How Hashtags Can Help Your Job Search

How Hashtags Can Help Your Job SearchHow Hashtags Can Help Your Job SearchAre you using hashtags to expedite your job hunt? Hashtags are a useful tool for networking, finding job opportunities, and sharing your own job search to get noticed by employers who are using social media to recruit. How do hashtags work, and whats the best way to use them? If you use social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, you are probably familiar with hashtags. Ahashtag is the pound sign() followed by a word or phrase. When you click on a hashtag (or search for a hashtag), you can landsee all the deutsche post ags on the platform that have included that hashtag. It is a way to identify and group messages on a similar topic. Learn the dos and donts of using hashtags to job search. If you use hashtags in a creative and thoughtful way, you can give your job search a boost and impress hiring managers. Ways to Use Hashtags to Help Your Job Search Learn About a Company If you want to kno w mora about what it is like working at a company, you can use hashtags to get insider information. Many companies have a hashtag that employees use to share stories about life at the company. For example, Target launched a TargetVolunteers hashtag to allow employees to share photos and information on their volunteering experiences. Searching this hashtag can help potential employees learn about how Target encourages employees to give back to local communities. If there is a company you are interested in working for, check to see if they have a company-wide hashtag. Find Available Jobs Many employers use Twitter, Facebook, and even Instagram to post jobs. Often, they will include various hashtags related to the position or the job search in these posts. Search on social media sites for particular hashtags related to job listings (including jobs and jobsearch). To get more specific, you might search forexactjob titles (teachers or teacherjobs) and locations (NewYorkCity or Ohio). Twi tter also has a HireFriday hashtag that some employers use. On Fridays, some companies will post job listings and include the HireFriday hashtag. You can also search for these hashtags onLinkedIn, which now has searchable hashtags. When employers post articles on LinkedIn about job openings, they sometimes use relevant hashtags. Promote Your Job Search Help recruiters find you on your social media and LinkedIn pages by using hashtags that promote your job search. For example, if you are posting something related to your job search (such as a message about your work experience, or a link to your resume), you can include a relevant hashtag,such as jobhunt, employment, or resume. How to Use Hashtags to Network General Networking Whether or not you areactively looking for a job, you can always use hashtags to find people in your industry to network with. First,you can use hashtags to participate in conversations related to your field. Look up key people in your field on social media and see what hashtags they use. When appropriate, include these same hashtags when you post things on social media that are related to your job search or your work. This is a great way to join an online conversation with people in your career network. Helpful Conversations You can use hashtags to converse with people in your field and find and participate inTwitter chats. Twitter chats are regular (usually weekly) conversations that take place on Twitter. Each chat is about a particular topic and is designated by a particular hashtag. By finding and participating in Twitter chats related to your industry, you can connect with people in your field. Professional Events Another way to use hashtags when networking is to use them when you attend aprofessional conference. Most conferences and networking events have a hashtag that you can use when posting pictures and sharing information about the event on social media. You can use the hashtag to share your thoughts on the conference, lea rn about conference events, and connect with other conference attendees. Tips for Using Hashtags for Job Searching Use hashtags that are already common.Dont create new hashtags and hope that people start to use them. Make sure to use hashtags that are already popular among the groups you are interested in getting to know. To know which hashtags are popular, check out what influential people in your industry are using on their social media platforms. Ask colleagues which hashtags they use or follow, and whether they participate in any Twitter chats. Be careful which hashtags you use.Similarly, make sure you use hashtags that are not only in use, but are used by people you want to be associated with. For example, if you include the hashtag hunt to try and convey that you are job searching, you will link your post with hunting enthusiasts rather than employment recruiters Before adding a hashtag, do a quick search to see who else tends to use the hashtag. Use hashtags to share prof essional content.Make sure that, when you include a hashtag related to your job search on a social media post, your post is professional. Do not include a hashtag like jobsearching on a post about your pets, for example. Keep both your hashtags and your content professional. Use hashtags sparingly.While hashtags are a useful new tool for job seeking, dont go overboard. You dont want to include dozens of hashtags in every LinkedIn article you post or every tweet you write. Select two or three hashtags that will be particularly useful for your specific job search needs. Similarly, remember to continue to use moretraditional job search methods(such as usingjob search enginesand participating in face-to-facenetworking events). Best Hashtags for a Job Search Here are some popular hashtags that you might consider either using in your own social media posts, or searching for on your various social media platforms. Hashtags for Job Searching JobsJobSearchJobSearchingJobSearchTipsResumeH ireMe Hashtags for Recruiting JobOpeningHiringJoinOurTeamNowHiringRecruitingEmploymentTweetMyJobs Hashtags for Career Advice CareersCareerSuccessPersonalBrandingPersonalDevelopmentResumeTips

