How to Become a TV News Anchor

How to Become a TV News AnchorHow to Become a TV News AnchorTV news anchors are the people who present the news at the various television stations and networks. You know these people- the ones sitting behind a desk or out on the beat telling you what happened in the world that day. Whether broadcasting from a small local station or manning one of the broadcast networks primetime news shows, TV news anchors compile news stories and deliver them. The Skills You Need Being a news anchor requires a number of skills, the first of which is a comfort level in front of the camera. An modul of show business comes with the job of a news anchor- not only do you need to be comfortable in front of the camera, but you need to connect with the audience so that people want to watch you as opposed to your competition. Feeling comfortable speaking to the camera is not a skill most people are born with, but you can acquire and hone it. Excellent verbal, written, improvisational, and interviewing sk ills are imperative. Add to those qualities persistence and objectivity, physical stamina, being a team player, projecting a professional image, and having a knowledge of social media. News anchors also need to be able to think on their feet. While many anchors read scripts off of a teleprompter or notes on their desk, information can also be transmitted aurally. If news is breaking, a producer may feed the information to an anchor on the spur of the moment. The anchor needs to be able to absorb the information thats coming in and then relay that information to the audience in a clear and concise manner. The Downside While news anchor jobs come with a lot of visibility and fame, the sttte also comes with long hours, hard work, constant deadlines, andunpredictable natural and world events. These sortiment from political scandals to school shootings to terrorist attacks. Anchors need a stomach for negative stories and the ability to remain objective and unemotional in the face of disaster. Educational Requirments Television news anchors must have a bachelors degree in broadcast journalism or communications, relevant internship experience, and work experience in smaller cities. Learning the craft in small markets provides necessary training if a broadcast journalist wants to work their way up and become successful. While not required for employment, completing amasters degree programprovides students with additional training in the field. Masters degrees are available in broadcast journalism and communications. Candidates with graduate degrees typically have a competitive advantage when seeking job opportunities or advancements. Salaries Vary Salaries vary greatly depending on whether or not you work in local news (in a smaller town like Poughkeepsie or a bigger market like Chicago) or if youre a network anchor. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, a news anchor at a Phoenix TV station earns between $30,000 and $35,000. For those who make it to the big leagues (like ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.), salaries can range from $18 million to $37 a million a year- the salary of former FoxNews anchorBill OReilly, who reportedly welches the highest-paid TV news personality before leaving Fox in2017. The News-Gathering Part of the Job The amount of reporting involved in an anchors job depends on where the anchor works and what type of broadcast they work on. Some anchors, especially at local news stations, report their own stories, perhaps with the help of producers. Thats because budgets are tight and many local stations keep a slim staff. Local anchors may also write their own stories, in which case they are functioning more like reporters. The general newscast delivered from behind a desk is usually not written by the network anchor but rather a staff of writers who work for the show. The well-known exception to this rule was the hard-hitting Dan Rather, who also served as the executive producer of his nightly newscasts on CBS-TV. How to Get a Job as an Anchor Aspiring anchors need to spend time in front of the camera. Most people get jobs because they have a tape of their work on-air. Before you look for a job as an anchor, complete an internship at a local station (if it affords you some air time), or study communications in college. American journalism schools have both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. At school, you can at least create a sample tape to send to TV stations. Once you have a tape, start looking for jobs at local stations. There are also myriad opportunities on-air at various cable news channels.

