#CareerAdvice : #CollegeGrad -More Universities Find Full-Time M.B.A. Programs Aren’t Worth It. Got Kids? #MustRead !

“If you were able to get every dean in the U.S. under a lie detector, outside of maybe the top 20 M.B.A. programs, every one of them would admit they were struggling to maintain enrollment and losing money on the program,” said Jeffrey Brown, dean of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois.

The 42 University of Iowa graduates who got their master’s in business administration degrees in May marked the end of an era for 160-year-old Tippie College of Business: They were its last class of full-time M.B.A.s.

Tippie joins a growing list of U.S. business schools shutting down their flagship M.B.A. programs in favor of shorter, specialized masters and online degrees.

In May, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Stetson University in Florida said they would stop admitting new students to their full-time, on-campus M.B.A. programs, funneling resources instead to more popular online equivalents.

Applications to traditional M.B.A. programs have languished in a strong U.S. job market, declining last year even at Harvard Business School, Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and other elite schools. Administrators say millennials, saddled with more college debt than previous generations, have grown more reluctant to leave jobs for a year or more to pursue one of the nation’s priciest degrees.

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Between 2014 and 2018, the number of accredited full-time M.B.A. programs in the U.S. shrank 9% to 1,189, with schools reporting 119 fewer two-year degrees in the most recent survey by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Wake Forest University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech, are among the others to recently cut their traditional M.B.A. programs.

Against that backdrop, shorter and more-flexible graduate business degrees have proliferated. At the business schools in the same survey, there were 140 new masters programs in specialized subjects like data analytics last year, marking a 16% jump from 2014, to 981. The data show online M.B.A. offerings, meanwhile, doubled to 390.

Business is the most popular field for students pursuing post-college degrees, but the strong economy has been hard on other American graduate schools too.

Full-time enrollment is down across master’s and doctoral programs in the arts and humanities, education and social sciences, according to an October report by the Council of Graduate Schools. Over the last five years, online and part-time degrees have gained ground in those fields, the data show. In 2017, there were 1.34 million graduate students over the age of 25 taking classes part-time, according to the latest Census Bureau statistics, reflecting an 8% jump on the year. The number of full-time students dropped 12% over that same period, falling just shy of 1.3 million.

“If you were able to get every dean in the U.S. under a lie detector, outside of maybe the top 20 M.B.A. programs, every one of them would admit they were struggling to maintain enrollment and losing money on the program,” said Jeffrey Brown, dean of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois. After the incoming class this fall completes its studies, students will no longer be able to pursue part-time or full-time M.B.A.s at Gies, although it will continue to offer an online M.B.A.

Gies College said it had 49 full-time M.B.A. students last year, down from 74 in 2015, and 38 students have paid the $1,000 deposit for the program starting this fall—the last full-time M.B.A. class at Gies.

Applications to the online M.B.A. program have tripled at Gies since 2016. Around 2,000 students are now enrolled in that program, which costs less than $22,000 to complete, the school said. The full-time M.B.A. costs $58,000 or more in tuition and fees, and it is expected to lose $2 million this year, Mr. Brown said.

The Gies M.B.A. program was ranked among the country’s top 50 business schools by U.S. News & World Report this year. But with limited financial and faculty resources, and growing demand for the online M.B.A., the choice was clear to the dean.

“This was an easy business decision to make, and a relatively easy educational decision, but it was an extremely hard call to make from the emotional side of things,” Mr. Brown said.

Jade Manternach, who graduated last month with her M.B.A. from the Tippie school in Iowa, said she understood the financial challenges schools are facing yet felt an online degree wouldn’t have provided all the same benefits to students, like her, who are hoping to switch careers.

“The real value of the M.B.A. is not what you learn, it’s who you meet and how you’re challenged by the experience, and the confidence it brings to rise to those challenges,” the 26-year-old aspiring entrepreneur said.

Alaa Elhawwari, a 36-year-old training leader for General Motors Co. in Dubai and an online University of Illinois M.B.A. student, said he found the virtual program better than any on-campus alternative. Before enrolling last year, he had been looking to sharpen his financial and management skills, he said, but was traveling too much to juggle a full-time or executive M.B.A. program.

“I have a global network of classmates in c-suite and director-level roles around the world now, and have learned so much from these people and the experiences we’ve shared together,” said Mr. Elhawwari, who expects to complete his degree in December. He plans to fly to Illinois to walk with other Gies graduates in May. An online degree, he added, “is the future.”

Author:  Kelsey Gee at kelsey.gee@wsj.com

Copyright ©2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Appeared in the June 6, 2019, print edition as ‘Full-Time M.B.A. Programs Dwindle.’

WSJ.com | June 5, 2019

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#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch -These 13 Nonverbal Cues Could Hurt You During A #JobInterview . #MustRead !

They say actions speak louder than words, and this is especially true when it comes to an interview with a potential employer. Certain nonverbal cues can either impress an employer or push them onto the next candidate.

While job seekers should prepare answers to common interview questions, they must also remember what they don’t say can be just as important as what they do say. Below, 15 members of Forbes Coaches Council share some nonverbal cues to avoid in an interview and why each can be detrimental to your success.

