Recruitment Marketing vs. Employer Branding Whats the Difference

Recruitment Marketing vs. Employer Branding What’s the Difference Reading them youd think they are the same thing but are they? Some would argue there are some similarities in their function and others would claim they are completely different and a business needs both. Our expert panel tell us whether they think there is a difference between recruitment marketing and employer branding have a read and see whether you agree or disagree. Joe Shaker Recruitment marketing and employer branding are so interconnected.   It’s imperative to have both.   Employer Branding is defining who you are, what makes you different and the value you can bring to candidates in an ownable and clear way.   Recruitment Marketing is what you then do with that message â€" how you develop your candidate experience with that message in mind and the media you enlist.   You really can’t have one without the other. Joe Shaker is the President of Shaker Recruitment Marketing. Maren Hogan Recruitment marketing is attracting someone to a specific role, at a specific place, on a specific team, for a specific set of responsibilities. Employer brand is more about the promise the company is making to its current and future employees en masse. Nike might be a great and exciting place to work and an easy sell for a shoe designer. Their employer brand has a lot of cache, but for the custodial engineer, the sell is different and requires a more tactical approach that discusses the meaning and responsibilities of that particular job. Maren Hogan  is CEO and Founder of Red Branch Media. Jared Nypen Employer branding is an employer’s reputation as an employer and typically includes an employee value proposition, or key pillars as to why people want to work there and what the company is trying to sell to potential employees. Recruitment marketing is the marketing of that brand to attract job candidates. . Jared Nypen is the Vice-President of talent at Great Clips inc. Lisa Jones This is a whole blog in itself but a wise man once said to me your brand is what people say about you when youve left the room perhaps marketing is what you want them to say about you? . . Lisa Jones is the  Founder and Director of Barclay Jones. Mark Cavanagh Employer brand can be described as a ship on which all Recruitment, HR and Talent Professionals are aboard, by using the tools of Recruitment Marketing (the sails and a rudder) the shipmates can attempt to steer the ship towards its goal destination of becoming a truly attractive employer brand. Much like the sails or a rudder, Recruitment Marketing can have a fantastic impact on the success or direction of an employer brand, however, where the difference lies in an employer brand is that it can also be heavily influenced by external factors; a wave of opinion, reviews or peer-to-peer discussion can elevate or devastate a brand regardless of marketing efforts. Mark Cavanagh is the Marketing Manager at The One Group. Charlotte Jones When we look at the talent acquisition funnel: awareness, attraction, engagement, interviews, offers, hires, employer branding is at the top of the funnel. Employer branding is about top of the funnel: creating awareness and influencing perceptions with recruitment marketing activity. Although we can influence the brand from an intentional management standpoint, the employer brand reflects the prospective and current employee perceptions that are based on experiences. Recruitment Marketing is activity that represents the middle to the bottom of the funnel that represents improving talent pipelines: promoting careers, experiences through media planning and implementation, engagement through social and digital channels. Charlotte  Jones is theRecruitment Marketing Manager at Lockheed Martin. Phil Strazzulla If you want to get academic or zealous about it, there are differences and mirror the differences between regular marketing (analytical, easy to measure ROI) and branding (more the way a given company makes you feel than the CPC of a FB ad). However, I use the terms interchangeably and I dont believe were at a point in time where it makes sense to make a large distinction between the two given that most companies are looking to get started on the VERY basics of building a strong employer brand and using basic recruitment marketing tactics to drive more relevant candidates. Phil Strazzulla is the Founder of NextWave Hire. Shelby Burghardt I think the easiest way to understand the difference between Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding is by thinking of your Employer Brand as your company reputation as an employer (why you’re a great place to work) and your Recruitment Marketing strategy is how you show you’re a great place to work by providing examples across many channels including your career site, social media, job boards, etc. Shelby Burghardt is the Global Talent Brand Manager at Thomson Reuters. Rebecca Drew Recruitment marketing and employer branding have a complex relationship: both deal with talent attraction, communication and recruitment but they are distinct in how they achieve their goals. For me, the simplest way to understand the difference is that employer branding crafts a company identity that encapsulates what the company stands for, and makes a company easily recognisable against its competitors. Recruitment marketing is taking this talent brand and using ir to appeal to, and stand out to, potential candidates. The two are becoming increasingly intertwined, as experienced by Siemens, who found that social media meant they didn’t ‘own’ their employer brand in the way that they used to. Instead, it has become a mix of what they say, their employees say and their candidates have to say, resulting in a much more blurred line between the employer brand and the recruitment marketing process. Rebecca Drew is a Manager at LinkedIn Talent Solutions. Bennett Sung Employer branding is a core pillar of an employer’s recruitment marketing strategy. Specifically, it humanizes an organization’s culture, teams, and roles across a range of job seeker personas through an extension of a corporation’s brand voice and visual identity. Employment branding transcends across the recruitment marketing pillars including thought leadership, candidate relationship acquisition management, and content. Bennett Sung is the Head of Marketing at Allyo.

