Tuesday, December 31, 2019

6 New Years Resolutions for a Better Personal and Professional Life in 2018

6 New Years Resolutions for a Better Personal and Professional Life in 2018 6 New Years Resolutions for a Better Personal and Professional Life in 2018 You returned to work bright and early on January 2nd, and I bet the first person you encountered in the break room turned to you, perky and upbeat, and asked So, what are your New Years resolutions for 2018?Did you have an answer ready?What inclines us toward making New Years resolutions, anyway? In attorney-speak,were dealing with what is called a bright-line point (derived from the bright-line rule), which means a definite cutoff point - an exact moment in time, if you will - that distinguishes the past from the future. January 1st is probably the most widely celebrated bright-line point in human existence. We can practically feel the cosmic shift as the calendar transitions from old year to new, inspiring us toward self-reflection and personal improvement.But no matter how sincere and committed you may be about your resolutions , the statistical fact is youll abandon them by mid-February.What goes wrong? Why do so many of our resolutions fail? Most likely, there are several factors at work. Its important to think of resolutions in the same way we think of goals. In order to succeed in achieving any goal, the goal itself must have several vital characteristics.It must be behaviorally describable, reasonable, quantifiable, measurable, and set within a definite time frame. Oftentimes, our New Years resolutions are the exact opposite amorphous, unaccomplishable, and structureless.If you want yourresolutions to take root and flourish this year, start by wording them in a way that connotes both action and consequence. For instance, instead of saying, Im going to lose weight, say, Im going to practice healthful eating habits that include choosing lower-calorie options, and in so doing, I will reach my target weight by mid-April. Instead of saying, Im going to organize my office, say, On January 8th, I will begin the practice of always placing my most important files in a special folder on my laptop where they will be instantly available when needed.Next, make sure you truly buy into your resolution. If you dont really care about your resolution, it will be very difficult to find the energy toachieve it. Sticking to New Years resolutions can be tough work If you halfheartedly say, I need to clean out my filing cabinet, but your filing cabinet doesnt actually bug you to the point of taking action, it probably isnt going to happen.Theres nothing wrong with doing some soul-searching and realizing that you really dont mind your messy desk, or that youve actually become friends with that pile of old trade journals in the corner of your office. Theyre your resolutions and no one elses, and if you are honest with yourself, you wont waste valuable time and energy pretending to care about things that dont really matter to you.Finally, be sure to have a little fun along the way Think of a few resoluti ons that will make you healthier, happier, and mora satisfied with your life. We all toss a few of the old standbys into the mix, like promptly returning all phone calls or cleaning out my inbox each Friday, but my personal favorites - and the ones that make me feel most triumphant when I accomplish them - are the ones that make me a better person, both mentally and physically. Trust me When youre feeling great about yourself, the most amazing things seem to just happen in your life. Your work performance improves, your energy increases, youre mora pleasant to be around, youre more likely to be noticed for promotion, and your self-esteem soars.I assume that youre going to come up with some of those typical resolutions on your own, so to add to your list of usual suspects, here are six out-of-the-box New Years resolution that are quantifiable, readily doable, and downright awesome Perhaps you should give them a try?1. Get Some Quality SleepYes, you, the busy person who doesnt have time for such nonsense. Let me tell you the honest truth about sleep You, just like every other mammal, need a certain amount of sleep in each 24-hour period.Kitty cats - and possibly my college-age sons - need 15-18 hours a day. Horses need about 2.5-3 hours. For humans, its8-9 hours. Its a biological programming thing, and you cant cheat Mother Nature. You need all of your sleep, every night, for a continuous 8-9 hours.Sleep allows all sorts of good things to happen. Your body repairs itself, big time, when youre sleeping. You grow new white blood cells to fight off infections. Your heart rate decreases, giving your hardworking heart muscles a tiny break. Your eyeballs relax and rehydrate. You dream, which is essential to your mental health. Your brain decides what to send to long-term memory and what to discard from the days activities. The research is extensive on this topic, and its indisputable You must have your sleep.To gain the optimum benefit from your sleep, do your bes t to go to bed at the same time and sleep the same amount of time each night.2. Make koranvers Youre Properly FueledTheres so much information out there these days about what we should and shouldnt eat. Its no wonder so many of us throw in the towel (or the kale) and head for the Cheetos. However, if you think logically and listen to reason - and to your body - then youll know almost intuitively how to navigate through the grocery store or buffet line. Its not so difficult Each and every day, you need to eat some protein, carbohydrates, and, yes, fats. Theyre all essential to your health.Here are three super simple rules of thumbStick to lean proteins and low-glycemic carbs as much as possible, and avoid all trans fats.Weight gain, loss, or maintenance is a simple formula that you already know. To gain weight, you must eat more calories than you burn. To lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than you burn. To maintain your weight, you must eat the exact number of calories that you burn. We like to pretend its not that simple, but believe me, thats how it works.In your heart of hearts, you know that if you cant pronounce the stuff that goes into your frozen TV dinner or your QuickTrip microwave burrito, its probably not really a food, and you probably shouldnt be eating it.Calm down about all the wacky diets and just eat sensibly. You already know how.3. Get Some ExerciseAgain, its easy to be overwhelmed by all the conflicting information about exercise, but just like diet, exercise doesnt have to be that complicated.If