The Best Gifts for Job Seekers

The Best Gifts for Job SeekersThe Best Gifts for Job SeekersHave you finished your holiday shopping, or are you still searching for the perfect gift for a friend or relative who is looking for a job? Its never too late to select a thoughtful gift for the job seeker in your life. Whether your friend or family member is a new college graduate, an unhappy careerist who covets a new job or an unemployed baby boomer, there are many great gifts that will be perfect for someone who is wishing for a new position in the new year.Start with these ideas and share your own in the comments.A gift certificate for a job search coach and/or a rsum makeover. Many people remain unemployed or have a tough time finding something new because they dont understand how to create appropriate job search materials. Looking for a job is a skill most people dont use very often, so the majority of the population isnt particularly good at it. Coaches who stay in the know about the job market understand how to crea te marketing materials that appeal to employers. If you know someone who has been looking for a long time, its very likely he or she has a poor rsum or isnt focusing on the correct path to a new job. A coach can help.Tools of the trade. Does your job seeker have the technology needed to land a job faster? A computer loaded with software needed to create rsums to send to employers is a key tool. A smartphone or tablet can also be helpful.Bag or portfolio. Its always nice to have a well-appointed bag to carry a computer and other materials needed when youre out for a day of networking or interviewing. Something professional can help provide an extra boost of confidence. Look for special touches, such as pockets for key items like business cards so they dont get lost at the bottom of the bag. A nice portfolio to carry to meetings can also be a great gift.Watch. Even though its easy to see the time on a smartphone, a fashionable watch can be a great accessory and useful for the job seek er. Lets face it its awkward to pick up your phone in the middle of an informational interview to check the time a quick, surreptitious glance at a watch is not obtrusive or distracting.Coffee shop gift cards. Its nice to get out of the house, and coffee shops are locales of choice for many job seekers who want to be out and about while checking online for the latest opportunities. A gift card to cover at least a few lattes is likely to be welcomed.A new look. Clothing or a visit to a salon for a makeover can be helpful for the cash-strapped job seeker, or for someone who hasnt had a haircut in two years. We dont like to admit that people judge us based on how we look, but theres no question an updated look, including stylish clothing, polished shoes and a modern haircut can help the skilled job seeker get to the next step.New skills. fruchtwein people can benefit from a class that helps them learn new skills. Whether you gift a job-related course or select a fun opportunity to exp lore or continue a hobby either an online class or an in-person learning opportunity that may double as a chance to network a gift of new skills is a great choice for job seekers.A night out. If your gift is for someone who has been out of work or saving money for some time, an enjoyable evening out is especially welcome. A gift card for a favorite restaurant, movie passes, concert tickets or something along those lines can be a great gift.Give a gift that keeps on giving. If you have even a small part in helping someone find a new job, theyll always remember it.

