personal growth Archives

June 15, 2012July 8, 2012

Get More From Networking Events Beyond the Wine and Cheese

[ad#GBAF-2-pix]Chances are a few times in a year, you will have an invite to a birthday or send off party, a retirement dinner, an after-graduation ceremony or a corporate executive meet and greet ritual. Before you delve deeper into this essay, I would like to point out that in today’s world if you know how the ‘system’ works, you should know that it’s not about the food.

‘It’s all about whom you know’ has become a cliche and to some of you, it’s a negative one. Unfortunately, it is the reality, like or not.

We’re so interconnected and interdependent that in order to take full advantage of all that’s available to you, you need to artfully and purposely network using every opportunity that’s offered to you. Continue reading “Get More From Networking Events Beyond the Wine and Cheese”

June 13, 2012June 13, 2012

Interviewing: Have you set the stage?

Interviewing is a process, during which you and your potential new employer are getting to know each other. First, the company is interested in your skills (can you do the job?). During later stages, they will be more interested in your motivations (will you love the job?) and personality (will we enjoy working with you?). You want to learn about the job, and the corporate culture. At each step, thorough preparation is your key to success.

Do Your Due Diligence

Before any interview, learn as much about the organization as possible. Read their web site, know their products, learn about the industry and their competitors, read recent press releases and current stockholder information (if a public company). Learn what sets them apart from their competitors (low-cost?, high quality?, personal service?). Read their web site, and explore other information sources including recent news reports, financial industry reports (Standard and Poor’s, Hoovers, Google Finance), and recent patent filings. Continue reading “Interviewing: Have you set the stage?”

December 24, 2011January 6, 2013

Take Charge of Your Career Growth

There is a Danish proverb that says “He who is afraid of asking is ashamed of learning.”

Whatever career that you are in- a sales representative, a scientist, an accountant, a nurse, or whatever-, your managers or supervisors expect the best from you.

To fit in today’s work environment, school atmosphere or any situation, you need to learn how to ask for what you need. It’s vital to let your bosses and supervisors stay abreast with what you need to be able perform your daily job description as well as to advance you career in the short, medium and long term. And you must learn to ask and have it on record because in the final analysis, you cannot blame the lack of the latest software, an equipment failure, an office space or a colleague for your non-performance or failure. You will need to own them.

Be responsible for your own growth. For instance, if you believe membership in a particular professional organization is vital for your growth, ask for your manager to sponsor your membership. Even when you know the chances of refusal are high, ask anyway. That’s how it is done.