4 Ways to Use Job Hopping to Your Advantage - The Muse

4 Ways to Use Job Hopping to Your Advantage - The Muse4 Ways to Use Job Hopping to Your AdvantageIts completely normal to change jobs every few years. The days when people clocked in and out at the saatkorn company for years (and years) on end are over- no one expects that anymore. In fact, you might even be judged if you stick around the same company for too long.And yes, with all this moving around, people dont develop the same kind of loyalty that comes with working at the same firm for 25 years. Again, thats OK. Whats notlage OK is bouncing around from position to position, leaving the job the second you get bored.Why? Because youll earn a reputation as a job hopper, and after you hop one too many times, employers will start to worry that youre not taking your career seriously. A 24-year-old exploring her options is fine. A 34-year-old whos had a different job every year since graduation, not so much.So, how can you prove youre committed to your career path without sticking aroun d at your current company forever? Well, there are four things you should do at every single job- for your own personal career growth, but also to prove to a hiring manager that youll make a positive impact on the company, regardless of long you stick around.1. Learn Something NewIf theres only one thing you can say to prove your time with a company welches well spent, it should be that youve learned something you didnt know before. Maybe you had a marketing position and you mastered a new software application thatll help you harvest and apply data to drive successful campaigns. Maybe you did some cross-functional work between operations and sales to better understand customer requirements. Or, maybe you attended weekly strategy sessions and drew some innovative conclusions on the future direction of your industry.Whatever you do, be sure youre always learning and growing. Most employers will give you these development opportunities, but smart employees will find a way to seize them regardless. If no ones offering this learning experience to you, seek it out within the company or take classes elsewhere.2. Accomplish Something HardIts no secret that career growth demands progress, and progress requires accomplishments. Thats why its easy to spot the difference between those who switch jobs out of boredom and those who do so to further their careers. The former group will come across as flighty and indecisive, unable to point to any worthwhile endeavors on a resume. The latter, on the other hand, will have meaningful and specific obstacles theyve surmounted.When youve only got a few years with a company, you need to demonstrate and test your ability as often as you can. These displays of productivity show future employers that youre a person who gets cracking on day one, someone who thrives on situation and achieving his or her goals. If there are currently no challenges in your way, create one (by launching a new initiative, not by deleting the companys data se rver), and overcome it.3. Make Some Mistakes, Then Learn From ThemLook, nobodys perfect. Advancing your career is a process that often requires a few stumbles along the way- so before you leave a job, be sure to try and tackle something you arent completely certain you can do. If you make mistakes, then so be it. Youll show people youre not afraid to test a theory and see what happens. In fact, you might discover theres more value to extract from your current position, in which case it might not be time to leave yet. Or you might uncover some truths about what you truly enjoy at work and where you want to go in the future.The bottom line is that character and determination are built through trial and error. So, be sure that each position you hold is one in which you have to overcome a difficulty, take responsibility, and inevitably grow from the experience.4. Get- and Stay- ConnectedEveryone knows that the world of recruiting and referrals has been forever changed by social media. I ts easier than ever to leverage networks like Twitter and LinkedIn to find new job opportunities, which is why you should establish connections with as many colleagues as you can while you are working with a company. You never know when youll be able to help them out with a referral down the road, or request a reference for yourself.Keep in mind that connecting- truly connecting- is about a lot more than just friending someone. Its about taking the time to get to know each person you add to your circle. While that can entail mentoring or teaming up for a project, it can also be as simple as grabbing a cup of coffee.With the number of career opportunities available today, its no surprise that people want to move around. But before you leave one job for the next, be sure youve done everything possible to get the most value out of the experience. If you dont, your resume will eventually reflect what youve missed- and more importantly, youll have let a good opportunity go to waste.

Bosses dont find you likable Here are13 reasons why

Bosses dont find you likable Here are13 reasons whyBosses dont find you likable Here are13 reasons whyWhile you might wish those days wherbeie a popularity contest mattered are over, the hard, cold truth is that being liked by those above you may make or break your career. As New York career coach, Carlota Zimmerman explains, likability can determine your life. From shopping to dating, whether its getting a good deal on your dream home, or student loans, getting upgraded on a plane, to receiving faster care at the ER, likable people tend to move to the front of the line, she says. You want your babo to like you since shes the one determining who will get the opportunities necessary to achieve their career potential, and goals. You want your boss to like you so that when shes planning to attend that huge industry conference in Shanghai, she picks you to join her in first class. You want your boss to like you, so that when sh*t gets real - as the young people say - she can go to bat for you.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraTo make sure youre putting your friendliest foot forward, avoid these blunders that might make your boss wish someone else was doing your job.You give your boss a lot to manageUnless youre at the top of the totem pole or standing atop that glass ceiling at your own company, parte of your role will always mean making your managers life easier. And while asking questions is part of learning and advancing your career, the more time your boss has to spend holding your hand, the more frustrated he or she might become. Your boss has a lot on their plate, and they dont have time to constantly babysit you. Micromanaging is leid fun for anyone, and though most employees say they dont like being micro-managed, if youre a lot of work, your boss probably feels like they have to use this method to get work done, explains career coach Colene Elridge. I nstead of constantly asking for reassurance, smart employees figure it out or come to the boss with a succinct description of the problem and potential solutions. If you find it tough to resist the urge to ping your boss several times a day, Elridge suggests finding a coach or a mentor outside of your office to build your confidence. Gain the skills you need to more effectively do your job. Then find a mentor that can help guide you through your career. Mentors are great at helping you grow and develop, Elridge says.You fake it and dont produce resultsCongrats You earned an awesome promotion or finally got the lead spot for a project you wanted to spear. But now, the pressure is on dropping the ball after a career growth moment can quickly make your boss doubt his or her decision. Though faking-it-until-you-make-it can work in certain cases, if youre throwing around fancy terms and answers, without actually understanding your responsibilities, you might make a big mess for your boss to clean up. I cant tell you the number of organizations Ive worked with who have employees who dont do their jobs. Meaning, they do everything but produce results. Some blame falls squarely on the organization for elend properly engaging their employees, but some falls on the individual. When you make the choice to not do your job, you make your boss have to work harder, and thats a key way to make them not like you. You were hired to do a job. Whatever the job is, there are expected results, and when you dont produce those results, theres a problem, Elridge says. Many people can stagnate for years at this level of middle management because they never learn how to stop bossing people and departure leading people. How do you start to grow as professional, in a meaningful, impactful way? Elridge says its a slippery slope that might require some soul-searching to figure out why youre working where youre working, and what might be keeping you from being less than motivated. From there , baby steps are key. If you dont like the work, consider a career change. If youre just in a bit of a slump, pull yourself together and set a deadline. Momentum changes things. When you see yourself complete a project or task, you build more momentum to do better work, she adds.Youre not straightforward about things that dont workNo matter if its your dream job or just a starter gig to get you to the company you truly want to work for, there are going to be issues that arrive in every workplace. Though ultimately, its your managers responsibility to address workflows, teams or programs that simply arent working, its also part of your role to flag miscommunication or difficulties youre having. Why? When something goes wrong, productivity is the first to suffer. Any good workplace knows how to handle conflict. A workplace without conflict entscheidung skills is a recipe for chaos. It is not uncommon that people lack conflict resolution skills. Avoidance is not a tactic. Conflict will happen, and though it can be uncomfortable, its not always a bad thing. If youre the schrift of person who avoids conflict or stirs up conflict in your office, my guess is your boss may not like you, Elridge says. Heres where its essential to put your creative thinking hat on by figuring out whats causing the trouble and how you might suggest fixing the issue to your boss. Approach your manager with a solution not just a complaint and let them take the reins from there.You dont impress himUsually, the bosss least favorite people are the ones who punch in the clock and contribute no more than they have to. Or they ask for more responsibility, but when asked to see a project through to the end, make excuses as to why they cant. The bottom line Promotable employees go above and beyond. So if youre not taking ownership for your own career path, why would you expect your boss to guide you along a highlighted, trackable path? Worst of all, if your boss has stopped coming to you because he knows he cant count on you, youre definitely not going anywhere in the company.There are only so many hours in the workday, and if your boss starts rolling her eyes, since shes just done with your discussions about why a project isnt finished youre in trouble. You want your boss to identify you as someone who solves problems, whom she can count on, not as someone who makes her life harder, Zimmerman says. Working in an office, making deadlines, keeping a business on track is difficult enough. When you consider that people have their own lives, with partners, children, mortgages, parents, Netflix queues, you begin to realize that very few good managers want any unnecessary stress in the office.Instead of doing the bare minimum and offloading the rest to your boss, consider why youre feeling disconnected. Your issues may be legitimate, but if they are making it difficult to get work done, if theyre contributing to a tense corporate environment, you and your issues may need to loo k for a new job, Zimmerman suggests.You make it all about you Bosses have to oversee teams, and the employee who is always trying to focus attention on themselves is a distraction to cooperation. Derailing team discussions to talk about your own goals, dominating planning, and refusing to see the bigger picture of team progress rather than your own are all manifestations of this attitude. While this type of self-first behavior might make you feel like a powerful executive at first, it doesnt do much to build a relationship with your co-workers, or more importantly, your boss. This applies on a personal level too when other people are talking, listen. You might not be interested in hearing about their random trip to the Finger Lakes, but its in your best interest to listen, anyway, as a way to show respect for their experiences.Consider this people you work with have to spend a minimum of eight hours a day with you. Wouldnt they prefer someone who is pleasant to spend that time with? People want to work with people that they like, not just people who are competent. Make an effort to develop a good working relationship with your boss. This does not necessarily mean that you always have to go out to lunch together. But it does mean that you should try to create a spirit of camaraderie between you, Zimmerman adds.You refuse to do simple tasksMaking copies? Creating a spreadsheet? Sending notes post-budget-planning meeting? Under no circumstances should you break any ethical standards for a boss, but for routine requests, the answer should always be - as far as you can swing it - yes. You might not find all of his or her tasks to be necessary, but your role is helping your higher-ups to meet deadlines and goals, so its worth your effort. If you dont do it or do it poorly you not only make yourself look bad, but the team, too.Years ago, I had a client who, on the first day of her new job, was given a detail-oriented project. She didnt do it. Not only did she not do the project, but she also spent time that could have been used to make her deadline, writing out a long letter of excuses and apologies. Needless to say, her management was furiousand within two months, that new job was only an old memory, Zimmerman says. You may not understand the reason for the deadline, you may disagree with it, but if youre really trying to climb the ladder, make the deadline.If youre actually strapped for time and cant do a deep-dive into data before 6 p.m.? Dont just cross your arms and refuse to do something. Show you can think strategically. Instead of saying, I cant do that, and expect the boss to fix it, point to facts and numbers and make a case for another way Because our budget cant cover this right now, its a challenge to get this project done. Have we considered hiring an fr sich or distributing the workload among other teams? Heres how that would work.You refuse to understand the struggle of bureaucracyIn very few cases does management responsibil ity mean snapping your fingers and getting what you want. Managing takes maneuvering. Being a boss is very often a matter of managing bureaucracy to get things done. Some bosses are good at it, and some are terrible. But whats never helpful is an employee whos constantly talking down the company or asking why something hasnt already happened by now, exactly the way that employee wants it.You can create major headaches for your boss and everyone else on the job if you dont understand bureaucracy. As frustrating as dealing with bureaucracy can be, there is a certain protocol that is expected, and if you try to bypass the workings of bureaucracy in order to get things done, you will ruffle feathers along the way, explains career coach Cheryl Palmer. Your boss will probably take the heat because of your bad decisions. This, in turn, will affect how the boss perceives you. The best thing to do is to learn how the bureaucracy works and work within the system.Not everyone is cut out for th e corporate world though, Palmer notes. If you cant see yourself conforming to the bureaucracy, she suggests looking for a job in a small company where there isnt as much bureaucracy to deal with or working for yourself.You make your boss look badJust like you, bosses like to look good in front of their bosses. If you do a good job, they look good. But if you undermine your boss by badmouthing them unreasonably to teammates or their own bosses, they usually find out, and they see you as a problem. A few years ago, a friend of mine was going through a rough patch in her life. She confided in a friend of hers, an attorney who owned a successful small practice, and he hired her, on a part-time basis, to help him out in the office. Sounds great, right? It was, except my friend simply couldnt stop herself from biting the hand that fed her. Whatever the boss said, she had to correct him, or one-up him, or simply make it clear to him that he might be a well-to-do lawyer, but she had a Mas ters degree, and he owed her respect, Zimmerman shared. After two weeks, all his compassion had drained away, and the next time she corrected him, he came down came the ax.There might be times when you dont agree with your employer or you think you could do a better job than him or her, but as Zimmerman says your boss is the boss and he or she is in charge. If you cant bite your tongue, you might want to consider seeking another job, where you can be at the top, or a manager you vibe better with.This article was first published n July 17, 2017.

