A Guide to Quick and Convenient Office Relocation

A Guide to Quick and Convenient Office Relocation Companies choose to relocate for many reasons. Rising overheads, employee satisfaction, space, access to new networking opportunities and company expansion all play a role in the decision to move. However, when it comes to the big move, you risk disrupting the day-to-day operations of the business and the routine of employees. With that in mind, PACK SEND looks at how companies can make a smooth transition to a new office and mitigate some of the potential pitfalls of office relocation. Budgeting As part of your moving plan, you should draw up a budget, so you know how much you have to spend on each aspect of the move and which spaces you can afford. Your budget should consider: Legal fees â€" like hiring solicitors and contract negotiations for the tenancy Utility bills â€" assessing the monthly cost of the space plus bills Deposit and insurance New equipment costs Hiring a moving team and technical team to set-up furniture and equipment â€" it’s a lot more cost-effective to move and retain furniture and IT equipment than it is to replace it When budgeting, be wary of hidden costs that are often overlooked when planning a move, like getting the premises surveyed, agents’ fees and insurance costs. Location, location, location Your priorities for an office location will differ depending on your business and employees. Key considerations will likely include internet speed, transport links, car parking availability, local services (like restaurants and shops) and accessibility. You’ll also need to decide on any extras that are important to you, like whether you want a furnished or unfurnished office and if you’re after a city-center location or don’t mind being further out, to save on rent. If customization is what you’re looking for, you’ll need to check with the landlord to see which modifications you’re allowed to make. Make a list of the key priorities for your new office and which aspects are optional â€" this will help with narrowing down options. New locations also bring opportunities for networking and company growth. Moving into a city-center space puts you in range of a larger talent pool when it comes to hiring. Take the time to research your new area, looking for local businesses you could connect with, either to grow your business by working together or who you could help you deliver a service. Even if there’s no capacity to work together on projects, growing a network of likeminded professionals is still beneficial. They can act as a sounding board for new ideas, help with problem-solving and may end up unlocking doors with future connections. Focusing on the employee Office moves can have a significant impact on employees â€" disrupting their lives and daily routines â€" so sensitivity is key when transitioning. Be up-front and transparent when announcing the move, giving staff plenty of time to make new arrangements and letting them know you’re available to answer any questions about the move. If the new office is in a different town or city, think about how you can make the move easier for existing employees. This may include introducing flexible working arrangements, remote working opportunities or subsidized travel to accommodate the new commute. Employees want to feel valued and like they’re not an afterthought. A study by HAYS found 81 percent of employees would leave their current company if the right offer came in, so it’s important to make employee wellbeing a priority, to help you retain the brightest talent. It may sound obvious, but moving office isn’t like packing for a holiday and shouldn’t be Plan ahead left to the last minute. A full written plan should be put together weeks in advance, with all information on key moving dates and responsibilities for each employee. You’ll also need to measure up any furniture you’re moving, so you can plan how many moving vehicles and employees you’ll need to assist the move. Make sure any valuables like tech equipment are protected with padding and packed tightly in boxes. If you have any fragile or awkward items, consider bringing in a specialist to package them up, get them insured and sent to your new office, rather than loading them up in a van or attempting to transport them yourself. Going green Environmental concern among the public is at record levels, with a recent survey claiming it’s the ‘most important issue’ to the public. With the spotlight firmly on businesses’ carbon footprints and green policies, it should be a key consideration when approaching an office move. It also gives businesses an opportunity to reap the rewards of brand reputation management, with more consumers looking for sustainability when comparing brands. Access to the office by public transport may encourage employees to leave their cars at home and cut their emissions. Plus, looking for an office with natural lighting and a high energy-efficiency rating will also help save on energy consumption. If going green is a high priority for your organization, look for buildings with a LEED certification. This is an indicator that the building has been built with efficiency and care towards material waste. About the author: Mike Ryan, is Chief Executive, of PACK SEND.

