Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom 8 Bad Mistakes New Managers Make

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom 8 Bad Mistakes New Managers Make Many new leaders are thrust into supervisory positions quickly, with no real management training to speak of. So as you would expect, they make lots of mistakes. Here are a few of the most common. Hopefully, just being aware of them will help you and your colleagues do things differently! Mistake #1: Trying to be everyone’s best friend While fostering strong one-on-one relationships with your team members is important to promote trust, your first priority should be developing your team as a cohesive whole. Also, you must make it clear that you are not your direct reports’ friend but their supervisor, since blurring the lines too much will lead to confusion and decreased productivity. Mistake #2: Assuming your title is a magic wand Things will not magically get done because you are the manager and you said so. Instead of simply issuing orders, you must inspire your team members to work with you and for you. Authority does not automatically confer respect. It must be earned. Mistake #3: Making promises you can’t keep In your eagerness to remedy all of the wrongs on your team, it’s tempting to guarantee solutions that you can’t necessarily deliver. Recognize that it’s better to keep promised actions more modest than to risk disappointing and frustrating your team members by failing to keep your word. Mistake #4: Changing everything Many new managers make the mistake of trying to overhaul the whole organization in their first few months. Things are usually done a certain way for a reason, and that reason may not be incorrect. Introduce your new ideas one at a time, soliciting buy-in and support gradually. For more where this came from, have a look at the full post on Intuits Fast Track blog.

How to Understand Your Companys Purpose

How to Understand Your Companys Purpose The power of purpose can make all the difference in attracting and retaining top talent. Companies like Apple, Google and Airbnb know this very well. In today’s episode, we’ll find out how to uncover and articulate a purpose that could improve your employer brand. Were with Markus Kramer, who has worked with Harley-Davidson, Aston Martin, Luxury Goods, Financial Services Firms, Technology brands, NOGs, startups  and many more. He is also a Visiting Professor  in  Strategic Brand Management  at  Cass Business School London  and holds degrees from the University of California, Oxford, MIT and speaks regularly at select conferences and business schools around the world. Have a listen to the interview below, keep reading for a summary and be sure to subscribe to the  Employer Branding Podcast. Listen on  Apple Podcasts,  Stitcher Radio,  Google Play  or  SoundCloud. In this episode youll learn: Why purpose is important in employer branding, and why it is really starting to make a difference in your business. What the key benefits are to knowing your purpose as a company. What Markuss step-by-step guide is to constructing your purpose, from your vision to the strategy. Who whos the purpose of the business, and where it should start. Why Google, Airbnb and Apples purpose statements are the best examples of a purpose statement that is 5 words or less and helps people understand the deeper values of the brand. What mistakes Markus commonly sees people when constructing their purpose statement. The 5 key metrics you can use to measure your purpose, from NPS to EBIT. Connect with Markus on  LinkedIn  and check out his book  The Guiding Purpose Strategy!

