The Only Skill That Really Matters

The Only Skill That Really Matters I bet if you thought about this long enough, you could come up with the same idea.  But instead of asking you to guess, Ill just tell you what Matt Charney suggests it is.  In his post, The Only Skill That Really Matters for Recruiting and Sourcing, Matt suggests the skill is learning agility. Read his post to get the gist of his message. I have been immersed over my adult life with learning.  In the olden days, learning has meant you go to school and get some quantification (like a degree) that you learned. When I started my career in information technology, there was a lot of buzz about the uselessness of IT certifications. I heard more than once that someone had a certification, because they went to an intense week-long certification boot camp, but they didnt even know how to turn a server on. Book learning, and classroom learning, didnt prepare them to actually do the job. I have my MBA from Idaho State University, but I dont credit hardly any part of my career success to (1) having an MBA (2) from ISU.  The best thing about having an MBA is that I dont have to wonder if Id be a better entrepreneur or businessman if I were to have an MBA.  I can check that off the list, and move on.  That was a very expensive (with regard to time and money) checkmark. Im not saying that classroom, or school, learning is completely useless. Ill let smarter pontificators talk about that.  Id like to argue, like Matt, that there is a skill that we can, that we should, have, that can impact our success in many areas of our life. Agility is defined as the ability to be quick and graceful with regard to learning new things. Or, to learn things quickly and easily. Can that happen only in school? NO, of course not.  It can happen from reading magazines, books, blogs, etc.  It can happen by talking to people who have expertise in an area that you dont.  It can happen by hanging out with people who are smarter than you are. It can happen by exercising your curiosity muscle, self-discipline, and being more creative. Learning is a life-long skill that we need to embrace. Many years ago, before I was settled on a major, a friend of mine said I should go into programming, or IT, because I would get to learn new things every day. I was not excited about that because it mean if I wasnt learning new things, I would fall behind.  My plan, at that point, was to major in business and Spanish, two things that didnt change a whole lot (at least, not every single day).  Fate happened, and I majored in Computer Information Systems, and got a job as a web developer. The rest, as they say, is history. And here I am, learning new things every single day. I have my favorite magazines, I fit in a few classics each year (Im finishing Tale of Two Cities, by Dickens), and I read blogs and such with a voracious appetite. I think when when Matt is talking about learning agility, hes specifically referring to learning certain things quickly and easily, but I think that being curious and hungry for information, or for truth (one of Pluralsights three pillars is that they are truth seekers), involves any learning. As we learn how to learn, we can apply learning techniques to what our day job, or career, is. Its a life skill that can help us adjust as the world, the market, and our day job adjusts, evolves and changes. Thats one reason why I spend time with Pluralsight (and you can too).  This, in my mind, is the new learning. Its one reason why I muscle my way through some of the classics that dont grab me, and dont seem interesting.  I once picked up a classic that I put down, in disgust, after 185 pages. I only had about 1,200 more pages to finish the book, but I just couldnt read another page.  Three months later, I picked it up again, and loved the rest of the book.  I remember the part in the unabridged version of Les Mis, going through the sewers, thinking do we really need this many pages of walking through the sewer? SERIOUSLY? But something happens when you read, and learn, and discipline yourself.  Something magical. When you finish those books you can say I DID IT.  I can read Dickens. I can read Hugo. I can read Shakespeare.  So when I get a new project at work, and I have to do something, by golly, I CAN DO IT.  Figuring out my current project at work is not as hard as figuring out why a Shakespeare play is important, classic, or even what the plot is. This, my friends, is exercising your learning muscles.  This is how you become an agile learner.  Quick and easy, quick a graceful as you want to learn, and you practice learning, youll improve your ability to be an agile learner.  And this might be the most important skill that will serve you through the rest of your career. Dont you agree? The Only Skill That Really Matters I bet if you thought about this long enough, you could come up with the same idea.  But instead of asking you to guess, Ill just tell you what Matt Charney suggests it is.  In his post, The Only Skill That Really Matters for Recruiting and Sourcing, Matt suggests the skill is learning agility. Read his post to get the gist of his message. I have been immersed over my adult life with learning.  In the olden days, learning has meant you go to school and get some quantification (like a degree) that you learned. When I started my career in information technology, there was a lot of buzz about the uselessness of IT certifications. I heard more than once that someone had a certification, because they went to an intense week-long certification boot camp, but they didnt even know how to turn a server on. Book learning, and classroom learning, didnt prepare them to actually do the job. I have my MBA from Idaho State University, but I dont credit hardly any part of my career success to (1) having an MBA (2) from ISU.  The best thing about having an MBA is that I dont have to wonder if Id be a better entrepreneur or businessman if I were to have an MBA.  I can check that off the list, and move on.  That was a very expensive (with regard to time and money) checkmark. Im not saying that classroom, or school, learning is completely useless. Ill let smarter pontificators talk about that.  Id like to argue, like Matt, that there is a skill that we can, that we should, have, that can impact our success in many areas of our life. Agility is defined as the ability to be quick and graceful with regard to learning new things. Or, to learn things quickly and easily. Can that happen only in school? NO, of course not.  It can happen from reading magazines, books, blogs, etc.  It can happen by talking to people who have expertise in an area that you dont.  It can happen by hanging out with people who are smarter than you are. It can happen by exercising your curiosity muscle, self-discipline, and being more creative. Learning is a life-long skill that we need to embrace. Many years ago, before I was settled on a major, a friend of mine said I should go into programming, or IT, because I would get to learn new things every day. I was not excited about that because it mean if I wasnt learning new things, I would fall behind.  