The proven strategy for persevering and following your dream

The proven strategy for persevering and following your dreamThe proven strategy for persevering and following your dreamOne of the toughest things for us to do in life is to admit when were wrong. My Mom would tell me growing up, her father?- ?my grandfather?- ?used to say, It takes a big man (or woman) to admit when he/she is wrong and apologize. Many of us are often wrong and dont even know it. Or worse yet, we do know it and we continue to plod on, committing deliberate actions that hurt ourselves and others.But what about when were right?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhen were right, there are really two options. We believe were right or we dont. Dig a little deeper and youll understand the essential difference between these two outcomes Believing were right and acting accordingly is what will make us great. Doubting ourselves while acting upon the right thing is perhaps t he fruchtwein dangerous, self-inflicted damage we can do to our psyche.Clearly, were working on getting to the right mindset and doing the right thing. Easier said than done, right? Not really. These two things require the two qualities that are always within our control attitude and effort. Its here that we develop the realization that we have the power to move forward. That we actually can create our own destiny. This is the best strategy and mindset to adopt to get what we want in life.Your PersonalStoryOne of the toughest things Ive ever wrestled with as a human, business professional and writer, welches believing that other people cared about my personal story. It took me a long time to realize that others did. Part of it was fear of the unknown. I might be rejected. Others might criticize me Oh, the horror.Sounds crazy, doesnt it?Or does it? Because Ive found thats the problem that so many of us have. We create this chasmIN OUR MINDSthat putting ourselves out there?- ?in whate ver we do?- ?is so difficult, purely because we fear what others might say.Thats the excruciating damage of self-inflicted negative thinking. It is insidious, destructive and limiting. It blocks us from a path that is likely the one we are meant to travel?- ?whatever our occupation, passion or interest is.The power of putting ourselves out there, telling ourrealstory and feeling confident doing so, is one of the secrets to living a purposeful life.While the local and national nachrichten paint a picture of dread, despair and angst, the truth is that the world and its citizens?- ?the vast majority of them?- ?are kind, loving, empathetic people who care about others.Ive found that many of the people here in theMediumcommunity are precisely such people. Ive been blessed both digitally and in person to meet some extraordinarily caring, genuine people in my life that have taken an interest in me.Ive learned through networking (Yikes, that ugly word) that taking a chance on a conversation with someone will bring happiness, new ideas and fun to our lives. We have the opportunity over a cup of coffee or meal to genuinely show an interest in getting to know others, while they do the same with us.We get to put our ideas and stories out there in public, to hopefully gain some new supporters and believers?- ?people willing to go to bat for us as we pursue our dreams. Its this first step that is absolutely essential to building and persevering in our strategy and continuing to follow our dream. Without this, without believing in ourselves and taking a chance, we cannot live the life we want.The FountainheadI want to tell the story of the great author, Ayn Rand, and her effort to publish her bestselling novel,The Fountainhead. As a matter of fact?- ?I was further brought to read her novels by many of you who commented on my post about the 15 books that helped to shape my mind.Ayn Rands classic,The Fountainhead,was rejected by a whopping 12 publishers before the Bobbs-Merril l Company decided to take a chance on this, unsaleable and unpublishable, book. At least those were the famous last words of one mighty foolish publisher.12 rejectionsWhat mattered and helped Rands cause was an inspiring review from the New York TimesYou will not be able to read this masterful book without thinking through some of the basic concepts of our time.If only we all were so fortunate. Yet words like those tend to be gifted toward individuals who create art that transcends their time and generations thereafter. From there, the flight ofThe Fountainheadwas airborne, and as the word of her book spread across the world, people began to read and become inspired by her empowering themes of individualism and objectivism.Staying theCourseWhen you believe in your idea and back it with faith and unrelenting persistence, you find that rejection is in fact your best friend. Ive come to believe that rejection is the ignition to start fine-tuning our lives and guiding them toward the di rection that our heart is leading us.I thought about these things as I wrote my book, The Value of You, over the past year. There were moments of doubt, just as there are for even the worlds most confident and accomplished people. But what made this book possible was my willingness to publish on this awesome platform, and to put myself out there. I first wrote only for myself. Over the last several years, I put myself out there and I began to thrive. Its made all the difference.Im soothed by the lack of reception?- ?initially?- ?that Ayn Rand dealt with for what became one of the most enduring classics of the 20th Century. There was no immediate success to be had. Rather, disappointment. However, that disappointment was met with an open-armed embrace of taking up the gauntlet and continuing on because she knew she was right.She knew her book was special. She believed that if she stayed the course, she would indeed be rewarded.Getting the RightResultsBeing right and knowing you are r ight coming primarily from four things research, observation, validation of others and intuition.As you see in the quadrant, I believe the optimal state is to have a strong, believing mindset that is backed up with the most constructive actions. What is most damaging, Ive found, is to do the right thing yet believe that what youre doing has all been in vain?- ?that youre wrong and worse, that doubt and fear begin to creep in.Ive found that actions can often easily be corrected but attitude adjustments are much harder to make. Changing our attitude is frankly, a matter of willpower. This requires breaking down and beating old habits that have discouraged, distracted and prevented us from our potential.Its very difficult to turn things around when the breaks havent been going our way?- ?or when we havent yet found results in whatever endeavor we have chosen. While its certainly teetering on the border of danger when youre doing the wrong thing but believing youre right, its simply eas ier to correct those actions through observation and study.Thats what great mentors, teachers, coaches and influencers are for. Seek knowledge and wisdom from those who are in a position to help and are willing.For all of us, our goal should be to move to the northeast part of the quadrant where our actions are in line with the positivity of our attitude. Strong conviction does not equal stubbornness. Strong conviction and belief in yourself equals faith, which begets patience, persistence and perseverance.Youll never just be able to get by with only a positive attitude.You must back that with an intelligent, industrious work ethic that consistently approaches each day with optimism, anticipation and a refusal to compromise.Go AllInIt pains me to see people on the right path who lack the conviction because of fear of the unknown. I can sense it immediately because I spent so many years of my life with this mindset. Call it youngest child syndrome. Call it an overly fearful view of t he world mixed with trepidation about what others might think.Call it what it is and then stop making excuses. Know that when you go all in and put yourself out there, the world doesnt seem so scary. Its invigorating, actually. You learn the proven strategy of believing in yourself and persevering by taking a chance. If you never take a chance, youll never know. But if you have the courage to move forward, youll begin to live the life youve always wanted.Value YourselfMy newbook on Values is out NOW Order it hereContact meif youd like,Follow my Facebook Pageand Join me on your journey. Lets GOThis article first appeared on Medium.

