16 things you should remove from your resume

16 things you should remove from your resume16 things you should remove from your resumeQuit distracting recruiters with ansicht unnecessary resume items today.An eye-tracking study by Ladders found that the average recruiter spends only six seconds reviewing a resume before deciding if its worth a closer inspection. When you only have six seconds to make the right impression, you have to make every word on your resume count. (Before reading on, get an idea of where you stand by reviewing your resume with the Ladders Resume Reviewer.)Related from Ladders18 words and phrases smart people never include on their resumesStudy This is exactly how much you can brag on your resume before it backfires6 keys to declutter your resume right nowBelow Ive compiled a list of 16 items you can remove from your resume right away that will help your job application avoid the hiring managers trash pile.ObjectiveWeve all seen those generic objective statements talk about professional looking for oppor tunities that will allow me to leverage my skills. Avoid the run-of-the-mill objective statement and replace it with your elevator pitch. In a brief paragraph, explain what youre great at, most interested in, and how you can provide value to a prospective employer. In other words, summarize your job goals and qualifications for the reader.Head shotUnless youre creating a CV to apply to positions outside of the United States, or youre in the entertainment world and a head shot is part of the job, you should never include a picture of yourself with your resume. Your photo will likely clue the employer into your nationality, religion and age (among other factors) that could inadvertently lead to discrimination. No need to give them any of those details until theyve considered your application based solely on your qualifications. Play it geldschrank and leave the head shot off your resume.Inappropriate email addressesThe email address hotbuns3559domain.com may have been cute when you were in college, but its not the best choice to represent your professional brand today. The same goes for shared family accounts such as joe_and_jane_kanedomain.com and email addresses that are offensive or sexual in nature. Do yourself a favor and sign up for a free address with a provider like Gmail thats reserved exclusively for your job-search and networking activities.Mailing addressIf youd like to relocate for work, you probably already know its best to leave your current address off your resume. However, its becoming increasingly common for professionals to remove this information, regardless of their target location. If youre searching for a position in your current location and want employers to know youre a local candidate, include your city and state. However, leave your street address off to protect yourself from potential identity theft.Multiple phone numbersDo you remember the scene in the movie Hes Just Not That Into You where Drew Barrymores character is complaining about playing phone (and email and Facebook and text) tag with a potential suitor? The more phone numbers you introduce into the mix, the easier it is to miss an important message from a prospective employer. Avoid this confusion by listing one phone number, preferably the number for your mobile phone, where you control the voicemail, who picks up the phone, and when.Personal detailsTheres no need to include rolleal information such as your social security number, marital status, nationality or spiritual beliefs. In fact, it is illegal for an employer to ask for these personal details. I also recommend removing your hobbies from the resume. Unless youre incredibly new to the workforce or your activities are directly related to your target job, youre merely wasting resume real estate.Irrelevant social media accountsNot only is this information a waste of resume space, but including personal social media accounts that arent aligned with your professional brand can derail your job sea rch. Remove these links from your resume and take steps to safeguard your brand.Flesh out at least one professional profile on sites like LinkedIn, GitHub, or About.Me, depending upon your line of work, and include the link at the top of your resume. If you work in a creative field, consider creating a personal site that has a mobile-responsive design so you can share your portfolio from any device.Current employers contact infoRemember, this contact information will be used by recruiters to contact you. Do you really want them calling you at work or using an email address that can be monitored by your current employer? Dont inadvertently tip your boss off about your job-search activities. Always list your personal email address and phone number on your resume and job applications. The same goes for any social media accounts associated with your professional brand.Embedded tablesDont include embedded tables or images in your resume and avoid using the actual Header and Footer sectio ns of the Word document, as these can confuse the employers online applicant tracking system, known as an ATS system, and scramble your job application.Crazy fonts and colorsWhen choosing your resume font, stick to ones that are considered easy to read and wont confuse the ATS systems Arial, Calibri, Cambria, Tahoma, Book Antiqua or Franklin Gothic. If youre in a creative position, save the creative designs for your online portfolio. Employers still need a version of your resume that can be easily uploaded, parsed and stored in their online tracking system.Fluffy buzzwordsWhile it can be tempting to throw a few buzzwords such as proactive and self-motivated into a professional summary, recruiters know these terms are mere fluff and wont be impressed when they see them. In fact, a survey by CareerBuilder found these words to be among hiring managers top 17 resume turn-offs. Instead of telling employers that youre a value-add, use strong action verbs explain how you were able to impro ve a process, increase revenue or cut costs.I or meWhile there is some debate among HR professionals these days about the need to add a more personal tone to resumes, the generally accepted practice is to refrain from referring to yourself in the first person with pronouns such as I or me. Similarly, dont use pronouns or your name to talk about yourself in the third person (i.e. John is an accomplished IT professional He is seeking opportunities to ___).Salary historyTheres no need to include salary information or hourly pay rates for roles you previously held. Its not only unnecessary it may send the wrong message to employers. Remember, your resume should showcase the value your professional experience and skills provide not its cost to former employers. If a job application asks for salary requirements, address these questions in your cover letter.Unrelated informationYou may be proud to coach your sons baseball team or run the annual bake sale at your church, but this informati on doesnt belong on your resume. If its not relevant to your target job goals, reconsider its place on your resume. Would the hiring manager reading your resume find this information valuable or would they ask themselves, So what?Too much of the pastEmployers are especially interested in your most recent experience and how that ties back to their open positions requirements. If youre an entry-level professional, its time to take out any references to your high school career. Instead, focus on highlighting your education, relevant internships and the leadership skills youve developed during college. If youre further along in your career, limit your resume to include the most recent 15 years of experience in reverse-chronological order and remove the dates from any degrees, certifications or awards that fall outside that 15-year window.References upon requestWhether youre new to the workforce or a seasoned professional, your resume real estate is precious. Dont waste space by listing your references or including a note such as References available upon request at the bottom of your resume. Employers dont ask for that information until you make it to a face-to-face interview, and they know youll provide it if they request it.

