The negotiation soft skills you need and how to use them

The negotiation soft skills you need and how to use themThe negotiation soft skills you need and how to use themNegotiation is one of the fruchtwein important soft skills you should have at work. If you dont already have a strong negotiation skill set, dont worry.Whether youre negotiating an annual software contract for your lean startup or youre asking for a salary increase, negotiation- in one form or another- is almost a daily occurrence in the workplace.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraNegotiation skills come naturally to some people. These were the shrewd business kids who were able to convince you to give them your priceless Dunkaroos in exchange for a measly apple sauce in kindergarten.Unlike many soft skills that are more innate, negotiation can be taught. In fact, a study by UC Berkeley found that people who believed negotiation could be learned outperformed (and out-neg otiated) those who regarded negotiation as an innate, heritable trait. In addition to that, this study proved that, in negotiation, practice makes perfect. And with over eight trial negotiations, performance improved steeply.So how do you teach negotiation? Do you stand in the mirror and practice bartering for a bunch of bananas? Do you hit up local estate sales and haggle for a dining room set?Perhaps. However, possibly the most important aspect of learning and growing your negotiation skills is by enacting a growth mindset.There are many well-known negotiation tactics, like BATNA and ZOPA, but you dont necessarily have to get your MBA to learn how to be great. There are five critical skills that go into any negotiation.KnowledgeNo matter how smooth of a negotiator you may be, you always want to go into a negotiation with knowledge. In short, to be ready for a home-run negotiation, you will want to arm yourself with as much knowledge on the subject a humanly possible.Know what you want out of this negotiationKnow what you dont want or need out of this negotiationKnow where your dealbreakers lieKnow the data and numbers you need to back up your claims and ideasFor example, if you are going to a car dealership to buy a car, you are going to run into some of your most skilled negotiators- car salespeople.Dont come in underprepared, or theyll bury you under a mountain of fees and features you dont need. Do you really need those heated seats if you live in Southern California? Know what you actually want in a car. Know what you dont need. Know what other dealers are offering. Know when you need to walk out. Know that you ultimately have the power to say yes or no. Recognize when the negotiation is veering away from the must-haves into an area of nice-to-haves. Dont settle for the $300/month payment with the heated sets, rear-view camera, and self-starting ignition. Instead, get what you came for- a $250/month payment without all the unnecessary bells and whistles. By preparing yourself with the requisite knowledge beforehand, you are sure to enter any negotiation on top.UnderstandingWhether youre entering a one-on-one negotiation or a negotiation with a group of people, you will need to understand the other party.Understanding means listening to the other partys point of view. Any successful negotiation requires a clear understanding of the opponent. According to a study by Psychological Science, perspective-taking, or understanding an opponents interest, thoughts, and behaviors will set a negotiator up for success.Aside from understanding what your opponent wants out of this negotiation, perspective-taking allows you to speak your opponents language. For example, if you are looking to purchase a software suite for your graphic design department and you know your opponent (maybe the CEO?) loves the graphic design of a competitor, use that. Explain to her that, with this software, you can create and surpass the profilloser reifen graphic desig n in a way your current software does not allow.Make it your business to learn all that you can about the other party.Understand what they valueUnderstand what they do not valueUnderstand their motivationsUnderstand their interests, hobbies, and core valuesCritical thinkingNegotiation requires a good amount of critical thinking, both in preparation and in action. Critical thinking may seem like a general term, but its important.A lot falls under the umbrella of critical thinking- including questioning, probing, analyzing, testing, and exploring. From there, a skilled negotiator will use the information to both ask questions and respond to rebuttals in a systematic manner.So why is critical thinking so important in negotiation? Well, remember that example about entering a car dealership and being offered bells and whistles that you dont necessarily need? By employing critical thinking before and during a negotiation, you will be equipped to differentiate a good outcome from an unnece ssary or unsatisfactory outcome.ValueBefore entering any negotiation, especially one that directly involves money spend, know your numbers. Keep in mind that dollar amount does not always correspond directly with actual value.Price is what you pay value is what you get. Warren BuffettValue is different from cost. Cost is, of course, the dollar amount that is attached to something like a pay increase, a purchase, or an acquisition. Value is the continual growth and offer that comes afterward. Value is the accompanying importance, usefulness, and dividend from an investment.For example, if you are negotiating a pay increase, focus on the value of your work rather than the dollar sign attached to the actual increase. Prepare figures that reflect the value of your work, the growth you achieved, and your detailed plans for further growth. Coming into a negotiation flaunting your value is ensure to make a huge impression on your opponent.ConfidenceYouve built your knowledge base. You hav e a deep understanding of your opponent. You have engaged in deep, critical thinking. You have analyzed (and re-analyzed) the numbers and value involved.Confidence - specifically self-confidence - is one of the more difficult soft skills to teach.Now, make sure you have the confidence to go into this negotiation with your deep comprehension. If you followed all the previous steps, your confidence should come naturally- you know more than anybody on this topic- even your opponent.One of the most important traits of a good negotiator is knowing when to walk away from the deal- and to feel confident and secure in doing so. Once the negotiation is veering away from your intended goals, you will know to walk away. From there, you can decide whether to re-enter negotiation at a later date or whether to drop it altogether and work with someone more aligned with your ultimate goals.This article first appeared on Career Contessa.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that w ill make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

