5 Signs You Need a New Career

5 Signs You Need a New Career 5 Signs You Need a New Career Do you dread Mondays? Feel like Fridays cant come soon enough? Its normal to have a bad day at work from time to time, but if you hate your job week after week, thats a sign its time for a change.But how do you determine whether you need a new job or an entirely new career?If youre on the fence about taking a new direction in your professional life, here are five questions to ask yourself1. Do I Lack Passion?Think about the big-picture outcomes of your profession. Do they make you feel excited or apathetic? Your career should be more than a paycheck it should align with your personality, purpose, and values. If you still get a charge when you think about the why behind your career field, then you likely just need a change of environment to reignite your passion.On the other hand, if you no longer find meaning in your professions mission or, worse, you fundamentally disagree with it its time to find a new career better s uited to your goals.2. Am I Proud of What I Do?When someone asks what you do, are you quick to tell them, or do you try tochange the subject?If youre good at what you do and proud of your profession, you dont need a new career. Youll likely find renewed happiness with your work by moving to a new company with better procedures, policies, or politics.A new career may be in order, however, if youre embarrassed by what you do or if you no longer feel a personal connection to the profession.3. Do I Have Skills?Think about the skills your career requires. Do you find them challenging, meaningful, and exciting? It doesnt matter whether youre naturally gifted in these areas it matters if enjoy them.If your answer is yes, then look for a job that will fully utilize your skills. If your answer is no and you have an irrepressible desire to try something new or a feeling that many of your natural talents are going to waste, then you should seek out a career that answers your truecalling.4. Am I Exhausted All the Time?You spend more waking hours at work than anywhere else. Unhappiness there can spill over into all parts of your life and leave you feeling tired, worn down, or ill.If you suffer from chronic stress and fatigue despite making positive changes in your personal life, your job may be the culprit. If youve already changed jobs and still feel the symptoms, your career may need a shift.5. DoI Feel Trapped?Do you wonder how you ended up in this profession? When you think about work, are you resentful? Youre not alone. Many professionals make all the right choices for their careersbutstill feel unfulfilled. Thats because they made choices based on external expectations, not on what felt right in their guts.Acareer shouldnt feel like a prison sentence, and its never too late to make a change. Regain a sense of control by coming up with a plan. Determine where your passions lie and how you can turnthem into a career, then come up with action steps to make it happen (g oing back to school, for example).Jodie Shaw is the chief marketing officer for The Alternative Board (TAB).

