1. State How You Went Above and Beyond

Initially, you want to remind your employer what’s exactly in your job description. That way your employer knows exactly what you were hired to do as well as be reminded of your designated responsibilities. If you’ve managed to do what your job description entails, great. But if you somehow managed to tackle side projects that weren’t in your job description, even better. Employers will definitely take note of your ambition.

2. Highlight Accomplishments

Employers just don’t want to keep someone who is “adequate” at his or her job. They want to keep people on board who are invaluable—someone they can’t afford to lose. Prove to your supervisor that you are needed by highlighting two or three of your biggest accomplishments. Be specific on how those accomplishments help the company as a whole. For example, did the client you bring on generate an enormous amount of revenue for the business? Did your idea help with branding? Etc. Even if your accomplishment was something you did earlier in your career, make sure to document anything that will help you stand out from the rest.

3. Point Out Basic Skills

Talking about your accomplishments is great, but you also want to stress the simple things you do around the office that will make your case stronger. For example, are you always on time? Do you always turn in your assignments on the due date (or even earlier)? Are you a team player and help your co-workers we needed? If any specific example comes to mind, take this opportunity to address it.

4. Ask for Feedback

Of course you have to have something that you need improvement on, or else you’d have a perfect score. When filling out your self-evaluation you really need to be honest. Can’t find anything you need improvement on? Ask some of your closest co-workers, particularly on your team, if they have anything they’d like to add. And don’t get upset if they tell you something semi-negative. You also need to address how you plan on correcting those issues in the future as well as list any other future goals you have for yourself with the company.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities advice.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.

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Post tags: career, evaluation, guest post

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In this fast paced, hectic world, most young women struggle to keep up with the endless list of demands required of them—college courses, job requirements, and house hold duties. With so much on their plates, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, overwrought, and exhausted.

If only there were more hours in the day, or better yet, a clone who could finish our essays before deadline, pick up the groceries for dinner, or show up for our work shifts.

Until time and space collapses, or science figures out how to duplicate us, there has to be a better way to “get it all done” without losing ourselves in the process.

In fact, there is a better way… We can learn how to use our energy not just our effort, to create the things we want. What does that mean? There’s the physical world we’re all familiar with, and then there’s the non physical world. Most people put all of their attention on the physical world– they focus their time and energy on actions. And while “doing” is an important aspect of getting what we want, it is just as important to pay attention to our energy.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “don’t work harder, work smarter.” Well using our energy in combination with our effort is the smartest and most efficient way to get where we want to go, in record time.

This is not as strange as it may sound, and the truth is that we all do this from time to time. Most of us have experienced those moments when life felt effortless, smooth, and fluid–solutions to problems came easily, opportunities appeared out of nowhere, or we found ourselves at the right place at the right time. Some call it being “in the zone” or being “in the flow”.

These moments are not happenstance. They can be cultivated by quieting our minds and calming our emotions.  By doing even a few minutes of inner work each day—like meditation– we gain more benefits than any outer effort alone could ever bring us.

Inner peace also provides clarity. We see clearly what paths to follow, which opportunities to take, and which methods to use to get to our goals faster and more efficiently.

So, rather than hitting the ground running each day, a much better approach is to take a moment to get centered. When we approach life from a calm and balanced place, life gets infinitely easier and the things we want get accomplished in less time, with less stress!

“Taming Your Alpha Bitch: How to be Fierce and Feminine (and get everything you want!)” will show you how to achieve the ultimate success, happiness, and fulfillment you’re seeking, without the struggle and stress.

To instantly receive great tips on how to shift from Alpha Bitch to Fierce and Feminine, and receive the download of the book for free just go here: www.alphabitchbook.com

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There’s no such thing as bad publicity as any PR person would tell you – if you have it, flaunt it even if it’s not your most positive asset; all you need to do is get tongues wagging for people to remember you. Just look at all the scandals that travel like lightning through the Internet grapevine – they’re the fastest and most definite ways to make the news. However, if you’re looking to make a name for yourself on a positive note, then you have to work on achieving this through a different angle.

It’s not easy to stand out in a crowded place like the Internet unless you’re already a celebrity or well-established with your own domain name. If you’re a late starter, here are a few tips to help you stand out online even though you share your name with a million others:

• Piggyback on controversy: You don’t have to create controversy, but you can learn how to use it to your advantage. For example, if the net is all agog with a scandal, use this news to boost your blog or social network profile. Don’t just say the same things that others are saying; instead, find a new angle to work on and focus on making your copy as interesting and unique as possible.
• Provide information: Everybody loves freebies, so if you can use your online space to promote deals and bargains, provide relevant and timely information, and generally give people something in return (tangible or intangible) for visiting your site, you could make a name for yourself in the online world.
• Keep it fresh: And finally, no one likes stale content, so keep your online space as fresh as possible with regular updates that are both interesting and entertaining. The success of this strategy depends to a large extent on the niche your blog is in and in how knowledgeable you are in the subject.

Admittedly, it’s a pretty uphill task to make a mark for yourself among the millions of people online, especially if you’re burdened (or blessed) with a name that’s as common as a weed in a garden; however, with just a little planning and application, you can ensure that your voice is heard even above the regular online din.

This guest post is contributed by Evelyn Dugan, who writes on the site earn a degree online. Contact Evelyn at her email id: evelyn.dugan83[at]gmail[.]com.

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Post tags: name, networking, online

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What are the biggest mistakes small business owners make?

Creating an un-leveragable business model. Many small businesses depend upon the owner to wear multiple hats to make the business work. If the business model does not generate sufficient margin or revenues, the owner cannot remove these hats and take the business to the next level. I recommend testing all business models at http://businessmodelevaluator.com

There is a mentality that no one can do things as well as you can as the CEO, although in some ways this is true, is not a sufficient way to run a business. An employee may never care as much as you, however, employees also don’t have 38 other tasks to complete. Instead they have the flexibility to devote more time and attention to a task than an owner or President of a company may. Therefore, they will typically do a better job if the owner can let go of control.

