5 tips for hiring manufacturing workers

5 tips for hiring manufacturing workers5 tips for hiring manufacturing workers5 tips for hiring manufacturing workers Ashford, contributorAs an industry, manufacturing continues to thrive. Unfortunately, finding skilled workers to fill the gaps in this booming field is becoming harder and harder.Fully 89% of manufacturing executives agree theres a talent shortage in the industry, according to a study by Deloitte LLP and The Manufacturing Institute. And theres a skills gap that could leave 2.4 million positions unfilled between 2019 and 2028.What were seeing is that everyone in the manufacturing sectors is having the saatkorn problems that most employers are having- hiring and retaining workers, says Adam Roston, CEO of employment agency BlueCrew, which provides on-demand staffing for hourly wage jobs. Its really hard, and its getting harder in a tough unemployment environment.Its a daunting task, but its not impossible. Try these strategies to get good labor in the doorProvide career growthPeople may not think about upward mobility when it comes to manufacturing, but thats short-sighted. If you can provide opportunities for workers to enhance their skills set or advance up the job ladder, youll attract more people.This could be as simple as offering forklift training, which is something BlueCrew does. You can get a few dollars extra an hour if youre trained to drive a forklift, Roston says. Thats really material.It could also be as straightforward as promoting from within, as one of BlueCrews customers does.A number of our employees have gone on to management positions there, and that dynamic is super compelling, Roston says.Whether its on the first day or three weeks later when theyre trying to decide whether they want to stay at the company or not, to see that their manager or their managers manager was in their position a year ago- that environment creates a culture of opportunity.It also means that the managers better relate to the entry level workers, Rost on points out. So it creates a really good dynamic for everyone involved.Mobilize your workforceDo you offer a great place to work? Good benefits? Good people? Allow your (presumably satisfied) employees to spread the word for you. Offer incentives to employees who refer someone that you eventually hire.If we make our company a great place to work, people tell their friends and their friends tend to have similar skills and interests in work, so that really drives recruitment, Roston says, And of course, people stay longer if they enjoy who they work with, so referrals are also really good for retention.At Automation Tool sie in Medina, OH, they made a set of business cards with instructions for how to apply for a job with the organization.If any of our employees were out in the community, they were empowered to pass out that recruitment job, says Jennifer Compton, human resources manager at the company. If they got their oil changed and that person exhibited awesome skills, they fe lt like they could all be recruiters on our behalf.Hire for core characteristicsWith a talent and skills shortage like the one happening today, you may need to hire people for their work ethic and good attitude- and then train them to do the work.People arent out there just looking for a job that are going to fit our technical criteria, Compton says. But if we find that solid employee whos a good cultural fit, its easier to train on technical skills than to train on those core qualities.Partner up with other companiesAutomation Tool Die is one of several small employers in that area, and the companies decided to create a group- the Medina County Manufacturers Partnership. They formed a 501(c)3 and have focused on advancing themselves as a collaborative.For instance, theyre working with local community colleges to create a curriculum that will produce more workers with the skills theyll need to go into manufacturing.The group looked at similarities in the core curriculum of several different kinds of manufacturing training and found a lot of overlap.We were able to help them rethink their curriculum a little bit, so it would be more applicable across more in-demand jobs, Compton says.The partnership shares referrals. Instead of being something where we were poaching employees from each other, Compton says, if I get an applicant who looks good but who isnt the right fit here, I can pass them on.They also created a summer camp for graduating high schoolers that allows them to spend a little time at each of their facilities so they can get a better idea of the types of careers available.We all know how expensive it is to make a bad hire, so we feel like putting in the resources up front and making aya the fit is there is a unique way for us to get success, Compton says. The partnership has really been something that has been a big catalyst for a lot of unique hiring practices here.Invite the public inThough its a longer-range plan, part of the fields problem is t hat many people today may be hard pressed to describe what a manufacturing job would involve. This keeps people from thinking about the field as an option.People do still have kind of a perception of what they assume manufacturing is like, Compton says.As such, Automation Tool Die hosts tours for various parts of the community, from adult tours every other month to a third-grade class tour. Were making sure were making impressions for STEM careers early, Compton says.They come in and see that this is where the cutting-edge technology is developed, and there are a lot of different careers theyve never heard of that are available, Compton says. We think letting people inside of our doors is really vital to them.Harold Beck Sons, an actuator manufacturer in Pennsylvania, does something similar, getting involved in the states Whats So Cool About Manufacturingprogram. We are always looking for new and imaginative ways to promote careers in manufacturing, even down to the middle school level, says Scott Kempf, marketing and application engineer manager at the company.Looking for more ways to reach hard-to-find manufacturing talent? Use SearchMonster, our powerful new search technology to hone in on the exact manufacturing hire you need

