An Introverts Guide to Office Parties

An Introverts Guide to Office Parties Let’s face it â€" office parties are tough events to navigate for a long list of reasons. But for introverts, they are especially problematic. However, with the right planning and advice, there’s no reason why introverts can’t ace work gatherings and even start enjoying them. This 18-step guide covers what introverts should do before, during and after office parties to make a success of them. Here are the key nuggets of advice: Before the party Is it worth your time? If your presence isn’t really required, you should consider saving your energy for more important upcoming socials. Set an objective. Having a goal in mind helps with socializing. For example, if you’re hoping to get in your boss’ good books, make a beeline for them at some point during the evening. Practice makes perfect. Having a think about introductory topics and conversation starters before the event can only put you in good stead. Recruit a buddy. Attend the party with a colleague that you’re close to. That way, you have a friend to keep you company while you’re settling into the event. Rest up. You need some downtime before social stimulation. Read a book, watch a movie or do anything that helps you relax. During the party Be punctual. Its much harder to tap into conversations when you rock up late, so try to be on time. Wear something bold. An eye-catching necklace or a vibrant tie can be an easy way to start a conversation and avoid small talk. Look them in the eye. Direct eye contact is so important during a conversation. Get into the habit of noticing the other persons eye color. Find a quiet spot. Scout out a place you can retreat to if you need a moment â€" even if it means taking a breather in the toilets for a few minutes. Friends make friends. If youre having difficulty talking to new people, hunt down a buddy that you can piggyback off to meet new friends. Go easy on the alcohol. Drinking in excess is a risky game. Swap alcoholic drinks for coke or soda at various intervals â€" your colleagues will be none the wiser. Offer a helping hand. If you have time to kill during the event, keep busy with tasks like party preparation or assisting with the clean-up. Don’t fear small talk. Introverts find it incredibly tedious, but just see it as a springboard to deeper conversations. Know your escape route. Find out how you can swiftly slip out of the party. Keeping that in mind will make you feel more relaxed. After the party Recharge your batteries. Reward yourself with some quiet time â€" you’ve earned it! Taking a bath or going for a walk are good ways to switch off. Return to work. If the party was on a weeknight, don’t be tempted to call in sick the next day. You won’t be doing yourself any favors if you do! Keep the conversations going. Refer to things that took place at the party. It’s an easy way to build rapport with the workmates that you wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to. Congratulate yourself. Attending an office party is no easy feat for any introvert, so you should give yourself a pat on the back! Social events are typically a playground for extroverts â€" but these simple tips will help any introvert make a success of all office parties. About the author:  Luke Doyle writes on behalf of Simply Be and is based in Manchester, UK. When not sharing content, Lukes passions include photography and travel.

