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10 Productivity Hacks
We
all need a productivity boost now and then sometimes throughout the
day. We each want to be productive for very personal
reasons to accomplish more, to make more money, to get done earlier to
make more time for our personal lives, to accomplish our goals.
But whatever the reason, these Productivity Hacks will do the trick. Here they are, in reverse order.
#10: Take care of your Most Important Things first.
Your Most Important Things for the day the things you most need to
accomplish that day should take priority over everything else. However,
we all know that fires come up throughout the day, interruptions
through phone calls and email and people dropping
by, new demands that will push the best-laid plans aside. If you put
off your MITs until later in the day, you will end up not doing them
much of the time.
# 9: Wake up early.
Decide what
youd like to accomplish each morning, and build your morning routine
around that. Like to exercise? Put that in there. Healthy breakfast? Go
for it. Check email? Fine. The mornings are a fresh start, peaceful and
free of ringing phones and constant email notifications.
If you get your Most Important Things done in the morning, the rest of
the day is just gravy.
# 8: Simplify information streams, crank through blogs & email.
Think about all the information you receive (email, blogs, newsletters,
mailing lists, magazines, newspapers and more) and edit brutally. You
will drastically reduce the time you spend reading. For everything else
that begins to come in after your editing
process, ask yourself if you really need to be getting that information
regularly. Most of the time the answer is no. Now, after this process,
you should be left with less to read. Heres the next step: crank through
it all, really only reading the really interesting
ones.
# 7: Declutter your workspace; work on one thing at a time.
The decluttering your work space part of it is simply to remove all
extra distractions, on your desk and on your computer. If youā™ve got a
clean, simplified workspace, you can better focus on the task at hand.
# 6: Get to work early; work fewer hours.
My best days come when I get into work early, and begin my work day in
the quiet morning hours, before the phones start ringing and the din of
the office begins it crescendo to chaos. It is so peaceful, and I can
work without interruption or losing focus.
I often find that I get my MITs done before anyone comes in, and then
the rest of the day is dealing with whatever comes up (or even better:
getting ahead for the next day).
# 5: Avoid meetings; when you must meet, make it effective.
I find it best to say no to meetings up front. I just say, Sorry, I
cant make it. Im tied up with a project right now. And thats always
true. Ive always got projects Im working on that are more important than
a meeting.
# 4: Avoid unnecessary work.
If we just do any work that comes our way, we can be cranking out the
tasks, but not be productive at all. Youre only productive if you are
doing work that moves you towards a goal. Eliminate non-essential tasks
from your to-do lists, and start to say no to
new requests that are non-essential.
# 3: Do the tough tasks first.
You know what those tasks are. What have you been putting off that you
know you need to do? Sometimes when you put things off, they end up
being things you donā™t really need to do. But sometimes they are things
you just gotta do. Those are your tough tasks.
# 2: Work off-line as much as possible.
To increase your productivity, disconnect your Internet connection.
Have scheduled times when you re going to check your email, and only let
yourself check your blogs or surf the web when you ve gotten a certain
amount done. When you do go online, do it on
a timer. When the timer goes off, unplug again until the next scheduled
time.
# 1: Do something youre passionate about.
This
might not seem like the normal productivity tip, but give it a thought:
if you really want to do something, you ll work
like hell to get it done. You ll work extra hard, you ll put in even
more hours, and you re less likely to procrastinate. Its for work that
you dont really care about that you procrastinate. Read the full post
for tips on how to find your dream job and do
work you truly care about.
Inside the Recruiter’s Head: What He’s Really Asking You During the Interview
You applied for a new job, and you’ve been called in for an interview. During the interview process, there are three main questions that need to be answered to help the HR person determine if you’re the right fit for the job:
- Can this person do the job?
- Will he do the job?
- Will he fit in with the company culture?
By asking what I call “the question behind the question,” hiring managers have a better chance to making the right hiring decision. As job seekers, your task is to answer them honestly and fully. Here are 10 top questions that the interviewer might ask, along with the hidden agenda behind each one. Tread carefully — the way you approach the answer might tell more than what you actually say.