Learn About Being a Relief Veterinarian

Learn About Being a Relief VeterinarianLearn About Being a Relief VeterinarianRelief veterinarians fill in at veterinary clinics when the regular practitioner is on leave. Duties Relief veterinarians provide services on an as-needed basis when full-time vets are away from their practice (often due to situations such as illness, maternity leave, family obligations, or a scheduled vacation). They also may be hired to assist with the clinics caseload during high volume periods. A relief vet must be able to adapt quickly to a clinics culture and work with unfamiliar staff members and clients. They must also be willing to perform any duties required by the clinic including general exams and scheduled surgeries. Other routine duties often include taking x-rays, writing prescriptions, updating records, and advising clients on post-operative care. Those working in this career niche enjoy a very flexible schedule, though they must be available on relatively short notice and able to work o dd hours on occasion. Relief vets are often requested to work evening, weekend, and holiday hours. Career Options Relief veterinarians can specialize in many types of vet work including small animal medicine, large animal medicine, equine medicine, mixed practice medicine, and exotic animal medicine. With a highly flexible schedule, those working as relief veterinarians have the freedom to work as many or as few days each week as they desire. Some also choose to work on a seasonal basis (for example, an equine relief vet might work long hours during the breeding and foaling season, taking the rest of the year off for other pursuits). Relief vets may work independently or through a coordinating relief vet agency, which screens potential matches between employers and the vets. The number of such agencies has grown exponentially in recent years. Some relief vets may eventually accept part-time or full-time work for a clinic to which they have been assigned. Education Training All veterinarians must successfully graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from anaccredited program. This degree is granted at the conclusion of a rigorous course of study that involves working with both small and large animal species. There are currently 30 accredited colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States that offer a DVM degree, plus a number of quality zwischenstaatlich programs in the Caribbean and Europe. After completing their degree, a veterinarian must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) to become licensed to practice medicine. Approximately 2,500 graduates pass this exam and enter the field of veterinary medicine every year. At the end of 2013, according to the most recent AVMA employment survey available, there were 99,720 veterinarians practicing in the United States. Salary Compensation for a relief veterinarian can vary widely based on the specific duties of the position, the type of schedule requested by the clinic, and the geographic area where the practitioner operates. In terms of an hourly rate, most relief vets earn something in the range of $50 to $75 per hour, with a higher rate possible for weekend or overtime work. Some relief vets also offer a per diem and weekly rate plans. Travel and lodging expenses are often paid by the hiring veterinary practice, especially if the vet has to travel a significant distance from their home base to report for work and if it is an extended assignment. Career Outlook The veterinary profession is growing at an accelerated rate, much faster than the average for all professions according to the survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The demand for relief vets is only expected to increase as the number of clinics grows to meet customer demand. This career path can be an excellent choice for veterinarians that desire a highly flexible schedule and enjoy taking on a wide variety of assignments.

