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Posts Tagged ‘Attitude’

Whether you’re just entering the workforce or have been entrenched for many years or are creating your own business, the world of work is an intrinsic part of all of our lives. And for a relative few, it’s not all about the money.

Our lives in the work world can take many transitions:

As a teenager just entering the work world, it may be to earn enough money to buy a car, clothes, afford dates and for some, earn tuition into college. And along the way, discover if the type of work is one that appeals enough to continue, or indicates the need to try something else.

For others, who have taken a chosen path through college and are preparing to enter the work world, their focus will be following their path into positions for which they’ve studied. Although it’s just as possible that along the way, they may discover a penchant for something entirely different.

For those who have been entrenched in the work world for many years, it’s quite possible that their initial position(s) and intention(s) may have been shaped or even curtailed by the need to earn enough money to support a lifestyle that may include a spouse and maybe children and a mortgage.

For others, it’s not a rare occurrence that they have taken the lowliest, “entry”, position and worked their way up through the workplace and achieved all they desired in terms of personal accomplishment, respect within the workplace and garnered the wealth they need to support whatever their lifestyle.

For those who are creating their own business, it’s rare that it’s done right out of school, but more often a result of experience already gained working for someone else and in the belief that they can earn enough money to support an ideaproductservice of their own, as well as support themselves. And hopefully, when it comes to hiring others to support this new business, experience has also been gained as to how to treat employees to get the best from them.

Whatever your position in relation to the world of work, one thing is clear - Your attitude towards work andso how you approach it makes all the difference in how well you succeed.

You know the old saying about how there are no small parts, only small actors? It’s like that in the work world. There are no small positions, only small minds.

Regardless your position in the work world, there is always opportunity to improve your lot. So if you foster an attitude that you are not limited to your position, and approach each work day with an open mind and pay attention, you will discover ways that you can go from a sales clerk to store manager in just a few months.

Now if you’re thinking this sounds a bit like those commercials on tv that are suggesting you can go from a size 22 to a size 10 in a few months with their weight loss product and you think to yourself it sounds too good to be true, perhaps you didn’t pay attention to the part, “combined with exercise and a sensible diet”.

Which is to say, that whether it’s losing weight or achieving success in the work world, you will have to pay attention to everything that is going on around you, what you are doing and make a concerted effort to integrate yourself. In other words - You will have to work at it.

Right now there’s a tv commercial touting how you can work at home and buy a new home or earn £7,000 a month in your spare time … Which does sound exciting, but - NOT ONE WORD is said about HOW you can do any of this. Only that there’s a website that will show you.

If you’ve been enticed by such “come ons”, it’s understandable - Everyone one would like to be able to buy a new house or earn lots of money, and there are those who have achieved financial independence and monetary success via the Internet. So if you’ve gone to this or any other website seeking your fortune, that’s nothing to be ashamed about. But if you were believing that such sources would be THE answer to your success, ‘time for an attitude adjustment.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS OVER NIGHT SUCCESS

The only way to achieve success is by planning your work and working your plan. And that’s much easier said than done. On and off the Internet.

Don’t believe the hype that it’s “easy”, to achieve financial independence and monetary success via the Internet. It’s not. In fact, it may very well be even more difficult to make a successful go of it on the Internet as opposed to in the “real”, world. Mostly because doing business on the Internet is still a relatively unknown quantity. Whereas in the “real”, world there are established ways of building a business and even well established businesses built upon helping others build a business.

Sure there are scores of websites designed to encourage you to start building your own business on the Internet, but - There are so many different attitudes and approaches towards doing so that it’s quite overwhelming and hard to know which ones really work.

There have been many people who have lost everything because of following a certain “guaranteed”, path of creating a successful business on the Internet.

Best advice - Don’t spend one thin dime or even attempt to start your own business on the Internet until you’ve taken a good deal of time and done extensive research of what’s being presented as THE way to achieve success on the Internet.

And if you do achieve a state where you believe that you know what will work for you - Be prepared to work, work, work. Establishing and maintaining a viable business on the Internet is no free or easy ride.

And if you work in the “real” world, here’s the real deal -

To achieve success fromwithin any position, the first steps you can take are to be at work every day, on time and to agree, without question, to do whatever is asked of you.

