The 5 things no one really tells you about success

The 5 things no one really tells you about successThe 5 things no one really tells you about successIf asked how I rose to my position as CEO of a global company and what someone should do to achieve similar success, in the past I would have said work hard and get promoted. If pushed, I might add volunteer for things, but that welches generally the extent of it. Over time, though, I realized there are certain principles you can follow to make sure youre moving ahead in your career. Here they are.Take real risks You sometimes need to get out of your comfort zone and take risks or you may be left behind. It can be scary and no one likes to fail, but if you dont put yourself out there and try, you will never know. In sixth grade, my daughter Danielle announced she was running for class president. I admired her passion and didnt want the experience to discourage her or dampen her confidence and enthusiasm. I told her I was very proud she was willing to take this risk and that she had lit tle to lose. I suggested we have a get together with a dozen of her friends, win or lose. Danielle didnt win the election, but to this day, she remembers the experience with fondness rather than disappointment. Always puts yourself forward for new opportunities and ask for what you want. Become extremely resilient Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Melon University who wrote a book called The Last Lecture. Before Randy died of pancreatic cancer, I had the chance to work with him. One of the many things I took from Randy was his attitude about brick walls. The brick walls are there for a reason, he said. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who dont want it badly enough.Rise above your peers As you embark upon your work life, you will learn things they dont teach you in university. In her first job right out of college, Danielle noticed there was a clique among her co-workers- a group of people who ordered lunch together and went out for Happy Hour drinks. After several months, she still couldnt break through to the inner circle, so she turned to me for advice. Work isnt high school, I told her simply. I reminded her she had many other friends and at work, it was less important to be popular than it was to be successful. In high school there is a hierarchy that doesnt change. In an organization, unlike in high school, hard work, smarts, and dedication can put you ahead. Less than a year into that job, Danielles manager left and she was promoted into his role. Since the team was short-staffed, she took on extra work and people began to rely on her. The clique saw Danielle in a different light and, finally, she started to feel like she fit in. The funny thing is, by the time that happened, she was on her way to a leadership role and didnt care as much. Danielle had learned there is a difference between being friends and be ing friendly, and this is an important distinction as you move up the ladder. Get close to human resourcesNo matter what your role is now and where you would like to go in the near and far future, if your company has a Human Resources (HR) department, group, business partner, or person responsible for optimizing talent, you should take advantage of that fact. Reach out and meet your HR representative. Your HR rep can be a great advocate. In plus-rechnen to identifying training courses that might be appropriate to learn new skills, HR reps can help you scout out opportunities to volunteer for extracurricular activities, introduce you to people of influence, and serve as a sounding board if you run into difficulties. The bottom line? HR can assist in ways you cannot imagine yet So, once youve made an initial connection, ask your rep if you can touch base every few months to share your progress, get feedback, and discuss any issues. Take on projects beyond your job descriptionMy strate gy for standing out has always involved volunteering. Volunteering has been a great way to learn new things, meet a broader group of people, and increase exposure. In one instance, when I was a salesperson, my company wanted to create pricing manual, so I offered to do it. A short time after completing the document, there was an opening for a sales manager. Several of us were equally qualified, but because of the visibility Id acquired from the pricing manual, I was the one selected. This promotion jump-started my career as a manager. What if your company doesnt have committees or task forces for you to join? binnensee if you can create one. Identify something that needs improvement and lead a group to provide recommendations. Start a business book club. Be a buddy for a new hire. If you attend a training class or a business event or conference, summarize the learnings and share them with your team. Or, organize a Lunch n Learn on a topic with which you have some experience.Adapted with permission of the publisher, Motivational Press, Inc., from MOM.B.A. Essential Business Advice from One Generation to the Next ?by Karyn Schoenbart with Alexandra Levit. Copyright (c) 2017 by Karyn Schoenbart. All rights reserved. https//www.amazon.com/Mom-B-Essential-Business-Advice-Generation/dp/1628654597

