Journal of Office Workers
Archive for October 30, 2014
6 Ways To Show Your Value Without Being A Jerk
Team dynamics can often be difficult to negotiate. At work, generally speaking, you are on a team and you contribute. The problem is that you also want to elevate your career and stand out to your boss. So, how can you do that without the rest of the team feeling like you are a jerk (or worse)?
Related: 6 Career Management Hacks That Will Get You Ahead
I’ve had the gift of working in amazing environments on rock star teams. I have also had the (ahem) opposite experience. I’ve managed teams, been part of teams, as well as been an individual contributor, and through these years, I’ve found there are a few surefire ways to show you’re an asset without being a show off. So, here goes.
1. Do what you say
My favorite direct reports were good for their word. They were trustworthy. You could truly count on them to deliver, and not just for me. I would see these team members and teammates always doing what they said they would. People notice. It might not seem like it, but when you do what you say always, you will get the important assignments. Being the one that does the important stuff is viewed as valuable, and you’re valuable without being a jerk - you’re the good guy that people can count on to get stuff done.
2. Solve problems
The people who come to me with solutions stand out. Problem solvers who are actively working on solutions to organizational challenges stand out for obvious reasons. They care about the problems of the company and are taking the time to solve them. There is a BIG difference between people who solve problems and people who try not to create them. The problem solvers stand out. And when they include others in the solution, all the better, because they are showing me that they are leaders who can activate others to join the cause of solving the big problems we’re facing.
3. Share in victory
Further, managers know that a team builds a victory and solves a problem together. Good managers also can see who’s doing the lion’s share of the work and really contributing to the victory. If it’s you, be sure you are gracious in sharing that victory with the team, that stands out to good managers and to the team.
4. Focus on the mission
Be monomaniacal about achieving the goals of the company and the team. When you see the team headed down a rabbit hole, gently guide them back to land. Be the one who is focused on achieving the goals and you will stand out. You might be considered a jerk for being the one who asks for focus by the ones who are unfocused, but they will forgive you when you achieve the goals, solve the problems, and share the victory (see above).
5. Be a trusted resource
I frequently advocate being a student of your industry. This is applicable to standing out without being perceived as a jerk when you are sharing information with your teammates about the industry and the business. When you are the go-to for information and insights, you are going to stand out. However, if you do this in a smarty-pants spirit, you are on a slippery slope to Jerktown, population: 1.
Being a trusted resource means you are sharing information in the spirit of continuous learning and development. Share that you saw something interesting in the media about the company, competitor, or industry. And when you share this information, offer an insight and an initiation to hear what the recipient of this information thinks.
6. No brag, just fact
If you do awesome work, it’s ok to privately share what your proud of with your manager. Key word, privately. Schedule time to share your excitement you’re your manager. You should try to have monthly check-points with your manager so that you can gather feedback and continue to advance your career. Keep in mind when you are privately sharing your work with your manager, do it from a place of excitement and pride, not from a place of ego and bragger-y. Excitement is contagious. Your manager may also be able to help you take the work even further.
Who stands out on your team without being a jerk? What do they do? Share with me in the comments - I love reading your ideas!
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About the author
With passion and an innate curiosity, Tracey strives to push the envelope to create great experiences for talent. Tracey has been developing digital, mobile and social solutions for nearly 20 years in the talent acquisition space. Currently CredHive’s CEO, she is dedicated to changing the way hiring is done to create a more level playing field for talent. Visit CredHive to learn more.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.
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Can Your LinkedIn Profile Replace The Traditional Resume?
If you’re wondering if your LinkedIn profile can take the place of your resume, the answer is “not exactly.”
Related: 3 LinkedIn Strategies For Escaping Your Crummy Job
Keep in mind that your LinkedIn profile is a tool to helping employers and recruiters find you on the Internet. It’s also an informal way of introducing yourself so that contacts have a better idea of who you are and what you’re capable of doing without having to go into much finer details.
Certainly, this is not to say your LinkedIn profile is any less important in the job search process. There are plenty of benefits to having a LinkedIn profile in the job search process. Consider that:
- Recruiters use it to source talent
- It can help with networking
- You can apply for a job posting on LinkedIn
- You can show more than the resume in terms of connections, recommendations, groups, and contributions to discussions
Used correctly, the LinkedIn Profile is a teaser that gets a recruiter to want to contact you for more information. Remember, too, that a resume is a private document whereas your LinkedIn Profile is public meaning you can have things on the resume that you would not publish publicly.
The resume also offers more formality to applying for a job and HR needs it to support EEO compliance audits. Other reasons include:
- Many employers use an Applicant Tracking System and an electronic copy of your resume is needed for that.
- Not everyone utilizes LinkedIn or even to its full extent, so there are limitations to information available that only the resume may be able to offer.