1. Poor Eye Contact

Maintaining good eye contact during an interview or any communicative setting helps to express one’s self-validity and assurance. Poor eye contact can bring about mischief or doubt to an interviewer, also forcing the listener to further process what is being said. The interviewer will question the information being shared and may completely disengage from the conversation and conclude the interview. – Jane GiosHR Solutions Network

2. Being Unenthusiastic

Though one would think that being enthusiastic in an interview is a no-brainer, I have witnessed the opposite. In my experience, the candidate too often concentrates on appearing knowledgeable but misses the vital aspects of enthusiasm. It is almost equally a problem with employers. All the knowledge and expertise in the world cannot replace the enthusiasm needed to overcome daily obstacles. – Kamyar ShahWorld Consulting Group

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3. Not Mirroring Enough

Focusing on mirroring and matching your interviewer is often a good habit to build when trying to engage and build rapport. Remember, you are not mimicking motions, but gliding with those who you speak to through body language. In short, leaning in with a delay or making an arm movement that mirrors another gently helps you create synergy. It is a bit like dancing. Go with the flow. – John M. O’ConnorCareer Pro Inc.

4. Excessive Nodding

Head nodding is a sign of affirmation, which isn’t a bad thing, as long as you agree with what’s being said. Too much head nodding can make you look overeager and, even worse, like you’re not paying attention to what’s being said. Keeping your head still will give you a more authoritative look. – Alex Rufatto PerryPractically Speaking, LLC

5. Giving A Crushing Handshake

There was a time when people were told to give firm handshakes as a sign of confidence in an interview. However, don’t take it too far by crushing the interviewer’s hand—that won’t help your case either. Be somewhere between gentle and firm, lean forward slightly without crouching during the interview and don’t jiggle your foot or leg like a garden hose gone wild. – Eric BeaudanOdgers Berndtson

6. Fidgety Feet

Being the farthest from the face, most people forget that the feet can easily give away our emotions, so keep them in check. Remember not to bounce your knees or tap your feet; it implies nervousness or impatience. Also, don’t wrap your ankles around the legs of the chair (really, people do this.) It suggests insecurity. Find a comfortable, easy position and hold it loosely. – Anita HodgesAnita Speaks 2U

7. Interrupting The Interviewer

Sometimes in interviews, candidates become so affixed on selling themselves, they get anxious for air-time. This can cause them to prepare for their next remark and, therefore, interrupt the interviewer instead of actively listening to them. When we interrupt and don’t actively listen, we send out a nonverbal cue that says, “What you have to say is not as important as what I have to say!” – Susan K. WehrleyBIZremedies

8. Exuding Nervous Energy

A job seeker’s nervous energy is often observed by one’s nonverbal cues, such as dry mouth, too little or too much eye contact, fidgeting or excessive shaking and/or fluctuations in their voice. To reduce or eliminate any nervous energy in an interview, job seekers should practice. Practice being interviewed, practice mindfulness, practice key breathing exercises and practice creating value. – Lori HarrisHarris Whitesell Consulting

9. Looking At Your Watch

As tempting as it is, do not look at your watch. It is a definite signal that the interview is over and it’s time to leave. All of us fidget when we’re nervous or bored. Legs crossing and uncrossing, toes tapping, fiddling with your nails and fingers can indicate that you’re not really listening and simply giving yourself something to do until the other person finishes talking. – Silke GlaabSilkCelia

10. Ignoring Your Facial Expressions

Our faces tell more of the story than any words we use. Being mindful of how we express emotion when speaking is important when interviewing. As a career coach, the two things I appreciate more than talent are honesty and enthusiasm! We can train for the role, but we can’t “bring the fire” for you! Show the person across from you that you are present and ready to prove yourself in the role. – Miranda VonFrickenMiranda VonFricken Mastermind Coaching

11. Bad Posture

First impressions are sticky and posture is something to be acutely aware of during an interview. The simple act of leaning in shows engagement and a willingness to learn, while leaning back can relay a sense of arrogance or disinterest. Good posture coupled with solid eye contact is your best bet for communicating confidence and aptitude. – Erin MillerErin Miller INC

12. Talking With Your Hands

While hand gestures and signals may be common with today’s expressive generation, they may be misunderstood or cause distraction during an interview. A flip of our thumb or a pretend phone signal works great with friends but may derail your point during a formal interview. Focus on answering the question authentically and maintain eye contact. Save your hand signals for happy hour! – Jenny WhitenerBridge Innovate

13. Walking Without Dignity Or Confidence

Over the years, I have observed one of my clients conduct several interviews. One thing seems to be consistent: Those interviewees who walked with a sense of dignity caught my attention. There’s an association between how we walk and our confidence level. It’s important to avoid showing a lack of confidence because it could create an environment of speculations. – J. Ibeh AgbanyimFocused Vision Consulting, LLC

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Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only, fee-based organization comprised of leading business coaches and career coaches. Find out if you qualify at forbescoachesc

Forbes.com | October 16, 2019

#JobSearch -5 Things To Immediately Remove From Your #LinkedInProfile . #MustRead !

As a career coach, I must admit: LinkedIn is one of my favorite job hunting and professional tools.

The community, the connections, the articles, and the opportunities are endless. In fact, I have sat around and talked about LinkedIn over a sunset with a friend.  But I know that not everyone feels the same way.

If you want to make a job transition, improve your brand or uplevel your professional life I have boiled it down to five things you need to remove or update on your LinkedIn profile right now.

1. Unprofessional Profile Photo.

Your profile photo is the first visual any prospective hire is going to have of you.  Although it would be nice to imagine we live in a world where first impressions don’t exist- they do.  A second is all it takes for someone to make a judgement about it, and when it comes to being perceived as trustworthy people only takes a tenth of a second to decide.

