[Video] How to build your assertive communication skills - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

[Video] How to build your assertive communication skills Assertive communication is defined as clear, direct, honest statement of feelings; use of “l” messages; speaking up appropriately for oneself while considering the needs, wants, and rights of others.     One of the most effective ways to communicate confidence is to use assertive communication but a lot of people (but women in particular in my experience) find this challenging. Part of the problem is the lack of confidence to use “I” statements in assertive communication, (that goes against some of the lessons we have learned about always putting others first). Watch this brief video for some tips and guidelines to build your assertive communication skills: 1.                        Visualize the person you want to be. How would that person behave and communicate? Do you currently exhibit this behavior and what do you have to change? 2.                        Ask for feedback from trusted colleagues about the way you are coming across. This would be a great discussion with a mentor as well. 3.                        Practice using “I” statements. Stay true to your feelings without blaming others and state your opinions clearly. 4.                        Accept compliments with grace. Say “thank you”. It’s simple but somehow we always find the need to give credit to others or discredit the compliment. Give example of someone saying you did a good job and you say the team did it. Well, what was your part in the team effort? What was your contribution? Acknowledge. Don’t downplay the compliment. Take credit. 5.                        Practice giving your opinion at least once during every meeting and make it a goal to speak during every meeting. 6.                        Practice saying “no!” especially when people (your boss or direct reports) delegate inappropriately to you. Don’t fall into the trap of taking on the work when it’s not appropriate. 7.                        Ask for what you need. No one knows everything and the best leaders are those that acknowledge this. Not asking for what you need may sabotage your efforts in the long run. 8.                        Practice expressing your opinion clearly and confronting issues head-on using “I” statements. Avoid the inclination to backpedal and negate your true feelings. 9.                        Build your self-confidence and stay focused on your value. This gives you the courage to communicate effectively. Make sure you are balancing your communication style so that it is not aggressive or passive aggressive. 10.                 Focus on unhooking emotionally from situations with difficult bosses and colleagues. Instead focus on your reaction. You can’t control their behavior. You can only control your reaction. 11.                 Do your homework. When you are negotiating for a raise or asking for a promotion, have all the history and facts about your specific accomplishments and how they have impacted the business. Use benefit language that includes specific outcome and results rather than your effort involved. My advice is to start practicing assertive communication in a non-threatening situation such as with a customer service representative, waiter or bank teller. When you are faced with a situation in which you feel compromised or disappointed, use “I” statements to clearly express your opinion and build your comfort level with assertive communication over time. I hope you’ve found these tips useful. If you liked this post, please share it on Linked In, Facebook, Twitter etc. and feel free to leave me a comment below.

