Reach More Goals with an Accountability PartnerYou’re not where you want to be in your business or your life. You have goals, but you’re inching toward them. It feels like every step is a struggle and you’re just not seeing the results you want. You don’t feel motivated. You feel stuck and helpless to change. You’re not alone in this feeling. Many people experience feelings of being stuck with their goals. You probably started out with plenty of energy but within a few days or a few weeks, your energy fizzled out. Weeks and maybe even months have passed and you’re not any closer to achieving your goals. An Accountability Partner Might Be the Answer for YouAn accountability relationship is a simple way to get back into gear and start moving toward your goals. It’s easy to set a goal for professional development and make no progress when no one is looking over your shoulder. But when you have an accountability partner slacking off is much harder. This is because we usually work harder to honor commitments we made to other people than we do the commitments we make to ourselves. Think of Weight Watchers. It’s a weight loss program with accountability built right in. From the weigh-ins to the weekly meetings, members are accountable to each other. The meetings are filled with people that support each other in the goal to better their health and fitness. An Accountability Partner Will Help You Shape Your GoalsAn accountability partner can help you shape your goals so you set ones that are achievable. For example, you could set goals to go back to school for your degree, turn your side hustle into a full time job, and/or spend more time with loved ones. An accountability partner would gently point out that those are good goals but will be difficult to achieve at the same time. An Accountability Partner Will Help You Breakdown Your GoalsIt’s good to set ambitious goals that are conducive to leaving your comfort zone because you will be inspired to you grow. But ambitious goals have to be broken down into smaller steps. That’s where an accountability partner comes in. A smart partner can help you focus on taking one step at a time until you reach your big goals. An Accountability Partner Will Help You Deal with RoadblocksEveryone encounters roadblocks at some point when they go after their goals. But an accountability partner can help you figure out how to stay motivated after a setback and will brainstorm ways to get around your obstacles and find success. For example, if your goal is to use your hobby to advance your career, but the tech stuff has you feeling confused, then your partner could offer both moral support and fresh solutions. With the support of an accountability partner, you’ll be able to figure out how to leave your comforst zone behind. or how to get out of a career rut. You’ll also feel more energized and be able to tackle your goals once again. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Job CraftingDo you wish your work was more enjoyable and meaningful? Job crafting could help you transform your experience without having to change careers or even search for a new position. Whether you’re a senior manager or an entry level clerk, job crafting is a technique you can use to boost your satisfaction and engagement. Countless polls have shown that the majority of US workers aren’t emotionally or cognitively connected to their work. This unengaged population usually shows up from 9 to 5 and does the minimum required. This takes a toll on the bottom line, as well as employee health and happiness. While many companies try to address this situation from the top down, job crafting is a proactive process that you can do for yourself. It all begins with reshaping your overall environment (including people and things), ultimately leading you to transform your job into a calling. The key here is to break your job down into blocks that you can rearrange to suit your passions and strengths; step-by-step. Forget about feeling stuck from 9 to 5. Study these tips for redesigning your work day and creating a more fulfilling career. Job Crafting Steps to Take Yourself
Job Crafting Steps to Take With Your Coworkers
Job Crafting Your TasksOrganizational behaviorists started talking about job crafting about 20 years ago. Reviewing your job description and daily activities is usually the first step. Use these strategies:
Job Crafting Your RelationshipsWho do you interact with at work? Maybe you can reach out to new contacts and strengthen your current connections. Positive relationships make your workday more pleasant. Try these techniques:
Job Crafting Your AttitudeLike any positive change, job crafting begins in your mind. While tasks and relationships may sometimes be beyond your control, you can take charge of your own thoughts. Practice these activities:
SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/job-crafting About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Career Development PlannerIt’s estimated that 90 percent of our daily lives is spent doing routine tasks. But habit can be a bad thing, because “if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’re going to keep on getting what you’ve always got.” One of the most important things you can do is to take the time to plan your career roadmap for 2023. Whether you are thinking of a job change or career change in the new year, or simply get more out of your current job, a career plan is essential to helping you reach your goal for professional development. This exercise may take you 20 minutes, or you might devote a few hours to planning where you want to be on New Year’s Day 2023. If you want your life to be different in 2023, especially your career, take the time to