8 Strategies to Get the Most Out of Your LinkedIn Network

8 Strategies to Get the Most Out of Your LinkedIn Network8 Strategies to Get the Most Out of Your LinkedIn NetworkHave you ever wondered how to get the most out of your LinkedIn network?With millions of users using the site to enhance their careers it can be a little tough grabbing the spotlight. Still, your professional network plays a vital role in taking your career to the next level.Not quite sure where to start when it comes to enhancing your network?Give ansicht 8 strategies a try to make sure youre getting the most out of your LinkedIn network.1. The headlineAside from a great photo, your headline will be the first thing that befhigung connections and hiring managers will see in their search. Try to be specific and if youre an expert at something, own it by adding it to your headline. Put yourself in the best position to be seen with a catchy title or phrase.2. Sell with your summaryThe summary section of your profile is where you can really stand out. Take the time here to se ll yourself. No need to be rigid, its okay to get a little personal. Share some of your interests and give some history on your achievements throughout your career. Give others the opportunity to get to know you a little bit.3. Showoff your skillsKeeping your skills up to date is crucial in displaying your industry knowledge and expertise. In your skills section showcase just what you can do to share your value with your connections. Spend some time endorsing the skills of your connections which may lead to them doing the same for you.4. Make the connectionA lasting connection starts with an invite. In order to build your network step outside of your comfort zone when sending a connection request. A generic message to a potential connection wont go a long way. Take a look at the profile before sending a request to learn a little more and make it easier to personalize your message.5. Ask for recommendationsA great way to boost your industry credibility on your profile is to ask for r ecommendations. Feel free to reach out to peers, supervisors or even former clients who can attest to your abilities.One quick suggestion Dont just ask for recommendations. Be a good sport and provide a few recommendations of your own to people you may have worked with.6. Get activeLinkedIn, like Twitter and Facebook is a social networking site. While your goal may not be to become the next big influencer, the benefits of actually engaging with your connections are endless. Write posts of your own and like/comment on others to get your name and profile to show up in multiple feeds.7. Join a groupIt is important to connect with other industry professionals and those who share common interests through groups. Continue to build relationships that will have an impact on your personal development. Offer your own advice by giving feedback, tips, and sharing posts that will increase your engagement and drive connections. What you have to say may be just what someone is looking to hear.8. S hare your profileBe willing to take your LinkedIn profile offline or to other social media platforms that you use on a regular basis. Increase your number of connections by steering those you meet through in-person networking efforts to your social profiles. Dont be afraid to ask those you respect if they would be open to connecting with you through LinkedIn.There is enough room on LinkedIn for everyone to be able to grow professionally and enhance their network. While creating a strong profile and engaging with potential connections may seem a little overwhelming at first, the returns can be great.

