Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Cautionary Tales About Work-Related Fraud

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Cautionary Tales About Work-Related Fraud We all know that we can’t believe everything we hear and read, don’t we? Yet many of us are naturally trusting, leaving us open to fraud in the most unlikely of places. Let’s look at two real-life work scenarios in which a bit of skepticism would serve us well. Scenario 1: The Research Study Imagine that your boss has asked you to do some Internet research to find arguments supporting a new project or change of strategy. Naturally, you are thrilled when you come across a recent study on a respected business outlet that showcases exactly what you were looking for. You send the article to your boss right away, and before long, your entire initiative hinges on the claims in this single piece. Trouble is, what if the article isn’t entirely accurate? I’m not saying that the author set out to mislead you, but let’s face it, most websites do minimal fact checking and editing. Unfortunately, it’s likely that the results were at least somewhat editorialized so the author could make his or her point. It’s also possible that the study on which the article was based was not scientifically sound or relevant in the first place. For instance, perhaps the sample was only a handful of people, or the respondents were only located in the U.S. If you are looking for support for a significant global trend, results like this aren’t going to cut it. So, if you find a piece of research on the Internet and want to use it for something important, don’t risk relying on false conclusions and having to start over either before or after a scandal occurs. Do your homework upfront. Locate the original source of the research (journal article, etc.) and read the whole paper. If there are parts you don’t understand, tap a colleague or academic friend who can help you decipher them. Make sure the study’s overall conclusions enhance your argument, not just one piece taken out of context. Keep the original document on hand so that you can formally cite it later. If, despite your best efforts, you can’t locate the original source, that’s a red flag. It could still be legitimate, but you simply don’t have enough information to risk it. Take a little extra time and move onto a stronger selection. For the second cautionary tale and more advice, head over to Intuits Fast Track blog.

The ABCs of Amy Resume Writing

The ABCs of Amy Resume WritingAmy Resume Writing - A Powerful Way to Compete in the Labor Market, But First, You Need to Find a Suitable Job! Amy Resume Writing is the technique of presenting your accomplishments and skills in the most effective way possible to show prospective employers you are both qualified and experience to do the job. This method has proven itself time again as the best method for showing employers how to appreciate your experiences and skills.This technique has been used by hundreds of individuals with a number of their resumes receiving national attention. However, the real trick to getting the attention of the right employer with the use of this technique is to give them the 'big picture'. That means that you need to create a resume that will be able to deliver your benefits in the short and long term. Unfortunately, this will mean that the recipient of your resume will have to read more than one page of text to get to the benefits you are hoping to convey.So how can this be avoided? By employing the services of Amy Resume Writing experts. These professionals have the education and experience necessary to craft your resume to include all of the key benefits that you hope to receive in a job interview.In addition to the fact that the resume has superior quality which makes it very impressive to both your employer and the potential employees you are hoping to hire, these professionals also make sure to include the necessary details in your employment history. This makes it easier for you to properly state your expertise and qualifications to your future employer. After all, who really wants to read a job application where they need to be reminded of your mistakes?Many employers today have become weary of the unnecessary detail included in Amy Resume Writing. Many times, the former employees of a business are still required to fill out these forms and these people are not really trained to do so. It also leaves many employers wondering if the information they are looking for was actually listed.This is why you should consider hiring a career counselor for help. They will be well trained to handle these types of jobs and they can guide you through the process of crafting your Amy Resume. The guidance you will get from an employment professional will be invaluable to your job search.You will not only benefit from the services of a career counselor. You will also benefit because you will be given an opportunity to learn about your career options. The knowledge you will gain through Amy Resume Writing training will help you increase your knowledge of the job market.While these benefits will help you in your job market, the most important thing you will receive is an increase in confidence. This confidence is necessary for being successful in your job search.