Generation Xers are driving Millennials crazy in the workplace

Generation Xers are driving Millennials crazy in the workplaceGeneration Xers are driving Millennials crazy in the workplaceAs an member of Generation X, Ive worked with and managed many Millennials. And there are times when knowing a little about each generation, has helped me to understand a colleague.When generalizing about any group, its first necessary to recognize that not everybody in any particular group acts like everyone else. There is often just as much variation within in each group, as there is between groups.However, because generations come of age and enter the workforce around the same time, members of each generation often share similar experiences. And these shared experiences often shape perceptions and work-style.So first off, who is in each generation?Baby Boomerborn 1943 to 1960 (aged 55-72 today)Gen-Xer born 1961 to 1981 (aged 34 to 54 today)Millennial born 1982-2002 (aged 13 to 33 today)To understand an Xer, the first thing to know, is that Xers, grew up in a largely hands-off culture. Every generation for the past century has grown up with less and less self-autonomy. For an interesting article describing change over four generations, check outHow children lost right roam.Boomers and Xers had pretty similar levels of freedom growing up. Kids could safely be out of sight of their parents for long periods of time. Many Xers wereLatchkeykids. In contrast, Millennials, due to the technological ease of staying in contact, and changing Parenting norms, often werent out of their Parents sight until their teenage years.Millennials also grew up with a lot more encouragement than Xers. And as a result, Millennials generally feel more comfortable voicing their opinion. Even when they just start a job.For instance, one Millennial I worked with, just got through training, and was asked by a Senior VP what they thought of the training program.The Millennial, either not knowing or not caring who was asking the question, quickly answered, It was boring .To which the VP replied, I wrote it. And then, Who again, are you?So, likeAnya Deasonwrites below, dont talk too much until you know what you are talking about, and who you are talking to. Xers tend to believe people need to pay their dues before voicing opinions.A few other tips for working togetherXers tend to be more independent. So, when working with a Xer, dont be surprised or offended if they choose to work alone.An Xer manager is not going to act like a Helicopter parent. Xers tend to be entrepreneurial thinkers and results-oriented, so they may not tell you how to do every step of the job.Xers tend to be hands-off, low face-time managers. So when working for an Xer, ask them to clearly define their expectations.Millennials are often cheekily called the Everybody Gets A Trophy generation. Few Xers were regularly praised growing up. So, when working with an Xer manager, dont expect a lot of praise.When you do receive a compliment from an Xer, youve done an great job.Dont take Xers skepticism personally. Xers grew up questioning everything. Expect them to give the pros and the cons to even the best of ideas.This column first appeared on Quora.Mira Zaslove is a product manager at Cisco.

Blockchain, Bitcoin, cryptocurrency and all the things we think we know, but are probably faking

