In reading this year's list of America's Rudest Cities published by Travel & Leisure magazine, I admit I was surprised by some of the listings. I had found San Diego, D.C., Orlando, Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Chicago to be quite friendly cities. While there are some cities listed that I have not yet traveled to, there are others that could spruce up their refinement and civility skills overall. Of course, I won't name names. However, if you are on this top 20 list, you may want to ask yourself is this the list you want to be on?
Note to self: must get out more!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Importance of Thank You Notes
Today I received a very special package in the mail containing 30 handwritten thank you notes from the students at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL for the International Etiquette course held last week. It was so heartwarming to read their notes.
These students in particular are all military veterans and well-traveled. I had asked the students as we began the class how many had received cross-cultural training prior to their deployment. Only half raised their hands. It made me shudder to think that we sent our military members across seas to live and work in other cultures without ensuring they were fully prepared for interacting. So many of the world's misunderstandings arise due to poor communication and lack of sensitivity toward one another.
Each student in the session learned skills that will help them to be successful and give them an advantage as they continue to navigate their communities, workplaces, and world. Here are some of the thank you notes that were shared with me:
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the fantastic Skype session at Santa Fe College. I found your details on various cultures and how their perspectives differ from our own very informative. As a result of this, I feel I am more open to other cultures and their values."
"Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to Skype with our class today. You gave some very helpful tips on gestures in different cultures. I would have never thought something as simple as a thumbs up could mean so many different things. I will continue to learn about cultural differences because you made the topic so interesting."
"Thank you for the insight on traveling abroad, and having proper etiquette. I have been to many different places, but I fear that I may have made a few mistakes! Well it is better late than never to learn about cultural diversity. Thank you again for this informative lecture."
"Thank you for helping me broaden my perspectives by teaching me how to be more culturally aware. I now feel confident that if I'm ever in another country, I'll be able to hang with the best of them without having too many cultural faux pas."
"...I enjoyed the way you use real life experiences. It reminded me of my times overseas."
"...As a person who wants to travel, I found your discussion on cultural etiquette to be very enlightening. I'm a little intimidated by all the variations you spoke about for different cultures, such as proper handshakes. I feel like I have an advantage with the knowledge you have shared, as well as the understanding to research cultures before I travel."
These students in particular are all military veterans and well-traveled. I had asked the students as we began the class how many had received cross-cultural training prior to their deployment. Only half raised their hands. It made me shudder to think that we sent our military members across seas to live and work in other cultures without ensuring they were fully prepared for interacting. So many of the world's misunderstandings arise due to poor communication and lack of sensitivity toward one another.
Each student in the session learned skills that will help them to be successful and give them an advantage as they continue to navigate their communities, workplaces, and world. Here are some of the thank you notes that were shared with me:
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the fantastic Skype session at Santa Fe College. I found your details on various cultures and how their perspectives differ from our own very informative. As a result of this, I feel I am more open to other cultures and their values."
"Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to Skype with our class today. You gave some very helpful tips on gestures in different cultures. I would have never thought something as simple as a thumbs up could mean so many different things. I will continue to learn about cultural differences because you made the topic so interesting."
"Thank you for the insight on traveling abroad, and having proper etiquette. I have been to many different places, but I fear that I may have made a few mistakes! Well it is better late than never to learn about cultural diversity. Thank you again for this informative lecture."
"Thank you for helping me broaden my perspectives by teaching me how to be more culturally aware. I now feel confident that if I'm ever in another country, I'll be able to hang with the best of them without having too many cultural faux pas."
"...I enjoyed the way you use real life experiences. It reminded me of my times overseas."
"...As a person who wants to travel, I found your discussion on cultural etiquette to be very enlightening. I'm a little intimidated by all the variations you spoke about for different cultures, such as proper handshakes. I feel like I have an advantage with the knowledge you have shared, as well as the understanding to research cultures before I travel."
Recuiters Review Your Social Media Posts
What does your social media say about you? Most of us have heard that recruiters review a candidate's Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter, and other social media posts. Even though this is true, many people are lax in ensuring their posts show them in the most flattering, knowledgeable, and professional light in terms of a job search.
A recent study by Reppler finds that 91% of recruiters review your posts as part of their screening, with Facebook coming in at the number one social media reviewed at 76%.
Interestingly, almost 50% of the recruiters in the study review this information after receiving the application...before ever speaking with the candidate.
It is so important to be sure your posts are the best portrayal of the professional you prior to the job search because the study also found that 69% of recruiters have rejected candidates based on their posts! Conversely, 68% have hired candidates based on what the recruiter saw on the posts.
So...which bucket do you want to be in?
Get going now and "professionalize" your online presence!
A recent study by Reppler finds that 91% of recruiters review your posts as part of their screening, with Facebook coming in at the number one social media reviewed at 76%.
Interestingly, almost 50% of the recruiters in the study review this information after receiving the application...before ever speaking with the candidate.
It is so important to be sure your posts are the best portrayal of the professional you prior to the job search because the study also found that 69% of recruiters have rejected candidates based on their posts! Conversely, 68% have hired candidates based on what the recruiter saw on the posts.
So...which bucket do you want to be in?
Get going now and "professionalize" your online presence!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)