My plan, at that point, was to major in business and Spanish, two things that didnt change a whole lot (at least, not every single day).  Fate happened, and I majored in Computer Information Systems, and got a job as a web developer. The rest, as they say, is history. And here I am, learning new things every single day. I have my favorite magazines, I fit in a few classics each year (Im finishing Tale of Two Cities, by Dickens), and I read blogs and such with a voracious appetite. I think when when Matt is talking about learning agility, hes specifically referring to learning certain things quickly and easily, but I think that being curious and hungry for information, or for truth (one of Pluralsights three pillars is that they are truth seekers), involves any learning. As we learn how to learn, we can apply learning techniques to what our day job, or career, is. Its a life skill that can help us adjust as the world, the market, and our day job adjusts, evolves and changes. Thats one reason why I spend time with Pluralsight (and you can too).  This, in my mind, is the new learning. Its one reason why I muscle my way through some of the classics that dont grab me, and dont seem interesting.  I once picked up a classic that I put down, in disgust, after 185 pages. I only had about 1,200 more pages to finish the book, but I just couldnt read another page.  Three months later, I picked it up again, and loved the rest of the book.  I remember the part in the unabridged version of Les Mis, going through the sewers, thinking do we really need this many pages of walking through the sewer? SERIOUSLY? But something happens when you read, and learn, and discipline yourself.  Something magical. When you finish those books you can say I DID IT.  I can read Dickens. I can read Hugo. I can read Shakespeare.  So when I get a new project at work, and I have to do something, by golly, I CAN DO IT.  Figuring out my current project at work is not as hard as figuring out why a Shakespeare play is important, classic, or even what the plot is. This, my friends, is exercising your learning muscles.  This is how you become an agile learner.  Quick and easy, quick a graceful as you want to learn, and you practice learning, youll improve your ability to be an agile learner.  And this might be the most important skill that will serve you through the rest of your career. Dont you agree? The Only Skill That Really Matters I bet if you thought about this long enough, you could come up with the same idea.  But instead of asking you to guess, Ill just tell you what Matt Charney suggests it is.  In his post, The Only Skill That Really Matters for Recruiting and Sourcing, Matt suggests the skill is learning agility. Read his post to get the gist of his message. I have been immersed over my adult life with learning.  In the olden days, learning has meant you go to school and get some quantification (like a degree) that you learned. When I started my career in information technology, there was a lot of buzz about the uselessness of IT certifications. I heard more than once that someone had a certification, because they went to an intense week-long certification boot camp, but they didnt even know how to turn a server on. Book learning, and classroom learning, didnt prepare them to actually do the job. I have my MBA from Idaho State University, but I dont credit hardly any part of my career success to (1) having an MBA (2) from ISU.  The best thing about having an MBA is that I dont have to wonder if Id be a better entrepreneur or businessman if I were to have an MBA.  I can check that off the list, and move on.  That was a very expensive (with regard to time and money) checkmark. Im not saying that classroom, or school, learning is completely useless. Ill let smarter pontificators talk about that.  Id like to argue, like Matt, that there is a skill that we can, that we should, have, that can impact our success in many areas of our life. Agility is defined as the ability to be quick and graceful with regard to learning new things. Or, to learn things quickly and easily. Can that happen only in school? NO, of course not.  It can happen from reading magazines, books, blogs, etc.  It can happen by talking to people who have expertise in an area that you dont.  It can happen by hanging out with people who are smarter than you are. It can happen by exercising your curiosity muscle, self-discipline, and being more creative. Learning is a life-long skill that we need to embrace. Many years ago, before I was settled on a major, a friend of mine said I should go into programming, or IT, because I would get to learn new things every day. I was not excited about that because it mean if I wasnt learning new things, I would fall behind.  My plan, at that point, was to major in business and Spanish, two things that didnt change a whole lot (at least, not every single day).  Fate happened, and I majored in Computer Information Systems, and got a job as a web developer. The rest, as they say, is history. And here I am, learning new things every single day. I have my favorite magazines, I fit in a few classics each year (Im finishing Tale of Two Cities, by Dickens), and I read blogs and such with a voracious appetite. I think when when Matt is talking about learning agility, hes specifically referring to learning certain things quickly and easily, but I think that being curious and hungry for information, or for truth (one of Pluralsights three pillars is that they are truth seekers), involves any learning. As we learn how to learn, we can apply learning techniques to what our day job, or career, is. Its a life skill that can help us adjust as the world, the market, and our day job adjusts, evolves and changes. Thats one reason why I spend time with Pluralsight (and you can too).  This, in my mind, is the new learning. Its one reason why I muscle my way through some of the classics that dont grab me, and dont seem interesting.  I once picked up a classic that I put down, in disgust, after 185 pages. I only had about 1,200 more pages to finish the book, but I just couldnt read another page.  Three months later, I picked it up again, and loved the rest of the book.  I remember the part in the unabridged version of Les Mis, going through the sewers, thinking do we really need this many pages of walking through the sewer? SERIOUSLY? But something happens when you read, and learn, and discipline yourself.  Something magical. When you finish those books you can say I DID IT.  I can read Dickens. I can read Hugo. I can read Shakespeare.  So when I get a new project at work, and I have to do something, by golly, I CAN DO IT.  Figuring out my current project at work is not as hard as figuring out why a Shakespeare play is important, classic, or even what the plot is. This, my friends, is exercising your learning muscles.  This is how you become an agile learner.  Quick and easy, quick a graceful as you want to learn, and you practice learning, youll improve your ability to be an agile learner.  And this might be the most important skill that will serve you through the rest of your career. Dont you agree?