Blockchain, Bitcoin, cryptocurrency and all the things we think we know, but are probably fakingBlockchain, Bitcoin, cryptocurrency and all the things we think we know, but are probably fakingEthereum. Ripple. Dash. No, these arent the titles of dystopian novels or proposed names for future Kardashian offspring, along with Bitcoin, these are some of the forms of digital currency that fall under the umbrella term of cryptocurrency.Crypto-what? On the simplest level, cryptocurrency is a digital asset used as money which uses cryptography to secure transactions according to Paul Armstrong, Founder of hereforth.com. So, why are people so fascinated with the new currencies? In the early days of the internet, brands like Flooz and Beanz tried to create new payment methods that circumvented traditional dollars and cents models.The transparency propositionUnlike the money weve always used, cryptocurrencies arent controlled by big banks. So, instead of the Federal Reserve keeping an eye out ( or guaranteeing things), cryptocurrency relies on the transparency proposition of something called Blockchain, which ostensibly provides the ability for anyone to monitor the action without the ability for any individual to manipulate or change the process. Or, at least, thats the premise.A short Blockchain timelineBlockchains origin is somewhat steeped in mystery but it is commonly agreed that it first appeared in 2008 and was created by an individual or group that known as Satoshi Nakamoto, Armstrong explained. (Nakamoto is also credited with creating Bitcoin). At first, Blockchain was used to create secure transactions for Bitcoin. There are now hundreds of different types of Bitcoin available along with the original Bitcoin.While Bitcoin receives the lion-share of coverage (due to volatile market and rising valuation), Blockchain remains the most interesting element thanks to its flexibility and potential to completely alter industries from food traceability to voting, legal con tracts to copyright infringement, Armstrong said.More about BlockchainBlockchain technology enables decentralization, said Amanda Gutterman, Chief Marketing Officer at ConsenSys. Cryptocurrencies, like Ether and Bitcoin, are securely exchanged peer-to-peer over a decentralized network of nodes. The infrastructure that maintains the transparent ledger of transactions is not subject to human manipulation and works automatically, without human intervention.This means that individuals and groups can establish a shared source of truth about who owns what and what transactions have been made.And it isnt just about currency. While the first use case of a Blockchain was with Bitcoin, which Gutterman described as the experiment in monetary theory, she explained that Blockchain is used with many other types of transactions that happen in a market such as land title and document registration, the donation and disbursement of charitable offerings, exchanges between neighbors of solar energy, an d the remuneration of artists for their work directly from fans. The list goes on and on.Armstrong believes that Blockchain remains the most interesting element thanks to its flexibility and potential to completely alter industries from food traceability to voting, legal contracts to copyright infringement. The foundational technology (i.e. other things can be built on top of it) is based around trust and accountability - both incredibly powerful attributes that a number of industries are looking to increase due to a variety of factors.What about the bad guys?Some believe cryptocurrencies were originally created by shadowy types to launder monies earned through nefarious activities. Armstrong explained that Bitcoin is an unregulated and decentralized currency which means bad people can use it to bad things easier than other methods.Besides this issue, any money that is not going into the economy and banks, will be seen as a threat by governments and banks (although a lot are invest ing and exploring the technology) to investments, stocks and stability. There is also the issue of taxation to consider - while every transaction is recorded incomplete transactions are essentially invisible and although rules are being drawn up, right now there is a lot being gotten away with.Thumbs down from BuffettDespite cryptocurrency being worth billions in trade internationally, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffet isnt particularly impressed with it. Buffett recently told CNBC, In terms of cryptocurrencies, generally, I can say with almost certainty that they will come to a bad ending. Buffet also declared the new forms of money to be a mirage and explained that its simply another way of transmitting money.Armstrong clarified that the danger of cryptocurrency is that people lose money because of volatile markets and forces moving within those markets.He further explained Due to the largely unregulated nature of the new economy and existing large Bitcoin owners (known as Wha les), the Bitcoin markets remain volatile and unpredictablealthough the trends are going up although many consider Bitcoin a bubble and a ordnungsprinzip built on nothing.The reason to careFor true believers though, Blockchain and its offshoots offer the purest form of currency.Gutterman said, Most applications of blockchain technology beyond the sending and storage of money you hear about are being built on the Ethereum platform, and most of the time people say blockchain what they really mean is Ethereum.The reason to care is that Ethereum is changing how control and power work in our world, and putting the user back in charge of his or her data and identity, reputation, assets, and experience of using internet tools and applications. Instead of decisions being made by powerful groups of people in back rooms, decisions on open-source blockchain software are made transparently.The rules of the game are visible to everyone equally, Gutterman added. Ethereum is the substrate upon whi ch a world can be built that is more transparent, efficient, and just.

