Being amidst banking industry can be exciting but at the same time, brushing shoulders with so many smart and intelligent executives and officers, you could ultimately suffer from low-self esteem.
Confidence is a vital aspect of our day-to-day lives and is especially important in the banking jobs. After all, you would not be appreciative of a colleague who fumbles and trips over his words while doing a presentation. Unfortunately, not everyone was born with "built-in" self confidence. In fact, many of us had to work hard to achieve some semblance of confidence.
People with low confidence and self-esteem often feel unappreciated and find it hard to succeed. The good thing is that it can be achieved with time and effort. Rome was not built in a day, and as for banking job is concerned, so don't expect the same for yourself and do not push yourself to the limit.
You can easily distinguish a self-confident person from others. They stand tall and proud with their head held high and answer questions clearly but calmly. You will feel instinctively drawn to them because they inspire others around them. This automatically concludes that a self-confident person is often more successful than those who are not.
How confident are you to your colleagues? Take a breather and answer some of these questions to see if you need a crash course in building your confidence.
Pride in what you have achieved
Keep a log book or a diary and jot down all the achievements you have made. Perhaps you have closed a successful sales deal or have been recently promoted. Take note of praises and words of encouragement from your superior. For days when you feel down and demoted, flip through the pages and re-read some of your successes. They are a constant reminder that you can do it and are able to achieve more if you set your heart to it in your banking job.
A go-getter
Set realistic goals for yourself and stick to it. Say "I will complete this project in a fortnight" and not "I think I can complete it in a fortnight". If you make a strong reinforcement to the statement, chances are your brain will register and you will be able to meet the deadline. Also, try to set goals that will highlight your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Receive a compliment graciously
It is a natural instinct for Asians to be overly humble when someone compliments them. Look around with those with banking related jobs. Don't be. Acknowledge that you deserve the compliment because you have worked hard for it. Smile and say "Thank you. It was really nice of you to notice my work. I'm very proud of it as well" and not "Oh, it was nothing. Anyone could have done it." The former shows that you are capable of handling tough projects while the latter says that you are a pessimist, plus it also gives the impression that your job is an easy-peasy one!
Positive self-talk
Last but not least, celebrate to rejoice in the fact you have worked diligently to bring your self- confidence to another level. Allow yourself some fun. After this, stretch yourself a little bit more. Make your goals bigger and challenge yourself more. Take it one step at a time at a pace that's comfortable to you. Some people take three months; others may take up to six months or more. You will slowly notice a difference in yourself, and able to strive forward with your rewarding banking career.
Job Tags:
Fresh Graduate Jobs | Insurance Jobs | Management Jobs
Showing posts with label Career Development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Career Development. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Is Project Management the Career For You?
Have you heard of the 'Halo Effect'? The Halo Effect is the assumption that because a person is good at a technical skill e.g. designing, he will be good as a project manager. Many of you may already be 'accidental project managers' who perform tasks such as planning, scheduling, budgeting but view it as simply 'getting things done' whilst recognizing that you also rely heavily on luck, perseverance and strength of will.
While there is no magic formula for ensuring that a project is successful, most of project management is common sense. One should not feel daunted at taking on their first project - project management is not a 'black art', nor does it need to be a minefield of jargon and bureaucracy but there is a set of skills that every project manager should aim to master.
So what is the project management skill set?
1. Be a Leader and a Manager
When leaders share and communicate a common vision, they gain consensus for strategic goals, establish direction and inspire and motivate the team. Managers are results driven and focus on getting work done against agreed requirements. A good project manager will constantly switch from a leader to a manager as the situation requires.
2. Be a Team Builder and a Team Leader
In many projects, team members may not have worked together before. Therefore, it is up to the project manager to set the "tone" of the team, and to lead them through the various team development phases to the point where they perform as a team. Often the team members have their own line manager, and so the project manager has no implied authority - yet still needs to motivate the individual.
3. Be a Problem Solver
This is a skill that can be learned, it just needs a little "detective" work up-front! You will want to first identify the possible "causes" that lead to the problem "symptoms." Now, causes can come from a variety of sources, some are:
4. Be a Negotiator and Influencer
Negotiation skills are essential as the project manager needs to negotiate various aspects like scope of the project, the schedule, cost, team structure that is needed to complete the project successfully. Influencing skills go hand in hand with negotiation skills. Influencing is convincing the other party on the choice that project manager thinks is better than the other. For example, getting the team to work late on Friday to meet a deadline when they would prefer to meet their friends at the nearest ‘mamak’ stall. Influencing requires an understanding of the formal and informal structure of all organization involved in the project.
5. Be an Excellent Communicator
Project managers spend up to 90% of their time communicating. You will have to deal with both written and oral communications in the form of documents, meetings, reviews, reports, and assessments. A good mental guideline is "who needs this information, who gathers and delivers it, when or how often do they need it, and in what form will I give it to them." To summarize, all communications on your project should be timely, relevant, clear and complete.
6. Be a Good Organizer
Project managers have project documentation, minutes of meetings, project reports etc. They need to organize information well, organize meetings, put together teams and at times also organize media release schedules depending on the project. It's almost impossible to stay organized without having time management skills, so add this to your list!
7. Be a Competent and Consistent Planner
If you fail to plan, then plan to fail! The skill of planning can't be underestimated, and neither can estimating! As a project manager you will certainly own the project plan, but there may be others depending upon the project. Two aspects need to be mentioned here: a. Plans are always documents, don't fall into the trap of thinking that, for example, a Gantt chart is a plan - it’s only a schedule diagram. b. Successful projects are delivered by successful teams. Always use the team to help create the plan unless, rarely, there is a good reason why not, such as commercial confidentiality, or contractual conditions.
8. Set-up and Manage Budgets
At the heart of this is the skill of estimating, particularly cost estimates. The project manager will need knowledge of financial techniques and systems along with accounting principles. Normally accounting and project management tools will help, but remember the garbage in = garbage out rule! Well, that just about summarizes the main areas. If you are new to project management, don't be too confused by all this. There are well understood methodologies, tools, guidelines, and procedures to help you on your way to developing the important life-skill of project management.
While there is no magic formula for ensuring that a project is successful, most of project management is common sense. One should not feel daunted at taking on their first project - project management is not a 'black art', nor does it need to be a minefield of jargon and bureaucracy but there is a set of skills that every project manager should aim to master.
So what is the project management skill set?
1. Be a Leader and a Manager
When leaders share and communicate a common vision, they gain consensus for strategic goals, establish direction and inspire and motivate the team. Managers are results driven and focus on getting work done against agreed requirements. A good project manager will constantly switch from a leader to a manager as the situation requires.
2. Be a Team Builder and a Team Leader
In many projects, team members may not have worked together before. Therefore, it is up to the project manager to set the "tone" of the team, and to lead them through the various team development phases to the point where they perform as a team. Often the team members have their own line manager, and so the project manager has no implied authority - yet still needs to motivate the individual.
