How To Discover Your Passion For Successful Career Adventure

How To Discover Your Passion For a Successful Career Adventure

Having a better understanding of what your passion, interest, likes, dislikes, capabilities, strengths and weaknesses are, is the right step in the right direction for an eventful career adventure. Then, if I may ask you, what are you passionate about? I didn’t ask if you are passionate. 

But what are you passionate about? What stirs your emotions? What is it you can’t stop talking about whenever someone asks: “What are you passionate about?”  What’s the fire in your belly? What really turns you on? What do you love doing most?

What is it that you love doing so much that you forget time? You forget others. You are so focused that you don’t hear anything. What is it that gets your creative juices going? What is it that you love more than anything else?

Some people are known to be passionate about books. They love reading them. And hence, those books are all placed in their respective homes on the shelves. Each of the books has a neighbor. These people fondle them and care for them. Place bookmarks in them and never fold the corner of their pages.

People like Florence Nightingale, Michael Jordan, and a host of other notable people have used their passion to benefit the world at large to the extent that even after they have stopped what they are passionate about people should not forget their contribution to mankind generally.  What about you? What is the deep-down passion that lights your life up? What is it that you love doing and being beyond all else?

Go on, you can tell yourself. There is no need to tell others. Just have a go and tell yourself what your passions are and discern what you can gain from doing such. What is that love that stirs you up - that love that others may not be interested in but is so important to you. What is it that makes you forget time? What is it that you love doing? We all have it. We all have at least one thing that we are passionate about. What’s yours?

The bottom line is; passion is motivating. Passion is more motivating than money.

Passion energizes and transforms you. When you are passionate about something then you enter that ‘flow’ state where time stands still. You are so focused. And, you are really in tune with yourself to get things done to the best of your knowledge.

Go on and try it. And GET IT DONE!!!

I wish you Good Luck.

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Thank you

What Executive Job Candidates Should Be Careful Of

What Executive Job Candidates Should Be Careful Of

Like any process, applying and interviewing for an executive job carries with it an unspoken set of rules that distinguish an Executive Job Candidate from other categories while searching for job. Looking for high paying jobs is becoming difficult by the day, hence the need to be well prepared and avoid the common CV and interview pitfalls that could make you lose out a lucrative position.

THINGS YOU MUST DO . . .

a) It is extremely important for you to think about how you present yourself

Whether you are to send your CV through online system, telephone conversation, by email or in person, it’s important that you give a good impression whenever you communicate about the executive appointment you’re interested in. A professional image is critical to your success, and it is something that makes an immediate impact. It may seem unimportant to you, but every bit of contact that an agency or employer has with you informs their eventual decision on whether to offer the job to you or not.

b) Don’t be seen as a prospective liar, Tell the truth whatever the situation

Apparently, we’ve all been tempted to lie about our qualifications or experience. This is always a bad move, particularly if you’re applying for an executive appointment. The company will be investing a reasonable amount of money in your appointment and on your salary, and they won’t be happy if they discover you got the position by being dishonest with them. An honest candidate is much more likely to get the job, and won’t have to worry about keeping up the lies once they start work.

c) Be time conscious in your approach

Lateness should be avoided at all costs. Make sure you leave in plenty of time to get to your place of interview 5-10 minutes early. If you are unavoidably caught up in traffic, make sure you have the company contact details with you so that you can call immediately and explain your situation. Once you get to the interview, don’t spend your time moaning about the delay.

WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T DO.

a) Don’t Be too aggressive or offensive

Applicants for executive appointments are expected to have a certain standard of behaviour. Don’t make the mistake of being too informal with your interviewer, don’t tell rude or offensive jokes, or make comments that the interviewer may find distasteful. Limit your answers and questions to the subject and scope of the interview. Don’t ever go beyond what you are being asked and if there is any need to give extra information, do it with modesty.

b) Don’t be too over-confident

Over-confidence in interviews is often the result of nerves, and an effort to appear self-confident for executive appointments can end up looking like arrogance to the interviewer. Sell yourself by all means, but do it in a manner that shows that you can also work as part of a team and accept ideas and criticism from others.

c) Put too much emphasis on salary

If an employer thinks that you only want the job for the money, you are unlikely to get it. Any talk about salary and benefits should come right at the end of the interview. If you begin by asking about pay and conditions, you run the risk of giving the interviewer the wrong impression. Salary is an important part of all executive appointments, so stick to your guns when negotiating salary, but don’t make it the focal point of the interview. Be very cautious not to give a very bad impression about yourself.