College Students Require Personal Branding Classes - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

College Students Require Personal Branding Classes - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career One of my visions is to have a personal branding class in every college and university in the world. It is my hope that my book will become the text book. I look at college students right now and feel sorry for many of them, who havent gained knowledge in branding. They are all at a severe disadvantage in a market where over 760,000 jobs have been lost and the job growth rate for 09 graduates is only at 1.3%. Aside from the economy (I dont want to play it to death), students have to understand that if they dont uncover their unique attributes, they wont stand out in a world of clutter, which means they wont get a high paying job or one that aligns with their passions. Today, I spoke with the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth, to start to socialize many of the ideas in my new book. Tonights presentation recap 10 min / 1 hr [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmnfasLzRdc] Subscribe to my podcast series Slideshare presentation [slideshare id=751628doc=keynote-umass-dartmouth-2-copy-1226632624687809-8w=425] A call to arms If you arent a marketing major, then be a marketing minor please. You really need to learn about marketing because its all around you. For a college student not to have a LinkedIn profile, not to Google their name ever or set privacy setting for their Facebook account is something to be concerned over. Ive presented to many colleges and I see the same issues over and over again. A new standard should be required in education, where students learn about personal branding freshman year, so they have enough time to build a brand, so they: 1) dont have to apply to jobs when they graduate 2) can start a business based around their brand 3) have more experience. Look to the internet as your savior It appears that most college students dont understand the reach of the internet. Also, its important to point out that telling students to go to networking events and to seek assistance from career counselors and teachers is not enough. You need to reach across boundaries, in a world where everyone is on the same plane, and you can almost touch hiring managers at companies you want to work for. Dont send out a 10,000 resume blast because that is just like the 10,000 emails reporters get everyday and they are discounted as spam. The real way to succeed in college is to understand how the internet can be used to get a job or start a business, and then act. Enter web 2.0/me 2.0. There is a massive opportunity for college students to secure jobs as early as freshman year! As you know from reading my blog, most college students cant define web 2.0, blogging, Twitter, etc. If you want to be one of the college students that puts these tools into action, you will see extraordinary results. I want you to all be Me 2.0, so you can control your own online kingdom and command your career. From promotion to protection For about a year and a half, my messaging has been around promoting your personal brand. In the past few months, Ive been more concerned over our reputations, so Im now bucketing my messaging around promotion and protection. The reality is that you need to protect your name because someone either steals it from you (registers it) or people start talking about you and own your Google results. The promotion piece is more apparent and noticeable, yet equally important. Final thoughts Just by seeing where college students are right now is a clear indication that Im heading in the right direction and that my book has the ability to completely reshape our education system, into one where students have the tools and confidence required to be successful. Im here for all of you, as we conquer the world together.

Good blogging is simple Write good posts (and be thankful)

