How to handle a rude interviewer

How to handle a rude interviewerHow to handle a rude interviewerYou spent hours preparing your application materials and danced a little when you found out the employer wants to interview you. If you ace the one-on-one, youre likely a shoe-in for the job. Your nerves shake your confidence, and you try to remember your quality answers to all the questions you rehearsed in your mind.You expect a tough interview, but what happens when you add into the mix a rude interviewer thatd rather crack a whip than a smile to lighten the mood? Should you keep calm and not take the bait, or should you walk out? How do you handle a rude interviewer, and is it worth it to stay or time to leave?1. Stay calm and collectedKeep a level head. Take a moment to focus on your breathing to stay calm and collected. This is the perfect opportunity to practice mindful breathing exercises, inhaling and exhaling slowly as you remain grounded. When you next answer, use an even tone. Your tone should not be sassy, r obotic or matter-of-fact - it will represent your normal tone of voice in a neutral range.Like schoolyard bullies, the rude interviewer will likely lose interest and return to asking the interview questions in a deadpan tone. During the interview, ask yourself if this experience is a rare occurrence. If your wohl says it isnt, be wary and consider if youd want to work with this person or with people like them in the long-term. At the same time, remember that this is only one person and one awkward interview.2. Dont get worked upDont let a rude interviewer push you to a mental or emotional edge where you feel like biting back. When you get worked up, the job wont work out for you.Wear your poker face over a grimacebecause body language is broadcast as clearly as dissatisfied word choices and will damage your self-respect and professional reputation. Dont say something youll regret that may get misconstrued in professional networks. Unprofessional statements, no matter how warranted, will come back to bite you.3. Stay positive and extend the benefit of the doubtFocus on your skills and stay positive. That way its easier to remain concentrated on accurately answering the questions. If the issue persists, maybe its not malice youre dealing with but distraction. It could be a deadline or pressure from someone over the interviewer. Maybe you caught your interviewer on the tail end of a minor emergency or stressful event.Extend the benefit of the doubt because, though behavior may come off hostile, its not always intended to be that way.People tend to make negative attributions, linking bad behavior or comments to a person rather than circumstances.4. gestalt a bridgeIs the vein throbbing on the interviewers forehead? Ask open-ended questions to form a communication bridge, such as How long have you worked with this company? Please tell me your company origin story. Smile earnestly, hinting at the superhero reference.It takes aboutfour seconds for a pause to be awkw ard, but that feels longer when theres tension in the room. Use silence as a chance to steer the conversation to a positive subject. If you get the interviewer to talk about themselves, it relieves tension and makes the exchange go two ways instead of making you feel like your head is submerged in a pressure boiler.5. Exit with graceSometimes, you cant form a proper bridge. You tried to give the benefit of the doubt to the interviewer, but it failed as commentary and behavior drifted to a level that crossed a boundary for you. If the interviewer has stooped to discriminatory words or actions or outright insults, it may be time to formulate an exit plan.Thank the interviewer for their consideration and time with you, as you courteously excuse yourself from the interview. Dont comment directly on the interviewers behavior or words.When you reach your car or a safe space outside of the building, take the time to sit down and absorb the shock. Make notes on your phone or paper about you r experience if you plan to file an official discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) since a short description of what grievance you suffered is required. If you submita claim, the commission will investigate it within 180 days.Proving that discrimination occurred sometimes proves difficult since the employer can claim other motivations for not hiring you. Nonetheless, writing the event down will clear your mind, and exiting with grace will save your professional reputation and guard you against mora boundary-breaking. The interview remains one of the most important aspects of searching for and obtaining a job. It allows you and the employer to see each other face-to-face and ask relevant questions.When an interviewer is rude or makes you feel uncomfortable, it casts a shadow over the excitement of the experience. Handle hostile interviewers by staying calm and positive. Try to give them the benefit of the doubt and form a bridge of communica tion by asking the interviewer open-ended questions. If the situation becomes too much for you, take the last resort and exit gracefully.You dont have to tolerate a rude interviewer or colleague every time. Unfair commentary or inappropriate behavior takes it too far and must be met with a graceful exit. Focus on your talents and strengths and steer the conversation back to what you can do for the company, and if the interviewer cant overcome their rudeness, its not your loss - its their loss since youre the one who kept their professionalism in check.Sarah Landrum is the founder of Punched Clocks, a leading career advice blog. Her career development advice has been featured on Forbes, Levo, The Muse, Business Insider and other top publications. She had the honor of participating in Mashables BizChats with the biggest names in the career world and was honored to have been listed as one of the top career websites and career experts to follow.This column originally appeared on Punche d Clocks.

