Day: February 8, 2020

5 ways for building highly successful career

For students at University of Denver, the best career path is through Pioneer careers jobs and internship system. This system will allow you to choose the career path that best suits you and your affinities. Once you choose your career, you need to start building it up from the start. In order to make the best of your professional course, you should know that there’s more than one way to become the best at what you do. So let’s see some of the ways you could take on your journey to glory. 
 Trust yourself 
Always believe in your initial instinct when you need to make a personal career choice. You may hear a lot different suggestions and various experiences from a lot of people, but those were their choices. No one knows your position better than you. Having such a high level of self-confidence will help you make quick decisions, and will make you proactive at your job. As you progress, your self-assurance will grow, your experience will grow and you will grow in the eyes of your superiors. All these simple steps will lead you to the top and keep you there for a long time.  
Care about your work 
This is maybe one of the easiest ways towards a glorious career. If you pick a career that you really care about, then there’s almost nothing that stands in your way. People have created successful businesses out of things that no one thought would ever go anywhere. Personal affection towards your job will motivate you to give your best at all time, and you will enjoy in the process. You will never have lack of ideas or problems that you will decide to give up on. There are no problems when you’re doing something you love, only puzzles to be solved. Before you know it, you’ll be at the top of your game with everyone else far behind. 
Find your balance  
Zen as it sounds, this really is a bushido-like way to create a career path that’s going to take you places. The greatest enemy of success is fatigue. If you want to build a triumphant career, you need to stay focused on your work. You won’t be able to stay focused if you’re always tired, so find a way to balance your day. Find some sort of distraction, like a hobby or a sport activity, go to the gym or watch movies. It’s also important that you socialize, you don’t want to lose track of your friends and family. Always keep your day at the balance and you will stay sharp, agile and ready to achieve greatness. 
Build your team 
If you’re not one of those people who like to go single-handedly against the world, the best way to achieve professional prosperity is through support. Find a group of people who you could lead and that you could count on, make them your key element of success. Creating a pool of minds that work together in pursuit of greatness asks for a lot work and networking, but at the end it’s worth it. You will have a team of fighters that’s able to jump through any obstacle using a joint effort. The end result will be nothing but success. 
Always be prepared 
Don’t allow yourself to get caught off guard at any time. Your career depends on how prepared you are to things that come across your road. Stay informed, don’t let any new technology or regulation put you down. Work on your personal and professional improvement at all times, try out new things in life, it may lead you to a new path in your career, one that you could be even better at. After all, everyone respects a person that works on itself, no matter how much employees your company has, you will stay noticed. 
Conclusion 
Even though there is no secret recipe for success, these are some of the best ways to get the best of your professional life. Reaching the top takes a lot of hard work and education, and once you get there, the real work begins. It’s not just important to reach the top, more important is to stay there as long as you can. 

A New Approach to Figure Out What You’re Meant to Do

A New Approach to Figure Out What You’re Meant to Do was originally published on The Muse, a great place to research companies and careers. Click here to search for great jobs and companies near you.
Way back in school, when you first thought about the working world, I bet you had a pretty limited view of what kinds of jobs existed: Doctor, teacher, lawyer, and, maybe accountant.
But even though, you eventually learned that there were lots of other careers out there, you probably still had a limited view of what to do with your life. Based on your education, your upbringing, and maybe how many episodes of “CSI” you’d watched, you began to formulate a vision. Instead of starting with “What do I like to do?” you started at the end, trying to fit your future a box that made sense with your life and learning thus far.
The result? The problem? Many of us end up in jobs that aren’t quite right, simply because we didn’t know there were other options.
My friend Lisa is a great example. A successful executive at a digital marketing agency for many years, she realized she wasn’t happy. She mulled over a career transition and decided that what she really wanted to do was help people. She assumed that meant returning to grad school for a counseling degree.
On the eve of her first day of classes, she realized that it wasn’t counseling that drove her per se; it was the “helping” part—something she’d done successfully without a masters. Instead of pursuing this degree, she found a way to put her skills and interest to use, and she’s now a well-respected career coach at my company.
What you really need to do if you want to carve a new path for yourself is examine what’s brought you joy and fulfillment in the past. You can put together a full picture of the type of activities, work environment, and organization in which you’d be most satisfied—before you commit to an expensive degree or training program.
What Lisa did, essentially, and what you can do, too—is “follow the breadcrumbs” to figure out what you’re meant to do. Here’s how to get started:

1. Look Behind You

If you’re over the age of 25, your past is full of experiences that are loaded with clues. Think back to previous work experiences, school and volunteer projects, interactions with friends and co-workers, and ask yourself:
  • What do people consistently turn to me for? Help in prepping their presentations? Wardrobe or home styling suggestions? Advice on how to handle sticky interpersonal situations?
  • What do I love so much I’d do for free? You may not be able to build a career out of whitewater rafting or cartooning, but think about this information as a jumping-off point.
  • What do I do at work that’s not a part of my job, and why do I do it (even when it’s not my job and why)? Do you offer to create presentations, plan the holiday party, negotiate the cell phone bill? What motivates you to do these “extra” things? Is it a desire to help others, learn new skills, solve problems?

