Dana Manciagli on What it Really Takes to Get a Job

Dana Manciagli on What it Really Takes to Get a JobSome job-seeking books are gentle and indirect. Dana Manciagli, on the other hand, is direct Her book is titled Cut the Crap, Get a Job As an experienced executive with 30years in different industries, including a ten yearsas worldwide sales general manager for Microsoft, shes seen mora people hired (and leid get hired) than most and knows exactly what goes wrong. She weighed in on cutting the crap and finding the job. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Your book has a pretty direct title What kind of crap do job seekers generally need to cut?Crap comes in two forms mistakes and excuses. The unknowing job seeker steps in both types of crap and sabotages their job search efforts.How has looking for a job changed over the last few years?First, candidates need to accept that what used to work in past job searches is no longer effective or competitive. Then, theyll need to be open to learning n ew job search techniques and begin applying them to the pursuit of their next career roles.So much has changed over the past five years and continues to changeTechnologyHiring companies are using technology to screen applicants candidates need to know how to use technology to get jobs.Social MediaCompanies are using social media to find candidates, post jobs, and share information. Candidates need to master the correct use of social media to be found, to network, and to apply for jobs. They also need to learn what not to do on social media platforms.CompetitivenessThere are more applicants than ever applying for each job, so candidates need to learn how to get their credentials to the top of the pile and get an interview.InterviewsPhone interviews are on the rise and web-based interviews are emerging. Even face-to-face interviewing techniques have changed.How can job boards better help job seekers?I look at job boards as both a curse and a blessing. The curse Candidates believe that spraying a large quantity of rsums on the job boards will land them a job. The blessing Job boards are a great place to learn about positions in the marketplace, what hiring companies are looking for, and more.People who are not sure about what they want to do next should use job boards to window shop. Too many career-changers or job seekers make up what I call unicorns or jobs that really dont exist. Instead, they need to define a career goal that does exist in todays market. Sure, hidden jobs are out there, but they would look pretty much like the positions listed on the boards.People who are updating their rsums and LinkedIn profiles know they should use the keywords that the buyer is looking for. I give my coaching clients homework assignments to spend hours on the job boards and find the keywords on job descriptions for positions they are targeting.How do job seekers sabotage themselves without being aware of it?Unfortunately, job seekers make errors on every step of the job s earch process, from goal situation through negotiating an offer.Here are some of the top mistakes I see most oftenTypos, grammatical errors, and misspells on virtually all job search correspondencersums, emails, thank you notes, and more.Arriving late to meetings, appearing disheveled, presenting weak handshakes, and more.Being unprepared. Not researching the company, the division, or the decision-maker on LinkedIn.Not reading the job description in great detail and knowingand being able to communicatewhy you are the best fit for the position.What follow-up should we expect when we submit a rsum? Are recruiters or hiring companies just too buried to get back to you?Expect nothing. Manage your expectations and stop being the victim of reality. Having said that, if I had a magic wand, I would change this one tragedy the overall treatment of job candidates. Its horrible.Companies are focused on just one thing hiring the right person for a specific position. They have limited resources and cannot commit to responding to every candidate. At best, you might receive an auto-rejection notice or auto-thank-you-for-applying email.The ball is in your court You need to network your way into the back door. Your application is the front door and represents the first 5% of your effort. The next 95% of your time should be spent networking into the company. It makes all the differenceWhat trends in hiring should job seekers keep an eye on?Aside from the trends I just mentioned, here are more you should keep an eye on going forwardMobile RecruitingAccording to a 2013 survey by LinkedIn, 72% of job seekers have visited a companys career site on a mobile device. Companies are now building out their mobile recruiting strategies and implementing new technology. Candidates need to be careful, though Ive seen a lot of sloppy emails and poorly prepared applications sent from a candidates mobile device I leise recommend using your computer for professional-looking business communicatio ns, produced with proper spelling and correct grammar, and that always include a full signature block.Social MediaSocial media will play an even larger role going forward. On the plus side, there will be more opportunities available on sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Careful, though, social media can hurt a candidate too, so learn what to do and not to doFor more from Dana, follow her onTwitter, and LinkedIn.

