The Secret Sauce Leaders Have and How You Can Get it, Too

The Secret Sauce Leaders Have and How You Can Get it, TooThe Secret Sauce Leaders Have and How You Can Get it, TooYouve probably heard that part of what it takes to get promoted at work, advance in your career, and inspire otzu sichs to follow you is having executive presence or leadership presence. But what does that actually mean?Years ago, I was invited to speak on this very topic at a leadership conference for a Wall Street investment bank. In a planning call with the conference sponsors, we discussed the talking points I was going to cover. You should start with a definition of leadership presence, one of them suggested, making me pause. It had seemed so obvious until I was asked to put it into words- but I couldnt think of one. In a moment of minor panic, I stalled by asking the four leaders on the conference call to describe how they would define leadership presence. Silence ensued. They seemed as stymied I wasIs it like charisma? asked one. And you either have it or you dont? Then, one of the youngest managing directors spoke up. Leadership presence is almost impossible to define, she said, but we all know it when we see it. Bam I thought to myself, and went so far as to ask her if I could use those very words as my opening definition for my conference session. For she had put my own feelings about leadership presence into a succinct non-definition impossible to define, but we know it when we see it. A little more specifically, Kathy Lubar and Belle Linda Halpern, authors of Leadership Presence describe a leaders presence like this When they enter a room, the energy level rises. You perk up, stop what youre doing, and focus on them. You expect something interesting to happen. Its as though a spotlight shines on them. What is it they have? They have presence.Others have weighed in with their own definitions to attempt to clear up the matter. They elicit a natural response to follow them, says Nina Simosko, the head of strategy, planning, and operations fo r Nike Technology. Its almost as if they have leadership pheromones.In all these examples of definitions, you hear lots of enthusiasm and vivid imagery, but few clues about how to attain the elusive quality for yourself. So youve got to feel for any young aspiring leader, who on his or her performance evaluation gets told, Wed love to promote you, but you lack leadership presence. Its hard enough to figure out what that means, let alone know what to do next.Two Components of Leadership PresenceAnother expert who has researched leadership presence- what it is and how to build it- is Amy Cuddy at Harvard Business School. (As a follow-up, watch her TED talk on power poses here, which includes some great tips about body language.) It was a light bulb moment when I came across what Cuddy and her colleagues wrote about two traits that are most influential in determining whether a rolle is perceived as an effective leader.The authors explained, When we judge others- especially our leaders- we look first at two characteristics how lovable they are (their warmth, communion, or trustworthiness) and how fearsome they are (their strength, agency, or competence). And just like that, they had boiled down the essence of leadership presence into two qualities warmth and authority.Communicating Warmth and AuthorityIve found that one of the best ways to improve your leadership presence is to observe it in a leader you look up to- in person or online- and determine how they convey those two key traits. YouTube can be a great resource to find videos of leaders giving interviews or keynotes, like theseIndra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Sheryl Sandberg, COO of FacebookJohn Donahoe, CEO of eBayWatch carefully, and find a style of leadership presence that you like- one that might feel comfortable for you. Once you find a style youd like to emulate, try the following exercise Watch one minute of your selected speaker four separate times, paying attention to a very s pecific element each time1. Turn the sound off. What body language do they use to convey warmth and authority?For example, when Indra Nooyi chit chats with an interviewer, theres a twinkle in her eye accompanied by a genuine smile. But when their conversation turns to business, Nooyis smile fades, replaced by an array of powerful hand gestures that convey authority. Once her point is made, she smiles again, switching seamlessly back to warmth.2. Listen to the sound only, without watching. What vocal tone, pace, and intonations do they use that convey warmth and authority?When John Chambers delivers a keynote, he speaks rapidly, his pitch constantly rising and falling. You cant help but feel engaged and excited. Occasionally he slows down, maintains a single pitch, and pauses with for emphasis. Its all authority. You know to sit up and take note.3. Sound only, again. What words do they use to convey warmth and authority?Sheryl Sandbergs language is polished, without a single um or ah . But listening only to her voice without any visual clues, I found this style almost too flawless to be relatable. In contrast, John Donahoes plain-spoken, imperfect, everyday language came across as likeable and down-to-earth.4. Finally, watch with the sound on.Look for anything that undermines the speakers warmth and authority, such as a nervous laugh, lack of genuine smile, or over-reliance on a single gesture. When youre done watching all four times, make a list of things youd like to do more of as a leader. This is a great exercise to do with a friend because you can bounce ideas off of each other about what works and what doesnt. At the end of the day, this exercise can help put a more distinct definition on what your own personal brand of leadership presence will look like.Photo of conductor courtesy of Shutterstock.

