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5 Reasons Why You Didn’t Get Promoted

5 Reasons Why You Didn’t Get Promoted

5 Reasons Why You Didn’t Get Promoted

by Karin Singh 19/09/2017

Your ambition was always to make it big at your company, the best company in the fashion industry, which is considered as a great place to work. Recently one of the managers in your company (his name is Thomas Thaler) quit his job and you would have had a real chance to take over his job and get promoted.

You could see it happening, you could feel the excitement of having exactly that particular job. You were already daydreaming on how proud your family and friends would feel knowing that you got promoted. UNFORTUNATELY, someone else has been chosen. You are really devastated by this news and can’t understand why this great opportunity has not been given to you after working there for 4 years. In hindsight, you realise that these were the five reasons why you didn’t get promoted.

 

# 1 – You didn’t ask for it.

Every employee in the company knew that Mr Thomas Thaler quit his job and someone had to be replaced for his role. You were just waiting, hoping and assuming that the top management would automatically think of you as the perfect replacement. You didn’t take the initiative to express your keen interest for the position to the Hiring Manager and Top Management.

 

# 2 – You didn’t go beyond your job description.

You know that you worked for your company for four years, but you always carried out the same tasks. When new projects were being offered to you and others, you never wanted to get involved in new challenges and felt comfortable with your usual responsibilities. You were not prepared to go beyond your normal job duties for this great place to work.  You showed instead a lack of interest and leadership.

 

# 3 – You didn’t have the required soft skills.

You have great hard skills (nobody has the same in-depth knowledge in your subject matter as you have) but what was required for this job were soft skills. The so-called interpersonal skills that will help you to win new business, to make the business grow and to be ahead of the competition. More leadership, negotiation, problem solving and networking skills were the skills that the best company in the fashion industry was looking for.

 

# 4 – You had the mindset of an employee and not of a manager.

You were still thinking like an employee who did his job 9-5 and who was always keen to leave the office as soon as the clock stroke 5. You were hardly prepared to stay longer at the office to make sure that tasks were completed on time. It gave the impression as if you were just working for your pay check. You realise that that is not something that the best company would be proud of.

 

# 5 – Your unprofessional behaviour.

You remember that your attitude towards the company (officially awarded as a great place to work!) was often negative and pessimistic. Occasionally the HR Manager brought to your attention the fact that your business attire was not looking professional, that you were swearing during a conversation with a client and that you spent too much time on social media while at work. 

Always bear in mind that it’s not the end of the world when you don’t get promoted. However, if you want to increase your chances in the future make sure you take a more proactive and positive approach. Wishing you all the best!

 

by Karin Singh 19/09/2017

Karin Schroeck-Singh’s passion lies in creating, translating and promoting content of high-quality in multiple languages (English, German, Italian). She holds an MBA from the University of Leicester (UK) and is the author of several ebooks. She gained more that 20 years of international work experience in various industries in Italy, the UK and India. Helping businesses to optimise their online presence is her priority, no client or project is too big or too small for her.

Stop worrying. Start outsourcing! www.hirekarin.com

Karin Schroeck-Singh

www.hirekarin.com

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Are You a Team Player? Tricky Interview Questions and Answers

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Are You a Team Player? How to Answer this Tricky Question in an Interview?

Are You a Team Player? How to Answer this Tricky Question in an Interview?

by Talentese Team 15/09/2017

Are you a Team Player or Individualist?

Tricky! This question ranks pretty high in the most frequently asked interview questions. Why do employers ask such mind boggling questions? How do I answer them? Am I a team player? Am I an individual? Will I lose the job if I answer either/or?

First things first, relax. Take a deep breath.

This question is always included in typical interview questions and answers. While it may seem that there’s only one right answer, most of the time, it’s actually not. There is no right or wrong answer. There are negatives and positives however you reply. It completely depends on how you portray yourself. It’s at this stage in your interview process that you must keep your wits about you. What?! What does that even mean?

We will look at this reply individually and together.

I am a Team Player:

are you a team player answer Let’s just take a moment to emphasize how essential teamwork is in any environment. Teamwork as a skill has increased in importance over the years. With the onset of cross-functional, multicultural work environments, you want to be an asset to the organization. Your contribution to the function will be solely dependent on how well you play with others. No one likes a lone wolf in office. Innovation and ideation are words that you must use in typical interview questions and answers.

They form the basis for teamwork. It is a necessity to work with others effectively in the quest for innovative solutions. Teamwork queries are ideally asked to sense your behavior at work. Hence, most interviewers will try to throw you a curveball with this question!

Before you walk into an interview, make a note of the aspects of teamwork you have enjoyed. Use these as anecdotal evidence while answering this most frequently asked interview question. Beware of sounding too enthusiastic while portraying your team successes. You don’t want your future employers to presume that you depend on others to provide advice and input. Remember to be extremely respectful of past colleagues in your narration. Be honest while outlining your teamwork examples. Provide a past encounter for evidence while accentuating how you worked in collaboration with your peers.

