Monday, December 30, 2019

Teenagers are thinking about their mental health a lot more than you thought

Teenagers are thinking about their mental health a lot mora than you thoughtTeenagers are thinking about their mental health a lot more than you thoughtTeenagers today have their sights set on a four-year college and fulfilling career.That could be part of why theyre so stressed by academics and feel depression and anxiety are a major aufgabe among young people in their communities.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreA recent survey by Pew Research Center, conducted between September and November 2018, paints a portrait of the 13-17-year-olds who are the workers of tomorrow. The data clearly suggests that theyre looking for jobs theyll enjoy and want to help people. It also shows that mental health is a seriousconcern among them, and a lot of the pressure they feel comes from school.Sixty-three percent of teens reported that having a job or career they enjoyed was extremely importan t to them - and an additional 32% felt it was very important- once they reached adulthood. Other, more traditional life goals were less of a priority among todays youth only 47% said getting married was extremely or very important to them, and 39% said the same about having children.Meanwhile, 81% said it was extremely or very important to them to help those in need as adults, compared to just 51% who felt the same way about having a lot of money. If these numbers are any indication, it appears that the United States will have more do-gooders than Scrouges among the next generation of adults.Credit Pew Research CenterTeens also seem aware of the value of education. 59% of respondents - 51% of boys and 68% of girls - said they planned to attend a four-year college, according to the survey.This life choice appears to be one of the main stressors on young people. 61% of teens feel a lot of pressure to get good grades, and among those who expect to go to a four-year college, 65% are concerned about affording it.Credit Pew Research CenterThese troubles may be part of why 70% of teens say anxiety and depression are a major problem among their peers. Mental health outranked bullying, drug addiction, alcohol consumption, poverty and other factors to be teens top-rated community-based concern, according to the Pew survey.While its good to know that todays teens want to love their jobs and help others, it should be alarming that so many young people are worried about the mental health of their communities. Perhaps its time to rethink our pipeline system to promote health and wellness, so the workers of tomorrow dont have to suffer today.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 str ong people

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Twitter Feeds for Your Government Job Search

Twitter Feeds for Your Government Job SearchTwitter Feeds for Your Government Job SearchSocial media sites have become much more than places to post your latest selfie you posed for 20 times until you got it just right. The division between personal relationships and professional ones continues to blur as Facebook friends turn into Twitter followers who then turn into LinkedIn connections. People expand their personal networks through social media. A social media friending, following or connecting can never replace genuine relationships, but social media platforms can serve as mediums for job seekers to find current information about available jobs and connect with people who can help them land those jobs. After you finish watching the latest viral video, check out these Twitter feeds to help you in your government job search. 1. USAJobs USAJobs is the federal governments job portal. All federal jobs are posted to USAJobs. Applicants fill out the online application once and can twe ak it again and again as new jobs interest them. This beats the old days when each federal agency had its own methods for accepting job applications. On this feed, youll find links to open federal jobs and other information helpful to federal job seekers. 2. USOPM The US bro of Personnel Management is essentially the federal governments human resources department. OPM work to recruit, retain and honor a world-class workforce for the American people. They do this in several ways maintaining USAJobsconducting background investigations for prospective employees and security clearances ensuring fair management practices across federal agencies managing employee benefits programs providing professional development programs and leading development, testing, and implementation of new policies related to personnel. Tweets from OPM give you an idea of what working in the federal government is like. 3. GovExec Government Executive is a publication that delivers news federal managers want to know. Common topics include the budgeting employee compensation and benefits breaking agency news and politics. Tweets from Government Executive tell you whats happening right now in federal service and what is on top level managers minds. 4. gogovernment Go Government is a resource for people seeking federal employment, particularly young people. It is a project of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to revitalize the federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works. We believe that good government starts with good people. And, we believe that by strengthening the civil service and addressing the needs of people in government, we help the government to work better- to serve the needs of all Americans. Go Government is not a job board. Rather, it points people to a job and gives practical advice on applying. 5. GovernmentJobs This Twitter account is associated with a compa ny specializing in advertising government jobs. You can find and apply for jobs from around the nation in just about every public sector discipline. If you are looking for a job and youre not limited by city, state or part of the country, this job board can be a great place to find your next gig. 6. careersingov This account is associated with a company that advertises local government jobs. If working in federal or state government is too big picture for you, local government jobs allow you to serve directly the people in your community. If you have a passion for local government service, you can find openings here. 7. vacareers The US Department of Veterans Affairs has jobs available across the nation providing assistance to military veterans. The agency is known most for the health care services it provides. This Twitter feed posts information about job fairs, what working at the VA is like and stories about how the VA helps its customers. 8. FedNewsRadio Federal News Rad io is a Washington, DC, metro area radio station with a content-rich online presence. It delivers breaking new important to federal employees and contractors.

