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#CareerAdvice : #Networking – 5 Types of #NetworkingEvents Actually Worth Your Time…Who said All Networking Events were Created Equal? We Say, Pick your Poison.

August 6, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The idea of networking used to produce a physical reaction in me, similar to riding a roller coaster: sweaty palms, nervous chatter, and a slightly queasy stomach.

Unless you’re a regular performer, no one relishes the idea of planting yourself in a room full of strangers and attempting to be charming—especially when your livelihood is involved!Despite the universal awkwardness that usually comes with these events, every city offers it’s unique opportunities for you to network.

From happy hours to bowling matches to workshops, it seems like more options are popping up every day. Here are just a few we think you’ll like.

TYPES OF NETWORKING EVENTS WORTH YOUR TIME

1. Breakfast Networking

If you’re a morning person, this is a great way to start your day. What better scenario to schmooze than over egg-white omelets? Breakfast meetings allow all of the early risers to get ahead. You’re the first pitch of the day, so you get in front of potential employers or clients before they’re inundated with requests and resumes later that day. Unlike happy hours, you also get to interact with influencers before a potentially stressful workday hits (and before the alcohol starts flowing).

2. Industry-Specific Speaking Engagements

Whether you’re in marketing, retail, accounting, or another field, there are always people around to learn from. Take advantage of networking events in your area that have a speaker or speakers on a topic directly related to your position or department. You will learn from the experts themselves and ask questions you might not be able to in a webinar or online Q&A. You’ll also be surrounded by attendees in your field—take advantage of picking their brains! Bonus tip: If you have the confidence, offer to speak at one of these events yourself!

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3. Roundtable Events

Similar to speaking engagements, roundtables are beneficial to those looking to advance their knowledge by communicating with their peers. Roundtables allow for open forums and discussions that, more often than not, lead to creative ideas and new directions. If you’re stuck on a project, story, or proposal, these are great events to get out of your rut and make some new connections in the meantime.

4. Happy Hour Networking Meetups

If you get the “roller coaster” anxiety about events that I do, happy hour is a tried-and-true tradition in the networking world. It allows for more of a relaxed atmosphere—making small talk and approaching strangers is simpler in a casual environment.

Bonus Tip: Avoid happy hours if you are actively looking for a job—given their usually laid-back nature, it might encourage you to make the wrong impression on a potential boss!

5. LinkedIn Groups

The digital age of networking is a blessing to the introvert in all of us. There are a ton of networking groups and forums on LinkedIn and other networks that allow communication, problem-solving and legitimate relationship-building (both business and personal) on a daily basis. If you’re nervous about jumping into the event pool, this is a great way to dip your toes in.

Even this list will leave you with a mind-spinning number of networking event options. So how do you decide which of them are worth your time?

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN PICKING A PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING EVENT

1. Choose an Event That Benefits Your Career Objectives

Are you looking for a job? New clients? Start-up capital? Either way, different events (especially the worthwhile ones!) are tailored to specific goals. Choose one that aligns with yours!

2. Find Out Where the Right People Will Be—And Go There

If you’re looking for a financial backer, you might want to avoid networking events that are lacking the decision-makers. If you’re looking for a job, try to find events attended by hiring managers or HR representatives. Research your favorite companies or industries, and see if there are any opportunities soon that are sponsored or managed by your dream company, or that feature your “dream role” people as keynote speakers or panelists.

3. Ask Yourself What You Need to Learn

Are you looking to attend a meetup or event in your field to escalate your growth? Check out the hosts, the speakers, and the topics being covered. If it’s something you’re already an expert on, look for a more advanced session. These are skill-specific opportunities for you to advance your career through developing and honing in on your strengths—or hey, your weaknesses!

4. Find a Conference or Event That Fits Your Personality and Career Goals

Once your objective is clear, choose an event that will give you a chance to shine. If you’re uncomfortable in big groups, look for events in more intimate settings. The last “rule” is important in our networking-cluttered world. Because the options are vast, you can—and should—attend events that will suit your needs and your A-game! If you hate ice breakers and small talk—maybe a roundtable isn’t for you. Maybe you prefer to listen to panelists, and then break into small groups to workshop specific skills. Maybe you prefer happy hours, because chit chat is your favorite thing to do.

HOW TO FIND NETWORKING EVENTS IN YOUR AREA

Okay so we’ve covered what events you should try to attend, and how to decide which ones you want to make time for—but how do you even know where to find these networking events to choose from? A quick google search of, “networking events [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][insert city here]” is a great way to start—but it can also be overwhelming with the amount of results you’ll likely get.

1. Your City Event Calendar

Your city likely has some sort of online event calendar—even if your “city” is more like a “farm” and your networking opportunities are limited to the weekly bingo competitions at one of the local churches. It’s still something, right? Your city calendar is a great starting point, because the list of events is already curated based on an important factor: distance.

2. Eventbrite

It’s an event calendar that’s super collaborative. Other people post events, and you get to search through them (you can even RSVP through the site.) Navigate to different events by date, category, event type, or price. You’ll find what you’re looking for in no time.

Pro tip: There are many websites like Eventbrite that showcase events in your area. Try Meetup and Facebook if you want more options.

3. Utilize Your Existing Network

That’s right—ask around at work! Maybe your coworkers are in industry-specific professional networks, or are secretly genius copywriters who teach multiple creative writing classes each week. Your boss might know of some local groups or meetings that you can attend.