Today In: Leadership

If your photo looks blurry, or is in a strange setting (like it’s black and white) it doesn’t belong on your profile.  No one wants to look at a picture you have clearly cropped to remove your significant others’ faces from your cheek during a night out.

Instead, take the time and invest in having a professional headshot taken by hiring someone on an affordable freelance website like Fiverr or UpWork.  If that’s outside your budget, I understand. The good news is, cameras on phones today are pretty advanced, so ask a friend for help and set up the scene properly.    Wear professional clothing and something that makes you look clean and well-groomed. Be mindful of the colors you wear, avoid white, cream or tan, so you don’t look washed out, or unusual on camera.

Position yourself on one side or the other, and turn your head towards the camera, so it doesn’t look like  a mug shot, or a head and shoulders commercial. Remember to stand up strong and tall to project confidence in your photo.  Every inch counts, when you consider that each inch over average height may be worth $789 more per year in added salary.

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2. Extracurriculars that could be viewed as unprofessional or unneccessary.

Your LinkedIn profile is a place to portray yourself to your industry as a professional.  Sift through your content and remove any blog posts, comments or shared links that are outside of your industry and professional goals.

It’s pretty astonishing how many people leave horrible comments and say awful things in articles and blog posts. Know that sometimes your angry comments are seen, both on linkedin and on the internet as a whole.  If there is anything overly negative or mean on your profile take the time to remove it. This goes for if you are actively communicating with other accounts. Be sure that your comments and feedback will be viewed as mature and professional.

I’m not saying don’t be yourself or speak honestly, so before you publish something questionable ask yourself if you would want your future boss or client to read this.

Along with anything unprofessional, ditch the unrelated content to your current career aspirations.  It is better to have a small amount of high quality content as opposed to a large number of jobs where half of them are from your days making smoothies at Jamba Juice.

3. Proprietary Information.

This becomes a legal case for what is deemed intellectual property of your employer or of you.  Be sure that you have read, understand and agreed upon the contract you sign with your employer or clients before posting information.

This could include charts, graphs, plans, ideas, and press release that an entity doesn’t want to be made public information.  This can also include clients you’ve worked with, as many choose to remain confidential.

If you have already posted something you might think is violating IP, remove it right away.  If you really want to repost it, or post something new but feel unsure, contact the parties involved and verify it is safe for sharing and public knowledge.

4. A third-person bio or summary.

Don’t write a third-person bio or summary statement like, “Ashley is talented a career coach, author, and public speaker…”

Instead, write about yourself in the first person: “I am a [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”][fill in the blank] here to help you [fill in the blank].  My passion and experience has led me down this path… and I am looking for [fill in the blank].”

When you do this, it instantly creates more intimacy and authenticity in your profile.  Readers will feel closer to you as if you are speaking directly to them. You are also taking ownership of your opinions and your experiences, this shows confidence and strength in your abilities both personally and professionally.

5. Outdated content.

As a career coach, I work with a handful of clients creating career transitions into different jobs, industries, and niche markets.  When we go through their professional profiles on LinkedIn, and even their resume and elevator pitch, it’s important to make sure you have things targeting the future, not the past.

Sure, you should use your previous experiences to showcase your skillset and successes, but make sure it is pertinent to the career path you are currently on, or seeking to be on.  Read through your job descriptions, and update them to align with the kind of job you want next. It’s not just about what you did for work, it’s about what you did that relates to where you’re headed.  If you have any new projects, awards of publications replace the oldest content with this new information.

A LinkedIn profile isn’t something you make once and leave forever, it is a living and active platform for you to build a professional brand and foster relationships that will not only get you new jobs, but also build your industry credibility.  It is possible to use LinkedIn to Land your dream job, and when you consider that 94% of recrutiers use LinkedIn to vet out potential candidates, these tips can’t be taken lightly.

Invest the time and energy to periodically review and participate online.  Even if you aren’t actively looking for something new, you never know when that blog you posted or that connection you made will pay off down the road!

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I’m a career coach, keynote speaker, podcast host (You Turn Podcast) and author, here to help you step into a career you’re excited about and aligned with. This may loo

… 

Forbes.com | October 15, 2019 

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#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch -7 Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview. Got Kids? #MustRead !

Informational interviews — casual conversations with people whose careers you admire and want to learn more about — may not always directly lead to job offers, but they can still be a powerful tool in your job search toolkit.

Beyond giving you the scoop on the role, company or industry you’re targeting, they can often provide you with insider advice that will give you a leg up on the competition. They can even put you in touch with folks who have the power to refer you to a position or maybe even hire you. Still, you have to be careful when thinking about which questions to ask in an informational interview.

Although you want to ask questions that will benefit your job search, you need to make sure that the questions aren’t so self-serving, tone-deaf or cliché that you irritate the person that you’re speaking with.

The best questions are those that elicit useful responses and create a positive impression about you,” says Joseph Liu, career change consultant and host of the Career Relaunch Podcast.

Wondering which questions fall into that category? Take a look at the seven suggestions below for starters.

1. Can you tell me about your first role when you started your career?

Many people reach out to senior-level employees when scheduling an informational interview, which makes sense — a seasoned veteran working in the role, company or industry you’re interested in will have more years of experience to draw upon when sharing insights and advice. But don’t make the mistake of forgetting to ask how they got their start, as this will likely be the most valuable information for you to have.

