A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way

A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way Employee engagement has been at the top of the HR agenda for a long time now, but it seems a lot of  managers still don’t understand why they should take good care to make a workplace somewhere  people  want to work.  Leaders who practice value-centred leadership find that gratitude is a good starting point. In the  workplace, gratitude can positively impact such factors as job satisfaction, loyalty and team cohesion  while reducing staff turnover and increasing organisational profitability and productivity. We’ve been looking at a new book The Power Paradox by American psychologist Dacher Keltner. His  premise is that it is the empathetic, generous person who reaches out to others who gains esteem and  power.  Keltner suggests leaders who focus on the interests, humanity and dignity of the people around them  are most successful. He thinks that expressions of gratitude create strong, collaborative ties and pave  the way for greater influence. The simple ‘thank you’ really works â€" being thanked for completed work  led participants in research experiments to be twice as likely to volunteer for more work. The feel-good factor Employees who feel valued will work harder; its as simple as that! A study reported by Harvard Medical  School and completed by researchers at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania proves the point:  â€œResearchers randomly divided university fundraisers into two groups. One group made phone calls to  solicit alumni donations in the same way they always had. The second group, assigned to work on a  different day, were given a pep talk from the director of giving, who told the fundraisers she was  grateful for their efforts. During the following week, the university employees who heard her message  of gratitude made 50% more fund-raising calls than those who did not.” People feel better about themselves if their boss thanks them, and will work harder for a grateful boss.  Dave Skibinki, CEO of SnapMD, a software company illustrates the virtuous circle: “Every business  owner has limited resources to compensate their employees for their work, but every business owner  has an unlimited supply of thank yous. Second, every business survives due to its customers. If you are  in the habit of saying thank you to your staff, they can then say thank you to customers. You are in  essence creating a culture of gratitude. Thats a good thing for any business.” Positive reinforcement Positive reinforcement in the form of gratitude means that you are  communicating with staff about what you want to see more of from them at work. Nothing is more  effective than expressing real gratitude.  So, don’t just say “our employees are our greatest asset,” but show that you really do actually believe  this to be true. Yes, staff are paid to turn up and work and are expected to do it well and  conscientiously. Want them to go the extra mile? To care about your organisation, your product and  your customers? Then show them you care. Vineet Nayar, CEO of HCL Technologies, refuses to treat his staff as human resource or as intellectual  capital. His distinctive approach has resulted in a transformation of his organisation. By putting  employees on top of the organisational pyramid, he argues: “your company can fully realise the value  created in the interface between customers and employees.” Say thank you to your colleagues today! Image: Shutterstock

Top 10 Overused Buzzwords on UK LinkedIn Profiles

Top 10 Overused Buzzwords on UK LinkedIn Profiles Most common words on British LinkedIn profiles? Im thinking words like jolly good, smashing, spiffing, whippersnapper, old chap, balderdash and tickety boo old bean. Not so Im afraid, the British contingent on LinkedIn have succumbed to corporate buzzwords just like the rest of the world. LinkedIn now has 500  million members worldwide (20+  million of those in jolly old Britain), and they released the most overused words and phrases in members’ LinkedIn Profiles  the other day.  You may not be surprised that ‘creative’ has topped the list this year; could it be that UK professionals realize they need to up their game to get noticed, whether job hunting or networking, in the current economic climate. But the clear message from this research is that professionals shouldn’t rely on buzzwords that they think will get them noticed â€" employers and head-hunters are looking for substance and plus style. So rather than saying you are “creative”, LinkedIn recommends that professionals try to use simple language to clearly state what work or projects they have helped to deliver that demonstrates their creativity â€" experience has never counted for so much, so give specific examples, results and if possible, personal testimonials. The most overused buzzwords on UK LinkedIn profiles The number one most overused buzzword in LinkedIn Profiles, (the place where members’ list their professional skills and achievements), both globally and in the UK was ‘creative’. Here is LinkedIn’s list of the top 10 terms that are overused by professionals in the UK: 1. Creative 2. Track record 3. Motivated 4. Effective 5. Extensive experience 6. Wide range 7. Innovative 8. Communication skills 9. Dynamic 10. Problem solving Here are the number one buzzwords for countries that LinkedIn fielded the study in: Creative: Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the United States Multinational: Brazil Dynamic: France Effective: India Problem solving: Italy Motivated: Ireland Managerial: Spain Track record: Singapore Here are some tips professionals can act on over the Christmas break to increase the number of people viewing their LinkedIn Profile: Come highly recommended Recommendations on LinkedIn spread virally, and give those viewing your profile a sense of who you are as a professional. Request LinkedIn Recommendations from past managers and clients, and feel free to hint at why youre asking for the recommendation (to get more clients, to find a new job, etc.) as well as the types of things the recommender can comment on. (Tim, Id really appreciate it if you could give me a recommendation regarding the ABC project that I worked on that resulted in us increasing sales by 120 percent.) Accentuate your profile Make sure your LinkedIn Profile is complete and includes all the roles you have had. You are 12 times more likely to be viewed for potential opportunities if you have more than one position listed on your profile. Also, add a profile photo â€" people never forget a face.