Pakistani Resumes - Getting Your Resume Written

Pakistani Resumes - Getting Your Resume WrittenResume writing can be a difficult thing to do, especially if you're in Pakistan. The language itself can be difficult, and it can be difficult to find the right people to hire for work at home jobs. Here are some tips for Pakistani resumes that can help you get a better job.If you've recently left Pakistan and you're looking for work, or if you are currently looking for work, you'll want to consider using the information you've learned from Pakistan to get ahead. This will help you feel more secure in your application. To get ahead, you'll need to get your resume written. And to get your resume written, you'll need to know the right places to go and the right people to talk to.Resume writing can be difficult. It can be difficult because of language. What's important though is that you know where to go and what to say to get ahead. Here are some tips for Pakistani resumes that can help you get a better job. These tips can help you get you r resume written and they can help you find the right people for the job.The first tip for Pakistani resumes is to check out online resources. These resources are great for finding the right people for the job and for getting the resume written. These resources are not only offline resources though. They are online resources too.The best way to check out these resources is to search for them on Google or on sites that offer quality content. Searching for Pakistan resumes will produce some excellent results, which will give you a good starting point. These results are usually sites that deal with both resumes and employers.The next step in getting your resume written and then hiring the right people is to use these results to try to find someone who can help you. When you have a better chance of landing a job with someone that knows Pakistan well, you have to be able to trust this person. This person should have a lot of experience in the country. They should also be in the know abou t Pakistani business. Plus, they should be willing to work with you for the right price.Another tip for Pakistani resumes is to make sure that you write down everything that you want to say. Write down things like why you're moving back to Pakistan, your reasons for wanting to work for yourself and why you like working with others. You should also find out about the work environment in Pakistan. What's involved in work at home jobs there? What's involved in trying to build a home-based business there?Resume writing can be hard, but with the tips listed above, you'll find it easier. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to getting your resume written and getting that job you've been looking for. With this tip, you'll have a greater chance of success in your work at home job search.

12 Tips for CEOs Making Their First TV Appearance - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

12 Tips for CEOs Making Their First TV Appearance - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Whats one tip you have for a startup founder who is making their first TV appearance as an expert? The following answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the worlds most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, the YEC recently launched #StartupLab, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses via live video chats, an expert content library and email lessons. 1. Smile People are often so nervous or intimidated that they forget to smile. Remember that you love your company, you are excited by your field and you especially love sharing your passion! Smiling when the host introduces you or thanks you is a must. Not only does it make you relax, but viewers will find you more appealing. Just look natural no one wants to see a resurrection of the Joker. Kim Kaupe, ZinePak 2. Slow Down The majority of people speak too quickly, even when they are not on TV. When broadcast, it comes across even more. Speak slowly, use pauses for effect and fully pronounce every word in order to make sure your message gets conveyed effectively. Your audience will also perceive you as being more confident. Richard Lorenzen, Fifth Avenue Brands 3. Speak Concisely Nothing is worse than filler words like uh, um, and well. You get the point. Cutting out these extra mumbles will help keep your answers focused and relevant. Anson Sowby, Rocket XL 4. Be Yourself People connect with people, so be your real self. Youre better off showing that youre vulnerable than coming off as fake. You should also be confident. You are the domain expert. Remember that no one knows more about your product or whatever you are appearing to speak about than you, or else they would have invited someone else to appear. Lauren Friese, TalentEgg 5. Play the Professor We always taught our clients to be professorial when they did media interviews. You are there to educate the audience on something new that they are interested in. Like teaching a student, make sure to break it down in a simple way they can understand so they leave with a feeling that they learned something. Just because it makes sense to you doesnt mean someone else gets it. Trace Cohen, Launch.it 6. Practice With an Audience The best way to combat nervousness is to be prepared. Write a script for yourself; practice what youre saying and how you say it. Play out how the appearance will go and practice that flow. Practice in front of others. When you arrive for your TV appearance, you will have prepared remarks as a foundation for improvising. You can go with the flow and insert your prepared answers where they fit. Kyle Clayton, Jackrabbit Janitorial 7. Be Cautious Know that the person asking the questions is not your friend. He is in the business of attracting viewers or readers so the more outrageous, the better. He is looking for a sound bite. You want to provide something memorable, but be careful with your answers. Make sure the sound bite you leave him with is one that makes you and your company shine. Eric Holtzclaw, Laddering Works 8. Work With a Coach Even experienced speakers work with coaches before big appearances. If youre talking on TV for the first time, consult with an expert who can help tweak your style to fit the TV format better. As an added benefit, this approach forces you to practice and get feedback. These are both good habits for a speaker to acquire. Thursday Bram, Hyper Modern Consulting 9. Focus on One Takeaway Being on TV is nerve-wracking more so when you have a lot to say! Try to focus on one simple takeaway that you want to get across. As long as you nail that one point crisply, everything else will be fine. Aaron Schwartz, Modify Watches 10. Speak in Sound Bites TV is a medium that favors short sound bites. Providing commentary that is short and snappy will help you stay within the allotted time of the appearance and will help the audience grasp your expert advice easily. Doreen Bloch, Poshly Inc. 11. Relax To calm your nerves beforehand, remember its simply a recorded conversation. You do hundreds of one-on-one talks a year. So dont freak out about it like you might with your first big speech a totally unnatural construct for most. Relax, and the cameras will be off before you know it. Neil Thanedar, LabDoor 12. Get the Questions First If you cant get the questions first for whatever reason, still use your prepared 10- to 15-second statements. When you are asked a question, you dont want to answer directly because you have something else to say. Rather, acknowledge it and then smoothly transition into what your next point was supposed to be, per your prepared statements. This is better than speaking off the cuff. Michael Costigan, Michael Costigan, LLC