Transferable Skills - Abilities to Take With You

Transferable Skills - Abilities to Take With YouTransferable Skills - Abilities to Take With YouPut to rest your fear that you will have to leave your current skills behind if you quit your joborchangecareers. You will be able to take many of them with you in the form of transferable skills. These are the talents and abilitiesthat can travel with you when you make a transition to a new job or career. Below are 87 common transferable skills divided into six broad categories Basic, People, Management, Clerical, Research and Planning, and Computer and Technical Skills. Also included are some skills that are particular to specific occupations. These are called hard skills. Which of these transferable skills have you acquired through prior employment, school,apprenticeships,internships, formal and informal training,hobbies,and volunteer experiences? Basic Skills Use listening skills to understand oral instructionsLearn new proceduresUnderstand and carry out written instructionsOrally convey information to othersObserve and assess your own and others performancesCommunicate in writingUse mathematical processes to solve problemsSpeak in publicDemonstrate professionalism People Skills Provide constructive criticismReceive feedbackCoordinate actions with other peoples actionsNegotiate, persuade, and influence peopleMotivate othersHandle complaintsTrain or teach new skillsDelegate workOversee others workPerform outreachCounsel peopleBuild strong customer relationshipsCollaborate with othersMentor less experienced colleaguesResolve conflictsDevelop relationships with suppliersDemonstrate comfort when dealing with all peopleGain clients or customers confidence Management Skills Oversee budgetsRecruit personnelReview resumesInterview job candidatesSelect new hiresSupervise employeesAllocate resources such as equipment, materials, and facilitiesSchedule personnelPreside over meetingsNegotiate contractsEvaluate employeesOrganize committees Clerical Skills Perfor m general clerical and administrative support tasksDesign forms, correspondence, and reportsManage recordsTake minutes at meetingsUse word processing softwareUse database management softwareUse spreadsheet softwareUse desktop publishing softwareUse presentation softwarePerform data entryKeep track of accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, and other bookkeeping tasksScreen telephone callsGreet visitors Research and Planning Skills Identify and present problems to upper managementAnticipate and prevent problems from occurring or reoccurringUse critical thinking skills to make decisions or evaluate possible solutions to problemsSolve problemsDeal with unexpected situationsDefine organizations or departments needsSet goalsPrioritize tasksLocate and reach out to suppliers or sub-contractorsAnalyze information and forecast resultsManage your time and meet deadlinesPlan and implement events and activitiesCreate and implement new policies and procedures Develop a budgetCoordina te and developprogramsDocument procedures and resultsProduce reportsConduct research using the Internet and library resourcesGenerate ideasImplement new strategies Computer and Technical Skills Use computer software that is related to jobUse job-related equipment and machineryInstall software on computersUse the Internet, including emaille and search enginesUse office equipment such as printers, copiers and fax machinesTroubleshoot problems with hardware and softwareInstall equipmentTroubleshoot problems with and repair equipmentMaintain equipmentInspect equipment to identify problems Additional Skills Demonstrate fluency or working knowledge of a foreign languageDemonstrate fluency or working knowledge of sign languageFundraiseWrite grantsDesign websites What Are Your Transferable Skills? Now its your turn. Use this as a jumping off point to write a complete list of your transferable skills. Since it is unlikely for any individual to have all these skills, choose only t he ones that match your skillset. It is likely you also have other skills that havent been included here, for example, the hard or technical skills that are specific to your area of expertise. Once you have everything written down in one place, assess your marketability to potential employers. One simple way to do this is to find announcements for jobs in which you would be interested. Compare your qualifications to those listed in them. Do you have the skills those employers are seeking? Are thereany gaps you will need to address by getting additional training, education, and experience? Use Your Transferable Skills to Market Yourself to Prospective Employers Your resumeshould demonstrate to prospective employers that you are a qualified job candidate. This is where your transferable skills come in. Work them into your job descriptions taking care to match the language you use to the language the employer uses in its job announcements. Be sure to discuss your transferable skill s in job interviews as well. When you answer potential employers questions, talk about those that are relevant to the positions for which you are applying.

