How to Have a Productive Argument at Work

How to Have a Productive Argument at Work The beautiful thing about working in human resources is all the people you get to deal with in your working day. Counterpoint: the painful thing about working in human resources is all those people you have to deal with every single day. People can be wonderful, but when they fail to meet expectations the ball often ends up back in HR’s court. Dealing with productivity or disciplinary shortcomings often involves a clash of opinion, and if it lingers on for a while matters can erupt into an argument. So how can you ensure these high-pressure moments work out positively for everyone? Planning for war When a confrontation has become unavoidable, it is best to arrange a meeting and distribute an agenda to give everyone a heads-up. Prepare yourself by researching facts and stats on the issues involved, which is likely to mean comparing contracts and written or verbal agreements/targets with what’s actually been achieved. As an HR pro, empathy is your secret weapon, so make sure to try to see things from the other person’s point of view. Think about the counter-arguments they might come up with, and how best to respond to them. This will save you regretting missed opportunities after the meeting, or may even help you to understand the situation in a new light. The field of play Some people find conflict super-difficult. Whether you become frustrated, nervous, or angry, it can be difficult to stay in control when tension is high. But keeping your body language open and your voice calm and quiet will give your arguments more ‘authority’ by helping you win the trust of the other person. It will also help you to think straight when the going gets tough. Even in a disciplinary matter, be careful not to use over-personal language. Talk about specific actions rather than blaming the other person’s character traits. Refer to your research to illustrate how boundaries have been crossed. If things start to become heated, you can always suggest a break; and if the other person isn’t opening up, it might be worth relocating to a more neutral ground. Visuals are always a great help. They make your points seem more ‘real,’ and are hard to argue with when up on the board in black and white. Again, you can make the other person feel involved and that they have a voice by allowing them to contribute to the visuals, for example by listing the pros and cons of a decision you’re trying to make together. The aftermath Your argument was never about ‘winning,’ but about getting the best outcome for all involved. Still, often somebody will end up feeling shortchanged, the victim of an injustice, or offended. Make sure to be open about the channels of communication and conflict resolution that are available. Apologize if you were wrong or said something out of line. And be sure to keep a record of what was said and agreed, in case the issue should flare up again in the future. If you weren’t able to bring the meeting to a satisfactory conclusion, it may also be worth bringing in a mediator from inside or outside or holding the meeting again with each party inviting an advocate to back up their points and keep things civil. It can also be worth setting a few rules before moving forward, covering things like the right to interrupt each other or not to share the details of the meeting with colleagues or on social media. But if you follow the guidelines in this new infographic, it should be possible to bring things to a good conclusion â€" and to go back to your love affair with the human race. About the author:  John Cole  writes on behalf of NeoMam Studios. A digital nomad specializing in leadership, digital media, and personal growth topics, his passions include world cinema and biscuits. A native Englishman, he is always on the move, but can most commonly be spotted in the UK, Norway, and the Balkans.

Keywords in Résumé Lead to Interviews - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Keywords in Résumé Lead to Interviews - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Eighty percent of all submitted résumés (and 100 percent of résumés sent to Fortune 1000 companies) get scanned by software commonly known as an applicant-tracking system (ATS), and such scanned résumés are stored on a server in a digitized format. Humans are seeing your résumé only if it resurfaces based on a query. That’s why most job applicants don’t receive responses from companies after submitting résumés. Therefore, in order to increase your résumé’s chances of being at least viewed by a humaneven if it’s not thereafter considered suitableyou have to understand the process and beat them at their own game. Human resources departments that use ATSs base their queries on keywords they lift from job descriptions or receive verbally from hiring managers. Based on that information, the ATS extracts appropriate résumés from the ones on file. The human resources employee’s query may result in just a few résumés or a vast number. The ATS also scores those résumés and sorts and prioritizes them. Then the employee reviews, say, 20 and submits 5 to be interviewed. Your job is to ensure that you embed sufficient keywords in your résumé. So, what’s the best way to find those magical keywords? It’s a simple, albeit somewhat tedious, exercise. 1. Search the Internet via job boards such as Monster and The Ladders.com to find 5 to 10 job descriptions of jobs advertised in the field you’re interested in. 2. Cut and paste all of the descriptions one after another into a new MS Word document. 3. Review the document, resetting in boldface what you consider the keywords throughout. 4. Delete everything except the boldface words. 5. Alphabetize the words, and delete duplicates. 6. Copy your résumé into a new MS Word document, and repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 on that copy. The two resulting lists will display which keywords from the descriptions are missing from your résumé. And now comes the creative part: you incorporate the missing keywords into your résumé so it seems seamless and a perfect match for the context in which the words are mentioned in the job descriptions. By doing this admittedly laborious task, you increase manyfold your chances of being picked out from the crowd. And now cross your fingers and pay close attention to the phone and your inbox. Your invitation for further exploring your candidacy is on its way. Good luck!