1. As you reflect back at your last position, what was missing that you are looking for in your next role?
This question gets at the heart of why you’re leaving the current job or, in the case of a reduction in workforce, it helps the interviewer understand what was missing. If you answer with, “I didn’t have access to my boss, which made it difficult to get questions answered,” then the interviewer might follow up with, “Can you give me a specific example where you had to make a decision on your own because your boss was not available?” This follow-up question will help the interviewer determine your level of decision making and how much access to the manager you’ll need.
2. What qualities of your last boss did you admire, and what qualities did you dislike?
This is precarious territory because your answer needs to have a balance of positive and negative feedback. It will show if you are tactful in answering a tricky question and if your leadership style is congruent with the admired or disliked ones. If you name a trait the interviewer dislikes or that’s not in line with company culture, then you might not be a fit for the position.
3. How would you handle telling an employee his position is being eliminated after working for the company for 25 years, knowing they would be emotional?
This question is not unrealistic in today’s job market, since companies continue to downsize as a way of conducting business. Knowing that you might have to deal with this situation, the interviewer wants to know how you would tell the long-term employee the bad news. Would you tell the business reason why the company is downsizing, and would you thank the person in a genuine, heartfelt way for years of service?
4. How do you like to be rewarded for good performance?
As simple as this question is, it helps the interviewer get a sense of what motivates you — is it money, time off or more formal recognition? If you’re interviewing for a management role, the follow-up question could be: How do you reward the good performance of employees who work for you? Are you a “do as I say, not as I do” type of manager? The interviewer is looking for congruency in behaviors, because if you don’t practice what you preach, then it might not be a cultural fit.
5. Can you give me an example of when your relationship with your manager went off track and how you handled it?
The interviewer is listening for the reasons why the relationship went off track. Are you taking responsibility for your own actions first or placing blame on the manager? The interviewer wants to learn more about your communication style and how you approach conflict.
6. When a person says “I have integrity,” what does that mean to you?
The follow-up question is: “How have you demonstrated integrity in your work?” Integrity is broad, and most people think they have it, but can you really articulate what it looks and sounds like? The interviewer is looking for congruency of words and actions with this question.
7. Can you tell me about your experience working with the generation X or Y? What are the three qualities you admire about them?
There’s been much talk about the work habits of various generations. At a startup, you’ll likely be working with younger people, and employers want to know how you will integrate with this population. And young people will be working with baby boomers at bigger companies, like Dell and Apple. The interviewer will be looking for ways you’ve collaborated with workers of all ages and used each others’ talents to achieve a goal — do you have the energy, drive and attitude to work well with others?
8. Do you think age discrimination exists in the job market and if so, why?
Some job seekers use “age discrimination” or “I make too much money” as the reasons why they did not get the interview or the job. In reality, they have applied for a job for which they are overqualified. They have too many skills for this particular job and the employer can find someone who has the exact skill and salary that commensurate with the job. Don’t make that mistake.
9. Can you convince me you are the most qualified person for this role based on what we have discussed?
The interviewer wants to make sure you clearly understand what the problems are and what would be expected of you in the event of your hire. This is the opportunity for you to sell yourself effectively for the job.
10. As you look at your previous companies, can you describe in detail which company culture did you excel in the most and why?
The interviewer is looking for a culture fit, which is one of the essential criteria for job satisfaction. They want to hire someone who will do his best work for you, so do your research before you go in for the interview.
What other probing questions have you been asked at interview? Let us know in the comments.
Jayne Mattson is Senior Vice President at Keystone Associates, a leading career management and transition services consulting firm in Boston, Massachusetts. Mattson specializes in helping mid-to-senior level individuals in new career exploration, networking strategies and career decisions based on corporate culture fit.
Top 10 Motivation Mistakes
In this blog, we have in the past discussed motivation for entrepreneurs from motivating employees to self-motivation. There are tons of posts out there on what to do but not too many on what not to do. To that end, we thought it would be a good time to go over some of the most common mistakes made in the quest for motivation below.
- Giving power away – Remember that your attitude and actions are always your own and not to put them on anyone else. This includes those who you supervise, those who supervise you, those you are working with, and clients.
- Criticism – Even constructive criticism can be a bad thing. Pointing the finger of blame, no matter how much it is deserved, can be a motivation killer. Instead, have a productive conversation about how the problem could have been handled better.