USAJOBS 3.0 is Coming Latest OPM Update

USAJOBS 3.0 is Coming Latest OPM UpdateUSAJOBS 3.0 is Coming Latest OPM UpdateUSAJOBS 3.0 is Coming Latest OPM UpdateInterruption in Service is slated for the Columbus Day Holiday WeekendAfter I posted my blog two days ago about the USAJOBS 3.0 transition, I learned about some important updates regarding the USAJOBS 3.0 transition for another Resume Place, Inc. Blog. I am very glad to see these updates and would like you to share the dates, times and access to USAJOBS info with your colleagues and federal job-seeking friends.During the transition to USAJOBS 3.0, please be aware that The transition will begin at 500 pm EDT on October 7 and extend through the Columbus Day Holiday Weekend. OPM has worked hard to compress the schedule to just the Columbus holiday weekend. There will be announcements posted to USAJOBS prior to and even during the transition. OPM requested agencies close their announcements before October 6th. Many agencies chose, however, to leave announcements open over the transition period. So, during the transition, a listing of open announcements will be available on USAJOBS.gov, but not the robust search function. The search and apply functions will continue to be available until 500 pm EDT on October 7, 2011, at which time the transition will begin. Jobseekers can access USAJOBS during the transition. In fact, we suggest they visit USAJOBS.gov for daily status updates. Jobseekers will NOT be able to upload/build a resume or check status during the transition, because the data is stabilized during the transition nothing is added, deleted or changed until after the transition is complete. Whos doing the update OPM has an IT staff (the menschengerecht Resources Tools and Technologies staff in Macon, GA) that focuses specifically on building and maintaining secure, scalable HRIT systems for OPM, as well as other Federal organizations. Different personnel within that organization work on the different systems HRTT builds and maintains. USAJOBS an d USAStaffing are just two of the systems maintained by HRTT. The USAJOBS staff within HRTT will execute the transition of USAJOBS along with the USAJOBS program office staff. Note USAStaffing is an OPM-owned Talent Acquisition System (TAS) Monster and other vendors also offer TASs. TASs interface with USAJOBS, but are the back-end systems used by HR specialists within the federal agencies. OPM will extract, validate and convert five billion lines of data (not documents) before loading it into USAJOBS 3.0. USAJOBS 3.0 will no longer capture social security numbers as previous versions did in the account profile. Some applications submitted through USAJOBS, however, may request SSN based on the hiring agencys requirements. Still a good idea Before the search and apply functions are taken offline on Oct. 7, you may want to consider downloading and backing up the latest versions of your resumes posted in USAJOBS.

