The envy trap why we compare ourselves to others and how to stop it

The envy trap why we compare urselves to others and how to stop itThe envy trap why we compare ourselves to others and how to stop itIn 2011, Mina Cikara, a social psychologist at Harvard University, recruited 18 hardcore baseball fans who supported either the Red Sox or Yankees- arguably the fiercest rivalry in American sports.1Cikara was interested in learning which regions of the brain are activated when we succeed or fail in comparison to our competitors.When participants arrived at the lab, they were told to lay down under an MRI scanner and watch clips of actual baseball games involving both teams.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAnd after each play, they were asked how good or bad they felt about it.After scanning the participants brains, Cikara and the researchers put together their findings.The scans showed that not only did the participants feel the fruchtwein pleasure when their team performed well against their rival, but they also felt considerable pleasure when they saw their rival fail, even against a third-party team.Particularly, the MRI scans showed that the baseball fans who experienced the most pleasure at watching their rival fail, had the most activation in a small part of the brain called the ventral striatum.Two weeks after the scan, participants completed a web survey to rate how likely they would be to engage in a variety of aggressive behaviors against a rival i.e. hit them, heckle and throw food and beverages.The researchers were stunned by the results.The participants who experienced the most pleasure- and ventral striatal activity in their brain- whilst watching their team succeed or rival fail, were the same people who were most likely to threaten, hit and harm a rival fan.Cikaras study on competition sheds light on the hidden dangers of comparison and raises a bigger question.Why do we compare ourselves to others and how can we stop this once and for all?The Evolutionary Psychology Behind JealousyO, beware, my lord, of jealousyIt is the green-eyd monster, which doth mockThe meat it feeds on.? William Shakespeare, OthelloThe German word Schadenfreude was first mentioned in English texts in 1852. It means harm-joy or pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.In the book,The Joy of Pain Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature, social psychologist, Richard Smith, suggests that Schadenfreudeis a natural philanthropisch emotion and that the way we compare ourselves to others plays an important role in our self-esteemcompetition itself is a kind of comparison process.2To further reinforce his point, Smith cites Evolutionary psychologists, Sarah Hill and David Buss, who both explain that envy alerts us to improve conditions in which we rank lower than other humans in areas that are crucial for survival and reproductive success.3These ideas had been previously explored in the famous social comparis on theory (1954) a theory proposed by renowned psychologist, Leon Festinger, which suggests that humans look to others as a standard to measure their own abilities and self-image.4Specifically, the social comparison theory suggests that we tend to compare ourselves to (and be envious of) people within our social circle or status, rather than those outside of it.This explains why when someone within a similar social group outperforms us, we feel jealous their success triggers our insecurities by making us feel inferior and inadequate.But when they perform worse than us in any way, it makes us feel better. It boosts our self-esteem.We see this evolutionary human need for comparison and competition play out in almost all facets of modern societyStudents who achieve the highest grades and attend the most prestigious universities are perceived to be superior to those with lower grades.Professionals who earn the most salary and work for the largest corporations are perceived to be superio r to those who earn less money and work for lesser known companies.Entrepreneurs who raise the most capital, scale their businesses fastest and generate the most profits, are perceived to be superior to those who own smaller businesses with fewer profits.But it doesnt stop there.We compare our level of attractiveness, body shape, children, spouses, cars and even dogs.Making matters worse, social media promotes high visibility of the success of our peers, leading to excessive social comparison.Its no surprise that recent studies have shown that people who use Facebook are more likely to experience mental health problems, loneliness and unhappiness.5But theres hope.How to Overcome the Envy TrapIn 1987, a group of researchers conducted a study of 663 lymphoma and breast krebs patients, to uncover the well-being effects of cancer patients interacting with one another.6Previous studies on social comparison wouldve predicted that cancer patients who are worse of would feel inferior and je alous of those who were better off. But this isnt what the researchers found.The researchers discovered that regular contact with other cancer patients reduced uncertainty and improved their mood.Particularly, they found significant increases in self-esteem among the cancer patients who were the worst off (those undergoing a second round of treatments).What are the implications of these findings?Instead of feeling envious towards people who are better off than us, we can use their success to provide hope and motivate us to achieve our goals.We can learn from their mistakes and improve on what already works.Or as the late philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, explained through his writings onMitfreudeThe serpent that stings us means to hurt us and rejoices as it does so the lowest animal can imagine the pain of others. But to imagine the joy of others and to rejoice at it is the highest privilege of the highest animals.7Embrace ComparisonTo feel envy is human, to savour schadenfreude is devilish.? Arthur Schopenhauer, On Human NatureWe tend to compare ourselves to others because it helps us measure our abilities for survival within a social hierarchy.Just like feelings of hunger, sadness and fear, envy is a normal human emotion that alerts us on our current condition.But when we excessively compare ourselves to others, we feel inferior and inadequate.We struggle to accept ourselves the way we are, because if we do so, we fear that well never change for the better.And once turned malicious, envy leads to feelings of resentment- and pleasure when our rivals fail.The only escape from the envy trap is to embrace comparison in a healthy manner, rather than avoid it at all costs.When we choose to look up to our peers who are better off than us,let go of perfectionismand use their success as inspiration to improve, well be much more likely to achieve our goals too.This article first appeared on MayoOshin.comMayo Oshin writes at MayoOshin.Com, where he shares the best prac tical ideas based on proven science and the habits of highly successful people for stress-free productivity and improved mental performance. To get these strategies to stop procrastinating, get more things by doing less and improve your focus, join his free weekly newsletter.FOOTNOTES1. Cikara, Mina Botvinick, Matthew M. Fiske, Susan T. (2011-03-01).Us Versus Them Social Identity Shapes Neural Responses to Intergroup Competition and Harm.Psychological Science. 22 (3) 306313.doi10.1177/0956797610397667.ISSN0956-7976.PMC3833634.PMID21270447.2. Smith, Richard H. 2013.The Joy of Pain Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature. Oxford University Press.3.Hill, Sarah Buss, David. (2010).The Evolutionary Psychology of Envy. Envy Theory and Research.4. Festinger L (1954). A theory of social comparison processes.Human Relations.7(2) 117140.5..Arad, Ayala and Barzilay, Ohad and Perchick, Maayan,The Impact of Facebook on Social Comparison and Happiness Evidence from a Natural Experiment.6 . Van den Borne, H. W., Pruyn, J. F., Van den Heuvel, W. J. (1987). Effects of contacts between cancer patients on their psychosocial problems.Patient Education and Counseling, 9(1), 33-51.http//dx.doi.org/10.1016/0738-3991(87)90107-87. Friedrich Nietzsche.Human, All-Too-Human A Book for Free Spirits.

