The 8 Delegation Myths Of The Office

Managers may come up with dozens of reasons as to why they shouldn’t delegate a specific project – or at all – to their team members.

Here are the eight myths about delegation:

1. I don’t delegate because my team can’t handle the task.

In reality, the reason your team may not be able to handle the task is because you haven’t delegated it to them. Assume they will succeed and they probably will. It may be rough at first, but the more involved your employees are, the more experience they will gain and the more competent they will be.

2. I don’t delegate because training takes too long.

Sure, it may take some extra time in the beginning, but in the long run you’ll save countless hours of time by appropriately delegating. As your team becomes accustomed to the tasks, they’ll be able to accomplish them more efficiently than you would on your own.

3. I don’t delegate because they don’t do it right.

This myth is twofold. One, just because they do something different doesn’t mean they aren’t doing it right. Maybe they have a valuable insight. Or two, if they’re not doing it right, it may be because they weren’t properly trained to do so.

4. I don’t delegate because I don’t want to be fired.

Some people worry if everyone else is doing the work, then they’ll be considered dispensable and lose their job. In reality, being able to properly manage a team – take a more administrative role – is a valuable asset to a company and may get you a promotion.

5. I don’t delegate because I like to be in control.

If you have to be in absolute, full control then you probably aren’t suited for a management position (and you probably need to lighten up a bit). It’s important to trust your team and their abilities, and then train them to produce in a way that gets the job done.

6. I don’t delegate because employees don’t like responsibility.

This simply isn’t true (most of the time). Employees want to succeed, want to prove themselves, and want to move up in the company. Giving them a chance – and being forgiving if they mess up – will help everyone.

7. I don’t delegate because people already have too much on their plates.

The reason they have too much is because of improper management. And the reason they’re being improperly managed is likely because you’re too busy trying to do your own work. Delegating is all about efficiency and synergy. With proper delegation, you’ll be able to get more done as a team than you each would individually.

8. I don’t delegate because if they mess up, I’m still responsible.

While this may technically be true, there are two issues with this statement. One, you likely won’t be as responsible as you would be if you did it by yourself. And two, this is more of an indication of your inability to properly delegate and train than it is a reflection on the employee’s ability to complete the task.

So, learn to delegate properly and everyone involved – you, your team, and your company – will all see the benefits.

2016 Cover Letter Trends

Microsoft published an interesting study in May documenting research on how our attention spans have changed over the past several years. In 2000 we had a 12-second attention span—which dropped to a mere eight-second attention span by 2013. We now have a one-second-shorter attention span than that of a goldfish. Let that sink in for a minute…What influence does our ever-shrinking attention span ultimately have on our job searches—and our cover letters? What are the repercussions? It means the cover letter as we know it traditionally is dead.

Related: 11 Tips For Creating Compelling Cover Letters

The Old Cover Letter:

• Makes up an entire page in length, is too long to fit on a mobile device screen without having to scroll, uses multiple paragraphs, and is text-dense.
• Has a lengthy introduction with 3-5 sentences on how they found out about the position, what they do, and their interest in the opportunity.
• It has a 2-3 paragraph body that elaborates on experience in the industry or position; may list a few experiences or accomplishments and the connection to why they want the opportunity or feel they’re a great fit.
• Closes with reiterating why they’re a good fit, restates interest, may share contact information or offer to follow up.

The New Cover Letter – Also Referred To As An E-Note, Power Note, Or Value Proposition Letter:

2016 Cover Letter Trend #1: The Shrinking Attention Span

Not only have our shrinking attention spans changed the way we consume information, but our brains are changing—and it’s affecting more than just how we use our mobile devices or consume content online. It’s changing the landscape of how we job search and demanding we communicate only the most vital information in the most concise way possible.

It’s creating a real dilemma for those who don’t consider themselves to be professional writers, or who have a hard time writing about themselves, or who find it hard to spare everything but the details. So what’s a job seeker to do? First and foremost…forget the traditional cover letter as you know it. Consider it a part of the past, and let’s move on to better strategies for job searching.

