Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Guiding Your Team Through Evolving Work Structures

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Guiding Your Team Through Evolving Work Structures Whether you’ve been with the same organization or moved around, if you’ve been a manager for a while, you have probably experienced a lot of changes regarding how, where, and when people work. The boundaries for what’s acceptable and what isn’t have shifted dramatically over the last 10 years, and many agree that the waters are growing even murkier. As we approach 2020, every organization is different with respect to policies on flexwork,technology-facilitated collaboration, virtual teaming, contract hiring, meetings scheduling and logistics, and the like. And because the dos and don’ts frequently evolve, your responsibility as aleaderis to ensure that protocol is clear and that your employees can function happily and productively in the context of new structures. Here are a few suggestions for a successful transition. Understand what the rest of your organization is doing Before you provide guidance to your team, talk to HR or c-suite leaders about any top-down work structure-related policies, procedures, and resources that already exist and can be tweaked or updated to meet your team’s needs. If another leader is blazing an innovation trail, learn from their experience and aim to take workable arrangements to the next level. Understand each individual’s unique needs We now operate in a workforce of one, where every employee governs their career differently. Prior to revising a structure or process (or starting a new one), survey your team members about the most effective ways to get their jobs done with maximum impact and minimum stress, and notice commonalities in thefeedback. Choose pilot over permanent Complete transitions to new structures gradually and on a small scale. For instance, if you want to move your team from 100 percent in-office to 80 percent, with the option of working from home or another location the remaining 20 percent, start with a three-month trial. Outline rules and expectations upfront and select a metric like productivity to ascertain how well the new protocol is working. Educate your people on politics If you’re reading this piece, your team may be on the cutting-edge of 21st century work. This means that your employees could run into snafus with other departments that operate differently. Think through potential complications early, manage perceptions, and ensure that your team can address objections from and continue to build trust with more traditional areas of the business. In other words, don’t let other leaders think your people are lazy or off the grid. Encourage frequent communication Any change process must be accompanied by more discussion than you think you need. Schedule group and individual check-ins at least twice a month so that your transition is smooth and hiccup-free as possible, protocols are consistently implemented from one team member to another, employees have an opportunity to provide feedback, and business is running as usual. In a business world where every employee’s journey is different, facilitating effective transitions is just as critical to engaging and retaining top talent as more traditional lifecycle focuses like onboarding and performance. Joinsponsor SilkRoad and me for a webinaron August 29, 2019 at 2PM EST and come with questions!

Tips For Writing a Resume In 2020

Tips For Writing a Resume In 2020The tips for writing a resume in 2020 are not just about the typical information on the resume such as education, professional and social experience. The tips for writing a resume also includes tips on choosing the right information on the resume and how to be able to write it in the most effective manner possible. The tips for writing a resume are applicable whether you are applying for a regular job or for a professional position.There are two basic things that are required while writing a resume. First is the content and the second is the presentation of the content. The content should be brief and to the point. One can make the content of the resume depending on the particular type of work you have done. For example, if you have been a nurse, then the content can be regarding the previous roles you have undertaken.There are different types of resumes. There are the clean-cut resumes and the resumes that go deep into the details. The resume cover l etter and the resume title are other examples of how you can organize the content of the resume. Many companies like to see the resume cover letter first so the resume title can be included after the resume content. The resume cover letter is one of the most important parts of a resume.The resume is what makes a person stand out. If the resume is not professional then you will not get the job. The tips for writing a resume in 2020 are very important and should be followed in the proper manner. The resume should be drafted in a manner that is attractive, simple and does not bore the reader. One can even include pictures, videos and audio in the resume in order to create a professional looking resume.To keep a resume fresh and up to date, one must not forget to edit the resume. Every time you want to add or delete anything, one must take time to go through the resume and ensure that the changes are necessary. The tips for writing a resume for a new job need to be revised when the care er is already established. The best option for the tips for writing a resume in 2020 is to put down a rough draft of the resume that includes the experience that has been previously gained. One should also make sure that the skills and knowledge gained during the job has been kept intact.The tips for writing a resume are also beneficial for the new job seekers who are trying to maintain a professional look and feel. One of the main things that needs to be kept in mind while writing a resume is the key personal statement. The key personal statement of the resume consists of some interesting and meaningful paragraphs that help in enhancing the professional look. The first paragraph should be clearly designed and clear so that it is easy to read and the impression is clearly communicated.The rest of the paragraphs need to be professionally written and the resume must highlight some of the experiences that one has gained from the personal statement. The tips for writing a resume in 2020 are not limited to the contents of the resume. One can include notes that relate to how the resume has been organized. It is also important to include a list of references in order to build a professional image of the applicant. It is very important to keep the references and other useful information that would help to boost the credibility of the applicant.It is very important to follow the tips for writing a resume in 2020 to be able to get the desired results. In addition, one must take time to write down and polish the resume. The resume can make or break the prospective employer so one must make the most of every opportunity by adhering to the tips for writing a resume.

