Making it Big Monday

How to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out
 

A cover letter is essentially a formalized letter about you and why a company should hire you. Your cover letter should represent you and your personality. It shows a potential employer your knowledge, skills and abilities that are related to the position you are applying, while illustrating your basic communication skills, grammar and that you are truly interested in the position that the company is hiring for. Although cover letters are time consuming they are imperative to get an employer to look into your resume further.

Every cover letter should be customized to the position and company you are applying for. A generic cover letter does not pop at a potential employer and will not get you into the "maybe" pile. The employer is essentially telling you what you need to write in your cover letter through their job description and job requirements section. When beginning to write your cover letter, look at the job posting mark down which attributes you currently possess, and an example of each attribute. Then look at the attributes you do not possess and think of ways to either conquer those challenges, or other items in your positive skills section that are similar to the attribute and include that into the cover letter.

Personalize the cover letter to the hiring manager’s name and job position. Do not use “to whom it may concern” or “dear sir/ mam”. When in doubt, leave it out.

A common mistake on a cover letter and/ or resume is lacking professionalism. Ensure your email is proofread, email and grammar are professional and that you demonstrate your qualities with examples. Anyone can say they are a fantastic communicator, but how will you prove you are what you say you are.

Do not use unprofessional email addresses. Although your email address from grade 9 “Ilovekittys6912@hotmail” is cute to you, your potential employer may not appreciate it as much.

Use a professional approach to all aspects of your job search. Again, when in doubt ask someone else or leave it out.

E. Kryschuk

Making it Big Monday

Careers After Graduation

Many students do not start their career planning until a month before graduation. Although students see this as ample time to get a job, it may not be the career path they had originally intended when signing up for college.

With only 7 weeks left of your last semester, students are scrambling to find placements, jobs, and figure out what to do next after graduation. If you haven't started at this point, you may be sadly left out of the hiring or the university transfer path. But do not fear, it may take you a little longer to get to your end goal (if you have one defined), but you will make it.

Start by trying to define what you want to do when school is done. Is there a  company in particular where you can see yourself working? Are they currently hiring, allowing placement students or volunteers to enter into the workforce? What qualifications, experience or attributes to they want in an employee? And do you have what they are looking for? Do you need to complete additional training to be accepted into their company?

E. Kryschuk

Making it Big Monday

Career and Job Fair Do's and Don'ts

Here are the keys for students and job-seekers to successfully navigating a career or job fair. Follow these simple rules and guidelines and you should achieve success in this important strategic tool of job-hunting.

• Do have a specific strategy for maximizing your time at the event. And don't bother spending time with recruiters from companies that do not interest you.
• Do pre-register for the event, and do attempt to get the list of attending companies before the career fair.
• Don't eliminate companies because they are recruiting for positions outside your field; take the time to network with the recruiter and get the name of a hiring manager for your particular career field.
• Do attempt to research basic information about each company you hope to interview with at the job fair. A common career fair question from recruiters is, "Why do you want to work for our company?"
• Don't just drop your resume on the recruiter's table and walk off.
• Do prepare a one-minute "commercial" that focuses on the unique benefits you can offer the employer -- a version of your elevator speech. And do be prepared for common interview questions.
• Do be prepared to talk about your work experiences, skills, and abilities. And for college students, do be prepared for a question about your GPA by some recruiters. (And do use the GPA -- overall, college, major -- that makes you look the strongest.)
• Don't be afraid or intimidated by the recruiter; he or she is there to do a job -- to meet and screen potential candidates.
• Do have a few questions prepared for each recruiter, but don't ask questions that any good job-seeker should already know, such as "What does your company do?" Do check out these Questions to Ask at Career and Job Fairs.
• Do say the recruiter's name several times during your conversation, even if you have to keep glancing at the recruiter's nametag. And do get a business card (or at least contact information) from each recruiter.
• Don't forget to eliminate such bad habits as playing with your hair, chewing gum, fidgeting, rocking from side-to-side, acting distracted, rubbing your nose, etc.
• Do remember all the keys to successful interviewing, including a firm handshake, a warm smile, eye contact, and a strong voice.
• Don't use filler words such as "um", "like", "you know."
• Do bring enough copies of your resume to the career fair. And do bring different versions of your resume if you are searching for different types of jobs.
• Do take advantage of the time you have to build rapport with each recruiter, but don't monopolize their time.
• Don't ever just walk up to a booth and interrupt a current conversation; wait your turn and be polite.
• Do dress professionally -- conservative is always the safe choice. And do wear comfortable shoes.
• Don't waste the opportunity to network, not only with the recruiters, but with fellow job-seekers and other professionals in attendance at the career fair.
• Don't ever say anything negative to the recruiter about your college or previous jobs, companies, or supervisors.
• Do be sure to ask about the hiring process of each company, but don't ask too many questions about salaries, vacation time, and other benefits.
• Do take the initiative and ask about the next step in the process. And do be prepared to follow-up all job leads.
• Do be sure to follow-up with each recruiter. Some experts say to call and leave a message on their voicemail right after the job fair, but at a minimum you should send each recruiter a thank you letter.

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Making it Big Monday

How to Find Employment Before College Graduation

If you are about to graduate from college, you may be a little apprehensive about entering the work force. After all you have been a student for several years and it is now time to enter the real world. Landing a college grad job does not have to be a challenge. There are some things that you can do prior to graduation to get you on the fast track to getting a job as a college graduate.          

 

**Set a goal**

First, you will have to set a goal for yourself and figure out what you are going to do when you do graduate college. Do not just settle on anything just because it generates the most income. However, you do want to get a job that requires a college degree also known as a college degree job. With that said, you should pursue a career field that you are passionate about.

**Complete internships**
Complete internships before you graduate college. This will increase your chances of getting a college degree job in your field. It is good if you could do multiple internships with companies in your field. For instance if your field is accounting, see if you could intern in the payroll department of a company.

**Produce a strong resume**
Once you have in mind the job you want to pursue start by circulating your resume to companies that you have a desire to work for. Make sure that you have a polished resume with your most strongest information about yourself at the top. If you can follow up with these companies with an informal meeting, do so. That way they can actually have a picture of who you are instead of just reading everything from your resume. Remember sometimes competition is fierce so you will want to stick out in the crowd.

**Attend job fairs**
Go to job fairs as often as you can. Sometimes employers will interview prospective employees on the spot.

**Send resumes to non-advertisers**
Send your resume to places even if they are not advertising for a job. When a position does come up, you could be one of the key people that the employer interviews. This has happened to people before and they subsequently get the job because they are not competing with a lot of people for one position.

**Do your research**

Research the company prior to going to an interview. Come to the interview on time. Have a few questions prepared to ask the interviewer.

**Network**

Lastly, make sure you get the word out that you are looking for a job and that you will be a college grad soon. Go to your college career center. They are a valuable resource on resume building, interview advice, and job seeking strategies.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making it Big Monday

10 Things Extraordinary People Say Every Day

They're small things, but each has the power to dramatically change someone's day. Including yours.