- You can better customize your resume to each employer’s need.
So, use your LinkedIn Profile to build a network, brand, and online presence and get employers to ask for more information in the form of a resume.
Related Posts
How To Get A Recruiter’s Attention On LinkedIn
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About the author
Don Goodman’s firm was rated as the #1 Resume Writing Service in 2013 & 2014. Don is a triple-certified, nationally recognized Expert Resume Writer, Career Management Coach and Job Search Strategist who has helped thousands of people secure their next job. Check out his Resume Writing Service. Get a Free Resume Evaluation or call him at 800.909.0109 for more information.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.
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3 Career Secrets EVERY Student Needs To Know
This post is part of the Professional Independence Project series.
“Get realistic,” everyone told her. “You’ll be competing with hundreds of thousands of other smart, hard-working and driven new graduates.”
Nicolette Weinbaum was freshman in college when she discovered the importance of becoming professionally independent. With all of the tough competition happening today, she knew that she’d have to do something immediately if she wanted to land a career she loved.
“Having a good job right out of school could put me on a promising professional path,” she said. “Financial stability and independence was always a huge factor in the back of every student’s mind too; especially when I consider how much my parents have sacrificed to pay my quarter-million dollar tuition.”
But how? What could she do to stand out among the millions of other students our there?
Instead of using the weak, yet overused excuse, “I’m only a freshman. I’ve got plenty of time to get experience,” she went on a mission to find a meaningful internship that would kick start her career. And, instead of falling back to traditional, outdated job search techniques, she got creative and used the technology she had available to her.
After determining exactly what she wanted and who she wanted to reach out to, she started a targeted LinkedIn ad campaign, utilizing social media marketing to find relevant, valuable opportunities for HER.
Her ad for an internship was simple, but EXTEMELY effective. She received tons of emails applauding her creativity, as well as several job interviews and offers. (You can check out her full story here.)
Get it, girl! That’s what Professional Independence is all about: taking initiative, finding creative solutions, and ignoring negativity in order to get out there and take control of your career.
“Professional success won’t fall into your lap,” she said. “It takes determination, vision, and persistence.”
Knowing that many recent grads are having difficulties in the job market, Weinbaum was generous enough to share her secrets to professional success. So, what has she learned? Here are her top career secrets that EVERY college student needs to know before leaving school.
1. Be prepared to show how your personal brand is different.
“It’s important to understand what it is you can contribute professionally that no one else can,” Weinbaum said. “Identify one of your skills, and elaborate it; make it something you are an expert at.”
But what do you do if your boss doesn’t provide you with the opportunity to do that? Take things into your own hands.
“Show your employer that you are not afraid to take initiative, you use your time effectively, and that you go above and beyond,” she said.
For example, you could create a project proposal and present it to your boss.
BONUS TIP: Document all that you’re doing so you have something to show for it. It will be easier for you to reference later on.
2. Always be networking—always.
Love it or hate it, networking is an essential part of finding a career you love. And no, networking isn’t limited to big, networking events with fancy appetizers (mmm crabcakes!). You can network with people on social media, virtual networking events, informational interviews, and more. Weinbaum’s top tip for networking effectively? Have an elevator pitch.
“Always have a business card on you and a 30-second elevator pitch about your personal brand ready,” she said.
An elevator pitch is basically your professional introduction. Not sure what your elevator pitch should say? If you’re a student, you can include your university, your major, and your current professional aspirations.
BONUS TIP: Always have a business card handy. You don’t need to have a job to have a business card. You can simply list your name, contact information, and your branding statement on this card. Keep them with you at all times. “You never know what good fortune may be waiting for you in the most unexpected places,” said Weinbaum.
3. Exude a positive attitude at all times—and smile.
“A good outlook can go a long way in any business,” Weinbaum. “Professionals always admire positivity and optimism. With the right attitude (and outfit of course), you can accomplish anything.”
You don’t have to wait until you’re unhappy with your career to start becoming professionally independent. Start taking control of your career as early as possible! You’ll be glad you did.
Today, Weinbaum is a junior at Villanova University with a concentration in Finance and Real Estate, and she’s leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of her classmates on her journey to professional success.
To learn more about Nicolette Weinbaum and her success story, check out her website.
Want to take control of your career?
If you want to take control of your career, check out our fall series, the Professional Independence Project. Throughout the month of October, we will be sharing expert advice and insight on how you can build a successful career you love.
Sign up now to get five FREE video tutorials that show you how to market yourself to anyone, anywhere. Start your path the professional independence. Sign up today!
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Power Up Your Personal Brand To Land Your Dream Job
What do Sir Richard Branson and Lady Gaga have in common? The power of an instantly recognizable personal brand. And whether you are aware of it or not, you already have a personal brand. Your personal brand is both what you are known for and the experience people have of you. You might be known for your integrity. People might experience and talk about your outstanding customer service, all of this forms your personal brand.
