How to Own Up to a Mistake With Your Client - The Muse

How to Own Up to a Mistake With Your Client - The MuseHow to Own Up to a Mistake With Your Client Gaining the love and respect of a client is the ultimate benchmark for measuring your success. While a fat paycheck and killer perks can make you feel like a rock star, deep down we all know, if our clients dont respect us, we just look good on paper.So, how do you achieve that coveted spot as the apple of your clients eye? There are scores of management programs and books out there that aspire to teach you everything you need to know to make your clients happy, but it doesnt have to be that complicated. In fact, theres one very simple rule that will get you pretty farOwn up to your mistakes.I know, it sounds a bit counterintuitive to approach client mistakes, given you want them to think youre a genius, but trust me They know nobody is perfect. In fact, your clients will probably get a bit suspicious if you never, ever, make a single mistake. Admitting when you do, however, shows them y oure confident (and humble) enough to face the music. In my experience, thats a trait most people respect- especially a paying client.Consider this When your web isnt working and you call customer service, and they tell you the issue is being addressed and should be resolved in the next 20 minutes, do you believe them? Probably not. Why? Because youve heard that story before, and it almost never works out the way they claim it will. Youve learned over time not to trust your internet service provider, and the same thing can happen between you and your clients. Without that trust, its nearly impossible to develop much of a relationship with them, let alone get any love.On the other hand, Ill never forget the first time I fessed up to a client after Id made a mistake. I was working for a large bank, and my client was one of our largest and most important. Everyone was afraid of him to begin with, and when things didnt go his way, no one wanted to be the unlucky one to call him up with the bad news.Exhausted by the usual efforts to sugar-coat the situation, I decided to bite the bullet and just be honest. I called him up and explained that Id made a mistake. Id missed a deadline, and his transaction didnt happen when it was supposed to. I apologized for the mistake, explained what I was doing to correct the issue, and offered to compensate him for the inconvenience.The line was silent for what felt like hours, until he finally spoke. He thanked me for my honesty and told me he appreciated me taking responsibility for the mistake. Were all human, and mistakes will sometimes happen, he said.Two things happened as a result of that conversation I never made that mistake again, and my client trusted me to handle his account with integrity. For my remaining years at the bank, he preferred to deal solely with me.How to Do ItOf course, breaking the news to your client should be approached with care and a lot of planning. Simply cold-calling a client to reveal youve messed up probably wont go over so well, and not being prepared for a difficult discussion wont pan out how you imagined, either. Also, sharing too much- or too little- detail about the chain of events can easily take a problem from bad to worse in a hurry. Deciding to own up to your mistake is the first step, but how you do it will play a crucial role in making the experience ultimately positive for your client- and you.Before you have the talk with your client, grab a pen and paper, and write out a brief outline of the events leading up to your mistake. Spend some time and really think about why things went wrong, and what youll do going forward to prevent it. When you confront your client with the information, try to summarize your explanation in one or two short sentences.Obviously, youll want to apologize for the mistake, identify what the mistake was, and share how youll fix it. None of these steps needs to be overly descriptive- in fact, the shorter the better. But, you should be p repared to give more detail if your client asks for it.Heres an exampleHi Bob, Im calling to follow up on the issue we had with your transaction yesterday. The issue was on our end, and was an oversight on my part. Ive pinpointed the gap in my process and have adjusted my procedures to avoid any future issues like this in the future. I apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused you and have refunded the service fee on your account to help compensate for the error.Once youve given your schpeel, give your client the opportunity to ask questions, and be prepared to listen to him or her vent. Remember, youre taking the heat for this, so dont let yourself get defensive. You did make a mistake, after all, so its understandable your client may be upset.But, after the dust settles- if there is any- most of the time youll find your clients become far less frustrated when they realize youre taking responsibility for what happened. fruchtwein people understand, as my client did, that were all human, and we all make mistakes. But, what everyone doesnt always do is own up to them.Admitting to your mistakes is an easy concept to understand, but a difficult one to put into practice. But, with patience and preparation, youll find that being straight with your clients will be the foundation for a beautiful professional relationship.

