OMG! Did You Really Use That as Your Profile Pic

OMG! Did You Really Use That as Your Profile Pic We all know that first impressions count. In business it is so important and in the world of social media platforms that first impression can cost you dearly if you get it wrong. There are many horror stories of people posting mad things to Facebook etc, but historically most have been more conservative with LinkedIn. Sadly, that trend seems to be changing, and there are more and more posts appearing of things like motivational quotes, cartoons, religious posts, general funnies, and other things not quite right for the platform. If we don’t like what we see on our feed we can easily hide that person’s posts. They  then loses the traction they were hoping for, and us as an audience. Shame for them, and silly really. Be found One of the keys of using LinkedIn successfully, is to be found. Be found for the things we want to be found for, and when someone does find us, let them see the very best impression of us that we can. After all, we want them to contact us don’t we? Of course there is a lot that goes into being found on LinkedIn, but once you are found what impression do you give? One of the most obvious and simple things to get right is your profile photo. I’ve been doing some work for a client recently, helping them to improve their LinkedIn profiles and along the way been updating my resources, including finding example profile pictures to help them understand the right kind of photos to use, and the kind not to. OMG really? Along the way I have seen some great stuff, and I’ve also seen some shockers. I mean seriously, do you really think a photo of you in a very revealing ball dress, taken in a hotel bathroom was a good idea? You pole-dancing? Walking your dog? A wedding shot? Holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa? And amazingly there were worse too. And before you ask, yes these are real and were all from professional people; not escorts, pole dancers, dog walkers, wedding planners and travel reps â€" they are Recruiters, Accountants, Lawyers, Marketeers  and HR Consultants. Studies on the subject show that your profile is 40% more likely to be viewed if you have a photo, and that the right photo helps to humanise you, warm the reader to you personally, and start the know, like and trust process off in the right way. Getting it right The right photo does wonders for you and your reputation. The goal is to help the reader want to find out more and show you how you want to be seen. How you want to be seen is very much about the right business impression, not a photo where you think you look nice! So, here are a few simple dos and don’ts for showing a great LinkedIn profile photo: Do have a close up (a headshot) Don’t show your partner or kids No Facebook type photos It needs to be you (and you recently) No cartoons or avatars No company logos No selfies Worst of all â€" leaving it blank! Please check out your photo again and decide if it shows you in the way you want to be seen. And if you are in any doubt, show a trusted colleague, your mother, father, sister, brother or your boss â€" they will be very honest with you! And, if you are still in any doubt a headshot photographer will do you a great job for you, if your budget stretches to using one (they are not as pricey as you might think). But if not, then a nice close up of you, dressed appropriately against a neutral background can be taken with any smart phone these days and will work very well indeed. About the author:  James Nathan runs the James Nathan experience; the Business Development, Sales and Service Excellence Expert for Professional Recruiters.

Instant Branding - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Instant Branding - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Michele Bachmann got photographed with crazy eyes on the cover of Newsweek. She also revealed she is a “submissive wife” to a “godly husband.” Those gotcha moments can brand you in an instant. Although, apparently not always in a deleterious way, at least in Iowa if you’re running for president of the United States. Bachmann won the first contest among Republican candidates there last week. Iowa is the state where they deep fry butter in batter and call it a snack at the county fair. They also grow a lot of corn. I think we know what’s going on in the arteries of Iowans. Who else can we brand in an instant? Step right on up. Just kidding. Nothing could be less accurate than knowing a few facts, and branding someone for life. Michele Bachmann and Iowa aren’t the little that we know about them. Even you can’t brand yourself in an instant You have to answer a whole lot of questions, delve into your most life-forming experiences and sift through your body of work. And, that’s really just to get a running start on the authentic you. It doesn’t begin to work on what your target market needs, and why they would want it from you. This weekend, I spoke to another group of Hollywood screenwriters about creating their personal brands. I knew they wanted me to do some version of a carnival act, where I guessed their brand on sight. At most, they wanted to answer a question or two, and have their branding expel from their mouths or mine. It just doesn’t work that way.  The kind of impression you get or give in an instant is probably closer to the distorted reflection of a funhouse mirrors than real branding that reflects the highest and best use of you. Of course, once you have your branding nailed down, you do communicate instantly because you are doing it intentionally. Until now, you may have relied on our impression of you to define your life and work. For example, employers post jobs. Then, you turn your resume inside out to match the description of the ideal candidate.   Or, you launch a new business based on an article that calls out: “Ten new business ideas you can start with no money from your couch!” Why that’s me, you think. I have no money! I have a couch! A more strategic approach with long term benefits would be to set aside some time to understand 1) who you are, and 2) what meaning you want to have in our lives. Then, use your online and on-ground appearance and behavior to clearly, consistently and compellingly show us exactly what your brand is. Here are some navel-gazing questions to get you started on your personal branding. When you were younger â€" before we all started to tell you who you were: What did you want to do when you grew up? Where did you want to go? Who were your role-models? What was your favorite way to spend time? What was the saddest thing that happened? What events gave you the most joy? If you were a super-hero, what super powers would you have? This is how I start out most of my personal branding intensives, along with 93 other questions. You see there is no instant branding. At least none worth living out and about, for the rest of your life. Author: Nance Rosen is the author of Speak Up! Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name: nancerosen

