Book Review The Starfish and the Spider

Book Review The Starfish and the Spider Last week I gave a little peak into one of my new favorite books: The Starfish and the Spider The unstoppable power of leaderless organizations. This week Ill wrap it up with some misc. thoughts. I must confess that org stuff bores me to tears. I didnt really care for organizational behavior stuff in undergrad or grad school, and chatting about the various types of org charts seems to be a waste of time. Im sure Im wrong on all of this and Im either too dense to really understand the issues or Im so smart the right answers are just intuitive. Either way, if you told me this was a book about organizational structure I would have changed the channel. But the authors grabbed my attention from the first sentence. And throughout the book they kept my attention (for me, this was one of those cant put it down books) with story after story, example after example. But if you dont have time let me sum the idea up with this: If you lop off a spiders head, it dies. If you lop off a starfish head (um, it doesnt have a head), so if you lop off a starfish arm, it grows back. So to kill it you just cut it in half. Actually, supposedly you will end up with two starfish. Think of how that applies to organizations and companies, and how that plays into competition, growth, etc. The idea is neat, but the examples are sound and very supportive. They talk about how the Spanish army defeated the Mexican colonies and that they tried to destroy the Apache indians but could not. And how this story has too many similarities to MGM trying to destroy Grokster (peer-to-peer music sharing). Did this huge giant destroy P2P sharing? Nope. Does P2P have a head to lop off? No. And this is what the starfish is. Its the Apache indians. Its P2P systems like Grokster, Napster, eMule and more. Its Alcoholics Anonymous. Its al Quaeda and the Burning Man Festival. Its the Internet. Its something that doesnt have a president or physical presence to destroy, which will only follow with the demise of the organization. Its something that gets power from being decentralized. And traditional spider companies dont understand it, and they dont understand how to compete against it. But its pretty real. MGM said the recording industry lost 25% of their revenues because of the P2P threat (page 13). Mergers have happened because of P2P. And because of Skype, which has billions of subscribers (I have my Skype window open right now and have spent about 2 hours on Skype calls today). The authors talk about a hybrid company, with characteristics of spider + starfish. The point to eBay, Craigslist and Amazon.com as examples. Ive watched these companies go from nothing (raise your hand if you remember when Amazon announced they were in the black and compare that with this quarters announced profits!!) to something but didnt think about them in this starfish+spider context. Fascinating. The authors conclude with a list of 10 New Rules to compete in this starfish environment. I would list them except the titles alone dont make sense, and they masterfully draw previous examples back in to support each point. Can starfish organizations be defeated? Yes. The authors give 3 strategies to defeat a well-decentralized organization. And support each strategy with example. So I cant say enough good about this book it is short enough to read in about a day, it is intriguing and full of information, it has excellent suggestions on how to compete with the different organizations, and even proposes the sweet spot that perhaps an org should shoot for. I highly recommend checking it out (but you already figured Id say that). Thanks to Scott Allen for turning me on to it. Book Review The Starfish and the Spider Last week I gave a little peak into one of my new favorite books: The Starfish and the Spider The unstoppable power of leaderless organizations. This week Ill wrap it up with some misc. thoughts. I must confess that org stuff bores me to tears. I didnt really care for organizational behavior stuff in undergrad or grad school, and chatting about the various types of org charts seems to be a waste of time. Im sure Im wrong on all of this and Im either too dense to really understand the issues or Im so smart the right answers are just intuitive. Either way, if you told me this was a book about organizational structure I would have changed the channel. But the authors grabbed my attention from the first sentence. And throughout the book they kept my attention (for me, this was one of those cant put it down books) with story after story, example after example. But if you dont have time let me sum the idea up with this: If you lop off a spiders head, it dies. If you lop off a starfish head (um, it doesnt have a head), so if you lop off a starfish arm, it grows back. So to kill it you just cut it in half. Actually, supposedly you will end up with two starfish. Think of how that applies to organizations and companies, and how that plays into competition, growth, etc. The idea is neat, but the examples are sound and very supportive. They talk about how the Spanish army defeated the Mexican colonies and that they tried to destroy the Apache indians but could not. And how this story has too many similarities to MGM trying to destroy Grokster (peer-to-peer music sharing). Did this huge giant destroy P2P sharing? Nope. Does P2P have a head to lop off? No. And this is what the starfish is. Its the Apache indians. Its P2P systems like Grokster, Napster, eMule and more. Its Alcoholics Anonymous. Its al Quaeda and the Burning Man Festival. Its the Internet. Its something that doesnt have a president or physical presence to destroy, which will only follow with the demise of the organization. Its something that gets power from being decentralized. And traditional spider companies dont understand it, and they dont understand how to compete against it. But its pretty real. MGM said the recording industry lost 25% of their revenues because of the P2P threat (page 13). Mergers have happened because of P2P. And because of Skype, which has billions of subscribers (I have my Skype window open right now and have spent about 2 hours on Skype calls today). The authors talk about a hybrid company, with characteristics of spider + starfish. The point to eBay, Craigslist and Amazon.com as examples. Ive watched these companies go from nothing (raise your hand if you remember when Amazon announced they were in the black and compare that with this quarters announced profits!!) to something but didnt think about them in this starfish+spider context. Fascinating. The authors conclude with a list of 10 New Rules to compete in this starfish environment. I would list them except the titles alone dont make sense, and they masterfully draw previous examples back in to support each point. Can starfish organizations be defeated? Yes. The authors give 3 strategies to defeat a well-decentralized organization. And support each strategy with example. So I cant say enough good about this book it is short enough to read in about a day, it is intriguing and full of information, it has excellent suggestions on how to compete with the different organizations, and even proposes the sweet spot that perhaps an org should shoot for. I highly recommend checking it out (but you already figured Id say that). Thanks to Scott Allen for turning me on to it.

