The Dos and Donts of Professional Networking

The Dos and Donts of Professional Networking The ability to network is not an innate, God-given quality. It is simply the process of developing mutually gratifying/advantageous relationships with like-minded people and businesses and, more importantly, can be learned, honed and developed. Networking is a marketing tool; crucial to the success of you and your business that can take a variety of different forms. From face-to-face business conferences, to less formal coffee or after-work drinks meetings, there are also a wide variety of online and social networking methods including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Blogs. Whether you are at the beginning of your career or a business veteran embarking down a new road, here are a few do’s and don’ts about networking to help you succeed. Benefits of Networking: Networking has the ability to open many windows and doors to anyone at any stage of their career. Meeting and talking to the right people can earn you free advice, awareness of you and your company, word-of-mouth referrals and if done correctly, networking has the potential to gain you credibility, trust, professionalism, knowledge and expertise. Heres a list of best and worst ways of doing networking: DO’S Put your best foot forward There is no benefit sitting in the corner by yourself. Don’t be afraid to say hello to people around you. The chances are they are just as nervous as you. “Elevator Pitch” Be quick, concise and accurate when describing your business. Ensure you engage your listener from the get-go and make it memorable. Business cards Make sure you have more than enough with you as they are a great way to exchange details, as well as allowing you a way of reconnecting the following day. One great little tip is to jot on the back of your card the time and place you met, so your new business contact remembers. Follow up Whats the use of meeting people if you don’t follow up afterwards? Listen and learn This is a valuable lesson in life and not just business. Take time to learn from others’ experiences. Quid-pro-quo You cannot expect to get something without offering anything in return. Offer free help, favors, advice or reduced cost services. Patience is a virtue Networking is developing strong, long-standing business relationships. Don’t expect to reap the rewards immediately. Good things come to those who wait. Prepare questions Anticipate the kind of people you are likely to meet and think about what you would like to ask them, what you would like to learn from them. DON’TS Don’t be timid and only talk to people you already know. Networking isn’t just for the flamboyant big-shots or charismatic colleagues. Don’t only speak to one person The more the better. Don’t be afraid to ask questions Everyone is scared of appearing ignorant or stupid but there’s no need. The vast majority of people will relish the opportunity to peacock their knowledge and expertise, so make sure you ask as many questions as you can. Avoid overzealous self-promotion this tactic is more likely to annoy than build valuable relationships Don’t forget to follow up this is so important, we’re saying it twice. Don’t get drunk Especially at the more informal meet-ups, there is the chance they will be serving alcohol. Even though a little Dutch courage can help the confidence, appearing intoxicated is the worst thing you could possibly do. What about social networking? Social media is also a hugely valuable networking resource. It provides avenues through which to reach out to people you might never meet in person and it also allows you to interact with them on a daily basis. There are, however, a few simple rules you should adhere too for networking success. Where are they? There are many different social media channels, so if you want to build a relationship with someone, you need to establish their preferred communication channel and go to them. Less is more There may be more communication channels than ever before but you have less time in which to grab people’s attention. Brevity is key. Twitter is ideal platform to make this initial connection. Don’t expect a response Open doors without adding pressure. What does your profile says about you? Remember you will be judged by you social media profiles. This is the information that people will form their opinion of you on so ensure your profile is up-to-date, correct and complimentary. Related: How To Start Conversations with Complete Strangers in a Natural Way. Flora Lowther is a writer for Adzuna.co.uk, a search engine for classified ads which makes it easier for users to find the right job locally.  

What Is the Best Executive Resume Writing Services in America?

What Is the Best Executive Resume Writing Services in America?The best executive resume writing services in America will help you make the most of your resume. If you are applying for a new job and need an opportunity to start a new career then it is important that you are able to get an interview and be considered for the position. While a lot of people do apply for the job when they know that they are not going to be considered, the truth is that many do not apply for jobs they could have and should have.Most people want to get a good job but do not know how to go about getting one. The best resumes will help you get the opportunity that you are looking for. One of the most difficult things to do is to stand out from the competition and make the best resume possible.When applying for a job with your current employer, it is best to know what you are doing before the application process begins. If you are applying for a job that is an advancement at your current position, it is impor tant that you have a good idea of what you are doing. A lot of times companies hire from their own staff and this can be a good reason to get an interview.The easiest way to do this is to take some time to write a good resume. Not all resumes are created equal so take some time to ensure that you have the best resume possible. You want to use words that make it easy for a potential employer to see exactly what you can do.The first thing that you want to do when you are looking for resume help is to look at the type of skills that are needed in order to fill the role. You want to use only the most important information that is needed to be included in the resume. Your resume will be seen by employers and this can be the difference between being hired or not hired.Focus on the areas that you know you can excel in. You want to put the most information on the first page so that your potential employer has the most to work with. If you are going to be focusing on technical knowledge or s pecific types of expertise, make sure that these are highlighted.Once you have included the information that you know is necessary for the prospective employer to see then you can move on to the next section. You can use this section to include information about your past work experience. This is the area that will show your experience and where potential employers will find out the reason why you should be hired.The last section you want to add is your contact information. This is used as a reminder to potential employers that you are still available for interviews. Make sure that the contact information is correct and that you include your current address if you have one.

