#Leadership : #Negotiating – How to #Negotiate Anything–From People Who have Done It ….From Asking for a #Raise to Getting to a #FlexibleWorkSchedule or a #Sabbatical , we Got Advice from People Who Have Successfully Gotten What they Asked For.

/in /by

Part of business–no matter what type you’re in–is bargaining and asking for what you want, deserve, and need. From going after opportunities to making a case for a raise–or requesting the ability to work from Bali–in a fierce, competitive landscape, standing up for yourself is an often undermined soft skill.

If there’s a part of your current gig that you want to change, consider these negotiation tips from people who have been there, won that:

It is always a bummer to find a company that captivates you with its mission but isn’t hiring. Instead of turning your attention to other pursuits and hoping an opening will will come up, why not pitch yourself? That’s exactly what Daniel Clark did when he discovered Brain.fm. The company didn’t have a budget for a developer, but he was convinced of the company’s potential, so he bargained to prove to them why his skills were needed. And the kicker? He did it for free: “I asked myself what was the ‘win-win’ I could find–what could I give up to eventually get what I want? I came to the conclusion the best way to do it was to give up my salary, and I did just that. I worked the first month for free and knew that if I showed what I could do they would keep me on, worst case, I lose a month salary,” he explained. Considering he’s now the CEO of the company, the risk was worth the wager.

Related: How To Pitch A Role That Doesn’t Exist (Yet)

Understandably not everyone can quit their current gig and lose out on a paycheck, but Clark says there is still a way to state your case and prove it. The first–and most important step–is to come prepared and open-minded. When you’re vying for a job opening that isn’t technically available, he says the worst case scenario is a “no”–so prove to them why you’re a “yes.” Negotiation simply is a process aimed at reaching an agreement between two parties. Usually it has to be successful for both people, and can’t be tipped in anyone’s favor.

Like this Article ?  Share It !You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing  Participates Worldwidein our various Social Media formats below:

FSC LinkedIn Network:   www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

HOW TO NEGOTIATE REMOTE WORK

As the freelancing population continues to increase, the requirement of an office space decreases. More solopreneurs are taking their gigs around the world, where only strong Wi-Fi is required to meet deadlines and maintain cash flow. Even so, it takes a shift in thinking for most managers. So when the director of administration and marketing at the Player Progression Academy (PPA), Annie Gavett, was offered the opportunity to globe-trot for a year, she had to figure out a way to make it work. Her former employer declined her request, but PPA was open, since Gavett was honest from the get-go about about her needs. After explaining the ins and outs of the program, sending them a proposal, a few phone calls and in-person interview, they agreed to let her work from anywhere. Though her contract initially featured a lower salary, after four months of hard work, she asked for–and received–a raise. These days, she has two employees who report to her, too.

The key to her success? Gavett says it’s all about self-advocating. “Stand up for yourself. Verbalize your wants and needs. But also have the facts to support why you’re asking for X, Y, and Z. Ask for more than you want and need, and be willing to negotiate down from a higher base,” she adds.

HOW TO NEGOTIATE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE

You’ve heard of folks who take sabbaticals after the loss of a loved one, a tumultuous divorce, or another emotional or physically tasking experience. But what if you just want to take a break? After years of working as an attorney at a large law firm in Manhattan, Stacey Trimmer managed to negotiate a 10-month leave of absence to see the world. After expressing her need to have freedom, she spoke with a partner who–to her surprise–was fully supportive of her idea. “After our discussion, I walked immediately to the associate personnel director’s office to explain my request and was able to say I already had this partner’s backing,” she continued. “She asked for details on when I wanted to leave and return, and the next day I had confirmation that the firm had approved.”

Related: How To Convince Your Boss To Let You Take A Sabbatical

If you’re bargaining for any period of “pause” from your job, Trimmer says it is important to demonstrate and prove your worth over time. That way, when you’re ready to ask for a short (or long) stint away from day-to-day responsibilities, they are willing to hold your position. “It wasn’t just luck that the firm allowed me to take the leave of absence. The reason was that I had produced excellent work for five years and built a lot of trust in several partners and senior associates that were willing to support me,” she added.

HOW TO NEGOTIATE YOUR RATE

As a freelancer, you’re not only your own boss, but often your own accountant, client services executive, psychologist–and the list goes on. As new opportunities come across your inbox, you’re tasked with the sometimes grueling and tricky process of naming your rate. For Jonathan Rick, an entrepreneur and ghostwriter, earning what he is worth was less about negotiation and more about remaining steadfast. While considering taking on a digital-marketing project, he explained the value of the experience and expertise he would bring to the project, when they attempted to lower the rate. “I wasn’t defensive or curt, but I was respectfully firm this is the market rate for professional work,” he explained. “And as it turns out his reluctance wasn’t a negotiating ploy; he didn’t understand the scope of the services I was offering, and so after a few emails, I ended up getting my full fee.”

For those in similar situations, Rick suggests shying away from using ultimatum-like language, even if that’s basically what you’re presenting. “Couch your words in a way that communicates firmness but respect, and resist the temptation to get chatty. Succinctness here is a virtue; often it’s best just to bottom line it and say, ‘This is my rate,’ ” he says. End of story.

HOW TO NEGOTIATE A DEAL WITH A POTENTIAL PARTNER

Regardless of whether you’re a two-person show or a full-service company with dozens of offices, effectively working with current and potential partnerships is essential to the growth of your company. And frankly, your career prospects. President of Enterprise Strategic Partnerships Glenda McNeal at American Express has worked on some of the credit card company’s largest deals, including Hilton, Marriott, PayPal, and others. To ensure they are receiving as much as they’re giving, they often use a creative approach to these negotiations, outlining in specific ways the value they’re bringing to the table–either through co-branded products, tech integration or access to customers. “By taking an enterprise view of a potential or existing partnership, we can develop more holistic and deeper relationships that derive mutual value for years to come,” she explains.

For smaller operations, McNeal recommends starting with the outcome and developing your strategy for execution from day one. “Engage your team early on to develop a game plan that is agile and takes into consideration compromise, concessions and trade-offs. Preparation and focus provide a shared vision for the team, clarity on the process and a clear roadmap to the end game,” she shared.