Luck Why you should embrace its role in your career

Luck Why you should embrace its role in yur careerLuck Why you should embrace its role in yur careerEven though we experience the role of luck in our lives over and over again, we are often inclined to discount it. We want to believe that successes are earned and that failures are deserved.Its often discomforting to think that things we cannot anticipate or control affect our lives, but they do. Whats most important is how wereact.Luck is astep on the career ladderLuck plays a role in almost every job interview and job offer- whether it is for the position ofclerk, consultant, or CEO.Theres an element of chance in how successfully a candidate navigates the job-search gauntlet. (Remember that interview question you wish you had answered differently?)And theres also a bit of luck in how well the company evaluates a candidate. (Remember that interviewer who welches having a bad day?)Uncertainty makes it mora likely that candidates and companies make errors in how they rate each other. T his means that people who are hired often dont do as well as expected. And companies that looked great during the job search often disappoint.A particularly dramatic example is Yahoo,which spent almost$1 billion over a decade on five CEOs (four of them outsiders). In every case, the gap between expectation and reality turned out to be enormous.Yahoo also walked away from opportunities. In 2002, Google wanted about $3 billion, but Yahoodidnt take the deal. Today, Google is worth more than $500 billion. Yahoo also had a deal to buy Facebook for $1 billion, but the dealfell thoughwhen Yahoo tried to cut the price. Facebook is nowworthmore than $350 billion.It happened to meMy entire career isthe result of several happy accidents.As a student atHarvey Mudd College, I decided to join the debate team. The national debate topic was on economics, something I knew nothing about. The captain of the team the previous year, Orley Ashenfelter, was atPrinceton getting a PhD in economics and helpe d us prepare.After this intoxicating taste of economics, I took two or three economics courses and decided that I really liked the subject. I took one class simply because it was the only economics class that fit in my schedule.That class happened to be taught by Orme Phelps, a no-nonsense professor whose class made meappreciateeconomics because it was rigorous and could make a real difference in peoples lives. He also showed me that being a professor is a terrific job.I decided to go to Yale to get a PhD in economics and become a professor.Who knows what paths my life would have taken if economics had not been the debate topic, if Orley had not inspired me, orif my schedule had not directed me to Orme, who changed my life? I was truly lucky.Once we recognize the ubiquitous role of uncertainty in our lives, we can anticipate that there will be surprises, and we can recognize luck for what it is when it does happen.How can we apply this lesson to our careers?I love the saying, If you love your job, you will never work a day of your life. When you have the good fortune to find the perfect job- something you are really good at and look forward to every morning- be humble and grateful for your good fortune.If your job does not work out as well as you hoped, dont assume that its your fault. It is to be expected in the uncertain world in which we live in. The good news is that you can try again- and again- until you find something you love.Uncertainty is a package of pitfalls and opportunities. Avoid the pitfalls and seize the opportunities. Thats the true secret to luck.Gary Smith is the Fletcher Jones Professor of Economics at Pomona College and the author of What the Luck? The Surprising Role of Chance in Our Everyday Lives

