Here is why you should start to network like introverts

Here is why you should start to network like introvertsHere is why you should start to network like introvertsIll be honest with you - Im a total extrovert. I recharge by being around people. But I have plenty of friends and coworkers who are introverts, and you know what? Our solitude-craving counterparts can teach us a lot about how to be successful in business, especially when it comes to networking.Yep, you read that right. I believe introverts are better at networking than most extroverted people.Im not saying they like the idea of networking (who does, really?). In fact, they usually hate it. Theyd probably rather jump into a black hole and never return than go to another networking event ever again, and I dont blame them.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBut luckily, theres an alternative to networking events as we know them. And there are a few things introverts get right about networking that even the most extroverted of us can learn from.1. They dont feel the need to work the room.When networking, it can be tempting to just think about who you need to give your resum to and what they can do for you. It can also be disheartening if you feel like people only want to talk with you to landsee what they can get from you. Ultimately, thats not helpful for either party.On the other hand, introverts - at least the ones I know - are very sincere. They rarely give the impression that theyre just out for themselves. Theyre probably more focused on getting through the event than on how many business cards they can hand out in the shortest amount of time. (But lets be real anyones capable of being insincere whether theyre introverted or extroverted, and thats never a good way to get ahead.)2. They hate meaningless small talk.That doesnt mean introverts cant make small talk - theyd just rather not. Many of my introverted friends would tell you they couldnt care less about talking about the weather or who won last weeks game with people they dont know. Surface-level conversations make them tired. They want to get straight to the important stuff and take the discussion a little bit deeper.Thats a good takeaway for anyone. If youre trying to network with people you admire and want to learn from, listen more than you talk and ask detailed questions about them or their work. Try to find out what theyre excited about right now or what the story is behind what they do. That shows people youre genuinely interested in them and their passions. And that actually makes them far more likely to want to help you.3. They love one-on-one time.Introverts typically dont love big crowds, but if they can talk with just one or two people at a time, they have no problem carrying on a long and lively conversation. That authentic, one-on-one connection is essential to making a lasting impression. People probably wont remember someone who spent a few minutes g iving them an elevator pitch at a crowded event. They will, however, remember someone who took the time to connect.How to connect without networkingHeres a simple solution to all your networking problems Dont network. Connect I know what youre thinking. How am I supposed to get ahead in my career without networking?Instead of traditional networking, try using something that I call The Proximity Principle. The Proximity Principle is this In order to do what you want to do, you have to be around people who are doing it and in places where its happening.So what does that look like in action? Start by asking yourself this Where do I need to be, and who do I need to be around so I can do what I want to do? Once you have the answer, be proactive and find those people and places- and then find opportunities to watch, listen, learn, ask questions and connect with others in those environments.That might mean interning at a film studio where you one day hope to be behind the camera. It might mean volunteering to keep records for a company where you eventually want to have a leadership role. Or it might simply mean asking someone to lunch or coffee just to talk about how they got where they are. When people see that youre humble and eager to learn as much as you can, it builds trust and genuine connections. And that will put you one step closer to doing the work that excites you and brings you joy.So introverts, keep doing what you love staying far, far away from networking events. And extroverts, take a note or two from your introverted friends. But regardless of what side of the spectrum you fall on, use The Proximity Principle and youll never need to suffer through another one of those events in your life. Opportunity will come to youKen Coleman is a career expert and national radio host of The Ken Coleman Show. Pulling from his own personal struggles, missed opportunities and career successes, Coleman helps people discover what they were born to do and provides pract ical steps to make their dream job a reality. The Ken Coleman Show is a caller-driven career show that helps listeners who are stuck in a job they hate or searching for something more out of their career. Connect with Ken on Twitter at KenColeman, on Instagram at KenColemanShow, and online at kencoleman.com or facebook.com/kenColemanShow.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 Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Learn About Military Housing Allowances