Sample Resume for Benefits Coordinator Job Position

Sample Resume for Benefits Coordinator Job PositionSample Resume for Benefits Coordinator Job PositionWhen you need to stand out from your competitors for a job position, your resume can make a real difference. Its important to keep your resume updated at all times, with a format that looks professional and all your most recent information clearly laid out in a way thats easy for a job recruiter or hiring manager to read.As a benefits coordinator, you need to highlight your training in and understanding of the benefits laws and regulations that apply in your state. Make sure to point out any administrative or leadership positions youve held, and draw special attention to your experience training other employees. Your educational degrees and relevant previous positions are also vital information that a hiring manager will want to know.Review the benefits coordinator resume vorlage below to get a fresh start on creating your own document. Create this Resume Marguerite Smith3583 Coplin AvenuePhoenix, AZ 85003(333)-712-5070m.smithsmail.comObjectiveSeeking for a reputable company to join their organization as Benefits Coordinator where I can contribute my ability and skill.Summary of QualificationsThorough understanding of benefits laws and regulationsExperience in human resourcesProficiency in using MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Windows and Internet Basic knowledge of benefit programExperience in administrationProfessional ExperienceBenefits Coordinator, January 2007 PresentCharter Communications, Saint Louis, MO ResponsibilitiesFacilitated orientation for employees regarding charter plans.Enrolled employees to plans.Resolved issues and other related problems regarding payment benefits and claims.Provided constant information about all benefit programs.Coordinated with HR team ensuring compliance of benefit plans. Benefits Administrator- Associate, May 2004- December 2006Lourdes Health System, Camdem, NJ ResponsibilitiesCoordinated with all Charter H ealth Welfare and Retirement plan administrators.Resolved eligibility issues concerning charter plans.Prepared employee education materials.Provided tools to the HR department to educate employees. EducationMasters Degree in Business Management, 2004Yale UniversityBachelors Degree in Business Management, 2002Yale UniversityCustomize ResumeMore Sample ResumesBeauty Salon Resume Behavior Therapist Resume Benefits Coordinator Resume Benefits Specialist Resume Beverage Manager Resume Beverage Sales Resume Bicycle Mechanic Resume

These are the 7 fashion trends you will see all over your office in 2019

These are the 7 fashion trends you will see all over your office in 2019These are the 7 fashion trends you will see all over your office in 2019As the end of the year rapidly approaches we reflect back on some of the biggest sartorial trends of the year. From neon to the River Island check blazer to utility jumpsuits to leopard as a neutral. But now we have a whole new year of interesting fashion trends to look forward to.According to the annualPinterest 100forecasts, this is what people will be wearing in your office in 2019. Of course, which of these trends making an appearance will depend on your office environment (you probably dont want to bust out bicycle shorts if you are a lawyer who has to go to court) but for more casual industries, these are fair game.1. Bicycle shortsYou can thank Kim Kardashian for making this one become mainstream fashion. Once only reserved for, well, people who were riding a bicycle, now bicycle shirts can be formal wear. Pair them with a baggy collar ed shirt or a belted blazer for a full-on 90s look. According to Pinterest, searches for biker shorts are up 1,323% so get ready.2. Bamboo bagsLast year may have been all about the baskets but now it is time for bamboo to shine.Pinterest reports thatbamboo bagshave seen a search increase of 2,215%. Wooden bags continue to be a major trend.3. Statement sneakersGood news ladies. Heels continue to be on the outs and it is still all about sneakers.According to Pinterest, searches for gutachten sneakers are up 2,211% which is the biggest increase from last year.4. Robe coatsIs it a bathrobe? Is it a coat? Who knows but gosh it is comfy. Robe coats will be all the rage in 2019 giving off an elegant yet relaxed vibe that says I could totally have done all my work from my bed. Hey, it is at least a bit more professional than the silk pajamas as formal wear trend that was huge in 2018.5. RuchingRuching, a pleated, fluted, or gathered strip of fabric used for trimming, was all over the spring /summer 2019 runways. They actually elongate your frame and will be all over your office.6. SnakeskinLeopard may have been the print of 2018 but 2019 will be the year of the snake. Searches for snake print were up 642%.6. Eco-friendly fashionYou can thank Meghan Markle for this one as people tend to take fashion cues from the Royals and she wore eco-friendly brands on more than one occasion.Renting clothes will continue to increase as Rent the Runway expands its designer and real estate footprint.

