4 Tips to Positively Present a Step Back in Your Career

4 Tips to Positively Present a Step Back in Your Career4 Tips to Positively Present a Step Back in Your CareerPeople often speak about climbing a career ladder. Truth be told, however, paths dont always involve constant ascension. Workers sometimes make a sideways move or change routes altogether. They may even take a step backwards. And while this movement may be logical or preferable, employers dont always see it that way. The burden then falls on the applicant to explain the choice. Be ready to make your case for why you want to take a step back in your career and land a job for which you may seem overqualified.Here are four strategies to explain why you want to take a step back in your career1. Discuss the benefits of this opportunity.Title and salary may be important, but they certainly arent the only factors people consider when taking a job. Think about ways this position meets other needs. Perhaps this company would enable a better work-life balance by shortening your drive o r allowing some telecommuting. Maybe youre passionate about the companys mission or want to experience the excitement of growing with a startup. Articulate these reasons during the interview.2. Focus on the challenges.Employers realize the connection between engagement and productivity, so expect to be hit with questions such as, Wont you get bored in this job? and Are you concerned this might be a step back in your career? Vicky Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions and 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions, suggests stating reasons why the job would actually be a step forward. Talk about what you want to learn from it and the specific challenges youre excited about facing.Always remember that the interviewer is voicing only what she thinks, Oliver says. She feels it may be a step backward, but you dont. Youd be thrilled to take the job.3. Ease concerns over leaving.Employers also worry that an overqualified candidate will quit once a be tter opportunity comes along, so be ready to dispel fears.Its good if you can say why you value loyalty in others and are therefore loyal yourself, Oliver says. If you have a particular anecdote you can tell thats germane, do it. Maybe someone who worked for you bolted the second she was trained and you felt spurned. Maybe you have a very long track record somewhere you can point to. Always try to pepper your answers with real-life case examples.4. Address your fit.Finally, consider spelling out how your previous experience and background have led you to this position. Perhaps time as a manager left you longing to go back to performing tasks rather than overseeing others doing them. Maybe youve taken time off to raise children or pursue an interest and would feel mora comfortable re-entering the workforce at this level despite your advanced degree. Candidates who know themselves well convey confidence that employers cant help appreciating.Find more job search tips hereReaders, how h ave you explained wanting to take a step back in your career? What tips do you have for others looking for the same opportunity? Share with us below

