How to use soft skills to get the job -

How to use soft skills to get the job - If you are extremely qualified, have terrific application materials, a targeted resume and youre interviewing for jobs, but always coming up with a silver medal, its possible that youre bumping up against an elusive category: likability. Also known in the industry as cultural fit, likability is a reason many candidates dont make the final cutâ€"the interviewers either didnt like them or didnt believe they would mesh well with current employees. One of the reasons that most employers dont provide specific feedback to a second-place candidate is because its difficult to explain why someone doesnt fit in. An employer can get in legal hot water for explaining that someone didnt get hired because the team just didnt like the candidate and couldnt imagine spending a lot of time together. Emotional intelligence, otherwise known as soft skills, is the category of skills most likely involved when evaluating likability or fit. Wikipedia defines them as Personal attributes that enhance an individuals interactions, job performance and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are about a persons skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills relate to a persons ability to interact effectively with co-workers and customers and are broadly applicable both in and outside the workplace. Soft skills include: attitude, communication skills, time management, critical thinking and a slew of other categories that do not relate to intelligence. Theres no question that soft skills play a role in most, if not all, hiring decisions. How can soft skills help you land a job? So how can you demonstrate these skills during an interview? Eddie Earnest from HigherNext, a company that offers the Certified Business Laureate (CBL) certification tests and credentialing system, suggests the following tips to help highlight these five soft skills during an interview. 1. Work ethic. Make sure to weave your thoughts about how important the companys mission and vision are to you and explain why youre willing to go the extra mile to help the organization succeed. 2. Positive attitude. Give examples of how you improved employee morale in a past position, or how your positive attitude helped motivate your colleagues or those you managed. 3. Communication skills. Your interview is a great opportunity to demonstrate how well you communicate, so be sure you prepare and practice responses to showcase your best skills. 4. Time management. This is a crucial skill many employers seek in their hires. Earnest notes, Its especially important for candidates who want to work in a startup to know how to manage their time, tasks and responsibilities effectively. 5. Self confidence. Earnest reminds job seekers, You can demonstrate self confidence at the interview by the way you present yourself, including how you dress for the interview, the way you approach to shake hands and how you speak about your experiences during the interview. Read the whole post on U.S. News World Report. photo by coofdy

The Hidden Facts About Writing Courses Resume Revealed by an Old Pro

The Hidden Facts About Writing Courses Resume Revealed by an Old Pro A simple resume template is going to be your very best bet. Keywords are only one part of customizing your resume to a particular job. The Bizarre Secret of Writing Courses Resume You don't need to purchase any course books. Work Experience In the current lesson, you will learn to turn job descriptions into advertising copy. Students learn in various ways through different tools. Teaching material comprises a combination of videos and written instructions on this week's topic. Alas, many job seekers become overwhelmed before they even begin. There are a few things that don't belong on a resume for work. Some people wish to set their education up top. There are lots of standard forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. The Principles of Writing Courses Resume You Will be Able to Benefit From Starting Right Away The NCRW Certification Commission is composed of volunteers who are d edicated to promoting the greatest standards of resume excellence. Other people discover that professional writing courses online provide the flexibility they will need to have the ability to learn and write when they're really switched on. New courses start every month to make sure that we've got the right proportion of students to tutors readily available, please make certain you choose a starting date when you proceed through our shopping cart, at checkout. If you're just beginning the journey of finding your fantasy career or simply searching for a new position, Sound Advice can supply the resume writing and coaching expertise to make sure you're on the proper path to achieving your professional career objectives. Reading content backwardsawkward and time-consuming though it can beis an excellent way to catch minor mistakes that you could otherwise miss. Ideally, you'll want to locate a program, or a school, where you could rub shoulders with published authors and naturall y get personal feedback from a writer whose work you want. Thus, another novel writing advice is to look for editor's help and proofread so as to help you achieve superior output and skilled work.

Job Posting Closed on LinkedIn, Can I Still Apply - Work It Daily

Job Posting Closed on LinkedIn, Can I Still Apply - Work It Daily The following question came up recently in one of my JSAP (Job Search Accelerator Program) group coaching sessions: “I saw a job I’m perfect for on LinkedIn, but it’s closed. Should I still apply?” The answer is, “It depends.” Below is a video where I map out what to consider when you see a job that is closed and what steps you can take to make the most of the situation. Any time we see a job we feel we are a match for, we need to do something. But, if it’s closed, the steps we should take become less clear. Until now! Watch my video and I’ll tell you step-by-step what to do. Your Next Step If you are struggling to stay positive and motivated in your job search, then I suggest you watch all four videos from my new job search training. This video series is 100% FREE and designed to help you understand what’s going wrong in your job search. WATCH VIDEO NOW ? Image Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

How Women in the Workplace are Finding Success in Nontraditional Jobs

How Women in the Workplace are Finding Success in Nontraditional JobsTraditionally, women have found it difficult to receive equal treatment and pay compared to their male counterparts. Its no secret that men have an advantage in the workplace for more reasons than one. Its also no secret that women in the workplace are at a disadvantage. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) The good news is thatwomen in the workplace are finding more and more success in nontraditional occupations. These occupations are providing women with more opportunities and higher salaries compared to traditional occupations.SourceTulsa Welding School

