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Are you eyeing that coveted promotion at work? Do you want to advance in your career and take on more responsibilities? Being ready for a promotion requires more than just wishful thinking — it takes strategic planning, hard work and a clear vision of your goals . In this article, we will explore the steps you need to take to position yourself for a promotion and stand out as a top candidate in your organization. Understanding the Promotion Landscape Leylaynr/Getty Images Signature Before getting too deep into the specifics of being ready for a promotion, understand the landscape of promotions within your organization. Each company has its own criteria and processes for evaluating employees for advancement. Familiarizing yourself with these can give you a significant advantage. Research Your Company’s Promotion Policy Jacob Lund Start by reviewing the employee handbook, which typically outlines the company’s promotion policies, providing valuable insights into the criteria and...
Fresh starts are mostly full of excitement, but with major shifts in life come nervous jitters. No matter how old you get, the first day of a new semester or a job interview can still give you sweaty palms and a racing heart. However, if you’re as well prepared as possible for what’s yet to be thrown your way, you’ve got nothing to worry about. There will always be things out of your control, but if you manage to maintain your confidence while chatting with a potential new boss, friend or date, you’re on the right path toward success. Even if you don’t land the job, become close pals with the person who sat beside you in class or lock it down with your gym crush, you’ll still leave every situation more confident after showing up as your best self. In many cases, job interviewers and professors alike enjoy getting to know people in lighthearted ways, such as “fun fact about me” games. Some university students spend time at the beginning of the semester carefully planning what...
Job interviews are some of the most important steps a person will take in their career. Making a good impression and ensuring you align with the company while sticking out from other candidates is what can help you secure the position . A great way to prepare for an interview is by becoming familiar with how you would answer these common interview questions. There is an endless amount of questions that could potentially be asked during an interview, especially across various fields . For that reason, preparing solid answers for a handful of questions is most effective. Here are some common interview questions as well as best approaches for answering them and example answers. Your response does not have to sound exactly like these examples given. It is actually better to memorize key points to highlight during the interview rather than memorizing your entire answer and sounding as though you are reading from a script. 18 Common Interview Questions Tell me about yourself. Why do you...
Sometimes, a childhood dream does not materialize in ways that were expected. It happens pretty frequently with people and their career choices. The kid who wanted to be a firefighter is now a doctor. The child who dreamed of being in the NBA is now a leading attorney. And because of the rise and advancement of tech, many people are looking at their current career and educational choices to figure out how they, too, can pivot and be a part of the rising tech industry. Breaking into tech is a pivot that’s possible, but it’s also one that is filled with nuance. During the first quarter of 2023, AFROTECH™ covered workforce layoffs that heavily impacted the tech industry. That coverage revealed that the industry was negatively affected by the influx of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workforce. While this landscape seemed complicated to navigate, the value of those jobs remained strong despite the fear of AI, making the industry a viable option for those looking to break into tech....
Many people have found it very complicated to get a suitable job in 2024. According to a Forbes article, more than 70% of people will tell you why it is hard to find a job in this market. There are various obstacles, from the state of the economy to increased unemployment and the use of AI tools such as automated resume screening and chatbots for initial interviews, that do not help the average jobseeker obtain their desired positions. The job market has been tough for applicants in 2024, and this article discusses its impact. The 2024 Job Market Is Undesirable For Applicants The job market is not currently friendly to applicants, and employers have much more control. This has caused very few positions to be open, changes in employer standards, and extended periods of unemployment. Few Positions Available For Jobseekers Many people on LinkedIn and Indeed are applying for the same job as hundreds of others. This makes the process of getting hired exceptionally hard. With too many...
After investing long days, months, and years in the hope of a promotion, you finally receive it. However, it’s different from the rewarding leap you anticipated. Instead, it’s a dry promotion—a mere change in title with added responsibilities but no pay increase. Companies often resort to dry promotions to retain hardworking employees without increasing pay. While it may seem like a step up on paper, it’s primarily a tactic to prevent employees from seeking better opportunities elsewhere. This article dives into why companies are doing this, whether you should accept the promotion, and why a promotion should come with higher pay. Why Are Companies Doing This? There are different reasons why a company might function this way, but all of them indicate a lack of true appreciation for their employees’ performance. Some may argue it’s due to cost and the need to maintain a balanced budget, but that’s often just an excuse. In reality, dry promotions are a way for companies to get more...
Since 2020, the world has undergone significant and enduring changes. The working industry, in particular , has been permanently transformed and no longer resembles its pre-pandemic state. The pre-pandemic changed the formula for how many companies and their employees conduct business. The pandemic showed us many flaws and systematic issues that had not been viewed before. The working culture that existed back then has yet to grow as we progress through 2024. What Was The Pre-pandemic Work Culture The culture surrounding work before the pandemic was one of a huster nature. There was a tremendous envy of beating deadlines, no matter the cause or the effects on employees. Working within an office or building also requires a lot more communication. Remote work was barely there for a few individuals and even fewer companies. The pre-pandemic culture, characterized by its fast pace and competitive nature, often led to employee burnout. It was more than building relationships and...
Editorial note: Opinions and thoughts are the writer’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. All the recent talk about Black jobs got this career expert thinking about one of the best career development investments money can buy for Black professionals — AFROTECH™ Conference. And no, the Blavity team is not paying me to say this. It truly is not your average conference. In 2023, AFROTECH™ Conference had 35,000 city-wide participants, over 160 enterprises, and more than 200 speakers, solidifying it as the largest gathering of Black tech professionals. Keep in mind that it’s also not a cheap ticket. The companies that show up, host events, and sponsor employees and recruiting teams to attend are signaling their willingness to make a substantial investment in Black businesses and Black talent. I’ve been going since the very early days and can attest that it’s a place where connections are made, ideas are sparked, and careers are launched. I was surprised last year when I saw some...
