Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Use Your Brain to Build Better Relationships at Work

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Use Your Brain to Build Better Relationships at Work According to Judith Glaser, the CEO of Benchmark Communications and the author of the new book, Conversation Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results, the key to success in life and in work is to prime your brain for trust, mutual respect, and partnership. Based on advances made in the neuroscience field over the last decade, Glaser’s framework involves understanding what kind of conversations trigger the lower, more primitive brain, and what kind activate higher-level intelligences such as integrity, empathy, and good judgment. I asked Glaser for a few examples of how neuroscience affects the way we handle challenging workplace relationships and how we can leverage our brain’s natural tendencies to better these relationships, and here were her top tips. Our Brains Are Designed to Be Social The need to belong is more powerful than the need for safety. Rejection activates our fear networks and increases the levels of cortisol, which move us into protect behavior. Focus on being inclusive and using physical and verbal touch in order to reduce the level of cortisol and increase the level of oxytocin, which promotes bonding. Appreciation Reshapes Neural Networks Appreciation activates a large framework of neurons that are part of the functions of sight, hearing, and perspective. It enables us to see more broadly and think bigger. Better your relationships by focusing on appreciating others’ perspectives even if you don’t agree. Like what youre reading? Continue to the full post at Intuits Fast Track blog.

Writing a Job Resume Objective

Writing a Job Resume ObjectiveJob resume objective should not be a mystery. It should give the readers information about the position that they are applying for. The objective should also provide the reader with some kind of insight into the applicant's interests, experiences and skills. Writing a good job resume objective is necessary if you want to stand out from the others.Some people who get jobs as technical writers actually choose to just write for themselves because they like to write. They will usually work in small companies that don't pay very well. Technical writing requires an understanding of a particular field. It takes a lot of hard work to develop your own skills.If you are a relatively new person interested in becoming a technical writer, it is very important to make sure that you put some effort into developing your technical writing career. Just like any other career path, it takes time and effort to become successful. In order to get your foot in the door of the t echnical writing industry, it is necessary to write a good job resume objective.Before you even begin writing your objective, make sure that you take some time to sit down and think about what it means to you. Sometimes people feel completely at ease when they are writing, but the truth is that they still have questions in their mind. They could use the writing experience to help them through this process. Put yourself in the author's shoes for a second and see how this could benefit you.Write your objective in such a way that it gives the reader a good idea of what they can expect to find when they take a look at your technical writing career. It doesn't really matter if you use the objective format or not. It really doesn't matter what kind of format you choose either. As long as you give the reader an idea of what to expect from you. After all, the job of a technical writer is to help people communicate with one another in a clear and concise manner.Make sure that you write your objective in an interesting and professional manner. This is really about showing the readers that you know what you are talking about. Don't try to sound smart by writing in a formal tone but rather make sure that you use a conversational tone throughout the material. Remember that the objective is about communicating something to the reader and it should be very easy to understand.Your technical writer must be able to provide a strong recommendation. In addition to writing your name, address and contact information, you should also include their name and email address. You should also provide the employers with a copy of your resume and a cover letter.The job of a technical writing career is to make sure that the information that you are communicating to the readers is accurate. It is therefore necessary to have a job resume objective that is crystal clear and easy to read. There are a number of free resume writing software programs available online that are designed to help you.