2. Look Around You

It’s important to look at your current environment, how you got there, what floats your boat—and what doesn’t. Ask yourself:
  • What do I love about my working environment right now? Friday happy hours, no micromanaging, latest in tech tools?
  • What would I change? More professional development, ability to telecommute, more collaboration?
  • What can I not do without? Autonomy, flex hours, involved boss?
Review your answers to find patterns. Do you thrive in independent working situations, or do you love being part of a collaborative team? Do you like to research and build to an optimal solution, or do you prefer solving in-the-moment problems and challenges under a deadline? Do you get a lot of satisfaction from helping coach or teach others? You may want to get assistance from a friend or coach at this point, as sometimes it’s tough to find commonalities on your own

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3. Look Ahead

Once you’ve got a good sense of what you love (and don’t love) about where you are and where you’ve been, you can apply those findings to your future.
If you’ve discovered you enjoy solving urgent problems, especially those involving interpersonal conflict, ask yourself where you could find someone with those skills. Ask others. Investigate. Do a Google search.
For instance, a simple Google search on “Great jobs for conflict resolution” brings up several opportunities you might not have considered. You can do the same search with “Jobs for funny people,” “Jobs for good communicators,” or “Jobs for people with great taste buds.”
Don’t rush through this important stage. I’ve noticed that my clients often undergo what psychologists call “attention bias. Once you become aware of something, you start to see it in unexpected places. Let this phenomenon work for you, and use this cognitive illusion to your advantage by giving it time and attention.
Take your findings and notice how it expands your horizons. Maybe your ears perk up when your neighbor mentions that her cousin works as a contract negotiator. Over dinner with your best friend’s parents, you learn that there’s a huge demand for people with great negotiation skills in the retail industry.
The goal is to grow your concept of where your most enjoyable and fulfilling skills and talents can be employed.
Once you’ve got a sense of the types of roles that sound interesting and the kinds of companies that appeal to you, it’s up to you to go out and explore more deeply. There’s so much more in the world than our limited view of what “work” entails. Open your eyes to the possibilities. It’s easy to find opportunities when you know how and where to look.

My Meaningful Summer Abroad

Unlike many students at DU, I did not study abroad in the Fall of my Junior Year. Instead, I looked for a reason to travel over the Summer, but I didn’t want to be a tourist and spend a lot of money, but I also wanted to have a purpose in the place I travelled. It doesn’t sound like an easy thing to find, does it?
After quite a bit of searching, I found an AIESEC opportunity to teach English in Croatia. It was such an easy application process, I thought it was a fake. I had a Skype interview and they offered me the position. Fast forward to June and I was on my plane ride to Osijek, Croatia, hardly knowing anything about where I was going and how I would teach English when I did not speak Croatian. My first night in Croatia, I stayed in an amazing hostel in Croatia’s capital and met people from all over the world. I was a little nervous about being alone, but I made friends very easily. When I arrived in the small city I would be living in for the next 6-weeks, a group of students stood there holding a paper American flag that they made to welcome me. All of them hugged me and asked me questions. I was pleasantly surprised that everyone spoke English.
It was so interesting to be in another country, but feel so at home with this large group of students who were all apart of AIESEC. They all wanted to get to know me and wanted to know what America is like. They were very comfortable with me and all of my anticipation and nerves had dissipated as we sat at a café bar outside patio in the small town getting to know one another. There were the group of students from Osijek (which I found out I had been pronouncing wrong) and there was also a group of students from all different countries on a different opportunity doing social media marketing for the city to attract tourism. This team included someone from Brazil, India, Turkey, Canada, and Portugal. Not only did I get to learn about the culture of this small city in Eastern Croatia, but I also had the opportunity of learning more about these cultures as well.
It is difficult to articulate and quantify the vast knowledge I gained about other cultures during my 6-weeks and what I learned teaching English to adults and living with a host family. I do know that I will never forget my weekend trips to the Croatian coast and other Balkan countries with my fellow teachers in the program (and now, very dear friends, from other countries teaching who taught their native languages.) I will never forget the bonds I made. I will never forget the high level of awareness I had while traveling and observing people and my environment. Most of all, I will never forget my deep level of ease and confidence about my ability to travel alone that most people fear so much. This trip had a profound impact on me and my identity and I am so glad that I extended my travels at the end of the 6-weeks to travel more on my own and meet even more people at hostels and continue to learn about different backgrounds. If you have the time this Summer or next, I strongly suggest looking into AIESEC opportunities abroad. You will not regret it!

How to Write a Cover Letter

College student job hunting
While many jobs no longer require cover letters (especially most jobs on WayUp), when a job does require one, your cover letter could be a big part of whether or not you get to the next round. If you haven’t written a cover letter before (or even if you have), you may be wondering whether writing one is really necessary. The answer is yes, if you do it effectively. Think of your cover letter as your edge. If you write it well, it will give potential employers an insight into your personality, something that’s hard to discover by just skimming your resume.
Here’s our simple formula to writing an amazing cover letter.

Don’t restate everything in your resume. Instead, tell your story.

Think of your resume and your cover letter as a package — they complement each other, but they’re not the same thing. While your resume covers your educational background and work experience, your cover letter tells a story about who you are and what you’d like to do with your career. Since recruiters look through hundreds (sometimes thousands) of resumes every day, a memorable cover letter is more likely to stand out. Give them something to remember by highlighting some of your unique qualities.

Keep it short and to the point.

Cover letters should be short, sweet and to the point. Keep in mind that the recruiter is likely reading dozens or hundreds of them, so make yours pop in a succinct way, and definitely don’t make it longer than one page.
Opening paragraph
In two-three sentences, explain who you are and what position or program you’re applying for.
Second paragraph
Then, in one-two sentences explain why you want the job. Be sure to mention your knowledge of the industry and your interest in the company. This is where research will come in handy.
Third paragraph
In three sentences, explain why you’re qualified for the job. Include relevant work experience (paid and unpaid internships or other jobs you’ve had) and mention classes you’ve taken that have guided you towards this field.
Closing sentence
Your final sentence is all about finishing strong. Tell the employer that you look forward to hearing from them and include your contact information (email and phone number).

