Archive for the ‘Career’ Category

The Art of Delegation

November 7th, 2009 by Administrator | No Comments | Filed in Career, Goals and Obstacles, Lifestyle, Time Management

If you are like most people, you have a lot on your plate. Chances are you are busy and have a to-do list a mile long. One secret of successfully managing time is being able to delegate tasks properly. Choosing the right person for the right task is a valuable tool in getting stuff done in record time!

Whether it’s at home or work, you can benefit from learning the art of delegation:

Lose control. One thing holding many of us controlling types back from delegating is the fear that it won’t get done right. “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!” Remember that old saying? But, if you take the time to educate someone on how to do a task properly, it pays off in the long run.

Show your spouse and kids how to do household chores correctly, and give step-by-step guides at your workplace. Follow up with lots of positive reinforcement and only constructive criticism. Think, “It helped me out so much last week when you handled those tasks, feel free to step in whenever you can,” not “Can’t you do more around here?”

Decide what to delegate. Deciding which tasks to do yourself and which to hand over can be tricky, but starting with the chores that you are bad at, and like the least, is a good place to start. It’s not that you are dumping all the grunt work on someone else, because we all have to do chores we don’t like, but delegating things we aren’t good at can be a good use of time.

For example, if you are starting a cake decorating business, you may be super good at running a bakery. You may, however, be really bad at working with computers and have no idea how to create a website on your own. Web development may be something you should consider delegating. A virtual assistant may be able to create a nice website for you in a few days at 10-15 dollars per hour. It may take you weeks, or even months, to learn how to create the same website yourself. You could have created a lot of cakes (doing something you are good at) in that amount of time.

This holds true at your house. If your 13 year old is great at setting up the electronics, then let them!

Don’t get me wrong, learning how to do new things is a great way to help keep our minds sharp. But, unless it’s something that interests you and you have an interest in learning about, let someone else do it!

Brandi Hamrick
The “Queen B” Coach

Being Your Authentic Self to Get Ahead in Life and Business

November 7th, 2009 by Administrator | No Comments | Filed in Career, Goals and Obstacles, dating

You don’t need to own a business or have a career in sales to benefit from learning how to authentically market yourself. If you think about it, we all market ourselves everytime we meet someone new, go on a date, or have an interview for a job. We are marketing ourselves so that we can develop a mutually beneficial relationship with the other person.

However, it can be nerve-wracking when we need to market ourselves well, especially when we really want a job, a friend, or a new love interest.

Marketing yourself authentically can help calm your nerves. Here are some tips to do so:

* Marketing yourself authentically is easy because it simply means being yourself. You aren’t having to think of ways to make yourself sound more interesting. You are being you.

*Write down several interesting things you’ve done or accomplishments you’ve had. This will give you a boost of self-confidence. No more thinking you aren’t good enough.

* When you are your authentic self, you never have to worry that you won’t live up to expectations. If you are yourself on dates and job interviews, you land the job or person because they like you for you.

* When it doesn’t work out, it’s for the best. When you are your authentic self and the situation you were hoping for doesn’t work out, it’s always for the best. You don’t want to work somewhere or be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t like you for you. Not every relationship is a good fit. If one opportunity doesn’t work out for you, keep looking for one that will. You will be happier in the long run.

*To know your authentic self, get to know who you are. Know your likes, dislikes, and get your confidence to a healthy place.

Your assignment:
Practice being your authentic self whenever you come into contact with someone. Be you and speak honestly.

Brandi Hamrick
The “Queen B” Coach
www.brandihamrick.com

How to Make Money Doing Something You LOVE

October 11th, 2009 by Administrator | 2 Comments | Filed in Career, Goals and Obstacles

We spend a large majority of our lives working at our jobs. Considering that much of our time is spent working, shouldn’t we make sure that our jobs are something that we actually enjoy doing? Sure, there will be times that even jobs we love become stressful, but it is safe to say that most people don’t consider their jobs enjoyable. Here are some tips for making money doing something you love:

1. Write down your hobbies.
Hobbies are things that we voluntarily do in our free time, so this is a great place to start. We must really love something to do it regularly without being paid or asked to do it. Think about it. No one pays us to do our hobbies. In fact, we usually spend money on hobbies. Scrapbooking, tennis, skiing, and golf are just a few common hobbies that you can easily sink money into. We are also usually naturally good at our hobbies (that’s why we are drawn to them in the first place). So, what if you could actually make money from doing your favorite hobby?

