What Really Motivates You (Pt. 1) Building Your Future Now

What Really Motivates You (Pt. 1) Building Your Future Now What motivates you? It seems like a simple questions but ask yourself that now. Do you find the answer just comes out easily? Or did you think about it? Regardless, motivation is key to having any success or continued success in your career. Why? Because motivation is what helps you get you out of bed in the morning. It is the push that you need to either get to your job or your business. Motivation drives you to go far and beyond those nasty days when it seems like nothing is going you way. Motivation pulls you through it because you have to, want to and need to. Motivation is: money, family, success, justiceanything that you deem importantthat is your motivation. Ok, so some of you out there know what motivates youyou could answer that first question from the start quickly! But now those of you that had to think aboutdo you know what your motivation is? If you need to dig deeper to find the answer get a pen and paper and start listing it downif you dont have a motivationa really good motivationthen you need some time to think about it! Image: Foto Grafie Link

When it Comes to Career Development, Talks Not Cheap

When it Comes to Career Development, Talk’s Not Cheap If you’re like most managers, you care. You’ve become accustomed to taking on more and more, expanding your job description with countless ‘other duties as assigned’ and even some that aren’t. Developing the careers of the people who report to you is on a growing (read: crushing) list of to-do’s. What if you could re-imagine your role around helping others grow? What if you re-framed this task (which, let’s face it, gets put on the back burner most of the time anyway) in such a way that responsibility rests squarely with the employee? What if your role was more about prompting, guiding, reflecting, exploring ideas, activating enthusiasm, and driving action rather than actually doing all the work? Guess what? That’s how it should be. That’s how you help people take responsibility for their careers. That’s also how you can fit career development into your already full day. Somehow the simple human act of helping people grow has gotten very complicated processes on top of checklists with references to resource guides and the to do’s keep growing. Is it any wonder that you want to steer clear? But managers who do this well cut through the clutter and have figured out what employees really need. And, it’s much more basic than you might imagine. “I got tired of orchestrating these development experiences for people who just blew them off like they were nothing. I finally saw that the gift of ‘heavy lifting’ I was giving my people was not appreciated. If I owned their development plans, they didn’t. So I backed way off. Now, I’m totally there for them, will talk it all out, explore possibilities, help them think it through. But, when it comes to making it happen, they’ve got to take the lead. That’s their job”.  Manager, Logistics For years we’ve heard that ‘talk is cheap.’ Not true. When it comes to the manager’s role in development, talk is actually the most precious and results-driving commodity you have to share. Astute managers have gotten comfortable with talking more and doing less. These are no slugs they’re strategists. They appreciate the power of conversations to inspire and generate change in others. Conversation has the power to touch employees’ hearts and minds more deeply than the well-intentioned steps you might take on their behalf. You need nothing more than your own words to inspire reflection and commitment. From that can spring employee-generated actions actions that employees own actions that will help them realize their personal definitions of success. Career development is all about the conversation. “The action is in the interaction.” Douglas Conant, former Campbell Soup CEO and author of Touchpoints Genuine career development is not about forms, choreographing new assignments, or orchestrating promotions. It’s about the quality of the conversations between a manager and his employee, conversations that are designed to: Facilitate insights and awareness; Explore possibilities and opportunities; and Inspire responses that drive employee-owned action. NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS In some organizations, time is set aside each quarter, twice a year, or annually for managers and employees to engage in career dialogue. If you find yourself in that sort of environment, appreciate it. It’s rare. If you’re like the vast majority of managers, you don’t have the luxury of such sacred time. Because you operate at the speed of business, it’s hard to imagine slowing down for a leisurely hour to discuss development. So, here’s the good news. You don’t have to hold lengthy ‘summits’ with employees, solving all of the career problems of the world in one big meeting to help others get results. In fact, in many cases less can be more. “After a few years, I realized what the annual development process reminded me of New Year’s resolutions! It was energizing to set out the plan and we paid attention to it for a while. But pretty soon, it was tucked away until the following year when we’d smile at our folly and rededicate ourselves to a new batch.” Marketing Director When you reframe career development in terms of ongoing conversations rather than procedural checkpoints or scheduled activities suddenly you have more flexibility and the chance to develop careers organically, when and where authentic opportunities arise. LESS IS MORE An interaction doesn’t have a minimum threshold to count as a conversation. You don’t get more points for length. You get more points for stimulating thinking. Would you rather… Sit down with an employee for two hours and map out a career plan for the year? Or… Do the same thing in a dozen 10-minute conversations over the year? Note: Do the math. It’s the same 120 minutes just offered up in smaller, bite-size servings. Increasingly, time-starved managers are opting for B shorter, more frequent conversations that can cover the same ground as their heftier cousins (maybe more) but in an iterative and ongoing fashion. The benefits are compelling: Shorter conversations fit better with the cadence of business today. Frequent, ongoing dialogue communicates a genuine commitment to the employee and development. Iterative conversations allow employees to layer awareness, insights, and action more naturally. The ongoing nature of the conversation keeps development alive in everyone’s mind (vs. tucking it away for a formal meeting.) These frequent exchanges sustain momentum, fuel progress, and act as an ongoing reminder of the organization’s commitment to employee learning, growth, and progress. Some call it ‘embedded’. Others ‘catch as catch can.’ We call it a contemporary solution to a perennial problem. Short, targeted, ongoing career conversations are efficient for you and the employee because they happen within the workflow where genuine opportunities exist. The preceding is adapted from the book, Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Employees Want.  Beverly Kaye is founder and co-CEO of Career Systems International, specializing in engagement, retention, and development. She is a well-known keynote speaker, writer, and developer of innovative learning tools.  Julie Winkle Giulioni is cofounder and principal of DesignArounds, a bicoastal consulting and instructional design firm. She works with organizations globally to develop and implement learning that works. Image: Shutterstock