The active mindset A sure way to avoid being bored with life

The active mindset A sure way to avoid being bored with lifeThe active mindset A sure way to avoid being bored with lifeIm bored. Whens the last time you said that? I bet not too long ago.If you give me 4 minutes, Ill tell you why thats a bad sign.In the past, I always looked at other people for answers. When youre little, your school teachers tell you what to do every day. Thats the system at primary school, high school, college, and university.Its always one person who tells a group what to do. What does that do to people?School systems train us to be passive. And after we get out of school, nothing really changes. When I had my first job, I listened to my anfhrer about what to do.And when I started my first geschftliches miteinander with my dad, I looked at him for answers.Now, you might think that this is a matter of experience. Thats the most obvious idea. We thinkWhen Im junior, I take orders. When Im senior, I give orders.Thats about the worst mindset you can have because its too passive. Instead, its much more beneficial for our career to adopt an active mindset.Whats the difference between a passive and active mindset? And how do we even form an active mindset? I have a three-step-process that Ive used to transform my own mindset. Feel free to use it too.Step 1 Acknowledge that passivity is badSo when I talk about being bored, Im not talking about being bored in a good way. Sometimes the best ideas come to us when were fully relaxed. Thats good.For the sake of this article, Im talking about when we say Im bored in anI have no idea what Im doingfont of way.Do you recognize that feeling? Its a sense of aimlessness.Now, to a degree,no one knows what they are doing. The difference is that when youre always bored with life, youre nottrying.And people who dont try are losers. You know why? Life is fascinating - but you musttryto experience it.Theres nothing cool about not having your shit together. You cant go through life as a passenger.At some point, you must take over the wheel and decide where youre going next. Thats the difference between people who have an active mindset and people with a passive mindset.The former owns his destiny. The latter leaves it up to others.Step 2 Commit to learningThe Stoic philosopher Seneca put it best inOn The Shortness Of LifeIf you apply yourself to study you will avoid all boredom with life, you will not long for night because you are sick of daylight, you will be neither a burden to yourself nor useless to others, you will attract many to become your friends and the finest people will flock about you.Thats why I believe an active mindset has nothing to do with experience. I know interns who are more curious and ask more questions than most senior managers.But having an active mindset has nothing to do with age or experience.For example, an insurance consultant in his sixties - who I work with - is as curious as an intern. Hes enthusiastic about everything you talk to him about.The other day I visited a printing company with my brother. The owner, a third-generation business owner, took over the business from his father years ago. He gave us a full tour and showed us the old printing presses they used, etc.My brother and I were genuinely interested. The printing press, developed by Johannes Gutenberg, is the greatest invention for human progress. Without books, we wouldnt be where we are today. Thats fascinating to me.The owner said, Ive never met anyone who actually asked abouthowwe print our books, magazines, flyers, etc.Not many people commit to learning. Thats why so many people are always bored. That shouldnt be a surprise to you by now.Step 3 Add valueIf you apply step 2, adding value becomes easy. When youre curious and ask questions, you learn. And when you learn, you will have more knowledge and ideas.When you have ideas, you can use them to improve your life, work, business, etc. Thats the logic.But that doesnt mean you should blatantly share your ideas and advi ce with everyone. You know why?Just because you have a good idea or piece of advice, it doesnt mean you must tell the other person about it. People get offended quickly.The reasons is that advice can be perceived as criticism.Dale Carnegie writes about it exhaustively inHow To Win Friends And Influence People. You must be subtle when you try to add value. Carnegie saysDont criticize, condemn, or complainGive honest and sincere appreciationArouse in the other person an eager want- Its much better to let people realize something by themselves instead of trying to force them.Sometimes people schmelzglas me and say that I need to change something about my blog. Your articles are too long Someone recently said. He clearly never read Carnegie.When it comes to adopting an active mindset more knowledge will not help you - only action will. People with a passive mindset think thats common sense. Theyre quick to think they already know things.But as you and I both know its not about what you know, its about what you do.The most important thing is that we commit to learning. If you stay assertive and try to help people (who want to be helped) in life and business, youll never be bored. Plus, youll keep making progress.And making progress (no matter how little) is the sure sign that you have an active mindset.Thisarticlefirst appeared onDarius Foroux.

