Francesca McLin - The Balance

Francesca McLin - The BalanceFrancesca McLin - The Balance

Four Tips for Becoming a Trailblazer at Your First Job

Four Tips for Becoming a Trailblazer at Your First Job Four Tips for Becoming a Trailblazer at Your First Job For four (maybe five okay, six?) years, youve dreamed of walking across the stage at graduation, mom and dad snapping pictures, a diploma fresh in hand that tiny piece of paper telling the world youve been stamped for approval by the Academy.And now youve done it. Youre off the stage and onto the next step of adulthood. Within a few months, youll (hopefully) start your first job. Nervous though you may be, youre likely determined to do well.But, we get it. Youre new the real world. Youre not entirely sure how to do well. Youve never had a career. No fear Bill Peppler, managing partner at IT and tech staffing agencyKavaliro, has kindly offered his advice on how you can have an impact on your new organization and make your mark from day one.1. Start During the Interview ProcessIf you want to be a trailblazer that is, the kind of new employee who dives headfirst into things and keeps their eye on success at all times youfirst have to find a job that is the right fit for both you and youremployer. If youre introverted and the job requires extensive people-to-people interaction and high energy, youre not umgebung yourself up to do your best work.During the application and interview process, you have to pay attention to your prospective employers culture and think about whether or not its the right place for you.Some companies may be so set in their ways or so structured and regimented in the way they do business that there wont bethe chance for someone to even be atrailblazer, Peppler says. Its important to be honest about who you are as a person and be receptive to the ethos of the company, if you want to find the best match.2. Know Whats Expected of You Before Day OneIn order to hit the ground running, you have to know whats expected of you and you need a clear sense of what you expect from the company.We ask that you share whats expected on our end , Peppler says. How do we keep up expectation on things like pay structure and benefits when befhigung reviews might be done during the year.In other words You cant meet expectations if you dont know what they are. Your performance will reflect that andthats not great news if youre trying to become a trailblazer.3. Exceed ExpectationsAfter youve been in the job for a while and have learned how to meet theminimum expectations set forth by the company, you have to then ask what can be done to surpass those expectations.According to Peppler, a trailblazer understands the role, understands what the goals may be, and understands how to supersede those goals. Its that bit about superseding that really matters here. Trailblazers go above and beyond whenever they can.4. CommunicationAs with any job, communication is paramount. This cant be stressed enough A trailblazer establishes a clear avenue of communication from the very beginning.If there is something you see, whats your solution for it?Peppler says.The assumption is that youll establish a line of communication, and anytime you have an idea, a fresh perspective, or an issue, you wont shy away from bringing it to the table.Ultimately, a trailblazer will do all of these things without being told. And you probably wont have an endless supply of reminders once you enter the workforce.So, consider this your guidebook. Pocket it. Stow it away for later. Relish the fact that you dont really have to do homework anymore youre a graduateBut, when it comes time for the dream interview or your first day of work, give this article another look. Now follow those tips and soon, youll be the kind of trailblazer that others are following.

