Why Your Thank You Matters

Why Your Thank You Matters I have been thinking about the word “gratitude” lately. I felt the absence of gratitude when someone recently ignored what I thought was my “over and beyond efforts” on his behalf. I felt the presence of gratitude when someone recently wrote me a note of thanks for what I thought, on my part, was a very ordinary gesture of help on a routine day. So, what is it about a simple thank you in any language that can, by its absence, drain energy out of your life and when used with intention, create a powerful feeling of optimism and well-being in people? Melinda Beck (in her article for the WSJ Thank you. No, Thank You) cites a body of scientific research that suggests expressing gratitude can and does increase a person’s overall physical and psychological well-being. Few will disagree with this because, as humans, we have been socialized to mind our manners when around people. Are you wondering what my point is? I am getting to it. I believe giving and receiving thanks is becoming a mundane, routine activity, something people do because it is expected by social norms or it might make them stand-out as a job seeker or because it is a reflexive habit. Dr. Emmons, who has conducted considerable research on this topic, says: As simple as it sounds, gratitude is actually a demanding, complex emotion that requires self-reflection, the ability to admit that one is dependent upon the help of others, and the humility to realize ones own limitations. I want to have a conversation around cultivating a purposeful, intentional and joyful mindfulness around giving and receiving thanks, simply because there is universal grace in doing so and because I strongly believe that our successes (and failures) come within the context of our relationships. So, here are a few ideas that I’d like to share and invite your comments on: Don’t wait for the perfect moment to say thanks: By: judy_carson Each day there is an opportunity to speak from the heart. Keep it simple. Share a talent, quote, an article or a joke â€" what matters is that you are actively surrounding your intended person with abundant joy, blessings and laughter.   You are giving that person an opportunity to pause in a mind-numbing routinized day to reflect, read and possibly act on what you share with them.   Think of it as a random act of kindness.   All this is done without actually using the words, “thank-you.”   When you share a slice of your life or a moment, you send a powerful message: “I am thinking about you. You matter to me. I hope this brings a smile to your heart today.” Don’t be generic with your praise, be specific: Fulsome praise using superlatives â€" wonderful, great job, cool â€" is just that-fulsome praise with little meaning.   How about being other-focused by sharing how what the person did for you made your work shine or uplifted your spirits or helped you clear cobwebs in your thinking?   Allow the person to truly understand and glimpse into how their particular gift in that moment of time turned something around for you.   Make that moment of sunshine count so that on a dreary day, your recipient can lean on your expression of gratitude.   Much more powerful than a generic thank you. Don’t treat this as something on your to-do list: Think about the whole person, their values and interests so that it is clear that your gratitude comes from a place of authenticity.   Put some thought into your words, actions or gifts as you reflect on how someone has enriched your life. It isn’t that hard. If it helps, keep notes or reminders about what people in your circle have mentioned in casual conversations or have discussed in team meetings. Without being asked, offer to generously share your talents and gifts.   Consider inviting someone you don’t particularly like to work with you. It is a way to express gratitude for a personal and professional growth opportunity that otherwise might not come your way. So, before I ask you to reach out to someone today in gratitude and thanks, here are a few additional tips to consider: If you are in transition, take a thorough position analysis into your interview to return their courtesy and show how much thought you have put into your preparation. Create a 30-60-90 day plan for success and send it as a thank you letter. With colleagues and your network, share generously â€" ideas, materials and articles. Create a system to nourish your network, both through LinkedIn and in-person. Many people balk at the idea of networking, especially when in transition. Make this easy by taking care of your relationships prior to a transition. Be alert to the trends, insights and issues in your field. Practice curiosity and enjoy the randomness of conversations because ideas lurk everywhere. I thank you for reading and invite your comments.   Who will you thank today?

