Science says Complaining about your bad boss makes it worse

Science says Complaining about your bad anfhrer makes it worseScience says Complaining about your bad boss makes it worseTheres nothing more cathartic than a proper bitch session when your boss is being unreasonable, but the coworker you confide in has the power to hurt your career - and not in the way youd think.According to a recent study in the Academy of Management Journal, slamming your boss to a colleague, particularly a passive listener, can make you angrier, more pessimistic, and a worse employee.When people are upset, their natural inclination is to vent to someone who validates their feelings by saying things like, Wow, you were really wronged, says study author Michael Baer, a professor at Arizona State University. But that type of feedback isnt best if you want to get over a negative situation.In the two-part study, Baer and his team asked 170 bus drivers how fairly theyre treated by their supervisors, how they express frustration to coworkers, and the type of feedback t hey receive from their vent sessions.They found that drivers who vented to passive listeners - those who said things like, Youre totally right and Yeah, you got screwed - felt angrier and more unforgiving of their bosses, less optimistic that the situation would improve, and started slacking on the job.Their supervisors noticed. When researchers followed up with the bosses after a period of time, the above employees almost uniformly received poor reviews. These employees were less willing to go the extra mile at work, says Baer. Their lack of effort wasnt conscious, but because they were angry, they were less motivated to impress their bosses.Things looked a lot different for the drivers who vented to colleagues who reframed their problems by saying things like, Maybe there was a reason for that, Things arent so bad, or What was your part in it?They did not get angrier, feel less hopeful or unforgiving, and their job wertmiger zuwachs didnt suffer after the conversation, says Baer .Similar results were proved in the lab - researchers assigned a group of students an anagram project to complete independently for five minutes, then asked the proctor to annoy the subjects by announcing that time was up after only three minutes. The proctor then said, The way I grade these is well, never mind. You dont need to know. Its not like undergraduates get or care about these things anyway and incorrectly graded the tests, giving only partial credit for peoples work.Once subjects were sufficiently pissed off, they were paired with people with either reframing or passive listening skills. While the former group mucksmuschenstill felt angry, they were more hopeful and forgiving the latter seethed, even refusing the proctors request to help clean the classroom before they left.Its absolutely true that venting feels good- sharing a painful experience can minimize sadness and anger, help sort through complicated feelings, and in cases where people share your pain (like collea gues who suffer under the same boss) complaining serves as a social glue.However, both parties are responsible for any negative outcomes and should try for a positive one. If a coworker is upset, do your best to have their back and ask objective questions that help diffuse their anger. It can be tough to strike the right balance between reframing and supporting the person, says Baer. But we still need to try.If youre the one complaining, ask yourself, Do I want to stay mad or move on? Research published in the Journal of Social Psychology found that complaining, but with the hope of problem-solving, can actually make people happier. Its also important to confide in the right person, says Baer. Or have a mix of people to talk to - one for venting and another whos good at helping you see things differently.Thispostoriginally appeared onShondaland.com.

Stop stressing over asking dumb questions at work

Stop stressing over asking dumb questions at workStop stressing over asking dumb questions at workIts easy to feel insecure when you have a whole lot of trouble asking questions at work, but you dont have to. Heres what to do instead.Just be yourselfPatrick Allan, a Lifehacker staff writer, video host, film producer and more, gives specific, casual examples on the site about how were often far too concerned with what other people think we know, and how we try to bridge the gap by learning more, or lying about knowledge we actually dont have.After explaining the pitfalls of this approach, he writes that you should just be upfront about how unfamiliar you are with the topic and start asking away.You retain your genuineness because youre being honest, you dont look like a fool thats bogging down the conversation with your lack of knowledge, and lastly, you actually open yourself up to learning something, Allan writes. But fruchtwein importantly, people like you more when you ask questio ns. We love to feel knowledgeable on a subject, and what we love even more is to be the ones to share that knowledge. It makes us feel useful and heard.Give yourself something to work with firstThis can really help take the edge off.Katie Douthwaite Wolf, now a content strategist at Right Source Marketing, writes in The Muse about how you should start with what you know after doing some learning first.Assuming you do some prior research or clarify at least part the answer on your own, you should now have a vague idea of the specific information youre looking for. Maybe youre not sure how an entire website is coded, but you at least know that your company uses PHP - so use that to frame your question. Instead of asking a programmer Uh, whats all this gibberish? you can ask Im vaguely familiar with PHP, but could you explain the elements of the new site feature in laymans terms? she writes.Dont just ask blindlyThis is never, ever a good idea - especially at work.Margie Warrell, aut hor of Stop Playing Safe, told The Washington Post about why this is important.You wouldnt want to ask why your colleague was promoted over you at a team meeting. Also be aware of timing. The day after youre told your project is over budget and behind deadline probably isnt the time to ask about that pay raise, she told the site.

