5 Ways To Motivate Your Employees

By Amanda Rice

You’ve finally made it to the apex of your career. You have a great job, an even greater office, and a handful of employees who answer directly to you. But do you know how to motivate your employees?

Too often, bosses tend to push their staff really hard without showing a modicum of appreciation for fear of being thought of as a pushover. But if you learn how to motivate your employees the right way, you never have to fear any backlash.

As well, there are ways to make sure your employees don’t confuse kindness with weakness; all you need to do is draw the line at where your amicable behavior ends and your authority begins.

Here now are ways that you can motivate your employees.

Motivate your employees tip #1
Recognize their hard work
In an effort to avoid anyone asking for a raise, too many bosses don’t celebrate the hard work their employees put into the company on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this is not the way to go. Eventually, your employees will eventually lose their motivation and accomplish just enough to gt the job done, rather than go that extra mile for you.

Whether you start a company newsletter in which you recognize the hardest workers or you take your team out for a social dinner every once in awhile to show them your appreciation, the best way to motivate your employees is by giving back and patting them on the back.

Motivate your employees tip #2
Create creative policies
Many of my employees tend to work late on most weekdays, and it’s not because they’re forced to (although I have sneaking suspicion that some of them are just avoiding their personal lives), but rather because they enjoy what they do and want to get more done.

So I created a new policy that allows employees to come in before noon, save for the days when we have our powwow meetings. This way, they get the flex time they need, which allows for time with family or doctor’s appointment and whatnot.

So long as the work is being done, what time they come into work is not crucial, and if it is, everyone has a cell phone and can easily be reached in dire situations.

Motivate your employees tip #3
Make it a point to meet with them
Every once in awhile, whether it be with one employee at a time or all of them, a great way to motivate your employees is by holding meetings with them every now and then to pick their brains about what’s going with them, their professional projects and their future plans.

This demonstrates that you not only care about what direction the company is headed in; you care about your employees and what they want to accomplish.

Motivate your employees tip #4
Trust them
I used to have a jackass of a boss who micromanaged every little move anyone in the company made; this led to the stagnation of the company and crushed everyone’s morale. His lack of faith in his employees caused them to resent him and stop working at full capacity for fear of being stopped in their tracks and having to start all over again.

Even if your employees don’t do everything exactly the way you would have done it, so long as the bottom line is being met and the numbers are going up, you should congratulate them on a job well done and encourage their independence and executive decision making capabilities. If you don’t, you will have a bunch of disgruntled employees in your midst.

Motivate your employees tip #5
Let them set deadlines
You are the one who calls the shots at the end of the day, but if you aren’t realistic in your expectations, you will get nowhere fast with your employees. If you want to motivate your employees, let them set their own deadlines. That way, you can ensure that they’ll meet them.

After all, they know how long their work will take, so doesn’t it make sense to allow them to set their own deadlines (within reason, of course)? That way, if they don’t meet their target date, they have no one to blame but themselves.

Motivate your employees every day

It’s not difficult to motivate your employees, so long as you recognize the difference between being an understanding boss and a pushover. You can be a great boss and a great motivator with the right attitude.

Are You A Workaholic?

By Amanda Rice

In a bid to prove ourselves at work and as women, we sometimes bite off more than we can chew at work, and find ourselves spending up to 12 hours a day at the office.

Have we become workaholics? Are we so obsessed with making our mark in the professional world that we’re willing to sacrifice our personal lives and valuable sleep for it?

Unfortunately, the answer to every question is a big old “yes.” Many women nowadays are self-professed workaholics

What is a workaholic?

A workaholic lives for their work and spends the time they’re not working thinking about work. They thrive on multiple projects and deadlines, and usually do not have time for much else in their lives.

Why are you a workaholic?

Nowadays, companies use half the employees to complete double the amount of work. So it’s possible that you weren’t a workaholic to begin with, but slowly became one when the workload began to increase.

As well, technology keeps us connected at all times. Whether it’s your cell phone, email, fax machine, or instant messaging, there’s always a way for your colleagues or boss to get a hold of you. And if you’re always updated on what work needs to be completed, then you always feel compelled to work.

Finally, money is also a factor. The harder you work, the bigger your paycheck and the greater your chance for a promotion. And society has never been as materialistic as it is today.

Will your workaholic ways cause burnout?

Do you think that all the work-related stress and long hours are taking their toll on you? Of course they are and unless you take a breather, there’s a good chance that you’ll be headed for an early grave.

Without taking a 3-week vacation and heading off to the Cayman Islands, here’s how you can start taking small steps to break away from your workaholic habits without having withdrawal symptoms.

Workaholic break tip #1
Create a backup
Some people thrive on the fact that no one else knows how to do their job, but that may serve to be a very bad thing when there’s a personal emergency and no one at work can fill your duties.

It’s time to start sharing your knowledge by training others to fulfill some of your dire tasks, should you need to, oh I don’t know, take a vacation and clear your head.

Workaholic break tip #2
Take mini breaks
Instead of heading out for 14 days of fun and sun (you’ll probably go crazy anyway), why not take mini breaks every now and then?

Take a day off from work to do some of the things you always complain you have no time for. Or finish your Fridays early and head out for a late lunch with a girl friend that you haven’t seen in ages.

These little breaks will help you focus on other important aspects of your life without your actually having to sacrifice your professional career.

Workaholic break tip #3
Delegate to others
You are not superwoman nor do you have to be; it’s time you started passing some of your tasks off to other people at work. It’s okay that you’re not able to do everything.

If you’re in the midst of closing a huge deal but there’s a boatload of paperwork that needs to be filed, don’t do it yourself. Ask for help, most colleagues would be more than glad to lend a hand.

Workaholic break tip #4
Call home when you can
It may sound menial, but if you get a few minutes of peace and quiet, take the time to call someone in your personal life and see what’s going on.

Whether it’s your boyfriend, your mom, your best friend, or a relative, calling someone for a minute to see how they are will not only make them feel great, it’ll also help you touch base with the other side of your life.

Workaholic break tip #5
Exercise
Women who work all hours tend to be quite stressed out most of the time. In order to relieve some of that stress and hopefully get a good night’s sleep, head to the gym.

Exercise releases endorphins and there’s no doubt you need to release these feel good chemicals in your brain in order to relax in the evening and think about something other than work.

Curb the workaholic in you

Overworking yourself will not help you in any way because you’ll end up feeling burnt out and you won’t have the ability to maintain the same level of creativity for years on end.

