or theme for the new year. While most resolutions center around healthier lifestyles and better money management, it might be wise to consider focusing on personal and/or professional growth through learning a new skill.

Put some thought into what skills or knowledge would improve your professional life by making it easier, or what skills would open new doors to areas you are passionate about.

Would a new language allow you to take a traveling position where you get to explore countries you’ve always dreamed of visiting? Would a creative writing course enable you to create more compelling sales documents? Would a programming/coding course help you automate a lot of work that you do tediously by hand? Would a networking course open untold doors for your career?

We all need to be continuously learning and adopting new skillsets, so commit to picking a skillset that can change your life and replace a little Netflix binging with learning.

The Science of Negotiation

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 23:10:50 GMT

Do you remember learning the “Scientific Method” back in High School? The process is easy: make an observation, take a guess, test that guess, analyze what happened, and then repeat until the analysis shows the guess was correct. The more background data you have, the better the guesses, but you can learn this as you repeat. The process of negotiation is very similar; you start with the knowledge of what you want but can only guess at exactly what the other party(s) in the deal may want. Therefore, there is a, potentially long, series of probes and questions to determine the background data and come to an agreement on the things you will get and what they will get.

A negotiation is testing and reevaluating the value of a relationship. As an example, let’s look at negotiating a salary for a job. First, is the knowledge that you need a job and have done the investigation to determine that the position is one that would benefit you. On the other side of the negotiation table is a person who knows they need someone to do the job and they have done the investigation to determine that you could fill that need. Now comes the part where the two of you have to agree on the value of the relationship: you want the job to pay as much as you can possibly get, and they want to fill the job at the lowest cost. There may be background of the bare minimum you can survive with, the market for similar jobs, and the estimated value you can bring to the position. You may have other reasons to bargain into the value as well: title, office arrangements, vacation, benefits, etc. These may be items which both sides can use to change the perceived value of the position. These are all background data which enables a better guess as to the terms of the relationship, and will aid you in any negotiation.

Best Stress Relievers in the Workplace

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:10:05 GMT

Everyone can agree that work can be stressful at times. It takes a lot of energy and focus to go to work every day, meet deadlines, and produce a satisfactory product. Plus, there is the added pressure to be a “model employee” and get caught up in the hyper-competitive hyper-achievers’ club. This is not realistic because everyone has a life outside of their job. There are many ways to find stress in the workplace, so now it is time to focus on how to relieve that stress in the busy office environment. One article recently discussed a company that installed a “cat library” where employees could “check-out” cats and kittens to play with at their desk for an hour. Clearly, not every office can use this method, so here are a few other ways to relieve stress in the workplace.

It is important to note that one of the reasons humans are so stressed is because it is built into our genetics. Our minds and bodies are still locked in fight or flight response which means under stress we are mentally and physically preparing to run or fight. This can lead to health issues as well as interpersonal conflicts. When an employee becomes stressed in the workplace, it is hard to find a way to relieve those fight or flight instincts, so they need to find an outlet that can do that.

One of the best ways to handle stress in the workplace is to find time to take a walk. This could mean taking a lap around the floor, walking outside and around the block, or just going up and down the stairs. Anything that allows your body to walk away from the situation and be in “flight” mode. If a short walk is not enough, try going for a run during your lunch or jogging in the morning before work. Do anything to keep your body from feeling stuck.

The “fight” instinct can be even harder to deal with because no one wants to get in a fight with their coworkers or take the chance of snapping at their boss. When you feel the “fight” kick in, walk away from your desk and go find a quiet private place. This could be an abandoned conference room or the bathroom and do some pushups or boxing moves. Anything that that is physically stressful to your body.

To try and prevent stress before it starts to really affect you, get a stress ball for your desk or some silly putty. When you feel a bit of anxiety coming on, pull out your ball and start squeezing. This is a small enough item that you can pull it out in a meet or conference and no one will notice. Als,o buy some chamomile or other relaxing teas and leave a few bags in your desk. Caffeine will just increase any anxious feeling, so make yourself a cup of tea and try to relax.

How to Dress for Success in Job Interviews

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 06:12:12 GMT

Job interviews are the first date of the business world, so it is important to dress smart in order to impress the interviewer with both appearance and knowledge. A good guideline to follow is when interviewing for a white collar or office job wear a suit and for those applying for a blue-collar type job then dress business casual; it is never acceptable to wear casual clothing to an interview.