you cant do anything else, just move Take a walk. Do some stretching. Lift some weights- and carrying small children and groceries does count. Before you tell me that you dont like to get sweaty, or you dont have the time, or work is more important than exercise, let me simplify things. Yes, there are recommendations for how much and what type of exercise you should get, butlets start with two uncomplicated guidelinesGet some aerobic exerc ise and some weight-bearing exercise each and every week. Five days a week is a nice goal.Any amount of physical activity is better than noneJust get out there and do something. Youll feel better, youll have more energy, youll sleep better, youll reduce your chances of developing a myriad of nasty diseases, and youll be more productive, to name just a few proven benefits of exercise.4. Calm Your Inner ChatterboxYou dont have to be the Dalai Lama to meditate. You dont even have to learn formal meditation methods to benefit from quieting your mind. Much like exercise, doing some amount of mind-calming practice in some form is better than doing nothing at all.Some people will tell you it must be done in the morning. Others will tell you that 15 minutes per day is optimal. I worry that these rules are simply easy excuses for not trying - e.g., Im way too busy in the morning or I simply dont have 15 minutes to devote to meditating.Instead, heres what I suggestFind a quiet place, if poss ible, although you can also do this in Grand Central Station if you have no other choice. Sit down - on the floor, in a chair dont worry about where. Close your eyes, if you wish.Commit to 2-3 minutes of mind-calming per session. Dont even call it meditation unless you want to. You dont want to get all hung up on the name and then decide you dont have the skills to pull it off.As you relax, rather than thinking thoughts, put your mind in neutral. To do this, you can repeat a word (either silently or aloud) like love or peace. You can also say a calming parole like I am bathed in a beautiful light, or you can slowly count from one to ten over and over. Counting, or using a word or phrase, is sometimes called your mantra.Know ahead of time that your mind will wander around and cook up all sorts of interesting things to think about - and thats perfectly okay Itll happen, but that doesnt mean youre not reaping the benefits. It simply means that you have a human brain, programmed to st ay active until you allow it to take a breather. When you notice that youvestarted thinking thoughts again, simply return to neutral by going back to your mantra.Tryto practice mind-calming every day. If you miss a day, or a week, or even a year, you know what to do Love yourself and start again. The benefits of this practice are amazing Among them are lower blood pressure, better focus, and mood improvement.5. HydrateTalk about conflicting research. That old eight glasses per day standard is pretty much out the window. Dont even bother to look up whats replaced it youll only walk away confused. So let me shed some light on the subject and untangle a few things.Your body is made up of 60 percent water. Literally every system in your body needs water to function. If you become dehydrated, all sorts of bad things can happen, from headaches and constipation to impaired thinkingand kidney stones. Water helps regulate your body temperature, it improves your cognitive functioning, and it lubricates your joints. You need to increase your water intake when you exercise, if youre in a hot climate, or if youre at an altitude ofhigher than approximately 8,000 feet.But how much water should you be drinking?Current guidelines recommendwomen drink approximately 72 ounces/9 cups per day for men, its approximately 104 ounces/13 cups per day.The keyword is approximate. Were all different shapes, sizes, and ages, and the guidelines varyfor children, older adults, and pregnant or breastfeeding women, so check with your health care practitioner if you fall into one of those categories.Now, are you ready for some good berichterstattung? You may have heard the alarming warning from a well-meaning newscaster that if youre thirsty, youre already seriously dehydrated. Well, thats not quite true. Our bodies are smart. They know when we need water - and they tell us by becoming thirsty So the next time you realize that you really need a drink of water, dont panic. Just find some water and have a nice long drink. Youll be just fine, I promise.When someone - a receptionist, your coworker, your grandmother, whoever - offers you water,accept it. By simply making a commitment to drink all the water youre offered during the course of a day, youll increase your intake substantially.6. SmileIve saved the best for last. Not only is this my favorite resolution on the list, it is possibly also the most important for both you and everyone around you. Whats more, its easy, fun, and completely within your grasp. In essence, its the perfect resolution.Smiling, like laughing, is simply one of those things our bodies love to do. When you smile, a cascade of wonderful chemical fireworks goes off in your brain and your body. It doesnt even have to be areal smile to get the effects. Your brain doesnt distinguish between whether youre playing with a puppy or faking a smile at your annoying coworker. When your brain senses your facial muscles moving into smile position, it releases endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in your body.The more you smile, the more endorphins are released, and the happier you feel. Endorphins are also stress reducers and natural painkillers. Some studies show that endorphins work better than ibuprofen and acetaminophen.If all this good news isnt enough to make you smile, studies show that smiling people appear more attractive, approachable, and mit niveau Studies also show that its nearly physically impossible for people to look at a smiling person and not smile themselves, so smiling is quite literally contagious.- If you can manage to nail just one or two of these resolutions, you will improve your quality of life, your energy levels, and your ability to tackle challenges - I guarantee it. Once youre feeling like the superhero you are, you can always add resolutions like leaping tall buildings in a single bound or seeing through walls with X-ray vision to your list.But maybe wait until next year for that.Denise Dudleyis t he author ofWork It Get In, Get Noticed, Get Promoted. Connect with Dudley onFacebook.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Americans find meaning in family, not careers, surveys find

