4 Reasons to Simply Shut Up and Listen

4 Reasons to Simply Shut Up and Listen Listening is more important than you may think. Not only does it improve interpersonal relationships with your friends, family, significant other and colleagues, but it can also boost your leadership skills, maximise productivity and make you more knowledgable in general. Here are our top 4 reasons why you just need to shut up and listen: 1. Knowledge is power Youve heard this famous saying  before. And its true.  The one way that you can truly continue to learn throughout life is by keeping an open mind, and open ears. If youre too busy telling others how to do things and not taking the time to really listen to others, its going to halt your ability to learn and absorb new,  exciting information. Learning new things keeps life interesting, and it never has to stop.  Taking the time of day to listen to everybody, regardless of their level of experience,  will  introduce you to a whole knew wealth of knowledge. Whether its the CEO of a large corporate brand, the receptionist of the office building or a pre-grad intern, it doesnt matter you have something to learn  from everyone. 2. People will listen If youre a nonstop gabbler who talks for what seems like hours, people will zone out and fail to  truly take on board anything you say. People are more likely to genuinely listen to someone who speaks  less, rather than more. Think of it as a quality over quantity thing. This isnt to say you should be a mouse in the corner of every meeting, networking event or office conversation, it just means you should make sure everything you say is of value. Dont talk for the sake of talking. 3. Quit planning Have you ever been in a large group discussion about a certain topic, and while someone else is having some airtime, youre busy planning what  youre going to add into the conversation next? Do you find yourself trying to  remember a relevant anecdote or question, and then mull it over in your mind until you have a chance to drop it into the chatter, because  you simply  HAVE to make  sure its heard? Well, quit doing this, because if you havent noticed already, the fact youre sitting there planning your next response means youve stopped probably stopped listening to whoever is talking. Its a hard habit to break, and were all guilty of doing  it. The trick is to realise what youre doing and actively stop  it. Let someone else be important for a  minute! 4. A leadership tool thats overlooked To be a great leader, you need to be a good listener. There are no two ways about it. If youre not listening to your employees or your customers, it will be highly detrimental to your business. Businesses cant grow and develop if theyre not taking on their customers and employees recommendations. If  leaders arent listening to the people who make their business run, theyll all just pack up and leave. Wouldnt you? How to be a better listener Maintain eye contact:  When youre in conversation with someone, avoid all other distractions  such as your mobile or your laptop. This can be difficult in things such as meetings, but once you programme yourself to actually stop, look and listen to people, youll notice your listening skills improve dramatically. Ask more questions:  Expand your knowledge by asking questions. Let it sink in:  When youre having a conversation with some, take a second for their answer to sink in. Ask people about themselves:  People love talking about themselves. If you ask another person about themselves or their brand, chances are they will have a lot to say. This is a great one for networking events. Main image credit: Shutterstock

How to Write a Resume For a Beer Bottle

How to Write a Resume For a Beer BottleIt's funny how many people feel like they don't have the skills or time to write a resume for a beer bottle! In fact, they really don't, so let's talk about the first problem. If you're planning on selling a product in the grocery store or at your job, you need to write a resume, and this article is going to help you out.We've all been taught a very popular mindset in school when it comes to learning how to write a resume. Well, that's not the most effective way to learn anything. It's easier to get stuck in a rut and end up repeating yourself. When it comes to learning how to write a resume for a beer bottle, we can take a different approach.Instead of focusing on learning the most important skills for a resume, we can focus on just one - knowing what to include on a beer bottle. That will save you some time and effort. In fact, if you really want to get good at this, there are books and websites that give you tons of tips and tricks to help yo u learn how to write a resume for a beer bottle and how to organize your documents.Most jobs require that you have the proper business skills to get the job done, but that doesn't mean that you have to take on a long term business relationship with the company in which you work. That kind of relationship will only hurt your chances of getting hired in the first place. Take advantage of the opportunity and turn your resume into a resume for a beer bottle!When you focus on learning how to write a resume for a beer bottle, you will find out that you have many more benefits than you think. Remember that when you try to read your resume cover to cover, the first thing that will hit your mind is the 'theme'. That's right, once you learn how to write a resume for a beer bottle, you will realize that every section is actually a theme.Let's say that you have several sections, and each of them all have a separate theme. For example, your 'Leadership' section would be what you would think of a s the 'theme' of your career, but your 'Job Experience' section would be the 'theme' of your job experience. If you look back to our beer bottle example, the 'Leadership' section would include the words, 'Leadership Style', 'Leadership Principles', 'Leadership Qualities', and 'Leadership Strategies'. The 'Job Experience' section would include the words, 'Job Experience', 'Employee Relations', and 'Workers Rights' - just to name a few.This is how you should think of your resume for a beer bottle. Everyone has something that they love to do, and once you've learned how to write a resume for a beer bottle, you will also learn what their strengths are, and you will make the most out of your 'job experience' section. Take advantage of the fact that you're a business owner and you have very little to lose. You'll have very little competition, so just write down what you love to do and add what you've learned over the years.So, when you're looking to land that new job, just remember the ti me and energy you'll save by learning how to write a resume for a beer bottle. You'll be glad you did, and you will be much more likely to get hired when you're done.

