11 Myths About Choosing a Career

11 Myths About Choosing a Career11 Myths About Choosing a CareerDo you think you know everything about choosing a career? Many people believe they do,but often wind up choosing a career that is unsatisfying. Thats because those beliefs are actually myths. Thats right- they arent true If you want a fulfilling career, you should know the facts about how to choose one. Well dispel 11 myths about choosing a career so you can find out how to do it the right way. 1. Choosing a Career Is Simple This is entirely false. Choosing a career is anything but simple. It is a complex process that you must give the time and attention it deserves. First, you must learn about yourself, including your skills, interests, work-related values and personality type. Then you must gather information about the careers you are considering. Taking these steps will allow you to make an informed decision about which occupations are a good fit for you. MoreStep-by-Step Guide to Choosing a Career 2. A Career Counselor Can Tell You Which Occupation to Pick A career counselor or any other career development expert, cant tell you what career to choose. He or she can help you learn about yourself and then tell you what careers are suitable for you based on that information. You will have to do your homework and then make the final decision after considering everything you have learned about it. Once you have chosen a career, the counselor can help you find out what training you will need to reach your goals and then show you how to embark on a successful job search. 3. You Cant Make a Living From Your Hobby Who says you cant? When choosing a career, it makes perfect sense to select one that is related to what you enjoy doing in your spare time, if you so desire. Dont forget to research it, just as you would any other occupation. You want to make sure its a good fit for you. Theres a big difference between wanting to do something for fun and having to do it to earn a living. It will als o occupy more of your time. 4. If You Dont Find Your Passion, Youll Never Be Happy You may have repeatedly heard thatyou have to be passionate about your career for it to be satisfying. Not true It is important to like what you do, but you dont have to love it. If you can take your passion and turn it into a career, more power to you. You should be most concerned with finding a career that is a good match for your skills, interests, personality type, and work-related values. 5. You Should Rely on Best Careers Lists Every year, especially during milestone years, for exampleat the beginning of a new decade, numerous articles and bookscontainlists of what the experts predict will be hot jobs. It cant hurt to look at them to binnensee if any of the careers on its appeal to you, but you shouldnt use the list to dictate your final decision. While the predictions are usually based on valid data, things often change. What is hot this year may elend be in a few years from now. 6. Earning a Lot of Money Will Make You Happy While salary is important, it isnt the only factor you should look at when choosing a career. Countless surveys have shown that money doesnt necessarily lead to job satisfaction. For many people, enjoying what they do at work is much more important. However, you should consider earnings, among other things, when evaluating an occupation. You have to make enough money to pay the bills and to live the lifestyle you want. 7. Once You Figure Out What to Do You Will Be Stuck Doing It Forever Thats not true. You can change your career if, for any reason, you become dissatisfied with it. You will be in good company. Many people change careers several times over the course of their lifetimes. 8. Your Skills Will Go to Waste If You Decide to Change Careers No matter how many times you change careers or jobs, your skills are yours to keep. You can use many of them in a variety of occupations. You may not use them in exactly the same way, but you dont need to worry that they will go to waste. 9. Your Best Friends (or Siblings) Dream Career Will Be Yours Too The person with whom you are closest may have, what appears to be, the best career ever. You may think if its good for him or her, it will be good for me. That could be true, but it may not be. Even if that other person is someone with whom you have a lot in common, you may not enjoy doing the same type of work. Look into it as carefully as you would any other occupation to make sure its a good fit for you. 10. All You Have to Do Is Choose a Career... Everything Else Will Fall Into Place Choosing a career is a great start, but theres a lot more to do after that. A career action plan is a roadmap that takes you from choosing a career to becoming employed in that occupation to reaching your long-term career goals. 11. You Wont Know Anything About an Occupation Until You Start Working While its true that you cant know all there is to know about an occupation until you work in it, you can learn enough about it to make an educated decision about whether it is right for you. There are many ways to learn about an occupation, including looking at published resources and conducting informational interviews.

