How an Executive Coach Can Help Boost Your Career

How an Executive Coach Can Help Boost Yur CareerEden Abrahams has a life so fascinating, we almost wanted to interview herbei on that alone. Shes worked grenzberschreitendly as a strategist and corporate communications expert, and moved on from there to become a respected executive coach and the head of Clear Path Executive Coaching. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) She took some time out of her busy day to speak with us about the challenges a modern executive faces.Why would an executive need coaching?To borrow an acronym used by the U.S. military, we are living in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world, which demands a different kind of leader than the old command-and-control model that worked when companies were hierarchical and the operating environment wasnt in a continuous state of flux. Executives today in just about every sector are grappling with increasingly complex challenges that demand new ways of thinking, problem solving, decision making and relating to others. High-performing leaders arent born with these skills. They develop them by cultivating self-awareness a flexible, adaptive mindset and a commitment to continued learning and experimentation.Executive coaches can play a valuable role in helping leaders and managers clarify their goals at critical junctures in their career and acquire the right tools and perspective to evolve, advance, and thrive. Partnering with a coach can help executives improve their emotional intelligence capabilities, learn from past mistakes, strengthen their reflective and strategic thinking capabilities, and create time for meaningful non-work pursuits that provide balance and perspective. In many cases, executive coaching engagements also focus on building or improving skills related to effective communicating, executive presence, and time management.What unique challenges do executives face in their careers?Executives face many external challenges as they navigate their careers. Flatter, leaner organizations mean there are fewer opportunities for linear advancement, and even relatively senior managers need to be skilled at the art of influencing without authority to operate successfully in these environments. Trends like globalization, rapid technological innovation, and demographic shifts have dramatically altered the employment landscape, resulting in a new normal characterized by job insecurity, a more opportunistic and less loyal workforce, and greater pressure on executives to deliver results in a shorter time frame.Concurrently, the search for meaning at work is a powerful internal driver that is redefining for many of us, at all stages of our careers what a fulfilling career looks like. Particularly in wealthy, developed economies, the belief that we should find purpose and self-actualization at work and not just in our extracurricular activities and relationships is much more prevalent than it was even a generation ago. Executives who work in organizations that dont offer significant opportunities for professional development, personal growth or community service should be thinking proactively about how to address that deficit, both for their own benefit and to promote greater employee engagement.On a practical level, the takeaway is that all of us, executives included, would do well to adapt an entrepreneurial mindset when it comes to managing our careers. Because in a VUCA world, thinking of yourself as labor for hire is a far riskier strategy than remaining nimble, dynamic and in perpetual upgrade mode just like any good start-up does.When transitioning to a new career, what should an executive be aware of?Whether youre looking to change jobs, employers or careers, making the transition successfully requires having 1) a good understanding of your value proposition, including your transferable skills, 2) a compelling story that highlights your professional journey, noteworthy accomplishment s, interesting experiences and personal interests, and 3) a robust, diversified network that will help you learn about interesting opportunities, make serendipitous connections and explore new directions and possibilities that may not yet be on your radar screen. Finally, before you accept an offer, make sure youve done adequate due diligence on the company culture and have a clear understanding of your role, your mandate and how your performance will be evaluated.Is it really lonely at the top? What should executives do when they feel overwhelmed?In a 2013 poll conducted by Stanford University, nearly two thirds of the CEOs surveyed said they lacked outside leadership advice but nearly 100% of them said they wanted it. So yes, it can definitely feel lonely at the top, but it doesnt have to. When youre taking risks with limited visibility, making decisions that have enterprise-wide impact and communicating a geistesbild to inspire and motivate your team, its critical to have a robu st support network. Many senior executives, including CEOs, find value in joining small, facilitated peer discussion groups where they can confidentially talk through critical issues with others whove grappled with similar challenges. Having an objective, outside collaborator to serve as a sounding board and confidante someone whos invested in your success and isnt afraid to ask tough questions or offer an alternative perspective can also be quite helpful. An executive coach can play that role, as can a trusted mentor or advisor.What trends in executive hiring should we be keeping an eye on?Here are two that I find particularly interesting1. According to a recent survey conducted by HBS professor Boris Groysberg, along with the executive skills that are considered most desirable by companies today leadership, strategic thinking and execution, technical and technology skills, team- and relationship-building, communication and presentation, change management and integrity having a global outlook and meaningful international experience are becoming increasingly sought-after attributes for C-suite hires. Another evolving trend is the preference for team-player leaders vs. bossy stars.2. One of the key findings that emerged from a source of hire survey conducted last year by performance-based hiring expert Lou Adler is that interpersonal loyalty is an increasingly important factor in securing a new job. In a recent LinkedIn post, he wrote that being referred by someone you know whether the person contacted you or you contacted them seems to be becoming the new default for getting another job. While company loyalty might be on the decline, it appears interpersonal loyalty is on the rise. According to Adler, over half (56%) of all jobs are either filled by internal candidates or by people the hiring manager knows personally or has sourced via trusted peers and colleagues. So, more than ever, it pays to keep your contacts current, and close.