Related: What’s A Personal Brand And Why Do You Need One?
Your challenge is knowing what your brand is and bringing ‘brand you’ alive in your next job interview. The good news is, unlike Sir Richard Branson and Lady Gaga, you do not need a marketing juggernaut to do this. The simplest, yet most powerful way to articulate your personal brand is through storytelling. Storytelling is a powerful way to communicate your personal brand because stories paint a picture, capture the imagination, and tap into appropriate emotion. Stories help your audience connect with you and your message and can influence action, in this instance landing your dream job.
The stories you share that show you are a team player, have initiative, will both help you stand out from the competition and nail that next interview.
What is an example of a great personal brand story? Even after his passing, Steve Jobs continues to inspire and engage us through the stories around his personal brand. In Walter Isaacson’s best-selling biography about Steve Jobs, there is a story that Jobs used to explain his perfectionist streak:
As a young boy, Jobs had helped his father build a fence around their backyard, and he was told they had to use just as much care on the back of the fence as on the front.
“Nobody will ever know,” young Steve said. His father replied, “But you will know.” A true craftsman uses a good piece of wood even for the back of a cabinet against the wall, his father explained, and they should do the same for the back of the fence. It was the mark of an artist to have such a passion for perfection.
Isaacson explains that Jobs applied this lesson to each and every computer machine, much to the frustration of Apple engineers who were asked to make the chips line up neatly inside a tightly sealed box. “Nobody is going to see the PC board,” one of them protested. Jobs reacted as his father had: “I want it to be as beautiful as possible, even if it’s inside the box. A great carpenter isn’t going to use lousy wood for the back of a cabinet, even though nobody’s going to see it.”
Brand Steve Jobs stands for perfectionism in all our minds.
So, where do you start when finding stories that capture your brand? These tips will help you get started.
The first is being purposeful with your personal brand stories. Share the stories that meet the criteria the job requires. There is no point sharing a story on how you bent the rules to deliver great outcome if the job requires a stickler for rules. Pan through all your experiences both work and non-work related to find the stories that meet your purpose.
The second is use stories to support your hard data. If you have a figure like ‘I improved delivery times by 15%’, then support this with a story that shows how it impacted an individual customer. Always use both hard data and stories. The two together create a compelling case for employing you over your competitors.
And third all your stories must be authentically true. This is a “VIP,” a very important point. In your personal life and in traditional storytelling it might be OK to make up or embellish stories but in business we cannot stress enough that your stories must be authentic. It is simply not worth the backlash on your reputation or credibility in making up or spinning stories.
Finding and sharing purposeful authentic stories, in your next interview that articulate your personal brand, will help you instantly connect with the interviewer and be memorable for all the right reasons. Power up your personal brand using storytelling in your next job interview and you could land the job of your dreams.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
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5 Quick Tips For More Confident Networking
Networking with strangers can be a terrifying experience for many people, especially when it’s in-person. What do you say? What if you’re awkward? What if you don’t make a good first impression?
Related: 9 Tips For Becoming A Successful Networker
Don’t worry - prepare! Check out these quick tips for more confident networking from Adam LoDolce, founder of SexyConfidence.com and GoTalkToHer.com:
1. Know How To Break The Ice
Struggling for ice breakers? Instead of trying to memorize one-liners, keep things simple.
“A simple ‘Hello, my name is ___’ is more than sufficient if said with a smile,” said LoDolce. “Or, my favorite, ‘So, what brings you here?’”
2. Get Warmed up
Don’t start batting without a few practice swings! Make sure you talk to a few people before you hit up your main target - it will ease your nerves and make you feel more comfortable.
“The moment you walk into the room, just start chatting it up with someone to warm up a bit,” LoDolce suggested. “Before you know it, you’ll feel comfortable chatting up the big time CEO across the room.”
3. Be Aware Of Your Body Language
Did you know that 93% of communication is non-verbal? In order to give off a positive impression, LoDolce suggests doing the following:
- Don’t cross your arms
- Keep a strong smile all night long
- Hold strong eye contact
Feel weird keeping eye contact? Try just staring at the bridge of the other person’s nose instead.
4. Ask Great Questions
“If you are uncomfortable doing the talking, then ask interesting and thought provoking questions,” LoDolce suggested.
Here’s an example: “Oh, you’re an architect? What’s it like building something that you know will be around for hundreds of years?”
5. Have Fun
Whenever you attend a networking event, above all else, focus on having a good time. People will be attracted to your good attitude.
“If you’re enjoying yourself, people will enjoy your company,” said LoDolce.
And, even if all fails, at least you can say you had a great night!
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
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