Marine Corps Special Reaction Teams (SRT)

Marine Corps Special Reaction Teams (SRT)Marine Corps Special Reaction Teams (SRT)By Cpl. Ryan Walker CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Okinawa, Japan Outfitted in ballistics gear, a gruppe of Marines slowly moves toward their objective waiting behind a protective shield for the command from their unit leader to explode through their entry point to arrest their suspect. Ten Marines from the Provost Marshals Office make-up such a team. The Special Reaction Team is specially trained to handle missions beyond the call of duty for basically trained military policemen. Were a S.W.A.T. team for the Marine Corps said Staff Sgt. Steven Rowe, commander, Special Reaction Team, Provost Marshals Office, Marine Corps Base. Our mission is to train, practice and rehearse for any situation, such as hostages, barricaded suspects, and felony arrests. A military policeman is selected to be a member of SRT after he completes an indoctrination, which is an evaluation of how quickly he can learn the units special tactics, Rowe explained. Once they become SRT, we send them to SRT School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Rowe said. After SRT School, their training is endless there are so many schools we can send them to. As the only military SRT on Okinawa, the unit constantly trains to hone the tightly knit teams skills, often training six or seven days a week. Today were going over basic entry and room clearing, Rowe said. These guys do this a thousand times, and they know how to do it, but as a team, youre not a really well-rounded team until you do it a thousand times together. Once the Marines get into their building, either by kicking it in or using one of their many sophisticated breeching methods, they wait for the commands from the shield. The shield is the nachhall boss who runs the team, Rowe said. Hes the man up-front in ballistics from head-to-toe and can take a couple of rounds. I wear a lot more protection than the other team members, so my job is pretty much to get shot, said Cpl. Edd ie L. Tesch, who serves as the SRTs shield. After receiving the command to enter a room, two or more Marines buttonhook or cross into the room to either locate their objective or ensure its clear. Once we dump into a room, we take it over as quickly as possible, Rowe said. With danger around every ecksto, many men may not be fearless enough to be a member of such an elite squad. We expect to get shot in every structure, Tesch said. Around every corner, every angle and every door I think the bad guy is waiting for me. Thats how I psyche myself out, so when I turn that corner or open that door, Im ready to pounce on him. Though the SRT has not had a real-world situation to respond to for many years, that hasnt stagnated their training. We havent had a situation in years, which is good because we dont have those problems here, and we have more time to train, Rowe said. We also send our guys out to all the search and rescues here. Regardless of whether or not the Marines have had a real -world situation to respond to in recent years, the team considers themselves a group of elite Marines. We take pride in ourselves for what we do, Tesch said. Its just the pride of being the best of the best.

4 Easy Steps to a Powerful Resume Objective

4 Easy Steps to a Powerful Resume ObjectiveResume Objectives - A 4 Step Guide4 Easy Steps to a Powerful Resume ObjectiveDespite its name, your resume Objective is not supposed to state your objective. At least not exclusively. Like every other part of your resume, the Objective should demonstrate the value you can bring to the employer. Dont waste valuable resume space with a generic Objective about wanting a challenging opportunity in a growth-oriented company, or a self-centered wish list for a fun and creative location in a firm that will respect my unique ideas. Use it to sell yourselfHeres a before-and-after example to illustrate how you can take a boring Objective, apply the four steps, and turn it into a strong marketing toolBeforeOBJECTIVE A responsible administrative position in a non-profit organizationAfterOBJECTIVE To transfer the office management expertise gained during eight years in a corporate setting to a managerial-level position for an established non-profit that needs fundraising and event-planning talentIm about to give you the easy four-step system for building an impressive Objective that will contribute to your real objective of getting an interview and getting hired. But first consider this Do you even need an Objective on your resume? Many job seekers dont. If youve already established a career path and youre not veering from it, skip the Objective and use a Summary of Qualifications instead.You only need an Objective if your career goal is not obvious from your work history, as is the case with most students and entry-level applicants, people switching careers, or those returning to work after an extended absence. If thats you, read on.Your Objective in 4 Easy StepsChoose one option from each of the four sections. Fill in the blanks. Edit as needed. Put them all together, and youll have a solid Objective that helps make your case.1. Opening To contribute or transfer if youre changing careers To apply To build upon2. Relevant Exper ience X years of progressive experience in the ____ field a solid X-year education in X, along with ____ the expertise and skills gained during X years in the ____ industry3. Job Type and Level to an entry-level ____ position to a ____ position in ____ in a responsible role as a ____4. Type of Organization with an organization that values ____ in a growing business than can benefit from ____ for an established firm that needs ____The beauty of this system is that its flexible. Mix and match, play around with the wording, and customize the Objective to match specific employers terminology.