How to Hire a Professional Resume Writer in NYC

How to Hire a Professional Resume Writer in NYCIf you have a business that requires resumes, it is very important to hire the services of a professional resume writer in NYC. Resume writing in NYC is about helping entrepreneurs in their career development.Resume writing in NYC is a must for every professional and ambitious entrepreneur. Without a strong, well-written resume, you will never get the promotion or raise you deserve. And the same holds true for home business owners who need resumes for online sales.You can find the best resume writing in NYC by starting online. There are many resume writing services that offer expert service at affordable rates. Of course, this doesn't mean that there aren't pros and cons of online resume writing. In fact, you can be assured of providing your most cherished credentials when you are ready to leave the job to the professionals.A few of the best online resume services are QuickRec, WeApply, and Mover. They not only offer the best materials, but they also make it easier for you to submit your resume online. The tools you need to place your resume on a website online include tabs that show the details and credentials of the person that is writing the letter.The editors of these online companies are best qualified to determine if the person who applies is the perfect fit for the position in which you are applying. The company will send a resume and cover letter via email or have the applicant write one up.The resume can be sent to the person in person or online or you can also fax the resume and cover letter to the company. This is a good option if you want to send your resume online for free.Most of the career-building companies in NYC offer custom services for both jobseekers and experienced professionals alike. If you are looking for a career move and you have less than three years' experience, you should look into a career change.Career change requires that you create a well-organized resume that will guide the compan y to hire you over others. This will help you establish a track record and an advantage over others. These companies charge you a fee for their services, but you can be assured that this is the best solution for any entrepreneur looking for career advancement.

How to Make LinkedIn and Your Resume Work Together

How to Make LinkedIn and Your Resume Work Together It is a known fact that when it comes to employment, being hired is not always dependent on what you know but often times it’s who you know that can be your biggest asset. That’s why you always hear people talking about the importance of networking. LinkedIn is an excellent website created specifically for professional networking but some users just aren’t using it to its fullest potential. In comparing your LinkedIn page to a sandwich your resume would be the bread and your profile page  would be the meat. The bread might come first, but the meat is the star of the show. Try adding your LinkedIn profile link to the bottom of your resume and encourage potential employers to check it out when you submit a cover letter or get interviewed. Your profile not only illustrates your experience but it also shows people you may have in common, provides a complete work history, links out to other things youve done, lists recommendations from former colleagues, and much more. Your LinkedIn page is your opportunity to expand your resume and get all of your great accomplishments that may not fit onto the resume. Here are some tips to help beef up your LinkedIn profile and impress your future employer. Take time to set up your LinkedIn profile page: The biggest mistake (I should say one of the biggest as others come to mind) you can make on LinkedIn is to fill only the required information and upload your resume then leave it alone. Even if your resume was more robust than most of the others you would run the risk of never giving it a chance to be seen. Companies search for different skills they are looking for in prospective employees. You have the opportunity to add keywords and skills onto your profile. Doing so will increase your chances of being seen by employers and give you a shot at being hired. You never know what may stick out. Something like being alumni from the same school as the person in charge of hiring can give you an edge over the competition. Maybe you and the person in charge of hiring both graduated with an online degree and share the bond of online learning  you never know. Here are 10 Tips To Spruce Up Your LinkedIn Profile. Network on the site: LinkedIn is a site created to promote and facilitate professional networking online, but some of the people who have profiles only created it to post a resume. That is defeating the entire purpose. Add contacts that you have worked with in the past, people you know well and would do business with in the future. Again, they may be searching for a job just like you but they may also know someone of influence in the field you are looking to enter. They can pass your name on, if your profile is completely filled out with relevant information, you just may get considered. Give yourself every opportunity to be seen. Check out the 21 Ways To Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn. Beef up your page: Make use of the recommendation section on your profile page. Reach out to current and former professors, managers and co-workers who can put in a good word for you. Telling people about yourself is good, but when they are able to see great things written about you from others it is even better. Getting a recommendation from a person with an excellent reputation is always a positive thing and can only help you. Be sure to have your resume current with your most recent work experience and skills you have acquired. Your resume and your profile page should tell your story and sell you before you have the opportunity to do so in an interview. Make sure both are presentable and professional looking so you don’t sell yourself short. Author: Jesse Langley lives near Chicago. He divides his time among work, writing and family life. He writes on behalf of  www.professionalintern.com.

