Unexpected Benefits of Unemployment

Unexpected Benefits of Unemployment On my JibberJobber LinkedIn Group I saw a Discussion from Marcia LaReau titled The (unexpected) Benefits of Unemployment.  She is pointing to her blog post with the same title. I love this topic because while being unemployed can have a lot of negative consequences, there are a lot of benefits. Yes, you read that right. For me, the unexpected benefit of unemployment was that I was forced into a new career direction, and that turned out to be pretty good ?? For my brother, it was a time to spend on his physical health, which he had neglected while working crazy hours. For some people, its a time to downsize their spending and debt (which might seem hard at first but from what I hear, its a great life-changing move!) For others, its a time to make life-changing career moves, like going from high-stress (big money) to something they enjoy more. Even earning less they can be okay if they are more fullfilled in life by where they spend their time. Others take the time to regroup, restrategize, and many times come out with stronger career management skills (career management is the new job security). What are the unexpected benefits of unemployment that you have seen, whether from your own transition or that of someone youve known? (Heres my secondary message: if you are down in the dumps, take some time right now 30 minutes and brainstorm what the unexpected benefits are to you right now.  If you cant think of anything, identify some that you want to pursue, and go after them!) Unexpected Benefits of Unemployment On my JibberJobber LinkedIn Group I saw a Discussion from Marcia LaReau titled The (unexpected) Benefits of Unemployment.  She is pointing to her blog post with the same title. I love this topic because while being unemployed can have a lot of negative consequences, there are a lot of benefits. Yes, you read that right. For me, the unexpected benefit of unemployment was that I was forced into a new career direction, and that turned out to be pretty good ?? For my brother, it was a time to spend on his physical health, which he had neglected while working crazy hours. For some people, its a time to downsize their spending and debt (which might seem hard at first but from what I hear, its a great life-changing move!) For others, its a time to make life-changing career moves, like going from high-stress (big money) to something they enjoy more. Even earning less they can be okay if they are more fullfilled in life by where they spend their time. Others take the time to regroup, restrategize, and many times come out with stronger career management skills (career management is the new job security). What are the unexpected benefits of unemployment that you have seen, whether from your own transition or that of someone youve known? (Heres my secondary message: if you are down in the dumps, take some time right now 30 minutes and brainstorm what the unexpected benefits are to you right now.  If you cant think of anything, identify some that you want to pursue, and go after them!)

5 ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR WORKPLACE EVENTS

5 ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR WORKPLACE EVENTS The following is a guest post by Sharon Schweitzer.  Her bio follows. Most people can recall basic table manners, but when it comes to office events, decorum is key. After-hours events are often a wonderful way to connect with coworkers and interact with power-players, but they can also be monumentally disastrous without modern manners. Don’t become too comfortable because you can cross the boundaries of professionalism. Here are a few etiquette tips to enjoy after-hours events and remain professional. Pay attention to your office culture. Sticking your nose to the grindstone can really pay off, but don’t forget to relax. Your office culture determines the attitudes and dynamics at play in your office. Peter Drucker’s said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast!” The culture can range from overly-professional to extremely casual. Geography, tenure, written and unwritten policies can determine what is deemed appropriate in your workplace. Factors such as alcohol can play a role in the social culture in the office too. Ask around to colleagues you trust to find out the real scoop on office dynamics. Relax be professional.  Remember to relax, keep professionalism in mind, and be yourself. This is not your personal happy hour. Men and women alike, take note that a work party is an extension of the professional work day and is still a business setting. Dress sharply, and clean cut in an outfit that helps you feel confident in yourself. Research shows that whether we want to or not, our brain makes split decisions about others based on their appearance. Dress in a way that does not send red flags to your colleagues. Have authentic conversations. There is always the go-to topic when surrounded by colleagues: work.  However, a work-related event is not the time to continue business or discuss office gossip. Keep dialogues balanced between professional and personal with classy, informative, and interesting conversations. Asking questions about sports, movies, books, vacation, travel and pets are good topics that focus the conversation on others. This is a good time to reach out from your usual water cooler group and speak with people in other departments. By connecting with multiple colleagues from all areas of your organization, you create possible mentors, references, and contacts that can help your career down the line. Remember, avoid sensitive topics like money, politics, and religion. Remember why you are there. When attending a work event, have a goal in mind. If you are gaming to climb the ladder, visit with leadership and the head of the department for a few minutes. Sometimes you want to just talk to a specific superior, make new friends, or expand your network into other departments. This is a professional gathering and a chance to put your best foot forward.   Having a drink and eating some good food is a nice perk, but never forget why you are really there. Avoid table dances. It can feel great to let loose to your favorite jam, but belt it out in your car, not the office event. If you are Whipping and Nae Nae-ing, your boss might think twice about that promotion. Be aware of who is around. It isn’t bad to dance at work events, but just be mindful when cutting the rug. Also, keep in mind cultural norms. There are some clients from other countries that would find such work behavior shocking. It all depends on the circumstances, so take note, and read the room. Modern manners are necessary when navigating the waters of work events, but follow this advice and it will be a breeze. You spend a good chunk of your days and life at work, so why not enjoy it?   Don’t be afraid to have fun at your casual work events and have a drink or two. But know your limits, and maintain professionalism. Sharon Schweitzer Sharon Schweitzer is a modern-manners, business etiquette and cross-cultural expert.   She is author of Access to Asia and the founder of Protocol Etiquette Worldwide.   http://www.protocolww.com/  