Interview Tips for Introverts

Interview Tips for IntrovertsInterview Tips for IntrovertsInterview Tips for IntrovertsHow to handle the dreaded face-to-face - and nail it.Your resume looks great, youve polished your cover letter to perfection, and your skillset is a good fit for the job fleck to which youre applying. The only thing that stands between you and a new job is the vorstellungsgesprch.If youre among the estimated 50 percent of the U.S. population who identifies as an introvert, the prospect of vorstellungsgesprching for a new job can be especially terrifying.While introverts are often skillful listeners a trait that will come in handy during the interview process they often struggle to meet other expectations set by the interviewer, such as a powerful first impression, quick, well-composed answers delivered on the spot, and ease in front of a complete stranger.As an introvert, are you doomed to fail at interviewing? Definitely bedrngnis.Below are nine interview tips to help you and introverts everywh ere overcome your fears, survive the interview process, and get the job.Interview Tip 1 Prepare for the interview.Set aside ample time to prepare for your interview. The mora prepared you feel for an interview, the easier it will be to remain calm and confident when you walk into the interview room.If freestyling your way to an answer is not your strength, dont put yourself in that position during an interview. Start by re-reading the job description to get a sense of what skills and experience the hiring manager is looking for in a job candidate. Then, study your resume and consider how you meet these requirements. Think of real-life examples from your work history that illustrate your qualifications. This will help you prepare responses to behavioral interview questions you may be asked.Research common interview questions and brainstorm your answers. The goal is to jot down a few notes on how youd address the question, rather than write out and memorize each response like a script you dont want to risk sounding rehearsed and unnatural.In plus-rechnen to reviewing the job description and rehearsing your interview responses, do some additional research on the organization, the hiring manager, and anyone else who is scheduled to meet with you. Use sites like LinkedIn to get a better idea of the hiring managers background, such as his or her school affiliation, work history, professional associations, and hobbies and interests. This information will come in handy when its time for the pre-interview small talk every introvert fears.Related The Complete List of Essential Interview Questions to AskInterview Tip 2 Record a video of yourself in a mock interview.With a tripod, a cell phone, and a helpful friend, you can stage and record a mock interview in under 30 minutes. Yes, it really is that simple. Minimal time and money invested, and great instant feedback on what the interviewer sees.As you review the video, pay attention to your willingness to make eye conta ct and smile. Are your shoulders relaxed or stiff? Do you look scared and uncomfortable, as if you are in an interrogation room with a spotlight on you?Count the number of times you said um when you were unsure how to begin your response. If you notice this as a trend, consider spending more time in preparation. Try pausing for a moment or using an opener like That is a great question or I am glad you asked this, to give yourself a little more time to think through your response before you deliver it.A mock interview can give you a brutally honest look at what you need to fix in order to shine when it really counts. Be prepared that it wont be pretty on the first pass and embrace its lessons. After all, you would rather get these mistakes out of the way without an actual job offer hanging in the balance.Related How to Make the Most of a Mock InterviewInterview Tip 3 Be sure that the job is a good fit for your temperament.No matter what your temperament is, aussichts are that any job will require you to step out of your comfort zone at times. The key is to choose a position that honors your natural preference most of the time. Think of it as an equivalent to standing on your head. With some training, virtually everyone can do it for a short while. However, no one should be expected to stand on their head for eight to 10 hours a day.Just be sure you are interviewing for a job that will make the greatest use of your natural strengths. Pay attention to the interactions with your would-be coworkers and manager, take the time to understand the daily responsibilities and workflow, and imagine yourself doing the job. Does it offer you a balance of time for private reflection and outside interactions? How much energy will the job take, and how much will you get back from the joy of doing it?Interview Tip 4 Build in some solo time before the interview.An interview requires a significant energy output for you. Treat it accordingly. If you recharge and prepare best in sol itude, be sure to give yourself that solo cushion before the interview to be at your best. Remember that needing quiet time for yourself is not a sign that you are not cut out for the job it is simply a recognition and an honoring of how you prepare to do your best work.Related 7 Things to Do the Morning of Your Job InterviewInterview Tip 5 Remember your strengths.You are a powerful listener and a great observer. Those are superpowers in an interview setting Listen deeply. In todays distracted world, people dont get the luxury of undivided attention all that often, and the interviewer is bound to appreciate it.Many introverts are wonderful at forming one-on-one connections with people once they get to know them. Because things have to move fast in an interview, heres a trick to put your introversion and ability to connect to good use Go into the conversation pretending that youve known the hiring manager for years.It seems silly and simple, but it works every time because you skip the emotionally awkward stranger stage. Hiring managers seem to appreciate it after all, having a stiff and shy candidate is no fun for them, either. Interview Tip 6 Be prepared for small talk.Oh, the dreaded small talk. Since you cannot escape small talk in an interview, heres a tactic to try.Head over to the interview meeting 20 to 30 minutes ahead of time and find a local coffee shop. Stop in for a cup of coffee and a bite, and then ask the interviewing manager whether he or she has ever been there. You have a conversation topic and an opinion to share in your back pocket and its not about the weatherInterview Tip 7 Think of aspects of the job that genuinely excite you.One of the biggest risks with an introverted personality is that you may come across as disinterested in the position. To combat that, give some thought to the parts of the job that you are truly excited about.Perhaps it is a chance to solve a difficult puzzle, lead a department, or make a difference. Whatever yo u choose, think of that during the interview, and your enthusiasm and energy will shine even if you are naturally reserved.Interview Tip 8 Dont brag, inform.Many introverts are genuinely uncomfortable talking about their success. Whether its because of a natural inclination to deflate our contributions or because of a childhood admonition to not boast, this tendency can put you at a disadvantage in an interview. After all, the hiring manager uses your past success as an indicator of future contributions to his department. If you are uncomfortable with talking about your success (bragging), reframe it as reporting the facts, or restating what others have said. Your goal is to inform the hiring manager to make the best decision. Interview Tip 9 Allow time to recharge and decompress after the interview.Build in a post-interview Do not disturb block of time. Go for a walk, sit in a coffee shop and decompress, or take a nap. The job search is a marathon, and it does not serve you to burn yourself out in the first two miles.In closing, remember that introversion is not a curse. Just because you are naturally quiet and thoughtful does not mean you are doomed to fail at interviewing. However, it will require you to prepare, work on your demeanor, and be ready to show up more open and relaxed than you typically would in a first interaction. That effort will take energy, so honor your need to recharge and recover. With these interviewing tips, being an introvert will become your superpowerLet TopResume do the bragging for you. Start with a free resume review today.Recommended Reading5 Tips for Delivering the Perfect Elevator Pitch7 Signs You Aced Your First InterviewAvoid These Common and Costly Interview Follow-Up MistakesRelated Articles

France banning smartphones in schools. Will companies follow

France banning smartphones in schools. Will companies followFrance banning smartphones in schools. Will companies followThis upcoming academic school year, children in France will have to leave their phones behind when they go to class. On Monday, French lawmakersvoted to ban smartphones in schools for schoolchildren up to 15 years old.With the ban, schoolchildren must turn off or leave behind their smartphones and other connected devices when they go to school, although exceptions can be made for pedagogical use, and students with special needs.Back when the idea of the ban welches first introduced, Frances education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said that it would be a public health message to families, saying Its good that children are not too often, or even at all, in front of a screen before the age of seven.The cons of bringing your smartphone to workIs this a public health message more employers should follow? Yes, a phone makes it easier than ever to connect with our colleagu es and answer our work emails on the go. But there has been overwhelming evidence compiled about technologys distracting effect on our minds. Even if you are not leaving it at home, there is mental peace to be gained by putting your phone out of sight.A phones nearby presence distracts us, lowering our ability to reason and think clearly. And technology may help you write more quickly, but it may not help you remember what you wrote. Students who write longhand notes are able to retain more complex information than students typing notes on laptops, one study found.When our phones are not our constant companions, it is easier for us to concentrate.Whether you are a French student or a harried employee debating whether or not to take your phone into a meeting, your memory can improve when you limit your smartphone usage.