A bad boss may be the kick in the rear you need to change your life

A bad babo may be the kick in the rear you need to change your lifeA bad boss may be the kick in the rear you need to change your lifeIts clear that having a bad boss can send your stress levels through the roof. But research suggests that it could also increase your happiness.A studypublished in the journal Work and Stress found that bad bosses make us so miserable that the situation makes us reach out to friends and find ways to improve our lives under some conditions, the process of dealing with emotional exhaustion can enhance happiness.But how?The researchers suggested that if your supervisor constantly stresses you out, you might feel better if you plan andfinding support from others. They point to coming up with a strategy to change your job and your life and reaching out to others about it.We posit that perceiving low supervisor support enhances the employees engagement in the development of an action plan, which, when paired with an active search for instrumental social supp ort, boosts happiness, the study said.How they did it The researchersused the sustainable happiness model, and conducted multiple studies. Participantsincluded81 Portugal-based team leaders working under direct supervision 177 US-based supervised full-time workers and 242 US-based employees working full-time and under direct supervision.Emotional exhaustion and what comes afterwardAnyone whos had a bad boss knows its tiring managing office life under a troublesome leader can take up enormous resources and even lead to burnout.The researchers acknowledgedbad consequences of emotional exhaustion, citing outside research- including poorer performance, higher incivility, and depression.But theres a silver lining we are more resilient than we know.Posttraumatic Growth and how we bounce backOne group elaborated onthis ideaof our resilience, called posttraumatic growth. The Posttraumatic Growth Research Group at UNC Charlottereportedly came up with the term posttraumatic growth, but ackno wledges this concept has been around for awhile. (The author Ernest Hemingway, for instance, had the famous observation that the world breaks everyone, and afterward many are stronger at the broken places.)For instance, the studysaid thatthe literature on recovery from challenging and highly traumatic life circumstances suggests that people may be able not only to overcome them but also to experience positive outcomes in their aftermath, citing outside research.The Posttraumatic Growth Research Groupsaid that this idea tends to occur in five general areas, including the perception that new opportunities have emerged from the struggle, closer relationships with some specific people, and an increased sense of ones own strength.However, not everyone is resilient, and for some people, having a bad boss or a stressful or traumatic work environment can haunt their entire careerwe most definitely are not implying that traumatic events are good, and that posttraumatic growth is not universa l, the Group said.Coping mechanismsIf youre feeling emotionally drained at the end of every work day because of your supervisor,there may be a solution if you arent quite ready to search for a new job with better management. The best piece of advice from the study is to expand your social network, and your professional one. Those human contacts can sustain you long after you find a solution.As for managers and team leaders, the best advice is to back off until an employee asks for help with a bad boss. If help comes too early, the employee may not work to improve his or her own situation, the researchers suggested it might be useful to just provide support when and if requested.Otherwise, the employee may not engage or delay the engagement in coping activitiesthat can enhance his/her happiness.

