8 life and career lessons from the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashana

8 life and career lessons from the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashana8 life and career lessons from the Jewish new year, Rosh HashanaIts autumn, which means kids are back in school, pumpkin spice is making its way to a latte near you, and Jews around the world are about to celebrate the New Year. Wait, what? New Years in neunter monat des jahres - is that really a thing? It is indeed, and Rosh Hashana is a great reminder for anyone of any religion - or none at all - to take a moment to reflect on the year to date and try to figure out whats next.Here are 8 ways the Jewish holiday can inspire you to take stock of your life right now, and maybe hit the reset button on whats not workingDont let the calendar be your only milestoneWhile I celebrate New Years Eve on December 31st with the rest of the world (be it out with friends or home in my jammies), I love the fact that I have two New Years in my life. Theres something about being able to take stock of the year before the end of year pan ic sets in that affords me a different kind of perspective. Its almost like a cheat sheet before pressing the New Years reset in January. In addition to the holiday thoughts, I tend to ask myself a series of questions including Am I on track in my career or my partieal business plan? Have I had any abject failures or spectacular successes? Can I sneak in a few more of the latter before the year is officially done?Be more flexibleWhile were on the subject of calendars, unlike New Years Eve which is on the same date every single year, the Jewish New Year is based on the lunar calendar and falls on a different date on the Gregorian calendar each year. So, some years we celebrate in September, others its in October. The thing is, that when you spend your life trying to figure out when to schedule meetings based on both the lunar calendar and your Google calendar, you learn to be a lot more flexible. As my Catholic-raised/half Jewish friend Erik (who asked that only his first name be use d in this article) puts it, Living with two calendars makes you realize that you have to understand priorities, what comes first, and how to make everything work together. Its also a great lesson in prioritizing your work self and personal time.Follow the script that works best for youWhen I was researching my book Ancient Prayer I spent a lot of time studying the powerful and beautiful prayers said this time of year. I also came to realize that just like story inside the classic Christmas song, theLittle Drummer Boy, sometimes the way others express themselves doesnt work for you and its okay to go off script.Like prayer, your work or relating style doesnt have to mimic anyone elses. So, if youve outgrown the career style or even path that may have once fit you, you dont have to wait to make an official New Years Resolution to find a better one. Start right now and start from wherever you are.It isnt always funWhen clients or colleagues find out that Ill be taking off for the Jewis h New Year, they inevitably tell me to have fun. Sorry to burst that bubble, but Rosh Hashana isnt even remotely about having fun. Its a holiday thats about connection to oneself and ones faith its about introspection and trying to figure out what went right or wrong in the year that passed, while trying to figure out how to hopefully fix oneself in the new year. In other words, though it takes work, it nourishes me and challenges me to try to figure out how I can improve in the year ahead. If you feel like youre going through the motions at work, that doesnt mean that you have to throw in the towel and start over. Work is meant to be challenging at times and overcoming hurdles will probably land you that next promotion or title upgrade.Find a new outlook (in the middle of the year)Yoga and other eastern philosophies, faiths, or practices tend to remind us to let everything else go and embrace the present. Ana Weber, who coaches entrepreneurs, thinks that the Jewish New Year is a pe rfect time align our goals and embrace new beginnings-fresh starts introduce new outlook on life career relationships with asense of freedom.And since there isnt the added pressure of a new calendar year starting, she explains that it allows you to Befriend the present,and extract the seeds of experience and wisdom, while looking forward to the newness, the change, the hope one will feel less overwhelmed and open to opportunities and personal/business growth. Its a gentle way of allowing yourself to seize the moment and start from wherever you are.Embrace positive motivationRosh Hashana is celebrated with loads of positive symbolism, from eating a fruit you havent eaten in the year past, to dipping challah bread and also apple slices in honey to symbolize the desire for a sweet new year. Depending on your background, you may also find yourself eating a sweet carrot dish known by the Yiddish name of tzimmes, or sharing a pomegranate for its myriad jewel-like arils, since both symbo lize abundance. While work and everyday life can be a drag, it can be fun and inspiring to create your own daily positive triggers. Among other tchotchkes on my desk, I have an antique bottle of writing fluid, right next to a smiling sunshine-topped piece of pottery that simply says optimism. Sometimes all of us need something tangible and physical reminders or talismans to remind us why were working and what we hope for.Just take a breakMuch of the Jewish New Year is spent in prayer and contemplation, which Weber likens to meditation which allows you to both take a break and be still connect with the person in you.It can also connect you to a higher power or place outside yourself.Life consists of inventory of events and emotions. When we learn to rotate let go of yesterdays emotional weight embrace the newness and take action in the present time, we dont get burnt out. We enjoy our life journey and take the driver seat moving forward, Weber says.It doesnt have to be your holida y to inspire you. Take a day (or hour) to take a break and try to connect with something outside of yourself or at least outside your daily routine. Its a tiny way to recharge on a daily basis.Theres almost always room for a do-overRosh Hashana is part of the High Holy Days which culminate with Yom Kippur, 10 days later. The reason for this slightly extended break between the two is that sometimes no matter your best intentions, you just dont get it right. Maybe your concentration is off, or you just couldnt tap into the feeling youd hoped for. In the Jewish faith, you have 10 days to change that and to unseal your fate and try to make things better. Maybe youve screwed up at work. Maybe you keep screwing up at work but perhaps if you give yourself a set time limit (10 days anyone?) to try to improve, youll take the pressure off yourself to try to be perfect on the first go-round.