Google looking to profit from orphans

Google looking to profit from orphansGoogle looking to profit from orphansA shorter version of Advantage Google, the essay at the back of yesterdays Times Book Review section, might read Dear Judge Chin Please reject the Google class action settlement, Rakoff-style. The proposed deal would settle the suit brought by authors and publishers against Google for copyright violations in connection with the companys digitization of millions of books. Professor Lewis Hyde makes the case that the settlements treatment of books with unknown copyright owners, (orphan works) violates the public side of the copyright bargain. Of more than seven million books scanned by Google so far, four to five million appear to be orphaned.If the settlement is approved, Google will be permitted to sell and otherwise commercialize these works and split the proceeds with a new Book Rights Registry, where the money will wait five years for absent owners to claim it. After five years, all unclaimed funds will be d istributed to the authors and publishers whose works the registry represents. Hyde points out an obvious harte nussNothing in the history of copyright can possibly allow for such indenture. In no case are third parties meant to profit, as the Google settlement would allow. To let them do so would be like letting an executor drain an estate whose rightful heirs cannot be found.The orphan works will effectively belong only to Google and the other settling parties. It will be almost impossible for any other online player to get the same right to use them. The only way a potential competitor could avoid the threat of statutory damages would be to do what Google did scan lots of books, attract plaintiffs willing to form a class with an opt out feature, negotiate a settlement and get it approved by a judge. Even for those with time and money to spare, that promises to be an insurmountable barrier to entry. Essentially, Hyde fears that if the settlement is approved in anything like its cu rrent form, Google will be granted an unlimited monopoly over electronic books.For anyone who hasread this accountof the metadata problems plaguingGoogles digitization project thus far, such a monopoly is an ominous prospect. -posted by brian

FlexJobs Talks Telecommuting and Flexible Jobs

FlexJobs Talks Telecommuting and Flexible Jobs Talks Telecommuting and Flexible Jobs CEO Sara Sutton was recently interviewed by Sharon Davis of 2Work-At-Home.com for the Your Way to Work at Home radio show. The interview covered the founding of and why Sara is so passionate about flexible work, as well as the telecommuting job market, avoiding job search scams, and finding flexible employment.In this interview, talks about how it got started and what it is all about. makes job searching faster, easier, and safer.We charge a small subscription fee to job seekers so that we can be 100% focused on providing job seekers the best experience possible (rather than focusing on employers, advertisements, etc.) and our service is completely dedicated helping job seekers find telecommuting and flexible jobs that fit their needs.Job seekers need to take responsibility for creating a great resume, following job application instructions, and finding resources to help them in their job search. pro vides lots of job search resources and advice, like skills testing, resume and cover letter advice, job search tips, and more. team of job researchers spend a combined 100+ hours every day searching for telecommuting and flexible jobs, weeding through scams, and screening employersListen to internet radio with 411Voices on Blog Talk Radio

What to Wear to A Job Interview - No Vans Allowed!

What to Wear to A Job Interview - No Vans AllowedWhat to Wear to A Job Interview - No Vans AllowedBased on how you dress, you have already made an impression on an interviewer before you say one single word.Every company has its own dress code how you dress on the job has very little to do with how you dress for a job interview. Here are a few guidelines for attire that is generally accepted at most job interviewsFor the GuysIt is rarely appropriate to dress down for a job interview regardless of company dress codes so dress appropriately for the position youre applying. Go conservative if you have any doubts.Wear a suit and by suit we mean the whole enchilada matching jacket and pants, dress shirt and tie and dont forget to wear matching socks and dress shoes (no Vans allowed).Shoes should be well polished and in good condition. No scuffed up or run-down heels.If youre still trying to fit into the suit your mom bought you when you were 15, its time to invest in a new suit It shou ld be comfortable and fit you well.Avoid anything loud and flashy.If you dont own an iron, buy one or get your interview clothing professionally cleaned. Theres nothing worse than showing up looking like you wore your dress shirt to bed the night before.Shower or bathe the morning of the interview and wear deodorant.Shave the morning of the interview, not the night before. If you have a full beard or mustache, make sure its trimmed and neat.Your hair should be neat and clean.Dont wear cologne or aftershave. Some people are allergic and wont appreciate your double dose of BOSS.Brush your teeth before you leave and dont eat anything until after the interview.Never smoke before an interview.For the LadiesIn most cases you should wear a suit with a skirt or pants. Be conservative.Make sure to wear a suit that is comfortable and fits well. If your jacket is too tight or your waistband is cutting you in two, you wont look or act your best.Suits should be simple and dark in color. Avoid an ything tight, short, bright or sheer. If you have any doubts about the length of your skirt, dont wear it. Knee-length skirts are suggested.Always wear a conservative blouse with a suit. No bright colors, zebra or leopard prints, lacy, sheer or too low-cut.Make sure your makeup and nail polish are neutral to your skin tone. Avoid bright or unusual colors or really long nails.Jewelry and hair accessories should be kept to a minimum. No flashy, shiny or distracting jewelry. Dont wear rings on every finger one ring per hand is best.Wear conservative shoes that are in good condition not scuffed or run-down in the heel. No open toe or open back shoes or shoes that you would wear on a date to a club. Basic pumps are flattering and never go out of style.If you dont own an iron, buy one or get your interview clothing professionally cleaned. Theres nothing worse than showing up looking like you wore your blouse to bed the night before.Shower or bathe the morning of the interview and wear de odorant.Your hair should be neat and clean and conservatively styled. No banana clips, scrunchies or elastics. No cheerleader ponytails, however you can wear a low ponytail or a barrette (not the little tiny ones that only hold your bangs back).Dont wear perfume some people are allergic and you dont want to smell overpowering.Brush your teeth before you leave and dont eat anything until after the interview.Never smoke before an interview.This may sound like a lot of rules just to apply for a job but these are the generally accepted guidelines to follow when trying to decide what to wear to an interview. You probably wont have to dress like every day but youll be taken more serious when you present yourself in a professional manner.

