The Personality of the Workplace

The Personality of the Workplace With unemployment levels at their lowest rate in 18 years, finding the right candidate across various aspects of performance and personality can be a challenge. The complexity of the interview process has expanded to focus more on soft skills and cultural fit. Over the last couple of decades, the tech industry has created a widespread shift to place more emphasis on company culture and employee perks to attract and retain top talent. Whether you are hiring someone to join a large team or a startup’s first employee, attention to personality types is necessaryâ€"even as an exercise in self-awareness. While you will not be able to categorize personality types as binary as introvert or extrovert, many people do tend to sway more towards one type or the other. Carl Jung first theorized about introversion and extroversion personality types, and since then various academics have expanded on how to classify personality. From type A, B, C and D to the 16 personality types of the Myers-Briggs type indicator. These types and indicators seem to offer more granularity into how introverted or extroverted any given person is. Introverts and extroverts will have varying skill sets that make some aspects of a particular role more advantageous while simultaneously putting them at a disadvantage in other areas. In business especially, your personality is scrutinized, and your weaknesses highlighted. If you prefer to work alone and find the most productivity at that time or you thrive in collaboration, it’s best to feed the flames of your best self. Extroversion at work Extroverts are typically very charismatic which makes it easier for them to speak in public. This gives them an advantage during the face-to-face interview process. Extroverts often have a positive outlook which allows them to do well in a sales or fundraising scenario. A study actually found that optimistic salespeople sold 37 percent more than their pessimistic counterparts. Networking events and presentations are also a strength for extroverts, but they might have trouble focusing for longer stretches of time. Impulsivity is another area that troubles many extroverts, which is why extroverts should aim to focus on goal setting and tracking. Another thing to watch out for with the extroverted is active listening which can be boiled down from a lack of focus. If you are extroverted yourself, try to give the speaker or interviewer your undivided attention. Introverted yet assertive Introverts working in small groups or starting small businesses become energized by working alone. This can be difficult at the times when working with others is necessary. While many introverts are incredibly creative and contemplative, they have difficulty speaking to groups and meeting new people. Introverts also score highly on self-motivation but require time without distractions to truly thrive. It might behoove you as an introvert to allot time within your calendar where you are in a do not disturb mode. Introspection is necessary to recognize faults and grow within a role, company or relationship and this is an exercise that comes naturally to introverts. While extroversion has been rewarded in the workplace for decades, many people are beginning to see how great introverts are to an organization. While recognizing any given person’s strengths and weaknesses is essential to find the proper role within the workforce, it is also essential to understand the complementary nature of personality types. It takes a team comprised of varying personality types to deliver a great product or service. The key to unlocking any team’s potential is to find the best possible combination of personalities for the highest possible performance. Implement tips from the visual below from Fundera when considering the strengths and weaknesses of introverts and extroverts. About the author:  Meredith Wood is Editor-in-Chief at Fundera. Specializing in financial advice for small business owners.  Passionate about tech, entrepreneurship and all things social.

Bad situations breed creativity

Bad situations breed creativity The time I am the most creative is when I feel the most trapped and desperate. These are the times when I see no model for solving my problem, and I have to come up with an all-new solution that will, invariably surprise even me. I have found that bad situations get creative juices flowing. And I have come to have an appreciation for the bad times; they give us unique opportunities to find our best ideas. Here are some situations to keep an eye out for they are invitations to creativity: Bad situation #1: Nagging dissatisfaction. Im not advocating depression; believe me, Ive been there, and its mostly about hiding in bed not about being a creative genius. But an inherent part of creativity is never being satisfied with what is there, always striving for something better. After all, if everything is going great, why think of a way to change it? People who are creative never think everything is great. So you dont have to be depressed to be creative, but you cant be jubilant. Bad situation #2: Low budgets. No one ever came up with a grand idea when they had more than enough money. You would be stupid to think of new ideas when you have enough money to pay for what is already tried and true: Best practices, most outstanding performer, top-tier firms, these are all great places to spend a big budget. Why take a risk when you dont have to? The good news about a small budget is that you cant pay for the paths that have already lead to success. So you have to come up with a new path. Bad situation #3: Feeling lost. The least creative people I know are those who knew exactly what they wanted to do after college, and did it, and never turned back. No existential crisis. No begging parents for dinner money. Just pure focus. The reason feeling lost is good is that its the time you figure out what youre passionate about. Passion sweeps you off your feet when youre meandering. You cant get swept off your feet when youre moving fast, when you have a plan, when youre already going somewhere. You need a foggy focus to find passion. Most people who are creative will tell you that they didnt pick their form; it picked them. The form your creativity will take will show itself during a time you are lost. Bad situation #4: Being wrong. Creativity requires knowing what you like. You cant depend on other people to guide you or else you are not being creative but rather responding to market research. Being certain of what you like means that youre going to be wrong a lot. Not wrong about what you like, but wrong about what will work. The market researchers will tell you. But much worse than being wrong is never being wrong, because then you are a research drone, a fact-gatherer, not a creative person. So strive for being wrong sometimes, as a way to gauge your level of creativity. Bad situation #5: Nonproductivity. Thank goodness for times when you cannot seem to follow the rules, cannot meet deadlines. The people who do good work all the time dont leave room for ideas for genius sprung from passion and blank stares. Sit at your desk and do nothing. Ditch work and go to a cafe. Empty time is the when creativity flows. Take a second look at the disappointing situations of your life. You might find your creative genius has been suffocated by overwhelming focus on good times.