This common disorder may increase the risk of Alzheimers Disease

This common disorder may increase the risk of Alzheimers DiseaseThis common disorder may increase the risk of Alzheimers DiseaseThough the how remains uncertain, a study conducted by a team of Yale University scientists suggests depression might expedite the cognitive decline that comes with old age.Irina Esterlis, one of the neurologist and researchers on the team that presented the theory, believes their recent consideration to be a potential game-changer for medications going forward.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe breakthroughThe messages that brain cells send to each other are called synapses. The stronger the synapse, the better the cognitive function.Using a relatively new method of scanning brains (one that allows for the scanning of synapses in living tissue) Esterlis and her team analyzed the minds of both seniors and young adults. They saw that people with depress ion have a lower density of synapses than people who dont have depression. Among other things, the lower the density of synapses the worst the patients ability to retain attention. Esterlis said,We think depression might be accelerating the normal aging process.By the teams own admission, the pool utilized used for the study is much too small to purport anything resembling conclusive. But the data acquired thus far certainly earned more research.Because there isnt currently medication that addresses synapse damage, further examination willbe a little tricky, but Esterlis intends to move ahead with more investigation. However,these findings warrant some celebration for the ever-growing community of sufferers of mental illness.Linking depression and anxiety to Alzheimers and dementia isnt a novel consideration in the science community. But examining the shared cognitive damage they induce in an attempt to treat both has sparked some interest.Several experts, for instance, laud it simp ly for creating just one more incentive to take diseases of psychosis more seriously.If your mood isnt enough to make you go and get treated, then hopefully your cognition is, said Dr. Mary Sano, director atthe Mount Sinai Alzheimers Disease Research Center in New York.The long view seems to be one of the most productive avenues. As Ladders previously reported, the external factors that determine rapid cognitive decline is a world obscured enough, throw in preexisting mental afflictions and it only makes it even more shrouded. Failure on the subject is good, bad science can only be mitigated by less bad science, to paraphrase neurologist Sam Harris.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from kleine Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong peo ple

