Your Actions Create Opportunities, Not Luck

Your Actions Create Opportunities, Not Luck When you went to college, did you have an idea what you wanted to do for a career?  This is  one of the more frequently asked questions of business leaders, creative gurus, entrepreneurs,  politiciansâ€"just about any professional. The answer, not surprisingly, is not really. Like you,  their hope when they started out was to just get a good job and do meaningful work. I read a lot about how people got their start to help college students launch their careers and  because it interests me. I read for ideas, patterns, and models, anything I can use as examples  on how to transition from college to a career. Rarely do people use the word luck. Sometimes  these leaders talk about being in the right place at the right time but most often, they say they  achieved success because of a purposeful action. Taking action can be as simple as accepting  an offer for a job you dont know exactly what it might be but know that if you take it, other  possibilities will appear. They often do. This is the take-away. There will always be opportunities for those who recognize and pursue  them. The so-called lucky people are simply those who have taken more chances than average. Action that creates opportunity is not random. You need a strategy for taking action and seizing  opportunities that consistently demonstrate your talent, and as you progress, your passion for  and commitment to your career. Stick with your plan, and youll reap rewards in your job search  and career. Creating action begins with learning where to find opportunities. You need to push yourself beyond your comfort zone to seize on an opportunity, and  opportunities are everywhere. You might have to move to Bentonville, Arkansas for a year or  two, away from family and friends because the opportunity is ripe with future possibilities that  will not be available to you if you don’t. So what if you take a less-than-ideal position for less  money than your friends are making, but you do it with a company that’s a good fit and in less  than a year move out of the position into one you created because you saw a niche and made  the pitch. It’s even possible that where you live, full-time teaching positions are not available. Substitute teaching for a school district that has no near-term plans to hire might seem ill  advised but that’s not true. As a sub, you’re gaining experience, developing skills and a  reputation (references) that you leverage to secure a full-time position in a fast-growing,  culturally diverse community. When you start out, it’s essential for your growth to be adaptable. Be curious. Be hungry to  experience and learn skills. In each of the above real-life examples, these new professionals  took charge of their actions and careers. Succeed with the right mindset. These three clients all started their job search with the right mindset. It was not an easy decision  for an east coast guy to move to Bentonville, Arkansas right out of college. Ultimately, the  decision was based on self-knowledge. He understood his values, skills, strengths, weaknesses  and passionâ€"his job is with Walmart in its e-commerce group; this guy lives and breathes  supply chain. I really admire my client who, in just a year, created her own position within the company shes working for. She was under a lot pressure not take a job her peers viewed beneath her skills. She went into it saying I’m going take initiative and show the company what I have to offer. She  surprised everyone when she created her ideal position and the company said, you bet. Good  things happen when you stay open and flexible. Throughout her five years as a substitute teacher, this client remained resilient. Never did she  abandon her resolve and take-action spirit. She developed her skills earning a fantastic  reputation among her teaching peers and school administrators, “…we know we don’t have to  worry, when Eve is subbing because learning happens in the classroom.” She also showed a lot  of courage and spirit of adventure. For her new full-time teaching position, she is moving 2,200  miles from family and friends to work in an exciting culturally diverse school. And because it  does get better, she’s move closer to the thing she loves to do most when not teaching, skiing. There’s another important lesson in her story: success is rarely immediate. Make a commitment to self-educate. Another learning to take away,  is that at the heart of taking action to create opportunities is a  desire to learnâ€"a mindset that stays fluid and facilitates personal growth. Those who are willing  to open their minds and augment their skill set are those who will be poised to succeed in the  future. As you start your first professional job or internship, make a commitment to yourself to learn. Your boss is responsible for your training and to some extent your development, not educating  you. That’s your job. It’s easy once you have a job to enter a sort of tunnel vision that can lead  to stagnation. Complacency does not lead to success. Learn every aspect of the companyâ€"ask  questions, attend meetings and conferences, build your professional network. Get to know  people in and out of your department, division and/or office, in the various roles that keep the  company operational. Read books, articles anything that challenges you to think deeply about  what you do and who you are. Not knowing what you want to do is more than okay. Stay open, flexible, curious, and resilient.  Bet on yourselfâ€"take chances. You will find ways to create action and find your opportunities. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Writing a Resume After First Job

Writing a Resume After First JobWriting a resume after first job is a normal occurrence in the working world. It might seem to be a tedious process, but it is important that you go through all of the necessary steps before writing your resume.The first step in writing a resume after first job is to get out there and search for an employer. The most important thing that you need to remember when writing a resume after first job is to avoid using your first job as a resume. You should list your new job as your previous position to make it easy for the hiring manager to locate you.Once you find a job, you must submit a cover letter and resume and enclose a copy of your previous employment verification from the employer. It is important that you send out this application along with a cover letter because a cover letter is what will prove to the company that you are serious about applying for the job.It is a good idea to not send out these documents too late. The deadline is only a couple of weeks or so away, and you will want to get this paperwork done early.After the paperwork is in order, you should start compiling the details of your job. While compiling the details of your job, you should also remember to add everything that you learned or did while you were at your old job.The job can be combined with accomplishments at your old company or it can be looked over from a different angle. This will show the company that you have the ability to do the same things, but at a higher level.While compiling your past experiences, it is important that you look over and integrate any information that you learned while working at your old company. This can make the differences between a successful application and one that being poor. When it comes to the writing of a resume after the first job, the key is to gather all of the relevant materials and then compare them. With this in mind, the best place to get ideas is from others.