Articles You Should Read This Weekend About Jim Rohn - Classy Career Girl

Articles You Should Read This Weekend About Jim Rohn Today we’ve gathered 7 articles from around the web all inspired by Jim Rohn. He was one of the most successful entrepreneurs, a motivational speaker, and a business philosopher. Even though he passed away in 2009, his legacy still resounds with truths and doable business and personal development principles. Enjoy reading each one of them. To a better you and a better  career and business! 1. 20 Quotes from Jim Rohn Putting Success and Life into Perspective (www.entrepreneur.com) Everyone, and especially entrepreneurs working to build a business  from the ground up,  enjoys a solid rags-to-riches story. It’s something we can relate to and get behind. One of the greatest rags-to-riches stories is that of  Jim Rohn. 2. Rohn: Spring is the Season of Opportunityâ€"Don’t Waste It (www.success.com) I know the following things to be true: Life is about constant, predictable patterns of change. The only constant factor is our feelings and attitudes toward life. We have the power of attitude, and attitude determines choice, and choice determines results. You cannot change the seasons, but you can change yourself. 3.  Change Begins with Choice (www.getmotivation.com) Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year. 4.  You’re the Average of the Five People You Spend the Most Time With (www.businessinsider.com) Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. This relates to the law of averages, which is the theory that the result of any given situation will be the average of all outcomes. 5.  5 Life Lessons from Motivation Mega-Star Jim Rohn (www.daringtolivefully.com) Jim Rohn was a farm boy from Idaho who went on to become one of the world’s most influential and sought-after motivational speakers. He usually began his seminars by explaining that he was born on a farm in Idaho, and  that he quit college after having completed just one year. Yet he went on to become a multimillionaire. 6.  Ending Procrastination (www.healthywealthynwise.com) Perseverance is about as important to achievement as gasoline is to driving a car. Sure, there will be times when you feel like youre spinning your wheels, but youll always get out of the rut with genuine perseverance. Without it, you wont even be able to start your engine. 7.  7 Must-Read Life Lessons from Jim Rohn (www.mrselfdevelopment.com) Jim Rohn was an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker. He’s been an inspiration to many leaders in the personal development field including Tony Robbins, Mark Hansen, Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield. When Jim was 25 his life was in a rut, he was in debt, and he was uncertain as to how he would get out.

Writing a Resume With Wisconsins Job Market

Writing a Resume With Wisconsin's Job MarketWriting a resume is a really important part of getting a job. To be sure, there are many who get jobs but the ones who do so successfully for years are really few and far between.To have an effective resume, there is a certain standard of the wordings that needs to be followed. For example, you should make sure that your resume contains a good and proper wordings of your qualification and experience.In order to make a strong and impressive job history, it is important that you include all the relevant and important details of your achievements that will assist them in making a decision about you. You can easily add these facts and details into your Wisconsin resume or cover letter if you hire someone for the job.If you want to write a resume that will get you the job, then the first thing that you need to do is to spend some time researching and thinking about what things you would like to highlight in your Wisconsin resume. A simple checkl ist of these things includes:Your job objective: You need to state your job objective clearly and honestly. This needs to be included in your resume at the top of the page so that others who read your resume will understand what you expect out of the job and how the company or the employer sees your capability and skills.Skills: You need to write down your skills clearly and accurately. The skills that you have in the past are very important for the evaluation of the company, so you should be sure to list down everything that you can possibly remember.Qualifications: You need to include the qualifications that you possess in a great detail. It is important that you outline your personal experiences and achievements.Employment history: This is one of the important parts of your resume and it must be written carefully. The employment history of a person is also known as the career history and this is an important information that has to be considered when looking for a job.