Friday, December 20, 2019

4 common reasons to change careers

4 common reasons to change careers4 common reasons to change careersChanging careers often involves using yur honed skills and experience and making a switch to a career or workplace thats completely different. Perhaps youre an investment banker who wants to transition to providing financial services for nonprofits. Or maybe youre a teacher whod like to try out writing for a change.One way to launch a career change is to find a mentor to guide you. Another is to follow the FlexJobs 16-point checklist for career change success. If youre feeling the itch to change careers, were going over four common reasons people change careers to help you determine your own reasons for wanting a change.We tackled many of these questions and issues in our content series, 100 Days on Jobs for Career Changers, and invite you to check out our full library of articles from that series.If a career change is what you want, heres a job search checklist for career changers designed to get you really thinking about the ins and outs of your potential career move.Here are four primary reasons to change careers1. Career satisfactionProfessionals often change careers to attain a higher level of career satisfaction. A good example of this would be a middle manager applying for a higher-level position in an industry where their experience and knowledge could complement an upper-management position.Another reason career professionals jump ship is because theyre concerned theres a lack of opportunities for advancement where they currently are employed, according to a LinkedIn survey of 10,000 professionals.2. Unsatisfactory leadershipAnother top reason professionals feel compelled to move on is because theyre unsatisfied by the leadership at their current workplace. Ineffective managers can drive away talented employees, which is a significant detriment to the success of the company. Leadership issues can occur at all levels in a company and seriously affect the productivity of workers.Lack of recognition, low compensation, and minimal benefits are all key factors that are associated with poor leadership.3. Work flexibilitySometimes a career change is necessary to accommodate the changing needs of your family or other goals. Work flexibility is another important factor that influences career change. Employees who are juggling a career and the demands of children often desire opportunities to work in a flexible environment that will allow them to work from home, part-time, or have flexible hours.4. Changing philosophy and goalsSome employees are interested in working in an industry or nonprofit that betters the world, such as the environment or social circumstances of the underprivileged. A career change like this would be due to changing philosophy or life goals.This post was originally published on FlexJobs.com.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Comprehensive Dress Code for Manufacturing Settings

Comprehensive Dress Code for Manufacturing SettingsComprehensive Dress Code for Manufacturing SettingsYour Companys objective in establishing a casual dress code is to allow your employees to work comfortably. Yet, employees still need to project a professional image for customers and clients. Because all casual clothing is elend suitable for the workplace, these guidelines will help you determine what is appropriate workplace attire. Clothing that works well for yard work, dance clubs, and exercise workouts is notlage appropriate at work. Sundresses, casual capris, and midriff-bearing tops are examples of clothing thats inappropriate in a manufacturing work setting or office. Clothing that reveals excessive cleavage, back, chest, feet, stomach or undergarments is also not appropriate in a business setting. Even in a casual manufacturing work environment, clothing should be pressed- never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is, likewise, unacceptable. Any clothing that has word s, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. This includes images that are political or religious in nature, sexually provocative, or insulting to other employees. On the other hand, clothing that has the Company logo is encouraged. Sports team, university, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable. The rule is use common sense when wearing clothing that has words on it- people are easily offended by words. Dress Down Day Fridays have been formally designated as a dress down day. Certain other days may occasionally be declared as dress down days- such as half-days before a major holiday. On these days, jeans, sneakers and a more casual approach to dressing are allowed. Conclusion About the Casual Dress Code Manufacturing This is a general overview of acceptable work attire. Items that are not appropriate for work are listed, as well. Neither list is all-inclusive and both lists are open to change. The lists tell you what is generally accepted as work attire and what is generally not acceptable as work attire. No dress code can cover all contingencies so employees must exercise a certain amount of judgment when considering what to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty about acceptable, professional casual attire for work, please ask your supervisor or your menschengerecht Resources staff. Dress Code Details The following are the specific expectations of the casual dress code for work. This dress code differentiates between manufacturing areas and office areas in the dress code. Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants Manufacturing Areas Slacks or pants that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, jeans, bib overalls, and attractive athletic pants are acceptable. Gauchos and capris are acceptable. Pants that are below the knee with finished edges are allowed.Inappropriate slacks or pants in the plant include sweatpants, exercise pan ts, Bermuda shorts, short shorts, shorts, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants that people wear for biking. As a general rule, shorts or pants that are above knee length are not allowed. Office Areas Slacks that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, and nice looking dress synthetic pants are acceptable. Dressier gauchos and capris are acceptable in the office. Pants that are below the knee with finished edges are allowed.Inappropriate slacks or pants include jeans (except on dress down days), sweatpants, exercise pants, Bermuda shorts, short shorts, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants that people wear for biking. As a general rule, shorts or pants that are above knee length are not allowed. Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits Casual dresses and skirts- and skirts that are split at or below the knee- are acceptable. Skirts at a length that allows you to si t comfortably in public are acceptable.As a general rule, dresses and skirts that are above knee length and that do not allow bending are not appropriate. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini-skirts,skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, bathing suit cover-ups, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate. Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets Manufacturing Areas Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, golf-type shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, attractive athletic tops, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for work.Inappropriate attire for work includes tank tops, halter-tops, and tops with bare shoulders. Also inappropriate are midriff-baring tops and shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans. Office Areas Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, golf-type shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, attractive athletic tops, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for work.Inappropriate attire for wo rk includes tank tops, halter-tops, and tops with bare shoulders. Also inappropriate are midriff-baring tops and shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans. Shoes and Footwear Manufacturing Areas Loafers, boots, dress heels below 2 inches high, athletic shoes, and leather deck shoes are acceptable. Thongs, flip-flops, clogs, slippers,sandals,and any shoes with an open toe or open heel are not acceptable in the plant. Office Areas Conservative athletic or walking shoes, loafers, clogs, sneakers, boots, flats, dress heels, and leather deck-type shoes are acceptable for work. Wearing no stockings is acceptable in warm weather. Flashy athletic shoes, thongs, flip-flops, slippers, and any shoe with an open toe are not acceptable in the office. Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required in the manufacturing operation area. General Guideline Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required for safety reasons in the manufacturing facility.Shoes that enclose only part of the heel or toe are not acceptable in the manufacturing facility.For safety reasons, heels over two inches high are not acceptable in the manufacturing facility.Shoes with a closed toe are required in the office. Hats and Head Covering Hats are not appropriate at work. Head covers that are required for religious purposes or to honor cultural tradition are allowed. Conclusion If clothing fails to meet these standards, as determined by the employees supervisor andHuman Resourcesstaff, the employee will be asked not to wear the inappropriate item to work again. If the problem persists, the employee may be sent home to change their clothes and will receive averbal warningfor the first offense. Progressivedisciplinary actionwill be applied if dress code violations continue. Clothing and accessories that project a professional image of you and the company for both visitors and coworkers should be worn at all times. Ground rules include the following Atti re should be clean, safe, and in good repair.Do not wear clothes that sexually provocative.Clothing should not draw undue attention to ones self or create a distraction for other employees.Clothing should not be offensive to other employees. If youre unsure what constitutes an appropriateCasual Dress Codeor A Formal, Professional Dress Code, take the time to bone up on the subject