Veterans and Military Spouses Ten Steps at RAF Mildenhall

Veterans and Military Spouses Ten Steps at RAF MildenhallVeterans and Military Spouses Ten Steps at RAF MildenhallVeterans and Military Spouses Ten Steps at RAF Mildenhall AFTERNOON CLASSKathryn Troutman, Federal Resume Guru and Author, SpeakerTEN STEPS TO A FEDERAL JOBFree WebinarTop Tips for Military Spouses and Federal JobsMilitary Spouse PreferenceMay 11, 12 noon to 1245Register hereApril 11, 2018, RAF, Mildenhall, London, England. Author and instructor, Kathryn Troutman presented a two-hour version of Ten Steps to Airmen, Spouses and Military Family Readiness Specialists from RAF Mildenhall, Lakenheath and Alconbury. The military spouses stayed for the second class to learn more about USAJOBS and the federal resume. The class was enthusiastic and very interested in anything they could learn from Kathryn Troutman, Federal Resume Guru.First question to the audience How many of you would like to have a federal career? 90% said YESHIGHLIGHTS OF THE TEN STEPS CURRICULUMTEN STE PS INTRODUCTION. Kathryn started the class out with the popular warm-up activity, How Many Hats Do You Wear AT Work? A couple of the Airmen read their hats. An Aircraft Refueler, said that his hats were supervisor, quality assurance, safety, instructor and planner/scheduler. Then for the 2nd warm-up, the Airmen and attendees were asked to write ONE accomplishment in about 3 sentences. The Airmen who stood up to volunteer their accomplishments were GREAT. We heard that one Airmen did an analysis of a certain program and advised senior leaders to eliminate the program saving AF one million per year. They accepted his recommendation ImpressiveSTEP 1 Review the Federal Job Process. Kathryn introduced the OPM Classification Standards and asked everyone to FIND YOUR NEXT JOB. They did it. They found Transportation Specialist (GS-000) Logistics Management Specialist (GS 348). Then Kathryn asked everyone to look at the list of federal agencies. Select your Favorite next agency. They did it DLA. Broadcasting Board of Engineers, State Department. We were on a roll.Step 2 Networking. Kathryn asked if anyone in the room knew someone who worked in the government NOW. She said, Will you talk to them? Ask them what agency they work for? What is their job? Are they hiring? Will you do this? 60% of the attendees raised their hands -GREAT. Networking is so important for federal job search.Step 3 Finding Keywords Kathryn reminded everyone that the USAJOBS federal resume is read by human human resources specialist. BUT that they read for Keywords. The Human Resource Specialist who attended the class, reminded everyone at the end of the class, The HR specialist DO read for keywords from the announcement. GREATStep 4 What are your Core Competencies Kathryn asked everyone to select 3 of the core competencies from the 2 pages. The favorites were Flexibility, Adaptability, Customer Services, Problem-Solving, and Interpersonal Skills. Kathryn said to everyone Figu re out a way to add these words into your accomplishments and narratives. The managers want these competencies in the new hires.Step 5 Look for Announcements on USAJOBS Kathryn reminded everyone, that they have to start early to find their federal positions, learn how to read the announcement qualifications, and practice matching their resume to the positions. This takes practice departure early and get familiar with the positions.Step 6 Writing your Federal Resume. This is the BIGGEST STEP OF ALL The Video showed T-Rex stomping about the correct way to write a federal resume with small paragraphs, ALL CAP KEYWORDS and accomplishments. The video showed the old-style bullet, acronym format being torn down by a crane and ball. And the new sleek outline format being constructed with short paragraphs, ALL CAP KEYWORDS and featuring Accomplishments to stand out. The class reacted nicely to the new format and the T-Rex key words.Step 7 KSAs, Accomplishments and the Questionnaire. Kat hryn warmed everyone in the room, to give yourself all the credit that you can with the self-assessment questionnaire. And also asked everyone to PLEASE add 3 to 5 accomplishments to stand out, be confident, get Best Qualified, Referred and hopefully invited to an interview.Step 8 Apply for Federal Jobs on USAJOBS. The BEST tip Kathryn gave to the class was to practice applying for federal positions. Walk it through a couple of times before the perfect position comes up. Theres a lot of screens, documents and questions. Start a day early before the deadline.Step 9 Track and Follow-up on Your Application. This is one of Kathryns favorite steps. You CAN find out what happened with your application. With private sector, you pretty much CANNOT find out the results. But if you have a question about Who May Apply, Veterans Preference, The Eligibilities, you can write to HR and get answers to questions. And sometimes corrections.Step 10 Interview for a Federal Job. Both Airmen and Spouse know now that the federal Behavior-Based Interview is a TEST. Prepare and practice ahead. Prepare five accomplishment stories, memorize them and practice with your cell phone.BONUS TIP The veterans can apply for federal position 120 days BEFORE they separate or retire And SPOUSES can use EO 13473 for the length of their stay at each installation, instead of the previous rule of 2 years.Last questions from Kathryn to the classHow many of you are going to apply for federal position? 90% said YESHow many of the spouses will register for PPPS? 90% of the spouses said YESHow many of you will talk to your friends and family who are federal employees? 50% said they wouldThe class was great. Everybody received a Jobseekers Guide 8th Ed., Ten Steps to a Federal Job. And I believe that they will have more confidence with their federal applications when its time. The two classes were highly successful with more than 150 in attendance with a small, quiet base in the middle of England, w ith a mission specializing in refueling aircraft. They all want a federal career And this class helped with their goal.TEN STEPS TO A FEDERAL JOB AND THE STARS ARE LINED UP FOR MILTIARY SPOUSES are two popular federal career curriculum that are licensed through The Resume Place, Inc., Certifed Federal Job Search coach and Certified Federal Career Coach Program. Teach your customer jobseekers how to land a federal jobJobseekers Guide, 8th EditionBEST BOOK FOR TRANSITIONING MILITARY, SPOUSES AND VETERANS