3. Be a Problem Solver
This is a skill that can be learned, it just needs a little "detective" work up-front! You will want to first identify the possible "causes" that lead to the problem "symptoms." Now, causes can come from a variety of sources, some are:
- Interpersonal problems
- Internal sources
- External sources
- Technical sources
- Management sources
- Communication
- Opinions or perceptions
4. Be a Negotiator and Influencer
Negotiation skills are essential as the project manager needs to negotiate various aspects like scope of the project, the schedule, cost, team structure that is needed to complete the project successfully. Influencing skills go hand in hand with negotiation skills. Influencing is convincing the other party on the choice that project manager thinks is better than the other. For example, getting the team to work late on Friday to meet a deadline when they would prefer to meet their friends at the nearest ‘mamak’ stall. Influencing requires an understanding of the formal and informal structure of all organization involved in the project.
5. Be an Excellent Communicator
Project managers spend up to 90% of their time communicating. You will have to deal with both written and oral communications in the form of documents, meetings, reviews, reports, and assessments. A good mental guideline is "who needs this information, who gathers and delivers it, when or how often do they need it, and in what form will I give it to them." To summarize, all communications on your project should be timely, relevant, clear and complete.
6. Be a Good Organizer
Project managers have project documentation, minutes of meetings, project reports etc. They need to organize information well, organize meetings, put together teams and at times also organize media release schedules depending on the project. It's almost impossible to stay organized without having time management skills, so add this to your list!
7. Be a Competent and Consistent Planner
If you fail to plan, then plan to fail! The skill of planning can't be underestimated, and neither can estimating! As a project manager you will certainly own the project plan, but there may be others depending upon the project. Two aspects need to be mentioned here: a. Plans are always documents, don't fall into the trap of thinking that, for example, a Gantt chart is a plan - it’s only a schedule diagram. b. Successful projects are delivered by successful teams. Always use the team to help create the plan unless, rarely, there is a good reason why not, such as commercial confidentiality, or contractual conditions.
8. Set-up and Manage Budgets
At the heart of this is the skill of estimating, particularly cost estimates. The project manager will need knowledge of financial techniques and systems along with accounting principles. Normally accounting and project management tools will help, but remember the garbage in = garbage out rule! Well, that just about summarizes the main areas. If you are new to project management, don't be too confused by all this. There are well understood methodologies, tools, guidelines, and procedures to help you on your way to developing the important life-skill of project management.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Building Self-confidence In the Workplace
We secretly admire the doctors and medical practitioners who treats us for our many illnesses. He seems so sure of himself and is such a miracle because he can cure us of our tummy aches, influenzas and the occasional runny nose. There is a reason why we are so drawn to him and are able to connect with him. He has what we call "self confidence".
Confidence is a vital aspect of our day-to-day lives and is especially important in the workplace. After all, you would not be appreciative of a colleague who fumbles and trips over his words while doing a presentation. Unfortunately, not everyone was born with "built-in" self confidence. In fact, many of us had to work hard to achieve some semblance of confidence. People with low confidence and self-esteem often feel unappreciated and find it hard to succeed. The good thing is that it can be achieved with time and effort. Rome was not built in a day, so don't expect the same for yourself and do not push yourself to the limit.
You can easily distinguish a self-confident person from others. They stand tall and proud with their head held high and answer questions clearly but calmly. You will feel instinctively drawn to them because they inspire others around them. This automatically concludes that a self-confident person is often more successful than those who are not.
How confident are you to your colleagues? Take a breather and answer some of these questions to see if you need a crash course in building your confidence.
1. Do you always behave like how others expect you to?
2. Do you manage your behaviour based on what other people think?
3.Do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone and avoid taking up risks and challenging tasks?
4.Do you often find yourself scrambling to fix mistakes so that other people won't notice?
5.Do you feel yourself blushing in shame every time someone points out your mistakes?
If you answered "yes" to two or more of the above questions, then it's time you fix this. A person with low self-confidence is often self-destructive. Confidence is a mixture of courage, strength and the ability to pick yourself up when something fails.
Take pride in what you have achieved
Keep a log book or a diary and jot down all the achievements you have made. Perhaps you have closed a successful sales deal or have been recently promoted. Take note of praises and words of encouragement from your superior. For days when you feel down and demoted, flip through the pages and re-read some of your successes. They are a constant reminder that you can do it and are able to achieve more if you set your heart to it.
Be a go-getter
Set realistic goals for yourself and stick to it. Say "I will complete this project in a fortnight" and not "I think I can complete it in a fortnight". If you make a strong reinforcement to the statement, chances are your brain will register and you will be able to meet the deadline. Also, try to set goals that will highlight your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Receive a compliment graciously
It is a natural instinct for Asians to be overly humble when someone compliments them. Don't be. Acknowledge that you deserve the compliment because you have worked hard for it. Smile and say "Thank you. It was really nice of you to notice my work. I'm very proud of it as well" and not "Oh, it was nothing. Anyone could have done it." The former shows that you are capable of handling tough projects while the latter says that you are a pessimist, plus it also gives the impression that your job is an easy-peasy one!
Positive self-talk
At this point, you have to start managing what goes in and out of your brain. Yes, you might have had a terrible experience at your last job and it has sucked out all of your self esteem and confidence. It is now time to let go and move on. Eliminate all negative self-talk and replace them with positive ones. One good tip that I've learnt is to stick colourful pictures on your wall, in your car, or any other places that are convenient to you. Stick a smiley face to remind you to smile. Put phrases of encouragement and frame them up.
Celebrate
Last but not least, celebrate to rejoice in the fact you have worked diligently to bring your self-confidence to another level. Allow yourself some fun. After this, stretch yourself a little bit more. Make your goals bigger and challenge yourself more. Take it one step at a time at a pace that's comfortable to you. Some people take three months; others may take up to six months or more. You will slowly notice a difference in yourself.
Confidence is a vital aspect of our day-to-day lives and is especially important in the workplace. After all, you would not be appreciative of a colleague who fumbles and trips over his words while doing a presentation. Unfortunately, not everyone was born with "built-in" self confidence. In fact, many of us had to work hard to achieve some semblance of confidence. People with low confidence and self-esteem often feel unappreciated and find it hard to succeed. The good thing is that it can be achieved with time and effort. Rome was not built in a day, so don't expect the same for yourself and do not push yourself to the limit.
You can easily distinguish a self-confident person from others. They stand tall and proud with their head held high and answer questions clearly but calmly. You will feel instinctively drawn to them because they inspire others around them. This automatically concludes that a self-confident person is often more successful than those who are not.
How confident are you to your colleagues? Take a breather and answer some of these questions to see if you need a crash course in building your confidence.
1. Do you always behave like how others expect you to?
2. Do you manage your behaviour based on what other people think?
3.Do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone and avoid taking up risks and challenging tasks?
