Why Optimistic Job Seekers Do Better

It is easy to fall into traps when job searching. Many people identify the one "perfect fit" job and think "that's totally me; I've got this!" At that point, you put all of your hopes and dreams in one basket, and you're likely to be severely disappointed if you never hear back or don't get a job offer after an interview.

Here's how you can stay optimistic when your search isn't going the way you'd hoped:

Spread your professional net wide. You can no longer rely on landing a job through only submitting job applications online. It is possible to get a job this way, but it's more likely if you have an internal contact. Today, you need to use all avenues available to you. Are you doing the following things as part of your search?

§  Attending networking events and joining groups geared toward professionals in your industry

§  Contacting former bosses and colleagues with whom you've had good rapport

§  Searching for connections of connections on LinkedIn and asking for introductions to anyone who works in a company of interest

Practice patience, and examine your communication style. You must accept that landing interviews and job offers is not going to happen right away. It can take time; some of the most impressive, accomplished candidates don't land a job for six months or more.

If you are not getting any responses, you should take a look at your communication style. Do your resume and cover letter demonstrate to a company what you can do for them, and is it easy to read? Regarding the emails you are sending or calls you are making to contacts.

Accept that there's usually a reason you haven't heard back. There could be administrative reasons for not hearing back; maybe the company lost your online submission or never received it. Perhaps the human resources person in charge of the position left the company, and a new person is working to get things back on track. Following up via email or calling and asking whom to address your cover letter to may do the trick.

You don't know the candidate pool, so it's hard to say how you compare to and differ from the other candidates. There is not much you can do about this, unless you have an internal contact that might know something or be able to find out.

Remember that things are often not what they seem. You may read the job description and think it must be you they've written the posting for, and this is the job you've been waiting for. However, you do not know who wrote the posting; it could have been a member of the human resources staff or a manager who will be supervising the person in this position. 

As you search for a new job, accept that it's not going to happen tomorrow. You have to be patient and spend time connecting with former colleagues. Try not to put all your hopes into one posting or one contact, as it may not actually be your dream job, and the person may not be able to help you land it.

If you remain optimistic and open to opportunity and stay in touch with your network throughout your professional career and life, prospects are bound to arise. The most successful people recognize when there's a potential opportunity and seize it by taking action. You never know where the road can take you. The worst thing that can happen is that you don't get a response, and then you simply move on to take the next chance. 

Earn more respect as a Young Professional Woman

Women can lead just as well as men; many young women are still being overlooked in the workplace. Many women do not speak up or feel confident at work, leading them to be passed over for potential promotions and raises.  This insecurity could stem from a lack of female colleagues or bosses. Women feel discomfort when negotiating for higher salaries and promotions in their careers occurs because they are trained to be no confrontational. It's not enough for women to simply be good at their job; standing up for it is also a key to becoming the boss. ​Even if you are working hard and doing well, you really need to be stepping up to the plate and asking for things.

Here are some career advises for young women who want to beat the boys and become the boss:

Promote yourself. Although self-promotion is a key step for women who want to get noticed in the workplace, many of them feel uncomfortable speaking out about their accomplishments. Working hard at your job isn't enough to get noticed. Young women should take initiative and tell their colleagues and bosses about tasks they're working on, upcoming projects, obstacles they have overcome and their overall value in the organization. You really do need to let your boss, your boss's boss and your colleagues know what it is that you are doing.

Write down your achievements. We typically have so much going on, we sometimes forget to validate our accomplishments and achievements. Even if you have not been in the workforce for long, the list will help remind you of your value to employers. Do not just think that because you are young in years that you do not have things to offer.

Ask for more. Negotiating is one of the most challenging tasks for young​ women professionals. Men negotiate more often than women and feel more comfortable doing it; this poses a major problem for women. Negotiating is the key for advancing in your career. Even if you are working hard and doing well, you really need to be stepping up to the plate and asking for things. To become more comfortable with negotiating, find out what is negotiable in their workplace and proactively ask for more. Take this skill as seriously as they do finance or accounting, because this is really going to help the bottom line of their salary and of their advancement.

Women should stop waiting to be asked and be more assertive and confident in who they are. Do what you love and choose an environment where you can be authentic – because if you are thinking of a long career, it can become tiring fairly quickly to be someone you're not.

Become a world-class 'business athlete'

Entrepreneurs are a different breed of leader. Renegades, rebels, world changers, innovators, black sheep, risk takers, workaholics -- these are just a few of the names we are called by both those who love us, and those who don't understand us. 

One thing successful entrepreneurial leaders have in common is a high degree of emotional intelligence, or the capacity to be aware of, control and express our emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships fairly and empathetically. It can be argued that emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important to your happiness, health and success over your intellect (IQ).

