the Cubicle Warriors What it Takes series

the Cubicle Warriors What it Takes series I picked up on this series of posts a few days ago and was waiting until Scott posted on networking (I knew he would). Specifically, the series addresses: What do you do to manage your career? How do you know what to do to manage your career? In the next few posts, we’ll take a look at what basics are needed to manage your career. His first post was on finances, second on job performance, third on job skills, and now finally on networking. I have enjoyed the entire series so far and find them to be basic yet timely. You know, common sense isnt so common? Im excited to see his post on networking and thought Id throw in my two cents. Scot talks plainly about how the definition of networking should include: networking is natural networking is about keeping in contact networking is changing networking requires time I cant take any thunder away from his message, and cant write it better than he has, you need to go on over and read about his personal experiences. This is just a 5 minute read, and critical for anyone that cares about their career management. I love how this is a series of posts on career management, and he isnt saying (or hasnt yet said) that any one thing that he brings up is more important than another. I think that some people might think Im a networking freak, and thats all I talk about, but I firmly believe that you need to have substance also (like the job skills and performance that he talks about). One thought on LinkedIn, since he brings that up. Dont go onto LinkedIn thinking that you are going to have many deep and meaningful relationships. You might, especially if you work at it, but for lots of folks it is about as bleak and lonely as my blog theme, which is a desert. There are many many other ways to network, LinkedIn could/should be one way (it is a great way to stay in touch with recruiters, as they love the thing), but there are others. One key thing that Ive discovered about networking is that there are many circles of networks, and if you keep going to the same meetings time after time it is hard to know about or network in the other circles. So shake things up a little. Go to alumni meetings (usually you can go without having graduated from the school), chamber meetings, First Friday breakfasts (many cities have this), fund raising meetings (here in Utah there is a monthly How to Raise Money in Utah), church network meetings (I know these are held all over the country with the sole purpose of bringing together professionals to network (Im guessing there isnt alcohol;))) and any of the many other network meetings. Of course, dont go to every single meeting out there, and some are better than others, but the point is, mix it up a little. If you only go to one type of network meeting you are certainly missing out on meeting other great people, and diversifying your personal network. the Cubicle Warriors What it Takes series I picked up on this series of posts a few days ago and was waiting until Scott posted on networking (I knew he would). Specifically, the series addresses: What do you do to manage your career? How do you know what to do to manage your career? In the next few posts, we’ll take a look at what basics are needed to manage your career. His first post was on finances, second on job performance, third on job skills, and now finally on networking. I have enjoyed the entire series so far and find them to be basic yet timely. You know, common sense isnt so common? Im excited to see his post on networking and thought Id throw in my two cents. Scot talks plainly about how the definition of networking should include: networking is natural networking is about keeping in contact networking is changing networking requires time I cant take any thunder away from his message, and cant write it better than he has, you need to go on over and read about his personal experiences. This is just a 5 minute read, and critical for anyone that cares about their career management. I love how this is a series of posts on career management, and he isnt saying (or hasnt yet said) that any one thing that he brings up is more important than another. I think that some people might think Im a networking freak, and thats all I talk about, but I firmly believe that you need to have substance also (like the job skills and performance that he talks about). One thought on LinkedIn, since he brings that up. Dont go onto LinkedIn thinking that you are going to have many deep and meaningful relationships. You might, especially if you work at it, but for lots of folks it is about as bleak and lonely as my blog theme, which is a desert. There are many many other ways to network, LinkedIn could/should be one way (it is a great way to stay in touch with recruiters, as they love the thing), but there are others. One key thing that Ive discovered about networking is that there are many circles of networks, and if you keep going to the same meetings time after time it is hard to know about or network in the other circles. So shake things up a little. Go to alumni meetings (usually you can go without having graduated from the school), chamber meetings, First Friday breakfasts (many cities have this), fund raising meetings (here in Utah there is a monthly How to Raise Money in Utah), church network meetings (I know these are held all over the country with the sole purpose of bringing together professionals to network (Im guessing there isnt alcohol;))) and any of the many other network meetings. Of course, dont go to every single meeting out there, and some are better than others, but the point is, mix it up a little. If you only go to one type of network meeting you are certainly missing out on meeting other great people, and diversifying your personal network.