2016 Cover Letter Trend #2: Easily Readable On Mobile Devices

Cover letters—which I’ll now refer to as e-notes, power notes, or value proposition letters—must meet the demand of an increasingly mobile device-dependent audience. Your e-note, which is essentially the e-mail that your resume is attached to, should be short and fit on a single screen. Don’t expect to be able to write an incredibly concise e-note with your first draft. Go through and write your first version, and then go back and edit. Aim to use fewer than 150 words so that the entire text will be optimized to fit on a mobile screen without any scrolling.

2016 Cover Letter Trend #3: Give Them Space

When you’re writing your e-note be sure to incorporate plenty of white space. Using white space in your e-note will make the content more easily digestible by the reader. Consider the impact Twitter has had on our entire generation! We’re forced to say what we want to say in 140 characters or less—but the brilliance behind it is that Twitter had the foresight to know that their audience’s attention span was short, and they wanted to accommodate it. Whether your audience’s attention span is short, or they’re just pressed for time, use Twitter’s 140-character limit as your guide and create shorter sentences.

2016 Cover Letter Trend #4: Engage Or Fascinate Your Reader

When we teach job seekers how to write a Value Proposition Letter we advise them to always start with an interesting question or fascinating fact. For instance, my value proposition letter might start out by saying:

Are you a busy CEO with no time to write your resume?

Or it might say:

Are you a time-pressed executive being vetted for an opportunity that requires a resume yesterday?

Notice how I’m targeting my audience? Busy CEOs and time-pressed executives—while I’m also addressing their problem; they need a resume NOW—and they don’t have the time to do it themselves.

Start your e-note, power note, or value proposition letter the same way. Speak to your audience, ask a question or state an engaging fact that relates to them and their most pressing need. You always want to speak to the need.

2016 Cover Letter Trend #5: You’re The Answer

Once you’ve touched on the need or the problem they have, show them how you’re the answer! How are you the solution to your problem?

For example you could use three short bullets with provable results:

My clients enjoy results like these:

• In two weeks or less my clients are interviewing.
• Their resume response rate increases by 75%.
• 85% are employed in three months or less, obliterating the average job seeker’s search time by more than 50%.

Then you could tie the problem and how you’re the solution into your brand and what you do:

I work with busy top-level executives on tight deadlines to create interview-winning resumes within 3-5 business days.

I could change the wording to accommodate my audience, the result I want to share, the problem I need to address, the space I have, or any number of other variables. The beauty is that it’s completely customizable.

2016 Cover Letter Trend #6: Follow A Formula

Keep your e-note creation easy by following a formula. You won’t feel like you’re starting from scratch every time you write a new e-note, and before long you’ll know the formula so well that writing by it will be easier and faster.

Remember to keep each point short!

1. Start with a question or engaging statement.
2. Target the biggest need they have.
3. State how you’re the solution.
4. Prove it! Give them three bullets that prove you’re the solution.
5. Don’t forget the money. Employers want to know how you made it, saved it, or contributed to it.
6. How does this fit into your brand?
7. Call to action close.
8. Edit – Remember…150 words or fewer.

2016 Cover Letter Trend #7: Close With A Call To Action

When we write value proposition letters for our clients we always end with a great call to action. Mine might say:

Ready for results like these? Let’s chat!

Yours could say:

Ready to learn more?

Or:

You can customize your call to action. However, remember that the idea is: you want them to take action—whether that action is to call you, e-mail, check out your LinkedIn profile, or visit your web resume. You don’t want it to stop with your e-note; you want them to be so compelled by what you’ve said that they have to take a next step.

Keep these points in mind as you sit down to write your next cover letter, and you’ll be ten steps ahead of your competition.

 Tips For Working Women With Families

Working women with families: Are you getting what you deserve at work? I once responded to a concern from a woman who worked for a government agency. She reported winning several awards a year, but not being promoted because she has special needs children. “The employer felt [her] ‘family responsibilities’ might interfere with [her] ability to handle increased responsibility.” She felt burnt out at work and stressed at home.

The employer has control in an employer/employee relationship. As an employee, you can’t force your boss to give you apromotion, more benefits, a raise, and so on. Sure, if an employer does something really egregious, you might spend a lot of time and money in a legal battle. I doubt this would enhance your life!

Women struggle with work and family issues, especially. They have concerns, but employers have concerns as well. Having been on the hiring end of business, I have often considered potential for pregnancy (and maternity leave), sick children (time off from work and productivity), work interruptions (spouses, schools, sick children).

