To Whom Should I Address My Cover Letter

To Whom Should I Address My Cover LetterTo Whom Should I Address My Cover LetterAs a job seeker, you have the opportunity to step into many roles and use a variety of your skills to secure your next position. You act as a makeshift marketer presenting your personal brand in your cover letter, and you want to ensure you do as much as you can to stand out. When writing your cover letter, it is imperative that you address an individual with a personalized greeting. This is where it comes in handy to use your research skills and put on your professional sleuthing hat. These days, Dear Hiring Manager just wont cut it.Easier said than done when you cant guarantee you know the contact in the company who will view your submission. It could be any of 100 or so recruiters or even the direct hiring manager. How do you know to whom you should direct your greeting? And the better question, how do you find that person?WhoYou may not be certain whether you should address your letter to a recruiter or a hiring manager. Remember that smaller companies may only have one recruiter, while at larger companies there could be hundreds the chance of you choosing the right one is slim. Fortunately, recruiters also specialize. If you are applying for a marketing position and are able to find out who the marketing recruiter is, that is the perfect persons personenname to address in your greeting. The recruiter will usually see your cover letter and can be the make-or-break for whether your letter will ever be placed in front of the hiring managers eyes. However, if you are certain you know who the hiring manager is, there is no harm in choosing this individuals name. Whether recruiter or hiring manager, try to be as specific as possible. If you cant find out who the direct hiring manager is but know the name of the department director, that could be your next choice.Where to Find this InformationWith the Internet, there are many great sources of company information you can peruse to fin d out who works at the company and what his or her role is. A great starting point is LinkedIn. If you search the name of the company and look at how you are connected, you may get lucky in your results with the hiring manager appearing. Otherwise, if you have an idea of a possible name, you can enter that persons name and the company name in the search people bar or use the advanced filters. Another tactic is the ever-helpful company website that lists the names of the leadership team and sometimes other company employees. You might consider trying to find a press release if your hiring manager is the director of PR or looking in the company blog to see if any employees have authored articles or have been quoted in the news. If all else fails guess. You wont be penalized for writing the wrong name.WhyA small detail can make a large impact. You may wonder why specifying a name is so important anyway? Addressing an individual shows you are detail-oriented and that you put effort int o finding out a little more about the company, which indicates you have an interest in the role and company.Who Not to Address It ToTry to avoid using the common phrase Dear Hiring Manager. As a rule of thumb, the wrong name is better than no name or entirely excluding a greeting. In the worst-case scenario, choose an executive or the CEO whose names you can usually find on the company website. Just like with a birthday present, its the thought that counts.

Sitting Down to Get the Job

Sitting Down to Get the JobSitting Down to Get the JobMost of us sit for the majority of our day. The way you should sit during a job bewerbungsgesprch is quite different from how you probably sit at home. In fact, how you sit reveals a lot about your character - and how much you want to get the job.Learn how to sit up straight and convey the best body language so you can have a successful job interview and get the jobStay straight.After greeting your interviewer and taking a chair, be sure to sit up straight. This is the preferred position for both men and women. If you slouch too much, it could appear that youre not interested in the position or bored. Sitting up straight conveys interest and attentiveness.Dont lean forward.Sure, youre excited about the opportunity to finally land an interview. But leaning forward too much in your seat as youre talking can make you look desperate. If youre tall, leaning in can also be a little intimidating to your interviewer. So unless youre look ing at something that the interviewer is referring to on her desk, try to sit back a bit.Stop shifting.If you start squirming in your seat, youre going to give off nervous energy that the hiring manager will feeland its important that your energy levels match. So whether youre uncomfortable because you were asked a tricky question or if your foot fell asleep, try not to move too much during the interview. Sitting leise will help you to look comfortable and professional.Keep it crossed.If youre a man, you should keep both feet planted firmly on the floor facing forward. And if youre a woman, you can cross your legs at the ankles, with your legs angled away from the person interviewing you.Avoid grand gestures.You like to talk with your hands to get your point across. During an interview, its best to refrain from using your hands to tell a story. Keep your hands gently closed together and on your lap. That way, your interviewers focus will be on what youre saying- and not what color n ail polish youre wearing.Its important to practice good posture during an interview, whether its in-person or via Skype. Try rehearsing these tips so youre completely prepared for your interview, both mentally and physically.Readers, do you find its difficult to sit through an interview? What have your experiences been? And what practices have used to get the job?

8 lessons youll learn if you quit your job to travel

8 lessons youll learn if you quit your job to travel8 lessons youll learn if you quit your job to travelRoughly half a year ago, I packed a single checked bag, a carry-on, and a backpack, loaded everything else I owned into a storage unit, and happily boarded a one-way flight from New Yorks JFK to Split, Croatia. A month before, I quit my full-time job as an editorial and content director at a flourishing start-up to take what felt (and proved to be) the trip of a lifetime.Deciding to e-sign on the dotted line to join Remote Year, a program that gives digital nomads the opportunity to work in 12 different international cities over the course of a year, welchesnt a tough call to make. Though I - admittedly - exercised my type-A mentality and made a pro/con list, when it came time to opt in or out, I cant describe the sense of relief or excitement when I decided to join the Yugen community. Along with 56 other talented folks, I wake up each day fueled by coffee and wonder, feeling li ke Ive been given the undefinable giftstoff of redefining what it means to be a professional.Im leid the only one either. Many 20 and 30 (and 40 and 50)-somethings are putting a thick question mark over the standard (and tired) rules of making their way up those pillars of success. Remote Year isnt the only program that challenges workers to redesign the traditional approach to working, and many nomadic workers are choosing to take the leap all on their own, too.After filing mora than 200 articles from Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, and Japan, I can confidently say that while there are difficulties keeping hours abroad and navigating the freelance lifestyle, Ive mostly been amazed and surprised at how seamless the transition has been.And - sorry mom and dad - but Im not sure how anyone returns to the standard 9-to-5 gig after experiencing the inspiration, the freedom, and the community thats found between the pages of your passport.Wa nt to take the plunge?Here, eight digital nomads share what they learned from quitting their jobs to travel the globe - and how it might be a possibility for you, too.You have to always be growing and learningFellow freelance writer Brittany Hughes grew tired of writing for others instead of for herself. After gaining experience building brands and giving them a voice, she decided to quit her corporate role as an advertising copywriter in the hopes of doing something that had more of an impact by building her blog.As she makes her way through Prague, Africa and beyond, shes picking up writing projects but mostly, shes learning all that she can - a skill she says is vital to success as a nomad.You have to treat building your own brand like building your own business. You always have to look for ways to improve and learn more. From taking e-courses on photography to reading books about travel writing, Im always looking for ways to grow and get better, she says.You get the most out o f the nomadic life when you build your communityIt was freelance videographer Jason Rosts wife who suggested completely changing his life, even though she wouldnt be joining him for the ride. After working as an environment artist and game designer in the video game industry for Sony, Warner Brothers, and Valkyrie Entertainment, he felt stagnant and needed something that would break him out of his rut and fuel his inspiration.I quit my job because I didnt want to be traveling and keep a regular work schedule, and working for myself allows me to set my own hours and not have to keep a strict schedule, he says. I also wanted to be able to take my job outdoors. Filming allows me to visit unique locations that Im interested in, film them, and combine sightseeing with work.What has he learned on-the-go? The vast importance of developing and finding a community while youre traveling really makes the nomadic lifestyle worth it.Our group is so diverse, theres always something new to learn o r someone that challenges your assumptions. Being around so many driven, unique personalities has really pushed me to be my best at times, he says.Happiness isnt tied to your job, but to your lifeFor the first year she traveled abroad, Sarah Rabideau kept her job working in advertising technology in digital strategy, but recently, she decided to put in her notice and invest her time and energy into the travel start-up, Pana. Her decision to pack it up and head out was prompted by 50+ hour weeks in New York City, and overall, feeling burnt out professionally, emotionally, and physically.The experience of setting foot in continents all over the world helped her realize that her career doesnt define her.Asking what do you do? is a very American question and even more so a New York City question. Ive learned that my happiness doesnt come from a high salary and a title in an industry that doesnt fulfill me, she says. Traveling has inspired me to keep an open mind, try new things, meet mo re people and to get out of my comfort zone.Dont forget to call your momArt director and designer Sally Fung was trigger shy the first time she was offered the chance to travel for a year. Fast-forward a few months later when a second opportunity arrived, and she finally got up the courage to let go of her full-time job - where she worked overtime nights and weekends at an agency - to see the planet. While contracting, she will visit Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond, expanding her creativity and her skillset on the road.For Fung, being left to her own devices has taught her how much she truly enjoys design, and how now, it feels a lot less like work and more like a passion and a hobby. But as wonderful as travel is, shes also realized that its not quite as glamorous as it sounds being a digital nomad, and sometimes, its okay to miss home.Theres a lot of hype about it and you get showered with compliments of bravery and courage or something like youve made the best decision of your life. Its easy to lose sight that life is still happening, she says. You dont put life on pause to travel. Therell be lots of emotions and internal struggles, there may be heart breaks and emergencies back home. Its learning to be selfish and responsible at the same time. Just remember to always call your mom.You reap the most reward from being flexibleWhen Lisa Niver was working as a teacher and part-time at Club Med, she couldnt shake the desire to have more adventures. She wanted to scuba dive. She wanted to move. She wanted to see the world. Energized with hope and hunger, she moved to Copper Mountain, Colorado to work and ski. Then to the Bahamas to snorkel. Then on a cruise line for seven years, sailing all over the world - and getting paid for it. Then it was Asia, and the list continues.These days, she films travel segments and has an active YouTube channel about wanderlust, and has grown as a professional and as a person in more ways than she can count. But the gre atest lesson being nomadic has taught her? The F word - and no, not that one flexibility. Both with travel plans and with her worldview.When I went back to teaching after spending three months in India and three months in Nepal, one day the lights went out. My students were freaking out. We had a long discussion about how in Nepal they only have power for 13 hours a day and that some people do not have hot water or any water in their homes. My students were interested in why there was not 24 hours of power a day, she says. It was a great life lesson and we decided we liked the classroom with the lights off and the blinds open.You quickly learn your value - and how to market itJeanna Manifold felt lucky to work in an industry that challenged her and, well, was fun. Though she managed the media account for Australias largest travel retailer, she found herself growing more and more restless. Instead of feeling inspired by the client, she really just wanted to visit the destinations s he was writing briefs about.One day I finally realized as a single, child-free woman, the only thing stopping me was that I voluntarily chained myself to a desk for too many hours a week, she says. So what did she do? Break free These days, she finagles her work to match her travel goals, country hopping along the way.Though shes new to the nomadic way of earning money, shes quickly discovered her value - and more importantly, how to profit off of it.My skills are much more transferable than I give myself credit, particularly within the marketing and advertising space. Within the first few weeks of my nomadic life Ive dabbled in digital content writing, developed some sale collateral, and tried my hand at SEO, she says. Im not earning anywhere near as much as I did in a high-powered role - yet - but Im teaching myself new skills every day and accidentally learning others along the way.Networking comes easier - and differently - remotelyScott Dukette retired from a civil enginee ring firm and signed a one year non-compete, preventing him from snagging a job at another company in his field. Though he didnt have a defined pension income and wasnt old enough for social security, he had the means to bridge a career transition that took him exploring countries worldwide. Along with his wife, he decided to travel for a year, hoping to connect with various communities and organizations globally. Hes used the so-called break between his first career and whatever his second will be to consult and cultivating fiction-writing skills. But mostly, hes savoring the peace that comes with remote work.Im writing this from the pool deck on the roof of our apartment building at 9 a.m.. The sun is shining, it s 77 F, birds are chirping and I can hear the distant sounds of the fitness boot camp that meets nearby, he writes.But his greatest takeaway from this dramatic shift is how easy it is to network as a nomad, especially when youre open to it.Ive added several great contacts in each city weve visited, some personal and some potentially professional. Ive also discovered that an American with an engineering degree - even a monolingual one outside of computer tech - is taken seriously in most countries, more so than in the U.S., he says. One common theme Ive found is that having to communicate every day in another language that you dont speak well, or at all, exercises my left brain. Every day is amazing. Sometimes I still feel surprised and even overwhelmed that were actually doing it.Being your own boss means you must be disciplinedFor those who have never lived in the Big Apple, it might sound insane that author Ellen Goodlett reached a point where the city felt small. After working in the same industry for seven years, she wanted something that would stir up her life and invigorate her. Challenged with the opportunity to travel, she quit her full-time gig to ghostwrite cheesy romantic novels and debuted her first book, while touring the big ole worl d. The experience of working for herself has taught her the vast importance of sticking to deadlines - something you might take for granted when someone else is dictating them.It takes a lot more active energy and work than my previous position, and while the schedule is more flexible, there are times when I have deadlines I simply need to hit, no matter what other life situations get in the way. But the freedom its bought me simply cant be beat, especially while traveling, she says. You have to be so flexible and open to trying new things/adapting to situations youve never encountered before, all the time. But I love it like crazy and wouldnt trade it for anything. Even when Im feeling overwhelmed and I have a lot of work piling up, I feel excited to wake up and tackle it every morning - which is all I can ask for A job and a life that I truly love.

