The Networking Mistakes That Make You Look Unprofessional

The Networking Mistakes That Make You Look Unprofessional 10 Networking Mistakes That Make You Look UnprofessionalHave you committed any of these networking blunders?It seems that every networking auffhrung comes with a few cringe-worthy moments. From listening to a self-indulgent sales pitch to being asked out on a date, sweaty handshakes, and annoying name-dropping, being on the receiving end of networking mistakes isnt fun. The consequences are even worse if youre the offender. An unfortunate faux pas could spell the end of professional credibility, destroy goodwill, and eliminate the willingness to connect all key ingredients for successful networking.Here are 10 common networking mistakes that can derail your efforts to meet like-minded professionals and boost your career. Some are straightforward, yet worth pointing out because they are committed often. Others (such as staying in touch) may be well-intentioned but potentially damaging if done incorrectly.Being unpreparedSometi mes, a networking event catches you off-guard. Perhaps you received a last-minute invitation to join your boss at a reception, or maybe you forgot about an event that you had committed to months ago. When you must get ready to go on a moments notice, there is no time to update that stale LinkedIn profile or order more geschftliches miteinander cards.The best advice for avoiding this mistake is to make a polished appearance an organic part of your daily routine.Keep your LinkedIn profile and resume up-to-date, carry your geschftsleben cards with you at all times, and dress professionally daily. Follow these tips and you will never have to regret wasting an opportunity to make a good first impression.Using the event to peddle your resumePushing your resume on anyone with a pulse (or using the guerilla-marketing tactic of leaving your resume on every cocktail table in the reception area) can make you look like you are only there to advance your own cause. Most people will discard an ou t-of-context resume thats been forced on them and forget theyve ever met you. Those that do remember will recall you as pushy and self-promoting. Do bring your resume but keep it to yourself, unless your new contact asks for it.Going on a business-card-collecting spreeA networking event is not a hunt, and there is no reward for collecting the most trophies Your goal should be to create meaningful connections, not to capture that business card and move on to the next target. Give yourself permission to slow down, pay attention to the conversation, and stop working the room. Your results will be betterTreating anyone as unimportantDismissing people who dont meet certain criteria in favor of big names and A-listers is a mistake. A single disparaging comment can embarrass and discredit you for years to come. Treat everyone you meet like they could make a real difference in your life. Be respectful and present, even if the connection is brief.Failing to ask for helpProfessionals often h old the mistaken belief that asking for introductions or advice makes them look weak and disadvantaged. In reality, making a request for an introduction is at the core of the networking process After all, networking only works when people make new connections. By being respectful, polite, and humble, you can reinforce the relationships you have and build new ones.Being glued to your cell phoneNetworking events can be uncomfortable. For those who want an escape, cell phones are an easy answer. Some professionals think that checking messages or scrolling through emailles makes them look smart, busy, and important. However, the only thing this behavior accomplishes is making them look unapproachable, or worse, disrespectful. If you are expecting an important call, feel free to keep that phone nearby but turn off the ringer and resist the urge to hide behind the screen.Failing to follow upPost-event follow up is an opportunity to reinforce your professional image. If you promised someo ne you would send an article, make an introduction, or schedule a meeting, get it done within 24 hours.If you are sending a simple great to meet you email, dont settle for using an efficient, but boring, template. Make your message personal add details about the conversation or shared interests. If you had asked someone for advice, make a point of letting them know you took it to heart and acted on it. A follow-up email is not permission to launch into self-promotion or an elevator pitch, however. Be courteous, gracious, and brief.Related3 Powerful Thank-You Notes You Can Write in Under 30 SecondsFollowing up just to stay in touchBeyond the first email or call after the event, resist the urge to follow up just to stay in touch.This advice may go against the common wisdom, but it makes sense. Todays successful professionals are busier than ever. They dont want to dig through an inbox full of emails that lack substance.The new rule of thumb is to only follow up when you can add value. Found an interesting article thats relevant to your new connection? Met someone the other professional might enjoy or benefit from by being introduced? Finished a great book you want to recommend? By all means, reach out. If you make every touch point valuable and pleasant for the other professional, you wont ever have to resort to frequent, empty email blasts. Lying or stretching the truthFrom name-dropping when you barely know the important individual to inflating your current position, lying is the quickest way to demolish trust and credibility. It wont impress anyone, and even if it does, the truth will come out eventually. So be honest and trust that you are interesting and qualified without embellishment. If you are feeling self-conscious about your credentials, use that as motivation for learning and professional development not as a reason to lie.Forgetting to be gratefulThrough every interaction, professionals should remember that no one owes them anything not a meeting, not an introduction, not a recommendation. platzset reasonable expectations and dont ask for favors that are reserved for trusted friends and long-time colleagues. If you have just met someone, dont insist that they introduce you to the CEO of the company or give you intel on the business needs of their department.On that note, be grateful for any help or advice that you do receive. A hand-written thank-you note, a personal email, or a quick phone call to acknowledge the other persons effort will go a long way towards reinforcing the relationship. Dont make the mistake of thinking that personal thank-you messages are outdated Courtesy counts today more than ever before.Mistakes are a side-effect of being human, and most professionals will certainly forgive you for an occasional and unintentional faux pas. Having said that, an awareness of common networking mistakes can help you avoid them. From being mindful of your professional appearance to paying attention to small details (such as spelling someones name correctly in the follow-up email), remember that your new professional acquaintances dont have any baseline knowledge of you. There is no goodwill reserve to tap into when you make a mistake, so work on creating positive interactions and adding value. Treat every person you meet as if they have the power to boost your career. By using this advice, you will find yourself in the middle of a life-changing professional network in no timeClick on the following link for more networking advice.You dont need to give out your resume at networking events, but its still smart to have an updated one on you. Try a free resume critique to ensure your resume is up to dateRecommended ReadingNetwork Like an Expert Networking Tips from the Industrys FinestHow to Turn Holiday Parties into Networking GoldminesNetworking Tips to Help You Thrive at Your Next EventRelated Articles