4 ways to shut down your smartphone obsession

4 ways to shut down yur smartphone obsession4 ways to shut down your smartphone obsessionWe already know that were obsessed with our phones. But when it comes to how and when we use them, we ultimately have a choice.Hopefully these tips will help you become the less phone-focused and more carefree.First, heres why youre notlage aloneIt isnt just you.Pew Research reported in 2017 that 77% of adults the U.S. say theyre smartphone owners, compared to a mere 35% in 2011. Forty-six percentof smartphone owners said their smartphone is something they couldnt live without.Heres what you can do.Find out where you standCan you even guess how many times you check your phone every day?A Forbes article mentions a way to figure out how hooked on your technology you are upfront.Start with measurement, to get an accurate picture of how frequently you check whichever platform or device you want to cut down on. How often do you check per hour? Measure and record this. How often do you check per day? i t says.Remember, your cell phone is not a traditional alarm clockStop the social media onslaught before it starts.A Thrillist article about kicking an iPhone habit says not to use it as an alarm clock We all know how it goes once youre done dealing your standard wave of 20 snoozes, you flick off the alarm, and go straight to browsing Instagram, email, videos of baby elephants- youve already bogged yourself down with a tech overload before your feet hit the floor. If you want to distance yourself from your tech in a meaningful way, you need to nip the problem in the drowsy bud. And since so many of us literally wake up with our phone in our hands, this is the first place to start cutting back.So instead of trying to pull away from the screens blue light in the early hours of the morning - right after shutting off the alarm- rely on a traditional alarm clock to get the job done.Put it far, far awayOn that note, it only makes sense to include a tip about keeping your phone separate f rom you - in fact, the further away the better.An Entrepreneur article talks about how you should keep it somewhere else in a tip about being unplugged occasionally.If you have an important project you need to complete or you just want to spend quality time with friends and family, leave your phone in another room and try not to check it more than two or three times a day. Give yourself a smartphone break once in a while. Ultimately, you want to be in control of your phone and not the other way around, it says.Ditch the notificationsPing. Beep. Pingbeep.Sometimes it feels impossible to keep up with all the notifications flooding your phone over the course of an average day.Thats why its important to preserve your mental clarity.A LifeHacker articlesays you should shut notifications off on your phone.Specifically, turn off all notifications that dont require immediate action. You can probably leave calls and texts on, but turn off everything from Twitter, Facebook, and every app wit h a follow function. Turn off your email notifications too. Its not as if you dont check your email every 20 minutes anyway. If you need, establish a call/text if its an emergency policy it says, continuing onto other points, including that notifications that hold a little more weight can be hidden from the front screen and made silent.

5 Retail Jobs to Help Build Your Career

5 Retail Jobs to Help Build Your Career 5 Retail Jobs to Help Build Your Career The key to these changes? Amazing employees.Building connections with customers is still the most important part of the retail business. Salespeople are still the faces of their companies. As customer preferences change, the retailers with the best employees are able to stay competitive.Why does this matter for you as a job seeker? First of all,more than 15 1000000 jobs are connected directly tophysical retail locations. Furthermore, retail offers an excellent way to enter the career of your dreams. Many people in the fashion and beauty industries, for example, started in retail roles that allowed them to showcase their strengths. From there, they were able to climb the ladder.Retail is a great and often overlooked starting point for many careers. In retail, you can put your skills on display and gain exposure to major brands.When thinking about retail jobs, your thoughts may turn first to cashiers, s tylists, and personal shoppers, but there are many other positions out there. Here are some entry-level retail opportunities that could be the perfect way to launch your career1. Seasonal SupportSeasonal employees typically work from the beginning of the fall season through the winter. Retailers look to these employees to help them handle the increased traffic of back-to-school and holiday shopping. In some stores, seasonal staff are also needed for brand- or industry-specific events, like anniversary sales or collection launches. Working seasonally is a great way to earn experience and extra income.2. Merchandise HandlerBrands rely on merchandise handlers to move products through the distribution process. Experience in merchandise handling can be particularly helpful for those who wish to work on the business end of fashion, as it will teach you all about business operations and logistics.3. Visual MerchandiserIf youre drawn to the entwurf side of the business, you can try your han d at becoming a visual merchandiser. In this role, you will arrange eye-catching displays to advertise great products anddraw the window-shoppers into your store.4. Stocking AssistantRetail stores require stocking assistants to maintain full shelves and organized stores, especially during busy times of year. Cluttered or otherwise aesthetically displeasing stores will turn customers away, so retailers rely on the attention to detail and strong organizational skills of stocking assistants to keepthe in-store experience positive for shoppers. Great stocking assistants often develop an eye for style and visual merchandising.4. Omni-Channel EmployeeThanks to the rise of online shopping, stores now need omni-channel employees people who can meet the entire range of shoppers needs. Omni-channel employees play an important role in making online and in-store experiences more cohesive. Whether they are checking product information or placing eCommerce orders, omni-channel employees are key hires in the future of retail. Furthermore, being an omni-channel employee will help you cultivate modern tech skills that can easily translate from role to role as you move up in your career.Glenn Laumeister is the CEO ofAllWork, a talent-matching platform for brands and retailers.

