Job Search - There must be an app for that

Job Search - There must be an app for that We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. I was looking at the LinkedIn find jobs tab (found under Jobs at the top of your LinkedIn page), did a quick search and found a job opportunity that looked like it would be a perfect fit for me. As I read through the job description I got more and more excited about the opportunity. I decided that I must apply for this job. I quickly scrolled down to the bottom of the page where there was a large Apply on Company Website button. I was about to click this when I say the following On Fire! 285 people have clicked Yikes! Maybe if I was one of the first 25 people to apply I might have a chance, but number 286, not very likely to be worth my time. The Internet is a great enabling tool for job search and that is exactly what sometimes makes it a poor tool. The shear volume of applications that are potentially received for each opportunity creates a decreasing value of time spent as the number of applications (for a particular opportunity) increases. Yeah, we all feel good when we click the apply button having completed the application because we feel like weve done something positive in our search, but you have to balance the time spent on certain tools with the potential value derived. So whats the point? Online search engines (including their mobile app cousins which is the topic of todays article) have limited value based on the very short shelf life of any one opportunity. Online search is truly a great example of time is of the essence. Using a mobile job search app may just give you the early warning you need to be one of the first to apply for an opportunity. So many job search apps, so little time. For clarity, Ive given my brief narrow definition of a job search app for the purposes of this article (see below). Ive focused on just a few of those apps that have both desktop full browser versions and mobile versions (and are FREE). Job Search Apps So (my) quick definition of a job search app == An application that runs on a smartphone (iOS, Android or other) that allows the user to search for job opportunities that match specific criteria. Not every app is on every platform, but many are on both iOS and Android (and maybe even Windows). Simply Hired From one of the top job search sites, this app is available in both a iPhone version and an Android version. Search for jobs using a location or app use your current location, save jobs, email jobs, view job descriptions, search history and apply to jobs from the app. The app does not seem to integrate with your Simplyhired account (that would be nice!). If you email the job to yourself you can use the Simplyhired browser version to apply as well. Monster Another name we all (should) know, although some other sites have become more popular, Monster also has iPhone/Android apps. Monster, however, allows you to sign-in as you do on your desktop, leveraging saved searches, creating a new search or viewing recent searches. You can save the job, email the job or apply leveraging resumes and cover letters from your main account (or create a new cover letter). A powerful app with lots of functionality. Indeed Sticking with the best known job search sites, Indeed has both and iPhone and Android app. Like Monsters app, you can sign-in, view your current resume, save jobs, email the job and view the job. Once you view the job, you can apply (typically from the companys site). Beyond The browser version of this site sometimes has annoying ads that are confusing (see Career Builder below), but you can link to the browser account via the app (although the initial sign-in on the app is confusing). You can set email alerts and pick your industry from the app. You can apply directly from the app, see search history, save jobs and also see articles/videos on job search. And yes, there is an iPhone app and an Android app. Career Builder (iPhone/Android) This app asks if you want to synchronize your stuff from your existing CareerBuilder account or create a new account. You can search jobs, see recommended jobs, create favorites, see or add resumes plus a few other options. Once you find and view a job, you can apply through the CareerBuilder app. Book Corner [easyazon_link asin=1489524983 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search[/easyazon_link] We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by //

Consultation Calls 101 Structure, Selling More - When I Grow Up

Consultation Calls 101 Structure, Selling More - When I Grow Up You know that saying “everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten”? Well, I think that’s mostly true.   In kindergarten, you probably learned formative skills like how to share space in a conversation, how to ask questions, how to read emotions, and how to say things like “please” and “thank you.” Technically, all of this is super valuable when it comes to managing your business consultation calls.   