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1

Workplace Behavior / 10 special skills of a project manager

« on: June 21, 2023, 11:01:01 PM »

10 special skills of a project manager?

Being a project manager requires a unique set of demands and attributes due to the complexity and dynamic nature of project management. Here are some special demands/attributes of a project manager:

Leadership Skills: Project managers need strong leadership abilities to guide and motivate their teams. They should be able to inspire team members, set clear goals, and provide direction. Effective leadership also involves making tough decisions, resolving conflicts, and ensuring accountability.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Project managers must possess excellent communication skills to effectively convey project requirements, expectations, and updates to team members, stakeholders, and clients. They should be skilled listeners, able to understand and address concerns, and build strong relationships with stakeholders.

Organizational and Planning Skills: Project managers need exceptional organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and resources. They must be able to create and manage project plans, establish timelines, allocate resources, and track progress. Effective planning ensures project success and minimizes risks.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Projects often encounter unexpected challenges and changes. Project managers should be adaptable and flexible, capable of adjusting plans and strategies to address emerging issues. They should possess strong problem-solving skills to analyze complex situations, identify solutions, and make timely decisions.

Risk Management Abilities: Project managers must be skilled in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. They should be proactive in identifying potential project risks, developing contingency plans, and monitoring risks throughout the project lifecycle. Effective risk management helps minimize project disruptions and ensures successful outcomes.

Technical Competence: Depending on the project's nature, project managers may need a solid understanding of the technical aspects of the project. This could include knowledge of specific industry standards, technologies, or methodologies. Technical competence enables project managers to make informed decisions, communicate effectively with team members, and assess project feasibility.

Time and Resource Management: Project managers must have a strong sense of time management and resource allocation. They should be able to prioritize tasks, manage project schedules, and allocate resources efficiently. This includes managing budgets, procurement processes, and optimizing resource utilization.

Stakeholder Management: Project managers need the ability to engage and manage various stakeholders, including clients, team members, senior management, and external partners. They should possess strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills to address differing interests, maintain stakeholder satisfaction, and ensure project alignment with stakeholder expectations.

Continuous Learning and Improvement: Project managers should have a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to continuous learning. They should stay updated with industry trends, project management methodologies, and emerging technologies. This allows them to apply best practices, incorporate lessons learned, and continuously improve project management approaches.

Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is crucial for project managers as they deal with diverse personalities and high-pressure situations. They should be empathetic, understand team dynamics, and effectively manage emotions, both their own and others'. Emotional intelligence helps build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive project environment.

These demands and attributes collectively contribute to the success of project managers in effectively leading and delivering projects, ensuring stakeholder satisfaction, and achieving project objectives.

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Employability Skills / Ultimate List of Online Learning for your Career growth

« on: August 09, 2020, 01:38:29 PM »

If you're on a quest for information you tend to start with Google right?
Imagine you're looking to learn something new, but still not too sure what exactly. How do you find those clever and useful study tools, if you don't know that they exist?

To make things easier we have gathered a number of websites that will help you on your way; the ultimate learning list to help you find useful online learning sites and material.

Online Course & eLearning

• springest.co.uk
• coursera.org
• edx.org
• futurelearn.com
• udacity.com
• udemy.com
• khanacademy.org
• goedu.ac

Knowledge

• ted.com
• economist.com
• brainpickings.org
• lifehack.org
• quora.com

Career

• abetterinterview.com
• blogging4jobs.com
• whatchado.com/en
• mycareertopia.com
• resumup.com

Learn a Language

• babbel.com
• busuu.com
• learnalanguage.com
• duolingo.com
• livemocha.com

Programming & Web Design

• codecademy.com
• teamtreehouse.com
• learncodethehardway.org
• code.org
• tutsplus.com
• groklearning.com

Tutorials & DIY

• wikihow.com
• ifixit.com
• instructables.com
• boredpanda.com
• stylemepretty.com

Books, Magazines & Journals

• bookboon.com
• online-literature.com
• sparknotes.com
• gutenberg.org
• bl.uk/eresources
• newsstand.co.uk

Cooking

• deliciousdays.com
• 101cookbooks.com
• cheeseandburger.com
• myrecipes.com
• spatulatta.com
• bbcgoodfood.com

Source: https://www.springest.co.uk/weblog/the-online-learning-guide

3

Winning Interview Techniques / 7 Things Never To Say in a Job Interview

« on: August 08, 2020, 11:32:37 AM »

Career experts say midlife job seekers have some blind spots, and are prone to subtle, sabotaging gaffes during interviews.
 
