Should you listen to music while doing focused work Well, it depends

Should you listen to music while doing focused work Well, it dependsShould you listen to music while doing focused work Well, it dependsMost people seem to have their earphones in at work, but what are they listening to? Some people cant work and listen to music with words in it, some people listen to music so loud it bleeds out of their earbuds, and some cant listen to anything at all if they want to concentrate. There are people who swear by classical music remember the Mozart effect that found people performed better after listening to a Mozart sonata? Well, research has been unable to replicate that.In a study published in theJournal of Experimental Psychology Appliedby researchers Manuel F. Gonzalez at Baruch College and John R. Aiello at Rutgers, lab results foundmusics effects on your work depend on the type of music, the complexity of what youre working on, and the the person performing the tasks.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happi ness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIn the lab, the researchers sought to answer the question of how music complexity and volume moderated the relationship between the preference for external stimulation and the performance of simple and complex tasks.The researchers recruited 142 undergraduate students and asked them to complete two tasks one simple, one complex. The simple task involved identifying and crossing out all of the letter As in a text. The complex task consisted. studying lists of word pairs, then attempting to recall the pairs when presented with just one word from each pair.Each task was performed while listening to one of two versions of a piece of instrumental music (there were two versions of the musical piece, one more complex), at a soft or louder volume. A control group listened to no music.What they foundMusic is good for easy tasksMusic especially loud, or complex, music can be good for simple tasks, as it causes a narrowing of focus . Because easy work lets your mind wander, a loud jolt of music brings your attention back on track.And complex work, as wellAmazingly, loud or complex music did elend hinder the performance of complex tasks. The researchers theory was that music would not be good for more difficult work, as it takes attention away from what should already be absorbing most of your attention already. Under these conditions, however, they were mostly proven wrong.It also depends on who you are and how much outside stimuli you craveResearchers found that music disrupted performing tasks depending on whether or not you were a person who wanted external stimulation meaning, are you prone to boredom? For example, a boredom-prone person one who craved external stimuli actually performed a complex task better without music. The idea was that the complex task took up all of their attention music would have been a distraction.Ultimately, the relationship between music and performance of cognitive tasks is not one-size-fits-all, writes the researchers. What works for you, your attention span, and your need for stimulation may not work for the next person. Music, in general, is not good or bad for task performance in one single way for everyone.So put those earbuds back in, if youre in the mood for listening.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

How Cold Calling Fits into a Job-Search Strategy

How Cold Calling Fits into a Job-Search StrategyHow Cold Calling Fits into a Job-Search StrategyCold calling works, but only if you do it right.When it comes to selling, its tough to make a cold call especially when youre selling yourself to a potential employer. Cold calling combines the usual discomfort of making an unsolicited contact with the high anxiety of job hunting. So why even try?Because cold calling produces results but only if you can give at least as much as you get, right from the start.If you can demonstrate value and consideration for their needs and time constraints, a cold call canCommand the attention of hiring decision makersInitiate new strategic networking contactsObtain vital information from companies to support a job-search campaign.Over 70 percent of executive placements are made through networking, personal introductions and referrals. Cold calling is a very effective way of expanding your business-contacts database and getting you in touch with connecte d peers. This is not about instant results, scheduling an immediate job interview, or getting your resume read its about making connections for the long term.And in a tight market, cultivating new connections is a great a technique for accessing unadvertised jobs.After layoffs, for example, companies may be reluctant to announce they are hiring. At those moments, an inside tip is often the only way to learn about opportunities.Even if there isnt a good fit immediately, an informational call can be a way for you to get your name on the appropriate hiring managers radar screen and remain there through regular pings. Approached with courtesy, an unsolicited inquiry demonstrates your initiative and sincere interest in a particular organization, and periodic follow-up reinforces this interest and shows persistence.Here are some tactics to maximize cold-calling results and expedite an executive job search1. Offer social currency, not just job inquiries.Be prepared to provide some informat ion of value based on your own research. Often, asking for information or conducting industry research is less threatening to an employer than asking directly about openings. An immediate request of this sort puts the person youve called on the spot or may just produce a quick, We are not hiring. Goodbye. That knocks out your chances for an ongoing connection to future job leads. Try to make this a two-way, mutually gratifying exchange.2. Propose a contribution do not ask for a favor.Remember you are the one making the approach be polite and respectful. At the same time, approach cold-calling activities as an exchange among equals, not as a subordinate. You arent asking for a job, youre proposing to make a measurable contribution for your mutual success.3. Target a company, not just an industry.Choose one company your research shows can benefit from your skills and knowledge. Match your background to the companys industry, your interests to its apparent strategy, and your talents to a challenge you can identify and achieve. The closer you fit the profile of an ideal candidate, the easier it will be to sell yourself.4. Connect with the functional manager, not just HR.Initiate contact with an appropriate company representative. This means finding someone in a functional or operational role who will quickly assess your capabilities and recognize your value to the organization. Remember, a focused inquiry will yield focused results, so make sure you get to the contacts direct extension.Dont be discouraged if you dont get immediate results. Think of the time involved as an investment. Rome wasnt built in a day it takes patience to find the right person with whom you have something in common both professionally and personally.I always say, Its not what you know or whom you know, but who knows what you know This is the key to having a job find you. The more hiring decision makers who appreciate your contribution, the better the odds that you will land a new job faste r. Its up to you to promote your interest.How do you get in the door to start such a dialogue? Call at a time convenient for your contact and communicate a value-driven message showing how you can address their challenges. Youll find that cold calling isnt such a cold prospect at all but a very hot way to find a job today.

