After all, if we only do the minimum required of us, we probably won't get very far. So, if you've set your sights on world domination (or perhaps just that promotion you've always wanted), use these 18 tips to make it a reality.

Be the Best People Person

People skills are one of the most sought-after competencies valued by employers. When you work well with others, it improves productivity, creativity and job satisfaction. So, let's kick-start our top tips list by looking at what you can do to become a better people person.

1. Be a Great Communicator

Being able to communicate well – in person and in writing – is an essential skill in most workplaces. But, it's also one that is often forgotten about. In fact, a study from the National Commission on Writing reveals that blue-chip companies spend as much as $3.1 billion on writing training.

The ability to express yourself eloquently can mean the difference between getting noticed and being overlooked. Write a bad email and all anyone will remember is your poor grammar. But write one that is clear, concise and interesting, and you'll likely find that people will respond to your message quickly and positively.

2. Nurture Your Work Relationships

People skills are as important in the workplace as technical ability. These kinds of "interpersonal skills" can help you to collaborate, communicate, manage conflict, motivate, increase productivity, solve problems, and network.

When you have good working relationships you'll likely be more happy and engaged at work, too. In fact, a 2023 study revealed that positive workplace relationships can help you to avoid burnout, exhaustion and even loneliness.

3. Listen!

It can be all too easy to "tune out" sometimes. Whether you're really focused and "in flow," or you're easily distracted by emails and other minor tasks, maybe you just aren't paying enough attention to the person who's talking to you. Whatever the case, you're not alone. It seems that most of us aren't great listeners. Indeed, research suggests that we remember between just 25 percent and 50 percent of what we hear!

But listening is vital if you want to succeed at work. It can help you to take in information, learn from others, build relationships, and take direction. Active listening is one of the ways you can improve your ability to listen. It involves making a conscious effort to hear not only the words someone is saying, but the key messages that they are trying to express.

4. Know How to Work With Your Boss

If you're lucky, you'll have a boss that you respect, like and admire. If you're not so lucky, however, you may have one who, for whatever reason, you just don't "click" with. If this happens, it can have a significant impact on your happiness and your productivity.

Ultimately, the onus is on you to make the relationship work. Your boss will likely have several other people to manage, so their relationship with you may not always be at the top of their list. But it should be at the top of yours! Find out more about their preferred management style. Then, adapt your own working style to suit it. Do they like to receive information in person, or prefer email? How do they tend to handle bad news? Do they like to micromanage people or are they happy to delegate tasks?

Be the Best at Taking Initiative

When you take the initiative, you take control of your career. This might be as simple as learning to organize your workload effectively. Or, it could be more complex – for example, seeking out new opportunities and understanding the purpose behind the work you do. Here are some tips for doing this:

5. Prioritize Your Goals

With so many demands on your time, it's easy to get distracted and lose sight of your main goals. Start each day by prioritizing your To-Do List, and focusing your attention on the top three items. This will help you to manage your time effectively, and to concentrate on the objectives that matter the most. And, if you're really swamped, don't be afraid to ask for help, to delegate tasks, or even to say "no" sometimes.

6. Challenge Yourself

Feeling comfortable and confident in a job likely means that you're doing it well. But, if you're finding it all too easy, you may begin to feel bored and unfulfilled.

Sure, you could carry on and "coast" your way through. But this probably isn't going to get you very far in the long term. Instead, stay challenged by setting yourself some new goals. Learn a new skill, go on a training course, or ask your boss for more responsibility. Not only will you be pegged as a "self starter," you'll also get the chance to broaden your skills, and to engage in new ways of thinking. It may even open up opportunities to work on different projects and with different people.

7. Get out of Your "Comfort Zone"

Stepping outside of your comfort zone is – unsurprisingly – uncomfortable! You might feel exposed, or worry that you'll look stupid. However, if you avoid taking opportunities when they present themselves, you'll never know just how far you can go.

Yes, doing something new can be scary. It might also mean more pressure and more work. But, it can also push you to perform better. It can make you more resilient, give you the flexibility to take risks and cope with unexpected problems, and help you to overcome fear of failure.

8. Remember the Bigger Picture

Do you know why you do the work that you do? What's its purpose? Why is it meaningful to you? And how does it help the business to achieve its goals?

Understanding how the work that you do benefits your organization can improve your performance. It adds purpose to your work, helps you to prioritize your tasks more effectively, and enables you to identify tasks or areas of the business that can be made more efficient.

Be the Best Learner

It's never too late to learn a new skill. In fact, building up your knowledge and skills is often a lifetime pursuit. So, start your learning journey today by following these tips:

9. Build Expertise and Share It!

Having a specialized skill or excelling in a particular task can put you "in demand." Even more so if you have deep knowledge of a subject that is highly sought after – for instance, analytical thinking, creative thinking or resilience.

Being the "go-to" person for a particular task or topic can enhance your reputation and allow you to help others. It can also lead to opportunities to work on high-profile tasks, and may even result in promotion. But remember that building expertise takes dedication and resolve. So, be prepared to put the time in!

10. Know Your Stuff

Rapid advances in technology, along with global political and financial developments, mean that change is fast-paced and unpredictable. And, if you don't make an effort to keep up with these changes, it can result in missed opportunities or getting left behind.

Combat this by making it a priority to stay up-to-date with your industry. Join a trade organization, attend trade shows or conferences, read blogs, and connect with industry leaders and colleagues on social media sites like LinkedIn or Twitter.

11. Set Aside Time for "Deep Work"

We live in an age of distractions. Email, social media, instant messaging, office politics, unnecessary meetings… even the weather! All of these things can cause you to lose focus on the tasks that really matter. In fact, some studies suggest that knowledge workers lose up to three hours a day because of distractions. And this can cost businesses 14 to 15 times more than absenteeism due to health-related issues.

Sure, it might be hard to ignore the 150 WhatsApp messages that you've just received. But, if you really want to produce quality work, you and your phone will need to part ways (temporarily at least). This is where "deep work" can help. It involves pushing distractions to one side, and giving yourself the time and space to really focus on challenging and complicated tasks. This has a number of benefits. For example, it can help you to build expertise and knowledge, and give you a greater sense of fulfillment and achievement.

Be the Best Professional

What qualities make you a true professional? Is it the way you dress? Your charismatic charm? Or, is it your ability to learn from your mistakes? Take a look at our tips on what it takes to be the ultimate professional:

12. Make Mistakes (and Learn From Them)

We've all had that sudden sinking feeling when we realize that we've made a mistake. But it's how you handle these "bloopers" that really matters. Do you, for instance, tend to "run for the hills" and hope that no one notices? Pass the blame onto someone else? Or, do you "fess up" and do your best to remedy the situation?

It can be hard to swallow your pride and take ownership of the mistakes that you make. But, it is only by doing this that you will ultimately learn from them.

13. Ask for Feedback and Use It!

It can be difficult to hear criticism, particularly when it's unexpected. But, if you don't get any feedback at all, you may begin to wonder whether your work is valued or even noticed.

Why not take the initiative? Ask for feedback from managers and colleagues. Not only will you be seen as a proactive member of the team, but the advice and insight that they provide will likely help you to improve your performance, too.

14. Protect Your Professional Reputation

Your reputation is what you're known for. It encompasses your personality, your skills, your values, and your temperament.

It can take time and effort to build up a good reputation, but just moments to destroy it. This means that you need to put the work in if you want to protect and maintain it. Do this by carrying out a personal SWOT analysis to assess your skills, and to create a plan for developing the professional traits and abilities that you want to be known for.

Be the Best Leader

You don't have to be a manager to be a leader. And, in fact, many businesses want people to demonstrate leadership skills, even if they're in a junior role. So, why not tap into your leadership potential today by following the tips, below:

15. Develop Leadership Skills

One of the major "pain points" for businesses is the lack of leadership skills among their employees – even those who are in senior or highly technical roles. Research shows that the best and most successful leaders are those who encourage learning and listen to feedback and ideas. And that this, in turn, can help teams to become more resilient and effective.

So, if you've set your sights on a promotion, why wait? Start preparing today by broadening your skill set to include listening, empathy, problem solving, and negotiation. And acquaint yourself with different leadership styles, such as Transformational Leadership, Action Centered Leadership and Adaptive Leadership.

16. Get Yourself Noticed

Have you ever completed a piece of work that you were really proud of, only for it to go unnoticed?