Learn About Military Housing AllowancesLearn About Military Housing AllowancesThere are several types of Housing Allowances, created to satisfy specific housing needs for military members in varying situations.Allowance eligibility is governed by the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Chapter 10.For detailed information on allowance eligibility, refer to the JTR. The Housing Allowance satzs are divided into seven categories Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) BAH is paid to those eligible tafelgeschirr members within the 50 States that are not furnished government housing.In general, BAH depends on location, pay grade, and dependents - normally the service member will receive BAH for their assigned location (the Permanent Duty Station PDS ZIP Code), and not for where they live.? It is also possible that the service member is entitled to BAH if living apart from their dependents - such as during unaccompanied overseas tours in which case the BAH would be based on the dependents reside nce ZIP Code. Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) In general, the OHA program is designed to help offset housing expenses for a member and/or dependent at the assigned overseas location. The reported housing must be the actual residence that the member occupies and from which the member commutes to and from work on a daily basis. OHA is intended to assist in paying for private sector leased/owned housing for a member and/or a members dependent. Every member that is authorized to live in private sector leased/owned housing is authorized OHA, provided an Individual Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) Report (DD Form 2367) is completed by the member and approved by the senior officer of the Uniformed Services in the country concerned (or the individuals or offices designated for that purpose by the senior officer). Family Separation Housing (FSH) The FSH allowance is payable to a member with dependents for added housing expenses resulting from staffelung from the dependents when a me mber is assigned to a Permanent Duty Station (PDS) outside the contiguous United States (OCONUS) or incident to an assignment in the contiguous United States (CONUS)when dependent travel is delayed or restricted. FSH has two types BAH Based Location (FSB-B) and OHA Based Location (FSH-O). Basic Allowance for Housing-Partial (BAH-Partial) BAH-Partial is authorized to those service members without dependents who is assigned to single type quarters or is on field or sea duty and is not otherwise authorized to receive a BAH or OHA, under various conditions. Basic Allowance for Housing-Difference (BAH-Diff) BAH-DIFF is the housing allowance for service members assigned to single-type Government Quarters (or a single type housing facility under a Uniformed Services jurisdiction) who are authorized for BAH solely by reason that the service member pays child hilfestellung.BAH-DIFF is the difference between the with- and without-dependents BAQ rates (originally established as of 31 December 1997 increased by the average pay raise percentage each year) and is published annually. However, if a member is not assigned to Government Quarters, but is authorized BAH or OHA on behalf of a dependent solely on the basis of child support payment, that individual is authorized a with dependent housing allowance (either BAH or OHA). Two exceptions to eligibility If the members child(ren) is (are) in the custody of another active duty member (including a former spouse) who is either assigned to Government-owned / leased family type Quarters (not including privatized housing) or is in receipt of a with dependent housing allowance or on behalf of the child / children, that regardless that the member is paying child support, there is no eligibility for BAH-DIFF. If the members child support amount is less than the BAH-DIFF rate, then there is no eligibility for BAH-DIFF. Basic Allowance for Housing-Transit (BAH-Transit) The BAH-Transit allowance rate is a temporary housing allowance paid while a member is in a travel or leave status between Permanent Duty Stations, provided the member is not assigned Government Quarters. The Transit rate continues during proceeding time and authorized delays en route, including TDY en route. Basic Allowance for Housing-Reserve Component (BAH-RC) BAH-RC is the housing allowance authorized for a Reserve Component (RC) member called or ordered to active duty for 30 days or less - except for an RC member called to active duty for a contingency. An RC member called to active duty for a contingency is authorized the BAH/OHA rate even for tours of 30 or fewer days. The BAH-RC rates are established by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and are determined and set forth in the JTFR.