A consultation call is the key moment when you and your prospective client will feel each other out, get a sense of whether you fit into one other’s (business) lives, and frankly, if you even like each other enough to make an agreement to work together. This is all a great starting point for consultation calls (thanks kindergarten!), but everything else you should know, you can find here! There are usually 2 ways business owners set up consultations. Let’s start with my preference and how I’ve seen the most success At When I Grow Up Coach headquarters, I like to include an application form upfront on my ‘Work With Me’ page that requires my interested peeps to give me the download on them, their business hopes and dreams, and a few other goodies that help me understand if we’re gonna be a great fit. If their info looks groovy to me if it looks like it’s likely I would be someone that can help them reach their goals then I’ll reach out to them to set up the consultation call. (And if their info *doesn’t* show a good fit, I’ll reach out anyway to tell them why and offer any suggestions/resources/referrals I have!) This system offers a little bit of a gatekeeper/safeguard feature, ensuring no one’s time (mine *or* the prospective client’s) is truly wasted. This flow also usually leads to a higher client conversion rate, because you’re more than likely to be talking to your “right” person. In some super special cases, the application form is all I need to know there’s a business match made in perfect heaven and we’re able to sign up to work together without a consultation call at all! Hooray! The other way to do it (which seems to be the trendy way right now, I’ve been noticing) is to place a button on your sales page â€" and even all pages â€"that reads “book a call.” Here, anyone and everyone who comes across you and your business can schedule time on your precious calendar. In this instance, after the prospective client has chosen their time slot, an automated email will be sent to their inbox with a form for them to fill our prior to the chat.   I get it. This system is pretty straightforward and requires less effort from you up-front, but trust me when I say it will eat up your time on the back end! Without having a built-in filter prior to your consultation calls, you risk going into a consult call totally cold (nothing is making them fill out that form pre-call, right?), ending up on the phone with Chatty Cathys who just want someone to talk to, or talking with any number of folks looking for a quick answer to their problems and nothing more. Because of that, I’d prefer to vet them *first* and *then* get that consultation ball rolling. Just my (professional and experienced) two cents.   Regardless of how you book it, once you’re on the consultation call, here are the most important things to note:   A consultation call should not last more than 15 mins, 30 mins max. If you and your maybe-client are clear on your business, all questions and concerns either of you have should be easily fleshed out in this time.   Speak first, stating your understanding of why they need you based on their questionnaire! Open up with, “Based on your form, we are here to talk about xyz… does that sound right?” This is their opportunity to confirm what they want from you and a chance to course correct if necessary before walking too far down the wrong road. Which leads us to Avoid asking them any open-ended questions. These will prove to be a major time suck. Questions like “So, what brings you here?” and, “Tell me about yourself” open you up to rambling tangents that aren’t actually useful for either of your purposes. Instead, you could reframe these questions to be more direct, sounding like: “What are you specifically hoping to achieve in working with -insert your title here-?” and, “What have you already done to try to fix this problem?”   Let them know when they are halfway through their time! There are plenty of friendly ways to state this without rushing them. One go-to is stating, “I’m conscious of the time, and I want to make sure I answer all of your questions. Do you have any for me now?” This will help them prioritize what they need out this call and help keep you on track.   If you know you are ready to work with them, tell them! Once you’re certain you’ve answered all of their questions and you’re getting that “Ooh, I hope they want to work with me, too!” happy dance in your body, tell them you’re enthusiastic to get this show on the road. Explain why you’re a wonderful fit and what they’re going to walk away with. This speaks to the value of you and your services and gets them jazzed for next steps, too!   Before hanging up, tell them the next steps â€" the very next thing that is going to happen. Usually, this will be an invoice and/or a contract to sign. Don’t forget to give them a deadline! Let them know you will not be able to guarantee this price or your availability if they sign up outside of the deadline window. This motivates them to action and allows you to close the loop and get started, without you or your business being left in limbo.   Try to follow up as soon as possible on these next steps. If you don’t hear from them before their deadline, check in! If on the off chance they do go silent, be sure to circle back and let them know your metaphorical or literal business door is always open. As a hot business coach tip, take strong notes during your conversation and send them after you hang up! This is a super nice touch that shows your prospect that you were truly listening and are prepared to help solve their pain points ( VALUE!). For me personally, it mimics what a client of mine gets after a session, too. Feel free to come up with something that mimics *your* offer so this prospective client get a taste of what it’s like to become a current one! Boom. That’s 15-30 effective minutes that will ultimately benefit your business and your soon-to-be-client’s happiness. Now go forth and change those lives!   For more information on how to Build Your Client Base and grow your amazeballs business, get on this list! Applications for this 6-month mastermind will open in early December, and are meant for those business owners who   want to get even *more* insight and expertise on how to land their ideal clients more quickly and with more frequency than before. And hey, who knows? Maybe we’ll have our own consultation call soon!

