Seth Godins Linchpin Are You Indispensable

Seth Godins Linchpin Are You Indispensable Book Reviews Seth Godins Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? By Natasha Stanley * If you just want to get the mortgage paid without too much discomfort, this book is not for you. Challenging, razor-sharp and unabashedly passionate, Linchpin is a must-read for anyone who’s serious about doing great work (whether you’re already in a great job or not). Natasha shares what she thought and her top take-aways. Creative, experimental and daring, Seth Godin'sname comes up in just about any conversation about work, entrepreneurship and the sharing of thought. Linchpin, it has been said, is his seminal work (although it seems that this is said about every new offering he brings to the table, until he offers up the next one). The premise of the book is this: the old rules of work are crumblingand the new rulebook has not yet been written. It’s your challenge, then, to create your own rules when it comes to your career â€" and to do so in a way that’s both fulfilling to you as an individual, and in a way that creates a real gift to the world. It’s no longer good enough to be a cog in a machine; or at least, not if you want to do work that truly means something. To do great work, you have to think outside the box, bring your whole self to the tableand engage with challenges in a way that opens up new possibilities. Godin draws strongly on the idea of work as art â€" a comparison that, in my view, is bang on the money and utterly indispensable in order to flourish. An artist, in this context, isn’t just someone who creates paintings and sculptures and poetry and cartoons. An artist is someone who shows up to do what Godin calls (and I love this term) ‘emotional labour’ â€" who throws their heart and soul and very self into whatever they doand does the hard work of bringing their best self to every interaction, even (and especially) when it’s not easy. If you’re still married to concepts such as ‘work-life balance’and believe that your work is (and should be) simply something you do to pay the bills, the entire underlying paradigm of Linchpin won’t speak to you. In fact, it’ll probably exhaust and upset you. Some of you won’t want to be artists at work. You just want to show up, get paid, and not pull out all your of hair in the process. But if you’re interested in getting paid to create greatness, and to reap all the rewards associated with it, Linchpin is absolutely the book for you. So how is this relevant to career changers? How is this book going to help you find and move into work that you love? Linchpin is widely touted as being about ‘becoming indispensable’. The word is right there in the subtitle. So upon first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s a book about how to never get fired. Or made redundant. And on one level, that is exactly what it’s about. But beyond that, it’s the swansong of the old career rulebook. It’s a call to action to change the way you think about your career â€" who you are at work and in the world â€" and to approach the whole conversation in a new way. How would a linchpinâ€" an artist â€" enter a new industry? How would she connect with other people doing the work that matters to her? How would he showcase his talents? How would they deal with the fact that they weren’t able to find a specific job opening that fit their career history? The question: “What do I want to do with my lifeand how do I get paid to do it?” then becomes a creative question rather than one of practicality. It’s not about finding a company that will accept you, it’s about creating work that makes them want you. Linchpin may not be a ‘career-change book’, as such. But I’d argue that it’s fundamentally important to any contemporary conversation about doing work that matters, to you and to the world, and as such is an unmissable read for any career changer seeking a labour of love. Our Top Takeaways You are a genius (or you would be, if you’d just start acting like one): “It’s easy to argue that this genius stuff is for other people, not you. Those other people have gifts, or genes, or education or background or connections. It’s easy to fool yourself into believing that genius works for them, but it won’t work for you. Of course. Except Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs were raised by adoptive parents, and Nelson Mandela changed the world from a jail cell. Except that Cathy Hughes dropped out of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and ended up as the first black woman running a public company in the United States. I don’t have room to list all the less famous people who had the same resources you do, but were willing to accept the genius label and make a choice.” Your schooling taught you how to fit in. Now, you have to unlearn it all: “It’s not an accident that school is like a job, not an accident that there are supervisors and rules and tests and quality control. You do well, you get another job (the next grade), you continue to do well and you get a real job. Do poorly, don’t fit in, rebel â€" and you are kicked out of the system.” It no longer simply takes long hours to succeed: “It takes art. Our economy now rewards artists far more than any other economy in history ever has.” Stop engaging with crappy systems, people, and opportunities: “If you seek out the critics, bureaucrats, gatekeepers, form-fillers, and by-the-book bosses when you’re looking for feedback (or a job), should you be surprised that you end up doing the things that please them? They have the attitude that there is an endless line of cogs just like you, and you better fit in, bow down, and do as you’re told, or they’ll just go to the next person in line. Without your consent, they can’t hold on to the status quo, can’t make you miserable, can’t maintain their hold on power. It’s up to you. You can spend your time on stage pleasing the heckler in the back, or you can devote it to the audience that came to hear you perform.” It’s ok to screw up. In fact, it’s necessary to do anything meaningful. Screw up. Over and over again: “Avoiding the treadmill of defect-free is not easy to sell to someone who’s been trained in the perfection worldview since first grade (which is most of us). But artists embrace the mystery of our genius instead. They understand that there is no map, no step-by-step plan, and no way to avoid blame now and then. If it wasn’t a mystery, it would be easy. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be worth much.” Trash your resume (or at least give the idea some thought): “This is controversial, but here goes: if you’re remarkable, amazing, or just plan spectacular, you probably shouldn’t have a resume at all. If you’ve got experience in doing the things that make you a linchpin, a resume hides that fact. A resume gives the employer everything she needs to reject you. Once you send me your resume, I can say: ‘Oh, they’re missing this or they’re missing that,’ and boom, you’re out. If you don’t have a resume, what do you have? How about three extraordinary letters of recommendation from people the employer knows or respects? How about a sophisticated project the employer can see or touch? Or a blog that is so compelling and insightful that they have no choice but to follow up? .... The only way to prove (as opposed to assert) that you are an indispensable linchpin â€" someone worth recruiting â€" is to show, not tell. Projects are the new resumes…. You are not your resum e. You are your work. If the game is designed for you to lose, don’t play that game. Play a different one.” The game has changed. Get with the program: “’Wait! Are you saying that I have to stop following instructions and start being an artist? Someone who dreams up new ideas and makes them real? Someone who finds new ways to interact, new pathways to deliver emotion, new ways to connect? Someone who acts like a human not a cog? Me?’ YES.”

