Positivity

Need to bring in more positivity in life…

Let’s see if I can work on it by posting things that motivate me…make me grateful…

Interactive Quiz : Stress Test

Are you Stressed – To find out, take this quiz

http://www.morethanmedication.ca/en/article/index/stress_scale

4 Super Tips for Finding a Job using Linkedin

Have been getting hundreds of emails / comments on my updates asking me to through their profile or help the person in finding a job. Now, I do realise that some fake recruiters to increase the number of hits on their profiles ask people to like / post a comment on their update, but a job seeker needs to understand that when any recruiter is actually recruiting, they will provide 1 > specific job role for which they are hiring 2> an actual mail id / process for application as they seriously don’t have time to through various Linkedin profiles – most of which are actually incomplete. If a desperate job seeker still wants to fall in such traps, it’s his / her wish.  For the rest here are 4 tips which will allow you to have a better chance against your competition

• Low Hanging Fruits – Apply for current “relevant” job openings : Besides the usual job openings that you can find via “Jobs” section in Linkedin , search for “job opening” / “we are hiring”/ “looking for” etc. in the search under people to find jobs posted as updates on recruiters profiles and under groups for job posted in groups. Use the process mentioned for application.
• Make your Resume recruiter friendly: If the process includes applying via web / or sending applications to a generic email id, it usually means use of Applicant Tracking System. To increase chances of your resume being shortlisted by ATS, feel free to read “7 Tips to get your resume shortlisted”. If the recruiter has mentioned direct mail id – use an achievement oriented resume, highlighting skills relevant to job you are applying for. Do not send an email with generic subject line, instead use “Application for “position name”, “location” currently working as “current position”, having “x” number of years of experience”. By helping the recruiter by showing relevancy of your profile in subject line, you are increasing the chances of your resume to be shortlisted. (PS: please name your resume, it makes the recruiters life  easier)
• Research relevant recruiter: Before sending a mail with your resume, do your research to find the relevant recruiter, yes even if you are sending a mail to a company HR person, the person may be irrelevant to the job you are applying for. Use Google / Linkedin search / referral through you network to identify recruiters who are working in the sector, handling the recruitment of vertical you are applying to. Most recruiters will trash the irrelevant resumes instead of trying to figure out if it may be relevant to some other recruiter in the team / company. Using this tip will ensure that relevant recruiters have your profile in their databank for current / future openings.
• Network with hiring manager: If there are no current openings but you want to work for a particular company , identify the relevant decision maker / hiring manager for the position e.g. looking for a sales position , look for sales manager of the region in which you wish to work or looking for a sourcing job , look for sourcing manager. Try finding people in your common network & joining relevant common groups, which will help you to add them to your Linkedin network. Once added keep in touch with them, liking / commenting on their updates, sending them mails relevant to their jobs etc. Let them know that you are interested to work in their company but do not stalk them or show desperation.  These hiring managers will act as your referrals even before the job is advertised, cutting you the chase.

Use the above tips to help you increase your chances of landing an interview for your dream job. All the best.

 

4 Super Tips for Finding a Job using Linkedin

7 COMMANDMENTS FOR SUCCEEDING IN YOUR NEW JOB

Congratulations for the “New Job”. Starting a new job is always exciting and sometime nerve wrecking. You don’t know anyone, and you want to prove how “incredible” you are. Here are a few rules that will help you make the right impression on your boss and integrate with your new team.

1. THOU SHALL DELIVER ON YOUR COMMITMENTS

During the first few days in your new job, have meeting with your boss to understand your job role and his/ hers expectations from you. Once you are clear on your deliverables (WHAT you need to deliver), concentrate on the HOW.

Understand “HOW” the high – performers in your team – work, relate to each other and handle the boss. This will help you create a stencil for your own success at work.

 

2. THOU SHALL NETWORK

Hired for a new job, start building your network from day 1. The people you must network with during the initial phase are 1> team members 2> colleagues from others team who impact input to / output from your work 3 > opinion makers with clout in your department / company 4 > high performers who have handled similar job.

A strong network will ensure that your work goes smoothly, there is a better reception for your suggestions / ideas and you understand office dynamics.

While you are networking , be sure to set your boundaries. Ensure that people know how  and when to approach you and for what. You should not regret later that people  consider you too easy going or take  you for granted  or think of you as unapproachable.