HOW TO NEGOTIATE WITH A DIFFICULT CLIENT

There are great people to work with–and not so easy-peasy. No matter your industry, you’re bound to come across personalities that don’t mesh with your own, or whose ethics aren’t up to the standard you require. For beauty expert Sara Drury, being taken seriously as a hair and makeup artist is an uphill battle, especially when agreed-to terms are broken. Once, a client agreed to pay a certain amount and then tried to pay less when an invoice was due. Instead of typing up the angry email she wanted to pen, she decided to pick up the phone and cut to the chase, stat. “I wanted her to hear my voice and know that I wasn’t angry, but I wasn’t going to let that stand,” she explained. “We discussed the situation and, while I knew she wasn’t happy about it, eventually she agreed to pay me the full amount.”

For those who are less comfortable with confrontation, this method can be intimidating, but Drury stresses the importances of leaning into it: “Regardless of the profession you are in, there will be times that you have to stand up for yourself,” she shares. “Believe it or not, you teach people how to treat you by the way you treat yourself. You can be kind while still standing your ground.”

 

FastCompany.com | July 19, 2018 | BY LINDSAY TIGAR 7 MINUTE READ

#BestofFSCBlog : #SalaryNegotiations – How Much Money to Ask for During your Next Salary Negotiations. How Much Money Should you Ask for in a Salary Negotiation?  It’s a Tricky Question.

/in /by

How much money should you ask for in a salary negotiation?  It’s a tricky question. The fact that salary negotiations can be extremely stressful doesn’t help matters, either.

When you’re finally down to the wire on your impending job offer, there will come a time to talk numbers, Lynn Taylor, national workplace expert and author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job,” told Business Insider.

“That one last conversation — where you negotiate salary — can unnerve even the most savvy job seeker,” she said.

Fortunately, there are strategies for hashing out your salary or a raise with an employer.

Here’s how to find out how much money you should ask for in a salary negotiation, and how to get it:

Do your homework

To prepare for a salary negotiation, you’ll want to do your research ahead of time and figure out what someone with your experience and skills typically makes in this particular role.

Once you hear their offer and it’s time to negotiate, you should keep those numbers in mind, “but also consider the nature of the first offer and how much bargaining power you think you have,” Taylor said.

You should also take into consideration whether you’re currently under- or overpaid.

Ask for 10% to 20% more than what you’re currently making

As a general rule of thumb, it’s usually appropriate to ask for 10% to 20% more than what you’re currently making.

That means if you’re making $50,000 a year now, you can easily ask for $55,000 to $60,000 without seeming greedy or getting laughed at.

“If the original offer is on the low side of the scale, you have more leverage,” Taylor said. “If you get an offer for 20% over your current salary, you can still negotiate for more — ask for an additional 5% — but know that you’re already in good stead.”

Asking for 10% to 20% more is also a good option if you’re looking for a raise from your employer.

That being said, Taylor said to not be afraid to “go big on your first negotiation.”

“Just be sure you’re using market salary ranges as your data point,” she said.

Put your knowledge to use

The first step of winning any negotiation is actually sitting down to negotiation. So don’t just accept the first offer you get from a prospective employer.

While most employers expect you to come back with a counteroffer, many job candidates avoid the practice and leave money on the table.

“You don’t have to be one of them,” Taylor said. “You’d be well served in your career to become comfortable with the process. You get one chance to accept a final compensation package at your company, so be prepared to make a persuasive argument.”

Jacquelyn Smith wrote a previous version of this article.

 

BusinessInsider.com | July 18, 2018 | Áine Cain

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#CareerAdvice : #JobInterview – How to Practice for an #Interview in 5 Steps…Ready to Learn How to Walk into an Interview with Confidence, and Knock It Out of the Park? Follow these Five Steps.

/in /by

What if I run into traffic on my way to the interview and get there late? What if I mess up one of my answers? What if I draw a total blank when my interviewer asks me if I have any questions for them?

If you’ve ever been up for a position you really wanted before, then questions like these have probably raced through your head in the hours — or worse, throughout the night — before your big interview.

Many people think of overwhelming anxiety as an inevitable part of the interview process. But the truth is, your nerves can be greatly eased once you learn how to properly prepare for an interview. Not only will this make you feel a whole lot better going in — odds are, with a clear head, you’ll actually do a better job.

Ready to learn how to walk into an interview with confidence, and knock it out of the park?  Follow these five steps.

1. Research the Company

Recruiters and hiring managers don’t just want to know about your skills and experience — they also want to know how knowledgeable you are about the company. In fact, questions like “What is the name of our CEO?” and “Who are our competitors?” are both among the most commonly asked interview questions. But even if you don’t encounter a question like this, looking up the basics of the company is still worthwhile.

Use Glassdoor and online searches to learn about the company’s industry, products, mission, names of leaders, competitors, recent news and more. Then, you can drop these tidbits of newfound knowledge throughout your responses — e.g., when asked “Why do you want to work here?” a candidate might say, “The reason I decided to apply to this job was because of how much your mission resonates with me. I truly believe that making affordable, high-speed internet widely accessible will help bring the world closer together.” This proves a few things: a) you’re passionate about the opportunity, b) you’re a proactive self-starter with good critical thinking skills and c) you’re a good culture fit for the company.

You can also use this info to ask more informed questions of the interviewers themselves — more on that later.

What to Look for When Researching a Company: A Complete Checklist

Like this Article ?  Share It !    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing  Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

FSC LinkedIn Network:   www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

2. Look Up Common Interview Questions

A lot of candidates stress out over not knowing what a recruiter or hiring manager is going to ask them. But in reality, you’ll get a lot of the same questions from one person to another. There are a few basic questions that you’ll almost certainly be asked — these include staples like “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to leave your current job?” and “What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?” If you’re a data-driven job seeker, you’ll appreciate the list of the 50 Most Common Interview Questions that Glassdoor identified after sifting through tens of thousands of interview reviews.