Taking some time off may help you rejuvenate your thinking process and return to work with a new vigor and perspective. Try it, you might just like it.

Land That Dream Job – 7 Tips

By Jennifer Towers

When we were young, we all imagined that we’d land that dream job of being a veterinarian, actor, dancer, or astronaut. Now that we’re older, chances are we’ve settled into a comfortable job that doesn’t necessarily make us feel fulfilled.

But why shouldn’t we strive to land that dream job? After all, we spend 1/3 of our lives at work, so wouldn’t it make sense to land that dream job that we actually enjoy heading to every morning?

Well, you can land that dream job if you set your mind to it. And with a little perspective, a lot of research and a boatload of dedication, you can land that dream job before you wake up one day to find that it’s too late.

Land that dream job tip #1
Write down what you want
Most people never take the time to think about their dream job. They either take the safe route or he appropriate one. But if you could be anything in this world, what would it be? What is your dream job?

Write down the things that make you happy. I’m not talking about rainbows and color red, but rather tasks that you don’t find daunting, but actually pleasurable. If you enjoy spending time with dogs, maybe you’re destined to work in an environment with animals. If you love being social, maybe public relations is your calling.

If you want to land your dream job, the first step is to figure out exactly what it is first.

Land that dream job tip #2
Shadow the job
Once you establish what it is you’d like to do for the rest of your life, you need to take the necessary steps to see what it’s really all about. After all, rocket science sounds incredibly interesting, but not everyone is cut out for it.

So if you’re ready to follow your calling, don’t be abrupt about it. Take some time off from your current job and shadow the job you’re yearning for. If you’re not currently working, sign up for an internship.

Sometimes the idea of something seems a lot more attractive than the reality of it, so before you dive in, make sure you’ve made the right choice by doing your research.

Land that dream job tip #3
Find someone in the profession
Someone who’s currently working at the job you desire can be very helpful in filling you in on information you need, and perhaps bringing up issues and drawbacks that you may not have thought about.

Find out how they started and how long it took them to end up where you want to be. You may discover that the path to landing that dream job is easier or more difficult than you imagined.

Land that dream job tip #4
Ask hard-hitting questions
Although it would be great to hear about all the wonderful arenas of your dream job, reality proves that there are drawbacks to everything we do, so you need to make sure that you find out everything about the job – from the cream to the crust.

Find out what it takes to get into the position, if there are any required courses you should take to better acquaint yourself with the profession and whether there are any other contacts that can help you reach your goal.

Land that dream job tip #5
Update your skills
Even if you have the right degree to enter into this new workplace, it’s always best to build a fantastic resume. And no, you don’t do that by fudging your qualifications – you actually have them.

Whether you volunteer as an intern or improve your education, today’s sacrifices will only make you a shoe in for your dream job.

Land that dream job tip #6
Tap into your social networks
The best way to land your dream job is by networking as much as you can. Discreetly mention your aspirations to those you think might be able to help you and start open doors in the direction you want to head.

Talk to friends, business associates, family; anyone that might be able to open doors and help you land that dream job.

Land that dream job tip #7
Go online to land that dream job
The Internet is a wonderful tool when it comes to finding the information you’re looking for. Whether you’ve already found the company you want or are planning on moving to get to it, the best way to do your research is online.

Websites, like CraigsList.org, can help you locate the job you’re looking for and in the exact city you want.

Never too late to land that dream job

If you’re willing to dedicate yourself to landing that dream job, nothing will stand in your way. That’s not to say it’s going to be an easy task; it will test your patience and be a daunting task, but once you end up exactly where you want to be, you’ll thank yourself for putting all that blood, sweat and tears into it.

The Dangers Of Office Gossip

By Jennifer Towers

Whether you’re the one doing all the talking or just standing around by the water cooler and listening, office gossip can be detrimental to your career. Things can get even worse if you’re the main topic of the gossip circulating the office.

Not only can office gossip harm a person’s career, it can also create a hostile work environment, and no one enjoys going to work when that’s the order of the day.

Of course, there are times when it’s good to know what’s going on around the office, so long as it has to do with business. Being “out of the loop” can lend itself to hindering your advancement at work.

What you need to learn to do is ignore the “Sally is a slut” talk and pay close attention to the fact that Joanne is resigning next week and her job is up for grabs.

But if you had a choice to know absolutely everything about what’s going on in the office or to know absolutely nothing, it’s probably safer too go with the latter because the minute you overhear someone badmouthing someone else, you will be implicated when the feces hits the fan.

So what can you do to avoid being involved in and contributing to office gossip? Well, here’s some valuable advice to get you started.

Office gossip tip #1
Don’t agree or disagree
Sometimes you will end up overhearing or being involved in a conversation about Sheryl and her torrid affair with the married guy in accounting. These things will occur from time to time, unless, of course, you become completely antisocial at work.

The only thing you can do is say nothing. And, above and beyond all else, do not agree or disagree about whether or not Sheryl is a skank because that will make you a contributor to the gossip, which can spell the end of your climb up the ladder.

Office gossip tip #2
Don’t hang around the office gossip
There might be many secrets being whispered about around your office, but there’s no doubt as to who the 4-1-1 is, and, although it’s in your best interest to be nice to this person, you do not, under any circumstance, want to be associated with them.

You need to be nice to them because they will probably end up circulating stories about you if you’re not, and you don’t want to be too nice because others may begin to avoid you for fear of anyone finding out about their potential skeletons.

And I don’t think I need to tell you, but just in case you have a moment of weakness, don’t tell this person anything about your personal life unless you enjoy being shot with your own gun.

Office gossip tip #3
Remember that everyone’s a rat
Even if their intentions are good, no woman wants to go down as the “rotten bitch who speaks ill of others,” so if they can implicate others in their guilt, you can bet they will.

Whether you’re out for drinks after work or are just talking about Jim and his itchy crotch in passing, there’s a good chance that if the person you’re speaking with speaks with someone else, your name will be mentioned. Keeping your mouth shut and your ears open is always your best bet.

Office gossip tip #4
Don’t badmouth anyone
We all have bad days, no doubt, but even if your boss is the biggest prick this side of porn, you should do your best not to run off at the mouth to the first person you run into.

In anger, we tend to say things we don’t mean, but what we sometimes don’t realize is that, once they’re said, we can’t take them back. And if you must tell someone how angry you are, call your boyfriend or your best friend and do your bitching.

Speaking ill of anyone at work to your colleagues will not help you in any way.

Office gossip tip #5
Don’t chastise gossipers
People who gossip thrive off it and if you even attempt to put a stop to it via a confrontation, chances are that things will not work out in your favor.