Getting a Law Job with Average Grades...and other Questions

Getting a Law Job with Average Grades...and other QuestionsGetting a Law Job with Average Grades...and other QuestionsHave questions about how to navigate the world of legal networking, interviewing and job searching? So did mora than 1200 law students, who tuned in to the lively and informative webcast Ask the Experts- Answers to Your Questions on Legal Job Search, Networking and Interviewing on Thursday, November 8. The event was hosted by LexisNexis and co-sponsored by Vault and the American Bar Association, and featured a panel of four experts Brynne Lehner, a legal recruiter at Manatt Phelps Phillips LLP Rich Williamson, a partner at Nevada firm Robertson, Johnson, Miller Williamson Sheila Nielsen, former lawyer and career counselor at Nielsen Career Consulting and Vaults own Law Editor, Rachel Marx Boufford. The panelists weighed in on students questions both during the panel and at an after-party on Facebook. Below, some of the takeawaysHow many firms should I apply to? Its tempting to fall into the trap of sending off a hundred generic applications in a panic-fueled spree, but Lehner advised against this. Instead, she urged students to thoroughly research potential employers and target a few that they are genuinely interested in working for. Lehner noted the importance of treating each application as if its the only one youre doing the time and effort you put in will be evident to the person reading your application.What if my grades arent good? A less-than-stellar GPA isnt necessarily the end of the world. Grades will always matter, but so do other things the types of classes you took, the work experience you gained through clinics and clerkships, the activities you pursued outside of class like mock trial, law review and moot court, as well as your individual background and perspective. While there are certainly firms out there that might not consider anyone with a GPA under a specific cutoff, most firms will consider your background more holistical ly. Focus on what you can offer the firm, rather than on what youre lacking.Make your classes count. When asked if there was anything they wished theyd done differently in law school, both Williamson and Boufford said they wished they had taken more substantive skills courses outside of the required curriculum. Tax Law may not seem fun, but its often essential knowledge for a practicing attorney. While nonacademic pursuits are important, be aya to take advantage of the group of legal experts at your disposal (your professors). Take classes that are likely to come in handy later on.How do you network? Networking is one of the most intimidating tasks a law student- or any job seeker- can face, but its also one of the most important. Your classmates are valuable resources with connections of their own, who may be working for your target employers in a few short years. Williamson suggested talking to professors and reaching out to associates at firms that youre interested in on LinkedIn , while Nielsen encouraged going to panels or events which employees of your target firms are attending and introducing yourself. Boufford also suggested using your schools career services to look up alumni who are now working at firms that interest you.What should I wear? A good rule of thumb to follow for interview attire, said Boufford, is if you have to ask whether you can wear it, dont wear it. Save the bright colors and funky patterns for after youve gotten the job. The answer to the skirt suit vs. pantsuit debate for women, unfortunately, is a bit less clear it depends on the geographic region and culture of the firm youre applying to. If you dont want to work in a conservative place that would view your pantsuit unfavorably, its probably best to just not apply there. Going solo. Got more of an independent streak? Williamson identified several resources for students who want to pursue solo practice, such as the ABA Solo and Small Firm General Practice Divisions online SOLOSEZ listserv and state Solo and Small Firm Resource Centers. Some states like Washington and Texas even offer startup kits with everything you need to know about starting your own practice. Finding a mentor- perhaps someone who started their own solo practice- is also key. Got a J.D.- now what? The legal field is diverse and dynamic, and there are plenty of alternative career options for professionals with legal training. A few of the alternative career paths Nielsen mentioned were journalism (e.g., writing for legal publications), sales (e.g., selling products to law firms), marketing or public relations (perhaps within a law firm), financial services and planning, teaching and training, consulting, compliance and mediation.Find the right fit. All the panelists agreed on the importance of framing your job search strategy around a central theme of finding a good fit for you. The job search is a two-way street its not just about how you can present yourself as the best candidate for fir ms- you, as the candidate, also need to consider whats right for you. Take some time to assess your values, what type of work you want to be doing, the work/life balance you want, where youd like to live and what type of culture and people youd most like to be around, then target the firms that share your values and have ansicht desired qualities. In case you missed it, you can listen to the full webcast here.