Build your Business Brand with Social Marketing

Build your Business Brand with Social MarketingBuild your Business Brand with Social MarketingBuild your Business Brand with Social Marketing Blaszczyk, Managing Editor, Resource CenterSocial marketingcan be a goldmine for small geschftsleben. But if youre busy running a business day in and day out,it candifficult toland the right mix of marketing mojo andsocial media best practices for your company.The good news, as marketing expert Jeff Korhan points out in his new book, Built-in Social Essential Social Marketing Practices for Every Small Business (Wiley, 2013) is that social marketing can leverage your current experience and expertise. In other words, you dont have to reinvent your business tomake your business brand mora likable, trusted and engaging.In this interview, Korhan explains the ins and outs of social marketing for small business.Monster In your book, Built-in Social, you say that, In order to get work these days, it is necessary to show that you want the work, you appr eciate the work, and that you are easy to work with.Has social media become the best way for small businesses to demonstrate that they want work?Korhan Most businesses want more work, but leid all of them are willing to earn that opportunity, and the amplifying qualities of social media tend to make that evident.So, the best way for a business to use social media to earn more opportunities to serve its ideal customers is to be service oriented. This is accomplished with content marketing, typically using a blog or similar platform to provide relevant solutions for a defined community.The value they derive from that content creates alignment with the business publishing it, thereby leading to new business opportunities.Monster You differentiate brands as likeable and businesses as friendly. What are the easiest ways for businesses to show that theyre friendly in the social media space?Korhan Likeable and friendly are both desirable qualities, but friendly is more intimate and persona l, and that is what earns the trust that is necessary for buyers to step forward.If a consumer knows and trusts just one person in a business, they will generally trust the business as a whole, especially if that person is one of its leaders. This is why it is essential for small business owners and their leading managers to be participating in the conversations on their social media channels.The first step in accomplishing this is often being responsive to the comments that otherwise go unanswered.Monster Many small companies create a Facebook page that quickly languishes. What recommendations do you have to keep it vibrant and fresh?Korhan It is indeed challenging to keep a Facebook page vibrant, even when the business is actively making the effort to keep everything fresh.My experience, and that of many others, is that you have to occasionally promote posts and use other forms of Facebook advertising to reach your fans and followers that are being filtered by Facebooks EdgeRank f ormula (discussed in detail in Built-In Social).It is also helpful to vary the content mix to determine what works best to get more folks tuning in on a regular basis.Monster You talk about the importance of social entrepreneurship. Can you explain what it is and how it can be useful for a companys social media profile?Korhan Social entrepreneurship is hybrid business model that is not purely capitalistic or social, having a traditional profit motive while also making a contribution to community in some way.This may be the local community the small business serves, or it could be special interests or causes that transcend local to even include a multinational community.The value of this model in terms of social media is the social or community focused efforts tend to get readily shared. This humanizes the business, thereby making it more approachable.When all other things are equal, consumers will tend to favor those businesses with a higher purpose that serves the greater good of t he community.Monster How should companies respond to negative online comments that are directed toward their business, an employee or the business owner?Korhan Negative comments directed at anyone in particular should be either deleted or edited to preserve both the intent of the message and the decorum of the community.I did this recently on my blog and the commenter privately thanked me afterwards.One likely reason for this is that the two people having that somewhat heated conversation actually entered into a business transaction as a result of that discussion.Every situation and community is different, but most important is to give people freedom of expression, even if it happens to be negative.If the business skillfully manages these conversations they will find they usually lead to favorable, or at least, acceptable outcomes.Monster You say that collaboration is the new marketing. What opportunities does this new model create for small companies?Korhan The value of collaborati on is that it engages buyers with the business, essentially giving them the opportunity to prove their worth.In a world that is commoditizing just about every product and service, collaboration is a means for any business to achieve differentiation.What is necessary is a well-designed and orchestrated sales process that keeps the collaboration progressing toward desired objectives.When a collaboration results in a customer getting something that exceeds what they had imagined, the business now has an advocate that will do their marketing for them. That is arguably the most powerful form of marketing today, because it travels well on the social networks.Monster You list a company website, blog and schmelzglas newsletter as essential digital business assets. Are those in order of priority? Must the three platforms be interconnected to succeed?Korhan Email is without question the most powerful means a business has for quickly and reliably reaching its community and customers.Most of us consider our inbox to be a special place one that is by invitation only, and that we check obsessively.Thus, it is wise for everyone to honor that earned trust by using their email newsletter to deliver their very best work.In regards to integration, what is shared in an email newsletter could certainly be a unique perspective on what is already published on a blog or website. The trick is to make it better, such that the subscribers feel they are getting additional value, not just a replication of old news.These three digital assets do not necessarily have to be interconnected, but when they are, it can produce a deeper and more contextual experience.Monster How can a small business that operates within a niche market create a small business blog that turns into a social media hub?Korhan When a business operates in a niche market and thoroughly understands the needs of that market, it only needs to consistently use its blog to provide fresh perspectives that address those needs.T he feedback that follows in the form of social shares and comments is invaluable for refocusing the blog content to make it even better.While it may take months or even years for a community to develop around a blog, the business has to stay the course until it does. Its a marathon not a sprint.Ideally, the business will want a self-hosted WordPress blog on a domain that it owns. They may have to pay a designer and developer to create it, but after that it is easily managed with basic technical skills.Monster Built In Social includes a chapter on selling. Has social media significantly changed the sales process? How so?Korhan Social media has literally revolutionized the sales process, and where that is going will very likely be the subject of my next book. Consumers now have access to abundant information resources that make them better buyers.If the business is contributing to that body of information, it instantly becomes more attractive to consumers searching the web for solutio ns to needs and problems. If it isnt, it may not even get the opportunity to engage its traditional sales process.Several recent studies conclude that buyers make their decisions based on one of two criteria, referrals and online information. My personal belief is they use both, with one validating the other.Thus, today the challenge is to both run a better business to earn referrals, while concurrently building a vibrant online presence that speaks to the strengths of the business.Author BioJeff Korhan is a marketing speaker, coach and coach. Korhan helps small businesses use social media and Internet marketing to create exceptional customer experiences that accelerate business growth.He is a former Fortune 50 sales and marketing executive who later founded a landscape services company that was twice named Small Business of the Year.Jeff is a syndicated publisher and regular content contributor to leading business publications, and his New Media and Small Business Marketing site is ranked among the Top 100 Small Business blogs in the world by Technorati Media. He lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois.

Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About Entry Level Resume Objective Is Wrong and What You Should Know

Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About Entry Level Resume Objective Is Wrong and What You Should Know Entry Level Resume Objective Can Be Fun for Everyone For example, the use of form and from may be a critical typo which you did not consider but it can affect your capacity to impress prospective employers. Attempting to land work which is high in demand is similar to fishing in a massive ocean populated with fishing vessels but with hardly any fishes. Employing entry-level resume examples can provide you a tried-and-tested structure to take as a starting point and also provides resume help to learn how to finish each resume section with guides regarding what to include and exactly what you ought to avoid to be able to entice the appropriate employers. ur resume builder makes it simple to create a well-written resume in a couple of minutes. Its better to remain prepared with distinct resumes written for different jobs. Determine how much you are eager to compromise and exac tly what you will do if you arent offered a salary you find acceptable. Dont forget to discuss the quantity of experience you have if it can help you negotiate a greater salary. Irrespective of whether the back up plan meets the claim, in case it needs a very long investment to meet the claim its positively not an alluring circumstance for group of the protected to be in. Each guide consists of step-by-step explanations and examples, and that means you know just how to create a winning one. There are lots of great Resume examples online by which you can learn the correct use of job-specific skills. Figure out the reason why is among the best resume writing companies around. Certifications also prove that youre determined to stay informed about the most recent developments in manufacturing technology. Hence, you have to be in a position to present your aims clearly and carefully in your CV. Sample Entry Level Recruiter Resume Objectives A resume objective is a brief statement which goes close to the peak of your resume. Make sure you highlight technical info and certification. Writing good resumeobjectives is important to provide your resumea striking start. With a well written resume, you ought to be invited to interview more frequently than you believe. The newest tool to utilize for writing a good resume is the vorlage which is readily available online and for free in addition to paid versions. Once more, should you happen to try free resume examples on-line, you will observe that it isnt crucial to exceed a single page. In addition, its simple to find experience fast for just about any job. The work market is quite challenging, and when you dont have any prior expertise in a specific industry, it s tough to crack an interview. You should incorporate the information which can highlight your interest in that specific job. Be certain you incorporate all proper information that can be pertinent to the work publishing. Organizations are routinel y trying to find the very best in the business. Remember you wish to sell yourself, your experience and any contribution youve got to offer you the business. To begin with, consider the job description to see whether it indicates the sort of skills the provider is seeking. Resume creators enable jobseekers to make and download their finished resumes right from the world wide web to get started applying immediately. Therefore, you will need experience to find an entry-level job, but minus the job, you cant acquire experience. When you submit an application for the job advertised, you will most likely be welchesting your time and will find a notification that the job was filled by somebody better qualified than you. Learn how to fill up your resume to assist you land the job. Writing a winning college student career objective is a rather simple approach to bolster your application for this internship or job youve got in sight. In addition, you can find out more about IT careers on Monster. If youre switching careers and you just have volunteer experience in your new field, that needs to be next to the peak of your resume. Administrator seeking role youre looking for career change.

