What to do when your workplace rewards incompetence

What to do when your workplace rewards incompetenceWhat to do when your workplace rewards incompetenceOne of your coworkers spends most of the work day texting, surfing the web for non-work-related content and otherwise goofing off- but he still has a positive, buddy-buddy relationship with the babo.The situation is so pervasive that you often find yourself mumbling youve gotta be kidding me under your breath.Heres what to do when your geschftszimmer rewards incompetence- whether its from your coworkers or from some bosses.Why incompetence sometimes gets rewardedA Harvard Business Review article features input from Annie McKee, founder of the Teleos Leadership Institute and co-author of Becoming a Resonant Leader Develop Your Emotional Intelligence, Renew Your Relationships, Sustain Your Effectiveness, as well as Michael Useem, a professor and author.Ineptitude in managers is unfortunately common. McKee says thats because too many companies promote people for the wrong reasons. Peo ple get ahead because they show results or have the right technical capabilities, but they often dont have the requisite people skills. Michael Useem, the William and Jacalyn Egan Professor of Management at the Wharton School and author of Leading Up How to Lead Your Boss So You Both Win says that whether your boss lacks technical or managerial ability, the results are the same bad bosses sap motivation, kill productivity, and can make you want to zulauf from the job screaming, the article says.Heres how to manage a workday when incompetent people seem to get ahead.Communicate effectivelyThuy Sindell and Milo Sindell write about this in an Entrepreneur articlewith tips on 4 ways effective leaders deal with incompetent people.Establish a communication system that everyone is expected to follow. Provide examples about how the team will share information and discuss their progress. For instance, let employees know that after every meeting or important face-to-face conversation, there w ill be a written follow-up that provides a summary of what was discussed and next steps. That way, everyone can refer to the notes when they need information, they write.Show what you can doA Monster article provides insight on possible steps to take if your supervisor is incompetent, and part of this is the ability to compensate for deficiencies.Its to your advantage to discover your bosss weak spots and help him in those areas. You want to be part of a winning team, and your boss is this teams captain. You will get much further in a company if you associate yourself with successful projects. For example, an incompetent boss will struggle with complex ventures. Guide him through until everything is completed. Youll look good by making your team look good, the article says.Be a resource to a struggling coworkerAn Inc. article provides more detail on this.Lets assume your coworker is overwhelmed but cant withdraw from the project for one reason or another. In this scenario, you can o ffer your help and guidance to ensure your coworker lives up to his responsibilities. Sometimes a one-on-one sit-down to hash out a few problems is all it takes to get someone back on course. Now lets assume that the incompetent worker doesnt understand that his performance may be comparably weaker to the rest of the groups. If this is the scenario, you can offer your help as a backupsomething like hey, I know youve got this, but in case you hit a wall, let me know and I can help you out, the article says.Find a workplace with higher standardsIf all else fails- and after weighing your options- you feel like your talents would be better put to use at another employer, move forward in finding a new position. If you feel reluctant, remember that incompetence or mediocrity arent just complications to your workday they also mean that the company will be less successful, and as a result youll have less to learn there. Youll be better off in an environment better-suited to your work ethi c.

The Secret Ways Employers Read Your Resume

The Secret Ways Employers Read Yur ResumeThe Secret Ways Employers Read Your ResumeDid you know that when you send out your resume to a company, it may elend make it to a human reader at all? The first step is really to get it past the automated applicant tracking systems. But once youve done that, it should ideally make it to a human being.Getting past the automated application tracking systems (ATS) is the biggest hurdle for most job seekers. But once it gets to a person, the way they approach the information in your resume isnt what you think it is. From the ATS system to the hiring manager, the focus is not in inclusionary criteria What makes this person a good fit? but on exclusionary criteria. Both the software and the people are looking for things that would exclude you from qualifying for a position. This process is carried out quickly, due to the volume of resumes that todays employers receive.Getting Through the ATSIf youre applying for a midsize to large company, your re sume will need to go through a software system before a human ever sees it. This means that it needs to be optimized so that the software can read it correctly, and so that it contains the things the software is looking for. Otherwise, youll probably receive an automated rejection email within minutes of submitting your carefully crafted resume and cover letter, plus the extensive online application.Here are some tips for getting your resume past the software barrier.Use standard formatting. Dont get creative with section headings or job titles. Use standard language like Employment History, Professional Experience, Key Skills,, Core Competencies and Education.Make aya your resume is ATS readable. Ensure that the software can process your resume properly by sticking to formats that work well with applicant tracking systems. When using a PDF file you want to make sure it is a readable PDF. A readable PDF contains actual text that a machine can read. An image PDF, by contrast, might c ontain text but an ATS wont be able to read this text.Include the right keywords. Look at the language thats being used in the job description on the job listing. Use the same terminology on your resume. Applicant tracking systems are used to look for particular keywords, and theyre not particularly sophisticated when it comes to synonyms or context.Fill out the online application thoroughly. If theres also an online application that you need to fill out, make sure to complete it as thoroughly as possible.The Quick Scan from a Hiring ManagerOnce you actually get through the automated system, a hiring manager will look at it. They have to scan quickly, because there are so many resumes to go through.Theyll go to the first three bullet points of your brde two positions. Focus these first few bullet points on major job accomplishments versus job duties. Make sure to use action verbs such as Accelerated, Decreased, Enhanced, etc. Furthermore, youll want to quantify as much as possible. Quantifying helps a hiring manager better understand the true impact youve had on your position.Theyll scan other sections. The person will generally also scan for your education, certifications, and other criteria. Theyll also look at your skills and professional profile section.If your resume isnt discarded, it will go into the maybe pile. The resumes in this stack will be looked at more closely later.To succeed through this part of the resume examination process, its important to make sure your resume implies that youre a fit in the initial scan. Make sure you clearly list your relevant experience and skills, and that everything is concise.Getting the Job with an Optimized ResumeAt Resume Yeti, we help you create a resume thats equally optimized for ATS software and human readers alike. Try our service today, and watch your response rates increase as your resume starts getting through to the right people.

