Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years - Your Career Intel

Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years - Your Career IntelIf there is one interview question that candidates seem stress over more than any other it is Where you do see yourself in 5 years?This question is complicated because your thought process, which is really what the interviewer wants to hear as opposed to an actual five-year-plan, can reveal several different pieces of information.As an executive recruiter, I can tell you that this question doesnt get asked as much as you would think. However, it does still come up occasionally and the exercise of thinking through a response is a valuable one for interview preparation.To help you prepare, here are four questions the interviewer is really asking when they say, Where do you see yourself in five years?Have you thought about a long-term future with this company?Never deliver a generic response to where do you see yourself after 5 years? Companies hate turnover. They look for employees who really want to be at that particular company and are committed to building a career there over the next five years. A thoughtful response specific to the company and its specific advancement opportunities shows that youre serious about settling in there for the long haul.Is the job you are applying for the right one for your goals?You could deliver an incredibly thoughtful answer about the future youd like with the company but it doesnt matter if youre interviewing for a position that doesnt tee you up to get there. Do your research. Make aya that your aspirations make sense as an extension of the role you are being considered for.Are your ambitions realistic?Ambition is a double-edged sstimmt when talking about where you want to be in 5 years. You want to show that while you are ambitious, you are realistically ambitious about opportunities within the organization. If you expect to rise too fast, it communicates that you dont intend to stay in the role you are interviewing for very long but instead that you want to gather exp erience as quickly as possible and move onto greener pastures.Are you a good fit for the company culture?Try to learn everything you can about a companys culture before preparing to discuss your five-year plan. For example, some companies want to see employees focused on a single, deep area of expertise while others want employees to experience a diverse range of projects and have a broad knowledge base. Some companies want employees who are entrepreneurial and eager to own initiatives while others are more traditional.With these questions in mind you can prepare a thorough response to Where do you see yourself after 5 years? One word of warning Dont be so attached to your prepared answer that you cant adjust based on new information gleaned from the interview.How do you navigate this sticky interview question? Share your thoughts with us.

Is Your Coworker Being Passive Aggressive Or Are They Just Unaware 3 Ways to Tell

Is Your Coworker Being Passive Aggressive Or Are They Just Unaware 3 Ways to Tell Passive-aggressive interactions between coworkers sap productivity, weaken morale, and turn the schreibstube into a generally-unpleasant distributions-mix to be. And sadly, these situations are something everyone deals with no matter the industry or the workplace or the job.Its definitely possible to push back against passive-aggressive behavior and rectify the issue, but first, you need to determine that passive aggression is truly at play. Sometimes, less-than-aware colleagues take actions that seem passive-aggressive at first, but are actually the product of unawareness. By definition, passive aggression needs to be intentional but how can you tell whether your colleague is passive-aggressive or just oblivious? We found 3 surefire signs of subtle aggression to help clear things up.1. If your coworker is failing to complete required tasks without a clear explanation, its likely a passive-aggressive move.The majority of professionals would admit to occasional passive aggressive actions, from taking a seat in the conference room that you know is your colleagues favorite to using a font in your PowerPoint presentation that your coworker considers a pet peeve. But if one of your office mates frequently fails to meet her work obligations in ways that damage your productivity, thats a more severe case of passive aggression and one that needs to be addressed ASAP.Psychology Today compares these lapses in wertmiger zuwachs to a childs stubborn tantrum, and points out the problematic nature of this manifestation of passive aggression.You might have a colleague who almost always finds a way to avoid the tasks that he needs to complete. They leave the full responsibility to others or take on an assignment and then do not finish it on time, author Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D wrote. If this is a result of work-related stress, problems at home, or a procrastinating personality, then it m ight not be a case of passive-aggressive behavior. But if it is frequent and not obviously attributable to independent, external factors, it may be deliberate and count as passive-aggressive behavior.2. Passive-aggressive coworkers LIVE for office drama.Youd be hard-pressed to find an office employee who never takes some joy in the mini-scandals brewing in the break room on a given day. However, a coworker who truly revels in office drama and feels the need to insert themselves into any and all sordid scenarios may be exhibiting passive aggressive tendencies.Business Insider explains the connection between drama thirst and passive aggression like this Unlike their plain old aggressive counterparts, passive-aggressive colleagues dont necessarily seize a starring role in office drama. Instead they stoke tensions whenever possible theyre less like a prima donna and more like the shows producer.Basically, if you notice a colleague constantly hovering on the fringes of office intrigue t hat isnt directly their business, it makes sense to approach with caution.3. Does your colleague have trouble celebrating the successes of others? Thats a sign of passive aggression.Toxic, passive-aggressive people regularly struggle with jealousy, and in the workplace, this often emerges in petty and counterproductive ways. Even if youre on the same team as a passive aggressive colleague, this individual will likely mucksmuschenstill resent any sign that youre outperforming them, even if your triumphs result in positive yields for your cohort of employees and the company. According to the Chicago Tribune, if a co-worker starts to get the attention instead of a passive aggressive employee, their jealous tendencies may show through in ways that make them an awful presence in the office. They might express jealousy upfront or through passive-aggressive behaviors, such as sarcastically telling the employee congratulations on getting a great opportunity. At the heart of jealousy lies in security. These passive aggressive workers need to realize that their coworkers success in no way diminishes their own.Speak to your manager if you notice this behavior. It kills morale, and its not just affecting you. Seeing your successes smeared might keep your coworkers from celebrating their accomplishments or sharing their ideas. And thats not good for anyone.

