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Category: Business Skills

You Talkin’ to Me?

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As we come out of isolation and social distancing, we’re interacting with others more than we have in a long time. There’s less working on the sofa in sweatpants and more heading to the office in pants with zippers. Are you finding post-COVID communication tricky…and your skills rusty? You’re not alone.

Nonetheless, being able to effectively communicate with your superiors, your coworkers and your staff members is essential in the workplace. If you’re thinking, “I’ve forgotten how to have a normal conversation with someone,” that’s valid. However, keep in mind that effective communication entails more than talking.

As Indeed shares in “Communication Skills for Career Success,” there are several types of communication. These include:

Verbal. Here’s where talking comes in. To speak effectively, speak with confidence. Avoid filler words, and use business jargon only when necessary. Speak clearly and loudly enough for others to hear you, and be sure not to ramble on.

Nonverbal. Your body language and facial expressions say a lot, without a sound. Whether you’re in a meeting or having a casual conversation with a colleague, maintain eye contact and respect personal space. Be mindful of your physical responses to what others say. If your arms are crossed, for example, you can appear to be unreceptive to what someone is saying. Leaning forward in your seat or nodding, on the other hand, conveys interest.

Written. When you’re putting things in writing at work, keep the writing simple and uncluttered. Use bullet points to highlight key points, as people tend to skim documents rather than read them from start to finish. Always, always proofread your work. Consider asking another team member to proofread your document as well for an additional quality assurance measure.

Want to shake the rust off your communication skills? We have a variety of communication courses you can take online, at your convenience. Choose from:

We offer an online Business Communications certificate program as well.

So dust off your office clothes and your communication skills. You’ll be ready to face the workplace with confidence.

Email us at learn@corexcel.com to learn more.

Source: Indeed, Examples of Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace

It’s a Good Time for a Fresh Start

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The past year has been a lot—at home and on the job. With the pandemic causing substantial changes to the way we live and work, that might be an understatement. But along with change comes the possibility for something new. Maybe you lost your job. Or maybe all this time at home has you contemplating a new career. If you’re looking for a job-related fresh start, here are some of our recommendations:

a person holding a small alarm clock

Update your resume. Does your resume reflect your current position and responsibilities? Make sure it clearly highlights the experience your potential employers would find useful.

Update your references. Check with the people vouching for you that they’re still on board to field calls about you and your work.

Create or update your LinkedIn profile. A current LinkedIn profile is a must as you look for a new job. You can search for jobs on LinkedIn and apply for jobs on the site when it’s an option. If you’re being considered for a job that’s not on LinkedIn, recruiters will still look at your profile to get a feel for your experience. Tip: Your LinkedIn profile should be more conversational in style than a resume.

Brush up on your interview skills. Job interviews are stressful. Going in prepared alleviates some of the stress, so practice answering common interview questions.

Prepare your technology for interviews, too. Chances are, you might have a few virtual interviews. Check your connectivity and your lighting to make sure you’re seen, literally, in the best light.

Join/subscribe to career development podcasts and career-related social media groups. They can provide helpful advice and insight on various careers, and they offer support from fellow jobseekers.

Take a course. Getting an introduction to a field you’re interested in is valuable. It can confirm you’re getting on the right career path—or let you know you’re not. Having a course under your belt can also make you more marketable. If you’re interested in the medical field, for example, our Medical Terminology or Microbiology course is an excellent first step.

With these tips, you’re ready for a career-related fresh start. Good luck!

Email us at learn@corexcel.com to learn more.

Are You Bored With the Working From Home Thing?

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Are you bored of working from home? If you’re like many people, you’ve been working from home for months. And you’re over it. At first, it seemed like a novelty—a chance to skip the commute and work in comfy clothes while staying safe. As the weeks went on, however, you realized it can be tough to work with spouses, kids, and pets around, and it can get awfully boring looking at the same walls.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to get out of your rut and combat the boredom you might be feeling at home:

Woman yawning while at her desk

Plan a busy schedule. If you pack a lot into your workday, your mind will be focused on the tasks. Now is the time to add those often-put-off housekeeping projects, like cleaning out old emails, deleting files, and filing papers, in your schedule. Fill the gaps and avoid the lulls.

Schedule breaks. This means actually put time for breaks on your calendar. Step away from the desk. Get up and stretch. Talk to a family member in the house. Stay put and call a friend. Squeeze in a workout. The point is to use the time to focus on something other than work so you can come back to it fresh.

Change your location. If you usually work in a bedroom, try a day in the kitchen. Or the family room. Or the dining room. Just mix it up! When you feel boredom setting in, take a walk, even if it’s just around the house. A change of scenery, even if brief, goes a long way.

Pursue training opportunities. You’re not spending time going to and from work, so use the downtime to explore training your employer offers. If your employer will compensate you for taking outside classes, take advantage of that. Or, if you want to switch or advance your career, take one of our many online courses and professional certificate programs. All of these options will expand your skill set, bolster your resume, and alleviate boredom.