work on your career roadmap. You may decide to use multiple planners including a success planner and a CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANNER. Step 1: Take StockThe first step is to assess where you are. To figure out where you’re going, you must first look at where you’ve been. Here are some questions to help you assess where you are: ¨ What are you most proud of this past year — personally, and professionally? ¨ What went right this year? ¨ Did you receive any awards or recognition this year? ¨ Did you take on any additional responsibility this year? If so, what? ¨ How did you take initiative in your job this year? ¨ Have you learned any new skills? ¨ Did you earn any certifications or licenses? Record this information in a success journal. This can be a Microsoft Word file on your computer, a note in Evernote, a series of emails you send to yourself (be sure to use email tags so you’re able to find the emails again!), or even a physical notebook. And in the coming year, take time to record your accomplishments as you go through the year instead of waiting until the end of the year. Next, look at opportunities for improvement in your career. How does your salary stack up against your peers? Is your current position in alignment with your priorities and your core values? Where is change needed? This is when it helps to use a detailed career planner. Step 2: Articulate Your GoalDecide what you want. What is your goal for professional development? Spell it out: What does it look like; what does it feel like? You have to really want it to invest the time and energy to follow your dream. Describe your ideal job:
Think about the person that you want to be, and imagine the possibilities. If a career change is in the horizon, it helps to take a career change quiz. Then, identify 2-3 goals you want to tackle. Use the S.M.A.R.T. goal system to articulate your goals — goals should be “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Oriented.” For example, let’s imagine you have worked as an Accountant for the past three years, but you really want to work in marketing. Your goal might be: “By Jan. 1, 2023, I will be working as a Marketing Assistant in a Fortune 1000 company” You should also write down why you are interested in making the change. In other words, what is your motivation for taking this path? Another good question to ask yourself is, “How will I know when I’ve achieved my goal(s)?” Step 3: Make a PlanTake time to prepare a game plan and use a career planner for how you will reach your goal. But don’t use planning as an excuse to procrastinate. You want to get to Step Four as quickly as possible because actions create momentum. Take each of your goals and write down the list of steps under each of them that you will need to take to make the goal happen. The more individual steps you can map out, the easier it will be for you to reach your goals. The steps should be practical tasks that will lead you to achieve your goal for professional development. For example, with our goal of making a career change from accounting to marketing, here are some sample steps:
Give yourself milestones so you can measure your progress. How will you know when you’re on the right track? Include specific dates and numbers in your milestones. Step 4: Take ActionThe tasks you’ve outlined in Step Three, give you a checklist of items to use to take action. If you are working through the steps and discover you need to add additional items, update your task list. You may also discover additional projects that need to be completed to make the next step — and the overall goal — easier to accomplish. You may also find that you need to make adjustments to your timeline. For example, if you discover that a six-month program to learn about professional social media marketing would help you land your new marketing job, you might adjust your goal deadline to March 1, 2023, if the program won’t be completed until late December 2022. This would give you time to put some of the new skills into practice before you put them on your résumé. As you work your way through your task list, focus on the actions you are taking, realizing that if you are taking the right actions, these should eventually lead to the results you seek. If you’re not getting the results you want, change the plan, not the goal. Re-examine your tasks and see if there is something you are missing. It can also be helpful to get outside feedback. Enlisting the help of an accountability partner — a friend, family member, career coach, resume writer, or therapist — can provide valuable perspective on your progress. This individual can also keep you on track, making sure you are working through your task list. And if there is a specific area where you need help in order to cross the task off your list, make sure you ask for assistance. For example, writing a resume to support a career change can be difficult. Enlisting help from professional resume writing services can help you cross that task off your list. Step 5: Measure Your ProgressWhen you’re on a journey, it can help to periodically assess where you are to make sure you’re on the right road. If you miss a step along the way — or take a “wrong career path” — you can find yourself a long way from your intended destination. So, plan periodic assessments of your progress along the way. This can be a monthly “check-up” where you review your plan and make any necessary changes or a quarterly review. Taking the time to think through — and plan out — your career roadmap is an important step in helping you create the career you want for yourself. If you don’t, you may find your career stuck or stalled. Or you may wake up five years from now and