2. List every possible job associated with that hobby.
If your hobby is tennis you might list being an instructor, managing a tennis club, getting into sales with an athletic company, or simply teaching a few lessons to kids on the weekends. Maybe you love to scrapbook and you can start selling supplies at home parties (while making a few extra bucks and getting a hefty discount on things you would buy anyway). If your hobby is reading, then your possible jobs may be writing, editing, copywriting, or proofreading reports and resumes. Better yet, combine two hobbies. If your hobbies include both writing and tennis, you may want to write for a tennis magazine. Really think outside the box and list any job you can think of, no matter how out of reach you think it may be.

3. Pick several of your favorite job ideas and research.
Look for some job opportunities in your area and list the qualifications. You may be surprised at the jobs that you are qualified for. For example, you may know how to sew and operate most any type of sewing machine blindfolded. A sewing machine company may rather have someone like you, who has experience with their product, to demonstrate it at trade shows than to have someone who has a sales background (but no sewing experience).

4. Start small.
If you can’t find a job doing something you love right away, start a side gig at home. In addition to your regular full-time job, you can work on a part-time hobby job for a few hours on nights and weekends. You may be surprised at how fast your business grows. If you love to bake, you could take orders for cakes on the weekend. Maybe knitting sweaters or quilting is your thing, and you can take a few orders a month. Making even a few extra bucks from your hobby each month will at least give you money to put towards your craft, and will get you well on your way to turning your passion into prosperity!

Brandi Hamrick
The “Queen B” Coach
www.brandihamrick.com

Fact, or Fiction? One Good Way to Stop Sweating the Small Stuff!

July 21st, 2009 by Administrator | No Comments | Filed in Career, Lifestyle, dating

We all know we should worry less. It is so easy to start worrying about the outcome of situations in the future, but more times than not everything turns out fine. In fact, it is estimated that 90% of things we worry about NEVER even happen! That’s a lot of wasted time and energy that we could be putting towards our families, jobs, happiness, or just having fun and relaxing!

It is no secret that stress is one of the leading causes of health problems, so why do we do it to ourselves? Have you ever noticed that worrying is contagious? You start worrying about something at work then you start worrying about a friend and then before you know it you are worrying about everything and in a really depressing mood.

Quitting worrying altogether is easier said than done, so I like to ask myself a simple question. Is this something that is true? Worrying about things that “might” happen or “could” happen is a huge waste of time, so if it hasn’t ACTUALLY happened yet then quit worrying for now and you can stress over it later IF and WHEN it does come true (and chances are that will be never).

My mother worded this trick brilliantly the other day when my brother was worrying over a test that he hadn’t gotten the grade back for yet. She said, “FACT, or FICTION? Have you acutally gotten a poor grade on that test?” My brother said no and she told him to quit worrying about it until it is a FACT that the grade is poor because chances are he did better than he thinks. If it is FACT that he receives a bad grade, then he can put that energy towards deciding what he needs to do to pull his grades up.

Next time you catch yourself worrying then simply ask yourself, “Fact, or Fiction?” If it’s fiction then chances are there isn’t anything you could do to alter the outcome now anyway, so don’t stress. If it is Fact then spend a designated amount of time (maybe 10 minutes) of writing down solutions to your problem. Coming up with solutions will make you feel in control and give you a productive way to channel your energy. Then, have confidence in yourself and your ability to handle to situation, and forget about it!

Brandi Hamrick
The “Queen B” Coach
http://www.brandihamrick.com/

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Best Question to Ask on an Interview

May 16th, 2009 by Administrator | No Comments | Filed in Ask Brandi, Career

Ask Brandi:
Like many Americans, I have been going on lots of interviews lately to try and land a job! Almost every interview has ended with the infamous question: “Do you have any other questions for me?” I hate this question because typically if the interviewer has done his/her job they have answered all the questions I had going into the interview. I have always read to make sure and ask a question, but is it better to ask a stupid question or to just say, “no I think you’ve covered everything.”

