Avoiding Common Communication Errors in the Workplace

Avoiding Common Communication Errors in the Workplace There are two types of personality traits that are the roots for the most egregious and common communication blunders in the work place excessive aggressiveness and passivity. Having an aggressive communication style does bedrngnis necessarily imply belligerence or hostility, but can also refer to people with a forceful and controlling conversational technique. Aggressive communicators frequently barge into conversations without much regard for other participators and show little courtesy to the preferences and requirements of the listeners. On the other hand, excessive passivity can lead to a reputation of being wishy-washy, insecure, and prone to be victimized. Exhibiting passive conversational tones can also lead to being labeled a pushover and may encourage potential manipulators and bullies. Though each of the above definitions are the pol ar opposites of one another, they are both examples of approaches to workplace communications that are completely wrong. In the office world, coming off as too aggressive can lead to constant office tension and strained professional relationships where too much passivity can stymie career development by making professional respect hard to come by.There are a number of ways to address the flaws that come with either personal trait and can be easily implemented into the life of a troubled communicator in order to improve professional relationships, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. They include First, take the time to make a concerted effort to get to know the people you work with and make friends. The more friendly your work environment, the more productive and easier it becomes to communicate your ideas, criticisms, and general feelings. And having people to have your back when things get ugly is always helpful. Especially for aggressive types, it is important to look for th e positive traits present in everyone around you instead of focusing on faults. And even noted faults can become beneficial give the proper circumstances and perspectives. Difficulties communicating are not a permanent curse given the proper approach. If you are having a hard time with someone, politely confront the person and try to find commonalities that you can both agree to work toward. Cooperation is almost always beneficial and will help tear down the defensive walls built up around your differences. Being seen as a perpetual victim can be as harmful to your reputation as being too pushy. There are bound to be many points during your career when you have to stand up for yourself and refuse to let others control your actions. When being positive and looking for common goals doesnt cut it, it is time to stand up and protect yourself from the manipulations of others. Regardless of your relationship with your workplace compatriots, keep the lines of communication open at all time s. By maintaining an open-door policy with your coworkers and babo you can help to ensure no lingering resentment or overlooked abuses.Being a successful communicator is a delicate balance of give and take, but with enough effort and development time you will earn a big payoff not only for your career but for your professional reputation, workplace friendships, and overall job satisfaction.

Important Computer Skills for Resumes & Cover Letters

Important Computer Skills for Resumes & Cover LettersImportant Computer Skills for Resumes & Cover LettersWhen youre job hunting, employers are going to want to know about your computer skills. Thats because no matter what the position is, computers will almost certainly be involved. Just think about how ever-present computers are, from smartphones to cash registers to the ordering systems at restaurants. Many traditional jobs are going away in favor of new, technologically-driven jobs. Some of those jobs require highly specialized skills, such as computer programming. Others merely help an office run better, such as emaille management. What Are Computer Skills? The name itself may seem obvious, but the truth is that most people are too overwhelmed by the vastness of technology to know what an employer might mean when the job description simply says computer skills. Typically, employers want applicants who can use specific programs, such as Adobe Illustrator or WordPress. However , newtechnologicaldevelopments can quickly change the preferences of potential employers. In the list of types of computer skills below, weve categorized them to help you know what employers might be looking for. Read job descriptions carefully looking for as many specific computer skills as possible, and then highlight thoseskillsduring your application process. Types of Computer Skills 206 Watch Now 6 Digital Skills Guaranteed to Get You Hired Productivity Software Any office professional must know how to master some of the basics of productivity software. If you are reading this article right now, you obviously know most of the computer basics. For mora computer skills popular among administrative or clerical jobs, here is a list. Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointEmail ManagementInformation ManagementData EntryDigital Calendars (Google, Outlook, etc.)Instant MessagingVideo ConferencingCloud Backup Software (Dropbox Pro, Carbonite, etc.)Social Media Man agement Digital Marketing Any business that wants to grow needs more customers. More and more customers are searching verbunden for solutions to their problems. Today, the most effective and measurable marketing efforts occur through digital marketing. Digital marketing includes everything from website development to social media management to paid digital advertising. The increasing capabilities of computers to collect and sort data give marketers more tools to target their ideal customers. Content Management Systems (CMS)Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)Automated Marketing SoftwareDigital MediaEmail MarketingWebsite AnalyticsSearch Engine Optimization (SEO)Web Page DesignSocial Media ManagementKPI Software Computer Programming Computer programming involves creating, launching, maintaining, and testing computer software and applications. There are a number of different jobs that involve software development, includingsoftware developer,programmer, software architect, software an alyst, and more. To be able to develop, implement, or test software, you have to have a number of highly technical computer skills, often known more specifically as coding skills. You must be able to analyze users needs and create applications that will be useful to them. You generally need to be familiar with various coding languages and web technologies as well. With the domination of mobile devices, computer programming now includes software development for phones and tablets (known affectionally as apps). Skills related to either software or hardware development (or both) include Automation SoftwareSoftware ProgrammingCCCISC and RISC ArchitectureEmbedded Processor Hardware DesignHardware Description Language (HDL)Hardware Verification Tools and TechniquesHTMLIntegrated Development EnvironmentsJavaLabVIEWOperating SystemsMemory ManagementOpen-source Software (OSS)PythonPHPUI/UXUnixXML Graphic Design Creating visually-attractive contentfor documents, posters, and slide present ations is a highly desirable skill. The world of graphic design includes creating signs to video editing and more. A single project might well pass through multiple computer programs, and a skilled professional needs to know how all relevant programs work and which ones are appropriate at each stage of the project.Graphic designskills that are growing in demand include Adobe Creative CloudAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopArt DesignCorelDRAWCorel WordPerfectDesignDesktop publishingInDesignIntegrating Interactive Elements with WebsitesVideo Creation Software Databases and Queries A good spreadsheet ordatabasenot only stores information but also makes it easy to reorganize the information quickly to answer new questions, or even conduct certain kinds of data analysis and processing. A spreadsheet can handle anything from payroll accounts to lists of all the characters (and all their characteristics) for a novel. As we noted above, professional-level skill means more th an simply knowing how to use a spreadsheet or database you also must know which spreadsheet or database program to use and how to structure it for any given project. Skills useful for spreadsheet and database management include Data AnalyticsMicrosoft ExcelFileMaker ProFortranHiveHQLMATLABNumeracyObject Oriented Database Management Systems (OODBMS)Relational database management systems (RDBMS)SASSparkSPSSStatisticsSQLNoSQLXML Database Management Systems IT Troubleshooting Using computers is one thing. Being able to fix them is another. BasicIT skillsbegin with knowing how and when to do routine maintenance and how to cope with frozen programs or damaged USB ports. Thorough familiarity with the software and hardware of many different types of computer systems, including all lesser-known features, is key. IT troubleshooting skills include Backup ManagementClient Server ManagementClient supportConfigurationDiagnosticsEnd User SupportHelp DeskImplementationInstallationIssue Tracking Systems (ITS)Modem Hardware TroubleshootingRouter TroubleshootingSystems AdministrationTech SupportSoftware TroubleshootingRemote Access Software Cybersecurity In this all-encompassing digital age, power grids and military equipment and more are all managed by computers. Computer hackers have the ability to disrupt major infrastructural functions if companies and governments do not take their cyber security seriously. Among the most important cybersecurity skills are Intrusion DetectionVirus Protection SoftwareMalware AnalysisMalware ReversalSoftware ProgrammingRisk ManagementOperating SystemsInformation ManagementData Encryption More Computer Skills AP StyleField-programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Development ToolsClient Relationship Management (CRM) SoftwarePCB Layout ReviewWindows ShellAPIsAutoCADMayaAccounting SoftwareCustomer ServiceIP ConfigurationYoastJournalismVirtual AdvertisingBusiness Continuity PlanningAcrobatArtificial IntelligenceAutomated Billing SystemsPoint of Sale SystemsWAN/LANMachine LearningCodingRuby on RailsSoftware InstallationCiscoDNSDHCP How to Make Your Skills Stand Out Add Relevant Skills to Your Resume Each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure to read thejob descriptioncarefully, and focus on the skills listed by the employer. Because many companies initially search resumes for desired keywordsby computer, a good list can get your application in the door. You can also weave in your skills when you arewriting your job descriptionsin your resume. For instance, instead of saying Edited content on website, you could write, Edited content within Content Management System using basic HTML for formatting.Highlight Skills in Your Cover Letter The letter needs to be clear and engaging - not a skills list. However, you can bring up certainspecific skills mentioned in the job description. For example, Your job description calls for web design experience, and in my two years at ABC Company, I have gone from wire frames to full designs for several re-launches.Use Skill Words in Your Job Interview Before the interview, look back at the job listing and make a list of some of the key skills required for the position. Be prepared to give examples of times you have demonstrated each of these skills. It will help you sell your credentials to the interviewer.

