Saturday, December 28, 2019

5 stereotypes about older workers debunked

5 stereotypes about older workers debunked5 stereotypes about older workers debunkedLegislation to outlaw discrimination on the basis of age was first introduced in the UK in 2006. It was designed to protect people of all ages from discrimination, but older workers are mora likely to be adversely affected by age-related stereotypes. It seems there are a number of unfair assumptions about the ability of older workers, which in turn influences how people behave towards older job applicants.This is particularly hard to justify when older workers (loosely defined as people over the age of 50) are generally more experienced. And, since 2011, the UK default retirement age has been scrapped. This means there is no longer a set retirement age for most jobs (there is still a state pension age, although this too is rising in line with increased life expectancy) so a lot more people are working beyond their 60s.Despite the legal protection that now exists to prohibit age-related discrimination, research has shown that there tends to be a delay between the outlawing of discrimination and a reduction in that type of discrimination. After all, we have had sex discrimination protection since 1975, but most people would agree that sex discrimination is still happening. Age discrimination laws should help to change stereotypes over time but thus far there is little evidence of a decline in discrimination.As part of ur working late research project, we explored some of the views managers held about older workers. It supports other findings that age discrimination still occurs. One manager we interviewed about his hiring practices saidWere actually looking for someone between the ages of 25 and 35. Thats not being ageist but thats just ensuring theyve got the energy, the drive and the passion to learn.Here are five of the most common stereotypes about older workers, and how they can be challenged.A representative video (portrayed by an actor) of age discrimination in recruitment. 1. They cant learn new thingsThere is lots of research which dispels this myth. Older workers have been found to have lots of experience adapting to new tools, environments or working practices. Did you know that the average age for successful entrepreneurs is between 42 and 47?2. They are less productiveThere is very little evidence supporting this in people of working age, even taking into account the fact that people are retiring later than before. We might expect physical and cognitive abilities to decline with age, but this tends to be at an older age than you would be working. Age and workplace performance should not be seen to be linked with plenty of evidence showing older workers are just as effective as younger workers.3. They take more time off sickResearch has shown this to be an inaccurate assumption. On average, it is true that older workers tend to take more time off on long-term sickness, but they also take less time off due to short-term sicknesses with no notice.Ol der workers are also at lower risk of accidents in the workplace, but suffer from more fatal accidents. This averages out to be a similar amount of sickness time taken for all employees. There also are strategies we can use to improve the health of the workforce at all ages. This would allow us all to live longer, healthier lives.4. They will retire and leave the organizationThe average age of the bevlkerung is increasing. As the population ages, the average age of employees will increase, too. There is no longer a default retirement age. So employers should recognize that a worker employed with lots of experience even at 64 could easily stay with the organization for many more years.When someone joins a company at 24, there is no stronger guarantee that they will stay any longer, due to the quite modern practice of regularly switching jobs. So employers are faced with the same retention dilemma for all age groups. We now change jobs around once every five years on average.5. They are overqualified (and this is bad)In some of our recent research, terms such as inflexible and overqualified were examples of the feedback given to older applicants when they were rejected for jobs. It is hard to justify the use of the term overqualified, although it can perhaps be explained by employers being concerned about people leaving the job after a short space of time for a job that better matches their skill set.Meanwhile, there are many good reasons that an experienced worker may want to take a step down to a role that requires fewer specialist skills than their previous job. Also, older workers often report wanting part-time, more flexible, or less stressful jobs, which might explain their moving to jobs they may be viewed as overqualified for.There are numerous benefits to having a workforce with a diversity of ages. In order to make the most out of the skills of an ageing society and understand diverse customers, employers must think beyond these stereotypes of ageing .Ricardo Twumasi, Lecturer in Organisational Psychology, University of cord and Sheena Johnson, Senior Lecturer in Organisational Psychology, University of ManchesterThis article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Monday, December 23, 2019

You only need to get it right with your baby 50% of the time, according to science