Hiring for Fit to Match Your Corporate Culture

Hiring for Fit to Match Your Corporate CultureHiring for Fit to Match Your Corporate CultureYour top job candidate meets all of the qualifications youve listed in the job posting, and then some. But are you also hiring for fit to match your corporate culture?That question is as important as any you might have asked to gauge skills, aptitude and experience. And its going to be one of the fruchtwein difficult to answer. More than six in 10 human resources managers surveyed by our company said they had misjudged a candidates fit with their companys work environment. In the same survey, two-thirds said their company had lost an employee because he or she was not suited for the work environment.Turnover is expensive and something firms want to avoid. The wrong person in the wrong job can also contribute to a decline in staff morale, collaboration and productivity. Whetzu sich the new hire is a toxic employee or simply a poor match for the position and team, the cost of not hiring for fit can be surprisingly high.No part of the hiring process should be left to chance. You can take steps to ensure your preferred candidate and your organizations corporate culture are an ideal match. Here are our recommendations for hiring for fitHiring for fit through your job descriptionBegin by describing your corporate culture in the job description. Why? Self-selection is an effective means for thinning the applicant pool. The mora complete your job description, the more likely youll spend valuable time assessing not only the more highly qualified candidates, but also those who believe they would be happy - and successful - in your workplace environment.Happy workers are more engaged, loyal and invested in the work they do. They perform at a higher level - and thats good for your bottom line.We can help you find the right candidate for your open roleREQUEST TALENTGen Z details. If you think sharing your organizations mission and values is little more than pro forma, think again. For the newest population segment to join the workforce, Generation Z, this kind of detail can be critical information. Making a difference or having a positive impact on society, was one of Gen Zs top priorities when looking for a job, according to a Robert Half survey. If your organization has a formal corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy, consider giving a brief summary and link to it otherwise, a short declaration about ethical standards and corporate citizenship will totenstill reassure, maybe even excite, many job applicants.Perks and benefits. Perks and benefits also say a great deal about an organizations corporate culture. Sure, most job seekers want to know about eligible time off and healthcare coverage as much as they want to know the positions salary range. But think beyond the base package youre offering. Its fine to mention the ping-pong table in the conference room and the organizations casual dress code. But what you say about work-life balance and professi onal development tells job seekers more about how the organization values its employees. Assure job seekers that corporate culture is not synonymous with a meat grinder, and that your organization appreciates - and rewards - employee dedication and hard work.Clarity of intention. Now, state your wants. Consider the qualities you most value in your top-performing employees. Different roles require different attributes, of course. But if yours is a high-performing, deadline-driven office, its best to say youre looking for someone whos comfortable in a fast-paced work environment. If your organization handles highly sensitive information, emphasize discretion and confidentiality. Be honest about both the jobs requirements and the work environment. Candidates should know whats required to be successful in the position, and how their performance would be evaluated. Again, give job seekers the opportunity to decide whether this is a corporate culture they would thrive in.Hiring for fit in an interviewYouve evaluated cover letters and resumes, and put aside any with obvious red flags. Youve checked out the LinkedIn profiles of the most highly qualified candidates, and youve identified who youd like to interview. Now, consider the interview questions youll ask to determine whether the applicants knowledge and skill level are as impressive as his work experience suggests, and how successful he would be in your corporate culture. Here are the different types of questions you may want to ask when hiring for fitOpen-ended questions. Ask open-ended and hypothetical questions during a job interview. The candidates answers can tell you how he handled challenging assignments in the past, and how he might resolve similar situations in your office. They can also offer insight into the candidates work ethic and whether its in sync with your corporate culture. Would the candidate handle an office emergency as a proactive, problem-solving employee, or is this someone who waits f or direction? Do the candidates answers suggest hes someone whod achieve goals in a collaborative manner, or is he the type whod break some china to get things done? Consider the qualifications required to succeed in the job as well as in the work environment when hiring for fit with your companys culture.Closed-ended questions. Closed-ended questions, too, can reveal a lot about whether the job candidate would be a good fit in your corporate culture. Assess a candidates tact and diplomacy when you ask why she left her last job, or whether theres anything her current employer could do to make her want to stay. A simple, straightforward question like, What kind of work environment do you prefer working in? can tell you whether the candidate would feel comfortable or stressed in your open, lively and very busy office. Even more direct What are your values? will tell you whether the applicants principles align with those of your corporate culture.Nonverbal cues. When you interview the candidate, also pay attention to nonverbal cues. Did the candidate dress appropriately for the interview? Is he an active listener, or does he appear distracted or keep interrupting you? Does he avoid eye contact and shift uncomfortably when asked how his former coworkers would describe his work style? A word of caution here You should assess the candidates demeanor as carefully as you do the answers to your questions. But reading body language is a difficult art, especially when meeting a complete stranger in a situation as stressful as a job interview. Do what you can to put the individual at ease, and take care not to dismiss nervousness as deal-breaking awkwardness.Always research salaries in your market for the position youre staffing. You want to meet, if not beat, what competitors are offering.GET THE SALARY CALCULATORReferences and team feedbackNo matter how impressed you are, always check a candidates references. This is your opportunity to gather testimony that will confir m your good impressions and settle any lingering doubts when hiring for fit. Its also your opportunity to determine whether the candidate would be successful in your work environment. But as with every other step in the hiring process, be prepared when checking references. Here are some tipsDig deeper. Questions about the candidates strengths and weaknesses, collegiality and job attendance are important, but go beyond the what. When asking about notable accomplishments, ask how the candidate exceeded objectives and expectations, and imagine how similar situations might play out in your organization. If youre speaking with a former employer, be mindful that you might not share the same values and qualities, much less the same corporate culture, that the candidates reference highlights. Be prepared to dig a little to get the answers you need.Employee feedback. If you have the time,seek feedback from the people who know your corporate culture best Your team. Invite your top job candida te to lunch with the staff members shed work with most closely. Afterward, ask the candidate and your employees separately how they would imagine working with one another, and whether the job and applicant seem like a good fit. Dont be surprised if the candidate comes back with questions of her own. An informal meeting with staff would give plenty of clues about your organizations corporate culture, from talk about workflow to management-staff relations. That can be a positive. There shouldnt be any doubt with either of you that this is going to be an ideal match. Tags