You can also use Glassdoor’s interview reviews to find out which questions they specifically ask at the company you’re applying to, as well as which questions are common for your job title. Sure, you might be thrown an oddball interview question every now and then, but you’ll likely find that the vast majority of questions you’re asked are ones that you can identify in advance.

3. Rehearse Your Answers

Now that you have an idea of which questions you could be asked, it’s time to think about how you will respond to them. Keep in mind that in general, interviewers want responses that are specific, positive, impactful and genuine. If you want to know what kind of answers recruiters and hiring managers are looking for from specific questions, check out Glassdoor’s How to Answer the 50 Most Common Interview Questions.

Don’t just think about what your response should entail — go ahead and write it down. You probably shouldn’t write out full answers — that can result in you memorizing the responses verbatim, which can come across as too rehearsed — but making a bulleted list of key points you want to hit is a great idea. Try using the worksheet at the bottom of this blog post to sketch out your answers.

After you’ve written down the key points you want to hit in common interview questions, it’s a good idea to hold a mock interview aloud with a friend or family member. Some people might feel a little shy about doing this, but brush these feelings aside as best you can — in my experience, this is the number one way to improve your odds of succeeding in an interview. Doing a dry run will allow you to get any mistakes you might make out of the way before it counts against you, and also helps you get valuable feedback, so don’t skip this essential step.

4. Come Up With Your Own Questions

One of the questions you’ll almost always be asked by an interviewer is “Do you have any questions for me?” It might seem innocuous, but believe it or not, this is a very common area in which candidates trip up. Interviewers aren’t just asking this question to be nice — it serves as somewhat of a litmus test for whether or not you’ve done your research, are a good culture fit and demonstrate strong critical thinking skills.

Use the research you gathered in step two to help you craft intelligent, informed questions about the role and company that will give you a fuller picture of what it’s like to work there and what it takes to be successful. For example, if you learned that the company you’re applying to is launching a new mobile app, you might say “I read that your company is launching a new mobile experience soon. Can you tell me more about that, and how it relates to this position?” You can also use this opportunity to dig into anything that hasn’t been brought up yet or covered in sufficient detail, like company culture, how the company defines success and what drew your interviewer to the company.

11 Questions to Ask In an Interview, According to a Hiring Manager

5. Hammer Out the Logistics

Congrats — if you’ve gotten through the previous four steps, you’ve already gotten the hard part out of the way! Now, all you have to do is think through all the little logistical details of your interview. These can vary depending on what kind of interview it is — phone, video, in-person, etc. Here are a few things to keep in mind for some of the most common types of interviews:

Phone Interviews

  • Pick a quiet place with good service to take the call
  • Confirm the day and time, accounting for differences in time zone
  • Confirm how you’re getting in touch with the hiring manager (Are they calling you? Are you calling them? Will you call their cell, or a conference number?)
  • Review the job description and company information 30 minutes before the call
  • Breathe — try to stay relaxed and focused!

Video Interviews

  • Pick a quiet place with good lighting and a simple background to take the interview
  • Do a test run to try out the video software
  • Restart your computer before the interview to help avoid technical difficulties
  • Dress like you are going to an in-person interview

In-Person Interviews:

  • Research standard company attire and dress one step above that
  • Have directions to where you’re going
  • Print multiple copies of your resume
  • Plan on arriving 30 minutes early, but wait in your car or at a coffee shop nearby until 5 minutes before
  • Brush your teeth or chew some gum before walking in
  • Run through your cheat sheet of responses, and a list of questions to ask each interviewer

Preparing for an interview the right way does take some work on your part, but believe us — it’s worth the effort. Who knows? You might just find that interviews aren’t as scary as you thought after all. Now go out there and get ‘em!

Screen Shot 2018 05 25 at 12.59.18 PMScreen Shot 2018 05 25 at 12.59.32 PM

 

GlassDoor.com |  | Posted by 

#Leadership : #WorkSmart – How to Make your #Anxiety Work for You Instead of Against You…Anxiety is Energy, and you can Strike the Right Balance If you Know What to Look For.

/in /by

While some cases of anxiety are serious enough to require medical treatment, everyday anxiety is a fact of life and can actually be helpful, says psychologist Bob Rosen, author of Conscious: The Power of Awareness in Business and Life.

The first hurdle to get over is viewing anxiety through a negative lens. “We see anxiety as something to fear and avoid,” says Rosen. “That thinking is self-defeating and makes it worse. In a sense, we need to see anxiety as a wake-up call; a message inside of our mind telling us to pay attention. We need to accept it as a natural part of the human experience.”

Another problem is our faulty thinking around change, says Rosen. “For centuries, it was viewed as dangerous or life threatening,” he says. “But stability is an illusion, and uncertainty is reality. Uncertainty makes you anxious and vulnerable, and anxiety leads you to worry or run away because you’re not in control of life anymore and you feel worse.”

People often move back and forth between too much, just enough, and too little anxiety, and anxiety is contagious, says Rosen: “We communicate our level of anxiety to others because we’re connected to each other,” he says. “Studies show that your blood pressure can go up when you deal with a manger who is disrespectful, unfair, or overly anxious. People are hijacked more and more because of too much anxiety.”

Related: Four tips to help you feel less anxious about the future

Anxiety is energy, and you can strike the right balance if you know what to look for:

TOO MUCH ANXIETY

Some people naturally have too much anxiety, and that’s a problem. “These are the people who need to be right, powerful, in control, and successful,” says Rosen. “They orchestrate everything around them, and are mistrustful or suspicious. They’re scared of inadequacy, failure, being insignificant, or being taken advantage of.”

You have too much anxiety if you tend to expect respect and admiration, are frustrated a lot, question the motives of others, and are overly impatient, says Rosen.

 

Like this Article ?  Share It !    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing  Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

FSC LinkedIn Network:   www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

TOO LITTLE ANXIETY

Too little anxiety isn’t good either. “You put your head in the sand in the face of change,” says Rosen. “You don’t want to take risks. You value status quo and live in a bubble.”