The most important thing to remember when dressing for an interview is cleanliness. Pig Pen from Charlie Brown may walk around with a cloud of dirt, but that does not mean the rest of us can. Men should have their hair cut and keep any facial hair well-maintained. Some PR representatives even recommend completely shaving off any facial hair for interviews, but that is up to each person’s discretion. Women should brush their hair and make sure it looks styled. This may mean straightening it, adding in some curls, or pulling it back in a clean ponytail. Ladies also make sure to wear some makeup, no you do not need to paint your face completely, but some powder, mascara, and lipstick go a long way in helping you look your best! Cleanliness also applies to fingernails: make sure to clean any dirt from underneath and women may want paint their nails a neutral or soft color. This should be an obvious statement, but make sure to take a shower and put on deodorant. Clean is the best smell there is, so do not load up on fancy perfumes or colognes and let soap do its job!

When choosing clothing to wear to an interview, fit is imperative. Clothing should not be too tight or too loose, and if you have issues with finding clothes that fit then any tailor can help modify your outfit to fit you like a glove. Also, remember that you should feel comfortable in your outfit, so this is not the day for ladies to test out their new heels. Seductive does not equal attractive. Men should make sure to wear dark socks and polished shoes. It may seem excessive to worry about what goes on your feet, but shoes do matter when it comes to overall appearance. Another thing that should be understood is to wear properly fitted undergarments; bra straps should be hidden and please no visible underwear lines. Your clothing should be another way to help you feel confident as you go into your interview, so you can worry about impressing the employer and not on how much your shoes pinch.

Tattoos and piercings have been a hot topic of debate amongst employers recently and every person has a different opinion on the matter. Just be aware of any visible body art that you have, and try to keep it looking clean and understated. Small tattoos or pieces are fine, but this is not the time to show off your sleeve or multiple piercings. Some companies may have their policy about body art on their websites, but it is always safe to show less until certain of their views.

Follow these simple rules and remember the most important one of all: a confident smile and clean look will get you far with any employer. Good luck!

Top Benefits of Remote Working

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 10:57:08 GMT

There has been a long debate over whether workers are more productive when they report to an office daily or if remote working actually improves their efficiency. While there are many obvious benefits of having workers report to a central office, there are some unexpected benefits of remote working.

The first benefit of remote working if the flexibility it provides employees. Almost all workers complain that they do not have enough time with their families or to do some activity because they spend all their time at work. Remote working allows employees to schedule their other life into the workday. For example: an employee’s child becomes sick at school and someone has to go pick her up, instead of having to leave the office to drive her home then come back, a worker has the flexibility to bring her home and care for her while fielding calls and emails. This also applies when an employee is sick; with remote working, there is no risk of them infecting other people at the company and unless they are bedridden they can continue to do all of their work without having to take a sick day.

One benefit that companies may be interested in is by cutting out an employee’s commute, they have now added all that time back to the workday. Commuting back and forth to the office can take up to two hours of useable time, even more when trying to work in big cities like Atlanta or New York. By staying at home, the workday can actually last from 9 am to 5 pm without having to deal with people running late because of traffic or leaving early to attend their child’s dance recital. Workers at home can dedicate all of their time to the business with very little being wasted getting from point A to point B or running around the office trying to find a certain person.

The last major benefit of remote working is the feeling that your employer trusts you. The relationship between a company and its employees is extremely important and the more that they feel trusted and confident in their work, the better work they will produce. Remote working gives your employees the freedom to do their business without having managers breathing down their necks or fear that someone is just waiting for them to mess up. A safe and relaxed working environment is infinitely better for fostering employees that work hard and are efficient with their time.

These are just a few highlights of remote working the benefits that it provides both employees and the company. In practice, you will see there are many more benefits that come as a result of remote working. Consider these reasons as you decide on this matter and how it could truly help your employees.

How to Stay Motivated at Work Even in Redundancy

Wed, 12 May 2021 11:05:17 GMT

Redundancy is a bad word; in the work world it means your job is ending, and even worse it means your job is truly disappearing. This is not because you are doing a bad job and being fired for something you could correct. Unfortunately, this happens to a lot more often than people think. Automation, mark evolutions, competitive substitutions, or even poor business strategies are some of the reasons, but when it happens to you, it all seems personal. People even go through a classic Kubler-Ross Grief Cycle: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. That is the key thing to focus on because this is a grief event and you need to treat it as such, so you can move through it as quickly as possible.