Smartphone Etiquette at Work Whats That

Smartphone Etiquette at Work Whats That Smartphones have changed the way many Americans work. They quicken communication, they allow coworkers to reach out and respond to problems even while they are out of the office, and they let many take work home with them. But it’s nearly impossible to distinguish if someone is using their smartphone at the office for work purposes, or for personal reasons. A  new survey  by KDM Engineering on smartphone etiquette in the workplace revealed that the majority of Americans share an understanding of what is appropriate smartphone etiquette at work, but they don’t always follow those rules. For example, 61-percent of people say they check their smartphone at least once an hour at work, with 20-percent of people saying they look every 20 minutes, and two-percent saying they never put down their devices. Only 10 percent of people said they check their phone twice a day. While more than three-quarters of survey respondents say they go so far as to bring their smartphone with them into the bathroom while at work. Smartphones and Meetings When it comes to smartphone etiquette and meetings, most people are on the same page. Seven out of 10 people admit it is inappropriate to have their smartphone out during a meeting, but more than half (53%) still do it anyway. Even more people, eight out of 10, say it’s inappropriate to physically check their phone during a meeting, but half (50%) say they do it anyway. A shocking 10-percent of respondents said they brazenly had their smartphone out and visible during an initial interview for a new position. These results are not entirely shocking. According to KDM Engineering, people assume they use their phones way less than they actually do. The average smartphone user taps, touches or swipes their phone a whopping 2,617 times per day, when survey respondents estimated they touch their phone 100 times or less per day. Smartphone Etiquette At Work

A Healthy Diet Foods To Reverse Aging - Classy Career Girl

A Healthy Diet Foods To Reverse Aging Aging may be upsetting for many people because of the wrinkles, saggy skin, slower movement, joint pains, memory gap and a host of other things. But, there are a number of things you can do to improve how you age later in life.   Making better lifestyle choices, including engaging in more physical activities, breaking your smoking habit, getting more sleep and sticking to just one or two cups of alcohol.   One of the best places to start is in giving your diet a revamp and a major makeover. The Best Anti-Aging Nutrients For Your Diet Below are the 10 nutrients you should prioritize in your anti-aging diet.   Get these in and in the right amounts and not only will you be shedding pounds but you will also get great looking skin:   Fiber. Eat more fresh produce.   Make sure that your diet is comprised mostly of vegetable, fruits and whole grains.   Refrain from eating white rice and white bread which can easily make your sugar spike. Too much sugar in your body can loosen up your skin and make it break.  Other than keeping your skin healthy, fiber also keeps your digestive tract, excretory system and circulatory system functioning optimally. Omega-3 fatty acids. Even the World Health Organization recommends that you get a small amount of fat into your diet too.   Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines contain high levels of healthy cholesterol, as well as almonds and walnuts.  Incorporate moderate amounts of these foods into your diet. Antioxidants. Your richest sources of these free-radical fighting nutrients are your berries, citrus fruits, and fresh vegetables.   Antioxidants are good in your anti-wrinkle cream  too. Calcium. Give yourself a better chance at fighting bone loss and osteoporosis.   Include yogurt, the better dairy, in your diet.   It is not only rich in calcium but also contains lactobacilli which promotes healthier digestion, particularly important among older people with slower metabolism. Phytoceramides. Brown rice, beets and wheat germ contain high levels of phytoceramides.   These nutrients can be utilized by the body to make up for lower levels of ceramides produced by the skin.   Ceramides serve to rebuild and restructure the outer layer of the skin to protect it and keep moisture locked within. Niacinamide. Also known as Vitamin B3, this can be derived in high amounts from animal internal organs like liver and kidneys.   Bran and tuna are also good sources.   This nutrient enhances blood circulation and helps keep your veins healthy. Vitamin C. This vitamin does more than just improve your immune response, it also powers up your cells to set off more efficient processes that support skin repair and regeneration.   Get this from citrus fruits. Vitamin E. This vitamin not only keeps your skin nourished but it has also been found to have strong anti-inflammatory properties that protect your organs from damage and deterioration.   It aids in protecting your eyes from macular degeneration and even promotes a  healthy heart.   Get high levels of this good vitamin from almonds and walnuts. Amino acids. The building blocks of protein, amino acids support optimal cell repair and renewal functions.   