Top 5 Cities with the Most Hospitality Tourism Jobs

Top 5 Cities with the Most Hospitality Tourism JobsTop 5 Cities with the Most Hospitality Tourism JobsIf youre a fan of flexible work schedules, meeting people from different locations and receiving discounts on food and lodging, you might be interested in a job in the hospitality and tourism industry.If so, youre in luck. There are more than 400,000 jobs available in this industry in the U.S. today. This is almost twice as many as we found this time last year. In June, hospitality and tourism jobs made up 8.5 percent of total jobs. according to Simply Hireds data.Although job seekers start looking for hospitality jobs in July, historically we have seen available jobs increase between July and October each year. So if you havent found a great job yet, keep looking. New jobs become available every day.For those of you whose calling might be as a travel agent, chef, concierge or tour guide, here are the top five cities with the most jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry.Los An geles, CaliforniaHome to amusement parks, theaters and Hollywood, its no surprise that Los Angeles and its surrounding area ranks first for the most jobs in hospitality and tourism.Number of jobs 20,000+Percentage of total jobs 11.3%Job growth since 2014 94% (nearly twice as many hospitality jobs)Dallas, TexasBotanical gardens, museums and the symphony are attractions that help Dallas rise to the No. 2 spot for hospitality jobs.Number of jobs 13,000Percentage of total jobs 10.81%Job growth since 2014 102%Chicago, IllinoisFrom blues and jazz clubs to deep dish mafiatorte tasting to Wrigley Field, Chicagos 50 million+ visitors each yearfind many activities to enjoy.Number of jobs 11,000Percentage of total jobs 8.38%Job growth since 2014 13%New York, New YorkBetween visits to the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, travelers to New York can participate in food tours, visit museums and take in a Broadway show.Number of jobs 10,000Percentage of total jobs 3.81%Job growth since 2 014 less than 1% declineAtlanta, GeorgiaKnown for the Coca-Cola Museum, Atlanta also boasts a large aquarium and several parks. Although Atlanta ranks 7th in tourism in the U.S., it comes in 5th on our list of total jobs in the HT industry.Number of jobs 10,000Percentage of total jobs 10.76%Job growth since 2014 79%

7 words smart job candidates avoid in cover letters

7 words smart job candidates avoid in cover letters7 words smart job candidates avoid in cover lettersTedious, yet mandatory writing a cover letter to pitch your qualifications and your personality in only a few paragraphs is usually the most difficult parte of applying for a job.