Job Search Tactic Start with Companies, Not Job Listings - FlexJobs

Job Search Tactic Start with Companies, Not Job Listings - FlexJobsJob Search Tactic Start with Companies, Not Job Listings 50Most people approach their job searches in similar ways Update the old resume and LinkedIn profile, then hit the online job boards.But instead of starting with job listings first, it might be better to start by researching companies that youd like to work for.Do you have a target list of companies you want to work for? Perhaps companies, large or small, which are in your immediate geographic area?Or just companies youve heard of which excite you and make you think, I wish I worked there?It might be well worth your while to change up your job search routine and start by researching companies first.Why should you start your job search by researching companies? Here are four reasons1. To Expand Your Job OptionsYou might find they have jobs outside your immediate career that youre qualified and able to do, opening you up to more hiring chances.2. ToGain Knowledge for Your ApplicationsOnce you get excited about a company over-all, your passion for their work shows through in your job application materials. And employers like passion.3.To Prepare for InterviewsYoull be better prepared to answer interview questions like, What do you know about us? What attracted you to our organization? And, Why do you want to work here?4.ToPower Your Job Search with NetworkingYou can tap into your professional network by choosing companies, then seeing who you know who works for that company. This might open you up to jobs through word-of-mouth that arent already posted publicly.If youre ready to research companies, check out our Guide to the Best Companies for Flexible Jobs.Since 2007, the research and writing teams have been scouring the web for companies which offer flexible work opportunities like telecommuting, part-time schedules, freelance contracts, and flexible scheduling.The Guide to the Best Companies for Flexible Jobs is a FREE searchable database and heres what youll findOver 50,000 pre-screened, legitimate companies that have offered flexible jobs in the pastA researched, unique description of the companys history, values, work environment, and hiring practicesInformation on the companys headquarters and other locationsA link to the companys website and social media accountsA list of any employment-related honors/awards the company has receivedBlog posts and success stories featuring the companyYou can search the Guide to the Best Companies for Flexible Jobs byCompany nameLocation (headquarters)Popular job categories like account management, editing, education, marketing, transcription, and moreSo, pull a switcheroo, try a new job search tactictoday, and startout with the company research first. You never know what a little shake-up in your job search routine might do

Why Running a Business is a lot like Catching a Raccoon

Why Running a Business is a lot like Catching a RaccoonWhy Running a Business is a lot like Catching a RaccoonWhy Running a Business is a lot like Catching a Raccoon Agrawal, author of Do Cool Sh*tQuit your Day Job, Start your own Business and Live Happily Ever After (Harper Collins, 2013)Nobody really knows exactly what they are doing in business when they first start, even if theyve been to business school, but over time, we see patterns, experience familiar ups and downs, and the way we deal with issues gets easier and easier.A Lesson in Termination I remember the time I first had to let a manager go. I avoided the confrontation for as long as I could, but I knew that keeping this person in this management position was screwing things up for the business in the long run.I was scared to have the conversation and start over by myself again, but it was this experience that taught me how to face challenging circumstances.Now, if I ever feel scared or uncomfortable about something or s omeone, I can face it and know that I will always come out stronger and with mora understanding because of it.Building Business RelationshipsI learned that making good business relationships is no different than making good friends. Trust needs to be built, honoring your word is important, and having a good time getting to know the other is equally important.Let the Nut GoOne of the most important things in business and in life is that we have to be OK letting things go. It may be hard but its the key to positive change. Releasing things actually feels so good and it can even save your lifeThe best way to catch a raccoon is to create a small hole in the mud. Put spikes on the sides facing inward, and put a nut down in the bottom of the hole. The raccoon will put his pay in the hole and bestattungs the nut. If he tries to pull his paw out while holding the nut, the spikes will rip his arm out and he will die. However, if he lets go of the nut, his arm will safely come out of the hole . The tragedy is that the raccoon will never let go of the nut and eventually he will die.The moral of the story is let the nut go The things that you are holding dear will mean nothing if you will die trying to hold on to them.A Cool Sh*t ExerciseDetach yourself from your business. Take a 1,000-meter approach and look at where your business was when it started, where it is now, and where it can go. See what things could be improved if you could lose your attachment to them and be open to change.Is there anything holding back your business or anything that no longer fits? unternehmensverbund on to things for the sake of nostalgia doesnt make sense. Life and work is iterative. Doing cool s**t is an exercise in evolution.Excerpted with permission of the publisher, Harper Collins, from Do Cool Sh*tQuit your Day Job, Start your own Business and Live Happily Ever After by Miki Agrawal. Copyright (c) by Miki Agrawal. This book is available at all bookstores and online booksellers. Author BioMiki Agrawal is a serial social entrepreneur,keynote speaker and TV personality. She was a recipient of the 2013 TribecaFilm Festivals Disruptive Innovation Award and named 2013s ForbesTop 20 Millenials on a Mission.She is an identical twin, half-Japanese, half-Indian French Canadian, formerprofessional soccer player and graduate of Cornell University.Learn More Entrepreneur Miki Agrawal on Successfully Starting a BusinessSmall Business Financing Raising Capital in this EconomyMake Your Office Space More Productive and Fun

