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      How to Build a Career Brag Sheet—and Why You Should

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      Growing your career requires a combination of a more sophisticated skill set and getting increasingly good at building your personal brand. Being able to confidently speak to our work successes and achievements is a huge part of marketing ourselves. Whether we’re working on improving credibility in our current role or positioning ourselves for future opportunities, pointing to concrete achievements in our career is essential for success.Being methodical and structured about how we capture those achievements is an important habit to start building, and as our careers become longer and more complex, an email folder tagged “Kudos” just won’t do. To really put your achievements to work for you, they need to be thoughtfully captured, catalogued, and translated into the larger arc of what you’re trying to achieve in the working world.
      Enter the “brag sheet.” Think of a brag sheet as the sub-levels of your resume. It’s the achievements—of all sizes—you’ve accomplished along the way in your job that tally up to the results and success you can demonstrate in your role. A brag sheet isn’t meant to be a run-down of uncomfortable self-congratulating. Instead, it can be a record we carry throughout our careers that help us highlight our achievements, skill set, and the meaningful results we create in our work. 

      Why should I have a brag sheet?
      Somewhere between the high-level career story that is our resume and our day-to-day work selves, we can lose track of our achievements. When it comes time to ask for that promotion or big raise, you want to be able to point to a concrete list of the ways you’re excellent. Building a brag sheet along the way in our career showcases evidence-based results, which is the backdrop for increasing responsibility and advancing professionally.
      It’s also easy to let tiny achievements slide over time. This is especially true when they may not be incredibly relevant to us until further down the line in our job hunt. For example, in an earlier stage of my career, I spent time helping build a client relationship management database. It wasn’t a core part of my role at the time, but I meticulously tracked our results and the partners I worked with. Years later, it is a story I trot out at interviews to highlight my technical experience and ability to work across a variety of business lines.

      What does it look like?
      A brag sheet can take any form. It can be a running word doc, or for the ultra-organized, even an excel file. Those of us with creative portfolios, data visualization projects, or any work that displays better visually might want to connect it with a running portfolio of projects.
      However, one thing that brings a brag sheet to life is the fact that you created it and transformed these ideas into your own words. A brag sheet can be built off a pile of emails of “wins” that you save, but it must be built. You’re looking to capture a running narrative of your successes, and are knitting them together in a meaningful way for your career.

      How do I build it?
      Start with a blank page and brainstorm your successes since the beginning of the year. Take a weekend and think through past positions. Comb over your emails, key client, or internal partner meetings for any prompts. Your brag sheet can include stories and examples from any of the following:

      Kudos

      Did another team send a note to you and your boss on something you knocked out of the park? Capture that exact language and build out a few data points on why the project or success was meaningful to the firm.

      Quotes from senior leaders

      If a senior leader in the company sent you a congratulatory note or included you in a key project, it’s worth capturing the exposure and the results.

      Data-backed results

      Any of your successes with metrics tied to it is a brag sheet gold standard. Do your client surveys reflect a 20 percent increase in satisfaction year over year? Capture that. Are there dozens of new users on an internal collaboration board you built? That’s a metric too—you’re furthering inter-company connectivity.

      Corporate “extracurricular” activities

      Any time you’re serving the wider good beyond your immediate role, be sure to document those activities. Often times, these contributions set you apart for promotion and new leadership opportunities. Sometimes when we’re mentoring or supporting a company volunteer event, we feel like that shouldn’t be “brag sheet” worthy, and that it diminishes our contribution unless we do it unseen.
      If you’re taking on those tasks only to put them on the brag sheet, that’s another thing. But often times, women are loaded up with invisible contributions in this area, often requiring extensive time and emotional labor without recognition for a meaningful contribution.

      Peer Feedback

      We can tend to discount peer feedback, thinking that kudos are not helpful to our careers unless they come from someone above us in the pecking order. Not true at all! Keeping track of peer feedback is essential. It shows that you are a great team mate, and can also help you get a different perspective on how people see where your skills and talents lie.

      Qualitative “interview responses”

      Start to train your mind to think of work successes as future answers in an interview. This can look like more qualitative milestones where you’re learning about your work and leadership style. For example, I was part of a team project where we were working for months on a new product, without a named leader. I challenged myself to take on certain tasks that were outside of my comfort zone, and they felt like new achievements in my career. It would be hard for anyone but me to have identified that, so jotting a little “diary entry” on my brag sheet ensures I’ll never forget that perspective on my own growth.