Initially, upon hearing the news of the redundancy event, the typical response is one of compassion for your fellow coworkers who are losing their jobs because surely this event will not affect you. I hate to be the bearer of bad news: yes, it will! You are just in denial. So get started on your search for a new job or see the retirement planner immediately, you really do not have much time. Do not allow yourself to feel shame for being in this situation, it was not your fault. Talk to your coworkers, trade referrals, and get recommendations.

Next, you will feel anger at the company for allowing this to happen. After all, you did a good job, were a team player, supported the boss, and went the extra mile. Use your anger to motivate yourself to network and take training to make yourself a better candidate for the next position; whether you want to or not, a change is coming. During this time, be sure and continue doing your job as well as possible because that recommendation from your boss for helping right up to the end is going to be one of your trump cards when the time for change truly hits.

Bargaining occurs when you start thinking of what you could do to make the current job last longer. Everyone tries this, but do not deceive yourself. This was never personal anyway. Keep your focus on the change that is in progress; use any additional energy you have to go towards that goal. And energy is going to be limited because. . .

The last step before mentally and emotionally moving on to the new world is depression. Classic symptoms being exhaustion, short temper, and dullness. This is our body’s response in a sort of long term “fight or flight” stress response syndrome, and use of mechanisms to overcome that: exercise, meditation, distraction will work. Use them!

Facing a redundancy event is not pleasant, but you can move on and thrive in spite of the situation. Just be honest with yourself and go through the grief; there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

Are You Ambitious Enough?

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 23:13:07 GMT

In the second century, the philosopher and Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, engaged in a discourse with the future tyrant, Commodus, as to what constituted virtues and vices for a ruler. The one topic they could not agree in which category fell ‘ambition’. It seems to be both. A great ruler needed to have the drive to achieve his vision in order to overcome the inevitable setbacks and challenges of any great goal. On the other side, a drive to try too much leads to frustration and often collapse of the empire in the process.

While our own career challenges are not quite to the extreme of leading an actual empire, the question of how much ambition is appropriate is the same. If we do not have the internal drive, then our dreams remain exactly that, dreams. If we push beyond our actual talents and skills, we will frustrate ourselves. Therefore, many people stop short of being all they can be, settling for something they can do well. The potential for personal significance is usually stopped by contentment. Entrepreneurs know well that failure is just an opportunity to try something different, but did you notice that they have failed? We all hate failure; it is embarrassing, and sometimes involves hardship for yourself and your family/employees. Not fun at all.

If we are not bumping into a failure periodically, we are obviously not trying. That may be the secret answer to the question of “are you ambitious enough”. Have you failed recently? If not, you need to try something. Are you frustrated with multiple failures? Then maybe you need to just try something different!

How to be Happy to be at Work

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 00:06:46 GMT

We all want to be happy at work, but what does this really mean? The official definition of happiness is the quality or state of being delighted, pleased, or glad as over a particular thing. According to many researchers, happiness is a synonym for contentment. At work, to be content sometimes means your career is not moving forward at all. Still, many people get to a place in life where that is okay; they will get their self-worth from some other avenue.

Savvy management can encourage some of those other avenues to keep employees’ content in an otherwise boring, mind-numbing role with little advancement opportunity. For other people, the opportunity to grow, to gain influence and respect are needed to allow them at least the perception of being significant. Humans want to be significant; we want to have a reason for our existence. It has been said that a person with a ‘why’ to live, can put up with almost any ‘how’ they live, and this seems to bear out. Humans will subject themselves to extreme discomfort to the point of death if they have a cause to die for, yet they will whine about the trivial things in a life of luxury if being comfortable is all they have as a goal in life.

Knowing of both these two paths to happiness: contentment and significance, allows management to structure the workplace culture based on the requirements of the role. If a routine job is important, develop those alternative mechanisms for personal value to be obtained by the workers. If the job demands innovation and drive, sharing the visions and glory of the goal will be needed to inspire the team to their maximum effectiveness. Do not confuse or mix the two paths as worker confusion and even bitterness may result.

The Three Year Rule

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 08:03:03 GMT

There are several three-year rules in society: there is section 2035 of the U.S. tax code which is known by, and only interesting to, serious accountants, there is the guideline that dating people more than three years older or younger than you is socially unacceptable until after you reach the age of twenty five, and there is the one where people who leave a job before three years may be seen as job hoppers or have some unseen character flaw. Let us talk about that last one.

