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https://www.careeronestop.org/Videos/CareerVideos/career-videos.aspx

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https://workitsister.com/2018/07/29/create-a-linkedin-profile/

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Video of the importance of s Resignation Letter.

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Are you able to work effectively in a team? That's the skill employers most want when they are recruiting new college grads. The next most important skill: ability to make decisions and solve problems.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) a Bethlehem, Pa. non-profit group that links college career placement offices with employers, ran a survey from early August to mid-September where it asked hiring managers what skills they prioritize when they hire college grads. Though the survey sample is small-NACE collected responses from just 200 employers-the wisdom is sound. New and recent grads should pay attention.

Despite all the emphasis in the news about the need for computer software and programming skills, the most important qualities employers seek are basic teamwork, problem-solving and the ability to plan and prioritize.

Here are the 10 skills employers say they seek, in order of importance:

1. Ability to work in a team

2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems

3. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work

4. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organization

5. Ability to obtain and process information

6. Ability to analyze quantitative data

7. Technical knowledge related to the job

8. Proficiency with computer software programs

9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports

10. Ability to sell and influence others

The good news for grads: No matter what you have studied in school, whether anthropology or French or computer science, you will have had to learn the top five skills on the list. The trick is to demonstrate that you have those skills through your cover letter, résumé and interview. Think about class projects where you have been a team member or leader and jobs where you have had to plan and prioritize. Describe those skills specifically in your résumé and cover letter.

For instance if you staffed a campus snack bar, say you worked on a team of five people and handled food orders. Or if you worked in the library, include the size of the staff and that you handled requests from 50 students a day at the circulation desk. Even a job as a counselor in a summer camp can involve team work, decision-making and planning. Make sure you spell out those responsibilities briefly but specifically. Say you worked on a staff of 20 counselors, supervised the daily activities of 35 campers and organized group activities.

The survey makes clear that employers want universal skills you can learn across academic disciplines and in any job where you are working with others. The trick is to communicate clearly that you have those skills.

... Read More

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The 10 Skills Employers Most Want In 20-Something Employees

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Are you able to work effectively in a team? That's the skill employers most want when they are recruiting new college grads. The next most important skill: ability to make decisions and solve problems. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) a Bethlehem, Pa. non-profit group that links college career [...]

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Quick video about the importance of using action words when describing you job duties.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG68Ymazo18

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Top Interview Tips: Common Questions, Nonverbal Communication & More | Indeed

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https://www.goskills.com/Soft-Skills/Resources/Resume-adjectives

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You're up against a lot of competition in your job search. While numbers can vary a lot depending on the company and position, a recruiter receives an average of 250 resumes for every job opening.

Yikes. That's intimidating, but it also emphasizes the importance of your resume. It's your resume's job to describe who you are as a professional and what value you can bring to the table. But, that's a hefty responsibility for a single document.

That's where resume adjectives can help. Choosing the right adjectives can add some oomph to your otherwise cut-and-dried document.

But which ones should you choose and how can you use them effectively? Let's break down 100 strong adjectives, as well as some do's and don'ts, so you can use them right. Use this as your guide, and you'll take your resume up a notch - and maybe even end up at the top of that recruiter's stack.

Want to learn more?

Take your soft skills to the next level with our comprehensive (and free) ebook!

Resume adjectives to describe your analytical ability

Resume adjectives to describe your communication style

Resume adjectives to describe your collaboration skills

Resume adjectives to describe your work ethic

Resume adjectives to describe your adaptability

Resume adjectives to describe your creativity

Resume adjectives to describe your leadership style

Where should you use resume adjectives?

All of those words are great, but that doesn't mean you can just plop them into random places on your resume. You need to be strategic about where you use them so that they add value, rather than distract from your qualifications.

Let's dig into the details of a few different places where you can leverage resume adjectives.

1. Your career or professional summary

This is the blurb that you include at the very top of your document. Not every resume has one, but it can be an effective way to provide a little more context that won't be captured in your bullet points. It's also a great spot to include some adjectives to describe your skills and experiences.

EXAMPLE:

Content marketing manager with 5+ years of experience creating and executing forward-thinking content strategies. Possesses an inquisitive eye for performance analytics and dynamic writing, editing, and SEO skills. Committed to providing energizing leadership for content teams.

2. Your job description bullet points

Think the bullet points under your previous jobs need to be straightforward and boring? Think again. You can incorporate some adjectives there to make those bullets more impressive and engaging to read.
EXAMPLE: Content Marketing Manager, January 2017 - July 2020
Company XYZ | New York, New York

Strategized and created a groundbreaking content strategy, which resulted in an 85 percent increase in free trial conversions.

Led and mentored a multifaceted content team of 14 writers, editors, graphic designers, and SEO specialists.

Pursued and exceeded ambitious content goals, including boosting website traffic 50 percent within one year.

3. Your key skills section

Have you heard of "tailoring" your resume for each job you apply for? Your skills section is an easy place to do this, as you can swap in some different key terms you see listed in the job description. However, it's also a spot where you can incorporate resume adjectives to elaborate on your competencies.
EXAMPLE:

Advanced knowledge of Google Analytics and Clearscope

Thorough audience research

Persuasive and respectful communication

See? Peppering some adjectives into your resume isn't as tough as you might think it is.

Be aware that you can also incorporate them in your cover letter. Your resume needs to be as concise as possible, but your cover letter provides a little more wiggle room to use this type of descriptive language.

Using resume adjectives effectively: do's and don'ts

You don't just want to use resume adjectives - you want to use them well. Here are a few do's and don'ts to help you do that.

1. Do be honest

Honesty is always the best policy on your resume, and that applies to your adjectives too. You can't pick one just because you think it sounds good. You need to be able to back it up. So, when you select an adjective, ask yourself if that honestly describes you. If you hesitate even a little bit, it's best to choose another word.

2. Don't overdo it

Everything is better in moderation. If you pack your resume full with dozens of adjectives, your document might seem like all fluff and no substance. Make sure you're only using one at a time - there's no need to string them all together.

3. Do use them as a complement

Adjectives are meant to emphasize and elaborate on the qualifications you bring to the table. Use them when you feel like you need to add more detail and impact to a statement. For example, you don't just have knowledge of Google Analytics - you have expert knowledge.

4. Don't use them as a replacement

With that said, adjectives don't really carry much weight on their own. They can't serve as a substitute for your experience, and you're still better off highlighting results and quantifying achievements wherever you can. Remember, " Strategized and created a content strategy, which resulted in an 85 percent increase in free trial conversions" is still more powerful than only saying "Strategized and created a groundbreaking content strategy."

Resume adjectives can help you stand out (as long as you use them correctly)

Your resume is your golden ticket in the door when you're job searching. But, when recruiters are receiving piles and piles of documents that look the same, how can you stand out?

Resume adjectives can take your resume from good to great. Use this guide to leverage those words, elevate yourself above the competition, and land an interview - and maybe even the job.
Adjectives are powerful, but they're no replacement for cold, hard skills. GoSkills has courses to help you build some hard skills to impress your next employer, as well as soft skills courses and resources to help you stand out even more. Try a few today!
Kat Boogaard

Kat is a writer specializing in career, self-development, and productivity topics. When she escapes her computer, she enjoys reading, hiking, golfing, and dishing out tips for prospective freelancers on her website.

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100 Resume Adjectives (and How to Use Them Right)

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You're up against a lot of competition in your job search. While numbers can vary a lot depending on the company and position, a recruiter receives an average of 250 resumes for every job opening. Yikes. That's intimidating, but it also emphasizes the importance of your resume.

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This letter is to inform your employer that you're quitting, you can use it as an opportunity to build relationships and resign on a positive note.

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The cover letter is the first thing hiring managers see when they pick up your resume from the pile of applications. Still, many job seekers don't appreciate the importance of this crucial application document. Learn more about why cover letters are crucial to getting the job you want and cover letter tips that will make your next cover letter shine!

What's the Purpose of a Cover Letter?

The purpose of a cover letter is to give a recruiter or hiring manager a more detailed view of your accomplishments and a sense of what you'll bring to the table if you are hired. For this reason, learning how to write a cover letter is a critical skill for all job seekers.

Some recruiters may not read these cover documents, but you have no way of knowing which ones will and which ones won't.

Also, many recruiters will use cover letters as a way to differentiate between candidates with similar credentials, making it another reason it's a good idea to include one with every resume you send out.

If you are still wondering about the purpose of a cover letter when you are applying for a job, consider this: Research shows that 45% of job seekers skip the cover letter altogether. This means that if you write one, you are one step ahead of almost half of your competition.

Why the Appearance of Your Cover Letter Counts

Even if the hiring manager doesn't end up reading your cover letter, a quick glance at it shows your attention to detail - or lack thereof. It also lets a recruiter see your written communication skills, which research shows is one of the most sought-after soft skills in the business world today. Things like properly formatting and addressing the document are instantly noticeable.

Sending out a resume with a sloppy cover is almost like showing up for an interview in a ripped or wrinkled shirt, and skipping the step altogether is almost like showing up without a shirt. A well-written cover letter helps to make a good first impression on the hiring manager, so learning how to write a cover letter is a critical skill to learn.

