8 interview questions when applying to a call center -The JobNetwork

8 interview questions when applying to a call center -The JobNetworkWhether they take orders or offer customer service, call centers are all fairly similar. So there are a number of common questions you can expect to be asked when interviewing for a call center job. Here are 8 to anticipate, along with some suggestions for how to answer them. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Can you tell me about yourself?How to Answer It Emphasize your people skills, since call center work involves talking to people all day. If youve ever done volunteer work, now would be a good time to talk about how much you love it. Just be sure to give a fleshed-out answer. The interviewer wants to know mora than the kind of information that is already on your resume. Go deeper than your basic statistics.2. What do you think a call center is like?How to Answer It Stay positive Maybe taking calls all day is not your ideal job, but if you really want this one, you n eed to describe a call center as an environment of excellent customer service with employees who are flexible, cheerful, and extremely helpful.3. What do you know about our company?How to Answer It Before going on your interview, do a little research about the company for which you are interviewing. Being able to rattle off a few details about the company in very positive terms reveals an attention to detail, a team-player spirit, and a willingness to do your homework. Not having a substantial response signals that you dont take getting this job very seriously.4. Question Why do you want to work here?How to Answer It Explain that you have the people skills necessary for call center work. If you dont have call center experienceand you probably wont if you are asked this particular questiondescribe your other work or life experiences relevant to call center work. If youve ever worked with customers or clients before, or ever had to defuse potentially explosive situations, you should m ention such experiences in your response.5. What is quality customer service?How to Answer It Theres really only one answer to this question Going above and beyond expectations is quality customer service.6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?How to Answer It This is a common question in any job interview. If youre trying to get a call center job, your strengths should include patience, problem-solving, excellent communication skills, fast learning, and friendliness. Discussing your weaknesses can be a sly way to further emphasize your strengths. For example, you can offer I tend to work myself too hard as a weakness. Just dont mention anything too negative.7. What is the salary you expect to make here?How to Answer It Ideally, you would just request the standard salary for someone with your qualifications rather than a specific figure. If the interviewer asks for a specific figure, keep it reasonable without aiming too low or you may end up making less than you deserve. Do some research to find out how much someone with your qualifications should earn at a call center.8. Where do you see yourself in five years?How to Answer It This common question is a way to find out if you plan to stick around or regard the job as a temporary steppingstone. A company is not going to want to hire you if you plan to move on quickly, so tell the interviewer that in five years you see yourself working for this very companybut promoted to a more powerful position

How to be an Effective Business Mentor

How to be an Effective Business ratgeber There seems be a misconception among managers about supervision. They often feel that it is a part of a natural process of management, where through daily communications, coaching and feedback, employees are automatically being beratered. In actuality, mentoring requires a more formal approach, which has, as its objective, the improvement of managerial know-how. It should prepare the recipient to take on greater responsibilities within the company, and evaluate how far they can rise in the hierarchical structure of the organization.Mentoring is how any company should prepare for an eventual replacement of the key members of the organization, including the owner and founder. Without a plan, program, commitment of time and a strong belief that mentoring, at every level of the organization, is necessary for the survival of a company, it will be nothing more than a haphazard process without tangible benefits. Small geschftlicher umganges are often highly negligent in using mentoring as a succession strategy. There are certain proven approaches to effective mentoring that can be duplicated by any business.Every manager should mentorMost managers, holding a functional position within a company, have been, in some way or form, guided by others. This may have been a formal or informal process, which nevertheless led to the acquisition of skills and knowledge necessary to have reached a higher level of responsibility. It is to every good managers advantage to find a potential replacement for their position, because it frees them up to move on to other challenges. It can be also seen as a form of reciprocation for the benefits they received from others, who have taken the time to help them raise their game. Taking a protectionist stand, and not passing on what has been learned to others, is a sign of weakness that will undermine the productivity of the manager and the department which they lead.Be honest in your evaluationBe aware when trying to mentor a budding entrepreneur that they may be overly obsessed with their business ideas and concepts. You do not do such an individual any favors by being uncritical of at least some aspects of their business acumen. There are always some flaws in the thinking and concepts of even the most intelligent and creative individuals. Good mentors will find the gaps and use their deeper knowledge to make the other party take corrective action. Sometimes an honest opinion may involve character traits that are negatively impacting progress. While, in this case, a diplomatic approach is needed, it is nevertheless important that it be aired out.Be humbleThe worst kind of mentor is one that pretends that they know it all, and approaches the process from an arrogant and intemperate perspective. Mentoring