      How do I use a brag sheet?
      A brag sheet serves short-term and long-term goals. Use it to get yourself ready for annual reviews or check-ins with your boss. Add to it over time to be sure you capture all the success milestones of your career. We’re likely to have a number of different careers over our lifetimes that use many different skills. You never know when an earlier success will prove relevant in a future job hunt.

      What’s the first thing you’re putting on your brag sheet?  More

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      10 Work-From-Home Habits I’ve Adopted That Have Saved My Days

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      I’ll say it over and over again: I absolutely despise working from home. I’m an ENTJ fire sign who thrives in groups and does my best work when surrounded by my competition… haha, I mean my coworkers. But I have to get the heck over it and learn to love all this time at home while we’re doing it. Lately, I’ve been taking advantage of all the perks that come with working remotely and finding ways to create healthier habits at home. Adding these simple habits into my routine has made a major difference in how confident and happy I feel sitting at my desk all day long.
      1. Eating breakfast after 11am
      If you practice intermittent fasting, you’ll understand this concept well. While this definitely encourages me to enjoy my morning beverage and drink some extra water, this is more about how it impacts the rest of my day rather than the health benefits. I notice a major difference in how happy and productive I am when I can take a later lunch, but when I eat breakfast at 8 or 9 in the morning, I’m starving at noon. So by waiting a little bit to eat breakfast, I prolong when I need to eat lunch. This helps me schedule my day better, and I also have less of an urge to snack around 4pm.

      2. Keeping my desk clean
      Pre-WFH life, my “desk” was my vanity. I worked from home twice a week, but I spent those days in bed or at coffee shops. I never needed a clear desk in my home because all of my work was done in the office. Well, that obviously changed. I rearranged my apartment, purchased a comfortable desk chair, and made it a point to keep my desk clear. This has made a major difference in my productivity. I get way more done when I’m sitting down at a desk versus in bed, but I’d often just stay in bed because my desk was filled with makeup and papers and whatever else I accumulated the days prior. 

      3. Set timers
      I have a Google home, and I absolutely swear by it for setting timers throughout my day. I’ll set a timer for 30 minutes and tell myself to write as much as I can in 30 minutes, and then I’ll stop to do a different task. Sometimes, I’ll set an alarm for a specific time to remind myself to take lunch. This is something that was a little bit harder to do in an open-concept office, so I’m taking full advantage while I’m working remotely. It helps keep my productivity at a 10, even when I have a cabinet full of snacks and a TV with Netflix queued up within 5 ft. of me. 

      4. Taking a lunch break—and actually leaving my home
      I used to never take a lunch break for things other than doctor’s appointments and random one-off lunch dates with friends who were in town (or the two times in 2019 that I met the Jonas Brothers and Sophie Turner on the street—no lunch break will ever top those). I would rather grab my lunch and work through it, or at the very least, eat my lunch in front of my computer. Now that I’m at home all day long, I really make it a point to take my lunch break and use it to its full capacity. I’ll go for a walk or use it to run errands or go to the grocery store. Anything that gets me out of my house, or even just out of my desk chair, is worthwhile to me. I find that I’m more motivated and ready to get back to work afterward too. 

      5. Talking to my coworkers
      I have a habit to disassociate during times of stress and anxiety, folding into myself rather than seeking solace and joy through my loved ones. But I’ve made it a habit to check in with people, make sure I’m talking throughout the day, and staying in touch as much as I can, especially at work. It provides that social aspect I love about an office even while I’m at home. I make sure to chime in to conversations, ask about people’s weekends, and more. It adds a bit of normalcy to our otherwise very odd lives right now.

      6. Organize my desktop
      Looking at 500 screenshots and files on my desktop all day long makes me want to close my computer and do nothing even remotely close to work. At the beginning of every workday, I go through my desktop and delete what doesn’t need to be there and organize everything else into their proper folders. I love doing this in the morning because it often gives me reminders of things I need to do and gets me started for the day; however, this could be a great task to save for your final minutes of the workday too.