Experts share updates to your resume you need to make now

Experts share updates to your resume you need to make nowExperts share updates to your resume you need to make nowPrepare yourself the first month of 2019 is nearly over. How ya doin on those professional resolutions? If youre like the majority of people, you wrote down a pretty list- and then forgot all about it.Before you put on the pressure to go from 0 to 100 on your goals for this lap around the sun, career experts suggest to start slow and small by focusing on manageable items you can check off. One no-brainer place to begin is your resume, whetherbei you are job searching or not. Giving this record of your success a second glance- and perhaps a complete makeover- will challenge you to reflect on what youve accomplished, as well as see areas you have grown over the years.Freshening up your resume makes it easier to jump on an opportunity if it comes and allows you to see in black and white how much of a badass you are. Here, the pros give their best advice on the tidying up you r resume needs ASAP.Consider a new templateSince youre making all of these updates anyway, why not start from scratch and give yourself a makeover? Career transition coach Tiffany Dyba suggests a new aesthetic look to make it stand apart from the others. It also helps to spark your creativity and shift your mindset in a positive way.Focus on the types of companies you are applying for. If it is a more creative environment, spring for the more bold template. If you are applying to a bigger, more corporate organization, opt for something a bit more understated, she continues. It is also not uncommon to have a few versions of your resume, so when in doubt, make two new templatesUpdate your professional summaryOften at the top of a resume, part of your cover letter or on your LinkedIn profile, this 3 to 4 sentence summary details your core focus, your aspiration and provide a digestible soundbite of who you are as a professional. Career and branding expert Wendi Weiner suggests editing your summary at the start of the year so it resonates with who you are as a professional, and the high-caliber skill sets you have to offer.Think of a professional summary as an introduction to the novel about yourself. It should allure the reader and entice him/her with information that will make him/her want to continue on reading about to learn more, she continues. Focus on those major skill sets that really sell your value.Update your training and professional developmentSure, you have your college degree listed- but what about any courses or training youve completed in recent years? Many folks dont think twice about these additions, since they arent part of their core education, especially when theyve been out of college for years- if not decades.Weiner says this is a mistake since updating this section of your resume shows your commitment to a lifelong of learning and honing technical skill sets. Even if youre in progress and not completed, its worth the mention.If you are reg istered for a new training or professional development program that will take effect this year, add it to the resume, but put it as expected June 2019 for example. It will show an intended plan to enroll in the course, she adds.Update your experience with results and achievementsRemember to focus your work experience section on results, major contributions, and key projects you have worked on at various companies/organizations, Weiner reminds.This is a huge area where you should see the most transformation in your resume since it details the day-in and day-out work that has made your company and yourself excel. In fact, Weiner goes as far to say it is the number one way to distinguish yourself among the hundreds of applicants applying for jobs.Think about the powerful contributions you have made over the brde year to your current company and how you have been able to impact the organizations goals and business objectives in a positive way. Look to your performance evaluation for ass istance, and start looking back to emails you received that have praised your work, she shares.Ask for LinkedIn endorsementThough, if you want to get technical, LinkedIn endorsements arent part of a traditional resume, they are a major section of your digital profile.Keep in mind that your resume is seen by only a hand-selected number of people you send it to, but your LinkedIn profile has the ability to reach millions of users, so you want it to remain powerful and optimized, Weiner explains.As the year gets going, reach out to clients and previous employers or peers to endorse you or write a letter of recommendation online, giving you even more gold stars to show off.

Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews [2019 Best Answers]

Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews [2019 Best Answers] Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews List of Strengths Weaknesses + Professional AnswersOne of the most common interview questions that most of us experienced or will experience at some point is “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. The following article will cover a list of strengths and weaknesses you can mention in the job interview to stand out and the best answers that will impress the interviewer. First, we'll start with the Strengths.During the interview process, it’s likely that the hiring manager will ask you to describe your strengths at some point. Many candidates probably wonder how to answer what are your strengths without bragging too much or risk appearing narcissistic. You want to craft your answer with a high degree of self-awareness and professionalism.It’s important to be prepared for this question and have a statement ready. Even if you aren’t asked this question, you will be aware of your strengths and what you can bring to the position. This will help you articulately weave those st rengths into other areas of the interview.Having a story ready to tell when you are asked this question will help you stand out from the other people interviewing for the position. Rather than just blurting out, “I'm detail-oriented and hard-working,” or merely listing off your strengths, you can craft a compelling way to deliver your story while highlighting what you can bring to the position.When the time comes to answer this question, you’ll need to be very specific. Take stock of what you believe to be your personal strengths or ask a friend to help you identify what you’re good at. Make sure to include a range of strengths, including knowledge-based skills, transferable skills, and personal traits to demonstrate your versatility.List of StrengthsCreativityVersatilityFlexibilityFocusedTaking InitiativeHonestyDedicationIntegrityContinuous LearningSelf-controlEven the most experienced candidates can struggle with the question of describing their strengths, so we’ve compi led a list of examples to inspire your strength story. You can take tips from each of these key strengths examples to craft a compelling reason that the hiring manager should choose you.Examples: How to answer what are your strengths?#1) Whenever new software is released, I’m always the first one to test and get familiar with it. I love pushing the edge and learning every aspect of the new software. In fact, just last week I found a software issue with one of my video games. I called the developer, and they fixed it right away. This position will give me the opportunity to apply my passion and help make programs better for your company.#2) I’ve always preferred to work in groups and find that my collaborative nature is one of my strongest attributes. On projects that I directed, I work well to inspire diverse team members and work side by side with them to achieve the project goals. In fact, I’ve increased productivity by ten percent over the course of two years.#3) My greates t strength is my writing skills. I work well under pressure, and I've never missed a deadline. One specific example that comes to mind is when I was asked to complete a project that a fellow colleague forgot about. My editor didn’t realize this until two hours before the deadline. It was an important piece, so I got to work, and with feverish precision, I was able to complete the article. Not only was it finished on time, but it was received very well by readers of the publication.#4) I’m relatively new to the finance industry, but I find that I’m good at working with numbers and I truly love it. I love helping people save money and finding new investment opportunities for my clients. Learning about their needs and finding ways to help them achieve the lifestyle they want is so gratifying to me, and I’ve helped my clients increase their net worth by 10% collectively.#5) I’m an empathetic person who is skilled at relating to people and understanding their needs. At my inter nship over the summer, I was working the support line and received a call from a disgruntled customer who had been dropped from our service. While the company couldn’t find a solution for her, I walked her through other options she might have so she walked away with a positive interaction with the company. I know the importance of a happy customer, and I'm willing to remain upbeat and solutions-oriented.#6) I believe that my greatest strength is the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently. I can see any given situation from multiple perspectives, which makes me uniquely qualified to complete my work even under challenging conditions. That problem solving allows me to be a better communicator. I am just as comfortable speaking to senior executives as I am junior team members. I think my ability to see all sides of an issue will make me a great asset to the team.#7) I know the industry inside and out. After working in sales and marketing for over 15 years I know I have the skills to maximize your marketing dollars and improve your bottom line. In fact, when I started at my last company, their sales were declining, and under my leadership, I was able to increase revenue in consecutive years, by 7% and 5%, respectively.