involves give-and-take, particularly where new ideas and creative breakthroughs are concerned. Using a light touch, and respecting the opinion of the other party, is always a bet ter way to implant useful knowledge. In this type of interactive context both parties can learn from each other.Be genuineMentoring has to be based on a genuine willingness to help the recipients improve their business knowledge or ideas in some tangible way. They have to be convinced that the information being provided is well-intended, and that the mentor is fully committed to their eventual success. A halfhearted approach to mentoring sends the wrong message, and brings no plausible changes.Provide detailsWhen information is restricted to generalities and platitudes, it is bereft of any real substance. The benefit is in the detail. Taking the time to break down business theory or practice into specific and practical applications provides lasting mentoring benefits. More complex topics such as financial controls require greater detail and real life context in which they can be better understood. This boils down to having a preconceived mentoring plan and agenda that systematically provides more enlightenment.Check inThere is no point in offering reams of information and not checking in on a regular basis to see if that information is being absorbed. This is accomplished by having the recipient summarize the imparted information show that they are capable of paraphrasing it when asked pose intelligent questions on the covered topics and extrapolate on the content with their own creative ideas. Never assume that they have absorbed the information until you verify this. Keep in mind that you may be dealing with introverted personalities, who do not easily express themselves, and have to be drawn out.Know the recipients SWIt seems logical that, before you can mentor anyone, it is indispensable to know their strengths and weaknesses (SW). This is to be viewed both from the business perspective, and on a personal level. A person may be a natural schlussverkauf person and have strong practical knowledge and experience in marketing, but have a poor knowledge of fina ncial controls. It is clear in this situation where the mentoring focus should be. From a personality side, a brash and cocky individual must be handled differently from one who is more self-reflective and analytical. It is helpful to draw up an SW profile and keep it in mind when devising suitable mentoring strategies.George Mikituk is an independent small business consultant and business owner with a mission to help entrepreneurs improve their management skills. He has recently written a book featuring a DIY approach to small business restructuring, available on Amazon. Hisprofessional websiteand blogs are dedicated to providing practical solutions and insights to small business.This article originally appeared on MyCorporation.

Recent Grads Opt In to Lifelong Learning

Recent Grads Opt In to Lifelong Learning Youre sitting in the lobby, waiting for the interview to start, reflecting oneverything you learned over these last four years while in college. Youve mastered everything about accounting and business that you could learn from a professor and a textbook. Youve graduated. Its time to land a job and apply what you know in the real world. Youll rely on these saatkorn skills for the entire course of your career.The scene Ive painted may have been the reality three decades ago, but those days are over. Now, we must all foster in ourselves and in others a desire for lifelong learning. We have to opt in to our future careers by learning the digital skills that will keep us relevant in the current and future workforce.By 2020, there will be an estimated one million more computing jobs than applicants who can fill them. The scary truth is the skill sets top employerslook for are evolving rapidly as business leaders feel more pressure than ever to hire people who can help their organizations adapt with agility and speed.To make matters worse, very few of the students graduating from colleges and universities today have the skills employers are looking for.At the heart of the gap between what companies need and what talent can offer are digital and tech skills. World Economic Forum recently reported that computer literacy is now considered a prerequisite for almost all professions. By 2021, 67 percent of US executives expect to choose job candidates with data skills over those without, yet only 23 percent of educators believe their students will graduate with these essential analytical skills. Furthermore, nearly 60 percent of employers say it is common for applicants to lack the tech skills important for long-term career success.So, you graduated without these skills. Does that mean your chance of a career at the Big Four or anywhere else is over?Not exactly. The good nachrichten is there are tools and programs available that make this education accessible, even after graduation. For example, at PwC we have created resources our people can leverage to further their digital learning on their own time, based on their own needs.Digital Fitness, for example, is a mobile app we developed to upskill our own staff, and now our clients are using it, too. Through the app, an employee can take a brief assessment to identify strengths and areas of focus for digital training. The app also directs users to personalized learning recommendations, granting access to more than 300 courses, videos, and whitepapers ontopics like design thinking, cybersecurity, blockchain, user experience, and artificial intelligence.Digital Fitness was created as part of our Digital Workforce Transformation initiative, which aims to prepare people for the future in response to a business environment that is becoming increasingly digital, and it is just one example of the many resources employers offer that grad uates can take advantage of to diversify their skill sets as they enter the workforce.If I can leave todays graduates with any piece of advice, its this Get creative about learning. Become comfortable operating in an environment where you dont always know whats coming next year or next month. The ability to act nimbly to address change as it comes will be an invaluable skill in your future career.Rod Adams is the PwC US talent acquisition leader.

