Inspirational memes are ruining your career

Inspirational memes are ruining your careerInspirational memes are ruining your careerIf youre a leader or trying to become one, some degree of ongoing personal branding activity is inevitable. That often creates pressure to post something new to your social channels on a regular basisand therein lies the risk.The easiest thing to do might be to share pithy slogans purporting to deliver quick hits of inspiration. After all, its your job as a leader or aspiring leader to motivate others, right? Right But your MotivationalMonday tweet or Instagram post with a Gandhi quotation might be backfiring without you realizing it. Heres why, and how to avoid those fluffy expressions.Lack of clarity fails to motivateIts hard to be profound on a daily or weekly basis. Its even harder to be profound in just a few quick words. Consider this gem from an Instagram account dedicated to motivationBuried beneath that double-negative statement are a few unanswered questions What does it mean for quotes to work? How exactly should you apply them?Heres abedrngnisher ambiguous one from the saatkorn accountWho could argue with that? It would be great to learn from every mistake But even the slightly lengthier captioninstructing you you to study ways to avoid repeating mistakesdoesnt tell you how to go about doing that. Vague statements like behauptung may earn likes from other busy professionals idly scrolling their social feeds, but they wont earn you attention from the people best positioned to help you advance your career.Leaders do need to inspire and motivate, but they never succeed byspouting unclear generalities. Powerful communication spurs others to take action through clarity and precision. One reason people dont act is because theyre confused or uncertain about what to actuallydo.You cant motivate anyonelet alone everyoneto take productive, mission-driven action if you stick to vague platitudes.Superficial comments obscure your best ideasIn order to attract career opportuniti es or win support for your ideas, you need to offer an original insight or propose a compelling solution to a problem. Shallow, superficial remarks do neither. Take this tweet for exampleIs this even true? If it is, its great news anyone whos lost a friend, a family member, or even a pet. Does that mean youll get a better dog next time? Or if youve blown a client opportunity, youll invariably ace the next one? Obviously not. Yes, its true that there is nothing more certain than change, as the text of the tweet points out, but not every loss leads to a better opportunity than what came before. This baseless optimism suggests shallow, uncritical thinkingnever a great look when youre trying to advance professionally.Same goes for this postMagic? The Universe? Are these really where effective leaders should place their hopes? If anything, themost successful people know how to minimize unnecessary risk, sidestep the sunk-cost fallacy, and cut their losses so they can redirect their energ ies wherever theyll be better served. Perhaps thats a less inspirational idea, but it suggests much more skill, intelligence, and strategy that will likely appeal to your coworkers, employers, and business partners much more than your stubborn heart ever will.Your best ideas will take more than a few words to lay out, and thats okay. The most difficult challenges out therethe ones that take real leadership to surmountare complex. So while theres an art tospeaking about complicated subjects without dumbing them down, your real goal should be to motivate others to engage with complexity, not shy away from it. Tossing out generic remarks that stick to the surface level doesnt help you do that. Worse, it suggests you arent capable of diving any deeper.RelatedHow To Talk About Complex Ideas With Literally AnybodyRhetoric should sharpen meaning, not dull itMany of the most commonly shared and liked motivational social media posts use snappy turns of phrase. They may sound clever, but more often than not, they bury meaning instead of heightening it. The rhetoric, in other words, hides the substance.An especially common device is antimetabole, which simply means reversing the order of repeated words and phrases.John F. Kennedy used antimetabole in the most famous line of his inaugural address Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. In Kennedys case, it was a rhetorically powerful way to express an idea about civic service. But if you arent careful, your twist on this common device might do little more than set up a false opposition. Take this tweet for exampleFor one thing, are knowledge and caring mutually exclusive? After a moments thought, it may strike you that the two are in fact intimately linked. After all, caring without knowledge suggests empty emotions If youre ignorant about something, how can you be expected to care about it in the first placelet alone know how best toshowyou care? Furthermore, is it even a good idea for people to desire others empathy without their understanding? Its hard to agree or disagree with an idea thats based on such shaky premises.Rhetoric by itself is hollow. Its only effective when its being used to compress and sharpen an underlying concept. Otherwise, its just fluff that makes people suspectyou dont know what youre talking about, and are trying to hide it.RelatedThese Expressions Make You Sound Like You Dont Really Know Your StuffQuoting great thinkers doesnt mean you understand themFinally, theres a risk that inquoting influential leaders, youll take their words out of context and diminish their original powermaking yourself look bad in the process.This professionalquotes Alibaba founder Jack Main her LinkedIn headline Dont hire the most Qualified candidate. Hire the Craziest. This thought has deep roots in Mas experiencehaving been rejectedfor 30 jobs he applied to after college, including one at KFC, Ma knows that on-paper credentials dont always tell the full story. But taken out of context, his statement doesnt make much sense. In fact, using this quote on your own social media channels might give the impression that you believe in making risky hires or in taking crazy risks yourselfeven if you dont.Its always in your better interest to be seen as someone of substance than as an armchair philosopher. When in doubt, stick to specifics rather than airy generalities. Ground your social media posts in yourownthoughtful observations, drawn from firsthand experience. Real leadership rarely comes in greeting cardsized bites.Its always in your better interest to be seen as someone of substance than as an armchair philosopher. When in doubt, stick to specifics rather than airy generalities. Ground your social media posts in yourownthoughtful observations, drawn from firsthand experience. Real leadership rarely comes in greeting cardsized bites.You Might Also LikeThis Three-Word Phrase Is Subtly Undermining Your AuthoritySix Ways Youre Turning Of f Everyone Whos Trying To Help You Find A JobI Went To The Gym For Cardio Training And Left As A Better BossThis post originally appeared on Fast Company.

