Friday, May 29, 2020

I HAVE TO tell you about the power of the word

I HAVE TO tell you about the power of the word Recently I was watching a teen news program while doing Saturday morning chores with the kids and got to see an interview with Lee Unkrich, the director/producer of Toy Story 3. He was asked what his role was as the director and he said something like “I have to nurture the story along,” or something like that. Two things caught me from that response My first thought was that his entire team of storywriters might have thought “well that’s kind of pompous, sounding like he was the one who really evolved the story to what it was.  What are we, chopped liver?” I think it’s important to communicate your role on a team without sounding like you did all the great, important stuff. Really, though, this was minor compared to my second thought: He said he “had to” My heavens how many thousands of aspiring movie people would have loved the opportunity to be involved with Toy Story 3, especially at that level! It made me think about what I do, and my obligations: Do I describe things that I do, or have done, with the words “had to” or “have to?” I have to write two articles a week for AOL. I have to direct my JibberJobber team with the design and creation of new features. I have to go to the mail, see if I got any checks, and then take them to the bank to deposit them. I have to do more video recordings so my users can get training for their job search. I have to revise my LinkedIn book. I have to finish my third book, which is a peek into the life of two entrepreneurs. These are all things that I “have to” do but let’s change one word and get a totally different feeling about my work, my pride, my ownership: I get to write two articles a week for AOL. I know plenty of people who would like the exposure I can get from being a writer for AOL. I get to direct my JibberJobber team with the design and creation of new features. I have been blessed to have a team to work with, and to have the responsibility to create stuff that helps so many people while developing a sustainable business. I get to go to the mail, see if I got any checks, and then take them to the bank to deposit them. It wasn’t too long ago that there weren’t checks to deposit.  As a business owner it’s a delight to deposit a check. I get to do more video recordings so my users can get training for their job search. I am fortunate to be a recognized subject matter expert and thought leader in this space, and feel lucky that people care about what I have to say. I get to revise my LinkedIn book. How many people get to revise a published book they’ve written?  How lucky am I that it has sold well enough that it needs a third edition? I get to finish my third book, which is a peek into the life of two entrepreneurs. Not only is this exciting because it’s my third book, but I’ve gotten enough experience that I can actually write a book like this.  This is something I never would have dreamed about years ago! See the different between HAVE TO and GET TO? Did Tom Hanks have to be involved in the Toy Story movies, or did he GET TO? I don’t fault the Unkrich for his choice of words it is common to say what we have to do.  But the next time someone asks you about what you’ve done, try explaining what you got to do, instead of what you had to do.  It changes the spirit of your message! I HAVE TO tell you about the power of the word Recently I was watching a teen news program while doing Saturday morning chores with the kids and got to see an interview with Lee Unkrich, the director/producer of Toy Story 3. He was asked what his role was as the director and he said something like “I have to nurture the story along,” or something like that. Two things caught me from that response My first thought was that his entire team of storywriters might have thought “well that’s kind of pompous, sounding like he was the one who really evolved the story to what it was.  What are we, chopped liver?” I think it’s important to communicate your role on a team without sounding like you did all the great, important stuff. Really, though, this was minor compared to my second thought: He said he “had to” My heavens how many thousands of aspiring movie people would have loved the opportunity to be involved with Toy Story 3, especially at that level! It made me think about what I do, and my obligations: Do I describe things that I do, or have done, with the words “had to” or “have to?” I have to write two articles a week for AOL. I have to direct my JibberJobber team with the design and creation of new features. I have to go to the mail, see if I got any checks, and then take them to the bank to deposit them. I have to do more video recordings so my users can get training for their job search. I have to revise my LinkedIn book. I have to finish my third book, which is a peek into the life of two entrepreneurs. These are all things that I “have to” do but let’s change one word and get a totally different feeling about my work, my pride, my ownership: I get to write two articles a week for AOL. I know plenty of people who would like the exposure I can get from being a writer for AOL. I get to direct my JibberJobber team with the design and creation of new features. I have been blessed to have a team to work with, and to have the responsibility to create stuff that helps so many people while developing a sustainable business. I get to go to the mail, see if I got any checks, and then take them to the bank to deposit them. It wasn’t too long ago that there weren’t checks to deposit.  As a business owner it’s a delight to deposit a check. I get to do more video recordings so my users can get training for their job search. I am fortunate to be a recognized subject matter expert and thought leader in this space, and feel lucky that people care about what I have to say. I get to revise my LinkedIn book. How many people get to revise a published book they’ve written?  How lucky am I that it has sold well enough that it needs a third edition? I get to finish my third book, which is a peek into the life of two entrepreneurs. Not only is this exciting because it’s my third book, but I’ve gotten enough experience that I can actually write a book like this.  This is something I never would have dreamed about years ago! See the different between HAVE TO and GET TO? Did Tom Hanks have to be involved in the Toy Story movies, or did he GET TO? I don’t fault the Unkrich for his choice of words it is common to say what we have to do.  But the next time someone asks you about what you’ve done, try explaining what you got to do, instead of what you had to do.  It changes the spirit of your message!