Feeling as though your work isn't valued or even acknowledged can be deeply demoralizing and frustrating. But, there are ways you can improve your visibility at work. Building a strong network of allies, for instance, can help, as can tracking your accomplishments, taking on additional responsibilities, or finding a mentor or coach whom you respect and who can help you develop your skills and career.

Be the Best You

Wherever your career takes you, and whatever role or organization you find yourself in, the one constant will be you. So, cherish your uniqueness, stand up for your values and beliefs, and always be yourself! The following tips can help you to do just that:

17. Learn How to Cope With Stress

It can be easy to get caught up in negative thoughts sometimes, particularly if you've made a mistake, received some poor feedback, or work in a high-pressure job. But, real problems can occur if you allow these thoughts to take over, such as low self-confidence, poor self-esteem, or even depression and anxiety. All of these things can impact your productivity and performance – setting the whole cycle in motion once again.

Remember that setbacks and stress are a part of everyone's life. You can either crumple under the pressure or find strategies to help you cope. These could include mindfulness, affirmations or cognitive restructuring.

Most of all, know when to stop. It can be hard to switch off, particularly when you're surrounded by "always on" devices, like smartphones or tablets. But learning how to relax – really relax – will help you to recharge, stay calm and avoid burnout.

18. Be Yourself

Pretending to be someone else or being a "yes man" (or woman) can be exhausting, confining and demoralizing. It can also hold you back from reaching your true potential. But, when you stay true to yourself and your values, you'll find that you can express your thoughts and ideas much more clearly and confidently. And you'll have a reputation for integrity that will earn the trust and respect of your peers.

Yes, it may sometimes mean "going against the grain" or taking the harder road. But it also allows you to live a more authentic and, ultimately, more rewarding life.

Related Resources

If you want to delve deeper into some of the topics we've discussed in this blog, check out our list of recommended related resources below (please note, to access some resources in full you'll need to be a Mind Tools member):

How Self-Motivated Are You?
Managing Your Career
The Power of Good Habits
Developing a Career Strategy
Pink's Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose Framework
What You're Really Meant to Do, with Robert Steven Kaplan
Plan Your Career From Here
Working With Purpose
What Are Your Values?
Job Crafting

About the Author:

Senior Editor Lucy Bishop started her working life selling ice cream in a theme park. She now heads up the video learning team at Mind Tools, and gets involved at every stage – from writing and editing scripts, to auditioning actors, to running filming days. Lucy’s a committed member of our neurodiversity panel, where she helps Mind Tools to reflect and support all forms of neurodivergence. She’s also fascinated by new technology and is currently learning about AI – especially its impact on learners. Her favorite advice is, “Before asking someone else to fix something for you, see if you can learn to do it yourself.”  

The post 18 Ways to Be the Best You Can Be appeared first on Mind Tools.

It brought to mind my recent Expert Interview with organizational psychologist André Martin, whose book "Wrong Fit, Right Fit" encourages people to take exactly the opposite approach when developing their careers.

Writing With Our Dominant Hand

In his view, for a long-lasting, fulfilling experience at work, it pays to think carefully before applying for a job. That gives us a better chance of finding an opportunity that actually fits – which he says feels like writing "with our dominant hand" as opposed to "our non-dominant hand."

This matters for employers and companies as much as for candidates, Martin told me – and now more than ever. Here's a clip from our Expert Interview. (You can stream the audio clip below or read a transcript here.)

Martin's book is a practical guide to help people fit at work, not just "fit in." Because there's a difference, Martin says.

Fit feels natural and authentic, while "fitting in is when you change the way you do work or the way you show up at work in an effort to be successful, be seen, or belong." He calls this "wrong fit," and it feels "like a slog."

Self-Reflection Is Key for Finding Fit

To avoid wrong fit, Martin recommends embarking on eight "excursions," which he lays out in his book. These are in-depth exercises exploring personal values, motivation, goals, attributes, and more. After working through these excursions, you'll be better placed to find a job and workplace that fits.

"When talent talks about wrong-fit experiences, the thing they wish they would have done almost universally was more self-reflection before they started looking for a job," Martin observes. "So the excursions were really meant to get us to pause, take three steps back, open our eyes really wide, and ask the question of 'What are we looking for beyond a job title?'"

The Story of a Wrong-Fit Workplace

This reminds me of a former job where I was uncomfortable from the minute the workday started to the second it ended, every single day. I was a reporter for an international newswire based in a Latin American capital city. I'd been approached to apply for the job, and I took it partly because I felt flattered.

I had done none of the self-reflection advocated by Martin, and from day one, it was clearly a wrong fit in all the obvious metrics: how people worked together, solved problems, prioritized, managed time, and measured progress.

Among my worst memories of this job was the pointless presenteeism. All the reporters were required to be at their desks for 10 hours a day, on rolling start times of either 7 a.m., 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. We were covering financial markets, so most of the reporting had to be done when markets were open. When they were closed, there wasn't a whole lot to do, but we had to be there anyway.

One of my colleagues spent hours on the phone to friends most days, bending their ears about how she was still at her desk late into the evening, or there super early. She implied she was ludicrously busy, mistaking being at work with actually working.

As well as the schedule constraints, there was a presumption of incompetence that I never understood. Once, one of my colleagues was proofing an article I'd written, and he mused aloud: "You really need to make fewer mistakes, Rachel."

Startled, I asked him for some examples in the article he was reading. He could only point to a single typo. I still don't know how this gave the impression of multiple errors.

Know Your Motivation

One of Martin's excursions to find fit helps you identify the main driver for your career. He asks: are you motivated by craft, company or cause?

My job at the financial newswire would have been a great fit for someone who wanted to have a global media company on their résumé, or someone who was passionate about financial markets and their influence on economic growth.

But my primary motivation is craft, so for me, this job was a terrible fit. There was no scope for me to develop my skills, and my confidence took a battering. I left within a few weeks, with a huge sigh of relief.

My next role was as bureau chief of a U.S.-based business magazine, based in the same city. I could work from home, keep my own hours, and write articles on whatever I thought would interest the readers. My colleagues valued what I brought to the company, and together we produced some good work.

A bit of self-reflection before applying for a job can save a lot of hassle and heartache, and lead to a much better, longer-lasting fit, with zero need to fit in.

Listen to the Full Story

You can listen to or read my full 30-minute interview with André Martin if you're a Mind Tools member or if your employer is a Mind Tools for Business licensee.

If you're not already a member, join Mind Tools now to gain unlimited access to 2,400+ resources, including our back catalog of 200+ Expert Interviews. Or you can find out more about Mind Tools for whole organizations, big or small, by contacting our enterprise team.

Meanwhile, catch more excerpts and insights from my guests by searching our Expert Interview blog topic.

The post How to Find a Right-Fit Job: My Expert Interview With André Martin  appeared first on Mind Tools.

Business Reads 

Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal 

According to former doctor, entrepreneur and one of the world’s most-followed productivity experts, Ali Abdaal, the secret to productivity isn’t discipline, it’s finding the joy in the doing! 

Drawing on decades of psychological research, Abdaal explains the three hidden "energizers" that result in enjoyable productivity, as well as the three "blockers" we must overcome to stop procrastinating, and the three "sustainers" that will help us to avoid burnout and achieve lasting fulfillment. He also sets out some simple actions you can take, starting today, to achieve a more enjoyable and productive life! 

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith 

In her debut book, the popular clinical psychologist turned TikTok star, Dr Julie Smith, shares a range of powerful coping tips to help people struggling with anxiety, self-doubt and depression. The book is structured in bite-sized snippets, so you can easily skip to the section that most applies to you, depending on the particular challenge you’re facing. From managing anxiety and battling low mood to dealing with criticism and lack of motivation, this book provides practical tips on how to handle the kind of everyday issues we all face that, while small, can really put a dent in our mental health.   

Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention by Johann Hari 

Is our increasing dependency on screens (mobiles, tablets, TVs) leading us to miss out on real life and causing us to lose focus on what really matters? This is what Hari argues in this brilliant book on the art of concentration… and how it’s been stolen from us. The book is the result of a three-year journey Hari undertook to better understand the reasons behind our growing inability to stay focused. From Silicon Valley, to a favela in Rio, to an office in New Zealand that has found a remarkable way to restore attention, Hari uses his research to set out 12 deep causes that lie behind our stolen focus – and explains what we can do to take it back. 

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear 

World-renowned habits expert James Clear argues that too often people try to break bad habits by making big changes, but that, actually, it’s the tiny changes that are really transformative. Doing two push-ups a day, for example, or waking up five minutes early – Clear argues that it’s these small things that can grow into life-altering outcomes. He also provides some simple life hacks and delves into the neuroscience of habit changing, backing up his findings with some inspirational stories from Olympic gold medalists and leading CEOs who have used this science to stay productive, happy and motivated.  

