Accelerate Your Learning Curve for More Success and Less Stress

by Susan Dunn

Jobs Indonesia,  Careers,  Indonesia Vacancy

Downsizing and technological advances put demands on us to learn more and learn it faster. As support staff and auxiliary positions disappear, job functions are consolidated, teamwork becomes the norm, and computer and other technologies keep proliferating, we are faced with a stressful amount of new things to learn in a diminishing amount of time.

Yet the faster you can learn new things, the more valuable you will be to your employer, and the more likely you’ll be to advance in your Careers. It isn’t an option these days. 

 

WHAT LEARNING CURVES HAVE IN COMMON

What can you do to accelerate your learning curve and increase your value to your employer? The interesting thing is that there are things all learning curves have in common, whether you’re learning how to facilitate team work, learning a new software program, learning a new language, or learning how to negotiate. The better you understand the mechanics of THE learning curve, the better you’ll be able to deal with the individual ones that come along, and this is part of Emotional Intelligence.

 

GETTING RID OF THE FEAR

If you think back on things you’ve learned in the past, you’ll probably realize that one of the things that slowed you down was fear. I can certainly think of examples in my own case.

 

An example of how fear can slow you down is evident if you’ve watched a young child learn how to ski. A child doesn’t fear failure nor success, nor do they fear falling down. New things are an every day occurrence for a child, and this is just the next one. In learning to ski, they fall repeatedly and bounce back like a rubber ball. They consider it all fun. Thus there is nothing slowing down the learning except their ability to master the motor skills. What a relief!

Many of the Emotional Intelligence competencies facilitate learning. One of them is flexibility. The skiing example shows a sort of physical flexibility, but this is applicable to mental tasks as well. We don’t all learn best the same way. You may be sent to a seminar or training that doesn’t fit your learning style. If you’re flexible, and have learned how to learn (the learning curve), you’ll be able to shape things to your own benefit.

 

Take learning a new software program, for instance, something many of us are faced with almost monthly. One person may learn better by reading the manual, while another may do better by being shown. Yet another may be used to the “throw them to the wolves method,” or by hearing a tape or looking at an interactive video on the computer screen.

 

This has to do with your innate learning style which can be discovered through an assessment such as the StrengthsFinder® profile, by working with a coach, or by analyzing your own history. Generally when left to your own devices, you’ll do what comes naturally to you, which will always be the quickest and easiest way for you to learn.

 

LEARNING HISTORIES

A client I’ll call Alicia learned how to type when she was 6 years old. Her mother let her ‘play’ on the family typewriter. By the time she got to high school and took a typing class which attempted to teach her “touch typing,” it was too late to unlearn the old ways, yet she keyboards at over 100. Would anyone complain about the method?

 

Then she took a jobs Indonesia where her boss told her he wanted a newsletter in two weeks, and gave her – wouldn’t you know? – a Mac. Being used to tinkering, she started right in, asking an office mate some pertinent questions, and figuring it out fairly rapidly although she had never touched a computer before. Someone else might have refused that jobs indonesia or demanded lessons.

 

The next job Alicia had she was required to use a PC, and she tackled that on her own as well.

Nick, however, learns best from formal instruction, and then having a manual at his side. It confuses him if someone tries to instruct him sitting by his side or talking to him. He would rather work on his own, in peace and quiet.

Emotional Intelligence starts with self-awareness – knowing your emotions as well as your cognitive abilities, and particularly how they interface. Nick and Alicia were both able to learn computer skills, but they were comfortable in different settings, and it’s emotional “comfort,” that gets rid of the fear and accelerates the learning curve. Learning has a huge emotional component to it that is just now being honored in our schools and in the work place.

 

MOVE RAPIDLY FOR BEST RESULTS

A crucial point is the longer you stay in the confused stage, the more stress you’ll experience. This will reinforce itself, making it harder for you to learn in the future. In essence you’ll be slowing down your learning curve each time.

The faster you learn each thing, the less agony, and the better and faster you’ll learn in the future. It’s a win-win. Your employer wants you to learn fast, and it’s in your best interest to learn fast.

 

Another great benefit is then learning is fun – like the 6 year old learning to ski. This is turn will make you more resilient (the stress-buster for the 00s) because studies have shown that lifetime learning contributes to resilience.

The ability to change rapidly, be flexible and learn quickly are highly valued by today’s employers and reduce your personal stress levels.

These are all Emotional Intelligence competencies you can learn. How? Start with an overview of the field and an assessment of your own Emotional Intelligence (EQ or EI). You can take an interactive Emotional Intelligence course on the Internet, and then work with a certified Emotional Intelligence coach who can provide individual instruction to improve your competencies.