Writing a Relevant Resume For a Job Interview

Writing a Relevant Resume For a Job InterviewThe method to writing a resume in order to get that job interview is going to be very easy. The next question to ask yourself is whether or not you are ready to go to a new place where you may have to face the interviewer.The way that you will be evaluated will vary from company to company. The first thing that they will do is to ask you what you need to do to be successful in your new position. They will also be looking for a more precise definition of what that means for their particular set of circumstances.If you think that this is going to be a huge part of the job, it would be smart to include your goals in the resume. By writing about how you can reach a goal in the position that you are applying for, it will give a concrete image to the recruiter. A company cannot hire someone without the knowledge of what those expectations are.One way to write about goals is to simply tell them what position you are going to apply for and what po sition you are expecting to get. If you want to become a corporate HR manager, mention this in your resume. Most recruiters will have a list of the different openings that they need help with. The HR Manager will be responsible for hiring and firing people within the department.The person that you will be interviewing should take this part of the resume seriously because it tells them the way that you have handled your job in your particular area. They will then be able to judge whether or not you have what it takes to be an employee. It does not matter if you have gone through college, worked at other companies before or if you have technical skills.The resume that you write should also mention your job description that you were employed with before the company. This helps the interviewer see the skill sets that you bring to the table when you work for a particular company. They will know how you will be able to handle different situations and what you can do to help the company to grow.Your resume should also be written to include your strengths and weaknesses. Having a resume that is focused on these aspects of a person will make it easier for the recruiter to assess you in an accurate manner. They will be able to see the good and the bad in you so that they can make a decision based on that.These are some tips that a new employer can use when he or she is preparing to interview a potential employee. You can always bring the resume with you to the interview. You should take it one step at a time and make sure that you are prepared when the interview comes up.