Want to make a huge difference in someone's life? Here are things you should say every day to your employees, colleagues, family members, friends, and everyone you care about:

"Here's what I'm thinking."
You're in charge, but that doesn't mean you're smarter, savvier, or more insightful than everyone else. Back up your statements and decisions. Give reasons. Justify with logic, not with position or authority.
Though taking the time to explain your decisions opens those decisions up to discussion or criticism, it also opens up your decisions to improvement.
Authority can make you "right," but collaboration makes everyone right--and makes everyone pull together.

"I was wrong."
I once came up with what I thought was an awesome plan to improve overall productivity by moving a crew to a different shift on an open production line. The inconvenience to the crew was considerable, but the payoff seemed worth it. On paper, it was perfect.
In practice, it wasn't.
So, a few weeks later, I met with the crew and said, "I know you didn't think this would work, and you were right. I was wrong. Let's move you back to your original shift."
I felt terrible. I felt stupid. I was sure I'd lost any respect they had for me.
It turns out I was wrong about that, too. Later one employee said, "I didn't really know you, but the fact you were willing to admit you were wrong told me everything I needed to know."
When you're wrong, say you're wrong. You won't lose respect--you'll gain it.

"That was awesome."
No one gets enough praise. No one. Pick someone--pick anyone--who does or did something well and say, "Wow, that was great how you..."
And feel free to go back in time. Saying "Earlier, I was thinking about how you handled that employee issue last month..." can make just as positive an impact today as it would have then. (It could even make a bigger impact, because it shows you still remember what happened last month, and you still think about it.)
Praise is a gift that costs the giver nothing but is priceless to the recipient. Start praising. The people around you will love you for it--and you'll like yourself a little better, too.

"You're welcome."
Think about a time you gave a gift and the recipient seemed uncomfortable or awkward. Their reaction took away a little of the fun for you, right?
The same thing can happen when you are thanked or complimented or praised. Don't spoil the moment or the fun for the other person. The spotlight may make you feel uneasy or insecure, but all you have to do is make eye contact and say, "Thank you." Or make eye contact and say, "You're welcome. I was glad to do it."
Don't let thanks, congratulations, or praise be all about you. Make it about the other person, too.

"Can you help me?"
When you need help, regardless of the type of help you need or the person you need it from, just say, sincerely and humbly, "Can you help me?"
I promise you'll get help. And in the process you'll show vulnerability, respect, and a willingness to listen--which, by the way, are all qualities of a great leader.
And are all qualities of a great friend.

"I'm sorry."
We all make mistakes, so we all have things we need to apologize for: words, actions, omissions, failing to step up, step in, show support...
Say you're sorry.
But never follow an apology with a disclaimer like "But I was really mad, because..." or "But I did think you were..." or any statement that in any way places even the smallest amount of blame back on the other person.
Say you're sorry, say why you're sorry, and take all the blame. No less. No more.
Then you both get to make the freshest of fresh starts.

"Can you show me?"
Advice is temporary; knowledge is forever. Knowing what to do helps, but knowing how or why to do it means everything.
When you ask to be taught or shown, several things happen: You implicitly show you respect the person giving the advice; you show you trust his or her experience, skill, and insight; and you get to better assess the value of the advice.
Don't just ask for input. Ask to be taught or trained or shown.
Then you both win.

"Let me give you a hand."
Many people see asking for help as a sign of weakness. So, many people hesitate to ask for help.
But everyone needs help.
Don't just say, "Is there anything I can help you with?" Most people will give you a version of the reflexive "No, I'm just looking" reply to sales clerks and say, "No, I'm all right."
Be specific. Find something you can help with. Say "I've got a few minutes. Can I help you finish that?" Offer in a way that feels collaborative, not patronizing or gratuitous. Model the behavior you want your employees to display.
Then actually roll up your sleeves and help.

"I love you."
No, not at work, but everywhere you mean it--and every time you feel it.

Nothing.
Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing. If you're upset, frustrated, or angry, stay quiet. You may think venting will make you feel better, but it never does.
That's especially true where your employees are concerned. Results come and go, but feelings are forever. Criticize an employee in a group setting and it will seem like he eventually got over it, but inside, he never will.
Before you speak, spend more time considering how employees will think and feel than you do evaluating whether the decision makes objective sense. You can easily recover from a mistake made because of faulty data or inaccurate projections.
You'll never recover from the damage you inflict on an employee's self-esteem.
Be quiet until you know exactly what to say--and exactly what affect your words will have.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making it Big Monday

Retail: How to deal with rude customers

We all know that customer: The one who talks on their phone incessantly while you try to serve them. They may smack their gum, or they may roll their eyes while purveying their distinct brand of ungraciousness. We know them better by their true name—The Rude Customer. Your first instinct might be to turn into a green rage monster, but before you go destroying everything within arm's reach, we have five tips for dealing with rude customers that might just help you out while working in retail.

Stay calm
“The first thing that I would tell someone to do is stay calm,” says Jason Nedelkos, a barista at Starbucks Coffee. “I’ve learned to keep a respectful tone if somebody has an issue. If someone is rude or shouting at you, there’s no need to sink to their level.” An added benefit of this strategy is that it might force the customer to tone down their unreasonableness. “It’s hard to be rude to someone who is being calm and collected,” Nedelkos shrugs.

“Kill them with kindness”
Sarah Erwin, a cashier at Shoppers Drug Mart, has similar advice. “For me, what works best is to kill them with kindness, so to speak.” Erwin graduated from University of Toronto and has been working at Shoppers Drug Mart for the past year while job hunting. “Never stop being overly polite. The meaner they get, the nicer you get in response.” This technique always feels like a personal win, and you still get to be as great at your job as ever.

Put the power in their hands (and get them off your back)
“As a barista, the small complaints I usually get are about mixed up drink orders, which are pretty easy to resolve.” Nedelkos explains. “The really rude people are upset about things that I can’t fix. Like why we don’t have cups in a certain colour or something.” Erwin agrees that most of her angry customers are upset with things she has no control over. “The two things that cause customers to yell at me are long lines and prices.” Nedelkos offers a solution to this situation. “I usually explain to them that I personally can’t change this, but I invite them to fill out a comment form or talk to a superior and say ‘They will listen to you over me’.” Not only does this get them out of your hair, but puts the power in their hands to resolve their own problem.

Maintain a neutral tone of voice and body language
As rude as the customer is being, you represent the entire store and organization. So as rude as they are, any hint of snideness or confrontation on your part will exacerbate the situation. “A rude customer feels threatened already, you make one false move and they will get madder,” Nedelkos laughs. Really, just stay calm, be as kind as you can, apologize profusely and keep a neutral tone of voice. You should make it through in one piece.