#8) My strongest asset is my work ethic and my willingness to step in when needed. I’m not afraid to take on a difficult client or do a project that nobody else wants because those are the clients and projects that teach me the most. I typically love to work outside of my job description and do whatever is asked of me. I'm not above any single task, and I take great pride in my ability to step in and adapt to any situation to get the best results for the company.As you can see, the ability to tell a story with your response will give you a leg up on the competition. The better you can articulate your biggest strengths while providing examples will serve you well in your job search. If you’re struggling with how to find your strengths , ask a close friend or former colleague to help you or draw upon feedback from previous performance reviews. Once you can clearly identify your strengths, the stories and examples will fall into place.Second Part - Weaknesses As you already know, throughout the interview process, you will be asked to answer some tough questions. By now you should have a solid answer to that “What are your strengths?”, but what do you say when you are asked to describe your greatest weaknesses? After all, you’ll seem arrogant if you say that you don't have any flaws, but if you respond with too many negative attributes, you may jeopardize your chances of securing a position. You need to appear humble and willing to learn without scaring off the hiring manager with a monumental weakness that you can’t overcome.Preparation and having a response ready are paramount to a successful job interview. When thinking about your weaknesses, it's essential to choose attributes that you are proactively wo rking on or demonstrate steps you are taking to turn that weakness into a strength. Telling a relevant story or elaborating on how you are working to change this weakness can only strengthen your case.If you cannot identify how to find your weaknesses, turn to a friend or close coworker to help you determine what you can improve on. Always remember that weaknesses are not permanent, and just because you have a few weaknesses does not mean that you are doomed. Being able to identify areas of improvement demonstrates that you are a well-rounded candidate.List of WeaknessesSelf-criticismInsecureExtremely IntrovertedExtremely ExtrovertedCreative WritingToo detail orientedFinancial LiteracyA Particular SoftwareToo sensitivePresentation SkillsKnowing how to answer, “what are your weaknesses” will set you up for success in your job search. If you have trouble crafting a response to this question, here are some examples to inspire your response. Read them and apply the structure to your own professional attributes.Examples: How to answer what are your weaknesses?#1) I tend to be overly critical of myself. Whenever I complete a project, I can’t help but feel that I could have done more even if my work received a positive response. This often leads me to overwork myself and leaves me feeling burned out. Over the past few years, I’ve tried to take time to look at my achievements objectively and celebrate those wins. This has not only improved my work and my confidence, but it has helped me to appreciate my team and other support systems that are always behind me in everything I do.#2) I am incredibly introverted, which makes me wary of sharing my ideas in a group setting or speaking up during team meetings. I feel that I had good intentions, I just wasn't always comfortable speaking up. After my team didn’t meet expectations on two consecutive projects, I decided to start making changes to get more familiar with sharing my ideas for the benefit of my team. I to ok local improv classes and started trying to get comfortable discussing my thoughts. It's still a work in progress, but it's something that I've improved dramatically over the past year.#3) I tend to want to take on complete projects all on my own without any outside help. In the past, this caused me to experience unnecessary pressure and stress. One specific example was last year when I was responsible for planning our annual event. I tried to do everything on my own, from the most substantial decisions like the venue to the tiniest things like organizing the table settings. I was so stressed leading up to the event, and I narrowly pulled it off. This taught me to take a step back and analyze when I need help. After that experience, I am trying to teach myself how to ask for help so I can keep my sanity. I've also found a team of people can produce a better outcome than one harrowed person.#4) I'm not familiar with the latest version of the software that you use. I’ve spent my t ime recently focused on generating a positive user experience and have always been willing to learn new things. Throughout my career software has always changed and I’ve always been willing to adapt to changing technology. I will put in the time it takes to learn this new software.#5) I always try to avoid confrontation, in both my personal and professional life. This caused me to compromise sometimes on the quality of my work or what I needed to complete a project just to keep the peace. This became a real problem when I became a manager. One of the most critical aspects of managing people is telling them what they need to hear and not what they want to hear. I recognized this weakness and had been actively working to voice my opinions constructively and helpfully for the betterment of the team.#6) When I’m given a task, I am very goal-oriented and work hard to complete that task. However, when new projects come across my plate, I sometimes jump right into those projects and ha lt work on the projects I had in progress. Having to jump between tasks, so many times throughout the day hinders my productivity and prevents me from delivering my best work. I have been using a project management tool to help me manage my tasks and my time, which has helped me become more aware of prioritization. Since implementing this project management mentality, I have only improved my efficiency and productivity.The better you can articulate your most significant weaknesses while providing examples and how you are attempting to overcome those weaknesses will serve you well in your job search. You ALWAYS need to show how to turn your weakness into a strength. If you’re struggling with how to find your weaknesses, ask a close friend or former colleague to help you or draw upon feedback from previous performance reviews. Once you can clearly identify your weaknesses, the stories and examples will fall into place.

