How to Build Employee Trust with Honest Career Conversations

How to Build Employee Trust with Honest Career Conversations Is there an employer and employee disconnect in the workplace? LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman thinks that is the case and recently penned a book about this called  The Alliance: Managing Talent in the Networked Age. The issue is that companies don’t foster open and honest career conversations. Therefore Hoffman argues that it’s time that we, as leaders, rebuild trust with our teams by having open and honest career conversations to help our teams unlock their career potential.  â€œI have found that one of the best ways to create unique value for my employees is to help them plan for the life they aspire to lead after they leave my team one day”. Mike Gamson, LinkedIn’s SVP Global Solutions In the deck below, created by LinkedIns own artist in residence Brett Wallace, there are 7 tips for  conducting these honest career conversations. Main takeaways: There’s a dishonest conversation happening at work, and  it’s holding both managers and employees back, ignoring this simply  limits everyones potential. Companies presume lifelong loyalty and therefore dont foster open career conversations with employees, as a result employees hide their true career aspirations and may find it easier to leave the business to find a better opportunity than actually have a chat with their boss. Encourage team members to think of their careers as tours of duty that benefit both them and the company. A tour of duty is an agreement between an employer and employee that has a specific mission with a realistic time horizon and mutual benefit. Have the courage to discuss with your team that someday they may choose a career path outside of your company. These honest career conversations are necessary for building trust. (See more at 10 Career-Change Questions to Ask Yourself Before Jumping Ship.) Discuss how you can work together to transform their career, and the company, while they are with you. Model honesty with your employees by being open about your own dreams and aspirations. Help your people make the best career decisions for where they want to go even if it means they pursue another path. Bear in mind  people leave and sometimes come back, sometimes tell others to join your  organisation. RELATED: How to Keep Your Best Employees

Resume Writing Of The Future - Secrets Of Writing A Great Resume That Makes A Difference

Resume Writing Of The Future - Secrets Of Writing A Great Resume That Makes A DifferenceAre you a recent college graduate or just out of high school? If so, you are in luck because resume writing of the future is here! This exciting opportunity for writing your own resume means that you can select your desired topics and type of information that you want to include on your resume.When you sign up for an open call for resumes, you are actually entering into a competition of sorts. You are assigned a certain amount of time to write your own resume and receive feedback. Since you are not obligated to complete your assignment within the specified time, you have the choice to abandon it. However, if you decide to finish what you started, you will still be rewarded handsomely!Of course, one important point to remember is that this job is a learning experience. Therefore, you should be prepared to write a resume for a plethora of different industries. Even if you do not know a single word o f English, you can still learn a lot about what you are applying for by taking this opportunity.However, you will have to be careful to answer all the questions asked in the interview with exactitude. You will be required to complete a form that will reveal details about your educational background and how you intend to get into a particular industry. These kinds of tests are used by companies as a method of verifying whether or not you have what it takes to succeed in their company.There are many ways that you can learn how to write a resume for resumes of the future. The most obvious way is to find free tips online. You can also get a copy of the package that most of the companies offer to help you out.You may be surprised to find out that these tips and tricks can actually be quite useful for you and your career. As I said, you get a chance to learn how to take control of the situation and craft a resume that will bring you the results you desire. The best part is that you don't have to spend your valuable time researching the best method of resume writing.In fact, when you sign up for the open call for resumes, you will be able to view samples of what other people have written. This is a great way to see exactly what the companies are looking for. Although these samples are often quite similar, they are often very informative and can give you a sense of how others have approached the same problem.This kind of information can help you come up with an outline for the steps you need to take in order to enter into a new industry. In addition, you will get a chance to practice what you have learned so that you can use it later on. This can make a huge difference in the outcome of your resume.