wonder, “How did I get here?” If you want to achieve more in your professional life, invest the time and effort in completing the Career Roadmap Worksheet below. CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHEETUse this worksheet with your career planner TEP 1: TAKE STOCK Current Job Title: Start Date of Current Job (month/year): Current Salary: What I Like Most About My Current Job: What I Would Want to Change About My Current Job: STEP 2: ARTICULATE YOUR GOAL What Is Your Goal? STEP 3: MAKE A PLAN What Are the Specific Steps (Tasks) You Need to Take In Order to Achieve Your Goal? STEP 4: TAKE ACTION What Help (Outside Assistance) Do You Need to Reach Your Goal? Who Is Your Accountability Partner? STEP 5: MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS How Close — or How Far Away — Are You To Reaching Your Goal At This Moment? Do You Need to Make Any Adjustments in the Goal, Tasks, or Deadline? SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/career-development-planner About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” Career Change QuizThis Career Change Quiz is designed to serve as a Career Change Self-Assessment. Rate each of these job or job or career change reasons (internal and external reasons) on a scale of 1 to 5. It starts with 1 being “does not apply to me or doesn’t affect me” to 5 being “affects me greatly.” As you rate your answer from 1 to 5 for each of the items below, write your answer for each item and then add up your score.
23-46 points: You’re starting to see reasons to make a change, but there’s no urgency. 47-69 points: Look for opportunities to make little adjustments and see if that helps. 70-92 points: You probably need a change. Start thinking about what you want to do. 93-115 points: This ship is going down! It’s time to take action. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Job Change OR Career Change?There’s a saying in the careers industry that you’ll know it’s time to make a job or career change when you start asking yourself if it’s time to make a change. While there is truth to that, there’s more to making your decision. Below are tips to help you identify some of the reasons why you may want to make a job change or career change and give you practical strategies to use as you make your decision. Reasons for a Job or Career ChangeThe first step is to assess the reason — or reasons — why you may desire a change. Change can be difficult — it usually is — so you want to make sure that the reason you are considering a switch isn’t something temporary that will fix itself, if given enough time. Some of the reasons why you may be considering a job change or career change are INTERNAL REASONS. These can include:
EXTERNAL REASONS — that you have no control over — can also impact your decision to make a job change or career change. These can include:
Remember, you want to assess whether the INTERNAL and/or EXTERNAL reasons that are prompting you to consider the change are temporary (short-term) or something you would be permanently affected by. You should also assess the “temperature” of these reasons and how they affect you. Some of them may be more of a “minor inconvenience,” while others may feel “unbearable”. For example, while you may be working in a declining industry, as long as you have a job, you may not be interested in switching jobs or changing careers. But that’s almost like being a frog in a pot of water that is slowly heating up. The question isn’t “if” you will eventually be affected by changes in the industry, but “when.” If you take charge of managing your career, you will be in a better position to handle career change, not just react to it when your boss summons you into his office sometime down the road to let you know your services are no longer needed. Change Jobs Or Change Careers?Do you want to change the company you work for, or change your career path entirely? Take a look back at the assessment you just completed. Ask yourself if making a change to a new company would fix the issue or issues you identified. Or are they issues that are embedded within the industry itself, and would only be fixed if you changed industries entirely? Also, think about how you feel about the actual work you’re doing. Do you still have a passion for the type of work you’re doing, but maybe not in this particular work environment? If that’s the case, changing jobs could improve your situation. You might not need to change careers. Things to Consider Even if you’ve identified that there are internal or external reasons that you may want to consider making a change, ask yourself this: “Is there an opportunity to improve my current situation?” As previously mentioned, some of these things may be temporary and the issue may resolve itself. But the other piece of the puzzle is you. Is there some way that you could make a change that would improve the situation? For example, could you transfer to a similar position in a different part of the company? Could you talk to your supervisor and see if there are opportunities for additional responsibility or advancement that you may not be aware of? Could improving your skills (for example, pursuing additional education, training, or certifications) help you? If you feel your current situation can’t be improved, the next thing to do is develop a plan. Make sure you have a plan for what you want to do next before you decide to make a change. Think before you act — don’t be impulsive. Change can be difficult — the bigger the change, the more difficult it may be. Also, you want to make sure you’re running towards something you want to do, and not running away from something you don’t. Being impulsive may lead you to do something you may