Soccer and singing sand dunes in Qatar

Soccer and singing sand dunes in Qatar Youre into exotic vacation destinations but maybe your husband or boyfriend is not, preferring instead to fanatically follow the local soccer team. So what to do, think in terms of some amicable divorce at some point in the near future? Or do you think smart and combine the two? Its not as uncommon a problem amongst couples as you might at first think. Admittedly, soccer widows, as theyre often dubbed by the media, are more likely to be found overseas and not so much in the United States. Only theyre called football widows â€" soccer and football, different names for the same sport. And in the States, of course, soccer is not as popular a game when compared to Europe, so the problem is not as acute here as it is there. At least as far as soccer is concerned. So how much do you know about the Persian Gulf state of Qatar? Sound exotic enough for a vacation? You betcha! Millions of people from all over the world visit this little peninsular state which shares a border with its giant neighbour, Saudi Arabia. And they delightfully discover a mix of the old and new, 21st century shopping mall and traditional souq, where the ubiquitous credit card and personal banking in Qatar clash head on with the cash-is-king mentality so prevalent all across the whole of the Middle East region. So where does soccer and old Arabia fit into all of this? Easy, the FIFA World Cup competition which Qatar is due to host in 2022. Plenty of time to make sure the bank balance is in order so youll have a vacation to remember. After all, youll also be visiting, arguably, the richest country in the world, where oil and gas wealth is generated like its going out of fashion. Yes, kidding, but not by much. Now, if your other half has been tuning into developments then hell be aware just how hot Qatar summers can be. Sizzling would be a better description and the sorts of temperatures where playing football flat-out could be injurious to health. At least thats the feeling in many quarters. Its been so for many months now and suggestions have been gathering pace to hold the competition later on in the year when the weather is comparatively cooler. But maybe youre already ahead of the curve and not thinking so far ahead. After all, Brazil is to stage the 2014 World Cup competition; and then theres Russia in 2018. Both countries could certainly be tagged as exotic. Or maybe not. Old Arabia has a rather more romantic ring to it, dont you think? They certainly dont have singing sand dunes! A good spot to hear them is in the desert about 25 miles south-west of Doha, the capital of Qatar. According to the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), there are certain conditions in which the movement of sand grains can create a low murmur or singing â€" a phenomenon often reported by desert explorers. The QTA adds, “Qatar is fortunate in having sand with the right abrasive qualities in an area that also experiences the necessary wind and moisture conditions to create this wonderful, if weird effect. While the singing occurs naturally, it can be triggered by sliding down the face of the dune or running along its crest, whereupon each footstep creates a humming that can not only be heard but also felt as a vibration through the feet.” It doesnt get any more exotic, soccer and singing sand dunes! Unless you know different. Check out the QTA website here.