Of course, you shouldn’t do anything unethical, but in today’s work world, it’s very rare that an employer would even suggest such. Too much corruption and unethical behavior has been exposed and too many organizations have been established to protect people in the workplace for this to be a common occurrence.

A key example of practicing a positive attitude and approach regarding your work position: Consider your employer, all the way to the top position, as a person instead of, “THE MAN”. A person, just like you, who had to start somewhere, learn the ropes and make the climb to where they are.

Then, take a look at the big picture and ask yourself just how much you know to be able to run a company with all its complexities, right down to the process of hiring you.

If you consider your superiors as people who have not only earned their positions, but as people who have to continue to earn their positions, which involves a great deal more than your position, you’ll find that your attitude and approach towards them and consequently, the experience of working with them, will improve exponentially.

So what we’re talking about here is learning to adjust your own attitude and approach to become an asset to your workplace, which will naturally benefit you. And by being an asset, those who are in positions to help you advance within the workplace will be more likely to do so.

If you add to this mix a willingness to go the extra step, by volunteering at least your enthusiasm to learn more, do more, then you really will get noticed and yes, promoted, to the level of your incompetence, as the joke goes.

See, most people become their own worst enemy within the workplace because of their lackluster attitude and approach. Instead of looking for ways that they can keep their days at work at least interesting, if not exciting, which just naturally leads to advancements, they start watching the clock, goofing off, calling off sick and generally start seeing their position as a dead end job.

That’s not to say that there aren’t times when work positions truly are dead ends, but again, with a better attitude and approach, one can at least make the best of it, and begin looking for another position that may be more satisfying.

There are several important benefits of making the most of your current work position while seeking another:

1) It’s a fact that it’s much easier to find new employment when you’re already employed.

And -

2) It will allow you to give a two week notice, which is regarded as a common courtesy within the work world. Doing so will allow you to leave one position with a positive reference, and prove to your new employer that your attitude and approach is about doing the right thing.

NO ONE NEED BELIEVE THEY ARE STUCK IN A DEAD END JOB

Even if you’re someone who has been at the same workplace without feeling like you’re on the “fast track”, to improving your lot, but you believe it’s better to have a steady job than risk unemployment because you do have responsibilities - Take a good, hard, long look at your attitude and approach towards your work position and start thinking in terms of what YOU can do to improve it, instead of lamenting how it’s lacking.

But, if your efforts do not improve your position, start sending out resumes. Believe it or not, employers of other companies, especially if they’re in competition with your current employer, love to “steal”, away a long time employee. Such a transition usually is just what you need to achieve the advancements you had been seeking.

Then we have the relatively rare individual whose attitude and approach has been to actively participate within their workplace while “absorbing”, everything they could until they achieve a state of self confidence that leads them to believe they have what it takes to strike out on their own.

It may be with an improved productservice based on their previous work experience, or it may be based on solid research of an idea for a productservice they have happened upon for which they believe there is a need and one they believe they can market.

These individuals have definitely chosen the road less traveled - If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

For those of us on the sidelines, all we can do is support them however we can, to help them achieve success.

Whatever path you’re on with regards to the world of work, bottom line - Success doesn’t discriminate. It’s equally available to everyone, regardless of age or sex. You have only to cultivate and practice the hard won lessons learned by those before you and always be looking for opportunities to improve.

If you’re serious about achieving success in your workplace, as an employer, an employee or as someone who is self employed, do a little research and discover the resource specifically created to help you understand the work world and how it works, from all sides.

Preparing for an interview over the phone is primarily a mental exercise, and something that is easy to prepare for.  It is the second impression that you will make on a hiring decision maker – the first impression was obviously made for you by your resume and cover letter, and must have been positive, or you would not have this interview appointment.  That being the case, it is worth while to prepare for it and be ready to put your best foot forward.

Step one in getting yourself mentally prepared is to rehearse.  Practice in front of the mirror, or with a friend or your spouse listening to you, asking questions and playing the part of the interviewer.  Make a list of questions you expect the interviewer to ask and have good answers prepared, but have them on the top of your head in general and not memorized.  Memorized answers can sound canned and not real, and will not help you.  You need to appear genuine and real.

Step two is preparing and practicing two or three ideas that you want to get across to the interviewer as to why you are the right person for this job.  If you are having trouble thinking of ideas, read your resume again.  Look for the key points, qualifications or accomplishments you have written, and be ready to discuss them. 