How to Make a Smooth Transition from A Freelance to Full-time Career - CareerMetis.com

How to Make a Smooth Transition from A Freelance to Full-time Career Freelancing is categorically different from working a full-time 9-to-5 job. The characteristics are different, and so are the challenges and perks. As a freelancer, you do not have a boss.You are not bound by any confinements or rules other than deadlines. But at the same time, you lack financial stability, the perks of community working, and meaningful long-term professional relationships.evalMost people prefer the perks of a full-time job rather than that of freelancing. The primary reason why most freelancers make the shift is to eliminate their financial uncertainty.And it is only wise to do soconsidering the bandwidth of opportunities you get in the 9-to-5 work model. It gives you a control over your career, unlike in freelancing.However, the shift doesn’t come easy. You will experience a lot of unexpected twists and turns in this new lifestyle. Changes that you may not be comfortable with.To ensure a smooth transition from freelance to full-time you need a sweeping paradigm s hift. In this article, I will cover some tips that will make your transition smoother and doable.1. Adapting to new job expectations evalIn the freelance work model, your job expectations are clearly stated: get the desired results, and move ahead. It is as simple as that.However, in the full-time job you are expected to deliver more than that. Your objectives will be twofold:To fulfill individual goals â€" the goals that you will be given as an individual professional that will include your personal monthly targets, and other value additions that you can render under your specific job title.To fulfill organizational goals â€" organizational goals aren’t as clearly stated as individual goals, but they still need to be met if you have to grow in your careers. These goals include the tangible or intangible values that you can add to your corporate community, industry, etc.Individual goals in the full-time work model are similar to that of freelancing. Your boss/manager will tell you what to do, and you’ll have to figure out how to do it.evalHowever, you have an added advantage of getting help from your seniors. If you feel stuck at your job at any point, your colleagues will be more than happy to help.This advantage extends to the organizational goals, that is â€" taking the team forward with a unified organizational vision in mind.This means that you’re no longer working just for yourself. It is a community where you have to constantly give your inputs at every point.The “I” of freelancing now becomes “All for one and one for all.” evalYour problems are no longer just your problems; they’re also the problems of your corporate community. In return, you are expected to add value to the team in whichever way you can.Since you have worked as a freelancer, meeting the individual goals shouldn’t be much of a problem for you. It is the organizational goals that you have to learn how to meet.To meet them, you have to understand the functionings of you r organization, what your organization expects from you in return.Bid adieu to working in alienation! In the initial days of your joining, observe your team. Interact with your colleagues, and figure out where they lack. See if you can help them in any way. Try to understand the organization’s work culture, and find out the way in which you can add value to your community’s culture.If there is something that you can do and your colleague cannot, teach them. Adhere to the values and norms of the corporate culture. Do whatever you can to ensure that your organization benefits from you being a part of it.2. Get comfortable with routine Routine can be the best thing and also the worst about the full-time job. For people who hate any kind of a routine, full-time is probably not for them. But even as a freelancer, if you’re comfortable with one routine means that you CAN get comfortable with another.You just have to adapt to this new routine of full-time working. Be aware that as so on as you start working full-time, your whole life is going to take a dramatic turn. The routine will change and you’ll have to change accordingly.The early morning commute, the one-hour lunch break, and traveling back home can seem tedious and frustrating at first. But after a point, they’ll become one of the major reasons you’ll stick with a job.The best thing: you probably won’t have to take your work home. After the office hours, you’re free to spend time however you want. This liberty you don’t have in freelancing. When there is a deadline, you have to adhere to it. There are no two ways about it.3. Remember: You’re still working for yourself evalMost people dislike full-time job because “they’re working for the boss.” This is not entirely correct. Sure, you’re on the payroll, but you still are working for your personal benefits. Apart from the organizational goals