The Best Resume Writing Services

The Best Resume Writing ServicesHiring the best resume writing services military highway is extremely important to everyone who has to write a resume. You don't want to ruin your chances of getting a job simply because you did not get all the information you needed. This article will give you a brief rundown on the service that you should be using in order to ensure that you have all the information that you need before submitting your resume.When it comes to resumes, you always want to make sure that you are going to get the right one. This is especially true if you are applying for a job that requires you to do a lengthy interview. The military highway resume writing services is the perfect choice for such jobs.The military highway is one of the top ways to go about finding the right resume. It is also one of the most effective methods when it comes to ensuring that you will be able to get the information that you need without any problem. You will be able to get the information th at you need in just a matter of minutes. This means that you can get your resume submitted and out there immediately.If you take advantage of this service, you will be able to avoid the hassle of having to sit there for hours or even days waiting for an employee to answer your questions. This service is designed to ensure that you can get what you need as soon as possible. This means that you won't have to worry about getting lost in the shuffle.The best resume writing services is going to be the same service that is used by many people. You will be able to get your resume prepared in just a matter of minutes. This is going to allow you to move forward quickly and start getting interviews right away.Most people think that once they get a resume out there, it is done. This is not the case for the military highway resume writing services. You will want to make sure that you are going to keep your resume updated and to ensure that it gets updated regularly.With so many resumes in circu lation, you will want to make sure that you are going to be able to go through them and pick out the best one. You will also want to ensure that you are going to be able to quickly get a copy of your resume to the person that you are interviewing with. This is going to make it easy for you to get your resume into the hands of someone who will actually read it.The military highway is the perfect place to get a resume written properly. You can get a professional resume written in just a matter of minutes. This is a great way to make sure that you can get a resume to the person that you need to get to quickly.

Developing Your Personal Branding Story - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Developing Your Personal Branding Story - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today it’s not about just having an online presence, but rather how your personal brand is perceived. In order to create a trusted image it is important to develop a story around your message and design. How can your personal brand create a unique persona that stands out? Your brand story development will come from target market research, and a clear focus on where you want to see your business. In order to create loyal brand ambassadors you need to focus on the qualities of your company and how this benefits your community. Branding is all about meeting the needs of your prospects, and presenting a message that is original and compelling. There are several ways to attract followers to your personal brand through your story. Steps to Building Effective Brand Storytelling Creating an image online that shows the personal side of your personal brand starts with active engagement with your audience. Use these steps to better reach them: Craft a mission statement You can define your message even further in terms of expressing to your community who you are and what you stand for, and what you can do for them. This should all be included in your mission statement with a clear understanding of what your business is about. Provide a background or history People love to connect with brands on a personal level. Share stories about the inner workings of your company along with customer testimonials. As your audience can relate to you they will be more inclined to share what you have to offer. Stay active on social media You can use social media to learn more about your market, network with influencers, share important news and updates, announce new products and services, and expand your brand content. Active engagement on social media can improve your customer service. Remember that in social media the conversation goes on without you. Your brand will be perceived as trusted as you respond to your fans and followers. Developing a compelling story for your personal brand is a great way to connect more with influencers and leads. Draw in your target market with a personalized message that strongly represents your company’s mission and values.

New Years Resolution Volunteer

New Year’s Resolution Volunteer If your job search is going to extend into the new year, here’s a resolution that will make a difference:   look for a meaningful volunteer job. Volunteering always makes a difference, of course, in the community and for the people nonprofits serve.   It’s good to know that you can make a difference to others and make a difference in your job search at the same time. Here’s what I mean by a meaningful volunteer job.   First, make sure that the cause or the work inspires you.   It’s important that you feel connected to the work you do, whether it’s your profession or work you’re donating.   Without a connection to the mission, you may find it hard to stay committed.   Find an organization that does good work (there are many) and that seems to be well organized and well run (there are a few less of these.)   You’ll be able to tell pretty quickly by their offices and how easy it is to connect with staff to ask about volunteering. You want to work for an organization that will be able to keep you busy and doing work that matters. When choosing a volunteer opportunity, choose one that allows you to work at your highest level, using your professional skill set.   You’ll be making a more meaningful contribution, and you’ll also be keeping your skills sharp.  If you’re a financial professional, offer fundraising or auditing services.   If there is no opportunity for you to work with the organization’s finances, offer to teach basic financial skills to the community.   If you’re in marketing, sales, or a creative profession, organize events or work on publicity campaigns, fundraising, volunteer recruitment or the organization’s website or newsletter.   Help the executive director set up a blog or Facebook page. If you’re a management or operations professional, offer to write a procedures manual or evaluation system for volunteers, or organize files or storage facilities.   Nonprofits are stretched very thin, and they usually have a long list of projects they’d like to get to, but never have the time or resources to finish. Make sure you have a clear understanding with the organization about the terms of your volunteer employment.   Create a schedule that allows you to spend up to eight hours a week on projects but also allows you to pursue your job search and go to interviews when necessary.   Work that focuses on results, not hours, will give you the most flexibility.   Be clear about your timeline; you are volunteering until you find full time employment.   You are free to continue your support of the cause after you go back to work, but it may take the form of financial support or attending events rather than giving hours. Here are the benefits you’ll gain. You will fill in gaps on your resume with meaningful activity (that’s why you’ll want to use your professional experience on the volunteer job.) You’ll also earn the right to ask for a letter of reference from the organization.   You’ll be expanding your network of contacts   and fans, if you do a great job. And a final word about that â€" do a good job.   That means showing up on time, taking the job seriously, and doing your best work.   Volunteer work should be approached with the same passion and earnest effort that you’d bring to your next paid job.   The good karma you create may pay off in a great job offer this   year. Do you have a story about how volunteering made a difference in your job search?   Email me at cmoody@worksourcefl.com