How to Work Smarter, Not Harder

How to Work Smarter, Not HarderHow to Work Smarter, Not Harder When you were in school, did you ever notice how some students needed a full week and weekend to prepare for an exam, while others could simply spend a few days and achieve the same outcome? As adults, do you find yourself leaving work at 500 on the dot, making everything look easy, while others are somehow never able to finish their workload and are constantly behind? We all have the same hours in the day, yet how we prioritize our time and energy will dictate our ability to execute tasks efficiently. Working smarter is the ability to be productive and efficient when working towards your goals, rather than looking and feeling busy and out of time. Use your headspace to work smarter, and not harder, using the following perspectivesThe Pareto Principle states that 80% of your results will be generated from 20% of your focused efforts. This welches discovered when an economist, Vilfredo Pareto noticed that 20% of his garden pea-pods produced 80% of his peas. Translated into your own life, you could benefit from spending mora time focusing on tasks that yield greater results , and less time on the things that dont. For example, if you find yourself saying yes to every client or every project, consider only saying yes to some and focusing on the ones that bring you the highest ROI. Set your intentions each day on activities that will produce the best results, and relentlessly focus and prioritize those tasks. Understand when you are most productive, and schedule your most difficult tasks around that time. Next time you find yourself working late, ask yourself, Which 20% of my actions can contribute towards 80% of the end goal? Working when youre overly stressed and tired does not make you more productive, nor should it be a badge of honor. Some of the most influential people of our time, like Apples Tim Cook and Microsofts Bill Gates , prioritize sleeping 7 hours a night. Try a nd establish a sleep routine by going to bed and waking up every day at the same time. If you can give yourself enough time between working and sleeping, youll have an easier time turning your brain off and relaxing without any screens. Afternoon naps are also a great way to boost your productivity throughout the day. A quick 20-minute power nap can help reduce your stress, increase your memory, decrease mental fatigue, and overall set you up for a successful afternoon when youve hit your post-lunch productivity slump. If you find yourself feeling stressed out, remember to hit pause, and give yourself a time out. While a bit of stress can help light a fire, too much cortisol release in your brain can (and likely will) lead to reduced cognitive functioning, decreased performance, and a lack of productivity. Give yourself time to go on a walk, practice some deep breathing, and meditate. If youre staring at your to-do list and feeling overwhelmed, time-block your schedule and create hourly increments over the day where you focus only on certain task or project. By trying to do everything, all at once, you lose focus. However, if you can give something your undivided attention, youll be able to break it down into more manageable parts, and have an easier time chipping away at your work. The most productive people plan their work based on their top priorities and work accordingly around that. Creating a detailed to-do list each night will guide your plan of action throughout the following day. Dont forget to always reward yourself when you complete and reach your milestonesRemember that what might take you 5 hours, could take someone else 8. This does not mean youre doing anything wrong, working less hard, or being lazy Working longer hours does not ensure higher productivity. Give yourself the time you need to set and achieve your own goals, and dont get psyched out by your colleague who can never seem to make it out of the office before 900 p.m. Have the co nfidence to know that youre doing exactly what needs to get doneStacy Pollack is a professional development specialist who helps employees and leaders build new skills through innovative programs. She is passionate about creating opportunities for people to advance in their career while improving their organizations retention rate and output. She loves sharing insights on workplace development, career building, and networking for success. Stacy also holds an MA in Educational Technology. Connect with her on LinkedIn , Twitter , or at www.stacypollack.com.

