Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Gordon Tredgolds FAST Leadership Principles

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Gordon Tredgold's FAST Leadership Principles Too often, policies, procedures, and bureaucracy can slow necessary changes to a crawl, and negatively affect a company’s bottom line. Leadership expert Gordon Tredgoldhas written a new book in which he shares his four essential principals of leadership. Using the acronym of FAST (for Focus, Accountability, Simplicity, and Transparency), the book explores how Tredgold used human nature in his favor,turning around failing projects, under-performing departments, and money-losing companies. Focus In any aspect of our lives, personal or professional, focus can be summarized in one theme, one meaning, and one word: “what.” Focus is all about clarifying the questions concerning what we’re doing. The only way we can align ourselves with our purpose is by being aware of, believing in, and ensuring that this “what” is what we want to be striving toward. The most important steps of a journey aren’t the quickest or heaviest steps; they are the ones that are pointed in the right direction. Tredgold recommends that we constantly ask ourselves these questions, and that we be clear about the answers. What am I doing? What is my objective? What does success look like? Accountability If focus concerns the “what” of our goal, accountability refers to the “who.” Failures occur because it is never clarified who is accountable for actually getting the job done. Whether this is a personal goal or a professional endeavor, we are theleadersof ourselves and our businesses. So the “who” is, first and foremost, us, and these are the key questions. Who is accountable for doing the work? Does that person know he or she is accountable? How will I ensure that he or she is held accountable? What are my expectations of the person who is accountable? We can delegate responsibilities, but we should never shrug off ourpersonal accountability. If we do, it’s typically under the harsh beam offailure, meaning that we are looking for someone to blame. Of course, this method is starkly counterintuitive to success and progress. It is the leader’s duty to ensure the success of the team, and the leader defines the culture of an organization. If we want that culture to be one where people accept accountability, we must lead by example. For the rest of the post, check out the Intuit Fast Track blog.

3 Reasons Why You Should Use Resume Emailing

3 Reasons Why You Should Use Resume EmailingResume emailing is one of the most popular ways to get your name and contact information out to a vast number of people. Unlike a letter, or a phone call, the resume email will be received much faster. Here are three reasons why you should use resume emailing:Resume writing takes time. When you send a resume, it will be read by other people, even if you send it in an email. In order to make a positive impression, you need to make sure that the resume you send is up to date and has the correct information. Using email means that you can be sure that you are going to give people exactly what they want.Resume emailing is simple. You will have a basic template, which is the main element that will set your resume apart from all the others that you might see. This is the reason why resume emailing is so popular, because it gives you the chance to display your personality and how you can stand out in the crowd. It is also a great way to increase y our chances of getting hired. You will also be able to target your message and to focus on just a few people, so that they are aware of what your skills are and why they should hire you.Resume emailing can save you time. One of the biggest benefits of using resume emailing is that you can get your resume written immediately and sent out. This will save you a great deal of time that would otherwise be spent waiting around, and it will also mean that you are able to save money by not having to hire people to do the work for you.Resume emailing allows you to be yourself. It is important to remember that the resume is not a letter, it is a statement of your business. If you are sending your resume in an email, then you are allowing them to know more about you and your business.You can keep your full address private. Many people are worried about the company they are sending their resume to. You can be sure that this person will be the first person to receive your information, so you can rest assured that it will be kept confidential.You can save money and time by not having to deal with people on the other end of the line. If you are sending resumes in an email, then you will not have to pay a receptionist to answer questions. Plus, the messages that come in the mail can help you find a job that you would not have been able to find otherwise.Resume emailing can provide you with an effective way to market yourself, give your contact information to hundreds of companies, and have it go straight to the person who is looking for you. The benefit is that you are making the process easier and faster than ever before.

