Youre All Qualified. How Being Positive Can Get You the Job

Youre All Qualified. How Being Positive Can Get You the JobYoure All Qualified. How Being Positive Can Get You the JobIf you made it to the second interview, youre likely qualified for the job just like the other candidates that made it that far. Rely on these tactics when youre on level footing.The truth is, if you are one of the top three or four final candidates being considered for a job, you are probably no mora or less qualified for that job than the others being considered. Everyone who gets beyond the initial screening interviews can probably do the job and do it well. Employers are too busy to waste their time interviewing unqualified candidates.When I was the head of human resources at USA Networks and TV Guide, I frequently had to choose among candidates who, on paper, looked pretty much the same. Yet by the time we finished the interview process, there was usually one candidate who all the interviewers agreed was the best candidate for the job. That candidate found a way to make them stand out from the other candidates.Contrary to popular belief, there is usually no one candidate who is clearly more qualified than all of the rest. What gets someone hired is that heis more likeablefits in better with the corporate culturewows the interviewer with some particular successsimply focuses more acutely on what is important to the person making the hiring decisionThe keys to turning an interview into a job are confidence, a positive attitude, preparation and enthusiasm. To win the job over other, similarly qualified candidates, you need to project confidence.Employers are looking to hire George Clooney, not George Costanza. So make sure that you that you are unabashedly positive and exhibit a can-do attitude.I was recently at a job fair. What impressed me about some of the attendees I spoke with was their unfailing optimism. Those are the individuals employers want to hire. A smiling Annette Melendez, formerly the director of public operations at the Liber ty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J., told me she decided to come to the job fair along with a friend at the last minute because she thought she might get lucky today.That kind of positive outlook is what makes a candidate stand out. Shauna Brice, a recruiter for DCG, looking to fill a number of financial-analyst positions for her company, noted the importance of the attitude a job applicant exhibits. While they have to have the right skill tischset to get hired, there are some candidates who are so enthusiastic that they make you wish there was something you could give them.Put everything in its best possible light.Always be positive when talking about yourself, even when asked to describe your weaknesses. (I tend to care too much about getting everything right, although a little disingenuous, is a lot better than I have a bad habit of stealing pens from the office.) Never say anything bad about a prior employer, even if its true. The prospective employer wont know if what you ar e saying is true or false but will wonder if you will talk about them that way after you leave their employ.When your prospective employer looks at you, she needs to see someone she feels certain can help her with whatever is most important to her. You need to give them that sense of security that you can deliver for them. There are a few ways to instill thisAppearanceThis starts with how you look. Update your wardrobe. Get the best-quality clothes that you can afford. Get a new haircut. Polish your shoes. Dress appropriately for the position. Dress like someone in that position at that company would dress for an important business meeting. When you look good, you feel good, and it showsResearchPreparation will make you feel more confident. Learn everything you can about a eignung employer. Identify the challenges they are facing. Know who their competitors are and what makes them different from their competitors. Research the job and the interviewers as well. Show a potential emplo yer not only that you really want to work for him but also that you have something to offer them that he needs. Focus on what is most important to the employer. Learn everything you can about the company and the challenges they face. Find out what things at work keep your prospective boss up at night and show how you can help him get a better night sleep by fixing those problems. At the end of the interview, ask for the job. Let him know you want the job, not that you need the job. Remember People want to hire people who really want to work for them.EasePractice interviewing. Go on every interview you can. Practice role-playing possible interview questions with a friend. Know how you will answer the tough questions you will certainly be asked Tell me about yourself. What are your weaknesses? Why should I hire you?The job market remains tough. Competition for jobs is fierce. Yet millions of people are being hired every day. Someone is selected to fill every open job. There is no reas on you should not be the one selected. If you are going to be the one selected from the myriad qualified candidates vying for a given position, show the employer that you are the candidate that wants the job the most and will work the hardest to make sure that you help them get the job done.And dont forget to smile. It just might put you over the top.

