Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom How to Become a Better Project Manager

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom How to Become a Better Project Manager Upcoming demographic shifts mean that the majority of people in the workforce will soon be those who grew up using social tools to communicate and engage with each other. As a result of their input, a new collaborative workplace is emerging, transforming the way work is done and the employee skills that are required. Jacob Morgan, co-founder of Chess Media Group, Forbes.com contributor and “future of work” authority, has discussed how employees need to adapt in order to be successful in this new collaborative environment. One aspect of that change is “Everyone must develop some basic project management skills.” Here are some other ways the non-professional Project Manager can become a better manager of projects. Be Mr. or Ms. Fix It Just because your title doesn’t involve the phrase “project manager” doesn’t mean you can’t become one. If you see something that’s broken, take the initiative to fix it. Develop a realistic plan to solve your team’s most pressing problems and gather influential people and internal resources around you to make things happen. Most people cannot resist someone with enthusiasm and your positive energy will snowball. Understand What the Project Is This one sounds obvious, but the best PMs have a solid handle on why they are doing a project, who they are doing the project for, the resources that will be required, and the timeline from initiation to completion. They push back if senior leadership establishes a deadline that is unrealistic and doesn’t allow for the inevitable unforeseen delays, and before proceeding, they make sure that everyone involved is on the same page regarding the business rationale, budget, and success metrics. For more ideas, have a look at the full post at Intuits Fast Track blog.

Resume or Cover Letter? Which Should You Use?

Resume or Cover Letter? Which Should You Use?One question that comes up from time to time is, 'Should I do a resume?' In this article I will give you my take on this subject. Of course, everyone is different and what I say here may be completely different than yours. What you should know is that when it comes to a resume there are two basic types: the resume that has an introduction of yourself, followed by your job history and education information, and the resume that does not.The first type of resume is called the resume that has an introduction of yourself followed by your job history and education information. This kind of resume is the one that I personally would recommend to people. It's short, sweet, and to the point. But, the downside is that it isn't really 'personal' since you're giving too much information. So, if you like to keep things simple, go with a resume that doesn't have an introduction of yourself.The second type of resume is called the resume that does not have an introduction of yourself. This is often the best one for someone who wants to have a little more personal flair. It still gives you enough information to make a nice first impression, but you can allow yourself to get caught up in the details.When it comes to resumes, the first step is to get together all of your information. You need to write down your educational information, your past job experience, and your objective. You also need to get together with your previous experiences. Put your goals in the 'to do' section and go over your objectives in the 'to achieve' section.Now comes the fun part... Write down your details. The way to go about doing this is to put every detail you can think of on a separate sheet of paper. Once you have finished writing out everything you can think of, then write your ideas down and organize them into a new resume. Make sure you do not fill it out more than once, as you could wind up with many redundant details.If you want to add a little pers onal touch to your resume, then create a cover letter. You can either use a pen and paper or you can use the type of software that you can buy that will type your resume automatically.By using both a resume and a cover letter, you are sure to have a very professional looking resume. These two resumes can help you get your foot in the door as an employee. So, go ahead and go out and create a resume!