Your Company Culture Doesnt Have to Be Perfect -- Just Authentic

Your Company Culture Doesnt Have to Be Perfect -- Just AuthenticYour Company Culture Doesnt Have to Be Perfect Just AuthenticJust over half of the companies surveyed in the 2014 Employer Branding Global Trends Survey stated that they had a clear employer branding strategy. With employer branding positively linked to employee retention and lower cost of hire, its surprising that mora companies arent making an effort to articulate and implement a clear employer branding strategy. After all, many candidates have come to expect information about a companys culture as they apply and interview for jobs.Wendy Nolin, business and career coach at Change Agent Careers, advises her clients to clarify what they are looking for in a company culture before they apply so they know what to look out for when reviewing information, leid to mention what questions to ask in the interview. People will get their information anywhere they can, she said, but they are mostly limited to whats on the corporat e site, plus LinkedIn, published articles and review sites.For large global companies with career websites, established employer branding programs and rankings on best place to work lists, this is less of a problem. But a lot of people dont want to get lost in the shuffle at big companies, said Nolin. People who want to work at smaller companies where they can really stand out often have a hard time finding information.Terra Winston, principal at Interract Consulting, advises candidates to have conversations with current and former employees to verify and expand upon marketplace perceptions. The things they want to know are What type of people are successful here? What is the work/life balance like?How hard is it to get promoted? Is it as cutthroat as I heard? Is it as collaborative as I heard? Is it as competitive as I heard? Is it as intense as I heard?This real-world information is important, Nolin said, because theres a good amount of skepticism. People know that information pub lished on a companys website is window covering.Authenticity is more than a buzzword in branding. Its a necessity. Anyone with experience knows the perfect environment doesnt exist, said Nolin. Balancing a positive employer brand with the reality of everyday workplace challenges can be tricky for some companies to convey on a careers page.While people on the outside may be more cynical, employees may not be aware of the deliberate efforts behind employer branding. According to Winston, Employees often look at branding statements about the experience of working here and compare it to their real life experiences. A disconnect between messaging and experience can create cynicism among employees that will eventually trickle down to candidates.As the marketplace becomes more competitive, employer differentiation also becomes more important. Winston takes the long view that interest in employer branding ebbs and flows with the job market in that industry.Right now theres a shortage of sof tware engineers and programmers, said Winston. Its not surprising to find that the larger tech companies are very interested in employer branding.How well does your company compare to your competitors, and who is doing it well? In the coming months well provide more specific and actionable advice for evaluating the health of your employer brand.Read part one of this ongoing series on employer branding.

The Importance of Logical Thinking in the Workplace

The Importance of Logical Thinking in the WorkplaceThe Importance of Logical Thinking in the WorkplaceWhat is logical thinking and why is it important to employers?The word logic comes from the Greek word meaning reason. Employers place a high value on workers who bildschirm strong logical thinking or reasoning skills because their decision making is based on factual data. In most cases, organizations dont want employees making decisions influenced by emotions instead of facts. What Is Logical Thinking? Logical thinkers observe and analyze phenomena, reactions, and feedback and then draw conclusions based on that input.They can justify their strategies, actions, and decisions based on the facts they gather. Logical thinkers dont go with their gut or develop a strategy because it feels right. Logical thinking also requires setting aside assumptions and biases. ExampleA sales representative modifies a presentation about a product to highlight its user-friendly qualities after recei ving feedback from customers indicating that ease of use was the primary reason that they had purchased the product. Deductive Reasoning Logical thinkers can alsoreason deductively. They can identify an acceptable premise and apply it to situations that they encounter on the job. ExampleAn organization may work with a core belief that employees are more productive if they have control over the ways they carry out their responsibilities. A manager could demonstrate logical thinking using deductive reasoning by meeting with subordinates, communicating department goals, and structuring a brainstorming session for staff to decide methods for reaching those objectives. Examples of Logical Thinking The following are some examples of logical thinking in the workplace. Take a look at this list, and think about situations at work where you have used logic and facts - rather than feelings - to work toward a solution or set a course of action. Conducting market research tests to gaug e consumer reaction to a new product prior to devising an advertising strategy.Developing a recruiting profile for new sales representatives based on an assessment of the qualities of the companys most productive sales representatives.Recommending a strategy for quitting smoking after reviewing the latest studies on smoking cessation.Analyzing reviews by restaurant customers prior to structuring training protocols.Surveying employees about their preferences for employee benefits before finalizing contracts with vendors. Soliciting feedback from users about their experience with software prior to creating the next generation.Deciding whom to konzeptionate as team leader after comparing the past evidence of leadership behaviors by prospective candidates.Interviewing departing employees to uncover patterns of unwanted turnover.Reaching out to colleagues at other organizations to discover high-impact practices prior to finalizing strategy for the next cycle.Creating campaign slogans bas ed on an assessment of hot-button issues for potential voters. A contractor recommending extra insulation, high-efficiency heating, cooling equipment and appliances, and a passive solar design to a customer who wants the most energy-efficient home possible. Logical thinking helps all employees process facts and reason solutions rather than act on their emotions. A strategy set based on logic is also more compelling to other employees than a feeling-based strategy. How to Demonstrate Logical Thinking as a Candidate During job interviews, you likely wont hear an interview question that directly mentions logical thinking. That is, interviewers wont say, Tell me an example of a time you used logic at work. Instead, an interviewer may say, Tell me about the steps you took to determine the next steps in that project you mentioned. Or, they may ask, How would you respond if a newly launched product received negative feedback? In your answers to questions like this, you want to outline the steps youd take for the given scenario. Walk through the process youd use to arrive at a decision - or share an example of how you set a strategy in the past. You can talk about what questions you asked, data you pulled, or research you analyzed to come to conclusions. This will help show your logical thinking skills. You can also emphasize logical thinking abilities in your resume or cover letter. Again, youll just want to outline your process. For instance, instead of simply saying, Created new training program, you could add more details. For instance Solicited and analyzed customer feedback, then created a new employee training program to address areas of weakness and standardize employee performance. As a reminder, employers seek candidates with a track record of logical thinking because it ensures a smooth decision-making process.