Using Resume Writing Services To Write Your Resume

Using Resume Writing Services To Write Your ResumeIf you are someone who has worked on a resume for a long time and are not satisfied with what you have written then there is a good chance that you may want to look into resume writing services in the Clarksville TN area. If you don't feel comfortable writing your own resume then having someone write it for you will make it easier for you. Since so many people find it so hard to do all of the work on their own, it is always best to get help.If you have worked for someone else in the past, it is often times harder to write your own resume than it is to write one for yourself. Not only is the writing process more difficult but it can also be harder to convey your message to a potential employer. As you read through the resume that is submitted for your consideration, take a moment to take a look at it from your prospective employer's perspective. You may be surprised to see how much you really know about your field of employment.With so many people looking for a job today, the job search is no longer a guessing game. When you are looking for a job today, you must be more than just your skill set or degree. If you want to increase your chances of landing that new job, your resume needs to be written with you as the target audience in mind.Resume writing services can help you make sure that you have everything written the way you would like it to be. They can create your resume in the format that you would like, or they can use a template that you will be given and you can customize it to fit your own needs. The writer can make a presentation to you about your specific job role. This can help you understand exactly what it is that you are looking for when it comes to being hired for this position.One of the things that you will find that most of the service providers will tell you is that they cannot guarantee that you will land the job that you are looking for. When you read through their resume writing service pro posals you will find that there are several qualifications that they feel you must meet. However, you should know that there are many companies that will not guarantee anything, even if you are in a similar situation to where you are trying to land a job.Each person's resume should be different than the next, but not in the sense that they all have to be similar. Being able to customize your resume can be very helpful when you are looking for a job. As you will soon find out, your resume is the first impression that a company will have about you. It is very important that you present your skills and abilities in a positive light so that you can stand out from the rest of the competition.When you compare different resume writing services you will find that some of them can offer very similar services for a discounted price. There are many services out there that are willing to give you some great discounts. Sometimes it is better to use a service that offers services similar to yours in order to get the best deal.So why pay a little more for a service provider that will help you to fill in your gaps in information? You can find a great number of service providers in the Clarksville TN area that are eager to take your resume off your hands and get it out on the market so that it can help to get you the job that you need. Resume writing services can provide you with a professional looking resume that will get you an interview for the right position.