 

Developing your Emotional Intelligence has many benefits. It can accelerate the learning curve because it teaches you correct patterns, makes previous knowledge more accessible, allows for better cognitive functioning, and manages the emotions so they help the process, not hinder it. It can also increase your ability to get the help – and the kind of help – you need from others.

 

Even if faced with learning something completely new, you’ll learn to recognize the steps and feelings that go along with each stage which will eliminate a lot of stress.

 

You’ve taken care of your academic education, but what about your Emotional Intelligence? Take a second look. Many people are finding it to be the missing piece in their Careers plan. 

 

Careers : Top 10 Hot Jobs Among All Internet Sources

By Patty Inglish, MS

Jobs Indonesia,  Careers,  Indonesia Vacancy

In February 2010, 3,000,000 job listings were gathered by Indeed.com. Among them, these ten positions were most frequently listed on the job trending sites SImplyHired.com and Indeed.com.

1. Physical Therapists
2. Sales Associates and Sales Representatives
3. Assistant Managers - Includes Retail and Restaurant.
4. Store Managers - Retail, Finance, and Restaurant/Food Service.
5. Family Practice and Internal Medicine Physicians
6. Occupational Therapists
7. Tax Preparers and Census Takers (tied)
8. Sales Managers
9. Registered Nurses (RNs)
10. Project Managers - Domestic and International Business, private, government, and government contractor. 

Careers 0> 12 Ways to be a Confident Public Speaker

by Sandra Schrift

Jobs Indonesia,  Careers,  Indonesia Vacancy

Speak from your heart. If you believe in what you say, than others need to hear it. All confident speakers fall in the P2 (passion plus persistence). Be sure your speech contains your most fundamental beliefs and comes from authenticity.

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare!

2. Practice in front of a full-length mirror, for small groups. Join Toastmasters. www.toastmasters.org

3. Be positive. “I am a good speaker/trainer.”

4. Expect to be nervous. [deep breathe, exercise by walking, stretch, visualize your success, meditate] Make anxiety your ally. Increase your energy; heighten your awareness.

5. Focus on your audience. [It is NOT about you. You are there to help your audience]

6. Simplify. Use your time wisely and keep your presentation clear and simple so that your audience can understand what you are saying.

7. Connect with your audience. Look people in the eye, one at a time, as you speak to them. The audience wants you to succeed.

8. Act confident. Smile. Hold your chin up. Stick your chest out. When you do this, you will feel confident. Remember, YOU are the authority on the subject and they want to hear what you have to say.

9. Use humor wherever possible.

10. Offer the right message mix (inform, persuade, entertain, interact)

11. Establish credibility by the use of facts, statistics, and stories.

12. Learn from your mistakes. Making mistakes is part of your learning process. Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, said, “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”

Careers : Top Ten Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills

by Dorene Lehavi

Jobs Indonesia, Careers, Indonesia Vacancy

1) Listen without judgment. The key to good communication is listening well. Save your judging for later after you have heard and understood what was said.

 

2) Listen with the willingness to be swayed to the other person's opinion. No obligation to actually being swayed, but stay open to the option.

 

3) Listen without thinking about what you will say next. Take time before you respond.

 

4) Do not be invested in being right. Being right is not the point. If you must be right, you are not able to listen nor communicate because you have set up a barrier already. If you are always right that means the other person is always wrong. That cannot be true.

 

5) If your mind wanders, ask for repetition. We all are subject to distraction. Try to stay focused.

 

6) In all cases repeat back what you heard and ask if it is correct.

 

7) Listen to yourself. Find quiet moments and pay attention to what you are hearing from yourself. Does your body tighten up about certain issues. Body language is not something to read only in other people.

 

8) Say it honestly, but with consideration for the listener's feelings. Be polite, respectful and sincere.

 

9) Understand and acknowledge that most things are not black or white, but somewhere in a gray area. Get comfortable with gray.

 

10) Have integrity and build trust. Don't say what you don't mean. Don't promise what you won't or can't fulfill. Follow through with any committments you make.

 

Good listening skills take practice. Specific coaching may be necessary if you find you have communication issues with your boss, colleagues, subordinates, partners or personal relationships.

Indonesia Vacancy => 5 Interviewing Tips To Get That Job

By Marie Roker

Jobs Indonesia, Careers, Indonesia Vacancy

Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a new job or careers is a job in itself. Once you have completed the laborious task of writing your resume and submitting it to various companies, you now have to pass the screen test to get the job. Interviews are the gateway to landing your ideal job. These five tips will help you get own your way to making that job yours.

1. Be Confident

Your first impression is your only impression.

