Monday, December 30, 2019

Why alone time matters and how to do it properly

Why alone time matters and how to do it properlyWhy alone time matters and how to do it properlyMost days, I work from home, alone. I also often travel alone. Solitude is a central part of my everyday existence. Yet I am not lonely.Working alone doesnt meant I dont collaborate. I schedule virtual and in-person meetings with team members and clients.Traveling alone is less of a sentence to isolation and more of an opportunity to connect with strangers and welcome unexpected encounters into my jurney. It also offers more freedom and flexibility than traveling with others.Theres much written about our culture of distraction, but theres too little discussion of the value of time spent truly alone. We largely fear it and cling to the pings and prods from our personal devices to keep us in constant company.Dont get me wrong. Connection still matters. It is an important indicator of health and happiness.Studiesindicate that social isolation is more dangerous to your health than obesity, inc reasing your risk of premature death by more than 14%.But quality alone time does not indicate loneliness. Celebrating solitude doesnt condemn connection.Why Is Alone Time So Crucial?For introverts alone time is crucial to recharging . But everyone, even extroverts, benefits mentally from regular intervals spent alone. Think of constant social interaction - be it in-person or digital - as your brain running on a treadmill. It needs to take periodic breathers. When we burnout, we are useless to others and ourselves.Groupthink, the psychological phenomenon when groups overconform and stop thinking as individuals, is largely a result of too much togetherness. Creative brainstorming is most effective when initially conducted solo, with collaboration to follow after those initial seeds of creativity and problem-solving are planted. But more often than not we feel compelled to air all of our ideas publically from inception. Because of our fear of rejection of schwimmbad ideas, this disc ourages the breadth of our creative potential.Alone time has largely become taboo in our always-on, always-connected culture. But solitude clears our heads, gives us focus, and recharges our bodies. It also centers us and creates clarity. Distraction is the nemesis of clarity, so consider solitude your tool for sanity and clear vision. Solitude helps us to reconnect with who we are and who we want to become. In turn, this enhances our relationships and what we can offer those we love and encounter.For those with families, alone time might seem like a scarce commodity or feel selfish. But once you realize you are actually more valuable to the people in your life if you periodically disengage from them, it becomes much easier to prioritize and give yourself permission.How can you create more alone time? Here are three easy, immediately accessible ways you can implement alone time into your life starting today1. UnplugI encourage all my clients to turn their phones off while they sleep . Not on silent or do not disturb, but completely off. It allows you to be off-duty and avoid temptation to check messages or emails - to truly disconnect. Remember that digitally-distracted interactions are different than intimate, empathic conversations.Bring that unplugged mentality to your individual encounters. Being truly alone with someone is one of the greatest gifts you can give.2. Schedule Dates With YourselfOne of my favorite pastimes is to go to the movies by myself. I kurze unterhose into an alternate reality where I dont need to be social or productive. My mind wanders and my body relaxes. I emerge recharged and ready to re-engage with the world.Its also a way to take back control - to do what you want, how you want to do it. When we feel a sense of agency, we are happier. Your solo date might be a surf session or a hike in the woods, or perhaps its getting lost in a book. Whatever it is, schedule it, make it purposeful, and indulge regularly.3. Actively ReflectSomet imes we need to formally recognize the benefit of something before we can prioritize it. Identity the ways you want to spend your alone time - in nature, unplugged from technology, or lost in a creative pursuit - and actively reflect on how you feel before and after.Perhaps you free write about your week after implementing these experiments. Or perhaps its only a 10-minute meditation session where you feel the difference in your mind and body. Using whatever method most resonates with you, take a few moments to recognize the feedback and results of your efforts, and use that to fuel your commitment to regular alone time.By taking control of your time, and prioritizing time by yourself, youll be more productive and better connect with friends, family, and colleagues when together.Anna Akbari, PhD is a sociologist, the founder ofSociology of Style, and the author ofStartup Your Life Hustle and Hack Your Way To Happiness.This article was originally published on Talkspace.com.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