Avoid These Design Agency Self-Promotion Issues

Avoid These Design Agency Self-Promotion IssuesAvoid These Design Agency Self-Promotion IssuesSelf-promotion is perhaps one of the trickiest projects any advertising, marketing or entwurf agency can undertake. It seems odd to outsiders that this would even be an issue. After all, when youre the client, surely you can do whatever you want, right? Well, sadly perception is much more idealistic than reality. Here then are the reasons why self-promotion is so tough, and a few basic guidelines you can follow to ensure this task is both a fun and creative one and elend a monkey on your back. Landmines of Self-Promotion, and How to Navigate Them. There are a lot of issues associated with self-promotion. The top six often hamstring even the biggest and best advertising and design agencies The Project Isnt Taken SeriouslyIt is by far the biggest problem with self-promotion projects. Someone (or a committee) within the agency decides that its time to do some self-promotion work. An account manager has a quick chat with someone from the senior team in the coffee room. They then drop in on a creative team and mention in passing that some self-promotion ideas would be good. And then everyone just hopes that it will all appear like magic, being exactly what everyone in the agency wants to see, and done with little fuss or effort. It is all wishful thinking. If the job isnt taken seriously, the work wont be seriously good. It wont even be mediocre. And eventually, it will have to be redone, perhaps several times. If the agency is serious about self-promotion work, treat it in the same way that you would treat a paying clients project. The Job Always Takes The Back SeatAnother big problem with self-promotion work is that it is always going to be the job thats put on the back burner because paying jobs always take precedence. Now, thats all well and good, but the reason you get those paying jobs is often through work thats done on the backs of the agencys staff. Its fine t o put it off when big jobs hit, like pitches, but if the job is scheduled and in the traffic system, give it the respect it deserves. Theres No CreativeBriefIt cannot be stressed enough - every job needs a creative brief, there are no excuses for bypassing it. Often the cry is one of but everyone knows who we are or its self-promotion, we can do whatever we want. Well, no. There should always be a strategy, a goal, a set of guidelines, some firm direction, and a deadline. Without a brief, you are putting up a big, red flag that says this project doesnt really matter and youll be right. You cant build anything without a foundation. No Budget Has Been Assigned It can be the cause of some major headaches. The creative will ask whats the budget, and the account team will say there isnt one, do what you like. Of course, that all comes crashing down when the ideas are presented, and a senior mann an ihrer seite announces that the budget for the job is two nickels and a bag of rice. Attain a budget from the people who control the money. The ask for a little more, just in case. Now give your parameters to the creative team, and always be prepared to go back to the table with an option that will be over-budget but will make a huge splash. Theres No Media PlanIt is something that needs to be hammered out between everyone in the agency, including the creatives, the account team, the production department, traffic, and media buying. What is the purpose of the self-promotion? Is it going to be a guerrilla stunt, an online video, a print piece, posters, PR, or something else? No doubt the creative department will have ideas, but some basic parameters should be in place, and the respective departments should be ready to act. There Are Too Many ClientsOne of the biggest complaints of any agency is that there are too many opinions ruining the creative work. Ironically, this also happens within the agency as well. People are human, they all want to be heard, and they all believ e their opinions are valid. For the sanity of everyone involved, and to save time, put one person in charge of the final decision, and leave it that way. It will more than likely be someone on the senior management team or the Creative Director. Letting the owner or partner chime in at the last second will create havoc. How to Side-Step Self-Promotion Altogether Aside from addressing all of those problems above, there is another way to do self-promotion, without actually setting aside any time to do a campaign. The answer lies in the work your agency does on a daily basis Do Great WorkKiller creative work is its own promotion campaign. If your agency is constantly putting out huge ideas that bring in customers and create buzz, you wont need to do any self-promotion work. Win Recognized IndustryAwardsIsnt this the same as doing great work? No, its not. Scorsese and Spielberg did many great movies long before they ever won an Academy Award. Similarly, some Academy Award winners h ave had long careers based on one good movie they did 20 years ago. If you win awards, you have clout. Clout brings in clients. Keep Your Clients HappyHappy clients make a thriving agency. That doesnt mean your agency should do everything the client asks. No, it should provide the client with everything his or her business needs, and when the client is successful, everyone is. And that will lead to more billings. Let Word Of Mouth SpreadSome businesses will not advertise in the usual places. Some wont even have a website (although these days, thats verging on suicidal). However, there is a certain cachet in being spread by the good word of clients and colleagues. Dont rely on it for too long though an invisible agency is not exactly walking the walk.

