The Global Challenges of Corona Virus.

The challenges posed by the raging corona virus across the global community is stretching far beyond the scope of healthcare. It's beginning to take its toll on the socioeconomic lives of people especially in the United States.

Just like the unfortunate aftermath of the 9-1-1 tragedy, several companies are now closing down and laying off their staff. Just yesterday, a company in Pennsylvania laid off a whopping 700 staff members. Yet, among the multiplying effects of this sad reality is the inability of those being laid off to pay their bills and even feed their families. Mortgage payments, rents, utilities and grocery-shopping are now becoming a herculean task for many families. The situation is really critical.

Today, Delmarva (electric company) announced that it has suspended all service disconnections and waiving late payment fees for those who can not afford to pay. This is a step in the right direction and we can only hope that other utility companies will take a cue from Delmarva while praying for them all to remain in service. God bless America.

Suzy Welch: 3 things you should always do in a job interview (and 1 mistake to avoid at all costs).

Regardless of how qualified you are for a job, saying or doing the wrong thing in an interview can easily hurt your chances.

Bestselling management author and CNBC contributor Suzy Welch says that to test you, employers "will try to get beyond the standard Q&A by using all sorts of 'techniques,'" in order to see if you're the perfect candidate.
Welch tells CNBC Make It that there are three things you should make sure to do before, during and after an interview — as well as one mistake you should make absolutely sure to avoid:

1. Dress appropriately for the environment:

While a suit and tie or high heels and a skirt may no longer be the traditional interview uniform, Welch says that doesn't mean you can totally relax your attire.
She suggests asking someone you know about the dress code at the company or doing a simple Google search to find images of current employees. Then, she says, you should pick out an appropriate outfit for the occasion that's comfortable, but not too flashy.

"At the end of the day, and interview, you want people talking about your ideas after you leave, not your outfit," says Welch. "Keep that front of mind, and you'll look just fine."

2. Be direct: Say you want the job

After you've discussed your background and accomplishments, Welch says you should end the meeting by telling the employer one thing: "I really want this job."
Doing this, she says, won't make you sound desperate. It will show hiring managers your sincerity, courage and humility.
"The person hearing it knows it's difficult to say," explains Welch. "They know it takes moxie, and they'll remember that."
She says that in the end, you must remember that your goal in an interview is to "make your case" and "give it your all."

3. Follow up promptly

Performing well during the interview is only half the battle. According to Welch, it's what you do after an interview that can "make or break your chances of getting an offer."
In addition to writing a personalized thank-you note that expands on at least one point of discussion from the interview, Welch says you should edit your social media accounts and connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn.
"After your interview, post intelligent tweets about your industry or the economy," she advises, "and please, avoid stupid Instagram pics."
She also warns that when sending a LinkedIn request you don't want to "just click a button." Instead, she says, "say something about how much you enjoyed meeting and discussing x, y or z." 

And one mistake to make sure you avoid

According to Welch, acting too casual or relaxed during a job interview is one of the biggest blunders you can make.
She recalls the time when she made this error as a recent Harvard University graduate who was interviewing for a reporting job with the Kansas City Times.
While riding to lunch with a group of editors from the paper she says she remembers asking, "So, what kinda food we getting?" as if they were old friends. She recalls meeting with the editor-in-chief later that day and asking him where he lived, as if she was scouting local real estate.
The next morning, she says, she got a call letting her know that she didn't get the job because she didn't "fit in." "The editor didn't have to explain himself," she says. "I was dumb, but not so dumb that I didn't know I had overstepped."
"Even if you think you're perfect for the job," she warns, you need to always remember, "they are the buyer, you are the seller."
"Do not," Welch says, "let down your guard."

Job Interview Questions You Should Always Ask.

As your job interview comes to a close, you breathe a small sigh of relief, happy this stressful situation is almost over. Your interviewer then asks whether you have any questions. Resist the urge to say, “No.” Sure, you want to leave, so you can reduce your stress level. But it’s never wise to exit without asking a few questions. 

Your questions could make or break your chances of getting the job. So use this time to your advantage, and ask questions that will make the hiring team take note of you. Here are 15 questions you need to ask at a job interview if you want to make a good impression.