4 Useful Job Skills I Learned From a Cupcake Shop - The Muse

4 Useful Job Skills I Learned From a Cupcake Shop - The Muse4 Useful Job Skills I Learned From a Cupcake ShopWhen I departureed my first post-college job as the manager of a bakery, I thought I had it made. (Come on, doesnt everyone want to run a cupcake shop?)Fast forward a year later, when I was applying to higher-level corporate jobs, and I realized that the intricate skills Id learned- like how to pipe frosting, neatly arrange a dozen cupcakes in a box, and set up a killer wedding display- didnt quite prepare me for the advanced career I had in mind. I suddenly started doubting the year Id spent behind the bakery counter. Was it all a waste?Turns out, once I spent some time really evaluating my cupcake shop days, I realized that Id learned a lot more than how to make the perfect red velvet cake. In fact, I gained skills there that I still use today.So, if youre currently working at a job that isnt quite at the level you want it to be- or are struggling with a job from your past- read on for some of the invaluable skills I learned at a bakery, and how theyre still serving me well today.1. Excel Can Do Way More Than You ThinkAs an undergrad, Id taken one course that specifically taught me how to use Excel- but to be honest, I really only used it to organize information into a neat, gridded table. No math, no v-lookups, and no fancy formulas.That all changed when I started managing a bakery. Want to know how many chocolate, red velvet, and carrot cake cupcakes to make on a Wednesday in December? A well-made Excel spreadsheet helped me calculate that, as well as how much buttercream frosting and how many staff members Id need each day. I cant say I made the genius spreadsheet from scratch- the owner of the store helped tremendously- but learning those skills certainly gave me an edge when I started in a more corporate environment.2. Staying Organized Is Essential to Your SuccessDespite the awesome daily production Excel spreadsheet, my bakery wasnt very high-te ch. When we received a next-day bestellung, the details were hand written on a sheet of paper, which was then tucked into a binder for the next days 5 AM team.I remember one situation in particular when I took an order over the phone and tossed the order sheet in a stack of papers to organize later. The next day, after all the orders had been picked up, a woman came in and told me her name, waiting expectantly for her daughters birthday cupcakes. I nervously walked to the back, knowing full well that there were no pink-frosted birthday cupcakes there. I frantically shuffled through drawers and papers, wondering where the order form went. After a few minutes, I found it- it had punkten behind the counter. The order hadnt been made, and since the bakers had already left for the day, there wasnt much I could do.So, I offered the customer her choice of the cupcakes that were in the front case, but it wasnt the same. And it felt terrible.Translate that to my job today, and you can bet th at with higher-risk clients (i.e., people who invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into software, rather than $100 in a few overpriced cupcakes), I take great care to make sure I know my project deadlines, keep them organized, and dont- ever- let them fall behind the counter.3. Patience Is a VirtueIt took me about two days working the front counter at the bakery to get tired of explaining the difference between a plain chocolate cupcake and the King Chocolate cupcake. (Answer King Chocolate had crushed Oreos mixed in.) Every customer in the door meant going through my spiel of all 14 cupcake flavors- then starting again, because the next person in line wasnt paying attention to the first six.Answering the same questions over and over again was irritating, but it taught me a great deal about patience, with both customers and employees. You see, no matter what industry you work in, youre going to have a few common issues among your clients. In my current job, its invoicing issues r egarding our cancellation policy. And if you become a manager, youll find that no matter how many times you answer the same question from your employees, theyll keep asking it- and you cant just blow them off.Answering endless cupcake questions helped me learn to treat each customer interaction as a separate experience- the customer who walks in the door the minute youre about to close up shop deserves the same amount and quality of attention as the first in the door that morning. Retail environment or not, that kind of patience and dedication to customer satisfaction will help you make your clients (and employees) happier.4. Cupcakes Make Networking Way EasierIf I ever had cupcakes left at the end of each day, I had two choices Throw them away, or bring them home to my roommates. Well, it didnt take long for my roommates to start asking me to not bring them home (truth You can only eat so many cupcakes)- but throwing them away seemed like such a waste.So, instead of dumping the per fectly good pastries in the trash, I started packaging them up and delivering them to nearby stores and restaurants.I thought it might be awkward (Um, you guys want some free cupcakes?), but really- who says no to a free cupcake? It was an easy conversation starter, earned me some free frozen yogurt at the shop next door, and helped get the bakerys name out among all the nearby shops. Most importantly, it helped me get more comfortable with networking, which served me well in my next gig at a startup company.Looking back, that year in the bakery taught me far more than I thought. Including a lesson for anyone It can be hard to come to terms with the less-than-impressive jobs you work on your way to your dream gig. But as soon as you stop referring to them as less-than-impressive and really evaluate what you can learn from them, youll realize that youre probably much better equipped than you thought.