Facts, Fiction and Great Resume Templates

Facts, Fiction and Great Resume Templates There are many kinds of resume templates readily available online and you are able to pick the one which is suitable for your need. A resume builder enables you to display the structure of you resume in a friendly format, to be able to pick the best sections of the resume that you would like to publish. There is not anybody golden resume format. When you format your resume you wish to be sure your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. CareerAddict As a professional in any market, your CV is going to have to illustrate your experience and abilities in detail. If youre in the procedure for applying for different jobs, you may use an expert CV template to create effective resumes. Your resume should be formatted in an easy, professional way. Job specific trends of resumes allow health professionals to list all their credentials in 1 area on the resume. For example, if you have an important employment gap since your final p osition, you can want to use a functional resume rather than a chronological one. Every trade position has a particular set of skills that are needed at work and its crucial that you highlight your technical training in your resume. Customized Your Resume There are several diverse kinds of jobs that folks are applying for. Even in the event you would settle for just about any job, you should be specific once you write your objective. Hearsay, Lies and Great Resume Templates Update your resume so youve got a great master copy that could be easily modified to target each job you apply for. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills. Developing a functional or skill-based resume is the ideal format to minimize a very long collection of jobs held or downplay the period of time spent in the workforce. Fortunately, free resume templates are available which can improve your chances Most fill in the blank templates concentrate on d uties and duties. Developing a nursing resume is difficult, notably since there are not any rules. In the market today, a higher amount of applicants per job, make obtaining a good position hard to find. It is normal to observe candidates make the mistake of waiting to highlight the most crucial points. No matter your degree of job practical understanding, your resume structure is essential to making your application stick out. A number of them come with variations so that you can select your favourite design. Try to remember, when youve finished personalizing your resume, youre not prepared to fill out an application yet. With the aid of the template it is possible to develop a flawless resume. Therefore, if you would like to make your resume stand out, utilizing an impressive template is a fantastic idea. Fortunately, there are many publishers around whove created incredible resume templates for fast editing and formatting in Word. So if its a paid site, the danger of s pam or plagiarism is reduced. If thats the case, resume templates can offer you with much needed aid. In some cases what you will need isnt a resume template in any way. Possessing a great resume format is crucial to organizing your data in a sense which will help you become noticed. Just make sure, whichever format you pick, which youre targeting it for the job that youre applying to. Have a peek at these examples to select which format is most suitable for you. Alessia Curcio via Behance There isnt a particular format that could fit everybodys needs. Resume templates that could be suited to your specific sort of industry can make a big difference. In reality, resume templates are a simple method to create a resume. You will locate a lot of different free resume templates to select from. Finally, some templates can be hard to work with and may wind up taking more time to update versus making your own style.

The Write Stuff

The Write Stuff The Write StuffPosted April 13, 2012, by Mike Kermode All businesses and occupations depend on writing and clear communication to function. Think about all the emails, letters and reports that you and your colleagues write each day, and how important it is to get your message across clearly to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. Not only that you, your intelligence and your professionalism will be judged by the quality of your writing. In todays business environment, being able to write well is crucial to success, and no one can afford to write poorly or sloppily. Its simply unprofessional. For some, writing is more than just a means to communicate with colleagues and clients it is the job, its your bread and butter, so you need to be able to string words together confidently, coherently and creatively. Why everyone needs to write well Writing is everywhere. Its one of the main ways in which we make the world meaningful, how we attempt to understand and talk a bout it. From novels to toaster instructions, poetry to pasta sauce ingredients writing gives the world around us meaning. Its also one of the main ways that we communicate with others, especially in the workplace. It pays to take the time and effort to learn to write well and that applies to everyone. Becoming a good writer leid only makes you a better communicator, able to express yourself more clearly so that people understand you, but also assists you to become a more astute thinker. George Orwell, writing in the middle of last century, linked sloppy language to sloppy thinking. Language, he wrote, becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. The point is that the process is reversible. That means theres hope for all of us all it takes is a bit of effort and instruction. And unless youre in a job where you can slowly nurture your skills as a writer, the best and fastest way to improve your language and communication skills is to take a writing course or communications course. Writing for a living There are a host of roles where those with good language skills and creative flair can make a living with clear, punchy and catchy writing. Journalism is an obvious choice for those who enjoy conveying a good story with style and accuracy. Be it for online media, radio, newspapers, magazines or television, journalists depend on well-written words to convey clear, digestible messages to audiences everywhere. Public relations is another avenue for those with a flair for written communications. The success of PR professionals depends on their ability to craft convincing and creative content on behalf of organisations, and their skill at this can make the difference between positive or negative perceptions of an organisation or product. PR falls under the general category of communications, and communications professionals are needed in every industry to c ommunicate with media, social media and internally within organisations. Advertising and marketing use words to sway peoples decision-making. Creative, catchy copy can be the key to successful schlussverkauf and branding, and those with the right knack can enjoy a fun, challenging and lucrative career. Is there a slogan or catchphrase that you cant get out of your head? Blame those clever advertising and marketing writers. Publishing is another field where you can put your shrewd writing as well as editing skills to good use. Youll need an impeccable grasp of the English language, right down to spelling, grammar, syntax and overall structure, and a pedantic nature doesnt hurt. Editors and sub-editors need to have the talent to pick up a typo or grammatical error, and suggest alternative wording or structure that could have a substantial impact on the finished product. Not surprisingly, many English, journalism and communications graduates wind up working in the publishing indust ry. Writing as a creative outlet For all those who write for a living, theres a host of others who write simply for the joy of it, to express themselves creatively or who secretly hope to write the Great Australian Novel. Or at least make their fortunes writing the next Twilight or Harry Potter series. Being a creative writer can mean any number of things short story writer, memoir writer, journal writer, songwriter, poet. Whatever the case, you use the written word to tell your story, and theres a great deal of satisfaction to be gained from that. You just need to hone the right and write skills. Whether its writing poetry for small local publications, writing your own memoirs or plugging away at a slow-burn novel in the hope that it may one day be published, there are thousands of writers out there for whom writing is an enjoyable pastime, a source of entertainment and self-fulfilment. Writing courses Depending on who youre writing for, and why to boost your professional co mmunication skills, to get you a job writing for your favourite newspaper or to help you become the next J K Rowling, different courses will be appropriate. Creative writing courses will teach you how to research, how to edit your own work, how to structure a piece of writing, how to develop characters, and in some cases, how to market your writing to publishers or editors. Dont think that this kind of writing is the domain of the young aspirational writer, either. Creative writing courses are full of mature-aged students looking to change careers, or hone half-nurtured writing skills to pen ideas and stories rooted in life experience. For those who want to write for a living, courses in communications, journalism, PR, advertising and marketing will all help you to become a more skilled and effective writer so you can perform your job with panache. Write away Taking a writing course can open up a range of professions not limited to pure writing jobs. When you write well, youll be able to excel and advance in your chosen career, and express yourself like a true professional. Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)Study modeOn CampusOnlinePayment optionsHECS-HELPUpfront paymentEnquire Online Enquire OnlineWriting ResourcesPublishing assistant sample resumePublishing assistant sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesAmanda Palm - BLOGS X BANTER Founder & WriterMorris Gleitzman - Childrens AuthorHelen Scheuerer - Founding Editor of Writers EditSonya Hartnett - Award-Winning AuthorInterested in becoming a?WriterJournalistCopywriterEditorAuthorPopular Career Searchesbest journalism course in australiacreative writing courses perth tafehow to become a journalist in australiagov funded writing coursesaccredited certificates online in journalismWriting CoursesBachelor of Creative WritingEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMike KermodeRelated ArticlesBrowse moreCAREER INSPIRATIONFemale entrepreneursSandra Reynolds - Author and Blogger, The $120 Food ChallengeI am passio nate about teaching people not so much how to cook but how to eat, how to plan a menu for the week, how to stock up their pantry, how to use seasonal produce.CAREER ADVICECreative careersHow To Become A Writer 10 Modern Writing CareersAlways wanted to be a professional writer? From copywriting to screenwriting, we list 10 day-jobs for the modern wordsmith.CAREER INSPIRATIONEntrepreneurshipHow to Become A Professional BloggerIn recent years, social media has been revolutionising the way people find jobs. Social media is now becoming a job in itself, with many people turning their blog or website into a viable moneymaker.

