Take Advantage of Your Conflicts - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Take Advantage of Your Conflicts - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Growing up, I was taught to avoid conflict â€" girls don’t fight! Later in life, I started arguing when I saw an opportunity to win and avoided confrontation when the odds were against me. But over the years I’ve slowly changed my opinion of conflict. I saw over and over that when things got really bad, people got motivated to change the status quo. Conflict can be a huge opportunity if we take the right approach. Based on the ideas of Thomas-Kilmann, there are 5 conflict styles. I see them as options you can choose from when you are in different conflicts. Here they are: COMPETING I win, you lose This one is about pursuing your own interests â€" I’m right and you are wrong! A great opportunity to take this approach is when you are standing up for your rights or for the rights of others. Choose your battles wisely, though, since there is a thin line between gaining respect and gaining enemies. COLLABORATING â€" We both win Whenever you are on a team and there is a conflict, it’s a great idea to point out the common goals. Work together to find a solution that meets the needs and concerns of various parties. Do not choose this approach in a crisis situation. Setting up a meeting and looking for a consensus may be way more risky that acting fast and taking an action. COMPROMISING â€" We both lose some If you cannot satisfy everybody, you may need to start negotiating. Look for a solution that is acceptable but only partially satisfying for all parties. Try to balance the items people are willing to give up. Watch out for solutions where just for the sake of being fair nobody gets anything they want. AVOIDING â€" Nobody wins, nobody loses When emotions run high, it may be a good idea to postpone the discussion or withdraw from it. “Let’s sleep on this and talk some more tomorrow.” But be careful, because avoiding may allow the issue to grow out of proportions. Don’t avoid conflict just because you don’t know how to deal with it. In that case, ask around and get some support. ACCOMMODATING â€" You win, I lose There are times where you should seriously consider neglecting your own interests to satisfy the interests of others. Accommodating shows others you are willing to let them shine, step back, or admit your mistakes. But watch out, or you may become a martyr, a victim, someone who constantly sacrifices for others. And this approach will eventually turn against you. As you can see, there is no right or wrong approach. It really depends on the conflict. Your strength depends on your flexibility. The more you are able to deliberately choose your behavior (instead of reacting), the stronger you will be in any conflict situation. As I’ve mentioned, conflicts are great motivators for change. When people feel uncomfortable, they want out, of the situation. They want things to get better. As a leader, you have a great opportunity to use conflicts and crisis effectively as fuel for change in your organization. Some leaders even prolong the sense of conflict to make sure the change really happens. And this applies to your internal conflicts as well. When something bothers you, you have a choice to set it aside and see if it goes away, attack it by pushing yourself one direction or other, or you may want to listen carefully. Every conflict is your opportunity to learn something about you. Don’t miss that chance. Author: Henrieta Riesco  is a founder of  Intentional Career. She is all about meaningful conversation to empower professionals on their career journey. After experiences of being a teacher and a corporate trainer in Slovakia, a customer advocate and a training consultant for  10+ years at Microsoft, she is comfortable with calling herself a Career Coach. You can follow Henrieta via  Twitter, or via  her blog.