Surviving Marine Corps Basic Training (Boot Camp)

Surviving Marine Corps Basic Training (Boot Camp)Surviving Marine Corps Basic Training (Boot Camp)Continued from Part 1 Marine Corps training continues to progress and gets tougher. Recruits should be physically prepared according to the official USMC Boot Camp Page. Weeks 2 - 7 As you move away from the first week, you will continue learning the basics of close combat skills, including the infamous pugil sticks. Many recruits are somewhat apprehensive about this phase of training, but then find out how much fun it really is. It is almost impossible to get hurt. The recruits are protected by a football helmet and mask, rubber neck roll and crotch cup, and only two kinds of blows are permitted the slash and the horizontal butt stroke, both to the well-protected head and neck. A clean shot ends the bout. The secret is aggression this is not a defensive sport. Learn to compete as a unit and win awards You will learn field first aid, attend classes on core values (as well as other academic classes), and receive several hours on basic weapon handling. Around week 3, in addition to more pugil sticks and close combat training, additional classes on first aid and core values, you will participate in a 3-mile march (with packs). The Confidence Course consists of eleven obstacles, designed so that each obstacle is more physically challenging than the last. The obstacles are (1) Dirty name (2) Run, Jump Swing (3) The Inclining Wall (4) The Confidence Climb (5) Monkey Bridge (6) The Tough One (7) Reverse Climb (8) Slide for Life (9) the Hand Walk (10) The Arm Stretcher, and (11) The Sky Scraper. While these names sound daunting, the course is designed so the average platoon can run it in 45 minutes. The Confidence Course is a great morale builder, as most of the recruits find out they can negotiate the obstacles with ease. During the fourth week, there will be even more training with pugil sticks and additional training in close combat skills. In addition to the dai ly P.T., there will be further academic classes (including more core values training). The highlight of week 4 is the individual drill evaluation. Your platoon will be evaluated, graded, and compared to the other platoons. The winning platoon, of course, receives a trophy for the trophy table. The losing platoons receive the wrath of their respective D.I.s. The biggest event of week 5 is Combat Water Survival. All Marines must pass basic water survival skills in order to graduate from boot camp (those who dont pass will receive extensive remedial training until they do). Training in Combat Water Survival develops a recruits confidence in the water. All recruits must pass the minimum required level of Combat Water Survival-4, which requires recruits to perform a variety of water survival and swimming techniques. If a recruit meets the CWS-4 requirements, he may upgrade to a higher level. All recruits train in the camouflage utility uniform, but those upgrading may be required to tra in in full combat gear, which includes a rifle, helmet, flak jacket, and pack. Also, this week will be a 5-mile hike, a test on Marine Customs Courtesies, more training in first aid, a full-blown inspection (uniforms, rifles, questions, etc.), and (of course) more classes on core values. Weapons Training.Marksmanship training teaches recruits the fundamentals of marksmanship with their Marine M16A4service rifle. This training takes place over two weeks, the first of which is called Snap-In Week. During this week, recruits are introduced to the four shooting positions (standing, kneeling, sitting and prone) and a Primary Marksmanship Instructor shows recruits how to fire, how to adjust their sights, how to take into account the effects of the weather, etc. Recruits also have the opportunity to fire on the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Training machine. During the second week of marksmanship training, recruits actually fire a known-distance course with ranges of 200, 300 and 500 yar ds. Recruits prepare for rifle qualification on Friday of that week. Field Firing Range (FFR). FFR is a portion of training devoted to firing weapons in a field condition. During marksmanship training, recruits learn how to fire at a single target while in a stationary position. During FFR recruits learn how to fire at moving and multiple targets, while under low-light conditions and wearing their field protective (gas) mask. Weeks 7 - 10 During week 7, you will also experience a 6-mile night march, and get another chance at the Confidence Course. Week 8 is called Team Week, which means you get to spend all of your time working at the mess hall or some other glamorous detail. This is generally considered less taxing than the previous weeks The ninth week will consist almost entirely of the fundamentals of field firing, in preparation for field training during the tenth week. There will also be a 10-mile march (with packs) during week 9. If you havent experienced blisters yet dur ing your time in boot camp, you most likely will experience it during week 9. During week 10, youll start putting all of your training together during field training. Field Training is practice war. Youll operate and live in a simulated combat environment, and learn the fundamentals of patrolling, firing, setting up camp, and more. Basic Warrior Training introduces recruits to field living conditions. The majority of a