How to Find a New Career

How to Find a New Career Are you daydreaming about how to find a new career? One that’s more fun or financially rewarding?When at work, do you often ask yourself, “Why do I keep working here?” or “When will I quit?” Do you often think about a job that makes you feel good at work each day?If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to look into how to find the best career for you. Each career situation is very different so there are many variables to think about before taking the plunge into a new career.A Few Things to Think AboutHere are a few things to think about before quitting your job or changing your career path to start a new one: What is it about my job that is causing me to find a new career? How much of a “nest egg” (of available money) do I have when I make the shift to a new career? Will I really be happier than I am now? Or can I fix what I have at my current one? What is it in my career or life am I willing to give up to start over?These aren’t easy question s to answer, and they’re definitely not questions to take lightly. It’s a good idea to ruminate on these questions to come up with authentic answers. If you do decide to make a career change, make sure you can stick with it long term.The Next ThingThe next thing is, “Do you know what career you want to pursue?” Maybe you already know what kind of work you want to do, but it’s often easy to see you want to find a new career. Yet, it’s not always easy to figure out which career you want to pursue.If It Happens to YouIf that happens then, this is a great time to ask yourself some very important questions that will guide you into a career path for which you are best suited:What are my strengths? What do my family and friends think I’m good at? What do I love doing? What kind of things do I enjoy so it doesn’t feel like work? What kinds of problems do I solve? Or how am I helpful? What do I do if I make less money? Is it worth it for me to take this risk?After Asking Your self These QuestionsAfter asking yourself these questions, you can brainstorm and write the answers down for each question. Take some time with this because the answers you come up with will help determine your path forward.When you have the answers to these questions sorted out, take some time to look for the overlapping answers to each question. The commonalities and overlapping answers will form a compass that will point you in the right direction to help you find a new career.Sometimes you can get caught up in the perfect answer to the questions about what you are great at doing or what you love to do. In that case, it’s best to ask yourself about your strength or weaknesses. Sometimes, you don’t know your strengths, what you are best at, or what positive traits you have.Surveying Those Who Know You BestIn that case, if you don’t know the answer to the question, take a survey of 10 people that know you the best and ask them to give you the answers to these questions. Evalu ate and find the most common strengths, and move forward with them as a factor in your search.If you are having a challenge identifying what the world needs or what problem you are solving, it’s important to evaluate the markets to determine if your solution is viable.This involves market research, asking pointed questions to potential customers or clients about their needs, and determining if you have a solution.Know Your CustomerIn short, it’s “Know Your Customer” but it also applies to careers where you know there is a solid, established, and proven customer base.If you firmly decide to change your career, you’re going to need to come up with some ideas about what you might want to do next. It’s likely you already have a few ideas, and you just need to evaluate the one and move forward. If you are unsure, rank the career ideas you like on a 1-10 scale. This also might help you clear it up.The most important part of this is to give a full commitment to whatever new car eer you choose. This is a huge change in your life, and you should be completely invested in this path before fully moving forward.FulfillmentThe key to a fulfilling life is a living a life you love to wake up to each day. When you find the best career for you, you will be primed to find more fulfillment in your day-to-day life.

