Video Producer Job Description and Salary

Video Producer Job Description and SalaryVideo Producer Job Description and SalaryAs people continue to gravitate to information they can consume quickly and visually, hiring for video producer positions has seen an uptick. And it looks like the trend is here to stay. Read on for a look at the video producer job description and video producer salary expectations.Video producers are in demand at both creative agencies and corporate in-house design departments. Thats because savvy companies know that video is a crucial part of their client services - and their own marketing strategies. Video is everywhere - from traditional delivery platforms such as television to the smartphone in your pocket, says Steve Alt, director of media services at Robert Half, The Creative Groups parent company. There is increasing demand for video producers as technological advances have made it possible for companies to use video as a communications platform.Companies have a need for a video producer becau se of the way people digest content now, adds Mikey Goldman, a video production manager at Zuora in San Francisco. People would rather watch a two-minute overview than read a two-page paper.You can tell one story a hundred different ways, Goldman continues. You know that what you have is unique because you might have colored it differently, edited it differently, filmed differently - its your one-of-a-kind creation. You get to be as creative as possible and use your imagination.Beyond creative vision, video producers are expected to have a mix of both technical and soft skills. Here, we discuss what it takes to be a video producer and highlight why weve deemed the role a Hot Job.Video producer salary benchmarksAccording to The Creative Group 2019 Salary Guide, the midpoint starting salary for a video producer is $73,750. Use our Salary Calculator to find out what a video producer can make in your city.Video producer duties and expectationsA video producer is generally expected toCr eate and develop multimedia (audio/video) content for customer stories, internal company announcement videos, external promotional social videos, product marketing videos, recruiting videos, corporate training and other enterprise-wide projectsScript, storyboard, budget, allocate resources, set deadlines and select optimal forms of media for projectsWork independently, as well as part of a gruppe to establish project deliverablesCollaborate closely with internal clients and stakeholders to help facilitate the creation of multimedia contentPlan video shoots scout, select and reserve shoot locationsDevelop production schedulesSelect and hire additional crew and talent direct and coach talent make transportation arrangements for crew, talent and equipment and enaya all location power needs are metReserve and rent equipmentRecord and edit video and sound projects, including selecting program format for final output, capturing/importing media, organizing raw media, editing footage and so und files, creating and inserting static and motion graphics, titling, adding music/voice-over/sfx, media management and archiving project mediaManage video libraryEvaluate analyticsProfessional experience and skillsWhile a bachelors degree is preferred, a minimum of two years of professional experience in radio, television, film, sound or new media in a corporate environment is often a prerequisite for landing a video producer job.The video producers on my team - including myself - have formal educations in television, radio, film, sound and other new media arenas, says Robert Halfs Alt. Most of the members on my team have bachelors degrees and at least three to five years of professional experience in the aforementioned industries.Video producers need to possess technical skills in video, audio and post-productionVideo includes familiarity with professional cameras (Sony PMW-F3 or similar), prosumer camcorders (Sony NXCAM HXR-NX3 or similar), various HD and SD formats, preproduc tion/planning, studio and field production, lighting/grip, scriptwriting, storyboarding and photography.Audio includes small format mixers, compression, EQ, effects processors, audio recording techniques for studio and field, multi-track and waveform editing.Post-production entails digital video editing, still and motion graphics design, and video compression for multiple delivery platforms.The two most critical technical skills a video producer needs to have mastered are operating a camera and using editing software such as Final Cut Pro X, Adobe After Effects or Adobe Premiere, Goldman says. You need to understand various types of cameras, different lenses and how to create a certain shot, he adds. You also need to be able to pull out your camera at any moment to capture footage.While many video producers possess the technical skills needed for the job, strong soft skills are just as important to hiring managers. According to Alt, this includes stellar written and verbal communica tion skills, exceptional attention to detail, the ability to thrive in a team environment, and an aptitude for making quick, quality decisions. He adds remaining calm under pressure and having a great sense of humor are also big assets.There are a lot of very talented video producers out there, Alt says. I look for candidates who have the soft skills to thrive in our creative and collaborative corporate culture. Making sure we get the perfect fit takes time, but the investment is well worth it and has paid dividends.SEARCH VIDEO PRODUCER JOBSThis post has been updated to reflect more current information.