- Isolation – Believing that the boss is the boss and should never be seen as anything else can be hazardous. Employees and co-workers will not see you as a real person if the only time you engage them is through work. This includes making the time for the occasional chat and even going to lunch.
- Ignorance – If one of your team has made an accomplishment, no matter how small, ignoring it can be a huge motivational mistake. Everything from verbal praise to an actual award cannot only convey how appreciative you are, it can also motivate the winner to do even better in the future.
- It isn't all money – While money can be a driving force in business, don't make the mistake of thinking that is all there is to getting people motivated. In fact, this blog has even written on ways to motivate outside of money that include everything from getting rid of managers to company parties.
- Negativity – While the downside to any decision must be looked and considered before moving on, there can also be a tendency to dwell on the negative. Simply learn what you need to know from the situation and move on.
- Say what you mean, mean what you say – Nothing can demotivate a team member like seeing their boss say one thing and do another. Being a man or woman of your word, even if it hurts, will help more in the long term than breaking your word in the short term could.
- Over-motivation – Did you know that according to a Harvard Business School study about 85% of those who come into a new job are already motivated? However, the task of motivating can often lead to over-motivation and decreased motivation as a result. Quick tip: if there are motivational posters all over your workplace, you are probably committing this motivation mistake.
- Gift vs. bonus – Not knowing the difference between the two can be a huge motivational mistake. While bonuses are expected and employees try for a specific period of time to earn them, gifts are random and are given out simply because of good performance, keeping the environment motivating.
- Not listening – Last but not least, you may have 100 things to get to, but not taking the time to listen to someone who wants to speak to you should never be at the bottom of the list. Made more often than you think, motivation means next to nothing if whoever you are motivating doesn't feel like their voice is important.
Article by:
Shelly Mirriam
Shelly is a science student and also writes for
Shelly is a science student and also writes for
Masters in Environmental Science
which helps students find the right environmental science degree.
which helps students find the right environmental science degree.
5 Easy Ways to Stay Motivated
Face it: There are days when being an entrepreneur sucks. Here are a few simple steps to getting your mojo back.
No matter what you do for a living, the key to success is superlative performance, day after day after day. And that’s only possible if you make optimism, expectancy, and enthusiasm part of your daily experience.
That’s easy if you’re pursuing your life’s dearest dreams. But what if, like almost everybody else in this world, you’ve got a job that’s not exactly perfect. Here’s how to remain a go-getter, even when the getting gets tough:
STEP #1: Realize That YOU Are in Control
Your attitude isn’t controlled by the outside world. That’s an illusion, a fantasy that, if you believe it, you’re simply using to escape responsibility for managing this all-important part of your career.
For example, if you run into snowstorm that’s making you late to a customer meeting, you can get frustrated and start cursing..., or you can look forward to the appreciation that the customer might feel because you were committed enough to fight the weather to make the meeting.
Similarly, when the economy goes south, you can start obsessing about how it’s going to affect your job, or you can be one of those individuals who use tighter budgets as a way to streamline operations, develop new markets and create innovations.
It’s all in how you see it!
STEP #2: Neutralize Your Negative Triggers
Stop letting exterior events trigger negative thoughts.
For example, suppose you’re traveling to a customer meeting but keep running into red lights and traffic delays. That IS a problem, but if you get flustered, you’ve got TWO problems: the fact that you’re late, and the fact that you’re flustered.
And if you walk into the meeting flustered, the customer might wonder if you’re moody and unreliable. So now you’ve got THREE problems.
To get a better result (and achieve a better attitude), modify your interpretation of exterior events that tend to trigger a negative outlook. Once the events in your life take on a different, more useful meaning, they won’t trigger a bad attitude.
For example, while the delays may be making you late, use the extra time to collect your thoughts, consider your options, and decide on a damage control strategy. Or use the time to come up with a better schedule, so that you always leave plenty of time, just in case there’s traffic.
As a mentor of mine once said: “Life is like those signs that say ‘You Are Here’ What you make of where you are is up to you.”
STEP #3: Detoxify Your Media Consumption
Much of today’s news programming consists of “if it bleeds it leads” stories followed by commercials offering some form of (often addictive) security or comfort. The constant flow of negative imagery automatically creates a negative attitude about life, the world, and everything in it.