How to financially prepare to get a pet so you are ready

How to financially prepare to get a pet so you are readyHow to financially prepare to get a pet so you are readyAs you may have seen in past posts or on social media, my husband and I are in the process of getting a puppy Dan has desperately wanted a dog for as long as Ive known him. I came to the desire more gradually. I grew up with cats and wasnt around dogs very often, unless I was at one of my cousins houses. I also had a few negative experiences with big dogs when I was younger (and very small), so Ive always been a big hesitant when it comes to dogs. Dan wore me down over the years with his exuberance about corgis and now I want one tooA lot of the conversation around getting a dog has been related to money (can you believe it?). Since we were initially planning to buy a corgi from a breeder, we knew that it was going to be a decent financial investment. We also learned that dog owners typically spend around $1,600 on their dog in the first year of owning them. I wanted to ove restimate how much we thought we would spend and save it up ahead of time. This was because I didnt want to get a dog and then find ourselves in a tough financial spot as expenses built up.We also had a few changes to make to our house before we felt comfortable getting a dog. The fence in our backyard was rotting and falling over in several places. There was no way wed feel good putting a puppy back there without it escaping. So we decided to replace the fence before we got the dog. As you can imagine, this is quite the additional expense.Your situation might be very different from ours, but there are still many questions you should answer for yourself before you go to a rescue and pick out a new pet. The answers to those questions will determine how you need to prepare.Make sure you can afford oneJust like with having a child, adopting an animal might cost (much) more money than you were expecting. Do your research and find out how much it usually costs both up front and annually to care for a pet. You should specify based on the schrift of pet you want to get. From there, take a hard look at your budget and see if there is room for those costs. If the vermgen pet costs dont fit into your current budget, you have a decision to make. Are you going to delay getting a pet until you can really afford it? Or are you going to cut something else out to make room for those costs?Decide if you want to buy or adoptThis is a contentious topic with a lot of people. For many, it is an ethical question. Why buy from a breeder when there are countless animals out there who need to be rescued and adopted? Plus, it can be hard to tell if a breeder is on the up and up, or if they are operating a puppy mill. However, sometimes you know exactly what you want, and you wont necessarily be able to find that animal at a rescue.There is also a huge difference in terms of affordability. When you choose an animal from a rescue, the fees are going to be lower, and usually the pet is al ready spayed or neutered and given its necessary shots. When you buy from a breeder, the fees will likely be much higher, and wont always include neutering and shots. That means that on top of the fee, you will also have to pay to have these things done at your local veterinarian.Save up the first year of expensesLike I said above, weve seen that the first year of caring for a dog can cost upwards of $1,600. This can include adoption fees, neutering, veterinary visits, food, toys, treats, a crate, etc. Those things can add up very quickly. So its important to plan ahead and save up that money before the time comes. You dont want to get your pet and then realize that its going to break your budget to care for it each month. Take some time to save up the number you feel comfortable with before you adopt.Fund an emergency savings accountYou know I feel very strongly about you having an emergency savings account. Just like you need to have an emergency fund for your own expenses, youll want one for your pets expenses. If you were to lose your job, would you be able to pay for your pets food or insurance? If you had to pay the deductible for your pets insurance (more on that below), would you be able to pay for that out of pocket? These are the things you should save up for just in case you find yourself without an income. Include potential pet expenses in your calculations for your emergency fund.Build the costs into your monthly budgetCalculate how much you think youll spend on food, treats, toys, and pet insurance (more on that below) each month. Set up those costs as a fixed expense in your monthly budget. You can either set up recurring food deliveries so that you know exactly how much youll be spending on food every month. (Try a website like Chewy.) If you build these things into your monthly budget, you wont be surprised by them when they arise.Decide if you need pet insurancePet insurance is exactly what it sounds like. Its health insurance for your pet. O ne big difference between pet insurance and human health insurance is that it doesnt cover pre-existing conditions. That means that youll want to get the coverage for your bet before they are even old enough to have pre-existing conditions. One friend of mine told me My dog had an upset tummy before insurance kicked in, and now every time he has an upset tummy vet visits arent covered.So youll want to decide early if pet insurance is something youd like to have for your pet. Usually, pet insurance doesnt cover normal preventative pet visits, but it does cover illness, injury, and other issues that can cost a whole lot of money. You will pay a monthly premium in order to protect yourself from huge vet bills later on. Its just like any insurance youre paying monthly for something that you hope you wont have to use. It can feel like a waste of money if you have a perfectly healthy animal, but your pet wont necessarily stay that way forever.Do your research. Compare the prices and offer ings of several different insurance companies. See what they cover and what they dont. See what the deductible is, see what the maximum coverage amount is. See what your out-of-pocket maximum is. There are all hugely important, so that youre fully aware of what youre signing up for and can make the decision that is right for you financially.Dont buy all the cute items that you seeA few weeks ago, I told my husband that I was worried hed want to buy every artsy dog accessory he saw. Well, not too long after that, he texted me say that I was right, and that Instagram was targeting him hard with their ads. When I shared that anecdote with friends, one of them warned me not to buy too much stuff for a puppy. She said they will either destroy it or outgrow it. And this is an important thing to remember Its easy to get carried away when you have a cute animal at home and want to spoil it with all the shiny things out there. So make a list of the things your animal actually needs, and then you can buy other things as you can afford them.This article was originally published on MaggieGermano.