Career Paths for Women in Technology

Career Paths for Women in TechnologyCareer Paths for Women in TechnologyWomen who want to work in tech, listen up The industry needs you, and its never been a mora opportune time to pursue a career in IT.To build the technology workforce they need to succeed - and create a more diverse corporate culture - many companies are making a concerted effort to recruit more women. Tech giants like eBay, LinkedIn, Google and Microsoft, for example, have all reported recent gains in the percentage of women working in tech and leadership roles in their organizations. And Apple is ramping up its outreach efforts to junior high, high school and college women.Smaller businesses are making big strides, too. Consider software developer, ThoughtWorks. One strategy it uses to maintain a diverse workforce is to try to always include at least one female interviewer in the hiring process. The company is also open to hiring developers who dont have computer science degrees (which fewer women are pursuing today, compared to males) instead, the whole picture of a candidate is considered.Challenge = opportunityWhile more doors are opening for women in technology, the gender gap in the sector is still significant. (By some accounts, its widening due to lingering stereotypes and biases.) But dont let that dissuade you from pursuing a career in IT In fact, the lack of women in the profession is one of the big reasons you should consider this path. A challenge and an opportunity are quite often the saatkorn thing.To help inspire you, we will be sharing perspectives in upcoming posts from women who are working in three of the hottest areas in technology right now big data, security and mobile. These women will share their stories of why they wanted to work in tech, how they got started, how they overcame any barriers to success, and what they do in their current roles.We chose to focus on big data, security and mobile not only because they are the three biggest drivers for IT hiring this y ear, according to the Robert Half Technology Salary Guide, but also because there are some interesting dynamics around these professions that women, in particular, should be paying attention toBig data Businesses are in need of professionals who can retrieve, interpret, analyze and report on data. And according to Current Population Survey data, the number of people working in statistics grew from 28,000 to 72,000 from 2010 to 2013 - interestingly, about 38 percent are women. The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that employment of statisticians is projected to grow 27 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.Security According to the 2013 (ISC)2 Global Information Security Workforce Study, women represent just 11 percent of the information security workforce. Meanwhile, the information security industry is growing at a rapid pace and employers cant even find enough skilled candidates to fill roles alread y open. The good news Initiatives like the Cool Careers in Cybersecurity for Girls program are working hard to show girls and young women why working in cybersecurity can be a rewarding career track.Mobile Without question, mobile application developers are in high demand, so there is plenty of room for talented professionals to make their mark in this field. While there is a significant gender balance problem in software development, generally, according to the 2015 Developer Survey by Stack Overflow, there are signs more women are joining the industry. The same survey found that women who code are nearly twice as likely to have less than two years of programming experience, compared to men. Could it be that the white-hot mobile app development market (both consumer and enterprise) is helping to spur this trend? Watch this space.In the coming months, we look forward to sharing profiles of women who are making their mark in these specialized and growing fields in IT. Until then, her es an assignment we hope will help you start making plans for a career in technology.Your new assignmentIf youve been following our series about women in technology, you know we are providing readers with optional assignments that are intended to motivate them to think about how they, as individuals, can help to grow womens influence in the tech sector.Heres a quick review of the first two assignments, along with this months assignmentAssignment 1Join a professional network or membership association that actively promotes the advancement of women in the technology profession.If you are still looking for an organization to join, consider Women in Technology International (WITI). Robert Half Technology is a corporate member of WITI, and several Robert Half employees are members of the organization.Assignment 2Add at least two people to your professional network who you believe can provide valuable insights as you launch or work to advance your career in technology.This months assignme ntAsk someone in your organization - a colleague who is already working in technology or a human resources manager, for example - to explain what types of skills (technical and soft skills) and certifications you would need to be considered for a tech role you aspire to, and how you can gain the training necessary to make the transition.This post has been updated to reflect more current information. Tags