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin 

From the hit producer behind acts like the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z and Neil Young, "The Creative Act" shines a light on the creative process and shows us how we can all be creative, if only we allow ourselves to be. Rubin reflects on his decades-long career helping musical artists to break free of self-imposed expectations and create something different, new and unexpected. And he argues that being an artist isn’t about your output, but about your relationship with the world.  

Impromptu: Amplifying Our Humanity Through AI by Reid Hoffman with GPT-4 

From the co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn, Impromptu explores how AI, and large language models like GPT-4, can elevate humanity across key areas such as education, business and creativity. But this isn’t just a book – it’s a conversation. In it, Hoffman writes about GPT-4, but also interacts and writes with it, to help readers understand the technology’s limitations and its capabilities. His conversation with AI takes us on a journey into the future, where AI is not a threat but a partner – one that we can work with to boost human progress.  

Non-fiction 

The Future of Geography: How Power and Politics in Space Will Change Our World by Tim Marshall 

"Our view of space is changing. It is now, more than ever, becoming an extension of the geography of Earth… " 

In this follow-up to his previous book on Earth’s geography, "The Power of Geography: Ten Maps That Reveal the Future," Marshall turns his attention to the skies and traces the history of our relationship to the stars – from how the Babylonians used them to create the seven-day week, to Copernicus and Galileo’s discovery that the Earth orbited the sun, to Georges Lemaitre’s Big Bang theory and the Space Race of the 1960s. Marshall argues we are now in a new space race era, one that’s being led by the U.S., Russia and China, and explores how this trifecta of powers is affecting the geopolitics of our planet and what it might mean for our future.  

The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland 

In April 1944, 19-year-old Rudolf Vrba and fellow inmate, Fred Wetzler became two of the very first Jewish prisoners to escape Auschwitz. In this masterpiece, Freedland traces the two men’s journey, past electrified fences and guard dogs, evading thousands of SS soldiers, across marshlands, mountains and rivers, and finally, to freedom. A brilliant student of science, Vrba memorized all the atrocities he saw, risking everything to tell the world his story. This eventually formed a 32-page report that would reach Roosevelt, Churchill and the Pope, and save over 200,000 lives. Now, finally, Freedland tells the heroic story of a man whose life has been forgotten, until now. 

A Brief History of Black Holes and Why Nearly Everything You Know About Them Is Wrong by Dr Becky Smethurst 

Did you know the concept of black holes was first theorized by a priest in the 1700s? Or that Einstein denied that black holes existed? Or that the term "black hole" didn’t come into existence until the 1970s? 

But what is a black hole, really? And how is it affecting our universe? In "A Brief History of Black Holes," Oxford researcher and popular YouTube star Dr Becky Smethurst charts our discovery of black holes, taking us through the earliest theories, to the first iconic photographs of black holes, to how they might shape the end of the universe.  

What If? 2 by Randall Munroe 

What if the solar system up to Jupiter was filled with soup? What would happen to you if you were hanging on a helicopter blade and then someone turned it on? If the universe stopped expanding, how long would it take for us to drive a car all the way to the edge? 

These are just some of the weird and wonderful hypothetical questions that cartoonist and author Randall Munroe attempts to answer in this fun and, at times, absurd, follow up to "What If?" Randall cleverly consults the most recent scientific research to try to explain everything you’ve ever pondered in his original, creative style. 

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann 

On January 28, 1742, a ramshackle raft put together from wood and cloth washed up on the coast of Brazil. On it were 30 emaciated men, barely alive. They were survivors of HMS Wager, a British vessel that left England in 1740 on a secret mission during the imperial war with Spain. During its voyage, the ship had been wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia. The 30 survivors were greeted as heroes. That is, until six months later, when another raft landed, this time on the coast of Chile. The boat contained just three castaways, who told a very different story – that the 30 sailors who’d arrived in Brazil weren’t heroes but mutineers. 

"The Wager" is a grand tale of mutiny, murder and the limits of human behavior under extreme pressure. One of the greatest non-fiction writers of our time, Grann brings to life this wild tale of treachery, survival and betrayal. 

Scatter Brain by Shaparak Khorsandi  

During her 40s, popular comedian Shaparak Khorsandi was diagnosed with ADHD. Now, she looks back through her life following her diagnosis in this wonderful book about self-discovery. From reveling in the joys of shoplifting to finally understanding her attraction to toxic men, "Scatter Brain" will have you laughing and crying as you find out what it’s really like to live a life that can, at times, feel out of control.  

Fiction 

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett 

"You have a key that opens a safe deposit box. Inside is a bundle of documents… You must read it all and make a decision. Either: replace the documents and the box, then throw the key where it will never be found or take everything to the police." 

Presented as a dossier of evidence, including transcripts, texts and emails, Hallett’s new novel focuses on the mysterious case of the Alperton Angels – a cult who brainwashed a teenage girl and convinced her that her newborn baby was the Antichrist. Discovered by the police, the cult eventually committed suicide, while the girl and baby disappeared into the care system. Nearly two decades later, crime writer Amanda Bailey is on the case to discover what happened to the mother and child. But not everything is what it seems and the truth may be far darker than she’d ever imagined. 

Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor 

3 a.m., New Delhi. A Mercedes owned by a playboy heir jumps the curb, killing five people. What follows is a page-turning crime thriller that delves into the murky underworld of the wealthy Wadia family – loved by some, loathed by others, but feared by all. Deftly shifting through time and perspective, we are introduced to Ajay, the watchful servant, born into poverty; Sunny, the playboy heir who dreams of outshining his father; and Neda, the curious journalist caught between morality and desire. Branded the "new Godfather," "Age of Vice" is a tale of gangsters and lovers, and the consequences of corruption. 

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano 

"For the first six days of William Waters' life, he was not an only child." This is the tragedy that shapes William Waters' life, growing up in a house filled with grief and parents who can barely look at him, much less love him. So, when he meets Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, his world suddenly lights up. She and her three sisters give William the family he’s always dreamed of. But darkness from William’s past resurfaces, and it’s not long before his and Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for the future are shaken, resulting in a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. 

In this homage to Louisa May Alcott’s classic, "Little Women," Napolitano paints a moving portrait of what is possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it. 

Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang 

Athena Liu is a literary darling on a career trajectory that would make anybody jealous. Meanwhile, her best friend June Hayward is literally a nobody. 

So, when Athena dies in a freak accident, June decides to steal her unpublished manuscript and publish it under the name Juniper Song. But, as evidence threatens to uncover June’s stolen success, we discover just how far she’ll go to keep what she thinks she deserves, with deadly consequences. 

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng 

12-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his father, a former linguist who now works as a university librarian. Bird knows how to blend in, not to ask too many questions or stray too far. Because for a decade they’ve been living by laws designed to protect "American culture" following years of economic instability and violence – something blamed solely on Asian people. All of this resulted in a world filled with violence, mistrust and deceit. As well as the burning of books by Asian authors – including a poetry book written by Bird’s Chinese-American mother, who he last saw when he was just nine years old. 

But, after receiving a cryptic note that he believes to be from his mother, Bird sets out on a quest to find her. His journey takes him into an underground resistance network of librarians, where he discovers the many lives of missing children, before reaching the streets of New York, where a new act of defiance is being planned that could lead to a much-needed change. 

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1990. War photographer, gambler and closet gay, Maali Almeida has woken up dead in what seems to be some kind of celestial office. He now has a choice – stay and make peace with his fate or find out who killed him. But he only has seven moons to discover the culprit. Set in a time of brutal insurrections that plagued Sri Lanka during the 80s, Karunatilaka’s Booker-prize-winning novel takes us on a journey that is at times both violent and funny, beautiful but sad, as we discover exactly what happened to Maali Almeida and why. 

About the Author:

Senior editor, Lucy has over 10 years’ experience writing, editing and commissioning content. She regularly contributes to the Mind Tools blog, heads up Mind Tools’ video learning series, and particularly enjoys exploring and experimenting with new video formats. When she’s not producing fantastic new learning content, she can be found enjoying nature with her two kids and delving into the latest book on her very long reading list!

The post Holiday Reads 2023 appeared first on Mind Tools.

Getting a new job can be exciting, confidence-building and a little bit nerve-wracking. It means you performed well at your interview and showed your potential new employer that you have the drive, talent, qualifications, and values that they want and need. And now they want you to be a part of their team.