How Melinda Gates became the woman she is today

How Melinda Gates became the woman she is todayHow Melinda Gates became the woman she is todayMelinda Gates is one of the most powerful women in the world. As co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and an outspoken advocate for human rights, she has the platform to make a difference - and she uses it.But Gates was not always so high-ranking, nor was she so well-balanced. In a recent InStyle profile, she shares insights about how she became the professional she is today.Finding herbei careerThe tech industry has long been male-dominated, and research indicates that it totenstill is. Despite that, Gates graduated from Duke University in 1986 with a bachelors degree in computer science and economics. A year later, she joined Microsoft.How did she find herself in a business sector with so many male colleagues?Gates learned how to program under the recommendation of a nun at her all-girls Catholic high school, according to the profile. At college, she often found herself on al l-male coding teams, but by junior year, she was running them, it reads.But Gates told InStyle that while she knew how to play the game in a male-dominated world, she did not enjoy it.I had to learn how to be myself in this culture and see if I could succeed, she said.Gates excelled at Microsoft, eventually becoming general manager of information products. But in 1996, she left the company to concentrate on philanthropy and her family, according to her bio.Making time for lifeGates is a high-powered businesswoman, but shes also the mother of three children. Thats one of the things we underestimate about women in the business world, she told InStyle. We spend our whole lives juggling, which is badass or kick-ass - I like either.But she wasnt necessarily always so skilled at this balancing act. When her oldest daughterJennifer was young, Gates eventually learned to take time between commitments to reset, according to the profile.When Jen was little, Id flown off to God knows where to meet women out in fields and do world-stage events - you could come home a little full of yourself, Gates told InStyle. I showed up at home in my suit, and Jen shunned me for a few hours.But, she continued,Jen would wait on our mudroom floor with a book, and if I sat down in my yoga pants and read to her, then I was back in her world.Fearlessly speaking outGates may have been inspired to go into programming by a nun at a Catholic school. But that hasnt stopped her from shepherding $1.2 billion of spending for family planning that includes access to contraception - much to the consternation of the Catholic Church, according to the profile.In fact, when it comes to her voice, Gates doesnt hesitate to express what she thinks is right, even if its to her husband, the principal founder of Microsoft. She supports her recommendations to him with data, especially when shes advocating for womens issues.He (Bill Gates) doesnt always take my word as the gospel truth - that would be nice, s he told InStyle. Sometimes I have to say, I need you to trust me.?For those who wonder what keeps Gates going, this is her definition of success, in her own wordsTo know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, she told InStyle. This is to have succeeded.

Most tech workers agree this one trait is least appealing in a boss

Most tech workers agree this one trait is least appealing in a baboMost tech workers agree this one trait is least appealing in a bossChances are, tzu siches something in particular about your manager that really gets under your skin at work.New research from compensation, culture, and career monitoring platform Comparably found that 39% of employees overall say being a micromanager is the worst characteristic a boss can have while being impatient welches the least most-common response at 9%.More than 2,200 users working at different U.S. companies - predominantly in tech - took the survey. Here are some of the results that stood out.Heres how young workers feel about their managersThe research found that for respondents ages 18 to 25, being disorganized was the worst characteristic at 26%, followed by being overly critical (25%), a micromanager at 22%, a know-it-all at 15% and impatient at 12%.Among those who identified themselves as tech designers, their boss being a know-it-all was the least of their concerns at 8%, while being a micromanager and overly critical were the most common complaints at 30% each.The most popular choice for entry-level workers was being disorganized at 25%.Men and women had the same most-popular and least-popular answers 44% of men and 32% of women chose a micromanager as the worst, while only 8% of men and 10% of women chose impatient.Comparably CEO Jason Nazar commented onthe research in a statement.Creating a more rewarding workplace culture starts from the top down, and according to our most recent study bosses certainly have room for improvement, Nazar said. The fact that thousands of employees ranked micromanager as the No. 1 worst trait in a boss tells us that workers want their managers to do a better job of delegating and trusting their teams.So, you dont like your boss. What now? Heres what to do, based on the tough supervisor you haveIf you have a micromanager, be your own advocateSometimes, youre all you have - especi ally when it comes to your career.But if your boss micromanages you, theres only so much you can do while preserving the balance of power at work. But keeping track of what you complete and getting things done by taking the initiative might serve you well.If your boss is a know-it-all, dont flip outKurt Blazek, Marketing Design Director for assessment organization The Booth Company, writes on the site that you should choose your battles.The temptation to argue with a know-it-all simply based on principle can be strong, but it is often not worth the effort. You will waste valuable time and energy when the chances of actually persuading them is slim, he writes. Also, if that person is someone with more authority, you risk coming across as confrontational or insubordinate. If a know-it-all boss gives you an unsolicited suggestion, deflect it by responding with a disarming or passive response such as, Thanks for the suggestion, or Ill consider that for next time. If your boss is too cr itical, talk it outChrissy Scivicque, a writer, corporate trainer, career coach and Founder and CEO of coaching and consulting company Eat Your Career, writes on her site that you should address it with your manager.She provides this sample script I recognize that Im falling short of your expectations quite a bit lately. What guidance can you give me to better meet - and even exceed - your expectations in the future?