Why The Masters is actually the most zen sporting event we all need

Why The Masters is actually the most zen sporting event we all needWhy The Masters is actually the most zen sporting event we all needIf theres a golf course in heaven, I hope its like Augusta National. I just dont want an early aufgussgetrnk time. Gary PlayerNo phones allowed. Those three words are one of the scariest combinations out there after anything pertaining to forced violence and Tonights feature film stars Carrot Top. But unfortunately, in this modern and way-too-connected world, the thought of not being able to use your phone for an extended period of time or even just stare and touch it is a daunting one.When I knew I would be attending The Masters, the most famous golf tournament in the world, I had heard that this relic was true. I wasnt upset, as I knew this was an opportunity to experience one of the greatest sporting events in history, but I was a little scared to be without my phone for the majority of the day.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHowever, when I got to the course and headed towards Amen Corner I noticed something amazing peoples heads were up. They were looking around at this poetically beautiful golf course and not at their phones. No one was concerned about updating their Instagram Stories or Snapchat. They were just living life and it was amazing.Also, no one looked mad or angry or frustrated that they couldnt use their phones (the risk of ejection also probably played into that, especially considering tickets cost about $2,500 for a Thursday or Friday badge) but perhaps, relieved and grateful for this forced disconnect.Americans check their phones more than ever an average of 52 times each day, according to the U.S. edition of the 2018 Global Mobile Consumer Survey fromDeloitte. This is up from 47 times per day in 2017. Study after study points to our phone addictions leading to higher rates of depression and anxiety, e specially in adults and children. So to have no choice but to leave the blue screen at home and be surrounded by lush greens and nothing but birds chirping is a pretty meditative experiment (even if you are surrounded by thousands of people in khaki shorts and polos).A walk back in timeThe Augusta National meerbusen Course, founded in the early 1930s by player Bobby Jones, truly lets you walk back in time. In addition to the phone ban, the prices of food are also set like it is 1962. You can have a sandwich for $3. In New York, youd be lucky to get a bite of a bite of a sandwich for $3.You also step back in time because people are actually dressed up for this event. Even though the35,000-40,000 patrons arent actually playing golf, many are dressed like they are and ready to go at any minute. I myself wore a beautiful ensemble by Tory Sport, one of the top designers for womens golf apparel and while surrounded by this cathedral of golf and just magnificent arboretum I did feel like I had been transported.Of course, not all of the walking back in time is great as they only just allowed their first female members Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore in 2012, but this year they did hold their firstAugusta National Womens Amateur.No phone zoneThe point of the phone ban, however, is to keep the focus on the golf and not on other things, like selfies. It is hard to think of another sporting event where every single second isnt documented on social media (except for, maybe, competitive chess.) The Super Bowl is basically one big Instagram post so this is truly something original.And if you really need to speak with someone, you can use the outdoor phone stations on the course which is almost a fun gimmick at this point.And the players appreciate the zeroed-in focus as well. To hear actual applause for good shots, or when you step up on the tee, you dont hear that at tournaments anymore because everyone has their phones up and theyre filming it,Rickie Fowler said at a pr e-tournament event for Mercedes-Benz, one of the only official sponsors for The Masters.Tiger Woods has also said in multiple interviews how nice it was to not have phones involved Its nice, isnt it? You know, its just player and caddie out there playing. Were prepping together, and theres no other distractions inside the ropes.Now, we cant all go to The Masters but we can all put our phones away for a few hours and pretend that if we are caught using them we will get ejected from a golf course.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Why Executives Need Performance Development Plans