1. What’s the biggest change your group has gone through in the past year?

Ask whether the company feels like things are getting better or worse and how it plans to handle either scenario. Ask how the company is changing, so you can gain a better perspective of its goals and values. The interviewer’s answer will offer insight into what type of employee they’re looking for. Career expert Marc Cenedella said it’s important to show an interest in where the company is headed, and learn how you can help it get there. “By asking these questions, which focus on the needs, traits, and preferences of your future boss and future employer, you’re demonstrating that you are somebody who is genuinely interested in their well-being,” Cenedella said.

2. What new skills can I hope to learn here?

This question shows you are eager to continue learning. It shows you won’t become complacent and stop bringing value to the company because you got too comfortable to care. Employers don’t want to hire someone who eventually becomes a flat-liner, so do your best to ask questions that demonstrate you’ll do what it takes to continue to grow and add value. Honigman Media CEO Brian Honigman said this question says a lot about a candidate. “It signifies a few positive things: The applicant acknowledges they don’t know everything, and it signals both humility and potential. This individual is actively seeking knowledge and using that as a criterion to judge opportunity. They know that skills are important, not just knowledge,” he said. 

3. What are your expectations during the first 30 days, 60 days, and a year?

Don’t be in the dark about what is expected of you. The worst thing you can do is get the job and then totally miss the mark because you didn’t ask the right questions. Learn what the hiring manager is looking to accomplish through your role. “Find out what your employer’s expectations are for the person in this position,” said Pamela Skillings, career expert and founder of Big Interview.

4. What is a typical day like?

Don’t forget to ask about the basics. The answer to this question will help reduce the chance of being taken by surprise. For example, if everyone is expected to attend a weekly staff meeting at 8 a.m. Mondays, it would be helpful to know that information if 9 a.m. is your typical start time. Simpson said if he hadn’t asked his future employer what a typical day would be like he would have been unprepared. “Having the day laid out for you from beginning to end is a smart way to get a quick overview of what is expected of you outside the job description. I was hired for a job once where all the employees were expected to participate in a group physical activity before starting our day. Had I not asked about a typical day I would have been completely unprepared for my first day and unable to participate,” Simpson said. 

5. What is the company culture like?

This question is important because the answer will let you know whether the company is a good fit for you. A poor culture match could make your days at the company unpleasant. Just like a pair of jeans, it’s important to find the right fit. Find out what you’re getting yourself into before accepting an offer. It’s also a good idea to do some of your own research. Career sites, such as Glassdoor, offer insights directly from current and past employees. 

6. Could you tell me about the team I would be working with?

You’ll want to know as much as you can about your potential co-workers. Chances are you’ll work closely together, especially because most companies encourage collaborative work environments. Some of the information you’ll be able to glean from this answer is how long employees tend to stay with the company, advanced certifications or degrees some of your teammates have, and the types of projects you’ll be working on.   

7. How are employees recognized?

This will give you an idea of whether the company goes out of its way to show appreciation for a job well done. It doesn’t feel great to go above and beyond the call of duty only to be ignored or treated as if what you did was no big deal. Find out now whether the company values its workforce. You don’t want to work for a thankless employer who treats its staff poorly. 

8. Who is your ideal candidate?

You might be afraid to ask this question because you think it implies you’re not the ideal candidate, but that’s not true. This is your chance to prove otherwise. You’ll give yourself an advantage because the interviewer might mention some skills and specific experience that weren’t mentioned in the job description. This provides an opportunity for you to mention how your work history has given you the skills and job experience the employer is looking for. 

9. What can you tell me about my predecessor?

This answer will give you information about the circumstances surrounding your predecessor’s departure. If the interviewer is willing to answer the question truthfully, you can find out whether the previous employee was promoted, asked to leave, left voluntarily, or decided to retire. This question will provide you with a wealth of useful information. You can get a better idea of whether you have a chance at getting promoted, whether the workers are happy, and what kind of environment you’ll be working in. 

