What Will 2015 Hold For You 2015 Theme The Year of the Cookie

What Will 2015 Hold For You 2015 Theme The Year of the Cookie December was really interesting we had a lot more signups and upgrades than what we normally saw in the last few Decembers.  I can tell that people are getting more serious about their personal career management. I invite you to make 2015 a very purposeful year for personal and professional satisfaction.  This means that instead of letting things just happen to and around you, you empower yourself. In a recent post on this blog, and an article on LinkedIn, I said that if you are working with a boss who drives you crazy (or, is an idiot), you could: Be Prepared.    The old Boy Scout motto is splendid.  Let’s say that you are unprepared to get laid off today.  If so, you are probably afraid of getting laid off, losing the paycheck, etc.  Where would you go??  However, let’s say you are prepared… and you get laid off.  You might be thankful that you got laid off!  Sure, you lost your job, but you are prepared (strong network, established brand, etc.).  If you want to change how you feel about being in a crummy situation, work on  career management, which can give you a glimmer of hope, and help you feel less trapped. On LinkedIn, Pamela left this comment (see her comment on this page): Yes! Thats what I did recently and have done several times over the long years of my career. When in a dysfunctional relationship/organization, one can become very demoralized. Its important to review ones achievements, goals, skills and desires. When I remind myself of what I have to offer, it makes it easier for me to do the work of finding other opportunities. The more I explore, the more empowered I become. Leaving is always hard, but when I am moving towards my goals, I am re-invigorated. Pamela is doing on-purpose career management! When you do on-purpose career management, the power shifts.  If you are at the will and mercy of your company (which can happen if they pay you enough, or have excellent benefits, or have somehow scared you into not leaving), they have the power. When you do career-management things, you shift the power from the company to yourself.  A popular term I like to think of to make this more visual is who has the cookie?  When your employer has the power, or the cookie, you are subject to them. Lets make 2015 the year when we take the cookie back. This is the year when we develop more, and deeper relationships. This is the year when we really work on our personal brand.  Maybe we start a blog, or write a post on LinkedIn, or leave a comment on a discussion in a group you are in. This is the year you really get into JibberJobber to manage and nurture relationships.  More than just gathering names, numbers and email addresses, lets really focus on the relationships. This is the year that we take the cookie back! What Will 2015 Hold For You 2015 Theme The Year of the Cookie December was really interesting we had a lot more signups and upgrades than what we normally saw in the last few Decembers.  I can tell that people are getting more serious about their personal career management. I invite you to make 2015 a very purposeful year for personal and professional satisfaction.  This means that instead of letting things just happen to and around you, you empower yourself. In a recent post on this blog, and an article on LinkedIn, I said that if you are working with a boss who drives you crazy (or, is an idiot), you could: Be Prepared.    The old Boy Scout motto is splendid.  Let’s say that you are unprepared to get laid off today.  If so, you are probably afraid of getting laid off, losing the paycheck, etc.  Where would you go??  However, let’s say you are prepared… and you get laid off.  You might be thankful that you got laid off!  Sure, you lost your job, but you are prepared (strong network, established brand, etc.).  If you want to change how you feel about being in a crummy situation, work on  career management, which can give you a glimmer of hope, and help you feel less trapped. On LinkedIn, Pamela left this comment (see her comment on this page): Yes! Thats what I did recently and have done several times over the long years of my career. When in a dysfunctional relationship/organization, one can become very demoralized. Its important to review ones achievements, goals, skills and desires. When I remind myself of what I have to offer, it makes it easier for me to do the work of finding other opportunities. The more I explore, the more empowered I become. Leaving is always hard, but when I am moving towards my goals, I am re-invigorated. Pamela is doing on-purpose career management! When you do on-purpose career management, the power shifts.  If you are at the will and mercy of your company (which can happen if they pay you enough, or have excellent benefits, or have somehow scared you into not leaving), they have the power. When you do career-management things, you shift the power from the company to yourself.  A popular term I like to think of to make this more visual is who has the cookie?  When your employer has the power, or the cookie, you are subject to them. Lets make 2015 the year when we take the cookie back. This is the year when we develop more, and deeper relationships. This is the year when we really work on our personal brand.  Maybe we start a blog, or write a post on LinkedIn, or leave a comment on a discussion in a group you are in. This is the year you really get into JibberJobber to manage and nurture relationships.  More than just gathering names, numbers and email addresses, lets really focus on the relationships. This is the year that we take the cookie back!