Life, Death and Help Writing a Resume for Cashier

Life, Death and Help Writing a Resume for Cashier Who Else Wants to Learn About Help Writing a Resume for Cashier? Besides helping your resume get selected, its also going to help the hiring manager see how your abilities and experiences make you a perfect candidate for the particular job. Typically, a high school diploma is sufficient. Figure out the demands then check in case you have the skills. Conclusion The retail cashier job is somewhat competitive to acquire as a result of how many men and women go for it as it doesnt demand much experience and training to meet the requirements for it. You dont need to be certified to be a Cashier. To be able to impress your future employer, you are in need of an ideal cashier resume. Furthermora, there are some of different ideas for you to produce the very best cashier resume. The cashier in such a situation is going to have to take care of cash in a variety of transactions with clients. The 5-Minute Rule for Help Writing a Res ume for Cashier The cashier is just one of the more important links between the customer and the small business. If you merely provide a lengthy collection of meaningless info, no employer or HR manager will be considering calling you for an interview. For serious issues, you will most likely be in a position to summon a manager or customer service representative. Contact customer service managers to deal with pricing difficulties and complaints. To aid you in getting started, have a look at the sample job descriptions below. There are a number of locations where you might acquire good resume examples. Although your employer is searching for particular key phrases in the summary statement, make certain your precise statement matches up with your special set of skills, talents and accomplishments. Special cashier resume skills ought to be put in their very own section near the base of your document. The Advantages of Help Writing a Resume for Cashier Youre an accountant as you keep tabs on the money. If you truly want your cashier resume to stand over the rest you want to understand what the rest are doing. The best method to receive a great cashier resume is researching the work description. She is an excellent entry level job, chances are you have several openings in your area. Cashier generally dont need much difficult abilities and its sometimes tricky to stick out from applicants. 11 Executive Recruiter Resume Examples Once you will need to land that supreme job then you need to have a stellar resume. Get the Scoop on Help Writing a Resume for Cashier Before Youre Too Late Hiring managers are seeking individuals with strong interpersonal abilities, and revealing a little more information could take your resume to the cover of the pile. Regardless of what your job field could possibly be, cashier job descriptions for your small business sector will list exactly the same group of desired qualifications utilizing the exact same set of wor ds and phrases. Keep in mind that your resume is your very first line of defense in the event of landing your preferrred job.

