Considering a career change? If so, you might want to take a test or two to determine what career is the best fit for your type of personality. Some tests are free others have a fee. But if you are serious this might be a good start to finding out about yourself.
The top-rated career tests, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter and the Strong Interest Inventory are available online.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
The Keirsey Temperament Sorter (KTS) is a self-assessed personality questionnaire designed to help people better understand themselves, first introduced in the book Please Understand Me. KTS is closely associated with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); however, there are significant practical and theoretical differences between the two personality questionnaires and their associated different descriptions.
http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=10802373878010974519
There are fees for some of these tests, but, there are also a variety of quick, simple tests like Color Quiz from http://www.colorquiz.com that offer instant results and doesn't cost you a penny.
LiveCareer.com is also a good one and it's easy to use. There are a series of questions that asks you to select what you like the most and least amongst 3 things. When you're done you'll instantly be provided with a great deal of insight on yourself and the environments you thrive in, as well as the kind of jobs, careers and activities you're suited for. You might be surprised. It's fun, incredibly accurate and no-cost to you. Give LiveCareer.com a try today.
Also try Monstor.com's Your Perfect Career Quiz
http://tools.monster.com/perfectcareer/
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
What motivates someone to buy something?
If you are in Sales then that is something you ask yours self everyday.
Yes, you are trained by your company and are a real good talker.
However traditional sales people force feed their own reasons and do not focus on uncovering what the prospect is trying to overcome, improve or eliminate by buying sooner, rather than later. Prospects really do not want to think about anything, they actually want time to "compare". Compare your features and benefits with that of their current vendor or other competitors trying to get in on that business.
Quite often in the eyes of the prospect your features and benefits are not much different from their current vendor or others competing in your field. Hence price becomes a front end and back end obstacle as they focus on YOUR reasons (features and benefits), not their problems and negative effects that are already costing them time, energy and money by not using your product or service.
So the simple trick to to LISTEN first and reiterate what the customer just said. Listen and then suggest ways to make LIFE EASIER for that particular problem !
You will be the best sales person. Don't forget to close the sale ! i.e Asking for the Money and their commitment to buy.
Yes, you are trained by your company and are a real good talker.
However traditional sales people force feed their own reasons and do not focus on uncovering what the prospect is trying to overcome, improve or eliminate by buying sooner, rather than later. Prospects really do not want to think about anything, they actually want time to "compare". Compare your features and benefits with that of their current vendor or other competitors trying to get in on that business.
Quite often in the eyes of the prospect your features and benefits are not much different from their current vendor or others competing in your field. Hence price becomes a front end and back end obstacle as they focus on YOUR reasons (features and benefits), not their problems and negative effects that are already costing them time, energy and money by not using your product or service.
So the simple trick to to LISTEN first and reiterate what the customer just said. Listen and then suggest ways to make LIFE EASIER for that particular problem !
You will be the best sales person. Don't forget to close the sale ! i.e Asking for the Money and their commitment to buy.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Are you being listened to at work?
You are at a meeting to discuss ideas for implementing a new program in your department. After some discussion, you tentatively throw out an idea to the group. It is ignored.
Ten minutes later, one of your co-workers says “Hey, here’s an idea ...” and restates your suggestion almost word for word.
This time, “your” idea is met with a chorus of “Great idea!” from your colleagues.
If this has ever happened to you, you are not alone.
Dr. Sonia Herasymowich, Ph.D., a university instructor and consultant on mental diversity, says one reason ideas are sometimes not acknowledged the first time they are stated is because of differences in thinking styles.
Right-brained thinkers (most of whom are women) tend to be intuitive. They may jump to a conclusion and express it before their left-brained colleagues (most of whom are men) have arrived at the same conclusion. It is only after the discussion has logically led to the idea that it is likely to be embraced by the left-brained thinkers.
Dr. Sonia, as she is known to her clients and students, suggests that right-brained thinkers can get credit for an idea by writing it down on a flipchart or white board immediately after expressing it. While the group continues its discussion, the right-brained thinker can be working backwards, writing the steps leading up to the idea.
“At some point, the group will look up and say ‘oh great, you’re writing it down’,” says Dr. Sonia. “At the very least you will be seen as someone who has helped the team reach its conclusion.”