Why Follow-Up Can Make or Break Your Job Search

Why Follow-Up Can Make or Break Your Job SearchWhy Follow-Up Can Make or Break Your Job SearchYouve spent several hours crafting the perfect pitch to a potential client you met at a conference, clicked send on your email, and then waited expectantly for a response. None comes. Do you give up, or follow up?If you want to increase your chances of landing the gig, then youll overcome your fear of rejection and reach out again with a polite follow-up. While it takes some gumption to make yourself vulnerable with a second communication after youve already applied to a job or appealed to a professional contact for help, learning the art of following up on your initial pitches is critical to your job search.Here are some tips on how follow up diplomatically and appropriately, regardless of what type of opportunity youre courtingFind the happy medium.Effective follow-up during a job search or pitch for a gig is more art than science. Your goal is to find the middle ground between too much fo llow-up and too little. On the one hand, you want to avoid appearing desperate or needy- for example, by not allowing enough time to pass (think an hour or day) before you inquire about your original pitch. But you also dont want to wait so long to follow up that the recipient of your message has forgotten who you are and what job or project youre talking about.Once a reasonable amount of time has passed between your first communication, its okay to put out a feeler and request a status check about your application or ask if your email proposal is under consideration. Whats reasonable in terms of timing may vary depending on the circumstances and situation, but in general, give people at least a week to respond before anxiously circling back to them. Dont wait more than a month to do it, though.Let go of the guilt.Do you feel like youre bugging people by following up with a prospect? Dont sabotage your potential success by being overly worried about bothering others with an appropri ate follow-up. Whether youre trying to land a new client or new job, sometimes recruiters or hiring managers just need to be reminded about who you are for your resume to rise to the top of their crowded inbox.Keep in mind that employers are juggling dozens or even hundreds of candidates as they consider their options, usually while also doing their own job. A well-timed and polite follow-up note under the right circumstances- for example, after youve met with the hiring team for an interview- can help brand your offering in their mind and might help you make a lasting impact.Consider the starting point.elend all job search situations require the same type of follow-up. If you run your own business and responded to an initial inquiry about your services from a potential new client but then got the silent treatment, dont assume that you said something wrong or that the prospect isnt interested. Since the person requested information about gaining assistance in your area of expertise, he or she may simply be too overwhelmed to be checking every message and may welcome the chance to see your fresh email come through offering help again.On the other hand, if you applied for a job using an applicant tracking system on a corporate website, then there may be no actual person to follow up with. In this case, wasting too much time and energy crafting follow-up responses may prove to be a waste of time, since youll have no way to know whether anyone actually received them.Follow-up can make you feel nervous, but its worth fighting through your jitters to keep communication lines open with potential employers. You never know if that follow-up note or email will be the one that opens the door to something youve worked hard on the front end to get.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

Choosing the Correct File Format for Your Cover Letter

Choosing the Correct File Format for Your Cover LetterChoosing the Correct File Format for Your Cover LetterWriting a strong deckblatt letter with an easy to read format is not enough to get selected. You must choose the correct file format for your cover letter too. You may ask why it is so important. Well, using the correct file format will not only make you look mora professional but also will show the content of the cover letter as you intended it to be. And, hence a lot of emphasis is given for choosing the correct file format.Which File Format to Use?There are two main file formats that are used generally for sending cover letters. They are PDF and Ms Word. While both file formats are used side by side, there are some cases where it is better to use the other one.Since the company may use Applicant Tracking System software, you need to use either a PDF or .doc file. Sending your cover letter as a Word file makes it sure that the hiring managers can easily read, edit and print y our data. While using a PDF file ensures that your data cannot be modified and the hiring managers will see your cover letter as you created it.Although, if the company explicitly mentions the file format they need, make sure you send in that format only.How to Name Your File?A lot of applicants, even after successfully writing the perfect content for their cover letters, use unprofessional names for their files.You cannot just name it whatever you like you need to name it in such a way that the hiring managers can understand it is a cover letter. Also, you need them to recognize or differentiate between your cover letter and several others. So, rather than saving your file as Cover-Letter, save it as John-Harrington-Cover-Letter. Mention your full name along with the word cover letter.