later regret — like one of those viral “I Quit” videos that are fun to watch, but may lead to long-term ramifications when prospective employers Google your name. Assess your marketability at another company or for another career path. What skills, education, and experience do you have to offer? Inventory your accomplishments. In the next section, where we address practical strategies, we’ll talk about the value of having your résumé professionally written so you can see how you stack up on paper for your desired next job or new career. Consider the timing of making a change, if you decide that’s what you want to do. For example, you may not want to leave your job in November if you’d earn an annual bonus if you stayed another month. The same is true for things like vested options in a stock plan or retirement account — make sure you manage the timing of your departure to maximize your benefits. Basically, don’t leave money on the table if you can help it. Along with considering the timing of your departure, do you need to do some things before you change jobs or careers? Perhaps you need to take some classes or earn a certification before you’ll be prepared to make a job or career change. Create a Personal/Professional Development Plan (PDP) for yourself, outlining the steps you need to take to bridge the gap between where you are now (skills, education, and experience) and what you need in your new job or career. Checking off as many of those items as you can will help make the transition smoother. Finally, it’s easier to find a job when you have a job, so don’t just quit your job. And don’t burn bridges at your former employer, if you can help it. Give ample notice, offer to train your replacement, prepare a checklist or cheat sheet for your replacement, etc. Practical Steps For Your Job or Career ChangeOnce you’ve decided that you do want to make a change — whether that’s a new company or a new career — here are some practical steps to take to make your transition move along smoothly. The first step is to get your financial house in order. You’ll be in better shape to make a change if you’re on sound financial footing. As you start this process, make sure a financial evaluation is part of your plan. Are there expenses that you can cut out — even temporarily — that will help you stockpile cash in the short term? Maybe you need money for additional training or certifications. Identify how you can save that money so that you have it ready when you need it. If your research shows that you may need to take a pay cut initially in order to make a job or career move, start cutting back now so that it’s not as big of a shock later. The next step is to decide on a target — what do you want to do? How will your next job — or career — be different from what you’re doing now? Take some time to identify what you want. Invest in career testing and/or meet with a therapist or career coach who specializes in helping with job change/career change. (This will also help you identify whether you may be suffering from anxiety or depression, which can affect your work, your decision-making ability, and your choices.) Next, research your new career. Talk to people who are actually doing the job you want to do — especially if you’re moving into a new career field. Research the qualifications for candidates who do what you want to do. Again, consider the idea of creating a Personal/Professional Development Plan (PDP) so you are prepared to make the transition. Once you decide you are going to make a change, start slowly compiling the information you need and slowly start disengaging yourself from your current job/current employer. You don’t want to take a full box of knick-knacks home at once, but you may start decluttering your files (both paper files and on your computer) and taking some personal items home so that you don’t have to pack them up all at once. Be careful when doing this, however, as it may tip off co-workers — or your boss — if too many personal items start disappearing. Take calls from recruiters — or reach out to connect to them. However, keep in mind this strategy will only work if you’re staying in the same industry. Recruiters specialize in placement, so they want to put “round pegs in round holes.” They won’t be interested in helping you make the change from being a computer software developer to a teacher. Finally, one of the best things you can do, once you have a job target in mind, is to engage a professional résumé writer to help you develop a résumé for your desired job. Especially if you are considering a career change, this can help you identify transferable skills that you have to offer and boost your confidence when you see the evidence of your qualifications on paper. Your résumé writer can also help guide you in collecting the information you need to develop your new career documents. Be prepared to invest in yourself and in the development of this document, because your résumé writer will have to spend a considerable amount of time to prepare a résumé that demonstrates how your skills, education, and experience are applicable to your new career path. But it can be a worthwhile investment as a tool as you make a change in your job or career. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Living Your Best Year in 2022DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PLANNING WORKBOOK BELOW Although most of the world see a new year as a time to make massive changes in their lives, it’s the daily choices that lead to lasting change. That’s why New Year’s Resolutions are so ineffectual. This year, you can start and finish strong by making better choices each day. Here are some tips for making sure this is your best year ever.