Start Your Own Restoration Business How To Get Training -

Start Your Own Restoration Business How To Get Training - Importance of a Restoration Company Be it a home or an office space, there is always scope for damages to occur, and that is when we need to call a restoration company to fix it. A restoration company offers a wide range of services like Fire Smoke Restoration, Water Flood Restoration, Sewage Cleanup, Stone Maintenance and Restoration etc. The first step to start a restoration company is to undertake an IICRC restoration training. A restoration company is always in high demand following natural disasters. Role of IICRC in starting a restoration company To get trained and start a restoration company, one has to take up various classes offered by the IICRC (The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). IICRC is a non-profit organization that sets safety and health standards for the cleaning and restoration industries.  provides cleaning and restoration courses that include Textile Floor Coverings, Hard Surface Flood Covering, Upholstery Cleaning, Stone Maintenance and Restoration, Water Damage Restoration, Environmental Assessment for Mold Contamination, HVAC Cleaning and Decontamination, Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration etc. develops a standard procedure, industry-accepted terminology and educational resources for restoration and cleaning and moreover, as the cleaning industry directly deals with the public, IICRC does the critical part of establishing safe practices. It has been a proven fact that the professionals who hold IICRC certifications demonstrate a high understanding of their business. How to get IICRC Certified? There are several areas of expertise in the cleaning and restoration industries that offer certifications. Most of the employers and clients will want to see some accreditation and are well aware of the IICRC standards. For example, if youre going to start a water restoration company, then you will have to take up the IICRC WRT ( Water Restoration Technician) Certification. The WRT Course will teach you the science of drying, best practices for mitigation and standard terms. To supervise the crew or the employees, you are going to hire in your startup; it is very much essential that you know the basic and standard terms related to water restoration. Building a restoration business on your own may allow you more flexibility, but it will also require more knowledge on the same. Below is the list of few courses that IICRC offers. Carpet Cleaning Technician: This certification is essential in the carpet cleaning business, and most of the professionals have it. This is a 16 hours course taught with a live instructor and covers every area of rug cleaning, public health and other issues that may be encountered. Water Damage Technician: To run a business in this industry, it is very much essential to have a basic knowledge of water damage and its adverse health outcomes.  IICRC offers this 24 hours course that educates the participant on the principals of drying science, microorganisms,   fibre and chemicals like the ones offered by Poly Chemistry. Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician: This certificate is for all the professionals who would like to start fire restoration services in their restoration company. IICRC has developed industry standards that professionals are expected to follow when taking part in disaster restoration. IICRC Certification Renewal Upon completing the course, a technician card number is issued. Apart from the cost of the training, it is essential to pay the yearly registration fee to maintain and keep the certification active. Once the restoration certification is obtained, you can start your business with confidence. Like any other business, restoration is based on projects. Licensing is another important factor in the construction and restoration industry. IICRC also provides certification to firms and business owners. Companies that hold the firm accreditation can use the clean trust logo for any marketing and advertising purposes and will be listed as a certified professional in the IICRCs official website.

Fuse Film Festival, University of Manchester University of Manchester Careers Blog

Fuse Film Festival, University of Manchester University of Manchester Careers Blog Fuse Film Festival Manchester is taking place on the 2nd weekend of May 2013 and submissions are now being accepted (deadline April 26th, late submissions tba). Fuse Film Festival Manchester is a festival run by students of the University of Manchester in collaboration with the universitys film and TV society FuseTV, and the Students’ Union, to showcase the best student and professional work. They are looking to bring together film-students, first-time film-makers, and industry professionals to create an event that combines the best up-and-coming talent with established artists. Film-makers can enter their work in any of the four categories: • Student Shorts • Student Docs • Short Films • Short Docs The first two categories are student-specific, the latter for general film entry. Submission fee is £2 for student entries and £3 for other. Judges, awards and speakers are going to be announced within the next couple of weeks. For more information as well as Terms and Conditions and the submission forms please visit the official Fuse Film Festival Manchester webpage. To keep up with the latest information, Follow Fuse Film Festival Manchester on Twitter and their Facebook page. For any enquiries, please contact fusefilmfest@gmail.com. All Media