The Characteristics of Generation C

The Characteristics of Generation CThe Characteristics of Generation CLook out, Generation X, Y, and Z theres a new generation emerging Generation C. Its members have one big thing in common theyre digital natives and exceptionally tech-savvy. But researchers are having trouble pinpointing the main characteristics of Generation C, and exactly who can be included in this category. What does the C stand for? That would be connected. Members of this generation are connected to people and things in ways we never imagined in the past. Social media, gadgets, and wireless technology allow Generation C to share data on the fly. To put this in perspective, here are some numbers about their habits from a Google/IPSOS/NowWhat ?study and other sources 90% create content for the net at least monthly83% have posted a picture online76% visit YouTube weekly59% look to the internet as their main source of entertainment56% have followed through after watching ads on YouTube55% are connected to 100 or more people through social media Defining Generation C by Birth Year Some researchers like to define Generation C according to when its members were born. For example, CEFRIO, a public-private technology transfer group in Quebec, Canada, pegs Generation C as a group of individuals born between 1982 and 1996. It would actually place Generation C within the Generation Y or Millennial category. According to researchers William Strauss and Neil Howe, who have authored a number of books on generational trends, Millennials were born between 1982 and 2001. Defining Generation C by Technological Focus Others prefer to define Generation C as a psychographic group, or a number of individuals who share a similar state of mind, whether that be certain personality traits, values, attitudes, interests, or lifestyles. In this definition, Generation Cs members all have the common characteristic of being digital natives who turn to the Internet naturally and extensively to do a number of th ings, and are very Web 2.0-savvy. Dan Pankraz, a youth planning specialist for a digital marketing agency in Sydney, Australia, says there are five main characteristics of Generation C A love of content creation and mashing - They can unleash their creative forces using the latest gadgets and gizmos. Companies spend millions of dollars marketing products that encourage this generation to show off their creative skills.The tendency to form active communities- Gen C wants to belong to a community online communities, to be more specific. After all, most of them have never known a reality beyond the internet age. They use online mediums to stay in touch with friends, family, and business contacts and engage with people with shared interests A gravitation toward social media sites- Here they can parteicipate in discussions about different ideas and get involved in cultural conversations. They stay informed about causes that matter to them and take an action to improve the environment ar ound them.A desire to be in control- Access to information allows them to control their own lives, and theyre content with complexity because theyre well equipped to deal with it.A desire to work in more creative industries - They dont want to be restricted by rigid social structures. Youll see less of them working for Fortune 500 companies and more with startups. According to U.K. marketing strategist Jake Pearce, age does not matter when defining Generation C. You could be a Baby Boomer (born between 1946 and 1964) and qualify as part of Generation C because you are heavily into Facebook or YouTube. Or you could technically be part of the Millennial generation and still not be part of Generation C if you have not jumped on the content creation or social media bandwagon. As this Google report puts it, Its not an age group its an attitude and mindset defined by key characteristics. The Differing Definitions of Generation C In some cases, the differentiation between Generation C and Y may not matter, since so many Millennials are very tech-savvy and have been immersed in the Internet from a very early age. Many of them will therefore naturally anliegen into the Gen C category. While the psychographic definition of Generation C may seem too broad to some, we need to think of it as a different approach to defining a group of people one that does leave room to include people of all ages who are digitally inclined. In this case, perhaps we need a better name for this group, as the word generation can cause confusion. This article has since been updated by Laurence Bradford.

The Foolproof Software Engineer Resume Example Strategy

The Foolproof Software Engineer Resume Example Strategy The One Thing to Do for Software Engineer Resume Example Software engineer has become the most fastest-growing job and is among the most satisfying careers on earth. With the correct qualifications, a software engineer can work in just about any industry with any form of organization. He requires a certain level of expertise so I enjoy the respect that sometimes comes with the job In the area of software design and development, he plays a key role. Without a comprehension of the science of trees and the way to use them, therell be problems that you as a developer will not be able to fix. Developers often work on many regions of an application or system at precisely the saatkorn time and has to therefore be in a position to concentrate and pay attention to detail. Because they are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process. Software developers normally have a bachelors degree in computer science and robust computer programming abilities. Actually, the agile software development system is an immediate reaction to ever-changing design requirements. The procedure is organized and efficient. When the development procedure is finished, mora testing is going to be undertaken. The process of creating a software product utilizing software engineering principles and methods is known as software evolution. Excellent communication abilities and the capacity to work well with people at all levels are crucial. The technical interview procedure is largely a trial of your skills in writing algorithms. Finding out how to follow instructions and patterns is far simpler than learning how to compose complex algorithms with advanced CS properties. By the minute you are finished speaking, youll have gone full circle and sent a very clear alpha signal to every one of them. Choosing Software Engineer Resume Example Is Simple Needless to say, applications and systems developer jobs arent the only two positions out there in the area of software engineering. Software engineers also ought to think about cross-platform integration, i.e. how the solution may be used across various diverse platforms. Systems software engineers might also be accountable for developing a corporations intranet and ensuring system security. Future embedded software engineers will have an extremely various skillset out of their traditional predecessors. Since then graduate software engineering degrees are made available from a lot more universities. As stated by the BLS, software engineering positions are less inclined to be outsourced. Therefore there are a lot of software engineering programs available to pick from. Best Undergraduate Degrees There are a lot of degrees provided by Universities around the world to develop into a Software Engineer. As a consequence, software development has gotten institutionally hermetic. A software engineer who doesnt like programming cannot be a wonderful software engineer. The entire software design process needs to be formally managed long before the very first field of code is written. Sound computer software security engineering practices ought to be incorporated throughout the full software development life cycle. Definitions of Software Engineer Resume Example Check how intuitive is the software regarding ease of usage. Ask questions regarding specific characteristics and functionalities that you need for your projects. A good resume need to have a font and letter size, making the text readable and pleasant to check at. Writing a resume isnt a very simple job. In the same manner, writing is a potent vehicle for impact. Writing documentation for those who dont understand code is additionally a required evil which goes with the job. The writing style is very clear and enjoyable. In some regions of the US such as Texas, using the expression Engineer is governed by law and reserved only for use by individuals that have a Professional Engineer license. Research has been carried out in the region of international software development during the last 15 decades and an extensive body of relevant work published which highlights the advantages and problems connected with the complicated activity.

