A Commoner Enters the Palace

A Commoner Enters the Palace Without precedent for a long time, a future ruler of England will wed a commoner. Now if this doesnt demonstrate that the sky is the limit, I dont recognize what does! Cash doesnt purchase bliss or love, however it can get you into the privilege circle. Kates guardians got moguls because of their online business selling party supplies. This permitted their little girl Kate access to St. Andrews University in Scotland where she met Prince William. This is a great case of being at the correct spot at the privilege time! However, I am almost certain this wasnt her expectation. When you think about your pursuit of employment and your vocation, would you say you are running in the correct circles? Who do you have to know? Hanging with companions and collaborators is okay, however every once in for a spell, youll need to uncover your head from underneath the sand and take a gander at the master plan. Make chances to hobnob with the people in high places. Entering this circle can be dubious, at the same time, not feasible. Viewing William and Kates wedding today is an uncommon event. I wish them well and expectation you can watch the event. It is a bit of history worth taking in.

First Impressions - Is What You See Really What You Get

First Impressions - Is What You See Really What You Get Sometimes you really do need to look twice or three times to see the person behind the tattoo or the lion in the sheeps skin.  It takes just one-tenth of a second for us to judge someone and make our first impression, and our confidence in impression formation increases with the time taken to form the impression. Not only do we take milliseconds to work out what something is when we first see it, we also decide whether or not we like it! Two things reminded me of the power of initial impressions, a recent poll on LinkedIn suggested that 25% people make a decision in an interview in the first few minutes of the interview. Then a candidate who planned to call the Chief Executive of an organisation he was applying to was taken aback when I said ‘you never get a second one chance to make a first impression routine’. He was really amazed. It had not occurred to him that this casual conversation could have a decisive effect on his career. Given that people are forming impressions of us all the time, not just in interviews but in meetings, in the corridor, when we meet a new colleague, manager of partner; we need to be aware of the fact that our LinkedIn profile, our telephone call or our CV all project an image of what we are like. ‘Your reputation goes before you is another truth’ we should not ignore. Many of us are acutely aware of the fact that our audiences do form first impressions and there is a mass of advice out there about smiling, firm handshakes and shiny shoes. There is much less advice on how to improve our own ability to make those snap judgements successfully and accurately. Gladwell in his book ‘Blink’ says that these primitive (and very useful) abilities to size up a person (enemy or friend) very quickly can be both educated and controlled and that when they go awry they go wrong for a specific and consistent set of reasons. We can start to identify what those reasons are by understanding our own prejudices, to challenge in the moment our own thought processes. We can train ourselves to suspend judgement , not to label or categorise in those first 7 seconds. We can train ourselves to really listen to the person we are meeting, to see the world from their shoes, to find common ground and to build empathy. We can objectively try to compare the data with our real experience. Consider the person in a different light ‘if this person was smaller what would I be thinking? If this person did not have tattoos, what would I be thinking? If this person was already my employee what would I be thinking…’ To take action and make un examined decisions on those first impressions maybe to dismiss someone who can have real value in your life, to attach to someone who quickly turns out to be able to bring less value than you initially thought, or even worse who has a destructive and negative impact on you. Keep learning and keep challenging yourself to overcome your preconceptions and prejudices. And keep perfecting those smiles and shiny shoes… they may count for more than you think!

