The 3 Little Career Secrets Of The Ultra-Successful

The 3 Little Career Secrets Of The Ultra-Successful

Great. Let’s get into the three little career secrets of the ultra-successful:

1. Continuous Improvement Through Education

“Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs.”

― Zig Ziglar

The wealthiest people I know have invested in themselves far beyond a typical education.

They spend tens of thousands of dollars on education each and every year. Why?

Because they know that their biggest asset in life is themselves. Therefore, it makes sense to continually invest in the improvement of your greatest asset… doesn’t it?

2. Work With Great Mentors & Coaches

I’ve heard that Tiger Woods – one of the best in the world at the game of golf, has five coaches.

Five!

The beauty of working with great mentors and coaches is that you’re tapping into the wisdom of other successful people who have been where you are.

They’ve faced the same challenges, searched for the same answers, and sought the advice of their own mentors and coaches along the way.

Bottom line: A great mentor or coach is worth their weight in gold, and working with them is one of the fastest ways available to accelerate your success.

3. The Power Of The Master Mind

Have you ever sat in a “hot seat” where five or more smart people with similar goals give you their best solutions to your most challenging problem?

Sounds powerful, doesn’t it?

That’s why Napolean Hill, author of the famous book Think & Grow Rich, says this:

“Analyze the record of any man who has accumulated a great fortune, and many of those who have accumulated modest fortunes, and you will find that they have either consciously, or unconsciously employed the “Master Mind” principle.”

- Napolean Hill

The Master Mind group is one of Hill’s 13 principles of success that he shares in this must-read success book.

Now that we’ve covered the three little secrets of the ultra-successful, take stock of where you are right now:

• Are you continuously learning?
• Do you have a great coach or mentor?
• Are you part of a mastermind group filled with peers you respect?

If the answer is “no” to any of these questions then consider taking steps to build these 3 success secrets into your life.

It’ll take a bit of time, but each of these elements independently can change your life.

How To Create Your Unique Career Plan

How To Create Your Unique Career Plan

Depending on where you are in your career, and how you feel about making “plans” for your life, creating a career plan may or may not be a welcoming idea. However, it is a step that is vital to ensure you are focused on your career objectives and are taking the right steps along the journey to get there.

A career plan can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a short-term or a long-term plan, or both. That is the beauty of it; you get to decide. It is your plan.

Regardless of whether you want a long or a short-term plan, there are several key aspects to include in your plan. First, you want to have an end result. What are you trying to achieve? It might be the next job or assignment you want to reach in the next twelve months, or it might be the ultimate C-Suite position you are trying to reach in the next five years. This is the objective of your plan, and by establishing it, you set your plan’s foundation.

Next, identify your strengths. These are the areas you can leverage as you work on reaching your career objective. Next, you want to identify the areas where you need to develop. Perhaps you already know you need to develop a specific skill or you need leadership training to reach your objective; however, if you do not know where you need development, take some time to find out.

Talk to leaders and colleagues who you work with and respect and ask them for some feedback. You can also get a mentor who can help guide you as you put your career plan together. This person should be someone who can help you determine where you need to develop and provide guidance on how to achieve your objectives.

The last essential aspect of the career plan is to weigh it against your values and motivators. Are you striving towards something that matches what you have identified as your values? Are you motivated by the prospect of developing and growing into this career objective you have set? Hopefully the answer is yes, but if it is not, then take some time to reflect and revise so you are creating a career plan that matches your values and motivates you. This will ultimately keep you satisfied with your career.

Another item to note is career plans are not permanent; therefore, they should be revisited frequently (on an annual basis, at a minimum). This allows you to assess how you are doing against your objectives, as well as assess whether or not you are still on a path most satisfying for you. Your career plan should be revised accordingly. Remember, that is the beauty of it; you are in control and you get to decide. It is your plan.

4 Secrets To Changing Careers In Your 40s

4 Secrets To Changing Careers In Your 40s

In your 40s and looking to change careers? You’re not alone. And you’re certainly not crazy.

In fact, if there’s ever a time you can – and should – reinvent yourself, that time is now.

Below are four ways in which you can start a transition into something better than your status quo.