5 ways to be frugal while saving the environment

5 ways to be frugal while saving the environment5 ways to be frugal while saving the environmentRecently I read a post very similar to this one. I always try to be frugal and help the environment, so I was compelled to present some ideas of my own. At the same time, I know I need to be better about some of these things.So, this is also a way to hold myself accountable in the areas in which I am slacking.Its really quite interesting because the mora you think about it, the mora you realize that these two ideas are more compatible than you may realize.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreSo, what do you do to be frugal?1. Bring Yur Lunch Instead of Buying ItRemember how I said I need to get better about a lot of these? Well, bringing my lunch is what I would call exhibit A. Indeed, there are a lot of days when I feel like I should have brought my lunch, but I simply didnt have the moti vation.Heres the thing, though buying my lunch means using more single-use, disposable items. If I buy my lunch, both the containers I use as well as my utensils will end up in the trash.Thats a big deal since according to the Earth Day Network, takeout orders account foraround 269,000 US tons of pbelastungic wastethat have entered the oceans.And look I get it. Many of us dont think about these things because they dont affect our daily lives.Well, at some point they will affect our daily lives more based on current trends, but still. Even if you just dont care about the growing amount of single-use disposables in our landfills and our oceans, we all know that bringing your lunch to work will be cheaper than buying it.What better way to be frugal than buying your own lunch?2. Be Frugal by Ditching Bottled WaterYes, it is true that tap water can be compromised in some cases. One such case is local to my area, where Chemours hasprovided bottled waterto families whose water supplies ar e potentially tainted by a chemical called GenX.More recently Chemours haspushed water filtersas a solution, but I can understand why people would want bottled water in this situation.And those folks arent alone. Themost recent EPA dataI could find shows that 91.4 percent of water systems in the USmeet all applicable health-based drinking water standards. 91.4 percent is pretty good, but that leaves a very rough 28 million people whose water system doesnt meet federal guidelines.It would be nearly impossible to figure out how many people are actually serviced byeach oneof these systems that dont meet federal guidelines. So I did the next best thing and multiplied the population of the US by the remaining 8.6 percent.Similarly, bottled and canned soda creates unnecessary waste in plus-rechnen to being expensive. Sure, buying a 24-pack of soda from Wal-Mart is relatively cheap, but hitting up the vending machine certainly isnt.As an alternative, I picked up Drinkmateseveral months bac k and I must say I love this thing It helps me cut back on waste, cut back on actual soda, and best of all, its cheaper in the long run.In addition to ditching bottled water, its always a good idea toreduce water usagein general.You Have OptionsAll that said, even the aforementioned people have options. Even for them, bottled water is bedrngnis automatically the one and only solution. In aninterview with NPR, Elizabeth Royte mentioned that a good place to start in your approach isyour right-to-know report or consumer-confidence report.These reports are required if youre part of a community water system, and they will tell you what is in your water supply.Once you know what is in your water supply, you can determine whether different types of filters would remove all potential contaminants. If something basic such as a Brita pitcher wont get the job done, Royte mentionedreverse osmosis filters. These filters remove nearly everything, she says.While these filters arent cheap, they ca n last an extremely long time 10 to 15 years with regular maintenance,says Water Tech. That solution is quite obviously much cheaper in the long run than bottled water not to mention creation far less pollution.I realize this is a complicated situation, to say the least. Still, we shouldnt assume that bottled water is the best or the only solution because that simply isnt true. Do your research and you may find you have other options.3. Use Public Transportation to Be FrugalI realize this is not an option for everyone. If you have it though, you should take advantage. Many commuter trains run on electricity, which is far more efficient than gas. Even the ones that arent electric are typically diesel-powered still more efficient than gas.Its no secret that I like prefer electric forms of transportation over those that pollute the atmosphere. Yes, I have seen some debate over how much better electricity really is given that power plants burn coal and other pollutants in many cases. But I find these arguments counter-productive.Electric trains are themost efficient means of transportation. Conversely, gasoline-powered cars arevery inefficient. In addition, its much easier to regulate a few power plants than it is to regulate millions of vehicles.Thus, if we only have to regulate the pollution being done by the power plants, its much easier to control what enters the atmosphere.And even if you ride a diesel-powered train or bus, the footprint is still much better. After all, diesel is already better than gas. Plus, you are carpooling in that scenario.By that I mean having only one vehicle for several passengers. Reducing the number of vehicles on the road will almost always create less pollution.Oh, and I havent even mentioned the cost. In the interest of the theme of this post, Id be remiss if I didnt do so. Luckily, ThoughtCo. hasalready done that for me.Spoiler alert yes, public transit is probably cheaper than driving. So indeed, its a great way to be fruga l.4. Frugal Living Tip Buy in BulkThis is a great frugal living tip. While I do not have a Costco membership myself, many people in the FI community do. And they swear by it.It may not make sense to have a membership if you are single or have a small family. For larger families, it might be worth considering.I would guess that most of us are familiar with the idea of buying in bulk. You pay more up front but pay less per unit, making it cheaper in the long run.At the same time, although the profit margin is smallerper item,it still works as a business model since you are committing to buying more of them.This is basically the same business model that makes Walmart so successful. They just sell more items in smaller quantities, but at a low cost with slim profit margins. What can we say we like low prices.Coming back to the idea of buying bulk yes, the cost is lower in the long run. What we dont often talk about, though, is the packaging. Consider toilet paper, for example. The redu ction in waste may not be huge. But when you consider having to package four rolls compared to packaging 30 of them, you will inevitably use more plastic on seven or eight packs of four.These small differences can really add up over time.5. Switch to Shampoo Bars (in Bulk if Possible)This is a change I have not yet done myself, but I will in the near future. If you arent familiar withshampoo bars, they are very similar to the shampoo bars many of us know. But, of course, the formula is different so that they are better for washing hair.Needless to say, this one lines up with the overall message here. Not only can buying shampoo bars in bulk be cheaper than buying shampoo bottles, but they are often packaged in paper.That means you eliminate a lot of the plastic you would normally be getting with shampoo bottles.I havent checked my local options yet, but if you can buy them locally at a reasonable price, that also helps. Doing so means you are cutting down on packing materials, which yet again reduces waste.Lastly, and this is just a bonus frugal living tip Ive read that if you use shampoo bars, you should get a well-drained soap dish.The reason for that is because if they sit in water, it speeds up the dissolving process. Getting a soap dish allows you to prevent wasting it.Frugal Living Tips the Environment Will Thanks Us ForThe environment is a complicated thing. Very complicated. Typically when we are done using things, we shove them in a corner of the world where they arent visible. Because they are sort of hidden, we wont necessarily notice the effects of reducing waste immediately.This article first appeared on the Frugal Fellow.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Free Microsoft Word Thank You Letter Templates

