How to Be a Better Mentor, How to Be a Better Mentee (new Pluralsight Courses)

How to Be a Better Mentor, How to Be a Better Mentee (new Pluralsight Courses) I recently finished two courses on mentoring (HERE), one is for mentors, the other is for mentees (HERE).  I hope that all of us can say that we have a mentor, even if it is an informal mentor.  And dont underestimate who you are: Im sure others are looking at you thinking you are their mentor. The problem is that we are not trained to be mentors or mentees.  I have always heard get a mentor but I have never been in a class that talks about what to do to be a better mentee.  And being a mentor? Its like you are all on your own, left to figure out how to do it and what to do. These two courses were designed to help you be much more strategic, purposeful, and effective in your mentoring. Finally, some training.  There are three great options you have for getting access to these courses: If you havent done so yet, use the 30 day pass we offer through JibberJobber, to watch an unlimited amount of Pluralsight courses.  You can get started within a few minutes, dont need a credit card, and as a bonus, for every Jason Alba course you watch, you can claim another 7 day upgrade on JibberJobber.  Watch the same course 5 times?  Claim 5*7 days of upgrade on JibberJobber!  Heres a video that shows you how to get your 30 day pass and claim the upgrades on JibberJobber. If youve already used your 30 day pass, let me encourage you to pay $30 for another month.  $30 for this type of training, and the ability to watch as many courses as you want, is very inexpensive. Youll have unlimited access to all of my courses (23 published right now), and any of the 4,000+ other courses and you can pay $30 month-to-month. You might work at a company that already has some licensed seats that would give you access to Pluralsight.  If you dont, talk to your boss and have them contact the Pluralsight sales team. There are discounts for companies that buy multiple seats, and you might be able to have this training at your fingertips because of your employers training budget!  I can put you in touch with some Pluralsight sales people if you want an introduction. So there you go free, or $30 out of your pocket, or using your employers training budget. Any way you do it, its a great, great deal. Below is the video showing you how to get free access, and free JibberJobber upgrades: How to Be a Better Mentor, How to Be a Better Mentee (new Pluralsight Courses) I recently finished two courses on mentoring (HERE), one is for mentors, the other is for mentees (HERE).  I hope that all of us can say that we have a mentor, even if it is an informal mentor.  And dont underestimate who you are: Im sure others are looking at you thinking you are their mentor. The problem is that we are not trained to be mentors or mentees.  I have always heard get a mentor but I have never been in a class that talks about what to do to be a better mentee.  And being a mentor? Its like you are all on your own, left to figure out how to do it and what to do. These two courses were designed to help you be much more strategic, purposeful, and effective in your mentoring. Finally, some training.  There are three great options you have for getting access to these courses: If you havent done so yet, use the 30 day pass we offer through JibberJobber, to watch an unlimited amount of Pluralsight courses.  You can get started within a few minutes, dont need a credit card, and as a bonus, for every Jason Alba course you watch, you can claim another 7 day upgrade on JibberJobber.  Watch the same course 5 times?  Claim 5*7 days of upgrade on JibberJobber!  Heres a video that shows you how to get your 30 day pass and claim the upgrades on JibberJobber. If youve already used your 30 day pass, let me encourage you to pay $30 for another month.  $30 for this type of training, and the ability to watch as many courses as you want, is very inexpensive. Youll have unlimited access to all of my courses (23 published right now), and any of the 4,000+ other courses and you can pay $30 month-to-month. You might work at a company that already has some licensed seats that would give you access to Pluralsight.  If you dont, talk to your boss and have them contact the Pluralsight sales team. There are discounts for companies that buy multiple seats, and you might be able to have this training at your fingertips because of your employers training budget!  I can put you in touch with some Pluralsight sales people if you want an introduction. So there you go free, or $30 out of your pocket, or using your employers training budget. Any way you do it, its a great, great deal. Below is the video showing you how to get free access, and free JibberJobber upgrades:

Should I Put My High School On My Resume?