The Next Generation in Neural Prosthetics

The Next Generation in Neural Prosthetics The Next Generation in Neural Prosthetics Following up on the success of cochlear and retinal prostheses for people who have lost sensory function, neuroscientists see a limitless horizon for related devices that are able to read electrical and chemical signals from the nervous system to stimulate capability and restore quality of life in persons suffering injury and disease.In the future, according to researchers, the devices known as neural prosthetics will help epileptics, persons with treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain, victims of Alzheimers disease, wounded war veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, persons with speech disabilities, and individuals who have sustained spinal cord injury and loss of limbs, among other applications in the research pipeline.But before neural prosthetics can advance, engineers will be called on to make innovative use of materials to design and fabricate de vices that allow sustained electronic functioning in the harsh environment of the menschengerecht body, without causing tissue infection and other serious adverse conditions. Research efforts have focused on enhancing the performance of various types of materials used in neural prosthetics, in addition to developing interface technologies that enable the micro devices to be safely implanted in menschengerecht tissue for long periods.Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, are making gains with thin-film flexible polymer materials. In experiments with auditory prosthetic applications, the microelectrodes comprising the neural interface are embedded in the polymer, which allows the device to move naturally and conform to live tissue in which it is implanted. These materials have mechanical properties that mimic neural tissue more closely than traditional micro wires used in current cochlear and deep brain stimulating implants.Among the engineering challen ges associated with neural prosthetics is the biocompatibility of the implant, says Dr. Sarah Felix, a lead research engineer at Lawrence Livermore and also a member of ASME. Research suggests that polymer is more compatible with the human body than the silicon in conventional neural probes used in neuroscience studies.Livermores artificial retinal implant has an array of 240 thin-film microelectrodes inside a microelectronics package. Image LLNL.govToward ReliabilityConventional rigid neural devices are believed to cause micro tearing because the neural tissue is softer than the device. According to Felix, the flexibility of a thin-film polymer probe mitigates this problem. However, the flexibility also makes polymer devices difficult to implant. Felixs solution is to temporarily attach a rigid stiffener.For the polymer neural interfaces, we attach the device to a needle-like stiffener using bio-dissolvable polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enable extraction of the stiffener after surgi cal insertion, says Felix, who holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. An innovative bonding process enables accurate alignment of the device to the stiffener.A novel feature of the design is a shallow channel running lengthwise, which allows the even distribution of the PEG or other bio-adhesive during assembly and implantation. Felixs team used the method to implant unique dual-sided polymer electrode arrays into brain tissue, and these arrays successfully recorded neural signals.A Promising FutureLawrence Livermore believes its devices and surgical methods can be expanded for future applications in deep brain and spinal cord simulation, which will enable physicians to advance neural prosthetics to the next level of human health and rehabilitation. In fact, Lawrence Livermore is currently developing neural implants that will restore auditory, motor, and bladder function aid speech and control depression and epilepsy.Each year, the Natio nal Institutes of Health spends $6.5 million on neural prosthetics RD, and today several of the most prestigious medical research institutions in the U.S. Case Western University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology among them are engaged in promising clinical studies.Many medical scientists believe the sky is the limit for neural prosthetics, but ultimately it is the engineering community that will need to design and fabricate devices that enable the realization of the promise of neural modulation for patients and their families.Says Felix There exist many engineering considerations with neural prosthetics, particularly in the interface of the device with human tissue. Engineers must think about a complete range of issues, from electrode materials and the lifetime of the implant to electronics and signal processing. This will be an intriguing pathway of multidisciplinary scientific and engineering development for many years to come. For Further DiscussionResearch suggest s that polymer is more compatible with the human body than the silicon in conventional neural probes.Dr. Sarah Felix, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

News of the tautological

News of the tautologicalNews of the tautologicalThis just in Lawyers who are paid the most are most satisfied with their pay(This of course confirmsour findings last year(subscription reqd)) -posted by brian

How to gracefully ask someone for a letter of recommendation

How to gracefully ask someone for a letter of recommendation How to gracefully ask someone for a letter of recommendation So, you’re applying for grad school or a new job. Maybe you’re even going for a volunteering gig. Most likely, those adventures require letters of recommendation. If you’ve never asked for one before, going about it can seem… tricky.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!Do you catch up with the person first? Or do you use the more direct approach? Here’s the best way to ask someone for a letter of recommendation.If You Know Someone Really WellWhether it’s a favorite former boss or your thesis advisor, you should casually email or give this person a call if you feel close enough.A phone call sounds more personal, and if you don’t feel comfortable cold-calling, you can always email beforehand and ask for a reasonable time to chat.Catch up for a bit, and then say something like, “I’ve decided to pursue X, and I feel that we had a great working relationship and you can speak to my work ethic and achievements.Would you be willing to write me a letter of recommendation?” Easy, right? Well, if they’re really that close to you, asking won’t be so nerve-wracking as…If You Don’t Know Someone Really WellSometimes, you gotta pull from a boss you had a few years back or a professor who worked with you on a certain project but wasn’t super close to you. It’s important to warm them up before asking, mainly because you’ll want to refresh their memory on everything you did together.First, send a cordial email with a subject line that says something like “Saying hi!” or “Checking in!” Start out by asking how they are and about some part of the school or organization that they’d be able to answer.For example, “How’s French class this semester? I know around this time, we were covering tenses…”Then, after they reply, feel them out. It’s important to be honest with yourself about how you think this exchange is going. If they don’t seem super interested in speaking, maybe you  shouldn’t ask them for a letter of recommendation after all, especially if you’re getting the vibe that they wouldn’t have much of substance to say about you.But if it feels right, respond to whatever they said, and then go into your spiel: “I’ve decided to pursue X. I loved working under you, and I believe you can speak to the projects I accomplished with your guidance.Would you be willing to write me a letter of recommendation? Thanks so much and looking forward to hearing from you soon!”The Bottom LineUltimately, it’s just a question. But taking the time to speak with someone genuinely before asking a favor of them is really important. Even more important: If they agree to write you one, write them a great thank-you note, either in person or in an email, for helping you.The personal touch goes a  long way.This article first appeared on Swirled.

7 Steps to Take Before You Quit Your Job - The Muse

7 Steps to Take Before You Quit Your Job - The Muse 7 Steps to Take Before You Quit Your Job How do you know when it’s really time to quit your job? Sure, hating Monday mornings could be a warning that you’re not happy at work- but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to get up and leave right now. Now, if you hate going to work so much that you dread Sunday mornings, that’s a different story. If you’re deciding whether or not to stick it out, watch this video by Howcast to see if you exhibit some of the telltale signs of being so over your job that you need to start looking for something else. (Think it is time to leave? Browse some of these open positions.) Photo of exit sign courtesy of Shutterstock.

5 Social Media Mistakes That Negatively Affect Your Personal Brand

5 Social Media Mistakes That Negatively Affect Your Personal Brand 5 Social Media Mistakes That Negatively Affect Your Personal Brand 5 Social Media Mistakes That Undermine Your Job Search Social media is all fun and games, until it results in a poor online reputation that negatively impacts your job search! Everyone is on social networking sites these days. Employers and job seekers alike have discovered the importance of marketing your brand and establishing strong networking relationships, two key elements to a successful job hunt. Whether you're launching a new business, showcasing your expertise, or looking to advance in your career, social media can help you craft your image and further your goals. If used incorrectly, however, social media mistakes can do the opposite. Since social media has made connecting easier than ever, it's vital that you act professionally on your LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts to achieve positive results, maintain a positive online reputation, and avoid personal branding mistakes. Do any of these situations ring a bell? Social Media Mistake #1: Your photos from last weekend were shared widely Take control of your content by managing the settings on each of your accounts. Adjust your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts depending on the nature of the topics and photos you share. Your friends will want to view last weekend's get-together, but check to see whether your privacy settings also allow friends of friends to see your posts and pics, since your extended network may include a prospective employer or two. Bottom line: Got some unruly candids of you and the gang doing melon ball shots? Avoid social media mistakes by limiting visibility to just the people who appear in the photos. Better yet, just don't post inappropriate photos at all. Social Media Mistake #2: You're camera shy Your LinkedIn profile will be easier to locate by prospective employers if you post a clear headshot of just you (no groups shots), taken from the shoulders up against a neutral backdrop. LinkedIn also gives you the opportunity to add a background image to your profile, perhaps one that hints to the nature of your work or your industry. Bottom line: Prepare for your close-up by dressing for success. One personal branding mistake would be to use a default clip art image. If you do this, don't be surprised if interest from prospective employers on LinkedIn falls well below your expectations. Social Media Mistake #3: You're anything but camera shy Facebook and Instagram are your go-to places when you want to show off your bikini bod on the beach in Cancun. Stepping up your game online means delivering a more curated selection of professional photos and updates. Bottom line: Believe it or not, your friends may also like your posts showing the volunteer work you're doing, the child you're mentoring, the fascinating article you read, or a slide of the research project you just completed. Related:Social Media Check: Steps to Protect Your Privacy During a Job Search Social Media Mistake #4: The Twitterverse is very important to you Sure, Twitter is important but your extended professional network, including recruiters who are scoping you out, might not agree with every opinion you feel you must share there. Once you've tweeted that less-than-politically-correct statement, you can't retract it. Yes, you heard that right; it's in cyberspace f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Anything can be shared, retweeted, or cached. Bottom line: Avoid this social media mistake by keeping comments clean, steering clear of religious proselytizing or political opinion, and aiming for an upbeat tone. Otherwise, your job search might come to a grinding halt. Social Media Mistake #5: Your LinkedIn profile is missing some key elements Who needs a headline or summary on LinkedIn? You do, that's who. Even if you are not currently seeking employment, having a strong LinkedIn headline permits colleagues to orient themselves to your role in the workplace. Many people list their job title, but if you are just starting out, try something a little out of the ordinary: Aspiring Financial Analyst, Organizational Development Professional, or Social Media Marketing Specialist. Your summary gives extra detail about your brand: the work you do, the goals you've set, and your professional mission. Bottom line: By using LinkedIn's Headline and Summary features, you give people a chance to discover your contributions and your voice. Perhaps most importantly, a concise summary helps distinguish you from the others who do what you do. In a world where hyper-engagement through social media is the norm, we need to be ever mindful of the impression that we make on all of those platforms to maintain a positive online reputation. LinkedIn the reigning champ in turning contacts into colleagues is the place where our personal brand needs to be carefully and consistently nurtured to ensure a respectable presence. Twitter helps keep us on track about what is trending, and Facebook and Instagram engage us more casually with our personal networks. With so much being shared, easily found information can be used to assess your competence, your judgment, and even your suitability for a new opportunity. You've only got one personal brand; make sure that it conveys a positive, and professional online presence. Click on the following link for more job-search advice on improving your personal brand. Need help perfecting your resume? Request a free resume critique today! Recommended Reading: How Take Advantage of Social Media During Your Job Search Clean up Your Act on Social Media, Help Your Job Search How to Use Each Social Media Channel to Your Advantage