You have too little anxiety if you’re too idealistic and cautious, detaching from all of the change around you. “The world is changing faster than our ability to adapt. We need to learn new things, and can’t stay complacent for long,” he says. “It’s important to allow yourself to stretch and to feel just the right amount of anxiety.”

Related: How anxiety affects your decision-making skills

GOOD ANXIETY

Living with the right amount of anxiety provides just enough tension to drive you forward without causing you to resist, give up, or try to control what happens. “It’s a productive energy,” says Rosen.

The first step is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. “A lot of people think the goal of life is to be happy, but it’s not,” says Rosen. “The goal is to live a full life, and sometimes you’ll have good days and sometimes bad days. Develop the skill of being uncomfortable. Knowing you can and will get through it is important.”

Listen to your body; it speaks to you, says Rosen. “Whether it’s stomach pain or heart palpitations or a stiff neck or back, these are ways the body tells you that you are anxious,” he says.

Ask yourself why you’re anxious. Is it because you’re excited? How you interpret anxiety could be good or bad. If you’re about to give a speech, for example, anxiety is good. Instead of trying to avoid it, understand it. “If you’re not anxious, you’re probably not going to give a great speech,” says Rosen. “And if you’re too anxious, that won’t be a great speech, either.”

When you have too much anxiety, it’s often because you’re telling yourself a story. “For example, ‘If I don’t do a good job I’ll get fired,’ ‘My boss hates me,’ or ‘I’m going to embarrass myself,’” says Rosen. It’s often not the event that causes anxiety; it’s the story we tell ourselves about it.”

When this happens, take a long walk or breathe deeply if you have too much anxiety. Meditation is a force that helps you live in the present moment. “When you meditate, you get a better sense of how your body and mind are reacting,” he says. “Deep breathing creates a direct connection between your breath and reducing stress. You can get a sense of the source of the anxiety, peel back the onion, and find the cause.”

All change happens in the gap between our current reality and desired future, says Rosen. “We have a problem we want to solve or have a goal we want to accomplish,” he says. “In the gap sits our motivation, our engagement, and our anxiety. Anxiety is the energy that moves us across the gap. We need to have enough energy to change. You can’t change or transform yourself unless you allow yourself to feel uncertainty and vulnerability.”

 

FastCompany.com | July 17, 2018 | BY STEPHANIE VOZZA 4 MINUTE READ

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch -The Best #JobSearchAdvice from Top CEOs at GM, 23andMe, Hilton & More… Best of FSC Blog! Great Read.

/in /by

There’s no doubt about it: the job search is tough. You have to spend time and energy revamping your resume, writing cover letters and practicing for interviews, and even then, you’re not guaranteed a position. The good news, though, is that you get a little bit savvier at every step. With each interview needed to get to the next level, you get better at marketing yourself, communicating confidently and reflecting on your experiences thus far. So by the time you’re at the top of the company ladder, you’re practically an expert at what it takes to get a job.

With this in mind, we chatted with and researched the best job search advice from the Top CEOs of 2018. If your job search strategy hasn’t been working out so far, one of these tips might just do the trick.

1. Find a Mentor

It’s a well-known fact that personal connections are one of the most effective ways to find a job. If you develop a strong relationship with an industry mentor, they’re often able to connect you to people, companies and opportunities that can advance your career. Even if they can’t directly hook you up with a job, though, they can serve as a fantastic reference who can speak to your work ethic and personal character. But make sure you choose the right one, advises Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors.

“There are mentors in the workspace all around you — peers, the seasoned professional, your supervisor, the supervisor one desk over,” Barra said in an interview with the Women@Work podcast. “People often reach out [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][to me] saying, ‘Will you be my mentor?’ And I say, ‘Let’s talk about that, because the better person to be your mentor in the organization is someone who sees you every day, someone who knows you at your best, and someone who can give you opportunities to improve.’ So I always redirect them: Find mentors in the people around you who you respect.”

See Open Jobs at GM 

Like this Article ?  Share It !    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing  Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

FSC LinkedIn Network:   www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

 

2. Try a Little Bit of Everything While You Still Can

When you’re just beginning your career, you might not know for sure what you want to do yet. And really, that’s okay. You don’t have to go looking for your dream job right away. In fact, trying out many different fields can be an asset, believes Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe. Not only does this make you more marketable in the future — the more skills you have, the more doors open for you — but you’ll also have a better chance of identifying what you really love doing.

“Enjoy the uncertainty and the adventure of figuring out the world and what you want to do. 20-year-olds can get away with adventure and exploration in a way 40+-year-olds can not. So enjoy asking all the questions and trying all the different jobs and realize that each new experience helps shape your views of the world and what you want to do in it,” Wojcicki said in an interview with Glassdoor.

See Open Jobs at 23andMe 

3. Give Lesser-Known Companies a Chance

If you’re only applying to Fortune 500 companies or tech titans, don’t get discouraged when you don’t hear back. The name recognition and prestige of these companies lead to hundreds, thousands or even millions of candidates applying to them — Google, for example, sees about two million applicants each year — so your odds may be better if you explore more under-the-radar companies. You’ll also gain exposure to multiple roles at smaller companies, helping you discover what you enjoy doing and increase your skill stack.

“My suggestion is to visit the websites of the top-tier [venture capital firms] and click through their portfolio companies, and apply to a few that seem especially interesting,” Sanjit Biswas, CEO of Samsara, told Glassdoor. “High-growth tech companies are a great place to accelerate career growth — you’ll get to see decisions up close, and the short feedback loops are some of the best ways to learn what works and what doesn’t.”

See Open Jobs at Samsara 

4. Show You’re a Team Player

It’s hard to think of any job nowadays that doesn’t require some degree of teamwork, and because of this, companies expect candidates to be adept collaborators. Lean into the opportunities you have to work with others at your current job, Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta advises.

“Make sure that you contribute in every way that you can, and really become a team player. Nothing gets done in today’s world without a village, so to speak. While we all make individual contributions, ultimately it’s about how you as a component, particularly as you’re getting started, work with other people,” Nassetta shared with Glassdoor. Employers want to see “ways where obviously you’re contributing and you’re creating significant value, but you’re doing it as a member of a team and not just as an individual contributor.”