The 5 non-negotiable skills you need to land a remote worker job

The 5 non-negotiable skills you need to land a remote worker jobThe 5 non-negotiable skills you need to land a remote worker jobFinding a completely remote job used to be a far-fetched idea, but nowadays, the number of virtual companies is growing by the day and so is the number of their employees. If you have been dreaming of getting a remote job, this is the moment when you really have to sit down and think if its the right fit for you and, ultimately, if you have the skills you need to work from home or in the case of the fruchtwein adventurous, be able to work from anywhere in the world.So, what do you need to be able to land and properly execute that job? Lets see some of the most important skills that you will need to be successfulGood communication One of the main challenges in a virtual team is maintaining regular, clear, and open communication. The more team members you have, the more challenging it can get. To be successful as a remote worker, you will need excellent commu nication skills. That means you must feel completely comfortable with regular phone and/or video meetings since it is the most common way to maintain human contact and build virtual relationships with the team.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreYou will be constantly reviewing lots of emails, online chats, and tasks as most of your assignments will be provided in writing. You need to be quick, clear, and concise on your replies, and finally, do not forget to provide continuous updates on your activities. Keep in mind that top-notch communication is key at this point.Tech-savvyBecause you will be doing your job remotely, you should be familiar with common technology tools. Of course, there are some tools you will be able to learn along the way but being familiar with communication and management tools is definitely a plus and will give you a head abflug against your competition whe n landing the job. Its not a matter of being an expert (unless youre applying for a technical job) but rather about being able to adjust to the tools and platforms each company uses for clear and transparent management.The tools will change depending on the job you are looking for but having prior experience with time-tracking tools or project management platforms will definitely set you apart. Be sure to understand whether or not there are any requirements for the job for which youre applying, in terms of platform experience, so you can leverage that knowledge on your resume if you have it.Self-managementIn traditional office jobs, people usually have more hand-holding from leaders and coworkers than people who have a remote job. This does not mean that in remote jobs the employees are not guided of course, they are but in a remote job you need to be able to work well independently because your anfhrer will not be by your side all the time, giving you directions, and helping with each doubt that comes along your way.Remember that you might be working on a different time zone than the rest of your team, which results in a heightened responsibility for each team member to coordinate and execute the activities at hand. As a remote worker, you have to be able toManage your time You must manage the time appropriately to carry out the assigned activities. Nobody will give you orders about how to distribute your work time, its on you to prioritize activities according to your role and meet the deadlines.Work well independently As mentioned, interaction with team members might be limited or non-existent. Remote workers must be prepared to be resourceful, investigate and execute by themselves if necessary.Avoid distractions Distractions tend to be pitfalls for remote workers. You must be able to plan your activities and stay organized so that daily tasks (like things as simple as making lunch) dont throw you off when it comes to urgent tasks or simply keeping your d ay on track.DisciplineSure, you can set up your own schedule and sure, you can work a few hours one day while working all day the next. But if you dont have a continuous system and discipline, you will not be able to deliver on the high level of responsibility the company has trusted on you. As a remote worker, you have to be very organized with your activities and the time you spend on each one. To help with this, people usually make to-do lists, consistently track emails, and record activities on the company system.Balance withinLast but not least, this is not a skill required to be hired but it is very important for yourself If you want to be happy with your job, you also need to know when to stop working at the end of the day. Achieving a balance between work and life itself is one of the most difficult things of this kind of jobs. Having a location independent job doesnt mean that you have to be available 24/7.Sometimes, working remotely can be difficult for people who cant sep arate their jobs from their personal lives. That could happen because most of the time you are working from home and you either cant identify the time to stop or because youve been working on and off during the day, you just keep going next thing you know, youve worked 12 hours that day. Whats the result? People start feeling stuck and overloaded. Its suggested to set up schedules for yourself, at least in the beginning until youre able to identify a clear line of work.If you feel identified and think you have the non-negotiable skills to be a remote worker, its time to start searching for a location-independent job for youDiana Gonzalez is the Marketing Specialist at Scopic Software. Take a look attheir open vacancies to browse for new opportunities.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 produc tivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The Insider Secret on It Specialist Resume Uncovered