Around the Web Resources for Military Transition

Around the Web Resources for Military TransitionAround the Web Resources for Military TransitionA list of Web sites and organizations to help make the transition from the military to civilian life.The military community is a tight one, and there are many former serviceman and servicewomen out there waiting to help you make a successful transition to civilian life. Here are five organizations that are focused on the needs of service members hanging up their uniformsMilitary Officers Association of America moaa.org/An association serving active, former and retired military officers. Provides networking opportunities and other transition services. MOAAs job fairs are open to anyone.HireAHero.org hireahero.orgA social networking site for veterans leaving the service to network with employers, recruiters, volunteers and mentors to assist in their job search.Corporate Gray corporategray.com/An organization serving the veterans community, providing job- seeker resources, job fairs, and care er-transition education books and services, as well as promoting veterans as employees to employers.Hire Vets First hirevetsfirst.govA job-search and transition-assistance program run by the Department of Labor with career resources online, and events and information for employers, including a skills translator and career centers.TAOnline.com taonline.comClaiming to be the largest single source of transition assistance information and tools for todays separating military, this site offers locators for Transition Assistance Program offices, Veterans Employment Representatives, and other information and resources to help service members find civilian employment.

7 Ways to Have a Less Stressful Job Search

7 Ways to Have a Less Stressful Job Search7 Ways to Have a Less Stressful Job SearchAsk anyone who is job searching and theyll likely tell you about the stress they are experiencing as a result of it. Even job seekers who have a relatively good job search can find themselves stressed from time to time when facing a change in employment. To help you have a less stressful job search, weve compiled a list of ways to combat stress.Do you know where your job search stress is coming from? Its very possible that its mora than one single thing. Job seekers not only experience stress from uncontrollable events such as hiring freezes and economic issues, but from the job search process itself. Common triggers for stress in a job search include the lack of feedback given to job seekers, not knowing who you are in competition with, and hiring decisions taking a long time- and then not knowing if youll hear back from an employer or not These can be compounded by personal and financial issues as w ell.So, how do you make a stressful job search less stressful? Here are a few tips1. Identify your stressors and triggers.Everyone is affected by stress at different times and different levels. Take stock in your own stressors and triggers. Once you figure out the major triggers in your search, youll be able to address them, work through them, or learn to work with them.2. Set realistic goals.It might sound like a good plan to map out your entire job search. While it is good to have a job search strategy in place, having a specific roadmap in front of you can cause anxiety and stress, especially if roadblocks occur. Make a few long-term goals, but make sure to break everything down into smaller, more realistic goals. Then, focus on a few each day or each week. Rather than tischsetting yourself up for failure by missing unrealistic goals, set yourself up for success by setting reachable goals.3. Take breaks.Powering through isnt going to make your job search any easier or successful. In fact, taking breaks will help you. Rather than stressing and pushing through tasks you simply cant focus on, walk away for a few minutes and get your mind on something else. Then, when you go back to job searching you will be refreshed, calmed, andbetter able to focus.4. Use a support system.Having a job search team on your side can help with a stressful job search. From people who will hold you accountable to people who simply offer a positive word, they all matter and can help you get through the tough parts of job searching.5. Focus on wellness.Health, nutrition, and overall well-being are an important part of reducing stress. For a less stressful job search, take time each day to focus on physical activity, getting adequate sleep, and eating healthy. Minor changes involving your health can help lower stress, allow you to focus better, and give you more energy to job search.6. Dont take rejection personally.It can be incredibly difficultnot to be hard on yourself or get down when you are passed up for a job you thought would be a perfect fit for. Dont take the rejection personally, though. Being turned away or turned down for an opportunity isnt necessarily a direct reflection of you. It simply means another person was a better match at the time. Your chance will come.7. Apply persistence, perspective, and positivity.These are three vital words to focus on. Throughout your job search continue to be persistent when applying for jobs and following up. Maintain perspective by focusing on the tangible goals that youve met. Lastly, but still paramount, practice positivity in your search. Be your own cheerleader and dont let negative talk take over. By focusing on the positive things, you can help reduce your job search stress.Looking for more ideas to help with your job search? Check out our job search tipsReaders, how do you handle a stressful job search? What tips would you offer to job seekers facing job search stress? Share with us below

