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Published June 3, 2022

To successfully execute tasks, you must possess knowledge, ability, and competence. These qualities sometimes referred to as “skills,” can be improved so that you can become an expert in a certain field. A skill is the capacity to perform a task. You acquire skills from life as well as job experiences.

What is a Skill?

The term skill involves the knowledge, competencies, and abilities required to accomplish operational activities. In addition to life and professional experiences, skills can also be acquired through study. There are several types of skills, and some may be more accessible to some people based on factors like coordination, physical abilities, and intelligence.

As simple as fixing a bed or as complex as playing an instrument, a skill is one that can be learned. This knowledge can lead to increased career advancement opportunities and other life areas. In the workplace, you will utilize both personal and technical skills.

Skill tests can also be used to determine what is a skill level. The majority of professions require numerous skills, and some of them will be more applicable to specific occupations than others.

Skills: Definition, Example, and Application

There are different skill categories that you may choose to develop. The following are examples of skill types and the competencies you could get by mastering them:

1. Personal Skills

These are the abilities, characteristics, or qualities you carry to the workplace. They are referred to as transferable or employability skills since they are applicable to a variety of professions.

Personal skills can be acquired through study, training, employment, and work experience. These skills can also be acquired in daily life.

These are examples of personal skills:

• Influencing and leading others
• Having a sharp eye for detail
• The ability to plan, and
• Organize tasks and solve problems

Published May 20, 2022

A Zoom interview is a job interview done through the videoconferencing platform Zoom. This particular platform features a variety of helpful functions, including text-based conversation, muting, screen sharing, and video recording. When a recruiting manager schedules a Zoom interview, they will provide you with a link that you may use on your smartphone or computer to join the meeting.

The process will be identical to that of an in-person interview. During the Zoom interview, you will likely be asked questions about your experience, background, and the job position to determine your qualification. The majority of interviewers utilize Zoom’s video functionality during interviews to communicate with you in a more personal manner; therefore, dressing appropriately and also being prepared to be on video are both important steps in the process of preparing for this kind of interview.

What to Wear For a Zoom Interview

When preparing for a Zoom interview, you must consider the company’s environment and determine what attire is suitable and appropriate. The method is identical to dressing for a face-to-face interview, but you will need to take additional precautions to prevent blending into your background.

You should also consider the company’s culture while applying for a job, as you may wish to dress appropriately. If the recruiting manager specifies a Zoom interview outfit beforehand, you should stick to it. If not, you can research the company’s culture and standard dress code. It is generally recommended to dress in business attire to make a good impression on the recruiting manager.

The following are ideas of appropriate Zoom interview attire:

1. Button-Down Top or Blouse

A button-down top should be a go-to attire for what to wear for a zoom interview (male) and a blouse (female). For a more professional image, you may also add a suit coat. However, if the interviewing company is more casual, you can skip the jacket.

2. Tie and Accessories

Put on a tie with your business attire to appear more professional. Also, only wear accessories that are neutral and will not distract your professional appearance. Generally, a simple pair of earrings or a necklace is acceptable.

3. Slacks or Skirt

You should still wear proper slacks or a skirt, even though you will probably be sitting during the interview and the camera will only show your upper body. Dressing in professional clothing from head to toe can boost your confidence and professionalism and help you concentrate on the task and questions being asked.

4. Shoes

You are free to choose whether or not to wear shoes to partner with your Zoom interview attire. However, as going barefoot could be distracting, this may make you feel more professional.

Published Dec 14, 2020

With the job market as competitive as it is right now, being skilled at something will definitely give you an edge. But if your skills lie in something that everyone else can do, you can’t expect to be paid more than most. If you want to earn more, you obviously need to learn high income skills.

In the old days, you’ll usually need a university degree or pass a licensure exam to earn big. But now, there are plenty of opportunities to earn six figures as long as you have the right skillset.

If you plan to become a millionaire in a few years, here are the high income skills you should learn:

1. Digital Marketing/Consulting

Potential earnings: up to $202,500 (source: Ziprecruiter)

Marketing and advertising have always had great earning potential. But in recent years, businesses are starting to see the importance of marketing their businesses online. This makes digital marketing consultants very much in demand.