How to Handle Taking a Career Break

How to Handle Taking a Career BreakHow to Handle Taking a Career BreakThinking of taking a career break? Whether youre staying home to care for children or traveling around the world on a year-long sabbatical, the prospect of taking extended time off from work can be equal parts exciting and terrifying. How will you survive financially while youre away from the office? And how can you make sure that your career will still be there when you get back? The key is to do as much planning ahead of taking a career break, so that youll be able to devote your energies to other things plus, minimize stress when you return. Before You Take a Career Break Save Money If youre reading this article, chances are that youre already biting your nails about the financial aspect of taking a break. Dont let your fear and trepidation scare you away from making practical plans. The first step is to make a budget. How much money will you need while youre away? Think of your financial needs on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Most people wont be able to bank a year or more of salary ahead of time. How much money might you realistically save? What other methods do you have for filling in the shortfall? Depending on your situation, a spouse or family member might change jobs or take on more hours, for example. Or you might decide to do some part-time work to make ends meet. Refresh Your Network Making the leap from a fairly stable job that youve had for a long time? Chances are that youve let your network dwindle somewhat as you gained comfort in your position. Even if you change jobs fairly frequently, its easy to fall out of touch with former colleagues and friends. Before you head off into the unknown, reconnect with old contacts. Plan some networking coffee dates or just a fun outing with old friends. When was the belastung time you went to a concert or a movie or a play? Use this as an opportunity to get motivated to make some plans. Itll be fun, plus youll be refreshing you r connections. Have a Re-Entry Plan Unless youre independently wealthy, you probably have an idea of when your career break will come to an end. Dont wait until then to think about how youll get back into the swing of things professionally. For instance, lets say youre in an industry where freelancing is common. If youre on good terms with your current employer, you might ask them if you can get in touch to pick up some contract work once youre ready. Or perhaps youre volunteering a few hours a week during your time off. You might let it be known that youre going back to work on such-and-such a date and that youll be looking for opportunities. Regardless of your plans, you should keep your resume up-to-date and be ready to change your LinkedIn and other social media accounts to reflect your availability. When Youre Planning to Return to Work, Do These Things Take Stock of Your Situation Plans are one thing. Reality is often quite different. Perhaps you planned to be away for a y ear, but now five have gone by. Maybe you thought you wouldnt work at all during your time away, but you wound up taking on a part-time job. Or perhaps you left one industry only to find that for various reasons, youd prefer to do something else when you return. The goal now is to figure out where you are, so that you can make the transition back to work as smooth as possible. Cope With Resume Gaps Dealing with resume gaps can be as simple as changing resume formats or as complex as refocusing your entire CV to reflect new skills and interests. A functional resume, for example, puts the focus on your skills and achievements, rather than on your linear work history (as with chronological resume). You can also take exact dates off your CV this is especially helpful if youre heading back to work within a year or so of your last job ending. Theres no need to volunteer that you have an employment gap, especially if your resume does a good job of emphasizing your skills and not your chro nological work history. However, you should be prepared to talk about your employment gap in a job interview, just in case an intrepid hiring manager figures out that youve been out of work. Just remember that its always a mistake to lie on your resume. In the first place, youre likely to get caught and sooner, rather than later. Even if you get away with it, think of how stressful it would be to spend the rest of your career hoping that the truth doesnt come to light. Use Your Experience to Boost Your Professional Profile OK, so maybe you dont want to update your resume to say Lead Domestic Engineer (for stay-at-home parents) or Ski Bum (for sabbatical-takers who enjoy winter sports). But you can mine your experience outside of the workforce to improve your chances of getting a better job once youre back. How? First of all, by giving yourself credit. Sit down and think about everything you did for the past year. Write it down in the form of a bulleted list, for easy review. Now, t ease out any and all job-related skills you acquired or developed during your time away. Did you learn a new job role at a volunteer gig? Brush up on your language or coding skills? Gain experience managing a budget? Put it in a list and then add it to your resume. Finally, dont forget about the friends you made along the way. Networking doesnt have to mean attending conferences or going to tedious networking events. Every person who will write you a recommendation or refer you for a job is a contact who might help you find your next big career move. Youve just spent time doing something thats so important to you, it was worth pressing pause on your career. That passion is worth something, professionally as well as personally.

