News & Events

Keys for a Successful Career

25.05.2020

Employment & Learning

YWCA Saskatoon’s Employment and Learning Centre remains closed for in-person programs in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.  We will continue to provide remote services via email, telephone, and social media (Facebook).

We believe it is important to maintain your job search momentum. As such the Employment and Learning Centre will offer you daily job search advice and support that you can complete from home.

Today’s post is another post in the series….

Ask questions. It is the best way to learn. Better to ask questions then to act like you know it all. It’s OK to say, “I am not sure, but I will get back to you with an answer by the end of the day.”

Be honest always. That’s with yourself and with others. Your integrity is your most important asset, and it hard to establish and easy to lose.

Clear communication requires clear thinking. Clarify your thoughts with an outline before writing them down, and think before you speak.

Maintain a high Say/Do ratio. The best way to do this is to be cautious about what you commit. Before you commit to a deadline (when work is due), always look at your timeline (when work actually gets done) to ensure you can keep your commitment.

Keep it simple. Fewer concisely expressed words (written or spoken) are more powerful than long, flowery statements, at least in the business world.

Accept responsibility. If you make a mistake, admit it, sincerely apologize then immediately take action to fix it and prevent it from happening again.

Listen. The one with the most power in the room is the person who listens well, then offers input that integrates others’ comments with a unique solution or perspective.

Work hard. There is no substitute for hard work – show up early, leave late, and be valuable in-between.

Be a team player. Find ways to help others succeed. That is the ultimate job of a leader – to shine a light on others versus yourself. Others will see the leadership potential in you if you do this well. Leadership is a role you assume, not a job title.

Always be prepared. Before any meeting or interaction, do your research, arrive with good questions or solutions to problems.

Take initiative and follow-up. These are the bookends of success. Anticipate the needs of others. Use the three Ws: What, Who, and When – to clarify actions each party must take after meetings or conversations in the hallway.

Your Employment and Learning staff are working remotely through email or over the telephone.  Should you have any questions about resumes, job interviews, job interview questions, how to prepare, or how to answer those difficult questions, feel free to contact any of your Employment and Learning staff for support.  You can reach us at:

Stay motivated; stay healthy as you achieve your employment goals.

You can view the full original article by Lee Colan, Co-Founder, The L Group, at:

https://www.inc.com/lee-colan/11-keys-for-successful-career.html