This Entrepreneur Turned Instagram Likes Into Major Cash

This Entrepreneur Turned Instagram Likes Into Major Cash Social media is an important tool for entrepreneurs. leid only does it get your message and product out there, but it gives you the opportunity to reach new audiences on a daily basis.But what if that audience could grow by mora than 800% in just a few months?Not only that but what if you could do it without spending a dime?Strategist and content specialist Talia Koren has managed to do exactly that. Her popular blog, Workweek Lunch, launched over a year ago. But thanks to her use of Instagram, she expanded her side hustle into a thriving business opportunity.I left corporate life because I was caught in a round of layoffs, Koren said. That inspired me to go off on my own. My co-workers kept commenting on the home-cooked lunches I brought to work every day, saying they wished they could be healthy like me. Knowing how easy meal prep is, I decided to build a resource to start teaching others how to do itSince she started using Instagram, Korens blog has thrived. Not only has she been approached for some incredible opportunitieslike a potential segment on the Rachael Ray Show and a cookbook with Simon Schusterbut Koren has been able to reach her audience in ways that she didnt know were possible.I started with Instagram at first for fun, but when I saw how much mora my audience responded to me there, I made it a higher priority, Koren said. Theres a huge food and healthy community there already that I could tap into, which other platforms dont have much of.Koren says that most of Workweek Lunchs site traffic and email subscribers come from Instagram. To capitalize on that audience, Koren uses the Workweek Lunch account to promote her free services that users can sign up for via email.I call them my VIPs, Koren said. Email subscribers are much more likely to become paying customers than general Instagram followers because you can develop a deeper relationship with them. For example, I recently launched my first meal plan and all of my first buyers were people on my email list that Ive communicated one-on-one with.Entrepreneurs should aim to stand out by providing as much free value as possible and educate your market, Koren explained. That way when you have something to sell, theyre already up to speed on why they need to buy your solution.Korens success makes Instagram sound like an enticing tool, but using it to grow your business requires commitment. Here are three steps Koren says you can take today to boost your business with Instagram1. Get a business account.Koren recommends this so you can start tracking analytics ASAP, and that data can then guide your content decisions. An Instagram business account is free but requires a Facebook page to connect to. But, as Koren notenzeichens, you dont have to use the Facebook page the way youre using Instagram.Facebook is increasingly difficult to break into as a business, while Instagram users gladly interact with businesses and brands regularly, Koren explains. Choose one platform based on who youre trying to reach and where their attention is and put all your energy into that one platform.2. Improve your visual content.Remember that content is king. If your content doesnt stand on its own, it will be difficult for your audience to find a connection to itand to your business.Take note of what does well on the platform and create your own version of it, Koren recommends. In May of this year, I had around 6,000 followers. Its September and I have 50,000 now. But that wasnt an accident. I studied Instagram. I learned as much as possible about it and implemented what I learned without having to do any of that follow/unfollow stuff, buying followers or being spammy.3. Post once a day (at minimum).New content is constantly deutsche post dhled on social media platforms if you dont keep up, your message will get lost in the shuffle. Post good content often and tag your content so its seen widely by others. You can add u p to 30 hashtags on a single Instagram post make sure you use all 30Ultimately, Koren knows that understanding your audience and what they want from your business is key to building a strong (and profitable) social media presence.I was never able to make an impact until now, where Ive carved out a space to truly develop my voice, mission and message. To me, thats what social media is really about, Koren said. I wish I took Instagram more seriously out of the gate