Why You Need to Be Competitive in Your Career - The Muse

Why You Need to Be Competitive in Your Career - The MuseWhy You Need to Be Competitive in Your Career I consider myself to be a lot of things. But, overly competitive isnt one of them.Of course, I always try to put my all into things and I want to make sure to do a solid job with everything I work on. But, that doesnt mean I obsess over trampling over everybody else around me in bestellung to earn the top spot. Believe me- Ive learned that theres a big difference between doing your best and trying to be the best. In fact, as Ive gotten older, Ive begun to transform into more of a collaborator than a competitor. Im a firm believer that the world would be a much better place if we all focused on supporting and encouraging one aelendher- rather than throwing other people under the bus to garner more recognition for ourselves. However, Ive also learned another important lesson As nice as that all sounds, things dont necessarily work this way when it comes to your own career. Lets face it - careers are competitive. There are plenty of people out there who claw their way to the top of the ladder, with zero regard for the people desperately hanging onto the rungs below them. The working world can be frustratingly cutthroat at times. Unfortunately, as someone whos not a born competitor- and can even be a little embarrassingly nave- thats a concept I had a tough time grasping when I was just getting started in my career. And, even more unfortunately, its something I came to grips with the hard way- admittedly, more than once.Ive had a boss take credit for something I worked my butt off on, only to quite literally shut the door in my face when I attempted to speak up. Ive had someone pose as an aspiring freelancer seeking advice, only so she could undercut my price on a project we were both bidding on. Ive had a co-worker shift blame for his own mistake onto my plate, in a futile (and, unfortunately, successful) attempt to save face.See? I wasnt lying when I told you that it was a difficult lesson that slapped me across my dumbstruck face on numerous occasions. But, as extrem as those experiences were, they illustrated something important about the way I approached the working world as a whole Whether youre a born competitor or not, you still need to have a little competitive edge in your career.Why? Well, to put it simply, everybody else out there is looking out for number one. So, unless you want to be repeatedly stomped all over, youre going to need to do the same thing- at least to a certain degree. No, that doesnt mean you need to be ruthless, aggressive, and condescending toward everybody else around you. And, without a doubt, you always want to be honest, ethical, and respectful. However, its important for you to remember that nobody cares as much about your career and your success as you do. As selfish as it sounds, more often than not, its up to you to keep your best interests front and center in order to take the necessary steps to achieve what you want. If you wait for other people to do it for you (or even to give you a loving, supportive push along), youll only wind up sorely disappointed. Trust me, Ive been there. Regardless of how much competitive drive is required of me, I still absolutely never want to be that cutthroat professional who seems overly aggressive, intimidating, and downright unapproachable. But, you know what? I dont want to be a doormat whos easily taken advantage of either. And, as I found out the hard way, a certain degree of polite competitiveness is the secret to navigating that happy medium in your career. Personally, Im now much more willing to hold my ground and take charge of my own success. So, no, I wont throw you under the bus in order to improve my own competitive standing- but I wont let you turn around and do that to me either. Are you a born competitor? Or, did you have to learn the hard way like me? Let me know on Twitter