Your Career Type What it Means For Your Success

Your Career Type What it Means For Your Success We have moved well beyond the traditional organisational career, where individuals are hired in to an organisation that takes full accountability for providing the career pathway to suit the needs, capabilities and preferences of that individual. Traditional career pathways were very entrenched in this model of career development where the success drivers were hierarchical progression; ‘ladder climbing’ being the best expression used to describe this approach. However, the global organisation structure has changed and in many markets, this has been reflected in the change to different career development approaches. Specifically, it has introduced the protean career and boundaryless career. Although there are strong similarities between each of these, there is a slight differentiation in their purpose: The  protean career  is a name given to describe a career  that is driven by the individual and not by the organization, however the career may remain within the organisational boundaries. The boundaryless career is similar to the protean career however, a boundaryless career focuses on external influences to deliver their objectives and is not limited by organisation, industry, culture or location. Each of these define a new level of complexity for organisations in talent management and recruitment practices, but it also presents new challenges in different cultures and labour markets. Importantly however, this different approach to career development has a substantial impact on your ability to achieve success if you do not align your career type to what is available or suitable to you. Why should you know what type of career is your preference? The way you approach your career development, or in the more traditional term, the way you desire your organisation to provide you career development, will depend on your type of career preference. For some cultures, career development and employment regulations enforce a more traditional, hierarchical organisational career offering. In this circumstance, individuals that are seeking a more protean or boundaryless career may not achieve this in their current location. How will this impact your career success? As organisations change, their talent management strategies change to reflect their growing needs and objectives. This may alter their approach to career development, talent management as well as recruitment and selection for staff. This change may suit some of the existing employees. However, if the organisation strategy seeks to move to hiring individuals looking beyond organisational, cultural and country boundaries, this may limit career success within this organisation if you are seeking to remain in a more traditional organisational career. There are a great number of influences that determine why an organisation may seek to employ individuals desiring different career types. Specifically, the way an individual manages their career and seeks to achieve their own career objectives influences the policies, internal culture and work environment within an organisation. Furthermore, organisations that are looking to expand themselves beyond cultural or country boundaries may see that they need to look for individuals seeking boundaryless careers to support this. How do you determine what career type you are? Like all great advice, talking to a career coach or career development practitioner is a great place to start to understand your specific preferences. Working with a qualified professional can then support you in delving deeper in to how to align these preferences to organisations, industries, labour markets and work environments. However, if you feel that you wish to start with your own research, here are some questions that if you answer yes to, can determine what type of career you are: Organisational career Am I keen to have someone else facilitate and define my career opportunities? Do I like the stability of remaining within 1 organisation across my career? Do I have limited flexibility and mobility in where I can work or where I can move my family to? Am I not interested in relocation or frequent travel beyond my existing environment? Protean career Am I interested in defining my own career direction and identifying the required steps to take to get there? Am I keen to work with my current organisation to provide the foundation for this? Do I have limited flexibility and mobility in where I can work or where I can move my family to? Am I not interested in relocation or frequent travel beyond my existing environment? Boundaryless career Do I want full ownership of my own career direction? Am I motivated to achieve my career regardless of the industry sector or organisation? Am I comfortable with change and the need to be mobile and flexible? Am I limited in the location that I am able to move to? Can I undertake frequent travel? Am I excited by the opportunity to experience different cultures and lifestyles? Although there is a lot more planning and thought required to understand your own career pathway, these questions will allow you to have a greater understanding of what career type best suits you. This will change as your priorities in life change, however, having the knowledge of different career types will ensure that you can analyse what is best for you when the time comes.

