Tuesday, March 29, 2016

"Show off skill set"/ "Learn to communicate like a professional"

Dec. 26, 2015 "Show off skill set": I cut out this article by Erin Millar in 24 News on Jun. 6, 2011.  I can't find it on the internet so I will have to type it up:

1. Find jobs that aren't listed: It's about networking and telling everybody you know that you are looking for a job.  You have to be "connected to people who have inside knowledge of opportunities specific to their field."

2. Spruce up the resume: Lots of people have degrees, so it's not going to stand out.

3. Expand the search: There are a lot of political science degrees and not a lot of political scientists.  "Social science is more valuable than people think.  Employers are looking for people with social skills who can communicate," says Eric Dickson, poli-sci graduate at Brock University.

"Employers are looking for employers who are intelligent and trainable- and that's what a degree says."

"Learn to communicate like a professional": I cut out this article by Linda White in 24 News on Jun. 6, 2011:


E-mail represents 85 to 90% of business communication but unless we apply the rules of common courtesy and follow proper business communication etiquette, our relationships with colleagues and clients will suffer, a communications expert warns. “Creating a high value relationship—which is the etiquette of the communication — ends up being difficult, ”says Natalie Manor, CEO of Natalie Manor & Associates (www.nataliemanor.com).

More powerful, respectful and conscious business communication, on the other hand, will open the door to increased profits, confidence, knowledge, respect and will improve your efficiency, advises Manor, an executive business coach and business development consultant based in Tennessee. But many people don’t realize they need to improve their business communication etiquette until they land in hot water.  Effective e-mails should set the context of why the e-mail is important and the kind of information you want to deliver. Be brief and informational, and answer all questions asked. Timely responses are also important. 

Proofread before hitting the “reply” or “send” button.  Being busy is no excuse for not responding to people you’re doing or want to do business with; those who can refer you to business or were referred by someone. “We respond by rank of what we think is important,” Manor says.

“Many people make up their own rules if their company doesn’t have guidelines and policies around how to deal with and store e-mail.” The sender should establish accountability in an e-mail. “Let someone know when you’d like to hear from them; then you can follow up if necessary,” Manor says.  “You can put it in your subject line. The idea of business communication etiquette is to help people communicate well, accurately and in a timeframe that works for you and for them.”

When setting a time frame, be respectful of the other person.“  People operate in their own talents and strengths,” Manor says.“  Giving them time to be brilliant and accurate helps create a high value relationship that builds trust, respect and ensures you’re getting good information.”

Text or e-mail? Wondering if it’s appropriate to text rather than e-mail? That all depends on the purpose of your communication. “E-mails are a flow of information to help us be clear and create process.  Texting is sharing immediate information such as, ‘Going to be late’ and ‘Do you want me to bring the contract?’” Manor says.

“I think you need to have a relationship with a colleague before you begin texting.  E-mail replaces a physical letter that is stored in a file. Texting doesn’t have that place.”


"Getting prepared for the job hunt": I cut out this article by Jessica Calleja in the Job Postings magazine on Fall 2007.

Stephen McDonnel, Senior Advisor, Diversity and Workplace Equity for BMO Financial Group has tips:

-Keep a journal of accomplishments, life lessons, key contacts.

-Get a mentor "who can support you in expanding your perspectives and your knowledge of self."

-Stay knowledgeable about the job market: "Research is critical for your success."

- Get feedback from people who know you: "What is readily apparent to other people about our giftedness is not always so apparent to ourselves. (I put that in my inspirational quotes.)

-Use the language in job posting and put it into your resume

-Resumes should be max 2 pages.

-Most companies put resumes into a database and it doesn't use paper.  It doesn't matter about stationary.

Here's the whole article, go to page 13:


Dec. 27 "Where in the world is your career going to take you?": I cut out this article by Tania Desa (Talent Egg) in the Metro on Feb. 5, 2014.  It's about working in an exciting and foreign city.

I couldn't find the article, but I did find this website:


Here are the tips:

1. The dreaming phase: "Crafting a vivid picture of where you want to be working and how you want to be living will give you a stronger sense of direction, inspire momentum and ignite action."

What intrigues you most about living and working abroad?

How could the experience enhance my skills and marketability?

What types of people do I love to be around?  In which industry can I find these people?

What type of work do I get energized about?  In what roles would I find this work?