Being Persuasive, Personable and Positive During the Interview Process - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Being Persuasive, Personable and Positive During the Interview Process - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career With the economy significantly improving, launching a successful job search has become slightly less labor intensive.  Regardless, job seekers who are looking to execute a fruitful employment search in today’s corporate environment ought to become familiar with advanced interviewing, persuasion and positivity strategies. If used properly, these tactics yield a higher salary, heightened confidence and more interest from a diverse group of employers. In order to encompass all three aspects, it’s important to discuss what makes someone more persuasive, personable and positive while interviewing. Becoming More Persuasive During the Interviewing Process People hire individuals whom they like.    In order to become persuasive, it’s imperative to know the psychological factors that influence other peoples interest levels. 1. Familiarity breeds fondness, not contempt. Playing hard to get during the interview process (i.e. not following up with a thank you note or waiting a day to respond to emails or calls) will have the opposite of the desired effect. Numerous studies have shown that with repeat positive exposure (that is, the more you interact with someone) the more someone will like you. 2. Since the ability to persuade hinges on the the interviewer liking you to some extent, understanding the basic yet crucial concept of reciprocal affection is key. Studies have shown that people tend to like others who like them.    When an interviewer finds that you think well of them, they are more apt to make a job offer, pay a higher salary and be flexible on other employment demands such as vacation days or benefit disbursement. 3. Focus on similarities.    In the world of persuasion, like attracts like. Whether it be a similar experience you share with the interviewer, a similar corporate background, or education, focus on aspects where you and the hiring manager or sales recruitment professional are alike. Making a Positive Impression by Dealing Effectively with Others If you want to become successful in your career and your job search, develop a deep, driving desire to learn and a vigorous determination to increase your ability to deal with others.    Here are 3 tips to get you started: 1. Bait the fish with the right food.  Dale Carnegie makes a highly apt statement when he alludes to the fact that you can’t bait a fish with a strawberry, but rather you must use worm. Stop thinking about what you want and focus on what the hiring manager wants.    Some of the most capable employees fail to interview well because they lack the ability to envision the needs of the organization and tailor their approach accordingly. Worry about conveying your aptitude for the job now and getting the money you want later. Once you deliver on the needs of the employer or recruitment professional, your ability to negotiate a salary significantly increases. 2. Give honest and sincere appreciation.    Regardless of whether they are in sales, accounting, marketing or recruitment, each person whom you interview with will share one thing in common: the need to feel appreciated. When you meet the receptionist, co-workers of the interviewer, and especially the interviewer, thank them for their time. Also, remember that everyone likes a sincere compliment. 3. Become genuinely interested in the interviewer, recruiter or hiring manager.  You can make a better impression by becoming interested in other people than you can trying to get others interested in you. I’ve found that when a new client calls or I help a job seeker prepare for an employment search, they are much less interested in learning why Im qualified to help them, but rather much more thrilled with the fact that I ask them about their accomplishments. By asking the interviewer how they started with the company or what they enjoy most about working for the organization, you are much more apt to persuade than if you were to ask them why you would benefit from working at the company. Building Confidence by Staying in a Positive State of Mind Any sales professional will tell you that their numbers significantly rise or fall with their expectations. Much of this stems from the fact that individuals who expect negative outcomes become less resilient, utilize a mere fraction of their creative mindset and appear less confident in front of a potential buyer. Interviewing is no different. It is imperative to remain in a state of mind that will allow you to continue driving toward your job search goals and see them through to completion. Here are 3 tips to prevent thoughts that fix our attention to negative expectations: 1. Begin to understand that if you do not believe in your own abilities, you are inevitably going to contend with something less than you are capable of.    Because the blows of life sap energy and leave you discouraged, your true potential is never realized. 2. Learn to stop yourself from buying into negative thoughts. When you find destructive thoughts circling in your head, you can say to yourself, “Stop, I’ll think this over later.”    By putting them off, you can fully focus on the task at hand, giving you a higher chance of success and therefore building your confidence. 3. Begin to write down your negative feelings.    The process of writing them down will dilute their power and allow you to set a time to confront the problems rather than ruminating on them. Launching a Successful Job Search in Todays Corporate Environment Because corporate is a stressful place full of individuals looking out for their own best interests, it’s imperative to equip yourself with the necessary skills in order to be able to carry out a successful job search. Remember, the more personal you are, the more persuasive you can be, and by engaging in positive relationships with employers, the easier it is to remain optimistic.

