70% of job ads require excellent communication skills. And this is often mistaken for simply ‘good reading and writing skills’. The reality is good communication is much broader than this and, done well, can genuinely be make or break.
You polish your CV, you tailored your cover letter and you in the application form for your next dream job. You may have actually nailed it. Done everything perfectly … and you still don’t get the job. Because sometimes it’s actually just about me.
Fundamentally, you define how I manage you. And I don’t mean that you get to sit down with me on day 1 and have a chat about how you would like to be managed. Whilst that sounds lovely, I would also argue it’s theoretical rubbish.
As a boss one of the things I actually hate most is having to give someone feedback on their work. Well let me explain. When their work is awesome … it’s great … I get to big them up and make them feel like a giant. But when things aren’t up to scratch, no matter […]
There is a lot of etiquette when it comes to networking. Do this, don't do that ... it's a lot to remember and take in. At the end of the day ... it's important to remember that networking is nothing more than 2 people connecting because they like each other, have mutual interests, might want to work together and might be able to help each other out.
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a big fan of seizing opportunities. It pains me to watch young people (actually all people) sit back and wait for the opportunities to come to them.
When you are being assessed for a job or putting yourself out there, your entire persona becomes watched. Hiring managers are not just interested in hearing you tell them how much you love their organisation ... they will look for cues to see that it is genuine.
Your personal brand is that “thing” which arrives wherever you go before you do and remains after you are gone. It’s how people talk about you and the traits and characteristics you are known and remembered for.
If you are one of 100 or even 1000 applications for a single role, getting noticed, having a memorable application or leaving a good and lasting impression is pretty key to nabbing that dream role.
As important as it is to grow up competent and independent, able to figure things on your own (something I like to preach about a lot) ... It is also equally important to be smart and ask for help and advice when you need it.