Top Resume Infographic Tips!

Top Resume Infographic Tips If youre trying to outsource, here are 10 questions to ask an infographic agency, plus a couple of strategies about how to work together after you find the proper match. Among the phrases thats guaranteed to come up is an established track record of succeeding. Usually, the story needs to be relevant to your professional improvement. After that, see a succinct collection of advice to keep bookmarked when you find your fantasy job. Re-vu Re-vu is aleidher tool that produces a visual resume in a couple of easy steps. Should you do, then youve just stumble upon a sample to lead you on the best way to segregate information without resorting to the normal way. There are a lot of online tools that help non-designers quickly make their own infographics. Dont forget, youve limited space on your infographic, which means you will need to include key resume information. Youll probably be given impossible hypothetical conditions and be requested to pick betwe en two even mora impossible answers. Youre able to place the emphasis on the info that shows you are the ideal person for the job. Fortunately, theres no an infographic which may help any boss craft the ideal feedback meeting and give a wide berth to any awkward conversations. You might receive a really valuable feedback At times, a traditional resume isnt sufficient to demonstrate your creativity. Besides style, its also wise to consider what resume components you require. Make certain you pick the best resume design to draw attention to the most essential facets of your work experience and professional objectives. As you may have noticed, design is only one of several elements in your resume that could capture attention. Whether youre searching for general design inspiration or a number of fresh content ideas, here are a few of our favourite infographics, plus a couple of tips about how to put infographics to work for you. Crafting a standout resume is lots of work. There are lots of unconventional styles and templatesperfect if youre searching for a bit more edge. The Fight Against Resume Infographic The target of an infographic isnt just to appear cool its to aid viewers quickly engage with the material and understand the principal points. Luckily, you do not must eliminate time checking out a selection of internet sites looking for the very best one for you. The folks who visited our website and produced a buy. Explore on our internet website and you will definitely find additional in addition to totally free. Employers want to realize that you learn how to talk about your experience in a manner that makes value for them and presents your accomplishments in the very best possible light. Remember, they want to know what you can do for them. After all, they need to be able to read your infographic to know what youre all about. The employer receives the information that they need in addition to the bonus of seeing your creativity on the job. Resumes follow a parteicular format. This template for resumes is among the greatest in part since its quite modern. Infographic resume templates can be exceedingly useful creating your own infographic CV. Drafting a great infographic resume is a time intensive and a tricky endeavor and therefore to assist you with the very same, various infographic resume templates are readily available. Job aspirants must consider a resume template in place of a curriculum vitae template. Specific programs and applications are frequently used as keywords in the event of a technical resume. With helpful instructions often included, you will be able to personalize your template effortlessly. Youre searching for infographic resume templates. The excellent news is, there are tons of fantastic design templates out there. Creating a helpful PowerPoint presentation incorporates many aspects. The Benefits of Resume Infographic Keep reading if you want to learn why you may want to team up an in fographic resume to your traditional one. Youll obtain their attention already by utilizing an infographic, now you must make sure that it remains by telling a superb story. 1 important thing thats missing is the story. Should you do, it can help to have a highly effective personal story.

3 New Years Virtual Interview Resolutions

3 New Years Virtual Interview ResolutionsWith 2013 right around the corner, its time to start looking at your current hiring practices. The new year is the perfect time to overhaul outdated practices and embrace new ways to find the best candidates quickly and easily. The virtual bewerbungsgesprch is a great way to connect with talented job seekers with less time and money wasted.In 2012, video interviews gained some real traction. In fact, according to a survey from Office Team, six out of 10 companies are utilizing video interviews as an everyday part of their hiring process.This technologys increase in popularity makes 2013 the perfect year to make sure your company is following best practices when it comes to performing a virtual interview.Here are the three virtual interview resolutions your company should make in the new year to ensure youre correctly utilizing video interviews to hire the very best peopleStop, collaborate and listenIt might not seem like it on the surface, but the virtual interview is actually a great way to collaborate with your entire hiring gruppe. For instance, now your team doesnt have to occupy the same physical space to share notes and impressions of a great candidate.Plus, getting the whole team on board is the best way to make smarter hiring decisions in 2013. After all, if everyone on the team has the opportunity to evaluate talent youll be more likely to hire someone who will fit into your company culture with ease.There are multiple ways to collaborate effectively around video interviewsOne-way video interviews If youre utilizing one-way virtual interviews, its easy to have team members log into your account on Spark Hire and view the video answers. Team members can even share notes on the platform itself. Since behauptung interviews are asynchronous in nature, answers can be viewed at any time and by any member of your hiring team.Live video interviews You might think its hard to collaborate using a live video interview. Aft er all, these are face-to-face interviews that occur in real time. How can you collaborate with team members using these interviews if your coworker cant make the meeting? Thankfully, its entirely possible to record a live video interview, allowing team members who are busy or out of the office to still review the interview. This way, you can share your top contenders with the busy department heads who will be working with this potential employee every day.Ask the right interview questionsAsking the right interview questions is very important in any interview, but is especially important in a virtual interview. It is especially important because using one-way virtual interviews allows you to save your written interview questions to pose to more than one candidate. Therefore if you come up with a list of lackluster interview questions, this could affect interviews for multiple candidates.Instead, look at the job and really think about the essential qualifications youll need in the ne w year. Perhaps your company is looking to expand and you need someone with top-notch communication skills and a keen eye for business development. Or maybe your company is expanding its technical know-how and you need a tech-savvy superstar in 2013.Hone in on the most important attributes a superstar candidate should posses before drafting your interview questions. This way you have a list of top-notch queries and can reuse them in all your one-way virtual interviews.Replace the phone interview with one-way virtual interviewsLets admit it, the phone interview just isnt very effective. By now, youre good at spotting quickly whether a candidate will be a good candidate or all wrong for the position. But in a phone interview its more than likely youll be stuck on the phone with even candidates you know are all wrong for at least 20 minutes to a half hour.Instead, make it a hiring resolution in the new year to replace your clunky phone screens with one-way virtual interviews. Now as a hiring manager you can move on as soon as you know the candidate isnt right for the position or your company culturewhether thats six minutes or six seconds into the interview.Plus, you get the benefit of seeing your candidate on a more personal level, as opposed to the phone screen where its harder to evaluate communication skills and personality. Let the new year be your opportunity to leave the phone interview behind and embrace one-way video interviews.With the new year approaching its time to focus on how youre utilizing video interviews. Make sure some of these virtual interview tips are part of your 2013 hiring resolutions so you can find the best people with less hassle.What are some of your 2013 resolutions? How will you use the virtual interview to connect with great people in 2013? Share in the comments