But, let's rewind a bit to that moment when you're waiting with bated breath to hear whether or not you've made it through...

Before the Job Offer 

Before you receive that job offer, you've had at least one successful interview and there could be a subsequent one for final candidates. Keep interviewing until you receive an offer that you like. If you haven't already, send a thank-you note to the recruiter for your interview. 

When an organization is considering you seriously for a position, it may request or require that you complete or have a successful background check, credit report, driving record, toxicology screening, immigration status, and/or security clearance. 

At this point, getting that job is becoming more of a real possibility, so this is a prime opportunity to revisit your goals and values. Be honest with yourself. How do your personal goals align with the role? Will this position fulfill what you want and need? How well do the company's values align with yours? 

Either they fit or they do not. There's no need to force them. A "forced fit" will likely make you unhappy and result in you moving on much faster than if you went for a role that really suits you. If you discover that your values don't align with the company or position, feel empowered to officially withdraw from consideration.

Otherwise, continue!

Negotiating a Job Offer

Since you know what the salary range should be and what you want, you'll recognize it when you hear or see it in a job offer. If you get to the stage of salary negotiation, don't be afraid to push back to get what you want and deserve, but be reasonable.

But, it's not all about salary. There are other things to consider when nailing down that job offer too. For example:

• Expected attire, appearance, and frequency – are there any dress-down days?
• Daily work location – will you be located in-office full time, or are there hybrid or virtual working opportunities?
• What's the work/hour mix – will you be required to work standard hours? Or are their options for compressed working or part-time hours?
• Is there any relocation assistance (if necessary)? And, if you do need to relocate, will there by a timeframe allotted to adjust to your new city/country/time zone?

After the Job Offer 

Congratulations! You've finally made it! The company has offered you the job and you have the written confirmation.  When circumstances allow, it's usually a good idea to secure a new job before leaving your old one.   

If you don't already know, ask the recruiter to describe a typical week for your role to gain a clearer view of how your function fits into the department and organization's success. Each company is different. 

Also, ask them how much time you have time to consider the job offer, and to give your current employer notice of your departure.

When you do hand in your notice, remember to unsubscribe, update, or switch your work information with any outside suppliers and contacts while you still have access. 

Some organizations conduct an exit interviews, which are a great opportunity to reflect on your previous role, and identify what went well and what didn't. Also, be sure to follow your current employer's protocols for the clean and safe transfer of information and/or property for your replacement, to ensure a smooth handover.

Leave on good terms whenever possible, even if things have been difficult in the past – you want to be able to leave with your reputation intact, knowing you did your best.

I remember one job that I resigned from... I had been butting heads with my new, immediate manager but I was still on excellent terms with our department director (who had known me longer and better), so I had no worries when it came to references. 

Don't "slam the door" or "burn the bridge" as you exit, because you may need or want to return one day. One of my former recruiters was short-staffed during the holiday season and needed some experienced help. Since I was still on great terms with some employees there and was temporarily available, they asked if I'd be interested and I accepted the offer! It always helps to leave the door open, whenever possible.

Getting a New Job: The First 90 Days 

So, you've received the job offer, accepted it, and now have an official starting date. What's next? Documentation to read, many forms to complete, and 90 days to prove you belong at the company. 

Once you know where to report to on your first day, use the following tips to prepare yourself for your first day:

• Get enough sleep and eat a sensible meal the night before.
• Plan how you'll get there – what journey will you need to take and how long will it last?
• Wear comfortable shoes for a possible building tour. 
• Dress appropriately. (Unless told otherwise, remember what your recruiters were wearing in your interview.) 
• Explore what's in the area – where could you go to grab a coffee, go for a stroll or get something to eat?
• Identify the nearest drug store/pharmacy. 
• Bring pocket-sized snacks for your orientation meetings. (Food may or may not be available and you wouldn't want to get light-headed.) 

The Admin of Getting a New Job

While you may want to get stuck in straight away, getting a new job also often comes with a lot of paperwork, which can be overwhelming. Some offer letters will provide details of what to bring with you on your first day (for example, photo ID, previous employment records). If in doubt, "bring your life!" 

• Be "camera-ready" for your company photo identification badge and remember your angles. 
• Bring identity documents, such as your birth certificate, passport, citizenship documents, and immigration verification. 
• Have financial information to hand for electronic fund transfer of your paycheck. 
• Have spouse, household, or next-of-kin info, for insurance and retirement savings documents. 
• Bring medical letters confirming special needs and accommodations for seen or unseen disabilities. 

Depending on your new job, you'll likely need to sign specific legal and other "acknowledgment-of-understanding" documents such as: 

• NDAs (non-disclosure agreements).
• Branding guidelines and intellectual property.
• Company handbooks.
• Code of conduct.
• Ethics statements.

Your human resources or in-house general counsel can interpret and explain if there's something you don't understand. If you need to verify details with family members, don't be afraid to ask how long you have to complete certain documents, and if you can bring them back later. 

Living and Building the First 90 Days in Your New Job

Your experience, skills, and personality got the attention of the recruiter and eventually landed you the job, but now you are in a new environment. There will be a time and place to apply your capable skills, but first, you must show that you are open to listening, understanding, and learning all about the culture. 

Onboarding is the process companies use to "bring on board" newly hired talent, and introduce them to their policies, procedures, rules, resources, and team. This process may include specialized training unique to the company or position.

Organizations will expect their new team members to follow the procedures explained to them. If there is a work process you've encountered and you believe could be improved or made more efficient, try the organization's method several times first before making suggestions. And, if you do make a suggestion, make sure you can prove exactly how it will save time and money.

We have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth: so listen and observe twice as much as you speak. Use your first 90 days to become better acquainted with the organization. You are a passenger on this train, not the conductor (at least not yet). This isn't the time to "showboat," it's about laying the foundation for a strong and meaningful relationship going forward.

Even if you are a senior executive, you're still new. Learn and respect the current dynamics, and appreciate those who kept things moving and who are helping you to adjust. 

Explore More Resources at Mind Tools...

If you want to discover more about getting a new job, and how to go about settling into your new role, check out the following resources from Mind Tools. (Note that you'll need to be a Mind Tools Club or Corporate member to see all the resources in full.)

Starting a New Job

How to Pass Your Probationary Period

Taking Responsibility in a New Leadership Role

Making the Most of Your Induction

Gaining the Trust of Your New Team

The First 90 Days

About the Author

Sonia is an experienced meeting and events manager, with over 20 years experience in conferences, exhibits, and corporate social events. She also owns a visual branding company.

Sonia joined the Mind Tools coaching team in 2021, and enjoys connecting people with resources to help them reach their goals. In her spare time, she is a photo enthusiast, who reviews products, completes store scavenger hunts, and explores nail art/design.

The post Your Career Journey Part 3: Getting a New Job appeared first on Mind Tools.

Preparation, Preparation, PREPARATION!

So you've applied to a few positions of interest and have received a couple of invitations for job interviews. Congratulations! You have transitioned from a job applicant to a job candidate.

The next big event is preparing to meet face-to-face (in person or virtually) with your prospective employer. Here are tips to get you started:

• Get comfortable describing your experience as it relates to the vacant position.
• Know the specific interview questions or topics or that are illegal to ask and understand how to respond.
• Be able to identify the company outreach effort that resonates most with you and why.
• Be comfortable discussing how the company's philosophy aligns with your values.
• Review your references to check all contact details are up to date.
• Be ready to backup your résumé claims through recruitment tests (e.g. typing speed, website design, editing or writing tasks, etc.)
• Know the industry average salary and range for the position, so you don't undercut yourself at negotiation time.
• Bring hard copies of your résumé, references, clearances, test results, and presentation deck (every document you were requested to send, including a few extras). These will also act as handy references you can glance at if the nerves kick in.
• Have a flash drive for quick electronic access or sharing.

During Job Interviews: Are You the One?

We asked the Coaching Team to share some of their memorable job interview experiences, as either the interviewer or interviewee. Here's what each had to say.

Demonstrate How You "Match" the Organization

Coach Mike Barzacchini explains how illustrating how your unique skills and experience can solve problems for the organization can help you win over recruiters...

"When I interview for a job, I try to apply my experience to what I feel the company seeks. What can I bring that adds value? How can I serve and solve? I let this approach guide my answers and my questions. Sharing a case study – a real example of how your work made a difference for a former employer – is a great way to win over a potentially skeptical interview team. It's even better if you can relate how that type of work would make a difference for their organization. My favorite advice to job applicants is to make sure to communicate what makes them excited, uniquely interested in, and qualified for the position."

