Advanced common sense
Have you been exposed to people in the workplace who have the gift of intelligence but lack common sense?
If so, you are likely observing someone who hasn't fully developed the emotional skills needed for relating to others.
Common sense gives us the ability to make good decisions and adapt to changing situations under pressure. Emotional intelligence is described as advance common sense.
Studies have been conducted for years that indicate at least 27 - 45 percent of your success in your job and satisfaction in life relates to your ability to use emotional intelligence when relating to others.
In a job search, you often see the phrases "people skills" and "technical skills" in job postings, and there is a tendency to dismiss the people skills side and focus on the sell technical abilities.
People skills also may be called soft skills, and when you hear the word "soft" you might think that in a tight job market such as this one, soft skills could be viewed as passive or less competitive.
The fact is soft skills actually drive employers' hiring decisions. Employers are looking for candidates who get along with others.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Avoid your comfort zone
When you're job searching, the real danger zone is the comfort zone. Typically, job seekers fall into the comfort zone slowly, when they least expect it.
A comfort zone sounds like a relaxing place to be. But staying in a comfortable place can lead to discomfort, particularly during a job search when staying in the comfort zone can keep us stuck in old, unproductive habits.
Job seekers can miss opportunities when they lose their sense of urgency. They've found their comfort zone, so they delay until they are in the mood to act.
Settling into a comfort zone can play a role in a job loss, too, because that can lead to an unadventurous state of mind and loss of momentum.
Most successful people have in at least this trait in common; they seize opportunities. They don't wait.
In a job search, some react more when they are under pressure. For example, they'll update their CV because they've been asked for one by a prospective employer or they have an interview coming up. Without that pressure, comfort takes over and a CV that should take a couple of days to complete ends up taking weeks.
You can stay out of your comfort zone and make your job search more effective if you follow these guidelines:
• Hold yourself accountable by being involved with a person or group that requires progress updates.
• Break your job search into daily steps. For example: Monday morning -- call three references about your job search and discuss your future goals.
• Say your goals aloud, and write down what you want to accomplish in your job search. The more open you are, the less likely you will fall into the comfort zone.
• Stay updated. Read and stay current with trends in your field. The more you stay in your comfort zone, the less likely you are to grow. In an ever-changing job market, you must grow and stay current.
• Get an accurate picture of your finances and what will happen when your pipeline runs dry.
• Make appointments with others, and take a friend to a networking event.
A comfort zone sounds like a relaxing place to be. But staying in a comfortable place can lead to discomfort, particularly during a job search when staying in the comfort zone can keep us stuck in old, unproductive habits.
Job seekers can miss opportunities when they lose their sense of urgency. They've found their comfort zone, so they delay until they are in the mood to act.
Settling into a comfort zone can play a role in a job loss, too, because that can lead to an unadventurous state of mind and loss of momentum.
Most successful people have in at least this trait in common; they seize opportunities. They don't wait.
In a job search, some react more when they are under pressure. For example, they'll update their CV because they've been asked for one by a prospective employer or they have an interview coming up. Without that pressure, comfort takes over and a CV that should take a couple of days to complete ends up taking weeks.
You can stay out of your comfort zone and make your job search more effective if you follow these guidelines:
• Hold yourself accountable by being involved with a person or group that requires progress updates.
• Break your job search into daily steps. For example: Monday morning -- call three references about your job search and discuss your future goals.
• Say your goals aloud, and write down what you want to accomplish in your job search. The more open you are, the less likely you will fall into the comfort zone.
• Stay updated. Read and stay current with trends in your field. The more you stay in your comfort zone, the less likely you are to grow. In an ever-changing job market, you must grow and stay current.
• Get an accurate picture of your finances and what will happen when your pipeline runs dry.
• Make appointments with others, and take a friend to a networking event.
8 job-search reminders
Here are some reminders you can implement right now.
• Practice communicating in a persuasive way, and do it with friends or family members who will give you honest feedback. The subject of your job search is you, and you need to practice answering and asking good questions. Even if you are confident and articulate, you still need to practice.
• Pay attention to the power of words. Avoid using words and phrases like "retirement" or "got fired," and never complain about your job search. Everything you say builds a potential employer's perception of you.
• Employers are most interested in job candidates who can add value right now. Your employment history is important, but talk about current accomplishments. Connect the dots for your potential employer, he or she can see how you'll contribute to the company by "hitting the ground running." Talk about results.
• Use technology. Your online presence plays a stronger role than you might imagine. It reflects your professional style and increases your ability to create opportunities.
• Augment traditional job search methods by joining social networking sites such as LinkedIn
• Develop a job-search plan. This gives structure to your day and helps you measure progress. Be flexible, and review the plan weekly.
• Ask for help. A recession is not the time to be a Lone Ranger. Everyone is in this together, and everyone will face a career transition at some point.
• If you've been out of the job market for a while, and you believe that age is an issue for you, familiarize yourself with the latest technology and be prepared to let potential employers know that you are up to date with industry-specific technology. Focus on the present and how you can contribute in the future rather than focusing on what you have done in the past.
• Practice communicating in a persuasive way, and do it with friends or family members who will give you honest feedback. The subject of your job search is you, and you need to practice answering and asking good questions. Even if you are confident and articulate, you still need to practice.
• Pay attention to the power of words. Avoid using words and phrases like "retirement" or "got fired," and never complain about your job search. Everything you say builds a potential employer's perception of you.
• Employers are most interested in job candidates who can add value right now. Your employment history is important, but talk about current accomplishments. Connect the dots for your potential employer, he or she can see how you'll contribute to the company by "hitting the ground running." Talk about results.
• Use technology. Your online presence plays a stronger role than you might imagine. It reflects your professional style and increases your ability to create opportunities.
• Augment traditional job search methods by joining social networking sites such as LinkedIn
• Develop a job-search plan. This gives structure to your day and helps you measure progress. Be flexible, and review the plan weekly.
• Ask for help. A recession is not the time to be a Lone Ranger. Everyone is in this together, and everyone will face a career transition at some point.
• If you've been out of the job market for a while, and you believe that age is an issue for you, familiarize yourself with the latest technology and be prepared to let potential employers know that you are up to date with industry-specific technology. Focus on the present and how you can contribute in the future rather than focusing on what you have done in the past.
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