Why People Arent Discussing Great Looking Resumes and What You Should be Doing Today

Why People Arent Discussing Great Looking Resumes and What You Should be Doing Today The Importance of Great Looking Resumes Otherwise, you definitely must adhere to a traditional resume. Because when you have provided yur private information, or youve uploaded a present document, drafting becomes a lot easier. In case you must locate an amazing project your program has to be adapted into the occupation specifications. Whats more, you can draft your resumes in a cell browser, although we recommend you to use a tablet to completely utilize Super-Resumes potential. The Ultimate Great Looking Resumes Trick Remedy why you might be helpful on the job and the primary reason they need to hire one. At the peak of the resume, your name ought to be the very first thing the employer sees. Really, theres no correct or wrong answer on what things to include on a resume. The reply is yes in case you wish to. You might need to fool around with the words in the search string till you find precisely what youre seeking. A good example will be able to help you make a decision as to what information to include. If you are interested in an instance of wonderful messaging in a resume, take a look at the digital advertising and marketing executive resume sample among our completely free downloadable resume templates. Population and business growth will establish the sum of new construction over the upcoming decade in addition to the should improve national infrastructure like the upgrade or replacement of roads, bridges, and sewer pipe systems. With the access to technology and the usage of graphic design, individuals are at present able to create nice looking resumes within minutes. What to Expect From Great Looking Resumes? When it has to do with searching for an Executive Resume Writer, there are lots of things to consider as a way to opt for the best service. Focusing on the legal profession for a niche, there arent many resume writing services that come near The Writing Guru in regards to legal resumes. Infographic resumes are impossible to comprehend, states MacIntyre. It is possible to discover more about quilted resumes here. The Great Looking Resumes Pitfall Hiring managers want to be aware of if youll have to relocate. Volunteer experience is also a fine add-on to healthcare resumes since it shows the hiring manager which you have compassion off the work also. Local You want to try and track down a job whichs local for youpersonally As a startup, youve got to check beyond good looking resumes to discover your team. The area of business is huge and theres a great selection of positions offered in it. Practical experience is quite essential and consistently proven through a proper portfolio. You also dont wish to rely on it too heavily in case you dont have the correct type of skills for the job which youre seeking, as it declares that lack of qualifications straight away. Your jobs might be varied, your experience and a bilities vast, and it can be challenging getting it all on paper. You dont understand what youre likely to use but theres a great deal of stuff at our disposal. If youre listing work experience which is not related to the applied job, it has to be conveying something enthralling. Dont fall from the trap of thinking that you would like to curb that which you are and have a job you do not desire. In the present job market, theres plenty of job competition.