What Moving to a New City Means for Your Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

What Moving to a New City Means for Your Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Moving to a new city is a really big decision. You need to save up whatever you can, learn a new city, and meet new people. You essentially have to start over. One of the challenges you’ll face (that you may have not considered) is what moving will mean for your personal brand. In a new city, you won’t know as many people; you may not even have a job right away. It’s important to keep these things in mind when you move because you’ll need to re-brand yourself a little bit. Take care of your brand before you make the big move here’s how: Update all of your bios Whether your plan is to start job hunting before you get there or you want to wait to adjust to the new city, start by updating the location associated with your name. Large companies set aside millions of dollars each year to relocate employees and nearly 40 percent are new hires. If a large company sees you as a valuable asset, they may decide you’re worth the cost of relocation. Smaller companies, on the other hand, would rather hire locally than spend the money it takes to relocate you. When applying to these companies, explain your excitement for relocation in your cover letter, and that you’re planning to make the move anyway. Edit your profile on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, your own website, and any other social media to list your new city as your location. Change the location on your resume, and if you’ve started applying to jobs, make note of your plans to relocate in your cover letter. Identifying your new city is an essential piece of updating your brand. By the time you hit the road, everyone in your current network should be fully aware of your move. Redirect your networking tactics With a new city comes a whole new world in which you need to start networking. You need to reach out to any connections you already have in your new location, whether they’re in your industry or not. They can be really helpful in expanding your network and providing insider tips for your new city. More specifically, see if you have any connections in a company where you’d like to work. Reach out to these people for a personal referral; 40 percent of job seekers landed their current job through a referral. Once you’ve exhausted your list of current contacts, it’s time to start making new ones. Reach out to people in your industry on social media. LinkedIn is great for this. Set up informational interviews with people you meet. They can help you build strong professional relationships in your new city. Plus, they’ll remember you if you decide to apply for a job in their company. Another great way to meet people in your new city is to get involved in causes and organizations. Think about the things you’re passionate about and find places in your city where you can spend your time. Whether you volunteer for animal rescues, a special charity, an important cause, or join a professional organization, all of these places can help you make connections (and maybe even friends!). Fill the holes you created The final step you need to take to secure your brand is to make sure you fill in the gaps created by the move. If you didn’t land a job before you moved, chances are there will be an employment gap on your resume while you’re looking. Volunteering with an organization can solve this. You can also take a class, apply for temporary work, or even start a blog. Whatever you do, just don’t waste your time. Employers will understand the gaps if you’re honest and have filled your time with worthwhile activities. Moving to a new city can be both exciting and overwhelming. Make your relocation a little less stressful by taking the time to manage your brand. You’ll make your job search much easier, and hopefully much more successful. What are some other important things to keep in mind when relocating to a new city? Author: Heather R. Huhman  is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder president of  Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of  Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of  Lies, Damned Lies Internships  (2011) and  #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle  (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for  numerous outlets.

