6 secrets from highly ambitious (and successful) people

6 secrets from highly ambitious (and successful) people6 secrets from highly ambitious (and successful) peopleInevitably on interviews with clients, in therapy, on dating profiles or during those randomly wine-fueled evenings with friends where conversations become intense, Ive been asked how I would describe myself. There are plenty of adjectives I can come up with (I am a writer, after all) - but one that instantly comes to mind is ambitious.Ive known I was destined to be a journalist since I was a kid and it is a career Ive pursued fiercely for nearly all of my 30 years. This type of drive is innate and accessible for me, something that I dont even have to think too much about to harbor and execute.Being motivated to succeed and pursue the road ahead of you doesnt have to be a skill youre naturally born with though. Instead, you can derive those fundamentals of ambition by stealing a page out of the playbook of those who identify as highly-ambitious.Here, they divulge their secre ts.Dont settle for anything other than happinessAnd while it would make sense for me to recommend you find a job that will fulfill all of your senses and drive you to the top - that isnt what brings joy to everyone. I credit much of my drive to the fact that I love what I do. Im lucky that writing, content strategy and editing are tasks I would do for free - in fact, I did until someone finally paid me. Creating pieces of work that inspire others, that shed light on an important topic or provide accurate, helpful information makes me happy.Seeing my byline never gets old. But other people may source this same feeling by having a gig that allows for a healthy work/life balance. Or one that is so lucrative it allows them to pursue hobbies that excite them.Whatever the source of your glee, you will find the most organic ambition by making it a priority. This means never settling for second-best or okay-enough- but going after what will eventually, get you to where you hope to be.Dont be afraid to take risksThe road to major accomplishments is rarely open-ended and free. More often than not, its congested with bumper-to-bumper traffic, in the rain, on a Tuesday, when you have a meeting in ten minutes. But taking that exit when you were terrified it would lead you the wrong way? Its worth the risk.Career and branding expert Wendi Weiner took a major leap of faith when she left an 11-year tenure in law to focus on the career she now has The biggest risk I took in my life was leaving law after an 11-year career in it to focus on my dreams of being a professional writer and career branding expert.I told myself I was willing to risk making less money in exchange for greater personal and professional happiness. In the end, taking that risk was the best decision I ever made - I am mora successful today and more financially secure than I ever was as a lawyer, she shares.Choose your company wiselyA work bestie is a blessing. So is a co-founder who basically shares a bra inwave with you. But toxic, negative people who bring your spirit down? They gotta go on your path to an ambitious mindset. As the CEO and founder of Coddle, Sean Pathiratne explains, keeping company with people who are at least as passionate as he is, keeps him invigorated.I want people who inject oxygen into the room - not people who suck it out, he calls it. This doesnt mean people who only agree with you, but rather, those who make you a better version of yourself.I dont want people to yes me to death - I want to be challenged, he continues. What Ive found is that unterstellung are also people I can learn from, and who inspire self-development.Set goals at different time parametersIts one thing to say youre going to develop a blog for your industry that reaches thousands of people. Its another to say youll do that within the next year. To keep her ambitious self on course, Weiner shares she doesnt just think long-term or big picture, but weekly, monthly and yearly.She explains these small, targeted goals help her focus and gives her a way to reflect on areas shes excelled at and ones shes falling short. Whether you write these micro benchmarkers down by hand or set a reminder on your calendar, tracking progress will ensure continuous progress.Know where you want to goThough every step of the way is important, sure, having a clear vision to the end-all-be-all spot in your career can help navigate your choices too, founder and CEO of the RFP Success Company, Lisa Rehurek shares. She explains when you can picture that place youre going, it makes everything along the way hassle-free.I revisit it on a regular basis and adjust as necessary, and all roads lead back to that vision. Knowing what I ultimately want allows me to make quick decisions and keep moving forward, she continues. Because of my strong conviction in that vision, I have way more faith than fear, so that fear doesnt trip me up very often.Lisa RehurekUnderstand what keeps you motivatedFinancial gains? A killer title? The ability to move mountains - or numbers. Praise from your manager? Time with your kids? Rehurek says to remain ambitious, you must know what motivates you to keep going when the going gets tough.I know that I am motivated by recognition. If Im not getting recognized, then I need to shift something to get more recognition in order to stay motivated, she shares as an example. In 2018, I did a lot of things that gave me that recognition developed an online learning institute, started a new podcast, wrote another book, participated in an online business reality show.As she goes into 2019, she doesnt have as many big nuggets on the horizon, so she puts her nose to the grind to create opportunities to fulfill her.Develop a do, ditch and delegate processEspecially as you rise through the ranks and become a manager, its more important than ever to use your time not only wisely but strategically. Even those who are inherently motivated can get bogged down in the d etails, making it difficult to see the path at the end of the weeds. Rehurek has developed a do, ditch and delegate process to get the most out of her working hours. This keeps her pushing forward and allows for peak productivity.How does it work? Simply do the things youre great at, ditch the ones you dont need to contribute to or waste your genius and delegate tasks that are better suited for someone else, making room for you to work harder on your vision.