Learning to work well with others, and then drawing on these experiences in your cover letter or when answering behavioral interview questions like “Tell me how you handled a difficult situation” or “What are some of your leadership experiences?” can really make you stand out to recruiters.

See Open Jobs at Hilton 

5. Follow Your Passion

You may not end up in your ideal job right away, but when you’re thinking of settling down at a job or company for the long haul, make sure that it’s one you’re passionate about. For one, we spend about a third of our waking lives at work, so it’s worth spending that time doing something you enjoy. But for another reason, you simply tend to be better at what you do when you find a job you’re passionate about.

“My #1 job tip is to look for a job that you want to do. We spend a lot of time at work, and it’s important that we enjoy what we’re doing. We only go around once, and we’ve got to keep that in perspective,” said Bernard J. Tyson, Chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, in an interview with Glassdoor. “Nothing is promised to any of us [at] the end of the day. The key to that is to be in step with the culture of the organization where you work.”

See Open Jobs at Kaiser Permanente 

6. Consider Alternate Paths

Following your passion, though, doesn’t always mean rigidly clinging onto one idea of The Perfect Job — there are often multiple ways to explore the fields you’re most passionate about, Michael Mahoney, CEO of Boston Scientific, explained to Glassdoor.

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to get into healthcare. I was inspired by my grandpa who was a pediatric cardiac surgeon. I grew up admiring how he helped so many children. I remember sneaking into his library when I was a kid. I’d sit in his chair surrounded by all his medical books and dream about being a doctor,” Mahoney shared. “After earning a solid C- in organic chemistry, I elected to change course and approach healthcare a little differently. It was a great lesson for me.”

Rather than pursuing a different field entirely, Mahoney chose to go into the business side of healthcare — and his decision paid off. Today, Mahoney oversees an organization of 29,000 that helps create lifesaving medical devices.

See Open Jobs at Boston Scientific 

7. Do Your Research

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: recruiters want informed candidates, the kind of people who look up a company beforehand and gather information on its culture, products, business model and more. Because by researching a company, you don’t just show that you’re knowledgeable about it — you also show that you care about and believe in it.

Brian Halligan, CEO of HubSpot, mentioned in an interview with Glassdoor that his company specifically looks for candidates who have taken it upon themselves to learn about his company and its products.

“One tip I’d give all applicants is to review HubSpot’s culture code before interviewing and to use the software — we give tons of it away for free,” Halligan said.

See Open Jobs at HubSpot 

8. Take Risks

Whether you’re on the fence about applying to a position you’re slightly underqualified for or reaching out to a coworker you haven’t spoken with in years for an informational interview, don’t let a fear of failure hold you back.

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk,” said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a 2011 interview. “In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”

Sure, there’s no guarantee that any one particular risk will pay off — but if you keep swinging big, you’re bound to reap the rewards eventually.

 

GlassDoor.com |  | Posted by 

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch – How to Get a Job that you’re #Overqualified For…It Can be Hard for a #HiringManager to see an overQualified Candidate as Ambitious. So If you Want to Change Direction, Here’s What you Need to Do.

/in /by

Remember back when you were a new grad and applying for every job mentioning your degree, only to be told you didn’t have enough experience? Now, you’ve got years of experience under your belt and the skill set and experience to get any of those jobs you applied for years ago, but you’re faced with one critical problem. You’re now overqualified.

Hiring managers tend to overlook candidates with too much experience. Often they’re worried that the applicant will jump ship as soon as something comes along that they’re better suited for, or that they’ll expect a salary that’s greater than their budget.

“We tend to think of lower-level jobs as a way to pay our dues in order to advance,” says Kim Stiens, hiring consultant and founder and CEO of career advice site Ranavain. When reviewing resumes of individuals who seem to have already put in those dues, employers may be skeptical of why they want to take a step back. They worry the candidate won’t be engaged enough in the position. “Employers want to hire the best candidate, and often, that actually means hiring someone for whom the position is a stretch; they’re perhaps a bit underqualified, but hungry and eager to do the work.” says Stiens. It might be hard to see an overqualified candidate as ambitious.

While there are many good arguments around not hiring someone too qualified for the position, that doesn’t mean you can’t still land that job.

CLARIFY WHY YOU WANT THE JOB

Are you looking for greater work-life balance or a less stressful and less time-consuming job than your existing role? Are you entering a new industry and feel the need to start in an entry-level position? Or are you simply looking to move away from your current company, regardless of whether it’s an upward, lateral, or downward move? Understanding your own motives is the first step to landing the gig.

Like this Article ?  Share It !    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing  Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

FSC LinkedIn Network:   www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

FOCUS ON WHAT THE JOB BRINGS TO YOU

Hiring managers want to know that the job is a good fit for you. The last thing you want them thinking is that it doesn’t make sense why you are applying. Tell the hiring manager what aspects of the job are appealing to you and show how the position fits into your career goals. Perhaps you’ve been performing a similar role in nonprofits for a few years, and you want to apply to a big company doing something similar or at a lower level.

DISCUSS YOUR INTEREST IN THE COMPANY

Sometimes individuals are willing to accept a lower-level job because it’s at their dream company. Employers are more likely to want to take a chance on you if they believe that you are truly passionate about the company and are willing to do any position, even if it’s a lower level, because you truly want to work there in whatever capacity, even if it’s a lower position than you’re used to.

FOCUS ON THE EMPLOYER’S NEEDS

Show the employer that you understand their pain points and outline what you can bring to the organization to help solve their problem. Do your research on the company before applying. Employers know getting someone with more experience means the learning curve will be shorter, and that someone with more experience at a lower price can be good for them, but that doesn’t mean you still don’t have to convince them based on what you can do for them. “You have to be able to build a constructive case for your hire,” says Stiens. “The hiring manager has to believe that you’re applying for their job because you think you’ll thrive in it, or else they won’t hire you, no matter how great a bargain you might be.”

ARE YOU REALLY OVERQUALIFIED OR JUST DIFFERENTLY QUALIFIED?