Open Minds Walk Through Open Doors - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Open Minds Walk Through Open Doors - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Your meter of willingness to consider new ideas requiring additional education will drive your level of success. Your thoughts drive your action. Have you ever been told, “That won’t work”; or “You will fail” and other such encouraging news? I actually find these declarations motivating! What does it take? Are you willing to take the time required to figure out how to get to the next rung in your career or further develop your business model? Have you secretly wished you could write a book or become a corporate Vice President? Anything is possible when you set your mind to it, put achievable goals in place to get there and get the help you need. Your heart and soul must be committed to making it happen. Many people first starting out ask me how I handle “failure”? Your open mind will learn to adapt one of the easiest strategies for overcoming this dilemma. Exchange the word “failure” for “marketing research.” Have you ever heard of a large corporation say, “We had to create a newer version of our product because the earlier one failed?” Of course not! Instead they report in, “Our marketing research has shown…” Uncertainty and opportunity Entrepreneurship is not a sure game or endeavor. Particularly in the early years, uncertainty looms overhead. Building business requires testing, analyzing and tweaking. And sometimes, it is painful to admit one area is not profitable and must be discarded. This isn’t failure. Instead, it is smart business to keep an eye and pulse on what is working best for the given environment and move whole-heartedly with those venues that are producing. The only thing you can be certain about is you. Are you willing to give it your all and not let anything or anyone stop you? When I am particularly interested in a venue, I stop at nothing to figure out how to accomplish my goal. It delights me when I prove the nay-sayers wrong. A friend exclaimed today, “Elinor, you are a powerhouse that perseveres to get the job done.” After laughing at the declaration, I recognized this has actually become part of my brand. When I say I’m going to accomplish something, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that it will get done. During the analysis phase of moving forward, reserve time for education. Read online and traditional books; get coaching and take classes; network and go on retreats. Talk with as many different people as possible to find those you enjoy the best they become your target audience. The beauty of having the willingness to “put yourself out there” is that opportunities come forward opening many new doors. New connections are offered and possibilities become viral. Your only step in the journey is to prioritize what you want to achieve. Have the near term and long term vision with you at all times. They should be encompassed in your heart, mind and soul. Not being dissuaded by others will build your brand too. You are now headed for a Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results” and “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”. She provides team sales training, private coaching and inspirational keynotes for conferences. May 4-7 Elinor and colleagues will be providing a Business Retreat) (embedded link: http://www.smoothsale.net/products/biz-retreat/ ) where required entrepreneurial skill sets will be taught. It is set in the No CA wine country to sync mind, body and spirit.

The 7 Key Elements of Employee Retention [INFOGRAPHIC]

The 7 Key Elements of Employee Retention [INFOGRAPHIC] We’re in the  middle  of a talent shortage. The shortage varies per industry, but generally, the supply of experienced and skilled specialty talent is not meeting the demand of companies. Many companies are now spending more time and money recruiting than ever, mainly because they are waiting to find experienced candidates, as opposed to hiring green candidates. Because of this, employee retention is a hot topic. When it comes to retention, salary is still important to each and every one of your employees, but it takes far more than a competitive salary to retain themâ€"especially in today’s candidate-driven market. As your top professionals are pursuedâ€"and even offeredâ€"by other companies, you have to step up your game. You have to provide them everything possible to convince them to remain in place. So let’s look beyond salaries. What else matters most to your current workforce? Is it all about benefits? What about opportunity for growth? Check out  these 7 ways to keep your top talent by our friends at Ajilon: Conduct employee  surveys; what motivates them, what they would change and do exit interviews when people leave. Get  managers invested in their people; have them perform regular performance reviews, promote higher performers and coach struggling employees. Encourage  open communication  between employees and management; hold regular meetings for everyone, establish an open-door policy and dont punish anyone for speaking their mind. Tailor company benefits to your employees needs; look at things such as flexitime, working remotely, free meals or other incentives. Always seek to  promote from within;  provide clear paths for advancement, offer support and training, implement a KPI system to spot your top performers. Get employees  engaged with the business; ensure that they see their place in the bigger picture, clarify what is expected, provide goals to strive for. Hire an  HR director if your company is pushing 100 employees; allow them to streamline your structure, trust them to head up employee satisfaction and establish employee wellbeing as a clear priority. More ideas below in this infographic from our friends at Bayt. RELATED: How to Recruit and Retain All-Star Talent.