Should I Put My High School On My Resume?Should I put my high school on my resume? If you have attended one or two and you can't remember them, then you might want to take a few minutes to search the internet and find some information about the schools. By the time you finish your search, you will know which ones are right for you. You might also want to find out the cost of the schools as well.In today's job market, a resume is essential to getting a job interview. It will be the only information that a potential employer will get in regard to your educational background and employment history. If you have a high school diploma, you will not have any problem at all getting an interview.The two most common reasons why people don't include their high school diplomas on their resumes are fear of looking unprepared and fear of seeming stupid. There are many good reasons for leaving it off. For example, don't include it if you didn't go to a prestigious college or if you were never requi red to.You might consider including your high school on your resume if you don't remember all of your classes, but it will help if you do. If you went to a highly ranked school and still don't have a job, you may want to check the college itself. Sometimes they offer a scholarship to the student who holds the highest GPA.If you feel that you should put your high school on your resume, the next step is to decide which school you want to go to. Be sure to check into all of the necessary requirements. You might have to take additional AP classes or other classes beyond what you thought were necessary.Should I put my high school on my resume? To answer this question, you first need to understand what it means to be prepared for a job interview. It also means being confident that you look as good as you know you do.If you are nervous about appearing silly in front of a potential employer, it is OK to include your high school on your resume. You may be surprised by how many employers thin k that the same applicants who don't have a high school diploma are considered less qualified than those who have attended college. If you are confident and you are ready to start thinking about college, you are better off than someone who is still worried about their high school.Should I put my high school on my resume? The answer to this question is yes, if you are serious about college and you want to get a job.

Top Lessons I Learned The First Time I Shot A Gun

Top Lessons I Learned The First Time I Shot A Gun I wore a hot pink underarmor tank top and purple lululemon running skirt. I was so excited to go shooting for the  first time. (If you ever see me in pink and purple it means I am VERY excited). As I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge I got a text from my brother: “If you have a baseball cap of some kind I recommend wearing it. The bill will make sure hot brass wont hit you in the face.”  This was one of the lessons I learned as a Girl Scout: be prepared. Me: “wtf is hot brass” George: “The gun ejects the spent shell casing and because its a controlled explosion in the gun, the shell casing that is ejected is hot. Its nothing to worry about, but if it hits you its uncomfortable and can throw off your focus.” Okay, now I started to feel nervous. As I signed a waiver and heard the shots being fired from inside the shooting range, I felt intimidated and small. I glanced down at my fitbit surge and saw my BPM pumping to 84. My resting rate is usually in the 50s. I made a joke about my pulse. Then, with wide eyes, I listened to everything my brother told me, hanging on his every word and trying to shush the fears in my head. He told me I could close my non-dominant eye to help with accuracy and lean forward slightly to keep my shoulders out in front of my torso. I was reassured that the gun was not loaded the first time I picked it up. I practiced my grip, the slingshot move, and pulling the trigger without any ammo in the gun. After I realized I had been subconsciously holding my breath, I took several deep breaths. George loaded my Glock 9mm with one bullet. I took one final breath, closed my left eye, and aimed at the target. Wait a second, is that where I think it is? I was surprised at my accuracy. George loaded 5 bullets into the magazine and I practiced loading the mag myself this time, pressing up with my palm. I shot 5 more, all on target. You know what? The best way to quiet your mind is to go shooting in a loud as hell range. I then progressed to shooting 10 in a row. My confidence grew as I realized that I could be consistently accurate if I remembered to breathe. If I remembered to lower the gun to under my chest when my arms got sore (I lifted back earlier that day, arms were def sore). I got my stance aligned properly before I took my shots. It was exhilarating. We stapled a fresh target and I noticed it was a bit crooked. “That’s alright, he’s got that gangsta lean,” George joked. Snapping out of my seriousness, I giggled. This was supposed to be fun. And it was. So the target does not care about your ootd. Or if you were out having fun until 2am last night. Or if you ever shot a gun before. Or if the people next to you are rapidly firing at their battleship target right as you are about to pull the trigger. No, none of these things matter to your target. The only thing that matters right now is the way in which you are controlling your mind and body to achieve your goal. Breathe. You can calm down your entire body with your breath. Breathing exercises relieve tension and stress, so you can focus on your objective. It is okay to be afraid. (Especially when you are holding a loaded gun.) As I mentioned in a previous post, negative emotions are important alert signals for us to respond appropriately. My fear helped me to focus and listen to George’s instructions so I could do well. Lighten up. As a Virgo, I am industrious, methodical, and precise. These are strengths to be sure â€" yet it is refreshing  when a brother or a friend makes us grounded earthy types laugh. Trying new things is good for your brain.  Now only will learning  a new trade boost your self-confidence, but also challenging your body and mind creates new cognitive pathways, improving memory and keeping you sharp, shooter. What new skills have you tried recently? Share with us! @MsCareerGirl George, thank you for teaching me how to fire. #killedit Columnist Archive

