6 Ways to Learn About a Company’s Culture – US News

Co-workers listening to each other at a team meeting

6 Ways to Learn About a Company’s Culture

How to tell if a prospective employer is a fit for you.

When you’re in the office of a prospective employer, look around at current employees. Do they seem enthusiastic and collaborative?

By June 3, 2015 | 10:51 a.m. EDT + More

You want to do work you enjoy alongside people you like. Your happiness and success depend on both. In short, you want to find a place to work where you feel you belong.

It comes down to finding a company with the right culture for you. Company culture is a hot topic among companies and individuals, but it can be difficult to define.

So what is company culture?

The best way to describe it is to talk about the “artifacts of culture,” or the examples of culture, says Josh Bersin, founder and principal at Bersin by Deloitte, a provider of research and advisory services focused on corporate learning. Culture can be represented by the company’s facilities, charismatic executives annual events or awards received.

And as difficult as it is for a company to define its culture, it’s even more challenging for a candidate to learn about it. Bersin says the best way to discover the authentic company culture is to observe it:  Read more…

Avoiding Cinderella Syndrome: Why Every Job Doesn’t Have to be a ‘Perfect’ Fit | INALJ

by Krystal Corbray, Managing Librarian with Yakima Valley Libraries in Washington State
previously published 7/15/14

 

Krystal CorbrayOnce you’ve been job hunting for a while, things can get a bit…intense. Many job-seekers talk about their employment search as if it’s a full-time job—which is an admirable and, often, effective way to go about a job hunt.

It’s only when job-seekers start talking about their efforts while using phrases like “perfect fit” and “dream job” that things can start to head off track.

Why?

Because searching for jobs with an all-or-nothing mindset, like you’re looking for a soul mate, is a surefire way to severely limit your job prospects, and can also mean missing out on some perfectly good opportunities that don’t necessarily fit a checklist of ideal requirements for your dream job.

This isn’t to say that job hunters shouldn’t use a bit of discretion—there’s obviously nothing to gain from blindly applying for jobs simply because “library” or “information” appears somewhere in the description—but there’s definitely a great deal of value to be had by not being overly exclusive in your job hunt. Read more: http://inalj.com/?p=76760

How to Become an Influencer in Your Company

Professionals rarely get ahead by simply being capable “doers.” They advance by establishing themselves as organizational influencers. In the recent book, Persuasion Equation: The Subtle Science of Getting Your Way (Amacom/available in May), author Mark Rodgers reveals how professionals can gain traction for their proposals, providing insights into how to turn a potential “no” into a likely “yes.” To achieve this, professionals must introduce distinctive—and even bold—ideas that stand out among all the others being presented to management. They also need to earn the buy-in of those within their organization who are already considered major influencers, regardless of their rank. And professionals have to support their proposals with clearly defined strategies and metrics to make them bulletproof. In addition, there are subtle qualities of persuasive people—such as the way they conduct a meeting or engage a colleague in a one-on-one discussion—that help build collective support for their ideas and proposals. The following steps to becoming an influencer are adapted from the book. Rodgers is a principal partner of the Peak Performance Business Group, a consultancy and training company that specializes in effective persuasion and communications. – See more at: http://www.baselinemag.com/careers/slideshows/how-to-become-an-influencer-in-your-company.html#sthash.jiqSlxxK.dpuf
Professionals rarely get ahead by simply being capable “doers.” They advance by establishing themselves as organizational influencers. In the recent book, Persuasion Equation: The Subtle Science of Getting Your Way (Amacom/available in May), author Mark Rodgers reveals how professionals can gain traction for their proposals, providing insights into how to turn a potential “no” into a likely “yes.” To achieve this, professionals must introduce distinctive—and even bold—ideas that stand out among all the others being presented to management. They also need to earn the buy-in of those within their organization who are already considered major influencers, regardless of their rank. And professionals have to support their proposals with clearly defined strategies and metrics to make them bulletproof. In addition, there are subtle qualities of persuasive people—such as the way they conduct a meeting or engage a colleague in a one-on-one discussion—that help build collective support for their ideas and proposals. The following steps to becoming an influencer are adapted from the book. Rodgers is a principal partner of the Peak Performance Business Group, a consultancy and training company that specializes in effective persuasion and communications. – See more at: http://www.baselinemag.com/careers/slideshows/how-to-become-an-influencer-in-your-company.html#sthash.jiqSlxxK.dpuf

Professionals rarely get ahead by simply being capable “doers.” They advance by establishing themselves as organizational influencers. In the recent book, Persuasion Equation: The Subtle Science of Getting Your Way (Amacom/available in May), author Mark Rodgers reveals how professionals can gain traction for their proposals, providing insights into how to turn a potential “no” into a likely “yes.” To achieve this, professionals must introduce distinctive—and even bold—ideas that stand out among all the others being presented to management. They also need to earn the buy-in of those within their organization who are already considered major influencers, regardless of their rank. And professionals have to support their proposals with clearly defined strategies and metrics to make them bulletproof. In addition, there are subtle qualities of persuasive people—such as the way they conduct a meeting or engage a colleague in a one-on-one discussion—that help build collective support for their ideas and proposals. The following steps to becoming an influencer are adapted from the book. Rodgers is a principal partner of the Peak Performance Business Group, a consultancy and training company that specializes in effective persuasion and communications. – See more at: http://www.baselinemag.com/careers/slideshows/how-to-become-an-influencer-in-your-company.html#sthash.jiqSlxxK.dpuf