Typically, entrepreneurs that feel “no one can do it as well as me” have hiring and training issues.  Bad hires and poorly trained people will always be worse than the entrepreneur.  Proper investment in training the right people is how to escape this trap.

Who is cut out for entrepreneurship?

I have seen many varied personalities be successful as entrepreneurs. You don’t need to be a gunslinger type personality to be successful. You have to be a calculated risk-taker and a hard worker – that’s it.

For most businesses, someone with a sales bias will be more successful than a purely operations-focused individual. Ultimately, there are two types of businesspeople- those who think that sales and marketing is the lifeblood of an organization, and those who think that sales is that annoying thing that gets in the way of what we REALLY do.  If someone is the latter, they should probably work for someone else.

Is entrepreneurship a good option for recent college graduates or career-changers?

For college graduates gifted in technology, entrepreneurship is a great option. Many examples exist of young entrepreneurs hitting it big: Mark Zuckerburg, Bill Gates, etc. The danger of going to work for yourself young is that you tend to learn lessons the hard way. I recommend working for another company for a few years and making your mistakes on their dime.

For career-changers, entrepreneurship is a great option. The biggest issue I have seen with this group is security related. This group is used to having the employer sweat the paycheck. Now that anguish is theirs. In some situations, relationships can be tested as spouses or significant others cannot deal with entrepreneurial uncertainty.

How can small businesses prepare for the next economic downturn?

You can’t, though there are several mistakes entrepreneurs make early in recessions.

• They think the recession or downturn will get better. Early in recessions, things get worse, not better.

• They don’t cut expenses fast enough or deep enough. Entrepreneurs need to take a lesson from big business on this one. Big businesses are much better about over-cutting in anticipation of issues.

• They feel guilty about letting people go. Your employees had a job before they met you and they will probably not retire from your company. You are not the only employer in the world.  It is admirable to have compassion for people you are letting go. However, many entrepreneurs jeopardize the stable employment of the remaining employees by keeping others on the payroll too long. The entrepreneur’s responsibility is to the ongoing viability of the organization and its people, not to provide employment.

Any other advice or words of caution for potential entrepreneurs?

• I see a boom in franchising and entrepreneurship. It is clear the corporate America would prefer as few “old people” as possible. The over 40 crowd costs much more than a 25 year old. Corporations have continued to improve the ability to operate with as few expensive old employees as possible. Once you hit 40, entrepreneurship is a great option to leave the corporate rat race.

• Entrepreneurship is the best job in the world. You can get paid extremely well, have complete flexibility, and have fun while working. Entrepreneurship can also be the worst job in the world. You can get paid nothing, feel like and indentured servant, and have inordinate stress. Make sure you have a solid business model and a good plan before you start.

About Jim Meuhlhausen:

Jim Muehlhausen CPA, JD graduated from Valparaiso University with a B.S. in Accounting, passing the CPA exam while still in college. While subsequently attending the Indiana University School of Law, he became the youngest franchisee in Meineke Discount Muffler history (1987-1991). After successfully selling that business, Jim founded an automotive aftermarket manufacturing concern. During his 9-year tenure, the company achieved recognition from Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School and Inc. Magazine in the INC 100 Fastest Growing Businesses. Over the past eight years, Jim has personally coached hundreds of business owners in more than 3,500 face-to-face coaching sessions and has clients in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. (www.51errors.com)

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The following post is contributed by Shawn Parr.  He is the CEO of Bulldog Drummond, a design and innovation consultancy headquartered in San Diego whose clients include Starbucks, Pepsi, Jack in the Box, Adidas, MTV, Nestle, Pinkberry, Virgin, Disney, Nike and American Eagle Outfitters.

1. BE COURAGEOUS, OFTEN

Take bold steps to stand out from the crowd. Reflect on 2010 and look at what you did well, and what you could have been different. Take courageous steps to help your brand stand out in 2011.

2. REVISIT AND REFINE YOUR PURPOSE
Take the time to look back at your mission and vision and ask if you were living it in 2010. Look for places to bring it to life with your team and explore whether you need to refine it. Remember: the words aren’t set in stone. If they’re not resonating, rewrite and revise!

3. SHUT UP AND LISTEN
There’s a lot to learn if you just take the time to listen. Make sure you ask your team for feedback, ideas and suggestions. Listen to your consumers and pay attention to research. Listen to what they have to say and act on what you’ve heard. Honest, unfiltered feedback is fuel for change.

4. FIND AN ENEMY
An enemy gives you and your team something to push against–something to challenge. An enemy inspires passion!  This year, define a clear enemy and rally your team. It could be a competitor, a trend or an element of your internal culture. No matter what it is, create a plan to beat it, share the mission with your team and go forth!

5. STRETCH AND SET SOME BIG GOALS
Set at least one wild and audacious goal for 2011–something you’ve never tried before. Outline the goal, share it with your team and challenge them to play their part in achieving it. Just don’t forget to celebrate the small victories and successes on the journey.

6. BUILD A PASSIONATE AND ENGAGED TEAM
Your most valuable resource is your people. This year, weed out those don’t contribute and aren’t engaged. Replace them with active, passionate and energized people who will make a true difference to the rest of your team and your brand.

7. INJECT FUN INTO THE EVERYDAY
One of the best motivators for your team is a great work environment. This year, start doing small things that make your employees happy. A monthly massage for a those who have put in extra hours or a weekly pot-luck for the team. Small gestures or events can make a big difference. And the benefits won’t just stop with your team – they will show through everything that your brand does. Happy people equals happy brand.

8. PLAN FOR LEARNING
This year, make a commitment and ensure you company is continually learning and is inspired by the word at large. Create a program that allows your team to take classes. Host a “learning lunch” monthly with guest speakers. Injecting new thinking into your organization will energize your team and, ultimately, benefit your brand.

