Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Is Your Personality Derailing Your Leadership

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Is Your Personality Derailing Your Leadership Are you equipped to be a leader today? These insights could help you up your game. According to DDI’s new global study of 15,000 executives in 18 countries, there are certain personality traits and attributes that make it more and less likely that a person will succeed in a 21st century business world leadership role. Thewarp speed of business has hastened the pace of leaders being thrust into roles of increasing scope and responsibility whether they are ready or not. As the cost of failure increases, predicting who can navigate these transitions demands an evalua ­tion of personality factors that influence how leaders will respond to vastly greater challenge, pressure, and visibility. One interesting section of the DDI report looks at hard-to-develop, positive traits (enablers) that grease leader success, and dysfunctional traits (derailers) that tend to trip them up. DDI examined these across three leader levels â€" strategic executive, operational, and mid-level. At each successive level, enablers were: exhibit stronger ambition and resilience and interpersonal sensitivity. Although the highest ranking executives are generally less vulnerable to them, the list of derailers was a bit longer: Volatility: displayed as inconsistency, distractibility and moodi ­ness. This trait threatens credibility for building trust through predictable actions and consistent follow-through. Avoidant: often seen as passive-aggressive conflict resolution, which poisons opportunities to influence and interact. Perfectionism: the need to micromanage work or delay decisions in pursuit of a 100 percent outcome. Approval Dependent: senior leaders are sometimes ruled by the need for personal reinforcement and pleasing others. Arrogance: expressed as self-importance or insensitivity, or the need to oversell their own importance, or influence others through intimidation. Risk Aversion: an unwillingness to make bold moves to drive the business forward. Attention Seeking: the desire to take center stage risks overshadowing those whose hearts they need the most. This lack of humility compromises trust. Leaders who are successful enough to be considered for a CEO position are unlike other high-performers. In order to learn how CEO candidates are unique in their response to leadership challenges and if their per ­sonal attributes set them apart, DDI also profiled 243 CEO finalists, in 48 organizations, and benchmarked them against its larger database. What CEO Candidates Do to Excel Obsess over execution and results: They stay laser focused on outcomes and demand specifics on how results will be achieved. Instantly and accurately size up complex business situations: Relying on seasoned business instincts, they quickly sort the good business ideas from the bad so they can steer toward best bets. Fixate on customer needs: They embody the customer persona so that they can diagnose how business plans will meet customer needs now and in the future. How CEO Candidates Are Wired Intensely competitive, confident, and emotionally resilient: While most executives share these traits, they are even more pronounced among those preparing for a CEO position. Craving of attention: Most personality derailers, such as arrogance or volatility, decline in prevalence for CEO candidates. Not so for attention-seeking. The top job attracts those who enjoy being noticed for their talents and charm. Creative OR pragmatic: Twenty-one percent of CEO candidates are creative, conceptual strategists, and 29 percent are practical, no-nonsense operators. Only 8 percent effectively balance both. For more where this came from, visit the QuickBase Fast Track blog.

A Few Tips For Writing Resume

A Few Tips For Writing ResumeThe procedure of writing resume is a very crucial one in order to get a job within any organization. It needs to be short and simple. It is very important that you make a good impression on your prospective employer when you are applying for a job.As the job application is the first step towards getting a job, so too is the process of writing a resume. The process of writing resume is not an easy one. Therefore it is very important that you do all the work yourself, without relying on someone else to guide you in writing the resume. But at the same time, it is equally important that you do not rush yourself while doing the writing of resume.Once you are through with the process of writing resume, make sure that you have written it completely. Do not write the resume on paper, but instead do the writing on your computer or your hard drive. This is because you may forget some important information in the process of writing resume and this might cause the en tire process of writing resume to fail.To make sure that you get the job as quickly as possible, you should be able to get through the process of writing resume without getting bored with it. Therefore, it is very important that you must make it a habit to read through it again. After writing resume you need to send it to the company that you are applying for.Make sure that you take the help of a friend of a prospective employer before sending your resume. But you also need to make it a point to write your resume for no more than two people. This is because you cannot afford to make mistakes while sending it.After completing the writing of resume, it is also necessary that you make a check over your resume. This can be done by writing down the information that you think might be of any use to the company that you are applying for. But then make sure that the information that you want to include is not already mentioned in the other application forms.Now you should start looking for jobs. The best way to do this is to apply for as many job postings as you can. When you are applying for jobs, you need to make sure that you provide the information and details about your skills that you can provide to the company.Moreover, you should also remember that companies use applications to research about their applicants and recruiters in turn use the resumes that they get from the applicants for further research about them. Therefore it is very important that you should always take the help of another person and make sure that the information provided by you matches the requirements of the company.

