How to make your job application process more productive

woman focusing on the task on her laptop

Applying for jobs can be a long and tedious process, but with a few simple changes, you can help increase your chances of landing the jobs you like.

In this post, we will go over a few tips on how to make your job application process more productive. Following these tips will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of receiving an offer from your desired employer.

Ensure your online presence is updated

Recruiters and employers often do a quick Google search to see what they can find out about you. And if they don’t like what they see, they will move on to the next candidate. So you must make sure your social media accounts and your saved resumes on third-party websites are up to date.

Creating a master list of companies you prefer

Next, you should start by creating a list of all the companies you would love to work for. This could be anywhere from five to 10 companies, or even more if you’re feeling ambitious. Once you have your list together, do some digging and find out what these companies are looking for in their employees. What are their core values? What skills do they prioritize?

Researching the decision-makers at those companies
man in a suit

Image Credits: unsplash.com

You’ve probably heard the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Well, when it comes to job applications, that statement is especially true. If you want to increase your chances of landing the jobs you like, you need to make sure that the people who are making the decisions know who you are.

The best way to do that is by researching the key decision-makers at your target companies. Once you know their names, you can start building relationships with them by following them on social media, subscribing to their newsletters, and even attending their offline events.

If you can make a good impression on the key decision-makers, your chances of getting the job will be much higher. So make sure to put in the extra effort and go above and beyond with your job applications.

Submitting tailored applications rather than generic ones

Generic applications might get you noticed, but they’re not going to increase your chances of landing the job.

Tailoring your application means taking the time to research the company and the role you’re applying for. Find out what the company is looking for and highlight how your skills and experience make you the perfect candidate.

Keep your resume concise and focus on the most relevant information. And be sure to tailor your cover letter to each job you apply for. It takes a bit more effort, but it’s worth it in the end.

Following up with decision-makers after you’ve submitted your application
woman on a phone call

Image Credits: unsplash.com

When you submit your job application, don’t just sit back and wait for a response. Follow up with the decision makers to show that you’re interested in the position and serious about the process.

There are a few different ways you can go about this. You could send a quick email or call to check in and see how your application is doing. Whichever method you choose, make sure you personalize it to fit the company’s culture.

For example, if the company is super formal, then use a formal tone in your email. But if it’s more laid-back, then feel free to be more casual. The bottom line is that you want to do whatever you can to show that you’re extremely keen to be part of the team. Following up is a superb way to do that.

Your job search process doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of landing the jobs you like. First, target your job applications. Don’t apply for every open job. Second, make sure your resume is up-to-date and tailored to the jobs you’re applying for. Finally, practice your interview skills. Make a list of common interview questions and prepare answers for them. Follow these tips, and you will be on your way to landing the jobs you like!

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Inexpensive Ways To Improve Your Home Office

For most people, working from home is their fantasy come to life. However, it comes with its own challenges. Mentally transitioning from “personal mode” to “professional mode” can be difficult if you are physically on the same place and just steps away from your bed. How can someone be inspired to produce outputs on such cozy conditions?

While it is easy to wear sweatpants in the home office, you need to establish new routines to improve your productivity. Take time to thoughtfully choose the right setup. Improving your home office is a worthy investment of your time and money.

#1: INVEST ON A BACK PILLOW

If you do not have the budget to purchase an ergonomic chair, revamp a standard chair by adding a back pillow. You can buy an affordable curved foam cushion for your chair or roll up a towel to act as your back support. This will give you the comfort you need for countless hours of working.

#2: RAISE YOUR DEVICE

Notice how you are working. Usually, your monitor or laptop screen is too low. This is why many people hunch over or crack their necks in the working process. There are two simple solutions. Firstly, you may purchase a laptop stand or riser. The stand allows a few inches of height and tilt. Secondly, you can add a few books under the base of your monitor. Raise it to a comfortable height. You will know what is best!

#3: ORGANIZE YOUR CORDS

There is nothing more annoying than tangled cords. If you are working from home, you are more likely to rely on several devices to keep your efficiency up. Manage the excessive cords by using zip-ties or double-sided Velcro. You can add labels too.

#4: KEEP A CLOTH BESIDE YOU

Do not let pet hair or dust distract you. Keep an inexpensive microfiber cloth on your desk to wipe your screen or your table. You can use two cloth towels – one for wet substances and one for dry substances. Replace these towels every day. Alternatively, you may use a pack of disinfectant wipes to clean your surfaces.

#5: BOOST YOUR LIGHT

Lighting is the key. Having a good light can have a significant impact on one’s concentration and productivity. In fact, a study showed 16% increase in efficiency by using good office lighting. Boost your productivity by repurposing a vintage or antique table lamp.

#6: ADD SOME PLANTS

Image credits: pixabay.com

You must never underestimate the power of nature. Adding a few plants on your home office will not only make it aesthetically pleasing, but also make it a suitable place to work. Plants have positive effects on one’s body and mind. Improve your mood by adding indoor plants to your space. The snake plant is my personal favorite!