1. Stop Making Excuses

You’ve become accustomed to the fact that your 20s were the years where you figure out what you want to do with your life and then suffer through your choice for the rest of your life.

Wrong!

You are most definitely not the first person that considered changing careers in their 40s and there are many stories of people just like you, succeeding against the odds.

Now, once you’ve stopped denying that you are unhappy with your current job, you are thinking up excuses why it’s ridiculous to switch careers.

It’s never too late to make choices that will benefit your health and wellness. Yes, a career you love will benefit you in all aspects of your life, including your health and wellness.

“Statistics indicate that 56% of all U.S workers are currently interested in switching to a new career, and it’s not surprising that midlife workers have had a big impact on this number”.

- CAREEREALISM

If you already know which career you want to change to, you are luckier than most confused career individuals. Don’t try and jeopardize the journey ahead by making excuses such as:

• This is not the right time.
• My children need to finish school first.
• What will my partner think?
• I’m not qualified.
• I don’t know where to start.
• I’m too old to change careers.

Though these might seem relevant at the time, it will only lead to more procrastination with a choice you know in your heart you want to make. And if you feel 40 is too late, how will it be when you are 50 and still unhappy with the job that you are doing? During your interview, your prospective employer will be able to pick up whether you are holding yourself back or making excuses and this will reflect on your being less ‘flexible’ rather than open-minded and eager to develop.

2. Take A Leap Of Faith

For some, a career change can sound just as daunting as jumping out of a plane or swimming with sharks, but it’s mostly the fear of failure that holds us back. Doing the same job and managing the same lifestyle has become the comfort zone and anything different feels like the end of the world.

In order to really become satisfied with the life you are living and the career you are building, we have to take some chances. With every change there comes a fair amount of risk. Once you’ve analyzed the possible risk factors – and have distinguished between real and false fears – you might be able to gain control of the change.

Taking this leap of faith into the unknown of a new and challenging career can help you rediscover your true passion and purpose.

The odds might always seem against you, and running back into the comfort that was your previously lifestyle might sound much more appealing than restarting the steps of your career-ladder, but it will be much for satisfying than being stuck in a job that you hate.

“Doing something that suits your strengths and sense of purpose reduces bad stress and promotes a sustainable, healthy life balance”.

- Pathfinders

3. Take Your Experience With You

One of the greatest benefits of switching career in your 40s is most probably the fact that you have a world of experience to take with you. Unlike the post-grad student applying for the job, you will have an impressive portfolio to offer.

Even if you don’t have experience in the career field that you want to switch to, your previous experience is still very much relevant. Apart from the actual skills and responsibilities, your work history will showcase your credibility. It will show the prospective employee what attributes and characteristics previous employees valued in you.

Don’t be afraid to mention your previous achievements; this will most definitely count in your favor. Just because you are switching careers doesn’t mean your past experience is irrelevant.

Before hunting down your new job, draw up a list of your skills, expertise, and experience. If you are making a career shift, you probably want to focus on something that either challenges you more, comes naturally or something that you are passionate about. Organize your strengths and capabilities in such a way that you will be the ‘natural’ choice for the hiring company.

4. Make Use Of Old Contacts

Being on this earth for over 40 years probably means that you’ve met quite a few people. Whether it was on a plane, networking events or even at the gym – chances are that you know people in all walks of life.

Make use of all your business contacts to force a path in your new career. Don’t make the mistake in thinking you have to do everything yourself.

Changing careers sounds scary when you don’t know where to start.

If you are making the transition from working as an office assistant to running your own fashion line it will probably not happen overnight. Call up that fashion maven you knew in college and invite them for coffee. Get some caffeine in them and start asking questions.

Feed from those that are already successful instead of assuming that you have to start from the bottom in order to succeed.

There you have it.

Switching careers in your 40s is not as daunting or difficult as you might think. Yes, you’ll need a plan and it might take some time, but after the transition is complete, you’ll be glad you did.

10 Reasons You Didn’t Get A Callback For The Interview

10 Reasons You Didn’t Get A Callback For The Interview

Nowadays, it is hard to get a job. It’s even harder to get an interview, which is the first step in the hiring process.

