20) Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

How I Found A Job (11/20) Waiting, Waiting, Waiting… Waiting stinks. Especially for someone with my personality. How do I wait while not doing the job? How do I not become too emotionally invested in this, only to be let down and have to move on? Bury myself in any work. Transitioning my duties to Liz, finishing up some projects, chatting with the team about the possible changes, looking at other jobs Ugh. Something switched. No other job, no other company, was interesting. I couldnt imagine myself doing what I was looking for (product management) anymore. I couldnt image myself working at any of the companies I had targeted anymore. Even the two companies that were really close to my house had no appeal. If I had to work at them I would, of course. But, the idea of not working at BambooHR was becoming unthinkable. I was getting hooked. Hook, line, and sinker. Not a good place to be, if you want to negotiate. Or, if you dont get the offer. I knew it, but I didnt know how to not go there. It felt like it was right, and it was going to happen. But what if it didnt? I wouldnt be prepared for that. More prepared than 12 years ago, but it would still be a hit. What could I do? Not much. Wait. Try to keep busy. But with a mind that was mush it was hard to do anything but hope, and wonder, and try to keep self-doubt away. How I Found A Job (11/20) Waiting, Waiting, Waiting… Waiting stinks. Especially for someone with my personality. How do I wait while not doing the job? How do I not become too emotionally invested in this, only to be let down and have to move on? Bury myself in any work. Transitioning my duties to Liz, finishing up some projects, chatting with the team about the possible changes, looking at other jobs Ugh. Something switched. No other job, no other company, was interesting. I couldnt imagine myself doing what I was looking for (product management) anymore. I couldnt image myself working at any of the companies I had targeted anymore. Even the two companies that were really close to my house had no appeal. If I had to work at them I would, of course. But, the idea of not working at BambooHR was becoming unthinkable. I was getting hooked. Hook, line, and sinker. Not a good place to be, if you want to negotiate. Or, if you dont get the offer. I knew it, but I didnt know how to not go there. It felt like it was right, and it was going to happen. But what if it didnt? I wouldnt be prepared for that. More prepared than 12 years ago, but it would still be a hit. What could I do? Not much. Wait. Try to keep busy. But with a mind that was mush it was hard to do anything but hope, and wonder, and try to keep self-doubt away.

Job Search - What to Include in Your Resume Statement of Purpose

Job Search - What to Include in Your Resume Statement of PurposeA resume statement of purpose is one of the most important components that every job seeker needs to have in order to stand out in a crowd. Not only will it help you get an interview, but it will help you land the job. It has become almost mandatory for any person who hopes to land a job that needs a new employee to have a resume statement of purpose.Of course, having a nice resume is not enough. You need to know what to include in it. This is where the resume statement of purpose comes in. This is the section where you are able to talk about what it is that you bring to the table and why you are the best person for the job.Another important factor in this section is to list your major qualifications. You should put this right at the top of your resume statement of purpose and do not hesitate to tell the reader what each section of qualifications mean. The second part of this section should be a short description of why you deserve the job and why the employer should hire you.The first paragraph of this section should also contain a list of things that the employer can expect from you and how you will make sure that they get those things. A good resume, statement of purpose should not be overly long and should be brief and direct. After all, the job of a recruiter is to find out if you are qualified for the job or not.The third section of your resume, statement of purpose should be a short list of a few jobs that you have held before that are related to the job that you are applying for, along with any new skills that you may have. This is very important, as it will help the recruiter to figure out if you have any talents that are really suitable for the job. After all, if you have no experience in the job that you are applying for, then you are probably not the right candidate.The fourth section of your statement of purpose should highlight exactly what you expect the employer to gain from hiring you. This section should give details of your abilities and your skills. For example, if you have written three books, you should mention this as an ability. If you are able to proofread a manual twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, then you should mention this as a skill.A good resume, statement of purpose should always contain the words 'what'why'. These are the main elements that can turn your resume statement of purpose into a successful resume. Make sure that you do not use any old generic keywords that everyone else uses. Instead, use words that can only apply to you.Finally, make sure that your resume statement of purpose is structured properly. Make sure that it is not boring and should not bore the reader. A nice resume is boring, so make sure that you use creative and interesting content to keep your readers interested.