Going rogue - advice for the rest of us -

Going rogue - advice for the rest of us - Rogue (per Dictionary.com): noun 1. a dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel. 2. a playfully mischievous person; scamp: The youngest boys are little rogues. 3. a tramp or vagabond. 4. a rogue elephant or other animal of similar disposition. 5. Biology. a usually inferior organism, esp. a plant, varying markedly from the normal. verb (used without object) 6. to live or act as a rogue. verb (used with object) 7. to cheat. 8. to uproot or destroy (plants, etc., that do not conform to a desired standard). 9. to perform this operation upon: to rogue a field. adjective 10. (of an animal) having an abnormally savage or unpredictable disposition, as a rogue elephant. 11. no longer obedient, belonging, or accepted and hence not controllable or answerable; deviating, renegade: a rogue cop; a rogue union local. Should you be going rogue? Sarah Palins new book obviously brings these questions of rogue to light. Lets face it this is probably not a word in the general lexicon before she used it in her title. Knowing the technical definitions makes it seem an odd choice. Eve Tahmincioglu asks about going rogue, which she defines as dogging your old boss. Eve quotes the Wall Street Journal, which said: it is for details of the McCain campaign that many readers will pick up Going Rogue, and Mrs. Palin will not disappoint them. She describes in particular how campaign aides muzzled her and mismanaged her family. One of the biggest mistakes of the failed McCain campaignand there was no shortage of themwas its handling of Mrs. Palin. Her criticisms of the campaigns treatment of her appear prominently in Going Rogue. Eve asks: Seems going rogue could be added to the HR lexicon as a new phrase to describe dogging your old boss and still succeedingAre we entering a time when former boss-dogging is acceptable? Eve points out that there are many venues for workers to trash their bosses, even if they are not high-profile, public figures. This is certainly true. One avenue to report a bad boss is ebosswatch.com. The site notes, If you are a job seeker or if you are thinking about making a career change, check with eBossWatch to make sure that you wont be stuck working for an abusive or bad boss. Search for the boss or company that you are interviewing with or considering working for and see how other employees have rated that boss. (Disclosure: the founder of eBossWatch is my business partner in GreatPlaceJobs, a site to help job seekers connect with opportunities in award-winning companies.) Selena Dehne tweeted a link today to a post about what to and not to do when you are looking for work. Prominent among the NOT to dos (by Bob Weinstein): * Dont badmouth previous employers or coworkers. Its very tempting to be honest and tell prospective employers the real reasons for being laid off or fired. But this is not the place for honesty. Prospective employers are not interested. Its bad form. If youre leaving because you had a daemonic boss or had difficulty with co-workers, find a plausible positive reason for seeking greener pastures. An evergreen reason is greater advancement and training options an opportunity to move up the ladder and take on more responsibilities. These are solid irrefutable reasons for changing jobs. While there may be something to say for venting about a bad boss, doing it online from your personal blog, Facebook, Twitter or other social networking account is just a bad idea. Face it would you want to hire someone who trashed her former employer? As the next and future employer, you might be concerned about your own reputation should bad blood come between you and the new hire. No matter how much you hated your old boss or loathe your current supervisor, it is a BAD idea to let anyone interviewing you know about it. Instead, try to put the situation in the best possible light if pressed and avoid discussing it if possible. Negativity can only hurt you, so why go there? Unless, maybe, you are Sarah Palin. This is another case of career advice must be personalized. It is certainly possible that telling her story may be just the thing for her career. What do you think? I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching? Â  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While youre at it, dont forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on FacebookId be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since were on the subject of doing something newAre you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers. photo by asecondhandconjecture

Should You Use a Long Vowel in a Compound Word?

Should You Use a Long Vowel in a Compound Word?Many students who are just learning the art of resume writing often ask if you should be using a long vowel in a compound word. Some people also ask if they should include a capital letter when they have no prior experience in a particular field. These and other common questions that are often asked by resume writers are discussed below.The answer to both of these questions is in the negative. No, you should not use a long vowel in a compound word because it will render the sentence that you are trying to write ambiguous. Such words as 'household services' would probably be better written as 'Household Services, even though the sentence is a long one.The same rule applies to 'Capitol Hill and the Capitol,' 'Rome and Capitol Hill,' and 'Rome and the Capitol and the Illinois Capitol.' It makes little sense to include a long vowel in such compounds since the only use the words could have is in the final position of the sentence.It is true t hat in a sentence like 'Mr. Mondale was elected to Congress at the same time as Texas Congressman Jim Lowe.' This sentence would most likely be written as 'Mr. Mondale was elected to Congress at the same time as Congressman Jim Lowe.' In the latter sentence the final position of the sentence is preferable to its use in the former sentence. When considering whether to use a long vowel in such a compound sentence, this simple rule should be followed.Still, there are some valuable lessons to be learned by those who are just beginning to build effective resume writing skills. If you find yourself constantly having to add capital letters to your resume writing, you may be approaching the point at which you really have to write in a second person. You have to read these situations, and you have to learn to distinguish between the two, and one will have to be afirst or second person if you are going to continue to write.This problem can be avoided by practicing writing in a different voice when writing a document. Learning how to spell is one thing. Knowing the difference between a standard first person and a second person is another.As you write, you will be able to improve on your existing skills at handling your resume. If you keep the long vowel and the capital letter problem in mind, then you will be on your way to fixing your essay writing skills and you will be on your way to a great essay problem.

