How to Use Your Personal Brand to Switch Careers

How to Use Your Personal Brand to Switch CareersHow to Use Your Personal Brand to Switch CareersYour brand is what youre known for and what youre known for knowing. Use that to your advantage in making a career transition.Youre not in the job market - youre in the opportunity market.As such, branding is no longer a novelty its a necessity. Its the price of admission. And its got nothing to do with dressing for success, company logos or flashy Web sites.Branding is the best version of you.Branding is how people experience you.Branding is how people experience themselves in relation to you.Branding is what youre known for, what youre known as and what youre known for knowing.Think of it from an algebraic perspective Your brand is the coefficient, and the goal is to make that number a little stronger every day. That way, when a new job enters the equation, youre prepared to multiply the hell out of it.Heres how to use your personal brand to pave the way for career transitionDevelop a p redisposition to compromise. Meeting life in the middle doesnt make you weak or small - it makes you human and malleable. And if youre starting over, I cant think of two more appropriate adjectives to describe your ideal state of being. Ask these questions What if you adapted your skills to a more vibrant industry? What if you repackaged your talents into a volunteerism lifestyle until the economy shifted? And what if you gave away your talent to the market until they were ready to pay for it? Remember Dont commit solely to one course of action - cast a wider net. Learn to live larger than your labels, uncover new territory for personal and professional expansion and profitable use of everything you are. Will you accept the flux of life - then learn to ride it?Quality cant be your sole signature. People need to fall in love with your process as much as your product. Because if they dont love the person doing the work as much as the work itself, starting over is going to take fore ver. My suggestion Articulate the portrait of the person you want to be. Start serving people from who you are - not who you pretend to be. As you extend your brand into the marketplace, consider branding your service, your language and your honesty. Thats what will get you noticed, get you remembered and get you the job. What gives your personal brand its power?Make creativity a conscious priority. Readers often ask me how I decide what to write about each day. My answer is simple I dont - I just listen for what wants to be written. Thats how creativity works Its a process of surrendering. And if you plan to start over, thats the smartest attitude to maintain. Opportunity never stops knocking - you just stop listening.The secret is to lock into the right frame of mind to pursue opportunities as they arise, to maintain the emotional willingness to open yourself to new possibilities. For example Examine the smallest revenue centers of your business. Then ask, With some reinvention could this become a brand-new business unit? Who knows? By giving your artistic voice another outlet, you might activate a market segment that just cant wait for your arrival. Remember Creativity isnt an entitlement - it is nurtured by constant cultivation.Create a network of human healing. In the book, Who Gets Sick, Blair Justice revealed how beliefs, moods and thoughts affected health. In one particular study, his research found that social support protects your health by reducing the intensity with which you look at and react to stressful events. What they failed to mention, however, was that you dont realize how strong your support system is until the world on top of it collapses. And trust me You dont want to wait for that to happen.If you plan to start over, plan to create a network of healing to keep you alive in the process. Because without support from your loved ones, the road less traveled will become very winding. The point is Success never comes unassisted. Your pers onal brand can be an island. Ask for help early and often. And believe that the people who love you fruchtwein want nothing more than the opportunity to come through and show you so. Do you live in an atmosphere of encouragement and expectation-free support?Remember Branding isnt a novelty - its a necessity.As you make the transition through the opportunity market - not the job market - remember that if you dont make a name for yourself, someone will make one for you.Let me ask you this How do people experience you?

Customize this Outstanding Hospital Secretary Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Hospital Secretary Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Hospital Secretary Resume SampleCreate Resume Hillary Allen100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA 91010Cell (555) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryDetail-oriented and organized hospital secretary with strong medical terminology and health care provider collaboration skillsets. Able to remain focused and efficient in the most hectic of medical environments. Expert level accomplishment in Microsoft Office and typical position-associated computer programs.Core QualificationsHighly organized professionalMedical records managementCommunicative, polished correspondencesStrong telephone skillsDiscreet and confidentiality awareTyping at 100 wpmExperienceHospital Secretary, May 2007-October 2014New Cityland Regional Hospital New Cityland, CAPerformed secretarial and clerical duties for designated personnel of responsibility, including physicians, nurses, departments and administrators.Supervi sed clerical and coordinator staff of up to ten employees, appropriating work as needed.Provided light accounting work within databases, accounting software environments, for expense reporting and departmental payroll.Answered heavy telephone traffic, directed calls as appropriate and ensured messages clearly conveyed to targeted personnel.Maintained inventory of administrative supplies for department.Interviewed patients toward completion of required documents and files.Developed bro procedures and best practices for clerical and administrative workers.Maintained professional email accounts for various physicians and flagged pertinent correspondences for provider response.Provided light personal assisting to designated physicians, as needed or directed.Education2007 Bachelor of Science, Business AdministrationUniversity of California New Cityland, CACustomize Resume

