Saturday, December 28, 2019

Toni Morrisons brilliant approach to work-life balance

Toni Morrisons brilliant approach to work-life balanceToni Morrisons brilliant approach to work-life balanceWriter Toni Morrison won the Nobel Prize in 1993, and she worked hard to get therbeie, starting by cleaning houses when she was a child. The experience taught her a lot about putting work in its place, which she wrote about in arecent piece in The New Yorker. Morrisons brief essay discusses her fathers way of encouraging her to keep her priorities straight and made sure her supportive home life was the center of her world. Its a necessary read in our workaholic era in which vacation days are rare and work martyrdom is rife.Youre either working on your own dream, or someone elsesMorrisons essay illustrates how important it is to stay grounded in your self-worth, and to remember what you bring to the table when things get tough for you in the working world.She recalls her experiences cleaning a womans house to earn money for herself and her mom as a child in the 1940s.Morrison en joyed making money for herself, but mora so because ofhow she could help her parents out The pleasure of being necessary to my parents was profound. I was not like the children in folktales burdensome mouths to feed, nuisances to be corrected, problems so severe that they were abandoned to the forest, shewrote, also mentioning that the affirming gestures from the grownupsseemed to say that she was adultlike.But as she improved, the housework got harder, and even though she wanted to say something to the woman,she wasscared of being let go.Indirectly citing thework martyrconcept, Morrison told her dad about the issues she had getting the work done one day when they were in the kitchen.In a moment of tough love, he said,Listen. You dont live there. You live here. With your people. Go to work. Get your money. And come on home.Morrison went on to present what his words meant to her in a numbered list, but the points can also be backed up by research.Commit to self-improvementThe first k atechese Morrison got from her dads words was Whatever the work is, do it well- not for the boss but for yourself.This applies to tackling new skills for personal gain.Heidi Grant Halvorson, a motivational psychologist and author of the HBR Single Nine Things Successful People Do Differently, told the Harvard Business Review about identifying the learning style that best suits you in a 2012 article about nailing a new skill.Reflect on some of your past learning experiences, and make a list of good ones and another list of bad onesWhat did the good, effective experiences have in common? How about the bad ones? Identifying common strands can help you determine the learning environment that works best for you, she told the publication.More importantly, external pressure will never push you as much as your own desire for growth and purpose. As musician Pharrell put it in a recent speech, dont do things for the applause.Your workis not your entire identityThe second message Morrison got from her dads words was You make the job it doesnt make you. The fourth message Morrison got from her dads words was You are not the work you do you are the person you are.But these two go hand in hand- you are bigger than your job, but as easy as it is to think thatyour job truly defines you, theres a whole lot more to you than what goes onfrom 9 to 5. More importantly, if you want to get succeed, you have to see your own worth as determined by something other than your performance reviews, your raises, or encouragement from colleagues.Gallup reported in 2014 found that 55% of Americans said they get a sense of identity from their job, compared to 42% who said their work is simply something they do to make money.But this concept wasnt new in 2014- the organization added thatthese results have been consistent throughout multiple Gallup polls since 1989.So no matter how hectic things get for you in the office, stay grounded by thinking about who you are, what you want, and what mak es you unique. Jobs come and go, even the great ones, but our spouses, kids, parents and friends arent going to remember us by our excellent meeting memos or slick PowerPoints.Create a life outside workThe third message Morrison got from her dads words was Your real life is with us, your family.Dont confuse your day job for your whole life- remember what people who mean a lot to youbring to your experiences outside of work, and try to draw a boundary separating work life from home life as much as possible.A 2015 international EY surveyof people in eight countries found that 33% of respondents reported that managing work and family life got tougher over the previous five years.Two of the top five reasons were 49% of participants reporting that my salary has not increased much, but my expenses have and 48% of them reporting that my responsibilities at work have increased. Other factors were an increase of things to manage at home, having one or more kids, and clocking in more hours.Y et, as work demands more of us, we have to find ways to retain our own sanity - not just after work, but during it. Use lunch breaks to connect with colleagues, sure, but also try to touch base with family or friends during that time, in texts or emails. Make future social plans during 15-minute breaks through the day instead of bouncing around social media. Schedule picnics, concerts, and activities that make your time off richer than a few more hours on the couch. The more you have a sense of yourself within your family and community, the less youll depend on work to give you everything. Thats clearly advice that has served Morrison - one of the most talented and successful American writers - well.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Becoming a Product Manager