The Inexplicable Puzzle Into Italics Freelance Resume Writing Exposed

The Inexplicable Puzzle Into Italics Freelance Resume Writing Exposed You already know that you have to self-edit your work. It can be difficult to fit an independent career into a traditional resume structure. As a freelancer, you might believe you don't require a freelance resume. The thing to consider is that sometimes clients hire freelancers due to the fact that they don't understand how to do what you do. The Debate Over Italics Freelance Resume Writing Bear in mind, it's possible to also utilize punctuation to help label. So take advantage of bold and underline or italics to highlight unique regions of the resume. Asking somebody else to read your resume is always useful, and it's essential if you're not writing in your native language. Your working languages must be the single bit of information which is completely vital for your reader, so they need to take pride of place at the very top. Some professionals believe links can boost a resume by allowing a possibl e employer to go on the internet and discover out more about a candidate. You need to be able to have a notion of what sorts of jobs require what sorts of resumes. If you've printed work that you wish to include as part of your resume, there are lots of methods for documenting publications on a resume as a way to intrigue hiring managers. Writing resumes for individuals supplies you with the chance to help them land work, besides earning money from your writing skills. Resume writing is more engaging and client-facing as you should work one-on-one with the customer. Resume writing may appear to be a very time-consuming undertaking, and it definitely is. Resumes ought to be brieftypically a couple of pages. Academic papers are presented in many formats, for example, APA format. Understanding Italics Freelance Resume Writing Now, a freelance translator isn't in the place of applying for employment so, strictly speaking, does not want a resume. It's better to include publish ed work, but inexperienced writers may incorporate work that's unpublished. Everyone can be a self-employed writer. At this time you don't need to be the very best writer to be a successful one. Following that, you have to be prepared for the interview. Concentrate on anything applicable to the job that you are applying for. If you're asking for work that's a stretch, you have to do extra work. When you locate a job you're interested in the important issue to keep in mind is to be among the very first few to apply (so check the boards before bed and when you wake up) and make certain your pitch stands out.

What Everybody Dislikes About Bar Manager Resume and Why

What Everybody Dislikes About Bar Manager Resume and Why Things You Won't Like About Bar Manager Resume and Things You Will If you're changing careers, you won't have an abundance of experience in your preferred field, therefore it's great to draw upon your prior experience and your urge to transfer that knowledge. A resume objective can explain why you're qualified for the job, even if it's the case that you do not own a lot of related experience. The objective statement gives your management career goals and an achievement to demonstrate your value. Possessing a brief statement or overview at the start of your resume is a good way to demonstrate your abilities and experience and show the hiring manager the value which you will bring to the position. A History of Bar Manager Resume Refuted Finally, stating an objective is optional, but it might help convince employers that you understand what you need and understand the business. The absolute most efficient objective is one which is tailored to the job you're applying for. The summary statement is among the most crucial elements of your resume because it's frequently the section that determines whether the hiring manager will read any more of the document. You're wondering in the event you should have a statement at the very top of your resume to grab the hiring manager's interest. One of the hazards of a resume objective is that it is possible to focus too much on what you would like in your career, and not enough on how you'll add value to the corporation. A straightforward Google search could result in a huge degree of understanding on how best to compose a resume, ways to design a resume, how you are able to make an impression on organisations. A straightforward online search could result in a huge amount of understanding on how best to publish a resume, how to design a resume, the best way to impress employers. The Argument About Bar Manager Resume Furthermore there are many group of them es readily available on the web. No matter your degree of work practical experience, your resume structure is vital to making your program stick out. A simple online search can result in a significant quantity of knowledge on the best way to publish a resume, the best method to design and style a resume, how to impress organisations. Bar Manager Resume: the Ultimate Convenience! To learn more on what it requires to be a Bar Manager, take a look at our complete Bar Manager Job Description. Bar Managers run pubs or bars and make certain customers are pleased. They are responsible for ensuring good quality services for bar customers so they keep buying drinks. Your new position for a restaurant manager will undoubtedly ask that you carry out a range of technical and administrative tasks. Type of Bar Manager Resume As a result, while your resume objective should incorporate information on the career that you would like, you also wish to spell out why you are the perfect candid ate for the job. Whenever you wish to emphasize that you're ambitious, that you understand what you want in a career, or you have the skills for the particular job, you could benefit from a resume objective. As soon as it's important to list your prior experience, in addition, it is imperative to bring any achievements you've had in your career. It is often as easy as stating your preferred job title, or it may show where you've been, and where you aspire to go in your career. Creating your resume is essential. Education if you're feeling your education is just one of your strong suits, then you can place it before Work Experience.