Job Seekers Avoid These Words in Your Resume

Job Seekers Avoid These Words in Your ResumeJob Seekers Avoid These Words in Your ResumeYour resume is your first foot in the door to a new job. But before any potential employer has the chance to see you shine in person, youve got to wow them with words on a page.The wrong words on your resume will make you forgettable, but the right words can bring you to the top of the pile of resumes.Showcasing your true talents and relevant experience on your resume can be a challenge. Its hard to know what to say and how to say it.Though it may be tempting, loading your resume with meaningless or irrelevant buzzwords could detract from your true accomplishments.Thats why weve rounded up some words that can kill your resume - and your shot at landing your dream job.Be Specific, Not GenericGeneric descriptors like people person are overused, so recruiters are likely to skim right past them.Additionally, these types of cliche phrases are impossible to prove - you could consider yourself highly q ualified or a team player (two phrases that should be avoided), but your potential employer will be looking for specific evidence to support these claims. In other words, show, dont tell.Find ways to quantify your accomplishments or describe responsibilities that have more solid proof. Rambling off your list of daily to-dos, essentially regurgitating your job description, wont help you as much as showing how youve gone above and beyond.For example, Utilized innovative social media marketing techniques to increase schlussverkauf by 12% will have a much greater impact than, Utilized social media marketing techniques.Quantifying will show your potential employer exactly what you can bring to the table and how youll be a key player on their team.Other overly common resume buzzwords that detract from your quality resume (and should therefore be avoided) includeResults-drivenBest of breedExtensive experienceSeasonedHard-workingAmbitiousProven or demonstrated abilityAccomplishments Over Du tiesPhrases like responsible for and duties included are less-than-impressive details. Job duties were given to you - theyre notlage achievements. Your resume should tell the stories of your accomplishments, not just your day-to-day responsibilities.Additionally, these superfluous lead-ins clutter the page and hide your relevant experience. Get to the point, and use strong active verbs to describe your achievements.No Personal PronounsThe recruiter reviewing your resume knows youre speaking about yourself, so personal pronouns like I, me, my, we or our detract from your point.For example, instead of saying I was responsible for training our interns to meet our sales objectives, write Trained interns to meet and exceed sales objectives. Bonus points if you can add some specific numbers or stats to prove your success in a concrete way.Exchange Objective for ExperienceInstead of telling recruiters about what you want, use the space at the top to showcase your experience. Make sure it is relevant to the role you are interested in, and include relevant keywords that will help you rank higher in applicant tracking systems.Does the job require experience with a content calendar or content management system? Maybe the ideal candidate is described as having impressive sales numbers or management and training skills.Whatever the listed requirements, make sure you highlight how your experience directly applies to the job ad, rather than wasting time with an objective. Potential employers already know you want the job - your resume is your opportunity to prove to them why you deserve it.Build Your Perfect ResumeReady to put these new lessons to the test? Build your resume today to take the first step towards nailing your dream job.

How to Find New Motivation When You Get Lazy Working from Home

How to Find New Motivation When You Get Lazy Working from HomeHow to Find New Motivation When You Get Lazy Working from Home1There are so many reasons I love working from home. I spend all day with my dogs and can watch reality television over my lunch break. Its the dream.But Ill be honest it isnt always the most motivating spot to crank through my to-do list. When theres no urgent need to change out of my sweatpants and the couch is only a few steps away, it can be tough to buckle down and get my work done.There are plenty of days when I struggle to muster any motivation- when I stare at a menacing, blinking text cursor for five minutes before I manage to so much as reply to an email.So, what do I do on those days when Im feeling totally tapped out of energy and focus? Well, it depends on what I identify as the root cause of my laziness.Here are some common reasons why you might get lazy working from home, as well as how to deal with themReason 1 Youre still in your pajamas.The wor king in your pajamas clich is one youll hear a lot when you work remotely. But its really not all its cracked up to be. While Im all for being comfortable, Ive found that my motivation levels typically enter a steady nosedive if I roll out of bed and head straight into my home office- without bothering to do so much as change my clothes or brush my teeth.If you think about it, it makes sense. How can you possibly generate some enthusiasm for getting work done when youre wearing exactly what you slept in?Do This Ive made a habit of taking some time to get ready before I ever sit down at my computer, and I recommend you do the same.Do I make myself look as polished as I would if I were heading into a normal office? Definitely not. But even taking a few minutes to wash my face, brush my teeth, and put on some fresh clothes makes me feel a little more awake and like Ive officially switched into work mode.Reason 2 You havent left the house in days.Cabin fever is a real thing, and being h it with the brutal realization that you havent set foot outside in several days is always sort of jarring.I know firsthand how easy it is to stay trapped in your home office bubble, especially when you feel like your work is really flowing (and you dont want to put on real pants). But take my word for it- eventually youre going to hit a wall. If youve been staring at the same surroundings for days on end, its only natural that your mind is going to departure to wander and your energy is going to lag.Do This Its time to get yourself out of the house. Take your dog for a walk, run an errand, or grab your laptop and head to a local coffee shop to work for a few hours. Even just a brief change of scenery can work wonders for refreshing your perspective and your motivation.Reason 3 Youre burnt out.Maybe youre being too quick to point your finger and call yourself lazy. In fact, maybe youve just done too much and now youre plain ol exhausted.There are plenty of studies that cite how remot e workers are far more productive than their in-office counterparts, because they dont have nearly the same amount of distractions. However, you can only operate at maximum efficiency for so long before your levels run too low. Perhaps the reason the couch is calling your name so strongly is because youre just tapped out of energy for now.Do This You deserve a break. If your schedule offers you this sort of flexibility, step away from your desk for a little bit- even if its just for a half hour. You might be surprised by the amount of good that does you.Reason 4 Youre distracted.When youre working from home, you might not have to deal with the voreingestellt office distractions. There are no deskmates having phone conversations at ridiculous volumes or colleagues randomly popping by your desk. But that doesnt mean that your work environment is totally distraction free. Your own home offers plenty of tasks and other shiny objects that can sidetrack you.Its hard to focus on your to-do list if you feel like something else- whether its emptying the dishwasher, starting a load of laundry, or even changing that lightbulb in the bathroom- is hanging over your head.Do This You know that task or chore thats nagging at you? If it can be accomplished in a reasonably short amount of time (well say less than a half hour), just go ahead and do it right now.Believe me, that will be a whole lot more productive than trying to push it out of your mind for the next few hours. When you work from home, its far too easy for the lines between your professional and personal life to become blurred- and it can be hard to muster up your motivation when youre working only a few steps from where you sleep.The first step is to identify exactly why youre running low on determination, and the above four reasons are incredibly common (been there, done that way too many times). Once you pinpoint the culprit, use this advice to tackle it head on and then return to your to-do list with a newfoun d sense of energy.