As you grow your business and make your mark on the world in your own unique way. You will find it useful to keep these qualities top-of-mind when defining your own leadership identity. These pillars are fundamental and unforgettable for success.

Responsibility: If it is to be it's up to me. 

Personally, one should look for a "win-win" scenario in every situation, no matter what. In order to create this win-win, especially in challenging interactions. It doesn't matter what frame of mind the other party is in, you should get to choose your actions and reactions.

Possibility: 100 percent is possible 100 percent of the time. 

You will be tempted to say no to opportunities you don't want to pass up when you are feeling overwhelmed. You are the master of your emotions and your reactions and when you come from a mindset of being unstoppable, you will find a way to make it all happen. 

This is the hustle, the difference between being the best you can be and half-assing it. If you want to say yes to an opportunity but feel you have too much on your plate, don't doubt, just take action and find the support you need to make it happen. Leave everything on the field, every day.  

Integrity: Your vision and commitments dictate the ways of your being and actions. 

We are defined by our vision and our commitments (our word). When you revisit your goals, mission statement and vision daily you will be in alignment with your highest potential more often. Naturally, there will be days when circumstances get the best of you or throw you off track, but if you stay attuned to your vision you will rise above the petty details time and time again.

Urgency: Live as if your life and the lives of others depend on it. 

This is a precious life. Every second wasted will never come back.

When you go all out and share your passion with others, what distinguishes a leader from the average person is the sense of urgency to do everything we can with this one day, this one hour. You may not have tomorrow so you need to take action now. 

Risk: Learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. 

The only way you become an entrepreneur is to take a risk. You risk your time, safety, money, security, reputation and so much more. So what? Let fear be your compass. Follow it all the way through to the end and see to it that your business and your life are nothing short of extraordinary.

 

Essential body language tips for job interview

Studies have shown that your body language communicates more to another person than what you say or the tone of your voice. This is even truer when you are interacting with a stranger, as one naturally sizes up someone new. For that reason, your body language during a job interview has a large effect on the hiring manager's perceptions of you and consequently, your likelihood of being hired.

Learn Good Body Language:

When preparing, you want to focus on what you should do and not what you shouldn't do. No one is perfect. If you slip into some kind of negative pose in the interview, you do not want to lose your cool and let a lot of chatter cloud your thinking. Over the course of in interview, everyone re-adjusts themselves a few times (it would be strange to be perfectly still). The thing is to teach your body to recognize good body language in your body (without a mirror). Noticing sensations will bring a greater mindfulness to what you are doing with your body when your mind is elsewhere, such as answering questions for an interview. Here are the basic elements of good body language:

Eye Contact: Maintain frequent though intermittent eye contact. Sense the comfort level of the manager and give them slightly more than equal eye contact.

Posture: Sit up right but in a relaxed way where your shoulders drop naturally and your back is straight but not flexed backwards.

Angles: Direct your shoulders so that you are facing the manager. You do not want to suggest avoidance but openness.

Leaning: You don't want to be a statute nor lean in aggressively. Lean in fluidly when appropriate but always return to a natural sitting position

Hands and Feet: Find a few comfortable poses before the interview that suggest you are engaged but not aggressive. The more relaxed they are the better, so feet should be flat on the floor (if possible) and hands should be in a neutral state unless speaking. When you do speak, your gesticulation should be natural and used sparingly

Staying in Your Chair and Not in Your Thoughts:

Remember an interview is only a conversation, and you have had thousands upon thousands of conversations in your life. If you think of it as a performance, you are likely not to relate the hiring manager and that will probably affect your body language. So develop a simple system to "check in" on your body. Stay positive every time you straighten yourself in your chair or refocus on the interviewer's eyes. With body language, things fall apart for everyone, what makes the difference is those who bring it back together naturally. That way you let your body language contribute to you getting your next job.

Building up self-confidence

Not everyone is born with an in built sense of self-confidence. Sometimes it can be hard to develop confidence, whether because of personal experiences that has caused you to lose confidence or suffering from low self-esteem.

There are a couple of handy things you can do to build your confidence. Some of these are just little changes to your frame of mind, and others are things you have to work on for a bit longer to get used to them.

 Look at what you've already achieved

Sometimes it can be easy to focus on what you haven't done. It's easy to lose confidence if you feel like you haven't achieved anything. Focusing on stuff you have done, big or small, can help you gain perspective on all your talents and abilities.
Write down a list of all the things you're proud of in your life. Think of things you have achieved, whether it's getting a good mark on an exam or even learning to ride a bike. Keep this list close and add to it when you do something you're proud of. When you're low in confidence, pull this list out and use it to remind you of all the awesome stuff you've done.
Think of things you're good at

Everyone has strengths and talents, what are yours? Have a look at our fact sheet on strengths and work out how you can build on yours. Recognising what you're good at and trying to build on those things can be a really valuable way of building confidence in your own abilities.