Writing Your Resume Career Objective

Writing Your Resume Career ObjectiveWhen your resume career objective is what it is you want it to be, then you are well on your way to getting hired. The first thing that needs to be established before you ever get your foot in the door is your resume career objective. After all, this is what employers will be checking when deciding whether or not to hire you. It is a good idea to begin the process of writing a resume career objective before you even start applying for jobs.The way that you construct your resume career objective depends on what you are currently employed and what you would like to do in the future. For example, if you have been a nurse for about a year, you might consider saying 'Medical Assistant' in your resume career objective. If you were once a nurse but now hold many other career opportunities, you might consider changing the wording on your resume. What you decide on should depend on your interests, what you think is important to mention, and how much you are willing to pay for an upgrade to your resume. For instance, if you enjoy being creative, then you may want to add a 'creative writing' objective to your resume.Once you have decided on the resume career objective, it is time to begin writing. The first sentence of your resume career objective should begin with what you are currently employed, including your name, the department or field you are in, and the number of years you have worked there. You should also be sure to include your title at your current job.Next, you must list your accomplishments, as well as those that come with age. This can be done by listing your highest level of education as well as your graduate degrees. Now, list your most recent educational achievements. This can be done by listing your most recent college diploma, and making sure to include all of the required courses that you have attended, regardless of your field of study. Do not forget to mention your military or professional experience as well. As f or your skills, list them and list the type of work you are presently doing. List them, for instance, as a medical assistant, pharmacy technician, doctor's assistant, and office manager. From there, list any publications that you have written, as well as any volunteer work that you have done.Finally, be sure to list your best and worst experience with each previous employer. List out any problem areas you may have had. Be honest as possible, as this will not be a pleasant experience for either you or the employer. With this list, be sure to list any skills that you possess that may be of use to the new employer.Once you have constructed your resume career objective, you must take a look at your CV. Yes, you have used it to get your job, but it is also needed to make sure that your resume career objective is not too wordy. Even though your CV can help you apply for jobs, it is still an important part of your resume because it is the first impression that people have of you, so be sur e to use it correctly.Remember, the only way to write a resume career objective that gets you hired is if it is comprehensive and is brief enough to tell potential employers why you are the best person for the job. It is also a good idea to print your resume professionally. Then, even if you don't get hired right away, you will be able to take your resume with you when you are next in need of employment.

Stop Focusing On these 9 Things, So You Can Focus More On Your Career CareerMetis.com