Becoming a Product ManagerBecoming a Product ManagerProduct Managers work to understand the needs and challenges of their targeted customers and to translate those insights into ideas for investment and new product development or existing product enhancement. They create the business cases or plans for investment ideas and when these are approved by management, they work closely with engineering or research and development teams to identify requirements and support the process of translating an idea into a new product.Once a product has moved through the development phases, the product manager works to help prepare the organization to market, sell and support the offering. A Challenging and Valuable Role The challenging role of product manager is increasingly sought after by professionals looking to gain broad organizational exposure and management experience. The product managers responsibilities span the entire organization and extend into the marketplace typically focusing on one or more industry and customer groups. During the products life, the product manager is involved in monitoring performance, recommending adjustments to pricing or promotion to counter competitor responses and working with customers to identify profil enhancements. Eventually, the product manager plans a replacement product while managing the discontinuation of the older offering. Product Managers become subject matter experts in their markets and technologies and are often called upon to meet with customers or prospects and speak at industry events or contribute to relevant publications. And they do all of this by guiding, engaging with and leading individuals and functions across their organization, often with no more formal authority than their ability to persuade otherbeis to back their ideas. This is a challenging, demanding job and one that is increasingly sought after by new college and MBA graduates. Serving as a product manager offers an opportunity to gain high visibili ty in the organization and to cultivate the skills and reputation necessary to advance in future general management roles. The Evolving Role of Product Manager The classical role of product manager originated within consumer products companies such as Procter Gamble or Unilever, where these product or category champions served as CEOs of their offerings. From market research to product development, packaging, promotion and selling, these individuals managed their offerings for growth and profits. Over time, practically every industry sector has adopted some form of the role of product manager. Even service-focused firms rely upon a version of the product manager role to translate customer needs and market insights into new services offerings. In a number of markets, the role has been split into two, including the product manager and product marketing manager. The product marketing manager focuses more on the outbound marketing and coordination, while the product manager tends t o focus a majority of his or her efforts on internal coordination, particularly with the firms research and development or engineering teams. In this split role situation, the two parties work closely together to ensure consistency and coordination across stakeholder groups. Not a Project Manager While there is a great deal of cross-group coordination involved in carrying out the role of product manager, the job should not be confused with that of the project manager. The project manager is responsible for coordinating and guiding teams working on temporary and unique initiatives, while the product manager approaches his/her offerings from a business case and management perspective. The project manager has the benefit of well-defined industry standards and certifying practices, while the role of product manager is considerably less formalized on an industry basis. There are a number of firms involved in training product managers, but as of this writing, there is no standardized body of knowledge or certifying body, such as those that exist in the field of project management. It is common for both individuals- the product manager and the project manager- to work together on a new product development or product enhancement initiative. Skills Required for Success as a Product Manager Given the broad scope of the role of product manager, there are a number of skill sets essential for success. These include The ability to cultivate a deep understanding of a particular market segment or customer grouping.Familiarity with the specific application of the products in customer settings.Curiosity to explore and identify customer challenges and translate those challenges into product or service ideas.The ability to develop a business plan and investment case for new product development or current product enhancement. A degree in business, especially an MBA is particularly helpful in this role.Critical thinking skills essential for assessing customer needs, competi tor offerings, and key trends and translating this knowledge into investment plans. The ability to guide and lead others informally- without formal report-to authority.Outstanding written and spoken communication skills, with an emphasis on persuasion skills.Depending upon the nature of the offering, a deep level of technical expertise may be required in the role. Many product managers have technical backgrounds, including engineering degrees. Career Path Into Product Management Product managers come from all manner of backgrounds, including Engineering, Research DevelopmentQuality or Operations ManagementTechnical SupportMarketing CommunicationsCustomer SupportSales Support Additionally, some firms hire individuals directly from firms in the target market segment. There are many paths into this interesting and important role. Career Path for Product Managers While product managers can advance their own functions or departments, it is common for experienced product managers to advance into general management or functional management roles.I have personally promoted product managers into sales, marketing, and other general management positions. Their broad-base of industry, offering, and operations knowledge make them highly desirable for a number of roles in an organization. A career in product management is rich in challenges and opportunities to learn and to contribute to the success of an organization. The role is part entrepreneurial and part general management and individuals who prefer to operate with a high degree of responsibility and independence enjoy working in this position a great deal. There are few roles in our gammeln workplace that rival the opportunity the product manager has to shape the future success of an organization.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Second Interview Invitation and What to Expect