I am an individualist:

Individualism is a fabulous trait! Many people prefer working alone to promote exclusivity in their work. Your uniqueness shines when you work alone. However, while responding to this most frequently asked interview question, most people hesitate to answer ‘individualist’.

are you a team player answerOne of the reasons for hesitation is that you don’t want your prospective employer to think you are going to be occupying a work cubicle alone without interacting with colleagues. You don’t want to come across as unfriendly and unapproachable; this is especially true in the case of managers and team leaders. The essence of being in a managerial or team leader position is the need to inculcate feelings of openness and approachability.

On the other end of the individualist spectrum, is that you want your future employer to know how you work independently; that you are able to manage your work without needing assistance and depending on others. Again, think of an instance or experience where you had the advantage of working alone, if that is your preference. Study the job description carefully to tackle this typical interview question and answer round. Mold your response around what the interviewer would most likely relate to, and push it forward.

I am both; team player and individualist:

So you want the best of both worlds! Ideally, this is the best approach to tackle this most frequently asked interview question and answer. Incorporate your positives from working with a team and as an individual while responding to your interviewer. Answer in a simple, straightforward manner while addressing both aspects of this tricky coin. Explain how you enjoy teamwork, but that you are also comfortable working independently should the role or project call for it.

Give a well-rounded example of how you have worked with a team previously. Elaborate how you continued to work independently while simultaneously keeping your team members in the loop. Portray how you are able to multitask while combining different skill sets to submit a positive result for your entire team. Enhance your ability to collaborate and work towards a common goal to come up with creative solutions. Conclude with company benefit in the long run. Always ensure that your employer understands how you are able to multifunction and switch easily between roles of team player and individualist with ease.

The best way ahead is to decide previously the example you choose for different responses. Most employers look for versatility, so it would be ideal to showcase that you’re an all-rounder. For you, switching between the roles of individualist and team player should be as easy as breathing! When you come across most frequently asked interview questions and answers like these, make sure you keep your options open at all times. Illustrate how you can tackle typical interview questions with ease and confidence. Exemplify your personal attributes of working in both conditions. This will ensure that your future employer realizes what an asset you can be to the company!

 

Talentese helps you find job based on WHO YOU ARE, not just what you can do!
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How to Look More Self-Confident in Front of Others?

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How to Look More Self-Confident in Front of Others?

by Talentese Team 15/09/2017

Employee branding with a splash of Confidence

Do you ever look around and wonder why some people are more adept at showcasing themselves? The secret is that they believe in employee branding or personal branding. An employee brand is your personal showcase to promote and mark your name and career. If you think you need assistance, you can always visit a career guidance counselor to chalk your stellar career path! Sounds exciting right? Powerful employee branding and confidence boosting will help you attract capital and relevant talent; get you promotions and fast-track your success chart.

Why do I need confidence for that?

Self-esteem and confidence are very important milestones in achieving your dreams. Everyone has dreams, so let’s see how we can help you achieve yours. Portraying yourself as a confident person helps build your own confidence, and the plus point is that people also begin building confidence in you. Wow, right? Finding ways to improve your confidence and being successful in life is the key.

Let’s look at 10 ways you can improve your confidence and build your employee brand:

 

1. Posture matters!

Next time you see yourself slouching in your favorite chair in front of the TV or laptop, straighten your back. When meeting new people, smile and extend your arm for a firm (not hard) handshake. Walk with your shoulders pushed slightly back and neck straight. When clicking a selfie, stand straighter, and own up to your smile. Forbes suggests these small things help in feeling self-assured and confident.

 

2. Goal!!

Have a goal? Work towards it! Set measurable and achievable milestones for your personal employee brand. Don’t be disheartened if it looks too hard to achieve. Take it steady and believe in yourself. You know what works best. Learn from mistakes and keep improving upon them. Allow space to change some goals but be persistent in achieving them. Psychology suggests visualising goals helps achieving them faster (Baumgartner, 2011). Monitor your progress and celebrate each milestone with joy!

 

3. Relationships are important!

Become inspirational and share stories about your work and life balance by being consistent. It’s all about openness and honesty. Remember, the key is consistency. Become a career guidance counselor to peers and offer them your experiences to learn from. The best way to create relationships is to be truthful and approachable. The mantra is to listen when others speak to you. Show how you can be of assistance and people will always gravitate towards you.

 

4. Be visible!

Start a website and blog showcasing your employee branding. Be proud of your work, and boost it on social media sites. Attend conferences and forums relevant to your work and network with industry experts to increase your knowledge base. Use these platforms to vocalize your ideas and improve your personal identity. Start climbing the career ladder!

 

5. Identify your strengths!

Your strengths help build confidence. Visit a career guidance counselor to assess your strengths and weaknesses by taking a skills test. Always focus on the positive aspects. Working on your strengths helps boost confidence and improve latent abilities. If you’re still unsure, ask your peers and friends to help identify your strengths. Get insights from diverse people and see the results!

