If you can learn to train your mind and your subconscious mind, you can do amazing things and work toward achieving your goals. The power of the subconscious mind is truly infinite and most do not understand just how powerful it can be. What you have to understand is whatever your mind can imagine, it can create.
Learning about your mind and what it can create will help you use it to your advantage with whatever business or program you are involved with. The beauty of the internet is that the sky is the limit. You can do whatever you want and create whatever you want online. Therefore, put to use what your mind is capable of to start amazing things.
Whatever your mind thinks, sees, feels and believes is sent to your subconscious mind. The beauty of the mind is that it can create wonderful things. If you can translate what is sent from your mind to your subconscious mind, you will understand how to actually use what has been sent.
The problem is most people do not understand how to use the power of the subconscious mind. Instead, they wander through life without a clue as to how to use this power to better their business, their career and their life in general.
If you can believe it, scientists have long said that we as human beings only use 10% of our mind. It is amazing to think that most people go throughout life using a small fraction of what they are capable of. Think about how much more of an advantage you would have if you even learned to use 20% of your mind. You would do wondrous things in your life.
Learning to use the power of the subconscious mind is not just about furthering your business or program. It is about bettering every aspect of your life. But as soon as you learn to use the subconscious mind and everything that it is capable of providing, you will be able to take your business to the next level.
Thus far we have talked about the importance of learning to use the subconscious mind to achieve extraordinary things. However, we have not gone over how to understand this. The problem is it is up to you to figure out. While there are books and documents that can be helpful, it is up to you to truly understand and think creatively. Think outside of the box and broaden your horizon. There is much more to your mind than you would have ever realized. In doing so, you will be able to do amazing things with your business.
Do you know the difference between laws, "The Law of Gravity" and "The law of Attraction"? If no, the answer is that both laws are universal and works everywhere without any exception.
If you are ready to give prolonged thought to anything in your life, you can draw it in to your life. This is the law of attraction. This law is as accurate as the law of gravity. If somebody falls down from a height, he or she will definitely hit the ground whether he or she is good or bad. The law of gravity has no bias with you or with anybody.
Like the law of gravity, the law of attraction has also no bias. Whether you are thinking a good thought or a bad thought, you will attract in your life.
You can change anything in your life, because we are the one who can think about our thought and can feel about our thought.
Did I mention feeling here?
Yes! One important thing about the law of attraction is that you have to think as well as think about that thing. Feeling is the communication of the universe. If you are feeling good that means you are aligned with the universal energy. If you are feeling bad, it's the communication from universe that it is a warning massage from God or universe to change that thought.
So, to use this amazing law of attraction and you can get or achieve anything into your life like wealth, health and happiness.
Again the key here is, Feel Good. And attract anything in your life.
Do you see it as ever-elusive? Is it a work in progress? Or is success more of a final destination for you?
No matter what your thoughts on success, one thing is certain: if you don't know where you're headed, you'll never know when you've arrived.
So where are you headed?
Some people see success as the six-figure income, waterfront property, hot car, flashy clothing and all the accouterments that go along with the high profile career and lifestyle. But they forget that success is a subjective term, and the above definition might sound good on paper but it's not without its own set of sacrifices. What will you have to give up in order to maintain such a lifestyle? Peace and quiet? Time? Rest? Family time? A healthy, balanced life? An unassuming, everyman existence?
Some think that they'll wake up one day to "arrive" at success... as though there will be a neon sign blinking over their head, confetti falling from the sky and alarm bells going off that they've hit the jackpot - the be-all, end-all in their life and career. That's hardly realistic.
Success is an evolutionary process that happens in waves. You think you're moving forward with one aspect of your life, and then something unexpected happens that lurches you off the path and puts you temporarily "out for the count." That old expression, "One step forward, two steps back" is often true on the path of your life and happiness. The key is to get back up, shake it off, and keep stepping.
It's safe to say that at the very least, you know when you're "headed" on the path to success. I'ts a feeling that things are gaining momentum - your bank account is growing, your name seems to be on the tip of everyone's tongue. You're outgrowing your old ways of doing things and searching for ways to fit in all the new opportunities that keep coming your way.
No, there may not be an actual finish line with a sign that says "Success stops here." But you can definitely get a sense for when things are going well in your life and when they're about to get even better. In that case, you've likely "arrived" as much as can possibly be realistic.
But this article isn't about arrival so much as it's for people who need help getting their bearings in the first place. For starters, it pays to assess your subjective view of success - what it means to you personally.