The Top 5 Unusual Ways to Land an Interview

The Top 5 Unusual Ways to Land an InterviewThe Top 5 Unusual Ways to Land an InterviewTired of sending out resumes and never hearing back? Maybe its time to try a new approach.Check out unterstellung five unusual methods to landing an interviewdeparture an online campaign Remember Matthew Epstein, the man behind the Google, please hire me online campaign? His premise was simple create buzz and draw attention to himself. This buzz and attention would then lead mega-giant Google to notice his efforts, therefore resulting in a job interview.Though Epstein didnt end up at Google, he had the right idea. When you draw attention to your accomplishments in an unusual way, you stand out. One way to capture this type of attention and highlight why you deserve a job interview is through an online campaign.You can do a number of things to create an online campaign. Like Epstein, you can develop a website that houses your accomplishments, recommendations, and plans for the future. You can also us e the power of social media and your network to do the talking for you. Whatever method you chose, ensure your it factor is highlighted, such as awards youve won or a stacked resume. Youll be memorable in the eyes of the organization when you do so.Create an inside relationshipIts always better to know someone on the inside. From the CEOs assistant to the HR Director, having an internal referral may be your golden ticket to an interview.If you already know someone, make use of that connection. When you start at that new job, and do the job well, the rolle who recommended you will look good for making the introduction.If you dont already know someone, making a connection can be easier than you think.To develop this inside relationship, identify people who are in the best position to help you. Next, come up with a compelling reason to make a connection. For example, connect with an assistant by mentioning you want to learn more about the company. Finally when you are in these initial conversations, ask for advice, not for a job. Youll find people are willing you to help after the relationship is established.Send a plan before they ask for itIts not a requirement to do a lot of legwork before an interview. However, showing youre already thinking like an employee is never a bad thing. Demonstrate your abilities by sending your vision or plan for the position. This plan doesnt have to be incredibly detailed, either. It just has to explain your insight into current company operations and what you would do to improve them. This shows how you can make the organization better before its even required to do so.Promote themAs with the last point, youre not required to do anything beforeyou get hired. However, if you do nothing you wont have differentiated yourself from the competition. fruchtwein organizations want to know what you can do for them - what your ROI will be. You can improve that ROI by promoting them before you even start the job. Promote them through your social networks, starting conversations on forums, or mentioning the company in networking events not only creates buzz, but also creates a name for yourself. Advocating for the organization when its not required also shows your admiration and enthusiasm for the position.Suggest a meetingSometimes all you need is a 30-minute meeting to prove yourself. Why not suggest one? Rather than ask for a formal interview, simply request a sit-down conversation.Sitting down with a member of the organization can do a few things. First, it creates a relationship. Second, it gives you a chance to pitch yourself outside of your competition. Since the job search process can sometimes turn candidates into just a resume or a number, an in-person meeting puts you on the same level as a standing employee. Even if there currently isnt an opening, initiating a meeting shows your interest in the company, which may bode well for you in the future.In todays job market, you should embrace every opportunity t o stand out from your peers. Dont simply do whats required. Invest the time to differentiate yourselfBy considering your audience first and selecting the appropriate tactic, you can use these unusual yet efficient methods to obtain an interview and fly past the competition because you took an unconventional route to success.What do you think? What are some other unusual ways to land an interview?