Project Management

Project ManagementProject Management

Educational Requirements - How to Qualify for a Job

Educational Requirements - How to Qualify for a JobEducational Requirements - How to Qualify for a JobWhen looking at job descriptions as you research occupations during the second step of the career planning process, there should be a section titled Educational Requirements or something similar, for example, Required Training or Qualifications. Dont skim past this. It is critical information. It will let you learn how to become qualified to work in an occupation you are considering. The educational requirements may serve as a way to narrow down a list of possible career options. It is essential to know whether you are willing to put that much time into training. What Do Educational Requirements Include? A job description should provide information about the entry-level requirements for an occupation, as well as those for career advancement. It may specify one way to prepare, or it may list alternatives if there are several. These qualifications could be a combination of an acade mic degree, vocational degree, post-secondary certificate, formal or informal training, a professional license, and voluntary certification from a professional association. Academic or Vocational Degree or Post-Secondary Certificate A job description may indicate that one needs a college or graduate school degree in a particular major, for example, a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Business, or it may leid specify what field of study the degree must be in. The occupation may require a vocational degree or a post-secondary certificate that could take anywhere from a few months to two years to earn. It may state that the degree or certification should come from an accredited program. You may learn that to enter a field you need only a high school or equivalency diploma, or no formal education at all. Handss of formal training are apprenticeships, internships, cooperative education, and on-the-job training. Informal training could include volunteer experience or other exposure that wil l prepare you to do the job. Professional License A license, sometimes referred to as certification or registration, is needed to work in some occupations. A job description will tell you if this is required nationwide or is compulsory in some or most states. Do not confuse mandatory certification with voluntary certification, a creditional that will be discussed later. It will also state what the steps are to getting licensed, for example, how much experience one needs and whether there is a written or practical exam. You can also use theLicensed Occupations Tool from CareerOneStopto learn what the rules are for different occupations in every state. Voluntary Certification This credential, in contrast to mandatory certification or a license, is strictly voluntary. Some professional associations grant voluntary certification to individuals who demonstrate competence in an occupation or industry. Although not required, earning this stamp of approval could make you a more desirable jo b candidate. Some employers may only hire those who have it. How to Find the Training You Need When there are stringent requirements for entry into an occupation, for instance, training must come from an accredited program,it will be a bit harder to figure out what institution to attend. You cant just simply choose a college or vocational school because of its location, for example. These are several ways to go about finding out where to go. Professional associations are a valuable resource when it comes to locating accredited or approved educational and training programs. First, use any search engine to find the professional association related tothe occupation. Once you are on that organizations website, look for a section about education or careers. There will likely be a list of programs, as well, or links to resources you can use to locate that information. The CareerOneStopFind Local Training Tool, sponsored by the US Department of Labor, is an excellent source for locatin g information about short-term training programs, colleges, certifications, apprenticeships, and internships. Search by occupation, school, or program along with the cityand, state, or zip code. Network to connect with individuals who work in the occupation you want to enter. Conduct informational interviews with them to learn the best ways to go about preparing for it. It is especially helpful to do this if there are alternatives. For example, someone with experience will be able to tell you whether getting a college degree provides better training than earning a vocational degree? Get all the facts about educational requirements when exploring careers. It will allow you to make an informed choice as well as help you achieve your goals.