The Career Benefits of Volunteering

The Career Benefits of Volunteering Back in high school as we prepared our college applications, we were often asked (sometimes trite) questions about times we’d helped others, served our communities, or been selfless in the face of adversity. We thought to the times our parents had sent us on mission trips, the soup kitchens we’d helped organized, and the kids we tutored at an after school program. Those experiences were valuable not just in what we’d learned by doing them, but in how we could structure them to benefit the beginning of our higher educational experiences. Now in the workforce, it is just as important to remember that volunteering has a number of benefits. Yes, we volunteer because we want to feel selfless, we want to help others, and we want to see the impact we can make. That said, where you volunteer, there’s a lot in it for you â€" and more than just some good feels. Volunteering can positively impact your career goals by providing opportunities that might not be immediately available to you work. Volunteering allows you to be part of your community. Being a volunteer allows you to give back with your time and your expertise. Being involved in organizations outside of work gives you a chance to stretch yourself. Helping others is often a rewarding experience, which comes with an opportunity to meet new people while growing as an individual. Whatever your interest, you have a chance to leave a lasting impact on your community. Volunteering provides opportunities to develop new skills. I have personally found volunteering to be a wonderful place to hone general interests into fine-tuned talents. I learned the basics of social media marketing by taking on a volunteer role as Technology Chair for a local organization, and also volunteered to do their invitation designs. Several years of being involved in such a capacity allowed me to transfer my new skills into a role as Media Co-chair for another group. Ive since shifted these abilities into a more focused interest in social media marketing, including a recent launch of my own blog, and have a freelance graphic design business on the side. Volunteering is a great way to network. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to make connections that might not otherwise be available to you. Different causes pull at the heartstrings of all kinds of people, and being a volunteer is a wonderful opportunity to be more visible and connect with other like-minded individuals. If you’re unemployed or looking to make a career change, tapping into your volunteer connections can save you a lot of time in the hunt for a new position. Volunteering shows other people that you care. When job hunting, putting your volunteer experience on your resume can actually create an opportunity for employment. By listing these experiences, you can demonstrate proficiency in skills you have honed through volunteering that may not show up in your career portfolio. The key to being a successful volunteer is finding a cause you truly believe in. As with any job, you will do better work if you can wholeheartedly support an organization’s mission. It is also important to figure out how much time you are actually willing to commit to this cause. Do you have an hour a week to spare? Maybe just one Saturday a month? Knowing your personal goals will allow you to be a successful and motivated volunteer.  Regardless of your aim, the most important piece is to enjoy what you’re doing. The more fun you have, the more rewarding the experience. Can you tell us about how volunteering has positively impacted your career?