6 Legal Steps to Starting a Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

6 Legal Steps to Starting a Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Starting a business can feel like an overwhelming task, from both a personal and legal standpoint. Today, I’m here to walk you through some of the legal steps you’ll have to take in order to get your company off the ground. As you’ll soon see, with some planning and preparation, the task might not look so daunting after all. Step 1: Pick a Business Name Businesses are a little bit like racehorses: each one has to have a unique name in order to avoid confusion with other competing horses â€" er, businesses. In fact, choosing a name for your business that’s already in use is one of the fastest ways to find yourself being served with a cease and desist. You need to find out whether your proposed business names have already been registered with the Secretary of State. From there, you can conduct a trademark search to make sure you’re free to use the name in all 50 states. If you have franchising ambitions, it’s important not to skip this step. Finally, if you want to protect yourself from prosecution in the event that your competitors never filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, find an online service to help you run a search of every local and state database.   Step 2: Incorporate Your Business It’s time to transform your collection of great ideas into a legal business entity. You can either incorporate your business or form an LLC. Both business structures have their own pros and cons, so choose wisely based on your needs and goals. An LLC (limited liability company) is a great choice for the small business that wants to maintain the appropriate legal protections with a minimum amount of formality and paperwork. Or, if you prefer, you can choose from two different types of corporations: S-Corporation status is intended for small businesses, but allows for some of the features of a larger company, such as tax savings. S-Corporations are not liable for self-employment taxes. C-Corporation status is useful if you plan to “go public” or eventually seek funding from a venture capitalist. Step 3: Apply for a Federal Tax ID Number This step involves differentiating yourself from your business â€" from a legal standpoint. That means you’ll need to obtain a Federal Tax Identification Number, or Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. This will make sure that your personal taxes remain separate from your business taxes. An EIN is similar to your Social Security number in that it identifies you as a sovereign entity with legal obligations as well as privileges. Note that sole proprietorship does not require you to apply for a Tax ID number, but it still may be a good idea to do so if you don’t want to use your Social Security number for your business dealings. You can apply for your EIN online, directly from the IRS. Step 4: Familiarize Yourself with Employee Law Like it or not, you’re going to have to become something of a law expert if you plan on bringing in additional employees to fill out your roster. As a business owner, you have a list of legal obligations, from both the state and federal governments. In no particular order, you’ll want to research anti-discrimination laws, withholding and payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and wage requirements for the particular state in which you intend to do business. Luckily, there are some great resources available to help you learn all these things and more. A great place to start is the official U.S. Small Business Administration website. Step 5: Find Out If You Need Licenses or Business Permits The fifth legal step involves making sure you find out whether your particular business requires any licenses or permits. Depending on where in the country you intend to operate, your licensing requirements could vary considerably from a similar business in a different state. Even federal requirements may sometimes differ from those enforced at the state level. The licenses you may be required to obtain include zoning, land use, sales tax, business operation, occupational, health department, and professional licenses. As before, the Small Business Administration offers a wealth of resources for the aspiring business owner. Step 6: Open a Separate Bank Account Finally, step six is less a legal issue and more a “best practice” that will help you avoid legal issues in the future. No matter what type of business you’re building, it’s a good idea to open a separate bank account and to keep your personal finances separate. It might seem like an inconvenience to juggle two sets of financials, but consider this: using personal bank accounts for your business dealings might have an impact on your legal liabilities. To put it more simply, co-mingling your personal and business finances might make you, as a person, liable, rather than your business, the entity. For some business owners, this issue will never rear its ugly head â€" still, better to file this one under “why risk it?”