The Insider Secret on It Specialist Resume Uncovered Lies Youve Been Told About It Specialist Resume For many individuals, becoming a bellman is the initial step to a rewarding career in the hospitality market. The very first consideration to remember whilst making your logistics specialist resume is the amount of the resume. Youve got a unique blend of skills, characteristics and experiences which make you different from every marketer looking for employment. In order to discover jobs as a public affairs specialist, you need to take the perfect measures. After being satisfied that you satisfy the requirements and expectations of the job, after that you can apply them in crafting an excellent objective statement. Simply take a look at some of the typical interview questions for IT professionals to observe why honesty is the very best strategy. To compose the objection section of a customer service resume, you want to determine the big tasks to be done at work. Check to be ce rtain youre providing all of the info required and clearly define your skill sets when it comes to application requirements. An IT support specialist must remain available to offer you the essential support to the workers. IT specialists should keep track of all of the IT-related problems in the organization. Some IT specialists just have certifications in a variety of facets of information technology, while some have college degrees. A decent logistics specialist resume ought to be in a position to explain who you are in a positive fashion, highlight your skills, what you could provide the organization concerning expertise, and your academic qualifications. You have lots of choices for picking a resume design, but for a payroll resume your very best choice is something easy and straightforward using a clean, contemporary appearance. A little personal touch can go a very long way. The one and only way youre going to discover a new job is by looking. Study the specialist resum e samples within this collection and youre going to observe that every style emphasizes different facets of the candidates profile. A sample can help make sure that you dont leave out important abilities or necessary specifics. Even when youre just beginning your career, our payroll resume samples can offer outstanding insights about how to optimize your resume for your targets. For instance, if you submit an application for employment in a grocery store, you could write you want to be a cashier. One of the greatest regions to get resume examples is online, since there are a lot of websites offering templates an individual may download and use. mora information can be found on keywords below. Below, you will locate a list of resume examples that could assist you with your work search. As a way to use a resume to compose a CV, it is very important to acquire several examples that possess the relevant information. No matter your degree of work practical expertise, your resume fo rmat is crucial to making your program stick out. You ought to be able to lump all of your technical proficiencies within the normal skills section. Its imperative that you dont simply apply these resumes verbatim. Its possible to also Simple Resume Template. The templates are made in such a way they make the resume stick out. You should try as much as possible to be sure it stays compact but detailed. The training specialist also assists the students with their particular training needs in line with the industry demands, etc.. Its remarkable how many individuals dont adhere to the fundamental rules, thus by doing so, youre already far past the competition. Furthermore, you can find out more about marketing careers on Monster. Among the most valuable things you can do to help your career is earn professional certifications in your area. You may also bring up accomplishments which best showcase your talents.

How to Find Fulfilling Work 7 Practical Lessons

How to Find Fulfilling Work 7 Practical Lessons The prospect of finding fulfilling work is a powerful one. Most if not all of us want careers that reflect our talents, passions, and values. If you count yourself as someone who is unhappy with their job, then this article will hopefully help you overcome yourfear of change and finda more meaningful career. To be successful in your work andultimately create happiness and fulfillment in your professional life, follow these seventips1. Review Your ValuesYour values are the main contributors to your attitudes and goals. Having a better understanding of your values will allow you to focus on what is important to you and why it is important. Be clear and understand what is important to you in your career.2. Move Away From What Drains YouIt takes a lot of courage to finally decide to make a change especially when you have been in the saatkorn position for so long. No matter how much you hope what is wrong will get better, you cant wait around. You need toescape the wrong immediately. If your work drains you, demoralizes you, or continuouslydisappoints you, then it is wrong for you.3. Attend Workshops and SeminarsWherever you live, there isprobably a wide range of local workshops and seminars can help you enhance your skills. Attending these events can help youlearn new and valuable skills and also demonstrate your willingness to move ahead in your career.Acknowledge theareas in which you feel you need to improve, and make a plan to tackle them.4. Appreciate What You LoveThe people with the most rewarding careers are those who have found ways toexperience gratitude on a daily basis. It is important to acknowledge what you love and what you want to create more of in your life.You should take the time to recognize what you love about your life. If you never appreciate what is going well, you will lose sight of the new opportunities that may be waiting for you.5. Build a Healthy Relationship With MoneyIt will be extremely difficult to findcareer happiness if you let money control you. You should recognize money for what it is. Focus instead on how valuable you are and what you are supposed to be doing. More opportunities and possibilities will become available to you when youre looking after yourself, rather than chasing the almighty dollar.Perhaps it is worth asking yourself what you would be doing if you were indifferent to money. This will help you focus on how you truly want to live your life.6. Escape Your Comfort ZoneTo be able to experience fulfillment in your career, you need some adaptability, flexibility, and openness in your life. It it very unusual for a person to feel content when carrying outthe exact saatkorn routine every day of their lives.We spend our lives developing and growing. We long to facenew experiences and challenges and become the people we want to be. And yet, we often look at situ ations as chances to fail, rather than opportunities to grow.Escaping your comfort zone requires facing your fears. The more comfortable you are with your fears, the more ready you will be to conquer them, and the more satisfying your career and life will be.7.The Support That Empowers YouWhen focused onbuilding our careers, we often forget about how important other people are in our lives both personal and professional.It is not unusual for most people aged 20-30 to be self-focused and dedicating most of their time to expanding their skills, obtaining more responsibility, and trying to advance in theircareers. But building relationships with supportive and empowering people is the best career strategy.It is highly unlikely that you will enjoy your job if you do not know your coworkers.You need to work at making friends and make an effort to get to know the people you work with. A powerful support group canhelp you achieve more and find more opportunities.