Why Should We Hire You Interview Question

Why Should We Hire You Interview QuestionWhy Should We Hire You Interview QuestionQuick NavigationWhy employers ask, Why should we hire you?Surprising ways employers ask, Why should we hire you?How to answer, Why should we hire you?Example answers to use in an interviewThe question, Why should we hire you? is an opportunity to platzset yourself apart from the other candidates and show that you have the skills needed for the job. In this article, we will look at specific steps you can take to put together a great response to this interview question. Preparing an answer to this popular interview question ahead of time will help you create a positive and memorable first impression with hiring employers.Why employers ask, Why should we hire you?Employers ask why you think they should hire you because they want to know what sets you apart from other qualified candidates. Most of the applicants who make it to the interview stage have similar experience, so the interviewer is asking you to prove to him or her that you are the best candidate.Learn MoreHow to Answer Tell Me About Yourself Interview QuestionSurprising ways employers ask, Why should we hire you?Interviewers will sometimes find creative ways to ask why they should hire you or why you think you are a good fit for the company.What makes you different from others we are interviewing?Why should we take a chance on you?What unique skills would you bring to the position?Keep in mind that even if your interviewer does not come out directly and ask why the company should hire you, he or she is still expecting you to answer that question by the end of the interview.How to answer, Why should we hire you?When preparing your answer for this interview question, there are a few steps that will help you form a memorable response.Review the job description.As you are getting ready for your interview, take some time to look over the job description again. Make a list of all the requirements the employer has for the positio n, such as hard and soft skills, qualifications and education. Next, make a list of all the qualities you have that match those requirements.Consider additional skills and accomplishments.Once you have made a list of all your skills that match the requirements of the job description, consider any additional skills or accomplishments you have that will make you stand out from the competition. For example, you may have professional certifications that give you even more experience for the position.Research the company.Your next step is to research the company to learn more about its mission and goals. With this information, you can explain how your skills and experience can help the company reach those goals.Provide concrete examples.As you are coming up with examples to help support your claim that you are the best candidate for the job, try to include as many concrete examples with numerical support as possible. For instance, if you are applying for a sales position and you increase d revenue by 15%, use this fact to support your claim.Learn MoreHow to Answer Why Do You Want to Work Here Interview QuestionExample answers to use in an interviewAs you are preparing your answer for why a company should hire you, use the following examples as a guide to help you create a compelling response.Example 1 Web designerFor the past five years as a web designer for ABC Company, I was responsible for updating the employee profiles and routinely posting information about upcoming events. I would like to bring my current experiences in coding and web design to support your goals of attracting new clients as I continue to grow in this field and take on more responsibilities.RelatedComplete Guide to Common Interview Questions and AnswersSee alsoHow to Answer Tell Me About Yourself Interview QuestionExample 2 Administrative assistantBased on the research I have done on your company, you are looking for an administrative assistant who has strong technology and interpersonal skill s. In my previous position, I was responsible for answering phones, replying to emails and giving oral presentations to different departments in the company. Additionally, I managed our accounts using QuickBooks, used Microsoft geschftszimmer to create a variety of informational documents for the company and have worked in numerous content management systems. I believe my diverse skill set will suit this position perfectly.Example 3 Marketing managerFor the past eight years, I have successfully managed a team of 10 employees in the absatzwirtschaft department. During that time, I was responsible for managing and approving budgets and developing ad campaigns. In fact, one campaign I was responsible for generated a 13% increase in brand awareness within our target audience. I am ready to advance my career, and I believe my skills will help your company meet its marketing goals.Example 4 Sales managerIn your job description, you mentioned that you are looking for a sales manager who ca n effectively lead a team of over a dozen employees. In my 10 years of experience as a sales manager leading teams of 10-20 salespeople, I have developed an effective set of team-building and motivational skills. Twice during my time at the company, I was awarded manager-of-the-year for my unique strategies that helped motivate employees and surpass annual quotas. If I am hired, I can bring these same abilities and strategies to this company to help you achieve profit gains.