Listen Out for "Alarm Bells"

Not every interview, however, is a "bed of roses." Coach Zala Bricelj reveals how sometimes the interview can unearth hard truths or even raise "alarm bells" ...

"It's when it becomes apparent that there is a reason why the employer has a high turnover and/or is repeatedly searching for potential candidates. It's those times in the interviewing process when it's clear that leadership, HR and departments are off-synch or working in their own siloed workplaces, and it all comes out in the meeting with the interviewers.

"I have experienced a few situations like this. One time they said to my face that my résumé was too good and I should be searching for a job abroad and not waste time in my homeland. Another time, the interviewer told me that the job posting was just an "official need-to-do" and that the company already had a candidate lined up. And the cherry on top? I went in for an interview that became a promotion for an MLM pyramid scheme."

Show Empathy and Compassion

Coaching team leader Yolande Conradie reminds us to be empathetic and compassionate with others...

"I always appreciated interviewees who came prepared. To me, that's someone who's done some research about the company and is able to ask pertinent questions about it. I learned not to look at appearance too hard because I live in a country where many people are poor. However, I could always see when someone has tried to make a good impression – even if their clothes were old and their shoes worn. Another reality of South Africa is that many people who use English as their business language are third- or fourth-language English speakers. I had to learn to listen past language errors unless proficiency in English was a job requirement. (Ditto their résumés. Poverty often means that people don't have money to have their résumé produced professionally.)"

Are You the Good Cop or the Bad Cop?

Coach Sarah Harvey shares how she learned that sometimes the way we think we're presenting ourselves can be very different to how we're being perceived...

"The most memorable experience for me was when I was leading a whole set of interviews of internal candidates as part of a departmental restructuring. I chaired every interview and was joined by a range of managers who would work alongside me to recruit the roles within their teams.

"People thanked us for our professionalism, and many commented on the robustness of the process, describing it as a 'good cop, bad cop' experience. 'That’s nice,' I said to one interviewee, as this had by then become common feedback, 'I'm pleased I've been the warm and friendly face of a potentially difficult organizational process.' 

"'Oh no,' they told me, 'You’re the bad cop! You ask really challenging questions and won't let things go on face value.' I had no idea I'd come across that way. And it was really powerful learning for me which I've been mindful of in every interview since. It goes to show interviews can provide a positive learning experience not only for interviewees but for interviewers, too."

Job Interview Hacks

During a job interview, it can be hard to remember all the things you want to ask and say, so here are some handy hacks to help you get the most out of the experience:

• Bring a small list of questions about the position or company. The recruiter may answer them before you need to ask, but it's always good to have a reminder somewhere of the key questions you may have gathered during your job prep.
• Check your appearance – before you leave and before the interview begins.
• Top candidates often set themselves apart because they bring genuine enthusiasm and curiosity about the role. So be sure this comes across in your interview.
• Be honest about what you can deliver, and your expectations.
• Never lie in an interview. Irrespective of what people tell you, do not "fake it till you make it." Chances are that you'll be unmasked because faking often leads to mistakes – and mistakes cost money.
• At the end of the interview, remember to thank the recruiters and note down relevant decision dates and recruitment process methods that they need to adhere to. If the recruiter hasn't already mentioned these details, be sure to ask so you know what's likely to happen next.
• If you haven't heard back, send a follow up after two to three days. Be polite and remember to thank them for the opportunity.
• Most importantly... be truthful, be honest and be yourself!

Explore More Resources at Mind Tools...

If you want to discover more job interview tips and techniques, check out the following from Mind Tools. (Note that you will need to be a Mind Tools Club or Corporate member to see the resources in full).

How to Prep for a Job Interview
How to Answer Interview Questions
Interview Skills
How to Ace a Video Interview
Tricky Interview Questions: Tell Me About Yourself
Tricky Interview Questions: What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
Tricky Interview Questions: Why Do You Want This Job?

About the Author:

Sonia is an experienced meeting & event manager with over 20 years in conferences, exhibits, and corporate social events. She also owns a visual branding company.

Sonia joined the Mind Tools coaching team in 2021, and enjoys connecting people with resources to help them reach their goals. In her spare time, she is a photo enthusiast who reviews products, completes store scavenger hunts, and explores nail art/design.

The post Your Career Journey Part 2: Job Interviews appeared first on Mind Tools.

That's why I suggested this series of blogs to help you plan your career journey, whether you're a current job seeker, an employee looking for a change or a step up, a future entrepreneur, or a student. 

This blog series on career journeys will coincide with three consecutive #MTtalk Twitter chats and Facebook Live events. And, if you're a Club member, we'll also be hosting exclusive #MTmasterclass videos on LinkedIn. (You can find further information about these at the end of this blog.)

Starting your career journey – Prepping your résumé

What are your key skills and strengths?

Before explaining your knowledge, skills, abilities, and interests to anyone, you'll need to identify what they are.  

Mind Tools has several resources to help you do this, including our personal SWOT analysis, our blog on "What's Your Life Plan? Balancing Dreams and Reality", and the Mind Tools Life Plan Workbook.

So get familiar with your own strengths and skills. Then use this information to define the following about yourself: 

• Talents 
• Interests 
• Knowledge 
• Skills 
• Abilities 
• Philosophy/Values 

Summarizing your work experience

A résumé is an organized snapshot of your career objectives, qualifications, skills, education, experience, and work history. Essentially, it should provide the hiring company details of what your career journey looks like so far, and demonstrate how well your skills and experience match up to the vacant position. Recruiters often request that résumés be limited to one or two pages, so be concise but informative. 

For quick and easy reference to your work experience so far, keep an up-to-date LinkedIn profile. Also, maintain an "at-a-glance" data file that contains key information for each of the jobs you've had, such as dates, titles, key responsibilities, accomplishments, company info, and key work contacts or former supervisors. 

Some jobs may require you to document your work experience in different formats. For example, if your background includes postgraduate work in the technical, educational, scientific, legal, and medical industries, companies might request a curriculum vitae (CV) instead. 

In my experience, a résumé is a shorter summary of your work that can be skimmed in 15-30 seconds, while a CV may include paragraphs to summarize your specialized work. Government entities and other organizations may also require you to fill out online or paper applications that are specific to them.

Résumé design

A résumé typically contains the following, regardless of format: 

• Name and contact information. 
• Career objective.
• Relevant job history (with job title, dates, company, city/state). 
• Key responsibilities and skills.
• Education level.
• Other information such as hobbies, activities, honors, and affiliations. 

How you format and design your résumé will depend on what information you want to highlight. What do you want the hiring company to know about you? 

Remember, the likelihood is you only have a few minutes to grab the recruiter's attention. So you need to design your résumé in a way that presents your work experience clearly and effectively. There are several résumé format styles you can use, but – in general – the three most popular are: 

• Chronological – best for consistent, relevant experience.
• Targeted – best for downplaying a limited job history of direct experience by spotlighting relevant, transferable skills and abilities instead.
• Functional – best for emphasizing related duties and responsibilities from multiple positions.

Because this is your résumé, choose a format or combination that highlights your strengths and represents you the best. Also, think about the roles that you're applying for and consider tailoring your résumé depending on the different skills and experience that each requires.

Finding the right career journey: Searching for Jobs

Now that your résumé is ready, the next obstacle on your career journey is to find the right job for you. But how do you know what will be a good fit and what won't? Where should you be looking? Where do you even start?

When it comes to doing a job search, your ultimate goal is to find a role that excites you, but that also meets your salary expectations. There are various places you can look, including:

• Company websites. 
• Newspapers.
• LinkedIn and recruitment websites.
• Networking/word of mouth.
• Campus career center or local economic development department.
• Executive search consultant/firm.
• Referrals.

You might find that there are thousands of jobs relevant to you and your industry out there. But, remember, you are the customer here. So consider some of the following to find the right fit for you:

• Determine your salary requirements and acceptable range based on your needs, and the industry average for the types of jobs you're applying for.
• Don't get hung up on titles. Instead, focus on the responsibilities. (For example, a coordinator at a large organization could have the same responsibilities as a manager at a small company.) 
• Learn about the company and compare how its corporate values measure up to yours. 
• Consider location. Where is the job? Are you open to relocation? 

Introducing yourself using a cover letter

Many recruiters ask job applicants to write a cover letter to go with their résumé. Essentially a cover letter is a personal letter that introduces you and your résumé to the recruiter. It's a chance for you to highlight the unique strengths and skills that you can bring to the role, and explain how you'd make the best fit.