Nothing is worse than a limp handshake, slumped shoulders, poor eye contact or poor communication skills. A potential employer can tell immediately if you are the man or woman for this job by your body language. Although aggressiveness is a turn-off, being passive gives the indication that you are not sure of yourself or your qualifications. Keep eye contact when answering questions or when the interviewer is speaking directly to you. Smile occasionally to show your interest and enthusiasm. Keeping a steady gaze on the interviewer can be disturbing to an interviewer. Look away occasionally. Lean forward to show that you are interested in what the interviewer is saying. Speak in a concise and clear voice. If you have problems annunciating certain words, don’t try to use them on an interview. If this is difficult for you, practice with a mirror and pay attention to your facial expressions. Other interview killers: Slouching in a chair, Crossing your arms, Playing with your hair or jewelry, Leaning back in chair

 

2. Act As If

You are what you believe.

Act as if you had the job. What would you do if you had this position? How would you act? How would a person in this position act and speak? What are your responsibilities in this position? What is a typical day like for you in this job? Change your attitude towards yourself and your strengths. If you start thinking that you won’t get the job, you will do small unnoticeable things to sabotage your chances. Great free resource: www.confidenceworld.com.

 

3. Know The Company

Know the business.

I once sat on a couple of interviews where the interviewees did not do any research on the company. This sends a message that you are looking for any job, not this specific job. Once you’re interview is scheduled, get on the net and start finding out everything you can about the company. A good place to start is www.hoovers.com, which gives you industry information, top competitors, names of CEO, etc. If you’d like to know what current or former employees have to say about the company, try www.wetfeet.com. Beware of disgruntled postings. Call the company headquarters and ask for the marketing department to get specific information. Weave your research into the interview by stating. I read an article in the Wall Street Journal, which mentioned that your company is thinking about XYZ. This lets the interviewer know that you have taken the time to know more about the company. You can ask questions about something you read, but don’t challenge them or you’ll come across as a know-it-all.

4. Be Prepared

Know what to say.

Most interviewers ask the same standard questions about your strengths, weaknesses, former employers, work history. If you are being interviewed by several people, this might be a good cop, bad cop situation. Pay attention to who is playing bad cop, they are looking for signs of weakness and dishonesty. To be well prepared, before the interview, write out all your accomplishments, both personal and professional. List your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest, it’s easier to remember the truth than it is a lie. Extra Tip: Write out situations in which you have demonstrated: leadership skills, determination, stress management, creativity, and flexibility. Be prepared to answer the question: Why do you want this job? If you’re not sure, reevaluate your decision. If you arrive a few minutes early, review what you wrote in the waiting room before the interview.

   

5. Ask For The Job

You get what you ask for.

The most important step in the interviewing process is one most people miss. ASK FOR THE JOB! Most interviewers are waiting for that closure. If you have done everything exceptionally well during the interviewing process, but have not asked for the job, you’ve just wasted an interview. Asking for the job shows the potential employer that you are assertive, confident and right for the job. It might feel uncomfortable, but this is your only chance to ask for something you really want. Make sure your voice is firm and you make eye contact. Think of it as your closing argument, you’ve got to win over the jury. You should also ask the interviewer if he or she thinks you are right for the job. Even if they tell you something unpleasant, think of it as a lesson learned. However, do yourself a favor and ask for the job. You deserve it!

Tips to get a job fast

By Bill

Jobs Indonesia, Careers, Indonesia Vacancy

Pinpoint your ideal position and what it will take to land it. Know your skills, pay needs and learn about the employer.

Just started looking for a job? Mark your calendar for January, because that should be just about when you will start your new gig.

No joke. The U.S. Department of Labor reports it takes the average American about four months to find a job. January is four months away.
 

So what if you could slash months from that search and be sitting thankful around Thanksgiving with a new job?

You already have some positive job search karma on your side.
Unemployment is low — 4.7 percent. And companies nationwide are hiring at an active pace, with 28 percent of employers saying they will add workers to their payrolls through December, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. In Indianapolis, 33 percent say they will hire more.
 

Of course, unemployment rates and hiring are out of your control, but there are some things you can do. Take note of these five tips to quickly get the job you want.

Dedicate yourself.
The average job seeker spends fewer than 15 hours a week looking for a job and in the end gets two job interviews, says Michael Farr, author of “The Very Quick Job Search.”

If you are serious about finding the right job, you have to be willing to invest the time. If you don’t have a job now, make your career search a 40-hour-a-week assignment. If you do, spend nights and weekends doing the research. The more openings you find, the more resumes you send, the more interviews you will get.
 

“The bottom line is that people who spend more time on their job search will usually get jobs faster,” Farr says.

 

Get real about pay.
“A lot of times, people think they will get a 30, 40, 50 percent raise in salary just because they are changing jobs,” says Gary Daugenti, president of JustSTAFF, an executive search firm in Los Altos, Calif.