You only need to get it right with your baby 50% of the time, according to scienceYou only need to get it right with your baby 50% of the time, according to scienceRelax, worried parents. You dont have to do everything perfectly with your baby. In fact, if you get things right about half of the time, according to research, your child will turn out fine.The study, led by Lehigh University researcher Susan S. Woodhouse, an expert on infant attachment, concerned caregivers response to babies when they cried. You only needed to get it right 50% of the time when responding to the babies need for attachment to have a positive impact on the baby, researchers found. The findings were published in the journal Child Development and co-authored with researchers from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Maryland.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more50/50Securely-attached babies m eaning babies who feel panzerschrank are likely to do better as children or adults. Secure attachment is also linked to better mental health in both childhood and adulthood, as well as an increased readiness for starting school.The results were especially promising for low-income families, who researchers studied exclusively 83 mothers and infants in all.The study focused on the mothers responses to their crying baby when it cried to measure feelings of security. It also focused on the mothers status as a secure base when the baby was playing or exploring. Babies felt that their mother was a secure base if the responded and soothed their cries at least 50% of their time specifically, with close, snuggly contact until they were completely calm.Examples of getting it wrong in ways that lead to insecurity were scaring the baby, not handling the baby gently, yelling, or failing to protect the infant from another threatening child. Overparenting had the same effect. But the fruchtwein important thing you can do, the research found, is comfort your child as often as you can, even if you dont pick up the infant immediately.The findings provide evidence for the validity of a new way of conceptualizing the maternal caregiving quality that actually works for low-income families, Woodhouse said, in a release.Because low socioeconomic-status parents juggle multiple challenges associated with low socioeconomic status, it may be helpful for them to know that holding a crying infant until fully soothed, even 50% of the time, promotes security, the researchers said. Such a message could help parents increase positive caregiving without raising anxiety regarding perfect parenting or setting the bar so high as to make change unattainable in families that face multiple stressors.Ways of maintaining a calm connectedness and being a secure base for a baby throughout the day could include carrying the baby on the hip while the caregiver does tasks, researchers suggested, an act that could also encourage secure attachment.Tough cookieThese findings arent meant to rebel against attachment theory, Woodhouse said, but provide an attachment framework that is more accessible across race, culture, and socioeconomic class.What really matters is in the end, does the parent get the job done both when a baby needs to connect, and when a baby needs to explore Woodhouse said.Ultimately, she said, the research showed that babies were quite resilient.It really is a different way of looking at the quality of parenting The other part is that you dont have to do it 100 percent you have to get it right about half of the time, and babies are very forgiving and its never too late. Keep trying. You dont have to be perfect, you just have to be good enough.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Unemployment Claims Steady

Unemployment Claims SteadyUnemployment Claims SteadyIn the week ending Oct. 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 530,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous weeks unrevised figure of 531,000. The 4-week moving average was 526,250, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous weeks unrevised average of 532,250. Read MorePosted by crazynutjob, The 405 ClubPreviously4 Employment Solutions For The Government And Domestic Businesses.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Getting Hired for a Hair Stylist Job