The Best Advice I Ever Heard From a Career Coach

The Best Advice I Ever Heard From a Career Coach Im often asked for job search advice, and perhaps the No. 1 request I receive is, What kind of job should I look for?As a coach, most of the time, I answer this question and other client questions with a question of my own Why?Most of us have more than enough people in our lives offering their opinions, whether we want them to or not.My goal is not to be one of those people. Im of the belief that we already have many of the answers we seek. We simply ask others when we want confirmation secretly, of course.Thats not an absolute truth, but more times than not, this is the case.So back to the job search question. I proceed to ask the person totell me about the thing they would do for free. I want them to tell me what theyre really passionate about.Usually, thats not the answer they want, but it creates a necessary conversation that a job seeker might otherwise avoid. Its a conversation about values.Wh at is your core belief? Whats the real reason you want a job in the first place? Is it the money?Nope.Is it the title?Nope.Although some would argue that point, the truth is muchdeeper than this. Lets take a college degree, for example. If you have one, why did you pursue it in the first place? Was it to get the degree?Nope. Not really.Was it for the discipline of completing the program? Absolutely not. (If so, we need to talk)No, you pursued that degree becauseof the things to which it would give you access.Hopefully, you see where Im going with this. Your core belief is the common denominator behindall of what you do.Uncovering Your Core BeliefsI met with a young man not long ago who welches interested in pursuing a career in residential real estate. I asked him why he chose real estate. He said it was because of the money.I said I didnt believe him. I told him that wasnt the real reason. I asked if he was committed to real estate. His answer was, Yes. He said theres the possibili ty of making good money. I agreed, but didnt believe it was about the money.Within a few minutes, as I continued to ask probing questions, wegot to the real reason. This young manwanted to create a lifestyle for his family where he would be able to send his children to the best schools, offer his wife the option of choosing her own career, and take family vacations. He wanted freedom and flexibility. Thatswhat he was committed to providing for his family. Real estate was simply the vehicle.When I asked if it had to be real estate, he said it didnt have to be.Whats thePoint? First, you need to get clear on what youre truly committed to. More than likely, the job is merely the vehicle. Being gainfully employed is important, but a job ismuch more than that. Being intentional aboutthe bigger picture may give you the wherewithal to choose more powerfully.Are you choosing something that will simply pay the bills? If so, understand thats what your job is for just paying the billsIs it for the opportunity to hone your skills,be challenged, and expand your knowledge? Then youre laying planks on the path to the values to whichyoure ultimately committed.Whats your (life) plan? Instead of looking at a job or occupation as a separate issue, you should incorporate your profession fully into your life.Whether you are an employee or own abusiness, most of your waking moments will bespent working. Why not spend that time doing something you enjoy?As has been said many times before, if you choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.That sounds pretty good to me.Reginald Jackson is an executive and leadership coach and the founder ofJoyful Satisfaction Coaching.

Unschooler

Unschooler3 Job Interview Questions to Ask a Homeschooler/UnschoolerThe number of children who are homeschooled has increased by 75 percent since 1999. While home-schoolers represent only four percent of all students, every year the number of children schooled at home grows seven times faster than the number of children in public schools. As a result, the volume of prospective hires who were homeschooled or who received an alternative form of education is increasing.This is a good thing. Homeschooled students consistently test higherthan public school students on standardized tests such as the California Achievement Test (CAT), the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the Stanford Achievement Test. And as this sites longtime readers know, the more variety and diversity you can include within your hiring (to include varied educational backgrounds), the more creative and efficientyour workplace will be.But just as there are positive qualities associated with homeschooled candidates, th ere are also a number of negative stereotypes.Whether your personal preference leans towards or away from the practice of homeschooling, its your responsibility as a hiring manager to ignore your preconceived stereotypes and focus on the job youre hiring for. Just as you customize each interview for each candidates background, here are three questions you might consider asking a homeschooled candidate so that you fully assess their fit for the position.1 How would you cope with a coworker you didnt like?Homeschooled individuals are often stereotyped with poor socialization skills, when in fact home school curriculums often include a significant amount of time working with other students and interacting with community members from a variety of backgrounds.If people skills are a requirement and youre concerned about the people skills of any candidate, this is a great question to ask in order to understand how the candidate approaches diverse and possibly antagonistic coworkers.Candida tes of any educational background can fall prey to the echo chamber effect, surrounding themselves with like-minded individuals and ignoring or avoiding confrontation. Give each candidate a chance to provide an example of working with someone he didnt like and to discuss how he manages personal conflict in the workplace.2 How do you approach projects and assignments that fall outside of your interest? Interest and discovery model educational curriculums such as the Montessori program instill a number of highly desirable qualities in their students such as problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking.But some are concerned that this kind of schoolwork might lead a student to attempt and follow through with only projects and assignments she likes. And we all know that wont fly in the workplace.If focus and attentiveness to a variety of projects (often outside the candidates control) are a big parte of the job, this question will help you talk it out. Look for an answer that indic ates that this candidate can see the benefits of working outside her strengths and that she follows through with her assignments regardless of her interest level.3 How do you manage your time when you have conflicting priorities? Another bad homeschooling stereotype is a laissez-faire approach to managing time and curriculum. While this stereotype falls far from the truth for the majority of homeschooling grads, its easy to see how it would be a concern on the job youre essentially wondering whether or not you can trust the candidate to complete his or her work.For positions that require a focus on time management- both on behalf of the candidate and the candidates team members- you need to know that the candidate is accustomed to creating a schedule and sticking to it. Clear up any confusion by asking about the candidates approach to time management.Has she been involved in extracurricular activities that required her to stick to a schedule? Has she had to manage time among competi ng priorities? Look for examples of successful time management in both her educational and recreational endeavors to know that she meets that requirement of the position description.Do homeschooled candidates need special treatment? No. Like all candidates who go through the interview process, homeschooled candidates simply need to be evaluated based on their unique accomplishments and whether or not their individual talents line up with the position for which you are hiring. If youre at all concerned that your personal experience with home-schooled or unschooled candidates might affect your opinion on a particular candidate, turn to these three questions and give each candidate the opportunity to defend his hard-earned (and non-stereotypical) skills.Read related articlesHow to Leave a Positive Impression With Rejected CandidatesCharm Candidates With an Irresistible Company CultureMake Candidates an Offer They Cant Refuse