How to Get a Job After Being Fired

How to Get a Job After Being FiredHow to Get a Job After Being FiredThe right skills? Check. Experience? Check. Professionalism? Check. Education? Check. Knowing how to get a job after being fired? Uh, well, not exactly.So, you have the abilities, attributes and experience to wow any hiring manager on paper and in person - except for that one time you were fired. What to do?When the rest of your resume is impressive, its frustrating to know that a gap in your employment history might jump off the page and leave doubts in the minds of many hiring managers. While you dont want to hide - or worse, lie about - such a blemish, you may be able to turn this negative into a positive. A little preparation and attention to detail can go a long way. Here are some tips on how to get a job after being fired.Shake up your resumeThe best way to write a resume that compensates for an employment gap is to use a hybrid format that lists your relevant skills, experience and other qualifications firs t. Then detail your employment history in reverse chronological order. When you list your strong points first, theres a better chance that hiring managers will be impressed enough to want to talk with you despite the gap.You might also consider including work-related activities you participated in while you were unemployed - perhaps taking online classes or volunteer positions at local nonprofits. Treat these as you would any other position Note the dates and list your responsibilities.The same goes for your cover letter. Describe your volunteer work or coursework as things that make you a good fit for this opening, just like relevant work experience. The point is to show that you used the time to do something productive that enhanced your qualifications for the position.No matter what you do, though, dont go out of your way to explain gaps in your employment history at this stage. Save that for the interview, as its always easier to explain these kinds of situations face-to-face.S UBMIT YOUR RESUMEHave your answer readyIf youre called in for an interview, you can pretty much guarantee the hiring manager will ask about your employment gaps. Be prepared with a strong response.First off, its important to be honest. If you provide a less-than-truthful reason for leaving your job and get an offer, the employer could easily get the information about your termination while performing reference checks to verify your background, and that could cause the company to withdraw the offer.Second, keep your initial answer short and succinct. If you ramble and overexplain the situation, the hiring manager might wonder whether youre covering something up. The best response is a simple, direct one, such as, Unfortunately, the company terminated me.Third, explain briefly the circumstances, what you learned from the experience, and how youve grown in the aftermath or made changes in your life to ensure that it doesnt happen again. For example, if you were fired for performance is sues, explain that you may not have had a full grasp of the companys expectations for the position, then describe how youve developed and honed the areas where you were weaker - especially if theyre relevant to the position youre applying for.And be very careful that you dont badmouth the manager or company that fired you. It never helps. Presenting yourself as a positive, accountable person who learns from setbacks is a key part of understanding how to get a job after being fired.Ask for recommendationsYour boss may have fired you, but there are probably other former colleagues who would speak to the many professional skills or positive attributes you have to offer. Ask former coworkers for LinkedIn recommendations or to serve as references as you look for a new job, as long as you left those relationships on positive terms.Having a recommendation or two from former colleagues can demonstrate to future employers that your work was valued by those other than the individual who term inated your employment. Just keep in mind that some companies dont allow employees to offer recommendations for legal reasons.Addressing other work history blemishesGetting fired from a previous job isnt the only work-history issue that can be challenging to describe in a cover letter, resume and interview. Other hiccups can be explained to a potential new employer just as easily.Job hopping - Employers have traditionally considered holding too many different positions as a sign of career instability. The good news is that attitudes are changing. In a Robert Half survey, 58 percent of respondents felt that job hopping could be beneficial to their careers, especially if it helped them gain new skills. Be sure to highlight the growth opportunities you found by switching jobs, and avoid comments like, I was offered more money. It might make the hiring manager believe that youd leave any position for better wages.Sticking around too long - Having the same job for many years shows some desirable traits, like dependability, loyalty and consistency. However, it might also cause a hiring manager to think you resist change. If this is your issue, use the cover letter, resume and interview to describe how you grew in your role. For example, if you were an executive assistant for 15 years, perhaps you gained more supervisory responsibilities over the years, starting with one employee and eventually managing six, which allowed you to develop managerial skills and a deep network.Dont be intimidated by work history blemishes. Thoughtful answers that demonstrate your growth, development and willingness to accept responsibility may actually work in your favor and help you get a new job after being fired. Tags