Historically, Americans joined a company, or a profession, and worked at it for most of their lives; they would receive a nice watch, a pension, and a cake at retirement. There were exceptions, but most people signed on for the long haul with the knowledge that their efforts would be rewarded and their loyalty would be appreciated. Even the hyper-ambitious would stick around for years before leaving for a greener pasture. Some boomers actually remember this social construct of employment, but times changed, and the social construct changed too.

After the savings and loan crisis and recession of 1990 rules were changed and companies could no longer afford the old pension model, 401 k’s were introduced. This allowed employees to take their pension with them as they changed jobs; they no longer had to work at a single company for x number of years to be able to retire. The internet boom of the 90’s changed the nature of the workforce to more information and soft-skilled workers. The resulting .com bust changed the nature of the employer/employee relationship. Traditional manufacturing jobs disappeared in the “e-conomy” of the new millennium. Workers had no choice but to take back the total responsibility for their own career and they had the rules and tools to do so. The life-long employee concept had disappeared, but one of the social constructs of that time period remained.

It is expensive to hire and on-board an employee. Depending on the situation, it can take a year or two for productivity to be sufficient to break even on those training costs. This is one reason employers call it “investing in a new hire”; the company really does not start showing a return on their decision until that two-year mark and can really take a hit when the employee leaves early. Similarly, a new hire is not truly acclimated to the work until that time has passed and should not make career decisions until maturity in the role and organizational culture is achieved. Of course, if the fit is terrible, it should be obvious quickly and that would result in a significantly shorter than three-year stay, most likely only a few months. In general, the company and the worker should count on an informal three-year commitment as being in place, so that each party can judge the real merits and challenges of the relationship. If the employee is released or leaves before that time, it is a flag to future employers that something is wrong. It may be with the company or with the worker, but either way, it should be researched before a new company/worker relationship begins. The exception is a contract employee who is brought on with the upfront knowledge and agreement to a specific term, and employees on that type of arrangement should call this out from the beginning so the recruiter knows and does not worry about something lurking

Back to School: Get Ready to Up Your Networking Game

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 11:41:55 GMT

It’s 2020. Everything’s canceled. The Olympics. Concerts. Big10. But even while we’re socially distancing, networking is still very much a thing.

As an introvert, I really can’t decide if everything being remote is easier, harder, or the same (though I am looking forward to handshakes being a thing of the past), but technology is here to make sure we can keep up with each other. Expanding our circles, however, is definitely a little trickier.

No more meeting new parents in your kids’ class or on their sports teams. No more happy hour with your work friends (and theirs). No more of so many things.

BUT, with some effort and creativity, we can get around and through this.

Since you’ll be missing out on sports this fall, go ahead and schedule some networking in as your Friday night entertainment. No, really.

Grab your laptop and a drink and do a Zoom round table on some professional topics and have your colleagues invite other guests. Give it some structure so it isn’t just a free for all and you can really start conversations with people you didn’t already know. Be sure to exchange contact information so you can continue the conversations after the round table!

Get involved in relevant conversations on LinkedIn. Use that social network to…you know…get social and network. Focusing on thoughtful responses and building relationships.

Whatever you do, try not to engage hermit mode during this time. Connecting with others will help prevent depression during isolation all while hopefully propelling your professional life forward!

Back to School: 3 reasons to register for an online course

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 11:37:38 GMT

It seems like all we’re hearing about recently is school, with the ongoing debates on how to handle K-12 and even college education during a pandemic. Maybe you are reveling in the fact that none of the headache applies to you, maybe you’re knee-deep in figuring out how it’ll all work in your life.

No matter where you are in the mess, it’s worth considering if some continued education would be a good idea for you. It doesn’t have to be a whole degree program, either! It could just be a course on Excel, marketing, leadership, or Photoshop.

There are so many reasons we come up with to say no. “I’m too busy.” “I’m already where I want to be.” “I hated school. I certainly don’t want to do it again.”

But what if an online course could drastically improve your life right now?

Leadership

Courses on leadership ( here are 10 resources for online courses ), can not only open new doors for you, but they will improve your daily professional life where you are. By learning improved communication methods, techniques to improve engagement, feedback skills, and so many other skillsets, you will form better relationships with your current team allowing you to increase productivity and improve culture.

Efficiency

How much time do you spend googling how to lock cells or perform different functions in Excel? Do you use your software to its fullest potential? LinkedIn has a wealth of training courses from Excel to SharePoint to Zoom to QuickBooks and even Time Management techniques. Invest a little time now to save a lot of time and frustration down the road.

