#CareerAdvice : #Networking – Should You Join a Professional Group? …Here are Three Questions you Can Ask Yourself Before Joining a Group to Make Sure it will Deliver Clear #CareerBenefit .

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When I was first laid off and trying to build up my professional network as a newly self-employed person, I had the bright idea to join a Meet Up group called “Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs” that met once a month at a local restaurant to talk about business, marketing and growth.

So you can imagine my surprise when later that week I sat down to dinner with a handful of multi-level-marketing salespeople who were sure their product was the one I should start selling!

If you’re interested in joining a professional group to expand your network or ramp up your development, you’ll need to do some research in order to avoid making my mistake. Because whether you’re considering a free or paid membership to a professional group, it can be difficult to understand whether the benefits are really worth it, or if you’re walking into a scam.

Here are three questions you can ask yourself before joining a group to make sure it will deliver clear career benefits.

1. Is it a legitimate group or a scam?
The Internet is connecting people faster than ever before. Most of the time, that’s a good thing. But in the case of professional organizations, it can create a lot of confusion as you sort the legitimate professional groups that will reflect well on you from the overnight scams that just pad your resume.

To make sure the group you’re considering is a legitimate one that will deliver on its promises, ask yourself the following questions:

Does it have membership requirements?
The most in-demand groups often have membership requirements such as having a certain amount of experience in the field or a certain degree. For example, Licensed Members of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) must hold a valid license or certificate of registration as a professional engineer or the equivalent. If there are absolutely no requirements for membership besides paying the fee, that could be a sign it’s more likely to be a hobby group rather than a professional group.

Does it explain membership fees?
High-priced memberships that don’t explain their fees are a big red flag. Look for details about how the association spends the membership money or what you get for it, such as a membership fee explanation or benefits page like this one from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Is it well-represented in my current network?
Social proof can be a good indicator that the professional organization you’re considering is a legitimate one, so take a look at your current connections and see which groups they’ve chosen to join.

For example, if you’re a teacher connected with other teachers, the odds are incredibly high that you know several people who are members of the National Education Association (NEA). If you’re considering a group and you can’t find anyone you know who is a member, contact a school or work mentor to ask their opinion — you never know what you might find out about how your industry perceives the organization.

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2. Will I participate in the group?
It’s one thing to join a group because they host a wide variety of trendy and on-point events. It’s another thing entirely to join a group because you actually want to attend those events.

Before you spring for a group membership, consider the schedule of activities and whether or not you would really participate. Do you see yourself making time for events each month, quarter or year? Remember, this doesn’t just mean putting it on your calendar, but making all the other little arrangements to your schedule that it takes to prioritize going to a professional meeting in your personal time.

If you’re not sure, reach out to your local chapter head and ask if you can attend a session or two as a trial to make sure you’ll participate. If not, you might be better off pocketing your money and focusing on building your network solo.

3. Will it grow my network with authentic connections?
Finally and most importantly, consider whether or not being active in this group will give you the opportunity to make authentic connections with other people. Because as nice as it is to be invited to free online webinars or in-person presentations, the professional groups that can change your life are the ones that give you the opportunity to meet and engage with new people in your industry. They provide more than just free appetizers and company swag — they become the backdrop for forging new relationships based on common interests and goals over the course of your career.

Beyond providing plenty of opportunities to make new connections, also make sure the group will connect you with the specific people you want to meet, which will depend on your goals.

For example, if you’re a freelancer, you could be looking for a professional organization that can connect you with fellow freelancers so you can build a support network and grow your business. Or you might be looking for an organization within your freelancing niche that can keep you up to date in your industry and make connections with new customers. These are two very different goals, and what’s right for you will depend on what kind of connections you’re looking to make.

 

Glassdoor.com | September 18, 2018 | Posted by 

#CareerAdvice – Starting Your Own Home Business. Ideas & Tips to Get Started…Whether you are Finally Ready to Be your Own Boss or you Simply Want a Way to Make some Extra Money in your Free Time, it’s Never been Easier to Start your own #HomeBasedBusiness .

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Whether you are finally ready to be your own boss or you simply want a way to make some extra money in your free time, it’s never been easier to start your own home-based business. Social media and the gig economy are great tools that help new businesses reach out to their client base and make money.

Furthermore, there has been a shift in attitudes regarding where they want to spend their money. A recent Gallup poll shows two-thirds of the American public have confidence in small businesses. Now is definitely the time to strike while the iron is hot. 

 The Right Business Idea for You 

If you want to start your own business, working with what you are passionate about can give you an edge over competitors. People can sense phoniness, so if you are just pretending to love your product or business, they can tell. When you’re passionate about what you are doing, it stands to reason that you will enjoy the work more rather than look at it as a burden to bear.  

Luckily, there are tons of niche products that you can get your hands on; from selfie drones to HIIT equipment to smartwatches, people are looking for the next hip thing to spend their money on, and you could be the one to give it to them. There are also a number of services you can provide (consulting, pet sitting, etc.) that people will pay good money for. Once you’ve picked out your product or service, the hard part is reaching these clients.  

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How to Get Your First Clients 

Without clients, your business has no purpose. But it’s a big world out there, and it can be a lot of work sifting through the noise to find those who will really benefit from your service or product. It helps to start with the network you already have: friends and family. When reaching out to these people, make sure you put thought into your messages and make each one personalized.
Explain to your loved ones why this business is important to you and where you see it in the future. If you want people to share your brand or follow you on social media, ask these questions directly — your friends and family
are likely not mind
readers!