If you’ve been job searching for any length of time and have not received many responses from your resume,  following are ten little known reasons why you didn’t called and things you can do to increase your callback rate.

1. You Didn’t Include Enough Relevant Keywords

Gone are the days when your qualifications and education were primary determinants for being selected for interviews. Today, getting an interview is more about having relevant keywords, or words and phrases pertaining to the industry and position, on your resume.

Many companies use applicant software, which scans resumes for keywords, to recruit job select applicants. Hiring managers then contact them for interviews. You can increase the possibility of your resume being selected by using the exact keywords, terms and phrases on your resume and cover letter that are used in the job posting.

2. Your Name

Studies show that it is more challenging for job seekers with ethnic names to get interviews than those with white names, regardless of their qualifications. In fact, applicants with white names are called back 50 percent times more than those with African-American names.

To overcome this challenge, use your middle name or your initials like JK Rowling.

3. Your Address

Did you know that qualified job seekers have been overlooked for interviews because of their address? Applicants living in “good” neighborhoods are more likely to receive callbacks than those in “bad” neighborhood.

Bypass this bias by removing your address from your resume.

4. Your Social Media Profile

According to a CareerBuilder survey, hiring managers will not call applicants if they use inappropriate images; post updates about drug and alcohol use; talk bad about previous employers and colleagues; lie about qualifications; and have too many grammar errors.

On the other hand, some employers misuse the information they find on social media sites. Generally, employers are not allowed to see pictures or learn of any protected information – age, race, color, gender, family status – prior to the interview. Social media provides all of this information and more.

While you cannot control the latter, you have full control over the information you post on social sites. When in doubt, don’t post it.

5. You Didn’t Follow The Instructions

You must follow instructions. No exceptions.

If the job posting says no phone calls, don’t call. If salary requirements or expectations are requested, include them in the cover letter or on a separate document. Also, send all documents requested in the format specified.

6. Your Salary Requirements

This is a catch-22. If you don’t include them when they are requested, you can be penalized for not following instructions. If you do include them and they are too high, you may be removed from consideration.

To improve your chances of getting a call, research the salaries of positions in your industry and in your city, and cite them in your cover letter. In the best case scenario, you get a return call with an opportunity to negotiate.

7. You Didn’t Submit A Cover Letter

Even if a cover letter is not requested, include one anyway. This is your opportunity to expand upon how you can make a contribution to the position and to the organization.

8. Applicant Software

Companies rely on applicant software to make their jobs easier. Unfortunately, these programs are eliminating otherwise qualified candidates if they don’t meet all of the qualifications specified in the posting.

Try to match your resume to the job posting as closely as possible by using as many keywords listed in the posting. Do not lie or exaggerate the truth.

9. You Had Grammar & Punctuation Errors

Your writing skills can get your resume to top of the pile or thrown in the garbage. Edit your resume and cover letter for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. If writing is not your strength, pay someone to review and edit your resume. It’s worth the investment.

10. Your Voluntary EEO Self-Disclosure Form

Like social media profiles, the information you provide on the EEO disclosure forms may be used against you in two ways. First, you are providing “protected” information which can result in pre-employment discrimination. Also, many companies are actively recruiting veterans, which greatly reduce your chances of a callback.

Since the completion of this form is voluntary, do so at your own discretion.

Resume Checklist: Must-Haves & Must-Dos

Resume Checklist: Must-Haves & Must-Dos

When you’re writing a resume, you want to make sure you’ve covered everything. A checklist is the way to do that. Your resume is only given one shot once it runs through an employer’s Applicant Tracking System or gets in the hands of a hiring manager, so make sure the first glance resume read-over leaves the right impression and message for a callback.

Here are the key elements to writing a resume and reviewing it before sending it out:

Applicant Tracking System Rules

The Applicant Tracking System is the software that reads and ranks your resume so if your resume doesn’t’ tell it what it is looking at, major sections of your resume will not be seen. You need to have at least these key section headers: Profile, Experience, Education. For more on this subject, see this post.