The Advantages of Functional Resumes

The Advantages of Functional Resumes Functional resumes make up one of the 3 major kinds of resumes. They can be useful in some situations. They are very tricky and may or may not go well with the recruiters. They do not contain a reverse chronological listing of past positions. Job binnenseekers deserve to locate decent content quickly. Also, in the event you frequently change jobs, you might also think about a functional resume. A chronological resume is the fruchtwein widely used version. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. Nontraditional resumes are perfect for men and women in creative fields, who would like to demonstrate their capacity to create visually engaging designs or to make web pages. Heres What I Know About Functional Resumes Keeping that in mind, here are a few basic tips that could provide you greater insight about ways to develop a functional resume which works for your special needs. A functio nal resume ought to be utilised in a variety of kinds of situations. Some are even especially good at downplaying less than positive capabilities. There are three major introduction styles, all of them excellent in various conditions. Ruthless Functional Resumes Strategies Exploited Functional resumes are primarily utilized to provide a strong effect on your abilities and abilities. You also ought to touch on the skills you possess, but you wish to speak about how you are going to use them. On the contrary, it highlights your abilities and abilities. Next, you will start to list your principal abilities and abilities. Functional Resumes - the Conspiracy Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. Make sure that you have a summary at the start of your resume. The skills summary is easily the most important portion of writing a functional resume. Which format you select will depend, in part, on the sort of work youve performed and whet her you are likely to continue in the very same field. Not to mention that, if you choose to choose a functional format, you truly will need to possess some impressive abilities and competences. Then again, if you choose the chronological format, the reader will probably say, I simply dont find the fit here. New Ideas Into Functional Resumes Never Before Revealed Accounting and finance managers may wish to see your technical understanding. On the contrary, it focuses on the skills you have developed that fit the prerequisites of the job for which youre applying. Hard skills is your primary asset. As an example, skills like customer support, writing, communication, or organization are widely used in functional resume. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find quite a few great jobs. My candidates have to be the best of the very best and typically they need to be currently employed with a top quality restaurant brand they wish to recruit from. 1 advantage for employer s to internet resumes is the considerable cost saving in comparison to traditional hiring methods. There are some simple tweaks that may make a functional resume advantageous Just take the opportunity to come up with a strong functional resume. Some hiring manager can believe that youre hiding something which in most case is what youre doing. In addition, some firing managers want to find skill. Definitions of Functional Resumes Just have a look here if you need to learn more about it. A functional resume is invaluable for someone whos seeking to switch tracks, professionally speaking, who might want to enter a different niche or separate industry altogether. Making an educated decision in a timely manner is a skill that demands the ability to rate all feasible options and select the best possible approach with regard to functionality and feasibility. There are some common kinds of resumes, and were likely to evaluate when (or if) you ought to use every one of them. Life A fter Functional Resumes Due to some personal conditions, youre not prepared for a complete time position at the present time. Youll also list an overview of all your previous employers accordingly. Your choice to choose 1 format over another ought to be dependent on your career background and personal conditions. Functional resumes make it resemble the applicant is attempting to hide something from the recruiter. The functional resume is utilized to concentrate on skills that are particular to the sort of position being sought. In other instances, nobody even would love to call you. More experienced people who may rather not advertise what a lengthy job history they have had. Regardless of what, you will probably still will need to include employment history. Otherwise, your resume may get set aside straight away. Based on your work history, you can want to look at utilizing a functional resume. Youre in a position to include your work history to display your consistenc e and including the particular tasks youve handled before. If youve got a fairly good work history with just a few gaps, youre able to generally list education following your employment details.

The Honest to Goodness Truth on Main Points of Resume Writing

The Honest to Goodness Truth on Main Points of Resume Writing The Basics of Main Points of Resume Writing Resume is necessary for the roles in all fields. How to compose resumes is a skill youll be able to learn and there are lots of resources available to aid you. After you determine the skills you wish to concentrate on, do a bit of research and see whether they line up with job requirements listed for the positions youre seeking. Language skills are sometimes a good selling point on your resume. Even though it might look like a very straightforward and easy job to do, it involves a great deal of hard work. Possessing fresh eyes read through it is going to allow you to get another perspective, so you are able to make certain your letter is the best it can be. Resume Writing has a specific significance for every single age. Writing your first resume may seem to be daunting job. If your work involves social media, you might incorporate the links to other social networking accounts including Twitter, Instagram, and so on. Because resumes have limited space, your career objective has to be concise. If you discover that the chronological resume format is not functioning for you, it might be for any variety of reasons and you might be better suited to a combination resume layout to present your profile to prospective employers. Main Points of Resume Writing Features When you build a resume, you are going to supply a number of bullet points under each work title. Apply for jobs you know you are able to do, don apply for a job you believe you can do and figure if you receive the job they need to teach you anyway. How to compose resumes in the ideal way for you will ride on your private experience, circumstances and objectives. Even in the event you decide to change your work objective later, it is extremely vital that you choose a temporary objective for the time being. A career objective is a significant method to begin a resume for some indivi duals, but might not qualify as the best means for you. Generally, an objective on your resume can be useful if it concisely describes your immediate employment goal, but it isnt an important element of a successful resume. Utilizing a custom resume instead of a generic one is going to greatly increase your odds of an interview, as youll be a better match in the view of the reader. There is a very big collection of tips which may be useful when preparing a resume. There are plenty of websites with tips around the internet, but most bring just a small number of them. Skills-based resumes may also permit you to combine related work and other experience during the skills-based headings. How to Choose Main Points of Resume Writing When you build a resume, you have to be very detail-oriented. Make certain its a real job, call and ask a great deal of questions. There are two primary kinds of resumes. So first of anything plan to how youre going to do its completion.