If you’re making $30,000 now and think you can get a new job paying $50,000, plan on your job search lasting a few years, he says.

Know the going rate for the position you’re considering, and see if it’s one you could live with. Don’t expect the employer to think you’re so great that he will plump the pay just for you.
 

One of the quickest ways to get weeded out of the interview process is to ask for a salary that’s too high.

Search familiar territory.
 

Target your industry. If you are in the pharmaceutical sales industry, don’t go for a job with a company making auto parts. That drastic change won’t appeal to employers, who are looking for familiarity.

“They’re looking for your experience,” says Daugenti. “They’re looking for your contacts.”
 

That doesn’t mean you have to move to the same position at a different company. For example, if you are an accountant sick of accounting and want to go into sales, look for a company that sells accounting software.
Your expertise in the industry gives you a leg up.

Know yourself.
 

People have to understand what they do well.
“Know your strengths, and how they can be applied to the corporate environment,” says Jeff Hawn, managing partner at Princeton One Search in Columbus, Ohio.

Someone who doesn’t enjoy public speaking shouldn’t go into sales. Someone who is great with numbers and can do Excel spreadsheets in her sleep should look at finance or controller jobs.
 

Mesh your skills and preferences with an open job, and say it loud and clear in the cover letter. When you get the interview, your enthusiasm for the job will naturally show through.

Know the company.
 

Forty-seven percent of executives say having little or no knowledge of the company is the most common mistake job seekers make, according to Accountemps.

Before you go on an interview, search the company’s Web site and find out a few facts about what’s going on. Are mergers pending? A community cause the company is tied to? You don’t need to rattle off details at the interview, but it helps to sound knowledgeable when asked, “What do you know about our company?”

First steps towards building an effective work environment

By valeska.wordpress.com

Jobs Indonesia, Careers, Indonesia Vacancy

Companies normally turn to team building, training, arguments, and many more techniques in attempt to resolve internal conflict.

However, people make decisions based on judgment. How will this benefit me? Am I wasting my time? Why am I being sucked into doing someone else’s job?

There are many principles as to how decisions are made and what motivates people. However, by having a clear understanding of how the business process is supposed to flow within an organization greatly diminishes staff placing the responsibility on someone else.

You may find your team frustrated and complaining. You may experience an increase in project delays. Sometimes upper management feels they need to dictate to colleagues “how things should be,” but this management syle only creates barriers from receiving honest insight from your colleagues and increases defensiveness. Creating a system that allows colleagues to pose “solutions” with their team will instill a behavior that allows them to continuously strive to find the best ways to work together.

Business Rule Tip!

a) If you have an intranet system or an internal blog, create a folder where everyone is allowed to contribute “solutions.” Anytime someone has a complaint or wants to criticize how things are done, they should pose a “solution” to proactively show an alternative way to deal with the issue. Encourage your team to provide useful suggestions on ways to improve “our” company efficiencies and an overall smoother operation. Important to explain how each suggestion must have a purpose, focus and clear communication as to the “why” and “what” you are trying to accomplish. This will increase “buy in” and prevent staff from taking these new suggestions personally. Please note: It is very important for senior managers to review these suggestions on a bi-weekly or monthly basis to enforce policies. If months pass before decisions are made, suggestions will decrease, while frustration increases.

Analyzing said suggestions from your colleagues will help to reveal “real problems”, and most likely reasonable solutions to those problems.

I have a question for you: how many times does upper management make decisions without asking those who are involved in the day-to-day activities?

Fixes made without asking those who are involved will negatively affect other processes further down the project cycle.

Business Rule Tip!

a) It is important to understand how each process affects another function within the work environment. Learning “Process Mapping” will help you to see how one activity affects another and reveal where there are areas of opportunity for process improvement. By demonstrating to your team how each activity supports the other, colleagues will begin to understand how each player contributes to the team as a whole.

The work environment is a GROUP effort. By cultivating this change in thinking amongst your players, they will better understand how their strengths benefit others. By creating a supportive network, colleagues will understand who to go to for help. By maximizing each other’s strengths, the synergy amongst all will allow the company to propel forward.

Business Rule Tip!

a) Build Trust. By creating an environment where each individual understands they are all part of a team and helping one another professionally, trust occurs. Reach out to others when asked for guidance. Practice good communication. When conflict occurs, teams who have trust tend to quickly overcome conflicts in order to move on with business goals.

b) Compassion, Respect, and Patience breeds response. Relating to each other’s unique qualities and job positions during high levels of stress will create quicker turn around on your business goals. An interesting article that reinforces this methodology is called: The Power of Nice.