Should You Tell One Company Youre Accepting Another Offer

Should You Tell One Company Youre Accepting Another OfferShould You Tell One Company Youre Accepting Another OfferMake sure youll be welcome if you wind up back on their doorstep.Once youve received a job offer you plan to accept, one of your duties is to let your other prospects know, if you havent already.How much should you tell them? Read on for advice on how to handle this delicate communication.If Its Early Enough, Dont BotherSandra Lamb, a career expert and author of How to Write It, takes a number of factors into consideration when advising her clients on writing this type of letter or placing this type of phone call. Her first consideration is determined by where the job candidate is in the bewerberinterview process. If the employer hasnt yet picked finalists for the position, theres no need to advise the organization, she said.Bidding War ScenariosUnsurprisingly, informing companies youre taking an offer can result in a bidding war. As a rule, Lamb advises clients not to pa rticipate in the game, since It often leaves both organizations feeling a bit manipulated, she said.Not all career professionals agree. Jordan Rayboy, president and CEO of Rayboy Insider Search and a member of the Pinnacle Society of executive recruiters, has no qualms about counseling his data storage professional clients to negotiate the strongest possible offer if they have multiple options.You have more leverage to negotiate a stronger offer if you have multiple options, Rayboy said. I dont think theres anything unethical about trying to negotiate the best possible offer for yourself.Firm? Put It in WritingJob candidates typically call, rather than write, to let recruiters like Rayboy know theyve accepted another offer. Thats because high-stakes recruiting is based on relationship building, Rayboy said.But if a job candidate is absolutely sure about accepting an offer and nothing will change her mind, it makes sense to put it into writing, Rayboy said. Dont share details such as why youre taking the offer or why youre not taking an offer from the company youre writing to simply state that your decision is final, ask the company to please respect your decision and to please withdraw you from the interview process.If youve got everything you possibly wanted, thats the way to go, he said.If You Want to PlayJob seekers might be faced with a dilemma if they want to work for Company A, but Company B makes them an offer first. In this scenario, if you want to give Company A a gelegenheit to make a competitive offer, it makes more sense to discuss it in a phone call, Rayboy said, given you are starting a negotiation process.He suggests that candidates in this situation say something along the lines of this Ive received an offer, but youre my No. 1 choice, to alert them of your preference and educate them enough about the circumstances to make a decision.Dont reveal too much about the offer, until Company A decides to make a competitive offer. Then be prepared to d iscuss the details of what makes the other offer attractive, including salary, opportunities for growth and how well the other offer matches what youre after for example, if its customer-facing or internal.Leave on a Positive NoteHowever firm your decision to accept the offer, make sure to leave on a positive note that you are looking forward to a possible future positive relationship, Lamb said.She provided this example Craig, it was truly a wonderful experience interviewing with X Company. I particularly enjoyed meeting you and You have a terrific team, and one that offers a great opportunity. I look forward to our business paths crossing at some point in the future I wish you every success with your new product manager.