Writing a Cover Letter That Works for You

Writing a titelblatt Letter That Works for You Writing a Cover Letter That Works for You A cover letter, if its strong enough, may land you an interview on its own merit. Agreat cover letter can even make up for any flaws your resume may have.Why Is a Customized Cover Letter So Important?Anyone can write a general cover letter of introduction. Your cover letter needs to be specific thats what will make you stand out and shine.It is important to note that, similarly to when youre writing your resume, it is essential for your cover letter to be reader-friendly. One of the most common and easily fixable mistakes I see in cover letters is that they are typically long, dense, and hard to read. If hiring managers and recruiters spend an average of six seconds looking at a resume, what makes you think theyll spend even longer looking at your cover letter?How to Format a Cover LetterMy general rule of thumb is to start with a paragraph or two that explainwhy youll be great for the job and why you want it. Then, add a few bullet points thathighlight your achievements or qualifications. Finally, finish with a concluding paragraph.This format makes the cover letter easier to read and evengives the recruiterthe opportunity to skim it. Furthermore, whenyou have bulleted out your achievements or qualifications, the readers eye will automatically be drawn to those bullets. If the reader only notices one section, those bullets will be it and thats a very good thing.Being Specific What to Include in Your Cover Letter- Clearly state your name and the name of the position you are applying for within the first two sentences.- Make sure that youanswer the following questionsWhydo you want this particular job?Why will you do well at this job?What can you bring to this role/company?Why do you want to work for this company?- Break up the format a little bit. Give the reader a rest from the long paragraphs I tend to write a paragraph or two, then highlight some qualifications or ac hievements in bullet form, and then finish with a closing paragraph. This breaks up the document, makes it more reader-friendly, and draws the eye to your qualifications/achievements.- Finish off by thanking the reader for their time and explaining that you would love to discuss your application further at their convenience.Making Your Cover Letter and Resume FlowUse the same header on your resume andyour cover letter. This is an easy way to make both documents look professional and cohesive, and it will ensure that the documents wont get split up or lost in translation.-A great cover letter comes with a personal hauch and shows the reader why you would benefit the company by working there. Make sure you paint a picture for the reader so they can see how badly you want the job and how great youll be if they hire you. If you can capture all of this in your cover letter, you are almost sure to get an in-person interviewMaster the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Re cruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career. Like this article? We also offer tons of free eBooks on career and recruiting topics - check out Get a Better Job the Right Way and Why It Matters Who Does Your Recruiting. document.write(Read more ) in Cover Letter

Deadline Extended for Special Journal Issue

Deadline Extended for Special Journal Issue Deadline Extended for Special Journal Issue Deadline Extended for Special Journal IssueApril 21, 2017 The guest editors of an upcoming special issue of the ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering have extended the deadline for authors who are interested in submitting a paper for publication. The new deadline to submit a manuscript for the special journal issue - covering topics related to enhanced process-machine interaction through design, tooling, automation, and modeling - is now May 1.The special issue, which is scheduled to be published in February 2018, will focus on research in areas including computer-assisted cutting tool and die-mold design and analysis machine tools and metal forming presses high-speed spindles high-performance feed drive and computer numerical control (CNC) systems CNC tool-path generation virtual manufacturing active control of machine tool vibrations machine tool metrology, surface metrology a nd tolerancing principles diamond turning, fast tool servos, ultra-precision machining, and machine tools and in-situ measurement of force, temperature, residual stress, vibration, part dimensions, and tool wear.Papers should be submitted electronically by May 1 through the ASME Journals Digital Submission Site at http//journaltool.asme.org. When they reach the Paper Submittal Page, authors should select Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering and then select the special issue Enhanced Process-Machine Interaction Through Design, Tooling, Automation, and Modeling.For mora information on this special issue of the ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, visit https//goo.gl/75hEfY.