Do You Still Need a Paper Resume

Do You Still Need a Paper ResumeDo You Still Need a Paper ResumeIn todays tech-driven times, carrying around paper resumes to in-person interviews may appear to be pass- but you might be surprised at the importance of having them with you for a job interview. Read the pros of having paper copies of your resume to decide if you really need them or bedrngnis.The pros of bringing a paper resume to your next in-person job interviewYou can reference it easily.You might already be a bit nervous when you sit down in front of a potential employer. So when he asks you a question regarding a previous date of employment, you suddenly draw a blank. If you have a paper copy of your resume, though, you can easily use it as a reference sheet to answer any questions quickly and correctly.Your interviewer might not have a copy. Sure, you submitted your job application electronically, but that doesnt mean that your future employer will have it in front of him during your interview. He might lose your resume, forget to print it out, or even accidentally delete your application altogether. If he asks for a paper resume copy, its better to have one on hand. If you dont, it could make you look unprepared or even possibly cut the interview short.You might need to give it to more than one person. You were originally set to interview with only the HR manager, but after an amazing interview, he wants to take you on an impromptu meet-and-greet with some department heads. After chatting with some of the staffers, they might ask you for a copy of your resume to review, too. Have a few handy to give out, and let them know that they can reach out to you with any questions they might have.It puts you front and center on the interviewers desk- and mind.Although your interviewer might have your resume on his screen during your interview, having a copy of your paper resume on his desk means that hes bound to see it more than once. Offering a paper copy of your resume could be a subtle job seeker tactic to keep you front and center in your interviewers mind- and on his desk- allowing him to review your application and give you more consideration for the position.

Do these 7 things to get you invoices paid immediately

Do these 7 things to get you invoices paid immediatelyDo these 7 things to get you invoices paid immediatelyAround one in four self-employed workers are owed an average amount of $2,000 from late-paying clients or customers. According to researchers over at Freshbook, theres a science to getting clients to pay invoices in a timely matter. The team analyzed 10,000 invoices to craft a data-driven how-to that ensures freelancers and self-employed professionals get paid fast.Our data team found when freelancers followed the 7 tips on this checklist, 91% of invoices were paid in full so it pays to take the time to craft a solid invoice.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreFreshbooksThe 7 commandments for punctual pay1. Avoid end of the month invoicingMost of getting paid on time is not giving a customer or client any excuse to put your compensation on the pay-no-mind list. Invoices sent on the 30th or 31st stand a greater risk of getting lost in the email shuffle. Freshbooks data concludes that Invoices sent toward the end of the month, take 20% longer to get paid the invoices sent earlier in the month.2. Limit line ItemsAccording to Freshbooks, a two to five line items on an invoice is the sweet spot. Unless your client requested a detailed breakdown of your work, no need for the excess clutter.3. Keep your invoice total lowInterestingly enough invoices that total less than $1,660 get paid an average of eleven days sooner than invoices that exceed that amount. If your invoiceisgreater than $1,660 the researchers recommendyou break up the sum with smaller invoices to make sure you are recouped as soon as possible.4. Include clear termsNinety-four percent of invoices that mentioned late fees were paid on time. Freshbooks suggests young self-employed professionals and freelancers, use specific language in your terms to help you get paid even faster.5. Be politeInvoic es that include the words please and thank you get paid a median of two days sooner that invoices that do now. A good rule of thumb is to maintain the same level of cordiality in your invoice request as was present in your service to the client or customer.6. Offer online paymentsInvoices that allow clients or customers an option to be pay invoices via an online method get taken care of aroundseven days earlier than invoices that donot.7. Send automatic late payment remindersSetting up an automatic late paymentreminder eliminates the anxiety of having to chase a client down for payment. Below Freshbooks has provided a general schablone for an invoice, that is succinct, direct, and expresses cordiality, professionalism, and most importantly, urgency.FreshbooksYou 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 productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Who is Worried About Architectural Resume and Why You Should be Listening to Them