Finding a Job in a New City

Finding a Job in a New CityFinding a Job in a New CityIf you can manage the logistics, searching nationally can land you in a better spot than you thought possible.Since the recession officially started in December 2007, the unemployment rate has doubled, and the average time it takes to find a new job has increased 37 percent.The Bureau of Labor Statistics Oct. 2 unemployment report doesnt include a way to measure desperation. But with 15.1 million out of work and the average time it takes to find a new job up to 26.2 weeks, its certainly a factor in many searches.Recruiters say the number of job seekers taking their searches national is increasing and that employers are as happy to consider candidates from out of town as down the street.Nevertheless, theyre also less willing to roll out the red carpet to accommodate remote candidates landing jobs in a new geography requires more personal initiative than it did in years gone by.When I welches looking for a job last time, early in 20 08, the problem was sifting through the offers, according to Stephen Bhadran, a TechnologyLadder member who moved from rauf auf die mutter Angeles to Sarasota, Fla., to take a choice job offer, then back to Los Angeles this year after he was laid off. This year, the problem was there were so few jobs.Who pays?A couple of years ago, it wasnt unusual for recruiters to spend a lot of time trying to pry candidates out of cushy jobs and fly them across the country for interviews, according to Edward McGlynn of Financial Recruiters LLC in New York.That still happens, but only when local options are scarce.Theyre cherry plektruming, McGlynn said of employers. Pressure is growing on hiring authorities to hire, (but) theyre still cognizant of their expenses so if theres no reason to go beyond local candidates, they wont. Theyre looking for the best fit, and I havent seen any hesitation about flying someone in (for an interview). They dont go out of their way to do it, but it happens.Bhadran wasnt reluctant to relocate in 2008, when he landed a job with a 10 percent raise and a total of about $15,000 in moving expenses - or in 2009, when he landed a 9-month contract gig for flat money and no travel money even for the interview.Thats why I proposed to the employer they do the interview on Skype, he said. I had to be really careful about it because I would be paying for the travel and it would take a lot of time, and I would have to pay to move my family back.The job market is so tight in some specialties, it s essential to consider jobs elsewhere in the country or even internationally, according to a senior-level computer-industry electrical engineer who asked that his name not be used.The engineer, laid off when the recession gutted the geschftlicher umgang at his East Coast hardware-manufacturing company, is looking for jobs in the Far East. Better to catch a rising wave of IT hardware design and manufacturing in Taiwan, Shanghai and elsewhere in China.Focus is the ke yShanghai might be too far afield for most people. Nevertheless, taking your job search national methodically searching for positions for which youd have to relocate rather than commute is a good way to expand your number of potential targets and, ultimately, your employability. Thats the opinion of Sally Haver, senior vice president of business development with The Ayers Group/Career Partners International, a recruiting company that specializes in career transitions and outplacement.It only works, however, if you focus on specific geographic regions skill sets or better yet, individual companies, she said.Youre not going to be successful blasting out your resume to every company in the world, she said. You have to pick your targets and your geographies.Searching with a specific skill set in mindIn 2008, Bhadran, a programmer who specializes in the Java computer language that fuels many advanced Web sites, focused on companies that were doing cutting-edge technology online. The jo b in Florida, at startup World Avenue, lasted less than a year, but got him skills and credibility for having worked on the kind of Java servers that run the highest-traffic sites.After the layoff, his goal was to keep from taking a step back in salary, never mind how cutting edge the work was. In the end, however, it was the advanced skill set (not the title or salary) that landed him his next job with a nine-month contract at UCLA for which he moved back to Los Angeles.And it was the broader technology industry in the Los Angeles area and contacts he had already made there that made LA a more target-rich environment, he said.A few months into the consulting job at UCLA, some friends referred him to other friends at Napster, the music-sharing service that is now owned by Best Buy. His Florida experience also helped land him the software architect job a top-level programming position in which he helps design how all the software of a complex Internet service should work together.I wasnt planning to go back to LA, but it has worked out so far, he said.Proactive versus desperateBeing willing to move is one advantage, but getting physically in front of the hiring manager is a much bigger one because it turns you into partner in a relationship rather than a voice on the phone, McGlynn said.Choosing to travel on your own dime is risky, not only because of the money and time involved. Theres also the chance, if you let hiring managers know youre coming just to see them, that youll seem desperate. Thats death, McGlynn said.If you call someone up and say youll take anything, youll fly out to see them, whatever they want, you sound desperate and theyre going to back off, McGlynn said. Its a lot easier to call someone and say, Hey, Im going to be meeting someone to talk about a position right down the street from you Id like to stop in and shake your hand, you get in right under the radar. If you call and say youd like a meeting, theyll think, Ive got a lot to do Im to o busy. If you just say you want to come shake someones hand, who can say no to that?