Think about how the following might fit into your scheme of personal success:
Income. Do you want to be a top earner? Or is a comfortable living more your speed? Quantify your reach salary. Quantify your attainable salary. Compare with what you're taking home now. What's your action plan for getting there?
Opportunity cost. To some, a six or seven-figure salary can be justified by 80-hour work weeks and 60% business travel. What exactly are you willing to swap in or out in terms of your career and life?
Values. How do your personal values play into the picture? Is it Very Important, Moderately Important, or Not So Important to work for a company that shares your values? If giving to others is important, is there a way to work service into your career plan?
Time frame. Map out a time line for reaching your end goal. Create smaller, stepping stone goals and pace these out chronologically as well.
Work-life balance. Most people strive for a healthy balance between their career and personal life. Have you factored in enough family time and personal time into your plans? What about making time for your community?
Health. Age, physical condition and heredity all play a part as well. As a general rule, those who are able to sustain success do so by taking good care of their bodies and expending stress through physical activity. How do diet and exercise weigh in?
Sometimes, a life coach can be especially helpful when plotting the road map to success in your life.
If your prayers seem to go unanswered, you aren't alone. Unanswered prayer is a common complaint among most religions; and it is one of the things that actually turns people away from religion. But the problem of unanswered prayer isn't that prayer doesn't work; the problem is simply a lack of training, awareness, and understanding. If you needed to cross an ocean, an airplane or a ship would get the job done; but, if you didn't know how to operate the airplane or ship, you aren't likely to get where you're going. Prayer is very similar: If you don't know who you are, or how you operate, you aren't likely to render the most effective prayers. In order to make prayer work, you must first, "Know thyself."
If you don't truly understand who you are, what you are, how you operate, or what you are capable of, then you're living life randomly and unconsciously - at the whim of those who tell you what to do and what to think. In order to take control of your life, end suffering, and create or attract the conditions you truly wish to experience in life, you need to learn some things about yourself. For starters, you are capable of anything; so dream big. All things are possible; but they are done to you according to your thoughts and beliefs. And, if you don't understand your own nature, and the nature of thoughts, thinking, and belief, then you may or may not be forming your thoughts and prayers effectively. Here is a list of things you need to know about yourself in order to truly own your birthright as a creator:
-You are much more than you know. -You are much greater than you can imagine. -You are much more powerful than you've been told. -You and I are part of all we see. -There is no empty space - no space between us - only the essence of what we are made of. -All things are connected; all things are One. -We communicate with All by way of this connection; and the All communicates with us in the same way. -Your thoughts are important; they create. -Your thoughts generate emotion - which is attractive. -Your thoughts and emotions determine the nature and quality of your experience. -You can learn to think more clearly and effectively. -You can be more creative and make wiser choices. -You can focus your attention and intention more specifically and directly.
Prayer is thought; specifically, most prayer is thought about how we want the future to be. Interestingly, all thought is creative; and we tend to think almost all of the time - essentially "praying always."Most of this thinking simply isn't focused or controlled, so our life reflects the chaos of our thoughts. Our prayers are answered; we just can't keep up with all the mundane stuff we ask for by putting our attention on it! We can, however, learn more about thinking; and we can learn to think more effectively. Therefore, we can learn to pray more effectively. By coming to understand the nature of our mind and thoughts, we can learn to become creators of our own lives and masters of our own experience. Consider the greatness of all that is, and how you are connected to that greatness. Then, practice mastering your thoughts. When you have learned to shape and control your thoughts, you will have learned to shape and control your life.
Just how powerful is the Subconscious Mind and how can we use it to help our self improvement? It’s almost impossible to overestimates the power of the subconscious mind.
Most of our brain’s activity does not occur consciously. It is our subconscious mind that controls all the organs that makes our bodies function, It’s our subconscious mind that allows us to drive our car, listen to the radio and eat an apple without really paying much attention to any of these activities. It’s our subconscious mind that never sleeps, and takes in and stores everything that we see hear or experience, even the things we pay no attention to. It’s our subconscious mind that makes our daily living possible by allowing us to do hundreds, if not thousands of actions every day without even thinking about them.
Why is this important for Self Improvement? Whether we are aware of it or not, most of the instincts and gut feelings that we have, or voices we hear, come from our subconscious mind. It is also our subconscious mind that, if we allow it to, can give us invaluable insights and solutions to problems and can help us in every area of our lives. But we can go much further. If we learn how to actively use our subconscious mind and feed it with the right input, it can be our greatest ally in life. It can ensure we achieve our goals and desires and allow us do more with our lives than we ever thought possible.