Top 10 Interview Questions for Telecommuting Jobs - FlexJobs

Top 10 Interview Questions for Telecommuting Jobs - FlexJobsTop 10 Interview Questions for Telecommuting Jobs 2If you are a regular subscriber to then you may already be getting responses from potential employers. Congratulations for getting that much closer to landing a terrific home based job Along with the excitement of hearing from a company, you may be getting a little nervous now that you are being asked for an interview. Well, dont panic, as we have prepared a list of the top 10interviewquestions fortelecommuting jobsThe Top 10 Questions for Telecommuting Jobs1. Why do you want to work for our company?To answer this successfully, its critical that you research the company by spending time reviewing their website and/or recent press. Then explain why you are passionate for their services or products, and why you would like the opportunity to work their company specifically. Point out any relevant experience you have in their industry.2. Tell us about your background?What the i nterviewer is looking for is how your background and experience meshes with that of the company. Talk about at least three qualities that you can bring to the table in relation to what this company does.3. Do you have the ability to work with minimal supervision?Give an example of how you have been able to work independently on a project or a previous work from home job. Make sure to point out that you are a responsible, self-motivated person.4. What is your home office tischset up? (Can you provide your own equipment, internet, and phone?)Let the interviewer know you have a separate work area, a recent home computer system and a way of managing telephone calls. If additional equipment is needed to perform the duties of the job, then reply you are able to obtain that equipment before work is to commence.5. Why do you want to telecommute?This is a tough one. The best answer is to state that you are a self-motivated person who is more productive when you work independently.6. How do y ou handle a difficult client or question?The best answer here is that you are an effective listener and you care about each and every client. You will do whatever it takes to satisfy the needs of your client and get help from a supervisor when needed.7. How do you prioritize tasks?A good way to answer this is by providing an example of how you stay organized and on task throughout your day.8. How do you handle distractions / noise?State that you have a generally quiet office and that your family respects your privacy when working. This is an important consideration when applying for jobs that require you spend a great deal of time on the phone how will you handle background noise like children, neighbors or other noise factors?9. Have you worked successfully from home before?If you have, be honest and share something positive about your experience and how you working from home benefitted the company. If not, then let the interviewer know you are prepared to work from home, and exp lain your home office setup.10. Are you looking for a supplemental job or a career?Interviewers ask this question to gauge if you are just looking for a little extra cash or a more permanent role. Answer honestly to get the best telecommuting job that fits for your circumstances and needs.Readers, what interview questions for telecommuting jobs have you come across? Tell us in the comments section below