Outrageous Bad Resume Examples Tips

Outrageous Bad Resume Examples Tips Choosing Bad Resume Examples Is Simple In this column, were likely to lay down the top five warning signs which youve written an extremely bad medical assistant resume, and the way you can go about fixing it. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. Consider having a friend review your resume to be sure there arent any mistakes. Bearing that in mind, continue reading for a prime Bad Resume example and corresponding explanations on exactly what you can do in order to avoid making the very same mistakes. The Supreme Approach for Bad Resume Examples Also show youre a well-rounded worker. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. The overall manager is one particular step up the corporate chain from a shop manager. Most modern hiring managers know that if they wish to see your references they need to ask the individual candidate. For that, you should deliver internship program letters into some huge variety of companies who might be ready to engage you as an intern. Volunteer experience is also a wonderful add-on to healthcare resumes since it shows the hiring manager which you have compassion off the work too. There are a great deal of jobs offered within this exciting field. Preventing work program is essential for landing a work interview. A mean of 75% of resumes are automatically rejected by means of an ATS so you wish to guarantee youve got the ideal keywords to permit the software know that youre a superb match for the position. Unique kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the very same skills. Its necessary your project application has to be encouraged with an appropriate resume cover letter once youre asking to acquire job and especially applying to have an advertising occupation. Customer service is an important element in many jobs and its crucial that you concentrate on that in your resume. Who Else Wan ts to Learn About Bad Resume Examples? In reality, you should be aware that plenty of companies nowadays are using Applicant Tracking Systems to help them screen resumes and get the best candidates. Sales is much like customer service as salespeople can be effective in a wide selection of industries. Well-defined resume headers make it simpler for potential employers to rapidly find the things that they need to understand about you. Take a look at our sample to find out what a good construction resume looks like. Its also a fantastic notion to incorporate any type of affiliation or membership to any organization that may boost your appeal as a prospective employee to an employer. Resume Help It is a wonderful instance of a traditional CV that could work whatever position youre applying for. Plus, have a look at our templates for some inspiration on where to start. The entwurfer also included a PDF guide to assist you make this resume your own, in the event you dont understand h ow to organize your resume utilizing this template. There are two types of font. A professional resume template, like the one pictured below, will be able to help you avoid layout and design troubles. There are five significant cases when it is possible to use a 2 page resume. Fantastic news is you dont need to devote hours doing this, because there are tons of ready to use templates out there for you to select from. Yes there are lots of terrible college student resumes floating around There is not anybody golden resume format. Figuring out the abilities and experience you already might have that hyperlink to the work that youre looking for. Be sure the skills are related to the job which you desire. The old advice was supposed to incorporate a resume heading called Objective at the peak of your resume. It helps to include skills you have on a restart. Resume objectives can be a little controversial. Including those internships will also provide the resume a feeling of d irection and focus.