Good blogging is simple Write good posts (and be thankful) In the middle of 2007, I was interviewed by Stephane Grenier for his book, Blog Blazers. The book came out this week, and its a nice resource for understanding the approach top bloggers take to their trade. (Examples of interviews include Seth Godin, Steve Rubel, and JD Roth.) I am publishing my own interview here, with a few tweaks. And I talk a lot about how to have a successful blog. But my favorite thing about this interview is that it captures a moment in time: when I was blogging full time and making six-figures. I had just sold equity in my blog and was about to spin off my company, Brazen Careerist. My days were spent in a coffee shop, interviewing people about their ideas, and blogging. It sounds like a great life, and in fact, it was nice. I didnt realize it was great though. I was in marriage counseling, not making good progress. And I was anxious that I was not doing enough with my blog. I wanted to do better in everything. And thats the instructive part, to me: That there were a lot of good things about what was going on at that time, but I didnt focus on them. I focused on what I wanted next. So, as I publish this post today, I remind myself to be happy about what feels good, right now, instead of focusing on what I want to change right now. Wherever we are in life, we have those two, separate lists, and we can choose which to focus on at any given time. Heres three cheers for choosing the happy list for a day. Stephane What makes a blog successful according to you? Is it traffic, reach, revenue, etc? Penelope It helps you to reach your goals either career or personal. Stephane When did you decide you finally reached success with your blog? Penelope I love blogging, and I am able to support my family doing it. So on some level, success is being able to support my family doing something I love. On another level, I am redefining success constantly, because once I reach a goal, I set a higher goal. Stephane How long does it take to become a successful blogger? Penelope Im sure its different for each person. Each person has different goals, different definitions of success. Stephane Who do you think are the most successful bloggers on the Internet today? Penelope The people who are using their blog to reach their goals. Stephane Which five blogs do you regularly read? Penelope Guy Kawasakis blog Lifehacker Get Rich Slowly Employee Evolution TechCrunch Stephane Which websites would you recommend for any new bloggers stating to blog? Penelope ProBlogger Stephane Which book(s) would you recommend for new bloggers (these can range from marketing books, blogging books, etc)? Penelope The Sensual Woman. I read it when I was a kid and I was trying to figure out what sex was. I didnt really understandat that pointwhy people would even want to have sex. But what I did understand was that if you were your real self, and just did what felt right, you would meet the definition of good in bed. And then, very quickly, I realized that this book applied to everything in lifejust be your true self and people will see that you enjoy yourself and they will see the true you and whoever you are, seeing that will be interesting. I think a lot of bloggers are scared to be their true selves on their blog, but so much of blogging is about the bloggers personality. So people should read this bookto understand how fundamental it is to just be yourself. Stephane What is your most successful blog post ever? Penelope Well, success is a tough thing to define, but the post about my first day of marriage counseling got me in a front-page article in the New York Times and the post became a feature for a British womens magazine and my Google rank for the term marriage counseling is an SEO dream. Stephane Whats your biggest tip on writing a successful blog post? Penelope Find a very popular topic and then write at the very edge of that topic. If you write in the center, thats where everyone else is and it will be hard to present something that is unique. If you write at the edge, and throw in stuff not totally related to your topic area, then both you and your readers will find surprise in that intersection of the new stuff and your topic. Stephane Whats your best advice in regards to content and writing for bloggers? Penelope Keep writing. Stephane How important do you think are the headlines of your blog articles? Penelope Very important. Its how people decide if they will read or not. Stephane What are your main methods of marketing your blog? Penelope Write good posts. Joint the online conversation that is bigger than my blog. Stephane Which marketing tactic has surprised you the most in terms of its effectiveness? Penelope Being nice. A blog is a conversation, not a soapbox. So when I engage my readers, and when I talk with other bloggers, via their blogs, people really respond in a positive way. Stephane Do you make any direct money from your blog through advertising, product placements, etc? Penelope Yes. I earn a six-figure income from my blog. Stephane What is your best monetization method (Ads, affiliate marketing, etc). Penelope I sell my blog posts to print and online publishers. Stephane Do you find you get more from direct monetization of your blog or from opportunities that come because of the existence of your blog? Penelope I think that long-term, the blog opens a lot of doors that are new career opportunities more than direct dollar income. Stephane Whats your most interesting story related to your blog and blogging experience? Penelope I try harder in marriage counseling because so many people are reading about my counseling experience on my blog. Stephane Whats the one biggest opportunity that came to you because of your blog? Penelope I sold equity in my blog and spun off a separate company. Stephane Any other comments or thoughts youd like to share? Penelope I dont think people should look at blogging as a money making venture. Every few people can make money off a blog. But blogging opens tons of doors?via networking, especially, because bloggers have access to people they would not otherwise get access to. Blogging is a great way to build a career if you know what you want from your career. This doesnt necessarily mean that blogging itself is a great career. Its probably best as a means to create stability in ones career by getting to the top of ones field. I think bloggers in general are smart, dedicated, and exceptionally well-informed. Blogging takes a ton of time, so most people are blogging about career-related stuff because thats the only area that is worth the time commitment. So it makes sense that bloggers would be great hires, and blogging, therefore, will help people to get to the top of their field.