4.Do you often find yourself scrambling to fix mistakes so that other people won't notice?
5.Do you feel yourself blushing in shame every time someone points out your mistakes?
If you answered "yes" to two or more of the above questions, then it's time you fix this. A person with low self-confidence is often self-destructive. Confidence is a mixture of courage, strength and the ability to pick yourself up when something fails.
Take pride in what you have achieved
Keep a log book or a diary and jot down all the achievements you have made. Perhaps you have closed a successful sales deal or have been recently promoted. Take note of praises and words of encouragement from your superior. For days when you feel down and demoted, flip through the pages and re-read some of your successes. They are a constant reminder that you can do it and are able to achieve more if you set your heart to it.
Be a go-getter
Set realistic goals for yourself and stick to it. Say "I will complete this project in a fortnight" and not "I think I can complete it in a fortnight". If you make a strong reinforcement to the statement, chances are your brain will register and you will be able to meet the deadline. Also, try to set goals that will highlight your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Receive a compliment graciously
It is a natural instinct for Asians to be overly humble when someone compliments them. Don't be. Acknowledge that you deserve the compliment because you have worked hard for it. Smile and say "Thank you. It was really nice of you to notice my work. I'm very proud of it as well" and not "Oh, it was nothing. Anyone could have done it." The former shows that you are capable of handling tough projects while the latter says that you are a pessimist, plus it also gives the impression that your job is an easy-peasy one!
Positive self-talk
At this point, you have to start managing what goes in and out of your brain. Yes, you might have had a terrible experience at your last job and it has sucked out all of your self esteem and confidence. It is now time to let go and move on. Eliminate all negative self-talk and replace them with positive ones. One good tip that I've learnt is to stick colourful pictures on your wall, in your car, or any other places that are convenient to you. Stick a smiley face to remind you to smile. Put phrases of encouragement and frame them up.
Celebrate
Last but not least, celebrate to rejoice in the fact you have worked diligently to bring your self-confidence to another level. Allow yourself some fun. After this, stretch yourself a little bit more. Make your goals bigger and challenge yourself more. Take it one step at a time at a pace that's comfortable to you. Some people take three months; others may take up to six months or more. You will slowly notice a difference in yourself.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Microsoft PowerPoint Tutorials, Tips and Tricks plus Presentation Skill
Although get other similar applications in the market, but Microsoft PowerPoint is still widely used, especially in corporate business. Business people use it as doing presentation slide, sell product, business plan, marketing concept and more.
Is better you know to use Microsoft PowerPoint; this will make you easier to get job. You even can create a creative and attractive presentation slide to selling yourself during the interview.
Microsoft PowerPoint is not difficult to learn and use. But how to create an effective presentation is another issue. Here get 5 useful Microsoft PowerPoint resources for your reference:
Microsoft PowerPoint Team Blog
An official blog from Microsoft. You can get latest tips, news and announcements from Microsoft.
The PowerPoint Blog
Clean and clear step by step tutorial blog.
PPT – Powerful Presentation Techniques
Useful information and resources about PowerPoint presentation skill.
PowerPoint Ninja
The PowerPoint Ninja Blog covers practical PowerPoint topics, tips, and tricks.
Presentation Zen
Talk all about related professional presentation design. Don’t miss this blog, the article will encourages you to think differently and more creatively about the preparation, design, and delivery of your presentations.
Is better you know to use Microsoft PowerPoint; this will make you easier to get job. You even can create a creative and attractive presentation slide to selling yourself during the interview.
Microsoft PowerPoint is not difficult to learn and use. But how to create an effective presentation is another issue. Here get 5 useful Microsoft PowerPoint resources for your reference:
Microsoft PowerPoint Team Blog
An official blog from Microsoft. You can get latest tips, news and announcements from Microsoft.
The PowerPoint Blog
Clean and clear step by step tutorial blog.
PPT – Powerful Presentation Techniques
Useful information and resources about PowerPoint presentation skill.
PowerPoint Ninja
The PowerPoint Ninja Blog covers practical PowerPoint topics, tips, and tricks.
Presentation Zen
Talk all about related professional presentation design. Don’t miss this blog, the article will encourages you to think differently and more creatively about the preparation, design, and delivery of your presentations.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Build your Persona and Your Ideal Image
Are able to stand out among the crowd and leave an indelible first impression on others? Are you worried about how others perceive you? Do you dress for the occasion? Do you feel awkward making new contacts? Would you like to start differentiating yourself from the rest to make others remember you?
In creating your personal branding, your appearance is one of your most powerful forms of communication and an effective strategic tool when used properly. It is not how you look but how you dress to look the part. Dressing in our culture and environment has often been synonymous with 'casual dressing' that most of us fail to dress appropriately for the occasion.
"It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference." - Bear Bryant
A Dressing and Business Etiquette Workshop:
Date : 24 October 2009, Saturday
Time : 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Price : S$28 (incl. 7% GST)
Venue : National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street Level 5, Possibility Room
Travel by Public Transport
Nearest to EW12 Bugis MRT Station
Location Map
Enquiries : For more information, please call Jassy or Herman at 6861 1000 or email us at marketinginfo@jobsdb.com.sg
Click to read more detail about A Dressing and Business Etiquette Workshop »
In creating your personal branding, your appearance is one of your most powerful forms of communication and an effective strategic tool when used properly. It is not how you look but how you dress to look the part. Dressing in our culture and environment has often been synonymous with 'casual dressing' that most of us fail to dress appropriately for the occasion.
"It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference." - Bear Bryant
A Dressing and Business Etiquette Workshop:
Date : 24 October 2009, Saturday
Time : 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Price : S$28 (incl. 7% GST)
Venue : National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street Level 5, Possibility Room
Travel by Public Transport
Nearest to EW12 Bugis MRT Station
Location Map
Enquiries : For more information, please call Jassy or Herman at 6861 1000 or email us at marketinginfo@jobsdb.com.sg
Click to read more detail about A Dressing and Business Etiquette Workshop »
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Not Another Rejection!
Job hunting is fast becoming a survival battle of the fittest-both physically and mentally. With the job market now akin to a battlefield, job seekers are a suffering lot, with some having their pride and dignity wounded and some limping with pain and anguish in their minds.
We should all face up to the facts of the market. Like a marathon race, job hunting not only consumes time but energy as well. And only those who have the most determination and endurance will cross that ultimate finishing line.
Not many candidates have the stamina to finish the race, with some dropping out along the way. However, those who have fallen out cannot afford to stay wrapped up in a safety blanket at home to escape the harsh reality of the job market. You may only be hurting yourself deeper when the interviewer questions the gap or the long holiday you took while you were nursing your wounds.