This is the number of people that would move for a job without a promotion

This is the number of people that would move for a job without a promotionThis is the number of people that would move for a job without a promotionFor some people, the place theyre living right now feels like home, and they may never leave it. But another swathe of Americans are willing to relocate if the opportunity presents itself - and the incentive doesnt even have to be that huge.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

The Resume Power Verbs Cover Up

The Resume Power Verbs Cover Up Resume Power Verbs - What Is It? As a result of this, the author misses the opportunity to showcase the skills used to perform this job. Attempt to use this type of language to demonstrate you have these crucial skills. Power yeps permit you to demonstrate your abilities and the strengths you possess. Then use the STAR method to spell out the context of your work, your actions, and the way in which your actions had positive influence on the organization. Its difficult to find the one which you desire. They should only be utilized in instances where they legitimately improve your actions and achievements, or describe the style in which you performed an action. There are various sorts of keywords. Limiting your choices will conserve a good deal of time and headache whilst ensuring a greater quality resume. Improve your resume by utilizing those relevant search phrases to meet the machines and be sure that your resume reaches human eyes. Custom ize your resume for each punkt by making use of the appropriate keyword phrases. Resume Power Verbs Fundamentals Explained Irrespective of your field of work, there is most likely a list of killer action words out there which you wish to utilize in your resume. Have a look at the list below, and get prepared to make your resume way more exciting. Take a look at the above list and be prepared to make the resume more exciting. Take a look at the list below. Choosing Good Resume Power Verbs Even in job postings, it is normally clear what skill set businesses are searching for in people who wish to work for them. Then, it has to demonstrate why those remarkable feats make you the finest possible candidate for the job which you want. You should keep your resume concentrated on the organization youre attempting to join. Regardless of what industry you work in, proving that you have what it requires to do your work effectively is crucial. Therefore, its important for any applica nt to look at the job posting or the corporations website for the particular abilities and attributes they would like to see from employees, then consist of such resume power words in presenting themselves. To begin with, read through the posting for work which interests you. Want to Know More About Resume Power Verbs? A room full of quiet applicants all vying for the exact job isnt unlike a stack of resumes an employer faces when theres an open position. A hundred other applicants like you do the exact same. In some instances, it is the sole thing the recruiter will see Firstly, at this stage employers will nonetheless be screening a lot of applicants, so now youve got to use some powerful words that jump off your page and quickly demonstrate the reader that youve got the abilities and the ideal qualifications for the job. Resume Power Verbs and Resume Power Verbs - The Perfect Combination The English language is extremely full of words, and applicants with the capability to use words create a durable impression. These words are ideal for describing the meticulous and calculating tasks that you do on a daily-basis. They are especially useful to make your skills section seems even more impressive. Attempt not to look as though youre a mimic and you are just borrowing their words for your resume. What Everybody Dislikes About Resume Power Verbs and Why Its possible to describe the identical bullet point in several ways, so pick the way that makes you and your accomplishments sound the very best. Instead, you ought to make certain you select words that fit perfectly with the accomplishments youre attempting to describe. Surveyed If youve accomplished something in years past highlight it on your resume. Make certain your story has a lot of action through your resume wording. If you dont, you may be in for a huge trouble in your interview. Include a URL to your LinkedIn profile page within the body of your resume. What Everybody Dislikes About Resume Power Verbs and Why Powerful and persuasive verbs help your accomplishmentsshine in the correct lightand get readers excited to find out more about you. Sentences ought to be restricted to only a single power word or action word to keep the resume smooth and simple to read. You should attempt to include action verbs in your text to reveal your capacity to be prosperous. Heres a list of some fantastic verbs. In fact, there are thousands of verbs to select from, so feel free to talk about your favorites. If your resume doesnt contain the proper words, youre most likely to receive rejected. Lies Youve Been Told About Resume Power Verbs Sprinkle the correct buzzwords into your resume and cover letter to demonstrate that youre a portion of the business. Utilizing industry related words not only demonstrates you have the desired hard abilities and understanding needed in order to do the job, but using key buzzwords and language demonstrates that you also keep updated with t he most recent innovations. Utilizing industry jargon in your resume will demonstrate that you understand what youre speaking about. For a lot of people who are fighting to compose their resumes, the advice they receive from experts in the specialty can be a priceless aid.

