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How to improve communication skills

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How to improve communication skills

Even someone with the most brilliant solutions can have little to no impact if they aren’t an effective communicator. This is especially true at the workplace and while on a job interview. As a good communicator, you can learn from others while conveying the value of your ideas, opinions, and feelings. Read on to learn how to communicate effectively at the workplace, during a job interview, and in life overall.

How to improve communication skills during an interview

Your job interview is your chance to show your interviewer that you can contribute ideas and develop effective solutions. It also allows them to gauge how well you can work with a team, accept feedback, and consider others’ thoughts and feelings.

There are several ways that you can illustrate your communicative skills during an interview. There’s more to communication than just what you say. Eye contact, facial expressions, and even your speech rate all contribute to your effectiveness as a communicator. Below, we’ll explore some tips for how you can improve your communication skills during a job interview.

Maintain eye contact

In many cultures, maintaining eye contact shows that you’re respectful, attentive, and fully present in a social situation. Still, for many people, eye contact can feel awkward. During a job interview, it’s best to try to overcome any discomfort you have with eye contact — especially if you’re interviewing in a country where it’s expected.

If your eyes dart around the room while someone is speaking, at a computer screen — or even worse, a phone — your interviewer may think you’re not invested in what they have to say or the position itself.

Maintaining eye contact during an interview is far easier if you’re confident about what you’re talking about. To ensure you’re ready for your interviews, you can check out our courses designed to help you say and do the right things while in front of a prospective employer:

The 50/70 rule

According to a report from Michigan State University, it’s best to maintain eye contact 50% of the time while speaking and 70% of the time while listening. When speaking, it’s common for people to allow their eyes to shift as they think about what to say. Plus, if you intently stare into someone’s eyes while talking to them, you may risk coming across as intimidating. Hence, the reduced eye contact while speaking.

Still, while listening, eye contact plays an integral role in the communication process. To achieve the 70% experts recommend, try to hold eye contact while your interviewer is speaking for between four and five seconds. Then, slowly glance off to the side as if you’re thinking about something they just said before reestablishing eye contact for another four to five seconds.

Control the speed of your speech

Speaking quickly is a natural result of nervousness, but you should try to avoid rattling off quick sentences during a job interview. Here are a few tips for controlling the speed of your speech:

  • Focus on the beginnings and endings of each word you say. When you commit to saying each word completely — naturally, without over-annunciating — you both control your pace and make your words clearer.
  • Pause in between sentences. At times, even a sentence that comes out quickly can still be understood if the listener has an extra moment to process it.
  • Periodically check in with your listener. Taking brief breaks to ask questions like, “Does that make sense?” prevents you from quickly running through several sentences in a row. It also shows that you care about how what you say is coming across.

Use appropriate facial expressions

It’s OK to smile, especially if you’re nervous. A smile will put your interviewer at ease and may even encourage them to smile as well. Still, as a general rule, it’s typically best to mirror the expression of the person you’re speaking to. If they smile, you can too. If they look serious, you can show you appreciate the gravity of what they’re saying by slightly furrowing your brow or thoughtfully pursing your lips.

On the other hand, if you smile for the entire interview, even when the interviewer is talking about a troubling challenge the company is facing, you risk coming across as someone who takes important things too lightly.

Ask questions

Asking questions shows that you’re fully invested in the interview. While fact-seeking questions are excellent, you don’t have to limit yourself to general queries about the job or the organization’s goals. Feel free to ask clarifying questions that restate what was just said when your interviewer stops speaking or before forming a reply.

For example, after the interviewer explains how the DevOps team is structured, you could say, “So it sounds like the same person handles the roles of software tester and release manager. Do I have that correct?” They may nod their head or say yes. You can then continue, “That’s an interesting way of maintaining quality control. About six months ago, I worked on a team that took a similar approach…” This way, you show interest and attentiveness while highlighting your past experience.

General tips to improve communication skills at work

After the job interview, communication becomes even more important as you’ll need it to collaborate with others and effectively convey your ideas and solutions. Here are some tips for improving your communication skills at work:

Ask for feedback

Asking for feedback shows you are a thoughtful, humble person who wants to improve. While receiving feedback, you can also get actionable goals that you can use to measure your success.