How to Create Your Freedom Plan - Classy Career Girl

How to Create Your Freedom Plan First of all THANK YOU so much for the amazing response to Video 1. I cant believe that we have had over 100 people register and so many comments below the video. I loved reading each and every one. It was so exciting to hear what you learned and identify what mistakes we’ve all made in the past, so we can avoid them in the future! Ive got exciting news Video 2 is now live! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR VIDEO 2: How to Create Your Freedom Plan   Inside Video 2 youll discover: • How to develop your exit strategy from your day job • The answer to the #1 money problem that new entrepreneurs face •  How to set your 2015 business goals like youve never set them before (in a way that makes achieving them fun and easy!) I will also walk you through my 90-Day Freedom Plan and show you how to overcome the fear of failure. You are going to love the beautiful 90-Day Freedom Planner Workbook I designed for you as well!   Then, Ill show you how one of my previous clients, Carolina, used my step-by-step Freedom Plan to land 2 new clients, increase her confidence and get her new business off the ground. THESE STORIES ARE POWERFUL! Make sure you go HERE and watch it now. These videos will only be up for a few more days! The clock is ticking. Enjoy! To Your Success, Anna P.S. If you missed Video 1 you can go back and register to watch it HERE. After you watch the video you will be able to identify what mistakes you are making as a new business owner and what you need to do to create a business you love in 2015.

The 20 Habits of Truly Brilliant Presenters

The 20 Habits of Truly Brilliant Presenters So youve gotten the routine for meetings down pretty well.  You know how to use online meeting resources  and your meeting  presentation skills in those settings is improving all the time.  But what if your company called upon you to deliver an address to a major corporate or industry meeting?  Would you be up to the task? Such opportunities come up more often than some might imagine.  And they are perfect for showcasing your talents in ways few other opportunities can.  The last thing you want to do is screw up.  And, you dont want to decline the invitation, because it may not come again for a long time. Probably one of the best known and most admired presenters in recent times is Steve Jobs. If youve ever listened to him, you know its a pretty sure thing youre going to come away inspired.  Part of what makes his presentations so captivating is his ability to connect with the audience.  And part is his mastery of the art of storytelling.  If you havent seen it, take a look at what is probably his most famous presentation.  Its here for your convenience. If youd like to look more into the art of storytelling, theres a recent and informative publication worthy of a look.  The Storytellers Secret by Carmine Gallo is a short course in the finer points of presenting and storytelling.  Meanwhile, take a look at this concise infographic for twenty pocket size tips to hone your skills and help you be ready to say yes when the boss gives the call to deliver.

Write a Cover Letter and Make a Resume Look Good

Write a Cover Letter and Make a Resume Look GoodA cover letter is a common section of resume that many people write. A cover letter is a short written introduction about yourself to your prospective employer. You also need to be able to know how to write a good cover letter. Here are some tips for you to learn more.The first thing you should do is to consider your personal information. Including your name, contact information and your email address. These are important to have in your cover letter so that your personal information will be included in the resume. And a formal cover letter will always need to include your name at the end of the paragraph.When writing a cover letter, you should first think about your work experience. The writing style should be formal or informal depending on what type of job you are applying for. It is important to keep the point you want to make clearly to your potential employer in the beginning of the letter. You must make sure that the letter is wr itten with professionalism.You should consider your presentation as well as your communication to your potential employer in order to achieve a professional appearance. By being confident in your appearance, you will give an impression that you are serious in finding a job. This could increase your chances of getting a job. You should try to put your best foot forward when writing a cover letter. This will improve your chances of success.Do not forget to include your resume to your cover letter. This is a part of your resume. Having a good letter could get you a job. A very good letter may even get you an interview. If you do not include your resume, it is better to include it so that your prospective employer will know what you already have.Include a positive statement in your cover letter. It is better to include a positive statement than it is to add a negative statement to your resume. This is because it will create an impression that you are not interested in working for them. It will make you appear unprofessional and you will not get the job.Writing a cover letter is an interesting aspect of writing resumes. It can be very simple to write if you know how to write a good one. You can use the samples you have on the internet to help you. There are many websites that will help you write a great cover letter. You can get ideas from there too.It is important to learn how to write a good cover letter. It is your first introduction to your prospective employer. You should get all the information and details about yourself in your resume and then you can start writing a good cover letter. This is important so that you can get hired.