After work, what do I want to do to have fun and relax?

Observe the trends in your thoughts and desires.  If you like to have a fun going out to night clubs, then going to a small town in Alaska is not a good fit. 

2. The researching phase:

Work visas and permit: There is paperwork.  You may have to approach companies to sponsor your work visa.

Cost of living and your budget: Determine cost of living and the costs in your dream destination.

Local language.

My opinion: I was reading the business section of the newspaper and how Calgary is not going very well because oil is so cheap.  If I move to Calgary, it's going to be like Edmonton.


"The personality picks the profession": I cut out this article by Lakshmi Gandi in the Metro on Jun. 16, 2014:

On the surface, the advice that young people should select careers that fit their personalities seems obvious, but a quick look at the stats reveals that it’s anything but.

A survey released last year by Gallup revealed that nearly two-thirds of employees from over 180 countries reported that they were “not engaged” at work and that a mere 13 percent of employees currently feel passionate about their work.

None of the figures are surprising to Paul Tieger. For over 30 years, the question of how people can find the right career path for themselves has fascinated Tieger and driven his own career and work. Along with Barbara Barron and his millennial-aged daughter Kelly Tieger, the author has just released the fifth edition of the book “Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type,” which is geared towards the current generation of professionals.

“When you are doing something that is not about who you are, that’s a prescription for burnout,” says Tieger.

“We believe through lots of experience that the most important thing is to pick a job and career that matches your personality,” he continues. “Values, interests and skills are likely to change over time, but personality will not.”

To that end, the book provides detailed exercises and examples to help guide readers towards the perfect career for them. Both Paul and Kelly Tieger say that it’s particularly important for younger professionals-- the so-called millennial generation-- to be aware of their personalities and unique needs when deciding what to do next in their professional lives. They share these tips on how to find what’s right for you:

Ignore the ‘trendy jobs’


“It’s a difficult economy, so it can be hard to buck the trend,” notes Kelly Tieger. But while considering the current so-called trendy jobs, it’s also important to be realistic. “Think of the typical artistic type,” says Paul Tieger. “Those people really need to be true to themselves. The key is understanding what your strengths are.”

He notes that people who know that they would stress out in environments with tight deadlines, should gravitate towards fields where they can give themselves the time and space they need.

See if you can make a lateral move


If you are certain that your current department or environment isn’t working for you, see if you can make a lateral move within your organization, advises Kelly Tieger. Applying for a different position may not make a difference in your salary, but it will greatly enhance your quality of life.

Start Early


If possible, the Tiegers say that you should examine fields that suit your personality as early as college. “Most people are asked to pick a college major when they are 19,” says Paul Tieger. “And most people don’t have a clue at that age. But you’re probably not going to get someone who is philosophical and artsy to go on Wall Street."

Know Yourself


The more you know your personality, the better say the Tiegers. Career changers who want to discover their exact personality type and profile can take a quiz at personalitytype.com/dowhatyouare.

And don’t fret. “Just because you are creative doesn’t mean that you are doomed to never make money,” says Kelly Tieger. It just means that they creatively have to find the right path for them.


My opinion: I was thinking about the "lateral move" part.  I have worked in other departments at my job.  Sometimes I do like other departments more.

I have thought about working in retail.  I would rather work in restaurants.  If the pay is the same, I would choose to work in restaurants.

I really like this article, and took the personality type quiz.  It reminds me of the days when I read those teen magazines and there were quizzes.  I'm sure some of you guys are laughing at this part.  I got this result:

Personality Type:

The Key to Your Career Satisfaction and Success

The key to finding the most satisfying career lies in understanding your Personality Type. Why? Because work that is in sync with your “Type” lets use your greatest natural, inborn talents, which energizes you and helps you enjoy your work.

Here are just five “Career Satifiers” for people of your type. When they review this list, most INTJs feel: “Wow! How great would it be if I could have these things in my job?!”

The good news is…you absolutely can! Start right now by identifying your top career satisfiers. This can help you find a career which will bring you the greatest satisfaction and success.

INTJ

Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judgers

A satisfying career for you involves work that:
  • Lets you create and develop innovative solutions to problems
  • Lets you work with others whom you respect
  • Allows you to work independently and do things your way
  • Reflects and meets your very high standards
  • Provides you with a lot of control and autonomy


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