These are the knowledge, skills and personality traits that successful entrepreneurs have in common

These are the knowledge, skills and personality traits that successful entrepreneurs have in commonThese are the knowledge, skills and personality traits that successful entrepreneurs have in commonThe traits that drive startup founders forward are sometimes seen in a negative light.Entrepreneurs can be seen as aggressive, impatient, hard-headed. And yes, there are plenty of founders who fit that description.But thats only because entrepreneurs usually have a strong instinct around what products will work for people. They push ahead even when others cant see what theyre after.And notlage all of the traits that lead to entrepreneurial success are viewed so negatively. In fact, many of the attributes founders tend to share are essential to their success in relating to others and figuring out what people need.Heres what Ive noticed while collaborating with entrepreneurs at Y Combinator and working on several startups1. CuriosityTechnology develops at different rates and in different way s around the world. Curiosity about those differences is an important attribute for any entrepreneur.Each country has their own interesting, unique economy. And although people in China, the U.S., Japan, or Korea have a common set of desires, they also have different business and social climates. So, people in each place tend to come up with solutions that are distinct from other parts of the world.Id encourage any budding entrepreneur to take a trip to China and witness how technology is developing there. Absorbing differing ideas and concepts is a valuable experience for a founder.2. A Sense of ImpatienceEntrepreneurs need impatience in order to recognize inefficiencies and capitalize on them.People often think of impatience as an unsavory personality trait. But it can actually be very beneficial for an entrepreneur whos trying to create a product that solves an inefficient situation.Part of the reason I started Spin was because I was constantly waiting on Ubers to pick me up and work their way through the traffic around my office. I was impatient, and I decided to craft a solution for my problem rather than waiting around for someone else to solve it.On some level, most people understand theres a better way to do things. And theyd choose that better way if it were available. Taking action and pursuing that solution is what sets entrepreneurs apart.3. SociabilityIts important for any entrepreneur to have a good network of like-minded people to engage with and use for support. It helps tremendously to have people around you who are constantly looking for and solving problems.Ive noticed that great ideas often come from casual meetings and brainstorming sessions. Its not necessarily one person in a garage coming up with a world-changing idea and then championing it all the way to a multi-million dollar exit.Being social and developing that group gives you an opportunity to brainstorm and confirm your ideas and concepts with other people.4. Attention To Basic m enschlich NeedsThe basic necessities of a happy life should always be on an entrepreneurs mind. Food, shelter, companionship, entertainment, simplicity- these are all things that people either need or have a strong desire to obtain.And entrepreneurs have to learn to be perceptive about the problems and inefficiencies around them that relate to human needs.If youre paying attention to what people require, you can find opportunities to improve their experience and help in their pursuits of those needs. Those are the ideas that people will engage with and come to rely on- the ones that help them obtain the essential things in life.5. ReasoningThere are plenty of ways to solve a puzzle. For instance, some people just start picking up pieces and seeing what fits. And that can work, but the task becomes much easier when you begin to think about why each piece fits where it does.For example, bikeshare companies in China are virtually free because they are largely subsidized by two internet giants- Alibaba and Tencent. But in the U.S., Facebook and Google arent in the business of funding bikeshare companies.So, while the general idea of sharing bikes could be transplanted, we knew we had to think about what reasoning would actually make sense in the US. And we eventually had to change the business model to rely more on per-ride revenue.6. FlexibilityEvery entrepreneur has to find the balance between stubbornness and flexibility.You have to be stubborn enough to keep persevering and working on your idea, even when people tell you its silly or you begin to doubt yourself. But you also need to have the flexibility to recognize your first attempt may have been off the mark.Thats happening right now at Spin. We began with bike sharing, but eventually we realized scooters are the better product for American cities. At the outset, we understood the problem, but we didnt have the exact solution nailed down. Were staying flexible enough to recognize a better solution when we s ee it.Theres nothing wrong with tweaking your idea or pivoting to respond to consumer demands. Its just one of several qualities an entrepreneur can benefit from.Euwyn Poon is theCo-Founder and President of Spin.This post was originally published on Quora.com.