The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Alcoholism is a serious illness affecting millions of Americans. Whereas most people are able to have an occasional social drink, others find themselves trapped in a cycle of alcohol abuse that can spiral into alcohol use disorder or AUD. Alcoholism is characterized by certain behaviors such as continuing to drink despite the damage it is doing the individual’s health and wellbeing. The physical signs and symptoms of alcoholism and intoxication are recognizable to most adults: Incoherent or slurred speech Unstable movement and clumsiness Sluggish reflexes Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain Blacking out or temporarily losing consciousness A red complexion while consuming or shortly afterward It is very possible for an individual to get to such a level of intoxication that it poses a serious threat to their lives. Alcohol poisoning is possible from one incident over overindulgence and can cause respiratory arrest or even death. The Symptoms of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse When individuals progressively increase the frequency and volume of alcohol they consume, it can start to create more serious symptoms of AUD. The main problem is that people develop a quick tolerance to alcohol.   This leads to them drinking more and more in order to get the desired results. The more a person continues to drink, the more at risk they are of experiencing intense cravings if they continue to progress through the stages of alcoholism. AUD is marked by a persons complete preoccupation for obtaining and consuming alcohol. It will become apparent to those close to them that they always seem to introduce alcohol into social activities or at unusual times of the day. When someone becomes completely focused on using alcohol, they lose sight of everything that is more important in their lives. Relationships and children are neglected, work performance declines and their health shows physical signs of deterioration and yet they will continue to drink. The warning signs a person is abusing alcohol include the following: They lose control of their alcohol intake once they start drinking Family and professional obligations are regularly neglected Risk-taking behaviors that have a high risk of legal or financial problems An increase in aggressive or explosive behavior Confrontation on their drinking usually results in their denial or apportioning blame elsewhere Regularly suffering the physical effects of excessive drinking (hangovers, etc) When someone has progressed from alcohol abuse to dependence and have not reached out to an AUD treatment center, they are less likely to be able to stop without specialist help. Once an alcoholic starts drinking, they no longer have control over when enough is enough. They will also have built a significant tolerance to alcohol so they may feel they are drinking less because they dont feel as intoxicated.   In fact, they have still consumed a dangerous amount. The signs that a person has developed AUD include: Hangovers that last for longer than before, with more time needed to recover after using alcohol Increased alcohol intake due to more tolerance to its effects Further neglect of work or family responsibilities A noticeable decline in physical health which the individual has recognized Repeated and unsuccessful attempts to reduce alcohol intake or quit altogether Withdrawal symptoms emerge when not consuming alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcoholism and AUD The longer a person abuses alcohol, the higher at risk they are of serious medical consequences if they choose to detox on their own. There are around 15,000 alcohol abuse treatment centers across the country.   These centers offer rehab and aftercare treatment programs that include supervised detox. Because some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be severe, it is always advisable to have detox specialists on hand to treat them. A person experiencing the following withdrawal symptoms is more likely to be at the advanced stages of alcoholism: Uncontrollable shaking of the hands and sometimes the whole body Tremors, seizures, and convulsions Extreme sweating even if in a cold room Restlessness, agitation, and anxiety Chronic insomnia Hallucinations and delusions Delirium tremens or DTs How Does Alcohol Affect the Body? It is a well-known fact that alcohol is a depressant that negatively affects the central nervous system. Alcohol works in a complex way to affect several systems in the brain, particularly the GABA receptors which inhibit the activity of neurons or nerve cells. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver and although this is the only organ capable of regenerating after damage, individuals who have consumed excessive alcohol over the long-term can damage the liver beyond repair. AUD is a significant illness that causes more than 100,000 deaths every year in the US. It is also the leading cause of the death of children as a result of being involved in alcohol-related traffic accidents.