Whether or not your ideas are listened to may also depend on how clearly you express them.
In her book Talking From 9 to 5, Deborah Tannen, Ph.D., reports that when it comes to communicating in the workplace, employees who get heard at meetings tend to be those who speak more directly, more loudly, and at greater length than their co-workers.
Trying to be polite may backfire. Says Tannen, “Many people try to avoid seeming presumptuous by prefacing their statements with a disclaimer such as, ‘I don’t know if this will work, but ...’ or ‘You’ve probably already thought of this, but ...’.” Such disclaimers may result in the rest of the communication being ignored.
However, simply telling employees to speak up is not the answer to ensuring everyone’s contributions are heard. Some employees may need time to reflect before speaking, while others may not speak up at all for fear of looking foolish.
Companies that want to take advantage of contributions from all their employees need to teach their managers and group leaders to foster communications.
Says Tannen, “The most important point is for managers to become skilled at observing group process and noticing the role that each group member takes.” The group leader can then give credit where it is due and encourage greater participation from all.
Going around the table and asking everyone to state their opinion is one way to encourage greater participation. However, participants are often influenced by what has been said before them and may not risk disagreeing with someone higher up in the organization.
A better idea, therefore, is to invite employees to submit their opinions in writing either before or at the meeting.
Another option is the Japanese practice of "nemawashi" in which a facilitator meets one-on-one with participants before the meeting. The facilitator can then make a presentation which includes the variety of opinions, thereby ensuring that everyone’s opinion is taken into account and saving face for those whose suggestions are not followed.
To elicit ideas from those who need time to reflect after the meeting, Dr. Sonia suggests managers conclude with a comment such as “If anyone has any more ideas before tomorrow morning, put them in writing and leave them on my desk.”
Companies that follow such practices may be rewarded with ideas and innovations well beyond those expressed during the meeting itself.
Source : www.atotalwaste.com
Ten minutes later, one of your co-workers says “Hey, here’s an idea ...” and restates your suggestion almost word for word.
This time, “your” idea is met with a chorus of “Great idea!” from your colleagues.
If this has ever happened to you, you are not alone.
Dr. Sonia Herasymowich, Ph.D., a university instructor and consultant on mental diversity, says one reason ideas are sometimes not acknowledged the first time they are stated is because of differences in thinking styles.
Right-brained thinkers (most of whom are women) tend to be intuitive. They may jump to a conclusion and express it before their left-brained colleagues (most of whom are men) have arrived at the same conclusion. It is only after the discussion has logically led to the idea that it is likely to be embraced by the left-brained thinkers.
Dr. Sonia, as she is known to her clients and students, suggests that right-brained thinkers can get credit for an idea by writing it down on a flipchart or white board immediately after expressing it. While the group continues its discussion, the right-brained thinker can be working backwards, writing the steps leading up to the idea.
“At some point, the group will look up and say ‘oh great, you’re writing it down’,” says Dr. Sonia. “At the very least you will be seen as someone who has helped the team reach its conclusion.”
Whether or not your ideas are listened to may also depend on how clearly you express them.
In her book Talking From 9 to 5, Deborah Tannen, Ph.D., reports that when it comes to communicating in the workplace, employees who get heard at meetings tend to be those who speak more directly, more loudly, and at greater length than their co-workers.
Trying to be polite may backfire. Says Tannen, “Many people try to avoid seeming presumptuous by prefacing their statements with a disclaimer such as, ‘I don’t know if this will work, but ...’ or ‘You’ve probably already thought of this, but ...’.” Such disclaimers may result in the rest of the communication being ignored.
However, simply telling employees to speak up is not the answer to ensuring everyone’s contributions are heard. Some employees may need time to reflect before speaking, while others may not speak up at all for fear of looking foolish.
Companies that want to take advantage of contributions from all their employees need to teach their managers and group leaders to foster communications.
Says Tannen, “The most important point is for managers to become skilled at observing group process and noticing the role that each group member takes.” The group leader can then give credit where it is due and encourage greater participation from all.