How to gamify your life to quickly accomplish big goals

How to gamify your life to quickly accomplish big goalsHow to gamify your life to quickly accomplish big goalsIs your life a video game, filled with challenging quests and new adventures?Or has your life become somewhat stale?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAs fruchtwein people get older, they lose their childhood sense of wonderment and openness. Most people stop growing and settle for reality as they see it.But life doesnt have to suck. Growth doesnt have to be slow.Your life can become like a game where you pursue greater obstacles, learn new skills, and have thrilling experiences.This article details a few strategies you can use to gamify your life. If you apply behauptung strategies, you will quickly ascend to higher and higher levels. Youll continually become better and enjoy more of life.Compete with Those Way Ahead ofYouIt is the fruchtwein closely-allied forms, varietie s of the same species, and species of the same genus or of related genera, which, from having nearly the same structure, constitution, and habits, generally come into the severest competition with each other. Charles DarwinWhat Darwin is explaining is that all forms of life compete with those fruchtwein closely related. In other words, you compete with those most similar to you.It would make little sense for a painter to compete with a rock-climber. Rather, a rock-climber advances her skills by competing with other rock-climbers, generally of a similar skill level.In business terms, you compete with those in the same industry. And within that industry, the little guys (and gals) generally compete with the other little guys, while the big guys compete with the other big guys.Although this is the mostobviousand wide-spread form of competition, it is misplaced for those seeking rapid growth for two reasons1. Competing with those at your same level yields slow and minimal improvementsYo ure better off competing with people far advanced than your current level. In his book,The Art of Learning An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance,Josh Waitzkin shares how he applied this principle to become world-class at Tai Chi.When given unsupervised practice time, Waizkin observed that most others in his Tai Chi class would naturally practice with those at their same skill-levelor slightly worse. This was done in many ways out of ego, because who wants to lose? Its more fun to beat someone when given the opportunity.Waitzkin took the opposite approach, and applied a principle he termed, investing in failure. He would purposefully practice with people far more skilled than he was. In so doing, he would get the crap kicked-out of him, over and over. However, this process compressed and quickened Waitzkins skill development. He could experience first-hand the abilities of those often years ahead of him. The mirror neurons in his brain allowed him to quickly mimic, match, and count er his superior competitors. Thus, he progressed much faster than others in his class.This is the essence of baseball players swinging multiple bats before going at-bat. When just one bat is in their hand, it feels much lighter. Similarly, endurance athletes train in higher elevations and harder terrains than the actual race, so that when the actual race occurs, theyreover-prepared.Take awayRather than competing, with people at your perceived skill-level, compete with those who arewhere you want to be.Herein lies a fundamental decision-making difference between those who become successful and those who dont. Unsuccessful people make decisions based on current circumstances while successful people make decisions based on where they desire to be.2. The Best Only Compete with ThemselvesIn the book,Tribal Leadership Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization,Dave Logan and his co-authors explain that most organizational cultures have highwithincompetition.Put simply, in most organizations, the people within those organizations arecompeting with each other.There is back-stabbing, sucking-up, etc. to ascend the organizations ladder. In these organizations, each person is out for themselves. They are more focused on their own goals than the organizations goals. Logan calls these Stage 3 organizational cultures.Far fewer organizations evolve beyond this ego-mania and develop a culture of collaboration within and competitionwithout.Put simply, members within these organizations are fiercely committed to their organization and have made the organizations goals their own goals. Logan calls these Stage 4 organizational cultures.Within these organizations, there is beautiful synergy. Rather than competing with their teammates, they are competing with other organizations. According to Logans research, organizations with Stage 4 cultures generally dominate organizations with Stage 3 cultures.Very rarely, an organization will transcend competition altogether, reflecting what Logan calls Stage 5 organizational culture. These are groups of people who are doing thingsno one else is doing.In many ways, theyve created their own genre or niche. Their only competition is themselves, and wherever their imagination takes them.Take awayCollaboration will yield far greater results than competition. Said bestselling author Jeff Goins,Its not who you know. Its who you help.Eventually, get to the point where you move beyond competition with others in order to create your most innovative and unique work.Get Multiple Mentors and Engage in Time-Based ChallengesMentorship is essential to growth and development. You should have several different beraters to help you in your various needs/goals.A quality mentor will give you experiential learning experiences and assignments. For example, I have a writing-coach who helps me target my Achilles heals and to improve upon them. He does this in the form of time-based challenges. The popular term for these challen ges isdeliberate practice.Most recently, he gave me four hours to complete a challenging assignment. I had to respond to various questions he had for me. Also, within the challenge, hed focus on my weaknesses by telling me I must avoid certain things I often do, like repeat the same word over and over.Within a challenge, there are purposeful constraints. These constraints create conditions that force you into a flow-state. The primary constraint is the time-limit. The other constraints are dependent on your