Overnight Resume Success

Overnight Resume SuccessOvernight Resume SuccessHR executive receives resume rewrite by a professional resume writer and sees success one day later.After months of job searching, it can be easy to lose perspective about how much difference a small change can make.After hundreds of unreturned e-mails, phone calls that get no response and the understanding that success doesnt happen overnight, job seekers like Natalie, a human resources executive in nortzu sichn Virginia, dont expect drastic results from a little change like improving their resume. Those expectations shrink even mora when, like Natalie, youve already tried it twice before.I had paid twice to have my resume done, and they just didnt do a good job, said Natalie, who asked that her last name elend be used. Over two years, I sent out more than 400 resumes and couldnt find a full-time job. I fell deeper and deeper into debt and welches in foreclosure. I was six months behind in my payments it was a really precarious situati on.It was demoralizing for the woman, who worked her way to an associates, then a bachelors degree and added technical and functional certifications during the 11 years she spent at IBM, where she rose from an executive assistant position to human-resources roles and held technical positions along the way.I know all the work Ive done, but I was leid able to show it on my resume, so that information was not being communicated to recruiters, she said. What was hindering me was not my lack of skills it was how it was presented on the resume that failed.The two biggest reasons Natalies resume got no attention It didnt include the kinds of keywords and phrases human-resources software applications look for when they scan resumes and didnt give human readers a clear, instantly recognizable set of skills and value for her. Thats the expert opinion of Tina Brasher, a certified professional resume writer who works with Ladders and wrote Natalies most recent resume.You have to determine what the person wants to do next, and that has to be clear from the resume, Brasher said. What occupation and what level and what would make you better at it than everyone else whose resumes come in.To even be considered you have to have the right skills. She had things like strong communicator, problem-solving skills, listening skills. Thats all a lot of hooey, Brasher said. Hiring managers are interested in accomplishments. Natalie was looking for a position as an HR generalist, so if she didnt have words like recruiting, benefits and compensation, regulatory compliance in the list, her resume would never see the light of day. And she didnt.Natalie began her career at IBM as an executive assistant, but was soon promoted to asset manager where she managed the inventory of laptops, desktops and devices for more than 4,000 employees and ultimately became resource manager where she managed the complex personnel elements and regulatory issues of projects for defense contractors and federal agencies. I knew thats what I wanted to do for the rest of my career, Natalie said of that job.She has also worked part-time as a 911 emergency services operator and customer service representative in a call center while taking courses toward an MBA.A career misstep a new searchIn 2006, Natalie made what she now calls a mistake She left IBM to start her own identity-theft-prevention consultancy. There, she used her training as a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS) to counsel small businesses in northern Virginia on IT security. She found few customers, and the business failed in 2008.Everything just fell into a black hole, she said. My 401K, savings, pension, everything. I put everything into building my business and got no return on my investment.Natalie was back looking for full-time employment for the first time in two years, and she found trouble explaining her experience in a resume. What she saw as working her way up in the business world, the busines s world saw as a convoluted career path, Brasher said.Natalie tried twice before to have her resume written by experts, the second time going to a company that specialized in resumes designed for companies that work closely with government agencies.Imagine paying more than a thousand dollars to two companies to do your resume and then you send it in for a free critique at Ladders and it comes back with five pages of whats wrong with it? she said. Imagine investing $695 for a new one? No one looking for a job thinks they can afford to do that. But if it will get you a job in one to two days? Thats priceless. It would pay for itself.Brasher formatted and rewrote the resume to focus on Natalies laundry list of skills and qualifications project management, lifecycle recruitment strategy and support, HR regulations, federal employment standards, IT security, federal, state and local contract bidding, law-enforcement, asset management, administration, and project-resource management. She introduced the document with a summary of what Natalie brought to the table and included a list of keywords that described her skills in ways search engines and HR software applications could identify. Then she listed Natalies roles at IBM and her part-time jobs in decreasing order of importance.She had all these jobs, so it looks at first glance like shes a job-hopper, Brasher said. But shes not. She got promoted frequently at IBM. So we had to make that clear.But would it pay for itself?Natalie found out one day after Brasher handed her the final draft. Natalie attended a job fair in Northern Virginia sponsored by local defense contractors. After standing in line with all the other hopefuls, Natalie noticed one recruiters table open. Applicants would sit for a minute and talk, then just walk away.I walked over and gave him my resume, and he just beamed he said my qualifications and my clearances fit what they were looking for and he didnt think he was going to find anyone, Natalie said. He talked to me and called right back to another manager, and it all happened just that quick.The defense contractor, who Natalie asked not be named because shes still going through the required verification process, offered her a position as an executive administrative assistant. The job is for a division of the defense contractor that maintains high-security data centers for the Department of Homeland Securitys U.S. Customs and Border Protection to verify the identity and contents of planes, trains and ships entering the U.S.The job fits with Natalies administrative, IT, law enforcement and government experience and gives her the chance to do HR work while she completes her MBA and reopens negotiations on her foreclosure.Such overnight success is rare and a first for Brasher. No other client has ever reported such a fast response. Not that they would call the resume writer, she laughed. Theyre usually busy calling friends and family and being relieved that they got it. The resume writers usually the last one they think of to call.