10 Reasons Mom Always Knows Best About Job Search

10 Reasons Mom Always Knows Best About Job Search10 Reasons Mom Always Knows Best About Job SearchTzu siche is a joke that says eventually we all quote ur mothers, and in many cases we turn into them. Maybe youve experienced that feeling of adopting your mothers all-knowing tone as you correct your neighbors unruly children or chastise your roommate for not eating enough leafy green vegetables. These utterances are often followed by a moment of horror as you hear your mothers voice emanating from your own body.While usually told in jest and accompanied by an eye roll, not only does the old we-all-become-our-mothers joke often ring true, but motherly advice becomes particularly relevant the older we get- including in the world of job search. I polled friends, family and the Simply Hired office to come up with a list of our ten favorite Mom-isms and how they can help you in your job search.1. If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all.We all know it doesnt serve us well in life to be judgmental or rude. As you job search, interview and network, its even more important to remain polished and kind, just like Mom always taught you. And remember, never badmouth your old employer. About.coms job search expert Allison Doyle cautions job seekers Regardless of why you left, dont speak badly about your previous employer. The interviewer may wonder if you will be bad-mouthing his company next time youre looking for work.2.If at first you dont succeed, try, try again.If you were like me, your first lesson about perseverance came from the lips of your mother cloaked in a sing-song voice as you attempted to swing across the monkey bars or ride your bike without training wheels. It seems so simple, and yet its one of the best pieces of advice my mom ever gave me. Job search can be hard, especially when youve been unemployed for a while or youre unhappy in your current position. Not only is it important to remain positive, but its also important to just kee p putting yourself out there.3.Eat your vegetables.OK, Im not saying that eating your vegetables is actually going to tangibly affect your job search or interviewing, although those leafy greens will definitely help your overall health and possibly improve your concentration. Rather, think about being a small child sitting at the kitchen table as your mother forced you to choke down those despised Brussels sprouts. Sometimes we have to do things that we dont like. The same can be said at beginning to job search, writing a deckblatt letter, or updating your resume. In fact some of these most mundane and boring activities are the ones that in the end will make your job search healthy. So pick up your fork, take a deep breath, swallow those Brussels sprouts, and write that cover letter.4.Anyone can work hard. In order to stand out, you have to work smart.In high school I struggled to be successful in Advanced Placement Biology. After one particularly difficult exam, I lashed out at my parents, whining about how unfair it welches that I received a poor grade. I will always remember my mothers response, Sweetie, you keep telling us how hard you worked. In my opinion, you need to stop working hard and start working smart. I have never forgotten those words, and they have changed the way that I approach work and job search. Rather than spending hours sifting through classified advertisements for jobs, use job search engines like Simply Hired to find the right jobs to apply to.5.Theres no shame in asking for help. Better to ask for help and do the job right than to do it on your own and do it wrong.In job search, just as in life, it can be difficult to admit that you need help, and even embarrassing in some cases. Sometimes we dont want to admit to ourselves that we cant quite get the job done alone. Some of the best jobs are found through networking. According to Jobvites 2014 Job Seeker Nation Study,40 percent of job seekers found their favorite or best job through personal connections. So Mom is right, not only is there no shame in asking for help as you navigate the tricky waters of job search, it actually increases your odds of finding a job that you love.6.Believe in yourself and what youre capable of.The best moms know that its their job to not only love their children, but also to inspire them to do their best every day. According to the group of people I spoke to about their mothers, this piece of advice was one that almost everyone had received at one point or another. Job search can be a grueling process, particularly in a changing economy, and it can be easy to succumb to disappointment and negativity. However, if you dont believe in yourself, it becomes obvious to those around you, and its harder for others to believe in you.7.You dont know if you like it until you try it.Picture it youre sitting at the dinner table with your family, nose scrunched as you push questionable looking meatloaf around your plate dejectedly. Your mom look s at you and gently reminds you, You dont know if you like it, until you try it. Just like you at the dinner table, in job search and well-rounded careers its important to take risks and try new things. Without tasting that meatloaf, or applying to that little-known start-up, you dont know what you like, what you dont like and what youll want.8.When one door closes, another door opens.Weve all had disappointments in life, and some of those career-related disappointments in particular can be difficult to swallow. However, sometimes its important to focus on the positives that career change can bring. My mom always encourages me to look at disappointments and difficulties in my life as opportunities for growth and change, and thats a great thing to keep in mind when exploring a career change.9. The heart wants what it wants.Sometimes we are all so caught up in the geschftlicher umgang of life that we struggle to take time to appreciate and find meaning in what were doing. One woman I spoke to said that her mother reminds her that its always important to listen to what her heart wants rather than getting caught up in the turmoil of her brains calculations and strategies. When looking for your next job, its easy to be distracted by your list of criteria and the pros and cons. Sometimes its more important to take a moment and ask yourself what you truly want.10. When youre little, your problems are little, and as you grow so do they, so enjoy each stage of your life. This may be my favorite piece of advice that a good friend shared with me. Her mother always cautions her to not think too carefully of the past or the future, but rather to enjoy the moment. Its important to enjoy every part of our lives, and job search is no different. Enjoy the excitement of exploring new opportunities, meeting new people and getting the chance to advance your career.Mothers Day is a wonderful day to say thank you to the women who have shaped our lives and taught us so much. Who kne w that they taught us so much about job search, too?Happy Mothers Day (and thanks mom) from Simply Hired

How to be a mental overachiever, according to Charles Darwin

How to be a mental overachiever, according to Charles DarwinHow to be a mental overachiever, according to Charles DarwinThe British naturalist Charles Darwin created the most intense intellectual debate in human history with his book On the Origin of Species.Darwins Origin was a courageous and detailed thought piece on the nature and development of biological species, and it became the starting point for nearly all of modern biology.Darwin, however, was not a man of pure intellect. He was not Issac Newton, or Richard Feynman, or Albert Einstein?- ?breezing through complex mathematical physics at a young age.Charlie Munger, the billionaire geschftliches miteinander partner to Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway, thinks Darwin would have been in the middle of the class. He had notoriously bad health and really only worked a few hours a day in the many years leading up to the Origin of Species.Yet Darwins thinking work outclassed almost everyone, even those who started with a higher IQ .How?We can better appreciate our own strengths and weaknesses and gain insight into the working methods of a mental overachiever by exploring Darwin.In his autobiography, Darwin appraises himself as honestly as possible (a lesson in and of itself) and offers a few lessons for us to follow.1. Darwin did not think he had a quick intellect or an ability to follow long, complex, or mathematical reasoningDarwins life also proves how little that trait matters if youre aware of it and counter-weight it with other methods. Primarily, that meant developing extreme objectivity, extreme diligence, and taking time to think through his ideas.He was very intellectually humble and open to being wrong.2. Darwin did not feel easily able to write clearly and concisely, but he compensated for itDarwin compensated by getting ideas down quickly (building rough first drafts of his ideas, to be revised) and then coming back to them later, thinking them through again and again. He was slow, methodical, an d ridiculously effective.For those who havent read it, the Origin of Species is extremely readable and clear, even now, 150 years later.3. Darwin forced himself to be an incredibly effective and organized collector of informationDarwins ordnungsprinzip of reading and indexing facts in large portfolios is worth emulating, as is the habit of taking down conflicting ideas immediately. In the modern day, there are infinite ways to collect and organize information (I use evernote).Choose one that works for you and stick with it. Dont let the stream of the worlds knowledge pass you by without sticking out your cup.4. Darwin had possibly the most valuable trait in any sort of thinker apassionate interest in understanding reality and putting it in useful order.This Reality Orientation is hard to measure and certainly does not show up on IQ tests, but probably determines, to some extent, success in life.5. Ultimately, Darwin took a good honest look at himself and built routines and systems t o compensate for his weaknessesMost inspirational to us of average intellect, Darwin outperformed his own mental aptitude with these good habits, surprising even himself with the results. As you can see above, a major lesson for all of us.To learn mora about Darwin, read his autobiography, his The Origin of Species, or check out David Quammens wonderful short biography of the most important period of Darwins life. Also, check out the Farnam Street post on Darwins Golden Rule.This article originally appeared on Medium.