So, how can you toughen yourself to rise out of the rejection blues and get back into the race? Here are some valuable points to keep in your mental first aid kit:
Rejection is perfectly normal
Rejection is a part of daily life and everyone gets their fair share of rejection in every aspect of their lives every day. Therefore, job seekers need to understand that facing rejection while job hunting is normal. Rarely does a job seeker get hired through their first application. Think of job hunting as a learning process that aids you in your personal growth, because the more rejections you face, the more experience you gain, and the better you get at job hunting.
Being turned down for a job does not mean that you are a loser or that you are incompetent
While you may have gotten rejected at the end of the day, it does not mean that your qualifications are lacking because you weren't offered employment with the hiring company. Even highly experienced senior executives have been rejected for jobs. Often, hiring managers look at many other factors that may be out of your control while deciding on the right candidate.
Everyone goes through the same process as you did--even rejection
Understand that you are not that only one getting rejections for job applications. While you are out there flipping through the newspapers looking for a job, there are also others who may be doing the very same things at the same moment; the same people eyeing the job vacancy that you're interested in; the same people who get called up for the interview; but only one will eventually sign the letter of employment. And even the one who does may have gotten the job after ten rejections from other companies. Think about it.
Never give up
You may be just an application away from landing that job you wanted. So don't quit after just a few attempts, or even after a string of applications and interviews. Nothing good comes easy in life; you have to fight for what you really want.
Once you are standing up again after the rejection, analyze why you were rejected
For everything that happens, there must be a reason to it. Once you have gotten over the shock of rejection, sit down and start putting the entire jigsaw together. Did you not perform well enough during the interview? What could you have done to make it better? Or was it just the management's problem for not offering you the job? You may be qualified enough, but there may have been finer details of requirements that you did not know of. Try accepting the negative criticisms flung at you during interviews as constructive feedback.
Do not cut off all ties
Even if the hiring company did not pick you for the job, it doesn't mean that you should sever all connections to the company, or its personnel in charge of human resources. Instead, maintain a good relationship with them because it is not uncommon to be called up for another round of interview even if you were been rejected in the first round. You could even send them a thank-you note for taking the time to interview you. By doing that, you are selling a good impression of yourself; and perhaps the company may just contact you again should there be any job vacancy in the future.
When you've been called up for an interview, you've already been selected from a whole lot of others. So, learn to handle rejection and you will soon reach the finishing line of the race.
We should all face up to the facts of the market. Like a marathon race, job hunting not only consumes time but energy as well. And only those who have the most determination and endurance will cross that ultimate finishing line.
Not many candidates have the stamina to finish the race, with some dropping out along the way. However, those who have fallen out cannot afford to stay wrapped up in a safety blanket at home to escape the harsh reality of the job market. You may only be hurting yourself deeper when the interviewer questions the gap or the long holiday you took while you were nursing your wounds.
So, how can you toughen yourself to rise out of the rejection blues and get back into the race? Here are some valuable points to keep in your mental first aid kit:
Rejection is perfectly normal
Rejection is a part of daily life and everyone gets their fair share of rejection in every aspect of their lives every day. Therefore, job seekers need to understand that facing rejection while job hunting is normal. Rarely does a job seeker get hired through their first application. Think of job hunting as a learning process that aids you in your personal growth, because the more rejections you face, the more experience you gain, and the better you get at job hunting.
Being turned down for a job does not mean that you are a loser or that you are incompetent
While you may have gotten rejected at the end of the day, it does not mean that your qualifications are lacking because you weren't offered employment with the hiring company. Even highly experienced senior executives have been rejected for jobs. Often, hiring managers look at many other factors that may be out of your control while deciding on the right candidate.
Everyone goes through the same process as you did--even rejection
Understand that you are not that only one getting rejections for job applications. While you are out there flipping through the newspapers looking for a job, there are also others who may be doing the very same things at the same moment; the same people eyeing the job vacancy that you're interested in; the same people who get called up for the interview; but only one will eventually sign the letter of employment. And even the one who does may have gotten the job after ten rejections from other companies. Think about it.
Never give up
You may be just an application away from landing that job you wanted. So don't quit after just a few attempts, or even after a string of applications and interviews. Nothing good comes easy in life; you have to fight for what you really want.
Once you are standing up again after the rejection, analyze why you were rejected
For everything that happens, there must be a reason to it. Once you have gotten over the shock of rejection, sit down and start putting the entire jigsaw together. Did you not perform well enough during the interview? What could you have done to make it better? Or was it just the management's problem for not offering you the job? You may be qualified enough, but there may have been finer details of requirements that you did not know of. Try accepting the negative criticisms flung at you during interviews as constructive feedback.
Do not cut off all ties
Even if the hiring company did not pick you for the job, it doesn't mean that you should sever all connections to the company, or its personnel in charge of human resources. Instead, maintain a good relationship with them because it is not uncommon to be called up for another round of interview even if you were been rejected in the first round. You could even send them a thank-you note for taking the time to interview you. By doing that, you are selling a good impression of yourself; and perhaps the company may just contact you again should there be any job vacancy in the future.
When you've been called up for an interview, you've already been selected from a whole lot of others. So, learn to handle rejection and you will soon reach the finishing line of the race.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
4 Strategies to Build Your Brand for Success
Why are people willing to spend thousands on Coach bags, Apple iPods, Motorola handphones, and other such "branded" goods? That is the power of branding. Branded goods are in demand, and people will pay a premium for them, because they carry with them a promise of consistently high quality and value – and keep that promise.
However, branding isn't just for products anymore. Cultivating your personal career brand – your reputation - can help to make you a more attractive and sought-after employee or job candidate. Explore some key tactics of building your own personal brand to achieve success in your chosen career.
Maximize your experience
Your experience and accomplishments form the basis of your brand. Start by taking some time to plan and focus on what you want your brand to be. Then review your past accomplishments and determine how they fit into your personal brand. Find out if there are areas where you need to improve, and take up new and challenging assignments at work – or consider freelancing and consulting - to gain the required experience. Students can pursue internships in related fields.
Fill in any knowledge gaps
Education is necessary for success in many careers. You may find that in order to get your brand to where you want it, you need more training or education. Although it may initially make demands on your time and money, education definitely pays off in the long run. Find out if your company provides any benefits that will at least partially pay for you to further your education. Also, seek out opportunities around your company to attend seminars and other career-enhancing training courses.
Become an expert in your field
Expertise lends credibility to your career brand. Write articles that showcase your knowledge and contribute to trade journals within your industry as well as the mass media. Volunteer to give presentations and speeches at meetings and conferences to make yourself a familiar face around your company and industry.
As more and more people are turning to the Internet to find information, maintaining a professional blog to publish your writings and presentations online is a good way to build credibiltiy that can extend offline as well.
Promote yourself
How have companies like Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike built world-class brands that rise above their many competitors? Advertising. You can have the most amazing brand, but if no one knows about it, you won't get very far. You are your own best promoter, so make the most of yourself.