Not only will this person begin to badmouth you and perhaps even make things up about you, but there’s a good chance that others will believe them, making you seem like a terrible woman.

Your best bet is to be nice to these kinds of people and steer clear of them as often as you can.

Office gossip tip #6
Deal with rumors about you ASAP
If rumors begin to swirl about your recent need to tell your colleague that your boss is incompetent (or even impotent), it’s up to you to clear your name by confronting the persons involved. If you don’t deal with it, things may get worse.

Without starting an argument, simply tell the parties that matter that the rumors are false and you would simply like to clear the air. If the gossip is not false, however, you need to own up to what you did and apologize.

Office gossip tip #7
Remember that everyone has an agenda
There are a sneaky few in every company whose sole mission is to plant seeds in your head and others’ heads in order to create conflict and come out on top of the situation.

If anyone ever eggs you on about what you think of so and so, be the bigger woman and say only good things - even if you don’t mean them. It’s better to be a hypocrite and be respected than to be honest and be disliked.

Avoid office gossip

The best thing you can do in any situation is to listen 95% of the time and speak only 5% of the time. This way, you can ensure that you won’t say anything you’ll regret and maintain your good reputation.

7 Sins Business Women Commit

By Amanda Rice

You’re a professional woman with everything going for you. You’re smart, you’re strong and you’re beautiful… so why aren’t you at the top yet? What is taking so long?

The answers might be found in the little things you’re doing. Check out seven of the biggest sins of business women and learn how to avoid committing them at all costs.

Make sure your professional career soars in the right direction by avoiding these common sins of business women.

Sins of business women #1
Not doing your homework
Walking into any situation without having done your research first is simply unacceptable. With a world of information right at your fingertips, saying that you “just didn’t know” nowadays won’t fly in the business world.

Before any meeting, find out what will be discussed and spend some time on the Internet researching the topic at hand. As well, whenever you’re asked to do something, don’t every say that you have no idea how to go about it. The world is your oyster and you can find out everything you need to know with the click of a button.

Sins of business women #2
Leading with your heart & not your head
The corporate world is a cutthroat one, no doubt, and there’s nothing wrong with having heart, but there’s a time and a place for sympathy and empathy.

More often than not, you need to deal with business matters without emotion, simply because most guys are waiting for you to have an emotional moment so they can call you on it and keep you from a promotion because of your “high” estrogen levels.

It’s awful that proving yourself includes having to become somewhat cold-hearted in the workplace, but if you’re surrounded by men, you need to ease up on using your heart to make decisions. Passion is better used in the bedroom rather than the boardroom.

You’d also do well to stop asking everyone’s opinion before you make a decision; this behavior makes you seem like you don’t trust yourself or want to evade blame should things not work out. Take risks and, more often than not, the results will be plentiful.

Sins of business women #3
Using your sex to get ahead
Even if you’re the smartest person in the room, if you dress provocatively, no one will hear a word you’re saying. Using sex to get ahead in business won’t work in most cases because, again, you’re distinguishing yourself from the men in a negative way.

Breasts, legs and butts are great assets to have when it comes time for formal parties and such, but using your body to get attention at work will not help you get ahead. In essence, it may even hinder your advancement.

It is in your best interest to dress like a beautiful, classy woman rather than a provocative one.

Sins of business women #4
Being a pushover
More often than not, when a woman is outspoken or assertive at work, she is considered a “bitch.” And many women would prefer to avoid inheriting such a name.

But trying to be nice to everyone and sacrificing your career in the process will leave you with much regret when promotion time rolls around.

Stand up for yourself, put yourself first as often as you can, and maintain professionalism around your colleagues, and there will be no merit in their calling you a bitch.

Also, speak up. There’s nothing wrong with voicing your opinion on something, especially if you’ve done your homework (see point 1). Just make sure that when you do so, you don’t crush any egos – diplomacy is your friend.

Sins of business women #5
Taking on more to prove yourself worthy
If you want to be considered for a higher position with the company, you should be delegating small tasks in order to free up your time for the more important deals and projects.

If you continue to take on the small stuff for others so that everyone thinks that you’re pulling your weight, you will remain in a mid-level position forever.

It’s time for you to start acting like a leader and you can do so by not taking on so many small tasks that you can’t focus on the big picture. The big picture, the one that rakes in the money, is where your bull’s eye should rest.

Sins of business women #6
Dressing unprofessionally
In the same vein as dressing provocatively, dressing in an unprofessional manner, no matter how casual the setting, will reflect negatively on you.

Make sure that your clothes are always clean, wrinkle-free, and smell great. Don’t pack on the make-up and style your hair in a simple fashion.

Sins of business women #7
Revealing too much about your personal life
We spend so much time at work that we sometimes lose ourselves and become too friendly with other staff members. But revealing too much about your personal life can be detrimental to your career.

It’s one thing to reveal that you’re married with two kids; it’s a whole other thing to tell your colleagues that you and your husband haven’t had sex in two months because the kids never give you a moment’s peace. Something like that can get around the office quickly and place you in a different, less professional light.

Keep your personal life personal.

Break the sins of business women

Women may have been taking on business careers for years now, but there are still a few intricacies that can make or break your career with a company. And if you can maintain professionalism without hiding your femininity, then you’ll be all the richer for it – both figuratively and literally. Just make sure you avoid these sins of business women at all costs.

8 Ways To Get Promoted

By Jennifer Towers

If you’re like most women, you have drive and ambition, and you are not satisfied with cubicle life. No - for you, it’s corner office all the way. You want to get promoted.

Of course, a promotion won’t happen overnight and if you want to get promoted for all your efforts, you’ll need to take the necessary steps to ensure that the right people are watching you make all the right moves.

So whether you want to go from VP to CEO or from senior editor to editor in chief, here are the steps you should take to get promoted.

Get promoted tip #1
Make or save money for the company
When all is said and done, your boss and your boss’ boss care most about dollars, so it is your mission to either make the company some money or save it a load of cash.

If you can figure out a way to save five digits on office supplies by using a new company that offers the same goods and services, or if you can close a deal that results in six figures, you can bet that the right people will take notice.

If you can pull these numbers off more than once, someone will eventually call you into their office to commend you and, if you play your cards right, you can transform that office meeting and get promoted.

Get promoted tip #2
Take on extra tasks & keep records
If you’re going to help Sheryl with her proposal or take on Mike’s tasks for the month because he’s away on business in China, make sure to keep records of all your extra work by placing headers on documents created, and noting dates and specific details for your year-end review.

