Proof that good character spurs financial success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Proof that good character spurs financial success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career A great legacy is the expression of fine character traits: Who have you helped along the way? Has your business helped community? How do you treat your co-workers and employees and what is your overall reputation? There’s evidence that fine personal character traits in corporate leadership have a quantifiable improved return. Can you calculate your return on integrity? In his book, “Return on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and Their Companies Win,” Fred Kiel shows “there’s a measurable relationship between CEO character and business success” â€" i.e., the “return on character.” Kiel’s research shows that certain character traits such as compassion, accountability, reliability, loyalty, and integrity are predictors for success in the workplace. Kiel’s landmark study of more than 100 CEOs and over 8,000 of their employees’ observations revealed that leaders of strong character achieved a return up to five times greater than leaders of weak character. Keil’s studies also showed that the best leaders were the least self-focused. He describes them as virtuosos who use both their head and their heart to orchestrate a high-performance team. Keil argues that character traits are the secret tools that drive an organization’s success along with the value it creates in the marketplace.  Define Character “How well you treat other people is the best reflection of your character.” Kiel assigns four moral principles to people of high character with behaviors tied to them. Integrity Keeps promises Not afraid to speak up in the face of adversity Responsible Accepts consequences for their decisions Forgiving Doesn’t pass the blame onto others Accepts responsibility for a mistakes Asks the injured party for forgiveness Doesn’t harbor grudges Is quick to forgive Compassion Looks for opportunities to treat people respectfully, bonds and connects Makes themselves accessible for feedback Biggest challenge for leaders today Surprisingly, Kiel’s findings reveal that in most cases leaders don’t realize that they need to work on their character. “They’re pretty deluded,” Kiel said. When asked to rate themselves on the four moral principles, the self-focused CEOs gave themselves much higher marks than their employees did. (The CEOs who got high ratings from employees actually gave themselves slightly lower scores â€" a sign of their humility and further evidence of strong character.) Fortunately, Kiel points out, leaders can increase their self-awareness through objective feedback from the people they work with. But they have to be receptive to that feedback. High character CEO turnaround Within two years, Richard Anderson, Delta’s CEO, took Delta from bankruptcy to one of the most profitable airlines in the industry. Anderson took an approach opposite to that of his predecessor. He actively engaged employees by holding weekly town hall meetings of 250 to 400 per week when the executive management team shared their vision and opened up to questions. No questions were off-limits. To recognize the efforts of their people, Anderson distributed more than $340 million in “shared rewards” payments and profit sharing “thanks to our superior performance in 2010.” In addition, Delta contributed more than $1 billion to its employees’ defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans during 2010. Delta also ranked at the top of Fortune magazine’s “2011 World’s Most Admired Companies” airline industry list and continues to prioritize both customer safety and comfort. Ten behaviors that could help you develop a virtuous character Be honest Look for creative ways to solve problems Do what you say you’ll do Freely share credit Request to help Be positive Be agile Listen more than talk Be curious to learn Be slow to anger and quick to forgive Benefits tied to a good character for emerging leaders Putting others’ needs before your own will help you get noticed. When you show people that you care about what matters to them and help them solve their problems, you’ll increase your influence and your overall effectiveness. Demonstrating good character in the workplace will help distinguish you as a “go-to” person and a potential leader. A worthy employer will show appreciation for your efforts when your focus is on strengthening the business through behaving in a highly principled fashion. Beth Kuhel, M.B.A., C.E.I.P., is a career coach specializing in millennials. She writes about career strategies and improving the workplace for The Huffington Post, The Personal Branding blog,  TinyPulse.com  and Sharkpreneur magazine, and has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, U.S. News World Report and  BusinessInsider.com. Connect with Beth on Twitter @BethKuhel.

