How Did You Power Up Your Executive Brand Last Year - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

How Did You Power Up Your Executive Brand Last Year January is the perfect time to reflect, take stock,  evaluate, and record what you did for your brand last year, before you forget the details. If youre job-hunting or planning to be, your most recent brand-reinforcing achievements and contributions can give your personal marketing communications the kind of punch that will make you irresistible to recruiters and hiring decision makers. Reflect on how well you stayed the course with your career and personal goals for last year. Do last years goals align with this years or will you need to map out a new plan to meet your 2010 goals and propel yourself forward? Here are some questions and exercises to prompt your  evaluation:  What were you most proud of accomplishing  â€" 3 or 4 things you did that brought the most value to you and your employer? Transform these high points into career success stories using the C-A-Rs method that you can then use in job interviewing. See my post, How to Leverage C-A-R Storytelling for Executive Branding and Job Search.  What was one defining moment for you? Maybe you accomplished the impossible, against all odds. Maybe it was a learning touchpoint or meeting someone who significantly impacted your career. Maybe it was something that happened in your personal life to make you reconsider whether your job is bringing you the career fulfillment you need and deserve.  Who did you mentor and how did your guidance impact that person, your team, your department, and your company?  What new skills and competencies did you master?  If blogging and other social media involvement were in your 2009 plan, what inroads did you make? See my post, Executive Job Search and Blogging: Perfect Together.  Did you earn any new degrees or credentials, or take relevant training?  How did you expand your network? Did you join any new relevant professional organizations? Did you fully leverage social networks like , Twitter,

Interview with the Author of Job Searching with Social Media For Dummies - CareerEnlightenment.com