How Did Corporate Jargon Grow Out of Control and How Do We Stop It

How Did Corporate Jargon Grow Out of Control and How Do We Stop It How Did Corporate Jargon Grow Out of Control and How Do We Stop It Ive often asked myself why so many of us in the corporate world feel compelled to talk about getting our ducks in a row, building straw dogs, or making sure were all singing from the same song sheet for our elevator speeches. How did this start? Who isresponsible for the blatant proliferation of jargon throughout the corporate world to the point where it is acceptable in an interview to refer to including people as baking them in? I want the single throat to choke (whoops, I just used jargon) from an accountability standpoint so I can ask them a simple questionWhy? Why Did You Do This to Us?When I finished school, my first corporate job welches as a consultant working for one of the big global consulting firms. There, I was inundated with a slew of corporate expressions. I was certain that we consultants were to blame for this especially given the strange looks we often got from clients when we said weird things like, This new process could be met with tissue rejection.But the story behind where this and other expressions actually came from runsmuch deeper than a group of consultants coining terms to make themselves sound smart. AtThe Atlantic, Emma Greentraces the history of amtsstube talkas far back as the Industrial Revolution. She shows us that corporate jargon emergesaccording to what isimportant to the corporate world at the time of its creation. For example,theexpression low-hanging fruitemerged during General Electrics Workout days, made famous under Jack Welch, when organizations were looking for ways to quickly and easily identify problems and solutions. Similarly,pinging and double-clicking down emerged during the technology-driven Dot-com Revolution more recently.So it turns out that thepartner in my group who felt compelled to talkabout paradigm shifts wasjust a corporate-jargon-speaking product of his time(the term was coined in the 1960s by philosopher Thomas Kuhn). Being labeled as suchinstead of as a blatant abuser of corporate buzzwords no one understands would certainly feel better during therapy.These days, however,authenticity and relatabilityare more important than ever. We want people to speak to us in plain English not only in the corporate world, but in pretty much every facet of life. In politics, for example, voters are begging elected officialsto stop the politician-speak and just talk to us like normal people.Join the Conversation WhatBit of Corporate Jargon Annoys You the Most?How Do We Stop the Madness?Aside from shock therapy which really isnt socially acceptable any more one of the easiest things we can do is simply ask ourselves if how we are saying something would resonate as authentic and relatable to our audience. Does asking someone to put a straw dog together seem authentic and relatable? Or shouldwe simply say, Lets put an outline together? Everyone gets that. From there, we can challenge ourselves to use the samelanguage at work as we would use with our family and friends. I would never say to my mother a retired elementary school teacher who worked with children who had learning disabilities that we really needed to create mindshare on how to turn the home office into the new babys room. Id simply say that we should share some good ideas and pick the best.It will take work, though. Corporate jargonhas become habit for almost all of us.Because it is used so widely, it has rubbed off on everyone. Old habits are hard to break, and new habits take time to form and firmly establish themselves.Make the elimination of corporate jargon agroup challenge foryou teams. If you are a manager, bring your employees into the conversation and ask them toregulate each other and maybe more importantly, regulateyou. Start by focusing on ways to eliminate the top 3-5corporate expressions used in your office.As the non-corporate expression goes, It takes a village.James Sudakow is principal of CH Consulting, Inc., and author of Picking the Low-Hanging Fruit and Other Stupid Stuff We Say in the Corporate World. How well do you know corporate jargon? Take the quiz here.

Review of Steve Siebolds Book How Rich People Think

Review of Steve Siebolds Book How Rich People ThinkReview of Steve Siebolds Book How Rich People ThinkMany personal finance experts agree that successful budgeting and money management isnt about tactics. Its an issue of mentality. In other words, strategy and tips are less important than the overall mental shifts a person needs to go through to manage their finances well. Thats the premise behind this book by Steve Siebold, How Rich People Think. He took 26 years to interview some of the richest people in the world to write this book. His conclusion to become rich, he had to think like a rich person. While you may not aspire to be rich, but you should want to be better at managing your money. This book provides insight into the mental shifts that can help you achieve this. Get Out of the Broke Mindset For the first 25 years of his life, Siebold thought about money the way most people do. He says once he changed the way he thought about money, it began to flow to him. While this may or may not be true, some of his insights are interesting and worth considering. Each chapter in his book (there are 100) highlights the differences between the way most middle-class people think about money versus the way the wealthy think about money. For example, according to Siebold The middle class focuses on saving money. The wealthy focus on earning.The middle class believes money is complicated. The wealthy believe its simple.The middle class believes rich people are crooks. The wealthy believe rich people are driven.The middle-class worries about money. The wealthy dream about it.The middle-class believes getting a job is the safest way to earn money. The wealthy believe being an outstanding performer is the safest way to earn it.The middle class thinks about spending. The wealthy think about investing. The middle class believes riches come from formal education. The wealthy believe it comes from being an expert.The middle class thinks money is about acquiring stuff. The wealthy think its about freedom.The middle class thinks the rich should support the poor. The wealthy believe in self-reliance.The middle class doesnt quite understand the connection between money and health. The wealthy know money can save your life. An Easy Read These examples and more are covered in chapters two to three pages long. Each chapter begins with an example like the ones above. The examples are followed by a page or two that elaborate on the idea. Each chapter ends with a famous quote, a suggested resource where people can go to learn more about that point, a critical thinking question, and an action step. Siebolds perspective is not representative of all forms of wealth, nor does it represent all wealthy people. It may, however, give you some insight into how some people of wealth earn, enjoy and think about money. It may also make you a bit more hopeful after all, according to Siebold People who believe their best days are behind them rarely get rich, and often struggle with unhappiness and depression. Self-made millionaires get rich because theyre willing to bet on themselves and project their dreams, goals, and ideas into an unknown future.

