4 Signs Youre Applying for the Wrong Job

4 Signs Youre Applying for the Wrong Job4 Signs Youre Applying for the Wrong JobEvery now and then, you find those job listings that seem like theyre way too good to be true. You know the ones- the responsibilities are right up your alley, the salary is more than reasonable, and the company sounds like its straight out of your dreams.And then there are those other types of listings- they dont exactly get your heart racing. Yet, you apply for them anyway because youre either desperate to land a job or eager to earn an in with that company.It might seem like a safe approach. But, in reality, applying for jobs that ultimately arent the best fit for you will only waste yours and the employers time. So, how can you know for sure if youre applying for the wrong job?Watch for these four telltale signs that youre applying for the wrong job1. It doesnt suit your lifestyle.Maybe you have a family that demands a lot from your schedule, yet thejob isnt at all flexible and requires huge amounts o f travel. Or, perhaps therole will require you to work weekends- even though you know theres no way youll be able to realistically pull that off.Regardless of your specific circumstances, thejob description is giving you the feeling that youll need to make some pretty significant changes to your existing lifestyle in order to accommodate theposition.Of course, youll always need to make some minor changes whenever you get a new job- thats natural. But, if its sounding like this role would require you to flip your existing life and schedule over on its head? That might be a sign that its really not the best fit for you to begin with.2. It doesnt match your expertise.Applying for jobs that challenge you or push you out of your comfort zone is a great thing But, if you have to go so far as to generously pad your resume- or worse, blatantly lie- you might be stretching yourself a little too far.Is thejob seeking a self-starter and youre someone who prefers clear instruction and direction ? Or, does therole require 10 years of experience and you only have four?These sorts of things are all pretty clear signs that youre not the best match for that position, and youre better off continuing your search for something that could better benefit from your unique skills. After all, you wouldnt want to end up in a position where youre in way over your head anyway.3. It doesnt fit your expectations.Chances are, you likely began your job search with a clear idea of what you were looking for- the type of position, the perks, the compensation.But, as your job hund dragged on and on, you began to relax those requirements a little bit. Now? Youre considering roles that are a world apart from what you were originally hoping for.Listen, youd never recommend that an experienced salesperson apply to mop the office floors just to get their foot in the door, would you? So, why would you consider doing essentially that same thing yourself?It can be tempting to apply for anything and every thing in attempts to gain entry to your dream company. But, hold off for the jobs that really check your boxes- in the end, youll be glad you did.4. It doesnt make you excited.You give that description a quick read and then try to picture yourself doing that job day in and day out. Do you feel excited about that role? Or, are your feelings of desperation outweighing your passion and enthusiasm?They might say that desperate times call for desperate measures- but, dont let this old adage apply to your job search.If you cant seem to get yourself excited about the work or the companys mission, its smarter to continue your search for something that really lights a fire inside of you. Life is too short to hate your jobWhether youre eager to get your foot in the door with a specific company or youre beginning to feel like your job search will never come to an end, it becomes more and more tempting to apply for whatever open roles you can find. However, thats not the best strategy. Instead, you should take care to apply for jobs that are truly a good fit for you.Use these four telltale signs to separate the wheat from the chaff, and youre sure to zone in on the roles that are your very best match.Find a Job Youll Love

How to Be Grateful While You Job Search over the Holidays

How to Be Grateful While You Job Search over the HolidaysHow to Be Grateful While You Job Search over the HolidaysJob searching can definitely feel like a thankless task. But its important to keep a positive outlook when youre looking for a job, especially while you job search over the holidays. Here are three ways in which you can adopt an attitude of gratitude when youre job hunting- during Thanksgiving and all year long.Be grateful forflexibility. Gone are the days when working a full-time job meant that you had to schlep into an office. In todays job market, at least one in five workers works remotely- and that number is quickly growing. So whether you want to work for a company in Singapore (and youre based in Seattle), or if you need workplace flexibility so you can care for an aging parent, chances are there are many jobs out there within your area of interest that will allow you to work remotely. Being able to have a better work-life balance doing what you love (and getting p aid for it) is a huge reason to be grateful.Be grateful forperspective. Sure, writing a winning cover letter for each and every job that youre applying for is time-consuming. But instead of simply churning out a ho-hum job application, its crucial to read what youre actually writing about. Your cover letter is a synopsis of all of your previous work experience and the skills you have earned over time. So take the time to look at how far youve come in your career, and give yourself a much-needed pat on the back for all that youve achieved. If youve already come this far, then imagine how much more the future holds for you.Be grateful forfreedom. When youre working in a full-time job, theres often not a lot of time for self-introspection. After all, youre too busy learning how new programs work and simply trying to keep up with your ever-increasing workload. Job hunting gives you a special type of freedom that having a position doesnt. For example, when youre looking for a job, you ca n search any career field to find your next l career. Even if you were a banker up until this point in your career, you can do a 360-degree turn and become a baker if you want to. You can remove self-imposed limits and pursue your passion, looking for a job that will satisfy your passion and also give you the job flexibility that you need.When thoughts are centered on turkey and family this holiday season, take some time to be thankful for all that youve accomplished in your life. With the right outlook, searching for a job can be the next step towards the greatest stage in your career- and life.Readers, how do you adopt an attitude of gratitude while you job search over the holidays? Let us know your tips and experiences in the comments section below

Here are four ways in which you are apologizing wrong

Here are fur ways in which you are apologizing wrongHere are four ways in which you are apologizing wrongApologies are something we love to receive and hate to give. And especially as a leader, they are tough.They require a great deal of humility, which challenges your pride and ego. They are an open admission of failure and wrongdoing, but when delivered with sincerity, they hold power with your team.Unfortunately, too many leaders give superficial apologies loaded with excuses and blame. Apologizing for the sake of apologizing is an ingenuine insult to those wronged. If you want to be taken seriously in your company, its important to know why an apology is necessary and to deliver it in a way thats heartfelt and honest.Here are four ways you are apologizing wrong, and how to make sure you dont make these mistakes in your next, Im sorry.1. leid Owning the MistakePlacing blame or trying to justify your actions will diminish the power of your apology and hurt your credibility. Using e xcuses to justify your actions or shortcomings will only intensify the feelings of rejection, animosity, anger, and pain. Simply own your mistake. Acknowledge what you should have done differently and commit to making a change in the future.2. Not Carefully Considering Your WordsBefore rushing into an apology, consider how the receiver will interpret what youre saying and how you say it. What we say when admitting a mistake can affect the trust we establish in the relationship moving forward. If we dont consider our words carefully, we can add insult to injury and further jeopardize our connection.3. Leaving Out the SpecificsKnow what you are apologizing for before you do. Dont rush to apologize without all the facts. The person affected needs to know what you are apologizing for. It allows you to elaborate on the reason and acknowledge greater ownership.4. Making it ImpersonalThe method of apology is as important as the message itself. Recognize when a mistake requires a face-to-fa ce admission and dont rely on technology to do your heavy lifting. Look them in the eye and apologize. If face-to-face interactions arent possible, pick up the phone. Let the offending person hear your voice and acknowledge your sincerity. Just dont hide behind the screen.- - - All of us make mistakes. Acknowledging those mistakes while taking ownership demonstrates responsibility and maturity as a leader. Apologies allow us to build stronger, more trustworthy relationships with those around us. They also help us grow as professionals and in our roles as leaders. Owning our mistakes provides a great example for our team to do the same.Stacey Hanke is the founder and communication expert of Stacey Hanke Inc. and the author of Influence Redefined Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday and Yes You Can Everything You Need From A to Z to Influence Others to Take Action.