Free Help For Resume Writing

Free Help For Resume WritingThe key to being successful in landing a good job is to be able to show your prospective employer that you are a hard worker. Getting free help for resume writing is the best way to get this information. People can not make mistakes with their resumes, but when they do, these mistakes may be on purpose.There are so many professional resume writers on the Internet, and it is easy to get lost in the sea of different opinions. Do not let this happen to you. One of the easiest ways to get resume writing help is by searching online. The vast majority of these resumes have the same errors, and it is important to weed through the list to find a person who will actually help you.Resume writing help should be affordable and easy to get. There is a world of difference between making sure your resume is error free and helping you write it. For one thing, you need someone who can identify the specific requirements that you have for your career. This is especially true when you are looking for help for resume writing.If you have the skills that you want, but the information is not there, you may end up with a less qualified resume. It is very important that the person who is reviewing your resume gets it completely right, because if they do not, the chances of your getting a job increase. This is because of the recommendation that can be placed on your resume that tells your potential employer that you are good at what you do.You also need a resume that is comprehensive and as close to perfect as possible. This means that the details on the cover page of your resume should be able to help a recruiter determine whether or not you are qualified for the position that you are applying for. Since so many people struggle with formatting, this is not an option.The very first time that you make an online application for a job, you have to make sure that the information that you put on the application is correct. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you do not make any mistakes. You can not have a resume that looks like a mess, and if you are struggling with this task, then you will probably be very frustrated with your job search.You should always look at resumes that come from people who are able to get it right and who are reputable. This is the best way to ensure that you have a resume that will help you get a job. Any resume that does not get it right is not worth the paper that it is printed on.Your resume is what potential employer will look at, and the more information that you have on the cover page, the better. Free help for resume writing is available, but it is important to get help from a reputable source first. You are not going to be able to fix mistakes on your own. The process that you go through with this will help you get the most out of this process and get the information that you want.

The Job Seekers Guide About Flexibility

The Job Seeker’s Guide About Flexibility It’s no longer about CVs, cover and motivation letters: it’s a job interview that can make it or break it.This is why it has become everyone’s obsession to uncover a magic phrase, the equivalent of “open sesame“ that will open up all the doors in their job search.evalOne of these magic phrases is: “I’m flexible“. It is commonly understood that employers just love those candidates who are always available, at any time of the day or night, who are adaptable to all circumstances.However, what some job candidates, overly eager to please their interviewer, seem to forget is that they need to draw the line somewhere.Immanuel Kant said: “If you make yourself a worm, do not complain when you are trodden on“.Here are some examples of the possible answers to: “How flexible you are?“ question and their results in perspective:Shifts For example, one that makes a trade-off: “I’m generally not available during nights and weekends because I have small children, but I wou ld definitely be available if it’s urgent or during peak workloads“.HelpEvery candidate wants to come across as a team player during a job interview. Because that is what every employer is looking for- someone who fits in well with the rest of the team. But what about being asked to do someone else’s work?Here, it’s important to draw a red line. It’s totally fine to take on someone else’s responsibility if the team is working on a project and that person is struggling, but not to become a punching bag everyone can turn to and push some work on.ResponsibilityWhile it is recommendable to come across as someone who can handle unforeseen circumstances, it is equally important to make it clear that one is not a Superman, being able to handle every job and be in charge of everything without agreement.ChargesevalIt often happens that an employee feels compelled to take the blame for someone else’s mistakes, especially if it is a joint project and there are multiple factors in volved.However, while it is nice to be collegial, it is wrong to take the blame all the time for something one did not do. It’s fine to absorb some of the responsibility, but also to point to all the facts, without pointing the finger at anyone.MoneyOne of the main characteristics of flexible employees is their readiness to do some extra work, without getting paid for it. These too-eager-to-please job candidates, usually end up working much more than anyone else, but getting paid much less.To avoid this, it’s important to express readiness to take on some extra work if necessary, but also demand compensation depending on the scope of work.Coffee-MaidWhen someone is new on the job, it’s a common courtesy to bring a cup of coffee for one’s coworkers, especially if they are in the need of that hot cup of energy.However, it’s important to make it clear But this strategy of claiming to be flexible, can backfire once a candidate has been hired. It’s not uncommon for these job candidates to become a “punching bag“ of their colleagues and bosses and find themselves unable to put up with all their responsibilities.That is why it is important to draw a red line right away, during a job interview. One should try to be as flexible as possible, but not without taking all the circumstances into account.