5-Step Guide to Writing Cover Letters for Executives -

5-Step Guide to Writing Cover Letters for Executives -Isnt my resume enough to show my experience and value to a prospective employer? Why do I need a titelseite letter, too? You might be asking yourself ansicht questions as you plunge headlong into a search for a new executive position.Its true, it is a lot of work to write a resumeand then aelendher, and anotherto ensure each is tailored for the position youre applying to. But, no matter how much work it may landbinnenseem like, you still need a strong, effective titelbild letter to accompany each resume you send out. Executive positions are competitive, and you need to give yourself the upper hand with a persuasive, compelling letter that makes a hiring manager want to read your resume. To help executives in the midst of a job search, Ive written this guide to titelseite letters for executives.Why Executives Need a Strong Cover LetterA strong titelbild letter is so important for an executive because you simply cannot convey everyt hing you need or want to in a two-page resume or even a three-page resume. As an executive, you have plenty of professional experience to discuss, and will probably need to leave things off your resume even after youve culled down your skills and accomplishments to the most relevant for the targeted position.When you write a titelblatt letter, you can address accomplishments or work experiences that arent directly mentioned in your resume, or expand on the information provided in your resume.However, a strong titelseite letter should never just act as an extension of your resume. Instead, a strong executive cover letter should accomplish the goals of telling a prospective employer why you are a good fit for their company, what you can do for them, and why they should pay closer attention to your resume than they might pay to the resume of another applicant. Remember, a recruiter or hiring manager will only spend a few seconds skimming your resumebut a strong executive cover letter w ill help compel them to spend mora time with yours.As I explain in this article, its especially important that you have a strong executive cover letter if you are pitching a company for a job that isnt posted so you can explain why you are sending your resume and why you think the company could benefit from employing you. Plus, regardless of whether the job is posted or not, two-thirds of hiring managers and executives do read cover letters. Better safe than sorry when it comes to those kinds of numbers.However, many executives may think that they dont need a cover letter because they already know the prospective employer who will be reviewing their resume. You may know them, and they may be familiar with your career and your accomplishmentsbut the same is probably true of other applicants. Dont take any shortcuts with your career, and dont make any assumptions about where you stand with a prospective employer.A strong executive cover letter is important for showing that you care en ough about the position to put the effort into writing oneand its important for the actual content of the letter itself. As Ive already mentioned, an executive cover letter needs to communicate your professional personality and why you are a good fit for the position. If you do this, and do it well, your resume is far more likely to get the attention it deserves and get you an interview.How a Great Cover Letter Can Help Executives Land a JobA great cover letter separates the motivated and truly interested candidates from those who are just applying because the job looked like something theyd be qualified for. Yes, its necessary to have an executive cover letter in addition to your resume because its expected that you have one, but its also necessary because it can help you land a job by providing additional, relevant, and interesting information about your experience, your brand, and your interest in the position.When a hiring manager is considering applicants, they want to know tha t an applicant is truly invested, or will be truly invested, in the company if hired. A great cover letter will show how and why you will be an asset to the company and encourage a hiring manager to take your resume very seriously.Overall, a cover letter plays the role of being your introduction and first impression for a recruiter or potential employer. An executive may have so much experience that it is impossible for a hiring manager to be familiar with it all, even if they already know about you in the context of your current position. An effective executive cover letter will share information that the hiring manager may not know, or amplify the information about your years of experience and strengths that they are already familiar with and that are also on your resume.And you know what? A great cover letter will help you land a job because great cover letters are, simply put, rare. In an article on The Muse, a recruiter admitted that the vast majority of them stink.In my profes sional experience, Ive also seen my fair share of terrible cover letters. Working in human resources for large corporations, and now as a professional resume