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Can#8217;t Get a Full-Time Job Try a Portfolio Career Instead

Can8217t Get a Full-Time Job Try a Portfolio Career Instead Can8217t Get a Full-Time Job Try a Portfolio Career Instead Do you feel like its harder than ever to find agood, old-fashioned9-5job these days? Does it seem like the market is overrun withfreelance work, short-term gigs, temp positions, and part-time opportunities, but woefullyshort on full-time employment?You are not imagining thingsThe job market has shifted dramatically.As companies look for ways to stay flexible and adaptable in these unpredictable times, many have cut back on traditional permanent employment opportunities. Over the last two years, the number of freelance workers hired by organizations has risen, and it looks like it will continue to rise According to research from Fieldglass, 35 percent ofof todays workforce is composed ofcontingent workers, and 95 percent of employers say they want toemploy more contingent workers in the future.As contingent work becomes the new norm, candidates must be ready to lea ve behind full-time employment and traditional career arcs in favor ofportfolio careers that is, careers that combine several part-time, freelance, and temp opportunities.PortfolioCareers A New Form of Job SecurityA well-functioning portfolio career that combines multiple roles is the modern form of job security. When you work two or three jobs at a time, you do lose the stability of permanent employment with one company, but you gain another kind of security Your eggs are no longer in one basket. Should one company fail or one job get cut in a restructuring effort, you wont be in an immediate crisis. You still have your other roles to keep you going while you look for a replacement for the lost job.Portfolio CareersCan Provide More SatisfactionSpreading your time and talentsacross several part-time and/or freelance opportunities can actually be more engaging and fulfilling than traditional full-time work.That may not be saying much, given the historically low levels of employee en gagement were seeing right now. But look at the bright side If even the full-timers are unhappy, what do you have to lose be switching to a portfolio career?Actually, the better question is probably What do you have to gain from switching to a portfolio career? The answer, according to experts, is higher levels of life satisfaction.Making a Portfolio Career Work for YouOne of the key benefits of working a portfolio career is flexibility You can often schedule your work life around your lifestyle. You are not beholden to geschftszimmer schedules. When negotiating your contingent roles, always pushhard for flexibility. Make sure you retain control over when and where you work. Beware of engagements that dont offer this flexibility.Another benefit of a portfolio career is variety. Rather than doing the same thing day in and day out, you can take a few different roles on at once. To ensure that you earn enough to live comfortably, you should start with a well-paying role that makes use of your core skills then, you can supplement that role with other opportunities that lie outside of your normal skill set. For example, you could use freelance design work to make up the bulk of your income while taking on a side gig as a blogger for a graphic design company.The beauty of a portfolio career is that it can afford you security, satisfaction, and control over your work-life balance. Sure, that requires a little finessing and some smart strategizing, but the payoff is well worth it. If youre used to full-time permanent employment, the prospect of a portfolio career may sound terrifying, but trust me Once you experience the freedom and fulfillment of portfolio work, youll never want to go back to your stuff old office job again.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Definitions of Modern Resume Template 2017