Executive appointments is known to be an important position in any organization, because it is saddled with the responsibility of representing the company both within and outside the company. This dictates the reason why agencies and companies are looking for people who have the skills, qualifications and experience to carry on the work with utmost sincerity and commitment. You need to know that careful preparation and planning can help you to succeed.

Good luck in your job search.

Tips On Effective Resume Writing

Tips On Effective Resume Writing

Creating an effective resume is a crucial step in the career planning process.  Most job seekers rush into creating a resume before they fully understand their product (themselves).  A resume advertises you. It sells your ability, experience, potential benefits, and value.  It also stimulates the interest of prospective employers to find out more about you and invite you to an interview.  

A common myth is that a good resume will get you a job.  The reality is, however, that a resume will best interest the reader enough to want to meet you.  The need to prepare ahead for the interview is another area you should not toil with. Dress well for the interview, present your idea logically during the interview by stating your achievements and accomplishments, ask the necessary questions that will show that you have an interest in the job and the company’s progress, and don’t oversell or undersell yourself. Try your best and leave the rest for them to decide. 

After the interview, there may be the need for you to do a follow-up as well as write a thank you letter for giving you the opportunity to attend the interview. and if perhaps you're employed, it is important for you to maintain your competitive advantage.  

The world of employment is dynamic.  Employees need to become just as competitive and strategic about their careers as their employers are.   More significantly, employees need to take responsibility for their own careers.  If you want to continually compete and win in today’s job market, you must maintain a competitive edge in your job performance in order to do so.  Just as every one has strengths, everyone has weaknesses or hindrances to performance that they must manage and overcome in order to grow professionally.

Some Helpful Tips On How To Write An Effective Resume

• Keep your resume brief – especially in describing responsibilities.  Describe the key outcomes or accountability of the position, not the tasks!

• Eliminate any information which is extraneous or that could create a negative effect; for example, marital status, religious or political affiliations, sports or hobbies, salary, and references.

• Make sure it is formatted neatly with the latest software to help you.  Be sure it has plenty of white space and use the grammar and spell checker.  Final copies should be printed on at least (20) pounds of bond paper in ivory or white.

• Check to make sure you use a consistent format throughout your resume.  If you used bold headings, make sure all headings are bold.  Also, make sure your verb tense is correct. 

• Have your resume reviewed before finalizing it.  Typos and spelling errors are almost guaranteed to eliminate you from being considered.

• Do not underestimate the importance of using a cover letter in your job search!  Cover letters reflect the time, care, and preparation you have given to your search.  They also demonstrate enthusiasm and confidence which can help you begin to develop a rapport with the reader.   

The Interview

The interview is an exchange of information between the candidate and the company for the purpose of determining if there is a fit for the open position.  You have certain qualifications to offer and they have certain needs to fill.  Your qualifications have already separated you from the pack and brought you to the final selection process. 

 The following tips will provide you with some techniques and information to help you fine-tune your presentation:

• Dress conservatively.  Men:  wear a suit and tie, dark colors.  Women:  wear a suit or a dress with a jacket, conservative colors, simple jewelry, little makeup, and perfume.  Neatness is critical!
• Arrive about 5-10 minutes early.  Be nice to everyone you meet at the company.
• Sit up straight, leaning forward slightly; this helps to convey an attitude of high interest and energy.
• Be positive, friendly, enthusiastic,, and sincere.  Practice will help you to relax and be yourself.  Be positive about previous employers and managers.
• Maintain good eye contact.
• Rest hands comfortably in your lap; gesture appropriately as you speak.
• Speak at adequate levels and avoid monotone patterns; don’t drift off at the end of sentences.  Speak with assurance.
• Be an attentive listener; ask questions and clarify meanings; answer concisely and clearly, do not ramble.
• Anticipate general questions and those related to your experience.  Prepare answers ahead of time.  Picture yourself answering these questions confidently.
• Anticipate behavioral interviewing questions that demonstrate that you have the behaviors, competencies, and attitude to do the job. 