Searching for Book Ideas at Amazon.com - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Searching for Book Ideas at Amazon.com - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career 6 Tips for organizing your search for inspiration competing books at Amazon.com More than any single bookstore or library, Amazon.com can be an authors best friend, offering endless opportunities to search for currently available books, ideas, and opportunities. Time spent at Amazon will help you: Locate the missing book. Searching at Amazon.com helps you identify the missing book the book your market wants, but hasnt been written yet. The more you know about whats available versus whats needed, the less likely you are to write a book that inadvertently duplicates an existing book. Inspiration. In addition to the exploring the existing titles, authors, and publishers, time spent familiarizing yourself with existing books is likely to spark new ideas and title possibilities. Hint: After compiling a list of books addressing your topic, try entering the individual words used in their titles into Thesaurus.com. New ideas are likely to appear as you explore alternatives to words already used in the books your book must compete against. Going beyond a simple search at Amazon.com Although many are familiar with the process of searching for books at Amazon.com, many authors fail to go deep enough in their search for ideas and competition. Here are some suggestions for going deeperat Amazon: Revisit familiar titles in your field. You probably already have a good idea of the titles already available in your field. You may own some of the books, or you may have encountered them at local bookstores. Nevertheless, visit each books page at Amazon use it as a shortcut to locating other relevant titles. Pay particular attention to the Frequently Bought Together, Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought, and the What Customers Ultimately Bought After Viewing information that appears with each title. These can open your ideas to dozens of books you didnt know already existed. “Click to Look Inside” link. Many book pages display a Click to Look Inside link next to the image of the books cover. This permits you to Zoom-in to explore the sales copy and testimonials on the front and back covers, as well as review the book’s opening pages and table of contents. Although you can’t print these pages, you can easily take notes and review the author’s perspective and the book’s intended market. Start your searches at Amazon’s Books page. The Books page offers access to additional links and resources, including Books of the Year, Books of the Decade, Editor’s Choice Books in various categories, The New York Times Bestsellers Lists, and New Releases during the upcoming quarter. Category rank versus overall sales rank. Instead of paying too much attention to a title’s overall ranking on Amazon.com, concentrate on the title’s ranking within its specific sales categories. It doesn’t mean too much that Garr Reynold’s new Presentation Zen Design, for example, was Amazon’s #1005 best-selling book in mid-January. What’s more important is rank relative to its direct competition, for example • Books Business Investing Skills Running Meetings Presentations • Books Computers Internet Software Business • Books Computers Internet Programming Graphics Multimedia Youll undoubtedly get an entirely new perspective on the titles your book will have to compete against when you view it in the context of its category competition. Take notes on the Reader Reviews. Pay particular attention to reviews submitted by readers. (Hint: filter out those obviously written by the authors friends or those with an obvious ax to grind.) Look for themes that show up in more than one review, i.e., the reviewers favorite parts of the book, or comments about topics not covered in the book that show up in more than one review. These comments may provide the spark of inspiration you need to begin writing. Author Connect. Look for a link to the authors page at Amazon.com. This does more than just cross-reference other books the author has written. After publication, Amazon.com gives authors a page where they can submit their own biography and create their own blog. (Hint: many authors run RSS feeds from their existing blogs to their author page at Amazon.) Authors can also add audios and videos to their page, giving you a better idea of how others in your field are leveraging their book to additional profits. Tracking what you find at Amazon.com Develop a system to keep track of the information you find at Amazon.com, as you follow the links to different pages. I always recommend to my clients that they develop a system for taking notes and profiting from their research. For example: Start by creating a separate word processed file for each of the books that they discover as they search on Amazon. List competing books and highlights of the reader reviews for each title, also entering links to the author and books URLs at Amazon, as well as links to the URLs of related books. Print copies of the latest files of your research results on 3-hole paper at the end of each search session. Insert the print-outs, organized alphabetically by the authors last name, in a 3-ring binder. Youll find it easier to review your research after its been printed, yet youll also appreciate the ability to immediately retrace your steps searching for book ideas at Amazon.com. Mind mapping programs, like Mindjet, also make it easy to track the results of your research. Whats your favorite technique for searching for book ideas at Amazon.com? Obviously, there are also alternative online book retailers, as well resources for searching for inspiration from out-of-print books. Which do you find most useful? What have I overlooked? Share your ideas as comments, below! Author Roger C. Parker is a “32 Million Dollar Author,” book coach, and online writing resource. His 38 books have sold 1.9 million copies in 35 languages around the world. Roger has interviewed hundreds of successfully branded nonfiction authors and shares what he’s learned at Published Profitable and his daily writing tips blog.