As today’s job hunters know, getting a face-to-face interview can feel like a career coup. It probably means you’ve sailed through numerous email and phone screenings, and are in a terrific position to sell your skills and experience to a new employer.
 
But you’re not home free. Career experts say midlife job seekers have some blind spots, and are prone to subtle, sabotaging gaffes. “One big problem is they often assume they are pretty good at job interview answers,” says Amanda Augustine, job search expert at The Ladders, the online employment site. “They’ve usually done a lot of them, and have likely been on both sides of the desk. But just because you’ve been in hundreds of job interviews doesn’t mean you can’t brush up on your skills.”
Here are seven worst job interview answers you can say during your precious 30 minutes.

1. “Am I over 18? You’re kidding, right?”
While interviewers can’t ask how old you are, at least not legally, they are allowed to ask if you’re over 18. Many do so, just to see how sensitive you are about your age. “Of course it’s a silly question,” Augustine says. But even if you think a jovial response makes you seem relaxed about how old you are, save it for the next time you get carded at Safeway. Instead, just smile, and say, “Yes. I am over 18.”

2. “I’m ready for a change.”
As true as this may be, it’s a terrible way to sell yourself to a potential employer, especially in this uncertain job market, says Roy Cohen, career coach and author of The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide. “I had a client say this recently in an interview, and really, why would any other company be interested in him? It gives the impression that he was bored, his experience was growing stale, and he was unmotivated. Otherwise, why would he stay in his field so long?”
So when they ask why you’re looking for a new job or exploring a new field (and they will), “answer with something that shows you’ve given this a lot of thought, without any negativity. You don’t want to sound like someone who copes with an unsatisfying job by bailing out.”
 
3. “I've got 25 years of experience.”
While you may think such statements make you a shoo-in, they are more likely to make you sound like a dinosaur. “What the interviewer hears is 'I'm so bogged down in what I believe I already know that I'll be difficult to work with,'” says Rosemary Hook, a recruiter in Austin, Texas. “You paint yourself as unfriendly to learning new things.” Besides, in many industries, what was happening even five years ago is ancient history: Concentrate on your most recent experience, and how it applies to this company.

4. “I love Tweeting!”
You’ve no doubt heard that admitting you can’t master your iPhone marks you as a technophobe, and that’s a pervasive complaint employers have about applicants of a certain age. But touting your tech skills in ways that aren’t relevant may seem like you’re overcompensating, says Laura M. Iwanycky, a recruiting manager for Progressive Insurance. If you’ve used social media in the past to boost sales or create employee engagement, highlight it as part of your professional skill set.

5. “I see myself staying in this job until I retire.”
While you might think such a statement demonstrates your commitment, avoid putting the r-word in their heads. Employers rightfully want applicants with plenty to give, not someone looking to coast through the last few years of their career, says Augustine.

6. “Tell me a little about the benefits.”
Think of a job interview like running for the Presidency,” says Hook. “You must appear vibrant and healthy, able to bring energy to the job regardless of your gray hair.” Asking about healthcare too early in the process may knock you off the short list.

7. “No, I don’t have any more questions.”
Almost all interviewers will end by asking you what else you’d like to know. Don’t squander the opportunity to score more points, Augustine says. Some of her favorites:
If I were to join this organization and be successful, what are the three things I would accomplish in my first 90 days?
How do you see me stacking up against your other candidates
What is the time frame for hiring, and how would you like me to follow up?
The point is to leave on a note that conveys your enthusiasm and professionalism. Finally, don’t be shy about talking around your age in constructive ways. “One of the great things about older workers, for example, is that they often have older or grown kids, and the ability to be more flexible in scheduling,” says Augustine. “If that seems like it’s important to this job, by all means say so.”
Those are a few things you should not say in your job interviews.
 