Alarming Information Regarding What Is the Difference Between a Cv and a Resume Unveiled

Alarming Information Regarding What Is the Difference Between a Cv and a Resume Unveiled Use a complimentary CV template from our website and you will be prompted to incorporate all the important information necessary for a strong CV. It is possible to edit and adjust the plan of your CV template as you fill in the various sections. A CV template can help you to structure your CV in a sense thats simple to read and simple to digest. Utilizing a CV template can help to make sure that your CV design is clean and tidy together with professional. All About What Is the Difference Between a Cv and a Resume Whether youre submitting a resume or CV, there are particular features which you should include to make the most of your odds of succeeding. Showing how to compose key information The information that you put in your CV can be displayed in a wide range of means. There are a few ways to assemble your CV, and you are able to take a look at our Resource Library on 12Twenty for te mplates and more info. Utilizing short sentences in your CV will ensure it is a great deal simpler to read. The Battle Over What Is the Difference Between a Cv and a Resume and How to Win It You have to have the most suitable document for the job youre interested in and keep both options in hand so that youre prepared regardless of what the job posting requests. Its possible to read our post about how to compose a brilliant cover letter. Your CV may include everything which youve done up to now. If youre not certain where to begin, it can be all too simple to get distracted or put writing your CV off to some other day. Usually, CV is rather long, it might take two or more pages. CV is a lengthy application document and might be even 5 pages long. A CV, however, will stay more or less the exact same for each application because it features all your potentially relevant details. A CV presents a larger amount of information about an applicant and might consist of many pages. The Pain of What Is the Difference Between a Cv and a Resume CVs concentrate on your academic experience, but in addition include things like work and other pursuits. The term resume isnt utilized. Browsing for a new job is a stressful practice. Hearsay, Lies and What Is the Difference Between a Cv and a Resume CVs are typically one or two pages long and tailored to the particular job that youre applying for, ensuring your experience and skills matches the requirements set out in the work description. A CV provides the employer an exhaustive and very clear insight into your professional roles and obligations. Before you begin applying for jobs, youll need to ascertain which one is acceptable for you. Because it is specific to the specific job youre applying, the resume is tailored based on the sttte youre applying. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on What Is the Difference Between a Cv and a Resume In Europe the term CV has become the most common, but the true format varies based on the work type youre applying for. A curriculum vitae differs from a resume in regard to its length, the form of information included and its objective. The 2 documents are of excellent significance, for each and every candidate who would like to get work, in the sphere of extreme competition. So ensure that your resume is tailored made in accordance to the requirement of the position. In the USA and Canada, theres a difference between a CV and a resume. In the USA, the primary difference between a CV and a resume is the intention behind the documents. While CV can serve many purposes, resume always has an extremely limited function. In different parts of the Earth, the ausprgung CV keeps its American meaning. Job postings will sometimes request a CV (Curriculum Vitae) rather than the usual resume. CVs are frequently used to apply for jobs outside the usa. Because your CV demands specific and in depth career info, it needs to be frequently upda ted. Resumes are usually utilized to apply for practically any work not in academics. Resumes are somewhat more common and its important that you know how to compose an effective resume if youre in the job application procedure.

Samples for Resume Writing Tips

Samples for Resume Writing Tips If you are uncertain about how to prepare your resume, you can have a look at a resume writing sample. You dont need to deliver any personal or private info on your resume. You can easily discover a resume writing sample on the internet or in many diverse books. If youve never before prepared a resume, a resume writing sample is a best method to discover just exactly what you have to include in your resume. Where to Find Samples for Resume Writing Resumes are quite important since it bears a work seekers background information that would help them to find the job he or shes applying for. If you are searching for Resume Writing Samples For Freshers youve come to the proper location. Your Resume Samples for Engineering Students Freshers may look like just a bit of paper that lists your prior experience and education. however, it is a lot more than that. The Rise of Samples for Resume Writing For example, a candidate who wants to apply for wo rk in IT will have a different resume to an individual who is applying for employment in music field. So, essentially, resume writing businesses can benefit approximately anyone thats in search of an extra job and isnt an expert writer. If you intend to compose a resume as you want to know more about work, its important and necessary to know first what makes up a resume. Each time you put in an application for a new job, check your resume to guarantee that it is not only targeted, but in addition current. Resume writing samples provided will provide you with a peek into the sort of resume you want to have according to your profession. Taking the opportunity to work on your resume is vital. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. Looking at how others wrote their resumes can offer you some decent ideas. Samples for Resume Writing No Longer a Mystery No matter which type of profession youre seeking, theres a resume writing sample tha t may support you in making your own resume. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. It can be helpful to observe how other individuals have written about their abilities and experiences. However much or what kind of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. The Basic Facts of Samples for Resume Writing When there are several proofreading programs and tools you are able to use, additionally it is beneficial to ask trusted friends or colleagues to examine your resume. While Canadian resumes are available in many distinct formats, they share some standards that you ought to know about. Resume writing formats incorporate whole collection of categories of profession to decide on the fruchtwein suitable format. Resume writing templates are segregated into various types based on the profession and achievements of an individual. If youre trying to customize professional, pre-formatted resumes, have a look at our totally free downloadable templates. On occasion the format is developed to fit the most significant details on the very first page. You may also Book Writing Template. Therefore, using resume writing templates that provide sequential writing format will help you to get noticed.