      7. Break down tasks into small chunks
      If you often feel like you don’t accomplish anything during the day, it’s possibly because you’re looking at the big picture of all of your tasks. Sometimes, sitting down to do something feels unconquerable. But since work-from-home, I give myself a little pep talk and break big projects into as many small tasks as possible. I’ll go as far as to write an item on my to-do list for every single paragraph in an article (think Enneagram articles, perhaps). Write the intro? Check. Write paragraph #1? Check. Add links? Check. It seems simple, but it reminds me at the end of the day that I was getting things done versus feeling like a failure because I didn’t complete a 10-hour project all in one day. 

      8. Keep my phone on another side of the room
      If my phone is next to me, I’m scrolling. There’s just no way around it. So when I know that I need to get a task done without any distractions, I put my phone on the other side of the room (or better yet, a different room; however, I live in a studio apartment so that doesn’t actually exist). Do I miss texts from my best friends about the latest tea of the day? Literally always, but it ends up making me a better friend because I can actually give them my undivided attention later on when I’m allowing myself to actually indulge in my phone. If you get sucked into Tik Tok or Twitter (my weakness) for hours on end, try this. I’ve also played around with turning off my wifi when I’m doing a task that doesn’t require it, like writing an article or editing photos. 

      9. Change my environment
      I get really bored in my space. Heck, I have rearranged my apartment three times during quarantine. To keep myself inspired, I constantly have to change aspects of my environment to give me a boost. Some days this looks like working in bed first thing on Friday morning or allowing myself to write on the couch instead of my desk. Other times this means moving my desk into my closet for one single day because I can’t bear to look at the same white wall all day long. Any way that I can get myself into a different headspace allows me to be significantly more creative. (And it obviously works because you’re reading this totally-original-amazing-never-been-done-before article right now!)

      10. Make plans for the evening
      One of the perks of working in an office is the feeling that your day is over and you have a whole night ahead of you when you leave. I’ve found myself disregarding that entire principle for WFH, allowing myself the whole night to work instead of trying to finish something so I can relax. Lately, I’ve made it a habit to plan something for myself every night. Watching a movie with friends, laying on the couch with a new book, baking something delicious, going for a long walk—I’ve found having something to look forward to, even the simplest of things, gets me out of the mindset that I have all night to complete a task.   More

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      The Questions You Really Should Ask in a Job Interview

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      Go ahead and wipe your sweaty palms on your dress pants, because you’ve made it to the end of your job interview. You’re feeling like you knocked it out of the park. Then your interviewer looks at you and says, “Do you have any questions for me?”Your mouth goes dry, your stomach drops to your shoes, and suddenly the only thing in your brain is the Jeopardy theme song.
      You polished your elevator pitch, memorized the company’s history, and perfected your answers. But this? This you totally forgot to prepare for.
      Sound familiar? Yep, I’ve been there too. It’s a disheartening scenario—and one you definitely don’t want to find yourself in again. So, let’s dig into some of the best questions to ask at the end of a job interview. Keep them in your back pocket, and you’ll be prepared to wrap up that conversation on a high note.

      But wait… do you have to ask questions?
      Here’s the short answer: yes. This is your chance to emphasize your interest in the position and the company, as well as to demonstrate that you’ve done some research.
      If that’s not enough to convince you, keep in mind that this is a great opportunity to find out more about that employer and the role you’ve applied for.
      You can only learn so much from a job description, and asking your interviewer some thoughtful, well-prepared questions is about more than looking good—it offers a lot of value for you too.

      Asking questions emphasizes your interest in the position and proves that you’ve done your research.

      Questions to ask at the end of a job interview
      When you know you’re supposed to ask questions, it’s tempting to throw anything out there in the interest of filling the silence. However, not all questions are created equal and some will do more harm than good.
      Don’t ask any questions that you should already know the answer to. If you did your research ahead of the interview (which, side note, you should always do) you’ll already know important facts like the company’s history, size, and mission statement, as well as some of the core responsibilities of the role. If you ask about them, you run the risk of looking unprepared.
      So, that begs the question: What should you ask? Here are eight standout questions.

      1. Why is this position available?
      Did the person who previously filled this role leave? Were they promoted? Did they move to a different job or department within the company? Is this a new position entirely?
      This one can be a bit nerve-wracking to ask, but remember that the interview is a two-way street. You’re entitled to get the information you need, and this is the only way you’ll learn why that position is vacant.

      2. What’s the most pressing goal for whoever fills this position?
      Chances are, that employer isn’t filling that position to check a box. They want to bring someone onboard who will drive change and make an impact.
      This question demonstrates that you’re achievement-oriented and eager to make a difference at that company. It will also give you a great sense of how high-pressure that job might be.

