Category Archives: Etiquette

How to Turn Down a Job Offer

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Job Search , Job Offers , Syndication , Interviewing for a Job

Photo of desk courtesy of JGI/Tom Gill/Getty Images.

Career Guidance

Richard Moy is a Content Marketing Writer at Stack Overflow. He has spent the majority of his career in talent management, including a stint as a full-cycle recruiter and hiring manager. In addition to the career advice he contributes to The Muse, he also writes test prep and higher education marketing content for The Economist. Say hi on Twitter @rich_moy.

Can Instagram Land You a Job?

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Can Instagram Land You a Job?

WashingtonPost Jobs

Published: Oct 18, 2017 By Robin Farmer

Social media has significantly changed the recruiting world.

While it’s OK to post fun photos that don’t relate to your career, remember, in some industries, especially creative fields and the visual arts, including journalism, copywriting, photography, design, advertising, and marketing, Instagram is an ideal platform to present your work. The next time you post, remember: recruiters are using Instagram to locate potential candidates.

Can Instagram Land You A Job

Your brand is your story

Instagram can absolutely help you land a job as long as you know what you’re seeking, and what you’re selling, says Carlota Zimmerman, a career strategist. “If you’re simply on Instagram, posting endless photos of brunch and your dog and funny memes: no. That’s not a brand, that’s killing time. And that’s okay! But don’t kid yourself: photos of your baby and Taylor Swift do not a career make.”

Apply these tips to make your account an extension of your resume:

1. Check Your Profile

Ask someone whose opinion you respect to view your profile and tell you what he or she learned. Your account should reflect your education, expertise and commitment to your industry. “Does your profile, for example, tag the big companies you’ve worked for, or the schools you attended?” Zimmerman says.If using Instagram for fun, then consider a personal account that’s locked down “because we all share the same Internet.”

2. Create Your Brand

Social media handles are the new business cards so make sure your account reflects the personal brand you want to project to employers, says Andrea Serie, marketing consultant for Double Down. Digital. Use your account to showcase your persona and visual story telling. “Are you artsy? Are you funny? What type of work are you passionate about? Your posts should reflect your work as well as your personality. Be cautious about posts that showcase partying or too much sex appeal…it will only work against you,” she says.

3. Be Authentic and Strategic

Your brand is your story, your passion and how you present to the world. How you present yourself is how you’ll be perceived. “This goes triple for people of color,” says Zimmerman. “So think of Instagram as a way to further establish your credentials. What is the industry you’re attempting to break into? Follow the trend-setting people, businesses and other industry-related accounts. What conversations are they having?”

4. Showcase Your Work

Don’t make your account private as it makes people wonder what you have to hide. Share short clips of your work—Instagram allows up to 59 seconds of video, and connect your Instagram account to your website or blog.

5. Follow Targeted Companies

If there is a company you want to work for, follow all of their social media accounts. “Be sure to engage on their posts with smart, concise comments,” says Serie. “If their social media team is responsive, ask questions that reflect you are an out-of-the-box thinker who pays attention to what is happening at their company. Over time, the social media team will start to recognize your account. Be mindful to be tactful and not a social stalker.”

6. Communicate Through Direct Message

DM is the new email. Send your elevator pitch about what you’re looking for in a DM. The DM should be concise and to the point, says Serie. “Perhaps you can even offer your services on a specific initiative or for an allocated period of time pro bono to create an opportunity for yourself. This shows you are willing to provide value first before getting anything in return. This truly illustrates that you stand behind your work product.”

7. Share Industry Goals

Identify your goals within your industry and work backward to see if your account reflects your industry’s priorities. Check to see if your account is professional, interesting, intelligent and relevant, says Zimmerman. “Does it demonstrate your zeal for your field? Joan Didion famously said, ‘We tell ourselves stories in order to live.’ What story are you telling the world about your ambition, and your expertise? If you yourself are not sure, odds are that neither is anyone else.”

8. Use Tags and Hashtags

Tag relevant photos and videos to a company or industry related to your expertise. By illustrating your services and products recruiters can see if you are a good fit. Just don’t get carried away.

There are 700 million users on Instagram. That number includes companies and recruiters who can easily hire you. Give them ample reasons to say, “You’re hired.”

How to Write an Apology (and Avoid Non-Apologies)

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How to Write an Apology (and Avoid Non-Apologies)

If you follow this apology template step by step, it will helps you explain clearly what you did and understand how you affected someone else. Rather than having you fill in the blanks, it helps you find the words to say what you really mean.

By

Samantha Enslen, read by Mignon Fogarty,

Grammar Girl
October 12, 2017
Episode #590

A picture of a woman who might need to write an apology letter.