The Dos and Donts of Showing Passion in an Interview

The Dos and Donts of Showing Passion in an InterviewThe Dos and Donts of Showing Passion in an Interview In my time at Glassdoor, Ive einstellungsgesprched hundreds of recruiters to find out what they look for in candidates . And one of the most common things I hear from them, without a doubt, is passion.It might sound simple enough to demonstrate passion in an interview, but it can actually be fairly tricky. For a recruiter or hiring manager to truly see your passion, you need to show them - not just tell them. And you always have to maintain the right balance between sounding enthusiastic and sounding overeager.So how exactly can you best demonstrate your passion in an interview, and what common mistakes should you avoid? I turned to the experts for their advice.Its great to express interest in the job, but dont make it sound like you depend on it. This makes it sound like youre looking for a job just to pay the bills, and not because you think its a particularl y good fit.One mistake candidates make when showcasing their passion is being so overly passionate that theyll say whatever they feel like the recruiter wants to hear to help them be a match for a position, says DW Bobst, CEO of TrendHR .This will not only make recruiters and hiring managers question the veracity of your responses, but also view you as a little too over-eager.Think of interviewing kind of like dating. No one wants to be the creepy over-the-top person on a date. Its a give and take, a back and forth of showing mutual interest If an applicant is over the top, much like in dating, it can backfire and be a turnoff to the employer, Bobst says.A hallmark of inexperienced candidates is that theyll focus on how the company can benefit them, and not how they can benefit the company. For example, when asked why they want to work at a given company, some candidates rave about things like how amazing the office is or what a good reputation the company has.Everyone may know tha t Google is an awesome place to work, but the job seeker should not gush about the perks or focus on how a prestigious job will take them to the next level, says Donna Shannon, President of Personal hauch Career Services . By focusing on the company, they are missing out on demonstrating what they actually love about their work.Now, its fine if you genuinely do admire the company and its products/services - but its best to tie that back to something greater, like the companys mission or values. A candidate who says they want to work at Glassdoor because everyone they know uses it wont stand out in my mind, but one who says they want to work here because they love our mission of helping people everywhere find a job and company they love will. And if they can talk about how excited they are to apply their specific field of expertise to help us, even better.Dont be scared to state that you love your work. Be specific about what draws you to it, Shannon suggests. For example, a salesp erson should show that they love making new connections.Sometimes, in an effort to sound enthusiastic and informed, candidates will come off as arrogant or over-knowledgeable a showman/woman, says Jill Tipograph, Co-Founder of Early Stage Careers . This is especially noticeable when a young adult professes to be an expert at something. And this gets layered with complexity if the interviewer/hiring manager really is an expert at something, and his/her questions result in a candidate not being able to walk the talk about the topic.Its great to talk about the skills you possess, software you regularly use and accomplishments youve achieved, but stay away from broad all-encompassing statements like I pretty much know everything there is to know about Salesforce or I practically wrote the book on Excel - unless, of course, thats true.Anyone whos ever had a big schoolyard crush understands how difficult it can be to stay concise when talking about the object of their affections. When y oure really geeked about a job or company, things play out in much the same way - but you shouldnt subject a recruiter or hiring manager to a ten-minute stream of consciousness on why you love the company. Interviewers only have a limited amount of time with you, after all, and theyll want to make sure its spent well.Sometimes candidate are so excited and passionate about a position or the work theyre doing that they talk, talk, talk without taking a break to check-in with the interviewer, says Marielle Smith, VP of People at GoodHire . My advice is to listen carefully to the question and answer it succinctly, then stop to check in with the interviewer to see if they want to discuss the topic further, or if they want to move on to another question. Listening, responding, then giving space for follow-up questions is key.You might have heard that flattery will get you everywhere, but thats rarely the case with recruiters and hiring managers. Theyve seen it all before, and are wise t o such cheap attempts at wowing them. Sucking up to them will come across as insincere at best or at worst, creepy.I have seen candidates trying to show their passion by mentioning things about me personally from my online presence, says Pete Sosnowski, Chief Human Resources Officer at career site Zety . You can absolutely research the interviewer if you know who it is, but dont make it creepy - mentioning that you saw my hometown newspapers mention of me from ten years ago sounds plain weird.Passion isnt always about saying youre passionate or putting on the widest smile you can.A job seeker can show real passion by doing the requisite prep work before the interview even begins, says Brian Porrell, Principal & Manager at WinterWyman . In the days leading up to an interview, a candidate should take the time to research the company, learn about the industry, understand the competitive landscape and learn about some of the general trends and challenges that are likely to affect the person who wins the role. If a candidate goes into a job interview armed with that information, the interviewer will know the candidate is passionate about the position.One of the best times to prove that youre passionate about the opportunity at hand is when an interviewer asks you if you have any questions for them.For an employer, not having a good question is equivalent to not being interested, says Cristian Rennella, VP of HR & Co-Founder of oMelhorTrato.com . This significantly reduces your chances of being hired, especially when you are looking for a competitive job.Rather than asking self-serving questions about the salary or benefits, Rennella recommends drawing upon your research You should always ask questions that occur to you when you are doing the pre-interview research in your home before the interview and write them down - even those questions that occur to you on the way to the interview and when you are observing the workplace during the interview itself.Telling a story about why youre passionate will always be more memorable than just saying you are. Thats not just common sense - its been scientifically proven that humans are hardwired for storytelling .Work on architecting your personal story to include your passion, so recruiters hear its genesis and find it memorable and/or want to dig deeper into the topic, Tipograph says. For instance, one could say (if true) I was raised in a family with a long lineage of loving nature. I grew up always taking vacations outdoors, learning how to create gardens, care for animals. As I matured, I found myself drawn to sustainability causes given what I saw as a child and teen.Regardless of how your interests developed, you can craft them into a compelling narrative.At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. If you have any concrete proof points that speak to your passion, bring them up in the interview - theyll go a lot further than lip service alone.Be sure to include job-related passio ns on your resume. This includes memberships, affiliations, board memberships or volunteer organizations you care about, says Kim Hughes, Manager Talent Acquisition at CMI/Compas and founding member of DisruptHR Philadelphia. As an added bonus, someone coming across your resume could see a common connection that can lead to more opportunity, Hughes adds.Above all other things, the best way to highlight your passion is to be your authentic self. If youre truly passionate about an opportunity, that passion will likely shine through in your conversation.The applicants should show interest, but the most important thing is to be GENUINE. Be yourself. Answer questions honestly and with integrity, Bobst says.You can fake a lot of things, but you cant fake passion, Hughes adds.