Pay Policy for Snow Days and Other Inclement Weather Days

Pay Policy for Snow Days and Other Inclement Weather DaysPay Policy for Snow Days and Other Inclement Weather DaysAre you entitled to get paid if your company closes because of snow or if you cant make it into to work because of icy roads, rising water, or other inclement weather or natural disasters? There are several factors involved in determining whether you get paid for inclement weather days. These factors include whether you are anexempt employee or a non-exempt employee, as well as federal and state law and company policy. Abedrngnisher factor includes whether the company is closed, or whether it is open but you cannot make it into work. Read below for detailed information on getting paid for snow and other inclement weather days. Getting Paid During Bad Weather Days The Department of LaborsWage and Hour Divisionoversees the Fair Labor Standards Act, which establishes employment standards such as minimum wage, overtime, and more. According to the Wage and Hour Division, t here is a difference between how employers must pay exempt employeesand non-exempt employees. There are also state laws that regulate how and when employees are paid. Employers must be in compliance with both federal and state regulations. Non-Exempt Employees Non-exempt employees are those that arenot exempt from overtime pay. Most non-exempt employees earn an hourly wage rather than a salary and are paid overtime (typically time and a half) for hours worked over 40 hours per week. Fornon-exempt employees(who are paid on an hourly basis for hours actually worked) federal law does not require them to be paid when they do not come to work due to inclement weather, either due to inability to come to work or because the company is closed. If the company closes partway during the day due to weather, the employer only has to pay non-exempt employees for the hours they worked before the closure. Some states have reporting time pay laws that require non-exempt employees be paid for a c ertain number of hours whenever the employee reports to their work as scheduled, even if no work is available. For example, California employers are required to pay half a daysreporting time payto employees who report to their job but arent able to work.Check with yourstatedepartment oflaborfor regulations in your state. Exempt Employees The Wage and Hour Division publishes opinion lettersthat provide guidance for employers that are deciding how to pay exempt employees during periods of inclement weather. Exempt employees are those who are exempt from overtime payrequirements. Exempt employees are typically paid a salary and earn a specific minimum salary. The guidance for paying employees who cant work due to inclement weather varies based on the companys leave plan, whether the employee has accrued time-off and other factors. The guidelines for paying exempt employees are also different based upon whether the company is closed because of the weather or whether the company is o pen and the employee opts to stay home. Read below for more information about each scenario. When Weather Forces a Company to Close Employers who close during periods of bad weather must pay the weekly salary for an exempt employee during the closure. Thus, regardless of whether an employee was at work for the entire week, the employee should receive his or her salary for the full week. However, an employer may require an exempt employee to use accrued leave for days of absence during such a closure. This accrued leave might include paid time off, vacation time, or other forms of accrued leave. That being said, the employer is leise obligated to pay the full salary of the exempt employee, regardless of whether the employee has a leave balance. If the employee has no more leave time left, an employer may be required to advance leave time to him or her. When A Company Stays Open in Bad Weather Employers who remain open during such periods must pay an exempt employee for any pa rtial or whole day the employee reports to work during such periods. For example, even if an employer closes the business part way through the day because of weather (perhaps the weather is worsening, for example), he or she still must pay exempt employees their full salary. For days when an exempt employee elects not to report to work because of weather, the employer is free to deduct accrued leave for such absences from the employees leave bank. If the exempt employee is not yet eligible for accrued leave or has exhausted such leave, an employer may make a deduction from pay for whole-day absences. Check with your human resources department or manager for information on your companys inclement weather policy and how that policy applies to you. Working From Home Some employers allow employees to work remotely during bad weather. In this case, they generally receive their full salary and do not have to use any accrued leave time. If youre not sure about company policy, check wit h your supervisor or human resources to see if that is an option that is available to you. If it is, you should be paid your regular rate of pay for the hours you work from home.

Top Resume Templates 2018 Guide!

Top Resume Templates 2018 Guide At the moment theres leise an opportunity to stick out from the competition being different. There are many free creative resume templates its possible to use, allowing you to focus your energy on everything else you have to do. Theres no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better likelihood of standing from the crowd even supposing its made utilizing a template. All you need to do is point and click. Try out the Resume template if you need a tiny versatility in your templates. Try to remember, after youve finished personalizing your resume, youre not prepared to fill out an application yet. This totally free timeline-based resume template was produced by graphic designer Patryk Korycki. The template works with Microsoft sie sagen es in addition to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The Chronicles of Resume Templates 2018 If youre a work seeker, applying for a job can be a difficult practice. You must b e more cautious whilst writing your work application. Also be certain that you tailor the document to the job youre applying for. If you are in possession of a lengthy employment history, you dont will need to include all of it. Fortunately, you may produce an eye-catching CV easily because there are plenty of options to construct your resume within a couple of minutes. All you need to do here is to input your details and you are finished Imagine you have two resumes facing you. Double check to be certain that everything on the last version of the resume is about you. What Resume Templates 2018 Is - and What it Is Not Although the cover letter is a concise document consisting of three or four paragraphs. The files are print ready and simple to edit to your own details. All sections can easily be visible so that recruiters will know where to search for the main details about you. Once your resume is prepared to go, you will wish to be sure to receive it in front of as man y employers as possible. All designs are a breeze to edit and fully customizable. If youre on the lookout for a more traditional resume template that still creates a bold impression, take a look at this creation from Finish designer Mats-Peter Forss. Our resume templates are designed employing an overall style to help avoid this dilemma. Each one of our creative style templates provide a perfectly balanced mixture of personality, professionalism and some style. Our professional resume designs will allow you to land interviews. Business cards are also included to finish the look. Some websites offering best resume templates 2018 free permits you to edit your document online. Resume Templates 2018 Options In case the template appears different than the example it might be because you dont have the right font. It allows you to filter the information that you need to include on your resume. It is easy to customize and edit as well as print-ready. It includes two resume pag es as well as a cover letter template and can easily be edited and customized with your choice of fonts and colors. Every resumes objective is to endorse the personal experience and capabilities, that is the reason you should highlight your vast understanding of a specific field if you lack some work experiences or if you would like to enrich your mastery. Make certain you didnt miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about In case you have any volunteer work or whether you are a working student before, do not neglect to list them down in your experience resume. Its important to get your resume stand out from the work competition. Resume Templates 2018 No Longer a Mystery Work program letter is an important position which will establish if youre pleasant to benefit the geschftliches miteinander or position youre applying for or not. The Technical Special is an excellent illustration of the way to focus the attention on the abilities and objectives. Another core element youve got to think about when drafting your resume is understanding the type of job that youre after. As an issue of fact, your resume is really a tool to advertise yourself among employers. Rumors, Lies and Resume Templates 2018 Utilizing a template can cut the quantity of time youve got to spend formatting your document, which enables you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. Once you have decided on your perfect resume template from our selection, follow our completely free expert guidance about ways to craft the ideal modern resume. The template was created by A distinctive and modern resume template with experience timeline and education timeline. Each template offers structure, examples and tips so you dont need to start from scratch when creating your resume.