How (and Why) Companies Use Blind Auditions to Hire

How (and Why) Companies Use Blind Auditions to Hire How (and Why) Companies Use Blind Auditions to Hire If youre job-hunting and find out that youre going to have a blind audition, youll probably wonder exactly what that means, and how blind auditions work. Blind auditions are a tool employers use to screen job applicants based strictly on the job and the candidate’s qualifications for it. Blind auditions are an effective way for companies to screen a variety of job applicants in an objective manner. The theory behind implementing blind auditions is that recruiters may otherwise pick applicants who are more like themselves than they are different. Research indicates that employers tend to select candidates who have gone to comparable schools or possess similar background characteristics.  The consequence is that employers miss out on talent that doesnt fit that traditional mold. The Goal of Using Blind Auditions When using the blind audition method, organizations screen applicants without accessing information about colleges attended, previous employers, age, gender, race, ethnicity or socio-economic status. With this approach, recruiters can focus on skills, knowledge and other assets directly related to job performance. The job interview or audition typically requires applicants to complete some type of work sample, such as solving a skills-based problem. Work samples generated through the blind audition process are given the highest priority in the screening process since they provide concrete evidence that candidates can perform the tasks associated with the job. Many employers who implement blind auditions use software that strips resumes or applications of identifying information and bias-inducing indicators. They have applicants answer work assessment questions and complete challenges to provide evidence of their skills, knowledge, and approach to projects.  Examples of challenges include writing a case study, editing a document, creating a computer program to execute a function, or designing a website. Employers gain the benefit of weeding out casual applicants and those without a strong work ethic, while job seekers can be assured they wont be unfairly prejudged. Common Blind Audition Software GapJumpers, a leader in the field, has produced a customizable platform for employers to conduct blind assessments of candidates. Employers can tap questions and challenges provided by GapJumpers or devise their own.  GapJumpers research indicates that blind auditions yield a more diverse pool of candidates.  For example, GapJumpers reports: Positive bias in hiring female candidates likely exists due to their performance on the audition  and due to lack of diversity on the teams that they are applying to. (Approximately) 69.2% of preferred candidates from blind auditions were females.  Due to lack of expert guidance, counseling, and self-confidence, community college applicants performed poorly relative to others during in-person interviews. Applicants respond to challenges anonymously, and employers review the results of their assessment prior to viewing more traditional profile information. The system employs a plagiarism checker, Google Knowledge Index, to verify the authenticity of candidate responses.     Blind Audition Tips for Job Applicants Review these tips for how-to success:1. Read the directions carefully and follow them completely.2. Note the time constraints and make sure you complete the tasks within those parameters.3. Outline or map out your approach to the problem offline.4. Complete as much of the task as possible offline prior to making system entries.5. Check your submission for errors including spelling and grammar prior to finalization.6.  There may be challenges that have no right answer. Explain your approach and the rationale for the option you have selected. Apply your strategy consistently to the problem.  7.  Consult resources and ask for help as needed, but dont copy content. Answer based on your own skills and qualifications for the job. Implementing Blind Auditions Without Software Not all companies have the budget to purchase and implement a new software package for hiring purposes. There are a few guidelines that can keep the spirit of the blind audition process, which can be performed manually. Set a hiring goal: If youve noticed that certain job positions have some type of imbalance, such as few females in executive roles, make a goal to use blind auditions for these jobs.Choose which information to make blind: Good starting points include resume information such as college location, name, address, and graduation year.Train hiring managers and recruiting staff: Teach techniques to spot and avoid unconscious bias, and how to ask interview questions that are skills-based.Start with just a few positions: The blind audition process will require good design, practice, feedback, and fine-tuning. Resist the urge to take the initiative company-wide until its been worked through successfully on a small scale. Measure the results: Collect data on new-hire demographics, such as age, race, gender, and retention. Ask for feedback from candidates, and discuss results with HR staff as part of the fine-tuning process.

Top trends in Portland Hiring

Top trends in Portland Hiring Top trends in Portland Hiring Top trends in Portland Hiring Intelligence dug into whos hiring and for what in Portland these days. If youre recruiting in this area, youll want to know what we found. Referred to as Greater Portland, the Portland metro area is centered on the principal city of Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state or Oregon. Technology is a major component of the citys economy, nicknamed the Silicon Forest in reference to the abundance of trees and technology companies in the region. The area is home to many athletic and footwear manufacturers as well such as Nike, Adidas, and Columbia Sportswear. The biggest drivers of job growth are the Portland metro areas professional and business services, retail, and healthcare industries. In the past year this growth has been slightly offset by jobs shed in the manufacturing industry. The area has created 33,800 new jobs over the past 12-months; the unemployment rate was 5.1% in June 2016 which was just 0.2 percentage points above the national rate of 4.9%. By June 2016, 1.3 million workers were employed in the Portland area, and the market accounts for 62% of all Oregon jobs posted on Monster. To give you some insight into what your recruiting competitors are up to, our Intelligence team analyzed data from the CEB TalentNeuron tool to identify which companies are posting the most jobs, and which jobs are most listed, and which jobs are most searched. Supporting the biggest industry drivers of job growth in Portland the positions most in-demand includes: registered nurses, truck drivers, software developers, and retail sales workers. What are companies hiring for? Most Common Employment in Portland: Administrative Supervisors Executives Retail Supervisors Food Serving Supervisors Operating Production Managers Most In-Demand Jobs in Portland: Registered Nurses (RNs) Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-trailer Software Developers, Applications Retail Salespersons Supervisors, Retail Sales Portland Jobs: 44% of available Portland area jobs are for Healthcare, Technology, and Sales workers Of all open healthcare positions, 44% of available Healthcare jobs are for Nurses Of all open technology positions, 39% of available Technology jobs are for Software Engineers Of all open sales positions, 38% of available Sales jobs are for Retail Most Common Portland Jobs Include: Registered Nurses # employed: 20,140 Annual wage: $85,170 Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-trailer # employed: 11,450 Annual wage: $42,330 Software Developers, Applications # employed: 9,750 Annual wage: $101,930 Retail Salespersons # employed: 35,980 Annual wage: $27,860 What are job seekers looking for? Most viewed Portland jobs: Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing Software Developers and Programmers Customer Service Representatives Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Miscellaneous Engineers (e.g., Validation Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, etc.) Top Portland job searches: Sales Part Time Customer Service Java Receptionist Accounting Manager Administrative Assistant Human Resources Marketing Want to know more about the top trends in Portland hiring? Check out the Portland Market Overview from Intelligence. Data finding are based on analysis of all available online jobs reported by the TalentNeuron tool and job seeking activity from more than 22 million unique visitors1. 1comScore Media Metrix, 1Q 2016, 3-month average, (includes all US Mobile + PC traffic)