Getting The Most From Recruiters In Your Job Search - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Getting The Most From Recruiters In Your Job Search - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career As an active job seeker, you’re likely ready and willing to pull out all of your resources to find a job. While working with a recruiter should be one of those tactics to use in your job search, it’s difficult to understand how to best use recruiters to your advantage. In essence, recruiters work closely with hiring companies to recruit for a specific job description. Recruiters are also involved in some, if not all, of the following tasks: Review applicant resumes Select the top candidates Conduct preliminary phone interviews Conduct in-person interviews Facilitate interviews with top candidates with the hiring company Facilitate job offers with candidates You might be thinking, “Perfect! The recruiter can help me land a job!” Wrong. A recruiter’s goal is to hire the job candidate who is best for the hiring company’s position. If you aren’t the right fit, you might not receive feedback or even a call back. Now that I’ve scared you, let’s get to the good part. If you know how to effectively communicate with and reach out to recruiters, they are experts on connecting talent with the right job. Here are a five steps to getting the most out of a recruiter: 1. Target the right recruitment agencies. There are thousands of employment or staffing agencies in the U.S. Before you start contacting agencies on the fly, try targeting specific agencies by location or  specialty.  Many agencies recruit for a specific industry, geographic location, or both. If you’re looking for a job in sales and marketing, there’s likely an agency that specifically recruits for these positions in your area and understands the industry well. 2. Don’t become involved with more than three agencies at one time. Because there are so many recruitment agencies in the U.S., competition for talent is high. If you’re not getting much feedback from one agency, it’s okay to branch out to another one. But don’t contact every agency in the area. This will make you seem desperate for work or unemployable. 3. Give your target agencies a call, shoot them an email with your resume, and maintain a relationship in a conservative fashion. Most agencies have their own process for entering their job portal. So go through whatever process they have listed. But be sure to maintain communication with your recruiter without being aggressive, annoying, or needy. If you’re the right fit for a position, the recruiter will contact you. If you haven’t heard from them in a few weeks, don’t forget  the recruiter has other clients and is likely very busy. So don’t hesitate to send a short and sweet email. 4. Make sure your resume, cover letters, and any other application materials showcase your skills and fit for the agency’s job openings. This sounds like common sense, but really do it. Recruiters are looking for the best fit for their client’s job openings. So you better make all of your materials showcase this notion! Personalize your cover letters to each hiring company, be professional, and be diligent. This will get a recruiters attention. 5. Refer talented friends and contacts to your recruiter if you know they fit a job opening. If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours, right? So help your recruiter out. If your friend or colleague is the perfect fit for a job opening, pass along their contact information to your recruiter. (Don’t pass them along if they aren’t qualified!) They will certainly appreciate the gesture and good karma might find you later. Millions of people have landed a job via a recruitment agency. If you know how to navigate the world of a recruiter and are qualified for their job openings, you will likely move from job seekers to employee. Recruiters, what tips do you have for job seekers looking to connect with a recruitment agency? Share your tips in the comments below. Author: Heather R. Huhman  is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder president of  Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of  Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of  Lies, Damned Lies Internships  (2011) and  #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle  (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for  numerous outlets.

Need Help Writing Cover Letters For My Resume?