Work Style Dress for Success

Work Style Dress for Success A womans style, her clothes and accessories, are the core of her professional image. Your choice of clothes, your shoes and your handbag, your makeup and jewelry, all send signals about your credibility, professionalism and trustworthiness â€" long before you open your mouth to speak.     What does your work attire say about you? To make sure that you like the message, consider these factors when developing your style and choosing your outfits: Work environment Your style should be consistent with your profession and your company. Clothes that work well in a creative atmosphere, like an advertising agency creative team, will give a far different impression in the conservative banking industry. Clothes that are perfectly acceptable in an office environment will be completely out of place on a construction site. The same applies to accessories: look for pieces that pull a look together without overwhelming it. Make sure that whatever you wear is appropriate to the situation of the day. Comfort Style and comfort can go together. No matter how gorgeous those spiky heels are, if you are going to be on your feet all day, leave them in the closet. Same for heavy jewelry that makes your neck ache, or a super-slim skirt if it forces you to take short steps. You will be in that outfit for 12, 14, even 16 hours! Pick clothes that let you move freely, and don’t pinch or bind. Your Body Type Some clothing styles just look better or worse on certain body shapes. Whether you are a banana, pear, apple, or hourglass, select clothes that fit you well. Need help with this? Try a professional dresser at a department store (they are often free!), or ask a friend with fabulous taste to come with you. Don’t place too much emphasis on what fashion magazines say about ‘must-have’ items. Go with clothes that work for you, not for someone famous. Invest in Classics Buy some classic pieces that fit well, are a good color for you and can anchor your wardrobe. Invest in better quality for these items; that suit may seem expensive, but if it lasts and looks good for several years you will certainly have gotten your money’s worth. For an office job, black, grey or navy pantsuits are always a safe and classic option. Buy the best you can afford. Then mix and match with less expensive, trendier tops and accessories in  this seasons latest styles. Use colourful tops and scarves to brighten those dark suits. The same goes for shoes: a few pairs of classics will serve you better than a closet full of cheap, one-season wonders. Working in a conservative office? Make sure you have at least 2 pairs of dark pumps on a medium heel, and one pair of dark boots for bad weather days. If you travel a lot for work, tailored khaki trousers, a sweater set and loafers are comfortable, and you will always look appropriate. That’s so important when the Big Boss sits next to you on the flight! “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”- Oscar Wilde Be Yourself No matter what style you choose, make sure it fits the whole you. Develop a look thats uniquely yours. Find tips and ideas on online sites or in books, or by studying the women around you. If there is someone at work whose look you admire, ask where she bought those great shoes. Then see what those places can offer you.  Most importantly, be yourself! . Image credits. Main.  BodyType.    Professional.