6 resume keywords that scare away hiring managers

6 resume keywords that scare away hiring managers 6 resume keywords that scare away hiring managers

The Appeal of What Does an Acting/writing Resume Look like

The Appeal of What Does an Acting/writing Resume Look like In an action movie a director may not care about yur own personal safety. Your impact is the most important. Grant writers are very valuable and may make a considerable effect on a nonprofits future. Again, your goal here is to make an influence on the folks that are making the decisions, and to make it simple for them to make the ideal decision thats casting you If you have the proper look and you may demonstrate you have some basic abilities and the capability to take direction, sometimes having a whole lot of experience isnt that important. If youre on a drehort consider utilizing a location specific address, since youll be more inclined to be hired in the event the manufacturing provider knows youre close and wont need to travel to get the job done. The writing sample supplies you with another weg to reveal what type of storyteller youd love to be. You ought to be aware that a whole lot of resumes are screened by software that looks for keywords associated with the job which youre applying for. Also, in the event that you really struggle to compose essays under time constraints (due to anxiety), then you may want to opt from the essay. Usually when you purchase an item, it comes with some type of manual. Therefore, for your convenience, you have a superb chance to monitor the advancement of the assigned writer and make sure an essay will be ready in a timely method. Note that theres no normal format or correct answer. For instance, some of them just have zero time to deal with dozens of assignments that keep bombarding from every side. While anyone could technically compose a blog, skilled writers are utilised to create blogs that people will really need to read. Yes, youre see a lot of talk about headshots. A good resume should seem professional and reflect the abilities of the person it is intended to represent without plenty of fluff between the lines. As an actor, of cours e you need to display your work. As actors we spend a good deal of time honing our abilities. An actor has a far easier time having the ability to commit to a role should they truly feel they have been transformed into the character they are playing. Even native English speaking actors may benefit from working with a dialect coach that will be able to help you master various dialects. The Importance of What Does an Acting/writing Resume Look like Cosmetology school is a significant step toward turning into a makeup artist. To be a makeup effects artist, you will want to get a basic comprehension of chemistry as lots of the pieces you develop will be quite technical. If you arent, then you may want to consider learning another skill in life, while it is mechanics or something different. You may also consider taking a course in color theory which will enable you to understand the fundamentals of color. Choosing What Does an Acting/writing Resume Look like Do not assume that your story should be about saving the world. Speak to and consider the bios of actors who have made it or having the sort of success you want to find. To put it differently, you want to demonstrate that you dont would just like to turn into a Spielberg copy. A thesaurus can be a life saver here when you are searching for the best words.