Derive high levels of these body builders from eggs, meat products, soy and seeds. Potassium. Maintain proper body coordination by ensuring you get enough potassium in your diet.   Load up on poultry, potatoes, and beans.   These foods help regulate sodium in your blood as well as prevents water retention. [RELATED: How to Find Time to Workout] Enhance Your Diet   Revamp your lifestyle even more to enhance the effects of your anti-aging diet.   You should also: Live a more active lifestyle. Get these nutrients where they need to be by improving your blood circulation through exercise. Get enough sleep. If you want to keep your cells healthy, you must try harder to go to bed on time. Tackle your bad habits once and for all. If you still smoke, it’s time to quit.   It’s also time to reduce your alcohol intake. Take on a more optimistic outlook in life. Spend more time having a good time. Have a good laugh with your significant other and keep showing people you love that you love them.   Aging should be welcomed with open arms â€" if only for the fact that there’s no turning back and that,  and you get to experience more to life as a mature adult. Isnt that more fun than when you were a teen?

8 Highest Paying Sales Jobs in 2020 CareerMetis.com

8 Highest Paying Sales Jobs in 2020 For some people, there’s nothing more exciting than closing that deal. But it’s not just about the thrill, it’s about the survival of a business as well.Sure, the creative industry allows you to flex artistic muscles, and the tech industry offers a glimpse into a brave new future, but without the skills to back it up with the right marketing and the ‘gift of the gab’, your talents will be wasted. You won’t be able to sell your services, and your product will grow stale on the Experience in the sales world will help you gain vital business skillsand perspective to convince those around you to invest in your company, or help push your business forward The best part is, regardless of how the ad industry is portrayed, this is a job about doggedness and determination, more than talent and charm. Creativity is important in so far is it gives you an edge on the competition. But it’s even more vital when you need to think about practical problem-solving solutions or consider bu dget constraints in your projects.Sales jobs are often pitched as ideal for hyper-competitive, extroverted people, but ad agencies are environments where communication and a good team are both essential to your success, so if you’re not the lone wolf type, this might be just the job for you.3) Manufacturers’ RepresentativeAutomation in factories and warehouses is inevitable, but there are jobs in manufacturing that even the robots of today, can’t take over. One of these jobs would be that of a manufacturer’srepresentative. As a representative, it’s your job to represent your company, and ensure you know the ins and outs of your products.In many cases, the manufacturer’s sales representatives work as independents. Attention to detail and the ability to self-motivate are critical skills in this job environment. You will receive extensive training from the company on the products themselves, but you are acting, essentially as an outsourced worker or freelancer. The ability to set your own hours makes this ideal for anyone interested in sales, who also values autonomy.evalThe great thing about working as a manufacturer’s representative is flexibility. Whatever your field is, you can probably pick up an entry-level job as a rep. For example, if you have a degree in IT but want a career in sales, you could work as a manufacturer’s representative for an IT firm to help you fully transition to the sales industry. You will likely go through extensive on-the-job training programs for weeks or sometimes for months. If you’re good at your job, you can make an average of $80,000 a year!4) Software Sales RepresentativeIf you’re a digital native, your bachelor’s degree in communications or computer science doesn’t have to mean toiling away in the IT department. As more and more companies continue to shift to digital services and eCommerce, there is huge pressure for software companies to constantly create updates, as well as fight to meet digital dema nds.With an increase in digital traffic, there’s an increase in software to meet the demand. That means everything from cloud software for a secured, off-site network, to financial tools that process payment both locally and worldwide, software to handle encrypted data, sensitive data, and boardroom communications around the world. As the world moves faster, software companies rush to keep up, and there is no shortage of sales representatives needed to extoll the virtues of their virtual wares.As a software sales representative, you’ll be trained in the ins and outs of CRM software, cloud management, and other business essentials for the world of 21st-century business. If you’re up-to-date on the jargon, and you have the gift of persuasion, you can build an impressive Rolodex quickly, and raise your average salary from the low end of $84,000 to over $100,000!5) Health Care and Pharmaceutical SalesAs the boomer generation continues to age, the need forhealth careandhealth insur ancecontinue to rise. From asales perspective, this means that there’s plenty of lucrative opportunity in medical fields. Estimates point to the aging population to explain a rise in medical