Instant messaging at work is a powerful communication tool with big pluses and possible minuses. Sending a message is a direct intrusion into a boss or co-worker’s current project, which can be either a helpful and appreciated message, or an unwarranted distraction. Below you’ll see some of the pitfalls and rewards that come along with workplace IMing, and tips to help you excel at quick communication.
Begin with the general context to make sure the receiver knows what you are talking about. Though you may know what your message is pertaining to, you need to give enough information in the message so the reader does as well. Explain the project, refer to the earlier email, list the date of the meeting – whatever information is needed to orient the receiver to the topic you are talking about. Also, it's extremely helpful to include a link to whatever you are referring to, when necessary, and use a real example to help explain whatever it is you are messaging about. For example, link to a webpage that shows an example of what it is you want to do or need help with. With a question, make sure to copy and paste the question you are answering or the comment you are responding to. If more than one question has been asked or the question was asked some time ago in the conversation, make sure to be clear. It is also helpful to ask a question that can be answered with yes or no to save on time for both you and the recipient.
You should also copy and paste an important conversation to other people or other places. If you discussed something that involves other people, e-mail them a copy of the IM conversation. If the conversation is related to an issue documented on a wiki, forum or project management system, copy and paste the IM into that location as well. Along with that, don’t send out your words in little chunks – write your whole thought out before sending your message to the other person.
You should use IM for time sensitive communication. If you do not get a response back after an IM, assume the recipient never saw it. Try again, or try e-mail. Know the preferences of your co-workers, e-mail versus IM versus phone, and make sure to use IM only during standard work hours, unless needed for an emergency.
Make sure you turn on archiving so you don’t have to repeat yourself by asking the same question twice. Look up the answer in your logs if you can’t remember. Pidgin is a system that has this helpful capability. Remember to summarize at the end of an involved conversation so the recipient and yourself know what you have solved, what still needs to be done, and are on the same page.
By making your messages thorough yet concise, and using IM when appropriate, much more can be accomplished during the work day.
JustJobs.com is a job search engine that finds job listings from company career pages, other job boards, newspapers and associations. With one search, they help you find the job with your name on it.Read more » articles by this approved business partner | Click here » if you’re a businessImage from minifilm/Shutterstock
The leaves are changing, the kids are back in school, and that familiar chill is in the air. You think it's the perfect time to look for a job, and it is! But are your job search fears preventing you from making that leap?
It's not uncommon to feel lost when embarking on your job search journey. After all, school teaches us everything except how to get a job. What should you put on your resume? What questions should you ask in an interview? How can you stand out in the hiring process when there's so much competition?
Are you feeling spooked yet?
Believe it or not, there's no need to be afraid of the job search process! You can land your dream job with the right tools and strategy. You can find a job that won't give you nightmares. Here are three spooky secrets every job seeker should know as they look for a job this fall.
1. An Effective Job Search Starts With An Interview Bucket List
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Despite your fears, you've decided to take the plunge and look for a new job. You might be asking yourself, "Where do I start?" The answer is simple: start by creating an interview bucket list.
An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Are you passionate about a company's products or services? Do you feel connected to its mission? Can you relate to its values and beliefs as an organization? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, that company probably belongs on your interview bucket list.
Once you create an interview bucket list, you'll be able to conduct a targeted job search, one with direction and a foundation upon which everything else will be built. An interview bucket list helps you focus your job search and networking strategies on the right opportunities, making it easier to get your foot in the door at one of your dream companies.
2. Your Job Application Needs To Disrupt Hiring Managers
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In order to stand out in the hiring process, you need to disrupt recruiters and hiring managers. You accomplish this by doing two things: optimizing your resume and writing a disruptive cover letter.
A well-optimized resume includes keywords from the job description. This ensures your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager. Once it's in front of the hiring manager, it needs to grab and keep their attention. Quantifying your work experience—adding numbers to your bullet points—will make you stand out from other applicants. Hiring managers will want to know more about you and your accomplishments, and that's how you land a phone interview.