Hiring a Resume Writing Service

Hiring a Resume Writing Service Spread the loveAs most job-seekers understand all too well, the resume-creation process is anything but simple. Many people spend days, weeks, or even months trying to perfect their resume. And don’t fool yourself: that quest for perfection is important, since your resume is the single most important tool in your job-search arsenal. That explains why some job-seekers choose to rely on professionals to craft their resumes. If you have been considering a resume-writing service but wondered whether it’s worth the money, then this article is for you!Why Hire a Resume-Writing Service?The first question you need to ask is why you might want to hire a resume writing service.  The answer to that question is almost always the same: resumes are difficult for non-writers to create.Sure, you may be considered an expert in your chosen field, but does that qualify you to write a resume? Probably not. The fact is that resume-writing requires a certain skill set that most of us don’t possess. And without those skills, we may struggle to properly convey our real value as a potential value.That’s especially true in today’s highly-competitive work environment. Hiring managers have become adept at filtering out bad resumes, and they even have software to help them in that effort â€" the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS. In fact, the ATS programs represent yet another challenge. You see, your resume needs to be written in a way that meets the ATS requirements. Otherwise, the software will reject your resume and you’ll never even get a chance to have it looked at by human eyes.ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review:Free Resume ReviewThe bottom line is simple: you’re probably not a professional resume-writer. You may not have much experience with any type of formal writing. Unfortunately, that means that your own attempt to create a resume could very well prove unfruitful. In the end, the professional res ume-writing service is there to ensure that your valuable skills and experiences are properly conveyed to your prospective employer.We wrote a good post here on the right way to include skills on a resume.  What Type of Resume-Writing Service Should You Use?The second question that you’ll need to answer involves the type of resume-writing service that you should consider. Yes, there are different options available, so you will need to decide which option works best for you. As you might imagine, they each offer different levels of service, and the prices can vary dramatically.(We wrote a good post here on the best resume-writing services)Resume FactoriesBe wary of resume factories, or “mills” as they’re sometimes called. These services often employ people with little professional resume knowledge. Many of their writers are inexperienced or may even lack proficiency in your native language. In addition, the companies behind these operations generally fail to provide the type of professional guidelines those writers would need to optimize your resume properly.Make no mistake: this type of resume-writing service is almost never worth the money you pay.Template ServicesA resume template service cannot technically qualify as a resume-writing service at all. We’ve included it here, however, to note that they exist â€" since you are likely to encounter them if you’re looking for a service. These operations tend to be a mixed bag, so there is always a risk when you use them. Basically, they don’t actually write resumes at all. Instead, they provide an interface for you to enter all the details, and then the service creates a resume based on a template.The costs are usually reasonable, but the results can often be all but useless. That’s especially true if you need your resume to pass an ATS, since there’s no way for an automated template to adequately accommodate that screening software’s requirements. As a rule, this option is only useful if you j ust want to get your basic resume details on record, and plan to deliver the resume directly to the person who makes the hiring decisions. If there’s a machine involved in the process or you need a tailored resume, then this service likely won’t be worth the money you spend.Certified Professional Resume WritersYour best option will always be to rely on true professionals. The best resume-writing services will have qualified, experienced resume-writers on staff. These professionals will be able to take your important information and craft a relevant, effective resume that provides the branding you need to stand out from the crowd. They are also experts at helping your resume to beat the ATS and understand what hiring managers want to see to help them make sound decisions.As you might expect, though, this service will require greater collaboration from you. A good resume-writing service will want you to be involved at different stages of the process. The writers will need clear de tails, and your complete trust to ensure that the final product satisfies current industry standards and your job-seeking needs.Is a Resume-Writing Service Worth the Money?The answer to this question all boils down to one basic truth: your resume matters. Now, if you are a competent writer and understand what it takes to create an effective resume, then you probably don’t need a professional service. However, if you have little experience with professional writing, then you almost certainly need a resume-writing service to help you create a winning resume.As noted, resume factories and templates can be of questionable value. A professional resume-writing service, though, is more than just a means to an end. It is an investment in your job-search efforts and could be the key to achieving broader career goals. And when you consider the return on that investment, the costs are minimal indeed.You get what you pay for, obviously. So, the key to ensuring that your resume-writing service is worth the cost is to choose wisely. Find a well-known, reputable company that actively works with you to craft the perfect resume for your needs. When you can do that, your resume will almost certainly be worth the money you paid. Hiring a Resume Writing Service Spread the loveAs most job-seekers understand all too well, the resume-creation process is anything but simple. Many people spend days, weeks, or even months trying to perfect their resume. And don’t fool yourself: that quest for perfection is important, since your resume is the single most important tool in your job-search arsenal. That explains why some job-seekers choose to rely on professionals to craft their resumes. If you have been considering a resume-writing service but wondered whether it’s worth the money, then this article is for you!Why Hire a Resume-Writing Service?The first question you need to ask is why you might want to hire a resume writing service.  