It’s not necessary to spend your time boasting about taking on a million other tasks and patting yourself on the back; you should, however, try to get other people in on these extra tasks. That way, they can say they contributed, but it will be clear that you are the woman who headed each project.

Get promoted tip #3
Network at work
If you work in a big corporation, make it a point to befriend colleagues in other departments. When your name begins to spread throughout the company (in a positive way) alongside what your specialties are, you will become the go-to gal that everyone wants to work with.

As well, ask others for small favors once you become acquainted with them. People tend to convince themselves that you must be a nice, worthy woman if they’re willing to do something for you.

Get promoted tip #4
Befriend the messengers
If there’s an administrative assistant (AA) that directs everyone’s phone calls, make that person your best friend. AAs see and hear everything that happens at work, and they are your “in” when it comes to the higher-ups in the company.

If you befriend the AAs, you get an “in” on the scoop and, if they overhear someone discussing you, they can put in a couple of good words on your behalf. Of course, this is not to insinuate that you should brownnose (nobody likes the smell of that), but a professional compliment (I wish I could be half as organized as you, and look just as good doing it) or a flower as gesture of appreciation will be remembered.

Get promoted tip #5
Look great
There will no doubt be days when you wake up feeling lazy and tired, but, as much as you want to, you cannot skimp on self-presentation. It’s not only clients that will notice that you have mooncrust stuck in your eyelashes, but your coworkers will take note as well.

Take care of your body; keep your skin soft, your nails neat and trim, your hair clean and proper, and your clothes wrinkle free. You are, and will constantly be, judged on your looks and no one wants to promote someone who looks a mess.

Get promoted tip #6
Prepare yourself for the future
If you know where you want to climb to with your company, prepare yourself for the future by learning the traits associated with it.

For example, if there’s a special computer program you need to master, take a class beforehand. In the same vein, do your best to get to know other people who already hold such a position and pick their brains in order to get a full understanding of what the job will entail.

Get promoted tip #7
Ask for it
It would be great if you were simply recognized for all your efforts and hard work, but chances are you’re going to have to ask to get promoted - it may never be offered to you otherwise.

You could work at a 110% all the time, but everyone’s busy and it’s up to you to make sure that you not only get noticed, but that you make it clear why you’re doing all this hard work.

Of course, you need to ask at an appropriate time, during a performance review or a private meeting with a decision-maker, for example.

Get promoted tip #8
Work late & socialize
It is a well-known fact in business that most dealings take place in the off hours and, if you want to get promoted, working late might help. Most top tiers employees work late due to the demands of their jobs, and if you're working just as late, it leaves the impression that you also take your tasks very seriously.

And although you need to tread carefully because you don't want to be perceived in a negative way, heading out for drinks with the people who matter can also work in your favor when it comes time to call upon someone to take the lead in your department. So whenever there is a planned event or last minute invite, do your damnedest to attend. You do not have to talk shop the entire time, but do stay sober and leave a positive, lasting impression.

Get promoted now

It’s not an easy climb to the top for most, but if you couple hard work with determination, there’s no way that you won’t get promoted. You just have to envision it and seize the moment.

5 Habits Of Millionaire Women

By Amanda Rice

Making the first million is the most difficult, as most millionaire women would admit. And save for the heiresses, like Paris Hilton, and the divorcees, like Heather Mills, women who earned their keep via hard work did so by adopting a few key habits that ensured that their bank accounts would reach the 7-digit figure.

If you depend on anyone for money or to balance your finances, it’s time you woke up and discovered that if you want to be a financial success, you need to pay attention to the money you make and the money you spend.

Do you want to be a millionaire? Well, what woman doesn’t, really? Think of all those shoes and vacations by the beach. It’s all too good to pass up, but that first million definitely won’t come easy. So what did these millionaire women do to make their millions?

They implemented these habits.

Millionaire women habits #1
Place value on your time
Many women I meet in my everyday life tend to give most of their time to others, for fear of being considered “self-absorbed.” But if you want to achieve success in life, you need to make it clear to yourself and others that your time is valuable.

If you have a plan to open up your own business or hope to land a CEO position with a corporation, you need to devote your time to a plan. You need to spend some time focusing solely on where you want to go and how you plan to get there, complete with a timeline breakdown and expected achievements.

Keep in mind that it’s not going to be easy; you’re going to have to make many sacrifices along the way, and that includes putting relationships, and perhaps family, on hold.

Millionaire women habits #2
Take calculated risks
Life isn’t easy and making a boatload of money might not happen upon your first attempt, either. Risks are a necessary evil of potential moneymakers and, if you want to make money, you’re going to have spend some first.

Ani DiFranco, a famous singer and entertainer, started her own record label, Righteous Babes Records, at 18 years of age and with only $50 (she didn’t have much more than that to her name). Now, she’s a millionaire in her own right and she did it on her own terms (she could’ve signed a lucrative deal with a major record label but wanted to maintain her artistic freedom).

Before she jumped into her venture, however, she assembled a business plan and then took a calculated risk. And if you want to achieve such a level of success, you’ll need to take smart risks, otherwise you’ll never triumph.

Millionaire women habits #3
Don’t earn to spend
Many women I know don’t invest their money in anything… or even save it for that matter. While it’s okay to buy yourself the occasional little black dress , it’s more important to think about your long-term financial future.

Whether you start by putting $100 away every month or “investing” in a new business, you need to stop spending every penny you earn on items that don’t reap a profit.

Millionaire women habits #4
Know your market
No matter what you plan on doing, whether it’s create and sell a new line of high chairs for infants, open up a high-end furniture store or put out a Pilates magazine, you need to study your market and its surroundings ad nauseum.

Spend some time and money on researching your competition, potential locations, recent trends, customer preferences, and everything in between. If you want to be successful, you will have to spend some time living in what it is you want to do.

And don’t just explore your market; explore upcoming trends and try to apply them to your business model. Most millionaires agree that being ahead of the trend is better than being in it.

Millionaire women habits #5
Think big
Many women are afraid to think big because they’re always being told about how risky everything is. But you need to become more optimistic and confident in your abilities and what you can accomplish.

If someone tells you that you can’t do something, use that as ammunition to prove to yourself that you can. If you make a decision to start up a new business, invest in your invention or take the lead position of a company, go at it with full force and turn negative or skeptic energy into a positive practice.

Of course, this is not to imply that you should be ridiculous in your ideas, but exploring a possible countrywide expansion for a business that is presently booming in your city is a grand and phenomenal idea.

