Moving Forward

I attended a seminar where I had the opportunity to be in an intimate setting with professionals who were 10+ years in their careers. I remember one of the professionals on the panel saying, "Once you begin your career, it is wise to tread lightly. As a beginner, your role is to be a sponge; talk less, be less opinionated, and listen more. Be the one that always wants to be a part of a new learning experience within your company." Be wise in every opportunity that you have and operate in excellence in all things!
After researching steps and consistent methods you can take to never stop going higher in your career, I stumbled across two articles that gave me great advice:

1. Embrace the power of positive thinking
2. Distinguish your long and short-term goals
3. Follow trends within your particular industry
4. Keep your resume updated and ready
5. Develop more skills
6. Continue to cultivate your network, it is also a good idea to network within your current workplace, and
7. Keep your eyes and ears open

Keep in mind, that although you may be new (well some of you reading this may be seasoned, regard this as well!), that does not mean that you cannot plan for the future! Never stop planning to move forward!

Click on the links below to further read the posts about how to move forward in your career!

Sources: Five Ways to Keep Your Career Moving Forward
6 Tips for Moving Your Career Forward

Good luck and be EXCELLENT!

Until next time!

Learn & Practice Professionalism

In a previous blogged [Professionalism: A Guide to Business Etiquette] I quoted:
“Professionalism is knowing how to do it, when to do it, and [then] doing it.” -- Frank Tyger.
Although there are many definitions, even quotes and theories, of professionalism, there is one definition that stuck out to me: a high level of excellence going above and beyond basic requirements. In your every day life you should practice professionalism.

[Side note]: One thing that hinders certain people (esp. young adults) from being professionals is their perspective of professionalism. They think "oh, I don't like dressing like that" "I would prefer to do the bare minimum" "does it really take all of that??" Okay, well...YES, you must dress professional. YES, you must put forth more effort than you would like to. YES, it DOES take all of that. Change your way of thinking and you will change your life!

 

I recently read an article focused on the reason college students and young adults do not take professionalism and the professional world seriously: "One of the big problems that we face with students is convincing them that what happens in college classrooms is very similar to what happens in the world of work. For example, they assume that once they get into the workplace, they won’t have to work with people who fail to carry their weight on a team project. Perhaps we should invite them to observe faculty committees. A lot of students also think it doesn’t matter if they miss deadlines, come late to class, regularly request a bending of the rules, or text while someone else is talking. In some cases they might know these things are unprofessional, but the actions become justified in the student’s mind because they’re doing them in class, not at work... The reasons for deadlines, attentive listening, careful editing, respectful disagreement, and being punctual may not be obvious to those who think college classrooms operate on a different plane than the real world." (Helping Students Learn to be Professional). Professionalism begins in the classroom. Why else would there be career development services on campuses, career fairs, and seminars that outline the importance of professionalism? Why else would rules, regulations and deadlines be put in place? Why else would you have maybe five or six classes per semester that you have to juggle? College develops determination, time management, responsibility, open-mindedness, soft skills, strong work ethic, leadership, enthusiasm, interpersonal communication skills, listening skills - the list goes on. Equip the professional inside of you!



Learn and practice professionalism! Imagine having the required level of core competencies that it takes to work a job but not the professionalism that your potential employer needs and desires in a candidate. Become the person they MUST hire!

 

 

 

 

We will discuss more with the next post on PROFESSIONALISM!
"You have the POWER to be EXCELLENT in every area of your life. Start TODAY!"

Until next time!

JOB OPPORTUNITIES - HUNTSVILLE, AL!!!!!!!

* I got my listings from http://www.indeed.com *

 

 

Good luck and be EXCELLENT!

Until next time!



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ACCOUNTING MAJORS

 

CHEMISTRY MAJORS

 

ENGINEERING MAJORS

 

LOGISTICS MAJORS

 

MATH MAJORS

 

COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJORS

 

Professionalism: The Importance of Networking

To network is to meet and cultivate relationships with individuals who could help you gain experience and recognition in your field. These individuals that you connect with could start and/or ultimately further your career.
I'm sure we all know networking is important, right?! I so often hear the cliché "it's not WHAT you know but WHO you know" but I recently read in an article "it's NOT about who you know, but who KNOWS YOU" (Importance of Networking). So let's network!

"Networking provides the most productive, most proficient and most enduring tactic to build relationships. To succeed you must continually connect with new people, cultivate emerging relationships and leverage [to use as an advantage] your network" (Importance of Networking). No has ever reached success by themselves! There is someone who wants to help you build your platform. Connect with them!

The same article lists many benefits of networking:

1. Learn dynamics within your industry
2. Establish your business contacts
3. Get “plugged in” to your community
4. Seek new career opportunities
5. Facilitate win-win relationships
6. Create your referral networks
7. Accelerate your professional development
8. Develop knowledge resources

Create business cards and start networking! You can network anywhere! I was once told to always keep a paper and electronic copy of my resume at all times, so I will tell you the same thing. You may not always have a paper copy but, being a tech-savvy generation, keep it on your phone, iPad, or whatever you carry around with you. Networking is vital to success because people are more likely to take interest in you when someone else is talking about you.
Happy networking!

