Land That Promotion, Dont Just Wing It

Land That Promotion, Dont Just Wing It I like the idea of always reaching; always striving for more and bettering yourself. As soon you stop setting your sights high, you plateau and stagnate professionally, personally, totally. Continuous self improvement isnt about taking what you already have for granted, nor is it  characteristic of someone who never feels content or settled those are different things  altogether. We live in a constantly evolving world; technologies are advancing every day, were growing older by the minute and in some ways, the future we always look to is here right now (if you consider  yesterdays mentality). Change is hard to swallow sometimes, but as its inevitable we might as well own it by adapting and planning for it on our own terms! Now to the promotion bit. If you spot an opportunity to move your career to the next level and your personal circumstance allows it, why not give it all youve got? Youve got to be at work for some 40 hours a week anyway, if the option to make more money and hold more responsibility exists, why not go for it? Giving things a go is the only way to discover and harness your true potential! Great so youve earmarked a promotion opportunity, now what? Understand the requirements Its crucial to do  bit of digging to understand what the new role entails, and what sort of person / skills is needed to fill it. If its not a new role per se, rather a level-based promotion youre staring down the barrel of, you need to  fully understand what the new responsibilities will be. Knowing that youll get a new title or bigger pay cheque isnt enough information. Just as you would if you  were applying for a brand new role with a different organisation, you need to to gather as much  knowledge  as possible in order to qualify whether the  role is desirable and right for you. Nail your current job Now you know what its going to take to get the promotion, stop and assess your current situation. Are you a suitable candidate for the promotion? If you want to step up to the next level, you need to be 100% confident you are nailing your current role. Theres no point adding more work to your plate (in the form of a bigger role) if you are already struggling with your existing workload. Before you throw your hat in the ring, qualify yourself as an  applicant first would you give you the  promotion if you were your boss? If the answer is yes, then back yourself all the way! Express your interest Sometimes you will be invited to contend for a promotion, however in other cases it might be appropriate for you to make the first move and formalise your interest.  You could look into writing a promotion letter or having a meeting with  the correct decision maker. Either way, you need to put your hand up and be on peoples radars. Dont  simply assume youll automatically be considered for the opening. Enlist support Who inside your organisation could be a mentor for you? If your manager isnt the final decision maker, can you ask them for a couple of one-to-one sessions to help you nut out a roadmap to get you that promotion? Are there more senior people in your office who you could learn a thing or two from? Perhaps there is someone in your wider network (not necessarily a colleague) who could provide some advice and guidance to put you in great stead for  stepping up the next level. Go the extra mile Youve heard it all before. If you want to do well in your job you need to do more than the bare minimum. This is especially true for promotion applicants. This is the perfect time to get in early, join internal committees, up skill yourself, volunteer and get involved in extra-curricular corporate activities. Give everything youve got to your company you dont have to go full-throttle forever, but youve got to show youre serious, fully invested and committed. Holding back will only result in major regret when you dont get the promotion. Avoid singing, shoulda, woulda, coulda. Dont slag off the competition Finally, always remember that promotions arent politics. Dont sign  up for a  Trump/Clinton-style showdown. Trying to bring your colleagues or other applicants down will only reflect badly on you and make you bitter. May the best  employee get promoted!

Are You Achievable Or A Boring Cover Letter Writer?

Are You Achievable Or A Boring Cover Letter Writer?You need to be ambitious when writing your resume. It shows that you have ambition. It shows that you will work hard to get the position you want. It shows that you are serious about moving up in your career.What does it mean when someone says, 'I'm not bad at writing?' The answer is simple. In today's job market, the slightest difference in how someone writes a resume and how someone writes a cover letter can make the difference between being called in for an interview and not being called in at all. It may even disqualify you for an opening. So what does being ambitious mean?The 'I'm not bad at writing' statement will often set up a situation where you are being hired because your resume is good but your cover letter is not. This makes a lot of sense because the cover letter is not written as well as the resume. But the opposite situation, where the resume is very impressive but the cover letter is weak, could make you look like yo u are just trying to suck up to a new boss. This makes perfect sense.Most employers go after someone who looks and sounds the part of a successful candidate and presents themselves in the best light possible for a job opportunity. The applicant whose resume looks like a first-year college student's resume doesn't usually get invited to the interview. However, if the resume looks like a graduate student's resume, and the cover letter sounds like a high school student's cover letter, chances are he or she will get invited to the interview. It just makes sense.And just as you wouldn't hire a math professor over an aerospace engineer because you saw them in an office building on a resume with the wrong name, you shouldn't hire a candidate with an eye for detail over one who has no interest in the job opportunity. You may be hiring because the candidate has good references. However, the person who is really passionate about the job opportunity might be the one who will win the job offer. So, how do you write good or bad cover letters? First, do not try to impress. Make sure your letter has a personal touch. This will help you stand out from the crowd and the employer will know that you are sincere and real.Second, take the time to find out what the reference looks like. Make sure you know who the references are. Then, make sure the reference is authentic. When I see references like 'Joe Smith' on a resume, I think there is something wrong. Maybe Joe Smith really works at XYZ; maybe Joe Smith may be someone who didn't make the cut for the job opportunity.Whether you are a great writer or a bad writer doesn't matter. Just make sure you are ambitious when writing your resume and you will succeed.