Top Tips of Cinematographer Resume

Top Tips of Cinematographer Resume On occasion, a director may assume the cinematographers duties in the event the set should be closed for privacy. This individual designs the sets which are later built for a television collection. He is the liaison between these two entities. This individual has to be in a position to create compelling story thoughts and concepts that are related to the ministry of the church. If youre not a current subscriber, you can have a look at a current digital edition. For the best effect, your cover letter should target a particular employer. Attempt not to repeat precisely the same terms throughout your document. The Downside Risk of Cinematographer Resume The executive producer is the maximum level of producer on a particular show. I have a notion of what I think is correct, then I sit with Sam and listen to him. Even for more casual fans who might not pay as much attention to the kollektiv supporting the camera, it should be useful to underst and that Matt Reeves is working with somebody who has shot a good deal of highly-regarded movies. Id find the script, I really like it. Opalochs goof needs to be taken seriously. The mans work is simply awesome. The remaining portion of the story is shot over the water. New Questions About Cinematographer Resume In order to safeguard your professional resume will support your objectives, utilize this sample cashier job description to inform what you need to highlight on your resume. Photographers can work in many diverse fields and frequently opt for a place of specialization. In general, the BLS predicted this expert field should observe slower-than-average growth from 2012-2022. The degree of control and responsibility can be rather different based on the job. Education, internships, union membership, not to mention strong skills can assist you on your way. Compelling images captured with higher resolution are essential to the success of a businesss marketing and promotio nal program. Lastly, build yourself a good skill base. While you might already have a strong comprehension of the roles and duties of a cinematographer as a result of your previous experience, its important to recognize your prior jobs may have involved specialty work which might not apply to other positions. An outstanding Cinematographer resume, similar to this example, will incorporate quite a few impressive skills your employer is searching for in a candidate. Experience can be equally as crucial as education within this area. But it is often the fruchtwein important element for prospective employers. Needless to say, the very first step, nevertheless, is to get an interest in photography and cameras. Camera operators and cinematographers for certain scenes or forms of scenes work to fulfill the total vision. The motion picture business is famous for being extremely competitive, particularly in regards to securing roles on production crews. You really had to receive you r head together and receive the film stock and find the cameras and know the camera. Lots of people pursuing cinematography is going to end up working in the movie industry while some will pursue local radio and TV broadcasting. This has been five decades now. A sweeping view of a city at the start of a film might be the work of this individual alone. The remainder of my work involves shooting footage for terrestrial customers. Much like writers want to write to hone their craft, cinematographers must shoot scenes and tiny films to learn what works and what doesnt. You should even include things like freelance work. Then I feel the upcoming huge moment was a White Denim video named Shake Shake Shake. Film school demands financial debt, but it also gives a path to success which can be golden in the area of cinematography. Ive acquired a Bachelor of Fine Art in Film Degree and Ive gained extensive understanding of the various kinds of cameras and equipment employed in film makin g. Photography internships are especially common during the summertime.

What Your Company Must Know When Hiring Veterans - Spark Hire

What Your Company Must Know When Hiring Veterans - Spark HireVeterans bring a unique perspective to the workforce, and can make for dedicated and talented employees. However, hiring veterans is different than recruiting recent college graduates or other types of workers. For this reason, its important to take a unique approach to your hiring and training processes in order to ensure that the arrangement works for everyone involved. If your company is looking to get more proactive about hiring veterans, consider these tipsMake sure everyone is on the same pageVeterans may need special training or guidance in order to find success in the workplace. Ensure that the proper personnel in your organization are prepared to offer this training, and are ready to provide continued mentoring down the road.Know how to help them translate their skillsVeterans have plenty of skills, but may need help translating these abilities into an office setting. Work closely with them to make sure that this p rocess is easy in order to prevent frustration and miscommunication. Remember that military culture is different from a traditional office environment, and that it may be necessary for you to be more explicit about the rules of a traditional office than you would be with someone who has spent a decade at various offices.Put together a program that reaches out to veteransThe job search process can often feel overwhelming for veterans. As a result, you may need to get proactive in order to reach out to this unique group of talented individuals. Consider attending job fairs aimed specifically at veterans, or posting on job sites where theyll be seeking employment. You may even consider offering video interviews so that veterans who are in other parts of the state or country have the opportunity to interview for the position without having to uproot their lives to come in for an interview.Dont be afraid to ask questionsIf you havent employed many veterans before, you may feel unsure abo ut how to navigate this relationship. Dont be afraid to ask questions in order to ensure that youre giving this employee everything that he or she needs to be successful within your organization.Does your business employ veterans? How do you help this group to succeed at work?Image Goodluz/BigStock.com