writer, I can tell you that great cover letters are few and far between even at the executive level, and a sternbezogen cover letter will make you stand out from other candidates.Though it is hard to know how many people will be reading your executive cover letter, it is crucial that you write it as though every important person at the company will be reading it. Even though you should assume that multiple people will eventually read your cover letter, you should still address the cover letter to the contact named in the job description, or to a hiring manager or other appropriate contact that you find onlinedo not use a generic greeting.If you write your cover letter to have wide appeal to multiple executives and human resources professionals within the company, it is more likely that something in your background or in your di scussion of what you want to do to help the company will resonate with one or more of the decision-makers who are reading your resume and cover letter. Every person whose attention you catch with your cover letter is one more opportunity to have an advocate who wants to call you in for the interview so they can learn more about what you can do for their company as an executive.Examples of a Great Executive Cover LetterSo now you know that you need an executive cover letter to help you stand out and to help you effectively convey your professional brand to a prospective employer or recruiter. But what makes an executive cover letter memorable? What makes your cover letter effective? What makes a cover letter tell an employer why YOU are the best person for the job?To begin with, Ill point you to this article on the Great Resumes nahe daran sein blog that includes links to 25+ examples of successful executive cover letters. Here, youll find cover letter examples across a variety of in dustries and positions.However, I cannot advise you strongly enough against just taking the language from ansicht sample cover letters and plugging in your own information. This is directly contradictory to achieving the goal of making yourself stand out and establishing a personal brand in your executive cover letter. Instead, use these example cover letters as a guide and inspiration for what to include about your own career, or as a general outline for how to organize your cover letter as you write.If you look at this cover letter example, youll notice that it incorporates bullet points and also has a header that describes the applicants overall strengths and educational credentials. If appropriate, you may want to follow this format for your executive cover letterespecially if a job description makes clear that education credentials are a crucial qualification for the job. Maybe you never considered using bullet points in a cover lettermany people dontbut it can be an effective way to get important information across concisely.And in this sample cover letter, you see how the applicant uses bolded font format to emphasize strengths. He also notes right up front that he is bilinguala skill that is becoming more and more sought-after at all professional levels. He immediately establishes his value by noting this, and undoubtedly sets himself apart from many of the other applicants a recruiter or hiring manager will be reading about that day. Ill also call attention to the closing section of the cover letter where the applicant directly addresses that he would like a meeting. Asking for a meeting or interview directly, rather than just closing with a line such as I look forward to hearing from you, shows your strong interest in the position, and also demonstrates that you are able and willing to be direct and strong in your communicationstraits that are desirable in an executive.In this example cover letter, for a C-level health care executive, we see a strong , thorough use of keywords. The keywords used in the cover letter are undoubtedly terms that will be looked for by hiring managers and human resources, and his effective use of them up front in the cover letter demonstrates his knowledge of the industry and accomplishments thus far in his career. Using keywords effectively is a different beast than simply throwing in jargon or clichs because you think thats what a potential employer wants to hear. Trust me, the people reading your resume can tell the difference. You need to be speaking from your personal experience when youre using these keywords, or pulling them directly from the job description and incorporating them wisely into your experience and the value you can bring to the company.Using jargon and clichs just for the sake of it is one of the most common mistakes people make in their executive cover letters. Other common mistakes in executive cover letters include regurgitating information thats in your resume, such as just l isting years of experience and job titles, or talking too much about how great you are and what you want from your career without ever connecting it to how that is of value to a potential employer.How Executives Can Write a Great Cover LetterNow that youve seen examples of effective executive cover letters and weve gone through what makes an executive cover letter successful, lets