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Interruptions for Productive Collaboration

Have you ever been in a meeting where interruptions derail discussions, hinder productivity, and leave everyone feeling frustrated?

Interruptions can disrupt the flow of conversations and hinder effective collaboration. But fear not!

Let’s explore strategies for dealing with interruptions in meetings and fostering a culture of respect and productivity.

1. Recognize the Impact: How do interruptions affect meeting outcomes and overall engagement levels?

2. Establish Meeting Etiquette: What can we do to set clear expectations and norms regarding interruptions in meetings?

3. Active Listening: How can we enhance active listening skills to minimize interruptions and create a more inclusive environment?

4. Time Management: What techniques can we employ to manage meeting time effectively and reduce interruptions?

5. Promote Turn-Taking: How can we encourage equal participation and ensure everyone has a chance to contribute without interruptions?

Here are also some expressions that can be useful for dealing with interruptions in the workplace:

Addressing Interruptions:

    • “Excuse me, I’d appreciate if I could finish my point before we move on.”
    • “I understand your enthusiasm, but may I please complete my thought first?”
    • “Thank you for your input. Let’s take turns to ensure everyone has a chance to contribute.”
    • “Let’s be mindful of interrupting each other. It’s important to give everyone an opportunity to speak.”
  1.  
  2. Redirecting the Conversation:
    • “That’s an interesting point. Let’s bookmark it and come back to it after we address the current topic.”
    • “I understand your concern, but for the sake of time, let’s stay focused on the agenda.”
    • “I appreciate your input. Let’s hear from others who haven’t had a chance to speak yet.”
  3.  
  4. Encouraging Active Listening:
    • “Let’s practice active listening by allowing each person to finish their thoughts without interruption.”
    • “Could we please give [Name] the space to express their viewpoint without interruptions?”
    • “Remember, listening actively shows respect for the speaker and helps us have a more productive discussion.”
  5.  
  6. Setting Expectations:
    • “Before we begin, let’s agree to respect each other’s speaking time and minimize interruptions.”
    • “In this meeting, let’s adopt a turn-taking approach to ensure everyone’s voices are heard.”
    • “I suggest we establish meeting norms that promote respectful communication and minimize interruptions.”
  7.  
  8. Responding to Interruptions:
    • “I appreciate your input, but let me finish my thought, and then I’d be happy to hear your perspective.”
    • “I understand your urgency, but let’s address one topic at a time to ensure clarity and thorough discussion.”
    • “Please hold on for a moment. I’d like to give [Name] the chance to complete their idea.”
  9.  
  10. Diplomatic Approaches:
    • “I see we’re eager to share our thoughts. Let’s raise our hands and take turns speaking to maintain order and fairness.”
    • “Let’s practice active listening and give each person the opportunity to express their ideas without interruptions.”
    • “I encourage us to be mindful of interruptions so that we can create a more collaborative and respectful atmosphere.”
 
 

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AI Integration in Language Learning

“Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language”

Frank Smith (1928-2020, psycholinguist)

Artificial intelligence (AI) appears to be infiltrating every area of our lives. From vehicle driving to floor-sweeping, AI has long since moved from science fiction to scientific reality. As a result, it should come as no surprise that AI can assist us in learning languages more effectively.

So, let’s look at these 6 benefits of AI in language learning.

1- Providing instant feedback

One of the greatest advantages of artificial intelligence in language learning is the immediate correction of mistakes in tests and exercises. Instead of waiting for days to receive feedback, learners receive on-the-spot responses that they can take immediate action to fix.

2- Eliminating the fear of failing

The way this feedback is given is not judgemental. Making mistakes is completely normal, yet some people feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. The AI tools do not criticize learners in front of the classroom but instead evaluate them without judgment. 

3- Personalizing the needs of learners

Thanks to data collection and predictive analytics software, AI tools allow learners to create their own learning paths, adapting to the user’s personal needs and interests. Learners can choose the level and topics they’re interested in, and most language apps will offer personalized curriculums with personalized games and quizzes. 