5 Most Effective Ways to Start a Cover Letter [with 20+ Examples]

5 Most Effective Ways to Start a Cover Letter with 20+ Examples5 Most Effective Ways to Start a Cover Letter Plato once said that the beginning is the fruchtwein important parte of the work. He didnt say that in the midst of a job search, but he welches right.Speaking of your titelbild letter, abfluging in a modest manner doesnt pay off. Making a mighty entrance with designed career documents is what makes recruiters listen up (and call you back, eventually).The process of scanning applications has never been faster. Whether its your cover letter or your resume, either of them has just a few seconds to impress. And thats the reason behind the introductory paragraph being the single most important part of your cover letter. This cover letter guide will teach you how to transform its introduction into a captivating story that will help you land an interview. And well not only tell you how its done. With mora than 30 cover letter opening examples, well show you how to make it work in re ality.This cover letter guide will show you how toAddress your cover letterTarget company needsMention your mutual connectionShow your passionUsehumor and creativityTo whom should I address my cover letter to?If you want to get to know someone, the first thing you need to know is their name. The same goes for the hiring process.Starting your cover letter with generic Hello or To Whom it May Concern is nothing extraordinary. But taking the time to look up the hiring managers name and abfluging with Dear Susan? Pure gold.Personalise your cover letter and get closer to the person youre talking to. Look in the job posting, on the company website or LinkedIn. If none of that works, try calling the receptionist. Its a matter of few minutes and it can win the recruiters heart before you even start talking about your accomplishments and skills. Once you know the recruiters full name, start with Dear Susan or Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Camarena.However,dont use Miss or Mrs unless you know whats the recr uiters preference. Ms will work just fine and wont comment on marital status. On the other hand, academic titles like Dr or Professor are definitely something to include.Still, theres a chance your name search will for some reason fail. Dont worry, then. You can either ditch the salutation altogether and start with the first line of the letter or use any of the followingDear Software Team Hiring ManagerDear Hiring ManagerTo Whom it May ConcernDear Recruiter1. Target company needs.Remember that for virtually any job youre going to compete with a bunch of other job landseekers that are similarly qualified. One of the best ways to make your cover letter stand out is to highlight something about yourself thats going to ring the bell with the recruiter. First of all, have a look at the job offer. It will be packed with company needs. Pick those that you can easily relate to. Then brainstorm an achievement that best fits the job description.Bring up a character trait, an accomplishment o r a really impressive skill. Connect the dots between how your business value relates to the new job youre hoping to score. Craft a captivating opening paragraph adorned with an impressive achievement. This will only make sense if you feature quantifiable results. Recruiters love seeing numbers so if youre talking about proven success, dont forget to provide numbers and stats to back it up.Company needsExamples of how to start a cover letterDear Steve,I am so excited needs a marketing director skilled at storytelling and driving ROI for student travel. With my track record of boosting marketing ROI by 55% through storytelling and creative leadership, I think Im a great fit.Over the past year as digital marketing manager at Ive generated $50k+ in revenue, increased organic traffic to our blog by 18%, and almost tripled our social media ROI.Over the course of last year, I more than doubled .As a longtime groupie of s current challenges as I continue to expand my skill set.2. Include company facts and news.Heres another way to make it work. Begin your cover letter with a little digging. To find some captivating cover letter openers, look for facts stemming from recent news about the company. Take time to browse their website and read news articles online. These sources can provide you with interesting facts that you can easily relate to. Who wouldnt like to hire someone who already knows everything about their brand?Hiring managers treasure authentic enthusiasm because it tends to translate to motivated and highly successful employees. Kick off your cover letter with a little (genuine) flattery. To avoid sounding insincere with your compliments, tell a story. Including company news gives you chance to sneak in your own values, too. Also, research shows that stories are up to 22 times more memorable than dry facts. Any specific event, fact, notable statistic or a recent award the company earned can be a good starting point of your narrative.Lets say the companys just won an award for its innovative solutions in the computer industry. Take advantage of it and follow up with how much you value forward-thinking methods in technology.Company facts and newsExamples of how to start a cover letterDear Nancy,The owes a lot to my commitment to constant skills improvement. Im excited to see where I could take your client KPIs within such a well-constructed system.When I saw that welches featured in Fortune Magazine last month for its commitment to renewable energy and reducing waste in the workplace, I was truly inspired. With my track record of reducing costs by over 30% and promoting sustainable technologies, Im excited about the opportunity to take on the account executive role to expand your companys growth and work towards a greener future.Having grown up in Harlem, I understand firsthand why youve earned your reputation as one of the most visited burger places in New York. Since I was a teen, Ive been hanging out at your restaurant every Fri day. Now I want to impress your customers in the same way your staff has so graciously done for me.I was delighted to find out that is on the lookout for an event manager with experience in increasing brand awareness through organising high-traffic events. Ive attended a couple of your events myself and thought Id love to become part of it. With my 3 years of experience coordinating business events in the corporate space, I believe Im a great fit for the role.Recently, I came across articles highlighting the partnership your company formed with . I became inspired to seek opportunities to become a member of your staff and was happy to see an opening for a business assistant. As someone with extensive experience in that area, I think Id be the perfect candidate for the