5 Quick Tips for a 5-page SES CDP Resume

5 Quick Tips for a 5-page SES CDP Resume5 Quick Tips for a 5-page SES CDP Resume5 Quick Tips for a 5-page SES CDP Resume 5 Quick Tips for a 5-page SES CDP ResumeBy Nicole Schultheis, JD, Senior SES Writer / ConsultantThe Resume Place, Inc., andTen Steps to a Federal Job Certification ProgramJune 14, 2017Are you struggling with resume revisions while preparing to apply for a 5-page, resume-only, Senior Executive ServiceCandidate Development Program announcement?See a sample announcementThe US Secret Service is posting their SES CDP announcement now, open until 6/23/2017https//www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/471599000Application instructionsThe application process used to recruit for this program is the RESUME-ONLY method. Although you should leid address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Technical Qualifications (TQs) separately, evidence of each must be clearly reflected in your resume.Your resume must notlage exceed five pages. Any information in excess of 5 pages WILL NOT be considered. Please note that if a cover letter is submitted, it will count towards the 5 page limit.Do not submit separate statements addressing the ECQs and/or the TQs.Nicole Schulthies Top Five Tips for your5 page SES CDP Federal ResumeONE. Use clear, simple, and direct language. Use first person implied, steer clear of jargon, and replace buzz words with real words. Get rid of useless adjectives and adverbs and use strong, interesting nouns and verbs instead. Use active (Led $4M program) not passive voice (Was responsible for).TWO. Display real leadership accomplishments especially those at the program or enterprise level and describe them in leadership terms. In other words, no helped, supported, was tasked to etc. Synopsize them in CCAR (Challenge-Context-Actions-Results) summaries that reveal your actual leadership challenges and your actual leadership actions that delivered mission-focused, organizational outcomes, with at least 1 key example (but preferably 2) alig ned to each of the 5 ECQs subjects.THREE. Use metrics to describe duties and responsibilities as well as organizational outcomes. Size of budget managed? Number of employees supervised? Percentage change achieved through your efforts or what period of time?FOUR. Focus on recent and relevant jobs and accomplishments, devoting most of the job block space to GS-14/15 jobs and accomplishments within the past 10 years, less to jobs/accomplishments at the GS-13 level, and very little to jobs and activities that took place more than 10 years ago or were at even lower levels.FIVE. Respect the eyes and sensibilities of your readers. Which means pay attention to aesthetics, proofread your work, respect white space on the page, and use the right words (for example, its tenets not tenants). Achieve consistent formatting. Use Words tools as well as your own common sense to help you achieve and maintain a consistent style (for example, if it says U.S. in one place it should not say US elsewhere i f it says long-term goals in one place it should not say long term goals somewhere else).*Nicole Schultheis has helped dozens of U.S. Secret Service candidates as well as many other investigatory, legal, and law enforcement candidates across government attain SES certification. Her full bio may be found hereresume-place.com/about/nicole-schultheis/SAMPLES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITING THE 5 PAGE SES CDP FEDERAL RESUMEWriting the New SES Application, 2nd Editionfedjobtraining.com/books/the-new-ses-applicationTips from the bookGREAT TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR SES ECQSChapter two of the book Write Your Top Ten List of AccomplishmentsMap your Top Ten into the ECQs Leadership CompetenciesExpand your ECQs into the required Context-Challenge-Action-Results format.Edit them into your 5 page SES resumeALSO, TWO EXCELLENT SAMPLES OF THE 5 PAGE SES RESUME IN THE BOOKUtilize the RP CCAR Builder to write your CCAR stories free and fast.Keeps you focused on the CCAR formularesume-place.com/r esources/ccar-builder/Requests for Quotes for SES ECQs and the 5 page SES resumeresume-place.com/ses-candidate-questionnaire/SES CDP Writing / Developmental Editing / Consulting Services$190 per hourAverage time required for the 5 page SES resume 10 to 12 hoursWe need your Top Ten List of Accomplishments to begin the writingWe need a minimum of 7 days to write any SES ECQ project.Average time required for 10-page Traditional ECQs15 to 17 hours.DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING OF YOUR DRAFTWe can provide developmental editing after YOU write a draft.Quotes for developmental editing costs one hour $190RESUME PLACE PRESIDENT Kathryn Troutmankathrynresume-place.comGet your copy ofThe New SES Application,2nd Edition