HELP!

Rhonda, Pennsylvania

Hi Rhonda,

Thanks so much for your question! I am so glad you asked this because I actually have a great question that you can always ask. When I graduated from college I read dozens of interview help books, and all of them said the same thing you described above-to always ask a question. I often found myself in your same situation because during the interview any questions you have are usually answered. Finally, I came across a book (and if I could remember which one it was I would recommend it to you) that had the perfect solution.

When the interviewer asks if you have any other questions start by saying, “You did such a great job interviewing, you answered all of my questions about the position and company (this gives them a compliment)” and then go on to ask, “Are there any reasons I wouldn’t be a good fit for this position?” This bold question gives the interviewer a chance to tell you why you would or wouldn’t be a good fit for the job. Then, and this is the best part, you get a chance to address ALL of his/her concerns and explain why they aren’t valid.

For instance, once I used the question and the interviewer had misunderstood me when he asked if I had cold calling experience. He told me I wouldn’t be a good fit currently because I lacked cold calling experience. I explained that I did indeed have cold calling experience-extensively. He seemed a bit embarrassed and apologized. He said he had interviewed so many people that he had me confused with a previous interviewee. He called for a second interview. Imagine if I hadn’t asked that question. A major credential that I had going for me would have been completely disregarded. It was then I realized just how important it was to ask this question on interviews.

Even if you don’t have experience in the area needed, it gives you a chance to tell him/her what a fast learner you are and how determined you are to learn the task at hand. It also gives you valuable insight into where your resume needs work so that you can improve on areas that are lacking. Just be prepared to receive some constructive criticism and address his/her issues by talking positively about yourself.

This question is most definitely better than coming up with a random question just for the sake of asking one!

This question can be used in many forms. For instance, on a sales/marketing/PR interview it is best to be direct and say “yes, I have a question: why would I not get this position?” If you have the guts to ask that on an interview, it shows them you are definitely not afraid to close a deal. If you are interviewing for something other than sales/marketing/PR you may want to word the question a little softer as worded in the 2nd paragraph above.

Create a variation of the question that suits the position you are interviewing for and you are sure to get hired in no time!

Best of luck and much success!

Brandi Hamrick
The “Queen B” Coach

http://www.brandihamrick.com/ Visit the “ASK BRANDI” portion of my site to send me your questions!

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Tips on Working from Home

January 14th, 2009 by Administrator | No Comments | Filed in Career, Lifestyle

Do you work at home or want to work at home in the future? If so, you need to set boundaries so that your work and home life don’t overlap.

It is very convenient to be able to work from home. You save time commuting, and you don’t have to put as much money into your wardrobe and travel. Although convenient, it can be difficult to actually get any work done with all the distractions of home.

1. Have a designated work space.
It is great if your home allows space for a separate room entirely that has a door you can shut. This way when it is time to work you can go into your office and shut the door. Even if your space is just a desk in the kitchen, keep your work area tidy and free of clutter. Also make sure the only things in your work area are related to work, and not personal.

2. Schedule work time.
Some at home jobs allow the flexibility of working any hours of the day or night. This is a great attribute, but it can be hard to actually find time to work. Every week sit down and plan out your days. Schedule hours to work and hours to handle household issues. Stick to your routine.

3. Get ready for work.
Just because you can work in your pajamas doesn’t mean you should. When you make your schedule for the week allow time for getting ready for work. You don’t have to fix up as much as you would if you were going into the office, but having a routine and getting ready will send a signal to your brain that it is time to work. One major benefit of working from home is not being required to wear a 3-piece suit everyday, but if you are at least clean and have some jeans on you will be better equipped to dive into work.

4. Set boundaries with your family.
It is easy to take advantage of family members working from home. After all, they are at home, right? Set boundaries with people living in your household. If possible, let them know the hours you will be working for the week. Don’t take personal calls unless there is an emergency. Set rules and boundaries that work for your household.