Other ways to find clients:  

  • Social crowdfunding

  • Collaborate with an influencer or brand in your field

  • Do pro-bono work for exposure

  • Paid advertising

  • Craigslist

  • Social media

  • Online deals sites

  • Snail mail marketing

  • Online forums

  • Email
    blasts

  • Giveaways or challenges

  • Press release

  • Community outreach

Staying Productive as a Home Business 

When you work from home, the distractions are endless. It takes a lot of discipline and control to stay productive. The best thing you can do for your business is set up a designated workspace or office where you can switch your mind to “work mode” as soon as you step inside. Talk with your family or roommates about certain hours you wish to be undisturbed so you can avoid the distraction of traffic coming in and out of your office.

Furthermore, avoid working in your pajamas. Getting fully dressed — including shoes — is a great way to kickstart your body into thinking it’s at the office rather than relaxing at home. 

 Finally, never underestimate the power of taking a break. Breaks refresh your brain and prevent burnout. They can also prevent “decision fatigue,” which can hinder productivity if you experience it. If you are feeling stuck, bored, or tired while working, head outside for a short walk and get some fresh air and sunshine. Doing so will clear out brain fog and restore energy so you can achieve your business goals.  

 Starting a home business today is easier than ever, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done. When figuring out your business idea, picking out something you are passionate about will give you an edge over competitors. Use outreach to gather a client base and support your brand. Finally, stay productive by working from home by establishing an office and approaching each day with intention. 

 

FSC Career Blog | September 19, 2018 | Larry Mager – FSC Career Blog Writer/Contributor

 

 

#CareerAdvice : #PhoneInterview Coming Up? Don’t make These Mistakes…Phone Interviews have Become an Inevitable Part of the #JobHunting Process. Here are 12 Things to Keep in Mind to Make Sure you Succeed.

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These days, phone interviews are an unavoidable part of the job interview process, and for good reason: They save everyone involved time and effort. But that doesn’t mean that phoners require zero energy on the part of the candidate.

Yes, you should spend more time preparing for an in-person interview, but many companies treat phone screens as the official first round of the hiring process. That means candidates are expected to go into them prepared with as much information about the company, position, and their own skills and strengths as possible.

1. NEVER TAKE THE INTERVIEW SOMEWHERE NOISY

It might seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised what interviewers say they can hear in the background of their phone interviews—everything from barking dogs to screaming children. “Prepare for the interview by securing a quiet space in advance, even if it means escaping to your car parked in the garage,” advises Chere Taylor, founder of Fulcrum HR Consulting. “If you can lock your home office door, by all means do it. We’ve all been there and sometimes things just happen, but the more time spent anticipating what could go wrong, the better prepared and organized you will appear to the interviewer, and the greater likelihood of success.” That doesn’t mean that if your washing machine beeps once in the background all hope is lost, but the more effort you put into being in a quiet place, the more focused you’ll be. 

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2. DON’T TALK ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE . . .

. . . unless you’re directly asked a question about what you like to do in your off hours. “The point of a phone interview is to focus on getting to know a candidate’s professional experience and goals,” says Mckenzie Roark, campus talent specialist at Lithko Contracting. “A recruiter is trying to qualify them to see if they are the best fit for a role, and learning about their personal life doesn’t help. For example, when asked where you see yourself in five years, we don’t want to know that you hope to be married or that you want to buy a new house. That is nice, but that isn’t relative to anything professional.”

3. RESIST THE URGE TO MULTITASK

It might be tempting to cross something off your to-do list while on a phone interview, but recruiters and hiring managers can easily tell if your attention is elsewhere. “My No. 1 pet peeve is people who decide to multitask while on the phone interview,” says Dan Krupansky, talent acquisition manager at PrimePay. “I have heard candidates washing dishes, making lunch in the microwave, going for walks, letting their dog out, and grocery shopping during the interview. I even had one person use the bathroom and flush the toilet while speaking with me.” Needless to say, this doesn’t reflect well on your level of interest in the position you’re interviewing for.

4. SKIP THE MONEY CONVERSATION

To put it bluntly, it’s simply too early in the process for you to be the one who brings up salary expectations. “Chances are if a candidate is participating in a phone interview, this is the first time they have talked with the company, and the first call isn’t the appropriate time to talk about ‘what’s in it for you,’” says Justina Strnad, the Talent Acquisition Manager for Shiftgig. “Trust me, if you are a great candidate and make it to next steps, the hiring team is going to be very transparent about what’s in it for you later on.”

5. NEVER PUT YOUR INTERVIEWER ON HOLD

Phone interviews don’t take that long, and there probably isn’t anything else going on that is really truly so urgent that you need to pause your interview. “Do not put me on hold to take an important call that just beeped in,” advises Jeremy Payne, head of people operations at Remote Year. “I am your important call. If you are expecting extremely urgent news (like information about a family illness), be sure to preface that in the early minutes of the interview, so the recruiter is aware of the situation, and so you can work with them to reschedule if that interruption does occur,” he says.

6. NEVER SKIP THE Q&A

“After wrapping up a phone interview, it is typical that the interviewer will ask the candidate if they have any questions. I can’t stress this enough: ALWAYS ask questions,” says Roark. “If we have had a great phone interview and then we wrap up and they don’t have any questions for me, it pretty much ruins the whole interview. It tells me that the candidate is uninterested in the role, which in reality, might not be the case at all,” she notes. But surely, if you’re interested in a job, you can think of something to ask your interviewer.