5 Things to Do Before You Play Your First Concert

5 Things to Do Before You Play Your First Concert5 Things to Do Before You Play Your First ConcertFor musicians,playing live music for the first time is a life-changing experience. Its exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Being comfortable on stage can make or break a musician since some people with musical ambitions would instead give up than face an audience.Theres not much you can do about nerves before your first show youre likely to discover that theres not much you can do about nerves even when you become a seasoned live performer. If you cant keep the butterflies at bay, there are some things you can do to increase the odds of enjoying your live performances. Before you play your first note, put these five things on your to-do list. 01Ensure Youre ReadyMStudioImages/ Getty ImagesFor your first show, chances are youre first on a two-, three- or four-band bill. Dont show up without knowing anything about your fellow musicians.Spend a little time online learning about th eir music and what they do. You dont have to become their biggest fan, but knowing about others shows professional courtesy.Even if the other bands may not show you the same courtesy, its these little things, like showing interest in other artists and their work, that get the attention of the industry heavy-hitters who matter.It doesnt hurt to brush up on your opening band etiquette, either. Again, its the little things that add up to big breaks.

How to Stop Worrying About Losing Your Job - The Muse

How to Stop Worrying About Losing Your Job - The MuseHow to Stop Worrying About Losing Your Job A lot of thoughts tend to go through your head when youre worried that youre not good enough for your job. You might be convinced that your boss asked to see your most recent project again because shes finally figured out that youre terrible. Or maybe you wake up with the sinking feeling that you werent invited to happy hour last night because your smarter colleagues wanted to talk about how dumb you are. There are plenty more, of course. But as a card-carrying member of the Impostor Syndrome Forever Club, I can tell you theres one humongous lie that the majority of club members believe on a regular basis. And because its often really hard for people to put it into words, Ill do it for you.Im one mistake away from losing my job.Youd have an incredibly hard time finding someone whos never made a mistake at work. But while some people are good at moving on and focusing on the next thing, you and I often cant shake this sinking feeling without assuming the worst. Personally, Ive lost count of the number of times I made an administrative mistake and figured that it wouldnt be long before someone from HR came down to my desk and politely asked me to never show my face around the office again. But the good news is that unless someone has come to you and explicitly said that youre on thin ice, most people understand (and accept) that even the smartest people slip up. And that also applies to you. You might be thinking, Rich, this sounds great, but Im still pretty sure that if my next email to my boss doesnt have flawless grammar, shes going to send me packing. And trust me, I had that thought at least 25 times as I wrote this article, so I get where youre coming from.But like most instances in which you feel insufficient for your job, putting yourself at ease is often as simple as asking for additional feedback on whatevers worrying you. Heres how it works Find someone you trust and ask for their honest take. In this case, you might ask a co-worker to read over the email before you send it in others, maybe you ask a small group to hear a trial run of your presentation, or to give you input after a meeting you led. You might not love everything you hear- but take it from me, a little constructive feedback can help you move forward because youll have the knowledge you need to tackle any real issues. (And if asking for honestys making you nervous, try this feedback trick.)Plus, youll find out how your colleagues feel about you and your work- and often times, thats a quick fix for imposter syndrome. After all, half the battle is fighting back thoughts that everyone thinks poorly of you. So if youre currently stuck in this one slip-up and Im out mindset, you need to memorize this sentence (and keep saying it until you believe it) Smart people make mistakes, too- and they also know when to ask for help.