The 5-Minute Rule for Skill List for Resume

The 5-Minute Rule for Skill List for Resume Perhaps it can be assumed that youre lazy, unorganized or which you just dont care. Read through it a couple of occasions and youll probably spot three or four crucial skills mentioned many times throughout the document. Naturally, you should also share your vehicle maintenance abilities. The placement of your skills section is also a rather important thing to take into account. If youre interested in submitting an application for a particular job, review the post carefully and observe the list of skill requirements. Your skills section stipulates a window into how much capability you may bring to the firm. In truth, it might be appropriate to incorporate a more prominent core competencies section at the peak of your resume with thorough descriptions of certain skills if theyre absolutely central to success in the desired position. Hard skills have a tendency to be more technical, and each business or kind of job will often have its personal essential set. The ideal approach would be to figure out the essence of the job. A job could possibly be an adventure construction stepping jupe in the event you previously understand what kind of occupation you may like to get future. For example, if you submit an application for a Chinese-English interpreting job, you need to be fluent in both languages otherwise you would just not qualify for the position. What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About Skill List for Resume To begin with, if youre landseeing a great deal of hard skills that you just dont have, it can be better to move on to the next position. Some skills are universal irrespective of the position youre seeking, while some are likely to be career specific. Thus when writing down your job skills take some time to strategize and find out the very best approach to organize them in your resume. Communication skills refer to the ability to convey data in a very clear and understandable fashion, the capaci ty to engage with various people and personalities and the capacity to listen and comprehend what others are saying. Skill List for Resume Secrets Hiring managers appreciate using bullet points since it makes it much easier to read through your list of qualifications. Fantastic people skills are a critical portion of what makes you such a standout employee whod be an asset to any company that provides you with an opportunity to shine. Employers like to be aware that a man or woman can be to work punctually and have a tendency to find a person who is dependable and is prepared to do the job. A persons skill set is comprised of an assortment of personal skills that theyve acquired through education and employment. Being a quick learner is a significant skill for nearly every job. As stated earlier, assessing soft skills is quite a bit more difficult. You need to have good communication abilities and patient handling abilities. Review their About Us page and see whether your soft abilities or attributes are aligned with the businesss core values. Listed here are six of the most crucial, listed in the order of importance depending on the outcomes of the survey. Its ideal to be ready Understanding Skill List for Resume You may have helped your company gather vital data in your part-time job, while its on the lookout for potential new customers or researching an upcoming article. You also need to check their social networking pages and take note if theyre frequently citing specific hard and soft skills that are desired by the organization. Most jobs require that you have a fundamental comprehension of computer programs like Excel and Microsoft Office, along with skills in internet navigation, social networking sites and email systems. Ensure you list an assortment of skills your potential employers are looking for, including mentioning your skills in creative content strategy, social networking analytics and search engine optimization (search engine optimization) for a position as a social networking manager. It is tough to escape using a computer and computer program. Utilizing an angeschlossen resume builder is a powerful method of quickly producing professional-looking resumes that you can tailor for each application. You are able to use resume templates to conserve time and even improve the expression of your resume with customized formats. Make certain you have a minumum of one case of a time you demonstrated each of the best fiveskills listed here. Skill List for Resume the Ultimate Convenience You saw above how to select the most suitable collection of hard abilities vs soft skills. Soft abilities, on the flip side, arent simple to quantify. They are the skills that apply to every job. Professional skills are extremely important additionally to include on your resume. What You Need to Know About Skill List for Resume Each career category contains a list of the conventional functions, tasks and techniques re lated to jobs that fall within the category. The list youre likely to be reading now is whats sought for mostly when it regards the abilities and abilities for a resume. Heres What I Know About Skill List for Resume So, acquiring a broad range of skills can help you nail the job interview. The very first issue to do is to spot the keywords in the work description and compose a teamwork skills checklist. There are a few skills that will be totally necessary for any successful candidate. The 30-Second Trick for Skill List for Resume When youre job searching, its imperative you share on your resume your skill set in regard to the position youre applying for. You are going to have hard time locating a work description that doesnt consist of communication as a crucial skill. Regardless of what your age, and however much experience that you have, you always need to be ready to learn a new skill or technique. In addition to the practical demand for developers in just about any co mpany, programming skills demonstrate advanced problem solving skills that may result in a well-rounded professional.