job.I was delighted to see that Wegmans Food Markets is 2 on Fortune Magazines list of top companies to work for in 2018.3. Highlight a mutual connection.Youve managed to scramble a few decent accomplishments, but not hing groundbreaking. What else could you turn to?Use the strength of your professional network. Referrals can work their magic when it comes to getting an interview, so be sure to mention yours right away.Maybe you just happen to be friends with an ex-colleague that referred you to a position, company, or specific hiring manager. Make a strategic move and use the name right away in your cover letter. A valuable connection that can throw a positive light on your professional skills is worth its weight in gold. Name-dropping your mutual contact means there are professionals willing to back up your skills and vouch for you. After reading your cover letter, recruiters will most likely want to learn why your referrer thought youd be a good fit for the position. And what if youve got no name to drop? Go out and network. Contact and meet people that work for the company. Its one of the best ways to get closer to the job youre hoping to score.Name-DroppingExamples of how to start a cover le tterDear Robert,Brad Smith suggested I apply to this position because she knows that my software solutions achieved 97% performance-to-goals at and that youre looking for a developer what works with speed and absolute precision.I was excited to learn of this job opportunity from my former colleague, Lucy May. Weve worked closely together for several years, most recently on a complex data analysis project at . She advised me to apply as she thought Id be a good match for this position on your team.Justin Rosewood suggested I contact you regarding the Customer Service Representative position at . I met Justin last year when we volunteered together at a local mobile food bank. Working closely together allowed him to see my ability to genuinely connect with others, which is why hes referred me to this role on your team.4. Show passion for what you do.None of the previous openers worked for you? Well, maybe the shiniest fact about you is your passion.The employer wants to see youll stay dedicated to the role and company. A motivated employee that comes with a strong work ethic has a great value. If you enjoy your job, youre more likely to stick around longer, help drive company growth and become an enthusiastic member of the team.So if youre all hype about the company, dont hesitate to infuse your cover letter with a couple of sentences demonstrating your excitement about what the job entails.Passion Examples of how to start a cover letterDear Sharon,When faced with the CPA exam in school, I told my mentor, I want to blow this test out of the water, and I did. Beyond my 98 average score across all four sections, a passion for finance has always been the guiding factor in my life. Thats why Im so excited at the chance to work for .Graphic design for jewelry shows has always been a passion of mine. My panel talk on jewelry graphics at the AIGA Design Conference was put on YouTube and retweeted 2,300 times.When I was young, all I wanted to be was a musician busking th e streets of Chicago. Unfortunately, my guitar skills have faded over the years, but I still love to work with a crowd and entertain the masses - passions that I hope qualify me tobecome your new community manager.A couple of months ago, I took a career assessment test. It told me I should become a sailor. It sounded weird to me, but later I understood its message A role that combines my business development skills with my lifelong passion for wandering beyond the horizonwould be my ultimate dream.Ive had a knack for writing ever since I was the main editor of our high school magazine. Thanks to my 15+ years of experience, Ive transformed my passion into a fashion blog with 30K+ monthly readers, featured articles on Time and Cosmopolitan that have garnered over 50K views, and a writers workshop I founded for young up-and-coming writers.5. Use humor and creativity.First of all, recruiters are humans too. Amidst a pile of boring resumes and repetitive cover letters, they may find a g ood joke, juicy pun or funny opening line as a nice refreshing break (plus maybe a reason to call you up for an interview).Gauging your recruiters is a matter of educated guesswork. Would theyappreciate some sass or snark?If so, peppering your cover letter with an anecdote will be an appropriate way to make them smile. And if they dont? Erm, who knows.Besides being a nice tool to ease things off a bit, humor can be a part of a powerful explanation for why youre the right person for the job. Listen closely to the tone of the job posting. Then youll be able to say whether or not to take the creative route.Humor and creativity How to start a cover letter examplesDear Marilyn,Before I flood you with all the reasons why Im going to be your next writer, I would like to tell you a little about myself. I didnt learn to hold a pencil until I was about six years old, which made everyone think Id never pen a single letter. And now here I am, bidding to become yournext Shakespeare.Have you ever met a guy checking his social media accounts bazillion times a day? Yep, thats me, nice to meet you. Im here to offer my expertise and become your full-time social media manager. Fortunately, I offer more value than a procrastinating kid. Let me tell you more.Gosh Thank you so much for offering me the position of a marketing specialist at Well, I know were not quite there yet. But if we were, let me tell you what Id do for you once a member of your team.Youve done everything. Wrote a list of pros and cons. Slept on it. Asked your life coach, argued with your hairdresser and talked to every barista on your block. So why havent you made up your mind yet? If youre constantly confronted by tough business decisions and strategic plans, you need a patient listener and a daring advocate. You need meKey takeaways.This guide has shown you several powerful ways to start your cover letter. Choose whichever suits you the best and the one that you can feel comfortable with.The rest of your cov er letter is important, too. Each and every word and sentence should be there for a reason. If you want to bring it to perfection, check out our ultimate guide to writing a perfect cover letter and also take out any worn-out phrases and clichs that no one really wants to see. Finally, close your cover letter the way you opened it - with a style.For some real-world examples, head over to our help centre to see a packed library of 50+ real cover letter samples from job seekers who got hired byleading brands like Microsoft, IBM or IKEA.Well, lots of stuff to get inspired. Now lets get down to workShare Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

