Five things all meetings can do without

Five things all meetings can do without by Amber Rolfe Unfortunately, meetings don’t always go to plan…  Although they’re a great way to keep everyone up-to-date, improve workplace communication, and essentially get things done â€" meetings aren’t always held in the most productive way. Not only could this result in wasted time, it could also mean your goals aren’t being met.We’ve already covered how to guarantee productive meetings, but to make sure you’re also clear on what you shouldn’t do, here are five things all meetings can do without:Multitasking A meeting has one purpose; and unfortunately, that doesn’t usually involve checking social media, answering emails, and working on an unrelated piece of work all at the same time.So if you tend to walk in armed with the contents of your desk, you’re probably not allowing yourself to focus effectively. How can you when you’re simultaneously filling out a spreadsheet? Even if you look up from your phone/laptop/notebook occasionally, it’s doubt ful that you’ll have any idea what’s going on.‘Budget reports. Tim from accounts. Urgent deadlines…’ â€" honestly, they lost you at budget.So stop getting distracted, and go hands-free.Not only will you be more likely to have a productive meeting, you’ll also avoid coming across rude to the rest of your team.  Gossip OK, so Sharon keeps using your mug and you can’t let it go. You’re also pretty sure she’s drinking your squash. In fact, it’s definitely her. You saw her just last week drinking blackcurrant juice and where else would she get that?We get it. You and Sharon; not BFFs. But a meeting is not the time or the place to be acting on your office feuds.Although it can seem tempting to go off topic in a meeting, it’s never going to be the most productive use of your time â€" it’s only likely to make the whole room feel uncomfortable.Instead, stay focused on the agenda, and encourage the rest of the team to do the same. Because even if you’re not the one v eering off topic, all it takes is one person to distract the whole group.  Negativity Unfortunately, some things don’t go to plan.This means that meetings are often held in order to address problems, come up with solutions, or avoid something bad from happening all together â€" whether it’s that you could miss a big client deal if you don’t adjust timeframes, or you’re afraid miscommunication is causing a project to go in an unintended direction.The point is â€" meetings are for solutions, not problems. And a negative attitude will only push everyone further away from the end goal.So before you resort to defeat or put others’ ideas down, think about how you and your team can work together to make things better.Not only could your optimism encourage others to adopt the same approach, it’ll also paint you in a good light as an employee.  Unnecessary invites Let’s face it, everyone can get a bit click-happy when it comes to meeting invites.This means that not only could y ou end up with a group of people far too big to actually be productive, you could also be wasting people’s (or you own) time. After all, it’s unlikely that everyone will even get a word in.So if you feel like you won’t be adding any value (and you could make better use of your time), there’s probably no harm in politely declining an invite â€" especially if the meeting already has a large number of attendees. And the same goes if you’re the one in charge of sending invites.That way, the group will be more likely to stick to the agenda, everyone involved will have a reason to be there, and there’ll be less chance of people getting bored.You can always catch up on notes afterwards.  Arguments A group of people don’t always agree with each other â€" meaning meetings are potential danger zones for petty arguments, defensive comebacks, or undermining comments.Unfortunately, the people involved won’t even know they’re being unprofessional until another member of the team calls them out on their behaviour (and/or bickering). This means that a conscious effort to remain calm, fair, and proficient is essential.But how? Firstly, think before you comment on a team member’s idea or statement. Negative reactions like ‘I hate that idea’ or ‘that won’t work’ will only cause them to be defensive, not to mention discourage them from making any further suggestions.Secondly, avoid pulling rank or being condescending with a colleague. Even if you’re technically more qualified than them, that doesn’t mean your opinion is always right.And if you really need to discuss further? Take it outside (of the meeting). You can always revisit the topic under better circumstances.  Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features Life At Work

Finding the Best Resume Writing Books

Finding the Best Resume Writing BooksAre you one of those searching for the best resume writing books? Though there are plenty of them available in the market, there are still many to choose from. The fact that they are being sold at a high price has also made it harder for the ordinary individuals to get hold of them.For those who have the chance, finding the best resume writing books may not be a hard thing to do. With the help of these books, you can learn how to write a great cover letter and resume. Aside from that, you can also benefit from the following things:- Find out about the different styles of resumes. You will learn about the different styles that will suit you and that will make your resume stand out among others. You will also find out how to use different styles in order to impress employers.- Use templates to write your resume. A lot of people tend to write a resume by themselves but if you are on a tight budget, you may want to look for some free templates that ca n help you get started. With this, you can save time and effort to type out the necessary information. Aside from that, you will also be able to learn more about the various components that will be included in your resume.- You can also search the internet for free samples that you can use in order to see if you can find the same thing that you would like to see. You can also use these samples for practice or for tests. You will get to see how your resume will look like once you are done with the process.- If you know how to read and how to use the computer well, you can also find a good book that will guide you. All you need to do is to search online and look for the best resume writing books. You can also check out different websites that will provide a free sample. You can even buy it on the site so that you will not have to spend anything at all.- Writing resumes is not a piece of cake. So if you want to write one, you better take the assistance of these best resume writing book s. They can be very helpful especially if you are new to this field.These books have different topics which are written in an easy way so that anyone can easily understand them. With the help of these books, you can still get to know more about the things that are required to know in order to write a great resume.