So You Want to Start Your Own Business

So You Want to Start Your Own Business Historically, rates of female entrepreneurship have always lagged behind those of men. As society develops, a long overdue mindset of openness has gained popularity. In turn, there has been a dramatic increase in women’s entrepreneurship in the last few years. In the United States, not only do women own 11.3 million businesses, it is estimated that 36 percent of all businesses are owned by women, an increase of 6 percent from 2007. Many women are choosing entrepreneurship as a way to build a work environment that moves away from the old boys club. Even though there is a lot of work to be done to even the playing field for both women and men, entrepreneurship is a great start to this end. Here we discuss how women can effectively start a business and succeed as entrepreneurs.   Are you ready to start your own business? Step 1: Determine Your Business Idea What Can You Offer? The first step is to think about what skills, products or services you have to offer. Based on this, you can identify a business idea, that will be the main focus of your business venture. In order for any business to succeed, it must fill a gap in the market. What this means is that your business idea must solve a current problem or fulfil a need. There are many ways to go about determining these gaps in the market â€" market research, focus groups, using big data analyses and simply trial and error can provide very valuable insight. Once you have settled on a viable business idea, you might find that you need to develop certain skills to ensure your idea comes to fruition. Perhaps going to trade school, taking up a certificate course, or even spending some time honing necessary skills through free online programs would be beneficial. Before starting a business, you must familiarize yourself with the nuances of management, including everything from knowing about manufacturing processes, legal procedures, sales and marketing techniques, and financial management. Who is Your Target Demographic? Knowing your audience is the first step to knowing how to best tailor your business idea. For example, your entire business plan and subsequent channels of distribution would change depending on whether your target audience shops online or prefers an in-store experience. Once you have identified your target demographic, you can start gathering information using traditional market research, big data analyses, or sending out surveys with incentives. Social media is another great way to find information about your audience. Your methods for gathering information will depend upon your business idea and what you plan to achieve. Some general questions to ask about a buyer include: what type of company they work for and their role in the company, their age, their educational background, their family status, career goals they might have, challenges they face, their everyday hobbies, and many more. Step 2: Plan Your Funding Funding is often one of the biggest hurdles to overcome when you are starting a business â€" but with the right planning and resources, it doesn’t have to be. In a previous article about funding a startup, I drew upon the example of Vicki Mayo, co-founder of TouchPoint Solution, a wearable technology that reduces stress response. Mayo’s journey started with finding a co-founder with similar values and complementary skills at Project Entrepreneur. Even with a co-founder, Mayo found that having a large network of support was beneficial as an entrepreneur. She gained this and more through Project Entrepreneur. Even though Mayo went to the summit with a particular goal of learning about rebranding, she returned with much more knowledge and a large network. Mayo’s example teaches us that more often than not, entrepreneurship as a whole is always better together. In a similar vein, rather than tackling finances and funding alone, turning to the crowd is a viable and effective alternative. With the internet connecting people from all over the world, the entire globe can literally become fair game to target for the funding of your business. Crowdfunding is especially beneficial for women entrepreneurs. In fact, studies at UAB show that “Companies with a female executive are worth 64 percent more at first funding and 49 percent more at last funding than their all-male counterparts.” Other ways to fund your business include asking for money from able family members, relatives and friends, or taking a bank loan. A bank loan requires a lot of prior preparation, and a substantial amount of paperwork, so its best to consult with someone who understands the nuances of finance before taking one. Step 3: Execution The most hands-on part of starting a business is putting your plan into action. Business Location To begin with, figure out where your business location will be. Will you be working from home, from a shared or private space, or a retail location? Whatever the case may be, you will first need to set up your office. Your location should be based on your business idea and target audience, and subsequently the equipment and supplies you need will depend upon the location you choose. Hiring Employees Secondly, if you intend to hire employees, it is a good idea to do so before your business launches. You will want to write job descriptions and detail responsibilities for positions that are open and spread the word that you are hiring. Alternatively, you could outsource your work â€" but be sure to have the right paperwork in place to do so. Even if you are one-woman show, you will need some help while starting out. Be it a mentor, business advisor, or even friends with experience, make sure you have your informal team set up and ready to go. Promotion You’ll want to have a basic marketing strategy in place to promote your business before it launches. The initial stages of a business comprise of many constantly changing parts, and you’ll need to be flexible enough to keep up with the dynamism a new business brings. Obviously, your promotion strategy will need to be tailored in accordance with your progress and findings, but a loosely defined strategy is necessary to get the ball rolling in terms of marketing. There is no lack of marketing ideas for startups, and as you launch your business, you will be able to determine what the most effective way of promoting it is. Should you start your own business? Even though starting your own business is no easy feat, being an entrepreneur is extremely rewarding. Remember that succeeding takes time; so be willing to put in the time and effort to see your dreams turn into reality. This guest post was authored by Brooke Faulkner