5 Answers To How Do You Like To Be Managed - Algrim.co

5 Answers To How Do You Like To Be Managed - Algrim.co When being asked “How do you like to be managed?” it’s important you have a clear example for the most optimal situation you’d like to be in and be ready with your answer in advance. We’re going to cover why interviewers ask this question, how you might look upon your past to come with a great answer, examples of answers you can use and what you should avoid saying when answering the question. Why Is The Interviewer Asking Me How Do You Like To Be Managed? The interviewer is asking you this question for two reasons. The first is that they can get an idea of what your ideal work situation looks like. The second reason is that they can get an idea of what your past working situations looked like. Both of these provide some potential for understanding how to drive success within the management of the company and how your manager might work with you. The reality is that even when you provide your answer, it doesn’t mean that your future manager is going to be able to give you exactly what you are looking for. This is an opportunity for the interviewer to learn more about your personality and how they might anticipate your chemistry within the companies ecosystem. The Ideal Answer To The Question Ideally, the answer to this question is one that contains a prior working experience and reflection upon why that prior working experience succeeded. You should take the time to think about how your previous bosses worked with you and which qualities of theirs really stood out to you. Your answer should contain the following: An example of your past working experiences. A short story about your boss. The reason why the management style worked so well. Aligns with the company culture. If you have all four of these key components within your answer, the interviewer should respond fondly to you. What If You Only Had Bad Bosses If you feel like you’ve never truly appreciated the way that you’ve been managed, I urge you to take another look and find the one that was the least of the “bad” bosses. You might interpret their leadership style as a negative one. But from experience, the next boss you work with could be worse, making the boss you thought was bad, a good one. The point is that everything is relative in hindsight. Try to examine your managers with an unbiased point of view. Put yourself in their position, ask yourself how they could manage you. If you don’t have enough work experience to be able to reflect upon a boss in a positive light, then that’s another problem. Though the more you are honest with your answer, then the easier it will be. For instance, if you only had one prior job. You can answer with a simple, “I’ve had pretty limited working experience but the manager that I had showed extremely great guidance, patience, leadership qualities and the ability to stay organized. Because of that, the way he/she managed me showed through in a similar light.” The point is that if you feel as though you’ve had bad prior working experiences, try to consider the positive aspects to them and bring those to the forefront. You do not want to be telling the interviewer that all of the prior managers that you’ve worked with were poor. This is because that is highly unlikely and this communicates with the interviewer that you might be difficult to work with. The Worst Answers To The Question If you are answering the question without any depth, it will come across as though you are being evasive, which means the interviewer might interpret your answer as though you need to hide something from your past. For example, if you say to the interviewer that you don’t have a particular management style preference or that you can work with anyone quite easily, then it will appear like you might be telling a white lie. Avoid answers that contain emotional past experiences as well. You don’t want to use this question as a platform to start speaking negatively about your other work experiences. For example, an answer like, “I feel like every manager that I’ve worked with could be doing better. That’s the reason why I want this job, to be able to do better than they did.” In that type of answer you are putting down your previous managers and that isn’t the best way to carry yourself professionally. A Reference To Company Culture Matters Culture is a big part of this answer. If for example, you answer the interview question with something like, “I really appreciate autonomy. I’m looking to receive autonomy and be able to execute to get results.” While an answer like that may seem like a great idea, if the environment doesn’t provide a lot of autonomy to their employee’s, then it will seem as though you aren’t a good fit for the role. The way to avoid this is to be looking up the company culture. You can use tools like LinkedIn or Glassdoor reviews to get an idea of what their culture is like. Though, for the most part, consider your basic company management to be apart of most organizations. That means, structure, hierarchy, responsibility, and accountability. Those are some of the core characteristics of classic company management. Answers To “How do you like to be managed?” Here are some example answers that you can use to get an idea for what the interviewer is looking for. Answer 1 “One of my favorite managers went by the name of Sam. Sam was incredibly talented at communicating to us in ways that resonated on a personal level. This means that Sam clearly took the time to think about each of our lives and how to best speak with us. His communication felt like guidance. And because of this guidance, myself and many other team members felt like any challenge was possible to overcome. That’s just one of the qualities I look for in a manager.” Answer 2 “The best managers that I’ve worked with always set clear goals, paths to achieving those goals, left the door open in terms of being able to ask questions and had patience with us when we needed a helping hand in getting the job done. Because of that, I felt like growth was achievable both on a personal level and on a company level.” Answer 3 “I appreciate management that is both transformational and transactional. That means that the manager is providing me the knowledge and background information on why the job is needing to be done. Or better put, the importance of the job. And then providing the list of tasks that our team needs to accomplish to go from Point A to Point B.” Answer 4 “Collaboration has always been a heavy theme when I think of the managers I’ve worked with in the past, who I’ve had great chemistry. It’s that experience of working alongside someone, being able to share ideas and being able to hit milestones. It feels comfortable, compelling and makes coming into work every day worth it.” Answer 5 “I’ve always appreciated the managers who showed me the respect to treat me as though we were peers. It made me feel a closer connection with them, grew my respect for them even more, and then ultimately made them a mentor within the company. Having that line of communication, where the manager is genuinely interested in creating a connection with me is what I consider to be a management style. And it’s one I have a great deal of respect for and always look for in a manager.” Closing Note On This Interview Question This isn’t your opportunity to create requests. Be honest, be humble and be genuine with your answer. This will come across in the most professional of ways. Prepare in advance of being asked of this interview question and promptly respond with your prepared answer. If you are dishonest, use cliches, or get overly specific then you might be indirectly communicating something negative to your interviewer. They are seeking a genuine, simple answer from you. Provide them with one. The great news about being asked this question is that it is a leading question to you being given an offer of employment. Normally a question of this type isn’t asked to candidates who aren’t doing very well. Keep that in mind as you prepare for your interview and then after your interview when you are reflecting upon your performance trying to decide if there were signs of the interview going poorly or signs of it going well.