Definitions of Modern Resume Template 2017 Dont assume it is going to be a snap because you prefer to write. The peak of yur resume should includecritical search phrases and a fast snapshot of your core strengths, Leavy-Detrick states. Even in the event the template is cost-free, theyll attempt to hit you up for different services or products. The rest of the templates are readily available to Pro subscribers. Employing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for quite a few reasons. Most of our Resume Templates can be found in various color schemes to offer you better editing opportunities. Keep in mind this specific template is ideal for people with some or significant work experience only. If you get a personal site, published writing samples, or an internet portfolio, link that in your Contact Information section, so long as its pertinent to your preferred job. You can also see Modern Business Resume Templates One of the absolute fruchtwein importan t things to keep in mind while writing a resume is that its not an autobiography. XX Clean is going to be the ideal template to use when wanting to earn a brdeing first impression. Show how competent youre. ersatzdarsteller check to be sure that everything on the last version of the resume is about you. Fortunately, there are various publishers around whove created incredible resume templates for fast editing and formatting in Word. Our creative templates make it possible for you to stick out from the crowd. Several formats available A big benefit of our CV layouts is that theyre supported by all well-known formats. Search by file type to produce certain you are able to use the templates you find. Employing VisualCVs CV editor you can readily switch from 1 template to another, which means you can easily use the very best template for the job every single time you apply. Look at a totally free CV template prepared to print. Surely, you dont need to bore your prospective e mployer with lifeless simple resume. Your resume is your introduction to a possible employer that is exactly why it important to make certain that youre ready to set up an amazing first impression in your resume. The effective use of layout permits the applicant to showcase a thorough details about themselves. Try to remember a modern font is most effective for impressing a modern employer. Employers inspect the info written in the resume to learn whether the applicant is qualified for a specific position. The initial one is about outlining your abilities and your availability in a certain job position. So if youre planning to make an application for a new job in 2019, you have to have a foolproof plan to construct or update your resume. Professionally, our resumes are often the very first impression a possible employer gets of us. Theres no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better prospect of standing from the crowd even supposing its made utilizing a template. You can also add your memberships or affiliations if you prefer. How well you layout your resume is crucial to increasing your likelihood of getting hired. The Birth of Modern Resume Template 2017 Inside my mind, decent design gets from the method of the content. No matter if its your very first job resume or not, it is necessary to know that any resume should have 5 essential elements. Sometimes all you will need is a timeless style template thats clean, clear and right to the point. A basic resume is also less difficult to read. So if you choose to go the Resume Builder route, be conscious that youll have to cover the last product. A modern resume needs to be simple to read and attractively designed.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Turning Off the Career Should Haves to Manage Career Regret

Turning Off the Career Should Haves to Manage Career Regret Career stagnation, second guessing, and playing the career-comparisons game are the seeds of job discontent, decreased self-esteem, and career regret especially as the year is beginning its inevitable winding down, job boards are filling up with new jobs, and your friends and professional acquaintances may be moving on to bigger and better careers or going back to school. If you arent progressing alongside of your peers you are probably beginning to feel the unavoidable feelings of regret that accompany career dissatisfaction. Your mind may be filled with thoughts of the should haves that would have (in your mind) made your life more fulfilling and successful. Especially if you are comparing your progress with that of others, thoughts such as, I should have climbed up the ladder by now, I should have picked a different career, and I shoul d have ditched this job already, can nag at you and force you to conclude that your attempts at career progression are pointless thus planting the seeds of anger and resentment that may lead to indifference and resignation. Not only do unterstellung feelings affect how you feel about yourself but your loss of motivation and ambition become obvious to others who will become more likely to overlook you for big projects and less likely to approach you in social situations. There is only one way out of this rut, and that is to revolutionize your ways of thinking.The best approach to changing your thinking is to transform the depressing and demotivating should have thoughts into the more inspiring and productive thoughts of what ifs. And you cant do this alone. Youll first need some good friends or trusted colleagues to help you brainstorm, and the added perspectives of people other than yourself can help you see your regrets in a different light. Dont allow your own negative thinking to affect the people you choose to help in this endeavor as the more positive and creative your team is the better the end result will be.Once youve assembled your group of positive thinkers, come up with as many what if questions as you can that are directly related to the cause(s) of your feelings of regret. Examples may include What if I used my skills to work for a cause I feel strongly about? What if I taught others the basics of my field? What if I coached others to improve their own skills?Finally, turn those what-ifs into actionable items. Figure out which of them are worth exploring and considering as potential replacement career paths. The more excited and energized you feel over a particular possibility, the more you should work on it to make it real. You should find that by simply working towards a goal that you find promising will reinvigorate you and give you a more positive attitude and outlook.No matter when they hit, career regrets can have a devastating effect on you r outlook and can create the conditions of a self-fulfilling prophecy where your fears are confirmed by the worlds reaction to your own negativity and sense of futility. But by seeking out some rckendeckung from the positive people in your life and working to put your career in perspective, you can change your should haves to what ifs and discover new ways to find fulfillment in your career.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

