Saturday, May 30, 2020

What To Do If You Hate Your Job

What To Do If You Hate Your Job I was chatting with Liz this morning about Project HOPE, which is now in alpha testing. I asked her if she wanted to listen to my audio, and see the feedback from the testers, and she said YES. She then wrote something interesting/funny: I worked at JibberJobber for several years without reading your blog. When I started to read it, I finally understood what we do. Now, this post is about hating your job. I daresay, Liz didnt and doesnt hate her job. But her comment made me chuckle. In the early days of JibberJobber blogging was one of my highest priorities. It was my marketing. It was the way I got information out. I could easily spend 45 minutes a day writing a post. My mind was consumed with thoughts about job search and career management. I didnt realize that my team wasnt watching the little bit of work I was doing that was highly public. Lizs comment hit me today though. At Bamboo last year my awesome boss  talked about the importance of WHY. Working towards employee satisfaction and employee engagement, we needed to help employees understand the WHY. Most people know the WHAT and the HOW of their job. They come to work and do their thing. But how many people know the WHY of their work? Do YOU know the WHY of your work? If you hate your job, I invite you to do one of two things. The first is to figure out the WHY. It might be your WHY, which could be to provide for your family, or to get out of debt, or to afford the lifestyle you want, or to be around people who inspire you, or _______________. I dont know what your WHYs are. The next WHY to figure out is the companys WHY. Is it to better the world, or help people, to make lives easier? Is it to be the best, and excel, and grow, and inspire others? What is it? Pluralsights WHY is to democratize technology education around the world. JibberJobbers WHY is to empower individuals with tools and knowledge about career management, and especially help people during a very tough part of their life (unemployment). I recognize that many organizations WHY is to make gobs of money. I bet, though, if you go back to the founders vision, or some visionary leader who is there today, youll hear a different WHY. Like Liz said, it wasnt until she read my blog, years after she started working with JibberJobber, that she understood what we do. Or, what drives me. Or WHY we are even around. I imagine that catching my WHY changed her WHY. And as long as my WHY was aligned with her values, her level of integrity, and her personal goals, she got more fulfillment being a part of my WHY. This translates to employee satisfaction. And increased employee satisfaction leads to increased employee engagement. Employee satisfaction and employee engagement are the holy grails of HR (just look at agendas at their conferences: how do we make our employees happy? How do we get them more engaged (aka, do their work)?) Im not here to talk about how HR can do better, and get more out of you. Im here to talk about how YOU can get more personal fulfillment in your life and career. I think the first most important thing is to understand the greater WHY. If that doesnt work if you hear and understand the why and you still hate your job, then my second piece of advice is to quit. Go somewhere else. Look, if you hate it, and you dont care for their WHY, then you arent going to hate it less. You might even resent it more. Dont torture yourself by staying in a crappy situation. Find, or make, the situation you dont dread. Life is too short to give months and years to a mismatch, especially when it can harm your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. If this is you, find the WHY, and if that doesnt change things, move on. What To Do If You Hate Your Job I was chatting with Liz this morning about Project HOPE, which is now in alpha testing. I asked her if she wanted to listen to my audio, and see the feedback from the testers, and she said YES. She then wrote something interesting/funny: I worked at JibberJobber for several years without reading your blog. When I started to read it, I finally understood what we do. Now, this post is about hating your job. I daresay, Liz didnt and doesnt hate her job. But her comment made me chuckle. In the early days of JibberJobber blogging was one of my highest priorities. It was my marketing. It was the way I got information out. I could easily spend 45 minutes a day writing a post. My mind was consumed with thoughts about job search and career management. I didnt realize that my team wasnt watching the little bit of work I was doing that was highly public. Lizs comment hit me today though. At Bamboo last year my awesome boss  talked about the importance of WHY. Working towards employee satisfaction and employee engagement, we needed to help employees understand the WHY. Most people know the WHAT and the HOW of their job. They come to work and do their thing. But how many people know the WHY of their work? Do YOU know the WHY of your work? If you hate your job, I invite you to do one of two things. The first is to figure out the WHY. It might be your WHY, which could be to provide for your family, or to get out of debt, or to afford the lifestyle you want, or to be around people who inspire you, or _______________. I dont know what your WHYs are. The next WHY to figure out is the companys WHY. Is it to better the world, or help people, to make lives easier? Is it to be the best, and excel, and grow, and inspire others? What is it? Pluralsights WHY is to democratize technology education around the world. JibberJobbers WHY is to empower individuals with tools and knowledge about career management, and especially help people during a very tough part of their life (unemployment). I recognize that many organizations WHY is to make gobs of money. I bet, though, if you go back to the founders vision, or some visionary leader who is there today, youll hear a different WHY. Like Liz said, it wasnt until she read my blog, years after she started working with JibberJobber, that she understood what we do. Or, what drives me. Or WHY we are even around. I imagine that catching my WHY changed her WHY. And as long as my WHY was aligned with her values, her level of integrity, and her personal goals, she got more fulfillment being a part of my WHY. This translates to employee satisfaction. And increased employee satisfaction leads to increased employee engagement. Employee satisfaction and employee engagement are the holy grails of HR (just look at agendas at their conferences: how do we make our employees happy? How do we get them more engaged (aka, do their work)?) Im not here to talk about how HR can do better, and get more out of you. Im here to talk about how YOU can get more personal fulfillment in your life and career. I think the first most important thing is to understand the greater WHY. If that doesnt work if you hear and understand the why and you still hate your job, then my second piece of advice is to quit. Go somewhere else. Look, if you hate it, and you dont care for their WHY, then you arent going to hate it less. You might even resent it more. Dont torture yourself by staying in a crappy situation. Find, or make, the situation you dont dread. Life is too short to give months and years to a mismatch, especially when it can harm your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. If this is you, find the WHY, and if that doesnt change things, move on.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Karen Thompson University of Idaho Resume Writing