Creative Resume Writing Template - Why You Need It

Creative Resume Writing Template - Why You Need ItUsing a resume writing template is one of the best and fastest ways to get your resume out there. There are so many ways you can go wrong in order to make a lasting impression on your future employer. Every mistake makes your resume look worse, making it seem as though you are not being honest with your application. Thus, it is important to know how to avoid mistakes that can often be avoided if you use a resume writing template to get the job done right.There are many aspects to a resume template. For example, is it a multiple choice or a true option? Do you know what type of cover letter you should have? What type of cover letter to include? What are your personal strengths and weaknesses?Every question needs to be answered to find out exactly what you need to do. A creative resume writing template will give you all the answers, all the information you need, so you can just go through the steps on your own. You don't need anyone els e's help to make your own career goal, so why not take the time to find out exactly what a template can do for you?A creative resume template will give you all the answers, all the information you need, so you can just go through the steps on your own. You don't need anyone else's help to make your own career goal, so why not take the time to find out exactly what a template can do for you? You don't need anyone else's help to make your own career goal, so why not take the time to find out exactly what a template can do for you? You don't need anyone else's help to make your own career goal, so why not take the time to find out exactly what a template can do for you?Once you know the basics, it is important to put them together to make a creative resume writing template. These should help you create a professional job search. The templates will tell you the different options to take, as well as the places where you should place them in order to make the most effective impact on your potential employer.The most important part of any creative resume template is your cover letter. It is an important part of your job search because you are writing a letter that tells the reader why you deserve the job. It is important to tell your story, and it should have a professional tone and touch. This makes a letter stand out from a million others.A cover letter is an important part of your job search. It is an important part of your job search because you are writing a letter that tells the reader why you deserve the job. It is important to tell your story, and it should have a professional tone and touch. This makes a letter stand out from a million others.A resume writing template is an essential part of any job search. It will help you craft a professional resume, and it will show your employer what you are about. Use the template, and you will be on your way to getting the job you want!