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Why You Should Avoid Payday Loans in 2018

Why You Should Avoid Payday Loans in 2018 What Are Payday Loans? A payday loan is a type of loan that people take out when they are in dire need of cash. It is a short-term loan which has some or all of the following characteristics: It is unsecured and requires no collateral. Once you provide a proof of employment, pay slips and identification documents, approval is guaranteed and cash is paid on the very same day. The loan period is usually from 15 to 31 days. Payment is to be made from your next pay check. The average APR is around 400%. These loans should be taken only when you need money urgently and you are absolutely sure that you can repay the entire loan on time. If not, you can easily get into a debt cycle because on the pay day, lenders will charge you only the rates and you will need to pay back the entire amount next month (the loan plus the rates). This is the most common way to get into a debt cycle and for this reason, these lenders don’t perform a credit check and don’t request income history. Their only goal is that you take the loan so that they can charge you as much money as they can. For this reason, payday loans are not allowed in some states (District of Columbia, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia). What Are Auto Title Loans? In theory, auto title loans are a type of secured loans. But in practice, they are much different. These are the basic features of auto title loans: Auto title loans require that your car title is used as collateral. In other words, if you fail to repay the loan on time, your car will be taken from you. The amount of loan is usually only around 40% of your car’s worth. The average APR is around 300%, which is close to payday loans. Lenders do not perform a hard inquiry on your credit. Again, like with payday loans, auto title loans are given without performing a credit check and their APR is astronomical. This is exactly what gets people into a debt cycle. Even though many people who have a bad credit score and need money urgently opt for payday and auto title loans, we highly recommend against taking them. Are There Any Alternatives? Actually, there are. Lenders who offer payday loans try to manipulate people into believing that they are their only option, while this is not true at all. Personal Loans Elite Personal Finance and many other personal finance websites claim that the lending market is becoming more flexible. This means that today you can get a reasonable personal loan even if you have bad credit. This will take some shopping around and comparing offers but it will save you a lot of money and stress in the long run. Personal loans are used when you need to cover medical bills, make a big purchase, fund unexpected expenses and for many other purposes. These loans are offered with no collateral and at much better terms than the previous two types of loans. The APR ranges from 5% to 36%, which is more than enough to consider personal loans over the other two. You can get personal loans at a bank or online lending company. Some of the best online lenders for people with bad credit are: Upstart Payoff Avant OneMain Financial They will give you a personal loan at a much lower interest rate. Also, you can get a considerably higher amount of money and better overall terms if you only take some time to search for personal loans, shop around and compare all the offers. Take a look at the list of bad credit loan offers by The Simple Dollar. Other Alternatives Another option for you to consider is to get a cosigner for your loan. This will give you significantly better terms as the lender will consider your cosigner’s credit instead of yours. However, make sure that you pay the loan back on time if you don’t want to bury your friendship with that person. Also, you can take a secured loan, which requires that you pledge some asset as collateral for the loan, for example, your property or car. However, unlike auto title loans, the APR of secured loans is up to 36%. In addition, the amount that you can borrow goes up to $50,000, depending on your credit and overall financial situation. Lenders feel much safer when you secure the loan with your asset, so they are ready to give you much better terms. Finally, you can entirely avoid getting a loan by borrowing money from a friend or relative. In addition, you can ask for a salary advance at work and see how it goes. Who knows, your boss might like you after all. Conclusion In case you have bad credit, don’t fall for payday or auto title loans. These are predatory loans that will very likely get you into a debt cycle. Instead, search for alternatives such as personal loans for bad credit. Also, you can get a co-signed or secured loan or simply borrow money. There are enough more affordable alternatives which will cost you much less money and nerves both short- and long-term.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Resume Heat Map Shows You Where to Use Bold Font [VIDEO]