The Latest Resource For Supercharging Your Resume

The Latest Resource For Supercharging Your Resume Are you one of the 59% that use Microsoft Word to create and update your resume?  In that same June, 2016 survey, it was also found that one third of us consider  writing or updating their resume their least favorite  part of the job search.  So its probably of interest to you to know that Microsoft has partnered with  design  company  MOO  and career expert  Maxie McCoy  to create a  package of  resources that will help your resume, and you, stand out to potential recruiters and employers. And they dont just want to help with your resume.  Theres also other resources, inspiration, and advice thats been artfully assembled.  Further, its free. The above-mentioned survey produced such clear results that Microsoft wanted to act on them in a way that would really make a difference for job seekers.  This amazing resource is going live July 18 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.  No, quantities arent limited, but youll want to get moving so that you can be among the first to benefit from some of their stated goals of helping you: Land a job in hot markets like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. Find work that is rewarding, meaningful, and allows for life balance. Design a show-stopping resume. Have an unforgettable Skype interview. Create  blog posts and a portfolio  in  the digital storytelling app  Sway And did I mention that its free? At the end of this post theres a couple of cheat sheets that are part of the available resources.  And here are the links to the resources: How To Land Your Dream Job (Main Site) How to Design A Show-Stopping Resume How to Have an Unforgettable Skype Interview In the competitive job market out there, you need every edge you can get to make yourself shine for the recruiter and memorable to those who interview you.  While its still up to you to perform at your peak throughout the process, these resources are sure to help. Oh, yeah, did I remember to tell you that its free? You can find more career advice and inspiration from Maxie at https://office.com/dreamjob.   You can also Tweet their team @Office and @Skype and use the hashtag, #dreamjob â€" they’d love to hear what you think.

Increase Brand Loyalty Through Giving - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Increase Brand Loyalty Through Giving - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career What makes a company or brand great? It’s not just the products or services or social media influence that counts. The most important element in brand marketing is people â€" and, what better way to connect with your audience than with giving? Not only does this build loyalty, but also shows them how much you care. You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ? Kahlil Gibran When your brand gives back to your community a new and deeper level of connection is created. There is a sense of fulfillment and happiness that is created, and generates a spirit of gratitude that can become viral. The process of sowing into others can begin with a simple ‘thank you,’ which helps your brand or business stand out from the rest. There are several ways you can give back to your customers while attracting more leads. Here are a few steps to get started on today: • Offer advice. This may sound simple, but people are always seeking new information to meet their needs. What does your brand have to offer for free that will benefit your audience? • Post helpful quotes. Find a saying that is beneficial and helpful and build on it with your additional words of encouragement. • Have an attitude of gratitude. What can you thank others for? Don’t forget to acknowledge team members in your own company as well as within your connections to build relationships. • Look for solutions. Pay attention to what your audience is asking for and meet that need. This could be a list of tips or even a helpful video to answer their questions. • Encourage connections. Communicate and share helpful information and posts from your audience. Introduce others and thank them for their input and interaction. Giving back to your community is a great way to start building new connections right now at the beginning of 2014. Be consistent with these steps, and incorporate something into each day on your networks. Pay attention to how others respond when you start giving back, and create a lasting positive image for your brand.

Resume Writing - Capitalize on Industry

Resume Writing - Capitalize on IndustryIn your resume writing, it is important to capitalize industry. This is because the job market is competitive and each industry is competing for employees. Therefore, you need to make sure that you capitalize your industry. The best way to do this is to break down your work experience into a title and then list the projects you completed within your industry.For example, if you were writing a resume for a lawyer, you would put 'attorney' first and then list all of the legal skills that you have. This will help people see what your job involves. You can also write a resume specifically for lawyers so that they can focus on the type of person you are when hiring. People need to know that you are someone who is dependable and someone who has expertise in your area of work.An example of a common industry that people use when writing resumes is physical therapy. Physical therapists focus on helping people overcome injuries or disorders that may have happened as a result of the job. When people use physical therapy, they are usually hiring a person with that type of experience because people in this field are always in need of help.Another common industry is interior design. Interior designers tend to create a theme for a home or a room. It is their job to make the rooms feel comfortable and appealing. They are also very involved in all of the daily tasks and responsibilities associated with creating a room.There are many other industries that you could capitalize on your resume. They are any type of business that you feel is relevant to your job. Examples of these are:'Training' is another example of a service that people offer. This is where someone provides training to someone else. An example of this is when someone teaches a class or a workshop in a college or university. This is one type of service that people typically offer when they are looking for people to teach or mentor their company's employees.Research is another type of service that people offer. When they are looking for people to complete a project for them, they may hire someone to conduct research to learn about their customer base. This research will allow them to determine which types of products or services their customers need and which ones they have an excess of. In addition, it will help them to provide better customer service for all of their customers.With all of the examples that I have mentioned, it is important to remember that each of these services is actually a profession and it is important to list it as such on your resume. By capitalizing on your industry, it will help you get more jobs and help you find a better paying job. It is important to list your service and highlight the fact that you can help someone.