      3. What is one skill that you think will make someone most impactful in this position?
      You’ve already taken a fine-tooth comb to the job’s requirements and you have a pretty good handle on what they’re looking for. But, this question will help you go past surface-level qualifications and get into the nitty gritty.
      Does somebody need to be an expert with Google Analytics? Do they need to be skilled at explaining complex topics in simple terms? A diligent project manager? A fearless negotiator?
      Find out what one quality they deem most important. That’s helpful for determining whether or not you’re really the best fit to take those responsibilities on.

      4. What opportunities for professional development do you offer?
      Growth and advancement matter to you, and you aren’t alone. One LinkedIn study found that 94 percent of employees would stay at a company if it invested in their learning and development.
      From lunch and learns or seminars to structured paths for promotions, find out how that company prioritizes employee growth. In addition to getting valuable information about your potential future, it also shows that employer that you’re eager to thrive within the company.

      5. What three words would you use to describe the team?
      You’ll spend right around one third of your life at work. That’s not only a lot of time spent at your desk, but a lot of time spent with your coworkers. Needless to say, it’s important to find a team that you enjoy working with.
      How would your interviewer describe the team you’d be working with? Are they close-knit, collaborative, and encouraging? Are they driven, fast-paced, and passionate? These adjectives can help you suss out whether or not that team culture is a good match for you.

      6. What’s your favorite part about working here?
      Company culture is such a huge part of enjoying where you work, but it’s also notoriously hard to figure out before you actually start working there.
      This question is a straightforward way to learn a little bit more about that work environment. Plus, it’s more digestible and approachable for your interviewer, as opposed to asking something more general like, “What’s the culture like?”

      Company culture is a huge part of enjoying where you work, but it’s also notoriously hard to figure out.

      7. Where do you see the company in the next 3-5 years?
      You might’ve been asked a question like this one in interviews, and it’s a good one to turn around on employers.
      They might not be able to give you a super detailed answer and, of course, they’ll be careful not to divulge any confidential information until you’re actually hired. However, this will clue you in on whether the company has any major growth plans, product releases, or strategy shifts in the works.

      8. What are the next steps in the hiring process?
      You know how this goes. You leave that conversation with no clue if you’ll hear about the job in two minutes or two weeks (or even worse, not at all).
      Here’s the good news: This question gives you a little bit of power back. Make it the very last question you ask to get a better grasp on what’s next in the process and whether or not they have a timeline in place for making a decision. You’ll save yourself a lot of wondering and compulsive inbox-refreshing.
      It’s hard to guarantee with any level of certainty what you’ll be asked in a job interview. But, I’m willing to bet that your interviewer will wrap things up by asking if you have any questions.
      Fair warning: your answer better be yes. Have a few of these questions ready to go (jot them down ahead of time if you have to!) and you’ll present yourself as polished, professional, and prepared—while also getting your hands on some valuable information. More

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      Follow These 4 Steps to Stop Living From Paycheck-To-Paycheck

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      You worked hard all week at work, are Superwoman at home, and when payday rolls around, it feels like you have nothing to show for it, shuffling around bills, debt, and other expenses as soon as your check hits your account. If you feel like every paycheck is slipping through your fingers as soon as Friday rolls around, you’re not the only one: 59 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, according to a 2019 survey from Charles Schwab. Break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle with YNAB (which stands for You Need A Budget), an award-winning personal finance software that’ll help you gain control of your money with their modern, easy-to-use budgeting tools. YNAB helps your budget with the money you have now, offering free video trainings and live workshops centered on their four simple rules to help you stop living from paycheck-to-paycheck, get out of debt, and create a savings plan so that your money works for you. 
      What’s your financial game plan? Here are four simple ways you can stop living from paycheck-to-paycheck so that you can enjoy your money more. 