Lisa Williamson Being an Entrepreneur and a Mom

Lisa Williamson Being an Entrepreneur and a Mom My first job was delivering newspapers at age 11 in Indiana.   This meant getting up every day at the crack of dawn and delivering papers in rain, snow, sleet and shine.   I think I was the first female paper delivery and this experience fueled the fire for my future business endeavors. After at successful career at Pepsi-Co, I quickly realized that most CPG companies focus on baby, but not mom.   Seeing firsthand that there were a lot of unmet needs for new mom,   I along with two friends founded UpSpring to create innovative health and wellness solutions to help improve motherhood. An Entrepreneur and a Mom Founding a company and caring for a newborn was not easy.   There were lots of sleepless nights and time away from home developing products and meeting with potential big box retailers including Target and Walmart.    Starting your own business can be very rewarding.   But there are also challenges a woman must consider when taking a product idea to market. Some questions to consider Are you ready emotionally and financially to start a business? Is your family prepared for the additional time and attention that will be needed to successfully launch and tend to the business? Is your spouse 100% on board and ready to assume more family responsibilities if needed? The Working Mom Challenge As a working mom, balancing work life balance is an ongoing challenge.   The reality is work doesn’t stop at 5 pm when our warehouse closes. It’s a bit more fluid. I think its valuable to incorporate your business into family time.   UpSpring is constantly weaved into my conversations at home. Showing your children that you can successfully build a business and be present in their life takes some effort but it’s an important life lesson and helps teach the value of hard work. It also enables the family to feel an ongoing sense of involvement and ownership which helps with work life balance. One of the best parts of my job is hearing daily how we are directly helping moms. Personally, this makes all the hard work and long hours’ worth it. I am proud of the what the UpSpring brand has done to improve motherhood for millions of women. This guest post was authored by Lisa Williamson Lisa Williamson is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of UpSpring, Ltd.   UpSpring is a premiere mom and baby consumer brand thatcreates innovative health and wellness products. UpSpring was founded by three female entrepreneurs in 2005 and based in Austin, Texas.   It has grown to be one of the most trusted brands for health and wellness products in the areas of breastfeeding, postpartum recovery and baby care.   UpSpring’s innovative products are developed by moms for moms. And theyre   backed by science to help improve the lives of today’s modern family. Ms. Williamson has over 25 years of Marketing, Sales, Finance and Accounting experience.  

How to Find Unique Resume Templates

How to Find Unique Resume TemplatesIf you have a solid plan in mind when it comes to creating your unique resume, it is going to be an easier task to get your dream job. Since so many people struggle with making a unique resume, it is important that you learn what the most important components are when it comes to creating one.You need to understand that there are many different types of resume templates that are out there, and you should make sure that you choose one that is going to help you get your dream job. There are different styles and formats that are available, so you have to be aware of this when you are looking for the right one. Here are some tips on how to find the right one for you.The most common ones are templates that are computer-generated. These will make it very easy for you to create a resume that has all of the elements that you need, and it will also help you learn how to design your own as well. The most commonly used templates are the MS Word format, which m akes it possible for you to easily write the content on your own.If you are not interested in creating a template or just do not have time to learn to do so, you can always get a generic template that you can use. Although it is not going to look as good as a professionally designed one, it will allow you to create a resume in just a few minutes. It will be quite simple to get started, and you will find that you will enjoy the simplicity of it.Once you have your template, you can start to put together your resume. You want to make sure that you know all of the information that is required when you are creating one, so you need to learn the skills and the key points that you should include. Since so many people are under qualified, it is a good idea to make sure that you include everything that you need, but the more you know about the specific job you are applying for, the better.When you have finished putting together your personal information, you should then create a professional resume template. There are many ways to do this, but a great place to start is through web templates, which are free. However, if you want to create a free online resume template, you can use free online template tools, which are readily available.Another important thing that you should remember when creating your resume is to find a template that has all of the information that you need. There are many websites that have created templates that are ready for you to use, but since it is so easy to use, you might want to choose something that is free so that you can take your time before deciding. When you are choosing a template, make sure that you have the skills needed to get the most out of it.When you have your unique resume templates finished, you should then have all of the necessary information to go into the interview. It is very important that you know all of the things that you should include, because it can help you land the job that you want. You should also make sure th at you understand what it is that will help you get hired, so you can make the most of your resume.