The Least Asked interview Questions

The Least Asked interview Questions Any career advice column can give you tips on answering the most-often asked questions in an interview.   It takes real confidence to give tips on how to shine when the questions are just plain wacky.   This post by   Glassdoor.com compiled the 25 strangest interview questions posed by recruiters from name brand companies. The questions must provide interviewers with some great stories to share in the break room.   They vary from Forrester Research’s “If you were to get rid of one state in the US, which would it be and why?” to Google’s “How many cows are in Canada?” JetBlue wants to know how many quarters you would need to reach the height of the Empire State building, but that’s nothing compared to Clark Construction Group.   Their contribution is this:   “A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero.   What does he say and why is he here?” Why would serious companies ask such silly questions? There is, actually, a method behind their madness, sometimes, more than one. First, these questions give the interviewer a glimpse into your real personality. There’s no way to hide behind a credential, technical jargon, or your fabulous memory. It’s just you and the interviewer, waiting for your reaction to something out of left field. Do you laugh in delight? Panic? Get indignant?   Pause for a painfully long time before giving up? Each of these reactions would reveal the real you â€" the one that’s going to come out sooner or later when things go wrong. Second, these questions provide insight on how creative you are.   They strip away factors like experience and education and get to the essence of how your mind works. The interviewers know that this question is unanswerable; they simply want to see how you approach a problem that you’ve never thought about before. Take the Forrester question on which state you would eliminate and why.   This is a great exercise in making tough business decisions â€" minus the usual economic   factors and ethical issues.   Your answer reveals what values guide you when you first think about a problem. Is efficiency your go-to justification? “I’d roll Rhode Island into Massachusetts. Its residents would get the benefit of in-state tuition for better universities, and it’s the smallest state and economy in the Union. No one will miss it.” Or do you take a consensus-building approach? “I’d take the three most distant states (Hawaii, Alaska, and Maine), and let the country vote on a referendum on which one should go.” If the problem is hypothetically solvable (number of cows in Canada), the interviewer can get a glimpse into how your brain organizes and processes information. It’s legitimate to say, “I can’t know the number, but here’s how I’d try to figure it out.” Then show your math. Talk about the resources you’d tap and how you’d get a rough estimate of whatever the answer is.   Confidence is what shines here, since no one can have certainty. A local jobseeker once told me about an off-the-wall question that threw her for a loop: Are you a daisy or a rose (and why?) To this jobseeker, the question made no sense. (Since the firm in question was a logistics company, I tended to agree.) But the metaphor that the interviewer was trying for made immediate sense to me. Are you an accessible, low maintenance manager who thrives as part of a team (a daisy)? Or are you a soloist that enjoys the spotlight and can command a room (a rose?) Easy for me to imagine and answer, but puzzling and frustrating for what would have been a good candidate for the company’s position. In that case, real and useful information was sacrificed to an artsy question. Cute, but not effective. Bonus: Here’s my answer to the penguin with the sombrero question. “There are only two reasons for him to interrupt our meeting.   Either he works here, or he’s your next interview.   Either way, since I’m taller and better dressed than he is, I must be looking pretty good as a candidate right now. I feel better about my odds of getting hired and making a meaningful contribution.”