Reach out to connections in your existing network, and see what events they’ve found helpful or exciting. You can also ask friends (especially if they’re in an industry you’re interested in) if they have any upcoming events on their radar. Even if you don’t get any recommendations right away, you’re letting everyone know you’re interested—and you’ll be the first person they call when they hear of something.

CareerContessa.com | July 31, 2018 | BY KELLY AYRES

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#CareerAdvice : #CareerChange – 9 Tips from People Who Made Dramatic #CareerChanges …It is Estimated that 40 Percent of Current US Employees are Disengaged at Work. Are you One of Them?

August 6, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Some don’t like the company or their boss, but other times the frustrations run a lot deeper — maybe you realize your career doesn’t give you satisfaction, let alone a sense of purpose or happiness. So how do you know what you should be doing instead? And even if you do know, how do you get there?

This is why I founded Repurpose Your Purpose: to help people who feel stuck change their careers. Recently, I invited Anthony Barcelo, VFX (Visual Effects) Supervisor and Senior Compositor for TV, commercials and feature films; Darren Marble, CEO of CrowdfundX (CfX); Ronnie Mok, Sr. Technical Program Manager of Product Design at Hulu; and Nicki Klein, Co-Founder and CEO of Betagig, to join me on a panel discussion on their successes and failures in changing careers at WeWork Constellation in Century City.

These are some of my favorite lessons from our talk:

1. Finding “the One” Takes Time

There’s a persistent myth that you can just read a book, do some self-help exercises, choose a career and voilà! You can go out and find “the one.” Don’t buy into this narrative.

Every one of my panelists changed careers at least once before landing at their current gig. Some changed multiple times. Barcelo, for example, didn’t think of visual effects as his ideal career right away. It grew on him organically until it became his career, and a very successful one at that!

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2. Don’t Sit Back and Wait

Too often we have a feeling something is not working in our career, but we keep waiting for the perfect opportunity to show up before we do something about it. We want to know what to do next, and we want to see a safe path to it. And so we wait, day after day, for that “aha” moment when we finally just figure it all out.

It may be disappointing to hear, but you probably won’t know what to do and how to be successful at it until you do it. Most likely, you will have to follow that hunch that you should be doing something else and then try to do something different, fail, pivot and try again until you find your calling.

3. When It’s Right, You’ll Know

You might not experience an epiphany before quitting your current job, but when you finally find the right career, you will know for sure. Mok used to work as a designer supporting marketing in an agency setting. And she couldn’t shake the feeling that her career, and all that she was creating, were disposable. It was only when she switched to a Program Manager role in the Product Design department at Hulu that everything clicked. Now she has great work/life balance, loves the people she works with and feels that everything has fallen into place.

4. Figure Out Who You Like to Work With

We spend way too much time thinking about what we want to do and not enough about who we want to do it with. One powerful way to assess whether a certain profession is right for you is to hang out with people who are doing it, then ask yourself: Do you feel you would get along? If a career is a good fit, you will find you have a certain affinity with others in that same career. So next time you go to a networking event or meet new people, see if you notice a trend.

5. Find a Job That Fits Your Life

Mok found happiness in her career once she stopped crafting her identity around her job and found work that allowed her to live her life. Now, work is part of her life, but it doesn’t define it. She teaches yoga, climbs and has a lot of other hobbies. Are you unable to choose your next career because you are too wrapped up in how it defines you a person? Try taking a holistic view of what makes you happy besides work, and how your ideal job would help accommodate that.

6. Dust Yourself Off and Try Again

I invited Klein to join me on the panel months ago. She is an amazing entrepreneur, changed careers multiple times, won the Launch Hackathon 2016 with an all-woman team, and went on to get VC funding for her startup Betagig. Amazing, right? But a week before the panel, she announced that Betagig folded. I have to confess, for a moment I wondered whether to cancel her appearance. And then I realized I had just fallen into the very real trap of people who only tell stories of hardships when there is a happy ending. What a bunch of BS! With Repurpose Your Purpose, I want to have real and authentic discussions about changing careers.

As soon as I checked in with Nicki, I realized she was ready to move onto her next project. As someone who had changed careers before, she recognized that failure is part of the process — each time you put yourself out there, you learn new skills, overcome your own limitations, learn about yourself and the world and ultimately, get closer to whatever it is you’re meant to do. Nicki’s story turned out to be among the most valuable of the evening, as people felt inspired and encouraged to take risks.

By the way, this story ends up having a great happy ending after all… just recently, Nicki announced she landed the role of Sr. Technical Product Manager at Amazon Web Services. You might fail in one career or project you embarked on, but have faith that all you learn in the process will lead you to a new and often unexpected path.

7. Failure Builds Confidence

It seems counterintuitive, but each panelist mentioned that failing gave them the courage to continue. The more they failed and learned from it, the less scared they were the next time around, and the more they learned how to handle new challenges while building confidence. So if you are afraid of failure, remember that there is no way around it — only through it!

8. You Can Go Back to School… or Not

Barcelo went back to school to sharpen his film skills and found a lot of confidence and success in doing so. He described it as “building a new toolset to handle new challenges.” Marble did the exact opposite — he dropped out of college early on and learned by doing. The choice is yours, and a lot will depend on the career you pursue and your personality.

