Introverts are good listeners. You understand things best by spending more time listening and less time talking and you like it that way. So, take advantage of your good listening skills when interacting with other people.
 
Be present and avoid thinking too much about what you are going to say next. Remember, the best way to keep the conversation going and get something out of it is to make the other person feel understood. Show that you value what the other person is saying. Show you are not only concerned about being heard but hearing what others have to say as well.
 
Actively listen and be engaged throughout the conversation. For example, if you are using Zoom Conferencing or other video networking software, be present. Nod your head, maintain eye contact, and do other small interjections to show you are present.
 
Practice active listening to understand others better, identify their needs, enjoy the conversation, and get the most from it. ​

Remember that improving your networking skills and growing your network takes time. So, take it one day at a time. Don’t get frustrated when you run out of things to say during discussions or fail to get the desired results after trying for months.
 
Improving your networking skills takes time and so is growing your network. You just have to be patient, put in the effort, and take it one step at a time.
 
Another effective way to cultivate your virtual networking skills is to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone as often as you can. For example, you can attend in-person networking events within your area and never leave without striking a conversation with at least one person you don’t know.
 
Doing this will help you build your self-confidence, express yourself better, and connect with more people.
 
Another option is to ask for a one-on-one meeting with a potential client or connection. For example, when you identify an industry thought-leader, CEO, potential investor, or promising client you want to engage in business with, approach them. Send a persuasive email and ask for a one-on-one meeting.
 
Don’t depend solely on attending big events that they’ll be a part of because you may not get a chance to talk to them. Even if you do get a chance, you may not bring yourself to begin the conversation. That’s normal for introverts.
 
So, try to get a one-on-one meeting instead.
 
Be a good communicator to overcome fear or feelings of discomfort in virtual networking events. Make sure the people you are talking to understand what you are saying or what you are trying to communicate. This will help you retain your confidence, communicate better, get your message across, and connect easily.
 
Remember, there are other introverts in attendance as well and people who feel the same way you do. The most important thing is to sound confident, look confident, and stay confident.
 

• Do enough research before attending important events to stay confident throughout the discussion.
  
• Set goals and know what you want to achieve from networking. This will help you connect with the right people, stay confident throughout the conversation, and reach your goals. 
• Take advantage of your good listening skills. Use them to understand what the other person is saying and connect easily.
• Use social media to cultivate your networking skills, connect with more people, and strengthen relations.
  
• Join relevant discussions and share your opinions about the topic at hand. Share unique perspectives, interesting facts, or your personal experiences. As long as they are relevant to the topic under discussion.

 
Best of luck!

Source: ​https://www.market-connections.net/blog/virtual-networking-tips-for-introverts

Chances are high many of us may still be wondering "how does bit coin work?" Yet, while we are wondering a new economy is developing before us and growing rapidly. If you are still not sure about how to start, below is a list of sites with opportunities to earn digital currency. Whether you searched for Bit Coin Jobs or Crypto Jobs, you will find below a list of jobsites with jobs that claim to pay in digital currency.  

While cryptocurrency opens the doors to countless investment and financial instruments, because of the lack of guaranteed value, as well as its digital nature, there are risks involved that you should know about before you get started.

Barry Sibert, CEO of Digital Currency Group (which builds and invests in Bitcoins and blockchain companies) says “It is pretty much the highest-risk, highest-return investment that you can possibly make.”
 
Here are some of the risks you can incur:
 
Regulatory Risks: Bitcoins are a digital rival to government currency and, thus, may be used for illegal activities, black market transactions, money laundering, or tax evasion.
 
Governments, therefore, might seek to regulate, restrict, or ban the use of such currency (some already have). Other governments are coming up with various rules concerning cryptocurrency.
 
Security Risks: Most people who own and use Bitcoins have obtained their currency through any of many popular online markets, called Bitcoin exchanges. These are entirely digital, so as with any other virtual system, are at risk from hackers, malware, and even operational glitches.
 