5 Reasons You Need A Resume When Youre 18

5 Reasons You Need A Resume When Youre 185 Reasons You Need A Resume When Youre 18Most students between the ages of 17 and 19 are pretty sure that a) they do not need a resumeand b) they do not have anything to write on that resume. Here is why you are wrong. You actually do need a resume.*1. Summer job*Most teenagers are used to taking a break from school during the summer which means traveling, hopefully spending a long period of time at the seaside, maybe going to a summer camp. But as a senior in high school or college, we are either a) motivated to get a summer job in reservierung to save some extra cash for that pair of sneakers or favorite band coming to perform in town or b) parents are pushing us to do so because we are growing up and we need to get a little taste of what that feels like.But let me tell you something. A summer job could be a blast It is up to you to get as creative as you can and improvise a resume. No one is expecting youd have any serious experience, but y ou should mention being in the basketball team, helping with the organization of the Christmas ball at school or translating those texts for your mom from Spanish. With your modest (but honest and inventive) resume you might get to spend the whole summer on the beach selling ice cream (and eating tons of ice cream for free) or maybe helping with an advertising campaign by going around, giving flyers and talking to people? You probably wont feel like its the best job ever but you can make it fun and next time youre editing your resumeyoull have something new to add.Who doesnt want this job?*2. Internship*Doing at least one internship before graduating high school doubles your chances of getting into a good uni, as well as scoring a good job after schliffing your degree. But you cant apply for an internship (even if you know the people) without having a resume. You have to somehow prove your ability and interest in the field and thats the perfect way to do itBeing an intern usually me ans doing various small tasks, nothing too important or difficult, but it is an opportunity to see how a business works from the inside. Such an experience will help you decide if this is the kind of environment or industry you are truly interested in or you might want to try heading in a completely different direction. Joining a real team of professionals, getting to ask them questions and assist them with real assignments is always super valuable even if you finish the internship and realize that what you would like to do in the future is completely unrelated to the internship.Interns not making coffee.*3. To get into University*Most universities do not require a resume from students when they are applying, but universities in Austria, Germany, Italy and Spain do. These countries are famous for their prestigious universities for various degrees and they are more than welcoming when it comes to internationals. They offer programs in both the respective language, as well as in Engli sh.No one requires from you to have a big amount of working experience in order to get into uni, its more about making the effort to create an outstanding resume that illustrates your personality and interests. Of course, many things that you talk about in your personal statement might be a part of your resume too. The letter of motivation is your opportunity to give them context and tell a story, while your resume is your canvas where you can get creative, colorful and brave when providing a history of your activities.University looks pretty nice?*4. To do a study abroad program when in University*Normally a bachelors program takes 3 or 4 years. Thats a lot of time to spend living in just one city. Especially when we talk about the average person doing a bachelors who is between 18 and 25 years old. We need to explore the world Most universities offer the opportunity to do a semester or even a whole year in another country which sounds more than amazing you get to experience a new city, meet tons of new people and maybe practice your second or third language? In order to take advantage of such a chance, you need to provide a resume proving why you deserve this.Why stay at one place?*5. Because its awesome*If you still feel like you dont need a resume, lets talk again after you create the perfect one (both design and content wise) as then you will realize how awesome it is to have all of your achievements and passions written down and illustrated. Your resume serves as a summarized and graphical biography touching on the most important things that youve done in your life. Moreover, our breakthrough format doesnt give only the boring facts regarding your educational or work background, it emphasizes on your soft skills and personality. If youre still wondering why were actually in love with the resume, you might want to take a look at ours. Yasmin Tezdjan A 20-year-old Business Design student based in Barcelona whos excited about making the world a better pl ace through innovative businesses and thinks rap is poetry. I feel complete at the beach.Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *CommentName * Email * Website Subscribe now for moreSee more great content and inspiring examples of resumes done right each month. Subscribe Youre subscribed Latest posts See all posts by Eric D. Halsey The Resumes of Chernobyl by Eric D. Halsey 4 Ways Creativity Can Improve Your Resume by Katherine (Tori) LutzHow to Create a First Year Elementary School Teacher Resume