Right after that what you mentioned was, you went out to just go to the market and start to meet people. It wasn’t as if you were looking for a position, you were starting to meet people. So in some way, did the fact that they were managing your expectations that there may not be a job for 3-6 months that gave you the feeling that you needed to do something kind of changed your focus a little bit it sounds like?Joshua Waldman:  Yeah it did change my focus and of course I applied for jobs. You have to in order to maintain unemployment benefits, and I did. I walked into job interviews, and you know, frankly I’ll tell you one experience I had.I walked into a job interview and I was so unprepared and so uninterested in this company. I just decided to say yes to everything they asked me. They asked if I had ever sold green construction before, and I answered, “Yea, I like florescent light bulbs,” there was some part of me that was just not interested in working. Part of it was bec ause they said wait for three months before expecting anything to happen. But also when you’re laid off it’s traumatic. It hurts; it was very painful experience, existentially, for me. I would walk into a company and I would like the company for example and then the only thing I could think about was, “Wow, cool company.. I wonder what it would feel like to get laid off from here?”I just wasn’t ready.David Kushan:  Ok. So you get out there and you take the approach of starting to meet people, and your using social media for that. You also talked about how you would meet people and ask how you could help them.What can people who are not as familiar with these tools as you are, what they can start to do and how maybe thy need to look at things a little bit differently because of these tools that are available?Joshua Waldman:  I was at a leadership training a couple of years ago; it was a very small group only seven or eight of us. One of the guys in the room drinks beer, wat ches football, and owns a restoration company. These are folks who cut down huge trees and fix floods and that kind of stuff. You know, big heavy equipment operators. He sort of had this anti-woohoo raidar going on and I told him what I did.I said, “Hey, I help people find jobs using social media.” He started laughing.He said, “Oh really? That has no relevance to me.”So I asked him to tell me about his most recent hire. He said he was trying to find a front desk person; he had three candidates, and Googled one of them. She looked good on a resume, but when I Googled her it turns out she was an exotic dancer in her previous role. So he disqualified her.I asked him, “Tell me again how you don’t use social media in your hiring process?”Everyone does, even if they don’t admit it. Everyone. In fact job rights in 2013 stated that recruiters are now at 94% adoption of social media and all of them plan on spending more time and money using social media to build their teams. It’s ubiquitous to change the name of the game. If you don’t know how to use it strategically you become one of those sorry statistics of people who are winding up in jobs that they don’t really like.David Kushan:  That makes a lot of sense. What would you say from what you see in the market right now or just as you’re looking around at some of the social media tools out there or the networks out there, what are some things that are very easy for people to do that from what you’ve seen they’re just not doing?Joshua Waldman:  Number one is to think about your message first. We have a shinny objects syndrome problem in our society and it’s not this country it’s really the basis of our whole economy, is circled around this fallacy that technology is going to solve our problems and it’s not it never has. If you read some of the futurists and economic commentators back in the fifties and sixties, they were saying the exact same thing that we are saying now. Were running out of energy, technology is causing more expectations on productivity and our quality of life is going down. All of these things circle around this fallacy that we think technology is going to make our lives easier. So when we hear social media is the way to go to advance your careers. The instinct that has been drilled into us since the day we were born is to go and totally use the technology. Just go on LinkedIn and fill out your profile. Go on Facebook and fill out your profile. Start tweeting. The problem with this approach is that you haven’t thought about the strategy yet. So what can happen is you come across as being very flippant to the perception of the recruiter who is looking for very specific things. They have very specific roles they need to fill. If you’re just on there because it’s going to solve your problems, by just being there, you’re not going to get very far.That’s a mistake a lot of people make. What I would suggest you do is slow down a little bit . Accept the reality that you have to be on LinkedIn but it’s not in and of itself the solution. The solution is how you engage in the technology. So think about that message first before you start filling out that profile. What was that one thing you want a recruiter or hiring manager to remember about you? Translate THAT to be consistent across all of your messaging and profiles and posts so that you are on brand and on target.David Kushan:  That’s a great point. I spend a lot of time in talking with people about the things they that they need to do to be viewed as a specialist in the marketplace and when people are out looking of their next full time job or next contract I say to them, it’s not about getting interviews, it’s about getting the ideal position for yourself and would you rather position yourself to get two interviews and have a ninety percent chance of each of the two interviews getting back to you with an offer? Or being somebody that ten companies will inte rview you for but you have a three percent chance at being offered any of the positions.Joshua Waldman:  Exactly. Before, maybe five years ago progress on the job search was how many applications you sent out, how many resumes you sent out. I think these days it’s a different conversation. It’s how many new people have you had conversations with? How on target is your message?David Kushan:  If you were to speak with somebody who maybe listening right now, that isn’t very familiar with what’s out there. Could you share with them a brief overview of each and where they fit into an overall strategy?Joshua Waldman:  Studies are coming out reinforcing that it’s the big three that you really have to be paying attention to and it depends on the perspective. If you’re looking from the recruiting perspective, LinkedIn, Facebook and then twitter are the order of priority. If you’re looking from the job seekers perspective, you’re actually probably going to find better luck on Facebook believe it or not for several key reasons.Number one the sheer size of Facebook. There are so many people using it actively a lot. Now that graph search has been rolled out to everybody, which is where you can use natural language search to go through the entire public record of Facebook’s information on people. So for example if you wanted to find friends of friends who work at Cisco in Hawaii… you could find them with no problem. Then, because they are friends of friends you can ask for that introduction and start having conversations with people. I don’t think we have even begun to brooch the power of facebooks graph search at this point and there’s not a lot of people talking about it. What we know for sure is that companies prefer to have internal referals. Internal referals tend to be more successful candidates. We know internal referals come from employees and then family. Well guess which network has your friends and family? It’s Facebook.I think there’s this weird separation that people have intheir head of personal and professional. That actually never existed before these networks came about. Fifty years ago your friends were from work and your family