Improve Your Job Application ROI

Improve Your Job Application ROIImprove Your Job Application ROIBefore you hit the apply button, make sure the application is worth your time.As a career coach I often talk to job seekers who are frustrated over the lack of response from employers.This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the Black Hole, and leaves most job seekers discouraged with no updates on their applications status and no feedback to help improve their future applications.While you cant control the recruiters actions, there are things you can do to combat the Black Hole and improve your applications return-on-investment.Take more timeA recent eye-tracking study conducted by Ladders found that the average job seeker only spends about a minute reviewing a job description before deciding if its worth an application. Lets face it applying to jobs can be a very tedious and time-consuming process, especially when each application is properly tailored. With that in mind, I encourage you to take a few extra minutes b efore you apply to carefully read the job description and assess the applications potential ROI.Consider the locationAre you within commutable distance of this opportunity? Or if youre in sales, do you have an established book of business in this area? If the position requires relocation, let employers know in your cover letter that theres a good reason for the move. In other words, make it clear you didnt make this decision on a whim and that youre not an expensive flight risk.Focus on responsibilities requirementsRead the responsibilities and requirements sections of the job description carefully what skill sets, education level and years of experience do they require? While the employer probably doesnt expect you to have every single qualification, they do expect you to meet all the core must-have requirements. Only apply to jobs where you possess these must-haves. Remember, job titles often carry different meanings depending on the organization and its industry, so the respons ibilities and requirements are a better indication of the level of the role (and its budgeted salary).Identify the industryHave you worked in the same or a very similar industry within the past 3-6 years? Not every position requires industry-specific experience however, possessing this hintergrund is often more attractive to employers. If you dont have relevant industry experience, be ready to highlight your transferable skills in your resume and cover letter. If youre looking for a change, research your former colleagues to see where else their experience was accepted.Tailor your applicationsEdit your resume and cover letter so that your job goals and qualifications are obvious. Incorporate key terms from your targeted jobs requirements into your resume to make it past the electronic gatekeeper. Test your applications readability by handing it over to a friend with a copy of the job description. If your friend has trouble identifying your qualifications, then you know its not clear enough. If you need help, seek out a resume expert.Check your networkMap out your personal and professional network so you can easily research connections between your contacts. Before you apply to a job, check to see if you know anyone who currently works at the company and seek their endorsement. Studies have shown you are ten times more likely to land an vorstellungsgesprch when your application is accompanied by an employee referral.