Resume Heat Map Shows You Where to Use Bold Font [VIDEO] Resume font choices can be confusing. First, you have to decide on the  best font for your resume.  Then you have to decide where to use normal and bold font. This post shares a resume heat map that shows you exactly what recruiters look for on your resume and you can use that information to decide where to use bold font.The Resume Heat Map, Eye-Tracking StudyBecause bold font draws your readers eyes, its helpful to use it to guide recruiters and hiring managers to the information thats most important to them. It creates a visual hierarchy for your readers to follow.Check out this research study, or the following resume heat map video (H/T Phyllis Mufson), to see how readers scan resumes.The heat map comes from a study that tracked recruiters eye movements as they read resumes. It shows you what they focus on and what they ignore during their first looks. Thats useful information!Where to Use Bold Font on Your ResumeNow that you know from the resume heat map and other research what your audience wants, be sure to use bold font on the following elements of your resume:Your name.Section headings.Job titles.Employment dates.Employer names.Employer locations.Your name on second-page headers.Your degrees.If you want to see how easy this makes your resume to scan, check out these  executive resumes.Where NOT to Use Bold Font on Your ResumeI mention where not to use bold font on your resume because candidates often go bold inside the narrative descriptions of their jobs and accomplishments.Thats a worst practice because it disrupts the visual hierarchy your readers want to use to navigate your resume. While you might think youre drawing their eyes to the most important information on your resume, thats your opinion.The resume heat map showed us what recruiters read first. Smart job seekers give them what theyre looking for because they decide whether or not you get an interview.SummaryAlways think about what recruiters and hiring managers want. Then give them a good reader experience (RX)!You Might Also LikeRecruiters Dont Want to See Creative ResumesImage: Fotolia/pressmaster Updated February  2019 2015 2019, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.Donna SveiDonna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, writes all of AvidCareerists posts. She has written for and been quoted by leading business, general, and career media outlets, including Forbes, Mashable, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Lifehacker, Ask.com, Social Media Today, IT World, SmartBrief, Payscale, Business News Daily, and the Muse. Let her background and experience inform your job search strategy and decision making.Learn more about Donnas executive resume writing service or email Donna for more information. Resumes â€" Structure Format (5 Posts)

Monday, May 18, 2020

Personal Branding Weekly - Does Personal Branding Work for Introverts - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly - Does Personal Branding Work for Introverts - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career During a group coaching meeting, I was asked if personal branding works for an introvert? The answer is yes. Yes, you still need to discover what makes you unique.   Understanding your strengths and how you can communicate in a way that is uniquely you, is also a part of personal branding. It’s important to reframe how you express and communicate your personal brand so that is congruent with who you are. Reframing how you think about your personal brand is also important.   If it feels uncomfortable to you then it will be disingenuous to others. After you’ve discovered what makes you unique, then think of the best ways to communicate your brand in a way that resonates with you. Social media is a good start since it allows introverts to connect and engage in a way that’s more comfortable since relationship building is done from behind the monitor. Strong relationships and advocates can be built through social platforms. Even on busy platforms like Twitter, you do slow down and communicate with people with tweets, one-on-one. Writing articles and showcasing talents in written form can be a strong channel to showcase your thoughts and strengths. Slideshare presentations and even webinars are also great ways to be able to express themselves.   Even though you include your voice in these two tools you do not have to speak in front of the camera which provides more opportunities to focus on the information and your analysis of it than on you. There’s a misconception that introverts are anti-social. That’s just not true. It takes their energy and drains them when they do interact with others (that’s what I’ve learned from being a mom of an introvert). One-on-one conversations are the area where they are strong. They may have a fewer amount of friends or interactions.   And, quality does trump quantity. Do you recognize yourself as an introvert? Make Sure You Understand the Company’s Personal Brand  by Debra Benton The Underappreciated Art Of No in Business  by Crystal Washington How to Bully-Proof Yourself at Work  by Nance Rosen How to Stand Out in a Group Interview  by Ceren Cubukcu 3 Ways To Brand Yourself As A Freelancer  by Heather Huhman Negotiating An Improved Outcome  by Elinor Stutz LinkedIn Is the Key to Your Next Job  by Alex Freund Get Hired: How to Appear More Confident  by Katie Konrath Five Tips for Improving Your Attitude  by Richard Kirby 7 Lunches College Seniors Should Be Booking!  by Eddy Ricci Stoke Your Passion and Elevate Your Career  by Jeff Shuey Representing Hollywood: An Interview with Liza Anderson  by Bill Connolly Wrong Conversations Rule Workplace Communication  by Skip Weisman Give Your Personal Brand a Boost  by Susan Gilbert How to Quit Your Job Without Burning Bridges  by Leslie Truex What Entrepreneurs Could Learn From Storytellers  by Beth Kuhel 9 Strategies for Creating a Website to Showcase Your Personal Brand  by The Young Entrepreneur Council LinkedIn Endorsements Updated â€" FINALLY!  by Marc Miller

