Who is afraid to ask questions? Many of us, I fear. But questions don’t make us look dumb. Questions are engaging, build rapport and get the brain moving. We are not robots. We are humans, let’s start acting like it and ask more questions- of ourselves and others.
Ask questions that are reflective. Ask questions that are anti-establishment or that challenge the status-quo. Ask questions to learn. Ask questions without judgement. Ask open-ended questions. Ask!
I found these three posts this week and shared them. I want to make sure you didn’t miss them!
The Tech Worker Shortage Doesn’t Really Exist | Bloomberg Business Week by Josh Eidelson
This may go down as one of my favorite posts of the year. Seriously. The question we should all be asking is…is there really a shortage of Tech workers? Really?
“There’s no evidence of any way, shape, or form that there’s a shortage in the conventional sense,” says Hal Salzman, a professor of planning and public policy at Rutgers University. “They may not be able to find them at the price they want. But I’m not sure that qualifies as a shortage, any more than my not being able to find a half-priced TV.”
Actions by President Obama to increase the number of H1-B visas may be driving down wages according to Eidelson and others. I’m all in favor of a global economy, but let’s at least take care of our own fragile middle-class first.
3 Magic Phrases Every Interviewer Wants To Hear | by Lily Zhang for The Muse on Forbes
Have you used these three phrases in an interview lately? What about in a conversation with your manager?
“I’m really excited about that.”
“I actually just spoke with Sarah to learn more about that.”
“I’ve had a lot of success with that in the past.”
Go give the article a quick read!
LinkedIn, Personal Branding or Job Search Targeting: Which Comes First? by Meg Guiseppi, ExecutiveCareerBrand.com
This is a great question. Does it matter which you do first? Yes. You must start with the hardest stuff first…job search targeting. The other pieces fall into place once you’ve set your targets. Meg’s post links to many other helpful articles she’s written to help you fine-tune your brand and LinkedIn profile.
Corporate Crime Scene: Questions of Leadership | by Doug Johnston, Impact4Results
Doug Johnston has a way with questions. The kind that don’t put you on the defensive, but get you thinking about personal accountability- what part did you play? Written for leaders, this post works for anyone at any level, trust me.
We’ve all been in situations where we’ve had to deal with someone evil, cruel, or a rabble-rouser. It makes the blood boil. Next time you find yourself stewing (or doing something in response), ask yourself these questions…
In what way might you have contributed?
If you were to go back in time, what would you have done differently?
I clearly hear your frustration with this other person, what might they say if I asked them how you might have contributed?
What is it about you that makes this very difficult?
What is this about for you?
If you could have done anything differently, what would you have done?
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
