Your Weakness May Be Your Competitive Advantage - Dorie Clark by Dorie Clark | 9:00 AM February 5, 2014 Midway through the workshop I was teaching on professional reinvention, I gave participants an assignment: create a narrative citing your professional strengths. After the break, a woman named Alison raised her hand. “This one was difficult for me,” she said. “I thought about what was special about me: I’m a strategic thinker, and I can get things done. But other people can do that, too. As Phyllis Stein, the former head of Radcliffe College Career Services, told me when I was researching my book Reinventing You, many of her highest-achieving clients are also the most self-critical. “What job are you applying for? “I used to sell medical equipment,” she said, “and now I want to do project management for medical equipment companies.” But her background was actually perfect, if only she’d tweak her perspective. When you’re trying to understand your unique abilities, it helps to think about scarcity.
How to Write a Cover Letter - Amy Gallo No one likes job hunting. Scouring through online jobs boards, spiffing up your résumé, prepping for grueling interviews — none of it’s fun. But perhaps the most challenging part of the process is writing an effective cover letter. There’s so much conflicting advice out there, it’s hard to know where to start. Indeed, in an age of digital communication, many might question whether you even need a cover letter anymore. What the Experts SayThe answer is yes. Do your research firstBefore you start writing, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. Open strong“People typically write themselves into the letter with ‘I’m applying for X job that I saw in Y place.’ If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, also mention it in the first sentence or two. Emphasize your personal valueHiring managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems. Convey enthusiasmMake it clear why you want the position. Principles to Remember Do:
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Why MANY Smart People Don’t Get the Support They Deserve You may have experienced this (or might have seen someone go through this situation) – you are on to something big and need a LOT of help but even people who have known you for a while are not actively supporting you in your quest. They seem to listen to everything and say encouraging words about your adventure but when it comes to doing something, they shy away from it. It bothers you because you have known these people for a LONG time and these are some people that you would totally expect 100% support from. What could be wrong? As part of my mini-research, I talked to dozens of people who have been through this situation. While I could find a number of reasons, none of them could be as strong as the burden of the story gap. There is a difference between a) Your true potential b) Your potential as perceived by your core group Pick a time a few years ago when both (a) and (b) were approximately at the same level. BUT, there was a limitation. You know it and you can feel it. There is a gap.
Things That Make People Happier Why You Stink At Networking I attend a lot of networking events--so many that I can now spot a disingenuous, disinterested, unsuccessful networker from across the room. And I'm not alone in my avoidance of those people. Here are four common networking mistakes, and strategies for making more meaningful connections moving forward. 1. You're not really there. You walk into a crowded room and immediately get caught in a conversation. This is a horrible practice, yet so many of us do it. Remember, the person across from you might not have a VP title or work for a large organization, but he is connected to a universe of people. To help manage your anxiety, set a five-minute limit on all conversations. 2. You stopped networking when you got your last job three years ago. Desperate job hunters are too keyed up and needy to truly connect. To avoid this, keep up with your contacts even when you don't need them. Notice that these last two suggestions require giving something to your contact. 3. 4.
:: Authentic Happiness :: Using the new Positive Psychology WATCH: 6 Insanely Popular TED Talks to Make 2014 the Best Year of Your Life | TEDTalks Posted: Updated: To kick off the new year, TEDWeekends is proud to present a compilation of six insanely popular TED talks from the past year. These talks inspired a tremendous amount of engagement from our community, and each one provides valuable insight that will help you get the most out of life in 2014. We thought this would be the perfect way to say "Thank You" to our thoughtful, curious and inspired readers and bloggers who have helped make this program such a success. Enjoy! Angela Lee Duckworth: This will be the key to your success this year Alexander Tsiaras: This will make you appreciate the wonder of life this year Amy Cuddy: This is why your body language will matter this year David Pogue: This is how to save time and make room for what really matters this year David Gallo: This will force you to explore more this year Jane McGonigal: This will help you play more.. and change the world this year Ideas are not set in stone.