Reskilling - Changing the Recruiting Landscape CareerMetis.com

Reskilling - Changing the Recruiting Landscape Modern Reality: Reskilling is Now EssentialIn today’s world, hiring the best and brightest may not be good enough. Employers today are faced with having to adapt to rapid technology changes like never before in history.As a result, the way employers think in regards to training and retraining their employees is evolving. These employers are now investing money in advancing their recruiting and hiring processes to place more focus on their prospective employee’s ability to adapt, react, and grow in this world of rapid technological advancement.evalInsert reskilling.Reskilling is the act of retraining an existing workforce and can vary in approach and objectives from organization to organization. In an interview with Glassdoor, Jennifer Dudeck, Global Learning Leader at Cisco Systems said “reskilling in itself is not unique from what’s always been done with learning. Companies have always had learning and development programs to keep employees current with their skills.” What makes it different today is the combination of the significant role technology plays and how fast technology is advancing.According to a McKinsey report published in January of 2018 titled, Retraining and Reskilling Workers in the Age of Automation; “Sixty-two percent of executives believe they will need to retrain or replace more than a quarter of their workforce between now and 2023 due to the advancing of automation and digitization.”These executives believe new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and Machine Learning will dramatically alter the workforce. These changes will include creating new jobs where people must possess and utilize skills that interact with these technologies.How Will Companies Approach the Changing Environment?Reskilling ApproachesevalWhile reskilling is not an entirely new concept, in the same interview with Glassdoor, Jennifer Dudeck of Cisco also said, “the difference today is the magnitude and velocity of change we are all exp eriencing and the impact on roles and skills.” With this velocity, companies can no longer expect recruits to come pre-packaged with the specific, ready to employ, skillsets.Instead, companies are building in curriculums, encouraging employees to take part in the reskilling process by incentivizing them and giving them decision-making authority over what new skills they acquire.evalAt Cisco, they are preparing for the new world of perpetual reskilling by investing in their learning platform, referred to as a “Netflix of learning” titled Decreed. Like Cisco, many employers are utilizing eLearning solutions, such as LinkedIn Learning Job LossUnfortunately reskilling and upskilling existing talent is not the entire solution. Job loss is a reality of the environment created by the new demands of the workforce.Gartner’s research shows, beginning in 2020, a projected elimination of 1.8 million jobs as a result of Artificial Intelligence, however, with that loss they also anticipat e 2.3 million jobs created in that same field.This trend is likely to continue across other technologies; there is no guarantee that the jobs added will outperform the jobs disrupted.OutlookFor the long run, executives are candid about their understanding of what lies ahead. In the same McKinseyreport, 42% of executives interviewed admitted they “lack a good understanding of how automation and/or digitization will affect Recruiting New TalentRecruiting talent will still be as important as ever. As we reported in our post, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and Blockchain: What to Know Before Being Recruited, their jobs are changing too. From the way they source, identify, and hire talent, to the tools they use â€" the entire process has already begun to evolve.For example, as part of Unilever’s recruiting process, candidates play customized games. These games are not for fun. They test for many traits in a candidate, including how they may handle situations in which they don†™t have a prepared answer.evalInstead, they must solve the problem in real-time. The game captures it all and helps recruiters and hiring managers to make informed decisions.These new hiring and screening methods can also allow recruiting managers to find candidates they might not have otherwise found. Non-traditional candidates b) Soft Skills: Jacqui Barret wrote on LinkedIn’s Blogin August of 2018 that “some of the country’s fastest growing roles â€" sales development, customer success, and customer experience roles â€" are largely soft skills based.” The need for these skills is not going away any time soon.Time and time again we have seen that effective communication is critical to job success. Jacqui goes on to recommend LinkedIn courses in “communication, reasoning and working in teams” as ways to improve upon your soft skills.c) Develop Transferable Skills: In a post on CareerBuildertitled “How to reskill yourself in today’s workforce,” they detail the trans ition of a hedge fund analyst to a basketball advisor, they tell us that “any job seeker who can pinpoint a legitimate match between her skills and an employer’s needs has the potential to be hired.” We agree. What does this mean? It means that there is an opportunity for you to land the job when you can clearly articulate the skills you possess with the experience you have to the job that you desire.d) LinkedIn: Your LinkedIn profile is an integral part of your job search. Whether you want them to or not, your prospective employers are either looking you up or utilizing software that aggregates a profile of you. The first place they will expect to find you is LinkedIn. It is your opportunity to showcase yourself in ways that your resume and cover letter may not be able to provide. Consider LinkedIn your online resume that paints a more complete picture of who you are professionally and personally.