Saying yes to more work can be the best thing you ever do for your career

Saying yes to mora work can be the best thing you ever do for your careerSaying yes to mora work can be the best thing you ever do for your careerWe have all, at one time or another, felt exasperated when our boss comes to us asking us to do more work. Again? Doesnt anyone see what were already doing, how full our plates are, and how hard were working?The chances are, however, that they do see that. And thats why the boss is asking they think you can handle it, and that you can handle even more than that besides. Its a test for whether you can be trusted with more responsibility, which is the test for more versetzungs.And its also why you need to say yes to some requests for more work.People only get promoted when they can be trusted with more responsibility. With more work comes less free time, but more power, better skills, and, in the future, salary increases. Coming in and punching a clock - doing only whats in your job description - will not get your career to advance.Recogniz e that too many blanket nos change managers perception of you. Employeeswith successful careers become known as the people with a solution, not just a complaint. And that means saying yes, even when you have limitedtime, experiences, resources or bandwidth.When it makes sense to say no or wait to more workThere are many good reasons to platzset firm boundaries and say no. If youre being asked to do something unethical, definitely dont be pressured into a yes.Another reason to speak up If a project is never going to happen with the resources given. Dont just say no, however treat it as a negotiation and make a case for what you need. Saying no marks you as an obstacle to progress. Politely pointing out what resources are necessary to make a project successful marks you as a careful, strategic thinker.How to politely decline If youre a people-pleaser on the verge of burnout, graciously decline with reasons about how your contributions to the team can be better spent. I know that reven ue is one of our biggest priorities, and I can provide much more value by focusing on client pitches to bring in more revenue rather than taking on these spreadsheets.Another reason to say no if youre on the verge of burnout and you want to make a conscious decision to scale back in your career. Pay attention to signs of burnout, like fatigue and snappishness.But recognize that too many blanket nos change managers perception of you. Employeeswith successful careers become known as the people with a solution, not just a complaint. And that means saying yes, even when you have limitedtime, experiences, resources or bandwidth.Here are key moments in your career when youll need to be a yeasayer.Say yes tolearning a new skill you wantYour boss comes over to you with a promotion. Its not exactly the promotion you wanted. It will mean working with people you dont enjoy during long hours you wont enjoy.But with your increased scope of responsibilities, you will finally get management experi ence and the chance to try out all the ideas in your head. This is a yes-moment. Successful people know they should always take responsibilities that stretch their definition of whats possible in their jobsand make themselves uncomfortable enough to learn.When youre considering a new project or promotion, consider will it teach you some new skill or experiencethat you can carry with you past this job or this boss? Then its worth it.Saying yes means getting used to being uncomfortable. Our brains need new challenges to grow. According to Keith Rollag, the author of What to Do When Youre New, he believes that if we can change what we experience, we can change our brain, and all the things that our brain facilitates, including intelligence, personality, habits, and attitudes. Youll never get that valuable experience if you keep your head down and repeatwhat youve always been doing.Say yes tobeing testedWhen your manager comes over to you with a request for a job outside of your usual r esponsibilities, understand that you might be being tested for a new role or more responsibility. Youre not just saying yes to your managers request, youre saying yes to your future at the company.If you turn down that responsibility, you may think youre holding out for a better set of responsibilities. In truth, however, when you say no to more work, your boss may hear that youre not ready for any new responsibility and wont come to you again.Media mogul Shonda Rhimes knows this. After being known as a naysayer, Rhimes challenged herself for a year to say yes to challenges she had been to afraid to try. She practiced going out of her comfort zone led her to become a doer and not just a dreamer.You just have to keep doing something, seizing the next opportunity, staying open to trying something new, Rhimes advisesin her book Year of Yes. It doesnt have to fit your vision of the perfect job or the perfect life. Perfect is boring, and dreams are not real. Just . . . DO.Say yes to bein g a team playerYour colleague asks you for your help on their project. Making yes possible may mean staying at work later and putting off your own projects, but being helpful wont just help the team, it will build your social capital in the office. When you make your own big request for help, your colleagues who have all been the recipients of your help will remember your long hours and will back you up.Of course, if youre being asked to dothe work of three people on ones persons salary,you shouldnt be blindly saying yes. In those cases, you should make sure theres a time limit to the extra scope and update your boss regularly - maybe even weekly- on every major thing you do, so he or she knows the level of your contribution.Part of being a successful person means letting people know how great at your job you are. It means letting them know exactly what youre doing, so they know what you can and cant do. Your job is to communicate that your yes is a measured decision. When you agre e to a project, it will get done, but on your terms.