The True Meaning of Resume Basics

The True Meaning of Resume Basics Expressing your vast array of marketing skills ought to be down throughout your resume. For each job listed the vital duties and abilities involved ought to be described. Its possible to briefly highlight your abilities and traits which make you successful. Internships and volunteer work may also be mentioned here. The Hidden Treasure of Resume Basics Gaps in employment are easily noticeable. Bear in mind employment gaps, career trajectory, where youre in your industry, and where you intend on going. Utilize your career research to discover how you match your intended jobs. The resume summary is fantastic for professionals with achievements and abilities. Add phrases and skills that you see in the work offer. Alongside the work experience, an exhaustive understanding of the skill set you possess should assist the recruiter rank your candidature. In a CV, by way of example, if youre asking for work in education, you may want to set your t eaching experience at the very top of your CV. If youre targeting work beyond the defense arena, youll need to civilianize your military language to demonstrate your abilities and experience match the employers needs. You got everything you must create your own resume from scratch. Dont forget that recruiters may see the name of the file that you send them and also keep in mind they get lots of resumes every single day. Coordinates Make it simple to reach you. Bear in mind that employers dont have enough time to read a bibliography. Certifications have to be renewed and maintained. Its possible to choose which information is the most important later. Marketing in the 21st century demands intimate understanding of social networking platforms. The Basics of Resume Basics Always bear in mind the fact that the majority of employers will get a considerable number of application forms and resumes for each job advertised. Customize your work objective to the position youre app lying for. There are various opinions about the most important use of the resume, and for that reason, how to compose a resume. Choosing which to use is dependent upon the sort of job that you are applying for and your degree of experience. A basic resume may be the perfect format and tool for you once you are trying to transition into work from freelancing or self-employment. Learners will learn to create a quality resume that has the ability to find the interview that is the very first step to landing the job. Whether youre looking for your very first job or seeking to earn a career change, the practice starts with your resume. The procedure is never fun, and the majority of people have trouble understanding how to start, where to begin, and what information needs to be included. Which format you select will depend, in part, on the sort of work youve performed and whether you will continue in the exact same field. You may incorporate a more in-depth description of your hi gher education, based on your amount of work experience. One other great issue is that you find it possible to supply plenty of information in an easy and cool way. Dont add resume categories in the event that you cant list at the very least a few things in every single section. Few hiring managers wish to see unusual colours or innovative templates. It is very important to create a document thats clear, accurate, articulate and simple to read. There are more than merely a couple of pointers which you have to remember and fully adhere to when designing a resume even when youre employing a readymade template. A simple resume template is going to be your very best bet. Resume paper isnt needed. A basic resume template is the most fundamental version or variety of a resume template which may be utilised to create resumes for any work position. Word Resume templates are complete with the full outline structure and the majority of the content that produces way for a powerful r esume in an issue of just two or three minutes. There are a couple of general guidelines for showcasing your experience and techniques on just a couple of pages of text. Bear in mind, a resume is more than merely an overview of your qualifications and experiences so far. Job descriptions are full of keywords that you may use in your objective. When you have enough to say in over two sentences, maybe you should look at a career summary instead.

5 Unique Interview Questions to Ask Candidates - Spark Hire

5 Unique Interview Questions to Ask Candidates - Spark HireYouve heard of employers asking unconventional questions in the interview, but are they actually important? What will you learn if you ask candidates what type of animal they would be or what they would bring on a desert island?Although wacky interview questions can seem absurd, they can help you get to know candidates better during the hiring process. Here are a few unique interview questions to ask and what they can reveal about candidates 1. What is your go-to karaoke popsong?Music is a big part of both our agency and our agency culture. This question not only gives us a sense of the candidates personality and life outside of work, but also shows us if candidates are willing to have fun while being put under pressure, which means theyre more likely to fit in with our existing team.Shannon Engel, General Manager, Phear CreativeWhen music is a big part of your CompanyCulture, ask this interview question via phearcreativeClic k To Tweet2. If you were a Microsoft Office program, which one would you be?This oddball interview question provides the candidate with the opportunity to demonstrate quick thinking, creativity, poise, out of the box thinking, and even humor. David S. Patterson, President, The Kineta Group, Inc.Have candidates demonstrate creativity with this InterviewQuestion viaTheKinetaGroupClick To Tweet3. Do you like puzzles? What kind?The answer Im looking for is multiple puzzles. The more complicated the better. Physical puzzles are the best. Jigsaw puzzles tell me a candidate is lazy.We use a component content management ordnungsprinzip which requires a lot of consideration for how to handle different types of content and working together. I have found the better they like complicated puzzles, the more likely they are to persevere working with our content. A preference for physical puzzles seems to attract a higher energy person.Peggy Sanchez, Senior Technical Publications Manager, Cray Inc. Do you like puzzles?cray_incwants to know what kind UniqueInterviewQuestionsClick To Tweet4. Why Should I NOT Hire you?This question is important from the standpoint of self-awareness. Most everyone knows how to answer Why should hire you, but when the question is turned on its head, it can be misconstrued for the what is your biggest weakness question, that begs your weakness to be presented as a strength. Alternatively, this question is more about revealing goals and motivations.If a candidate tries to manipulate the question, it just might be they are looking for a paycheck. The key to answering this question is to use the word if, not because. For example, you should not hire me if, you feel that another candidate shows more dedication to the position, more alignment with your values and goals, and more willingness to do whatever it takes. Michele Jennae, Executive Career Coach and Owner,Perpetual Career InstituteHow to ensure your candidates are self-aware during the interview via MicheleJennae Click To Tweet5. When I speak to your last boss, what is he or she going to say about you?Since people are trying to titelseite themselves for anything that boss might say, its amazing the things theyll reveal. Theyll very often tell you things that last boss would never have brought up, even if the last boss would be allowed to deal with a reference which often they arent.Barry Maher, Speaker, Author, Consultant, Barrymaher.comWhat will your previous boss say about your work ethic? References barrymaherClick To TweetWhat odd question do you always ask in the interview? Let us know in the comments below