7 things the most successful people do that make them the best

7 things the fruchtwein successful people do that make them the best7 things the most successful people do that make them the bestWant to be mora successful? Actually, thats bedrngnis ambitious enough - want to be the best?I do. SoI called my friendDaniel Coyle, author of the best books on getting better at anythingThe Talent CodeandThe Little Book of Talent.Dan knows that the 10,000 hur rule is nice but you need to align your effort with the way your brain welches designed to learn.Hours are vital, but you can get to mastery faster - much faster - by practicing the right way.So how can you and I do that?Here are 7 steps experts use1. Be uncomfortableYou learn best when youre reaching. Flow is great. But flow is not the best way to learn.You want to be stretched to the edge of your ability. It needs to be hard. Thats how your brain grows.Heres DanWe learn when were in our discomfort zone.When youre struggling, thats when youre getting smarter. The mora time you spend there, the fa ster you learn.Its better to spend a very, very high quality ten minutes, or even ten seconds, than it is to spend a mediocre hour.You want to practice where you are on the edge of your ability, reaching over and over again, making mistakes, failing, realizing those mistakes and reaching again.More on the best way for you to practice here.2. Stop reading. Start doing.Keep the Rule of Two-Thirds in mind. Spend only one third of your time studying.The other two-thirds of your time you want to be doing the activity. Practicing. Testing yourself.Get your nose out of that book. Avoid the classroom. Whatever it is you want to be the best at, be doing it.The closer your practice is to the real thing, the faster you learn.Heres DanOur brains evolved to learn by doing things, not by hearing about them. This is one of the reasons that, for a lot of skills, its much better to spend about two thirds of your time testing yourself on it rather than absorbing it. Theres a rule of two thirds. If yo u want to, say, memorize a passage, its better to spend 30 percent of your time reading it, and the other 70 percent of your time testing yourself on that knowledge.More on how to shift from reading to doinghere.3. The sweet spotYou want to be successful 60-80% of the time when training. Thats the sweet spot for improvement.When learning is too hard, we quit.When its too easy. . . well, we quit then, too.Always be upping the challenge to stay in that 60-80% zone.Heres DanYou dont want to be succeeding 40 percent of the time. Thats flailing around. You dont want to be succeeding 95 percent of the time. Thats too easy.You want to constantly be toggling, adjusting the environment so that youre succeeding 60 to 80 percent of the time.More on how to find your sweet spot for learninghere.4. Commit to the long termAsking someoneHow long are you going to be doing this? was the best predictor of how skilled that person would end up being.Merelycommittingto the long haul had huge effects.Here s DanThe question that ended up being the most predictive of skill was How long are you going to be doing this? Commitment was the difference maker. The people who combined commitment with a little bit of practice, their skills went off the charts.Commit to the long haul. Dont give up. Even works for mice.More on how long term commitment can take you to the next levelhere.5. Find arole modelWatching the best people work is one of the most powerful things you can do.Its motivating, inspiring and its how you were built to learn.Study the best to be the best.Heres DanWhen we stare at someone we want to become and we have a really clear idea of where we want to be, it unlocks a tremendous amount of energy. Were social creatures, and when we get the idea that we want to join some enchanted circle up above us, that is what really lights up motivation. Look, they did it. I can do it. It sounds very basic, but spending time staring at the best can be one of the most powerful things you do.M ore on finding the best mentor for you here.6. Naps are steroids for your brainNapping isnt for the lazy. Its one of the habits of the most successful people in any field.Sleep is essential to learning. Naps are a tool that will make you the best.Heres DanNapping is a high performance activity. If you looked into the habits of highly successful people you would see a lot of naps, a lot of recovery. Its sort of our brains janitorial service. It helps us clean out the stuff we dont want. It also helps us work on ideas while were asleep. Top performers use sleep as a tool.More on how astronauts use sleep to increase performance here.7. Keep anotebookEminem keeps a journal. Peyton Manning keeps a journal.Top performers track their progress, set goals, reflect and learn from their mistakes.Heres DanMost people who are taking an ownership role in their talent development use this magical tool called a notebook. Keep a performance journal. If you want to get better, you need a map, and tha t journal is that map. You can write down what you did today, what you tried to do, where you made mistakes. Its a place to reflect. Its a place to capture information. Its a place to be able to track your progress. Its one of the most underused yet powerful tools that I could imagine anybody using.More on how to use a notebook to be your best here.If you only remember two words from this . . .Dan says the two key words are Reach and Stare.Reach Always push yourself to the edge of your ability.Stare Look at those better than you and emulate them.Heres DanI would say, Reach. Get out on the edge of your ability. Get into your discomfort zone and reach past that. And I would say, Stare. Find somebody you want to be in two years, three years, five years, and stare at that person. See what theyre doing. See exactly what theyre doing, and steal that. Steal from them.Sum upSadly, you werent born an expert.But you can become one with practice and time. Start now. Youll be amazed at what you can achieveIll be sending out more tips from Dan in my weekly email.Join 45K+ readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsWhat 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?8 Things The Worlds Most Successful People All Have In CommonHow To Make Your Life Better By Sending Five Simple EmailsThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.7 things the most successful people do that make them the bestWant to be more successful? Actually, thats not ambitious enough - want to be the best?I do. SoI called my friendDaniel Coyle, author of the best books on getting better at anythingThe Talent CodeandThe Little Book of Talent.Dan knows that the 10,000-hour rule is nice but you need to align your effort with the way your brain was designed to learn.Hours are vital, but you can get to mastery faster - much faster - by practicing the right way.