How to Assess MS Office Skills

How to Assess MS Office SkillsHow to Assess MS Office SkillsDespite attempts by heavyweights Google and Apple to gain market share, the Microsoft Office suite endures as the most widely used set of desktop applications across industries. They are flexible and easy to use, and they have become a mainstay in every geschftszimmer across the nation. Its no surprise MS Office skills are required for every type of administrative position, from executive assistant at a multinational corporation to receptionist at a property management firm.Tools of the TradeBusiness needs vary, but, in general, the MS Office applications required for most administrative jobs - and why - areOutlook Many admin positions involve scheduling appointments, managing calendars, and creating and maintaining contact and mailing lists.stimmt genau For many admins, the most frequent task is composing letters, documents, reports and sales material with this word-processing tool.Excel This program is routinely used in admin jobs to create and maintain expense reports as well as to generate graphs in Word documents and PowerPoint presentations.PowerPoint More and more admins are required to use this program to create slideshow presentations for meetings and verbunden marketing content.The level of knowledge needed for each application depends on the job. An admin who will primarily write letters, answer emails and set up meetings doesnt need to be an expert in Excels Pivot tables. On the other hand, someone who will be entering and manipulating numerical data and generating associated reports and graphs should be talented at Excel.Finding an MS WhizAll this means that, when hiring an administrative professional, one of the skills managers must be on the lookout for is MS Office knowledge. But how do you assess a candidates grasp of the suite, especially those programs and applications that are most pertinent to the job? The candidates resume, assessments tests, and the interview are all essential tools in evaluating a candidates proficiency, but pay attention to the following in particular1. Experience. A candidate who has already performed very similar tasks in another job likely has the skills you need. Ask not only what office applications the candidate used, but also how they were used. Probe for examples. Another opportunity to verify the applicants experience level is during the reference stage. As Panicia Stroski, OfficeTeam Division Director in the San Francisco Bay Area, advises, When doing reference checks, ask previous managers what applications the candidate used in previous roles and how they would rate their proficiency level.2. Courses and certifications. Be on the lookout for solid proof of a candidates proficiency. A 101 Excel course at the community college level indicates basic knowledge of the application. A course taught by an e-learning lieferant that partners directly with Microsoft or one that offers targeted online learning, such as SkillPort, has mo re credibility. The number of course hours is a good indication of the depth of the course, as is the type of content. Passing the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) test is valid proof that the candidate has been trained in the software using scenarios that closely resemble everyday situations. The MOS Championship, for the highest-scoring certified members, is evidence of expert skill level.3. Testing. In-person computerized assessments validate a candidates MS Office capabilities. There are tests for evaluating basic, intermediate and advanced proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as assessments that focus on particular features of a program. Several companies provide standard assessments, but make sure you choose a reputable one to ensure scores are meaningful. Tiffany Arcaris, Branch Manager at OfficeTeam in Salt Lake City, and Amy Keitt, Branch Manager at OfficeTeam in Baltimore, say they have been using Proveit to assess candidates with excellent results. 4. Assembling a team. Recruiters specializing in finding administrative talent have the tools and experience to evaluate a candidates MS Office skills because they are familiar with the various training and assessment platforms. An admin staffing professional is able to interpret test scores and evaluate skill levels easily, says Tiffany Arcaris. They also know which questions to ask and where to look for red flags, making them ideal for conducting a thorough screening process.5. Interviewing. Once a shortlist of candidates has been selected, its time to conduct interviews in house. Be sure to include on the interview team any supervisors the new employee would report to because they would know firsthand the conditions and requirements of the job, and which specific features of each MS Office program the candidate needs to know to perform their daily tasks. Amy Keitt encourages her clients to hold working interviews, giving applicants a project to complete on software they will be e xpected to use most often. She points out, Many candidates who may not necessarily articulate themselves as well during a traditional interview do much better when evaluated in action. Hands-on testing reveals not only the extent of a candidates skill level, but also how long it takes to complete a task.The continued relevance of Microsoft Office programs ensure their high demand in the administrative work world. Assessing a candidates skill set is easier than ever with a range of tools at any hiring managers disposal. Looking to hire a great admin right away? We can help you find candidates with the MS Office skills you need.Interview administrative candidates right awayIf youre hiring an administrative professional, we can help make the process easier. You can see profiles of skilled administrative candidates in your area using our online database. Tell us who catches your eye, and we can arrange an interview or placement ASAP.Find administrative assistant candidates in Austin, Te xasFind executive assistant candidates in Boise, IdahoFind receptionist candidates in Charlotte, N.C.Find executive administrative assistant candidates in Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Calif.Find administrative coordinator candidates in Tucson, Ariz.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Salesman Uses Excel to Get a Job Hundreds Wanted