Why Executives Need Performance Development PlansWhy Executives Need Performance Development PlansWhen an organization adopts a method for accomplishing a particular goal, one common question deals with whether executives need to participate in the process. In the instance of performance development planning and the resultant document, the Performance Development Plan (PDP), executive leaders are key participants. Executives model how to create a Performance Development Plan (PDP), for their reporting staff. They create the framework from which the goals and expectations of all department members will flow. Executives demonstrate how a performance development planning meeting can fruchtwein effectively proceed to engage, empower, and hold participants accountable for their commitments, accomplishments, and contributions. Executives give reporting staff the courtesy of a periodic time period during which their attention is focused exclusively on the staff persons development, goals, d reams, needs, and accomplishments. Most importantly, performance development planning, documented in an executive PDP, is a method to encourage executives to keep both their accountabilities and their ongoing personal and professional development on the front burner. It is not appropriate for an executive to blame staff members for failure to execute the departmental plan or achieve the team goals. Ultimately, the executive leader is responsible and accountable for all that happens- or not- within their area of responsibility. The PDP documents this process and expectation. So, yes, HR practitioners need to support executive participation in PDPs. Will the PDP of a senior manager look like that of other employees? Not necessarily. But, the fact of its existence and the participation of executives in this critical process is unquestionably significant. After all, why do PDPs exist at all? They exist so employees receive direction in a format that is understandable, measurable, concre te, and that documents accountability,know exactly what is expected of them,are accountable for accomplishing these expectations,continue to grow and develop both their interpersonal and their professional skills,receive periodic focused and personal attention and feedback about their performance from a person who is important to them - their boss, andprovide the company with necessary written documentation about an employees contribution and performance. Keep in mind that, perpetually, the number one reason employees dont do what you want them to do is they dont know for sure what it is that you want them to do. You can binnensee why PDPs might be the answer. Wouldnt you like this concrete framework for your work, too? Story About Executive Participation in Expectations Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, in an executive office of a manufacturing company in Detroit, a CEO asked the proverbial question that executive leaders have been known to ask for all time. He said, Why do I have to do what I ask my people to do? Why dont they just do what I say? It was the first time I encountered the question. And, it was the beginning of my long-term dislike of the expression so often used by managers- my people- think about it for a minute. My people. It came from a man who understood and valued the power of employee engagement and empowerment long before the terms became popular. He hired me to help him figure it out. But, he struggled to run his firm in an empowering, participative manner and sent mixed messages to his employees, because he hoped the rules didnt apply to him. He later sold his firm for a figure in the hundreds of millions to a conglomerate that called all of its employees, associates. The purchasing firm employed a world renown consultant to help integrate the cultures of the companies it purchased long before the words culture or mergers and acquisitions were popularly in use. Its associates (read VPs) had associate on their business car d, but no one forgot for a moment- nor did customers- that they were really the VP of xxx. The conglomerate later went bankrupt, a victim of its overreaching ambition and its failure to execute. My original CEO, the man with the trefflich understanding of the environment that enabled people to contribute? Hes now retired and spends his time at various lake homes, jetting around the world, and organizing golf tournaments in Florida. I tell you this story, one of many from over thirty years of consulting, to emphasize an age-old predicament. Must a CEO and executive leaders do whats good for their employees or should the employees just do what they say? This question remains uppermost in any changes an organization adopts. Must executive leaders walk the talk or does the fact of their approbation abstain them from participation? Lets continue using Performance Development Planning as an example. Do executive leaders need PDPs. Heres why executive leaders need a Performance Development Plan (PDP). Why Executives Need a Performance Development Plan (PDP) Earlier in this article, reasons for executive participation in any change process, and specifically, the PDP, was addressed. Here are additional thoughts about executives and PDPs. Any process is mora powerful, and more powerfully accepted, when executives walk the talk.The PDPs of employees build from and are derived from the goals of the executives PDP. A solid departmental plan, that the executive owns, will serve a similar purpose, but does not accomplish the other goals of the PDP process.The PDPs serve four purposes. They supply written goals and expectations for accomplishment for a quarter to a year time period (department plan).They supply written, developmental goals for participants that cover management development topics that will increase the executives skills in leading and managing people (improve communication transparency, exhibit behaviors that build trust, act as if you have faith that rep