Marines field training is conducted after recruit training at the School of Infantry. During the 3-day Basic Warrior Training conducted during boot camp, recruits will learn basic field skills like setting up a tent, field sanitation, and camouflage. It is also during this training that recruits go through the gas chamber. During week 11, you get a chance to put everything youve learned in boot camp to the test. The week starts with the biggest competition of all The Company Commanders Inspection. Not only are you being judged here, but your D.I. is being judged as w ell. It will behoove you to give this inspection every single thing youve got (hint to don your trousers without breaking the crease, stand on your foot-locker). The Crucible Once youve gotten the Company Commanders Inspection out of the way, youll experience the event to top all events The Crucible. The Crucible is the final test every recruit must go through to become a Marine. It will test you physically, mentally and morally and is the defining moment in recruit training. The Crucible is no walk in the park unless your idea of a walk in the park takes place over 54-hours and includes food and sleep deprivation (only four hours of sleep per night)and approximately 40 miles of marching. The Crucible event pits teams of recruits against a barrage of day and night events requiring every recruit to work together to solve problems, overcome obstacles and help each other along. The Crucible fest is designed around Core Value Stations, Warrior Stations, the Confidence Course, React ion Course, and Movement Course as well as other various mentally and physically challenging events. A final foot march will conclude with a Morning Colors Ceremony and a Warriors Breakfast. The famed Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony is conducted immediately after the Crucible. The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor are the symbols in the Marine Corps Emblem It signifies that you are a member, always and forever, of the few and the proud. The ceremony is the most emotional time of basic training, even more so than the graduation parade. Week 11 is also known as Transformation Week. During this week the new Marines are given 1-hour extra free time each evening and wear the rank insignia of the grade to which they were either guaranteed upon enlistment or earned during recruit training. Also during this week, more responsibility is given to the privates and privates first class and the supervision of the drill instructors is decreased. In fact, drill instructors dont wear their duty belts duri ng this time and many of the Drill Instructors will allow the new Marines call them by their rank, not as sir or maam. This week helps these new Marines adjust from being a recruit to being a Marine. (One should notenzeichen that after boot camp, one should never call enlisted sir or maam again, as some senior enlisted hate that. One should also never use the third person when speaking after boot camp.) The final week. D.I.s are no longer yelling (as much). You will spend this last week learning about the Heroes of the Corps, a class or two on financial management, the relatively easy Battalion Commanders Inspection, more (of course) core value classes, and finally, graduation practice and graduation. The minimum (core) graduation requirements are Pass the physical fitness test and be within prescribed weight standardsQualify for Combat Water Survival at level 4 or higherQualify with the service riflePass the battalion commanders inspectionPass the written testsComplete the Crucibl e If you fail in any of the above areas, you are subject to be recycled (sent backward in time to another platoon), or may possibly be discharged. After Training If you do a great job, you just might get promoted. Based on the recommendations of the Senior Drill Instructor, the Commanding General can meritoriously promote recruits who have consistently demonstrated superior performance in the following areas and have no nonjudicial punishment infractions. Physical FitnessMarksmanshipLeadershipMotivationAcademicsField Skills All Marines are authorized 10 days of leave, immediately following graduation from boot camp. Your training is not finished. Following your leave, you will go on to further your training at the School of Infantry (East) which is located at Camp Geiger, MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (for those who attended basic at Parris Island), or the School of Infantry (West), at Camp Pendleton, CA, for those who attended basic training at San Diego.Marines who are desi gnated as infantry Marines are assigned to Infantry Training Battalion at the school of infantry for infantry-specialized training. All Marines, entering the Military Occupation Specialties (MOS) of 0311 Rifleman, 0331 Machinegunner, 0341 Mortarman, 0351 Assaultman, or 0352 Anti-Tank Guided Missleman, attend this 51-day course.All other Marines (male and female) are assigned to the School of Infantry to attend the Marine Combat Training (MCT) course. MCT consists of 22 days of battle skills training which enables Marines, regardless of MOS, to operate in a combat environment. Following MCT, Marines attend their MOS schools to learn the trade they are expected to perform for the Marine Corps. The length of MOS training varies, depending on the job. Following MOS training, Marines are assigned to their first permanent duty station.

