Be Professional Even Under Pressure

With the beginning of the fall semester, we will be exposed to more pressure. Our time management skills and efficiency will be highly tested. Staying professional under so much pressure is always a challenge, so let me contribute with

some practical tips to conquer this challenge:

• Be on time for meetings and presentations
• Look your best. How you look matters! It helps you boost your confidence, and it shows respect to others
• Do not procrastinate. Get your job done every day
• Carry a notepad. It is highly recommended that you carry an agenda or your cell phone to write down your “Things-to-do list”
• Meditate before starting your day: Watch a good video, listen to good music, or read a nice quote to get through the day
• Compliment others. This is a great way of breaking the ice with people and feeling more comfortable around them
• Go the extra mile. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and will make you feel more productive at the end of the day.

Image Consulting 101

• Professionally speaking, dress to get “credibility” by using more neutral colors in your clothes.
• Spend more money in accessories and less money in clothes.
• 3 accessories in your look are enough.
• Invest on a lint roller for your clothes.
• Find a dressmaker who can fix long pants or sleeves.
• If you have any doubt about what you are wearing, perhaps you should take it off. This could affect your confidence.
• Invest on a good watch. Wearing a watch shows that “you care about the time of others.”
• Do not buy something because you saw it and liked it on someone else.

Online Resources

• http://www.imujer.com/12154/los-20-mejores-consejos-de-un-asesor-de-imagen

15 Practical Tips to Manage Your Time

1. Learn when you are more productive: mornings, afternoons or nights
2. Consider interruptions and last minute requests
3. Prioritize and make sure your boss knows it!
4. Consider posting office hours for your clients
5. Cut off conversations when you are too busy
6. Learn to say, “No” or “I can help you later”
7. Commit ONLY IF you have time available
8. If your position allows it, delegate tasks
9. Get up early. Accomplish more
10. Get the “hard” work done
11. Work ahead. It works!
12. Minimize distractions
13. Set goals for the day
14. Do not procrastinate
15. Set reminders

Online Resources:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219553

10 Ways to Get More Done Each Day

http://12most.com/2014/03/18/12-effective-time-management-principles/

https://mobile.twitter.com/sgenner/status/456319762050478080

16 Really Effective Time Management Tips To Try Right Now

Good Manners in the Office

In a full time position, we work at least 48 hours a week, which is, more than 16 thousand hours a year!

This is enough time to understand that our workplace is an important place, and it deserves special attention.

Please allow me to share with you what I learned from a lady I met some years ago. She can be an example for all of us.

Jessy Varela is an Engineer of almost 40 years old, and she has worked since she was twenty. Following her heart, Jessy ended up working as Human Talent Coordinator. She treated co-workers, cleaners, and maintenance people with respect and courtesy. Everybody would welcome her ideas because nobody doubted of her good intentions and genuine spirit. Jessy would always knock at the door to come in and ask for any kind of favors using the word “Please and “Thank you.” Her sincere smile was her most valuable trait. Any time that somebody wanted to gossip or speak badly about a co-worker, she would say something positive like, “Did you know this person helped me the other day?” or “I think you haven´t talked to this person enough because she has a huge heart.” Jessie always spoke well of others.

New employees felt welcomed and comfortable around Jessy. She volunteered to show them around and invited them over coffee once in a while. As it is natural, some co-workers had no chemistry with Jessy, but they still felt that she was respectful, tolerant and authentic. Certainly, she was not the typical know-it-all colleague. Instead, in weekly meetings, she used to invite others to share their ideas and provide feedback. Nevertheless, when she had to be assertive, she surely was! She had what I call the “coaching way” of communicating decisions, meaning that you would leave her office thinking that you contributed to that decision. Jessy was a fantastic leader. She got things done in a timely manner, and if for some reason, she could not accomplish something, she was truthful and honest about it.   

Office manners are a way to show respect to others. A failure to practice these manners could take away credibility from us and make us look less professional.

Let’s take a look at the TOP 10 OFFICE ETIQUETTE DO’S AND DON’T’S:

1. DO arrive on time to meetings.
2. DON’T blast your music in the office.
3. DO keep personal phone calls to a minimum.
4. DON’T ignore emails.
5. DON’T use work email for non-professional matters.
6. DON’T tolerate office gossip, rise above it.
7. DO ask before taking something from a colleague’s desk.
8. DO take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
9. DO socialize. DON’T over socialize.
10. DO be courteous and respectful with everybody

Online Resources:

• http://www.a-to-z-of-manners-and-etiquette.com/office-etiquette.html
• http://madamenoire.com/268764/top-10-office-etiquette-dos-and-donts/8/

It´s Not What You Know…It´s Whom You Know!

“Networking is the process of expanding your circle of (quality) contacts for the purpose of achieving more than you could on your own.”