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satis faction, Neuroscience, and moreSo how can you and I do that?Here are 7 steps experts use1. Be uncomfortableYou learn best when youre reaching. Flow is great. But flow is not the best way to learn.You want to be stretched to the edge of your ability. It needs to be hard. Thats how your brain grows.Heres DanWe learn when were in our discomfort zone.When youre struggling, thats when youre getting smarter. The more time you spend there, the faster you learn.Its better to spend a very, very high quality ten minutes, or even ten seconds, than it is to spend a mediocre hour.You want to practice where you are on the edge of your ability, reaching over and over again, making mistakes, failing, realizing those mistakes and reaching again.More on the best way for you to practice here.2. Stop reading. Start doing.Keep the Rule of Two-Thirds in mind. Spend only one third of your time studying.The other two-thirds of your time you want to be doing the activity. Practicing. Testing yourself.Get yo ur nose out of that book. Avoid the classroom. Whatever it is you want to be the best at, be doing it.The closer your practice is to the real thing, the faster you learn.Heres DanOur brains evolved to learn by doing things, not by hearing about them. This is one of the reasons that, for a lot of skills, its much better to spend about two thirds of your time testing yourself on it rather than absorbing it. Theres a rule of two thirds. If you want to, say, memorize a passage, its better to spend 30 percent of your time reading it, and the other 70 percent of your time testing yourself on that knowledge.More on how to shift from reading to doinghere.3. The sweet spotYou want to be successful 60-80% of the time when training. Thats the sweet spot for improvement.When learning is too hard, we quit.When its too easy. . . well, we quit then, too.Always be upping the challenge to stay in that 60-80% zone.Heres DanYou dont want to be succeeding 40 percent of the time. Thats flailing around. You dont want to be succeeding 95 percent of the time. Thats too easy.You want to constantly be toggling, adjusting the environment so that youre succeeding 60 to 80 percent of the time.More on how to find your sweet spot for learninghere.4. Commit to the long termAsking someoneHow long are you going to be doing this? was the best predictor of how skilled that person would end up being.Merelycommittingto the long haul had huge effects.Heres DanThe question that ended up being the most predictive of skill was How long are you going to be doing this? Commitment was the difference maker. The people who combined commitment with a little bit of practice, their skills went off the charts.Commit to the long haul. Dont give up. Even works for mice.More on how long term commitment can take you to the next levelhere.5. Find arole modelWatching the best people work is one of the most powerful things you can do.Its motivating, inspiring and its how you were built to learn.Study the best to be t he best.Heres DanWhen we stare at someone we want to become and we have a really clear idea of where we want to be, it unlocks a tremendous amount of energy. Were social creatures, and when we get the idea that we want to join some enchanted circle up above us, that is what really lights up motivation. Look, they did it. I can do it. It sounds very basic, but spending time staring at the best can be one of the most powerful things you do.More on finding the best mentor for you here.6. Naps are steroids for your brainNapping isnt for the lazy. Its one of the habits of the most successful people in any field.Sleep is essential to learning. Naps are a tool that will make you the best.Heres DanNapping is a high performance activity. If you looked into the habits of highly successful people you would see a lot of naps, a lot of recovery. Its sort of our brains janitorial service. It helps us clean out the stuff we dont want. It also helps us work on ideas while were asleep. Top performer s use sleep as a tool.More on how astronauts use sleep to increase performance here.7. Keep anotebookEminem keeps a journal. Peyton Manning keeps a journal.Top performers track their progress, set goals, reflect and learn from their mistakes.Heres DanMost people who are taking an ownership role in their talent development use this magical tool called a notebook. Keep a performance journal. If you want to get better, you need a map, and that journal is that map. You can write down what you did today, what you tried to do, where you made mistakes. Its a place to reflect. Its a place to capture information. Its a place to be able to track your progress. Its one of the most underused yet powerful tools that I could imagine anybody using.More on how to use a notebook to be your best here.If you only remember two words from this . . .Dan says the two key words are Reach and Stare.Reach Always push yourself to the edge of your ability.Stare Look at those better than you and emulate them.He res DanI would say, Reach. Get out on the edge of your ability. Get into your discomfort zone and reach past that. And I would say, Stare. Find somebody you want to be in two years, three years, five years, and stare at that person. See what theyre doing. See exactly what theyre doing, and steal that. Steal from them.Sum upSadly, you werent born an expert.But you can become one with practice and time. Start now. Youll be amazed at what you can achieveIll be sending out more tips from Dan in my weekly email.Join 300K+ readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.This article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