The One Thing You Should Do in 2013

The One Thing You Should Do in 2013The One Thing You Should Do in 2013The One Thing You Should Do in 2013When it comes to a job market like the one we are having ansicht days, its advisable to be ready for anything that might happen. A departing supervisor whose position you are qualified for, an agency restructuring affecting your position, or a job termination are all situations for which you could easily be prepared if you do this one thing I recommend in 2013.Keep your resume up to dateAs a Federal Career Coach, I frequently get calls from individuals who suddenly need to get an outdated resume into competitive shape as quickly as possible. Shaking my head, the first questions I ask the worried jobseeker are, How old is this resume? How many jobs have you held since you wrote this resume?At this point, the individual usually admits that they had become complacent and not touched their resume in years. (Note Years can often mean 10 or more years have gone by since they have looke d at their resume)Dont get caught unprepared. Be ready for the next opened or closed employment door now, because it could happen when you least expect it, and you may have very little time to get your ducks in order.Make it your resolution in 2013 to review your resume at the beginning of every year and update it, so that when you need to use your resume, you will be able to get it into great shape as quickly as you need to. Your recent work accomplishments are best remembered and recorded when they are still fresh in your mind.Here are some steps for updating your resume Find your resume. Find your position description (if you have one). Read it and make sure it sounds like your real job. Edit this and add this to your resume. Find your annual evaluations (if you have those), and use the accomplishments from the evaluations in your resume. If you dont have an annual evaluation, write a few accomplishments for the last 5 years. Add your most recent training programs or college cour ses. Update your LinkedIn Profile with the new information you just wrote.After you have taken these steps, you will have an updated resume that is ready to be targeted for your next career move. When you use this basic resume to apply for a job, make sure to include the keywords from the job announcement in the resume before you submit your job application.Be prepared for anything to happen with your job. There is a good chance you might need your resume in the next couple of years. You can easily manage your career with confidence by taking this one simple stepNeed help getting your resume ready to apply for federal job announcements?The federal resume is different from the private industry one.We can help you get yours into the correct format and length now FREE Webinars Dont miss our 7 Tips to a Federal Job free webinar series