Unanswered Concerns About Additional Skills to Put on Resume You Need to Know About

Unanswered Concerns About Additional Skills to Put on Resume You Need to Know About Bu tirst, here are a few vital things to bear in mind when putting together an effective collection of skills. Depending on the help of our expert sources, here are a couple of broad sorts of skills your resume could include, together with unique methods to express them. Dont be scared to ask clarifying questions to make certain you fully grasp the other individual. Its possible to also list examples of when you could persuade other people to take an action. What Is So Fascinating About Additional Skills to Put on Resume? Attempt to list any skill which you have pertaining to the jobs youre applying for. You are going to have rough time locating a work description that doesnt consist of communication as a required skill. In many instances, it is going to be simple to find out what skills you will need to be thought about for the job. Your skills are an overview of what you could do for the possible employer if you were offered the work at the moment. A Startling Fact about Additional Skills to Put on Resume Uncovered Most standard resume formats incorporate a skill section at or close to the bottom of the resume. You may find below a list of the greatest skills you may put on your resume kusined on the kind of job which you are applying for. For example, if you submit an application for a Chinese-English interpreting job, you have to be fluent in both languages otherwise you would just bedrngnis qualify for the position. You presently have a lot of skills, therefore its just an issue of rounding them up and figuring out which ones result in the ideal applicant package. Look through the work description and see whether any soft skills are mentioned. They, on the other hand, are not easy to quantify. They are a bit mora vague and open to interpretation. Youve got computer abilities. You probably have the correct computer abilities. You dont have the fundament al computer skills you will need to receive the job that you desire. Plus, it is going to help you show off your very best PC skills effortlessly What About Additional Skills to Put on Resume? Most jobs require that you have a fundamental comprehension of computer programs like Excel and Microsoft Office, along with skills in internet navigation, social networking sites and email systems. Technical skills turn you into a valuable commodity for potential employers and has to be suitably highlighted to demonstrate your worth. They are either something you have or you dont, but they are always something that you can learn. Review their About Us page and see whether your soft abilities or attributes are aligned with the businesss core values. If youre not certain which skills you would like to share, consider your prior experiences. Youve got leadership abilities. Some skills might be relevant while others arent. Then youve developed your oral communication abilities. You sa w above how to choose the most suitable collection of hard abilities vs soft skills. Soft skills are the skills that are relevant to every job. Listening skills are equally as essential as communication abilities. As stated earlier, assessing soft skills is far more difficult. The Tried and True Method for Additional Skills to Put on Resume in Step by Step Detail In just two or three minutes, our resume builder will guarantee that youve got a well-written, attractive resume prepared to go. The capability to communicate effectively with others is critical for sales success. An important soft skill is having the ability to recognize and understand an individuals emotional state. The need to be vigilant at all times together with ensuring that every kid is taken care of according to their age and unique instructions supplied by parents. The Debate Over Additional Skills to Put on Resume Irrespective of where you include your skills section on your resume, you can be certain that the hiring manager will find it and definitely likely to ask about doing it. Thus when writing down your job skills take some time to strategize and find out the ideal approach to organize them in your resume. For instance, if youve only held one job. however, it is not pertinent to what you need to do next, you still need to keep it. Your resume should demonstrate your capacity to choose the initiative rather than waiting around for things to occur. Getting the Best Additional Skills to Put on Resume Resumes concentrate on your prior job experiences. Hard skills are quantifiable and frequently learned from school or at work. They are the ones that can tie most directly to the job youre seeking. Listing your skills provides a chance to showcase your abilities and experiences to prime employers for the remainder of your resume. What You Need to Do About Additional Skills to Put on Resume Beginning in the Next 8 Minutes The placement of your skills section is also a ra ther important thing to take into account. There are a couple of unique varieties of skill sections and formatting options which you ought to consider when crafting your resume. After selecting your theme, youre all set to compose the skills section. On the base of your resume, theres a section devoted to your special skills.