I changed my morning routine to just be self-care practices

I changed my morning routine to just be self-care practicesI changed my morning routine to just be self-care practicesIts officially that time of year where I hate mornings. I hate waking up when its dark, and the thought of my feet hitting the cold floor is actually giving me chills right now. No. Thank you.Not sure about you, but rather than waking up refreshed and ready to abflug my day, I usually hit snooze three times, which leads to a headache, which leads to me rushing around just trying to get myself pretty before speed-walking to work. I start off my day feeling about three steps behind and with my adrenaline up to here.So much of my morning routine had become just that - routine - and with the added ugh of darkness, something needed to change. Rather than making my morning more productive or doing all those things CEOs swear by (if thats your jam, awesome), I decided to put all of my favorite make-me-smile self-care practices into my morning. Its now just an hour and a ha lf of me-time thats literally only about making me feel good. Nothing that serves me professionally (emails are banned until I get to the office), nothing that will make me look better to anyone (looking at you, Instagram stories), but just the good stuff I really love doing. Heres what lots of my mornings look like nowActually Get Up When My Alarm Goes OffYou knew this was coming - when you felt as rushed as I did, waking up a few minutes earlier was a necessity. My alarm goes off at 630am (I actually leave at 815) and I used to hit snooze a few times, but that would just leave me lying in my (super warm) bed dreading getting up when I heard the alarm a mere nine minutes later. So now I just sit up, take five deep breaths, and put my slippers on to get up. I promise, its easier once you do it for a weekMeditation and YogaMy counselor mom has been trying to get me to meditate for actual years and Ive finally gotten on the train, and I must admit, mom was right (isnt she always?). M y mind races all the time, Im super sensitive to sounds and illness, and I often find my thoughts to be out of control - and while meditation isnt a cure-all, it does give me an awareness of myself that allows me to take control again. If you havent tried it, give it a shot I use the Calm app for 15 minutes while sitting on my joga mat, or you can try one of thesevideos.When it comes to fitness, Imnot the fruchtwein active person, and workouts make me more stressed than endorphin-high, so I swapped out my (very occasional) morning workout for some (pretty frequent) easy joga. Ive been doing yoga for years, and especially paired with meditation, it gives me a mental and physical refresh that sets my day off right. I carry lots of tension in my body, so its really nice to stretch out first thing in the morning and get new blood and oxygen circulating. I may have mentioned once or twice that IloveAdriene Mishlers Youtube channelYoga with Adrienefor an at-home yoga practice any yoga ne wbie or pro can get into.Drink a Ton of WaterA person should drink half their body weight in ounces every day in water - for me, thats 10 cups of water I fill up my water bottle right when I get out of bed and make sure its empty by the time I get to work a few hours later.Tea and ReadingIm a huge book nerd. The very first thing I did when I moved to my new apartment was to get a library card. Every other week, I check out a few books, so Im always reading something new. In the mornings, I choose a book thats just for the fun of it (right now its Rachel DratchsGirl Walks Into a Bar) and plop into my comfy armchair, and read a few chapters with my tea.Tend to My Love LanguageOkay, youve definitely heard oflove languagesby now, but as a quick refresh, most people feel most cared for and appreciated in one of five ways words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, or physical touch. While these are important in relationships so you can make sure youre loving your partner the way they receive love, its alsosoimportant to know your own and keep a good check of how often youre receiving love that wayWords of affirmation are the way I feel most loved, so to fill up my cup in the mornings, Ill call my mom, take a peek at the folder I have of positive things coworkers have said about my work, or text with my friends. A good conversation with someone I know loves me does wonders to lift my spirit and remind me of the hilfestellung Im lucky to have.Bonus - as great as receiving love feels, giving love has just as deep an impact on us. Give someone some extra love in the morning. Roommate a quality-time person? Plan to eat breakfast with her just to talk for 20 minutes. Live with your physical touch-loving partner? They might love some early morning cuddles. You are caring for yourself when you care for others, especially if those others are people you love.Facial MassageThis is my favorite part of my morning, I swear. If youve never given yourself a facia l massage, you are seriously missing out. You can use a roller if youd like, but I like to use my plain ole fingers. Heres avideothat walks you through it, but Im basically just gently brushing my skin with my fingers while I watchGilmore Girls,and I dont think life gets better than that this side of heaven.Actually Get Ready for the DayI only take 15 minutes or less in the mornings to make myself presentable to society. Im a night shower person (tangent dry brushing before you shower is an amazing self-care move that can be made better with editorial assistant Josies playlist that she describes as, My sexy playlist, except I only use it to dry brush), so after brushing my teeth and face, I do my five-minute makeup, brush out my hair, and toss on the outfit I laid out the night before. Are there days when I need to spend more time straightening my hair or putting on a full face of makeup? For sure, but I try to keep it minimal, which also minimizes my time to stress over how others are perceiving me.I do some combination of these things every morning, and its made such a difference in how I feel and behave throughout the day Is it magical every time? Nope, there are still some headaches and rushed days. But its pretty cool watching how the simple act of choosing to care for myself before attending to anything else has affected me. Most mornings, I feel rested, cared for, filled up, and ready to give the best of myself to the day ahead.This article was originally published on TheEverygirl.

4 Networking Event Tips to Help You Make the Most of It

4 Networking Event Tips to Help You Make the Most of It4 Networking Event Tips to Help You Make the Most of ItNo matter what career youre in, or how far up the corporate ladder youve climbed, therbeie is one component of job growth that pretty much everyone needs to master- the art of networking. The term networking can mean many things, from keeping in touch with former colleagues to attending actual events that are meant to connect like-minded workers.Whatever form of networking were talking about, though, the fact remains that this type of connection can often be intimidating and nerve-wracking. Putting a little thought into and developing a plan or strategy can help take the edge off at the next networking event.Here are a few key things to keep in mind the next time a networking event opportunity arises1. Arrive prepped with your elevator pitch.If youll be attending an actual networking event in the near future, it helps to take some time beforehand to go over your resume and ru n through your top achievements so that you can be ready to list them off at a moments notice.When it comes to those achievements, the more specific you can be, the better. If you brought in a new account worth a certain amount of money at your last job, or successfully launched a campaign that garnered however many new users, be sure to have those exact numbers on hand so you can spout them off to all those sure-to-be-impressed co-networkers.2. Store copies of your resume and business cards close by.Nothing says, Im not prepared more than showing up to a networking event without the essentials- meaning copies of your resume and business card. You can have the best conversation with a head honcho and leave her desperate for a further connection by spouting off all your hard-earned successes, but if you have to write your contact information down on a napkin with a pen you borrowed from her because you didnt have a resume or business card on hand, that will likely be the lasting memo ry she has of your meeting.3. Keep your cool.Even if walking into a room full of people is your worst nightmare, try your best to stay calm and relaxed. Prepping ahead of time with the two steps mentioned above will help, since its easier to stay relaxed when you know youre as prepared as possible, but if thats not enough, take a little extra time throughout the day before your event to do the things that you know put you at ease, like going for a run, getting a massage, grabbing a coffee with a friend, or even taking a nap.4. Have a follow-up plan.Dont leave it to the people you meet at networking events to follow up with you regarding potential possibilities, have a plan to follow up with them yourself. Even if someone doesnt get contact information from you, if you think you could be an asset to them, ask for their contact information and set a reminder to follow up with them in a week to suggest a coffee meeting to further discuss how you might be able to help them achieve their work-related goals.Even if youre already in a job you love, its still important to use professional networks to your benefit. To that end, here are five types of professional networks, and the best ways to use them. For more on general networking, check out these five must-ask networking questions to keep in mind, as well asthis piece for five networking tips for generation Z.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