4- Gamification

This brings us to an important element in e-learning that fosters motivation and competitiveness—gamification. Using gaming elements such as quizzes, marathons, and contests have increased engagement and enjoyment among learners.

5- A redefined role for teachers

Instead of being the sage on the stage, teachers will become the guide on the side, meaning that technology will cover teachers’ mundane tasks while they will become more like advisers to learners. With AI language learning doing the grading and the paperwork, teachers will have more time to coordinate the learning process and mentor students. More tech-savvy teachers may also try on the role of data scientists, analyzing and using the data gained from the learning process. 

6- Deeper involvement in the learning process

Thanks to AI used for learning a new language, learners will be able to study from any place in the world at their own pace, set their own goals, and follow a customized syllabus. Teachers won’t have to go over the same material each year thanks to a personalized approach to learning that varies from student to student. Plus, AI will help develop engaging games, quizzes, and other learning and exploratory activities that combine programs of study with students’ interests.

It is important to mention that tools such as language bots, machine translation, and customized textbooks may greatly assist language learners in becoming well-rounded in a language, especially when used in conjunction with traditional learning techniques. 

Summing up, when artificial intelligence and education come together, the learning experience for both students and instructors will be transformed. Students will thrive with personalization, immediate feedback, and adaptability to their requirements. 

 

Related Articles:

📌5 tips to become an Independent Learner https://www.englishpriority.com/5-tips-to-become-an-independent-learner/

 

📌5 Secrets to Making an ATS-Friendly Resume https://www.englishpriority.com/5-secrets-to-making-an-ats-friendly-resume/

 

📌LinkedIn Challenges students face when learning English  https://www.englishpriority.com/challenges-students-face-when-learning-english/

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Corporate Language Training

What is corporate language training?

First, let’s start with the definition of Corporate training.

CT means ensuring that employees improve their skills and performance by focusing on professional development. 

Here is a quick breakdown of what career and personal development programs enable:

  • Providing employees with career growth opportunities aligned with company objectives, goals, and strategies
  • Upskill or maintain knowledge of current job-related tasks
  • Develop personal skills and abilities for soft skill topics to plan for personal growth
  • Enhance or obtain education, abilities, and skills for duties unrelated to current job to achieve self-set goals and career objectives.
  • Better community members and happier individuals

Employees are interested in learning too. According to LinkedIn, 94% of employees want to work for a company that invests in their professional development.

One area of corporate training found at almost every company is Computer training, but what happens with Languages? When working in international companies, EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY in ENGLISH, but most companies do not offer Language training.

What’s Corporate language training like?

First, remember, business language refers to the advanced language proficiency necessary for employees to conduct themselves in business settings. It goes beyond the basic skills required for everyday conversation, combining advanced language proficiency with industry-specific terminology required to handle projects in global companies.

International corporations usually have an official corporate language. As they expand operations to countries where other native languages are spoken, new employees need to be fluent in that corporate language.

Very few groups of human resource departments develop and implement formal corporate language training programs to meet this need because these enable businesses to support international growth, open new markets, and share knowledge rapidly and more effectively. Furthermore, it makes corporations more appealing to global talent pools and increases employee loyalty.

Now, if there’s no Language training in your company, take a look at what we do in English Priority here:

https://www.englishpriority.com/business-english-program/

 

“Companies with engaged employees see 22% greater levels of productivity and outperform those without engagement by up to 202%.” —Gallup

 

 

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How to Improve your Studying Mindset

Last week we talk about the importance of creating a study plan; today, let’s talk about mindset. When we improve our studying mindset, we can experience improvements in our academic results and confidence as a student.

 

Let’s look at these 5 strategies can help you improve your studying mindset.

 

1- Develop a growth mindset

A fixed mindset is a belief that your intelligence and abilities are unchangeable – you’ll be this level of smart or capable forever. A growth mindset helps you improve your abilities and intelligence. You can become smarter with effort, time, and the right strategies.

If you truly believe you are a rubbish student who isn’t that clever, how will you succeed in your studies? You need urgently transformed your studying mindset and your results. 

Throw yourself into your studies, push yourself through challenges, and the results will come. 