Karen Thompson University of Idaho Resume WritingHow do you improve your Karen Thompson University of Idaho resumes writing? Are you wondering if you need to re-write or edit your resume? For some people, that is not the answer.Before Karen Thompson became a nationally known author, she worked as a teaching assistant in a technical college and a cafeteria worker at the Kaiser Family College Health Services facility in Boise. She also taught elementary school in Idaho Falls, Idaho. But the key to her success was in her resume. It is also true for most successful people.When you are trying to get a job or a promotion at a job you have held for a long time, you will want to ensure that your resume is professional. The good news is that it is easy to make the first impression of your resume. You can be professional without looking too professional. Here are a few tips for improving your Karen Thompson University of Idaho resume writing.Include an attractive cover letter. Tell the hiring manager why you would be a good choice for the job. Make sure that your resume accurately reflects your skills and abilities. Having a strong cover letter does not necessarily mean that you will get the job.Review your employment history. List all of the jobs you have held and provide copies of your work hours, salary, and reasons for leaving. Be specific in describing the duties you did for each employer. The point is to show that you are familiar with the job you are applying for and that you were a competent worker for every employer.Make sure that your education, skills, and experiences match the position you are applying for. In particular, the letter should highlight your strengths and downplay your weaknesses. Your resume is like an advertisement that you have sent out to job hunters.Make sure that your employer is aware of the skills you possess. Use jargon and be creative when you use them. Your resume is similar to an advertisement that you send out. People who are looking for a job need to see your potential and you must make that clear.Karen Thompson University of Idaho resumes writing is hard. You cannot expect to simply write your resume by yourself. Get the help of a resume writer so that you can create a resume that will speak directly to the hiring manager and demonstrate that you are the right person for the job.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

The Importance Of Being Interested - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Importance Of Being Interested - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Imagine you walk into a business gathering filled with strangers. Who do you tend to gravitate towards, the person who treats you as a stranger by ignoring you or the person who takes the time to make eye contact and say hello? Imagine you are in a meeting with individuals you have met before, but none of whom are extremely familiar with you. With whom do you feel most comfortable engaging in conversation, the person who addresses you by name or the person who obviously does not remember it? Make eye contact, smile and say hello Imagine you are at a social gathering involving your place of employment. Who do you feel the greatest affinity towards, the person whose conversation with you is limited to business matters or the person who engages you in a conversation on matters of mutual personal interest? You likely have an interest in getting to know, like and trust those who have an interest in you. Given that idea, you do a great service to building your brand when you take an interest in others and work to acknowledge them in some way. Interest in others equals interest in you When you make an effort to acknowledge those around you, they want to get to know you that much more. When you make an effort to acknowledge others, they cannot help but like you as you make them feel important. When you make an effort to acknowledge others, they feel more comfortable about you and in the process are more trusting. Therefore, you should make it a habit to greet everyone you encounter with eye contact and a friendly hello. This might make you feel a bit awkward at first. However, in time it will seem like second nature. Moreover, in time people will perceive you as being an outgoing, friendly person, which is what every personal brand needs. Author: Frank Agin is the founder and president of AmSpirit Business Connections. In addition, Frank is the author of Foundational Networking: Building Know, Like and Trust To Create A Lifetime of Extraordinary Success and the co-author of LinkedWorking: Generating Success on the World’s Largest Professional Networking Website and The Champion: Finding the Most Valuable Person in Your Network.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

