Our best blogs for November post includes stories on the “perfect” LinkedIn profile, remaining calm before a big interview, and the value of good sportsmanship in business. That’s a lot of great stuff to read while waiting for that holiday party to start!
Writing the Perfect LinkedIn Profile
If you would like to have a prosperous career, an active online presence on LinkedIn is essential. LinkedIn isn’t just the most popular platform for networking with other professionals, and it can also act as a passive tool to attract interest from would-be employers, clients, and network connections.
According to career experts at Harvard University, two of the most critical aspects of any LinkedIn profile are the headline and the About section. Sometimes referred to as the “profile summary” — these two parts of a LinkedIn profile are the first things visitors see. Of the two, the headline is particularly crucial because it’s the main text displayed in LinkedIn and Google search results.
The perfect profile summary can be read in less than 30 seconds, the Harvard experts said. Your headline should be less than 120 characters and be focused on your career highlights. The ideal profile summary also includes career-specific keywords and is written in a professional tone.
How to Keep Calm and Carry On in an Interview
Nerves often set in ahead of anything that seems like a performance, like before a big athletic competition or a public speech.
Part of a normal human response to stress, nervousness simply must be embraced and moderated. Even the most seasoned stage actors and singers say some performance anxiety is healthy, but too much can throw off you off your game. In a job interview, you should try to channel any nerves into excitement and enthusiasm.
One approach to doing that is to dispel your biggest interview fears by writing them down, such as the fear of failure as a financial provider. Putting these fears to paper has a way of taking the power out of them and can help you see just how unfounded they are.
Another approach is to use deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves before the interview. When we are feeling a bit nervous, our heart rate goes up, and our breathing becomes quicker. Slow, deliberate breathing can help to reverse this condition, research has shown.
Being a ‘Good Sport’ is Crucial in Business
Although sports are dominated by stories of extreme competition, some of the most memorable stories from the world of sports involve competitors showing love and compassion for one another.
The idea of being a “good sport” shouldn’t just be isolated to the playing arena. The business world can be highly competitive, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for compassion. In a business setting, a good sport is willing to share credit for success and accept blame for setbacks.
Being a good sport isn’t just about saying the right things. It’s also about providing material support and support through action. Kind words are great, but lending a helping hand during a stressful time is so much more valuable.