We asked the Careers Service team what songs helped them through their exams University of Manchester Careers Blog

We asked the Careers Service team what songs helped them through their exams University of Manchester Careers Blog Written by Kareem Belfon, Marketing and Communications Assistant. What do you listen to when you revise? What songs get you pumped before going into an exam? Sometimes all you need is a stone cold banger to help motivate you during a study session. We asked Careers Service staff what songs got them through their exams: Kareem: Britney Spears Stronger Diana Ross The Boss Meghan: Destinys Child Survivor Ariana Grande No Tears Left to Cry Nina: Daniel Bedingfield Gotta Get Thru This Queen   I Want To Break Free Katie: Zara Larsson Lush Life Beyonce Halo Johnny: Kanye West I Am a God BADBADNOTGOOD Chompys Paradise If youre in need of any support during exam season, make sure you check out Exam Extra. The Library are offering extra support from Monday 29th April to Wednesday 5th May,  providing extra study spaces, wellbeing workshops, extra staff on hand and study skills sessions. Find out more on their website. Good luck! All

Dear Job Seekers, Stop Putting All of Your Eggs in One Basket

Dear Job Seekers, Stop Putting All of Your Eggs in One Basket I have the pleasure of partnering with a wide variety of senior executives and savvy professionals â€" all eager (and some anxious) about their impending job search. Clients approach me with a common goal: to secure a job. However, a large portion of these professionals get derailed in their search by focusing efforts exclusively on either one step of the process (locate job postings) or one tool (develop a resume). Many job seekers forget that  a job search is a journey of many steps that must be strategically arranged and adequately executed to increase success. And just like skipping the baking soda when you bake a cake can result in it falling flat, focusing all job search efforts on one ‘basket’ will produce lackluster results. Take Michelle. She approached me saying her resume: simply needs building upon to position me on paper better. As a well-known project management professional, she was partially right. She did have the resume basics down, but the document hadnt been dusted off for many years, and it was doing nothing to represent her as a modern candidate. After some discussion around current resume trends and strategies, Michelle agreed to have her resume rebuilt, leveraging modern tactics that better positioned her unique value and helped her stand out. Yet she didnt want the same communication upgrade done to her social media accounts. Even after recognizing that she was ‘behind the times’  in her job search communications, Michelle felt that a solid resume was all that was required to win the job. I made a similar discovery working with a sales executive who admitted that his job search approach would comprise of getting a resume and cover letter in order and then focusing efforts on online job boards. Networking? He hadnt thought about it.     ATS optimization? He didnt know what that was. Finally, there was a VP of finance who was proud of his communication skills and felt that if he had a great resume, the rest would be a breeze. He boasted that he could win a job offer in an interview  if he just had an excellent resume to get his foot in the door. However, during our strategy  session, he  struggled to articulate his value and stumbled on simple career questions. I suggested interview coaching would be beneficial to support the delivery of career content. Did he agree? No; he felt he was an excellent communicator’ already. All of these clients had one thing in common.  They were putting their job search efforts (eggs) into one basket and not evaluating and tackling ALL of the necessary tasks. Yes, a good resume and cover letter are required (even in today’s digital age) but so are different resume formats for different types of applications, and different avenues for getting the resume read. Active social media profiles are a necessity because Google is the new resume. Employers look up candidates online. If they locate a  LinkedIn profile full of unrelated content that does not match what the resume shares then expertise will be questioned or passed up. If a candidate hasnt conducted a formal interview for several years,  practice is required. Many job seekers crumble under interview pressure, leaving them flummoxed as to why they never get the coveted offer. Finally, applying for jobs online has proven to have some of the lowest ROI.  Online postings yield poor results because overcoming the pesky ATS is a challenge, and the competition pool is a lot greater. Many job seekers are completely overlooking  the power of networking and referrals. Tapping into the hidden job market yields much higher results. So please job seekers, gather your eggs (all of them!) and start nurturing your efforts in multiple areas. Dedicate time and attention to each job search step, including the creation of a job search strategy  that entails more than online job trolling. Avoid  common job search mistakes. Your checklist: ??  Pick a target before you execute.   A shot fired in the dark is unlikely to hit a target. Identify a clear job target before you commence a search to avoid spinning your wheels in frustration. General job searches rarely work. ??  Discover what sets you apart. You can’t sell something if you don’t know what makes it worthy of investment. Identify notable career achievements to support your value. ??  Research job requirements and understand employer’s buying motivators.   This will help you keep the content targeted. ??  Get career documents perfectly polished  (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, executive biography, references sheet, and thank you letter). Yes, potentially all of these. ??  Beef up your online presence. Keep information on-brand and highly professional.  If you arent on LinkedIn Join. Now. ??  Iron out ‘wrinkles’ or employment barriers. Got a job gap? Missing skill sets? What other challenges are you likely to face in the journey and how are you prepared to deal with them? ??  Prepare  for the interview. This involves practice and preparation.  See my post The 4-P Interview Formula  for more tips. ??  Network. Both online and off. One of the biggest ROI in a job search is networking and referrals.   Finally, seek assistance if you need it (you dont need to tackle this journey alone), be open to suggestions, and invest â€"  fully! You can’t just dip your toe in the employment waters and expect a quick and well-suited bite. Similarly, you can’t dump all your eggs into one basket and expect instant success. You need to go all-in; keeping in mind that ‘looking for a job is a job’  so it will take effort and energy on many different levels. Now that you understand what needs to get done it’s time to get crackin!