Best 5 tips to help land a job

Best 5 tips to help land a job After two years of editing and writing for this blog I am moving to a slightly different role within the university and am passing on my editorial rights. I have written many thousands of words and have always been alert to find the next post topic. It seems strange to be bowing out and I feel as though I am abandoning a much loved but sometimes exhausting family member. So what to blog about in a final post?  After the Brexit vote it feels like a very uncertain world. We’re already seeing some graduate salaries falling and can have no confidence  about what is going to happen in the job market over the next months and years. I’m going to go back to basics and share my 5 very top tips for successful job hunting â€" in any market! 1. Be Confident Many of us have just watched Andy Murray win Wimbledon. He plainly believed in himself and his ability and was able to put his past disappointments to one side. The same personal confidence is essential to successful job hunting. If you don’t believe that you can do a good job, then you stand no chance of being able to convince an interview panel that this is the case! This isn’t about the arrogant, swashbuckling approach, it’s much more to do with a quiet inner belief that you would be able to do a great job. Look at job opportunities objectively and if you believe that you have what it takes, then don’t be scared to go for it. 2. Be Realistic Have you got the essential skills or experience that the employer is looking for? It’s great to be aspirational but if you simply can’t demonstrate that you have the relevant, required experience then you may be wasting your time making applications. Look at job specifications carefully. Generally if you can’t meet at least 80% of the employer’s requirements it’s probably not worth your time making the application. Conversely if you can demonstrate   that you have all the skills required don’t be put off if you don’t have as much experience as the employer is asking for. 3. Commit to the process There is no point in making a half-hearted application, it’s simply a waste of your time. The job market is competitive, particularly at graduate level, if you rush your application it’s going to be obvious to recruiters. Perhaps your application is a bit scrappy, a few misspellings or grammar mistakes, maybe it’s a  tad generic â€" a copy and paste job from the last application? It could be that you didn’t bother to answer all the questions or stick to the required word counts? The recruiters are going to notice and your application won’t make the first cut. Either commit to doing the very best application of which you are capable, no matter how long that takes, or, don’t bother at all. 4. Extract all the learning opportunities you can Most job hunters make more than one application before they secure a job offer. The progression from unsuccessful application to job offer usually involves the ability to learn from your mistakes as you go. If you go a long way in a process and get to interview or assessment centre you’ll normally be able to get feedback on your application, don’t pass up the opportunity to hear what went well in addition to what might not have been quite so good. If you dropped out of the process at an earlier stage it’s about being self-critical. Do you know the point at which your application failed? If it was at the stage of the online tests had you practised them? If it was at video interview stage did you dress for the process, find a quiet space and prepare properly? What about the application form, was it good enough? If you are not sure what might have let you down go and see the careers department, we might be able to give you some useful pointers. 5. Remember that you first job does not have to be “the one” for life Your first job doesn’t necessarily have to be the dream job. Don’t set your expectations too high, it’s unlikely that the first job will see you running a FTSE 100 company! It can be really useful to think about the skills you would like to gain at this stage in your life and consider what post will help you to  acquire them. Your career is likely to be a journey and it may take you in many different directions at different times, be open to that and don’t get too hung up trying to get a job in one specific area or field. Sometimes thinking more laterally can throw up really exciting options. And finally, do have a look at my youtube resources which reprise much of this post Legal careers advice. If you have enjoyed my blog posts you might want to subscribe to the channel theres a lot more to come! Goodbye!