Resume Writing Format - The Right Way to Write a Successful Resume

Resume Writing Format - The Right Way to Write a Successful ResumeIt is no secret that resume writing is one of the most important elements to creating a new career. Anyone who has ever sat down to write a resume knows how much effort is needed and how many pages it will need to be. That's why it's so important to learn the right resume writing format and a few tips for making your own resume stand out. These are just a few of the things you can do to help make a difference.One mistake that people make when writing resumes is using the 'wrong way' to format them. Remember, this is an important document and it is important to know what your style should be. When you write out a resume, you want to start with the introduction section. This should include information about yourself and should also tell people what they should expect from you in the future.A resume should start with a statement about who you are and where you stand with the company you are applying for. This should be fo llowed by a paragraph about your experiences that relate to the job. Next, you'll need to provide your contact information including your phone number and home address. It's good to include any experience you have with the company you are applying for, but don't be too detailed. This should be a basic outline of your career.In the next paragraph, you'll provide your specific skills and talents. When answering questions on the next page, include your education and training. Tell them how long you've been working for the company you're applying for and what positions you've held.The next paragraph is called the job description. This is where you talk about the responsibilities of the position and the duties of the job applicant.Start off with your first and last name and send it off with an opening salutation that shows you are a professional and you are serious about the position. Then move on to the second and third name, respectively. Finally, give a description of why you're inter ested in the position and the benefits of working for the company. You should also mention any training and certifications you have that relate to the position.Finally, the next section should include a section that discusses the expectations of both the company and the applicant. This section is a summary of all the details from the previous sections, but you may want to make some modifications to fit your needs.Another important tip is to choose a resume writing format that is unique to you and helps to emphasize the type of experience you have. This is important because it will show the employer that you are the right person for the job.

Beauty 911 How To Nip a Winter Skin Disaster In The Bud

Beauty 911 How To Nip a Winter Skin Disaster In The Bud What can be worse than the onset of  an unsightly skincare emergency the day of a big event such as a wedding, reunion, business interview, or first date? Have you ever cancelled a first date because a cold sore erupted? How about an acne breakout the morning of your sister’s wedding or worse… your own? With Winter skin care tips and insights is board certified dermatologist, Dr. Margarita Lolis to help us handle these common emergencies  within 24 hours. Problem: Hives, Redness and Allergies Solution: When you realize a certain food, beverage, cream or cosmetic triggered an allergic reaction discontinue use or consumption. As for treatment Dr. Lolis suggests using hydrocortisone cream which can be purchased at the drug store and should always be on hand. Also take an allergy  medication such as Claritin or Zyrtec. Try a cotton compress of apple cider vinegar which is an anti-septic and anti-fungal that pulls any toxins out of the skin. A compress with whole milk is also very soothing. Problem: Puffy Eyes Solution: Cool tea bags, cold cucumber slices work wonders to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling when applied for 10 minutes. You don’t need to see a dermatologist for any kind of treatment for this beauty issue however be sure to invest in a good eye cream and keep it in the fridge. Applying eye cream morning and at bedtime will help. Problem: Cold Sore Solution: “Most dermatologists will offer cortisone injections to tame a cold sore given its ability to rapidly address inflammation. This doesn’t take very long to do so many dermatologists will tell you to come in the same day. If you can’t get an appointment get your doctor to issue you a prescription for Famvir, Acylovir or Valtrex,” Dr. Lolis suggests. “Applying a lemon tea compress, applying witch hazel oil or peppermint are some natural ways to treat a cold sore,” she adds. Problem: Cystic Acne Breakout Solution: Resist the urge to squeeze and soak in rubbing alcohol. “This is such a common response and people end up making the pimple worse not to mention scarring their skin. Cystic acne is deep and if treated correctly beneath the surface it could remain a bump and not a red, scabbing mess,” warns Dr. Lolis. The secret to destroying a deep cystic pimple is to get a steroid or cortisone shot. “What the dermatologist will do is inject a diluted  glucocorticoid right into the pimple. You’re basically getting a concentrated dose of steroid molecules that are naturally produced by our bodies responsible for regulating metabolism, inflammation and immunity. Within one or two days of injection into a cyst, the steroid will shrink the inflammation producing relief of pain and almost immediate cosmetic improvement,” explains Dr. Lolis. If you cannot get to the dermatologist apply a paste of baking soda with water then remove it within 20 minutes. Natural clay can also work very well as could a sea salt compress. Sea salt, especially directly for the ocean only takes 20 minutes to dry up skin. Problem: Chapped Lips Solution: “Use lip balms not waxes and go natural with ingredients such as almond oil, vitamin E or A and make and at home paste of sugar and honey to use as an exfoliator. You want to exfoliate lips in the shower when temperature is warmer,” Dr. Lolis advises. Dry lips are always a beauty bummer especially when they crack and bleed. If chronic chapped lips are an issue, you may experience flare ups when lips are especially sensitive. “Your lips lack a tough outer skin layer which is why they are a darker color from the rest of your skin. Plus, there are enzymes in our saliva made to break down fats and proteins which is why when we lick our lips it makes matters worse. About Dr. Lolis: Dr.  Margarita  Lolis, M.D. is a board-certified cosmetic, medical dermatologist and a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon with over 20 years of experience. In her practice, she addresses common skin concerns such as acne prevention and treatment in both teens and adults, sun-damage, skin discoloration, wrinkles, changes to skin texture and loss of volume. On the medical side, she is a trusted expert in melanoma and over-all skin health.  

