August 29, 2016
How To Stand Out In The Jobs Crowd 0
Have you got what it takes to secure an executive role? Job hunting is stressful. Just spending time looking for appropriate jobs in the paper or on the internet is frustrating and you know that when you find one or two executive appointments to apply for, you will be up against a lot of competition.
Standing out from the crowd is important at every stage of the process. From your CV to your final interview, you want to be the candidate that impresses. Whether this is your first executive position, or you are a seasoned senior manager, you still need to make your application and interview different enough to secure the job.
If you’re dealing with an executive recruitment agency, there are three key areas where you need to be on top of your game to increase your chances of success:
1. On the Phone
Often, your first direct contact with a recruitment firm is on the phone. A telephone interview is a real test of your skills because you can’t use eye contact of body language to reinforce what you’re saying; rely on being prepared, focused and flexible so that you create a great impression.
2. Your CV
The key here is to focus on your achievements and experience, making everything you put on your CV directly relevant to the position. The internet is awash with information on how to make your CV more presentable, but there are some key points to remember:
– Keep it short
– Keep it relevant
– Put your contact details at the top
– Focus on things you’ve achieved, rather than your skills
3. Your interview
The interview for an executive appointment– either as a preliminary with the recruitment agent or a first or second interview with the company– is your best opportunity to show that you will be an asset to the business. Self-confidence is necessary, but not to the point to be viewed as arrogance. Use positive language and positive body language, give examples to show how you have achieved results in your current position and ask intelligent questions. Make sure you had researched the company well before your interview and double-checked the requirements of the job.
The executive market is a competitive one, and following these steps could increase your chances of success.
August 30, 2016
Improve Your Communication Skills, Become A Better Listener 0
by Wordscapes® • Personal Development • Tags: developing listening and communication tips, improving communication skills
Being a good listener means that everything you hear comes directly from the speaker and not from your interpretation of their words, which means that, as the speaker is talking, you are listening to the words as they are being spoken instead of trying to guess the point that the speaker is trying to make. People are often guilty of jumping to conclusions when they do this and, in doing so, they disrupt their listening ability. When jumping to conclusions, the person often doesn’t hear the speaker’s message because it is blocked out by his or her assumptions. Good listeners absorb all of the information while the words are being spoken and avoid thinking ahead and forming their conclusions.
Giving the speaker your undivided attention is probably one of the most valuable tips to good communication. Concentrate on the speaker’s words and avoid tuning out their message. When speaking on the phone, many people engage in other activities such as reading newspapers, checking email and other activities that can distract from the conversation. Many listeners zone out during face-to-face situations by either thinking about their response to the speaker or by daydreaming about something completely unrelated to the subject.
When you allow yourself to be distracted, your listening skills are not what they need to be. Missing a critical point of the speaker’s presentation can be the result of just a small amount of distraction. If you can focus your attention entirely on the speaker, you will hear all that is said. Also, you can ensure that you are being a good listener and are taking in all of the pertinent information.
One technique of being a better listener involves creating mental images of the speaker’s words and is a way of visualization that allows you to comprehend the words you are hearing. These visualization skills can enhance the way that people process information. By using these mental images, you will help yourself by retaining the information you have just heard. This enhanced and improved comprehension makes you a better listener.
Noting your body language can be another way to be a good listener. You will offend your audience if you engage in body language that lets the speaker feel you are not listening to them. Behaviors such as avoiding eye contact, crossing your arms or wincing can send a message to a speaker that you are not listening to them. These types of body language or mannerisms can result in the conversation cut short because the speaker does not feel you are interested in what they are saying.
You can also consider asking questions that relate to the speaker’s statements. This technique can also help you to become a better listener. Remember to ask questions without allowing your issues to interfere with your listening ability. If you find yourself focusing on one of the speaker’s main points and spending the rest of the conversation trying to think of a question that addresses that point, you will miss a lot of information. Instead, try asking your questions immediately when you think of them. This way, you can have your question answered in the context of the speaker’s presentation without having it affect your listening abilities. When you ask questions as part of listening, it allows the speaker to recognize that you follow the presentation and that you are interested in learning more about the topic.
If you practice your listening skills, you will be well on your way to becoming a better listener. Try making a conscientious effort to use your listening skills each time you speak to someone or participate in a presentation.
Remain completely focused on the conversation or presentation and try not to guess what the speaker is going to say. Create mental images of the words spoken and ask valid questions to confirm what you have just heard. Each time you have the opportunity to listen, try to work on these important listening skills.
While listening as opposed to speaking in the art of conversation is just as important. Being an excellent listener, you will not only ensure you are receiving information but will assure the speaker that you care about the information presented and that you understand their message.