Using It Resume Examples 2017

Using It Resume Examples 2017 How to Find It Resume Examples 2017 As employers might only spend a couple of seconds on each resume, prioritizing the latest information helps ensures your experience becomes seen. Unique kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the exact skills. You must also share your customer service abilities. Youre able to take a look at the IT resume example for more info Choosing Good It Resume Examples 2017 You may create new sections, add in unusual info, or produce creative methods to present your qualifications. You can select to have your skills listed below a subheading within your resume so employers wont need to search through the document. Chronological resumes are among three common resume formats. The entire group of resume templates is made up of an assortment of creative resume designs. The Hidden Secret of It Resume Examples 2017 There are a lot of resume strategies to master which will help you land the job that you desire. Possessing a very clear and professional resume is essential in the medical field. One of the simplest ways to boost your IT resume is to make personal projects. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. In the event the essential details become lost in the plan, it is not likely to fair well for you. A Key Skills section, on the flip side, is listed on top of a resume. This section is a string of questions created to assist you quantify your performance in a place to write far better accomplishment anschauungs. It is vital to match each work experience to the skills needed by the work position. Dont have the proper skills, and you might lose out on your perfect job prospect. The very last thing you would like to do is receive a job which you cant do. Each time you apply to get a new job, check your resume to make sure that it isnt only targeted, but in addition current. Aside from the objective, the next statemen t comprises some tasks and jobs the work seeker is interested. Transportation jobs involve a lot of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can take care of that. You must commit time into each application and guarantee that your resume is tailored to every employer and the job which youre applying to. There are lots of templates online. Resume templates which you find on the internet may get the job done. Perhaps while trying to find examples you noticed poor samples all around the internet. Along with the four graduate school resume and CV samples above, there are a lot of resume samples it is possible to access for free internet. Youre made to include everything, and the result is usually a resume that doesnt capture interest as it is not focused. For instance, youre likely not likely to send a creative resume if youre asking for a job for a court clerk or a shipping driver. Creative resumes do have the capacity to secure you noticed, but you desire to en sure that youre being noticed in a great way, and for the perfect factors. Looking for a job can be overwhelming sometimes, but with an exceptional resume, you will locate the aircraft mechanic position youre searching for. Top Choices of It Resume Examples 2017 A functional resume format is also useful when youre out of work for a substantial timeframe. Picking the most suitable font can look to be an impossible undertaking, especially since there are dozens and dozens of choices out there. For anybody with a simple word processing program, its simple to see there are scores and scores of fonts out there to select from and picking the best one can be hard. You ought to pick the best IT resume format. Top It Resume Examples 2017 Choices Thus, be sure that your network administrator resume shows lots of distinct accomplishments. Because your abilities and employment history will consume the majority of your resume space, you can want to get rid of optional sections like volu nteer work or exceptional interests. You also receive a completely free job interview tracker for a bonus. Writing a resume for employment in the species industry can be difficult. When you switch roles, nearly all of your prior work experience is going to be considered irrelevant. Possessing a strong resume doesnt necessarily indicate you will land the job, but it is an excellent method to ensure you receive the interview. Trying to find unique concepts is among the fun events. however, it can as well be bored when we couldnt locate the expected thought. Most individuals look at writing a resume as just something youve got to do to have a job.