The subconscious mind is so powerful that to there is absolutely nothing ‘sub’ about it, and has also been called, more accurately, the super-conscious mind or the creative mind.
Self Improvement Quote of the Day:
"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves." -
Many people wonder if the law of attraction will help them win the lottery. In theory it might, although you would have to suspend disbelief 100% and keep on with that faith even as you come up with losing ticket after losing ticket. It is possible.
WANT TO KNOW A MORE EFFECTIVE APPROACH?
Why waste all of your time wishing about the lottery. It's the money and the freedom that you REALLY want. Why not use the law of attraction to attract a specific amount of money and then you will have that freedom?
If you really want to live the good life all you have to do is to set your mind to a specific amount, lets say $ 3 million. For most people, this would give them the freedom and all of the shiny things that they want. Then start to map out possible strategies to achieve that $ 3 million. It's not nearly as hard as you might think it is. With $ 10,000 earning 10 percent per month, you would have that $ 3 million in about five years.
The more you break down what you really want, the easier it will seem inside of your mind. And your mind produces all of the "magic" that we are looking for. So you can break that down even further and find a way to get that $ 10,000. Once you have that, it is up to you to find a way to get that 10 percent per month. As anyone who has traded stocks actively can tell you, that is entirely possible with just one trade per month.
There are many other ways you can achieve that ten percent. The point I am trying to make is that we use the lottery as an "easy" way out. But the more we approach it from a different perspective, the more we will find many ways that are actually easier because they are more probable. Dream big and you WILL achieve something more substantial than just a lottery win.
Why Does Wealth Lie in the Hands of a Few - While Large Numbers of Humanity Remain in a Perpetual State of Poverty?
Millions of people are already using the Law of Attraction to make their lives successful. It's no longer a secret, but a household term that is rightfully being given the attention it deserves.
You too can learn how to use the "Law of Attraction" to create whatever you want in life - be it money, love or happiness - and generate abundance.
But in this case, and indeed in the book that inspired The Secret, we're going to focus on generating abundance, money and wealth.
Which of course, begs the question...
Why Manifest Money First?
The Law of Attraction as explained in The Secret teaches how you can have, be and do whatever you want in life. So why focus on money?
Money on its own is neither good nor bad. It is a means to an end. However, there is an urgent need for teaching the laws of creating money to the world.
Take any group of 100 people at the start of their working career and follow them for 40 years until they reach retirement age and here's what you'll find, according to the Social Security Administration:
·Only 1 will be wealthy
·4 will be financially secure
·5 will continue working, not because they want to but because they have to
·36 will be dead
·54 will be dead broke - dependent on the meager Social Security checks, relatives, friends and even charity for a minimum standard of living.
That's 5% successful, 95% unsuccessful.
These, of course, are US statistics. In the rest of the world, especially the developing world, the situation is far worse.
But What Makes this 5% Different?
There are millionaires with college degrees, and millionaires with little education.
There are millionaires who were born rich. And there are millionaires who were once dead-broke and homeless.
There are millionaires in developed countries, but also millionaires in poor nations. There are plumbers who are millionaires, and doctors who starve.
There is no single quality that stands out among the wealthy except ONE...
The Wealthy People in the World Understand and Use the Law of Attraction in their Daily Lives.
The millionaires understand that abundance is there for the taking. It is not a win-lose situation - there is enough for everyone. We can all be rich.
But humanity must learn to harness the correct thought process to attract wealth...
Call it whatever you want.
The Science used by all the wealthy and wise people through centuries of time can be yours.
But first , I want you to answer a question...
How Do YOU Feel About Wealth?
See, it’s just not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless you are rich. In order to unfold the soul and to develop talent, you must have many things to use, and you cannot have these things unless you have money to buy them with.
How do you feel about that statement?
Many people get very uncomfortable when talking about money. Remember that feeling is a conscious awareness of the vibration you’re in. If you’re not comfortable around the idea that you deserve to be rich, it’s because you’re dealing with an idea that is foreign to your conditioned nature … we’re going to help you work through that feeling until it becomes comfortable.
Have you ever noticed that wealthy people are very comfortable talking about money?
Wealthy people know that it requires wealth to do great things. They know that the good you can do without money is confined to your own physical presence in a given place. To extend beyond your physical presence requires money. At some point in their lives, they made the decision to extend beyond their physical boundaries – to increase their service to a larger audience in need of their product or service. And, in so doing, riches invariably came their way.
What we have to get straight in our heads is that owning the money doesn’t mean ANYTHING.