When a Functional Resume Works Against You - CareerMetis.com

When a Functional Resume Works Against You The functional resume. Yes, there is a place for it among job seekers.Basically, a functional resume allows a job seeker to focus on skills, talents, and accomplishments rather than a chronological employment history.evalThe job candidates who use functional resumes usually fall into three categories:1. Candidates are in a career transitionThis means that they have work experience in a specific sector but are now looking to break out of that sector and use their skills and talents in a new industry.Here’s an example: You have been in the banking sector for several years but you find it too conservative for your more progressive tastes. You are looking to move into The IT department of a company with a more “youthful” culture.2. Candidates have gaps in employmentFor whatever reason, there are one or more periods of time during which you were unemployed. If the cause is reasonably explained These candidates will need to focus on the skillsets they have developed while in school â€" through volunteer activities, internships, and any leadership positions they may have held in organizations. Part-time jobs at fast food restaurants will just not cut it.Can a Functional Resume Work Against You?evalYes, it can. There are a number of recruiters and hiring managers who state they hate the functional resume.Their reasons are as follows;Your information is out of context. They want to read about your skills and achievements within the context of the organization you worked for.You may be exaggerating your talents and achievements without that context to back them upThey have to draw their own conclusions without a work history.They suspect the applicant is hiding something and will then try to play detective. This takes time, and it frustrates them. They move on to resumes that have a chronological format and a context.What’s the Solution?The solution may lie in what is termed the “hybrid” resume.evalAnd here is why:The first part of your resume body can be c rafted as a functional resume. In this part, you will list the skillsets and abilities you have that directly relate to the advertised position. You want to be careful here. Focus only on the skills that the job posting enumerates. And don’t include “soft” skills, unless the posting identifies them.The second part of the resume can be the chronological listing of work history. Yes, there may be gaps, but you can’t get around them. For newbies, this is the place to list the internships and volunteer positions you held.Can you “stretch the truth” to fill in those gaps? This is something you must think about carefully. Some applicants “fill” the gap with such things as starting their own business (which subsequently failed), consulting, or freelancing. If you choose to “stretch the truth” in this way, tread very carefully. If you should land an interview, it will come up, no doubt.Recruiters and hiring managers do like to see some type of chronological history, part icularly those who are acting on behalf of more traditional companies.Crafting that Hybrid ResumeThe hybrid resume will require some very expert construction. You may not feel comfortable putting this together on your own. But there is a help. A number of resume service sites have templates that you can use. But, your circumstances may be unique, and a generic template may not really work.For total customization you may want to use a personal resume expert. One often-neglected source can be finding the best academic writing servicethat also offers resume services. Usually, the most reputable ones will hire HR experts to consult with job candidates on resume construction. They can be great resources.What you need is a “blended” approach for your resume, especially for traditional organizations. More progressive organizations may not be as concerned about a chronological history. As is always recommended, your resume must be crafted for the specific employer.Hybrids are Growing in PopularityAccording to some employment and resume experts, the hybrid resume is becoming more popular with job candidates, no matter what their employment history may be.The reason for this growing popularity is the increasing use of applicant tracking systems â€" the technology that scans resumes for keywords and, more specifically, where those keywords are located.Using a hybrid resume that focuses on skillsets first, provides applicants with the chance to get those keywords included at the top of the document.Resume formats have evolved over the years and will continue to evolve. The key consideration for an applicant is to gear a resume to the organization â€" using the keywords found in the job posting, researching the “culture” of the organization, and then crafting a resume that “fits.”

A Simple Tip for Reinvigorating a Job Search - Sterling Career Concepts

A Simple Tip for Reinvigorating a Job Search A Simple Tip for Reinvigorating a Job Search Job searching boils down to a numbers game. If your activity seems stalled and needs a reboot, the single best activity is to increase the number of people with whom you are speaking. Increasing the number of relevant conversations youre having daily and weekly will lead to more referrals, more resumes passed along, more informational interviews, and more employment interviews. Notice they do need to be targeted and relevant conversations for this to work. They cant simply be conversations just for the sake of talking to more people. That will give you a false sense of security without leading to an increase in activity. This is one of those tips that can sound simple but be really difficult for some people to do, so if the idea of connecting with more people seems overwhelming, please feel free to reach out to Laurie for help with networking strategies that will work for you.

How to Choose a Quick Resume and Cover Letter Writing Service

How to Choose a Quick Resume and Cover Letter Writing ServiceIf you are seeking the services of a quick resume and cover letter writing service, then be sure to get one that is reliable and honest. There are several service providers that offer online services, but if they can't help you through the phone, then there's no point in paying them a visit. Of course, you want to be certain to choose the right provider before making any type of payment.If you hire a service that will help you with your quick resume and cover letter writing, then you can feel confident that they will be able to provide a finished product within a short period of time. Since you will likely want the job done quickly, the sooner you find someone that can help you, the better. It will help to visit a few different websites so that you can compare pricing.In order to ensure that you are getting the best service available, try to work with an internet based business when you are seeking a quick resume and cover letter writing service. It will take some time to research the different options that are available. You may want to start by looking at the writing services that are offered by online service companies.Remember that while you are not the only one seeking this type of service, it is certainly much more cost effective to use an online company that offers the same professional way of looking at your qualifications and skills. You don't want to end up paying for the same thing that others have received. For this reason, you should try to stay away from providers that charge exorbitant fees.When you are seeking a quick resume and cover letter writing service, try to find one that offers services as a full service package rather than as individual services. The latter type of business doesn't offer the same level of service that the former one does. While this is the case, it will help to work with one that offers personalized services that will go a long way towards helping you determin e the type of service that will best suit your needs.Many people assume that the quick resume and cover letter writing service that they need to contact will be available via the internet. This is not always the case. You may need to find a physical location where you can make an appointment to speak with a representative that will be able to help you out.It will help to make sure that you are able to connect with someone that is familiar with what you are looking for. You don't want to leave the meeting without some sort of reference that can give you great advice about how to prepare for your meeting. You also need to make sure that the service that you will be working with is someone that will be able to provide you with answers to your questions regarding the process that you need to go through when you are working with the service.It will also help to find someone that can show you how to deliver your written materials to the service that you are working with. It won't take lon g for you to realize that you are unable to do this on your own. Work with someone that knows how to best handle the paperwork and presentation that you need to submit to the service you need to contact.