 

2- Change your state

Procrastination, negative thinking, low self-confidence, or feeling unmotivated are all unhelpful states. 

Here’s a simple process to change from an unhelpful state to a helpful state, such as focus, positivity, confidence, or motivation.

Get up off the sofa, chair, or bed and do something to break the pattern. Jump up and down and shake it off à la Taylor Swift, drink a glass of cold water, take a quick walk, shower, sing, and dance for one song.

This will shake off the lethargy, raise your energy and hopefully improve your studying mindset to get to some great work.

 

3- Be the boss of your mind monkeys

Your brain doesn’t want you to do hard things or feel pain or embarrassment, so our mind monkeys will often say anything to get you to stop doing the hard thing.

– You’re not good enough.

– You can’t do this

– You’re a rubbish student

– You should just give up

Some students’ mind monkeys are louder than others or are more persistent, which can be detrimental to our studying mindset and mental health.

It’s impossible to never have negative thoughts, so instead, try to control your mind, monkey. If it starts to chat crap that makes you feel bad, call it out, thank it for trying to protect you, and then tell it to move along.

Do this, and over time you’ll be able to distance yourself from these negative thoughts and improve your studying mindset.



4- Celebrate what’s going right

When our studying mindset is in a downward spiral, it’s much easier to focus on what’s going wrong and be completely oblivious to what is going right.

This is because the brain is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones.

Humans have survived for so long because we’ve evolved to be excellent at remembering failures and dangers. 

Nowadays, we’re not at risk of being eaten by a lion or eating poisonous berries by accident, but our brains haven’t caught up.

You can improve your studying mindset by actively celebrating your achievements. Every time something good happens in your life (big or tiny) write it on a sticky note and put it on the desk, fridge, or bedroom door.

 

5- Talk about it

When you feel like you’re in a hole, reach out to those who care about you. This can be hard sometimes, as no one likes to feel like a burden. But if your loved ones were struggling, you would want to know and be able to support them, wouldn’t you? 

So let your circle do the same for you.

 

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” ― Pelé, Brazilian pro footballer.

 

WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

📌Unmotivated: not having interest in or enthusiasm for something, especially work or study.

📌Detrimental: tending to cause harm.

📌Unwholesome: not characterized by or conducive to health or moral well-being.

📌Capable: having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing.

📌Lethargy: a lack of energy and enthusiasm.

 

PHRASAL VERBS

📌Figure out: to work out, to understand or solve something

“Okay, let’s go through this together. We’ll figure it out.”

📌Mull over: to take time to think about something to be sure that you make the right decision

“Let me mull over the suggestion.”

 

IDIOMS 📒

📌Pull an all-nighter: to stay up all night. 

📌I know it like the back of my hand: know something completely.

 

Related Articles:

📌Imposter Syndrome https://www.englishpriority.com/imposter-syndrome/

📌Learner Autonomy https://www.englishpriority.com/learner-autonomy/

 

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6 Business Lessons you won’t learn in college

“Knowledge itself is power” 

— Sir Francis Bacon.

Teachers and textbooks can help you prepare for your career, but there are some lessons they won’t prepare you for!
We’ve compiled a list of 6 business-related things every college graduate should know.

1- Great marketing doesn’t guarantee cash

Marketing is about making your presence known to potential consumers and would-be customers. In other words, it isn’t a fix-all solution and is only about generating brand awareness.  

So, a clever marketing campaign and spending a lot of money on advertising will not guarantee a sale. Earning cash requires you to engage with your customers and help offer them value and solutions that help them solve a given problem.

2- Diversification only works if it surrounds a core strength

The word diversify means you work in different industries, or it can mean you generate revenue through several channels.  That being said, even if a business appears to be diversified to an outsider, more often than not, its various business units and revenue streams are just shades of color on the company’s inner canvas.

Today, Amazon has its Airline Prime Air, Whole Foods, and online streaming video service. All those limbs are just branches built on the trunk of Amazon’s core.

3- Hiring great talent isn’t the answer

Everyone talks about the importance of bringing on great people, the need for which is undeniable.  But equally and just as important to find those people is holding on to that talent once you are lucky to get it.