Who is Worried About Architectural Resume and Why You Should be Listening to Them The Importance of Architectural Resume When an architect doesnt have an NCARB Certificate there are certain states they cant receive an architectural license in. You have to develop agility with assorted architectural drafting software. To begin in job-hunting, you first will need to get a great resume, and a drafter Resume Templates can allow you to create the document faster. Its important to experience company specific Resume. Details of Architectural Resume Get exploring and you might be spotting something you feel is going to earn an effect on yur job seeking process. Also, another vital point that is quite important is ensuring that you avoid typos and grammar mistakes. The best method to do so is to create a resume that specifically targets the requirements of a specific job posting but rewriting it from scratch may be a time-consuming course of action. On the flip side, if youre writin g an advertising internship resume, then youre probably writing to an exact ruthless person whos very good with people in any type of situation. The Pain of Architectural Resume The absolute most important thing we learned in architecture school is the way to address problems creatively. Youre going to compose a killer architecture resume. While architecture is an art, its unlike the majority of other arts since its both public and long-lasting. Make a presentation of what youve done up to now, whether its associated with architecture or not. Look at architect resume samples to realize how they are generally designed. Architects meet with developers to think of a strong notion. No architect can construct a structure alone. An architect is liable for the design construction of a specific building or structure. In the event the CV is followed by means of a portfolio, then its fine with the CV to be just text, but should you do just a CV then you ought to have pictures from t he main projects. You may have an individual Word resume, but youre a creative individual and must be utilizing the correct software to highlight your talents. Sending resumes over mail is certainly the fastest way to get in contact with the firm youre interested in. You must think of the sort of firm when developing the CV. Some folks get so involved in the facts of their CV which they dont make it rather obvious they want the internship. Possessing a good resume is quite important if applying to any company thats why you want to locate the correct strategies to perfect your American resume. Approach your resume like you were solving an architectural issue. Job applicants ought to be precise and descriptive in regards to their personal skills. Jobseekers who aspire to intern at architecture firms want to be certain their resumes demonstrate the coursework and techniques which make them excellent candidates. You have to make it crystal clear that you desire the internship, you have to explain why, and you want to stay positive and upbeat. Plus, some internships have a fantastic deal of prestige. Introduce yourself and explain why youre writing. Resumes are important, they can help you receive an interview, but few individuals coming out of architecture school could possibly get hired dependent on their zippy resume. The issue with writing your CV with doubts is that youre most likely to fail. Have a look at inspirational tips for writing content. For some states its the only requirement, although some require state particular tests, interviews or references. It could be beneficial to see architect resume samples to understand how to incorporate soft abilities, such as communication and presentation abilities. Examine the work description to make certain it aligns with your statement. Your abilities and experience as an architect needs to be highlighted in the goal statement, as well as your enthusiasm for the job. The Ultimate Architectural Resume Trick Resume length usually is based on the quantity of experience youve got. The very first line of your resume is the very first interaction youll have with the employer. Should you have some experience you would like listed here, please make sure there arent gaps in your dates. Professionally, our resumes are often the very first impression a possible employer gets of us.