Don’t take things personally!
We know, easier said than done! But having a rude customer can really ruin your day, and make you feel bad long after you’ve left work. Instead, choose to remember the good times at work when you are decompressing after a long shift. “Rude customers are rude customers,” Nedelkos remarks. “But if you choose to remember the person who left you a great tip, or the one who was really nice, you’ll have a much better outlook.”

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Making It Big Monday

Be a leader in your career

To stay on top of your profession, set up a plan with these five strategies

Many professionals are busy with their respective roles in their workplaces.

If you want to stay on top of your career and be visible to your top management for career advancement, you have to do more than just being busy.
If you want to become a leader in your career, you must have an unwavering belief that you can indeed achieve that goal.
It is evident that those who set a plan in place and work the plan get farther faster than those who don’t.

There are five key strategies for career success:

Set a vision

You need to create your own set of objectives and life goals.
Steven Covey, in his bestselling The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, gives evidence of the importance of visioning success.
He identifies Habit 2 as “Begin with the end in mind”.
He explains that all things are created twice — first in the mental world, and second in the physical world.
Most actions that fail, fail in the first creation.
Here are three simple ways to set a vision:

• Self-coaching questions (What does your ideal work environment look like? What work activities are you enjoying?);
• Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic and Tangible); and
• Create a Vision Board — a simple yet powerful visualisation tool that activates the universal law of attraction to begin manifesting your dreams into reality.

Personal career branding

Personal career branding is a way of clarifying and communicating what makes you different and special, and using those qualities to guide your career or business decisions.
It is about understanding your unique attributes — your strengths, values and passions — and using them to separate yourself from your competitors or peers.
Here are three simple ways to build your brand:

• Be passionate (Be enthusiastically engaged in what you do);
• Deliver value (Contribute to the bottom-line success of an organisation); and
• Be a blessing (Be a pleasure to work with).

Network effectively

I am sure a lot of people know the importance of networking. But what is its true essence?
It is more than just attending company functions or participating in projects.
Get yourself on the radar screen and make meaningful contributions to people who could be influential to your career.
Three simple ways to get you known in the organisation are:

• Be on your supervisor’s radar screen first;
• Volunteer to present your ideas to the management; and
• Be available — if possible, sit in on important meetings.

Create your own training plan

To stay relevant, you need to pursue your own professional development plan.
Gain the skills and knowledge needed to contribute greater value to your employer.
Author and social philosopher Eric Hoffer said: “In times of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.”
Don’t wait around for your employer to tell you what to get trained in.
Look at people who are your role models in your career path.
Three simple ways to create your own training plan:

• Evaluate current skills with present job requirements (Are there any gaps?);
• Search appropriate training catalogues or check online for new courses or skills that will benefit your career plan; and
• Request training on a quarterly basis.

Get supportive people

Always surround yourself with supportive people — coach, mentors, peers and friends — and carefully limit your contact with “energy-draining” people.
Who do you have in your life that has your best interests at heart, with absolutely no ulterior motives?
Here are three simple ways to get supportive people:

• Work with a coach (Many others have a coach, why not you?);
• Find a mentor (Make sure the potential mentor has the right experience and insights); and
• Gather your resources (What kind of support will enable you to make the changes happen?).

Strategic planning is critical. What you want to be a number of years from now will depend on how you execute these five strategies in becoming a leader in your career.

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Making It Big Monday

5 Ways to Get the Job You Want -- in Any Economy

With all the bleak economic news and reports of massive layoffs, it's easy to lose sight of an exciting fact of work: There have never been more opportunities and possibilities for talented people than exist today. The rate of new business formation in the United States has passed more than 1 million new companies per year. Employers everywhere are looking for bright, resourceful and committed people to help their businesses grow. The best way to help the best companies find you is to become a self-directed job searcher.

Regardless of your employment experience, your target industry or the economic climate, you can get a job -- a great job -- if you are willing to work hard and know how to work smart. Here are some of the very best ideas, strategies and methods for putting your career back on the fast track.

1. Take control of your career
The average person starting work today will have 11 full-time jobs and as many as five different careers over the course of his or her lifetime. To weather the storms of lifelong career change, you must be proactive, not reactive.
Begin by seeing yourself as self-employed. See yourself as the president of a company with one employee: you. See yourself as having one product to sell in a competitive marketplace: your personal services. You are completely responsible for research and development. No matter who signs your paycheck, you are always on your own payroll. This attitude is the starting point for getting the job you want for the rest of your career.

2. Take stock of yourself
Before you go out and look for a job, do some self-reflection. Make a list of all the things you can do for which someone would be willing to pay. What have you done especially well at your previous jobs? What sort of activities in your work and your personal life do you most enjoy? The good news is that you will always do the very best at something that makes you the happiest. To help yourself follow the right career track, describe your ideal job. The greater clarity you have about exactly what it is you want to do and how much you want to earn, the easier it is for someone to hire you.

3. Understand the job market
All labor, including your own, is subject to the economic law of supply and demand. The only way to ensure you get a rewarding job is by doing something important for which there is a demand in the marketplace and in which you are difficult to replace. A change in technology, consumer preferences or the economy can make a particular talent or specialty obsolete almost overnight. You must continually upgrade your knowledge and skills and adjust your efforts so that they conform to the needs of the current job market. In a free society such as ours, everybody works on commission.

4. Don't mistake unemployment for a vacation Look at your job search as a full-time job, taking 40 to 50 hours a week. Get up and get dressed each weekday morning as if you were going to work, eat a light, high-energy breakfast and then get going. Looking good and staying productive not only improves your attitude, but also impresses other people, both those inside your own house and those on the outside. Remember, you should never see yourself as unemployed. You are a fully employed person in a temporary state of transition.

5. Sow seeds everywhere Most of the jobs available are not advertised. They are hidden and waiting for you to discover them. Along with regularly surfing Internet job sites, be sure to list your qualifications and interests on every site that might attract employers seeking someone like you. Visit community job fairs and talk to exhibitors. Keep an eye out for news of new product releases and then seek out key people in the company. A business expansion represents job opportunities. Gather information about a prominent individual in an organization you would like to work for. Ask that person, by phone, by e-mail or in a letter, to grant you a 10-minute informational interview. Almost invariably, your interest, knowledge and gratitude will pay off in a job offer.

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Making It Big Monday

How Does Favoritism in the Workplace Affect Other Employees?

Employees might be professional, qualified and experienced, but they're still human and still susceptible to emotions better left outside the workplace. Jealousy, anger, fear, sullenness and worry can occur in business environments at any time, but these negative emotions are exacerbated when favoritism takes place. Before indulging in workplace favoritism, consider how your actions might affect other workers.       

   

Favoritism

Favoritism in the workplace means giving preferential treatment to one or more employees. Preferential treatment can be intentional; for example, an employer could assign the choicest responsibilities to the most veteran worker or hotshot upstart by explaining that his abilities justify the extra attention and tasks. Preferential treatment can also be subconscious; for example, employees might notice that an older male supervisor seems to treat young female workers with friendly smiles and encouragement while benignly ignoring male workers in the hallways.