Salesman Uses Excel to Get a Job Hundreds WantedSalesman Uses Excel to Get a Job Hundreds WantedBryan Stinson used Excel spreadsheets to organize his professional network and had about 100 people helping him look for a job.Bryan Stinsons approach to the job search wont work for everyone. He is methodical. He is patient. He is slow.When he began his most recent job search, he had a job and the resources to take his time. It took him 18 months to find his next position. He likes to say that he doesnt look for a job he looks for a career path.The question I asked myself when weighing the options was, Will this company provide me with a career path that I want to be on? This job is going to have to get me my next job. He recognizes that his pace wont work for everyone, but some of his tactics can. The methodical approach he took to networking is a lesson in how to marshal your colleagues and friends to help you find the right job. By his own count, Stinson, a technology salesman from Sal t Lake City, had about 100 people helping him find a job. Doing it took discipline.Stinson was working as a salesman for a technology company outside Salt Lake City, when the company was acquired in June 2008. His role changed and he was asked to relocate.I asked myself, If I dont binnensee myself in this role long term, why take on a lot of risk, in a new role, with a new manager? It didnt make a lot of sense.Still, acutely aware of the dismal economy, he wasnt ready to leave his job just yet. He spent much of his week making sales trips and softly interviewing, seeing what was out there, polishing my interview skills and testing my resume to see what response I could get. It was just a casual thing, as I tried to figure out what I wanted to do.He spoke to recruiters about potential positions and joined SalesLadder to investigate openings. But because he was working, he didnt feel the need to jump at every job.Part of my approach came from a conversation I had with my brother, he s aid. He told me that for every $10,000 you want to earn, you should invest a month in the job you want to find. The right company, the right pay structure - you dont find that overnight. So I wanted to take my time in coming to a decision.100 people looking for a job for meOnce he decided to leave his employer, Stinson used a Microsoft bro Excel spreadsheet to compile a list of everyone he knew.I put everyone on that list - friends from Facebook, LinkedIn contacts, neighbors, business partners I had worked with in the past - and it grew very quickly. When you do that, you think, I dont know that many people, but you surprise yourself how many people you know.Stinson then broke the list down into people to call and people to e-mail, and started contacting people.Once someone knew I was on the market, it was like someone else was working for you, he said. I had 100 people looking for a job for me.One of those people was his former boss. By April, when the company he had been workin g for was restructured, he was reassigned to a new supervisor, but he remained friends with his previous boss. When he made up his spreadsheet, his former boss was at the top of the list.I reached out to him and we had a general discussion, Stinson said. And about four weeks later he called me and asked if I was still looking, because he knew someone who was looking to hire an account manager.The position, with one of the top five software vendors in the country, was for someone to oversee 10 accounts in the Great Salt Lake Valley of Utah.There were hundreds of people applying for this job, but his recommendation was favored very highly. I was one of three people short-listed for the job, he said.Stinson started his new position in December, and hes happily becoming acquainted with people in Utah, he said.Its ironic, he said, that despite living his entire life in Utah, every job Ive had since graduation has required me to travel to some other location to transact business. I know more people professionally in New York and New Jersey than Utah, he said.I knew I needed to build my professional network in my own backyard.After a long, deliberate search, Stinson said his career path is now clear to him.This is a company that cares about its people and their development. The path to management is clear its available. Its what I was looking for when I started this search.