7 Career Lessons That Double as Good Life Advice - The Muse

7 Career Lessons That Double as Good Life Advice - The Muse7 Career Lessons That Double as Good Life AdviceHere at The Muse, we talk a lot about careers. (I know, thats stating the obvious.)The thing is, if you really think about it, a lot of the advice we give can be applied to any situation. After all, work and life arent all that separate from one another. Many of the lessons you learn from your job can shape your personal life, and vice versa.Thats why weve rounded up seven career articles that double as good life advice- because yes, you should love what you do for eight hours of your day, but you should also love the life you live in the rest of those hours. 1. Theres No Such Thing as the Right DecisionYou make tons of decisions each and every day. And feeling like you have a tiny devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, both weighing in on every major choice and insignificant call- like whether you should order an iced coffee or iced tea- is exhausting. Stop overanalyz ing all the small decisions you make in a day and instead lean on how you feel and what you know to be true. You cant go wrong that way.Read More Good News for People Who Overanalyze Everything Right Decisions Dont Exist2. Clear Communication Is the Key to a Successful RelationshipThat goes for colleagues and bosses as well as friends, romantic partners, and family members. Miscommunication happens all the time both in the workplace and beyond it. But you can fix that once you start speaking confidently and directly. Read More 5 Habits of Truly Amazing Communicators3. Nobody Knows What Theyre Doing 100% of the TimeNo matter how much you stay organized and think ahead, youll never be fully prepared for what life throws your way- whether its a tricky client or company restructuring, or an apartment flood or parenting issue. Lifes unpredictable and imperfect. Theres no need to have it all figured out- nobody does. Read More How to Get Over I Have No Idea What Im Doing Syndrome4. You Do nt Need to Take Everyones Advice to HeartSure, you should be open to feedback. But that doesnt mean youre going to agree with all of it- or even that you have to implement it. Everyones going to have different advice for how you should manage your team, run a meeting, or where you should take your career. Or, they might weigh in with their opinions about your cleaning habits, hobbies, or relationships. The key is to take that input into consideration and make the call thats best for you. Read More Heres Exactly What to Do When Someone Gives You Feedback You Disagree With5. Writing Can Help You Out of a SlumpIf you feel like youre caught in a career rut- or any rut for that matter- freewriting can help you out of it. It works because there are no expectations for what you write, what you think, or how you feel. Its about processing your internal monologue on paper so you can get a better handle on where youre feeling stuck.Read More How to Freewrite Your Way Out of a Career Slump (Ev en if Youre Not a Writer)6. Youre Allowed to Leave Behind Things That Dont Fulfill YouSometimes certain things look and feel rosier in your imagination than in reality. As you experience new things in your life, you might be surprised to find that your interests lie elsewhere. Its OK to change course, and its OK if you leave behind something that you once valued or loved.Read More Its OK if What You Thought Would Make You Happy Didnt7. Nothing You Do Is a WasteLost friendships and relationships arent a waste of time. Neither was your last job or your failed side project. In fact, it was probably the stepping stone you needed to get to where you are now. Consider how far youve come, instead. Youve gained so much because of those things youve lost- remember to focus on that. Read More 3 Reasons That Job Wasnt a Waste of Time, Even if Your Current Ones Completely DifferentYour career and life are more intertwined than you think. So, dont forget to consider all that tried and true caree r advice when making decisions outside the office, too.

Top Sales Resume Template Tips!

Top abverkauf Resume Template Tips The Pain of sale Resume Template Ultimately, its about hard work and framing. To compose a very first class resume you want to make it predominantly results oriented and concentrate on your achievements and contributions during your career. You have a couple seconds to produce an impression with your resume, so you wish to ensure youre hitting all the correct targets. Also show youre a well-rounded worker. The Ultimate Approach to Sales Resume Template Job seekers deserve to locate decent content quickly. Whatever industry youre in your resume needs the right language and format to produce an effect. You are able to discover a number of them in the work description. Applying for a sales job should take some time, but nevertheless, it shouldnt enable you to stress. A great sales professional is continually seeking to upgrade their knowledge cousine and boost their abilities. Find out more about the business and industry and try to pinpoin t which of the bullet pointed items appear to be absolutely the most important. You should also speak about past experience. The medical industry can be quite competitive. The writing samples dont will need to get published but having an on-line presence where people can view your work is always helpful in regards to standing out among a pool of numerous qualified candidates. So before you begin writing, make some notes on your intended companies and what theyre searching for. You would never attempt to sell a product without knowing your intended audience and the exact same applies to your resume. Most people know the qualities and benefits of an item and what the differences are. The Battle Over Sales Resume Template and How to Win It Hence, its very vital for sales employees to understand how to speak to people based on how they wish to get treated for them to assure you the sales they are supposed to supply to the provider. Sales is much like customer service as salespeo ple can be effective in a variety of industries. I love the work youve done and I now sales how a pro like you may take a fairly fantastic sales to whole different level. A sales resume should incorporate some type of business educational background. If you wish to learn more about the items listed in the resume of a particular status in the area of sales, you can browse through our Sales Associate Resumes. Discover how to compose an expert sales consultant resume. Real estate is a rather lucrative industry so its obviously a competitive one. Resumes purchasing and advertising databases. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Its stressful enough trying to find a new job. Virtually every job posting is pretty exact in what they are searching for. If youre attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Our resume builder gives you tips and examples about how to compose your resume summary. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. In that case, the following resume sample is going to be a great guide for writing your own. Writing marketing resumes is simple, if you utilize the right format and fashion of writing a resume. One more thing you could do is to be certain to have all pertinent information handy. At the base of the page you may read some advice for the work interview and how is the ideal way to approach it. Additionally, it is sensible to show you can be merely one of the guys and gals. So, you have to choose the best among the rest.