7 Things to Avoid When Recruiting Salespeople

7 Things to Avoid When Recruiting Salespeople The theory that recruiting great employees is highly difficult is true, but what if your firm was making the recruitment process more complex than it had to be? Almost 1 out of every 4 decisions that a small to mid-size company will make during a recruitment process will hinder their chances at staffing competitive talent. The consequences of these actions can result in a myriad of ill-fated outcomes ranging from higher salary costs and wasted time to losing competitive applicants altogether. Firms that are unable to streamline the staffing process on a regular basis are probably prone to committing one or more of the following 7 deadly sins of recruiting: 1) Not Following the Google Rule of 5: Up to a few years ago, Google would have employees go through a 12 14 meeting process. This would result in dreadfully long staffing cycles, loss of top talent to competing internet companies and overall inefficiency when attempting to recruit employees in the masses. In 2011, Google switched its recruiting approach to limit each applicant to 5 interviews. If Google can hire an engineer in 5 interviews, there is no reason why your firm should not be able to hire your sales and marketing personnel in 3 or 4. Prolonged time is the enemy of great recruiting. When our firm sees a recruitment project exceeding either 4 interviews or 5 weeks, we do everything possible to get the process expedited. The more time an organization lets a candidate linger, the more time that individual has to get another job offer, receive a raise or go back to school. Also, when you let a candidate at the final round of an interviewing go out to other companies, they tend to interview with more confidence and become more desirable. When you find an apt job seeker, losing hiring momentum is a sin. 2) Searching for that Perfect Candidate: We tell clients that shopping for candidates is like shopping for cars. The more requirements they have, the more you pay and the fewer choices you have. In 10 years of recruiting, Ive never seen the perfect candidate. Ive seen a solid candidate write the perfect resume, but am yet to see the perfect candidate. Perfect candidates are not hired. Rather, they are molded through leadership and training. Look for potential today and determine whether they can be the perfect candidate tomorrow. We recommend you analyze the future earnings power of that individual rather than where they stand at the given moment. When it comes to human capital, think Warren Buffet and value investing rather than overpaying for an applicants past. What an individual achieved yesterday will not yield any revenue. What they can do tomorrow can make all the difference in your organization. RELATED: Hiring Managers: Don’t Try to Find the Perfect Employee! 3) Crossing the Line from Under Compensated to Under Appreciated: Some clients whom we work with have a corporate culture of making low initial offers to candidates. This is intended to cushion any financial blow that a counter offer may bring.  While this sounds good in theory, there is a breaking point. Once an offer dips below a certain number (typically anything equal to or less than they are currently earning) that candidate feels under appreciated, under valued and highly insulted. The psychologist and philosopher William James once wrote to a student: The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. You cant renegotiate someones ego. 4) Quick Hires: For hiring companies, quick hires are problematic for a few reasons. The first and most notable is that it makes the company appear desperate and the job seeker will typically reject the prospect of working for the firm altogether. Unless youre recruiting a Fortune 500 CEO, hires should not last longer than 5 weeks nor should an offer should not be made within two. 5) The First Choice or Nothing Scenario: Whether its football, business, chess or just about anything else, life needs contingency plans. A mistake that our recruiters often prevent companies from doing is to not pick a second option.  When hiring, firms arent always going to get their first choice the smart ones have a 2nd place. The companies who have trouble are the ones who start the search process from the beginning hoping to find another #1. Often they come up short and waste an extra 3 months while doing so.  Its a fact: Candidates will get other jobs, decline offers or stay where they are. Nothing ever goes 100% smoothly when recruiting and sometimes your contingency plan will turn out to be a gem. After all, Bruce Willis was the 7th or 8th choice to star in Die Hard for 20th Century Fox. We won World War II under a Vice President called to office after Roosevelt died and, often its the CEO that is quiet and unassuming who gets picked second, but ends up performing best. 6. Not being able to sell the job: Part of recruiting is selling. If a hiring manager cant make a job enticing, they wont attract top talent. Weve had clients that have tried the approach where they attempt to scare an applicant by telling them every undesirable aspect of a job only to find that the candidate doesnt want to stick around for the good parts. When staffing employees, you should be selling in an honest manner, touching on the negatives, but also focusing much on the positives of the job. Right now, we have a great client in the education space. Prior to starting the staffing process, I sat down with a few executives at the firm and brainstormed as to the positive qualities of the company. In their case, they had many and we utilized these as a focal point to draw in potential applicants. 7) Using too many recruiters: Often, firms will go out and hire a dozen contingency recruiters to represent their firm. From their perspective, the more the merrier. Whats alluring is that they only pay on performance which seemingly mitigates risk. Sounds great until a firm realizes that they have 30 or 40 cold-calling recruiters whom they dont know nor have they spoken to poorly representing their company to potential talent in the open market. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies and sometimes its the small mistakes that make all the difference. Since recruiting is an imperfect science, we must strive to extract any additional difficulties from the process. Have a plan, keep in the mind what you should not be doing and enjoy a more productive, intelligent and competent workforce.

Introductions Is Key for Employment - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Introductions Is Key for Employment - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career This title is all about networking. When I take my walks, I observe groups of teenagers waiting at street corners for their school buses. Two things are common to these groups. The kids are not talking to each other, and the majority of them have their ears plugged with earbuds. They choose to live in total isolation despite the fact that these are the same kids who mingle with each other every day. Now, why is this? Because in the American cultureâ€"in contrast with other culturesâ€"one is not to approach another person until the two have been introduced to each other by a third party. This cultural habit is practiced by adults, and therefore their kids perpetuate it. In many cases, even after being introduced to someone, the kids lack the confidence or skills to communicate, connect, and possibly be of mutual benefit. Plainly put, to network with each other. For people in transition, such behavior amounts to a tactical hindrance to their advancement toward getting a job. It’s commonly known that 60 to 80 percent of job seekers get their next jobs via networking. However, if lack of communication is practiced from childhood and if communications skills never get developed or encouraged to improve on later on in lifeâ€"especially in times of need such as being in transition and letting the world know about your availabilityâ€"that’s, of course, a major obstacle. Job-wise these are good times.   More and more people nowadays are letting me know they have landed. This is a very encouraging sign, indicating that companies have started hiring again. I always ask what led to the job offer, and invariably, the answer proves two things: first, that the lead came through networking, and second that the person had prepared extensively for the interview. After all, winning in a tough competition takes not only skills but lots of practice. Have you ever thought how many hours an Olympian practices before the competition?