LTC Lands Program Analyst Position with 3 Interviews and 2 Offers

LTC Lands Program Analyst Position with 3 Interviews and 2 OffersLTC Lands Program Analyst Position with 3 Interviews and 2 OffersLTC Lands Program Analyst Position with 3 Interviews and 2 OffersI want to thank you for the superb assistance and refinement of my military-oriented resume. While I was referred before with my original resume, my current version has not only achieved about an 80% referral rate, but has had three calls for interviews and two Selects after the first two successful interviews. I even had to turn down the third interview and the second job offer a situation I never anticipated because I had accepted the first employment offer with the Navy. I was even able to negotiate a higher Step as part of the hiring process.Date Hired August 2013Jobseeker Type Military to FederalPrevious Job Title Logistics Manager (Lieutenant Colonel)Target Job Title Management Program AnalystResult HiredWriter/Coach John GagnonStrategy Process The client possessed an impressive backgr ound in logistics but was targeting a senior level management/program analyst position. The writer conducted a thorough review of the clients military background, interviewed the client, and drafted a new resume that demilitarized the clients extensive skillsets. The resulting resume leuchtdiode to resounding success for the client, with 3 interviews and 2 job offers.

Reaching Out with 3D Printed Hands

Reaching Out with 3D Printed Hands Reaching Out with 3D Printed Hands Some of the greatest heroes of comics and science fiction get their might from machines that, in fact, compensate for major physical disabilities. The same fusion-powered chest implant that keeps Tony Starks injured heart beating also controls his invincible Iron Man armor. Father-and-son Jedi masters Anakin and Luke Skywalker both gripped their light sabers in lifelike bionic hands. But in real life, a new crop of low-cost 3D printed prosthetics beat these make-believe marvels of mechanical engineering hands down.Children account for a significant share of the two 1000000 Americans today living without one or more of their limbsmost of them have lost hands or lower arms from amputation, injury, or birth defects. While advanced artificial limbs today are amazingly dexterous, they can cost up to $100,000, far beyond the reach of lower-income families and too steep for the tastes of many health insurers. That dispari ty has inspired humanitarian engineering organizations and mission-driven private companies on both sides of the Atlantic to reach out with a more affordable solution made possible by additive manufacturing.Joel Gibbard, CEO of Open Bionics, showing a low-cost bionic hand his company designed. Image Open BionicsThe 3D mechanical hand maker movement gets its momentum from a convergence of do-it-yourself 3D printing expertise, social media activism, and plenty of individual goodwill from ingenious engineers. Case in point Open Bionics,Bristol, UK. The company has teamed up with the Walt Disney Company on a new series of fun and functional bionic hands inspired by characters from Marvel Comics, the Star Wars saga, and Disney movies such as Frozen.Open Bionics has developed sustainable business and manufacturing processes that allow it to produce high-quality, customized bionic hands sold at a price 100 times lower than top-of-the-line limbs. The Disney-inspired range, featuring the Iro n Man Hand, the Light Saber Hand, and a Frozen-themed Snowflake Hand, are tricked out with flashing lights and other effects that add fun to their functionality. The goal, according to company founder Joel Gibbard, is to help kids view their prosthetics as a source of excitement rather than embarrassment or limitation.The company evolved from a successful crowdfunded initiative on Indiegogo to provide low-income kids with free bionics with functionality comparable to high-end models. That experience inspired Gibbard to launch Open Bionics, a business venture with humanitarian aims. With a price tag in the $1,000 range, the companys devices are affordable for families of kids who might otherwise have to settle for the venerable hook or, worse yet, no prosthetic of any kind. Its a far cheaper alternative than other commercial devices, yet the revenues are sufficient to support Open Bionics investments in quality control, regulatory compliance, and product development. As Gibbard puts it, even though it is now possible for people to 3D print and assemble good prosthetics themselves, many amputees would still prefer the greater convenience and customer support provided by a manufactured item.e-Nable offers open source files for 3D printing hands and arms. Image e-NableThe Open Bionics model is an extension of grassroots humanitarian initiatives such as e-Nable, which brings volunteer engineers, 3D printing enthusiasts, occupational therapies, students, inventors, and professors together to provide prosthetics to children without hands. The group is the brainchild of Jon Schull, a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology. Schull used social media channels to mobilize like-minded volunteers around the goal of supplying free prosthetics for low-income children. More than 6,000 e-Nable volunteers have printed more than 1,500 devices for children in 50 countries, the group states. Future initiatives include developing more realistic-looking hands and exploring ne w technologies such as text-to-speech and gene printing.The e-Nable Handomatic web application helps DIY printers to create custom-sized STL files for printing the groups free hand designs. The app automatically emails printable files to users based on their measurements and the type of device they want to build. And, an international volunteer network, e-Nable connects families in need with nearby teams of engineers and related specialists who can help them define, build, and learn to use customized prosthetics, which are provided at little or no cost.We have a responsibility to do this, says Albert Manero, an e-Nable volunteer and Fulbright scholar now pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Central Florida. With these degrees in engineering, if we cant be helping others with them, then what are they worth? Manero recently led a team of UCF graduate students in a seven-week project to design and build a $350, 3D printed bionic appendage for a six-year-old b oy born with only half his right arm. Maneros 32-member group is sharing the blueprints and assembly instructions as free open-source content online.But that was only the beginning for Manero and his all-student volunteer organization Limbitless Solutions. UCF is partnering with the group to establish the Center for Applied Biomedical Additive Manufacturing. The partnership will give the group space to further develop its prototypes with support from the universitys researchers and technology transfer experts. Through the Center, Limbitless Solutions plans to collaborate with other universities to extend their expertise to other engineers interested in helping children in their local areas.Michael MacRae is an independent writer.Learn more about the latest technologies in 3D printing at ASMEs AM3D 2016. For Further DiscussionWith these degrees in engineering, if we cant be helping others with them, then what are they worth?Albert Manero, Limbitless Solutions