The 4 Crazy Video Interview Questions You Should Be Asking

The 4 Crazy Video Interview Questions You Should Be AskingThe job market is absolutely flooded with candidates right now. With 7.9 percent unemployment, many of these job seekers are without jobs and looking for a steady paycheck. But a good portion of the candidate flood has a current 9-to-5 job, as well. In fact, one in five employees admit they plan to start looking for a new job in the next 90 days.With so many job seekers flooding the marketplace, how can you use the video vorstellungsgesprch to narrow down the competition? Maybe its time to go a little bit crazy. Thats certainly the strategy many companies are employing, from tech giant Google to airplane carrier JetBlue. In fact, Glassdoor recently released a list of the 25 wackiest, craziest, and most oddball interview questions being asked by top-tier companies.Now weird interview questions arent right for every video interview or even for every position. But these questions can certainly help you knock job seekers off their script and see just how well they think under pressure. Theres a very good chance the job seekers youre connecting with in the video interview have thoroughly prepared for this meeting. But its unlikely they have an answer prepared at the ready for any of these weird questions.Below are the four questions you should consider employing in the video interview, and why theyll help you narrow down your field of job seekersQuestion 1 What song best describes your work ethic?From DellWhy This isnt about finding out if your candidate jams to the same kind of music as you. Its a great way to find out about a candidates work ethic and creativity. Asking a candidate outright about their work ethic is likely to net you a few canned, rehearsed answers. But asking them to put their work ethic in song is more likely to gain you valuable insight into how the candidate thinks under pressure, as well as how they look at their own dedication to the job.Question 2 A penguin walks through that door ri ght now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?From Clark Construction GroupWhy First of all, who doesnt like penguins? mora importantly, however, this question is likely to throw a candidate and make them think creatively. If youre hiring for a job where creativity is truly key, youll want to employ some interview questions to test your candidate. Since its hard to find questions to ascertain the creative thinking levels of candidates, and its certainly hard to find ones your job seekers arent prepared for. Sometimes, penguins are necessary.Question 3 How would people communicate in a perfect world?From NovellWhy Communication is important. In fact, a big reason Spark Hire loves using online video in the hiring process is because it gets employers and job seekers communicating in a more partieal fashion earlier than in the traditional hiring process. For instance, you can tell way more about a candidates communication skills from a video resume than from a traditio nal paper document.Out of all the oddball interview questions, this one is most likely to tell you how the candidate handles communication. Does this person prefer face-to-face, phone, instant message, or even text message? The answer to this question can tell you a lot about how this person will fit into your companys existing communication structure.Question 4 Have you ever stolen a pen from work?From Jiffy SoftwareWhy We all borrow office supplies from work, usually just a pen or notepad here or there. Its important, however, to have an honest employee. This is a great question for finding out just how honest your job seeker is being in the interview.If they say they havent lifted even a pen from a previous employer, are they telling the truth or are they just trying to look good? And if theyre just trying to look better during the video interview, whats to say theyve answered your previous interview questions truthfully? Its better to lose a few pens than to hire dishonest worke rs.These interview questions might be odd, but theyll be able to give you valuable insight into how a candidate thinks and acts on their feet.What are some of YOUR favorite oddball questions to ask in the interview process? Why do you ask them? Share in the comments