Habits of millionaire women

With the right mentality and dedication, if you want to make a million dollars, you can. There will be times when the chips are down and you will feel like giving up… we all do. But if you simply hang in there and persevere, there is no doubt that you can reach your goals.

Until next time, I look forward to seeing you at the annual millionaire women’s club get-togethers.

Business Women Networking Successfully

By Jennifer Towers

Networking is a key word that you will be hearing throughout your entire career. Chances are you do it now, even though you may not realize that you’re even doing it.

Growing up, no one ever told me how important it would be to make connections early on in my life in order to further my career prospects and even improve my social life. I was more or less anti-social throughout my time at university (thanks to a possessive boyfriend) and made zero friendships, which left me without any help when it came time to get a job.

If that weren’t bad enough, I didn’t know who to turn to if I needed a lawyer, a doctor, an accountant… I had no help. Luckily, I managed to land a great job on my own merits and slowly began to make connections.

Business women networking is important

In order to be successful, you need to call on the help of others and networking can help you further your career and get up that ladder more quickly.

How you go about networking, however, can make all the difference. There are unwritten rules you must follow and subtle ways to make your approach without seeming like an opportunist.

Rules of networking

Business women networking tips #1
Get their business cards
Whenever you are at a seminar, or the like, and meet someone who might be able to help you (and that you can, in turn, help as well) get their business card and make sure to remember key points of your conversation. For instance, if the person you spoke with mentions how hard it is raising two kids and working, keep that in mind for the next time you contact them.

Business women networking tips #2
Sell them on you
Instead of talking about how they might be able to help you, your mission should be to let them in on what a great asset you can be to their business. Most people prefer to receive rather than give, so by illustrating what you can offer, their giving back will seem more like second nature.

Business women networking tips #3
Don’t talk forever
When you meet a potential contact, don’t spend the whole evening with them. Your objective should be to introduce yourself and speak with them just long enough for them to remember you and for you to make your exit on a high note. The last thing you want is to annoy anyone and have them discard your business card.

There are other people around and not only should you try to make other contacts, but they probably want to get conversations going with other people as well.

Business women networking tips #4
Give your business card
Carry your business card everywhere you go because you never know when an opportunity will present itself. And when you give it to someone, give them a moment to look at it and take in what it says and who you are. If necessary, write something on it about what you’ve discussed, that way they’ll know that you don’t hand your card off to just anyone.

Business women networking tips #5
Store the information
Once you get home or to work, make sure to place the information in a localized area (Palm, Blackberry, online contacts list, etc.) in order to have everything you need at the drop of a hat. Include things about the person that will help you remember who they are and feel free to jot down things about your last conversation to demonstrate that they were memorable when you recount a past conversation.

Business women networking tips #6
Call just to say hi
If you call someone only when you need something, they won’t like it. But if you call about once every two weeks to see how they’re doing and ask about the kids, when it comes time to ask about a favor, they won’t be as defensive or insulted because you dedicated some time to developing a relationship first.

Business women networking tips #7
Ask for help with a compliment
If you need an accountant’s help but don’t want to leave one of your limbs with the secretary once the job is completed, calling up one of your “buddies” for assistance is ideal. Starting out with “I need some advice about a money situation and I thought who better to call than Dan…” will serve to make him feel like a star and you less needy about the whole situation.

Business women networking tips #8
Show appreciation for any help
If Dan managed to help you clear up the accounting problem in no time, show him your appreciation by sending him a box of chocolates or even a pizza with a thank you note. Everyone likes to be appreciated and if you make a public display of it, it only helps his ego and you… the next time you need a favor.

Business women networking

When it comes to making connections, you need to understand that nothing is free. You need to be consistent in showing your appreciation and ensure that every individual feels like an individual and not a number in your presence.

That is the key to being a successful networker: Keep the lines of communication open and make ‘em feel like celebrities.

Become A Business Leader

By Amanda Rice

It’s not easy to think like a leader, that’s probably because most women are not given, nor do we create the opportunity.

But all that could change if you can adopt the mentality of a leader. It is difficult, no doubt, because you are always required to go above and beyond the typical reaction to certain situations, but if you practice the following, not only will you begin to think like a leader, before you know it, you may actually become one.

Become a business leader tip #1
Learn discipline
It’s tough to be a disciplined woman when it seems like everything is working to make you give in to the easy way out. But whether it’s deciding to stay at work until you complete the project or go to the gym five days a week without fail, committing yourself to anything and following through each and every time will demonstrate your ability to accomplish whatever you set your mind to.

Become a business leader tip #2
Erase negative words
Words like “I can’t” or I’m unable to” need to be banished from your vocabulary. You need to believe in yourself and push yourself beyond what you imagine are your limits if you want to become a leader in all facets of your life. Every day, work a little harder, move a little faster… use baby steps to make huge strides.

Become a business leader tip #3
Find wisdom
Wise people listen a lot and speak very little. Not only does this give them an air of mystery, but when they do finally speak up, you can bet that everyone will want to hear what they have to say.

As well, being a good listener allows you to pick up some great advice and will help you learn more about those who surround you.

Become a business leader tip #4
Set an example
In a perfect world, others would do as we say and not as we do, but in reality, if you want to encourage those around you to set high expectations for themselves, then you need to make yourself the example for all of them.

Whether it’s showing up on time or putting together a high-quality presentation in a small amount of time, prove that it can be done and others will rise to the occasion.

Become a business leader tip #5
Accept nothing less than respect
If you allow anyone to walk all over you or treat you in a way that you wouldn’t treat others, those who witness this will begin to lose respect for you. And when it comes to leadership, respect and admiration come above all else.

If anyone tries to demean you in any way, call them on it in a very respectful manner and if they insist on being rude, then dismiss them from your life.

Become a business leader tip #6
Present a clean appearance
It’s an unfortunate reality for all of us, but we are, without a doubt, judged by our appearance. That said, you need to present yourself in a sharp, clean manner that leaves no room for negative judgment. Dress professionally, smell clean, look neat, and walk with confidence.

Become a business leader tip #7
Maintain calm
In the face of chaos, it is your responsibility to keep cool and keep everyone around you cool. If one of your colleagues loses the presentation or spills coffee all over the handouts, you will be the voice of reason and keep everyone around you from losing their marbles.

Of course, this is quite difficult to accomplish, especially if you tend to wear your emotions on your sleeve, but in due time, you can change your mindset and look at everything on the bright side.