How to Maintain Your Sanity In a Dull Working Environment

How to Maintain Your Sanity In a Dull Working Environment Today we are pleased to have a guest post from Ikuto. So you have landed that dream job of yours that gives you the opportunity to apply your skills and make a fair amount of money. Everything seems to be going very well at first, but then you find that the work you do can be repetitive at times, you’re no longer challenged and your days start to all look the same. You start to feel like you should have chosen a different career or company, as you are no longer challenged and coming to work no longer holds the enthusiasm it once did. Your personality becomes more negative, your motivation suffers and your job performance decreases, and you feel that without a change, you will never keep your sanity in this dull working environment you have found yourself stuck in. A lot of people feel this way, especially if they had very big ideas and dreams about their new job. In this situation, you have two choices. Either you accept your fate in limbo and focus only on your income and become a work zombie, or you make a change. This does not mean bursting into your bosss office and demanding changes, or even quitting your job for a different one. It means making small changes every day that will positively affect your work environment. Busting Out of the Work Routine People are creatures of habit and this means that it is easy for you to fall into patterns without noticing it. Routine is a good thing to keep you on track but it is the factor that contributes the most to a dull working environment. For example, in banking jobs, you have set hours. Each day you arrive the same time. Give a quick greeting to your co-workers. You sit all day behind a desk doing the same work and interacting with customers, each time greeting them in the same way. You do this until the day ends, you pack up your stuff, and leave. And you do this every day. Even if the job is financially rewarding, it does not sound very exciting. Changing your pattern will be a great way to motivate yourself and even your colleagues. Before you go to your desk and make a cup of coffee. Stop by your co-workers desks, greet them properly, and chip in a comment about the weather or that awful coffee you have just taken a sip of. Take irregular breaks, use a blue pen instead of a black one, drink tea or fruit juice instead of coffee. Even try and greet every fifth customer or so in a different way. These small changes might not seem like much, but they keep your brain stimulated and will help you get out of your rut. Changing Your Work Place Environment Changing your environment will make a big difference to your sanity. This is especially true in accounting jobs, where you stare at numbers and calculations for most of the day. Add photos of you loved ones or pets to your desk. Likewise, a pretty plant can make the day more appealing. Bright colors are a great way to make things more interesting and stimulate your brain, so use colorful pens, or get yourself an interesting mug for your coffee. Another way to stop feeling down in a dull environment is to make sure it is brightly lit. People like light, and a well-lit work environment will help you stay motivated and feel more positive. Tricks to Staying Positive Having a positive attitude will immediately affect your work and your environment, and others will pick up on your mood. Government, accounting, and finance jobs may have you working with a lot of negative people, but it’s important to remember why you chose a career in these fields in the first place. The best way to keep your sanity is to make sure that your co-workers do as well. Smiling and engaging in conversations will help the office feel like a more positive and inspiring place to work. Another good way to improve your environment is to help others out with their job as this will make the day more positive for them and engaging for you. You can also approach your boss and ask how you can contribute more, or what advice he has to improve your work. Conquering the Boredom So to summarize here’s a list you can use to liven up a dull work place. 1. Change your routine in small ways 2. Decorate your office space 3. Add more light to your workspace 4. Surround yourself in bright colors 5. Buy a plant 6. Add photos to your desk 7. Practice smiling more 8. Help others with their projects 9. Ask your boss for input 10. Take irregular breaks Hope these tips can inspire a little more light in your day. Have any tricks that add cheer to your office? Share them in the comments below. Photo Credit: country_boy_shane via Compfight cc Ikuto is an expert writer who produces content on a variety of topics. He particularly specialises in writing career tips and tricks for people looking for work across the job sector spectrum.

