7 Things Successful People Do

Levitt & Associates, Inc shares 7 things successful people do...

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"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." - Booker T. Washington

1. Fail
You may have heard the quote, "To increase your success rate, you must double your failure rate." Everyone fails. To be successful, you must persevere and know that for every time you fail, you are that much closer to success.  

2. Set Goals
Set measurable and achievable goals and write them down - daily, weekly, monthly and annually. Keep checking back to those goals, measure your progress and re-evaluate your list. 

3. Act
There is never going to be the "perfect" time.  Instead of letting obstacles stall you, know that taking action will lead you to your answers. 

4. Continued Improvement
"There's always room for improvement." Successful people hold this mentality and thrive on self-improvement. Everyone makes mistakes; rather than dwell on them, reflect on them as a learning opportunity. Nobody is perfect; view your weaknesses as areas of opportunity and set goals to improve.

5. Communication is Key
The most successful people know how to communicate with others in a way that allows them to get what they want without making others feel that they are being manipulated or pressured. Communicate with confidence. 

6. Be Flexible
Plans change and sometimes Murphy's law of "anything that can go wrong, will go wrong," applies. The most successful people know that there is no use becoming frustrated and instead, they roll with the punches.  

7. Network
Build and maintain connections. The most successful individuals had help along the way and utilized their mutually beneficial business connections and partners. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

"Why Should I Hire You?"

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares how to answer one of the most important interview questions...

 

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You've made it through the interview and one of the final questions is asked, "Why should I hire you?"

The question's basis is threefold:

1. Do you have a firm understanding of the skills required to do the job? Take this time to go beyond "I'm a hard worker." Key into specifics. Review the requirements listed in the job description as well as points in the interview then explain how you meet and exceed those requirements.  

2. Will you be committed to the job? Some people want a job, any job; others want a career; you want a career at this firm and here's why _________. Answer the follow-up question of, "why do you want to work here?" before they ask it. After all, one of the reasons they should hire someone should be because they want to be there.

3. Will you be a good fit with the firm? Are you a team player? Are you easy to manage?  Conclude this three-point answer with a statement that says you work well with others, you easily adapt to situations and changes, and your supervisors and colleagues would speak highly of you.  

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

10 Game Changers on the Job Hunt

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 10 game changing points to consider when searching for a career move...

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1. Attitude

Be committed, be passionate, believe that "failure is not an option." Finding a new opportunity can be a job in itself. Speak with friends, family, a recruiter, previous employers, old colleagues; let them know you are searching and ask if they know of any law firms or companies hiring.

2. System

Set goals, know your intentions, plan your activity, role-play for interview situations. Know what you want, aim for it, know how you are going to get there and go.

3. Idea

Know what the market might bare for someone with your particular skills and background. Know approximately how long it will take from the resume submission to the interview. Have an idea of how long your search for the right position will take.

4. Activity vs. Productivity

You are not in a position to let fear of rejection rule your search. You interviewed, you did not get a position, you may feel discouraged. Focus on the big picture. That position may not be the right position for you, what can you do to improve on your next interview? Be productive and keep searching.

5. Face-to-Face

You are a step closer to your new job when you are able to speak with them on the phone. You are a leap closer when you meet in face-to-face interviews. Do everything in your power to get an in-person interview.

7. Prepare

Your self-esteem will be raised if you are truly prepared for the interview. Prepare a presentation on yourself as to why you should be hired. Sell yourself in the interview. Dress professionally. Put your best foot forward and ask for the job you want. Share what you can bring to the table and what separates you from other candidates.

8. Focus

What can you do for them? That is the focus. What's in it for you is secondary and not the main topic of conversation in the first interview. Give an employer enough reasons for why they should hire you and they will share what they do to reciprocate.

10. POV

Have a diplomatic answer prepared for why you left (or are leaving) your last job. Avoid a "me-centered" point of view and present past or current employers and colleagues in a professional, if not positive light. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Beware the Counteroffer

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares why you should think twice before accepting a counteroffer...

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The rates at which current employers have made counteroffers has increased in the last decade. Human resource and recruiting professionals claim that accepting a counteroffer can be "career suicide."