Using a cover letter template is an easy way to get the format right. You just fill in the information that's specific to your qualifications and to the job you're trying to get. It saves you time and ensures that you include all the required information.

Cover Letter Writing Tips You Need to Know

A bit of research and organizing gets you off to a good start when writing a cover letter. When you have a clear idea of the company's needs, it makes it easier to prepare a document that shows how you can meet those needs.

Familiarize yourself with the company, and consider how your skills fit into the role you are applying for by studying the job ad. Then, begin your message with a sentence in the opening paragraph that explains how your skillset will meet the company's needs.

Keep it short and precise. The Harvard Business Review recommends making your cover letter brief in order to make it easier for the recruiter to scan your letter and ascertain your qualifications quickly.

Be positive and upbeat, but don't try to be funny. It's okay to show your enthusiasm for the job, but be sure to keep the language in your cover letter professional. Also, avoid using any words or phrases with negative connotations.

Use a bold font or bullet points, when appropriate, to draw attention to key points. The Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) recommends this as a way to capture a recruiter's attention. It also makes the document easier to review.

Name drop fairly early in the document if someone from within the company referred you or directed you to contact the HR manager.

How Cover Letters Can Help Explain Employment Gaps

While it's usually best to avoid drawing direct attention to gaps in your employment, a cover letter gives you a place to explain anything out of the ordinary in your career path. That way, the recruiter can refer to your cover letter and see what you were doing to build skills that are of value to the company. If you were laid off, took time off to travel, or stepped away from work to raise children or care for a sick family member, your cover letter offers a great place to explain your situation.

Keep it brief and to the point. An employer will appreciate the explanation but is more concerned with your skills and experience. Use your cover letter's valuable real estate to highlight what you'll bring to the table.

Limited Work Experience? How to Fill Out Your Skill Set

Get away from the thinking that work has to be paid to give you valuable experience. Engaging in volunteer work or projects in your community shows initiative, and it has the potential to provide you with useful skills. The body of the letter is a good place to briefly mention unpaid work and share what you gained from the experience that could be of value to the company.

A cover letter is an important document to include in your job seeking toolkit as it gives you an extra chance to show why you're the best person for the job. While a recruiter may or may not read it, including one is still considered the best practice for a job applicant. Attaching a cover letter to your resume or application form isn't going to hurt your chances. However, omitting it could cause your resume to be rejected if the person doing the hiring considers the cover information important.

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What Is the Purpose of a Cover Letter? | LiveCareer

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The cover letter is the first thing hiring managers see when they pick up your resume from the pile of applications. Still, many job seekers don't appreciate the importance of this crucial application document. Learn more about why cover letters are crucial to getting the job you want and cover letter tips that will make your next cover letter shine!

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Overview of what is needed on your resume.

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Action Words- List of words that you can put on your resume or cover letter that enhance your statements.

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Action Words- List of words that you can put on your resume or cover letter that enhance your statements.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=732No0T4-sU

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Interviewing: Tips for Before, During and After a Job Interview

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https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/resume-power-words

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When an employer reviews your resume and cover letter, you have a limited amount of time to leave a lasting impression. Often, recruiters are tasked with reviewing many applications at once, and it's not uncommon for them to see the same 'standard' verbs used on most resumes. A great way to stand out and effectively capture their attention is to include resume power words.

What are resume power words?

Power words are action verbs you can use to highlight your skills and experience to help your resume stand out and increase your chance of moving on to the next step in the hiring process. These words add quick and effective context to your resume, helping employers better understand your value as an employee.

What are the benefits of using resume power words?

There are many advantages to using power words for resume writing. Using these action verbs will help you accomplish the following:

1. Improved readability

While you'll likely need to use some industry terms when describing previous job experiences, it's important your resume still makes sense to someone outside your job role. Power words can help you get your point across while still using industry terms.

For example, instead of saying:
"Refactored core component libraries from Ruby to Node.js."

You could say:
"Simplified code library from Ruby to Node.js to increase development team productivity."

2. Varied language

Sometimes it can be challenging to describe similar duties in a role without repeating the same verb. Having a list of strong resume words to reference will help you add variety to descriptions, and make the language more compelling.

For example, instead of saying:

* Responsible for managing team of five sales representatives
* Responsible for hitting monthly sales goals
* Responsible for communicating weekly with clients to ensure success

You could say:

* Manage, mentor and develop a team of five sales representatives
* Consistently attain and exceed monthly sales goals
* Lead weekly client meetings to foster open communication and ensure ongoing success

3. Stronger descriptions

Including power words in your bullet points can make your responsibilities and accomplishments sound more impactful. The descriptive nature of power words allow the recruiter or hiring manager to get a better feel for the efforts and effects of you put forth in that position.

For example, instead of saying:
Prospect for new business opportunities by making cold calls and following up on leads

You could say:
Aggressively prospect for new business by completing 50+ cold calls a day and pursuing leads to ensure pipeline sufficiency

Related: 139 Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out

How to decide which power words to use

Some words will be more effective than others in describing your specific skills and experiences. First, take the time to review the job posting and identify which requirements align with your strengths and experiences. Then, look for power words that describe those accomplishments and attributes.

For example, if you're applying for a customer service manager position and the employer has included "Experience leading and training new customer service agents," in the job posting, you might describe your experience like this:

"Educated new customer service representatives on best practices, coached new hires through their first calls and acted as team mentor."

Next, review the company page for clues about the organization's culture and values to find ways to incorporate those descriptions in your resume and cover letter. For example, if the company describes itself as "Seeking employees with a strong work ethic who take ownership and responsibility," you might describe your experience like this:

"Sought opportunities to grow my experience and develop my skills, happily accepting challenging projects and working hard to exceed company goals."

Here are several power words you can use to share your experience, divided by type of role:

Describing a leadership role

Describing a sales or customer service role

Describing a communication or creative role

Describing a technical role

Describing a project management role

Describing an achievement

Related: Words to Avoid and Include on a Resume

If you're not sure where to insert power words in your resume and cover letter, highlight each verb and find a strong synonym to replace it from the above lists. This will give your resume an instant boost and ensure employers take notice of your valuable experience.

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153 Power Words to Make Your Resume Stand Out

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When an employer reviews your resume and cover letter, you have a limited amount of time to leave a lasting impression. Often, recruiters are tasked with reviewing many applications at once, and it's not uncommon for them to see the same 'standard' verbs used on most resumes.

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The cover letter is the first thing hiring managers see when they pick up your resume from the pile of applications. Still, many job seekers don't appreciate the importance of this crucial application document. Learn more about why cover letters are crucial to getting the job you want and cover letter tips that will make your next cover letter shine!

What's the Purpose of a Cover Letter?

The purpose of a cover letter is to give a recruiter or hiring manager a more detailed view of your accomplishments and a sense of what you'll bring to the table if you are hired. For this reason, learning how to write a cover letter is a critical skill for all job seekers.

Some recruiters may not read these cover documents, but you have no way of knowing which ones will and which ones won't.

Also, many recruiters will use cover letters as a way to differentiate between candidates with similar credentials, making it another reason it's a good idea to include one with every resume you send out.

If you are still wondering about the purpose of a cover letter when you are applying for a job, consider this: Research shows that 45% of job seekers skip the cover letter altogether. This means that if you write one, you are one step ahead of almost half of your competition.

Why the Appearance of Your Cover Letter Counts

Even if the hiring manager doesn't end up reading your cover letter, a quick glance at it shows your attention to detail - or lack thereof. It also lets a recruiter see your written communication skills, which research shows is one of the most sought-after soft skills in the business world today. Things like properly formatting and addressing the document are instantly noticeable.

Sending out a resume with a sloppy cover is almost like showing up for an interview in a ripped or wrinkled shirt, and skipping the step altogether is almost like showing up without a shirt. A well-written cover letter helps to make a good first impression on the hiring manager, so learning how to write a cover letter is a critical skill to learn.

Using a cover letter template is an easy way to get the format right. You just fill in the information that's specific to your qualifications and to the job you're trying to get. It saves you time and ensures that you include all the required information.

Cover Letter Writing Tips You Need to Know

A bit of research and organizing gets you off to a good start when writing a cover letter. When you have a clear idea of the company's needs, it makes it easier to prepare a document that shows how you can meet those needs.

Familiarize yourself with the company, and consider how your skills fit into the role you are applying for by studying the job ad. Then, begin your message with a sentence in the opening paragraph that explains how your skillset will meet the company's needs.

Keep it short and precise. The Harvard Business Review recommends making your cover letter brief in order to make it easier for the recruiter to scan your letter and ascertain your qualifications quickly.

Be positive and upbeat, but don't try to be funny. It's okay to show your enthusiasm for the job, but be sure to keep the language in your cover letter professional. Also, avoid using any words or phrases with negative connotations.

Use a bold font or bullet points, when appropriate, to draw attention to key points. The Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) recommends this as a way to capture a recruiter's attention. It also makes the document easier to review.

Name drop fairly early in the document if someone from within the company referred you or directed you to contact the HR manager.