10. If I get the job, what will be my first major project or goal? 

This will allow you to prepare for whatever might come your way during the first few days or weeks at the job. The answer will also tell you whether this is really the type of job you want to do. If it seems as though the tasks are very different from the job description, it’s possible you’re interviewing for a bait-and-switch position, where the employer lists all the good parts of the job and then leaves the undesirable aspects for after the candidate is hired. Employers sometimes do this when a position is hard to fill. 

Courtesy: Cheat Sheet.

How to Be Proactive at Work: My 5 Step System.

Let’s take a few minutes to look critically at your actions in the workplace. 

•Do you react to the events happening around you or do you take initiative to prepare for, participate in and/or control the events?

•Do you take an active or passive role? Do you think in terms of the present or do you look to the future, anticipating outcomes and preparing for the consequences?

•Do you make a decision only when you have to, when you’re backed into a corner or when you’ve put it off for as long as you can? Or do you make conscious decisions as part of a larger, long-term plan?

In my experience, the most valuable employees are the ones who are proactive. By definition, this means they control situations by causing things to happen rather than waiting to respond after things happen. People who are proactive don’t sit around waiting for answers to appear; they stand up, put one foot in front of the other, and find the answers. They don’t wait for someone to hand them an instruction manual and a box of tools; they’re resourceful. 

Proactive people are constantly moving forward, looking to the future, and making things happen. They’re actively engaged, not passively observing. Being proactive is a way of thinking and acting.

Now, this concept can be a little abstract for some. An article written by motivational speaker, Craig Harper in 2007 explains it like this:

Reactive is, “I’ve got massive chest pain and pins and needles down my arm. Maybe I’ll go to the doctor.” Proactive is, “Even though I have no symptoms, I want to live a long, healthy life so I have embraced the life-long habits of healthy eating and regular exercise.”

So, are you being proactive or reactive in the workplace?

Certainly, there are times when it’s appropriate to be reactive. We have plenty of decisions to make in-the-moment. There are times when we need to be flexible and adapt to a rapidly changing environment. There are times when long-term plans must be abandoned in order to meet immediate needs. And there will always be those unavoidable roadblocks that even the most proactive person in the world would not have been able to foresee or avoid. 

 

However, the ability to be proactive provides a clear advantage in the workplace and most managers expect staff members to demonstrate a proactive mentality. I have identified five key behaviors (The 5 P’s) involved in being proactive. Below, I’ve outlined my system and exactly how you can develop your abilities in each area.

1. Predict: In order to be proactive, you must first develop foresight. Proactive people are rarely caught by surprise. Learn to anticipate problems and events. Understand how things work; look for patterns; recognize the regular routines, daily practices and natural cycles that exist in your business. At the same time, don’t allow yourself to become complacent. Use your imagination when anticipating future outcomes. Don’t simply expect the past to always be an accurate predictor for the future; use your creativity and logic. Come up with multiple scenarios for how events could unfold. Proactive people are always on their toes.

2. Prevent: Proactive people foresee potential obstacles and exert their power to find ways to overcome them before those obstacles turn into concrete roadblocks. They prevent problems that others would simply look back on in hindsight and claim unavoidable. Don’t allow yourself to get swept up in a feeling of powerlessness. When challenges approach, take control and confront them head on before they grow into overwhelming problems.

3. Plan: Proactive people plan for the future. Avoid one-step, “here and now” thinking and instead, look ahead and anticipate long-term consequences. Bring the future into the present; what can you do today to ensure success tomorrow? Don’t make decisions in a vacuum; every decision is a link in a chain of events leading to one final conclusion. In order to make the best decision, you have to know where you came from, where you are, and where you want to end up.

4. Participate: Proactive people are not idle observers, they are active participants. In order to be proactive, you must get involved. You have to take initiative and be a part of the solution. Recognize that you are only a piece of the whole and that you influence—and are influenced by—the actions of others. Don’t simply react to them. Engage with them. Exert your influence and make a contribution.

5. Perform: Being proactive means taking timely, effective action. You must be decisive and willing to do the work NOW. Procrastination is not an option. Take ownership of your performance and hold yourself accountable. Stand behind your decisions. Being proactive means you have taken careful, thoughtful steps to choose the appropriate path; you’re not just reacting impulsively to your environment.

Courtesy: Eatyourcareer.