Ask an advisor or professor to look it over.

Once you’ve finished writing your cover letter, make a few edits to ensure that there are no typos. Then ask an advisor or professor to look it over, focusing on whether there are any additional areas you can highlight or any unique skills you can mention. Make sure to incorporate their feedback before doing a final edit and pressing send.
Although writing a cover letter isn’t always necessary when applying for a job, if done effectively it can be a valuable add-on to your job application. By following the steps outlined here, you can write a great cover letter and land the internship or entry-level job you’ve been dreaming of.

Alumni Coaching Hotline

No matter how hard we try, we rarely have all the answers—particularly when it comes to our careers and professional development. Many times we turn to friends and family for advice, but frankly, they don’t always know what they’re talking about! When you were in college, you had the robust Career Center to lean on, but now it’s been a few years since graduation and you’re not sure where to turn.
It can be tempting to simply Google, “Top Interview Questions” or “Best Resume Template,” but you may find the internet to be a contradicting and confusing place—particularly when it comes to what makes the most sense for your career and professional growth. This is even more true as you move further along in your career and need more nuanced insight and advice. So if the internet can’t be trusted and you’re not sure your parents’ advice still holds, where should you go?
Turn to the career experts that make up the Alumni Career & Professional Development team, of course! They offer, “Quick Questions,” scheduled hours that staff has set aside throughout the week when they are available to alumni.  Call in or email about your pressing career questions during Quick Questions hours. Topics can include, but are not limited to, resume and cover letter reviews, interview strategy and advice, salary negotiation and networking tips. Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis and typically last about 15 minutes. Staff is available by phone at 303-871-4331 at the following times:

7 Things You Need to Double-Check Before You Submit Your Cover Letter

7 Things You Need to Double-Check Before You Submit Your Cover Letter was originally published on The Muse, a great place to research companies and careers. Click here to search for great jobs and companies near you.
Congrats, you did all the hard work that comes with writing the ultimate cover letter!
You included all your relevant experience, you added a creative and eye-catching introduction, and you ended on a great note. (Or, at least I hope you did all these things.) You’re so close to pressing “send” and getting one step closer to that dream job.
But—you probably know where I’m going with this—before you declare you’re completely and utterly done, you have to give it one more edit.
Not sure what you should keep an eye out for while double checking your work? Everything you need to think about is below:

1. The Hiring Manager’s Name

First off, are you addressing your cover letter to the right person? Notice how I said person here, not “To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager.” You should always do your best to find the name of the hiring manager so that your cover letter is personalized, shows you did your research, and proves to the reader it’s not a copy-and-paste job you send to everyone.
Then, check the spelling, as well as their title. According to career expert Lily Zhang, when in doubt of “Ms.” vs. “Mrs.” vs. “Dr.”, it’s better to just drop the title.

2. The Company’s Name

Similarly, this is crucial to check, especially if your mind (and computer) is jam-packed with various company names. Not only should you question if it’s the right name, but also is it spelled correctly? Do you include the full name (for example, is there an “Inc.” at the end)? The more considerate you are of their reputation, the more likely they’ll read on.

3. Your Contact Information

How horrible would it be if your cover letter was absolutely error-free, except the hiring manager couldn’t reach you?
Pretty horrible, I’d imagine.
Stop this from even being a possibility by making sure your address, phone number, email, or any other form of communication is included and correct.

4. Dates

Now, I’m going to hope you don’t use the exact same cover letter for every job you apply to, right?
Vigorously shakes head.
Good—but if you did use older ones as a template, you may want to check that the dates included are accurate. For example, if the letter is a year old, would you now be working in marketing for “the past two years,” not “the past year.”
And, don’t forget about the formal date in the upper corner! If you wrote it last week, make sure the date is the same as the day you actually submit it.

5. Length

Does the application box have a character limit? Or, will it get cut off after a certain length? Best to be safe and copy and paste your work into Wordcounter.net and see how you’re doing.
And, if you find it’s too long after all, we have just the tips to cut it down without losing the important stuff.

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6. Formatting

It would be nice if everyone used the exact same program, brand of computer, and font as you, but this just isn’t the case. Which means there’s always a possibility that that pretty and neat cover letter on your PC won’t look so pretty and neat on the hiring manager’s Mac.
To avoid this, simply download it as a PDF to “freeze” it in its place (and make it easy for anyone to open without Microsoft Word) and check that it looks good on two different computers or phones.
 7. Basic Spelling and Grammar
Let’s face it, spellcheck has let us down before, and it could do it again. So, print it out (seriously, print it out, don’t just say you will and do it on your computer) and give it one more proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes.
For example, is it “your” or “you’re”? Did you mean “affect” or “effect”? (Hint: one’s a verb, one’s a noun). Do you consistently use oxford commas? Even the tiniest mistake could turn a busy hiring manager away from reading on—especially if the job you’re applying to requires “good communication skills.”
If you’re unsure what to look out for, maybe take a gander at these commonly misspelled words and these words people mix up.
OK—we promise you’re done now. Good luck!