Best Restaurants to Try in 2016 - Classy Career Girl

Best Restaurants to Try in 2016 Reading restaurants reviews is the best way to find the best place to dine. OpenTable, a leading provider of online restaurant reservations, has finally revealed their top 100 best restaurants in America.  Great reviews comes with great food and services, right? And when it comes to food, we all look for perfection. So I compiled my top 5 Best Restaurants that I haven’t been to yet, but are  definitely on my bucket list in 2016. This list can be your guide to a weekend trip of fun, relaxation, unwinding and, of course, eating! Here are the top 5 best restaurants to visit this year: Addison Restaurant Of course, I’ll start off with the restaurant in San Diego. And this is the only restaurant in San Diego that made it on the top 100. How can I not try this one? Addison Restaurant is San Diego’s most acclaimed fine dining restaurant. A combination of local ingredients with contemporary French influence is what this restaurant is all about. The menu reflects Chef Bradley’s refined style, simple with intense flavor. Some of the popular dishes are Amuse-Bouche-Gazpacho, Farm Coddled Egg, and Potato Crusted Veal. St. Francis Winery Vineyards OpenTable’s #1 best restaurant is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley. For more than four decades, St.  Francis Winery Vineyards has consistently produced luscious, elegant, and fruit-driven wines from Sonoma County grapes. You can enjoy a seated, multi-course wine and food pairing by Executive Chef Bryan Jones while enjoying a stunning vineyard views and a fine dining presentation at a shared table. They offer three scheduled seating at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Some of the popular dishes are Charcuterie, wine flight, and seared Sonoma county duck breast. n/naka A fine dining Japanese restaurant located in Los Angeles, CA. One of Opentable’s top 10 restaurant in America. n/naka offers seasonal tasting menu rooted in the Japanese Kaiseki style of dining. They use vegetables from their own organic garden. With a combination of traditional and modern techniques, their interpretation of kaiseki will give you a satisfying dining experience. The Capital Grille This fine dining steakhouse where you are always invited to be wined, dined, and dazzled is located in Minneapolis, MN. The dry aged and hand-cut steaks by restaurant’s own butchers and the freshest seafoods and desserts that are prepared on-site every day are accompanied by an acclaimed wine list. Some of the popular dishes are 14 Oz Bone-In Kona Crusted Dry Aged Sirloin with Shallot butter, Pan Fried Calamari, and Maine Lobster Roll. Acquerello An Italian fine-dining restaurant in San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood. They provide classic contemporary Italian tastes in an elegant dining atmosphere. Acquerello, operating for 26 years, has received countless awards, including two Michelin stars in 2014 and one Michelin star since the first-ever 2007 Bay Area guide. Their Wine list is the recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2012-2015. Some of the popular dishes are Semifreddo, Beef Tartare, and Scallop Crudo. There is no better way to celebrate your career wins of 2015  than by going out and treating yourself to a  good meal. [Related: Dining Etiquette You Must Know For Business Meetings] What are your favorite restaurants?