These possibilities may be unofficially factored in to a final decision for hire or promotion, trust me. That having been said, ours was a family (and dog) friendly office where there were frequently children or spouses who were known and addressed by name.

Tips For Working Women With Families

Follow these tips for women in the workplace. Any woman looking for work, or looking to change jobs should consider the following:

1. Realistically Assess Your Abilities, Goals, And Family Needs

This is sometimes difficult to do. Women, especially, are barraged with media and societal messages that push them to climb the corporate ladder and/or demand what they’re due. I know many woman who have left the corporate zoo for better quality of life in a “lower” level position.

Most readily tell me it was the best decision they made and they wish they had done it sooner. Many share they worked hours more than they needed to in the hopes of climbing the proverbial ladder only to realize in hindsight they never had a chance of climbing up one more rung.

2. Find A Position Within Your Abilities In A Work Culture That’s Comfortable

You can tell a lot during an interview, but it still behooves you to ask for a tour and/or to meet or even interview some of the employees. How was your reception upon arrival – formal? Warm? What are you comfortable with? If you do have special considerations at home try to gauge the employer’s tolerance by asking questions that might clue you in to whether or not the culture or your supervisor’s approach would be a good fit for you.

3. Talk With Your Spouse And Family About Your Desires At Work And Home

It helps to have a clear discussion BEFORE something happens or there is an issue. Think about it now. Will your current position be a match for you three years from now when you plan to start having children? If not, what will be? How much unhappiness should you expect to have at work and feel like it is worth what you are being paid? What are your options? All things to consider and talk about, now.

4. Share Concerns From Work Rather Than Try To Handle It Yourself

If something is causing stress at work, don’t be tempted to internalize it and keep from worrying your spouse. This does not work. Even if you can pull it off in the long run, you won’t be able to for long. You will find that it will strengthen your relationship and relieve your stress as well. In truth, it will likely relieve your stress at work as well.

5. If Possible Share Concerns From Work With Your Supervisor

Your supervisor may not be approachable if your situation is tenuous. However, in most cases they are. Take the time to identify your concerns. Write them down. Say them out loud. How will you present them to your boss? Actually right out full sentences of what you will say and practice voicing your concerns out loud.

It may feel silly, but it will help you control your emotions when you are actually in front of your supervisor. Remind yourself it is “just business” and work very hard to keep emotion from clouding your concerns.

6. Don’t Wait To Seek Another Position If Your Current Position Is Not A Good Match

Consider ending your employment on YOUR terms at if your situation is untenable. Your family and your well-being should come first. Sometimes the type of treatment received from the company culture and sometimes it is from your supervisor or next line supervisor. You may be able to figure out the real agenda and who is responsible, but it won’t change the bottom line: This job is not a good fit for you and your family.

Once you accept the need for a change and plan to do so, you will find that the stress and pressure you are feeling will disappear almost immediately… do it today!

Lessons To Heed When Seeking Your Dream Job

3 ‘Shark Tank’ Lessons To Heed When Seeking Your Dream Job

I love me some Shark Tank. Nervous entrepreneurs. Millionaire & billionaire investors. Life-changing deals… What’s not to love?

It’s the American dream – people like you and me standing in front of five investors who have the power to make their dreams come true, or break their hearts and crush their dreams…

When you think about it, it’s not all that different from applying for your dream job.

There’s a lot at stake. Win, and you get what you’ve wanted for a long time.

Lose, and you go back to the pain of whatever situation you’re in.

You’ve got to make a great first impression. You don’t have a lot of time to do it. And you have to sell yourself and the value you can provide.

(See the bottom of this article for a free resource that will help with this.)

The 3 ‘Shark Tank’ Lessons You Need To Heed…

Whether or not you love the show as much as I do, these three lessons apply to you in a big way.

1. Tell Your Story In A Powerful Way

In a competitive job market where everyone has a degree, being able to tell your story in an authentic and powerful way can really make you stand out.

Stories pull people in, help them relate to you, and make a great first impression.

The best Shark Tank pitches have a compelling story, and it works. The investors are attracted to the person, their story, and their mission.

And you can apply the same principle to your job search.

Here’s the thing: This starts right from the beginning… as soon as they first hear about you, when they check out your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and anything else you use for support.

We’re all born with the ability to tell stories – it’s a uniquely human trait that you can tap into to multiply the results of your job searching efforts.