Professionals rarely get ahead by simply being capable “doers.” They advance by establishing themselves as organizational influencers. In the recent book, Persuasion Equation: The Subtle Science of Getting Your Way (Amacom/available in May), author Mark Rodgers reveals how professionals can gain traction for their proposals, providing insights into how to turn a potential “no” into a likely “yes.” To achieve this, professionals must introduce distinctive—and even bold—ideas that stand out among all the others being presented to management. They also need to earn the buy-in of those within their organization who are already considered major influencers, regardless of their rank. And professionals have to support their proposals with clearly defined strategies and metrics to make them bulletproof. In addition, there are subtle qualities of persuasive people—such as the way they conduct a meeting or engage a colleague in a one-on-one discussion—that help build collective support for their ideas and proposals. The following steps to becoming an influencer are adapted from the book. Rodgers is a principal partner of the Peak Performance Business Group, a consultancy and training company that specializes in effective persuasion and communications. – See more at: http://www.baselinemag.com/careers/slideshows/how-to-become-an-influencer-in-your-company.html#sthash.jiqSlxxK.dpuf

How to Become an Influencer in Your Company

By Dennis McCafferty  |  Posted 2015-05-12 Email Print this article Print

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– See more at: http://www.baselinemag.com/careers/slideshows/how-to-become-an-influencer-in-your-company.html#sthash.jiqSlxxK.dpuf

Professionals become influencers by gaining the confidence of other influencers. So identify and align with decision-drivers who hold high-level positions or are key team members.

Be a Change Agent No one becomes an influencer by simply going along with the status quo. Promote new ideas and approaches. – See more at: http://www.baselinemag.com/careers/slideshows/how-to-become-an-influencer-in-your-company.html#sthash.jiqSlxxK.gPuIENWo.dpuf

Professionals rarely get ahead by simply being capable “doers.” They advance by establishing themselves as organizational influencers. In the recent book, Persuasion Equation: The Subtle Science of Getting Your Way (Amacom/available in May), author Mark Rodgers reveals how professionals can gain traction for their proposals, providing insights into how to turn a potential “no” into a likely “yes.” To achieve this, professionals must introduce distinctive—and even bold—ideas that stand out among all the others being presented to management. They also need to earn the buy-in of those within their organization who are already considered major influencers, regardless of their rank. And professionals have to support their proposals with clearly defined strategies and metrics to make them bulletproof. In addition, there are subtle qualities of persuasive people—such as the way they conduct a meeting or engage a colleague in a one-on-one discussion—that help build collective support for their ideas and proposals. The following steps to becoming an influencer are adapted from the book. Rodgers is a principal partner of the Peak Performance Business Group, a consultancy and training company that specializes in effective persuasion and communications. – See more at: http://www.baselinemag.com/careers/slideshows/how-to-become-an-influencer-in-your-company.html#sthash.jiqSlxxK.dpuf

5 Qualities Every Employer Wants in a Job Candidate – US News

140221.edu.jobinterview

5 Qualities Every Employer Wants in a Job Candidate

And how to show you have those coveted traits.

Instead of only saying you're creative or taking pride in your work, give anecdotes that demonstrate those qualities.

Instead of only saying you’re creative or taking pride in your work, give anecdotes that demonstrate those qualities.

By April 15, 2015 | 11:00 a.m. EDT 
Preparing for a job interview can be a time-consuming and nerve-wracking experience. Some people spend a ridiculous amount of energy trying to prepare and memorize answers for every imaginable interview question.

It may be better to spend time thinking about the job at hand with a larger lens by stepping back from the particular details and requirements. Ask yourself: “If I were the hiring manager, what would be the qualities I’d need to see in a person before I’d be willing to say, ‘You’re hired’?”

Work these qualities into your self-description, and prepare examples of stories from your experience that demonstrate you have them.

1. Creativity. If everyone who claims to “think out of the box” really did so, there would be nobody left inside it. Like the other qualities discussed below, you need to demonstrate your creativity rather than just asserting that you have it.

Do you have stories to tell about how you conceived and implemented positive workplace change? Perhaps you have changed how your company’s products or services are produced, packaged or marketed. Maybe you came up with ideas about how to shorten production time or eliminate or reduce administrative procedures and red tape. These are all examples of stories you can tell with a great takeaway message.

Read more….

4 Ways to Create Your Next Career Opportunity – US News

Everyone who works – whether it’s a part-time, full-time or even volunteer job – wants to feel a sense of satisfaction, productivity and success. Part of that desire to succeed includes getting ahead in their position. Getting ahead can look different for different people. For some, it’s an increase in salary, for others it’s increased responsibility and for many of us, it includes being continuously challenged and learning on the job by using and improving our skills. (A 2013 Society for Human Resource Management survey demonstrated that compensation/pay and the opportunity to use your talents and skills at work fall in the top three indicators of job satisfaction.) Here’s the rub: While we all want to get ahead at work, this can be difficult sometimes, because there are so many other people trying to do the same thing – often within the same office. Getting to the next level in your career requires work, creativity and thinking outside the box. It’s not something that gets handed to you on a silver platter.

Read more….