Update Your Profile Picture to Connect You at a Glance Find Your Dream Job

Update Your Profile Picture to Connect You at a Glance Find Your Dream JobUpdate Your Profile Picture to Connect You at a Glance - Find Your Dream JobIn Day 5, you updated your professional online profile. Today, you want to make sure that your online profile pictures are just as up-to-date and professional as those profiles. Update Your Profile Picture Your profile picture is an extremely important part of your online presence, as it helps people to connect with you at a glance. You do leid need to hire a professional photographer to take your profile photo, but there are certain things you should take into consideration when taking and selecting your photo. Below are a few tips on how to take and choose an ideal photo for your online profiles. Find a Friend to Help Ask a friend or family member (who is comfortable using a camera) to take your profile picture. If someone else is not available to take the photo, you can take a webshot on your computers camera (if your compu ter has that capability), or take a photo of yourself using the self-timer on your camera. However, do not take the photo using a handheld camera self-photos or selfies appear unprofessional. Smile Select a photo in which you appear to smile in a natural way. A smile will make you appear friendly and approachable to those looking at your profile. Having a friend or family member take your photo will hopefully put you at ease and make your smile look more authentic. If you are deciding between a couple of photos, ask some friends or family members which photo makes you look the most approachable. Pick a Head Shot Because profile pictures often appear as small thumbnails, pick a photo that shows only your head, neck, and a bit of your shoulders. If the photo shows your entire body, viewers may not be able to see your face well, and may not be able to recognize you in person. Dress Professionally Dress in a manner that is appropriate for your career field. In other words, dress as you would for an interview at your ideal company. Typically this means a dress shirt or blouse, a shirt and tie, or even a suit. Choose solid dark colors like blue or black. Avoid wearing a strapless dress or top, because a photo that only shows your head and shoulders will make you appear naked (and definitely unprofessional). Avoid wearing large jewelry or too trendy hairstyles that will distract from your face. Keep It Simple Do not include distracting props, backgrounds, or people in the photo. Your profile pictures should be of you, and only you. Stand against a solid-colored background that provides enough contrast against you and your outfit (for example, if you are wearing navy, do not stand against a navy wall, because you will blend into the background). Keep It Up-to-Date Make sure you choose a recent photo of you, so that people will be able to recognize you in person. No baby pictures Be Consistent A great way to develop your professional brand is t o use the same photo in all of your online profiles, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google, and even your Gmail Profile.

Survey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobs

Survey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobsSurvey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobsWhat really makes employees happy and how can you tell if they are?Wrike, the collaborative work management platform, released the first findings from the companys inaugural Happiness Index, carried out by Atomik Research. The survey asked what made workers happy in the U.S., Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, with at least 1,000 respondents in each country.While Americans were found to be generally happy in their jobs a full 88% Millennials were the least happy group, with 17% responding to be mostly unhappy or miserable.Positive relationships with managers are critical to happiness. Employees with negative relationships with their managers were more likely to report unhappiness.Having a connection to their companys mission is also a key to happiness 70% of happy workers feel a strong connection, while 32% of less happy workers dont know what their companys mission i s, or feel any connection to it.Happiness can influence perception. Cheerful employees are 55% more likely to say their workplace is above average in diversity, but 440% of unhappy workers are more likely to say that their jobs are below average in diversity.You can spot the happy vs. the disconnected workers by observing office social gatherings Happier employees are 70% more likely to take at least a half-hour lunch break or eat lunch with friends, while less happy workers are 57% more likely to spend their lunch breaks on social media. Unhappy workers are less likely to take part in organized gatherings outside work (15%, compared to over 40% for happier workers).Fostering workplace happiness and understanding what really drives employee engagement is evolving its not just about paying the highest salary and providing lunch, says Wrike Vice President of People Operations Megan Barbier in a release. In todays competitive talent market, it is important that companies consider emer ging factors, like diversity and technology, that are playing an increasingly important role in employee happiness.Relatedly, Harvard Business School recently published a story that perks (flexible time, anything contributing to work-life balance) and recognition (like peer-to-peer recognition programs) can be more meaningful long-term than financial rewards.