 

3. THOU SHALL NOT COMPARE THINGS TO YOUR EARLIER JOB

The easiest and the worst mistake to make at a new job / new company is to compare it with your previous job, boss, colleagues or processes/ policies of your previous companies. I know that it feels good to suggest improvement in processes based on your previous experience, but unless specifically asked for – do not antagonize your current team by comparing things.

If you want to suggest changes, makes use of what if scenarios or why don’t we try approach. Also, try to identify opinion builders in your team and get their buy in on changes you want to suggest. This will ensure better receptivity for your idea.

 

4. THOU SHALL FIND AN OFFICE PARTNER

Having a strong network is one thing, having an office partner is another.  An office partner is someone who will provide you with an ear, when you want to crib. Will cheer you on as you handle a difficult project & act as your sounding board.

To find an office partner be one, and ensure that whatever is shared with you is not used as gossip fodder with another.

 

5. THOU SHALL OFFER TO HELP

The easiest way to create a strong network is by offering to help. Based on bandwidth available, take on projects no one else wants. Offer to help someone who seems to be struggling or someone who has been assigned a huge project – check with them what needs to be done and deliver.

 

6. THOU SHALL FIND YOUR NICHE

Identify something related to your job that you love doing or are good at and develop the skills to become an expert. You could be the Digital Marketing expert or the manager who develops promotable talent.

Your specific expertise will help you stand-out within the company.

 

7. THOU SHALL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUR OWN DEVELOPMENT

Don’t expect your manager to develop you. Identify your own career path and attend trainings, take on relevant projects of if need be create your own project. Develop yourself so as to grow in your new role and for future.

 

Follow these commandments and be successful in your new job.

Daily Action Items From Routines of Millionaires

I found this on the net and decided to share – lets see how much I can follow it.

success , tips , from , millionaires

Commit a S.I.N on your Cover Letter

Skill ,Individual,Natural, cover letter

Make your CV- R.O.A.R

4 latest trends to use the Technology for Recruitment

Technology has been changing the world around us and HR is no exception to it. HR is just getting used to the move from using technology for managing back office job to using technology to give “on-demand” service to employees. Wearable embedded technology, rapid changes in social media; cloud computing , people analytics using big data are ready tochange the whole workplace.

This series of articles will focus on various aspects of HR and how technology is impacting it.

Recruitment

Trend 1: GOING MOBILE

HOW TO USE IT

Create a compelling mobile “careers” experience, and no having a mobile version of your career website is not the answer.  Have a career app which is small, interactive & easy to use. A candidate should be able to apply for a job with one click. Instead of filling a form or attaching resume, let them connect to the app using their LinkedIn profile. Add pre hiring checklists and assessments in the form of games and you’ve got them hooked to you.

Trend 2: SOCIAL RECRUITING

HOW TO USE IT

From the currently used ATS, social recruiting via Linkedin and other social networks has to be galvanized. Use data analytics and social sensing to better understand the relationship between skills, personality, and organizational culture, thus to find right candidates from available talent pool (including both active and passive candidates)

Social media can be used to give personalized experience to various candidates ( look at the examples of targeted advertisements on facebook / linkedin ) , and building personal rapport with talent pool.

Trend 3: ASSESSMENTS

HOW TO USE IT

Consider creating scoring systems based on a candidate’s social networks to find cultural fit (there are tools which can be used to analyse the social feeds of a person, likes & other data).  Build on it by using mobile based psychometric assessments.

Use various online gamification tools to identify a person’s interests, knowledge & match with job. Examples for sales: there are various scenario based tools which allows a candidate to choose the approach (will show you whether person opts for value selling or offers a cost based approach)

 Trend 4:  CANDIDATE RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

HOW TO USE IT

While various tools exist in market, and you will have your own website and hopefully a recruitment app – ensure that they talk to each other. Seamlessly integrated system, which give real time information to your candidates are the need of the hour.

