5 Ways Not to Handle Negative Feedback

5 Ways Not to Handle Negative Feedback5 Ways Not to Handle Negative FeedbackHey, do you have a moment to chat in my office? No matter the context, those words can strike fear in the hearts of even the most confident top performer. And sure enough, no matter how well you do at your job, receiving negative feedback from your babo, a client, or even your direct reports can be hard to swallow. Throughout your career, youll always be given feedback in some form or aelendher, and it will likely highlight both what you do well and what you should improve on. Its a key part of professional growth and, when given correctly and with good intentions, it can be extremely valuable for advancing your career. Thats not to say, though, that it cant be extremely uncomfortable or even upsetting You put your all into your career and take pride in your work, so when its criticized, it can really sting your pride.Regardless of the nature of the feedback, the way you receive and respond to it will go a lo ng way in being seen as a confident, competent, professional (or not). As you work to evaluate the feedback youve been given and implement it moving forward, here are some reactions to be sure to avoid if you want to dig yourself out and emerge with strength and poise. 1. Dont Get DefensiveDuring a feedback conversation, chances are youre feeling somewhere between mildly to extremely defensive. This is a totally natural reaction, but it can also come off as immature, so its best to try to control it as much as possible. Try to avoid accusatory or subjective language like its not fair or it always seems like, and instead, focus on making I statements that show you take responsibility for your actions and their outcomes. For example, say you owed your babo a final version of a report by noon. You had asked the intern to print and bind it, but he misunderstood your instructions and welches late delivering the hard copy. Your boss does not care that the intern messed up all she knows is that you were late in delivering her the final version. Claim responsibility for that, and consider how you can improve for the future (e.g., I know the report was late, and I will make sure to set up the proper systems and guidelines to make sure it doesnt happen in the future).2. Dont Over-ApologizeOn the flip side, dont go overboard. If the feedback is based on a specific mistake, misunderstanding, or behavior, apologize once, and thats it. Make it count- your apology should be sincere, concise, and show that you understand the problem and how avoid it in the future. Your boss will appreciate this and most likely want to move on- she has no interest in telling you its OK five times a day as you beg for forgiveness or promise to improve upon things in the future. 3. Dont React on ImpulseReceived a piece of really tough- or even truly unwarranted- feedback? Although its tempting to react immediately, your emotions are at their peak in the heat of the moment. So, its essential that you take a deep breath and give yourself some physical space to absorb the comments and clear your head before responding one way or another. The person giving you the feedback may want to discuss it then and there, but youre usually better off respectfully saying something like, I really appreciate hearing your concerns. Id like to take some time to collect my thoughts so that I can better respond to what Ive heard. Then, remove yourself physically from the space- a walk outside is always a good idea- to allow yourself some space to calm your mind. 4. Dont Miss the Chance to ClarifyAfter youve had the opportunity to clear your head, go back and think about the main points your boss conveyed. Do they pretty much make sense, or is there anything that came totally out of left field? If so, can you go back and revisit the surprising feedback with your boss in the name of getting a better understanding of what you need to work on? Its never a bad idea to circle back with him or her aft er a few days or weeks and say something like, Based on my evaluation, here are the three major points I understand I need to improve on, and here is what I understand that I do well and should continue to do. There is one point you mentioned that concerns me a bit, and heres why. The person giving you the feedback will appreciate that youve taken the time to analyze it and that you are crystal clear on the steps you should take to improve in the future. 5. Dont Dwell on ItParticularly if the negative feedback caught you by surprise, pointed to a flaw that makes you self-conscious, or was of a personal nature (your tendency to use filler words in presentations, for example), chances are youre going to feel bad about it. Thats totally normal. But while you should allow yourself a period of time to work through the feelings it stirs up, you should also commit to letting them go. Try to remember that you are not your job, and your colleagues assessment of your professional wertzuwachs does not correlate to your value as a human being. Oh, and while it may be tempting to text your closest co-worker saying, I need some stiff drinks, stat, engaging in destructive behavior will get you nowhere. Listen to music, exercise, cuddle your cat- whatever you need to do to feel better without leaving yourself worse off in the long run. As you look to the future and work to incorporate feedback in the name of professional development, focus on the positive. Look to the joint progress you, your colleagues, and clients are making toward achieving your mutual goals rather than things that went wrong in the past. Less-than-glowing feedback is a fact of life, but it can still really bring you down. By knowing some ways not to react, both outwardly and for yourself, youll be able to recover more quickly and shine like the competent professional you are. Finally, remember that youre not alone. Everyone out there has been there, too.Photo of feedback courtesy of Shutterstock.