The answer to that question is almost always the same: resumes are difficult for non-writers to create.Sure, you may be considered an expert in your chosen field, but does that qualify you to write a resume? Probably not. The fact is that resume-writing requires a certain skill set that most of us don’t possess. And without those skills, we may struggle to properly convey our real value as a potential value.That’s especially true in today’s highly-competitive work environment. Hiring managers have become adept at filtering out bad resumes, and they even have software to help them in that effort â€" the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS. In fact, the ATS programs represent yet another challenge. You see, your resume needs to be written in a way that meets the ATS requirements. Otherwise, the software will reject your resume and you’ll never even get a chance to have it looked at by human eyes.ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review:Free Resume ReviewThe bottom line is simple: you’re probably not a professional resume-writer. You may not have much experience with any type of formal writing. Unfortunately, that means that your own attempt to create a resume could very well prove unfruitful. In the end, the professional res ume-writing service is there to ensure that your valuable skills and experiences are properly conveyed to your prospective employer.We wrote a good post here on the right way to include skills on a resume.  What Type of Resume-Writing Service Should You Use?The second question that you’ll need to answer involves the type of resume-writing service that you should consider. Yes, there are different options available, so you will need to decide which option works best for you. As you might imagine, they each offer different levels of service, and the prices can vary dramatically.(We wrote a good post here on the best resume-writing services)Resume FactoriesBe wary of resume factories, or “mills” as they’re sometimes called. These services often employ people with little professional resume knowledge. Many of their writers are inexperienced or may even lack proficiency in your native language. In addition, the companies behind these operations generally fail to provide the type of professional guidelines those writers would need to optimize your resume properly.Make no mistake: this type of resume-writing service is almost never worth the money you pay.Template ServicesA resume template service cannot technically qualify as a resume-writing service at all. We’ve included it here, however, to note that they exist â€" since you are likely to encounter them if you’re looking for a service. These operations tend to be a mixed bag, so there is always a risk when you use them. Basically, they don’t actually write resumes at all. Instead, they provide an interface for you to enter all the details, and then the service creates a resume based on a template.The costs are usually reasonable, but the results can often be all but useless. That’s especially true if you need your resume to pass an ATS, since there’s no way for an automated template to adequately accommodate that screening software’s requirements. As a rule, this option is only useful if you j ust want to get your basic resume details on record, and plan to deliver the resume directly to the person who makes the hiring decisions. If there’s a machine involved in the process or you need a tailored resume, then this service likely won’t be worth the money you spend.Certified Professional Resume WritersYour best option will always be to rely on true professionals. The best resume-writing services will have qualified, experienced resume-writers on staff. These professionals will be able to take your important information and craft a relevant, effective resume that provides the branding you need to stand out from the crowd. They are also experts at helping your resume to beat the ATS and understand what hiring managers want to see to help them make sound decisions.As you might expect, though, this service will require greater collaboration from you. A good resume-writing service will want you to be involved at different stages of the process. The writers will need clear de tails, and your complete trust to ensure that the final product satisfies current industry standards and your job-seeking needs.Is a Resume-Writing Service Worth the Money?The answer to this question all boils down to one basic truth: your resume matters. Now, if you are a competent writer and understand what it takes to create an effective resume, then you probably don’t need a professional service. However, if you have little experience with professional writing, then you almost certainly need a resume-writing service to help you create a winning resume.As noted, resume factories and templates can be of questionable value. A professional resume-writing service, though, is more than just a means to an end. It is an investment in your job-search efforts and could be the key to achieving broader career goals. And when you consider the return on that investment, the costs are minimal indeed.You get what you pay for, obviously. So, the key to ensuring that your resume-writing service is worth the cost is to choose wisely. Find a well-known, reputable company that actively works with you to craft the perfect resume for your needs. When you can do that, your resume will almost certainly be worth the money you paid.