The Surprising Reasons Why You Might Resign This Year

The Surprising Reasons Why You Might Resign This Year The Surprising Reasons Why You Might Resign This YearPosted January 10, 2017, by Vivien Luu What makes people quit their jobs? New research reveals that in addition to the usual suspects (lack of career development opportunities, conflicts with a coworker or manager, feeling that youre elend being fairly compensated for your work, etc.) there are certain triggers that can propel you to start penning your resignation letter. Read on to see if you think you might have one foot out the door sooner than you think. About to hit a milestone birthday? Got a class reunion coming up? Better start working on your resume New research published in the Harvard Business Review reveals some surprising factors that can spur us to quit our jobs. We tend to associate quitting with a bunch of different reasons feeling undervalued and underpaid at work, resenting having to listen to your gossipy coworkers reenactment of last nights Bachelor epi sode or absolutely hating that micromanage-y boss. But as it turns out, its not just what happens at work that compels us to hand in our letter of resignation. Seemingly innocuous life events and personal milestones have a much bigger impact on your career decisions than youd think. CEB, a best-practice insight company, tracked when employees were most susceptible to quitting and found that while a change in manager or responsibilities was the number one trigger for workers throwing in the towel causing a 17% jump in job search activity attending a major gathering such as a class reunion came in a close second, causing a staggering 16% spike in job hunting Birthdays were also a trigger and caused a 12% increase in job search activity, while work anniversaries caused a 6-9% jump. Triggers that cause increases in job search activity. Source CEB Insights Why is this? Brian Kropp, head of CEBs HR practice explains, what really affects people is their sense of how theyre doing compared to their peer group, or with where they thought they would be at a certain point in life. Birthdays and reunions are perfect little wake-up calls -- they force us to ask ourselves Am I truly happy at work?, Is this where I really wanted to be at X age? and encourage us to draw parallels between our career successes and that of our friends. Our desire to keep up with the Joneses can be a powerful motivator to assess where we are in our lives, whether were in our 20s, 30s or 40s. But you shouldnt let these milestones (or the thought of them making you jump ship) freak you out. Instead, embrace them for what they can do for your career. Research shows that if you stay at the same company for more than two years on average, youll end up earning 50% less over your lifetime compared to your job-hopping peers. By switching companies and job hunting more frequently, youll more consistently trade up job roles and increase your base salary each time. Beyond the monetary benefi ts, youll also get to expand your professional network, learn new skills and gain exposure to new specialities and industries. So if youre expecting a birthday cake this year thats more candles than cake, or the HR department has just informed you that youve begun to accrue long service leave, you might want to start getting your resume in order. Here are the 7 things you should look for in your next job. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searches1st year hairdressing apprenticeship wageswhat attracted you to this position retailwhy do you want to work in retail answerswhy did you choose this careerhow to ace your next interview CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire zugnglich Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Cr iminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire Online Vivien LuuViv is a writer who enjoys researching and writing about creativity, how the human mind works, and neuro processes. She values creativity above all else and admires people who pursue their career dreams, no matter the sacrifice. In her spare time, she binges on HBO shows and epic fantasy novels.Related ArticlesBrowse moreStudy tipsUniversityAll Things Qualifications - Your Complete BreakdownWhats the difference between a Certificate and a Diploma? Does my dream job require a Degree? Get the right answers with our breakdown on all things studyOnline studyNine courses you never thought you could study onlineIn an age when almost everything you could want is at your virtual fingertips, the world of education has also moved into the digital sphere.HabitsWork etiquette What Does Your Body Language Say About You At Work?What is your body language saying about you a t work? Could it be holding you back? Here are a few moves that can give the wrong professional vibe and what to do instead. Weve included specific body language tips to help you rock the interview too