8 LinkedIn Updates to Make Yourself More Hirable - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

8 LinkedIn Updates to Make Yourself More Hirable - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When you’re on the job market, you can call on your LinkedIn connections â€" school affiliations, friends, friends of friends, former employers or coworkers â€" for assistance. Useful information is at your fingertips. Pity the poor job seekers of yesteryear who had to spend far more time for far less payoff. But when you’re looking for employment, seek help from connections and stop there. LinkedIn has so much more to offer. Just remember that you’ll have to put some time into updating your profile. As you make changes, focus on your ideal position so your updates support it. It’s All About You It’s easier for employers to find you online if you customize your LinkedIn URL. Putting your name into your LinkedIn address makes it recognizable and memorable. Handle this URL change through your page’s “Edit” button under “Public profile settings.” Paint Them a Picture Make sure you have an up-to-date photo on your page. Keep it simple and professional. A close-up headshot is best. Profiles with photos draw more views. Add the picture with an edit within the Profile link. Hint: Look for the camera icon. Reach Out and Touch Someone Even if you already have lots of links, get more! When you locate someone who is a good match, send a personal email rather than the formulaic LinkedIn note. You’ll stand out from the crowd in a very good way. It doesn’t hurt to cast a wide net, but know that some people have strict rules for making connections. If they don’t know you well, you won’t make the cut. Try not to take it personally! Keep checking your current connections, too. If your job searches target specific companies or organizations, see if your LinkedIn associates have ties there. Maybe they can put in a good word or two for you. At the very least, you could get an introduction. Knock, Knock. Who’s There? Refresh your “Skills and Expertise” section. This is especially important if you’re searching in a new field or at a higher level. Use words that relate to the job you want. Don’t hesitate to include skills you see mentioned in job postings that interest you. An accurate description of your expertise also gives your connections a way to “endorse” your true abilities. Let potential employers see what you think you can do … and who agrees with you. A Word to the Wise While you’re livening up the skills section, leave out jargon and slang. A LinkedIn study in the UK discovered that “effective,” “responsible,” “creative” and “motivated” were some of the most oft-used words. But if these characteristics are so widespread, is anyone especially “successful” or “passionate?” In other words, clichés aren’t very meaningful and won’t single you out. Take the time to come up with an original and precise description of yourself. Grab Their Attention This technique requires persistence. Update your status frequently: Anywhere from once a week to three times a day. These posts give quick insights into your professional activities, or link to websites your connections might find interesting. When people see your status updates, they automatically think of you. Not a bad idea if you’re looking for a job. “Hey! Remember me? Here’s my deep, professional thought for the day.” This helps keep you from blending into the crowd. You demonstrate that you’re interested in what’s happening in your field, beyond your daily responsibilities. Birds of a Feather… Another way to make professional connections is to join one or more LinkedIn groups. There’s a vast array, including those that focus on specific jobs, industries or interests. There are even some groups for new hires. Take the opportunity to learn from other members, but don’t be shy! Participate thoughtfully and regularly yourself. Who knows? A potential employer might join in. Groups also give you a way to make additional connections. Even if you don’t know each other personally, you obviously have something in common. These new acquaintances might have the knowledge or power to give you a hand in your job search. Once you’re connected, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Go for the Gusto Throw yourself headfirst into LinkedIn’s employment assistance by joining Job Seeker Premium. Benefits include: Bigger photo More background images Larger header More room for your info Identification of everyone who views your profile, including their industries and locations Search keywords used to find you Comparisons to other job seekers Advice from a group of experts and peers This switch could put you a step ahead of your competitors. When you’re doing a serious job search, you never know for sure where your big break is going to come from. Using multiple methods gives you more chances to succeed. LinkedIn is a great professional tool, but it functions best when your profile is updated and sharp. Remember: You never know who may be looking!