This SNL skit pokes fun at the horrors of networking

This SNL skit pokes fun at the horrors of networkingThis SNL skit pokes fun at the horrors of networkingIf you have ever felt dread when the email subject line reads Can I pick your brain?, this new Saturday Night Live skit is for you.In A Frightening Tale, comedian and talk show host Seth Myers is seated around a campfire telling a true ghost story The horror of being obligated to mentor someone who does leid offer anything in return.You want to be scared? I have a story, Myers character Brandon starts. About two years ago when I was still at the ad agency. I got a call from my dad. He asked me if I could get a coffee with his friends son.Thats no big deal, right? one friend says.A 22-year-old recent college grad, Meyers continues as the horror music plays in the background. The friends yell in fear at what he says next An aspiring filmmaker. His name was Connor and he had a lot to say.How not to be a nightmare when seeking mentorshipThe sketch is effective at capturing how a bad mentee can come across from the mentors perspective. We watch Connor chatter endlessly about how he is going to advance his career in filmmaking. He does not seek Brandons input about his ideas and does not ask about his own experiences in the industry.He just cant keep texting you and keep trying to pick your brain forever? one scared friend exclaims, unsettled at hearing Brandon recount the story.But a person, well-intentioned in real life or completely oblivious in fictional Connors case, can.Can I pick your brain? is a seemingly innocent request, but it is vague and puts the burden on the recipient to figure out what exactly you are asking. To do better, be specific about what you are seeking in the initial contact and what you can give in return. If you want an informational interview or career advice, say so.When you finally meet, make sure to listen and ask about the mentors professional experiences. The conversation should be energizing for both participants in the conversat ion. If you make the meeting all about yourself, it makes the relationship you are seeking seem transactional the mentors knowledge for your professional gain. No one likes feeling like a brain leech for your career plans, whether you are in a comedy sketch or in real life.

5 Ways To Create An Eye-Catching Designer Resume Like A Pro

5 Ways To Create An Eye-Catching Designer Resume Like A Pro5 Ways To Create An Eye-Catching Designer Resume Like A Pro5 Ways To Create An Eye-Catching Designer Resume Like A ProIn a time now mora than ever, employers are getting flooded with resumes every day. leid only employers getting flooded with resumes, it makes it harder for your own resume to stand out from all the other competition. So whats some great ways to create an eye-catching resume that no one will miss? Not to worry, were here to show you 5 Ways To Create An Eye-Catching Designer Resume Like A Procourtesy of F.Campanaro unsplash.comDesignNow when it comes to design, there are so many templates out there that promise and guarantee to catch the readers eye. Having a design for a resume is something that takes a bit of finesse but also an eye for detail at the same time. The key about making a resume that catches the employers eye, isnt just to have something well written, but well presented. As my teacher used to say, Keep It Simple StupidAs my teacher used to say, keep it simple stupid. She was right. Keeping it simple takes the confusion out of all the details on the page. You want it to be in a simple font. And remember, just black and white. Another tip is to try and keep it under 3 pages.Dont Go Too CrazyIn my time of hiring employers, Ive seen some quite humorous resumes. Ones ranging from having multi-colored pages, some having alfruchtwein an entire page of their auto-biography, and even a few which are more than 5 pages long.Its Not An Art ContestIts great to have some passion put into your resume, but the whole idea about a resume is to write about your job qualifications. Its not about how well you can show off your artistic skills. Keeping it black and white and simple will help you stand out from the rest of the Van Gophs of resume writing out there.Simple But ProfessionalThese are the two words you need to focus on. However, dont mistake simplicity for being too simple. You still wa nt to have all the details, skills and achievements you want without sacrificing either area. By doing this, you want to have a professional lay out that keeps all areas clear, concise and easy to read. This is what will catch eyes. Making your resume look cluttered and too full of information will only encourage the employer to take a deep sigh and move onto the next one. You probably dont want to be that person.Selling YourselfSelling yourself is a huge area when it comes to writing your resume. You want to be able to sell yourself properly without sounding egocentric, but also without sounding like you dont have the skills or achievements you need. By doing this what you want to do is include phrases that slightly exaggerate your skills. Here are some examplesExamplesVery clear attention to details and instructionsAbility to relate to customer on a personal level while maintaining attentionHas a consistent history and ability to build trust with customers and clientsHas a passion to not only meet requirements but to exceed themChallenges are what keep me interested in motivated to work at my full potentionalInstead of saying replying to emails, you can say connecting and communicating with employees via email/phone and in person. This sounds much more professional, doesnt it? By adding slight exaggerations to your skills and achievements will help you stand out more, as most people dont go to this extent. This will give you an advantage above the rest.Spelling and GrammarYou can have the best qualifications in your university, but if theres anything that will shoot yourself in the foot, its having spelling mistakes on your resume. Grammar is also important because it doesnt just look good on paper, it shows how consistent your own abilities to communicate are with your education.For the most part, most businesses will usually entail you doing some form of writing at some point. Its great to also use this skill to slightly up your vocabulary on your resume, to give a sense of intelligence and eloquence. No one wants to read something that looks like its written by a 5 year old.Lets Sum It UpAt the end of the day, a resume is something that is going to give the reader an idea of who you are. How you write, what you write and how it is styled is all a representation of who they are going to employ. Keeping it simple and sweet is the best way to come across as someone who is professional and who has the skills to complete what is necessary. Study the company you are for and use their voice through how they communicate, as your weapon to build rapport with them on your resume. We hope this helps