The Live Virtual Interviewee Experience It Is All About You! - CareerAlley

The Live Virtual Interviewee Experience It Is All About You! - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. By Greg Rokos, Co-Founder and President, GreenJobInterview Its a new job-hunting world out there. In the old days youd search the Sunday classifieds, circle prospects, make a phone call, participate in an in-person interview, get the job, or not, and start the process all over again. Today, there are not only newspapers; theres also Craigslist, LinkedIn and a plethora of other online job boards and professional social networking sites. The jobs you are looking at, hundredsperhaps thousandsof other people are looking at and applying for, too. You are sending your resume out to more companies than ever, or uploading your online professional profiles to them, and more often than not, you wont hear back from any of them. It can be very discouraging. You dont feel special. You may even feel underserved. The Live Virtual Interview: Good for the Company and Good for You Many companies now offer live virtual interviewing as part of their recruiting process, saving themselves time and money. But how does it benefit you, the candidate, the interviewee? Before the interview: Live virtual interviewing saves you time. You dont have to reorganize your schedule to meet with someone who might only be in the office when its inconvenient for you. There will be no more days missed at your current job to go on interviews for a new job. You wont have to come up with creative reasons not to be at work. How many dentist appointments do you think your current boss will believe? Today, with live virtual interviewing technology you can interview in an hourfrom a mobile device, a laptop, or home desktop. There is no need to take off an entire day from your current job when you can interview virtually, confidentially and efficiently. Whether the company is blocks away, or states away it doesnt matter! The day of the interview: Your stress level goes down. In addition to the removal of guilt because youre not lying to your current boss, you are avoiding travel-related inconveniences. If the interview is local, theres no hunting for cabs at lunch time, worried that a coworker will see you. Theres no need for cab fare, or worries about traffic, or the interview going over your specified lunch hour. If the interview is for a company in another state, you are avoiding airport crowds, security hassles, flight delays, jet lag, wrinkled interview clothes, or potential out-of-pocket expenses. Eliminating the travel element means taking the edge off so you can be your best, and look your best. No sweat, literally and figuratively. You can stay comfortable and relaxed, and concentrate on the interview, not getting to the interview. Get to know the company through the live virtual interview process: Live virtual interviewing tells you this company is tech savvy and innovative, professional, and interested in keeping up with the technology tools of today. See into the company without going to it: is it casual or dressy, easy-going or corporate? Youll get a feel for the company through this unique interview process. You can meet with numerous managers and supervisors at one time and in one virtual room, another significant time saver. The bottom line: what you see is what youll get! The GreenJobInterview: A Gold Standard Solution The leader in live virtual interviewing, GreenJobInterview, was founded by veterans of the recruiting industry and its solution creates positive and valuable experiences in live virtual interviewing, and uses secure, browser-based technology that minimizes costs and stress, and maximizes your time. Concierge-level tech support services enable candidates to interact face-to-face, in real time, with hiring managers at companies for whom theyd like to work, anywhere in the work. They will help you feel comfortable so you can put your best foot forward and shine during the interview. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

How to Set Yourself Apart from the Competition in an Interview - CareerEnlightenment.com