If you want to maintain a positive attitude, you MUST reduce or even eliminate your exposure to broadcast news programming. Rather than waste time with that garbage, add material and content into your life that will help you become more successful (like this column!)
Start and end each day reading something positive! When you’re on the road, rather than listening to negative, emotionally-charged talk radio, listen to motivational tapes, music that raises your spirits, or maybe great literature.
STEP #4: Avoid Negative People
You probably have one or more friends, relatives, or acquaintances who make you feel tired and drained. They always seem to have something sour to say; criticisms come to their lips far more quickly than compliments.
Such folk are toxic to your attitude (and hence to your success) because, if they’re not actively tearing down your enthusiasm, they’re trying to get you to think the same way about the world as they do. What a drag! Literally.
If you want to maintain a positive attitude, consider sharply limiting your daily exposure to such people. Don’t show up at the daily “water cooler complain-fest.” Don’t go to lunch with the “grouse and grumble” crowd. If you’ve got family members who are constantly negative, tune them out.
STEP #5: Adopt a Positive Vocabulary
The words that you use—both what you speak aloud and your internal dialogue—have a vast influence in how you perceive what’s happening in the world. All words carry a certain amount of emotional baggage, inherent in their exact definition and the way that they’ve been used in the past.
For instance, the words “despise,” “hate,” and “dislike” mean essentially the same thing, but carry very different emotional baggage. If you “dislike” something, but tell yourself that you “hate it” over and over and over, it will intensify the original emotion.
To keep a positive attitude, use weak words for negative feelings and strong words for positive ones. This thwarts the downward spiral of negative feelings and words, and accelerates the upward spiral of positive feelings and words.
The above is based upon a conversation with one my favorite people, motivation-guru extraordinaire Jeff Keller, and is a shortened version of one of the chapters in my newly-published book How to Say It: Business to Business Selling.
Geoffrey James
Preparing for great Job Interview
- Research the industry and company.
An interviewer may ask how you perceive his company's position in its industry, who the firm's competitors are, what its competitive advantages are, and how it should best go forward. For this reason, avoid trying to thoroughly research a dozen different industries. Focus your job search on just a few industries instead.
- Clarify your "selling points" and the reasons you want the job.
Prepare to go into every interview with three to five key selling points in mind, such as what makes you the best candidate for the position. Have an example of each selling point prepared ("I have good communication skills. For example, I persuaded an entire group to ..."). And be prepared to tell the interviewer why you want that job – including what interests you about it, what rewards it offers that you find valuable, and what abilities it requires that you possess. If an interviewer doesn't think you're really, really interested in the job, he or she won't give you an offer – no matter how good you are! - Anticipate the interviewer's concerns and reservations.
There are always more candidates for positions than there are openings. So interviewers look for ways to screen people out. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself why they might not want to hire you (“I don't have this,” “I'm not that,” etc.). Then prepare your defense: “I know you may be thinking that I might not be the best fit for this position because [their reservation]. But you should know that [reason the interviewer shouldn't be overly concerned]." - Prepare for common interview questions.
Every "how to interview" book has a list of a hundred or more "common interview questions." (You might wonder just how long those interviews are if there are that many common questions!) So how do you prepare? Pick any list and think about which questions you're most likely to encounter, given your age and status (about to graduate, looking for a summer internship). Then prepare your answers so you won't have to fumble for them during the actual interview. - Line up your questions for the interviewer.
Come to the interview with some intelligent questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your knowledge of the company as well as your serious intent. Interviewers always ask if you have any questions, and no matter what, you should have one or two ready. If you say, "No, not really," he or she may conclude that you're not all that interested in the job or the company. A good all-purpose question is, "If you could design the ideal candidate for this position from the ground up, what would he or she be like?"
If you're having a series of interviews with the same company, you can use some of your prepared questions with each person you meet (for example, "What do you think is the best thing about working here?" and "What kind of person would you most like to see fill this position?") Then, try to think of one or two others during each interview itself. - Practice, practice, practice.It's one thing to come prepared with a mental answer to a question like, "Why should we hire you?" It's another challenge entirely to say it out loud in a confident and convincing way. The first time you try it, you'll sound garbled and confused, no matter how clear your thoughts are in your own mind! Do it another 10 times, and you'll sound a lot smoother and more articulate.