Why Rigid Workplace Culture Holds Back Employees

Why Rigid Workplace Culture Holds Back Employees More than half of UK workers feel that both the structure and culture of their workplaces are holding them back from doing their job more effectively (55% and 53% respectively), with 53% warning they will consider moving jobs unless their organisation changes. That’s according to recent research from ILM which identified a clear mismatch between employees’ desire for independence and flexibility, and the reality of their current working environments. Almost three quarters (74%) of UK employees say they would like more freedom at work, with more than a third (34%) saying they work in a regulated and controlled structure. When asked how they’d like to change their company culture, the top answer was more freedom and flexibility (35%) followed by more innovation and creativity (32%). John Yates, Group Director at ILM: Rigid structures, siloed working and overly complex hierarchies are things of the workplace past. People today want to work at flexible, fun and friendly organisations â€" and those who can deliver on that always have an edge in recruitment. Organisations need to be flexible, allowing employees to pursue career ambitions and manage conflicting home life pressures as much as possible, and encourage creativity â€" injecting passion and new ideas into the workplace. As well as wanting more autonomy, today’s workers are looking for more input in the business. Two thirds (66%) of UK employees want to have a greater say in the business and 64% are seeking a better understanding of where they fit in. Just a quarter (24%) say that their managers definitely foster collaboration. Michael Moran, CEO at 10Eighty: There is a new paradigm at work here. Previously we designed the job and then applied the employee to it. Today knowledge workers are looking for the job to design around their needs. It is increasingly important for employers to understand what is important, what motivates and what it is the employee likes doing and then design the job around those three things.   The end product is a highly engaged, loyal and productive employee. Diarmuid Russell, Head of International at  Glassdoor: Employee engagement is crucial to attract and retain the best people. Increasingly, employers are expected to engage with employees in a public forum and in an authentic manner. People today expect their opinions to be heard to be able to make a difference. Listening and engaging really makes a difference. Nearly two-thirds of Glassdoor users say their perception of a company improves when employers respond to reviews. Plus, three-quarters of Glassdoor users are more likely to apply to a job if the employer actively manages its employer brand by responding to reviews, and sharing updates on the culture and work environment. Media agency OMD UK is one business putting this into practice, with schemes including The Minerva House Employee Council â€" a group of employees from all levels and disciplines that provides feedback to the Board on how to make the business bigger and better. The OMD Board Academy even helps the junior team to deliver training and development. Kate Herbert: Head of People at OMD UK: People are at the heart of our business, so it’s important for us to develop their skills and careers at every level. We make sure that people across the organisation are working in a culture where their voice is heard, empowering them to be leaders in their own right. It’s a two-way relationship and we want to create the kind of company that people want to work with. Previous data released from this research identified a ‘leadership lag’, calling on businesses to shift the focus of leadership from the top of their organisation to instead develop leaders at all levels and ensure the UK remains economically competitive.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Research Proves Your Reputation Matters with New Colleagues