Getting Hired for a Hair Stylist JobGetting Hired for a Hair Stylist JobAre you interested in working as a hair stylist? Is a job in a salon your idea of a perfect position? Here are the education and job requirements, salary information, and tips for finding a job and getting hired as a hair stylist. Requirements for Hair Stylists Hairstylist is one of the jobs you can qualify for quickly. You will be required to complete a state-approved training program which typically lasts 9 months or longer. States require between 1000 - 1600 hours of practice and theory to get a license. Some individuals complete a full associates degree. Programs for hairstylists include methods forhair coloring, conditioning, shaping, shampooing, and styling as well as legal regulations and professional ethics.Management and sales coursework are also included in some programs. All 50 states require hairdressers to be licensed. After completing an approved training program, candidates must pass a written test and sometimes a hands-on test ofhairstyling techniques or an oral interview. Heres information on average salaries for hairdressers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists. Hair Stylist Skills Hair Stylists need the manual dexterityto cut hair in precise ways.You should have a well-developed sense of aesthetics to recommend styles which accentuate the positive features ofyour clients. Hair Stylists need creative flair and adaptability to follow trends in styling and apply them to different heads of hair. Stylists should be well groomed and model appealing hairstyles to inspire confidence in clients. You will need solid interpersonal skills to establish a comfortable rapport with clients. Interviewing and listening skills are essential in assessing the preferences of customers. Sales and customer service skills will help stylists to promote services to clients and encourage repeat business. Problem-solving skills are required to fix flawed cuts and to deal with clients who have h air that is difficult to style.Physical stamina is needed to withstand long hours of standing while serving customers. Heres a list of hairstylist skills. Be sure to incorporate them into your resume and cover letters, and mention them during job applications. Active ListeningAppointment SchedulingArgan Oil TreatmentArm-Hand SteadinessArm WaxingArtificial Hair ExtensionsBikini WaxingBalayage Painting TreatmentBlow DryBlowoutBody WaveBrazilian BlowoutBrazilian WaxingCallous RemovalChest WaxingCold WavingColoringConditioningCoordinationCreativityCritical ThinkingCurlingCustomer ServiceCuticle TreatmentDecision MakingDeep Conditioning TreatmentEvent StylingEyebrow WaxingEyelash ExtensionsFace WaxingFacialsFull Head HighlightsFull Head Highlights and Color Combination French TipGel Nail TreatmentHair BleachingHair ColoringHair ConditioningHair CuttingHair DesignHair ExtensionsHair GlazeHair LighteningHair PolishHair RelaxingHair ShapingHair StylingHandling Multiple ObjectsHighlightsInte rpersonalJudgmentKerastase TreatmentKeratin TreatmentLanguageLeg WaxingLip and Chin WaxingLowlightsManicureManual DexterityMassageOmbre Hair ColorOral ComprehensionOriginalityParaffin TreatmentPartial HighlightsPartial Highlight and Color CombinationPedicurePerformancePermanent Color Service Permanent Hair StraighteningPermanent WavePersonal ServiceProfessional DevelopmentProfessional EthicsPolish ChangeSemi-Permanent Color Service OrientationShampooingShellac PolishSkin CareSingle Process Hair ColorSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingSpeech RecognitionStraighteningStylingTeachingTechnicalTelephoneTheoryThinking CreativelyTime ManagementTrimmingUpdating Knowledge of ProductsUpdated Knowledge of StylesUp-dosUsing Relevant KnowledgeVisualizationWaxingWorking With the Public Resume and Cover Letter Examples Your resume and cover letter should showcase all your relevant skills. Here are some tips on how to find a job as a hair stylist. Create a Portfolio Demonstrating the ability to cut hair into appealing and attractive styles is a vital step in the job search process for stylists. Creating a viable portfolio is an effective way to show how you have transformed heads of hair in the past. Take quality before and after photos of clients you have serviced and incorporate them into your portfolio.Secure recommendations from salon managers and testimonials from satisfied clients and include them with your photos. Consider showcasing your portfolio through a website so you can attach the address to your resume or conveniently show your portfolio to employers on your IPad or other mobile devices. Use Your Network of Contacts Networking with salon owners and stylists is an excellent way to launch a job search in the field. Start with salon owners/stylists whom you know and get referrals from friends to salons which they frequent. Contact instructors from your beauty school and ask them for introductions to professionals whom they know. Approach these individuals and a sk if they could meet with you to provide some feedback about your portfolio. Apply in Person Identify salons within your preferred work location and visit them at times when the salon is not busy.Ask to speak to the manager/owner. Ask if they might be available for a quick review of your portfolio now or at a later date. Offer to show them recommendations or a letter of introduction from an instructor or a previous salon where you have worked. Job Search Online Tap specialized beauty websites like behindthechair.com and salonemployment.com to secure listings of jobs in the field. Search job sites like Indeed.com and Simplyhired.com by keywords like hair stylist and hairdresser to generate more job listings. Interviewing for Hair Stylist Jobs Owners and managers of salons will be interested in your ability to generate business for their salon.If you have worked in a salon, make sure you can describe the volume of business which you attracted with particular reference to repeat customers. If you have worked for other local salons and have a book of customers who might follow you to your new employer, that information can be quite persuasive. Be ready for questions about the latest hairstyles. You will often be asked about which styles and treatments are your favorites and/or which you can best execute.Use your portfolio to reinforce what you are asserting. You will often be asked about your approach to customers so be prepared to share information and examples about how you engage clients and handle challenging situations. Typical Hairstylist Interview Questions Youll Be Asked Why do you like styling hair?How many clients do you typically see in a day? In a week?What kind of establishment are you interested in working in?How do you connect with clients?Why are people important to you?Have you ever dealt with an irate customer?Do you have an artistic background?Do you have experience in waxing or esthetics?Why are you interested in the beauty ind ustry?Have you done anything to further your education?How do you keep up with style trends?What is the biggest challenge in a hairdressing career? What would your salon colleagues say about you?Do you work to targets? If so, how often do you hit your targets?Have you worked retail in a salon before? Would you feel comfortable doing so?Why do you want to work at this salon in particular?How do you handle multitasking? Tell me about a time when you had to handle many responsibilities at once.Do you work better as a part of a team or on your own? Why?What do you think defines good customer service?Do you have a work portfolio you can show me? How would you describe your personal style? How you interact with your interviewer will be as valuable as what you say in an interview for a hairdresser job.Exude warmth and friendliness and bring a ready smile to your interviews. Salon managers and owners will be looking to see if you are the type of individual that their customers will like on a personal level.Show some style in your dress and, of course, have your hair and makeup impeccably groomed. Interview Follow Up Compose a handwritten thank you note and deliver it to the salon as soon as possible after your interview.Or, if you are short on time send an email thank you message. Emphasize why you think you are a terrific fit for that salon, state that you would really like the job and thank them for their time.