Personal Branding Interview Marla Tabaka - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Marla Tabaka - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to Marla Tabaka, who is a Million Dollar Mindset Coach, Inc. blogger, and host of two popular radio shows.   In this interview, Marla talks about the difference between business and life coaching, the qualities all entrepreneurs have, how to decide if you want to be a solopreneur or have multiple employees, and more. What the difference between a business coach and a life coach? How did you choose your path, which lies between both? Experience has taught me that utilizing a combination of both approaches is the key to success in my niche. When the business owner is able to identify and resolve their stress and self-imposed limitations, they can achieve what I call The Million Dollar Mindset. With this empowering thought-process in place she can run the business from a confident, calm, and unlimited perspective and the business will thrive. This sets the client in motion to stretch beyond their current “comfort zone” and fulfill their purpose and passion in a life that brings them joy. When a client is stuck, for instance, I may ask, “What may be the negative consequences of achieving this goal or vision?” This helps the client identify unknown fears and stressors and gives us the opportunity to work through them. Traditionally, a business coach works with Profit and Loss statements, business and marketing plans, and other business-specific items. While those things are important, I believe that working from “the inside out” (the person first, the business later or simultaneously) helps the client achieve The Million Dollar Mindset, which leads to success in life and business. How can you spot an entrepreneur? What qualities do all entrepreneurs have? Million Dollar Mindset coaching includes identifying key values and how they create the foundation for a happy, balanced life and successful business. When I ask, “what do you value the most? What can you NOT live without?” Invariably, “freedom” is one of the top three things an entrepreneur cannot live without. I hear varying definitions of what freedom means, but being their own boss serves a critical role in their happiness. Entrepreneurs are creative, resourceful individuals with a strong drive and determination to live their ideal life and support others in a meaningful way. Oftentimes, the business is an avenue to serve a higher purpose, contributing to the greater good. Entrepreneurs are “idea machines” and are most happy and productive when they are working in the creative realm. They also possess a certain degree of willingness to take the risks necessary to achieve success. These are not exclusive to monetary risk, but include “putting themselves out there” and risking rejection, failure, and embarrassing moments. But a true entrepreneur will turn a potential setback into a positive opportunity and learn from every experience. How does someone decide whether they should be a solopreneur or start a company with multiple employees? In their eagerness to launch a business, people often neglect asking themselves some of the critical questions like: What is the five and ten year vision of your business? What is your exit strategy? What is the purpose behind starting your own business? Do you want a job or a business that you can scale and perhaps sell somewhere down the line? If you want a job, then doing all of the work on your own is fine. If you want a business, and have hopes of selling it in the future, you will need support. In a way, the word “solopreneur” is a misnomer because solopreneurs do not have to remain “solo” through the long haul. You do not have to hire full time employees in order to free yourself from the technical work in your company and to work on your business instead. When do you know youre ready to hire your first employee if youre looking to scale your company? I remind solopreneurs that they may not need to hire an “employee” for a long time, if ever. Many entrepreneurs hire contractors to fulfill their obligations. But if you are truly scaling your company and have a solid plan in place (and the financial resources) here’s a good question to ask yourself. “Does at least 90% of the work I do on a daily basis contribute directly to the growth of my company?” If you are stuck in a technical or administrative role, your company will not grow to its full capacity, if at all. You recently wrote about endorsements. How valuable are endorsements? Can they be trusted? My personal belief is that endorsements and testimonials are very important. But, you’re talking to someone whose “buy strategy” is complicated. Prior to purchase, I’ve been known to email people who have given testimonials, just to make sure that they still feel the same way about their experience today! What would happen if your prospects did that? Would your testimonials hold water? Testimonials should “prove” to your prospect that your product or service can address their problem and surpass their expectations. I also caution business owners that their endorsements must be authentic, truthful and relative. Otherwise, they may drive people away. With this said, a properly-written sales letter or email may not require the support of testimonials to drive and convert traffic. Unfortunately, not everyone has the skill or resources to craft such a letter, so testimonials and endorsements can take up the slack. - Marla Tabaka, a Million Dollar Mindset Coach, believes that with the right mindset â€" anything is possible! She has seen many of her clients reach one million-dollars in annual revenues and beyond. Marla’s success comes from her intimate understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset and her proprietary inside-out approach to business, known as the LifeMapâ„¢ Method. Marla is the author of the popular Successful Soloist Blog at Inc Magazine on-line where she shares insights, experiences, and tips based on her experience in life, business and as a coach. She is also the host of two popular radio shows, The Million Dollar Mindset and Million Dollar Tapping with Marla Tabaka. If you are interested in working with Marla, contact her through her website at www.MarlaTabaka.com.