12 Common Questions about Job Applications and Job Search Hurdles

12 Common Questions about Job Applications and Job Search Hurdles12 Common Questions about Job Applications and Job Search HurdlesWhen hosts webinars for job seekers, we get asked some fantastic questions. Here, weve compiled many of the fruchtwein common questions about job applications, skills and experience, and job search difficulties.If youd like to watch our previous webinars or attend an upcoming live one, check out the Job Search Webinars and Videos section on the blog.Questions about Job ApplicationsQ When looking for remote work, do you ever suggest applying for a job that isnt advertised as a remote position? If you have had success working remotely in the past, is it possible to pitch yourself as a remote worker to a potential employer?This is possible but tricky. Id highly recommend researching companies that already clearly offer remote work and focusing on those instead.If you are going to apply for non-remote jobs in the hopes that they could be convinced, definitely stick to jobs that are easily done from home (office jobs, customer service, any computer work, etc.) and apply to the job as you normally would. In your cover letter, however, mention that if possible, youd love to discuss the possibility of this being a remote job. Or during the interview process, ask about their flexible work options.Q My expertise is in forecasting (sales, budgets, etc.), but I have yet to find a work-at-home opportunity to utilize my skills in forecasting. Would you have any recommendations for my job search?Expanding your job search to the multiple areas that require this skill- sales, business analysis, financial analysis, etc.- might help you have mora luck in your search. You can also search by the keyword forecasting to see job listings that include this skill as part of the overall position.Q What is the best way to respond to salary questions when you have to give an answer before an application is accepted? How do you keep from eliminating yourself befo re you even get an interview?The best way is to speak about your desired salary in sortiments. For example, if you really want $50,000 a year, tell them that based on your experience and skills, and the current market rates for similar positions, you are looking for a salary of $48,000 to $55,000 a year and that you are flexible when it comes to salary levels. Your salary request must be reasonable, within the typical range for that type of job, and you must let the employer know that you are flexible. They just want to know that you are in the same ballpark as they are. Salary.com and PayScale are two websites where you can research salary ranges for your target jobs.BROWSE JOB SEARCH TIPSQ How do you handle applying for jobs with an online application process where you may or may leid be able to include a cover letter or send an email?Large online application systems, also known as applicant tracking systems (ATS) are a big part of the modern job search. If you come across these, there are certain things you can do to maximize your application.Complete every field. Try to include any info that would normally be in your cover letter in the fields offered by the ATS.Upload a portable document format if possible. Make sure it includes both your cover letterandyour resume in one PDF.Find someone at the company who can also give your cover letter and resume to the hiring manager. Youll still have to submit your application through the ATS. But, by getting your resume and cover letter in the hands of the hiring manager, youre much more likely to have a human being read your well-prepared documents.Check out all the details in the article, Applicant Tracking Systems The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.Q What are the pros and cons of follow-up communications once an application has been made?Following up is an excellent way to make your job application stand out and move along in the hiring process, and its something that many job seekers are scared to do. As long as th e job description doesnt explicitly say No follow-ups or No phone calls/emails, its absolutely fine to follow up on your applications.There arent really any cons to following up, but there are a lot of pros. You can reiterate your interest in the job point out your best qualifications once again include any additional info you wish youd mentioned in your application. And making contact with a human being at the company makes it more likely your application will be seriously considered.Learn several different follow-up methods in the article, How to Follow Up on Job Applications.Q Id prefer to send/email a resume and cover letter but some jobs require applicants to register and fill out long applications through an online system that takes forever. Is there a way around this without the employer thinking you are lazy and dont want to register and spend time filling out online applications?If an employer requires that you fill out an online application, they will probably not consider your application unless youve done so. Most employers require this because they want to be ritterlich to all applicants by having them apply in the same manner and submit the same information, and because it helps them keep metrics related to recruitment and hiring.Companies also use their online application system to scan your materials for keywords that match the job description, so its vital to fill these out fully and correctly. Learn how to optimize your resume for an applicant tracking system.Questions about Skills and ExperienceQ What do you suggest when you are looking for a change in career direction? Often you dont have experience in your target industry. How do you get your resume looked at and seriously considered?Two words transferable skills. Transferable skills are the skills you have that can be used in multiple job settings (or transferred across a variety of jobs). Common examples of transferable skills include written and verbal