9. Anyone Can Change Careers

You don’t have to be young, childless, wealthy and single to change careers. Barcelo shared how having a wife and children to support motivated him to push forward and finally make better choices. Marble started on his journey as an entrepreneur with a wife, two kids, a mortgage and no savings. It took him five years to build a financially successful business, and he kept working at his day job until the income from the business was 85 percent of his salary. When he finally quit his job, he reminded himself that “if you have a career right now, you are likely employable” — and worst case scenario, he could always get another job within his same field.

About the Author: Aurora Meneghello is a Los Angeles-based career coach and the founder of Repurpose Your Purpose. You can find details and reserve your spot for her next panel discussion on changing careers here.

GlassDoor.com | January 3, 2018

#CareerAdvice : #ChangeManagement – How to Deal with These 4 Types of #ChangesAtWork …From Getting a #Promotion, #CompanyRestructure, #Layoffs, to Working with a New Boss.

August 6, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

When it comes to your career (or life, really) very few things are certain. There is one thing you can count on for sure though. Throughout your professional life, you’ll continue to encounter change, big or small, positive and negative, voluntary and involuntary.

When you experience these changes–you have two choices. You can either actively resist it, or you can accept it and figure out what you can learn from, and how to, leverage the situation. In most cases, the latter is usually the smart option. As Jennifer Harvey Berger previously wrote for Fast Company, in a world that’s only going to become more complex, “shifting your mindset is the only way to not only cope but also make the journey more fun and successful.”

Here are five of the most common changes you can expect to see at work, and how to deal with it so you can continue to thrive in the workplace.

GETTING A PROMOTION

Congratulations! After over-delivering on project after project, and exceeding all your goals that you set with your manager when you started your job, your employer is finally rewarding you with a change in title and an increase in compensation. You’re exhilarated, but you’re also a little confused. What do you do now?

First off, start with figuring out what you will no longer take on, time coach Elizabeth Grace Saunders wrote in a previous Fast Company article. Assuming that your promotion comes with more responsibilities, you will probably need to learn how to master your new tasks, and you won’t be able to do that efficiently if you have to do that on top of your old job. This requires trusting other people, which can be difficult if you have controlling tendencies. But as Saunders pointed out, the higher you move up, the more you have to depend on others. So start to learn to let go of your micro-managing tendencies, and trust that you’re not the only one who knows how to do everything.

It might be counterintuitive to prioritize personal well-being like sleep and exercise. But as Saunders noted, when you are required to perform at a high level, you need to be stricter about making these things a priority. After all, they have a major impact on your productivity. That’s not something you can compromise when you’re required to perform at the next level, Saunders said.

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COMPANY RESTRUCTURING

Very few things make employees as anxious as a company reorganization. Regardless of whether or not you survive the re-org, you’re sure to face some big changes. The first step, whatever the outcome, is to acknowledge what you went through, Neil Lewis, co-founder of Working Transitions, told Gwen Moran in a 2017 Fast Company article. If you survived the re-org and felt “survivor guilt,” give yourself permission to feel them. Then slowly rebuild your confidence by assessing what kind of opportunities you can take on to grow, and whether there are any gaps in your skills that you can fill. Lewis also urged that you shouldn’t be afraid of reaching out to your colleagues who have left the organization. After all, they’re a crucial part of your professional network.

If the re-org results in a layoff, The Muse’s Jenni Maier recommends that as soon as you’ve had time to process the news, let your network know you’re looking. When Maier was laid off from her role, she desperately wanted to keep it quiet, but because she was unhappy with (and wanted to change) her situation, she decided to be open about the fact that she was back in the job market. She wrote, “The majority of the interviews I went on after being laid off came from friends-of-friend leads. Leads I never got before I lost my job because no one knew I wanted them. And the position I ended up getting at The Muse? That “in” came from a former manager’s friend.”

GETTING A NEW BOSS

Your happiness and success in your job has a lot to do with the relationship that you have with your boss. You might spend a long time building this relationship, but people move on, and one day, they might leave. You find yourself reporting to someone new, and you want to establish their trust and respect, quickly.

How do you do it in a way that doesn’t come off as bragging? As Gwen Moran previously wrote in Fast Company, the first step you should take is to build in some “networking” time with your boss–whether it’s coffee, or scheduling some time in a calendar for focused discussion. This way, you can start to learn their goals, working styles and any new ideas they might have, and work to amend your priorities where appropriate. Be proactive in terms of identifying where they might need help–that’s an easy way for you to secure some quick wins to help them shine, which builds goodwill quickly.

A CHANGE IN COMPANY CULTURE AND PROCESSES

Sometimes what the company looks like when you joined looks nothing like the company you’re still working at 2 years later. This especially common in a startup–which tends to start without structures and systems in place. As the company scales, those things become necessary, and sometimes, it can change the company culture, entrepreneur Matt Barba previously wrote for Fast Company.

The first step is acknowledging that structure isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and simply accept the fact that it comes with company growth. If you feel like there are some cultures that the company used to have that you want to reinstate–there are ways you can do that without needing approvals from the higher-ups. As SYPartners’ principal Joshua-Michéle Ross said at the 2017 Fast Company Innovation Festival, you can create deep transformations with tiny steps. He went on to say that one of the ways to do this is to create “rituals that solve a problem.” In the case of Airbnb, for example, the home-sharing company found itself with far too many internal meeting as the company grew. Their solution? they started filming the meetings and editing them into digestible content–which solved a problem and got rid of unnecessary bureaucracy.