Why You Should Never Take Career Advice From Deadpool

Why You Should Never Take Career Advice From DeadpoolIf youre looking around for career advice, Deadpool probably isnt the guy you want to go to. The folks atnovaresumehave shown us that while his resume should probably win an award for being the most creative resume of all time, youre probably better off asking Superman for career advice. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Lets take a look at the controversial, chimicanga loving hero and his detailed list of accomplishments. via Visual.ly

3 Mistakes Working Moms Make When Their Kids Are Sick

3 Mistakes Working Moms Make When Their Kids Are Sick Mommy, I dont feel good. Five simple words that, when strung together by the young children of working moms, have the power to cause the ultimate showdown of work vs. mom. We long to keep our priorities straight. But a feverish child at 3 a.m. can evoke that conflict, the showdown we want so much to avoid. Health insurance, 401ks, vacation time and sick days are all benefits of employment, yet requesting touse a sick daymore often feels like a dreaded task. In an effort to meet all of our responsibilities, both at home and in the office, we are likely to forget that we have earned the benefit to stay home to care for ourselves and our family. Some of us, instead of asserting that benefit, go into explanation and apology mode.Dear Boss,It is 5 a.m. and I have been up with Johnny for over two hours. At first he woke up a little dizzy and I was sure he would sachverhalt right back asleep, but I was mistaken. After a glass of water and a few episodes ofSpongebob,I finally decided at 345 a.m. to take his temperature and it was 101.5.I gave him Tylenoland rubbed his back for about 30 minutes and he just would notlage fall asleep. His fever didnt even break with Tylenol Clearly, he is sick and I am exhausted. I would like to use a sick day tomorrow if that is OK with you. I will be sure to check schmelzglas and voicemail from home. Thanks so much. See you FridaySuzanneDid I really need to mentionSpongebob? Or the ineffective Tylenol? Read on for a description of the top three mistakes working moms make when using our sick-day benefits (and add your own in the comments section)1. Offering Too Many DetailsDue to anxiety, guilt or over-abundant honesty, we offer too many details. Our employers need not be privy to the 3 a.m. play-by-play of our sick-child routine, nor do they need to know the exact temperature on thethermometerand the time at which it was taken. When it comes to details on this one, less is more.2. Asking PermissionSick days are a benefit of employment, often presented at the time of a job offer as an added value to working for said company. They are earned and tracked. You have them until they are used, and then you earn more. Do you ask permission to use your health insurance? No. It should be assumed by an employer that sick days are being used as needed and not abused. After all, we are responsible adults. Asking permission to take a sick day is courteous, but with no backup plan, try not to succumb to pressure to request it, thereby leaving the decision in your bosss hands.3. Feeling Compelled to Work From HomeOne day in the all-too-close yet distant future, you will long for these the unexpected, fever-induced, couch-cuddle, movie-watching days. Embrace these moments. If your work can wait, and it usually can, let it. Stay an extra hour tomorrow if you have to, but right now soak up the love and affection expressed between you and your sick child. Youre creating memories be present. No, I will not check my email and voicemail. No, thank you. I am going to cherish my cuddling moments with my sick son before I blink and he is 5 feet 11 inches tall, driving off to college.Next time you need to stay home to care for your sick child or even yourself, try this simple trick Think of it not as a sick day but as a benefit, and treat it as such. Your future self will thank you for thesick-day memories.--This article originally appeared on WorkingMother.com.