Types of Separation from Employment

Types of Separation from EmploymentTypes of Separation from EmploymentThere are many ways to lose a job. Employment separation occurs when the employment contract or at-will agreement between an employee and his or her company comes to an end. Some separations will be forced by an employer, including getting fired or laid off. Other separations, like retirement or resignation, will be voluntary. Knowing which type of separation from employment youve experienced is important. It might determine whether you receive unemployment benefits and severance pay. Its also essential to know the particulars so that you can prepare to bewerbungsinterview for new jobs. (Note you dont have to advertise the nature of the separation during your interview process but you do have to be honest if it comes up.) Types of Termination and Other Employment Separations Constructive Discharge Constructive discharge, also known as constructive termination or constructive dismissal, occurs when an employee q uits under duress and believes that they have no choice but to leave their employer. Often, they feel that they have been forced to leave by an employer who has intentionally made their working conditions intolerable. If employees who are separated in this manner can prove their case, they may retain some of the same rights as a discharged worker. Although it appears as if the employee left voluntarily, he or she had no other option but to leave due to the very difficult working conditions. If the employers actions are illegal or unlawful, the employee may have a viable claim for wrongful dismissal. Fired A firing takes place when an employer severs ties with a worker due to poor performance or violations of company policy. Depending on the nature of employment, an employer may work with the employee in order resolve the problematic situation or provide a probation plan as a warning. In the case of at-will employment, an employee can be fired without a reason or without warning. Lay off Being laid off refers to a separation in which the employer has let an employee go because their services are no longer needed. Layoffs occur when employers experience a reduced volume of geschftliches miteinander or funding, or when a reorganization occurs that renders a job unnecessary. Economic changes, financial decisions, restructuring, redundancy, attrition, or a change in function may lead to this kind of separation from employment. Layoffs can happen to one or many employees at once, depending on the circumstances. Termination for Cause When an employee is terminated for cause, they are fired from their job for a specific reason. Reasons can include any sort of misconduct, such as ethics violations, failure to follow company rules, breach of contract, theft, falsifying documents, violence, harassment or threatening behavior towards others, insubordination, etc. Termination By Mutual Agreement Termination by mutual agreement covers situations where both the employer and e mployee consent to a separation. Examples include contract employees at the end of their agreement, retirement, and forced resignation. Mutual agreement does not necessarily mean that both parties are happy with the arrangement. It just means that they have formally agreed to stipulations for a separation. Termination With Prejudice Termination with prejudice indicates that an employee has been fired due to inadequate performance, poor attitude, or ethical/legal transgressions. Employees terminated with prejudice are ineligible for rehire. Termination Without Prejudice A termination without prejudice means an employee has been let go for reasons other than performance, behavior or attitude on the job, as in a layoff. Employees terminated without prejudice are eligible for rehire into the same or similar job role. Involuntary Termination An involuntary termination takes place when an employer either fires or lays off an employee. Voluntary Termination A voluntary termination occurs w hen an employee resigns or retires of their own will. Wrongful Termination Wrongful termination happens when an employee is discharged from employment for illegal reasons or if company policy is violated when the employee is fired. Discrimination, complaining about workplace issues, and being unwilling to commit an illegal act on behalf of the employee are other common examples. Temporary Job or Employment Contract Ends Once an employment contract is completed, or a temporary job ends, there will be a separation unless the employment is extended further. Types of Resignation From a Job Resignation A resignation occurs when an employee decides to leave a job of their own accord. Submitting your resignation is an official notice that you are ending the relationship between yourself and the company. Resignation etiquette varies by organization and job type, but typically, written notice at least two weeks in advance of your official last day is commonplace. Forced Resignation A for ced resignation means that an employer has offered an employee an ultimatum either resign or be fired. This sometimes falls under the constructive dismissal umbrella. Types of Retirement Retirement Retirement is a separation from employment whereby an employee opts to cease working once they have met the age and tenure stipulations laid out by the employer or negotiated by the employer and a union. Mandatory Retirement Mandatory retirement rules are limited to a few occupations where workers are deemed a risk to the public or themselves as they experience diminished capacities after a specified age. Examples include air traffic controllers, law enforcement officers, and pilots. Phased Retirement Phased retirement occurs when older employees are allowed to steadily reduce their work hours over time, often months in advance of their official retirement date.