“The biggest challenge with informational interviews is that discussion tends to focus on the more senior or glamorous roles within the candidate’s career track and not how one got there,” says Sarah Doughty, Director of Recruitment of IT recruitment company TalentLab. “The reality is that in most industries, newcomers will start with small job scopes, doing work that doesn’t relate at all to what they discussed in an informational interview. If a newcomer can’t perform well enough in early roles, they will likely never be given a chance to move their career towards more fulfilling work. It’s important to understand where you will start, and how hard you will have to work to get to where you want to ultimately be.”

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2. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of your job?

When you’re really interested in a particular career path, it’s easy to focus only on the positive aspects of it. But any job, no matter how glamorous, will have its downsides, so it’s important to get a truly holistic view of what the job entails.

Asking about somebody’s favorite aspects of their job has the benefit of “[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”][helping] you find out what the key motivational tool is for this employee to come to work every day. If you find yourself getting excited while listening to their answer, there’s a good chance you’d thrive in this company,” says Steve Pritchard, HR Manager at Checklate. “However, you do need a balanced view, so it’s vital that you follow that question up with what their least favorite part of the job is… combine the employee’s answers to gauge whether you’d be truly happy working at this company [or] in this role.”

3. What is one piece of advice you wish you received before starting your career in this field?

One of the great things about speaking with somebody who’s further along in their career than you are is that they were in your position once, so they have plenty of hindsight to share. Tapping into this knowledge will allow you to avoid the same mistakes as they did, or perhaps capitalize on the same opportunities as them.

“There are aspects to any job that will sooner or later appear out of left field. Whether it’s more technical skills than one originally predicted or less teamwork than one envisioned, reality can often differ from our original expectations in any role,” says Roger Maftean, career expert at ResumeLab. “Inquiring about this facet shows wisdom and foresight on behalf of a potential candidate and exposes any gaps in one’s understanding of the full scope of the position.”

4. What do you think is going to be the biggest skill required for success in your role ten years from now?

In a high-tech, fast-paced world, the labor market is constantly evolving. And although you might have the skill set for the job now, you’ll likely have to expand your repertoire at some point in the future.

“Most informational interviewers do not account for industry evolutions and strictly focus questions around what it takes to be successful now rather than later,” Doughty says. “This is a mistake and one that can easily be avoided by simply recognizing that no role and no industry stays consistent for very long.”

Asking the question above, though, will give you insight into where the field is headed and how you can stay ahead of the curve.

“Use your informational interview to get an insider’s sense of where the industry or career track is going, not where it currently resides,” Doughty advises.

5. If you could go back in time and choose again, would you choose to enter this field? Why or why not?

It’s one thing to be comfortable in your job, but it’s another thing entirely to be so passionate about it that you’d do it all over again. So if you’re looking for a job that you’ll truly love, this question is a must-ask.

“Zooming out and taking a more panoramic view of the decision (often many years ago) a professional made can expose key insights for anyone asking this question. Often, the hidden nuggets of wisdom don’t get [unearthed] until one stops and takes a look at the ‘bigger picture,’” Maftean says. “Ironically, the answer here can be quite revealing and even paradigm-shifting for both parties. After all, ‘To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.’”

6. Is there anything you feel I should know before applying to roles in your field? 

Informational interviews primarily serve the purpose of giving you the scoop on what it’s really like to work in a particular role, company or field (hence the name). But if you play your cards right, an informational interview can also give you a competitive edge over other candidates.

“This question allows you to get some insider tips on principles for success and/or common pitfalls candidates should keep in mind before formally applying for a role,” Liu explains. “It also demonstrates you’re really trying to do your research and due diligence prior to applying to a role,” which is bound to impress the person that you’re speaking with — maybe even to the point that they offer to help you in your job search.

7. Who else should I talk to about working as a [job title]?

Another great way to boost your odds of landing a job, asking this question can directly benefit your job hunt without sounding too self-serving.

“That’s the question that can send your hireability chances to the moon,” says Michael Tomaszewski, Career & Workplace Expert at career site Zety. “That’s because you might get backdoor access to people in the field you would otherwise never have a chance to meet and interview.”

And given the importance that networking and personal references play in helping people score job offers, getting access to new contacts can be invaluable.

 

GlassDoor.com | October 10, 2019 | Posted by 

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#CareerAdvice : #YourCareer -The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Career? Stop Asking For A Promotion. Great Read/Share!

The year’s end is quickly approaching, and with it comes the annual performance review. That means career development will be top of mind for many employees. While I look forward to conversations about performance and feedback, there’s a part of me that dreads them. As a manager, I always expect someone to ask, “When am I going to get promoted?”

I’m tired of this question. First, most of the employees who ask it are pursuing promotions before they are ready. But second, and more importantly, title bumps really shouldn’t be the focus of career development. Employees should spend more time thinking about, and advocating for, their personal and professional growth.

This is especially true in today’s changing workplace: The gig economy, which employs up to one-third of the U.S. workforce, and the rise of technology are transforming how and where we work. These changes have brought entirely new jobs to the market, such as Uber drivers, freelance app developers and social media managers. And in many of these positions, employees are creating their own titles⁠.

Titles are not a true measure of career development, especially in the skills economy that we live in today. Employees need to center their attention on what will actually put them ahead of the curve: personal growth. By putting energy behind things like developing a consistent learning practice or finding a mentor, employees will be able to grow their careers even in a shifting workplace.