10 Best Electrical Engineering Interview Questions Answers - Algrim.co

10 Best Electrical Engineering Interview Questions Answers - Algrim.co

Writing a Resume For No Experience is Easier Than You Think

Writing a Resume For No Experience is Easier Than You ThinkWriting a resume is not all that easy if you do not have any experience in this field. Especially, if you do not have any writing experience or just have no credentials to write at all. That is why it is so important to be familiar with the basics of resume writing as you can create a great resume without any previous experience whatsoever. Even then, writing resumes for no experience is no small feat.You will need to prepare two different types of documents, both of which are simply labeled as a cover letter and a resume. In fact, a cover letter is what you will use to introduce yourself to a potential employer. Your resume should be used to showcase your experience. When you have no experience whatsoever, you should always include your portfolio, education or skills that would be relevant to the job in question. That way, when your resume is reviewed, the employer will see that you have experience and will be interested in hiring you.You will also need to make sure that you have organized your resume properly. There are different types of resume formats available, but you should stick to standard formats such as one page resume, two page resume, four page resume, etc. These are just some of the many formats available, but you will find that using one format is the easiest and most effective way to create a resume.Your resume should not be filled with too much information. You do not want to overwhelm the potential employer with too much information, as that will defeat the purpose of writing a resume. You should write an outline of what you can bring to the table and have him or her read through it. This is a good way to start off a job search, as well as a good way to see how things work.When you are writing your resume, avoid putting too much information on it. Keep it short and concise. In addition, when you are trying to find out what an employer is looking for, be honest. Also, be aware that ther e are certain things you will need to include on your resume such as your educational background, work experience, and professional achievements.You will also need to include any specific skills that you have which are relevant to the job that you are applying for. Remember, a resume can only be read once, so make sure that you get all the information on it.When you are done with the proper format of your resume, you will need to make sure that you have filled it with your contact information. This includes the name, address, phone number, email address, etc. Be sure to include all of these so that you will be able to reach your potential employer with a simple telephone call.Now that you know what you need to write your resume, the next step is to find a good time to sit down and draft it. The time is right because it will be easy to put the materials together during the interview process.

How taking some downtime can benefit your work life

How taking some downtime can benefit your work life This post was written by an external contributor. Daisy Leigh-Phippard explains the benefits of taking some time out . Whether youre a perfectionist who spends hours getting that one project just right, or if you spend those hours procrastinating on social media, we often underestimate the importance of how we spend our time in between work.  Thats right were talking downtime. Its often the case that the majority of our time not spent working can be categorised into ‘sleep,’ ‘eat,’ and maybe one chosen side hobby (and this includes Netflix binges). Believe it or not, but that chosen activity can be the most important thing for both your occupational success and personal life. Work vs. play For some of us there’s a blurred line between work and play; the dream is for everyone to find an occupation they enjoy doing, but realistically it’s not that simple. A good way to find the difference is to work out what activities you feel held accountable for. Are you doing those yoga sessions for you, or because you feel you have to? Do you enjoy reading before you go to bed? Do you look forward to going out clubbing with your friends? If the answer is yes â€" great! If it’s no, maybe you should find something that you can just do for you. And here’s why… Me time is a must No job can be done with only isolated knowledge of its subject area. Especially in a world that’s constantly connected to everything at once, being aware of things beyond your immediate sphere of work can only help. Take a lawyer: yes, they have to be well versed in law and its various clauses, but lawyers also need social skills to converse with their clients, communication skills to defend them, as well as political and sociological understanding to know how best to do it. You can flip it around and look at a career that edges more on the creative side, and the same applies. To be a filmmaker you need to know the technical and creative processes to translate a script to a screen, but knowing psychology improves the realism of the character, knowing geography allows you to use your location or set to its best potential, and being cultured in books, music, dance and more offers you different styles to tell your story. To get away from all the flowery language, allowing ourselves experiences that don’t seem directly linked to our work can only benefit it in the long run. Something we do now might become relevant further down the line. Considering the fact that no matter how many times we’re asked it, we don’t really know where we’re going to be in ten years time, means that we don’t know what might be useful in the future. Take care of yourself But even with the benefits of downtime, there’s a more important one: in order for us to be able to focus during our work, we need to rest. And we also need to feel some sort of accomplishment in our free time to maintain our personal well-being. The self-care revolution has been springing up everywhere recently, but it’s not all long baths, candles and that extra biscuit because you deserve it. Those things are great, but a key part of self-care is allowing yourself to do things that make you happy for the simple reason that they make you happy. How it applies to your occupation doesn’t matter â€" which, ironically, is what makes it so useful in your work life. Allowing ourselves time to unwind and engage our brain in something that doesn’t have to be perfect, is incredibly useful, and let’s be honest, it’s fun. And we can let it be fun because no one is marking it and our income doesn’t depend on it. Our brain learns to distinguish what is work and what is play, which is something that is becoming harder and harder in a world that’s constantly switched on to social media. Finding the balance For the benefits of both our personal time and our work time, you have to learn where the balance between the two is. Being a hard worker is great, but without recreational downtime on the side, your brain doesn’t know when to switch off. As much as procrastinating might feel like free time, you’re not actually allowing yourself to engage in anything; you’re halfway between work and play but not focusing on either. Don’t dismiss how useful giving yourself time for you can be, whether it’s watching a film, learning to play piano, painting or drawing, reading or talking face to face with friends. These things are important to our mental and physical health, and can always unexpectedly turn into the spark that gets you further up the career ladder. Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