Stuck in the Cube 5 Tips Make Summer Bearable

Stuck in the Cube 5 Tips Make Summer Bearable During the summer months the weather is nice, and everybody would love nothing more than to be on the beach lounging around enjoying their time. Unfortunately for many, that is not the case. Working in an office all day can lead to some serious summer blues when you get to thinking about all those fun times you’re missing out on. But there are ways to spruce up your look, and your desk to make it a bit cheerier inside.  Even in the cube, you can make summer bearable. 1: Jewelry Summer jewelry can certainly make you feel a bit more care free, even if you’re going to spend the day stuck at your desk.  Think fun things like a bracelet with your favorite charms.  Find that special pair of earrings that just says “summer” like a pair of hoops, or spice it up and find an ear wrap with a floral design to give yourself a bit of uniqueness. Pair that with a nice necklace,  and you’ll have yourself a nice set of lighthearted jewelry that is sure to get compliments.  Plus it will double for those nights you go out and have a night on the town. 2: Shoes Shoes are clearly an important part of every day life, but as the old saying goes, you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes. So when it comes to summer and you still need to keep that professional feel around the office, go find a nice pair of wedges that go with most outfits, that are comfortable. Looks aren’t everything when it comes to a pair of shoes. Comfort is huge, especially if you’re going to be wearing those puppies for eight hours a day.  If you need something new (who doesnt?) try shopping at your favorite off-price store.  My favorites are TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack. 3: Hair styles   Believe it or not, making an effort with your hair can make a big statement. During the summer, be bold! Highlights will definitely spruce up your look, and looking up how to do some adorable hairstyles off of YouTube isn’t something to avoid. There are videos out there for really cute up-do’s that can make you look ready to leave the office and hit the pool. Whether you have short hair or long, the right up-do with a cute floral headband can not only make you feel better, but also make you more confident. If headbands aren’t your way to go, there are plenty of cute summery scarves that can immediately boost your summer look.  Glamour has 50 ideas for summer.     So many choices, so little time! 4: Desk accessories   If you’re allowed to customize your workspace a little bit, take advantage of it.  Natalie Brown of BuzzFeed has some super cute ideas.  A local fabric store is the ideal place to get swatches of fabric that can brighten up pencil holders, clipboards, and even make a seasonal mouse pad. Buying a cheap vase and some flowers (real if you can but fake lasts way longer) is another great way that you can brighten up your desk, and maybe even put a smile on somebody else’s face. 5: Food and drink What you eat and drink actually has a huge affect on your moods. During the summer don’t be afraid of fruit! Adding fruit like strawberries and blueberries to water bottles, enjoying seasonal salads, and all around changing up what you eat during your lunch break is a fabulous way to not only eat healthier, but get to enjoy the fruits of summer (quite literally). Try to convince the boss about doing a sort of potluck bbq for the office, where everybody brings something to contribute and then you can really get that summery feel while â€" hopefully â€" enjoying a great meal with co-workers. Even in the Cube, You Can Make Summer Bearable As you can see there are plenty of ways that you can spice up your office life during the summer, so that you can still enjoy those warm months if you’re stuck inside. It’s really that easy. Grocery stores have sales all the time on seasonal fruit, most department stores (or wherever you like to shop) offer great coupons on summer clothing, and there’s never a shortage of jewelry and shoe sales. These are great ways to make yourself happier during the summer, and you can do it without breaking the bank. Cubicle Image by Chris Campbell

Be More Creative At Your Workplace Than Ever Before With These 6 Tips - CareerMetis.com

Be More Creative At Your Workplace Than Ever Before With These 6 Tips Creativity is an important ability in many careers. In almost every job you need to be creative at least sometimes. This is especially true for jobs in which problem solving is important. These jobs call for out of the box thinking as well as new and exceptional solutions. Creativity isn’t a skill that you have got or not, but can be learned to a certain degree. It’s like a muscle that gets stronger by exercising and you can practice to be more creative. Your creativity can’t be empty â€" the more you use it the more you’ll have.Read and use the following 6 tips to get more witty, ingenious and original ideas.eval1. Determine a Time FrameBlock a time frame in your calendar for creativity especially if you have a crowded agenda. Set up an appointment only for yourself. Tackle tasks or problems that demand your creativity during that time. Find out if there’s a special time of the day when you are particularly creative. Block this time and don’t use it for routine tasks. Tu rn this a habit. Your colleagues will learn that they shouldn’t interrupt you during these hours of the day. Also, your brain will get used to creative thinking at the same time.2. Start with BrainstormingStart with brainstorming if you have to find a solution or come up with something creative. Set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes and write down everything you can think of about the topic. Write down even the wacky things that come to your mind. In this case, quantity beats quality â€" if you write down 100 ideas you might get 5 good ones that are viable. Afterwards, sort out which of these ideas you can use.3. Get Inspiration from OthersAfter the brainstorming, the next step is to do research. You might find some information or ideas that you haven’t thought of. Set a time limit for that too, so you don’t stray from the topic.evalGet inspiration from others: Find out how other companies solve a specific problem. Picture how a family would handle it. What would the President do? What would a child do? What would your dog do? How would James Bond handle this situation? Ask yourself these questions and try to answer them for yourself. Find a serious and workable method â€" is that method practicable for you? Why not? What would you need to be able to put this into practice? 4. Get Inspiration from your Everyday LifeGet inspiration from your everyday life. For example, if you are a copywriter, get inspiration from everything you read. Watch your environment â€" if you are on the bus, study posters ads. Think about what is good about them and what isn’t. Ask yourself if this wording could work for your product or brand. Why or why not? What would you need to change?evalTry to find a connection to your topic or problem in everything you see, hear or read. This is how you get What are your tactics to be more creative at work? Tell us in the comments or share the article if you think it’s useful for your friends.