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Research Proves Your Reputation Matters with New Colleagues If your grandmother always told you that your reputation matters a great deal in this world, she wasn't just offering some old-fashioned advice that doesn't matter anymore. According to a new study by Stanford GSB professor Adina D. Sterling, it appears that if you start a new job with well-regarded qualifications and credentials, then your ability to form a network within that organization is going to be high. Further, you'll build an even stronger network if you've got someone inside the new organization who knows you and is singing your praises. This contact who is willing to vouch for you is very important, as the study finds that his or her endorsement can sway others even if you don't have a lauded reputation coming into the new company. Still, the study found that if you have have poor work reputation, no inside endorsement is going to do you much good. Further, the contact you know at a company may even try to dodge much interaction with you since they don't want to tarnish their reputation by helping you. When you're really going to face an uphill battle at a new company is when you not only don't have a reputation coming into a new job -- but you also don't know anyone within the new company that can speak for your talents, the study finds. The research suggests that the old saying Its not what you know; its who you know isnt always true, Sterling says. There are real times when it matters how good you are and whether people know it, she says. The moral of the story is this: Your professional reputation and network always matter. That's why you need to: Keep your LinkedIn profile current. Don't let a week go by that you haven't posted a comment in a group discussion, or refined your profile to showcase new talents or even highlight volunteer activities. Post helpful content online. Through your own blog, through Facebook or even through Twitter, post content that others in your professional world will find valuable.Answer questions when you can from others in your industry, or direct contacts to helpful sources. Grow your skills. No matter where you are in your career, always challenge yourself. If you continue to self-educate, your reputation for learning and self-improvement will help alleviate any missteps you make along the way. Work on relationships. Social media is a great way to make initial contact with others, but you have to reach out through phone calls, emails or face-to-face meetings to take a relationship to the next level. If you want others to vouch for you, you're going to have to invest time in the relationship.

Bring More Book Sales With a Professional Editor - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Bring More Book Sales With a Professional Editor - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In addition to great content on your website another credibility builder for your personal brand is book publishing. But not all books that are out there are considered high quality. Writing is just the first step to the process as you want to ensure that all of your time and effort gets the most visibility with concise copy that stands out to your readers. A personal brand’s reputation online is important, and you dont want an unprofessional eBook or printed book with your name on it. The path to publishing success involves working with a professional editor who knows how to convey your message in the best possible way. A great book builds a strong audience as well as authority, and provides a unique brand perspective that your readers will want to buy. How can your personal brand benefit from hiring a professional editor? Through increased book sales, recognition, and advice that you could not have thought of on your own. An original and fresh topic will certainly get noticed along with a superb editing and a focused marketing strategy. In order to reach the most readers there are a few key factors when selecting the right editor. How to find the best editor for your book There are several elements to keep in mind when finding the right professional to help you with your next publication. Clear and concise copy If you want your brands message to be compelling then you need to present this in a way that is in an easy to understand format. A good editor will help you modify your manuscript into a format that is high quality, which will stand out from the thousands of books that are poorly written and formatted. Decide on print, digital or both Before you even begin the writing process determine whether your book will be published online or whether you would like to attract an agent with a print version. Many brands publish in both realms, and a professional editor can provide objective feedback such as weaknesses and strengths, grammar and spelling corrections, ect. Work with an expert in your niche As your brand sets out to hire an editor make sure that they are well versed in your target market. This information can be supplied from previous testimonials, projects, recommendations, and so on. Take advantage of professional organizations in order to avoid run-of-the-mill or low-quality freelancers. Taking the time to establish a working relationship with a professional editor can make the difference between your brand getting noticed or passed off as a novice. Not only can you increase your book sales, but establish your name as an expert in your industry. Services provided can vary according to the editor, and budgets may range anywhere from $500 up to a few thousand dollars.