To make sure your cover letter sends you to the top of the recruiter's pile, consider the following:

• Carefully read the job description and focus your letter on the key skills and attributes that it requires.
• Stick to between three to five paragraphs and no more! This could, for example, be structured as: an opening paragraph (the purpose of your letter); two to three paragraphs that promote your skills and that summarize why you'd be an asset to the company; and a closing paragraph (action and appreciation).
• Use a standard letter format but tailor the content of your cover letter for each position that you apply for.
• Use action-oriented language to bridge your experience with prospective duties. For example, "strategize," "build," "create," and "develop."
• If the recruiter didn't request items (such as headshot, samples, etc.), don't submit them. (Recruiters may receive dozens of attachments or pages for each vacancy, so these may simply go ignored if they are not necessary.)
• The recruiter should confirm receipt of your submission (via email, phone, or text message). 
• Don't assume the recruiter's preferred greeting titles. Ask for their preference before you begin writing.
• Look at a mix of job descriptions for the same position to understand how to tailor your language.
• Factor in any voluntary and other unpaid experience you've done to demonstrate transferable skills. 
• Save documents to a portable document format (PDF) to preserve your original formatting. (Several "free" PDF creation software tools are available online.) 

Let's continue the conversation about Career Journeys

We want to explore the different career journeys people have taken further. So we'll be hosting a number of exciting talks on our social channels to discover more. These will also be great opportunities to access the wonderful wealth of experience our coaches can offer you, as you navigate your own career journey.

We'll be hosting an #MTtalk on Career Journeys on Wednesday, May 10th @ 12 noon ET. Anyone can join! Simply follow us on Twitter, type #MTtalk in the Twitter search function and click on "Latest" – you'll then be able to follow the live chat feed. You can participate in the chat by using the hashtag #MTtalk in your responses.

On Thursday, May 11 at 11 a.m. ET members of our Career Community Facebook group will be able to join a 20-minute Facebook Live conversation and question session.

And, finally on Friday, May 12 we will release a short coaching video on our Mind Tools Coaching Hub on LinkedIn, which is exclusive to Mind Tools' Club members.

Resources: Explore more at Mind Tools...

If you want to delve further into some of the topics we've discussed, check out the following from Mind Tools. (Note that you will need to be a Mind Tools Club or Corporate member to see all of the resources in full.)

Finding Career Direction
Managing Your Career
Developing a Career Strategy
Writing a Résumé
Writing a Cover Letter

The post Your Career Journey Part 1: Résumé Prep and Job Searches appeared first on Mind Tools.

The accident was a disruption that led to a major life transition. Bruce Feiler, best-selling author of "Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age," says that, on average, everyone goes through a life transition every 12 to 18 months.

Common life transitions include:

• being laid off or fired.
• having a serious accident.
• experiencing a health crisis. 
• working for a company that is being acquired. 
• getting a new job. 
• being promoted. 
• changing careers.
• moving to a different city. 
• getting married. 
• having a baby.
• going through a relationship breakup or divorce. 
• returning to school.
• losing a loved one.
• retiring.

Any of those sound familiar?

Experiencing a “Lifequake”

We get through most life transitions relatively quickly, but one in ten become what Feiler calls a "lifequake." He defines a lifequake as a massive change with stressful aftershocks that can last several years if we don't learn to master them.

After interviewing hundreds of people about their life transitions, Feiler found that, on average, we go through three to five lifequakes in our lifetime.

These life-changing events frequently involve a difficult loss, such as losing a source of income, access to childcare, or a loved one, to name a few. And in the aftermath of the pandemic, the entire world is going through a collective lifequake.

3 Ways to Master Life Transitions

Learning to deal with these disruptive life events is more critical than ever. If you are going through a life transition, here are three ways to help you navigate it.

1. Accepting that the "Linear Life" Is Over

Feiler's findings show that the idea of a neat, linear life path no longer holds true. A linear life is based on misguided expectations.

For example, we expect our careers will progress from a junior job to a mid-level job to a senior-level position to retirement. Some other misconceptions include believing that we will have one relationship, one home, and one source of happiness throughout our lives, from adolescence to old age.

Instead, we lead non-linear lives, which means we go through many life transitions, full of twists and turns and ups and downs. Transitions may seem like abnormal interruptions, but they are a regular and predictable part of life.  

Anticipating change helps us accept the end of predictability and prepares us to deal with whatever changes life brings. Being mentally prepared for change eliminates the element of surprise and allows us to move with greater ease from resistance to acceptance.

How Can You Prepare Yourself for a Non-Linear Life?

Let's take a current example. 

One of the latest work trends has been dubbed "career cushioning" (also known as "recession proofing"). The term describes the act of employees exploring other job options while still in their current role.

Whether or not you're concerned about a layoff, it pays to prepare for this potential disruption to your career. Some actions you could take now include: 

• refreshing your résumé. 
• updating your skills.
• nurturing your network.

2. Becoming Adept at Navigating the Three Phases of Life Transitions 

A big takeaway from Feiler's research is that all significant life transitions have a distinct structure. And it isn't always obvious to someone just entering a transition. 

According to Feiler, major life transitions have three phases:

1. The Long Goodbye: the period it takes to fully accept the change and say goodbye to the old you.  
2. The Messy Middle: the period when you start to evaluate new options. That’s when you replace old habits that no longer serve you with new ones that help you to move forward. 
3. The New Beginning: the period when you embark on a new path in your life. 

Being stuck in "the long goodbye" or "the messy middle" phases prevents us from moving on to the next chapter in our lives.

How Do You Leave the Past Behind?

Here's a quick example. A coaching client of mine – I'll call him Fred – was laid off from his job as a marketing manager. By the time Fred came to see me, he had already spent six months stuck in the long goodbye phase. He wasted a lot of time mourning his old life and what he had lost.

I asked him to note his weekly actions that are still connected to his old job. The list turned out to be an eye-opener for him. 

His activities included:  

• checking the social media accounts of the company that laid him off. 
• scouring the LinkedIn accounts of his ex-peers to see who else was laid off. 
• emailing his ex-direct reports under several pretexts. 
• regularly checking the company website to see if there were new hires on the marketing team.  
• asking several ex-colleagues to go to lunch with him and using the event as an opportunity to vent.

We agreed that he had to stop doing anything related to his former employment, no matter how small. All activities connected with his old job set him back emotionally, reinforced his resentment, and distracted him from moving on. He finally cut the corporate umbilical cord and moved on to the next phase of his life transition.

3. Managing Your Emotions 

Feiler writes that fear, sadness and shame are the top three emotions we most likely feel during a transition.  

I have found over the years that shame is a strong emotion that few people want to discuss. Consequently, the feeling of shame can intensify, linger and prolong recovery from a difficult life transition. 

Consider the example of my coaching client, Melissa (not her real name.) Melissa found it difficult to cope with being fired from her job. After several coaching sessions, she admitted to feelings of shame. "I am ashamed," she said to me, barely holding back tears. "People will think that I didn't do a good job."  

I worked with her to uncover evidence that warranted her feelings of shame. Here are some of the questions we went through: 

• Are your feelings of shame justifiable?
• What scripts are you carrying in your head?
• What hard evidence do you have to validate the thought that "people will think I didn't do a good job?"
• What is the evidence against this thought?

In the end, there was no evidence to justify her feelings of shame because her concerns were objectively baseless. Given her high level of competence, she concluded that anyone who worked closely with her would know the caliber of her work.

This exploration was a turning point in helping her to process her feelings of shame and to move on.  

How Can You Overcome Feelings of Shame? 

To get over feelings of shame, it pays to consider these pointers:  

• Pay attention to the harm that feelings of shame may cause you. Research shows that low self-esteem and depression can arise from shame. For Melissa, staying stuck in a loop of unproductive thoughts about her dismissal exacerbated the situation and made her unhappy and lethargic. For example, she often canceled her exercise class and watched TV instead.
• Catch yourself when thoughts of shame start to creep in. Ask yourself: am I allowing my emotions to hijack my logical brain?
• Reframe your thoughts around the situation, so that they are either realistic or at least neutral. 
• Share your feelings with trusted others. Melissa found an accountability partner – a trusted friend – with whom she spoke once weekly. Together, they sought ways to quiet her ruminations and focus instead on the future. 