Youre not going to feel motivated every single day. Try focusing on this instead

Youre leid going to feel motivated every single day. Try focusing on this insteadYoure not going to feel motivated every single day. Try focusing on this insteadIts taken me a long time to learn that motivation isnt an external source of inspiration.Its an inner quiet you have to practice listening to.People get unmotivated when they expect to always be filled with motivation.We talk about Motivation like its this fiery, relentless, never-ending source of rampaging drive that is as addictive as any drug, as thermisch as any love, and as uncontrollable and brilliant as any creator that has come before us.We think its supposed to never end, and when it does, we suddenly wonder and feel very confused as to why we are unmotivated.Thats not how motivation works.Motivation is the little voice inside your head that reminds you of what really matters.Its the struggleto sit through an entire movie without pulling out a notepad to jot down an idea.Its the feelingguilty for going out with your friends when you know youre so close to finishing a project youve been working on for a while now.Its why you wake upevery morning and go to sleep every night thinking about what you want to create.You might not wake up gung-ho and leaping towards your desk to get to work, and you might not be an insomniac obsessing about your ideas at night - you might fall asleep in seconds and not think twice about it.This doesnt mean you are unmotivated.Motivation is the fact that you think about it and ultimately do something about it every singleday.Very rarely do I have 100% days.A 100% day is when I wake up, shower, and get dressed in 15 minutes.I meditate for 15 minutes and actually enter a calm state of meditation.I listen to a TedTalk while I make breakfast and prepare my meals for the day.I read a book - usually dense Russian literature - before I get to work.I work without ADDing on social media, and I dig, really dig into tough, tough tasks without procrastinating or avoiding them.I eat and then go to the gym and have a fantastic lift.I either make dinner or meet my girlfriend or a friend for dinner, come home, and then write for 2 hours.I turn the lights out, reflect on the day, and fall asleep.Thats a 100%day.And every once in a while, I have one.When I fall asleep for the night, I feel amazing. I feel like Ive just conquered the world. I know in my heart of hearts that today, this day, I grew as much as I possibly could and couldnt have done anything else. 100%. I gave it my all, every moment.I was extremely motivated.And then other days, I do 1/10th ofthat.I barely watch a full TedTalk.I listen to music or scroll through social media instead of reading.I ADD a lot during the day.I get some stuff done, but I didnt really push myself.I go to the gym, but my lift ismeh.I come home. Im tired.I write in my journal for 10 minutes and then I go to bed.And thatsOK.Motivation is the fact that even though I have some 100% days and some 10% days, I dont stop trying t o have 100%days.I dont stop moving towards my ultimate goal.I dont give up completely.Ive learned not to expect 100% days from myself every single day.Its unreasonable and although a good goal, Im not perfect.Some days I need to let my brain rest. Some days I need to be lazy. Some days I need to not push myself to the edge so that I can recoup some energy.When we talk about Motivation, we think of it as asprint.How can I stay motivated the entiretime?You cant.And youre not supposed to - not in that sense.Thats not what Motivation is.Motivation is your ability to head towards the same goal over a long period oftime.This article was originally published on Medium.

Art Petty - The Balance

Art Petty - The BalanceArt Petty - The Balance