3 Steps to Improving Client Retention Before Its Too Late

3 Steps to Improving Client Retention Before Its Too Late Entrepreneurship is not all roses and unicorns. Sometimes, its tough. In fact, there are times when it has to be tough in order for your employees, your geschftsleben, and even you, youngpadawan, to grow.Sometimes, you lose clients. When it happens and it does happen business owners may wonder if sub-par performance, a lack of leadership, or the worst clients ever are to blame. Im not talking about letting clients go because they are no longer a fit or due to budget cuts Im talking about when they tell you not to let the door hit you on the way out. Whatever the cause, there are steps you can take now to better manage unhappy clients before they leave.At Red Branch Media, we know that client and customer retention is critical.According to a roundup of stats published bySalesforce- Its 6-7 times more costly to attract a new customer than it is to retain an existing customer.- 89 percent of co nsumers have stopped doing business with a company after experiencing poor customer service.- A 10 percent increase in customer retention levels results in a 30 percent increase in the value of your company.That last one is reason enoughfor entrepreneursto start loving the ones theyre with Stop the revolving door of clients by adoptingthesethree best practices all of which I learned from the school of hard knocks (I am their most distinguished graduate, aside from Marlon Brandon R.I.P.)1.Understand and Measure the Probable CauseBe proactive in obtaining regular feedback from clients and customers to better understand their issues. Dont wait for them to come complaining Set up a system where continuous feedback is received from key stakeholders in the company.Be in communication with key decision makers on the clients side, or you run the risk of missing crucial direction from the peoplewho sign the checks. This often happens when working with larger corporations, and a decision may be made to end services with your business before you even know whyWarning Sign If its been a while since youve talked to the person who brought your company on board, then you might need to schedule a call or meetingASAP Try to connect withyour clients consistently through monthly intake calls, a weekly personal emails, or a daily texts whatever works best for you and your clients.Short-Term Fix Schedule a call within the next week (do not send an email) to let the client know you are aware of their issues and are taking action immediately to find a solution.Long-Term Fix Send out monthly client feedback surveys via Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or QZZRto learnhow your organization can better serve its customers. Assure your clients all feedback is confidential. That will allowthem to be more honestwith you even if they need to call out a not-so-helpful employee.2. Make Client Retention Your No. 1 PriorityIm really talking aboutclient satisfaction. Clients need to know they are im portant to your business, and they need to know you care about their business just as much as you care about your own. Following up onthe feedback surveys is the best way to reassure them of this.Also useful? Adding thank you notes to your invoices, the occasional freebie (just for clients), and gifts that are useful and show you care about the customers business.Warning Sign If someone on your client roster says, I know youre terribly busy, but or I know we dont pay as much as your other client that is a major red flag. It means they feel insecure about their access to youShort-Term Fix Follow up on completedcustomersurveys with a handwritten thank-you note explaining the new feedback process and why its important. Be transparent Let your customersknow that client satisfaction is a top priority and that their business is genuinely appreciated.Long-Term Fix Keep the client appreciation going all year by sending holiday thank-you cards or gifts, givingnew clients welcome gifts or company-branded swag, offeringdiscounts to loyal customers, or even shouting out your bestclients on social media. A little appreciation goes a long way.3.Never Stop Solving IssuesClientsatisfactions surveys and discussions with customers will shed light on areas in need of improvement. Keep clients in the loop by acknowledging their feedback has been received and action is being taken to remedy any problematic situations.Warning Sign Focus on the point person inside your organization who deals with the account. If they never have any constructive feedback, they might be skating. Buckle down on accounts that are fine. There is always something to improve. If an account is on autopilot, why would someone pay you to be the pilot?Short-Term Fix Create a mini-brief that outlines key feedback points and the steps your company is taking to fix them. Give the client actionable bullet points with a reasonable timeline attached.Long-Term FixAlways provide position updates on important client issues. Schedule regular calls or face-to-face meetings do whatever it takes to show clients you are available and ready to tackle issues head on as if they were your own. If you provide regular reporting (many service-based businesses do), include what youre improving or planning to improve in every status report. Also show where youve improved in the past (as directly relates to each clients business).While clients will always come and go, its crucial that the flow of clients is the result of business changes not communication problems, dissatisfied customers, or unhelpful employees. Enact short-term client retention strategies immediately and build processes surrounding long-term methods to improve client satisfaction before its too late.