From Career Setback To Triumph - VocationVillage

From Career Setback To Triumph - VocationVillage Today’s interview is with Steven J. Ferrusi, inventor of FitDesk. Stevens story is one of a career setback to triumph.What type of career did you have before you launched FitDesk?Prior to taking my invention to market, I worked as a sales rep for a large company that has 3 M’s in its name. Our target market was high end residential.How long did you search for a job and how did your job search go?There was no reason to search for jobs as 8 months prior to getting laid off it was clear that the job market had been narrowed and job search would be futile. I didn’t search for jobs…I went straight to plan B: bring my product to market.How did you survive financially while you started your company?I planned ahead by selling my expensive home before a market downturn and I bought a smaller home with a small mortgage.   Also, I had a small rental in my new home that paid the mortgage each month.What skills and previous experience were you able to bring to FitDesk that are helping you to succeed?I had basic life skills such as managing money, living within my means, and making it a priority to save.   These skills are always needed to manage a start up.   Also, organization and patience have helped with the daily chores of running a start up.What is the best part about running your company?The best part is that I believe in this product as a way to help others who have a hard time getting a fitness program started and sticking to it. I had always heard that belief in what you are doing is important when you launch a new venture, but now I completely agree and I suggest that this be part of your decision factors.   Sales are always welcome because they validate your efforts.This would be a good point in the interview to describe FitDesk. What is it? FitDesk is a product that comfortably allows a person to exercise while using a computer or video game.   It offers a solution for the problem of not getting enough movement into our lives. I took something that people love to do (computers and gaming) and made it a part of what people need to do (exercise and movement). This increases the likelihood of consistency.   After a year and a half of trying many different designs, I decided to go to market with a method that was patentable, cost effective to produce and easy to install and modify.That sounds genius! You solved the “When and how do I exercise?” problem suffered by so many sedentary people!Yes, I believe I did. What is the most challenging part about running your company?The most challenging thing about running a new company that has no products like it are PR (no one knows you exist and no one knows how your product will perform) and balancing advertising costs with income. One of the first challenging tasks is to develop a list of resources for potential sales/referrals.What career advice do you have for job searchers who may be considering an entrepreneurial path?Read books and information on topic. Write a business plan that is flexible. Start slow while you learn about resources that will produce results. Expect highs and lows. Bring all your energy to the table. Make sure you have enough capital to survive 6 months minimum.Anything else you would like to share?When people tell you that you have a great idea, expect most to give verbal appreciation but not actually part with their money. People take time to make a purchase. Do not take everything personally. Keep pushing your product w ith utmost confidence.What new skills did you need to learn to be an entrepreneur?I had to learn the difference between public relations, marketing, and sales.   These may seem similar but are very different and need to be understood before you spend time making a business and marketing plan.I also had to make sure my organizational skills are top notch.How does your current income compare to your previous income? (not numbers, of course, just generally)Income is down only slightly because I’m keeping my start up costs low. I’m using discipline to start out slow so that I can build my resources with the goal of realizing profit and minimizing marketing mistakes.Any other words of wisdom for people who have recently lost their jobs?Find a way to make it positive. Personally, I was able to triumph. I would not change it for the world.Thank you, Steven!If you enjoyed this success story, please share it!

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Deals on Resume Writing

Deals on Resume WritingMany online business people want to know the best deals on resume writing. The best deals on resume writing are well defined and they have certain standards that are important. If you do not get the job, you will need to have a clear understanding of what you are doing, what is expected of you and the necessary strategies for getting into the business.As a writer, your first step should be to ensure that you understand the industry. You will also need to understand the business objectives of the organization that you are working for. A good writer has to be clear about their role and in order to do this, they need to understand the fundamentals of resume writing. The most important fundamentals are the professionalism, the breadth of experience and the use of current and successful content techniques.Most online resume services come with a wide range of techniques, the choice is yours on how much is required. For example, a good writer would be able to identify the type of business that you are targeting, the expertise and the specific skills required. Once this is done, the writer should be able to build a quality resume with great depth. It will take some time to create the paper but the results will speak for themselves.Another element that needs to be considered is the online writing style. Although resume writing is not the only way to market your career, it is a proven technique for building contacts and making connections. In fact, a number of people enjoy the ease of browsing the site while writing their own material. Even if you are hired for a position, you can still provide an original and valuable service to the company.Another important point on resume writing is getting the right theme. Not every individual is good at discussing their successes and struggles. A good writer will be able to create a positive message that portrays the best traits of the job seeker. A person who has a poor writing style may have a more difficult time expressing his problems than someone who is able to express them effectively.When you are writing your product profile, it is also crucial to keep in mind that your CV is like a magazine. Your job as a writer is to write the best features of the job seeker and help him land the best job. Remember that no one is there to read your resume but the prospective employer.Writing content that is compelling and deep is also important in building up the product profile. A quality writer knows that many people prefer to read personal stories rather than information. In fact, it is much easier to sell someone on something that is funny and filled with sound practical advice than it is to sell them a product that is only a wordy outline of a sales pitch. Therefore, a good writer will always make sure that the content contains something that makes it interesting to read.Finally, the presentation of the strong points is vital in making the piece more believable. A well written CV with its t hemes and examples should be prepared by a professional who has a lot of experience and understand how to make a positive impression on the reader. There are plenty of online professional writers available to write this material so you can rest assured that you will get good results.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Two Shades Of Green Making Money While Saving The Planet