Engineering Spotlight Mohammad A. Alkazimi

Engineering Spotlight Mohammad A. Alkazimi Engineering Spotlight Mohammad A. Alkazimi Engineering Spotlight Mohammad A. AlkazimiGraduate Student, Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOMohammad A. Alkazimi holds a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering (1998) and a Master degree in Industrial Engineering (1999) from the University of Toledo in Ohio. Post-graduation he joined the Kuwait Oil Company (1999-2009) working as an engineer. Part of his responsibilities at Kuwait Oil was to assure einhaltung with Health, Safety and Environment Group roles and regulation when executing tasks at any of the companys crude oil facilities.In 2009, he had the opportunity to earn a PhD in Petroleum Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO. His latest research and SERAD paper is focused on Environmental and Infrastructure Risk Matrices of Underwater Explosion as Oil Spill Risk Mitigation Technique examining the risk, and potential consequences, of utilizing geometrically configured explosives to seal an underwater oil pipeline.His advisor, Dr. Katie Grantham from the Engineering Management and System Engineering Department at Missouri ST, came up with the initiative after BPs Deepwater Horizon Oil leak where it left significant environmental and economic consequences. Mohammad states, Her expertise in reliability, risk assessment and failure prevention was great asset for this work and her collaboration with the Mining Engineering Department made this aspect of the research possible.This research /SERAD paper provides risk matrices with respect to impact consequence when utilizing configured explosives to both marine environmental and the nearby infrastructure. As a result, knowing the potential outcome will be significant to the emergency response teams to whether or bedrngnis the utilization of this method would be applicable for usage as one of the possible solutions in restraining a disaster similar to BPs. Mohammad wo uld like to expand this work to establish standard risk matrices to cover different techniques in containing offshore oil leaks.Mohammad credits his parents for inspiring him to go into engineering. His father was an Assistant Civil Engineer in the General Department of Traffic in Kuwait. Mohammad explains, My fathers passion for his work inspired me to love his way of thinking and problem solving. We both love cars and motorcycles, so I guess that too influenced my selected field. My mother always inspired me to be a prosperous in any academic discipline I choose. Engineering, to her, is prestigious and has a lot of potential and she was my guide.Mohammad intends to pay it forward and be a good mentor to young engineers as they strive for success in their field of interest. He offers the following advice for young engineers, I strongly encourage early career engineers and students to seek for knowledge and try to explore more about your fields. Try to attend more conferences, conve ntions, and forums where you can meet different people with different perspective as well as networking.More importantly he stress early career engineers should incorporate safety/risk analysis in their work, Risk analysis and safety concepts at an early stage will create a notion of thinking outside the box and enhances the soft skills that engineers tend to neglect while focusing on the technical aspect of their research/work.He also offers a quote from Tom MorrisProblems are just lifes way of getting the best out of us.