7. DON’T BE LATE

It seems basic, but surprisingly, a lot of people are late to phone interviews. “About a quarter of the people with whom I schedule phone interviews aren’t on time,” says Sophie Cikovsky, who handles U.S. recruiting for Infinite Global. “While this bothers me personally, it’s also indicative of someone who isn’t very detail-oriented,” she explains. “In order to identify this early in the hiring process, I started asking all candidates a few years ago to call me as opposed to calling them at an agreed-upon time. That way, if I hear from them at 1:13 p.m. or 12:49 p.m. instead of our planned 1:00 pm interview time, I have an early indicator that they might not be a great fit.”

8. DON’T ASSUME RECEPTION IS GOOD

“Make sure you test your headset and connection before dialing in,” recommends Payne. “There is nothing more frustrating for a recruiter who has a structured interview guide in place having to repeatedly ask the same question over and over because they could not understand your answer due to static or dropped signals.” Test-call a friend beforehand, or even call yourself from a landline if necessary; it will take less than a minute.

9. NEVER TALK OVER THE INTERVIEWER

You might be eager to get your point across or talk about your experience, but interrupting the interviewer is awkward and rude when you’re speaking on the phone, even more so than in face-to-face interviews. “Interviewing can be stressful, and sometimes that stress manifests itself in speaking too fast, speaking too loud, talking over the interviewer, or attempting to answer the interviewer’s question before they have actually finished asking the question,” says Taylor. “Don’t do this.” There’s a big difference between being assertive and being aggressive, and interviewers can always recognize it.

10. SKIP FILLER WORDS

It’s tough not to say things like “um,” “uh,” and “like” in everyday speech, but these verbal habits become much more pronounced when speaking on the phone, says Chris Dardis, a recruiting expert and HR professional with Versique Executive Search. “In face-to-face interviews, they’re not as noticeable, because there are other things like your hair, suit, or body language to distract people,” he explains. But in a phone interview, the only thing you have to go on is what you say and how you say it. “That’s why it’s so important to eliminate these words from your speech when doing a phone interview.”

11. DON’T GO IN BLIND

Not knowing anything about the company or job you’re interviewing for is way more obvious than you’d think. “Many people think that a phone interview means they’re getting away with something, that they don’t have to put as much effort into researching the role or company,” says Steve Pritchard, HR consultant for giffgaff. And if you have your laptop in front of you during the interview to do a few quick searches, they won’t know the difference, right? Not exactly. “Seasoned interviewers will know whether an interviewee is researching while on the phone; they will take too long to answer the question and punctuate their answers with a lot of ‘ums’ and ‘errs’ as they type. The interviewer can often even hear the typing as they ask the question,” he adds.

12. NIX LONG-WINDED ANSWERS

“The key to success during a phone interview is clear and concise answers,” says Dardis. “People’s attention spans tend to be shorter over the phone. You don’t want your future employer to lose interest in the conversation.” He recommends practicing answers to questions you know will be asked ahead of time in order to be clear on what you’re going to say. That way, you can prevent rambling before it starts.

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FastCompany.com | 9-18-18 | BY JULIA MALACOFF—GLASSDOOR  7 MINUTE READ

#CareerAdvice – #JobInterview – How to Answer #InterviewQuestions to make #HiringManagers like You…By the Time you Reach the Interview Phase, your Prospective #Employer already Knows a Lot About you. They Know your Previous Experience. What they Don’t Know is Whether they Want to Work with You.

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After you interview for a position, you may obsess over whether you gave the interviewer the “right” answers to the questions. But rather than worrying about what you said, you might want to spend more time thinking about how you say it.

By the time you reach the interview phase, your prospective employer already knows a lot about you. They know your previous experience. They might even have recommendations that attest to your knowledge, skills, abilities, and effectiveness. They know enough about you to think that you are a good match to the position they are filling.

What they don’t know is whether they want to work with you.

That means that a lot of what your interviewer is evaluating is whether they think you will fit into the organization and people will enjoy having you around. They are trying to envision what it will be like to have you as a part of the community.

Related: These 5 interview questions reveal the most about job candidates

There are several things you can do to make them think more favorably about you.

LEAN IN — LITERALLY

You want to leave an impression that you are going to be an interested, upbeat, and engaged person to work with. That means you want your interviewer to feel good about the interaction with you.

A great way to help that along is to take advantage of the natural coordination that happens when you talk with someone else. You automatically tune yourself to what a conversation partner is doing when you converse. You match how fast they are talking. You match the pitch of their voice. You mirror their gestures. You take on their level of energy.

At your interview, lean in. Literally. Lean forward. Talk with energy. Smile. Not only does this posture convey your interest to the interviewer, it will cause your interviewer to mirror your movements. That will increase your interviewer’s enthusiasm for you when the interview is over.

Related: Be careful about answering these 5 job interview questions

BE QUICK

Lots of research suggests that fast thinking makes people feel good. That is why listening to fast music is a positive experience. It is why people often enjoy the last stages of solving a problem when the ideas are flowing. And it is why people enjoy a really good conversation.

At your interview, try to keep the conversation moving along. Prepare your responses to typical interview questions so that you have vocabulary at your disposal to talk about your qualifications, interests, and goals. That way, you can respond quickly to the questions you are asked. Those fast responses will make your interviewer feel positively about you.

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BE POSITIVE

The word you want on your interviewer’s mind at the end of the conversation is “yes.” And that means that you want to make it as easy for your interviewer to be thinking about good things rather than bad ones.

Related: Here’s how you can prepare for these common interview questions

The best way to do that is to focus on positive elements throughout your interview. Find reasons why you can do things rather than not do them. If you interviewer asks you about problems you have encountered, find ways to turn those problems into benefits and focus on good outcomes and what you have learned.