Why Everybody Is Wrong Regarding Teacher Resume Skills and Why You Must Read This Report

Why Everybody Is Wrong Regarding Teacher Resume Skills and Why You Must Read This Report Before going into the teaching profession, you must acquire a wide selection of skills and has to also earn the right certifications. Be certain to have all the vital certifications to supply the ideal education for your students. Ensure you highlight technical wisdom and certifications. For your objective statement to work, it has to demonstrate that as a teacher youve got the skills, knowledge, or experience to fit in the mission, vision, or aims of the school. Even a bit of a skill is far better than no skills in any respect You must also chat about past experience. On one hand, you might not have sufficient experience so that youre likely to have to put a great deal of emphasis on your technical teaching abilities and soft skills on your resume. Mention youve got experience with it. The Ultimate Teacher Resume Skills Trick If you want to work in education, you fruchtwein likely hav e lofty goals that go beyond just obtaining a job. No matter what type of industry youre aiming to land work in, you want to personalize your list of skills for the position. The very last thing that you want to do is apply for work in education with a subpar resume. New Ideas Into Teacher Resume Skills Never Before Revealed You should make certain you place your certifications along with endorsements on your teacher resume loud and clear. Prior to applying for a teaching job make certain your preschool teacher resume presents the best you have to offer you. Probably, you were given the chance to be in charge of a number of the lesson planning during your stint for a student teacher. Ensure your resume is crystal clear and informative and targeted to the particular teacher job prospect. For more information on how best to structure a graduate school resume, have a look at our guide about how to compose a graduate school resume. Teachers are a few of the most hardworking, pat ient and dependable workers out there. Turning into a teacher may be a noble profession. The Importance of Teacher Resume Skills As soon as your document was written, our professional editor will ensure there are not any errors. Conclusion For your resume to be successful in getting you an interview, where you could convince the employer that youre the greatest elementary teacher around, your objective statement has to be grabbing. Should you need an example to have a look at, make sure that you take a look at the sample teacher resume at the close of the write-up When writing a resume, it helps to review resume examples that are associated with your occupation. All About Teacher Resume Skills One of the crucial skills youll have picked up during your education internships is classroom administration. Youre likely to stick out from the rest of the teachers by putting the perfect quantity of emphasis on sections like soft abilities, technical abilities and interests. Its ne ver too early to assist students learn to compose a resume. When many students might just be drafting a resume they havent any intention of using immediately, its helpful to make them imagine who might be the recipient of their resume. In the event the employer is unable to determine if youd like to teach sixth grade math or kindergarten, then they may toss your resume to the side and move to the subsequent one. Learn more on the subject of the top skills employers search for in candidates. Resumes can be exceedingly critical since it will help your employers find out more about your backgroundthe skills youve got, educational attainments, and previous work experiences. Whispered Teacher Resume Skills Secrets Teachers need in order to solve a number of problems, often below a tight deadline. Teachers are anticipated to create a difference, therefore its very important to prove that on your resume. They must, of course, understand the material that they teach. Most teachers s hould list all their certifications, or any time they anticipate receiving them. New Step by Step Roadmap for Teacher Resume Skills You may be just starting out or you might be just searching for short-term work. In order to acquire the best chances of landing your teacher job, you should make sure youre making the best resume that you are able to. To be able to compose a good resume the very first thing youve got to think about is your audience. For example, if you wrote months for your job dates on the remainder of your resume, make certain that you include it here, too. Therefore, our aim is to offer you the very best tools you have to succeed. Incorporating the right information is critical to get the upper hand over your competition. Just dont forget that the procedure takes time. Make sure that you have a minumum of one example for a time you demonstrated every one of the top five skills listed here. Teacher Resume Skills - the Conspiracy As with any other job res ume, you need to include your entire name, telephone number, address and even your e-mail address right at the exact top of it. Writing a strong application is a difficult procedure and we would like to make it simpler. The technical skills are ordinarily the keywords which each recruiter will try to find in your resume. Infographic resumes seem nice, but you also have to be concerned about applicant tracking system computer software. If youre asking for a position in the same school board in which you have taught in preceding decades, you need to be able to gloss over any skills that are needed by that board. Additionally, youre no longer on the lookout for a teaching job A good example could be when youre asking for a school in a sizable district because hundreds of resumes are coming through and theyre going to should quickly identify which pile the resume ought to be added to. If youre considering applying to be a teacher, then the very first step you will need is a resu me to assist you.