particular goals/needs.These challenges can have whatever time-range you want. For example, with one of my mentors, my challenge was to develop a highly professional book proposal. The duration of this challenge was three months, and during those three months I was able to jump on the phone with my mentor three times to get feedback. Id never written a book proposal. My mentor had written several, and within the challenges he gave me, I learned in three months much of what took h im years to learn.In her book,SuperBetter The Power of Living Gamefully,Jane McGonigal PhD explains the importance of targeting a single, difficult goal. Accordingly, within these challenges, there should only be one primary objective.According to self-determination theory, by focusing on and improving one thing, the other areas of your life will naturally improve as well. From a systems approach, when you improve one area of a system, you simultaneously improve the whole.You can alsogive yourselfchallenges, and for whatever you want to improve. For example, if you want to become a better parent, you could give yourself a 30-day challenge to give your kids thoughtful compliments daily. Track your progress. Note, these challenges work best if you actually report your progress to someone besides yourself.Get Paid to Learn by Teaching Others What YouKnowWhile we teach, we learn. SenecaIn Orson Scott Cards novel,Enders Game, the character Ender is a young boy who is being trained to bec ome a military leader. To improve and quicken his learning, Ender takes what he learns fromhis leadersand immediately teaches those below him.According to a pair of articles published in 2007 in the journalsScienceandIntelligence,students who teach what they learn to younger studentswork harder to understand the material, recall it more accurately, and apply it more effectively. This method has been dubbed the protg effect, and the research is clear student teachers score higher on tests than students who are learning only for their own sake.Teaching is the best way to learn. Whats more, you can actuallyget paidto teach others what you know. I remember when I abfluged consulting startup founders and high-level management. At first, I wondered what the heck I was doing.Why would people pay me for this information?But more and more people wanted the services I offered. Thus, I was getting paid to teach people (most of which were far more successful than I am). Although Im sure my serv ices were helpful, I was always the primary beneficiary, and Im not talking about financially. Rather, because I was teaching startup founders how to be more productive and strategic, I was also learning these things both in my preparation and in adapting my learning to each of my clients unique situations/needs.In public/conventional education, you pay to learn. A more effective education-system is where the student becomes the teacher, and gets paid to learn as they teach.Take awayIf you want to learn faster, immediately teach others what youre learning. This will force you to tweak and adapt your learning for unique contexts. Thus, your knowledge will be more flexible and well-rounded. Also, it doesnt hurt to simultaneously make money.Make Big Changes Every FewYearsEvery next level of your life will demand a different you. Leonardo DicaprioIn video games, it would be boring if each successive level was the same as those previous. Which is why there are totally different worlds yo ur character can go to as they advance.Similarly, making big changes is the best way to re-invent yourself, which doesnt mean you become an entirely new person. Rather, it means you consciously decide who you want to be and change accordingly. Also, an over-attachment to your past and to your previous-self will halt your evolution.If you dont make big changes every once in a while, your life will get static and sterile. Youll over-adapt to your current circumstances and stop growing. Youll get too comfortable.Taking on big change shatters the system of your life. I once talked to a lady with 17 kids. After having eight of her own, her husband and she adopted a sibling group of five Four years after that, they adopted a sibling group of fourShe told me that every time they introduced a change to their family system, the previous system shattered. When you bring four or five new people into your family (even one), every person within the family develops a new identity. It generally ta kes 23 years for homeostasis to occur within a system after a big shock.These kinds of systematic shocks to your life may seem freaky, or even unwanted. But they keep you growing. And eventually, youll adapt to the changes you introduce into your life, no matter how extreme. If you want to keep leveling up and growing, youll want to introduce change when you start getting comfortable.This is how you consciously grow. Indeed, change is inevitable. Most people slowly and unconsciously change over time. For the most part, these changes arent improvements. Unlike change, which you cant avoid, growth is optional and is often avoided. However, the research is clearwe are happiest when we are improving.When my wife and I became foster parents of a sibling group of three, the change was extremely difficult. Sometimes, it was too much to handle. But its been two years now, and for the most part, weve reached a state of homeostasis. Looks like its time to make another big changeConclusionYour life can become a game where growth is fun.A game without challenge would be boring. Similarly, your life will be boring and stale if youre not taking on greater and greater challenges. These challenges should be time-bound, and should expose your weaknesses and facilitate your strengths. Moreover, these challenges should clearly lead to your goals, which should progressively be getting bigger and better.Lastly, a game would be lame if it wasnt fun and exciting. Thus, there should be large portions of your life spent exploring and experimenting. Trying new things. Taking new risks. Having your worldview expanded. Meeting new people. Ever-evolving.Enjoy this game of life. Take yourself to the next level. The further you go, the more magical, difficult, and satisfying your life will be.Ready toUpgrade?Ive created a cheat sheet for putting yourself into a PEAK-STATE, immediately. You follow this daily, your life will change very quickly.Get the cheat sheet hereYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