Vital Pieces of Sale Associate Resume

Vital Pieces of Sale Associate Resume So How About Sale Associate Resume? Technical writing is a great career option. Simple resume template download is mostly meant to make a fantastic first impression in the front of the interviewer. Resume builders are a really great means that might help you organize your work application. Selecting an excellent template is quite important and should youre aspiring to utilize it, you ought to use the correct one. Luckily, there are a number of writing strategies which can help you fully convey your true worth to a possible employer. By means of example, in CV, if youre requesting work in education, you can want to put your teaching experience together with the CV. Its possible for you to learn to compose a compelling objective statement for your sales associate resume by studying the aforementioned samples, which you are able to also adapt in earning your objective statements. Youre going to want fundamental accounting skills to create a change and to notice errors. Sale Associate Resume Ideas The retail business is only projected to grow, so now is the ideal time to apply Its possible to also say that youll be trying to find a different job because of honest facets. When youre preparing your resume, concentrate on the experiences which are most relevant to the job. Dont eliminate hope if youve got little to no experience for the job you truly want. Employers wish to observe how your efforts impact a businesss business. A sales representative has to be very personable, energetic, trustworthy, and results-oriented. schlussverkauf associates are employed in virtually every area, and have an excellent growth track. The Sales Associate is the very first point of contact in selling a service or product and offers key details on the value that youd be providing to a possible customer. Sample resumes for sales associate can be employed by various types of men and women who desire to submit an application for a post of sales associates. Retail Sales Associate isnt a job for the faint of heart or those that are thin-skinned. Generally speaking, Sales Associates represent the business and assist customers by assessing their requirements and helping them find the proper services or products. Retail Sales Associates play a critical role in retail establishments since they increase customer satisfaction and generate increased company revenues by helping clients purchase solutions. If this is the case, you may be an ideal candidate for a sales associate job. Make your points, outlining why you feel you are great for the sales associate role. In some cases, a sales associate resume will also have to include cold calling and client service duties also. Your sales associate resume needs to appear professional if you would like to have your credentials stick out in a crowded field. These resumes have been tailor-made for applying for the place of sales associates and in the event you decid e to use them, youre certainly going to boost your odds of finding the post of a sales associate. Its also where you are able to stick out from the rest of the applicants. Almost every applicant whos searching for a job would like to earn an expert job application due to their interview. Rumors, Deception and Sale Associate Resume There are a lot of distinct types. For example, you may have been required to speak to customers on the telephone or speak to a group of people about an item. Perhaps, but theres no reason you cannot locate the inner sales person in you and become one. An in-depth understanding of your store is crucial, too. Continue reading for tips and an instance of how to compose a summer sales associate cover letter. In order to turn in an application for a sales associate job, you will have to fill out an application form, either in person or on the internet, but its also wise to incorporate a cover letter. The last product should appear similar to the pro fessionally written resumes at the peak of the webpage. If you would like to be certain you submit the best resume, you will have to incorporate sections which are important. Thus, its best if youve got an outgoing, energetic personality. You might have sales-related skills that youre unaware of, including your capacity to persuade, build strong relationships and present solutions. You may also have to quickly develop and maintain relationships.