Going around the table and asking everyone to state their opinion is one way to encourage greater participation. However, participants are often influenced by what has been said before them and may not risk disagreeing with someone higher up in the organization.
A better idea, therefore, is to invite employees to submit their opinions in writing either before or at the meeting.
Another option is the Japanese practice of "nemawashi" in which a facilitator meets one-on-one with participants before the meeting. The facilitator can then make a presentation which includes the variety of opinions, thereby ensuring that everyone’s opinion is taken into account and saving face for those whose suggestions are not followed.
To elicit ideas from those who need time to reflect after the meeting, Dr. Sonia suggests managers conclude with a comment such as “If anyone has any more ideas before tomorrow morning, put them in writing and leave them on my desk.”
Companies that follow such practices may be rewarded with ideas and innovations well beyond those expressed during the meeting itself.
Source : www.atotalwaste.com
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Top 10 Business Buzzwords
Wondering about the new office phrases? This article by by Megan Aemmer is great...
I learnt a few words that I would have never known.
Whether you office from home or home from office, you've probably heard some of these best-of-breed words and phrases unleashed at you and wondered what exactly your boss or coworker was talking about. Whether humorous or just plain annoying, you'll probably hear some of these dynamic phrases from time to time. This list will help you translate, and maybe even re purpose a few words to grow your own business buzz vocabulary.
Drive: No, it doesn't refer to your daily commute. Drive is a multipurpose buzz word, overused in such phrases as "drive out cost," "drive the project," and "drive the organization." Last I checked, costs, projects, and organizations don't typically have wheels and a chassis.
Incent: A nonword that is often used in business as a verb. Instead of creating incentives, management types may try to incent their team to sell more by offering--you guessed it--incentives. Some other commonly verbed words: office (She likes to office from home), text (Hey, text me the address), google (I googled him before the first date).
Delayering: A newer, more PC term for rightsizing, a.k.a. downsizing. Potato, potahto. It's still a layoff.
Narcissurfing: If your coworker is late to a meeting again, it's probably because he's been narcissurfing all morning. That is, googling yourself to see where, when, and how often you show up on the Internet.
Deep dive: If someone asks you to deep dive (or drill down), they're asking for in-depth information or discussion on a subject. "I did a deep dive on the Chinese market, and I don't think we'll be able to move product there. But I'll drill down on Brazil and see what sell-through potential there may be."
Bleeding edge: The "cutting edge" is so passé. Even better is the bleeding edge. "The program Johnson's working on is bleeding edge. The concept is so new even he's not sure what the product will do yet."
Offline: To take something offline is to discuss something in person or on the phone, rather than via e-mail or instant message conversation. This phrase usually crops up when an e-mail trail gets excessively long and/or involves more people than necessary to solve the issue at hand. Also used in meetings: "We'll deal with that offline, when this meeting's over."
Ping: To get someone's attention, ping them via e-mail or IM. "Hey, ping me when you hear back from her about the London conference." Back in the pre-Internet era, "ping" referred to the sound of a submarine's sonar.
Al desko: To save time, I often dine al desko, usually after five minutes of microwaiting. (In other words, I eat at my desk after heating up lunch in the microwave.)
Defrag: It used to mean rearranging data files on a hard disk, but defrag can also mean "to relax." After a rough day of officing, you may want to defrag in front of the TV.
I learnt a few words that I would have never known.
Whether you office from home or home from office, you've probably heard some of these best-of-breed words and phrases unleashed at you and wondered what exactly your boss or coworker was talking about. Whether humorous or just plain annoying, you'll probably hear some of these dynamic phrases from time to time. This list will help you translate, and maybe even re purpose a few words to grow your own business buzz vocabulary.
Drive: No, it doesn't refer to your daily commute. Drive is a multipurpose buzz word, overused in such phrases as "drive out cost," "drive the project," and "drive the organization." Last I checked, costs, projects, and organizations don't typically have wheels and a chassis.
Incent: A nonword that is often used in business as a verb. Instead of creating incentives, management types may try to incent their team to sell more by offering--you guessed it--incentives. Some other commonly verbed words: office (She likes to office from home), text (Hey, text me the address), google (I googled him before the first date).