3 steps to taming the imposter syndrome beast

3 steps to taming the imposter syndrome beast3 steps to taming the imposter syndrome beastJust Google the term Imposter Syndrome and youll find hundreds of TEDTalks, articles, and blogs covering this well-documented, and much-explored human experience.The psychological feeling of being an imposter at work, at home, and even at play are rooted in deeply traumatic experiences like childhood emotional and physical abuse.Heavy things.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAnd yet, despite these seriousmental healthchallenges, Ive seen the same articles advise just talking about the issue, and realizing youre notlage alone, as the cure.Let me be clear you are definitely not alone. But does the realization of not being the only one suffering from imposter syndrome make you feel any better?Knowing others are experiencingdepressiondoes not stop one from feeling depressed. It can help, and seek ing support is important, but it isnt going to magically stop it from happening. Lets explore what this phenomenon actually is and how to actually tame yur inner imposter.To Understand Imposter Syndrome, You First Need to Understand How Our Brains WorkThe documented percentage of individuals who experience imposter syndrome is around 70%, regardless of age, gender, race or occupation. I would hypothesize that the percentage is even higher. Why? Because we all have a disconnect between how we areperceivedby the outside world and how we perceive urselves. This discrepancy is not actually rooted in abuse or neglect, but in brain development.As early as 4 or 5 years old, children begin to notice the way friends, family, and other people view them is different from how they view themselves. This is when our internal self-concept begins to diverge from our external presentation of self.Our brain, as Anil Seth discusses in his TEDTalk on how our brains perceive reality, is a mass that is t rapped in a dark, enclosed skull. Its only access to the world is through our senses and body. Because of this, our brain is constantly trapped between previous ideas of self and new input which leaves us all feeling a little different on the inside than we do on the outside.Faking It Till You Make It Works If You Let ItAnother root of feeling like an imposter is that our brain copes with learning new identities by faking them until we can incorporate them into our self-concept. Basically, as we grow up, we begin to act like an adult. This is where the term adulting comes from.In high school, we try on different personalities and personas. Through our 20s we explore identities and careers and interests. We settle on some of them like getting married or getting a good job. The problem is that in general these experiences still feel and are perceived by our brain as just that,pretending.If we would rather be home on our couch eating take-out and playing video games, we label the choic e to be productive as not genuinely ourselves. This leaves us sitting in meetings saying to ourselves Wow if these people only knew that this morning I had two-week-old pizza for breakfast, they would not be listening to me lecture them about healthy, germ-free livingWe perceive the personas we wear in different social setting to be false fronts, instead of holistic aspects of an integrated self. And since we see them as false, we believe we are imposters.But fake it till you make it is actually a very healthy coping mechanism.When you fake it what youre really saying is Im unsure of my ability but Im going to jump in and try anyway. While this is helpful and gets us to expand our knowledge and learning, the parte of us that believes were faking lags behind.How to Tame the Imposter Syndrome Beast Step 1So how do we stop letting this experience rule our daily lives and begin to use it to ouradvantage? First, embrace the idea that everyone in the office, classroom, or war room has mul tiple identities. The Congressperson, executive, and teacher all go home and geek out overGame of Thrones.They were rejected by dates, humiliated by teachers and friends in childhood, and probably failed at a few things, too.None of these experiences mean that they are not competent to do their jobs, which means your previous experiences dont mean you are an imposter. As a therapist, I have the unique experience of having knowledge and skill that can help others to be successful, but I also have absolute understanding that I am only able to use those skills minimally myself.This does not change the power of using those skills. I have learned to employ my multiple self-states effectively in different environments and know that they are all part of who I am. My masks are not fake, they are simply different parts of me that inform each other and can be used in appropriate settings.Step 2Stop judging the part of yourself that feels inadequate. It is only one part of you, and it should b e there only to keep you humble, not ashamed.Step 3Finally, accept and the fact that the opinions of others are only tools for you to employ in your desire to grow. They are not the ultimate truth. I have suggested the Rule of One-Third to many people and try to live by it. In life, one-third of the people you know will tell you they love everything you do. One third will reject your ideas and actions with judgment and negativity. And one third do not care at all about what youre doing.Embrace the fact that a part of you will always exist that feels 15 years old, even when you are 65. A part of you will always feelinexperienced, even 20 years into asuccessful career. A part of you will always wonder if other people are hiding the same experiences you are behind their masks of competence, because the truth is, they are.This article first appeared on Capitol Standard.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 double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