September 11th- Then and Now

September 11th- Then and Now Firsts It was a very dark time in our recent history. It was also a highlight. There were so many things that happened that had never happened before (at least during my lifetime), and may never happen again. The huge outpouring of national support. The fact that the Twin Towers collapsed. Attack on the US in the US. The skies empty of airplanes for days.The sense of patriotism or perhaps call it a united spirit within our country. These are the things I remember most. Actually, no, what I remember most is how incredibly blue and cloudless the sky was that day and the days that followed. Our World Was Rocked No matter who you are or where you live, September 11 impacted your life. You knew someone related to someone who lost their life. It was the only topic of news for weeks. And it made us re-evaluate our priorities. Parents spent more time with their children, people cashed in vacation days they normally wouldnt. Life slowed down for a while and their was a singular focus. Value what we have! We Crave Normal For many reasons, life goes on. By nature, we crave what we defined as normal. A familiar routine that might make our lives seem like they used to. If we are smart, we learned how to evolve and move forward with a new normal. A normal that incorporates honoring our values. One in which we dont take anything for granted. A life where neighbors help and support neighbors. Thomas L. Friedman Knows If anyone understand how the definition of normal has changed, it is Thomas L. Friedman. In Sundays Op-Ed, where Friedman regularly contributes, hes written about the new rules! These new rules have to do with education and how we are training our fellow countymen. Friedman says: The truth is, if you want a decent job that will lead to a decent life today you have to work harder, regularly reinvent yourself, obtain at least some form of postsecondary education, make sure that you’re engaged in lifelong learning and play by the rules. That’s not a bumper sticker, but we terribly mislead people by saying otherwise. I think 99.9% of what   Friedman says is true. I am not saying these new rules are fair or right, but they are todays reality and no one will guarantee you anything, even if you do follow the new rules, which really stinks! The one thing I question is playing by the rules.   Quite honestly, the moral code of conduct is not as clear as it used to be. I believe that some rules were made to be broken. The ones that protect only an elite few. The ones that are outdated. The ones that keep our country from moving forward. Do me a favor, please read Thomas Friedmans Op-ed. If you havent read the most current edition of The World is Flat, please do so! It explains a lot.

The Skill Set Picking Your Negotiation Battles (Part 2) - Hallie Crawford

The Skill Set Picking Your Negotiation Battles (Part 2) Hallie was honored to be featured in a recent IvankaTrump.com article about picking your negotiation battles. As a follow up to this article, we wanted to share some additional tips with you. Know when to negotiate when you have a job. If you currently have a job, normally your performance review is a good time to negotiate. This doesn’t just apply to salary- this could also be job responsibilities or benefits such as flex time or working from home. If you get everything you want, it’s standard to wait until your next performance review to negotiate again. Know when to negotiate when you are looking for a job. During a job search, negotiate your terms close to or at the time of the offer. Once you sign the documents it will be harder to negotiate what you want from the start. Know when something is out of reach. Its important to consider the culture and terms of the business you work at (or want to work at) to avoid negotiating for something that you will never be able to have, like a month-long paid vacation. Speak up. Many business professionals, especially women, suffer from something called the Impostor Syndrome. This means that they feel like they are underqualified for their jobs and that they dont really know what they are doing. This prevents professionals from speaking up and negotiating better terms for themselves. Its important f to fight this tendency. One way to do so is by keeping a running list of work accomplishments with measurable results included.