5 Tips to Communicate Effectively at Work

Interpersonal skills play a vital role in your career development. It seems like a very natural and simple thing to do but communicating is a complex task, and it makes the situation worse if you don’t know how the other person will react to it.

There is a great dissimilarity between ineffective communication and the ability to communicate. It can lead to career discouragement and sometimes make or break the trust and deals.

5 Tips for effective communication

1. Body Language

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Body Language is the biggest part of effective communication at any workplace.

It unknowingly expresses and reveals your attitude through the gestures and facial expressions to the listener and what you are thinking regardless of what you are speaking to them.

2. Physical Barriers

It is the most common kind of block that affects the communication process. This can be anything that distracts physically, like phone calls and other things.

It can also be the location of communication that can act as a barrier.

3. Overloaded Information

Effective communication at the workplace can often be blocked by flooding amounts of information, like receiving the same content mail from different persons.

It leads to its ignorance by many employees and results in missing out on the important details of the original mail.

4. Attitude

Your attitude and conduct should be clear, consistent, and polite. Acting this way gives them the impression that you invest on and care about the professional relationship.

It ends up discouraging miscommunications and improves clarity.

5. Perception

It can be considered as one of the main barriers to effective communication. Everyone looks at the world differently through his views.

This is the main problem with the perceptional barrier. No one knows where there is a good idea on the horizon. Keep your mind open to new ideas and proceed from a stagnant perception.

Above all, be genuine when you speak and keep your intentions clear. What will achieve tremendous results?

5 Things You Should Know About Germany Before Studying There

Germany is one of the favorite choices for higher education among students worldwide. The government has set very low tuition fees for international students.

As an international student, there are certain things that you need to prepare for before going to Germany. Anything other than home is difficult to adjust to. There are also multiple scholarships to apply for.

So here are a few things you should know about before studying in Germany:

1. Universities have oral exams

If you are used to writing essays and giving written exams, you will take some time to adjust to this. Oral exams are difficult because you have to give them right then and there.

Also, German universities have one massive paper for all the subjects at the end of the semester rather than having one paper per subject.

2. Doing laundry is complicated

German laundry machines are very different than US or Indian ones. The operations are very specific, and you will indeed be confused. So always take a German friend with you to help you initially.

3. Five trash cans system

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This is going to be the most difficult task for you. Germans have the five trash cans system or Mülltrennung. You have to separate your garbage properly into five cans.

Recycling and reducing carbon footprint is an important part of the German lifestyle.

4. Being on time

Being early or late is considered rude. If you are invited to come at 8 am you have to reach 8 am. You can’t be a minute early or late.

Also, understand the system of ST and CT. CT classes begin 15 minutes later than the given time.

5. Learn the German language

Yes, there are courses available in English. But if you plan to settle in Germany, it is good to take up a summer German language class because why not.

Some complicated German words are used often and don’t have any direct meaning in English.

If you have plans to study in German, you better get these 5 things sorted.

Good luck!

How to Choose the Perfect Career?

Your future depends on the career that you choose for yourself. We are so busy these days that we rarely get time to ponder and discover ourselves.

Therefore, you must spend considerable time thinking about your career as it is one of the most important decisions of your life.

1. Know your working style:

Everyone is different, and so are you. Make sure you discover how you like to work. Do you like to work in teams, or are you better off working all by yourself?

Are you more into research or crunching numbers? Would you like to work during late hours and not early morning?

Make sure you know what you like to do so that you pick the best job for you.

2. Separate your goals from those that others have for you:

Your father might want you to become a doctor while pursuing acting. It’s alright, and you don’t have to fret.

You’ll spend the rest of your life carving a place for yourself, and things will not always be going well, so it’s worth choosing a field that you are passionate about. After all, it’s your life, not your father’s.

3. Work in different fields:

Some finance graduates ditch their corporate careers to pursue writing because once they start working, they realize that they can’t handle the monotony that finance involves.

While it is true that you might be eager to do something in a specific field, it’s always better to have hands-on experience as it helps you decide wisely without wasting time and money.