Stop Focusing On these 9 Things, So You Can Focus More On Your Career In the 21st century, it’s easier than ever before to become focused on anything and everything, except for your career.For those who would like to excel and grow at work, it can be difficult to know where to begin.evalWhich parts of your personal life should you minimize if you want your professional life to expand? How do you find that balance between the two? Is there a way to better use the time you have, so that you build momentum for the long-term?The good news is that there are several things you can stop focusing on, so you can focus more on your career. Here are a few things to keep in mind.1) Social MediaevalIt will likely come as no surprise, but social mediais one of the biggest time-drains out there.Although there’s nothing inherently wrong with social media, many of us wind up falling down a rabbit hole of mindless scrolling, using valuable time that could be spent somewhere elseâ€"namely, completing work tasks or getting ahead on upcoming projects.While it’s not n ecessary to cut social media out of your life entirely, it may be helpful to set aside a specific amount of time each week as designated social media time.Set an alarm specifically for when you’re on Twitter or scrolling through Instagramâ€"once that session is up, it’s time to put down the phone or step away from the laptop.2) FatigueExhaustion is fairly common in our go-go-go lifestyles, and many of us struggle to show up fully at work when we’re running on too few hours of rest and too many cups of caffeine. Instead of dragging yourself through each day, make a point to get enough sleepeach night.evalGoing to bed at a normal time and sleeping a full seven to eight hours may sound counter-productive to your work goals.However, when you arrive at work well rested, you’ll be in a better mood, be better able to handle challenging situations, and may just accomplish more than you would, had you not gotten enough rest.3) DisorganizationSource â€" UnSplash.comAnother common comp laint is that it’s difficult to get work done, let alone excel at it, because there’s no pre-existing organization structure in place.Regardless of how your company has set things up, you likely have the power to at least keep your work and your desk space in order.evalWhen you have a set process for getting things done and a clear systemfor doing so, you’ll spend less time focusing on how disorganized everything is. This will give you more time to do your job, or decide if it’s time to take a step in a new professional direction.4) Home RepairsWith so much going on at work, a mounting list of home repairs could add stress and take away from the time you have to hone in on your skill set and level up your career.According to House Method, outsourcing home maintenanceand home improvement tasks to professionals who can dedicate the time and energy into completing them. Often, these tasks take an overwhelming amount of effort and precision, which can be hard to balance with you r job.Essentially, if you’re not a master electrician, don’t feel bad about hiring someone who is! It will be a win-win in the long-run.eval5) Non-Essential NotificationsSource â€" UnSplash.comIn a world of constant alerts, breaking news, social media updates, emails, work pings and more, there’s a high chance you receive countless notifications on your devices throughout the day. While some of these can be helpful, there’s a fine line between what is essential and what is distracting.As much as you can, make an effort to turn off non-essential notifications. Social media alerts are a good first option to silence if you aren’t sure where to begin. You may even decide to silence personal email or non-emergency contacts on your phone.One good strategy is to put your phone on “Night Mode” when you fall asleep, so you aren’t awakened by any news notifications, texts, or calls. By following these recommendations, you’ll create fewer opportunities for distraction, so tha t you can continue to stay focused on the work tasks at hand.6) Unrealistic ExpectationsEvery day when you wake up, do you already have a mile-long to-do list running through your head? You’re not alone in this.However, creating an endless list of tasks you should accomplish may actually be distracting you more than helping you. Instead of maintaining unrealistic expectations, commit yourself to accomplishing the three most important things on that list. Anything extra will feel like a bonus.7) People Who Bring You DownevalWhile it’s nice to imagine that our personal lives and our professional lives will never overlap, the truth is that what’s going on at work is going to affect what’s going on at home, and vice versa. Because of this, if you’re dealing with relationships in either sphere that are making you feel less confident, focused, and successful than you would like, it’s important to pay attention.If possible, consider approaching the individual in a non-confronta tional way to work out any issues that they may not be aware of.However, there are some situations when a relationship is best ended and left in the past. Only you know what will help you find peace of mind, so that you can move forward. Evaluate the relationships in your life and make a choice about what stays and what goes.8) Activities You Don’t EnjoyWe’ve all been there: you receive an invitation to a party, a trivia night, a book clubâ€"something you don’t want to attend, but feel obligated to do so. While it’s great to support friends and family with their passions, if these activities are keeping you from spending time working on your career, it’s time to learn how to say no.It may feel uncomfortable at first, but as you get into the habit of turning down invitations to things you personally don’t enjoy, you’ll feel more confident in establishing your boundaries. And remember, it doesn’t have to be a “no” every time.evalMaybe this month you’re not into t he potluck, but next month, you are! Give yourself permission to set your terms with kindness and those who care about you will understand.9) The UnknownOne of the biggest fears that many of us experience is a fear of the unknown. Wondering about a new promotion, a new company, a new life choiceâ€"all of these questions can keep our minds wandering for hours, even days on end.While it can feel good to think through a potential situation in advance, the truth is that all of the thinking, worrying, analyzing, and hoping will not do anything to make you more successful in the present.So, when a thought about the unknown pops up, acknowledge that this is something that matters to you. Then, decide if there is something you can actively do about it and take action. If not, bring yourself back into the present so you can continue taking tangible steps in the direction of your goals.If you are overrun with distractions, obligations, and responsibilities, the idea of focusing on your career and truly excelling in your chosen profession may feel impossible.Fortunately, it’s much easier than you may have thought. By implementing just a few of these tips, you can begin to streamline your life, so that you have time and space to give your work 100% of your attention.

Get Social, Get Positive, Get a Job Why Social Media NEEDS To Be Part Of Your Job Search (Special Contest Inside)