      1. Give Every Dollar a Job
      Instead of picking up 2-3 jobs in order to make ends meet, use a budget to help guide you to only spend the money you have available right now. With a budget, you’re able to look at how much you’re spending on necessities and obligations like housing expenses, credit card, or student loan payments each month and how much you spend dining out with friends and family. Breaking down your spending habits is easy with a tool like YNAB, which helps you budget to gain better control of your money.
      Your budget on YNAB is broken down by category to help you sort out your expenses more wisely and see where each dollar is going: 
      Immediate Obligations (monthly fixed expenses like rent and utilities) 
      True Expenses (non-monthly expenses like tuition and clothing)
      Debt payments (payments towards consumer and student loan debt)
      Quality of Life Goals (self-care expenses like workout classes or spa treatments)
      Just For Fun (anything goes, from vacations to dining out)
      Being able to look at your spending by category helps you give each of your hard-earned dollars a job, whether it’s to help fund your next fitness class or to pay for your fixed expenses like your rent or mortgage. Your money should be used to fund the most important things in your life, and you deserve to be in control of each dollar as it comes and goes. 
      Knowing exactly where each dollar is going empowers you to make the right decisions with the money you already have. Your money should work for you–not only the other way around! 

      2. Embrace Your True Expenses 
      Your fixed monthly expenses could be as simple as rent, your transportation, and one or two credit card payments, but larger or uncommon expenses, such as car repairs, school tuition, or maintenance on your home, will come up, and you should be prepared. Breaking down infrequent expenses into smaller, more manageable payments can help you gain control of your money when those expenses arise.
      The simple-to-use personal finance software YNAB does a great job of helping you take a bite-size look at your budget and show you how you can better manage your money to make way for future expenses. Future expenses should be treated like your current expenses and be included in your budget broken down into smaller “payments.” Those payments will eventually add up and help you pay for that new laptop or home repair expense in the future, instead of being surprised by them. 
      Reducing or cutting down on expenses like going out to eat or your standing weekly nail appointment can also help you shift your budget around to make room for larger expenses. Cutting back on a few “just for fun” expenses even for a few weeks could help you budget better and get back on track with saving smaller for a larger goal. 

      3. Roll With the Punches
      The unexpected is bound to happen in life–and to your wallet. Building a budget helps you to be flexible financially when changes arrive. 
      Evaluate your budget on a monthly or even weekly basis to get the most out of your money when unexpected expenses come up. It’s probably likely that your budget will fluctuate month-to-month, with changes in variable expenses like utilities, car maintenance, and home expenses, so be prepared to move your money around from category to category to accommodate those changes. 
      Keep an eye out for any unexpected expenses you may anticipate ahead of time in order to prepare ahead of time for any changes to your budget. Have a girl’s trip coming up, gearing up for a move, or getting the kids ready for a new school year soon? Prepare to shift your money around in your budget in order to make way for those plans in advance.
      A budget helps you anticipate these changes and gears you up to go with the flow financially. Just because you may have to shuffle around where your money goes each month doesn’t mean your budget isn’t working. Your budget is there as a guide to help you manage the money you have. No matter where each dollar may end up, your budget helps you gain control of where it goes.

      4. Age Your Money
      Ever find yourself anxiously waiting until payday so that you can cover your current month’s bills right before they’re due? No one should have to live on pins and needles, hoping their paycheck will cover all their current month’s expenses. 
      A good practice to adopt is to use the money you earned from last month to pay for your current month’s expenses. Having this breathing room creates more space in your budget to be proactive when unexpected expenses arise, as well as keeping all of your bills up to-date and current. YNAB helps you to live within your means financially so that your current paycheck isn’t paying for your present or playing catch-up but helping you fund your future.
      Build up a cushion by using YNAB to fund categories in your budget for next month, or set aside a goal amount in a separate category to fund next month’s expenses. When a new month approaches, your expenses will already be covered, or saved up in a category, ready to cover all your expenses before the month even kicks off! That’s the beauty of having a great budget: you can manage your money better to save a few dollars each month to help fund next month’s expenses so that you aren’t bombarded with every bill all at once. 
      While you’re starting off small with using a budget to help you better control the money you already have, look for ways to make a few extra dollars to help jumpstart your goals and age your money better. A temporary side gig can help you reach a few of your short-term goals while maintaining your budget with the money you already earn. Additional income is good to supplement your regular paycheck, but shouldn’t be a crutch or a mainstay for maintaining your finances. Use a side job to get to where you want to go a little quicker while making plans to sustain yourself with only your current income.

      Living paycheck-to-paycheck is an unsettling cycle no one should have to experience. YNAB helps you create a peace of mind around your money so that you feel more in control. 

