Email, Voicemail or Handwritten Thank You?

Sending a thank you note can sometimes be the deal breaker in getting that job. All too often, I hear after an interview candidates do not send a thank you note to the interviewer.  Unfortunately, this is is a no-no.

Taking the time to say "thank you" for the interview is so important. However, it is so simple to send a quick email or leave a voice mail for the interviewer. Does this sound personal and just get it over with attitude? Yes. In the article (link below), "The Power of the Thank You Note," Ron Ameln quickly describes that sending a handwritten note is more personal and could be the factor for the employer to pick up the phone and say, "you're hired."

So, don't underestimate the power of sending a quick thank you note after an interview. It could be all you need to get that job!

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140604233137-2396724-the-power-of-the-thank-you-note?trk=nus-cha-roll-art-title

Getting Back to Basic Communication Skills

Today, we have become accustomed to communicate through technology and our basic communication skills are lacking.  All too often we forget proper etiquette or how the message we are sending is conveyed based on content.  Workplace communication has been affected by nonverbal and verbal miscues and a message can get lost in translation.

As a Business Communications instructor, the key points in this article are continually stressed in the classroom.  Today's professionals need to understand the impact that a message can have on an audience, whether it is in written or verbal.

It is important as professionals to step back and remind ourselves what it takes to be an effective communicator.  The points outlined in this article are a refresher and should always be taken into account when we make a presentation, write a letter, memo or email, or speak to our colleagues.

 Let's Get Back to Basics: Communication Skills

Listening Skills Tips

In a world where we have all kinds of gadgets to distract us from being attentive at a meeting or during a conversation, listening skills have fallen short.  All too often we are hearing what we want to hear or have missed the entire point of a conversation or meeting.  

So how do we fix this problem? Active listening is the main focus during any kind of communication. Along with active listening, the article "5 Tips for Better Listening Skills" gives an quick read on how to ensure you are listening attentively and how you can improve!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2sS8WT/www.careerealism.com/better-listening-skills-quick-tips/#

Preparing for a Job Interview

Finally you landed a job interview and you want that job!  Being prepared for that interview is very important and making sure you have prepared is essential to landing that job.  Maybe you have practiced answering the typical interview questions and you are comfortable or maybe you have only focused on that and not some other essential factors that aid in the interviewing process.  Don't be that person!

This article focuses on how to prepare for the interview process; from the beginning to the end.  Read this article to gain some insight on how to better prepare yourself in the interviewing process and to help you land that job!

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140117080847-52594-how-to-prepare-for-a-job-interview?trk=nus-cha-roll-art-title

5 Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Your resume is the first impression a potential employer has about you.  Don't make a bad impression by falling victim to these top 5 mistakes listed in the following article link. http://www.careerealism.com/resume-mistakes-worst-sins/#!

Stand Out! Tips to Get Your Resume Noticed

Today's market has become very competitive and in order to land that interview your resume needs to "shout!"  

The key to getting noticed by potential employers is differentiating your resume from the hundreds of thousands of other resumes they are looking at.  How do you do that?  The link from the University of Phoenix gives some great tips to help pull your resume and get you that interview!

http://www.phoenix.edu/forward/careers/2012/11/5-ways-to-get-your-resume-noticed.html?channel=socm&provider=linkedin&pvp_campaign=16397_8267_9_95&creative_desc=organic&keyword=li_o_status_getresumenoticed&mktg_prog=social#!

Tips for Giving a Speech

Audience falling asleep as you are presenting? Want to give a speech like a professional? Want to WOW your audience? You can, if you follow the tips in the article link. 

Practice, practice is what everyone says, but that's not the only essential part of giving a memorable speech.  Try to remember the tips these experts have listed, and you will have your audience walk away with something to remember.

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131108024038-21564708-captivate-you-listeners-with-these-speaking-tips?trk=tod-home-art-list-large_0