Weightlessness - Free Resume Template

Weightlessness - Free Resume Template Weightlessness Free Resume Template Is the stress of an intensive job search weighing on you? You are not alone. For so many people, the job search is overwhelming. Creating the perfect resume can also weigh heavily on your mind. How do you design a resume that’s eye-catching and interesting without going over the top? How do you ensure that the next hiring manager calls you in for an interview? It’s not easy figuring all that out. Fortunately, we can help. We have created a creative resume template that we call Weightlessness. It’s exactly what you need. How can a resume be weightless? Well, in addition to designing a resume so that you don’t have to, this template uses light colors and plenty of white space. It has a lot of “breathing room”, making it easy to skim and delightful to thoroughly read.Plus, it’s even easier to get started with resume writing when you already have the layout and formatting sorted out for you! Finally, this template is so easy to download. Just click the link below to get it for free right now. File size: 174 KB Format: .docx Downloaded 4,844 times License: Free, personal use only. Please read the license terms for resources. Download previous article 5 Common Behavioral Interview Questions And How To Answer Them next article Starting Your Cover Letter With A Bang you might also likeThe Freelancers Resume Creative Resume Template for Independent Workers

I Urge You Dont Settle

I Urge You Dont Settle Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you havent found it yet, keep looking, and dont settle. As with all matters of the heart, youll know when you find it. Steve Jobs When I graduated college in 2009 with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, I wasnt worried. The internship I had taken a year and a half before graduation had turned into a full time job offer. I accepted, and even began putting in a full 40 hours a week during my last semester of school. My job was interesting, even exciting at times, but best of all, I worked with great people. As was all too common during this time period, the company that I was with did some reorganization and come spring 2010, we all became unemployed. This was a bit of a shock for me, just one year post-graduation, not to mention three months before I was set to walk down the aisle to say I do. During this time I did some major soul searching. I made lists. I set up meetings with any and every connection I had in industries that I had even the slightest interest in. I considered buying a flower shop. Five months post-lay off, I decided to take a cushy, corporate job, complete with a baller expense account and one of the nicest offices I had ever seen. And I absolutely loved it. I loved feeling busy, and by way important. I enjoyed the tasks I performed, I enjoyed the meetings I attended and most of all, I enjoyed the travel. But after about three years, I started feeling the itch. This itch lead me to take a similar job with a small business, promising me more flexibility, creative freedom and a sense of ownership in my work. About six weeks in, I found these promises to be empty, and I was pretty devastated. I felt like a failure. I had taken a risk and it didnt work out. So I left this new job at my 90 day review. I left it for nothing. No plans. And less than three weeks later, it happened. A company that I had been interested in for over a year, called me and offered a job on the spot. A good, but tough job. A job that continues to push me out of my comfort zone. It has been so worth the risks I took and blind leaps of faith I took to get here. Im now engaged and immersed in my job, because I feel like I am doing great work. My heart has told me that I had found it. I no longer wake up, dress the part and go sit in an office. I work from home, and bust my butt at all hours of the day. I dont check out when 5 p.m. rolls around, I do what has to be done, when it has to be done. And I love it. I chose not to settle. Ive even had two of my former bosses tell me what a good fit Ive found for myself. Whether youre the kind of person that dreads Monday mornings, or the kind that sort of goes through the motions you must push yourself out of your comfort zone and begin living, really living, your life. And your work is your life, sister. At least a large part of it. Dont settle. Do your best at accomplishing whatever is at hand, but dont just let opportunities pass. Today, urge others to grow and evolve by tweeting us your thoughts, experiences, and advice at @mscareergirl and tagging your friends with the hashtag #dontsettle. Photo Credit: Ambro at  FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What to Look For When Looking For Resume Writing Services