Personal Branding Interview Jane Buckingham - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Jane Buckingham - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to Jane Buckingham, who is the President of Trendera, a generational expert, and author of her latest book called The Modern Girls Guide to Sticky Situations.   She is also the wife of Marcus Buckingham, who appeared on the cover of Personal Branding Magazine in the seventh issue. In this interview, Jane talks about how she created her own brand, what sticky situations to avoid in the workplace, and more. How did you come up with the The Modern Girl’s Guide brand? What about the name connected with your audience? I think that women in my generation were raised (for the most part) to focus on their career and become empowered and strong women, not to learn to cook or hem a pair of pants or learn practical how-to’s. So while I was great career woman running my own consulting company, I could barely boil an egg or sew on a button. My mother had died when I was 21 and I really missed having someone to help give me those little helpful tips and tricks. I really wished there had been a book out there like it â€" one that compiled all of the information you needed in one place the way your best girlfriend would tell you. I kept thinking, and saying to friends, “You know like Emily Post or Eloisebut more Modern” And So the idea of doing a Modern Girls Guide just made sense! I think it resonated with so many women of many ages because everybody could use a little help in one area or another! What are some sticky situations that happen at the workplace and how can we avoid them? The workplace is a minefield of sticky situations. There are romantic entanglements (Do not, I repeat do not sleep with you boss!. There are financial predicaments : When someone finds out what you make Neither confirm nor deny. There are embarrassing predicaments: When you send an email you instantly regret â€" Try didtheyreadit.com if this is a bad habit of yours! And there are of course serious work issues: You get passed over for a promotion or are worried you are going to get fired. Sorry, to long to explain, you may have to read the book ?? The best way to avoid sticky situations at work is to be as professional as possible and remember that your job is not like High School- even though it may seem like it at times. You need to try to put your job responsibilities ahead of your emotions and never react before you think first! How were you able to write your first book at age 17? What were the challenges and what inspired you to do it? Well, it was part luck and part hard work. My mother had been a writer and my father was a psychiatrist. So I think I was somehow destined to analyze about people and want to write about them. I remember reading a book about teenagers written by an “older person” (probably my age now) and saying to my mom “This guy has no idea what he’s talking about.” She asked if I could do any better and I figured at least I could do it from a teenagers perspective. It wasn’t easy to get a publisher. But at least my mother knew how to find them. Most of them didn’t think I would get it done. This was before teens were making movies, launching blogs and taking over the worldBut Donald I Fine was kind enough to give me enough money to do some research. I sent surveys to schools across the country and getting the packets back and hand tabulating all of the results. Now that I really understand research I cringe at my methodology. I remember getting a call while I was rehearsing a school play (my one and only lead) and the publisher told me I had to leave rehearsal to fly to Chicago to do some TV show (Oprah as it turns out)No way I said, I have REHEARSAL!!! Suffice it to say I wound up going How does both you and your husbands brands help promote and build upon each other? Have you ever collaborated on something together? We are extremely supportive of each other however we can be; but usually that means being sounding boards for each other, offering each other to clients, contacts or people we think might know something about our business. It’s interesting that the place our businesses really intersect is in managing Geny Y, where he has the management expertise and I have the Gen Y knowledge. We talk a lot about the challenges there and struggles and opportunities companies will have. We have talked about collaborating but as we try to schedule our lives so that one of us is there to do parenting duties (which we take very seriously) I think it might be hard for us to really work on a big project at the same time. Plus we might drive each other crazy since we both always think we’re right. Which would be hard as clearly I am ?? Your company focuses on the different generations (X, Y, Z). How do they defer when it comes to the workforce, and core values? It’s tricky to generalize i but I think that Gen Y is really the generation that will shake things up. They are considered to be “ entitled”and in some ways that’s trueMany DO want promotions after three months or constant praise. On the other hand they are innovators, optimistic and empowered. Their parents told them all along not to settle (part of why they may feel entitled) so they aren’t going to now. Gen X (who are mostly in their thirties) are physically a smaller generation (40 million Xers versus about 70 million Y’s) and they were misnamed the slackers from the start. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to work hard it was that they didn’t want to work hard, they just didn’t want to get stuck doing the wrong things! They have been a little slower to start but have emerged very focused on family and more traditional values. Lets wait on Z but it’s clear that social media will be one of their most defining characteristics. - Jane Buckingham is the bestselling author of The Modern Girls Guide to Life (2004), The Modern Girls Guide to Motherhood (2006), and her latest book called The Modern Girls Guide to Sticky Situations (2010). She is one of the foremost experts on Generation X, Y and Z. Jane has been studying and interpreting Americas youth for more than a decade, helping companies, educators and parents better understand 7-39 year olds. Currently, Jane is the President of Trendera, an innovative marketing and media consulting firm focusing on digital and non traditional trend forecasting. Throughout her career Jane has worked and consulted with various clients including The CW, Chanel, Microsoft, NBC, and many other Fortune 500 companies. She is a contributing editor to Cosmopolitan Magazine and regularly appears on nationally broadcast shows such as Good Morning America and The View. Jane has been featured in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, Fortune and The Boston Globe. She was recently nam ed one of the 25 most powerful women in Hollywood by ELLE magazine.