hired you. SO there was never a separation between your personal and professional and just because these networks have created these false diconomies doesn’t mean we have to fall pray to them. If our friends and our family have always refered us to possible opportunities, then why not take advantage of that and use Facebook for professional networking? What’s wrong with that? As a matter of fact many people do, do that. Something on the border of 18 million Americans have gotten their jobs through the use of facebook. It’s no small number.The next most important is LinkedIn because this is where recruiters hang out. Something like 50% of LinkedIn’s user base are recruiters. So recruiters use LinkedIn like a big database and the cool thing is that the more recruiters you hav e in your network, and the better your profile is, the more you’re likely to show up in search results. So there’s sort of a passive approach to LinkedIn. Look great, have a great profile, have a big network that is strategically grown with recruiters in your industry and your chances of getting discovered go up.That’s a very passive way to approach your job search.You can also approach it much more proactively and use the advanced search features of LinkedIn and find folks who work at companies you do want to work for and then reach out to them for information and interviews.David Kushan:  I just had a thought that popped into my mind. I wanted to say that the comments you made on each of those are excellent and what I took from this is you really talking about a mindset shift that has to occur before the tools can be used, number one and number two, use the tools effectively and that’s the change that’s happening right now. The example that you gave with the person in th e beginning, they are already in social media they just don’t realize it. It’s almost as if they are shying away from a label and being apart of that label.What I tend to find that interesting, being in the business or 20 years, is when I got started the only way you got in touch with somebody was to make a phone call and people were not necessarily overwhelmed by recruiters calling them. Their information wasn’t out there. What I hear a lot of today is these people that are successful and are being identified in the market are feeling a little overwhelmed with how often they’re being reached out to there could be a number of recruiters contacting them. It’s hard for them to determine if they should get back to them or not. Which can be a full time job in itself.So in the conversations that I have with people is how they can narrow that group down into a manageable handful of people that they can have as a resource or a mutually beneficial relationship with.Do you have any advice for how you can be proactive in reaching out to the right recruiters and build relationships with them?I always tell people recruiters have favorites. If we get a position and there’s multiple people a that are qualified for it, were human and were going to reach out to people that we are most comfortable with.Do you have any insight on how people can manage that?Joshua Waldman:  Well first of all wouldn’t most of us love to have that problem? What could be a better sign of career success? That’s one of those problems you would like to have in life.I hear people complain, I talked to a guy this summer who had such a specialization and technical ability that he knows, confidently, that he can walk into any job that he wants. He had a sense of confidence but it was also pretty cocky. First of all my sympathies do not go out to people who have too many recruiters reaching out to them.David Kushan:  (laugh) let me just qualify it a little bit. I think some of the challenge s. You could get reached out to by let’s say, ten recruiters, and not all are equal. Which I have a biased opinion of course. Some have gotten into the business 30 days ago and some have been in the business for 5+ years. It’s a type of business that does have a lot of turn over. So I guess I was looking at the question more as how they can go about identifying who is worth staying in touch with. I understand the point of at east the action is coming to them because they’ve done something right. So how do they make sure that they can be in touch with the right people that can really help I guess if that makes sense.Joshua Waldman: yeah and that comes back into strategy. If you know what companies you want to work for then why would you work with a recruiter if they can just as easily go on LinkedIn and identify an information interview source and start having conversation within five minutes?The proactive approach to LinkedIn isn’t necessarily engaging with recruiters, it’ s engaging with a company.David Kushan: Just to reiterate I didn’t feel slighted at all by that comment. I think the reality is, and this is where I’ll make a comment about my own industry, is that a firm like ours is used by organizations only when they haven’t been able to identify people who are ideal for their roles.So this is all about and why I appreciate you being on our podcast, talking to people who have an idea of where they want to be and help them get there. The recruiting firm isn’t supposed to try to put themselves in the middle of something that’s going to happen already. They’re there at the end of a process to bring value where things haven’t been able to come together on their own.I just thought I would take the opportunity to make that distinction but you know that’s a good point. I think that’s part of the challenge and part of what I was trying to get out of this is sometimes people are a little too passive and wait for it to come to them but h ow do they get proactive about it and again that goes back to the big picture right?Joshua Waldman:  Yeah that’s right. The big picture is that first step, what do you want? Who are you? Who are you going to help?David Kushan:  well of course I think something that changes with social media is it makes it a little easier for people who don’t view themselves as very aggressive per say. I was telling people fifteen years ago, if you know there’s a company you want to work for, pick up the phone and call somebody there. It was almost as if you weren’t allowed to do that like there was some rule written somewhere where you’re not allowed to do that. Today some people just aren’t comfortable picking up the phone and as they viewed it, being so forward. But today with email or websites it’s a little bit easier for a more passive person to at least reach out.Joshua Waldman:  It is easier to reach out and it’s less scary. I just got a book review today from a woman who is an introvert researcher with several books out on quite leadership and I think it’s funny, her review of the book was basically social media helps with introverts who struggle with picking up the phone and talking to new people. An in-mail on LinkedIn allows them to test the waters first and feel better about making that connection.David Kushan:  Well Joshua, you spent a significant amount of time with us today and I appreciate that. Any final comments on the big picture or final thought to leave out listeners with that you think can help them get started?Joshua Waldman:  Well just do something. I think there is this risk of feeling overwhelmed because all the social media experts and technology websites kind of make this into a really big thing and it’s not it’s just a tool like a hammer or a saw. What you’re really doing is just networking. If you’re going to think about it in that terms than you pick the tool that’s appropriate for the kind of networking that you want t o do. So, start with what you want to accomplish then pick the tool. Don’t start with the tool. Realize that you need to network because it will help your career and what’s a network I can use or tool I can use to find someone who is working at that company and then pick that one. That’s how I would approach this and I think that will help alleviate any stress of not knowing where to start.