Monday, December 9, 2019

The Forbidden Truth Regarding Resume Profile Examples Revealed by an Expert

The Forbidden Truth Regarding Resume Profile Examples Revealed by an Expert The Chronicles of Resume Profile Examples Use media youre featured in. There are many kinds of template for private and business usage, for instance, company profile template is for state the simple info about an organization. In case you have any overall feedback about the resources on our site or need more help finding the info youre looking for please get in touch using the hyperlink below. Business and individuals often must compose profiles for their day-to-day use. Ensure current nicht auslagerbar files are appropriately maintained. Each component consists of certain necessary information. The information that you provide have to be truthful. Working in human resources requires skill in handling other individuals. An excellent mix of the abilities and goals which you have without the overuse of Ican help to create your private profile wind up being a good one. A personal profile is essential ly an overview of the abilities and experiences you have. The expression student profile is utilized in a lot of diverse senses in the education community. Resume profiles are the very first chance to highlight somebodys relevant career experiences, skills, and what goals they are trying to achieve while in her or his next position. Terrific profiles will bring in the best men. In reality, understanding how to explain a gap in your CV is largely about confidence. Sure, you will miss all the information about McCarthy, but you will see a few really impressive animationand then probably need to scroll back up and read about the guy who created it. When you are able to communicate all the crucial information in under a moment, you know that youre doing something rightWith a little hard work and training, everyone can create a profile that will stick out from the competition and attract the ideal men and women. As a general pronounce of thumb you should continue to keep all easy a nd right to the point. In the practice of growing up, for instance, you might have found in some specific conditions that things werent exactly as you anticipated. Most people are seeking a long-lasting relationship so there is not any need to emphasize that truth. Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Resume Profile Examples Bear in mind, your personal statement is meant to sell yourself. The statements have to be meaningful and impressive with lots of of perfection. All personal statements ought to be tailored to the part in question. A personal profile statement is a critical part of your CV, and its a quick statement outlining your own personal characteristics. What Resume Profile Examples Is - and What it Is notlage As an engineer you are going to be expected to combine the appropriate parts in the right manner to guarantee smooth operation. Conclusion The secret service agent job description is a highlight of the key duties and needs of the job, which is vital in prepar ing adequately for the position. Your profile needs to be customized to coordinate with the qualifications the employer is seeking. The candidate profile is most likely the most likely portion of your CV that you might want to tailor when applying for a specific function. Focus on highlights if its a lengthy career. Instead, reflect on what youve learned from every experience. Take a look at our most recent job offers Job opportunities vary by location and could be impacted by means of a states budget. So be certain that your profile reflects that Every profile should have a summary of the profile background, profile purpose and objectives. Now, if you prefer to wind up with a terrific personal profile, weve got you covered Your CV personal profile is just one of the most significant portions of your CV. To start with, its way too over-dramatic for being such a quick profile. A specialist profile summary is virtually always best. Profile statement plays an important par t in the resume. An excellent profile statement needs to be short and relevant. What Resume Profile Examples Is - and What it Is Not The profile isnt a succession of sentences, but instead a series strategically placed words and phrases. In case you havent written one before, you should begin by reading our tips about how to compose a personal statement. In case you be have a rough time condensing your abilities and experiences in 46 lines, write your private profile last. Your responses wont be made public or shared on social networking.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