How You Can Make Money Filling Out Surveys Online

How You Can Make Money Filling Out Surveys Online Now that you are pursuing your degree,  the real deal begins. Getting into your dream college is just the first step, living in a foreign atmosphere is not all fun and games. From jam packed schedules to planning your expenses, university life is pretty difficult. This is why many students opt for part-time jobs and other means of earning to bridge the gap between their monetary resources and expenses. However, a job (albeit part-time) can be time taking and leave you drained of energy. What you need is a lucrative home-based money making platform with flexible work hours and impressive payscale. Paid online surveys fit the bill. Discussed below are the many ways through which you can make good money filling out questionnaires online: So what exactly are online reviews? Online surveys and questionnaires form the foundation of any marketing strategy. They are a goldmine of ideas, of creative content that a company can use in their promotional campaigns. Surveys provide the useful information regarding the customer tastes and preferences that help a business formulate critical marketing policies. Thanks to online reviews the seller now knows exactly what the average customer wants and does his best to deliver it efficiently. Now there are two types of surveys available online, namely paid and unpaid surveys. Some companies pay the customers a nominal amount for providing them the valuable feedback while others choose not to. It is an excellent way to earn some extra bucks in your free time. However, filling out forms is in no way a full-time income option. Treat it like a part time earning option. Also, ensure the fact that the company you are filling out forms is a legitimate one. What do you have to do? With so many bogus companies out there it can be tricky to pick the right organization to follow. There are tons of platforms online where you can get both paid and unpaid listings. Applying for these surveys is pretty simple. All you have to do is register in by answering a couple of questions regarding your geographical location, age, and other general information. Once you have submitted the screening survey, the company will match the details you have filled in and send you appropriate surveys to fill out. Most companies pay on an hourly basis and do not require much technical expertise or particular skill. Why Is It A Good Idea? Online surveys are a practical method of analyzing the latest trends and updates in the market. Moreover, it is a fantastic opportunity for online users to monetise on the time they spend on their internet instead of just wasting it away on Facebook. You just have to eligible to fill out the survey. Filling out the screening survey filters your options so that only the ones matching the details you have provided are sent to you. All you have to do is answer a couple of questions to the best of your ability; that hardly takes more than an hour (at max!) However, paid online surveys are not all rainbows and sunshine, you also have to deal with scammers, hackers and bogus platforms lurking online on the lookout for gullible users. Ensure that you apply only for authentic companies, visit their official sites, read through the FAQs and customer reviews carefully before you register. Some things to consider   Listed below are some of the key points that any user needs to consider before applying for companies handing out paid online surveys: Opt for big brands and known companies (browse through their websites to get a better idea) Almost all of these surveys charge no registering fees. So the company is asking you to pay some money, don’t. Always check for the age restrictions and geographical limitations before you apply anywhere Also, go through the payment method and transaction details beforehand. It is better you go for a company that pays in cash. Never submit your bank details and other sensitive information online. Understand the organization’s privacy policy before you apply. You will usually find it in the bottom of the front page of the company’s website. . Images via pixabay.