The Employers Guide to College Career Fairs

The Employers Guide to College Career Fairs 8 Flares 8 Flares In a post last week, I wrote a Students Guide for College Career Fairs, and compiled a list of action items that would ensure students have a competitive advantage over their peers when it comes to career fairs.  Somewhere in that piece, I mentioned that most employers are god awful at college recruiting, and especially with career fairs.  As promised, here is my Employers Guide to College Career Fairs. Obviously, the amount of planning, time and money spent, and number of universities to attend will vary based off of how big or small the company is and the industry that company fits into.  Once this is mapped out, a company needs to select a number of target schools to attract talent from.  Unfortunately for most organizations, just selecting a school, and attending their career fairs alone wont bring the college kids running through your doors. To have a successful college recruitment/college career fair program, a number of connections need to be built with each school.  Relationships need to be built with faculty, professors/teachers, and students. Faculty When I say faculty, I mean those folks working in the career services office, the people who schedule and set up the career fair, and basically anyone that has access to influential people at the college. Why build a relationship with these people? Better booth locations for career fairs Access to information that employers generally dont have Theyll spread the word about your company Knowing why to build is one thing, but how do you go about building the relationship? Employers often times complete career fair registration online, with no interaction with the staff.  If possible, go into the office, or make a phone call in order to set up your registration for their events. Schedule a short in person meeting with career services faculty.  Show them the benefits of working for your company, and explain that they are a target school.  Schools always aim to develop strong relationships with employers Find out which employees are alumni of the school, and let faculty know that these employees are willing to come in to run work shops discussing the industry Send the career services office a small gift, thanking them for their help in your college recruiting efforts Professors/Teachers Why build these relationships? Theyll provide referrals, and access to top students Give you an opportunity to come in and speak to their class Most of them are looking for consulting jobs to make extra cash.  Never know when one of them could help out as a consultant How to build a relationship? While it is also an advantage for your company, offer to come in and speak to their class.  Teachers love a nice break from speaking (make sure to bring in quality SWAG for the teacher and students no pens please) Talk to them about possible opportunities to consult with your company and make extra cash.  Unless independently wealthy, they will be listening Keep in contact with them.  Have a representative from the company speak in his/her class every semester, and when a consulting opportunity does come up, make sure to reach out when ideal Students This should be obvious, but this is why youll need to build relationships with students: Build up a pipeline of students who can work internships, co-ops, and permanent positions with your company Word of mouth advertising on campus Pre-selected list of students to talk to further at the career fair How to build relationships with students: Utilize your connections with faculty and professors to reach the most talented students After speaking on campus or in a classroom, allow students some 1-on-1 face time with you or whoever spoke Have your company sponsor a wine and cheese event, or an information session on the company.  This should be done weeks, if not months before the career fair Take a small, select group of students out to dinner to talk about their career.  Have the company pay for this event Allow interested students a chance to come tour the company/office.  Theyll like feeling familiar with the area, office, and company Schedule 1-on-1 time with them for the career fair.  They will feel privileged, and will put your company on their short list The Big Guys What about the big time companies, like Google and other well branded places?  While the small companies suffer from low to zero traffic at career fairs, the large organizations suffer from too much traffic, and not enough time to converse with each student. Even the big guys need to make connections with, and identify top talent before the career fair.  There is no way they will gain value from talking to all 500 interested students, but if they make lasting connections with 50-75 of the most talented students, then they will have themselves a successful college recruiting experience at the career fair, and beyond. A Word on Marketing When you do everything above, you dont need to spend thousands on expensive SWAG, and the most ridiculous booth set ups.  With that said, students will definitely want to see a neat set up, so do spend some time and money on creating a nice atmosphere at the event. Bring inexpensive handouts to give to students that arent on your list, and give your top students something special.  Something like a personalized mug, or even an i-pod shuffle (if your company can afford it) will win over their student hearts for good. Final Remarks If your company isnt doing much of my above recommendations, realize that it does take time and effort to build up a relationship with a school.  Try starting with just one or two, and go from there. Reach out to me if you have any questions on my suggestions above.  If your company is looking to upgrade their college recruiting program, feel free to contact me if a consulting opportunity is an option.