Why Youre Still Unemployed One Year Later

Why Youre Still Unemployed One Year LaterWhy Youre Still Unemployed One Year LaterI hate to be the one to tell you this but its leid them its you. None of us want to hear it, but if youre ready for a healthy dose of honesty, read on.The one-year anniversary of unemployment is rarely a cause for celebration.Every day I hear from executives - top men and women in their fields - who are going through extended unemployment. They have not had a bite even a nibble.Some of these people have had freelance or consulting assignments. Others dabbled with the idea of reinventing themselves. The plain truth is The higher up the ladder you are, the longer it seems it takes to find work - much more so during a recession.Unemployment and underemployment for top-paid executives is a sign of the times. As a jobconomist, I see it staying this way through 2010.The prolonged pain of this recession makes those unemployed for a year or more even more depressed.Executives who are unemployed for such an extended term become understandably frustrated. Then that frustration turns into depression, and depression becomes bitterness. You begin second-guessing, questioning everything about yourself and your efforts to find work.Thats the beginning of the cycle. Who wants to hire a depressed executive?If you fit this description and are feeling hopeless, let me tell you it is possible to break this cycle of rejection.You can turn your fate around in your favor and get more interviews and eventually land inspiring, challenging jobs.Stop blaming your tools Have you ever noticed how $100K+ executives always blame their resumes for lack of interviews? Most of these same people have paid to have their resumes professionally prepared.But its not them.After their resumes, whats the next excuse of these executives? Come on, you know agefollowed by money the very fact that you were making $100K+. These are your (former) excuses.Its not them, its you These are all excuses for what the real proble m may be you - and your attitude.Your legitimately depressed emotional state has permeated everything you touch. Even the way you have crafted your resume or let it be crafted.The way you network, the way you interview. After one year of being unemployed, you have bought in to the defeatist attitude. The only thing worse than being unemployed for more than a year is to be the spouse or partner of the person who has been unemployed.When you have been unemployed for one year or more, the change will only come when you are willing to admit that you are helpless to find a job.Once you face the fact that there is something about you that is holding-gesellschaft you back from finding work, you can move forward with a new plan of action and a changed attitude.Keyword attitude.Here are my recommendations for positive change if youre in the One-Year-Unemployed clubStep 1 Admit you have a real problem finding a job. Do not blame the resume do not blame your age, past salary or the economy. B lame your attitude.Step 2 Work to change that attitude.Step 3 Work harder. That means sacrifice and re-engineer your thinking process. No vacations. You should not be rewarding yourself for not finding work. Just the opposite.Step 4 Change your bitter attitude.Eliminative negative vocabulary words like Just spinning my wheels, I am too old or experienced for this, I cannot take a job for less than ___, or I require this salary.Step 5 Stop blaming the resume. Blame yourself. You own that document. Consider your resume, no matter who did it, only a template. Tweak that resume yourself to suit each job you pursue.Step 6 Look in the mirror Do you look like you are worth the $100K+ income you require. Shallow but true.Do you need a Crest Whitestrips smile? What do those teeth look like? Men Do you have inappropriate facial hair you could get away with when you were making $100K+ but cant now?Hair color? Clothes? Handshake? Look like a million dollars, and you can get a million dollars. Shallow, yes.What happened to credentials? Working hard and all that? Well, you tell me Youre the one that has been unemployed for at least a year. I am directing you as if you were in unemployed rehab. The Betty Ford of the unemployed. Re-engineer what you are thinking.Step 7 Stop leaning on your spouse or partner. No whining or complaining. Talk very little about your job search, and when you do, bring up only the positive aspects of what you have gone through each day. Your spouse or partner is supporting you.OK. Got it? Now, you havent died. Erase that old anniversary date. That was actually a new start. Try it again. A fresh attitude, a fresh start is what we all need. Go ahead and make this Day Oneall over again.