OK, let’s admit it.

None of us really likes to apologize when we’ve done something wrong.

In fact, the ways we avoid apologies are so common they’ve been given names. There’s the “nopology,” the “unpology,” and the “fauxpology,” just for starters. And the hashtag #sorrynotsorry has trended for years. It’s used to indicate a sardonic lack of shame, as in: “Binge-watching instead of cleaning house #sorrynotsorry.”

So how do you write a good apology and avoid one that rings false?

Let’s start by talking about what NOT to do.

Types of Non-Apologies

  1. The “If” Apology
  2. The Passive Voice Apology
  3. The Reverse Apology
  4. The Florid Fauxpology

Let’s explore each non-apology a little further.

The “If” Apology

First, avoid the “if” apology. It’s probably the most common non-apology. It can suggest oversensitivity, as in, “I’m sorry if you were offended.” It can imply that others weren’t smart enough to understand your intentions, as in, “I’m sorry if my remarks were taken out of context.” And it can suggest that a perceived wrong might not have even occurred, as in, “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

To avoid this, drop the “if” from your apologies and simply admit what you did. Instead of saying, “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings,” try “I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings.”

The “that” makes all the difference.

The Passive Voice Apology

Next, avoid the passive voice apology. Sometimes it’s hard to admit when you’re wrong. When that happens, we can subconsciously slip into the passive voice to give ourselves an out.

“I’m sorry I lost your keys,” becomes “I’m sorry your keys got lost.” “I’m sorry I backed into your car,” becomes “I’m sorry your car got hit.”

This phrasing lets you acknowledge an offense—while softening the fact that you’re the one who did it.

The most infamous version of the passive voice apology is “Mistakes were made.” These three words have been used by politicians from Nixon to Reagan to Clinton. They’ll surely be used again, anytime politicos want to acknowledge a mess-up without admitting it’s their fault.

To fix this non-apology, use the active voice. Say clearly what you did. For example, “I’m sorry the dishes didn’t get loaded,” becomes “I’m sorry I didn’t load the dishwasher.” “I’m sorry there’s dog pee on the floor,” becomes “I’m sorry I forgot to let the dog out.”

The Reverse Apology

Next, avoid the reverse apology. This one is particularly nasty. It takes a wrong and lays the blame for it at the feet of the accuser.

Say you had a bad cold and sneezed on a good friend—who justifiably yelled at you. You could say, “I’m sorry I sneezed on you!” Or you could say, defensively, “I’m sorry you’re so sensitive to germs.”

Or imagine you ate all your roommate’s Captain Crunch. You could say, “I’m sorry I ate all of it.” Or you could say, “I’m sorry you’re not very good at sharing.”

In the first case, you’re admitting that what you did was wrong. In the second case, you’re admitting what you did—but you’re saying that the other person had no reason to take offense.

To reframe a reverse apology, focus on what you did—instead of how the other person reacted. “I’m sorry you’re so sensitive to cold,” becomes “I’m sorry I left the window open all night.” “I’m sorry your allergies are so bad,” becomes “I’m sorry I brought my dog to your house without asking.”

The Florid Fauxpology

Finally, avoid the florid fauxpology. This is the most ridiculous non-apology. Think “I offer you my sincerest apologies,” or “I deeply regret the events of that day to the core of my soul.”

These non-apologies use language steeped in emotion, and they may sound earnest at first blush. But their overheated language makes you wonder if the speaker is sincere—or is just trying really hard to sound sincere.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: if your apology sounds like soap opera dialogue, rethink it. While you’re at it, cut out unnecessary words, which can dilute the real intention of your apology. For example, “I offer you my sincerest apologies for mowing over your flowers,” would become “I’m sorry I mowed over your flowers.”

How to Write an Apology

Now that we have these fauxpologies out of the way, let’s talk about the right way to say you’re sorry.

Luckily, there’s a foolproof template you can use. And the template’s not a trick. If you follow it step by step, it helps you explain clearly what you did and understand how you affected someone else. Rather than having you “fill in the blanks,” it helps you find the words to say what you really mean.

We got the idea for this template from Professor Aaron Lazare, and his book “On Apology.” Dr. Lazare explains that a genuine expression of remorse should include these components:

  1. Acknowledging the offense clearly
  2. Explaining it effectively
  3. Restoring the offended parties’ dignity
  4. Assuring them they’re safe from a repeat offense
  5. Expressing shame and humility
  6. Making appropriate reparation

This may seem a little much if you’re apologizing for a small offense, like eating the last of someone’s ice cream, but we’ve found that the little offenses sometimes sting the most. Eating someone’s ice cream becomes a proxy for how little respect you have for them. Or how few boundaries you have. Or how you’re a taker and not a giver.