5 Ways Networking can Help your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

5 Ways Networking can Help your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When building a personal brand we often miss the golden opportunity of networking both online and offline. This strategy not only opens the door to new jobs and opportunities, but it also creates lasting relationships to build on. Even though it is not a new concept, the power of making meaningful connections has become more important than ever in a social media driven world. The right relationships in business is a vital component both online and offline. You are who you connect with, and how a brand is perceived from others creates a lasting impression. Professional growth depends on networking, and should be viewed as an important part of your branding strategy. In what ways can you effectively build your network? Through reaching out, guest blogging, thanking others for their content and services, and sharing valuable information from those inside your niche, and so on. The best networking opportunities for your personal brand are cultivated over time, and consist of a combination of integrity, and quality that you can offer to people. Being active on networks like LinkedIn, Google Plus Hangouts, Facebook Groups, and Twitter Chats will show others that you are serious about becoming a valuable contributor and connection. How to build a great network There are several steps you can take when building the right connections for your personal brand. • Be active on LinkedIn This business-minded social network is the ultimate place for networking. But having a well laid-out profile is not enough. By joining the right groups for your niche, and actively participating in conversations you are attracting like-minded individuals to your brand. It is important to send out personalized messages, and not sell to people in your network. • Attend events through Meetup A great way to connect with others in your industry is to join in on professional meetings and events. You will be surprised at how many you find on this powerful network in your area. • Make a new connection each week Make it a goal to meet a new contact in your niche on a weekly basis, and at the end of the month you will notice growth not only from these people, but also from those who have found your brand through these connections. • Offer valuable content What ideas does your brand have to others that will be unique, professional, and helpful? Not only will you become known as an expert in your industry, but you will attract more influencers to your network. Taking the time to build your personal brand’s network will not only create a more professional, and reputable persona, but also opens the door for new opportunities, which eventually will lead your company to more sales.

The Importance of Writing a USJobs Resume

The Importance of Writing a USJobs ResumeWriting USJobs resume is one of the most important parts of the job search process. A poor resume is going to do you more harm than good, especially if you are going through a difficult time at the moment in terms of employment and finances.If you want to land the job of your dreams, then you have to come up with an impressive resume that presents you in the best possible light, and lands you that job that you desire. There are a few basic steps that you should be aware of when you are writing a USJobs resume.It is a good idea to write a cover letter. This is something that should be written several months prior to the interview so that it has time to collect all of the necessary details about the company. Then, you can put that cover letter in the USJobs resume so that you can highlight all of the good points about the company in the 'tell-all' section.Finally, you should do some research on the prospective employer. Find out what kind of car eer opportunities they offer. There are a lot of other things that you can do with this information, such as following up with your current employer, or making an employee referral, which is a great way to increase your chances of landing that great job.Try to do a bit of detective work when you are looking for these potential employers. If you are doing research online, start by finding reviews about the company that you are targeting. Get an idea of what people have had positive things to say about the company.Another thing that you can do in order to research your prospective employer is to go through their website and see if there are any kinds of testimonials on there. This will give you a fair idea of what kind of company youare dealing with. If they have a lot of negative feedback, then you may want to move on to another company.Writing USJobs resume is a very important part of the job search process. It is very important that you keep your job search to a minimum. If you jum p right into it without looking around for a while, then you are going to miss out on some wonderful opportunities.In order to be successful in this process, you need to make sure that you take as much time as you need to do the research that you need to do in order to get a good job. Keep this list of requirements handy so that you don't miss out on anything because you went a little too fast in your job search.