Source: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/living-your-best-year-in-2022 2022 PLANNING WORKBOOKClick below to download your FREE 2022 PLANNING WORKBOOK
About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Easy Ways to Impress Your BossFiguring out how to impress your boss can be tough. On the one hand, you want to capture their attention and make them consider you for any promotions or bonuses you might have coming your way. On the other hand, you don’t want to appear desperate or look like a suck-up to your colleagues. The good news is that it’s definitely possible to capture the attention of any business leaders and supervisors responsible for making a difference to your job. The bad news is you’re going to have to put a little work in. Here are some quick and simple steps you can take to improve your chances of having the right impression on your boss Get to Know ThemWe’re not saying you should take your boss out for drinks, but you should be paying attention to their values and expectations. It’s hard to impress someone if you don’t know what matters most to them, so watch your boss for signs of what they like or dislike. You’re specifically looking for things that make your boss unhappy or cause them to be unimpressed with a colleague, so you can avoid those issues yourself. You’ll also want to pay attention to anything that gets extra recognition, like punctuality or attention to detail. Make a note of the things that really make other people stand out to the person in charge. Pick Up the SlackPicking up the slack doesn’t have to mean that you’re constantly doing other people’s jobs for them. While you can still have work/life balance and say no to things that you don’t want to do, you could also be looking for opportunities to go above and beyond. When your boss asks for someone to volunteer for a specific task, or looks for someone to help out with something, be the first to raise your hand. You’ll probably be spending more time working on things than you’d like but being willing to work harder will definitely grab the boss’s attention. It’s also worth doing the little things, like helping team members when they’re behind, fetching coffee from time to time, and helping to keep things in their proper place. Commit to LearningIt’s hard to be impressed by someone who acts like they know everything. Being eager to learn at work is part of having a positive attitude about your current skills and your future. Showing that you’re willing to focus on gaining additional skills will prove to your boss that you’re not afraid of a challenge. It’s also a chance for you to prove you’re capable of more than just the job you have now. Regularly invest in opportunities to learn new skills and volunteer for chances to develop your knowledge in things that might be valuable to your boss, like leadership skills or time management. Be A Team PlayerWhile always being the person at the top of the pile is a good way to get attention, it can also make you look conniving and difficult to work with. You want to stand out as a leader and someone capable of independent work, but it’s also important to be a team player. Commit to helping your peers out whenever they need extra assistance and stand up for your team whenever you can. Take Responsibility and Be HonestAlthough you might think a mistake will set you up for failure when you’re trying to impress your boss, the reality is that most managers understand their people are only human. The worst thing you can do if something goes wrong in your career is try to sweep the issue under the rug or pin it on someone else. Taking responsibility for your actions and committing to learning from them shows you’re an honest, trustworthy, and reliable person. We all make mistakes, but it’s difficult to feel respect for someone who just can’t admit they’ve done something wrong. Owning up to your errors shows integrity and bravery. It’s also a chance for you to stand up and suggest solutions to the problem. Impressing your boss might seem like a challenge, but once you learn how to demonstrate the values your manager holds close to heart, you’ll be on the right track. Have passion for your job and commit to the work you do. Even if it’s not your dream job, showing you’re invested is a great way to make your boss feel like you’re a great hire. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Quick Tips for Successful Career DevelopmentYour manager, boss or supervisor isn’t responsible for your career. While these people can give you access to more opportunities, or help you grow – it’s up to you to decide what you’re going to do to ensure your success. This means dedicating some time to effective career development. If you’re keen to make more of an impact in your chosen career, it’s important to start with some planning. Ask yourself regularly what you want to accomplish in your professional life and take steps to figure out how you’re going to reach those targets. Here are some quick tips to really help you enhance your career development. Goal for the FutureWhen it comes to annual reviews, there’s a lot of focus on setting massive targets for yourself to accomplish sometime in the distant future. While it’s nice to have a good vision of what you want to accomplish eventually, focusing exclusively on long-term goals can make it difficult to maintain motivation. When you’re only making little steps, you’re not as inspired to push forward. Setting smaller, more achievable goals will help to keep you on track. For instance, rather than