Do I Look Too Young to Be Taken Seriously At Work

Do I Look Too Young to Be Taken Seriously At Work A note from Nicole: Todays post is a MUST READ for every young female professional out there! Regardless of what industry you are in- this doesnt just happen in business, ask your friends who are teachers- you are likely to face some pressure (if not just plain old insecurity) about appearing too young. Ive personally dealt with this quite a bit, especially when I was selling mortgages to people more than twice my age at my first job, and working with seasoned business owners, attorneys and bankers at my second job. I made the same efforts that Melody did in the post below until my Mom (an experienced businesswoman/owner) said, Who cares!  If youre good, youre good. Focus on doing a great job, serving your clients and getting back to them right away if you dont know the answer to something.  Believe me people wont care how old youre if youre doing a great job. And she was right.  As a new manager, I just finished a long round of interviewing and hiring two new marketing coordinators for my team.  In hindsight, theres no doubt that my final choices were made largely on self-confidence (not experience or age).  Keep these stories in mind before you waste time doubting yourself or trying to make yourself look older! Thanks for a great post Melody! By,  Melody Sabedra As a young female professional with a baby face, I often find it hard to gain the acceptance of the older executives within my company. Once when I was in the process of being hired, my then boss stated that because I looked so young I should try to dress in darker colors. He claimed that only younger people wore bright colors. Being that I had just been offered a job in this down economy, I took the advice with a smile on my face. I mean, the person had just hired me so they couldnt possibly be criticizing me, right? Since that date, I experienced many more times when I was told how to dress, look or appear in order to be perceived as older and more professional. At first these suggestions were welcomed, as I was completely unaware that I was appearing too young to look professional. However, after a while I started to get upset. These repeated suggestions made me wonder, does it really matter how young or old I look to be successful in my career? I got my answer as I was walking into the attorneys section of a courthouse when someone inside the room said, this room is only for attorneys young lady. I shut the door and went to the bathroom to hide from the embarrassment of not looking like an attorney when I was one. That statement definitely lead me to the reality that no matter what I think or how I feel, others perceive me as a young lady. My next thought was that I had to try to do something to make myself look older so that I could appear more professional. In an effort to accomplish this goal, I tried numerous things. I first decided to cut my hair into a short angled bob style. As a result, my hair went from below my shoulders to right about the height of my chin. Although this was a drastic change, when I came into work the next day the first thing my boss said to me was, I like that haircut, it is very professional. Apparently the haircut was a success. Then I attempted wearing more makeup to work, as I had heard that maybe wearing more makeup would make me look older. Now, I generally always wear a little mascara, powder, blush, and eye shadow, which I thought was pretty standard. In an attempt to look a little older, I decided to wear darker eye shadows and more blush. This looked ok, but I found it kind of an onerous task for an everyday habit. I also tried to wear lipstick, which I NEVER wear. The result of my makeup extravaganza is that I ended up feeling stupid, like a young girls trying on her mothers makeup. I started to give up trying to look older. Then one day during a lunch conference, I noticed a young lady that was a guest speaker at the event on the due diligence process of acquisitions (exciting stuff!). Although this woman appeared pretty young, there was something about her that made her appear very professional. While I was at the conference I couldnt put my finger on just what it was about her. When I got back to the office I sat and thought about why that woman caught my attention. At first I thought it was the fact that she was speaking at an event, which would make anyone appear professional. Then I came to the conclusion that it was not that she was speaking or that she was wearing a nice suit, she looked professional because she had an exuberant amount of confidence. This confidence made her look and appear older and more professional than I am sure she was. From that day on I realized that persuading others to trust you in business is not always about what you look like. Sometimes all it takes is just a little bit of confidence. Through my experiences of being an extremely fresh faced attorney, I have learned that I need to portray confidence to my client in order to be respected. Obviously a client is going to trust an attorney who appears to know what they are doing over someone who stares at them like a deer in headlights. Just think about it, when you are in any type of a business meeting with people who have been in your field longer than you, what draws you into listening to some people and not others? I did this one day at a meeting. I looked around the room as everyone talked and I took notes of who I actually paid attention to and who I caught myself day-dreaming to. The result was that the people with the loudest voice and the most charisma caught my attention more than the quiet wallflower type who was only speaking because he was forced into doing so. It was their confidence that made me listen to them. It is confidence that can turn you into a true professional, not a haircut or a fabulous suit. So next time someone tries to tell you that you should look a certain way to appear more professional, dont take offense to it. Rather, think about how you are presenting yourself to other people. Ensure that you are always portraying an image of confidence, even in your weakest moment.