Will 2017 Spur Your Employees to Seek New Opportunities

Will 2017 Spur Your Employees to Seek New Opportunities Were a couple of months into the new year, and many people have abandoned their resolutions already. However, theres one resolution that might stick and its one that employers should pay attention to.According to a WorkSphere survey from Spherion Staffing, 62 percent of American workers are planning to make changes in their professional lives. While some of these people are looking to change jobs or careers, others want to improve their performance, earn mora money, or start their own businesses.Although the new year is a common benchmark Americans use to hit refresh, 62 percent of those who have a resolution for 2017 to find a new job or career have considered doing so for more than a year, according to our survey, says Sandy Mazur, teilen president for Spherion Staffing. This year, the top three factors that have workers considering a career change include higher pay (56 percent), a desire to try something new (45 percent), and better work/life balance (44 percent).Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their reputation for job hopping, millennials are experiencing professional wanderlust at a rate of two-to-one.Millennials are most motivated to take on a new professional endeavor in the New Year in fact, 22 percent plan to find a new job in 2017, compared with 11 percent of overall workers who plan to do the same, Mazur says. Nearly three-quarters of millennials who plan to start a new job or career in 2017 cite a salary increase as their primary influence.While employers should certainly keep an eye out for talented employees who show signs of jumping ship soon, the good news is that they dont need to worry about mass employee restlessness. According to Mazur, 72 percent of workers who do not plan to find a new job or career in 2017 attribute their decision to being satisfied with their current work arrangement.Politics Raise New ConcernsIn the 2016 election, theRepublican Part y gained not only the White House, but also majorities in both houses of Congress. This means the economic climate of the U.S. is likely to change dramatically from the standards of the past eight years. Employees are not unfazed by this 20 percent of WorkSphere respondents said the election impacted their professional plans for 2017.For many Americans, a top concern any time a new president is elected is the economy and how potentially changing policies will influence business operations, Mazur says.A third of the workers surveyed said they were more worried about the economy and its impact on their careers than they were this time last year.This sentiment may be attributable to workers outlook on the incoming presidents economic platform, or it may be a byproduct of the general uncertainty that typically comes with any major change in government, Mazur says. As a result, some workers who may be interested in changing jobs or careers could potentially wait and see what happens in W ashington before making any serious moves.Despite the uncertainties surround the current political situation, many workers remain optimistic about the future of the workplace. Spherion found that 60 percent of workers feel their jobs will still be relevant in five years. Another 22 percent of workers said they were interested in pursuing a second job or starting a side business, which Mazur says is a sign of confidence for the future.Scratching the New Year ItchTo get in front of employees who may do something drastic as they try to scratch their new year itch, executives need to be prepared to meet the demands of their workforces.Making more money (28 percent), taking more vacation time (19 percent), and improved work/life balance (19 percent) are among the top career-related resolutions for 2017, so employers may consider reevaluating their most valuable employees compensation structures, tweaking vacation policies or modifying the culture around taking vacation, and offering more flexible schedules to help employees achieve more balance in their work and personal lives, Mazur says.When asked about their overall resolutions, workers indicated that exercising more (55 percent), eating healthier (54 percent), and traveling more (34 percent) were alsotop priorities for 2017.These are areas employers might consider folding into the workplace, Mazur says. Employers should consider offering options that meet these goals, such as a wellness program or sabbatical programs that allow extended time off for travel.There are many ways to engage employees to improve retention, and every business must find out what its workforce wants. Whatever a company decides, the sure bet is that doing nothing will empower workers to chase those new year dreams possibly to your organizations detriment.