Writing a Qualifications Summary on a Resume

Writing a Qualifications Summary on a ResumeWriting a qualifications summary on a resume is one of the most important parts of the job application process. When the recruiter asks for this information, it is as much about sending off the message as it is about receiving it. It's your first contact with the company and it is crucial that you have the most comprehensive understanding of what you are submitting. This is why it is so critical to get it right the first time.In fact, the better the summary, the more easily you will be able to find jobs that are hiring that are specifically for your qualification. But how do you put together a comprehensive summary? The first thing to keep in mind is that you need to use your own knowledge and skill sets to identify skills and expertise you possess. If you are interested in using a certification or work experience as the foundation for your summary, you can do so but be prepared to answer additional questions on the certification or experie nce. The one thing you want to avoid is writing a blanket summary that has no substance or meaning.For example, some professional resume writers will advise you to include 'Prior Teaching Experience'Successful Masters Degrees' as the basis for the summary. A bit confusing, but it is not. First, it does not provide a value to your skills and expertise. Second, it only includes the letter grade and does not convey any sense of authenticity about your qualifications or experience.Consider your abilities and skills and request an expert resume writer to create a comprehensive summary that is relevant and thorough. Give your summary a specific structure and make sure it meets the specifications for inclusion on your resume. These specifications include the names of several well-known companies and specific job descriptions that are suitable for the person you are trying to hire.One of the best ways to do this is to write the summary in a way that is easily accessed by the recruiters who will read the job description. They will look at the details carefully and notice anything that looks out of place. A well-written summary can open doors for you when you are submitting your resume and at the same time give you a concrete idea of what position you are seeking.Once you have completed your summary, be prepared to include the rest of the information on your resume. In addition to mentioning your personal skill set and accomplishments, include other relevant information. For example, your leadership abilities, educational experiences, job experience, work and volunteer accomplishments, and certifications or degrees, if applicable.The next step is to submit your summary with all of the other information. The right summary will be one of the first things the recruiter will look at when reviewing your resume. The summary will let them know your perspective and detail information that they would not find elsewhere. Make sure you have the facts and begin the search for the j ob you've always wanted.

Shortcuts to When Writing Your Resume You Should That Only Very Few People Know About

Shortcuts to When Writing Your Resume You Should That Only Very Few People Know About Keep updating your CV when gaining more experience even if you're not searching for employment. With persistence and patience, you will gradually land the job that you want. Then help you to get the job! You're probably applying for at least 1 job at one time. Why Almost Everything You've Learned About when Writing Your Resume You Should Is Wrong There are a few things you shouldn't include in your resume. In case the info is directly relevant (i.e. an ordained minister looking for a different ministry), include it only if you're certain the info isn't going to create bias. Still keep exactly the same information consistent as the initial one but you've got an opportunity here to make them remember you in a very good way. Just make certain that your resume is organized in a great way, and all required information can be readily found simultaneously. Your cover letter should demonstrate you know what the job involves, and what the employer is searching for. There are lots of standard forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. If you're interested in turning in an application for a particular job, review the post carefully and pay attention to the list of skill requirements. A job for a business analyst can be very hard. Some applicant browsing for resume writing services while some prefer writing by themselves. Utilizing exactly the same language as those who do a specific job proves that you fully grasp the business or field that the employer works in. Focus on what you did or you've done in the job, and don't just list your duties and duties. Writing your first resume may appear to be a daunting endeavor. The When Writing Your Resume You Should Cover Up You've just arrived at the correct post that will reveal to you just how to create a stellar resume that works and that gets read from the beginning to the finish. The simple truth i s, writing a resume can have a whole lot of time. To find that job, you must be there when that opening happens. To begin the calendar year 2016 with advantage over other men and women that are likely to submit an application for the exact same job as you will, I listed all important things you should think about when writing your resume. when Writing Your Resume You Should - the Story Be honest and don't feel just like you have to be ideal. Strategies for Writing a Resume Let us cut the chase and begin with the basic strategies and secrets that will earn a standout resume which works for applications. Most with a really prosperous small business analyst career will visit a master's degree too. Resume plays a valuable part in your career decision making. You will stick out from the people that you'll be competing for jobs with. If you would like to have your resume show up in a keyword search then you should read the work description carefully.