How joining a society can help your career

How joining a society can help your career We’ve all seen those LinkedIn profiles where people are part of dozens of societies, clubs and organisations during their time at university. During my three years (so far!) of studying, I have always been hesitant to join societies. Would I be able to balance my passion for a particular society with my university work? Would I be able to fully commit to the needs of the society? Will my work be to the standard I want it to be if I have other activities taking up my time? When speaking to some other finalist students and reflecting on our time at Warwick, many regretted not being more involved in societies. I was fortunate to be part of the exec committee for The Boar student newspaper  this year, and have felt that it has not only been a fun activity to be a part of, but also has helped me invaluably in my search for a career path. Expanding your skillset In the case of societies that focus on publications or media (such as The Boar, and Warwicks  RAW radio station), there are vast opportunities to develop skill-sets that you might not be able to get otherwise. In the case of The Boar, we were able to develop knowledge of InDesign publishing software through workshops and on-the-job training for print issues. This massively helped me when conducting a recent set of interviews, as I was able to show a portfolio of the different print issues I had helped create, providing evidence of the skills I had gained. At the same time, by being part of a society you are automatically demonstrating your ability to collaborate with others, balance your time efficiently and prove your passion for an idea or topic. Even writing an article or attending a few socials is enough to prove your ability to balance your external passions with your work! Developing a network As part of a society, you are able to expand your network to beyond those who you would typically meet at university. In some societies, this also allows you to meet with some society alumni (be it at a circle, in Skool Dayz or at a networking event!). This is extremely insightful, as it allows you to learn more about different career options that could suit your interests. Often, people can provide you with careers advice, or even connections who could help you achieve your goals. In particular, when looking at expanding your network beyond university, it can be much easier to connect with people when you have something in common. When I  added my experience at The Boar to my LinkedIn profile, I was soon approached by different people who were previously part of the society, or had incredible journalism connections. Simply gaining experience from these people can allow you to gain a unique insight into potential career paths, with support from people who have expertise in the fields that interest you. Gaining recognition for your work As part of different societies, you also have the opportunity to be recognised for the extensive extra-curricular work you are part of. Be it as a society or as an individual, you can gain recognition for your contributions! Not only is this incredibly rewarding, but it will allow you to showcase some of your extra skills that go beyond your academic work. This recognition can be extremely useful when describing your achievements at interviews, or when making new connections. With so many recruiters and employers directly approaching students through social networking sites and by chance, these achievements can be a fantastic way to gain recognition beyond your university community. Overall, with so many interesting societies at Warwick, there are so many opportunities for you to find something that you enjoy you can also use these to enhance your CV. Even though it can seem daunting at first, the connections you can make through the society could lead to lifelong friendships, and quite possibly even a career!

Writing a Senior Resume - Learn How to Make it Yourself

Writing a Senior Resume - Learn How to Make it YourselfWriting a senior resume is very important for seniors looking to find jobs. Senior resume writing can make or break the chances of getting the job interview. Without a good resume, there is a good chance that you will have no place in the world of employment.Senior professionals know how important their CV is. This is because their CV is used as a basis for a list of companies they would like to get a job in.The CV is the best way for the company to see what the person has done throughout his working career. It gives you the opportunity to show all your skills and achievements.While writing a CV, the personal details and the skills are put into the proper perspective. The CV should be completed in the way in which it is required by the company. To make sure that the CV is written correctly, it is advisable to hire the services of a professional CV writer.Senior professionals know how important it is to write a good CV. They are a lso aware of the importance of writing a great CV. For this, they will go through a lot of writing samples and sample CV contents, which can be of great help to them in the process of writing a senior CV.The CV is meant to impress the employers on your first meeting. This is so because when a new recruit comes into the workplace, the first thing that they would want to see is the CV of someone who is hired earlier. Thus, it is important that you will impress upon them the great things that you can do.There are many questions which you will be asked when you are looking for a good senior career. These are, how long you have been in your current position, what are your best qualities, and how do you intend to boost your CV.If you write a good senior career, you will surely have a great career ahead of you. This is because writing a senior resume is a simple process that takes only a few minutes of your time, if you follow the expert advice of professionals.