Research on mood and memory suggests that it is easier for people to remember information that is consistent with their current mood. If you stay focused on the positive throughout your interview, you make it easy for your interviewer to think about the positive elements of your interview than the negative ones.

Obviously, throughout your interview, you also want to actually answer the specific questions you are asked. You certainly don’t want to be seen as someone who is not paying attention or won’t answer a question. But, to the extent that you can also convey how nice it would be to have you as a colleague, you will increase the chance that the next question you are asked is “When can you start?”

 

FastCompany.com | 9.17.18

#Leadership : #Presentation – 6 Takeaways from Tim Cook’s Apple Keynote that Will Make you a Better #Presenter …Steve Jobs was a master at Presenting New Products, and Tim Cook has Plenty of Best Practices for Public Speakers, Too.

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Apple’s keynotes have been seen as examples of public speaking excellence for almost two decades. Steve Jobs’s launch of the iPod in 2001 and the iPhone in 2007 are not just product launches that changed how we communicate, they’re also among the best examples of public speaking.

KNOW YOUR STYLE, OWN YOUR AUTHENTICITY

Apple keynotes may still be judged by the example that Jobs set, but Cook hasn’t tried to be another Steve Jobs. Cook uses his own speaking style, with his own mannerisms and measured speaking pace. That’s reflected on stage as he presents as someone who is comfortable and believable.

The best speakers are those who have confidence in themselves and their style. Authenticity shines through and builds trust and credibility. When speaking, don’t try to imitate someone else, go with your own style.

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WALK, THEN PAUSE FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT

One thing that Cook did pick up from Jobs is the impact of a controlled walk onstage. Watch the keynote video from the 08:20 mark and see how Cook builds up to his announcement that the Apple Watch is the best-selling watch in the world. He stops and announces it while the message pops up behind him. That walk–and then the pause–added energy and drama.

By matching how you walk with your words and visuals, you can build tension and excitement. Move slowly to a major point, then stop, and drop the revelation. With advance thought and practice you can incorporate this into your presentations.

KNOW WHEN NOT TO SPEAK

The keynote lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes. How long was Tim Cook on stage? Around 12 minutes. Cook opened for four minutes, introducing the Apple Watch Series 4 before turning it over to COO Jeff Williams. Cook returned briefly to introduce the new iPhones before Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller came on and led the keynote for an hour, also sharing the stage with developers and other Apple speakers. Cook then returned for the final five minutes.

Related: Why Apple is the world’s most innovative company

Cook knew his role and stuck to it, and let the experts stick to theirs. A good speaker and leader knows their specialty and expertise and sticks to that, and understands where they can shine without hogging the spotlight. Speak about what you know best about, and be sure to share the stage.

BREAK LONG TALKS INTO SHORT SEGMENTS

The keynote not only featured multiple speakers, it spaced things out. No one spoke for long before something changed. A new speaker or topic was introduced, the format switched, videos were shown. These kept things fresh and held our interest.

Shorter is always better. TED talks are limited to 18 minutes because the human brain tends to wander after 20 minutes unless it gets some fresh input. In your talks, break things up every 15 to 20 minutes by introducing a new speaker, changing the format, or making things interactive. Do whatever you can to reboot the audience’s brains before their attention drops to their smartphones.

USE ANAPHORA

Cook described the new iPhone XS MAX as:

The biggest screen ever in an iPhone.
The biggest battery ever in an iPhone.
And of course the biggest experience ever in an iPhone.

This repeating of words and phrases is a time-honored and powerful rhetorical device known as “anaphora.” The rhythm and cadence of the sentences adds emphasis and power to the words. Some of the most powerful speeches use this, think Winston Churchill’s “We shall fight on the beaches . . . ” and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream . . . ”

The words you say in a presentation are important, so plan what you’ll say by using anaphora for impact.

END BY REINFORCING YOUR KEY POINTS

Tim Cook wrapped up the keynote by summarizing the three introduced products and their benefit: Apple Watch and a healthier life, iPhone XS and innovation, iPhone XR and value.

Related: Forget the new iPhones, Apple’s best product is now privacy

Don’t end your talk with, “Thanks for listening to me” after a Q&A session. End your presentations with a quick recap of your main points and then thank the audience. Make sure the last thing they hear from you is your main message.

Becoming a better public speaker means being a keen observer and learning by watching other talks. In the case of Tim Cook’s turn on stage, it’s a lesson from the best. You may not be giving a talk as big as Apple’s keynotes, but in your world and in your business, the presentations you make can be just as important.

Darren Menabney lives in Tokyo, where he leads global employee engagement at Ricoh and teaches MBA students at GLOBIS University. Follow him on Twitter at @darmenab.

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FastCompany.com | September 15, 2018

#Leadership : #ChangeManagement -How to Manage your #Team through #Change ….Leading your Team Through Change–Whether it’s New Leadership, a Reorganization, a Merger or Acquisition–can be Extremely Daunting. Here’s How to Do It.

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Change is constantly happening on your team and in business. Whether it’s new leadership, a reorganization, a merger or acquisition, successfully leading a team through change is hard, and it presents both opportunities and challenges. To maximize benefits and minimize stress, leaders need to be organized, strategic, and almost overly prepared.

An action plan that employs a distribution of expectations and responsibilities across teams is essential. A transition fostered by individual heroics, on the other hand, is tough to streamline and sustain.