The most important self-promotion item you have is your resume. Make sure your resume reflects your most current accomplishments, skills and education, as well as any awards and accolades that you've earned. Consider creating a Facebook or Myspace to post your resume, mission statement, and achievements online and create an Internet presence for yourself; don't overlook this valuable opportunity to reach a worldwide audience.
Word of mouth is one of the most important keys to building your personal brand. Maintain good contact with your network of friends, colleagues, clients, and former bosses, and keep them informed of your recent successes. Don't forget to seek out network-building opportunities as well - join professional associations and reputable online communities to expand your network of contacts.
Also, don't forget to promote yourself at work by being a star performer. However, never depend solely on your boss to keep track of your accomplishments. Make sure you keep your own records of your achievements and have the up-to-date list ready at every performance review. Also, look out for opportunities throughout the year to remind your boss - and his or her boss(es) - of your successes.
Conclusion
Once you have built your brand, make sure to keep working on strengthening it. As management guru Tom Peters states in his book The Brand You 50: Or: Fifty Ways to Transform Yourself from an "Employee" into a Brand That Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion!: “We are the CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc.” Everyone is a "Me, Inc." in the making, so you'll always need to stay ahead of the competition. The stronger you make your brand, the more success you'll gain in your current and future career.
However, branding isn't just for products anymore. Cultivating your personal career brand – your reputation - can help to make you a more attractive and sought-after employee or job candidate. Explore some key tactics of building your own personal brand to achieve success in your chosen career.
Maximize your experience
Your experience and accomplishments form the basis of your brand. Start by taking some time to plan and focus on what you want your brand to be. Then review your past accomplishments and determine how they fit into your personal brand. Find out if there are areas where you need to improve, and take up new and challenging assignments at work – or consider freelancing and consulting - to gain the required experience. Students can pursue internships in related fields.
Fill in any knowledge gaps
Education is necessary for success in many careers. You may find that in order to get your brand to where you want it, you need more training or education. Although it may initially make demands on your time and money, education definitely pays off in the long run. Find out if your company provides any benefits that will at least partially pay for you to further your education. Also, seek out opportunities around your company to attend seminars and other career-enhancing training courses.
Become an expert in your field
Expertise lends credibility to your career brand. Write articles that showcase your knowledge and contribute to trade journals within your industry as well as the mass media. Volunteer to give presentations and speeches at meetings and conferences to make yourself a familiar face around your company and industry.
As more and more people are turning to the Internet to find information, maintaining a professional blog to publish your writings and presentations online is a good way to build credibiltiy that can extend offline as well.
Promote yourself
How have companies like Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike built world-class brands that rise above their many competitors? Advertising. You can have the most amazing brand, but if no one knows about it, you won't get very far. You are your own best promoter, so make the most of yourself.
The most important self-promotion item you have is your resume. Make sure your resume reflects your most current accomplishments, skills and education, as well as any awards and accolades that you've earned. Consider creating a Facebook or Myspace to post your resume, mission statement, and achievements online and create an Internet presence for yourself; don't overlook this valuable opportunity to reach a worldwide audience.
Word of mouth is one of the most important keys to building your personal brand. Maintain good contact with your network of friends, colleagues, clients, and former bosses, and keep them informed of your recent successes. Don't forget to seek out network-building opportunities as well - join professional associations and reputable online communities to expand your network of contacts.
Also, don't forget to promote yourself at work by being a star performer. However, never depend solely on your boss to keep track of your accomplishments. Make sure you keep your own records of your achievements and have the up-to-date list ready at every performance review. Also, look out for opportunities throughout the year to remind your boss - and his or her boss(es) - of your successes.
Conclusion
Once you have built your brand, make sure to keep working on strengthening it. As management guru Tom Peters states in his book The Brand You 50: Or: Fifty Ways to Transform Yourself from an "Employee" into a Brand That Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion!: “We are the CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc.” Everyone is a "Me, Inc." in the making, so you'll always need to stay ahead of the competition. The stronger you make your brand, the more success you'll gain in your current and future career.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Eight Essential Telephone Etiquette Tips
Even in these days where we communication mainly by e-mail or SMS, the first contact a customer has with your company is often through the good old telephone.
Make sure it's not the last with these eight simple etiquette tips.
Answer the phone within 3 rings
Answer on the first ring if possible. If you don't answer fast enough, your caller may hang up in disgust and call your competitor.
Calm down before you answer the phone
This is particularly important if you're having a heated discussion with a colleague or dealing with looming deadlines. Take a deep breath to regain your composure before you pick up the phone.
When you answer the phone, begin with a greeting
(Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon) followed by your company name and then identify yourself. E.g. "Good morning, Widgets Inc. Mary Lee speaking."
Starting with "Good morning" or "Hello" starts your conversation on a cordial note, and allows the caller to hear your company name and your name clearly.
Smile when you speak on the phone
This may seem odd when the caller can't see you, but it really does make a difference in your tone of voice and your attitude.
If you need to transfer a call, tell the caller who you are transferring them to before putting them on hold
Tell the caller the name of the person to whom he or she will be transferred, or at least the name of the department. E.g. "I'll transfer you to Zahara / Sales." If possible, give them that other party's direct number before putting them on hold. Don't just say "Hold on please" and leave them to wonder what's going to happen. Also, accidents do happen and you might get cut off. When they call back they will be able to dial or ask for that other person directly.
Use the mute button wisely
Most modern telephone systems have a mute button. Make sure you know how to use it. When you need to transfer a call or if you need to put the caller on hold to look up something, make sure to push that mute button; don't just put your hand over the mouthpiece. You never know what might happen that you won't want a caller to overhear.
Don't keep them on hold forever
Never keep a caller on hold for longer than 20 seconds. Even if you haven't found the answer for them, check every 15 seconds or so to make sure they're still on the line – and to let them know that you're still on the line. Nothing turns off a potential customer faster than thinking that they've been forgotten.
Hang up last
When winding up a call, make sure the caller hangs up before you hang up. He or she may think of something to ask at the last moment, and you don't want to risk leaving them talking to a dial tone!
Make sure it's not the last with these eight simple etiquette tips.
Answer the phone within 3 rings
Answer on the first ring if possible. If you don't answer fast enough, your caller may hang up in disgust and call your competitor.
Calm down before you answer the phone
This is particularly important if you're having a heated discussion with a colleague or dealing with looming deadlines. Take a deep breath to regain your composure before you pick up the phone.
When you answer the phone, begin with a greeting
(Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon) followed by your company name and then identify yourself. E.g. "Good morning, Widgets Inc. Mary Lee speaking."
Starting with "Good morning" or "Hello" starts your conversation on a cordial note, and allows the caller to hear your company name and your name clearly.
Smile when you speak on the phone
This may seem odd when the caller can't see you, but it really does make a difference in your tone of voice and your attitude.