Many managers wrongly think that after all their effort in finding and hiring the perfect candidate, they’re done, forgetting when you lose a good employee, all that training, experience, and knowledge walks out the door with them.

Always be vigilant and go to great lengths to ensure we hold on to the great workers we worked so hard to get.

4- There is no easy way to deal with ethics

Unfortunately, employee misconduct is not uncommon. Disgruntled workers breach their companies’ codes of conduct all the time. Whether misusing company time, taking credit for others’ work, or harassing their colleagues — among many other examples — disgruntled employees raise many ethical issues in the workplace.

Despite the pervasiveness of such behavior, employee misconduct sometimes goes unreported for various reasons. Colleagues may feel threatened by their unscrupulous coworkers or fear backlash for “tattling.” Still, others might simply look the other way to avoid conflict.

Dealing with business ethics is far more difficult than we ever realize – until we’re stuck dealing with such a situation.

5- An organization’s health extends beyond its income statement

While income is essential – it’s the heartbeat – for an organization to survive, many more factors play into its overall well-being.  Innovation, employee morale, efficiency, and a positive public reputation are vital signs managers need to consider.  If your business is bringing in 20% profit with a dissatisfied workforce, antiquated process, and poor quality, image what it could do with a happy workforce, modern technology, and superior quality.

6- Leadership

The only thing that can take a good business and make it exceptional is strong and virtuous leadership at the top, with other great leaders peppered throughout the organization.  Great leaders inspire; they are charismatic, likable, and naturally able to motivate all those talented people within the organization to be at their best.

WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

📌Disgruntled: angry or dissatisfied.

📌Impose: force (something unwelcome or unfamiliar) to be accepted or put in place.

📌Workforce: the people engaged in or available for work, either in a country or area or in a particular company or industry.

📌Prosper: succeed in material terms; be financially successful.

📌Restore: bring back (a previous right, practice, custom, or situation); reinstate.

PHRASAL VERBS ✍

📌Make out: to understand or to see something with clarity.

“In the dim light, it was difficult to make out the illustration.”

📌Piece something together: to understand a story, situation, etc., by taking all the facts and details and putting them together.

“Don’t worry; I’ll piece together a manual for the new system.”

IDIOMS 📒

📌Know something backward and forwards: know something very well. Be an expert, or be well acquainted with something.

📌Under one’s belt: have a lot of experience.

Related Articles:

📌4 tips to boost your productivity https://www.englishpriority.com/4-tips-to-boost-your-productivity/

📌5 tips to become an Independent Learner https://www.englishpriority.com/5-tips-to-become-an-independent-learner/

📌Improving our Networking Skills https://www.englishpriority.com/improving-our-networking-skills/

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Business strategy: Horizontal Integration

“We collectively, to get things done, work together as a team because the work happens horizontally in our company, not vertically. Products are horizontal.” Tim Cook

 

Horizontal integration is a competitive strategy companies use to consolidate their positions and set themselves apart from their competitors. It occurs when a business grows by purchasing related businesses—namely, its competitors. 

In other words, horizontal integrations help companies expand in size, diversify product offerings, reduce competition, and expand into new markets.

 

Let’s take a closer look at horizontal integration’s primary forms, benefits, and drawbacks.

 

Primary forms of horizontal integration

 

1- Merger

Two separate entities create a new, joint organization striving to become a larger presence in their existing market. The brand of one of those two companies is usually retained, though the composition of operations and personnel are shared between the former individual companies. In addition, the product line of both companies is often similar and equally competitive in the market.

 

2- Acquisition

It occurs when one company outright takes over the operations of another company. Though the two companies technically join together, one company remains in control. The acquiring company’s staff, executives, and operations often remain in place, while the acquired company’s resources are integrated as management sees fit.

For example, Microsoft wanted to enhance its presence in the video game market. Therefore, it acquired Activision Blizzard in January 2022.

 

3- Internal Expansion

Through internal expansion, a company chooses to strategically change course and apply more resources in a different way. 