How to Send the Perfect Meeting Follow-Up Email - The Muse

How to Send the Perfect Meeting Follow-Up Email - The Muse How to Send the Perfect Meeting Follow-Up Email There’s a special kind of exasperation that comes with leaving a meeting feeling even less sure what the point of it was than when you walked in (in which case, maybe someone needs this guide to running effective meetings, this meeting agenda template, or this article outlining when you really should reschedule that meeting). Even if matters aren’t so extreme- maybe you had a stimulating and engaging conversation- it’s still disappointing if nothing seems to come out of it. But there’s a simple solution: the post-meeting email. “The overarching purpose is that it holds everybody accountable to the same expectations. So you have a team on the same page working toward the same goals, which keeps things efficient and productive and also keeps frustrations down,” says Heather Yurovsky, a Muse career coach and the founder of Shatter Shine. “Nobody likes feeling like they sat in a meeting that had good momentum and then nothing happens afterwards.” Read on for everything you need to know about sending the perfect post-meeting email- so that you’re never responsible for thwarting progress on whatever it is you were meeting about. Who Should Send the Post-Meeting Email? Okay, maybe you’re all in on the idea of a follow-up email. But how do you know if you’re the one who should be sending it? Often it’s obvious. If you organized the meeting, created the agenda, and ran the thing, then chances are you should be the one closing the loop with a post-meeting missive. “Usually it’s clear at the end of the meeting who’s responsible, but sometimes it’s not, especially if it’s maybe a new project that no one department technically owns yet,” Yurovsky says. “You just want to make sure you don’t come off like you’re barking orders at other people and that it really comes from the right person that people are going to listen to and respect the ownership and deadline.” If it’s a more ambiguous situation, think about whether it makes sense for you to step up to the task. “At the end of the meeting, if it’s not abundantly clear who’s responsible for it and you feel equipped to send that email afterward, then raise your hand and say, ‘Hey, happy to send out the post-meeting email, unless there’s anyone else that feels like it’s more appropriate to come from them,’” Yurovsky says. “So you’re volunteering. You’re not calling anyone out to put it on them, but you’re also giving other people the opportunity to say, ‘Oh no, I think it actually needs to come from Joe.’” Who Should Be Included? Once the “from” field is settled, it’s time to think about the “to” and “cc” fields. Make sure you’re sending your note to all the meeting participants, including anyone who was on the invite list but perhaps wasn’t able to attend. Then think about whether there’s anyone you realized should have been in on the meeting as well as any other stakeholders who need to take action or have visibility on the topic. Finally, if you’re dealing with more senior colleagues, consider copying their assistants. When Should It Go Out? “It’s best to send the recap as close to coming out of the meeting as possible,” Yurovsky says. “If the meeting’s at the end of the day and you want to wait until first thing the next morning, that’s fine, but the closer you are to the meeting, the more momentum is created and it doesn’t start to fall to the bottom of people’s piles.” In other words, consider the recap an extension of the meeting and send it off while the discussion is still fresh in your mind and everyone else’s. If you know in advance that you’ll be the one tackling this item, you can even plan ahead by blocking off time on your calendar right after the meeting to get it done. What Should It Include? “The purpose of the email is getting everyone on the same page,” says Muse career coach Kristina Leonardi. But what exactly goes into it to make that happen “depends on the nature of the meeting and what is the intention, what is the goal?” Leonardi says. “If there was an issue or a challenge that was being dealt with and the meeting resolved that issue or challenge, it can be kind of like a thank you and self congratulatory,” she explains. Or “it can be clarifying roles and direction in a particular project or the subsequent action steps that need to be taken and who’s supposed to take them.” As a general guideline, think about doing some or all of the following: Thanking people for their time and effort Summarizing any key points covered or discussed during the meeting Outlining action items and owners as well as deadlines for these next steps Attaching or linking to any relevant resources and documents Inviting people to ask questions or reconvene Leonardi urges you to keep it short and sweet. But even the scope of the email depends on the meeting. If you’re coming out of a standard monthly team meeting or a relatively quick and routine project update meeting, your email can reflect that in its length. If you’re sending a follow-up note after a two-hour board meeting or a deep-dive strategy session, it’ll look a little different. The same goes for your tone. “You always want to be polite, even if it’s a quick email that you’re sending out,” Yurovsky says. “You also want to write in not only the tone of the organization, but of the meeting itself.” In short, don’t sum up a casual meeting with your teammates in an overly formal tone and don’t send out a recap to executives that sounds like you’re talking to your buddies at happy hour. As Yurovsky puts it, “knowing your audience makes a big difference there.” Is There a Template I Can Use? All sound good so far? Cool, now you’re probably ready to get down to it. Here’s a template you can use in part or in whole, depending on the particular situation. Hi all, Thanks so much for taking the time to meet about [topic of meeting] today/yesterday. The purpose of the meeting was to [succinct articulation of the meeting goal/purpose]. As a quick recap, we discussed: [A sentence or two about topic or point #1] [A sentence or two about topic or point #2] [A sentence or two about topic or point #3] We came to the conclusion that: [A sentence or two about conclusion or insight #1] [A sentence or two about conclusion or insight #2] In order to make this happen, our next steps will be: [Next step #1] - [Name of Owner] will complete by [date] [Next step #2] - [Name of Owner] will complete by [date] [Next step #3] - [Name of Owner] will complete by [date] [Next step #4] - [Name of Owner] will complete by [date] For reference, see [attached document #1] for [a few words about what’s in document #1 and why it’s relevant] and [attached document #2] for [a few words about what’s in document #2 and why it’s relevant]. We’ll plan to meet again in [amount of time], but please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or relevant updates in the meantime. Thanks, [Your Name] What About an Example? Here’s what that might look like in practice: Hi all, Thanks so much for taking the time to meet about our Q3 sales goals earlier. The purpose of the meeting was to get on the same page about our upcoming targets and discuss any changes we can make or steps we can take in the coming weeks ahead of the quarter to help us all be successful. As a quick recap, we discussed: Some of the challenges we faced in Q2, particularly confusion about the implementation process and timeline for the new product internally as well as with prospects Some of the successful tactics team members employed in Q2 that others might adopt We came to the conclusion that: We need clarity and additional training around selling the new product in order to be successful in Q3 as well some new collateral materials for internal and external use Since sharing tactics in this meeting felt so helpful, we will test out having biweekly huddles to pass on tricks and tips more frequently In order to make this happen, our next steps will be: Set up and run training session - Jackie will complete by June 20 Create one-sheet for internal use - Rob will complete by June 25 Update presentation materials for external use - Jorge will complete by June 30 Set up recurring huddles - Quinn will complete by July 1 For reference, see attached the current new product selling document for product info- please reach out with any questions that might be useful to address in new materials- and a document outlining individual, team, and company targets for Q3. We’ll plan to meet again in two weeks, but please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or relevant updates in the meantime. Thanks, Gina

Under Promise and Over Deliver

Under Promise and Over Deliver Under Promise and Over Deliver There are things you, your company and your product can do and things that cannot be done. Knowing the difference takes solid training, a strong business acumen, and experience. Telling a customer that you can do everything takes nothing more than your vocal chords while telling a customer that you cannot do something they want, takes courage. Anyone in sales will tell you that it is a tough business and the temptation to overpromise is always present. But doing so puts you in a potentially very bad situation and forces you to either let your customer down or to do more than what is possible. Set Yourself Up for Failure Overpromising is a wonderful way to set yourself up for failure. It is also a great way to put your company and customer support teams in a no-win situation. When you over-promise, you are essentially telling your customer that you can do something that you either know you cant or dont feel confident that you can fulfill your promise. Why do sales professionals over-promise? Usually, it is to close a sale but sometimes they over-promise out of fear or ignorance. It is amazing how quickly common sense goes out the window when some sales reps are forced with either telling the truth or deliver a promise that they wont be able to deliver! When you over-promise, the damage you do is mostly to your career and your reputation. While your customer may suffer some loss due to your decision, it is yourself that you have set up for failure. Not only will you set yourself up for some seriously challenging conversations with your professional network when and if they learn about how you treat your customers, but your company may also be less than enamored with the position youve forced them into. Set Your Company Up for Failure Often, when you over-promise, it is your company that is placed in a bad situation. Either they need to find a way to deliver on what you promised your customer or risk damaging their reputation. If there is one thing that businesses can count on is that an angry customer will tell others about their bad experience. If a sales professional continues to make promises that either they or their company cannot deliver, the company will probably be forced to make some staffing changes before any further damage is done to their reputation. The Glory of Under Promising To serve as an example, imagine that you are a Financial Adviser, who, after conducting days, weeks or months of research, have found a stock that is primed to deliver tremendous gains. You call several of your clients whom you feel will be able to and interested in investing in this stock. While there are no guarantees in the stock market, all evidence points to nothing but growth for this company, so your optimism is high. If you tell your clients that the stock should deliver 15 to 20 points of return over the next few months but are more comfortable in assuming a 10 to 12 point return, you have officially over-promised. You now need the stock to hit at least 15 points to deliver on your promise. If, however, you suggested that the stock could produce an 8 to 10 point return, you have created a much safer assurance. Now if the stock performs at the expected 15 to 20 points of return, your under-promise will be met with elation as the stock over-delivered. Yes, closing sales can be more challenging when you employ the under-promise approach, but in the long run, doing so will add immensely to your career. The Benefits of Over-Delivering Simply put, when you deliver more than what you suggested to your client and more than what they were expecting, the perceived value increases. With increased value, you are much more likely to get referrals and additional sales. Sometimes you will over-deliver without even trying to do so. When this happens, just tell your customer that you always give your best and sometimes, your best even surprises yourself! Your customer will remember how well you delivered and will be much more likely to lean in your favor the next time a buying decision needs to be made. And when it comes to building your professional reputation, not much is better than having a contact list full of customers who view you as an overachiever.