3 Winning Video Interview Secrets From President Obama

3 Winning Video Interview Secrets From President ObamaFor months, you couldnt turn your head without seeing a political ad. In election season, politics is everywhere and political debates are on the tip of every tongue. Now, America has finally voted and chosen to re-elect President Barack Obama to a second term. You dont get elected as President of the United States, or fight a prolonged campaign against Governor Mitt Romney, without learning a thing or two.As an employer, you might not be looking to win an election, but you are looking to land the perfect employee. Unlike Obama, youre not battling just one candidate but a field of qualified applicants eager and hungry for the job. This September, there were approximately 3.4 unemployed people for every open position. In a healthy economy, this average should be closer to 2-to-1.So how can you tell the superstar candidates from the duds in a video interview? How do you elect the right partie for the job? Maybe you should take a pag e out of the winning playbook of President Obama. You might not be offering candidates an oval office, but the competition for your open positions is still sure to be fierce.Here are some tips from Obamas winning presidential bid to help you snag the right candidateKnow Your BrandIn President Obamas victory speech, he repeated the word forward several times. Its no mystery why, considering forward was his catchphrase for the 2012 election cycle. This brand was repeated to let voters know Obama is focused on the future and improving the lives of million of Americans.Just like Obama, you should realize the importance of your employer brand. You might not be putting up lawn signs, but the way your company brands itself is an important component in attracting the right candidates. Make sure your career page is adequately telling the story of your company and why interested candidates should want to work there.Be familiar with your company culture, and be able to sell this culture in the video interview. The easiest way to make sure youre winning the candidates your company needs to move forward is to stress why they would want to work at your organization.Know Your BasePresident Obamas engaged and active kusine was a big factor in winning the election. He sent out email after email to keep his supporters informed, passionate, and donating to his campaign. Obamas campaign realized connecting with the voters was an important way to keep him ahead in the polls.Like Obama, its important to campaign for your company. Make sure to stay connected with your base of interested applicants and potential candidates. Take to social media to connect with candidates, it will help keep your company in the forefront of their minds. Tap into talent communities, which are the places your talent gathers online to share stories and swap advice.Once youve connected with a base of talented candidates, youll have an attractive pipeline you can mine when a position opens up. Youll have pl enty of people who will be both qualified and excited to connect with your company in the video interview.Dont Be Afraid To Be PassionatePresident Obama wasnt afraid to show his passion in his second presidential campaign. One of the most common observations about Mitt Romney was that he often seemed too calm and collected.Just like in presidential politics, a little passion can go a long way when convincing top talent that your company is a great place to work. Dont hold back in the video interview, let potential candidates know exactly what makes your company so special. If top talent can see how passionate you are about the company, they will be excited to join an organization with truly engaged employees.Your jobs might not come with a White House or an Oval Office, but this doesnt mean you cant attract presidential-level talent. Just take some of these winning tips from President Obama and youll be on your way to finding the superstars your company needs.What are some hiring ti ps you can take from the campaign of President Obama? Share in the commentsIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by rod.rudloff