How to Withdraw from Consideration for a Job

How to Withdraw from Consideration for a JobHow to Withdraw from Consideration for a JobDid you decide that you dont want the job you just interviewed for? What is the best way to tell the employer you have changed your mind?There are many reasons to withdraw from consideration for a stelle. You might realize that the job is not a good fit in terms of your skills, interests, lifestyle, or income expectations. In addition, you may have been offered another position that is more attractive, or possibly you have suddenly been promoted by your current employer. Sometimes intervening life or health changes make a job transition less appealing after you have begun the application process. If any of behauptung situations apply, it is both courteous and professional to submit your withdrawal from consideration to the employer as soon as possible. When to Withdraw Your Application There is no need to withdraw from consideration prior to being selected for an interview. However, once an in terview has been scheduled or completed, you should inform the employer if you no longer have an interest in the position and dont plan to proceed with the process. How to Withdraw With an Email You can send an email or letter expressing appreciation for the employers time and consideration, with the option to include a reason such as how the position welchesnt a good fit. If you are considering withdrawing from consideration because the specific job you were interviewed for wasnt a great match for your skills, by all means, explain this, tactfully, to the employer. Also, ask that they take you into consideration should a more appropriate position open with their organization. Employers may redirect outstanding candidates to a different position from the one they initially applied to if they are impressed with the persons background. How to Withdraw With a Phone Call If you have established a solid rapport with the hiring manager or Human Resources representative throughout the application process, it is more professional (and considerate) to withdraw from consideration with a phone call. If possible, speak directly with the hiring manager rather than leaving a voicemail or message. This discussion could lead to referrals for other jobs or even restructuring of a more appropriate position. Letter of Withdrawal Email Example Subject Your Name - Withdraw ApplicationDear NameI very much appreciate your consideration for the (job title) with (company). After further thought, I have decided to withdraw my application for the position.It was a pleasure meeting you. I appreciate the time you spent discussing the opportunity with me, as well as the information you shared on the job and the company.Thank you for your time and consideration. I wish you success in finding the perfect candidate to fill this position.Best regards,Your Name Expand What to Include in the Email Your email message should be brief. Keep your message positive and state that you are wi thdrawing from consideration for the job. If you choose to explain why, present your reason simply, making sure to avoid any comment that might be construed as criticism of the employer. Relay your appreciation. Thank the person you met with for his or her time. Be specific on the subject of the email. The subject line of your message should state your name and the fact that you are withdrawing your application. Dont wait to send your message. Its best to send your withdrawal letter as soon as you decide this isnt the job for you. This will enable the hiring manager to continue the hiring process with other applicants. If you said yes, but want to say no. If you already accepted the position then changed your mind, review these tips for turning down a job you already accepted. Keep It Positive No matter how you withdraw from consideration, remember to remain professional and positive. Do not go into detail about why you do not like the company, your potential boss, etc. Instead, emphasize how grateful you are for the opportunity to apply for a position at the company, and for their time and consideration thus far. A future job opening at the company might be a better fit for you, so you should seek to remain in the hiring managers good graces. Hiring managers also often maintain a network with other businesses. If they are impressed by a candidate but for some reason they dont hire them, they may proactively alert the candidate to interesting job openings with other employers.