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Dancers and Choreographers Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Dancers and Choreographers Resume Template Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Dancers and Choreographers Resume Template Dance is an intensely competitive industry, so a well-crafted resume is a crucial tool in your job search. Most dance jobs are in larger cities, such as New York or Las Vegas. Whether youre looking to dance on stage, in film, or in another venue, a good resume can help get your foot in the door.Dancers and choreographers are expected to have years of formal training to hone their skills, so include details of the dance styles you have studied and where you trained. Social media handles or website addresses can also be useful if they include videos of performances. Employers will also be looking for dancers who can listen to instructions and work well with others in the company.The entry-level dancers and choreographers resume template below can help you build a document that puts a spotlight on your skills and talents. Create ResumeJackson Perez100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 91019 | (555) 322-7337| example-email@example.comProfessional SummaryExceptional leader talented at setting a goal, thinking on the spotand collaborating ideas. Technically-savvy with outstanding relationship building, training and presentation skills. Motivated dancer with solid experience managing all levels of large scale projects, including budgeting and administration. A dancerwith 3years experience. Areas of expertise include creating original choreography. Also a meticulous dancer, excellent at juggling multiple tasks and working under pressure. Skilled dancerwith experience in the Artindustry.SkillsSelf-motivatedStrong verbal communicationConflict resolutionPowerful negotiatorTeam leadershipImproviserPositive thinkerData managementProcess implementationClient assessment and analysisRisk management processes and analysisStaff developmentBudgeting and financeProject managementTeam liaisonWork HistoryBack Up Dancer for Glee 09/2009 to 03/2013Ryan Murphy (Glee)à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“ Los Angeles, CABack up dancer 01/2007 to 09/2009Jessie Jà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“ New York Ci ty, NY and EuropeEducationBachelor of Arts: Stanford, California 2000 Stanford UniversityAccomplishmentsProject DevelopmentCollaborated with team of Jefferson High School Dancersin the development of Mission Fusion.Creative Problem Solving:Resolved product issue through consumer testing.Project ManagementWorked directly with Ryan Murphy, Heather Morris, Naya Rivera, and Darren Criss to Jessie J. Customize ResumeMore Performing Arts Resume TemplatesActors Resume Templates

Succeed After a Layoff By Reinventing Yourself

Succeed After a Layoff By Reinventing Yourself Succeed After a Layoff By Reinventing Yourself When I was laid off at age 58, I had one major factor on my side: I didn't take my job loss personally. My former company, a large supply-chain-management software-development business, was like a rocket ship. In less than three years, the company grew from 2,000 to 6,000 employees. That rate of growth isn't always sustainable, and the company was severely wounded by the downturn in the economy. Still, I didn't expect that my job would end up on the chopping block. As director of global information services, the most senior information-services executive, I grew my team from 17 professionals to 170. So when the layoff came in 2001, I was shocked but not disheartened. I had weathered enough economic ups and downs to realize that many talented people lose jobs through no fault of their own. But I was also realistic about my post-layoff future: My income was not going to be replaced any time soon. I knew I was in for a long job search, maybe a year or more. Out went the hair stylist, re placed by the barber. Ditto the pool and lawn services, whose duties I took over. An unrepentant new car buff, I had three beauties sitting in my garage. With regret, two of them went, too. That was the paring-down process. The building-up process began with a few home-office purchases a quality computer, scanner, fax and printer with no payments or interest for 12 months, of course. Then I turned to what I would need, both personally and professionally, to refocus and rebuild my life. Here are the lessons I've learned. Share your feelings and seek support.At the outset, I took two critical steps. The first was sharing my job loss with my family and friends, as well as my