Stop Asking About Titles. Starting Asking About Skills

Most often, those asking me about promotion cycles or title bumps happen to be millennials or Gen Zers. In fact, research suggests these generations are more likely to advocate for their own career development and more willing to ask for promotions, raises and the like. Advocating for your career is admirable, but titles and promotions shouldn’t be the goal when thinking about career development. Instead, personal growth and skill sets are far more helpful in the long term than any promotion or accolade.

For example, when employees come up to me and say, “I want this title. How should I get there?” I wonder about their intentions. This question is myopic and lacks a forward-thinking strategy.

I would rather an employee approach me to ask, “This is where I’m trying to take my career; what should I do to meet my goals?” I’m not only much more open to that conversation, but I’m actually more able to help them. I can talk with them about the skill sets they will need to be successful, give them feedback about their progress on those skills and even point them toward resources that will help them get there.

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Don’t Wait For Instruction. Take Learning Into Your Own Hands

When it comes to personal career development, the simplest advice I can offer employees is to become lifelong learners. Research shows that employees invested in learning and career development programs were more likely to out-innovate their peers, and their companies achieved greater financial returns, too.

Continuous learning doesn’t mean just taking courses; reading is always a great learning opportunity, and finding a book to help you through a challenge or explore something new can be beneficial. I recently recommended the book Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss to an employee who told me they were struggling with negotiation skills in the workplace.

Seeking mentorship is another great tactic. Whether through a companywide mentorship program or by simply reaching out to executives you admire, sitting down for conversations with managers or more senior co-workers is an excellent way to keep learning. Often, employees hesitate to reach out because they assume the mentor they have in mind is too busy or not interested. Personally, I’m always pleasantly surprised when an employee randomly reaches out and asks to connect. I don’t mind, and it’s an easy way for them to learn and collect advice. Most managers or people in senior leadership I know are happy to share what they’ve learned through their successes and failures.

Strive For Personal Power, Not Positional Power

When thinking about career development, it can be challenging to focus on continual goals over immediate gains, but ultimately, it’s worth it. Long-term career development helps individuals create personal power rather than positional power.

Positional power gives a person authority by way of their standing in an organization’s structure or hierarchy. Personal power, on the other hand, is one’s own ability to influence people and events whether or not they have any formal authority. It is garnered over time through self-improvement, self-awareness and treatment of co-workers and employees. It is reflected in how someone “shows up” to work every day and in the authentic relationships built along the way. Workers who lead with personal power not only tend to have healthier and more trusting long-term relationships, but they are far more likely to galvanize change and inspire others in an organization.

By focusing on promotion cycles rather than long-term career development goals, you can stifle yourself and your future achievements. Sure, you could arrive in a new job with a better title, but you probably won’t have the skill set to do that job well. And, with the changing workplace and economy, titles and promotions are losing their power. Approach your career development with a forward-thinking strategy so you can avoid these pitfalls and, ultimately, meet your career goals.

Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?

Associate Vice President of Learning and Organizational Effectiveness at Cornerstone OnDemand.

 

Forbes.com | October 15, 2019

#CareerAdvice :Why Resilience Can Make Or Break #YourCareer . #MustRead !

According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of risk. In simple terms, we might describe resilience as the ability to bounce back when something goes wrong rather than crack under pressure.

The good news is that everyone has some resilience, only in varying degrees. It’s important to note that a person with resilience still feels the intensity of a difficult situation—they’ve just found a better (and quicker) way of dealing with it. Fortunately, resilience can be learned, and not surprisingly, it can make or break your career.

Resilience can be learned

Research has shown that while some people seem to be naturally resilient, these behaviors can also be learned. How do you learn to be more resilient? You need to get knocked down—a lot. Resilience is like a muscle. You can’t exercise it unless you have a stressful event to react to. The more you get knocked down and get back up, the stronger and more fearless you become. Kristen Costa, lead faculty in behavioral science at Northeastern University whose research focus is resilience, says, “My work has shown me that deliberate, intentional effort to cultivate resilience can bolster our inclinations for it. When we think of it that way, we can understand that there are specific habits, behaviors, and mindsets that help us foster it.”

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Resilience can be cultivated

Work environments today are often uncertain, complex, volatile and ambiguous. Whether your company is being downsized or you got passed over for that juicy promotion, many scenarios could threaten to derail your career. Resilience is fundamental to successfully navigating those inevitable career challenges. Following these four strategies will help you to cultivate resilience and achieve career success:

1.      Develop an effective network

Having an effective network can help buffer you from potentially adverse career events. This means nurturing your existing network and establishing new connections over time. Adam Grant, a professor at The Wharton School and author of Give and Take, believes that giving your time and energy to people that you care about is the best way to build your network. Networks are not built on a transactional basis, but rather on goodwill and paying it forward. Most importantly, remember to focus on building relationships, not contacts.

2.      Manage your career like a business

Own your career and manage it as if you are running your own business (i.e., “Jane Smith Inc.”). Think like an entrepreneur and focus on building your personal brand. A personal brand is the combination of skills and experiences that make you unique. It is how you present yourself to the world.  Be sure to clearly communicate who you are and what you do in order to stand out to prospective clients and employers. Set short and long-term career goals for yourself and continuously reevaluate them over time.

3.      Become a lifelong learner

Continuous learning is a key component of career resilience. Stay up to date on the latest technology, take online courses and attend industry conferences. Take charge of your development and hone your skills. Knowledge is something you can carry with you for a lifetime. Anything you can do to develop your expertise will help to increase your self-confidence and resiliency.