setting the goal of becoming the manager of your team and waiting to achieve that, start by setting the goal of developing more leadership skills or volunteering for more opportunities. Stretch YourselfAlthough it’s important to choose tangible and realistic targets for your career, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be challenging yourself too. Ultimately, if you want to be satisfied with your accomplishments, you’ll want to start by setting goals that really push you to test your limits. Look for ways to step out of your comfort zone – even if it’s only a little. Do something that scares you slightly, but that you can still handle. For instance, if you don’t like public speaking, you could make a plan to speak to a small local forum to test your presentation skills. This will give you some anxiety, but it’s much easier than planning to host a presentation at an event with thousands of people. Learn, Celebrate, and GrowAs you push yourself to achieve your small, short-term goals, pay attention to everything you accomplish. Celebrate those little wins, no matter how small they might seem. While it's very important not to lose sight of your goal for the future, you must also remember to acknowledge yourself as you should. While celebrating yourself is crucial, it’s also important to examine areas where you’ve been unhappy with your performance tool. Rather than beating yourself up for not being good enough, ask yourself what you’re not happy with and why. If you can get feedback from leaders and other members of your team, this could be useful too. Every time you’re unhappy with an outcome in your professional career, it’s an opportunity to build on your skills and accomplish something new. Look for Opportunities to Develop KnowledgeKnowledge is power in the business landscape. If you want to successfully develop your career, it’s important to commit to developing your knowledge. Gaining education through experience, whether it’s with positive feedback or advice about something you did poorly, is a good start. However, remember to look for other ways to learn too. There are countless courses and skill development tools online for people from virtually every industry. If you can’t find a course linked to your specific sector, you can even consider looking into certifications that are transferable across all industries, like better communication or leadership skills. Read up on blogs and articles from thought leaders in your industry and follow podcasts which could give you valuable industry about your landscape. Network EffectivelyNetworking is another important part of building a successful career. Although it can be nerve wracking to connect with others in your industry – particularly if you’re an introverted person -- it’s crucial. In many careers, it really is who you know that matters most. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to network in today’s digital landscape. You can join groups on social media forums and dedicated industry websites. There are also digital events you might look into attending, and online expos. If you can meet people in real-life, do try to make some time to do so. The connections you make in person are often the most meaningful. You could even look into getting a mentor to help you network with a wider range of industry professionals. Time to Build Your Future?It’s up to you to take control of your career and pursue the kind of accomplishments that matter most to you. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can sit back and wait for opportunities to fall into your hands. Follow the tips above. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. How to Make a Good Impression in Your First Month at a New JobGetting a new job is a nerve-wracking experience. There’s the stress of the application process to consider, the headache of the interview, and the agonizing wait while you wonder whether you’ve been accepted. Unfortunately for those who hate the process of getting a new job, the work doesn’t stop after you’ve been offered the role either. During the first thirty or so days at your new job, you’re going to be under the watchful eye of your manager, supervisor, and even the head of the company. These people need to ensure that they’ve made the right decision in hiring you. In some cases, you might even need to prove yourself before the end of a trial period to keep your new role. So, how do you make a good impression during this crucial initial stage? There are a few ways to start. Start on a Positive NoteStart positively, with a good attitude. Rush into work each morning before you’re due to be there with a smile on your face and a can-do attitude. Make sure you look the part too. Dress to impress according to the standards of the company and look cleanly pressed before you walk through the front door. If you’re working remotely, you can still try this strategy by sending messages to the group chat for your business first thing in the morning and getting dressed properly just in case you need to drop into any video meetings. Get to Know PeopleYou’re much easier to get rid of in a new company if you maintain your position of being “the new guy”. For people to remember your name and get a feeling of affinity with you, they need to actually speak to you regularly. With that in mind, make an effort to get to know as many of the people you’ll be working with as possible. While you shouldn’t necessarily be a chatterbox while you’re meant to be working, you can always make time to socialize on your breaks, at