Instead of committing capital to acquire an external company or transition with a merging firm, it decides to deploy those resources in-house to train staff, buy equipment, make capital investments, and grow a new branch of operations on its own.

For example, a restaurant can expand to offer catering companies, or a beverage manufacturer may branch off to make food products.

 

Benefits of horizontal integration

 

1- Larger market share

Successful mergers create a large market share for the integrated company or business units. Horizontally integrated firms improve market share through the expansion of business activities, cost synergies in marketing, combined product base, and shared technology, among others.

 

  1. Large customer base

When two companies come together, they also bring different consumer bases. As a result, the new firm has access to a large customer segment.

 

  1. Higher revenue

By increasing its market share and consumer base, the new company has the ability to increase its revenue two-fold or more.

 

Drawbacks of horizontal integration

 

Despite the increased potential profitability of horizontal integration from the increased value and synergies, the strategy has some potential drawbacks:

1- Reduces flexibility

Horizontal integration may impede the flexibility of the acquired firm since it must conform to the operations of the bigger company.

 

2- Threatens competition

Mergers and acquisitions of large corporations usually lead to monopolies to the detriment of consumers. Market dominance may fuel unethical practices, such as indefinite hiking of market prices or the narrowing of products and services. For this reason, monopolies are subject to antitrust laws, not to mention the scrutiny of regulatory bodies.

 

 

WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

📌Monopoly: the exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.

📌Commodity: a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.

📌Reasoning: the act of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way.

📌Perception: the ability to see, hear or become aware of something through the senses.

📌Decrease: make or become smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree.

 

PHRASAL VERBS ✍

📌(Not) Measure up: it is not satisfactory; it doesn’t compare well with the standards. 

“This designer’s work just doesn’t measure up to the quality we’ve come to expect.”

📌Zero in on: to zero in on something means to focus closely on it.

“We’ve tried a lot of strategies, but we need to zero in on what’s working.”

 

IDIOMS 📒

📌A man is judged by the company he keeps: a person tends to be very similar in attitude, character, ability, or personality to the people with whom they associate or spend time.

📌Be the face of (something): to represent or embody something as a whole in the eyes of the public.

 

 Related Articles:

📌Essential Financial Terms https://www.englishpriority.com/essential-financial-terms/

 

📌5 Tips for Effective Communication with Customers https://www.englishpriority.com/5-tips-for-effective-communication-with-customers/

 

📌Difference Between a Global, Transnational, International and Multinational Company https://docs.google.com/document/d/14BcnCnJoHdmOQFXj5Xc290g2Z_CqZUCRdnYOiZyk8ok/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

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Finishing 2021 STRONG with High-Performance Coach Ellie Fernandez

Finishing 2021 STRONG

Ellie Fernandez is sharing her best ideas on how to finish the year strong!

Get her incredible tips for prioritizing your task, tracking your habits, giving yourself the self-care you need, acknowledging your accomplishments, and more…

With only one month left in the year is time to prepare yourself to FINISH STRONG to start 2022 even STRONGER! 💪🏼

🟡 DOWNLOAD the workbook here 🟡
https://lnkd.in/eWWYgmpS

 

 

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How to Forgive Yourself and Start Moving Forward

“The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself.” Confucius.

Forgiveness is a deliberate decision to let go of feelings of anger, resentment, and retribution toward someone who you believe has wronged you. However, while you may be pretty generous in your ability to forgive others, you may be much harder on yourself.

 

Forgiving yourself means that you accept your behavior. You accept what has happened, and you are willing to move past it and move on with your life without ruminating over past events that cannot be changed.

 

Making peace with yourself and moving forward is often easier said than done. Being able to forgive yourself requires empathy, compassion, kindness, and understanding. 

 

Here are 7 tips you can try the next time you want to forgive yourself.

 

1- It’s okay to feel guilty

When we learn to experience guilty feelings to receive information, we are already healing from our mistakes. The emotion of guilt lets us know that our actions or behaviors conflict with our values and beliefs, and it also helps us repair the damage that might remain thanks to our wrongdoing or accident.