How to Make Your Boss Like You - The Muse

How to Make Your Boss Like You - The MuseHow to Make Your Boss Like You I want to be good at what I do, and I bet you do, too. Though the motivation may differ- a promotion, a raise, the Employee of the Month award, or to simply feel good about yourself- theres no denying that the desire to succeed is a powerful one. But in order to be successful, there are certain people we must work harmoniously with- the most important one being your anfhrer. When it comes to your career, your manager plays a key role in your growth and achievements. And lets face it- if we dont get along with said anfhrer, the role she begins to play is roadblock. And while there is, unfortunately, no secret formula to making your supervisor think youre great- and thus eliminating that barrier- below are some things you can do in every job that should earn you a big thumbs up. 1. Admit When You Make a MistakeNo one is perfect- slip-ups happen from time to time, and thats OK. Acknowledging you messed up will show accountability, help you learn, and prevent your boss from being blindsided when the error surfaces on its own (which it will). 2. Proofread Your EmailsYour performance is a direct representation of your manager. If youre shooting off shoddy emails, it can reflect badly on her and your team. Taking those extra seconds to read your message may also help you from sending a response laced with sass and frustration. 3. Meet Your DeadlinesYour manager, and likely others, are relying on you to finish your tasks in a timely manner. Getting things done by the time youre supposed to will make managing you a breeze. And lets be real- you know you loathe the people who constantly keep you waiting (in work and in life), so dont be one of them. 4. Let Your Boss Know ASAP if Youre Going to Miss a DeadlineWe already established you arent perfect (see number one), so we get it- sometimes a deadline cant be met. No matter who the finger of blame should be pointed at, your manager needs a heads up so she can plan accordingly. 5. Ask Questions When You Have ThemYou cant know it all- no one can (except maybe someone as successful as Adele). If you are unsure of something, its better to ask someone than to do something incorrectly or sit there and avoid it all day. 6. But, Do Try to Figure it Out Before You Reach Out for HelpShowing initiative and problem-solving skills are characteristics that will cause every manager to breathe a sigh of relief. But dont spend forever doing it- know when its time to throw in the towel. My golden rule? If you spend more than 30 minutes trying to find the answer, raise your white flag and let someone come to your rescue. 7. Save Any Grievances You Have for One-on-one MeetingsYou most likely arent going to agree with everything your boss says and does (if you do, lucky you). But instead of calling her out in front of the whole team, address her in private. No one likes to be thrown under the bus, especially in front of the people they manage. And w hen you do meet with her, make sure youre going about your feedback correctly. 8. Bring Solutions, Not ProblemsIf you have a problem, simply complaining about it is leid going to help change it. So when you address your manager in that one-on-one meeting, come to the table with suggestions, or at least the willingness to brainstorm some with her. 9. Acknowledge When Youre at CapacityWhile its tempting to say Yes to everything in an effort to prove youre a hard-working superstar, everyone has a threshold. Once you cross it, the quality of your work (and your work-life balance) will start to diminish. And that doesnt benefit anybody.10. Be a Team PlayerNeither your team nor your company can reach their full potential if you arent playing your part. And that limits your opportunity for success, too. The car cant run if one of the wheels is stuck in the mud. Dont be that wheel. 11. Take Work Off His PlateManaging you and your teammates isnt your boss only job. He has his own tasks, proj ects, and career goals, too. There are likely some items on his to-do list that you can do for him. Take a look at your workload, and if it isnt too heavy, offer to help make his list a little shorter. 12. Treat Her Like a rolleWhats that you say? Your boss is human, too? Yep And though the majority of your interactions involve her ensuring you are on task and have everything you need, its not her only concern in life. (Believe it or not, she probably has a guilty pleasure TV show she binge watches on the weekends, too. Scandal, anyone?) Make a note of personal things she mentions- her dogs name, a book shes currently reading- and ask about them when the time is right.13. Take Initiative to Further Your LearningJust because youre out of school doesnt mean your education has to end. Show you want to better yourself by signing up for a class, attending a workshop, or watching YouTube videos about cool Excel tricks. Want to hit the tanzerei out of the park? Take it one step further and share what you learn with your team. 14. Offer to Mentor or Train a New Team MemberTeaching somebody the ins and outs of a position is tough work. It can even be a job in itself. So when your supervisor hires a new team member, offer to get him or her up to speed. This will allow her to continue focusing on the big picture and dedicating enough time to supervise the whole team.15. Learn From Your MistakesThere arent many things more frustrating than having to tell someone something over and over again. When you make a mistake, take the appropriate steps to prevent yourself from making that same blunder in the future. Write it down, add a task to your process, put a reminder in your calendar- whatever it takes, learning from your slip-ups is a true sign of growth (and also keeps your boss from pulling her hair out). 16. Know When to Stop TalkingYour voice is important and it should be heard. After all, youre a valuable part of the team. But that doesnt mean you should be the team ch atterbox. Allow others to speak up, too, and make sure youre not just speaking because you like the sound of your voice.17. Show Your AppreciationYes, managing you is part of his job. And yes, his paycheck probably benefits because of it. But he is still taking time out of his busy schedule to ensure you have what you need and to provide support when you need it. When he does something you appreciate, say thank you and tell him how he helped you. Better yet? Sing his praises and write a recommendation on LinkedIn. Every supervisor has different management styles, and your boss may value some qualities in his or her employees over others. This will change with each job you have, but if you try to do (at least most of) the things above, youll receive your boss seal of approval. And while this seal may not be obvious (I mean, you arent going to get a trophy for being a good employee), it will show in the ways that count- more responsibility, a positive performance review, opportunities to manage others, and occasionally that big promotion. Photo of man talking to his boss description courtesy of Shutterstock..