9. MAKE FRIENDS WITH OTHER BRANDS
Partner brands can be your best ally–whether they’re in your space or not. This year, chart a “circle of love,” identifying brands with similar values that you’d like to partner with in 2011. Set one member of your team with a potential relationship and have them explore how to collaborate. You’ll be surprised by the results, even just the initial conversations you’ll have about your own brand.

10. SAY THANK YOU AND SHOW THAT YOU REALLY MEAN IT
And, lastly, do what your mother told you! Thanking people goes a long way to creating valued and appreciated fans–internally and externally. This year, find new ways to show you appreciate your team, your customers and your partners, in ways that truly make a difference in their lives. You’ll be surprised and delighted by the results.

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Post tags: brand, branding, goals, marketing, new year's, shawn parr

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Why did you choose a career in sound engineering?  How has the field of sound engineering changed since your career began?

I started out studying film and television yet my passion has always been music. I come from a musical family and was in a youth orchestra when I was 8 playing flute and studying piano. When I was 18 my boyfriend was in a band and the guitar player was also engineering for producer/songwriter/star Leon Russell who had a forty track studio in his home, quite unusual at the time. I was a huge fan so when I was asked to stop by I jumped at the chance. When I saw the control room and heard the amazing music coming out of the monitors I had my “Aha!” moment, goose bumps and all. I knew right then that this is what I was supposed to do with my life so I dropped out of college, found a recording school and signed up.

When I started out, everything was analogue and tape. Artists performed well or were expected to do it again. There were enormous budgets and record companies ruled. If you wanted to record professionally you pretty much had to book a studio to do it as all the equipment was very expensive and large. No ProTools or Autotune. Now digital technology is so relatively inexpensive and available that anyone can afford to record in their home or wherever. The same basic recording techniques still need to be in place and understood to make a professional sounding recording. That hasn’t changed. It is also still a male dominated field though there are a few more women engineering than when I started.

In your opinion, what keeps women from entering certain professions, specifically technology and engineering?

If anyone, male or female, is passionate about a certain field they will do whatever it takes to make that their career. That said, often women would like to have more to their life than a career, like a marriage and a family and be able to spend quality time with their children. I think women may be more considerate of this when choosing a career path than men. In my particular field it is quite challenging to have a relationship and family. The hours are long and unpredictable and the job must be the first priority in ones life if one expects to succeed.

I totally understand why some careers may seem unappealing to women, including and especially mine.  Also, I think generally men define themselves more by their career than women. Work is important but there are other things just as much or more important. However, as I said before, if a person is driven by their passion for a specific field they will make the sacrifices necessary to make it happen. It gets down to what is one’s priority in life, one’s personal choice.

Although more women are entering engineering and other male-dominated fields, they still earn less on average and hold lower-ranking positions.  Do think this will change?

I suppose this might still be the case in the corporate world but in my industry talent, skill and knowledge dictate one’s earning ability, not ones’ gender. I personally have never experienced this sort of financial discrimination. In the fields where this still occurs I expect this will change in time. Younger men are more used to women working along side of them as equals in the workplace unlike some older executives and they will eventually retire or die off and be replaced.

What obstacles have you encountered over the course of your career?  How have you overcome those obstacles?

I had the good fortune of having three brothers and they had lots of friends so being around guys was always part of my life and no doubt prepared me for working in a man’s world. I always knew, however, that on the first day of a recording project I not only had to prove that I knew what I was doing but that I had to overcome the client’s concern that I might not be as good as a guy would have been. Actually, I knew I had to be better than a guy because any mistake could have been construed to be because I was a girl. At first I dressed asexually and wore my glasses so the client and studio would know I was serious about becoming an engineer/producer. Also, at the time there was this idea that some women had other reasons for being in the studio besides being a good assistant engineer, one requiring kneepads if you catch my drift. I got approached a few times and always turned them down so for a short time I was given the nick name “The Dyke”  because I wouldn’t have sex with them. AND I had a boyfriend! Go figure. It was the egotistical knuckleheads who couldn’t believe that anyone could resist them that would typically hassle me. I noticed the better the musicians were, the less my gender mattered and the more respectfully I was treated. I made it a point not to pull the girl card for any reason and always felt that I could do anything in the studio as well or better than any guy.  Being female could never be an issue. What was more important was that I made myself an asset to the project by anticipating what was needed, taking the initiative and being fun to be around. Once I established my reputation I was good to go. My challenges have been about competing for projects so the best way for me to overcome this was to be the best person for the job.

What advice can you offer women considering a career in a male-dominated industry?

My first thought is to mentally drop the male/female thing. No one ever bought one of my records because a female recorded it. I’m not a successful woman engineer, I’m a successful engineer who is also a woman…big difference. Be absolutely GREAT at what you do and let the “powers that be” know by your actions that you are sincere. Be totally professional, i.e. on time or early, good hygiene, work well with others and NEVER get intimately involved with anyone you’re working with. Know your own worth. Your colleagues and superiors will treat you with the respect you give yourself and prove that you deserve. Be honest, trustworthy and confident. Keep your “eye on the prize”, whatever that thing is that you want to achieve, and go for it.

Lenise Bent is a Dreamworks Sound Engineer and instructor at SAE Institute in Los Angeles who has worked on blockbuster films including Shrek, and whose early experience as Chief Engineer with producer Mike Chapman is the driving force behind Blondie’s Platinum selling album “AutoAmerica”.

About SAE Institute

Founded in Sydney Australia, 1976, SAE Institute has campuses in 54 cities across the globe and is a leading international provider of audio engineering, animation, multimedia and film production courses.  By providing hands on tuition along with access to the very latest state-of-the-art equipment in a practical, real world setting, SAE ensures students’ knowledge and skill levels are relevant to industry expectations.  SAE currently has schools in New York City, Nashville, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and Los Angeles with plans to expand to several other US cities near term.  Please visit www.sae-usa.com for more information on USA campuses.