What you need to know about hiring blind and visually impaired workers

What you need to know about hiring blind and visually impaired workersWhat you need to know about hiring blind and visually impaired workersWhat you need to know about hiring blind and visually impaired workers Ashford, contributorAt a time when recruiters are facing a hiring shortage, and its harder than ever to find qualified workers, you cant afford to make your jobs inaccessible to anyone.Youre not only legally mandated to make sure your hiring practices are ADA compliant, but if your website, bewerbungsinterview practices, and office itself arent accessible and friendly to disabled applicants, youre doing your company a disservice by essentially eliminating an entire pool of potentially immensely talented candidates just like that.These strategies can help recruiters and low-vision candidates see each other betterMake your application process accessibleBlind candidates must be able to access both your job postings on your site and any job boards youre parteicipating in and fi ll out the application itself. Web content accessibility guidelinescan help you determine what needs to be done.If Im a blind person and I go to an employers website and I cant even fill out the basic job application, that discourages me and tells me that employer is maybe not all that serious about hiring blind people or hasnt really thought about it, says Chris Danielsen, a spokesperson for the National Federation of the Blind.Consider putting information on your website on how to contact someone if a candidate needs to request an accommodation to apply for a job or for interviews.If a job requires that an applicant complete testing as part of the interview process, be sure there are accommodations available for someone with low vision.The fewer barriers there are to hiring, the more likely it is that youre going to get applications from blind people, Danielsen says.Reach out to organizations that cater to disabilities You can specifically interface with organizations that work wi th the blind and other people with disabilities, such as the National Federation of the Blind, the New York State Commission for the Blind or VISIONS.We have a job fair every year as part of our convention, Danielsen says. Blind people have as many career goals and employment interests as the sighted public does, so theres no particular thing that needs to be done other than letting blind people know that youre interested in hiring, and making your hiring process accessible, so that blind people can participate in it.Its also worthwhile to spread the message at your company that youre looking to hire inclusively.Often, theres commitment at the top of the organization, but it doesnt always trickle down to the hiring manager or recruiters, says George Abbott, chief knowledge advancement officer for the American Foundation for the Blind.Make sure the organization as a whole is clear on their philosophy about it, and you may need to do some awareness training.Know what you can and cant askBefore youve extended a job offer, you cannot ask a job candidate any questions that would reveal the existence of a disability or ask about the condition itself.For instance, you cant ask whether theyve had any medical procedures related to their vision or whether a medical condition may have caused their blindness.That said, if the disability is obvious or the candidate brings it up themselves, you may ask them whether they would need a reasonable accommodation to perform the tasks required in the job.In general, however, you should be asking all candidates the same questions about their relevant experience and why theyre qualified to do the job. Ask a blind person the same questions youd ask any other candidate, and try to stick to that, Abbott saysAdditionally, respect that candidate by not asking them things youd never ask any other job candidate like how theyd get to work every day.Every blind person has a story about being in an interview and being asked a question like, How will you get to the bathroom by yourself? Danielsen says.What wed really like to see more of is employers starting with at least a basic idea that blind people are generally competent to handle our lives.Expect great thingsThe biggest thing we face in all areas, including employment, is low expectations, Danielsen says.One of the frustrations blind people often face is that employers frequently just assume that they cant do the job because theyre blind.Blind people are doing almost every job you can think of, Danielsen says. If it doesnt involve driving, a blind person is probably doing it somewhere. And as a general rule, the blind person wouldnt be applying if they didnt think they could do that job.In fact, you may find that hiring a blind person is a huge advantage because they can add a lot to your team. We spend so much of our day being problem solvers for everything we do, Abbott says. So we just naturally bring creativity and creative thinking to the work environment a nd I think that adds value.

Where the Legal Jobs Are, December 2017 Update

Where the Legal Jobs Are, December 2017 UpdateWhere the Legal Jobs Are, December 2017 Update WHERE THE LEGAL JOBS ARE IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2018Lawyers were asked, Which of the following best describes your companys hiring plans?FIRST HALF OF 2018SECOND HALF OF 2017Expanding/adding new positions22%33%Maintaining/filling vacated positions51%51%Freezing/not filling vacated or new positions14%6%Freezing/not filling vacated or new positions0%3%Lawyers were asked, Which practice area will offer the greatest number of job opportunities in the first half of 2018?38% Litigation12% General business/commercial law5% Regulatory or compliance5% Family law3% Intellectual propertyLawyers were asked, Which areas of litigation will offer the greatest job opportunities in the first half of 2018?*48% Insurance defense33% Commercial litigation11% Personal injury9% Employment*Multiple responses were permitted. Only top responses are shown.Source Robert Half Legal survey of 200 lawyers with the largest la w firms and legal departments in the United States 2017 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Learn What Is an Excused Absence From Work

Learn What Is an Excused Absence From Work Learn What Is an Excused Absence From Work Is it okay to not show up for work? Most responsible employees know that you dont get paid if you dont work. However, there are many situations in which employers will excuse absences, particularly if they are scheduled in advance. Good communication and clear attendance policies are key to a good work environment and help avoid confusion about absences. Many employers offer paid time off for vacations or allow workers to take a few sick days each year. Employees will also find many companies that are sympathetic to family emergencies and funerals and are willing to work with the employee when they are notified in a timely manner. Other companies have more stringent policies and may require proof of deaths in the family, major illness, and doctors notes for the routine use of sick days or to care for a sick family member. The key for employees is that you become familiar with the policies and the expectations of your current employer. Most have attendance policies that are carefully spelled out in their employee handbooks. Handbooks are signed off on by employees to indicate that you understand and agree to abide by their contents. So, if you violate your employers policies on what absences are excused and which are not, especially if you are an hourly or nonexempt employee, you could find yourself in the unemployment line. Getting an Excused Absence An excused absence is the scheduled or unscheduled time off from work that occurs when an employee is not present at work during a normally scheduled work period. An excused absence is further defined as: Scheduled in advance with the employees manager or supervisor, such as a vacation.The employee notifies their employer in advance of their scheduled shift in the case of an unexpected emergency or illness.Or, the employee provides an acceptable reason upon return to work, often with proof backing up their excuse.Events that cannot be scheduled outside of regular work hours. This includes vacations, medical appointments, military service, family activities, surgery, jury duty, funerals and more. Why Scheduled Absences Are Important By company guidelines and procedures, even employees who have paid time off (PTO) or vacation days, sick days, and so forth, provided by the company, are asked to schedule time off in advance. This allows the manager to plan coverage for the work in the employees absence. Covering an absence is much easier to do when the employees work is knowledge-based rather than a customer facing or production role. For this reason, managers must often stagger time-off requests to ensure the business runs smoothly and enough employees are available to work each day. In the case of exempt or salaried employees, excused absences are usually not part of the discussion as these employees are expected to perform their whole job no matter their attendance. A coaching session with their manager will occur if the employee fails to attend work on the schedule committed to or fails to meet expectations. Paid Absences Absences are generally compensated when their frequency and rationale fall within the guidelines established in the organizations attendance policy. These paid absences may depend upon certain requirements from the employee. For example, an employee may be required to seek permission before scheduling vacation time. They may also be required to call in and report an unscheduled absence within the organizations timelines and expectations- before 7 a.m. and must speak directly with the supervisor, not leave a message on an answering machine, for instance. Absences and the Attendance Policy In companies that have an attendance policy, especially for non-exempt employees, excused absences can include days that are excused after the fact. Quite often, proof such as a doctors note attesting that the employee was sick may need to be submitted for the excused absence to occur. Companies that track excused vs. unexcused absences normally have a written policy that provides guidelines for employees to follow.In these companies, excused vs. unexcused absences may be significant in that too many unexcused absences can mean dismissal from the job.

6 Solid Reasons to Leave Your Good Job - The Muse

6 Solid Reasons to Leave Your Good Job - The Muse 6 Solid Reasons to Leave Your Good Job Sometimes in your career, there are these giant, flashing, neon signs that seem to yell, “Hey, you! Yeah, you with the miserable look on your face! It’s time for you to blow this popsicle stand and find yourself a new gig.” Maybe you hate your boss or your responsibilities make you want to cry. Perhaps you’ve been consistently skipped over for promotions. Or, maybe you’re blatantly mistreated. Either way, it’s painfully obvious to you that you need to leave your job. But, other times? Well, the signs that are telling you it’s time to hit the road are far too easy to cruise right by. In fact, they’re often missed altogether and simply written off as a normal part of being employed. What sort of cryptic hints am I talking about? Well, here are six not-so-obvious signs you should probably dust off that resume and look for something new. 1. You’re Always Unmotivated You get your work done. But, you’ll also be the first to admit that it’s a daily struggle. Forcing yourself to sit at your desk and trudge your way through your to-do list feels like a feat of superhuman strength. And, you find that- instead of aiming to go above and beyond- you’re always scraping by with the bare minimum. Listen, we all have those days when we’d rather be doing anything else. However, that shouldn’t be the day-to-day norm in your job. If you find yourself feeling constantly lazy, unmotivated, and just plain disinterested? That could be a clear indicator that it’s time to look for something that will set your heart on fire again. 2. You’ve Been Doing the Same Thing Since Day One You’ve worked in your current role for a while. When you compare what you do today to your very first day on the job? Everything looks pretty much identical. You haven’t been challenged to push your boundaries and accept new assignments. You haven’t had the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities. In fact, it’s tough for you to find a single thing that’s changed or grown in the course of your tenure. Feeling comfortable and confident in your career is one thing. But, feeling glued in place? That’s an entirely separate problem. When you begin to realize that you’re stuck in neutral, that might mean it’s time to either speak with your boss (this article has some great tips!), or find a new role that will allow you to expand your horizons a little more. 3. Your Stress Level’s at a Constant High Your stomach’s always in knots. Your fingernails are practically nonexistent from your constant chewing. You can’t seem to even take a two-minute bathroom break without checking your inbox. A certain amount of stress is normal- every job has those tasks or moments that inspire a bit of palm sweat or anxious lip chewing. And, maybe you’re somebody who enjoys and thrives in a high-pressure and fast-paced environment. Hey, if stress is what motivates and fulfills you at work, more power to you! But, if you discover that constantly feeling like a tangled bundle of nerves is really only dragging you down inside the office and out, it’s worth exploring some other opportunities where your stress level won’t need to be at a constant high. 4. You’re Irritable You find yourself snapping at your loved ones. The smallest annoyances can inspire an exasperated groan and an eye roll that could be seen from the space station. Even when you’re clocked out for the day, you feel inexplicably grouchy. Have you considered the fact that your job could be the reason? As someone who had a position that turned her into a regular Debbie Downer without even realizing it, I know firsthand that your career can have a huge impact on how you feel outside of the office- for better or for worse. Are you far less irritable on the weekends? Chances are, your position’s coloring your outlook more than you even care to admit. It might be time to search for greener (and happier!) pastures. FACT: IT NEVER HURTS TO LOOK AROUND AND SEE WHAT'S OUT THERE So why not spend five minutes looking at awesome job openings just click here 5. You Can’t Remember the Last Time You Were Excited to Go to Work Alright, there are very few of us who cartwheel out of bed on Monday. Nobody is always thrilled to head into work. But, if you can’t remember the last time you felt the smallest inkling of excitement to tackle a new project, participate in a brainstorming session, or even dominate your office’s guacamole competition? That’s a problem. Expecting to feel over-the-moon enthusiasm every single day’s unreasonable. However, if you’re filled with a feeling of dread- even on days that are supposed to be easy or fun at work (hello, there’s guacamole!)- it’s in your best interest to find something that will reignite your passion. 6. You’ve Considered Getting a New Job A few times, you’ve thought about quitting your job and finding something new. Sure, you never really gave the idea serious consideration or took any steps to actually make it happen. But, you’ve mulled it over a few times- you even mentioned it in passing over a shared appetizer with your friends. Thinking about job searching is sort of like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube- once it’s out there, it’s out there. Consider this: If you were really all that satisfied with where you are now in your career, you likely wouldn’t have even entertained the thought of jumping ship. Maybe- just maybe- your subconscious is trying to tell you something here. There can be a dangerously fine line between normal work grievances and red flags that indicate that it’s time for you to pack up your desk and find yourself a new job. Yes, all of these signs are easy to write off as problems that everybody deals with- they’re normal. But, the difference lies in consistency. If you’re feeling, doing, or saying these sorts of things on a regular basis, that’s symptomatic of more than just a bad workday. So, if you found yourself nodding along with one (or all!) of these signs, it might be time to give some serious consideration to finding yourself a new position.