Free Microsoft Word Thank You Letter vorlagesFree Microsoft Word Thank You Letter TemplatesJob searching can be a long and exhausting process. Between applying for new jobs, updating your resume, and preparing for interviews, looking for work can feel like a full-time job. In a challenging economy, competition for roles is tough, and it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Luckily, there is one easy way to set yourself apart and make an excellent impression writing thank-you notes. Why Write a Thank-You musiknote? While it may seem old-fashioned, a thank-you note after an interview can only help you in the hiring process. If used properly, a thank-you note can Remind the hiring manager of your skillset and highlights from your interview, as well as emphasize your enthusiasm for the role.Demonstrate your soft skills, including communication and writing skills. Beyond showing off your specific skills, sending a thank-you letter makes you seem more professional. It shows th e hiring manager that you understand how to be polite in a professional setting.Give you a second chance to highlight an important detail. Did you forget to mention a crucial skill, important work experience, or essential qualifications? Your thank-you note gives you another chance to make a good impression. Fix a mistake. Think youve blown the job interview? A well-written note might redeem you and give you another shot at the job. Explain what went wrong, highlight your references, and ask for another chance.Differentiate you from the competition. If it comes down to two candidates who are equal, a thank-you letter may very well be the deciding factor. Remember that job interviews are only partly about skills and abilities. Once the field has narrowed to qualified applicants, hiring managers start looking for folks wholl fit in with the team. Show that youre the most considerate candidate, and they may well decide that youre the one theyd like to work with every day. What Do I Include in a Thank-You Note? A post-interview thank-you note does not have to be very lengthy. Just a few sentences is sufficient to convey your interest in the position, remind them of your talents, and thank them. You want to be gracious and appreciative of the interviewers time and show that you want to work alongside them as part of a team. Think of your note as a sales pitch and reiterate why you want the job, how youre qualified for the role, and why youre a better choice than the competition. What Should a Thank-You Letter Look Like? Thank-you letters can be sent in many forms some people like traditional note cards, but if the hiring process is going quickly, you may want to send an electronic version to make sure it gets there in time. Email is increasingly acceptable, but a handwritten note, if time allows, is recommended. Regular mail is less common and will make a more lasting impression. But if you have poor handwriting, a typed letter is perfectly fine, too. Micr osoft makes it easy by offering attractive templates. Download a Free Template Microsoft interview letter templates are available as a free download for Microsoft Word users, or available within your Word program, to use to create an interview thank-you or follow-up letter. To access these letter templates from your computer Open Microsoft Word, then click on FileNewType keywords, e.g., thank you letter, into the search box.Select interview thank-you letter from the templates displayed To access the templates online Visit the Letters section in Microsoft Templates, browse the letter templates, then click on the letter title to preview the sample. Click the Download Now button, then follow the instructions to download the letter template to your computer. Dont see what youre looking for? Try other free Microsoft templates, including cover letters, resignation letters, reference letters, thank-you letters, interview letters, and a variety of geschftsleben letters. Other Tips fo r Sending a Thank-You Note That Gets Results Always customize your thank-you note. While templates can be a solid jumping-off point for your katechese, its essential to personalize your note with details from your interview experience and skillset. The last thing you want is for the hiring manager to notice that your letter bears a strong resemblance to an online template.Proofread your note before sending. A careless mistake could cost you the interviewers confidence, and therefore the job.Test your email message if you send your note electronically. Send yourself a test message to make sure that there are no formatting mistakes before you pass your message along to the hiring manager. Send your message within 24 hours, if possible.