Listen more than you talk

Talking too much during a conversation can make the other person feel undervalued. Devote more time to listening than talking. If you’re able to get the other person talking, you can learn from them, make them feel more comfortable, and earn a reputation as someone who cares about the opinions of others.

Pay attention to your nonverbal communication

Your body, like a picture, speaks a thousand words. Try the following:

  • Keep your arms uncrossed while listening. This, in effect, shows you are welcoming the other person’s thoughts.
  • Instead of facing the other person straight on, stand at a slight angle. In this way, they won’t feel trapped or boxed in by your body.
  • Use gestures while giving a presentation. Keep your hands out of your pockets, and be sure to use them while trying to convey emotion.

Improving your communication skills will help you land the job you want and enhance your impact while there. With our courses, you can strengthen your knowledge base while improving your communication skills. Working with other students and teachers gives you the chance to practice active listening and contributing your ideas for the benefit of all involved. The connections you make can also boost your career prospects for many years to come. Get started for free today!

Hello Summer | Free Summer Blogger Template

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Hello Summer | Free Summer Blogger Template

Hello Summer | Free Summer Blogger Template

It has been a long time since we had a free blogger template for you, so I decided to create a new one! This time it is all about summer with a blue and coral color palette and shell drawings in the header. It will be perfect for seasonal use or for all travel lovers. If you were looking for a quick blog makeover, make sure to grab this free summer blogger template

Free Summer Blogger Template

When installed on your blog, you’ll be able to edit the title, tagline, and menu link titles. All of your existing sidebar gadgets will remain with this design.

You can edit fonts and most design colors using the blogger template editor, so feel free to play with the settings. Make sure to share the results with your blog link in the comments below. Everything else comes as shown in the preview.

This design IS mobile responsive, however, remember that it is for Blogger Platform only.

Make sure to check the live demo of the desigining by clicking the image below.

Preview of Free Summer Blogger Template with a gorgeous shell drawings.

For personal use only.

NOTE: this template is available as a free download through August 31, 2021 only. After that, a $5 download fee applies.

The download package includes an Installation Instruction to help you set-up your new design. Remember that by downloading this template you agree to these terms. Enjoy!

Did you know we can help you with adding accessories to your design? Anything from custom logos to social media widgets can be found in our accessories shop. If you are looking for something really specific, contact us, and we will make it for you!

If you are looking for more blogger designs, you can find them in our Premade Templates Blogger Shop. They are all just $15 each, so it is a perfect option for a stylish and affordable blog makeover.

Lastly, I hope you like this free summer blogger template. Do you like the seasonal free blogger templates or would you prefer more printables instead?

Digest #154: Memorizing vs Understanding

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Digest #154: Memorizing vs Understanding

by Althea Need Kaminske

Is there a difference between memorizing material and understanding material? And if so, shouldn’t educators focus on the presumably better, more wholistic of the two, understanding rather than rote memorization? The answers to these, as always, is somewhat complicated. I sat down to write a blog post analyzing the differences between what people mean by memory vs understanding then realized that we have several posts that do just that! This week’s digest focuses on the discussion around rote memorization and understanding/experience.

(For those who want to cut to the chase, my answers to those questions would be summarized as: First, yes, there certainly are differences in how people learn, integrate, and use information and experiences. Second, no, it doesn’t make sense to focus solely on understanding rather than memory. Separating memory from understanding is something of a false dichotomy. Learning is better when both “rote” memory and understanding/experience are emphasized.)

Summer Reading Contest Winner Week 3: On ‘The Pandemic Has Shrunk Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way.’

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Summer Reading Contest Winner Week 3: On ‘The Pandemic Has Shrunk Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way.’

Felix Liu, 14, from Millburn High School in Millburn, N.J., chose an essay from the Sunday Review headlined “The Pandemic Has Shrunk Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way” and wrote:

“Stop talking to strangers on Discord, and come help me make sushi!” my mom yelled.

“OK, OK! Lemme say goodbye first,” I halfheartedly responded. I was talking to a few friends on Discord about a new karaoke event. Ayaka lives in England. She likes horror movies and scary things in general, and femboys. Adam is from Malaysia. He likes food, Discord, and sleeping — except he actually doesn’t sleep that much at all. During the pandemic, I wasn’t able to play with my classmates or neighbors, so I began playing games online, and I got to make friends all around the world.