Job Security No More Think Career Security when Looking to Beat the Job Market

Job Security No More Think Career Security when Looking to Beat the Job Market In an unpredictable economy, uncertainty makes it extraordinarily difficult for employers to know what kinds of talent theyll need in the short- and long-terms. As a result, even if they promise their workers job security, they typically cant deliver. However, for many employees, the end of job security can be a good thing. Job security used to be something only employers could provide, and employees had no control over the situation. But what if waiting for job security is a waste of time? Whats the alternative? Instead of job security, consider career security. That is, the ability for workers to stay employed in jobs of their choosing, regardless of the economic situation in any one country or the financial situation of any one employer. Instead of hoping that, when a company is bought, moved, or reorganized, a job w ill remain intact, career security means lining up options with other employers in order to rise above the turbulence. Career security is something workers can create for themselves.Career security means monitoring an employers status, and if it weakens, quickly moving on to a new job opportunity instead of hoping to avoid layoffs. This behavior may be considered disloyal by most employers, but it isnt. Employers can no longer be loyal to employees, so employees need to be loyal to themselvesSo, how can you achieve career security? Above all else, it requires three basic steps1. Get to know yourself and what you do the best, even if it isnt something you necessarily love to do. Instead, it should be your underlying talent that is often employed by your passions. Everyone is imbued with a natural capability or talent, but only those who take care of it through skills development can achieve career security. However, to make a commitment like that, you have to know exactly what your t alent is.2. As employers have been forced to cut staff, theyve become desperate for high-performing employees, so you need to arrive at work every day prepared to bring your full talent to the days tasks.3. Work to keep your career strong. You can only feed your talent and use it to do your best work if youre employed by the right organizations and in the right jobs. Career self-management by hoping for the best is a quick ticket to unemployment. On the other hand, proactively looking for opportunities where you can excel is the single best way to increase both your paycheck and your overall job satisfaction.Career security is a concept fit for the turbulent times we live in, despite the attractiveness of the traditional idea of job security. It has the power and the promise to position you for long-term career success. And even better, to get it you only have to rely on one source the only one you can really count on yourself.