The Unknown Details Into Nanny Resume That Some People are not Aware Of

The Unknown Details Into Nanny Resume That Some People are not Aware Of The Ultimate Approach to Nanny Resume Write everything that you have done in the function of a nanny. A specialist nanny resume should clearly pair the work seekers roles with the requirements of the possible employer. A nanny who knows the way to manage situations from the ordinary is a coveted employee. Nannies should take personal inventory and earn a list of the crucial elements of a desirable job. They should strive to create an environment that encourages safe exploration. A Nanny is a rather noble profession that has vast repercussions in contributing upright, responsible and productive individuals to society. A nanny job is full of challenges that should be worked through, not merely with child related behavior problems, but in plus-rechnen scheduling, household tasks, employment relationship hiccups and a lot more. Losing a job is a significant life trauma. Using Nanny Resume At the close of the day, bear in mind that the purpose of a nanny resume is to convince a loving family which you are trustworthy enough to be a member of the household and attention for their son or daughter. Nanny care can frequently be an affordable alternate to daycare. A nanny is liable for looking after young children at an official institution, private residence, or business. After she enters the home, the parents should offer him or her water or another beverage to drink and should find a comfortable place for everyone to sit. Or, a work hunting strategy needs to be developed. Bellow the sample you will discover some strategies and tips on how to approach the work interview. Read below for a couple strategies for writing a nanny resume. For other helpful hints, have a look at our complete time nanny resume example below. New Ideas Into Nanny Resume Never Before Revealed If you believe it might hurt your odds of landing an interview, dont hesitate to leave it off. You may be hopi ng to discover another job thats your passion. Even if youre just getting started as a nanny, or youve got experience working with kids in their houses, a resume template is a great tool to sell you out. In case you havent been home in a little while, ask what should be done and the way you can provide help. Another frequent mistake on nanny resumes is repeating the very same experience and qualifications repeatedly. If a nanny will not sign an employment contract, its an indication which he or she might want to give up employment early. A great nanny should have these skills and qualities. Since hiring managers scrutinize the majority of the resumes in 5-10 seconds, so use an easy and attractive nanny resume format as a way to bestattungs their interest. The Unexpected Truth About Nanny Resume You wish to reveal the employer that youre capable of doing many unique things. As a complete time nanny, you need to get the most suitable family that is employed for your personal and professional targets. Whether youre selecting a full-time nanny or looking to be one, theres certain measures you are going to want to take to make sure that you find the appropriate nanny for your loved ones or the most suitable family for whom to get the job done. Nannies who invite creativity into every part of the day are more inclined to stick out to parents on the hunt, states Martz. The Importance of Nanny Resume Utilizing the duties and obligations of a nanny mentioned in the work description above in your resume will prove to employers you have the needed experience to be successful at work. Building a resume can look like a big undertaking, but its something that will be very rewarding in the end when you have the job. Perchance a job or career change is essential. Likewise, jobs not directly linked to child care can nevertheless be mentioned should they help demonstrate skills or experience required for tasks set out in the job posting. A nanny cover letter is the 1 approach to demonstrate your personality to the parents in a great way. Even in the event that you dont have a lot of experience, a wonderful summary statement can force you to sound capable and responsible. Even her resume has become the subject of argument. Resume and cover letter examples may also provide you ideas of the form of language you need to use. Your child has become the most important thing in your world. Generally, a child care worker takes care of all of the requirements of the child they are employed to look after. A nanny is someone whose primary duty is to manage different peoples children. Being a thriving nanny requires the capacity to fulfill any need the kid may have. An interview is just one of the most crucial ways for parents to learn whether a nanny is a fantastic fit for the family. Your resume should quickly persuade the prospective employer that youre an excellent candidate for the nanny job and the most suitable person to care for th eir children.