It’s the DOING with money that develops us - it’s not in the having. And when you have more, you’re enabled to DO more.
~ Jack Canfield
Are You Attracting or Resisting Wealth from Entering Your Life?
Do You Need The Science of Getting Rich in Your Life?
Try this quick exercise.
Check the Boxes that Apply to You:
I desire more abundance in my life.
I'd like to be earning a far greater income.
I want to provide more for my family.
I sometimes worry about money.
I work hard, but don't see the income I desire.
There are many things in life I want, but cannot afford.
Without my current job, I have no other streams of income.
Now Imagine If...
Imagine if You could then use Your mind to manifest these decisions - without wavering - because it's crystal clear where you need to be and what you need to do.
Imagine if You could Create this Life of Your Dreams.
Imagine thousands of lives benefiting from your new creation - whether it's a book, a work of art, or a business.
Imagine creating jobs, changing lives, creating products that benefit humanity.
Imagine being a shining light - a bringer of wisdom and enlightenment to your community.
How would your family benefit? Whom would you influence? What would you seek to change about this world? How will you be remembered when you pass on? Whom will you teach?
Or the biggest question of all - What will be your mark on humanity?
It's Not Just About Money - It's About Becoming The Real You.
In the video below, Rev. Michael Beckwith Explains How You Can Be of Greater Service to the World Once You Understand The Spiritual Principles in The Science of Getting Rich
The Inspiration for the film - The Secret
The inspiration for the movie came from a simple little book written in 1910. It's called the "Science of Getting Rich" and its author was a man called Wallace D. Wattles.
This is a summary of Wallace's book:
There is a universal energy from which all things are made. This energy fills the entire universe.
When you form a thought in your head, you tap into this energy, and you actually create that which you are thinking about.
Mankind has the ability to create a thought and cause the subject of the thought to be created within this field of Universal Energy.
To activate this ability, we must learn to harness our creative mind. Typically, we function with our competitive mind. But to create things with thought, we need to activate the creative mind.
We can come into harmony with this Universal energy through the act of expressing gratitude. Gratitude unifies our mind with this all encompassing Universal energy.
To manifest something new, simply hold an image of what you seek in your mind. And express gratitude to the Universe for having granted this to you. To achieve wealth, apply this same principle - hold a clear vision of the wealth you hope to attain. Then express gratitude that this wealth is coming to you. You must have unwavering faith and devout gratitude.
All that you include in your mental image will come to you through the physical realm - through the process of natural ways such as trade and commerce.
To claim this wealth, you must be active. You must do all that you can do each day to make this vision a reality. Especially strive to deliver to others something of value greater than what they paid you for.
Those who practice these instructions will get rich. And the riches they receive will be in the exact proportion to the definiteness of their vision, the fixity of their purpose, the steadiness of their faith, and the depth of their gratitude.
The Power That Lies Within You
Tell me - Who are you. Really?
Peer within yourself and you'll find that you're made of molecules. Peer further and these molecules are made of atoms. Go even further, and the atoms are made of protons, neutrons and electrons - elementary particles dancing a cosmic dance.
But go one step deeper and now you're no longer matter - but energy.
Everything is made up of this Universal Energy. Including you.
The scientist Steve Grand wrote the following:
Think of an experience from your childhood. Something you remember clearly, something you can see, feel, maybe even smell, as if you were really there. After all, you really were there at the time, weren't you? How else would you remember it?
But here is the bombshell: you weren't there. Not a single atom that is your body today was there when that event took place....Matter flows from place to place and momentarily comes together to be you. Whatever you are, therefore, you are not the stuff of which you are made. If that doesn't make the hair stand at the back of you neck, read it again until it does, because it is important.
You , are energy in physical form. Or, to use a spiritual concept - you are a soul within a physical body - a particle of God.
Forget the religious definition of God for a moment. Think of God as an all encompassing Universal force. The energy that makes up the universe. A rock may look like it's still, but within it are trillions of subatomic particles whizzing about and brimming with energy. The rock is pure energy and movement - it's solidity and stillness are purely an illusion.
If everything is made up of energy, and this energy is what we call God, or Higher Consciousness - then you are part of God. Like every rock, every animal, every tree, every planet spinning around every distant star.
You, too, are pure energy - but with one difference. You are conscious of yourself. This self-awareness, when directed, can allow you to dictate what experiences you choose to bring into your world.
That which you think about, you create. Thoughts are things! And that which you think about, good or bad - you create into your own reality.