Depending on the age of your children, require that they take care of things themselves just as if you were out of the house. If you are able to close your office door, set a rule that they can’t bother you unless it is an emergency. If your children are really young then one reason you probably chose to work from home is so that you can be with them. This is also a great benefit, but if you are getting no work done you may want to consider hiring an in-house babysitter to give you some help for just a few hours in the morning or on a few days of the week. You can still be there in case anything goes wrong, but you will get some work done!

Brandi Hamrick,
The “Queen B” Coach
www.brandiahamrick.com

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The secret to achieving anything you want in your life!

January 8th, 2009 by Administrator | No Comments | Filed in Career, Lifestyle, dating

The Power of Writing Things Down

There is something so powerful about writing things down. Once you write something down you are in control, you own it. The situations below are perfect examples of when you should start jotting!

When you have a jillion thoughts running through your mind
Do you ever have one of those days where you already have tons to do, but new things keep popping into your head anyway? You know what I mean, you are trying to meet deadlines, do laundry, and think three days ahead of time. You keep going and doing but no matter how much you get done you still have more. Then you keep thinking of everything else you need to be doing and it’s hard to complete a task without thinking of a new one to start.
When this starts happening take 3 minutes to chill out. Grab a notepad and a pen and start jotting every little task you can think of down. Even if it’s a small job, write it down. Once you have written something down, you aren’t as likely to keep having it pop into your mind while you are doing something else. You won’t be as overwhelmed or stressed because you know you won’t forget anything. Keep your notepad handy so that if something new comes to mind you can add it to the list. Now you can just concentrate on the task at hand and start checking things off your list.

When you have a specific goal
If you have a specific goal in mind then write that goal down. Also write down any tasks associated with achieving your goal and make them into steps. Now set dates for all your steps to be completed by. You are much more likely to get into action if you have written a plan than if you just had a goal in mind.
This is a technique I use all the time. I wanted to organize every single drawer, closet, and cabinet in my whole house for one of my goals this year. I sat down on Jan 2nd and wrote each of my rooms on a sheet of paper. Then under the name of each room I wrote down every single space in that room I wanted to tackle. Each day I look at my list and decide which space to organize. If I have ten minutes I pick something small, if I have a few hours I get into a closet. Once a space is finished I cross it off my list. It is now the 7th and I am already half way finished with my list. If I hadn’t written my goal down I’m sure I wouldn’t have gotten around to doing anything yet. I’d still have “organize your whole house” floating around in my mind somewhere.
See, once you write something down and break it into parts it doesn’t seem as scary as one big goal. You can easily see how tiny steps today lead to huge accomplishments tomorrow!

When you have no clue where to start
Have you ever been in a situation where you had no idea what to do? I know I have. Whenever you are facing a problem or task that you feel is out of your control sit down with whatever information you do know about the subject. For instance, if your finances are out of control and you don’t know where you stand on your bills and debts; sit down with your paperwork. Grab all of your bills, bank statements, and other financial records and list everything on a piece of paper. Even if you are in a pretty deep hole, you now know where you stand. You now have the power to do what you need to do to change your situation. This works for everything in your life: nutrition, fitness, dating, relationships, finances, organizing, career change, goal setting, etc.

Grab some paper and a pen and start taking control your life and changing it for the better!

Brandi Hamrick,
The “Queen B” Coach
www.brandihamrick.com

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5 Mistakes that will make your New Year’s Resolution Fail (and how not to make them)

December 31st, 2008 by Administrator | No Comments | Filed in Career, Lifestyle, dating

The New Year is a great time to reflect on the past and decide where you want to be in the future. With that comes the realization of goals and dreams. It is the perfect time to set (and achieve) all those goals. Most New Year’s Resolutions fail before they even have a chance to become a reality.
To make sure your resolution doesn’t tank by the 15th be sure not to make the mistakes I have listed below.

1.People don’t write their goals down.
Did you know that you are twice as likely to achieve a goal by simply writing it down? Most people just decide what their resolution is and say it aloud. This year, have a specific piece of paper, notebook, or bulletin board that is just for the goals you want to achieve. List them all. I like to take my goals a step further by placing a picture to represent each goal on a poster.