Kate Murphy’s article “The Pandemic Has Shrunk Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way” explains how Carnegie-Mellon psychology professor Sheldon Cohen shrunk down his social contacts from 400 people to an essential list of about 50 people, ranking them by importance. Murphy explains how humans can only keep a certain number of friends at a time, and adding one will inevitably lead to another person becoming less important.

My experience has been the opposite. I have actually expanded my friends online. My new online friends are also a lot more diverse than my real-life friends, coming from various social backgrounds, locations and age groups. I’ve gotten to witness multiple generations of thinking and culture in a single Discord server, and I’m truly grateful to have the opportunity to spend time with such a unique community. Oh, and Ayaka offered to take me on a London tour if I come to visit.

Alicia on “Dear Class of 2021: Don’t Do Your Homework. Live Your Life.”

Amy Liao on “Bill Cosby Freed as Court Overturns His Sex Assault Conviction”

Amy on “The Abandoned Houses of Instagram”

Christy on “Could the Pandemic Prompt an ‘Epidemic of Loss’ of Women in the Sciences?”

Daniel on “Meet Elizabeth Ann, the First Cloned Black-Footed Ferret”

Elaine on “Christopher Stone, Who Proposed Legal Rights for Trees, Dies at 83”

Isabella Huang on “How to Remove Graffiti”

Kathy Xiang on “Remembering the Man Behind ‘I ❤️ NY’”

Lucie on “Funny or Racist? A Food Bit on James Corden’s Late Show Draws Ire.”

Oscar on “America Is Getting Meaner”

Oscar on “Hundreds More Unmarked Graves Found at Former Residential School in Canada”

Info you need to know – To Boost Success

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Info you need to know – To Boost Success

I moved several months ago. I didn’t know what to expect in my town. I fell in love with the mountain views, having the extensive property in the desert. I was anticipating the summer, the intense heat (which actually isn’t that bad), I knew what I thought I knew.

Then the deer started to appear. Next, a few bobcats, roadrunners, and quail. What I saw next, though, I had no idea even existed. Javelinas. I read what I could, and then put out water containers for them.

Nowadays, between 6 and 7 p.m., I watch them, my own National Geographic episode. I named a few regulars – Fang, Pig Pen, Racer, Punk, and Howard Hughes.

I have learned a lot about them, observing them from afar. I went about adding my own “integrations” if you will to further enhance my own experience. Recording them with a video cam. Taking photos and jotting down some notes on my tablet.

Each integration into the system – my brain in this matter – has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and insight, without any impact per se, with their own daily lives. The fragile ecosystem stays on track, with a tweak – water (they have access to daily water fountains).

Integrations can offer a positive impact on your learning system. A fragile ecosystem that is dependent on a solution, to function properly and when needed has a tweak to go even further than before. They should enhance the learning experience, engagement of your end-users on the learner side, and for an administrator, gain greater insight into learning and training behaviors.

Most folks who utilize integrations, tend to select the ones they are familiar with or need because of an existing “additional system/platform” that they possess or will possess.

Yet, what if there were other integrations, that would expand the learning and training endeavors for your employees, customers, members, students, or some form of a combination of them?

There are plenty of folks out there, who if they knew about some of these, may think thereafter, hmm, this just might work for what we need.

Which ones though? There are plenty of there, thus, here are the ones, I have found (dependent on your specific needs) that can be integrated with any learning system out there, regardless of type.

Key Terms To Remember

  • Deep Integration – Integration can go deep into the system, becomes a part of the system, learner cannot tell – If you purchase Bongo for your system (i.e. not a vendor), they will do a deep integration for it. I always recommend deep integration. If you are a vendor that wants Bongo, they will do a deep integration.
  • Integration – Just a connection between the system and the 3rd party platform/system/tool – Learners usally bounce to the platform, which is integrated in the system (thus they usually stay with in the system – think iFrame angle, however, they may leave the system and go directly to the platform, then go back into the system. If integration is on the admin side only, for example a BI tool, then the data may appear in the system, or require you to go into the BI tool itself).

