Pro tip 4 reasons to turn down new business

Pro tip 4 reasons to turn down new businessPro tip 4 reasons to turn down new businessAs freelancers, the question Whats next? is constantly echoing in the back of our minds.The pressure to secure our next client can sometimes be so overwhelming that when opportunity knocks, we pounce at it without stopping to consider if its actually something that makes sense for our independent businesses. Sometimes, we need to say no.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIn todays Pro Tip, Im sharing the red flags to look out for and four reasons to turn down new business.Not Your ExpertiseThis is the number one reason why I turn down new business, and it wasnt a lesson easily learned. While public relations is the overarching field I freelance in, I specialize in the video games and eSports industries. This is my bread and butter where I am consistently staying up-to-date on news, decision makers , and have an arsenal of contacts.When a guitar company recently reached out seeking PR guidance for their upcoming launch, I knew I wasnt the best person to help them. Sure, I could have gone through the steps, but I also knew that even my best effort would have delivered C+ results. This is a completely foreign field to me- and thats just not something Im comfortable with (and you shouldnt be either).The only reason to take on new client work in a field you dont specialize in is if it is a field you are wanting to work in more. I knew that the guitar brand opportunity would be a one-time gig and wasnt the best use of my (or the clients) time. I also never want to give a brand a reason to have a poor opinion of me or my work and have found that I gain greater respect from people when I admit to not being the best person for the opportunity. Instead, I listen to their needs and recommend any leads I may have for someone who is a better fit.If youre ever in a similar situation, use t his as an opportunity to share the kind of work you are better suited for so they can recommend you in the future when the right occasion comes about.Overloaded SOWEver been on a new business call with a potential client and feel your spidey senses go off because theres just no way one person could possibly complete all of this work? Listen to themDont let a clients unrealistic expectations create doubt in your mind for what you should be capable of. For example, if theyre looking for a multi-tiered launch program that covers public relations for three countries, social media management, and a content program to support it and its all coming out of your SOW- thats a big no. However, if they want you to recruit and manage an agency to execute the strategy you create to support these verticals- thats a different story.Dont be afraid to ask detailed questions and even call out concerns about workload. I always try to offer solutions, like the agency scenario, when the scope of work is just too demanding for one person alone.Easy WorkThere are two big problems that come with taking on easy work one, it takes up a considerate amount of your time two, it doesnt progress you forward. If you continue to do work that doesnt challenge you, youre doing yourself a huge disservice. In freelancing, we have to hold ourselves accountable and set our own milestones to keep advancing in a forward direction. We have to learn new tricks of the trade and become skilled in the latest technology and social media platforms. If you keep doing the saatkorn things, you will ultimately become dispensable, and that is the one thing we all want to avoid.If youve been working with a client on work that isnt helping you advance and are afraid of losing them, dont be. Identify areas where you can offer more and schedule a time to present your ideas to them.Unnecessary NegotiationsYouve determined your rate and shared it with your potential client, and they instantly try to negotiate. Red flag Your rate is your rate for a reason. If the client shares their budget and its lower than you would usually work for, express that and share where youre willing (if anywhere) to compromise. However, if the client pushes for you to share your rate before sharing their budget, only to shoot you down and go in for a low ball price- these are unnecessary negotiations. You want to work with clients who understand the value of your time and also respect the risk youre equally taking by choosing to work with them.While it may feel impossible to turn down work as a freelancer, its important to understand the necessity of taking on opportunities that progress you and your business forward, because forward is the only direction your independent journey should take you.This article first appeared on Create + Cultivate.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benj amin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Free Creative Apartment Leasing Consultant Resume Template