A Powerful Possibility for Rail Safety

A Powerful Possibility for Rail Safety A Powerful Possibility for Rail Safety The U.S. owes much of its economic success to the railroad, which helped open up the country to commerce and travel. But its also been involved in its share of accidents and fatalities and still is. One obvious way to improve safety and reduce potential tragedies is through advanced safety equipment, but these technologies traditionally have also been very costly to build and power. Dr. Abolfazl Pourghodrat, co-inventor of a device to harvest power from trains to help power equipment for safety protection, hopes his teams work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln can change this.Track to ImprovementWhen I got involved with this project, a stat I heard really hit home for me, says Pourghodrat. I had heard that every 90 minutes theres an accident at a remote crossing, he says. This has been an evolving process where better solutions have been found through iterations. I learned a great deal about improving a product through this process.An earlier iteration of his own device welches powered by electromagnetics but it didnt create enough power for warning light systems as he envisioned, so his team then went the mechanical way.A prototype of the energy harvesting device. Image University of Nebraska, LincolnThis welches a mechanical device to harvest energy from the direction of the railroad track. We did testing and said What if we also modified this mechanism when it came to direction? he explains. We were only generating power when the track moved downward but not upward. The second generation of the device could harvest both directions. We did testing and in summer it would work and provide enough watts of energy but in winter when the ground is icy and the soil is very solid, its not effective.The next improvement was a mechanical device which was basically having contact with a car wheel, says Pourghodrat, who graduated with a masters in mechanical engineering and a Ph.D. in biome dical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Every time a wheel is passing it will contact a handle then the handle will eventually produce some sort of power.Within the mechanical device phase, they had a rack-and-pinion gear system that would convert the linear motion of the track to a rotary motion, he says.Lab testing set up. Image University of Nebraska, LincolnWhile these were good abfluging points, it was actually hydraulic power which took the device to the next level. Now it was able to go to almost 50 watts to 100 watts of power, which was much more than the previous solutions. It was based on the hydraulic principle or idea of mechanical advantage, he says. You would put the hydraulic cylinder below the track and when the car passes over the cylinder, it is pressed down. Ultimately, the generator will start to produce electricity.The present iteration is still under wraps, but its Pourghodrats hope that a version will make its way to railroad crossings in th e near future. There needs to more options, if at all possible, he says. I could see it potentially making a difference.The challenge of the work has certainly made its mark on Pourghodrat, who found a word that truly defined all the iterations he focused on. Perseverance. I learned the perseverance of having to make a good amount of changes and to push yourself to look at a problem from many different angles, he says. You just get driven by the idea that the work could one day end up helping people on the tracks.Eric Butterman is an independent writer.Learn about the latest trends in energy solutions at ASMEsPower Energy Conference and Exhibition. For Further Discussion It was based on the hydraulic principle or idea of mechanical advantage. You would put the hydraulic cylinder below the track and when the car passes over the cylinder, it is pressed down. Ultimately, the generator will start to produce electricity.Abolfazl Pourghodrat, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