Freakin (Great POSITIVE Links) Friday Installment 20 - When I Grow Up

Freakin (Great POSITIVE Links) Friday Installment 20 - When I Grow Up If a breakfast fairy is not the epitomy of positivity, I dont know what is. Bring one to your home via waterbears etsy shop. Yes, Im eschewing the traditional form of Freakin (Great Links) Friday in honor of Positivity Week. While Ive compiled a list of blogs I love right here, I wanted to point out the dozen or so that I visit every day. Whether its their beautiful artwork, inspiring words, brilliant ideas or overall hilarity, I love visiting with these gals: Small Notebook White Hot Truth a beautiful ripple effect Old Soul Ink Starshyne Productions The Bloggess Kelly Rae Roberts decor 8 pecannoot design is mine Magnificent Marvelous Women wish jar Things We Forget LifeRemix In my quest to find all links positive this week, I wanted to share some new gems that you might enjoy: My Inspiration Lounge makes it easier for you to be inspired, find balance, pursue your passions make an impact in the world. They even have a portal for booze! HelpOthers.com is a portal dedicated to small acts of kindness Kindred is a new site from Holly of Decor 8 Heather of Creature Comforts. Ill let Heather describe this site, but Ill tell you off the bat that Ill be signign up for the forum making it a regular stop! Dont miss the free downloadable Gratitude Cards made by Holly herself. The Smile Tribe has formed with the mission of sincerely smiling at strangers! I remember being in VA with a friend years ago, and an old man greeted us with a big Hello on the street, and my friend said Hello right back. When I asked if she knew him, she said no. The jaded NY that I am, I assumed he was trying to pick us up! My friend reassured me that Its what people do in small towns. It is?! Well, if its not, I guess thats what The Smile Tribe is for! The Bright Side Project promises to bring you a little metaphorical sunshine every day, to help you stop for a second and remember life is (still) beautiful and there is goodness in the world. Amen. kind over matter asks, Have you ever left something beautiful for a stranger to find, have you ever found something beautiful yourself? We want to see it. And you want to see this gorgeous blog. The HumanKind Project is the online version of paying it forward. Share your act of kindness, and read about the kindness that others have done. Operation NICE reminds you that a little NICE goes a long way. And here are others that contributed to Positivity Week: Jeremie Miller of Sunday Night Success Carolyn Rubenstein of a beautiful ripple effect bought   these Positivity Cards , and is leaving them around Boston this weekend! Cant wait to see the pics she takes. And did I mention her angelic, generous nature?   She bought a set for me too? Ill share our pics with you next week! While Positivity Week will continue until Sunday, and the usual installments will be up next week, Ill be working the Schedule function since Ill be taking a long 4-day weekend that doesnt end until Tuesday! Yay, road trips Beantown family friends adorableness. I cant wait. You can see all of the Freakin (Great Links) Friday installments here.