8 Affordable Cities Attracting Young Professionals CareerMetis.com

8 Affordable Cities Attracting Young Professionals Although many millennials have the desire to move to cities like New York City, Boston, and San Francisco, they don’t always have the financial means to do so.With the cost of living in these cities outrageously high, budget-conscious professionals must give up the idea of building a life in their dream city for the practicality of creating a life in a more wallet-friendly one.evalIf this situation sounds familiar, rest assured that plenty of other up-and-coming cities have a lot to offer young professionals at a much lower cost.From burgeoning tech cities with bike-able streets to quirky downtowns with strong entrepreneurial vibes, the following cities are worth putting on your radar:1) Grand Rapids â€" MichiganIf you can handle and don’t mind the long, cold winters, Grand Rapids is a great city to plant your roots and start your career. Voted Beer City USA for its abundance of microbreweries, Grand Rapids, is a haven for young professionals who fancy a good ale and also a sligh tly lower cost of living.Grand Rapids also has a lot to offer regarding entertainment. The city has a variety of summer and winter festivals, not to mention an exciting nightlife and growing arts scene. The plentiful parks, museums, and gardens make for something to do at all times of the day and week,Best of all, you can take advantage of this thriving city without going broke. According to RentCafe, the average rent for an apartment in Grand Rapids is just around $1,000.2) Charleston â€" South CarolinaSearching for a respite from winter? Consider moving to Charleston, S.C. The Holy City, so-called for its many church steeples, is famous for its subtropical weather, rich history, Southern charm, and delicious cuisine.evalCharleston is frequently voted the No. 1 city in the U.S. and has even been named the top city in the world by Travel + Leisure. With its serene coastal setting, friendly locals and creative culture, it’s not difficult to see the appeal.Although some neighborhood s are more expensive than others, you get a lot for the price. Charleston is nowhere near as expensive as other major cities, but it has the big-city amenities young professionals are looking for.Charleston has been dubbed “Silicon Harbor” due to the growing number of tech companies that have been establishing roots since the beginning of the 2000s. The city is attracting top professionals in technology and technology-related fields from New York and Boston, as well as San Francisco.3) Charlotte â€" North CarolinaLooking to start your own business? Charlotte has had a widespread reputation for being a start-up friendly city.evalThe Queen City boasts low business costs, large venture capital firms and a variety of networking opportunities for entrepreneurs. Additionally, Charlotte has a strong and supportive community that favors small business owners.Charlotte is also well known for its banking industry, which is one of the largest in the United States. It may not be Wall Street , but the Queen City is still a magnet for bankers.Charlotte is attractive to many young professionals because of the booming nightlife and the abundance of things to do. From the city’s bar and restaurant hub, Epicentre, to a large number of breweries popping up all over the city, Charlotte is the perfect home for twenty-somethings to establish not only their careers but also their social lives.4) Colorado Springs â€" ColoradoColorado Springs was recently named the fifth-best city to find a job by WalletHub. The city tops several other lists as well, including No. 1 on Trulia’s top housing market to watch in 2019 and No. 4 in Thumbtack’s most business-friendly cities.Home to a diverse mix of young professionals, military personnel and retirees, Colorado Springs has something for everyone. The city offers easy access to exceptional skiing and snowboarding opportunities, hiking and biking trails, and a fun and flourishing downtown area.While it may not be Denver, Colorado Sprin gs has a much better cost of living. If you enjoy the feel of a small town without all the prestige The city may also prove accommodating to your wallet. The city’s cost of living sits slightly below the national average, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious professionals to plant their roots.6) Chattanooga â€"TennesseeTucked along the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is renowned for its many outdoor activities. It also has a reputation for being an extremely bike-friendly city, which will help you save even more money by not relying on your car as much.Fittingly named the Scenic City, Chattanooga is a mid-sized town that boasts a vibrant arts scene and thriving business climate. Another nickname it holds is Gig City for its burgeoning tech sector and the availability of the biggest citywide gigabit-speed internet.7) Boise â€" IdahoThe capital city of Idaho, Boise has experienced rapid growth over the last decade. The city has recently ranked high on many to p lists, including Livability’s best downtowns.Boise is affordable, minutes away from outdoor activities and has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. There are also a lot of cultural attractions, including museums, symphonies, opera, and a few museums.eval8) St.Louis â€"MissouriDelicious food, rich culture and tons of green space are just a few of the appeals of living in St. Louis. This Midwest port town is also known as one of America’s most affordable cities.Recently, Gateway City ranked No. 4 for starter-home affordability, making it the ideal place for young professionals to purchase their first home. It also has a charming farmers market, active sports culture and great nightlife.It puts on the second biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the country. If you don’t choose to live in this beautiful city, at least make a trip for Mardi Gras and get ready to catch some beads.Wrapping UpBy choosing an up-and-coming city to plant your roots, you’ll be able to enjoy a mu ch more comfortable lifestyle than you would in a city such as Washington, D.C., New York, or Seattle.While they may not have the same excitement attached to their name, you’ll discover that many of these cities are hidden gems with thriving economies and fantastic nightlife. Book a trip to one of them, and you may soon find that you don’t want to leave.

