Monthly Archives: September 2024

Ex-CEO Offers Interview Advice… Coffee Chats Can Improve Networking… Think Before You Post

Leave a reply

Ex-CEO Offers Interview Advice

No matter how stellar your résumé and cover letter may be, the way to clinch a position is to nail the interview. Talking about your suitability for a position is nerve-wracking, so it’s a good idea to take pointers from experts such as former TripAdvisor CEO Steve Kaufer. When he interviewed candidates, he paid attention to several red flags.

One of the questions Kaufer routinely posed to candidates was to comment about the “hardest project you ever worked on.” If the candidate blamed others, Kaufer assumed that individual was not going to work out. He said he believes that blamers tend to not accept responsibility, lack empathy, and are poor team players. He likewise said that if a complaint was about having to come to work on a weekend, it was probably a tip-off that the candidate had a poor work ethic.

Kaufer also listened for a sense of curiosity in his interviewees, saying that this trait demonstrates the ability to adapt, a quality he looks for in his workforce. To determine candidates’ curiosity, he asks if they had played around with AI and chatbots. This allowed him to determine how willing job candidates would be to experiment with the new technology. If they had not, he would likely pass on that job seeker. “I probably don’t want to work with that individual,” he says.

Yip, J. (2024, June 17). Red-flag answers to avoid during interviews, according to Trip Advisor’s former CEO. Business Insider. https://businessinsider.com

Coffee Chats Can Improve Networking

Fact: nearly 80 percent of jobs are filled via networking. Fact: 70 percent of jobs aren’t posted to the public. Therefore, getting a job truly is about who you know. Asking someone for a chat over coffee can help make those necessary contacts.

A coffee chat is an informal way to connect with a professional who could help you down the line. But be aware you have only two objectives when approaching someone who can help you. First, you want to make that person look smart, not yourself (i.e., no humblebragging.) To that end, ask about topics both you and your potential connection can discuss. Good questions can make you shine. Your goal is to make one intelligent comment throughout the entire conversation—that is enough.

Your second objective is to make no requests at this initial meeting. Instead, offer your assistance near the end of the session: “I’m wondering if there is anything I can help you with. No problem if not, but the offer stands. I’m always open to new ideas.”

Finally, make sure to follow through. If your professional contact posts on social media, like and comment to participate in the conversation (but only do so sincerely.) If the professional doesn’t post, you can connect by sending a link to information that the businessperson would find interesting.

Now get out there and make a coffee date!

Wolovsky, D. (2024, July 8). How to capitalize on a coffee chat. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com

Think Before You Post

Americans hold the right to freedom of speech dearly. However, if you think your freedom of speech extends to the workplace, think again. What you say at work can get you into trouble, depending on the state in which you live, whether you work for a public or private organization, and what restrictions your employer has put in place.

Be aware that political opinions voiced at work or on your social networks are not protected under the First Amendment. Likewise, don’t be naive thinking your accounts are private. Your online persona can be accessed, whether you post memes, controversial opinions, hate speech, and more. If you value your paycheck, you’ll keep your opinions to yourself.

Linares, S. (2024, July 16). Forbes Career Newsletter.

Professional Organizations Are Key to Career Advancement

Leave a reply

Climbing the career ladder can be challenging, especially for recent graduates. That’s why joining a professional organization that represents the field new workers are entering is a solid investment. 

A professional organization or association’s goal is to advance a specific occupation and support the needs of its members. Typically these groups collect membership dues, elect its leadership, and create committees working on issues related to the field. Professional organizations often hold conferences, publish member journals or newsletters, provide networking opportunities, and in some cases, offer certification programs. Some examples of professional organizations include the AMA (American Medical Association), ABA (American Bar Association), and NEA (National Education Association). Many support student chapters at universities and colleges.

