Jobs @ Career Consulting Limited
Return to career-consulting-limited.com
People |
|
|
 |
How to Overcome a Bad First Impression
Have any of these situations happened to you? Forgetting your client's name, unintentionally insulting a co-worker, spilling coffee on your boss, not recognizing an old friend, drinking too much at the company party, sending a racy e-mail to the wrong person, or asking a woman's due date when she's not pregnant - ouch! You never have a second chance to make a first impression, so what happens when that first impression is a negative one? In a perfect world none of these things would occur, but the truth is, we all make mistakes. Effective communicators are not only aware of how their actions impact others; they also know how to respond in uncomfortable situations. If handled properly, flubs can actually serve to strengthen your image and help you gain respect. If you've committed a social faux pas here is how you can recover. Apologize Immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to image damage control. As soon as you realize that you may have offended someone, address it. The more time that passes, the more the story can become blown out of proportion. While first impressions stick, so do last impressions. Take control of the situation by making your last impression a positive, sincere apology. Avoid Over-Apologizing. Saying you're sorry is important, but overdoing it can create another uncomfortable situation. First, your goal in apologizing is to acknowledge your mistake and re-position yourself as being responsible and sensitive. If you repeatedly bring up the past, groveling and begging for forgiveness, you're defeating your purpose. Second, it puts the other person in the uncomfortable position of having to constantly reassure you. Eventually that person may choose to avoid you altogether. Make No Assumptions. It's easy to assume that others think the worst of you, but usually what we imagine is far worse than reality. Approach your apology by owning your feelings rather than telling others how you assume they feel. This gives you a chance to test their perceptions and get a real handle on the situation. So, instead of starting out with, "You must think I'm a total idiot?" speak for yourself, "I'm uncomfortable with how I behaved yesterday because I realized I might have offended you. Did you feel the same way?" Starting out this way also prevents over-apologizing because the other person may think it was no big deal. Be Sincere. No matter what the circumstances, a sincere apology requires three steps. First, own what happened fully without blaming it on other people or circumstances. Second, acknowledge how your actions affected the other person which means listening without defending yourself. Third, commit to what you will do differently in the future to avoid making the same mistake. Such an apology might sound like, "I want to apologize for what I said yesterday. After speaking with you, I can hear how much my comments offended you and caused embarrassment. I want you to know that in the future I will be more sensitive." Humor Works. Depending on the situation, a little self-deprecating humor can save you. Make sure it's directed only at you and does not increase anybody else's level of discomfort. Sometimes calling it like you see it in the moment breaks the tension and provides an opening for you to recover. Be careful not to over indulge though. Too much self-deprecation can have the same effect as over-apologizing. Monitor Future Behavior. Communication has a cumulative effect, so every impression you make builds on the previous one. Overcoming a bad impression requires that all future behavior be consistent with how you want to be perceived. It will take time and trust to change perceptions, but it can be done! Susan Fee is a licensed counselor, communications coach, and author of Positive First Impressions: 83 Ways to Establish Confidence, Competence, and Trust. She can be reached through her Web site, http://www.susanfee.com.