Monday, December 16, 2019

SelfDriving Cars Speed Ahead

SelfDriving Cars Speed Ahead SelfDriving Cars Speed Ahead Chris Gerdes isnt your typical car guy. Yes, he likes to drive fast and push his vehicle to the limits, but he takes the tinkering to accomplish all of that to a completely different level. Fitting an Audi TTS with a bevy of sensors that track every nuance of performance, the head of Stanford Universitys Dynamic Design Lab is pushing the limits of driverless car performance. The goal is to develop better safety systems for the next generation of vehicles, whether they are driverless or not.Already the Stanford Audi has performed on the Utah Salt Flats, climbed Pikes Peak and raced to 120 mph on Californias Thunderhill Raceway, finishing the twisting 3-mile road course in under two and a half minutes. Thats all without someone sitting behind the steering wheel, and the track time is slightly less but comparable to a voreingestellt race car driven by a professional driver.Despite the technological advancements, Gerdes, who has a PhD in mechanical engineering, is more than impressed with human driving performance. Race car drivers process speed and braking by getting a feel for the track through the steering wheel. It really amazes me how quickly race car drivers are able to handle this, he says. In a couple of laps, they can determine the cars limits. How are they able to do it?Researchers are attempting to combine biological data from race car drivers with performance data to improve driverless cars. Image Stanford UniversityBreaking down DrivingTo boost performance, Gerdes and his students are tapping brain waves of race car drivers to try and understand what decisions are cognitive and what are based on instinct or experience. Integrating those results with vehicle dynamic data will better use an autonomous cars capabilities, he believes.Gerdes has been working on autonomous driving systems since the 1990s, first on early GPS systems for farm tractors and later with Daimler Benz. In 2009 at Stanford, Vo lkswagen approached the design lab to help with design of robotic race cars for road and rally racing. That dovetailed with Gerdess vision of developing safety systems.If you look at what race car drivers are able to do it could be a fantastic lesson for safety systems, he recalls.Stanfords program certainly isnt the only one looking at self-diving cars. There are many other university programs and labs, including Carnegie Mellon University, where General Motors is helping fund an automated driving research project. But all self-driving cars rely on three things sensors for understanding the cars surroundings, algorithms that decide what actions are needed based on sensor readings, and actuators that steer and brake the car to perform the necessary actions or maneuvers.The Stanford Audi is fitted with a two-antennae differential GPS system, accelerometers and gyroscopes to report exactly what the car is doing on the road. Gerdes says it reports the cars exact location to a couple o f centimeters and measures how much the tires kurze unterhose relative to the road, the main factor in determining how much of the tires capabilities are being used.FrictionIt is all about friction, says Gerdes. When you look at the effort it takes to turn the wheels of a car, a skilled driver knows how much torque to put on the steering wheel, translating into the cars attaining peak friction capability, he says. In the lab, Gerdes and his team have figured out how to calculate friction, which is the capability of the car, or its limits, through sensors on the electric power steering system. Their algorithms that drive the car process all of the data from the sensors and arrive at a driving path and commands to the actuator.And it seems to work remarkably well, as the Audi speeds to 120 mph on track straightaways, and slows enough to take turns efficiently. But the autonomous car cant quite beat the speeds of a professional driver so Gerdes is looking to neuroscience and biology to try and bridge the gap.Signal processing is one thing we do very well in our lab, he says. Gerdes is looking at brain waves and other data such as heart rate and temperature of race car drivers fitted with sensors and electrodes as they drive around the track. To interpret that, the team includes a post-doctoral researcher and Gerdes says the lab will soon collaborate formally with Stanfords school of medicine. Integrating all of that biological information with the cars dynamic data could show them how to improve the autonomous driving capabilities.Coming SoonFully autonomous driving may not be that far away. Three statesCalifornia, Nevada, and Floridapermit self-driving cars and Google is leading the way with its self-driving project. The National Highway Safety Foundation in June issued guidelines for states and is laying the groundwork for national regulations when they become commercially available. For now, the agency only wants the technology used in tests and to be fitted t o allow a driver to take over in case of a malfunction.In the near term, Gerdes envisions driverless safety systems working with drivers to help them out of dangerous situations, such as adjusting speed in a turn. Given how he and his team love to drivea trait most likely shared by much of the motoring publiche is not keen on eliminating the driver behind the wheel. Figuring out how to make technology work cooperatively in dangerous situations is the research challenge.While pushing the car to its limits and driving very fast provides everyone on the team with thrills, the work is all tied to developing systems for safer driving, either autonomously or with a person behind the wheel. Ultimately were developing safety systems, says Gerdes.Register for a free webinar on the latest developments in automotive technology. For Further DiscussionUltimately were developing safety systems.Prof. Chris Gerdes, Stanford University