 Resentment
One of the primary effects of workplace favoritism on employees is resentment. Workers feel that, no matter how hard they work, it won't matter because preferred employees will always get better benefits, more attention and greater opportunities. Employees often resent the special worker, treating her with unkindness and gossiping about reasons for preferential treatment. Workers also resent their employer, becoming less willing to participate actively in the company mission.

Lower Motivation
If employees feel that they're being passed over for new responsibilities or promotions because all goodies are funneled toward favorite workers, lower motivation results. Employees slack off, taking less care with assigned duties and being more reluctant to volunteer for additional tasks. This results in lower productivity, missed deadlines and lower overall morale.

Litigation
Employees sometimes take legal action against employers who engage in egregious favoritism, citing preferential treatment based on gender or ethnicity. If workplace favoritism is widespread, for example, an employer offers preferential treatment to workers based on sexual favors, employees could cite a hostile work environment. This can lead to serious repercussions, including court fees, restitution awards and loss of professional reputation.

Steps
If you're an employer engaging in preferential treatment of employees, it's time to stop. Signs that you're promoting favoritism include spending extra time with preferred workers, overlooking mistakes made by favorite employees and assigning perks to employees because you like them. If you're an employee working in an environment where a boss is practicing favoritism, double-check your impressions by looking for specific examples of preferred treatment. Once you've confirmed that this is a problem in your workplace, visit the personnel department with your examples. Explaining the situation in a concise, professional way gives you more credibility; be careful not to make rash accusations.

To view the original article CLICK HERE 

Making It Big Monday

Work-Life Balance Defined - What it really means!

Despite the worldwide quest for Work-Life Balance, very few have found an acceptable definition of the concept. Here's a proven definition that will positively impact your everyday value and balance starting today.

Let's first define what work-life balance is not.

Work-Life Balance does not mean an equal balance. Trying to schedule an equal number of hours for each of your various work and personal activities is usually unrewarding and unrealistic. Life is and should be more fluid than that.

Your best individual work-life balance will vary over time, often on a daily basis. The right balance for you today will probably be different for you tomorrow. The right balance for you when you are single will be different when you marry, or if you have children; when you start a new career versus when you are nearing retirement.

There is no perfect, one-size fits all, balance you should be striving for. The best work-life balance is different for each of us because we all have different priorities and different lives.

However, at the core of an effective work-life balance definition are two key everyday concepts that are relevant to each of us. They are daily Achievement and Enjoyment, ideas almost deceptive in their simplicity.

Engraining a fuller meaning of these two concepts takes us most of the way to defining a positive Work-Life Balance. Achievement and Enjoyment answer the big question "Why?" Why do you want a better income…a new house…the kids through college…to do a good job today…to come to work at all?

Most of us already have a good grasp on the meaning of Achievement. But let's explore the concept of Enjoyment a little more. As part of a relevant Work-Life Balance definition, enjoyment does not just mean "Ha-Ha" happiness. It means Pride, Satisfaction, Happiness, Celebration, Love, A Sense of Well Being …all the Joys of Living.

Achievement and Enjoyment are the front and back of the coin of value in life. You can't have one without the other, no more than you can have a coin with only one side. Trying to live a one sided life is why so many "Successful" people are not happy, or not nearly as happy as they should be.

You cannot get the full value from life without BOTH Achievement and Enjoyment. Focusing on Achievement and Enjoyment every day in life helps you avoid the "As Soon As Trap", the life dulling habit of planning on getting around to the joys of life and accomplishment "as soon as…."

My caffeine source is diet cola. But I'm a somewhat fussy diet cola drinker. I don't like cans or bottles, I like fountain. And there is a big difference in fountain drinks. So I know all the best fountains within a five-mile radius of my house and office. My favorite is a little convenience store near my home called Fitzgerald's.

Let's say I'm wandering into Fitzgerald's at 6 in the morning, in my pre-caffeinated state and the implausible happens. Some philosophical guy bumps into me, and says…. "Heh mister… what's your purpose in life?" Well even in that half-awake condition, I'd have an answer for him. I'd say, "You know, I just want to achieve something today and I want to enjoy something today. And if I do both of those things today, I'm going to have a pretty good day. And if I do both of those things every day, for the rest of my life… I'm going to have a pretty good life."

And I think that's true for all of us. Life will deliver the value and balance we desire …when we are achieving and enjoying something every single day…in all the important areas that make up our lives. As a result, a good working definition of Work-Life Balance is:

Meaningful daily Achievement and Enjoyment in each of my four life quadrants: Work, Family, Friends and Self.

Ask yourself now, when was the last time you Achieved AND Enjoyed something at work? What about Achieved AND Enjoyed with your family; your friends? And how recently have you Achieved AND Enjoyed something just for you?

Why not take 20 minutes on the way home from work and do something just for yourself? And when you get home, before you walk in the door, think about whether you want to focus on achieving or enjoying at home tonight. Then act accordingly when you do walk in the door.

At work you can create your own best Work-Life Balance by making sure you not only Achieve, but also reflect the joy of the job, and the joy of life, every day. If nobody pats you on the back today, pat yourself on the back. And help others to do the same.

When you do, when you are a person that not only gets things done, but also enjoys the doing, it attracts people to you. They want you on their team and they want to be on your team.


Simple concepts. And once you focus on them as key components of your day, they are not that hard to implement. So, make it happen, for yourself, your family and all the important individuals you care about…every day for the rest of your life… Achieve and Enjoy.

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

Advance Your Career: Tips To Help You Stand Out In Your Profession

During the course of my career I was able to compile tips, techniques, and strategies which I feel can serve to advance one’s career and help you to stand out at work. I have to admit it was only through trial and error that I was able to put these things into practice. You make plenty of mistakes but you never give up you always want to try and move forward. It’s only through perseverance and determination that you are able to accomplish those things that seem impossible at times. Here are some attributes that have served me well in my pursuit of success.

Number 1. Know yourself – your strengths, abilities and limitations. Once you know your major characteristics you will be able to pin point the career path you should take and put all of your energy attention and passion into that endeavor. There is nothing worse that giving something your all while you are speeding along on the wrong career path, putting all your talent and ability to work doing things that you can never be the best at.

Number 2. Be a prudent risk taker – Think Big. To stand out at work and get ahead of the times calls for you to take risks. You should take risks only when they have been well thought out and planned. Never go hap hazard into any venture will out giving it some thought and developing a plan of action to get there. You also have to think big. When you develop a plan of action it should encompass the entire organization, or an entire department. It should never be just about you. Think big and try to develop win/win situations whenever possible. Think in terms of impacting the entire organization.