aid devices, health insurance packages, and pharmaceuticals. As these trends continue, it marks a good time to get into the world of health sales representatives.Your sales salary in this field depends on whether you’re aiming for medical devices and treatment, or health insurance. Sales opportunities in this industry areseeing growth in all sectors. Six-figure commissions and included perks like options for your 401K are considered the norm at every aspect of the healthcare sales industry.As with most industries, you should be aware that technology has changed the requirements for many sales jobs. Sales in the medical field aren’texempt from these changes. As with any sales position, visibility and a recognizable name and face are essential. You will find it useful to add some social medi a Brick and mortar businesses can be slow to pick up new technologies. Recessions, market crashes, and data corruption can sometimes impact a business’ willingness to enter into the 21st-century world of eCommerce. But with the prospective forecast for eCommerce looking at a potential growth of 16% worldwide, digital payment solutions are a safe bet as a career choice, with a yearly salary of an average of $65K a year.A background in IT and cybersecurity can help put reluctant adopters at ease, and improve your pitch, and your chances of a positive response!7) Big Data/BI Sales RepresentativeSpeaking of security concerns. Machine learning is growing in 2020. With increasing concerns around privacy and cybersecurity amid both businesses and the average consumer, anyone staying ahead of the game when it comes to handling and processing big data and automated systems is an asset.Though you pay for an entry-level position as a big data representative is on the low side, getting to kno w, understanding the software, and providing the security that most businesses are looking for, can turn this into a lucrative business.8) Major Gifts OfficerIt may not feel like a sales job, but it uses the same skills of persuasion, practical problem solving and the ability to put your passion behind your project. In the non-profit sector, a major gift is an area where it’s possible to make up to $90,000 a year, with a bachelor’s degree, and the right experience. As a major gifts officer, it’s your job to sell the non-profit, its mandates and it’s capabilities, to big-ticket donors and important supporters.evalThe ability to show all the passion and dedication of an organization is key to generating the support, endorsements, and donations that many large non-profits need to keep running. If you’re someone passionate about the nonprofit sector, working as a major gifts officer can earn a respectable living, while allowing you the opportunity to work with an organization that speaks to you, that you can genuinely trust and advocate for. Like all sales jobs, you’ll learn to use your existing connections to build your reputation. Though your connections will play an important role in your success, you’ll be expected to work as a team. Whether or not you stay in the non-profit sector, you’ll learn great problem-solving skills, and how to deal with practical constraints of money, scheduling, and other available resources. And all while making a good living, too!Which Type of Sales? Flexibility and IndependenceOverall, sales trends are skewing toward eCommerce and the digital world. Along with the jobs mentioned here, telecommunications services, outsourcing equipment, and digital media distribution tools are fast-growing industries that show no sign of slowing in the coming years. But if you’re still a fan of a face-to-face connection and handshake, there are avenues to explore, such as medical devices, or real estate.If you are of a more indepe ndent and entrepreneurial mindset, you might choose to become a consultant, by developing relationships with various companies, and working on a freelance basis. This carries more risks, but, depending on your experience, can actually net you a higher profit. If you have familiarity with highly specialized fields, either tech or medical, you will find you can more quickly gain a reputation. Do You Have What it to Succeed in Sales?To help you decide whether or not sales is the right direction for you to take, below is a quick checklist of skills and traits. You can go over it yourself, or ask someone close to you to do this for you.So if you want to become a selling machine, you:Enjoy interacting with people and are a great listenerHave a keen sense of people’s emotions, wants and fearsAre competitive and ambitiousAre tenacious and bold when it comes to reaching goalsCan handle rejection and failure, and don’t take anything personallyHave a knack for storytellingAre optimistic ab out your sales resultsIf you’re a natural-born sales talent, or you’re interested in marketing and sales, it can sometimes feel like you’re doomed to a life in the boardroom. But new sales positionsare all about being dynamic and flexible. If you have the talent, and the patience to keep expanding your skill set, there are plenty of great, high-paying sales jobs with easily-transferable skills just waiting to help you boost your career or your business.If you’re looking for the next big move in your career, these tips should help you get startedfor a successful career in sales.