Good luck and be EXCELLENT!

Until next time!

OUCH! That Hurt!!

Feedback and Criticism can hurt!

You may feel like it is a sucker punch to your pride, worth, and ability. After all, you dedicated a lot of time to this project!

We all say we want feedback but not many of us know how to digest the criticism and some of us would rather do without.

First and foremost, if it isn't constructive, it isn't worth listening to! But when someone genuinely provides feedback you must not only ingest but properly digest the information.

Feedback and criticism are intended to broaden your thinking, sharpen your skill and talent, and make you re-evaluate some things by acknowledging a different perspective. But it will be damaging if you do not know how to embrace it and use it wisely.

There is an article that gives you steps on how to embrace feedback and criticism:

1. Proactive listening

2. Never argue; just say thanks

3. Evaluate it, slowly

4. Be mindful

 

Click --->

How To Receive Feedback and Criticism

to learn the details of Kevin Kruse's article

that will help you in, not only your professional, but personal life.

 

Be open to feedback and criticism,

learn how to operate in it in a healthy way,

and allow it to work for you!

 

 

 

 

Good luck and be EXCELLENT!

Until next time!

 

Professionalism: First Impressions

Have you been making the right first impressions?

We all know the saying "first impressions are everything!"

It's either a hit or miss.

First impressions include:

appearance, approach, 

attitude/personality, and conversation.

First and foremost,

if your appearance is not excellent

then everything else does not matter.

If your personality is bland or

your conversation is inappropriate for the setting,

your excellent appearance will not matter.

 

Mickie Kennedy published a post on professional development titled

"Do You Make a Good First Impression?"

In this post, Kennedy details the rules of the first impression:

1. Set the Tone the Morning of

2. Craft the Right Appearance

3. Monitor Your Interactions

CLICK THE TITLE OF KENNEDY'S POST ABOVE

(in quotation marks) and

read the post on making the right

first impression!!!!

 

 

 

 

We will discuss more with the next post on PROFESSIONALISM!
"You have the POWER to be EXCELLENT in every area of your life. Start TODAY!"

Until next time!

Challenge Yourself!

"You will never fulfill even a fraction of your potential by sticking to the safe and comfortable" (Rosengren, 2010).

 

 

CHALLENGE YOURSELF!

If you are a young student, eager and excited about all that life has to offer, keep that excitement about life and channel your energy into what makes you happy. What is your passion? What do you enjoy doing? What is that thing that you think you could do for the rest of your life, no matter the pay? DO IT!

What is happening now-a-days is adults are settled into a career that makes them unhappy and they wish that they could do something differently. You become frustrated, bored and angry and it begins to carry over into your personal life. (Side note: Relationships have been said to end because of frustration due to work life). But it is never too late! Start by changing your perspective which then allows you to change yourself and your way of thinking which leads to you changing your situation!

"If you don't change yourself then you can't change your situation" (Laroya, n.d.).

 

CHALLENGE YOURSELF!

 

Adults: Take on that New Career Challenge! You owe it to yourself! Now, I am not saying go to work, flip over your desk and yell "I QUIT!!!!!!" (YIKES!) but begin to venture into your avenue of interest while you work. It will come a time when you will be able to remove yourself from this unhappy place and operate in your passion. You owe it to yourself to take on a new career challenge!

"When it comes to experiencing frustration, disappointment or boredom in a career, chances are you are not on the right professional path; you should do what makes you happy, not just something that provides you with a paycheck to survive. As such, I would like to encourage everyone who is dissatisfied with their career to consider why they deserve making a change in where their professional development is headed" (Gilmore, 2014).

In the article "3 Reasons Why You Owe it to Yourself to Take on a New Career Challenge", Rachel Gilmore details three reasons you should consider that will put you on the path to freedom and happiness in your professional life:

1. You Deserve to Indulge in Your Passion

2. You Deserve Financial Freedom

3. You Deserve to be Happy

 

 Young Adults: Begin now with the pursuit of happiness! At this age, you are probably working a starter job but do not be discouraged! This is only the beginning. Do not look at your current job as a career but as a stepping stone and a necessary position to fulfill your needs right now. Pursue your passion while working your starter job! Operate in that passion, be excellent and market yourself!

 

CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO

GROW (ARISE; BECOME; MATURE; EXPERIENCE),

CHANGE (TRANSFORM),

DEVELOP (EXPAND; ADVANCE; PROGRESS), 

AND INNOVATE (CREATE; GIVE BIRTH TO; PIONEER)... 

BE THE BEST YOU THAT YOU CAN BE!

 

 

 

 

Good luck and be EXCELLENT!

Until next time!