Whether you go deep integration or integration – and it is not included as no charge to you as a benefit of purchasing the system, you will need to purchase a license from that vendor (on top of your fees for the system).

Bongo Learn – URL

Video Skills Validation (my term, they say Assessment). Role-Playing. Scenario-base learning. Digital coaching and/or mentoring.

One perk that Bongo offers is a speech analysis – identifying over-used words, or different levels of usage and terminology for the target audience. The Learner sees these metrics. If you are providing sales training, product training, recruiting, frankly any type of training/learning whereas the person (the learner) is communicating with the public, this gives you and the learner, an in-depth analysis. People are always interested in improving (whether they admit it or not), and offering this capability can do wonders because it ties into

Role-Playing and Real World Scenario-Based Learning. With this feature, the end-user can be placed into a real-life sim, so to speak with real-time engagement and feedback. Identification of skills, and where they actually are at that moment in time, is priceless. The challenge with e-learning is how to validate what they learned in a role-playing or real-world scenario, that goes beyond a “test”, whereas someone can memorize or guess the responses. Plus, engagement in that format is zero. I have found that engagement is higher when an adult learner is placed into a real-world scenario based on what they are doing in the workplace. Skill comprehension increases, and so does retention and synthesis. Think this way, why do so many systems that focus on tech skills, have built-in real-world simulations? Because it works.

Digital coaching and mentoring. Here is how it typically works in most systems. The learner gets on a webcam and talks to the coach/mentor. The mentor/coach responds via text within the system. The learner responds either via text or webcam. Basically, it is reactive. Bongo – changes that. You can go webcam or a mobile device with a cam, and communicate in real-time, even PIP (picture in picture). Remember those role-plays? That is a great method for coaching. If you are providing customer education having a “coach or a mentor” is a value-add, showing a difference between you and your competitors. Think about leadership training. What is more a “plus”? An expert to guide you or one-way and text? Engagement is right here. It is also a key reason, why you are seeing more and more software companies offering a “coach” as part of their offering.

What systems offer Bongo today? Quite a few actually, but here is a shortlist (and not everyone) – D2L, Thought Industries, IMC-AG, Looop, Brainier, Cengage, Intrepid by vitalsource, and TopHat. As mentioned, you can, have this capability – via integration in your learning system.

Some vendors that already have Bongo (built into the system), charge extra for this add-on, others do not – i.e. you get it for free when you buy their system. Always ask the vendor. For example, Thought Industries is an add-on cost.

Anders Pink –URL

Web content aggregator whereas will search the web, based on your parameters, filters, etc., and pull into the system, the free content tied to those parameters, keywords, skills, and so forth.

If you purchase Anders Pink for your system (i.e. not a vendor), they will do a deep integration for it. I always recommend deep integration. If you are a vendor that wants Anders Pink, they will do a deep integration.

  • A wonderful solution, that curates content based on the topics, parameters, keywords, filters and so forth right into the learning system (They call the content – briefings)
  • Content can be shared within the system, even on social media if you so choose
  • Relevant content based on their AI
  • Fresh if you will, in that it is pushed daily to your system from the internet.
  • Metrics on the back-end for those who are interested (dependent on how the learning system integrates)
  • Several systems already have an integration available (if you have the system or plan to) – this list includes D2L, Learn Amp, GO1, Degreed, and Stream LXP

What systems have deep integration with Anders Pink today? A very good selection, again just a very short list (and not everyone) – Fuse, Docebo, THRIVE

Some vendors that already have AndersPink (built into the system), charge extra for this add-on, others do not – i.e. you get it for free when you buy their system. Fuse it is free. Thought Industries is an add-on. Docebo is part of Discover, Coach, and Share which is an add-on for Learn (their LMS). Discover, Coach and Share, has other capabilities, beyond Anders Pink.

Course Merchant – URL

An e-commerce solution, where you can sell your courses/content. They also have other solutions.

  • Enables you to sell your content/courses in a learning system (regardless of type). Great for those who want to sell, but the system lacks e-commerce or doesn’t have all the capabilities you are expecting or want.
  • Front -end for your buyers, can be basic or fluid, as your web site
  • Various options are available
  • Offers code for open source systems (for free -and for those interested)
  • Several systems already have an integration available (if you have the system or plan to), not the entire list, ust a select few – D2L, Totara, Kallidus, Blackboard

What systems have deep integration with Course Merchant? A variety, including D2L

Workato – URL

Workflow automation via various pre-existing integrations that are available as part of the platform. Think – integration aggregator.