Black Girl Magic is real, and Coco Gauff is evidence of this phenomenon. Born in 2004, Cori Dionne “Coco” Gauff is an American tennis player who comes from an athletic family. According to PEOPLE, her parents, Corey and Candi, were on the road to becoming professional athletes as well. Gauff’s dad, Corey, played college basketball at Georgia State University, while Candi was an accomplished track and field star at Florida State University. Though the two don’t take full credit for Gauff’s athletic prowess, they acknowledge that their own experiences as athletes provided a solid foundation for understanding the dedication and discipline required to perform at a high level. Their support and guidance have been instrumental in creating the atmosphere for her to succeed. “I think it helps parents when they have played as high as college or even pro,” Gauff’s father told The New York Times in 2019. “You better understand the process and so you don’t get too jittery about it. You don’t...
Paid Moment By American Express and Delta. If you’re a small business owner, optimizing your time is something you’ve mastered. Whether sending an important email while on a work call or meeting a prospective client while traveling to a conference, determining the best use of your time is often necessary to keep things thriving. Although choosing which priority should come next can sometimes seem challenging, it doesn’t always have to be. When you become a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Amex Card Member, you can give new meaning to optimizing time by maximizing benefits with every purchase. If you’re ready to level up and see how to make the most of your business purchases, follow our top three tips for working smarter and maximizing the benefits of being a cardholder. 1. Turn Expenses into Experiences As a savvy business owner, you’re always looking for unique ways to get the most out of your business expenses. For instance, you already know you need to buy a new printer for the...
The 2024 AFROTECH™ Conference is just months away, and the countdown has begun with even bigger and better ways to empower the community. As one of the largest cultural events dedicated to individuals evolving the tech space, AFROTECH™ offers something for everyone — whether you’re an industry enthusiast, hold a C-Suite position, or are the CEO of your own company. The conference’s latest initiative is designed specifically for founders. Since its inception in 2016, AFROTECH™ has been committed to empowering the community. The new AFROTECH™ Founder Circle intends to continue this mission by focusing on reducing attendance costs, enhancing skill sets, and expanding access for founders within the community. The all-new program will operate under a three-pronged strategy: enhancing executive presence and leadership, broadening access to venture capital networks, and fostering peer-to-peer learning and support. In collaboration with Blavity.org, AFROTECH™ will sponsor 200 tickets for...
For almost a decade, Michael Rainey Jr. has been a staple in 50 Cent’s TV reign on Showtime. Following the release of “Power,” the actor went on to star in its spinoff, “Power Book II: Ghost.” As the series is in its fourth and final season, Rainey has recounted his journey of being a part of the successful TV franchise. During an interview on Forbes’ “New Money” podcast, he spoke about how 50 Cent has not only been a mentor to him but also a father figure. Working closely alongside the business mogul and fellow co-stars of the “Power” franchise such as Omari Hardwick and Joseph Sikora, Rainey shared that it served as a time for learning critical skills including how to handle his money responsibly. “I’m still young, so I’m still learning how to manage my money, but I really just take advice from people that are around me,” Rainey said. “Being on ‘Power’ not only changed my life career-wise, but just being on that show, being on set with everybody every day, just being around those...
Joe Budden is getting candid about his career podcast earnings. According to Vibe, the rapper-turned-podcast-host recently shared that he has earned at least $7 million since he made the career transition, pocketing a reported $4 million from that after taxes. “Off podcasting, off of this?” Budden said during an episode of “The Joe Budden Podcast.” “All together in the whole 10 years? About $4 million… Gross is $7 million.” He also opened up about how he and his team managed to get to those numbers, noting that inking partnerships with various brands along the way has been beneficial. “Early on we were doing it for free,” Budden recalled. “Then we hit a little lick, Spotify. Then n—as left, the building crumbled a little bit, and my friends came and saved the day.” As previously reported by AFROTECH™, he shared the real reason that he walked away from Spotify’s initial offer. “In business, there are signs, for me, that show faith in a relationship,” Budden said at the time. “And me...
Getting into the tech business is becoming more appealing with every success story we come across. Technology is the future and it will only continue to be that way as it evolves. Common folk with an idea and a dream are taking their unique tech startup ideas and turning them into a profitable business . It can truly happen for anyone willing to put in the work and pursue it with the right amount of determination. However, it is first essential to have a promising idea. Tech startups can operate across various industries, from healthcare and finance to education and entertainment, aiming to disrupt traditional models, improve efficiency, or create entirely new experiences for consumers or businesses. These startups often seek to address a specific problem or need in the market using technology as a fundamental component of their solution. Good tech startup ideas do not need to be something a person is highly knowledgeable about or skilled in; the idea just needs to be original and...
Those seeking funding for their small business have the debt-free option of applying for startup business grants or small business grants. These grants are typically awarded by government entities, private organizations or corporations and, unlike loans , are not expected to be paid back. There are incentives for these companies and organizations to award these grants, as the new businesses could create economic growth or support a certain cause/research topic (like social or environmental) that one of these entities is interested in. These grants are highly competitive and have very specific requirements that must be met before they are awarded. Most likely, applicants will need to prepare by verifying the eligibility criteria, funding amount, application deadlines and any restrictions of a grant that their business aligns with. Also, ensuring the applicant’s business is specific enough to the grant’s requirements is very important . Doing so ensures the applicant has a better...