Working As a Corrections Officer

Working As a Corrections Officer Working As a Corrections Officer Perhaps one of the least recognized but most important jobs in criminology and criminal justice is that of the corrections officer.  Without qualified and dedicated individuals to staff jails and prisons, order would not be maintained and our entire system of justice would collapse. Out of sight and out of mind, corrections officers stand guard between the general public and some of the most hardened and dangerous people in the country.  They work day in and day out to keep us safe from convicted criminals and to keep them safe from each other.  Rarely, if ever, do they receive the first thank you for the work that they do. Job Functions and Work Environment for Corrections Officers Corrections officers spend the vast majority of their time indoors and locked within corrections facilities.  They work in jails, prisons, courthouses and detention centers.  They are present with arrestees, defendants, and inmates through every aspect of the criminal justice system, from shortly after the arrest all the way through trial and final incarceration. Officers work shift work, as correctional facilities must be staffed 24 hours per day.  They have many diverse duties and work functions, all of which are integral to the prison system. The job of a corrections officer often includes: Booking prisonersSearching prisonersGuarding and watching prisonersPreventing fights and potential riotsTransporting prisoners to and from courtInventorying possessions of new inmatesWorking closely with new arresteesWorking closely with convicted felons and serious misdemeanants Corrections officers may work for a local sheriffs office in the county jail, or at a state or federal prison.  Some states are beginning to move toward privatization of prisons, meaning corrections staff may work directly for a government agency or they can end up working for a private employer. Officers who work at a jail deal with a wide range of individuals, because jails house people awaiting trial, those serving sentences for misdemeanors, and those who have been convicted of felonies and are awaiting transport to a state or federal prison facility.  Officers who work at prisons generally work only with convicted felons. Dangers in Corrections Jobs Corrections is a high risk and high stakes criminology career, due in large part to the nature of the environment itself.  In fact, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics,  corrections officers have one of the highest rates of nonfatal on-the-job injuries in the United States.  Because of this, a job as a corrections officer can be taxing and stressful.  It can also be quite satisfying in light of the important role corrections professionals serve in the criminal justice system. What Do You Need to Do to Become a Corrections Officers A corrections officer job is one of the many careers in criminology and criminal justice that do not require a college degree.  Instead, a high school diploma or GED is all that is needed to get started on your career path. Extensive academy training and certification will be required in most states, and officers should be in good physical condition due to the potential dangers and stresses of the job. Communications and interpersonal skills are an absolute must because corrections officers often work in close quarters with dangerous people.  Officers often risk being injured during confrontations with inmates.  It is in everyones best interest to treat each other with respect while maintaining a strong command presence. Job Outlook for Corrections Officers There is a potential shift toward utilizing private companies to build and run prisons.  With such moves, a possibility exists for there to be a reduction in the number of corrections jobs available, depending on which state you want to work in. In 2010, there were 436,00 people employed as corrections officers.  According to the U.S. Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth rate for corrections officer jobs is expected to be around 5% through 2020. Salary and Earning Potential for Corrections Officers The median salary for all corrections officers in the United States is about $39,000 annually.  Officers may earn as low as $26,000 and as high as $67,000 per year, depending on their state, agency, and location.  The higher paying jobs are typically found? within the federal government. Is a Career as a Corrections Officer Right for You? Working in corrections can provide stable employment with a decent salary, health insurance, and retirement benefits.  The tradeoff is that corrections jobs carry a high potential for injury and can be very stressful.   If you dont mind working in a closed environment and can deal effectively with people of varying dispositions, you may be able to rise to challenge and help make a difference as a corrections officer.  In fact, it may just be the perfect criminology career for you.

How to Deal with Bad Managers at Work - The Muse

How to Deal with Bad Managers at Work - The Muse How to Deal with Bad Managers at Work We’ve all been in a position where we feel our superiors aren’t handling things correctly. It could be that your direct supervisor isn’t managing your schedule efficiently or isn’t using you to your full potential. It could be that your CEO has a concerning new vision for the company’s future. It could be that your manager isn’t treating you and your peers on equal ground. Poor and ineffective management come in many forms, and all of them can wear on you professionally. When you deal with these habits daily, it’s only natural to want a change, but many people immediately resort to the final option: quitting and looking for a new job. There’s no question about it; some workplaces are toxic, and downright hostile, and in these cases the only logical option is to pursue a different opportunity. But in most cases, ineffective management can be dealt with, and you can keep your job without having to tolerate it further. 1. Look at the Situation Objectively Your first step is to try and objectively analyze the situation. You may feel that your boss has directly insulted or offended you, but one incident doesn’t necessarily mean your boss is an ineffective manager. Everybody makes mistakes and has weaknesses, so it’s rarely worth taking action over one irritating incident. It’s also possible you’re taking things too personally. If you find your boss is giving you lots of negative feedback, it may be his or her way of trying to help you grow as a professional. On the other hand, it could be an unfair or unproductive means of evaluation. Try to step back from the situation to see if there really is a pattern. Talk to your friends and family about the situation, focusing only on the facts, and see what they think. You can also reach out to other co-workers you trust- but remember that gossip can only do harm. If you determine that your manager is objectively taking bad or counterproductive actions, you can start taking action. 2. Talk to Your Boss Directly Your first step must be speaking with your boss directly. Do not ignore the problem. Do not go above your manager’s head. Do not adopt a passive-aggressive attitude. All of these measures are counterproductive. Instead, schedule a meeting with your manager and tell him or her exactly how you feel about the situation. When you initiate this, be careful not to criticize your manager harshly or personally. Instead, focus on your professional needs and how he or she is or isn’t fulfilling them. Describe specific events to illustrate your points, and listen to what your manager has to say about them. In most cases, you’ll find your manager can illuminate these situations with an alternative perspective, and your manager will be more than willing to make adjustments in the future. If you find your manager is unwilling to talk about the problem, or is unreceptive to your requests for change, you’ll need to find an alternate route. 3. Avoid Making Ultimatums Throughout the course of your discussion and even in the back of your own mind, avoid making ultimatums or becoming fixated on one solution. For example, saying to yourself, “If he doesn’t stop demanding me to be here half an hour early, I’m going to quit,” can distract your attention from the root of the problem and can prevent you from making other meaningful changes. Threatening to quit in front of your manager or in front of others can also make you appear unprofessional and weaken your overall position. Instead, try to keep an open mind. 4. Find Compromises There is always more than one solution to a problem. In the above example, a manager is demanding his or her staff to arrive half an hour early every day when it isn’t necessary. To the worker, eliminating this practice altogether may seem like the obvious solution. However, finding a compromise can help your manager understand and compensate for your objections without completely disrupting his or her original vision. For example, maybe coming in 10 minutes early is plenty, or maybe you can come in half an hour early for two days out of the week. This is a simple example, but what’s important to remember is that compromises are always available to those willing to search for them. 5. Speak to Others Who Can Help If your direct conversation didn’t happen, if it didn’t help, and none of your compromises are panning out, don’t hesitate to go to someone else in the company for some extra assistance. Your manager’s supervisor or your HR Director shouldn’t be your first stop, but if you’ve made a serious effort for positive change with no results, these people can help drive a more meaningful change. Your identity can be kept confidential, and these superiors can help oversee a process that targets and corrects the destructive behavior. 6. Escalate Your Actions If none of these options work and upper management isn’t taking your complaints seriously enough, escalate your actions at the ground level. Gather your peers, co-workers, and other managers to discuss the problem and petition for a change. Many voices have more power than one voice, and if you’re having a problem with a manager, chances are someone else is too. Put these strategies to use if you’re currently dealing with ineffective management in your position. After consistent use, you may find that they aren’t of any help; if this is the case, it’s likely in your best interest to move on to a new opportunity. However, you may find that these strategies negate, improve, or lessen the impact of those nasty managerial habits, leaving you to better enjoy and execute your daily work. More From Inc. These 7 Things Will Help You Deal With Stress 9 Ways the Most Successful People See Life Differently 8 Deadly Ways to Kill Employee Motivation Photo of woman holding ears courtesy of Shutterstock.