Facebook Comments Protected Speech or Personal Branding Nightmare - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Facebook Comments Protected Speech or Personal Branding Nightmare - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career We all know that people overshare. It’s easy to write a quick status update when someone bothers you at work or you’re frustrated. And in today’s world of social media and instant communication, it’s not surprising that quite a few people are taking heat for posting inappropriate contentâ€"especially when it comes to their careers. Oversharing But as the saying goes, just because you can say it, doesn’t mean you should. Employers struggle with employees rights outside of work what are they allowed to say on social networks? What if it damages the organization’s reputation? Should personal updates and comments be protected speech or grounds for termination? In a recent article “Are We Really Surprised? NLRB Takes on Facebook Comments,” Gerald Lutkus wrote the following: The regulation of off-duty comments by employees has always been extremely difficult in a unionized setting. In a non-union setting, the concern was always whether an employer’s policies or its enforcement of them would end up interfering with protected concerted activity by employees. One would think that the litigation over this recent charge would be straightforward involving rules that shouldn’t change all that much from past rules about off-duty comments. Not so fast, my friend. Later in the article, he goes on to say: If you move to discipline or terminate an employee for off-duty social networking commentary, you must consider whether the commentary is truly protected concerted activity. With personal branding becoming ever-so-important in our careers, it seems obvious that one should refrain from posting anything that could get you in trouble or damage your (or your organization’s) reputation. But people still do it. And sometimes, it can turn into a personal branding nightmare. So, what do you think? Should social media comments be protected speech? Or should an employer have a right to fire someone based on what they’ve said online? Author: Heather R. Huhman is a career expert and founder president of Come Recommended, a career and workplace education and consulting firm specializing in young professionals. She is also the author of #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), national entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com and blogs about career advice at HeatherHuhman.com.

Sales Engineer Job Description Sample - Algrim.co

Sales Engineer Job Description Sample - Algrim.co Sales Engineer Job Description Template Download our job description template in Word or PDF format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Using Your Template Follow these instructions to use your new job description template Step one: Fill out all details in your job description template using the provided sample on this page. Step two: Customize your requirements or duties to anything special to your workplace. Be sure to speak with team members and managers to gauge what's required of the position. Step three: When the census of the team has agreed on the description of the work, add in a Equal Employment Opportunity statement to the bottom of your job description. Step four: Check with your legal department, management team, and other team members to ensure the job description looks correct before creating a job advertisement. Choose a job board that's specific to your needs. Related Hiring Resources 20+ Best Sales Engineer Interview Questions Answers

Custom Resume Writing Guide

Custom Resume Writing GuideYou should consider reading a custom resume writing guide when you are about to write your own resume. This will allow you to avoid the usual mistakes that many other people make when they are in the process of crafting their own resume.A professional resume writer knows what questions to ask in order to help you create a resume that is appealing to your employer. He or she will look at each section, especially the one on the cover page and determine whether or not you need to change it.There are numerous reasons why a person may decide to change a section on a resume. One reason could be that the person may be changing careers. Other reasons could be because the person has changed jobs and there is some overlap in responsibilities between the two positions.Even though you do not have to change the cover page, you should know that it can make a big difference in the way your resume looks and reads. Having your employment information in this location can mak e the cover page look cluttered. This will also make the job seeker to look less professional than someone who makes their cover page easier to read.To make your resume appear more professional and well-written, a professional resume writer will look at your education, work experience, and education history. He or she will make sure that the information that they present is accurate. The professional will also research and compile your information so that the resume is easy to read and understand.A professional resume writer will use a professional resume writing guide to take his or her job a step further. He or she will go over your skills, accomplishments, and qualifications so that he or she will be able to craft the perfect resume for you.By knowing about the different parts of the cover page, the professional resume writer will be able to show you how to make your resume stand out. By eliminating certain sections, you may confuse your potential employer about what the rest of your resume says. If you want your resume to be unique, then you should be aware of the different parts that a professional resume writer will have to remove from your resume.Therefore, the career counselor that you choose to provide you with your resume writing advice may not always be the best person to answer your questions. Instead, you should get recommendations from previous clients who used a professional resume writing guide to craft their resumes.