orting staff will succeed and remove barriers, provide clear direction with measurable expectations).These management development goals assist the executive to create an environment in which they are able to obtain the best contributions from employees. These skills are developed in management training and development classes and seminars online education via seminars, webinars, podcasts, and articles reading day-to-day practice 360 degree feedback and through coaching and feedback from involved colleagues and bosses. PDP goals enable an executive to focus on his or her overall continuing development, in general. (What new best practices exist for software development? What marketing tactics help a product go viral in social media? What departmental organization is most effective for communication?) These goals might be filled through attendance at conferences, trade shows, state-of-the business senior executive seminars, executive round-tables, reading, and participation in profess ional organizations.Review of PDP goals enables an executive to spend time with their boss discussing the subject that is near and dear to themthemselves. This guarantees interaction four times a year that is focused exclusively on developing an executives strengths and ability to contribute. Through participating in this discussion, the executive learns from their boss, how to model the process- or not- for their own reporting staff. While executives may be reluctant to participate in the performance development planning process, their participation sets the stage and the tone for the acceptance of the process company-wide. If the executive leader has a PDP and he or she meets with reporting managers to develop their PDPs, you can be darn sure that the rest of the employees in the organization will have PDPs, too. And, keep in mind that employees want PDPs. They want to know your expectations they want clarity on what they are supposed to accomplish. They want your time and recogn ition when they achieve their PDP goals. Seems like an organizations universal adoption of and commitment to PDPs is a win for everyone- including your most important constituents- your customers.

18 Songs, Artists, Playlists, Albums to Get You in the Zone at Work

18 Songs, Artists, Playlists, Albums to Get You in the Zone at Work18 Songs, Artists, Playlists, Albums to Get You in the Zone at Work If youre anything like me, good music is an absolute must for a productive day at work. As much as I love my coworkers and our open office space, I often need to retreat to the couch with my trusty over-the-ear headphones if Im really going to get things done. And I know Im not alone - various articles and studies over the year have supported the idea that listening to music helps you work better and faster than if you listen to nothing at all. But which music is the best to listen to if you really want to hit your stride?We reached out to readers, career experts, and professionals from all walks of life to hear what helps them zero in and focus at work. Whether youre a fan of classical, hip hop, instrumental, rock, or anything in between, theres bound to be something that suits your musical taste and work style - read on for t he ultimate work playlist.1. Ill start off with my own nothing gets me through the day like the Vitamin String Quartet channel on Pandora . They perform orchestral covers of popular bands like Lady Gaga, Green Day, Michael Jackson, and more. The familiar tunes keep me engaged, but there are no lyrics to distract me - nothing worse than accidentally sending an email with Drake lyrics instead of the update you were supposed to be sharing.2. Pink Floyds The Dark Side of the Moon is the ultimate album to work to (in my experience). On the surface, its a relaxing album that wont interfere too much with your work rhythm. But if you pause for a moment and find yourself listening to the lyrics, it becomes a very deep and inspiring album that can help me get out of any ruts Im stuck in. I find it very powerful. Max Robinson, WeSwap3. One of my favorite genres for getting in the zone at work is ambient music. Theres a wide variety of artists in the genre but one of the first ambien t artists I got into was Boards of Canada . I find the music great for working because it tends to be very atmospheric and the sound of it lendsitself to thinking and working. Alex Reichmann, CEO of iTestCash4. Broadly speaking, I find classical to be the best music to pump through my headphones on a workday Whether youre listening to Bach cello suites or early 20th century Stravinsky , classical music can transport the listener to a different time and place almost effortlessly its ironically easy to let classical music fade into the background while youre working. Im not sure if its a result of classical music often being instrumental, but its much easier for me to stay focused when Im listening to an orchestra as opposed to a distinct (and amazing) lyricist like Kendrick Lamar. Sam Warren, Manager of Marketing and Partnerships at RankPay5. How Long Have You Known by DIIV is quite possibly the easiest music to get lost in. It also makes work a breeze it is a grea t popsong to listen to in the middle of the afternoon, right when Im getting a little drowsy