Author: Taylor Simmons

  • An Authentic Resume… What Sets You Apart?

    An Authentic Resume… What Sets You Apart?

    While we are contemplating authenticity, how does this relate to the job seeker, and in particular, his or her resume? This week I’ve spent some time reviewing resume assignments for our facilitating career development course. It’s amazing how many formats and takes there are on the traditional resume. As a job seeker, your resume is the key to getting your foot in the door. So, how do you present the best possible version of yourself in two pages or less, and how can you ensure it is authentic?

    Resumes are tricky. I always recommend having a master resume that you can adjust based on the position for which you are seeking. I encourage clients and participants of our course to seek out the employers’ point of view when applying for a job and crafting a resume. What sets you apart from other candidates is your authenticity. So, how can you accomplish this?

    1. Always, always, always be honest. Even if you have a gap in your employment history, don’t adjust dates to cover yourself. You can simply add in the productive work you did during your off time (classes taken, volunteer work, etc.). You can also provide insight in your cover letter. Once you are offered the opportunity to interview, you can provide details.
    2. Find out what the employer is looking for and share your expertise. I once took an online course in resume writing and the presenter shared something that I still remember today. “An employer is looking for one of three things from a candidate – for them to make the company money, save the company money, or save the company time.” You can often determine which one based on the job description. Once you know, show how you have done this in previous positions, providing “authentic” quantitative data (saved XYZ company X amount of dollars by implementing this process, etc.)
    3. Utilize LinkedIn to truly share your authenticity. LinkedIn is a great way to share your professional experience with a potential employer. Believe it or not, many employers find passive candidates via LinkedIn. When colleagues are providing endorsements and recommendations, authenticity seems evident.

    Is your resume authentic? Check out the Point Blog for more resume tips and ideas.

  • Are you living in gratitude?

    Are you living in gratitude?

    If you missed my “Living in Gratitude” blog, check it out here.

    Are you living in gratitude today? Take a couple of minutes to think about what you are grateful for.

    #authenticity

  • Leaders, Does Your Attitude Speak Gratitude?

    Leaders, Does Your Attitude Speak Gratitude?

    If you missed my “Authenticity, Gratitude and Leadership” blog, check it out here.

    Forbes published an article titled:  Great Leaders have an Attitude of Gratitude – Do You?

    Here is an exert that resonates with our theme:

    Gratitude Practice

    Close your eyes. Focus on a blessing in your life… something you are thankful for. See an image of this blessing in your mind’s eye. Offer a silent “thank you” to the person or object of your blessing.

    Relax into the feeling of gratitude. Take a deep breath. Feel more gratitude.

    The latest brain research shows that six doses of feeling 30 seconds of gratitude daily (a whopping three minutes!) will enable your neurons to fire together and wire together around gratitude within a mere two weeks.

    This means you’ll more easily and frequently access the feeling of gratitude.

    Heck, we’re grateful for that!

    Doing Good Feels Good

    When leaders engage in this practice on a regular basis, they are able to generate gratitude from within, which allows them to show gratitude to others. This practice also reinforces a feeling of gratitude as second nature because it reinforces myelination. All of these amazing results occur in under 60-seconds. We all have 60-seconds per day to devote to gratitude.

     

    Check out the full article here.

    Are you showing gratitude as a leader?

    #authenticity

  • Authenticity, Gratitude and Leadership

    Authenticity, Gratitude and Leadership

    As I facilitated coaching sessions with several individuals the past couple of weeks, one question I asked each person was their opinion of what makes a great leader. The answers varied. However, I noticed one theme – leaders should “lead by example.”

    We have been talking about “authenticity” on the blog. With that in mind and reflecting on the sessions I mentioned, what is the connection between authenticity and being a great leader?

    In my previous blog, I focused on gratitude in relation to authenticity. So, what does that look like for leaders? These things come to mind:

    • Leaders lead by example – They never ask the team to do something they wouldn’t do themselves.
    • Leaders show gratitude by thanking their team. (Remember “praise in public, correct in private”).
    • Leaders know their team. (What are their likes and dislikes? When is their birthday?)

    So how can leaders display gratitude? Here are a few ideas:

    • Pitch in! Following the “lead by example” idea, when your team is working on a project, offer your help.
    • Recognize them for their accomplishments. The key here is to find out what they enjoy and make the reward customized. If your budget doesn’t allow for an actual “reward” (gift card, etc.), recognize them in a company email or begin a “employee of the month (or week)” program.
    • Find out each team members’ birthday and celebrate! If you have a large group, do a monthly birthday celebration with a cake.

    Find out more about authenticity by checking out related articles on The Point Blog.

  • Take time for the little things…

    Take time for the little things…

    As we continue to focus on authenticity and specifically “gratitude” in relation to living authentically, I thinks this quote says it all.

    What are you grateful for?

    Want to know how gratitude can change your life? Here is a great post for you to check out.

    Here are more posts on living in gratitude, part of our Year of Authenticity series, you may enjoy:

    Living in Gratitude

    Living Life Gratefully is Living Life Authentically

    2018 Is the Year of Authenticity