The Top 3 Fashion Essentials for Professional Women

The Top 3 Fashion Essentials for Professional Women The Top 3 Fashion Essentials for Professional Women No matter your job, you always want to show up to work looking professional.A strict workplace dress code can raise fears like Is this okay? and Is this professional enough? On the flip side, if your job allows you to dress casually, its easy to get lazy - and when you dont put in the effort to look put-together, you can come across as disrespectful.To help you avoid the stress of getting dressed for work, here are a fewessential items youll need if youre to build a wardrobe that will make you look and feel professional1. A Shift DressShift dresses are the perfect go-to pieces for professional settings. Aim to have at least one in a solid neutral color and aleidher in a print. These super versatile dresses can be formal or casual, and they can be worn with layers like blazers, sweaters, and scarves.The best part? A shift dress is a one-step outfit. When youre in a rush, you can just throw one on and head out the door without worrying. Make sure the dresses you choose hit you at the knee and arent too tight. The optimal shift dress should have a structured look and skim over your body.2. Minimalist BasicsKeep classic staples like white button-downs and black slacks and skirts at the forefront of your closet. These minimal pieces can function as professional bases for your outfits, helping you get dressed more quickly. Sure, you can keep that funky skirt or top for special occasions, but when it comes to your day-to-day look, you cant beat a simple white top and black pants.If minimalism isnt your thing, dress up your basics with accessories that let your personality show through. A colorful scarf, a trendy pair of shoes, or a bold necklace can help keep an outfit from feeling completely stuffy.3. The Perfect BlazerWhen youre aiming for professionalism, you cant go wrong with a well-tailored blazer. Whether you choose a structured, suit-like navy vorkaufsrec ht or a casual longline duster in a trendy neutral color, the blazer is a must. It adds layers and depth to your look while remaining professional. On a practical level, a blazer helps keep you warm in the colder months (or in a chilly air-conditioned office).Dress your blazer up with slacks and a button-down for a client meeting, or use it to add structure to jeans and a t-shirt in a casual setting. A high-quality blazer that fits you properly can be a significant investment, but its well worth it. The blazer will become an important staple in your business wardrobe, one that youll consistently reach for each morning, knowing youll look and feel confident in it.The Right Pieces Help You Shine at WorkKeep in mind your personal preferences as youre shopping for professional wardrobe staples. You can make even the strictest dress code work for you, whether youre more comfortable in a fancy skirt or a low-key pair of trousers. Acknowledging your preferences will help you feel confident when it comes to curating your wardrobe - and that can improve your attitude at work. When you feel comfortable, you appear sure of yourself, and your coworkers and bosses will notice.If youre building a professional wardrobe from scratch and dont want to break the bank, head to secondhand shops and consignment stores to find high-quality, business-ready essentials at a major discount.Lastly, remember to get dressed with intention every morning. Try not to get into too much of a routine, where getting dressed becomes boring. Just because youve curated the perfect work-ready closet and getting dressed seems easier doesnt mean you should just go through the motions. Intentional dressing will help your overall attitude and ensure that you show up to work every day looking professional and feeling your best.Rebecca Piersol curates content for The Crystal Press and writes for thredUP.