How to Attract and Keep a Workplace Sponsor

How to Attract and Keep a Workplace SponsorHow to Attract and Keep a Workplace SponsorA sponsor is someone with power who knows you and your eignung, who advocates for your success on the corporate (or organizational) ladder, and who helps remove obstacles to your progress. A sponsor is someone who is willing to champion your progress. A sponsor is someone who has enough clout to make a difference in decisions others make about your progress. A sponsor believes in you and your skills and abilities enough to risk her or his own credibility for you. A sponsor has enough faith in your ultimate success to protect you so that you can take risks and make occasional mistakes and missteps without setting your career back. What Does a Workplace Sponsor Do? Some examples of the kinds of actions that a sponsor might take on your behalf Hires you for a position, especially one where you can learn and advance even further.Actively puts your name forward when an opening is available that match es your skills and abilities.Actively considers and seeks out openings, assignments, and opportunities where you can advance.Makes a call to or has a one-on-one meeting with a decision maker who has the authority to say yes to an opportunity or aufsteigen for you.Speaks up for your skills and abilities in meetings, when your name comes up or when opportunities come up. Tells you what you need to do and know to get chosen for the opening or opportunity.Connects you with others who can help you make progress, and prepares them to see you favorably.Advocates for good initial pay in a new position, or a good pay raise or bonus within a current position - and has enough influence with the decision makers to make these likely to happen.If youre an entrepreneur, a sponsor may open doors for venture capital or other investment.Defends or protects you in times when youve taken risks and failed, reminding the decision makers that risk is part of success - and expresses faith in your ultimat e success. How a Workplace Sponsor Differs From a Supporter or Mentor A good sponsor is also a supporter and a berater, but a sponsor is mora than either of those. A supporter or mentor is sometimes the person who will help you figure out that you need a sponsor and how to find one. A supporter is someone at any level who supports your progress, but may not have the clout to remove obstacles. Supporters express encouragement, and sometimes speak up for you or helpyour progress. A mentor is someone who helps you understand what you need to progress through the organization, to fulfill your potential. Your mentor is an advisor - to you. A mentor focuses on changes you need to make to progress. Sometimes, a change you need to make is to find a sponsor. A sponsor is also a supporter and sometimes is also a mentor, but is much more. He or she is an active advocate with the power to smooth the path for you, to get your name into the right conversations at the right level, and to ope n doors by influencing decision-makers you might otherwise have no access to. Advantages to Having a Workplace Sponsor To be on the fast track in your organizational progress, youll want a sponsor. Mentors and supporters can help you make career progress, but that kind of help depends on decision makers happening to notice you and your work. A sponsor speeds up the process, by getting your name into the right conversations at the right time and at the right level, and helping decision-makers understand why you are the right person for the opportunity. What Are a Workplace Sponsors Responsibilities? To be an advocate, first, a sponsor needs to be familiar with you and your best - your skills, abilities, and your success record. If a sponsor pushes your case for an opportunity that isnt a good fit, that isnt good for your success, for the sponsors reputation, or for the decision-makers, they will not be helpful in your career success. Next, the sponsor is proactive in looking for opportunities that interest you and promoting your fit for those workplace positions. The sponsor talks up your potential with decision-makers, usually with information about past successes that provide evidence to back up the sponsors faith in you, and an enthusiasm that expresses that faith. The sponsor is willing to use influence with contacts in order to promote your success. Or to make opportunities more directly, hiring you or investing in your project. The sponsor and you keep in contact so that the sponsor can continue to promote you where you are and keep eyes open for further opportunities. The sponsor makes clear that this is a professional relationship, not a personal one, and actively avoids situations and occasions that would cross that line. When the sponsor is a man and is sponsoring a woman, this is especially important. A sponsor can help you propel your career forward in ways that youd otherwise not experience.For career success, consider how to find and keep a sponsor who can really help you advance. How to Attract a Sponsor Who Can Help You If you are interested in attracting a sponsor who can help you find opportunities to learn and grow in your career, the relationship must be mutually beneficial. Think about it whats in it for the sponsor? The sponsor takes the risks and spends the time promoting your career because your success will reflect well on the sponsor. And, those the sponsor influences to take you on will be grateful to the sponsor for the great find that you are. So, to attract and keep a sponsor, you have to show that youre worth that risk and effort. To find a possible sponsor, seek opportunities to interact with those who are in more senior positions than you are with clout and power. Volunteer to be the one to make a presentation for your group. Look around for people in your family and friendship circles who have influence in the field youre in or want to be in. Get involved in networking and professional groups that include people in more senior positions, in your organization or in related organizations. Youll need to show a potential sponsor your extraordinary success record, and make clear through your current performance that you have high potential to succeed even more as you advance. Promote your own strengths and successes, in a way that also shows you are a team player, who works well with others and whose colleagues are supporters. Make sure that visible evidence exists that demonstrates your potential in both your current and past performance. (No reputable sponsor is going to go to bat for you if your approach is Im not doing well in this job because it isnt right for me, but Id be much better in a more responsible position.) Be clear, first with yourself, then with possible sponsors, about your dreams and what you see as your potential. You want a sponsor to open the doors to your dream career, not to sidetrack it to opportunities that arent interesting or appropriate for you. If youre looking for a career in higher education, for example, a sponsor who finds you aperfectspot in the meat-packing industry isnt going to be very helpful. Your sponsor will want to see that you are respectful at your workplace towards current colleagues, managers, customers, and other contacts. Respect for those with whom you workdoesnt mean that you arent ever going to move on. But, it does mean that you dontgossip about people with whom you workor to whom you report, put them down, or otherwise show disrespect for them. Tips for Communicating With Your Workplace Sponsor The sponsor puts his or her credibility on the line, so make sure that you are honest with your sponsorsand loyal to them. If you have any opportunities to help your sponsors success, take advantage of them. Its not a quid pro quo - your sponsor is likely much more powerful than you are right now. Your sponsor may do far more for you than you can do for her or him - but there must be a sense that youre looking out for each other. Dont hide your mistakes - that would be both dishonest and disloyal. Your sponsor doesnt want to be surprised by very bad news from valued associates and friends. If you do make mistakes in an opportunity the sponsor made possible, own up to your failure to your sponsor. Make clear what measures youre already taking to pick yourself up, and share the lessons youve learned.Ask for feedback and advice from your sponsor. Keep your sponsor in the loop on successes, too, so when another opportunity arises, the sponsor knows youre ready. While the sponsor has responsibility for not crossing the professional/personal line, you also have responsibility for this as the person being sponsored. Appearances matter, so avoid situations and occasions that might confuse onlookers (or you or the sponsor). Does Workplace Sponsorship Work? In an article in theNew York Times, Mentors Are Good. Sponsors Are Better., and in her book,Forget a Mentor, Find a Sponsor, Sylv ia Ann Hewlett details research showing that those with sponsors succeed more quickly, on averagethan those without sponsors, even those with a mentor. Hewlett also lists major corporations, including American Express, ATT, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Genentech and Morgan Stanley, that have begun programs to encourage sponsorship. If you are willing to reach out to potential sponsors and have a positive track record, and the potential to soar - reach out. People are proud and happy to sponsor women and men who will make them look good - and who will have their backs, too.