4 Ways to Stop Being Taken Advantage of at Work -The Muse

4 Ways to Stop Being Taken Advantage of at Work -The Muse 4 Ways to Stop Being Taken Advantage of at Work Have you ever found yourself in the middle of an activity at work that you really wished you hadn’t agreed to? Maybe you ended up joining the company softball team, even though you hate sports and are embarrassed by your inability to throw in a straight line. Perhaps you became the organizer of all of the office birthday parties, because no one else would do it. Or, maybe you picked up the slack yet again, and ended up staying late for a colleague who begged you to help him to finish a project at the last minute. We’ve all been there. And, let’s be real: There definitely will be times when you have to do things at work that you would rather not. However, if you find yourself in this position more than you would like simply because you don’t want to let other people down, then you could be a people pleaser. And it may not seem like a big deal in the short term. But in the long-term, the cons far outweigh the pros. Accommodating others too much can result in feeling overwhelmed (because you’ve taken on too many commitments), resentful (because of the inherent imbalances in the relationship), and stifled (because you’re constantly ignoring your own needs in a quest to be liked). It can also make you feel inauthentic, because when you’re smiling on the outside- despite feeling frustrated on the inside- you’re essentially pretending to be someone who you’re not. In fact, research suggests that smiling to appease others when you’re not genuinely feeling happy, is linked to a decreased sense of well-being, and “withdraw[al] from work.” So what’s a people pleaser to do? Here are four tips to deal: 1. Give Others More Credit Sometimes when you’re bending over backwards, it might come from a place of not giving others enough credit. For example, you might tell yourself, “If I don’t help him, how will he manage?” or “Nobody else is going to do it, so I have to jump in.” The reality is, people are often much more resilient than we believe. If you say, “no,” most people can either find someone else to say, “yes” if they’re motivated to do so or even solve the problem themsleves. 2. Be More Compassionate (to Yourself) People pleasers tend to be very compassionate when it comes to others. They frequently anticipate others’ needs and do their best to try to prevent the people around them from feeling uncomfortable. However, to stop being taken advantage of, you’ve got to learn to treat yourself with that same level of respect. Recognize your own worth and be willing to be an advocate for yourself. A good rule of thumb is to consider, “If this request was being made of someone else, what would I think?” If you start to feel protective, then it’s a sign you might be getting close to being taken advantage of. 3. Set Boundaries Fact: You can’t say “no” to every single task you don’t want to do. After all, everybody has to spend some time each day doing things they would rather not. But, figuring out what’s part of the job and what’s above-and-beyond takes practice. As does turning down that extra work. Experiment with saying “no” or at least, “not now” to requests. Respectfully disagree with someone in a meeting instead of just going along with them (Psst- here’s how). You’ll likely find that speaking up more helps you to feel more confident each time you do it. 4. Learn to Deal With Conflict At first, you may feel uncomfortable setting boundaries because it’s new for you. But once you step up and say something, you may find it’s a total non-event. In other words, when you say “no,” the other person simply says “OK,” and that’s the end of it. However, there may be an instance in which advocating for yourself results in conflict. Now, it could be that the other person genuinely needs your help or expertise, and that’s part of being on a team. But, it could also be that they’re simply used to you pulling the extra weight, and you’ll need to wade through the conflict. Instead of avoiding it, prepare your conflict management skills in advance so you can approach these situations with a greater sense of confidence. Practice deep breathing to manage your stress in the moment, consider the issue from your co-worker’s point of view, and prepare “I” statements that convey how the situation makes you feel. Finally, run what you are planning to say past a trusted friend or colleague to get another perspective. If you anticipate a really difficult interaction, you might even want to roleplay it with someone. The final step in recovering from being a people pleaser is to start asking for things. Delegate. Let others assist you. Doing so will help you to shift your relationships from one-sided to more reciprocal. And, as you get used to receiving from others, you’ll realize that being a doormat simply isn’t necessary for having positive relationships. Make sure to consider your own needs with the needs of those around you, and you’ll be able to find the right balance.

Interview Questions for a Personal Fitness Trainer

Interview Questions for a Personal Fitness Trainer Interview Questions for a Personal Fitness Trainer Although you should be confident in your abilities and qualifications as a fitness trainer,  all interviews require practice beforehand. It isnt enough to come to the table with one exercise regimen and a few buzzwords about supplements. Now’s the time to give some serious thought to the interview questions you might be asked and how you would answer them, and the specific ways that you as a fitness trainer will handle them, as you are in many ways directly responsible for another persons physical health. Research the employers standing in the fitness community, talk to professionals who have first-hand knowledge about the company, and then run through at least three to four practice runs for your upcoming interview. You should practice both in front of a mirror and, if possible, in front of a friend who has agreed to play the role of your “interviewer.” It is important to dress appropriately, which can be said for any interview, but is especially to a fitness trainer, as you need to appear in a way that is both professional and highlights your commitment to fitness. The goal is to be able to interview in a confident manner that demonstrates your level of comfort and suitability for the role. Use this list of commonly asked fitness trainer interview questions as you prepare for showcasing your skills and qualifications. Warmup Questions An interview will usually begin with basic questions, related to maybe your background in competitive sports or education in nutrition. Your answers should be practiced beforehand, but not sound rehearsed during the actual interview. How you answer is almost as important as what you have to say. Hitting both marks get you past the easy questions: Why did you decide to become a  fitness trainer?  Are you CPR-certified? What other certifications do you hold?How do you keep your fitness training knowledge up to date?Do you have fitness goals for yourself? If so, what are they?What group classes have you taught? In your group classes, can you explain how you accommodate varying skill and fitness levels?What diet and nutrition education have you received?What is your schedule for classes, and can you walk me through a class from start to finish? How important is nutrition to you in creating a clients regimen? Technical Questions After you cruise past the initial line of questioning and everyone is more comfortable, the interviewer will hit you with harder, more technical inquiries. These are usually open-ended, and it is a good idea to practice your answers so that you dont ramble. Using personal anecdotes about your fitness history will add depth to your answers. Youve heard that clear and concise answers are valuable. That advice holds especially true to questions such as these: What evaluations do you conduct with a new client eager to begin a fitness regimen?Do you recommend dietary supplements to enhance your clients’ performance? Which ones?Can you describe your time management approach for assisting individual clients versus group workout classes?Imagine a client is discouraged during a training session. How do you keep that person motivated?If a client complains about a previous injury, how do you handle that when constructing a fitness regimen? What do you do to prevent further injury or to discourage the client from engaging in activities- during the client session or working out without you- that would exacerbate a pre-existing condition? Can you tell me three essential exercises you suggest for all clients, and why?What techniques do you use to increase your clientele? What are your goals for increasing the number of clients you serve? Customer Service Interview Questions Since you are working in what is primarily a customer service role, the interviewer will want to know the specifics regarding how you interact with clients. Do your best to answer well, while also being yourself. A solid personality never hurts, and often helps, when a question leaves you with the opportunity to show how you would handle the situation: What experience do you have with customer service? Can you describe how you  handle customer service situations  involving difficult fitness center members or prospective members?What are your thoughts about organic food and a vegan diet? When you encounter a client or prospective fitness club member who is committed to a diet that differs from your own, how do you remain objective?How would you handle a client who is unhappy with your work, or a client who doesnt achieve goals when you know the problem is with the clients level of motivation? Tell me about a time when a client was unhappy with your work. How did you handle the situation?Walk me through an overview of a training program you would set up for a client looking strictly for weight loss and toning. What do you tell clients who are looking for instant results?How would you structure a training program for a senior citizen with a pre-existing condition like diabetes? General Inquiries In addition to job-specific interview questions, you may also be asked general interview questions about your employment history, education, hard and soft skills, strengths, weaknesses, or areas for improvement. You will often be asked how you can improve, which is just another chance to highlight what sets you apart.

The War Against Professional Summary Resumes

The War Against Professional Summary Resumes The Supreme Strategy to Professional Summary Resumes An expert summary is the very first thing people are likely to see on your resume. When writing your statement, it is necessary to look at where you're in your professional progression. If you've got an exact sparse work history, you might want to center on the next section instead. Based on who you ask and the way you're using it, summary statements can be an entire waste of space or a whole game changer. The reader is going to know that you're speaking about yourself. When crafting your resume the very first rule to bear in mind is My audience is busy and has an extremely brief attention span. If you follow the suggestions above you are going to have an interesting, compelling resume summary that is likely to make the reader want to find out more about you even regardless of your lack of work experience! A great resume cover letter is essential to your task search. It's crucial that you customize each resume cover letter to the work which you're applying. It's possible that you need to write a superb cover letter getting into another. The resume cover letter ought to be ideal. You could also have a look at research summary examples To a prospective employer. If you do decide to move forward with a resume summary statement, be sure to take care of it as your own private highlight reel. You may want to bring a resume summary statement. A summary statement is a brief expert introduction you can increase the peak of your resume. Above all else remember that companies see many CVs each and every day of the week so that your CV should stick out from every other applicant and appear professional. You might not have LinkedIn testimonials. Focus on how you're an advantage to the companynot the way the firm can help you. There isn't just a single approach to compose a LinkedIn profile summary. A CV or resume is crucial for every single student for virtually any job (be it a part-time job or the beginning of your career). Keep in mind your CV should stick out from all the hundreds of different students which are applying for job vacancies so put as much as possible to sell yourself. The resume summary is simply a bridge to have the hiring manager in your experience. The very first thing recruiters see is what's up-front and center. Because a great receptionist will be smart enough to be aware that the very first impression is indeed the previous one! When you receive a job, you barely have the time to do laundry. The very first thing that you want to do is go back and have a look at the job that you're applying for and determine your intended audience. Part of the reason is the fact that it lists your targets, not your qualifications. The main aim of an expert summary is to produce your most important abilities and experiences immediately noticeable to hiring managers. Your summary will describe the variety of your experience and ought to briefly mention what you're especially great at. The absolute most helpful summaries target one career objective. Writing a superb career summary doesn't need to be an intimidating experience. You might also see career summary examples An expert summary is a concise overview of your skills, experiences and goals directly having to do with the job posting. You have to create a resume that highlights the particular skills employers are interested in. Whatever CV you will need for your job for a student just stick to the aforementioned guidelines and sell all the abilities and knowledge you possess. After you determine the skills you need to concentrate on, do a bit of research and see whether they line up with job requirements listed for the positions you're seeking. You could also see thesis summary examples For individuals with very little experience or are in the midst of a career change, professional memberships are extremely much relevant. Professional Summary Resumes Features In order to make the most of your accounting and finance resume, it's also wise to have an MBA or some equivalent small business education too. This sample CFO resume is only an example to demonstrate the high quality and fashion of our professional resume writing services. The summary is just one of the most crucial sections of your profile, as it's a room to showcase your passion, enthusiasm, and above all, your history of results. An executive summary is a brief statement near the top of your resume that quickly summarizes what makes you the ideal candidate for the job.