If you’re trying to change careers, you may feel that you’re overqualified for an entry-level position because you have 10 years of unrelated experience. “A company might prefer to hire someone with 1.5 years of exactly applicable experience over someone with 10 years of vaguely applicable experience,” says Stiens. In this case, be explicit in how your skills are transferrable to the new field. “The hiring manager isn’t going to hunt down those details and make the case for you,” says Stiens.

Whether applying for a position you’re overqualified or underqualified for, demonstrating to the prospective employer that you are the best choice will help you land the gig.

 

 

FastCompany.com | July 13, 2018 | BY LISA EVANS 3 MINUTE READ

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch – How to Find Out Why You Didn’t Get the #Job …Want an Example of What Exactly you could Say to a #HiringManager ? We’ve got it.

/in /by

You send in a stellar resume. You blow the recruiter away in the phone screen. And you wow everyone you speak with during your in-person interview. And yet, you still don’t get the job. Worst of all, you don’t know why you didn’t get it — you either didn’t hear back at all, or received feedback so vague that it’s virtually useless (e.g. “We decided to go with another candidate who was a better fit.”) Is there anything worse?

 

It’s incredibly frustrating when a recruiter or hiring manager doesn’t share a concrete reason why you were passed over, but if it happens to you, don’t worry. Often, there’s still a way to figure out what went wrong — here’s how.

1. Reach Out to the Decision Maker

If you have the contact info of the hiring manager, it’s best to chat with them rather than a recruiter or HR representative, says Ren Burgett, career coach and owner of 3R Coach.

“An HR manager or recruiter is more likely to give you a programmed HR response such as, ‘We found a candidate that was a better fit for our needs.’ The hiring manager is more likely to give you a candid response,” she explains.

If you haven’t already been in touch with the hiring manager, though, you may want to reach out to someone who can point them in your direction.

“If you don’t have their contact details, you need to get in touch with whoever your point of contact was throughout the recruitment process. Even if they can’t provide feedback themselves, they will be able to pass your query onto someone who can,” says Steve Pritchard, HR Manager at Cuuver.com.

When you haven’t been given the hiring manager’s contact information, it can be tempting to bypass your point of contact and look them up on LinkedIn or Google their email address, but this is a mistake, Pritchard says: “They may not feel too comfortable with you contacting them using a number/email they didn’t provide you with.”

What to Do When Your Job Search Gets You Down

2. Express Gratitude

Nobody wants to engage with a candidate who sounds demanding or presumptuous, so make sure to open your message with a note of thanks.

“Thanking someone for [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][taking the] time to interview you and provide the opportunity can always start the conversation in a positive manner,” says Shanalee Sharboneau, President/Technical Recruiter at Staffing Science, LLC.

In particular, you should express gratitude for the fact that they are going out of their way to read your note. After all, they don’t have to share feedback with you.

“Show in your request for feedback that you appreciate the recruiter/hiring manager is likely to be busy. This way, you don’t sound too pushy or demanding,” Pritchard adds.

 

Like this Article ?  Share It !    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing  Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

FSC LinkedIn Network:   www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

3. Be Positive

You may be upset that you didn’t get the job, but remember: you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. It’s okay to acknowledge that you’re disappointed with the outcome, but don’t express resentment or aggression.

Show “that you are understanding of their decision not to hire you, otherwise, you may sound bitter about not getting the job rather than someone looking for honest feedback to help them with their job search,” Pritchard continues.

And instead of taking a self-deprecating approach like “How did I screw up” or “Where did I go wrong”, frame the conversation as a quest for personal growth.

“Don’t make your question about ‘why’ you didn’t get the job, make your question about ‘how’ you can improve. People are more likely to respond to someone that seeks out growth as opposed to someone that just wants answers,” Burgett says.

To Email or Not to Email? A Glassdoor Recruiter’s Tips for Following Up After Applying

4. Keep It Short and Specific

When reaching out for feedback, “make your email no more than one paragraph,” Burgett recommends. After all, they are probably plenty busy with their day-to-day tasks, so you want to make sure to honor their time.

You can save them even more time by avoiding general questions like “Why didn’t I get the job?” and instead drilling down into a few precise issues. Burgett recommends including “two to three specific questions [that] you would like feedback on from the interview process.”

One questions that Laura Handrick, Career Analyst at FitSmallBusiness.com, recommends asking is “what might you have done, said or provided differently that would have made the company choose YOU instead of the other candidate.”

5. Open the Door for Future Opportunities

Just because you were rejected from a job doesn’t always mean that you can never apply there again — you may have been a close second. At the end of your message, reiterate your interest in the company (if you are truly interested) and consider adding something like “if anything changes, I’d love to connect regarding future opportunities.”

“That will go far, and many times, new hires fail in the first few months. They’ll remember your graciousness,” Handrick says.

You can also see if they might be willing to refer you to another opportunity.

“Always end the email by asking if they know of anyone else you can reach out to as you continue your job search. If you didn’t get the job, perhaps you can get a lead [for] another job. Use this as an opportunity to network,” Burgett says.

4 Signs You Should Apply Again After Being Rejected

6. Be Patient & Ready to Take No for an Answer

If the person you reach out to fails to respond, don’t ping them every day until they do.

“Giving feedback, particularly constructive feedback, is hard, so allowing time for preparing will likely get you more thoughtful responses,” points out Dr. Dawn Graham, Career Management Director at the Wharton School and host of Career Talk.

Even if they never respond, you shouldn’t pester them, Graham adds.

“Companies tend to avoid giving candidates feedback to avoid opening themselves up to risk,” she explains. “In addition, many hirers have trouble putting their fingers on a clear definition of ‘fit’ or likability, which are two powerful aspects of hiring decisions that can be challenging to put into words. Therefore, they may pass on giving feedback to a rejected job seeker for the sheer reason that even they are unable to verbalize their final decision in a way that will be meaningful to the overlooked applicant.”

Sample Message

Want an example of what exactly you could say to a hiring manager? Burgett recommends the following:

Hi (Hiring Manager),

I wanted to thank you for the amazing opportunity to interview for the position of (job title) with your company. I really enjoyed learning about (company name) and getting to know you and your team during the interview process. I understand you have decided to move forward with another candidate that better fits your current needs.