How to Embrace Your DNA - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How to Embrace Your DNA - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In High School I was caught in the middle.  I was the kid in all of the AP courses who got straight As, but I also played basketball for the high school team.  I had friends in the smart group and in the baller group, but I never really hung out with them outside of school; instead, I had my group of close friends (about 5-7 guys), and pretty much never hung around with a girl. Changing my brand When UCLA came along, I had it in my mind to finally change my brand.  I made it a point to be more outgoing, go out of my way to help people, and participated in as many organizations as I possibly could.  I wanted to be the cool guy with a lot of friends that everyone wanted to hang out with.  However, after a few quarters at UCLA, I reluctantly found myself in the same position that I was in high school.  I had a group of 5-7 close friends who were guys, and was close to a bunch of groups, but never best friends with.  Furthermore, I finally broke out of my shell and talked to girls, but never really had best friends who were girls.  If I hung out with a girl, it was because I was dating her. I recently moved to Mountain View, CA with the intention of making it big with my startup, and also as a chance to finally become the person that Ive always wanted to be.  I made it a point to participate at a lot of events and call up everyone I knew in Northern California.  I kept it up for several weeks, but ultimately realized after a month or two that Ive fallen into the same position that Ive always been in: I have a few close friends who are guys that I always hang out with, and Im cool with everyone else (I still dont have any friends that are girls that I consistently hang out with). The point of it ALL Even though I try as hard as I can, I can never be someone that Im not.  The realization is that I must do what Gary says, Embrace your DNA! If I embrace who I am, love who I am, and am honest with myself, then I am able to reach my true potential and enjoy my life. Who are you and whats in your DNA? Who are you and what are you supposed to do with your life? Without the answer to these questions, you cant find your path in life.  And if you dont know where youre going, its impossible to enjoy the present.  The following two people have helped me greatly when it comes to finding who I am: Jonathan Mead Tina Su Use the advice on those blogs to figure out who you are and what makes you happy. Pay your bills and get out of debt You of course cant embrace your DNA if youre tied down to bills and loans.  The following two blogs are the only ones that I read when it comes to paying off my debt.  Because of these two blogs, I was able to pay off ALL of my student loans and save up over $20,000 in under 1 year: Man vs Debt Financial Samurai Destroy the debt and be free to be who you want to be. A healthy living Ive never really had a personal trainer, and Ive never had the patience to read exercise or nutrition magazines.  Luckily, I have two great friends who are my go-to fitness and wellness experts: Epic Self Healthy Lifestyle Design If my mind and body are healthy and fit, then I can focus on being happy and being true to my DNA. Let your personal brand be who you REALLY are I tried to be someone that I wasnt and failed. If youre shy, embrace your shyness.  You dont have to be super outgoing like Garyvee.  Instead, be great at what you can be great at and do it in a humble, non-self-promoting sort of way.  People will appreciate you when they see your quality. Embrace your DNA and find the right bus to get on.  If theres no right bus, then build your own bus.  My friend and business partner Yu-kai Chou built a tribe on Twitter in the past year using Twitter lists. When you know who you are, are out of debt, and are feeling strong in mind and spirit, then you are free to embrace yourself and do what you were meant to do. Guest Author: Jun Loayza is the Co-Founder of Viralogy Ecommerce personalization engine and ecommerce analysis.  Jun has lead a digital marketing agency, built a group blog with leaders in the blogging community, and has spoken at large conferences such as Social Media Strategies, Optimization Summit, and Web 2.0.  If youre a young entrepreneur, feel free to reach out to Jun at anytime or visit him in Mountain View, CA.

Dr. Marlene Caroselli on How To Recover from Loss of a Dream Job - VocationVillage

Dr. Marlene Caroselli on How To Recover from Loss of a Dream Job - VocationVillage Dr. Marlene Caroselli responds to a music business professional who asks for career advice after losing his dream job.Dear Ex-Music Bizzer,Keep in mind that the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. While you were indeed fortunate to have held a dream job for your entire adult life, reality has shifted. And, providing for your family is no doubt more important to you than pursuing a dream that may not be fulfilled at least not in the short term. By working in a related field, you will still find some of the passion. The peripheral position may not place you in the heart of the music industry, but it will allow you to join the mass of other men, who are quietly accepting responsibility for others. (Think of the soldiers who probably do not love war but who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect our country. And they do so for very little pay!)To illustrate: A dear friend wanted nothing more than to be a movie star. She was talented, but by age 41, had only been in one mo vie and a B movie at that. She asked me for advice: Should she continue to pursue her dream (knowing the older a woman gets in Hollywood, the less likely she is to find work) or should she get a real job in a related field. (Despite being a college grad, she had accepted truly menial positions before, so she could go to auditions. If she was fired for taking too much time off, she didnt care. There are tons of menial jobs around. Her only goal was to be a movie star). She works now in a company that arranges celebrity-appearances at various functions. Not only does she still have her finger in the Hollywood pie, she is earning oodles of money and has had some hefty promotions along the way.My recommendations: 1. Ask every contact youve established in the last several decades for job leads. Pursue all of them. 2. Consider finding a music-related job online. 3. Become an entrepreneur. Begin offering your no-doubt considerable skills to the various firms that you know can use them. 4. Go on a few informational interviews with executives in firms where you hope to be employed at some time in the future. Network to the max. (Note from VocationVillage.com: Here is a guide to conducting informational interviews. 5. Even if you have to take a 9-to-5 job that is not what you love, you can still spend time in the industry. For example, write blogs, offer to work at concerts free (registration, ticket-taking, et cetera), give interviews, and so on. Getting your name out there just might create some new opportunities for you.Marlene Caroselli, Ed.D., Author, Keynoter, and Corporate Trainer. Read another guest opinion about how to recover from loss of a dream job.