Step three is to think of what you can do for the company.  The hiring manager really doesn’t care why you would like the job; he cares about how you can help his company if you are hired. 

Step four is on the morning of the interview get dressed.  Wear the same clothes when you are on the phone that you would wear if you were in front of the interviewer in person.  Dress for success and your attitude will reflect it.  Dress in your pajamas or an old sweat shirt and your attitude may reflect that as well.

Step five is to smile.  Smiles are contagious, even if they can’t be seen.  Good salesmen know this and practice smiling on the phone.  There is something in your voice and attitude that is conveyed when you smile, and the person on the other end of the phone can sense it.  There is truth in the old saying, “Smile and the world smiles with you.”  It is basic human nature.

Step six is to speak clearly and enunciate.  Use a good quality phone, a land line not a cordless.  If at all possible do not use a cellular phone for the interview.   Crackling noises are distractions and bad cell sites, leading to dropped calls, are a negative.  You only want positives during your phone interview.

Step seven is the interview itself.  Relax, be yourself and do your best.  When it is over remember to thank the interviewer for his or her time, and offer to provide any other information they might need to make a decision.  Be professional and you may well be rewarded with a job.

When you are crafting your resume, you will want it to really express who you are and what your potential is as a future employee, so finding a free resume phrase or two to include on your resume can make the difference between getting noticed and not getting a chance.  You can find a free resume phrase online, but we though we would give you a few here just for you to consider.

Research shows that using certain wording in your resume can really get you noticed.  That is why you will want to include a free resume phrase or two on your own resume.  Certain words evoke certain images that you will want your potential employer to notice and conjure up those positive images in their mind.  Here is a free resume phrase or two that we found brought up positive mental images and would reflect well on you!

1. Able to bring productive energy, accuracy and enthusiasm to both individual and group projects
2. Friendly, positive disposition, able to converse with a pleasant and uplifting attitude
3. Persuasive demeanor, skilled at influencing the opinions & ideas of others and eventually convincing them to try or purchase a product or service
4. Effective contributor—capable of voicing opinions about ideas/projects and giving valuable input when needed
5. Always looking to work beyond any expectations and deliver exceptional results
6. Experienced at taking overwhelming, confusing situations and creating organization, efficiency and productivity
7. Effective manager—skilled at accomplishing projects by wisely delegating portions of work flow to those best able to complete certain tasks
8. Quick and enthusiastic study—enjoy learning new skills and technology
9. Conveniently flexible—can easily adapt to any changes that may occur within an organization

Of course, you will also want to phrase some of your special accomplishments in a job such as:

Began a company newsletter called (Company Name) Today that outlines business accomplishments, general news about the company and feature articles about the industry.

Or

Was able to increase sales in the widget division by 35 percent over a two month period as manager of the department

Of course, when you use a free resume phrase, make sure that it truly does apply to you and your abilities.  You never, ever want to lie on a resume.  You can find a lot of web sites online that offer you a free resume phase or two for you to use on your resume.  Who knows, by using these phrases, you may just get the job!

Are you excited at the prospect of getting a new job and are thrilled that you were called
in for an interview?  Well, then show it when you are being interviewed!  Bring an
energy and attitude to the interview that will make the company take notice.  The process
of interviewing is usual a long and boring one for those on the other side of the table.  Do
your part to make it easier for them to choose you as the best candidate.

Just think of all the people before and after you that are also going to be interviewed for
the same position.  If all other things were equal – qualifications and the answers to the
interview questions – what is going to set you apart from the rest?  You can be
enthusiastic and smile when answering (when appropriate) and still maintain an aura of
professionalism.  You want to exude charisma and keep the interviewer’s attention.  They
have heard a lot of the answers already, but you can get the message across with more
than words.

Someone who is excited to get a job and lets that excitement be known is going to have a
better chance than someone who talks in a monotone and with little to no emotion.  Don’t
be afraid to smile and use phrases as “that’s great” or “wonderful” when you are told
about the company.  Be the type of person that the company wants to represent them and
you will increase the chances of a job offer. 

A few words of caution: don’t go overboard.  Be genuine in your enthusiasm and be
yourself.  Sincerity is key or your enthusiasm could work against you instead of for you. 
If you are naturally bubbly by nature, tone it down a bit for the interview so you do not
overwhelm your hosts.