My Team Reviews 1,000,000 Resumes a Year and These Are the People Who Stand Out

My Team Reviews 1,000,000 Resumes a Year and These Are the People Who Stand Out was originally published on The Muse, a great place to research companies and careers. Click here to search for great jobs and companies near you.
Does standing out really help you get hired? And is there such a thing as being too different? The answer is yes—to both.
As VP of Talent Acquisition at Johnson & Johnson, I’ve seen it all: the good, the bad, and the pink. (No really, we’ve received applications printed on pink paper and sprayed with perfume.) And after overseeing a team that screens one million resumes a year, I can tell you how to stand out from the crowd—the right way.
So, if you’re thinking of taking a creative approach, keep the following in mind:

Do: Show Off Your Work in a Portfolio

Why not take a cue from designers and architects and display your accomplishments in a portfolio?
Even if you don’t work in one of those two fields, you can still showcase a recent project in a visually interesting way. For example, I recently interviewed a digital marketer who walked me through her three most recent influencer-marketing projects. She had created a simple PowerPoint presentation with three case studies outlining what she had done and the results for each initiative. She made it easy to see how she could add tangible value to our business by highlighting how she approached these influencers and how she measured her projects’ success.
Even before the interview stage, a portfolio can help you get noticed. For example, you can create a personal website that showcases your work (more on exactly how to do that here). You can send the link to networking contacts and even include it your email signature.

Don’t: Go for Quantity Over Quality

Do you know someone who humblebrags about sending out hundreds of applications? If so, my guess is they achieved this seemingly impressive feat by sending a generic message out as widely as possible.
I receive at least 10 LinkedIn messages a day from candidates throwing their resume over the digital fence and hoping it lands. These generic messages expect me to do the work to match them to our open jobs.
While using social media in your job search can be an effective strategy, using it to mass contact decision-makers with a form message is a gimmick (and one that doesn’t work). For all I know, your exact message has also been sent to 20 other companies. How do I know that it’s our company that you’re really interested in?
Instead, take a more thoughtful approach. Utilize your professional network. Do you know anyone at the company you’d like to work at? If so, find out whether the company has an employee referral program and send this note. If you reach out to someone cold, use a customized template.

I BET YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN GO AFTER ANY JOB YOU WANT NOW

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Do: Solve a Company Problem

Do your research on the role you’ve applied for. What’s the team working on? Can you identify any pain points? Even better, can you solve them?
Demonstrate how much you want to work at the company by arriving at the interview equipped with fresh ideas and solutions. Knock their socks off with your insight and give the recruiter a sneak preview of what they’ll be getting.
For example, I recently interviewed a social media manager who came to the interview with a complete scan of our social media properties and a set of recommendations that left me wondering what we had been doing the last year. He not only demonstrated that he had the skills needed to be successful in the job but also he cared enough about the opportunity to put in the work before we gave him the job (which we did).
Remember, your relationship with your boss starts during the interview process, not on your first day!

Don’t: Propose Something That Shows You’re Out of Touch

Caveat: It’s not enough for your solution to be innovative. It only works if it still fits with the overall goals, vision, and values of the organization.
For example, just last week, we interviewed a candidate who suggested a sales method that was so far removed from the values of the J&J Credo that we had to wonder if he’d even heard of it. A matter of minutes spent researching the company would have revealed that it’s the underpinning to everything we do.
If a company truly is on your wish list, it shouldn’t be a chore to do your research. Find specific open roles that match your abilities and honestly assess your skills against the listed requirements. Follow your target company’s social handles, see what current employees are discussing, and get to know the company culture.
That way, if you’re asked to interview, you can show the recruiter that you understand and embody their values.
Some companies and recruiters appreciate an unconventional approach; others most definitely don’t. What is universal, however, is that employers want to see that you’re serious about the opportunity and that you have the skills they need. So, if you’re considering doing something unconventional, first ask yourself, “Does this help demonstrate my skills and experience?”
If you have to think about it, the answer is probably no.
Is there something that worked well for you? I’d love to hear from you on Twitter.