So, give it a try… ask yourself, how can I frame and present my story in an engaging and persuasive way?

2. Know What You’re Worth

An honest look at how much others in similar positions get paid and what you deserve to be paid is critical when applying for your dream job.

People make this mistake all the time on Shark Tank – they come in thinking their business is worth $42 Billion dollars… and they haven’t made a sale yet.

On the flip side, people sometimes come in valuing themselves too low, and can wind up being taken advantage of or not taken seriously.

It can be a difficult decision to make, but when you’re applying for your dream job – it’s one that’s well worth putting serious thought into.

3. Take A Holistic View of the Opportunity

It’s not just about money, is it?

You want to have great perks, work with a fun team, enjoy your work, and feel like you’re growing and contributing to something worthwhile.

In the Shark Tank, entrepreneurs want to work with an investor for many other reasons besides money – they want access to their connections, resources, and wisdom.

And it’s the same for you.

Consider if you’ll ONLY be getting a paycheck out of the job…

Or will it help you move forward in your career and life so you can achieve even bigger goals?

So, there are your three Shark Tank inspired job seeking lessons….

And if you want more tangible, effective strategies for getting your dream job – especially with some of the most inspiring companies in the world, then check out my free video here.

In this free video, I talk about how to find and access some of the best organizations to work for in the world, and how to get their attention and get the job.

Happy job seeking!

The Goldman Sachs Elevator guide to getting ahead in your new job

Get ready. Thousands of bright-eyed graduates are set to enter the workforce for the first time – with their Brooks Brothers suits, canvas duffel bags or backpacks, and enviable hairlines.

To mark the annual deluge,Esquire released some advice for the newly employed, along with a list of gift ideas to “ease the transition into adulthood.” Suffice to say, it’s dreadful — written by some beta male with seemingly zero real-world experience.

For the sake of these kids, I have a moral obligation to set Esquire straight. Its recommendations include:

An "elegant pen"? Sorry, but if you — some 22-year-old kid — show up to a meeting with colleagues who have already forgotten your name and start taking notes with a Mont Blanc fountain pen, you’ll get side-eyed out of the room.

A "business card case"? That’s possibly decent advice for women, but guys, your suit jacket already has a pocket for that. Flash a monogrammed or silver-plated card case on a trading floor, and you’ll get a punch in the face. Fine, fine — if you’re cool enough to not work in finance and don’t wear a suit, you get a pass. Just keep it discreet.

An "old-school turntable" to "dampen the frenetic energy" of a tough day? If you want a way to unwind, it makes way more sense to get a PlayStation. It’ll also save you thousands of dollars from all the nights you choose to stay in playing Madden on a Friday night.

A versatile Timex chronograph watch? The only message that sends is that you come from a poor family, have no taste, and take yourself too seriously. If you can’t afford a decent starter watch (I wrote a guide for that), just get a funky Swatch or a Nike sports watch. This tells people you’re either whimsical or disciplined about fitness. Or just don’t wear a watch at all.

An Oxford-collar button-down? Esquire says there is “no greater sartorial staple for a professional man.” Sorry, but Oxford collars have no place in the corporate world. What happens when you get dragged into an impromptu client meeting and need that tie that you keep in your desk drawer for such occasions? Now you look like a community college professor. Instead, memorize this definitive fashion guide for dressing like a man, and you’ll be just fine.

The only decent idea that wasn’t painfully obvious ("a pair of good dress shoes" or "a tailored suit") is to get a gym membership. This is obvious too, but it’s important to clarify. Chances are, you’re about to start spending more time sitting at a desk or wining and dining, and less time enjoying active leisure time. So going to the gym is more important than ever. But do not waste your time with the office gym. It’s no fun being surrounded by colleagues, and it’s too easy to get needlessly sucked back up to your desk after working out. Besides, there are way more attractive people at your nearest Equinox.

Now that we’ve fixed that, you should also memorize these tips for getting ahead in your new job:

1. People love to talk about themselves, so ask your new colleagues questions that get them in their comfort zone. A big part of your first impression is how you make people feel about themselves.

2. Buy at least three decent suits. Keep it simple; if a suit has too much flair, the only thing people will notice is how often you wear it.

