Jer Blog

Being a leader takes a lot of work and comon sense. In today’s world many of those who have the ability to “make or break” a business, or even a nation, are lacking some, or all of these 10 qualities that any leader should posess:

1. Have vision. Leaders have a clear sense of where they want to go and how they intend to get there. They see the big picture, then create a strategic plan for achieving their goals and are not afraid to share these goals with the rest of the team. 

2. Make decisions. Leaders aren’t afraid to make difficult or unpopular decisions because they have confidence in themselves and in their abilities. They know that indecision wastes valuable resources, time and opportunities.

3. Take risks. Leaders have the courage to act in situations where results aren’t assured. They are both willing to risk failure but also learn from that failure.

Okay, everything is going up. Gas, groceries, electric, you name it, the price of living is rising so much faster than our pay checks over the last few months.

If you are like most people, you are finding that you are less likely to “fill her up” at the gas station; less likely to buying the extra “junk food” you are accustomed to buying at the grocery store, and you are probably being more frugle with the electric around the house.

It is a no brainer that we need to cut corners, and “tighten our belts” during this economic crises.

Unfortunatley, there are a lot of people that are already stretched to their limits, and have been doing cutbacks long before everything was rising in price. Most people only get paid every other week, and they are finding it is hard, if not impossible, to stretch their money over a two week period. Well, fortunately, there has been an influx in small, realtime loans called “Payday Loans”, that are taking the world by storm…

The rules for when you can be promoted, when your salary can increase, and when you’re eligible for training are all strict and senseless and essentially a waste of your time. Why should you wait for these things when you’re not staying with the company more than a few years anyway?

If your learning curve is flattening because your company can’t promote you to another level, take things into your own hands and go to another company. That is a fast way to give yourself a promotion without having to endure the duress of a corporate structure.

Job-hopping used to be the sign of a disloyal employee, but today we know better. In today’s workplace, frequent job change is a way to stay engaged in your work, and job-hopping among positions you’re good at actually builds your skill set and network much faster than if you stay in one job for a long time.

It is a proven fact that candidates who enter interviews with little or no knowledge of the open job position rarely, if ever, get a second interview, much less a job offer.

This is most common for jobs that have a higher salary, and applicants are just looking to secure a better paying job without any knowledge of what it even entails.

If you are applying for a job, it is best to do some research on the position before you even apply for it.

The world is full of willing people… some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.

Robert Frost

Here are some excellent tips when on a job interview:

• Arrive on time
• Introduce yourself in a courteous manner
• Read company materials while you wait
• Have a firm handshake
• Listen
• Use body language to show interest
• Smile, nod, and give non-verbal feedback to the interviewer
• Ask about the next step in the process
• Thank the interviewer

Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have spoken to.

You need to remember it is just as important to interview your future boss, as it is for them to interview you! You want to know whether this company is a place you would want to work, and if the work culture is right for you. However, your main focus will be on picking the right boss. Here are a few questions you should ask:

1. Have you ever been a mentor, or someone on the job? How did it go?

2. Please tell me about the success of one of your team members, and how did you help bring it about?

3. How do you get your team members to work together?

4. Please give some examples of feedback, whether positive or negative, and how did you handle it?

5. What would your employees say your strengths and weaknesses are?