in the office. Zachary Painter, Career Adviser and Hiring Manager at ResumeGenius.com6. Focuswill is a web app, or mobile app, that plays instrumental-only music designed exclusively for improving concentration. Its organized into channels my favorites are Alpha Chill for focus with a bit of thinking space, or Uptempo for those I-really-need-to-get-this-done moments. As soon as I put it on, my whole focus changes I pay for subscription, its definitely worth it in productivity terms and Ive even bought gift subscriptions for colleagues. They have a free trial as well. Mark Churchill, Digital Marketing Manager at Wealth Club7. I love to listen to Tychos Awake album . Hes a San Francisco-based musician, and himself a designer. Hes known for creating really lush, instrumental music. Perhaps because hes a designer himself, its the perfect music to design to Daniel Codella, Marketer at Zurb8. I love listening to My Shot by Lin Manuel Miranda and other various artists from Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) . It gets me in the mood especially when I am dealing with a specifically hard issue at work. It reminds me to keep fighting, keep shipping, keep going I can even hear the chorus I am not throwin away my shot in the back of my mind as I walk into a particularly difficult meeting / pitch. Charlene Dipaola, CEO and Founder of Hip Shake Fitness9. I live near the coast and I love the sound of the ocean rolling up on the shore but I cant hear it from my office. I also love beachy island music with steel drums . So, I leverage YouTube to incorporate music and sounds around my workspace that make me feel like Im on vacation by the sea. Robin Salter, Chief Marketing Officer at KWIPPED10. Gooey by Glass Animals helps me feel relaxed, as if I was walking in a jungle, experiencing the feel and vibe of natures unique tunes. The soothing beat helps me experience a sense of reinvigorated serenity that always allows me to stand still for a while and appreciate the song while still managing to be focused on crucial aspects of my work. Joo Aguiar, SEO Manager at Mobidea11. When I really need to put my head down and get some work done, I put on a variety of Bossa Nova and Samba jupe artists. Some of my favorites are Jorge Ben , Antonio Carlos Jobim , Stan Getz , and Gilberto . I find the rhythm and movement of Bossa Nova and Samba Rock gets my mind moving. It sort of sets a pace for how I should be working and that helps get me through my work for the day. Noah Kain, Digital Marketing Strategist at Duckpin Design12. Ive always been told that music influences mood, and though we tend to listen to music based on the mood were in (sad music when were feeling down, happy music when were feeling up) we should be listening to music for the mood we want to be in. I keep this in mind every morning at work. This week Ive been pretty hooked on Lordes new album Melodrama . Perfect Places feels like the anthem of the summer. With the sun shining through the windows of the office, blasting this song on repeat reminds me to stay focused, so time passes quickly and I can get out and enjoy the city for all its worth. Christina Roach, Account Coordinator at Allison+Partners13. It might seem out of character for a bookkeeping firm, but if I have no clients coming into the office and I just need to get some work done, I love to blast rap. In particular, the song Stronger by Kanye West gets me pumped up to crank out financials. Courtney Barbee, CEO at The Bookkeeper14. When I need to bear down, I turn on iTunes, put on the headphones, and blast my playlist of mashups. My favorites are from Girl Talk s All Day and Feed the Animals , and two mega mashups, Mouth Sounds and Mouth Silence by Neil Cicierega . Bill Peschel, Peschel Press15. For lateral thinking, I like Robert Glasper Dillatude 2 or Sevdaliza Human . Solving problems in new ways usually requires reasoning that isnt always obvious. When I need to break my own pre-established biases, I turn to something more contemporary. Robert Glaspers jazz-meets-Radiohead tribute to J Dilla, or Iranian-Dutch songwriter Sevdalizas surreal pop journey both immerse me in textures that inspire ideas. Chris Oquist , Principal at Dialogue Theory16. Since Im a writer, music with words interferes with my focus. So instead, I jam out to epic movie soundtracks. Theres nothing like a good superhero movie score to get me pumped to conquer my next blog post Im a big fan of Spotify, so Ill plug in instrumental movie soundtracks into the search, and get a great melange of Harry Potter , Batman , Pirates of the Carribean , etc. to keep me motivated throughout the day. Megan Zale, Senior Copywriter at Moncur17. Im a digital nomad who often spends most of my time in noisy co-working spaces, so finding a great playlist is absolutely e ssential. I love to choose lo-fi hip-hop as its very easy listening, smooth background music and it really gets me in the zone. Dylan Hey, Business Development Manager at Leadfeeder18. Perfume Level 3 . Perfume is a female J-pop trio, and their work is composed by a well-respected electronic music composer in Japan (making it more interesting than run-of-the-mill pop music). I love listening to this album while Im working because it has high energy - the vocals, the drum machine, the synths & all other electronic effects help drive the music and listener forward. Listening to this album is like having a strong cup of coffee. It also has foreign lyrics - Im easily distracted by the words of songs, so it helps that this music is sung in a language I dont understand. The vocals sound great and they dont distract me. Geoff Scott, Career Adviser and Resume Expert at ResumeCompanion