The best organizations succeed because leaders steer coordination across teams, maximizing the talent and versatility of various players. Well-positioned teams weather change together, evolving collectively.

Related: How to project authority right after you get promoted 

ASSESS ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN

The leadership team has to be poised to enact the full body exercise that is transformation. Prior to an organizational change, it’s a good strategy to conduct an audit to ensure they have the skills, experiences, and knowledge to steer their company into its future.

Ask: How can the team become effective as quickly as possible? What new challenges or responsibilities face our team as we grow? Do gaps exist?

Challenges associated with change stand to unearth weakness in leadership and on teams. It’s better to own, evaluate, and strengthen those during the planning phase.

“Org design is about making scalable decisions.” says Dan Spaulding, chief people officer of Zillow. “Are you making a long-term decision or simply trying to solve a short-term problem? Many leaders react to short-term org challenges and create perpetual change instead of focusing on where they want the org to be long-term and setting a coherent strategy to get there. There will always be uncertainty and resistance, but when you can explain the changes, people can understand and rally around that vision.”

Related: These eight phrases are killing your chance for a promotion

 

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ACTIVATE CHANGE MANAGEMENT

When not managed correctly, change can disrupt culture, impeding innovation and efficiency. Messaging is key.

Wendy Barnes, SVP & CHRO Palo Alto Networks advises: “It’s critical to have a clear vision of the end-state so you can get everyone moving in the right direction. That helps you crystalize the rationale for the change so you can effectively communicate it to everyone who needs to know and get the right stakeholders involved from the start.”

A systematic and scalable effort can help people to accept change. Spaulding explains: “Having an organization with defined values that communicates with transparency will help to build a growth mind-set that builds adaptable employees. Org transformation is difficult work and should be undertaken from a systems-thinking approach with commitment to getting it right (or at least with empathy and respect) for everyone that will be impacted.

Related: Emotional intelligence is the real secret to getting promoted faster

SET THE DIRECTION

Leaders position their team for success by making priorities clear at each stage. Articulate a vision the team can believe in. Hear their concerns. Empower them to deliver results by offering clear instructions.

Defining metrics for monitoring the team’s operations can help. Granted, there is likely to be disruption, but the goal is to contain that so that it doesn’t impact morale and productivity.

Keep a list of key priorities; it can be tough to keep sight of them in an environment of change.

ENGAGE YOUR TEAM

Being focused and organized positions leaders to help their team flex their way through transition; again, this scenario doesn’t demand a hero. It calls for a prepared and savvy facilitator.

Steve Job famously reflected: “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” Position the team to succeed, then afford them the autonomy to do so.

EMPOWER DECISION MAKING

Be transparent and explicit. Share goals and rationales that prompt decisions. Seek input. Invite dialogue.

Leveraging the team’s wisdom can help solve problems quickly. It can be demotivating if the transition disrupts work; aim to keep operations buzzing.

LEVERAGE TALENT

Career planning is an ongoing process that bridges one’s current job to the next opportunity. Design succession plans to help the team achieve their goals. Nurture talent by matching career goals with available or upcoming opportunities.

KEEP THE TEAM MOVING FORWARD

Leaders need to overextend their EQ. Barnes points out: “Empathy plays a big part in how I approach these conversations, because in many cases, my team is hearing about a change that will also impact them on a personal level. I like to face this challenge head-on by offering my own perspective in the hopes that others will share what makes them feel uncertain. If you confront it early, it helps clear the air so you can get back to the task of leading the company through change.”

Spaulding adds: “People need to hear the ‘why’ several times, and if work processes or roles are changing, make sure that you have a change plan that recognizes those changes and helps people to navigate them.”

Make sure that the right people address the right issues without absorbing everyone’s time. Simplify hard topics, keeping them closed after the discussion (no backchanneling, gossip, or negative behaviors). Encourage people with different styles and help cultivate their talent and participation.

SHARE SUCCESS

Make it clear to your team members: They are vital to the success of the transformation. You’ve got this, and so do they.

 

FastCompany.com | 9.12.18 | BY EILEEN HOENIGMAN MEYER—GLASSDOOR 4 MINUTE READ

#CareerAdvice : #CompaniesHiring – 10 Fortune 500 Companies With #WorkFromHomeJobs …Take a Look, and Apply Today — These Jobs Won’t Be Open for Long!

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When you think about a Fortune 500 company, you probably picture thousands of employees located in a gigantic headquarters. And while many Fortune 500 employees do work out of an office, the rising popularity of remote work means that more and more employees get to work right from their homes.

Recently, FlexJobs compiled a list of Fortune 500 companies with remote work options — here are some of the most notable. Take a look, and apply today — these jobs won’t be open for long!

1. Dell

Glassdoor Rating: 3.8

Open Remote Positions: Systems Consultant, Technology Services Manager, Business Development Executive, Sr. Consultant for Learning & Development, Account Executive & more

What Employees Say: “Flexible work options, many career paths and opportunities for career growth. Great place to get world class experience.” —Current Account Manager III

See Remote Jobs 

 

2. UnitedHealth Group

Glassdoor Rating: 3.3

Open Remote Positions: Account Manager, Human Capital Service Advisor, Instructional Designer, Sr. Data Scientist, Marketing Specialist I & more

What Employees Say: “Love being able to work from home. Supervisor and Team Lead are compassionate about their employees. Large selection of benefit plans to choose from and the amount of paid time off is very good even for lower grade positions.” —Current Clinical Administrative Coordinator

See Remote Jobs 

 