How to calm your nerves before a job interview

How to calm your nerves before a job interviewHow to calm your nerves before a job interviewEven when youre totally prepared for an interview and know that you are qualified, it can still be a nerve-racking experience to walk into a room (of potentially more than one person) and be judged for your past performances. Job interviews come with very specific feedback- either youll get the gig, or you wont. No matter what your qualifications may be,how you conduct yourself in an interviewcan make a big difference when it comes to the impression you leave on your interviewer.The next time youre up for a new job and have a big interview coming up, consider some of these tips tohelp settle your racing mind.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHow to calm your nerves before a job interviewPrepare for everythingeven the worst.It goes without saying that one of thebest ways to ace an interviewi s toprepare as much as possible beforehand. This includes everything from researching the company and the person who will be interviewing you to memorizing your best accolades and practicing in front of a mirror. What you might bedrngnis have considered is the importance of also preparing for the worst.According to The Muse, its helpful to consider your biggest fear, and thentry to come up with an answer for it. Proactive thinking- like coming prepared with floss for that errant piece of spinach you notice in your teeth right before you walk into the building- will help you rest assured that no matter what happens during the interview, you can handle it with aplomb.Take the guesswork out.We often spend a lot of unnecessary time and energy on the small details involved in a job interview- like what we should wear, and the best route to get there. Instead, aForbespiece suggests eliminating the unknown by taking some solid steps to move past them. For example, if you are worried aboutt raffic the day of your interview, try taking multiple routes to your destination in the days before the meeting to see which one works best. Not sure what to wear? Just call up the human resources department and ask.Dont be afraid to address the elephant in the room.No one expects you to show up to a job interview completely unnerved- youre not a robot, after all. Instead, aFast Companypiece recommendsaddressing your job interview nerves(jokingly is best) and using them as another way to rentenpapier with your interviewer.Use LinkedIn to your advantage.A few years back I had a big interview coming up at a website that would be mean switching gears and taking on a whole lot more responsibility. Needless to say, I was nervous. I found that the simple act oflooking people up on LinkedIn- even just to connect a face to a name- made a big difference.Finding out more about where people worked before and what their hobbies are all provide more ways to connect, and you just might get lucky and discover that you have contacts in common, which means you can learn even more before the big day.Know your weaknesses.If youre craving that big cup of coffee the morning of your interview but just know that itll likely give you the jitters, do your best to skip it. If you know that taking some time to workout before the big meet-up will help you de-stress but you dont want to take time away from your research and studying, grab your computer or phone and prop it up on the treadmill while you walk.Whatever you can do to keep your routine as simple and normal as possible- including all the things you normally do beforeheading into a stressful situation- go ahead and do it. That includes skipping the exotic lunch before your 2 p.m. interview, too, unfortunately.Include something fun in your planning.For all the stress youll put yourself through when it comes to interviewing, I love the suggestion from The Muse to plan something fun for afterwards. Not only will it give you somethi ng to look forward to, but it just mighthelp you distress during the actual interview, knowing that not only have you done your best to prepare, but that youll be rewarded afterwards with something youll very much enjoy.Interviews are almost always stressful, so acknowledging that fact and finding a way to work with that stress will help you move past it. Best of luck as you seek to enter into your job interviews with a cool and calm demeanorThis article originally appeared on FlexJobs.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The Tried and True Method for Emailing Resume in Step by Step Detail

The Tried and True Method for Emailing Resume in Step by Step Detail The very first paragraph is essential, according to Ramsey. Prevent any formatting in the resume email text If you would like your email to be read, it is wise to remove all of the formatting. Its vital to be as specific as possible, or so the individual has an extremely clear picture about why exactly you wish to speak to them. After you know the preferences of the individual or organization youre contacting, youre going to be in a position to prepare your resume and titelblatt letter to be sent via email. Knowing the format by which the business assigns email addresses, together with the hiring managers name will provide you with a wonderful idea about what the email address is inclined to be. You merely put in the parts name and company and the application will respond with a significant set of feasible email addresses. Connecting with recruiters is among the best strategies for scoring the interview you want to find the job that you desire. Searching during the prospective employers LinkedIn page can give you new connections you are able to reach out to and introduce yourself. The recruiter has lots of applications which they have to go through on a daily basis. A hiring manager might need to fill numerous positions. If youre linked to the hiring manager, perfect. In both situations, the busy hiring manager might elend have the opportunity to tell you there was an issue. When you email a resume to a different individual, youre often connecting to that person for the very first time. Even should you not own a mutual connection, youre not without recourse. When its by email, you might be advised in regard to what format you need to use for your resume, what things to include in the topic line of the email message, and by once the employer should receive it. Make certain that your subject line clearly states the aim of the message in order for the employer doesnt mistake it for spam, or otherwise overlook it. You may also add your name. Ensure you make the most of the name of the individual who referred you in the topic line. There are steps that you may take to make your resume email stick out from the rest. Since, when the email is set, theres not any way you could take it back. Emailing Resume - Is it a Scam? The recruiters opinion of youre able to make or break your work offer. Our recommendation is to compose the cover letter within the body of the email. When youre applying for work, you must always send a resume and cover letter. So, it is going to be convenient to them to find the glance of the work position youve applied for. Since you dont find out how to email a resume the most suitable way. After that, take a look at your own experience and discover the pieces of your experience that match the work description. The main reason why you chose the job needs to be apparent in the very first paragraph. Dont make the error of linking out to your latest project if it doesnt have anything to do with the job which youre applying for. Also, you wish to give the option of time to the individual in power by offering a variety of choices. Be formal The work application procedure is a formal approach. Therefore, you must have an official approach to writing your email job application. An additional tip, always remember to create your whole job application relevant and specific to the job that youre attempting to land.