Company Career Sites - Consulting Firms - CareerAlley

Company Career Sites - Consulting Firms - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Sometimes it takes an expert to point out the obvious. Scott Allen Consulting is The act of providing information, analysis, and recommendations and is a career choice that is very different than most. To be a successful consultant, you need to have great interpersonal skills, a high level of confidence, good communications skills and a particular area of expertise. It also doesnt hurt to be good at sales (in fact, it is a requirement at the more senior levels) and not mind traveling. Many consultants are road warriors for much of their careers. Continuing the series of posts targeting company career sites, today we review several consulting firms. For an overview, please also read Have you thought about consulting?. Accenture Also on the Fortunes Most Admired list, Accenture is best known for management consulting, technology services and outsourcing. Their career site has tabs at the top for Working Here, Career Options, Search Jobs and more. The middle of the page has a brief paragraph about the company and a number of other career search tools below this. You can explore where you fit by clicking Find where you fit. You can also explore career opportunities based on skill. Search Jobs requires that you use a drop down list of all of the countries where Accenture is located. Click you country from the list to see opportunities. There were over 1,000 job opportunities when I checked the site. Boston Consulting Group Also a very well known and highly respected consulting firm. Their career page which includes background on the company, career path and how to apply. You can apply online or check out their college recruiting program if you are still in school. Bain Company According to their website, Bain Company is a global business consulting firm with offices in all major cities. We help management make the big decisions: on strategy, operations, mergers acquisitions, technology and organization. Their careers page provides a brief overview, with tabs at the top of the page for This is Bain, Build your Career, Life at Bain and Apply to Bain. Click the Apply to Bain to see their process and apply. IBM Global Business Services Most people dont think of IBM when they think of consulting (or consulting when the think of IBM), but this line of business represents a major portion of IBMs revenue. Their Business Consulting division provides diverse consulting offerings. The careers page for this division has excellent information on why join us as well as a listing of industry expertise. Click career opportunities on the left hand side of the screen and then search for job openings. There were 526 job opportunities in this division when I checked the site. Oliver Wyman Another international consulting firm, Oliver Wyman focuses on strategy, operations and risk management (plus some others). Their career site has a brief overview center page with links on the left hand side of the page for Opportunity, Impact, Your Career and more. There are links on the right hand side of the page for career tracks. Click the apply link if you are interested. Good luck in your search.

Leaving Your Job Leave Your ID Badge, Bathroom Key and Twitter Handle at the Door