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Post tags: career trends, DreamWorks, engineer, interview, Lenise Bent, sound engineer

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Some basic career tips for the HSP:

• Put health before wealth.  Your mental and physical well being are much more important than earning a lot of money.  This is true for everyone, but even more so for HSP’s.  Migraines, stomach aches, fatigue and insomnia are signs you’re job is taking a toll on your health.  Making Work Work for the Highly Sensitive Person
• Strive for independence.  Many HSP’s find self-employment much more desirable than working for someone else.  Starting your own business might not be a possibility for you, but try finding work that offers as much autonomy as possible.
• Work environment matters  more than job title. A bad work environment can have a negative impact on your productivity and health.  Look for a laid back environment that offers flexibility and autonomy.  Find a company that values employees and treats workers with respect. Some tips for creating a relaxing work environment: Listen to relaxing music with earphones, taking frequent mini-breaks, bring a small lamp for your desk to offer softer lighting, put up relaxing pictures on your walls or desk.  The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide
• Choose work where your sensitivity is an asset.  Emotional sensitivity is not valued and can get in the way of success as it is defined by our society.  As an HSP, you can find work where emotional sensitivity proves advantageous.  Artistic and social jobs are two areas where sensitive types can excel.  One-on-one counseling, writing, and care-giving are career options to consider.

HSP’s are often told to “toughen up” by the less-sensitive majority.  Unfortunately, we are often misunderstood, judged, and even ridiculed.  Despite this lack of understanding, HSP’s have a lot to offer the world including creativity, perceptiveness, loyalty, honesty, compassion, and listening skills.  You can’t completely change your sensitivity, but you can develop coping skills and find situations that don’t conflict with your sensitivity.

Further Reading:
Highly Sensitive Person’s Companion: Daily Exercises for Calming Your Senses in an Overstimulating World

The Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide: An Alternative Health Answer to Emotional Sensitivity & Depression

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Post tags: hsp, personality, sensitivity

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With the unemployment rate still high, many people are feeling extra pressure at work.  Employers are demanding more, and offering less to employees. These factors are not only contributing to decreased job satisfaction, but also to an increase in mental and physical health problems.  Some tips for dealing with a difficult work situation:

Recognize the Positives

Any job should have some positive aspects, so focus on those factors rather than the negatives. Every day, try to think of one thing you really like and appreciate about your job. One method is to think of how your situations could be worse.  If one of your coworkers has a bad attitude, you can be grateful that you don’t work in an office full of similar people.

Personalize Your Workspace

You don’t have to clutter your desk with photos, but it helps to have one or two personal items to help you stay calm when things get tough. Do you have a favorite funny or inspirational quote you can put up on your wall? Maybe you have a photo from a favorite vacation spot. Think of what calms you down or lifts your spirits the most and find a way to incorporate that into your workspace.

Find a Positive Role Model

Every workplace has a variety of personalities.  There should be at least one person that has a positive attitude and responds calmly to stressful situations.  Watch how he or she reacts to negative events and try to emulate those reactions.  If possible, find a positive network of coworkers to surround yourself with and avoid negative people as much as possible.

Assess Your Accomplishments

At the end of every day, think about what you’ve accomplished.  These accomplishments don’t have to be big; it can be as simple as fixing your printer or helping out a coworker.  You might be surprised at how much you do every day and how many valuable skills you possess.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Most people compare themselves to those with more, rather than looking at how many people have less.  You might be earning less than a friend in the same field, but you may also be earning more than many others in your industry.  Comparing yourself to those who have it “better” will only make you miserable, so focus on the things that you do have (health, good friends, a job, etc).

No job is perfect and no amount of advice can eliminate work-related stress.  You don’t always have control over what happens at your job, but changing your attitude and reactions can decrease your stress and give you a more positive outlook.

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Are any specialties within the law field in high demand?

• Pharma/health law/Medicare fraud/FDA/biotech
• Government contracts
• EE-type patent work
• Procurement in government

What are good career options for former lawyers?

Of course, identifying good career options depends on the skills and experience of the individual.  Below is a list of some jobs that people with law degree often hold:

• Policy positions in federal government or advocacy organizations
• Local and state government policy and management positions
• Researchers in think tanks
• Financial analysts
• Social work
• Non-profit management
• University administration
• Ombudsman
• Teaching (K-12)
• Marketing and communications
• Journalism (traditionally though fewer positions now)

What tips do you have for lawyers (or other professionals) wanting to make a career change?

1–Identify your skills generally, outside the context of law, e.g. prepare and deliver presentations on complex issues to sophisticated audiences/members of the public

2–Translate your experience into language that non-lawyers/prospective employers will understand and find impressive–do the work for them in a cover letter and your resume

3–Don’t dismiss the law if you didn’t like law school as practice is different–try practicing at first, consider it similar to a medical residency

4–Look into renegotiating the terms of your school loans and whether your school has any loan forgiveness programs

5–Think what content area interests you, but in addition to content, think about what role you want to play–what skills you have and that you enjoy using, e.g. research and writing, public speaking, negotiating, facilitating meetings, operations and logistics

6–Talk to people who do the work you think you want to do BUT be sure to prepare for those conversations–goal is to both get information and to make a good impression

7–Remember that networking is the most common way people get jobs–the vast majority of jobs are never posted.  Determine how to do it effectively.

Many college graduates consider law school, believing it will lead to job security and better pay. Do you think this is still true or has the job market for legal professionals changed?

The changes in the economy have made it much riskier to go to law school.  Pursuing a law degree as a default position because one isn’t sure what else to do is problematic. Large law firm hiring is drastically down, and more layoffs of experienced large firm attorneys took place in 2009 than ever before.   Because firms cut positions and deferred and rescinded offers in 2009, there is already a backlog of deferred associates and new graduates.  While the standard wisdom has been that going to law school will “keep your options open,” some employers see a JD as a negative in non-legal positions, and once in practice it can be difficult to determine what those options are and how to pursue them effectively.