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

The 3 rules of writing successful pitch emails

The 3 rules of writing successful pitch emailsThe 3 rules of writing successful pitch emailsWhats something that you want in your career? More clients? A new job? Attention for your app? More readers?Whatever it is, before you get it, you need to pitch it to the person who can give it to you. Ive been pitching all kinds of things during my career Myself, my ideas, and my products. My pitches have failed mora times than I can count my successes.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBut those failures have been good to me. As renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, Carlos Gracie Jr., once saidThere is no losing in jiujitsu. You either win or you learn.The only way to survive your career is to not acknowledge failure as a setback. Instead, look at every failed pitch as a lesson. After failing many times, I created 3 rules for sending pitch emails that actually work.When you apply these rules correctly, I guarantee you will get more replies.Rule 1 Never use the Hey, youre awesome techniqueMost cold emails you get from strangers abflug something like thisHey, DariusReally like your work. Ive been reading your articles for a while. I especially enjoyed your article about Topic X.It really resonates with my app/article/product.Thats what I call the Hey, youre awesome technique. You open the email by saying something nice about the other person. And then, you find a way to transition into your ask.Its a sophisticated technique that requires research and effort. Im not criticizing it. I know how much time it takes to craft one of these emails. And it works in many cases. However, it will NOT work when you email people who get dozens of pitches per day.Investors, journalists, bloggers, venture capitalists, C-level executives, or other people that get a lot of requests are good at detecting patterns.Instead, be genuine and get to the point.Theres no need to say something flattering if you dont mean it. And if you do, why not say it to somebody without asking for something in return?Rule 2 Spend 80% of your time on crafting the subject lineI say that for a different reason than you might think. Most people say that the subject line is important because it grabs the attention.True. Ill give you that. But its not why I spend 80% of my time on crafting a subject line. Heres the reason I do itWhen you nail the subject line, you automatically nail the rest of the email.Why? Well, if youre able to describe exactly what your email is about in one short sentence, youve already accomplished your task.When someone reads your subject line, there should be no surprise what the email is about. Thats why I avoid subject lines likeQuick questionA requestIntroducing blah blah blahGuest post about no one caresAnd yes, Ive used all of these in the past. So has every single other professional. And thats the problem. If you want to stand out from the crowd, guess what, YOU HAVE TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD.Just dont use all caps in your subject lines. Other than that, you can do whatever you want as long as it tells you what the email is about andyou make it about the recipient.Rule 3 Never follow-upMost pitch emails you send will not get a response. Thats the nature of the game. But its not the end of the world. And you shouldnt give up after the first try. After all, you know that other people have a lot on their plate.If you dont get a response, that doesnt mean its an automatic no. However, if you screw up the follow-up, youredone.This is something most people dont get. I often get a follow-up email within 24 hours Thats just too much.Heres why. Following up is for annoying salespeople. So please keep this in mind NEVER FOLLOW UP WITH PEOPLE.What? Yes, never mention in your emails that youre following up. Remove those two combined words from your vocabulary.Following up has a negative association. It means hey, I emailed you before, you didnt r espond. Whats up? No one likes that.One of the most successful salespeople I know once told meI never refer to a failed pitch attempt. Instead, I give it some time and reach out again. But the next time, I try an entirely different approach. Its clear the first time didnt work. So you need to be creative.The problem with following up is that people just do more of thesame. And that hardly ever works.Be patient. Do your research. And be creative with your emails.And that, my friend, is the key to sending good pitch emails. Theres no one size fits all. Theres no template that always works.Its hit and miss. But with every miss, you learn something new that increase the chance of your hit the next time.This article first appeared on DariusForoux.com.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Entry Level It Resume Explained