Letter Of Instruction For The U.S. Military

Letter Of Instruction For The U.S. MilitaryLetter Of Instruction For The U.S. MilitaryA letter of instruction (LOI) is a formal notification written in military message format notifying the receiving partey of specific issues and detailing how the sender would like them addressed. Generally speaking, letters of instruction are used in business communications and with personal affairs they can be written about almost any subject by anyone. Directions for Personal Estate However, in the U.S. Military they are used perhaps most frequently in two ways. As an example, one method for an LOI is as directions for the platzsettlement a persons estate in the event of that persons death. This is not a will but can be used as more of a to-do list of people to call, documents to obtain, and final arrangements for a funeral. It may also list specific assets and allocations. Corrective or Remedial Tool The second type of letter of instruction- like the one shown below- is used as a correcti ve or remedial tool in the military. Consider the most common LOI as a formal counseling session from a superior officer or senior enlisted personnel to a junior military member who has demonstrated sub-par performance. This typical LOI will not only review the standards the member should be meeting but offer a remedy to pursue better performance in the area of deficiency. Perhaps a plan of action to follow can be added to fully require the intended party to understand the consequences of not performing at the required level. A Sample Letter Of Instruction In the sample below, the letter of instruction has been written as a way to help the recipient improve his job performance, which has been deemed unsatisfactory. The letter goes on to list a number of failings on the part of the recipient, and advises him to become more hands-on, writing You must personally set your divisions goals and personally verify they are being met. It then lists necessary steps to improve performance a nd closes with words of encouragement, offering continued assistance and noting We want and need your success. Sample Letter of Instruction From Commanding Officer, USS NEVERSAIL (CV 11)To LCDR Mike Rowmanage, USN, 987-65-4321/1300Aviation Fuels Officer, USS NEVERSAIL (CV 11) Subj LETTER OF INSTRUCTION Ref (a) MILPERSMAN 1611-080 1. This Letter of Instruction is issued per the reference to discuss specific measures required to improve the unsatisfactory performance of the Aviation Fuels Division on board NEVERSAIL. 2. Since your assumption of duties as aviation fuels officer on board NEVERSAIL, you have allowed unauthorized procedures to exist in the Aviation Fuels Division that resulted in the structural damage to JP-5 storage tank 8-39-02J during underway replenishment on 18 July CY. You failed to familiarize yourself with appropriate aviation fuels directives and thus you were unable to verify the proceedings in your division. You also failed to ensure all directives were mai ntained up-to-date. Generally, you relied totally upon your assistant aviation fuels officer for the day-to-day operation of your division. 3. To function effectively as the aviation fuels officer, you must become more involved in the day-to-day aspects of your division. You cannot manage from your office, accepting the counsel of your assistants without developing an adequate personal knowledge of specific procedures. You must personally set your divisions goals and personally verify they are being met. a. You must review every aviation fuels directive applicable to USS NEVERSAIL. You will ensure that you are familiar with directed procedures. As a matter of routine, you will personally verify that your division does not deviate from directed procedures unless authorized by higher authority. b. You will submit quota requests for yourself and CWO2 J. S. Ragmann to attend an aviation fuels officer course upon completion of this deployment. 4. This letter is designed to aid you in cor recting deficiencies in your performance as a division officer. The entire chain of command is available to assist you in any way possible. We want and need your success. D. R. PEPPER This sample Letter of Instruction provides the junior officer with direct feedback with no grey areas in tone or meaning. This is also a written version of the documented counseling session offering immediate assistance by other senior and more experienced members in the command. This is a perfect tool to create a better junior officer in the command and prevent potential loss of mission capability in the future.