Can You Avoid the Executive Resume Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Vortex - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Can You Avoid the Executive Resume Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Vortex If youve read any of my posts about personal branding and executive job search, you already know that merely updating your resume with recent accomplishments and contributions isnt enough to help you rise above the competition in job search. You need to present yourself as the best hiring choice. So, you target certain companies or organizations, conduct company and industry research, and then define and communicate your personal brand relevant to those target companies. Building resume content from this back-end work, and customizing each resume, will differentiate the unique value you offer each particular company or organization you intend to reach out to. Thats a tall order and requires plenty of hard work. But wait, theres more hard work in store for you, if you plan to hit the job boards heavily. Although I don’t recommend spending much time, if any, on job boards, most people do because they think all job openings reside there. An estimated 95% of job seekers use job boards, but only an estimated 3-5% of them will land jobs that way. Job boards don’t work well for several reasons, including: Jobs posted may not be legitimate openings. Job descriptions may not truly represent the job. Jobs may have already been filled, but still linger on the job board. You may not be able to delete your resume from their database when you’re done job-hunting, making you forever appear as an active job-hunter, which can jeopardize future jobs. . . . And probably the biggest drawback to responding to job board postings: Your resume will immediately be thrown into a database with an Applicant Tracking System that matches jobs to candidates based on specific keywords. Human eyes won’t review it, unless and until it manages to get called up in response to a specific job opening. Even if you avoid the job boards in favor of submitting your resume directly to executive recruiters and on company websites you’re targeting, in response to their job openings, it may also go right into an ATS. Many recruiters still employ the old methods â€" direct, face-to-face contact with candidates and careful matching of company needs to candidate qualifications â€" but unfortunately, the human touch is being replaced more and more by the sophisticated “weeding out” of ATS technology. What’s going on here? Program management expert Jill Bentley described the dilemma in a Netshare newsletter. I strongly suggest you read the entire, eye-opening article: At some point in the growth of universal use of the internet for posting and finding work, enterprising companies developed software that enables companies to scan and screen the resumes they receive from potential candidates, ostensibly to weed out applicants who simply dont possess the necessary skills or experience to do the job. On the face of it, this is another great idea. In theory, it should reduce both time and effort required to sift through a stack of resumes and result in a shortlist of viable candidate who would be invited to interview. In practice however, as a result of refinement after refinement of the criteria used to select resumes, there is a good chance that the best candidate in the whole bunch will be weeded out because his or her resume does not contain one or two very specific words or phrases. You’d think such a vast database of willing applicants, powered by a tracking system to easily sift through and pluck out good-fit candidates as needed, would be a boon to both job seekers and employers. Candidates resumes sit at-the-ready, to be pulled out when matching jobs are open. And ATS assures that all applicants are treated equally. But here’s where it all falls apart. If your resume doesn’t match enough of the precisely articulated keywords in any given job posting, and isn’t in a simple format that wont interfere with the ATS, it won’t make the cut. Throw into the mix that not all ATS are created equal. They can function differently from one to the other, and are set for different grading criteria. The other kicker is that, even when you network to circumvent HR and ATS, the resume you physically hand to people may still end up in ATS, to meet companies compliance requirements and help them avoid discrimination. Now youre really screwed, right? Not necessarily. Not if you push aside the notion that job boards are the way to job hunt in the 21st Century, and do the hard work of networking. If you reach out to executive recruiters and the right hiring decision makers (not HR) through a personal introduction or your own first-degree relationships, and get your resume into their hands first, before it potentially gets plopped into their ATS, you have a better chance of moving into the interviewing process. Hiring decision makers like to hire people they know, or know of through a trusted referral. And some companies have incentive programs to reward employees who refer new hires. Get and stay on the radar of appropriate executive recruiters, the hiring decision makers at your target companies, and other employees at those companies who will introduce you to the hiring decision makers. What choice do you really have? Although the vast majority of job hunters use job boards, we know they dont work well. You may know this from personal experience. Most importantly, networking your way into companies opens you to the hidden job market that includes jobs that are never posted and positions that companies may create to fit you, because of your potential value to them. For best results, bite the bullet and resign yourself to focused networking â€" using social networking, in-person networking events, and the telephone. Networking has a much better track record than job boards. Related posts: The World’s Best Executive Resume Is Not Enough What a Personally Branded Executive Resume Does For You Executive Job Search: The Old Way (Networking) Still Works Best Does Your C-level Executive Resume Differentiate You? 00 0