Americans find meaning in family, not careers, surveys findAmericans find meaning in family, not careers, surveys findAs the holiday season descends upon us, we should all be grateful for the family visits and three-hour dinners headed our way. According to two new surveys, our family is how most of us derive meaning from this crazy world.After trying to pinpoint what Americans use as a source of fulfillment, Pew Research Center found that we overwhelmingly attribute our sense of purpose to our families. 69% of respondents to an open-ended survey question mentioned family when asked what gives them a sense of meaning, and even in closed-ended questions, the same number said spending time with family provides a great verstndigung im strafverfahren of meaning and fulfillment in their lives.Comparatively, a much smaller group of people looked to their jobs or careers for meaning. 34% of respondents said their work provides a great deal of meaning for them, and only 4% said it was their most important source of meaning.Financial wellbeing, something jobs, and careers tend to provide, also ranked. 23% of people mentioned money as something that gave them a sense of meaning.Here are a few more takeaways from the recent Pew report.Do-gooders be damnedThough Americans may pride ourselves on our charity and desire to give back, our generosity doesnt tend to spring to mind when we think about meaning.According to the report, topics such as doing good and belonging to a group or community were mentioned in open-ended answers, but these were not as common as responses about hobbies, friendships or even living in a nice place.Which brings us toLeisureIn closed-ended questions, more people reported getting a great deal of meaning or fulfillment from being outdoors, reading or listening to music than from their jobs or careers. 11% of respondents with a college degree also mentioned travel as a source of meaning.But what about faith?Given that we live in a country based on a Protestant work ethic, one might expect that a good number of Americans would report their source of meaning as faith or religion. But only 20% of respondents mentioned spirituality and faith. Even in closed-ended questions, only 36% of people said their religious faith gave them a great deal of meaning.By this measure, religious faith ranks lower, the report reads. But among those who do find a great deal of meaning in their religious faith, more than half say it is thesingle most importantsource of meaning in their lives.So what does this all mean? Well, no matter how much our families drive us crazy this holiday season, we have to remember how much they mean to us. And when we need a break, we can always listen to some music or pick up a book.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

How to Painlessly Keep Your Resume Updated (Even While Employed)

How to Painlessly Keep Your Resume Updated (Even While Employed)How to Painlessly Keep Your Resume Updated (Even While Employed)How to Painlessly Keep Your Resume Updated (Even While Employed)Keep your resume updated with these easy steps.Writing a resume can be a lot like buying insurance Its easy to put off, but when you need it, you need it right away. The reality is that you should always keep your resume up to date. If you revise it on a regular basis, youll find that it is much easier to take on a new job search when the time comes. Otherwise, youll spend hours of valuable job-hunt time conducting research, updating an out-of-date format, and desperately trying to remember what you did at your job years ago.It may not be a glamorous task, but it is a necessary one. Luckily, it doesnt have to be as hard as you may think. Here are four ways to ensure that your resume remains up to date and ready to impress at all times.Start a brag bookA brag book is a neat, compact way for you t o track all of your accomplishments throughout your career. As you go about your current job, make a habit of logging the significant projects you take part in. Include things like trainings you lead or underwent, extra responsibilities youve taken on, and goals you have achieved. Most importantly, take note of the ways you can quantify these highlights specific data, percentages, dollar signs, etc. These are the things that will impress employers, and it will be much easier to collect this information when it is relevant, rather than digging through records when youre in a pinch.Give yourself a due dateIts hard to get things done when you dont have a deadline, and updating your resume is no different. Instead of brushing it to the side with a perpetual Ill work on it next weekend, platzset a due date for yourself ?? and stick to it. Perhaps you give yourself until the end of the month to complete your full update, or maybe break it into pieces by assigning yourself one section per week, each due by Sunday night. Youre much mora likely to accomplish a goal when it is set in stone. Plus, a little urgency never hurt anyone.InfographicAll in a Days Work Resume Prep in Just 24 HoursUtilize sample job descriptionsLook through some sample job listings and find ones that describe the type of work you want to do next this will help you learn the expectations and priorities of potential future jobs. Then, use this information to start reformatting your resume, crafting a targeted professional summary and highlighting the areas you now know are most important. Youll still need to tailor your resume for each job you apply for come job-search time, but now youll have a solid place to start from.Plus, you may not be actively searching for a job yet, but identifying the roles that pique your interest can help you clarify your overall career trajectory ?? and tell you what you need to do to pursue it. From there, you can focus on developing the specific skills and types of e xperience youll need to reach your goals, and you (and your resume) will be stronger because of it.Go to the prosConsider enlisting the help of an expert. While you can collect important information and give yourself deadlines, there are professional resume writers who can do the hard work for you. The resume-writing process is time-consuming, and trying to balance that with a full-time job is overwhelming, to say the least. By investing in a professionally written resume, youll have more time to focus on thriving in your current job ?? and youll have a stronger resume in the end as well.Let an expert take care of your resume. Click here to learn more about TopResumes professional resume-writing services.Recommended ReadingWhy You Shouldnt Write Your Own ResumeResume Help Are You a Doer or Achiever?How We Gave This Professional the Resume Insurance She Wanted