Doing your Biometrics for UK Tier 1 PSW Visa

Doing your Biometrics for UK Tier 1 PSW Visa In one of the earlier posts I have captured the information related to overall UK Tier 1: Post Study Work (PSW) visa application and guidance. This post explains the procedure for Biometrics Enrolment (What is Biometrics Residence  Permit?) Once you have submitted the application, it can take upto 2 weeks to get a letter asking you to book an appointment for your Biometrics. Biometrics include, scanning your face, scanning your fingerprints and taking a digital signature. You can now do your Biometrics by either visiting the Home Office Biometric offices in select cities ONLY by appointment, a list of Biometric  enrolment  centres is available here. Or you can now use the Walk-in service at select Post-Office Ltd. A list of walk-in biometric enrolment post offices can be found here. Please note that you can only go for your biometrics after you receive the letter inviting you to do so. You HAVE 15 days to either book an appointment or if using the Post Office walk-in service do your biometrics, after which time your application will be rejected. I got the letter inviting me to do my Biometrics. I live in Leicester and decided to use the Walk-in service. The closest one to Leicester is one in Birmingham. The slight issue is the particular Post-Office is a taxi drive away (approx 10-12 GBP either way) from the Birmingham New Street train station. At the Post-Office itself I was done with my Biometrics within 10 minutes, it carries a fee of 16.20 GBP. No fuss, no queue or no issues of security checks etc. Make sure you read UKBA advice on their pages here before you decide on how best to move forward. 0