  • If system goes deep integration, the adminstrator can set up “triggers” and “actions” for each of the integrations that exist in the platform. They refer to this as “receipes”.
  • Total control on what you want it do and not do. Can change as often as you want.
  • An extensive list of integrations – again, you buy Workato and can select as many integrations as you want – but there is a catch.
  • Each integration is around 6K. For this you receive access to Workato, maintenace and updates from them, ability to do “receipes”. The price point is the major downer.

One system that offers Workato as a deep integration is Docebo. It is an add-on, additional cost.

Zapier – URL

Workflow automation via various pre-existing integrations that are available as part of the platform. Think – integration aggregator. I use Zapier myself.

  • With learning system vendors, usally goes integration
  • IMO, far better than Workato, but that is always up for personal choice
  • Over 3,000 apps (their term)
  • Can do triggers and actions
  • Usually an integration into a learning system
  • Some pre-built integrations already exist for learning systems (in the Zapier platform), the list includes Talent LMS, SkillJar, Cypher Learning, Lessonly, Inquisq LMS, Knowledge Anywhere, eFront Pro
  • Pricing is unknown – always inquire. Future pre-built include Instructure, Udemy
  • Pre-built integration available for Watershed LRS and GO1

Bottom Line

I always recommend a deep integration, regardless if it is one of the offerings above, or a BI tool, or even a content aggregator like Biz Library, GO1 or Open Sesame.

Never assume that any 3rd party solution can go deep integration with your learning system, let alone integration.

I mean, I just assumed that Javalinas (notorious for knocking over trash cans and devouring what is inside), ate anything they saw.

I was wrong.

Some do not like lettuce. Others do.

Some will skip a prickly pear cactus that is right there for a snack.

Others will devour any piece they can reach.

That’s the thing about integrations and even Javalinas

Once you see them in action

You will be

Engaged.

Even Amazed.

E-Learning 24/7

5 Skills Employers Are Willing To Pay More For

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5 Skills Employers Are Willing To Pay More For

Upskilling of any kind is of value and will improve your employability and earning potential. However, certain skills are more in demand than others and if you’re adept at them you can command a higher salary for your services. Knowing which skills are highest on potential employers’ lists of desired skills gives you an edge over your competitors in the job market.

We’ve assembled a list of 6 skills that employers across a range of industries are willing to pay more for because they add value to their companies. By upskilling in these specific skills, you’ll be boosting your CV and drastically raising the salary you can earn for your abilities. If you’re looking to upskill in a way that maximises your earning potential then these are the courses for you!

 

1. SAP Skills

SAP is one of the most popular Enterprise Resource Planning tools on the market. Enterprise Resource Planning is an essential component to fueling business success in the online marketplace. Developing SAP skills will help you land a position at a company that utilises this software in their business.

 

 

2. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is used by global brands such as Airbnb, Twitter and Disney. It offers a robust set of tools that makes website customisation simple and intuitive. It’s also relatively easy to learn and maintain compared to other web frameworks.

 

 

3. Facebook Advertising

More than 2.8 billion people use Facebook every month. This means that mastering Facebook Advertising is key in order for brands to thrive on social media. However the advertising landscape changes so fast on Facebook that it can be exceptionally hard to keep up with it all, fuelling the demand for expert advertising professionals.

 

 

 

4. Tableau

These days our online activity generates 50 times more data than was the case a decade ago. With this increasing amount of data comes bigger difficulties in data analysis. As a result, businesses are always on the lookout for experts in easy-to-use data analysis tools like Tableau.

 

 

5. Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 dominates the Software as a Service market. From implementation and configuration to administration, maintenance and support, the demand for Microsoft 365 administrators and consultants is constantly on the rise.

8 reasons to learn how to code from the Codecademy Community

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8 reasons to learn how to code from the Codecademy Community

Every day, more and more people are turning to online programming courses to teach themselves how to code — and for good reason. Whether you’re looking to switch careers or simply see programming as a hobby, learning how to code is a fulfilling, transformative experience with a wide range of benefits.