If you need to transfer a call, tell the caller who you are transferring them to before putting them on hold
Tell the caller the name of the person to whom he or she will be transferred, or at least the name of the department. E.g. "I'll transfer you to Zahara / Sales." If possible, give them that other party's direct number before putting them on hold. Don't just say "Hold on please" and leave them to wonder what's going to happen. Also, accidents do happen and you might get cut off. When they call back they will be able to dial or ask for that other person directly.
Use the mute button wisely
Most modern telephone systems have a mute button. Make sure you know how to use it. When you need to transfer a call or if you need to put the caller on hold to look up something, make sure to push that mute button; don't just put your hand over the mouthpiece. You never know what might happen that you won't want a caller to overhear.
Don't keep them on hold forever
Never keep a caller on hold for longer than 20 seconds. Even if you haven't found the answer for them, check every 15 seconds or so to make sure they're still on the line – and to let them know that you're still on the line. Nothing turns off a potential customer faster than thinking that they've been forgotten.
Hang up last
When winding up a call, make sure the caller hangs up before you hang up. He or she may think of something to ask at the last moment, and you don't want to risk leaving them talking to a dial tone!
Monday, July 27, 2009
4 Steps to Asking for A Raise
Do you feel that you deserve a higher salary? The fastest way to increase your income is to ask for a raise. But if you just ask your boss for a raise without giving him any reasons why you deserve one, you're less likely to succeed. These 4 basic guidelines can help you plan and prepare to explain to your boss why you deserve a pay raise.
Research
Start by finding out what the going rate is for those working in your field. Check out job listings for jobs similar to yours, and study published salary reports. If you belong to a professional organization, find out if they have salary information available. Be sure to factor in the number of years you have worked in the field and for your current employer. Settle on a range rather than a specific figure, and be prepared to negotiate.
Also, find out how your company is doing. Pay attention to the company grapevine or check business news and reports to gauge your company's financial health. If your company is facing financial difficulties, you are unlikely to get a raise, so you may need to wait a while till the time is right.
Prepare your evidence
You should emphasize how you have performed above and beyond your job specifications to justify why you deserve a corresponding pay increase. Approach this task as if you are preparing for a job interview or a major sales presentation. Write down any major accomplishments that you have achieved during your time with the company. Also note any additional responsibilities that you have taken on. Examples of evidence you might present are solid numbers of revenue you earned, costs saved, client testimonials praising your customer service, tight deadlines you've beaten, products and/or services you've improved, and so on.
However, do not cite your personal needs as a reason for needing a raise. This is not the time to bring up your mortgage or the payments for your new car. The salary your employer pays you is for value of the work you do, not the expenses you have.
Decide how you'll respond to a rejection
Before you even walk into your boss' office, you should give some thought to what to do if you don't get the raise. Will you continue to work for the company and ask again at a later date? Or will you look for another job that will pay you what you feel you're worth?
If you are otherwise happy at the company and plan to stay even if you don't get a raise, then ask your supervisor what you can do to increase your salary in the future – such as taking on additional responsibilities or improving your performance. Also, don't overlook non-monetary benefits such as additional leave, training and other perks.
If your decision to stay at the company hinges on whether you get the raise, resist the urge to frame your request as an ultimatum. Threatening to quit if you don't get the raise will make you look unprofessional – and your boss might take you up on your offer. Even if you are positive that you will leave if you don't get the raise, don't make this the focus of your request. And if your request for a raise is denied, accept the rejection gracefully, thank your supervisor for his time, and then go about your job search quietly and professionally.
Ask for a raise!
You've done your research and have a file folder of irrefutable evidence. You even have an exit strategy in the event of a rejection. Now is the time to ask.
Schedule a face-to-face meeting with your supervisor that allows plenty of time for you to make your case. Also, it makes it harder for your boss to say no when you are right there to overcome any objections. Let him know in advance that you wish to discuss your compensation to give him time to consult with HR and his own supervisor. Be polite but firm, and don't get emotional.
Asking for a raise may seem daunting, but it's an important negotiation skill that you'll be able to add to your repertoire. Plus, when you are successful, you'll be earning extra money so you'll have a real reward to show for your efforts. So, be positive and ask for what you're worth!
Research
Start by finding out what the going rate is for those working in your field. Check out job listings for jobs similar to yours, and study published salary reports. If you belong to a professional organization, find out if they have salary information available. Be sure to factor in the number of years you have worked in the field and for your current employer. Settle on a range rather than a specific figure, and be prepared to negotiate.
Also, find out how your company is doing. Pay attention to the company grapevine or check business news and reports to gauge your company's financial health. If your company is facing financial difficulties, you are unlikely to get a raise, so you may need to wait a while till the time is right.
Prepare your evidence
You should emphasize how you have performed above and beyond your job specifications to justify why you deserve a corresponding pay increase. Approach this task as if you are preparing for a job interview or a major sales presentation. Write down any major accomplishments that you have achieved during your time with the company. Also note any additional responsibilities that you have taken on. Examples of evidence you might present are solid numbers of revenue you earned, costs saved, client testimonials praising your customer service, tight deadlines you've beaten, products and/or services you've improved, and so on.
However, do not cite your personal needs as a reason for needing a raise. This is not the time to bring up your mortgage or the payments for your new car. The salary your employer pays you is for value of the work you do, not the expenses you have.
Decide how you'll respond to a rejection
Before you even walk into your boss' office, you should give some thought to what to do if you don't get the raise. Will you continue to work for the company and ask again at a later date? Or will you look for another job that will pay you what you feel you're worth?
If you are otherwise happy at the company and plan to stay even if you don't get a raise, then ask your supervisor what you can do to increase your salary in the future – such as taking on additional responsibilities or improving your performance. Also, don't overlook non-monetary benefits such as additional leave, training and other perks.
If your decision to stay at the company hinges on whether you get the raise, resist the urge to frame your request as an ultimatum. Threatening to quit if you don't get the raise will make you look unprofessional – and your boss might take you up on your offer. Even if you are positive that you will leave if you don't get the raise, don't make this the focus of your request. And if your request for a raise is denied, accept the rejection gracefully, thank your supervisor for his time, and then go about your job search quietly and professionally.
Ask for a raise!
You've done your research and have a file folder of irrefutable evidence. You even have an exit strategy in the event of a rejection. Now is the time to ask.
Schedule a face-to-face meeting with your supervisor that allows plenty of time for you to make your case. Also, it makes it harder for your boss to say no when you are right there to overcome any objections. Let him know in advance that you wish to discuss your compensation to give him time to consult with HR and his own supervisor. Be polite but firm, and don't get emotional.
Asking for a raise may seem daunting, but it's an important negotiation skill that you'll be able to add to your repertoire. Plus, when you are successful, you'll be earning extra money so you'll have a real reward to show for your efforts. So, be positive and ask for what you're worth!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Panasonic: More R&D talents required
The hardest hit industry at the times of economic turmoil would usually be manufacturing, and that means the electronic and electrical equipment producers as well. We have heard of retrenchment and job freezes announcement coming from this sector. Yet, there are still good news, and this time it comes from Panasonic.