5 Tips to Help You Get the Career You Deserve - CareerAlley

5 Tips to Help You Get the Career You Deserve - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Many people are unsatisfied in their careers, and this can be for a multitude of reasons. If you are currently unsatisfied, it may be because you feel undervalued, you are performing tasks that you do not enjoy, or because you feel that you deserve to earn more. If you are unhappy in your job for any reason, dont just put up with it. Instead, do something about it. You can start taking positive steps today to get the career that you deserve. Heres how. 1. Analyze Your Options Start by creating a list of things of things that you really want to get from a career. Think about factors including the setting, tasks, purpose, and salary. Would you prefer to work in a team or alone? In an office or outdoors? Nine-to-five hours or flexible hours. You need to know what you want from a job before you can go out and get it. Dont know what you want? Then ask yourself what you are good at. Look at your own talents and experience, and try to focus on what you are passionate about. You will get a better idea about what you are really looking for, then when an opportunity comes along you can go out and get it. 2. Consider Career Coaching A session with a career coach can be an excellent way to get some more direction in your search for the ideal career. Talk over your options with a career specialist and you could find that they alert you to possibilities that you had not previously considered. They could also provide you with a source of inspiration to give you the boost that you need. 3. Research Positions After this, you may have a better idea about the type of job or industry that you want to get involved in. Once you find something that looks interesting, make sure you research it carefully. It is very easy to assume that a career is perfect for you without finding out what it actually involves, so make it your aim to find out more about the job by asking people who are already working in the industry. Find out how they got to where they are, and ask for their advice. You may decide that it is not really for you after all. 4. Get Trained Up Never dismiss the idea of investing time and money in further training in order to get the job that you really want. Dont assume that because you dont have the right training you cannot do the job. Training can be a great idea, so look into vocational courses and online training options because these could open many more doors for you. 5. Always Demand More If you are not happy in your career, you can always change it. Do not put up with a job where you feel undervalued or your job satisfaction couldnt get any lower. Follow the steps above to start the process of searching for something that suits you better. Remember to always look for new opportunities and constantly demand more, and soon you will find yourself in a career that you really deserve. Career Tip of the Day:Six Simple Reasons Your Job Hunt May Be Unsuccessful Suggested Reading:Promote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

A Job Seekers Guide to Memorial Day Weekend

A Job Seekers Guide to Memorial Day Weekend Summer is almost officially here.   It is time to polish your white shoes and iron your white pants!   While some of you might be wondering how we got here so quickly well, as the saying goes, time flies when youre having fun. (Just a tad of sarcasm here.) Memorial Day weekend is generally filled with barbeques, picnics, parades and gatherings.   This provides ample opportunity to get out of your house and be around people.   It isnt too late start scheduling your long-weekend plans.   Here are some thoughts to get you started. ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS: Volunteer to help a Veterans group March in your local parade Set up a pre-parade or post-parade gathering at your house Check out your local paper for happenings and events and attend one Invite friends or neighbors over for a last minute cookout- BYOB (Bring your own burger) is perfectly acceptable Reach out and touch someone- call a family member or friend you havent spoken to in awhile. Golf anyone? Or maybe take in a baseball game? How about a sailing regatta?   Tennis tournaments? Either participate or spectate! *If you really want to host a picnic, but you ran out of time, 4th of July is just around the corner, you could start planning that now. Obviously, it goes without saying, youll need to be ready to build relationships (old and new) and have conversations. Have these things ready: Your business cards (you dont want to be scrambling for a piece of paper to write your email address on) Your elevator pitch or whatever you call it The names of 5-10 target companies you would like to work for/pursue Conversation Currency (As Keith Ferrazzi calls it) in other words, know something about current events, industry news, local happenings/issues Good casual clothes (I know, it seems trivial/frivolous, however, you want to look your best, first impressions do make a difference) And by the way, it is perfectly ok to say you are looking for your next great opportunity (positive outlook) Being unemployed is a reality, not a stigma Any other ideas or suggestions before the weekend begins?   What are your plans for Memorial Day?   How are you going to incorporate job search into the weekend?