Who Else Wants to Learn About Wall Street Journal Article on Resume Writing?

Who Else Wants to Learn About Wall Street Journal Article on Resume Writing? Since major news publications have a tendency to only track BigFirms, its not possible to understand immediately how many individuals in smaller firms were affected. The website compiles the jobs that pay over $100,000 from across america, which means you can look everywhere with a couple mouse clicks. Simply take the opportunity to recognize the companies you would like to work for before you sit down to compose your resume. Some businesses are making extensive efforts to seek out candidates with the proper skill set that can be trained in the mora technical facets of a function. It is a lot more powerful to write that you created a marketing program that resulted in a 30 percent boost in leads, rather than noting that you simply made a marketing program. The fact of the problem is that wont improve if you dont practice. Most companies wont even offer you a second appearance, however qualified you are. As an example, knowing a company youre applying to is in the middle of making acquisitions will be able to help you structure your resume to highlight relevant work experience. The job of the stock in front or rear of the grid shows its everyday percent change. The lines seem to demonstrate some kind of floor program. The fruchtwein important thing is to just incorporate an objective if it is not generic. Wherever youre in your career, were here to assist. Before beginning writing, do a little research on the employer that will help you come up with ideas to allow it to be original. Jobs continue to attract a lot more applicants than busy hiring departments have the opportunity to interview. You arent obliged to list each and every job you have at any time held. Wall Street Journal Article on Resume Writing - Dead or Alive? For instance, if you were in charge of making an advertising campaign on Facebook, show that you had the ability to get to the businesss target market without needing to devote the money thats usually spent on advertising. You will also find valuable easy-to-implement strategies and insights on what you can do in order to create the applicant tracking system zero in on your application. Resume writing requires critical thinking and a lot of creativity with regard to the way the info should flow, what the messaging ought to be and the way the resume ought to be designed from modest to modern. One particular top blogger told me youll only turn into a prosperous blogger if you dont have any other means to feed your loved ones. A professional will understand what language businesses are searching for and how to make koranvers that all your abilities and experience are effectively communicated to employers. Job seekers have been striving for a long time to produce their resumes stick out from the pile. Youve got to demonstrate that youve got the experience and skills they need. Highlight your transferable abilities, which are the ones which you are able to use from 1 job to the next no matter the position. The 5-Minute Rule for Wall Street Journal Article on Resume Writing Inexperienced writers will need to find creative when preparing clips. Its far better include published work, but inexperienced writers may incorporate work thats unpublished. You may be taken aback at how many writing gems you find when you get started searching your files. Get as many interviews as you are able to. Essentially, it ought to be like a cover letter in that you need to introduce yourself and touch on your background. Whats more, it doesnt hide the simple fact your grammar is disappointing. Lastly, irrespective of which font you use, make certain you size it appropriately. Your resume should resemble an expert document, not just a bit of paper thats been stuffed with as much content as humanly possible. If youre scared, you are just about to be slightly reassured. Its public, easily quantified informati on that may be collected automatically. Dont include as much information it gets distracting.