Top Tips for Getting Your Office Organized (And Keeping It That Way) - Spark Hire

Top Tips for Getting Your Office Organized (And Keeping It That Way) - Spark HireA disorganized bro creates stress and can also make it tough to stay productive. Instead of actually doing work, youre spending time searching for that important document that you swore was here just a few minutes ago. In order to feel calm and focused every time you step through the office door, utilize these easy and long-lasting organization tipsBe honest about what you do and dont needIt can be easy to accumulate items you just dont need, particularly when youve been in an office for many years. In order to keep clutter to a minimum, youll need to do a deep cleaning periodically and sort through what must stay and what can go. If youre holding onto something just because you can dream up a situation where you may possibly need it one day, toss it. Its just taking up space. Keeping the office free of clutter helps to make it a more pleasant place to do business.Get a filing system into placeIt doesnt matter how big your office is, you need to put some organizational strategies in place to prevent important paperwork from getting lost in the shuffle. All employees should be aware of these systems, and should use them as they go about their daily duties. Whether its an electronic system or an old fashioned filing cabinet, ensuring that papers can quickly be found when needed is a major part of keeping your office neat.Have a backup in placeMany offices rely on electronic methods to store client information and paperwork. While this can make life significantly easier, it also puts that business in a vulnerable position should an issue with that technology occur. To prevent yourself from ending up in a stressful situation, make sure that you have a backup plan in place in case the technology you use should fail. Back files up to servers or keep hard copies just in case. Though it may seem unlikely, even one power outage can do serious damage to a company that relies heavily on techn ology in order to operate.Each employee can make life a little easier by making an effort to keep their desk well organized. When papers, soda cans, snack wrappers, and other items pile up, it makes it hard to sit down and get to work right away. When everyone makes a conscious effort to keep the office clean and organized, the space becomes a much more pleasant place to spend the day.What do you do to keep your office organized? Let us know in the commentsImage zhudifeng/Bigstock.com