How to Receive Feedback Constructively - Career Advice Blog for Millennials

How to Receive Feedback Constructively - Career Advice Blog for Millennials Nobody’s perfect, so the saying goes. But in our minds, we’re pretty darn close. Part of being an adult means assuming you know the best course of action and can act appropriately. Another part, however, is learning how to receive feedback and use it to your advantage. Take it from Sheryl Sanderg, CEO of Facebook and founder of Leanin.org. When asked the most important trait to look for in someone who can rise through ranks and scale with an organization, she replied, “Someone who takes feedback well. Because people who can take feedback well are people who can learn and grow quickly.” Mic. Drop. Receiving Feedback According to one survey, criticism, when delivered well, is appreciated by 92% of respondents. Let’s face it, though â€" most people are terrible at giving criticism. They’re nervous and clumsy. They feel prepared to be met with contention and may have a difficult time effectively delivering their feedback. Most people are pretty terrible at receiving it, too. We’re defensive and emotional. We have a hard time seeing feedback for what it is: an opportunity to learn. That’s why it’s important to sift through the language of the criticism, look for the takeaway and make room for change. How to Receive Feedback Constructively Feel uncomfortable when receiving constructive feedback? Transform how you think about the conversation. Here are some tips on how to receive feedback like a champ: 1. Avoid Knee-Jerk Reactions Instinct may tell you to respond to criticism defensively, as if you’re being attacked. If that’s the case, you need to re-learn how to receive feedback â€" even this feedback. Instead of putting up your shield and attacking back, hear what is being said. Consider it a conversation and work to be a part of that conversation. Avoid any immediate reaction to hearing feedback â€" no snarky comments and avoid that look â€" you know the one. Take time to think about what theyre saying before you react. 2. Avoid Black-and-White Analysis Don’t assume every part of your feedback was negative or positive. The brain has a tendency to hear what it assumes is true, and sometimes that means leaning on all-or-nothing ways of thinking. Criticism isnt bad. It isnt a punishment. And it doesnt mean youre failing. It just means you have room to grow. Know, too, that the offered feedback isn’t the sum total of your work with the company. Most HR execs â€" nearly 80% â€" believe that employee evaluations aren’t an accurate representation of an employee’s ability. Sure, you can do better in one area of your work. That doesnt mean that all areas of your work need improvement. 3. Don’t Take It Personally You aren’t being attacked as a person or a professional, so avoid confusing identity with behavior. Someone is asking you to change your performance, not your personality. Another aspect of taking criticism too personally is by demonizing the messenger. Even if the messenger’s delivery of the information wasn’t the best, now isn’t the time to focus on that. When you understand the importance of feedback, it’s easier to see the difference between a personal attack and constructive criticism â€" no matter who you’re hearing it from. 4. See the Benefits Even if delivered clumsily, feedback is there to help you. Take a minute to see how getting criticism â€" even before thinking about how to use the feedback â€" is beneficial to your career. Receiving feedback â€" no matter what the feedback entails â€" is an opportunity to improve and be better at your job. 5. Listen The moment someone begins offering feedback, even if you think you are ready for it, it’s hard not to interrupt and explain yourself. You may be thinking, “Yes, but I did it that way because…” or, “No, that’s not what happened.” Bite your tongue â€" at least metaphorically. Your thoughts may be accurate, but they could be a response to your own insecurity about getting feedback. Listening is a soft skill that’s hard for many to develop. If you’re one of those people, learn that skill today for better overall career advancement. 6. Ask Questions When the speaker has completed giving your feedback or after you’ve finished reading it, ask questions. If you know you’ll have a hard time asking questions that aren’t critical of the feedback â€" like “But how much of it did you understand?” or “Are you sure these comments are valid?” â€" take a breath. Sit on it and write down possible questions to ask that will help you better understand the information, rather than simply defend yourself. Don’t just skip this step, though. It’s a crucial one. When you ask constructive questions, feedback givers know you’ve heard them. And â€" here’s a crazy thought â€" it may also help you improve at your job. Consider these as jumping off points: Ask for examples. Explain that you understand the feedback and would like specific examples on how to improve. Ask for help. If you know there is truth to the criticism and it’s more than you can handle, see if there is help available. Ask for patience. Getting better and improving at anything takes time. When you explain you are working on improvement and ask for the criticizer’s patience in making changes, they are likely to see you’ve heard the feedback and are trying to get better. 7. Say Thanks No one really likes criticizing others. It’s a pretty thankless task. When someone takes the time to explain how you can do something better, however, a word of gratitude goes a long way. Even if you disagree with the feedback, acknowledge that this person is trying to be helpful. Explain that you appreciate their time and consideration â€" and avoid the temptation to add a “but…” Make Feedback Work for You Most people looking for career advancement are already perfectionists. When it feels like you are giving 110% and someone indicates any kind of flaw, it’s hard not to explain all the ways you are going above and beyond. Don’t do it. Trust yourself and don’t explain. If everything on this list is a struggle, boil it down to this: Listen and say thanks. Work through the other stuff in your own time. Have you learned lessons from getting particularly harsh feedback? Or do you have advice to offer as the feedback giver? Talk to us and subscribe to Punched Clocks to be part of the conversation. Remember â€" you don’t have to kill the messenger, use the message to perform better and maybe be the messenger yourself.