business associates. I craved the emotional support and I wanted to maximize my networking. The second step was to purposely ignore my feeling that I was an executive with a long and successful career who didn't need help making the transition to a new job. Reluctantly, I signed up with the outplacement firm t hat my employer hired. That was easily the single smartest thing I did. I joined a group of other displaced executives, who became invaluable for support and networking. I also had a range of research tools at my disposal. Most importantly, I was offered counseling, training and psychological testing to help me explore my desires and abilities in a new way. Explore your talents and reassess your aspirations. What emerged was an untapped talent for sales and a hunger to stay busy and connected. I continued to branch out, in some cases using my newfound sales ability. I delved into fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and volunteered at my church. I pursued new professional and personal contacts, with the dual goals of helping others and expanding my networking opportunities at the same time. I encountered obstacles. I had restricted my job search to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the information-technology industry, at least for the first year, and opportunities were limite d. After a career that included long senior-management and vice-president stints working in IT for such organizations as the U.S. government, PepsiCo Inc. and Qualcomm Inc., my experience was deep but somewhat narrow. Expect the unexpected and learn to cope with setbacks.Something disturbing and eye-opening was happening among the people my outplacement group. Several had gone off to new jobs, filled with relief and anticipation. They looked forward once again to regular paychecks and, for some, the confirmation that they weren't damaged goods after all, just people who'd hit a rough patch. Only things didn't always work out that way. More than a few returned in just four or five months. They were, without exception, competent managers, but the economy had continued to slump, and many were laid off again, some for the second or third time. Seeing this made me reconsider my goals. I decided I would go into business for myself, using my decades of IT and general-business experienc e and my newly discovered interest in sales. I also drew on a newfound spirituality, supported and comforted by the belief that things happen for a reason. By then, nearly 18 months had passed, and I hadn't brought in a dime. Establish and pursue new goals.With new enthusiasm and a clear goal, I started two firms: an IT-consulting company and a business providing promotional gifts for corporations. I was determined not to lock myself into one industry and sought security through diversity. The concept for the IT-consulting business was simple: I would inventory a company's IT contracts, equipment and services and propose cost-saving measures. The sales pitch was a no-loss proposition for potential clients: Our compensation would be a percentage of the savings we identified. I started the business with a former employee in 2002, and the business continues to grow, although more slowly than I would like. The second business provides corporate gifts as well as retail products, from the standard to the exotic. For example, we're developing specialty products made with alpaca wool. Two and a half years after I was laid off, my income has not returned to its earlier level and I still cut the grass, clean the pool and think twice about going out for an expensive dinner. But the businesses are starting to pay off, albeit slowly, and I've re-evaluated what's truly important in my life my friends and family. It's not all about money. Change is an opportunity for growth.I can't say that being laid off was the best thing that ever happened to me. But change, even forced change, brings opportunity. I'm so convinced of this that I took a third job, as a consultant with an outplacement firm. Counseling laid-off executives' transition to their next opportunity helps pay the bills and is emotionally rewarding as well.Now at 60 years of age, I'm a consultant and an entrepreneur. My life has become richer and more challenging in ways I could not have imagined. And if y ou're in the market for an alpaca scarf, an overhaul of your IT systems, or advice about bungee-jumping from a high-level executive job and landing on your feet, I'm your guy. Mr. Fredella, based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, is an entrepreneur and a consultant for DBM, a human-resources-consulting firm.