The Race to Close the Tech Gap

The Race to Close the Tech Gap An anticipated 8.6 million new tech jobs are expected to emerge over the next decade. This is a startling statistic for modern companies to digest, especially as they already face challenges to fill existing tech and IT jobs due to a growing shortage of digital talent. In an attempt to combat the skills gap, many companies are putting all of their resources toward recruitment and onboarding and wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars a year as a result. The truth is, these investments are completely misplaced. If businesses took the money, energy and time spent searching for and hiring new talent and put this toward developing and upskilling existing staff they could significantly cut costs and address the skills gap more efficiently. In order to close their own internal skills gaps, organizations need to prioritize training and development above all else. However, traditional corporate training programs will no longer suffice in the modern business landscape. To effectively close tech skills gaps and prepare workers with the knowledge they’ll need to succeed in the future workforce, companies have to approach training differently. Machine learning presents businesses with a unique opportunity to deliver optimal training experiences to learners, so long as programs are integrated strategically and quickly. Don’t overlook internal talent Instead of wasting time, money and resources on searching for external skilled professionals to fill existing and emerging tech roles, businesses need to focus on training and reskilling employees internally. The businesses that are able to identify and deliver opportunities to upskill and retrain their existing staff will have a much better chance of closing the talent gap especially because jobs that require analytics and technology skills take twice as long to fill. Making training a priority ensures that employees have the resources they need to obtain new skills and move into new roles based on their progress. This process allows businesses to accelerate the hiring process while increasing loyalty and retention along the way. Embracing digital learning tools means companies will need to depart from traditional corporate training methods they’ve relied on for so many years. Typically, these programs are limited, focusing solely on training for technical skill sets and do not consider the various individual goals and preferences of their learners. Further, traditional learning formats don’t provide HR executives the level of insight necessary to identify skills gaps in real-time and, most importantly, recognize those that are excelling. Taking learning digital allows executives to track employee progress and identify opportunities for restructuring. For example, if a particular employee is excelling in a data science course, a comprehensive learning platform would enable HR to track that progress and determine where those skills could be leveraged to benefit the company and close talent gaps. Technical skills training requires social interaction Hard skills training is obviously important and necessary to closing the tech skills gap. However, training for soft skills, like creativity and collaboration, are equally important. As the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, tech professionals will need to understand how to cope with those changes just as much as they’ll need to understand how to code. Formal training programs should always support social learning, as the most important and meaningful learning happens through daily interactions between peers. Incorporating social elements into digital learning programs extends the life of those day-to-day interactions. Providing opportunities for co-workers to connect through a shared digital platform allows for unique opportunities to form bonds and exchange ideas. Not only does this approach create a central location for employees to connect and empower knowledge sharing, but it also encourages employees to think collaboratively and creatively and the ability to do so will become increasingly critical in the age of automation. While peer-to-peer communication is a vital element of the learning process, companies are also leveraging AI to mimic the benefits of peer-to-peer collaboration. AI-powered learning platforms that can anticipate employee learning habits and general interests are able to direct employees to recommended training content that will help them achieve their overall business goals. The same way an employee might offer guidance this way, eLearning programs are evolving to be able to deliver the same benefits. When it comes to closing the tech skills gap, this approach is especially helpful. AI-powered tools let companies identify employees who excel in tech-oriented training and encourage those learners to skill up further and this allows businesses to develop those employees into the tech professionals they need to grow their business, both now and in the future. Adaptability can be taught The assumption that soft skills like creativity are inherently possessed is a huge misconception. The truth is, these skills can be learned with the right training. With the pace of change in the tech industry being as fast as it is, and roles changing and emerging every day, soft skills training is becoming more important than anything else. To create a culture of adaptability, organizations need to look beyond hard skills training and focus on a wider range of soft skills from creativity to collaboration to problem-solving. Organizations that embrace traditional training formats that don’t focus on this type of soft skills development will find it hard to compete in modern workforces where those more human skills will make all the difference in whether or not employees are able to thrive and keep up with changes and developments in the workplace, especially in the tech sector The demand for analytics and technology skills has never been higher. However, the most valuable employees will be those that have the skills to think creatively and problem-solve on their own as the pace of change in the workplace continues to accelerate. Organizations that are able to deliver training that prepares employees with this broad skill set will be able to address the skills gap head-on and anticipate industry changes when it matters most. About the author: John Coffee, is a Talent Acquisition Manager at Docebo, focusing on hiring the best talent for Docebo, an E-Learning SaaS company, while implementing programs that drive retention and employee engagement.