Key Steps to Take When You Dont Get Your Dream Job

Key Steps to Take When You Dont Get Your Dream JobKey Steps to Take When You Dont Get Your Dream Job1Rejection- it really is a part of life. But when youve gone after a job you know is the perfect fit for youand youre confident the hiring manager agrees- and yet you dont get the offer, youre usually left feeling devastated and confused.What went wrong? The answer can be any number of reasons why you didnt get your dream job. An internal candidate could have been chosen, someone may have been more qualified, or your resume may not have made the cut for a variety of reasons.So, what do you do now? You have several options, but none of them should include staying in a negative place of depression, self-pity, or anger.Take these positive six steps to move forward if you didnt get your dream job1. Remind yourself that youre not the only one who didnt get your dream job.There are often upwards of 100 candidates for a coveted position and only one will be chosen. That means you could be one of 99 who were also rejected.And think about your life history so far. Have you experienced the disappointment of rejection before? Of course you have. You may not have made the cut for an athletic team, you may have lost a debate, maybe you didnt get in the sorority or fraternity you wanted, or you may have experienced not winning in a competition. Looking back now, are you still devastated? Most likely not.A wise person once said, If it will matter five years from now, its something to dwell on. And while not getting that job seems like a huge setback right now, it wont seem so in five years. Getting some mental perspective will ease the pain.2. Ask for feedback.If you made it through the bewerbungsinterview process, its perfectly okay to contact the interviewer and ask for feedback. Ask how you can become a better candidate or interviewee. Veronica Wright, CEO of Resumes Centre,says, Rejected candidates often hesitate to do this, but if they do get an answer, it can be helpful f or the next interview. They have nothing to lose by asking.3. Avoid ruminating but do evaluate a few things.First, review your resume and compare it with the job posting. Were there some things you overlooked? Every resume has to be customized for a specific position and must include keywords that an automated resume scanner will find.Review the interview objectively, but avoid over-analyzing every minute of the event. Do think about what answers you can improve on next time. Youd be surprised how many interviews contain the same questions, just in a different format, says Guy Thomas, director of the resume writing department at FlashEssay. Candidates need to prepare answers within the context of the specific position.4. Get back on that horse.The best cure for the devastation from not getting your dream job is to kick your job search back into gear as quickly as possible. Give yourself a day to feel bad but no more. Theres a psychological healing that occurs when you take some posi tive action following a negative event. Work on that resume, check out job postings and get your paperwork out there. If nothing else, this will force you to look forward rather than dwell on the rejection.5. Make a list.Think about all the successes youve had in your life so far. You achieved them because you have some great strengths, skills, talents, and abilities. One of the best ways to get over self-negativity is to make a list of all of those things. Youll find that your list of achievements is long.6. Theres more than one dream job.Youmay not feel this way right now, but there isnt just one dream job for you. And one of them is out there in your future. As Joni Hampton, HR director at EssaySupply, says, Careers occur in steps and stages. There are usually interim positions before you get to that one you absolutely love. Learn and grow during those interims- thats the key.Going ForwardRejection is painful, whether it comes from a relationship gone sour, a competition not won, or that dream job not gotten. The great thing about us humans, though, is that we are resilient. When faced with rejection, we feel pain (and maybe some anger), we sometimes over-generalize it to other areas of our lives, but we do get over it. Ask yourself, Will it really matter five years from now, or will I be on to other things?Find a job that fits your lifestyle Browse Open Flexible JobsSylvia Giltner is an experienced HR professional who helps job seekers find their ideal career paths. Shes also an active guest contributor. Sylvias writing has been featured on Forbes, MarketWatch, Fast Company, Next Avenue, and more.

How to Recover From a Rejected Idea - The Muse

How to Recover From a Rejected Idea - The MuseHow to Recover From a Rejected Idea Your idea (you know, the one that you were convinced was genius) was just shot down by your boss, and you feel like you could react in one of three waysPretend you were only joking and then make a bunch of unconvincing, self-deprecating remarks about what a terrible suggestion that was.Act as if you have a super urgent commitment you forgot about, high-tail it out of that meeting, and then make your best effort to avoid your manager for the duration of your career.Immediately burst into tears.Or, if you want to be a real over-achiever, you could do none of those things and instead use one of these career-boosting phrases to bounce back from that rejection even better than before.1. How Do You Think This Could Be Improved?Your boss gave you that dreaded, Thanks, but no thanks. Well, thats the end of the road, right? Its time to drop that idea entirely and slink away with whatever shred of dignity you hav e left.True- you dont want to get into a heated debate with your supervisor about why your suggestion does indeed have some merit. However, that doesnt mean you need to just accept rejection at face value.In fact, leaders appreciate when their direct reports are willing to ask the tough questions and get clarification on which aspects of their ideas (if any) are worth exploring. notlage only does this encourage a productive conversation (which usually brings some other helpful insights to light), but it also proves that youre willing to utilize that feedback to make improvements moving forward.Taking the extra step to get that added input means youll be able to pitch a more solid recommendation next time around- which, ultimately, is your boss goal. He or she wants you to be successful. 2. Ill See What Else I Can Come Up WithWhat inspired you to brainstorm that new method anyway? Chances are, you came up with it in order to solve a problem- a problem that very well might still need to be addressed.Responding to your manager with a statement like this one proves that you arent just going to roll over in the face of defeat. You dont accept one rejection as your get out of jail free card to stop thinking and innovating altogether.So, after youve asked your boss for some additional feedback about why your idea didnt work as is (remember, that above question is great for that), explicitly tell your supervisor that youre going to take that information back to the drawing board and come up with something even better.Resilience and persistence are really admirable (and career-boosting) qualities in any employee.3. Thanks for the Consideration and FeedbackThere are those times when you just know your idea needs to be dropped- that youll never convince your boss that Fridays should be office-wide pajama days or that the break room vending machine should serve Gardettos exclusively. Not every suggestion deserves the same amount of pushback.So, if your supervisor has shot down your recommendation and you just want to leave it at that, a short response like this one is a good one to lean on.Its polite, professional, and gracious. Even if you wont be pursuing that plan any further, letting your manager know that you appreciate her even thinking it over is an effective way to move on from that failed suggestion with your reputation and relationship intact. Not having your ideas met with resounding praise and applause can be a bit of a brutal slap in the face. But, as with so many things in your career, its not always about what happens- its about how you react to it.So, the next time your boss shoots down your suggestion, resist the urge to suddenly fake a mysterious illness and instead implement one (or a combination of) these three phrases to bounce back- with no spontaneous crying required.