Why So Many People Won#8217;t Talk to You, if You Aren#8217;t a Wireless Phone (Part II)

Why So Many People Won8217t Talk to You, if You Aren8217t a Wireless Phone (parte II) Why So Many People Won8217t Talk to You, if You Aren8217t a Wireless Phone (Part II) Because of such technology, people who are physically distant are treated as though they are near, while most of those who are physically near, e.g., at a bus stop, in a hostel or in an elevator, are treated as though they are distant, out of view, out of mind and out of bounds- except for those already admitted into ones digitally-welded, pre-existing social (media) circle.Here, in Part II, the reasons listed in Part I for the massive disconnect with the mass of other humanity are explored in greater detail1. The rise of the cyborgs and other machines The machines have spoken- they, e.g., iPhones, computers and iPads, are more interesting than we are, so when we are given a forced choice between spending time with a new iPhone and a new person, the machine wins. Ask any kid given the choice between saying hello t o a visitor or continuing to play his computer game.The extreme manifestation of this is trans-humanism, in which human perfection is a blending of man and cyborgish add-ons, surrogates or prosthetics that make humans seem lame and the gleaming machine an ideal to aspire to. Movies like Iron Man are the tip of this steel-and-chromeberg.As a result, ordinary humans- especially those not already in ones inner circle- seem boring, limited and otherwise imperfect.In fact, it may be argued that the only reason ur friends we phone do not seem equally boring is that they give us one more excuse to use or celebrate our wireless phones, or because their participation is required for some of its applications, just as many kids computer games still, but perhaps only temporarily, require other human rivals or partners.2. Stranger danger The more strangers there are, the greater the number, if not percentage, of real or imagined psychopaths in the population and the larger the anonymous crowd in to which they can blend and hide.Add sensationalized news coverage of the nut jobs and criminals to the fearful mix, which ensures that stranger conceptually and emotionally morphs to strangler.Hence, time on a mobile phone is perceived as a safer choice than time chatting with a stranger, especially more fun than the time spent on making 911 calls about the weird ones. Ditto for digital social media like Facebook or Skype.In fact, these digital technologies are now laminated onto or compete with each other to create an even thicker security blanket. Mike Lewthwaite, 24, manager of the St. Andrews Tourist Hostel (where I welches comfortably ensconced for the New Year holiday, in St. Andrews, Scotland, 2013), expressed his puzzlement at how young women in local pubs will ask for a guys Facebook page, rather than a phone number (at least in part, it seems, to confirm identity, credibility and innocuousness).The embedded (digital) message Your Facebook page is more you than you are, st ranger.3. Time stress In an economy in which money muscle means money hustle, time is micro-managed. As digital technology makes contacting those we already know easier, it also makes it more professionally or socially obligatory as prescribed digital etiquette, since easier communication not only allows, but also demands more frequent communication.Hence, for every minute a mobile phone saves, theres probably one it uses up in the process of social or job-network maintenance/lubrication and making those one already knows feel special.In any case, there are obvious tradeoffs, in terms of time saved, gained and lost. Such time stress and tradeoffs leave little to no time for strangers- anywhere, anytime.4. Increased conversational and social control There is brilliant underlying social engineering embodied in a mobile phone. It increases control over ones social interactions to levels hard to reach in face-to-face conversation.For example, all manner of unchallengeable excuses for te rminating a conversation become available when the talk switches from face-to-face to place-to-place phone-mediated talk, since disproving that you are walking into a meeting (when you arent) is all but impossible in phone conversations. (However, some control is lost in having no place to hide from the technology, even after work.)5. Homogenization and trivialization of strangers As Ive argued elsewhere, we have become social victims of our economic successes. The triumph of 20th-century democracy and capitalism has not only leveled many playing fields, but has also made the players more indistinguishable from each other.What seems like eons ago, interacting with strangers who didnt appear to be dangerous previously held some promise of a mini-adventure, since there were expected differences in outlook, education, life experience, values, possessions and interests associated with them, kinds of books enjoyed, pastimes and hobbies, travel stories and venues, etc.In those perhaps ove r-romanticized days, there was an easily imagined opportunity cost associated with not engaging a safe-looking stranger when there was absolutely nothing else to do under the circumstances (except silently stand in line, sit on a bench, look out a bus window at the rain, stare at the elevator buttons, etc.).Thats completely changed Now, the homogenization of human types and talents, through mass higher education, mass-media and marketing-driven personality shaping, easy and affordable access to the saatkorn mass-marketed toys (such as iPhones, SUVs, running shoes, a safari in Kenya, a masters degree), and the standardization of the appetite for and response to the entertainment culture have made the prospect of talking with a stranger generally unintriguing, unexciting, unentertaining, and neither exotic nor adventurous.More commonly, that stranger is now seen as boringly familiar and therefore predictable at best or an annoyance, a burden an invalidating, trivializing clone of ones elf, a distraction, a competitor, or, worse, a menacing maniac or exhausting parasite.6. Intolerance and fear of homogeneity Sure, like Chinese senior citizens whose homogeneous circumstances and