The Case For Encouraging Short-Term Job Commitment In a little over a decade, millennials are projected to make up roughly 75% of the global workforce. But for Nancy Lublin, who runs Do Something, a nonprofit organization that inspires young people to take social action, the future is already here. So how can managers inspire a sense of long-term commitment in a generation that prioritizes flexibility and autonomy? The other option is to commit to two years, achieve one great thing, and then either take on another defined mission at Do Something, or go to a different organization. In his new book, The Alliance, LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman presents a similar approach—something he and his co-authors Ben Casnocha and Chris Yeh have dubbed the "tour of duty." The "tour of duty" encourages employers and employees to make a significant investment in each other. Through a process of candid discourse, both parties identify their aspirations, values, and intended outcomes. Why Millennials? High turnover in this age group makes sense.
What Makes an Entrepreneur? Four Letters: JFDI This is part of my Startup Advice series. I had a picture in the office of my first company with the logo above and the capital letters JFDI. (In case it’s not obvious it’s a play on the Nike slogan, “Just Do It.”) Entrepreneurs make fast decisions and move forward knowing that at best 70% of their decisions are going to be right. I spent nearly a decade building software for large companies and then advising companies on the same. The technology team disagrees on direction and wants resolutions. I learned quickly that I needed to just do things. Yes, I know it’s my job as the CEO to be the coach for people and that’s fine. Sometimes you need to break some eggs to get things done so if that’s what it takes I wanted my team to go for it and I wanted to symbolize that it was OK with me. So I took on the motto JFDI to symbolize this. Another side of JFDI is finding ways to get stuff done that seem impossible. A couple of quick stories / examples: 1. “Why?” I said that was my point. 2.
5 Desirable Traits of Great Employees There is much debate among employers as to whether or not college qualifies people for useful employment. With the high cost of obtaining a degree, universities are anxious to prove their value in preparing graduates for the roles they'll play in the working world. Now 200 colleges have committed to offer a voluntary test called a Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA+) in Spring 2014. You can see a sample test question here. The pros and cons of this approach are still up in the air, but it raises plenty of questions: Will good test-takers be able to demonstrate consistent behavior? Can one game the system? Ultimately a solid interview process and thorough onboarding program will make for the best employees in the long term. 1. Employees can be smart, likeable and talented but, if you can't trust them to do what they say they'll do, you and everyone else will constantly waste time and energy checking up on their work. Want to read more from me? 2. Want to read more from Eric? 3. 4. 5.
Five signs of a WOW professional | Bayt Spread the word: Does it truly matter to be a WOW professional? I mean, isn’t it enough to be really, really good at what one does? So what does it take to be a WOW professional? 1. “The more I live, the more I learn. 2. ‘Work hard, stay humble’ is how the age-old adage goes. 3. “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” 4. “Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it you’ve got to give it.” 5. To WOW professionals, true success is beyond awards, accolades and rewards. Do you aspire to be a WOW professional? Tags: Career Advice
Strategies Quick Learners Use To Pick Up Anything 10 Jobs That No Longer Exist Plenty of jobs exist today that didn’t exist 10, 20 or 30 years ago – social media analyst, app developer, etc. – but we’re not exactly awash in jobs, either. So what happened to all of those old jobs? This list of pictures will go over a few jobs that have gone the way of the dinosaur. The disappearance of the majority of these jobs can simply be attributed to technological advances. Modern bowling alleys have elaborate systems that collect balls and pins, so pinsetters are no longer necessary. With the spread of proper refrigeration, ice cutters became a thing of the past. While the world’s hordes of unemployed students may disagree, it’s probably a good thing that most of these jobs are gone. Update: The Milkman still exists, so it was removed from the article. 1. Image credits: shorpy.com Bowling alley pinsetters were young boys employed at bowling alleys to set up the pins for clients. 2. Image credits: laboiteverte.fr Image credits: imgur.com 3. Image credits: sharenator.com 4. 5. 6.
Fortune Management & Career Blog FORTUNE -- Dear Annie: I'm graduating from college at the end of May and have already been interviewed by two companies that might want to hire me, with two more interviews (at different employers) scheduled in mid-March. I could really use some guidance from you and your readers on how to go forward after these meetings. For example, I sent thank-you notes by email to the hiring managers I've met so far, but a friend says a handwritten note would have made me stand out more. Should I do that next time? Also, how soon after the interview is it acceptable to ask whether I'm still being considered for the job, and how often should I get back in touch if I don't hear anything? Dear N.N.: Great question, and one that plenty of seasoned jobseekers puzzle over, too. MORE: Microsoft culture must change, chairman says The time to get a feel for how soon you should hear back from the employer, he says, is during the interview. Dan Finnigan, CEO of social recruiting platform Jobvite, agrees.
The (Not So Difficult) Trick To Get Your Emails Read We spend hours sorting through the 150 billion or so emails that ricochet around the Internet every day. So which ones get the click? Popular email clients like Gmail show the first 50 or so characters of the body copy in the inbox view. So a clear subject line and a concise, actionable lead sentence will make it most likely to get chosen. Here's how to craft a clear email that will make the recipient click and actually read it once they do. The Less fluffy words, the more actionable the message As Kuhcoon CEO Andrew Torva writes at Medium, our email habits are in need of an epic defluffling. Hey Andrew I just wanted to email you and tell you about an interesting opportunity. Instead, we need to write like a time-pressed chief executive might. Andrew, I'd like to help you solve problem X. The conciseness works because it's thoughtful; you're taking into account the reader, the user experience, if you would, of the person on the other side of the message. Hat tip: Medium
Act Like a Leader Before You Are One - Amy Gallo - Best Practices If you want to become a leader, don’t wait for the fancy title or the corner office. You can begin to act, think, and communicate like a leader long before that promotion. Even if you’re still several levels down and someone else is calling all the shots, there are numerous ways to demonstrate your potential and carve your path to the role you want. What the Experts Say “It’s never foolish to begin preparing for a transition no matter how many years away it is or where you are in your career,” says Muriel Maignan Wilkins, coauthor of Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence. Knock your responsibilities out of the park No matter how big your ambitions, don’t let them distract you from excelling in your current role. Help your boss succeed “You have to execute on your boss’s priorities too,” says Watkins. Seize leadership opportunities, no matter how small Make sure your “let me take that on” attitude extends beyond your relationship with your boss.
12 Women-Run Podcasts You Should Be Listening To The podcast market is supersaturated these days. Not in a bad way exactly, but there are so many interesting and entertaining options that it can just feel kind of overwhelming. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the women-run podcasts that we find most inspiring—both for personal development and career advice. So, whether you’re looking to be invigorated personally, professionally, or to simply step up your dinner party conversation skills—be sure to give ‘em a listen. Clever Girl Finance Host Bola Onada Sokunbi is a Certified Financial Education Instructor, and she knows her stuff when it comes to finances. Recommended Episode: Women and Money—A Deep Dive Discussion Goal Digger Black Girl in Om Almost 30 Podcast Though it began specifically as a guide to the age transition from the 20s to the 30s, Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik, the hosts of the Almost 30 Podcast, provide lifestyle advice for practically everyone. Switch, Pivot or Quit Skimm’d from The Couch