3 strategies for defeating broken office syndrome

3 strategies for defeating broken office syndrome 3 strategies for defeating broken office syndrome When it comes to effective office environments, following a strict chain of command doesnt always lead to a more efficient staff. Typically, each employee in the chain of command is responsible for a particular area of the business and efficiency reigns. However, problems most often arise when there is a lack of communication and understanding between employees and chaos ensues. The secret behind a successful working environment, according to Jack Lowinger, CEO of Cartonomy, is communication, collaboration and time management. Here is how you can excel at each and defeat broken office syndrome: 1. Show equal respect and appreciation for all staff members Its important to foster a sense of purpose amongst employees, ensuring that every individual at every level feels like an integral piece of the puzzle, Lowinger said. At the same time, its just as important for each employee to have a firm understanding of their role in the company, and well as the roles of others they work with. He notes that his firm recently conducted research that revealed how office managers, an essential yet overlooked cog in the wheel of corporate culture, frequently feel underappreciated. Unnecessary demands and requests made by coworkers were a major contributor to this feeling, showing how many employees tend to take advantage of office decision-makers. 2. Pursue smarter collaboration in the office Companies with an esteemed workplace culture are those that put teamwork first. Google thrives on this approach. Their office environment is much less about establishing structure based on power and authority, and more about the ways in which teamwork and collaborative thinking is enforced. Lowinger shares, For most companies, designating and delegating tasks appropriately while planning routine meetings with your teams are just a few easy ways to encourage smarter collaboration. From the C-suite to entry-level employees, it should be a company-wide goal to always understand and anticipate what your coworkers, bosses, and clients need â€" from weekly reports to office supply orders. Collaboration ultimately drives efficiency as it avoids issues with miscommunication, allowing for better quality of work. 3. Improve time management Efficiency and collaboration revolve around having a good grasp of time management, said Lowinger. Making lists of your daily priorities and setting internal deadlines for all tasks should be a primary focus. Failing to prioritize and meet deadlines not only reflects poorly on an employees work ethic, it often hurts those around them and leads to larger issues â€" a domino effect, of sorts. To avoid this, consider tools that help teams set up, monitor, and remind each other of tasks that need to be completed. Overall, the best office environments are collaborative, efficient, and have a heavy focus on an open culture and winning mentality. How is your office environment performing for you?

Leaving Your Job What Smart Jobseekers Need to Know - Part 4 of 5 Part Series - Sterling Career Concepts

Leaving Your Job What Smart Jobseekers Need to Know - Part 4 of 5 Part Series Leaving Your Job? What Smart Jobseekers Need to Know Part 4 of 5 Part Series Well, you are almost there! You have started your job search, learned the strategies of how to conduct your job search while still employed, how to tell your supervisor you are leaving, and how write a resignation letter. Now you are ready to make that leap to the new job.   Making a Successful Job Transition Don’t neglect the details when transitioning positions. Even when you initiate your departure, there will be paperwork to complete. Remember, no one will be as invested in these benefits as you. Make sure you are aware of company procedures about the following: Exit interview. Many companies conduct a brief interview with departing employees to see if they can identify trends or areas of improvement to help them retain more employees. Health insurance benefits. You may need to take advantage of COBRA coverage to extend your health insurance benefits until you start your new position. Make sure you have this information from your company’s HR representative. 401(k) or pension rollover, or stock sellback. If you have participated in the company’s retirement program or stock purchase program, you may need to take action to secure these investments once you leave the company. The Etiquette of Departure Don’t tell your boss â€" or your coworkers â€" that you are even thinking of looking for a new position. If you can’t afford to be unemployed for any length of time, don’t give your employer a reason to let you go before you’ve had a chance to find a new position. Sometimes, even the idea that you’re seeking a new position is enough for you to jeopardize your current job. For example, your boss might not assign you to a new project because “you’re not going to be here long enough to see it through anyway.” Don’t tell your coworkers you’re leaving before you inform your boss. Even if you have a friend or confidant in the office, don’t let him or her know you are interviewing for another position, or that you’ve landed a new role. You need to tell your boss first. Don’t share â€" or dwell on â€" your reasons for seeking a new position. Don’t try to justify why you are leaving. If you are leaving to escape a toxic work environment, there’s nothing to be gained by pointing that out. It’s fine to say that you are leaving to explore new opportunities. Make a good impression all the way to the end. Remember, often, the last thing people remember about you is your last days on the job, not your first. Questions you may ask yourself: What should I be doing in my last few days and weeks on the job? What does my manager want me to be working on? Are there any major projects to complete? Will I be training my replacement? Can I document processes and procedures in enough detail so that someone else could complete the tasks? Have a conversation with your supervisor. Doing the best you can to deliver an equitable end to the job and working relationship with your boss can be the catalyst to future career successes. Ask your supervisor for a reference â€"a letter or a LinkedIn Recommendation, or both. You can also ask what information will be provided in the future when someone contacts the company for information to verify your employment, or for a reference. Some companies have a policy that they only provide dates of employment, and that all reference checks must go through the Human Resources department â€" so your supervisor may not be able to provide a reference. Don’t neglect your colleagues. Although the formal resignation letter is for your immediate supervisor, consider writing separate notes to co-workers to let them know you appreciated working with them. Take steps to keep your connections with your current (soon-to-be former) colleagues. Collect personal contact information for valued contacts and assure them their professional calls and inquiries will be welcome in the future. Connect with them on LinkedIn â€" you can further solidify your connection with them by providing a Recommendation for them on their LinkedIn profile. *** But wait, what if your current employer wants you to stay? How will you handle that request? Do you really want to stay? Next week’s final “bonus” post in this series will include very useful information should that situation arise in your job search process.