go through some tips for cover letter success. First, lets go over some common mistakes and how you can avoid them.?Dont use a generic address or greeting line. Yes, the cover letter examples in the previous section dobut those are examples. In a real cover letter you should never have a generic address. Its the 21st century. If the job description doesnt tell you who to address your cover letter and resume to, hop on Google, LinkedIn, the company website, etc. to find the name of the hiring manager, head of the department youre applying to, or the head of human resources and use their name and title.?Dont departure with one of those blah lines like Please consider this letter and resume They know what theyre reading, and youre wasting valuable space by telling them why you sent it in. Instead, abflug off your cover letter strong. A question makes a strong startsomething like Would Company ABC benefit from having a proven sales leader in their C-suite? Another strong way to start a cover letter is by immediately jumping into your strongest and most relevant skills or qualificationssomething along the lines of, As a senior vice president with XYZ Bank, I improved performance by XYZ% and would now like to put my knowledge and experience to use to do the same for Company ABC. Get their attention immediately.?Dont fall into the trap of reiterating the same information they will see on your resume. Doing so might be an easy way to fill up a page and just have a cover letter to fulfill that requirement of an application, but it doesnt do any good, especially at the executive level where yo u should have plenty more to discuss in a cover letter.?Dont fill in the blanks of a cover letter template. If youve wondered how important it is to have a cover letter template to help you write an effective cover letter, the answer is its not. Use one for inspiration or as a very basic guide, or find a sample cover letter to do the same. But absolutely do not take a template and just fill in the blanks. At the executive level, it reflects incredibly poorly on you and will quite possibly do more harm than good.Those are the basic donts that you need to avoid while writing an executive cover letter. Lets move to the tips for what you can do to help write a successful executive cover letter.?Do research the company before you start writing. Look for information on their culture, those words and phrases that crop up regularly on their website and LinkedIn and about pages of their employees. Link yourself and your career history and goals to their company culture to show why you would be a good fit as an executive and as a leader.?Do use the same concept of white space for easy reading and skimming that you apply to your resume format. Bullet points, short paragraphs, and a clean and modern font will help ensure that a prospective employer doesnt get a headache from your cover letter before theyve even begun to read it.?Do provide tangible examples to back up your claims of skills and strengths. If you open the letter by calling yourself a strong leader or experienced sales executive, provide an anecdote or numbers to back up that claim. Youll be doing this in your resume, but in your cover letter you can more clearly explain how you approached and overcame a specific problem, or what methods or strategies you used to increase sales numbers.?Do keep it to one page. While an executive resume can certainly extend beyond one page, your cover letter should not. Write as concisely as possible, and address your strongest points in a cover letter.?Do let your own voice shine through. While incorporating keywords and speaking to company culture is important for a successful cover letter, you dont want to sound like a corporate robot or like you are copying and pasting from their websiteor from a template. Instead, you want to show your unique professional brand. Try writing a draft without consciously incorporating keywords, and then go back in and revise to include them. In this way, your voice will be more naturally included.?Do close with a call to action. Be strong and assertive (but of course still polite and professional) and ask for a meeting or interview. Dont leave it up to them by just saying I hope to hear from you or Please be in touch if you have any questions. Be clear about what you want an interview.For a step-by-step guide to writing a strong executive cover letter, check out this article on the Great Resumes nahe daran sein Blog.What If I Want Help Writing My Executive Cover Letter?With the competition youll be facing at the execu tive level, its not unreasonable to wonder about using professional writing services for your cover letter. In fact, plenty of professionals do turn to services like Great Resumes Fast for help with all job documentsnot just their executive resume.But how does using a professional writing service allow my voice to shine through? you might wonder. We cant speak for other career document writing services, but at Great Resumes Fast our process involves actually getting to know you, your career history and career goals, and your professional voice. This allows our writers to craft a customized executive cover letter that can help you advance your career and achieve your professional goals.If youd like to learn more about all of the services we offer and the background of our company and our team of writers, head over to the Great Resumes Fast About Page.Are you tired of your resume being rejected by applicant tracking systems? I know how frustrating it is to submit your resume and recei ve no response. I hate seeing qualified people never breakthrough the screening process. It shouldnt be that way. Thats why I created this guide and I encourage you to download the FREE PDF so you can start seeing better resume response rates