Going to law school means taking on a huge amount of debt to get the degree and making a big investment of time and effort in school and to pass the bar.  It seems clear that the pipeline is flooded since there are more qualified attorneys than there are good jobs for them, but law firm applications are UP.  The assumption is that people want to sit out the economy by going to grad school, but it’s important to investigate what the options are after graduation to pay off that debt and get a good return on their investment of time and energy.  The pool of attorneys who need to figure out their professional options will only expand so it’s important to talk to people who do the type of work you think you want to do before deciding to go to law school and while there.

What advice do you have for law school students or graduates that wish to find a job in the legal field?

1–Participate in clinical programs to experience what it’s like to represent a client and explore different areas of practice

2–Don’t just look at jobs in large law firms, consider government, businesses, smaller firms

3–Law is a broad field, which can encompass real estate transactional work to litigating immigration rights to lobbying for energy reform–think what content area interests you

4–As above, in addition to content, think about what role you want to play–what skills you have and that you enjoy using, e.g. research and writing, public speaking, negotiating, facilitating meetings, operations and logistics

5–As above, talk to people who do the work you think you want to do BUT be sure to prepare for those conversations–goal is to both get information and to make a good impression

6–As above, remember that networking is the most common way people get jobs–the vast majority of jobs are never posted.  Determine how to do it effectively.

Kate Neville is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has practiced law in both the public and private sectors.  Her experience also includes management consulting and policy analysis.  After working as an advisor in Georgetown Law’s Office of Career Services, she founded Neville Career Consulting and provides career guidance to attorneys who are considering a professional transition.  Her articles have been featured in The Legal Times, YahooFinance.com, Roll Call, Veritas, and training materials for the ABA Section of Litigation.  Visit NevilleCareerConsulting.com for more information.

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Written by Wendy N. Powell, author of “Management Experience Acquired”

In a perfect world, the workplace is like a family, with seasoned baby boomer and Generation X employees guiding and working alongside less-experienced Generation Y workers.

With the Gen Y employees now solidly in the workplace, new challenges in the traditional quasi-work family are common. The “Gen Y’ers” are typically independent thinkers who feel quite comfortable raising issues with the decisions of their leaders. They are generally tech savvy having cut their teeth on their computer keyboards. They know how to make their way around problems relating to process; after all they made their way to the umpteenth level of their sophisticated video games with unusual grace. Yes, we know this new generation called Gen Y’ers.

I refer to this new generation of savvy workers as “Challengers.” This is not to be confused in the negative vernacular. Quite the opposite, this group of Challengers commonly excel in creative thinking and were raised thinking that it is okay to challenge decisions. They regularly asked “why” and got an answer to the proverbial “why not?” The older generation was generally told “Because I said so.” This is just what today’s business environment needs: creative thinking and challenging ways of doing business.

1. See it from the other side

So you, being a talented Gen Y-er, are hired and immediately dig into your work, looking to see what you can do to improve the status quo and move on to the next challenge. You learn the ropes quickly and look at the other generations, questioning why they are still doing the same old thing. “Are they dinosaurs, lazy or just not motivated? Why aren’t they just like me? I’ll learn what I can and move on to the next job that will keep me upwardly mobile, make more money and so on.” You think to yourself, Yes, I think they are out of touch with reality.

The older generations, mostly Baby Boomers and the Gen X-ers look at your generation with some apprehension. They wonder, “Will they take our jobs? We just want to work a few more years.” They are not as inclined to be moving from job to job, looking for the next opportunity. After all, they claim they have paid their dues and should be respected for what they have accomplished. And the Boomer says, “Don’t they get it?”

2. Communication

Merging the generations in the workplace is not simple, but it can be very successful with careful communication. There has always been a mix of generations in the work family, but the dynamics are now different. Often younger workers are in the power positions managing older workers. This takes some getting used to by the older generations who have normally been in the power seat.

3. Respect

Set the expectation for everyone that respect is an organizational value of the company and help employees to understand what makes each other tick.

4. Find a mentor

Encourage mentoring arrangements; pair up an experienced, senior employee with a new staffer and see what they can learn from each other. Gen Y’ers need to remember that the older generations need to know their experiences are valued; they need appreciation for their accomplishments. The older generations need to understand the younger generations need to be coached instead of managed. Send them an e-mail instead of a meeting request. They want to do their job and move on to the next project.

Realize that in these tough economic times, the employees who can contribute their creativity to the growth of the company are the ones who are most recognized and are likely to be successful in the company and survive staffing reductions. Seniority is a factor but not the only decision making criteria that companies use to decide who stays and who goes.

The Gen Y’ers should recognize and value the experiences of their experienced colleagues and the older generations should tap the energy and creativity of the younger generations. They will all learn some valuable lessons.

Foster the environment of creative thinking for everyone, and involve all levels and generations in the workplace family. Don’t forget, when employees say “Don’t they get it?” it’s all of our jobs to keep peace in the workplace family. We’re all in this together.

WENDY N. POWELL is the author of “Management Experience Acquired: Necessary Skills for Successfully Managing Any Employee” (Synergy Books, May 2010). She spent more than 20 years of her career advising managers at the University of Michigan and is currently on the business faculty at Palm Beach State College and the University of Phoenix. For more information, visit www.managementexperienceacquired.com.