Hackers may target these exchanges and gain access to thousands of accounts and digital “wallets” where Bitcoins are stored.
 
Users can only prevent these risks by storing their currency on a computer not connected to the internet or by choosing to use a “paper wallet” where they print out the Bitcoin private keys and addresses without keeping them in a computer at all.
 
Insurance Risk: Currently, cryptocurrency exchanges and accounts are not insured by any federal or government program.
 
In 2019, one dealer and trading platform (SFOX) did announce they’d provide Bitcoin investors with FDIC insurance, but only for those transactions involving cash.
 
Fraud Risk: Bitcoin does use private-key encryption to verify owners and register transactions, but scammers might try to sell fake Bitcoins. There have also been documented cases of price manipulation, which is another common form of fraud.
 
Market Risk: As with any other investment, Bitcoin prices can fluctuate. In fact, Bitcoin value has seen wild swings since 2009.
 
There is also plenty of competition for Bitcoin, and a technical breakthrough in the form of a better virtual coin is always a threat.
 
If you’re looking to invest in cryptocurrency in an ICO (Initial Coin Offering), you should ask yourself the following questions:
 

• Who owns the company? Is it a recognizable name or an identifiable owner?
  
  
• Are there other major investors already in?
  
  
• Will you own a stake in the company or just currency or tokens? The former means you’re an actual owner in the company, while the latter just gives you cryptocurrency to buy or sell.
  
  
• Is the currency already developed or is the company trying to raise money to develop it? The further along the product is, the less risky it will be.

Source: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/bit-coin-jobs

“Tell me about yourself,” the interviewer says.
 
“So, what do you do?” asks the person you just met at a networking get-together.
 
You find yourself on an elevator with a person you’ve wanted to meet. What do you say?
 
Be ready to say something! It’s smart to prepare a brief summary of your background and experience. Often called an “elevator pitch” — because it should be short enough to give during an elevator ride — there are many situations when a short, pre-prepared introduction (no more than 30 seconds) will come in handy.
 
This introduction can be used:

• When networking
• In a job search
• On career documents (in the cover letter, for example)
• In job interviews
• When a stranger strikes up a conversation with you in line at the grocery store
• To request an informational interview

 
You have probably heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” So how do you provide a brief, concise introduction of yourself? This guide will give you some easy formulas to help, no matter what your profession or the situation where you’re using the introduction.
 
Your introduction should answer four questions:

• Who are you? (education, work experience, skills, specialization)
• What do you do?
• What sets you apart?
• Where do you want to go from here?

 
I had previously written a formula for a quick introduction. But this post is more thorough and provides examples. There are several formulas to choose from. Pick the one that helps you create the best introduction to describe you and for the specific situation you’re using it in.

​The simplest formula is to identify your current profession — or the profession you hope to be in — and the number of years and industry you work in. You can also include the name of the company you work for, if it’s a recognizable name.
 
The formula looks like this:
I’m a [job title] with [time in the industry] doing [what]
Or
[Profession] with [time] in [industry]
Or
I’ve worked as a [job title] for [company name] for [number of] years
 
For example:

• I’m a middle school principal with 3 years in my current position, and 11 years in the education field overall.
• I’m a recent college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business and specialization in digital marketing and media.
• I’ve worked as an accountant for 5 years with a Big Four accounting firm.
• I’m a marketing and public relations director at Hudl.

If you’re using the formula in a job search, you can add a sentence about what kind of role you’re seeking.
 
That formula would be:
[Profession] with [time] in [industry], [seeking]…
 
For example:

• I’m a sales representative with 14 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry and I’m looking for a sales leadership role.
• I’ve been an operations manager for a national furniture retailer for the past 6 years, and I’m looking to leverage my customer service, project management, and supervisory experience into a general management role in a Fortune 1000 company.

 
If you’re responding to the “tell me about yourself” question, you can add a sentence about your background to communicate key areas of your career and to highlight job and industry strengths.
 