#102 - Industry Expert Series - Nancy Ganzekaufer on the Interior Design Industry CareerMetis.com

#102 - Industry Expert Series - Nancy Ganzekaufer on the Interior Design Industry â€" CareerMetis.com The Career Insider Podcast Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSSForEpisode 102of The CareerMetis Podcast, we will be hearing from Nancy Ganzekaufer who is a Business Coach for Interior Designers.This interview is part of the “Industry Expert Series“.evalGuest Introduction â€" Nancy GanzekauferevalNancy Ganzekaufer specializes in Business Coaching for Interior Designers and Online Coaches.Nancy is also a national board member of the Interior Design Society.Episode Summary1.Nancy starts off the interview sharing her journey from her time in the corporate world to today where she specializes in coaching helping Interior Designers.2.Nancy describes what the role of interior designer encompasses, and it’s much more than what initially meets the eye.3.Nancy also talks about how to spot a potential interior designer early in life, and what hey are capable of.4.Nancy explains some of the challenges that interior designers are facing today that we ren’t necessarily an issue in the past, and also how to overcome them.eval5.Nancy also weighs in on the importance of courses and education, and where it can fall short as well.6.Nancy also discusses the growth within the Interior Design industry, and where people are finding success within it.7.Nancy leaves things off with an excellent piece of advice to help you communicate with potential clients.Quotes“An interior designer does so much more than what people actually understand”“The industry is getting harder in some respects”eval“It is always smart to investigate anyone you’re looking to hire”“Marketing in this day and are are so different than it used to be”“You don’t always have to have a degree or certification, as long as you have the desire to learn as much as you can about the industry”“Get really clear and concise if you’re starting a business”Links ResourcesTo learn more about Nancy Ganzekaufer, you can visit hercompany website.You can als o connected with Nancy viaLinkedIn,Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram.Intro Music provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€" Siren KickbackEnding Music provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€" No Need to Rush

Say it like you mean it

Say it like you mean it I was watching President Obama speak to the people of Prague and kept asking myself, why do they care about what he has to say? It was a huge crowd of people. So, Why? Perhaps he had something they wanted to hear. When you are talking about what you can do, do you say it like you mean it? Would it draw a crowd? Would anyone be interested? OK, if you cant draw a crowd, how about in an interview or when networking? If you cant speak convincingly about yourself, then why should anyone listen. Think about what it would take for you to speak with convictionwhat do you need to get there? Is it a lack of self-confidence? What is driving that? What can you do to turn that around? We can be our worst enemy, especially when we are feeling vulnerable, however, this is not an excuse. Fix it please. Perhaps it isnt a lack of self confidence, it is a lack of certainty that what you can do is of value. What you can do to turn that around. Usually a bit of information gathering can stifle those feelings. Maybe it isnt either of these things holding you back. Identify why you arent speaking passionately about what you do. Is it perhaps the fact that you no longer love what you do? You can fix that too. Right now, you realize, there arent enough jobs for everyone looking. In order to stand out, you really have to speak like you are worthy of drawing a crowd. If you arent up to the task, if you arent willing to fight for yourself, if you dont believe you should have to do this, then continue doing what youre doing and let me know how it goes.

Photography Resume - How to Write a Photography Resume That Will Land You a Dream Job

Photography Resume - How to Write a Photography Resume That Will Land You a Dream JobPhotographers resume need not to be too boring or formal. There are numerous ways on how to write a resume for a photographer that can help you land your dream job. It is also wise to make it interesting so that you are able to make a good impression to your prospective employer.It is always good advice to start with your school if possible. Since most of the photographers need photography training. So, if possible try to mention the schools that you have attended. Also mention any internships or voluntary work that you have completed in the previous job.An impressive photography resume is not the same as a boring resume. It is important to make it clear and present your talent to the reader. You can mention a portfolio for your portfolio shots if you have some. You must remember that you can get a very good paying job but only if you are able to sell yourself.A brief bio is also necessary for photog raphers. This can include details about the school where you have obtained your photography training. It is also good to mention if you have worked in any creative media such as fashion, advertising, print work etc. By doing this, you are able to give the reader some idea about who you are and what you can do for them.A resume should also be well-organized so that you can include photographs in a manner that it makes the readers interested. You can use your favorite pictures to add something special to your resume. However, you should use good examples only. Pictures of poor quality or non-existent portraits will not impress the employer.Besides photos, you can also include bullet points. But do not make it so that it is difficult to read the resume. Try to have it simple to make it look neat and attractive.Make sure that you present all your vital information about yourself. You must keep in mind that your employers will never come across an amateurish resume.The best part about ha ving a resume is that you can present what you have accomplished and the ways by which you were able to achieve these accomplishments. Your photograph is one tool that can aid in your advertising efforts.