Friday, May 15, 2020

Resume Writing Services in Oklahoma

Resume Writing Services in OklahomaResume writing services Oklahoma are not just companies or individuals offering such services, but the word 'services' is being used very loosely. Any person with talent, skill, or expertise can put that skill to good use as a resume writer for employers in the area. In this article we will go over the basics of resume writing services in Oklahoma and why they are so important for both you and your employer.There are plenty of small to mid-sized businesses that are beginning to hire the services of such services in Oklahoma. The reason is very simple, if your resume is not written well it could cost you an interview. If you're not doing a great job getting hired for a job you want, why would you want to waste your time and effort writing a worthless resume?As many of you know, it's really quite simple to find these local companies, just search Google or Yellow Page to find companies that will offer resume writing services. Many times the companies w ill be run by individuals who are able to answer all of your questions. They can even give you a quote for an initial consultation and get you started on a step-by-step process of how to write a quality resume. So let's get started!First off, what is a resume? Well, a resume is a paper document that contains information about your employment history, education, training, or skills. It is typically filed in a large file cabinet or drawer somewhere and when you're done with it you simply throw it away. So that makes sense, right? Well, it's hard to believe anyone in the 21st century doesn't have a resume.So, let's talk about the type of resume you will receive when you go out for resume writing services in Oklahoma. They will be completely different from those written by an individual. You can expect a detailed listing of all your education, employment and work experience and any other significant accomplishments. Some of this information may include how long you've been working for t he company you're applying for, whether you're currently employed, and a listing of the particular job you are applying for.The person running the company will make sure you are aware of any specific requirements such as particular educational requirements, work experience requirements, or any requirement to have a resume counselor. These things will also be listed on your resume.The great thing about hiring the services of a professional is you get the best possible results. By hiring someone who knows exactly what needs to be done, not only are you saving yourself a lot of time, but you are saving your boss as well. There is very little risk involved in going through the entire process by yourself, which leaves you free to focus on more important things.When it comes to resume writing services in Oklahoma, don't believe the hype about they're expensive, nor do you need to hire the services of an individual. The services provided by professional agencies offer comprehensive guidanc e, and that's exactly what you need to ensure your resume is written properly.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