What is Video Writing in Resumes?

What is Video Writing in Resumes?Do you really know what video writing is? In this article, I'll explain the role of video writing in resumes. You might also want to check out other information available online about this practice.Video writing is a technique in resume writing that involves two pieces of video recording equipment, a video camera and software. The first piece of equipment must be able to capture clear images at a very high quality. For example, if your resume is of a computer screen, then it should be clear and smooth.Secondly, you should record clear pictures of computer screens that you observe during the job interview. This is where you need to have a good quality camera, or a video camera with a good lens. It should also be a tripod so that the camera can hold steady as you are filming.Video writing can be quite useful for those that have a limited knowledge of the process. However, one should consider using video editing software to make their resume as professio nal as possible. A good use of video is to record a video interview of yourself and show it to the hiring manager. This can work as a demo reel, showing the person what they will be getting when they hire you.The second piece of equipment required for video writing is the video editing software. This can be purchased at a reasonable price, or you could rent it from a company that specializes in it. Your video-editing software can make it easier to produce a high quality resume.After using your video editing software, you should start by writing the parts of your resume that you want the hiring manager to see. It should focus on your skills, qualifications, experience and education. All of these are important for the person reading your resume.After finishing the resume, you should have it ready for the person reading it. In order to make it better, you may want to edit it so that it looks even better. This can be done by cutting the sections that don't interest the hiring manager.Af ter applying the resume, the person viewing it will be impressed by your video writing skills. This will help you land a great job. You can get more information on video writing by checking out websites that specialize in this.