 

What opportunities are available for networking?

Family, friends, professors, mentors, college clubs, former employers, community organizations, religious groups, non-profit volunteers societies, class reunions, conferences, career fairs, cultural events, conventions, cocktail parties, and professional associations.

The following are some of the basics of networking:

• Networking happens anywhere and at any time.
• Networking is a “key driver behind high salaries and career advancement.” It may lead to a referral, a new business, or a job.
• Establish your 30-seconds “elevator pitch” (short summary about you).
• Dress appropriately for the occasion.
• When your first meet someone, use his/her name to create a feeling of familiarity.
• Introduce yourself and give a friendly yet firm handshake while making eye contact.
• Be positive. Do not criticize the event, the food, or the speakers at an event.
• Talk about you can offer, not about what you can “get”.
• Be specific about what you are looking for.
• Do not make it all about you. Less talking, more listening.
• Successful networkers often generously share their knowledge, resources, and experiences.
• Exchange professional business cards or contact information.
• Put your phone away while you talk to people.
• Find something else than work-related topics to discuss.
• Follow up, call back, send an email… stay in touch!
• 46% of men and 39% of women find their jobs through networking.
• Remember, “trust takes time” (Adam Rifkin).
• Be the best version of yourself!

 

Online Resources:

• College Central Podcast on Networking: URL: <http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/college-central-podcasts-career-and-job-search-advice/e/networking-no-you-didnt-34230640>.
• College Central Podcast “Netowrking 101”: <http://app.stitcher.com/splayer/f/27260/15591001&gt;.
• URL: <http://www.levo.com/articles/career-advice/6-steps-for-networking-for-new-grads>.
• URL: <http://es.slideshare.net/ethos3/33-networking-tips-in-140-characters-or-less-38237882>.
• URL: <http://www.dohertyemployment.com/blog/value-networking-your-job-search-infographic#.VbKAtrN_Okp&gt;.

Everybody Has A Personal Brand!

“Everybody has a personal brand. You cannot get away from it. Everything you do either adds to or takes away from your brand: your posture, your smiles, whether you are late, whether you are on time, what your work product looks like, what kind of glasses you wear, what kind of car you drive, how you answer the phone, what you look like in your Facebook page…You have to understand: Everything you do!”  

-Tim O’Brien on Personal Branding

I want you to think of a word or a phrase that you would like to be recognized by. Some examples are: Reliable, trustworthy, charismatic, professional, artist, nice, smart, kind, innovative, “rock star”, etc. Now, I dare you to ask people around you to describe you in a word. Match their words to the one you chose. This exercise will help you understand what you need to do to manage these perceptions and become the embodiment of the word that you want people to think of when they see you.

Some practical advice to get started:

• Your main attributes should be completely clear in your mind. You do not want to confuse people!
• Your brand should be consistent in all platforms and social networks.
• Increase your brand value though further education, associations and volunteering experiences
• Connect with people with similar brands & learn from them.
• Know that you can use your personal brand to earn a promotion or achieve a successful career shift.

Tim O´Brien, in his presentation to Business Honors Students at California State University, mentions one the basic principles on personal branding is, “to build a brand where you are not reliant upon the government, build a brand where you are not reliant upon a particular employer, build a brand where everybody seeks you out because of how excellent you are.”

Online Resources:

• O’Brien Tim.  Personal Branding, Nov. 21st, 2012. URL: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZqUSyso8hk&gt;.
• Harry, Sean. What´s A Personal Brand And Why Do You Need One? March 20, 2013. URL: <http://www.careerealism.com/personal-brand/&gt;.

Are You Saying What You Really Want to Say?

Most communication is non-verbal. Some studies suggest that only 7% of any message is conveyed through words. The other 93% is conveyed through facial expressions, gestures, postures & several vocal elements. Perhaps this is one of the reasons some do not get calls back from employers and others find it difficult to “connect” with those aroun them. On the other hand, this also could be the reason you got the job you wanted and married the man or woman of your dreams.

Some of us use gestures in a very natural way without knowing what they truly convey. Here are some of the basics about body language:

Please click on the image to see more details

 

“Body language is all around us. Learning to read it can be one of the most valuable skills you have.”

Citations:

www.nonverbalgroup.com/2011/08/how-much-of-communication-is-really-nonverbal/

neurolove.me/post/33780877628/20-body-language-facts

www.marcandangel.com/2008/07/07/25-acts-of-body-language-to-avoid/

http://www.topcounselingschools.org/body-language/

 

 

How to Use Your Facebook for Good Personal Branding

Every minute, 1.8 million new “likes” are made on Facebook

First, you should know that…

• There are 757 million Facebook users.
• 58% Facebook users are women.
• Everybody has an average of at least 250 friends.
• Smartphone users check Facebook 14 times a day.