8 Actions to Become More Employable

8 Actions to Become More Employable You may be perfectly happy with your current career you may even be working your ideal job. Butfor most of us, that probably isnt the case. That being said, thispost can offersome positive benefits to both parties those who are perfectly happy, and those who would love to change careers, or who are in need of employment.Becoming a more employable prospectbrings a lot of benefits, and increases your self-worth. You never know when you may need to find a new jobor sell yourself toyour current employer for a promotion.Here are some ways you can make yourself more employable by taking action and learning some practical, useful skills1. Get Busy on Social MediaLove it or hate it, social media has a huge presence in the employment and recruitment sector. Ifyou are savvy on social media platforms and build a strongprofile, you will greatly increase your chances of lan ding a job or moving up the ranks at your current organization.Having an up-to-date profile on a platform like LinkedIn will improve your employment prospects. Even if you are currently working, you will get notifications from recruitment agencies looking for prospective candidates that fit their criteria.2. Keep Your Resume Up-to-DateWhenever you complete atraining course or take on more responsibilities atyour current role, add them to your resume. It can feel overwhelming to write up your whole resume from scratch, and you may forget certain key details. Better to simply add to your resume as your career progresses.Some tips for modern-day resume best practicesinclude links to your social media profilesmake koranvers you use your most up-to-date email addressand create a .pdf version for use in email it looks much better than a Word document.3. Brush Up on Your IT SkillsEven if you dont work in IT,having IT skillswill always give you an advantage. You cant be expected to know al l the different types of systems that prospective companies mayuse, but being sharp with general IT skills is an absolute must.Always be true to your own skill set, however. Adding the names ofsystems you may have used only once to your list of qualifications is not a good idea. Employers mayput you on the spot with a brief test, quickly debunking your credentials (and credibility). Even worse, you may find yourself hired andexpectedto use a complex system thatyou havent used in years if ever.4. Believe in YourselfI see far too many people doubting themselves, and that always frustrates me. Sure, we all need to be realistic and not set ourselves up for unnecessary falls. But we also need to believe in ourselves. If you have read the requirements for a position and think you are suited, go for it.Carry yourself with confidence and determination your resultswill reflect this attitude. Dont allow setbacksto knock your confidence. Easier said than done sometimes, I know, but the point still stands.5. Always Be LearningIts all too easy to become complacent and let our skill sets plateau. If you have been working in the same job for a number of years, its likely you are not learning a lot of new skills or engaging in self-development on a regular basis.Schedule some time each day to learn something new. If you dont schedule the time, there is less chance of you keeping true to the commitment. Some people start by putting one hour aside in the morning or the evening. Look into a hobby or a pastime you enjoyand start studying.6. Be ProactiveYou have probably heard the saying the early bird catches the worm. It may be a cliche, but its absolutely true. Those who are proactive and make things happen early get the jump on greatopportunities. Dont wait for employment opportunities to find youlook around and make inquiries.Aproactive attitude can helppromote a positive work ethic, and it shows employers that you are the kind of part thattakes initiative.7. Smarten upFirst impressions are important, and looking sharp can only help. Dressing smart around your office will set you apart from others around you. Similarly, if you looking sharp when heading to an interview, youll likely leavea good impression in the interviewers mind.You never get a second opportunity to make a first impression, so you have to make sure it counts.8. NetworkIf there is an industry or profession you are interested in, start networking. This is easily done online by joining forums or groups dedicated to the industry. Start offering help to others, asking and answering questions, and making contact with people.You will be one of the first to hear of any jobs coming up in the industry, and will have people to use as references or mentors when necessary. If you feel like the industry is not represented well, you can start your own blog or forum and establish yourself as an industry expert.