Technology... Whats It Mean for Crime and Criminal Justice

Technology... Whats It Mean for Crime and Criminal Justice Technology Whats It Mean for Crime and Criminal JusticePosted November 14, 2018, by JennyTechnology is changing the way that many industries operate and criminal justice is no exception. Thats because the way criminals pursue their activities is changing, with information technology (IT) now a major part of multinational criminal activity.In 2017, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission reported that cybercrime costs the national economy around $1 billion annually. In the United Kingdom (UK), the Office of National Statistics reported that in the 12 months up to September 2017, there were 4.7 million incidents of fraud and computer misuse in England and Wales aloneAs criminals adapt to technology, so too must those trying to bring them to justice. Which means there is a growing demand for innovative, adaptive and forward-thinking professionals in the criminal justice services.How policing respondto changeColin Rogers , Professor of Policing and Law Enforcement at Charles Sturt University (CSU), feels the criminal justice industry has to constantly adapt to ever-shifting circumstances and the constant innovation of criminals with technology being a key driver of this adaptation.In terms of law enforcement and security, recently there has been and will continue to be a massive shift in criminality. The way that people are committing crime is changing. We still have the same types of crimes but the way criminals operate is changing dramatically. In large part that is to do with the rise in technology that perpetrators are using to commit criminal acts, alongside the rise in globalised cybercrime.Policing does elend exist in a vacuum. It is affected by everything that happens around it. So it is influenced by everything from shifts in the political landscape and economic decisions to environmental issues and the increasing integration of technology into our daily lives.For Brian Daly, course dire ctor for policing in CSUs Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, these changes are reflected in the interests of people currently studying in the field, prompted by their professional experiences.Cybercrime is certainly growing as an area of interest, given that the ability for people to live globally and cross borders more easily has led to an increase in transnational crimes like money laundering. Its also one of the reasons why fraud and financial crime is another area in which there is a lot of uptake, not only from law enforcement professionals but also those working in the private sector, such as in banks and other financial entities.Using technology in crime prevention and detectionAll areas of law enforcement and criminal justice are increasingly using technology in their workplaces. Professor Rogers sees this as having different levels of application across various aspects of the industry.The interpretation of data is vital. It is probably not cost-effective t o train police officers in IT rather recruiting IT professionals into law enforcement makes more sense. This is happening in the UK and may well become more common in other countries. So the scope of experience in the industry is widening.For ordinary police officers, they wont necessarily need to know how to deal with, say, cybercrime, but they will need to understand it, to recognise it, as they are increasingly likely to come into contact with it in one way or another. So they will need the skills to, for instance, preserve evidence used in cybercrime investigations. So there is a drive for officers to undertake specialised study in aspects of technology and cybercrime.Kim Bailey, a lecturer in law at CSUs Centre for Law and Justice, also sees technology influencing how legal services are provided, creating opportunities for delivery that were simply not possible before.It used to be the case that to practise law you needed to operate from a physical office. Legal practice today has vastly changed. For example, most conveyancing and legal practice is conducted online, with virtual law offices and files stored in the cloud.Technology has opened up a world of opportunity for legal practitioners, and online global legal research means you dont need a physical office or the law in printed form. Todays lawyers can practice anywhere, anytime and can offer legal services to rural, regional and remote areas.Meeting the challengeAs crime evolves so does the means to combat it, making the criminal justice industries dynamic, forward-thinking fields to work in. And they are always looking for innovative individuals just like you to join them. Start with a course in Criminal Justice or Intelligence Analysis.Criminal Justice ResourcesLawyer sample resumeLawyer sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesSusan Sumars - Associate Lawyer & Pro Bono CoordinatorPandelis Tiliakos - BarristerInterested in becoming a?Youth WorkerSecurity OfficerPolicy AnalystCustoms OfficerCase ManagerPopular Career Searchescriminal justice courses onlinecriminal law courses onlinecriminal justice and criminology tafe coursescriminal justice masters by research ecu coursesfinancial crime courses australiaCriminal Justice CoursesBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire verbunden Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminology and JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJuris DoctorEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMaster of LawsEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJennyRelated ArticlesBrowse moreLawLaw career fact sheetConsidering a career in law? Check out this fun fact sheet for everything you need to know about the industry, at a glance.CAREER ADVICECAREER INSPIRATION6 Reasons Why You Should Study LawStudying law offers you the chance to develop a wide range of skills and explore different aspects of human life, businesses, and society. Here are a few more reasons why studying law in Australia is an excellent choice.WORKFORCE TRENDSLegal eagles find ways of riding out the recessionLike other industries , the legal profession has been significantly affected by the global financial crisis.