Having mentioned this, the basic conclusion is that even when you do not want to -or do not care- you are developing a PERSONAL BRAND with every like, every post, every status update & every picture.

So, here is a piece of advice on how to use your facebook profile to reinforce positively your personal branding:

DO´s

• Space your posts with a few hours apart (2 or 3 posts per day are great).
• Post on Thursdays or Fridays when 18% of your friends are more likely to pay attention.
• Respond to nice comments & messages.
• Apply the same courtesy as you would do in real life.
• Use humor to diffuse negativity.
• Keep it positive. Negative brands lose followers.

DON’T´s

• Do not publish every tweet.
• Do not tag your friends for promotional offers (unless they are close to you, and you know that they would allow you to do so).
• Do not write 10 hash tags.
• Do not just “leave” a conversation. There is an option called “mute conversation” which you could use instead.

Online articles consulted

Facts about Facebook. URL: <http://www.factslides.com/s-Facebook>.

Sansone, Mike. A Guide to Social Media Etiquette for Business, August 1st, 2014. URL: <http://www.converstations.com/2014/08/guide-social-media-etiquette-business-guest.html>.

Dodaro, Melonie. 19 Facebook Etiquette Rules For Business, October 2nd, 2013. URL: <http://topdogsocialmedia.com/facebook-etiquette/>.

Harmen, Siobhan. The 12 Rules Of Facebook Etiquette, July3rd, 2015. URL: <http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/the-12-rules-facebook-etiquette.html&gt;.

 

Five Levels of Business Attire

This is a huge statement: “Dress impacts the way that others perceive us and our capabilities.”

The way we dress do not make us better people…That is for sure! However, it is a fact that our clothes can influence people´s perception of our talents and personality. At the same time, the way we dress can get us closer to what we want or far away from it.

The following images will illustrate perfectly and simply the basics of business attire:

When you are cleaning up your office, showing a client the football court or attending the field day, you can go ahead and wear this:

When you want to convey a “down to business attitude” and keep it casual, you may want to add some flowers to your skirts (for ladies) and wear corduroy (for gentlemen):

The Executive casual “never fails”. This ALWAYS gives you a fresh & executive look, but it is not formal enough!

The following is the “suit & tie” look. Men could play with different tie colors and patterned suits. Women also can wear bright colors.

Now formal is formal. It takes some time to accept this! In this high business level, colors should be more conservative, and white is the best for shirts. It is important to remember that wearing this in the wrong work environment will make you look overdressed.

Online articles consulted

Source of images: Pinterest & Sylivie di Giusto, Executive Image Consulting. URL: <https://www.pinterest.com/pin/40110252908893380/&gt;.

Jonathan Alpert. Fearless Self Image: How You Dress Matters, October 28, 2013. URL: <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-alpert/becoming-fearless_b_4165264.html&gt;.

Laura Morsch. Dress codes deciphered, August 19th, 2015. URL: <http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/Careers/08/18/dress.code/>.

Richard Feloni & Mike Nudelman. How To Dress Like A Leader In Any Work Environment, August 5, 2015. URL: <http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-dress-for-work-business-attire-2014-8&gt;.

Tips on LinkedIn Etiquette

Interesting facts about LinkedIn:

• This professional network launched on May 5, 2003.
• As of today, it has more than364 million users in more than 200 countries
• It is available in 24 languages

Now that we know how many people in the world have a LinkedIn account, we can talk about LinkedIn Etiquette. According to Forbes.com, a professional photo is a must for your profile, your LinkedIn profile is the way that you “sell yourself” professionally; it is also how you reflect your own values and those of your company. We encourage also use a nice background for your profile, you can use your favorite color or blue, which in the professional world, conveys a message of honesty and reliability. BLUE is also the brand color of Keiser University.

These are some common LinkedIn etiquette mistakes:

• Not having a LinkedIn profile. It does not need to be very detailed. It could be a short summary of your professional experience and education).
• Outdated or incomplete profiles. Update every time that you change jobs, this matters to your company!
• Connect with people just because “they have a nice picture”.
• LinkedIN is NOT facebook!

Last but not least, we are pleased to share with you our brand new LinkedIn account as Keiser University-Latin American Campus.

Online articles consulted

Judy Scott-Kemmis. Using Color Psychology to Enhance Your Business Cards and Stationery, June 18, 2015. URL: <http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/business-cards.html&gt;.

Jen Herman. Are You Making These LinkedIn Etiquette Mistakes?, April 30th, 2014. URL: <http://www.jennstrends.com/making-linkedin-etiquette-mistakes/&gt;.

Alex Pirouz. 5 LinkedIn Mistakes You Need To Avoid, June 18, 2015. URL: < http://www.jeffbullas.com/2015/02/25/5-linkedin-mistakes-you-need-to-avoid/&gt;.