10 Best Resume Writing Services in Kansas City, MO

10 Best Resume Writing Services in Kansas City, MO The City of Fountains, Cowtown, the Paris of the Plains… we could go on with Kansas City’s nicknames for days.Unfortunately, Kansas City also has as much workforce competition as it does nicknames.Have you been looking for job opportunities, while continuously coming up empty?That’s where this list comes in handy.Our top 10 list of the best resume writers in KCMO will guide you in your search to find the best Kansas City resume writers that the area has to offer.You can rule the Paris of the Plains.Or get pretty darn close â€"â€"figuratively speaking, of course.All jokes aside, check out our list of the top resume writing services Kansas City and take your career to new heights.Best Resume Services in Kansas CityIf you are in a hurry and don't want to read our detailed reviews below, here is a list of the Best Resume Writers in Kansas City:Find My Profession (that's us!) Platinum Resumes Abacus Resumes Artistry Resumes The Writique Resume Mastermind APEX Career Services A-Plus Career and Resume Write For You Career Resume ConsultingAnd now for the detailed reviews...1. Find My ProfessionFind My Profession is not just a top-notch resume service available in Kansas City. We are a global company headquartered in the US on a mission to master effective, ATS compatible resumes that convert into offers.A major perk of Find My Profession is that we are not a one-person shop.Collectively, our team of elite resume writers has experience in 85+ unique industries/professions. This allows us to assign you a professional writer (in the United States) based on your unique background and experience.We are also not a resume factory. We will never use “ghostwriters”. You will have your resume writer’s name, email, and phone number for direct communication.With 100+ 5-star reviews and a 60-day interview guarantee thatspeaks for itself, you can sleep easy knowing that your satisfaction is our #1 priority.With a 60-Day Interview Guarantee thatspeaks for itself, you can sleep easy knowing that your satisfaction is our #1 priority.Pros:Find My Profession commits to working with each client until they are completely satisfied. Don’t worry about having a limited number of edits, or a set amount of time with your writer.Cons:Find My Profession is a virtual/online company. While we provide services in your city, we don’t have a physical office.Also, with a focus on more senior positions, our entry-level resume service may be a bit pricey for recent graduates.Turnaround: 3-5 business days. Can expedite to 2 business days.Cost: $395-$895Phone: (831) 888-0967Don't take our word for it, check out some of our 5-star reviews.Trustpilot2. Platinum ResumesPlatinum Resumes comes in at number two on our list of Kansas City professional resume writers, and boy do they deserve that accolade. With a great reputation that deserves ample “kudos,” Platinum Resumes has been attracting Kansas City professionals for a while â€"â€"and is sure to continue doing so for a while to come.Pros: Platinum Resumes has an applaudable amount of 5-star reviews on Google. AKA they must be doing something right over there.Cons: There are no prices or turnaround time posted on the Platinum Resumes website. If you need a resume quickly â€"â€" or want to know resume writing pricing right away â€"â€" there are other firms on this list that might be a better fit.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: Not stated.Phone: (816) 986-09093. Abacus ResumesAbacus Resumes has managed to maintain a 5-star rating on Google despite being a one-woman show without an expansive team of writers. Because of this notable track record and ability to wear many hats, Abacus Resumes is a well-revered Kansas City resume writing service.Pros: Abacus Resumes has reasonably priced resumes and tons of positive reviews. The owner has over 15 years of experience hiring people, so she knows what resume content will make you shine.Cons: There is only one writer on staff, so if she is too busy she mig ht not be able to work with you.Turnaround: 3-5 days.Cost: $200-$350Phone number: (913) 738-41574. Artistry ResumesArtistry Resumes aims to provide quality resume writing at reasonable prices and with lightning-fast turnaround times. What’s not to like about that? Although Artistry Resumes isn’t as established as some of its competitors, they’re still a force to be reckoned with.Pros: Artistry Resumes is an inexpensive resume service. Not to mention, they can turnaround your resume in as little as one day. Finally, this company has direct partnerships with recruiters in Kansas City for office admin, marketing, and medical jobs so they can help pass your resume directly to hiring managers.Cons: Artistry Resumes is a relatively new business. They might not have all of the experience that other firms have.Turnaround: One-day turnaround (based on Facebook information).Cost: $59-$119Phone number: (816) 388-05535. The WritiqueThe Writique, founded by Alana Henry and formerly named A lana's Writing and Editing Service,boasts a tonof stellar reviews from past customers. This is always a good thing since testimonials from former clients can instill you with the confidence to invest in her resume writing services.Pros: The Writiquehas worked with an impressive number of job seekers. Alana, a Certified Professional Resume Writer,can certainly improve your existing resume (or create a brand new one).Cons: We were unable to find any resume samples for this company.Turnaround: 7 calendar days. Rush delivery options for 24-48hrs or 2-4 days.Cost: $199.99Phone number: (816) 838-94126. Resume MastermindResume Mastermind is a Kansas City executive resume writing service with Thomas Wolff, “Chief Resume Writer,” at the helm. Resume Mastermind works with executives and top management in order to rework professional resumes. Wolff has a great track record according to past clients.Pros: Resume Mastermind’s website is complete with sample resumes. This is a huge pro for potential customers who want to see a resume writer’s skills before purchasing services.Cons: Resume Mastermind is an expensive service that some professionals won’t be able to afford.