3 Reasons Entrepreneurs Fail as Managers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

3 Reasons Entrepreneurs Fail as Managers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Let’s face it, most entrepreneurs are inept managers.   For the majority of small business owners (especially  those who have spent little to no time in a formal corporate environment),  management  is  a  paramount challenge that prevents them from achieving company growth.     In many instances, consistently poor employee management leads to the eventual demise of the organization.   Unhappy employees become emotionally wearing to the entrepreneur, they demolish their confidence, kill their ability to focus on their own job and often spread their discontent around the office (turning off other employees) which multiplies all the problems above.     The  challenge  is  that  when  an  employee  is  dissatisfied,  they  rarely  verbalize  the  reasons.  An entrepreneur must use their intuition.  Here’s an obvious secret: employees who are disgruntled at their bosses become cold, challenging, unproductive, defiant and / or depressed (depending on individual personality).     The longer this goes on for, the more likely the employee is going to quit or, even worse take action to get back at their old boss from sheer frustration and need to get even.     Pinpointing What Disgruntles Employees     Determining that an employee is upset is the easy part.  Determining why an employee is unhappy is the more difficult puzzle to solve.  However pinpointing the driver for dissatisfaction is the first step to rectifying the problem.     After spending 12 years running a recruiting firm, it has become apparent that there are a few common ways in which small business owners tend to turn what could be satisfied, productive workers into their worst nightmare.     Below, our recruiters have listed  3 factors that unravel a boss’s ability to get anything great done.   1. Missing the balancing act that is delegation.  It’s usually one extreme or the other.  Either the entrepreneur doesn’t  delegate enough or they rule with an iron fist.  Both tactics are highly problematic.     First, lack of delegation results in confusion among subordinates and makes the business owner appear disorganized, which erodes performance and engagement. After all, if a worker doesn’t know what they should be doing, they are not going to do it well.  Also, failure to assign clear tasks makes it near impossible for management to hold employees accountable for their performance.     Conversely, when the entrepreneur delegates like a tyrant, they gain short term compliance from workers, however curry resentment from the get-go, which in the long-term results in an unhappy workforce that often does the opposite of what they are told the moment the boss is not looking.     Autonomy is a necessary component for employee happiness.   However, too much autonomy is a set-up for failure.   2. The undesired label that is  â€œself-centered.”   Workers stop caring about their job if they perceive that their boss does not care about them.   Often, this is not the case, however if the employees perceive it to be reality, then in effect, it is a real problem.   The number one driver leading to this scenario is when the entrepreneur fails to keep their word.  Whether it be on pay, potential work upside or anything else, a great way to lose trust is to promise the world to an employee and not deliver.   A more subtle way entrepreneurs appear uncaring is when they become overly focused on their own work and in turn fail to support those under them with either emotional support and / or sufficient resources.   3.   Perceived lack of character.   Employees judge their managers based upon the way they act, not what they say.   Entrepreneurs that build successful companies lead from the front.   They set the right examples.   They establish trust through perceived competence and strength.   When personal ethical code comes into question, any and all corporate vision goes out of the window.   Often, they are perceived as weak and, since the employees feel that they cannot impact the world, they don’t listen.   In the End It’s not that entrepreneurs don’t want to be effective managers.   It’s not that they don’t recognize the sheer importance leadership (a.k.a having productive, engaged employees).   Management requires a high degree of practice, learning and making the right judgements.   Most importantly, it encompasses understanding when, why and how leadership abilities are either gained or lost.  

Using Resume Writing Help in Minnesota

Using Resume Writing Help in MinnesotaMinnesota has the largest number of people per square mile in the country. This is a good place to live in if you have the personality for it and want to grow your career. Because of the large number of residents, there are plenty of opportunities for people to find a job that will fit them.The cost of living in Minnesota is also among the lowest. You will probably pay slightly more for electricity than other places, but that's about it. Because of this, most people need to hire outside help for many of their expenses. But it doesn't mean you have to spend the money on them.Hiring outside help is a great idea if your job search isn't going well. These people can be hired to do everything from write cover letters, to cover their own transportation costs, and even to stay at their homes while they work in Minnesota. It may sound impossible, but it really isn't.Even though there are limited places to live in Minnesota, with the MSP routes, there are n't many places that are convenient to travel on. If you're looking for a job, you should consider using resume writing help in Minnesota. This state has a lot of resources that you can use, and you should take advantage of them.One way to get around this is to take the train or bus and get to work on time. You'll be saving a lot of money, and you'll be working with people who are willing to help you find a job. If you choose to live in another state, you won't have to worry about commuting for most of the time.Another thing you can do to get help is to look online. Most of the times, you can find things in Minnesota at places like this one. Because of this, you can get a lot of advice before you go to Minneapolis, or any other place.There are tons of sources you can get help from when you're looking for a job. Sometimes you'll have to look online, and other times you can get a recommendation from a friend or family member. Once you find the right help, all you have to do is follow the plan they show you.When you're looking for help, make sure you go online, and see what you can find in Minnesota. You might be surprised how many places are available. And with a little bit of preparation, and the right resume writing help in Minnesota, you'll be able to get the job you've always wanted.