Number 3. Set Goals that Stretch You. You have to get out of your comfort zone. Establish some goals that are attainable with effort. When you have goals that stretch you chances are you’re excited, enthusiastic, passionate, and energetic in the pursuit of those goals. Goals that are easily attained don’t ignite any type of fire within.

Number 4. Keep your horizons and interest broad. Never limit your career perspective and outlook. There are always other possibilities and different roads to travel. Learn new things at every opportunity because you never know when your increased knowledge base is going to enable you to take on greater responsibility in the form of a promotion.

Number 5. Learn from failure and mistakes. It’s okay to fail and have set backs. Every person that has achieved any type of note worthy success will tell you that they have failed not only once but sometimes three or four times. Use your failures as learning experiences that catapult you forward to take on the next challenge. Make amendments and adjustments based on the lessons learned from
past failures. Never let failures impede your progress.

Number 6. Remember the first person plural – think in terms of we. Share your best demonstrated practices with your co-workers, teammates, department, and the entire organization if possible. When you help another person meet their goals and objectives it in turn helps you achieve the career advancement you seek. Always look for ways to help others.

Number 7. Keep your sense of humor. Never get characterized as a person who can never have fun or is always serious. You can be perceived as unapproachable and this can limit your career advancement and keep you from getting ahead and standing out.

Number 8. Develop your interpersonal skills – communicate well. It is imperative that you enhance your ability to communicate. Look for ways to improve your presentation skills. If you are able to communicate with every level of employee within an organization, including upper management, this will do more to help you stand out.

Number 9. Work hard – very hard. Be the first one to work and the last one to leave. When you work on a project try to get it done efficiently and effectively. Make working hard a habit. Become known as the person who works harder and smarter than all others within your department.

Number 10. Be committed to the vision. Find ways expand on the company vision or mission. Be exceptionally committed to the cause.

Number 11. Share the responsibility and the credit. Look for ways to recognize your peers, and upper management. Be quick to praise others for their accomplishments.

Number 12. Keep your word. Develop a reputation for integrity and honesty. Do what you say you will do. Others will begin to trust you and look to you for answers and you will become known as a person with a good reputation.

Put these things into action consistently and you will begin to stand out at work in the sight of all involved.

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How to Deal with a Difficult or Bullying Boss

We've all had bosses who are difficult to deal with. Bosses who are inconsistent or unprofessional, bosses who put you in a no-win situation, backstabbing bosses, or bosses who are downright bullies. Here are four strategies to use to deal with your difficult boss.

1. Be Proactive. In all likelihood, you are frustrated with your difficult boss because he or she consistently displays bad behavior. It is the pattern of bad behavior that drives you crazy (or in some cases, the boss's inconsistent behavior, as in you-never-know-what-you're-going-to-get). The best way to deal with a difficult boss is to have a plan of action in place.
As one client told me, "When the boss calls an ‘emergency' staff meeting, we usually know that she is going to go off on us. She'll either rant and rave or give us the icy and disgusted treatment. But sometimes she's fine, but we always feel like we are walking into a trap."
The key is to anticipate the boss's bad behavior. Have an action plan ready. If the boss behaves badly, put your plan into action. If the boss is on his/her best behavior, reinforce the good behavior ("Nice meeting." "Thanks!").
Be proactive by approaching the situation with a positive mental attitude. Display confidence and stay poised. If your boss is a bully, this will show that you are not intimidated by the bullying behavior.

2. Be Prepared. You likely know the difficult boss's pattern of bad behavior, so anticipate and prepare your responses beforehand. Write them on index cards, and practice delivering them.
"Boss, when you do that, it isn't motivating me..." or "...it only makes us feel like you don't value our work..." or stronger statements, such as "That kind of behavior is unacceptable."
You also should anticipate the bad boss's comeback, and have your response or action plan in place. If the boss begins to rant and rave, you can leave and say, "I'll come back when you are calmed down and civil." Think of it as a chess match, and be prepared several "moves" in advance.
You will also need to be prepared for the fallout of standing up to a difficult or bullying boss. The boss might single you out for even worse treatment or might sanction or fire you. That is why it is important to think things through beforehand. What are you willing to do? What are your options? Can you deal with the possible worst outcomes?

3. Be Professional. This is critically important. Always take the high road. Follow proper procedures for registering complaints with Human Resources, or higher-level superiors. Maintain a calm and professional demeanor in dealing with your difficult boss, and don't get into a shouting match or let your emotions get out of hand. Don't resort to name-calling or rumor-mongering, but be straightforward and professional.

4. Be Persistent. It isn't likely that your difficult boss situation will change overnight, so be prepared for the long haul. Moreover, be persistent in calling out your boss's bad behavior, and putting your plan into action. Your coworkers might follow your lead and start to stand up to the difficult boss as well (although you should be prepared for the boss to try to turn them against you, or for your coworkers' possible lack of support). The key is to not let your boss get away with continuing his/her bad behavior.

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T: How To Earn Respect At Work

Someone I was coaching recently wrote in their development plan that one of their goals was to “earn the respect of more people at work.” I thought that was an interesting goal and asked her to tell me more about her comment. She said, “I just don’t feel like people respect me so I want to earn more respect.” When I asked her specifically what behaviors she thought she needed to exhibit in order to earn respect, there was a long pause and she gave me a blank stare.

You’d be surprised how many times I go through this same “respect” discussion. So here’s the deal…respect is something you have to earn – it’s not something handed out free on a silver platter. If you want to earn respect then you need to ask yourself this question, “How can I change my behavior to earn more respect from others?”

Here are some of my personal suggestions for earning respect:

• Use active listening skills – really listen and hear what people are saying.
• Treat others with dignity and courtesy at all times.
• Keep all your commitments – and never make a commitment you can’t keep.
• Be patient with people; realize that most people want to do what’s right.
• Treat others as they would like to be treated; in other words, learn to flex your social style so you can work better with others.
• Don’t state your opinions unless you can back them up with data. And be sure you fully understand the situation before you comment on it.
• Be sincere.
• Be generous.
• Be humble.
• Be confident, but exhibit confidence without arrogance.Sometimes I think we speed through life so quickly that we don’t take enough time to really hear other people. To do so takes the ability to be patient, generous with your time, and sincerely care about others. These are all behaviors that will lead to earning more respect from co-workers.

Now it’s your turn. What do you believe are behaviors that help earn respect at work? Share your thoughts with other readers in the “Comments” section below

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Starting A New Job -- What You Need To Know To Succeed

In a recent article, 6 Things New Hires Should Do in the First 30 Days, author Jennifer King provides recommendations on what new hires can do to set themselves up for success. For example, King warns, “You only get one chance to make a first impression. So, before you start introducing yourself to everyone, figure out what you’re going to say when you meet them.” Other suggestions include…

• Understand your role and how you will be evaluated
• Learn the business
• Interview your boss
• Be ambitious, but have restraint
• Be proactive about your onboarding

I enjoyed reading Jennifer’s article because the first 30 days on a job are stressful for just about everyone. While some companies provide highly structured and well thought out onboarding processes, other companies handle this fairly loosely with new employees realizing they will need to fend for themselves.