Leaving Your Job Leave Your ID Badge, Bathroom Key and Twitter Handle at the Door I recently came across this SHRM article Former Employees Claim Ownership of Twitter Handles, LinkedIn Connections   describing the tug-of-war between employers and employees over ownership of Twitter handles and followers and LinkedIn accounts and connections once an employee leaves the company. While more and more companies seem to be creating more formalized social media policies, its obvious that there is still a lot of gray when it comes to deciding what rightfully belongs to the individual and what the employer can claim as theirs.According to a Forbes article, Who Owns Your LinkedIn Contacts,   a court in England ordered that an employee who resigned to start his own consulting business turn over his LinkedIn contacts to his former employer, along with receipts and contracts proving that none of them became clients of his new firm.Yet in another case in New York, a head hunter  who left her firm to start her own practice was sued by her former employer for approaching candidat es and clients who were her LinkedIn contacts and also  part of the former employers   database.   Here the court ruled that LinkedIn connections do not qualify as trade secrets because LinkedIn connections are easily derived from public information.It remains to be seen how these issues will play out in the years to come, but in the meantime, here are a few suggestions for increasing your chances of retaining ownership of your social media information following a departure from a company.Attach your LinkedIn account to your personal email rather than your company email.Create a PDF copy of your LinkedIn profile so if you ever get locked out of your account you can retrieve your information.Export your contacts regularly and store them in another database not connected to your social media accounts.Create a Twitter handle that uses your name rather than a company name.Prior to accepting a new position, read the employee manual and learn what the social media policy (if any) is.If yo u are required to sign a non-compete, review it carefully and try to negotiate for a non-compete with terms that are the most specific and the least limiting. This may include specific language about your ability to retain ownership of your social media contacts.

Use parties and other festive opportunities to your advantage for job hunting -

Use parties and other festive opportunities to your advantage for job hunting - Have I mentioned how great it is to turn to a terrific social network for ideas to share with you? Yes I guess I have! Today, advice about job hunting during the holidays from two terrific experts who both write for About.comAlison Doyle and Andrea Santiago. Alison Doyle, author of About.coms guide to job searching suggests: View every holiday event you attend as a networking opportunity and accept all the invitations you receive, both personal and professional. You never know who may be able to help. Friends and family, as well as business acquaintances are typically more than happy to assist. A word of warning dont overindulge. You dont want to be remembered as the guest who had one too many drinks. Andrea Santiago, a medical recruiter and author of About.coms guide to health careers reminds her readers that the holidays are a prime time for networking. She suggests keeping at your search by focusing on these possibilities: Travel You never know who could be standing next to you in the security line or sitting in the seat next to you on the plane! Be prepared to strike up a conversation. Parties and Gatherings Be prepared to meet new people, no matter if youre gathering at your Aunts house, your in-laws, or at a friends holiday party. Remember, the people you meet dont even necessarily have to work in the healthcare industry in order to be valuable contacts. Down Time Depending on your travel and celebration plans, you may have more down-time than usual during the holidays. If you have extra time off from school or even from a current job if youre employed, or downtime in between travels or waiting to board a plane, use this time to do some on-line networking, or maybe read a helpful book. For much more advice about job searching during the holidays Part 1 My suggestions and a free ebook offer Part 2 Walter Akana Take care of yourself Part 3 Anita Bruzzese Stay ahead of the crowd Part 4 Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter Unplug and embrace rest Part 5 Wendy Enelow Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers Part 6 GL Hoffman Use time to research and prepare Part 7 Meghan M. Biro Use the holidays as a time for self assessment Part 8 Craig Fisher Recruiters dont ease up during the holidays neither should you Part 9 Ronnie Ann Take advantage of other peoples resolutions I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching? Â  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While youre at it, dont forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on FacebookId be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since were on the subject of doing something newAre you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers. photo by trazomfreak

Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Resume Experience Section

Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Resume Experience Section Additionally, be sure you're not employing an unprofessional email address. There are a lot of ways it's possible to present the info about each job. Make sure that each and every point you write is pertinent to the particular job. Your work history shows potential employers what type of employee you're going to be. The True Meaning of Resume Experience Section Entry-level employees, who don't have lots of on-the-job experience, should incorporate every job possible whilst emphasizing the skills that match the work listing. Usually, you don't will need to include more than the previous 10-15 decades of work experience. The majority of people applying for equal job probably did the exact tasks as you. They will have between five and 10 main skills listed. Although resumes are composed using standard elements, there is absolutely no prescribed format that operates equally well for everybody. One very significant part the work experience section is finding the perfect way to list your contributions to the firm. It will probably take up the bulk of the space on your resume. As one of the most important part of your resume, it needs to be professional and follow the same format as the rest of your resume. So have a look at your resume and be sure that it mentions all the important requirements. Prioritize the unique resume sections you opt to add. Even when you're attempting to be funny you may not come across that manner. Like anything else, however, don't believe all you read!

