4 Ways to Show Youre Ready for Management - The Muse

4 Ways to Show Youre Ready for Management - The Muse4 Ways to Show Youre Ready for ManagementYouve got several years of experience under your belt, youve put in your fair share of time, sweat, and tears, and by your calculations, its your turn to move up into a leadership position.But, a job well done in the business world isnt like a standardized test- your past wertzuwachs doesnt necessarily predict a successful future in management. And if your last official leadership role was coaching your intramural softball team, it might be time to start thinking a little more seriously about your plan to move up.My advice? Start with the person who has the power to actually promote you your manager. To prove to your babo that youre management material, its all about your attitude and willingness to do more than just fulfill your basic job description.To make sure youre putting yourself in the right light, here are a few tips to impress your manager and prove youre ready to climb that corpora te ladder.1. Be a Problem SolverLeaders dont just wait to be told what to do- they think strategically about what needs to be done, and then they do it. So, next time youre faced with a challenge,dont just tell your boss about the aufgabeand wait for a solution. Instead, tell him or her how youre going to fix it.For example, lets say your websites traffic is down. It may be tempting to fall into the same routine of reporting it to your boss and simply waiting for direction- but to prove youre fit to be a leader, kick your creativity into gear and start thinking of new solutions. Maybe you could develop a strategy to attract new audiences by hosting a contest on your Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn sites to attract more followers and further engage current ones to help you spread your message. When you present the problem along with its possible solutions, your manager will recognize your schritte and dedication to the companys success.And look at internal issues, too If you think the re are ways to do your job more efficiently,test those solutions and present them. You wont only make your life easier- youll prove to your boss that youre ready to improve the entire departments operations.2. Take on Small Management OpportunitiesOne of the best ways to show that youre ready for a leadership role is to find small ways to manage people or projects. Youll build your management skills, of course- but more importantly, youll start being viewed as a team leader.To snag some of these opportunities, you first have to make it known that youre ready for more responsibility. So, try asking your boss if there are any managerial tasks you can take off his or her plate, like training new hires,taking on a summer intern, leading meetings, or overseeing small project teams. Is your manager going on vacation before the summer ends? Check in before he or she leaves to see how you can step in during that time.You can prove your leadership skills through more casual means, too Offer to help plan the company picnic or volunteer with co-workers at a community event. As you take on more responsibility (and follow through with successful results), youll prove that youre committed to your team and will do what it takes to get things done.3. Understand the Whole Company- Not Just Your RoleTo be an effective manager, youll need a 360-degree view of the company. With the right information, youll be better equipped to make informed decisions and develop the right strategies to push your department forward. So, spend some time learning as much as you can about your business as a whole.First, nail the basics Act as if youre an outsider researching the company for an interview and (if youre not 100% familiar with them already) read up on the business current vision and goals. Then, move on to the most recent annual report and press releases to delve into company operations, strategies, and challenges. And dont forget to research your competitors, too, to see exactly where you rank in your industry.Then, consider your personal knowledge of the internal workings of your company. If theres an area you dont know too much about- like finance, menschenfreundlich resources, or supply chain management- introduce yourself to people in that department and ask if you can shadow them for an afternoonto learn a little about what they doon a daily basis. Youll impress your boss by proving that youre interested in more than your own responsibilities- but youll also understand how other departments work together to contribute to the companys overall success.WANT HELP GETTING ON THE MANAGEMENT TRACK?Hint The best leaders know they dont know all the answers.Hire a Leadership Coach 4. Be ProfessionalFinally, as youre thinking about how to get to the next level, remember to make sure that youre exemplary in what you do now. Would you want a manager who misses deadlines, forgets to answer emails, and gossips about other employees? Of course not- and even though youre not a supervisor yet, you shouldnt be displaying those behaviors, either.Instead, demonstrate a good work ethic by being on time and courteous to other co-workers. Avoid office gossip, aim to have the reputation of someone who everyone can trust, and approach your everyday tasks with a positive attitude.I know- it seems simple. But sometimes, its all about the basics. At the end of the day, if youre the go-to person your boss and co-workers can always count on, youll be on the right track to move up.Once you perfect the intangible qualities of a leader- like responsibility, initiative, problem solving, vision, and follow-through- youll prove that you can add value to your company in a management position. It might take time, but thats OK Itll put you in the perfect light when the opportunity for a promotion comes up.

Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Resume Mistakes to AvoidResume Mistakes to AvoidYour resume is your advertisement. Imagine your resume on top of a recruiters desk along with fifty other candidates resumes. Your resume is doing two jobs at once. Its advertising your skillsets and qualifications while also trying to deliver a message about why youre the best person for the role.Just like body language communicates a non-verbal message, what you choose to include and how you choose to include it from formatting to wording is sending a message about the type of worker you may be.Luckily, the career consultants at ResumeSpice a leading provider of resume and cover letter writing, bewerbungsgesprch prep, LinkedIn consulting, and career coaching know what recruiters are looking for and how to communicate your skills effectively within your resume.Beloware some possible reasons why your resume might be getting passed over.Poor FormattingHave you ever seen an advertisement that had too many elements happening at once, w hich made it hard to focus? Poor formatting functions the same way for recruiters. When recruiters look at your ad, they want to immediately know what your product or skills are and how they can benefit the company. The more work they have to do deciphering your resume, the less likely it is to make it to the next round. Keep your formatting simple and clean.JargonHave you ever seen a cell phone provider tout technical specs while trying to sell you a phone? Not typically and for good reason. To most consumers, technical language might as well be a foreign tongue. On your resume, avoid using jargon. Its likely that the first person to view your resume is going to be an HR representative or other non-technical professional. For more technical roles, such as IT and Engineering, make koranvers to spell out acronyms.Length Too Long, Too ShortTheres a reason radio and TV advertisements are roughly 30 seconds or less. They need to grab your attention. The same goes for your resume. If i ts way too long, recruiters and hiring managers are leid going to read it. If its too short, its probably not highlighting your skills as well as it could. How long should it be? Depends on your background. If youre a new grad or have fewer than two years of experience, a one page resume should suffice. A longer career likely needs two pages and in some cases, a three page resume is necessary. If youre not sure, ask us Lack of Quantifiable InformationNo product would ever be bought if its advertising didnt answer a fundamental question how will this help me? Adding quantifiable information to your resume is a great way to show exactly what youre capable of accomplishing and how you will help the organization youre trying to join.If you increased sales by 30%, list it on your resume. If you implemented a software that cut down cycle time on a process and improved output by 40%, it needs to be on your resume. This is the type of information that will let employers know how your skills and talents can help them achieve their goals.Including Photos and GraphicsThis is one way your resume is not like an advertisement. There are a few reasons why its better to leave these off. The first is that it detracts from the clean, simple resume we discussed above.The second is that unless you are a graphic designer or other creative professional you are not being hired for your formatting skills. Your relevant experience and skills are the product hiring managers are looking to acquire.Hopefully the pointers above help you avoid some common resume mistakes. Still have questions? The career consultants at ResumeSpice want to make sure your resume does its job for you. Contact us today at 832.930.7378

Dealing with Job Loss and How to Deal with Your Job Loss Emotions

Dealing with Job Loss and How to Deal with Your Job Loss EmotionsDealing with Job Loss and How to Deal with Your Job Loss EmotionsHow to Deal with Your Job Loss EmotionsSuffering the loss of a job can be an emotionally wrenching experience.Youve known for months that it has been coming, but you cling to the hope that it wont happen to you. After all, you have been with the company for many years. You have produced great results. The company cant survive without you.But the economy is suffering from one of the worst recessions in years. Your company has leid been doing well. You have watched others around you lose their jobs. But you tell yourself they wont let you go. They need you.You, of course, know you are in denial. Although you havent lost your job yet, it is the first stage of having to start over of having to go through the agonizing process of finding a new job. The questions pound through your headHow long will it take? Will I have to move? Do I have enough resources to sur vive a long job search? Will I have to take a cut in pay? Will I like my new job?Suffering the loss of a job can be an emotionally wrenching experience. Regardless of the reason for the job loss, it is usually difficult to understand. Extensive research has demonstrated a consistent pattern that is exhibited in the following diagramEmotional Stages of a Job LossDENIALDISBELIEFOUTWARD ANGERINNER SELF-CRITICISMWITHDRAWALREFLECTIONACCEPTANCELets briefly take a look at each stage1. Denial.You want to believe that it wont happen to you. But too often you are fooling yourself. It is the wise person who recognizes what is coming and begins the process of seeking a new opportunity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average tenure for all workers is 4.1 years. Meanwhile, career experts agree that tenure for senior-level executives is considerably less on average. You should always position yourself for new opportunities.2. Disbelief.When the day comes and you receive your disc harge, the first reaction is to think, I cant believe it. They have made a mistake. They will call me back. But in your heart, you really know they wont call you back. This leads you into the next stage.3. Outward Anger.The anger may take many different forms. It may be directed toward your boss (How stupid can she possibly be?) or to the company, the economy or any other convenient outlet for your anger. Sometimes, unfortunately, it is directed toward family members and friends, resulting in high stress and tension for everyone. At this point, you should seek out support. Surround yourself with family and friends who understand your challenge. Perhaps seek professional counseling or guidance from your minister. There are also many community job search support groups available. Seek them out and participate. As your outward anger subsides, you start to move into the next stage.4. Inward Self-Criticism.This is the most difficult stage. You may begin to blame yourself for what happene d (What did I do wrong? How did I fail? or I must not be any good). Typically, this is when your self-worth and self-confidence begin to wane. When you start to question yourself, you reach the onset of stage five.5. Withdrawal.All of a sudden you find every excuse to avoid contact with the external world. You experience periods of depression. You stop your usual social activities. Your physical activity declines. You start to gain weight. Ugh. It is at this point that your inner strength and support systems are most important. It is imperative that you move through this stage quickly. Get up. Get out. Get moving. The mora active you become, the more quickly you move through stage five. You begin to think through what has happened and stage six begins to unfold.6. Reflection.Being depressed is no fun and that extra ten pounds doesnt look good either. It is time to do something about it. You begin to take stock of your life and career abilities and ask yourself, What should I do now? Where do my talents best fit? and How do I conduct my search? Now, instead of looking back, you start to look forward and move into the final stage. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you begin to see it.7. Acceptance.Hey, its not my fault. My company fell on hard times. I am a great person with exceptional talent, so when I land my new job, my new employer is going to get one dynamic, motivated employee. Im excited. This is a great opportunity for new experiences, new friends, and a whole new positive outlook on life. You have made it. You have survived the loss of your job. You are now ready to move on to a new opportunity.By recognizing the different stages, you are able to move through them quickly, rather than languish in them for weeks. Yes, you still face the arduous task of conducting a tough job search with all its inherent frustrations. Be creative in your search. Seek out job search advice and help from friends and work colleagues. Network like crazy. Practic e the Three Foot Rule whenever you get within three feet of someone, engage them in a conversation and find a way to help each other. There are tons of resources on the Web and in your community to assist you. Through persistence and hard work, you will land a great new job. When all is done, you will probably end up saying, You know, losing that job welches the best thing that ever happened. It was not easy, and the job search was tough, but I couldnt be happier in my new opportunity.