Two Shades Of Green Making Money While Saving The Planet Over the last couple of decades, there have been loads of developments in the world of environmentally-friendly technology. With hundreds of companies throwing their hats into the ring, you wouldn’t be silly for assuming that most businesses are using this sort of gear. In reality, though, prices have been slated for being too high, and even the biggest claim that they are unaffordable. To beat this idea, this post will be exploring the world of environmentally-friendly technology, along with the money which can be made by those who are willing to buy into it. In the US, industrial pollution accounts for almost half of the total pollution in the air. This comes from manufacturing, waste management, and loads of other industries, but there is something which can be done. Lean processes are designed to minimize waste and maximize speed by using precise modern machinery. In a lot of cases, these sorts of techniques are able to reduce a factory to producing as little as 2% of their old waste, saving money on materials while also resulting in higher yields. The machines may be expensive for this sort of work, but they can often be leased or bought on finance. Renewable energy has been a very popular idea for a long time in the world of green science. Finding an energy source which doesn’t pollute and won’t run out is a modern miracle, and a lot of people are already taking advantage of it. Solar power is the easiest way for a business to harness the power of nature. Using your buildings, your roofs can be covered with panels, enabling the place to start producing enough energy to power itself, along with having some spare. Once the panels have paid for themselves, this could reduce your power bills to nothing. Along with this, though, it will also make your business a lot greener, and this is an excellent balance to find. A lot of businesses don’t have the space or environment for a solar or wind farm, unfortunately. These resources take up a lot of room, and will need to have the right weather conditions to be effective. The best carbon offset providers can handle this issue for you, providing you with the means to fund a renewable fuel project elsewhere, offsetting the pollution which you produce. In the process, you could be helping a rural community to have power. Along with this, you will also be doing your part for the environment, even if you don’t make money. Of course, the reputation boost this will provide certainly won’t do your business any harm, and this makes the lack of return easier to bear. With all of the options out there, it should be nice and easy for businesses to get started with their own environment saving ventures. Of course, though, it takes a long time for this sort of issue to become a priority, and this can make it feel like nothing is happening. Being one of the first is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to helping the world.

Friday, May 8, 2020

The Power Of Doing One New Thing

The Power Of Doing One New Thing The Power Of Doing One New Thing Do one thing every day that scares you. â€" Eleanor Roosevelt We all have our comfort zones. Places where we feel comfy and safe. And we don’t like to step out. But, the only way to make those scary things less scary is to step up and do the things we’re afraid of. I speak from experience. Although most people wouldn’t know it, I’m an introvert. I used to be one of those who stood alone at networking events too shy to introduce myself. After years of being out there chatting with strangers is pretty easy. I’m also not one to brag about myself which sometimes hampers me in business. It’s something I work on daily Doing one thing that scares you every day, as Eleanor Roosevelt suggests, is a tall order. So I’ll make the challenge much easier. Just do one thing that scares you this week. Repeat each following week for one month. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Sign up for Twitter. Maybe, join a Twitter chat. Contact a recruiter who specializes in your industry. Schedule coffee or lunch with someone you haven’t seen in a while. Ask three friends or family members who they know who can help you. Interact with one of your target employers online. Talk to one person while waiting in line at the store. Attend one networking event (particularly if you don’t want to). Follow up with one employer you have interviewed with. Go out to a restaurant alone. While something that’s related to your job search can create forward momentum, anything that takes you out of your comfort zone is great. If you dread the idea of sitting at a table for one in a restaurant then do that. It will increase your confidence. It might even give you the self-assurance to attend the next networking event alone. (Read why that’s important.) The idea is simple, not easy. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary. But it gets easier every time. I promise.