Why People Arent Talking About Resume Waitress

Why People Aren't Talking About Resume Waitress The Battle Over Resume Waitress and How to Win It A hiring manager searching for a Server is searching for a hardworking individual with some experience in the food market. Although professional experience is often preferred, there are different varieties of experience that managers may think about when searching for servers. As soon as it's very probable that you comprehend the fundamental duties of a restaurant server, you might not know precisely how much work and skill enters the job. An excellent waiter should have the ability to satisfy the requirements of the customer, even if they're not being entirely affordable. The Essentials of Resume Waitress That You Can Learn From Beginning Immediately Compensation will be determined by experience. Otherwise, it's not a tip under IRS guidelines. The very first significant section of your resume is known as the Career Objective. 1 A resume summary is a brief, snappy introduction paragraph that delivers a summary of your very best work. A good cover letter is in a position to create the application stick out from the audience. Since there's a rumor floating around out there you don't really require a cover letter. Resume Waitress: No Longer a Mystery You should show employers that what you bring to the table is precisely what they're searching for. You will be able to compose a great resume cover letter getting in the next. For more detailed suggestions on how to turn into a waiter or waitress the great folks at Gradspot provide a great resource about it. If want to get the job, you're likely to need to deliver. Enormous employers frequently have a good deal of job openings in any particular moment. Most job seekers don't have any idea about ways to make themselves stand besides the crowd. Furthermore, you can look for waitress jobs on Monster. The HR rep knows the fundamental duties of your work. Simply Google Search your State and Food Service Certification and you'll have the ability to get what you demand. The job of a server is among the entry points in the restaurant business but it's the most challenging one. Servers play a critical part in the dining experience of a customer. In a fast-paced restaurant, the server may be alternately switching many hats during her or his shift. 421 Maximum login limit was reached. Your capacity to keep yourself focused and on task is vital to your success for a food server. In some instances, you can consist of things besides direct work experience on a server resume. Everyone knows the food service sector is just one of the more tightly regulated industries on earth. Many amateur marketers make the error of focusing on features rather than benefits when selling an item. Next up is Kenny, that has been working in restaurants for over 12 decades, and would like to revise his resume to take advantage of chances to step up. The food retail company is consistently growing. Even when you're a really great employee, but you're not able to present the little print in your resume correctly, it's possible you'll miss the opportunity. When working on a resume, make certain to steer clear of clerical errors which can cause a possible employer to weed yours out speedily. The very first ingredient to a large waitress resume is your contact info. Ensure your notice is neat. What You Can Do About Resume Waitress Beginning in the Next Five Minutes Needless to say, each job will call for various abilities and experiences, so make certain you read the job description with care and concentrate on the skills listed by the em ployer. Despite no experience, you still ought to show experience. You don't require experience to get achievements. Last, don't give up on a prospective career path if you've had no appropriate experience.

The End of Picture on Resume

The End of Picture on Resume What Is So Fascinating About Picture on Resume? If you're applying to a very traditional company, you can want to stay with the standard no-photo resume. Typically, a separate, abbreviated application form is used for folks that are already employed by the company who desire to submit an application for positions elsewhere within the organization. USING THE APPLICATION The application needs to be given to each man or woman applying for a position from beyond the company. Again, it's highly recommended to have a home-made employee application checked by means of an attorney as a way to prevent potential complications. A site named Nonprofit Job Seeker did research on whether good looking people are somewhat more employable. The same holds for remote job hunting. The same is true for job hunting. Embed this infographic on your website. You are going to want to emphasize your communications skills and your capacity to answer in a timely way. Dump the picture, and concentrate on shoring up your abilities and abilities to land the job which you would like! In truth, it may make sense to have two CVs readyone that comes with a headshot and one which doesn't. One of your principal goals with writing a resume is to produce the document simple to read. The Argument About Picture on Resume You should keep finding new methods to inform your story and sell your private brandincreasingly with pictures and graphics. The kind of photo you select depends largely on the position. Before you commence altering the layout of your resume to incorporate an image, be certain you need to go that route. Inc luding a photo is 1 approach to encourage recruiters to pick your resume from the pile for a closer look. There's a look to a headshot that differs from portraiture, which is how nearly all of these guys in more compact cities are trained. Make sure that it's a professional cropped headshot. If you'd like to incorporate a photo on your CV, you will want to adhere to some basic guidelines. The business you're applying to may help you decide whether to include things like the photo. Some career experts will tell you that you need to never, ever set your photo on your resume. The resume etiquette design can let you make an extremely effective resume. Moreover, photos are generally utilised to establish credibility. The photo ought to be an expert headshot, very similar to or the exact one you used for your LinkedIn profile. Your photo is a rather significant part your LinkedIn profile for numerous explanations. Apassport-size photo is usually large enough without taking up an excessive amount of space. Show which you have done your homework, as it says something about how seriously you desire the job. Resumes are a rather important portion of the professional life of an individual. Attempt not to go over two pages, even if you've got a great deal of experience. An application is additionally a legal document and becomes part of somebody's permanent file once he or she's hired. In reality, your application may be ignored without one. Here's What I Know About Picture on Resume Resumes are intended to swiftly present a person's qualifications and background to a particular assortment of job experiences or skills. You may also download completely free templates from our Resume Library to get going on your best resume. Steer clear of irrelevant lists of earlier jobs 2. There'll be occasions when a photo is completely necessary, not just in the examples above, but you will discover that it's necessary or helpful in a number of other ways on your job search. The resume etiquette design can let you make effective resumes and do away with all the pitfalls that could spoil the grade of your resume. Be conscious of the background.

Understanding Samples of Resumes

Understanding Samples of Resumes What Samples of Resumes Is - and What it Is Not Food service is just one of the most difficult industries to work in. For jobs in the area of mechanical engineering, an individual cannot utilize resumes which were designed for other ordinary jobs. Transportation jobs involve a lot of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can deal with that. Unique kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the very same skills. What is Actually Happening with Samples of Resumes Writing a CV isn't so difficult job to accomplish as perceived by the majority of of the folks. At times, it is going to request that you complete a supplemental questionnaire or assessment questionnaire too. The procedure for writing a summary section can be extremely beneficial in thinking about your key strengths. The subsequent two samples each have a distinctive format and highlights depending on the career and college goals of tw o students. If you pay cheap rates and wind up with low excellent paper, you're going to be frustrated. Our organization is on the lead once it comes to writing custom essays. Should you need some suggestions on how to craft the very best healthcare resume for your distinct field, have a look at our samples and the accompanying writing guides. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Many businesses don't accept attachments to safeguard themselves from malware or for different explanations. Listed below are examples of information that could be included in your curriculum vitae. Once you've reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to know how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a potent accomplishment statement. Otherwise, you can check the acceptable illustration of CV for comprehensive comprehension of curriculum vitae. What You Must Know About Samples of Resumes It's too challenging for M ichelle to get the ones she needs. Ultimately the decision is yours. The challenge of being a true student trying to find a job tends to be an absence of earlier job experience. Obviously if you're worth, you will find a call for the interview. If you need assistance figuring out the way to do so, take a look at our office worker resume samples and expert writing tips. The job posting and others for similar positions can provide valuable info about what they are searching for in a candidate. State your purpose, but don't suggest which you're asking for employment only career advice or information. Choosing Good Samples of Resumes At the exact top of your resume, you're going to want to include your name and contact details. Career advice and information that can you receive a better job. Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that may assist you with your work search. Discover ways to get your resume noticed. How to Choose Samples of Resumes If you ask lat er, be ready for a dashed letter that is not going to always possess the ideal recommendation that may have been. It's not uncommon to be requested to incorporate a resume when you fill out and submit a work application. It could be helpful for someone who's applying for a job with a massive firm. If you're searching for a government job or a civilian job for a veteran, you want to get ready for a completely different means of submitting job applications. To download, click the image of the sample you need and use. A sample will be able to help you decide what type of content you should include, in addition to how to format your resume. You might not see a precise sample that lines up with your circumstance. Samples of each kind of letter are found in Additional Resources to the right. If you don't have any experience that would help you in receiving the job, then highlight interests or achievements that are about the field. Furthermore, you can look for warehouse associa te jobs on Monster. The discipline of mechanical engineering is a very respectable one. The sphere of information technology grows more important every single day. To get this kind of engineering resume, you could use the amazing resume templates found here which have been designed particularly for the objective. The plan of the resume is extremely critical as a good resume layout will guarantee that it will become easy for an employer to experience your resume. Strategies for Writing a Resume for the First Time There are lots of websites out there that is going to offer you resume writing tips and pointers about how to draft a resume. Additionally, there are resume templates you may download to make your own resume. Don't sit till you're invited to. Military resumes also generally have a good deal of white space.