NASAs ISS is Open for Business

NASAs ISS is Open for Business NASAs ISS is Open for Business Manufacturing Blog: NASA's ISS is Open for Business The International Space Station is officially open for business. NASA announced this past June at NASDAQ in New York City that it will expand commercial activities. The agency hopes to attract private companies from different industries to achieve a low-earth orbit (LEO) economy. This LEO economy will create a new source of funding and a new line of services to help NASA reach its goal of returning to the moon by 2024. NASA is opening the International Space Station to commercial opportunities, and marketing these opportunities as weve never done before, said Jeff DeWit, chief financial officer for NASA, in front of reporters and to potential investors at Wall Street. NASAs Plan for Commercial LEO Development lays out the steps for current and future objectives for the ISS commercial program. The opening to for-profit and marketing activities is a change in the previous restrictions established by NASA. [The current] ISS National Lab mandate is limited to research and development, said Stephanie Schierholz, lead spokesperson of public affairs at NASA. This effort [of commercialization] is intended to broaden the scope of commercial activity on the space station beyond the ISS National Lab mandate. Commercial companies can now pay astronauts to advertise their products, use the space station for product manufacturing, and even use the ISS for marketing and entertainment purposes such as films, documentaries, and sporting events. This also opens the door for space tourism and transportation of people and cargo in low-Earth orbit. Editors Pick: Making the Moon Accessible The stations last open port will be made available for commercial business where a new module can be attached. But it isnt cheap. A trip to the ISS will end up costing over $50 million. NASAs pricing policy breaks down its services into different categories, such as life support, stowage, power, and data downlink. Companies can purchase crew time up to 90 hours and limit the commercial cargo to 175 kilograms per year. Starting next year, commercial astronauts can stay on the ISS for short-durations. This coincides with the commercial space shuttle launches from Boeing and SpaceX, which will be available for private companies to send commercial astronauts into space. NASA will charge $35,000 a night per commercial astronaut to stay on the ISS. Several companies have already proposed their LEO commercialization studies with NASA. Axiom, Boeing, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin are just some of the companies looking to launch pilot studies to help shape the framework of a LEO economy. NASA has provided a guide for those looking to get their commercial activity on the ISS. Read more about the Commercial Crew: The Return of Manned Missions A LEO economy will be vital for the ISS and NASA going forward. According to the Washington Post, funding for the ISS will end in 2024. Currently, a third of NASAs $3-billion annual operating budget goes toward the ISS. As we continue to push for the commercialization of space travel and look toward establishing the moon as a base for future Mars missions, we will need the ISS and other low-orbit space stations for supplies, fuel, and resources. This endeavor of colonizing space is too great for just NASA, and by using the resources of private companies, we can establish a network of services for future space travel. Carlos Gonzalez is special projects editor.

17 Best Work From Home Jobs (And Where To Find Them) - Resumonk Blog

17 Best Work From Home Jobs (And Where To Find Them) - Resumonk Blog 17 Best Work From Home Jobs (And Where To Find Them) Have you ever dreamed of working from the comfort of your own home? Avoiding the manic traffic everyday, and reclaiming those countless hours spent in the commute? A work-from-home job helps you get more time for yourself. You can choose to spend that time with your loved ones, or acquire a new skill, or work on your favorite hobby. Working remotely is already a reality for many people. From stay-at-home moms to avid travelers and entrepreneurs, a remote career can take many different forms. Many military spouses are even choosing a work-from-home career they can take with them over traditional employment. If you’re looking for a work-from-home opportunity that fits within your skills and education, here are 17 of the most popular remote working jobs. 1. Customer Service Representative If you’re great at solving problems or resolving conflict, you may want to consider taking a customer service representative job. As a customer service representative, you can answer questions, assist customers and fix problems, all from the comfort of your own home. A great place to find remote customer support jobs is the  We Work Remotely job board. Customer service jobs are also easy to find on your regular job-search sites, like Careerbuilder. You could also check out Upwork, which is dedicated to listing telecommuting positions. 2. Online Tutor Being an online tutor allows you to help students all over the world develop their education and understand information. In order to be an online tutor, you typically need to have some level of education or experience in the areas you’re tutoring in. Online tutors typically get to set their own hourly rate, but most make between $10 and $40 an hour. You’ll want a price that reflects your education and experience. A good place to start your online tutoring job search would be Tutor.com, which seeks experts in fields ranging from foreign languages to calculus to the principles of management. Another good option to find a tutoring job is Preply. Students across the world use it to find private tutors who teach via Skype. You can also find something more tailored in a round-up like this one, which features 13 different sites for online tutoring positions. 3. Freelance Writer Just about every business or company needs written content. From blog posts and newsletters to grants and contracts, the world of freelance writing is extremely broad. If you’re a strong writer, freelancing may be the right work-from-home job for you. The pay range for freelance writers can be extremely vast. When writing for certain websites or content mills, you may expect to get paid between $1 and $20 for an article. However, if you have the right skills, you could get paid hundreds of dollars per article. You can find freelance writing jobs at these sites: WriterAccess, Textbroker, Scripted, Skyword. Surprisingly enough, Craigslist is also a great place to find freelance writing gigs. You can search for them in several places on the site: under the “Jobs” section, you can find a section specific to writing, as well as part-time roles and temporary gigs. When you search the site, you can also switch the location to “telecommute” and narrow down your results to virtual positions only. 4. Social Media Manager Many companies know that social media is important for growing their audience, but they don’t have the time to tackle the task alone. As a social media manager, you can work directly with companies to develop an online presence without ever needing to go into an office. Being a social media manager requires extensive knowledge of social media platforms and how they work in a marketing sense. This means you’ll probably need some education or experience in marketing before you get hired. However, many marketing managers charge upwards of $100 an hour for their services. We Work Remotely  also lists remote marketing jobs and many of them pay really well. Hubstaff Talent has a specific section for marketing sales jobs that are remote and you can also consider creating your profile on it. This would help you in connecting with companies that are looking for remote workers. You can also check out FlexJobs.com, or perform a search on LinkedIn. A search on a regular job site like Monster can also pair you up with plenty of social-media management positions, though you might have to search a bit deeper to find one that lets you telecommute. 5. Multi-Level Marketing Sales Selling for a multi-level marketing company, also known as an MLM, is one of the most popular kinds of work-from-home jobs. There’s a variety of companies that operate on a multi-level marketing system, including those that sell makeup, jewelry, kitchen supplies, health supplements and more. To begin in an MLM, you typically don’t need to have any specific education, but an entrepreneurial mindset will help you go far. The amount of money you can make as a salesperson depends on the amount you sell and the company you work for. Typically, you’ll take home around 30% of your entire sales. The American Marketing Association has a dedicated job board for site users, and all of the postings are obviously tailored to the field. 6. Software Programmer Arguably, software programming has the highest number of well paying remote jobs. Good programmers are highly in demand and many employers are willing to hire them remotely. You can check these particular job boards for remote programming jobs: Remote OK, Stack Overflow Jobs, GitHub Jobs. 7. Graphic User Interface Designer Graphic Designers typically create pixel perfect logos, brochures, flyers and other marketing collateral. User Interface Designers create usable and beautiful interfaces for websites, apps and other software. Typically they are proficient in HTML, CSS and JavaScript as well along with having expertise in tools like Adobe Photoshop. There are a lot of good remote jobs available for these designers. You can find them at Dribbble, Remote OK and Fiverr. 8. Website Tester Before a website goes live, companies will ask individuals to browse through to catch any mistakes, broken links or missing items. As a website tester, it’s your job to comb through copy, click different pages and find each and every piece that may have been forgotten about on the website. Website testers typically get paid by the test, rather than by the hour. However, this means that the more test you can complete, the higher your hourly rate will be. For most individuals, this comes to about $10 for 20 minutes of work. As the world goes digital, more and more options are available for aspiring website testers. You can join sites like 99tests or uTest to find paid testing projects. Also, check out User Testing, which pays $10 after you visit a site and carry out a few tasks or answer questions about its usability. Enroll offers much the same to its testers, as do these other sites from around the world.   9. Tech Support Provider A tech support provider is a type of customer service representative who specializes in providing tech assistance and advice. Because tech support providers are a bit more specialized, they tend to make more money than the average customer service representative. In order to get a job as a tech support provider, you’ll need to have great customer service skills, problem solving abilities and extensive knowledge in tech. You can expect to earn around $15 an hour as a tech support provider. As tech support is similar to customer service, you can try Upwork for jobs in this field, too. You might also want to think of tech companies that you call for virtual support and see if they’re hiring. Apple, for example, has jobs available for remote support. 10. Virtual Assistant Virtual assistants, also called VAs, assist business professionals or entrepreneurs with their day-to-day activities. They  may specialize in certain tasks or perform all the duties of a typical assistant. To become a virtual assistant, you may choose to go through a staffing company or work independently. Working with a staffing company can guarantee you a salary and work, but working on your own means you could get paid more. Some VAs even charge upwards of $100 an hour. You could search for jobs via VirtualAssistantJobs.com, although traditional job-search sites like Indeed.com have plenty of listings, too. 11. Translator If you’re fluent in more than one language, a translator job may be the best fit for you. However, most translation jobs also want the individual to account for cultural differences and phrases that don’t translate word-for-word. Translator jobs typically pay by project rather than by hour. The price of a project is determined by how long the document or video is, so if you can secure longer translating projects, you can make a decent income from at-home translation. As communication crosses borders more and more, you’ll be happy to find that the internet is replete with translation-based tasks that you can complete at home. TranslatorCafe.com links translators with the clients who seek them, while TranslatorsBase.com has a wide variety of translation jobs available. 12. Survey Taker Major brands and companies are always looking for feedback about their products or services. To entice more users to take their surveys, they’ll pay you for your time. Through online research companies, you can take a variety of surveys that can add up. Compensation for surveys can vary immensely depending on the company and level of commitment. Some surveys may pay upwards of $50, while others may be as low as $1. There are seemingly endless sites that offer payment in exchange for taking a survey. American Consumer Opinion has more than 6 million members who take part in surveys and research projects, for one. A quick Google search will also pair you up with articles like this one, which lists more than 20 sites where your survey opinions will be paid-for. 13. Telephone Nurse If you have a nursing degree, being a telephone nurse is a great way for you to work from home while still using your skills and education. As a telephone nurse, you’ll spend your days educating patients or providing advice on treatment. To be a telephone nurse you do need to have an education in nursing. However, you’ll be compensated similarly to a regular nursing salary. You can find nursing jobs across USA on Nurse.com. Of course, the majority of them will be openings in hospitals -  in-person positions -  so narrow your search to include telephone-based positions only. Similar sites include NursingJobs.com and NurseRecruiter.com. 14. Medical Transcriptionist Medical transcriptionists listen to doctors, nurses and other medical professionals dictate and then they transcribe those conversations. For someone with great listening skills and experience transcribing conversations, a medical transcriptionist can be a profitable work-at-home career. The average hourly rate for a medical transcriptionist is a little less than $18. You may need to undergo certain training in order to get hired as a medical transcriptionist. We’ve already mentioned Upwork, which offers medical transcription jobs, too. You can also check out Capital Typing, which posts a bevy of transcription openings or go it on your own with a few tips on how to find medical transcription jobs.   15. Data Entry Inputting data is a time-consuming job, but it’s necessary. Many companies are looking to outsource their data entry, making it an excellent at-home job for anyone who can type quickly. Individuals who choose the data entry path can expect to make around $10 to $20 an hour. Freelancer.com has a wealth of positions available, though you’ll have to bid on jobs against other freelancers. More specific data-entry jobs are available, too. 16. Consultant If you believe you have insights and lessons worth sharing, you may be able to make it as a consultant. To be a work-at-home consultant, you typically need to have vast experience or knowledge in a certain area. The most successful consultants are those who have spent a decent amount of time in the workforce, such as retirees or parents on leave. The level of consulting you provide will determine how much money you can make. For many, consulting is a great way to make a full-time income from the comfort of their own home. Toptal.com is devoted to consultancy positions, listing short-term, high-quality contracts for consultants with experience. We’ve already mentioned Indeed.com, which is great for professional positions in all fields, but particularly suits your search for consultancy positions, too. 17. Search Engine Evaluator Search engines, such as Google and Bing, are always looking for ways to ensure their results meet human standards. While their algorithms are always shifting to present the best results after a search, they need real users to test the pages and check that the right sites are appearing at the top. Search engine evaluators provide feedback to search engine companies on what’s working correctly and what needs to be improved. The average hourly rate for a search engine evaluator is about $12. Some web-search jobs require you to chat on the phone all day long, but you can find plenty of sites that let you work independently and completely virtually, including LionBridge.com and Leapforce.com. Work-from-home employment is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, work from home jobs have grown as much as 80%. Whether you’re looking for full-time work or a part-time gig, there’s a work-from-home job out there for you! p.s. Resumonk helps you create a beautiful résumé cover letter in minutes. Stand out from the crowd and multiply your  chances of landing your dream job. Check it out now.

