Five Tips on How to Inspire your Employees in Challenging Times

Five Tips on How to Inspire your Employees in Challenging TimesFive Tips on How to Inspire your Employees in Challenging TimesFive Tips on How to Inspire your Employees in Challenging Times ShambaughAn effective manager understands that the power of words can transform overwhelmed, challenged employees into powerhouse kollektivs that are resilient, hopeful, and engaged. Leaders of every stripe and sector know that its not just the message you wish to communicate, but the way you do it. It can mean the difference between a committed, firing-on-all-pistons team, or one thats deflated and coasting along.Whether youre giving a keynote speech or sitting in a conference room, make your words count. Here are five ways to inspire your team to reach for achievement.1 Articulate Your VisionTelegraph a can do attitude rather than saying We will try, focus on We Will and We Are. Use a variety of metaphors, stories, symbols and even visual aids, to create a common ground of experience, interests, and dreams. Focus beyond shared values and identity to describe a shared future. Let people know you have the utmost confidence in them to succeed.2 Adapt your Style, but Dont Lose YourselfGood leaders know how to read a situation and adjust their style and communications accordingly. To do so its important to assess a situation or people before engaging in communications or negotiations. Step back and consider the context or situation you are dealing with. For example, if your normal style is a more dominant one and youre approaching someone who has more of a conscientious style or who is from a different culture, youll need to match that level of detail. Come into the conversation exploring all the possibilities be sure you have your facts straight with some proven examples.3 Speak from the HeartThe quickest way to inspire a group is to give of yourself. Express your own values, passions, and emotions when appropriate, which reflects your true self. Its also important to acknowle dge your audiences point of view. Let people know that you have heard them and understand where they are coming from. Its also vital to reference the history of working together, progress you have made and the common principles and goals you share. This will enable your listeners to feel comfortable and committed to your message.4 Communicate by Watching and ListeningMuch of our message is delivered via non-verbal communication our body language, our voices, the subtle cues that create the message. Youll also want to be aware of and respond to cues from your audience. Are they engaged, defensive, confused by what youre saying? Watch their body language, eye contact and any other non-verbal cues. Another way to communicate is to simply listen to your audience. Do so with empathy and compassion so that you can observe your audiences true feelings. Paraphrase and summarize what you heard. Repeat back to the person in your own words what you understand they are telling you.5 Tell It Li ke It Is Speaking the truth is a critical attribute for leaders to demonstrate, particularly during challenging or unfortunate times. Many studies site the number one quality of a leader as integrity and honesty. Consistency in both words and actions creates trust and honesty. Integrity means that, as a strong leader, you have the courage to stand up for a set of important principles and beliefs, even when the message is in conflict with what others what to hear. Always consider the consequences of not having the hard conversation which may ultimately make things more difficult. Be your own critic before you make your speech. Challenge your own assumptions make sure you are well prepared avoid painting a rosy picture or glossing over facts. Doing so will create a sense of uninformed optimism which can decrease the amount of trust and respect that others have of you as a leader.Author BioRebecca Shambaugh is the founder and CEO of Shambaugh Leadership in Washington, DC.She is the au thor of The Leadership Secrets of Hillary Clinton.