The Ultimate Anti-Procrastination Hack

The Ultimate Anti-Procrastination Hack The Ultimate Anti-Procrastination Hack Article by Derek DoepkerEven high achievers can end up procrastinatingon important tasks when they feel overwhelmed and stressed. Although simply urging yourself to take action may sound like a good solution, its a little like telling a sad person to just cheer up. What you need instead is a specific process that works with your psychology instead of against it.When you use this ultimate anti-procrastination hack, youll bypass internal resistance and get yourself to take action almost effortlessly. Plus, it only takes about 10 seconds to implement and is virtually guaranteed to succeed when done properly.The Anti-Procrastination Hack FormulaThe formula for taking action is simple Ask yourself, Can I just insert micro-commitment here? A micro-commitment is something so small and simple that youll readily say yes to doing it, even if you have very little willpower.For instance, lets say someone has been pro crastinating cleaning his house. He can ask, Can I just take two minutes to clean my desk? On the surface, it may seem like that wont accomplish much. However, he will probably notice an internal shift when he steps into action.Have you ever not wanted to do something, like exercise, but once you started, you found yourself more motivated to continue? This happens because momentum generates motivation. The trick is not waiting to get motivated. Take a small step that generates motivation, and then continue to ask yourself, Can I just do a little more?After following through ona small commitment to clean the desk,our hypothetical person may find himself thinking, Ive already started, so I may as well keep going for a little longer. Next thing you know, the entire room is clean.Lets look at how this formula can be used to conquer the four drivers of procrastination fear, overwhelm, uncertainty, and perfectionism.Overcoming FearOne way to overcome fear is through exposure therapy, whic h consists of gradually exposing yourself to things you fear in a geldschrank environment.Imagine someone who is fearful of public speaking. They may ask, Can I just speak in my living room to a couple close friendsabouta topic I love? Since this is safe, this person can probably getherself to do it. Then,she can gradually ramp up the stakes asshe gets more comfortable Can I just invite one stranger to join my private group? Can I just introduce myself for 30 seconds at a local networking event? Can I just speak to a small group for five minutes to raise awareness for a cause Im passionate about?The key isnt to break out of your comfort zone - its to stretch your comfort zone. Start with something you can do thats only mildly uncomfortable, build from there, and youll gain greater and greater confidence.Overcoming OverwhelmFeeling overwhelmed happens when you only concentrate on the big picture. While its important to dream big and find inspiration, accomplishing anything can seem daunting if thats all you focus on. This is why many experts recommend breaking down larger goals into smaller action steps.If a person wants to improve her health and shes feeling overwhelmed by how many things she has to change, she may ask, Can I just focus this week on eating a healthier breakfast?By focusing on just one or two priorities at a time, youre more likely to make each new behavior a habit. Once something is habitual, you can add new habits without feeling overwhelmed.Overcoming UncertaintyOne thing that can fuel procrastination is not being able to focus on the next best step. But you can drive for hundreds of miles at night while only seeing whats right in front of you. Sometimes, the only way to get clarity is to take some type of action, and then use the resulting feedback for course correction.An individual who is uncertain about what career he wants to go into could ask, Can I just try one new activity this week and see what I enjoy and dont enjoy? For instance Can I just volunteer to mentor for an afternoon? Can I just take a cooking class? Can I just write an article on a topic I enjoy?Even though none of ansicht may become a career,hecan gain insight - whetherhe enjoys working alone or with others, whetherhe enjoys working withhis hands or prefers mental challenges, and so on. The key here is the micro-commitment isnt about making the right long-term choice.Rather, each micro-commitment is a steppingstone to greater self-awareness and clarity.Overcoming PerfectionismDoing things well is important, but its also necessary to give yourself permission to make mistakes. Like a baby learning to walk, youre not going to nail it right off the bat, and thats okay.Tim Ferriss adopted this approach when he gave himself a quota to write two crappy pages a day. This micro-commitment included both the quantity of pages (just two) and an allowance to be less than perfect.You can do the same. Ask, Can I just spend five minutes doing crappy work?Parado xically, when you remove the pressure to be perfect, you find that, over time, you end up generating your best work. The key is to create space for creative expression that has no quality filter. Then, come back later to what you have produced with a mindset of improvement.- When you apply the ultimate anti-procrastination hack, you may notice an immediate transformation, or momentum could build over several weeks or months. Either way, the key is to get started today by committing to something youre guaranteed to say yes to. All you have to do is recall the three magic words Can I just?Now, pick one thing youve been procrastinating, implement a micro-commitment that will give you momentum, and watch the magic happen as your seemingly small successes generate your biggest breakthroughs.A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.