Up in Arms About Resume Words?

Up in Arms About Resume Words? Resume Words - the Conspiracy Be specific regarding the skills you have that match the work description. Too many resumes are full of generalizations. Key skills are work-related skills that you will need to do a job. Dont forget, the majority of the exceptional skills that you set on your resume ought to be job-related skills taken from the work description and your best transferable skills. The 5-Minute Rule for Resume Words There are not any particular rules on the length of time your resume should be. You should leave yourself open to having the ability to reformat as needed. The very last thing you would like to display on a document intended to dazzle an employer is a scarcity of original thought. Perhaps your skill set is totally different. Willing to do anything it requires to find the job finished. Resumes are the ideal time to brag, and therefore dont be shy. They should demonstrate what you can do and not what you can not do, s ays Harrison. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. What to Expect From Resume Words? Dont, however, assume that you may write as much as you desire. State the particular position you would like and one to two sentences why youd be the very best candidate for this position. Resumes are made to highlight the ideal side of an individual. There are essentially 3 styles of resumes. The Lost Secret of Resume Words Just upload your resume in their system then paste the full job description to begin the comparison. Right choice of words can enhance your resume in various ways. Power words are used for many reasons. For the very first time, you can begin listing action words for resumes which best suit you. Resume tips for felons are a tremendous assistance. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. Technical skills are either something youve got or you dont, but theyre always something which it is possible to learn. Organizational skills are soft abilities, which makes it tricky to quantify them. Top Choices of Resume Words The total appearance of your resume is dependent upon the resume format, font and outline you select. One other important decision youve got to make about your resume format is the duration of your resume. Some resumes dont have a normal format throughout. When to Use the Chronological Resume Format A Chronological resume is the simplest to create and its also the most popular format. Ensure you highlight technical wisdom and certifications. There are a number of better words out there which it is possible to use. You should avoid using cliche words and phrases which are likely to appear on a ton of different resumes but dont convey a strong message. Dont utilize buzzwords which people use for different kinds of job postings or for careers you dont have a thing to do. A good resume would highlight every one of your strong-points so the employer could see right away why youd be a great option for the job. Despite having the essential degree and academic qualifications, it is quite hard to get a fantastic job. So if youre truly serious in finding job, then you ought to use the help of such on-line firms.