Set up a fun distraction. Listen to music while you work—rock, jazz, country—whatever lifts your mood. Have a favorite show playing off on the side, if it won’t distract you from work. A little bit of fun can have a big, positive effect on your day.

Working from home might be a lasting trend. Once you learn how to keep boredom at bay, it might be a trend to embrace.

Email us at learn@corexcel.com to learn more.

Is The Time Right for a Career Change?

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Who would have thought that a global pandemic could be just the thing to prompt a career change? When COVID-19 first hit, we were thinking, “Do I have enough toilet paper” and “Where can I get hand sanitizer?”—not “Perhaps I should switch jobs.” However, there are actually several reasons why it just might be the perfect time to make a career move.

Time to think. Before the pandemic, it was go-go-go.  We were running to work. Running home to take care of the kids. Running to meet friends for dinner. Now we’re sitting on the sofa…and sitting there some more. It gives us time to think, and, importantly, to assess whether or not we’re happy with our careers. Time to think can lead to “time to change.”

Job uncertainty. Businesses of all sizes are hurting. Many Americans are worried about job security, rightly so. Even if you enjoy your current job, will it be there when the dust settles as the pandemic winds down? Unfortunately, a new career might not be something we want, but something we need.

Time to learn. With all of these weeks at home, we have plenty of time on our hands. That means we have time to learn new skills. We have time to update our resumes and LinkedIn profiles, too. (Even if you’re working full-time, you no longer have a commute, social engagements, or errands to run.)

Workplace flexibility. Just a few months ago, an employer might have questioned a job candidate on a career shift. In these unprecedented circumstances, a career move is understood.

Corexcel offers the educational opportunities you need to revitalize or reinvent your career. Not only do we offer a full suite of career-boosting courses, we also offer many online certificate programs. Earn your certification in Data Analytics, Search Engine Optimization, Cybersecurity, or many other in-demand options. Exit the pandemic with a valuable skill set—and a new career!

Email us at learn@corexcel.com to learn more.

Introducing Managing Remote Employees

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Today’s workforce is turning to technology to handle both internal and external communications. Employee Working Remotely The idea of meeting face-to-face is becoming less and less common. In wake of the recent string of viruses world-wide, many companies are embracing the idea of employing remote workers to run their day to day operations. While the convenience and agility of working remotely sounds easy enough, it is also imperative that supervisors and managers alike are practicing the best strategies to effectively oversee their remote employees.

Introducing Managing Remote Employees 

Course Features

  • Online, self-paced course
  • Open enrollment 24/7/365
  • No prerequisites
  • Interactive review exercises
  • Professional videos with complete transcripts
  • Ask the Expert feature – Submit questions directly to our experts
  • CEU/PDU Certificate

Information Technology for Managers Online Training Course

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Information Technology courseA Manager’s Guide to Information Technology is a new online information technology course that helps managers learn the basics of information technology. This IT course will help learners combine management concepts with their newly acquired knowledge and be able to make informed business decision for themselves and support their team.

Participants learn about:

  • Operating systems and application software
  • Programming languages
  • Network configuration
  • Database security

This course offers 1.0 CEUs upon successful completion.

Have a group of 10 or more that need to take an information technology online course? Call us at 888-658-6641, or send your request through our contact form, for special group pricing.

Corexcel is approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Superior Customer Service Course | Online Training

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Superior Customer Service CourseAre you a new Customer Service Manager?  A Manager’s Guide to Superior Customer Service, our latest superior customer service course designed specifically for supervisors. The course is geared toward managers who are learning to lead, learning to support their team and learning to help their team of customer service representatives. Participants will learn:

  • How to train representatives on various platforms
  • How to set expectations
  • How to teach employees about dealing with difficult customer situations

This course offers 0.3 CEUs upon successful completion.

Superior Customer Service Course Key Features

  • Online, self-paced course
  • Open enrollment 24/7/365
  • No prerequisites
  • Interactive exercises
  • Professional videos
  • Ask the Expert feature

Learn more about our Manager’s Guide to Superior Customer Service course.

Have a group of 10 or more to train?  Call us at 888-658-6641 for special group pricing.

Corexcel is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.

Interested in Certificate Programs? Check out the complete Manager’s Toolbox course.

Security Awareness Training | Online Training

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security awareness training

Employees with little or no information technology (IT) or security awareness experience should be mindful of online security threats.

Our new online course, Cyber Awareness Training, is a security training course that will help a beginner:

  • Recognize phising attacks via email
  • Securely work from home or on mobile devices
  • Keep company data and accounts secure when using social media

This course offers 0.2 CEUs upon successful completion.

Have a group of 10 or more to train? Call us at 888-658-6641 for special group pricing.

Corexcel is approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

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