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

10 Signs that You Should Find a New Job in 2014

10 Signs that You Should Find a New Job in 2014 10 Signs that You Should Find a New Job in 2014 Do you look forward to going to work? Do you enjoy the environment? Respect your co-workers? Does your work fulfil you? If the answer to any of these questions is no, its probably time to make a change. But if youre like most of us, you stay where you are longer than you should. I know. Ive done it myself several times. There are all kinds of reasons for this. We fear change. Were tired and stressed. We dont have much free time. But whatever the reasons we give ourselves, the end the result is the same. We remain in a situation that makes us unhappy.If this sounds like you, here are 10 clear signals that you should find a new job as soon as possible.You often wake up dreading the day ahead If youre nodding at this, its time to look for anotlageher job. We each only get a short time on this earth and theres absolutely no reason to spend it in a job that makes you unhappy. Its easy to talk yourself out of making a move for a million different reasons, but the bottom line is this no one should dread going to work. If you do, its time to find a new jobYou find yourself bitching and moaning with co-workers If youre unhappy, its easy to fall into the trap of complaining to co-workers. Misery loves company and sometimes a good grumble can make you feel better. But if you regularly find yourself complaining, its time to find new work. Your company is paying you a good salary and its not fair to take that money if youre bitching about them (no matter how much they deserve it)You resent your boss for being lazy/incompetent/greedy/insert alternative adjective here You may be right. Your boss may be lazy, incompetent or greedy. But resenting it will get you nothing but raised blood pressure and increased stress levels. If you find yourself starting to feel this way, polish up your resume and start looking for a new jobYou regularly post negative comments about your job on socia l media sites Not only is this a huge red flag telling you that youre unhappy, but its also a surefire way to establish a bad reputation and maybe even to get yourself fired. If youre this unhappy, its time to get out.You find yourself browsing job boards during company time Maybe youre not seriously looking, but you cant help checking to see whats available. The thing is, no one does this if they love their job. If youre happy at work, looking for another job is the last thing on your mind. If you keep pulling up Monster.com, its time to find a new job.You are often bored Its easy to get stuck in a rut when youre comfortable. If your work is no longer challenging, its time to go otherwise you may still be at the same desk doing the same stuff in 5 years time, Yikes Find a new jobYou come home stressed more evenings than not Stress is a leading cause of illness and can have serious long-term consequences. If you find yourself coming home from work feeling stressed out, you are qui te simply making yourself sick. Its time to move on.You dont fit with the culture I once worked in a place that sapped my energy. The company sold a product I love and had a good business philosophy. It should have been a perfect fit. But I just didnt fit in with the company culture. Other people thrived there, but I never found a way to fit in. Finally making the decision to leave was one of the best things I ever did for myself.You dont believe in what youre doing This could relate to your own work, or to the companys products or services. In order to feel fulfilled, you have to feel that what youre doing is worthwhile. If you dont believe it is, you should find a new job where you know youre making a positive impact.You know you have more to offer, but no one is interested If youre constantly suggesting ideas or looking for ways to make extra contributions, its extremely disheartening to have your suggestions ignored or turned down. Dont waste any more time go find a place where your ideas are valued. Youll be much happier. Make 2014 the year you vow to be happy at work When youre in an unhappy situation, its easy to feel trapped, but the new year is the perfect time to make a fresh start. So why not spend the next few weeks preparing to make a move. Start browsing those job listings seriously. Polish up your resume. Improve your LinkedIn profile. Start networking. By this time next year, you could be well settled in to a job that actually leaves you feeling fulfilled and happy. Now thats a new years resolution worth making.(If you need help, check out our free series, The Smart Job Search, which provides great tips on creative ways to find a new job).Photo by Danielmoyle