How to Become a Coach - Classy Career Girl

How to Become a Coach I am BEYOND thrilled to bring  you the recording of my interview with Jenny Fenig  all about how to become a coach.   I asked her all the questions I keep getting about whether certification is necessary and how to get your first clients, etc. It was so wonderful and I loved everything she shared. We are both on the same page with so many things. (We had a little technical difficulty right in the beginning but just be patient until Jenny puts on her headphones!) I even shared during the interview that I wish she would have had her Get Gutsy Coach Training School  available when I was getting started in coaching 5 years ago. It would have saved me YEARS of work and figuring things out all by myself. Because, heres the dealJenny combines the practical pieces of becoming a great coach like mindset, confidence and handling difficult clients WITH the business of becoming a coach like online marketing, processes and systems. Because lets face it, you cant be a great coach if you dont know how to get clients, right? Jennys strategies have impacted me so much as a working mother and coach. Her time management resources were pivotal in helping me balance the tremendous growth of my business and raise my daughter as a happy and fulfilled mom over this last year. Shes the real deal. As you know, I only share with you the best of the best. If you decide to join Jennys coach training program, I will make a commission but I only endorse programs that I 100% believe in and have been impacted by in the past as well. Jenny has been a huge mentor of mine and I know she can help you create a coaching business you love just like I have. If Jennys  Get Gutsy Coach Training School  sounds like it might be a good fit for you, let me know so I can discuss it personally with you. Just hit reply to this email. I am also offering 2 individual coaching bonuses  and Jenny is giving $1000 off to friends of CCG! Imagine … earning a great living doing the work you were put on this planet to do, working with clients you adore all over the world by phone, Skype or in person (locally or in exotic destinations around the globe). It’s not a pipe dream. It’s very real. Ive done it with Jennys help and so can you.   Love, Anna   P.S. Jennys program is only open for 5 more days. She only does this once a year so dont miss your 2016 chance! And something really cool, Jenny is giving $1000 off to friends of CCG!  Learn more here.

12 fantastic Black Friday student discounts and where to find them - Debut

12 fantastic Black Friday student discounts and where to find them - Debut Guys! Its Black Friday! Panic! Get in the car! THERES NO TIME TO EXPLAIN! Or yknow, dont. Theres no need to panic. Weve done the hard work for you. Weve trawled the internet and found out what discounts all your fave brands are offering. Read on for more and get in there quick! Amazon Make like Yossi Ghinsberg and get lost in the Amazon (oh, hello obscure reference). Theyve got all kinds of great deals on electronics like £250 off selected laptops, £30 off Amazon Echo and 30% off a goddamn hoverboard. Check out the madness here eBay Ah, eBay. Where disposable income goes to die. eBay is so dangerous because you can get  literally anything on there and today, its all cheap. Need an airfryer? No?! Well, its 53% off tbf. And theres plenty more where that came from Go have a look Argos Having been kings of the get-anything-you-need-right-on-the-high-street game for a minute, Argos has got some mad deals today. Help yourself to a nearly half-price Amazon Fire tablet or a whopping £100 off a Go Pro! ?? All Argos Black Friday deals ASOS Yes, of course. ASOS is back again this Black Friday to see off the rest of your student loan. Use the code GOGOGO and get 20% off everything. EVERYTHING. Gogogo to ASOS for more Apple Apple have a one day shopping event for everyone looking to fulfil their little black box needs. No discounts per se, but you DO get a £150 gift card when you purchase certain products. Find out more over here Miss Selfridge Nothing is safe over at Miss Selfridge. The fashionistas have only gone and added a discount of up to 50% on every single thing they sell. Phwoar. Head over to their website and #TreatYoSelf JD Sports In the words of MOBO winners Section Boyz, everyting lock arf at JD Sports. Theres up to 30% off everything from trackies to trainers. Mandem, head over and get yourself some Christmas creps! Check out what else is going on here Debenhams Debenhams are getting in the holiday spirit with some crrrrrazy deals. Some things VAT free, some things up to half price off. Christmas is sorted. Get involved here New Look Just take a look at this landing page for New Looks Black Friday deals. Theyre not playing around. Up to 50% off too! Feast you eyes here Game Be nice to 22-year-old teenager in your life and get them a smashing Black Friday deal from Game. PS4 with Uncharted 4 AND FIFA 17 for less than £200? Oh yes please. Press play and get involved here Topman Black Friday is the best time for those with a passion for fashion and its no different at Topman. Up to 50% off and at least 20% off all coats for you groovy winter style gurus. More deals here The Body Shop Love your body and pick up some incredible deals from The Body Shop. The main event? A hamper full of products worth £100 for just £35. Holy Christmas, Batman. Dive in here Dont see your favourite brand? Check out Money Saving Expert and Save The Student for discounted goodness.?? < Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