In a nutshell, a digital marketing consultant finds the most effective way to market a business or product online. It usually involves making winning social media campaigns and acing search engine results. It may sound like a piece of cake but trust me, it’s not. Digital marketing is constantly evolving and digital marketers need to keep up with it. Else, they’ll be left in the dust.

2. Copywriting

Potential earnings: up to $75,000 (source: Payscale)

If you’ve got a way with words and want to help businesses market their products, you should learn copywriting.

Copywriters are responsible for those witty and wildly creative marketing slogans we just can’t get out of our heads. With a few words, they can make someone thirsty, hungry, or crave for the product they’re promoting. Obviously, this isn’t something that everyone can do. That’s why they get handsomely compensated for it.

3. Software/App Development

Potential earnings: up to $144,000 (source: Business of Apps)

Since computers were invented, software and app developers have certainly made our life so much easier. From social media apps that let us keep tabs of our friends to accounting softwares that let us keep track of our finances, it’s all thanks to them.

But as you may have guessed, making apps and softwares is not easy. Aside from coding knowledge, you’ll also need analytical skills. Patience and dedication – lots of it – also won’t hurt. But if you master this skill, there’s no shortage of earning opportunities.

4. Podcasting

Potential income: up to $164,000 (source: Ziprecruiter)

With the increasing popularity of podcasts, podcasters have also become a celebrity of their own. So it’s no wonder why some of them earn millions annually.

But if you’re expecting to earn millions on your first month as a podcaster, sorry to burst your bubble. Podcasting can take years to pay off especially if you’re managing your own podcast. But if you’re looking to learn podcasting for employment purposes, the competition can get stiff. Whichever path you choose, podcasting is a worthwhile skill to learn if you’re looking to earn big.

Published Nov 16, 2021

During the job search process, every job seeker will encounter a question that may appear to be self-evident. A query that does not appear to be deserving of a response. When hiring managers ask, “Why do you want to work for us?”

They’re determining if you’d fit in at the company and whether you’d offer value to their current team.

Employees engaged and committed to the company’s goal and values will be more productive and remain longer at the company. The hiring manager is attempting to verify whether that individual is you.

You may be frightened and unsure how to respond to the question, “Why do you want to work for us?” You never want to respond to this question with a hasty and thoughtless answer such as, “Well, the salary is decent, and I’m looking for work.”

While this is possible, you are not giving yourself a good opportunity.

You must demonstrate that you have conducted research on the company, that your core beliefs align with the company’s goals, and that you will like working there.

The hiring manager will not want to hire someone who is solely motivated by financial gain.

You must spend as much time before the interview learning as much as possible about them.

Top 3 Best Answers to “Why Do You Want to Work For Us?”

Answer #1

I’m aware of your industry reputation, and I’d be honored to work for a company with such an amazing track record and a strong example of industry leadership. I have a friend who works in the finance department, and he informed me that the environment here is excellent, with management encouraging continued education and on-the-job development while rewarding hard work. Based on his appraisal and encouragement, I believe that I would fit in nicely with the team here and contribute immediately.

Explanation: By knowing someone who works at the company, the applicant automatically gains an advantage because they can speak to specific perks mentioned by their friend. By establishing that the applicant has an established network, the hiring manager may be more inclined to hire him/her because they are confident the employee would thrive at their company.

Published Nov 7, 2021

Deciding to leave a job is an important event in your professional career. While it is natural to have difficulties at work, experiencing a profound and ongoing discontent with your job is worth considering. It’s critical to differentiate between when you should work through a problem and when to leave a job.

There are numerous legitimate personal and professional reasons to resign. So when to leave a job? Here are the signs to watch out for: 

1. You are not maximizing your skills.

While it is often convenient, a job that does not challenge you or your skills should be one of the reasons why you should leave. Maintaining this state may limit your possibilities for progress and result in feelings of complacency or frustration. This is especially true if your manager or senior leaders have denied you the opportunity to use diverse skill sets.

2. Your work is not aligned with your passion.

When someone is passionate about their work, they develop a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. Additionally, it usually results in increased rates of productivity, improved outcomes, and occasionally the feeling of not working at all. Without this, work can become tedious and resemble more of a job than a profession. 

Furthermore, you may feel that you are squandering your potential by failing to apply your skills to something you are passionate about. If you are dissatisfied with your job or the work of your company, try seeking another role.