 

2- Focus on your emotions

One of the first steps in learning how to forgive yourself is to focus on your emotions. Before moving forward, you need to acknowledge and process your feelings. Give yourself permission to recognize and accept the feelings that have been triggered in you.

But, understand the difference between guilt and shame.

Guilt serves a purpose, and shame does not. With regret, you tend to understand exactly what you did wrong, why you made a mistake, and how to repair the situation. There’s nothing left to do, and shame is a bit trickier. With shame, you can feel like you’re underneath a pile-on, with no way to climb out, which is not a helpful way to heal.

 

3- Admit you messed up

Everyone struggles with admitting they’ve done something terrible, but denial is how people get themselves into even deeper trouble. Often, we use denial to protect ourselves from the negative emotions of shame and guilt. And while it may be more comfortable to believe that we haven’t done anything wrong, ignoring a problem does not make it disappear. At some point, you’re going to have to claim your mistakes for what they are: not your proudest moments, but part of your evolution towards becoming a better person.

 

4- Identify the mistake and focus on correcting the problem

Analyze the situation and see just exactly what caused the undesired outcome.  It could have been a simple typo; it could have been procrastination, it could have been a misunderstanding, it could have been an omission, etc.  Whatever the source of the problem, we need to identify it as clearly and thoroughly as possible.

Implement a new system to avoid omissions, determine where our scheduling technique broke down, etc.  Ensure that you have implemented a solution that should prevent the same (or a very similar) mistake from recurring.  Be proud of this accomplishment –it enables us let go of our disappointment, guilt, frustration, fear, anger, etc.

 

5- Have a conversation with your inner critic

Journaling can help you understand your inner critic and develop self-compassion. Writing out a “conversation” between you and your inner critic can help you identify thought patterns that are sabotaging your ability to forgive yourself.

You can also use journaling time to make a list of the qualities you like about yourself, including your strengths and skills. This can help boost your self-confidence when you’re feeling down about a mistake you made.

 

6- Imagine what forgiveness would feel like

One thing we can do is visualize a scene in which we are forgiven. How does your body feel?,  What actions would you take? A vivid imagining of how forgiveness would feel, both inside and out, can help true self-forgiveness come to fruition.

Next, write yourself an apology. Include how you offered remorse to others and how you plan to make amends. Ask yourself what you’ll do differently next time, and then, if you like, read what you’ve written out loud.

 

7- Apologize to anyone you may have hurt

Of course, your first impulse will probably be to mend relationships or trust that’s been breached. The only way to do this correctly is to step fully into your guilt and admit fault.

 

WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

Forgive: stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.

Forget: fail to remember.

Influence: influence on.



PHRASAL VERBS

Pass over: to ignore a person and give a better job to a younger or less experienced person.

Let somebody off: not to punish someone.

Come back: to return to a place or a conversation topic.

 

IDIOMS 📒

To err is human, to forgive divine: all people commit sins and make mistakes, and God forgives them, and people are acting in a godlike (holy) way when they forgive.

Let bygones be bygones: forgive someone for something done (or for a disagreement) and forget about it.

Turn a deaf ear: refuse to listen.

 

 

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It’s time to advance your career!

“It’s not what you achieve; it’s what you overcome. That’s what defines your career.” —Carlton Fisk.

It is essential to develop your career plan as it gives you the much-needed direction and makes it clear where you see yourself in the future. It makes you aware of your strengths and weaknesses and the skills and knowledge required to achieve your goals in the future.

A large proportion of our lives is spent achieving our career goals; thus, it is crucial to ensure proper steps are taken and correct planning is done.

So, let’s check six things you can do to take control of your career development.

 

1- Self-reflect

Are you happy with the path you’ve taken so far? Are you in the right industry and role? Knowing that is the first step to creating a way to get there.

Set aside some time to reflect on who you are, where you’ve been, and what you ultimately want from your working life.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to talk about things loosely and not establish clear next steps. Without clearly defined steps and ownership, it’s easy for plans to fail and progress to be lacking.

Writing it down provides a record to reflect on over time and will help you stay on top of making progress.