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The beauty of getting into college is that you won’t be tested, judged, and evaluated to that degree throughout most of your undergraduate experience. Sure, you’ll have to study, and you’ll have to take exams, and maybe apply for internships or research positions, but other than that, you basically focus on work, study, and your social life—you basically coast by. That is, until you graduate. Then the dreaded process starts all over again. Here are a few ways we can learn from the past:

1. Stress is Your Enemy

Worrying about the future is common and we pretty much all experienced it during the college admissions process. The thing about worry is that it is often irrational. I, too, worried about the fact that I may be unemployed. But then the worry spiraled. I thought to myself, I’ll never get a job, I’ll never be successful, I’ll never amount to anything. In cognitive behavioral science, this thinking process is a cognitive distortion called overgeneralization. It’s the slippery slope mentality, and it makes absolutely no sense.

2. You aren’t being judged. Only the extent to which you are a “fit” for a certain gig is being gauged.

Interviews are always intimidating, no matter how confident or good at gabbing you are. But the one mindset with which many come into the interview process—whether for school or work– is that their interviewers are somehow “against them” or that they are trying to “trick” them. These, too, are irrationalities. Come into your future work interviews with your interviewer’s perspective in mind. They want to know what tangible things you can do for their company, and how closely you will fit into their workplace culture. If you really want the job, then research the business or organization, and try to communicate and demonstrate these qualities. It’s that simple.

3. Don’t be too picky, but don’t take your first acceptance either.

One thing that many suffer from on a day-to-day basis is decision making. This one’s always tough. During the admissions process, many apply to far too many schools, and then once acceptances roll in, they find themselves having to make very tough choices. On the other hand, perhaps you were so excited by that first acceptance letter that you wanted to go to that school simply because they embraced you first. While the school that you go to really doesn’t make much of a difference in the long run, the first job you have will make a difference. It will dictate your future career trajectory, no matter how entry-level or boring it is. So pick wisely. Don’t take the first thing that is handed to you, but don’t go to the other extreme and reject every offer just because it’s not exactly what you want. Above all, think through your decision carefully, talk about it with friends and family members whose opinions you respect, and trust your instincts.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities accredited.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katherynrivas87@gmail.com .

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This is a guest post by Stefan Knapen from StudySuccessful.com.

I am a speedreader. Having the ability to speedread triggers a lot of people to ask the question: ‘Can you really do that?’ Yes I can. And it is not that hard to learn. But before you are going to learn it, you first have to have a couple of mental barriers out of the way.

It takes a lot of time
No it doesn’t. All it takes to learn speedreading is 2 hours, one week. And than you only have to read a simple book you would’ve read anyway. The speedreading-training takes half an hour and you have to do this a couple of times during the week. And you have to practise with one book. So grab an easy-to-read book and speedread it.

It is really expensive
No it isn’t. First I also thought you had to take a special course to learn how to speedread. But you don’t have to. There is a good (and free) training on Tim Ferriss’ blog and you only need to read a couple of other tips on speedreading at other blogs, all for free!

It doesn’t work
Everybody who is exercising speedreading won’t agree with you. They still know what they are reading, they are only reading a lot faster!

You don’t learn anything when you are speedreading
You might skip something every once in a while (but you do this normally also), but you can always read something twice! Repetition is the mother of wisdom. And with speedreading, you are still saving time.

It looks funny
Alright, I have to give you this one, it definitly does!

Overcome these mental barriers and learn speedreading right now. Worth your little time-investment right now? Definitly.

This post is written by Stefan Knapen from StudySuccessful.com. Stefan has written an ultimate guide on speedreading, explaining every bit of it.

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The great thing about being in college is that any good university career center organizes a job fair once every semester—or at least once a year. These job fairs can be an absolute goldmine—after all, how often do employers gather in one place and reach out to you, instead of the other way around? It is important to take advantage of these job fairs any chance you get. To help you toward that end, I will discuss a game plan that will help you get the most out of your college’s next job fair.

First of all, as soon as you get wind that a job fair is headed your way, go online and find out about it. Register for the fair if necessary, and if the fair lasts more than one day, make plans to attend both days. Some employers can only send a recruiter out for one day. If you only attend one day, you may miss out on an opportunity. Print out any lists of employers that plan on attending. Circle any that catch your eye so you can do a little research on the company ahead of time and make plans to visit their booth. If you go into a job fair ignorant of who will be there, you may end up wasting a lot of valuable time.

Next, update your resume, print off several copies, and prepare a portfolio of work you’ve done in college or in previous jobs that might be relevant to the jobs you are seeking. You may even want to copy your resume and samples of your work to a portable flash drive so you can easily transfer it to a computer. After all, many career representatives bring laptops so students can apply for jobs online.

The day before, prepare a brief statement about yourself that lets career representatives know your skills and strengths in a nutshell. Keep in mind that these recruiters will be speaking with hundreds of students, and you will need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Most recruiters will be ready and waiting to sell you on how great their company is, but don’t let them do all the talking. Be prepared to ask questions, like “What type of degree is needed for this position?” or “What positions are available?”

Some recruiters are pushy and attempt to draw students in with candy bowls, spinning wheels and other gimmicks, but don’t feel pressured to waste time with those who represent jobs you won’t realistically pursue. You can politely decline to start a conversation with them. If you’re not sure if you’re interested in a job, wait until the recruiter is speaking with another student, then stealthily swipe a brochure, stepping away to consider the job in peace before approaching the recruiter.

Dress professionally and take the job fair seriously. In fact, treat it like an interview—complete with business casual attire, a welcoming smile and a solid handshake. There’s no better way to make an excellent first impression on potential employers.

Finally, follow up on any good leads or connections you make, reminding employers of your interest in the company. Send a thank you note if they took the time to interview you at the fair. Little details go a long way toward landing a great job.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Alvina Lopez, who writes on the topics of accredited online colleges.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez@gmail.com.

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• Develop a mental blueprint (mindsetting) of how you’ll respond in an attack.  Visualize yourself responding by hitting, screaming, kicking or running away.  With the right mindset already in place, you’ll be less likely to freeze or hesitate when assaulted.