2.People don’t fit their goals into their lifestyle.
Any goal worth having is worth scheduling time for. People expect their New Year’s Resolution to manifest without ever putting anything into action. This is a great time to buy a new day planner or calendar. Some people like the new calendars that come on PDAs and other electronic devices. I still prefer a small planner that will easily fit into my purse. There is something about physically writing your plans down with a pen that ingrains them into your brain. It also feels so good to cross out things that you have achieved.
When you make your resolution, take some time to sit down with your planner and schedule time to actually achieve your goal. If you want to lose weight this year, schedule time for exercise in your planner. Plan your meals and schedule time to go to the grocery store. If you don’t make time to even start your goal, you won’t ever get to the finish line.

3.People set unrealistic goals.
I am all for shooting for the stars, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with dreaming big. However, some people put way too much pressure on themselves and don’t give themselves enough time to achieve their goal. This starts a vicious cycle because people get really focused at first and work too hard too fast on achieving their goal. Then when they exhaust themselves they fall off the wagon. If you want to exercise more this year then don’t start off exercising for long periods of time everyday. You will tire yourself out and probably quit by February. Instead, start taking 20-30 minute walks 4-5 days a week. Then, as you build up endurance and really get to experience the benefits of exercising, you will naturally want to do more. Over the long haul you will probably exercise more and lose more weight then if you start off too strong.

On the other hand, some people set their goals too far in advance. If they always schedule goals in the future, then they never really have to start working on them. If your goal is important to you, then make plans to start it now. Even if you don’t think you have the time, take baby steps.
For instance, let’s say you want to go back to school. You don’t see any way that this is possible between your job and your family. At least make an appointment to speak with an advisor. They will be able to tell you what all of your options are. It could be that there are night or internet classes you could take. Even if you took just one class a semester, you would be a lot closer to graduating in a couple of years than if you take none. The time is going to pass by anyway.

The trick is finding balance in achieving your goals. You want to list all the steps that are needed to achieve your goal and then set deadlines for each of the steps. Be realistic with the dates you pick. Give yourself enough time without putting your goal off.

4.People don’t plan for failure.
Right now while your goal is really important to you, plan for the days you just don’t feel like pursuing it. Write down all the benefits of achieving your goal and visualize how your life will be when you succeed. Make a list and keep it handy. Know that you will have days you feel unmotivated. When one of those days comes along, you will expect it and know how to encourage yourself.

5.People don’t ask for help.
It is really hard to achieve any goal all by yourself. Tell your family and friends about your goal. Most people want to see you achieve your dreams. Let them know how important the goal is to you. They can be there to cheer you on when you can’t find the energy to motivate yourself. If your friends try to make you fail, then maybe they aren’t really your friends?

It is also a good idea to consider hiring professional help. People who are experts in specific areas of your goal will be able to help you in ways you can’t imagine. Personal trainers and nutritionists are great for helping with weight loss. Life coaches, counselors, and career experts are other great motivators. When you feel accountable to another person you won’t let them down during times you may have let yourself down. Consider what professionals may be available to help you. Many professionals offer deals and specials going into the New Year. I offer 10% off my life and dating coaching packages to subscribers of my newsletter. If you find yourself stuck and needing help, consult an expert instead of trashing your goal!

Much luck and many blessings in the New Year!

Brandi Hamrick,
The “Queen B” Coach
www.brandihamrick.com

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Interview Tips for a Rocky Economy

November 18th, 2008 by Administrator | No Comments | Filed in Career

You can never underestimate the benefits of having an outstanding job interview, but in this economy it is crucial you are on top of your game. I spoke with a hiring manager just two weeks ago who said when she posts a new job she is flooded with twice as many resumes as normal. With those ratios it is not possible to even interview all of the qualified candidates. If you are blessed enough to have landed an interview in this economy, then use this opportunity to really set yourself apart from the other candidates.