What to Look For When Looking For Resume Writing ServicesResume writing services are used by many to give their resumes a professional look and a polished finish. It is a necessary step before applying for a job or after applying for a job. In fact, this is often the first thing that prospective employers look at when reviewing your application.Although it is most common to use a professional writer to create your resume, you do not have to go this route. In fact, you can do it yourself. The main thing to remember is that it is vital to keep it professional. If you are unsure about how to write a resume for each position you are applying for, there are many resources available to help you with this part of the job search.There are many free services available online. Many people use these websites to learn how to write resumes and prepare them for different jobs. A good resource for resume writing services is Monster.com. This website also provides articles on resume writing tips.The re are also many article sites which provide written material about resume writing services. These articles include ideas on how to determine the best resume writing service for your needs. They also offer information on different ways to create a professional resume. Many of these articles also give suggestions about where to find resume writing services in your area.Other professional services can be found on sites like Plumber.com. Here you will find articles on resume writing, resume bookkeeping, and resume editing. Many of these services are offered for hire. However, many of them are offered for free.One of the things you want to look for when you are trying to decide whether you should get a resume writing service or write it yourself is professionalism. You want to be sure that the writers you choose for your resume are professional in their field. This means that they do not charge more than what you can afford to pay them.Another thing you want to know about resume writing services is that they will give you guidance and instructions on how to format your resume. It is essential that you follow these instructions. These writers will provide you with samples of resumes that they have prepared. In addition, they will answer all of your questions about resume writing and various types of resumes. In fact, these writers are often very helpful and knowledgeable.In conclusion, it is possible to do resume writing yourself if you are comfortable with the computer and do not mind the expense. However, hiring professionals is more expensive and will save you time and money. It is important to have a professional resume written if you are considering applying for a job.

Your First Steps Into A Successful Event Management Career - CareerMetis.com

Your First Steps Into A Successful Event Management Career Looking for new adventures that drift from the conventional 9-5 work shift?Perhaps there’s room for your talent in a creative but yet managerial field as Event Manager. Aside from just picking food and décor for different clients, Event Management as a career has many interesting aspects to consider that will make our route for crafting a successful business a challenging career that many will love.Let’s analyse some key points that will broaden your basic experience in what this field enthrals.1. Battling boredom as a lifestyleevalWhat makes the job of a famous event management so outstanding in comparison with what his/her peers would do? Undoubtedly, providing the best service for the budget a client expends is a unique asset to have, but also there are other factors to consider for putting us in that unique level.Photo Credit- Pexels.comMany experts in this field and companies who have crafted a name through reputation and innovation agree that there’s no way to get bored within this job.Why? Let’s put it this way: you will meet a vast range of customers, with different tastes, meetings/parties to plan. Therefore, you will always learn something new from the mere act of working.2. Don’t neglect experienceAll good things happen for those who wait, or so does common saying goes by; for Event Planning, it’s true that you need to be patient, but also you ought to keep moving your contacts for getting your chance in potential work opportunities.Nobody is going to contact you unless you have referrals that validate the work you have done. Despite having a terrific portfolio and a resume that can be the envy of many designers in academic achievement, this is an industry in which experience is well-paid.The reason behind this fact relies mostly in stress management, as many times you will come across unexpected events like subcontracts failing to commit to an event that is about to start, or dealing with an unsatisfied client who can’t get his mind o n what he wants the event to be like.This is where experience pays its price, and the reason why big corporations only hire those who have a trajectory of their own.3. Accept criticismevalCommon folks will just assume your work is fun and easy-going just because you happen to be a “party planner”. And it’s obvious that will happen as they don’t see the other side of events You are not alone in this boat. Milestones won’t be completed unless you learn to delegate those time consuming tasks that won’t allow you to keep the workflow in movement. By this, you don’t have to be a tyrant whose co-workers happen to be afraid; be that effective leader who is there to give a helping hand when needed, that person who inspires its crew to give always the best and don’t take anything for granted.Most of the success rate of your company will be product of a well-made team work that allows your brand to grow steadily and meet up with exciting top-level challenges.Clients always fee l whenever the work environment isn’t as desirable, and the least they expect is to be witnesses of a row in the middle of an important event just because a group of your employees didn’t meet the expectations for the job to be done.5. Turning skills into job successAs we mentioned above, there are several factors to consider within event planning. Your key point on this behalf will be to find that silver lining that allows you to put your skills to the service of others.Consider in first instance creativity: take enough time to learn from the best event planners in industry, either by attending conferences or university, or simply learning through the way they work.Having knowledge in colour theory, interior design, fashion trends, etc. can set the difference between a simple event and a memorable encounter.Negotiation is the most crucial skill you will have to develop, as the second most important activity besides crafting the concept for the event is to multitask the various elements that will interact, reaching an understanding with many subcontracts for services and where money is the language to be spoken.You have to defend your client’s interests, your reputation and also respect the company whose services you plan to hire â€" not an easy task to accomplish.