The Biggest Fear That Keeps You From Building a More Satisfying Career - Kathy Caprino

The Biggest Fear That Keeps You From Building a More Satisfying Career This week, I spoke with a friend who has been a stay-at-home mom for 13 years, after building a career as an engineer. She told me that her job had served as a good paycheck, but nothing more. As her children are now in their teens, she’s beginning to see the next chapter of her life approaching quickly. She’s intrigued at the idea of having more time to herself, and engaging in different work, outside the focus of caregiving. She even has an idea or two about what she’d like to try her hand at in terms of employment. But seriously entertaining this idea (and doing anything concrete about it) is scary and intimidating to her.   Her fear makes it hard for her to even stop for a second to contemplate it, so she pushes it aside and squashes it down. And that, in turn, makes her more hyper-focused on what’s happening at home, which exacerbates her fears, unhappiness and exhaustion. I’ve seen this exact same scenario countless times. People want more, different and better for their lives, but are completely daunted by the prospect of change, so they resist moving forward even one inch to explore it. And their “stuckness” makes them ill and unhappy. My friend also shared with me the one critical fear I hear every week in my career coaching work, and the fear is this: “I’m worried that I’ll try my hand at this new direction, and it won’t work out. What if I end up not liking it or feel it’s wrong again, like my other work?” This one fear keeps people stuck for years, and sometimes for a lifetime. This “what if it doesn’t work out?” worry is crippling. There are many versions of “what if?” that keep people paralyzed in inertia: What if I grow to hate it? What if I can’t do it well? What if I can’t make any money at it? What if I can’t juggle my family life and am exhausted by it? What if people laugh at me for wanting to try this? What if my family (husband, parents, etc.) think I’m crazy? What if it lets me down like all the other directions I’ve taken? I remained stuck in the “what if” mode for years as well, and know full well how potent and paralyzing it can be. When I started to become unstuck (after a brutal corporate layoff in the days following 9/11), I remember reading the great book The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, and suddenly realized that there were so many more opportunities for me than I ever understood. I began seeing people with very cool small businesses in my community whom I had never noticed before, and it was enlivening and exciting. There were new possibilities I’d ignored for years. I had a friend with her own very lucrative market research firm, and I so envied her freedom, flexibility and authority, but I thought, “That’ll never be me. I can’t have that.” I desperately wished to do something more creative for my livelihood â€" more flexible, productive, and meaningful in my professional life, and being laid off from my corporate job allowed me to see that it was only fear of the “what if’s” that had kept me stuck in something that was so wrong for me. Now as a writer, speaker, and career success consultant, my creative juices are finally flowing and the dots have been connected. How do we effectively address that “what if?” fear and move through it? These four simple strategies will help you move beyond the fear, into action: Just do one tiny thing today (and every day) to “try on” a new direction. Most of us have no idea how to go about exploring a new career. I know now that there are scores of ways to simply “try on” a new direction before we leap. We don’t have to reinvent completely, or chuck our old life in order to go in a new direction. We can just explore it in small, digestible, doable ways â€" through volunteering, interviewing, shadowing professionals, taking on a small project, talking to someone who does it, consulting, working part-time, etc. The key is to view the exploration and research as a “project” in your life, not as a wholesale life change. You don’t have to risk or lose everything to try out a new path. Just take one tiny step every day or week. Get your creative juices flowing again. I believe, as Julia Cameron does, that creative expression is the natural direction of life. So many people I work with (and throughout the world) are highly creative but have become blocked and stymied in their creativity, which in turns brings about unhappiness, pain, and suffering. Limiting beliefs, fears and other inhibiting forces hold us back from sharing our creative energies and talents with the world. When we get unstuck and start using our creative talents once again, our lives change for the better , as does the world around us. Think about the creative endeavors you used to engage in as a young person that brought you great joy. For me, it’s singing and performing â€" I’m simply not as happy or productive if I’m not engaged actively in music. What is that for you? Is it scrapbooking, playing piano, interior decorating, designing clothes, writing a novel, making jewelry, playing jazz? Figure it out, and bring it forward in your life today in some small way. When you do, a myriad of exciting new opportunities, relationships and experiences (both personal and professional) will open to you. Surround yourself with amazing supporters, not critical naysayers. If the only people in your life right now are critical, judgmental naysayers who would make fun of you for trying a completely new direction, then you have the wrong people in your life. Period. End of story. The people who surround us dramatically color, shape and influence our lives. Become more selective and careful about who you let into your life. One by one, purge out the negative naysayers, and build a new group of supporters, friends, allies, and advocates. If it’s your family members who put you down and squash your dreams, build a stronger boundary and protect yourself from their negativity. It’s up to you. From this day forward, become extremely discerning about who you allow to influence your thoughts, actions and beliefs. Finally, recognize the true value of your life and your talents. More than 60,000 people have downloaded my Career Path Self-Assessment since I developed it a few years ago, to help professionals figure out what’s missing in their lives and what’s needed to build more joyful livelihoods. In reading their responses, I’ve seen core themes, blocks and patterns jump off the page. I can see what my clients can’t â€" that they are immensely talented, gifted, and accomplished, and each person has so much to offer the world that others don’t have. I can also see their blocks, frailties, and vulnerabilities â€" what they’re ashamed of and hiding from (I call those their “power gaps.”). Finally, it’s clear to me how they could shine in the world, but they can’t see it. None of us can, without some help. Get some outside help in the form of a mentor, friend or coaching buddy who sees the highest vision of you before it’s hatched. Find someone who inspires you and can help you see yourself in a way you cannot â€" that you’re talented, gifted and amazing (every person on the planet is), and there is great value in what you have to offer. You’re not only as good as your last job, performance appraisal, or raise . You’re much, much more. Don’t waste any more time doubting it â€" just do something today. (To build a happier career, visit kathycaprino.com and take my 6-day Amazing Career Challenge.)