As I continue my job search, I would love to get your feedback on how I can improve as a candidate. When you have a minute, could you provide insight into what I can improve upon to help me stand out and progress in my career? Specifically, I would appreciate feedback on the following:

1. What is the one skill I can improve upon to help advance my career that may be holding me back?

2. If I had the opportunity to redo my interview, what is the one thing I should have done differently?

I appreciate any candid feedback you can offer as it will help me understand the areas I need to improve. Additionally, if you know of any companies that may be hiring for similar positions or anyone else I should reach out to as I continue my job search, please let me know.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to interview for the position. I wish you and your team continued success.

Sincerely,

Your Name

There’s no doubt that getting rejected from a job you were interested in is upsetting, and it can be doubly so if you don’t hear actionable feedback from the hiring team. But odds are, it’s nothing personal, so try not to take it that way. And remember — the right job is out there. It’s only a matter of time until you find it.

 

GlassDoor.com |   | Posted by 

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#CareerAdvice : #JobReference -Need a #Reference ? Use One of These Five Templates…It can Be Awkward to Ask your Previous Colleague, Client or #Boss to Say Nice Things about You. Here are 5 Email Templates to Help you Out.

/in /by

It’s no secret: Asking for references can be intimidating. Since references often don’t come from the company you’re working at currently–especially if you haven’t yet told them you’re sniffing out new opportunities–you often must reach out to colleagues from across the spectrum of your career.

Try to be specific regarding why you’re asking that particular person to be a reference for you,”

This means contacting people you may not have spoken to in a while, and asking them to take time out of their schedule to remember your attributes and speak about them with your potential employers. The quality of your references can make or break certain hiring processes, so it’s of the utmost importance to find the right people.

Although sending the same stock email out to each potential reference can save you time, it’s not advised. A reference request should be personalized to the person you’re sending it to, and the type of relationship you had with them.

We reached out to career experts Tiffany Franklin, who is the founder of TFJ Career Coaching and works in career services at an Ivy League School and Emily Kapit, MS, MRW, ACRW, CPRW, career strategist and owner of ReFresh Your Step career consultancy, to learn more about the right way to ask someone to serve as a reference over email.

“You want them to feel like you’re asking them because you truly want them to be a reference, not just because you have to have three,” says Kapit, underscoring the importance of tailoring each request to the person you’re reaching out to.

To get an idea of what personalized email requests for references would look like, these five templates give a full idea of what type of language is appropriate for different relationships.

Related: How to coach your references to help you get that job offer

 

Like this Article ?  Share It !    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing  Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

FSC LinkedIn Network:   www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

FOR A FORMER BOSS

Hi Donna! I hope you have been doing well. It’s hard to believe it has been three years since we worked together. I learned so much while we were working on the XYZ project and have fond memories of working at [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][company name].

Things have been good here. I have enjoyed working at [company name] for the past two years and getting to explore the city of Denver. After much contemplation, I’ve decided it’s time for new challenges, so I’m beginning to search for marketing director roles and hope to relocate to San Diego later this year.

Would you be available to serve as a reference and provide a positive recommendation for me? If you are, I would be happy to send you my resume and a sample job description so you have an updated view of my experience and what I’m seeking.

Thank you for considering this. I look forward to connecting with you again and hearing your updates.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

This reference request, written by Franklin, masterfully reestablishes the connection with the former boss and brings them up to speed on your recent professional history. “The wording of your message to reintroduce yourself to a potential reference will depend on the nature of the relationship (former boss versus coworker), how close you were at the time, whether you saw each other outside of work in social settings, and exactly how long has it been since you last connected,” Franklin says. She adds that it’s also important to consider the timing of your request, and how far you are in the job search process, which can determine the likelihood that they will be imminently contacted.

FOR A FORMER COLLABORATOR

Dear X,

I hope you’re well. I’ve been following your career via LinkedIn for the last several years and see that you’ve moved up to [new role]–congratulations! In the last few years, I have also moved up and am currently doing [current role]. I’m looking to transition to an even more senior role and am conducting both an internal and an external search regarding future opportunities. In doing so, I was reflecting on who would be a really good reference for me, and felt that you would be one.

I recall our time working on [particular project] and I thought that given what I’m looking for in that next role, you would be a great person to speak to the skills I bring to the table as well as the kind of hard worker that I am, and would really appreciate if you could serve as a reference for me.

Of course, I am more than happy to do the same for you at any point in time. Please do let me know. Additionally, if you would be so kind as to put the recommendation on my LinkedIn profile, I would greatly appreciate that. Again, I would be more than happy to do the same for you.

I wish you continued success in your career and look forward to being in touch. Please do reach out with any questions!

All the best,

[Your name]

This template, written by Kapit, contains a few powerful elements. First of all, it gives the recommender a specific reason why you’re asking them, of all people, to be your reference. Second, you’re following what some call the “golden rule of networking“: offering your help to someone else, so that they may offer their help to you. This particular template offers to recommend or serve as a reference for the other person in return for them doing the same for you–a great strategy for making the “ask” feel much less one-sided.

Related: Those job referrals won’t guarantee you’ll get a fair salary 

FOR A FORMER MENTOR

Hi Mr. Thomas! I hope you’re doing well. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been four years since we worked together at [company name]. How have you been?

I really appreciate all I learned during that time and the guidance you provided. It has been so helpful with my client projects here at [company name]. I have been networking as you suggested and recently became aware of an interesting opportunity to become a marketing manager. Given my work on client projects over the past few years, I feel it would be a perfect fit and great next step. Would you be willing to provide a positive recommendation for me? I’ll be happy to provide you with my resume, full details of the job, and any other info you would find helpful.

Thank you for considering this. I hope we can catch up properly soon.