Enjoy Your Work!

Everyone has aspects of their role where they don’t feel as strong. If you find that there’s an area that you dread, put off, or avoid because you struggle with it, take some time to learn more and improve your skillset! Once you’ve mastered these skills, it won’t be nearly as stressful to accomplish those areas of your responsibilities.

What online courses are you considering?

Treat Your Brain: Learn Something New for Yourself

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 11:24:41 GMT

If you’re around kids much these days, you’ve probably heard about “growth mindset” at least once. I don’t remember learning about growth mindsets growing up, but it’s definitely something I’m focusing on with my children.

Growth Mindset, as coined and defined by Carol Dweck is where, “…people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” This is opposed to a fixed mindset: where we believe see struggle as a sign that we just aren’t good at something and it is what it is.

The beauty of teaching about growth mindset lies in teaching how the brain works – that as we work to learn new things, our brains are creating new neural pathways. That’s legitimately hard work that burns calories (but probably won’t be the next fad diet), so we teach the kids (and ourselves) to have patience with our brains and realize that working and feeling frustration learning something doesn’t mean we’re “bad” at it. We learn to give ourselves grace.

Why is this so important?

This leads to a love of learning, which leads to life-long learning, which leads to new neural pathways constantly being formed. New neural pathways allow our brain to work more quickly and efficiently...and also creates denser brain matter, which makes our thinking even quicker!

All this to say: TREAT YOUR BRAIN! Set aside some time to learn something for you . Not for work. Not for your kids. For you. Find something you’re interested in: a new skill, a language, an art or craft, a sport, whatever! Learn it. Learn how it works, the nuances. Let it bring you joy as you build your brain, because that will not only fill your self-care cup, but it will also strengthen your brain for all aspects of your life!

How to Write a Resume When You Have No Experience

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 17:56:11 GMT

While this year’s grads have been robbed of most traditions, there are some things no one can escape…like needing a resume.

Maybe you’ve heard the struggle that you need to have experience to get experience, or maybe you’re even seeing that firsthand. It’s true that the job search process is really setup for people who already have at least some professional experience, and this can make writing an entry-level resume a daunting task.

First things first: you need to know who you are.

Well, maybe not who you are, but definitely who you want to be. Every word on your resume needs to paint the picture of where you’re going. This is one of the few situations where an objective is appropriate – you can even get away with the “Objective” section, but the best practice is to incorporate your objective into your heading and summary.

Instead of…
Objective: To obtain an entry-level position in software engineering where I can work on new technology, contribute to the organization, and gain experience.

Try…

Software Engineer

Recent Computer Science graduate, passionate about new technologies and excited to make an impact.

Highlight what you have.

You might not have a lot of professional experience, if any, so lead with what you do have. Internships, even unpaid, should be detailed and provide context on environment, scope, responsibilities, and accomplishments (hint: talking about the results/accomplishments should shed a lot of insight on the responsibilities without writing a job description).

No internships? Again, go with what you do have. Project experience. A thesis. Every bit of relevant experience: list it.

No relevant experience? List your volunteer work, student organizations, and extracurriculars to show your skillsets and leadership skills. And by all means, put your degree to work by leading with your education and listing out relevant coursework.

Be choosy with what you include.

Your weekend babysitting job? Unless you’re looking for a career working with children, it’s best you leave it off. Stick to experience that is relevant to the industry or skillsets.

Another area to be choosy is your GPA. Only include it if it’s good. By good we mean over 3.5.

Your resume won’t be long, but it should be complete at this point. Now all that’s left is to proofread!

If you’re still struggling at this point, contact us to talk about your Student Resume. It’s also a perfect graduation gift!

How to Succeed When Working Remotely

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 06:05:11 GMT

And just like that, people everywhere have been thrown into working remotely.

The oh-so-coveted remote position brings its own wealth of struggles that people often don’t realize until they are mid-battle. How do you stay on-task with so many distractions around? How do you self-motivate? Who is going to keep you in the loop? What if you get lonely? What if your kids barge in on your conference call?

At Reach Your Destination and our sister company, TDM & Associates, we know all about working remotely, so we thought we’d share some of our favorite tips for success when working from a home office.

Julie Blodgett, Senior Search Consultant at TDM, has been working from a home office for over 20 years. Her expert advice is:

Try to separate yourself as best you can from the hub of the house. It’s always nice if you have a door on your office to close when needed.
Make your work area as comfortable and inviting as possible.
Stay focused on your work task - you can always tackle laundry, dishes etc. after work hours.
Take a walk during lunch and get some fresh air!
Try to keep to your normal schedule for starting and ending as well as lunch and breaks.