3. Leidos

Glassdoor Rating: 3.4

Open Remote Positions: Cloud Engineer, COOP Analyst, Industrial Outreach Energy Engineer, Price-To-Win Analyst, Software Developer & more

What Employees Say: “Great environment, excellent employer, promotes work/life balance, amazing management, all around strong team, and lots of room for growth within the company.” —Current Accountant

See Remote Jobs 

 

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4. Humana

Glassdoor Rating: 3.4

Open Remote Positions: Manager – Telecomm/Voice Engineering, Salesforce DEVOPS Architect, RN Case Manager – Telephonic Nurse 2, Senior Infrastructure Architect, Senior Software Engineer – Workday & more

What Employees Say: “Humana is the rare type of company that truly seems to care for its employees. Work/life balance is tremendous and the culture is focused on well being. Benefits and pay are great and the company is always looking for ways to improve. I’ve only been here a short while but I have every intention of retiring here.” —Current Employee

See Remote Jobs 

 

5. Aetna

Glassdoor Rating: 3.3

Open Remote Positions: Continuum of Care Manager, Bus Project Program Mgr, Senior Informatics Analyst, UM Clinical Consultant, Consumer Financial Services Sales Executive & more

What Employees Say: “I really enjoyed who I worked with and even though I had several supervisors over the years. I had a really great one for the longest time. The benefits are really good and they try to help encourage staff with rewards. The working environment was pleasant.” —Former Employee

See Remote Jobs 

 

6. Oracle

Glassdoor Rating: 3.4

Open Remote Positions: Global Sales Enablement Specialist, Marketing Manager – Trial Conversion, Senior Project Manager,
IRT Designer/Principal Consultant, Principal Solution Architect & more

What Employees Say: “The work is intellectually stimulating.. Great benefits and incentives for salespeople. Great culture and community. Talented leadership with years of experience.” —Current Client Partner

See Remote Jobs 

 

7. Anthem, Inc.

Glassdoor Rating: 3.7

Open Remote Positions: Provider Network Mgr I, Business Information Analyst II, Mgr. II Enterprise Benefits Administration, Program Manager, Community Relations Rep III & more

What Employees Say: “Anthem offers competitive salaries, achievable career path for advancement, diversity, and advanced industry training. Anthem recognizes the importance of work life balance. Anthem cares about their employees and is a great company. Anthem has excellent benefits for their employees.” —Current Senior Project Manager

See Remote Jobs 

 

8. Apple

Glassdoor Rating: 4.0

Open Remote Positions: AppleCare at Home Team Manager, Technical Specialist, AppleCare Technical Support Advisor, AppleCare Customer Relations Advisor, AppleCare Readiness Support Advisor & more

What Employees Say: “The position is at home. The company is AMAZING. There are limitless advancement opportunities. You work with some very cool people and the leadership cares about your development. You may get coaching but you never get battered or belittled. The pay is decent and the benefits include, 401(k) match, stock purchase options, product discounts and discounts on services across many different areas, education assistance, child care assistance, paid vacation, sick time and other time off options, health club Reimbursment or bike cost set off.” —Current Apple At Home Advisor

See Remote Jobs 

 

9. McKesson

Glassdoor Rating: 3.3

Open Remote Positions: HEOR / RWE Business Development Sales Director, Sales Executive – New Business Health Systems, Manager Research Site Services, McKesson Brands Field Sales Specialist, Talent Advisor & more

What Employees Say: “Great culture. Low turnover. Work life balance for customer service. Great vacation package.” —Current Key Account Specialist

See Remote Jobs 

 

10. Thermo Fisher Scientific

Glassdoor Rating: 3.3

Open Remote Positions: Product Support Specialist, Account Manager, Blood Transfusion Business Development Manager, Field Applications Scientist, Sr. Dir. – Commercial Sales & more

What Employees Say: “Advancement opportunities are excellent, financially driven, continuous improvement culture, site hosts fun activities after work, great leadership training programs.” —Current Employee

See Remote Jobs 

GlassDoor.com | September 11, 2018 | Posted by 

 

#CareerAdvice : #SalaryGap – 5 Ways to Know If You’re Making Less Than Your #Coworkers …It can be Quite Tricky to Figure Out How your #Salary Stacks Up, But Lucky for You, there are Many Options these Days for Gathering Financial Intel.

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Knowing where you stand in terms of compensation compared to your coworkers can help you understand your value to the company, whether or not it’s time to ask for a raise, and if you should potentially be looking for a new gig.

It can be quite tricky to figure out how your salary stacks up, but lucky for you, there are many options these days for gathering financial intel. Below, find for our top five methods for making sure you’re in the know about where you fall on the pay scale.

1. Know Your Worth™
Get your free, personalized salary estimate with Glassdoor’s latest tool. When you enter in your current job title, employer, current salary, location and years of relevant work experience, you will see the median estimated market value, or the base pay you could command in today’s job market.

That’s right. It’s a real-time tool to see what colleagues with your same qualifications can earn, and the number changes as the job market fluctuates. This allows you to see if you’re underpaid or overpaid, and allows you to determine if you want to ask for a raise. It also allows you to think through the other portions of your compensation package, like how much you value benefits, equity or stock options and the perks of the job.

How to Negotiate Your Salary

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2. Job Listings
Many job listings, including ones on Glassdoor, list the salary or salary range for the position they’re advertising. This practice is most common with government jobs, but is also seen in other industries frequently — especially if you’re accessing job postings through a recruiting service.

If you’re able to find a few listings for positions that are similar to yours, take the average and see where your compensation falls. You can also use job listings as a tool to evaluate if people with similar titles have the same duties that you do. If you’ve got way more on your plate than what job descriptions for positions like yours indicate, you’re probably being under compensated.