How Cover Letters Can Help Explain Employment Gaps

While it's usually best to avoid drawing direct attention to gaps in your employment, a cover letter gives you a place to explain anything out of the ordinary in your career path. That way, the recruiter can refer to your cover letter and see what you were doing to build skills that are of value to the company. If you were laid off, took time off to travel, or stepped away from work to raise children or care for a sick family member, your cover letter offers a great place to explain your situation.

Keep it brief and to the point. An employer will appreciate the explanation but is more concerned with your skills and experience. Use your cover letter's valuable real estate to highlight what you'll bring to the table.

Limited Work Experience? How to Fill Out Your Skill Set

Get away from the thinking that work has to be paid to give you valuable experience. Engaging in volunteer work or projects in your community shows initiative, and it has the potential to provide you with useful skills. The body of the letter is a good place to briefly mention unpaid work and share what you gained from the experience that could be of value to the company.

A cover letter is an important document to include in your job seeking toolkit as it gives you an extra chance to show why you're the best person for the job. While a recruiter may or may not read it, including one is still considered the best practice for a job applicant. Attaching a cover letter to your resume or application form isn't going to hurt your chances. However, omitting it could cause your resume to be rejected if the person doing the hiring considers the cover information important.

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What Is the Purpose of a Cover Letter? | LiveCareer

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The cover letter is the first thing hiring managers see when they pick up your resume from the pile of applications. Still, many job seekers don't appreciate the importance of this crucial application document. Learn more about why cover letters are crucial to getting the job you want and cover letter tips that will make your next cover letter shine!

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List of job duties to assist with creating your own or copying to your resume.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taDdxF0T5B8

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https://www.careercloud.com/news/resume-buzzwords

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What Are Resume Buzzwords?

Resume buzzwords are terms commonly used to capture the attention of individuals reviewing resumes for potential candidates. When hiring managers have to scour through dozens of resumes, buzzwords are designed to help you stand out from the rest of the pile. They aren't specific to an industry or job role. Instead, they can describe a host of skills and achievements.

What Do You Accomplish By Adding Buzzwords To Your Resume?

When used correctly, buzzwords can have a significant impact on your success in landing job interviews and, ultimately, a job. Likewise, overusing or misusing buzzwords can hurt your chances of moving forward in your job search.

One reason buzzwords are important is that they can help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many companies use. These systems are now used by over 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies. ATS are software systems that assist in analyzing resumes and other tasks within the hiring process. They mine data from your resume to convert it into easily consumable information for hiring managers. Applicant tracking systems allow companies to select keywords and other criteria of value and even rank job candidates.

By adding the right buzzwords, you can create an attractive ATS resume that beats the bots and moves you up towards the top of the resume ranks.

If you're applying with a company that doesn't use ATS, buzzwords are still a valuable tool. Instead of software catching your keywords, it's a human. Either way, you may only have a brief moment to make a lasting first impression. The language you use in your resume is almost as important as your skillset and experience. Hiring managers are looking for a resume (and candidate) that won't blend into the paper pile.

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The Best Buzzwords For Your Resume in 2022 - CareerCloud

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Imagine a hiring manager sitting at their desk with a giant pile of resumes waiting to be read. How much time do you think is spent reviewing each one? Crafting your resume may have taken you weeks, but your resume only has a brief moment to make a lasting impression on a potential employer.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK3nat-P_K8

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Interviews are your chance to sell your skills and abilities

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Why a cover letter is important to attach to your resume.

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Important Teamwork Skills That Employers Value

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Important Teamwork Skills That Employers Value

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Teamwork skills are the skills that enable you to work well with others. Candidates with strong teamwork skills are sought out by employers for many reasons-they demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and good communication.

Employers expect employees to be team players. Teamwork is required for almost every industry, ranging from business solutions to information technology to food services.

This is true even if it seems like your job is best suited for an independent worker. You may perform the bulk of your job duties alone, but you should be able to think of your work in the context of the company's broader goals and communicate your accomplishments to other people within the organization.

Learn what teamwork skills are, types and examples of teamwork skills, and ways to develop your skills.

What Are Teamwork Skills?

Teamwork skills involve your ability to work cooperatively with others. Regardless of your role, you need to be able to work well with others and convey your teamwork skills to hiring managers, recruiters, and prospective employers.

Scan any job listing, and you'll see that even ads that seek "self-starters" also inevitably use the phrase "team player." Those who have teamwork skills like communication, collaboration, leadership, and a positive attitude can help a team be more productive.

Alternate Names: cooperation, collaboration

Note

Examples of Teamwork Skills

Here are some examples of on-the-job teamwork skills:

Working as part of a team to achieve company goals.

Working well and developing effective relationships with diverse personalities.

Developing and maintaining good relationships with co-workers and managers.

Maintaining open lines of communication with others.

Observing and coaching other employees.

Assisting with training.

Leading, Influencing, motivating, and persuading others to achieve goals.

Looking for ways to help others and provide assistance.

Showing interest in others and their concerns.

Dealing with a wide range of people with flexibility and open-mindedness.

Listening to and considering the viewpoint of others.

Types of Teamwork Skills

There are a variety of different teamwork skills, but they are all related to your ability to engage and work well with others. Being a successful member of a team requires excellent communication, listening, and conflict management skills.

Below is a list of the most important teamwork skills that employers seek in candidates.

Communication

Being a good team member means clearly communicating your ideas with the group. You must be able to convey information via phone, email, video, and in person. You want to make sure your tone is always professional but friendly. Both verbal and nonverbal communication are important when working within a group setting.

Advising

Collaboration

Contributing

Coordination

Creativity

Creative Thinking

Give Feedback

Goal Setting

Guidance

Influencing

Language

Management

Persuading

Research

Team Management

Teaching

Verbal Communication

Visual Communication

Written Communication

Conflict Management

An important teamwork skill is being able to mediate problems between team members. You need to be able to negotiate with your team members to settle disputes and make sure everyone is happy with the team's choices.

Another important part of communication is listening. You must be able to listen to the ideas and concerns of your peers to be an effective team member. By asking questions for clarification, demonstrating concern, and using nonverbal cues, you can show your team that you care and that you understand their ideas or concerns.

Reliability

You want to be a reliable team member so that your co-workers can trust you with time-sensitive tasks and company information. Make sure you stick to deadlines and complete any assigned work. This will help you gain your colleagues' trust.

Commitment

Community Building

Confidence

Confidence Building

Dependability

Flexibility

Helpfulness

Honesty

Leadership

Multitasking

Participation

Perform Tasks

Responsibility

Team Oriented

Task Management

Trust

Respectfulness

People will be more open to communicating with you if you convey respect for them and their ideas. Simple actions like using a person's name, making eye contact, and actively listening when a person speaks will make your team members feel appreciated.

Acknowledging Others

Encouragement

Expanding Ideas

Interpersonal

Motivation

Opinion Exchange

Oral Communication

Patience

Positive Attitude

Relationship Building

Sensitivity

Sharing Credit

Support

Team Player

Tact

Understanding Feelings

Value Diversity

More Teamwork Skills

Here are additional teamwork skills for resumes, cover letters, job applications, and interviews.

Ability to Build Rapport

Accountability

Creative

Decision Making

Delegating

Encouraging

Influential

Innovative

Instinctual

Organizing

Persuasive

Project Management

Project Planning

Receiving Feedback

Presentation

Respect

Self-Awareness

Supportive

Time Management

Trustworthy

Highlight Your Most Relevant Skills

When you're applying for jobs, be sure to emphasize the specific skills that are mentioned in the job description, but feel free to round out your application by mentioning others that may apply.

How to Make Your Skills Stand Out

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Teamwork skills are the skills that enable you to work well with others. Candidates with strong teamwork skills are sought out by employers for many reasons-they demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and good communication. Employers expect employees to be team players. Teamwork is required for almost every industry, ranging from business solutions to information technology to food services.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3uHf45kgJ4

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8 Steps to Improving Active Listening | Online Call Center Agent Soft Skills Part 5

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How to Use the STAR Interview Response Method

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How to Use the STAR Interview Response Method

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Are job interviews challenging for you? Do you struggle to give concise answers to interview questions? Are you unsure how to share your accomplishments during an interview without sounding boastful? What's the best way to let the interviewer know that you're the right candidate for the job?

The STAR interview response method can help make the process easier. Using this method of answering interview questions allows you to share concrete examples of how you successfully handled situations at work to show that you possess the experience and skills required for the job you're interviewing for.

Read below for a detailed description of the STAR interview response technique and examples of how to best use it.

Key Takeaways

STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Using this strategy is particularly helpful in response to competency-focused questions, which typically start with phrases such as, "Describe a time when..." or, "Share an example of a situation where...."

What Is the STAR Interview Response Method?

The STAR interview response method is a way of answering behavioral interview questions. Behavioral interview questions are questions about how you have behaved in the past. Specifically, they are about how you have handled certain work situations.

Employers using this technique analyze jobs and define the skills and qualities that high-level performers have exhibited in that job. Since past performance can be a good predictor of the future, interviewers ask these questions to determine whether candidates have the skills and experiences required to excel in the job.

For example, employers might be looking for proof of problem-solving skills, analytical ability, creativity, perseverance through failure, writing skills, presentation skills, teamwork orientation, persuasive skills, quantitative skills, or accuracy.