How to Negotiate a Flexible Work Schedule

How to Negotiate a Flexible Work ScheduleHow to Negotiate a Flexible Work ScheduleMany people have the option of working a flexible schedule which allows them to miss that rough commute to work. Others will have a compressed workweek that enables them to work four, 10-hour days instead of five, 8-hour days. Still, others will work remotely, telecommuting from home. Use these tips to help you negotiate for a flexible work schedule. Advantages of a Flex-Work Schedule The advantages of a flexible work schedule for employees are clear and well-documented. So, plan to negotiate a flexible work schedule with your employer in mind. The negotiation is not about you. Its not about what works best for you and your family. The negotiation is about the advantages to the employer for allowing you to work a flexible schedule. With thoughtfulness and a little creativity, you can turn every advantage to you and your family into an advantage for your employer. Will You Need to Negotiate? Incr easingly, employee-friendly workplaces have flexible work arrangements written into their policies and procedures. Check your employee handbook and talk with Human Resources staff. In one New York publishing company, employees can work from home two days a week. In a large computer company, 55% of the employees telecommute, most of them full-time. According to the Wall Street Journal, Seventy percent of Cisco Systems employees regularly work from home at least 20% of the time. So do 34% of workers at Booz Allen Hamilton and 32% at S.C. Johnson Sons. Ask around in your organization to see if other employees have flexible schedules. Find out what they did to negotiate the schedule and heed their tips for making the schedule work. Organizations with flexible work schedule policies also have guidelines. These often include that employees must have alternative childcare arrangements made, so telecommuting parents are free to work. Others define the availability of the employee for frequ ent communication and require attendance electronically at meetings. Some stipulate the length of time required to respond to communication. Make a Plan to Negotiate a Flexible Schedule Dont approach your boss about a flexible schedule without a plan. You have just one chance to negotiateif your company does not have a policy. Make it easy for the boss to say, yes. Think about what you want to negotiate. What work schedule will provide the work-life balance youd like to achieve? Think about your life and your job. Can you work components of the job from home? If so, how many days would be ideal? Or, will a later start time allow you to drop the kids at daycare? Take a serious look at your life and work habits. Some employees cannot work from home. The laundry is always calling, or bills need to be paid. They find the company of coworkers stimulating and would miss office banter. Ask yourself if you can compartmentalize your life. Employees who do this well are the best candidate s for telecommuting. How the Flexible Schedule Will Benefit Your Employer Once youve created your plan for what you want to negotiate for your flexible schedule, think about how the flexible schedule will benefit your employer. Perhaps you will be able to work for the two hours you now spend commuting. Less stress will make you a better employee. Knowing that you can drop the children at daycare and spielblttchen them up will make you less concerned about their welfare. Many employees find they get more work accomplished by starting early, staying late or telecommuting. Employees find they can accomplish more work when there are fewer interruptions. If telecommuting is your flexible work solution, negotiate around the fact that your employer wont need to supply daily space or an office for you. When you are ready to negotiate, make your case. Offer to try the flexible schedule on a trial basis to reassure the boss, coworkers, and customers that the arrangement benefits all parti es. Write a Plan to Negotiate With Your Employer Your written proposal should include the following Why you want a flexible scheduleHow a flexible schedule will benefit your employerIf youre telecommuting, describe your home workstation, and your equipmentHow you will maintain frequent communication with your boss, customers, and coworkersHow you will accomplish the work and attain your goalsHow you and your manager can regularly review the effectiveness of the flexible work schedule with periodic evaluationThe support you will need from your manager to make the flexible arrangement successful Any needs you have specific to your position and job responsibilities Negotiate With Your Supervisor Assuming you have created a viable plan that benefits both you and your employer, set up a meeting with your supervisor to request a flexible schedule. Keep in mind that your supervisor has the responsibility to carry out an existing company policy and to ensure fairness and consistency across his or her department and other company departments. When you negotiate a flexible schedule, you are not the only consideration. Your written plan, shared with the supervisor, will help your cause.Seek to agree on communication standards, goal achievement assessment, wertzuwachs evaluation markers, assessment of success, and ways to evaluate ongoing success with your manager, customers, and coworkers.Especially important is the feedback loop you establish with your manager so that his or her concerns are addressed. Your manager needs to be able to defend and support your flexible work schedule in your work community. Other employees will soon request the same or similar accommodations. You will want your decisions to be viewed as fair by the other employees. A flexible work schedule can work successfully for all parties. You need to negotiate your case, reassure your employer that you are working and contributing to his best interests, and find ways to measure and publicize the success of the arrangement. You need to assure that communication with coworkers and customers is as successful as before the flexible work schedule. Measure your results. Communicate results. Keep in touch. Attend your weekly meetings. Work the core required business hours. Understand that the responsibility to succeed, when you negotiate and work a flexible schedule, lies squarely in your court.