What You Need to Know About Writing Resume Undergraduate

What You Need to Know About Writing Resume Undergraduate Get the Scoop on Writing Resume Undergraduate Before Youre Too Late If you would like to move on the next step, youve got to learn how to compose a cover letter. If you are aware of how to compose the great cover letter and resume, you might grab more than just attention. Keeping your cover letter and resume easy and simple to read is quite important. Keeping your resume and cover letter updated and prepared to go is a fabulous method to make aya you dont miss career opportunities that may come up during the year. A technical writer should emphasize lots of distinct things in his resume if you are looking for work. Our career experts explain all you want to learn about locating a job without a degree here. If youre asking for a job which demands an application, the very best thing is to be ready with all your information and to write neatly. A career opportunity may spring up and you have to be ready to act quickly. Dont overdo and make sure it stays simple to give it a professional appearance. It is not easy to compose this sort of documents, so better have a pause before proofreading. A resume contain many info about you but there are a few rules before you get started creating a resume. Never write paragraphs within the body of the resume. The True Meaning of Writing Resume Undergraduate Alternatively, you should have an overview of your key skills applicable to the industry you wish to target. If you are able to acquire an interview, you can receive some practice at answering questions. Writing your very first resume can be an intimidating experience, especially once you believe that you have little to offer compared to other possible candidates. Writing a resume for nursing student is not an easy endeavor.

Friday, November 29, 2019

6C0X1 - Contracting - AFSC Description

6C0X1 - Contracting - AFSC Description6C0X1 - Contracting - AFSC DescriptionContracting Officers and Airmen are typically stationed with Mission Support Centers and are responsible for managing and executing operational acquisition solutions, across the Air Force enterprise. These Air Force professionals help prepare, negotiate and award contracts to qualified vendors as well as evaluate their wertzuwachss to ensure that the money we spend is put to its best possible use. They are on the front line of waste, fraud, and abuse. These contracting / business managers perform, and administer contracting functions for commodities, services, and construction using simplified acquisition procedures, negotiation, and other approved methods. They use automated contracting systems to prepare, process, and analyze transactions and products. Contracting Officers and Airmen act as business advisors, buyers, negotiators, and administrators. They support all functions of contingency operations. Air Force LInk Duties and Responsibilities Advises government and contractor personnel on contracting-related issues. Obtains data on marketing trends, supply sources, and trade information. Prepares memoranda, determinations, and findings, justifications, and approvals. Documents contracting files. Prepares documents, processes transactions, and maintains files applicable to automated contracting systems and other electronic methods. Analyzes statistical data pertinent to contracting functions. Ensures contractors comply with bonding, insurance, and tax requirements, as applicable. Supports studies pursuant to competitive sourcing. Performs market research. Reviews requirements to include descriptions, government furnished property, availability of funds, justifications for sole source, brand name purchasing, and delivery requirements. Reviews proposed documents to ensure contractual correctness and compliance with regulations, directives, laws, statutes, and contracting policies. Reviews government estimates. Determines appropriate contracting methods and contract types. Maximizes use of commercial items and practices. Interprets and explains government procedures and regulations. Determines applicability of contract clauses and special provisions. Prepares solicitations solicits proposals for commodities, services, and construction requirements. Ensures solicitations are publicly advertised as appropriate. Reviews and evaluates cost and pricing data/information. Analyzes and reviews award actions. Obtains and evaluates past performance information. Determines contractor responsibility. Evaluates responsiveness of bids and offers. Prepares and conducts negotiations. Prepares bid abstracts. Amends and cancels solicitations. Rejects bids. Reviews and evaluates bids or offers. Recommends contract award. Mediates protests. Conducts site visits to determine adequacy of contractor compliance and customer satisfaction. Interviews contractor employees to determine labor law compliance. Trains and monitors quality assurance personnel. Assesses contractor compli ance and determines appropriate actions. Resolves claims, disputes and appeals. Terminates contracts and administers termi nation settlements. Provides contingency contracting support at stateside or deployed locations in support of joint U. S. and allied forces. Develops and manages contingency contracting program plans 2.6. Evaluates methods and procedures used in purchasing commodities, services, and construction. Ensures contractors adherence to delivery schedules and price. Prepares and presents evaluation in the form of correspondence and briefings. Participates in the unit self-inspection program. Specialty Qualifications Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory ofpricing techniques, market trends, supply sources, US or foreign commercial practices and marketing factors contributing to prices of items, equipment, materials or services. Knowledge is mandatory of basic computer appli cations, audit procedures, policies, laws, and directives governing purchasing and contingency contracting policies and procedures. Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of 24 semester hours inbusiness-relatedsubjects, such as accounting, business finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and management is desirable, or possession of a baccalaureate degree.Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated6C031. Completion of the apprentice contracting specialist course. 6C071. Achievement of Level II Certification in contracting under the Acquisition Professional Development Program, and completion of Defense Acquisition University (DAU) contingency contracting course (CON 234). Experience . The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated (Note landseeExplanation of Air Force Specialty Codes). MINIMUM EDUCATION High school diploma, GED with 15 college credits, or GED ASVAB REQUIREMENTS General QUALIFICATIONS Completion of 24 semester hours of business related subjects Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally No prior conviction of court martial or nonjudicial punishment for dereliction in the performance of duties involving contracting activities, larceny, misappropriation of funds or property or financial irresponsibility. Never been convicted by a civilian court of a Category 1, 2 or 3 offense Completion of 7.5 weeks of Basic Military Training as well as Airmens Week Must be between the ages of 17 and 39 Article -Air Force Contracting

