Oct 312016
 

Imagine two people are interviewing for a job. On paper, both candidates are very qualified. They both have degrees from prestigious schools, high GPAs, and a few years of relevant work experience.

Going into the interview, both are well-prepared. They’ve practiced all the common interview questions, dressed for success, and are ready to throw down.

After speaking to both of them, however, the interviewer’s decision isn’t even a hard one. One candidate clearly outshone the other – hiring them was a no-brainer. How can this be?

Simple. One candidate used the interview to demonstrate their soft skills. The other had never even heard that term.

Many students think that getting a job is all about qualifications and technical skills. Those don’t hurt (indeed, they’re essential), but things like how well you work in a team, how well you communicate, and how well you understand other people’s emotions are just as important.

The things I just listed are all soft skills. They’re harder to quantify than hard skills like programming, writing, or accounting, and they’re also more difficult to learn formally.

If you’ve ever taken a business class or read a business publication, you’ve probably heard these two terms thrown around. Understanding and cultivating both are essential to succeeding not just in school and work, but in life.

Today’s post will clear up the ambiguity surrounding hard and soft skills. We’ll cover what they are, which ones employers value (hint: it depends on the job), and how you can cultivate both of them (especially soft skills).

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Oct 242016
 

5-alleged-positiveWhat’s that old saying? Everything in moderation?

Yes, I know, typically people share that adage when talking about a healthy diet. You can have a donut once in a while—just not every morning (unless you’re totally OK with your waistband getting tighter with each passing day).

But, while this age-old sentiment undoubtedly applies to the food pyramid, I think it rings true somewhere else as well: With your behaviors.

Think about it: There are tons of different traits and qualities that are—for the most part—extremely positive. But, take them a little too far? Well, suddenly you’ve crossed over into completely obnoxious (or perhaps even counterproductive) territory. Apparently there really is such thing as too much of a good thing.

“Wait, what sorts of characteristics are you talking about?” you’re likely thinking to yourself now. I’ve got you covered! Here are five different qualities that are great to have—as long as you don’t subscribe to the “donut per day” philosophy. Remember, moderation is key.

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  •  October 24, 2016
  •  Posted by at 1:59 pm
  •   Comments Off on 5 Alleged Positive Qualities That Are Actually Working Against You (Sorry!) – Kat Boogaard
  •   Career Success, Social Skills
Oct 172016
 

mentorEach year as thousands of new college students head to campus, everyone — myself included — is eager to share tips and insider knowledge with the latest cohort. And while the advice to get involved and make good choices is, in fact, excellent advice, all of these well-intentioned tips probably get a bit repetitive.

And yet, here I am, about to offer another tip to all of you new students: Find a mentor.

In some ways, finding a mentor reminds me of the Pokémon Go craze happening right now. Possible mentors are everywhere, but it’s up to you to seek them out. Practically anywhere on campus you can find a resource who aligns well with your goals and interests and whom you can call upon for advice and problem solving help. You just have to be willing to take a risk, open up and catch one.

Related: From professor to lifelong mentor: How to establish the connection

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  •  October 17, 2016
  •  Posted by at 10:03 am
  •   Comments Off on Why Every New College Student Should Find a Mentor – Jonathan Gibralter
  •   Career Success, Social Skills
Oct 102016
 

It’s advice you’ve likely heard on numerous occasions: you need to be able to network, make connections, and build relationships in order to land a job offer. But how does one make a good impression? How can we all navigate small talk and other networking conversations successfully?

There are lots of things that you can do – and a few things that you should definitely avoid. You’ve heard that communication skills are crucial to finding a job and being successful in the workplace. There is a lot of advice out there on how to be an effective. And a large part of communicating well is knowing when to talk and when to listen.

One of the biggest mistakes a person can make in an interview or networking setting is to talk too much. If the first impression you make seems to indicate that you’re the sort of person who talks incessantly, no one is going to like the idea of sitting in meetings with you on a regular basis making them far less likely to hire you.

Your ability to talk enough, but not too much, in these initial conversations (including interviews) can make or break your chances of establishing a positive connection.

The following article discusses the importance of communicating well and how to know when you’re starting to become a little too chatty:

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Oct 032016
 

resume-tracker-tipsWhen you search Google for information, your success in finding what you want depends on typing the most appropriate words. So it goes when employers search for job candidates.

Most large and midsize employers use applicant tracking systems – software applications that cull applications for a posted position. The systems make cuts by matching words in resumes to the same keywords posted in the job descriptions.

Industry experts estimate that automated cuts often dump three-fourths of applications before human hirers enter the process. That’s a huge reason you must tailor your resume to each job for which you apply.

Job hunters understandably get frustrated when they believe they’re perfect for a job but fall into a cyberspace black hole. It’s absolutely true that terrific matches are missed by computer scans, so read these tips to improve your odds.

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  •  October 3, 2016
  •  Posted by at 2:19 pm
  •   Comments Off on Tips To Win Over A Resume Tracker – Diane Stafford
  •   Resume Tips