These are the 7 traits you need to achieve the American Dream today

These are the 7 traits you need to achieve the American Dream todayThese are the 7 traits you need to achieve the American Dream todayI moved to this great country as a 19-year-old with 92 dollars in my pocket, and now Im a wealthy businessman. Im the classic American rags-to-riches story. But I havent just acquired material wealth since I came here. I also possess a priceless internal fulfillment that no amount of money could buy.Why have I succeeded when people who are born and raised here havent? I believe I have the Emigrant Edge - a special mix of seven qualities and traits that have given me a head start over native-born Americans. My promise to you is that, no matter where youre from, you, too, can adopt these traits in your own life and attain success beyond your wildest dreams.These traits, although generations old, are still as applicable and relevant in todays world as they were in our forefathers time. They will resonate with you at a deep level, too, because somewhere i n your DNA and bloodline is someone who exhibited some or all of these traits. Imitate them in your own life, and you will be equipped to thrive and succeed.The seven traits that will help anyone to achieve the American dream are1. A voracious openness to learnPeople who flourish enjoy new experiences. You should go out of your way to meet others, have new experiences, and learn about different aspects of life. You must have a constant drive to learn more.Be aware of what you feed your brain - limit trash TV and social media pursue professional development and find partners and mentors who will hold you accountable.2. A do-whatever-it-takes mind-setBe willing to get out of your comfort zone, do things you dont necessarily want to do, take risks, and make difficult decisions.This means having a never-say-die attitude - no matter what the odds are against you. You must also develop a solid action plan based on a set of written goals to get you where you want to go.3. A willingness t o outwork othersAn up-at-dawn, down-at-dusk mentality is critical. Youve got to put a lot of seeds in the ground and be 100 percent committed to reaching your goal.But outworking others also means having the discipline to be consistent in dealings with customers and clients, and the ambition to become exceptional wowing others by going above and beyond.4. A heartfelt spirit of gratitudeConcentrating on what you have, instead of what you lack, colors everything you do. Not only should you be grateful for the blessings in our lives, but also for the setbacks because thats how youll learn the most.Gratitude is transformational. It has the power to change your focus from eternal pessimism to all thats great and possible. Remember appreciate those closest to you. Its not enough to just say thanks you have to really mean it.5. A boldness to investYou cant play with one chip or two you must put in everything you have. This means investing in yourself, in your vocation, and in other peopl e.You can sow the seeds of self-development by committing to continuous growth and learning. Remember that not all progress is visible and have faith that your investment will pay off.6. A commitment to delay gratificationWorthwhile accomplishments require time, and you must think long term. Delayed gratification is the discipline required to ultimately have your goals and dreams come to pass.You must be willing to sacrifice - to say no to easy credit, and to save and reinvest, rather than spend on immediate desires. Slow and steady wins the race.7. An appreciation of where they came fromRemembering where you came from gives you perspective, reminds you to be grateful, and keeps you humble. This means knowing your familys history as well as your own.Keep a journal to track your thoughts and activities, get to know yourself better, and be able to appreciate your own progress.Adapted from The Emigrant Edge How To Make It Big In America (Howard Books) by Brian Buffini. Copyright (c) 2 017 by Brian Buffini. All rights reserved. This book is available at all bookstores and online booksellers.