How to Create a Resume The Top 29 Terms You Need to Know

How to Create a Resume The Top 29 Terms You Need to Know How to Create a Resume The Top 29 Terms You Need to Know I know bedrngnishing in the world that has as much power as a word.Emily Dickinsons simple sentence was likelynot written in reference to career development, but it still serves as a good lesson to keep in mind through the process of creating a resume. For example, the resume keywords you choose are incrediblyimportant in securing a job.Words equallyworth consideration, though, are necessary resume components. Alphabetically, here are the top 29 terms you need to know when creating a resume1. 6 Seconds The average amount of time a recruiter takes to review your resume.2.Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) Automated software that more than 90 percent of large and medium-sized companies now use to streamlinethe hiring process.3. Active VoiceAlways use action wordswhen you create a resume Led a dynamic team sounds way better than Was a team leader.4.Career Summary A short yet i nformative set of lines at the top of your resume that describe your career arc. Its also a great place to includekeywords. This is not the same as an objective statement (more on that later).5. Contact InformationEmployers cant offer up a dream job if they cant find you Your resume should include a professional email address, phone number, and your current city and state.6. CV (Curriculum Vitae)While a resume is a concise overview of career experiences, a studienplan vitae goes into great detail about your educational and professional history, awards, and accomplishments. CVs are more commonly used than resumes in certain industries and countries.7. Dates Sayyou worked at a company from September of 2013 to March of 2014. Dont put 2013-14 on your resume- save the recruiter some time and be specific from the get-go.8. EducationIf youre seeking jobs in a field that places special emphasis on education (such as medicine), schooling information should go near the top of your resume.9. File NameInstead of Resume or 2015 Resume, incorporate your full name and at least part of the job title into yourresume file name. Jane Smith Marketing Director, for example.10. Font Choice Stick to standard, conservative typefacesHelvetica, Times New Roman, Verdana, Arial, or Tahoma are safe choices. Legibility is the priority when it comes to resume fonts.11. Gaps Many professionals have work history gaps. Instead of trying to get tricky and cover up those gaps,address them either directly on your resume or in a cover letter.12. Hard SkillsThe term hard skill refers to a specific program, process, or procedure that you have experience using- such as SEO marketing or the Adobe Creative Suite.13. InstructionsAccording to recruiters, one of the biggest job search mistakes candidates make is not following application instructions. Heed all special resume requirements in job postings.14. Job Description Ajob description is your best friend when it comes to identifying keywords for eac h position. This is also an excellent tool for understanding a companys values.15.JobscanJobscans analysis tool instantly measures howwell your resume aligns with a specific job description- and then makes suggestions for improvement, such as increasing the frequency of certain keywords or adding measurable accomplishments. Try Jobscan for free and see how it can increase your interview chances16. KeywordsKeywords are the most important element in todays job search an ATS searches for keyword matches between your resume and a job description. Once that resume passes the software platform test, it will be seen by a human recruiter, so dont try keyword stuffing. Your resume will need to appeal toa human reader, too.17. LinkedIn Profile LinkedIn profiles have become standard in modern job searching, but theyre not a resume substitute. Do include your LinkedIn profile link on your resume, though.18. Measurable AccomplishmentsYour resume should not be a series of past job descriptions. I nstead, show what you achieved through quantifiable resume accomplishments. Check out some resume accomplishments examples here.19. Non-Traditional Resume Creative resumes such ast-shirts or cakescan be cool- but can also backfire. Non-traditional resumes should only be used if appropriate to your target company or role.20. Objective Statement Replace this outdated resume element with a career summary. Your next boss knows that your objective is to find a job. How will you help her achieve her goals? Focus on that instead.21. Orphan Thisrefers to a line of your resume that contains only one word. A resume should have both great content and visual appeal.22. Page LimitIf important details from the past 10 to 15 year of of your work history dont fit on one page, dont sweat it. Resume length isnt a factor for an ATS, and recruiters prefer white space.A well-planned two-page resume is better than a crammed one-page resume.23. References The phrase References available upon request needs to be deleted from your resume, pronto. Its implied that if an employer needs your references, theyll ask. Even if they ask for them in the job posting, provide a separate references sheet.24.Resume Format When youre creating a resume, there are 3 main formats to choose fromA) chronological, which begins with your most recent experience and works backwardsB)functional, where you present work experience as a collection of different skills andC) ahybrid resume,which combines elements of the first two options.25.Soft SkillsSoft skills are subjective traits that describe your work style and professional attitude. Organization, communication, and flexibility are all soft skills.26. TailoringTailoringthe resume you submit for each job application isan absolute must. Even 10 Marketing Coordinator positions will have 10 different sets of requirements.27. Templates How to create a resume when you just dont have much time? Try a resume template. Jobscan compiled 20 ATS-friendly resume templa tes that you can use for free28.TyposSpellcheck isnt sufficient in the great fight against typos. Enlist the help of a friend, mentor, or other professionalto ensure that your resume is error-free.29. Volunteer WorkNot all work experience is paid If a job requires leadership skills, and youve honed yours outside the office, punktlicht those volunteer achievements.Creating a resume is hard work, but there are many resources to help you along the way. Use these terms as a checklist to get started