      This post is sponsored by You Need a Budget, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

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      Ready for Some Invaluable Career Advice? Stream The Everygirls Rise Panel Discussion

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      If you missed our August 29 Everygirls Rise virtual event, we’re bringing you both panels, in FULL to stream at your leisure. Learn how to stay emotionally well while working from home, balance personal and professional life during a pandemic, change careers or fields with ease, battle imposter syndrome, and more!Plus, don’t miss out on our full second virtual conference event on October 3! The event features two all-new panels talking everything from marketing yourself for success to mentoring tips to cultivating a career you love, and more! This virtual career empowerment and networking conference allows you to join from the safety and comfort of your own home. 
      Please note: you must be 21+ years old to attend

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      This post is sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

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      in health and weelbeing

      7 Things All Successful Women Know About Rejection

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      Whether it’s being ghosted by a Tinder match or losing out on that dream job, rejection is an inevitable part of life. It can be hard not to take being turned down personally, but there will usually be numerous factors and circumstances beyond our control that mean that the answer can’t always be yes.While spending a few days sulking can help, coping well with rejection is an important life skill that will set you up to better handle future disappointments. Honing an ability to pick yourself up and try again is crucial to achieving your goals. Next time that you get knocked back, remember this:

      1. That being rejected shows that you had the courage to put yourself forward
      You’ve been rejected? Congratulations! The fact that you have even been turned down in the first place shows that you were brave enough to put yourself forward for something that was difficult to achieve—and that doing so takes a tremendous amount of courage and self-belief.
      When you get rejected, take some time to remember the challenges that you overcame by going for that job interview, asking for a pay rise, or putting yourself out there on a dating app. Striving for what you wanted is still a success, regardless of whether or not it ultimately leads to rejection.

      2. That rejection happens to everyone
      Even the seemingly most successful among us will have struggled with rejection at some stage. Don’t believe me? Check out this list of celebrities who were rejected by other celebs, or this one of famous people who failed before they succeeded. If Oprah can pick herself up after getting fired from her first TV job or Vera Wang can launch a fashion empire after being passed over for Vogue’s editor-in-chief position, then you can bounce back from rejection too.
       
      3. That some factors that lead to rejection are out of our control
      Perhaps you spent hours on that job application. Maybe you thought that things were going really, really well with that person that you were dating. You might have been convinced that that presentation to land an important new client was perfect.
      Your performance, skills, and personal attributes will only ever be part of the story. There could simply have been someone else who was better suited to that job opening. That person you were seeing just might not have had the space in their life for a relationship right now. The other client could have offered a cheaper rate that your company couldn’t beat. Instead of internalizing rejection, remember that many of the factors that contributed to it were likely unknowable and out of your control.
       
      4. Why you had the opportunity in the first place
      The more that we strive for difficult-to-achieve things, the more we open ourselves up to rejection. Try and view this setback as evidence that you are pushing your limits and coming closer to the things that you want to achieve.
      Focus on the small successes that you experienced on the way to rejection—perhaps you can celebrate that you landed an audition in the first place, or that you had opened yourself up to getting to know someone new. Take stock of the strengths that you demonstrated rather than the reasons for the rejection, and work on refining and showcasing them the next time that you get a new opportunity.
       
      5. What you can learn from the experience
      Although it might take time to be able to view a rejection as a learning opportunity, it can be valuable to attempt to understand the reasons why you were turned down. For career rejections, you should ask for feedback so that you’re prepared when another opportunity presents itself. Meet with the decision-maker to ask them areas that you performed well in, and what ultimately motivated their choice.
      Romantic rejections can also be a chance to learn about yourself and what you want from a relationship. Is it losing the chance to be with that person that hurts, or the rejection itself that is painful? Would you change anything about the situation given the chance, or did the rejection come from being true to yourself and what you want in a partner? Try journaling your thoughts or discussing them with a friend or therapist to learn about your own emotions when it comes to rejection, and how you can be better placed to deal with it in future.
       
      6. What you still have to offer
      Rejection can be a blow to self-esteem and confidence. Avoid becoming too caught up in negative emotions by focusing on what you have to offer. Make a list of all of the best things about you and the reasons why you were hopeful for success in the first place. Revisit this every time that you doubt yourself or fear rejection as a reminder that you deserve a shot.
       