Free Creative Apartment Leasing Consultant Resume TemplateFree Creative Apartment Leasing Consultant Resume TemplateA well-made creative apartment leasing consultant resume can score you a job at a unique company with a personality that matches your own. Creative companies recognize creative applicants and want to hire a whole package, leid just a few isolated skills. Show off your true colors and use the advice and samples given here as a launching pad for the best creative resume youll ever write.Create ResumeCustomize ResumeWhat to Include in a Creative Apartment Leasing Consultant ResumeA few choice words, a unique turn of phrase, an eye-catching layout these things can make all the difference when you are creating a creative resume. Rather than just slapping a few pieces of information about yourself on a page, take care in crafting a resume that expresses who you are, not just what you can do. Make sure to include all normal resume components like a summary of what you are look ing for, full job details and education, but have a little fun with the wording. Ideally, potential employers should be able to understand your added value to their company in terms of your hard skills and your personality.Common Resume Fails Mistakes to AvoidForgetting to Showcase Your Personality Creative companies arent just hiring for your hard skills they also want a perfect culture match. From the summary to the way you describe your experience, you can inject personality into every stage of a resume.Using Too-Small Fonts A page of crammed 9 pt. Times New Roman text is that last thing creative employers want to binnensee. Remember the reader and keep your resume easy to scan and absorb. Use readable fonts for body text and headers and include some white space.Neglecting Design and Copywriting Your resume doesnt have to be boring it can be a work of art Use uncommon language and unexpected sentence structure, and remember to pay attention to the layout, colors and fonts of your resume and make it an interesting piece to read.Being Too Formal With Your Job Descriptions Theres nothing wrong with letting loose a little when it comes to describing your job history. Tell people what you really did with off-the-wall descriptions and wordings. The people reading your resume like to see this kind of creativity and individual spark.Resume Content Avery Mathis 8592 Feather Dr., Story Heights, NC 11111 555-275-3209 a.mathisanymail.com Summary Passionate, creative professional driven to help others. Great with organization and motivated to achieve complete customer or tenant satisfaction. Searching for employment with an apartment community that values caring employees, exceptional customer service skills, obsession with detail and unstoppable drive. Highlights Sales ninja can sell anything to anyonePassion for helping and providing top-notch customer serviceImpressively knowledgeable about local housing legislationWhiz-kid for anything related to real estateFrequen t contributor apartment living ezinesSo organized its a little scaryEndless energy and driveCreative problem solving and ability to think on the spotGreat person to have on a teamStrong analytical skillsExperience Real Estate Agent Assistant 3/1/2013 Current Carlisle and Banner Homes Story Heights, NC Manage agent social media profiles Maintain and update all real estate listingsBrainstorm successful marketing ideas for agents Leasing Assistant 2/1/2011 2/1/2013 YouLive Property Management Story Heights, NC Created beautiful sample property dcor arrangementsConducted all potential tenant tours and closed two new tenants per weekKept office clean, tenants happy, calendars organized and coffeepot full vorwort Assistant 2/1/2010 2/1/2011 Apartment Love Magazine Remote Wrote award-winning, on-point feature stories related to finding and living in apartmentsManaged magazine social media and brought in 75% of magazine readersConducted research on apartment living trendsEducation Bac helor of Arts in English LiteratureDublase University, Chimpton, SC

How to Get an Entry-Level Book Publishing Job

How to Get an Entry-Level Book Publishing JobHow to Get an Entry-Level Book Publishing JobHow do you get an entry-level job in book publishing? Of course, there is much-published guidance on how to write a resume or how to prep for an entry-level job interview. But the book publishing industry has its own set of parameters for the wannabe employee. Here is some specific advice on how to prepare for a book publishing job interview. Familiarize Yourself with the Imprints Individual List Atria or Riverhead Books? Within the major publisher, each imprint has its own personality. Go online and take a look at the types of books they are publishing. Its ideal if you truly love your interviewees list. But at the very least find something appealing about the books youd theoretically be working with and be prepared to discuss why. Book publishing, like many media industries, thrives on passion for its product- the passion of the people who publish the books, as well as the passion of the p eople who create them. Book publishing people generally appreciate apassion for books and reading in their employees. Also, note that each imprint within each publishing house tends to have a distinct personality. If you are a book lover, pay attention to the colophon on the spine of your favorites books. Where are they from? Maybe you should interview there. Know Whats on the Most Recent The New York Times Best-Seller Lists ...especially books from the publisher and imprint with whom youre interviewing.New York Times Best-Seller is industry shorthand for the top-selling books, and everyone pays attention. You should, too. Be Able to Talk About the Books Youve Been Reading for Enjoyment Of course, youre reading a book at the moment. Be able to speak intelligently about the book youre reading now, the last book you read, your favorite book of the last six months, and your favorite classics. If youre not reading a book or havent read one in the past couple of months, you shoul d think about seeking out another line of work. Be Flexible About What Book Publishing Department Might Suit You When talking to young people who want to work in book publishing, it seems that the vast majority of young English-major book lovers aspire to work in the ranks of the book vorwort department. Those folks should read abouthow a book goes from a manuscript through the editorial process to get insight into what the editing portion of the job entails. Often, book publishing candidates find that theyre better suited to another book publishing department. As long as you love books, theres a department to suit your personality. Consider these factors when applying for an entry-level book publishing job Are you a people person?If you like dealing with people- constantly- a job in book publicity might be good for you.Are you detail-oriented and like everyone to be on time?While these traits will serve you well anywhere, the managing editors office depends on helping keep ever yone to the book production scheduleand moving around lots of details when authors or editors are not on schedule (which happens often).Are you a designer?In addition to book jackets, the creative department is a place where you can utilize your skills in point-of-sale, ads, and other book promotional elements. Do you love technology?Todays book production department requires knowledge of ebook as well as print technologies, file preparation, and the like. Also, the definition of book publishing has grown in the past few years, and isnt limited to traditional publishers and print books. Theres more of a need for tech-centric people in publishing than ever before.Do you like being out from behind the desk?Book publishers sales reps call on accounts as varied as Barnes Noble and Amazon.com to independent booksellersand generally get to go to their book publishers sales conferences and trade shows like the regional association trade shows or even BookExpo America. Of course, book pub lishers all have the usual corporate departments, like human resources. And if youre a number-crunching or tech-geeky book lover, theres finance, accounting, and information technologies (IT), too. Read this overview of departments in a publishing house.