How to create a personal brand to enhance your job search

How to create a personal brand to enhance your job searchHow to create a personal brand to enhance your job searchThese days the term branding means so much more than what comes to mind when you think of a particular company or product. Brands, in the traditional sense, of course still exist, but in this day and age of social media importance, its more critical than ever for individuals to brand themselves, as well. Developing your own personal brand doesnt have to be intimidating, though. Just a few simple steps can help you narrow down the best approach, which will hopefully help you land your dream job.Heres how to create a personal brand that willenhance your job searchDefine your brandYou might think that writer, illustrator, or content creator is enough of a personal brand, but really, those are just job titles. To develop your actual brand, youll need to put a little more thought into what it is that you actually create (or hope to create) on a daily basis with your work.For e xample, perhaps as an illustrator youre well known for your quirky caricatures, or as a writer youve really cornered the market on crypto-currency, international travel, or single parenting. Whatever it is youre best at in your particular job, own it and flaunt it in every way possible. This could mean developing a brand statement, getting new headshots that drive home your specialty, re-writing your resume to really showcase those particular talents, or, likely, all of the above.Do a social media overhaulEveryone has embarrassing photos from back in the day when they first joined Facebook, but since Facebook is about so much more than just connecting with old friends these days, its time todo an overhaul of your profile to ensure its professionaland on-brand. Its not just Facebook that needs updating, though- be sure to check in across all of your social media sites (Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) to ensure there isnt anything embarrassing that you wouldnt want potential futu re employers to see.After thats done, consider updating your sites so that its clear what your new brand is across all platforms. This could mean uploading your new headshots, adding your brand tagline, sharing your new work, or starting conversations with others in the same field. A good rule of thumb is to do a Google search for yourself, and whatever comes up that you have access to, change it so that your brand is front and center.Fill in any holesIts not enough to just have a LinkedIn profile that showcases your professional brand these days, you should really consider having multiple online places for people to find you.If you dont already have a professional website, create one.If you arent on Facebook, great Start a new page with only your professional brand and goals in mind. Also consider checking on other networking platforms or job forums where you can upload your new resume and share your new brand-oriented social media sites for potential new projects and jobs.Check ba ck in, frequentlyDeveloping a personal brandisnt a one-and-done process, itll require constant upkeep and checking in. The more you interact on your new brand-conscious social media sites, the more likely you will be to cash in on new opportunities.That means you should try to post to your Twitter and Facebook feeds at least daily (multiple times a day is even better), and always share your own work, as well as the work of others that you find interesting or that is in line with your own brand objectives and goals.This article first appeared on FlexJobs.