Does the State You Live in Affect the Kind of Job Seeker You Are [Infographic]

Does the State You Live in Affect the Kind of Job Seeker You Are Infographic Back in late January, we posted an infographic from personality assessment and career test providersTruity Psychometricsthat explored howpeoples personalities may play a role in their career paths. Now, Truity offers another infographic, one that dives into how the state a person lives in may shape their personality. Is there any truth to the stereotypes of the hospitable Southerner, the plainspoken Midwesterner, the flighty Californian? asks the infographic?The infographic sorts the people of each state into five categoriesThe Producers Hailing from states as diverse as Texas, Washington, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, among others, the producers are hardworking, no-nonsense folks who enjoy the company of others.The Open MindsThese intellectuals, who have strongpredilections for the arts and sciences, are spread across Ameri ca, popping up in Alaska, California, New York, and a host of other states.The CriticsThe brash and tough-minded, debate-loving critic can be found in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Illinois, and a few other places.The CharactersThe members of this complex bunch are independent-minded people who buck conventions. Employers can find them in Delaware, Kentucky, and Vermont.The Friendly ConservativesThink salt of the earth. The friendly conservative takes pride in their community, says whats on their mind (warmly, of course), and lives in one of the two Dakotas.If youre an employer, you may want to take a look at this infographic to find out where you should focus your recruiting efforts. Looking for arts-minded intellectuals? Track down talent in the open-minded states. Need people who wont shy away from a challenge? The critics are yourdream candidates.Likewise, if youre a job seeker, you may want to use this infographic to help you figure out what kind of career path you want. Do you fit in wi th your states overall personality traits, as delineated by Truity? Then you may want to seek out career opportunities that will help you make the most of your character.

Professional Portfolio Essentials

Professional Portfolio EssentialsProfessional Portfolio EssentialsCreating and maintaining a professional portfolio is part of the price of admission to the creative industry whether youre seeking an in-house role, agency job or running a freelance business. But what exactly do you need, and what format is right for you? Heres a quick QA.What is a professional portfolio?Whether its digital or print, your professional portfolio is essentially a collection of work samples that demonstrate your creative skills. Think of it as a visual resume that communicates the message I have done great creative work for others and I can do the same for you.Who needs a professional portfolio?Anyone who wants to work as a creative professional, including graphic designers, web designers, UX designers, copywriters, marketing communications professionals and multimedia experts.Should I have a digital portfolio?Yes Every creative professional should at least have a digital portfolio of some kind. Agency o wners and hiring managers often surf online portfolios as their first step when determining which candidates to contact for interviews. If you want to be on their radar, youll need a digital portfolio. You can post one on your website or use sites like Behance, Coroflot or Carbonmade to get up and running quickly.A well-optimized digital portfolio lets you share samples with anyone, anywhere, which can be a great time-saver when youre talking to potential clients or employers. It also helps you to pre-qualify prospects so you waste less time talking to people who arent a good fit for you. Some portfolio apps and websites also let you tailor what you show depending on the situation or the prospects needs.SEARCH OPEN JOBSDo I also need a printed portfolio?While digital portfolios are versatile and inexpensive, its sometimes easier to communicate your skills by sharing a tangible item that the would-be client or employer can hold in their hands. Consider having a printed portfolio in a ddition to your digital presence if one or more of the following apply to youYou frequently present samples to more than one person during face-to-face meetingsYou regularly work in a larger format than the size of a laptop or iPad screenYou want to show fine photographic detailYour work is three-dimensional, such as packagingYour samples feature specialty folding, die-cutting, pop-ups or other custom paper treatmentsYour samples use elements that dont display well on computer screens, such as metallic or neon colors, reflective surfaces and varnishes.How many pieces should I include in my professional portfolio?A safe range is eight to 12 samples. Aim to show the breadth of your abilities with as few samples as possible, so choose carefully from the best pieces you have. If there is something in your portfolio you dont love, leave it out. Its important to self-audit and be koranvers that your professional portfolio represents your best work and clearly demonstrates the type of skil l the client or employer is looking for. Some creatives maintain a larger secondary portfolio in Evernote or a similar tool. That way you can quickly access two or three appropriate selections when a client says, We like what we see in your portfolio, but have you ever done X?And heres a quick bonus tip for copywriters Be sure to include work samples that your design colleagues have done an excellent job with. A little visual appeal makes your work more than just a wall of words. If possible, use pieces featuring a variety of design styles to reinforce your versatility as a copywriter.How often should I update my professional portfolio?Whether its digital or physical, youll want to update your portfolio regularly to keep it fresh. Theres no hard and fast rule, but looking things over at least once a quarter is a good general practice. Any time you complete a project that youre really proud of, consider adding it to your portfolio sooner rather than later. Youll also want to rotate o ut any samples that are becoming stale or dated. Looking for creative work? You can create your own digital portfolio on The Creative Group website. If youre not yet a TCG candidate, simply submit your resume to get started.