Job Interview Body Language Speaks Volumes

Job Interview Body Language Speaks VolumesJob Interview Body Language Speaks VolumesBroadway actor John Treacy Egan and acting coach Jodie Bentley share body-language tricks to use (and some to avoid) during a job bewerbungsinterview.Actors know that body language speaks volumes, and the good ones use it subtly to persuade the audience.Poses, positions and postures tell the audience what to think about the character.A job interview is no different, said Jodie Bentley, owner and co-founder of The Savvy Actor, a firm that coaches actors on the business of acting and teaches them how to market themselves. Your body language tells the interviewer things about you.I think it is important to have body awareness before you go into an interview, she said. There are many actions and habits that we should consider doing or avoid doing to tell the right story during the interview setting.Actor John Treacy Egan, featured in such Broadway hits as The Producers and The Little Mermaid, demonstrates some of the body-language tricks he uses and avoids on stage.Practice these, and you will take it over, he said. Its like muscle matter.1) WardrobeBentley emphasized the importance of wearing clothes that show you in your best light during an interview. I really think that the clothes that you wear impact who you are, and if you wear something that makes you feel fabulous, your body language is going to be so much mora comfortable in the moment.2) Hold onto a talismanWear a piece of jewelry or a scarf or something that has meaning to you and can ground you in the moment, Bentley said. If I get nervous, sometimes I will look at my wedding ring and think of my husband who supports me, and I realize I should be doing this and I am on the right path. When we get nervous, we feel ourselves being removed from our bodies slightly. I think that having that talisman is a great way just to keep us grounded and present in the moment.3) Feet on floorEgan recommended that you keep both feet on the floor and sit up straight. Crossing your legs, he said, portrays complacency.4) Sit stillNervous energy isnt good, Bentley said. And so a lot of people cross their legs and shake their legs over and over again. bedrngnis that we need to sit with ankles crossed and be stiff.5) Hands on kneesIf you have to make a point, Egan said, you can use your hands. But rather than speaking with your hands, he recommends you rest your hands on your knees until you need to make a gesture.6) Sit a little bit forwardYou dont want to sit back, Egan said. Leaning backwards can leave the impression that you are overly relaxed and can make you look untidy.7) Dont fold your armsI think that is a bad habit that a lot of people fall into. It definitely closes you off (from the interviewer). Not a lot of actors do it, Bentley said.8) Avoid body ticsDont crack your finger joints or fiddle with your cufflinks. I have big, red, curly hair, and I used to twirl my curls when I got nervous, Bentley said. It i s about really being honest with yourself and saying to yourself What are my habits when I get nervous, and how can I eliminate them? 9) No hands in pocketsIf you are standing at all in the interview, then hands in the pockets are a big no-no. That just looks so clumsy and messy, Bentley said. Let your hands drop to your side, and talk, is Egans advice. When you need to use your hands, engage them.10) Dont invade the interviewers spaceSome people just get too close for comfort, Bentley said. They think that they want to make a connection, so they get closer. Really knowing that boundary is really important. For example, dont stretch your hands or body over the interviewers desk.11) PropsIf you need a prop like a pen, use it if it makes you feel a little bit more comfortable, Egan said. abflug with the place where you feel safest, holding your hands together or holding a prop, but give yourself the chance to step away from that during the presentation or interview. It makes you look stronger.12) Dont stareIn a conversation, (actors) never fully lock eyes with people, Bentley said. We talk, we look people in the eyes, we have a thought, and we look away. We look to the right, and we look to the left. Sometimes in an interview setting, you focus too much on impressing the audience. And we start really staring at them, and staying focused so much, that we start to look a little crazy. Egan concurred If you feel like you are looking the person in the eye too long, hold it one more second and break away.