How To Properly Answer The Most Dreaded Job Interview Question Ever - CareerMetis.com

How To Properly Answer The Most Dreaded Job Interview Question Ever “Tell me about yourself.”This four-word question can be paralyzing especially if you’re a fresh graduate seeking to land your first job.After all, your response to this nerve-racking sets the tone for the rest of the interview and creates the first A lot of questions are going through your mind. And when you failed to prepare, it’s easy to mess things up, blab vague, irrelevant answers, sprinkle your statements with filler words, and demonstrate bothersome nervous mannerisms.So here’s a little tip: The interviewer wants to know how your character and experiences are relevant to the job you’re being interviewed for.Simple.In a nutshell, this intriguing question gives you the opportunity to convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit for the role and you are on the same page.If you are currently preparing for an upcoming job interview, here are five significant steps to keep in mind.Step 1: Study the company profile and job descriptionChances are you saw the company†™s job hiring online so take the time to study the job description to figure out exactly what personalities they are looking for.evalIn addition, learn more about the company you’re applying for, their history and their culture.Step 2: Define who you are and what you doNext, to studying the job description, see how fit you are for the role given your abilities and professional background. You don’t have to recap your professional experiences year by year. Just give a snapshot of your work history.Highlight about three to five previous experiences as well as three to five strengths If you haven’t had any work history, assess your education background and internship and list down the experiences, knowledge, and accomplishments you gained which are pertinent to the job at hand.Step 3: Write a scriptDo tell a story; a professional work story that is clear, concise, and compelling.You have all the relevant data about the experiences and skills you have acquired. You just have to te ll your story in chronological order and detail them in an engaging and organized fashion.Start with a condensed version of your career history. Include something meaningful from your career trajectory that the employer cannot find from your resume. Then, give a brief summary of a specific accomplishment to capture the interest of the interviewers.Next, in just a few sentences, let the employer know what you understand about the role.Psychologically, you are giving the notion that you’re not only aware of your own abilities and achievements but you also acknowledge the company’s needs and expectations. With this, you establish a connection with the employer.Lastly, convince the employer that you’re the best candidate for this role. You can also conclude a few examples of what you hope to accomplish next in your career which might also be aligned with the goal of the company.Tips: Keep your script brief. Every detail mentioned should be significant. Take out filler words, redun dant phrases, and too many adjectives.Make it sound seamless by using short transitional words when you jump from one work experience to another.Your story should be achievement-oriented but keep it professional. Never speak in a boastful, demeaning manner. Ground everything you say on the goal of demonstrating competence.Unless it’s asked, don’t tell about your personal information, like your favorite sports or the number of pet dogs you own.Step 4: Mind the timeHow long do you plan to approach your response?evalThere has been a debate among career coaches about this. Some people suggest that taking 3-4 minutes to answer this question is fine. Some people think that the duration is too long and you should limit it to 60 to 90 seconds.One said that long durations tend to kill the interest of the interviewer and you should limit your answer to 15 to 30 seconds.Personally, I believe 3-4 minutes would set up the interview for success but there are certain stipulations. If you provi de an effective, comprehensive, and engaging response up-front, three minutes will not feel “too long and boring” from the listener’s POV.As a matter of fact, the duration also has the potential to demonstrate preparedness and the ability to structure an answer and to speak in a clear and articulate manner. Oftentimes, having less follow-up questions from the interviewer can be a good sign.Step 5: Practice your deliveryPractice with your script until you are confident about the things you want to highlight in your statement. Another reminder is the script should only be your guide.evalYou shouldn’t memorize the script, or your response might sound either too robotic or too theatrical.Next to rehearsing your script, you should also consider the non-verbal cues that may make or break the deal. It’s always important to maintain eye contact.Watch your nervous mannerisms such as slouching postures, crossing and uncrossing your legs, playing with your clothes and hair, biting yo ur nails, scratching your head, and unconsciously shaking your legs when sitting.You should also never put your hand or elbow on the interviewer’s desk.