Many candidates who are actively seeking a new position are often frustrated at their current job due to a variety of reasons. Most accept those reasons to be beyond repair without ever speaking with their supervisors. Some of these issues may easily be solved or mitigated and should be discussed before you accept a counteroffer. However, there are some issues that simply won't change.

Think twice about accepting a counteroffer. Will the working conditions remain the same? In the long run, would you be happy staying or leaving? 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Getting Back into the Workforce After Time Off

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares the steps of re-entering the workforce...

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You may have taken a few years off to raise the kids, perhaps you took care of a relative who was ill, or maybe you were just overworked and needed the time away from an office.

You're ready to get back to work. Some say it can't be done.Don't believe it. People do it every day. Getting back into the workforce can be a challenge, but it can be done.

The first step is to figure out what you want. You may have been giving this some thought for a while; now is the time to narrow your focus. In a way, starting over is much like beginning a new career. Write down what you enjoyed in previous positions, what were your strengths, what do you enjoy doing now, what are your strengths now, what positions you've dreamed of in the past, where you see yourself working, what you see yourself doing in 5 years.

Now make your calls. Contact a recruiter, touch base with friends, get in contact with old colleagues and people you met through networking.

Do your research:
Do you need to take a course or two?
Do you need more on-the-job experience?
Do you need to know more of the right people?
Do you need to wait until the position you want opens up?

Know that this process will take time. Use this time to brush up on your interview skills, get coffee with old business colleagues and reacquaint yourself with the business world.

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

4 Reasons to Work with an Outside Recruiter

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 4 reasons to work with an outside recruiter...

Your firm may have an HR department and they may have brought some great talent to your team in the past... here are 5 reasons to work with an external recruiter to bring you new talent:

1. Speed and Focus
Search and placement is a recruiter's soul focus. Recruiting firms have dedicated years building an extensive network of contacts and when you bring in a recruiter, you are able to borrow this mass list of contacts.

2. Credibility
An outside recruiter is often viewed by candidates as an objective expert. Candidates may find it difficult to trust an internal recruiter as they have the firm's best interest in mind. The perspective of a trusted recruiter (who has both party's interests in mind), can influence a candidate's decision between competing offers.

3. High Demand, Low Supply
Good talent is hard to find (and retain). Finding new talent that fits well with the firm's culture requires a focused and ongoing effort. It is more cost effective for you and your team to dedicate your efforts on retention and delegate searches to an external source.

4. Market Intelligence
In working with an experienced recruiter, you are able to borrow their inside information. Recruiters keep informed on the latest market, industry, and salary trends. Recruiters who specialize in your industry know the backgrounds, motives, successes and failures of the talent pool, thus enabling them to present only the best candidates.

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

10 Signs You are Ready for a New Job

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 10 signs you are ready for a career move...

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1. You don't want to go to work. Not only because your bed is just far too comfortable, but because you genuinely don't like being at work.

2. You're bored. Once upon a time, you were passionate about even the little things. Now the thought of sitting at your desk makes you want to take a nap. You crave a challenge, but not one in your current position.

3. Nothing excites you... even a raise. If you were given a $10,000 raise and still wouldn't be happy driving to work in the morning, it's time to move on.

4. You search the internet all the time. And it's not for work-related purposes.

5. You procrastinate. You were once the first in and the last out, that spark has faded and somehow you are now the last in and first out. You sit at your desk and avoid your work at all costs. If you run out of menial ways to avoid your to do list, you watch time tick on the clock.

6. You take advantage of every sick day available.

7. You don't like the people in your office. You don't have to celebrate every colleague's birthday with them, but life at the office is improved if you like and respect your team.

8. You are not performing to the best of your abilities. Move on.

9. You no longer take pride in your professional appearance. You don't feel the need to brush your hair and your clothes aren't ironed (you haven't taken them to the cleaner's in some time).

10. You are reading this blog.

It's time for a career change. It's time to meet with a recruiter.

Everything in life will seem a little brighter when you find a job that you are truly happy with. When you feel enabled to achieve your professional and personal goals, your life can only change for the better. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.