Executive Resume Makeovers for the Obamas Next Career Moves

Executive Resume Makeovers for the Obamas Next Career MovesExecutive Resume Makeovers for the Obamas Next Career MovesExecutive Resume Makeovers for the Obamas Next Career MovesTopResumes executive writers give the Obamas resumes a makeover as they transition out of the White House and back into the job market.As the presidential power officially shifts hands, Barack and Michelle Obama are back on the market. And given that they likely havent dusted off their resumes in nearly a decade, its time for an updateMy challenge as their unofficial resume writer (call me, Barack and Michelle) was to survey the market and dig into their fruchtwein impressive achievements as President and First Lady. Given that they are likely to enter new industries in their encore careers, it was also vital to uncover their most transferable skills.I tell clients every day that if they have multiple job targets like the Obamas then they should have multiple versions of their resume. This helps your resume play nicely with employers applicant tracking systems and shows recruiters and hiring managers that you took the time to actually read their job descriptionThe Obamas built such powerful brands for themselves during their time in office that choosing a direction for their next jobs will be a challenge. Mr. Obama is a sports fanatic and could surely find an opportunity to join the ownership team of a professional franchise. He could also go the book-tour route and write an amazing memoir (CALL ME, BARACK).Mrs. Obama has evolved into a fashion icon and influential role model for women, as well as an advocate for poverty awareness, physical activity, and healthy eating. It would be easy for her to take her talents to a multibillion-dollar nonprofit or join forces with an international human rights initiative.For the sake of this project, I drafted the following resumes the specific targets of CEO and politician for Mr. Obama and Mrs. Obama, respectively, while also offering them the la titude to tweak a few things here and there to be ready for other roles.Enjoy and remember, its never too late to pursue your encore careerMr. Barack ObamaAn executive resume is best expanded to two pages, though I would recommend that Mr. Obama has a concise one-pager as a leave-behind for conferences and other engagements.All the key pieces of a strong executive resume are here (1) an engaging opening summary with strategic keywords integrated throughout (2) a signature achievements section, coupled with more industry buzzwords to help the resume pass through HRs shields (i.e. the applicant tracking systems) (3) a balanced professional experience section with a distinct separation between his tasks and achievements and (4) education and engagements sections to close the document with an achievement-focused flair.Mrs. Michelle ObamaA solid one-page resume generally works best for politicians, as a reader can learn more about the candidates in-depth policies and stances from their w ebsite. Although Mrs. Obama has publicly nixed the idea of her one day running for POTUS, there are real opportunities for her to drive legislation in Congress or for a multinational nonprofit.Politicians generally do not gain employment opportunities based upon their actual resume, as most of these roles are earned through networking and relationship-building. Particularly at the local level, candidates must take their message to the people and connect with them in a down-to-earth manner. Mrs. Obama has already done this legwork. Her resume serves as a documented record of her achievements that she can share with media and other key partners. Our TopResume executive resume writers are ready to position you for continued career success. Reach out today to get started with afree critiqueof your executive documentation. From there, we can work together on next steps, whether you need some fine-tuning or an across-the-board overhaul.

What You Should Do to Follow Up After an Interview

What You Should Do to Follow Up After an InterviewWhat You Should Do to Follow Up After an InterviewThings You Should Do Right After a Job InterviewPhew. The interviews over. Now what?You may just want to find the nearest couch and collapse but dont actually. You leise have work to do because now you have to follow up with your interviewers. Amanda Augustine, a career-advice expert for TopResume, shared some key interview follow-up tips with Business Insider.I know clients who were told point-blank they didnt get the job because they didnt follow up after the interview, Augustine admits.Heres how to make sure youre not that person.Bring on the business cardsEven before you leave the building, gather business cards from each interviewer. Youll need all that contact information when you go to reach out to your interviewers and anyone else from the company after the interview.Always write a thank-you note after a job interviewA survey conducted by Accountemps found that 91% of hiring m anagers say receiving an interview thank-you note has a positive impact on the interviewees candidacy. In other words, if youre not properly following up after each interview, youre hurting your chances of landing the job.Send a customized thank-you letter or emaille to each interviewer within 24 hours of the interview. It will catch their attention and will keep your candidacy at the top of their minds when it arrives a few days after the interview.Make it personalWhen it comes to interviews and the job search in general, LinkedIn is your best friend. Send a tailored connection request a day or two after you email your thank-you note. Your personal message doesnt have to be long. You only have 300 characters, so simply express your gratitude for their time and your interest in the role.Pace yourself with the follow upMake sure your subsequent follow-ups match the employers timeline for making a hiring decision. Theres a fine line between enthusiastic and annoying, and you never wan t to appear confrontational or desperate. Follow up approximately one week after you send your thank-you note, assuming you havent heard back.Remember, how you handle the post-interview process is just as important as how you performed during the actual interview. I know clients who were told they didnt get the job simply because they didnt follow up after the interview. Dont be that person, and instead take the necessary post-interview steps to success by following up after the interview.Click on the following link for more interview advice.Before you can worry about following up, you need to get through the interview. Are you ready? A TopInterview coach can helpRecommended ReadingOfficeHours How to Ace Your Next Job InterviewThe Importance of Saying Thank You After an InterviewAsk Amanda How Do I Answer Behavioral Interview Questions?Related Articles