How to get your foot in the door for the marketing job you really want

It’s hard for me to believe, but it’s been 12 years since I was getting ready to graduate college and I was looking for my first full-time job in marketing. From the rise of social media to the advent (and growth) of the smartphone, a lot has changed. But when it comes to trying to get your foot in the door for your first job, a lot has stayed the same.
Below are a few notes about getting your foot in the door at the agency at which you want to work. They’re written for recent or soon-to-be grads. That said, I think they can be helpful to a variety of folks.
Know where you want to work
It might seem obvious, but it’s the first step and an important one at that: know where you want to work.
When I was going through my job search my senior year at Mizzou, I knew I wanted to work in St. Louis. I also knew that I wanted to work at a company that valued its culture, employees, and clients. I desired a work environment in which I would learn a lot and grow as a copywriter.
After hours and hours of research and a few painful campus job fairs (you need to be going to these!), I had a list ready to go. Names like Rodgers-Townsend, Momentum and Moosylvania were on it. These were agencies that were well-respected, treated their employees in a way that I wanted to be treated, and had strong, long-lasting relationships with their clients.
I’m going to write more on what I think you should look for in an agency at another time. But for now, just know that all agencies aren’t the same, and while there are a lot of great places to start your career, there are plenty of bad ones too.
Avoid the HR person
 It was accurate when I was an aspiring copywriter, and it’s accurate now that I handle the hiring and firing at Gorilla – avoid the HR person until it’s no longer possible.
Don’t get me wrong, if you apply for a job, and the HR person reaches out (which is likely the scenario), don’t walk to the interview, run to it. But, if you’re reaching out cold, meaning there’s no job posted and you’re looking to just connect with the company, don’t make the first stop the HR department. Their job, as I’ve learned in my own experience as the HR guy at Gorilla, is to keep people out more often than it is to get people in.
Instead, use LinkedIn and Google and company “About us” pages to figure out who is the right person at a company with which to connect. If you’re a writer, look to connect with writers at the company. If you’re a designer, look to connect with designers. Pretty simple, right? You’d be surprised.
When I was in school, we didn’t really have resources like LinkedIn and some of the companies didn’t even really have websites. And if they did, they rarely showcased the team and they definitely didn’t have a blog where the employees were writing. Instead, I read award annuals and industry publications and looked to find the names of the creative directors and copywriters at the agencies at which I wanted to work. It wasn’t a perfect system, but it worked and I got in touch with the right people.
Before we move to the next point, let’s connect on Instagram and on LinkedIn. Gorilla has a presence on both as well: Instagram, LinkedIn.
Ask for the informational interview
As the HR arm at Gorilla, I hear from many looking for jobs. Some are obvious in stating it: “Dear Sir/Madam…I am formally inquiring about any open positions…” They get deleted.
Others are craftier and more strategic. They reach out to our employees first to try to get in to see “what it’s like to work at Gorilla” and to see if they can get some feedback on their book or resume or whatever. And then they might reach out to me to ask a question or two and to see if they can pop by to chat for 15 minutes. They often tell me they really admire our work and love the culture we’re building and they read such and such on page X of our website and it really lined up with their long-term professional goals.
They DON’T get deleted.
My ego is engaged and I feel like I have someone looking to me for wisdom – it’s impossible to say no! Now, I might not always have the perfect advice, but it doesn’t really matter for the job-seeker. Their foot is in the door, and that’s all that really matters.
Follow up, again and again and again…          
So you’re getting close. You’ve identified where you want to work. You’ve contacted the right folks. You’ve even gotten in to meet them. Now, you have to follow up.
First, write the thank you note. For the love of everything, don’t forget this step. It’s so obvious and disappointing when someone drops the ball here. Don’t settle with the email “thank you.” Go old school. Pen. Paper. And a few thoughts. Nothing more. Some are concerned that it takes too long to reach the recipient – that’s not a bad thing. Just as they start to forget they met with you (it’s a cruel world, sorry), you remind them of a great conversation you had just a few days or a week prior.
Next, stay in touch with them. Not too often, but remember, the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
Send them work samples you’re working on and ask for feedback. Send them an article you read and explain why it was relevant to your conversation. Show them updates you’ve made on your portfolio, based on the feedback they gave you when you sat down with them (this is how I got my first job).
Whatever you do and however you do it, just make sure you do it. Your goal is to come across their desk at just the right time.
Go land that gig
As you can guess, a lot has changed since I was looking for my job. After all, many of you reading this post were getting ready to finish first grade while I was looking for my first job.
That said, a lot of old-school practices are still relevant today in a multitude of areas. Getting a job in marketing is no exception. As for me, I ended up landing a job at Moosylvania, and to this day, I’m incredibly grateful for that experience. If you’re looking for a great sales promotion agency, they’re as good as it gets in St. Louis.
Author Bio: A founder of Gorilla 76, Jon was named to the 2010 St. Louis Business Journal’s “30 Under 30” class and was named as one of St. Louis’ “Top Young Entrepreneurs” by the Small Business Monthly. He’s a passionate Missouri Tiger and loves to spend his spare time hunting ducks and fishing for fish. Jon has served as a board member for Launch St. Louis (co-founder), the Friends of Clifton Park (co-founder) and Brightside St. Louis. He’s a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

25 Tips for Winning In the Workplace

1.      When you prepare and complete tasks, be aware of how your work may circulate up the organizational hierarchy
2.      Networking never ends so take the time to establish relationships and networks even when you’re getting situated into a career because they will always be valuable.
3.      If you discover a resource that may be beneficial to a supervisor, screenshot it and include in an email.
4.      Watch: How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek
5.      Even though you landed a job, there is always room to learn. Mentors are an important part of the process, use them!
6.      Communicate to your supervisor that you value their methodologies and thoughts by asking for their advice when you need it.
7.      If you’re not sure what to wear, it’s always best to be conservative. Apparel is important because it portrays an individuals’ level of dedication and determination.
8.      Although your phone may be a big part of your life, try to refrain from spending too much time on it. A general rule of thumb is to take a quick walk around the block and finish a conversation when necessary.
9.      As accustomed as you are to using your laptop, writing down notes on paper will impress your boss even more.
10.  As you may work on a team, it’s important to professionally treat all co-workers with respect and kindness because you never know when they might resurface in your life.
11.  When preparing for meetings, conduct some research about individuals attending so you are knowledgeable about their positioning and overall perspectives.
12.  Read the ‘deck’ (slide show or power point in the work place) before a meeting. This will demonstrate that you are prepared and ready to contribute ideas and thoughts.
13.  If faced with a task you don’t know how to complete, attempt to navigate through it yourself before reaching out for help. This will exemplify your ability to critically think and problem solve.
14.  Refrain from anything that resembles gossip or negative word of mouth regarding employees, past employers, etc.
15.  During your transition into a profession, it is normal to experience a lack of instant gratification, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t working hard. Just remember that appraisal doesn’t exist for simply doing your job.
16.  Don’t expect to always have feedback or be consistently evaluated on your performance. Silence isn’t always a negative thing.
17.  When asking for or negotiating a raise, support your argument with evidence or data that your contributions, work ethic, and achievements are valuable to the organization.
18.  Although we live in a rather open culture, it is best to avoid discussions about personal matters.
19.  It is imperative to understand that in the business world, you must bring in more than you make or the organization cannot afford you.
20.  Although it can seem tedious, read every single email you receive and respond thoughtfully with questions to answers, interest, and enthusiasm.
21.  If your mailbox is consistently flooded with emails, try to prioritize and organize them by using flags and categories.
22.  To demonstrate your interest and engagement with an organization, gain knowledge by attending lectures and conferences, reading blogs, and keeping up to date with current events regarding your industry.
23.  When you receive advice, do your best to demonstrate that you value it by executing it within your workplace.
24.  If you are not already, genuinely try to find inspiration from your occupation. The more inspired you are, the more you will achieve, and the more you achieve, the more satisfied you will be.
25.  Make friends! Friends within the workplace are an important part of your job because they can inspire you, help guide you, and contribute their skill sets.
The University of Denver would like to thank the rock star employees who make up the Millennial Club at the very awesome Denver powerhouse company, Zayo, for creating this amazing list of tips.