The True Story About Systems Engineer Resume That the Experts Dont Want You to Know

The True Story About Systems Engineer Resume That the Experts Dont Want You to Know Systems engineering doesnt have subfields. Systems engineers also function to be sure that the network is secure so that others cant steal the info on the computer system. They need to communicate well. Computer engineers get involved in challenging and critical projects and has to have the capacity to work on a wide selection of technologies in diversified crucial project distributionspolitiks. Senior System Engineers resumes on the flip side, are often merely a list of technologies. Other Tips for Writing Job-Specific Railroad Resumes Something to keep in mind when writing a particular railroad jobs resume is that its imperative you find out more about the position youre applying for. Chris is presently pursuing Oracle 9i DBA certification, and it has passed the very first exam in a 4 exam collection. New Ideas Into Systems Engineer Resume Never Before Revealed A systems engineer should ha ve the ability to observe the process through from beginning to finish. You could be attracted to engineering due to its creative element. Generally, systems engineering is supplied at the graduate level in conjunction with interdisciplinary study. A fantastic systems engineering tries to be knowledgeable in different subjects concerning their area. One might be the financial stability which can be gained from occupations involving that major. Again, the experience is quite important. 1 approach to know the motivation behind systems engineering is to see it like a technique, or practice, to identify and improve common rules which exist within a large variety of systems. Not all engineers require the programming expertise to create models, but youll need to comprehend how models work so you know what types of problems can be simulated and what the simulations mean for your undertaking. The software tester assures that the item is fantastic to run and there arent any bugs. Just take a couple of minutes and review our sample, which means you can better understand how to compose your own resume. 1 product could be in the very first phase while the second could be in the last developmental phase. When youre into software engineering the name of the game is to remain updated, so in regards to objectives the exact same rule needs to be applied. One of the largest advantages of hiring me is that I dont have any financial stake in product purchase decisions. In the process, take note of the handy information you might run across that may help you answer obvious questions which may come up during the interview. More frequently than not, customizing your resume does not signify a major rewrite, but instead only a few tweaks. Compile a brief list of questions you want to ask the interviewers. Top Systems Engineer Resume Secrets Systems engineering students must have an analytical mind and an ability to comprehend the huge picture so as to be prosperous. It has something for everyone. If youre looking for a superior chemical engineering resume example, then youre on the most suitable location. Focus on their demands, and allow it to be clear the distinctive approaches it is possible to address them. You want a team behind you. The skills are decisive portion of the resume and they ought to definitely locate their place in the very first page of resume. Aside from the appropriate educational background and relevant technical experience, you will want to demonstrate many so-called soft skills as a way to get and keep a great job. The Hidden Truth on Systems Engineer Resume You can discover the changes in the newest INZ Amendment Circular. Resumes are ranked in line with the variety of keyword matches. Your resume must show what you could do. Your resume needs to make them obvious. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Systems Engineer Resume To supervise subordinates and make certain that work is performed in a c ompetent and timely way. When you are operating tests, you might need to stay longer than the normal working hours. An engineer cant figure out everything simultaneously. Conversely, an engineer who supervises a group of workers will occupy a conventional office space and ought to expect to keep regular office hours. Thus, the capacity to listen is likewise important. DO make sure that the remainder of your resume is completely machine readable. Or you might think the transition youre going to make will hurt a person in your life and that you will be accountable for their pain. Significant life transitions can be overwhelming to achieve by yourself.