Source: aarp.org

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Winning Interview Techniques / The best way to answer “Why should I hire you?”

« on: August 06, 2020, 11:38:28 AM »

It’s the moment of truth—you’re on the job hunt and have landed an interview and it’s going well. You’re making a great impression on the person you’re meeting with and it really feels as if you have this locked up… and then all of a sudden you’re hit with the big question: “Why should I hire you?”

On its face it may seem like an easy question, but the truth is that it may only seem deceptively so. On top of there being a lot riding on your answer (namely a possible new job), the way in which you choose to answer the question may reveal a great deal to the person who’s in a position to make a hiring decision about you. Obviously, you want to make a good impression, and there’s a million overused and unremarkable ways to handle the question that you should wisely avoid. With all of that said, perhaps it doesn’t seem so simple anymore?

Don’t worry—although there are plenty of ways to miss the mark when you’re facing this question, there are some effective strategies for how to handle it that can help turn a good interview into a great one, ensure that you leave a positive lasting impression on the interviewer, and increase your chances of getting hired. The Balance recently published an article highlighting proven strategies for handling the “Why should I hire you?” question. Consider taking advantage of the following tips when you next face it.

Build your pitch.
Always remember that you’re selling yourself whenever you’re on an interview, and your answer to the question “Why should I hire you?” should reflect a deep awareness of the requirements of the position that you’re interviewing for, the needs of the company that you’d like to become a part of, and the personality traits, skills, and experience that you possess that make you an ideal candidate. This means that you should always do your homework before getting to the interview, and you should be ready to confidently connect the dots between you, the employer, and their needs. If you have this down cold, then you’re in a good position to let the interviewer know precisely why they should hire you; if you’re unsure of the answer, keep working to connect those dots before the day of the big interview arrives. It never hurts to take a look at the keywords in the job posting and incorporate some of them into your answer.
That said, you should always be ready to tweak your answer as needed to reflect any new information you get during the interview. For example, if you go into the interview thinking that good project management skills is your most valuable asset for the position but learn during the interview that they’re really looking to hire someone who’s a whiz with numbers, you may want to consider a revision if the question arises.

Keep it brief.
A good answer to the question need not—and really should not—be an endless soliloquy that takes the unfortunate audience on a meandering journey through your entire life story. Keep it short, simple, and to the point—think a minute or two, tops. Your one goal is to succinctly encapsulate why you effectively bridge the gap between the position you’re vying for and the needs of the company. Anything longer than that may exhaust the listener and may truly be “TMI.”

Realize it’s not just what you say.
Sure, you’re going to be judged based on what you say in response to this question, but just as important for this and all other interview questions is how you respond. This includes your confidence, body language, and ability to sell yourself as a true potential asset who stands out from the job hunting crowd. So, not only prepare what you intend to say in response to this weighty question, also be sure that your delivery is razor-sharp. It’s okay to act like you’ve prepared an answer in advance—hiring managers love preparation and attention to detail!

What makes you stand out?
It’s always smart to keep in mind that for every good answer you might have for every interview question that arises, there’ll be a pack of other qualified candidates who will also come to their interviews strapped with good answers as well. Therefore, you should come ready to answer the question “Why should I hire you?” with something that makes you stand out from the crowd. Anything that makes you unique and could be viewed as a potential checkmark in the “pro” column when hiring personnel are deciding about you is fair game. Perhaps the interviewer mentioned that the company is seeking to expand its business internationally and you speak the language of a country that they may be looking to do business in—that could be a potential game changer. Try to have your own game changer in mind when facing this question. Any detail will do—not only will you seem well-suited for the job, but it will also show that you’ve done your homework in advance and know what the company is all about.