4. Grab those opportunities:

You might be presented with an opportunity that wasn’t what you were looking for, but you must take it up and give it a shot. Often, people don’t discover themselves even in 2 decades of their lives, but a small internship makes them realize who they are.

Opportunities help you answer several tiny questions that finally help you make one big decision.

5. Be Patient

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Never make decisions relating to your career in haste. Always take your time, ask yourself some questions, invest in a career coach and self-assessment tools to help you decide what you want to do in your life.

Remember, it is not an event but a process that unfolds slowly over time.

Why Should You Visit France Once in Your Life?

Every time you think about France, a few Bollywood movies play in your mind. Have you ever wanted to kiss with Eiffel Tower in the background? If you have dreamt of that, hop on a plane with your partner and spend your New Year in France.

The European country is undoubtedly the most romantic in the world. Everything about France is to fall in love with. The villages in France are just as beautiful as their cities.

Here are a few reasons that will make France an irresistible destination to travel:

1. Castles of the French countryside

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The French countryside is why you should visit France. It is littered with thousands of mid-century French castles. Some castles are converted into hotels, so you get the chance to live the life of a royal for one night.

Don’t forget to visit the Palace of Versailles, the resident castle of Louis XVI and his wife, Marie-Antoinette. There are guided tours that take you around and tell you different points and their history.

2. Food and wine

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The French cuisine is a bread lover’s ultimate dream. The French make a hundred different varieties of breads. From wines, cheeses, pastries, and sauces, your stay in France will surely shrink your clothes.

Be a little charming, and the stall owner will give you a few samples before you buy any food. Take some bread, cheese, and a bottle of wine, sit in one of the many parks of France, and indulge in its goodness.

3. Eiffel Tower

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The Eiffel Tower is the ultimate definition of love, and there’s no denying it. Spend some time with your loved ones there, and don’t forget to kiss them against the metal monument.

Also, go to the top of the tower to get the magical lit view of the entire of Paris. After spending some time there, head over to the many cafes and gelato shops nearby.

4. France has the best cheese

France is popular for its collection of cheese and wine. They have the best in the world. Sipping France’s fine wine paired with their best cheese is one of the most exquisite experiences you will ever have in France.

There are over 400 different types of cheese to choose from, and the same goes for wine. France will give you the foodgasm you never thought you could get.

5. France’s Art, History & Culture is to die for

France has everything, and it has Paris, the most artistic place you will ever witness with bare eyes. It has old villages in the countryside and rich historical museums in all the major cities.

There are famous art galleries too. Its art and culture scene is so on top that France is the 4th country globally to have the most sites assigned to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Currently, there are 39 sites on the list.

With everything you have heard about France till now, don’t you feel like visiting it already?

 

Lovely Places to Visit in December Out of India

Holiday time is coming soon. Have you already decided where you are going to go this December? Calling in New Year in a different country is simply thrilling.

Are you confused about where you want to go in December? Worry not, and we have a list of happening places outside India ideal for a Christmas and New Year vacation! All year long, you work hard, so you deserve the trip.

1. Fiji

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You will fall in love with Fiji and never want to come back. It is a romantic place and ideal for going with your partner or spouse. To reach Fiji, take a flight to Nadi International Airport.

The average cost for a couple is Rs 2.3 lakh for a week. Top places to visit in Fiji are Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, Mana Island, Denarau Island, Kula Eco Park, and Mount Tomanivi. Any time of the year is best to visit Fiji.

2. France

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France is the ultimate destination for honeymooners. If you get married soon and haven’t planned for a honeymoon destination, go with France.

From wine to opera and romantic boat rides, you and your spouse are going to have a fantastic time. The best time to visit France is between October and March.

The cost for two comes to around Rs 2 lakh. Places to visit in France are Loire Valley, Paris, French Riviera, and Strasbourg.

3. Greenland

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If you and your friends want to do something terrifying and adventurous, catch a plane to Greenland. The best time to visit Greenland is the whole year-round, but you will get to see the Northern Lights in December.