Some of these benefits are professional. Many people are drawn to the competitive salaries, job security, and flexibility within the tech industry. Others are more drawn to its personal benefits, viewing coding as a form of creative expression or enticed by technology’s potential to improve our society.

To help you decide if it’s right for you, we turned to our community and asked our learners about what they wanted to achieve through programming. Below, we’ll explore their answers in this list of 8 reasons to learn how to code.

1. Remote work

As illustrated in the comment below, working remotely was the most popular reason to learn how to code among our learners.

Tedosuji echoes a sentiment shared across the country. According to Forbes, 61% of the US workforce “prefers being fully remote,” and 97% prefer a hybrid of remote and in-person.

The desire for remote work is no surprise when you consider its many benefits. For example, cutting out your commute can improve your work-life balance and allow for more time with family — not to mention its environmental benefits.

Working remotely has even been shown to boost productivity. After studying in-person and remote workers for two years, Stanford University found that the latter took less time off and accomplished significantly more than their counterparts.

Remote work is becoming even more popular in the tech industry after many companies made the switch during the pandemic. If you find yourself drawn to the idea of working from home, check out this list of high-paying remote tech jobs to find your future career path.

2. Switch careers

Many of our learners join our community because they’re looking to switch careers. As Ellie notes in the comment below, sometimes you need a change, and programming is a fascinating career with almost endless opportunities.

The endless opportunities within a programming career stem from the vast amount of different programming languages and their many applications. Want to help companies build and maintain their online platforms? Learn how to use programming languages like HTML and CSS to create beautiful websites. Or maybe you’re fascinated with AI and dream of working with robots. In that case, take a Python course and learn how to build machine learning models.

3. Job Security

One of the reasons why so many people are becoming developers is because their skills are in such high demand — and they will be for a long time.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Developers are in very high demand, with a job market expected to rise by 22% over the next decade. Similarly, there’s also a great demand for Data Scientists and Machine Learning Engineers — as illustrated by their high rankings in LinkedIn’s list of the top emerging jobs in the US.

4. Personal satisfaction

While there are many professional benefits to learning how to code, as Sardarsa notes in the comment below, nothing beats the satisfaction you get from building your first application.

Coding can also improve your reasoning and problem-solving ability, teaching you how to break complex processes into simple steps as you learn how to think like a programmer.

5. Creative expression

As we said above, coding is quickly becoming more popular as a form of creative expression. The creativity in coding can manifest in various ways, whether through an innovative approach to a problem, game development, or even art.

If you’re interested in creative coding, try learning p5.js, a JavaScript library used to create everything from colorful sketches to interactive animations. In another post, we explore some examples of art projects made with p5.js.

6. Contribute to primary goals

You know what they say: “If you want something done right…”

As Micro illustrates in the comment above, learning how to code can help you advance your primary pursuits. Whether you’re looking to start your own business or create a portfolio that showcases your skills, understanding the basics of web development will help you keep your online platforms polished and effective.

Above, another of our members, Rowan, shows us that coding is beneficial even for non-technical professionals. Marketers, sales teams, Product Managers, and more can all benefit from learning how to use tools like SQL, which allows them to pull valuable data from their company’s databases. In another post, we take a closer look at the benefits of learning to code for non-programmers.

7. Salary expectations

Along with job security and the potential to work from home, many people learn coding because of the salary expectations for developers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average Software Developer earns $110,140 a year.

Web Developers can also expect a decent salary, with averages in the US ranging between $106,129 and $120,752 depending on specialization. The same holds true for Data Scientists, who average $119,828.

Salary expectations for developers often exceed the six-figure mark because their skills are required in virtually every industry. In another article, we dive deeper into the different types of coders and how much they make.

8. Improve society through technology

Lastly, several of our learners offered altruistic reasons for learning to code. Jon, another community member, points to software’s potential to improve our society in the comment below:

Jon touches on a key point that’s often overlooked in discussions about the benefits of coding. Technology is revolutionizing almost every industry, including healthcare, where it can make health information and services more accessible.