3. Your Coworkers
While many experts caution against getting too specific with your coworkers about your salaries, speaking in generalities can help you figure out a broader idea of where you stand. Barry Maher, career consultant, speaker and author, notes, “both within the industry and with fellow workers, you have to show them yours before you ask to see theirs. I always advise using the idea of a pay range rather than specific numbers.”

He suggests that a way to broach the subject could be to say something like “I’ll be talking with my boss about compensation at some point soon, and I’m just trying to get a rough idea of what I should be looking for. I know the company doesn’t want us to compare salaries and I can see how that benefits them, but I can’t see how it benefits us. To give you an idea of I’m getting right now, it’s roughly (whatever you feel like sharing). Is that the kind of range you’re in as well?” It’s important to note that you may or may not get an answer, and if you do, it might not be 100% true.

“But if you’re at all perceptive,” says Maher. “And you carefully watch their reaction, you can often tell from that reaction if they think your number is low or if they’re a bit jealous because it seems high or if it’s just about what they’d expect because they’re in the same range.”

The Secret to Negotiating $5,000 – $15,000 More in Pay

4. Glassdoor Salary Reports/Reviews
Glassdoor has a vast database of self-reported salaries available for browsing—for free! If you aren’t into the idea of asking your coworkers about their compensation in a general way, give our crowdsourced intel a try. Not only can you research pay rates at your current company, but you can also check out your competitors’ stats.

Who knows, maybe your company’s rival is more generous with compensation, making a jump over there a no-brainer. Another handy tool Glassdoor offers is a salary estimator. All you have to do to access this is go to Glassdoor.com and click on salaries. Then in the open field for job, just type in your occupation (i.e. nurse or software engineer), and make sure that the city/location field is blank. Once you hit “submit,” you’ll get to see the national average for the job you entered, plus what Glassdoor users say they make. Pretty nifty, huh?

5. Your Network
Personal and professional coach Rachel B. Garrett emphasizes the importance of using your professional contacts to get the full picture on your industry. “Mine your professional network for former colleagues and others who may be hiring managers for positions like yours.” she suggests.

“Try to set up informational interviews with these folks and ask about salary range as part of your conversation. I would aim to set up these conversations with a wider context in mind, beyond the topic salary. You never know — you could get a new job out of one of these conversations so you may not need to revisit your less than exciting salary du jour! “

 

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#Leadership : #ProductivePeople – You Can’t Avoid your Afternoon Slump—Here’s How to Get Through It….It’s Part of your Biology, so Don’t Bother Fighting It.

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It happens to most of us. Somewhere between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day–at least on days when you’re not active–all your energy and drive disappears. At first, it hits you like a mini wave. You start to yawn a little bit, and your brain goes elsewhere, then all of a sudden your eyes become heavy and you have to use every ounce of willpower to keep them open.

What are you to do? After all, you need to wake up ASAP. The easiest thing to do would be to get a coffee, the closest sugar-laden baked goodie you can find, or an energy drink. After all, it’s quick fuel, right? Sure, you’ll probably get a little bump–but soon, you’ll find your sleepiness coming back and you’ll feel sick from the sugar.

When you do this, you’re trying to fight your biology. As inconvenient as it might be, there isn’t much you can do to prevent the afternoon slump from happening. There are, however, steps you can take to maximize your productivity during that time.

OUR BRAINS ON MIDDAY DROWSINESS

When we fall asleep at night, our brain enters into unconsciousness by producing melatonin. Think of it like the key that starts the engine for sleep.

The body produces melatonin when our core body temperature reaches a high point, and then drops. That drop is a signal to the pineal gland to produce melatonin. Between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., most people experience a small decrease in core body temperature. This is your body’s way of telling you that you need a nap. If you’re lucky enough to have this option at work, take it! If not, you can mitigate its effect by doing the following.

Related: 4 sleep myths that you need to stop believing 

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UNDERSTAND YOUR CHRONOTYPE

I’ve previously talked about how people are genetically predisposed to a particular “chronotype.” Based on the research, everyone’s sleep habits can be broken up into the following chronotypes: lions, bears, dolphins, or wolves (you can find more information on what each type entails here.) When you know what your chronotype is, you can usually predict when your mid-afternoon fatigue will hit. For example, lions tend to drowse off around 1 p.m., but wolves start to fade around 3 p.m.

EAT A HIGH PROTEIN LUNCH

Pasta or pizza isn’t the main culprit for your post-lunch fatigue, but swapping your carb-laden feast with protein and vegetables canimprove your attention span. Carbs increase serotonin, which has a calming effect. This might be great when you’re looking to unwind at the end of the day, but not so great for doing work that requires a high level of concentration.

Related: What our relationships mean for how we sleep 

GET SOME SUNSHINE AND MOVE

Rather than hunting for the strongest caffeinated beverage, opt for getting 10 minutes of sunshine for about 15 minutes before your midday meltdown occurs. Sunlight stops the production of melatonin, which can prevent sleepiness from taking over. If you can, go for a brisk walk. You’d be surprised at what a little bit of movement can do.

IF ALL ELSE, FAILS, DRINK COFFEE, THEN TAKE A NAP

Finally, on days where this three-step system doesn’t work (and you need to get back on track quickly), you can reach for the caffeine. But here’s the catch–you have to drink it quickly and take a 25-minute nap immediately. I recommend 6 ounces of drip coffee with three ice cubes to cool it down. When you wake up, you will have gotten enough stage 1 and 2 sleep to reduce your level of sleepiness.