Learn How to Use the Rules of Effective Resume Writing

Learn How to Use the Rules of Effective Resume WritingIf you are planning to get a job in the near future, then you should know how to use the rules of effective resume writing to improve your chances of landing the job. First of all, you should understand that just simply putting together a resume doesn't guarantee that you will land the job. So even if you know how to make a great resume, you still need to understand how to write a resume that will land you the job.The best way to get a job is to use powerful resume skills and create a great resume using the rules of effective resume writing. There are several ways that you can create a powerful resume without using the rules of effective resume writing. One way is to learn the proper resume format and create a resume from scratch.Another way to make a resume that will land you the job is to read the books or the articles written by the professional resume writers who are the experts on the rules of effective resume writing. These professionals have years of experience in creating resumes that land you the job. They have learned how to use the rules of effective resume writing to make sure that their resumes to land you the job.There are many other ways to improve your chances of getting a job by getting a better job. For example, you can learn how to create a great cover letter and how to write a resume and how to build a resume and a cover letter so that they are unique. This will increase your chances of getting the job that you want because it will be one of a kind. It is very important that your resume, cover letter and resume-cover letter are all unique and different from others.In today's world, where every little detail matters, it is very important that you use your own expertise and knowledge on the rules of effective resume writing in order to get the job you want. There are many other people who are doing this and soit is extremely important for you to understand the rules of effective resume writ ing so that you can improve your chances of getting a job.In fact, there are some people who are afraid of writing a resume because they are afraid that it will make them look incompetent or untrustworthy. They think that their resumes will not land them the job and they don't want to put their credibility on the line by writing a resume. This is why you have to understand the rules of effective resume writing.In order to understand the rules of effective resume writing, you must be able to apply them. If you try to apply the rules of effective resume writing to the rules of writing an effective resume, then you will end up writing a great resume, but if you try to apply the rules of effective resume writing to the rules of writing an effective resume, then you will end up writing a terrible resume. You must keep in mind that the rules of effective resume writing do not stop at simply applying them to the rules of writing an effective resume.You must also have an appreciation for th e rules of effective resume writing in order to learn how to apply them properly and effectively. Once you understand the rules of effective resume writing, you will be able to apply them to the rules of writing a resume and you will be able to find a job you are qualified for.

5 Reasons to Work on a Good Cover Letter - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

5 Reasons to Work on a Good Cover Letter A cover letter not only helps one stand out from other candidates but also provides an opportunity to express whatever interests you have in a company. Although most candidates prefer not to include a cover letter, putting in the extra effort can go a long way in helping you secure a position in the company. The ideal cover letter need not only specify the position are you applying for, but also outline what you are to bring to the table. You however shouldn’t include any demands such as terms of salary and progression in the cover letter. Many decide to seek professional help in writing their cover letter and resume which is great, so long as the company chosen is a reputable one. The harsh truth about cheap resume writers is that they are cheap for a reason. If you want a professional, do your research and don’t be tempted to cut costs. Outlined below are some of the benefits of writing a cover letter and how it sets you apart from other applicants. Recruiters Will See Your Effort Most candidates will not see the need to write a cover letter. That said, putting the extra effort to write one makes your application stand out from the rest. Going the extra mile to personalize the cover letter by including your contact details, or the managers can help too. The initiative and effort are factors the recruiters will take note of, and probably give you a chance. A Cover Letter Is Personal While Resumes Are Factual Thanks to the cover letter, you get to tell your professional background in a more personalized way. You can use the cover letter to shed light on some of the details on the resume.   Most people use the cover letter to address issues such as a career change or large gap in their employment status. Be sure to use a professional contact for referencing in the cover letter. It Demonstrates Your Interest The extra effort put in drafting the cover letter is proof enough that you are interested in the position. Addressing the cover letter directly to the recruiters also shows that you are willing and ready to put action to your words as soon as you have been hired.   It gives you the opportunity to express your interests in the company, why you are the person they need, and the reason you want to work for them. It Shows You Have Researched About the Company Take the opportunity to use specific examples to show the reason why you are interested in the company, why you consider them as an employer and attributes you like about the company. With this approach, the recruiters will be able to identify the uniqueness in your application, which is unlike the mass applications from LinkedIn.   Loyalty is a virtual most employers look for and value. As long as you can show that you did indeed research about the company, chances of getting the job are considerably high.   The effort you put in researching on the company means you aren’t merely hopping from one job to another. Cover Letters Give Recruiters and Employers an Idea of Who You Are You can use the cover letter to let the recruiters know of your personality even without seeing you in person. This, of course, depends on your creativity, skill level, and writing style. The letter, however, needs to be to the point and easy to understand.  While the letter needs to sound professional and in your own words, you can still borrow the company language in the same as well. Borrowing their language means you did read and understand their requirements well. These are just but 5 reasons, and benefits of including a cover letter in any job application. As mentioned earlier, the cover letter allows you to elaborate details of your resume and skill set. To the employer, a cover letter gives them an insight of who you are.