How to Advance Your Career at Your Current Company -The Muse

How to Advance Your Career at Your Current Company -The MuseHow to Advance Your Career at Your Current CompanyWe have some exciting news to share with you Starting in June, were going to launch a new column modeled after the Ask a Career Coach feature. Ask a Recruiter, intended to be your go-to destination for all recruiter-related queries, is now accepting submissions askarecruiterthemuse.com. Got a burning question about job searching? This is your chance to get insider intel.Hi Anna, Ive been working at my organization for nine months now, and its my first job post-grad. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity, but while Ive learned a lot, Im getting antsy- I feel ready to take my skills to the next level.I work for a large company, one that provides tons of opportunity for professional development, but Im afraid that Ill slip through the cracks and be stuck in my current position for a long time. I honestly dont know how I can get my name noticed because so many of my colleag ues are talented and successful theyre also interested in the same opportunities as me.I would love to know if you have advice for how I can make myself stand out. How can I show my initiative, drive, and passion for the field against those who may have been here longer or who have more experience? I look forward to hearing from you Signed, Longing to Get NoticedDear Longing to Get Noticed,I am so glad youre taking responsibility for your own career success because the fact is successful people create this for themselves- it doesnt just miraculously happen.Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you determine where you need to focus your efforts to get ahead and get noticed1. Does Your Manager Know You Want Growth Opportunities?People arent mind readers, and you cant expect your manager to know that youre eager to advance your career as soon as humanly possible. Not everyone wants to be in a leadership role or climb the ladder, or even stay at one company for a long per iod, so its essential that you communicate your desire to move up and grow to your babo. If the Answer Is NoSet up a meeting with your manager, explain that you feel prepared for greater responsibility and more challenges, and ask what you need to do to get promoted.And be open to feedback. If your boss doesnt have the exact reaction youre hoping for, thats OK. The important thing is that youve expressed your commitment and ambition- you may have a good deal more work to do before a promotion is on the table. 2. How Many People Do You Know Within Your Company?You cant get promoted if no one knows you. Typically, your boss only has so much control over how and when you advance to the next level. If you havent gotten comfortable with the humblebrag, nows the time. Just because your teams aware of your hard work, it doesnt mean the people at the top are. Even if your managers fully on board to promote you, if none of the higher-ups who need to approve it know who you are, you probably wont get very far. If Your Answer Is Very FewYou need to strategically build your network- yes, in house- and get to know as many people at your company as you can. Its not enough to be close with your department. So, reach out to various members of the organization to bestattungs a coffee. Developing relationships with people on different teams (or with your bosss boss) is key to getting your name out there. 3. Are You Providing Extra Value to Your Company or Are You Just Doing Your Current Job?Have you brought in new clients or additional revenue? How about helped the company grow? Being prepared to present your accomplishments when seeking a promotion is required. And if youre concerned that you dont yet have anything impressive to show off, dig deeper You dont have to wait for your companys permission to learn a new skill or tackle a problem thats not a part of your day-to-day work. If Your Answer Is I Dont Think SoReview your companys revenue goals and determine how your job pl ays into its increases- never underestimate the bottom line. Then, determine actions you can take to increase that number. Can you draw up a fresh client pitch? Discover a new way to grow brand awareness? No matter what your job is, theres almost always something you can do to make a difference in the big picture goals.If you give it time and totenstill find that theres no upward movement- or, worse, that someone else snagged a promotion you were eyeing, you may want to explore opportunities elsewhere. But if you like your company, you should definitely try the suggestions above before just calling it quits. This article is part of our Ask an Expert series- a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask a Credible Career Coach in the subject line.Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expert become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.