Food for Thought How to Stay Focused - Hallie Crawford

Food for Thought How to Stay Focused I was talking to my Mastermind Group this week and we got on the topic of staying focused. Two of our members were wondering When there are so many opportunities out there and so many things Im interested in, how do I choose which one to focus on career-wise? I think this is a common problem. With the advent of the internet and our ability now to work from anywhere, there are so many more opportunities for people. Instead of feeling like there are so few options, many people feel like they have too many options. Its like standing at a buffet line and having too many choices as opposed to too few! I hear this all the time from clients and prospective clients. In some ways, this is a nice problem to have. On the other hand, it can be frustrating. What has helped me over the years become and remain focused, and achieve my goals, is a constant focus on my personal mission and purpose statement. I was lost for years and jumped around in and out of several jobs, until I took the time to figure out what I wanted my life to be about. While speaking to my Mastermind members, I kept coming back to what is your passion and purpose? Typically a purpose statement isnt about 5 different things, its about 1-2 things. This helps you become focused because youre looking at 1-2 options, not 5. And whos to say you wont tackle the rest of those 5 things later in life! Keep them on your list. But remember that focused attention on 1-2 things will enable you to be more effective at them. If you try to tackle too many things, you run the risk of spreading yourself too thin and not giving 100% to each of those areas. What is your purpose? isnt a quick, easy question to answer, especially if you dont think about this kind of thing very much. If someone had asked me this question years ago, I wouldve looked at them with a blank stare. But there are ways to figure it out, like my Unlocking Your Purpose Teleclass. I hope this is helpful, Hallie Career Coach