How to Write a Resume Cover Letter

How to Write a Resume Cover LetterIf you are tired of the same old resume and job applications and want to put something new into it, then you need to read this article on how to write resume tips. One of the best resume tips is to always include your highest level of education earned in your career. Always be cautious when you are answering the questions about your educational background. Some people just do not realize that they need to answer those questions.Answer all the questions that you can on your qualifications, previous employers, and education before you even begin. This will help you think about what you are trying to say to them. Don't start by trying to give an example of what you have done in the past or how you came up with a particular idea. Instead, come up with a unique and exciting statement.Another tip on how to writing resume tips is to always have something interesting to say in the cover letter. It is important to use a few different ways to get to the point. Some people ask about their skill level, qualifications, and what they are looking for. These answers will tell the reader how professional you are and make them more comfortable when reading through your resume.The resume has to be concise and direct. It should be very concise and to the point. You have to be able to clearly relay the requirements of the position without getting bogged down. If you take too much time in writing the resume, then it will probably seem like you are trying to talk all day long and you might get so frustrated that you throw it in the trash can.Use some of the resume writing tips listed in this article on how to write a cover letter. Do not mention all of your previous achievements in the resume, but instead focus on what you are looking for. Your cover letter should also be brief and to the point.Do not use this information as an excuse to give away everything on the applicant's information. Instead, it should simply be a way to inform them that you ha ve this particular position. It may be more difficult to sell yourself to someone who does not know you. Using a form of resume writing tips is going to help you achieve this.Use a combination of resume writing tips to learn how to write resume cover letters. Do not use the cover letter as a place to tell them why you are better than them. Your goal here is to tell them that you will be the right fit for the position.So, before you submit your job application, make sure that you are working on your resume. Before you do, get out the pen and paper and write your resume cover letter. This will not only tell them that you have completed the process, but it will also tell them that you are serious about the position. You need to show them that you are willing to go above and beyond to get the job.