6 Essential Tools for Veterans Looking to Switch From Military to Civilian Jobs

6 Essential Tools for Veterans Looking to Switch From Military to Civilian Jobs6 Essential Tools for Veterans Looking to Switch From Military to Civilian Jobs6 Essential Job-Search Tools for Veterans Looking for Civilian JobsFor veterans, there are a number of key resources to take advantage of when transitioning from a military career to a civilian career.Veterans are one of Americas most prized resources. They served without expecting much in return, and provided role models for our children. Not only do they deserve our highest praise, they deserve help landing their dream jobs. If youre one of our nations veterans looking for jobs, here are a few zugreifbar and in-person job-search tools.1. Hiring Our HeroesThere are no shortages of online and in-person job resources for vets. However, one of the largest organizations providing career advice for Veterans and retired military service members is Hiring Our Heroes. This program is a joint effort between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fortune 500 companies, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Chamber and VA officials work diligently with companies to help connect vets with executives, serving as a networking solution for both sides. Hiring Our Heroes hosts job fairs and training seminars throughout the year in nearly all major states.2. Military.comMonster takes pride in giving retired military members career advice. The company hosts Military.com, one of the nations largest military and veteran online news and membership organization. Military.com provides resources for all active duty personnel, reservists, guard members, retirees, veterans, family members, defense workers, and those considering military careers. While Monster founded the site primarily to help veterans with their job-search efforts, Military.com also lists support groups and other resources for its readers.3. Military Skills TranslatorIf youre a veteran looking for a civilian job, this tool is a must. Lockheed Martin employs an online tool to help veterans translate their military skills into civilian positions. The tool uses titles, keywords, and occupational codes to determine where a veterans military skills fit into a civilian work environment. Once Lockheeds online military skills translator civilianizes a service members work experience, applicants can better communicate their skill sets to civilian employers and human resources professionals. The tool also helps narrow search keywords for online job boards. In plus-rechnen to its military skills translator tool, Lockheed Martin lists positions it has available for retired military veterans.RelatedJobs for Veterans What to Consider Before Accepting the Job4. Veteran Career NetworkAbedrngnisher resource from Military.com, the Veteran Career Network offers a support tool for veterans looking to connect with other veterans. The online networking tool allows veterans to share information about job openings and their experiences and solutions to finding a job p ost-military. Mentoring and support groups is one of the most sought after tools. Veterans help each other heal, grow, and give back through networking at Military.com.5. Veteran career fairsEvery state offers career fairs for veterans looking for civilian jobs, lining up hundreds of companies to offer jobs to veterans. Take advantage of these fairs. Businesses receive tax incentives for hiring retired military and veterans. In addition, with specialized defense training, security clearances, and leadership skills obtained through the military, applicants will find it easier to work with like-minded individuals during these events. Be sure to bring several copies of your resume and business cards to pass out to recruiters.6. Veteran-friendly job boardsAs with career fairs and Hiring Our Heroes events, some businesses prefer veterans to other applicants because of their unique skills and the tax incentives the organization can receive. Looking for veteran-friendly companies is not di fficult. Most job-search sites and major corporations advertise whether or not they have a special website for veterans. Just Google it, and let your computer lead the way.Getting ready for the job searchWhile there are literally thousands of job-search tools for veterans designed to help with a career search, tools only can do so much. Your resume and cover letter play a larger role in this process. Creating a civilian resume for your military transition is not as daunting as many would think. Select a design and format that is professional and accommodates your information, staying away from scripted templates and fancy fonts. Times New Roman, Calibri, Cambria and Arial are a few of the best fonts for resume. They are professional and can be easily read by ATS programs. Also keep in mind toSeparate information into these basic sections with headers introduction, experience and accomplishments, and education.Stay away from passive language. Use action verbs and achieving language. Only include information relevant to the job, and resist the urge to include everything on your repertoire.Dont forget to visit your local library, VA office, and community college for additional job-search tools for veterans to help you land the perfect post-military career.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.Ready to make the transition to the civilian workforce? Hire a TopResume writer to craft your military transition resume.Recommended ReadingHow to Get Your Military Resume in Shape for a Civilian Job SearchAdvice for Veterans Starting a Business and Entrepreneurial CareerRelocating Tips for Proactive Job Seekers