The Most Popular Resume Writing Services Fairfield Ct

The Most Popular Resume Writing Services Fairfield Ct By way of example, many resume companies also supply a cover letter writing service. Where To Get Additional Help There are lots of sources of information about how to compose the best resume. You have to make sure the resume writing service which you use will revise the documents for you if necessary without an issue or an extra fee. Drafting a resume which will truly make you distinguish yourself from the rest is no simple endeavor and with a huge amount of resume examples on the internet, we can run the danger of adding too much, too little or merely sending out carbon copy resumes which are dull and at times too simplistic. Resume writing must be accomplished professionally because your career is dependent on it. Executive resume writing consists of a thorough description of knowledge and distinctive skills. Even should you not locate any great customer review you might come across complaints about them. You may se e the complete email on BBB. You should also make sure the professional resume writing service will be happy to ensure you are pleased with the finished product. Some resume writing services may not provide a refund should you not get the wanted results youve been promised. What About Resume Writing Services Fairfield Ct? You would like a geschftsleben thats going to involve you in the writing process. A good resume providing firm is one which gives the client everything thats important in grabbing the interest of a very best employer. Locating a job is no little feat, particularly in the executive sector where the process to receive hired is more cutthroat than ever before. The notion of getting another person to compose your resume can appear a little annoying initially. however, it is no doubt valuable. Instead, its a distinctive advertising communication that may ascertain if you buy a job or not. Resumes have to be spectacular enough to find the interest of the recrui ters. They give recruiters the ability to identify and determine the value of the candidate and what he or she can do for the company. Resumes a well-written resume is a highly effective marketing and advertising tool which is able to make your career. The Ultimate Strategy to Resume Writing Services Fairfield Ct For instance, a sales professional could include details about their private approach to selling and a succinct explanation on the efficiency of that approach. In order to get the very best value for your investment, be certain that the service charges an expert pace, and receives a thorough personal profile from you, which lets them craft a top quality resume. As it comes to resume writing services, youll be rather amazed to understand that there are a lot of individual varieties and youll be considering ensuring you choose the proper type for the job that you desire. Its also essential that the professional resume writing service get you the product in a ritterlich timeframe. Things You Wont Like About Resume Writing Services Fairfield Ct and Things You Will Therefore if youd like to receive your dream job, you might have to be noticeable and that happens with crafting a first-class resume. By emphasizing transferable abilities, you will expand your possible job industry. So as to enter in the world of the desired job its significant that you choose the authentic resume writing service. Start looking for a great executive resume writing service to assist you land your dream job. If you discover that its tricky to cover the service, you can choose a selection of resume templates which are frequently accessible free online. Resume writing services have matured over the last few years and been sliced in two categories. The expert writing companies know what things to leave out and what ought to be highlighted. 2015 configure powerpoint providers sharepoint 2013 mba essays on the internet is interesting that. When evaluating resume wri ting services you will find there is a wonderful difference in how each company prices their expert services. Resume Etc isnt the company There are some resume writing companies which do not provide expedited services. There are many services available on the marketplace.