5 essential steps to resolve a conflict at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

5 essential steps to resolve a conflict at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Though Jane enjoyed working as the sales manager of Wilbey Sons, working with Scott, the financial manager, was a constant struggle for her. At every meeting, Scott would take great care to explain why all her ideas were unworkable. Also, Scott was constantly asking for sales projections and financial data from her and always wanted it in excruciating detail. Supplying these figures was taking up a large amount of her departments already packed schedule. Frankly she thought, he was nothing but a dry, negative perfectionist. Scott, on the other hand, thought that Jane was a maverick. She always had to interrup meetings with her harebrained schemes and whenever he asked her for the data he needed to keep the company finances in order, she would always stall and make him have to ask her again several times. Jane, he felt, was nothing but a happy-go-lucky, unrealistic show-off. It got to the point where neither of them could stand to be in the same room together. The company clearly suffered under this conflict between two of its key employees and something clearly needed to be done. Fortunately the CEO had a simple but surprising solution. I dont know about you, but I hate conflicts at work. Spending my work days mad at a co-worker, trying to avoid that person and subconsciously finding fault with everything they say or do is not exactly my idea of a good time. I used to be an expert at dodging conflicts on the job and Im here to tell you that it just doesnt work! What does work is biting the bullet and doing something about it here and now. I have seen what looked like huge, insurmountable, serious conflicts go poof and disappear into dust when handled constructively. I have also seen an itty-bitty molehill of a problem grow into a mountain that threatened to topple an entire company. You cant win a conflict at work. Winning a conflict ie. getting the outcome you want regardless of what the other person wants can be gratifying, sure, but the problem is that the underlying issue has not been solved. It will simply reappear later over some other topic. Much better than winning a conflict at work is resolving it. And the price of inaction is high, because unresolved, long-running conflicts result in antagonism, break-down in communications, inefficient teams, stress and low productivity. In short, unresolved conflicts make people terribly unhappy at work. With all of this in mind, here are five essential steps to constructively resolve conflicts at work. The steps can be applied to any kind of conflict between co-workers with maybe one exception read more at the end of the post. 1: Realize that conflicts are inevitable at work Show me a workplace without conflict and Ill show you a workplace where no one gives a damn. Whenever people are engaged, committed and fired up, conflict and disagreement is bound to happen. This doesnt mean you have to revel in conflict or create trouble just for the hell of it, but it does mean that when conflict happens its not the end of the world. Quite the contrary, it can even be the beginning of an interesting learning process. The very best and most efficient workplaces are not the ones without conflicts but those who handle conflicts constructively. Particularly when a workplace is changing and new ideas are being dreamt up and implemented, conflict is inevitable. There can be no business change without conflict. The trick is to make sure that you also have no conflict without change, because that is the truly dangerous thing: Conflicts that go on for years with all parties refusing to budge. The fact that you have a conflict at work does not reflect badly on you it mostly means that you care enough to disagree strongly. Thats a good thing provided that you do something about the conflict instead of just letting it go on forever. 2: Handle conflict sooner rather than later This is the single most important tip to successfully resolve conflicts: Do it now! Its very tempting to wait for a conflict to blow over by itself, but it rarely does in most cases it only gets worse with time. I refer you to this delightful cartoon by Claire Bretecher for an example. 90% of conflicts at work do not come from something that was said, but from something that wasnt said! Its tempting to try and smooth things over and pretend everything is normal. Dont. Thats the most common reason why conflicts at work escalate: Nobody does anything. Everyones waiting for the other guy to pull himself together and just admit hes wrong, dammit. It may be unpleasant to tackle the issue here and now but believe me, it gets even more unpleasant after the conflict has stewed for a good long while. 