Careers at Public Accounting Firms

Careers at Public Accounting FirmsCareers at Public Accounting FirmsPublic accounting firms prepare, maintain and/or audit (that is, review and certify) their clients financial statements and records. These firms also assist clients in calculating taxes and submitting tax returns. The principal career paths in public accounting tend to require a CPA license. Law degrees are especially useful qualifications in the tax field. Public accounting firms vary in size from individual proprietorships to theBig Four - Ernst Young, Deloitte, KPMG and PriceWaterhouse Coopers. These four are the undisputed leaders in the field, with offices around the world. The largest firms in this sector are typically organized as partnerships rather than corporations. They are major employers of professionals in accounting and auditing, as well as highly-regarded training grounds for financial professionals who later find significant career opportunities elsewhere. Here are a few of the main career paths yo u can take in public accounting firms, along with the pros and cons of working for one. Auditing While larger businesses normally have accounting and finance personnel on staff to do take care of auditing, smaller ones often outsource all their financial record keeping to public accounting firms. They hire these firms to conduct periodic accounting audits, reviews and certifications of their internally-calculated accounting figures. A company with publicly-traded securities is required by law to make certain financial reports public and to have these reports audited by an independent CPA or public accounting firm. Holding a CPA license is a vital job qualification in the audit field. Audit experience also can develop a financial professional develop the sorts of analytic skills that are transferableto careers insecurities research, to cite one example. The average auditors salary, according to Payscale.com was $55,049 as of November 2018. Tax Return Preparation Small busines ses, as well as individuals, frequently hire an independent CPA or public accounting firm to prepare and file their tax returns. The largest public accounting firms, particularly the Big Four, typically wont bother with preparing individual tax returns, except for extremely wealthy people whose income and assets make them the equivalent of institutional clients. Larger businesses tend to have in-house staff to prepare tax returns and often rely upon their auditor to review this work. The internal tax department in a corporation requires key staff members to hold CPA licenses and/or law degrees, just as their counterparts in public accounting firms. The tax professionals within a public accounting firm also advise clients on legal strategies to mitigate taxes. The Internal Revenue Service(IRS)began imposing professional standards on paid tax preparers and enrolled agents in 2011. These standards include passing a competency exam, completing 72 hours of education every three years, re gistering with the IRS and paying an annual registration fee. Because of these rules, many independent, non-CPA, tax preparers have gone out of business, and the rules further strengthen the market position of public accounting firms in this area. CPA holders are exempt from these requirements, given the high professional standards to which they already are subject. Someone working as a tax return preparer can make an average of $12.36 an hour, according to Payscale.com. The median annual salary, according to the site, was $39,838 as of November 2018. Business Consulting The major public accounting firms often have extensiveconsulting practices, largely staffed by non-CPAs. These practice groups advise business clients on a variety of management issues including structuring, business improvements, logistics, and efficiency. They can generate significant revenues and profits - in some firms exceeding the contributions of audit and tax departments. Consultant salaries vary based on the firm. But the average salaries ranged between $45,793 and $109,737, with the median salary being $71,523, as reported by Payscale.com as of November 2018. Why Work for a Public Accounting Firm? Recent graduates find working at a major public accounting firm can offer a host of different opportunities, much like a well-paid internship. It offershands-on experience with a number of different companies and industries. The Big Four tout high rankings in one or more independent surveys of the best places to work. They also claim high rankings in independent surveys of the most prestigious employers. Also, becoming a partner in a Big Four firm can be highly rewarding financially. Disadvantages of Working at Public Accounting Firms There are many different cons to working at a public accounting firm. Many employees experience burnout because of the long hours it takes to become successful and to maximize billable hours. And although the Big Four firms trumpet their employee retention policies today, they tend to have high staff turnover rates. Potential conflicts of interest are rife in public accounting, creating a difficult balancing act. Strict adherence to the professions ethical canons can result in the loss of a clients business, such as when audit results do not meet the clients expectations.