11 Things You Should Know Before Applying for a Sales Position

11 Things You Should Know Before Applying for a Sales Position If you haven’t yet discovered your passion in life, then choosing a career path could be a bit challenging. That’s ok, not everyone has life figured out; you can explore till you find something that strikes a chord. However, don’t just jump a ship based on a hunch or because your friend said so.Whether you are a fresh graduate or someone looking to switch careers, it is imperative for you to do some research so that you know exactly what you are opting for.evalIf lately you have been thinking of having a career in sales, here is what you need to know before you take the leap.1. The money is goodevalA sales career is often attractive due to the money it can generate. However, the amount of money you can earn depends upon the product you are selling. According to Monster.com, if you want to earn a six figure income, then you should probably deal in services or high margin products sold to businesses.As per the website, consumer packaged goods, medical devices and digital sales ea rn the highest commissions. Your income also depends on your effort; depending on how much hard work you put in, you can earn either minimum wage or millions of dollars.2. You need to be a people’s personYou can only be a good salesperson if you are good at dealing with people and listening to them. Harvard Business Review regards empathy as a crucial characteristic of a good sales person.?An empathetic person is better able to interpret customers’ reactions and adjust sales pitch accordingly.3. You will have to deal with rejections â€" and a lot of them!While we all have to deal with rejection at some point or the other, sales people have to face it almost on a daily basis. So if you are someone who can get easily demotivated by rejection, you should reconsider your decision. You can only thrive in sales, if you take no’s as a pathway to yeses.4.You will be independentThe best part about a sales job is perhaps that it gives you autonomy. Your company will assign you a target and it will be up to you how you achieve that goal. Companies do have a sales pipeline template that you might have to follow. However, at the end of the month, your company will be only concerned with whether or not you achieved the target.5.Job securityevalevalRegardless of how the economy is performing, sales jobs are always in demand because they drives business. So even if there is a recession, companies need to sell their products and for that they need people. Also, since turnover rate of sales jobs is typically higher, there is always demand for sales people. Plus, once you develop sales skills, you can easily switch industries.6. Long working hoursA sales job is nothing like the traditional 9 to 5 job. Work hours can be long and unpredictable. Since sales people are directly in contact with the company’s clients, they have to operate according to the clients’ schedule, which means they have to make room for unexpected meetings and appointments. The plus side, however, i s that you don’t have to follow a strict schedule. You can manage your own time. So, apply for a sales job only if working flexible and odd hours sounds reasonable to you.7.CompensationWorking hours may be long. However, they do come with a lot benefits. Apart from high salaries and fat commissions that sales people get, they are also entitled to other compensations such as a company car, cell phone and fuel compensation.?8.It can be stressfulEven though the rewards are high, there is a lot of uncertainty involved in the job because your pay is not fixed. Your earnings are largely dependent on the commissions you get, which in turn are dependent on the sales you make.eval?So, in the case when the economy is slow or your company is not performing well, you might not be able to achieve your target. However, you can counter this factor by saving up when you are performing well.9. Growth opportunitiesThe skill set you develop with a sales job makes it easier for you to progress. If yo u are a successful sales person, you can easily become a sales manager and then a regional manager and so on and so forth. Apart from that, a sales job also improves your confidence and public speaking skills.?Moreover, the more people you meet, the more your network grows. So in case you want to set up your business in the future, these benefits will pay off.10.It is funOften working people complain of monotony in their lives, but with a sales job every day is a new day.?If you love what you to do, then each day will be exciting since you will get to meet new people and devise new ways to increase sales. Other than that, huge financial rewards, flexible hours and travelling add to the thrill.11.It gives you a sense of satisfactionThe sales department is an integral part of the company that is responsible for its growth or failure. Since you will be contributing to such an important part, closing a deal or increasing sales gives you a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.A sales jo b has an entrepreneurial touch to it; you earn what you put in. So, if you are giving your 100% to a deal, you know you will be getting the reward in the form of commission.There are always pros and cons attached to every career choice, but you need to do a cost-benefit analysis to see what is best for you. A sales career can be quite rewarding if you are a right fit.If you think you are someone who hates a monotonous life and loves variety and interaction with people, then you should apply for a sales job. Remember, you will only succeed at something if you enjoy doing it.