3: Ask! In the early stages of a conflict the most powerful tool to resolve it is simple: Ask! If somebody has done something that made you angry, if you dont understand somebodys viewpoint, if you dont understand their actions ask! Do it nicely. Say, I was wondering why you did X yesterday or Ive noticed that you often do Y. Why is that? are good examples. Why the hell do you always have to Z! is less constructive :o) Sometimes theres a perfectly good reason why that person does what he does, and a potential conflict evaporates right there. Also: Never assume that people do what they do to annoy you or spite you. People typically have a good reason to do the things they do, even the things that really get on your nerves. Never assume bad faith on anyone elses part. Instead: Ask! 4: Giraffe language For more entrenched conflicts that have been going on for a while, use giraffe language. Its the best tool around for constructively conveying criticism and solving conflict. An example: You and a co-worker often clash at meetings. Its gotten to the point where each of you are just itching to pounce on the slightest mistake the other person makes. You can barely stand the sight of each other and have begun to avoid each other as much as you can. This has been going on for a while now. Heres how you can use giraffe language to adress the conflict. Theres an invitation and six steps to it: Invitation Invite the other person to talk about the situation. An example: Say John, Id really like to talk to you. Do you have half an hour some time today? We could meet in meeting room B. A hurried conversation at your desk between emails and phone calls wont solve anything. You need an undisturbed location and time to adress the issue. And make no mistake: Giving this invitation may be the hardest part of the whole process. It can be remarkably hard to take that first step. Do it anyway! At the meeting itself, you need a way to structure the conversation constructively. Otherwise it could easily go like this: The good thing about giraffe language is that the conversation doesnt degenerate into mutual accusations. Without a proper structure the meeting could also go like this: John, why are you always attacking me at meetings? What are you talking about I dont do that! You do. Yesterday you jumped on me for suggesting that we add en extra programmer to the team. Weve talked about that a thousand times, we dont have the budget for more people. That was no reason to stomp me and the idea at the meeting. Well thats what you did to me when I suggested that we review the project model. Etc. etc. etc. Ever had one of those discussions at work? Not much fun and not very productive either! Giraffe language keeps accusations, assumptions and mutual attacks out of the conversation and makes it much more likely to reach a solution. Heres how it goes. Its important that you prepare the meeting thoroughly and write down notes to each step so you know what youre going to say. After each of the steps (except ii and iii) ask the other person if he agrees with your thinking and if hed like to add anything. i) Observation. Identify what you see in neutral, objective terms. John, Ive noticed that in our project meetings, we get very critical of each others ideas. For instance, the other day you suggested reviewing our project model and I jumped on you for suggesting it, though its actually a necessary step. I have noticed that weve ended up doing something like this in almost every meeting in the last few months. It also seems to be getting worse. Would you agree with this description of the situation? This is where you describe the facts of the situation as objectively as possible. What is actually happening? When and how is it happening? What is the other person doing and, not least, what are you doing? Youre only allowed to cite observable facts and not allowed to assume or guess at what the other person is thinking or doing. You can say Ive noticed that youre always criticizing me at our meetings because thats a verifiable fact. You cant say Ive noticed that youve stopped respecting my ideas because that assumes something about the other person. ii) Apologize. Apologize for your part in the conflict. John, I want to apologize for attacking you at the meetings. It has a bad effect on the mood of our meetings and I can see that it makes you angry. I apologize. If youre 100%, totally and utterly without fault in the conflict you may skip this step. That doesnt happen too often, let me tell you, usually everyone involved has done something to create and sustain the conflict. Remember: Youre not accepting the entire blame, youre taking responsibility for your contribution to the situation. iii) Appreciate. Praise the other part in the conflict. Tell them why its worth it to you to solve the conflict. I know we dont always see eye to eye and that we have very different personalities but I want you to know that I really appreciate your contribution to the project. Without you we would never have gotten this far in the same time. Also the way you communicate with our clients and your ability to find out what they really want are second to none and a boost to the project. This can be difficult, few people find it easy to praise and appreciate a person they disagree strongly with, but its a great way to move forward. It also serves as a lithmus test: If you cant think of a single positive thing to say about the other person, you may not be ready to resolve the conflict yourself. In this case see tip 5 (mediation) below. iv) Consequences. What has the conflict led to for you and for the company? Why is it a problem? I dont like this situation we have now. Its making me anxious before meetings and its making the meetings less productive. I also think some of the other project members are starting to wonder what its all about. Jane asked me the other day why the two of us can never agree on anything. I think this is actually harming the project. Would you agree? Outlining the consequences of the conflict shows why its necessary to resolve the conflict. It also helps participants to look beyond themselves and see the conflict from the