4 Important Questions to Ask in an Interview (and Why)

4 Important Questions to Ask in an Interview (and Why) 4 Important Questions to Ask in an Interview (and Why) When searching for questions to ask in a job bewerbungseinstellungsgesprch, youll be confronted with lists of questions covering every possible aspect of the role, company, interviewer, and more. Unfortunately, there arent typically opportunities in an interview setting to run through the top 50 questions to ask in an interview list you found online.Youll need to pick your spots and prioritize the questions youll ask.Below youre find4 important questions to ask in an interview4 things to remember about your interview questionsAdditional questions to ask the interviewer (if you have time)4 important questions to ask in an interview1) What about my resume caught your eye?This is a question that should come early in the conversation, perhaps even before the interviewer dives into their own questions. However you word it, asking them to describe the reasons they wanted to talk to you over other candidates helps set the course for the rest of the interview in two key ways.One, it gives them an opportunity to speak positively about you right off the bat. It might have been a few days since the interview was scheduled, so theyll be reminded why they were so excited about you in the first place. It might also give you a needed shot of confidence.Two, you might be surprised by the answer. Many candidates submit resumes with similar qualifications. For all you know, a piece of experience that youre taking for granted might be the reason youre there. For example, the hiring manager might have been attracted to an unrelated side hustle that demonstrates more entrepreneurial spirit than other candidates. Where you might have devalued that experience, you now know to play it up.2) How is the department structured?This elegantly rolls up what could be multiple questions about who youd report to, which positions youd collaborate with, and perhaps even the future of the department. It can also give you an idea of how much upward mobility you might have. Some interviewers will even draw up an organizational chart on the spot to show you how it all fits together.Asking this demonstrates that youre team-oriented and can landsee the bigger picture. If youre able to ask this early in the interview or during one of the early interview rounds, the answer will also help you contextualize your responsibilities and provide tailored answers throughout the process.3) What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this position?Asking what defines success for the position will give you a lot of valuable information to work with during the interview process. You learn which results they value most, which will help you tailor your responses to future questions.The interviewers response can also provide clues as to how numbers-driven or goal-oriented the company or department is, or how much pressure there will be to meet tangible targets. This is a question that will help you see how compatible your personal work style is with the departments.4) How is your mission statement reflected in the company culture?Do your research and see if you can find a mission statement or list of values for the company. If you cant find them, start by asking if there are formalized corporate values. Then, by asking how they tie into the culture, you can get a more specific answer about whether there is a cohesive company culture. You can also get an idea whether the company practices what they preach.Simply asking the interviewer to describe the company culture will often elicit a broad, phony response that doesnt really tell you anything. By adding constraints in the form of mission and values, you can get a more thoughtful, complete answer.4 things to remember about your interview questions1) Yes, definitely ask questionsAn interviewer will be worried if you dont have any questions about the role or company. Some of the benefits that come out of proact ively asking questions includeProving that you care and are excited about the opportunityDemonstrating your communication skills and ability to collaborateDetermining whether you actually want the job in the first placeCrafting better answers to future questions as the conversation continues2) Dont wait until the end of the interview to ask questionsAt the end of the interview, the interviewer will probably ask, Do you have any questions for me?Waiting until this moment to rattle off your questions is a missed opportunity. By waiting to ask questions, you pass up information that might help you provide better answers. Make the interview more of a conversation by distributing your questions throughout.3) Most interview processes last multiple roundsWhile there are always exceptions, the interview loops for most corporate roles require 2-3 conversations at a minimum. The more responsibility, competition, or salary attached to the role, the more interviews you can expect. Some intervie ws can last 5 or more rounds.You dont need to have all questions answered during your first interview.Getting ahead of yourself could put a bad taste in the interviewers mouth. For example, while the interviewer is still trying to figure out whether youre even capable of doing the job, dont ask about opportunities for advancement. That question would be more appropriate late in the process when youre nearing or already weighing a job offer.4) Keep an eye on timeAgain, rattling off dozens of prepared questions isnt realistic in most settings. If the interviewer scheduled half an hour for an anfangsbuchstabe phone call, or an hour for the first in-person meeting, be mindful of that. They have other things to do so pushing the meeting into overtime to ask your questions might stress them out or come off as annoying. Thats not the first impression you want.More job interview tips and examples3 things to do before a job interview10 common behavior interview questions and answersHow to an swer, Tell me about yourself.How to answer, What are your salary expectations?Additional questions to ask in an interviewHave time for more interview questions? Be curious and ask what you actually want to know about the role and business. Here are some ideasAsk questions that show you did your research.Do some googling of the company before your interview. Did you find something amusing or interesting? Ask about it. Did you learn about their top competitors? Ask how the company differentiates themselves.Ask the interviewer about their career trajectory. Once youre interviewing with the hiring manager, asking them about the path they took to get there can help build rapport, reveal their ambitions, and show how advancement works within the company.What does a typical day look like for this position?Hopefully day-to-day responsibilities will be covered by the job listing and the conversation in general, but if you arent sure, askWhat is the biggest problem I could solve for you or th e company?Showing that youre a problem-solver is a great way to differentiate yourself from other candidates. If you ask this, be prepared to demonstrate how you approach problems. The interviewer might want to hear your ideas.How do you describe what the company does to friends or family?If you understand the business, skip this. But there might be times when youre having a hard time understanding what the company actually does. For example, you might be applying for a non-technical role at a high-tech artificial intelligence company. Having the interviewer lay it out simply can help you provide better interview answers going forward.What are the next steps?Dont put pressure on the interviewer by asking when youll have your next conversation. Do ask about how theyre structuring their interview process and when you should expect to hear some news.