Working Long Distance with Recruiters

Working Long Distance with RecruitersWorking Long Distance with RecruitersRecruiters regularly work across geographies. Does it pay to find a recruiter who knows the terrain?When youre working with a recruiting firm, will its location affect your chances at landing the job you want? If youre trying to find a job in a new location, does it pay to find a recruiter already there on the ground? Or does it make more sense to plattl an industry expert first and worry about location second?The best advice is to cast a wide net with the recruiters you use. Given todays competitive market and shifting economic conditions, you should never align yourself exclusively to executive recruiters or coaches in your immediate area or even just the area you want to target.Recruiters regularly work across borders and regions. While I serve many clients in my own backyard on the West Coast, I know several recruiting companies on the East Coast that have client relationships in my neighborhood. Conversely , I have had active clients on the West Coast who were hiring for positions on the East Coast.Instead of the location of the recruiters offices, focus on the tactical perspective of their market presence, their market disciplines, and their level of engagement and tiered recruitment opportunities with their clients. In other words, dont engage with a mid-level contract placement agency if you are looking for a full-time, executive-level position.Your assessment of recruiters should include these stepsResearch your target companies to determine which recruiting firms they use as preferred vendors for their open positions.Interview the executive recruiter to determine his ability to support your job search and professional expectations.Ensure the firm has a strong presence in your industry and discipline. If your target industry is contract manufacturing or finance, you do elend want to engage with a recruiter whose primary focus is retail.Make sure the recruiter really knows your ind ustry. Whether or elend she can speak the language and use the acronyms and buzzwords of your business will reflect her degree of experience in your field.Check the recruiters market presence and credibility. Review his LinkedIn profile, read his recommendations, look at his online presence and research his professional networks.Be tactical in your selection and maintain a high-touch, accountable relationship with that recruiter. Its imperative that you stay on his radar and top of mind whenever possible.Be mindful of the recruiters track record. For example, if the position you are seeking is at the C-level, you want to be confident knowing she has experience placing candidates at this level. Dont invest too much time in small talk with a recruiter or coach who does not focus on your type of position or level.Never allow location to prevent you from working with your next recruiter. You may find your next position online or through a specific posting, but the most effective way to increase your visibility at a specific company is going to be through a personal connection, including a trusted recruiter. Taking the time to review the capabilities and qualities of your recruiter, and establishing a collaborative partnership with them, can be instrumental in securing the job of your dreams.

Dallas Unemployment Rate

Dallas Unemployment RateDallas Unemployment RateDallas Unemployment RateLike much of the state of Texas, Dallas was impacted by the recession as much as the rest of the country. To date, it is the largest producer of jobs over the past several years and the fourth largest center for employment in the United States, making it an attractive destination for employers and workers.Unemployment in DallasAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Dallas unemployment rate is impressively low. The citys overall unemployment rate hovered well below the national average during the recession and has continued to fall. In 2014, the citys unemployment rate of six percent dropped to 4.5 percent.Recovery from the 2008 RecessionDallas recovery from the recession of 2008 was relatively quick, the unemployment rate falling well below the overall US unemployment rate as the economy started its turnaround. In fact, Texas leads the nation in economic recovery since the recession. This is due i n large part to the concentration of successful corporations in the area.Even during the recession, Dallas was the third largest hub for many industry conferences and meetings, thanks to the large, centrally located Dallas Convention Center. These meetings increased awareness about the thriving Dallas area and led many companies to start large-scale operations there both Comerica Bank and ATT moved their headquarters to the city.Thriving Industries in DallasOil, one of the areas primary natural resources, continues to be a leading factor in job opportunities in the city. This industry employs an array of workers in areas such as finance, engineering and sales. Beyond the oil industry, high-tech, biotechnology, healthcare, banking, defense, and energy companies are the standout area industries. Food processing, due to the large amount of ranching, is also a booming industry.Dallas is home to 12 Fortune 500 companies, making it the third largest city in the number of enterprise compan ies. These companies include Texas Instruments, Kimberly-Clark and ExxonMobil, the second most profitable company in the world. As Dallas continues to experience a population influx, behauptung companies will continue to need more employees.Other large companies headquartered in the city include Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Mary Kay, Zales and 7-Eleven.Recent Commercial SuccessesSince the recession, Dallas is in the top 20 cities for the number of patents issued, which is a reminder of the startup prowess of the city. It has the sixth largest concentration of high-tech workers in the country many of these workers use the citys commercial resources as a stepping stone for their own financial success. The lack of state income tax also makes Dallas an attractive place to work and do business.Industries in RecessionWhile the oil industry is facing a recession, it fares well in comparison to other industries. The downturn in the industry is a direct result of the fall in global crude oil prices. Because the energy sector is at the mercy of speculation, the industry could continue to fall or do the exact opposite. 2015 will likely be a defining moment in the future of the energy industry in Dallas.Current Dallas RankingsAccording to recent Forbes rankings, Dallas ranks 6th on the list as the best place for white collar jobs, in large part to a growing population and new companies that inhabit the city. This affects the job growth rate, which is currently at 2.6 percent annually and is forecasted to be 3.8 percent in the near future, making it one of the highest rates in the country.The high-tech job sector currently makes up 7.4 percent of the workforce. The city currently ranks 133rd in the cost of doing business, despite an overall decline in rent for both residential and commercial buildings.A key measure of labor supply, the unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of the total labor force that is unemployed but actively seeking employment and wi lling to work. Use the links below to see unemployment trends from the 28 major metropolitan marketsAtlantaDetroitNew York CitySan FranciscoBostonHoustonPhiladelphiaSeattleChicagoLos AngelesPittsburghWashington, D.C.DallasRelated Resourcesdeutsche post dhl a Job Dallas