Become a business leader tip #8
Look for solutions
In keeping with maintaining a cool, calm and collected front, it is also your duty to search for solutions to every problem that presents itself rather than point the finger at anyone.

If the problem persists with the same person, it is your job to confront the person in a private setting and find out what’s going on. You will not call someone on their mistakes in front of others because that breeds resentment and, as aforementioned, your objective is to gain everyone’s respect.

It’s time for women to lead

Being a leader is not an easy task; that is why there are so few of them. But if you can apply the above to all facets of your life, you will fall into leadership positions on every front.

And while it may require a lot of work on your part, in time, these habits will become like second nature to you and you will have the world coming to you for guidance.

Now get out there and lead.

7 Tips For The Perfect Resume

By Jennifer Towers

Whether you’re a first-time applicant to the workplace or recently decided to tell your boss to stick it where the sun don’t shine, an up-to-date, perfect resume should always be part of your professional arsenal.

But building the perfect resume is not always as easy as it may seem. Too many women tack way too much irrelevant information on what could otherwise be a welcome sight to employers.

If you want to ensure that the perfect resume you hand a potential employer stays in his hands and doesn’t end up in the trash, here’s what it takes to increase your chances of getting that highly anticipated phone call for an interview.


Perfect resume tip #1
Cover letter
You have about 30 seconds to capture an employer’s attention and while something original like a joke may keep him reading, it may not do so for the right reasons.

Your cover letter should be short and to the point (under a page). It should include:

· Your name
· Your address
· The date
· The employer’s name and address (Do not use generic salutations like “To whom it may concern”)
· The position you’re applying for
· How you heard about it
· Why you’re qualified and how you can contribute to the organization
· What you expect to get out of sending this information (an interview)
· What follow-up action you will take
· Appreciation for their time

Keep paragraphs short, provide bullet points, if applicable, and don’t state the obvious. Focus on the employer’s needs and try to steer clear of starting all your sentences with “I.” As well, don’t recap your entire resume.

If you’re sending your cover letter and resume via snail mail, make sure to use high-end white paper. If you’re sending it via email, make sure to make it part of your resume pages so that it all flows together.

Perfect resume tip #2
Clear & concise information
The information your perfect resume contains will include:

· Contact information
· Objective
· Education
· Experience
· Skills

Let’s start from the top. Your contact information should include one phone number, one email address and your home address. You don’t need to list all your contact information because no one wants to feel compelled to call seven different phone numbers to reach you.

What you can do is list the number that has an answering machine or the one you use most frequently, that way, you’re sure to answer or get the message.

Your objective should be no longer than a sentence or two, and should be pertinent to the job you’re applying for. As well, don’t write a “one size fits all” sentence because it only demonstrates that you’re not trying to impress the person that’s looking it over.

For example, if you were applying for a management position, you would write something along the lines of, “Seeking a management position in which over 6 years of experience will add value to operations.”

When listing your education, the only time you would list your high school is when that is the highest level of education you have reached. Otherwise, there’s no need to tell anyone what high school you attended.

What they want to know is what you received your degree in. List your college or university education, your degree, and whether or not it came with any accolades. And unless you’re applying for a technical position, your GPA should not be included in your resume.

I have experience working as a hostess, a waitress and even an envelope stuffer, but I wouldn’t list those things on my resume unless they were the only experiences I had or if those were the jobs I was applying for currently.

When listing your experience, try to keep it relevant to the job you’re applying for, and this includes seminars and workshops you’ve attended.

If you are skilled at C++, but didn’t use it in your last job, list it in the skills section of your resume. From computer languages to languages spoken, these skills can make the difference between a phone call and the shredder.

Do not, however, list “Outlook Express” or “Internet” as part of your skills set. It’s a given that anyone using a computer has these skills, so they’re not unique.

Perfect resume tip #3
Neat page
Organize the page so that anyone looking at it could easily find what they’re looking for. Keep the fonts simple and neat, and don’t go crazy with colors. The only time you should opt for a variety of colors is when you want to draw the reader’s attention to something specific.

Perfect resume tip #4
Pertinent information
If you had to sift through hundreds of resumes, how much time would you give to one that was four pages long? That’s right. No one wants to spend 10 minutes on anything if they don’t have to.

Keep any personal information, such as hobbies and interests, out of the resume unless they have a direct impact on the job at hand.

Perfect resume tip #5
Proofread it
If there’s one reason above all others why an employer would dismiss you, it’s due to bad grammar and spelling.

This is the first impression you’re making on a potential employer and not looking over your resume with a fine-tooth comb tells them that if you make such blatant mistakes on your resume, chances are you’ll make many more on the job.

Perfect resume tip #6
Customize it for each employer
Although life would be a whole lot easier if you could just print up 20 resumes and send them off to a bunch of employers, the reality is that a generic resume is very easy to spot. And very easy to reject.

You need to customize your resume for each job you apply for and let the reader know that you wrote this resume just for them.

Perfect resume tip #7
Follow directions
When it comes time to send out your resume and cover letter, it’s incredibly important that you follow direction to the tee, otherwise an employer who has to spend all their time sifting through them will dismiss you.

Pay attention to the directions; if you’re told to send it via email with the subject header “Freelance Writer from Craigslist,” then that’s what you need to do.

As well, it’s important that you submit any additional requests, such as sample works, without making any excuses.

Perfect resume & cover letter

Now that you know what it will take to get your foot in the professional door, get to work on your cover letter and resume, and before you know it, you’ll be looking over other people’s resumes in no time.

Successful Presentations - 8 Easy Steps

By Amanda Rice

If you’re anything like most women, standing in a room full of people and commanding their attention makes you nervous. And chances are you don’t want anyone to know that you’re that nervous.

But if you have to give a presentation, whining and complaining to try to get out of it isn’t going to cut it, so you need to buckle down and prepare yourself for one of the most successful presentations that your audience has ever seen.

In order to accomplish this feat, you must prepare for the worst and hope for the best. To make sure things don’t go the way of Murphy’s Law, here’s what you have to do.

Successful Presentations Tip #1
Practice out loud
Not only should you be looking over your notes, you actually need to practice your presentation out loud. And if no one wants to hear what you have to say, then you need to tape yourself and play it back to hear the kinds of ticks you may have.

If you say “uh,” “like” or “you know” too often, you may want to work on that. At the same time, if your voice is too low, you may want to raise it so that the people in the back can also hear you.

Successful Presentations Tip #2
Don’t ramble
When it comes to business, more often than not, people say a lot more than is necessary. It is your objective throughout your presentation to avoid digressing from the topic at hand and using filler.