How to survive an office party as an introvert

How to survive an office party as an introvertHow to survive an office party as an introvertFor those who enjoy being the life of a party, large work gatherbeiings are a fun opportunity to hobnob and gossip. But for those of us who are introverts, the thought of having to attend an office party and engage in small talk with our coworkers is an exhausting performance.But there are small steps you can take as an introvert to make your annual dose of enforced networking mora enjoyable - without having to fake it.Heres how to make the most of an office party if large groups of people provoke your flight-or-fight response.Bring a friend as supportIf your office party allows you to invite a guest, bringing a supportive friend could be the confidence boost you need to summon the courage to talk to that big name you have admired from afar.But before you decide which of your friends to bring to the company event, its important to vet them for cultural fit. You want to choose a friend who has good social skills, someone who can speak the language of your company and can survive being left alone by the bowl of punch.To highlight the networking potential of plus ones, advice columnist Ronald Brown recounted the story of his client who brought a male friend to help her shine at a corporate party. This friend helped the client secure and strengthen connections she needed to get a promotion.He charmed some of my clients colleagues wives, dancing with them and deftly working in references to how much my client loved working at her company, Brown wrote. The following week, a couple of senior managers came up to my client and told her about the positive impressions their wives had gained of her as a result of her guest, which helped cement my clients relationship with those managers.At their best, your plus-one can open doors that you couldnt on your own. Choose yours wisely.Give yourself small breaks to be aloneIntroverts get their energy drained from being around large groups of people. As Susan Cain, the woman who popularized the reflective power of introverts in her TEDx talk, put it, introverts feel at their most aliveand their most switched-on and their most capablewhen theyre in quieter, more low-key environments.A loud office party with lots of stimulus is bedrngnis an introverts idea of a fun night on the town, in other words. Conserve your mental energies by enjoying solitude before the event, so youre not exhausted before you arrive at the party.Recognize that you dont need to force yourself to be in a loud environment the whole time to make the most of a work party.Taking a few minutes to be alone could be the breather you need to survive an office event. Using timeouts to hide in a corner by the plants, or hole up in the bathroom, or pet your coworkers dog to avoid small talk are not party fails - theyre a survival mechanism to help you for the long haul of a party.Remember that you can listen more than talkIf youre unsure of what to say to a colleague at an office party, recognize that you dont need to remember elaborate social scripts to be a memorable conversationalist. As multiple studies have shown, our favorite topic to talk about is ourselves. So relax You dont need to be inherently interesting to be interesting to other people.We find people who are interested in our lives to be the most interesting people of all. One study found that people who showed genuine curiosity, asked follow-up questions, and listened to their conversation partner were seen as more attractive to talk to in first-time meetings.Have a gameplan of who you want to meetCreating a socialization quota can help an introverted employee make the most of their limited energy. Instead of feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of talking to everybody in a room, do as Cain advises in her book Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Cant Stop Talking and prioritize your commitments.Pick the select few people you want to talk to at the office party to consider it a success. Then after you have talked to them and made your face seen, head home to your haven of solitude. No need to be a martyr and stay at a party to the bitter end.