How to Motivate Employees And Keep Employees Happy

How to Motivate Employees And Keep Employees HappyHow to Motivate Employees And Keep Employees HappyHow to Motivate Employees And Keep Employees Happy Blaszczyk, Managing Editor, Resource CenterIts a variation of the chicken and egg question. Which came first disgruntled employees or the recession?Worker dissatisfaction likely goes back a while. Imagine the Medieval grunt assigned to sharpen the kings quills.Fast forward a millennium and were still trying to figure out how to cultivate employee engagement.The current recession certainly hasnt helped. Ongoing layoffs, long hours (often for less pay) and stressful work environments have all taken a deep and significant toll on the American workers psyche.The question then becomes, what can be done to repair the damaged relationship between employees and employers?The answers are found in both the latest research and some plain old common sense.How to Keep Race Horses RunningSalespeople those race horses of the business world are alwa ys racing to the finish line, while their employers are always looking for the big win. Central to this equation is keeping top abverkauf performers satisfied and motivated. Yet it turns out that money isnt the sole component of sales motivation.A recent study conducted by Tower Watson and Staffing Industry Analysts revealed the best practices followed by successful high-growth staffing firms that effectively retain top performers.Sponsored by Monster, the 2012 Staffing Industry Sales Force Effectiveness Surveypoints out the importance of a clearly-defined employee value proposition at high-growth staffing firms that extends beyond pay and benefits to career pathing for sales employees.This deal between employer and employee includes non-management career paths for top sales performers.Additionally, survey respondents from all segments gave high ranks to the visibility of their internal talent pool. The importance of creating a talent pipeline and understanding the talent inside the ir organizations and teams was clear, says Matthew OConnor, Sr. Vice President, Monster.Managing Entrepreneurial-Minded MillenialsSpeaking of horses, what happens when your newly-hired Philly (a Gen Y employee who you really like) decides after three months on the job that theyre ready for a versetzung now.Author Emily Bennington recounts this real-life scenario in her recent article, How to Manage Entrepreneurial-Minded Employees.She recalls the exact words of her new employee, who was hired on a two-year promotion track Two years is like a decade to me.Ah, youth.Benningtons advice for managers is to carefully listen to the employees argument. Then formulate a list of ten or so meaningful tasks for them to complete that will prove their worth. Check in as tasks on the list are completed.Once the list is tackled (assuming that the employee completes them all) the manager will come away with a much clearer sense of the employees problem-solving capabilities and overall attitude as we ll as their overall worth.Workplace Motivation Nurture, Praise, RepeatEmployers often ask, How do I get employees to do more than Im asking?In response, author Roberta Matuson notes in her article on motivation in the workplace, Its no secret that people are more apt to go the extra mile when they feel motivated.While that may seem obvious, the devil is always in the details.Matuson offers suggestions that keep employees motivated and productive, even in flat organizations that are unable to provide new job titles and upward mobility.Recognize that achievement is defined differently for everyone. For example, in your world as business owner, being a global player in your marketplace may be your definition of achievement in your employees world, being trusted to develop a marketing campaign is a sign that theyve arrived.At least once a year, as part of your employee performance reviews,take the time to ask your employees what theyd like to achieve in the coming year. Dont forget to r eview all theyve accomplished while in your employ.Involving employees in business decisions early on is a motivation technique that works in any situation. When people are involved in decisions, they feel a sense of ownership, which is something that is highly valued by those who run small businesses. They will do whatever it takes to see a project through successful completion.Finally, Matuson recommends employees with workplace flexibility. This will nearly guarantee that most employees will rise to the occasion when you are in a pinch.These techniques are proof that a bit of motivation, whether through career planning, recognition or engagement, can go a long way toward energizing workers. And thats a win-win for everyone.Copyright 2012 Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Worldwide.