Entry Level It Resume Explained Lies Youve Been Told About Entry Level It Resume The full point of writing a resume is to impress the reader it does elend make a difference if youre experienced in a particular area or not. Just compose two or three quick sentences that you believe sum up your very best skills. Luckily, it is not too complicated to compile a solid resume when you own a format in mind. If at all possible, it is necessary that the resume writer consult another man or institution to proofread their first drafts. As you believe about your resume, focus on such a word potential. A few of these statements use just a couple of lines to present that information, but others go into more detail. At any time you write particulars which are step by step. Even if your information is in bullet format, it may leise be tough to quickly recognize the pertinent abilities and accomplishments which are important to the possible employer. The Importance of Entry Level It Resume You can also see Resume Objectives. Youre likely going to want to include things like a Technical Skills section too. Work settings will change in fund rankings. Entry Level Advice These resume templates are ideal for entry-level job-seekers appearing to submit a polished, professional resume to possible employers. This guide is going to help you single out and display your interpersonal skills to prospective employers. It should read to be an experience-stuffed resume summary, though it isnt one. The summary can highlight different skills that relate to the position. Enter the expert summary. Entry Level It Resume Help It is sometimes a wonderful resource in assisting you to discover the proper Resume Writer. In addition, you can find out more about IT careers on Monster. Secondly, have a look at the web for freelance gigs. Now look at your information technology resume. It is possible to have a look at the IT resume example for more details It highlights the most esse ntial information. Evidently, it displays pertinent contact info and a summary of your abilities and experience. The 30-Second Trick for Entry Level It Resume If you would like to develop your career in a geschftlicher umgang, entry level is the ideal location to start with. An entry level job lends valuable experience since you will find out the way the business functions from the bottom up. If youre planning on submitting an application for an entry level position, you must have a rock star resume that would secure the interest of the recruiter. In fact, an entry level position is a chance for a career. Government projects which are cracking isnt an easy feat, particularly in the event you got the very best way and zero idea. There are scores of unique methods to design your resume. The students take part in just two training program which educates an array of abilities needed in the workplace. Write a blog in the technical region where you want to find work. Her eye-ve ins resemble a map of greater Cleveland. When youre asking for an entry-level position, you may or might not have the precise education or experience that matches the work description and requirements. Your resumes career objective should state that youre seeking to join a stable business in a position that would supply you with the chance to expand your expertise and boost your skills. The Objective statement is currently replaced with just a headline with the work title youre seeking. Whenever you make the choice to pursue a career in IT, its important to bring a tough look at your prior experience. Additionally, its simple to find experience fast for just about any job. Thus, you will need experience to find an entry-level job, but minus the job, you cant acquire experience. On your resume, then you should write on your own knowledge in addition. Like the aforementioned case of the Clerk turned Programmer, in case you have any non-IT small business experience, use that expe rience that will help you pivot into an IT job that could benefit from your experience.About it is really that you wish to learn more concerning the work launching. This job seems coded only for you. The good thing is that for your initial entry-level resume after college, it is leise quite relevant. Searching for an entry-level bursar position.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

4 Signs a Recruiter Should Fire a Client - Spark Hire

4 Signs a Recruiter Should Fire a Client - Spark HireIn recruiting its important to know when you wont be successful with certain clients. Sometimes, failure in this industry is not caused by unreliable candidates or even a recruiters efforts Occasionally, the client is the problem.How do you know when its time to fire your client? There are many red flags to pay attention to if you want to avoid wasting your time. Your client keeps changing the requirements.When your client continues to change the job requirements throughout the recruiting process after you have already confirmed the requirements previously, it may be time to consider dropping this client.If you are doing your job and having the right conversations with your clients in the beginning of the recruiting process, you should know exactly what your client is looking for in buchen to identify the right talent.If the candidates you are submitting are spot on with your clients requirements, there is no reason why your candid ates are not viable. When your client continues to turn down candidates who meet the required profile, you are wasting your time and money.The client no longer responds.Communication is key between a recruiter and client in order to achieve success on both ends. When you are doing your part to follow up with your client throughout the recruiting process, your client should respond back to you in a timely manner.The client recruiter relationship is one that is based on a mutual partnership and trust. If you are not able to trust that your client will respond to your emails or phone calls, then something is missing in your partnership and it will be a long shot that you will make a placement with this client.The client often forgets to inform you that the job has been filled.How many times have you worked with a client who forgot to notify you when a position was filled or put on hold? Of course, there is never any guarantee that a position will stay open for the time it takes you to identify the right talent. However, as soon as the job is gone, it is key that your client inform you.One way to prevent this from happening is for you to stay in constant communication with your client.If this situation becomes a habit with one particular client, its time for you to start turning down his business before you waste anymore time.Your client wants to renegotiate a lower fee.When it comes to the end of the recruiting process, you should expect things to go smoothly as long as you did your job as required and found the right candidate. This is never the time for renegotiations, as typically your fee is discussed and agreed upon early in the process. However, there will always a client who thinks that you should be able to give him a better absprache after finding the perfect candidate.Why clients have this expectation, I dont know. After all, it is not common that they will have the same expectation of services other than recruiting.Always stick to your guns and have t he expectation that your client pay you for the good service you provide. If you have a client who makes it a habit to renegotiate your fee at the end of the process, its time to stop doing business with this client. When your client does not recognize the value of your service, you will waste your time trying to prove your value each time you work with him.What are some other red flags that its time to firea client?