Hiring Mistakes Employers Often Make - Spark Hire

Hiring Mistakes Employers Often Make - Spark HireIts true that as a hiring manager, it is easy to pick out the mistakes that the candidates you are interviewing make. After all, you are interviewing for fit, skills and general personality in the hiring process. You want to make sure you are hiring the right person and are on the look out for tell-tale signs that show you this candidate is not the right fit. However, as a hiring manager there are many mistakes that you can make as well. A while back we deckblatted a couple of the reasons why job seekers dislike employers in the job search. In the interest of constantly improving and making our processes better though, lets expand upon that and look at some of the hiring mistakes employers often make.Evaluate Based on PersonalityTrue, you need to be interviewing job seekers to see if they fit in with your company culture, and part of that involves personality. However, as a hiring manager if you are evaluating job seekers solely on th eir personality you are missing out on a great pool of talent. As About.com states, its easy for employers to want to hire job seekers that are mostly like them. They figure theyll get along better with these candidates and work will be much smoother. Perhaps this is true, but in order for a company to thrive there needs to be diversity in opinions, thoughts and execution. A mora diverse company will likely succeed over a company that employs workers that all think alike. As a hiring manager, you need to look at the full package and that means looking beyond just personality.You Only Ask QuestionsYes, the bulk of the interview will be asking questions, evaluating the answers and conversing, but there should be more to your hiring process. As we discussed in the 4 ways to hire the best talent like Steve Jobs, taking your candidates on a walk to learn more about their personality can really help determine the best fit. Depending on the job, you may even want to have the candidates act ually put their skills to work as part of your hiring process. For instance, I once interviewed for a PR writing position and the employer had me write up a press release onsite in 30 minutes. Theres no better way for employers to see that you have the skills to get the job done.That is why video interviews are such a great tool to use in the hiring process. You can ask the general interview questions in a one-way interview and weed out candidates from the get-go. Then when you have these job seekers actually come into the office for an in-person interview, you can spend time on more important things.Only Use an Applicant Tracking SystemResume tracking software can be really useful in the hiring process. It can find a bulk of job seekers that are on point with what you need by scanning resumes and cover letters for important keywords. However, if this is the only way you gather resumes to skim through you are probably missing out on prime talent. Use a resume tracking software in yo ur hiring process, but sift through the resumes of job seekers on your own as well when you have the time. That way you can pick up on the talent you may be missing out on.IMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by doobybrain