5 ways to manage freelance stress and avoid burnout

5 ways to manage freelance stress and avoid burnout5 ways to manage freelance stress and avoid burnoutThelife of a freelancerlooks so appealing, and many people on thenine-to-five desk grindwill envy the freedom and flexibility that comes with this type of work. You can choose where you work, how long you work for, what type of work you take on, the volume of work you do,andwho you work for. While all this sounds perfect, the fruchtwein common myth about freelancing is that it is stress-free.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraHowever, this couldnt be further from the truth, and notlagehing can prepare you for the added stress that comes with working independently. Simply lacking the safety net of having a permanent full-time role within a company can be stressful enough for some people, as well as the need to self-motivate when you just arent feeling it.Plus, there will always be t imes where work is scarce and youre stressed about making enough money and finding more work,and then there will be high-pressure periods when managing the amount of work and meeting deadlines will be just as stressful and exhausting.This fluctuation is hard to get used to, and in my own freelancing career, the unknown nature of what comes next is still something Im getting used to. However, Im definitely not willing to give up the flexibility, and so I found a few practical ways to manage the stress inherent in the nature of freelancing work.5 ways to manage freelance stress1. Learn to say noSaying no is something I have never been good at. Especially as a freelancer, you will feel inclined to say yes because you are never certain that you will continue to have work down the track. And it is this mindset that has been the basis of most of my stress when freelancing.You need to be able to create a realistic schedule, one that allows you to meet all the deadlines for projects you hav e already committed to. To avoid taking on too many jobs at once, make sure younot only schedule in your workhours but also time for social activities, exercise, and any other commitments.You dont want your leisure time to be compromised just so you can take on another project, because that will only be a disservice to the quality of your work and ability to meet deadlines, and could alsoeventually lead to burnout.2. Set work hoursEven though freelancing is appealing because you can work whenever you feel like it, it can also be really useful to set work hours. When I dont do this, I find myself feeling guilty for doing anything besides work, and end up spendingtoo much time procrastinating and consequently skipping out on leisure time. Or on the other hand, I schedule in too much of everything else and fail to leave myself enough time to get all my work done (causing A LOT of easily avoidable stress).The best part is that you arent restricted by nine-to-five hours, and dont need to commute to an office, so you can think about when you are most productive and schedule in a solid block of time to power through some work then. A lot of people are most productive when they first wake up, from 6 am to 10 am, but every individual is different.Setting work hours is also just as important as setting time for activities outside of work like socializing or exercise, and if you have stuck to your schedule and completed your work then you wont need to spend this time outside of work feeling guilty (just as I used to).And if something urgent comes up and eats into all your work hours, its important to find another block of time to make up for it so you keep on top of everything and arent stressing about not getting everything done.3. Schedule breaksWhen your working in an office the best part of the day is usually your break, and it tends to be something you arent willing to give up. But with freelancing, and particularly if you are working from home, you can quite easily forget to take a break.As someone who works out of home, my bedroom is totally off limits while working, unless Im taking a break. Even though Im working at home, I try to separate my work and my personal life, which is why I still stick to scheduled hours and will only work in my dedicated spot in the house.That way when I go to take a break, it actually feels like Im taking a break because Im relaxing in a different area. If I was to work in my bedroom, then the line would be blurred between work and everything else, and it would alsoinhibit my productivity.Find out what hours work best for you whether that is working straight through a day with an hour lunch break, working in two-hour slots with breaks in between, taking ten-minute breaks every hour etc. The beauty of freelancing is that youre in control, so taking advantage of that is vital to stress management.4. Focus on the task at handIn those high-pressure times where you are flooded with deadlines, the worst thing you can do is dwell on everything you have to complete.Keep your mind focused on what you are working on right now and getting the most important things done first. You may have no choice but to work into the night sometimes but try not to make this a regular occurrence.At the end of the day, spending time worrying about completely all your projects is simply time wasted, and adds no value to your work. Focus on things one at a time, take regular breaks andkeep breathing The high-pressure times wont last forever.5. Find a hobbyDoing something that you enjoy every day will help eliminate stress and gives you something to always look forward to if youre finding yourself in a work slump. As mentioned earlier, try having a workspace and personal space if your home allows for it, so your mind can easily distinguish between work and your hobby. If youre living in a tiny place where this isnt possible, its really important to get out and practice your hobby, even if that just meansgoing out and ex ercising(which is actually super beneficial when managing stress).Getting out is also great due to the isolative nature of freelance work, which makes it easier to fall into a pit of depression. Finding a hobby can give you a reason to get out of the house and provide new social connections. You could even take up a hobby with a few friends giving you the perfect excuse to catch up.Just about anything can be a hobby, from making art to nurturing a veggie patch or practicing yoga. To help manage my own freelance stress, I started up a book club with some friends and this has encouraged me to read more books for pleasure, and also allowed me to catch up with friends on a regular basis.It can be difficult to put yourself first when you manage your work independently and also have multiple different people relying on you, but without practices like these, you are more likely to experience exhaustion, burnout andextreme stresswhen freelancing. Taking time out is just as important in the world of freelancingThis article first appeared on A Girl in Progress.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