Things An Office Newbie Must Do To Impress A New Team - Work It Daily

Things An Office Newbie Must Do To Impress A New Team - Work It Daily After going back and forth with employers for months, you’ve finally managed to land yourself a great gig. Congratulations! But you know what that means -- you’re officially the office newbie. [Insert dramatic screaming sound effects] Okay, okay --- it’s not that bad. Sure, it can be intimidating to break into an established group, it can be done, and you can do it! You just have to know what you should and shouldn’t do during your first few weeks on the job. (Find out what you need to do in order to GUARANTEE success within your first 90 days on the job.) From the moment you set foot in the door, your new co-workers will form an impression about you. That’s why it’s important to set the right tone from the get-go. There are a few things you can (and should) do in order to impress your new work peeps. Step into that new role with confidence, and challenge yourself to accomplish the following. Introduce yourself. Take a little time each day to pop over to people’s desks and introduce yourself. Tell your new colleagues that you’re excited to work with them and learn a little bit about what they do. In fact, make it a goal to learn at least one thing about each of your new co-workers within your first week. They will appreciate you taking the initiative to get to know them. Keep these introductory conversations short and sweet to respect their time. Be warm and inviting. Encourage people to strike up a conversation with you by having a warm and welcoming attitude. If you’re giving off good, inviting vibes, people are more going to be more inclined to talk with you. Even though you’re the office newbie, some of your new co-workers might feel intimidated by your presence. Ease their concern by wishing everyone good morning when you walk into the office, engaging them in conversation in the break room, or keeping a candy dish on your desk to attract people to your cubicle. Also, if you’re shy, sometimes you can come off as being cold or unapproachable, which can discourage people from getting to know you. At the very least, greet people with a warm smile when you see them so they know you’re not just being unfriendly. Understand your interaction style. When you’re inserting yourself in a new team environment, it’s helpful to understand how you interact with others. Although you might think you have a firm grasp on how you communicate with others, you might not realize how you could be misinterpreted by others. Unfortunately, this can result in unnecessary passive aggressive behavior, conflict, and drama. And seriously, who needs any of that? Discover your interaction style and how it could be misinterpreted by taking this free quiz. Keep the “I thinks” and “you shoulds” to yourself (just for a little bit). You were hired to contribute your experience, knowledge, skills, opinions, and ideas. But before you start voicing your “I thinks” and “you shoulds,” take a little time to understand your team, how it works, and what it’s trying to achieve. While it’s important to be confident in your ideas, sometimes stepping in too soon can result in resentment from your new co-workers (which isn’t going to help you win over). As the office newbie, you might not know what the team has and hasn’t tried yet, and you might not be 100% clear on their goals. You might have some great ideas to share, but first, understand what’s happening, what’s been done so far, and what challenges are holding things up. Make it a priority to learn as much as you can about the business and your goals as a team before you start spouting off new ideas and sharing your point of view. If you take a little time to understand these things when you start your new job, your thoughts will be more respected and welcomed by your colleagues. Ask questions and learn as much as you can before you speak up. Let your enthusiasm shine. When you’re excited to be somewhere, people will generally be excited to have you. Yes, starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, intimidating, and even a little stressful, but remember why you chose this company/job over the rest. Remember why the opportunity is exciting to you, and let that enthusiasm show. Don’t go overboard as over-enthusiasm can be perceived as “sucking up” or fake. Instead, show your excitement though your eagerness to learn about the company and excel in your role. Be grateful. As the new person in the office, chances are you’re going to be asking for a lot of help from your new colleagues. Whether they are showing you the ropes, sharing advice, or just including you in conversations, show your appreciation. Thank them for helping you out and welcoming you to their team. A little thank you goes a long way! Being the office newbie isn’t that bad as long as you know what to do. If you need more help getting your footing at your new job, check out our course, “First 90 Days: How To Guarantee Success In A New Job.” Related Posts 10 Rules For Starting Your New Job On The Right Foot Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Starting A New Job Don’t Forget To Find These When Starting A New Job!     Have you joined our career growth club?Join For Free!