Old Versus New Approaches To Building A Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Old Versus New Approaches To Building A Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career To get a better idea of the differences between old versus new brand building, Is like to share 2 examples which provide a framework for evaluating your own online personal brand. Seldom have I seen the differences between old and new approaches to brand-building illustrated as dramatically as the examples discussed below. Old Way. The older approach involved brand-building using mass media, like Good Morning America and Jay Lenos Tonight Show. The numbers can be great, but the approach usually sacrifices control and longevity. New way. The new approach to personal branding sacrifices numbers for control and longevity. Its based on building your brand through experiencing, sharing, and writing. But, which approach is best for you? More important, what are the lessons you can apply to your own personal brand? Mass media The mass media approach is represented by Kent, The Balloon Man Couch. Kent is a gas station owner from Bend, Oregon. Since 2006, hes been an enthusiastic cluster balloonist who has set some world records for height and distance. Instead of a single large balloon, lift for Kents flights comes from hundreds of smaller, helium-filled balloons. A natural entrepreneur, (check out the Stop Go link on his website), Kent Couch embarks on a major project each year. This year, its a lift-off from Iraq. If all goes well, Kent will be returning to television to describe his experiences. And, there probably will be other projects certain to follow his Iraq flight. Brand-building today Emilie Wapnicks Puttylike* blog, subtitled, Lifestyle Design for Multipotentialites, represents brand-building today. Multipotentialites is a term Emilie coined, based on multipotentiality, a psychology term that refers to individuals with multiple abilities, passions, and talents. The power of Emilies brand is based on her blog and its appeal to a specific type of person. Emilie is very open about the way her blog and her brand arise mirror her own experiences. In her words, I’m just a confused twenty-something from Montreal, Canada, who has decided to never commit to one career pathâ€" ever. Like you, Ive never met her, or talked to her, but I like her because she mirrors the angst I feel, constantly balancing my love of graphic design with my love of writing. Plus, as she shares her experiences, her blog often reads like a well-written fiction bookas does her Renaissance Business: Make Your Multipotentiality Your Day Job. Renaissance Business is an excellent example of a genuinely helpful, well-designed, e-book intended for easy onscreen reading. Im fascinated by Emilie Wapnicks contrarian brand; Puttylike is an excellent example of building a personal brand by going against conventional career and marketing wisdom, i.e., specialize, find your niche, then specialize even more! Pros and cons of old and new Because Kent Couchs Balloon Man website and Emilie Wapnicks Puttylike* blog are both well executed, the lessons they teach are primarily important from the long-term point of view. Both blogs are appropriate for their intended purpose. Both are based on quality content, writing, and design. Kents site reflects a professional approach, in terms of colors, imagery, and journalistic tone. relatively factual, sound-byte tone. Its a site that will please broadcast producers and convince them that Kent is serious about his ambitions. Emilies site is well-executed in terms of design and image, in fact, more professional than the sites of many bloggers. But, the focus is definitely on content value and writing style. Her writing reflects her empathy and understanding of her readers; if she wants to swear, she does. Brand control and longevity The differences between the sites boils down to two things: longevity and control: Longevity. Emilie Wapnicks brand is likely to outlast Kent Couchs. Kents brand is based on curiosity and wanderlust. Following Kents story permits you to vicariously leave your everyday concerns behind and silently fly where the wind takes you. Emilies brand and followers will be around a lot longer because her message is more relevant; she addresses a deeply personal, often ignored problem faced by a lot of people today. As she puts it:   Does the thought of having one job forever make you want to hang yourself? As she creates her ideal life, shes providing a path for others who will remain connected for a long time. Control. Unfortunately, control usually doesnt receive the personal branding attention it should receive; control equals security! You have little control over your brand when its at the mercy of weather, competing news stories, and newcomers who want to outdo you. Kents control over his brand is based on his ability to outdo himself each year. In addition, the barriers to entry for potential competitors is also relatively low. Compare that to Emilies emotional connection with her blog readers. By providing relevant information and emotional support, shes creating a following likely to stick around for many years. Reciprocity at work In his classic Influence: The Power of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini describes reciprocity as the tendency of people to want to give something of value to those who offer something of value. Perhaps the comparison between old and new can be summarized in just six words: What makes all of this possible Thats the headline that links to her Renaissance Business landing page. By e-book standards, Emilies Renaissance Business e-book is priced a little high, (although, it includes several very useful worksheets). But, the price really isnt an issue if youre a reader of her blog. Reciprocity sells her ebook! Theres an implicit trade involved in her 6 words: if you have been benefiting from the quality content she provides on her blog, youll likely want to do your part and support her by buying her ebook. Evaluating your personal brands control and longevity So, after youve had an opportunity to visit both sites, Id like to know your impressions of them and my focus on longevity and control as primary personal branding attributes. Share your impressions of the 2 sites as comments, below, as well as your suggestions for other pairs of old versus new comparisons. More important, how does your personal brand rate in terms of longevity and control? Which site does your blog or website most resemble? What can you do to increase your personal brands longevity and control? Author: Roger C. Parker’s Published Profitable offers ideas and tools for writing a brand-building book . Download his free 99 Questions to Ask Before You Write and Self-publish a Brand-building Book

The Creative Resume Writing in Denmark

The Creative Resume Writing in DenmarkDenmark, the smallest country in Europe is a great spot to put in some creative resume writing. This country has a great history and is full of culture and heritage. However, its inhabitants are predominantly of Scandinavian descent.Denmark is a country that has a large number of Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. In addition, there are an impressive number of other religions and practices, as well. Therefore, this country is very diverse.If you want to do this as a career choice, then you should see these great places. It is a pleasure to spend a few hours there just to bask in its beauty. You will love being surrounded by beauty and splendor. The local cuisine can be exceptional.There are some who would consider Denmark a difficult time to work. You might want to read through all of the positive aspects of this wonderful country. There are a lot of things about Denmark that make it a great place to live. These include:A Perfect Resume For this country, it is important to get a great resume. There are some people who like to hire professional resume writers. However, there are many ways on how you can start with a resume. It is always good to use what you have for reference when writing a resume.As we all know, there are different ways of doing this. This includes resume templates on your own. When you are interested on how to write a resume, Denmark is a place that you might want to think about going for.Another important thing about this country is its climate. The winter and summer temperatures are different. This means that people from Denmark will have different needs regarding the length of the workdays. You might want to find out more about the local climate and conditions in order to get your work done during the best possible time.Resume writing in Denmark is one of the best ways of getting your work done. However, you need to be sure that you know how to write a resume. If you want to do this as a career cho ice, you should look into the different choices available in this country. It is always good to get advice from people who are already there.