Working at Condé Nast

Working at Cond Nast Below is an article originally written by Nora Syrjanen at PowerToFly Partner Cond Nast, and published on July 4, 2019. Go to Cond Nasts page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.Maria completed zu sich Bachelor degree in Comparative Literature in Bologna, Italy, before moving to London to do her Masters degree in Fashion Critical Studies in Central Saint Martins. She describes the curses as being very academic, teaching her to think and write critically but to always add meaning to her work. She approaches her role as our GQ Editorial Intern in the same way.Read below her thoughts on combining academia with creativity, and working in an industry where being passionate is vital.What does your role entail on a day to day basis?I support the team with a variety of projects and tasks including the management of the editorial calendar, content tracking across markets and researches on different subjects. Its a small team and there is a lot to do s o its a great learning experience.Talk us through your career experienceDuring university, I volunteered in a cinema library and a fashion archive. I also collaborated with one of my professors to update the second edition of his book. Before joining CNI, I was editorial intern at Dazed Digital.What did you want to be when you were growing up?Ive changed my mind so many times (and I still do). Ive always been very curious and really enjoyed studying, so academic or editorial work seemed the most plausible options to me.There are much more lucrative and less stressful jobs out there, but when you have the passion its all worth it.When and how did you realise you wanted a career in magazine publishing?I was buying and reading so many magazines as a teenager, so at one point I started considering working for one myself.What is the best career advice youve been given?This is very banal, but the best advice Ive been given is to do something you are passionate about, no matter what. Worki ng in the creative industry, and fashion in particular, can be very exhausting. There are much more lucrative and less stressful jobs out there. But when you have the passion, its all worth it.What is the best part of working in a global company? My favourite part is that Im exposed to different people from different backgrounds on a daily basis. This allows me to learn new ways of working which I wouldnt be exposed to as much in a smaller company. It forces you to reevaluate the way you see the world.What does our company manifesto mean to you?Ive always thought of Cond Nast and its brands are real authorities in each field of expertise, cultivating a space for the best of the best.To see more of our IAmCondeNast employee profiles, check out the hashtag on LinkedIn and Instagram. One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some i ndustries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construc tion.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that repre sent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the Nation al Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Demoted at Work

Demoted at WorkDemoted at WorkDEMOTED AT WORK46% of companies have demoted an employee, according to HR managers.The reason for the demotion?39% Poor performance38% Employee was recently promoted but not succeeding in new role16% Organizational restructuring/stelle eliminated6% Voluntary demotion(Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.)More than 1 in 10 workers (14%) have been demoted.What did they do in response?52% Quit the job50% Tried to handle the news as gracefully as possible47% Got upset and lost interest in work41% Focused on excelling in the new position(Respondents who said they have been demoted. Multiple responses allowed.)

5 Awkward Situations When Youre New at Work - The Muse

5 Awkward Situations When Youre New at Work - The Muse5 Awkward Situations When Youre New at WorkOn day one of my first real job, I had no idea what to do with myself. Around 330 PM, I turned to a co-worker and asked, So, uh, what time do you usually leave each day? When offered the job three weeks earlier, the hiring manager told me my hours were up to me and my supervisor. Well, that conversation never happened, so I had no idea when I could go home.Starting a new gig can be really overwhelming- whether its your first one or your 10th. There are loads of unspoken rules you havent learned yet, and you have to get to know a whole new group of people. But, as time goes on, there are certain situations thatll become second nature. (Or at least feel a little bit easier.)1. Understanding the Company CulturePretty soon after starting that first job, I figured out my hours- by watching other people. My manager and the rest of the team arrived between 8 and 830 AM, so I started to as well. When they wrapped up a little after 4, so did I. Others on my team would go to the doctor or pick up their kids midday and finish up work later, at home. So, I didnt stress if the only time my dentist could landsee me was 11 AM. Because as long as I completed work and showed up at necessary meetings, nobody cared.Observing my co-workers allowed me to see what was and wasnt acceptable at my new company. Not just for my hours, but also for the dress code (my second organization was athletic-wear friendly, so yoga pants became a staple of my professional wardrobe), email turnaround time expectations, meeting etiquette, and mora. You wont know all the ins and outs by day one, so its important to pay attention. 2. Saying NoYes Sure Absolutely. Would love to. Happy to help. This is my mantra in the early days of a new gig because Im so eager to prove myself as a hard worker and a team player.But saying yes all the time isnt necessarily a good thing. It can cause tasks to fall through the cracks, decrease the quality of your work, and end up leaving you majorly burnt out. And I wont lie. Saying no can be hard. But once you learn more about your roles and responsibilities and have a good rapport with your colleagues, it gets a heck of a lot easier. Youll be able to discern what you have the capacity for and if youre the right person to do it, and youll trust that the person youre saying no to will respect your response.(If youre still feeling stuck on how to do that, here are inoffensive ways to say no.)3. Giving Your Boss FeedbackAlmost every boss Ive had has told me that, not only is he open to honest feedback, but he wants it. And each time, I nod enthusiastically and say, Yes, yes, of course Meanwhile, my conscience is screaming, Ha Nope. No. Dont do that- ever And the idea of doing it makes me squirm.But your boss isnt a perfect manager and a few of his processes (or habits) could likely use some work. And he cant adequately support you and your team if he doesn t know how he needs to improve. And as your relationship with him strengthens, providing some constructive criticism here and there wont be so tedious, especially when you realize how much it can help him, you, and your team. The first time will be tough, but youve just gotta rip the Band-aid off.4. Asking for HelpBeing vulnerable doesnt always feel good. And admitting that you arent able to do something all by yourself can make you feel as if you arent making a good impression. Thats not true, though. Because whats worse Trying to power through on your own and completely missing the mark, or requesting advice and knocking things out of the park? Answer Missing the mark. So, ask away.Its tough at the beginning because, as mentioned above, you want to prove yourself. And how can you do that if you appear incompetent so early on? But, if you consistently work hard, youll build a good reputation around the office. And those few times you need guidance or someone to take something off y our plate wont feel all that bad. 5. Advocating for YourselfWhether its asking for a raise, inquiring as to why your boss took you off a project, or defending yourself when someone throws you under the bus, sticking up for yourself is crucialat work and in the rest of your life. When you confidently put your needs and views forward, people will listen, explains Lea McLeod, Muse career coach and author. And no matter what happens because of that difficult conversation, youll know youve made your best effort to resolve a difficult and frustrating situation, and youll have a much clearer idea of how to move forward.I know this seems intimidating at first. But as you start to find your place and become more confident in the work you do and the employee you are, youll feel more empowered to speak your mind. Can you see the trend here? As you begin to feel more like an insider at your new job and less like an outsider, those situations that seemed awkward or even a little frightening will become no big deal. Unfortunately, theres no exact equation to when youll feel at ease with each one. But I can guarantee you that theyre all worth the time and anfangsbuchstabe discomfort. What other work situations get less tricky over time? Let me know on Twitter