Top Traits of Great Recruiters

Top Traits of Great Recruiters What does it take to be a top third party recruiter?  Many things. There are several different  styles, and there isnt one simple rule that governs success.  Different clients will have different opinions about what type of partnership they prefer with their recruiters. Still, there is a a certain set of skills that character traits that all the best recruiters share and theyre  written into what they do every day RECRUIT! Whether youre a newbie recruiter or a seasoned one, it doesnt matter if youre doing well, its likely you possess these character traits. R for resilient Recruiters are resilient they have to be! The work of a recruiter is hard; it requires courage and being able to survive several knock-backs, knowing success is worth the battle. Great recruiters stand the test of time and dont back down in the face of danger. E for enthusiastic The best recruiters are the ones who get excited about their work and bring truck loads of enthusiasm to their client briefs and candidate needs. They keep a positive attitude and inject energy and effort into the work they do. Its contagious and means the recruiter provides a high quality of service; one thats enjoyable and memorable. C for competitive The best recruiters are competitive in a healthy way. They absolutely thrive in an environment where they must rise to the top and get ahead. They are corporate adrenalin junkies who want to come out on top, and will do anything it takes to get there. They dont take no for an answer and make things happen. R for ravenous The best recruiters are  not just hungry to do a good job, theyre ravenous for it! They dont stop until they find the perfect person for their client, and the perfect role for their candidate! The saying is being hungry for success, but great recruiters really do take this to a new level. They dont stop and constantly work to feed  a need that can never truly be satisfied! U for useful Knowledgable recruiters are huge assets to any business! They are extremely useful, providing not only candidates, but market updates and advisory services to help their client benchmark their opportunities and recruitment / hiring practices. The best recruiters are also incredibly useful for candidates, making introductions on their behalf and advising them through the recruitment process, until they land the job they want. I for intuitive Great recruiters are extremely intuitive they are able to read people and situations and navigate a desirable outcome. They follow their noses and can pick up on special cues around them. Furthermore, they trust their own judgment and back themselves. T for talkative Good recruiters love to talk and get people talking in return! Theyre great at picking up important information from conversations and are masters at striking up a good old chat with a potential business partner, candidate or client. What makes this such an important trait, is the fact that its backed up by excellent listening skills! Recruiters will benefit from being talkative if they match it with second to none listening. There are  several other traits that all great recruiters possess let us know what weve missed in the comments below!

20 Most Asked Interview Questions - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

20 Most Asked Interview Questions - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career It is important to be prepared before going to an interview. Many of the behavioral interview questions are standard questions that are asked by almost anyone. Therefore, it would be to your advantage to write down your answers and read them out loud to yourself in front of a mirror or to practice your answers with a friend before your interview. The more you get prepared, the more you can succeed and get an offer. Below are the most asked interview questions and tips for answering them. 1)  Tell me about yourself. (Read my previous blog post for answering this question.) 2)  Why do you want to work for us? 3)  What can you bring to our company? Why should we hire you? (Read my previous blog post for answering this question.) 4)  What do you know about our company? (Look at the company website before the interview.) 5)  Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your career goals? (Make a short career plan. If you are not a manager, you can say ‘I see myself in a managerial position’. If you are already a manager, you can say ‘I see myself as a director’.) 6)  Why did you choose this field/career path? (You can say ‘I am passionate about this topic.’) 7)  Can you tell me about your role in your current company? (Explain what is written on your resume in detail.) 8)  What are your strengths/weaknesses? 9)  Tell me about a time where you worked in a team? Were you a leader/coordinator/etc.? (Preferably tell about a time where you were a leader and you were successful.) 10)  Tell me about a time where you faced a challenge. What was your reaction? How did you solve it? (The number one rule of solving a challenge is to stay calm and understand the root cause.) 11)  Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of. 12)  What motivates you? (Never say money! You can tell that ‘The appreciation I get from others motivates me.’) 13)  What was your biggest failure? What did you learn from it? (I learned to be more careful, to listen to others, etc.) 14)  What was your biggest mistake? How did you fix it? (Look at Question 10.) 15)  Are you willing to relocate/travel? 16)  Do you have any hobbies? What are they? (Everyone has a hobby! Please tell at least one thing. Preferably a sport activity like swimming, running, playing basketball, etc.) 17)  What are your computer skills/technical skills? 18)  How did you hear about this position? 19)  What are your salary requirements? (Before mentioning your number, ask them their salary range for this position) 20)  Do you have any questions for me? (Definitely ask the interviewer some questions. Read my previous blog post about this topic. )