In an exclusive interview with JobsDB Malaysia, Panasonic Management Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s director, Mikio Matsui noted that the company is expanding its Research & Development (R&D) centre in Malaysia and is seeking talents to be part of it.
“Regardless of the function in the company, we always need new human resources, and now we wish to highlight the importance of R&D function more in Malaysia,” he said.
He pointed out that this was in contrast with in early days (Panasonic set up its business in Malaysia back in 1965), the jobs available for Malaysians has always been labour intensive.
“Now, Malaysia is no longer a country for cheaper labour, compared to other countries in this region,” Matsui said, “Panasonic understand this point, and at the same time Malaysia has been very successfully developing young talents in R&D.”
The company’s assistant general Manager, Wytinne Cheng, noted that in Malaysia alone there are 400 engineers working in the R&D centres throughout Malaysia. Panasonic has 20 companies in Malaysia consisting of manufacturing plants, R&D centres, sales & services companies and management offices with diversified business segments.
“Not many know this, but we have a software lab in Cyberjaya, which started with 20 staff, and now we are planning to expand it to 200 people,” Cheng said.
Matsui said that with Malaysia’s growth in the technology field, it was about time that R&D arena should be expanded here.
“We are confident that Malaysia can offer more R&D talents,” said Matsui, adding that, specifically, there is demand for engineers specializing in electrical, electronics, mechanical, software, computer science and information technology.
“There are also some openings for professionals in finance, sales & marketing and human resource,” Matsui said.
He also added that Malaysia has other advantages in terms of human resource, apart from the required talents.
“We have been here for more than 40 years, and we have been feeling very comfortable with Malaysia and the people,” Matsui said. “People from any country have their own culture and identity. Malaysia is multi-cultural and because of this the people here have good adaptability to different cultures. We strongly appreciate this feature.
He also noted that Malaysians have good command of English, an international language for trade and business. “It’s a good advantage; if we go to other nations in this region, you may not see that,” he added.
Matsui noted that the doors are always open for talents looking to be part of the company’s rich culture and legacy. “We give opportunities to ambitious people to create and market innovative products & solutions that enrich lives all around the world,” he added.
The company celebrated 90th year in business last year, and prides itself over the legacy left behind by its founder, Tan Sri Konosuke Matsushita, which emphasized on strong employer and employee relationship.
“When he was asked what he was producing in the company, he answered, ‘no doubt we are producing electrical and electronic product, but before that, we develop the people.’,” recalled Matsui. “In short he always maintained that in Panasonic, we develop the people before the product.”
Cheng noted that new recruits are always given training and education on the company’s basic corporate values – most of which are constituted in its Basic Business Principle, drafted by its founder.
“Sometimes competency can be learned and experience can be acquired through time, but I think it’s important for employee share same value and goal, and everyone move towards same direction,” said Cheng, noting that BBP is the “common language” the company uses throughout the world.
On the ongoing economic turmoil, Matsui noted that the company has always been ready for any form of uncertainties.
“In very good time, we should never relax. In bad times, we should work harder,” Matsui said, “This is the kind of DNA we inherited from our founder. He mentioned that both good times and bad times are equally acceptable; the bad time is for us to get ready for the next booming time.”
Known as one fo the largest electronic product manufacturers in the world, the company has around 305,828 staff force as of last year, and more than 17,000 employees in Malaysia alone.
In an exclusive interview with JobsDB Malaysia, Panasonic Management Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s director, Mikio Matsui noted that the company is expanding its Research & Development (R&D) centre in Malaysia and is seeking talents to be part of it.
“Regardless of the function in the company, we always need new human resources, and now we wish to highlight the importance of R&D function more in Malaysia,” he said.
He pointed out that this was in contrast with in early days (Panasonic set up its business in Malaysia back in 1965), the jobs available for Malaysians has always been labour intensive.
“Now, Malaysia is no longer a country for cheaper labour, compared to other countries in this region,” Matsui said, “Panasonic understand this point, and at the same time Malaysia has been very successfully developing young talents in R&D.”
The company’s assistant general Manager, Wytinne Cheng, noted that in Malaysia alone there are 400 engineers working in the R&D centres throughout Malaysia. Panasonic has 20 companies in Malaysia consisting of manufacturing plants, R&D centres, sales & services companies and management offices with diversified business segments.
“Not many know this, but we have a software lab in Cyberjaya, which started with 20 staff, and now we are planning to expand it to 200 people,” Cheng said.
Matsui said that with Malaysia’s growth in the technology field, it was about time that R&D arena should be expanded here.
“We are confident that Malaysia can offer more R&D talents,” said Matsui, adding that, specifically, there is demand for engineers specializing in electrical, electronics, mechanical, software, computer science and information technology.
“There are also some openings for professionals in finance, sales & marketing and human resource,” Matsui said.
He also added that Malaysia has other advantages in terms of human resource, apart from the required talents.
“We have been here for more than 40 years, and we have been feeling very comfortable with Malaysia and the people,” Matsui said. “People from any country have their own culture and identity. Malaysia is multi-cultural and because of this the people here have good adaptability to different cultures. We strongly appreciate this feature.
He also noted that Malaysians have good command of English, an international language for trade and business. “It’s a good advantage; if we go to other nations in this region, you may not see that,” he added.
Matsui noted that the doors are always open for talents looking to be part of the company’s rich culture and legacy. “We give opportunities to ambitious people to create and market innovative products & solutions that enrich lives all around the world,” he added.
The company celebrated 90th year in business last year, and prides itself over the legacy left behind by its founder, Tan Sri Konosuke Matsushita, which emphasized on strong employer and employee relationship.
“When he was asked what he was producing in the company, he answered, ‘no doubt we are producing electrical and electronic product, but before that, we develop the people.’,” recalled Matsui. “In short he always maintained that in Panasonic, we develop the people before the product.”
Cheng noted that new recruits are always given training and education on the company’s basic corporate values – most of which are constituted in its Basic Business Principle, drafted by its founder.
“Sometimes competency can be learned and experience can be acquired through time, but I think it’s important for employee share same value and goal, and everyone move towards same direction,” said Cheng, noting that BBP is the “common language” the company uses throughout the world.
On the ongoing economic turmoil, Matsui noted that the company has always been ready for any form of uncertainties.
“In very good time, we should never relax. In bad times, we should work harder,” Matsui said, “This is the kind of DNA we inherited from our founder. He mentioned that both good times and bad times are equally acceptable; the bad time is for us to get ready for the next booming time.”
Known as one fo the largest electronic product manufacturers in the world, the company has around 305,828 staff force as of last year, and more than 17,000 employees in Malaysia alone.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Learn How To Be A Good Listener, Listening Skills Show Respect To The Speaker
Have you ever been in a middle of an interview or even in a conversation in that matter, when the person you are talking to just gets up and walks away? Or fiddles in the chair? Or even looks everywhere but at you? How does this make you feel? Most people feel hurt. The listener acts as though he or she is absolutely not interest in what the speaker has to say or already said. And yet, when it is their turn to talk, they expect, if not demand, attention.