Taking Control of Life Transitions

Ultimately, we can manage our inevitable life transitions and not let them negatively influence us in the long term. We can interpret whatever we lost as devastating and allow anger, sadness, fear, and resentment to consume us. Or we can use the loss as an opportunity to gain insight and wisdom, to keep moving on, and to write the next chapter in our life.

That's what I did after my accident.

About the Author:

Bruna is an educator, author and speaker specializing in emotional intelligence, leadership, communication, and presentation-skills training.

The post How to Master Life Transitions  appeared first on Mind Tools.

Finishing university can be both an exciting and a daunting prospect. While many new opportunities and adventures begin to appear on the horizon, so too does the unsettling prospect of an immense life change, and the anxieties that go with it.

For me, about to begin the penultimate term of my Bachelor's in English Language and Literature at Oxford University, the end of my degree is fast approaching – and with it, the pressure to decide what to do next!

Finding a Meaningful Job

The traditional route is to find a job. This is the approach taken by most graduates. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), in the U.K., 56 percent of students with undergraduate degrees went on to full-time employment after graduating between 2017 and 2018.

I spoke with Krishi, a final-year law student, about her post-graduation plans. She's always known that she wants to be a lawyer. But, as spots at top law firms are rare and incredibly competitive, she's had to be on the ball since the start of her degree, enrolling in relevant extracurriculars, gaining work experience, and keeping track of big firms' hiring deadlines – on top of gaining the top grades that she'll need.

For Erin, another final-year law student, the trajectory from degree to career is less obvious. "While I'm really interested in human rights law and am applying to several firms specializing in this," she says, "my career goals are less defined by profession. I'm more influenced by a desire to help people and drive change in the world." As a result, Erin is applying for a range of jobs alongside human rights law, including within nonprofits and the Civil Service.

University Career Support Can Vary

Fortunately, at Oxford, there's lots of help available for those taking their first career steps. The careers service sends regular emails to students regarding upcoming events and opportunities, organizes careers fairs, which are attended by a variety of employers, and even runs a platform advertising internships during vacation times, as well as graduate job opportunities.

Not all students, however, are so fortunate. Alice, who attends a university in the Midlands, told me about the lack of events organized by her university’s career service, which she feels has led to many missing out.

I also spoke with Luke, at a university in the South East, who complained about the lack of sector diversity at his university's careers fair. "I noticed that most of the stalls were run by the big banks, law firms and private schools," he told me. "That's great if that's what you want to do, but so many students want to do something else, and there's nothing for them there."

What About Postgraduate Study?

Postgraduate study is another popular route taken by many university leavers. Research from the Unite Foundation shows that 743,000 students enrolled on postgraduate courses in the U.K. during 2020/2021. This option is attractive to those who want to explore their current subject further, or who want to change their direction of study.

Sara, who's in the final year of an undergraduate humanities degree, really enjoyed researching and writing her dissertation, and has applied to a Master’s program where she'll be able to continue her research. Meanwhile, Louis, a French and philosophy student, has decided to apply for a law conversion degree when he finishes his studies. After attending some careers events, he realized that his true passion was for the law, and decided to change tack slightly to achieve his dream job at a top law firm.

Others are already thinking beyond their Master's degrees, and see a future for themselves in academia. Okasha, a third-year physics student, who is already enrolled on an integrated Master's course, plans on completing a PhD and subsequent post-doctoral experience, with a view to working in academic research.

Continuing to pursue education can allow you to specialize further, gain necessary qualifications for jobs, or make a career out of research. But this route also comes with pitfalls. Many students joke about the "panic Master's" – in other words, enrolling on a Master’s course in order to delay making a decision about their career.

There's also funding to consider. While scholarships, bursaries and sponsorships are available, many students are put off by the thought of taking out additional loans and adding to their already-high debt.

How About a Gap Year?

Gap years are also a popular choice. I spoke with Nicholas, who intends to travel for a year. "As I see it," he told me, "this is the best opportunity I have to take time out and see the world before I start a corporate job and taking a sabbatical becomes more difficult – and potentially harmful to my career."

Others discussed taking time out after graduation to recover from "degree burnout," and wanted to take a break to recoup their mental health, before focusing their full attention on getting a job.

But a gap year doesn't always have to be about travel. Harish, who has a place at graduate medical school, worked at a pharmacy after his Master's degree. "I figured it would be helpful to apply to medical school with some experience in the field, to make my application more relevant," he explained.

For others, a gap year can mean a mix of both travel and work. After completing her English degree, Sophie intends to take a "working gap year," teaching English abroad to build experience and knowledge while she figures out exactly what she wants to do career-wise.

What's My Post-Graduation Story Going to Be?

There are certainly plenty of options to choose from after graduation. But how do I decide what route I want to take? While postgraduate study sounds interesting, I've decided that the most fulfilling option for me will be to get a job and start building my career.

Although this might sound relatively straightforward, the practicalities of searching for a job as a recent graduate are anything but simple.

My obvious first step was to figure out exactly what I want to do. Many people have a clear idea of their "dream job" and the career trajectory they need to take to get there. I'd always assumed that, by the end of university, I'd be a part of this group, with a clear objective and plan in place. But, during my studies, I realized just how rare it is to have a concrete idea of what you want out of your career at this stage in life. In fact, research shows that 44 percent of students worldwide don't know what they want to do after they graduate.

It's liberating to know that the uncertainty I feel isn't unique. In fact, I decided to make it a source of empowerment. It's OK not to know what my job title will be in 10 years' time. And, in fact, this mindset has allowed me to explore a whole range of career paths and possibilities.

I do at least have a clear idea of the type of work I enjoy – something where I can engage my creativity, use my writing skills, work in a vibrant and social environment, and potentially travel or relocate abroad later.

With these key requirements in mind, I began by listing a variety of sectors and roles that I thought I'd enjoy working in.

The Difficulties of Internships and Work Experiences

Next, I put together a résumé that would stand out, added all my most important experience and certifications, and made sure that everything was well-presented and engaging.

Then, I looked online at jobs that fit my interests, spoke with contacts who already work in the industries I'm interested in, and did some research on specific organizations and job roles. This helped me to gain a pretty good idea of the type of experience I'd need to gain before applying for a full-time role.

The problem is that gaining relevant experience isn't straightforward. Internships are a particular sticking point. Living in a small rural town with limited internship opportunities, I was faced with having to commute to London for several hours daily – a difficult prospect financially, given the very limited pay of internships – while also ensuring that I still had time to study.

With that in mind, I looked for opportunities that I could do during term time that would add relevant experience to my résumé, such as writing for student publications and joining the committees of student societies. I was also able to secure valuable opportunities to work remotely in fields that interest me, gaining corporate experience without being limited by finances and geography.

Graduate Schemes Vs. Graduate Jobs

The next step was applying for jobs. Many employers offer graduate schemes. But these tend to be highly competitive and often require several rounds of examinations and interviews. Your success is also dependent on the grade you achieve at the end of your university course.

One scheme I've applied to is the British Government's Civil Service Fast Stream. It's pretty intense, requiring five rounds of online assessment. Unfortunately, the Stream also has a very low success rate. In fact, only 1.8 percent of applicants were offered places on the scheme in 2021. Although this is a bit daunting, I've found that the best approach to such recruitment processes is to treat them as a "learning curve." Even though you may not get offered a place, you’re still learning about what graduate recruitment tests look like, which can help you improve your ability to complete these kinds of tests and understand what might be expected of you during similar recruitment processes.

Getting a graduate job is another option. Recruitment for these is often based on practical experience rather than exam results. Furthermore, as Charlie Benson, writing for Gradtouch, explains, "Graduate job options are more varied"; and, "There are more of them." However, the major downside of going straight into a graduate job is that pay is often lower and career progression slower than in graduate-scheme roles.

The Graduate Jobs Market Is Increasingly Competitive

In both cases, securing a job is far from plain sailing for most graduates. Research shows that 96,000 U.K. graduates face unemployment each academic year. In addition, graduate job applications in the U.K. increased by 41 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year.

These figures paint a concerning picture, showing that more and more graduates are competing for jobs. This means it's imperative that you do what you can to set yourself apart from other graduates. It's no longer enough to hold a degree from a good university; you need to have secured internships and work experience, and have evidence of participation in extracurriculars, to make yourself stand out.

In fact, as I looked through job postings on the internet, I couldn't help but notice that an increasing number of jobs that are advertised as "entry level" require several years of industry experience, often within an incredibly specific field. This begs the question: how can a student who's been in full-time education up until this point hope to secure a graduate job when such jobs demand years of experience?