 

2- Break your goal into small pieces

Getting a promotion, a big raise, or reaching an important goal at work does not happen overnight. Take the time to think about your career growth and break down your goal into the steps you can take to get there. Set goals and create a plan to achieve them.

Brainstorming ways to learn new skills, future projects to get involved in specifically, and mentorship opportunities can build a healthy list of bite-size steps to reach your goals. You can then pick them off one by one as they make sense to achieve regular, incremental progress.

 

3- Check-in at a high level how you’re doing

Top performers constantly learn and adjust and routinely seek feedback from their boss, peers, and subordinates. If your boss doesn’t proactively give you feedback, start the conversation yourself. After a presentation or big meeting, state one thing you think went well and then ask for advice on one thing you could improve. 

Ask your manager things like:

Do you feel my skills are improving in the areas we identified as weaknesses?

What are the most significant barriers I still have to the next promotion, raise, etc.?

How have I performed on recent projects we’ve identified as necessary to my growth?

 

4- Focus on continual learning

You live, and you learn. No matter how old or wise you get, there are always lessons you can understand.

Multiple ways to experience career growth by investing in your career development and progress are available. Check these examples.

Job shadowing can provide enough information about the different jobs. In job shadowing, the participant also sees and experiences the nuances of how the service is provided and the job performed. 

A lateral move is an opportunity for an employee to expand their career path opportunities because it gives them a chance to develop their skills and network with a new circle of employees and customers. 

Also, the lateral move provides a career path for employees through additional training and new experiences or responsibilities. It may help the employee overcome boredom and dissatisfaction they may have had with the previous position.

Hold book clubs at work to develop knowledge, and share terminology, concepts, and team-building with coworkers.

 

5- Enlist your manager as an ally

Your boss can be a great asset to you. They can help pave the way for getting training money, create opportunities for job shadowing or lateral moves, know about future openings and hiring plans that may fit your goals. They also can spot upcoming projects to get you on to gain experience.

 

6- Find a mentor who can help guide you

One of the most effective ways to advance your career is to consult someone whose career path you admire. Seek a mentor from a different department that you’d like to explore. Leaning on someone else’s experience is a great way to gain knowledge and introduce yourself to other opportunities. But pouncing on someone — “Will you be my mentor?” — is likely to scare them off. So, try to meet informally: in the coffee shop in your company’s lobby, or at the company picnic. Know the person’s bio, and be prepared to ask a few good questions related to their area of expertise. If things go well, you’ll hear, “If I can help you, let me know.” In time, a mentor relationship may develop organically.

 

WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

Aspiration: a hope or ambition of achieving something.

Career growth: is the process of climbing the ladder during your working life. 

Working life: the part of a person’s life when they do a job or are at work.

Optional: available to be chosen but not obligatory.

Ally: someone that aligns with and supports a cause with another individual or group of people.

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS

Take (someone) on

“When the boss first took me on, he filled me in on what the job involved, but he didn’t tell me I would have to do so much traveling.”

 Pull together

“It’s amazing how much we can get done when we all pull together, isn’t it?”

 Step down / hand over

“I’m 70 years old now, so I think it’s time for me to step down and hand over my company to my son.”

Get ahead

”She wants to get ahead in her career.”

 

 

IDIOMS 📒 

Chief cook and bottle washer: to be the person who is responsible for everything.

 A big cheese: an important person, a leader (usually about business).

 To crack the whip: to make someone work harder by threatening them.

To bring home the bacon: to earn a living for the family.

 Have a lot on your plate: you have a lot of work and responsibilities at the moment.


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Most Common Job Interview Questions part 3

“If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think.” — T. Harv Eker

11- What is your dream job?

Ideally, your response to the question should reference some elements of the job at hand. For example, if the position is a salesman job, you might say that your dream job would have a high level of interaction with customers. 

You can also focus on your ideal company culture and work environment. For instance, you might say you’re eager to work in a collaborative environment or to be a part of a passionate team. 

Another option is to frame your answer around the industry. For example, if you are applying for a job at an accounting company, you can mention your passion for numbers. 

12- When can you start?