Sales Manager Top Needed Skills

abverkauf Manager Top Needed SkillsSales Manager Top Needed SkillsSales Manager Top Needed SkillsWriting your resume with a target job in mind requires having a clear understanding of the jobs skills and proficiencies.A well-crafted resume skills section, highlighting your relevant skills for a sales manager position, will help your resume beat the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which is the first step to getting your application noticed. Use the sales manager top skills and proficiencies below to help you effectively write your resume.Sales Manager top skills proficienciesMeeting Sales GoalsNegotiationSell to Customer NeedsMotivationSales PlanningBuild RelationshipsCoachingManage ProcessesMarket KnowledgeDevelop BudgetsStaffing

How to Build and Maintain a Professional Network

How to Build and Maintain a Professional NetworkHow to Build and Maintain a Professional NetworkBuilding a network is one of the most important things you can do to advance your career. Many people dont know how to go about it, but networking isnt quite as complicated as it sounds. Even if you are just starting out, you are already part of a network. The next step is to learn how to expand, maintain, and use it effectively. What Is a Professional Network? A professional network is a group of people who have connected with one anotlagelageher for career or business-related reasons.Members, who are called contacts or connections, can share information which may include, but is not limited to, job leads. They may also help one another solve work-related problems, recommend vendors and suppliers, and provide information about prospective employers, employees, and clients. How Can Networking Help With Career Advancement? While a professional network can, of course, help you find l eads when you are job searching, there is a multitude of other ways a solid one can help advance your career. Here are just a few of them Learn about a career When you are choosing a career, it is essential to gather information about the occupations you are considering. While there are resources to explore your options, one of the best ways to learn about a career is by conducting an informational interview with someone who is currently working in it. You can look to your network for help in getting people to interview.Find prospective job candidates If you are responsible for hiring, your contacts can help put you in touch with prospective job candidates. You can also learn about applicants that did not come through your network. Get advice about a project Are you worried about tackling a work project with which you have no experience? A member of your network who has done a similar one may be able to offer advice or put you in touch with someone who can. One note of caution dont share confidential information.Learn about a prospective employer Always prepare for job interviews by researching prospective employers. You can learn a lot by talking to members of your network and their contacts.Prepare to make pitches to clients Do you need to learn about a prospective client? One of your contacts may be able to help, but again be cautious about sharing confidential information outside your organization. Who Should Be In Your Network? Your network can be made up of almost anyone youve ever met, as long as he or she is of good character. Guilt by association is a real thing so avoid having your reputation tarnished by someone elses actions. Each of your contacts can lead to new ones. Here are some suggestions Current and former coworkers Connect with people with whom you currently work as well as those youve worked with in the past.Fellow members of professional associations Go to conferences and introduce yourself to other attendees. Make up business cards with your non-work contact information and bring them with you. Become an active member, for example by serving on a committee. It will also give your colleagues a chance to see you in action.Friends and family Keep your family and friends apprised of your career goals. You never know who will be able to help you. Your brother-in-laws uncles cousin may be a recruiter in your field. Former professors and instructors The faculty of your college or university, especially those who taught in your major, should be part of your professional network.Former classmates Check the alumni directory of your college or university for possible connections. If you were in a fraternity or sorority, look there as well. Keep Your Network Alive Dont treat your network like a dusty old reference book to store on a shelf and only access when you need to look something up. It is a living thing that must be tended or it will die. The last thing you want is to get in touch with someone who doesnt rememb er you or to miss out on a great opportunity because your contact who knows about it doesnt think of you. Make plans to get together with any connections with whom you have, or had, a personal relationship, for example, former coworkers. If they arent local, make sure theres a standing invitation to meet up with them if they are ever in your city or you are in theres. Get in touch a few times a year. The holidays are the perfect time to send a card or email. Also reach out when you make a change such as starting a new job or getting a promotion. Dont Let Shyness Stop You From Connecting Those who struggle with shyness are in danger of missing out on the benefits of professional networking. For many people, it is not easy to reach out to others. Thankfully, resources like LinkedIn and Facebook give you the opportunity to make connections without ever having to pick up the phone or go to a networking event. These tools are a must for everyone, but particularly useful for shy, or e ven not very outgoing individuals. If you are shy, it is also helpful to look for situations in which you feel the most comfortable and use those opportunities to form relationships. For example, participate in an activity you enjoy and you will meet others who also enjoy it. Doing volunteer work will also give you a chance to meet people with whom you have something in common.