Examples of behavioral interview questions include the following:

Tell me about an occasion when you had to complete a task under a tight deadline.

Have you ever gone above and beyond the call of duty?

What do you do when a team member refuses to complete his or her quota of the work?

Some interviewers structure their questions using the STAR technique. However, job seekers can also use the STAR interview method to prepare for behavioral interview questions.

STAR Key Concepts

STAR is an acronym for four key concepts. Each concept is a step the job candidate can take when answering a behavioral interview question. By following all four steps, the job candidate will provide a comprehensive answer. The four steps referenced in the acronym are the following:

Situation: Describe the context within which you performed a job or faced a challenge at work. For example, perhaps you were working on a group project, or you had a conflict with a co-worker. This situation can be drawn from a work experience, a volunteer position, or any other relevant event. Be as specific as possible.

Task: Next, describe your responsibility in that situation. Perhaps you had to help your group complete a project within a tight deadline, resolve a conflict with a co-worker, or hit a sales target.

Action: You then describe how you completed the task or endeavored to meet the challenge. Focus on what you did rather than what your team, boss, or co-worker did.

Note

Result: Finally, explain the outcomes or results generated by the action taken. It may be helpful to emphasize what you accomplished or what you learned.

How To Prepare for an Interview Using STAR

Since you won't know in advance what interviewing techniques your interviewer will be using, you'll benefit from preparing several scenarios from the jobs you've held.

Make a list of the job qualifications. First, make a list of the skills and/or experiences that are required for the job you're applying for. It may help to look at the job listing and similar job listings for indications of the required or preferred skills/qualities. You can then match your qualifications to those listed in the posting.

Create a list of examples. Then, consider specific examples of occasions when you displayed those skills. For each example, name the situation, task, action, and result.

Match your skills to the job. Whatever examples you select, make sure they are as closely related to the job you're interviewing for as possible.

Prepare a response. For each example, prepare a brief response:

Describe the situation (2-3 sentences).

Explain your task (1-2 sentences).

Describe the action you took (2-3 sentences).

Share your result (2-3 sentences).

Examples of Interview Questions and Answers Using STAR

Tell me about a time you had to complete a task within a tight deadline. Describe the situation and explain how you handled it.

Example Answer

What do you do when a team member doesn't complete their share of the work?

Example Answer

Tell me about a time you showed initiative on the job.

Example Answer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can you share examples of your achievements during a job interview?

What can you do when you can't think of an answer to an interview question?

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How to Use the STAR Interview Response Method

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Are job interviews challenging for you? Do you struggle to give concise answers to interview questions? Are you unsure how to share your accomplishments during an interview without sounding boastful? What's the best way to let the interviewer know that you're the right candidate for the job?

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This template can also be used to send an email with your resume attached.

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21 Key Customer Service Skills (and How to Develop Them)

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21 Key Customer Service Skills (and How to Develop Them)

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21 Key Customer Service Skills (and How to Develop Them) - Help Scout

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Learn what customer service is and why it’s important. Discover the 21 customer service skills every support professional needs to thrive.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wUCyjiyXdg

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Body Language Tips for Your Next Job Interview

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Body Language Tips for Your Next Job Interview

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Are you getting ready for a job interview? Here's how to make an interviewer feel dubious about your candidacy: slump in your seat, avoid eye contact, and crack your knuckles before answering tough questions.

Appearance counts during interviews-not only how you dress, but also how you carry yourself. Even if your responses to questions are flawless, the wrong body language can send the wrong signal and sour how you're perceived.

Follow these recommendations for men and women to project poise and confidence-not jitters and arrogance-during your next job interview.

Before the Interview

Put on your confidence even before the interview commences. In the waiting area, have good posture while standing and sitting. Keep your back straight, and your chin parallel to the ground. While you may not have met your interviewer at this point, it's still possible that the receptionist or potential future co-workers are observing you.

When you sit down to wait, place your briefcase or purse to the left side of your chair-that will reduce awkwardness when you have to shake the interviewer's hand and grab your personal items.

During the Interview

While first impressions do count for a lot, it's during your conversation that interviewers will have an extended time to take you in. Your answers to questions are important, as is your stance while listening and responding. Keep these body language tips in mind:

Posture and Sitting Style

First and foremost: No slumping. Keep your back straight. Lean forward slightly to indicate interest. Do not recline back into the chair fully; this can make you seem bored or disengaged.

Avoid crossing your arms or placing items in your lap; these habits indicate defensiveness, nerves, and a need for self-protection when what you'd ideally convey during an interview is confidence.

Avoid Crossing Your Legs

Most experts recommend against crossed legs. With a long interview, you might need to re-cross them because your leg is falling asleep. This could come across as fidgeting.

Try Not to Appear Restless

Speaking of fidgeting, if you're a nail-biter, knuckle-cracker, hair-twirler, or leg-tapper, don't allow these habits to make an appearance during the interview. All will appear unprofessional and convey nerves. Plus, most of these actions are generally considered impolite.

Use Your Hands

Do you naturally talk with your hands? Go ahead and let them move during the interview. Stopping your natural gestures may lead to an awkward appearance. Just make sure your motions don't become so enthusiastic that they distract from your words.

Make Eye Contact

It's important to make eye contact during your interview, but don't mistake that for a directive to make constant eye contact. That can be disconcerting and considered aggressive.

At the same time, avoiding eye contact entirely comes across as untrustworthy and distant-it could make it seem like your answers are dishonest. Balance it out: Aim to make eye contact as you listen and respond to questions, but allow it to break occasionally, and let your eyes wander.

Practice Your Body Language

You should practice your body language as much as you rehearse your answers to common interview questions. Natural tendencies tend to take over when you're nervous, so you have to learn to consciously overcome them.

Practice with friends or an interview coach to ensure you're fully aware and in control of your body when the time comes for the interview.

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Body Language Tips for Your Next Job Interview

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Are you getting ready for a job interview? Here's how to make an interviewer feel dubious about your candidacy: slump in your seat, avoid eye contact, and crack your knuckles before answering tough questions. Appearance counts during interviews-not only how you dress, but also how you carry yourself.

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Budgeting For Teens---Grow Your Money While You're Young

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Budgeting For Teens---Grow Your Money While You're Young

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How to Send a Professional Email – 12 Practical Tips

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How to Send a Professional Email – 12 Practical Tips

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There's a big chance that you're one of the many victims drowning in their email inbox.

According to McKinsey & Company , employees spend an average of 13 working hours each week in their email inbox. What's more, a report by the Radicati Group showed that the average person using email for her work receives and sends over 100 emails per day.

That's a whole lotta emails.

With such quantities, you're forced to filter out the good ones. On what side of the filter your emails will end up depends on your communication skills - which is why knowing how to send a professional email is one of the most useful skills a professional can have.

Breaking any of email's many etiquettes makes you look clumsy and unprofessional - much like going to a job interview with your shirt only half tucked in. So one of the first things we share with new colleagues is a checklist on sending a professional email.

Today I'll share this checklist with you as well. First I'll explain each point, after which you can download the actual checklist at the bottom of the post.

Get your setup straight

When meeting a stranger in person, you make a first judgment based on superficial factors - clothing, grooming, personal hygiene, you name it. People do the same with emails, so get your setup straight.

Use a professional name and email address . According to Campaign Monitor , 68% of Americans base their decision to open an email on the 'From' name. Still, we receive so many requests from addresses like big.john87@yahoo.com, powerjane-x0x0@gmail.com. Sorry, but no. Best is a proper domain address (e.g. pascal@userlike.com), but if that's not possible then at least get a modest looking address.

Get a nice and simple picture . No tropical photo shoot, just a plain portrait with a friendly, accessible face. I always look at the picture joining an email. It doesn't tell me much, really. But in our cold, digital society we're all looking for human cues that tell us whether the other side can be trusted.

Set up a clean signature . Even if the person already knows you, a signature is always useful to check up on other ways to contact you. Sometimes I see people including their email address in the signature. That's a bit of an overkill, I have your address through the email you just sent me, right? But your full name, company, website, and phone number are useful.

Keep these 3 email truisms in mind

Your recipient receives too many emails - We've shared the numbers above. Practically everyone's inbox is overflowing; no one is waiting for your email.

Your recipient won't think for himself - We're all too busy, aren't we? While some people seem to always be in control, most of us have an overloaded working memory.

Your recipient's attention span is like Dory's from Finding Nemo - Not to be disrespectful, but it's a good basis to write your emails on.

Write your emails for someone who's overworked, for someone with an overheated working memory and a miniscule attention span - that's when your emails will start hitting the sweet spot.

Write one-line purpose in the email body
Get your guide
In her bestseller 'Everybody Writes' , Ann Handley shares the blog-writing tip of starting with one sentence on the top of the page that summarizes the main point you want to make.

This helps to keep the goal in mind and the post focused. At the top of this post, for example, I wrote "share checklist for sending a professional email" . But this tip also works for sending an email.

Start your email with a one liner at the top, e.g. "propose content marketing partnership". This will keep you from straying off-topic. You can also write a short bullet point blueprint of your arguments, which I sometimes do for more complex emails.