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Motivational Quotes for Job Seekers

Motivational Quotes for Job SeekersMotivational Quotes for Job SeekersJob searching is hard work and it can be a challenge to stay motivated. There are a lot of ups and downs and a job seeker may feel frustrating or just want to give up. Does this seem familiar? If so, maybe you could do with a little dose of motivation. Feeling motivated is one key to job search success. So, if youre feeling down, this list of motivational quotes for job seekers may be just the thing to pick up your day. Motivational Quotes for Job Seekers One thing to remember is that youre leid alone, there are lots of people whove struggled with job searches and staying motivated but have pushed through and found the job of their dreams. Read through these quotes and hopefully youll feel more positive about your situation If you can dream it, you can do it. - Walt Disney You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. - C. S. Lewis Promise me youll always remember Youre braver than you beli eve, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.- A.A. Milne Youll never please everyone, but you only have to please a few people to get an offer.- Harvey MacKay Every experience in your life is being orchestrated to teach you something you need to know to move forward. - Brian Tracy All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.- Walt Disney Every single journey that Ive embarked on, Ive learned something new. - Shailene Woodley Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.- Theodore Roosevelt The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.- Dennis Waitley Start by doing whats necessary, then whats possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. - Francis of Assisi I cant do it never yet accomplished anything I will try has performed wonders.- George P. Burnham Every new day is another chance to change your life.- Anonymous Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. - Jim Ryun Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan press on has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race. - Calvin Coolidge Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on.- Les Brown Dont be afraid to go out on a limb. Thats where the fruit is.- H. Jackson Browne If you will pump long enough, hard enough, and enthusiastically enough, sooner or later the effort will bring forth the reward. - Zig Ziglar Dont wait for your feelings to change to take the action. Take the action and your feelings will change. - Barbara Baron An obstacle may be either a stepping stone or a stumbling block. - Anonymous One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.- Arthur Ashe When you leave college, there are thousands of people out there with the same degree you have when you get a job, there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you are the only person alive who has sole custody of your life.- Anna Quindlen Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Work, continuous work and hard work, is the only way to accomplish results that last.- Hamilton Holt Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.- Thomas Edison Fall seven times, stand up eight.- Japanese Proverb Getting fired is natures way of telling you that you had the wrong job in the first place.- Hal Lancaster However difficult life may seem, there os always something you can do and succeed at. - Stephen Hawking If opportunity doesnt knock, then build a door.- Milton Berle The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want somet hing.- Randy Pausch We are still masters of our fate. We are still captains of our souls.- Winston Churchill Inspirational Quotes About Finding a New Job If you enjoyed the quotes about job seeking, you may also appreciate a few quotes about finding a new job. This list features quote by Thomas Edison, Mae West, Mahatma Gandhi, and more. Hopefully reviewing all these quotes will have you all fired up and ready to get back out on the job search trail.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

The 5-Minute Rule for Federal Resume Writers

The 5-Minute Rule for Federal Resume Writers Our objective is to supply you with essay writing service. Regardless of the fact there are countless fantastic college resume examples to be found online, writing your own resume is not quite as easy as you believe. The writing team is composed of experienced writers in their various career fields. By joining the elite group of CDI-certified and trained writers you are able to be assured that you may satisfy any resume challenge and be recognized among the best the industry offers. Australian customized essay writing services from Edubirdie is prepared to fulfill your paper in. Taking just a little time to article writing providers learn how. A suitable review of the literature demands an awful bunch of reading and researching. Our writing service is about to provide help. Up in Arms About Federal Resume Writers? Bearing that in mind, there are a couple of tips you may utilize to boost your probability of getting your resume pas t the first filters. There are several helpful resources which can help you craft a standard resume, but the subsequent strategic tips are particular to creating a federal resume. Getting to the peak of the resume pile is easy if youve got a properly crafted resume. Look up the sort of job you want to apply to. What You Dont Know About Federal Resume Writers Also, a resume writer knows the sort of information to include in a resume in addition to the personal details that need to be omitted. Once more, thank you Katie. Read the whole job announcement. Get in touch with us for a completely free consultation if you wish to know more or if you truly feel prepared to start on your high-quality federal job resume. Stop by Site is just one of the rare custom-writing. Resume ideas to jump-start your work search. For each past job, give the conventional information found in the majority of resumes. What you have to know about Federal Jobs and Programs. Career Marketing Techniq ues reviews your accomplishments developing a strong resume portfolio of private career advertising tools to draw the attention of employers. College was supposed to teach you whatever you would have to know to be a well-paid professional. You also wont be capable of using a federal resume as if you would a private-sector resume. Reinstatement eligibility, if youre a former federal employee. Expertly worded resumes ensure that youll get noticed. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Federal Resume Writers There arent any plans to reintroduce these programs. The pricing for federal resume services varies based on numerous important facets. Prepare a federal resume based on the work vacancy specifications. For a normal federal resume, here are the minimal components that ought to be included. Rank writing quality providers support usability. For starters, although the company has done an excellent job in making the site design and content, theres a severe deficiency of s ervice options on it. Our customer service will also be available to assist you, over the telephone, by e-mail or by means of the desktop. Youre able to have a look at the prices, the practice of ordering and completion, resume the services the business delivers. Hiring agencies will search for particular terms in your resume to make sure that you have the experience theyre seeking. Writing a federal resume means following federal resume guidelines to ensure hiring managers are ready to locate the precise details they are searching for with only a quick glance. If you dont supply the info needed for the hiring agency to ascertain your qualifications, you may not be considered for the job. We government what information is necessary and what recruiters want to find.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Networking 101 How To Get The Most Out Of A Networking Event