The Debate Over Communication Skills on Resume

The Debate Over Communication Skills on Resume The Ultimate Communication Skills on Resume Trick When you think of great communication with friends and nearest and dearest, you can imagine long talks full of laughter long into the evening. You have to reveal your passion, states Huhman. You may have the very best message on the planet, but nobody will listen. The New Fuss About Communication Skills on Resume Your cover letter is an excellent chance to elaborate on your communication abilities. You will have to compose a resume which is a small different for each work application. Everything from your resume to the work interview and beyond will call for different kinds of communication abilities. Youll discover confident communication is useful not simply on the job but during the work interview process too. For instance, you can discuss the way your capacity to keep clear lines of communication with management was essential in the success of a certain project. Dont do the voreingestellt prepared response in which you tell them precisely what you think they need to hear. To actually communicate effectively, you not only need to listen and reflect on what you heard, but you also need to accept feedback offered to you in a professional way. For instance, you can discuss how you could work with different levels of management in an earlier position after being promoted. Your advertising manager resume summary is the surface of your sales funnel. Our resume builder gives you tips and examples on how best to compose your resume summary. Your call may be just what it requires to pull your marketing resume to the peak of the heap. In smaller companies and classrooms, you will need to have the ability to manage more than 1 task at one time without losing sight of your final goal or losing charge of your charges. Needless to say, the best method to develop into a terrific leader is to practice your abilities. Maybe youve employed your listening skill s to comprehend how youre able to employ your expertise and experience to enhance the operation of others on your team leise attempting to learn the ropes. Because resumes are intended to be a concise rendition of your experience and qualifications, deciding upon the best words to reveal leadership skills is critical. FlatteryWhen youre searching for work, do what you can to bring your authentic self to the table. While bank teller jobs can act as a great way to enter the area of finance, its important that you demonstrate that you have the required skills to serve as the surface of the branch. Luckily, you can obtain cash handling skills in many different positions. You will use your communication skills in each step of the work search and at work. For instance, if youre communicating with a possible employer, its much better to send a formal email or call them on the telephone. Verbal communication is communication thats spoken. There are various sorts of communication ski lls it is possible to learn and practice to assist you grow to be an effective communicator. Unique manners of communication are appropriate in various conditions. The cover letter is really a better place to center on soft skills than the resume. There are lots of books on the discipline. A sentence should contain only one idea. The majority of people have seen the outcomes of both effective and ineffective leaders at work. Another important point to consider is to relate the way your previous experiences would benefit the target company. If its possible to communicate in a means to inspire others, youre more inclined to be tapped for leadership positions later on. If youre able to talk or write about a solution or service in a manner that makes people wish to purchase it, youll be an important team member A Startling Fact about Communication Skills on Resume Uncovered Even if you disagree with an employer, coworker, or employee, it is essential for you to understand and respect their standpoint. Your choice of resume structure and the way you arrange important information will demonstrate an outstanding deal about your capacity to effectively communicate your ideas. According to her, its also the reason putting your information just in the header or footer isnt a good idea. For instance, you might need assistance from different departments to acquire a project started. When including leadership skills, it is essential to include quantifiable leads to your resume. Sure, its simple to say you have leadership qualities. Even though it seems like it ought to be included in non-verbal communication, HR managers like to differentiate here, as its a significant part of occupational dialogue. Fantastic leaders are skilled at problem-solving problems that arise at work.