Your brain might be averse to change, but with time and a shift in perspective, you can learn to accept it. And if you train yourself to be comfortable with uncertainty, you might just see opportunities as a result of those changes that you might not have had otherwise.

FastCompany.com | August 6, 2018

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch – What #Recruiters Look at When Stalking Your #SocialMedia … You probably Already Know Recruiters are Looking at your #LinkedIn Page, but What About your Other Social Media Platforms?

August 5, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

You know, the ones where you post pictures of your latest vacation, share what you had for dinner and occasionally tag your friends in memes. Why, you might wonder, would a recruiter possibly be interested in viewing things like that?

As it turns out, those personal details are precisely why recruiters and hiring managers keep tabs on applicants’ social media accounts, says career coach Hallie Crawford. “It can help them get a more accurate idea about who you are outside of your resume — a more personal view into your life,” she explains. “A resume can tell them your qualifications, but your social media profile can help them determine your personality type and if you would be a good fit for company culture.”

Plus, recruiters are looking for red flags — risqué photos, bad language, signs of drugs use — that would show them you’d be a less than ideal man or woman to have in their offices.

So now that you know why they’re looking, how about knowing what they’re looking at?

Facebook

According to Crawford, recruiters and hiring managers are concentrating their efforts on two sections of your Facebook page — your “about me” section, and your photo albums.

About Me: “They will want to see how you describe yourself and if it matches up [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][with] how you have described yourself in your cover letter and resume,” Crawford says. Any discrepancies could cost you points pre-interview. What’s more, Crawford says, “they will also be looking for proper spelling and grammar” in this section, to see how seriously you take those skills.

Photos: When it comes to your photos albums, “a hiring manager will be checking not only your photos but also your descriptions,” Crawford warns. “A hiring manager wants to see if you represent yourself in a professional way.” To come off in the most positive pre-meeting light, “you will want to avoid using profanity, sexual or drug references,” Crawford says.

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Twitter

Who You’re Following: “Recruiters like to see if you have any mutual connections and if you are connected with others in your industry,” Crawford explains. Following others in your industry is a smart thing to do no matter what — watching their feeds can give you a scoop on a new job opening, company announcements, the latest tech and much more.

Tweets: “Recruiters will be checking to see if you share useful information, if you share information relevant to your trade or if you just use tweets to fight with others,” Crawford says. If you’re applying for a job, take a look at your tweeting history and consider deleting anything that won’t show your best — and most thoughtful — self to a potential employer.

Instagram

Followers: Recruiters will check out the kind of followers you attract, Crawford says. Plus, they’ll want to see “how friendly and social you seem to be with your followers,” she says. What you say to them and what you say back, she explains, “can also give them insight [into] your personal relationships and if you would be a good cultural fit for the company.”

Pictures: You probably figured this, right? But recruiters are looking to see more than your photography skills (or lack thereof). “They will want to see how you represent yourself,” Crawford says. For example, “if you are at a party, do you represent yourself in a dignified way?” Crawford asks, or, “do you post things that others would consider inappropriate?”

GlassDoor.com | March 14, 2018 | Posted by Jillian Kramer

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#CareerAdvice : #Unemployed – How to Handle the Tumultuous Days of #Unemployment …Being #Unemployed Can be Tough, But it’s Also an Opportunity to Find Work you Truly Love.

August 4, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Picture this: you’re on a hike, almost at the top of the mountain. It’s so close. You’re ready. You know that feeling? The feeling of accomplishment and that burst of adrenaline that pushes you that much further? Of course, when you get to the top of the mountain, it seems like the hard part is over. You realize you still have to hike all the way down, but that’s easy enough, right?

Wrong. It never is. You still have to get down the mountain. This picture, this hike, this mountain—this is the reality of unemployment. I know because I’m living it. Much like the hike, some parts of it are tough, some are exhilarating, and some are even exciting!

I’ve had days where I wake up feeling like I want to conquer the world. And then, there are some when I wake up feeling like the world is conquering me. Though it’s easy to get down on myself during this process, I’ve trained my mind to think of this period as a positive learning experience, and an opportunity to find the work that’s perfect for me.

For you too, there will undoubtedly be many ups and downs on your unemployment journey—but it’s important to think of the experience as the stepping stone to your next big venture. And honestly, unemployment is a full-time job in and of itself, requiring a lot of effort poured into job searching, applying, interviewing, networking, and more.

Here are my favorite tips for staying positive and using your “in-between-jobs” time wisely:

PLAN YOUR DAY

Pretend you’re at work. Whether it’s writing out a to-do list or making a list of goals for the week, having something in writing will take away that sense of scatteredness you may feel when wading through your job hunt.

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TRACK YOUR APPLICATIONS

Keep an Excel sheet of all the jobs you have applied to—maybe even the ones you want to apply to. Beyond tracking just the title of the jobs, make sure to record what date you applied, so you know when to follow up. You could even include the contact information of the person you’re reaching out to, for optimal organization.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS KEY

Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. You will feel so much better you did. Exercising can clear your mind and help you really focus on what needs to get done. Even if it’s just a walk around your block, that small amount of exercise can make a huge difference.

SCHEDULE BREAKS

It’s important to take small breaks from the job hunt throughout the day so you don’t get too overwhelmed. By allowing your brain to focus on something that isn’t job-related for even just a small chunk of time, you’ll be able to recharge and return to it with more clarity and stamina.

GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

It can be very easy to sleep in and go to bed late when you are unemployed. Remember that job hunting is a full-time job—you have to get adequate rest to achieve your goals. Develop a sleep routine that works for you so you can get the most done throughout the day.

PRACTICE CONFIDENCE

The worst thing you can do when you are unemployed is to lose your self-esteem. Just remember that you will find another job—it may just take some time. Having a positive mentality throughout this time is essential to achieving your goals!

On any given day, you will be going up and down that mountain. You will have days where you doubt your ability to find your next paycheck. And then there will be days where you feel like you will take over the world with your job-hunting abilities. Whatever kind of day you’re having, remember that this is a stage of your life that will change you for the better—if you let it—and transform into an unforgettable experience later on. Use this time wisely to focus on building your skills and reflect on what you really want in work and life.

Although there are many hurdles that accompany unemployment, finding work that you truly love is well worth it in the end.

How to Handle the Tumultuous Days of Unemployment

What’s your journey been like? Have you climbed the “unemployment mountain”?

CareerContessa.com | Photos Marie McGrory | February 22, 2018

#Leadership : #StressManagement – 5 Ways #NewManagers can Protect Themselves from Burning Out….Don’t Try to Do it All–That’s a Recipe for Disaster.

August 3, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Your company just promoted you, and you’re a newly minted manager. After a well-deserved celebration and many congratulatory messages, you come face-to-face with one harsh truth that comes with your new role–the lack of empty time slots in your calendar.

In my experience, new managers tend to make one crucial mistake–trying to do it all. They attempt to keep up with their own workload while making themselves constantly available to their team. As noble as those intentions may be, working 15-hour days won’t make you a better leader. After all, no one does their best work when they’re overly stressed.

I learned this the hard way. As soon as I realized that my round-the-clock hours were neither conducive to my work nor my growing family, I made time management a priority. To prevent burnout, I implemented the following five strategies. It’s something that I still live by today, and as a manager, I can attest that they go a long way in keeping you productive (and sane).

LEARN HOW TO SAY NO

I get it, saying no to a colleague feels terrible. But if you keep saying yes to requests, you’ll end up with an ever-growing to-do list of work that isn’t mission-critical for you or your team.

You’ll feel better about saying “no” when you realize that as a result, you’ll have more time to do work that’s highly important, but not urgent. Sure, it might feel good to send those emails and cross those “simple” requests off your list–but are those tasks really going to have a meaningful impact on your team or business? Probably not. So the next time a project, request, or opportunity comes your way, picture where it would land in the table below. If it’s of low urgency and low importance, say “no.” It’s not worth your time.

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BE SUPER SELECTIVE WITH MEETINGS

You know that too many meetings can kill your productivity, but earlier in your career, you probably felt obliged to say yes to all of them. As a manager, you can’t afford to do this if you want to get any work done.

Before RSVPing, ask yourself–is there a clear agenda of what this meeting needs to accomplish? Are you the best person to add value in this meeting? Is this something you can’t resolve quickly via email or messenger? If the answer is no, then the meeting is probably not the best use of your time. If the answer is yes, focus the conversation by setting the meeting objective ahead of time. This way, you’ll avoid going into pointless tangents. If you need to decide on something in the meeting, make that clear in the agenda.

DO A REGULAR CALENDAR AUDIT

Every now and then, it can be helpful to push the reset button on your schedule. There may be standing meetings that are no longer relevant or nonessential “check-ins” that take up your day-to-day. Do a bird’s eye view analysis to figure out which one of those activities are truly the best use of your time, and whether they’re something others in your team can handle.

You should also think about blocking out time for certain projects that don’t require a meeting–whether that be recruitment or catching up on company updates. Without scheduling those tasks in your calendar, you might find it difficult to make progress.

DON’T USE YOUR INBOX AS YOUR TO-DO LIST

Chances are, you’ll get more emails, not less, when you become a manager. So if you’ve been using your inbox as your to-do list, now is the time to put a stop to that practice. Organizing your “priorities” trains your brain to be “always on” and look for the next task to knock off the list. It does not train you to think about how those lists relate to your big-picture goals and responsibilities.

I use Trello and have separate horizontal lists for “People,” “Culture,” “Product,” “Sales,” and “Performance.” The lists are side-by-side, which allows me to think holistically about my output in a given day or week without the urge to cross off what’s at the “top” of the list.

DELEGATE OBJECTIVES, NOT TASKS

Delegating work should save you time, but you can waste a ton of it if you don’t do it right. For starters, delegating to-dos without providing full context results in a lot of hand holding, and as a result, employees don’t feel ownership over the work. This makes them more likely to check in with you and ask unnecessary questions like whether they are doing it “right.”

On the other hand, if you delegate an objective or mission (and provide a few guardrails), they won’t expect a step-by-step instruction manual from you along the way. They’ll write their own, and might even come up with creative solutions as a result. You’ll probably get a better output, and you’ll find yourself with more time to tackle essential items.

Time is our most coveted resource, and that becomes even more of a reality when you move into a management role. By following these methods, you’ll be able to succeed in your new job while maintaining a healthy personal life at the same time.

Christian Kinnear is the managing director and VP of sales at HubSpot.

FastCompany.com | August 3, 2018 | BY CHRISTIAN KINNEAR 4 MINUTE READ

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch – How to Use #LinkedIn to Add Cold Contacts…Your #Career is About Who you Know, Sure. But it’s Also about Who You can Get to Know. That’s where LinkedIn Comes In.

