5 travel-focused resolutions that better your career

5 travel-focused resolutions that better your career5 travel-focused resolutions that better your careerTravel has never been more accessible than it is now. Or, more important. As companies continue to expand their international reach, having a curious and open-minded approach to the world and its people helps your career to take off. Thats why adding more miles to your upcoming year is a smart resolution for any professional. As career expert Jill Tipograph explains, travel opportunities are growth opportunities.A person who has experienced a variety of cultures internationally, or regions domestically, develops an understanding of differences, she explains.If you didnt have the option to study abroad while in school - or ahem, its been a while since you graduated or brushed off your passport - consider making a resolution to explore further and wider. Whether you make a vacation a chance to connect with international executives or you bargain your way into a sabbatical, here are some ideas to spark your wanderlustGet up earlierIf youre already one of the lucky ones who has the chance to explore various regions of the world, you might be burnout. Traveling is taxing on anyone, especially if youre constantly zig-zagging through time zones or across the country. Career expert and author Lauren Berger suggests switching up your routine to reignite your spirit. This could be as easy as taking advantage of that jet lag and starting your day with enthusiasm and purpose.When you go to remote locations and meet different kollektiv members, wake up early. Take them to coffee or breakfast, ask them questions and learn about their career path. This is a great opportunity to network internally and take a deeper dive into your business, she explains. Creating these relationships with remote colleagues can enhance your ability to work with them in a smoother way.Seek out opportunities to travel for workPerhaps youre in the opposite situation, and youve never trekked some where for work. Make 2019 the year to change that by creating a business case for why you need to hop a flight. Tipograph suggests paying particular attention to growth opportunities for your company since that will be more convincing to your manager (and his or her boss).If you work in marketing and the London geschftszimmer needs extra help connecting with customers or influencers, you could explain how a week spent advising them would move the numbers. Or perhaps the Sydney team isnt doing so well with their office dynamic, and your human resources expertise would make a difference.Whatever the purpose, be direct and create tangible, measurable goals to improve your odds of approval.Find time to meet with visitorsFor whatever reason, travel isnt in the cards for your right now. You can still build international relationships by keeping an eye out for visitors. Tipograph suggests finding out who is coming to your location from other cities or countries in the coming months and act ively seek out a way to see them while they are in town.If time doesnt permit a meal or coffee, ask if you can just take a few minutes to meet them face-to-face when they are in your building, she suggests. The bond formed by directly interacting with people is invaluable.And if you get those five minutes? Tipograph says to make them memorable, whether you express appreciation, seek advice, ask questions or connect with them in another impactful way.Make vacations an opportunityAfter talking about it - forever - youre finally making your way around Europe with your number one or your best friend. You want to spend as much time enjoying the weeks off, but if you happen to be passing through a city where your company has operations, it could be worthwhile to meet with colleagues.As Tipograph explains, even a casual happy hour meetup or a drive-by the office could help someone remember your name - and importantly, your face.People love to share the dos and donts of places and will o ften offer to meet up in person if you can arrange it. Even better, post when you will be where and suggest those in the area reach out to you to connect in person, she suggests.Bargain for a sabbatical or a remote work optionThough the concept of a sabbatical used to be reserved for extreme cases, or after 20 years of service, these days, its definitely more frequently utilized. Its also defined differently, meaning it could last a month, three months or half a year.If you have been at your company for a while and youre in need of a break or inspiration, talk to your manager. Whether you decide to take the time off sans-pay or apply for a remote work program that allows you to take your responsibilities on the road, giving yourself permission to see the world is smart. And hey, could change everything about your career, as you gain a new perspective and approach to success.