As well, time yourself. Don’t forget that the average adult attention span is 20 minutes, and probably less if you’re presentation is about how bee pollen can improve the climate.

At the very least, make sure that the first 20 minutes of your presentation contains the most important information you divulge, thus ensuring that your audience will walk away remembering it.

Successful Presentations Tip #3
Avoid cheap laughs
Chances are you aren’t familiar with everyone in your audience, which means that you cannot ensure that what you think is funny, will be funny to them. That said, do your best to avoid opening with a joke because if you crash and burn off the bat, there’s no recovering.

And if you begin to feel them out and they seem like the “happy hour” type, then feel free to crack a joke, but at no one’s expense but your own. Do not poke fun at anyone under any circumstance.

Successful Presentations Tip #4
Get them involved
The easiest way to keep your audience interested, or at least awake, is by getting them involved in the presentation. Ask questions, supply handouts so they can follow your presentation, and break them up in groups and get them involved in a brainstorm session about trapping more bees.

Successful Presentations Tip #5
Switch your pitch
Whenever I think of a monotone voice, I remember the teacher (Ben Stein) from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off saying “Bueller, Bueller,” over and over again. You do not want to sound this way during a presentation. Or ever for that matter.

Speak up, walk around the room, lower your voice, do whatever it takes to keep all eyes and everyone’s attention on you. And don’t read your notes, you want your presentation to come off as natural, not as though you’re a robot on playback.

Successful Presentations Tip #6
Call ahead for equipment
If you’re giving a presentation elsewhere, don’t assume that all the equipment you need will be there. Call them up to make sure they have a spare laptop or slide projector if that’s what you need.

This is where things have the biggest chance of going wrong so a Plan B is always a wise move. And if things just continue to head in the direction of crap, just laugh it off. It is not the end of the world. Work with what you have and wing it.

Successful Presentations Tip #7
Prepare for questions
This is tough to do because it’s possible that you are so focused on one angle of your presentation that when someone inquires about some other point, you are left stumped.

So what do you do?

Well, for starters, show your presentation to a mentor or someone in the know about what it is you’re doing, they may provide a variety of angles for you to think about.

As well, if there is a question you do not know the answer to, own up to it and tell the person that you will find out the answer and get back to them. And then admit that as perfect as you seem. Alas, you are not.

Successful Presentations Tip #8
Look the part
You are standing in front of a room full of people that come from all walks of life. While you may not suit everyone’s tastes, you can make sure that you look presentable.

Make sure your hair is clean, you smell clean (without smelling like you bathed in perfume) and your appearance is neat. Don’t go crazy with makeup or dress too provocative, the last thing you need is to feel like the guy in the corner is picturing you naked. At least not until after you’re done.

Perfect your presentation

It’s not easy to get up in front of a crowd and talk about business, but if you arm yourself with the right information and prepare yourself beforehand, even on your worst day, you will still come out looking like a winner.

And that’s just another step in the direction of success.

9 Workplace Motivation Tips

By Jennifer Towers

Statistics show that 60% of women in the United States who work outside the home earn $1 trillion each year in aggregate. Now that’s a whole lot of dough. But how many of them really enjoy their job?

Do you like your job? Most of us don’t, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make the best of it and adapt a workplace motivation mentality. And that’s where I come in. Workplace motivation is no easy task, I know, but with a little help and a whole lot of positivity, you can do it.

Here’s how you can make the best of your professional situation and leave work each day feeling good about yourself (and no, none of these tips include your boss and a noose).

Workplace motivation tip #1
Achieve something each day
I know I sound like Phoebe from Friends, but if you set a goal for yourself at work each day, you will eventually begin to work at peak performance and appreciate your own sense of clarity. Something as small as organizing your files can give you that sense of accomplishment.

Workplace motivation tip #2
Add some variety to your routine
Work doesn’t have to be about monotony all the time. If you work on a computer all day, take a few minutes to organize your desk or surf the Net to find out who Jessica Simpson is sleeping with now. It’s okay to have some down time and have a few minutes for yourself.

Workplace motivation tip #3
Get some autonomy on your tasks

Changes work best when you’re the one who comes up with and applies them. Maybe there’s a faster way to complete the weekly stationary purchases or perhaps you’d like to rearrange your deadlines for certain tasks. A little freedom goes a long way and it’s up to you to request it.

Workplace motivation tip #4
Ask for a more proactive role

If you’re really good at organizing events or putting together PowerPoint presentations, then ask your boss if you could take on the role and teach others how to optimize their presentations one day each week.

Workplace motivation tip #5
Get into some teamwork

Working on a project with colleagues may create a more social atmosphere and make you happier to come to work. You might make some friends and begin learning how to do certain monotonous tasks differently and in a more bearable fashion.

Workplace motivation tip #6
Mark your progress on major tasks

If you have a project that needs to get done but are avoiding it because you know it’s a big task, now’s the time to get started on it. Ask what’s expected of you, get a deadline and mark your progress as it occurs. That way, you’ll figure out how much you get done and how quickly, and it’ll help you appreciate what it is exactly that you bring to the table each day.

Workplace motivation tip #7
Pat yourself on the back

Whether you beat the deadline by two weeks or you closed a huge sale, you deserve to celebrate your accomplishments in order to stay motivated. That’s not to say that you should down a bottle of champagne and dance on the bar in your bra, but do send an email to your superior to let him know what you’ve accomplished.

Workplace motivation tip #8
Ask about incentives for extra tasks

When a dollar sign is attached to additional tasks, we tend to become better at and more motivated for the job at hand. Whenever you’re offered a new project, ask about the incentives that come with it and that will become your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (after the major storm, of course).

Workplace motivation tip #9
Use negativity as a motivator

We all have that one person at work who keeps jabbering on about how you can work smarter and not harder, and although you fantasize about doing a negative thing or two to this particular person, you can use this negative feedback as motivation to do more, do better and laugh in the face of adversity.

Do what needs to be done

Staying motivated at the same job for years on end is tough, but if you go in with the right attitude, it is very possible to be happy and feel good about your job.

But if there are outside circumstances that simply keep you from maintaining a positive and motivated outlook at the workplace, you may want to consider hunting for another one.

Workplace Allies Women Need

By Amanda Rice

Every woman needs workplace allies, there’s no doubt about that. Workplace allies can help you with anything from finding a contact to telling others how fantastic you are at what you do.

And amid your climb up the corporate ladder, it’s important that you recognize the people that fall into the categories below and hang onto them with all your might. After all, no woman is an army.