Important Skills for Food Server Jobs

Important Skills for Food Server JobsImportant Skills for Food Server JobsBeing afood serveris not an easy job. The work can be physically demanding. You are on your feet for long shifts, often rushing from table to table, sometimes carrying heavy trays of food. Being a server requires diplomacy, a good memory, and the ability to interact with a wide variety of personalities, both as customers and coworkers. That said, food service can be lucrative, rewarding, and even fun. It can also be lucrative, depending on the clientele. Some servers rely primarily on minimum wage checks. Others take home thousands in tips each month. Whether you work at a high-end fine dining establishment, or a local diner, the skills listed below are fairly universal, and when applied well, will impact your income earning potential. What Kind of Skills Do Food Servers Need? While engaging customers with a pleasant attitude, you will need to be able to take orders, remember preferences, move quickly, and manage an entire room of diners. You are a key piece of the dining experience, and if you give customers the impression that they do not matter, they may take it personally. Some places might forgive a server for being slow if he or she has excellent people skills. Most employers prefer both. But in general, the required skill set for food servers is fairly consistent. The top skills listed below can be improved with practice. Types of Food Server Skills FriendlinessFood servers must becheerful and friendly, no matter how stressed, tired, or frustrated you may be. You may be responsible for fifteen tables at once. But your customers should feel that you care for them individually. Their dining experience depends on you staying positive and friendly. Likewise, kitchens can be stressful and tense. A demanding waiter can have a negative effect on the mood of the kitchen staff. Being pleasant and enjoyable to be around are important qualities in both the front and back of the house. EnthusiasmStress ToleranceResilienceAppearanceCourtesyHospitality Communication As a food server, you need to be able tocommunicate effectivelyand clearly, both with customers and with colleagues. You need to be able to listen attentively, understand customer concerns, and relay them to the cooks or management effectively. Likewise, you may need to memorize aspects of the menu or the restaurants history and convey those details to customers. Active ListeningVerbal CommunicationHumorEmotional IntelligenceNote TakingMemoryCollaborationTeamwork Attention to Detail Some orders are complicated, from food allergies to spice or garnish preferences. If you forget a detail, like leaving off a condiment or including croutons when a customer has a gluten-allergy, youll upset, disappoint, and possibly harm them. Paying attention to the details of orders is an important part of your job and one that matters to the overall quality of your work. AttentivenessMemoryActive ListeningMeal Ing redientsIntimate Knowledge of Menu Items Energy Shifts can be long and tough on your feet. You need to have significant energy reserves, or the shifts will just drag painfully for you. Naturally, high-energy people tend to thrive in food service. Physical EnduranceResilienceConfidenceFlexibilityMotivation harte nuss Solving Your manager will not always be around to help you deal with upset customers. You have to beable to problem-solveon the spot. If you cannot fix the problem, you still must make the customer feel heard and understood. Whether its taking off the cost of a meal or offering a free dessert, you need to be creative to save the situation. Decision MakingProactiveProblem SensitivityLogical ThinkingIntegrityEmpathy Focus As a food server, youll be surrounded by people and their demands. Its easy to get distracted by a loud or persistent customer. Conversely, an interesting conversation with a co-worker or a particularly friendly patron might lead you to neglec t your work. Communicating with co-workers, being friendly with patrons, and attending to high-priority demands are all part of your job, but you have to be able to balance these conflicting priorities to give good service. Your ability to keep yourself focused and on task is critical to your success as a food server. MultitaskingApproachabilityCircumstantial AwarenessDiligenceEfficiencyThoroughness More Food Server Skills PersistenceCustomer ServiceBar TendingOutgoingDeliver OrdersBus TablesComplianceMoney HandlingBasic MathSalesMultilingualDexterityPersonal EthicsJudgementPatienceDiplomacyPoiseFast LearningQuality AwarenessCalmObservationDesire to Exceed ExpectationsPresentationAgilityCentral Reservations Systems (CRS)Payment ProcessingTaking Reservations How to Make Your Skills Stand Out Add Relevant Skills to Your Resume Restaurants may accept resumes from applicants for food service positions, but many use ?application formsinstead. In either case, be sure to emphasize thos e skills your prospective employer is looking for.Highlight Skills in Your Cover Letter It is not likely that you will be asked to provide a titel letter for a food serving job. If you are, it would be beneficial to mention the extent of your experience using some of the skills listed above.Use Skill Words in Your Job Interview Employers will ask you questions prompting you to share specific scenarios where you used skills youve outlined in your resume and application.