One thing per email

This connects to the above. Sarah Harris from OptinMonster suggests to keep your emails limited to one topic or question , as it increases the odds of getting the message across. With each extra point you throw in, your email loses some of its punch.

If you have no other choice but to put in multiple points in your email, then number them. This makes it less likely for your recipient to miss certain points and to respond to only half or your questions.

Avoid jargon. The use of jargon can lead to misunderstanding and making the other side feel dumb. There's practically always a plainer way to transfer your message.

Leave no room for misinterpretation. Emails aren't literary works . So don't write ambiguous messages or jokes that could be misinterpreted.

No caps lock, colors or excessive exclamation marks. All of these aren't necessary, just communicate your message in a simple way. One exclamation mark per email is OK, but you'll find that most of the times it's not necessary.

Write with clarity and substance

This is a general tip for all written communication, but holds especially true for emails since we're so overloaded with them. I recommend you to read this post by Gregory Ciotti on writing with substance , since its a skill altogether. But here are some general points to keep in mind:

Keep your emails brief and digestible

Blaise Pascal famously wrote in one of his correspondences: "If I had more time I would have written a shorter letter." (Actually this quote has been accredited to many famous persons , but I've chosen to credit my namesake.)

If you want to better the odds of your emails actually being read, you make things easy for your readers. So keep your emails brief, to the point, and digestible.

Guy Kawasaki offered a great framework for keeping things brief and digestible: the 5 sentence email . Here's how you do it.

Use the 5 sentences email setup

Five sentences or less - impossible? It's not. By narrowing down to five sentences per email you keep your message focused, while keeping enough space to remain friendly. Here's the setup.
"I'm Pascal from Userlike..."
Greeting (2 words) - Start your email with a friendly "Hi/Dear/Hello Name" . Whether you should use first, family name, or both, depends on too many factors (e.g. cultural, personal relationship), so I'll leave it up to your assessment.
"I'm Pascal from Userlike, I very much enjoyed your post on live chat communication and shared it with my team."
Introduction (0.5 / 1 sentence) - When you're reaching out for the first time - or you're not sure your contact remembers you - you should introduce yourself briefly. For example:

Compliment or pleasantry (1 sentence) - David Masters rightly identifies the power to make the recipient feel food as an important quality of effective emails . And the easiest way to do this is to hand out a compliment or pleasantry:
"I'm reaching out to ask whether you would be interested in a content marketing partnership. We could offer guest posts for your blog within the topics of customer communication, like the posts we have on the Userlike Blog ( https://www.userlike.com/en/blog )."
Keep it short, but remember that the more specific and honest the pleasantry, the more effective it becomes.
"Just let me know whether you're interested or not by responding to this email."
Reason for your email (1 - 2 sentences) - Now this one you should throw out soon, because people have a short attention span. State your reason for reaching out, based on the 1 purpose sentence you wrote on top. For example:

Closing message (1 sentence) - With this you round up the email and provide directions for the following steps. A common error is to leave the recipient hanging; instead, be specific about what's next, and don't be afraid to add a deadline for their response.

Sign off (2 words) - There's an array of professional closures, like "Kind regards," (always safe), "Best regards," (a bit more enthusiastic), "Warm regards," (this one feels rather personal), or just "Best,"or "Regards,". Do what fits your style and message.

Avoid attachments

People are hesitant to open attachments in today's virus ridden digital world - only seeing them in the email overview can keep them from opening. So think twice about adding that attachment. Is it really necessary? And if it is, wouldn't it be a better idea to do so on the second or third email - preferably after you've received permission to do so?

Proofread

There are few things in an email that turn me off as much as grammar or spelling errors. So proofread. Check that everything is written correctly, as short and lean as possible, and with a kind and respectful tone.

Oh, and don't forget to delete your '1 sentence purpose line' on the top, as well.

Set title

Your email title is mightily important, since together with your email and name it's the main determinant of whether your email is opened at all. People scan their inbox for the interesting messages, and delete the others.

In that way, email titles are a lot like blog titles. You need a kick-ass one to convince your audience to keep on reading.

Keep it short - MarketingSherpa suggests 9 to 14 words, or 40 to 50 characters. Campaign Monitor suggests even shorter - under 30 characters - to ensure it shows up fully on mobile devices.

Don't overpromise - You might be able to raise the odds of your email being opened by over promising on its content (e.g. YOU'VE WON ONE MILLION), but that'll be the last time that person opens your email.

Create curiosity - that's a marketing skill all on its own. You can read an insightful article about it by Russ Henneberry on CrazyEgg .

MailChimp did an interesting study about the effect of email subject lines on open rates - based on data from over 24 billion delivered emails. Should be large enough of a sample. It's interesting read if you're looking to boost your open rates.

David Masters argues that good emails arouse attention before they are opened . Some tips for the title:

Enter email addresses

This point I put entirely at the end, because I've hit the 'send' button too early, too many times. Put in your main recipient. If the email is interesting for others as well, you can put in another person in CC. Do mention in the text, however, that this person is in CC - god forbid your recipient unknowingly starts gossiping about this person in their reply to all .

BCC is the function for sneaky in-listeners - the recipient won't see that the person in BCC received the email as well. In one-on-one conversations I hardly ever use it, but if you're sending a mass email you should put your own email as the main recipient, and the 'mass' of the email addresses in BCC; you don't want your recipients to see any of the other addresses.

12. Quick check and send

I love how MailChimp visualizes the stress of hitting the send button. After spending a few hours putting together a sweet-looking newsletter and finally sending it out, you receive one more confirmation check with the sweaty MailChimp finger. Once it's sent, there's no way back.
Download the email checklist here:
So check your email addresses , subject line, and email one more time. Then take the leap and hit 'send'. Congrats, you've just sent one hell of a professional email.

All of this obviously doesn't guarantee that your email will reach its purpose. But if it's unsuccessful, at least it won't be due to a lack in professional communication.

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How to Send a Professional Email - 12 Practical Tips

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There's a big chance that you're one of the many victims drowning in their email inbox. According to McKinsey & Company , employees spend an average of 13 working hours each week in their email inbox. What's more, a report by the Radicati Group showed that the average person using email for her work receives and sends over 100 emails per day.

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Overview about references for your resume.

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What Every Young Professional Should Know About Social Media

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What Every Young Professional Should Know About Social Media

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No matter what industry you're in or what stage in your career you are; social media plays a role in your profession. It doesn't matter if you're a consultant, designer, architect or studying to be a physician - social media matters. Why? B ecause we live in the information age and most of us visit Facebook or Email more than three times a day.

A lot of people like to think that social media is a party-pooper when in reality, it's a channel that can accelerate your career and happiness. Technology has allowed us to have the world at our fingertips and connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime. It's given us insight into the world beyond our borders and an opportunity to achieve goals that once seemed unrealistic and too far stretched.
So how do you achieve success as a young professional using social media?
You start by identifying what you want to achieve from social media. Some people have no aspirations to take extra vacations every year or land a dream job. If that's not what you want, I get it, this post might not be for you but I think you might change your mind after reading the Hustle Manifesto when it comes out in a few months. Either way, here are four things every young professional ought to know about social media:

Pixels Will Never Replace Face To Face

Relationships are the essence of life. It sounds simple but in fact, it's quite profound when you realize that what has largely shaped the person you are and the person you will become is due to the relationships you've formed. Some of your relationships have been built through years of sharing secrets and playing in the playground while others may have been built at coffee shops and around the office. No matter how you established relationships, relationships are everything.

Personal relationships are the fundamental unit of our society. Relationships are how we discover new ideas, understand our world and ultimately derive long-term happiness. - Mark Zuckerberg

Channels like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have given us an opportunity to maintain relationships for longer than ever before. Yet, while it's always great to see a friend like your Facebook status or write on your wall, nothing can replace a face to face chat. Too often do we forget this fact and fall victim to the belief that digital interaction can replace face to face.

Mark Suster wrote a post about the importance of taking coffee meetings in business and I'm here to reiterate his point. Life gets busy and we can quickly forget about the importance of connecting with our friends and ultimately take our relationships for granted. Don't make this mistake. Meet with people in person and don't set up meetings with the intent of "networking" - set them up with the intent of getting to know someone better.

You Are Your Google Search Results

Do you know what shows up when someone searches your name on Google? What about Facebook or LinkedIn? If you don't know, you really need to find out. In todays world, it's the combination of these search results that represent your name. In one of the final scenes of The Wire, Marlo Stanfield‎ says, My name is my name!

While it's not often that we look to drug dealing kingpins for life and business advice, this phrase holds a valuable insight. Your name is your name. In other words, your reputation is one of the most important things you own. In a world of blogs, tweets, instagrams, snapchats and profiles - our name is being established 24 hours a day 365 days a year. It's a story being told whether you like it or not and while you cannot control the story surrounding your name, you can definitely influence it.

Social media has given us the ability to create and craft the story we want to tell. Tom Peters talked about the concept of personal branding back in 1997 before social media was a driving force in communications. In a piece called The Brand Called You, he concludes by saying:

It's this simple: You are a brand. You are in charge of your brand. There is no single path to success. And there is no one right way to create the brand called You. Except this: Start today. Or else...