4.      Look at setbacks as opportunities

What may seem like an adverse event could present a potential opportunity. When I was laid off for the first time in my career, I used that as an opportunity to go back to graduate school and get my MBA. After another layoff, I was able to secure a position with a higher salary and greater responsibility because I wasn’t willing to settle for less. Foster an optimistic mindset. It’s not what happens to you but how you handle it that makes all the difference.

The most successful people in the world are also the most resilient. J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter manuscript was rejected by 12 major publishers before being accepted. Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because his editor felt he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”  Sir James Dyson (who by the way doesn’t have an engineering degree) went through 5,126 failed prototypes over the course of 15 years before creating the best-selling bagless vacuum cleaner that led to a net worth of $5.4 billion.  The next time you experience a career setback, just think back to a time in your life when you were able to persevere. You are more resilient than you realize.

 

Forbes.com | October 13, 2019 | Caroline Castrillon –

#CareerAdvice : #YourCareer – 3 Questions To Uncover Your Real Relationship With Your Boss. A #MustRead !

In a perfect world, all bosses would be great bosses. Everyone would work for a person that was empathetic and supportive, understood their unique gifts and inspired them to be better leaders themselves.

But that’s not reality. According to Gallup, 70% of American workers rate themselves as “not engaged” or “actively disengaged” at work which speaks to the quality of the relationship between leaders and employees in organizations today. In fact, many of the people disengaged are themselves leaders, working uninspired and passing that same feeling down to their direct reports.

So when you celebrate National Boss’s Day later this week, what will you be celebrating? Are you among the small percentage of people that already works for someone great or will you take this opportunity to assess if your relationship with a disconnected or outright challenging boss can be improved?

Either way, it’s important to understand the role you play in creating and maintaining a productive relationship with your boss, a relationship that will position you not only for success in your current job but also develop you for the next one. Here are the three questions you should ask yourself to assess the quality of your connection and how to improve it, if needed.

Today In: Leadership

1. Do they relate to you as a peer?

Respect is not an all-or-nothing decision. You can respect someone as a human being or for a particular skill, but not respect them as your peer. No matter what your reporting relationship is or how much more experience your boss might have, to respect you as a peer is to seek and trust your counsel, especially on matters that you have more expertise in than them.

Yet many people find themselves working for a boss who will solicit input from them only to ignore it 95% of the time. Maybe they don’t even ask for input at all. While it is the job of leaders to weigh options and make independent decisions, deep down you know whether your boss values your perspective and trusts your judgment. It’s something you can feel in your gut whenever you interact with them.

Be real with yourself about the nature of your relationship.

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If they don’t see you as a peer, you need to ask yourself why. Have you made some missteps that have clouded their view of you? Are you lacking expertise in a critical area? Have they been so distracted with work commitments that they failed to get to know you? Are they too arrogant to rely on others? Is ageism, racism, gender bias or heterosexism at play?

It’s important to get to the bottom of why they don’t view you as a peer. It could highlight a problem with the company’s culture, a leadership deficiency or something you need to work on yourself. Don’t jump to quick conclusions and write off the relationship, but don’t leave this concern unaddressed either.

When you work for someone that doesn’t have significant respect for your capabilities, or doesn’t view you as an intellectual equal, it will limit your career. Being recognized as a peer doesn’t just make working together easier and more enjoyable, but it is also a necessary step in moving your career to the next level. Find ways to show your value or consider making a career change. You will feel stifled if you don’t.

2. Do you know what skills they are developing in you?

The difference between working for someone and being groomed for your next role hinges on learning and development. If you have no idea what skills your boss may or may not be developing in you, there’s a good chance there aren’t developing any.

A boss that isn’t working to raise your game probably isn’t especially invested in your career progression. That doesn’t mean that you don’t enjoy working for them. Your satisfaction with your boss is influenced by many other things, such as personality and flexibility.

But just know that as long as you stay working for a boss that isn’t actively developing your skills, you are probably working for someone that is also not going out of their way to look for new opportunities to increase your visibility and advocate for your career growth.

One thing that great bosses do differently is promote their employees when they aren’t around. Yet it’s impossible to know what someone says about you when you aren’t there to hear it so it’s hard to know if your boss is doing this for you or not. Instead, assess the amount of attention put into your development as this is a clear indicator to the level of engagement and sponsorship your boss has toward you.

If you realize now that you aren’t being developed by your boss, there’s still hope for the relationship. Bosses are busy and it may have simply become one of those “important, but not urgent” tasks that are easy to lose sight of.

Help your boss rekindle and reprioritize your development by initiating a conversation about where they think you have the most potential to grow and the specific activities you two can take together to get you to that next level.

3. Do you understand their motivations?

Do you know what makes your boss tick? What they want out of their career? What things matter to them in life? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you can’t help position your boss to meet their unique definition of success.

A great relationship with your boss is marked by a win-win dynamic. You should be helping your boss get what they want, just as much as they are helping you.

For some bosses, that means something tangible like sales growth or money saved, while it may be more subjective for others. You can play a key role in helping your boss become recognized in the industry, raise their internal visibility, find greater meaning in their job or have more time to spend with their family.

But if you don’t know what they want most, then you probably aren’t helping them get it. You may even be accidentally standing in the way.

There are bosses that will always feel more comfortable hiding or pursuing their agenda alone. And while that is their choice, it should reveal to you that you are not a part of their inner circle. Your relationship will never be close.

But before you put them in this category, or give up on ever joining their inner circle, try showing a greater interest in getting to know them as a person, and not just a boss. Through a series of informal conversations, you can gain insight into their personal and career history, as well as what they’ve learned about the company and how it has shaped their current goals.