She Waited 6 Months To Work For BuzzFeed And Its The Best Job Shes Had In 11 Years

She Waited 6 Months To Work For BuzzFeed And Its The Best Job Shes Had In 11 Years Liz Grillo, a Mobile Quality Assurance Engineer, just celebrated herbei first year at BuzzFeed. She may have waited 6 months for the position to open to apply, but says its the best job that shes had in 11 years. The PowerToFly talent spoke with us about her experience working remotely from her home in Buenos Aires, Argentina.How would you describe a typical work day?I do my job at home, where I feel comfortable and calm. Some people prefer to go to bars with Wi-Fi or co-working places, but I prefer to be in a quiet place. I wake up and jump on Slack, the chat service that we use. At the same time, I check Jira, our issue tracking tool, to see if theres something to start working on. Our sprints last two weeks. We have a week to check cards and fix bugs and a week to do the regression. I generally know what to expect throughout the day.What advice would you give other women interested in working remote ly?If you really want the job, be patient. I had to wait 6 months until a QA position welches available to apply, but this is the best job Ive had in 11 years. It welches worth the wait When you have the job, the company needs to feel like youre there, even though youre notlage physically in the same place. Good communication matters. Be clear and also report what youre doing, even when your manager doesnt ask. Sometimes leaders are so busy that they dont have the time to check in, but they will eventually find a moment to read your message and know what youve been working on.Do you have any strategies for staying efficient outside of an office? What tools do you use?Communication is really important to me. I try to be as proactive as I can. I communicate all the time with my manager. I try to keep him posted on everything. If I have a problem, I say it. I have no shame. If everything is OK, I say that too. Having communication with the rest of the team really helps to keep the conc ept of team work alive.What are the biggest challenges about working remotely? How have you overcome them?Sometimes (but not often) I miss having people around. But honestly, when I do the math, I realize that I love working quietly at home. When I feel that way, I try to go out and hang out with friends after my workday is complete.Even though I know how to speak English, when I initially had to communicate with people in a language that is not my native one, I had to improve my writing skills. I had to become clearer and mora concise. This was a positive thing for me. I like English, so it wasnt a problem for me try to get better at it.Courtesy of LizGrilloHow do you spend your time outside of work?Im passionate about traveling, writing and drawing. I also enjoy being outside with nature and playing sports??especially swimming, running, walking and trekking. I love meeting new people and talking with everyoneWhats one detail that fruchtwein people dont know about you?Even though I work in tech, I studied anthropology and almost have a degree in the field. I have two final tests and Im done Anthropology actually helped me in tech, especially when it comes to relationships, communications skills and working in quality assurance (QA). It helps me walk in the users shoes. Ive been studying tech on my own for 11 years. As the industry evolves, I continue to learn.What do you like best about working with PowerToFly?Many things Working remotely allows me to avoid public transportation. This was big plus for me Public transportation usually stresses me out, especially at rush hour. Im able to sleep better and for longer, so during the day Im less tired and more productive. In other jobs that I had before, I could work from home one day per week, but working remotely every day is another thing. This is fun Its really improved my people skills, and Ive acquired more knowledge in the mobile field, which I can add to my resume.My job also requires me to speak and write in English. You really learn a language when you use it, so this is an excellent opportunity to do that. Im able to speak with talented people (who are mostly women) from many other countries, which is a dream for an almost anthropologist We all share what we know to help each other. My team is amazingI also have more time for me. Because Im not traveling to an office every day and am sleeping well, I have more time to study and to do other things that I couldnt do when working in an office. One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an archi tects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study c onducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to t he Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next platzdeckchen of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71, 067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Vital Questions Top CEOs Ask Their Teams Constantly