• Focus on the context of your situation (how vulnerable you are)  rather than a stranger’s appearance or words.  Criminals don’t necessarily look like criminals.  Many rapists, muggers, and murderers are clean-shaven and well- dressed.  Be alert to your surroundings when alone and be ready to change your path or to use verbal/physical self-defense techniques if someone approaches you.

• Criminals often set victims up for attack by asking for something from you (a ride, the time, directions, etc) or by offering help (carry your groceries, etc).   Is someone trying too hard to be nice or charming?   Are they trying to get you alone or to another location?  Never ignore a bad feeling.

• If you feel threatened by someone that seems calm and not impaired by drugs or alcohol, hold out one or both hands, palm(s) toward him, and forcefully say, “Stop. Don’t come any closer” or “Back away”.  If he appears agitated or under the influence of alcohol/drugs, be polite an hold your hands out in front of you as if apologizing for something.  Say something like “What do you want?  Is there a problem?”.

• Create an opportunity to escape.  If the above tactics don’t work, you may need to use physical self-defense.  As an attacker advances, hold your hands up to protect your face.  When he is in range, quickly flick one hand out, fingers first, into is face in the eye area.   As he reflexively moves to protect his face, stomp hard on the top of one of his feet (if you’re wearing hard-soled shoes).  If you’re wearing soft-soled shoes, stomp down on one of his ankles from inside to outside, which should cause his ankle to buckle.   Use your window of escape and don’t stay around to create further injury.

• Don’t worry about seeming rude when you’re vulnerable.  Don’t hesitate if you’re walking and don’t stop to talk to a stranger if you’re alone.  Practice being assertive in everyday, non-threatening situations so that you’ll be comfortable with assertiveness.

• Screaming can create a chemical reaction that allows you to react instead of freezing up.

• Never allow yourself to be taken to a second location, even if the attacker has a gun.  As soon as you are confronted, run away in a straight line (not a zig-zag pattern).  He’s likely to miss you if he fires, and if he does hit, most gunshot wounds are survivable.

• Don’t leave your drink unattended when at a party, bar, or nightclub.  Always let a friend know where you are going and check in with friends periodically.

• If your car stalls at night or in an area with little traffic, get away from your car and out of sight so you can see when help arrives.  Highway predators often target stranded drivers, so don’t stay in the car. If you’re car stalls in the daytime on a busy roadway, stand away from your car off the shoulder because stalled cars are often struck by inattentive or drunk drivers.

• Always have your keys in hand when approaching your car.  Lock all your doors immediately when you get inside your car and keep them locked.  Also, be careful when exiting your car because it’s harder to see someone from a seated position in your car.

• Beware of fake accidents (someone rear ends you or pulls in front of you and stops abruptly).  If you think you’ve been set up, stay in your car and wait until police arrive to exchange information.   If there are no serious injuries, you may want to leave (after getting a license plate number and description of the driver) and immediately report the accident to police.

Visit David Hallford’s blog, Free Self Defense Now, for more information and to request a free copy of the full handbook, Power Perceived is Power Achieved.

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Some people choose colleges with care; others are not so lucky and end up having to go with the college that chooses to accept them. But no matter which of the two categories you belong to, it’s up to you to make the most of your college education, and you can do this by:

• Knowing what you want to do after you graduate and working towards it: When you know exactly what you want to do after you graduate, it’s easier to achieve it because you tend to focus all your energies on the task. So if you want to become a doctor, you know that you need to work on your grades and keep them high so that a qualified med school will accept you. If you want to enter the job scene after four years, you need to look for internship opportunities in various organizations so that you can see what kind of job setting you’re interested in and apply for positions accordingly. And if you want to go on to grad school because you’re still not ready to leave the academic scene, you need to work on getting into a good school with an equally good program in the discipline of your choice. When you focus on your goal right from the start, it becomes easy to work towards and achieve it.

• Working on your grades from your freshman year: They may not determine who you really are, but your grades do matter one hell of a lot when you’re in college and looking to use your degree to reach the next stage of your life. Whether it’s going on to grad school or looking for a job, your grades are going to come into play in a big way. And the best way to keep your grades high is to work on them right from your first year of college. If you score low grades in your first two years and then look to make them up in the next two so that your GPA improves, it’s going to be an uphill climb. You need to also ensure that you don’t let slip your hold on the good grades you earn each year in the following years, either through complacency or laziness.

• Not doing anything stupid to jeopardize your future: It’s not really fair, but it’s true that while it takes a whole lot of effort to make a success of your college life, it only takes one instance of foolishness to throw it all away. So watch out for drunken binges or other forms of inappropriate behavior that could compromise your entire future and leave you with regrets for the rest of your life.

College is the foundation on which you build the rest of your life; it’s only as strong as the degree you choose, the school you choose to earn it in, and most importantly, the way you go about earning it.

This guest post was contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees . She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com

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Questions to ask at the Career Center:

• How many licensed career counselors are on staff?
• Do you offer help with interviewing and resume preparation?
• What does the career center do to help students find a job after graduation?
• Do you keep track of job placement statistics?  How many students have a job upon graduation?
• What other career planning and job placement services do you offer students?

Questions to ask Specific Schools or Departments:

• What do you do to prepare graduates for a career in (your chosen field)?
• What is the acceptance rate to professional/graduate school for graduates of this program?
• What is the pass rate on the (professional/licensing exam)?
• Do you help students find internships?  At what companies do students intern?
• What research opportunities are available to students?
• How many graduate assistantship positions are available?  How many students that want assistantships get them?

All of these questions may not apply to you, depending on your intended major and whether you’re a graduate student or undergraduate. College rankings can be very helpful but they might not tell the whole story.  Representatives will say all good things because they want your tuition money, so you need to be prepared with specific questions.

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A recent CNN Money article has confirmed that textbooks are huge rip-off, with prices nearly tripling from 1986 to 2004.  Not only are textbooks overpriced, but publishers will rearrange a few chapters and call it a new edition.  I have a few tips to help you save on textbooks.