Networking 101 How To Get The Most Out Of A Networking Event Networking is stressful, and at times it can be downright awkward. However, some experts say that upwards of 85% of jobs are landed via networking or some sort of internal connection. How can you identify which of your connections can help you land your dream role? Better yet, how can you gain the confidence and tools to ask them effectively? Join tomorrows virtual chat with Laura Castaing and Carly Chase the CoFounders of Crabwalk to find out One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzi ng an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 1000000 construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported b y a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAcc ording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71 ,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Life without a boss isnt always a dream come true

Life without a boss isnt always a dream come trueLife without a boss isnt always a dream come trueThere has been a vogue in recent years for abolishing the old, toxic hierarchies in business, but know this getting rid of the boss doesnt mean getting rid of conflicts.Its a point that more companies will have to respect as leaderless or self-governing kollektivs come into vogue.The 2016 edition of The HOW Report by LRN showed that 8%of organizations were manifesting Self-Governance in 2016, compared to 3% in 2012.The report shed light on how self-governing organizations operate, very much focusing on the positive.They were defined as groups where employees are inspired by a desire for significance and encouraged to act as leaders regardless of role. The report praised leaderless teams because they resist temptations to abuse status.As a result, employees pursue the biggest challenges, take the boldest risks, and fortify an organization to be resilient over the long term, the report sai d.Many fans of self-governing teams agree, even elevating the flat management structure to an art.Addressing trouble without a leaderThe key question is how do you make it work?Like any company group or organization, self-managed teams are sure to run into issues that make it difficult to work with other members. And without a manager to mediate, those fights can quickly get out of hand.A Harvard Business Review article called How Self-Managed Teams Can Resolve Conflictby Amit Maimon breaksdown solutions for flat or self-managed teams.Maimon has three good pieces of advice about managing team conflicts. The first quantify the impact of the problem, to see how big it is and what resources it might take to fix it. The secondprioritize accountability over blame, to avoid pointing fingers and get to the root of the problem, and encourage openness to productive conflict so that the air is cleared.Teams without a boss have to manage each other wellBut there are some potential drawbacks to leaderless teams.For one thing, teams without bosses still have to do the bosss work raising morale, distributing assignments, coordinating tasks. But team members dont get paid more for it.Self-managed teams tend to trust each other less, according to a 2007 studyof 35 student teams byClaus W. Langfred in the Academy of Management Journal.He lateracknowledged that despite its title,ironically, some management is still required when it comes to self-management, including training in conflict management techniques. Langfred also warned against leaderless teams that have low autonomy for individual members.When people miss having a bossOnline shoe and clothing company ZapposusesHolacracy, a self-organization method reportedly designed to create a dynamic workplace where everyone has a voice and bureaucracy doesnt stifle innovation.Managers no longer exist. The companys 1,500 employees define their own jobs. Anyone can platzdeckchen the agenda for a meeting, Gelles wrote.(At one such meeting, the team members checked in on their state of mind, with one revealing she was distracted by her hands smelling like the oranges she had at lunch.)But brewing employee discontent reportedly surfaced at Zappos, and critical issues like how to hire, fire and pay people in a company with no job titles have emerged as sticking points.While describing the negative reception of the CEOs introduction of Holacracys management style, the New York Times noted, at Zappos, it seems that many wish Mr. Hsieh had never made the choice. Some people want a boss after all.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Financial Certifications With the Best ROI