Vital Questions Top CEOs Ask Their Teams ConstantlyVital Questions Top CEOs Ask Their Teams ConstantlyAs a CEO or one of your companys top leaders, there are manyways you can go about determining if your business is on track. But when it comes to understanding productivity, as in how productive your people are relative to the results theyre creating, the last thing you want is to go on a wild goose chase trying to find out whats working and whats not. Fortunately, there are some vital questions you can ask to get razor-sharp clarity on your organizations productivity. The answers to unterstellung five questions will help you Improve goal-settingMake more empowered decisions about your companys strategic directionDiscover how to more effectively lead and inspire performance. Asking these questions is a proven practice that disciplined leaders do regularly. They do this purposefully, creating a winning culture, where everyone feels inspired, productive, and rewarded relative to what ma tters most. Here is a list of the questions? Do I Have the Right Talent? The very best leaders are purposefully and strategically surrounding themselves with talented kollektivs of people. These carefully chosen individuals possess skills and innate gifts that surpass those of their leaders. These employees are working alongside their leaders and behind the scenes, driving productivity, profitability, and overall success. Part of your responsibility to lead your team requires finding the very best talent and helping them achieve their full potential. You must also choose those who have the capacity to deliver according to job requirements and exude openness to learning and growth when asked or required. In terms of having the right talent, its also extremely important to hire who is right. Studies have shown that 80 percent of turnover is directly tied to bad hiring decisions- and turnover is expensive In fact, for some companies, hiring mistakes commonly cost hundreds of thousa nds of dollars. Do We Have Goal Clarity? Starting with you and then moving out to the front-lines of your business, determine whether everyone has a good grasp of their major goals. Look for opportunities to pull employees aside and ask What are your goals? or How are you performing against your goals? If individuals struggle with articulating their goals, perhaps describing activities they are doing instead, youve got your answer They are not clear on their goals. View this moment of truth as an opportunity to take corrective actionto get your team focused on clear objectives. Goal clarity is vital to your organizations success. In our experience cultures that embrace a Whats the goal? mindset are more productive. In fact, weve seen companies once slacking in productivity make leaps in progress by simply asking this question consistently. Its powerful Do We Have Goal Alignment? Assuming everyone at your business has clear goals, explore whether the goals for different depar tments are aligned or opposed to each other. For example, ifa core goal is to reduce overtime across the firm and in response you cut customer services hours, it is likely that customer satisfaction will decrease as the complaints increase. This is a classic case of goal misalignment. High performing companies and leaders work hard to ensure goal alignment. Are We Holding People Accountable? Real accountability requires sheer discipline if it is going to work. Its not easy, but the effort and short-lived pain are worth the gain. In fact, this discipline is essential to achieve the goals of the company. You must drive accountability down through the organization to fully impact it. Regularly scheduled meetings where performance gets reported and measured is an excellent approach to get every team member on the same page and focused on the right goals. These meetings also provide insight into whats working and what isnt, who needs coaching, and, ultimately, who is engaged and not engaged. How Are We Performing Against the Competition? The very best organizations know their competition inside and out. They use this information to spot opportunities and make critical decisions about what direction to take their business and how to increase productivity by developing and supporting their people differently. Knowing your competition gives you an opportunity to create a competitive advantage. Ask your team to explore how theyd feel if they could do something new or different relative to the competition. Then inspire their productivity, giving your employees the freedom and support necessary for developing cutting-edge solutions that align with your company goals. The Bottom Line Questions are a powerful teaching tool for leaders. By asking the right questions, your team develops an understanding of what you view as important, promoting clarity and focus. While there is a nearly endless supply of questions you can ask, the five described in this article pr omotes focus on the issues that drive employee productivity and performance. Use them in great business health Updated by Art Petty