Why Use Chronological Format For Your Resume?

Why Use Chronological Format For Your Resume?A resume is a document meant to direct an employer to your potential or current skills and qualifications. For it to be effective, it should be clear, brief, precise and always in sync with the expectations of the organization.One aspect that you should not forget is the format and font used to create a resume. Too many have fallen prey to the myth that the best format to choose is the one that is most compatible with the company's guidelines and formal requirements.However, that is not the case; while it is important to follow the company's formality, it is not the only factor that can influence the choice of format. The format you use should be able to produce the results you want. In other words, it should work for you and not against you.As a rule, the basic element you should look at is the right alignment of dates on your resume. Most organizations expect your resume to contain a chronological listing of your qualifications, experien ce and skills. They expect your resume to be used to fill positions that are available.This can work for you in the right direction. If you are able to illustrate how you are a good fit for the opening position, the employer is more likely to take a chance on you and may give you an interview. In fact, some employers will recommend you to other employers because they see you as a good fit for their organization.So, with all that said, you have to think about the right format and sequence. You should always use chronological order if you expect the employer to be impressed by your previous employment and educational credentials. If the employer does not expect you to have these qualifications, using a chronological format will confuse him and you may end up with a meaningless document.One other point to consider is the actual amount of information that should be included in the writing. Too little information might indicate you are trying to cover too many bases; this can make the em ployer wonder if you are trying to try to bait him. So, while you want to be specific about your work experience and education, you do not want to make it so vague that the employer has no idea what you are saying.Employers usually have lists of requirements and they want to know why you did not fit them in any way. If you know you were not a good fit in this area and have been told this by another organization, address the issue in your resume. Do not assume you have addressed the issue and simply wait for the next opportunity to submit your resume.