How to Write a Professional Email - 7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Hit Send

How to Write a Professional schmelzglas - 7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Hit SendHow to Write a Professional Email - 7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Hit SendFor manyyearsnow, people have been predicting emailleles demise. While its true we use other forms of communication like texting and social media to talk to our friends or send quick messages to our colleagues, we still use email, especially for work-related communication. It is also the primary means of contact when you are applying for a job. It is as important as ever to know how to write a professional email. Email may be your initial point of contact with someone and because of that, its your first opportunity to make an impression. Take great care in composing your messages. Before you hit send, answer these 7 questions. 1. Is my message error free? Checking your email for mistakes is the most important thing you can do before you send it. Incorrect spelling and bad grammar will makeyou look careless. Tha t goes against the impression you are trying to make, especially if you are applying for a job. Proofread until you are confident you have caught all spelling and grammatical errors, as well as typos.Grammarly.comhas free tools, including an extension for the Chrome browser, that can help you with this. 2. What does my email address say about me? Your work email address- which by the way, you should never use for job searching- probably is very straightforward. Most likely it is some variant of your name. You may have chosen a less business-like address to use for personal email. An address that is suggestive, childish, or cute is okay if you are only using it to send messages to your friends and family butif you need to write a professional email, sign up for a new account that conveys professionalism. Set up an email address that uses your actual name. Try your first and brde names your first name, middle initial and last name or some combination of those. Never send your prof essional email from chickybabemymail.com. 3. Are the name and email address in the To field correct? When you begin typing a recipients name into the To field, most email clients will fill in the rest of the name with one from your contacts. You could easily end up with the wrong name in that field so make sure to pay attention to this. Imagine what trouble might arise if you accidentally send an email to the wrong recipient. Lets say you are looking for a job while you arestill employed. A hiring manager at a prospective employer could have a name that begins with the same letter as your current bosss name. How embarrassing would it be if you sent your boss a message meant for that hiring manager? Not only do you want to make sure your message reaches its intended destination, but you also want to be certain it doesnt reach an unintended one. 4. Have I used the proper title to address the recipient? If you are already on a first name basis with the person you are emailing, it is okay to address them that way in your message. However, if this is your first time communicating with someone, or you arent sure how they prefer to be addressed, it ispreferable to use a formal title like Mr., Ms., Mrs., or Dr. and the recipients last name. Always err on the side of caution. It cant hurt to be formal. For a hint about how someone with whom you already have an established relationship prefers to be addressed, look back on prior messages to landsee how they are signed. That will help you decide what to do. 5. Does my tone convey my message well? As the saying goes, Its not what you say but how you say it. When you speak to someone face-to-face, you can rely on intonation, body language, and facial expression to help give additional meaning to your words. When you try to convey the same message in writing, there is more room for misunderstanding because the reader cant see your face, read your body language, or hear your voice. Make sure your message is polit e and sounds friendly, and that your intended meaning is clear. 6. Is my message simple, but not cryptic? Keeping your messages short and sweet will make them easier to understand. At the same time, you should not omit anything important. You dont want to force the recipient of your email to guess what you are trying to say. Your message should be as precise as possiblebut include all the necessary information. 7. Have I included unsolicited attachments? Many people refuse to open email attachments they arent expecting. They are right to avoid doing that. Computer viruses are often transmitted in those attachments. If you want to send a file to someone, for example, your resume, ask your recipient for his permission first. Send it only if he says it is okay.