Volunteer Work Is the Ultimate Interview

Volunteer Work Is the Ultimate InterviewVolunteer Work Is the Ultimate InterviewConsider volunteer work a lengthy interview.If you think doing volunteer work is just filler to pad the resume while you are looking for a real job, then think again. It can make or break you during a job search.Pro bono work can include anything from nonprofit projects to community service and even religious or alumni events.No matter what you invest your time in, its all a lot like an extended behavioral interview. ansicht experiences are a great way to shine, build credibility in professional circles and get your name out there - if you have the right attitude.The bottom line is People talk. And people are more likely to refer someone based on past successes. In other words, your volunteer resume should be just as outstanding as your professional one.Here are some tenets to remember during your pro bono work. Ive seen them all, and I know that people who demonstrate these behaviors end up on the short list when organizations are looking for people to fill paid positions.1. Have the attitude you would have at the office.Yes, we know they dont pay you to do this thats why its called volunteering. Go in with the attitude that, for the short term, you will give more than you receive. Nevertheless, you are volunteering to give back to your community, and this will build long-term trusting relationships.2. Lead, even if youre not the team leader.Volunteer appointments are a great way to showcase your leadership, organization and communication skills. If you can help take some of the burden off the team leader, your efforts will be noticed. If the decision that needs to be made falls within the responsibilities of your role, make it and keep the team leader informed. Dont send 200 e-mails a day asking for guidance or permission. Doing so makes you appear indecisive and unsure of yourself. These are not great qualities to display in front of people who may be in a position to refer you somewhere down the line.3. Showcase your management style.It is equally damaging to make decisions that are not within your role of responsibilities, which could potentially damage or muddy the relationship you have with the team leader. Theres a fine line between being supportive and being power-hungry, so make sure you dont cross it. Your actions will reflect how you might go about managing a team or staff in the business world, so treat volunteer teams as such.4. Endure as you would in a real-world role.Sometimes volunteers make commitments to projects with the best of intentions and then stuff happens, and they fall off the face of the earth. This puts an extra burden on teammates and causes resentment. And if thats not enough, it damages your professional reputation. It is unlikely that you will be trusted with a paid role if you cant deliver on a volunteer project. Stick it out as you would a turn in the market or an unanticipated business need. If you volunteer for a project, stick with it to the end - even if it means doing some juggling.