Go skiing in the mountains of Greenland and spend your night drinking hot chocolate. The best places to visit in Greenland are Northeast Greenland National Park, Jakobshavn Glacier, Hvalsey Church, and Tunulliarfik Fjord. The cost for two visiting Greenland is Rs 2.5 lakh.

Until December hits, you have all the time on earth, so plan your trip without any rush.

Here’s How You Can Work in Australia After Post Graduation

It is a little difficult to understand Australia’s Post Graduation Work visa. They have many subclasses of visas for different purposes. Under this visa, there are two more categories.

Graduate Work visa – gives you a work permit of 18 months after you complete your undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

A post-study work visa is given to graduate students who want to study further and work. Students are given two, three, or four-year visas depending on their highest educational qualifications.

Here are some things you need to know about the work permit:

1. Study

Firstly, the course you are doing should be registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Course for Overseas Students. You should have completed at least 92 weeks of education in Australia.

It means that even if you take 96 weeks to complete an 80-week long course, the registration body will consider only 80 weeks.

If you have studied outside Australia for 92 weeks in a Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Course for Overseas Students course, you are still eligible for the work permit.

2. Application

You have to apply for the subclass 485 visa within six months after your course completes. Please don’t confuse it with six months after getting awarded the completion certificate.

3. Qualification

Your highest qualification is always considered. To be eligible for a work permit and increase your chances of getting one is by having two degrees – bachelor’s and master’s in the same field.

Whichever course you have studied in should be very similar to the work you want to undertake in the future.

Once you get the Australian work permit, you are free to go ahead and work in your desired field. Make the most out of it and reach greater heights.

While getting a work permit, you might find a lot of difficulty, but it is worth the wait.

Top Companies that Offer Job Security

If you are worried about job security and whether the company you are working for is stable enough for you to relax with a sense of job security, then you may want to read on.

Some top companies are considered stable enough and offer their employees a sense of job security with great benefits, health plans, and work.

According to Indeed.com, more than half of those employees surveyed complained about how insecure they feel.

Job security is one of their primary concerns when applying for a new job, right after wages and health benefits. Of all the companies surveyed, the following are top contenders for offering their employees great benefits, including job security.

Top Companies Offering Job Security

• Quiktrip
• Southwest Airlines
• Publix
• Costco Wholesale
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean Cruises
• HEB
• The Ritz
• Primerica
• Acclivity Healthcare
• Yale-New Haven Health

Why is Job Security Important?

Companies have started to understand the low impact morale can have on their workforce and that employees need to feel valued and be made aware of their contributions.

This directly impacts their productivity since the satisfied worker will go the extra mile for their company.

As a result, more companies have started to engage with their workers, taking their concerns, including job security, forward.

Of course, job security is relative since companies prefer to retain productive workers as opposed to those who are not. But with more HR managers reaching out to employees and making them feel worthwhile, bigger profit margins and targets are being met ahead of schedule.

So if you want a secure career with job security, you may want to check out any vacancies with the companies listed above.

What should Entrepreneurs do in the First Month of the Year?

Now that the festive season is over and you have partied these last few months happily, it is now time to pull up your socks and gear for a great 2022.

Irrespective of how the last year was – profitable or a stagnant one – the following are what you should do as an entrepreneur to prepare yourself for the new year and the new challenges that it will bring.

1. Plan! Plan! Plan!

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You entrepreneurs have to set some achievable long-term goals for your organization or start-up; that is the only way to achieve your dream.

So the first thing you have to do in the first month is set your long-term goals and several 90-100 days plans that will help you achieve the long-term objectives. The latter will ensure that you’re on the right track.

2. Say NO to a chaotic Workplace:

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A clean table indicates an organized mind. Cleaning up your messy workstation might take up some time and energy, but stop procrastinating, get that paper shredder and get down to work.

In the end, seeing your clean and organized workplace will not only help you feel relaxed and calm but might also help sprout a new idea in your head. What a bonus!