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To Be Successful – STUDY

I have found the key to being successful when starting a new job is to remember the acronym, “STUDY”:

• S = Survey your surroundings.
• T = Take the time to analyze and learn the most important things; this includes the company’s and your department’s strategic plan, goals and objectives, structure, processes, current projects, and your role and key responsibilities.
• U = Understand the people situation: Who are the key resources? Who’s doing what? Why are they doing them? Be sure to introduce yourself to each person in the department individually to make a personal connection.
• D = Do not make hasty decisions. Being new means you will not yet understand the current situation, facts, or internal politics – this is not a good time to make hasty decisions.
• Y = Yes you can! No matter how overwhelmed you feel in your new position – feel like you’re drinking from a fire hose? – just take a deep breath, remain calm, stay focused, and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.

Overcome 3 Common Mistakes
The three most common mistakes I see newly hired employees making are: (1) not creating a game plan for their first 90 days on the job, (2) not sitting down with their new boss to determine how they can best work together, and (3) not taking the time to understand the company and department’s strategic plan.
To avoid these mistakes:

• Create a 30/60/90 day game plan. This is a document (usually in Excel or Word) that you break into 30-day time increments to capture what you plan to accomplish. Your 30/60/90 game plan should include the key tasks, projects, and initiatives you need to complete, prioritized over your first 90 days on the job. Meet with your manager to ensure he/she shares the same performance expectations and relevant timelines/deadlines.
• Ask your boss, “How can we best work together?” Establish a positive working relationship by learning your manager’s leadership style and preferred method of working and communicating – and then flex yourself to work with their style.
• Ask for key information about the company. Sit down with your manager and have them explain: The company and department’s strategic plans along with strategic goals/objectives, the department’s organization chart and the roles/responsibilities of each person, and the key department projects.

Get Organized
Getting started is all about getting organized. Taking the time to carefully think through and plan out your first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job will help you decrease the stress normally felt when starting a new position. It will also help you earn respect and credibility faster, and, ensure you become as efficient and effective as possible in the shortest amount of time. You can do it!

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How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Do you have a job interview on your schedule? Review tips and advice on how to prepare for an interview so you can ace the interview and make a terrific impression on the interviewer.
Here are tips on analyzing the job and making sure the hiring manager knows why you're a good match, researching the company, practice interviewing, what to wear and what to bring to the interview, how to impress during the interview, and how to follow up.

Analyze the Job
An important part of interview preparation is to take the time to analyze the job posting, or job description, if you have it. Analyze what the company is seeking in a candidate.
Make a list of the skills, knowledge, professional and personal qualities that are required by the employer and are critical for success in the job.

Make a Match
When you have created a list of the qualifications for the job, make a list of your assets and match them to the job requirements.
Create a list of up to 10 assets, including skills, certifications, experiences, professional qualifications and abilities, computer skills, and knowledge bases ready to share with the interviewer. Be sure your assets correlate directly with the skills and abilities required by the company.Review your list, and the job requirements, prior to the interview so you're ready to share them during the interview.You'll be ready to answer job specific interview questions designed to determine if you have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job. Job Specific Interview Questions Research the CompanyBefore you go on a job interview, it's important to find out as much as you can about the company. Company research is a critical part of interview preparation. It will help you prepare to both answer interview questions and to ask the interviewer questions. You will also be able to find out whether the company and the company culture are a good fit for you. Take some time, in advance, to discover as much information as you can about the company. Spend time, as well, tapping into your network to see who you know who can help give you an interview edge over the other candidates. Here's more advice on how to research a company.

Practice Interviewing
Taking the time to practice answering the interview questions you will probably be asked during a job interview will help give you a framework for your responses and will help calm your nerves, because you won't be scrambling for an answer while you're in the interview hot seat.
Practice interviewing with a friend or family member ahead of time and it will be much easier when you're actually in a job interview.Review common job interview question and answers and think about how you will respond so you are prepared to answer.

Get Your Interview Clothes Ready
Don't wait until the last minute to make sure your interview clothes are ready. Have an interview outfit ready to wear at all times, so you don't have to think about what you're going to wear while you're scrambling to get ready for a job interview.
Regardless of the type of job you're interviewing for, that first impression should be be a great one. When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire.
If you're applying for a job in a more casual environment, a store or restaurant, for example, it's still important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed, and to present a positive image to the employer.
Here's more on what to wear to an interview.
What to Bring to the Interview
It's important to know what to bring to a job interview - a portfolio with extra copies of your resume, a list of references, and a list of questions ask the interviewer..
It's also important what not to bring - your cellphone, a cup of coffee, gum, or anything else other than yourself and your credentials.Here's a list of what to bring to an interview to review.

Get Directions
It's important to know where you need to go for your job interview - ahead of time. Use Google Maps or Mapquest to get directions if you're not sure where you are going.
Program your GPS, if you have one, so you can find the best route to the company. Check on parking, if it's an issue. If you have the time, it's a good idea to do a practice run a day or two before the interview. That way, you'll be sure about where you going and how long it will take to get there. Give yourself a few extra minutes and arrive a little early at the interview.

Practice Interview Etiquette
Proper interview etiquette is important. Remember to greet the receptionist, your interviewer, and everyone else you meet politely, pleasantly and enthusiastically.
During the interview watch your body language - shake hands firmly and make eye contact as you articulate your points.Relax and lean forward a little towards the interviewer so you appear interested and engaged. Don't lean back or slump in your chair. You will look too casual and relaxed. Keep your feet on the floor and your back against the lower back of the chair. Pay attention, be attentive, and look interested. The more positive an impression you make, the better you'll do during the job interview. These job interview etiquette tips will help you make the best impression on the hiring manager.

Listen and Ask Questions
During a job interview, listening is just as important as answering questions. If you're not paying attention, you're not going to be able to give a good response.
It's important to listen to the interviewer, to pay attention, and to take time, if you need it, to compose an appropriate answer.Also, be ready to engage the interviewer. You want there to be a give and take type of conversation, so you're building a relationship with the interviewer rather than just giving rote responses to questions. Have questions of your own ready to ask the interviewer.Towards the end of the interview let the recruiter know that you believe the job is an excellent fit and that you are highly interested.

Follow Up with a Thank You Note
Follow up a job interview with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the job.
Consider your thank you letter as a follow-up "sales" letters. Restate why you want the job, what your qualifications are, how you might make significant contributions, and so on. This thank you letter is also the perfect opportunity to discuss anything of importance that your interviewer neglected to ask or that you neglected to answer as thoroughly, or as well, as you would have liked.