The CFO Path Includes Diverse Career Steps

The CFO Path Includes Diverse Career StepsThe CFO Path Includes Diverse Career StepsMany chief financial officers have seen their influence expand beyond the traditional finance function, as they help to drive geschftlicher umgang and technology transformations at their company. To meet these expectations, and be an effective partner to the geschftsleben, todays CFOs need to have a depth of experience - and not necessarily just in finance.New research from Management Resources finds that 36% of financial leaders worked in business development before becoming a CFO. Many also have held administrative (35%), human resources (35%) and technology roles (33%). Only 14 percent of survey respondents reported that they have worked exclusively in accounting and finance during their career.See mora survey results in our infographic, The Road to CFO.Setting course Preparing for the role of an influencerThe financial executives interviewed in our survey also said they earned, on average, nine y ears of accounting and finance experience before earning the CFO seat. They also worked at three different companies, on average. So, the path to CFO can be long and may include a number of diverse career steps. But professionals aspiring for this role can set the right course with the following six strategies1. Master the fundamentals - technical and notNo matter how talented you are in business development or technology - or whatever other areas of the business youve worked in - youre not likely to realize your goal of becoming a CFO if you dont master the fundamental skills that the job requires. CFOs are expected to have broad knowledge in a wide range of technical areas, from budgeting and analysis to compliance and risk management.Nontechnical abilities, like active listening and diplomacy, are also essential for CFOs to be effective leaders. Other traits, like integrity and empathy, are also highly valued by employers. So, look for professional development opportunities th at will allow you to refine these vital skills and attributes.2. Earn an in-demand certification or advanced degreeIt can also be valuable for professionals aiming to become a CFO to earn certain certifications and advanced degrees. Many businesses prefer to hire candidates who have a masters degree in business administration (MBA) and/or an in-demand designation, such as certified public accountant (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA).For more details on the types of skills and certifications todays employers seek, see our latest Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals.3. Be a proactive collaborator in your organizationfaulen CFOs are business problem-solvers and cross-departmental collaborators. So, consider reaching out proactively to peers in other departments to learn about their priorities and challenges, and identify ways to help them. Be first in line to sign up for relevant cross-training and job rotation opportunities, as well, if your employer offe rs them. These efforts will help you gain a better understanding of how the company operates and how different departments interact.4. Seek to grow your technology expertiseTechnology, from cloud computing to big data analysis to robotic process automation, is becoming increasingly important to the everyday operations of accounting and finance functions. CFOs need to understand the benefits and risks of implementing financial systems and other technologies. CFOs are also often seated at the strategic decision-making table when the business itself is considering new IT investments.Growing your technology expertise doesnt mean becoming an IT expert. But if you do become a CFO, youll likely need to collaborate frequently with one such expert - namely, the chief information officer (CIO). So, pay close attention to what is happening technologically in your organization and industry, and why, and become digitally fluent at least from a business and finance perspective.Read about current technology trends affecting accounting and finance functions in this report.5. Understand the new labor modelCFOs at many leading firms are now embracing a new labor model for finance that is designed to meet the needs of businesses in the digital age. They are relying more on a flexible labor force that includes full-time employees who are focused on critical initiatives interim and project-based professionals who help to support them, usually for a finite period and other specialized resources that can provide additional capabilities and perform high-value work on an as-needed basis.The upshot for you as a potential CFO of the future is to understand this growing trend, and to know when, why and how you might apply this staffing strategy in your organization one day.Learn more about the new labor model for finance in this post.6. Work as a consultantFor many experienced financial professionals, consulting is an important step toward earning the kind of experience and expertise th at can help position them for a senior leadership role in the field. As consultants, they can work on diverse assignments, learn best practices, gain exposure to different industries, and maintain a flexible schedule - and accelerate their career progression.Businesses today rely on senior-level consultants to provide specialized expertise to key projects or business initiatives that can last weeks, months or even longer. See this post to find out more.Tap your professional network for guidanceThe six strategies outlined above are just some ways to build the foundational skills and knowledge that can help you to succeed as a future CFO. And remember, you dont need to go it alone Your professional network can offer valuable support and help you identify relevant professional development opportunities along the way.You might even want to explore setting up a mentoring relationship with a financial leader you know and admire. That way, youll get more direct guidance and feedback that can help you be more strategic in the steps you take to become a CFO.

Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Office Assistant Resume Skills

Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Office Assistant Resume Skills Choosing Good Office Assistant Resume Skills Our resume builder gives you tips and examples about how to compose your resume summary. If this Office Assistant resume example was bedrngnis sufficient for you, youre totally free to review several other samples and templates from our website. The objective statement of your resume should highlight your capacity to do all these tasks. Fill the info in Administrative assistant resume skills sample document since it is simple to understand and covers all facets of the skilled and individual data. Furthermore, you can find out more about healthcare careers on Monster. Although its important to understand what the organization youre applying to is seeking, its also important to learn your own strengths so you can adapt them to suit the corporation. Companies are somewhat more comfortable hiring candidates that are part of a self-regulating organization. A professional applying for administrative jobs want to incorporate the skills in individual subheads. Since there isnt any formal training is necessary for this position, its all up to the candidate to make sure that they know what employer is expecting although employers prefer those who have a degree in geschftliches miteinander or related field. As stated in the former section, hiring managers are seeking candidates with a varied skill collection. Outside of experience in the field, it may be looking for bright candidates with at least a high school diploma or even some type of business degree. Using Office Assistant Resume Skills Before getting into the core of a work hunt, its wise to assemble a detailed plan, along the lines of a company program. It is possible to avoid my mistakes. The secret to successfully landing a job which you love is to produce a compelling resume that can help you stick out from the crowd. Great luck and receive the ideal job soon. Try out excellence in ev ery part that you do. The best sekretariat assistant resume will exhibit quite a few talents, such as managerial abilities, organizational abilities and data analysis and processing abilities. Do include main accomplishments if theyre regarding the place, and quantifiable. There are classes offered for dozens of Degrees within this area either partly or fully online, based on the program. The major distinction is the accomplishments. You will have to possess creative thinking ability to have the ability to resolve issues until they become full-blown issues. At precisely the same time, there are different people with the very same skills. Excellent ability to fix problems. Most Noticeable Office Assistant Resume Skills You dont require a college degree to engage in a job as an Office Assistant. An Office Assistant is a superb entry-level job opportunity for everyone who wishes to grow into the corporate way of life. Senior administrative assistant resume has professional ex perience category to supply thorough information regarding the job profiles previously. An attractive Administrative assistant resume summary is an ideal beginning to the vorstellungsgesprch session. Beyond a sheet of paper, you would like the manager to view how valuable youre. Do you understand what to have in your general office clerk resume. There are lots of ways in which you could change our office assistant job description example to fulfill your requirements. A straightforward and beneficial approach to present your abilities and qualifications for the office assistant job. The Nuiances of Office Assistant Resume Skills In the end, the volunteer work indicates a service mindset. The chief reason is that office assistants are the people who make sure the whole operational process in a provider runs as smoothly as possible. You are just about to compose the ideal office assistant resume For the very first time in your life, you will have complete well-being, dental, an d vision insurance. Youre searching for an office assistant who will be a very good fit for your organization, so dont hesitate to expand on the abilities and traits youd love to have in your office assistant description. An office assistant resume needs to demonstrate a broad range of skills. In reality, an amazing office assistant has to be a mixture of just about everything thats needed in a workplace. Administrative assistants should be skilled in the field that theyre working in. Based on the size of the business, a construction administrative assistant might be responsible for training and supervising other clerical staff. Be active in select social networking platforms like LinkedIn that is the professionals choice for networking activities. Attempt to do a little bit of research on the business youre applying to since the majority of the companies have various values. The online is similar to a big carnival. Add to and keep the customer databases.

3 Ways Hiring Will Change in 2016 - Spark Hire

3 Ways Hiring Will Change in 2016 - Spark HireHiring trends evolve constantly, especially as HR technology changes. Those who are involved in their companys hiring need to remain aware of these developments in order to ensure that their business remains competitive and continues to recruit the fruchtwein talented employees that their industry has to offer. With 2015 coming to a close, here are some hiring trends to watch out for in the new year Quality of hire length of time it takes to fill the position.In years past, hiring managers felt a lot of pressure to fill a role as quickly as possible. While this is still important, business owners are realizing that the quality of the hire far outweighs the length of time it takes to fill a position. With an increasing awareness about disruptive, constant turnover, hiring managers and CEOs are looking for employees to stay put for the long haul.However, despite this realization, businesses know that when positions are open for too long, i t puts a strain on the rest of the team. As a result, they will continue to turn to social media and other platforms in order to spread the word quickly about available jobs in hopes of cutting down the length of time involved in the hiring process.There will be an increased focus on developing talent internally.Promoting from within will become even mora important in 2016, as businesses begin to shift the focus even more heavily toward developing existing internal talent. While finding high performing individuals working in other businesses is great, its often easier to recognize the strengths of those already working in the company, as they are more familiar with company policy and protocol. This cuts down on training time and increases productivity.Company branding will become even more important.Businesses are realizing that in order to recruit effectively, they need to put a focus on their companys recruitment brand. How are they presenting the business to current and potential employees? What do people see when they research the brand online? What are the companys values and areas of focus?Many of the trends that will become dominant in 2016 have already started to emerge in 2015, yet theyll only become more important in the new year. Because of this, its important for recruiters to take note now and use these trends to shape their 2016 hiring strategies.If youre a hiring manager, how do you think recruiting and hiring will change in 2016? Share with us in the comments