In the same way that you want your boss to get to know and support you, you should make it a regular priority to discover their changing needs and motivations.

Author: Kourtney Whitehead is a career expert and author of Working Whole. You can learn more about her work at Simply Service.

 

Forbes.com | October 13, 2019

#CareerAdvice – #JobCareers – Ten(10) Jobs, with the Highest Divorce Rate & Ten(10) Jobs with the Lowest. Interesting/Fun One(1) Min Read!

1. Gaming managers: 52.9%

2. Bartenders: 52.7%

3. Flight attendants: 50.5%

4. Gaming services workers: 50.3%

5. Rolling machine setters, operators and tenders, metal and plastic: 50.1%

6. Switchboard operators: 49.7%

7. Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators and tenders, metal and plastic: 49.6 percent

8. Telemarketers: 49.2%

9. Textile knitting and weaving machine operators: 48.9%

10. Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators and tenders: 48.8%

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The 10 occupations with the lowest divorce rates:

1. Actuaries: 17%

2. Physical scientists: 18.9%

3. Medical and life scientists: 19.6%

4. Clergy: 19.8%

5. Software developers, applications and systems software: 20.3%

6. Physical therapists: 20.7%

7. Optometrists: 20.8%

8. Chemical engineers: 21.1%

9. Directors, religious activities and education: 21.3%

10. Physicians and surgeons: 21.8%

Some positive news to end on? Despite the commonly tossed around stat that “half of all marriages end in divorce,” according to the Center for Disease Control, the actual U.S. divorce rate is 3.2 for every 1,000 people and has actually been dropping since the 1990s. Hopefully, with the right choice in partners — and, maybe, career paths! — that’s a trend that will continue.
BusinessInsider.com | October 10, 2019 | Leah Thomas,    

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#CareerAdvice : #CareerChange -The 5 Big Mistakes Boomers Make When Switching Careers. #MustRead !

Many boomers want to change careers for a variety of reasons: to reduce stress; to learn something new; to follow their passion; to find a change of pace or to stay ahead financially. But it’s easy to make mistakes and overlook factors that are critical to changing careers effectively.

So, when leaving the security of a steady job to transition to a new career, you’ll want to avoid the following five mistakes. That way, you’ll embark on your next voyage with grace and confidence.

Mistake No. 1: Not ‘Testing’ Your New Career First

You think you’ll love your new career path, but you won’t know for sure until you’ve immersed yourself in it. So, before interviewing for a new job in a new field, try to experience what it would be like.

Start by figuring out what spare time you have to dedicate to your trial run. You may need to get creative if the job would be an office position and you currently have one. In that case, find lunch hour times or take half-days to shadow others in positions for which you might apply.

If possible, test the waters online. For example, if you want to move into marketing and already have some marketable skills — like design or writing — create an account on Upwork, the online platform for freelancers.

You could also apply for short-term gigs or projects that let you flex your skills, gain experience and better understand what you might be doing on a daily basis.

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Mistake No. 2: Not Managing Expectations

Switching careers, especially after 50, can be a big change financially, mentally and emotionally. You may need to move down on the totem pole, which can be challenging if you haven’t set your expectations properly. Set realistic goals.

The key is to be prepared to learn. Some of the work skills you’ve acquired already, such as communications and organization, will be critical to your success in your new field. Find ways to excel with the capabilities you have, while gaining new ones.

Mistake No. 3: Not Knowing What Matters Most

When switching careers, it’s easy to take the first opportunity you find because you’re worried you won’t be qualified for anything else. That mindset can stick you in a position you don’t want.

So, before making a switch, figure out what matters most to you. Do you want full-time or part-time work, or does that not matter? Are you open to travel? Do you need consistent work hours or remote work opportunities? Know what you need, and make it clear to potential employers. That way, you’ll be more likely to be happy with your new path.

This kind of advance planning saves you from wasting time pursuing the wrong jobs and lets you focus on positions you’d most want.

One tip: Don’t blurt out your work requirements in a first job interview. Instead, focus on your skills and the job’s fit. Once you’re sure the job is one you want and the employer is interested in you, then you can start talking about your preferences for your working hours and location.

Mistake No. 4: Not Seeking Training First

It may be wise to acquire new skills before making a career switch. Otherwise, jumping in to a new field too quickly can set you back.

Instead of getting in over your head, setting yourself up for failure and stress, go slowly, carving out time for training on the side while you stay in your current position. This not only enhances your resumé but also provides you with valuable hands-on experience that will make you a better job candidate when you are ready to change careers.

Research the skills expected of candidates in the field you hope to enter. Then, seek training opportunities that will give you a leg up — and an inside look into the work required.

Search for online, self-paced courses that you can take at home. Also, consider in-person conferences, workshops and events that offer learning opportunities as well as networking.

Mistake No. 5: Not Having a Plan B

You’re enthused about your new career, but it’s important to do a reality check. A career change can be risky, and doing it without a backup plan can leave you with no paycheck or job. That’s why you need a Plan B if the new job doesn’t pan out, the interviews don’t go well or you decide your intended path is not right for you.

You don’t need another job lined up for Plan B, though. Just set yourself up for success if things fall through. Here are a few ways to do that:

  • Ensure your resumé and professional-facing social media networks are always current. Put photos from recent networking events on Instagram or add new certifications to your LinkedIn profile.
  • Build a strong network. Stay connected and be a resource to others. What goes around comes around, and you may need to ask one of your contacts for help.
  • Make a list of employers you’d like to work for, along with contacts you have at them. If your career switch doesn’t pan out, you’ll then be ready to start looking for other opportunities.