Stephanie Swilley, Search Consultant at TDM and Resume Writer with RYD, has been working from home for 10 years and currently has two children under 10 underfoot with school closures. She suggests:

Follow the 80/20 rule. Especially if you have young children at home, you can’t expect your workday to be just like in the office, so focus your energy on the 20% of your work that yields 80% of your results.
Use time management techniques like Pomodoro to keep yourself on-task. I’m not like Julie – the laundry and dishes are going all day long! But I set timers and take care of those while I’m taking my breaks from work.
Take time to socialize. Call a friend from the office to catch up (and make sure you’re in the loop on everything at work). Remote work can be very isolating.
Over-communicate. Be as clear as possible and don’t assume anything in your emails because you won’t run into each other at the water cooler and clarify later! Also, keep as much in writing as possible because it’s harder to follow up on things you forget when you aren’t in-person.
Disconnect. This is still a big struggle for me, but do as much as you can to “leave” at the end of your workday. Your brain needs the break to be able to be productive the next day.

And our biggest piece of advice: give yourself some grace. Transitions are hard anytime, but a transition that comes along-side a pandemic will always be harder. And your kids probably will do something to embarrass you during this time.

Wishing you all good health, much sanity, and extra rolls of toilet paper in the coming weeks!

Three Steps to a Successful Job Search

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 07:50:25 GMT

Was a change in your career part of your 2020 plans? Maybe you dove right in, scouring the job boards the first two weeks of January, but now the excitement and drive have faded away because you didn’t see the results?

A job search isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. It takes dedication, careful planning, and is best with consistent effort. Slow and steady…and a cheering section helps! Here are three steps to a successful job search that won’t drain your soul.

Figure Out What You Want

First and foremost, you can’t conduct an efficient search if you don’t know what you’re searching for. It’s not enough to know that you’re unhappy in your current position, you need to know why and what will be fulfilling for you. Do some soul searching, take a personality test or two (like Myers-Briggs or Enneagram, not which Hogwarts House you belong to) for some clarity and inspiration, or just sit down with pen and paper and list out everything you dislike about your current role, what you love, and how you could love what you don’t.

There’s more to it than just the role, though. What kind of a commute are you willing to make every day? Don’t just consider distance – think about traffic and road quality, too. How much travel are you up for? Do you have a family that you want to see every night or are you okay living out of a suitcase? These things can make or break the fit as well.

Plan Your Search

As a parent of young children, I am quite familiar with trying to get things done during spare minutes, and some things can limp by just like that. Your job search is not one of them. You need to schedule and commit time to all the different areas of your search (not just the easy ones!) and stick to it.

Be sure you aren’t setting yourself up for disappointment though! Examine your schedule and make realistic commitments to yourself. If Wednesdays are beyond hectic, don’t expect yourself to accomplish anything that day. You don’t want to constantly feel as though you are failing because you set unrealistic expectations.

Set aside 30-60min at a time for resume/cover letter tweaks, research, applying, and networking, and stay focused! This can be the same week-to-week (Mondays are for networking, Tuesdays are for applying, etc) or can change based on your availability and what is going on in your search. Have a plan for each block of time so you can be productive for the full time allotted.

Recruit Cheerleaders

Career changes can be exhausting and land some serious blows to your self-esteem when you don’t get a callback or an offer. Let your biggest cheerleaders in life know what’s going on (this can help jumpstart your networking, too!) so they can encourage you along the way.

This team will also be a great resource for mock interviews, proofreading, insight, and plenty of other little things along the way. Just remember to show them your appreciation throughout the process. Surprise coffees and baked goods can go a long way toward showing your thanks!

Job searches can be stressful and wearing, so make sure you are doing everything you can to maintain your stamina and increase your efficacy. If you have the ability, a career coach can be an excellent investment to help you determine the best next step, lay out a plan, and master the skills necessary to get to your dream career.

Getting Back in the Workforce: How to Readjust After Taking Time Off

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 07:11:41 GMT

So, you are heading back into the work world! This can be a bit daunting for anyone no matter how long you have taken time off. While there will be several items that are common to everyone in the workforce, you have to reacclimatize yourself to deal with them. The routine of arriving on time and handling whatever personal tasks you have without impacting your work time are two situations that initially spring to mind.