How To Prepare For An Interview Part Two - Work It Daily

How To Prepare For An Interview Part Two - Work It Daily For some, the interview process is extremely nerve wracking which can sap energy and confidence. It can be a time where you question whether or not you are good enough for the job and you may even tell yourself that you're just going for the practice, which certainly isn't the mindset to have! It's important to prepare for an interview. Speak To Positive People (Get Encouragement) Related: How To Prepare For An Interview: Part One One way to combat the negative thoughts is by speaking to a reliable, positive and experienced mentor who you can trust. Find someone who you can share your thoughts and concerns with; it could be a professional mentor or supportive friend or family member. The key here is to ensure that whoever you speak to has a positive mindset and can motivate you to succeed, as well as give you guidance based on professional experience. Having ‘accountability buddy’ can give you positive feedback support - and encouragement to keep going - when you need it most. Do A Mock Interview As far as I am concerned you can never do too much preparation for your interview and mock interviews are a great way to get feedback from someone who knows what they are doing. Mock interviews are particularly important if interviewing is your weakness and you lack confidence. The best way to run a mock interview is with somebody who has professional experience of interviewing people at your level or above. Try to simulate the interview feeling and environment by scheduling a mock interview date at a venue suitable for conducting interviews or even via Skype. The mock interviewer should score you on several aspects so that you know what you need to improve and where your strengths lie. For example, the interviewer should be able to assess your body language, answers given to questions asked, the quality of the questions you asked and so on. Some may even provide you with a recording of the session so that you see and manage areas for improvement. Having a coach gives you the added advantage of having a shoulder to lean on to provide anecdotal advice and someone who can answer on the spot questions. So my advice to you is to get a coach today. Eat Something Light And Simple Avoid eating foods that will have an adverse affect on your stomach or cause you to feel bloated and uncomfortable on the day of your interview. This has potential to hinder your performance on the day of the interview because an upset stomach can be distracting and energy sapping at a time when you need to be at your best. So play it safe and eat foods that you know enhance your performance and give you a much needed boost of energy. No Alcohol I remember interviewing people who I knew had consumed alcohol. It's not that they were drunk, disoriented and stumbling about the place, no. I could just smell it on their breath; it was really off-putting because it raised so many questions in my mind and made me wonder about their drinking habits and professionalism in the workplace. All this at a time when I should have been focusing on their interview. There were occasions on which the profile and resume CV of the candidate looked really good, but it was the interview which was the defining moment and I had to make a decision as to how I dealt with the situation. My advice is to simply avoid alcohol in this scenario so that you don't divert the interviewer's attention to something that could be perceived as negative. Prepare Relevant Questions If you don't ask questions the interviewer will assume that you have little or no interest in the job so it goes without saying you're not going to get an offer. Having said that, asking irrelevant questions can be equally as damaging to your chances of securing the job. So the key here is to prepare what you are going to ask well in advance of your interview. Don't leave it to chance and ask questions off the top of your head, write down and memorize what you are going to ask. But what kinds of questions should you ask? Well there are four main types of questions. Firstly, you should ask questions about the business/organization based on your research and knowledge of what they do. Secondly, you can ask questions about the role itself for example 'what is the typical career path for someone in X job and what would I need to do to make progress in the role?' You should also ask questions about the team you will be working in and finally ask questions about the people, primarily the interviews and leaders within the organization. You should prepare at least two questions for each of the four categories I just mentioned (which is a total of eight questions). And play it by ear, if you feel you have time to ask more questions. Often when you ask questions, more questions come to mind so it's important to make quick mental notes so that you can follow up with other relevant questions to keep the conversation going along a relevant track. And you must also remember to prepare your closing questions! Confirm The Time And Day With The Interviewer I recommend leaving the interviewer a message to confirm that the interview is due to go ahead, you should do so 24 hours before the interview is due to commence. This is a great way to stand out from other people who are going for the same job because not many people are likely to be aware of, or put into practice the professional etiquette required. Using this tactic is sure to leave the interviewer with a good first impression before you meet them. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a Work It Daily-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Bigstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!