 

6. Positivity wins!

Bring positivity into all aspects of your personality. Remember your hard work and past successes. Most people choose to remember their failures. Don’t make this costly mistake. Remember your past successes. Focus on the positive and don’t dwell too much on your failures – learn from them. If you are adept at some stuff, concentrate on that and own up to it. The feeling after you succeed is fantastic. Play around with it, and always stay happy.

 

7. Socialize!

According to Jeet Banerjee (TEDx speaker and serial entrepreneur), it’s best to actually be social and not put on a front. Start a blog and share your knowledge. Your beliefs and life stories go a long way in connecting and networking with people. After consulting a career guidance counselor, create a brand that is uniquely you; don’t be a copycat. Use social media platforms as a means to connect. Be yourself, and have fun!

 

8. Sweat it out!

Indulge in a hobby to de-stress from your work life. Even your career guidance counselor will advise you to make time for yourself. If you enjoy physical activity, go for a jog or run at least twice a week. Join a Zumba, aerobics or belly dancing class, do something different from your routine and meet new people. Exercising and mingling with new people leads to a boost in confidence. If you enjoy painting, then do so or learn a new musical instrument. You’ll soon realize how amazing you feel at the end of the day!

 

9. Friendship first!

Always, always make time for your friends, no matter how busy you are. Go out for a movie, to a coffee shop, or just catch up with your old pals. Your besties and BFF’s are your greatest critics. Listen to them and take their feedback into account. Not only do they boost your confidence and self-esteem, but also help you find your way if you’re feeling lost or confused.

 

10. Live for yourself!

What’s the most important thing ever? Live for yourself. Don’t fall into the age old trap where living for others equates putting your life on pause. Plan how you want the rest of your life to look. Live it, breathe it, feel it. Spend time and energy charting your life out, think about your goals and ambitions. Write down your plan of action and use it as self-motivation to achieve your goals.

Building your confidence and employee brand takes time and perseverance. Put in the effort to help yourself grow. It’s worth it! Your confidence and self-esteem stick by you forever. They become an intrinsic part of your unique personality. And who knows? You might just be able to talk to that special someone and grab yourself your dream date. So shine on, and show everyone how amazing you are. Become the leader you always aspired to be!

by Talentese Team 15/09/2017

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5 Reasons Why Nobody Wants to Network With You

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Imagine… you are attending a local networking event that allows you to meet many interesting and influential people. Your main goal of going there is to make new contacts. You hope you will win them as your future clients or dream of getting a job through networking. It’s time to get networking! The problem is that you notice from their behaviour that nobody wants to network with you. There are several reasons why that could be the case.

 

# 1 – You are overwhelming others with your overpowering sales pitch.

For you it’s all about selling your services and talking about the success of your company, but that’s not what people want to hear. Networking events should not be used as pure sales opportunities or solely with a purpose of getting a job through networking, it’s about making contacts and starting a relationship. People will see you as a pushy, needy, insensitive, desperate and gauche person. You focused on exchanging lots of business cards instead of trying to get to know the person first. Tip: The more genuine interest you show having in others, rather than you trying to impress others with your achievements, the better!

 

#  2 – Your lack of eye contact.

When you are talking to people are you always trying to look away instead of looking them straight in the eye? If so, you will give them the impression as if you would have something to hide. They will perceive you as a dishonest and untrustworthy person. Tip: Keep your eye contact to 80 % when holding a conversation, but make sure you don’t stare.

 

# 3 – You have body odour or a bad breath.

Why nobody wants to network with you could also be based on the fact that you might suffer from body odour or bad breath. Often people don’t realise this hygiene problem until someone tells them. Always remember to present yourself neatly and well-groomed. Do you really want to put other people off? Tip: A shower taken in the morning, the use of a deo and some mints can make a big difference.

 

# 4 – You are choosing the wrong small talk topics.

If apart from bombarding others with your company’s info and sales pitch you choose to talk about the wrong small talk topics, such as politics, sex, religion, gossip, money or divorce, people will surely distance themselves from you. Tip: Talk instead about topics that are not taboo, such as movies, books, hobbies, travel and personal traits.

 

# 5 – You went there to eat and drink.

If people get the impression that you are attending networking events mainly to fill your belly and get drunk, it will give a very bad impression on you. Nobody would want to network with you, they would feel embarrassed in your presence. Tip: Drink in moderation (non-alcoholic is always best!) and keep your food intake low by eating something before the event takes place. When networking, remember that it’s important to gain the trust from people first. Get to know them a bit better and start talking about what your company does at a later stage. You can turn the scenario of “nobody wants to network with you” into an “everyone will love to interact with you” if you are presentable, act professionally and show your genuine interest in others.

by Karin Singh 15/09/2017

Karin Schroeck-Singh’s passion lies in creating, translating and promoting content of high-quality in multiple languages (English, German, Italian). She holds an MBA from the University of Leicester (UK) and is the author of several ebooks. She gained more that 20 years of international work experience in various industries in Italy, the UK and India. Helping businesses to optimise their online presence is her priority, no client or project is too big or too small for her.

Stop worrying. Start outsourcing! www.hirekarin.com

Karin Schroeck-Singh

www.hirekarin.com

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