Massachusetts Team Wins the 2014 ASME Innovation Showcase

Massachusetts Team Wins the 2014 ASME neuerung Showcase Massachusetts Team Wins the 2014 ASME Innovation Showcase Massachusetts Team Wins the 2014 ASME Innovation ShowcaseASME President Madiha El Mehelmy Kotb (center) presents the $25,000 first prize to the team from the University of Massachusetts Lowell at the 2014 ASME Innovation Showcase (IShow) in Washington, D.C. A low-cost, mass-producible prosthetic limb that was developed by a team of students from the University of Massachusetts Lowell received the top prize at the ASME Innovation Showcase (IShow) last month. UMass Lowell was one of 9 teams taking part in the competition, which was held April 28 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.Now in its eighth year, the annual fest, which is sponsored by the ASME Foundation, provides teams of graduate and undergraduate students with the chance to present products they have developed to a panel of judges consisting of successful innovators, industry experts, tech start-up leaders, and intellectual property specialists. The judges then select the most innovative and practical ideas, awarding the top three winners $50,000 in seed funds as well as industry recognition. A section of the adaptable prosthetic limb designed by the UMass Lowell team. The students from UMass Lowell - Jonathan Perez de Alderete, Erin Keaney, Brendan Donoghue, Catherine Caine, Tucker Holladay and Olivia Keane- were awarded the IShows $25,000 top prize for inventing an affordable prosthetic limb for use in developing countries. The team, named Nonspec, designed the limb so that it could quickly adjust to meet the needs of each patient. For instance, in pediatric patients, the limb can mechanically grow as the child ages, so the child would require fewer replacement devices as he or she matures. The $15,000 second place prize went to the team from Rice University, Team BiliQant, for its two-component approach to determine bilirubin concentration that employs optics and microfluidics to inexpensively and accurately diagnose cases of jaundice. Team members Jacinta Leyden, Monica Barrera, Rohan Shan, Melody Tan and Stephanie Tzouanas designed a paper-based cuvette for plasma isolation from whole blood samples as well as a spectrophotometric device to read the absorbance of bilirubin within the acquired plasma. Their approach avoids the use of lab equipment and reagents that make implementation difficult in developing nations, resulting in test that costs less than once cent to administer. Larry Martin of the University of Hawaii presents his product SmartTummy to the panel of judges at the 2014 IShow. He went on to win the competitions $10,000 third-place prize. Larry Martin of the University of Hawaii claimed the IShows $10,000 third prize with his entry SmartTummy, a unique abdominal training mannequin that can promptly mimic the look, sound, and feel of a variety of abdominal ailments using its proprietary technology and a u ser-friendly computer interface. The device is intended to help train healthcare students in abdominal palpation exams. A fourth team, from Johns Hopkins University, won the Dr. Abdi Zaltash Champion Award for its entry Accuspine, which is a low-cost, smart pedicle probe for the accurate placement of pedicle screws in spinal fusion surgeries. This special $1,000 award was established to recognize a new technology or concept that is not ready for market, but shows promise and deserves further recognition and development. The judges for this years IShow were Evan Burfield, co-founder of the incubator platform 1776 Jen Consalvo, chief operating officer and co-founder of new media and events company Tech Cocktail ASME Fellow Lynden F. Davis, vice-chair of the ASME Foundation Steve Davis, director of advanced projects at Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Paul Scott, Senior Program Manager, Engineering for Global Development, ASME. The event was hosted by Julie Kantor, c hief partnership officer at STEMconnector. For more information on the ASME Innovation Showcase, visit www.asme.org/events/competitions/asme-ishow.