Top Job Interview Questions Employers Ask Cooks

Top Job Interview Questions Employers Ask Cooks Top Job Interview Questions Employers Ask Cooks If youre interested in working as a cook, or youre already a cook and seeking new employment, prep for your interview by familiarizing yourself with the top questions employers ask job seekers in your field. Knowing how to answer these questions ahead of your interview can give you the edge over other candidates. Employers want to know if you can take the initiative, handle conflict, and manage long hours. Theyll also want to know the basics, such as what training (formal or informal) youve had in cooking, how much experience youve had, and what your style as a cook is. Theyll want to know whats special about your cooking. Can you innovate new dishes and ideas? Are you great at mastering the classics? Types of Interview Questions Ask for Cooking Jobs Here is a closer look at several areas where your prospective employer might focus their questions. Initiative   Taking charge is a valuable quality for many professionals, including cooks. Following orders is important as well, but you have to be able to respond creatively and promptly to changing circumstances. So, employers may be likely to ask you  about a time at work when you did something without being asked.  Alternatively, your interviewer might give you a hypothetical scenario and ask how you would respond. For example, what you would do if  you noticed a product was running low, but you were busy working on a completely different task. Would you ignore the problem? Would you abandon your current project to take care of it? Would you let someone else know about the diminishing product and ask them to take action? Similarly, how you would proceed if you needed to make a dish but did not have all the necessary ingredients? Improvise and use a substitute ingredient instead? Make another dish entirely or enlist the help of one of your colleagues to help solve the problem? Theres no one right answer (although there may be some wrong ones!). Simply answer honestly. If you have faced a similar situation in real life, feel free to explain what happened and how well your solution worked. These types of questions are called behavioral interview questions and are designed to see how you would react in a certain situation. Problems Not all problems a cook might face relate directly to cooking. Perhaps someone in your kitchen receives a burn or a bad cut, and you have to coordinate the first aid response while simultaneously attending to food preparation. Perhaps a personal problem develops between two of your co-workers and begins to impact the kitchen’s efficiency. How do you get your team back on track? Or perhaps a co-worker is struggling to complete a task. How might you help? If you’re applying for a leadership position within the kitchen, your prospective employer may ask what you would do if you received serious or multiple, customer complaints about one of your meals. Would you be able to respond with grace and professionalism, or might you get defensive? Again, if possible, talk about your relevant actual experiences. Have there been times when you faced a real situation similar to the hypothetical scenario your interviewer described? What did you do? How did it work out? If not, go ahead and say what you think you would do. Again, there is no one right answer. Just be honest. Difficult Working Environment Kitchens are fast-paced, high-pressure, and sometimes dangerous environments. The stress may be difficult for some people to manage, prompting employers to ask questions about your performance under stressful circumstances. Part of the issue is physical. Your interviewer will want to know how long can you stand on your feet without a break, or how much weight you can lift. But the other part of the issue is psychological. Can you handle the stress and remain focused and calm? Can you keep up? The final component of the working environment issue is safety and cleanliness. Can you do what it takes to keep your workplace safe and sanitary for the good of yourself, for your co-workers, and your customers? Wrapping Up In addition to job-specific interview questions, you will also be asked more general questions  about your employment history, education, strengths, weaknesses, achievements, goals, and plans. Be ready to answer them.