Free Online Writing a Resume Tips

Free Online Writing a Resume TipsAre you looking for some free online writing resume tips? Then, this article is for you. Here are some free online writing resume tips that will help you out.If you have been thinking about getting some kind of writing software to help you write your resume, then you should probably reconsider. Many professional writing services charge a fortune for the types of tools they offer you. The reason they charge so much is because they have to keep up with and upgrade their software constantly. Many times it's not cost effective to upgrade your program, but if you want to save money there are many free options available. One of the most popular free options are the Online Resume Writing Software programs.These programs allow you to produce a resume in just a few minutes, all without the use of an expensive computer and Internet connection. All you need is a simple computer and internet connection, and you can get started on producing a quality resume in no time. It also helps if you have a pen and paper.Another thing to remember is that these programs are usually free, and that you can literally use them as many times as you like. As long as you sign up for an account, and then you will be able to begin using the online resume writing software.When you sign up for one of these free programs, you will find many templates and formats to choose from. Also, many of the programs allow you to edit your resume right within the program. This means that once you have created your resume, you can go back and change the layout, or format and have it formatted exactly how you want it.However, if you would rather not pay a dime and want to create your own resume, then there are many other online resume writing programs that you can use for free. In fact, this is another reason why many of the programs that charge a fortune are so good.They will provide you with everything you need to get started, including resume templates, professionally designed templates and even a ready to submit template for you to begin sending out resumes. You can even have them create your cover letter and apply for jobs and send you a resume every week!So, if you are looking for free advice about how to create your resume, don't forget to take a look at our articles. Keep reading to find out what software to use for free, or if you need to pay for it.

Is Attending College a Mandatory Career Management Strategy

Is Attending College a Mandatory Career Management Strategy As a high school junior, my son is starting to do research on college programs that are in sync with what he would like to study, computer animation. Even though computer and 3D animation are relatively new fields, there are some select colleges that offer degree programs in the field. But almost all the programs seem to assume that the person entering the program has an interest in animation but little hands on technical computer animation experience. The curriculum are heavy on theory and light on practical training. And as someone who has already been independently studying animation for close to 9 years, my sons really not interested in spending four years on theory when he could be honing his technique and producing real work. And for good reason. For my son, the last 9 years have been a waiting game. Waiting to finish school with all its academic requirements and finally having the opportunity to spend his days working on the projects he has known for so long that he wants to d o.  Ive run out of reasons  for why he needs to take endless English, history, math, science, and language classes. Ive never been able to justify the 4 hours of homework assigned each night. My son figured out long ago that he will never use most of this information to form the life he wants to create.Just as all this has been weighing on my mind, The New York Times published an article about the growing trend towards questioning the value of a college education and profiled students who are forgoing the college degree and opting for work, entrepreneurship, self-directed learning, and general life experiences as a substitute. And who can blame them? The Internet has revolutionized and democratized the sharing of information. Plus, there is a whole new college drop out role model courtesy of Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell and others. And then theres the whole issue of student debt. The New York Times article mentions that according to the Student Body Scholarship Associ ation, there is now $1 trillion in outstanding student debt. And according to a College@home infographic, 53% of  18 to 24 year olds live with their parents because they cant afford to live on their own.I meet recent grads from well-known schools and not so well-known schools.  Some have 4.0 GPAs; some have 2.0 GPAs. Many are having a hard time finding work because they frequently have majors that either dont translate easily to a profession or are in a field that is already saturated with applicants. Or they have little in the way of internships, summer jobs, or a strong network to support their career target. The proof of success demonstrated by the attainment of a college degree is no longer a strong enough differentiator for employers. College certainly makes sense for students wishing to pursue certain fields such as medicine, law, or engineering, but it just doesnt seem to make sense for everyone.My son recently showed me a link to an intensive one-year online computer anima tion program that offers hands on practical experience in all the nitty-gritty technical things that he is hungry to learn more of but is having difficulty finding in a traditional 4-year undergraduate program. It sounds amazing but at the same time it sounds scary and feels reckless to invest in something that is so different than what we have grown accustomed to equating with education and I struggle with the perceived repercussions of giving up the traditional 4 year degree.  But each day I have a harder time justifying the merits of a traditional 4-year degree and wonder if others have the same doubts for their children. It will be interesting to see how the 4-year degree is perceived by hiring authorities in the next 5 to 10 years and if the tide will shift. What are your thoughts?

Expanding - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Expanding - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Ive expanded my cyber-empire, and moved my blog to positivesharing.com. Mostly because I have lots of international readers, and to them (in the words of a memorable comment from last year), my last name Kjerulf looks like unpronouncable line noise. If you have any links to kjerulf.com please shift them this way (gotta pump up the Google rank on the new site). Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related