5 Most Common Job Interview Blunders of Graduate Job Applicants - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

5 Most Common Job Interview Blunders of Graduate Job Applicants Almost all new graduates dream of getting a place on a coveted graduate programme. With so much competition, however, it’s unsurprising that only a small percentage make it through. There are a lot of reasons why so many graduates aren’t accepted. Some fail due to lack of experience and others due to lack of passion for the job. However, the most spectacular way to fail is to screw up at the graduate job interview. If you have an interview coming up that you’re looking to ace, don’t stress. We’ve put together a guide of the most common job interview blunders. Simply avoid doing these at your interview and you could be signing your contract in no time. Graduate Job Interview Blunders to Avoid Lying about Achievements As a graduate, your employer isn’t expecting you to have experience managing a marketing department or implementing a successful sales strategy. Remember that graduate jobs are designed for twenty-somethings who are straight out of university. If you’ve taken the initiative to do some work experience before applying for jobs, then that’s great. But managerial experience isn’t expected. Rather than telling tales about things you’ve never done, work with what you’ve actually have done. If you’ve spent a lot of time doing extra-curricular activities at University, talk about that. Employers are looking for evidence that candidates have particular skills â€" not direct experience. It might require a bit of creativity, but you’ll definitely have examples of times that you’ve displayed these skills in your repertoire. Don’t forget that the people who are interviewing you are experts in recruitment. They’ve spent years being trained in how to find the right people. So, let’s be honest, they can pick out a fraud (a lie) when they see one. Not Asking Any Questions There’s a particular question that comes up in every interview that can potentially make or break your success. That question is: “Do you have any questions for us?” Recruiters want to know that you care about the job and asking questions is a great way to show that you’re interested. It’s a good idea to prepare a question beforehand. This can help you feel relaxed through the interview before being put on the spot. If you’d rather choose your question on the day then that’s fine, too. The employer will spend some time explaining the job to you so it’s only natural to have something that you want them to elaborate on. By asking questions at the end of the interview, you can add a more conversational tone to the procedure. This will humanise the interviewers making you feel more relaxed. In turn, this will allow you to show a more natural version of yourself in the interview room. Not Preparing in Advance for Graduate Recruitment Tests Although recruitment tests such as numerical, verbal and abstract reasoning tests aren’t common in traditional interviews, they should be expected at any stage of the graduate recruitment process. Many graduates think that their work with aptitude tests is complete after the online reasoning test stage. However, it’s still wise to prepare for them later in the recruitment process â€" especially so in the lead up to the assessment centre. There is no shortage of practice graduate recruitment practice tests available online so there’s no excuse not to be prepared! Failing to Research the Company In the internet age, we have a wealth of information at our fingertips â€" sometimes too much, actually! There’s no excuse, then, not to research the company before your interview. If you can sneak little snippets of information into your responses, the interviewers will be impressed by your interest and knowledge. Some graduates go along to interviews knowing barely anything about the job and this is apparent in their answers. It’s best to be as clued up as you can be. The company’s “About” page on their website is a great place to start your research. It will concisely explain all the most important information about the company. To expand on this, have a look at some of the press releases that the company has produced that year. It’s also worthwhile to do a quick search on the news section of Google for the most up to date information about the company. Plus, social media addicts will be glad to hear that Facebook can also come in handy in their preparation. Most companies are very active on social media. There’s definitely no harm in following along! Just be careful not to bring up any controversial information that you find. If the company has been involved in any recent scandals, then keep that information to yourself. This is especially true for financial companies who often find themselves on the wrong side of the press! Just mention the good things and win them over with flattery. Dressing too Casually If you’ve just graduated from University, it’s unlikely that you’ll have a wardrobe full of smart casual office wear. However, that’s not to say that you have the green light to show up for your interview wearing jeans, converse and a hoodie. The old saying goes that we should dress for the job that we want and not the one that we have. So, take this opportunity to buy yourself some smart looking clothing. This is a wise investment that could make or break your success. Better still, it will make you feel more confident, too. They say that we only get one chance at a first impression so make sure that you wow the interviewers the moment you walk in the room. Plus, you’ll probably have a lot more chances to wear these clothes in the future, too, so it definitely won’t be a waste of money! If you’ve got a graduate job coming up, then we wish you the very best of luck. By simply avoiding these five common job interview blunders, you’ll be miles ahead of the rest of the pack. We hope that these tips will help you feel more confident on the day and lead to you finally signing that coveted graduate job contract! Have any tips for your fellow graduate job seekers? Share them in the comments and join in the conversation!

Friday, May 8, 2020

How WD-40 built a billion-dollar business with happiness - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

How WD-40 built a billion-dollar business with happiness - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog In this AMAZING speech from our International Conference on Happiness at Work, CEO Garry Ridge gives you a look ?under the hood? of one of the world?s most recognized brands, WD-40 Company,? where 98% of employees say they love to work. This high engagement has resulted in a company that has doubled in revenue in the last decade, and is on a trajectory to double again in the next. Garry shares his ?learning moments? from his journey to transform the company?s culture, beginning in 1997. Lessons and principles covered include: The personal journey of every servant leader, and why that philosophy is critical The emotional connection of a greater purpose that creates high engagement How to carefully and consciously choose values that will be embedded in all aspects of leadership and employee development The difference between a ?team? and a ?tribe?, and why WD-40 Company strove to create a cohesive tribe that spans 15 countries where employees work How company performance results are directly connected to its focus on people Watch the whole thing its phenomenal! Heres my personal favorite quote from his speech: Leaders are champions of hope. Life is a gift. Lets not send it back unwrapped. We have only time, talent, treasure, and technology to deal with, and none of them are abundant. So its our job as leaders to help people focus on the things that really matter and to take that hope to a real result. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related