5 Ways to Build Your Network if You Work Remotely - The Muse

5 Ways to Build Your Network if You Work Remotely - The Muse5 Ways to Build Your Network if You Work RemotelyWorking from home can be awesome you have mora freedom and flexibility, you dont have to commute, and lets be real- an occasional conference call in your PJs certainly isnt terrible. Ive been working from home for the past three years- and for the most part, I love it. But when youre doing the bulk of your work from an at-home office, your day-to-day routine isnt exactly ripe with opportunities for meeting new people. And no matter who you are- introvert or extrovert, geschftliches miteinander owner or corporate worker, in the peak of your career or just starting out- thats crucial for your career (and your sanity). If youre a freelancer or remote team member who wants to connect with new people, you have to create those opportunities for yourself. So what, exactly, could you be doing to build your network- and skyrocket your career in the process?1. Look for Opportunities to Offer ValuePeople like people who help them. So if you establish yourself as a person who adds real value, you automatically endear yourself to people. And the best part? You can do all that value-adding from the comfort of your own home.Look for ways to help, to support, or to make valuable connections for people in your network. Notice people on your LinkedIn or industry Facebook group struggling to get design work done for their business? Shoot over a list of your favorite DIY design tools. Know someone whos having trouble hiring a new assistant? Send over a helpful article on how to hire a virtual team. Have two clients you think would work well together? Put them in touch. People like people who help them. So if you establish yourself as a person who adds real value, you automatically endear yourself to people.The key to success with this tip? Be genuine Dont just look to help people in the hopes theyll help you down the line. If you come from a self-serving place, people will pick up on that- and wont want to connect with you. Instead, make a list of people you want to help and, if the opportunity presents itself, jump on it.If you want to take the whole adding value thing to the next level (and reap the rewards), try hosting a lunch and learn at a local co-working spot (which- bonus- is probably full of other people who work remotely). Whether youre a virtual assistant who helps organize peoples businesses, a marketing manager who works remotely for a larger company, or a freelance writer (like me), you have a unique set of skills, talents, and experience that others can benefit from. Lunch and learns give you a chance to help while also showcasing your expertise- which can help turn some of those new connections into new business opportunities.2. Use the Media to Establish Yourself as an Expert (and Drive Connections)Getting your name, company, or project mentioned in the media is a great way to establish yourself as a thought leader in your space and drive relevant connections that can not only increase your social network but also give your career a healthy boost. These days, you can usually contribute your expertise from wherever you are (like your home office)- and use it to develop contacts around the world.Sign up as a source on Help A Reporter Out (HARO) and be on the lookout for opportunities that might be a fit (for example, if youre an expert in a specific field or youve had a particular experience you can speak to). Just make koranvers to only reach out when you can speak from a place of authority for example, if a writer is putting together a piece on digital nomads building sustainable businesses while traveling the world but you do the bulk of your work from your home office? Probably not a great match.Every time I get mentioned in the media, my LinkedIn gets flooded by people looking to network with me. Its pretty cool, relatively simple, and offers a lot of juice for the squeeze.Kari DePhillipsKari DePhillips, own er of The Content Factory and host of the Workationing podcast, has used HARO to get quoted or featured in Fast Company, NBC News, and Thrive, and found that its done wonders for building her network. Every time I get mentioned in the media, my LinkedIn gets flooded by people looking to network with me, she says. Its pretty cool, relatively simple, and offers a lot of juice for the squeeze. Bottom line? The mora you get your name out there, the more people will see it- and the more your network will grow.3. Get Your Slack OnSure, you can leverage traditional networking groups to connect with people. But if you work remotely, one of the best networking tools in your arsenal is one youre probably already using- Slack.Slack is one of the best ways for teams- whether thats an in-house team, a remote team, or a freelancer and client- to communicate and collaborate. But its also a great way for people who work remotely to build their networks, find new and exciting projects, and connect w ith potential new colleagues, clients, and friends. Slack has been a great tool for me to meet people in my field and network with them, says Sireesha Narumanchi, blogger and founder of Crowdworknews.com. Having a dedicated channel like mycity in Slack and having meetups with people in the saatkorn field can create many future career growth opportunities and collaborations. Having a dedicated channel like mycity in Slack and having meetups with people in the saatkorn field can create many future career growth opportunities and collaborations.Sireesha NarumanchiSearch for Slack communities that cater to the kind of people you want to add to your network, such as industry- and location-specific groups (for example, the Portland chapter of AIGA, The Professional Association For Design, has a Slack channel for Portland-based designers where they can chat and share local design-related events). Want to build your network with other people who understand the blessing/curse that is being a freelancer? Request to join popular freelance Slack communities, like Workfrom or freelance. The point is, theres a Slack community for everything and everyone (seriously, just do a Google search)- and for those who work remotely, its the perfect way to build a network of like-minded people. And who knows? Those Slack conversations could turn into IRL connections or lead to your next big break.4. Start a PodcastPodcasts are having a serious moment. And theyre good for more than entertaining you during a long drive or a workout- they can be a great way to connect with people in your industry. Ive been able to build an incredible network through my Sales Success Stories Podcast where I interview active, quota carrying, individual contributor sales professionals who are either 1- or at least in the top 1%- of performers at their companies, says Scott Ingram, who, in addition to the podcast, works from home in an outside sales role.Hosting someone on a podcast also sets the stage for a deeper, more personal connection than youd find at, say, a networking event. Some of these people I might have been able to connect with at an industry event, but in that scenario, Id be lucky to get more than a few minutes with them, says Ingram. The podcast allows me to be proactive and have deep conversations that are often over an hour that just wouldnt have been possible otherwise.The podcast allows me to be proactive and have deep conversations that are often over an hour that just wouldnt have been possible otherwise.Scott IngramNow, granted- starting a podcast is definitely a lot more labor intensive than sending someone a helpful article or joining a Slack community. But if podcasting is something youre genuinely interested in- and if youre willing to put in the work to develop and market your show (because lets be real, who wants to be on a podcast no one listens to?)- it can be an incredibly valuable networking tool. A podcast can give you the opportunity to interview in teresting people and get your name out there in your industry- which can lead to more opportunities down the road. And because you dont have to be in the same place (or even the same time zone) as your guest, you can manage the entire process from your home office.Interested in exploring podcasting? Read this article about starting a podcast on top of a full-time job and check out this list of podcasting resources and tools to get an idea of what youll need to get started.5. Pursue the Hobbies You LoveThe best networks are built organically- so if you spend time pursuing your hobbies (whether theyre work-related or not), they can help you build the strongest (and most authentic) connections. I play intramural sports throughout the season which allows me to meet new friends not only personally but professionally as well, says India Lott, founder of the web development company Gray Sole Media. It is a great, non-structured way of getting to know people that also happen to have profess ional careers. I play intramural sports throughout the season which allows me to meet new friends not only personally but professionally as well. It is a great, non-structured way of getting to know people that also happen to have professional careers.India LottFor me, making my passions and hobbies a priority has made the experience of working from home less lonely (I can only talk to my dog for so long), and its been a complete gamechanger when it comes to making new connections- many of which have led to new opportunities. For example, one of my serious passions? Meditation. And while I never planned to use meditation as a way to find clients, I ended up meeting someone at a meditation group who works in an industry I write about- and she referred a ton of new business my way. The point is, when you spend time doing what you love, it puts you in touch with other people who love what you love, too- and building a network of like-minded people is not only essential from a social pe rspective, but it can also boost your career. Its a win-winWorking remotely certainly presents some challenges in terms of connecting with new people. But with a little creativity and effort (and a willingness to think outside of the box), you can build just as strong of a network as you could in a more traditional office setting- or maybe even stronger You can do it (mostly) from the comfort of your own home and yes, on some days, even in your pajamas.