Have you ever been in a heated conversation and realize that your partner has no idea what you have been saying? It could very well be the manner that you are delivering the argument or speech, or it may even be that your partner is a poor listener. Poor listening skills seem to be the majority and not the minority of fresh graduates. Since Malaysia is so used to being fast paced in all matters, we often forget how to slow down and just listen.
So how can one learn to be a good listener? Below are some common tips that can help poor listeners work wonders in all situations not only during interviews.
Learn to listen by using lots of eye contact:
Let the speaker know that you are interested in what is being said
Be slow to speak:
Sometimes, people speak to think out loud. Sometimes, all they really want is a shoulder to lean on and a willing ear to listen. By being slow to speak, you are allowing the speaker to work out or solve problems themselves. Also, one must think before he/she speaks
Keep the secret:
People trust you with information because they believe that you will not gossip and spread slander. Keep their trust by keeping things private; between the two of you
Be Attentive:
Learn to actively listen. Let the speaker know that you are actually listening, although you are not speaking, by saying things like, "yeah, hmmm, I know, that's true, okay, that makes sense," and so forth. This shows that you are in tune with what they are saying and also following what they are saying
Show Gratitude:
Let the speaker know that you feel honored that they were able to open up to you. If nothing personal was said, than let the speaker know that you had a great time listening and that you learned a lot. In a society that forgets to show gratitude, a simple use of kind words, can make someone's day a little brighter. Showing kindness and appreciation will also help you with the interviewer
Stay in Tune:
Do not simply disappear in the middle of any conversation because your mind wandered. Whether you actually get up and walk away or let your mind wander elsewhere, it is just being plain rude. If you find that your attention span is small, actively repeat what is being said to you as the speaker is speaking
Have you ever been in a heated conversation and realize that your partner has no idea what you have been saying? It could very well be the manner that you are delivering the argument or speech, or it may even be that your partner is a poor listener. Poor listening skills seem to be the majority and not the minority of fresh graduates. Since Malaysia is so used to being fast paced in all matters, we often forget how to slow down and just listen.
So how can one learn to be a good listener? Below are some common tips that can help poor listeners work wonders in all situations not only during interviews.
Learn to listen by using lots of eye contact:
Let the speaker know that you are interested in what is being said
Be slow to speak:
Sometimes, people speak to think out loud. Sometimes, all they really want is a shoulder to lean on and a willing ear to listen. By being slow to speak, you are allowing the speaker to work out or solve problems themselves. Also, one must think before he/she speaks
Keep the secret:
People trust you with information because they believe that you will not gossip and spread slander. Keep their trust by keeping things private; between the two of you
Be Attentive:
Learn to actively listen. Let the speaker know that you are actually listening, although you are not speaking, by saying things like, "yeah, hmmm, I know, that's true, okay, that makes sense," and so forth. This shows that you are in tune with what they are saying and also following what they are saying
Show Gratitude:
Let the speaker know that you feel honored that they were able to open up to you. If nothing personal was said, than let the speaker know that you had a great time listening and that you learned a lot. In a society that forgets to show gratitude, a simple use of kind words, can make someone's day a little brighter. Showing kindness and appreciation will also help you with the interviewer
Stay in Tune:
Do not simply disappear in the middle of any conversation because your mind wandered. Whether you actually get up and walk away or let your mind wander elsewhere, it is just being plain rude. If you find that your attention span is small, actively repeat what is being said to you as the speaker is speaking
Monday, July 13, 2009
How To Use Non Verbal Communication To Market Yourself
Everyone knows how important it is to speak confidently, say the right things and show interest when being interviewed or even at a meeting with clients. However, in addition to what you say, one must know that what you do also communicates volumes of information about who you really are.
Experts believe that a large part of communication occurs non-verbally. That means that even a smile on your face and the firmness of your handshake when you say, "Pleased to meet you," says more than your words alone.
It is to be remembered that once someone forms an impression, the tendency is to look for evidence confirming the original opinion and to ignore contradictory messages. That means if you have created a positive impression the first time around, people will focus on things that support that favorable impression. If, however, you have created a negative impression, you will have to work twice as hard to overcome that belief from the minds of those who have that negative impression.
Tips on How to Make a Positive Impression Non-Verbally
Remember that everything you do creates an impression:
Experts believe that a large part of communication occurs non-verbally. That means that even a smile on your face and the firmness of your handshake when you say, "Pleased to meet you," says more than your words alone.
It is to be remembered that once someone forms an impression, the tendency is to look for evidence confirming the original opinion and to ignore contradictory messages. That means if you have created a positive impression the first time around, people will focus on things that support that favorable impression. If, however, you have created a negative impression, you will have to work twice as hard to overcome that belief from the minds of those who have that negative impression.
Tips on How to Make a Positive Impression Non-Verbally
Remember that everything you do creates an impression:
- your facial expressions
- the "look in your eyes"
- your eye contact (or lack of it)
- your hand gestures
- your posture
- the way you comb your hair
- the clothes (even the shoes) you wear
Making an Entrance
The most important thing to remember in creating a presence is to believe that you belong where you are and have something of value to offer. A characteristic of successful people is that they naturally expect others to respond positively to them.
- When entering someone's office, do not poke your head in the door. Walk in confidently. (Knock first, if appropriate)
- Anticipating a negative reaction sets the stage for an unsuccessful meeting. Therefore, enter with more confidence and have a positive mindset
- A strong stride, a direct approach, an upright posture and a sense of energy are extremely important
Body Language
What you do with your body can support and enhance the message your words convey–or detract from it.
- Whether talking with one person or an auditorium full of people, maintain eye contact. Otherwise the person or crowd you are addressing will definitely show no interest to what you have to say
- Keep your facial expressions relaxed and friendly. The idea is to keep the listener interested and comfortable with you and what you have to say
- When standing, maintain a balance to your stance. Do not slouch, or lean on things when talking to people. Always maintain an upright posture
- Move purposefully; it shows confidence. Do not walk into a room for instance as though you are about to steal something or as though you do not belong there
- Let your hands fall to your side after using them and avoid crossing your arms, or holding your own hands either in front of you or behind your back
Shaking Hands
Handshakes are an important physical means of communicating. An immediate, firm, confident and friendly handshake helps establish a positive tone for a meeting and provides a non-verbal opportunity to establish yourself.
- Involve your entire hand in the handshake. Make eye contact; without it a handshake is half as effective
- Women should shake hands with each other just as readily as men. Never allow an important meeting to begin without a handshake. To do otherwise is to non-verbally discount yourself
- Some men think it is impolite to extend their hand to a woman for a handshake. A savvy businesswoman relaxes the uneasiness by extending her hand to a man right away
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