Get Social, Get Positive, Get a Job Why Social Media NEEDS To Be Part Of Your Job Search (Special Contest Inside) Enter Pajama Job Hunt 22 Flares 22 Flares Editors Note: Todays guest post is from Marian Schembari.  Read through the post and catch our contest details at the bottom! Marian specializes in social media for job hunters, sometimes gets paid to write and works with authors who want to build up their personal brand. She blogs over at http://www.marianlibrarian.com and usually features posts under the “uncategorized” tag but likes to pretend it revolves somewhat around Gen Y careers that don’t fit in a box. She is launching a virtual classroom teaching recent grads, job seekers and freelancers how to use social media as the ultimate career tool. Follow her on Twitter.  Do it now. For all you regular Corn on the Jobbers, Richie conducted a sick poll on the most frustrating part about being a job seeker. Your response? The unknown. Not hearing back. I did a similar poll ages ago (like, 4 people responded) and found the same thing. Basically, jobseekers spend SHIT TONS of time perfecting cover letters and applying for jobs through traditional outlets (job boards, company websites) but never hear anything back. This can be a huge blow to ones confidence and we all (should) know its important to stay positive during the job hunt. Get Positive, Be Social Ive found that the best way to stay positive and motivated is to get involved with social media. If youre open about looking for work, connections (via Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn/etc) are always supportive and the steady influx of new leads is a great way to see progress rather than the insanely stressful sending of resumes into the internet abyss. With social media you stay exactly that â€" social. Keep in touch with industry news and people in your field you might not have met otherwise. To Publicize or Not to Publicize? When you first decide to drink the social media Kool Aid, figure out if/how you want to publicize your job search. I think it’s a fine line, but by publicizing your search you: Get more people involved. When people congratulate in your successes you automatically feel more awesome about yourself. Get more people involved. The wider your network the more chances someone will think of you if they hear of an opening. The problem with shouting about the hunt from the rooftops is that it looks kind of desperate and promoting it too much looks unprofessional. I found that more people asked for interviews after I was hired. You know, the whole grass is greener thing. People only really start wanting you once other people show you’re wanted. I know people that instead of saying “looking for a job” they say something like “aviation professional” or “publishing professional”. Something in your industry. Build your reputation first, then publicize that you’re looking. People are more responsive once you’ve shown you’re worth it. Some people don’t even publicize their job search, they let their Twitter persona grow first and then make a shout out that their looking for work. Just a little summin’ summin’ to keep in mind when creating a job-hunt-appropriate social media profile. Blog and Look Smart The second best thing about using social media for your job search AND as a positivity booster is that it makes you feel (and look) smart. By keeping up-to-date on industry news you can be 100% confident that you know your industry. No, don’t read boring stuff in the paper, find the best blogs! My favorite tips: Jot down a list of the top 10 industry blogs. Comment on those blogs. Make friends with the bloggers. Make sure you’re reading these sites every day. Start your own site and give us your thoughts. Join relevant groups on LinkedIn. Ask questions and become a part of the conversation. Spent 15 minutes a day going through LinkedIn Answers. It’s not just about asking questions, but helping other people out. I landed 3 clients in an hour using this trick and just by spreading the love you can find job leads. If you want to learn more about how to do this I created a free video here. Even if your social media efforts don’t land you an interview right away (which it often does), having a support group of people in your industry when trying to find work can be hugely beneficial. Enter Pajama Job Hunt Oh, and did I mention I’m actually launching a course on using Twitter as a job hunting tool? Yeah, it’s rockin’. Click here for details, but it’s a ridiculously fun and comprehensive, 3-part video training was created for recent grads, job seekers and freelancers. Ready to use Twitter to build a strong network, land work fast, make some serious money and â€" wait for it â€" stop wasting time applying for jobs the old-fashioned way? Enter COTJ Contest Richie and I are giving away the program to one lucky blog reader, worth $47 FOR FREE ($37 for the first week).  Here are the rules: Leave a comment below about why you want to win the program (mandatory entry). Tweet about the contest. Sample tweet: Win the Pajama Job Hunt: Twitter Series by @marianschembari via @cornonthejob. Contest details here: http://bit.ly/9gSdr3 Tweet up to 3 times  (+1 entry for each tweet) Write a blog post about the course and why social media is important to your job search. Link to it in the comment section. (+2 entries) Contest ends Monday, June 7th at 9AM.  Get in your entries before then folks. WINNER ANNOUNCED Kate Wiseman

Know the Job You Want BEFORE You Search

Know the Job You Want BEFORE You Search The job search process can be long, boring, and more than anything, disappointing. You may spend hours searching the internet and newspapers, and  will come up with almost nothing that sounds like  the job youre looking for.   Which brings up another problem-do you  even know what it is you are looking for? This aimless searching leads to  wasted time, energy and  disappointment. Fortunately, you can make the job search easier on yourself if you take some time and decide what it is you want to search for. If you have an idea of what kind of job you want to do and a job that you would enjoy, then your search will be more fruitful and you will waste less time aimlessly searching. First, you need to decide what it is you want to do. Think about what you enjoy, what you know how to do, what you have been educated in, and where you want to be in your career. If you take the time to think through what it is you want, then you will be one step closer to getting a job and a career that you can enjoy. Next, as you begin your search, keep focused. You have decided what it is you want to do, so dont stray from that path. If you do, you will only be wasting  valuable time that could be spent on a targeted search. Use job search sites that have filter so you can search for specifics such as: full time, part time, education needed, distance from where you live, and the type of work. If you know what you want to search for before you even begin the path to a new career, not only will you spend less time searching for a job, but the time you do spend searching will be more fruitful and you will be more likely to find a job you will love.