MORE RESOURCES: Corporate Lowe's Careers Careers City of Phoenix (.gov) Working for ICE ice.gov Careers University of Northern Colorado How to use AI to get a job interview and nail it – along with the salary you deserve | Job hunting The Guardian Meet a millennial who quit her tech job, temporarily moved to Paris, and started a baking business in NYC Business Insider Careers at FEMA FEMA.gov Careers City of Ontario, California (.gov) Careers at Prairie View A&M University PVAMU Home Job Loss Is a Kind of Grief The Atlantic Careers | Home USDA (.gov) Jobs Multnomah County Understanding America’s Labor Shortage: The Most Impacted Industries U.S. Chamber of Commerce Careers and Jobs at CRS Catholic Relief Services Careers - MDOT Maryland.gov Work at Fairfield Fairfield University Careers Baxter Improve Your Chances of Landing That Job Interview IEEE Spectrum Careers Johnson & Johnson Store Hourly Job Areas Target Corporate Career Job Areas Target Employment Opportunities | Game Commission Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Careers at USCIS USCIS (.gov) Jobs and Training at FDA fda.gov Careers at TWU Texas Woman's University Amazon CEO Andy Jassy shares his top tips for a successful career: ‘Don’t be afraid to fail’ AboutAmazon.com Work at Butler Butler University Careers at Simon & Schuster SimonandSchuster.biz Water Services Careers City of Phoenix (.gov) Job Search Results UnitedHealth Group Careers Jobs City of Rochester (.gov) Employment | Department of Corrections Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Work With Us National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (.gov) Career Opportunities Gilead Sciences Career Opportunities UMHB Finding Your New Career at the City of Phoenix City of Phoenix (.gov) Careers at Willamette Willamette University Search & apply for jobs Boehringer Ingelheim IOM career gateways International Organization for Migration Student internships at J&J Johnson & Johnson Careers Careers at University of Missouri Health Care | University of Missouri Health Care jobs University of Missouri Health Care Careers Washington State University Careers BASF Jobs at Liberty University Liberty University Healthcare Jobs at Novant Health | Novant Health Novant Health EPA employees rally in Denver against President Trump’s job and funding cuts - Colorado Public Radio EPA employees rally in Denver against President Trump’s job and funding cuts Colorado Public Radio Jobs And Careers | VA Montana Health Care | Veterans Affairs VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs Jobs & Employment Monmouthshire County Council Future of Jobs Report 2025: The jobs of the future – and the skills you need to get them The World Economic Forum Jobs Report NFIB Work for the City of St. Louis City of St. Louis, MO (.gov) Certified Direct Care Professional (CDCP) Wisconsin Department of Health Services (.gov) Why hasn’t AI taken your job yet? Financial Times Ready for your next great job? ADP Careers Careers WV Department of Education Careers The Ocean Cleanup Job Seekers Illinois Human Resources Careers CrowdStrike UF Health Careers UF Health Careers Careers at Union Union College Matching Talent to the Jobs of Tomorrow: A Guidebook for Public Employment Services 2025 The World Economic Forum Jobs for Veterans and transitioning military VA Careers (.gov) Human Resources Department City of Phoenix (.gov) DOE Report Shows Clean Energy Jobs Grew at More Than Twice the Rate of Overall U.S. Employment Department of Energy (.gov) As Layoffs Continue, Federal Workers Face Sluggish Job Market The New York Times Careers Euromonitor Job Opportunities Bellevue School District Current opportunities Turner & Townsend Recorded Video Interviews Target 15 Most Stressful Jobs for 2025 | Careers US News Money Career expert offers advice for frustrated job seekers National News Desk |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Finding Freelance Writing Jobs - Join Us On The Job Search Finding freelance writing jobs require great skill, dedication and lots of patience. There are many qualifications that businesses look for prior to hiring an individual to fill their job vacancies though. Dont Quit Your Day Job! Convincing Your Boss To Let You Telecommute (Part 2 of 2) Ok, so you've determined that you have the right skills and qualities todo your job effectively from home. You're sure that your job is wellsuited to telecommuting. Your Interview Questions Are a Serious Matter Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions they put to you, but at the end of your allotted interview time, the questions that really matter most are yours. You should hope to hear the interviewer ask you:"Have you any questions?"But even if they don't ask, you should grasp the opportunity and say:"Do you mind if I ask a couple of questions?" However you must be careful when planning what questions you're going to ask, and make sure that they are not ones that you should already know the answer to because it's been covered in the interview. Career Job Satisfaction - Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race! Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!We can all get in a rut from time to time. Who hasn't had a moment in their lives where you've asked yourself the question: "Why am I doing this?" Whether it's who you've become, the business you are in, your career, relationships, where you live or all of the above - sometimes you realise you're just not where you want to be - and you're not sure how you got there! It sure feels like your own version of a rat race though. Put Some Mystery in Your Life Mystery shoppers. For some it conjures up images of private eyes and undercover detectives. Continuing Professional Development Continuing professional development (CPD) is promoted by the CIPD to support the systematic development and accreditation of its members. The aim is that the continuing search to improve knowledge and skills through exposure to new experiences benefits both the individual and the business. Finally Revealed: The Top 7 Resume Killers? During my job search I read dozens of books and articles took programs and evensat at the feet of two of the most experienced Human Resource professionals. In afew moments, you will learn the real keys to standing out and rising above thenorm. Sawbones I was rushing through the white-tented terminal building at Denver International Airport when my attention was diverted - as if often is -- by a storefront massage business. Checking my wristwatch, I calculated I had just enough time for a 20-minute chair massage. After Your Interview - What Must You Do Next? Other than actually landing the interview itself and living through it, waiting after the interview and wondering whether you will get a phone call or a rejection letter can be one of the most difficult aspects of searching for a job. What you do after the interview should actually start while you are still 'working' the interview. Stripper--Turned--Waitress Cant Leave Former Job Behind She stretches in the break room for 30 minutes before each shift. She glides around the dining room like silk wafting on the breeze. How To Stay Calm in Tryng Times That's not you? Great! Bad habits are hard to break once the addiction gets hold of us. Been there. 10 Key Career Success Questions At some point in every professional or managerial career, there is a time when one start thinking: Is it time to move on or do something else? However, before you quit your job and take a fling at something else, realistically evaluate your career and potential options by asking yourself these ten career success questions:Do I really like my work or am I hanging on marking time?Am I promotable or am I seen as a disposable commodity?Am I visible to potential employers, as well as my current boss?Am I growing or stagnating or just standing still waiting for the next wave of change? How smooth are my interpersonal relationships with my boss and co-workers?Am I being rewarded at my true worth? Have I recently checked out my value in the marketplace?How valued and diversified are my skills and competencies?How can I distinguish myself from competitors?What will it take to get where I want to go from the place I am right now?While setting distinct goals is a critical factor in career advancement, remaining flexible is important too. Climbing the career ladder with blinders on could mean missed opportunity. 17 Surefire Ways to Annoy Potential Employers Despite the President's encouraging words, the job market is still in sorry shape. There are more job seekers than job openings, so do NOT make things harder on yourself by doing any of the things on this list! Never, ever do these!Apply for jobs you are not qualified for. How To REALLY Look For A Job Are you looking for a job -- really looking? Or are you simply waiting for employment to fall into your lap?If you're like about 75% of the job seekers I've met over the past nine years, you're probably doing too much waiting and not enough searching.Stop. Ten Great Careers That Don't Require A Four Year Degree One of the great myths associated with the "American Dream" is that you need to have a four-year college degree to be successful. As the economy has shifted to the information age, with a greater reliance on technology and services, this belief applies less and less. Layoff Survival Guide - Do You Have The Career Management Horsepower It Will Take To Survive? In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some disturbing trends identified that MOST career seekers don't have a clue what career management skills they have or what those skills are! As a result, it will be difficult for these career seekers to succeed.In fact, only 71% of the respondents recognized they had any career management skills at all! That's why they are particularly vulnerable to future layoffsBefore skipping to the answers, try your hand at identifying YOUR career management skills. Strange Jobs Still Pay The Bills Strange jobs? How do we define that? Years ago I stole cars as a repo-man, had some adventures as an investigative process-server, and even handed out samples in grocery stores. Here are some other unusual jobs you can aspire to:Wrinkle ChaserThis is the person that irons wrinkles from shoes as they are being made to ensure they are perfectly smooth when you buy them. Dissatisfied with Your Job? Take Your Power Back! Apparently, there are all sorts of reasons to be dissatisfied with your job.. Job Search Campaign Tip: An Activity Diary Looking for a job involves a wide range of responsibilities: preparing a resume, looking at ads, contacting employers, calling and visiting friends and acquaintances, follow ups, interviews. While none of us ever plan to be out of work for very long, it can be very useful to immediately start documenting your activities and your feelings to provide a road map of where you have been and where you want to go. Powerful Phone Interviews Phone interviews are de rigueur with many organizations.Companies conduct phone interviews for a number of reasons.
|
|
|
| © Career Consulting Limited.com 2011
|