ASMEs New President Said Jahanmir Discusses Goals for FY19 at...

ASMEs New President Said Jahanmir Discusses Goals for FY19 at... ASMEs New President Said Jahanmir Discusses Goals for FY19 at... ASMEs New President Said Jahanmir Discusses Goals for FY19 at Presidents DinnerJune 15, 2018 Said Jahanmir, ASMEs new president, outlined his goals for his term as ASMEs 137th president during the Presidents Dinner on June 5 at the ASME Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.During his inaugural address at the ASME Annual Meeting Presidents Dinner on June 5 in Vancouver, Canada, ASMEs new President Said Jahanmir discussed his goals for his yearlong term, which include increasing the number of active members, especially early career engineers and students, and motivating staff and volunteers to develop genuine collaboration and partnerships. Cultivating an active and motivated membership base is essential to ensure the continued success of the Society and appealing to the rising generation of engineers is necessary for that to happen, Dr. Jahanmir said. We must attract and retain students and early career engineers and capture their energy, creativity and passion, he said. In order to do this, he continued, we need to have a clear value proposition that includes new programs and services. We should provide what members, and particularly younger members, need for their professional growth, for example professional development and leadership training. ASMEs immediate Past President Charla Wise passed the presidential gavel to ASME President Said Jahanmir during the Presidents Dinner.In addition, Jahanmir said, it is also imperative that we strive for increased diversity and inclusion, not only in ASME, but also in our profession keeping in mind that diversity is a major contributor to our success as engineers and to finding innovative solutions.On the subject of volunteer and staff collaboration, Jahanmir noted that the ASME structure and culture have always been based on a close partnership between staff and volunteers. We n eed to nurture this relationship and make it more seamless. Charla Wise, ASMEs immediate past president, reflected on the past year during her speech at the Presidents Dinner.As his address drew to a close, Jahanmir expressed optimism for ASMEs future. I am convinced that we have a great path for future, he said. I look forward to the opportunity of serving as your president and setting the stage for this great Society to achieve its true potential and serve humanity by improving the quality of life worldwide.Earlier in the program, ASMEs new Immediate Past President Charla Wise reflected on high points of the term over which she had just presided, including the continued implementation of ASMEs new strategy, the creation of the new Group Engagement Committee, the selection of Thomas Costabile as ASMEs new executive director, and the adoption of the new Integrated Operating Plan, which set budgets and targets for ASME staff and volunteers of the segments, divisions, councils and se ctions. (Left to right) ASME Executive Director Thomas Costabile, ASME President-Nominee Richard Laudenat, ASME President Said Jahanmir, and ASME immediate Past President Charla Wise at the Presidents Dinner in Vancouver. We have just begun the evolution of ASME, Wise said. A year ago, I said that my theme for this year would be Continuity, as we move forward, together. I have said it many times and continue to believe it. This is the answer to ensuring a healthy and robust organization. Thats the beauty of ASMEs strategy that the Board has been working on for several years. It brings us continuity as we look to the future. It helps us move forward toward achieving our mission by having clear goals. It brings us all together.Wise challenged the ASME members in the audience to DARE to create the future D Disseminate ASMEs technical knowledge and solutions A Advance and apply engineering knowledge for improving the quality of life R Recognize each others accomplishments and achi evements and E Excite the next generation engineers. We must DARE to create the future because we are leading the charge and we have the knowledge, expertise and commitment to make this world a better place, Wise said.