10 Things You Should Never Say Over Email

10 Things You Should Never Say Over Email In some cases, having the paper trail of schmelzglas can be a good thing. However, there are certain thingsyou shouldnt put in writing, as they can be taken the wrong way or worse, lead to your termination.Some might say the unwritten rules of schmelzglas communication are common sense, butthe fact is not everyone is aware of all these email taboos.Below are ten tips to helpyou avoid making crucial email mistakes. Whether youre new to the business world or a seasoned veteran, these tips will help you stay out of troubleNever criticize a person in a waythatcould be perceived as a personal attack. (E.g., Tellingsomeone they are a jerk or worse for what they have written to you.)Do not state your private opinions on a person or make generalizations about a group of people in an email. Especially avoid topics related to religion, politics, sexual orientation, or ethnic background.Do not state in writing how you feel about the email you received. If a message makes you upset or angry, keep that to yourself. Be like Switzerland, and always adopt a neutral tone in emails.If you thinkthat what you are writingcould at some point or in some context be embarrassing or slightly inappropriate, then it likely is so dont write it.Keep your email content business-oriented.Dont share information about your personal life via email unless you would be okay with others knowing the information. Emails are, essentially, public.Discussingyour coworkersand theirperformance is not acceptable, even if you are being complimentary. The only exception is when you are the persons manager and are having an email conversation with HR or your own boss.Do not speculateaboutyour company or your coworkers.Your inferences can easily be misunderstood, even ifyour speculations have good intentions.Jokes should also be avoided.What you think is funnycan easily be offensive to others.Dont make unsolicited suggestions over em ail. If someone has explicitly asked for your feedback over email, you can share it. Otherwise, keep your opinions to yourself.Dont ever tell a person youre going to quit your job or are thinking about leaving. This information could end up in your bosss hands. If youre planning on resigning, your boss should always be the first to know.Kathleen E. Murphy is CEO of Market Me Too.

How to address an employment gap in your resume

How to address an employment gap in your resumeHow to address an employment gap in your resumeYou made it to the interview, but you know theres aglaring employment gap on your resume. Heres how to talk about it the right way.Dont be sorry about your storyThis isnt a good idea.Kim Isaacs, Resume Writing Services Director and Resume Writer at Resume Power and former Monster Resume Expert, writes on the Monster site about why this is important to keep in mind.If youve been out of work because you raised a family, continued your education, cared for a sick family member, or recovered from an injury, be sure your tone is not apologetic. Theres nothing wrong with being out of work for whatever reason, and a negative attitude might affect your resumes quality, she writes.How to talk about taking time off to travelBe sure to focus on the right things.Sjoerd Gehring, the Global Head of Recruiting at Johnson Johnson, writes in The Muse about how to talk about a gap caused by you resigning to backpack around the world.The key with this one is to focus on how traveling contributed to your personal development, rather than how much fun you had schlepping around the world with nothing but a backpack and a smile. If you took on any paid or volunteer work during this time, concentrate your response on the additional personal and professional skills its given you, he writes.Dont badmouth a former workplaceThis is never a good idea.Bronwen Hann, President and Senior Partner at Argentus Supply Chain Recruiting, writes on LinkedIn that you need to keep it positive when talking about why you left your job before the gap.Explanations that scream I didnt like my previous employer dont look good. Hiring managers might just ask why you didnt wait to find a new job before quitting your old one, especially because its easier to find a new job when youre already working, she writes.Make sure youre super prepared to talk about your strengthsIf you dont, who will?Alison Doyle, a career exp ert, author and founder and CEO of CareerToolBelt.com, writes about this in The Balance.In all instances where you need to account for a gap, you should share as much concrete evidence of your success in the jobs prior to the gap and after you resumed employment. Itemize your accomplishments by referring to situations where you intervened, specific actions you took and the results you generated, she writes. Emphasize how your company benefited from your role. If possible, secure recommendations from supervisors to support the explanation you plan to give during the interview.