5 Psychology Tips to Ease Your Work-Life Place of Mind - Hire Imaging

5 Psychology Tips to Ease Your Work-Life Place of Mind - Hire Imaging If you follow me, you know that I love to devour the latest tidbits from psychology experts; and apply them to work and life! Here are a few I recently liked! All pertain to advice on navigating your daily life, with enhanced “place of mind”. I hope you find them helpful! 1. Bounce back from a snub. Perhaps a friend excluded you from a get-together without explanation. Or maybe it was a workplace meeting. Why weren’t you in on it? Research says to reach out and hold someone’s hand! If appropriate, get a hug! Scientific Reports conducted a study where subjects were randomly shunned during a game, then exposed to different types of touch from strangers, ranging from a quick brush to a kind caress. Those who received affectionate touches reported less emotional distress  than their counterparts, as the gesture bolstered their sense of connectedness and belonging. 2. Push through a midday slump. It’s the middle of a busy day at work, and you’ve been multitasking  what feels like a dozen things. The last thing you feel you should do is whip out your phone for a game, a chat, or review of the latest events. But according to the scientific journal, Human Factors, it may exactly what you should do. After working on a computer, subjects in their study took a five-minute break to do nothing, perform a relaxation exercise, or play a digital game. The findings showed that only the gamers had an uptick in mood and concentration, as their minds were reenergized by the activity’s stimulating content. 3. Sharpen your social smarts. When you’re wrestling to understand how a friend or co-worker is feeling  after she comes to you for support (Angry? Disappointed? Anxious?), concentrate less on her facial expressions and more on listening to her tone and word choice. When a Yale University scientist analyzed more than 1,800 conversations, he found that those who focused on what they heard (the speaker’s emotional inflection and phrasing) pinned down feelings more accurately than those who focused on what they saw (body language). Why? Our face can mask our feelings but listening attentively eliminates misleading distractions from the relevant or important issues. 4. Sometimes it’s not about collaboration. Sometimes when you need to make a tough decision, it’s better to rely on your instincts rather than asking others. When scientists at the University of Essex in England asked people to answer a question with little data to go on, those who worked in groups made 50 percent more mistakes than people who worked alone. The investigators explain that conflicting ideas and interpretations caused people to doubt their gut, leading to second-guessing, overthinking, analysis paralysis, more inaccuracies, and overall stress. 5. Spur your creativity. Writing about your dreams â€" especially those that don’t make sense â€" can boost your inventiveness in waking life, say researchers reporting in the Journal of Creative Behavior. They tested subjects’ creativity, then tracked them for about a month as the subjects maintained a daily log of their dreams or memorable happenings from the prior day. Follow-up scores on the creativity test revealed a rise in imaginative thinking for dream diarists but not their counterparts. Why? The researchers explain revisiting nonsensical dream imagery loosens people’s thinking, allowing them to more readily think outside the box and make new associations. Do you have ideas to ease daily “place of mind”? I always love to hear from you. Please comment below.

Your Next Job Search Doesnt Need to Be Painful - CareerEnlightenment.com

Here’s what that means in practice:Attend networking events: There’s no easier way to connect with other professionals (and prospective employers) in your field. Meet a dozen or more quality contacts in an hour!Do informational interviews: Connect and learn from influencers in your field of interest. You can uncover huge opportunities in just a 20-30 minute meeting.Volunteer: There’s no better way to showcase your passion and skills. Find a volunteer opportunity that allows you to utilize your professional abilities. You shouldn’t expect to get a job from the organization you’re volunteering with; but you’re value will be on full display to influencers in your community.Each of these activities will grow and strengthen your professional network. You’ll be among the first to know about new job openings and become a go-to referral for relevant work opportunities.Remember… eight out of 10 jobs are filled through professional networks. If you’re not constantly building your network, you’re missing out on 80 percent of all the jobs out there!Why aren’t you doing what works?When I share this information with job seekers, I often get one of three responses. I’ll share these with you, along with my typical rebuttal.“This isn’t fair. It’s not meritocratic.” I empathize with this sentiment. It’s true that a well-connected candidate is often better positioned than one who is perfectly qualified. But these two qualities are not mutually exclusive. In today’s job market, you need to be both connected and qualified, otherwise you’re just another anonymous resume.“I’m too shy to network. Networking is only for extroverts.” This is 100% not true. Networking is a learned skilljust like riding a bike or learning a new language. There are some basic rules and it takes practice, but anyone can become a good networker.I know this because I was not a born networker. In fact, I was painfully shy until my mid-20s, when I learned strategies to excel in professional networking. (Believe it or not, I now LOVE to get out there and meet new people.)“I don’t have time to do what you’re talking about.” Again, I understand this feeling. We’ve all got busy lives! But there are plenty of ways to integrate professional networking into your existing schedule.Here’s just one example. Almost all professionals have some time off for lunch, but many times we end up eating alone our desk. Why not use this time to build a professional relationship over some sushi?More fundamentally, consider thisThe average job search takes between two and six months; and searches generally take longer as you progress through your career.One reason they take so long is because people are stuck in the self-defeating job search process I described above. They only look for jobs online and then struggle to pigeonhole their resumes into any position of interest. They are relying on one of the least-effective methods of finding a job!   Buildi ng up your professional network significantly shortens the length of your job search. You’ll uncover more job opportunities that align with your real interests and you’ll have an inside referral that gives you an inside edge in the application process.If time is an important factor for you, plugging into the hidden job market is the fastest and most-reliable way to find a job you’ll love.In my upcoming online course, Hack the Hidden Job Market, I teach everything you need to know to build strong professional connections that kick start your job search and propel your career.   I’ll take you, step-by-step through the process, from how to make the most of networking events, to conducting informational interviews, to closing the deal with employers.   The course launches November 1.