Here are four secrets to developing a strong mind

Here are four secrets to developing a strong mindHere are four secrets to developing a strong mindMovies and television depict heroes who have a strong mind. We admire people who push the limits. Heroes and tough guys let us walk in their shoes, if only for a couple of hours. We feel what its like to have the mental toughness to break out of a seemingly boring existence, and enter into a much bigger world - one that is full of possibility.The reality is this you and I must also be strong-minded if we are to overcome the obstacles we meet every day. We know that it takes more than talent or skill to become a top performer. Research studies indicate that intelligence accounts for 30% of our achievement.So what does make a good leader, athlete, or parent? The answer is a strong mind that pushes through adversity. It is an hausintern quality that enables people to work hard and stick to their goals.The good news is that a strong mind is leid something you were born with. It is something that can be developed.What secret characteristics do heroes with a strong mind possess? They embody these elementsConfidencePersistenceDedicationControlOk - so maybe the characteristics of a hero are not-so-secret after all. But how can you and I harness their power? How can we create the strong mind that is the trademark of those who live large in a world full of possibilities?Here are the secrets I learned from my own life1. ConfidenceWhen I took the physical fitness (FIT) test at the FBI New Agents Academy, I was the bottom 1% that made the top 99% feel better about themselves. I failed miserably, so my challenge became twofold. First, I needed to maintain confidence in myself. Second, I needed to train so I could pass the rigid FIT test. I worked with a coach at the Academy, who taught me the secret to building confidence.When you improve a little each day, eventually bigger things will come. Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made. Dont worry about s hort, quick improvements. Seek out the small improvements, one day at a time. And when it happens - it lasts.Helping new agents boost their confidence is the primary goal of the Academy - before they send agents out with a gun and badge. There were days when my heart raced and my palms sweat just thinking about the new challenges that faced me. But I learned that success would not make me confident- rather, confidence in myself and my abilities would make me successful.The result? I passed the FIT test and worked as an FBI agent for twenty-four years.TIP Confidence is a belief in yourself and your ability to meet your goals. Push out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to different situations. Learn how to push through the uncomfortable. Once you have confidence in yourself, youll be amazed what you can accomplish.2. PersistenceWhen I interviewed with the FBI, they liked my grit and scrappiness. A hillbilly from a cattle ranch in Wyoming who had clawed her way through college . I sat in front of a panel of polished FBI agents and interviewed for a job as a special agent. If I wanted the job, Id need to learn how to Grit UpI grew up as an unsophisticated ranch girl, and believe me, it takes a while to put a shine on a sneaker. Each curveball thrown my way was met with determination and persistence. Grit was needed to make sacrifices and keep my eye on the larger goal.Every day at the FBI Academy involved some kind of physical activity. As a trainee, I put in extra training for the FIT test. On top of that, as a class, we boxed each other, engaged in arrest scenarios, and ran around the basketball court holding 5 lb medicine balls. I was tired, depressed, and under pressure. Yet I knew that if I gave up, I would regret it the rest of my life.So I straightened my back and dug deeper. A strong mind is not built on something slapped together on a shallow foundation. It needs solid rock.Like a skyscraper, the higher you want to go, the deeper you must go.TIP P ersistence is the tendency is to see lifes obstacles as challenges to be met, rather than as threats. Dont whine, point fingers, or blame others for your predicament. You can be the hero of your own life and choose your destiny.3. DedicationOn my first day at the FBI Academy, I didnt feel like a superhero. In fact, it wasnt until after four grueling months of being placed in dangerous and awkward situations that I felt I had what it takes to do the job.In the deepest part of me I knew that I would make the FBI my career. It was not a stepping-stone to something better that might come along. I was a disciple of my own deep values and beliefs. I had the will to subjugate my feelings to those values.In his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey writes, If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within.TIP Strong-minded people have a dedication that comes from a purpose in alignment with their deepest values.4. ControlPush-ups were the most difficult aspect of the physical fitness test for me. After several of them failed to be counted, I began to psyche myself out, worrying whether I could do it allA strong mind shuts out feelings of fear and inadequacy. Instead, it focuses on how to reach the goal. Control your own emotions, thoughts, and behavior, rather than trying to control other people.The best way to control your situation is to invest energy into it so you understand all aspects. This allows you to pinpoint the soft underbelly of the challenge. Throw out preconceived ideas of what you can, and cannot do. If you put your shoulder to it, you will find that grit trumps talent every timeLife-long training is a fact of life for FBI agents. It starts the day we arrive at the FBI Academy and ends the day we sign our retirement papers.This constant training creates the sort of mentality that prepares for the worst and practices ahead of time to overcome it. Weve either gathered the evidence, slapped on the h andcuffs, or run the drills so we know what to do in case the sh*t hits the fan.TIP Control is having a certainty that you are able to shape your destiny and not passively accepting events as fate.Thisarticlefirst appeared onLaRaeQuy.com.