We all work with one infinite power. We all guide ourselves by the same law. That one law is the Law of Attraction. That which you think about - you attract into your life.
The law of attraction is always working. You can never escape it. You're attracting everything that comes into your life. When you understand this law - you understand The Secret - and you can now dictate what you choose to come into your life.
We become what we think about!
Now ask yourself... What do you normally think about?
Here lies the problem. Like most people, your dominant thoughts are usually about your daily worries, fears, and what you lack.
The Current Reality Trap
In The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace says, "You have the natural and inherent power to think what you want to think, but it requires more effort to do so than to think the thoughts that are suggested by appearances."
What Wattles is saying here is that when you think according to what you see around you – the current appearance of things … what you see as your result right now … it's easy to KEEP thinking that way. I mean, how in the world do you expect to get yourself out of this current result – you don’t know HOW it's going to change, so how can you THINK of it actually happening?
It's true - thinking your way out of your CURRENT result does take work. In fact, Wallace Wattles says the same when he writes, "To think TRUTH regardless of appearance is laborious and requires the expenditure of more power than any other work a person has to perform." But the key is - it CAN be done.
As a child you were probably programmed in much the same way as I was.
Although this "programming" started when we were babies, receiving report cards in elementary school is a great example, that's pretty universal to all of us. We were trained to look at the grades on our report card, rather than focus on the image of the grade we desired. We learned to let our results control our thinking instead of the other way around
Think about your debt and that's what you attract - MORE debt. Worry about your health and disease and that's the way you attract - MORE ill health.
See, because our thinking only and always controls our results … we need to be completely focused on – and be thinking about – DIFFERENT results than what we currently HAVE!
It's time to escape the current reality trap and to create your future anew.
Stay tuned for the next lesson . We're in for an exciting journey.
In Lesson 2:
·Thoughts Become Things
·Accepting Responsibility for Your Current Situation
Everyone can take steps to improve their memory, and with time and practice most people can gain the ability to memorize seemingly impossible amounts of information. Scientists believe that exercising your brain can create a ‘cognitive reserve’ that will help you stay sharp as you age.
1. Convince yourself that you do have a good memory that will improve. Too many people get stuck here and convince themselves that their memory is bad, that they are just not good with names, that numbers just slip out of their minds for some reason. Erase those thoughts and vow to improve your memory. Commit yourself to the task and bask in your achievements. It’s hard to keep motivated if you beat yourself down every time you make a little bit of progress.
2. Keep your brain active. The brain is not a muscle, but regularly “exercising” the brain actually does keep it growing and spurs the development of new nerve connections that can help improve memory. By developing new mental skills, especially complex ones such as learning a new language or learning to play a new musical instrument, and challenging your brain with puzzles and games you can keep your brain active and improve its physiological functioning.
3. Exercise daily. Regular aerobic exercise improves circulation and efficiency throughout the body, including in the brain, and can help ward off the memory loss that comes with aging. Exercise also makes you more alert and relaxed, and can thereby improve your memory uptake, allowing you to take better mental “pictures.”
4. Reduce stress. Chronic stress, although it does not physically damage the brain, can make remembering much more difficult. Even temporary stresses can make it more difficult to effectively focus on concepts and observe things. Try to relax, regularly practice yoga or other stretching exercises, and see a doctor if you have severe chronic stress.
5. Eat well and eat right. There are a lot of herbal supplements on the market that claim to improve memory, but none have yet been shown to be effective in clinical tests (although small studies have shown some promising results for ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine). A healthy diet, however, contributes to a healthy brain, and foods containing antioxidants—broccoli, blueberries, spinach, and berries, for example—and Omega-3 fatty acids appear to promote healthy brain functioning. Feed your brain with such supplements as Thiamine, Vitamin E, Niacin and Vitamin B-6. Grazing, eating 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals, also seems to improve mental functioning (including memory) by limiting dips in blood sugar, which may negatively affect the brain.
6. Take better pictures. Often we forget things not because our memory is bad, but rather because our observational skills need work. One common situation where this occurs (and which almost everyone can relate to) is meeting new people. Often we don’t really learn people’s names at first because we aren’t really concentrating on remembering them. You’ll find that if you make a conscious effort to remember such things, you’ll do much better. One way to train yourself to be more observant is to look at an unfamiliar photograph for a few seconds and then turn the photograph over and describe or write down as many details as you can about the photograph. Try closing your eyes and picturing the photo in your mind. Use a new photograph each time you try this exercise, and with regular practice you will find you’re able to remember more details with even shorter glimpses of the photos.