It's easy to take control of your name. Do research on colleagues, influencers and role models using Google. From the identify people in your industry or space who have a personal brand that is respected in your field. From there, look at how they've established their brand and start taking putting in place the actions that will help you succeed in managing your name.

Start a blog, comment on articles, be careful what you upload to Facebook and always be true to yourself. No matter what strategy you take to develop your name, it's important to recognize the value of doing things worth writing about. You see, writing blog posts are great and sharing relevant pictures is awesome but having journalists write about something great you've done is 10x better.

Don't Let The Vanity Metrics Get To You

Social media is built on vanity metrics. Friends, connections, followers and likes have become an addiction for social media users. People are willing to do the oddest things for a handful of likes on their Facebook status or views on their latest Vine. It's easy to quickly establish a false sense of entitlement or importance from these interactions.

You are not your likes on Instagram. You are not your followers on Twitter. You are not your connections on LinkedIn.

You are your story. You are your reputation. You are what you create.

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What Every Young Professional Should Know About Social Media

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No matter what industry you're in or what stage in your career you are; social media plays a role in your profession. It doesn't matter if you're a consultant, designer, architect or studying to be a physician - social media matters. Why?

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List of Strengths for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews

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List of Strengths for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews

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When you're job searching, employers will be looking for evidence that you possess the right strengths to get the job done as they screen your resumes, cover letters, and job applications. You will also be asked questions aimed at uncovering your strengths during job interviews.

What are employers looking for? Which are the best strengths to share with employers when you're job hunting?

It is a good idea to have a list of strengths, as well as a list of weaknesses, ready to share with the hiring manager.

How to Use This List of Strengths

You can use this list of strength words throughout your job search process. First, look through the list and circle the strengths that you possess, and that are also important for the job you're applying for. You can look back at the job listing to get a sense of the job requirements. Take a few minutes to match your qualifications to the requirements listed in the job posting.

Once you have a list of words that match both the job and your set of strengths, you can use these words in your resume. In the description of your work history, you can include some of these keywords.

You can also use these words in your cover letter. In the body of your letter, try to mention one or two of these strengths, giving a specific example of a time when you demonstrated each of them in the workplace.

Finally, you can use these words in an interview. Make sure you have at least one example of a time you used each strength to achieve results in your work, volunteer, and/or academic experiences.

In your interview, be prepared to mention the situations involved, the actions that you took, and the results that you generated while applying your key strengths. This is known as the STAR (situation, task, action, response) interview response technique. You can use this to highlight your most relevant strengths during job interviews.

Top Strengths Employers Seek in Employees

Analytical skills refer to your ability to collect and analyze information, problem-solve, and make decisions. Nearly every job requires this kind of critical thinking on some level. An employee's analytical strength can help solve a company's problems and increase its productivity. Showing the employer that you can gather and analyze information, resolve problems, and make decisions will enhance your candidacy.

Assessing the needs and preferences of customers

Assessing outcomes

Creative thinking

Designing innovative products

Efficiency

Good judgment

Innovation

Logical thinking

Open minded

Solution oriented

Solving complex problems

Statistical analysis

Written and oral communication skills are critical for almost any job. Whether you are giving a presentation, talking on the phone to a client, or emailing a colleague, you need to be able to communicate effectively and appropriately.

Your communication skills will be evaluated in the written materials you use to apply for a job. The hiring manager will also focus on how well you handle the interview and communicate with the people you meet during the hiring process.

Employers will also want to see that you can effectively engage with people. They want to know that you can listen to others, respond to their concerns, and demonstrate empathy for others. These interpersonal skills are particularly important in jobs that involve customer service or working on a team. You can demonstrate these skills in the way you engage with the interviewer.

Business storytelling

Calming agitated clients

Clearly conveying features and benefits of products/services

Composing engaging copy for websites

Creating compelling presentation slides

Friendly and engaging personality

Likability

Negotiation

Nonverbal communication

Persuasive

Public speaking

Technical writing

Verbal communication

Employers want to know they have employees they can depend on, and who are responsible and professional. You need to be able to show up on time and get your work done by designated deadlines. When asked about dependability, good examples to share are ones that describe how you were able to meet project deadlines or how you have a great track record of attendance and timeliness.

You can also demonstrate your professionalism in the way you present yourself during the interview. Be sure to arrive early and dress professionally. Look the employer in the eye, and maintain good posture. These small details will show the employer that you are a dedicated, responsible candidate.

Accuracy

Attention to detail

Consistently meeting deadlines

Dedicated

Detail-oriented

Determination

Effectively managing multiple projects simultaneously

Flexibility

Focused

High-achiever

Motivated

Organizational

Professional

Recovering quickly from setbacks

Respectful

Responsible

Results-driven

Strong work ethic

Success-driven

Tact and diplomacy

Time management

Teamwork and Leadership

Most jobs require teamwork of some sort. Employers want job candidates who are willing to work with others, and can do so effectively. Hiring managers will be interested both in how you have worked as part of a team and how you manage teams (if you are interviewing for a leadership role).

Collaborating effectively with business partners

Cultivating team orientation among staff

Decision-making

Drawing consensus on group goals

Facilitating productive meetings

Management

Managing difficult people

Mentoring staff

Motivating staff

Providing constructive criticism

Resolving conflicts

Strategic planning

Information Technology (IT) Skills

These days, pretty much every job requires some level of information technology or computer skills. Whether you are working in administration or education or engineering, you will need some familiarity with computers and various computer programs.

The specific tech knowledge you will need depends on the job. Make sure to carefully read the job description, and mention any relevant computer skills you have in your resume and cover letter. You might even include a "Computer Skills" section on your resume.

You can also emphasize in your cover letter and interview that you are a fast learner who picks up on the latest technologies quickly.

Creating clean computer programs in the latest languages

Debugging computer programs

Diagnosing mechanical malfunctions

Driving traffic to websites

Email

Facility for learning the latest computer technology

Familiarity with graphics programs

Knowledge of enterprise systems (Oracle, PeopleSoft)

Making and updating spreadsheets (Excel)

Organizing and managing data (Access)

Presentation tools (PowerPoint, Prezi)

QuickBooks

Social media

Resume Example With a Focus on Strengths

This is a resume example with a list of strengths. Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or read the example below.

Resume Example With a Focus on Strengths (Text Version)
Professional Experience Education
Examples of Weaknesses

The interviewer will probably ask you questions about your weaknesses as well as your strengths. Be prepared to mention some weaknesses during job interviews.

However, be careful that what you mention doesn't exclude you from consideration from the job. While you want to emphasize strengths that are necessary for the job, you want to mention weaknesses that are not relevant to the position.

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List of Strengths for Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviews

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When you're job searching, employers will be looking for evidence that you possess the right strengths to get the job done as they screen your resumes, cover letters, and job applications. You will also be asked questions aimed at uncovering your strengths during job interviews. What are employers looking for?

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18 Simple Ways to Keep a Positive Attitude at Work

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18 Simple Ways to Keep a Positive Attitude at Work

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What if there was a way you could easily expand your mind and see greater possibilities in life? What if you could develop better skills naturally?

When people think of having a positive attitude, they probably think it's little more than plastering a smile on their face and trying to think happy thoughts.

But it's more than that.

A positive attitude is something that goes deeper and has an effect beyond surface cheer. Negative attitudes promote fear, and a narrowing of focus and the mind, while positive attitudes do the opposite. No one should live in a constant state of "fight or flight", but negative attitudes create exactly that scenario.

Studies have also shown that having a true positive attitude makes your view of life seem broad, full of possibilities. That view leads to actually living your life in a way that makes it natural to be exposed to and acquire new skills.

Here are some ways to maintain a positive attitude in the workplace, regardless of whether it comes naturally or not:

1. Surround yourself with positive people.

The old saying "birds of a feather flock together" can be viewed two ways. Either people who are similar naturally find each other, or people in a group become the same over time.

Surround yourself with positive people.

Who you hang around with rubs off on you. If you're always with negative people who complain about everything, you'll become a complainer and see the world as negative as they do. You might think you can stay positive and change them, but that's not going to be the case. Try to connect with people who like their job, have new ideas, and are interested in lots of other things besides work. It'll make your whole outlook better.

You can't always pick your co-workers, but you can be cautious about how much time you spend with them, and in what setting. If you're stuck with a negative bunch, be careful not to participate in the negativity. Take breaks and go for a walk rather than immerse yourself in negative breakroom drama and gossip.

2. Fill your mind with positive input.

The same way that the people you are around change you to be more like them, so is what you feed your mind.

Listen to positive music with headphones. Listen to uplifting audio books on the drive into work. Read books that are encouraging. Watch videos and listen to podcasts that are positive or help you improve skills.

If you are what you eat holds true for your body, your mind is what you feed it.

3. Control your language.

No, this isn't about the language police, or trying to swear less (although the latter is probably a good idea). This is about being conscious of the words you use when speaking and thinking.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (which played heavily into the recent movie "Arrival") suggests that the structure of language affects a person's view of the world, and the way they think. Taken to the furthest extent, your language actually limits or delineates how you are able to perceive the world.

It's a hypothesis, granted.

But on a smaller level, the language you use every day, both in thought and spoken word, has a cumulative effect on how you think about yourself, your work, and those around you.