A Resume Example - What to Include

A Resume Example - What to IncludeMost employers want a resume example that is written by someone who understands the job description of their position. This is different from an example that is written by someone that has never applied for a job. This can be confusing and can result in you being passed over for someone who is truly qualified.Instead of going through all of this, try using an employment lawyer. They know exactly what kind of information is needed to write a solid resume. You will get a better idea of what is necessary when you start communicating with them. Even if you feel that you have a job that fits a particular job description, it doesn't mean that it is appropriate for all positions.It's easy to get lost in the pile of resumes. By going through them one at a time, you will see how much of a difference there is between a resume and an example. You will also get an idea of what you need to do to make yours stand out from the rest. This will save you time and mone y, which is what all employers want to avoid.One problem that many people have is getting to the bottom of their resume. It is very important that you take your time and have fun when doing this. Don't worry if you don't understand every word that is on your resume. The right training can help you become familiar with the format that is required when writing a resume.This person needs to be careful about all of the details of his or her resume. If you are a hard worker, remember that you may not be placed in a position where you can be the hardest worker. You might be happier working in an office than you would if you were going to be moving furniture.The good news is that this job is something that has not been created for everyone. You will have to show that you are capable of performing the duties involved in the job that you are applying for. This will include having an educational background that shows that you have had an opportunity to learn about the job that you are applyin g for. Having a degree is a great way to show potential employers that you understand the job description of the position that you are applying for.Speaking from experience, this is an important element to include on any resume. While it may be true that you may not have a degree, it doesn't mean that you can't do the job. No matter how new you are, you should be proud of yourself and express that to employers.The key is to get to know the person that you are going to be meeting with as a potential employer. They need to be confident that you can perform the duties that they are looking for. The more confident they are in you, the more likely they are to hire you. Your resume is one of the first things that will be evaluated by the potential employer.

LinkedIn Tip #2 Make the Right Impression With Your LinkedIn Photo - Sterling Career Concepts

LinkedIn Tip #2 Make the Right Impression With Your LinkedIn Photo LinkedIn Tip #2: Make the Right Impression With Your LinkedIn Photo It’s been said a picture is worth 1,000 words. There is no place where this is more important than on LinkedIn. Is your current profile photo giving the right impression? Are you hesitating on posting a picture? Let’s address the elephant in the room first. Yes, you have to have a photo on your LinkedIn profile! It is expected nowadays as standard procedure. Your profile without a picture may raise suspicions or look off-putting, less friendly, less approachable. Here are four tips to selecting the right photo for your LinkedIn profile: 1. The photo is appropriate for a business profile (not a glamour shot or a cropped family vacation photo). 2. Your face is clearly recognizable (in focus, close up, looking at camera). 3. Any props used are relevant to your personal brand (i.e., a book for an author, lab coat for a research scientist). 4. The  photo is high resolution (sharp, clear). This photo is the first thing a recruiter, hiring manager, or contact will see when they view your profile. You want to appear professional, confident, and friendly. You may not get a second chance to capture the attention of a visitor to your LinkedIn profile if you don’t have a photo. Check back next week for LinkedIn Tips on how you tell your story with your LinkedIn Summary.

Getting Flexible with Time is the Secret to Employee Retention - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Getting Flexible with Time is the Secret to Employee Retention Travelling from home to office for work is rapidly getting outdated. Newer technologies are being introduced which greatly favour working from home and travelling looks like an impractical option. In todays hectic lifestyle, travelling a distance of few kilometers daily can put a huge strain on employees.It is also one of the reasons why employee turnover takes place and can cause serious damage to the companies that face it rather frequently. There is no denying the fact that employees move on to greener pastures where they are offered flexible work hours and work from home options. It is a major expenditure for companies as they have to not only recruit to replace the valued staff member but also train them which can take anywhere from six months to one year before the new recruit can adjust himself/herself to the new work environment. Companies cannot handle this kind of wastage of money, time, and resources. Hence offering a work from home option can bring in a lot of advantages to the company as well as the employee. For one the company has already provided one plus point that is flexible work hour, which can retain several valuable employees. However, the companies might be concerned about lack of visibility and risk of time theft in such arrangements.There are a number of amazing software which can help employers keep a track on their remote team. To know more about it you can refer to the detailed infographic by McGowan Transcriptions. It will give you a great insight to how many people prefer working from home, all the great advantages that providing flexible work hours can bring to the company as well as employees. It also talks about some of the top software that companies can use to implement work from home options successfully.