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10 types of interviewers you meet

Interviewing for a job comes with several question marks. What do I wear? How should I answer this question? How long will this take? A good job seeker prepares. Take your suit to the cleaners. Think about your answers. Arrive to the interview in plenty of time.
But the one factor that can throw everything off is the type of interviewer you get. When you sit down at that table, the interviewer’s line of questioning and attitude will change what you say and how.

To give you a little extra help, here is a list of 10 types of interviewers you might encounter and how to deal with them.

1. Your best friend
What to expect: Too much of everything. You walk in the door and the handshake is a little too enthusiastic. The smile is too wide. The conversation is too personal. It’s all just too much. This interviewer treats you like a best friend, which is nice, but this style is unnerving because you want to be relaxed without forgetting that you are still on an interview.
What to do: Take this approach as a cue that you can be a little less rigid in the interview because the best friend doesn’t want an uptight employee. Just remind yourself that the interviewer can be more casual than you because you are the one interviewing for the job. Show the interviewer that you’re relaxed, but stay professional and don’t act like you’re actually good friends — stories about wild parties and your personal life don’t belong in the conversation.

2. The interrogator
What to expect: Question after question after question. The interrogator doesn’t come to the interview ready for conversation. He has a list of questions to fire off and you better be ready to answer them. Don’t expect to receive a lot of helpful feedback to gauge how you’re doing. Just expect more questions.
What to do: Watch episodes of “Law & Order” to prepare. You’re going to feel defensive the entire time and might walk away from the interview feeling as if you did something wrong. Once you realize that your interviewer is going to lambast you with questions, just focus on answering them and don’t obsess over reading his reaction. You can try to instigate conversation with a few of your answers, but don’t be surprised if those efforts fail. This interviewer wants to hear your answers and see how you handle yourself, so staying calm is the best approach you can take.

3. The one who has better things to do
What to expect: An interviewer checking her e-mail, looking at you but not paying any attention to what you say. Some people are forced to participate in the interview process even if they have no interest in doing it, so don’t take it personally.
What to do: Answer the questions and be friendly. Try to hold conversations with this distracted interviewer and hope you can win her over — hey, it can’t hurt to have someone who likes you. But this interviewer either made up her mind before she walked into the room or doesn’t intend to give much feedback about you, so do your best but don’t take her disinterest personally.

4. The inappropriate one
What to expect: Cold sweats because you don’t know what to do or say. Every once in a while you will encounter an interviewer who doesn’t understand limits. You might hear an inappropriate joke, a personal story that should be reserved for a therapist or a question that delves too deeply into your life. This interviewer isn’t trying to be inappropriate; he just has no concept of boundaries.
What to do: Stay in your comfort zone. Just because this interviewer is ready to cry on your shoulder, don’t feel pressured into doing the same. Answer what you want to answer and try to steer the conversation back to pertinent topics, such as the job requirements or your qualifications. The interviewer probably won’t realize how off track he is and will follow your lead. Of course, if you feel the questions cross a line, then you want to get out of there ASAP.

5. The rule follower
What to expect: Every interviewing tip you’ve ever been told. Just like some students never imagine skipping a day of school or not doing homework, some interviewers can’t imagine going outside of traditional business interviewing protocol. Boring questions and a stoic demeanour are this interviewer’s best friend.
What to do: Be the best interviewee you can be. Do you know what your biggest weakness is? Do you know how to give the perfect handshake? Do you plan on wearing a conservative shirt under your jacket? You better, because these by-the-book practices will earn you high marks.

6. The joker
What to expect: A comedy routine. Some interviewers have such a good sense of humor that they can’t shut it off even when they need to. You’ll answer a question and you’ll receive a sarcastic comment or a funny aside. This approach isn’t inherently bad, but it can confuse you because you’re not sure if the interview has even begun.
What to do: After a few minutes, you’ll realize that your interviewer is a joker. If this personality bugs you, you probably won’t like working for the company. If it doesn’t bother you too much, then try to play along. Joke back and show that you have a personality. For some interviewers, your résumé proved your qualification; the interview is their chance to see if you fit in with the gang.

7. The weirdo
What to expect: Strange behaviour. We all know odd people, but we often forget that these odd people hold day jobs. And some of them are bosses or hiring managers who conduct interviews. Therefore we shouldn’t be surprised when we’re interviewed by a peculiar person who has macaroni art hanging in her office or who asks, “Who is your favourite member of the A-Team?”
What to do: Just go with it. Unless the weird factor transitions into creepy or offensive, you should just answer the questions and ignore oddities. If the questions and rapport are professional, but the interviewer is working on her origami, stay focused on the interview. She probably has no idea she’s doing anything strange and is paying attention to you.

8. The no-nonsense one
What to expect: Tough love. This interviewer doesn’t believe in sparing your feelings. He’s honest and will waste neither his nor your time.
What to do: Brace yourself. This interviewer will say he’s not sure you’re qualified or that he fears you won’t fit in with everyone. Prove him wrong with evidence that you are perfect for the job. He won’t respect someone who cowers, so be just as firm with him.

9. The blank slate
What to expect: No feedback. The blank slate is an interviewer whose face remains unchanged for the duration of the meeting. Whether it’s a glowing smile or a nonplussed look, you won’t see any hint that the interview is going well.
What to do: Don’t try to break the interviewer’s façade. If you spend the interview looking for clues that you said the right or wrong thing, you’ll be miserable. Answer the questions, be yourself and stay composed. Your instinct will be to think that you’re bombing, but you never know with the blank slate, so don’t let yourself analyze the situation too much.

10. The mafia
What to expect: An intimidating group. Every group interview is an ordeal. The interviewers might be lovely, horrible or a mix, but you still have several sets of eyes staring at you.
What to do: Try to relax. That seems like impossible advice, but it’s the best approach. When you have multiple interviewers, you will see several types of interviewers, so you can’t try to please everyone. Try to be yourself and find the interviewers that seem the most responsive to you. When you see someone nodding in agreement or maintaining eye contact, you’ll feel more at ease and the nerves will begin to disappear.

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Focus résumé on your results, not daily tasks

What seems more interesting: a laundry list of all the menial daily tasks and functions you performed at each and every job or well-written action statements illustrating the impact of your accomplishments?

For example, a receptionist or executive assistant résumé may state ”I answered the phones” or “Monitored and managed more than 1,500 weekly telephone calls from customers, vendors, media, and contractors for 750 staff members for largest architectural firm in New Jersey.”

An example for a sales manager may be: ”Hired, managed and trained sales representatives” or ”Recruited, hired, managed, mentored and motivated more than 120 sales representatives to develop customer service and sales skills resulting in more than $1.5 million in sales revenue.”

An interview-landing résumé doesn’t just tell what you did or know how to do (task-oriented), it illustrates how well you did those things (accomplishment oriented). Recruiters and hiring managers want to know and see hard-core facts, figures and numbers. This type of information should be indicative of your entire career, not just job by job.