5 ways you can do work experience with animals

5 ways you can do work experience with animals Youve got a precious few weeks before uni rolls around again and you get swamped with coursework, so its time to think about how youre going to use that time wisely. Go on holiday? Take up a new hobby? Sit in your room researching Game of Thrones fan theories for 8 hours a day? (Not me at all) Theres no better way to use your time than by volunteering to help our fellow furry creatures.  Whether its doggos or puppers, horses or hedgehogs, work experience with animals is about the most fun you can have while not getting paid. Plus, youll be building valuable experience you can pop on your CV. Even if youre not studying zoology, employers always look favourably on volunteering experience, and youll be able to demonstrate how the skills you learnt transfer across to other areas. There are plenty of options available if you want to get some work experience (going to the nearby cat cafe doesnt count), and here are just a few: Volunteer at your nearest animal shelter Probably the best way to get some work experience with animals is by working at your local animal shelter. These are the pooches and paws that are in need of a bit of extra love often abandoned, abused or ran away from home. Local animal shelters are normally desperate for volunteers to help with cleaning, feeding and exercising their four-legged inmates, so as long as youre willing to get your hands dirty, youll be welcome. Check out organisations like the RSPCA and Dogs Trust who have established volunteering programmes in place that you can get involved with. Just be warned its very easy to get attached to cute canines and your housemates probably wont be too impressed if you bring a new addition home with you! Go to your nearest farm This one depends on how close to the countryside youre based,  but if youve got a farm close at hand its a great opportunity. While you might not have the skills to work on a professional working farm, these days there are loads of farm parks designed for families to come along and feed the animals think donkey rides for 5-year-olds and greedy horses stealing bags of food. These places are much more likely to be open to receiving volunteers, whether its cleaning out the pigsty or helping at childrens birthday party. And if you can handle animals and children, you can handle anything. Get a job at your local pet shop Those pet shops that stock live animals like puppies and kittens are (thankfully) a thing of the past, but we do still have the likes of Pets At Home. Here you can get small animals like guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters, and youll often see dogs and their owners wandering through the toy section. They unfortunately dont take on volunteers but you can apply for a part-time job in any of their stores   just keep checking for available openings. Work at a zoo or aquarium Now Im not the biggest fan of zoos and aquariums, but many of them do some very important conservation work and research that has had a positive impact on the animal kingdom. Different zoos will have different policies when it comes to getting involved, but the Zoological Society of London (who run London Zoo) ask for a commitment of one full day a week. Its not as glamorous as it might seem though. Youll have to get involved in some pretty messy work come rain or shine, but youll be rewarded with working with some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. Plus, youll sure have plenty of stories to impress your mates with when you head back to uni. Become a dogsitter or dog walker This is one of the only ways you might get paid to work with animals, but its a tricky business to get into. People arent going to hand over their precious poodles to any old person, so if you want to set yourself up as a professional dog walker, you will have to get a background check and an official license. An easier way around this, though, is just to offer to walk your neighbours dogs for them; if they know and trust you, theyre likely to be fine with it. Just be wary  of websites that offer quick fix routes to looking after other peoples dogs, as they sometimes have hidden catches. And dont forget to hand the dogs back to their owners at the end of the day we know how easy it is to get attached. Doing work experience with animals is a really fun way to do something different and beneficial over the summer, but its not all cuddles and pats. Its hard work, you have to be dedicated and animals tend not to care about the rain as much as humans do. Only dedicated animal lovers need apply. Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for more careers insight

Malcolm Gladwell Seminar on Success - Part 3 - Wolfgang Career Coaching

Malcolm Gladwell Seminar on Success - Part 3 - Wolfgang Career Coaching In my last blog, I disccused Malcolm Gladwells ideas of the Compensation and Capitalization strategies. In this blog, I will cover the last two points Malcom Gladwell mentioned in his seminar on What Makes People Successful. Job Search Trial Error Malcom Gladwell said that being successful includes trial and error, risk taking, and willingness to keep learning and trying. Utilizing these strategies helps you see where your true genius lies. Many people say to me I just want someone to tell me what job I would be good at and should do. The truth is, there is neither an assessment nor a single person that can tell you what your true path is. Finding your true path requires you to try out different careers to see if they fit. Sometimes a career looks good on paper but when you have a chance to try it out it doesnt fit you. Different careers fit us best at different times in our lives. Rarely does a person find one job that they are going to do in the exact same way for the rest of their lives and love that job year after year. Finding the right career for you at a secific time in your life involves taking some risks and trying new things to see if it is a true fit. Support The last point that Malcolm Gladwell emphasized was the need for support in meeting your goals. You need someone or something (an organization) to stand behind you with support, resources, guidance, and collaboration to help you meet your goals. Talent cannot succeed by itself. I always emphasize to my clients that they need to have a plan for their career where do they want to go and how are they going to get there? However, it doesnt matter how great your plan is if you do not have anyone to support you in making your plan a reality. The support might come from your manager who is helping you get the experiences and skills necessary for the next position. Or support might come from your company who pays for a professional development program to gain skills. Support might come from your family who is willing to make the sacrifice to spend less money while you go back to school to get a degree in a field you are really interested in. Or the support might come from a career coach who provides an objective voice to help you see your plan more clearly. Where ever it comes from, you will need support to succeed in meeting your goals. It is difficult to achieve your goals on your own.

Tough (Question) Tuesday What action do you need to take right now to move your life forward into 2009 - When I Grow Up

Tough (Question) Tuesday What action do you need to take right now to move your life forward into 2009 - When I Grow Up Its December, people. Freakin A. That means were just days away from New Years Eve, and the resolutions that everyone is itching to make (or avoid). Think back on the year your regrets, your goals, your accomplishments. Then look ahead, but only in a general sense. What does 2009 feel like? Where does 2009 take place for you?   Then ask yourself: What action do you need to take right now to move your life forward into 2009? As usual, Ill post my answer in the comments section. I hope that you do the same! To see the other installments of Tough (Question) Tuesday go here.