Set some goals

Set some goals and aim to achieve them. By proving to yourself that you can get stuff done, you'll prove to yourself what you're capable of achieving. They don't have to be big goals; they can even be things like baking a cake or planning a night out with friends. Just little things that can be ticked off a list and help you gain self-confidence in your ability to get stuff done.

Talk yourself up

You're never going to feel confident if you have a negative commentary running through your mind telling you you're no good. Think about your self-talk and how that might be affecting your self-confidence. Have a read of our fact sheet on self-talk to get some handy tips on turning your negative self-talk around.

Get a hobby

Try to find something that you're really passionate about. Do you like playing footy? Like building model trains? Think of some of the stuff you're really interested in and commit yourself to giving them a go. Finding stuff that you're passionate about will help you find stuff that you're good at. Chances are, if you're interested or passionate about a certain activity you're likely to be good at it as well.

Aerizo Group – HR Consultancy

 

Key elements of good communication

People tend to respect, value, admire and listen to compelling communicators. But good communication does not come naturally to all. It requires a particular skill set that, unfortunately, most people don't learn in school. Effective communication means being able to speak and listen purposefully. Taking the time to learn proper communication skills, like listening and asking questions, is a worthwhile investment that can grow and nourish your interpersonal relationships.
Planning Your Words and Delivery:

Planning how you communicate does not necessarily mean sitting down with a pen and paper and writing a speech. It entails carefully thinking about the intended message and reaction you hope to get from your friend or family member. Identify and address any of your negative feelings before speaking to avoid speaking out of anger or frustration. The healthiest communicators know how to take responsibility for their negative feelings by using "I statements" containing a feeling and need, rather than blaming the other person or making blanket statements

Using Therapist-Worthy Listening Skills:

Therapists have a common trick up their sleeves, and it does not require a Ph.D.; they all know how to actively listen. Active listening requires being completely present with the person who is speaking without thinking about what you will say in response. It consists of withholding premature judgments before getting all the facts. It entails empathy -- truly feeling what the other is feeling -- and mirroring and paraphrasing their feelings and needs back to them to ensure you are understanding them.

Asking Questions

People ask questions for several different reasons in communication: to obtain information, fuel conversation, acquire another's opinion, ascertain agreement, establish rapport and trust and verify information. Want someone to have a favourable opinion of you? Ask them questions! People love talking about themselves. Use the funnel technique: Start with broad questions and then get to more specific ones. Just be sure to avoid offensive, leading or manipulative questions in your communication.

Aerizo Group - HR consultancy

Get Ready for your next Interview

Finding a job is tough enough as it is without having to go through harrowing interviews.

Here are some tips to crack the interview by leaving positive and lasting impression.

Dress for success. Professional business clothes are always appropriate, regardless of the type of job you are interviewing for. Proper hygiene and a tidy appearance are important. Iron your clothes if you can, and avoid strong perfumes or colognes.

Be there on time. Try to arrive 5 or 10 minutes early to be safe. Find out ahead of time where you're going and how long it will take to get there. Drive or travel the route a day or two ahead, at the same time of day as you will on the day of the interview. Confirm how often the buses run. Have a back-up plan.

Let your personality shine. If you're excited about the job, don't be afraid to show it. Employers want passionate employees, so be you. Just remember to always keep it professional.

Be confident. Feeling nervous in an interview is perfectly normal; just don't let your nerves overpower your interview. Eye contact and a calm, clear speaking voice are excellent ways to show your confidence.

Watch your body language. During your interview, relax and sit naturally, but don't slouch in your chair or lean on the interviewer's desk. Avoid chewing gum, or fidgeting with jewelry or your hair.

Be professional. This begins with a smile and a firm handshake. Remember, this is your first introduction to the organization, so be polite to everyone you meet and turn off your cell phone.

Listen and ask for clarification, if you need it. Remember to listen carefully to the interview questions so that you actually answer the question, and never interrupt. If you don't understand something, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

Let them know what you have to offer. When answering the questions, let the employer see what you have to offer their organization. Talk about your past experiences and accomplishments without bragging, and tie those experiences to how they can help you contribute to their organization.

Think before you speak. Although you want to be open and honest in your interview, avoid talking about your personal or financial problems.

Don't linger. Leave as soon as the interview is over, making sure you don't linger. Shake the interviewer's hand again, restate your interest in working for the organization, and thank them for the interview.