This may seem like a silly example, but it might be the difference between seeing your day as filled with tasks, or filled with opportunities. The former is tiring and arduous, making you feel trapped in a daily grind. The latter is exciting with potential.

Be aware of how you choose to think and speak at work. Find a positive way to view everything and everyone.

4. Create a routine for the day.

Routines get a bad rap.

It's easy to think that if you have a routine at work, you're stuck in a rut or you're not "flexible". The truth is, though, that routines give us good fall-back structure. A morning routine is especially good, since for many people, the morning is both when we're most alert and awake yet sometimes not able to buckle down and get started.

Create a routine that helps you get the most important work done, take breaks at the right time, and leaves the last hour or so of the work day for less arduous work and preparation for the next day. Most of us get tired by the end of the day, so don't leave tough work for then. It's important to end each day by getting prepared for the next.

5. Be nice to other people.

Being kind to other people makes you happy.

A study in the Journal of Social Psychology found that doing something kind for people has the same effect as trying new and exciting things when it comes to feeling happy.

Even better?

A study in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that the memory of doing something kind for someone causes us to want to do it again.

If you make being nice to other people a regular thing, it'll become a cycle of generosity and happiness that makes you feel good and causes those around you to feel happy as well.

Think of the worst negative work environment possible. Negativity feeds on more negativity until it seems overwhelming. Be nice to other people and watch them pay it forward.

If your work is difficult and you can't get away from that, and finding a positive attitude about the work itself is a challenge, be kind to the people around you and let that be an effective substitute.
Appreciating and recognizing coworkers can go a long way in making your day better.
6. Don't rely on an outside source of positivity.

Carry a positive attitude with you.

Think of a positive attitude like a survival tool: carry it with you at all times for emergencies.

Whether you rely on a phrase that you repeat over and over when times are stressful or you have some other trick to help resurrect and keep a positive attitude, be sure to come up with a mechanism that doesn't rely on someone else or a specific situation.

7. Create high points in each day and week.

One of the best parts of an exciting vacation is the days leading up to it, when you have it to look forward to. Knowing something good is coming can make otherwise dreary days more bearable.

You can create the same effect by creating small "high points" in each day to help you get through projects or days that might otherwise seem draining. This is why taking breaks is important, but not every break is as valuable as they could be.

A few suggestions:

Don't turn to unhealthy food as a reward. You'll end up with negative effects and a bad habit for junk food or excessive coffee.

Take breaks outside or away from work when possible.

Consider a walk, solitude, silence - whatever sounds good and is doable where you work.

Find a place to read a book not related to work.

Daily high points should be small and simple, not requiring money or creating a habit that could have negative effects on your health or budget if you do them every day (e.g. walk to the bakery for a donut and coffee every day). Weekly or monthly high points can be a bit bigger. Maybe every Thursday you eat lunch at a restaurant nearby instead of bringing in your own lunch. Whatever it is, create something to look forward to.

8. Assume responsibility, and choose your response.

Refusing to take responsibility for your actions and your situation, or not taking control of how you respond, kills a positive attitude immediately.

After all, if something happens and you're at fault or in some way responsible, refusing to acknowledge it means you can't correct the behavior and it will happen again, and you also set yourself up for a victimhood mindset in which things happen to you.

You will be more positive seeing life as something you have some control over rather than at the mercy of fate. Think of it as an equation: E + R = O (event + response = outcome). How you respond has an effect on the outcome, even when events are out of your control.

9. Decide your reaction to known problems ahead of time.

Whether it's clients or co-workers or regular projects, there are some things at work that you are always going to dread dealing with.

You know they upset you. Decide beforehand that they will not.

If a client always has to make changes, expect it. Choose to be calm about it, to not let it bother you. Try to look at the client or co-worker that's driving you nuts in a different way. Maybe they are having a bad time at home, or they are stressed themselves.

10. Breathe deeply.

Breathing deeply tricks your body into calming down. Calm people have better attitudes.

If you find yourself getting a bad attitude about something, find a place where you can be alone, and do some deep breathing exercises. Not only does it reduce stress, but it helps you clear your mind and see the situation in a different way.

11. Make a mission statement.

Where you work probably has a mission statement, but you should have one yourself.

A personal mission statement will help you define your purpose at work, what your life is about, and what motivates your behavior. It's a good thing to fall back on when work gets crazy and you're confused about what it is you're doing.

When you feel like you have purpose, you can be positive. When you feel like you don't have a purpose or you don't know what you're doing at work...not so much.

12. Have personal goals.

Goals are a bit different from personal mission statements in that they are specific things you want to achieve. They're kind of like the rewards I talked about earlier in that they give you something to look forward to.

However, goals aren't just "fun in the future", but are the actual guides that you use to achieve.

It's tough to be positive if you think you're going nowhere. Goals are the proof that you have a plan and you're working towards something. They are evidence of forward, positive motion.

13. Remember that no one owes you anything.

One of the worst killers of a good attitude is going through life thinking people owe you.

No one owes you anything. Life's not fair. Believing anything else sets you up to be in a constant state of blame, victimhood, anger, passive-aggressiveness, and joylessness. Negativity is the standard state of existence if you think the world owes you.

How do you get rid of an attitude of entitlement?

It's up to me to make things happen.

Hard work is what brings good things.

I have to be willing to accept change quickly.

When things are difficult, I still keep going.

If those four concepts are in your head, you're not going to be wallowing in negativity waiting for the world to do something for you.

14. Stop complaining.

We mentioned how you need to control your language. That obviously covers complaining, but complaints are such a huge issue that they warrant their own section.

Stop complaining.

Complaining does nothing. If you're around people who complain a lot, get away from them. Try to see the situation in a positive or different light.

Complaints are a way of seeing everything in a negative light without considering any other explanation. It's a one-way road to dissatisfaction that builds the further you travel it.

15. Embrace laughing.

Laughing is good for your physically, and of course, it helps you feel much better. Who doesn't love a good laugh?

Humor is especially good when things are going terribly wrong. Who doesn't love the guy who, in the middle of some nightmare project, offers a quip that suddenly makes the entire mess seem hilarious? Be that guy. Try to find humor wherever you can.

Laughing with people is different than laughing at them. Never joke about others to get a laugh at their expense.

16. Be curious and embrace learning.

A mind that is closed to learning new things grows stagnant and negative. Change, new ideas, or any additional task becomes onerous to someone like that.

Be a person who is willing to learn and is curious about many things. Your attitude will be positive because you are forward-looking and wanting to understand instead of closed off. Being curious about a new situation or what's going on tends to make you mindful and aware of the present moment, and that tends to force out negative attitudes.

17. Look to long-term instead of short-term.

When the situation is difficult in the short-term, adjust your vision to the long-term.

Short-term situations tend to be heavy on the emotion. Making decisions or taking action based on that is not only a bad idea, but tends to feed negative attitudes. Viewing things in the long-term, on the other hand, make the challenges of the now seem much less terrible because the bigger picture reveals an exciting outcome.

While it's not good to live in a realm of make-believe, thinking realistically in the long-term provides a positive spin to your day and helps you construct those goals we mentioned earlier.

18. Fake it until you make it.

No, this is not a call to be be a hypocrite.

The reality is, though, that sometimes we don't always "feel" the emotion we want. Sitting around waiting for it to come upon us is a sure way to make certain it never comes. You often have to fake it until the real deal arrives.

Don't feel happy? Don't feel excited about a presentation? Fake it. More often than not, the real emotion will show up. You're not going to feel super excited and positive every day, but don't let that stop you from the behavior that goes along with it, anyway.

Drive your emotions; don't let them drive you.

At age 76, Gen. MacArthur said: "You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. In the central place of every heart, there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer and courage; so long as you are young. When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then and only then are you grown old."
Take this list of ways to keep a positive attitude. Add to it the tricks you've figured out on your own. And then, do it. Constantly. Do the work of keeping a positive attitude alive at work. It will have a huge impact on your entire life, and in the lives around you.

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18 Simple Ways to Keep a Positive Attitude at Work

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What if there was a way you could easily expand your mind and see greater possibilities in life? What if you could develop better skills naturally? When people think of having a positive attitude, they probably think it's little more than plastering a smile on their face and trying to think happy thoughts.

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Responding to Change Quickly and Positively

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Rapid technological advances, along with fast-paced changes in global markets and the political landscape, mean that today's workplaces are often unpredictable.

Your organization has probably undergone major change of one kind or another recently - most have. Perhaps, as a result, you've found yourself taking on new responsibilities, or working with a variety of different teams or across different functions.

Maybe your industry is in a state of upheaval, with no two days the same, or you've had to adapt to working under a succession of different managers. All of this means that it's more important than ever that you are flexible and responsive to sudden change.

In this article, we explain what it means to be flexible, how it can benefit you, and how you can achieve it.

What Is Flexibility?

Offer to help out another team member if you notice that he or she is overloaded.

Volunteer to cover a colleague's work while he is on leave.

Consider allowing people to work from home to help them achieve a better work/life balance.

When you come across a problem, offer up a variety of solutions that might fix it.

Why Be Flexible?

Most of us have experienced change in the workplace at some point. In fact, according to 2014 research from the Manpower Group, 74 percent of UK businesses have undergone a restructure in the past five years.