Take Sophie, a conversational AI developed by UneeQ. Released early on in the pandemic, Sophie used natural language processing to help people discern truth from myth by providing a reliable source of information about COVID-19.

As Ascenscian indicates, software is also being used to revolutionize the global economy with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin that rely on Blockchain technology. To learn more, check out our introduction to Blockchain course.

As you can see, there are many different reasons why you should learn how to code. What motivates you? What are you hoping to achieve through programming? Leave your answer in a comment below. Or, if this article served as a catalyst for you to learn coding, take your first steps by figuring out which programming language is right for you.

Unique interview questions to ask a future employer

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Unique interview questions to ask a future employer

When you’re going in for an interview, you may only be prepared to answer questions. However, asking good questions can also help employers know how you think and understand your professional and personal values. Read on to learn some unique questions you can ask when interviewing for technical roles.

Ask questions that strengthen your candidacy

When asking your interviewer questions, your objective is to set yourself apart from the other applicants and learn something you can use to strengthen your candidacy. When you ask questions, you show that you’re an inquisitive person with a desire to learn. These qualities can differentiate you from interviewees who merely practice providing good answers. Also, you may learn something after asking a question that can help you perform better either during the rest of the interview or in the next round.

For example, if you ask about the technologies the team uses to develop products, you can weave in your own familiarity with those technologies as you answer other questions. This will make you a more appealing candidate. Additionally, you may be able to get some hints as to what the technical part of the interview may involve. For help passing the technical aspect of interviews, you can check out our preparation guides, including Pass the Technical Interview with Java, Pass the Technical Interview with Python, and Pass the Technical Interview with JavaScript.

Which technologies does the company use?

Another important question to ask is what technologies the company uses because it shows you’re interested in the tools that drive their success. Also, a good developer is always hunting for ways to learn new things, so you can inquire whether you’ll get the opportunity to try new tech while working in the position.

In addition, if you learn the company is using technology that you’re familiar with, you can flex that knowledge throughout the rest of the interview. Let’s say you learn Kubernetes is a key component of their tech stack. You could then talk about how you have or could strategically layer microservices to enhance the efficiency of an app. Candidates who are comfortable with tech require less of an upfront investment on the employer’s part, and they can interface with the rest of the team easier and faster, so it’s always a good idea to show off your skills when the timing is right.

What specific value-adds do you aim to provide customers?

Asking about how a product or service benefits customers shows that you are centered on the prime revenue-generator: the end-user. This is an important high-level value, and a candidate that’s focused on the customer understands the big picture.

In addition, once you learn what the company is trying to provide customers, you can use this to inform other things you say and do later in the interview or during subsequent interviews. For example, if the company is focused on providing an app that prioritizes simplicity over a rich selection of functions, you could mention how you would design a user interface (UI) that is especially user-friendly.

What are the primary challenges the team is dealing with right now?

Asking questions about the challenges the business faces shows you’re a problem-solver and desire to contribute to the team as soon as you get the job. The answer you get will provide insight into what you may be working on in the first few months on the job.

If this question leads to a discussion about the challenges, show that you’re a listener, first and foremost. If you have a solution in mind, you may want to humbly ask, “Do you know if the team has tried this…?” That way, you show that you may have something to offer while still respecting the hard work that’s already been invested in finding solutions.

What kinds of growth opportunities are there with the company?

If you ask about growth opportunities, you show you are invested in staying with the company for an extended period of time. You also convey a desire to learn new skills, which will make you a more valuable asset as time goes on. For example, you may want to learn how to build a chatbot, even if you’re not required to have this skill when first starting out in your role.

You may then want to follow this question by asking what you can do in your first year or two to qualify for growth opportunities. This also shows you are focused on establishing your merit and bringing tangible value to the organization.

What kinds of benchmarks will be used to assess my performance?

Asking this question shows you are  focused on what you can bring to the table. The answer also gives you valuable information regarding what you need to accomplish to satisfy the organization’s requirements and contribute to their progress.

In some cases, the answer may even reveal specific things you can exemplify during the technical aspect of your interview, such as clearly conveying the thinking behind your solutions or developing products that prioritize a particular target audience’s needs.