Those are the easy ones; there is also the relationship aspect that must be handled. You cannot just avoid other people. You will have to deal with coworkers who may not click with you in the work environment and customers who may be less than gracious. So, the hardest part of reentering a work life is becoming used to being a “friendly acquaintance” again.

An example which explains this in-between relationship status is that you would go have drinks after work with them, but only in a group. You would tell them about your kids, but not go into any detail about the challenges of parenting. Fitting into the office/factory social culture is a major factor in how well you will adjust to work life. In the work world, getting along in a team situation is a critical skill. Some managers even ask questions in the hiring process about your participation in sports simply to determine if you are a team player. This skill is not natural for many people. We must put aside personal ambition and replace it with team ambition to function well. Even if you are one of those people whose dream job is to sit quietly in a dark office/cubicle interacting only with a computer, you will still need to be friendly and warm to your coworkers in the breakroom. If you have time before starting, a way to practice this is to join some volunteer or civic organization. Intentionally try to be a friend to all, but close to none. Even though many people meet close friends through work, let it take time.

It can also be hard rearranging the things you used to do around your new work schedule. Allow yourself a period of adjustment as you test different ways to be a worker while handling your personal needs or the needs of others. There is also the issue of having to dust off some of your old skills in order to complete your work. Take the time to review any past experience you may have and evaluate what you need to work on; it may take a little while to get back to your previous skill level, but like riding a bike the muscle memory will quickly reveal itself. Also, do not hesitate to ask your new coworkers or boss what skills they find most helpful for your position so you can know what is expected. Do not be afraid to reenter the workforce because once you nail your routine, dust off your old skills, develop a working relationship with your coworkers, and just settle back into the work routine you will be on your way to acting like a normal and well-adjusted employee. Treat this as a chance to restart and enjoy the excitement you felt when you initially began your career: take chances, work hard, and give it your all!

Overcoming a Rut in Your Career

Sat, 17 Aug 2019 00:33:31 GMT

The first and most important thing to understand is that everyone goes through a rut in their career. It does not matter what field you are in. Eventually, you will get a little bored or you realize that you have already faced the challenges which will be offered to you. Everyone wants to feel that they are contributing something significant with their lives and time. If you do not feel like this then it can be extremely hard to make yourself continue with the same old. So, if you understand that feeling, it is now time to evaluate the reason for your career rut: is it you or the situation you are in? This will determine the next steps that you take to get out of your rut and feel rejuvenated.

If you decide that it is a personal issue, then there are a few steps you can to take. Many people leave their vacation days to accumulate, so take advantage of your time off! Go on a trip, even if it ends up being a staycation, just allow yourself a good break from the office to rest and get your energy back. You can find ways to change the makeup of your days to liven the workweek grind. Try adding an exercise class during your lunch break or see if you can change the hours you spend in the office. Anything to mix up your normal routine and make things interesting again or give you something to look forward to.

If you decide that is a situational issue, then it might be time to look at a new job or redefining your position in the company. In some extreme cases, you may decide that you need to switch careers and are just not feeling satisfied with the field that you are in. Any decision you make, the goal is that you get out of your rut so that you can tolerate all the facets of work once more: the unrealistic demands, impossible odds, etc. Essentially the things that make your job difficult, but rewarding and fun!.

Mind the Gap: Dealing with Breaks in Employment

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 06:15:15 GMT

During my days as an agency recruiter, I had more than one client decide that all resumes had to list month as well as year in the employment dates...and any break in employment over 6 months had to be explained on the resume. This happened to coincide directly with the recession and skyrocketing unemployment rates, leading to some interesting discussions.

Sometimes a break in employment is a personal choice: time off to travel and recharge, staying home with kids.

Sometimes a break in employment is beyond your control: personal illness, family illness, struggling job market.

Whatever the cause, there are steps you can take to minimize the impact as well as present the time away in the best light possible. A break in employment doesn't have to be a death sentence for your career.

1. Before we get too far along, I've told you before and I'll tell you again: do NOT lie about it. Do not alter the dates of your employment. Do not create fake employment. Do not pretend you were doing independent contracting if you weren't. No lies. Period.

2. During your break in employment, take steps to keep your skills and knowledge current. Go back to school and/or get new certifications. It looks much better to have "January 2015 - December 2015: Grad School" than "January 2015 - December 2015: Unemployed" on your resume.