Top Internship Interviewing Tips

Top Internship einstellungsgesprching TipsTop Internship Interviewing TipsYouve already sent out your resume and cover letter and the employer has recently contacted you about scheduling an interview. Below are some tips to help ensure a successful interview, which is the next step in the internship process. By following these ten interviewing tips, you will be well on your way to having a successful interview and ultimately an internship offer. 01Be PreparedYou can prepare yourself for the interview by selecting appropriate interview attire beforehand (suits for business), researching the company, and preparing a list of questions you have for the interviewer. Bring a copy of your resume with you to the interview in case the interviewer does not have one on hand. Last but not least, practice answering sample interview questions to prepare yourself and gain confidence before the interview.02Make a Good First ImpressionThe interview is your opportunity to market yourself, and it is th e reason you prepared and sent out all of those resumes and cover letters. Once you get the interview, it is your job to create an excellent first impression by being prompt, being yourself, attending to your nonverbal behavior(such as a firm handshake and maintaining eye contact throughout the interview), and by taking the first few minutes to develop a rapport with your interviewer. You will want to appear poised, yet comfortable and relaxed during the interview. A good first impression will set the stage for a successful interview.03Emphasize Your Skills and AccomplishmentsFocus on your skills and accomplishments, including high school/college coursework, volunteer and co-curricular activities, and your computer and language skills. Previous internships or work experiences are important as well as describing your transferable skills communication, interpersonal, organization, strong analytical and problem solving, and more.04Provide the Interviewer With Examples of Your SkillsOne form of interviewing that is popular is called behavioral interviewing. The interviewer will provide you with a scenario and ask how you would handle a specific situation. Preparing for these types of questions before the interview will provide a quick reference to previous relevant experiences. (For example, describe a situation where you were able to think on your feet and come to an immediate decision to get a project completed on time.) In this case, the interviewer is interested in your thought process and problem-solving capabilities.05Understand the Question Before AnsweringWhen the interviewer asks a question, It is OK to ask the interviewer for clarification or to repeat the question. You want to know what the interviewer is looking for before you go ahead and assume that you have the right answer.06Follow the Interviewers LeadDont spend too much time on any one question but make sure you have answered the entire question before going on to the next one. You might want to check with the interviewer to see if you answered theirquestionor if he/she would like additional information.07Emphasize the PositiveYou may be asked during the interview to give a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Remember in these types of questions to focus on the positive. When referring to weaknesses, recognize those things you feel you need to work on and quickly shift to actions you have taken to improve in this area. Specific examples can be helpful to illustrate your progress.08Bring Samples of Your WorkIf you are in a field such asgraphic design, photography, studio art, education, or communications (where a sample of your work would be helpful), bring samples with you to the interview.09Close the Interview With ConfidenceThe beginning and end of the interview can be the most crucial aspects of the interview. End your interview with confidence. Thank the interviewer for his/her time and ask when you may expect to hear back from the employer.10Follow Up the Interview With a Thank You NoteTake this opportunity to clarify a topic discussed in the interview and to reaffirm your interest in the organization and the internship. Send a thank you note to everyone you interviewed with on the day of your interview.