communication, data analysis, rese arch, sales or marketing, public speaking, relationship management, project management, problem-solving, and collaborating with teammates.Consider the work youve done in the past. What kinds of skills did you gain in those jobs that can be used in other career fields? You want to frame your previous experience in a way that employers in new career fields will recognize and think, Oh okay, I can see how this experience would be good for my jobFor details on using transferable skills in your resumes and cover letters, check out, How to Demonstrate Transferable Skills on Your Resume.Q What is the importance of professional certifications? Are they sought out by employers? Do they give you a significant advantage?Depending on the industry, these can be very important. Especially for computer and information technology jobs, these are almost always required and they can be more important than a college degree.Do some research on your target employers and job titles. Read job descriptions in your industry to see if any employers mention certifications as being required or recommended, and thatll give you an idea of how important they are to your particular industry.You might also start a conversation by posting about this topic on LinkedIn. Ask your connections to weigh in on which certifications have been the most helpful in their careers, or which ones they dont feel were worthwhile.TAKE A SKILLS TESTQuestions about Resume Gaps, Discrimination, and Other Job Search DifficultiesQ Do you have practical, specific suggestions for how to address a break in employment due to illness? Im completely recuperated and highly skilled, but have a 10-year spotty section.During that spotty section, is there anything you can include on your resume to help fill in the gaps? All sorts of experiences can count taking classes, attending professional events, volunteering, and part-time or temporary work.Also, in your cover letter, you can include one line that quickly explains that yo u were attending to an illness during that time, but that youre completely recuperated and excited to get back to work. If the application system wont allow you to submit a cover letter, add this to your resume file and submit both at once to make sure employers arent wondering about the reason for the gap.For even more detailed advice, here are some advice articles that address this very issueHow to Re-Enter the Workforce After a BreakLooking for Work During or After Illness (from CancerAndCareers.org, but very applicable for anyone dealing with any illness)Q What about getting past the various prejudices that hiring agents have like age discrimination, not being local, being out of work for a while, being an introvert, not having an EXACT match of skills, etc.?When it comes to these types of biases or discrimination in the hiring process, its important to think about the underlying fears recruiters and hiring managers have. For example, with ageism, theyre usually concerned that y ou wont be able to keep up with all the new information or technology needed, or that youll have too much experience or not want to do work that is below your level. While the general problem of ageism is hard to combat, when you consider the specific underlying concerns an employer might have, you can then strategically address those concerns during your job searchHere are some guides to get around these different types of bias in your job searchVideo How to Deal with Ageism in Your Job SearchHow to Successfully Navigate Job Search Ageism8 Ways to Learn New Skills Online11 Skills Youll Need in the Future WorkplaceTake Over 100 Free Job Skills Tests as a MemberQ I have been out of the job market for a while, but I have kept current with technology. What is the best way to become up to date with my job skills?Great question There are a number of ways to update your skills. If youre a member, you can take our skills tests to see where you might be lacking. You can also read job descri ptions to get a sense of which skills are the most important in your field today.Once you know which skills you should update, here are some specific ways to build your skillsOnline courses to learn the latest software programs, industry standards, and moreCommunity education courses for quick skill buildingCollege coursework or earning a full degree for more in-depth studyApprenticeships, internships, orexternshipsPart-time jobs or volunteeringFor even more ideas, we have several related articles Learn New Skills to Get a New Job, 5 Must-Have Skills for the Future of Telecommuting Jobs, and Why Skills Testing Can Help Your Job Search.Q I have a question about degrees and working remotely. What if you are working on your degree and have several years of work experience- how can you stand out within your job search without a college degree?First, you definitely want to mention that you are working towards your degree on your resume, profile, LinkedIn page, etc. For example, under you r Education section, you might write, bachelors degree in communications, expected December 2020 or Coursework completed towards bachelors degree in accounting.You might also list some of the courses youve completed, especially if they are highly related to the jobs you want. If youve done any large projects as a part of your coursework, those can be mentioned as well. Include details about the scope of the project, whether you collaborated with other classmates or professors, and the outcome of your work.And because you have a lot of experience, on your online profiles and resumes, use the Summary sections to express your experience over your education.SEARCH FOR A FLEXIBLE JOBTo see more common questions asked during webinars - and answers - check out the articles belowAnswers to 8 Common Questions about UsingAnswers to 4 Common Questions about Flexible Jobs and Job SearchingAnswers to 11 Common Questions about Resumes and Cover LettersAnswers to 3 Common Questions About Job Sea rching for Older Workers