3. Don’t wear a tie every day unless you have to; you just look like a kiss-ass. But always keep a spare tie in your desk drawer.

4. Come up with dismissive and condescending nicknames for fellow trainees you consider to be possible threats. Work at it until they are adopted office-wide.

5. If you are exchanging “stock tips” with friends at other firms, use an app like Cyber Dust. Just don’t buy short-dated, out-of-the-money options.

6. Show some leadership by organizing drinks and nights out with fellow trainees; get them wasted, especially in the presence of senior colleagues.

7. Do the coffee runs. It shows confidence. Just don’t screw it up. If you can’t be trusted with coffee, how can you sell bonds or manage risk?

8. Leave a jacket on the back of your chair so people can never be 100% sure if you’ve left early for the day or are taking a long lunch.

9. Never tell the first offensive joke, but always have a good one saved up for when your seniors finally trust you enough to share one with you. 

10. Ask the secretary for the travel schedules of the senior members of the team for the week ahead. They will think you are being proactive, but now you know when you can sleep in, hit the gym, or beat the traffic to the Hamptons.

11. It’s OK to make a mistake or ask a question. But don’t ever ask the same question or make the same mistake twice.

12. Don’t offer to buy drinks when out with your seniors; you can’t afford them, and it won’t score any points.

13. Your boss’s jokes are always funny. Period. And if you are at the receiving end of a joke, laugh with it. If you take yourself too seriously, no one else will. There are no “safe spaces” in the real world.

14. Shut up about where you went to college.

15. Let your boss set the tempo when it comes to rowdy nights out. Don’t be afraid to join in; just make sure you’re the first one in the next morning.

5 Ways To Make The Right Impression In A Group Interview

Here are 5 ways that you can make the right impression and stand out in a group interview.

1. Demonstrate that you have done your homework on the job and the organization/company.

More often than not, if a candidate failed to show that he or she had done their due diligence and knew more than the passing person on the street about who we were, what our values were, and what our mission was, they were eliminated early. I can clearly recall one individual who was the perfect candidate for the open position on paper—but he blew the interview because he had failed to research us so that he could speak plainly to the challenges we were facing. Failing to do your homework on the company or organization and the position for which you are applying is unacceptable.

Want to make the right impression? Know the names of the decision makers in the company. Understand the job beyond the job description. Demonstrate that you have taken more than the 30-minutes before the interview to learn about the company or organization, and you know what it does along with what it values. That extra effort will make the right impression on the members of the group who are sitting before you.

2. Dress the part.

I am an admitted a bit of a fuddy-duddy about appearance, so it will come as no surprise that I think we live in a day of casual attire that has run amok completely. Don’t fall into the false trap of feeling that you should show up for your interview the way you might be expected to dress for the job. Gentlemen, please wear a clean suit or nice dress trousers with a conservative blue blazer. Your tie should be understated, and your shirt should be clean, crisp, and either white or light blue. You can dress with flair after you get the job, not before.

As for ladies, wear a suit or nice dress that isn’t too short and doesn’t have a low neckline. Pumps are optional, but shoes should be well polished and not overly worn. Open toes and sandals are not recommended. Stockings may be optional depending on the time of year, but I would recommend that you err on the side of caution and wear them. Makeup and hair should be done but not over-done, and the same goes for jewelry. Got a nose ring? Leave it off for the interview unless you are applying for a job where such an accessory would be an asset…and you know what that might be, I suspect. Understated and professional, however, is the look I would recommend for most junior executive positions or even entry level business openings in a more traditional company.

3. Arrive on time with the right materials in hand.

Being late is not acceptable. Don’t know where you are going? Then go early and find the building. If you get there an hour early, then go to a Starbucks or local eatery to hang out and prepare a little more. Don’t arrive for the interview itself any earlier than 10-15 minutes. Be prepared to wait. There may be others ahead of you, and the panel may be running behind. The materials you should bring with you include extra hard copies of your resume on nice paper, business cards, and a portfolio carrying a legal pad upon which to write notes as you need to.

Bring your questions written out, as well, for later in the interview. Otherwise, you run the risk of forgetting the questions and wishing you had written them down. If you are asked to prepare a presentation, make sure ahead of time that all of the equipment you might need for it will be available. Don’t assume anything. Ask to make sure that you will have what you need to make your presentation shine.