Below I have listed a few of my favorite interview tips:

1. Be an actor.Even if you aren’t interviewing for a role on your favorite sitcom, you can still use your skills from drama class during your next interview. See, sometimes our ego gets in the way of what we want to do and say during an interview. Simply pretend that you are an actor playing yourself and it will be easier to say what you want to say. Never play someone else though (always be yourself), just play the best you that you can be. This trick will make you less nervous, and you will be able to project yourself in a way that you may otherwise be too self-conscious to.

2. Do you have any questions? Anyone who has been on an interview has probably heard this dreaded question when the interview comes to an end. It is smart to take a notebook with you filled with questions for your interviewer. Ask something, never say no. Brainstorm and come up with some quality questions (never ask about pay unless they bring it up). Chances are though that a good interviewer will have already asked any question you have come up with, so what should you ask?

My favorite question to come back with, especially for a sales position, is: “based on this interview is there any reason I wouldn’t get this position?” This is a bold question, I know, but be bold if you are interviewing for a sales position. This will show the interviewer that you will not be afraid to “seal the deal” when you are in the field on a sales call.

If you aren’t interviewing for a sales position then you may want to word the question a little differently: “after meeting with me today do you have any concerns as to why I may not be a good fit for this position?” Any way you word this question you are giving yourself a chance to address the interviewer’s concerns that you otherwise may never have been aware of. Be prepared because the interviewer will tell you their concerns, trust me. Whatever he/she says take the opportunity to spin it into a positive and make it a non-issue.

For instance, if an interviewer says that you don’t know the software that they use, then you could reiterate that you are a fast learner and then give an example of a situation in a past job that validates your statement. This is so great because interviewers almost always ask this question last, so the final thing that they hear from you is something positive that has eliminated their concerns about you. Re-word this question to make it yours and practice asking it so it flows naturally. Also write it down in your trusty notebook for reference during the interview.

3. Use technology. These days you can find out almost anything about a company online. Do your research and know as much as you can before your interview.

4. List the 5 most important things you want the interviewer to know about you. During an interview most people try to squeeze in dozens of good things about themselves. Interviewers cannot possibly remember all of this information. Prepare for an interview by listing the 5 most crucial things you want to get across during your interview. Under each topic write down examples and situations that support them. For instance, if one of your topics is organization then list examples proving you were organized in your last position. Keep your list in your notebook during your interview. Each time the interviewer asks you a question, pick which topic is best suited to that question. After that if you use the same topic again take it a step further by using one of your other examples. This reiteration of the same 5 things sticks in the interviewer’s mind. The chances that the interviewer will remember the most important things about you is greater using the repetition method than if you keep throwing out dozens of different characteristics.

Now for the classics that should never be overlooked:

1. Bring a few copies of your resume. Print several copies of your resume on linen resume paper so that the interviewer (and anyone else in the room) has a copy in front of them. Give them copies even if they don’t ask. For job seeking purposes, you are only as good as you look on paper. Get several people to proofread your resume and seek professional help if needed.

2. Dress appropriately. Guidelines vary somewhat depending on the city and industry you are in, but it never hurts to dress a notch above what is standard. A clean, crisp, black suit is always in fashion. Ladies remember: no open-toed shoes, and always wear nude panty hose if you are wearing a skirt (pack an extra pair in your purse for emergencies because runs are unacceptable). A simple black briefcase or bag will suffice, just make sure you don’t have a bulky purse or several bags; this can make you look sloppy.

3. Be organized. Always have at least 2 working pens and have your belongings placed neatly in your bag where you can find what you need instantly. Have a professional looking notebook that has notes of what you want to say. Also have your notebook out and make notes about what the interviewer is telling you during the interview.

4. Be on time, be on time, and be on time! Stake out the location of your interview the day before so you know where you are going. Allow yourself an extra 30 minutes to an hour to allow for traffic or unplanned events. If you are there an hour early then sit in your car, or grab a coffee nearby and read over your notes.

You can never be over-prepared for an interview, so do your research and get a friend to ask you mock questions. Reading a few books on the latest interview trends never hurts either. Remember you want to set yourself apart from the other candidates without “standing out like a sore thumb.” Good luck!

Brandi Hamrick
The “Queen B” Coach
www.brandihamrick.com

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