Take cognizance of all these points and others before going in for your interview. I wish you the best of luck in your search!

Thank you.

The importance Of Career Planning in Today's Turbulent Times

The Importance Of Career Planning in Today's Turbulent Times

The career planning process involved the ability to guide against the negativity that may occur at any particular point in time in an individual’s career path, which may undermine or prevent reaching the set objectives in an individual’s life. 

However, the current situation in the world economy especially the aftermath of global economic recession has made it very compulsory to be cocksure of the career planning process one is engaging in in order to meet up with the current challenges in the world of work. 

It is clearly evident nowadays, that what you were taught in school no longer applies to the job-searching skills needed in today’s market.  The rules have changed from the resume to the interview and conditions of work.   Don’t be caught with an “objective statement” on your resume, or asking the interviewer questions you should have researched on the web on your own.

  

Here are some hot tips for being a savvy career planner:

 Firstly, identify your top competencies, strengths, demonstration situations, and high-point stories. You need to know that different behaviors for different jobs are needed.  Today there are sophisticated career planning assessments on the market to help you identify your ideal work environment. It is important for you to become very familiar with your strongest skills.  Then, whether it is a resume, a job application, or a job interview, you’ll be able to articulate them succinctly and professionally.

Secondly, identify your competitive advantage – the single most important job search skill is your ability to communicate what you can do for a company!  When the hiring manager believes that you can help solve the type of problems they face, you dramatically increase your chances of being offered the job.  The fact is, companies will hire someone when they believe that the person will bring more value than they cost.

Thirdly, you should sell yourself using high-point stories and demonstrating your skills through examples such as your contribution towards solving a particular when you’re in college or your former place of work. Your accomplishments or achievements can be identified in your demonstration situations.  

Using accomplishments in your letters, resumes and interviews give a convincing picture of you in action.  Employers today want doers.  Not somebody that will promise to achieve what they cannot if given all the necessary incentives. 

Your high point story should illustrate a contribution that you made to something that had positive outcomes that you know if an opportunity to be given the job is handed to you, will no doubt be beneficial to the company must also be talked about.

the points listed above and many more will give you direction on how to channel your job-securing opportunities. Be meticulous about everything you need to stay away from as well and you are definitely on the right track to getting a job.

I wish you good luck,

Please kindly drop in your feedback to know more about how this post has added more value to you, 

Thank you

Putting the Right Step Ahead in Planning your Career

Putting the Right Step Ahead in Planning your Career

Before you can have successful career life and engagement, it is very important to plan ahead purposely to guide you against taking the wrong step in your life-long career path. Career planning is an excellent way to prepare for what the world ahead has to offer you. 

While many people find that career planning is something that is done in college, it can be and should be done throughout life as a way of making sure that you are on the right track. There are many opportunities to get the planning that you need. In fact, it can start a long time before college as well. So, what can career planning do for you? 

To start with, we need to understand when you can get career planning started. You can find a wide range of options right from the high school level. You’ll find that career planning can and does happen as an introduction to college as well as all through college. But, you can also take advantage of services long after you have graduated. Career planning can happen at any time in your lifetime. 

The question to be asked if a proper understanding of this issue is to take place is: What happens in career planning? There are a number of different things that can happen in career planning. You will be able to get an understanding of what the career you are considering has to offer. Or, if you are unsure of what you would like to learn and do, you can take a wide variety of testing solutions that will help you to determine what you are interested in as well as careers that you are talented for. You will also find that in some college-level classes of career planning, you will be able to learn about many different careers and test your hand at what they have to offer you. This is an excellent way to see what’s out there. 

Career planning is important because it allows you to be able to get a good idea of what you would like to do with your life. Counselors and teachers can help you find the answers that you need to your questions and give you options to consider. Career planning can help anyone, at any time in their lives to find solutions to their needs. Beyond being able to help you plan for the classes you will take, career planning can help you to begin your future. 

This is because the future has no destination or place of abode! It starts NOW!

Good luck with your career planning process.