From your résumé, the hiring manager already has a general idea of the tasks and responsibilities involved in the jobs you have held. What he or she wants to know is how your skills and experience impacted the bottom line for the company. The recruiting manager wants to know what the job seeker has done to enhance operations, boost revenues, bolster profits, decrease operating costs, improve business processes, save time, increase productivity and/or advance technologies.

An accomplishment-oriented résumé is what sells the reader on your personal and professional value. Rather than a laundry list of daily duties, functions and job responsibilities, this type of résumé demonstrates, in writing, how your expertise in doing those tasks benefited the company.
An easy formula for this is AARQ (“Ark”):

• Action — What was the action you took or initiated to make a difference in results?
• Accomplishments & Results — What did your actions accomplish at the end of the project, year, etc.?
• Quantify — Now incorporate the numbers and statistics into your story by quantifying the resulting impact on the company.

Here’s an example from a recent client:

• What action did you take? Managed revenue budget.
• What was the result of this action? Exceeded revenue goals and increased revenue.
• Can you quantify the action or result? Managed $77 million revenue budget, exceeded revenue goals, increased revenue by 38 per cent.

You then take all of that and put it on your résumé as such:

• Managed $77 million revenue budget for third party marketing products, continually exceeded revenue goals, and steered 38 percent revenue growth.

It can be really easy to bolster your résumé by turning your tasks into bottom-line driven, powerful achievements that will catch the reader’s attention. A company is concerned with their bottom line so speak their language and illustrate your experience as it relates to them. Use your résumé as a tool to convey your value to the prospective employing company and expect more interviews in the future.

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10 Habits of Very Successful College Students

 

They attend class. This might sound trite and obvious. Some classes are boring. Some professors are unexciting, or obnoxious. Some classes are at an inconvenient time. Research on college students indicates that higher class attendance correlates with higher grades, earlier completion of degrees and simply staying at the university instead of dropping or flunking out. And since they're there, successful students take notes and participate.

They sit in front. It's easier to hear, easier to pay attention and easier to "read" the instructor's cues as to what information is important. Listening is one of the most important, yet least recognized, skills necessary for learning from lectures. Most students don't naturally listen in the way that the lecture situation requires. To listen effectively, you must "engage" the instructor - that is, create an internal conversation between you and your instructors as they are lecturing. This includes actively anticipating and questioning what the lecturer says, and sorting or categorizing the information being presented. Engaging the instructor is easier if you sit where you can see and hear clearly.

They attend office hours, Most faculty members have a diversified background above and beyond the course materials. They are a valuable resource to stimulate new ideas. They also are excellent resources for networking. The time spent in one-to-one conversation with a faculty member can influence the choice of a major or a career.

They study on schedule. Studies show that two hours of study for each hour of class time is about right. Managing oneself properly by setting aside blocks of time and a good spot with little or no distractions on a weekly basis is ideal. It is much easier to remain current with a class than to rush to catch up in the days before an exam.

They choose courses wisely. Picking a course in a subject you are interested in, or one taught by an instructor you like adds additional motivation which usually translates to better grades and enjoyment. College life is hard enough without adding the additional stress of classes and instructors you dislike.

They exercise. Good cardiovascular fitness translates into alertness, good attention span, better sleep and more energy. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle you should be engaging in 20 minutes of aerobic activity 3 times a week.

They are involved in campus life. Your college or university is full of opportunities to broaden your horizons. Join an organization. Every campus has officially recognized groups where like minded people come together to pursue similar interests. Make friends and have fun at the same time.

They eat healthy. Our bodies are complicated biological machines. They need proper fuel to keep them running at peak efficiency. A good diet is a balanced one — lots of different foods and not too much of any one food. That way you get all the nutrients that you need. Many countries have guidelines for healthy diets, including in some cases recommended daily amounts of specific nutrients. However, it is emphasized that these guidelines are for healthy individuals. not for those with disease symptoms or food allergies or intolerances. These people should consult a dietitian or physician.

They drink moderately or not at all. Overdoing it only leads to headaches, upset stomach, acting foolishly and the chance of harming yourself or someone else, slowing your brain activity, affecting your alertness, coordination and reaction time. Until more is known about how alcohol affects your health, your best bet — if you choose to drink — is to drink in moderation. Generally, moderation means no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. Because of their body chemistry and composition, women are more sensitive to alcohol than men are.

They have fun. All work and no play leads to stress which inhibits academic performance. Reward yourself for your good study habits with a bit of fun.

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Top 10 Tips for College Success

Each year at this time, a new group of students go off to the exciting and challenging experience of pursuing their college education. The first year can be a difficult adjustment. They're faced with more independence, more challenge and more responsibility than they've ever had before. Many succeed, but many don't. Based on my clinical experiences with bright, capable students who have dropped out of college or have been placed on probation, I have put together some guidelines for success from my book, "How to Parent So Children Will Learn," (Great Potential Press, 2008) that can ensure a college student's success.
I usually include this column before school begins each year as a reminder to new students. You may want to read these yourself or give them to a new college student you know and love.

Here are my Top 10 Tips for college success:
1. Never miss a class — no matter how boring or irrelevant you believe it to be. You've paid for this education, so you might as well get your money's worth. The lecture or explanation you miss may become the exam question you don't quite remember learning or the surprisingly idea that leads you to a career. Students who have dropped out usually initiate their problem by increasingly missing classes.

2. Plan to study at least two hours for each hour of class time. Colleges recommend this guideline; take their advice literally. If you procrastinate early, it will be impossible to catch up at the end of the semester.

3. Structure your study time on a calendar or organizer for at least one week ahead of time. Visualizing the time allocated for study will lessen the tension you feel.
 4. If you're struggling with course content, find help before you fail. Writing labs, tutors, study groups and counseling abound on college campuses. No one is going to take you by the hand for help; you will have to initiate the search, but there is plenty of willing and free help available. Even students who earn A's often seek tutoring.

5. You could be disappointed in your grades, even when you've studied hard and have always been an excellent student. Try not to think about comparing yourself to others who may have received better grades. That will only make you feel less adequate. Instead, concentrate on studying more effectively and efficiently and doing your best. A-grade students may have helpful study pointers you can learn. Be sure to use the study guides provided by your professors.

6. Schedule exercise time for at least three times weekly. Daily exercise is even better. Exercise will help you feel alert and in control, providing a wonderful tension release.

7. Plan for brief social time daily and a little more on weekends. Good college students do not take whole weekends off. Don't over-allocate your social time. There will always be more than you plan for. Remember, alcohol and other drugs don't mix well with study. Marijuana absolutely adversely affects motivation!

8. Develop and keep regular healthy eating and sleeping habits as much as possible. Fatigue and poor nourishment will only increase your feelings of being overwhelmed.

9. Many college students temporarily struggle with anxiety and depression while in college. Free counseling services are typically available on campus. Don't hesitate to go for help.

10. Finally, don't even consider dropping out of college. Your college degree will make a positive difference for the rest of your life.

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