10 Tips for Job Hunting When you have Social Anxiety CareerMetis.com

10 Tips for Job Hunting When you have Social Anxietyâ€" CareerMetis.com For every human being to function correctly in society, the individual needs to be able to provide all the required physiological needs of life.If you are reading this article and you don’t have a job because you lost the last one or you’ve never worked before, it is normal to feel anxious about your chances of landing one. Those who have never worked previously may feel nervous about entering the labor market because it is their first time but for those who left their last job after a nasty experience, the feeling of the experience repeating itself can leave one in a state of flux.evalOr maybe you are naturally shy and find it awkward talking to strangers or replying their questions, here are 10 job hunting tips to ease your fears and give you the confidence boost you need as you embark on your journey into social inclusiveness.1. Be Positive about the FutureevalThe first thing you need to do before you approach any potential employer is to work on your psyche. Be positive about your future no matter how terrible your past has been. Philosophers say that the only thing greater than fear is hope and they are right to say that. Without hope, the heart will break.Hope is what should keep you positive moving forward. If you are positive about your chances of nailing not just any job but a good job, your chances of getting one will increase even before you commence your search. Never discountenance the power of positive affirmation.2. Identify your Skill/StrengthsIn which areas do you excel? Focusing on jobs that can afford you the opportunity to project your skills should be something everyone does. Sometimes, qualifications matter but not in all cases. Employers are looking for people who can deliver on targets regardless of their lack of a college education.Skill is everything in the workplace. Identify what your skills are and harness it to it’s fullest potential. If you are a timid person, for example, you have no business applying to a job that requires you to stand in front of cameras or to interact with large groups.3. Take Baby StepsSince you are only just starting, you shouldn’t attempt to do everything at once. Draw up a professional CV for starters and include in the CV details about yourself including your level of qualification.Add your skills and hobbies. Then take your time to list industries you feel you will do well. Don’t rush yourself. Take it one step at a time, and you will be fine.4. Cast Your Net farevalDon’t limit your job hunt to a few job niches or location. By doing this, you are limiting your chances of bagging a job that fits your potential. Go beyond your comfort zone or the areas you know well.It is entirely okay to start with places you know, but take the little risk of delving into territories you are not so familiar with. The most pleasant surprises in life come wrapped in unexpected packages at times and places we least expect.5. Prepare well for interviewsevalTo get a job, you must be prepared to answer the employer’s questions. If you are already feeling uneasy at this point, you don’t have to be. Besides asking you some questions about your educational background and work experience, what most employers are most interested in is your personality as a person and how your character and skill can positively affect the fortunes of the business.You may not be very experienced but if you are cheerful and open all through the duration of the interview and you do your homework well in getting precise information about the employer and the business or organization your chances of landing the job is made brighter.6. Be objective evalBefore the interview, be objective. Do not let your subjective, negative judgment destroy your confidence. If your inner voice keeps telling you that you are not good enough or that you are not going to get the job, then you should disregard that voice because IT IS A LIE.You are going to get it!7. Practice ScenariosOne way to control your anxiety is to practice possible scenarios that may occur during the interview. Predict specific questions the interviewer or interviewers may ask and attempt to answer them.You may not be able to predict every question in detail, but if you keep practicing for several days or week before time, your confidence will improve significantly.8. Keep expectations at a minimumRemember that nothing in life is definite except death. You may or may not get a job at your first attempt, but that is entirely normal. Most job applicants are not always successful the first time they go for an interview. I wasn’t, and I know many of my friends who failed at their first try.If you keep expectations at a minimum, should you fail at the first attempt it won’t get at you too much. Instead, you should see it as a positive sign! If one employer found you interesting enough to call you forward for an interview, you are going to meet another employer who is going to appreciate working with you.9. Life is full of opportunitiesJust like the above point, stay positive and live each day as it comes. Life is full of possibilities and those who are patient and prepared eventually get what they want.As the old saying goes, “be careful what you wish for, or you might just get it”.If you want a job so much that you search and prepare for it, the opportunity will show up sooner than you expected.10. Let things play out…don’t force itevalFinally, don’t be too forceful. Take your time, do your best and leave the rest. Let life play itself out. If you are too forceful and aggressive about landing that job you desire, or you talk down on yourself, employers you meet will see through your unease and won’t find you attractive enough to get you on board.Be hopeful, say a prayer or two if you believe in them, Live, Love, Laugh and Wait. Your time will come.