A Positive Mindset Equals a Positive Outcome

While it's easy to get overwhelmed by such obstacles, it's also important to remember that, with the right drive and determination, everything will likely work out eventually. I remember speaking with students in previous years who were anxious about securing jobs after graduation, and in every case – though it may have taken time and lots of hard work – every one of those students now has a career that they enjoy.

It's also important to note that, while it's great to have a specific career plan in mind, it's equally OK to take some time trying out different jobs while you're young, until you find something that you truly enjoy and can see yourself doing in the long term.

While I wait to hear back from graduate schemes, and begin to apply for graduate jobs, it's a time of mixed feelings. I'm excited to start the next phase of my life, hopefully starting a new job in a new city and meeting new people. But I can't help but look back with some sadness at the thought of leaving the university, the city and the people I've grown to love over the past few years.

While deciding what to do after university can seem stressful and overwhelming, it's also an incredible opportunity to take control of your future, and shape your career and life goals in a way that you find fulfilling, enjoyable and exciting.

The post I'm Graduating From University Soon... What on Earth Do I Do Next? appeared first on Mind Tools.

My friend Amy had just finished her talk for her final year thesis, which was supposed to count toward our final grade. The audience was transfixed, focused on her every word. Her visuals were stunning, she spoke confidently, and she didn't even need her notes. To cap it all, she handled the Q&A session with calm assurance.

My awe quickly disintegrated into anxiety as I heard those dreaded words, "Who's up next? Ah, Lucy. It's you."

I should have felt confident. It was my moment in the sun, right? I'd done my research, put in the prep work, and I'd spent the whole of the previous evening rehearsing in front of a group of friends.

But I didn't feel confident. Instead, I felt my cheeks turn red and I bumped into a table on my way up. All I could think about was the audience's eyes burning into me. The notes I'd so carefully prepared now seemed a bit basic, and nowhere near as intelligent as I thought they had the day before.

I did a quick calculation of my distance from the door. Perhaps I could just make a run for it? Maybe I could feign sickness?

"No, no," I told myself, "Stop being silly and get on with it!"

So, I took a deep breath and pulled myself together and, well, I got on with it!

In the end, it wasn't as bad as I'd expected. I was proud that I had resisted the urge to flee. But I still breathed a huge sigh of relief when it was all over.

The truth is, even the thought of public speaking fills me with fear. It has done since well before my postgraduate presentation, and that fear still lingers today.

At least I can console myself with the knowledge that I'm not the only one to get presentation nerves. As Jerry Seinfeld once joked (in all seriousness), "Surveys show that the number one fear of Americans is public speaking. Number two is death. That means that at a funeral, the average American would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy."

Check out our brand new video with Mind Tools' Content Editor/Writer, Jonathan Hancock, who shares his handy hints for putting on a great presentation – in spite of any nerves:

We were interested in finding out how you manage presentation nerves, and we put the shoutout on our social media channels: "How do you deal with presentation nerves?"

Do Your Presentation Prep Work

Preparation featured in a lot of the responses that we got. As Facebook friend Greg Schmierer succinctly suggests, "Practice, practice, practice."

But what should your practice and prep work entail? Facebook follower Chetan Agarwal recommends that it go beyond just slide design, saying, "A lot of people confuse preparation with creating slides, but it is more about your script, intonations, anticipating probable questions and drafting your answers, your important notes, flash cards, if necessary, etc. Slides or deck is just the first primary preparation."

Instagram follower dmbarch offers similar advice. He says, "I try to prepare the best I can. i.e: write down the things I am planning to say. That way, when nerves hit, I know where to go and retake control."

Another of our Facebook friends, Deepa Hemant Krishnan, also highlights the important of seeking feedback during preparation time. She advises, "Do a mock presentation to somebody who can be a good representation of the expected audience and seek feedback."

Just Breathe!

One tip that came up time and time again, was using stress management and deep breathing to keep presentation nerves at bay.

LinkedIn follower Renee Chamberlin suggests, "Take three long, slow, deep breaths and at the same time, wiggle your toes. This helps calm you and brings you back from your anxious mind into your body." Greg Schmierer follows a similar routine. He says, "Just before the presentation, I close my eyes, take three deep breaths, and visualize [the] success of my presentation."

Engage Your Audience

Hooking in the audience with a joke, anecdote or story early on can also help you to lighten the mood, and is a great way of getting your audience engaged.

As Twitter follower Pauline Grant recommends, "Find an appropriate hook to connect with and engage your audience from the outset." Fellow Tweeter Jo Gallagher adds, "Breathe and be yourself! It's a conversation relaying information and an opportunity to engage the crowd [and], in doing so, learn something new."

Thank you to everyone who responded to our question, we appreciate the time and effort that you took to join in our discussion.

If you have any further tips or tricks on dealing with presentation nerves, please share them in the box, below!

The post Managing Presentation Nerves – Your Top Tips! appeared first on Mind Tools.

The book, "Return on Character," says it can. And its author, the academic and consultant Fred Kiel, has found a way to calculate the impact of a leader’s character on the financial performance of their company. His research team carried out a seven-year study into this topic and the results are fascinating.

Everyday Character at Work

Imagine... You sense a warm, positive buzz in a certain café, where the baristas are relaxed, good humored, and attentive. Then you meet the manager and – surprise! – she exudes a warm, friendly calm. She involves her team in decision making and she respects their skills and experience. Meanwhile, in the store next door, resentful employees listlessly stack shelves, under the steely eye of their grumpy boss.

But is this just about personalities? When I met Kiel to record my Mind Tools Expert Interview podcast, I began with the basics. What does a leader of good character look like?

Members of the Mind Tools Club can hear the full interview. If you're not already signed up, read on here for a taster...

What Is Good Character?

Fred Kiel asserts that a leader of good character tells the truth. Further, "They keep their promises. They stand up for what’s right, and then they have a certain humility about them, where they own up to their own mistakes and accept the consequences.

"They tend to look first at what they did wrong, rather than what other people did wrong, and when other people make mistakes they tend to be curious rather than blaming and shaming. And then they treat you as a human being and not as an object."

In his groundbreaking study, Kiel set out to put a hard value on those admirable traits. The first step was to ask the 84 CEOs participating in the study to rate themselves against four defining characteristics: integrity, compassion, forgiveness, and responsibility. Then their employees were asked to rate these leaders against the same characteristics, to provide objectivity and perspective.

Character Study

From this data, the CEOs were given scores relating to their leadership behavior. The most highly principled leaders were labeled "virtuoso CEOs," while those at the other end of the spectrum were called "self-focused CEOs."

The research team then cross-referenced these character scores with the financial results of the leaders’ companies. It discovered that the virtuoso CEOs achieved nearly five times greater return on assets than their low-ranking counterparts.

An Invitation to Change

It’s a remarkable finding, but what can we do with this information, given that leopards don’t change their spots? Once a self-focused CEO, always a self-focused CEO, right? Wrong, says Kiel. It may not be easy, but leaders can move from one end of the spectrum to the other.

In "Return on Character," Kiel outlines this process of personal change. He sees it as a six-part journey, starting with "invitations to change." As an example of this step, he talks about a young executive who effortlessly rose through the ranks of a company and assumed he was next in line to be named president of a major business unit.

"His invitation for change, or wake-up call, came when the CEO invited him into his office. He came in expecting to get the good news and instead he was told, ‘I’m sorry, but I’m not giving you this job. I’m giving it to your peer instead.’ And that was a very traumatic event for him because he’d never had a failure experience to deal with before. So that became a real invitation for him to change."

The other five steps to becoming a virtuoso leader require just as much humility and self-awareness, with the final one, "rewire your brain," designed to cement new good habits through focus and practice.

Completing all six steps in this process is a major undertaking, but no doubt worth it, on a personal and organizational level, for under-performing leaders.

What about those leaders who don’t need, or want, to undergo large-scale personal change, but would still like to maximize their return on character? Kiel offers some useful tips in this audio clip from our Expert Interview podcast.

Listen to the full Expert Interview in the Mind Tools Club, or get a license for your organization through Mind Tools for Business.

So, Does Honesty Pay?

"Return on Character" is an absorbing read that shows leadership behavior can be linked to business results. Senior executives may well benefit from taking these ideas on board. But even if we’re not in charge of our company’s financial performance, we can still learn from the basic principle: it pays, literally, to be honest, compassionate and responsible.

What would you do to improve return on character, for yourself or your organization? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

The post Good Character in Business: My Interview With Fred Kiel appeared first on Mind Tools.