How to Be a More Competent Project Manager in The New Year CareerMetis.com

How to Be a More Competent Project Manager in The New Year Did you already make your New Year’s Resolution list? Even though some people believe making resolutions is a waste of time Even more, to get you started, we made a list for PMs who want to improve their personal and professional life in 2020. Have a look and see which goal fits your list.Be a LeaderYou may not be running the company, but you are the one responsible for running the team that was assigned to you. Moreover, you are the connection between team members and senior leadership, so it’s your job to find ways to keep both parties happy.For this, your goals for the new year should be about the following:better communication If you want your team to trust your judgment as a leader, you must be active and quick in solving any critical issues. True, some are uncomfortable According to PsychologyToday, procrastinators are the opposite of what people think. They’re not lazy or disinterested in getting the job done, but rather overwhelmed and sometimes scared of the outcome if the task is not successful. Even more, people who procrastinate are smart, resourceful, and can function quite well under pressure.Still, there are limits over which procrastination becomes a problem. Also, anxiety and stress tend to accumulate over time, leading to health issues. So, before you judge your team members too harshly, try to understand or even learn why people procrastinate. This will give you the possibility to understand their behavior and find better ways to fight this habit.Focus More on Employee EngagementMost people consider that job satisfaction and engagement are the same, but things couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, people can still be satisfied at a job where they are not encouraged to add any real value.In order to do so, companies should allow employees to express their opinions and ideas, and help them implement the good ones. You should also steer clear from micromanaging your team and avoid being a helicopter manager. Allow your team member s to set their own goals, participate in meetings where they can offer valuable insight, and/or work on individual projects they like.Moreover, to keep people motivated and loyal, start an employee engagement programthat will help them feel included and heard.Analyze Your PerformanceThere’s a saying going around that states employees don’t necessarily leave a company or a position per se; they leave a manager or a boss.So, if your team is slacking, you should start by analyzing your own performance and behavior. Try to identify the factors that influence the team in a negative manner and understand what causes them. Remember â€" a true and responsible leaderwill always take responsibility for the shortcomings of their team.While it can be difficult to turn an inquisitorial eye on, if you want to be better at managing the people you guide, it’s best to learn how to be your own harshest critic. Once you understand where and why certain problems arise, it’s easier to apply corr ective measures. Get Better ToolsAre you still using Excel spreadsheets to organize everything and keep track of tasks and deadlines? Then one of your goals for the next year should be finding better tools to help you manage projects and the team!evalThere are lots of highly-efficient project management platforms easily available online that help PMs improve their work and automate routine tasks. However, in order for these tools to prove efficient and supportive of your efforts to be better at your job, you’ll also need to acquire some technical skills.Below we have listed some of the most important ones, especially for a modern PM:1) Agile SoftwareevalIf you haven’t heard about Agile, it’s time to bring your knowledge of team management software up to date. This platform is wildly popular in the business world because it allows a continuous product management flow from inception to launch.The software allows everyone involved in the production process to add their contributi on to the project without losing focus on the main task. Moreover, it is highly flexible and supports collaborative troubleshooting, which is incredibly useful in a wide array of niches.evalIn addition, teams can receive feedback from the stakeholders and/or clients, and make corrections on the product as they go. As such, the client doesn’t have to wait for the team to finish a prototype and then test it â€" they can follow the progress, state their opinions, and see the product transform in real-time. This saves time for everyone involved (developers, stakeholders, customers).More importantly, Agile is perfect for PMs because it reduces the time spent on discussions and negotiations.2) Financial ModellingFinancial planning and budgeting are a big part of a PM’s job, but through financial modeling, you add innovation and vision. This is a skill developed by financial investors, business owners, accountants, and other people whose main job is organizing money.These people become proficient (through years of experience) in building financial models to forecast the financial performance of a business or investment deal. However, as a Project Manager, you don’t need to know how to build complex financial models. You just need the right software tool and the knowledge to use it for your needs.Most experts consider Excel (from the Microsoft Office package) the ideal software tool for building all sorts of financial models. However, while the tool has its merit for complex modeling, it can be difficult to use for someone who is just starting. As such, since you don’t need the same level of detail as a financial analyst, you may want to consider other software tools available online.Regardless of the tool you choose to use, it can help you forecast the financial future of a project and even find better solutions when it comes to distributing the funds. 3) Kanban SoftwareIf your company is involved in manufacturing, then some departments are probably already u sing the Kanban method of scheduling. This system was designed in Japan by the Toyota Motor Corporation and uses graphical elements to describe the production process.But the Kanban method is no longer just for companies involved in the manufacturing business. Software companies have adapted to their needs, and other organizations have followed their example.This is a system that lets the entire team (not just the manager) follow the progress of a project and identify bottlenecks before they become a problem. And, because it is visual, it’s easy to track performance and monitor the stage of each task.4) Reports Performance TrackingLove them or hate them, reports are a PM’s bread and butter! You need them to get a birds’ eye view of your projects, but also to showcase your team’s performance and effort for bigger executives.Wherever you turn, there’s a report to be put together, which is why the task can get boring really fast. Luckily, we live in the era of new technologi es, and there are software tools that can help you keep accurate track of performance and create customized templates for your reports.All you need to do is find the right reporting toolfor your needs, and learn how to implement it for your activity. It may take some getting used to, but the benefits can be measured in saved time, improved efficiency, and better focus on the team’s needs. Overall, reporting software frees your mind for tasks that require a human touch, such as communication and solving conflicts.Build a Knowledge BaseWhat happens with the notes you take on projects, the exchange of messages on a certain task, the ideas left unexplored? Even though it may not seem so, these bits of information may be useful in future projects because they offer insight into similar past situations.A good project manager gathers all these data and stores them in a knowledge base. This can contain anything from to-do lists to personal notes on various tasks. But it can also be used t o store written conversations and debates, thoughts, lightbulb moments, comments on documents, and more.Furthermore, with the available tools (platforms like Evernote or Google Keep), project managers have full-time access to the base. This means you can continue adding ideas and notes even outside the office or the regular schedule.As a result, nothing gets lost and valuable notes and thoughts can be shared and improved upon (you can ask for feedback from the team). So, when a similar situation arises you don’t have to start from zero â€" you can just check the knowledge base and get inspired by the notes and thoughts you stored.The secret is to make sure the base is well-organized, based on specific projects or tasks. This way, you save time on search and provide the team with useful notes. Wrap UpIn the hope that our list proved helpful, we encourage you to add your own items to it and make it your own. You can also add personal goals like getting in shape or eating healthier. After all, you are a model to your team and you may motivate others to follow in your footsteps for a better life.