5 Things Job Seekers and Employers Should Do This Year

5 Things Job Seekers and Employers Should Do This Year5 Things Job Seekers and Employers Should Do This Year5 Things Job Seekers and Employers Should Do This YearOver the past few weeks, weve received questions from job seekers whove spent time in prison, been convicted for driving under the influence, or been fired because of a wrongful behavior on the job. How, each wondered, can I overcome the schwimmbad deeds of my past and convince an employer to hire me? The harsh truth is It probably wont be easy. Most employers today already have a surplus of good candidates for each job opening, so the odds are not in your favor. But if youre willing to do what needs to be done, here are some tips to give yourself a better perspektive of success1) Own your mistakes.Whatever the issue was, accept that your own actions caused it. Dont try to convince employers that it was someone elses fault. No one wants to hire a whiner or a blamer. They might, however, take a chance on an honest person who screwed up but sincerely wants to get back on track.2) Be willing to pay your duesagain.No matter how much experience you have, youre a less desirable job candidate (on paper) than someone with similar credentials whose record is clean. If youre willing to step back down the ladder, it might give the employer an incentive to take a chance on you. Offer to take a pay cut, accept the worst shifts, or do whatever it takes to earn back your reputation as a good worker. The employer gets an experienced worker at a bargain price, and you get a foot in the door.3) Lean on people who know and trust you.People who already know you, especially those whove worked with you, are your best bet for employment. Theyre the ones who know that the good things about you outweigh the bad. According to an Urban Institute study on ex-offenders who found employment after prisonMost respondents who found work did so by speaking with friends and family however, the most successful strategy for long-term empl oyment was returning to a previous employer. 4) Ask employers directly (but not for a job).If you dont have any family or friends who can help you find work, informational interviews can be very helpful. Blogger J.T. ODonnell of JT Dale Talk Jobs had a question from a man whod recently been fired for disobeying a company policy. J.T.s advice was to contact the HR department of a company in his fieldShare what happened to you and your regrets about it, then explain that you are now looking for the best way to prove to an employer that you would be a good hire. Youll learn to discuss what occurred in a way that will leave employers sympathetic to your situation.I think its a brilliant idea to ask actual employers what would make them willing to take a chance on you. They might give you some great insights to use when you land an interview.The bottom line is that you need to get employers to see you as a real person who (as we all do sometimes) made a bad mistake, but who nonetheless has the experience and desire to do a great job and be a valuable employee now. It may require a series of small steps, but once youre back in the workforce, each positive action and accomplishment will make your past digressions less and less important.