Success at Work : Techniques : Get Ahead by Faking It

Written by Stephen Bucaro


Continued from page 1

How to Fake It

Faking it can mean learning to use a complicated computer application or technology that you have no experience with. For example, you might accept an assignment that requires you to use a Computer Automated Drafting system (CAD). Don't start by attemptingrepparttar assigned task. First design a few smaller practice projects.

Faking it can require an understanding your organization's processes. For example, you accept an assignment that requires you to write a specification. You'll need to get a copy ofrepparttar 147917 appropriate procedures manual. Sometimesrepparttar 147918 most surreptitious source for this is a clerk or secretary.

- When attempting to concealrepparttar 147919 fact that you're faking it, one of your best sources of information may be a clerk or secretary. You would be surprised how knowledgeable these people are about how things get done inrepparttar 147920 organization.

Faking it can mean managing a project or event when you have no management experience. You might think "acting like a boss" doesn't require any special skills. But if managingrepparttar 147921 project requiresrepparttar 147922 cooperation of other people, you'll find that some people will be uncooperative.

To manage a project, you need to learn how to use a "pert" chart and a "Gantt" chart, and how to manage a budget. If team members feel that you have lost control andrepparttar 147923 project is doomed to failure, everyone will abandon you.

- When attempting a task forrepparttar 147924 first time, it's important to listen to other people's advice. You may not agree with, or understand what they are saying, but they may have been down this path before and can giverepparttar 147925 tip that will prevent you from stumbling.

- When faking it, study previous work. Can you get copies ofrepparttar 147926 schedule used onrepparttar 147927 previous project of this type? Can you get pictures ofrepparttar 147928 previous product or event? Can you get a copy of a similar specification? Don't plagiarize someone else's work, just use it as an example.

To fake it, you'll be required to put in extra time, usually your own time, to make up for your lack of experience. That'srepparttar 147929 price you have to pay to succeed in "no stretch" organization. It will be worthrepparttar 147930 extra effort because next time this kind of task comes around, you really will be experienced.

After you have successfully completed a task by faking it, you' be ready to handle even greater assignments. Tasks for which you have no experience. And you'll receive those assignments and succeed in those tasks - by faking it.

---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2005 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money onrepparttar 147931 Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp ----------------------------------------------------------

Copyright(C)2005 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp


Job Interviews -- What Your Pre-Interview Research Should Cover

Written by Mary Brent


Continued from page 1

#3: Get to know aboutrepparttar interviewer

A key part of job interview success is about building rapport withrepparttar 147774 interviewer. That's why it helps to find out something about him.

Learn about his background -- educational qualifications and career progression are good starting points. Get an idea about his reputation withinrepparttar 147775 organization.

Find out details like his professional affiliations, hobbies and family. Try to get a sense of his values and personal style -- what kind of person is he?

See if you have anything in common with him. Whether it's hobbies, city where you grew up or anything else. If there is, it's easier to build rapport. Even if there isn't,repparttar 147776 fact-finding you've done will allow you to conduct yourself appropriately atrepparttar 147777 job interview.

#4: Be up-to-date onrepparttar 147778 industry and profession

This isrepparttar 147779 big-picture context you must be aware of. Know about trends and developments inrepparttar 147780 career you've chosen.

This is particularly important if you're changing careers. In that case, your focus will be on your transferable skills. You need to prove that you know what you are getting into and how your existing skills and experience will help you in this new career / profession.

Apart from mainstream news media, trade publications are a great source of information. In addition, seek out someone in your network who can give yourepparttar 147781 inside scoop on what's happening.

Atrepparttar 147782 job interview, you should be able to discuss trends, career paths andrepparttar 147783 skill-set needed to succeed. You are aiming to convey that you have a firm grasp of whatrepparttar 147784 industry and profession is all about and that you are prepared to function effectively.

Learn all pertinent facts aboutrepparttar 147785 industry. How profitable has this industry been over time? What arerepparttar 147786 current growth trends? Is this a mature, slow-growing industry or one ofrepparttar 147787 newer faster-paced ones?

How important is your profession to this industry? Is it a core profession or something that's peripheral torepparttar 147788 industry's success?

What developments could disrupt growth and profitability? These could be related to technology, distribution, changes in market preferences and much more.

This information will allow you to talk intelligently about your industry and profession.

Research isrepparttar 147789 base on which good strategy is built. Takerepparttar 147790 time to do it well and you will have a considerable lead over your competitors.

Mary Brent is an expert on job interviews and careers. Her numerous articles offer valuable interview tips, effective ways to write interview thank you letters and more.


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