4. Demonstrate good manners and excellent interpersonal and social skills throughout the interview from the moment you walk in the door until you leave.

Social grace is something you may need to practice, but you cannot afford to underestimate its value when you are in an interview, especially when it is a group interview. In a group or panel interview, you are trying to impress anywhere from 4 to 10 or 12 different people who will have different expectations and will be looking for various things. You need to handle the pressure with as much poise and grace as possible. Look everyone in the eye but use eye contact appropriately. Being too intense can be off-putting as much as letting your eyes flit all over the room and above the heads of the members of the panel.

The same goes for an appropriately firm handshake. Practice if you aren’t sure about the quality of your handshake. Use the pressure you would use on a doorknob of a closed door. Grip slightly, but not too hard. Release and move on. Shake the hand of every person—man and woman—in the room. Make eye contact while shaking their hand. If you are good with names, try to remember them as they are introduced to you. If not, don’t fret. They really won’t expect you to remember all of them, especially if it is a large group. You do want to remember the names of the most prominent leaders in the group, however. While answering individual questions, don’t just look at the person who asked the question (although you want to look at them while they are asking it), but look at each member of the group around the table while you answer the question.

5. Be prepared to ask quality questions at the end.

Believe it or not, it isn’t just the questions that you answer that are important in your job interview, but it is also the quality of the questions that you ask that can separate you from the pack. Demonstrate that you have done your research, and you understand exactly what the job entails…or ask about parts of the job description that you aren’t quite sure about…to show that you are a cut above the average candidate. From back in my days as a member of the interview panel, we were always most impressed with the candidates who asked us excellent questions, and that does not include when are vacations and what is the salary range. Questions about the more challenging aspects of the job or what qualities or characteristics a successful candidate would need to demonstrate to be successful in the job are the types of questions that will make you different. Those questions demonstrated that we were talking with someone who had done their homework.

Group interviews are hard on you because they can be nerve racking. You will feel that you are juggling many balls in the air at once, and the truth is, you are. Some jobs require them, however, so you need to learn how to manage your nerves—and your social skills—during a group interview. You want to leave a lasting impression, after all, and you want to make sure that it is a good one.

How To Answer Competency Based Interview Questions

Competency based interview questions (also known as situational interview questions) are one of the most commonly used interviews questions you will come across regardless of your industry sector.

These are the types of interview questions where the interviewer will ask you to discuss a specific example off where you have demonstrated some type of behavior in your previous experience.

Competency based interview questions are also a favorite of government organizations across the world as they are meant to be homogeneous in nature and can therefore be scored using standardized systems.

Whilst, on the face of it, these questions appear to be relatively straight forward, there are some important points to remember when considering your answer.

These are:

1. Structure your answer properly.

The best way to structure your answer is by using what is commonly referred to as the STAR method / format.

STAR stands for:

S – Situation – What was the situation you / your employer faced?

T – Task – What tasks were involved in that situation?

A – Action – What actions did you take?

R – Result – What were the results of those actions?

Using the STAR method when answering competency based interview questions achieves two very important things. Namely, keeping your answers succinct and making it as easy as possible for the interviewer to score you highly by being able to pick out key information easily. It also allows particularly strong candidates to discuss their achievements in a very specific and detailed way.

Using the STAR method for answering interview questions is definitely something that gets easier with practice over time. Very few people, in my opinion, are able to nail the answers first time so don’t worry if it takes you a while to get the hang of it! As with most things in life, the more you practice the better you will become.

2. Keep it brief.

Another important point to remember when answering competency based interview questions is to keep your answer succinct. There is a tendency when you find yourself under some pressure in the interview (especially if you are being interviewed by a panel) to go way off on a tangent and you start rambling on at length about something you think is connected to the answer. Bad idea!

Try to remain calm and remember that the interviewer is looking for a detailed, brief answer.

I always try to visualize what my answer would look like if I were to write it down. Your answer should be a maximum of a couple of sentences (if possible) for each of the points in the STAR method.

3. Think selfishly.

What I mean by that is that you should always remember to contextualize your answer giving your own personal experience and what effect you had as an individual. Stay well clear of using the dreaded ‘we’ in your answers. This is most definitely a pet peeve of most interviewers. You should always be thinking of how you can shine a light on your own strengths and work in some of the best stories of your career to your answers.