How to Disagree Effectively in the Workplace

How to Disagree Effectively in the WorkplaceHow to Disagree Effectively in the WorkplaceDo you know how to disagree- effectively- with your colleagues, bosses, and coworkers? If so, you have an unusual skill, and you practice professional courage that few people in organizations exhibit. The most effective kollektivs and organizations regularly disagree about ideas, goals, strategies, and implementation steps. People inside of organizations are afraid to provoke conflict, and they dont want to get into an argument or disagreement that they cant manage. They fear public humiliation, damaging their professional brand in the eyes of the organization, being proven wrong, and rejection by their colleagues. It means that people who run organizations or departments, teams, or work groups mostly fail to get the best out of the people they hire and employ. Create a Culture that Honors Differences You need to create a culture that honors differences of opinion and varying points of view. P eople who feel rewarded and recognized for healthy disagreement are likely to disagree again. This environment must also provide safety for the employee who disagrees. It means that managers and meeting leaders need to know how to mediate conflicts. And, employees need to know how to participate effectively in disagreements. How, asks Margaret Heffernan, author and former CEO of five businesses, in her TED Talk, do we get good at conflict? She says that becoming good at conflict allows people to become creative and to solve problems. She asks, how do you begin to have conversations more easily and more often in organizations and make healthy disagreement a norm? In the example she used, a manager became more afraid of the damage that the silence on the management team was causing. He became more afraid of the silence then he was of disagreement. He determined to get better at disagreement, and he changed his approach. With commitment and practice, you can change the dynamics of your team. 5 Tips on Developing a Culture That Encourages Disagreement Earlier articles have talked about how to create a work culture and environment in which disagreement and conflict will become a healthy norm. They include steps such as Set clear expectations that conflict and disagreement are expected, respected, publicly recognized, and rewarded.If you are the leader of a team or department, examine whether you might be inadvertently discouraging disagreement by your words or actions. If they are incongruent with your stated expectations, you are stifling disagreement.Ask your team to add respectful disagreement to the groups norms.Make sure that executive compensation and other employee bonuses and profit sharing are tied to the success of the company as a whole and not to individual departments. Hire employees who appear to have skills in healthy disagreement and conflict resolution. You want people who can solve problems and problems are rarely solved without disagreement. Disagree With a Colleague While employees disagree in a variety of ways and settings, most frequently disagreement occurs during a meeting- of two employees or many. You can also disagree by email, IM, phone, Skype, and more today. But, disagreements are better in person as is most communication. The professionalism of your approach to disagreement is critical. A colleague who feels listened to, respected, and acknowledged is the outcome of a positive disagreement. When you disagree starting with acknowledging the strengths of your colleagues position, you start out on solid ground.Start out, also, with the points that you and your colleague agree about and build your case for the differences between your areas of agreement.No matter your job or department, when you disagree with a co-worker, you need to step away from your vested interests to understand his. The chances are that he feels as passionately about his approach as you do about yours. When you think about how to disag ree, recognize that you will totenstill work with this coworker every day. A compromise might be the answer. So might acknowledging that there are certain points that you will never agree on, so you may need to agree to disagree. Ask yourself, even if they are important points, are they worth sabotaging an overall solution? Normally- theyre not. A point comes when the organization needs to move forward- even with an imperfect solution. Once you agree on a solution, approach, or action plan, the key to organizational success is that the team or meeting members need to move past their need to disagree and support the final decision. It means exertingwhole-hearted commitment to making an effort succeed. Anything else sabotages the success of your organization.

4 ways to finally carve out more time for leisure reading

4 ways to finally carve out more time for leisure reading 4 ways to finally carve out more time for leisure reading You might love reading the news on your commute, but if not, chances are, you’ve hit a rough patch where you’ve had no time to read for fun. Here’s how to finally make time for leisure reading again.Listen while you workWhether you’re in the office or toiling away in a home workspace, you can always pop in some headphones and  listen to audiobooks or podcasts.So if you’re someone who is able to get work done while listening to a great story or discussion, this could be  a good way to inject your day with written words or dialogue that inspire you. Also be sure to keep tabs on any books or authors you want to check out so that you’re more motivated to seek out something fun to read or listen to.But if that doesn’t work for you, you could always do this instead …Read while on a break from workTake your favorite novel along in your bag or backpack when you leave for work, or bring a tablet to read digital books when you have a free moment.You could always take a little t ime for a break during the day and read somewhere else other than your desk - whether that’s in a conference room, the cafeteria, a local coffee shop or a nearby park.  Just be sure to set a timer in case you get lost in your book!Enjoy a story during your commuteThere’s no better way to escape other people’s phone calls and conversations than with a book, audiobook or podcast.This can really help lighten the mood when other people are coughing all over you  on the train or bus (and you really don’t want to get sick) or demonstrating other bad commuter etiquette. So instead of focusing on how annoying - or grumpy - other people can be on your commute, pay attention to the book or podcast.Maybe, just maybe, witnessing rudeness in the morning - like on your commute - doesn’t always have to ruin the rest of your day if you’re engrossed in a good story or conversation.Read when you get home in the eveningIf you don’t live all by yourself, it might be hard to get some alone time to catch up on your reading.    So if this is the case, you could always head to a nearby coffee shop or library to decompress with a good story before heading to sleep for the night.But if you have no problem carving out time for a page-turner in the quiet comfort of your own home, read away!