Are you an entrepreneur

Are you an entrepreneur In my work I talk to a lot of would-be entrepreneurs, people with life and work experience who have realized their true passions lie in creating something of their own. In many cases, the persons passion is very different from their day job like the x-ray technician who started his own bakery or the marketing executive who is now selling with his own inspiring furniture designs. In my experience, this interest in self-employment is increasing. Just last week, I was speaking with a client who in an inspirational burst, saw her vision clearly and encompassed our soul search and research work into her own unique business idea. She was ecstatic! Perhaps you have a business or career idea that lit a spark within you and made you ecstatic about possibilities. Perhaps you have them all the time. So the question is, are you an entrepreneur?To determine if youre really an entrepreneur, I find actions speak louder than words and the answer can be found in asking yourself one simple question W hat do you do with your big ideas?Nothing For some, staying in the idea stage is safer because having never been tested in the real world, their ideas theoretically always have a chance of success. Use it in conversation only For others, their ideas make for great fodder in conversation but they have not real intention of ever moving forward. Make use of it Yet for some, their big idea takes prominence, gets attention and energy and gets implemented. They may fail. They may succeed. But every entrepreneur I have ever met or read about said they had to give their business idea a chance.The client I mentioned falls into the third category. Shes ready to make use of her big idea and her first step is to share it with knowledgeable people she trusts who can help her refine the concept further. Then its all about action a step-by-step plan to take her idea from concept to reality. Is she nervous? Yes but is she happy? Yes! For the first time in her career, my client is taking charge and as scary as it is to put her idea to the test, shes ready to be an entrepreneur. If youre thinking you might be ready too, tune in today to my career advice radio show. Im interviewing Barbara Corcoran a D student in high school who found her passion in her own real estate business, which she sold for $70 million in 2001. Now shes The Today Shows real estate expert and the female shark on ABCs Shark Tank. I have heard her speak youll love her fresh, tell-it-like it is attitude!(Photo courtesy of Flick user Robert S. Donovan.)

5 ways to maximize your LinkedIn experience - Sterling Career Concepts

5 ways to maximize your LinkedIn experience 5 ways to maximize your LinkedIn experience  Last week we discussed six basics of using the site. Today’s post provides five ways to maximize your time and effort spent on LinkedIn. Multiply the benefits of your network. One of the most powerful functions of LinkedIn is the ability to connect you with people who are connections of the people you know. Don’t forget to explore the people your connections know. Of course, follow LinkedIn’s guidelines on connecting with these folks (using InMail or requesting connections through your mutual friend) so that your account is not flagged for spam. Be thoughtful with whom you connect. One of the strengths of LinkedIn is the connections you make, but it’s not a race to get to 500 connections. Don’t indiscriminately try to connect with people. Have a reason for each of the people you connect with â€" either it’s someone you already know or are related to, or someone it would be beneficial to connect with. If you don’t know someone, get to know them a bit before sending a personalized connection request. (You can do so by seeing who you have in common â€" or who they are connected to, checking out their LinkedIn summary and work history, visiting their website or blog, and seeing what Groups they belong to). Take advantage of leading headlines based on your industry. On your home page for your LinkedIn profile is “LinkedIn Today,” a roundup of stories that LinkedIn thinks may interest you. Check out these top headlines to stay abreast of important information in your industry. Genuinely recommend your contacts. Acknowledge and recognize the contributions of people you know by providing unsolicited, genuine recommendations for them. Be open to meeting LinkedIn contacts in person. Use LinkedIn to connect with people but don’t restrict your networking to online only! Request in-person get-togethers, when possible. Meet for coffee or lunch to catch up. The LinkedIn “Events” section can also alert you to in-person gatherings in your industry or geographic area. Check back next week for four power tips that all LinkedIn users should know! If you haven’t started developing your LinkedIn profile or need some help, call or email me. I am confident we can enhance your current LinkedIn status.

Returning To A Previous Career Path

Returning To A Previous Career Path Changing jobs and career paths is not unheard of. In fact, it is quite common. Many people realize after they have spent time in a career that they want something new. In some cases this is returning to a previous career path. The reasons for this choice are many and varied for each person. The reasons dont matter. Whatever reason you have for returning to a previous career path, I am going to try and help you figure out how to get back to that path, without too much grief. Look at your old job: If you enjoyed your old job, they enjoyed you as an employee and if you left the company with no bad feelings between you and your boss then you may be one of the lucky ones. You may be able to go back to your old boss and see if they are hiring. If they are, then you are one step ahead. Look at new jobs in your desired field: If you are not one of the lucky ones from step 1, then you need to start searching for new jobs in your desired field. Use job search sites with filters and look for papers or websites that are tailored to your field so that you can find a job that matches your needs and wants quickly. Update your resume: Make sure that your resume is up to date with your new work experiences, achievements, and accomplishments. Make sure that they can see you have experience in this field of work so they are more likely to hire you. Prepare for your interview: When preparing for your interview make sure that you always remember to emphasize your experience in your field. If you can show that you have experience and have accomplished things in that field, then you will be one step above your competition. Be prepared to start back at the bottom: While you do have experience, you will most likely be starting at the bottom just like any other applicant. This means that you need to prepare yourself for that. If you want a higher position immediately, you will have an easier time getting it at your current job and you should avoid switching career paths. Hopefully this will help you get back on the path you want to be on and will help you be happier and more successful in your career.