How to Be More Flexible

Flexibility involves having an open, team-centered attitude, and retaining a strong sense of identity and purpose. Here are seven ways that you can achieve this:

1. Focus on Your Core Values

Having key attributes that don't shift can keep you grounded during periods of change. Using your core values and your organization's culture as anchor points will help you to decide what you can and can't agree to when you receive an unexpected request.

Taking on responsibility for a project that will get your team nearer to meeting its annual target is one thing; but, if this involves doing something that is legally or ethically dubious, you should steer clear.

2. Be Open-Minded

How will it fit into the marketplace, for instance? What will the impact be on your production process, and your sales and marketing teams? How do you think your customers will react to it?

Make it a priority to listen to and understand the views of the other people involved. If your manager asks you to help out on an urgent project, for example, consider how it will benefit the team or your career, rather than simply thinking, "Oh no, not more work!"

3. Develop Your Skill Set

If you don't make an effort to learn new skills, you'll likely find that when an unexpected event does occur, you won't be equipped to deal with it.

4. Be Optimistic

5. Stay Calm

6. Plan Ahead

Even if you can't predict the future, you can still plan for the unexpected.

7. Have a Strong Support Network

Having a strong and stable team around you is essential in times of flux. It means that, no matter the difficulties you are facing, you have people who you can rely on to support you.

Not only will this boost collaboration and positivity across your team, but it will likely encourage your colleagues to return the favor when you are the one in need of help.

Warning:

Don't allow a commitment to flexible working to become an opportunity for others to take advantage of you. Make your boundaries clear and assert your right not to become a "dumpster" for all the jobs that nobody else wants.

How to Encourage Team Flexibility

As a manager, you're responsible for developing a team culture that values and encourages flexibility. The following tips can help you to do just that:

Overcome Resistance to Change

Expecting your team members to adapt to changing circumstances automatically can be a "big ask."

So, the next time a big change is on the horizon, encourage your people to be more flexible by clearly explaining why the change is necessary. Spell out its benefits to them and to the organization, and take care not to gloss over any details.

Foster a Sense of Security

To be flexible, people need to be able to "think on their feet" and act boldly in ways that are new and unfamiliar.

Lead With Purpose

When people are clear on the goals that they need to reach, and what they need to do to achieve them, shorter-term challenges will have a less disruptive impact. So, be sure to clearly communicate your team's purpose and its shared objectives, and revisit them regularly so that everyone stays on track.

Encourage Creativity

Empathize

Flexibility isn't just about responding to events quickly. It also involves responding to the different needs of your team members. When there's an urgent problem, you'll likely find that some people jump at the challenge, while others appear to cave under the pressure.

Key Points

Flexibility has become an increasingly valuable skill in modern workplaces where unpredictability and change is often constant.

When you are flexible, you are able to deal with unexpected challenges quickly, calmly and efficiently. But flexibility isn't just about reacting to situations as and when they arise. It also involves making substantial changes to the way we think, work and behave.

You can become more flexible by following these seven steps:

1. Focus on your core values.

2. Be open-minded.

3. Develop your skill set.

4. Be optimistic.

5. Stay calm.

6. Plan ahead.

7. Have a strong support network.

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How to Be Flexible in the Workplace: Responding to Change Quickly and Positively

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Rapid technological advances, along with fast-paced changes in global markets and the political landscape, mean that today's workplaces are often unpredictable. Your organization has probably undergone major change of one kind or another recently - most have. Perhaps, as a result, you've found yourself taking on new responsibilities, or working with a variety of different teams or across different functions.

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10 Powerful Ways to Master Self-Discipline & Lead a Happier Life

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10 Powerful Ways to Master Self-Discipline & Lead a Happier Life

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

It may be hard to believe when you're facing a hot-fudge sundae or the prospect of sleeping in versus hitting the gym, but studies show that people with self- discipline are happier.

People with a higher degree of self-control spend less time debating whether to indulge in behaviors that are detrimental to their health, and are able to make positive decisions more easily. They don't let impulses or feelings dictate their choices. Instead, they make level-headed decisions. As a result, they tend to feel more satisfied with their lives.

There are things you can do to learn self-discipline and gain the willpower to live a happier life. If you are looking to take control of your habits and choices, here are the 10 most powerful things you can do to master self-discipline.

1. Know your weaknesses.

We all have weaknesses. Whether they're snacks such as potato chips or chocolate chip cookies, or technology such as Facebook or the latest addictive game app, they have similar effects on us.

Acknowledge your shortcomings, whatever they may be. Too often people either try to pretend their vulnerabilities don't exist or cover up any pitfalls in their lives. Own up to your flaws. You can't overcome them until you do.
Related: 8 Ways to Create the Discipline Habit
2. Remove temptations.

Like the saying goes, "out of sight, out of mind." It may seem silly, but this phrase offers powerful advice. By simply removing your biggest temptations from your environment, you will greatly improve your self-discipline.

If you want to eat healthier, don't buy junk food. If you want to improve your productivity at work, turn off notifications and silence your cell phone. The fewer distractions you have, the more focused you will be on accomplishing your goals. Set yourself up for success by ditching bad influences.

3. Set clear goals and have an execution plan.

If you hope to achieve self-discipline, you must have a clear vision of what you hope to accomplish. You must also have an understanding of what success means to you. After all, if you don't know where you are going, it's easy to lose your way or get sidetracked.

A clear plan outlines each step you must take in order to reach your goals. Figure out who you are and what you are about. Create a mantra to keep yourself focused. Successful people use this technique to stay on track and establish a clear finish line.

4. Build your self-discipline.

We aren't born with self-discipline -- it's a learned behavior. And just like any other skill you want to master, it requires daily practice and repetition. Just like going to the gym, willpower and self-discipline take a lot of work. The effort and focus that self-discipline requires can be draining.

As time passes, it can become more and more difficult to keep your willpower in check. The bigger the temptation or decision, the more challenging it can feel to tackle other tasks that also require self-control. So work on building your self-discipline through daily diligence.
Related: 7 Ways to Gain Self Discipline and Strive Towards Greatness
5. Create new habits by keeping it simple.

Acquiring self-discipline and working to instill a new habit can feel daunting at first, especially if you focus on the entire task at hand. To avoid feeling intimidated, keep it simple. Break your goal into small, doable steps. Instead of trying to change everything at once, focus on doing one thing consistently and master self-discipline with that goal in mind.

If you're trying to get in shape, start by working out 10 or 15 minutes a day. If you're trying to achieve better sleep habits, start by going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night. If you want to eat healthier, start by prepping lunch the night before to take with you in the morning. Take baby steps. Eventually, when you're ready, you can add more goals to your list.

6. Eat often and healthy.

The feeling of being hangry -- that angry, annoyed, irritated sensation you get when you're hungry -- is real and can have a substantial impact on willpower. Research has proven that low blood sugar often weakens a person's resolve, making you grumpy and pessimistic.

When you're hungry, your ability to concentrate suffers and your brain doesn't function as well. Your self-control is likely weakened in all areas, including diet, exercise, work and relationships. So fuel up with healthy snacks and regular meals to keep yourself in check.

7. Change your perception about willpower.

According to a study by Stanford University, the amount of willpower a person has is determined by their beliefs. If you believe you have a limited amount of willpower, you probably won't surpass those limits. If you don't place a limit on your self-control, you are less likely to exhaust yourself before meeting your goals.

In short, it may be that our internal conceptions about willpower and self-control determine how much of them we have. If you can remove these subconscious obstacles and truly believe you can do it, then you will give yourself an extra boost of motivation toward making those goals a reality.

8. Give yourself a backup plan.

Psychologists use a technique to boost willpower called "implementation intention." That's when you give yourself a plan to deal with a potentially difficult situation you know you will likely face. For instance, imagine that you're working on eating healthier, but you're on your way to a party where food will be served.

Before you go, tell yourself that instead of diving into a plate of cheese and crackers, you will sip a glass of water and focus on mingling. Going in with a plan will help give you the mindset and the self-control necessary for the situation. You will also save energy by not having to make a sudden decision based on your emotional state.

9. Reward yourself.

Give yourself something to be excited about by planning a reward when you accomplish your goals. Just like when you were a little kid and got a treat for good behavior, having something to look forward to gives you the motivation to succeed.

Anticipation is powerful. It gives you something to obsess over and focus on, so you're not only thinking of what you are trying to change. And when you achieve your goal, find a new goal and a new reward to keep yourself moving forward.

10. Forgive yourself and move forward.

Even with all of our best intentions and well-laid plans, we sometimes fall short. It happens. You will have ups and downs, great successes and dismal failures. The key is to keep moving forward.

If you stumble, acknowledge what caused it and move on. Don't let yourself get wrapped up in guilt, anger or frustration, because these emotions will only drag you further down and impede future progress. Learn from your missteps and forgive yourself. Then get your head back in the game and refocus on your goals.

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10 Powerful Ways to Master Self-Discipline & Lead a Happier Life

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. It may be hard to believe when you're facing a hot-fudge sundae or the prospect of sleeping in versus hitting the gym, but studies show that people with self- discipline are happier.