How to Pitch an Idea to Your Boss - The Muse

How to Pitch an Idea to Your Boss - The MuseHow to Pitch an Idea to Your Boss Depending on how you present your new idea to your anfhrer, you could be facing two very different reactions. If you want to nail that yes, you need to treat your pitch seriously- and outline solutions and a clear execution plan. Otherwise, your great idea may not see the light of day. Worse, it might end up on someone elses to-do list.With this in mind, we asked nine entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) to share which steps you should take before walking through that door.1. Reduce the RiskWhen you pitch a project, clearly lay out in advance how management should judge its success quickly. Whats the first milestone that will indicate the project is a success? Set a specific goal- 10 new customers in the first three months, perhaps. Plan step-wise goals instead of one huge long-term one. That means management just has to invest in the first stage of the project.- John Rood, Next Step Test Pre paration2. Prove You Can Handle ItBefore pitching your boss on leading a new project, you should be prepared to outline that your existing tasks and projects are in order. You have to show you have the time and resources to lead a new project before your boss will entertain the idea.- Phil Chen, Systems Watch3. Come in With a Clear PlanThis seems like a fairly obvious piece of advice, but I find that its not very often followed. Especially if you havent yet proven your leadership potential, an idea lacking a plan will likely be ignored. However, if you walk in with a polished plan, it will show youve put a good deal of thought into the problem, which will help convince your boss you can take dienstgrad and lead the project.- Brian Honigman, BrianHonigman.com4. Prepare to Defend Your IdeaIf Im asked to donate thousands of dollars to a company initiative, be prepared to counter my objections with reasons why we should do this. Ideas need to be able to withstand being knocked down. Be able to fight back.Kenny Nguyen, Big Fish Presentations5. Show EnthusiasmWhen it comes to speaking with your manager about leading a project, the most important tip is to be confident. Make sure to show a lot of honest enthusiasm about the project because it will demonstrate that you will be able to galvanize your team to success. Also, back up your enthusiasm with specific ideas on how you will make the project efficient and profitable for the organization.- Doreen Bloch, Poshly Inc.6. Focus on the Products PotentialMake it clear how the project will benefit the company- higher profits, an improved reputation, better contacts, etc. Be ready to answer the question What sales opportunities will your project lead to? Make sure you can demonstrate how to turn your idea into reality. Discuss the risks, and prepare a viable plan to show youre committed to the work and invested in its success.- Jyot Singh, RTS Labs7. Prepare 3 Lists of 3Bring your supervisor three lists of three items eac h to pitch a new project idea. The first list should include three reasons why this project would benefit the company, the second three reasons why youre perfect to lead the project, and the last should be the three obstacles you see getting in your way and how you would handle them. These lists display planning, forward thinking, and ambition- Kim Kaupe, ZinePak8. Emphasize ExecutionChances are your boss receives new project ideas daily. Separate yourself from the other pitches by not only offering an impressive value proposition, but by demonstrating how you will get it done. If you can show that the company has bandwidth for the project, that it will make the company better, and that youve thought critically about execution, you will set yourself up for success.- Shradha Agarwal, ContextMedia9. Create Visual AidsWhen you are pitching anyone on anything, dont underestimate the importance of visual aids. Visual aids are a more powerful communicative tool than anything you could say or write, because they allow your boss to imagine a world in which this already exists. They make your idea real and relatable.- Adam Stillman, SparkReelPhoto of man working courtesy of Shutterstock.