How to Have a Positive Career Attitude - The Muse

How to Have a Positive Career Attitude - The MuseHow to Have a Positive Career Attitude Have you ever had a not-so-pleasant experience that causes your mind to automatically jump into autopilot and put its own little spin on the situation? For example, my client Amelia was a finalist for a recent promotion, but in the end, the otzu sich candidate was selected. Amelias brain went into overdrive trying to explain why she wasnt chosen. She was sure she wasnt good enough. And because she didnt measure up this time, she figured she would probably never measure up. In fact, she should forget about the idea of being promoted completely.On and on it went- a circle of thinking doom that turned into a torrent of self-deprecation, rather than the isolated incident that it was.Amelias experience is what psychologists call cognitive distortions. Theyre patterns of thinking that take a simple event, apply a very subjective interpretation, and then wreak havoc like a runaway train- all in your head When you let cognitive distortions overtake your thinking patterns, you create more stress for yourself, lower your self-esteem, and erode your self-confidence. Lets look at five common cognitive distortions and how you can take immediate action to counteract those thought processes. 1. Black-or-White ThinkingThis is when life- and all the situations in it- becomes an all-or-nothing game. For Amelia, missing out on one promotion turned into, Ill probably never be promoted in my career ever again, no matter how long I live.In this distortion, you see one failure and project the same fate upon all your future endeavors, as well. Change ItThis is an extreme way of thinking- and its not realistic. When you hear yourself going in this direction, push back. Challenge yourself to think about situations in which youve been successful, received promotions, or been recognized for work well done. 2. Catastrophic ThinkingHas anyone ever accused you of making a mountain out of a molehill? You ge t some information- for example, that a report you need for a presentation is going to be late- and you immediately spin it into a catastrophic outcome Without the report, the presentation will suck Well all be fired because we wont hit the mark Ill never be able to work in this industry againChange ItWhen you feel yourself delving into a worst-case scenario, ask yourself one question What do I have control over right now? Perhaps you can perfect the rest of the presentation while waiting for the report. Maybe you get on the phone with the people responsible for the report and appeal for an earlier delivery date. Focus on what you can control, and youll see that you can take action- and lower your stress level in the process.3. Filtering the PositivesAmelia had actually accomplished quite a bit. But you wouldnt know if from her perspective on the missed promotion. In reality, she was one of the top performers in the group. Her manager put her in the running for the promotion. She pe rformed well in the interview process and, with a little more experience, shell probably get another shot at a higher role. But she tuned out all of that to focus on the not-so-positive result I didnt get the promotion I probably never will. She sounds kind of like the amtsstube Eeyore- the pessimistic, gloomy donkey known for seeing the downside of just about everything. When you filter out the positives, you distort your thinking to overlook everything youve accomplished- which makes it so much less engaging to go to work Change ItEvery time you acknowledge a negative event or action, force yourself to acknowledge an equally legitimate positive event. To help you do that, create a list with two columns what went wrong and what went right. Youll quickly see theres far more on the right side of the page. 4. Jumping to ConclusionsWeve all done it. You observe something and then decide you know all the meaning behind it often without a shred of fact. Amelia thought, My anfhrer boss do esnt say good morning when he walks by my desk. He must hate me. No wonder I didnt get that promotion.Really? The only facts she has are that the boss doesnt greet her in the morning and that she didnt get the promotion. Thats it. From that, she can garner nothing about the boss feelings for her or his opinion on her level of competence. Yet, shes suddenly jumped from he doesnt say good morning, to he must really hate me. Jumping to conclusions at its finest. Change ItWhen you feel yourself climbing the ladder to a faulty conclusion, theres only one question you need to ask yourself Is that a fact, or is that a conclusion Im drawing based on the situation I see? If you stay rooted in facts, youll keep yourself off the jumping-to-conclusions stress bandwagon. 5. The Fallacy of External ControlWhen you see yourself as a victim because of circumstances outside your control, youre under the fallacy of external control. In Amelias case, it might have sounded like this Well, Im not surpri sed I didnt get the promotion. My boss has me working so many hours, theres no way I could have had time to prepareIn reality, though, theres no way you can blame your boss when it was you who wasnt prepared for the interview. Blaming others for a situation over which you clearly had choice is simply shirking responsibility. Change ItHeres a simple test to resolve the external control fallacy Go to a trusted advisor or mentor and share your logic. Tell him or her you didnt get the promotion because your boss overworked you and you didnt have time to prepare. Ask him or her to give you unadulterated feedback on your perspective. A trusted advisor will push back and help you see how much control you really had. One of the most important elements in changing your thought patterns is to first recognize when youre having them. When you find yourself wrestling with cognitive distortions, push back to see if those thoughts are based in fact. Finally, develop new thought patterns to counter act them- or get insight from someone you respect. When youre able to challenge your thinking, youll lower your stress level and build your career confidence.