Why You Dont Need to Take a Full-Time Job Right After College - The Muse

Why You Dont Need to Take a Full-Time Job Right After College - The Muse Why You Dont Need to Take a Full-Time Job Right After College It was the end of my senior year in college. And I had two choices: Get a “real” 9-to-5 job. Or don’t. OK, looking back, there were more than two choices. Nonetheless, I knew I wanted an adventure: an off-the-beaten-path experience. Not being stuck in a cubicle. This is how I eventually found myself teaching English in Thailand. My experience living and working there led me to where I am today. (Hint: Where I am “today” has nothing to do with what I thought I wanted, and Thailand showed me that.) This is why I went, and how it changed me. 1. I Was Unsure of What I Wanted to Do With my Life I am still unsure, in many ways, of “what I want to do with my life.” And I believe we, as humans, are constantly evolving and always changing what we want to do. Nevertheless, when I graduated back in 2012, I was very unsure of what I wanted to do. My problem, if you could call it that, is that I like everything. It’s hard for me to stay focused and define goals- though, with maturity, that has become easier. I always liked everything I studied in school: economics, statistics, English, and so on. Eventually, I ended up majoring in history. Why? Because my dad told me “it was reputable.” Still unsure of what I wanted to do with my life, I was nervous to jump into a career I disliked, so I traveled to Thailand instead. 2. I Feared Jumping Into a Full-Time Job- and Hating It I recall looking at job descriptions my senior year and saying to myself: “No.” Just no. Nothing sounded appealing; nothing seemed like I could do that for the rest of my life. Or even a year. But unlike a “real job,” teaching in Thailand was a relatively short-term gig: six to 12 months. I liked it because I had the option to extend my stay if I wanted to. Or heck, if things went bad, I could always leave on the spot. Knowing this made teaching overseas much more appealing. 3. I Always Had a Passion for East-Asian Culture Despite all my uncertainty, I knew I loved Asia. After studying abroad in Shanghai previously, my entire college career became dedicated to Asia. Following that, I spun projects to somehow relate to Asia in any way possible. So for me, to teach in Thailand wasn’t a completely random decision. In fact, I was dying to go back to Asia. To travel more, to live there again. If you’re like me- unsure about a lot, but have an unwavering interest in one thing, I highly suggest exploring that. Maybe it’s fitness, or cooking. Perhaps it’s skiing. Whatever it may be, you won’t regret pursuing a passion as you search for the work that fulfills you. Even if it doesn’t pan like you had planned. 4. I Thought I Wanted to Go to Grad School While still being uncertain about a lot, I was pretty certain that I wanted to go to grad school. (I think most people who are uncertain of what they want to do think they want to go to grad school.) Specifically, I thought I would study economic development in East Asia. So it made sense to go back to Asia and gain more experience living there before heading to graduate school. I never did make it to graduate school. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Moreover, today I do nothing related to East Asia or economics. Advice to others wanting to go to grad school (or law school) right out of college: Wait. Get a job in the industry- see if it’s something you really want to do. After I was finished teaching for six months, this is exactly what I did: I got a job at a Thai think tank in their economic development department. It was my “dream job,” or so I thought. Turns out: I was dead wrong. I only lasted in that role for three months. It wasn’t what I thought it would be. But it was there that I first began teaching myself to code- and loved it. As this realization set it, I dropped the GRE classes I had been taking, as well as the many hours a week I spent studying for the test. I asked myself: “Why am I studying outdated vocabulary words, when I could be learning real-life skills?” and began to teach myself how to build basic websites. I would never have found the work I have and love now if I’d set straight off for grad school first. 5. I Could Go on a Long Trip, Because I Had Few Major Responsibilities Sure, my boyfriend was not jumping for joy at the thought of me being gone, in exotic Thailand, for over six months. But as a healthy, 22-year-old girl, I knew I needed to explore. And more importantly, I had little responsibilities: No husband No children Healthy parents No mortgage And so on Fortunately, I had the awareness to realize that this was a fleeting opportunity. And to take it. Your early 20s is probably the best time to travel. It is a sweet spot of little responsibility, coupled with youth and overall health. And just enough money to get by. I don’t care what industry you’re in (heck, now I am in tech): Travel. And do it while you’re young. There’s a thousand excuses you can make about why “now” is not a good time. But trust me, as you get older, it’s only going to become more difficult. And the next thing you know, you’ll be in your 40s or 50s wondering why you never made it to Europe. Sure, you can travel when you retire. (And many people do. I plan on being one of them.) But it’s not the same as when you’re young and unbound from all the responsibilities that come with age. 6. I Wanted a Challenge At the end of it all, I wanted a challenge. And that’s what I got. Yes, Thailand is fun. But when I was teaching- which I was for most of my time there- I was in the middle of Thailand. I was not living on an exotic beach or partying every night in Bangkok. Rather, I was completely isolated as one of two Westerners in my town. Even more, I: Was the only Western female in the town Was in a town where only two others could speak English fluently Lived alone for the first time (and I lived in a house without a sink or toilet flusher) Dealt with snakes, cockroaches, huge freaking lizards, and packs of stray dogs (who would snap at you) on a daily basis Had to bicycle to get almost everywhere- and this was not some cosmopolitan area with bike-friendly roads When I decided to teach in Thailand, I didn’t realize what I was signing up for. The truth is: I tried to not think about it and just deal with it when I got there. But to this day, I try to embrace this mindset: Take action, don’t think about all the “what ifs.” Like many people, I tend to overanalyze decisions. And, as a result, fail to take action. One of my favorite sayings is, “Good things take time. Great things happen all at once.” The riskiest decisions (within good reason) tend to be the best in the long run. And if not, it’s a lesson lived. As long as you walk away learning something new, and can bring this knowledge with you into the future, it was a worthwhile experience. 7. Living Alone in Thailand Forced Me to Find Myself In the end, spending nine months in Thailand changed me as a person and it changed my life and career trajectory. Afterward- and even still, to this day- I had a sense of confidence and independence from that experience. Sometimes, I still tell myself, “I fought off wild dogs! I got this!” Ultimately, going outside of your comfort zone allows you to develop as a person. By itself, traveling alone or working somewhere new alone is empowering and challenging, but most of all, rewarding. Whether you decide to travel like I did, move to a new city for a new career, or even do something totally out of the ordinary- like take an improv class or skydive: Being scared is good for you. Being scared, or living with uncertainty, pushes you to the next level. It allows for new self-discoveries- discoveries that just don’t happen when you’re sitting in the same office, or living in the same city, in the same house, with the same people. For me, living alone in Thailand for nine months led me to where I am today: doing content strategy and front-end development. As disparate as the two may seem- economic development and website design and content strategy- being completely alone for the first time gave me the chance to explore areas I had never considered, which I now consider my greatest interests and passions. When you’re totally alone, you learn a lot about yourself. When you can’t communicate with people around you, you are forced to “communicate” with yourself. Despite it taking several months, being alone in Thailand led me down a path of self-discovery. If it weren’t for Thailand, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Photo of person hiking courtesy of Shutterstock.