5 Hot Careers as a Social Worker - CareerAlley

5 Hot Careers as a Social Worker - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Working as a social worker can be challenging yet rewarding. It requires sincerity and dedication to improve the lives of people by helping them overcome difficulties. The field of social work is largely related with psychology. And while one may start building his/her career as a social worker right after pursuing an undergraduate degree like Bachelors of Social Work (BSW), many social workers opt for a Masters degree in social work to brighten their career prospects. With the right education, they can utilize social theories to address human problems and help the society as a whole. Depending on their inclination and capabilities, they can work in different areas of social work. A social worker serving as the guidance counselor at a school Public Health Social workers specializing in the medical field are in high demand. The employment opportunities in the medical/public health area of social work are expected to rise by 22% through 2018, the largest rate among all social work disciplines. Social workers in medical/public health field work in facilities offering care to patients, such as emergency rooms, hospitals, hospices, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home health agencies and assisted living facilities. They ensure proper care and interact with the patients, help with decision-making and paperwork. They are also the advocates for the patients rights and become their support during tough times. Being a major specialization, it pays more than the others. A social worker serving under this domain can earn between $41,000 and $58,000 per annum. == Public Health Job Leads Substance Abuse Social workers for substance abuse can be employed at a variety of places, like prisons, rehabilitation facilities, private practices, juvenile detention facilities and non-profit organizations. Since addiction is difficult to cope with, this is an emotionally demanding area of social work. Addicts require compassion and patience. Social workers need to navigate mood swings, anger and relapses. But knowing that your services can change someones life is highly rewarding. Because the legal system gives greater importance to rehabilitation and recovery, jobs for social workers under substance abuse are likely to grow by 20% by 2018. Depending on the employer and the professionals level of experience, the annual salary can range between $29,000 and $49,000. == Substance Abuse Job Leads Mental Health Pursuing a Masters degree will make you more marketable for a job in social work. While the post-graduate degree boosts your career scope, it is a necessity when it comes to mental health in clinical practice. Mental health social workers offer therapy, which demands advanced education and licensure. Clinical social workers or mental health social workers work in mental hospitals, community mental health centers, private practices, special schools and hospitals. They analyze their clients mental state, diagnose the disorders, come up with treatment plans and provide guidance in the daily lives of patients. On an average, they earn up to $41,880 a year. == Mental Health Job Leads Child Welfare This area of social work requires love for children, empathy and sensitivity. Child welfare social workers offer services to children who have suffered abuse, have been neglected by parents, are deprived of properly care as they hail from lower-income families or are living in an environment deemed unsafe for them. The child welfare workers work in coordination with child protective services to look after such cases and place the children in safe alternative environments. This area of social work is anticipated to grow by 12% in the next five years. Based on your experience and location, one can earn from $25,000 to $47,000 per annum in this field. == Child Welfare Job Leads School Social Work School social work is a highly common field of service for social workers. You get to act as the link between the students families and the school to bridge the childrens education and personal lives and ensure that their requirements are being met. One can take up a job as a guidance counselor and work for children with special needs to help them integrate with mainstream sessions. School social workers address school issues, behavioral intervention programs, crisis intervention, sexual education, truancy prevention programs, health education and the purpose of effective communication between students, teachers and parents. They may earn an annual remuneration between $32,000 and $52,000. == School Social Work Job Leads Author bio: Devika Arora is an avid writer who compiles relevant facts and analyzes the current state of affairs pertaining to the domain of employment and careers. The given article discusses about careers options as a social worker. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif

Tough (Question) Tuesday What does complaining get you Does it bring you solutions - When I Grow Up

Tough (Question) Tuesday What does complaining get you Does it bring you solutions - When I Grow Up You can buy this magnet at Moxie. Even though this month has been awesome (literally it inspires awe) yesterdays Motivation Monday featured a sign that says I have nothing to complain about, I find myself doing it anyway! Instead, Ill ask myself: What does complaining get you? Does it bring you solutions? See the 1st installment of Tough (Question) Tuesday here.