Seven Reasons Recruiters Are Hurting Your Career - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Seven Reasons Recruiters Are Hurting Your Career - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career My first two posts in this series were Seven Reasons Your Resume Is Hurting Your Career and Seven Reasons Your Employer Is Hurting Your Career. This time, lets examine ways recruiters may be hurting your career and things you can do to avoid such situations. Often I meet job seekers who say they are looking for a good recruiter. When I ask them why, many say it is because they are looking for help in finding a job. These job seekers are laboring under the misunderstanding  that they can find a recruiter that will help them. But,  of course, recruiters work for employers and not for individual job seekers. Why? Follow the money. Most recruiters I know are good people. They want to help others find jobs. But their focus is on filling positions with the best job seekers, a process that rewards them with a paycheck if they are an internal corporate recruiter or with a  one-time fee if they are an  external third party recruiter. In the process of doing their jobs, some of their actions can hurt unsuspecting job seekers. Here are seven problems recruiters can pose in your career and future job searches: 1. They post jobs that do not exist, which results in lost time  applying for such postings, revising resumes, writing cover letters, etc. You can avoid much of this by minimizing the number of job postings you pursue. 2.  They make the job application process laborious  with questionnaires, testing, etc. As with #1, you can avoid much of this  wasted time by minimizing the number of job postings you pursue. 3. They post jobs whose requirements cannot be met by most mere mortals, which results in missed opportunities for those who dont even try (and might have had sufficient qualifications to land the job). You can avoid missing these opportunities by ignoring the impossibilities  and pressing onward with your pursuit when such jobs are with employers you desire. 4. They  ignore  your resume, even though you would be a good match, because they are inexperienced and  dont see how you would fit. You can avoid being ignored by networking your way into the company and having someone recommend you direct to the hiring manager   thus short-circuiting such recruiters. 5. They perform screening interviews based upon rigid, check-the-boxes criteria and miss the fact you could be a superstar in the job. You can avoid being passed over by making sure you interject your brilliant information (such as why you are a great fit for the job) in your interviews and communications. 6. They arent very good, but pose as career coaches, resume writers, etc. as a way of supplementing their income. Some such recruiters provide good services, but you need to  avoid the bad ones by checking how long they have been providing such services, their recommendations on LinkedIn, and their references. 7. They submit your resume to a desirable employer before you do, which can create major complications as mentioned in Chapter 8 of Fast Track Your Job Search (and Career!),  The employer may be interested but, because they have received the resume from a recruiter, they may decide to pass on the job seeker You can avoid some of these conflicts, which  only occur with external third-party recruiters,  by requesting they  notify you before submitting your resume to employers. Positive relationships with recruiters can be very helpful.  Now that you know situations that may not be helpful, you can better  avoid them and  improve your odds of success! Good luck and best wishes.