3 Sneaky Job Interview Killers Youre Probably Unaware Of

3 Sneaky Job Interview Killers Youre Probably Unaware Of3 Sneaky Job Interview Killers Youre Probably Unaware OfHave you ever left an bewerberinterview feeling like you nailed it only to learn you werent invited back for a second interview or offered the job? You were probably confused or upset. Maybe even both.There could have been a valid reason. Another candidate was mora qualified or the hiring manager was looking for a specific person. But what if it wasnt those things? What if you killed your interview with mistakes you werent even aware of?Here are three surprising interview missteps that might cost you the jobYoure too agreeableWhen an interviewee is too agreeable, its a red flag to hiring managers. This might seem strange because headhunters and recruiters instruct clients to position themselves as yes men, but being too agreeable actually tells interviewers that youre a pushover, desperate or have trouble making your own decisions.Granted, theres a balance. You dont want to appear high maintenance by being disagreeable. So whats the solution? Be honest. If you agree with something an interviewer presents, agree with it. But if you disagree, thoughtfully express your opinion.Interviews arent exclusively for hiring managers theyre also how you decide whether the company is a good fit for you. If you find yourself disagreeing with everything the hiring manager is saying, it might be time to move on.You scheduled your interview too earlyWhen it comes to interview scheduling, the first interviewee is at a distinct disadvantage. Sometimes your interview is determined by the luck of the draw. If not, try to schedule your interview later in the timetable.Doing so will ensure that your interview is top of mind when hiring or next-round decisions are made. Hiring managers rarely hire the first person they interview unless the rest of the applicant pool is noticeably less qualified.Youre over-preparedGoing into an interview without preparing is an obvious faux p as. But did you know that over-preparing can also be harmful? When interviewees over-prepare, they become inflexible and impersonal- almost robotic.Every individual interviewer has a style. Its important to pay attention to the interviewers conversational cues and follow his or her lead. You can ask your recruiter or others who have interviewed with the company about the tone of the interview so you know what to expect. The more you know about how your interview will be structured the better you can prepare for it.How to Avoid Killing Your InterviewJob seekers often fall prey to these mistakes because of inexperience, nerves or poor self-awareness. Although hiring managers wont hold shaky nerves against most applicants, its always a good idea to refine your interviewing skills. Here are a few tips for developing your abilitiesGo to more interviewsPractice may not always make perfect, but going to more interviews will help you streamline your answers and tactics. And with each additi onal interview, your jitters will dissipate.Obviously you hope to land your next job as quickly as possible, but you can learn something from going to one or two more interviews. Sitting in front of people who are firing questions at you is intimidating, but the more you do it the more comfortable youll be firing back great answers. Use a planner to organize all of the critical information such as interview dates, interviewer names and details about prospective jobs.Practice with friends and familySome of your most honest critics are those who care about you. Give your loved ones a list of questions and have them ask some of their own. Keep the structure of these interviews light and conversational. This will help you draw on positive, relaxing thoughts when youre experiencing the real thing.Research tips and best practicesYou can find tons of helpful interview tips online. Seek out articles from reputable, certified HR professionals that outline their best interview tips. These pro fessionals have conducted numerous interviews during their careers, and they can help you sharpen your skills.You should also research the company before the interview. Have a couple key tools in your back pocket such as knowledge of recent initiatives the company executed or its future objectives, and bring them out at strategic times.Job-hunting can be a challenging process, but it goes much more smoothly when you have great interview skills and are prepared. Continue to work on your interview tactics, and avoid sneaky interview killers. With each interview youre one step closer to your dream job, so enjoy the ride, and get ready for your next job victory.Melissa Cooper is the executive vice president of the writer networkTop Resume, aTalent Inc. company. A triple-certified rsum writer and dual-certified HR professional holding both SPHR and PHR designations, Melissa has eight years of executive recruiting experience and over six years of professional rsum-writing experience.

Why team sports can help you live longer

Why team sports can help you live longerWhy team sports can help you live longerWe know that moving around, even basic movement, such as walking around for an hur a week, can make your brain and heart happier. But if you master the art of working out alone and want to level up, consider exercising with a partner. A new study inMayo Clinic Proceedings found that people who do team sports had one particular health advantage over people who exercised solo - they lived longer.Team sports give us a longevity advantageUsing data of 8,500 white adults with no prior history of heart disease, the researchers looked into how a primary sport could change the course of your life, finding a clear link betweenteam sports and longevity leisure-time sports that inherently involve more social interaction were associated with the best longevity.Tennis, badminton, and soccer - team sports that require participation and camaraderie between people for success - ranked above physical sports you could d o on your own like calisthenics and jogging. How long you played the sport mattered less than what you did when it came to longevity.Here were the years of life expectancy added, depending on what sport you playedTennis 9.7 yearsBadminton 6.2 yearsSoccer 4.7 yearsCycling 3.7 yearsSwimming 3.4 yearsJogging 3.2 yearsCalisthenics 3.1 yearsHealth club activities 1.5 yearsDoing any sort of exercise is better than doing no exercise, but this finding suggests that if you want to get the maximum benefits of your weekly gym habit, make it a team activity. For both mental and physical well-being and longevity, were understanding that our social connections are probably the single most important feature of living a long, healthy, happy life, study co-author James OKeefe, told TIME.One recent study of 1.2 million Americans found that team sports had the biggest mental health benefits, reducing participants mental health burden by 22.3%.Having a workout buddy not only holds you accountable for g oing to your weekly soccer game, but the friendships and rivalries are having unseen positive effects on your body. The connections being made are building up your mental and physical reserves in your body for the long haul of life.