Controller Perks Up for Second Job Offer

Controller Perks Up for Second Job OfferController Perks Up for Second Job OfferWhen Doreen Livorines commitment to move to warmer weatzu sich led herbei to take a job that wasnt the right fit, she prepped herself for her second job search in a year.Doreen Livorine, a Michigan native and former director of finance in both the automotive and utility industries, decided it was time to relocate.Id worked and lived all my life in Michigan, said Livorine, 52. After her husband passed away four years ago, shed been eyeing certain locales. I wanted to move somewhere that was warm year-round, and Id narrowed my choices down to either North Carolina or Houston, Texas. She signed up with Ladders in early 2008 and searched for standorts in the accounting field in the geographic areas shed chosen. It seemed a stroke of good luck when she was asked to interview for a position as a senior accounting leader at a large energy company based in Houston.As an accounting professional, I liked doing acco unts receivable, accounts payable, cost inventories - all that type of work, she said.The company agreed to reimburse her for travel expenses, to assist her in selling her Michigan home and to help with some relocation expenses, Livorine said. She flew into town and had whirlwind interviews with 15 people, then flew home, excited about the opportunity.Her Michigan house sold quickly, too, and in April 2008 (within a week of accepting the energy companys offer) was relocated to temporary housing in Houston.Too quick a decisionHowever, by August 2008, Livorine was beginning to think the fit wasnt right. Instead of drawing on her many financial and accounting skills, Livorine said the position involved co-ordinating with other accounting groups within the energy company.I would simply make sure that the other departments were correctly reporting and sending those reports to the head office on time, she said. It was a sign, really, that I wasnt in a good position, she said. I didnt rea lly take the time to understand what I was getting into.The second job search of the yearSo for the second time in a year, she began her search again. Livorine rented an apartment, moved her things out of storage, and set about finding the perfect position for her. She signed up with Ladders.com again in October 2008, and used many of the same tools and parameters that had helped her quickly find her a job the first time.Since I used Ladders.com previously, she said, I was able to repurpose much of the same tips, expertise and knowledge from the site. During her first search, shed been told her resume wasnt up to snuff and had applied the advice given to her by the resume professionals to help spruce it up.Livorine said she was also very impressed by the number of top recruiters and headhunters using Ladders, including many who contacted her after seeing her credentials and job-search requirements on the site.They have an entire recruiter list section that I didnt even have to use, she said. The top recruiters with the best jobs are already using Ladders, and they reached out to me.Livorine began to receive calls quickly and fielded seven interviews in six short weeks, she said. After that, a series of second interviews followed.A fresh start with better perksOn the day before Christmas, Livorine was offered an incredible opportunity with Maximus Coffee Group, a coffee procurement, processing, packaging and distribution company that was expanding its operations in the Houston area.As Kraft Foods Corp. wound down operations and prepared to close its Houston-based processing plant - which previously processed Maxwell House Decaffeinated Coffee and Minute Rice - industrial engineer and grandson of Maximus Coffee Group founder Carlos de Aldecoa Buena stepped in and purchased it for his company, Livorine explained.Livorine was offered a position as a controller and is in charge of the companys financials, cost accounting, inventory and the other accounting respon sibilities she loves. Livorine also now has 11 direct reports, and is pulling in a salary thats even higher than what she made with the energy company.I told the recruiter that connected me with the job that Id be happy making what Id made back in Michigan, she said. The cost of living here is much lower, and I knew Id be happy, but Maximus came back and offered me a 25 percent increase over thatLivorine said her future is bright with the company. The operation is growing, and in addition to providing decaf, instant, roast and ground coffees, it is also still processing Minute Rice for Kraft and developing new business with companies like Sara Lee and Folgers.Maximus also has improved the overall job situation in Houston by purchasing a plant that would have been shut down, and has since increased the number of staff.I know it was tough, but Im so happy now in my current position, Livorine said. She said if it werent for the experience of taking the wrong job, shed never have ended up with the perfect position.Everything happens for a reason, you know? she said.