Need Help Writing Cover Letters For My Resume?If you are looking for ways to find and apply for jobs or just in general looking for a job, you may have already found out that you need help writing cover letters for your resume. If you really want to make sure that you get a call back from an employer, you need to know that you can't afford to overlook this step.Writing a cover letter for your resume is easy if you use the right kind of writing. You should learn to write the appropriate kind of letter with your resume if you are going to be successful. Let's talk about what is required and where to find it.Writing a cover letter for your resume is an essential part of getting interviews and getting new jobs. With all the work you put into a resume, the last thing you want to do is lose it to something that should have been taken care of earlier. A written letter of introduction is an essential part of getting your resume noticed. You should use this as the first part of your list to m ake sure that you have done everything possible to get noticed.So how do you write a great letter? There are many tools out there that can teach you the ins and outs of writing a letter, and how to make your resume stand out. These tools are designed to show you how to get a quality letter written for your resume that is also on-point and professional.Do not go for any top recruiter that tells you to write your own letter. In the end, you will find that they will only end up creating you a letter that looks like they wrote it themselves.Instead, why not invest in a top-of-the-line professional writer to help you get that professional look that you are looking for. They are experts in this field and know exactly what to do to get your letter looking great and help you get noticed for a good job.Writing a cover letter for your resume is easy when you know how to properly style of the letter. There are many guides and other resources out there that can help you with this step, but do n ot feel that you need to use these in place of good guide writing. The important thing to remember is that you are using a professional writer to help you with this job and they know how to do it right.Remember that getting a resume to the next level of employers requires you to get help writing cover letters for your resume. Use a professional service and follow their instructions and you will find the results to be a good one.

Summary Sunday HOPE

Summary Sunday HOPE Hope is a word that implies pro-active thought and activity. Wish, on the other hand implies passive or re-active thought with little or no activity. (IMHO) We can hope for peace or wish for peace.   Which will it be?   We can hope for a job or wish for a job?   Which will you choose? In honor of hope and the holiday season, I wanted to share posts that had a sense of hope. The inspiration for this collection of Hope posts came from Jason Albas, JibberJobber post:   Dick Bolles on Options and Hope.   (Thank you Jason and Dick!) Jason writes: Dick Bolles said something like (my paraphrase): When you have no options you have no HOPE.  Show people their options and you can see their HOPE. 2 Reasons Were Afraid to Ask for Help from CAREEREALISM JT ODonnell states in her post: I think there are 2 reasons: 1. We think the fact needing an expert to help us means we are weak or failing in some way â€" a.k.a. we feel ashamed asking for help. 2. We’re too dang proud to admit we need help. Simplifying Personal Branding for Job Seekers by Jay Block on Personal Branding Blog This post is more than the title suggests.   Jay Block states that being a job seeker requires the development of many skills, more than the typical CEO has to master.   One of these skills is the concept of Personal Branding, which he defines in a couple of different ways to help make it easier to understand what it is and why it is important.   Yes, this term is trite and overused, however the concept is key! 5 Top Holiday Practices For Your Business from WorkAwesome I know, you arent a business, but I HOPE you are acting like one.   These tips are helpful either way! Changing the World With Entrepreneurship from Small Business Trends Hope comes sometimes when we look at the future.   The inspiration to try or do new things or to see things in new ways.   This post does just that! What Are You Working On from Seth Godin Short, sweet and inspiringlike so many of his posts! Frustration Friday: Remembering Our Success from Fan to Pro In his post, Steven Savage says: A concern I have is that after this economic mess, those of us who prosper may end up so focused on our own success, after going through so much pain, that well forget how others suffer.   I worry that our own suffering means that, in our success, well have lost empathy for others. Make the most of this holiday season, this time of your life and this opportunity to make a difference.

Awesome workplace prank on the set of Star Trek Into Darkness - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Awesome workplace prank on the set of Star Trek Into Darkness - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Nothing beats a good workplace prank. Here Simon Pegg (who plays Scotty in the latest Star Trek movies) explains how he convinced his fellow actors that they must wear a special cream to protect them from neutrons on the set: Hilarious! 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