Warm regards,

[Your name]

This request, written by Franklin, shows the power of a brief–yet humble, respectful, and professional–email. When you have reservations about sending a request to someone, or are worried that the connection might be too tenuous, always defer to a humble, professional tone. In addition, Franklin says, “When making any request in life, it’s helpful to use empathy and think about how you would feel if you received a similar request. If you get a feeling in the pit of your stomach that you’re asking for too much, or it sounds like you’re sucking up or something like that, rethink the email.“

FOR A FORMER DIRECT REPORT

Dear X,

I hope all is well with you. I heard you were promoted to [new position] at [former company]. Nice!

I’m reaching out today because I’m looking to make my next career move, and I’m in need of references for the positions I’m applying for. Given our extensive working history together, I thought that you would be able to speak to my ability as a manager, and I was wondering if you would be willing to serve as a reference. If asked, I think that the example of [X project] we worked on together would be particularly salient.

Of course I would be more than willing to act as a reference for you or provide you with any sort of recommendation. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Kindly,

[Your name]

While it’s less common to ask someone who you formerly managed to be a reference for you, it can be appropriate in cases where you’re looking to show off your management skills to the hiring team. Reaching out to a person who was your subordinate has a slightly different tone than asking someone who you worked under. “You want to mirror the tone of the relationship that you had with them in your prior role,” Franklin advises. “That way, the style of your request is consistent with how you have always interacted with that person and won’t seem outside the balance of what that relationship [is] and always [has] been.” Franklin also provides a number of templates outreach examples in her “Essential Guide to Securing References for a Job Search.”

Related: Why certain Facebook friends can boost your chance of landing a job 

A FORMER CLIENT

Dear X,

I just heard news that your company recently [accomplishment]. Congratulations! I’m always heartened and delighted to see what your company is doing in the world.

I’m writing today because I’m looking to transition into a new role doing [new job], and I’m looking for a few people who can serve as references for me and speak to my skills as a [your profession]. I thought that the project we worked on last year was a great example of how I can [list skills]. I would be very grateful if you were able to serve as a reference for me.

Please let me know if you have any questions–and I’m also happy to refresh your memory on the details of the project and the role I played if you want me to send anything over.

All the best,

[Your name]

“Try to be specific regarding why you’re asking that particular person to be a reference for you,” counsels Kapit. In this template, praise is given to the former client in order to remind them of their connection to you. In addition, listing specific skills tied to the project you worked on together can help trigger their memory of why exactly they would be qualified to comment on your professional prowess.

 

FastCompany.com | July 12, 2018 | BY LILLIAN CHILDRESS— GLASSDOOR 8 MINUTE READ

 

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#CareerAdvice : Four Things #Recruiters Look for to Size Up Candidates’ Potential… #HiringManagers Always need to #Assess candidates’ Ability to Grow, Especially #NewGrads with Little Experience. These are some Key Signs of Standout Traits.

/in /by

I’ve recruited countless graduates for roles in many organizations over the past decade, and I’m constantly asked what I look for. My answer is always the same: potential.

This is especially true for entry-level hires. Obviously, there’s no point in assessing recent grads the same way that you would more experienced candidates. Without much work experience or familiarity with the workplace, those candidates need to bring something else to the table–namely the ability to pick things up quickly and apply new ideas on their own. Here are a few concrete qualities that signal potential in entry-level (or any!) candidates–and what job seekers can do to show those traits off.

1. DETERMINATION

I currently work for a tech company called ThoughtWorks, which looks beyond traditional credentials like college majors and grades to make hiring decisions. To be a software developer you don’t necessarily have to have a computer science degree. Maybe you taught yourself to code in your free time, which tells me something much more powerful–that you’re committed to learning your craft and determined to succeed.

In fact, I’ve noticed recently that some of our most successful graduate hires in Australia have come to us through an intensive coding bootcamp, and what they sometimes lack in technical ability, they make up for with drive. Skills from elsewhere in their academic careers and previous work experience tend to be transferrable, as long as they’ve got grit and determination.

 

Like this Article ?  Share It !    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing  Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

FSC LinkedIn Network:   www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115673713231115398101/posts?hl=en

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

2. PASSION

Passion and determination are close cousins but remain distinct. The former is about creativity and enthusiasm, and the latter is about strategy and ambition; both are strong predictors of potential.

To assess a candidate’s passion, I ask myself how excited they seem at the prospect of joining the team–and how excited I am at bringing them on board. Will they introduce new ideas or fresh energy? What will they bring to the table? Everyone on a team can learn from each other, whether they’ve got 10 months’ or 10 years’ experience, so I tend to look for candidates who demonstrate creative thinking and an eagerness to learn. I also ask myself whether I’d be happy coaching or mentoring them, since their passion and enthusiasm will drive them forward and fuel their growth–but without it, their potential to learn diminishes.

3. SELF-AWARENESS

Ideally, every new hire should be able to grow with the organization, adapting to larger changes. To do that, they need to be aware of themselves and how they fit into the overall company culture.

4. APTITUDE

Technical skills can be picked, and professional maturity comes with time and experience, but every new hire needs to be able to learn quickly in order to reach their full potential. And for that, there’s no substitute for good, old-fashioned aptitude.

Look for assessments and interview questions that let candidates demonstrate how inquisitive they are. You might even ask them to describe an experience when they had to learn something new on the fly. Some interviewers even devise exercises and practicums that give candidates a chance to collaborate on a shared outcome, and I’ve found this is often a great way to gauge potential: Don’t tell us what you can do, show us. There’s no better way to find out if someone has the ability to do something than by asking them to demonstrate it.

Keeping these attributes in mind can help you spot candidates with the most promise to grow into future leaders. And if you’re a job seeker, remember that recruiters and hiring managers are always assessing your potential, even if they haven’t devised a formal method for doing that. So when in doubt, take your own initiative and show off these four traits as best you can. They’ll never steer you wrong.

about the authors below: 

Yewande Ige is a global recruitment strategist at ThoughtWorks, which helps companies invent a new future and bring it to life with technology. In her 13 years at the company, Yewande has helped ThoughtWorks grow from several hundred progressive technologists to a diverse 4,000-person organization.

Will Philips is a graduate experience lead at ThoughtWorks. He has over 11 years of experience in campus recruiting across EMEA & APAC across a range of industries.

FastCompany.com | July 11, 2018