How to Write an Objective for a Resume Secrets

How to Write an Objective for a Resume Secrets Top How to Write an Objective for a Resume Choices Keywords are only one part of customizing your resume to a certain job. A resume objective might also incorporate where youve been, and where you would like to go in your career. As stated previously need to pick skills that have some relevance to the job which youre applying for. Creating an IT resume objective gives you a means to demonstrate a hiring manager what you wish to do and how youll benefit the business. Your resumes career objective should state that youre searching to join a stable business in a position that would supply you with the chance to expand your expertise and improve your skills. Your objective isnt just about what type of sales position youre searching for, its also about what you could do for the business that hires you. Your career objective is a chance for you to impress it to the employer immediately they start to read your resume which youre well suited for the finance job and deserve a chance for an interview. Additionally, there are job seekers that are searching for the ideal job for the short-term. Youve got to present your qualifications and your skills in a sense that will catch the interest of a hiring manager, and among the best methods to do that is via the target statement on your resume. Therefore, if youre searching for a new job, it is vital that your resume stands from the crowd to guarantee you a spot on the shortlist. Whether youre searching for your very first job or your next one, you want a resume that shows employers that youre a skilled professional. The How to Write an Objective for a Resume Game New college graduates, and newcomers to the environmental field seeking to land the perfect job, ought to know of several important elements which should be included in each environmental resume. Entry-level objectives can be particularly hard to write as you likely dont have loads of work experience, but you do want to solidify how you know the kind of career youre searching for. A resume objective can explain why youre qualified for the job, even if its the case that you do not own a lot of related experience. Now you have the perfect resume which comprises a format including all the important information an employer is searching for, it is the right time to get started preparing for your interview. Life After How to Write an Objective for a Resume It is essential for applicants to speak to the company they are applying to so as to figure out the particular tasks the position will require. The Career Objective is intended to provide the hiring manager a reason to keep on reading your resume. If you submit your application online, you also need to have a chance to attach your resume. In a variety of ways, an objective replaces a lot of the detail you would place in your professional experience section. Since youll discover, even in case you dont have any prior professional experiences, its possible to still draw on your school experiences. Be ready to elaborate on all of the info you provided on your resume. There is a whole lot of helpful details You must have five objective statements. A summary statement is a brief expert introduction you may increase the peak of your resume. Therefore, its important to compose a compelling objective statement that hits the target and creates a fantastic impression instantly. A strong summary statement at the peak of your resume can increase the probabilities of them noticing what youve got to offer from the beginning. How to Write an Objective for a Resume Ideas Theres an excellent chance it wont include all the keywords set out in the work description. Use a couple of sentences maximum. You have a couple seconds to produce an impression with your resume, so you wish to make sure that youre hitting all the ideal targets. Although resumes are composed using standard elements, there is absolutely no pre scribed format which works equally well for everybody. Life After How to Write an Objective for a Resume Applicants should also know about the spellings utilized in the nation in which hes applying for employment. Objectives ought to be checked for spelling and proofread by an expert. Objectives listed on a resume ought to be crafted to fit the kind of job the applicant desires and the way the applicant want to utilize his abilities. As soon as its very important to your resume to incorporate a very clear career goal, you dont need to convey it through an Objective section. If your Objective says youre searching for a full-time job and youre asking for a part-time internship, you will probably be disqualified immediately. Based on your degree of experience and the jobs youre applying for, what you decide to concentrate on in your resume summary can fluctuate. You may rather incorporate an objective in a job-search letter instead, especially in the event that you wish to be th ought about for a wide selection of positions. If you opt to incorporate an objective, specify the sort of position you are looking for. You might not know where to start in regards to writing a resume objective.