Check out the following workplace allies, identify them in your life and make sure you do your best to keep them in your arsenal.

Gateway Allies
Often referred to as an administrative assistant or “secretary” in the days of yore, the person who knows what everyone is up to is the Gateway Ally. Not only do these people know the 411 on just about everything that’s happening at the company, but chances are they can sway certain colleagues in a way that is beneficial to you.

And if that weren’t enough, these valuable workplace allies can keep your information under lock and key.

Mentor Allies
Older, wiser colleagues or superiors are excellent for teaching and advising you on how to pave the right path to success. They can help you avoid mistakes they’ve made or have watched others make over the years.

As well, mentors are perfect workplace allies to bounce your ideas off of, ensuring that when it comes time to make a presentation, you come out looking like a professional woman who has her priorities straight.

The No-Man Allies
The problem with the workplace environment today is that there are way too many “yes men” and not enough people who are willing to refute the sometimes ridiculous ideas we think are genial.

You need to find people who can present you with the devil’s advocate scenario at every turn in your professional life. These are the people who will provide sound, thoughtful arguments as to why you may possibly crash and burn if you present your boss with a plan to renovate your office. Everyone needs a wake-up call every now and then, and these workplace allies are perfect for the job.

The Networking Allies
If you didn’t have the foresight to spend all your time networking in college, then you need to have the next best thing by your side: The people who did nothing but network throughout school. Having people who know someone in just about every industry will always bode well in your professional, and even personal, life.

Make sure to go out with these people often, and treat them to dinner and drinks. Oh, and let them suggest the venue.

The Praising Allies
No one likes a brownnoser, no doubt, but having someone besides your mom tell you how fantastic you are every now and then can only work wonders for your ego and your integrity. You will want to be the person that they describe even if you think you’re not that person some of the time.

Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of what you’ve accomplished over the long-term when you’re constantly stuck in the daily rut of workplace monotony, but these workplace allies will ensure that you know you’re doing a phenomenal job.

The Competitive Allies
In the same vein as needing a challenge in every facet of your life, what better way to set goals for yourself than by having workplace allies who constantly up the ante on you and ensure that you’re never resting on your laurels?

Healthy competition will make certain that you maintain your level of accomplishment and consistently strive to outdo yourself and, of course, your competitive workplace allies.

These people will set standards, sometimes so high, you’ll begin to doubt yourself (see The Praising Ally), but once you reach the finish line, you’ll be so glad to have these people in your professional clique.

Keep your workplace allies close

It’s always important to make friends high places, but it’s more important to make friends that will help you strive to attain your goals.

So make sure you get your workplace allies together and take on the business world, one rung at a time.

7 Job Interview Tips

By Jennifer Towers

The job interview leaves many women feeling nervous for good
reason. It’s hard to know what to expect and what the interviewer’s experience with other candidates has been thus far. And if they haven’t read these job interview tips, you’re in luck.

A job interview does not have to be much different than a first date, minus the dinner and sexual tension, of course. If you can master the following seven job interview tips in your interview, then I’m confident that the only thing that will make or break your landing the gig is your credentials.

So check out these easy job interview tips and, before you know it, you’ll be starting on Monday.

Job interview tips

1- Show up on time
Everyone thinks of their time as valuable, and this rings even truer at an establishment where time is money. For every minute you’re late, you’re wasting the interviewer’s time.

That said, however, don’t show up 40 minutes early, either. There’s nothing more awkward than sitting around waiting for the interviewer to finish up with the candidate before you and then having to make nice when they’re on their way out.

Show up 5 to 10 minutes early, go to the bathroom to get yourself together and freshen up, and show them what you’re all about.

2- Dress in a professional manner
Even if it’s summertime and the temperature is hovering in the 100s, do not dress like you’re heading out for cocktails. The last thing you want is for anyone to dismiss you because you don’t look professional.

The smartest wardrobe choices include at-the-knee skirts, button down shirts and blazers. As well, keep your hair, accessories and makeup looking neat, minimal and sharp.

3- Be firm with your handshake
There’s nothing more irritating than a wimpy, damp handshake. That’s not to imply that you need to crack the interviewer’s knuckles when you shake her hand, but you definitely need to leave a good impression with a firm handshake. If you have sweaty palms, make sure to wipe them on your pants or skirt beforehand.

The following describes the ideal handshake:

- Always use your right hand
- Make steady eye contact
- Face the person directly
- Interlace the space between your thumb and index finger with hers
- Close your hand so that your fingers and thumb wrap around her hand (not her fingers)
- Apply comfortable pressure (if your hand is very small, you may need to adjust the amount of pressure applied)
- Pump no more than twice

Note that a handshake is appropriate in North America but may not be customary in other parts of the world.

4- Show your positive traits
When you’re asked to describe yourself, don’t say generic things like “I’m trustworthy and independent,” give solid examples to follow up your description. Tell the interviewer how you figured out a problem at your last company that saved your boss thousands of dollars. Or that you are so trustworthy that you were given the keys to the company safe. Back up any good qualities you have by furnishing examples from your prior work experiences.

5- Be thankful for their time
Without sounding ridiculously grateful (remember: They need an employee, that’s why you’re there), one of the most important job interview tips includes thanking the interviewer for her time when you initially sit down for the interview, and then again after you leave. This gives the impression that you understand how valuable time is in a business environment.

6- Make sure you’ve done your research
You have to look up the company or the employer you’re interviewing for. Googling someone has become commonplace (I’ve Googled everyone I know… and their dog) and doing some research beforehand will leave you with the ability to make suggestions about the company. As well, it always bodes well on you to sound like you’re resourceful and don’t need to be led around by someone if you’re hired.

7- Speak well of everyone
Make sure that you never speak ill of anyone. Even if your last boss was a sexist pig who didn’t promote you simply because you were a woman, and you’re asked why you left your last job, say something along the lines of “I felt that I had achieved what I wanted at the company and seek a new challenge.”

You shouldn’t lie outright and say you quit if you were fired, but you don’t have to go into detail about why you were let go or left the company.

If you are pressed about why you left the company, tell her what happened and what you learned about the experience. Don’t leave her with a bad taste in her mouth: Make sure you explicitly turn the experience into a positive thing.

Perfect job interview tips

And there it is; easy ways to make sure you leave your interviewer with the right impression about you and all the wonderful things you can bring to her company.

Remember that you were called in because you looked good on paper; the only thing left to do is make the right physical impression. And with these job interview tips, you’ll nail it, no doubt.