Freelancing Resume

Freelancing ResumeFreelancing resumes are probably the most important thing you can create and present to a company before ever starting a freelance career. Without one, it is hard to get a foot in the door. A good resume can make or break your chances of landing the job.In a world that places so much emphasis on education, it is almost an understatement to say that you will need to have a great deal of it. No, it's not enough to have worked for a big company in some capacity. You will also need to have at least a bachelor's degree and preferably more.Freelance writing jobs will require an understanding of web design and SEO, which are terms which tend to get thrown around in resumes. These skills are very valuable in a freelance environment because the job will be all about website design and internet marketing. As for SEO, this is very similar to copywriting but written to increase the traffic to a particular site. It is important to point out that the SEO position is usually limit ed to large corporations and if you don't have this sort of experience, your chances of landing the job are slim.Some people have the misconception that they are going to have a freelance job and then never work for a company again. Nothing could be further from the truth. This kind of thinking has caused a number of unhappy people who ended up working for six months, never setting foot in a company. There is nothing wrong with a freelance job, as long as you know what you are getting into.The first thing to consider when creating a freelance resume is where you are currently employed. Make a list of all your current employers, including their names and addresses. The next step is to write a brief description of each job. This will include specific information about the job itself, like which state it was in and how long you worked there. Itwill also include details about your duties, what you did, any bonuses or other benefits you received, and any improvements you made to the job. When you start working on your resume, be sure to always keep in mind what you learned at the company. Don't leave it blank or simply leave out the details. This will make you appear sloppy and unprofessional. Also, make sure you are properly organized and can clearly see your file organization system.Your resume should also tell the reader about the specifics of your previous client needs. Often times these are quite simple, but they still need to be included. Also, make sure to use examples that will show how you learned your skills and your areas of expertise. Also include a sample of your writing samples. Make sure you list your email address so that you can get in touch with them directly if necessary.Freelancing resumes will come and go, but they are an absolute must if you are going to be successful in freelancing. If you don't have one, get one soon.

Friends or money - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Friends or money - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog A new survey of 1,000 workers in the United Kingdom conducted by the job search website Jobsite showed that for 70 percent of respondents, friends at work is the most crucial element to a happy working life. This compares to 55 percent who said money was most important. I was a guest on Huffington Post Live yesterday as part of a very interesting panel to talk about this. You can see the segment here. What do you value most at work good relationships or money? Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

NO GOAL, NO FOCUS, NO PASSION, NO JOB!

NO GOAL, NO FOCUS, NO PASSION, NO JOB! Can you answer, “What type of job are you looking for?” in two sentences? Hint this is NOT the right answer: “A position in which my unique combination of business-building skills plugs in directly and supports those of a large company.” What does that REALLY say about you? Here are more examples of the most common and WEAKEST job goals. Do you find yourself saying any of these? James replied: “A challenging position where I can leverage my skills with numbers and where there is an opportunity for growth.” James’s goal is too “squishy,” as it doesn’t have any specifics. Remember, anyone who asks you what you are looking for may be able to help you! So, the more specific and clear you can be, the better. When I hear responses like “challenging position,” I chuckle, since there is no such thing as a non-challenging position. And the job search process is not about you…it’s about you fitting into a buyer’s need. So, drop any references to your skills in your stated goal, such as “leverage my skills in…” Joanne said: “A reputable company that is known for treating their employees well and starting a career.” Joanne’s goal describes just about every company out there. It’s not only squishy and soft, but it doesn’t show that she has really thought about what she is qualified for and passionate about. Sally replied: “Something in the fashion business.” Sally’s response is simply stating a very big industry. Industries are not jobs. But it is a start, as it is good to have some interest in an industry or two. However, much more important is to know what type of job, based on the skills you have from your past experiences (including what you are not good at). Focus more on the function or department you see yourself working in. John said: “I can do anything.” John’s response is the second most common job goal I hear. First, no you can’t. Second, it sends a number of bad signals to the interviewer, ranging from “I don’t know” to “I am desperate.” Most importantly, it shows a lack of interest in anything. Most employers view the flexible new college grad or flexible executive as someone who is simply unfocused and directionless and, thus, a high-risk hire. Hiring managers want to hire people who want the job described, not somebody who thinks he can do anything. Maria said: “I don’t know, but I know I don’t want retail.” The most popular and weakest type of response to “What are you looking for?” is I DON’T KNOW. The listener is not interested in what you don’t want to do, either. Keep reading and I’ll help you out of this dilemma, as well as how to avoid the other non-goals above. Too many candidates try to be all things to all people or they just want to describe their background and have the listener figure it out. The fix: Sit down, study job postings, and write a specific and succinct description of the positions you will hunt for; your goal profile. Good example: “A director of human resources position in a medium-sized high-tech firm in Austin.” Why is having a goal profile important? Because hiring managers want to hire someone who is committed and passionate about their job, their company, and their industry. And because it will help you increase the odds of winning a job, spending your time researching in your target areas, and will help you build confidence. Get a copy of my Cut the Crap (CTC) Goal Profile here: https://www.danamanciagli.com/tool-downloads/