10 Great Interview Tips for 2016 - CareerAlley

10 Great Interview Tips for 2016 - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Most of us think of the New Year as a fresh start. We have a new conviction to accomplish all of those things that have been on our to do list for the last 12 months. Getting a new job with more responsibility and compensation is high on many lists. Maybe youve had a number of interviews but just cant figure out how to nail it. So what is the secret is to getting an edge on your interview? The best place to look when seeking out interview tips are the experts who spend most of their time interviewing candidates. This would be recruiters and Corporate HR professionals. If you cant make it past them you certainly wont get to interview with the hiring manager. What are they looking for that makes you stand out (or gets you eliminated)? Why does one person get selected over another? To answer those questions (and many more), take a look at the following tips from the experts. Suggested Reading:Perfect Interview Answers: Answers for the Top 3 Tough Interview Questions 1. Your Appearance: It doesnt really matter what you think about how you look or dress for an interview. It only matters what the interviewer thinks. Skipping the obvious basics like make sure your hair is combed and that you are not wearing jeans and sneakers:Dont wear pants or shirts that are too tight Dont show cleavage (or your midriff) Get a second opinion. Ask your friends, relatives and significant other how you look. How they perceive you is more important than what the mirror is telling you 2. Your Handshake: You dont need to crush the other persons hand, but your handshake should be firm (regardless of whether you are male or female). Dont hold on for too long and, if you tend to have sweaty palms, dry them off before you go into the interview. There are some common handshake types, some to be avoided and some to consider. Take a look at The Top 10 Handshakes. 3. Your Story: Im sure youve heard of the 30 Second Elevator Speech (see Do you have your 30 second Elevator Speech?). If you dont already have this practiced and memorized, now is the time to do it. At some point in the interview, you will be asked to give a brief overview of your experience. This is the time to use your elevator speech and to work in the bit about why you are the best person for the job (see #6 below). This is a critical part of the interview and will likely determine how the rest of the interview (and your chances of making the short list) goes. 4. Do Your Homework: If you havent done your homework and you dont know anything about the company where you are interviewing, then you shouldnt be on the interview. You should do extensive research on the company and the interviewer(s) before the interview. This information is not limited to public companies, there is a wealth of information on LinkedIn and similar sites. You should also try to find out some inside information regarding the company culture and what its like to work there. See also 15 Tips for Improving Your Job Search. All of this will help you with #7 below. 5. Your Body Language and Interpersonal Skills: Second to your initial handshake, your body language is a key part of the interview. Maintaining eye contact (or semi-contact) is critical and there is a delicate balance between staring and keeping eye contact, so you may want to practice with friends. Looking away too often at the walls, table or anything else can hurt first impression. The rest of your body language is important as well. The obvious donts: Dont chew your nails (or anything for that matter) Dont fidget or pick your nails Dont slouch Dont point Dont cross your arms Dont nod at everything the interviewer says 6. Know Why You are the Best Choice for the Position: The follow-on from #4 above (Do Your Homework) is to leverage everything youve learned about the company, the job and the interviewer so that you are convinced that you are the best choice for the position. Again, the delicate balance is between letting your interviewer know you are the best choice without sounding conceited. There is really only one thing the interviewer wants to know that you are the right person for the role. This is not just limited to your job knowledge and experience, but also you interpersonal skills and how you would fit in the overall team. 7. Know Why You Want to Work There: Another common question that is asked at interviews is why you want to work at that company. You should be well prepared based on items #4 and #6. Dont wait to think of an answer at the interview. Come up with your answer prior to the interview. Still stumped? Take a look at 5 Ways to Answer Why Do You Want to Work Here?. 8. Dont be Late or Too Early: Nothing annoys a hiring manager more than showing up late for an interview (with showing up too early a very close second). If you have the time, several days before the interview you should take a trial run visit to the interview location. Knowing exactly where the interview is located, how to get there and how long it takes to get there takes a huge pressure off when the interview day arrives. Also factor in any building security time delays as you will most likely need to sign in when you arrive and this could take a while if there is a long line in the lobby. 9. Dont Ask the Wrong Questions in Your First Interview: You know the old saying There is no such thing as a stupid question? Well Im sorry to tell you that yes, there are stupid questions. Sometimes its just a matter of timing. There are some questions that should be asked later in the interview process (such as benefits, vacation time, etc.), there are some questions that should be asked at the first interview (see below for some links) and there are some questions that should never be asked. The lists are too long to list here so Ive provided some links for your review: The 10 Worst Questions to Ask During An Interview Dont Ruin Your Job Interview Dont Ask These Questions 10. Know Your Resume: Sounds like a strange tip, but you would be surprised how many people forget what they put on their resume. Re-read your resume before you get to the interview in case a specific resume related interview question comes up. Some questions are more general (such as tell me about your last role) while some are more specific, such as a question about a specific project or achievement. Take a look at Dont Get Resume Amnesia. Book Corner [easyazon_link asin=B007ZK990U locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Interview: A Quick Guide to Winning That Job! (Interviews)[/easyazon_link] We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ //

Inspirational Quote Are you selling yourself short - Hallie Crawford

Inspirational Quote Are you selling yourself short Untitled Document Happy Monday! I love this excerpt from Marianne Williamson. When I first read it many years ago, it struck a chord in me. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around we. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Speech â€" 1994 From Marianne Williamsons The Gift of Change: Spiritual Guidance for Living Your Best Life I often ask my clients where do you hide out in your life? Where do you sell yourself short? Think about these questions this week and consider how you can change that. Come up with a plan. Remember that when you show your light, you bring out the light in others. Have a great week! Career Planning Coach