Informational Interview Thank-You Letter Example With Tips

Informational Interview Thank-You Letter Example With TipsInformational Interview Thank With TipsDid someone take the time to share information on his or her career with you? If youve just conducted an informational interview, its always a good idea to send a thank-you emaille message or note. Its important to extend the courtesy of thanking, in writing, everyone who helps you with your career or job search. Youll not only be showing you appreciate the time, but you will also be building a relationship which can help you as your career progresses. Send your thank-you letter (paper or email) within 48 hours of your informational interview. Review these examples of a hard copy letter and an email, then tailor them to fit your personal circumstances. Also, review tips for what to do after an informational interview so you can get the fruchtwein out of your experience. Informational Interview Thank Your NameYour AddressYour City, State Zip CodeYour Phone NumberYour EmailDateNameTitleOrga nizationAddressCity, State Zip CodeDear Mr./Ms. Last NameThank you for speaking with me today. Your insights were truly helpfuland have confirmed my decision to gain additional work experience in the field before applying to graduate school.I will regularly check the websites you suggested for job leads, and have already contacted the ABC professional association regarding membership.I will follow up in the near future to let you know about my progress. Thank you again for your assistance.Sincerely,Signature (hard copy letter)Your Name Expand Email Example Informational Interview Thank-You Letter When sending your thank you as an email message, put your name and thank you in the subject line of the message SubjectYour Name - Thank YouDear Mr./Ms. Last NameThank you for speaking with me today. Your insights were truly helpfuland have confirmed my decision to gain additional work experience in the field before applying to graduate school.I will regularly check the websites you sugg ested for job leads, and have already contacted the ABC professional association regarding membership.I will follow up in the near future to let you know about my progress. Thank you again for your assistance.Sincerely,Your NameYour Email AddressYour Phone Number Expand Follow-Up Thank-You Letters If your informational interview leads to a good job lead or a job offer, you should send a follow-up thank-you letter to the person who gave you the interview. This will keep your connection active and it gives them kudos for their knowledge about the industry. As you start a new job, you need contacts when you are ready to step up to the next phase of your career. You may even be in a position to do the hiring and ask your informational interview contact to recommend people to apply. How to Get the Most out of an Informational Interview After completing aninformational interview, its important to think over the experience and identify how you would like to move forward given what y ouve learned. Remember, the goal of the interview is to learn more about whether or not a particular company, job, or industry is a good fit for you. Setting aside time to reflect upon the interview will help you decide if it is acareer pathyou want to pursue. Reflect on the interview as soon after the interview as possible, when your impressions are still fresh. Consider writing down answers to some of these questions. Even if you only write down brief notes, writing may help you process your thoughts about the interview. Here are some questions to ask yourself when thinking about your takeaways from the interview. What are the most important new facts and understandings that you have acquired?Do you think you would be satisfied with the situation your contact described?Do you think you would be dissatisfied with the same thing(s) your contact described as dissatisfying?What is your reaction to the number of hours and type of schedule (set/flexible) described?What is your reaction to the stresses and anxieties of this occupation? Do you want to deal with them?What do you think of the culture of the occupation and company (the work environment, the relationships between employees, etc.)? Does it sound like an environment in which you would like to work? What do you need to do to make yourself a competitive candidate?Have you changed your opinion of the occupation as a result of your interview?What misconceptions did you correct?Did any other big red flags come up about the occupation?