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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How to maximize productivity and cut down on procrastination

say no to procrastination

There are only 24 hours a day but do you feel that sometimes time just isn’t enough? Coupled with procrastination, it seems like the days are getting shorter as time goes by.

If you share the same sentiments, find out how to maximize productivity and cut down on procrastination with Dr Kumaran Rajaram, professor at Nanyang Business School, and Dr Eugene Tan, a dermatologist with National Skin Centre. Both are authors of Street-Smart Strategies for Time Mastery, a book launched earlier this year.

#1: Create a to-do list
write a to-do list

Image Credits: Mental Floss

There are 101 things to do every day. Instead of running it through your head and getting stressed out, Dr Kumaran advises us to start by creating a to-do list. Honestly, I’m a fan of this strategy. By listing everything on paper (or e-document), you will be able to see for yourself the range of tasks you need to complete.

You may have tasks that are important but you don’t have to do it immediately. That is when you have to look through and classify them accordingly. Start with the urgent ones and savour the sense of fulfilment as you tick them off the list once it’s done.

#2: Give yourself an artificial deadline
give yourself deadlines

Image Credits: ied.eu

Dr Eugene shares with us an example. Let’s say if you have an assignment due at the end of the month, then maybe you can set a personal deadline to finish it by mid-month.

While two weeks may be a lot of time in advance, it will definitely give you the motivation to take action more quickly and fight procrastination.

#3: Multi-tasking is not recommended
no multi-tasking

Image Credits: Wooclap

All of us take on many roles in life. There are tons of priorities we have to take on concurrently. Maybe you’re a professional at work but you’re doing part-time studies as well and also a parent at home.

Dr Eugene said that while he agrees that people may have multiple roles and responsibilities, multi-tasking is not recommended in most cases. This is because research has shown that multitasking slows down our performance and we end up requiring more time than originally needed to complete a simple task.

“At any one time, we should be single-tasking to do just one thing at a time and focus on doing it well,” he adds.

#4: Ponder over pain and pleasure
Ponder over pain and pleasure

Image Credits: Freepik

When you don’t feel the impetus to work on a task, here are the two forces to think about – pain and pleasure.

For example, when you don’t feel like working on that monthly report, think about the pain and consequences of not doing so. By procrastinating, every minute is wasted and before you know it, the day is over. Now, you’re left with lesser time than before to start working on it. You might even need to work overtime during the weekend just to get the report ready before the new week begins.

As for pleasure, Dr Kumaran draws us an analysis with ice cream as a reward. For instance, you may not feel like spending that half an hour on a task, but giving yourself a reward at the end of the allocated work time might take care of the problem. If your motivation is ice-cream, then promise yourself that you will complete the task you need to do and the sweet treat is yours after that is done.

#5: Identify your main distractor
asian-man-using-mobile-phone

Image Credits: Freepik

As we come to a close, if there’s one thing that you must take away from this article, it would be to identify your main distractor as suggested by Dr Eugene.

Distractions are what keep our productivity low and procrastinations high. Most of us can’t deny that our mobile phones are a great distraction. You may be tempted to scroll through your social media feeds or check the latest news on discounts. It’s also the first thing we reach out to as soon as we’re awake.

Last July, a survey revealed that almost half of Singaporeans cannot bear to part with their mobile phones for even one day. As the saying goes, ‘out of sight, out of mind’. If needed, put it away from you when you’re working on important tasks. It may also help to set a time limit on your screen time or block off a period of time to keep your hands off your phone.

About Street-Smart Strategies for Time Mastery
Street-Smart Strategies for Time Mastery

Image Credits: candidcreation.com

Price: S$15.90

Click here to buy

To do well in today’s fast-moving world, it is no longer enough to work hard. You need to work smart. One of the key success factors for students and adult learners is the art of mastering what you do with your time.

Despite each of us having 24 hours or 1,440 minutes a day, replenished automatically at the start of each day, we often hear people complaining that they do not have enough time to complete their daily tasks.

This book aims to equip you with actionable ideas and methods to help you clearly identify and avoid falling into time-wasting traps, clarify your utmost priorities at any one time, and supercharge your productivity using street-smart strategies for time mastery.

When you take practical, concrete actions to improve the way you use your time, you will regain full control of your time and day. With consistent application of these strategies over time, you will soon find yourself on the highway of super achievement.

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How To Be More Productive During Quarantine

With the beaming light from my phone and a distinct “ding”, I received a message from my friend. She was up until the wee hours to finish her Interior Design plates. She asked my professional advice regarding the root of her need to procrastinate.

Productivity is premium at this time. It is usually expressed as a ratio of input to output. You may illustrate it as the number of products produced per working hour. Given the cost of the working hours, productivity can also measure the efficiency of a business.