How to convince a hiring authority to choose you - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

How to convince a hiring authority to choose you Finding a great job these days could be tough. Hiring Managers have smaller budgets and every job offer counts. When several people have an input into a hiring decision and executives focus on a significant ROI for new hires, Hiring Managers are cautious. A poor hiring decision would be felt for months, if not longer. If the Hiring Manager is indecisive, the interviewing and offer process can drag out for you, the job seeker. So how do you help a hiring manager get past any reservations and choose you? Be passionate and engaged. Various research and my personal experience in recruitment proves that candidates who show a genuine passion for the job tend to get the job over other applicants (you need to have the relevant skills of course, too!) The other key indicators for this are your “cultural fit,” personality, and style. Reduce their risk. Make sure you’re not a risky hire. Do a Google search on your name to learn what a hiring manager will see when he or she does the same. Review your profiles and shared content on social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. The Internet makes the hiring process more transparent, so your resume will never tell your entire story. Know in advance whether you’re a risky hire, and support your online brand with positive content. Penetrate the company in advance. Most candidates meet only those on the interview schedule and only on interview day. So penetrate the company before your interview. To penetrate means that you create awareness of your candidacy/unique skills with as many people as possible. Once everyone knows you (or knows of you), the risk in interviewing you and hiring you goes down. As a known commodity, you’ll have a head start on the “fit” question, because you’ll be able to better determine if and how you would succeed at the company. Plus, one of these people might offer a positive comment about you to someone on the interview team, which always helps your chances of landing the job. Lead with your best. First impressions are important, especially when it comes to whether you’re a good fit for a job. If you can’t connect with someone at the company before the interview, show your energy and deliver crisp answers. Be ready to tell great stories about your specific role at prior companies. When asked to “tell me about yourself,” provide information that illustrates strong and likable characteristics and provide some relevant examples of what you’ve done in your current job that would be relevant to the company you are interviewing with â€" something that shows how you’ve made positive impact. Make sure your referees are relevant and prepared. Your references matter to hiring managers and HR staff. Be sure your references are both aware of the coming phone call and willing to help you. Preparing your references will pay off when you get that solid recommendation the hiring manager is looking for. A hiring manager who truly believes in you, without reservations, will mentally chase you down the hallway as you depart. And that means he’ll fight for you when it comes to salary negotiation, too. Want the job offer? Give that boss or hiring manager or recruiter all the right reasons to hire you. _____________________________________________________________________ Margaret Buj is an interview and career acceleration coach who specializes in helping professionals get hired, promoted and paid more. If you want to find out how recruiters read resumes, why you’re not getting hired, how to sell yourself successfully in a job interview and how to negotiate your best salary yet, you can download her free “You’re HIRED!” video course.

How to Effectively Use Assertive Communication in the Workplace - Hallie Crawford

How to Effectively Use Assertive Communication in the Workplace Communication in the workplace is very important. Communication skills contribute to interpersonal skills and teamwork skills- which means relating well with others, whether it be clients or other workmates. Many basic communication skills are easy for of us. But for many other communication skills are not so easy, such as being assertive, speaking up at meetings, or expressing our opinions under pressure. To know how you can improve your communication skills at work, it’s important to know your communication style. There are three key communication styles: passive, aggressive, and assertive communication. Passive communicators are afraid to speak up, avoid direct eye contact, and agree with others even when they don’t really agree. Aggressive communicators tend to interrupt and intimidate others, speak loudly, and try to control groups. Assertive communicators speak openly in a conversational tone, have good eye contact, and value themselves and others. In the workplace, we really want to be assertive communicators. Here are three tips to help.   Speak Up. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and state your opinion. However, in the business world, it’s important to try to validate the other person’s opinion, even if you don’t agree. For example, if someone offers unsolicited advice, let them know you appreciate that they want to help, but don’t automatically agree to put it into practice. Saying something like, “Thanks for the tip, I’ll consider it,”  validates the other person’s opinion without compromising your own. If you are facing a more difficult conversation, prepare your thoughts ahead of time. Action tip: Ask a trusted family member or friend for help with how to effectively communicate what you need to say. Manage Up. Show your assertive communication skills by communicating better with your boss. Get to know their conversational style and how they like to be communicated with. Ask them what you can do to better communicate with them through the day. For example, ask them how often they would like you to update them while you are working on an important project. Once you have agreed on a plan, do what you can to exceed their expectations. Avoid office politics, just do your job. Action tip: Have a conversation with your boss within the next two weeks about expectations regarding communication. Develop Your Brand.  Your brand includes who you are, what you do, and what you’re known for in the office. Who you are includes who you serve, but think about the big picture, this is more than just your boss. What you do includes the benefits you provide, and what you’re known for has to do with how you deliver those benefits. Your branding statement is similar to an elevator pitch, but longer. Take a few minutes to think about your personal brand, and write down some thoughts. Action tip: Once you have decided what your personal brand is, decide how you can manage it. You could manage your brand by networking more effectively, participating more at conferences, or more effective communication at your organization. Discover the Essential Components to a Satisfying Career Today Want free tips, tools and expert advice on finding a career youre passionate about? Visit the certified career coaches at HallieCrawford.com, and sign up for their monthly career newsletter, right now. Bookmark their career blog for recommendations on resume writers, online career tests and more career resources.