Financial Certifications With the Best ROIFinancial Certifications With the Best ROIFinancial certifications require a big investment, both in time and money. But not only do unterstellung certifications provide value for individuals in the accounting and finance industry. They help their companies, too.Thats why so many employers help with the expenses of obtaining professional certifications. A new Robert Half Finance Accounting survey shows 94 percent of CFOs said their companies offer to cover all or some of the educational costs, and 95 percent provide full or partial support to maintain the credentials.The bottom line? Companies reap all kinds of benefits, from increased productivity to enhanced retention to information sharing, when they help their employees with professional development.What financial certifications are the best investment?When it comes to choosing credentials, your employees will need to think about what fits their career goals. Do they want to go into mana gement, for instance, or become an internal auditor?Theyll also need to assess how much time and money they are able to give to the process and to maintain the designation. Their eligibility, including education and experience levels, will also need to be taken into account.Heres a detailed rundown of four of the fruchtwein prestigious financial certifications to help you and your workers decide whats best to pursue.1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)If your company provides jobs for CPAs, youll likely see this designation as the granddaddy of certifications. Its been around the longest and was originally conceived as a designation for public accountants. Now, however, all types of finance professionals in the U.S. get the certification to show their prowess in management accounting, financial accounting, corporate finance and strategic planning, audit, general business, and taxation. A CPA designation also gives the holder the statutory right to sign audit reports and issue audit opinions. Its the most well-known financial certification and, arguably, the most difficult to get.Granted by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) exam and license requirements vary state by stateEstimated cost $2,000-$3,000Prerequisites Five years of higher education, a minimum number of continuing education credits in business and accounting (typically about 150), and verified relevant experienceExam requirements Four levels can be taken in any buchungTime to certification Passing the CPA exam usually takes a year most state boards require one year of accounting experience before awarding the licenseOngoing requirements? Yes continuing professional education (CPE) credits required vary by stateWho should get it? The CPA designation is a very versatile one CPAs work in public accounting, management accounting, governmental accounting, taxation, financial advisory, compliance and other consultant roles. Its highly valued throughout the accounting industry, and some companies require it for managerial jobs.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER 2. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)Professionals in institutional money management and stock analysis are often the ones shooting for the CFA designation. Those who hold this financial certification are experts in accounting, economics, portfolio management, securities analysis, and ethical and professional standards.Granted by The CFA Institute, a non-profit based in the U.S.Estimated cost $2,500Prerequisites A bachelors degree and four years of relevant experienceExam requirements Three levels, with a total exam time of 18 hours one level must be passed before moving to the nextTime to certification It can be completed in 18 months, but most people take more than two years to complete the processOngoing requirements? A recommended 20 hours of CPE credits, which can be accomplished with online courses, with at least two hours of standards, regulatory and ethics educationWho should get it? Its the certificati on of choice in the investment community and has become a must-have for security analysts and asset managers. Finance professionals who are (or aim to become) equity analysts, fund managers or hedge fund managers will also find the CFA useful, as will anyone who hopes to reach the CFO or senior finance manager levels. Those who are pursuing a career in audit, however, wont find it particularly useful.3. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)As the title suggests, this financial certification focuses on management accounting - in other words, providing executives with financial information that will help a company resolve problems and make decisions. The CMA designation is often required for CFOs, controllers and finance managers. The exam covers more practical knowledge, such as the types of skills accountants and finance professionals use on a day-to-day basis.Granted by The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)Estimated cost $1,000-$2,000Prerequisites A bachelors degree and tw o consecutive years in financial management or management accountingExam requirements Two levels, with a total exam time of eight hoursTime to certification Typically one to two yearsOngoing requirements 30 hours of CPE creditsWho should get it? Any accountant who wants to work in the corporate sector, particularly in large, multinational companies, should evaluate the advantaged of getting a CMA. Many accountants choose to get both the CPA and the CMA, as there is overlap in the exam topics, and the CMA is often considered a more practical application of the theoretical concepts tested in the CPA exams.4. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)The CIA designation is the only globally recognized certification in the internal audit and compliance industry. As such, the CIA exam focuses almost entirely on internal audit topics, such as internal controls and risk management, auditing processes, fraud risk and controls, governance and business controls, and tools and techniques for conducting audit engagements.Estimated cost $1,500Prerequisites A bachelors degree and two years of internal audit experience (but a masters degree can substitute for one year of experience)Exam requirements Three levels, with a total exam time of 6.5 hoursTime to certification Typically a year to 18 monthsOngoing requirements? CPE credits are required the number depends on your work statusWho should get it? The CIA is really only useful to internal auditors. Its particularly important for those who would like to become managers or chief audit executives.Other certifications worth consideringThese financial certifications arent as high-profile as the four detailed above, but theyre worth a look, as wellChartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) - This designation is for management accountants who combine business strategy with financial analysis to help companies grow and perform efficiently. This certification is valuable for financial professionals who would like to expand their career b eyond the finance department.Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - This is the internationally recognized certification that demonstrates expertise in information systems audit, controls and security. Its useful for any internal auditor, but especially for those who specialize in the growing field of IT risk management.Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - This designation shows cutting-edge knowledge, skills and education in the detection of financial fraud, another growing field fueled by the financial crisis and laws like Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank.The world of financial certifications can be confusing, with new designations popping up all the time. But for a view from the top, these are a few that can help finance and accounting professionals with their careers - and help companies, too. Tags