7. Give yourself time to form a memory. Memories are very fragile in the short-term, and distractions can make you quickly forget something as simple as a phone number. The key to avoid losing memories before you can even form them is to be able to focus on the thing to be remembered for a while without thinking about other things, so when you’re trying to remember something, avoid distractions and complicated tasks for a few minutes.
8. Create vivid, memorable images. You remember information more easily if you can visualize it. If you want to associate a child with a book, try not to visualize the child reading the book – that’s too simple and forgettable. Instead, come up with something more jarring, something that sticks, like the book chasing the child, or the child eating the book. It’s your mind – make the images as shocking and emotional as possible to keep the associations strong.
9. Repeat things you need to learn. The more times you hear, see, or think about something, the more surely you’ll remember it, right? It’s a no-brainer. When you want to remember something, be it your new coworker’s name or your best friend’s birthday, repeat it, either out loud or silently. Try writing it down; think about it.
10. Group things you need to remember. Random lists of things (a shopping list, for example) can be especially difficult to remember. To make it easier, try categorizing the individual things from the list. If you can remember that, among other things, you wanted to buy four different kinds of vegetables, you’ll find it easier to remember all four.
11. Organize your life. Keep items that you frequently need, such as keys and eyeglasses, in the same place every time. Use an electronic organizer or daily planner to keep track of appointments, due dates for bills, and other tasks. Keep phone numbers and addresses in an address book or enter them into your computer or cell phone. Improved organization can help free up your powers of concentration so that you can remember less routine things. Even if being organized doesn’t improve your memory, you’ll receive a lot of the same benefits (i.e. you won’t have to search for your keys anymore).
12. Try meditation. Research now suggests that people who regularly practice “mindfulness” meditation are able to focus better and may have better memories. Mindfulness (also known as awareness or insight meditation) is the type commonly practiced in Western countries and is easy to learn. Studies at Massachusetts GeneralHospital show that regular meditation thickens the cerebral cortex in the brain by increasing the blood flow to that region. Some researchers believe this can enhance attention span, focus, and memory.
13. Sleep well. The amount of sleep we get affects the brain’s ability to recall recently learned information. Getting a good night’s sleep – a minimum of seven hours a night – may improve your short-term memory and long-term relational memory, according to recent studies conducted at the HarvardMedicalSchool.
14. Build your memorization arsenal. Learn pegs, memory palaces, and the Dominic System. These techniques form the foundation for mnemonic techniques, and will visibly improve your memory.
15. Venture out and learn from your mistakes. Go ahead and take a stab at memorizing the first one hundred digits of pi, or, if you’ve done that already, the first one thousand. Memorize the monarchs of England through your memory palaces, or your grocery list through visualization. Through diligent effort you will eventually master the art of memorization.
Hello Friends. Here are some tips for facing the Interview in Good Manner -
Dress appropriately in simple - comfortable clothes that reflect your personality.
Avoid wearing new shoes (squeaking noises) and do practice wearing your tie.
Be punctual - don't be late or even too early.
Read up about the company - what business they are into, growth trends, diversification etc
Read your own resume - be sure that you don't have to look into your resume to recall details during the interview.
Carry extra copies of your resume and testimonials - you never know when you may need them.
Make sure you know the full name and designation of the person interviewing you.
Keep your references ready.
Remember to make a note of your previous or current salary with all its components.
Make a good first impression.
Wish the interviewer(s) cheerfully and with a smile.
A firm handshake is an indicator of how you are feeling. If you are a lady, then some male employers might not make the first move, but go ahead and initiate the handshake.
Wait till you are asked to sit down.
Look the person in the eye.
Do not appear too nervous or overconfident - Your body language usually conveys more than what you are saying. Don't slouch or lean forward too much.
Try to curb nervous mannerisms [eg. fidgeting or biting your finger.]
Appear comfortable, confident and interested in securing the job.
During the interview -
Start the interview with a pleasant smile.
Always remember to give a firm handshake. If there are women in your interview panel, wait for the other person to extend the hand while shaking hands.
Listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying.
Stress on what you can contribute to the organisation.
Remember that the employer is in control of the interview.
Don't be too long-winded, say what you want to convey in crisp sentences and use terms that would convey your job & achievements.
Complete your sentences - don't answer just yes or no.
What you don't know can be learned, tell them if you don't know something. But give instances of how quick a learner you are.
Do not boast. People on the other side are shrewd and can generally see through you. At the same time talk about achievements giving due credit to others.