Advice for leaders - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Advice for leaders - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Heres a piece of important advice for all managers who find that their calendar is wall-to-wall meetings three months into the future. Remember youre a leader, not a meeter This came up today in a meeting(!) with some of the nice people from Danish software company Maconomy. Related posts: Five weeeeeeeeird tips for great meetings How to get people to arrive on time for meetings Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Client Case Study Vickie Lampkin - When I Grow Up

Client Case Study Vickie Lampkin - When I Grow Up Um, do you know that I’ve coached hundreds of women since I started offering dream career guidance in 2008? And that these women are freakin’ rock stars, leaving soul-sucking jobs and traveling the world and launching creative, grown-up businesses and simply doing work that fits their lifestyle goals? Well ya do now â€" and you’ll hear their stories firsthand in my Client Case Studies series! Dr. Vickie is LEGIT do you see that Dr. before her name? Last year, this physician enrolled in Its Business Time, and what emerged was her beautiful business, Renegade Healing. 20 years of experience + personal passions + how she most helps serve the world = yes please! Why did you decide to enroll in It’s Business Time? I decided to enroll in It’s Business Time because I wanted a business that resonated with my soul and allowed me the freedom to live the life I wanted. I had had a business for about a year and it was staggering along. I know I needed help and It’s Business Time was the only program that had a combination of outstanding coaches with extensive experience and a having a finished at the end of the program. The program was long enough for the participants to implement the new material we were learning. The group was large enough for us to have diverse options but small enough for each of us to get personalized attention. What were you doing work-wise when we started the program? I was and still am a physician who had started a side business, Renegade Healing, a year before but hadn’t made any great strides. Renegade Healing allows me to get all up in women spiritual/soul mess to help them truly heal and share their best with the world while staying sane. What was your biggest takeaway from our work together? There are so many takeaways from our work together. I guess the biggest takeaway from our work together is that there will always be some fear associated with starting and running your own business. What you have to decide is if there is some excitement with the fear and if it is then you need to follow that path. And trust me there is nothing like that feeling of fear and excitement all mixed together. What would you tell someone now that was in your shoes when we first started working together? What’s your best tip to allow them to make a grown-up living doing what they love? You can trust then three women. I have completed many programs and courses. This is one of the best courses I have ever taken and they delivered exactly what they said they would. I promise that what will surprise you the most is the camaraderie and support that forms early in this program. You will have thirteen, including Michelle, Tiffany and Erin, badass women supporting and cheering you on. My biggest tip is it takes patience, compassion and dedication to make a grown-up living doing what you love. It is not always easy but you have to keep putting in the time while you treat yourself as nice as possible. What’s on the horizon for your business? I have a gorgeous website that clearly expresses my brand, clarity on what I want to offer the world and more clients. I am releasing a new course, Sacred Remembrance, in the spring. Sacred Remembrance is all about remembering who we were before we were told who we had to be. It is about learning ways to reconnect to ourselves so that we can continue to do the small and large things that fulfill our soul. It is about letting go of everything that blocks our connection to our spirit and soul. www.renegadehealing.com https://www.facebook.com/DrVickieLampkin/ https://www.instagram.com/renegadehealer/ https://twitter.com/DrVickieLampkin