August 3, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

With over 400 million users, there’s no question LinkedIn reigns supreme as the go-to professional network. From your former roommate to the stranger with your dream job, every savvy woman (and man) seems to have an active account where they regularly post references, professional recommendations, and recommended reads.

If you’re like most users, you’ve probably taken a laissez-faire approach to LinkedIn networking up until now, accepting connection requests from friends or former coworkers when they turn up in your inbox or maybe using LinkedIn’s recommendations to add some people yourself. But that means you’re missing a hugely underutilized opportunity: the network of professionals in your field who you just haven’t met yet.

Navigating that world of untapped connections with poise often brings uncertainty. After all, it’s arguably as hard to reach out to strangers online as it is in person. That’s exactly why we’re breaking down how to use LinkedIn to add cold contacts to three easy steps. Follow these and you’ll significantly up your LinkedIn game. Ready?

HOW TO USE LINKEDIN TO ADD COLD CONTACTS (3 STEPS)

1. Find a Shared Connection or Group

2. Personalize Your Connection Request

3. Send a Follow-Up

(Psst—Bonus Tip)

1. FIND A SHARED LINKEDIN CONNECTION OR GROUP

One of the biggest benefits of using LinkedIn to make new contacts? You can visually see connections that you share with others. For example, if you come across a profile of someone you’d like to contact, LinkedIn offers a convenient chart of your mutual connections. Use this to your advantage by reaching out to one of these shared contacts to ask for a virtual introduction, either through LinkedIn or via email.

Obviously, you won’t always have a direct personal connection with someone you’d like to meet, but that’s not the only way forward. Next up, check to see if you’re part of any of the same LinkedIn groups as the person in question. Perhaps you’re members of a professional association, or maybe you both graduated from the same university.

Finding common ground can quickly evolve a cold contact into a warm one. In fact, if you and the person are both members of a group, you can send them a message directly through LinkedIn without having to connect first. Think of it as cutting out the social media middle man.

Charm cold contacts with a personalized connection request. LinkedIn limits you to 300 characters here, but that’s still plenty of space to impress.

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2. PERSONALIZE YOUR CONNECTION REQUEST

If you aren’t able to turn the cold contact into a warm one through a virtual introduction, your next step is to send a personalized connection request.

LinkedIn allows you to send a connection request when you’d like to add someone new to your network. These potential connections will then receive a notification asking them to accept or decline your invitation. Because the process counts on their approval, without any type of background or explanation, many people are likely to decline an invitation from a stranger.

For this reason, under no accounts send the default “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” message. Trust us on this.

Instead, charm them with a personalized one. LinkedIn limits you to 300 characters here, but that’s still plenty of space to impress them with a short and sweet intro.

The Classic Approach

Hi Jane,

Came across your profile and work at XYZ Company. I’m a fellow aspiring marketing professional and would love to connect.

Regards,

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Your Name]

The Admirer Approach

If you’ve seen the person’s work elsewhere (i.e. a publication, conference, networking event, or even through social media), mention it. People love when someone appreciates their hard work. Try something like this:

Hi Jane,

Saw your recent presentation at XYZ conference. I got a lot out of it and would love to chat with you to discuss some questions I had about your work.

Regards,

[Your Name]

Once you’ve successfully connected to someone, you can now send the person a direct message—and you should take advantage of this opportunity every time.

3. SEND A FOLLOW-UP LINKEDIN MESSAGE OR EMAIL

Once you’ve successfully connected to someone, don’t call it a day. You can now send the person a direct message, and you should take advantage of this opportunity every time. Let her know you admire her work or would like to learn more about her career path.

Ask for either an in-person or phone meeting where you can gain more information. Here are some approaches:

The Classic Reach-Out

Hi Jane,

Thank you for connecting with me on LinkedIn. I see that you’ve had a lot of work experience in corporate marketing, a field that I’m hoping to break into. I’ve done a couple of internships in the field and would love your advice on this topic. Would you be willing to speak with me over the phone for 20-30 minutes in the next few weeks? Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

[Your Name]

The Hybrid Reach-Out

In the case where you’re able to send a message directly without connecting first (i.e., you both share a group), your initial message will look a bit different. Think of it as a combination of Steps 2 and 3. Here’s a good example:

Hi Jane,

I’m a fellow Rice University alumnus who recently graduated with a degree in Marketing. I came across your LinkedIn profile through our alumni group and was intrigued by your work experience in marketing.

I’d love to learn more about your career path and get your perspective on how to best break into the field as a new grad. Would you be willing to speak with me over the phone for 20-30 minutes in the next few weeks? Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

[Your Name]

BONUS: THE SINGLE BEST TIP WE’VE GOT

In no context should your end goal of adding cold contacts be asking for a job.

You read that right. That part comes later, long after a cold contact warms up. Treat this as your opportunity to ask instead for information and learn more about the person. Informational interviews are great relationship builders, which both expand your network and provide you with tons of helpful career advice and insight from others.

Adding cold contacts on LinkedIn takes more time and effort than simply hitting the “connect” button over and over, but you reap what you sow. Put the time into turning a cold contact into a strong connection that you can keep in touch with over time.

Still feeling shaky about how to master the art of LinkedIn? Enroll in our online course, The LinkedIn Lab, and become a LinkedIn master.

CareerContessa.com | August 29, 2016 | BY KATHERINE NOBLES

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#Leadership : #StressManagement – The Difference Between Routine #Burnout & Something Serious…These Days, Most Jobs Come with a Dose of Stress. But if you Can’t Sleep at Night Due to the Anxiety, you Might Have a Bigger Problem.