The One Best Plan to Use for Tech Resume Examples Uncovered

The One Best Plan to Use for Tech Resume Examples Uncovered Finding the Best Tech Resume Examples Non-verbal communication is something which other men and women notice whether you know of your actions or not. Lots of people feel rushed to react to questions and conversations immediately, but it is preferable to pause for a minute in consideration, especially in the event the question merits it. Resume builds a very first impression in any interview and ought to be impressive and simple to read. As the interview ends, when you have not had the chance to talk about your references in a constructive fashion, ask whether the interviewer want a list. If it comes to resume preparation, TopResume is here to assist. The placement of your skills section is also a rather important matter to think about. Make certain that you have a minumum of one example for a time you demonstrated every one of the top five skills listed here. Technical Writing Many jobs that involve written commu nication ask that you explain complex things in a sense that is simple to comprehend. Your skills section stipulates a window into how much capability you are able to bring to the firm. Review their About Us page and see whether your soft abilities or attributes are aligned with the providers core values. To learn more on what it requires to be a Monitor Tech, have a look at our complete Monitor Tech Job Description. Otherwise, you might choose to publish References on request. 1 behavioral example may offer evidence for or against several unique skills. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills. The Appeal of Tech Resume Examples Technical skills can be quite valuable on your resume since they can be both. They are important for a number of reasons. Technical job skills play a critical function in getting hired. Required technical skills are occasionally found on the work description. The Fundamentals of Tech Resume Examples Revealed Additional job analysis ought to be completed to recognize the qualities not noted on a work description. It is possible to find below a list of the greatest skills you may put on your resume based on the kind of job that you are applying for. For example, if you submit an application for a Chinese-English interpreting job, you need to be fluent in both languages otherwise you would not really qualify for the position. It is crucial to be aware you should only add skills that are pertinent to the position youre applying for. The Secret to Tech Resume Examples The very first point to do is to thoroughly read through each work description and to recognize the necessary technical skills. Your skills are an overview of what you could do for the prospective employer if you were offered the work at this time. Thus when writing down your job skills take some time to strategize and find out the very best approach to organize them in your resume. Some people believ e that listing outdated skills makes them look seasoned, but nonetheless, it typically makes the work seeker appear they dont understand the job and theyre not relevant. The Meaning of Tech Resume Examples Wherever you choose to place your skills on your resume, be certain to tailor your list of skills to the specific job. Due to that, IT skills are now highly transferable between industries. Some skills might be relevant while others arent. You ought to be including communication skills on your resume but it ought to be accomplished indirectly. A bulleted list will allow it to be scannable. As you proceed through the list of skills above, make a distinct list with the skills which you already possess.

Any Introvert Who Can Nail These 5 Lessons Will Be Unstoppable

Any Introvert Who Can Nail These 5 Lessons Will Be UnstoppableAny Introvert Who Can Nail These 5 Lessons Will Be UnstoppableA leader is best when people barely know he exists. Of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say We did it ourselves.- Lao Tzu While it might not seems so from the outset, most introverts are in an ideal position to become leaders because of the nature of their personality. Introversion and extroversion are considered two opposing points on a scale, but in reality, everyone has certain elements of each trait.The main difference between the two types of personalities is that introverts tend to keep to themselves, reflecting mora on their own psychic conditions, while extroverts are mora social, finding inspiration from the world outside themselves. Introverts make excellent leaders, not necessarily by being social, but by applying their keen thoughts, sense of reflection, and attention to detail in all their project s as well as by forming deeper and more meaningful relationships with their cohorts (everybody knows small talk is an introverts anathema).According to the Lao Tzu quote above, these qualities also contribute in the work of the best leaders. As such, we have a number of world-renowned leaders who have upended their industries just by relying on the natural advantages of being introverted, such as Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, and J.K. Rowling.Lesson 1 Be Vocal About AccomplishmentsRegardless of the quality of the work they do, introverts tend to get overlooked because theyre not necessarily vocal about their accomplishments. After all, a programmer who quietly keeps to herself is not necessarily going to draw much attention, even if she produces amazing work. Introverts are famously averse to self-promotion, but are fundamentally successful at producing quality work.This makes moving up the chain much harder. Introverts need to have a good sense of what theyre good at, and be able to step up to defend their accomplishments to nab the positions they want.Lesson 2 Foster Deeper, More Meaningful Relationships with Primary Decision MakersOne misconception of introverts is that they are shy, afraid of socializing, or anti-social, when in fact introverts generate more energy through self-reflection. Its not that they cant talk to people, its that their energy levels dwindle during times of interaction.What this means is that when introverts do form new connections, they tend to dive deeper than superficial small talk and foster more meaningful relationships with the people they talk to. This is their advantage- it allows them to relate in a memorable way to the people they talk to. And by meeting more important people in their companies and sharing their unique ideas, introverts can stand out.Lesson 3 Apply the Attention to Detail and Listening Skills to Contribute More Thoughtful Ideas Into DiscussionsA common characteristic among introverts is a more refined attention to detail, and the ability to listen. As they spend so much time in their own heads, they can work out often overlooked aspects of certain projects, and follow their gut to important endpoints.Its these qualities that make them valuable members of any team. They think and listen first, and speak second. By harnessing this innate ability in larger discussions that include different points of views, itll be no time before the people around them start leaning in to hear more.Lesson 4 Take Time on Your Own to Recharge, But Challenge Yourself Socially Every DayMost introverts feel at their best when theyre on their own, so its important for their well-being to have a certain amount of time in a day set aside to recharge, reflect, and bask in isolation. However, its equally important that they take some time to challenge themselves socially and in a low-threat situations, like going out to lunch with colleagues and participating more than usual in meetings.One rule that known introvert Marissa Mayer uses to help her get through uncomfortable social situations is by glancing at her watch, setting a time for herself, and telling herself, You are not allowed to leave until this time. If you are still having a terrible time by this time, then you can leave. By forcing herself into that set timeframe, she is challenging herself to get over initial self-consciousness and opening herself up to the situation around her.Ive applied this in my own life. When Im at a networking event, I always set a time that I can leave. For me this is typically around 30 to 45 minutes after I get there. I can force myself to network as much as possible because I know I dont have to do it for that long, and this has helped me get over my introvertedness.Lesson 5 Use Social Media, Email, and Public Forums to Your Best AdvantageIntroverts might not be very active socially, but what they miss out on in lost interactions, they make up for in social media. Since introverts a re known to communicate better with the written word, particularly behind a screen, its no surprise that many are extremely savvy in social networking.Well, nows a great time to be social network savvy Having a big list of connections and the ability to write eloquent emails has never been more effective in convincing people of your skills and talents.Being an introvert does not mean you cannot be a leader. It simply means you need to learn to play up your strengths.More From Inc.How to Project Power in the Workplace5 Productivity Apps This Executive Swears ByThese 5 Phrases Will Make You a Better LeaderPhoto of people talking illustration courtesy of Shutterstock.