outside. v) Objective. What would be a good outcome. I would like for us to listen more an appreciate each others ideas more. You have some great ideas and even if I dont agree with an idea, I can still listen and make constructive suggestions. Does that sound like a good goal? Its essential to set a goal so both parties know the outcome theyre aiming for. That makes reaching the outcome a lot more likely :o) vi) Request. Ask for specific actions that can be implemented right away. I suggest that we introduce a new rule: At meetings when one of us suggest something and the other person disagrees, we start by saying whats good about the idea and then say how it could be better. Also if we start to attack each other as we have before, I suggest we both excuse ourselves from the meeting and talk about it in private instead of in front of the entire team. Also, what do you say we have a short talk after our next project meeting to evaluate how it went. How does that sound? The standard version of giraffe language has four steps and is formulated slightly differently. What you see here is an adaptation of traditional giraffe language to the business world that is more suited to conflicts at work. Why is it called giraffe language? Because the giraffe has the biggest heart of any animal on dry land (it needs to, to pump blood all the way up to its brain). The great thing about giraffe language is that: It gives structure to a difficult conversation It minimizes assumptions and accusations It focuses on the real problems not just the symptoms It results in a plan of action not just vague assuarances to do better 5: Get mediation George, the CEO of Wilbey Sons, wanted Jane and Scott, his sales and financial managers, to work well together, but he also knew that something new was need to break the ice between them. He invited them to a meeting in his office and as they sat there, next to each other across his desk, the resentment between them was apparent you could sense how they were each ready to spring into action and defend themselves. His opening took them both by surprise, though. Jane, would you please tell me what you admire about Scott. This was not what they had expected, and Jane needed a moment to get her mind around that particular question. Well he its I have to say that his reports are always excellent and that his department runs like clockwork. Also he handled that situation with the bank last month quickly and without a hitch. The CEOs next question was And Scott, what do you appreciate about Jane? Having heard the first question, Scott was caught less by surprise and smoothly replied Sales are up 17% this quarter because of her last campaign and it looks like the trend will continue.And I must say that the customers I talk to all like the new pricing structure she introduced. From that moment on the mood in the room had shifted, and the three of them could have a real conversation about Scott and Janes differences and how to resolve them. Though they never became friends, they were able to work effectively together and appreciate each others strengths. Some conflicts are so entrenched that they can not be solved by the participants alone; outside help is needed in the form of conflict mediation. Mediation involves finding a third party trusted by the people involved in the conflict, and then trusting that person to help find a solution. The mediator can be a manager, HR employee, a business coach, a co-worker, etc. You can still speed up the mediation process by preparing for it by using the giraffe language steps above. What if all of this doesnt work? There is no guarantee that the method described here will resolve your conflict at work. It may or it may not. But even if it doesnt work you have the satisfaction of knowing that youve tried. You have risen above the conflict for a while and tried to address it positively and constructively. No one can ask more of you. One kind of conflict at work is particularly tricky, namely a conflict with your manager. With a good manager who responds constructively to criticism, this is rarely a problem, but a conflict with a bad or insecure manager can seriously impact your working situation and needs special handling. Theres a post coming next week about working with bad managers. If you like this post theres a good chance youll also enjoy these: Top 10 bad excuses for staying in a crappy job. How do you know its time to quit? Find your quitting point.. The cult of overwork. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Not convinced that social networking can propel your job hunt -

Not convinced that social networking can propel your job hunt - If there is one thing that I learned at the ERE Expo conference targeted at recruiters and career professionals earlier this month, it is that social networking is a key way that recruiters identify and source candidates. Have you been  hesitating to use social media for your job hunt? Maybe you think it is a fad? Take a look at this video from  Socialnomics A few key points: Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months! If Facebook were a country, it would be the worlds 4th largest. 80% of companies are using LinkedIn as their primary way to find employees. Are you making it easy for people to find you? Watch this if you think social media is not important. It may just change your mind! Thanks to my friend Andy Drish for sending a link to this video on Twitter! Let me help you navigate the social networks to propel your job hunt!