Sunday, November 24, 2019

How to Get Out of Bed When You Hate Your Job

How to Get Out of Bed When You Hate Your JobHow to Get Out of Bed When You Hate Your JobEven if you have the best job on the planet, there will be days when you just cant bear to get out of bed to go to work. Fortunately, those days are probably few and far between, and a few recitations of Tomorrow will be better, is all youll need to get yourself to the geschftszimmer.But what happens when youre harboring a seething hatred for your employment situation? You already know tomorrow probably wont be any better, so how exactly do you talk yourself out of bed and into the shower for yet another terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day in the office?Well, as luck (or lack thereof) would have it, Ive managed to survive more than my fair share of horrible jobs. Heres how I did it.1.Get Up EarlyI know, I know. Getting up early to go to a job you despise is the exact opposite of what youll want to do, but I promise, it helps.During my darkest career days, I was literally in the dark whenever I was home. It was dark when I got to work in the morning and dark by the time I left. leid exactly motivating. For a while, I made a habit of hitting the snooze button about three times before dragging myself into the shower, until I finally realized that wasnt helping me. My only other option was to get up early (or even just on time) and try to enjoy my morning as much as possible.I started gradually waking up just 15 minutes early at first, until I was up to a full hour. I filled that time with things I enjoyed, my only requirement being I wasnt allowed to do anything even remotely related to work. I made French-press coffee, fixed myself a nice breakfast, and read the news, every day. Some days, Id add in a bubble bath, and others I even squeezed in a short workout. This was me time, and I was going to enjoy it if it killed me.And guess what? It not only didnt kill me, it made getting out of bed something I could look forward to. By the time I had to start thinking about leavi ng the house for work, Id already had a nice, relaxing morning, which took the sting out the fact Id be spending the next 10-12 hours in office hell a little easier to stomach.2.Make PlansWhen you loathe your job, chances are the first thing you want to do when youre off work is run home and crawl into your favorite pair of sweats and pour yourself a giant glass of wine (or warm milk, if thats your thing). That crappy job has sapped every last ounce of energy and zest for life right out of you, and the thought of spending even a moment out in public, let alone being social, is a terrifying thought. Sound familiar?Well, this is yet another case of how doing the opposite of what you want to do is actually better for you. When I was at my lowest with my lousy jobs, I tried to make as many plans with friends or doing activities I enjoyed as I could. When I couldnt make plans work during the week, Id make plans for the weekend. The point being, I always had something to look forward to, rather than only something to dread- going to work.While I still had to get my work done while I was actually in the office, knowing I had a party to attend on Friday night or a lunch date with a friend Wednesday afternoon was enough to keep me going and gave me a reason not to call in sick every day of the week.3.Make a ListI cant say this enough- making lists can change your life. While Ive never considered myself a type A personality, I cant deny the benefits- especially if youre facing a job you loathe a minimum of 40 hours per week.When I first came to the realization I hated my job, many years ago, I was still early on in my career, and trying my best to establish myself. Which meant, even though I despised going to work every day, I still needed to make a positive impression.Thats when I started making lists. Really long, detailed lists. I put everything from sending emails to calling a client to getting my morning (and afternoon) coffee on those lists. Sometimes, if I was ha ving a particularly bad day, Id even put things like Meet Jane for drinks at 6. If it had to be done that day, it went on the list, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Then, when I finished it, Id cross it off and move on to the next task. When the day was over, Id copy any items I hadnt finished on to a new list for the next day. Then, when I arrived in the office the following morning, I already had a list of things to get me moving.Making a list is a surprisingly simple- and effective- way to power through a challenging work environment. It not only gives you defined parameters of what will make up your day, but it has the added benefit of making you more productive in the process.While Im sure just rolling over and never showing your face in the office again may sound like a viable option on some days, trust me, its not. While looking for a new job is probably advisable, until youve found one, youll have to survive the one youve got. Employ these strategies, and not only will your boss never suspect how much you loathe your job, you might actually forget every once in a while, tooPhoto of woman in bed courtesy of Shutterstock.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