Quality The Devil Is In The Detail

Quality The Devil Is In The Detail Business owners live in a world of details, from data metrics to market fluctuations. They know too well that every minute difference could lead to devastating consequences. Consequently, the evaluation of their business performance occurs at a micro level. Similarly, when it comes to judging the quality of the product the company makes and uses, details are precisely what can make the difference between success and failure. However product details, or more exactly the details that matter about each product or service, vary a lot from an industry sector to another. In other words, while the devil is in the detail when it comes to quality product, it’s fair to say that the devil changes shape and adjust to each industry. Entrepreneurs, keep your eyes open! Why all business interactions point toward quality The most simplistic definition of a business is an entity that generates commercial transactions through strategic interactions with its market. Quality is the underlying rule of each of these interactions. Addressing the appropriate audience is a decisive step in meeting the expectations of the end users. This along with brand consistency and customer experience define the major factors of business interactions. But all interactions are worthless is the product a business use or sell doesn’t satisfy the quality tests. These quality tests are detail-driven in each business sector. Testing for product quality in industrial environments As contradictory as it might sound, entrepreneurs need to go down to a microscopic level to measure the quality of the supersized machinery they rely on. Indeed, damages to the materials that are invisible to the naked eye need to be spotted in a non-invasive manner to allow industrial companies to proceed to the suitable modifications and reparations in due time. Similar to using a microscope, industrial businesses rely on a technology that lets them zoom onto the details, industrial ultrasonic imaging. The advantage of relying on an imaging system is that structural lesions in the material of large machinery can be documented, meaning the business only pays to change parts when it is required. Testing for product quality in the creative industry The creative sector is diverse and challenging to qualify. That’s precisely why the British Council has been tasked to create a map of the creative industries, in order to define for each of them the factors of quality. Indeed, as not all creative businesses deliver a quantifiable product, it is necessary to rely on a variety of metrics, such as brand perception, profits made by the creative business and viral potential to measure the quality of each offer. Testing for product quality in the hospitality industry The hospitality sector, thankfully, relies on a known and public rating of quality, namely its hygiene rating. For the catering industry, the ratings inform the customers about the way the food is stored, prepared and plated. Hotels also have hygiene standards regarding the cleanliness of the room, which are determining factors in receiving hospitality stars. The hospitality sector, however, receives a public quality rating that needs by law to be shared with customers. In conclusion, quality comes in a variety of shapes, and the quality controls of your products, whether for industrial use or for public consumption need to focus on different details. Nevertheless, one thing remains constant for all sectors. Quality is only defined as a business micro level.

Career Transition Challenge 1 Financial Stability During Transition - Hallie Crawford

Career Transition Challenge 1 Financial Stability During Transition In many ways, our emotional and mental health is tied to our financial well-being. Does this ring true for you? The need to remain financially stable so you can pay your bills and maintain your lifestyle is vitally important to everyone. And, it can be a challenge that singles feel more acutely than those who have someone to lean on financially. Depending on an individual’s financial situation, this is a considerable challenge for both men and women. During a career transition, you may have to cut back in some places where you’re used to spending and, instead, invest time, money, and energy in other areas you may not feel comfortable with just yet. This cutting back may not sound like fun at first (it didn’t to me!) and it may feel unfamiliar. Just trust that any sacrifices you make to have a career you love are going to be well worth it in the end. I’m speaking not only from my own experience, but from my experience with clients who have succeeded in their career transitions using the same tips and methods you’ll be applying to your own. To help you remain financially stable during your transition, start by making small sacrifices one at a time. This way you’ll become more comfortable with financial adjustments over time. I don’t recommend slashing your spending drastically, doing so could cause a sense of deprivation which will make you unhappy. Too many large cuts too fast will not help. Your energy level and attitude are going to suffer, and you’ll have more trouble remaining positive and focused. Instead, start small and choose sacrifices you can live with, knowing you don’t have to give these things up  permanently. Commit to something small, like eating at home every night during the week to save money you might otherwise spend dining out. And while you’re doing this, keep in mind that you are not giving this up forever. You will be able to eat out as often as you like once you’ve made your transition. Believe me, once you get a better handle on your finances the rest will fall into place more easily. Even the smallest sacrifice, such as the example of eating at home more, empowers you because you can measure the results right away in the money you saveâ€"savings you can put toward your transition. You can and will get through it. Discover the Essential Components to a Satisfying Career Today Want free tips, tools and expert advice on finding a career youre passionate about? Visit the certified career coaches at HallieCrawford.com, and sign up for their monthly career newsletter, right now. Bookmark their career blog for recommendations on resume writers, online career tests and more career resources. Schedule a free consult with HallieCrawford.com today