“Why should I hire you?” is a question that has the potential to leave you rambling on and on while not saying much of anything. Don’t waste your opportunity to create a powerful, pointed answer to this common interview question. Your interviewer will be impressed with your ability to summarize all you have to offer in a focused sound bite—you’ll look prepared, confident, and responsible, all traits key to getting the job.

Source: https://www.thejobnetwork.com/

5

Winning Interview Techniques / How to Answer Interview Questions

« on: August 04, 2020, 01:43:28 PM »

See you weren’t ever promoted at your last job- why?

Note: NEVER bash former colleagues.  Doesn’t matter if its their fault.  Doesn’t matter if Jeff was in charge of promotions and he doesn’t like you because of that fruitcake you got him last Christmas.  Don’t mention past conflicts unless you want to talk yourself out the job.
Point out specific instances in your job where you weren’t promoted but were assigned more responsibilities.  Explain being assigned more responsibilities showed the company’s faith in you, note any rewards or acknowledgements you might have got.
Explain your excited to move to this new positions for opportunities to move up.  Although you weren’t promoted at your last job you received the skills and experience necessary to make a great transition here.

What is your definition of success? What about failure?

Whenever talking about success relate it to the current position you want.  Talk about what you learned and how it will help you in this job.
Show that your life is balanced between successes and failures, be sure to mention no matter the result the important thing is learning from it.
Again when talking about failure show how it has helped you and how you’ve learned from it.

Tell me about your education; did you enjoy school?

When questions about your education come this presents a great opportunity for your to make an impression.  When talking about school perk up a little bit, show you are passionate about what you studied and that you are eager to talk about it.  Some general things to keep in mind and mention while talking about school:

• Mention public speaking skills you’ve developed from giving presentations throughout the years
• Explain how you had to make a study schedule to stay organized, show how you followed it and the results
• Mention your experience in dealing with deadlines
• Mention how you applied things learned from different areas to a task

Why did you attend this school?  What things influenced your choice?

Discuss your reasons for selecting your school.  Plan out at least 3-4 ahead of time, relate them to career related goals, academic considerations and school reputations
Discuss your selection process, what you did to decide, what other schools you visited or considered.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities?

• Discuss any leadership roles you might have held. 
  
• Talk about the skills you learned in the groups and show how they have helped you in other areas.
  
• Talk about any problems you might have had and tell stories about how you worked your way through them.
• If you didn’t participate in any activities mention how you were busy with working your way through school and studying.  Mention how you would make the time if you had a chance to re do it.

Aren’t you overqualified for this position?  Don’t you think you might be bored?

Enthusiastically address the interviewers concerns and explain how you see yourself growing in the position.  Try and find out if the interviewer thinks you are overqualified or too old.
Show how your previous experience will help you and the company excel, tell them your past experience is only an asset that will help you.

Our company has a mission statement, do you have a mission statement of your own?

Here would be a good place to talk about the objective you have set while creating your resumes.  Talk about your values and your ethics and show how those qualities relate to a successful employee.

How will you help our company?

Again talk about your key skills and values that will make you a great employee.  Discuss any special skills or intangibles you might have and why they set you apart from others.  List out your special and position relevant skills when preparing.

Why did you apply with this company?

When answering this type of question, talk about how the job puts your career in a position where you have always wanted to be.  Talk about how great the opportunity is and about how your skills will help you make a difference in the company.
Show off your research here, if you found anything that makes the company attractive be sure to mention it.
Example:
Working with this company is a great opportunity to get the professional skills I have been seeking for a while.   Seeing as you are a fortune 500 company the career opportunities here are endless.  My hard working and strong analytical skills will help me fit in with this team and make a solid difference.

What do you know about our competition?

Note: There is almost no way you are going to be able to answer these types of questions without doing research first.  As soon as you find out you have an interview start researching and taking notes, hard will pay off or you will get left behind.
When answering these types of questions it is important to fall back on your research.  Discuss the current state of the industry and how all companies are affected by this state.
Add specific details that show you truly understand what you're talking about.