In order to be invited for a job interview, some people have done things like sending a lottery ticket, doing a back flip into the room, and writing a resume on a bar of chocolate! But before you go the creative route, it's important to tailor your approach to the prospective employer. You don't want to be gimmicky.
Naomi Karten is a highly experienced speaker and seminar leader who draws from her psychology and IT backgrounds to help organizations improve customer satisfaction, manage change, and strengthen teamwork. She has delivered seminars and keynotes to more than 100,000 people internationally. Naomi's newest books are Presentation Skills for Technical Professionals and Changing How You Manage and Communicate Change. Her other books and ebooks include Managing Expectations, Communication Gaps and How to Close Them, and How to Survive, Excel and Advance as an Introvert. Readers have described her newsletter, Perceptions & Realities, as lively, informative, and a breath of fresh air. She is a regular columnist for TechWell.com. When not working, Naomi's passion is skiing deep powder. Contact her at [email protected] or via her Web site, www.nkarten.com.
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When you form a new team to tackle a major project, the project's success hinges not just on the technical savvy of the team members, but also—and especially—on how well the team members get along. How everyone communicates and collaborates can make or break your project. Here's how to build strong team relationships.
With all the chatter going on in offices, people often turn to headphones to block out the noise and be able to concentrate. Noise-canceling headphones block out distractions, but they can also block out communication. It may be a good idea to set some boundaries for their use so employees can still collaborate.
Some companies are shifting to a more casual dress code. This can lead to a more relaxed atmosphere, but what if an employee takes it a little too far? Don't let that be you. It's a good idea, especially if you're new to an organization, to observe the corporate culture, including the norms and expected behaviors.
It can be tricky to know just what you should be asking a candidate during a job interview, even if you know about the position and its requirements. Try making a list of potential questions, allowing enough flexibility to choose in the moment and as the candidate’s responses warrant. Here's what should be on it.
If people at work pay you a compliment, do you say thanks? Or do you always seem to deflect the compliment or respond with something self-deprecating? If it's the latter, that's a habit you should break. Compliments are a great way to create a positive workplace culture. Here's how you can learn to accept them.
Before jumping to a conclusion about a particular situation, try to see circumstances from the other person’s perspective. Consider possible explanations for the person’s behavior that are based on the situation, not the person’s character. Work runs more smoothly when you assume actions have a good and logical reason.