For example:
I’m a retail merchandising manager with 9 years working at a big box store. I’m looking to use my inventory management and organizational skills to transition to a warehouse management role. My background includes experience setting up RFID systems to improve inventory tracking and reporting. 

​This formula is simple:

• Where are you now?
• Where have you been?
• Where do you want to go? (with an optional call to action)

 
For example:
I’m currently a television news anchor, but I got my start in television as a meteorologist. I’m looking to combine my journalism and weather forecasting experience to work for The Weather Channel.
 
Another example:
I’m a bilingual financial analyst who specializes in international accounts. My background is in forensic accounting and auditing. I’m currently pursuing my certification as a Master Analyst in Financial Forensics so I can identify and investigate financial crimes — hopefully for a government agency or a law firm.
 
Or:
I’m a PR specialist with emphasis in new product launches. I’m unique because I’m a product engineer who moved into communications. My technical expertise gives me an edge in pitching the media for news coverage. I’m looking to align myself with a manufacturer with at least six new launches a year, and I’d love to talk with you about what you’ve got in the pipeline.

​If you’re doing an elevator pitch, you can also start with the problem first before you talk about yourself as the solution. This works best for a networking situation versus the “tell me about yourself” question in a job interview.
 
For example:
Does your company struggle with theft and inventory losses?
I’m a loss prevention expert who has helped my employers reduce employee and customer theft by 98%, saving more than $100,000 over the last three years.
 
Or:
Does your company participate in trade shows?
I’m a trade show specialist with a knack for creating show-stopping booths that attract 20% more traffic than our competitors.

​If you’re in a service industry — therapist, coach, consultant, etc. — one of the easiest ways to answer the “What do you do?” question is to take the focus off you and put it onto your clients. This focuses the conversation on what you do for your clients and what they get from working with you.
 
First, start with who you work with. “I work with [target market]” — for example, “women who are looking for better balance between their personal and professional lives.”
 
Next, articulate the problem or pain that your target client is experiencing — using language that is relevant to the work you do. For example, “who find themselves constantly thinking about their family while they’re at work, and their work while they’re with their family.”
 
Then, tell them more about the problem and give an example of those you’ve worked with. “Many of these women are feeling pulled in a million different directions because of the pandemic and the challenge of having school-age kids whose schools can close again at a moment’s notice, providing uncertainty in their home and work lives.”
 
Finally, tell them your solution and what sets you apart. “I’ve helped these women better define their priorities, articulate their boundaries, and develop a game plan to respond to fluid situations in their personal and professional lives. I help them become more resilient in the face of difficult situations so they can be successful at home and at work.”
 
Another example of the formula in action:
Person: I work with C-level executives in Fortune 100 companies…
Problem: Who are feeling burned out because of the challenges in today’s corporate environment.
Story: Many C-level executives have had to adjust to managing a workforce that is increasingly remote, and they’re struggling with adapting their management style as a result. This has led to a 75% increase in burnout among corporate leaders in the last 12 months.
Solution: I work with these executives to draw on their strengths and successes and shore up their skills, reinvigorating them to deal with the changing corporate environment. More than 90% of the executives I work with report greater engagement with their work. They don’t want to change jobs or change companies — they just want to enjoy the work again. I help them do that.

​This formula works well for people who can quantify their impact and achievements. It starts with who you are and what you do, gives some insight into how you do or did it, and gives metrics (dollars, numbers, percentages) to make you memorable.
 
Here’s the formula:
I’m a [job title] that [what you do] by [how you do it], resulting in [metric].
 
For example:
I’m a security specialist, providing mostly commercial protection services. I manage a team of 17 part-time and full-time guards, ensuring 24/7 coverage for more than a dozen high-risk properties. We’ve achieved zero incidents of vandalism and theft for these clients in the past year, saving them tens of thousands of dollars.