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Get Interview Questions to Ask HR Job Applicants

Get bewerbungsinterview Questions to Ask HR Job ApplicantsGet Interview Questions to Ask HR Job ApplicantsLooking for interview questions that you can ask the applicants for yourHuman Resources jobs?Thesesample interview questionsare suitable for your HR candidatesas well as for managers and otzu sich kompetenz employees. Some of behauptung favorite interview questionswill also work well when you interview potential HR employees. But, you also need to identify whether your candidates have the special characteristics and capabilities that are needed in HR. These questions must assess the capability of the applicant to perform thenew roles of the HR professional. To do this, you need to ask interview questions that will identify your candidates competencies in these critical areas. How capable will your candidate be as a Strategic partnerEmployee advocateChange champion Because these competencies exist in addition to the other core human and employee relations, administrative,employmen t law, personnel, and transactional expectations of the HR professional, these questions are key to identify your most qualified candidate. General Human Resources Interview Questions Any experienced HR professional can claim a background and competency in implementing the core HR responsibilities such as day-to-day employee relations, personnel transactions, and recruiting employees. Ask this type of question to get at core HR skills. Describe the HR functions that were under your leadership and control in your most recent HR job.What are your favorite components of the overall HR role? What do you enjoy doing the most?Where did you find yourself investing the most time in your most recent HR role?What would you list as HRs most significant contributions in your most recent HR department?Describe your experience managing and maintaining a Human Resources Information System (HRIS)? (You can ask this brde question about any component of HR that was thus far not mentioned by the c andidate. Or, use the question to ask about an HR component for which you need a person with experience.) More Specific HR Interview Questions to Assess Competency in New Roles The questions are divided into questions suitable for an experienced individual and an applicant who is beginning or early in their HR career the beginner questions would also work for the experienced professional. Strategic Partner For experienced job candidates How did the HR function have an impact on your organizations strategic planning in your last position?Describe how you were able to assess the success of HR services and employee relations in your last HR position? What did you measure?How did you determine or contribute to determining thepriorities for the HR departmentin your most recent position?Did you participate as a key player in your organizations strategic planning or senior management team? How did you see your role? For beginning or early career candidates What do you believe is t he role of the HR department in relation to themission,vision, and strategies of the business?How would you find out the priorities of your managers and senior managers for the provision of HR services?What would you measure to determine whether the HR department was doing an effective job for the company? Employee Advocate For experienced job candidates Please discuss a time when an employee came to theHR departmentwith a complaint about his or her manager. How did you investigate the complaint and help the employee solve the problem? How did the story end?Describe the work environment that you developed for people in your last HR position. What were the key characteristics of the work environment that you were trying to maintain and reinforce?How did your HR department contribute to planning, creating, maintaining, and changing thecorporate culture? What were your significant contributions to establishing the work environment for people? What programs or processes, that you de veloped to maintain and reinforce thework environmentthat you offered employees, are you most proud of contributing to or initiating? For beginning or early career candidates What do you think are the most important roles of the HR department in relation to employees in an organization?What is the role of the HR department in creating the companys work environment for people?If you were the decision maker, what programs for people would be your priority in an organization? Change Champion For experienced job candidates Tell us about a time when you initiated a people process or program that was successful in your organization. Why did you believe your organization needed the program? What steps did you take to initiate and develop the program?On the flip side, have you ever championed a process or a program that failed to take hold in the organization? What steps did you take and how would you change your approach the next time so that your organization would integrate the kampa gne?How do you go about identifying aspects of your organization, the organizations culture, and the offerings of the HR department that need to change or improve? What is the role of the HR department in helping other departments identify and make changes to processes that affect their employees or customers?Can you tell us about a time when you helped a department make needed changes? What was the change and how did HR help identify the need for the change and the action plan. Was the intervention successful? For beginning or early career candidates Thinking back over your college years and your job experiences, have you ever helped to initiate a change? What was the change? What was your role in making the change happen?How do you typically react when change is introduced that you had no part in identifying the need for or planning? Would you describe yourself as a willing participant or an early adopter? Please provide an example. Sample Job Interview Questions for Employers Use these sample job interview questions when you interview potential employees. Unusual Job Interview QuestionsInterview Questions That Can Cause Legal Problems DisclaimerPlease note that the information provided, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. The site is read by a worldwide audience, and ?employment lawsand regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct for your location. This information is for guidance, ideas, and assistance.