Three Clever Ploys for Dealing with Dumb Job Interview Questions From the CEO

Three Clever Ploys for Dealing with Dumb Job Interview Questions From the CEOThree Clever Ploys for Dealing with Dumb Job Interview Questions From the CEODont get tripped up by daft interview questions, by moving the conversation towards your ability to do the job.An article that promises We got 10 CEOs to tell us their one killer interview question for new hires ought to be full of impressive questions that directly connect the behavior and past performance of the candidate to the job, right?Unfortunately, no.As it happens, the ten CEOs that Quartz assembled have the usual mess of dumb questions, self-important nonsense, and bizarre voodoo rituals.And while theres a good explanation for how even the top dog at a company can end up asking the worst interview questions, the important outcome for you is to make sure that dumb questions dont keep you from landing a great gig.These bad questions shouldnt cause you concern, and in fact, theyre an opportunity for you to shine by gently mov ing your answers to the core of what really matters - your likely success in the job.Interviews are strange, of course. Its tough for you to get a feel for whether youre supposed to be buddies with the person across the table, or be trying to impress them, or puffing yourself up. Thats why its so common to have a bit of sympathy for anybody whos going on a job interview - almost everybody says good luckBut we should also have a dash of compassion for the person doing the interviewing. As behauptung CEO questions confirm, most interviewers in the United States are horribly trained - if trained at all - and are often just thrown into interviewing without preparation, education, or practice.Thats how you wind up on the receiving end of questions like these - and lets face it - these are terrible questions Talk to me about when you were seven or eight. Who did you want to be? A key test comes early in the meal I give them the wine list. I told him to sing for us Would you rather b e respected or feared?The reason theyre terrible is they have nothing to do with job performance.And I dont just mean directly. There are plenty of questions that are not directly about how you did your job that are nonetheless effective in assessing future job performance (Ken Moelis Monopoly question being a good example of assessing analytic skills via non-job-related subject matter.)What I mean is that these questions are not predictive of future job performance. There is nothing about what you wanted at eight years old, how well you know your way around a wine list, or your propensity to sing in public that has any ability to determine whether or not youll be good at the role youre interviewing for.So lets get to the practical matter how should you handle dumb questions from the CEO, or anybody else, in an interview?Here are your three clever ploys for dealing with interview oddities. You can use some variation of these responses, always delivered in a pleasant, accommodating, welcoming way, to move the conversation to the substance of your ability to do the job.The But What About Me? MoveWhat are you trying to understand better about my background with this question? Perhaps I can help clarify something I havent made clear.The Let Me Highlight What I *Am* Good At GambitI think what youre trying to ask is whether Im good at ___________ fill in the blank with something youre good at. Let me share with you the time thatThe Jiu Jitsu, Turn-It-Right-Around-And-Send-It-Back ActionI know this job is important for your team / group / company. What would be the answer youre looking for from somebody in this role, and I can tell you if I match up with that?Each of these moves, alone or in combination, can help you keep your interview flowing in the right direction. So rather than frittering away valuable interview time on answering daft questions, or getting annoyed with an praktikant interviewer, turn the conversation towards something that puts your abilities in a better light.For exampleWould you rather be respected or feared?Help me understand what are you trying to assess about my experience with that question. Whether Im effective at motivating people, right? Well, let me tell you about the time thatSing for us.I think what youre trying to ask is whether Im comfortable in front of audiences, and the answer is definitely not Thats why Im applying for this economics analyst job. Numbers sing to me, I dont sing for themWhat did you want to be when you were seven or eight?Great question, and I know this job is important for your team. What kind of answer are you looking for from the candidate youll hire for this role? And then I can tell you whether I match up with that.In every case, turn the conversation back to the job, your experience, and how your background indicates that youll be successful in this role.And with that, have a great week in the job searchIm rooting for you