10 Skills Every HR Manager Needs to Succeed at Work

10 Skills Every HR Manager Needs to Succeed at Work10 Skills Every HR Manager Needs to Succeed at WorkYou wanted a job in Human Resources because you like people. But, liking people is not enough. There are many skills every HR manager needs to become truly successful. Here are 10 of them- and not one of them is liking people (although that does help). 1. Math You were promised that you would not have to do math in HR thats why you chose it instead of accounting. Sorry While you dont need to do as much math as you do in accounting, a lot of compliance work requires a solid understanding of math and statistics. Youll need these skills to interpret affirmative action reports, create turnover reports, determine salaries, and speak intelligently with the geschftliches miteinander people who are very number focused. Measurements to confirm the viability of HR practices and programs are more vital than ever. 2. Compartmentalization Compartmentalization is a skill that allows you to put your work into one box and the rest of your life into another, and never the twain shall meet. You dont need to make the divide severe, but you do need to separate work and home life if you want to succeed in HR. Why? Because HR problems never, ever end. You will never have a day when you can say, Im finished. All the employees are happy. All policies and procedures comply. All managers have had proper training. And everyone is getting along beautifully. It will never happen. Youll need the ability to go home and not think about work or youll go crazy. 3. Compassion You dont have to like people, but you do have to show compassion. Employees expect you to listen to them and their problems. While youre not a therapist, you do have to act like one from time to time- at least long enough to talk the employee into calling yourEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) for real help. There are also legal reasons for why you need to behave compassionately- its often the law.Walgreens ended up paying $180,000 to settle a lawsuitfor firing an employee who ate a bag of potato chips without paying first. Why? Because the employee had diabetes and her blood sugar was dropping. If Walgreens had shown a bit of compassion, they could have figured out that the employee wasnt stealing and needed the food to keep functioning. This is a reasonable workplace accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 4. Legal Knowledge HR managers are not lawyers, nor do they need to be lawyers. However, a good understanding of basic employment law is critical to success. Like the compassion example above, HR managers are often faced with on the spot decisions that have legal consequences. When can you say no to a request and when do you need to engage in an interactive process, for instance. Or, when can you fire this person but not that person? A good HR manager also knows when shes out of her depth and when its time to call the employment law attorney. 5. Multi-tasking In some big companies, every HR person has one specific function such as training or compensation. But, in most companies, youre responsible for many things at the same time. You need to switch back and forth at a moments notice because you will deal with crises often. You have to be able to step away from the affirmative action report right now to help an employee who just got word that her mother was in a car accident and then come back to the report, 30 minutes later. 6. Understanding Health Insurance (and Other Benefits) One of the biggest parts of a compensation package is health insurance. HR is the face of that program for employees. Yes, the insurance company itself will happily help employees, but you need a solid understanding of how different plans work to help employees with their benefits. If youre a senior level HR manager, youll play a key role in choosing your companys plans. In that case, youll need more than a surface level understanding of how health care and ot her benefits work. 7. How to Recruit and Hire Recruiting and hiring involve far more than getting people in the door. Its also a public relations job. Why? Because every candidate will walk away from his application process with feelings about your company. If the recruiter is non-responsive, hell walk away with bad feelings, and even if he is the best fit for your job, he may not take the job because the recruiter was ineffective. Understanding where to find great candidates, and how to bring them on board is a critical HR skill. 8. Managing People As an HR manager, you may have no direct reports, but you need to understand how to manage people. Youll coach and act as a confidant for managers youll need to help them manage their people. In some HR roles, youll act as a de facto manager for many people, even if you arent the one who writes their annual performance appraisals. 9. Discretion HR managers arent required by law tokeep information confidential (although many e mployees think that they are). Youre not a lawyer, doctor, or priest, but youll deal with confidential information all day long. You need to know when to share and when to keep information confidential. For instance, if an employee comes to you with a health problem that is affecting her work, do you tell her manager? If you know that an employee is getting laid off next week, and she mentions in the line at the cafeteria that shes putting an offer down on a new house, what should you say? These are problems that come up frequently in HR. You need to know how to handle them. 10. How to Fire Firing is much more complicated than saying, Today is your last day. The goal in firing an employee is to have that person leave the company and move on with her life. A good HR manager understands the second half of that. A bad one only understands the first half. You need to know how to stay legally compliant, fair, and compassionate, but also think through the possible legal implications o f every action. You need to know what to say and how to say it, and how to support a manager through a termination. Learning each one of these skills requires their book. None of them are easy, and no one enters an HR job with the ability to do all of them well. But, to succeed in human resources, these are a few of the skills you need to work on and (hopefully) perfect. If you can do this, youll become a great HR manager- and isnt this what all HR people strive to achieve? Suzanne Lucas is a freelance journalist specializing in Human Resources. Suzannes work has been featured on notes publications including Forbes, CBS, geschftsleben Insider and Yahoo.