How to Use LinkedIn Company Follow

How to Use LinkedIn Company FollowHow to Use LinkedIn Company FollowAre you interested in learning more about a specific company? Do you want to view the latest job openings or find out whom you know at the organization? Or, do you have an interview scheduled, and want to learn more about the employer before the conversation? LinkedIn Page Follow, also sometimes called LinkedIn Company Follow, is a tool job binnenseekers can use for researching employers and discovering contacts at organizations where they might like to work. It is also a way to receive updates about a company. Explore more of the benefits of using this tool, and get detailed instructions on how to follow a company on LinkedIn. The Benefits of Following a Company A companys page has information about the organization. This often includes a summary describing what the company does, contact information (including company location and website), and company updates. You can also see any of your connections who are em ployed at the company or connected to the company. The company page often has a Jobs tab, which allows you to see a list of current job openings. Below are some ways that you can benefit from following a company Find the right company for you. When you follow a company, youll receive regular updates about the company on your feed. For example, you will see news articles about the company, information on new job openings, and other updates. Job seekers can use this information (as well as the information on the company page) to learn about the companys culture. This can be a useful way to decide if you want to apply for a job at that company. Learn about the company for an interview. If you are interviewing with a company, checking out its LinkedIn page can give you information on the history of the company, the number of employees who work there, and more. When you follow the companys page, you will receive updates about the latest trends at the organization. Mentioning the most rec ent company information in your interview will show that you are up-to-date on the company and its place in the industry. Click on the About, Life, and People tabs on the left side of the page to learn more about the organization and the people who work for it. Review connections at the company. A list of your first-degree connections at the organization will be visible on the right side of the company profile page. Consider reaching out to one of your connections to gain an insiders perspective on working at the firm. Company insiders may provide introductions to other staff in target departments or referrals to job openings. If you have an interview lined up, they might be able to give you advice. Get more connections. If you do not yet have any contacts at the company, you can leise find connections who can help you with your job search. Click on the button in the right-hand corner of the company page that says, See all employees on LinkedIn. This will show you everyone on Linked In that works for the organization. You can then filter the list to only show you second-degree contacts. Underneath the second-degree connection, you can click on the shared connections to determine which of your first-degree contacts is directly connected to each second-degree contact. You can then reach out to your first-degree connections and request an introduction to the second-degree person at their target organization. Find jobs. If you read about the company and are interested in a job there, click the Jobs tab on the left side of the page. This will show you all recently posted jobs, as well as jobs that match your skills. Click on a job to get more information, and to learn how to apply. Get more company information. For premium subscribers, the bottom of the page will have an Insights section that includes information on the types of jobs that are typically available, employee distribution and headcount growth, and notable alumni. This will give you information about the current employees at the company. Use this information to understand the makeup of the company, and the kinds of skills they are looking for in employees. If you follow the company, you will get updates on new jobs at the organization in your feed. How to Follow a Company on LinkedIn Sign in to LinkedIn (youll need to register first if youre not a member)Click on the search icon at the top of any LinkedIn page.Type a company name in the search field.Click the Follow button near the company name in the search results list.If youd like to learn more about the company before following, click the company name to see more details. You can then click the Follow button under the employer name or click ... then the checkmark to follow in the upper right corner of that page to begin following the organization if you decide to do so. How to Unfollow a Company To update or change the list of companies youre following, go to the company page, and then click Unfollow at the top of the p age. Also keep in mind that companies can see who is following them through their reporting features.