Retail Consumer Psychologist Job Description

Retail Consumer Psychologist Job Description Retail Consumer Psychologist Job Description If you had never read a Retail Consumer Psychologist Job Description, you might think it would be filled with requirements and qualifications related to therapy for shopaholics. In reality, Retail Consumer Psychologists are involved in all aspects of business for some of the largest retail chains including, but not limited to, advertising, marketing, visual merchandising, packaging, management, and all aspects of customer experiences and loyalty-building programs.     This Retail Consumer Psychologist profile describes the specific responsibilities, qualifications, prior experience, skills, education and salary compensation for those interested in pursuing a career in Retail Consumer Psychology. It also provides insights into the key role that consumer psychology plays in the leadership decisions and operational execution in major retail business all over the world today. Consumer Psychologist Overview: Consumer psychologists study people’s emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to a wide variety of stimuli including advertisements, packaging, marketing promotions, communications, products, services, and experiences. From these studies, the consumer psychologist helps decision makers determine design changes that will produce an improved consumer response and sales increases. A new career field, consumer psychology is a specialization that developed organically out of the need for manufacturers and retailers to better understand customer needs and desires. Key Responsibilities of a Consumer Psychologist: As a consumer psychologist in the retail industry, you will combine sound psychological research methodology with business acumen and creativity. You may be working for a corporation, an advertising agency, a marketing research firm, or you may contract yourself out as a consultant. As the field gains credibility, consumer psychologists are being given high-level analysis and development. Consumer Psychology Research: Consumer psychologists use sophisticated research methods, modeling, simulations, and measurements to make observations and collect relevant data. Watching consumer eye movements scanning packaging, shelves, or advertisements may be part of your market research. Questioning consumers about product features, onsite experiences, or merchandising may be part of your in-store research. Observing different types of people responding to the same stimuli may be part of your demographic research. The consumer psychologist decides what needs to be measured, how best to measure it, and then leads the study implementation. Consumer Psychology Analysis: In this role, you will take the research data gathered and analyze it in order to come up with valid conclusions and practical applications for your findings. Product design, packaging, merchandising, store design, marketing materials, and in-store customer experiences can all be improved based on the discoveries made by a savvy consumer psychologist. You will need to be able to make analytical sense of the raw data, but you will also need a thorough understanding of the retail industry  in order to recommend the best ways that the research can benefit the goals of the organization that has commissioned it. Consumer Psychology Development: After presenting the practical applications of the research findings, the consumer psychologist will generally be asked to participate as products, marketing programs, advertising campaigns, merchandising, and shopping experiences are designed and developed based on their recommendations. Creative participation, as well as analytical guidance, will be your major contributions to the development team. This is the part of the consumer psychologist’s job in which concepts and ideas come to life and produce results. Prior Consumer Psychology Experience Required: Depending on the level of the position or the complexity of the project, you may need previous experience with similar projects which produced measurable results. However, since this is a relatively new career specialty, your education and any experiences you gained there may be enough to help you secure a consumer psychologist job. Qualifications for the Job: Your work as a consumer psychologist will require both left-brain analytical abilities, as well as right-brain creativity. You must have the ability to create practical studies which produce credible outcomes for complex issues. Consumer psychologists need the confidence to propose and implement projects with authority. Discipline and attention to detail are essential for driving projects, and the ability to lead a team, maintain good relationships, and inspire cooperation are essential qualities in this position. Working under the pressure of tight deadlines will require you to be flexible and even-tempered. Skill Requirements: You will need to have a comprehensive understanding of the scientific process and skill with hypothesis testing, behavior evaluation, and research analysis. Mastery of experimental design and research findings interpretation will be essential. As a consumer psychologist you will be writing proposals, project outlines, and findings reports, so your written communications skills must be both precise, and understandable to a layperson. You will need to have computer skills and experience with the software programs that will support you in your research. Education Consumer Psychologist Degrees: Most consumer psychologists who work with retail-related companies have advanced and specialized psychology degrees, accompanied by higher education in business, marketing, or advertising. Graduate level training is preferable, and these advanced degrees should be obtained under the supervision of faculty members who are respected specialists in consumer psychology themselves. Ph.D. programs in consumer psychology are limited and, therefore, very competitive. But those who do obtain a Ph.D. will be viewed as leading experts within this relatively small field of specialization. Compensation for Consumer Psychologists: With a bachelor’s degree, you will be starting in lower level positions in retail-related companies with an entry level salary range of $24,000 - $30,000. Advancement to higher level positions and higher salaries is possible but will be difficult without additional education. With an advanced degree, higher level positions and projects will be accessible to you, with compensation starting at $40,000. Because those who are considered to be consumer psychology experts are starting to be included in executive-level decisions, there seems to be no upper ceiling for compensation in this field.