But you shouldn't do your practicing when you're "on stage" with a recruiter; rehearse before you go to the interview. The best way to rehearse? Get two friends and practice interviewing each other in a "round robin": one person acts as the observer and the "interviewee" gets feedback from both the observer and the "interviewer." Go for four or five rounds, switching roles as you go. Another idea (but definitely second-best) is to tape record your answer and then play it back to see where you need to improve. Whatever you do, make sure your practice consists of speaking aloud. Rehearsing your answer in your mind won't cut it. - Score a success in the first five minutes.
Some studies indicate that interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first five minutes of the interview – and then spend the rest of the interview looking for things to confirm that decision! So what can you do in those five minutes to get through the gate? Come in with energy and enthusiasm, and express your appreciation for the interviewer's time. (Remember: She may be seeing a lot of other candidates that day and may be tired from the flight in. So bring in that energy!)
Also, start off with a positive comment about the company – something like, "I've really been looking forward to this meeting [not "interview"]. I think [the company] is doing great work in [a particular field or project], and I'm really excited by the prospect of being able to contribute." - Get on the same side as the interviewer.
Many interviewers view job interviews as adversarial: Candidates are going to try to pry an offer out of the interviewer, and the interviewer's job is to hold onto it. Your job is to transform this "tug of war" into a relationship in which you're both on the same side. You could say something as simple as, "I'm happy to have the chance to learn more about your company and to let you learn more about me, so we can see if this is going to be a good match or not. I always think that the worst thing that can happen is to be hired into a job that's wrong for you – then nobody's happy!" - Be assertive and take responsibility for the interview.
Perhaps out of the effort to be polite, some usually assertive candidates become overly passive during job interviews. But politeness doesn't equal passivity. An interview is like any other conversation – it’s a dance in which you and a partner move together, both responding to the other. Don't make the mistake of just sitting there waiting for the interviewer to ask you about that Nobel Prize you won. It's your responsibility to make sure he walks away knowing your key selling points. - Be ready to handle illegal and inappropriate questions.
Interview questions about your race, age, gender, religion, marital status, and sexual orientation are inappropriate and in many areas illegal. Nevertheless, you may get one or more of them. If you do, you have a couple of options. You can simply answer with a question ("I'm not sure how that's relevant to my application"), or you can try to answer "the question behind the question": "I don't know whether I'll decide to have children in the near future, but if you're wondering if I'll be leaving my job for an extended period of time, I can say that I'm very committed to my career and frankly can't imagine giving it up." - Make your selling points clear.
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound? More important, if you communicate your selling points during a job interview and the interviewer doesn't get it, did you score? On this question, the answer is clear: No! So don't bury your selling points in long-winded stories. Instead, tell the interviewer what your selling point is first, then give the example. - Think positive.
No one likes a complainer, so don't dwell on negative experiences during an interview. Even if the interviewer asks you point blank, "What courses have you liked least?" or "What did you like least about that previous job?" don't answer the question. Or more specifically, don't answer it as it's been asked. Instead, say something like, "Well, actually I've found something about all of my classes that I've liked. For example, although I found [class] to be very tough, I liked the fact that [positive point about the class]" or "I liked [a previous job] quite a bit, although now I know that I really want to [new job]." - Close on a positive note.
If a salesman came to you and demonstrated his product, then thanked you for your time and walked out the door, what did he do wrong? He didn't ask you to buy it! If you get to the end of an interview and think you'd really like that job, ask for it! Tell the interviewer that you'd really, really like the job – that you were excited about it before the interview and are even more excited now, and that you're convinced you'd like to work there. If there are two equally good candidates at the end of the search – you and someone else – the interviewer will think you're more likely to accept the offer, and thus may be more inclined to make an offer to you.
Even better, take what you've learned about yourself from your MyPath career assessment and use it to explain why you think this is the job for you: "I've done some careful career self-assessment, and I know that I'm most interested in [one or two of your most important career interest themes], and – correct me if I'm wrong – it seems that this position would allow me to express those interests. I also know that I'm most motivated by [two or three of your most important motivators from your MyPath assessment], and I have the sense that if I do well, I could get those rewards in this position.