The Dos and Donts of Getting a Business Degree

The Dos and Donts of Getting a Business Degree Youve done it. Youve gone through a rigorous application process, been accepted to a business degree program and carefully hung your posters of Warren Buffet in your dorm room. The next several years will be crucial to your development so youll want to make the most of them. Heres how. Do Network Network, network, network. Youve heard it a million times, but its truer in business than anywhere else: its not what you know, its who you know. Business schools hold networking events with professors, students and local business people all the time. Take advantage of them. The people you meet might give you great advice; they might connect you to others who share your interests; they might give you a connection to your first job outside of school and they just might be the key to your business career trajectory. This doesnt have to mean handing out your card, making sales pitches and schmoozing everywhere you go. It does mean you should be open to meeting new people, expanding your connections and going to events you might not feel like attending, Dont Wait to Choose Your Major or Specialize Be prepared for the moment you can declare a major or choose a concentration. Specializing in an area like finance, marketing, human resources or management is a great way to narrow your focus and find a niche in the industry. To prepare, there are a few things you can do: If you havent already, take personality tests like the Myers-Briggs or True Colors and try to match your traits with your educational (and career path)Talk to an advisorAsk people who know you well (friends, family, coworkers, bosses) where they think you would excelLook at your options and feel out the ones that excite you Do Learn to Manage Your Time Time management skills are crucial for all college students but theyre particularly important for students in business school, where professors will pile more work on you than a normal mortal can handle. They do this not because theyre sadists but because they know its what youll face when you enter the business world. Throwing you in the deep end in a safe environment like business school is a great way to test your mettle and force you to pace yourself, stop procrastinating, stick to a schedule and focus on the important stuff. Dont Close Your Mind to New Ideas When youre faced with a new environment and daunting levels of work, it can be easy to retreat to the familiar; to stick with your comfort zone. Resist that urge with all your might. Being good at business means keeping your mind malleable and open to unconventional ideas and business school is the perfect place to start. Youll be exposed to myriad ideas from professors, fellow students and independent study. Dont reject anything because it doesnt fit with your preconceived notions. Do Get Real-World Experience You can study economic theory, sit in classrooms and lose yourself in textbooks for years and still be clueless when it comes to business. Getting real-world experience â€" either by working or doing an internship â€" is an invaluable way to use your time at business school. It will not only help you connect your classroom study to practical situations, but it might also give you your first job in business. In fact, a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 56.1% of interns became full-time, entry-level employees at the company where they did their internship. Using these time-honored tips can mean the difference between spinning your wheels (and wasting your money) in business school and using your time to catapult into a successful business career.

For The Young Who Want To

For The Young Who Want To To Live a Creative Lifefound via Michael R. Faddis When my dear friend Deirdre (who was my Partner in Crime at my last day job, leaving the department    a week prior to me to volunteer in Thailand yes, this post is about her) put this poem up on her blog last month, I read it and reread it and sighed and nodded and agreed. I think its for any creative, for all creatives, for artists of all shapes and sizes to hold on to, to validate, to empower. For The Young Who Want To by Marge Piercy Talent is what they say you have after the novel is published and favorably reviewed. Beforehand what you have is a tedious delusion, a hobby like knitting. Work is what you have done after the play is produced and the audience claps. Before that friends keep asking when you are planning to go out and get a job. Genius is what they know you had after the third volume of remarkable poems. Earlier they accuse you of withdrawing, ask why you don’t have a baby, call you a bum. The reason people want M.F.A.’s, take workshops with fancy names when all you can really learn is a few techniques, typing instructions and some- body else’s mannerisms is that every artist lacks a license to hang on the wall like your optician, your vet proving you may be a clumsy sadist whose fillings fall into the stew but you’re certified a dentist. The real writer is one who really writes. Talent is an invention like phlogiston after the fact of fire. Work is its own cure. You have to like it better than being loved. Not to discount those who worked long and hard to get those degrees I know they dont come cheaply or easily but dont let your lack of one stop you. When youre a creative, sometimes all thats measurable is the hours youve spent devoted to your craft/ passion/ business (whatever you wanna call it). Stop saying it doesnt count, or its not enough, or youre not professional or qualified or educated. You are. It counts. ***************************************************************************************** I’m now offering my illustrated career change workbook â€" it rhymes!  Take a peek if your career’s givin’ ya tough times!