So You Bombed How to Move on After a Bad Presentation at Work

So You Bombed How to Move on After a Bad Presentation at Work Have you ever had ahorribly embarrassing public speaking experience? Were you mortified when you went blank in yur high school French class when asked about Madame Thibeaults small dog?Did you give a presentation at work and, when you looked out at the audience, become uncomfortably aware that most people were on their phones?Did you feel small, unseen, and unheard?Whatever the circumstances, that painful memory may now be holding you back from great opportunities. As a public speaking coach, Ive had many people come to me for help in recovering from schwimmbad public speaking experiences. Whether youre haunted by a bad presentation from last week, two years ago, or even decades in the past, there is hope.Just because something was true in the past doesnt mean it will be true in the future. At one point in your life, you couldnt read. Now you can. You dont currently identify with that versi on of yourself who was unable to read, do you?Or how about learning to ride a bike? If youre like me, you wiped out a bunch and may even have scars on your knees and elbows as mementos from that time. But you pushed through, and now you are a competent bike rider. You can choose to relate to your public speaking wipeouts in the same way.Stand-up comedians view totally bombing as a rite of passage. They accept that it will happen, and many feel that bombing actually makes them better. If you adopt that same mindset about public speaking, you already have that valuable experience under your beltUnpacking Your NarrativeDuring and after intensely negative experiences, we often create narratives that extrapolate from what happened. Check out this exampleI was at my very first job. My babo asked me to give a presentation to the team. I had done some presenting in college, but I never really felt comfortable or knew how to prepare.In a college class, if I screwed up, it only affected my gr ade, and I knew I probably wouldnt see any of my classmates again after the end of the semester. If I messed up at the team meeting, however, my anfhrer would see and so would my colleagues. I would definitely have to face them again.I worked really hard on my slides and put a lot of information on them so I would always know exactly what I was going to say. The conference room was really packed, and I had to walk up to the front. I could feel everyone looking at me. I was so nervous. I could feel my face turning red and my heart pounding. I looked out at the group and saw that people already looked distracted or bored, like they didnt want to hear what I had to say. A few of them were on their phones.And then there were tech issues. My stupid slide deck wouldnt open. There was something wrong with the file. My boss told me to just give the group the gist of what was in the presentation. I was so overwhelmed. I faced the room and went blank. I suddenly couldnt remember any of what I had prepared. I uttered a few awkward sentences, said Im sorry, and then sat back down. I knew right then that I never wanted to be the center of attention like that ever again. I clearly wasnt good at it.Lets dig deeper. This story does contain facts like I never really felt comfortable or knew how to prepare, I worked really hard on my slides, and there were tech issues. However, not everything in this story is a fact.Lets look more closely at this sentence I looked out at the group and saw that people already looked distracted or bored, like they didnt want to hear what I had to say. We usually have no way of knowing whats really going on for our audience members emotionally and mentally. Their expressions probably have absolutely nothing to do with us This statement, then, is not so much a fact as it is a narrative the person created in their own head.For more expert career advice, check out the latest issue of Recruiter.com MagazineIn my mind, the most important sentence to t ake note of is I had done some presenting in college, but I never really felt comfortable or knew how to prepare. This is what set the demoralizing experience in motion. People are often expected to know how to present and handle nervous energy even though theyve received very little guidance or training on public speaking. Having compassion for yourself in this situation will help you start letting go of these painful memories.Lets also address the last two statements of the story I knew right then that I never wanted to be the center of attention like that again. I clearly wasnt good at it. This is where we can see the person has totally shut down their willingness to try. The person is completely intolerant of not being good at something even if they never received adequate guidance or training OuchStatements like I clearly wasnt good at it serve as protective mechanisms. It feels terrible when our peers see us lost and vulnerable. In response, our brains try to do everything th ey can to keep us from feeling that way ever again. However, these protective mechanisms often become prisons. We end up stuck, watching the world go by.If youre feeling this way, its time tomake a jail break. Lets look again at this story and create a new narrative, one where the person in question learns to be compassionate toward their own situation1. I had done some presenting in college, but never really felt comfortable or knew how to prepareHow was I supposed to know how to prepare if no one had ever taught me how? Of course this was challenging.2. I worked really hard on my slides and put a lot of information on them so I would always know exactly what I was going to sayI did put a lot of effort into the slides, and I need to give myself credit for that. Going forward, I also want to put time into rehearsing so I can find ways to manage my nervous energy. Practicing will also help me understand my ideas on a deeper level. Then, if there are tech issues, Ill still be able to share my thoughts.3. I looked out at the group and saw that people already looked distracted or bored, like they didnt want to hear what I had to say. A few of them were on their phonesTheres no way I could know what people were thinking or feeling. They have full busy lives of their own with plenty of ups and downs. Come to think of it, I usually jump on my phone, too, when I am waiting for something to begin. It doesnt have anything to do with the speaker. I just want to see whats going on in my world.4. I was so nervous.I was so overwhelmedOf course I was nervous and overwhelmed I didnt know what I was doing5. I faced the room and went blankI had no idea how to manage my nervous energy. I think thats why I went blank. That makes sense6. I knew right then that I never wanted to be the center of attention like that ever againI totally understand my vow to hide. A very normal reaction But, if I spent time learning how to prepare and manage my nerves, I could likely become more com fortablewith public speakingover time.7. I clearly wasnt good at itOf course I wasnt good at presenting I didnt have any guidance or experience. But with training, instruction, and encouragement, I could become better. I did learn to speak, eat, say please and thank you, ride a bike/play sports/play an instrument. It took time, but I did it. I can learn to do this, too.After a bad public speaking experience, unpacking what happened and the accompanying arbitrary narrative of what it means for the future is a very helpful way to recover. Its freeing to apply compassion and logic to the details. Adopting a new perspective on the matter can help you to heal, let go of the bad experience, and move forward.Amanda Hennessey is the founder ofBoston Public Speaking,San Diego Public Speaking, andBoston Acting Classesand the author ofYour Guide to Public Speaking Build Your Confidence, Find Your Voice, and Inspire Your Audience.