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: $595-$995. A simple resume review costs $149.Phone number: (816) 560-01067. APEX Career ServicesAPEX Career Services is a Kansas City-based firm that offers professional resume writing as well a variety of other career-oriented services. APEX Career Services assists clients who are looking to get back into the workforce, looking to get into a new career, and they can also assist with virtually any other professional situation that you can think of. APEX Career Services also offers outplacement services, HR consulting, and career coaching.Pros: APEX Career Services are available almost 24/7. They even have a rush service where you can get your resume in less than 4 hours.Cons: Although they are based in Kansas, they are a national service. Therefore, you may not receive the individual attention that you’d like or expect.Turnaround: Within 48 hours of your phone call. Rush services are available.Cost: $199-$509Phone number: (913) 815-15658. A-Plus Career and ResumeA-Plus Career and Resume provides professional resume writing services to Kansas City job seekers, as well as job seekers throughout the US and Canada. The founder has experience as a human resources director, which provides a helpful background for creating effective resumes. A-Plus Career and Resume also offers cover letters, blogging, marketing content, LinkedIn profile creation/editing, and business plans.Pros: A-Plus Career and Resume has worked with over 1,000 job seekers. This KCMO resume writing service’s owner works exclusively with every client to ensure a quality resume.Cons: There are no set prices, so you will have to speak with the folks at A-Plus Career and Resume before you can get a quote for their services.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: Not stated.Phone number: (816) 94 2-30199. Write For YouWrite For You provides resume writing services to Kansas City area residents. They have written resumes that have landed clients interviews at Google, Amazon, and the Minnesota Twins. Write For You also offers LinkedIn profile writing, cover letters, interview follow-up letters, and business letters.Pros: Write For You is certified by both the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA) and the Professional Resume Writers Association (PRWA).Cons: There are both very positive and very negative public reviews. This may require a leap of faith from potential customers.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: Not stated.Phone number: (816) 739-431410. Career Resume ConsultingCareer Resume Consulting is an executive career coaching service that offers professional resume writing. While Career Resume Consulting is located in a suburb of Kansas City, they offer their services to professionals nationwide. Additionally, Career Resume Consulting offers interview assistance, salary ne gotiation, job search assistance, and an executive branding program.Pros: Career Resume Consulting specializes in executive branding. They can help your career by completely rebranding your professional persona.Cons: The investment is going to be very high compared to a standard resume service. Career Resume Consulting focuses on branding you for heightened organizational success.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: Not stated.Phone number: (816) 251-4688This List Serves The Following Areas Near Kansas City, Missouri:Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Joplin, Springfield, St. Joseph, Cameron, Kearney, Liberty, Odessa, Concordia, Waverly, Warrensburg, Warsaw, Lebanon, Clinton, Sedalia, Higginsville, Marshall, ChillicotheBest Resume Services In AmericaNot worried about finding a local company? Want to work with the best of the best? Check out the Best Executive Resume Services.Best Resume Writing ServicesBy Major CityBelow you will find a handful of lists on all of the top-rated resu me writing services we could find.Whether you are looking for a local resume writer to meet in person or you just want to work with a resume writer in a particular location, this list should help you find what you are looking for.Allentown Hartford Portland Atlanta Houston Providence Austin Indianapolis Richmond Boston Jacksonville Sacramento Bridgeport Kansas City Salt Lake City Buffalo Las Vegas San Antonio Charleston Los Angeles San Diego Charlotte Memphis San Francisco Chicago Miami San Jose Colorado Springs Milwaukee Seattle Columbus Minneapolis Silicon Valley Dallas Nashville St. Louis Denver New Orleans Tampa Detroit New York Tucson El Paso Orlando Ventura Fort Worth Philadelphia Virginia Beach Grand Rapids Phoenix Washington D.C.