How to Decide What to Include in Your Resume

How to Decide What to Include in Your Resume How to Decide What to Include in Your Resume Writing your resume can be daunting especially if youve had quite a long career or achieved a lot in each of your positions. I know many people find it hard to know what to include. How do you sift through all those years of experience, all those challenges, all those results, and come up with a concise job description and a few bullet points for each position?Some people give up and just include everything, winding up with a resume that is 3,4 or even 5 pages long. The problem of course, is that no-one will read all that information, so even the most salient points will be lost.In all but the most extreme cases, your resume should be no more than 2 pages long and this means you do have to make hard choices.So how do you do it? There are a few methods I use when writing resumes for my clients, and I thought you would find them helpful.First, I look at job postings. I choose positions that are s imilar to the ones my client is targeting and I look for the commonalities. Yes, different companies look for different things, but there are always common themes that andrang across all job postings. When I find those, I make note of them. The resume I create needs to directly address them.Next I consider the type of company my client wants to work for. Does she prefer to work within large, corporate entities that are process-driven, or is she accustomed to small, entrepreneurial environments where things are constantly changing. If she is most comfortable in start-up or rapid growth companies, then I need to select content that emphasizes her past success in similar situations and I can eliminate anything that doesnt do that.Next, I think about my clients unique value proposition. What makes them different from other people seeking the same position? What makes them suited to work for the types of companies they have chosen in the positions they are targeting? By the time I come t o write the resume, I will have a very clear idea of this and this means I can select content that emphasizes their unique value. For example, perhaps my client is looking to sell IT solutions and has a prior background in engineering combined with more recent sales experience. His unique value proposition may be his ability to relate to clients on a technical level and we can choose accomplishments that show how he has used this ability to close sales. Information that doesnt relate to this can be omitted without damaging his chances of interview.If I still have a resume that runs over two pages, I read every sentence again and ask myself is it possible that omitting this sentence will prevent my client from getting an interview? If the answer is yes, the content stays but youd be surprised how often the answer is no.Finally, there is one additional problem you might run into, one that doesnt affect me because you are writing about your own career history, you have personal associ ations with each part of your history and those associations can blind you to what makes the most sense. As an example, I recently worked with a client who had made a career change mid-career. She had worked in technology marketing for the last 7 years and planned to continue in that field. However, her prior experience welches in real estate working for large retail corporations. In one of these positions, she had been extremely effective. Given that she was targeting technology marketing positions, I knew it was important to play down this unrelated early history in order to tell a clear, consistent story of marketing success. But my client was very proud of that early experience and it was hard for her to accept that it shouldnt be the focal point of the resume. Its important to distance yourself from your feelings about any stage of your career and instead focus on one thing what does my target employer need and how can I show that I can provide it?If you follow the steps I laid out above, youll be able to write a resume that does just that.