How to survive if you are Overworked and Unacknowledged at work

How to survive if you are Overworked and Unacknowledged at work Is there a strong feeling that you’re overworked  or being taken advantage of at work? And there is no appreciation for your effort? Well, that’s the truth behind the corporate world. Unless you’re working in an extremely employee-friendly company, you need to accept the fact that the company you work for is more interested in deadlines than your happiness. A recent study has revealed that the overall employee engagement at work is directly proportional to how much an employee feels they are appreciated by their boss. So if you feel that you’re doing more than what is expected and still not being recognized, here’s what you can do instead: 1. Check what you can do differently Even the most stringent processes could be improved with a little foresight. When you begin to feel overwhelmed, dig deep into your problem. Figure out what you can do differently and even better. 2. Reconnect with your purpose Question yourself: ‘why I am doing this?’ and ‘what am I doing each day at work?’. Is it merely for money, is it for verbal affirmation you receive from others or is it for an  entirely different reason? Find out the answers to these questions and recommit to it today. 3. Evaluate your behavior/habits If you find that the rapport between you, your co-workers and your boss is worsening despite your best effort at work, you need to honestly act. However, before you do that, take a close look at the overall workplace behavior and see whether there’s any chance that you could be the reason for the problem. Do you give excuses to finish a job within its deadline? Do you gossip in the office hours? Do you bring smelly foods for lunch? Do you criticize your co-workers often? It’s time to evaluate your behavior with honesty. Take help from an outsider and see if there’s anything lacking. 4. Get rid of the multitasking mindset Many of us are actually very proud of our ability to multitask. So are you, I am sure! But the fact is â€" multitasking is only a myth. You can produce better results  if you concentrate on one project at a time with better planning and execution. Most importantly, set a deadline for your project and then move on to the next one. However, do let your boss know about the deadline and your business planning for the project. 5. Don’t hunt for recognition This is an important strategy for surviving a thankless job. Do not avoid situations wherein it requires you to come early in the office, stay late, work during the weekends and perform duties beyond your job profile. Simply do it.   If it is solely your responsibility to complete a big project, it is in your best interest to manage it and get the work done on time. Sometimes, being extraordinary is a requirement and you have to accept it without expecting a round of applause for the additional effort you have taken to complete your task. 6. Set expectations The more your boss thinks of you, the more they expect from you. Soon, you’ll start receiving early morning emails and last evening texts. The ultimate result is â€" you have no breaks. Becoming an important person in the office is not bad but being available all the time isn’t healthy or sustainable. Here’s where you need to set boundaries and expectation. Speak up and be straight-forward. Not too many bosses can say no to such straight-forward commitment. 7. Identify what makes you feel appreciated Our wants and needs are different, especially when it comes to what makes us feel appreciated. For some it may be salary increment and for a few others it is the recognition for their efforts. It is important to recognize what makes you feel appreciated. Make a list of the actions and analyze them to make sure what you’ve written is realistic and emotionally healthy to expect from your co-workers and your boss. 8. Be aware of the workplace hazards It might be that you have to work with someone who is continuously trying to set you up for failure. These type of co-workers always try to take the credit for the hard work that you did and hide your effort under the table. It might be possible that these individuals are overwhelmed with personal and professional issues and being insensitive without realizing it. Check this type of workplace behavior. This kind of behavior is clearly antagonistic and should be immediately taken care of. It is best to minimize your interaction with them. 9. Speak up The toughest step is to share your concern with your boss. However, do not simply start complaining about everything. Rather, take time to share your concerns, highlight why you don’t feel appreciated and ask for brainstorming ways to help you feel appreciated, resulting in higher engagement level at work. In a nutshell, make sure you have a solution to your problem before you leave your boss’s room. 10. Walk away if all options are exhausted If you have no time to balance your personal and professional life and your boss is simply not bothered, it’s time to play the final card. Simply look for another job. Your career is too important to waste time trying to please a team that isn’t a good fit. Move ahead and plan your next strategic career move. Your career is in your hands. Ask for what you need and how you can achieve it. 1

English Language For Resume Writing

English Language For Resume WritingEnglish language for resume writing is just a tiny part of a degree. For instance, in my school, it was said that English was just one of the languages that we learned and practiced as students. But there is a serious difference between the two in terms of the level of learning that can be expected.In my school, it was said that this was because students were already quite fluent in Spanish. This means that they already had learnt at least some simple basic knowledge of the English language when they started school.This is important to remember when you are preparing for your exams in your secondary schools and universities. Remember that English is a very complicated language to learn compared to Spanish and other foreign languages.Of course, this does not mean that English is not a significant part of your life. It means that the amount of time you have invested in learning the English language will not mean much if you do not make use of it in yo ur job. You will have to use English in your career and in your everyday life to really appreciate what it means to be an English speaker.But you cannot just use the English language for resume writing. What you should be doing is setting goals for yourself and setting realistic benchmarks for yourself. If you only use English for resume writing, you will not be able to achieve your goals.When you start out, you will be competing with many people who are using English for resume writing and you will have to put in more effort than you may think. I was speaking to an employer recently who has never used English in his life but now he works in the UK and uses it everyday. He admitted that he felt very proud to be able to use such a foreign language.So be prepared to put in the work and earn a living in the real world. Don't be too enamoured by English. There are so many other foreign languages out there that you can learn.Use English to communicate with your family and friends but mak e sure that they understand you and are able to understand your written words. This will help you gain credibility in your professional life and therefore, will help you succeed in your career.