How to Handle an Informal Interview

How to Handle an Informal InterviewHow to Handle an Informal InterviewLike many workplaces, job interviews are transitioningtoamore casualfeel. Instead of a structured, formal interview in a conference room, many hiring managers now begin with a low-key, informal conversation. Hiring managers or recruiters mayinvite candidates out for a cup of coffee, for instance, and instead of calling it an interview, the conversation may be framed as an exploratory orinformational session. Informal interviews are particularly common when hiring managers are actively recruiting a candidate. For candidates, this more casual interview style can present a new set of challenges What should you wear?What should you bring?How should you behave? Learn why informal interviews are growing in popularity and how to ace the experience. Whyare Informal Interviews aGrowingTrend? One common reason an employer will opt for an informal interview is that theyre mucksmuschenstill formulating the exact structure of the job. By meeting with a wide variety of candidates, without a specific job description, employers can use what they learn from informal interviews to flesh out the exact responsibilities and expectations for the role. Alternatively, employers may go this route because funding is too tentative to begin formal interviewing.The company mayevenbe considering another role for the current job holder andthereforewant to explore alternative talent before moving forward with reassignment or firing. Inthecaseofexecutive recruiters, theymay simply be trying to source talent for future clients. Preparing for a Casual Interview Get ready for a conversation, coffee date, or any other casual interview in the same thorough way youdprepare for a more formal, traditional job interview. Conduct extensiveresearch on the organizationand its products and/or services, challenges, achievements, and competition.Be ready to discuss yourcareer pathand long-term goals and to itemize assets and streng ths that have helped you add value to various projects and roles.Be prepared to cite specific examples andto tell stories that demonstratethe actionsyouve taken and theresults youvegenerated.Just as you would at a formal interview, you should have ideas for how youd fit into the company and what positive role you could playthere. What to Wear Because this is an informational meeting, you dont need to dress inprofessional interview attireunless thats what you usually wear to work. Otherwise,business casualorstart-up casualattire, depending on your industry, is appropriate. Of course, even if your clothing is a bit more casual, you should still wear an outfit that is clean and thatwould be appropriate in the office of the company. That way, your appearance wont distract yourinterviewerfrom your qualifications. What to Bring Bring some extra copies of your resume yourbusiness card, if you have one and a portfolio with a pad and pen so thatyou can take notes. What to Ask the Recruiter One advantage of a less formal interview is that you can ask some questions early on to learn more about prospective opportunities since you may not have been given a formaljob description. Asking questions like, Can you tell me a bit more about why youve reached out to me? or Youve mentioned some potential changes in your operationscan you tell me more abouthow someone like me might fit into that picture? will help you to develop a clearer idea of which of your assets might best meet the employers needs. It will also help clarify foryouwhether you are interested in the job. On-the-Spot Offers In some cases, you may end up being offered a job on the spot or very shortly after yourmeeting. One job seeker, for example, progressed from getting a LinkedIn katechese about opportunities at a company to having a cup of coffee with a hiring manager to getting a job offer from the CEOthree days later. When the fit is right, interviewers are often eager to lock in a candidate. If the recruiter surprises you with a specific opportunity, be prepared to express your excitement and appreciation, but know that you can reserve the right to process that new information and get back to them in the near future. Dont feel compelled to make a decision about whether to pursue the job on the spot. Watch What You Say One danger of an informal meeting is the tendency to speak too freely. Even if recruiters seem down to earth or liketheyaretrying to sell you on a company, pleasenotethatthey will stilltake note of what you say or do and factor it into their assessment. Withthisinmind,never say anything negative about a colleague, former supervisor, or former employer. Keep things on a professional level even if the recruiter seems to have let his or her hair down. Its also a good idea to ask the recruiter to keep the meeting confidential sothat you dont jeopardize your current job. That should be understood, but its better to be sure that word of your meeting doesnt get back to your present employer. Information Gathering Some recruiters will use informal meetings to pick your brain about other potential candidates, especially if they sense that their opening is not appropriate for you. Gather as much information about the job as possible, but refrain from sharing any of your contactsnames until you clear it with them. Your contacts may have a reason that they dont want to affiliate with a particular recruiter or appear to be in job-hunt mode. Who Pays When youre invited to meet with a recruiter for a cup of coffee or a meal, they will pick up the tab. Theres no need to offer to pay. Do say thank you to the recruiter or hiring manager, though. Follow Up after the Meeting Ask the person you met for his or her business card sothat you have the information you need to follow up. Its important tofollow up after the meeting, especially if you sense that there will be viable opportunities available through the recruiter. Since a primary g oal for their meeting may have been to feel you out in terms of your interest level, make sure that your follow-upemail or letter clearly affirms your interest in exploring things further, if that is the case. If you have learned about a specific job or role that appeals to you, mention a few discrete strengths that might allow you to add value tothecompany. If the recruiter has hinted at any reservations or anyareas of your background that didnt quite fit, try to supplythemwith information that would counter those concerns. Even if you arent interested in the company, send a briefthank-you note. Also,invite the recruiter to connect with you on LinkedInif you arent already connected. A quick cup of coffee could turn into a future employment opportunity, even if the timing and job arent agoodfitright now. Key Takeaways Informal interviews are increasingly popular Even if its referred to as a casual coffee date, its wise to prepare beforehand just as you would for an interview.No need to wear a suit mora casual attire is acceptable, but make sure your outfit is clean and officeappropriate.Follow up afterward Even if the conversation is not going to lead to a more formal interview, its good networking practice to connect on LinkedIn andto send afollow-up email after the meeting.

Land the Interview With Our Accountant Resume Template for Word

Land the einstellungsgesprch With Our Accountant Resume Template for WordLand the Interview With Our Accountant Resume Template for WordIntroductionIn a fast Qualified accountant with 10 years of experience in payroll and accounts payable and receivableDetailMaster of Business Administration in Accounting 2009Long Island University, New York, NYBachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy 2008Baruch College The City University of New York, New York, NY