Research Articles on a Resume

Research Articles on a ResumeWriting research articles on a resume is a great way to help you get noticed and it can help you get an interview. This can also help you land that job you have been wanting for so long. You can write research articles on a resume to help your case for a job or to help you get the interview you want.There are many reasons why writing articles for the internet is such a good idea. It gives you a fresh perspective on things and helps you develop a deeper understanding of a topic that you are researching. That's why research articles on a resume can be so effective in your job search.The first reason why writing research articles on a resume is so effective is because you can write down some of the most basic information about a topic. You don't have to go out and find information about a certain thing; all you have to do is write down what you have learned about a topic. And the more you write the more your knowledge will grow.The second reason why writing research articles on a resume is effective is because you can look at the information and remember it. As you research something, or when you are going through a topic for a paper or a report, you can recall the information you have learned. That's not easy when you just get through it the first time, but when you are doing it for a job application it will make it easier.The third reason why writing research articles on a resume is effective is because the information you put down will be fact based. You won't be basing it on opinions or interpretations. You will be looking at the facts and not guessing or seeing things in hindsight. Using this method can help you develop a much deeper understanding of the subject you are researching.The fourth reason why writing research articles on a resume is so effective is because it can help you take a completely new perspective on a subject. Researching a subject from a different angle can change the way you look at things. Once you have that perspective you can better explain what you learned, especially when you are writing about a topic for a paper or a report.Finally, the fifth reason why writing research articles on a resume is so effective is because it can help you give an idea of how you could handle a situation. This is often the reason that people who are on an interview are asked what they would do in a particular situation. If you don't know what you would do or how you would do it, it will show.Writing research articles on a resume is a great way to help you get noticed and it can help you get an interview. This can also help you land that job you have been wanting for so long. You can write research articles on a resume to help your case for a job or to help you get the interview you want.

The Hiring Picture Simplified - Hire Imaging

The Hiring Picture Simplified - Hire Imaging Hiring Picture Simplified Over the years, I’ve talked to hundreds of people from diverse employment backgrounds about what they go through when hiredâ€"the actual process. I’ve spoken with those on both sides of the deskâ€"the hiring manager and the job seeker. It’s interesting that there are really only three types of scenarios. If you aspired to be successful in golf, you would never dream of achieving this without knowing the game itself. So think of hiring situations as part of the game. Knowing the three main situations puts you, the candidate in the position of knowing how the process really works; not how it’s supposed to be played. Good to know. Hiring Picture Simplified: Settings All hiring basically fits into one of these settings: Setting 1: The Candidate Pool. Here, an employee leaves, creating an open position. If it needs to be filled, the organization collects a large group of applicants. They are screened. Those making the screening cut are then interviewed. The hiring manager or committee then makes a final decision and hires someone. Setting 2: The Created Position. A job seeker recognizes a need within an organization. The hiring manager and job seeker discuss the need. The job seeker presents a business proposal to meet that need. A position is then created around the job seeker’s qualifications and value; finally, that job seeker is hired to fill the need. Setting 3: The Known Candidate. A hiring manager knows several qualified people. The hiring manager has these people in mind as potential new hires should a position open up or a new one be approved. When that occurs, the hiring manager may collect, screen and interview a pool of applicants, but then hires one of the known candidates. Sometimes, the hiring manager may bypass the outside hiring process altogether; and simply hire the known candidate. I’ve also had numerous conversations with my clients about what they think will happen in the hiring process. The majority assume that the Candidate Pool is the most common scenario. It is. But it accounts for only roughly 25% of hiring. The created position in Setting 2 is less than 5% of hiring. Hiring a known candidate in Setting 3 is how most hiring really happens. Hiring Picture Simplified: Takeaway What’s the takeaway here? If you want to cover 100% of the job market, your search strategy needs to integrate all three settings. The common denominator is talking to the hiring manager. Hiring will have to include this step in virtually all cases. But how and when that happens will differ. How? In Setting 1, applicants wait for the employer organization to contact them. They hope the hiring manager will want to speak with them. In Settings 2 and 3, the job seeker takes the initiative to talk to the hiring manager before an opening arises. This means there is also not a large group of competitors for the job. A crucial distinguishing factor. If you are a job seeker, the best strategy is one that positions you to succeed in all three scenarios. The idea is to proactively contact the hiring managers at your target companies. Then build as much of a relationship as you can at these organizationsâ€"preferably with those who have hiring power or know those who do. Knowing the rules of the game can make all the difference. You’re only as good as the people you hire,”   ~   Ray Kroc (American fast-food industry pioneer and founder of McDonald’s) Photo: SOCIALisBETTER