Cream Of The Crop Attracting And Retaining High Quality Employees

Cream Of The Crop Attracting And Retaining High Quality Employees One thing is certain, if you dont have the highest quality of people working for you, your business wont be the best it can. Of course, attracting and recruiting such high-quality employees can be challenging, but there are some tactics in particular that you can use to ensure you get the cream of the crop. Keep reading to find out what they are, and how to use them in your business. Wages It seems like a fundamental fact that better wages or salary will encourage a higher quality of worker. Unfortunately, that is something that many employers forget. In fact, they can expect their employee to bend over backwards for them for very little money at all. This is truly an unreasonable and untenable way of doing things, because not only will it put the more experienced and better-qualified employees off working for you, it can create a lot of problems keeping anyone that is worth their salt as well. With this in mind, salary packages should not be something in which savings are made. In fact, comparison of average salaries in your field and of your competitors is necessary to ensure that you are competitive enough to attract and retain the best people. Physical environment Another neglected tactic when it comes to attracting and retaining the best employees is to ensure that the physical environment you are providing for them to work in is as pleasant as possible. After all, we spend up to a third of our lives at work, and being stuck in a dark, dank, and dingy atmosphere is not fun. Google have got the positive physical environment thing down. With that in mind, it is always worth investing in things like an office repaint, covered walkways, and plenty of plants and greenery for your business’s site. Remember too that ergonomic furniture that reduces tiredness and strain on your employees is something that shows you are concerned with their health, as well as just your bottom line. Something that can make it a contributing factor in retaining and attracting the best employees possible. Training and development Next, to cream the top workers off of the employment pile, you need to be able to offer them more than just a fair wage and a decent work environment. In particular, offering them opportunities for training, and further development can be very effective. The training may be on the job, but more desirable are certified courses that give those that pass additional formal qualifications to add to their resume. Of course, training your workers isnt just good for them, but for your business too, because you can ensure that they are all educated to the highest specialist level in the work they are doing. Also offering opportunities for career development such as promotions, or secondments can be a valuable tool in attracting and retaining the best employees in your field. The reason being that if they have a clear path of progression ahead on them in their current role the need to look elsewhere for a job is decreased. Something that can help you to hold onto employees that are the most valuable to your business’s success.

Heres What a Growth Oriented Business Mindset Looks Like

Heres What a Growth Oriented Business Mindset Looks Like It’s one thing get a job and fall into a steady routine at work, and it’s quite another to continue to grow and rise through the ranks of our chosen profession â€" or to move to another, better, role, in another, more interesting profession. It’s all too common for people to fall into a slump at some point during their career. A time when they just cruise on autopilot and allow everything to continue at it’s usual, predictable pace. The hours stay roughly the same, the pay stays roughly the same, and that’s the way it stays. At least until, or unless, you get made redundant. To continue moving from success to greater success in the business world requires the right growth-oriented mindset, whether your area of expertise is data science and digital marketing or copywriting. Here are some core components of a growth-oriented mindset. Look for the point of productive tension, not the easy path The “easy path” is the enemy of growth, as ease always means that you’re not stretching yourself to the limit of your talents, and therefore being forced to learn and develop continually. “Easy” means “stagnant”. In order to really grow, you must always seek out a point of productive tension, both in work and in life, and insert yourself firmly into the middle of that space. Your work must challenge and stretch you, but still be manageable. It must serve as a catalyst to growth, and must demand that you learn and adapt in the process. If you’re cruising from day-to-day on autopilot, be sure that you’re stuck in a rut and are going nowhere fast. Always look for the next big opportunity Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comics, shared an anecdote in his 2013 book “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big”, of a moment that left an impression on him as a young man. Adams was on a flight, and sat next to a highly successful businessman. The businessman gave him the following advice, paraphrased: “Your job isn’t to do your job; your job is to find a better job”. This is a common mindset among many of the world’s most successful people. By all means, you should be thoroughly diligent and attentive to your work. But you should also keep your eyes peeled for the next big thing, and go for it when opportunity beckons. Stay humble This tip is likely to throw a few people off. “Humble?” they scoff, “confidence! Power! Assertiveness!” The truth is that it’s possible to be confident, powerful, and assertive while still maintaining a healthy dose of humility. You should certainly respect yourself and your potential, but you should always be open to the idea that you â€" no matter how high you rise â€" you are still mortal, you can still be wrong, and other people can still teach you valuable lessons. Growth requires an openness to admitting our faults and insufficiencies and committing to continued education and improvement. Arrogance makes that impossible.