3 Job Search Mistakes To Not Learn The Hard Way

3 Job Search Mistakes To Not Learn The Hard Way3 Job Search Mistakes To Not Learn The Hard WayA lot of emotions go into job search and usually, theyre the negative emotions. You can start to feel desperate after submitting dozens or hundreds of resumes, only to be rejected. And its confounding that no one can seem to see that youre perfect for a role, especially when you meet all the qualifications listed in the ad.To minimize the negative emotions, lets avoid 3 key job search mistakes so you can turn your job search journey into a series of wins, up to and including an offer for the job you ideally want.Mistake 1 Keeping Your Options OpenThis week a candidate told me, So far Ive been applying for about 8 or 10 different job titles, a variety of things, because I figure I can adapt to pretty much anything.Me And how long have you been in active job search mode?herbei About 7 months now.Its time for a better strategy. I realize it seems counter-intuitive, but casting a wide net and k eeping your options open will only get you exactly where you are right now nowhere.Consider the prospective employers point of view they have a position to fill. It has a job title. It has a specific set of duties. Youre being hired to do, literally, ONE job. With the jack-of-all-trades approach, the only thing youre telling the employer is that you can do some of the job he wants done, and by the way you can touch on all these other things he didnt even ask you to do. Thats not an attractive package from the employers perspective.Heres what to do instead identify what you do excellently, and pursue that. That means other opportunities will pass you by. Get okay with that. Not every opportunity is for you. But the one that is for you is where youll excel.Mistake 2 Replacing Tried & True Methods With The netzThe Internet seems like a blessing so many opportunities at your fingertips, so easy to apply, and as LinkedIn continues to evolve, so many ways to reach out and touch the real human being you need. But there can be a bit of a curse when the Internet comes into play as well it can make you lazy, real quick.The Internet doesnt replace tried and true methods. It just augments them. You are unlikely to land your next 6-figure position 100% from the comfort of your bedroom, with your laptop open. Its just like dating. You can have all the online profiles on all the sites that you want, but at some point, you literally need to get up and get out there.Regard online searching as a fast track. You can network with an exponentially higher number of people online. But nothing rings truer than a nice phone call. Informational interviews still work. Showing your face means showing the real you, and differentiating yourself from the sea of competitors (who stay hiding behind their computers).Mistake 3 Networking In A Way Thats Not WorkingOn a date, if all the other person does is say, Me Me Me Then YOUprobably wont be too terribly interested in seeing them again. Whe n it comes to job search, you cant approach a networking situation with your hand out immediately asking for something. Flip the script. In fact, discard your script. Networking works best when you actively listen, add value, then have that move reciprocated.When the opportunity naturally arises for you to speak, make koranvers that what you say is specific. Stating, So, if you know of any contacts doesnt inspire anyone to do anything. People know a lot of contacts. But they can be more helpful to you and they want to be helpful to you you just have to zero in on specifically what you need.An effective statement in a networking scenario is, Ive been in project management for 12 years, and right now I have my eye on US Foods, Kraft, and Tyson. If you or a contact of yours knows the Project Management Office Directors or VPs of Operations at any of those places, that would actually be fruchtwein helpful to me.Specifics get results. A specific request when youre networking tickles pe oples memories and they will come up with names more often than not. Aiming for a specific role, as opposed to taking shots in the dark at 8-10 different titles, can land you in that role significantly faster.Theres another specific approach to keep in mind. Its mapped out in our Ultimate Recruiter Response Cheat Sheet. Find out the exact language you need in order to instantly connect with a real human being who can move you through the interview process. This is the one strategy you need to pull your resume out of the online black hole, make sure it gets in front of someones eyeballs, and increase the likelihood that youll get a 70% response rate. Download The Ultimate Recruiter Response Cheat Sheet today.