What this Olympic-medal-winning figure skating pair can teach us

What this Olympic-medal-winning figure skating pair can teach usWhat this Olympic-medal-winning figure skating pair can teach usU.S. Olympic skating pair Maia and Alex Shibutani - also known as the ShibSibs- have succeededin continuing to make career-defining movesand a being a duo that viewershave come toknow and love.Their prowess truly speaks for itself They scored a bronze medal in ice dancing this week - a performance best summed up by their reactions on the ice.The Olympiansdiscussed what guidance they would offer to their younger selves.The ShibSibs dish out some adviceHere are some top takeaways from the Shibutanis.Maia on ignoring the presaya to fit in with othersGrowing up, its easy to pay more attention to your differences with others than to what you have in common, but Maia would tell her younger self not to worry about that, and to hold out for what the future holds.Hey, younger Maia, I know that you started skating when you were very young. But even as youre startin g to turn into a teenager, dont worry about the fact that you dont necessarily have a normal, typical life, Maia said. Be confident in the fact that you found something that youre passionate about. Its OK that youre not always on the same school schedule as everyone else - youll find friends that youll meet from all around the world. Youll have such fulfilling relationships, and youll really enjoy the experiences that are to come.Alex on what you can learn from people you meet in your careerMaias brother picks up where his sister leaves off, And those people will help you grow, and make you a better skater and a better person, both on and off the ice.Alex on not taking the journey for grantedHe emphasizes the idea that even though theres a lot to pay attention to along the way, you should never lose focus on your success and aspirations.OK younger Alex, success comes very quickly and unexpectedly, and its great. And make sure that you take the time to really enjoy it and appreciate it, because no path is a straight shot up, and so inevitably there will be struggle and there will be hardship, he said. But, make sure that if you appreciate the experiences that youre going through that are so positive and so special, with your family and stay focused on the dream, itll be that much easier to cross those hurdles and overcome any difficulties that you face. And it ends up working out really well if you do that.So if you dont already love the ShibSibs, youre about to - theyre living reminders of what can happen when you give your career your all, but still put family first.close dialogAdvertisement close dialog/* effects for .bx-campaign-1012255 *//* custom css .bx-campaign-1012255 */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012255.bx-type-agilityzone .bx-close z-index 2-ms-keyframes bx-anim-1012255-spin from -ms-transform rotate(0deg) to -ms-transform rotate(360deg) -moz-keyframes bx-anim-1012255-spin from -moz-transform rotate(0deg) to -moz-transform rotate(360deg) -webkit-keyframes bx-anim-1012255-spin from -webkit-transform rotate(0deg) to -webkit-transform rotate(360deg) keyframes bx-anim-1012255-spin from transform rotate(0deg) to transform rotate(360deg) bx-close-inside-1012255 top 0 right 0 /* KD - Remove padding from video wrapper and set height to 100% */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-row-video .bx-video-wrapper padding-top 0important height 100%.bx-custombx-campaign-1012255 bx-creative-1012255 .bx-wrap height auto/* KD - Change positioning to static as that was not necesaary and here you can adjust the height of the video element */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-row-video .bx-video-wrapper video position static/* rendered styles .bx-campaign-1012255 */.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255.bx-active-step-1 .bx-creative *first -child width 100%.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255.bx-active-step-1 .bx-creative background-color transparentborder-style nonemax-width 900px.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255.bx-active-step-1 .bx-close stroke whitebackground-color blackborder-style solidborder-color whiteborder-width 1px.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-group-1012255-AFvXBOB padding 10pxdisplay blockwidth auto.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-element-1012255-J0EiS8Y width auto.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-element-1012255-J0EiS8Y *first-child padding 2px 4pxfont-size 10pxcolor rgb(255, 255, 255)text-transform uppercasebackground-color rgb(0, 0, 0)background-color rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.34)