These are the 4 steps to a healthy mentor-mentee relationship

These are the 4 steps to a healthy berater-mentee relationshipThese are the 4 steps to a healthy berater-mentee relationshipEvery working professional dreams of having a mentor in their field who believes in them.At their best, mentors are the senior advisors you can call on in times of crisis, the ones who guide you when you stray. Theyre thesuccessful Big Names with the clout to pluck you out of obscurity and introduce you to all the right people.Its a beneficial relationship for both the junior lebensgefhrte seeking guidance and the senior one dispensing wisdom. Mentors get the pride and joy of helping a future star succeed, mentees get the much-needed confidence and network to succeed.But behauptung relationships can deteriorate quickly when the mentor-mentee relationship is seen as a transaction where mentorship goes in, and success magically comes out. Usually, these relationships fail when one side doesnt see that having a mentor is a two-way street.Heres what mentors and ment ees need to do to prevent their partnership from souring.1) Set time-management expectations from the beginningMentees need to realize that their mentors times is valuable. Mentees should not schedule a meeting at the last minute. There should be no late-night Hail Mary texts demanding career advice on whether or not they should take the job. These excessive communications do not reflect well on you, the mentee. It makes it seem as if you dont respect your mentors time.As the senior partner in this relationship, mentors should set the example and delineate time parameters from the beginning. Say what times and days you can be available to be contacted. Be firm that if your mentee cannot make a time, they must give at least 24-hours notice.2) Clarify what you need and what you can giveAsking for a mentor is not sending a vague, generic request to pick a successful persons brain. The foundation to a good mentee-mentor relationship begins with both sides being clear about what they wan t and what they can bring to the table.Harvard Business Review outlines what a mentee should know about what they want before seeking out a mentor. Do you need a coach to work through performance-related issues, a sponsor who can champion your promotion, or a connector with access to the relationships you need to do your job well? Knowing what you want is critical to not wasting yours or your mentors time.For mentors, its important to set and manage expectations from the beginning about what you can offer your mentee advice on negotiating a contract, a connection to that important person, or ongoing feedback on projects. When a mentee is being vague about goals, a good mentor will kindly ask him or her to be specific about how they can help, so that the mentor can redirect them to the right person.That means no meet-ups for career advice coffee until everyone is on the same page about what this meeting will entail.3) Facilitate the good energyMentorship should be energizing for both sides. But not everyone has the spirit to be a mentor. Not everyone has the maturity to be a mentee. Before you embark on a mentor-mentee relationship, its good to choose your dance partner wisely.For mentees, that means not being a vampire draining the life fromthemby asking many questions or sending excessive communications, according to Harvard Business Review.For mentors, that means facilitating your mentees growth and not immediately shutting down your mentees ideas. Consider the off-the-wall, ambitious idea of your mentee. Theyre entrusting you with their hopes and fears. Good mentors encourage their mentees energy. They acknowledge that their mentees success will look different from their own.4) Acknowledge the work that goes inAbove all, being a good mentor or mentee means acknowledging the work thats going into making this relationship work. For mentees, it means thanking your mentor for their advice in words and through actions.For mentors, it means going the extra mile t o help bring out the best in someone. In a world where our careers are long and winding, roles can be reversed and the mentor can one day become the mentee.As journalist Ann Friedman explains this two-way street, You should always be kissing down and sideways, to the people who are going to be working alongside you and coming up behind you. Im really aware of my impending irrelevance, Friedman told the Longform podcast. I want there to be some journalist who remembers when I got on the phone with her in 2013 and helped her negotiate for her first salary and throws me a bone. I think about that moment a lot.