The Use of Rhetorical Strategies in Resume Writing

The Use of Rhetorical Strategies in Resume WritingThe use of Rhetorical Strategies in resume writing is a growing trend. When you write your resume, it's wise to include this type of strategy to use in your own resume.One tactic is to insert a short passage or two at the top of your resume that incorporates your subject line. This means that the words you put at the top of your resume represent the headline of your resume. It also takes up valuable space on the first page of your resume.Next, consider using paragraph breaks within your resume for each page. Although, they do not serve as a writer's cello, they can serve a purpose when writing a resume. Use them to create cohesion within the resume and to break up the information contained in the individual pages. Each time you add information to your resume, put a paragraph break there.If you're seeking employment in a particular field, a sentence in the opening paragraph of your resume is worth highlighting. This serves as a descrip tion of what you are looking for in a job. Once that is done, then you can move on to the rest of your resume.Rhetorical strategies in resume writing require a great deal of thought and deliberation. You can't simply throw out any rhetorical strategy that you may have seen on the Internet. Read the entire resume carefully and consider what it says.Remember, when writing your resume, it's OK to overuse rhetorical strategies. However, you need to take a more deliberate approach when crafting your resume. If you don't think you can stand the process of writing, this won't be the resume for you. That said, if you're capable of applying that much thought to the material you are putting together, you'll be rewarded with a far better resume than one you just tossed together.By combining the careful consideration of what your resume says with the application of some of the rhetorical strategies you come across online, you can enjoy a resume that reads far better to an employer. A great resu me should tell the reader why you're worthy of an interview.All resumes have to begin somewhere. The first page of your resume should be a chance to tell your reader why you want to apply for that job. It's a way to introduce yourself and showcase who you are, and why you're right for the job.

How 9 Creative Superstars Found their Inspiration - CareerMetis.com

How 9 Creative Superstars Found their Inspiration It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve achieved, sometimes it can be difficult to get a new idea or the inspiration to create something.Getting creatively stuck like this can be hugely frustrating, especially if you don’t know how to break out of the rut, but luckily there are some great examples of how the best creative minds in history got their best ideas.Here are the stories behind their tips for finding inspiration, which ones will you try first?1. Igor StravinskyevalevalStravinsky was one of the greatest composers of all time, but even he occasionally found himself unsure of where to go next. And when he did? He stood on his head. Stravinsky found that headstands were the perfect solution, saying that it: “Rests the head and clears the brain.”2. Salvador DaliDali used to go to sleep in a chair, holding a metal key over a plate, and as he drifted off, he’d drop it and wake himself up, fresh with the memories of the freaky visions he’d seen in between sleep an d waking.3. Honoré de BalzacWriters and coffee is hardly a new association, but this French romantic novelist took things to completely new levels.To fire his imagination, he’d drink 50 cups of coffee a day, which presumably at the very least stopped him falling asleep at his desk.4. Nakamatsu YoshiroWhen you’re the kind of inventor who has over 400 patents and numerous products to your name, it must be difficult to think of something new, so Yoshiro has taken to a rather drastic approach to fire his creative muscles. He goes underwater to think up an idea and doesn’t come up til he’s either found one or is about to die, because apparently that helps him think.5. Steve JobsevalAs you’ve just seen, not all of these ideas are ones you should try at home, and here’s another one you might want to swerve.Steve Jobs helped establish Apple as digital giants with the iPhone and iPad, and the way he used to help himself come up with such ideas was to splash his feet with water f rom the toilets at work.6. Truman CapoteevalIf you’ve ever been hunched over your writing desk, waiting for inspiration to come, maybe you just need to change your posture. It worked for Truman Capote, who used to write while lying down, with a glass of sherry in hand, describing himself as “A completely horizontal writer.”7. Dr. SeussTheodor Seuss Geisel’s most famous creation was a Cat In A Hat, but it was a Writer In A Hat who came up with the ideas.He actually had hundreds of hats that he wore to give him inspiration and he spent 60 years adding to his collection as well as writing some of the best-loved children’s books.8. Agatha ChristieTaking a bath to relax is a good way to stimulate the brain, and that’s how Agatha Christie came up with her legendary detective novels. She added to the experience by eating apples in the bath and leaving the cores on the rim of the tub.9. Nikola TeslaevalWe’re not sure how scientifically sound this method of brain-boosting might be, but Nikola Tesla used to prepare his mind for the amazing work he did by using a bedtime routine of curling and uncurling his toes 100 times on each foot every night.Infographic Source: The Business Backer

200 tickets sold for our international conference - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

200 tickets sold for our international conference - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Woohoo a big Danish pharmaceutical company just bought 15 tickets for our conference. That means weve already sold 200 seats.?Dont miss out on this years best conference on happiness at work get your tickets now. Read all about the conference and see the full program. 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

New Group Coaching Sessions Start Super Soon!