3. Get out there and stay active in your industry, even if you aren't being paid for it. Do pro bono/volunteer work, take on active roles in industry organizations or LinkedIn groups, write articles in your area of expertise. Stay active. Just like any continuing education, this experience can be listed on your resume in place of "unemployed." You fill a gap while expanding your skills, comfort zone, AND your professional network.

4. Arrange some as-needed consulting work. You can have a drastically reduced workload while keeping current in your industry and making some extra money. It's like option #3, but better. Key point: keep it legitimate. Make sure there are reputable references with whom an employer can verify this work.

5. Consider trying something new. Always wanted to start your own company? Give it a shot. Been thinking about changing industries? Do your research and see if you can intern somewhere. Maybe you'll change your path. Even if you ultimately come back to your original career, pursuing something out of your industry is far better than sitting around watching Game of Thrones (at least, it looks much better on your resume and sounds better to the employer). Added bonus: you'll come back with a unique perspective and added skillset that could be highly desirable by the right employer.

When you're ready to start your job search, let Reach Your Destination help you craft an accurate, compelling resume. We will not only make sure your resume reads well and is appealing to the eye, but we also have the expertise to make your time away reflect as an added bonus rather than a problem.

Have you dealt with large breaks in employment? How did you handle the gap?

*For more tips like these, follow Reach Your Destination on Facebook and LinkedIn .

*For new career opportunities, connect with our sister company TDM & Associates .

Blog | Reach Your Destination

I’m Great at My Job—So Why Do I Feel Stuck?

Competency vs. Fulfillment: They’re Not the Same Thing

Signs You’re Ready for a Change (Even If You’re Still Doing Well)

Why Promotions and Pay Raises Aren’t Always the Answer

You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Broken

How RYD Career Coaching Can Help

You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck

Where Are All the Good Jobs?

(And How to Find Them Faster)

Why You’re Not Seeing the Jobs You Actually Want

A Smarter Strategy for Finding the Right Role

Define Your Target

Shortlist 10 Dream Companies

Tailor Everything

Where to Actually Look (That Isn’t a Giant Job Board)

Relationships Still Matter More Than Résumés

What We Recommend at RYD

TL;DR: Let’s Find a Job You Actually Want

You Don’t Have to Climb a Ladder You Don’t Like

The Myth of Upward-Only Growth

Where the Ladder Analogy Breaks Down

It doesn’t account for detours, pauses, or value shifts.

It treats burnout like a badge of honor.

It ignores the messy, meaningful middle.

Signs You’ve Outgrown the Current Path

You feel bored, even when you’re busy.

You’re performing well, but it doesn’t feel like progress.

You feel like you’re shrinking to fit the role.

You catch yourself wondering, “What else is out there?”

Alternatives to Linear Advancement

Lateral moves

Pivoting to new industries or functions

Growth through deepening

How to Figure Out What “Success” Means to You

Use journal prompts to go deeper

Ask better coaching questions

Make values-driven decisions

Your Career Should Work for You—Not the Other Way Around

Unlocking Career Growth

The Power of Mentors and Sponsors

The Mentor vs. Sponsor Dilemma

Building Lasting Mentor Relationships

Leveraging Sponsors for Career Growth

Adding Mentorship to Your Resume

Working with Recruiters: Why Mentorship Matters

Conclusion: Make Mentorship and Sponsorship a Career Priority

How to Outsmart Those Pesky Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Land Your Dream Job

1. Keywords are Your New Best Friend

2. Keep the Formatting Simple (and I Mean Really Simple)

3. Check Your File Format

4. Customize, Customize, Customize!

5. Keep It Real with Your Skills

Final Thoughts: Play the ATS Game, But Don’t Forget the Humans

The Essential Guide to Sharing Your Resume

Permissions and PDFs

﻿ The Pitfalls of Overlooking Permissions

The Power of PDF: Preserving Your Resume's Integrity

Setting Permissions Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Drive

Dropbox

Microsoft OneDrive

Converting Your Resume to PDF

Conclusion

The Anatomy of a Winning Resume in 2023

The Fundamental Principles of a Modern Resume

Clarity and brevity: The 6-second rule:

Tailoring content to the specific job and industry:

The rise of ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and keyword optimization:

Resume Components and Structure

Contact Information:

Objective or Summary:

Experience:

Education:

Skills:

Additional Sections:

Design and Format

Clean layouts:

Use bullet points for clarity and brevity:

Appropriate colors and fonts:

The Pitfalls of Overlooking Permissions