10 Ways to Push Yourself to Think Outside the Box

10 Ways to Push Yourself to Think Outside the Box 10 Ways to Push Yourself to Think Outside the Box Although the jargon may be a bit overused, people who think outside the box are often labeled as innovators, a desirable quality in life and business. It’s easy and safe to go with the flow, but leaders buck trends rather than follow them. We’ve all been in that meeting where the team was encouraged to “think outside the box.” The problem is that we’re creatures of habit, and most of us prefer the comfort of familiar routines. Thinking outside the box can mean challenging long-held beliefs. It’s about answering “These are our best practices” not with a nod, but with a raised eyebrow. Companies often avoid risks that could have a negative effect on their profits, even when there are plenty of success stories to illustrate that some risks not only pay off, they pay off big. Steve Jobs was fired by the board of directors of the company he founded. But later, after Apple bought the NeXT operating system his team created, Jobs went on to become the CEO of Apple and stocks rose 9,000 percent under his leadership. Despite the chance for failure and rejection , risks are essential for growth on a personal and business level. And yet, although we’re often told we   should  think outside the box, we’re rarely told how. When you’re struggling to come up with fresh ideas, there are some simple tricks to help you step out of your comfort zone and think in an innovative way. With their vivid imaginations, kids are natural innovators. If you think your problem is too complex for a child to understand, take some time to figure out how to explain it simply. Richard Feynman, the late Nobel Laureate in physics, is attributed with saying, “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t really understand it.” Sometimes the very act of figuring out how to explain a complex problem in simple terms results in an innovative solution. Routine is the enemy of innovative thinking, but so is precedent. Sometimes, we struggle to shift away from the way we’ve always done things. Imagining a clean slate can help you change perspective and think outside the box. Most of the pushback we get - whether from management, colleagues or our own brains - comes with a simple phrase: “That’s how we’ve always done it.” We’re hardwired to resist change, especially when what we’ve been doing has been working okay, if not spectacularly. When the routine is the roadblock, “why” is the battering ram. Asking “But why have we always done it that way?” can reveal flaws and make way for creative thinking. Psychology Today suggests a few surprising exercises that can get your brain unstuck when you’re trying to think outside the box. What makes this mental gymnastics so terrifically boosting to your brain is that you’re forced to use all the information - all the letters - and totally rearrange it in your mind. Try this for five minutes a day, three days a week. Increase the amount of letters in the words you are alphabetizing as you get more proficient.  - Mike Byster, Psychology Today Learning something new can help you look at the things you already know how to do from a completely different angle. Freewriting is the act of picking a topic, setting a timer for a short amount of time and writing as fast as you can without stopping to edit. It flows best if you do it with a pen and paper rather than on a computer. The timer adds some pressure to keep writing, forcing your brain to think creatively instead of conventionally. You don’t have to know how to draw - just pick up whatever tools you have on hand (even crayons!) and tap into a completely different part of your brain. It can free your thoughts. Write a word or phrase. Draw a circle around it. Draw a branch and a related word or phrase. Circle that. Repeat. The practice unlocks ideas. A Stanford study revealed that walking frees your creativity both during the walk and for a short time after. Give it a try! This article was originally published on Grammarly . It is reprinted with permission.

The Pitfall of Social Worker Resume

The Pitfall of Social Worker Resume The Battle Over Social Worker Resume and How to Win It Before going out on a work hunt for a new position in the specialty of social work, you must make certain your resume is all up to the job. Just be certain that it's impressive, together with related to the job you're applying to. People trying to locate jobs will need to obtain a professional restart to make the most of their probability of job others. You're also very likely to find more jobs and not as much competition in rural areas rather than cities. Many hiring managers are going to take a chance on a less-seasoned candidate if they are prepared to learn. Conclusion Crafting a social worker resume that catches the interest of hiring managers is essential for getting the job. You ought to be able to compose your social work resume on a SNAP scrip and receive the job. Alternatively, you've got to tailor your resume to find every job that you apply for. Choosing Good Social Worker Resume If you ought to be applying for specialist occupations utilizing dominant businesses, you will need to have an expert CV that could supply you a fantastic welcome. There's more than 1 kind of resume. Since every resume is a distinctive marketing and advertising tool, it should be written in a different method. It's possible to use our professionally created resume templates and one-of-a-kind resume builder to swiftly and easily establish a standout resume. What You Need to Do About Social Worker Resume Starting in the Next 4 Minutes If y ou've got the experience they are searching for, you should invariably use the identical language in your cover letter. Along with everything else you should have in your cover letter, ensure you tackle, head-on, the challenges linked to your relocation. It is important to tailor your cover letter to the particular job. An engaging cover letter is an amazing approach to find an employer to read your resume. Locating a job is one of the most stressful activities you are able to go through in life close to the divorce or deficiency of a relative. So, social workers help them move on with their regular lives in the greatest possible way, otherwise they will probably go in the state of depression or get started taking drugs or locate other outlets to manage their problems. A social worker gives support, ideas and education in an attempt to help individuals that are managing life issues like chronic or terminal illnesses, domestic difficulties or drug addiction. Every social work er, irrespective of experience, should consist of certain essential info on their resume. Hiring managers are accustomed to the conventional interview processnamely, an in-person meeting in their workplace. As much as experience is critical, it is not the one thing hiring managers want to find. You only ought to put jobs on a resume that are related to the role available. The staff ought to know in addition to have a responsibility once it has to do with fire answer. Secondly, you can get away with providing concrete information that does not need an excessive amount of explanation due to the situation which you are in. Finally, research makes it possible to understand whether a position is an excellent fit for you. To compose a strong social worker resume, you will need to give evidence of your capacity to help others. Below you'll find an extensive collection of credentials available based on the region of your practice. Along with a 40-hour work week, social workers may find it essential to work some evenings and weekends to meet up with clients. Many state s strictly require licensure to qualify for social work so that it would be rather hard to get entry immediately after graduation. Some states will ask that you obtain an expert license before you're able to practice. Perhaps you get a lower-level level, but more work experience. Approximately two decades of supervised clinical work experience is necessary for licensure. In school, a certified social worker acts as a liaison between children, relatives and teachers. Continuing education is the very best approach to stay updated on the best practices in your preferred career. In many industries, you want to focus more on certain facets of your resume. You will usually have to pass an examination and work in the area under supervision to acquire licensing. You wish to express a true passion for and comprehension of youth and adolescents who find themselves in a range of situations. You could also incorporate specific social work approaches or practices which you were not able to mention in different sections of your resume. The Social Worker Resume Cover Up Try to consider the absolute most impressive thing you've done in social work, and set it on display. If you want more help, have a look at our guide about how to craft the perfect resume profile. If you have lots of social work experience, you should think about utilizing an expert summary. If your experiences require another page, do it! Employing a resume format will help save you a great deal of time. Begin with the reverse-chronological resume format. Resume formats may be discovered an d downloaded on the internet. The perfect format for your resume is shown in the example that you will just need to adjust for your own personal situation. In order to be a certified clinical social worker, you must get a proper training on the specific job. If you're aiming for advancement or a specialized region of Social Work make sure to find the acceptable Certifications before applying. Make certain you specify positions held. Be certain to indicate which position you're applying for.