New Group Coaching Sessions Start Super Soon! motivation note cards by watersounds By now you guys have heard me yammer/exclaim/giddily scream about my new website ( if you havent, well, come on over visit youre always welcome!). What I havent done yet is pimp out my group coaching sessions, the first one starts on Feb 9th, with early bird registration ending next week overall registration closing shortly thereafter! Thats super soon, people, I wanted to make sure you kids saw what I have to offer because, frankly, my group coaching sessions are awesome. I love doing them like nobodys business (thats what she said). Thankfully the feelings mutual heres what my last group coaching participants (yes, there are just 4 to a group so everyone gets personal attention each week!) had to say: When the recession hit, for the first time in my life I struggled to find a joband I realized I was struggling because I didnt know what I wanted. Looking back, I had patiently dated a million jobs, expecting Prince Charming to fall into my lap. When the scheming little bastard refused to show, I decided to get out there and hunt it down. This new goal brought out my demons, but I pushed forward by telling myself that Group Coaching would still be worth it even if I only found a better date, and not my elusive Mr. Right. Every group coaching session was fun and energizing, even when all four of us showed up feeling like basketcases! No matter how rough the week, Thursday night had the magical power to lift us all up. Temporary feelings of loserhood shriveled, and with renewed confidence we hashed out concrete tasks to keep the momentum going for another seven days. Instead of just knowing my own story the anxieties, roadblocks, and triumphs I had the privilege of witnessing three m ore. Now that these group sessions are behind me, I am realizing how much I dip into those other stories, searching for and finding solutions, strategies, hope, and inspiration. Happily, Group Coaching resulted in much more than a better date. By the end of the sessions I had developed a new professional dream, a personal mission statement to guide it, and an action plan to make it a reality. Many thanks to my Fairy Godmother, Michelle! Faith, California The group coaching environment was great! We fed off of each others energy, and it helped in feeling like you were not alone in the general struggle of self exploration and needing change in your career. The best thing about group coaching was when Michelle saw my hangups as opportunities to grow and helped me understand and celebrate my strengths. By asking a question or framing the issue I was having in a certain way, she allowed me to break free from what was holding me back. So many times I said something that was important, specifically something that was said with clarity, and I remembered it was recorded and I could go back to it later. It helped having someone else see the strengths and potential that I didnt see in myself. Stephanie Gravalese-Wood, Massachusetts The highlight of my group sessions was when Michelle would listen to what I said when I was really confused then cut through the mental fog say something insightful and then come up with an action plan to fix it! Shes a great listener and summarized our feelings succinctly with clarity, and she has a super friendly personality that puts people at ease when they might be nervous about revealing their hopes/dreams to a group of people. My group session experience was SO POSITIVE wonderful! I also got really concrete tips from other group members in my position, we were able to comment on how we knew what the other people were saying, feeling, going through, etc. My group sessions really gave me the confidence to move forward. Charlotte Dauphin, Virginia I decided to sign-up for group coaching with Michelle because I didnt know what to do with me. I wasnt feeling happy with my job, I wanted change, but I didnt know for what. Often, I was feeling stressed and oppressed by my behavior and I wanted to find my path. I was looking for help to organize all my ideas thought in order to focus on something. Michelle really helped me feel more comfortable with myself. Everything seems more easier simple with her. Shes funny friendly didnt judge almost every time she was targeting right. I now know myself more than before, so I can focus on what Im good at, make my work more interesting for me. I now have a good subject to start my blog ( express myself get out there!) Ive decided to sign-up in a graphic design school, so Im happier! I have gained not less than that. Julie D., Montreal While I love my private sessions, whether theyre by phone or email, theres something about being part of a group of creative people with a similar goal that supports gets each other that gets the breakthroughs broken-through like nothing else. The fact that its low-cost, too (just $39/session) allows me to coach a whole slew of people who might not be able to afford my private sessions, while still making sure that they get individual attention. Thats really important to me. But enough about me heres what Im offering you!: Operation: When I Grow Up! February 9th-April 27th at 8p EST.   Registration ends on Monday, Feb 1st the early bird special expires on Jan 26th. Operation: Put Your Career Plan Into Action! February 25th-May 6th at 8:30p EST.   Registration ends on Wednesday, Feb 17st the early bird special expires on February 3rd. Operation: Creative Life Design! March 24th-June 9th at 12p EST. Registration ends on Tuesday, Mar 16th the early bird special expires on March 2nd. Operation: Creative Career Growth Spurt! April 12th-June 20th at 1p EST.   Registration ends on Sunday, April 4th the early bird special expires on Mar 21st. You can get even more info (what well cover in the sessions, the awesome extras that are included, yada yada yada) on my Events page, you can register right from there via PayPal if youre ready to commit to putting the pedal to the medal. If you still need more info, then schedule yourself into my schedule for a 30-min consultation call. Were gonna have a frickin ball!