Meet Lucy. She wants a promotion.

Meet Lucy. She wants a promotion. Meet Lucy. She wants a promotion.Posted November 14, 2013, by Andrea Riddell A friend, lets call herbei Lucy, recently came to me with a conundrum. She had wanted to apply for a new role at her current workplace and had discussed her suitability with her manager, as the role would essentially be a promotion. She welches ready for some different challenges but not sure if she would qualify for a full-blown step up the ladder. Her babo had concluded that she was not, in fact, ready, but was definitely on the way. Lucy then asked for some projects and tasks that she could work on in order to prepare herself for a similar role in the near future. Lucy asked her manager for a promotion Put yourself out there This is key, people Firstly, dont be afraid to ask for a promotion. Putting yourself on the line and essentially talking up your performance can instil the fear of god into some people, particularly women. Youre essentially putting a magnifying glass on your skills and potential and asking someone to analyse your suitability. The problem is, employees tend to see the promotion/pay rise question as something that constitutes a yes or no answer, when in reality its an open and ongoing discussion. Make sure youre ready A pay rise would be nice, but are you ready for the extra responsibilities and workload that comes with it? If youre not excelling at the work youre already doing then it might be hard to convince your manager that youre ready for more. People progredienz at different rates. Levels of ambition also differ. Dont feel like you need to take on more if you actually dont want to. You need to prepare yourself for the discussion with your manager. Put together a record of your performance, including how youve managed to meet your KPIs and all your other achievements. That way youll have solid evidence to show that youre ready. Lucy wasnt sure if she wanted the extra responsibility And what if youre not ready? After asking f or a promotion and being albeit kindly rejected, Lucy then asked her boss how she could work her way up to that position and together they highlighted some projects that she could take on to facilitate this. The conversation doesnt finish when your boss declines your request for a promotion. Just because you dont happen to be ready right now does not mean that you wont get there in the future. Ask for some mentoring on how you can progredienz and gain more experience. This will not only make sure youre on an upward trajectory, but it will also show your boss that youre serious about your career and your future at your workplace. Now back to Lucy A couple of weeks later, I checked in with Lucy. Over some Peking duck she told me how her boss had perhaps absent-mindedly, who knows removed Lucy from some of the projects that were meant to prepare her for a higher position. She was confused that her boss would help her devise a progression plan, only to act as a blockade. I encourage d Lucy to schedule another chat with her manager to find out what her intentions were. Perhaps she had changed her mind and didnt believe Lucy was ready for those projects. Or perhaps, with limited time and resources, she was re-delegating to the people she felt were more suited. Lucy and her manager devise a plan How to stop this happening to you Managers can be busy, and its hard to remember everything when youre busy. Perhaps Lucys manager had just forgotten. Or, even worse, perhaps Lucys manager was passively (and somewhat aggressively) showing Lucy she didnt have confidence in her abilities. Sometimes discussing a plan to take on more work is not as effective as actually putting together a plan to take on more work. Lucy and her manager need to put together a timeframe for Operation vorrcken with several progression checkpoints along the way. This would help keep Lucy on track to career ascendancy. If youre in the same predicament as Lucy, heres what you need to remember Start the discussion before your performance review. You dont have to wait for the annual performance review to ask for a promotion. Approach your boss when youre ready. Your career progression is an ongoing thing. Its not just one conversation. And its not about one single promotion. Its about growing and refining your abilities and skillset. Not many people are happy to rest on their laurels and reach a plateau in their career. If youre looking to keep interested and challenged youll need to view this as an ongoing process. The ball is in your court. Dont rely on your manager to remember that youre trying to groom yourself for a promotion. Keep tabs on your performance and ask for feedback. Youre in charge of your career. Devise a plan. Great. You want a promotion. But how are you going to get one? Make sure you and your manager are clear on how youll be achieving your potential. This way, you will both know when you are finally ready. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice Administrator CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAndrea RiddellRelated ArticlesBrowse moreCreative careersDesigningDesign. Code. 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