How to Set Yourself Apart from the Competition in an Interview Job hunting isn’t easy and the interview process can be exhausting, especially after going to multiple interviews and not getting any call-backs. It’s a typical story, unfortunately, particularly if the field you’ve chosen to work in is highly competitive and many people are vying for the same position you are.Getting your foot in the door for an interview is probably the biggest hurdle to jump over, but once you have landed an interview, you want to make sure you do the best you can so you can impress your interviewer and get the job. However, doing your best might not be enough in a competitive industry when you’re interviewing against dozens of other people.The last thing you want after an interview is to be forgotten. You don’t want the interviewer to be flipping through resumes come decision time and have them ask, “Who was this person again?” after looking at yours. You want to make a lasting impression and set yourself apart from all the other candidates. It can be tricky to walk the line of outgoing and distinctive versus over-the-top and excessive, so here are some tips on how to properly distinguish yourself from the others during an interview.Show excitement about the positionCompanies are looking for candidates who are eager to join the team, so make it clear and obvious how excited you would be to work for them. Often times people get nervous during interviews and tend to come across as rigid and uninterested when really they are just trying to be professional (and trying not to give foolish answers!).Not sure how to go about this? Start by thinking about what you would look for if you were the interviewer. What kind of sentiments would prove an applicant’s enthusiasm to you? Maybe it would mean emphasizing how your personal ethos aligns with the company’s mission statement and goals. Maybe it means explaining which workplace initiatives interest you the most and how you would be a great cultural fit. Whatever it may be, make sur e to fully express this during the interview. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Offer information rather than have the interviewer fish for itThere’s nothing worse in a conversation than trying to pull information out of someone, so avoid having the interviewer fish for answers during your meeting. Good communicators can see where the question is leading and what kind of answers they are looking for without being prompted for more detail.For example, rather than saying “I have good time management skills, try saying “I was able to maximize my time and reduce some inefficiencies in the process, which led to greater productivity and ultimately higher weekly sales.” This answer has demonstrated a skill and has also given a specific reason as to why it was beneficial, as opposed to the first response, which was simply stating a skill.This also demonstrates your communication and critical thinking skills, as it shows you can pick up on cues and can understand what’s being asked of you without needing any hand-holding; something employers value highly.Give answers that aren’t genericMost likely, you are not the only candidate being interviewed for the position, so the person interviewing you has probably asked the same questions to everyone. What you don’t want is to give the same answer as someone else, because that isn’t going to make you memorable. In fact, it will do the opposite.Try and offer a unique point of view in your responses. A good way to do this is by personalizing your answers with anecdotes and success stories you’ve had. When you’re doing your interview preparation, consider what kinds of questions they will ask and try to think of a way to offer a personal take on the topic. When it comes time for the interview, don’t be afraid to pause and take a moment to think of a response after the question was asked. It’s better to take your time and collect your thoughts rather than blurting out something generic the interviewer has probably heard a dozen times already.Consider personal brandingThese days, everything is branded, because people remember brands, so think about how you can brand yourself during your interview. Without a doubt, you want to be your authentic self rather than your “interview self” because people want to see your personality just as much as they want to know about your skills.Pick something to make your signature trademark that will leave an impression on the interviewer. You can discuss non-traditional post-secondary schooling, like graduating from an online program like Suffolk University Online offers, and what different aspects made it a unique experience. You could also make a personal logo for yourself and include it on your resume, business cards, or website. If you really want to be formal and memorable, send hand-written thank you notes after each interview.Feel free to get a bit more personable and less business if you like, and talk about an interesting or unconventional personal hobby. You could brand yourself as something like the “coffee person,” or the “grammar lover.” You could even wear a piece of clothing that’s subtly memorable, like funky patterned socks or a tie with your favorite cartoon characters on it. These tactics can help you stick out from all the other cookie-cutter candidates.Prepare your answersChances are everyone already knows the primary rule for interview prep: do your research. Take the initiative to learn as much as you can about the company so you can demonstrate your knowledge in the interview, but try and take it one step further and compare your work history to the company you’re interviewing for. If you can think of how the work they do relates to your experience and successes, you can tie them t ogether so you make yourself look more relevant to their work.Show your valueWhen interviewing, you want to prove that you have value, rather than just saying you do. How do you manage this? By quantifying your successes with specifics and details. Rather than simply stating a task you completed, explain what goal it met or how it was beneficial.If you contributed to an increase in sales, removing inefficiencies, driving new business, or saving the company money, give specific facts and figures to back up your accomplishment. Remember, companies want to know how you can contribute and what you will do for them, so make sure they have a clear understanding of exactly what that means.Less interview, more conversationConsider the interview to be more like a fluid conversation, rather than a one-sided discussion. The person interviewing you is also trying to determine if you would be a good cultural fit as well as learning about your skill set and qualifications, so relax and chat with them. Ask questions to engage them and have a good back-and-forth dialogue instead of robotically responding to each question.