Writing an Objective Summary For Resume

Writing an Objective Summary For ResumeWriting an objective summary for resume will set you apart from the rest of the pack. A resume is not all about applying for a job, and it's even more important to the human resource officer than it is to most applicants. You will be applying for a job and the human resource officer will see this job letter as part of your evaluation process, as part of your effort to prove that you are qualified to do the job and that you can perform it.While an objective summary is one of the most important documents in your entire application package, it is often overlooked. This is a mistake. Every opportunity to impress a person makes a lasting impression on them, and the employer is the one who will ultimately determine whether or not you will get the job.There are some guidelines to follow when writing an objective statement, but the most important is that the writer's job is not to convey information. It is to summarize your accomplishments in order to c reate the impression of your qualifications. Any individual or organization would benefit from reading an objective summary for resume. This document may include an objective summary for resume if you present them with an applicant resume.There are several tips to follow when writing an objective summary for resume. Use plain language that does not include 'I'me'. The key word here is 'describe'. You don't want to sound mechanical or like you are not a natural in presenting the information that you have in front of you.Most people when they write their resumes think about these facts or more, but the overall purpose is to convince the reader that they are prepared to succeed at the job and that they are worthy of consideration. Writing an objective summary for resume will help you to establish yourself as a top candidate and to eliminate some of the competition. This can help you to be more visible to your prospective employer. It is also a good first impression for any potential em ployers to see a resume without the paragraph break and without any of the rigid formatting or neatness that you would normally use when applying for a job.The paragraph break will tell the reader that the job description is more concise. A comma will follow after the job description and then follow it up with a period. The reason for using a paragraph break is to highlight the end of the paragraph and the fact that this is a summary.Writing an objective summary for resume will help you impress your prospective employer. This summary will help you stand out from the rest of the pack and not have to worry about being confusing, coming across as robotic, or appearing haphazard. Using your specific talents and experience to present yourself in the best light will help you to separate yourself from the crowd and to stand out in an ever-changing job market.

Class Reunions Make Us Seek New Work

Class Reunions Make Us Seek New Work Going to a class reunion? Better dust off your resume and update your LinkedIn page first: Researchers have found that instances of job-hunting spike by 16% immediately after people go to “large social gatherings of peers” like reunions, according to the Harvard Business Review. You might also expect professional milestones to trigger the kind of self-reflection that could lead you to rethink your career path, and that is the case: HBR said research conducted by CEB (formerly known as the Corporate Executive Board Company) found that people are more likely to start looking for a new job on work anniversaries. Job-hunting instances went up by 6% around the time of a person’s anniversary with the company, and 9% on the anniversary of their promotion to their current position. Read next: What Your Resume Should Look Like in 2016 What’s more surprising is how much personal events can trigger us to start wondering if the professional grass is greener somewhere else. “It’s not just what happens at workâ€"it’s what happens in someone’s personal life that determines when he or she decides to look for a new job,” CEB’s top HR professional, Brian Kropp, told the HBR. Aside from events like high school or college reunions, birthdaysâ€"especially milestones like 50â€"spur a lot of people to start looking around for a new employer. According to CEB research, job-hunting activities increase by an average of 12% right before a birthday. So if you suddenly find yourself restless and dissatisfied with your current career, it might not be the job or the employer; it might be your social calendar. Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duration  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  SharePlayback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedAudio TrackFullscreenThis is a modal window. This video is either unavailable or not supported in this browser Error Code: MEDIA_ERR_SRC_NOT_SUPPORTED Technical details : No compatible source was found for this media. Session ID: 2019-12-31:9aee40e2992776558c8a5549 Player Element ID: jumpstart_video_1 OK Close Modal DialogBeginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.PlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duration  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  Playback Rate1xFullscreenClose Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. And while it’s never a bad idea to regularly take stock of your career advancement and how you’re doing relative to your professional goals (and no, you’re probably not too old for a new job), you want these kinds of activities to be strategic, not just because you saw your former roommate and discovered that he or she has a loftier title or better office than you do. And one word of advice-slash-warning: If you think you’re being stealthy in your job search, particularly if you work at a big company, you’re probably not. Read next: Will My Facebook Rant Keep Me From Getting a Job? Companies have invested in technology that lets them see what emails you’re reading and whether or not you’re visiting career sites like LinkedIn or job boards. Some even track badge-ID swipes to see if you’re leaving the building or parking garage during the day, which could indicate that you’re on the hunt for a new job, the HBR reported.