How To Make Your Resume Stand Out With No Work Experience

Great news! You’ve found an advertisement for your dream graduate job. All you have to do now is get it.
You need to write a resume, but you don’t have any work experience. What are you going to put on there? Competition for graduate jobs is tough. You need a resume that is going to stand out from the crowd, to get you the interview where you can really shine.
Don’t worry. Hiring managers for graduate positions know you’re not going to have extensive work experience. What they want to see is evidence of strong transferable skills, a can-do attitude, and the ability to do the simple things well.
Here’s how you show them that you’re the stand-out candidate.

Simple things

If it’s a good graduate job that’s on offer, it’s likely the Hiring Manager is going to receive a lot of resumes. You don’t want yours to end up in the trash because of a simple error.
Open with a short summary. An elevator pitch. Detail your core skills and educational achievements. Give the Hiring Manager encouragement to read on.
Make sure your resume is laid out in a way that’s easy to read. Ensure it’s free of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

Show off your skills

Transferable skills are what the Hiring Manager is primarily looking for, and if you have no work experience, you have to find other ways to show off your skills.
Anything can be a skill. Think of times where you demonstrated a skill that could be useful for the job. If you play for a sports team, do drama, volunteer, you’re displaying transferable skills. Leadership, initiative, ability to multitask. Find them, and put them on your resume.
If you have computer skills that are relevant for the job, like Microsoft Photoshop if you’re applying for a role in an ad agency, include it on your resume. It will put you one step ahead of someone who doesn’t have that skill.
Use specific numbers where possible. ‘Directed a play seen by 2,000 people’ is better than ‘directed a play many people saw’, take a look at some of these resume samples on how to elucidate your experience with numbers.

Attitude

Skills can be taught, but attitude cannot. On your resume, demonstrate times when you’ve shown a can-do attitude, willingness to learn, and good interaction with people.
When detailing your time at university, relate a time when you’ve had to study outside of your core subject. Let the Hiring Manager see that you are eager to learn and not afraid to go the extra mile.
All these tips will help you land that interview.
To conclude, a couple more insider tips. Research the company for the cover letter. Put something in there that shows you are actually interested in working for that company. If you have an idea that would benefit the company, don’t be afraid to put it down.
If possible, talk to the Hiring Manager on the phone. It gives them an opportunity to get to know you, and remember you. Do it under the guise of checking they received your resume, if you need to.

4 Tips for Surviving Super Day

For a term that sounds like so much fun, Super Day can often be one of the most stressful days during the interview process. Super day is the final round of interviews, typically for financial firms, at which point a small group of candidates participates in hopes of landing an offer. They can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Here is some advice from personal experience. 

  1. Come mentally and physically prepared. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to underestimate how demanding the day(s) can be. Make sure to get a sufficient amount of sleep the night before, and eat a filling meal before you go.
  2. Remember that the entire day is an interview. The firm will likely have many employees from all levels taking time out of their busy schedules to participate. Even if you don’t have a sit-down interview with someone, you still have opportunities to make an impression. Be courteous to all, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone to ask them some informal questions about their role 
  3. Be flexible. Your interview times, locations, and interviewers may change. Remember that the firm is taking time out of their schedule to meet with you, so it is only polite to remain amenable to any changes they have to make. 

  4. Show your interest. My final super day was much more fun than some others because I was genuinely interested in meeting everyone and learning everything I could. It is much harder to survive an entire day of interviews if you’re not excited about the firm or job. Moreover, if you feign interest, the interviewer will be able to tell.

Be calm and confident. Remember that you are at super day for a reason. Whether you’ve made it past one or four prior interviews, the firm is interested in learning more about you. Be confident in what makes you a great candidate, trust in your preparation, and remember to have fun! These are exciting times, and they move very quickly.