10 Articles to Read About Emotional Intelligence - The Muse

10 Articles to Read About Emotional Intelligence - The Muse10 Articles to Read About Emotional IntelligenceIn a data-driven world, it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Beyond wertmiger zuwachs scores, client numbers, and profits, the fact is every workplace runs on people power.But tapping into the potential of your working relationships requires one key ingredient emotional intelligence. Otherwise known as EQ, this brand of intelligence exists in everyone, to varying degrees. You can probably name someone in your office who has a high EQ- and someone who doesnt.So, how do you measure up? What can you do to improve? And why should you care? All your questions will be answered in this round-up of The Muses best advice on the topic.1. This Flowchart Will Help You Figure Out Just How Emotionally Intelligent You AreThe first step is always the toughest, but knowing your starting point will make it much easier.2. 4 Reasons Youre Not Getting Ahead at Work That Have Nothing t o Do With Your SkillsStruggling to pinpoint your problem areas? If you see yourself reflected in this list, youll soon know where you need to improve.3. Why Being Smart Isnt Enough at WorkIf youre still not sold on the importance of EQ, this infographic will walk you through exactly why it is.4. 11 Cheap Online Classes You Can Take to Improve Your Interpersonal SkillsThe only way to make progress is to act. Heres a guide to some of the best (and quickest) ways to develop these skills.5. Every Question Youve Ever Had About Soft Skills (But Didnt Want to Ask)Soft skills appear everywhere, from resumes to performance reviews, but what exactly are they? All your questions will be answered in this handy rundown.6. 4 Habits You Should Pick Up if You Want to Be Well-Liked at WorkThese everyday actions are the baby steps thatll lead you toward higher EQ, better working relationships, and, ultimately, achieving your career goals.7. 14 Free Personality Tests Thatll Help You Figure Yourself Ou tThere are many different aspects to personality- and to self-awareness. Take the quiz featured here to see how well you fare. 8. How to Handle the Co-worker Who Just Doesnt Get ItSometimes your own EQ isnt the issue, but someone elses is. Learn how to use your own skills to bridge the divide.9. 9 Bad Habits Stopping You From Being Truly HappyEmotional intelligence isnt just about development in the workplace. In fact, it allows you to identify habits or environments that are holding you back in your personal as well as professional life.10. The Underrated Skills That Will Make You a Better Employee (and Human Being)Being proactive about your own happiness and mental health is key for sustainable, long-term productivity. Pick up these techniques to better yourself, and become a better worker in the process.

Study links certain sleep disorders with accelerated aging

Study links certain sleep disorders with accelerated agingStudy links certain sleep disorders with accelerated agingSleep-disordered breathing is a general term that encompasses several chronic conditions from frequent snoring to obtrusive sleep apnea, which occurs when the airways become blocked during sleep. During OSA fits, sufferers will usually stop breathing for about 10 seconds at a time though it can sometimes be longer. This causes the individual to violently awake.There are certain ailments that fall under the umbrella term of SDB, that dont cause individuals to stop breathing completely during sleep, like sleep hypopnea for instance, a disorder wherein blood oxygen saturation becomes lower due to continued shallow breathing. However, every case of SBD, results in intermittent sleep, as the deprivation of oxygen, however severe, triggers an inner alarm inside the body.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Sati sfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAt the 33rd annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in San Antonio Texas, new insights regarding the long term effects of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) were presented by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthsDepartment of Social and Behavioral Sciencesand Harvard Medical Schools Brigham and Womens Hospital. Here were some of the findings.The long term effects of intermittent sleepThe researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthsDepartment of Social and Behavioral Sciencesand Harvard Medical Schools Brigham and Womens Hospital behind the latest study published their findings in the journal Sleep just last week.By examining the breathing patterns, oxygen levels in the blood, heart rate, limb movements, and the DNAmethylation of 622 adults (with an average age of 69 years old) via polysomnography, lead authorXiaoyu Li, determined that increasing SDB severity and consistently disrupted sleep was as sociated with age acceleration. Each standard deviation increase in the arousal index, (a scientific measure of sleep disruption) was associated with the equivalent of 321 days of age acceleration.Li expounded in a recent statement,Peoples biological age might not be the same as their chronological age. Individuals whose biological age is higher than their chronological age exhibit age acceleration or fehlte nicht viel aging. In our study, we found that more severe sleep-disordered breathing is associated with epigenetic age acceleration. Our data provide biological evidence supporting adverse physiological and health effects of untreated sleep-disordered breathing.Fortunately, Li went on to say that the various conditions that fall beneath the massive umbrella defined as Sleep Disordered Breathing, are treatable and the even the effects of epigenetic aging are reversible. If you suffer from chronic snoring, sleep apnea, or sleep hypopnea, Li, suggestsyou try automatic positive airw ay therapy or amandibular repositioning device (MRD).You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people