7 Steps To Getting More Flexibility At Work

7 Steps To Getting More Flexibility At Work This article is republished from Motherly, a week-by-week guide for new + expectant mamas.Many working mothers quit their jobs to become stay-at-home moms. For some, this is a happy choice But for other mothers, there seems to be no choice in the matter. It doesnt have to be this way.For working women, the flexibility to pick up your kids, make dinner, or go to your childs ballet recital is rapidly becoming a mora accepted norm in the workplace. Thanks to the possibilities of telecommuting, as well as the realization that the patriarchal workday just doesnt work for everyone, more mothers are taking steps to be both professional and maternal. You dont have to choose only one or the other.Ive worked with many women as they transition from traditional jobs to more flexible ones, and have found seven steps to help mothers successfully negotiate greater flexibility in their careers. Heres how you can, too1. Just askI am often approached by prof essional working mothers in high-powered careers asking me to help them find an alternative to the lack of flexibility in their work week to balance with familial support. The first question I ask this women is, before you jump ship, have you asked your superior about other options? The answer often is no and I urge them to use their voice and influence at work to inquire about opportunities for varied work hours and occasional work-at-home time. With the powerful technology we all now possess, from our smartphones, to Skype to dropbox we are capable of giving our full effort and attention to our work even if we arent in the office.2. Be honest with yourself.If you need to leave at 3pm to pick up your kids from soccer practice, tell your boss you need to leave at 3pm, notlage later. Its best to be realistic with yourself and what you really need if youre going to negotiate flexibility. One of the big reasons youre negotiating for greater flexibility in the first place is to mitigate your stress. So be realistic3. Demonstrate the pros.You will be able to do work from home, in a more relaxed and fulfilling manner. Better that you complete that report once you have your kids with you, than to stress about where they are during those last two hours of the work day. Yes, there is a gunst der stunde youll miss a late afternoon meeting, but you can phone in, or get notes on that meeting later. Show your boss that the pros of taking time to meet all of your obligations will increase your overall productivity.4. Point out success cases.There are plenty of examples of companies giving their employees greater flexibility and reaping the rewards. Have some of these articles printed out and ready to hand off to your boss. It shows youve done your research and youre not just asking on a whim.5. Do a trial run.If this is something new for your company, suggest a trial run. Try for at least a month, so that everyone can get into the swing of things. Youll be able to demonstra te in real time the benefits of flexibility, and hey maybe some other working moms will want to hop on board as well. Youre a pioneer6. Evaluate with your employer.After a month of flexibility, evaluate whats working and whats not. Maybe instead of taking off work early, it would be better to have Fridays off. As always, be honest with yourself. Maintain an open dialogue with your employer. Point out the benefits to the company and to yourself, and be honest where you could tweak things.7. Be confident.Confidence is key in all areas of life Youve already made it this far youre a professional woman and a mother. Youve sacrificed for countless people in your life. Dont be afraid to make yourself happy. Be confident, and ask for the flexibility you deserve.Workplace flexibility is one of the best solutions to the mother/professional dichotomy. It doesnt have to be a one-or-the-other choice. The wisest people are those who do not see the world as black and white, but can celebrate life s spectrum of choice and possibility. So remember, one of the best ways to get what you want in your career, and in your life, is to ask.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

Crush Your Next Conference 5 Small Ways to Make a Big Impact on New Contacts