How professionals make it look easy

How professionals make it look easyHow professionals make it look easyI recently gave a keynote speech to a crowd of roughly 3,000 people. I had to catch a flight back home right after it ended, so I bolted out of the conference center to take a Lyft to the airport. As I was leaving the building, someone in the audience caught up to me.Im dying to know, he said. How does public speaking come so naturally to you?I set my bag down and repliedGloss reflects more than it reveals.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreI then walked off. (Just kidding). I spent a minute unpacking what I meant, and Ill do the same here.When I first started public speaking- which was about nine years ago- I was spectacularly awkward. I would write everything I planned to say and deliver it, word by word, in a monotonous fashion. The only change in my tone was the result of palpable tensions in my voice. As I r ead from my mental teleprompter, I could sense the boredom wafting from the audience. There waszeroconnection between my listeners and me.The same was true in the classroom. The first time I ever taught a class as a law hochschulprofessor, I was so nervous that I tripped over some computer wires, nearly producing an unhappy meeting between face and floor.But I showed up again, and again, and again, marching to the decisive beat of effort-result, effort-result. Each class I taught, and each speech I gave, was a little bit better than the one that came before. Along the way, I discovered how to build a connection, how to tell a good story, and how to conceal missed beats so the audience doesnt even notice.I practiced public speaking four times a week fornine years straightboth as a professor and a keynote speaker. Even with that experience, Im still a work-in-progress. I get tangled up from time to time and stumble over my words. I still get nervous before every speech. But its a cont rolled nervousness- the type that doesnt paralyze you but keeps you on your toes, makes you over-prepare, and convinces you that if you dont put out your best every time, the stage can be whisked away from you at any moment.Heres the thing Nothing springs to existence perfectly formed. Lionel Messi, whos as perfect as soccer players come (sorry, Ronaldo fans), said it took him 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success. Steve Martin echoes the same point I did stand-up comedy for eighteen years, he says. Ten of those years were spent learning, four years were spent refining, and four were spent in wild success.This is why comparison is the ultimate joy killer- and why its so dangerous. When you compare yourself to a seasoned professional, the comparison isnt apples-to-apples. Youre the beta version, and theyre the finished product. Theyve been doing this for years- if not decades- and youre just starting.When we engage in this comparison, we assume were not good enough or talented enough, so we dont even bother trying.But gloss reflects more than it reveals.The next time youre tempted to put a role model on a pedestal, keep in mind the messy history behind the glamour. Youre not seeing the earlier versions of that stand-up routine that elicited boos from the audience, the earlier drafts of that book chapter that would make any self-respecting writer cringe, or the early versions of blockbuster animation films likeToy Storythat Pixars own President Ed Catmull called their ugly babies.Its like learning how to walk. The early attempts are ugly. At first, its a struggle to even stand up. And even when you start walking, you repeatedly fall over. But with each fall, your body learns what to do and what not to do. By learning not to fall, you learn how to walk. You become the envy of all those still toddling their way to their first steps.The idea is the same whether youre learning to walk, do stand-up, or score the perfect goal. Theres no magical spell, n o pixie dust- no silver bullet.The professionals make it look easy by repeatedly doing whats hard.Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned law professor and bestselling author.Click hereto download a free copy of his e-book, The Contrarian Handbook 8 Principles for Innovating Your Thinking. Along with your free e-book, youll get the Weekly Contrarian - a newsletter that challenges conventional wisdom and changes the way we look at the world (plus access to exclusive content for subscribers only).This article originally appeared on Ozan Varol.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people