Destinee, an ambitious techie that never settles

Destinee, an ambitious techie that never settlesDestinee, an ambitious techie that never settlesEnhanced Lives is a series which aims to put our customers in the spotlight. In a short interview, we ask about their background, the experience they had with and how it helped to improve their career.Our fifth star is Destinee, an experienced techie who found a dream job in a SaaS company. How did help her with that? Read on to find out.Hi Destinee, can you tell us a bit about yourself?Hey Im a Colorado native living in Denver, which is pretty rare these days considering how many people have moved here over the brde few years. That being said, I love living in a city where the majority of people I meet are here because theyre passionate about the same Colorado things as I amId say the best way to describe myself would be outdoorsy homebody because while I absolutely love being outside enjoying this states gorgeous nature, theres really nothing I love more than cozying up at home with my cat Binge, listening to a good podcast (shoutout to Lady to Lady).I worked at a local brewery pub through college so I know my way around a craft beer list but Im also a bit of a tech-nerd, well really just a nerd overall but technology is one of my favorite things to geek out over. I have my dad to thank for that as hes spent the last 20+ years of his career in the SaaS industry as a Sales Engineer and never failed to share his contagious enthusiasm about the newest tech innovation with me.All-in-all I feel pretty lucky to be in what I consider to be one of the most beautiful states that now has one of the most flourishing tech markets. The sun here is strong and the winters are harsh- but theres something about being a mile high that just makes beer taste betterWhat was the reason you created your resume?I found myself in an expected situation at my former organization and realized I needed to begin looking for something better. I was actually hired at my previous job without eve n filling out an application and was offered a position within 20 minutes of being interviewed by the CEO.Obviously, that wasnt normal and should have been my first clue to run. Being a young and eager new graduate, however, made me believe I just mustve been that lucky As time went on, more and more unsettling things began to reveal themselves and I casually started exploring other options.Related articles3 strengths you can develop only by switching jobsFrom Lou Adler to Seth Godin the future of a traditional resumeWhat Game of Thrones needs an HR departmentI knew that this time around landing the perfect job would not be nearly as easy and in Denvers booming tech industry, I needed to put my best foot forward stand out from the hundreds of other resumes companies would be sorting through.s platform allowed me to do just thatWhat do you like about ? Did you learn anything from it?First of all, my resume got a lot of positive comments from a number of hiring managers I was interv iewed by, mainly on the impressive aesthetic. Many of my friends pointed out that being able to highlight accomplishments and strengths up front is a big differentiator seeing that most resumes are simply a list of previous positions with a short bio on top.One of my friends who majored in Graphic Design told me that it was the most impressive resume design she had seen and actually went on your platform just recently to create her own resume, now that she is on the job huntAnd what do I love about ?First of all, it helped me get my new job Also, its extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate. It didnt take more than 30 minutes to create a great resume. I could use the templates provided to guide the creation process. The tips that pop up once you start filling each section in help so much. You never get that What should I write here kind of situation.I could also customize my resume as much as I wanted to ensure it would be unique. When I finished crafting my resume on the app, for the first time it felt like my resume actually reflects who I am as an individual and simultaneously, it looks cooler and sleeker than any resume Ive created beforeWhat message would you send to other job seekers out there?Never settle. Never settle because the job hunt feels too overwhelming and accepting the first offer you get spares you the stress of looking for a job that will fulfill you.Never settle just because youve been on the hunt for what feels like too long and you just want a job, any job.Never settle just because you dont think youre qualified, experienced or worthy enough of your dream job.Never settle because no matter how chaotic, draining, or ego-shredding the job hunt can feel right now, you deserve better. That perfect fit does exist, keep pushing.I would like to thank Destinee for sharing her experience with us. It means a lot and we hope it will motivate many others to get started and upgrade to more human-centric and performance-based resumes.If youd like to contribute to Enhanced Lives series and share your achievements with others, send me a message. I look forward to hearing from you ??Looking for more inspiration? Check out our resume examples section that got people hired at their dream jobs.