Heres how to break up with a work bestie

Heres how to break up with a work bestieHeres how to break up with a work bestieEvery professional at every company and with every position they hold require a few necessities. Feedback on their work, the space to be autonomous, the opportunity for growth, a competitive salary and a work bestie. Different from any other friend you might have, this type of interpersonal relationship is your safe harbor, your listening ear, your confidant, and the person who can actually understand what your office life is like since they are a few desks down from us. As career coach and author Mary Camuto explains, these dynamics help us refresh, focus and be productive at work. When theyre healthy, they foster our physical, mental and emotional energy, allowing us to perform at our highest level.But then - quite quickly - they can turn toxic. The tricky part is not only understanding the warning signs when they rear their red flags, but also how to mitigate the situation before it jeopardizes your work or reputation.If youre always unhappy and negative, tread carefullyConsider the brde three conversations you had with your work bestie. What were they about? Did you congratulate one another on a successful project? Or do you primarily complain about your boss and gossip about the one coworker who annoys you? Camuto says when a friendship caters to negativity only, it doesnt elevate your energy, but rather, dampens it. This is when you should tread lightly - and be mindful of your patterns.If you are caught up in your best friends drama and negatively, your own attitude and reputation may now be impacted, she explains. Ask yourself if your friendship is enhancing your work life in positive ways. Ask yourself if you still have positive work relationships with your boss and colleagues.Though it is true we all need friends - bad ones arent helpful to your career or your happiness.If you cant trust them, move onMuch like any other friendship, your work bestie should be someone y ou trust through-and-through, and in all situations. Without this confidence, it makes it impossible to build a deep connection. As professor at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Wendy Osefo says, if information you shared privately becomes public knowledge, it isnt a strong sign. Not only does it show an absence of loyalty, but it can be a clear indicator they are talking poorly when you arent around, too.There are other sneaky ways to betray your confidence, too. Apart from sharing private information, if they steal your ideas and claim them as their own- youre in trouble.Whether they want to get ahead before you or just dont want to see you get ahead, anyone who pulls the rug out from under your chances for growth and advancement isnt a friend, ratgeber and business coach Christine Agro says.If you cant shine on your own, its time to create distanceThough it can be fun to be part of a twosome or feel as if youve met your match at the office, Agro says when someone stands in your shad ow, its tough to shine brightly. Sometimes when a pair of friends are considered twins, they get lumped together, even when they are different. Especially if your so-called other half doesnt quite have the same ambition that you do.If your workplace bestie is a goof-off slacker and everyone thinks you two do everything together and share the same values, if youre planning on growing at your job, its time to put some distance between you two, Agro continues. People assign values and characteristics to us by the people we surround ourselves with.So how do you part ways - or finagle space - without ruffling feathers? Here, a few ideasDont be accusatory or overly emotionalFirst and foremost, take a breather before you lash out. When youre prompted to sever ties because theyre frustrated you or actively upset you, dont start the conversation until youve calmed down. Camuto says there is no need to bring drama into your office, but rather, remain calm and talk privately about your conce rns.You may also be breaking up the friendship outside of work and need to explain your reasons. Assure your friend that you will not gossip about the breakup and that will you will maintain a professional and positive working relationship, she explains. platzset the expectation that your friend will do the same. It may take time to regain trust with others. Focus on work and good interpersonal relationships with everyone.Establish boundariesPerhaps you really adore your work bestie, but you find your interactions dysfunctional in the workplace setting. This situation doesnt call for the severance of ties, but rather, creating clear boundaries.Clarify the aspects of your relationship that will not continue - like exclusive lunches every day sharing complaints and gossip about people, customers, and other departments, Camuto suggests. But then consider what you want to continue What about commuting together, taking breaks together? Will you keep work out of weekend social activities ? Boundaries, ground rules, and honesty are required if you are to continue working in the same organization.Dedicate yourself to workCareer expert Joy Altimare suggests professionals ask themselves one important question is this relationship affecting my work performance and ability to grow? If youre nodding along in agreement, you know it is time to recenter yourself. Instead of explicitly breaking up - shift your priorities at work. After all, you cant ghost them since youll see them every dayVolunteer for more projects that will require you to spend more time with other cross-departmentally. This will help you be more engaged with others, legitimately - thus, causing a natural separation.

These are the happiest countries in the world

These are the happiest countries in the worldThese are the happiest countries in the worldDoes money buy happiness? leid necessarily. Well, certainly not if you look at the UNs World Happiness Report rankings for 2018.The UN considers six different factors - GDP, life expectancy, social support, generosity, freedom, and corruption - across 156 countries when putting together this list.GOBankingRates.com then looked at the rankings anddetermined the average annual wage and unemployment rate for each country (using data from Trading Economics) as well as the monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment in a city center (using data from Numbeo) to determine if there was a strong correlation between economic factors and overall happiness.So what are the happiest countries and how much money are the people making who live in these places?1. FinlandAverage annual wage $50,0982. NorwayAverage annual wage $67,9643. DenmarkAverage annual wage $79, 5704. IcelandAverage annual wage$73,4315. Switze rlandAverage annual wage$80,0686. NetherlandsAverage annual wage$44,9427. CanadaAverage annual wage$40,6028. New ZealandAverage annual wage$46,7589. SwedenAverage annual wage$43,18110. AustraliaAverage annual wage$48,638Clearly Nordic people have figured out life way better than Americans. The U.S. didnt even crack the top 15. It came in at 18th place despite a GDP per capita of $53,476.Though citizens of the Nordic region pay mora in taxes, have lower GDP per capita than the U.S. and may spend much of the winter in darkness these countries have clearly figured out happiness.Benefits such as basic healthcare in Norway, a stable political and economic climate in Switzerland, and 25 days of paid leave in Sweden contribute to these countries high rankings.