Small Business Saturday 8 Tips For New Business Owners

Small Business Saturday 8 Tips For New Business Owners Gaining visibility for your business is probably one of the most important yet challenging issues business owners face. You probably dont have unlimited time or  financial resources to pump into marketing your business.  Ultimately, your goal as a new business owner is to increase visibility, and on a budget. What we know is that the best marketing isnt really marketing. It is educational content. Its called content marketing and it serves as a funnel for leads and new business. Whether you are a small business or solopreneur (a business of one), these 8 tips for new business owners will  help you improve your visibility without breaking the bank. 8 Tips For New Business Owners Learn from others I regularly follow, read and interact with people from multiple industries and areas of expertise. Not only does it help me learn new tricks, but it also helps keep my mind nimble and see things in different ways. I also follow and communicate with people in the same space as my business- career coaches, resume writers, to help keep me up on trends in the industry. Tools of Choice: I regularly read articles and add noteworthy sites to my Feedly account. Ian Cleary of Razor Social wrote a post on how to use Feedly here. I get most of my news/updates from Twitter. Ive created lists to organize the different types of people/accounts I follow which makes it easier to find something on a topic or skim for news. You can learn more about the 26 tools my business couldnt do without. Take Calculated Risks Be open to trying new things. Stepping into un-chartered waters can be scary but it may open doors to new opportunities. Keeping up with technology may reveal a new tool or resource to help you promote your business. For example, have you heard about Periscope and Meerkat (live-streaming apps)? Maybe you could try live-streaming an event, film a featured employee or customer, or showcase features of a new product or service. Or take a simpler route and incorporate images/photos into your marketing. Read why using images is powerful and tools to  easily make your own. Become a Thought Leader or Expert Write and speak a topic. Find your voice, develop great ideas and  become a go-to source. Creating content (articles, blog posts, videos, slide presentations, white papers, you name it!) is a key step in building awareness of you and your business. Everything you share online is google-able! This means, if youve done it well, your online content  acts as a client magnet as well as a media attention-grabber. Yes, this takes time. Consider building your content based on solving problems for potential clients or  get content marketing ideas here. Get Online You cant ignore social networks/social media. These networks have become vital for connecting with customers and sharing your information (not blasting promotional updates about your product or service). Im not suggesting you hop on every platform right now. Master one first, then add to it. Heres a quick overview of the top four social networks. For example, if your customers are primarily using LinkedIn, master this platform. Learn how to use groups to meet new people, learn how to write a long-post on LinkedIn, and learn how to embed media into your profile.  SlideShare is a great companion for LinkedIn. It allows you to upload documents, infographics, and presentations. Take It Offline You will undoubtedly meet potential clients, partner companies and interesting people online. Consider this the first step. The more important step is to meet with the person face to face or arrange a phone or video call. This is how relationships are taken to the next level. Map  Out the Week This is the most difficult concept for me. I realize that the weeks  Im most productive is due to the fact that Ive  calendared  every event and activity I need to do. It sounds so logical, but the reality is that things pop up. Ive found Im much better at resolving a crisis  when  I know what else Ive got going on that day. Id love to say Im paper-free, but I need a calendar on my wall so I can see what Ive got going on for the month. Seeing this calendar also serves as an inspiration to fill in the blank spots with activities, events or outreach. Developing a content/blogging calendar  helps too. When you add the  publish  date of a post to your calendar, youre more likely to write the post and plan how you will promote it until you write your next post. HubSpot offers a free editorial calendar and a free social media content calendar. Keep Track of Your Efforts Besides mapping out activities, set goals or launch dates for projects. Then you can record/document the results after youve concluded the project. Keeping a record of your successes will help you build your next plan for the future. Know When To Part With Your Money Im incredibly frugal, to a fault. There are times when it is absolutely worth it to part with your money. Im not suggesting buying Twitter followers. But you may want to test targeted Facebook ads, LinkedIn ads or Twitter ads. When you reach a point you want to invest in the growth of  your business, you should check out  SCORE  and  SBA. Want More Help? Many of these tips and suggestions are explored further in Social Networking For Business Success. Did you get your copy yet?