The number 1 book that made me a stronger person

The number 1 book that made me a stronger personThe number 1 book that made me a stronger personQuite literally - in fact - I have beat over 170 personal fitness records since I read this book in August 2012.But it made me stronger in all aspects of my life, because it taught me how I can strengthen myself in every area of my life.BeforePrior to reading this book, I welches aimless. I lived just to get by. I felt I didnt utilize my potential, but I felt I had no control over my life.I led the reactive life. When the prolonged period of student loan forbearance ended, I asked for a salary raise. When my wife got pregnant with our third kid, we looked for our own place in emergency mode.Because I felt no deeper purpose in my life, I succumbed to many pleasures in order to temporarily forget about this void. I played computer games, read a lot of fiction, browsed news sites mindlessly and watched TV.I didnt believe I could achieve anything meaningful like get better job, develop my ed ucation, have positive impact on the lives of others, deepen my spiritual life, lose weight or start my own business.SerendipityThe Slight Edge landed in my lap while I was on vacation in Ireland. I had been visiting my parents as well as my sister who literally travels the world.She had the book - I was bored. I hadnt read anything concerning personal development for about 16 years. Long ago, I decided that personal development doesnt work for me.But I was bored.So I read it in one day.Jeff Olson elaborated on Jim Rohns simple messages regarding success and failureSuccess is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.Failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.Jeff explained in details how small disciplines accumulate their effect and how small errors in judgement bring disaster to ones life.The Slight Edge was different than all the books I had read previously. When I reflected on my past, I quickly noticed cases when I could attribute my s uccesses to my daily disciplines, and my failures - to daily neglect.I tried to start a MLM (Multi-level-marketing) business when I was 17 years old. I failed because of my fear of personal interactions. I simply didnt do enough on a daily basis to succeed.InspirationMy past successes were especially motivating for me.I passed my final high school exams with flying colors and (barely) got in a university. I attributed that to my learning habit that I cultivated during the vacations before the last year of high school. For one hour a day, I had been studying math and English. It was enough not to lose momentum before the last year.I could do well over 100 pushups in a row, because every morning I did one consecutive series of them in the morning.I got an educational stipend during my forth year at a university simply because I attended all lectures. My brighter colleagues didnt have this habit - and showing up was enough to beat them.InternalizationBecause I could find concrete exa mples from my past, I owned the lessons instanced in the book. I internalized them. I read the book only once and I skipped a few first chapters. But I have lived it since then.I didnt start right away. 16 years of inertia was a lot to overcome.But I couldnt get rid of the books message. In the end, I decided to give it a try because I had nothing to lose. I was sure I could not change my life. If I had failed with The Slight Edges implementation, where would I have been? Only at the same miserable place.It took me one whole month before I finally sat down and wrote down several goals. Additionally, I wrote down 15 daily disciplines that should have helped me to achieve them.The Simple BeginningIt took me only about 15 minutes to come up with those goals and disciplines. Every answer was hidden in me despite the years of avoiding self-analysis.I quickly abandoned 5 out of the 15 disciplines. They were stupid ideas or simply hard to implement in the place where my life was.The rest o f them, I had been practicing for at least several months. They were spot on. Even those I abandoned at the later stage, brought me significant results.For example, I decided to study professional documentation for 10 minutes a day. In two years, I passed three exams and got two professional certificates in Oracle database certification.StrengtheningSix of the initial disciplines, Ive been practicing for years and they still contribute to my life.Small consistent daily disciplines revolutionized my life.I quickly noticed results. In one month of speed reading practice, I doubled my reading speed. That was the first time I thought, Wow, this approach worksI had no idea how well it worked. I was right - I had nothing to lose. I just couldnt envision how much I had to win.Because of those initial results visible in a few areas, I kept all my disciplines and even added more along the way.In some areas - like my spiritual life - I was convinced I couldnt observe results. Its not somet hing that is measurable - and any internal feelings in that regard could be misleading. But I knew that the Slight Edge way was universal, so I kept my spiritual disciplines as well.After a couple of months, I discovered I want to become a writer. In eight months, I publishedmy first book. I kept my writing-related disciplines even though my results were laughable.In the first 5 months, I earned an equivalent of a single overtime hour at my day job. After 18 months since reading, The Slight Edge and publishing five books - my royalties reached 2% of my salary.However, I was hooked. I trusted the process. Success is a few simple disciplines repeated consistently over time.The ResultsThe Slight Edge made me stronger.15 months after I read it, the new edition of the book was published. My transformation story was included in it.Since 2014, Ive been publishing the annualSlight Edgereports describing my progress.The last onewas quite impressive.The next one will be even more impressive . Its still three months to the anniversary, but I already doubled my book sales doubled the number of my email subscribers and quadrupled some other metrics in my business.I earn more than half of my day job salary from royalties and my coaching practice.Hundreds of thousands people read my articles online. Thousands of people buy my books every year. Thousands of people follow me on social media and look up to me.This is unbelievable. When I compare the two pictures, I cannot connect the dots. Five years ago, I started a dozen of small daily disciplines.Today, I influence lives of thousands people.I grew in strength.This article was originally published atQuora.