Crush Your Next Conference 5 Small Ways to Make a Big Impact on New Contacts Chances are youve attended at least a few conferences in your career and already know the basic tips and tricks to make them successful Go for drinks with people youve met after the conference dont be shy know your elevator pitch plan out your schedule etc.This is basic advice any Google search can give you.That isnt what this article is about.Rather, this article is focused on the micro-details the very small things that make all the difference at conferences. Check out five of them below1. Hold Your Drink With Your Left HandLets imagine the scenario You go to a conference after-party and someone wants to shake your hand, but alas, your right hand is occupied by a freezing cold drink You switch your drink to your left and remove any remaining moisture from your right by wiping it on your pants. Smiling awkwardly (and probably apologizing), you finally meet hands with the pe rson standing across from you, welcoming them with a cold and slightly wet mitt.Does this sound at all familiar?If so, then join 90 percent of people. The good berichterstattung is theres a simple fix. All you need to do is hold your drink with your left hand.This means no more cold hands, no more water marks on your pants, and no more awkward first impressions. Plus, now you get to chuckle to yourself every time you see someone else performing the handshake shuffle.2. Learn How to Toast ProperlyThis one is primarily for North Americans. When they raise a glass, they usually look at the glasses as they clink and then proceed to take a healthy sip of their beverage.No problem, right? Well, thats fine if youre only meeting with people from your continent.In many European cultures, however, its very rude to not look someone in the eye when you toast. If youre superstitious, its considered incredibly bad luck.If you want to make great, lasting impressions, then you need to stay informed on cultural customs and standards. Every country has slightly different traditions, so educate yourself especially if you know you plan on meeting with an executive from outside your country.3. Never Discredit AnyoneIts a small world, and you never know whom youre talking to or whom that person might know. Making a great impression on someone who is lower down in the company can be a way either to learn more about the inner workings of the geschftliches miteinander or to get a foot in the door to talk to more senior members.Tim Ferriss has a great speech on this. He describes going to a conference and talking to a gentleman for 10-15 minutes, not expecting to get anything significant out of it. As fate would have it, the mans cousin was Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold), which earned Tim an introduction and led to him being featured on Spurlocks show, A Day in the Life.The point is simple Dont dismiss anyone, because you never know whom theyre connected to. Dont discredit anyone orlook over your shoulder for someone else to talk to. Instead, devote your full attention to the conversation youre in and figure out a way to ask the right questions. When you feel its time for the conversation to end, politely excuse yourself.4. Use Mnemonic Devices to Remember NamesIf youre one of those people who hears a name and instantly forgets it, dont worry. Youre in good company. Its highly common to meet someone and immediately have their name escape you.Your solution? Mnemonic devices.A mnemonic device is a technique a person can use to help improve their ability to remember something. In this case, word association is the technique.People have a tendency to make snap decisions based on the way people look and act. In a study, researchers suggested it takes one-tenth of a second to make a judgement about someone. Thats fast, and it means youre already making snap decisions about people as soon as you meet them. You can actually use this to your benefit.Say you meet someone named Betty who looks like a sweet older lady. You can instantly relate that sweetness with letzter gang and dessert with Betty Crocker. Yes, this does require just a little bit more effort, but youll thank yourself later when its time to go through your business cards and you have names saved to faces.5. Clean Up Your Social Media PagesIf you havent done this already, get on it now. This is an important tip for any professional especially those who are about to attend a conference. Its almost guaranteed you will have one or two people go to add you on social media, and there is no telling which page that will be. Twitter and Facebook are just as likely as LinkedIn.Do an audit of your internet presence. If your Myspace account is still up, its time to get those photos taken down. Its great if you made an awesome impression on people at the conference, but if they go to your Facebook and see pictures of you from your college days partaking in unflatteri ng activities, then you can say goodbye to any clout you may have earned.In addition to deleting inappropriate pictures, its also good to update your profile picture and maybe even create a few posts that are loosely business-related in the days leading up to the conference.Taylor Kerby is a film buff, a photographer, and the creative director at Cave Social, an international marketing agency with offices in Fort Lauderdale and Toronto. You can connect with him on Twitter or via his weekly marketing series In The Cave on YouTube.