Hired! Making the Industry Switch

Hired Making the Industry SwitchHired Making the Industry SwitchHired Making the Industry SwitchMid-career job seekers trying to break into a new industry often complain that it feels as if theyre fighting the momentum of their previous work history.Ladders member Dan Rozelman was contending with three generations of family history when he switched industries, first shutting down his plumbing business to sell manufacturing equipment, then to manage a staff selling glass to window manufacturers.Sales was always my forte, he said.Through Ladders, Rozelman recently found and accepted a sales management job that moves him toward the career goal he set for himself, though in a part of the business much different from the one in which he abfluged.Rozelman, 33, started his post-college career with a two-year stint selling truck parts across most of the Midwest before coming home to start his own plumbing business in 1998. He specialized in new construction installing the plumbing for all t he houses in a new development or new commercial or residential buildings.The jobs averaged around $150,000 but ranged as high as three quarters of a 1000000. Business was good, but his goal was to build it to the point where he could work full time on the business rather than having to go out on the job sites himself.My great-grandfather, my grandfather, my father and two uncles were all plumbers, so I knew that world, he said. My grandfather and father worked hard every day. My dad still does. But we live in Cleveland, and let me tell you New construction putting the furnace in during January is no fun.I was doing a million a year in new construction running two crews, Rozelman said. I could have run 15 crews, but I couldnt find the right people to oversee the work to the level it needed to be done, to the point that I could be in the office every day rather than supervising on the job site.The inability to scale finally frustrated Rozelman enough that he decided to get out of t he plumbing business and focus on sales instead.Looking back, that was the best move I ever made, because the Cleveland housing market started to crash right after that, Rozelman said. A lot of the guys I knew are out of business its possible I would have been, too.Taking an inventory of his own skills, Rozelman decided his nine years in the construction business had given him enough understanding and insight that he could operate in any business closely related to it.My strengths were in talking to contractors, owners of contracting companies, supply houses, Rozelman said. I knew the lingo understood what was going on I knew what the end users of the product had to deal with on a daily basis.It took six months of research and applying to online job postings related to construction equipment and capital equipment, but he landed a job at a company selling manufacturing equipment to manufacturers of windows for residential buildings.I didnt just apply to everything I saw. I mostly app lied for things that looked right for me, he said. I got a lot of interviews and tried to make most of what I said specific to the type of sale and challenge I was applying for. I talked about how I would spec a job with the engineers, and sell the job and present it. I could say, I know youre selling to the end user, and in my position, I did this. This is what drives their decisions, and this is what their purchasing patterns are and how they work with engineers, and this is what theyre concerned about.There was a certain amount of luck in landing the job, he admitted. But in 18 months he outstripped the expectations the company had set for him.His territory covered 19 states, and the average sale was close to half a million dollars. Long-term capital equipment isnt a high turnover business, though, so the customer he sold a welding or fitting machine to one year might not buy again for six years.There wasnt a lot of opportunity for growth, was the big thing, Rozelman said.It took about another six months, this time using Ladders as his primary source of job postings, newsletters and advice on resume format, to find his current job as sales manager for Cleveland-based, which manufactures double-paned insulated glass for window manufacturers.I wasnt looking for something too specific an industry or business that was growing and had some opportunity to move up, he said.He relied only on online job ads and resumes sent by e-mail. When he got an interview, he relied on his knowledge of the construction business, sales practices from previous jobs and his ability to handle a negotiation to answer any questions.They did say, What do you know about glass? Rozelman said. I said, If I can learn all the ins and outs of the capital equipment to make vinyl windows and break into some of the customers I broke into during that year and a half and get the letters of thanks I got from some of my customers on those complicated sales - no offense, but glass has got to be a breezeRozelman supervises three other salespeople covering a territory about 300 miles in every direction from Cleveland, including parts of Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.The money is better, the work is interesting, and theres a growth path.The president and vice president are only going to be in the company another five years or so, and my boss, the vice president of sales, can probably step up to the vice presidents job, and I can move into his, Rozelman said.Plus, theyre looking to do a major expansion into the East Coast, and Id be responsible for helping to grow business and pull in the manufacturers reps on the East Coast, Rozelman said. Its a good opportunity.