An introverts guide to networking

An introverts guide to networking If youre anything like me, youll find networking a terrifying prospect. The thought of going up to a random stranger and selling yourself on the spot makes me feel like running for the hills. When youre not the most socially extroverted person, finding the courage to speak to someone you dont know and maintain a conversation is no easy task. But there are ways you can still make those all important connections without completely freaking out. These top tips will help you tackle the scariest of social situations as an introvert, and come out of it feeling confident. Just go at your own pace and dont compare yourself to others you know what is a win for you. It is JUST a conversation This is essentially the hardest thing to get your head around. Dont walk up to someone and talk to them like its an audition. If it comes across as overwhelmingly obvious you want something from them, theyll be put off anyway. Just imagine youre at a pre-drinks where you dont really know anyone, and its up to you to go up to someone and make a friend. You wouldnt walk up to them and immediately start banging on about that amazing holiday you went on last year. You would introduce yourself, get to know them and ask some questions networking works in essentially the same way. Find a networking buddy Especially for a first-timer, heading to a networking event alone can make it seem even more terrifying. Youll probably find it way easier to take a friend along so you can approach people together, especially if that friend is slightly more extroverted than you. Theyll likely make you feel more comfortable in the conversation, and you wont have to panic about who youre going to talk to if you cant find anyone else. Just dont let them dominate the conversation too much its easy to sit back and let them take the wheel, but make sure you use them as springboard into the conversation, not as an excuse not to get involved. Start off small Networking can come in all shapes and sizes. You naturally might imagine a formal networking event, with business types in suits dotted around a large room eating nibbles. But networking actually happens all the time with people on your course, with tutors, at events and conferences. These slightly more informal interactions will help prepare you for the more traditional networking en masse where youll have to work the room. Start small and make your way up, youll soon grow in confidence enough to tackle situations you never thought you would be able to. Come up with a natural conversation opener If youre the kind of person who doesnt do well with spontaneous speaking, then make sure to plan what youre going to say in advance not word for word though, or youll end up sounding like a robot. Think about something you can say that would work as a natural conversation starter if theyve just done a talk for instance, you could mention something from that. You could say something about the event and its location, a connection you have with the company or a burning question youve been thinking about. Think of an action plan Take this with a pinch of salt dont go in there with too much of an agenda as it will look obvious. The only agenda you should have really is to make a connection with that person, and perhaps give them your business card if you have one. Youll have a link within the industry, theyre more likely to remember your face at future events and job openings, and thats what networking is all about. That being said, you might want to ask a really specific question, enquire about work experience opportunities or ask if you can drop them an email at a future date for some more advice. These are all fine, but you might want to plan in advance how youre going to get around to these in the conversation so you dont just blurt it out mid-sentence. Think about what you want and how youre going to get there, and you should feel a lot calmer. Listen to what they say This one might seem silly, but if youre stressed out about the fact that youre actually having a conversation with the CEO of a company, it is easy to get too stuck in your head. But while youre internally shouting OMG, how is this happening, what do I do, what do I say!?, the person if front of you is actually speaking and as soon as they stop, theyre going to expect a response. So try and switch off your brain a little bit, focus on the words youre listening too and respond when necessary. And dont forget to show youre actually listening by nodding your head and making some responsive noises along the way (you know the ones, hmmm ahhh oh really?). Be an engaged listener and youll make a good impression. Remember youre not inferior Dont waltz up to a senior company recruiter and start bossing them around like you run the world. But at the same time, dont be too timid and deferential. Dont be afraid to express your opinion about something, especially when youre asked, and feel free to share your own experiences when necessary. Yes, they may be older than you, but that doesnt mean theyre far superior, and if you talk to them the same way you would talk to headteacher when youre being told off at school, then youre going to have a problem. Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more careers insights.