3. No opportunities for growth. 

When your company’s growth opportunities have decreased, it’s usually time to move on. Opportunities for growth in a company are not restricted to promotions or vertical advancement. 

Moreover, opportunities may present themselves through employment on a new project, learning in a new part of the business, mentoring by a senior leader, or taking on a mid-level leadership position. Engage your manager and make a formal request for this type of opportunity before resigning. If your company cannot consider any kind of growth opportunity, this is a sign that you should leave.

4. You are grossly underpaid.

While individuals may occasionally take a lower salary in exchange for a unique opportunity or non-monetary fringe benefits, you should consider quitting if you are considerably underpaid for your role. Being underpaid can indicate a misalignment between your perceived value and growth potential and that of the company. 

This incompatibility might have various consequences for the duties you are assigned and your time with the organization. Remaining in this situation can also result in dissatisfaction or resentment due to the logistical lifestyle consequences of a low salary, substandard healthcare, or other benefits.

5. You are incapable of fulfilling your job responsibilities.

If you are incapable of fulfilling your job responsibilities due to a physical illness, sudden changes in your personal life, or structural changes within the company, you should think about leaving. Continually working in a position where your capacity to perform your job responsibilities is jeopardized puts you at risk of termination. 

Along with the immediate financial consequences of termination, getting laid off might negatively affect your capacity to find work elsewhere. Therefore, consider leaving the job if your efforts to modify your job responsibilities or the circumstances causing the difficulty are pointless.

6. You detest the thought of going to work.

It’s natural to feel sad when the weekend is over or look forward to days off/vacation time. However, if you experience a pit in your stomach when you think about work or cannot sleep at night due to anxiety about going to work, it may be better to leave. 

While work does not have to be satisfying or enjoyable, you should feel at ease there. You spend a substantial chunk of your day at work, and if your time off is spent dreading your return, your physical and mental health are likely to suffer.

7. You cannot see yourself staying there in the long run.

Like seeing no room for growth, if you cannot envision yourself staying at the company in the long run, it may be time to consider other possibilities. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year to find a new and more suitable job, so if you cannot see yourself working at your current employer a year from now, consider commencing your job hunt immediately.

8. Your ethics are compromised.

When to leave a job? When you are forced to compromise your ethics or decision-making, it is time to quit. This is especially true in professional situations, where the potential long-term consequences for your career are significant. Even if the compromise is necessary to maintain your current job, it can have a detrimental effect on your capacity to obtain future employment as well as your morale and sense of pride in the process.

Published Nov 1, 2021

Understanding colleagues vs coworkers can help you be more productive by facilitating workplace relationships. Regardless of your profession, knowing the difference between work colleagues and coworkers can significantly impact your working interactions. 

Knowing your colleagues, coworkers, and everyone else in the office is an important professional move, but it requires some homework. Therefore, we will explore the difference between coworker vs colleague in this article.

Understanding What Work Colleagues Are

In general, a colleague is someone you work with who shares your professional objectives, despite the fact that your duties, skills, and status may differ. As a result, the term can refer to anyone who works in a group of people. “Colleague” can also refer to workers in the same profession who have similar abilities, ranks, and job responsibilities, regardless of the organization for which they work. Two persons with similar vocations on opposite ends of the world can be colleagues.

Understanding What Coworkers Are

Coworkers are individuals who work for the same organization. They may have varying positions, job specializations, and specialized functions within a company or project, but they are all united by a common goal: the success of their organization. For instance, my coworkers may include, but are not limited to, our company’s department manager, social media expert, sales representative, assistant manager, and janitor who all work for the same organization.

Colleague vs Coworker

The most critical distinction to make when determining if someone is a “coworker” or “colleague” is that a colleague does not always work for the same company or on the same project as you, whereas a coworker does. Thus, while both terms might refer to the same thing—people you work with—the term “colleague” has a broader definition because it can also refer to someone who shares your profession but works for a different organization.

Another distinction is the assumed hierarchy of colleagues and coworkers. Colleagues typically share or complement each other’s duties and ranks, regardless of who they work with. Coworkers, even though they work for the same organization, can have radically different roles and levels. Coworkers may have professional authority over you or hold a lower-level position than you, but they are typically neither superior nor inferior in status inside an organization.