The best way to answer is to be truthful and clear while providing the employer the earliest possible date that you could realistically and comfortably start the job.

If you’re currently employed, say you’re available to start after your notice period with your current employer ends. Never leave for a new position without giving your current employer proper notice.

If you’re unemployed, you still shouldn’t say you’re available to start the next day, just say you’d need one week to prepare yourself. Saying you’re able to start immediately implies that either this job is your first choice, or that your job search isn’t going very well. This can hurt your negotiating power if you receive a job offer.

After providing your answer, you can ask if that fits their timeline, and you can tell them that you’re willing to discuss and adjust based on their needs, for example, “I’m able to begin my next job two to three weeks after being offered a position. Does that fit with the timeframe you have in mind?”

13- Are you willing to relocate?

If the answer is yes, try focusing on what makes this role special to you and your attachment to its location or situation, you convince the interviewer that you’d fit right in, for example, “I’m really excited about this opportunity and feel I could provide great value in this role. I would definitely be open to relocation and look forward to learning more details around this.”

If you really want the job but struggle to commit to relocating, you have to figure out the best way to break that news to the interviewer without hurting your chances. You’ll need to express your conditions clearly before signing up for something you can’t follow through on later.

However, if you might be open to relocation but don’t love this job enough to move for it, it’s probably best you don’t get it and keep your options open for better opportunities in your area.

But if you actually really like the job but want (or need) a little leeway, consider taking the approach of learning yes, but with the caveat that if possible you’d like to stay where you are—or be compensated if you do move. This way, you set yourself up to discuss your options, should the hiring manager decide they like you enough to be flexible on relocation.

14- What do you like to do outside of work?

This is an interview question that can provide insight into how you’ll fit in with other members of the team; it can also provide insight into your personal priorities. Another purpose of this question, however, may be to gauge how you would react to the unexpected.

Don’t be tempted to fib and claim to enjoy hobbies you don’t. Focus on activities that indicate some sort of growth: skills you’re trying to learn, goals you’re trying to accomplish. Weave those in with personal details. For example, “Work and family accounts for a lot of my time. On the weekends, we like to get out to the beach or the park and enjoy nature. It’s a good way for us to reset before tackling the workweek, and a great way to get exercise. I also really like languages, so I’m using my commute time to learn German.”

15- What is your work style?

What interviewers are trying to understand is how well you’ll fit in with the current company culture. 

Keep your answer personal, humble, honest.

Give strict examples if you can but keep it brief. Take the qualities that you feel will make you stand out and put them into the answer instead. You can emphasize the qualities of your work that you appreciate as well.

There are a few traits that can be used to describe a person’s approach.

Cooperative workers do best when they are part of a group. They enjoy bouncing ideas off of others and incorporating feedback. Additionally, diplomacy and relationship-building are common skills for these professionals.

Independents tend to have a lot of self-discipline and may have strong research and problem-solving skills, allowing them to find their own answers when they encounter obstacles.

Another pairing is whether you consider yourself creative or logical. 

Creative types may be better equipped to find unique solutions to problems. They also tend to be thoughtful, highly emotionally aware, and very expressive.

A logical person may be more detail- or data-oriented. Strategic thinking could be a strength, as well as organization and planning.



WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

Free time: time when you do not have to work, study, etc., and can do what you want.

Unexpected: not expected or regarded as likely to happen.

Difference: a point or way in which people or things are not the same.

Cooperative: involving mutual assistance in working toward a common goal.

Cautious: careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.


PHRASAL VERBS

Check somebody/something out

“The company checks out all new employees.”

Figure something out

“I am going to figure out this math problem.”

Find out

“Did you find out why Jason got fired?”

Pay for something

“People earning low wages will find it difficult to pay for childcare.”

Sort something out

“We need to sort the bills out before the first of the month.”


IDIOMS 📒

The blue-eyed boy: a person who can do nothing wrong.

Work all the hours that God sends: work as much as possible.

Get off on the wrong foot: start off badly with someone.

Beat around the bush: not say exactly what you want.

Get your feet under the table: get settled in.




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