Delayering: A newer, more PC term for rightsizing, a.k.a. downsizing. Potato, potahto. It's still a layoff.
Narcissurfing: If your coworker is late to a meeting again, it's probably because he's been narcissurfing all morning. That is, googling yourself to see where, when, and how often you show up on the Internet.
Deep dive: If someone asks you to deep dive (or drill down), they're asking for in-depth information or discussion on a subject. "I did a deep dive on the Chinese market, and I don't think we'll be able to move product there. But I'll drill down on Brazil and see what sell-through potential there may be."
Bleeding edge: The "cutting edge" is so passé. Even better is the bleeding edge. "The program Johnson's working on is bleeding edge. The concept is so new even he's not sure what the product will do yet."
Offline: To take something offline is to discuss something in person or on the phone, rather than via e-mail or instant message conversation. This phrase usually crops up when an e-mail trail gets excessively long and/or involves more people than necessary to solve the issue at hand. Also used in meetings: "We'll deal with that offline, when this meeting's over."
Ping: To get someone's attention, ping them via e-mail or IM. "Hey, ping me when you hear back from her about the London conference." Back in the pre-Internet era, "ping" referred to the sound of a submarine's sonar.
Al desko: To save time, I often dine al desko, usually after five minutes of microwaiting. (In other words, I eat at my desk after heating up lunch in the microwave.)
Defrag: It used to mean rearranging data files on a hard disk, but defrag can also mean "to relax." After a rough day of officing, you may want to defrag in front of the TV.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
5 Items to NEVER Put in Your Resume
5 Items to NEVER Put in Your Resume
We've all read articles about what to put in your resume, but not about things you should NEVER put in your resume. So, double check that resume of yours and remove any of the following from our list of 5 items to NEVER include in your resume. While many of these item may be harmless in reality, if they are posted to the Internet and fall into the wrong hands they could be devastating to your life!
1. NEVER PUT YOUR REFERENCES IN YOUR RESUME. Instead, try something like "Professional References Available Upon Request." References are very valuable to you during your job search, and you don't want an HR dept calling them even before they have called you!!
2. NEVER SHOULD YOUR RESUME CONTAIN A PERSONAL INFORMATION OR A PHOTOGRAPH. The Internet and e-mailed resumes makes it very easy to now include your picture with your resume. DON'T!! Companies legally cannot consider your picture in determining if you are to be interviewed, or hired. This would be a violation of most EOE laws. Many companies won't even consider resumes that are submitted with a picture to ensure that they are in compliance with EOE.
3. NEVER PUT YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS OR SALARY HISTORY Salary expectations or history - even if you're applying to a job that asks for it, don't list it.
4. CUTESY GIMMICKS - Employers won't take you seriously
5. REASONS FOR LEAVING YOUR PREVIOUS JOB
While there are more do's and dont's about resume writing, these few tips should provide some guidelines for making your resume posting online experience safer and more productive.
We've all read articles about what to put in your resume, but not about things you should NEVER put in your resume. So, double check that resume of yours and remove any of the following from our list of 5 items to NEVER include in your resume. While many of these item may be harmless in reality, if they are posted to the Internet and fall into the wrong hands they could be devastating to your life!
1. NEVER PUT YOUR REFERENCES IN YOUR RESUME. Instead, try something like "Professional References Available Upon Request." References are very valuable to you during your job search, and you don't want an HR dept calling them even before they have called you!!
2. NEVER SHOULD YOUR RESUME CONTAIN A PERSONAL INFORMATION OR A PHOTOGRAPH. The Internet and e-mailed resumes makes it very easy to now include your picture with your resume. DON'T!! Companies legally cannot consider your picture in determining if you are to be interviewed, or hired. This would be a violation of most EOE laws. Many companies won't even consider resumes that are submitted with a picture to ensure that they are in compliance with EOE.
3. NEVER PUT YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS OR SALARY HISTORY Salary expectations or history - even if you're applying to a job that asks for it, don't list it.
4. CUTESY GIMMICKS - Employers won't take you seriously
5. REASONS FOR LEAVING YOUR PREVIOUS JOB
While there are more do's and dont's about resume writing, these few tips should provide some guidelines for making your resume posting online experience safer and more productive.
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