How to Choose Between a Career in Private or Public Accounting

The realm of accounting offers substantial career choices for those seeking it.  Accountants are vital to a business because they collect, analyze, and organize financial findings so as to steer a company into making wise financial decisions.  Other duties of an accountant include verifying that a company is working within the boundaries of financial law.
There are two main branches under accounting: public and private.  Public accountants are those that work with a diverse array of clients, while private accountants will work with one company.  However, there are still many other differences between the two that lead entirely different paths. If you are wondering whether private or public accounting is best for you, here are some guidelines that should assist you.
Education
Both require a bachelor’s degree, which usually consists of a focus in accounting, finance, or business.  Many people of either field will go on to graduate school. However, the training required will be different.  A public accountant is trained specifically to analyze accounting systems and collect financial information. This accountant will use this information to help make a business run more efficiently.  A public accountant will do this for a variety of businesses, yet a private accountant will only do this for one. In addition, a private accountant is trained to develop more accounting transactions.
Certification
Public and private accountants require different certification.  A public accountant requires a Certified Public Accountant certificate (or CPA). The CPA is a very long, intensive, and comprehensive exam that requires aspiring public accountants to undergo hundreds of hours of preparation.  It can take some accountants a few years in order to pass the exam if they persevere. Most must invest in a CPA review course to adequately prepare themselves for the exam, which adds thousands of dollars to the already time-intensive study process. Private accountants do not require a certification, although having a CPA next to your name will still bring additional professional opportunities to you. In the long run, it’s a worthy goal for both public and private accountants to have.
Work Environment
Because a private accountant works with one company, their work environment is likely to be constant.  You will probably have your own office or desk and you will have a fixed schedule—more of a nine to five position than you’ll experience in public accounting.  For those with a family or those who seek stability, becoming a private accountant provides that. If you would like more flexibility and versatility in your job, public accounting may include travel.  However, public accountants often have long hours and strict deadlines. There are benefits and disadvantages in both sectors, but it’s important to examine your personal work preferences before committing to either.
Skills
Both jobs require similar skills despite having different work environments and requirements.  Public and private accountants both need to be excellent communicators. This is because you will often, in either position, need to communicate your findings and advice effectively to peers, leadership, and laymen that may not understand finance very well.  Analytic and critical thinking skills are also essential. However, there are also differing skills that play a part as well. The ideal personality for a public accounting position is someone who is adaptable and outgoing, due to the variable nature of their career.  Private accountants need to be highly organized within their company and dependable because of their fixed environment.
Endgame
If you want a career with chance of advancement, both paths are viable options.  Private accountants typically grow from entry-level professionals to managerial positions within one business.  They may also become CFOs and gain specialization quickly due to the focus of their job. Public accountants will start as entry-level as well, but they may become senior accountants and gain partnerships in the firm they belong to. In terms of salary, both offer competitive rates.  Depending on education and experience, an accountant of either field will receive a substantial income that can rise substantially over time.
A private accountant will typically start at around $44,000 to reach upwards of $60,000 over time.  A public accountant will usually start at about $50,000 and rise over time to about $74,000. Both offer the potential to earn an income in the triple digits given the position.  In addition, there is always a need for accountants, therefore you will find no shortage of jobs wherever life takes you. Keep these facets in mind as you make a decision and catapult your accounting career.

I Sem-General English – Mini Teaching Vs. Micro Teaching

MINI TEACHING LESSON PLAN (for presenters)
Name:                                                                  Subject:
Grade Level:                                                        Date:
OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to:
[Identify each objective (what you want your students to learn or accomplish) by number, using appropriate verbs that indicate measurable objectives.  Additionally, be sure not to confuse objectives with goals.]
MATERIALS:
[In a numbered list, identify all materials and resources you used in preparing and delivering the mini lesson.  In the case of articles and texts, provide sufficient bibliographical information.]
CONTENT OUTLINE:
[Provide a topic outline of your mini lesson using the following main headings: Introduction, Activities, and Closure.  Note:  A topic outline, by definition, has specific characteristics, including parallel construction.  Be sure that you adhere to the guidelines for this type of outline.]
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
[In narrative form, provide a detailed discussion of the mini lesson using the following subheadings: Introductory Activities, Development Activities, and Concluding.  Be sure to indicate the time allotted for each of these activities as well as the competencies that support them. ]
EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT:
[List how the students will demonstrate their learning.  That is, how will you know the mini lesson has been successful?  Consider informal, formal, and portfolio methods of assessment from both a short- and long-term perspective.]
ITF Mini Teaching evaluation form (for audiences)
________________________  __________________
Presenter                                             Topic
CRITERIA
COMMENTS
Lesson Planning and Organization
  -Length of lesson
  -Clear introduction, Body, Conclusion
  -Clear expectations to students
Knowledge of Subject Matter
  -Demonstrated good technical knowledge
  -Covered subject matter well
Engagement of Students
  -Demonstrated good activities to get students engaged
  -Made topic as interesting as possible 
Instructional Media
  -Instructional media helped to convey information   (video, overheads, handouts, etc.)
Teaching performance
  -Showed enthusiasm
  – Use good strategies to deal with language challenges 
Strengths of Presentation
Weaknesses of Presentation

3 Resume Summary Examples That’ll Make Writing Your Own Easier

3 Resume Summary Examples That’ll Make Writing Your Own Easier was originally published on The Muse, a great place to research companies and careers. Click here to search for great jobs and companies near you.
There’s one thing you likely already know: If you still have an objective statement perched at the top of your resume, it’s time for some serious updating.
That formal (and, let’s be honest, totally useless) blurb of the past has since made way for something new: a summary statement. So… uhh… what exactly is a summary statement? It’s a few short lines or bullet points that go at the top of your document and make it easy for the hiring manager to understand your experience and qualifications. Basically, it explains what you bring to the table for that employer.
It sounds simple in theory. But, if you’re anything like me, when you sit down to actually crank out that brief little blurb, you’re left staring at a menacing blinking text cursor for a good half hour. Yes, even I struggle with these—and I make my living as a writer.
Fortunately, there’s nothing like a little bit of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing. So, I’ve pulled together three real resume summary statements that are sure to get a hiring manager’s attention.
Extract some lessons from what these people did well, and you’ll take a little bit of the stress and pain out of writing your own.

Who Needs a Summary Statement?