Author: Next Avenue

America is in the midst of an age boom and with it, an amazing transition. In general, those over the age of 50 are expected to live longer than any previous generation….

Forbes.com | October 9, 2019

#CareerAdvice : 7 #Skills You Will Need To Survive And Thrive In This Frighteningly Fast-Changing World. Got Kids? #MustRead !

In the last couple of weeks, I have written about some very somber topics. A study conducted by Third Way concluded that many college graduates earn the same as high school graduates, but are left heavily burdened by tuition debt of over $100,000. Wells Fargo projected that robots will displace 200,000 bank employees within the next 10 years. I have also covered General Electric—once the greatest example of American capitalism—freezing pensions and being accused of fraud. HSBC, the large global bank, announced 10,000 layoffs, in addition to the 60,000 jobs that have already been eliminated on Wall Street. The unbridled adoption of artificial intelligence may result in millions of job losses and require massive retraining for those impacted and U.S. income inequality is at its highest level in 50 years.

Read the paper, watch the news, go online to Twitter or Facebook and you’ll be assaulted by vitriol, anger and pessimism. It’s clear that many people are despondent over the current state of affairs in America. Although, on average, we live a lifestyle unimaginable to past generations, we feel that the good days are behind us. There is a palpable sense of doom and gloom.

If you look back at America’s history, this feeling of hopelessness and fear of the future is common. We’ve been through some difficult times and have always found a way to dig ourselves out, improve and move forward. Amazingly, every time a seismic shift, catastrophic-seeming event or frightening change occurs and seems like it would be the end of us, we’re able to figure out solutions and keep advancing.

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Currently, we are collectively dealing with the impact of rapid changes including globalization, technological advances and a different type of economy and job market. It feels to many that this is utter turmoil and chaos. It’s easy to get discouraged and feel overwhelmed. While that’s understandable, in this new, evolving economy and job market, you need to become mentally and emotionally strong. You must learn how to possess the ability to adapt, survive and thrive. There is no time for self pity. It’s a time for action.

Here is what you need to do to succeed in this newly changing world.

  1. Learn to code, write and speak well. You don’t have to be a tech engineer, but it will be helpful to know some coding. It’s predicted that many jobs will require this skill in the near term and future. The ability to write well and speak intelligently and communicate clearly and efficiently with people is prized by major corporations. These skills will greatly enhance your marketability.
  2. Develop a thick, impenetrable skin. We are in—and will continue to be in—a time of rapid change. The days of working at one company for the entire duration of our careers is over. Corporate pensions are a thing of the past. You need to rely upon yourself and navigate your own path. The odds are high that you will have a number of different careers over your lifespan. Within those careers, you will switch jobs, get laid off and sometimes get stuck in part-time gigs. If you are timid and afraid, the world will devour you. You will need to teach yourself to be strong, unafraid and not intimidated by what the future brings.
  3. Tune out the politics and noise. So much time is wasted arguing with strangers on Twitter and Facebook. I’m unaware of anyone who has ever said, “Thank you! That’s a great point. You have completely changed my mind on this topic!” Arguing or even just reading or being in the presence of people who live to fight, yell and point fingers is a waste of time. Concentrate your time and efforts on productive pursuits.
  4. Read voraciously and keep learning. Most of us graduate school and stop learning. It’s like your friend who listened to a certain type of music in high school and never tried hearing other genres, as he’s stuck in a time warp. To remain competitive, you have to keep up with all of the developments within your field, as well as new trends that may impact your career. By constantly learning, you’ll be ahead of the crowd that chooses to remain static.
  5. Save your money. There will be times when you are in between jobs or earning less money than you did in the past. The mistake most people make is to live beyond their means. If they earn $1, they spend $3—believing that there will always be a steady flow of cash. For every dollar earned, save as much as possible. Having funds for a rainy day makes all the difference in the world. As your funds grow, you’ll have a second income stream. It’ll also afford you the flexibility to select jobs on their long-term growth potential, as opposed to being forced to take a job because you need the money right now.
  6. Embrace the change. You can’t stop the tide from rolling in. Things change and you will need to be malleable and move with the flow. Instead of being resistant and ignoring your new reality, think of how you can profit and benefit from new circumstances. With change comes opportunities—if your eyes are open to it. How many times in your life has a bad thing happened, but because of it, you ended up in a better place? This occurs all the time! There is always opportunity, but you have to be receptive, bold and ready to seize the chance to succeed.
  7. Rugged individualism is a uniquely American characteristic, in which we are  self-reliant, wary of taking aid from others and skeptical of government assistance. Think of the cowboys in Western films. They lived their lives on their own terms. Nowhere outside of the U.S. is as easy to start a business than in this great nation. It’s also viewed as okay if you fail. We have the ability to reinvent ourselves, start over, take chances, fall on our faces and get back up again. There is a great feeling of taking the reins of your life and building something great for yourself and your family. We have fought and won world wars, been the first to put someone on the moon, freed ourselves from tyranny, helped liberate the world from Nazis, built incredible companies and have all the intelligence and information in our hands on a handheld device. There is absolutely nothing that can stop us from succeeding.

I am a CEO, founder, and executive recruiter at one of the oldest and largest global search firms in my area of expertise, and have personally placed thousands of profes…

 

        Forbes.com | October 9, 2019