Ask a question that shows you’ve done your research on the company

Inquiring about something the company is working on now or has already accomplished can be a great way to wrap up your interview. These kinds of queries are some of the top questions to ask an employer during an interview because they provide a comfortable shift of focus from you to the interviewer.

In many cases, the person interviewing you may have had personal involvement in the development or rollout of a solution, and they may enjoy talking about their role in its success.

Also, because this kind of question shows you’ve done your homework, the interviewer may be left with the impression that you see this interview as a unique opportunity — not just another interview you’re checking off your list.

When asking about something the company has done or is working on, you can also ask about specific architectures or development principles, such as agile or waterfall. In this way, you can showcase your interest in and familiarity with the nuts and bolts of producing solutions.

Not only do we provide you with the technical knowledge and practice to qualify for a vast number of tech jobs, but we have guides designed to build your confidence in the interview process. Feel free to check out Acing the technical interview: A complete guide and Interviewing in the tech industry: Technical and behavioral interview tips. To gain the knowledge and experience essential to a successful career in tech, you can start with us for free today.

8 Trendy Modern Calligraphy Fonts You Must Know

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8 Trendy Modern Calligraphy Fonts You Must Know

One of the latest trends in blog design and print design is the use of modern calligraphy fonts. Modern calligraphy fonts create a hand-drawn, modern, informal style and do so much to produce stand-out designs. Calligraphy fonts create interest and when used correctly can create stunning natural focal points in blog design.

Modern Calligraphy Fonts

You will find here thin signature fonts and those a little bit bolder. All beautifly crafted and perfect for all types of designs. I love using hand written fonts for all logo designs and seasonal prints.

Below you will find 8 fonts we picked for you, with links to their pages.

Pin me for later!

If you are browsing this post at work or just do not feel crafty right now, we have something for you too! All the fonts collected in one please on easy to pin graphic so you can save those inspirations for later.

8 Trendy Modern Calligraphy Fonts You Must Know

Show us your works!

I would love to see what you will create using those Modern Calligraphy Fonts. Make sure to let us know in the comments, or share your creation on social media and tag Designer Blogs.

Don’t forget to let us know which font is your favorite. Do you like hand-written fonts, or would you rather see a compilation of classic & simple fonts?

Still looking for a perfect font? Check the list of 20 Best Free Holiday Fonts.

P.S This post includes affiliate links so by clicking them you are supporting us. Thanks!

IBM launches entry-level data engineering certificate on Coursera

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IBM launches entry-level data engineering certificate on Coursera

By Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera

We are pleased to announce a new Data Engineering Professional Certificate from IBM. The certificate is designed to equip learners of all backgrounds — no prior experience or degree is required — for an entry-level data engineering role in less than a year. 

Data engineering continues to be a top trending job, especially in the tech industry, as more and more organizations rely on data to make insights-driven business decisions. The World Economic Forum projects data engineering roles will continue growing over the coming years, bringing opportunities for a broad cross-section of workers. 

The new, 13-course certificate prepares learners for a data engineering role in about eight months and costs $45 per month. Through a variety of hands-on labs and projects, learners will learn how to work with tools and databases to design, deploy, and manage structured and unstructured data. They will also become familiar with Python, Linux, SQL, Hadoop, Spark, and other industry-standard programming tools. Upon completion, learners will receive a certificate they can display on LinkedIn or share with an employer.

The day-to-day of a data engineer varies depending on the organization, role, and specific project, but generally involves solving problems, creating systems, and programming. To learn more about launching a data career, watch an with IBM instructors and subject matter experts that explores industry trends and tips for getting started in data fields.

“We are thrilled to launch IBM’s latest Professional Certificate program on Coursera,” said Leon Katsnelson, Director and CTO, IBM Developer Skills Network. “Data Engineering is a very popular field and, we believe, a Data Engineering Professional Certificate from IBM will be a fantastic first step for a rewarding career in this top trending field.”  

The new data engineering program builds on IBM’s portfolio of entry-level Professional Certificates on Coursera, which are designed to help learners of all backgrounds prepare for in-demand digital roles. With an expanding selection of job-relevant programs, IBM and Coursera are dedicated to helping anyone, anywhere develop the skills needed to enter these growing fields.

Enroll in the Data Engineering Professional Certificate from IBM and kickstart your career today.

 

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