The Side Hustle Method for Boosting Your Personal Brand

The Side Hustle Method for Boosting Your Personal Brand The Side Hustle Method for Boosting Your Personal Brand Work hard at your job and you can make a living. Work hard on yourself and you can make a fortune. Jim RohnIn my work as a resume writer, career coach, and senior manager, I spend a lot of time working with people on how they can improve their careers. Too often, theres a disconnect between their actions and the companys bottom line. Many feelthat if they put in their40 hours a week, they should get 10 percent raises each year and be promoted because theyrea hard worker and a good person.Really?I know it should no longer shock me, but it does. How can someone not see that if you generate results for the company beyond what youre being paid, youll progress. If you dont, you wont.So, if just showing up and putting in the minimum time and effort doesnt get you there, what do you need to do to quickly progress in your career?You need to start thinking of yourself as a busin ess.Brian Tracy, the prolific self-help and business author, wrote, The basic rule for success in your life, your work, and your career is for you to see yourself as the president of your own personal services corporation.What you do beyond the standard 40 hours that the company pays you to work for them is where personal growth, increased value, and heightened visibility (your personal brand) are created.Working mora hours is a part of the equation. Getting in early and leaving late is certainly a tactic that can pay off in the short term. It increases your visibility to management and shows you have the drive to succeed. But without a strategy behind it, youre destined for burnout.What Is Your Side Hustle?What I suggest is something that has become more common in todays topsy-turvy business environment the side hustle.Maybe youknow a coworker who is also an Uber or Lyft driver. Maybe theyre abartender or waitress after work. Maybe they have a cool side business based on their inte rests. They tell you the cool stories that they hear or live each day while doing theirside hustles. But side hustles dont justcreate stories they build skills that translate to a personsday job as wellKnowledge of supply and demandSales skillsPeople skills/communicationCash flow managementTime managementTaxesProject managementIn thegig economy, there are hundreds of ways to earn money on the side. These gigs can alsobring you back to the core elements of business namely, the connectionbetween what you do and sales, the lifeblood of any company.Your Real-Life Business EducationBy getting a hands-on education in business 101 by way of your side hustle (or even just by taking a similar approach to your work at your day job), you can revitalize your passion and jump-start your career.Your side hustle diversion will re-energize you, and youll begin to notice opportunities to create value in your day job as well. People will start to ask you for advice. Youll share your stories and bec ome ago-to person. Opportunities to lead new projects and company initiatives will start flowing your way.As this all happens, your personal brandwill grow in prominence. Youll begin to identify and execute high-value actions that boost the companys bottom line. As you take action and document yoursuccesses, youll find you can communicate your valuethroughout the year and especially at annual review time.And guess what who do you think will get the raise this year? Who do you think will get the bonus? Will it be the person putting in their 40 hours and thenheading home to hit the couch, pop open a beer, and watch the latest sitcom for the rest of the night?Or will it be you, the person who is working on themselves and the business the person working on their career and creating more value on their own than a handful of punch-the-clock employees could?You be the judge.Mike McRitchie has more than 20 years of experience managing wireless telecom buildouts for all the major U.S. car riers. He uses the knowledge gained fromrunning projects and managing consulting business operations to help tech project managers, mid-tier executives, and those who want something more from their careers. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.