Just wait—before we jump right into the samples, this is an important question to answer.
If you’re one of those people who has righteously told yourself, “Psh, summary statement? I don’t need one of those!”—well, you might be right, they work better for some people than for others.
“Summary statements are usually best for more experienced professionals with years of experiences to tie together with a common theme (read: brand). Or, alternatively, they can be used to tie together disparate experiences with a set of key transferable skills,” explains Muse writer, Lily Zhang, in her article on the topic. If you’re someone with a pretty straightforward career history and path, that precious real estate might be better used for bullet points, rather than this type of paragraph. But, if you’re an experienced candidate or are changing careers? This could be just what you need to make your resume a little more cohesive.

1. Start by Saying Who You Are

Editorial-minded marketer and communications strategist transforming the way brands interact with audiences through content. With over seven years of experience at consumer startups, media companies, and an agency, brings a thoughtful perspective and blend of creative chops and digital data-savvy. Entrepreneurial at heart and a team player recognized for impassioned approach and colorful ideas.

 Why it Works:

“This is a great example of a concise and compelling summary because it explains who this professional is (first line), puts her experience into context (second line), and highlights her intangible strengths (final sentence),” explains Jaclyn Westlake, career expert, resume writer, and writer for The Muse.
But, what this statement does exceptionally well is start with a powerful statement about exactly who this candidate is and what she does. “If this were the only sentence a hiring manager read about this candidate, she’d still have a pretty good idea what this person is about,” Westlake adds.

2. Make it an Elevator Pitch

High-achieving Enterprise software account manager driven to increase sales in established accounts while reaching out to prospects. Help Fortune 500 companies gain a competitive edge and increase revenue by identifying customer needs, providing recommendations, and implementing technology products that solve problems and enhance capabilities.

 Why It Works:

One way to make writing your own resume summary statement easier? Think of it like an elevator pitch. Since employers care most about what sort of value you can add to their organization, it’s smart to follow in the footsteps of this sample and use the bulk of your summary to emphasize not only what you do, but why it’s important. “This summary clearly articulates who he is, whom he serves, and how he helps,” says Theresa Merrill, Muse Master Career Coach.
Maybe you won’t use words like “gain a competitive edge” or “increase revenue” in your own statement. But, give some thought to how your skills and expertise help the overall organization, and then weave that into your statement.

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3. Keep it Short

Award-winning journalist and digital producer offering extensive experience in social media content curation, editing, and storytelling. Adept at transforming complex topics into innovative, engaging, and informative news stories.

Why it Works:
This one is significantly shorter than the other statements included here. But, that doesn’t mean it’s any less effective.
“It’s short and sweet,” says Merrill, “It highlights his expertise the right away with a word like ‘award-winning’ and also shares what makes him unique.” When you’re trying to keep things to one page, you know by now that space is limited on your resume ( here’s some great advice about what to cut, by the way). So, the more concise you can make your statement—while still ensuring it still packs a punch—the better.
If you do choose to move forward with a resume summary statement, remember to treat it as your own personal highlight reel. “A summary isn’t meant to be a regurgitation of the information already on your resume,” concludes Westlake, “It should serve to further enhance the reader’s understanding of your experience, specialties, and strengths. It’s also an excellent way to tie your work history together to help hiring managers better understand how your experience would translate into the role they’re recruiting for.”
Think through what you bring to the table and then use these three samples as your inspiration, and you’re sure to craft a resume summary statement that grabs that hiring manager’s attention
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

How to Make a Successful Career Transition

Are you considering a career change? Unlike finding a new job, this might mean leaving an industry, as in shifting from journalism to wealth management, or moving to an entirely different position in your company, such as transferring from procurement to human resources. If career transition is on your horizon, following these steps will make the swap easier.
Reflect
Why do you want to change careers? Are you looking for a different work environment or culture? Do you seek the potential for a higher salary and/or more upward mobility? Do you want fewer hours, remote or part-time work options? Do you prefer different types of customers or clients? Are you ready for a new challenge? Do you feel your best talents are not being used?
If so, designate time to reflect and decide what you really want. Reread old performance evaluations. Talk to your closest advisors. What do you complain about? What energizes you? When do you seem most satisfied? Consider the many reasons you believe change is necessary and what will make you happy.
Assess
Make a list of your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. How have you used your strengths in current or past jobs? What weaknesses have become apparent? What would make you get up each morning excited to go to work? What do you never want to do again? What areas do you lack in your desired field? You may be able to answer these and identify the perfect job. If not, consider using a formal assessment tool like the Strengths Assessment or the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Learn more about the former here or participate in the MBTI group assessment on September 18 by emailing Grace.Goodman@du.edu.
Explore
Investigate your options. Whether you know the job you want or are unsure, research is your best tool.  Check out job boards to learn about opportunities in that field, what skills are required and the salary ranges. Network with professionals and ask about the day-to-day work and future growth of positions that interest you. Utilize Pioneer Connect (DU’s networking platform) and LinkedIn to find people in your desired area and chat with them about their experiences.
Learn
If you are missing required skills, determine how to acquire them. Take classes or obtain certifications through DU’s Executive Education, Center for Professional Development or University College. Inquire at your local work force center. Use Lynda.com to take online classes.
Tell Your Story
Revise your resume to showcase transferable skills. Use the language of your desired position to describe your past accomplishments. Focus on the similarities between the two jobs. Explain why this transition is natural and a benefit to your future employer.
If you are embarking on or considering a career transition, join us on campus on August 29 for Career Transitions: a Roadmap for Success, part of the Alumni Professional Development Series. You will leave understanding the steps necessary to make a successful career transition.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1