​No matter which formula you follow, here are some tips to make your introduction more effective.

• Introduce yourself first, if necessary. Start your introduction with “Hi, I’m (your name).”
• Write it out first. Then, read it out loud. Record yourself, either by yourself or practicing it with a friend. Watch it back, looking for words that you stumble over. Then edit it. Then read it out loud and/or record it again.
• Be concise. Keep it simple, short, and direct — and don’t use jargon or buzzwords.
• Adapt it for the situation. Customize it for the situation and the recipient. Have more than one pitch if you have more than one job target, and use the right pitch for the right situation and audience. And remember, you don’t have to include everything — this is a quick summary, not a comprehensive retelling of your entire career history.
• Practice it. Smile as you say it! And slow down when you talk — you want it to sound like a conversation, not a rehearsed speech.
• Be future-oriented — especially if you want to do something different going forward in your career. Talk about what you want to do — not what you don’t want to do.
• Include something that sets you apart. Your introduction should be compelling — make it interesting. Think about what you want the person to remember about you.
• Ask for what you want/need. Especially if you are using your introduction in a networking situation, end it with a specific request. Ask if they know a company that needs someone like you. Ask if they know any recruiters that work with candidates with your experience.

 
Most important, put your introduction to work for you. Keep refining it, making little changes until you come up with something that is simple and effective. That way, you’ll never struggle or stumble when someone says, “So, what do you do?”

Source: ​https://www.market-connections.net/blog/formula-for-a-quick-introduction

​The period after graduating from college is a difficult time for many people. Lack of experience is the hardest obstacle many graduates have to overcome. Some people have never gone through an interview, while others do not even know how to write a resume.
 
These are some of the challenges teenagers have to overcome in order to secure their first jobs. You might face rejection when you start searching for your first job; that is normal and everyone goes through it. Oftentimes in the past, people first careers started with a seasonal job. The following are some tips that will help to snag that first job after graduating from college.

Keep your resume updated with the latest information, ranging from the college activities to other major activities, and remember to include your college results (GPA). Make sure that your resume reflects the new skills you have developed. A good example is the case of a computer programmer who has learned another new language after college graduation. This should be mentioned on the resume.

Many graduates get valuable experience after college through an internship, and this is a great opportunity to taste the working world. Full-time employment may require professional experience in a particular field, but internships are offered to recent graduates and current students to sharpen their skills. Although most internships are unpaid, some receive a small stipend or hourly wage. Highlighting the internships in your resume confirms your abilities to succeed in a particular job.

Career fairs will help you get in touch with your future employers face-to-face. This is the best chance to ask questions and you will also discover the jobs that match your skills. Most colleges and universities host these job fairs where you can attend and learn more from the recruiters. You can also find out from your college’s career office whether there are any upcoming opportunities within your area.

Everyone has a dream job in mind, but to have a successful job search after graduating will depend on your flexibility. You can widen your search to capture other positions that are available in the same field or check different jobs that may require a similar set of skills. Keep your mind open to a variety of other possibilities that may increase your chance of getting your first job. Attend more interviews for different jobs instead of just focusing on your favorites.

Maintaining your job network is a very important aspect that will help you to find a job after graduating from college. To keep networking for jobs you can use your family, professors, friends, or co-workers to get news about the new opportunities that might not be advertised on the jobs’ board.

KEEP ON APPLYING
Searching for a job can be a daunting task, and it tends to slow down with time. But remember, any job you apply for after graduating from college is a new opportunity. Every experience will help you in your future application. Apply for your new jobs every day and keep in touch with your contacts that you made over the time.

​Landing a dream job can be difficult at first just like most things in life, but remember that practice will lead to perfection. If you fail on your first interview, take a note of possible mistakes that you made. This will help you to avoid repeating them next time you have an interview. ​

​Seasonal work is a source of income for thousands of people. It allows you to find extra income or simply have fun with a new job, albeit for a season. The good news about this work is that there are many types. No matter what industry you are in or you would like to enter, you can find a seasonal job just for you.
 