Use an older edition

Even if the required textbook listed is the newest edition, ask your professor if an older edition will work. Sometimes instructors will provide updates for students if changes are small.

Shop online

You should NEVER buy textbooks from your campus bookstore.  Even if you need a new edition, you’ll probably find it cheaper at sites like textbooks.com.

Share a textbook

If you won’t need your book every day, you can share it with a classmate.  Find another student that you can rely on to come to class every time.

Check the library

College libraries usually carry copies of textbooks, so look to see if a copy of your textbook is available.  You might not be able to check the book out, but you can make copies of any pages you need to take home or to class.

Visit the publisher’s website

If you know you won’t be using the entire book for class, you might be able to buy and download individual chapters online.  It’s a great way to save paper and money.

Another way to save money is to sell back your book immediately after the semester is over.  Visit Bookscouter.com to find out where you’ll get the most for your used textbook.

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For the book, Myler surveyed 1800 corporate leaders about what makes an employee indispensable.  Part one details Myler’s survey results, including the percentage of corporate leaders that rate a given behavior as advantageous.  My favorite part of the book is the Personal P&L Statement for quantifying your value. You don’t need a financial background to prepare your statement – it’s easy for anyone to create and can benefit your career no matter what your experience level or job title.  In addition, a free Profit Proposal Generator (PPG) on Myler’s website turns your ideas from the book into professional-looking proposals.

In part two, “Pulling Money out of Thin Air”, fifteen profit sources are identified. From cost cutting procedures to recovering lost customers, the techniques in this section are easy to act upon no matter your job function. The first profit source, cost cutting, tells how to save money on a variety of expenses. One example was of a janitor who discovered a way to saved his company $30,000 per year in cleaning expenses. You’ll learn how utilities billing works, how to shorten the cash conversion cycle, and much more practical information few employees bother to learn. Although most of this section is about increasing profits and reducing costs for your company, Myler writes about the importance of interpersonal communication. However, he is honest about the fact that good soft skills alone won’t make you indispensible.

The sections in part three include choosing high value solutions, improved performance appraisals, how to increase sales, and advice for those in leadership roles.  There are several examples of resume entries that showcase profit-enhancing solutions, in addition to tips on how to present your accomplishments at a performance review using techniques from the book. The final section in part three is entitled “Everything You Need to Know about Accounting- and It’s Not Much”. Familiarity with financial statements essential for every employee and, according to Myler’s survey, corporate leaders agree.

The impression I got while reading was that, unlike many books in this category, the focus is on practical skills and knowledge as opposed to soft skills and office politics. You’ll discover strategies for making a measurable difference at your company and it applies to all employees, from new graduates to experienced professionals. Not every suggestion will be relevant to you right now, especially if you’re an entry-level employee, but there should be at least one or two techniques that will prove beneficial to you and to your employer. The other techniques can be saved for when you gain more experience or if your job responsibilities change.

To learn more about the book, visit indispensablebymonday.com

Note:    This review was based on my personal opinion and I have been completely honest in my assessment of the book. I was NOT compensated for reviewing this book.  Promotional and sponsored content will always be identified on this website.  See the About page for my full disclosure policy.

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Career Testing. Career testing is an important part of the career planning process.  After taking several assessments, you’ll get an idea of what careers might be a good fit.  For a list of professional career tests, see Best Online Career Tests.

Career Counseling. Many school guidance counselors don’t have the time to provide extensive career testing and counseling.   Although it may seem expensive, paying for a professional career counselor will be well worth the investment. A good career counselor can help you understand the results of your career assessments and give their own career tests.   If you’re in college, you can visit your campus career center to see if counseling is available.

Career Research. Job shadowing and informational interviews are great ways to find out about a career.  There are resources for those who want information about a career, but don’t know anyone to interview.  Websites like WIKIcareer and TheCareerProject.org offer insider information about a variety of careers.  In-depth career research is the last step in career planning process, after your choices have been narrowed to a few careers.

It’s never too early to start thinking about what career path you want to pursue. Beginning the career planning process before college gives you time to do more research and reduces the stress of making such an important decision.

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S = Survey your surroundings.

T = Take the time required to understand your new job and department’s strategy, structure, processes, role  and responsibilities, projects, and progress.

U = Understand who you’re working with; review personnel files, speak with each individual.

D = Do NOT make hasty decisions or state your opinions too soon. Take the time needed to understand  people,      processes, and results first.

Y = Yes. Remember you can do what you set your mind to by prioritizing and setting attainable goals.  Focus on the most important priorities first.

After your initial assessment of your workplace and workload, try these helpers:

• Create a 90-day game plan and break it down by month, detailing initiatives, projects and tasks.
• Include a list of the key contacts/resources you should meet, work with and get to know during your first 90 days.
• Meet with your manager to review your plans for starting, learning and working in your new role.
• Ask (and listen to) your manager about what they believe are the most pressing priorities and why.
• Proactively schedule a follow-up appointment in one or two weeks to share your initial learnings with your manager.
• Meet regularly with your manager to inform them of your progress on executing your plan.

Stay positive as you transition into your new position.  Often times, the work load can be overwhelming and everything you’ll be learning might make you feel a bit like you’re trying to drink water from a fire hose. Don’t worry – that feeling will pass once you get through those first 90 days, which are always the most difficult.

~ Lisa Quast

Lisa Quast is CEO and President of Career Woman, Inc. (www.careerwomaninc.com)

Lisa Quast’s passion in life is making a difference in the lives of women by helping them achieve their   dreams.  Lisa is a career coach, author, business consultant, and the founder and president of Career    Woman Inc., a Seattle-based international career development consulting company dedicated to helping women achieve career success. She’s an accomplished speaker and coach, inspiring audiences with her charismatic approach, actionable recommendations, and proven methodology.

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