Five Ways to Get Out of Your Job Search Rut

Five Ways to Get Out of Your Job Search Rut No one ever said job search was easy. Honestly, it may be one of the toughest projects youll ever work on! So if you find yourself stuck, try shifting your thinking with these tips to get out of your job search rut.   Would it help if I said that looking for a job is like running your own business? Bear with me here. Both require vision, time management, a good product or service, a clearly defined message, salesmanship, and confidence! Oh, they require a plan too. It is quite difficult for one person to master all these skills. Yet, every day new businesses are started and while many fail, there are many that thrive and reach amazing heights. Lets take a look at five ways you can go improve upon what you are doing and improve your job search as well. 1. Be the Best You Possible In all honesty, I believe we are who we are. We all have good, bad, and even ugly sides to us, but sometimes we have a tendency to get in our own way! Celebrate your strengths and positive qualities by clearly communicating them. In other words, stop being so humble. Personally, I don’t think you should hide the things that make you different. This is part of the vision and branding of you. Know what makes you different and present the best of you! A business would refer to this as branding and sales! You need it too! We all have opportunities for self-improvement, but dont obsess over these. Know where your weaknesses lie (online as well) and develop a plan to fix them over time.  2. Make your message relevant Be sure you convert who you are and what you do to address the needs of the employer. You might be super at “building relationships” for example, but how does that help the employer? What’s in it for them? (WIIFM = whats in it for me. And is a common sales principle.) Help the people you talk with to connect the dots between what you used to do and what you want to do next.   Speak in their terms, not in the jargon of your past employer. A business might call this marketing. 3. Square pegs don’t fit in round holes. This means a couple of different things. First, be sure that what you want and what the employer offer are the same. Find out if your values are similar to the culture and values of the companies you are pursuing. Second, if you continue to try and jam a square peg in a round hole, it gets frustrating.  So, if you are not having luck with your job search tactics/methods/approach, you’ll have to make it fit! Make the square peg fit into the square hole by learning how employers hire and adapt your approach appropriately. Businesses have projects and implementation plans and regularly evaluate what is working and what is not in order to adjust what they are doing. 4. Be crystal clear about what you are looking for where you belong. You wouldn’t release a new product into the marketplace not knowing your target market intimately, would you? Part of your role during job search is to conduct market research in order to understand what the demand is for your service. You do this by talking to people and learning about the problems they face in their departments or companies. You are listening and learning. It is highly likely that you will see instances where your experience, successes and skills would help solve some of the problems theyve identified. Use this data/information your marketing materials (resume, LinkedIn profile and cover letters). 5. Every minute costs money. Plan every hour of your search day. Map out your schedule a week in advance and create daily to-do lists. There are no excuses. You are in the driver’s seat. You own this business. Make it profitable by following through on your plan.

Career Corner Interview Tips from ReFocus on Careers - Face-to-face Interviews Conduct the Interview Part IV - Hallie Crawford

Career Corner Interview Tips from ReFocus on Careers - Face-to-face Interviews Conduct the Interview Part IV I recently spoke to a great networking and career search group, Re:Focus on Careers, about creating a kick ass elevator speech. Keep an eye out for all of these free interview tips in my Career Corner posts: Conduct the Interview Have your own agenda and know where the interview should be heading. This will give you confidence and help you move from one area of questioning to the next. Remember: Most interviewers are as uncomfortable as you are. They just want the position to be filled as fast as possible. If you can put the interviewer at ease by helping things move smoothly, youll improve your chances of being hired. Remember the following: 4. Negative statements about previous jobs or employers. NEVER make them. Instead, be diplomatic. No matter how bad your last job or boss was, theres probably something good you learned from the experience. Emphasize the positive with a smile. Extra Tip from Career Coach Hallie: This may seem like an obvious tip but I’ve seen too many people get caught up in the conversation, feeling like they’re talking to a friend instead of a prospective employer and start saying negative things about their previous jobs. Remember you want to establish rapport with the interviewer, that will help your chances of being hired, but always remain professional. If you’re interested in having me speak at your next event about finding a career you love, go here: www.halliecrawford.com/appearances.html. I’d be happy to discuss! Atlanta Career CoachCareer Speaker