August 2, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Have you ever had that feeling when the thought of going to work makes you physically ill? What was once your dream job becomes something you dread on a daily basis. You tell yourself that it’s just a phase, but it’s been days of feeling like this and you can’t seem to generate that spark you once had.

But how do you know when to ask for help, or just book a weekend away? After all, as Lindsay Goldwert pointed out in a previous Fast Company story, for most of us, stress is just part of our jobs. But experiencing it from time to time is different from having it dominate your life. Here’s how to determine when your lack of motivation might be a sign of a bigger problem you need to address.

BURNOUT TAKES MANY DIFFERENT FORMS

There are several common symptoms of burnout–tiredness, lack of productivity, irritability, and in extreme situations, the occurrence of panic attacks. But it manifests in different ways for different people, and there are many underlying issues that lead to it. For Due Quach, the founder and CEO of Calm Clarity, an organization that provides training on growth, leadership and resilience, her interaction with burnout occurred when everything in her professional life was going well, but she lost the motivation that drove her to “succeed” in the first place.

“The way I look at it is, the reason why we do our work is based on extrinsic motivation and extrinsic reward, and [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][those are] not aligned with what gives us an intrinsic reward and motivation,” Quach explains. She experienced her burnout while working in the financial industry. Having grown up as a refugee in a crime-ridden, low-income area, she worked in investment banking in order to achieve financial independence. “Once I attained those things, I lost that motivation to continue that slog. My body was telling me [that] I no longer found it rewarding.”

Other possible causes of work burnout might be unfair compensation, unreasonable workload, or too much overtime or after-hours work, according to a 2017 survey by Kronos and Future Workplace. Other reasons include toxic culture or having to work with a difficult boss and colleagues. Whatever the reasons might be, it’s helpful to identify where your feelings might be coming from. That’s the first step in determining the severity of the situation.

IDENTIFY WHERE YOUR BRAIN IS OPERATING MOST OF THE TIME

Quach categorizes our brains into three different modes of operation: Brain 1.0, Brain 2.0, and Brain 3.0. As she wrote in her book, Calm Clarity: How to Use Science to Rewire Your Brain for Greater Wisdom, Fulfillment, and Joy, Brain 1.0 is what we commonly know as the “fight or flight” mode–when we are afraid and anxious, and have trouble taking information clearly or make sound decisions. “Brain 2.0 is the reward system that’s activated by any reward,” Quach tells Fast Company. Examples might include coffee, substances, achievements, or being a VIP. In her book, she wrote, “When I’m in Brain 2.0, I can get so obsessed with getting the things I want, I impulsively strong-arm people to do things my way. This often leads me to act in ways that make others resent me. In this state, it’s also much harder to resist immediate gratification.” Brain 3.0, is the a state of mind where our activities and bigger purpose in life are aligned. “In Brain 3.0, I experience a deep and lasting sense of contentment, appreciation, and awe for being alive,” Quach wrote.

For those who suspect that they might be experiencing burnout, Quach suggests that they should think of their days like a pie, and identify what percentage of the pie they spend in Brain 1.0, Brain 2.0, and Brain 3.0 in any given day. “Hopefully you’re spending most of your time in Brain 3.0.” As you get closer to burnout, the part that gives you resilience shrinks more and gets closer to zero, she explains. This might be why the job that used to bring you so much energy now saps all the joy out of you. “When I was burning out, I was buying expensive things to try and keep Brain 3.0 activated so I can be more motivated to go to work. At the end of one week I had 10 glasses of wine. When you start to see these things shift, you’re relying more on self-medication,” Quach says. That’s a sign that you’re living in an unhealthy state.

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CHECK YOUR PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS AND HEALTH HISTORY

Say you realized that you spend most of your time in Brain 1.0, and you feel that it’s time to get some professional help. How do you know who to reach out to? Quach recommends that to determine what kind of help is best–you should pay close attention to your physical symptoms as well as your health history. If your family has a history of depression, for example, and you suspect that your burnout might be a case of neurotransmitter imbalance, it might be worth seeing a psychiatrist. If you’re having trouble sleeping and your lack of sleep is exacerbating your burnout, it’s probably best to make an appointment with a medical doctor who specializes in sleep. If you don’t see any physical symptoms and it’s just about a lack of drive, perhaps a life coach might be a good person to contact. After all, you might just need someone to help you see “what is and isn’t a good career option for you, and see if reshaping your career makes sense,” Quach says.

ASK YOURSELF WHAT REALLY MATTERS

Physical symptoms aside, burnout is really about not spending your time in a way that aligns with your priorities and values. “There are groups of people who are so used to following the ‘right’ path,” Quach tells Fast Company. You can find many of these people in industries like law, finance, and medicine, Quach says. As a result, you tend to see a lot of burnout in those industries. On the other hand, those who are explorers and have taken more time to build their careers might have more agency over their professional life and have the view that they have a choice in how they shape their job. “When you’re in Brain 3.0, you can initiate the things that you care about. That prevents burnout,” Quach explains.

For those who still struggle to find their purpose, Quach suggests that they try writing a letter to their future aspirational self. “That usually creates a huge change in intrinsic motivation,” she said. Then it’s a matter of tweaking what’s in their environment. “People start to realize that burnout can be avoided because you make choices that express your higher self.”