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Navy Construction Electrician (CE)

Navy Construction Electrician (CE)Navy Construction Electrician (CE)The Naval Construction Forces (NCF) - also known as Sea-Bees are an engineering fighting force.Their history dates back during the days immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor when the military needed Construction Battalions (CB) to build bases, airfields, and ports throughout the Pacific and Atlantic.They also needed to be soldiers too and are trained to fight. The motto of the Sea-Bees is See-Bees Can Do as well as We Build - We Fight. There are many jobs within the Naval Construction Forces from Builder, Electrician, Equipment Operator, Steelworker, Engineering Aide, Utility Man, as well as Underwater Construction Teams who are diverse, underwater welders, and work with explosives.All can be used in combat operations if needed. Construction Electricians (CE) Construction Electricians are first responsible for producing the electric power needed to build and operate airfields, roads, barracks, hospitals on other needed buildings on a base or forward operating base.Construction Electricians build, maintain, and operate power production facilities and electrical distribution systems for Naval installations. The Construction Electrician enlistment tour is a 5-year program mainly due to the long school required to make competent Construction Electricians. The duties performed by CEs include installing, maintaining and repairing telephone systems and high and low voltage electrical power distribution networks, both overhead and undergroundsplicing and laying cables, erecting poles, stringing wires and installing transformers and distribution panelsinstalling, repairing and maintaining street lighting, fire alarm, public address, inter-office and telephone switchboard systemsinstalling, maintaining and repairing interior wiring for lighting and electrical equipmentworking with batteries, electric motors, relays, solenoids, and switches operating electrical generatorsreading an d interpreting blueprints and preparing sketches for projectsmaking estimates of material, labor, and equipment requirements. Combat Skills Chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) response including individual and unit protection and decontamination.They coordinate disaster recovery teams (DRT) and airfield damage repair (ADR) teams and also perform camp security.They will build obstacles to prevent base or camp destruction, stand guard duty in observation posts, go on patrols with squad/platoon-sized elements, and drive in convoys.Sea-Bees are small arms qualified as well as crew-served weapons systems and trained in advanced first aid. Working Environment CEs may work in a variety of conditions, independently or as members of a large team. Their many different duties may be performed in climates ranging from tropical to arctic. A-School (Job School) Information For combat training that set the new Sea Bees exotisch from regular construction employment, the newly boot camp graduate will attend a four-week course known as Expeditionary Combat Skills (ECS) at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Port Hueneme, California. At ECS, the Sea Bees will be taught basic combat-skills learning land navigation, basic medical first aid, mission planning, security planning, and many other combat-related skills. The Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Detachment is located at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.The mission of the Navy detachment at Sheppard is to train and inspire Sailors, Airmen, and Soldiers in their chosen career fields as electricians and utility men.The CE course is 20 weeks long. ASVAB Score Requirement ARMKEIGS201Security Clearance Requirement None Other Requirements 60-month service obligationMust have normal color perception 20/20 correctable vision Note Advancement (?promotion) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a ratings manning level (i.e., personnel in underma nned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings). Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating First Sea Tour 48 monthsFirst Shore Tour 36 monthsSecond Sea Tour 42 monthsSecond Shore Tour 36 monthsThird Sea Tour 36 monthsThird Shore Tour 36 monthsFourth Sea Tour 36 monthsForth Shore Tour 36 months