Professional Email Signature for Job Search

Email SignatureIt also amazes me as to how many emails I receive that have no email signature whatsoever.   At best, I might see the person sign their name.   For example, “Thanks, Matt.”   While on the job you used a professional email signature, now, while in transition, it is more important than ever to convey a professional image.Here are instructions on how to create a highly professional and functional email signature when you are in job search mode.     I bet you will keep the signature you create even after you land.   After all, job search is not a one-time event during a time of need.   Instead, you must incorporate a professional email signature and other strategies into your on-going career management.   I am using my email signature as an example.    Feel free to tailor these ideas to your own style.Name and TitleCertainly lead with your name.   Consider a larger point size and an attractive font and color.   If you are in transition, consider starting your own cons ulting company.    That way you can give yourself a title just like your last full time job!     You may find yourself becoming a successful entrepreneur.     If this strategy is not right for you, you can still add a tagline like the examples below.Email and Phone NumberInclude your telephone number and your email address.   You want to make it extremely easy for recruiters and hiring managers to contact you.   Don’t make it difficult to be reached.   Believe it or not, there is some spontaneity in the corporate hiring process.   Recruiters and hiring managers may call you on a whim, on a hunch, but you must make it easy for them.   Having your phone and email address on every new, forward, or reply email can make the difference.TaglineMarketing is key for the viability of any business.   Treat job search as a business.   This means you must market yourself.   When you are in job search you are not exclusively an information technology professional, sales professional, or engine er, you are also a marketer!   You must market yourself because no one else will do it for you.   I repeat… no one else will do it for you.All successful marketing campaigns include a tagline or catch phrase.   You need one, too.   Your tagline should be just a few words boiled down to your professional essence.Some examples:Tax Accountant: In taxing times, count on me.Web Designer: Visually translating your complex thoughts.Training Professional: Amy is the name, Training is my game.The one I used personally when I was in job search mode was:Even better, give the consulting company, discussed above, a logo.   If you do, you can include your logo in your email signature.   (Starting a consulting company when you are unemployed is a great idea: you create a brand for yourself, it shows you are motivated, you can make some interim cash, it is an insurance policy against a future layoff and you can use the business as a soft landing upon retirement.)   You can consider adding your ow n branded logo even if you are not associating it with your new consulting company.   The logo can be simply your own personal logo.Website and Blog LinksAdding your website and/or blog creates a brand of a busy, successful, current, relevant and technologically-savvy professional.   This is the exact image that you want to project when in job search mode!LinkedIn and Twitter Hyperlinked IconsIn this section you can really demonstrate your 2011 brand.   Companies need professionals that can relate to all of the generations in the workforce.   You will clearly be showing your connection and adaptability to the Gen Y and Millennial generations by adding social media hyperlinks to your email signature. It goes without saying that the content you link to must be of the professional variety only!LinkedIn is perfect because of its professional focus.   Twitter is also being used extensively by professionals and executives to share cutting edge business information.   Twitter is no longer just for kids to tweet about their favorite mocha latte.You can find the full instructions for creating the clickable hyperlinked icons from this YouTube video.   These instructions assume that you use Outlook as your email program.     The time consuming part is finding the right LinkedIn and Twitter icons and resizing them so that they look appropriate for your email signature.   Not to worry â€" I have already done this for you.   You can download and save my LinkedIn icon here (click “download here” in upper right corner) and my Twitter icon here.   Now open Outlook and follow these steps to complete the process:ToolsOptionsMail FormatSignaturesNew (or edit)Click: Insert picture (on right hand side of screen) Insert desired pictureNow that picture is inserted into the signature click on the chain link icon (hyperlink) type in desired URLSaveFinished ProductAt this point, you have all the tools you need to create a professional, sophisticated, branded and technologically-sav vy email signature.   One last tip: don’t left-justify everything.   Give it some visual appeal by using different alignment, fonts, point sizes and color.     Here’s the end result, my signature:Please leave a comment below and/or send me an email with your new professional email signature!Remember, It Only Takes ONE!