FastCompany.com | August 2, 2018 | BY ANISA PURBASARI HORTON 6 MINUTE READ

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#CareerAdvice : #Networking – How I Leveraged an #InformationalInterview to Land a #Job …Networking is Something that I Didn’t Value (or even really understand) Before I Stumbled into my First Informational Interview.

August 2, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

THE INITIAL MEETING :

There was a woman in one of my first master’s classes who was very well spoken, and generally quite impressive. Our class only met once a month, and each time she left an impression on me. Finally, after the last class, I approached her and asked if I could meet her for breakfast to learn what she does for a living.

I’ll never forget it, we met on a Saturday morning at The Olde House Café. She told me how she worked in the insurance industry, the finance industry and for the past few years, she’s been in the sports apparel industry. She worked for Under Armour in Baltimore, Maryland. As a lifelong athlete, I envisioned a company run by big, sweaty guys; not intelligent, sophisticated women.

Hearing her story of how she transitioned into different industries and learned from well-seasoned leaders that mentored and coached her along the way was fascinating and encouraging. To my surprise, she asked me a few questions at breakfast, to learn about my background and experiences and asked that I follow up with my resume. I did that, and for the next year and half, we kept in casual contact.

…AND THE FOLLOW-UP

As I was finishing up my degree, I reached out to her and shared that I was starting the job search. She replied with a job offer (as a temp) for me that eventually parlayed into a full-time position—I’ve been living and working in Baltimore ever since.

Today, I still utilize informational interviews as a way to make connections in my industry and expand my network. Additionally, I am now on the receiving end of the informational interviews with messages on LinkedIn. In a given month, I receive about 2 inquiries each week. Given my personal experience and success with informational interviews, I do my best to respond and accept most inquiries.

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OUR ADVICE

From my own experience requesting an informational interview, I’ve found that being brief and specific is the best way to get a positive response, when you reach out. The most thoughtful element is explaining what you do or what you are interested in. I like to be prepared for these conversations and when people are generic, it doesn’t maximize the time we have to connect. However, I’ve gained enough experience to be prepared for most conversations.

For example, when an undergraduate student contacts me, and I have a book recommendation for them, I always advise them to utilize their college’s careers office since I did not as a student and wish I would have. In speaking with a colleague in the industry, I have an elevator pitch prepared to summarize my role and either an event or newsletter to subscribe to, that they may find valuable.

One aspect that makes informational interviews a great asset to me is that when I have a meaningful and organic connection with someone, as a result of an informational interview that I requested; I stay in touch with them. Typically, I am requesting informational interviews with individuals across the country and sometimes I find myself traveling to the cities where they work; but mostly I keep in contact with regular phone calls.

Professionally, it has been an asset to me to have contacts at different companies for different projects. Personally, if I were to be searching for a career change, I feel confident my network would be a great resource as a result of these informational interviews.

CareerContessa.com | BY KELLY BECKER | March 06, 2018

#CareerAdvice : #SalaryNegotiations -Why Summer is the Best Time of Year to Ask for a #Promotion And Why Fall is the Worst Time… If you’re Looking for a Promotion, Now’s the Time to Act.

August 1, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

After reviewing data from 3.5 million employees at about 80 companies, workforce analytics provider Visier Analytics found that summer is the best time to get promoted.

“Traditionally, organizations award promotions as recognition for a good year of performance,” says Ian Cook, head of workforce solutions for Visier. “They usually follow a cycle, such as reviews in January and February, and raises and promotions locking in during the second quarter.”

The worst time to ask for a promotion is fall. “[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][In late third quarter] companies are taking stock of the year and doing a financial wrap-up,” says Cook. “They’re trying to get the year closed out, and make targets, budgets, and a plan built for next year. They aren’t thinking about promotions because they’re too busy. It’s a natural cycle driven by the financial calendar.”

YOU’LL PROBABLY HAVE TO ASK
If you had a performance review and didn’t get a promotion, circle back and ask for one, says Cook. “While it’s easy for companies to manage everybody at once, it’s not the way employees experience the consumer world, where actions happen in an immediate or short cycle,” says Cook. “You should definitely ask.”

The best way to ask is when you get positive feedback, says Cook. “For example, ‘I’m hearing that I’m performing well and contributing the right kind of work. What opportunities do I have to be recognized?’” he says. “That’s much better than threatening to leave. It could be uncomfortable if your employer has no space to give.”

If you’re a high performer, you have a better chance of getting your request granted. “When it comes to good people, organizations aren’t able to promote fast enough,” says Cook. “Management needs to have their eyes and ears wide open for high performers to make sure to keep pace with their abilities and level of patience. High performers are rarely patient.”

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AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TO QUIT
Also consider changing companies, especially if you haven’t been in the workforce very long. “At that level of a career, moving makes sense,” says Cook. “There is more opportunity if you think of the workplace like a pyramid, where the bottom is wider and there is more space to go up.”

Summer is a good time to get a promotion by changing companies because job openings often happen during the vacation season.

“When employees are away on holiday resting, they often think, ‘I’m killing myself at work.’ They decide it’s time to move, and come back and take action,” says Cook. “Also, a lot of employees wait for the bonus cycle, which often comes in February or early spring. Then they wait to get paid and then leave.”

The job they vacate may be the promotion you’ve been looking for.

FastCompany.com | August 1, 2018 | BY STEPHANIE VOZZA 2 MINUTE READ

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