Getting Back to Work After Raising a Child - CareerAlley

Getting Back to Work After Raising a Child - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Taking care of children requires a lot of time and effort, and many parents have to stop careers for a certain period of time to raise their children. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 56.5 percent of mothers with infants are in the labor force, and the number rises to 63.9 percent for mothers with children aged below 6 and more than 70 percent for those with children below 18. This means that mothers are likelier to get back to work as their children become older. If you are planning to return to work after taking extended leave to take care of your child or children, you are bound to face some challenges. Being away from work for a long time may make you lose touch with the working world, and constant worries about your children can affect your ability to stay focused at work. So, how do you get back to work successfully after raising a child? Choose the Right Career Many stay-at-home moms and dads decide to resume the careers they had before they took time off to raise their children. This may not be the best option for you, because you have developed new knowledge and skills, and grown as a person while you were raising your child or children. With a different outlook on life and new priorities, you may find another career more appealing. In order to select the right career, you need to take many factors into consideration, including salary, work hours, commuting requirements, job role, type of organization, work environment, professional development, career advancement opportunities, personal fulfillment and others. Make a list of all the factors that can influence your career choice, ranking them in order of importance. Update Your Resume Since you have been away from the workforce for a long time, there will be a big gap on your resume. A work history gap can hurt your chances of getting hired, and you need to fill it as best as you can. If you have done any work or attended any event that is related to the job you are applying for, you should include it in your resume. Examples of activities you can list in your resume include home-based or freelance work, part-time work, volunteer work, courses, conferences and others. If you cannot come up with anything relevant, you may want to consider taking a class to update your knowledge and skills. Learn about the Latest Trends Trends and practices can change dramatically in just a few years, and the knowledge and skills you have may not be as relevant as before. In order to return to the workforce successfully, you have to learn about the latest trends and practices in the industry you wish to enter. You can do so by getting in touch with people who are in the industry through social media, taking courses, attending trade shows and conferences, and reading the latest blog posts and news about the industry. By following the tips above and maintaining a high level of confidence, you can improve the odds that you will land your dream job and be a successful careerist and a great parent at the same time. Career Tip of the Day: Suggested Reading: We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Tenacity in the job hunt - does it define you -

Tenacity in the job hunt - does it define you - This post is inspired by my cat. She knows how to go after what she wants. Yesterday, I made the mistake of putting down a mug of milk while I continued to work. She went after it. I said, no, and moved the mug to the other side of the desk. She went slinking around the other side of me to try to dive into that mug. Again, I moved the cup, this time covering it with a book so she couldnt put her nose in it. Undeterred, she promptly saw what needed to be done to move the book for access to the milk. I finally needed to return the drink to the refrigerator. (That is not my cat in the picture, but it might as well be!) If you are looking for a job, would you call yourself tenacious? Dictionary.com defines it as: teâ‹…naâ‹…cious  [tuh-ney-shuhs] adjective 1. holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often fol. by of): a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits. 2. highly retentive: a tenacious memory. 3. pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate. 4. adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous. 5. holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough. I guess, as far as my cat goes, glutinous is a good fit, but I think focusing on pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate is a better definition for our purposes discussing job search! What can you do? Are you really going after what you want? Or, are you approaching your job hunt with the spine of a wet noodle? Do you think you cant make an impact on the results of your search? I make a practice of telling my clients that they DO drive their own career bus. It is up to you to take the wheel. (More details about this HERE.) Read here to learn how to stand out in a sea of sameness and here to see how following up can keep you top of mind. Seize control of what you can! Dont be a victim of circumstances. Drive your own career bus! No one wants to hire someone who has thrown in the towel. If you havent changed the way you are driving through your career or job search, what is holding you back? While youre at it, be sure to become a  fan of Keppie Careers on FacebookId be thrilled to have you as part of the community! If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans,  learn more about how I can help you! photo by 30D