Best Kept Secret to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Best Kept Secret to Optimize Your Profile Executive recruiters and hiring decision makers at your target companies search online using relevant keywords to locate good-fit candidates. Your profile offers several choice locations to insert the right keywords to help elevate your search rankings â€" or Search Engine Optimization (SEO) â€" and the likelihood you’ll be found and considered by them. The professional headline and summary section are two prime examples. But theres another powerful, and often overlooked, above-the-fold spot to add in a keyword phrase. Your profile URL. Take a look at your existing profile URL. To find it, go to Edit Profile under Profile in the drop-down menu across the top of your profile. Just below your name, headline and profile photo (if youve posted one), youll see your URL. Is it a mishmash of letters and numbers like this? www..com/in/john-smith/5/224a/123/ If you have a common name, such as John Smith, that is the kind of default URL will assign to you, to distinguish you from all the other John Smiths. With 200+ million users on , unless you have an UNcommon name, youre NOT likely to capture the following URL: www..com/in/yourname But see if such a URL is available. If not, another option is changing your URL to include yourname  with an appropriate short keyword phrase, such as the following: www..com/in/johnsmithbiotechexecutive This  not only distinguishes you from others with your name, but also  helps boost your keyword recognition in online searches (Google, Bing and other search engines). Heres how to personalize and optimize your URL: Still in Edit Profile mode, click on the blue Edit link next to your existing URL. Scroll down a bit and look for a graphic box in the right-hand sidebar that says Your public profile URL. Under Your current URL, click on Customize your public profile URL to make the change. Youre allowed up to 30 characters for the URL. Once youve changed the URL, dont forget to go back and change it wherever youve used the old one, such as: Your email signature Your digital resume and/or other digital career documents Your Google+ profile and other online profiles Your social networking sites. Your website and/or  web pages. Your badge, created for your website and/or web pages. Disclaimer: At this writing, after searching s Help Center, I found nothing to suggest wont allow customizing your profile URL in this way. But theres no guarantee this wont change. Related posts: 29 Biggest Mistakes How To Write a Invitation to Connect Best Tips: Find Groups to Join photo by Steven Depolo 00 0