Almost 2 in 3 workers fantasize every day about leaving their job

Almost 2 in 3 workers fantasize every day about leaving their jobAlmost 2 in 3 workers fantasize every day about leaving their jobMany of us go to work wishing we were somewhere else. According to a new Monster.com survey highlighted by Moneyish, almost two in three workers have daily daydreams about getting a different job. These are recurring fantasies. In the survey of 993 U.S. employees, 64% of workers have daily daydreams about working elsewhere, while 27% of workers return to this dream once a week. What daydreams reveal about your career identityIf you are having daily daydreams at work, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Daydreaming does not mean you are a ditz if you can control when and how you do it, it can enhance your creative brainpower. Daydreamers who let their mind wander in their daily lives were more open to different experiences, according to one study. When you are open to where your mind takes you, you can help new ideas take root in your brain. Letting your m ind wander during boring tasks is proven to help us on creative tasks. But if you are consumed by detailed fantasies about giving your two weeks notice and walking out the door, unterstellung daydreams could be a signal that you need a new job, or you need to work harder to make your current one more fulfilling. According to people who have made the leap to second careers, the best time to switch jobs is when you stop learning. If you spend more time daydreaming about a new job, and less time thinking about your actual job, this could be push you need to make a change with your career. You can help your fantasy become a reality if you give it a concrete game plan How primed are you to make that change? Is it a slam dunk, or will it require some re-creation? How about your finances? Do you have the money to spend an extended time in the transition process without income, or do you need to keep a steady stream flowing? career coach Curt Rosengren advises. These are all hard questions you need to ask yourself before your daydream can shape itself into your desired reality.

Why Curiosity Is Your Job Search Secret Weapon

Why Curiosity Is Your Job Search Secret WeaponWhy Curiosity Is Your Job Search Secret Weapon6You might discover hidden opportunities.Ever wonder what your neighbor does for a living? Take the time to ask, and you just might find a great new addition to your network. Think that bedrngnisable exec you admire would never be open to an informational interview? Theres no harm in extending a heartfelt invitation and seeing what happens. Curious people act on their inquisitive nature and open themselves to the possibilities that may follow.Youll come across as interested, not needy.Job seekers often make others uncomfortable. Neediness scares people off because they fear not being able to help, and nobody likes to disappoint. Curiosity sets a different tone.Im a huge advocate of curiosity or, in my language, research, being the very basis of discovering a position . . . or even have one discover you says Darrell Gurney, founder of CareerGuy.comand author ofNever Apply for a Job Again Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest.Through research, you connect with someone in a field of your passion and get known by them based on your curiosity. If you look needy, they wont be as apt to meet with you because nobody wants to be in a position to say no. Yet, if you simply show up as genuinely interested in something, and they are as tickled aboutthe thing youre interested in as you are (aka, an expert in it), then you meet with them on the playing field of passion. People always, in the end, want to work with people they know and like. Through the curiosity/research method, you get known by people and stay top of mind if and when opportunities arise.Youll shine in interviews.Genuine enthusiasm gets a hiring managers attention. Curious candidates learn all they can about a company because they truly want to know about this potential employer. Their homework pays off by being able to hold their own in meaningful conversation. They also gain the foundation to generate thought ful questions that help them stand out from other applicants.Youll diversify efforts.Lastly, curious job seekers open their minds to alternate routes to employment. Theyre more apt to check out a career fair for the heck of it or take up a friends offer to provide an introduction at a networking event. They might try different social media platforms, sign up for a service such as , or make use of a career coachs free introductory evaluation because new possibilities excite them. While the ultimate goal is a new job, they can turn the often lengthy and mundane process of hunting into a morale-boosting adventure of discoveryReaders, do you find curiosity is your job search secret weapon? How does it work for you?