3. Find your Inspiration:

If the last year ended badly, it doesn’t mean that the new year should start that way either. So go ahead and find your business guru or motivational coach who will help you out and push you on the days you feel low.

4. Don’t Stop Reading:

As an entrepreneur, you’re a life-long learner, and reading has to come naturally to you.

Please make a list of books that you must read every month and make sure it includes newspapers to stay updated with the latest information, novels to keep your imagination running, and business magazines to know what is happening in your world.

5. Revise and Remove:

Make sure you come up with a budget for the year and one that is practical. Setting and revising budgets help you stick to your planned actions and ultimately takes you to your goals.

And yes, you might have carried the burden of unproductive employees since you didn’t have the heart to fire them during the festive season; it’s now time to let go of them if they aren’t helping your company in any way.

We hope you have a successful year ahead and all your ideas bring a great return on investments.

Tips to Apply for a Job Using Social Media Platforms

Remember the time when Orkut became a huge hit amongst the hoi polloi?

Social media networks were first created to make friends or interact with existing friends. Later, people used social media to blog on an array of topics. Today, the scope of application of social media networks in our lives is limitless!

People may or may not have a computer, but they will have a social media account.

Roughly 92 percent of organizations recruit people using social media sites or applications. Drudging through hundreds of resumes can be very time-consuming.

At the same time, Social media helps gauge whether the candidate is even worth interviewing, thereby saving a lot of time and effort.

To increase your chances of landing the job, you must have the edge over other candidates, and you can do this by using social media correctly.

How to use social media effectively for jobs?

“You’ll never get a second chance to make a great first impression” – Will Rogers.

So how do you stand out from the rest? To begin with, you must create a profile on business/professional networking sites such as LinkedIn to make your presence felt.

Let recruiters notice you! There is a possibility that you connect with people who could be interviewing you in the future or maybe in charge of shortlisting you for a job.

Try to be more engaged on pages that post news and trends pertaining to your industry. Don’t shy away from revealing your personality on sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Recruiters normally tell you not to attach your photo on the resume. However, a professional-looking photograph on your social media profile will help build trust at the outset.

What not to do-

Remember that your employers look up your talents on your profile and check your other details, which form a major basis for their decision to call you for an interview.

Don’t put up tons of photos of you partying with your buddies or selfies with silly filters, as this will affect their view of you as a candidate. Furthermore, avoid using foul language in your comments and posts.

Make sure that you don’t express your political views too aggressively or frequently if you don’t want to hurt the sentiments of your future boss.

Identify Your Strengths to Turn Apprenticeship into a Permanent Job

You’ve got an opening wedge! Now is the time to recognize your abilities, broaden your horizons and get a permanent job in which you outshine others.

Your prospective employers will expect you to take on a new job role with utter aplomb.

Hence, you must know what you’re most passionate about and discern the qualities and skills that set you apart from the rest to sweeten your employer’s kitty.

How to be on top of your game?

If you want to have the edge over other candidates, it’s essential to exhibit the talents you possess. Seek opportunities in which you get to undertake several roles and recognize the one that suits you perfectly.

Once you display your skills to your prospective employers, you will likely receive work that matches those skills. This will aid in forming a cycle where you’re given work that you enjoy while performing exceedingly well, which in turn results in more work, eventually securing more stability in the job.

4 ways to magnify your Abilities

  1. By communicating the role you enjoy doing the most, your employer would recognize the areas in which you could add value to the business.
  2. You know your strengths. But now, you must also emphasize how these strengths can be associated with the company’s values and visions using a pragmatic approach.
  3. Expand your capabilities by volunteering to work on different projects and take on different responsibilities. In this way, you’ll widen your career possibilities and increase your scope of growth.
  4. Describe your skills, contribution, and achievements during appraisals or interviews to increase your chances of becoming a more permanent employee.

You need to show that you will be an asset to the company if you want your job to be permanent. The employer needs to see that you are reliable and trustworthy.