      7. That fearing rejection will hold you back
      A fear of rejection can easily become what stops us from asking out someone we really like, applying for a dream job or internship, or attempting to achieve our goals. That emotion that you’re feeling right now? Really feel it. Get comfortable with it. Remember that it isn’t the worst feeling in the world. Learning to be OK with rejection will set you up for success in the future. There will be a time when the answer is yes. Make sure that you’re ready when it comes. More

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      10 Tips to Help You Nail Your Virtual Interview

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      This year has shown that working virtually is here to stay, and a huge part of that is that firms are migrating their recruiting efforts entirely online. You’re increasingly likely to find yourself in a digital-first application process, possibly all the way through onboarding and your first day. With many of us recovering from furloughs and layoffs, you may be diligently on the hunt for your next career chapter. That chapter starts with making an excellent digital first impression in your application materials, and then nailing a virtual interview.

      1. Test your technology
      There is nothing worse than logging on five minutes before a meeting and realizing you need to download some niche software. Don’t assume the interview is using something you have already or are familiar with.
      Depending on the extent and seniority of the interview, you may even consider asking your interviewer’s Executive Assistant if you can do a five-minute test run with them the day before. Also be sure to ask if the line will be in use prior to your meeting. As in person, you want to arrive around five minutes early, but don’t want to be showing up at the tail end of some other candidate’s closing remarks!

      2. Know your angles
      If Tyra taught us anything it’s to face the light and know your angles. If at all possible, set up with natural light facing you. You also want to be showing on camera clearly, and as straightforward as possible. This isn’t a selfie angle—don’t position the camera too high up. A box or stack of books will get you to the right height.

      3. Do a recorded run-through
      Platforms like Zoom allow you to record a meeting—even a meeting of one. It’s free to set up an account that uses shorter meetings. Set one up with your personal email—you don’t want your video interview test run to show up on your current company roster. Practice answering some general questions and allow yourself to get more comfortable with video responses.

      4. Make “eye contact”
      Ironically, eye contact on video is staring right in the eye of the camera. It can be really hard for that to feel natural at first. You tend to want to look at the human in front of you on screen. A good mix of back and forth focusing on the screen and camera is important. However, when you’re answering questions, try to stay focused on that little fish eye, even if it feels awkward. (Hint: Your video test run will be able to reveal how much is too much focus in any one direction.)

      5. Check your microphone quality
      Most computers today have great enough microphone quality that you can go with whatever is built in. However, if you’re using headphones, you’ll want to check how that changes your connection. And, if part of your role is going to include heavy voice communication work, you might want to go the extra mile to sound like your best self. External microphones are becoming more affordable and could be a useful addition.

      6. Pass on virtual backgrounds
      Even if you’ve got a roster of some relatively professional faux backgrounds, now is not the time. You are trying to highlight yourself and come across as authentically you. Fake backgrounds don’t convey that authenticity.
      Set yourself up a relatively distraction-free background in your home, with as few trinkets behind you as possible. While it may be tempting to convey your personality through what’s behind you, restrain yourself. Remember, if this were happening in person, you’d likely be in their spaces. You want the interviewer to be able to picture you in their world as easily as possible, and a relatively blank canvas helps them do that.

      7. Get current on the company
      Researching a company should always be part of your interview prep, and now it’s more important than ever. How did they respond during the early parts of the pandemic? How are they changing their business model or offerings? You’ll want to do thorough research across their own press, social channels, and other third-party reporting sites to come ready with the best questions and answers.

      8. Take notes offline
      There are few things more distracting than someone typing away during a video meeting. You may feel like you’re being ultra efficient, note taking digitally while you’re in conversation with your interviewer. It’s not a good look.
      An old fashioned pen and paper is much more professional in this setting. And since they can’t see your desk, feel free to also narrate when you need a moment to jot something down. “I’m just making a few notes here, one moment,” helps any awkward silences.

      9. Don’t talk over anyone
      In an in-person exchange, it’s a little easier to make small verbal cues to show that you’re in step with someone while they’re talking. Virtually, that’s much harder. On the best of bandwidths, the line tends to break up a bit when people talk over each other even in small moments. Instead, consider exaggerating your non-verbals—nodding, smiling, and making strong eye contact where appropriate.

      10. Be yourself
      Most importantly, be yourself. Any interview in person would start with a few moments of small talk, or a more casual introduction. Don’t feel like you need to arrive perfectly ready to launch into your pitch. A few minutes of human authenticity goes a long way in our socially-distanced world right now.

      What tips do you have for a successful virtual interview? More