lunch, and even after the workday is over. Getting to know people and remembering their names will make you more memorable in return. Take Initiative and Ask QuestionsDon’t be afraid to be the inquisitive type when you’re getting started in your new job. Staying quiet and blending into the background will mean people forget all about you, which might not be the impression you’re going for. Failing to ask questions also means you’re more likely to make mistakes in your work. Asking questions will show you’re committed to doing things right. Just make sure you don’t ask the same things over and over. Make a note of what you discover and try to learn as you go. It’s also worth taking initiative as often as possible, inquiring to see if there’s anything you can do to be more valuable or helpful. Get a MentorWe’ve already mentioned getting to know people, but if you really want to improve your chances of success, you can go beyond internal networking and choose a mentor. A mentor is someone in a leadership position you can turn to for guidance. You’ll need to ensure that this person is comfortable with being your mentor, but getting one can be extremely useful, as it gives you access to constant support and expertise. Having a mentor also means you have someone in the business who’s invested in seeing you succeed. When someone chooses to mentor another person, they can’t help but feel a sense of responsibility for what happens to that person. Set GoalsSetting goals is a great way to ensure that you actually accomplish things in your new role. While it’s tempting to simply hold on tight and go with the flow during the first few weeks of a new role, you should always be looking towards the future. Setting goals will help you to figure out what to focus on as you begin to develop new relationships and work on your skills. Goals will also come in handy when you have follow-up meetings with your manager to discuss how your new role is going. You’ll be able to talk about what you’re hoping to accomplish and show the person in charge that you’re envisioning a future with the company. Although the first thirty days in your new role can be scary, using a plan with the tips above can make you feel like you have more control over the impression you make. With these hacks, you’ll be able to capture the eye of the people in your new job for all the right reasons and avoid missing out on a long-term position. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Your Negative Attitude Impacts Your CareerWhen you have a negative mindset, it’s going to affect every aspect of your life. Your energy impacts those around you. So, if you bring a negative energy into the workplace, it’s going to have several repercussions. Here, you’ll discover how negativity affects your job. You will also see how you can start to eliminate your own negativity in the workplace. How does negativity impact your job?There are a lot of ways negativity can impact your job. When you have a negative mindset, it can affect your performance, work relationships, and overall wellbeing. The trouble with negativity, is that it attracts more negativity. Therefore, if you go into work with a negative attitude, it is going to rub off on your colleagues too. This will lead to a toxic workplace where nobody is happy and stress levels are increased. As well as impacting the work environment, a negative outlook can also cause issues with performance. You may not apply for new opportunities as they arise, forcing you to miss out on a potentially better job. You will also notice your energy levels aren’t great, and the quality of your work will suffer. These are just some of the ways negativity can impact your job. So, how can you fix it? Ways to become less negative at workThere are ways you can become a more positive person at work. However, it might take quite a lot of effort to overcome your negative thinking. The best ways to combat negativity at work include:
Identifying the cause of your negativity is crucial. There could be numerous reasons why you have a more negative attitude at work. Maybe you keep getting passed over for a promotion, or you are bored of your current role? Identifying the cause enables you to figure out the best ways to combat it. Whenever you feel yourself slumping into a negative mood, think of something you are thankful for. After all, it’s difficult to remain negative when you are thinking of something positive. You may also find it useful to talk to your boss if you haven’t already. If you are unhappy with something, let them know. Ask them for a promotion, rather than waiting for one. You could also ask them for further training opportunities and more responsibility. If you have colleagues who are negative, make sure you distance yourself from them. It could be that others are putting you in a negative mood, so distancing yourself from them will protect your energy and your positivity. If they see you with a more positive outlook, it will also help them to develop one too. As you can see, there are several ways you can address your negativity in the workplace. Identifying the root cause is the key to finding the right solution. If you are just naturally negative, working on developing a more positive mindset will help. However, this will take time so don’t expect results overnight. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. |
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AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Archives
December 2023
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