Some of the most common areas for seasonal work include holiday work, summer camp, fisheries, cruise ships and lifeguard jobs. It is definitely a good idea to have some interest in the job before applying for it. The following is a look into different types of seasonal work. 

These are the most popular types of jobs that people will find. Major holiday seasons such as Christmas time see an influx of customers looking for different products and services. In this sector, more and more seasonal talent is hired. Among other jobs, people can choose to be retail assocites, warehouse personnel, delivery and packaging staff, and handling aids. During the holidays, people will also find Santa and Elf jobs which form a significant part of the holiday season's jobs.
 
These jobs can be lucrative depending on the location you are at. It may be noteworthy to konw that talent is often recruited as early as September; therefore, keep an ear on the ground so that you do not miss your chance. 

Summer is a season that comes with a wide array of opportunities. In the entertainment sector as well as hospitality joints, you will find summer-themed jobs that will last throughout the season. These types of jobs are more popular in resorts and it is important to consider the best location for these jobs. If you are flexible, the opportunities will be more. Summer jobs can be found at summer camps, recreational sites, retail stores and resorts among others. 

When the ski season comes, there are so many opportunities for work. It is not just the riders and skiers who have a chance to work. You can work in ski patrol or ski school. These jobs are excellent for people who love snowboarding or skiing. It is a great chance also to secure a full-time job when the season is over. Ski resorts will always be on the lookout for new enthusiastic seasonal workers to make the skiing sport a success. 

​When the tax season comes around, companies will always hire tax preparation staff in a bid to make their work easier. As a tax prep clerk, you will be in a position to acquire a worthy skill and get paid well in the process. This is one of the many seasonal jobs that can also put you in the line of getting a permanent job. Apart from preparing tax returns, people can also land data entry jobs and administrative posts.
 
The most active tax season is in January through to May. However, for the sake of prior training for the job, talent is recruited much earlier. 

​There are countless types of seasonal jobs, and searching for something suitable in your area is the way to go. Many people have been able to work different jobs at different seasons, allowing them to earn a living just like full-time employees. Therefore, take time to know what suits you best and get to work; you will not be disappointed. 

​Seasonal work comes with many benefits. You are able to earn some extra cash and you can get excellent discounts as a seasonal worker. With all the merits in mind, it becomes important to find out where you can get these jobs.
 
There are countless sources that will provide you with many options. It is up to you to choose the type of job that will suit you best. You may do an online search for seasonal jobs near me. Seasonal work can involve selling at a store, packing products, and catering - among others.

If you are interested in getting this type of job, there are specific areas to search. The following is a breakdown of where to find seasonal work.

In this digital age, your first search is best made online. It is both easy and convenient. There are specialized sites that give you galleries of resources on all the opportunities available. Here is a list of JOB SEARCH SITES offering different types of opportunities. Depending on the location you are at, you can narrow your search to get something in your locality.
 
If you are looking for work in a specified area, choose sites that are dedicated to the ideal place you are searching for. If you do not know which sites to start with, a general search on seasonal jobs is your best bet. You will be amazed at the categories you find; you will likely be spoilt for choice.

Some people have accidentally landed on seasonal jobs but when you are determined to get a slot, go the extra mile and you will not be disappointed. If you have worked seasonally before, it is much easier for you because you will know when the hiring season comes.
 
All in all, the resources available online make searching much easier. Simply browse jobs in the comfort of your home and apply where you suit most. Don't give up and you will soon be able to find a seasonal opportunity. 

TYPES OF SEASONAL WORK: 
https://www.market-connections.net/blog/types-of-seasonal-work

RESUME TIPS FOR SEASONAL JOBS:
https://www.market-connections.net/blog/resume-tips-for-seasonal-jobs
​
TIPS TO FIND YOUR FIRST JOB:
https://www.market-connections.net/blog/people-first-careers