Summary Sunday A Bit of Training

Summary Sunday A Bit of Training Job search requires some training.   If you are new or returning to job search and it has been awhile since you last looked, you probably will want to study up!   Every Sunday, I compile links to some articles that should make it easier for you to stay up-to-date. This first article is for the many job seekers who have landed a new job.   Starting off on the right foot with a new manager is so crucial to your success in your new job. New Job 4 Tips for Connecting with a New Boss from CAREEREALISM by Dawn Rasmussen Job Search Strategies 5 Job Search Rules You Should Break from Glassdoor.com by Nancy Mann Jackson Success Principles Why You Arent As Successful As You Want To Be from Chris Brogan LinkedIn LinkedIn adds new functionality to ‘Company’ search from Keppie Careers Writing a Kick-A$$ Summary and Resume Tips How to Write a Resume Summary that Grabs Attention from Blue Sky Resume The Fairytales of Resume Writing Dispelled from The Executive Brand Blog by Gayle Howard Successful Execs Tell What Worked in Their Resumes from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Would you like to attend a workshop on March 8th in Rochester to help you focus your networking strategy?   Click here to learn more.

Is This Thing On

Is This Thing On Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3! Have you ever seen someone step up to a microphone and test it? It feels really uncomfortable to be asked to test a mic if youve never done it before. In fact, I hate being put on the spot like that. Should I say something clever? And how long do I need to talk? How do I know if it is working? Can they hear me if I can hear myself? The point I really want to make is about being heard and being listened to. Theres a difference right? Communication is Complicated Our message is made up by the words we use, the quality and tone of our voice and our body language. All three factors impact how the message is interpreted. If you really want someone to listen and hear what you are saying, you have to get their undivided attention and this is increasingly difficult today with so many distractions. We cant really control this. Sure, you could tell someone to stop playing with their smart phone or hold the meeting in a room without and distractions (which is highly unlikely). Or you can be interesting. When you are interesting it means that you are speaking about stuff that is important to your audience (interviewer, workshop, meeting, boss, stakeholders). Your audience has to determine your message. Cater your content to address their problems, concerns, or interests. Communicating your agenda item is not automatically interesting or important to others. Me, Me, Me Nope, it isnt all about YOU! It is about the person you are speaking to. Dont try to cram your message down their throats. Your pitch isnt about walking someone through your accomplished history or amazing skills. No one cares- unless you put it in terms that are relevant to them. WIIFM. Have you heard this before? It stands for Whats In It For Me (me is your audience) Take Time Do research so you understand your audience before you communicate with them. These three questions should help you refine your fact-finding and preparation. Know their problem. Anticipate their questions. What action do you want them to take. Simple Explanation I saw Lee Lefevre, founder of Common Craft and author of  The Art of Explanation. He was presenter at the National STC conference where I co-presented in May. He spoke about how to explain things better. These are some of the key points or take-aways. I think youre going to have to get the book to fill in the blanks! Have empathy. Put yourself in the shoes of your audience. Realize that knowledge is a curse! The more we know, the harder it is to imagine what it is like not to know. Gain agreement and build context. Context means you give an easy definition that everyone can relate to. Tell a story. The simple short story gives the audience a situation they can relate to. Meet Bob. Bob has a problem. Bob finds the solution. Bob is happy. Go Bob! (Your audience is thinking- Ive got that problem too!) Use an analogy. Its just like Jaws in space (George Lucas explaining Star Wars) Make the connection. Link your story to how an agreement statement.   I think we can all agree that time is precious. You want to make money. You are a business owner not a social media guru. Be Remarkable.   Use media (video, audio, images)  My Concern for Your Problem If you are using Google reader to consume your news from blogs, you need to know that July 1st is the end of Google Reader. Many people have been looking for alternatives and Im currently testing two. Feedly The Old Reader I use both of them for different reasons. They are free and easily allow you to convert the content (RSS feeds) from your Google Reader. If you arent using a reader, you may want to, especially if you are getting too much email. An RSS reader allows you to get regular updates from blogs. They reside in your reader and are there any time you want to read them. If you still dont get RSS, Common Craft created a video that explains it really well. (By the way, Lee Lefevre works for Common Craft- see the connection! Got a question, problem or feedback? Share!