Second Interview Invitation and What to ExpectSecond Interview Invitation and What to ExpectJob searching can be a harrowing process. After applying, waiting for potentially months and hoping for a response, you finally get invited to a first bewerbungsgesprch. If you did well, you likely will get invited back for a second interview. This can be incredibly exciting, but also nerve-wracking. Typically, because hiring managers have already drastically narrowed the field of potential hires, your wait time for the call back will be much shorter. Remember, depending on the size of the company and the scope of the job, your second interview may just be the next step. There may be a third interview as well. Example of an Invitation to a Second Interview The following is an example of an schmelzglas advising you that youve been selected for a second interview. Subject Invitation to a Second InterviewDear Lucy Miranda,Thank you for taking the time to meet with us to discuss your interest in, and qualifications for, the position of assistant gallery manager at the Oakland Photography Institute.We are pleased to inform you that you passed the first round of interviews and we would like to invite you to return to the gallery for a second interview. The interview should last approximately two hours. Please let me know what days and times you are available for the next two weeks.We look forward to meeting with you again.Best,Jason Turner Expand What to Expect at a Second Interview Getting the email invitation is a great next step, but it does not mean the job is yours. At this point, they have likely narrowed down the applicant pool, from the dozens who applied, to just a handful who successfully made it through the first round. This time you will be up against the most highly qualified candidates, so its important to remain focused and not get overly confident. Many people mistakenly think a second interview is more casual than the first. This is simply not the case unless it was specifically stated by the hiring manager or human resources contact in the invitation you received. Be sure to dress just as you did for the first meeting, such as wearing a mens suit or appropriate, contemporary dress unless its a casual work environment. Make sure your outfit is clean, well pressed, and fits well. And keep your accessories to a minimum. Your second interview will likely differ from your first in a couple of ways. With some companies, you will meet different people than you did in the first interview. At other firms, you will meet with the same group, but the focus of the interview will be different. Instead of questions about your work experience and performance, they may focus instead on culture and personality to see if youre a good fit for the office. There are a number of different interview types, and it is possible that after your initial interview, the potential employer will use a different type to see how you handle different interview situ ations. If your first interview was a one-on-one, your second may be a group interview. Group interviews are either a group of colleagues interviewing you or a group of interviewees being interviewed together. Either way, the hiring team will be looking at how you interact with a group, so practice your listening skills and body language as well. Remember, this is very much a two-way conversation. While they are interviewing you, you should also be evaluating them as a potential employer. A second interview is a great opportunity to get more insight into what your coworkers are like, what the corporate culture is like, and how your potential boss operates. Be prepared to ask questions about not only your role but your future team and the company as a whole. While giving you valuable insight, it also demonstrates your interest and passion for the work.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Why your attitude is more important than your IQ

Why your attitude is more important than your IQWhy your attitude is more important than your IQWhen it comes to success, its easy to think that people blessed with brains are inevitably going to leave the rest of us in the dust. But new research from Stanford University will change your mind (and your attitude).Psychologist Carol Dweck has spent her entire career studying attitude and performance, and her latest study shows that your attitude is a better predictor of your success than your IQ.Dweck found that peoples core attitudes fall into one of two categories a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWith a fixed mindset, you believe you are who you are and you cannot change. This creates problems when youre challenged because anything that appears to be more than you can handle is bound to make you feel hopeless and overwhelmed.People with a growt h mindset believe that they can improve with effort. They outperform those with a fixed mindset, even when they have a lower IQ, because they embrace challenges, treating them as opportunities to learn something new.Common sense would suggest that having an ability, like being smart, inspires confidence. It does, but only while the going is easy. The deciding factor in life is how you handle setbacks and challenges. People with a growth mindset welcome setbacks with open arms.According to Dweck, success in life is all about how you absprache with failure. She describes the approach to failure of people with the growth mindset this way,Regardless of which side of the chart you fall on, you can make changes and develop a growth mindset. What follows are some strategies that will fine-tune your mindset and help you make certain its as growth-oriented as possible.Dont stay helplessWe all hit moments when we feel helpless. The test is how we react to that feeling. We can either learn fro m it and move forward or let it drag us down. There are countless successful people who would have never made it if they had succumbed to feelings of helplessness Walt Disney welches fired from theKansas City Starbecause he lacked imagination and had no good ideas, Oprah Winfrey was fired from her job as a TV anchor in Baltimore for being too emotionally invested in her stories, Henry Ford had two failed car companies prior to succeeding with Ford, and Steven Spielberg was rejected by USCs Cinematic Arts School multiple times. Imagine what would have happened if any of these people had a fixed mindset. They would have succumbed to the rejection and given up hope. People with a growth mindset dont feel helpless because they know that in order to be successful, you need to be willing to fail hard and then bounce right back.Be passionateEmpowered people pursue their passions relentlessly. Theres always going to be someone whos more naturally talented than you are, but what you lack in talent, you can make up for in passion. Empowered peoples passion is what drives their unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Warren Buffet recommends finding your truest passions using, what he calls, the 5/25 technique Write down the 25 things that you care about the most. Then, cross out the bottom 20. The remaining 5 are your true passions. Everything else is merely a distraction.Take actionIts not that people with a growth mindset are able to overcome their fears because they are braver than the rest of us its just that they know fear and anxiety are paralyzing emotions and that the best way to overcome this paralysis is to take action. People with a growth mindset are empowered, and empowered people know that theres no such thing as a truly perfect moment to move forward. So why wait for one? Taking action turns all your worry and concern about failure into positive, focused energy.Then go the extra mile (or two)Empowered people give it their all, even on their worst days. Theyre always pushing themselves to go the extra mile. One of Bruce Lees pupils ran three miles every day with him. One day, they were about to hit the three-mile mark when Bruce said, Lets do two more. His pupil was tired and said, Ill die if I run two more. Bruces response? Then do it. His pupil became so angry that he finished the full five miles. Exhausted and furious, he confronted Bruce about his comment, and Bruce explained it this way Quit and you might as well be dead. If you always put limits on what you can do, physical or anything else, itll spread over into the rest of your life. Itll spread into your work, into your morality, into your entire being. There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level.If you arent getting a little bit better each day, then youre most likely getting a little worse- and what kind of life is that?Expect resultsPeople with a growth minds et know that theyre going to fail from time to time, but they never let that keep them from expecting results. Expecting results keeps you motivated and feeds the cycle of empowerment. After all, if you dont think youre going to succeed, then why bother?Be flexibleEveryone encounters unanticipated adversity. People with an empowered, growth-oriented mindset embrace adversity as a means for improvement, as opposed to something that holds them back. When an unexpected situation challenges an empowered person, they flex until they get results.Dont complain when things dont go your way.Complaining is an obvious sign of a fixed mindset. A growth mindset looks for opportunity in everything, so theres no room for complaints.Bringing It All TogetherBy keeping track of how you respond to the little things, you can work every day to keep yourself on the right side of the chart above.Do you have a growth mindset? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.This article first appeared on Linkedin.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Startling Information About How Many Bullet Points per Job on Resume Exposed