Productivity matters because there is so much that needs to get done in a day. In most business models, profitability is a function of productivity, price, and volume. Interestingly, productivity can be seen as subjective. You define how productive you are. Often, there is a gap between reality and perceived productivity. Combat this by following these tips.

1. SET BITE-SIZED TASKS
2. FOCUS THEN PAUSE
3. KNOW WHY YOU PROCRASTINATE
4. BE PRESENT
5. ALLOW YOURSELF TO FAIL

#1: SET BITE-SIZED TASKS

You do not have to finish everything in one consumption. For instance, I have taken the Google Digital Garage Digital Marketing course for three days. Initially, I have the choice to finish everything in one day or to follow the rhythm of my pacing. I chose the latter. It is healthier that way!

Create a schedule for tasks that need to be completed and break these down into tiny parts. Segmentation allows you to celebrate the completion of each task. This boosts your confidence and helps increase your motivation to continue on.

#2: FOCUS THEN PAUSE

Create a schedule following a specific time-slot to guide your work from home. Focus for periods spanning from 90 to 120 minutes. Then, pause and walk within your flat or nearby. This will help you refresh your mind.

You may also indulge yourself in distractions. It does not hurt to play a game for 10 to 20 minutes. Do the things you were told not to do at the workplace. You deserve this short break. Afterwards, go back to the task at hand.

#3: KNOW WHY YOU PROCRASTINATE

Going back to my friend, I analyzed her need to procrastinate. In her case, it is because she is a perfectionist. She feels the pressure of designing her plates right to get the approval of her supervisor. People envision outcomes so outstanding that their expectations become more intimidating than inspirational.

“Perfectionists aren’t people who do something perfectly. Perfectionists are people who fantasize about doing something perfectly.” – Mr. John Perry, a Philosophy Professor at Stanford University

For entrepreneurs who hold accountability for everything, procrastination is a problem. It usually happens when they have no experience or are not familiar with the topic at hand. Knowing why you procrastinate is the first step!

#4: BE PRESENT

Oh, mindfulness! I have completed 11 days of my mindfulness meditation journey. In my path, I realized that being present is a great way to be productive.

A mindful person knows how to differentiate what is “important” and what is “urgent”. Knowing these labels can help you prioritize certain tasks. Moreover, you will be able to lessen the time spent on unimportant tasks.

#5: ALLOW YOURSELF TO FAIL

Productivity does not equate to perfection! Allow yourself to abandon the plan for the day. Sometimes, things do not go the way you want it to. With the uncertainty knocking in our doors, it is helpful to focus on the progress and allow yourself to fail once in a while.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Technology can either help or distract you. Does it mean that you will quit using it entirely? Of course not! Allow your brain to move from one task to another whenever it pleases. After all, the circuit breaker period is teaching us the importance of slowing down and focusing on what is important.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Motivate Your Employees Without Spending Money

There is an abundance of books, articles, speeches, and workshops that claim to know the secrets behind employee motivation. However, not all of these “secrets” work due to the lack of research behind them. This is why it is important to search for methods which are backed by the principles of Science, Social Studies, or Psychology.

Here are three of the well-renowned theories of motivation which can help you increase workplace productivity:

THE POWER OF GOALS

Goal-setting Theory suggests that properly set and well-managed goals increase employee’s motivation. To apply this theory at the workplace, a manager can assign some SMART goals to his or her employees.

Goal-setting and feedback go hand-in-hand. After communicating the goals, you shall track the performance of each employee in order for them to know if they successfully reached them. Proper execution of feedback will enable the employee to adapt the desirable behavior.

If a goal is met, reward your employee by giving recognition. You can personally acknowledge the achievements and efforts of your employees thru group memos, writing an email, handing a personal note, or awarding a certificate.

THE POWER OF OWNERSHIP

Proponents of the Job Characteristics Model states that jobs will have motivating potential if they offer variety, task significance, and task identification among others.

Let me focus on one aspect: task identification. It is the extent to which an employee feels accountable for the outcomes of the job to the point that it becomes an integral part of his or her identity. Increase task identification contributes to performance and job satisfaction.

Boost this aspect by letting your employees contribute to the planning, reporting, and evaluating phases of the projects.

THE POWER OF OBSERVATION

There is a tendency of people to work harder if they know that they are being watched or observed. Researchers dubbed this tendency as the “Hawthorne Effect”. It is named after a series of studies that was conducted at Hawthorne’s Western Electric Company. The studies measured the influence of physical working conditions on productivity. Rather than the physical changes in environment, employees were motivated to work harder as a reaction to the attention given to them.

Apply the Hawthorne Effect at the workplace by asking for your employees’ suggestions regarding their preferences in the working conditions. Then, ensure that you know what your employees are up to by providing regular feedback.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Keeping your workers motivated is easier said than done. May these theories and its applications help you to accomplish your duties as managers or business owners!

Sources: 1,  2, & 3

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