Friday, November 22, 2019

Applicant Tracking Systems The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Applicant Tracking Systems The Good, the Bad, and the UglyApplicant Tracking Systems The Good, the Bad, and the Uglyautomates recruitment tracking by handling job applications and resume data electronically.A majority of companies use applicant tracking systems due to the sheer volume of interest they have in each and every position open in their organization. Heres what you need to know about applicant tracking systems (the good, the bad, and the ugly)- and how to beat themThe GoodIt can get you hired faster. Larger organizations are especially fond of using applicant tracking systems since it makes the hiring process faster. After all, when a company is vetting candidates for multiple positions simultaneously, the manpower and budget might not simply be available to process applications quickly. When a company uses an ATS, you may have a betterchance of hearing back quickly since its not justone poor hiring manager who has to weed through endless applications.The BadIts keyword-sen sitive. While applicant tracking systems are a huge benefit for businesses in terms of streamlining the interviewing process, there are some unfortunate drawbacks to using the system for job landseekers. For example, if your resume and titelseite letter dont have the necessary keywords that the ATS is searching for, your application could be rejected- even if you are qualified.The UglyIt doesnt allow your personality to shine through. Beyond the basic information that your resume and cover letter must contain, its important to let employers get a glimpse of who you really are, both as a potential new hire and as a person. Problem is, the ATS is solely scanning to see if youre a match for the job, not if youre witty or if you have a good sense of humor. Since it doesnt focus on personality, your application could be reisepassed over.So how can you get your application through an ATS? While there is no magic formula for beating the system, there are steps to take that can help get you r application through the applicant tracking system and into the hands of HR personnel.Here are five ways to help pass through applicant tracking systems1. Read job descriptions thoroughly. When you read a job description, dont just scan it and submit your application. Pick apart every single aspect of the job listing. Look for keywords, basic job titles, and required experience. Why? These words are the keywords that the applicant tracking system will be scanning submissions for. So be sure to sprinkle them in various parts of your job application so that the ATS will pick them up- and pass you through to the next round.2. Customize your cover letter and resume. When submitting to an applicant tracking system, make sure to personalize your cover letter and resume for every job you apply to. Edit your documents in a way that will professionally use the keywords found in the job description. Having those keywords in your cover letter and resume will allow the applicant tracking syste m to rank you higher and qualify you for a job interview.3. Complete all fields.If you thought that you could pick and choose which parts of an online application to answer, think again. Every single field of the online application should be filled out with correct and error-free information. Leaving gaps in your application could cause it to be rejected, which is the last thing you want, especially if youve spent a lot of time customizing your resume and cover letter. So review your application to ensure that its complete and as perfect as possible.4. Dont use PDF files, tables, or graphics.While you might be tempted to fill your application with fancy schmancy charts and tables, its best to stick to the basics. Remember, the easier it is to scan, the better your chances that the online application will make it further into the process. PDF files are not always recognizable and the system cannot read tables or graphics since they analyze the information differently than humans. Whe n it comes to applicant tracking systems, its better to submit your keyword-rich resume and cover letter as a Word doc.5. Use basic HR wording.The applicant tracking system isnt a fan of flowery language. When penning your application, keep it basic and to the point. Use words and phrases such as work experience, education, skills, and certifications. While it may seem like youre submitting a boring application, its better to submit a straightforward application that the applicant tracking system approves of rather than rejects outright.Wish you could talk through your job search and career questions with someone?SIGN UP FOR CAREER COACHINGJennifer Parris contributed to this post.This is a version of a post that was

Thursday, November 21, 2019

10 Unlikely Jobs With Surprising Pay Increases

10 Unlikely Jobs With Surprising Pay Increases10 Unlikely Jobs With Surprising Pay Increases In the U.S.,t he annual median base pay grew 2.7 percent year over year in April 2017 to $51,350. The Glassdoor Local Pay Reports show pay growth decelerated slightly from the 2.8 percent revised pay growth recorded last month, marking a three-month long downward trend. However, there are 10 occupations who have enjoyed better-than-average wage growth in the past year- and they arent the jobs youd think.Move over tech sector - there are some new high earners in town. The 10 jobs that saw the biggest pay increases areThe great news is that many of these jobs do not require advanced training or schooling, and boast plenty of open roles across the country.Take recruiters, for example, there are over 10,000 open jobs for recruiters listed on Glassdoor. Companies including Carmax, Vonage and even Glassdoor are hiring for Customer Service Managers. And interested job seekers ca n even see how much these roles are expected to pay thanks to salary estimates . The time to apply is nowGlassdoor Local Pay Reports provide a real-time view of wage growth in metro areas across the U.S. based on millions of salaries shared on Glassdoor. Leveraging the same technology and data science behind Glassdoors Know Your Worth product, the Local Pay Reports apply a proprietary machine learning algorithm to estimate median base pay by job title, industry and employer size. Full methodology found here , along with a list of Frequently Asked Questions .