Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
How to Land the Job
15April 2012
Use your unique selling proposition to stand out from the crowd.
When you search for a job, getting an interview is just the first step – it only makes you one of an unknown number of other applicants. You now need to stand out from that crowd. You can’t assume – or hope – that your skill set is better than theirs. And it may not be. But you can (and should) present yourself as the best candidate, or even persuade the potential employer to tailor the job to your individual talents. In my latest article for Psychology Today I talk about a job seeker’s unique selling proposition (USP) – showing how your unique skill set will benefit the employer.
You can take the time to link your specific credentials to the company’s bottom line and let them know how your USP translates into a good return on investment (ROI). Put the puzzle pieces together for your prospective boss - and you’ll make it easier for the interviewer to envision you in the position. By matching your USP to the job description and corporate value proposition, you’ll illustrate how you will contribute to company growth (music to any hiring manager’s ears).
Jobs have been and will continue to be modified and sometimes even small departments may be restructured, based on talent that emerges in interviews. So it’s in your best interest to position yourself against the bigger picture.
Read on for tips and examples of what you can do to make sure your dream job doesn’t slip through your fingers.
How to Tame a Whiny Boss
6March 2012
Don’t Let Your Boss Sap Your Energy
The office is quiet, yet buzzing with the low hum of hard work. The mood is serious when your boss makes an appearance and starts to whine: “Aren’t you finished yet? But whyyyy? I’ve been waiting forever. What’s taking so loooong?…” Sounds familiar?
In the latest issue of my Psychology Today blog I explain what makes your Terrible Office Tyrant (TOT) groan endlessly. I also offer tips on how you can tame a whiny TOT.
Toddler whining and TOT whining have a lot in common. Small children are dependent and often resentful of the fact that so little is in their control. TOTs in the workplace are no strangers to grousing. It’s a way to get what they want, be it comfort and support or results and achievement. If you indulge your TOT, he may reach back for the tactic when struggling with feelings of inadequacy, fear, loneliness, or fatigue. So your job can become exhausting as a result.
How to tame a whining TOT
Whining is a behavior most TOTs (with help from TOT tamers) can control, if given the proper mindset, instructions and encouragement. Consistency is key, no matter how annoying the whining gets. “TOT Tamers” must be willing to demonstrate clear expectations and not get drawn into the emotions of the moment. Read the complete article at PsychologyToday.com for the real reasons of your TOT’s whining and for tips on how to make it stop.
Help a Self-Centered, Bad Boss Change His Tune
7February 2012
It’s not that bad or childish bosses— “TOTs” (Terrible Office Tyrants)—are intentionally out to sabotage your career. Many are just “me-focused.” They believe the world really does focus around them in the workplace. Unfortunately, employees who don’t stand up for themselves (diplomatically) can get trampled in their desire to please.
I address the issue of a self-centered boss in my recent article for Psychology Today. Work should not be something you endure but rather something you enjoy. There are four ways to manage up and save your job satisfaction, your success, potentially even your career:
— Examine and Reinforce
— Reveal the Effects
— Execute a Strategy
— Model Good Teamwork
To find out more, read the complete article.
Managing Mood Swings
13January 2012
Wouldn’t it be nice to start the New Year in an office that is a sea of calm rather than an ocean of nauseating ups and downs? A moody, bad boss can make your job and workplace constantly turbulent.
As I explain in my latest Psychology Today blog, How To Manage Your Boss’s Mood Swings, bad bosses can display inexplicable, hair-trigger mood swings without warning, similar to teething toddlers. They start out the morning as giddy charmers, then morph into raging bulls by afternoon. But how can you create a sea of calm?
Fortunately, you can “tame your terrible office tyrant” by using the five tips I offer on how to handle a moody manager. By taming your TOT now, you’ll be able to navigate your way through rough waters and experience smooth sailing.
Five Things Not to Do in a Job Interview
25October 2011
In my latest article for Psychology Today I talk about winning in that high-stake game – the job interview. Seemingly insignificant mistakes can lead to a job opportunity slamming shut in your face. But putting attention on a few key things and keeping a positive attitude will help you to get through. Here is a snippet:
You haven’t had a job in months, money is tight, and you’re losing patience in your search. Then you get “the call!” You secure a job interview and think, “Did this hiring manager misdial? “Did I just hit the lottery?” You leave your home for the appointment, but your downbeat persona follows you. If you’re finding that during interviews, your posture, expression and responses show you’re not on top of your game—stop the presses! It’s time to hit “reset” if you really want to land a great job.
It’s very easy to become jaded after countless failed job search efforts, but you can make a concerted effort to change your attitude to the positive. If it’s any easier, consider it a challenge to try a new mindset. Even if you won the Nobel Peace Prize—twice—a negative tone would offset that lofty achievement! Most everyone can afford to take their level of enthusiasm up a notch during job interviews—and they will likely increase their odds of success significantly.
Although you might have regretted an interview response or two in the past, as most mortals have, you can avoid some faux pas by knowing some of the more common pitfalls in advance. For the five DON’Ts and Do’s to help you shine in your next job interview, read the article at PsychologyToday.com