When talking about yourself and your aspirations, do not sound vague or do not say that you don't know something. You should be very clear and precise about what you want to do, where you want to go etc. If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification, don't answer vaguely.
Don't talk about your personal problems, why you need the job etc.
Don't get personal, even if you know the interviewer personally.
Don't be overconfident or too nervous.
Don't badmouth your previous employer - you could do the same in the case of the prospective customer.
Don't complain about politics, a bad boss or a poor salary - your reasons for change should be higher responsibilities, location etc.
If the interviewer is interrupted during the course of the interview, don't pick up papers on his/her desk and read them.
Don't ask about salary before the offer is made.
Strike a balance between what you actually are and what you want to be, don't paint a picture of yourself as somebody who is not concerned about money, social status etc.
Don't be in a hurry to complete the interview.
Ask questions at the end of the interview, it could be about the company, the job or the next stage of the interview process. It will be an indicator of your interest in the position.
Send a thank-you letter, outlining your interest in the job and why you are qualified for it.
Be Positive and Confident - And the Job is yours. Best of Luck!
Is it the salad itself or the dressing used and the way it is presented that makes the dish more appealing? The analogy, and the answer, are apt when it comes to discussing a resume as well.
The perfect resume must excel in both content and format. Spruce your resume with these simple, effective tips and you will definitely get those interview calls.
What a resume is not -
It is not a biography.
It is not a statement of purpose listing your short-term and long-term goals.
It should not just be a long list of landmarks in your professional career.
Think from a recruiter's point of view - Your potential employer may not have enough time on his or her hands to read a 10-page masterpiece, so ensure your resume does not extend beyond a couple of pages. Leading newspapers have realised not all their readers have the time to read each and every article, which is why you see the present trend of using summary boxes for long-winded articles.
When you draft your resume, think from a recruiter's point of view. Provide information that a prospective employer needs to know and not the kind of information you want him/ her to read.
An oft-quoted line amongst book critics is that Bill Clinton's autobiography, My Life, was a 1,000-page book that had everything in it except what people really wanted to know. Keep this in mind when you are drafting your resume.
The purpose of a resume - A resume or curriculum vitae is a window to you, your personality and your skill sets. Its raison d'etre is to convince a recruiter that you deserve to be called for an interview. It should present you in the best possible light and convince a prospective employer that you can add value to the company.
It should tantalise enough to make an employer pick up the phone and dial your number. Your resume should not simply inform; it should also excite a would-be employer.
The resume can also act as a sample of your skills. If done well, it can show how you can organise a large amount of data in a few words. It can also showcase your skills if you plan to opt for a career in designing, advertising or copywriting.
Summary - Here are points you must definitely include:
Experience in your profession - Give valuable insights; for example, if you are in the advertising industry, you could mention the big players and important names you have worked with.
Skills gained in the field - Apart from skills you are expected to gain in your field of work, do highlight skills you may have picked up as extras. For example, if you are a teacher, your expected skills would include your command over the language concerned, the ability to handle students and your knowledge about the subject concerned. However, if you are also involved in organising workshops for teachers, you can also mention your ability to organise events and liaison effectively.
General skills - This could include interpersonal skills, a knowledge of computers, etc. If you know computer packages apart from MS Office, such as Photoshop and Adobe page maker, and if you know how to make a Powerpoint presentation, do mention it. Many recruiters are on the look out for personnel who can multi-task.
Accomplishments in concrete terms - Mention successful projects that you have handled/ been part of. Focus on career progression, especially if you have been promoted in a short space of time. If you have won any award or citation such as Best Employee Of The Month, mention it; this will present you in a positive light.
Academic record - Give your record in reverse chronological order, mentioning your most recent qualification first.
Packaging and content - Packaging is as important as content -- both should go hand in hand.
Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address should lead your resume.
The format you use should be consistent. Do not use too many stylistic fonts and don't change the font size too often.
The first impression is the last impression, so the first few lines must be really impressive. List about three to four major skills and two achievements in the first summary section. The qualities you focus on should be compelling, not generalised.
Using a job objective as a starting point is a good focal point. Here is an example:
Job objective: Senior-level assignments in the area of logistics and supply chain management in the Office Automation, IT/ Telecom industry in a dynamic organisation.
What a prospective employer really wants to know is what you can do for them. Instead of just listing your achievements, try and tailor your resume to the needs of the company concerned. It may simply mean changing a few lines here and there on a resume you have already created.
Don't be too humble. You have to sell yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for you. Give concrete achievements. For example, if you increased sales by six percent or created a database of clients, mention it instead of making generalised statements like 'used problem-solving skills' or 'created aggressive marketing strategies' that do not speak of actual results.