Finally, I know that my strongest abilities are [two or three of your strongest abilities from your MyPath assessment], and I see those as being the abilities you most need for this position." If you follow this tip, you'll be (a) asking for the job, (b) explaining why you think it's a good match, (c) displaying your thoughtfulness and maturity, and (d) further disarming the tug-of-war dynamic that interviewers anticipate. You'll be making the strongest possible "close" – and that's worth a lot! - Bring a copy of your resume to every interview.
Have a copy of your resume with you when you go to every interview. If the interviewer has misplaced his or her copy, you'll save a lot of time (and embarrassment on the interviewer's part) if you can just pull your extra copy out and hand it over. - Don't worry about sounding "canned".
Some people are concerned that if they rehearse their answers, they'll sound "canned" (or overly polished or glib) during the interview. Don't worry. If you're well prepared, you'll sound smooth and articulate, not canned. And if you're not so well prepared, the anxiety of the situation will eliminate any "canned" quality. - Make the most of the "Tell me about yourself" question.
Many interviewers begin interviews with this question. So how should you respond? You can go into a story about where you were born, what your parents do, how many brothers and sisters and dogs and cats you have, and that's okay. But would you rather have the interviewer writing down what kind of dog you have – or why the company should hire you?
Consider responding to this question with something like: "Well, obviously I could tell you about lots of things, and if I'm missing what you want, please let me know. But the three things I think are most important for you to know about me are [your selling points]. I can expand on those a little if you'd like." Interviewers will always say, "Sure, go ahead." Then you say, "Well, regarding the first point, [give your example]. And when I was working for [company], I [example of another selling point]." Etc. This strategy enables you to focus the first 10-15 minutes of the interview on all of your key selling points. The "Tell me about yourself" question is a golden opportunity. Don't miss it!
- Speak the right body language.
Dress appropriately, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture, speak clearly, and don't wear perfume or cologne! Sometimes interview locations are small rooms that may lack good air circulation. You want the interviewer paying attention to your job qualifications -- not passing out because you've come in wearing Chanel No. 5 and the candidate before you was doused with Brut, and the two have mixed to form a poisonous gas that results in you not getting an offer! - Be ready for "behavior-based" interviews".
One of the most common interview styles today is to ask people to describe experiences they have had that demonstrate behaviors that the company thinks are important for a particular position. You might be asked to talk about a time when you made an unpopular decision, displayed a high level of persistence, or made a decision under time pressure and with limited information, for example.
Step 1 is to anticipate the behaviors this hiring manager is likely to be looking for. Step 2 is to identify at least one example of when you demonstrated each behavior. Step 3 is to prepare a story for each example. Many people recommend using SAR (Situation-Action-Result) as a model for the story. Step 4 is to practice telling the story. Also, make sure to review your resume before the interview with this kind of format in mind; this can help you to remember examples of behaviors you may not have anticipated in advance. - Send thank-you notes.
Write a thank-you note after every interview. Type each note on paper or send them by email, depending on the interviewers' preferences. Customize your notes by referring specifically to what you and the interviewer discussed; for example, "I was particularly excited about [or interested by, or glad to hear] what you said about ..." Handwritten notes might be better if you're thanking a personal contact for helping you in your job search, or if the company you're interviewing with is based in Europe. Whatever method you choose, notes should be sent within 48 hours of the interview.
To write a good thank-you note, you'll need to take time after each interview to jot down a few things about what the interviewer said. Also, write down what you could have done better in the interview, and make adjustments before you head off for your next interview. - Don't give up!
If you've had a bad interview for a job that you truly think would be a great fit for you (not just something you want badly), don't give up! Write a note, send an email, or call the interviewer to let him or her know that you think you did a poor job of communicating why you think this job would be a good match. Reiterate what you have to offer the company, and say that you'd like an opportunity to contribute. Whether this strategy will get you a job offer depends on the company and on you. But one thing's for sure: If you don't try, your chances are exactly zero. We've seen this approach work on numerous occasions, and we encourage you to give it that last shot.
If you follow these, you'll be as prepared as any candidate an interviewer has ever seen. Good hunting, and good luck!
Source: http://www.experis.us/