Perhaps most noteworthy is that professional organizations provide a venue in which like-minded people can share experiences, provide one another with tips and insights, and offer industry-specific news. These organizations can enhance your career development in several ways:

  1. Boost your résumé. Future employers will like seeing that a potential hire wants to continually improve by being part of a professional group. Hirers often assume that an individual who has joined a professional organization has a good work ethic and positive attitude.
  2. Expand your network. A primary purpose for joining professional groups is to meet people who can become part of your network. Many groups offer networking events, but even if they do not, you are part of an organization in which all the members share something in common, thus providing networking possibilities you can create on your own.
  3. Provide job listings and/or spaces devoted to post résumés. Recruiters in an industry frequently turn to professional organizations when looking for talent. Likewise, these groups provide a space for job seekers to upload their résumés.
  4. Offer continuing education. Professional organizations link members to continuing education opportunities, from finishing a degree to pursuing a higher degree or gaining certifications.
  5. Follow industry trends. Few organizations will know more about trends affecting an industry or profession than these associations. News, insider information, upcoming changes that affect the profession—no place is more up-to-date on this valuable information than professional groups.

Whether you are looking for ways to grow or meeting new people, joining a professional organization is a smart career move.

Discussion

  1. Why is it a good idea to join a professional organization while you are still in school?
  2. How would you go about finding a professional organization in a field that interests you?
  3. What are some other benefits beyond those named above of being part of a group of professionals?

 

Source: Moran, A. (2024, July 17). The role of professional organizations in career advancement. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com

 

AI + Critical Thinking = A Win

Leave a reply

One of the biggest arguments against AI is that it cannot duplicate the unique human ability to think critically. Critical thinking is a complex concept that has been part of human thought and ideas for 2,500 years, according to the Foundation for Critical Thinking. It is often defined as “self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-correcting thinking […] using a high standard of excellence.” It requires effective communication and problem-solving skills.

Critical thinking has always been an integral aspect of the business communication curriculum. How else could we teach our students to tailor their messages to an audience, to write purposefully, and to think strategically? However, today AI has made teaching critical thinking even more crucial.

This is because AI results are often inaccurate and need to be checked for data “hallucinations,” biases, and logical inconsistencies. Moreover, AI responses must be interpreted and analyzed to determine if results meet ethical standards. All of these elements involve the higher-thinking propositions that comprise critical thinking, making its incorporation into our curriculum more essential than ever.

Our students will need AI fluency because they will be entering a workplace rife with AI applications. They will be expected to possess critical-thinking skills required to interpret this AI-generated data. Explaining the reasons we teach critical thinking to our students can help them understand AI’s limitations and encourage buy-in to critical-thinking assignments. Here are five key reasons:

  1. Critical thinking provides contextual understanding to AI-generated results. Humans are aware of the subtleties of language a bot cannot be, yet. We are able to blend information, background, and context to make a sound judgment about content.
  2. Critical thinking entails a specific creativity AI doesn’t possess yet. Creativity, a key human ability, is paramount in communication tasks. AI-generated results are generated from existing patterns and data, not original and innovative ideas or approaches. While AI is capable of unique new combinations that could be called creative, humans still reign in this arena.
  3. Critical thinking involves ethical consideration. Applying an ethical standard and sense of morality is crucial to functioning in a civilized world. AI has no such moral compass and therefore requires the human capability to evaluate AI data that humans may deem unethical.
  4. Critical thinking demands emotional intelligence. AI is unable to assess human emotions and motivations when producing its results. Employing empathy, compassion, and understanding helps produce more effective results, particularly when people are writing. Any piece of communication will be more effective when different perspectives, emotions, and experiences are considered–skills impossible for AI to master.
  5. Critical thinking compels adaptability. The human ability to adapt and adjust based on evolving situations is key in business. While it is true that AI may be taught new data, the ability to be flexible and adaptable still makes humans unique and uniquely

It’s natural to be wary of the speed with which this new technology has taken over the conversation about work and jobs. That’s why it’s useful to remind ourselves that even with AI, humans’ ability to think critically will continue to make us invaluable to any organization.

 

Source: Carucci, R. (2024, February 26). In the age of AI, critical thinking is more needed than ever. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com