If you have progressed up the ladder in a particular company, you need to point this out. For example, if you joined as a trainee and were then promoted to a managerial level within two years, mention it instead of simply saying you are a manager.
What to avoid -
Lousy spellings are a real put-off. Talk about your career prospects instead of your 'carrier' prospects.
Standardise your language. Use either American English or British English, not a sprinkling of both.
Don't exaggerate your skills. It may get you the job, but you will have difficulty retaining the post if you cannot deliver.
Don't talk about unrealistic goals: 'I want to progress from a cub reporter to a reporter independently handling a political beat' is realistic, while 'I aim to be editor of the newspaper soon,' is highly unrealistic. Happy job hunting!
A resume should be specific and all business. Don't try to be too smart or too cute. After all, you are asking an employer to invest significant time and money by choosing you over many other similarly qualified people. Employers mainly want to know whether you are appropriately qualified and experienced, and if you have the ability to "deliver the goods." 2. More Than Two Pages Is Too Much-
For students, recent graduates, or people with just a few years of experience, try to keep your resume to one page, two as an absolute maximum. Even a resume for someone with20 years or more of extensive working experience, should not exceed three pages. In some cases, one or two "optional" pages can be referred to as "available upon request." These would be such optional annexes as a list of references or an inventory of recent projects and/or publications.
3. Get The Words and Punctuation Right-
Make sure the grammar, spelling, and punctuation in your resume are perfect. Any obvious mistakes will hurt your credibility. Also, be sure to keep the language clear and simple. If you draft it yourself, have someone with excellent writing skills do an editorial review and a careful proofread of it. If a professional prepares it for you, such reviews are the responsibility of the resume preparation firm. Use an accepted English language "style guide" if you want to be sure of the finer points of word usage, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, etc.
4. Read Between The Lines-
Customize the resume to match the stated requirements of the job that you are applying for, without being misleading. Review and analyze the job advertisement carefully. Look for and itemize the key qualifications, skills, and abilities the employer is seeking. Then identify certain key words that are usually repeated in such ads. Make sure that the wording and sequence of points in your resume reflect and address these "corporate terminologies" and" code words" as much as possible. When possible, study the company's annual report and Web site, and weave the themes and terms found there into your resume and cover letter.
5. Make Sure It Looks Good-
Use a crisp, clean, simple presentation format for a professional looking resume. Just a bit of simple line work and/or shading, done with standard word processing software will do the trick. If you don't have the aptitude for this, there is most likely someone among your friends or in your office who can help you achieve a professional presentation. If not, seek professional advice. It won't cost much for a good simple layout, but it will make a world of difference to the product.
6. Show What You Can Do Today-
Focus, first and foremost, on your recent experience that is most relevant to the position at hand. Less relevant and/or dated experience should be either eliminated or summarized in brief point form near the end of your resume. When reviewing your resume information, a prospective employer wants to know what you are doing now, what you have done recently, and how that relates to the job requirements of the post they are trying to fill.
7. Be A Straight-Shooter-
Be completely honest. When people lie or "creatively exaggerate" on their resume, they are almost invariably exposed, sooner or later. Think about it - who really wants to get a job based on a lie(s) and then have to live in fear of eventually being found out? We often read in the newspaper about high-profile folks who get caught in are sume falsehood or exaggeration, and it isn't very pretty.
8. Follow The Instructions-
Submit your resume in exactly the form that the prospective employer requests. If they say e-mail or fax is okay, do it that way. However, if they ask for it by regular mail, send it the way they ask. They must have reasons for requesting it in such a form and they are geared up to process it that way. If your resume is to be sent by snail mail, use the complete address that they specify, or it could go to the wrong office, especially in a large organization.
9. Don't Get Lost In The Mail-
Be careful to respect certain conventions that the potential employer may require in your resume. For example, make sure that the cover letter mentions the exact name of the specific position you are applying for, and the competition number, if applicable. Sometimes an employer will request that the job title and/or number be printed on the outside of the envelope. You would not want to miss out on a job because you didn't follow minor administrative requirements.
10. Keep The Cover Short and Focused-
In the cover letter, don't repeat what is already detailed in the body of the attached resume. It is a "cover" letter. It should be short and to the point. Introduce yourself first, and then briefly summarize why you believe that you have the qualifications and experience to fulfill the duties of the position better than anyone else. Express enthusiasm about the job and the company. Close by stating how you are looking forward to hearing more from them soon, and that you will follow-up if necessary.