The Land of New Language and Customs

The Land of New Language and Customs Job search often feels like you are entering a new country. Its like a land of new language and customs, procedures and protocols. This post is dedicated to the lessons I learned from meeting new people and experiencing new things.  These are my take-aways as they apply to job search and career transition. As I delivered training and traveled Madrid, my senses were opened to new people, perspectives and ways of living life and working! Job search often feels like you are visiting a land of new language and customs so thats the parallel Ive drawn. Be Open To Possibilities I didnt know much about Madrid and the people I would be delivering training for, but I gleefully accepted the opportunity. Upon meeting the team the first night, I almost instantly felt I was among long-lost friends. Our conversations felt like we were catching up versus just meeting! Lets not be so set in our ways or limited in our views that we miss out on things!  Instead of making assumptions based on previous experiences can limit your ability to uncover new opportunities. The world we live in is so small and inter-connected. The chances of finding something in common with a stranger or connections in a new company, country or situation are great!   Instead, listen with an open mind. Resiliency The theme of the week for me, in every conversation I had, was resiliency the ability to adapt and adjust to new situations. The women and men  I met with were living proof of the most resilient people Ive ever met. They were Americans living in foreign countries; many of them living in more than one country within the past several years. Adjusting, adapting and thriving! They are expert navigators of travel, customs, and languages. They smile and have a delightful sense of humor! There are new customs and language in your job search as well. Rather than feel overwhelmed, angry or frustrated, try accepting the new land of job search and learn the culture and language. I wish these men and women could bottle what they have and give us all a dose! Have Visual Aids I was excited to see the Museo del Prado and had generally planned  out my route. I checked with the hotel desk to get additional information and departed- but without a map. Upon reaching the metro stop, I was overwhelmed by the rush of people but my eyes caught the orange vest of a metro official, so I inquired on the best route. He, unfortunately, did not understand my question and answered in Spanish. Without a map, I couldnt show him where I wanted to go, so I rushed back to the hotel to get my map and was fortified with the confidence to try the metro again. Before embarking on an adventure of any kind, make sure you have the necessary materials- visual aids are universally understood! Just Try Re-entering the metro a second time, I ventured over to the flashing lights of the ticket machine. I observed people one machine over hitting buttons and followed their lead. Lo and behold, there was an English flag indicating I could get instructions in my native language! After several attempts, I had my metro ticket, and entered through the turnstiles. I couldnt give up. Neither can you. Job search is often filled with new experiences with many unfamiliar processes. It is like a land of new language and customs. But, just give it a try and youll get through it!

Keywords vs Cliches -- The Branding Debate

Keywords vs Cliches -- The Branding Debate How often are you told you need a LinkedIn Profile that is keyword rich, then you read an article on LinkedIn that tells you, Stop Using These 16 Terms To Describe Yourself? The main thrust of the article is that the keywords generally are cliches and should be left out of your branding vocabulary. However, keywords are very necessary in terms of being found on LinkedIn. Whenever I read an article like that, I try to take the time to read all the comments because there will generally be a debate! This particular article, though, has over 3,000 comments so that is probably not going to happen this time. One common reality that many readers mention in this debate is the fact they wont even make it to the interview without the keywords/cliches in the resume so the search engine brings it up to the person who decides on the viability of the candidate. Words are tools. Tools can be poorly made and fall apart the first time used, or finely crafted and used by generations to build things. The goal isnt the tool, although tools can be very beautiful. The goal of a tool is its usefulness in helping the user achieve their goal, what ever it is. But even the best tool cannot do anything without the users skill. When you look at our LinkedIn Profile Development service you see how an expert views this debate: you need both the keywords/cliches and the humanizing factor. The keywords often are cliches, but an experienced wordsmith knows how to use them to get past the computers to the people. If all you have is cliched keywords, the resume stops here. Its that human factor, the individuality brought out by a skillful resume/profile writer, that connects with the person reading about you. There are too many profiles out there for a person to read all of them. Thats what search engines are for! And search engines are computers looking for keywords. The words are tools we use to get you to the persons notice and to bring your brand to the front, where all that makes you unique can shine. Thats the humanizing factor and the other leg your online branding stands on. Use the words that make up your online brand/presence wisely. Remember that you need both the keyword/cliche AND the individual spark that makes you recognizable.