Integrate all the tools that allow you to source applicants, assessing the candidates, conduct video based interviews which can be recorded for future, completing selection process and starting pre-onboarding process. The system should also link with your workforce planning and talent mobility systems (we shall talk more about these in future)

Want to Burnout at Work – 10 Easy Tips

1. BE A PERFECTIONIST: Set impossible standards for yourself and know that good enough is just not acceptable. Try to squeeze out every drop of productivity from daily work. Beat yourself if everything isn’t perfect and sacrifice everything from family time to “me time” to get it “just” right.
2. LACK BELIEF: Lack belief in your own ability to accomplish goals and tasks (ensuring that you are stressed out even before you start) or do work that you don’t believe in (personal values clash with you companies values or your current job). Let the clash & stress erode you and make you prone to BURNOUT J
3. EAT LUNCH AT DESK: Treat your body as a machine and work without break. Take your lunch at your desk – after all taking a break might mean the end of the world, collapse of economy or at least the bankruptcy of your company. Forget the fact that giving yourself a break will refresh you and make you more productive.
4. DON’T TAKE VACATIONS: Going in line with point no 3, I suggest that you should not take any vacations if you wish to burnout fast. As a vacation means enjoyment, fun & relaxation while reconnecting with family, friends and yourself which can ease your stress. A strict no – no if you really wish to burnout.
5. DON’T COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR BOSS: Unclear job description, routine activities, poor job fit, being micro managed, and no growth prospects can all lead to burnout. So for a faster burnout never discuss these with your boss/ HR to get them resolved.
6. NEVER SAY “NO”: In line with above never say “No”. Deadline pushed forward – accept, overloaded still more work put on your plate – say yes. Colleague slacking but asking you to do his / her job – be happy. Being pulled in all directions and not having a single minute to yourself will easily stress you out.
7. DON’T TRUST YOUR COLLEAGUES / SUBORDINATES: Trusting relationship with your colleagues and subordinates would mean “POSITIVE WORK ENVIORONMENT” which is toxic to burnout. Always be scared and believe that people around you are there only to sabotage you and are just waiting to bring out their knives. Be scared and stressed about it J
8. DON’T HAVE ANY SOCIAL NETWORK APART FROM WORK COLLEAGUES: Unlike the point above if you are made to suffer and work with a great bunch of people at work. Ensure you do not have any social circle apart from them. Talk shop on weekends (if you are not working or dreaming / thinking of work) or on all your outings. No mental break from work, same people in and out of office will help you to burnout. To burnout even faster don’t have any network at all, as feeling isolated will make you feel more stressed.
9. DON’T CULTIVATE ANY HOBBIES: Hobbies are detrimental if you really wish to burnout. Stay away from things that you may “Love” to do. A hobby can be therapeutic -will relax you, give you a mental break & make you happy L. This is not desirable as cultivating a hobby will make you better-rounded as your self-worth and identity should be solely based on your work.
10. DON’T TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: Last but not the least ensure that you do not have fixed hours for anything. You should be sleep deprived, should not eat healthy or exercise.

Following all the tips above will mean that you are on your to be “ Happily Burned out”

Stop Reading Self Help Books – New Year Resolution

The sales of self – help books increase during January as people make resolutions to read more and change their lives for better. People hit libraries and book stores which are filled with numerous “Self – Help books” on every imaginable topic. These books promise to help you lose weight, have a perfect relationship or get over a relationship, cope with difficult situations and improve the self.

What I have learnt from reading all the self – help books is you don’t need them. No amount of visualization, law of attraction, latest diet, relationship advise book will help, as there is no single mould in which we can be poured and made into a loved, fit , rich , successful & happy human being. We just need the following

1. Common sense : We know what’s working in our life and what is not working. We know the obstacles in our way, and using the common sense that we all have – we just need to start working on overcoming them. We need common-sense to know if one particular way of doing it is not working. GO CHANGE IT.
2. Will power : It’s very easy to create a to do list , create goals for self and hang them on boards. What’s even easier is to let go of those and give excuses. There is never a perfect time to start something and it will always be difficult to stick to the path of change. There will be temptation in form of yummilicious food when you are on diet , the cold / heat / late nights at work will keep you away from your exercise. Remember INERTIA will always exist. USE your WILLPOWER and STICK TO IT.
3. Self –Belief : As a corollary to above point , have faith in yourself. You cannot change the person in front of you, but you can change yourself and lead the life you want if you just WORK at it. Be realistic about your DREAMS ( I don’t mean to say you should not DREAM BIG , but DREAM BIG and break it into smaller realistic goals that you can accomplish ) and go and make them come true. Remember that we all have just one life & the only thing that can make you happy is YOU.

4.Hard work : Last but not the least hard work is required to make any dream come true. Trees of dreams give fruits only when sweat of labour is used to water them. Persevere in your chase and you shall WIN.

PS : if you wish to read inspirational books , read diaries , biographies and autobiographies of people you look upto. Even fiction can give you the motivation and life lessons. Just be open.