5 Tips for Dealing When All Your Co-workers Are Younger - The Muse

5 Tips for Dealing When All Your Co-workers Are Younger - The Muse5 Tips for Dealing When All Your Co-workers Are YoungerHave you ever found yourself secretly checking UrbanDictionary.com or Google to decipher an acronym your boss used? Or been surprised by a colleagues knowledge of the movie Cruel Intentions- only to discover they went to the 20th anniversary showing of a movie you saw the day it originally came out?The workplace has fundamentally changed over the past decade. According to a 2018 analysis by Pew Research Center, 35% of the labor force is comprised of Millennials, making it the largest generation in the U.S. workplace- and this number is only continuing to grow. Not to mention the fact that Generation Z is also now entering the workforce in big numbers. So if youre in Generation X or older, chances are youll soon be surrounded by younger co-workers- if youre notlage already. You may even work for someone whos younger than you.How can you handle this dynamic? Here are five tips to help you not only survive but thrive in an environment where your peers and leaders could be (much) younger than you.1. Address Communication DifferencesI love email, and Im guessing my fellow Gen X-ers and Baby Boomers agree. But if you work with a younger peer, you may also find yourself being contacted via an emoji-laden text or asked to pivot your project communication to Slack. Turns out that 80% of todays workers say the primary difference between generations in the workplace is communication styles- and if youre the only one clinging to your inbox, you might be the one who needs to change. If your manager hasnt set a preferred mode of communication, this gap can cause unnecessary inefficiencies and miscommunication issues. So nows the time to ask and address it- and then adapt. I like to suggest that people initiate a style conversation, an idea I attribute to Michael Watkins and his book The First 90 Days Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Sma rter. He suggests querying your boss on topics like what form of communication they prefer for routine matters- such as face-to-face, phone, or email- how often they want project updates, and if they prefer a summary of a situation or a lot of background. 2. Welcome a Spirit of LearningI find that most people in my generation are adept at learning new skills- from how to turn on their lights with an app to how to start a Twitter chat. But if youve decided that youre content with your skills the way they are, you may be left behind forward-thinking professionals have already learned the importance of becoming lifelong learners. For my book, The Remix How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace, I spoke with Emma Lee Hartle, a Baby Boomer community college employee who had recently changed functions. She credits her career longevity to her growth mindset and willingness to reskill At the age of 54, she was the only one in her department who sought training and received new certifications for resume writing and coaching. Id been teaching this stuff for decades, but things change, Hartle says. We are not using typewriters or requiring skirt suits anymore, and LinkedIn is essential for our students now. You have to have a willingness to keep learning. That might manifest itself by taking an online course in something youd like to know more about, or raising your hand to attend an industry conference and bring back best practices to share with the team. Or it might involve regularly reading new business books, or frequently tuning into podcasts covering issues relevant to your job or organization.3. Embrace Reverse MentoringFor years, reverse mentoring was shorthand for teaching old fogeys how to use the Facebook. But in the workplace it can take on so many other forms, and its worth considering even if your tech skills are on point. Be open to learning more about your younger peers strategies for getting to inbox zero or using apps to organize their to-do lists. Who knows, you might actually pick up something new and insightful from an unexpected source. (Remember what I said about welcoming a spirit of learning? This is one great example of that.)One Gen X-er told me he asks his younger colleagues to put a new app on his phone each week because he wants to use what theyre using- and by doing so he has discovered new ways to do everyday tasks, like scanning documents on the go and organizing his expense account. Reverse mentoring can be particularly valuable if youre in an industry with customers in a younger demographic because it can help you literally learn to speak their language.4. Brush Up on Whats HotIf youre not sure which Kardashian is the beauty mogul or what the heck a TikTok is, youre certainly not alone. After all, these days cultural references come and go quicker than you can say cultural reference. But knowing this stuff and tuning into current trends doesnt hurt, either. This isnt to say you have to soak up any and every bit of pop culture in order to succeed at work- rather, its about finding ways to better relate to and bond with your co-workers.One caveat Remember that using language that doesnt feel comfortable to you, like asking a colleague or client to slide into your DMs (hint thats not what its meant for) can make you look the opposite of in touch. When in doubt, opt for not saying anything.The same goes for cultural references that could actively date you. When I recently gave a speech at a college in upstate New York, I made a feeble attempt to bond with a student wearing a New York Mets shirt. Hey, youre a Mets fan? I actually went to the 86 World Series I exclaimed. He smiled uncomfortably and said, Oh. Thats the year I was born. Lesson learned Next time Ill just say I love the Mets, too. Nothing wrong with leaving it at that5. Stop the Self-Deprecating JokesUnfortunately, we can often be our own worst enemies when we joke about how things used to be back in the day or blame (completely normal) brain lapses on our age. Plus, being self-deprecating at work isnt a good look for anyone- have confidence in yourself and take age out of the equation, and your peers will follow suit.Moral of the story? If you commit to being open, flexible, and communicative when working with different generations, you just might find that the younger colleague-older employee dynamic is a refreshing and positive remix of your work life.