4 Great Jobs In The Motoring Industry - Work It Daily

4 Great Jobs In The Motoring Industry - Work It Daily If you like cars, perhaps you should think about how you can convert your passion into a career. It is certainly possible - it just depends on your skills and abilities. If there is something you cannot currently do, could you take a course or the correct steps to help you to achieve your goal? It’s worth thinking about if you believe that a career in the motoring industry could be the right move for you. Here are a few ideas about what you could end up doing: 1. Mobile Car Repair One option could be looking into a van based car repair franchise. There are much more opportunities in this area now that there are more cars on the road. This growth generally means that people are more likely to sustain minor damage to their car, such as bumper and paintwork scuffs. Think about all of the hazards that exist these days such as bollards, other motorists, and even debris in the road. You could do a bit more research into this area if it interests you. 2. Mechanic You may prefer to repair cars and other vehicles at a stationary location such as a garage. This is a highly skilled job that you will need to train for, however, a lot of this is done in a hands-on manner (such as being an apprentice). You could research colleges in your areas who offer practical courses such as those needed for a position as a mechanic. If you already have the skills, what are you waiting for? 3. Engineer There are many forms of engineer needed for the motoring industry, even if you aren’t directly working with cars. You could be working on the motorway system, or even on something that is used within the vehicle such as airbag technology. However, there are also some highly sought after careers to be had, including working as an engineer for one of the leading teams in Formula One. You will have to be excellent in your field to even get a look in at these jobs, though. 4. Salesperson If you fear as though you have passed the age where you would be in your prime for one of the positions listed above, you don’t need to give up on your dream entirely. There will always be positions that require a little less physical energy! Why don’t you consider something like becoming a salesperson or customer services assistant in a showroom? You would be using your knowledge to help people pick the best car for their needs, so this is still an important position in the field.   Need help with your cover letter? Sign up to receive your FREE cover letter template video tutorial! Email:   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

When Is It Okay To Use A Sick Day

When Is It Okay To Use A Sick Day Sick days are an important asset of working life that help keep employees safe. There are plenty of times when using a sick day should be a no-brainer. If you have a case of the flu or food poisoning, the obvious answer is yes, stay home and heal. But what about the gray areas when you arent actually ill but are having second thoughts about going to work that ansturm way deeper than a case of the Monday Blues?Its not okay to use a sick day when1.You Need More Time on A ProjectIf you are running behind on finishing a project and you use a sick day, youll just end up causing yourself mora stress and leave room for questions. In this case, its best to be honest with your boss and say the project is taking longer than expected. It could also indicate that you need more help with the project or should have more time in the future. Outright deception can hurt your boss, yourself, and even your career.2. Youre Going to An EventIf you just received tickets o r an invitation to a special vorstellung and are considering playing sick, definitely think before you make that phone call. There are many ways that your boss or coworkers could discover your indiscretion. From a wayward social media slip to a friend of a friend seeing you, skipping work for fun is a gamble you dont want to make.3. The Weather Is GrossWhen its raining cats and dogs, the last thing you want to deal with is the morning commute, but if your sick days begin to coincide with unfortunate weather forecasts, the office will begin to talk. Invest in a solid pair of rain boots and a sturdy umbrella, and skip the sick day excuse.4. You Have a Hair AppointmentIf you call out of work for a cosmetic appointment, dont be surprised when your coworkers or boss eye you suspiciously after you show up with a fresh mani or your split ends have miraculously vanished. Schedule a weekend appointment or take a personal day in advance.Its okay to use a sick day when1. Youre Burnt OutIf you feel like youre on the verge of snapping because youre so stressed out, you could end up being more of a liability than an asset to your company. Unchecked exasperation is unhealthy, and taking a day to relax and center yourself means that when you return youll be better able to contribute to your team.2. You Need to Take Care of Someone ElseStaying home to care for someone youre responsible for should never be a source of guilt. If a loved one who depends on you for help isnt well, using a sick day to look after them is completely acceptable.3. You Have A Medical AppointmentI used to feel guilty about using sick days for doctor appointments. I appear to be healthy, but I have an autoimmune disorder that requires close monitoring and regular specialist visits. Whether you need to see a specialist every week or just have a basic dental check-up, keeping medical appointments is imperative to your overall wellbeing. Taking time to make sure all is well is always worth it.4. Youre Griev ingTaking a mental health day is a completely valid reason to use a sick day.BuzzFeed reported that 19-year-old college student Rachel Harriman confessed to her professor that she was turning in an assignment late after her boyfriend unexpectedly broke up with her. Some commenters supported Rachel while others wrote that her professor should have been tougher. My take is that life happens, and when people show humanity, we are all better for it. If you have experienced a loss or serious setback that put you off balance to the point where youre unableto focus on doing your job, youre better off staying home. If the issue is impacting you long term, consider contacting the appropriate channels about taking a bereavement leave.If you need to call in sick, check out our guide on the right way to call out of work.--Kayla Heisler is an essayist and PushcartPrize nominatedpoet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets anthology.