uniform taste for mahjong and cards fill the many tables in the many lovely parks throughout China (illustrated below), strangers can come together precisely because of, rather than in spite of, the perceived homogeneity of their interests and objectives- including for the purpose of mutually validating their homogeneous identities, opportunities and circumstances.But that works better in a culture in which homogeneity and being the same as others is not only well-tolerated, but also valued.It works less well in more individualistic (or narcissistic) societies like many of those in the West, in which not only do so many individuals want to be precisely that- and not just individuals, but also special individuals who want to feel special, and preferably unique, by associating only with speci al (but not weird) individuals or groups (such as a Facebook circle).In highly individualistic cultures, the encroachment of homogenization as a threat to specialness of identity and experience is, where not strenuously resisted, assiduously exploited, e.g., in tattoo or Goth subcultures, which fight the homogeneity of appearance and values through artistic novelty of design and innovative technique, while exploiting the sameness for the purposes of specialness by excluding any stranger easily identifiable as outside the subculture.Ironically, the same exclusion can apply to a stranger who far from being outside the subcultural inner circle is clearly within it. In that case, such a like-minded, like-looking stranger may be shunned because of the trivializing, invalidating effect it has on ones presumptively special, yet fragile identity.For example, this kind of thinking and behavior typifies the instinctive distancing, non-engaging, resentful response of many overseas travelers to other compatriot Cinderellas who show up at the same travel ball, e.g., trekking the Himalayas, as trivializing, and therefore invalidating clones.Its much better for ones ego to tell others back home about ones special experience by phone or email, since they will not be on pranke to trivialize it by making it less rare. Interaction with strangers is desirable only to the extent that they validate, rather than trivialize us.7. Customization of strangers Ironically, concurrent with the boredom of homogenization of tastes and lifestyle toys is the chore of dealing with the customization of these, in the form of niche or merely radically different interests and other lifestyle dimensions.As the technological and marketing flip-side of mass homogenization, mass customization (brilliantly anticipated by Alvin Toffler in his now-classic Future Shock) creates huge numbers of strangers to whom we can relate only by making an equally huge effort to do so.The guy sitting next to you on the train reading Credit Default Swaps and Other Derivatives has a niche interest that probably hasnt interested you and never will, especially if youre reading Arts and Crafts for Kids.Making the effort to change that seems to be too much of a chore, so, you remain silent, and return to your iPhone Google search, trout and bass fishing lures or history of Norwegian end tables.8. Superiority of digital to face-to-face information flow A traditional benefit of talking face-to-face with strangers was the information they had- Excuse me, where can I find a blacksmith?. No longer. The smart phones information access, including detailed maps and street views, dwarfs the archives of the average human mind, including the minds of travelers.Thats another reason why, these days, hostel guests seem to interact much less than one would expect. Compounding the disconnect on the supply side (in virtue of a much larger and better supply of online information than of private anecdotal knowledge) is th e demand-side drawback of asking strangers for information Asking has come to seem suspicious, lazy or old, as a dated, obsolete alternative to rubbing the iPhone magic lamp for answers and wish fulfillment.Ironically, digital talk is often superior to face-to-face for the opposite reason It provides less, rather than more babble, e.g., in text messaging, which generally spares the reader the endless Im likes of modern youth-talk.9. Diminishing marginal utility of strangers Ive said it before and will say it again (having first said it when I was a teenager) People are like fractions- the more you multiply them, the smaller they get. Besides causing disconnects with and disregard of strangers, the smart phones popularity may, ironically, be a consequence of precisely these two distancers, viz., disconnection and disregard.Tuning out of strangers because there are too many of us may drive iPhone purchases as much as being driven by them. An independent variable driving both may be hi gh- often absurdly high- population densities the higher the population density, the bigger the disconnect and the greater the disregard.Lower population densities and smaller total local population may be a factor in the incredible friendliness of the Scots toward strangers (including and not only me). With a total population of less than 6 1000000 and smaller than New York Citys, Scotland (as well as Ireland) has a demographic framework highly conducive to the survival of a village mind set.The Scots and the Irish are uniformly (and here I mean 100% in my six weeks experience in Scotland and Irelands small towns and big cities during my 2013 visit) hospitable, relaxed, curious and friendly. One possible reason for this is that they seem to have healthy vestiges of the kind of village mind so prevalent among the comparably friendly mainland Chinese.The latter, despite migrations to Chinas huge population centers, retain (for now, at least) their village values, personalities and en joyment (or at least civil acceptance) of the existence of another human- even if (s)hes a stranger.(The only exceptions in my 2013 half-year travels in these countries were one cranky drunk on a Glasgow bus and a nutty old woman demanding money for taking a photo of someone elses water buffalo in Yangshuo, China.)Given the choice between having an iPhone or the chance to meet a Scottish, Irish or Chinese villager, Id take that chanceespecially since it would be offered by them.