How to Apply for Disability Insurance Benefits

How to Apply for Disability Insurance BenefitsHow to Apply for Disability Insurance BenefitsYou might be considering applying for disability insurance benefits if youve become disabled from work due to an illness or injury. Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible for thousands of dollars each month to cover your personal and health care needs. Disability benefits can provide much-needed cash for paying rent or mortgage payments, for food and utilities, and for ongoing care to make sure you have the best quality of life possible. How to Get Started Workers Compensation The process of applying for disability benefits starts with your employers or former employers human resource department. Consider how you became disabledif it occurred on the job, and determine if the injury or illness was directly work-related. If so, you should have already been approved for workers compensation coverage and received some level of medical care and benefits, at least for a short per iod of time. Speak with an attorney to learn about your rights and find out where you stand if you havent been approved for workers compensation. Short- and Long-Term Disability Benefits You might also be eligible for short-term disability and/or long-term disability benefits if your employer offers them and if they were something you signed up for. These benefits can equal from 40% to 60% of your former salary. Ask your HR representative about this, or talk directly with the disability plan provider to get more information about eligibility requirements. Each plan can vary. If Youve Left Your Job Youll also want to talk with a qualified disability attorney if you developed a health care concern while you were employed and later resigned because of it. An attorney might be able to get you approved for work-related disability benefits even if youve left your job. Repetitive injuries from work tasks, unreported accidents, and harmful work conditions can affect your wellbeing m onths after leaving a job. Life-Long Disabilities Your next course of action is to apply for permanent disability benefits if your condition developed over a period of time through no fault of your employer, or if youve been diagnosed with a life-long disability. You can apply through your local Social Security office. The process is long- it can take up to two years to be approved for benefits in some cases. Youll have to rely on your personal savings and assets in the meantime, as well as the support of friends and family. The good news is that benefits are retroactive to the date you originally applied. You can expect a lump sum payment after youre approved, followed by regular monthly payments thereafter. Submit your application for Social Security disability insurance as soon as possible. You can use an online form, or visit your local Social Security office. Call 1-800-772-1213 toll-free to make an appointment. WHAT YOULL NEED Youll need certain information to fill out the application for benefits. Make sure you take this information with you if you apply in personMedical records Know what you have been diagnosed with, the date you were diagnosed, and your physician information.Workers compensation records You can request this through your employers HR office.Names and birthdates of all your household members You might be eligible for additional benefits based on family size.Checking and savings account numbers These will be used to verify income eligibility for SSI benefits and for direct deposit of benefits.Proof of U.S. citizenship status and your address Your U.S.-issued drivers license and birth certificate should suffice.List of any prescription medication you take for your condition You might be eligible for medical coverage under Medicare.Your detailed work history for the last 15 years The Social Security Administration will want to know about your jobs, tasks, and your ability to work. Youll receive notification of a time for a hearing. You ll meet with a Social Security case manager who will review your documentation with you, ask you for additional information if needed, and schedule a follow-up visit if necessary. Now the waiting game begins. You should be notified in about 45 days of the status of your case. Dont be shocked if your anfangsbuchstabe request is denied, because 70% of cases are denied the first time. You can appeal if necessary, and you should retain a Social Security disability attorney to represent you the second time around.