Before that, though, a hiring manager will read your cover letter. To disrupt them, you need to write a disruptive cover letter (obviously!). A disruptive cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell a story about why you feel connected to the company you're applying for. It's that storytelling aspect that will stand out to hiring managers and compel them to pick up the phone and give you a call.
3. Employers Hire You Based On 3 Things
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You can't get hired unless you know what employers are assessing you on in the interview process. While your skills and expertise matter, companies actually hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order).
Most job seekers don't realize how important it is to demonstrate their personality, aptitude, and experience in an interview. You could have the right experience for a job, but if the hiring manager doesn't think your personality is a good fit for the company culture, you probably won't get a job offer.
Make sure you demonstrate your soft skills and learn how to answer behavioral interview questions to prove you're the best candidate for the job you're applying for, not just the most qualified.
Want To Learn More Job Search Secrets?
As you look for a job this fall, it might be helpful to know some more spooky secrets so you can get over your job search fears and finally take control of your career.
We know the job search process can be scary. However, it's important to get clear on what you want to do next and focus on conducting a strategic job search, or what we refer to at Work It DAILY as job shopping. This is the only way to effectively market yourself to employers. If they can't see exactly where and how you add value, then that's going to decrease your chances of landing the job.
The competition is fierce, and there are a lot of factors that are out of your control. But the one factor you can control is your job search strategy, the tools and tactics you use to land a job.
If you want to learn the secrets to conducting a strategic job search, sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp, a two-hour, on-demand video workshop that comes with a free workbook.
In this video workshop, you'll learn:
How to use backchanneling to get directly to hiring managers.
The secret to using a connection story to stand out against the competition.
How social media can be your secret weapon to get job interviews.
The resume format that is getting job seekers more job interviews.
Instant messaging at work is a powerful communication tool with big pluses and possible minuses. Sending a message is a direct intrusion into a boss or co-worker’s current project, which can be either a helpful and appreciated message, or an unwarranted distraction. Below you’ll see some of the pitfalls and rewards that come along with workplace IMing, and tips to help you excel at quick communication.
Begin with the general context to make sure the receiver knows what you are talking about. Though you may know what your message is pertaining to, you need to give enough information in the message so the reader does as well. Explain the project, refer to the earlier email, list the date of the meeting – whatever information is needed to orient the receiver to the topic you are talking about. Also, it's extremely helpful to include a link to whatever you are referring to, when necessary, and use a real example to help explain whatever it is you are messaging about. For example, link to a webpage that shows an example of what it is you want to do or need help with. With a question, make sure to copy and paste the question you are answering or the comment you are responding to. If more than one question has been asked or the question was asked some time ago in the conversation, make sure to be clear. It is also helpful to ask a question that can be answered with yes or no to save on time for both you and the recipient.
You should also copy and paste an important conversation to other people or other places. If you discussed something that involves other people, e-mail them a copy of the IM conversation. If the conversation is related to an issue documented on a wiki, forum or project management system, copy and paste the IM into that location as well. Along with that, don’t send out your words in little chunks – write your whole thought out before sending your message to the other person.
You should use IM for time sensitive communication. If you do not get a response back after an IM, assume the recipient never saw it. Try again, or try e-mail. Know the preferences of your co-workers, e-mail versus IM versus phone, and make sure to use IM only during standard work hours, unless needed for an emergency.
Make sure you turn on archiving so you don’t have to repeat yourself by asking the same question twice. Look up the answer in your logs if you can’t remember. Pidgin is a system that has this helpful capability. Remember to summarize at the end of an involved conversation so the recipient and yourself know what you have solved, what still needs to be done, and are on the same page.
By making your messages thorough yet concise, and using IM when appropriate, much more can be accomplished during the work day.
JustJobs.com is a job search engine that finds job listings from company career pages, other job boards, newspapers and associations. With one search, they help you find the job with your name on it.Read more » articles by this approved business partner | Click here » if you’re a business Image from minifilm/Shutterstock