Let’s see how an apology template might work in this situation. We’ll pair Dr. Lazare’s advice with a sample sentence.

Example of an apology using Lazare's advice

Notice that this apology doesn’t include a justification, such as “I only ate your ice cream because I was so hungry after working all night.” Excuses like this make you feel better. But they don’t mean much to your accuser—and can even negate the impact of your apology.

It’s hard to do, but leave excuses out of your apology language.

Here’s another example of how the apology template might go:

Another example of an apology using Lazare's technique

Remember, even a sincere apology might not be accepted right away. If that’s the case, try to react with graciousness. You could say, “Thanks for hearing me out,” or “I know you’re still upset, but I appreciate you listening to me.”

Then give the person time to consider what you’ve said and come to their own conclusion.

Fortunately, to paraphrase Justin Bieber, it’s often not too late to say you’re sorry. And even if you really messed up, a thoughtfully-worded apology can go a long way toward healing hurt feelings.

Samantha Enslen runs Dragonfly Editorial. You can find her at dragonflyeditorial.com or @DragonflyEdit.

Sources

Lazare, Aaron. On Apology. Oxford University Press, 2005.

Image courtesy of Shutterestock.

5 Cell Phone Etiquette Tips

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Here's how to be nicer on the phone

 Allison VanNest ·· 1 month ago for Grammarly.com

Cell phones hit the free market 30 years ago, but Americans still haven’t internalized a complete set of social rules for cell phone usage. If you’re not sure what’s acceptable in the world of cell phone etiquette, check out these five tips in honor of Cell Phone Courtesy Month in July.

 

Keep Private Conversations Private

When you’re engrossed in a phone conversation, it’s easy to fool yourself into believing that no one can hear you except the person on the other end of the line.

In truth, anyone within 10 feet can hear your half of the conversation, and whether they mean to or not, they’re bound to follow along. It doesn’t matter if you’re wandering the aisles of the grocery store or huddled inside your work cubicle; others’ ears perk up at the hint of a private exchange. If you don’t want the other patrons of Starbucks to hear about your recent dermatological exam, don’t call your mom with the details as you’re waiting for your morning latte.

Avoid Toilet Talk

Data suggests that up to 87 percent of all people have texted or chatted on the phone while sitting on the toilet. While it may be acceptable to do this in the privacy of home, it’s just plain rude to talk on the phone in a public bathroom. People visiting the lavatory expect privacy. Wielding your cell phone while others answer nature’s call is like filming an impromptu movie in a public locker room. You wouldn’t bring a live mic into a bathroom stall. Don’t bring your cell phone, either.

Exercise Caution With Text-Speak

Texting is still a seedling technology, and society hasn’t adopted a definitive consensus as to what’s acceptable yet. However, if you suspect a person might feel annoyed or inconvenienced by your texting language, you might want to mind your p’s and q’s.

If you need to text a boss, coworker, or professional acquaintance, don’t use the same language and abbreviations you would use when texting a friend. Though “text speak” (K, LOL, etc.) is quick and easy, you sacrifice professionalism and credibility when you use it for work purposes.

Though it is occasionally acceptable to throw an “OMW” or “SMH” into your daily texts, you should practice using correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar when texting. After all, you don’t want to confuse Grandma with your trendy text speak or offend anyone when you say “LMFAO.”

Don’t Dial and Drive

In certain areas of the country, driving with a cell phone in hand is illegal. Even if you live in a state where the cops can’t arrest you for it, dialing and driving is considered rude by plenty of people.

Why do some people frown upon dialing and driving? Perhaps it’s due to the fact that distracted driving claims the lives of at least nine people per day in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. To these folks, talking on the phone while driving is akin to saying, “My phone call is more important than your life.”

Indeed, that’s rather rude.

Don’t Text and Drive

While driving and dialing might fall into a gray area of acceptability, driving and texting is never okay. It doesn’t matter how careful and coordinated you are; texting removes your hands from the wheel, your eyes from the road, and your mind from what you’re doing.

In fact, “driving while intexticated” has grown into a national epidemic. Some claim that it’s a cinch for them to text and drive. However, these people may not realize that texting causes over 1 million crashes per year – and the trend isn’t improving.

In the majority of social situations, norms guide behavior. However, with cell phone usage, norms are still evolving. Are you guilty of breaking any of these rules of cell phone etiquette?

See the original post here  http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/5-cell-phone-etiquette-tips/

Check out Grammarly’s blog for other articles at http://www.grammarly.com/blog/

 SantiMB.Photos via CompfightCreative Commons License Tom Newby via Compfight