Layout

Ask yourself if your resume is inviting to the eyes. There should be ample white space between sections to clearly determine where one section ends and the next section begins. Remember, that the one-page resume rule no longer applies, so you do not have to cram your information into a single page.

Opening Section

The only part of your resume that everyone will read is your opening Profile or Summary of Qualifications. The Objective is replaced by just having the name of the position you are seeking. For example, PROFILE: SALES EXECUTIVE is the right way to start a resume today.

Then you need to make sure you have expressed your Value Proposition, which details your level of experience and most importantly, creates the theme: Here’s What I Can Do For You.

A good test to see if you have a good opening is to ask yourself if the other 300+ candidates can say the same thing. If they can, then you need to rework this section.

Experience Format

Employers will scan the resume for eight seconds, so you want to make sure they see the accomplishments that support your value proposition. Use paragraphs for roles and responsibilities and bullets for accomplishments and success statements. Always start an accomplishment bullet with the result rather than the how. For example:

• Shortened production times 38% by training personnel in Lean manufacturing practices.

Prioritize Successes And Accomplishments

Order your bullets by thinking about what is most important to the employer and highlight those first. So, if you delivered 126% of quota and also assisted in training other sales peers, which do you think should show first?

• Delivered 126% of quota, ranking in Top 5 out of 128 peers.
• Selected to train peers in personal sales best practices.

The Art Of Negotiating: What You Need To Know

The Art Of Negotiating: What You Need To Know

Negotiating is an art, no doubt. Done correctly it will lead to victory. Done poorly it could lead to failure.

When it comes to negotiating salary and other benefits in the workplace, nothing makes people more uncomfortable. He who talks money first loses, as they say. Why? Well, it’s because the minute you reference your previous salary, the other side has a distinct advantage. If you reference a desired salary, you may put yourself in a position where you downplay your worth; alternatively, if you present too high a number, you will not be considered for the opportunity.

Negotiating can be done in a way that basically bulldozes your way to get the answer you want, or in a way that focuses more on collaboration, cooperation, and communication. It is advisable to take a combined approach to ensure your negotiations are fruitful and effective for you.

The Art Of Negotiating: What You Need To Know

Life in general is competitive. Professional life, much more so. You want to achieve results – tip the hand in your favor, so to speak. When handling matters of compensation, there are a few key competencies you need to understand:

Your Desired Salary

A salary you need or want. This does not matter. What does matter is what the potential employer thinks is a fair salary for the position. Oftentimes, a budget is already established – but you are not privy to that information. Prepare for this conversation by doing your homework. You need to understand the industry and what other companies are paying for positions with similar responsibilities. Once you are armed with some knowledge, you will be in a better position to represent yourself and obtain a salary that is in line with your expectations.

Intangible Components

Vacation time, external training/education, stock options, and bonuses are some things you can negotiate to make up for compensation. These things have a tangible value. You should consider them when evaluating what you want. You might be willing/able to reduce compensation requirements for additions or guarantees in these areas.

Answers To The Tough Questions

You will likely get the following question: “What is your current compensation?” Try to avoid answering this question. How you ask? Indicate you would like to find out additional information about the role to ensure your competencies and the company’s goals are aligned. It is at this point you can also respond by asking the salary range the position fits into.

Yes, this is a bit of a calculated risk. However, it is one you should take. Be polite – you want to maintain the advantage here. Getting a salary range – or better a number will allow you to evaluate if the salary is something you would consider. I know it’s tempting to want to avoid that uncomfortable silence – but hold out. The potential employer will likely speak first.

There Are Options

If you find the information presented by the potential hiring manager is not acceptable, you can simply express disappointment at the proposal indicating with your experience and achievements, you think a salary of (put in a range here) would be more acceptable. Expressing disappointment is non-confrontational and a demonstration of your feelings.

Otherwise, you can present an alternative whereby you would be considered for an increase after six months based on your meeting established performance benchmarks. If you produce results and meet the targets, it will fully demonstrate your value. A little flexibility and creativity will help you get what you want.

Present your case in a clear and compelling manner; remain calm and collected. This is business. Come prepared to explore and present ideas that will put you in a position of authority and give you the leading edge!