Startling Information About How Many Bullet Points per Job on Resume Exposed The Debate Over How Many Bullet Points per Job on Resume Focus on these sections to understand whether you meet the requirements for the position. If you opt to use bullet points, use them consistentlyeach example of bullet point usage should incorporate the exact same number of points, if at all possible. The bullet resume format is tough to read. Short bullets are somewhat more inclined to be read. You truly need a cover letter. Actually, theres no universal guideline to create a resume. You dont need to go over 6 bullet points for a parteicular position, so including a little paragraph will allow you to trim it down. The peak of your resume should includecritical search phrases and a fast snapshot of your core strengths, Leavy-Detrick states. How Many Bullet Points per Job on Resume at a Glance Ensure your resume is simple to read and conveys the critical points quickly. Resumes are written de pending on the physical fitness evaluations. The same is true for dates of tenure. For example, a hiring manager for a construction company might be more interested in how much you are able to lift, how reliable youre, and whether you are able to learn new skills quickly. The work is more or less the exact same as that of a normal salesperson. If you wish to understand how to arrange your list, return to the work ad. When youre searching for work, you shouldnt attempt to appeal to each and every employer. If youve got a notion of what positions youre searching for, let your resume editor know, said Aylward. In addition, you can look for secretary jobs on Monster. To produce the decision, that hiring manager wants to see what youve accomplished. A hiring manager only spends a couple of seconds looking at your resume so that you wish to ensure its simple to read and digest. All you should know to earn a stunning resume job description. How did your job duties help or increas e the organizations capacity to work. If youve got minimal work experience, you will need to highlight various aspects of your job responsibilities to appeal to every individual hiring manager. Your experience should address every essential qualification in the job announcement. How Many Bullet Points per Job on Resume the Ultimate Convenience A hiring manager is just likely to rapidly scan your resume, and numbers stick out. My company is a little small and doesnt enable me to generate massive outcomes. You must get clear on the form of job, the industries you need to work in, the degree of job that you want to go after, style of company culture, other factors which you might value. By carefully reading the work post, you ought to be in a position to glean what some of the absolute most important keywords may be. Continue reading for all the intricacies of incorporating keywords into your resume so that you may land the job that you desire The work experience part of your re sumethe part in which you describe your previous jobsis the most critical part of your whole job application. Based on what your particular work experience has been, youve got to elaborate somewhat. If there are certain skills that are related to your field or the job which youre applying for, always list them in the skills section if youve got them. Its aim is to sell you to the organization youre attempting to work for. Top How Many Bullet Points per Job on Resume Secrets The target of your resume is to secure you the interview. On top of that, bullets show your experience and abilities in a manner that stands out immediately. You might not have LinkedIn testimonials. My resume will offer extra details concerning my qualifications and accomplishments, and I would welcome the chance for an interview to talk about the performance it is possible to count on from me. If youre unsure about your very own past accomplishments and results, speak with your former boss or coworkers and attempt to collect data. A breakdown of your career so far, you should consist of high level accomplishments or success stories at the very top of your CV.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

The Hidden Truth About Veteran Resume Writing Free

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