You see, there are two different processes for sleep in the brain. One is a sleep drive that’s caused by a buildup of a neurochemical called adenosine, produced whenever a cell eats a piece of glucose. When the adenosine accumulates in your brain, you get sleepier. The other is sleep rhythm that relates to your chronotype. In the middle of the day, you have some adenosine buildup. When you nap, the brain uses up the adenosine. Caffeine has a very similar molecular structure to adenosine, so if you drink it when the receptor opens up (because it used the adenosine), you have the caffeine waiting right there, and it slips in right away to block the receptor. This has the effect of making you more alert. 

You’ll be good for four hours or so. One word of caution–with this method, it’s best not to use it every day. Otherwise, it’s not going to be as effective.

Related: I slept with a robot (and I liked it) 

MAKE SURE YOU GET ENOUGH SLEEP

This might sound obvious, but your afternoon slump is going to be much worse if you didn’t get an adequate amount of sleep the night before. Again, how much sleep you need will depend on your genes, lifestyle and obligation. As I previously wrote for Fast Company, a sedentary desk worker who lives alone will have different needs from a serious athlete who gets up at the crack of dawn to run 10 miles.

Yes, the dreaded afternoon slump is inevitable for most of us–but that doesn’t mean we have to sit through it miserably. By following these steps, you’re not fighting against your biology–you’re working with it.

Author: Michael Breus, PhD, is a board-certified sleep specialist and founder of TheSleepDoctor.com, as well as the author of The Power of When.

 

FastCompany.com| September 7, 2018

#CareerAdvice : #JobNetworking – Do these 4 Things to Make a Positive Impression at a #NetworkingEvent ….The Best Networker Views #Networking as an Unavoidable Part of Professional Life.

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No one is born a natural networker. But when you think about someone you’ve met networking who impressed you, I’d challenge you to consider what you talked about.

The best networkers view connecting as part and parcel to life: not just something they do when they need a job or a favor. To up your game as a networker, you may need to change your game entirely.

Here are some traits the most interesting people at a networking event always have in common. Taking them on is the perfect blueprint to becoming a better networker yourself:

1. THEY DON’T START A CONVERSATION WITH, “WHAT DO YOU DO?”

Along with “Have a nice day” and “How can I help you?”, “What do you do?” is one of those autopilot conversational phrases that make real connection much less possible. The most interesting networkers understand that meet and greets are a storyteller’s sandbox. When asked about her job, a regular networker would say, “I work in advertising.” Meanwhile, a storyteller might say, “I convince people to buy things they don’t really need,” or “I create content that makes you forget you wanted to get up for ice cream.” Big social events are made up of multiple introductions back to back. Someone who injects surprise is someone who adds a dash of conversational salt to a meat-and-potato evening. Be that person.

Related: This is how to conquer even the most hardcore networking anxiety 

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2. THEY’RE GIVERS, NOT TAKERS

There’s nothing more boring than someone who comes to a networking event with a, “How can you help me?” mind-set. These networkers are amateurs because they’re transactional rather than relational. The most interesting networkers approach social interactions with a gamification mentality. Instead of getting a rush when they make a connection for themselves, they get a burst of endorphins when they make a match for someone else. In conversation, they’re constantly connecting dots and connecting people— always conscious of how to join like-minded individuals. True connectors go beyond industry and are rarely motivated by imminent need. Instead, they look to introduce people because they see the potential for great conversation, joint ideation, or parallel curiosities. And it goes without saying that because they connect others to intriguing individuals rather than those seeking jobs, they create a virtuous cycle. People send stimulating connections in return.

3. THEY FEED THE BEAST

Life’s most interesting people are the ones who are genuinely curious about the world. Life is busy, but whether it’s a podcast squeezed in during a walk to a meeting or a book sitting on the nightstand, interesting people intentionally feed their minds so they have things to add to a conversation. Regardless of whether you’re in the same industry or similar roles, these are people you’ll remember, because they inject insights into small talk.

Related: Four ways to prevent networking burnout

4. THEY LISTEN MORE THAN THEY TALK

Networking events are the ultimate training ground for learning to stay in the moment. Surrounded by a room full of people talking and laughing, these events bring out the FOMO in all of us. It’s common to see networkers scanning the room over a wine glass rim as they nod vaguely at the person in front of them—completely missing potential links because they’re only half listening. If the most interesting conversations are the ones that dip below the surface, the most interesting people are the ones who make others feel worthy of their full attention.

Staying completely present while listening to someone else talk is surprisingly difficult, but it gets easier with practice. Sharpen your chops by practicing on someone you know. When you get home, ask a roommate or partner about their day, and focus completely as they answer.

HOW TO KEEP THE CONNECTION GOING

New relationships have a very short shelf life, so don’t forget to follow up within a week of your initial meeting. A request to connect on LinkedIn makes for an easy way to remain in contact, but it won’t do much for building a lasting relationship.

Instead, think about what you talked about and what you remember. A funny story? A book recommendation? Whether it’s showing how you acted on a piece of sage advice, or sharing an article about a topic you bonded over, this is your chance to show you took this new connection to heart.

Do something intentional. Email them to share something that intrigues you. Introduce them to someone at the next event who might excite their curiosity. Reach out with a quote that reminds you of something they said. Voila! You just won the networking game . . . for now.

This article originally appeared on Fairygodboss and is reprinted with permission. 

 

FastCompany.com | BY DANIELLE WOOD—FAIRYGODBOSS | 3 MINUTE READ | 9.5.18