Were sitting more and more and its affecting our health

Were sitting more and more and its affecting ur healthWere sitting more and more - and its affecting our healthIf Justan Germano werent so dedicated to staying fit, work could put his health on the line.The 32-year-old professional gamer spends more than eight hours nearly every day glued to a screen as he livestreams his exploits on social media and interacts with followers.But hes also a lifelong athlete who takes an hour-long stroll in the mornings and does 90 minutes of weight training at the gym five to six times a week.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreI wanted to show people that just because youre a gamer doesnt mean that you have to be lazy, Germano told Healthline.However, millions of other people in the United States are becoming increasingly sedentary, according to a newstudyTrusted Sourcethat examined low-energy behaviors.Researchers found that Americans of all ages are spending more of their leisure time on a computer. They also discovered that a large portion of the population is sitting for longer periods in general.In addition, the researchers concluded that well over half the country continues to watch television or videos at least two hours a day.Scientists analyzed data from almost 52,000 children, adolescents and adults who participated in an ongoing federal study of Americans health.Although there have been other studies on the publics level of physical activity, none is as comprehensive as this one that appeared in this weeks Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).For the first time, researchers measured the prevalence of sedentary behavior as well as looked for trends among all ages and over a long period of time, saidLin Yang, PhD, an epidemiologist at Alberta Health Services in Canada and the studys lead author.Among the conclusions reached by Yang and her colleaguesAbout 60 percent of Americans have been spending at l east two hours a day for the past 15 years watching television or videos.The number of people using a computer at least 1 hour a day for reasons other than school or work increased during the same general time frame. By 2016, 56 percent of children, 57 percent of adolescents and 50 percent of adults fit this profile.The amount of time that survey respondents estimated they spent sitting rose. In 2016, adolescents reported they were seated slightly more than eight hours a day while adults averaged slightly more than six hours a day.Its really concerning, Yang told Healthline. Were looking at a really alarming trend.The effects of sittingInactivity can produce a host of health problems ranging from obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure to anxiety, cancer, and atrophied muscles.Even people who exercise regularly can sabotage their metabolism if theyre also stationary for long periods of time, saidKen Smith, senior research scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity in California.Smith said Americans have made marginal progress over the past decade toward meeting the federal governments recommendations for physical activity, which calls for adults getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.However, he told Healthline, when were elend working out, were more likely to be not moving at all.Dr. Cate Collings, president-elect of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a cardiologist in Mountain View, California, echoed Smiths comments.She said that vigorous exercise on the weekend wont entirely mitigate the effects of inertia Monday through Friday.For better or worse, the body responds in real time when we sit, stand or walk. These actions have an immediate effect on processes such as the heart rate and blood pressure, Collings said.You cant store up (the beneficial effects of exercise) - be sedentary, sedentary, sedentary and then exercise, she told Healthline.Why we sitExperts cite multiple reasons for the sedentary habits that can lead to sitting disease, an informal term that describes the collection of health complications.In addition to watching TV and using computers for entertainment, Collings pointed to the popularity of mobile devices.The Information Age is absorbing, if not addicting, she said.She notes that people now use their smartphones and tablets to do everything from making dinner reservations to shopping - all of which is easier done sitting down.Whiling away hours in commute traffic also contributes to physical inactivity, Collings said.Kaiser Permanente physicianDr. Sean Hashmipoints to the economys shift from blue-collar jobs to more sedentary, white-collar ones in which office workers are more apt to communicate with other employees by emaille than walk over to talk to them.The biggest culprit is (workplace) culture, he told Healthline.He added that organizations must ensure their employees are healthy if they want them to be productive.Hashmi, regional director of clinic al nutrition and weight management for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, used to meet staff members once a week for 30 minutes of light exercise in the companys Walk With Your Doc wellness program.Long hours on the job often leave employees with only enough energy to plop down on the couch with the TV remote when they get home, he added.What you can doHealthcare providers say there is hope for sedentary souls who want to get moving.The body can heal itself if given a chance, said Collings.She noted that exercise is a tool to treat and even reverse the effects of inactivity.The body has a remarkable ability to heal itself when you remove the insults, she said.Hashmi is equally optimistic, pointing out that even those who have been heavy smokers for years start seeing improvements in their lungs as soon as they kick the habit.The key is to take the first step, even if its a small one, he said.For someone whos been sitting watching Netflix, the best day to start is today, Hashm i said. Today is the day. You start today. And you will start to feel better tomorrow inside.Here are some quick ways to get your body moving during the dayTake a break every 30 minutes if youre sitting at a desk, says Ohio chiropractorDrew Schwartz, DC. Walk around or do a few stretching exercises in your cubicle to relax the chest and hip muscles.Get out of your chair and have face time with coworkers instead of communicating with them on the computer.Run errands - or at least walk quickly - during your lunch break.Forget the elevator - take the stairs instead.Get off the subway one stop before your destination and walk the rest of the way.Maintain the homestead yourself instead of paying someone to do it. Vacuuming, washing the car, and doing yard work can get the blood pumping.When you watch TV, do a few exercises during the commercials.This article first appeared on Healthline.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

10 Simple Ways to Learn to Love Your Job

10 Simple Ways to Learn to Love Your Job10 Simple Ways to Learn to Love Your JobWhat should you do if the job you thought youd enjoy is turning into something other than you expected? Perhaps your job felt like love at first sight but slowly turned into a struggle, or maybe you accepted it because you needed work but knew the situation wasnt ideal. Either way, its possible to revive your relationship with your job. If youre reading this now, youve already taken the first step Even the best job wont seem so great if your attitude is bad, so the fact that youre seeking ways to improve your outlook means youre already on the right track. 10 Ways to Learn to Love Your Job There are things you can try to help change your perspective. At best, your job may turn into what you expected it to be. At the least, youll know that you tried and you can plan on conducting a job search and moving on. Here are ten simple ways to learn to love your job, even if you dont like it very much at the mo ment. 1.Work With Your Supervisor to Set Goals Work can feel like a real bore if you dont feel like you have something to strive for. Work with your supervisor to set reasonable but inspiring goals that will motivate you and help provide structure and focus for each day. Achieving behauptung goals can also help create leverage for you to negotiate a promotion or a salary increase, or provide leeway to switch teams, departments, or roles down the road. 2. Make a List of Things You Want to Improve Make a list of what aspects of your current job youd like to improve, because you cant begin to solve a problem until youve defined it. Take some time to clear your head and step away from any biases or negativity. Then, set a timer for ten minutes, and jot down everything you dont love about your job. Be as specific as possible. Whereas distracting atmosphere or rude coworkers are both too vague to troubleshoot, breaking these down into desk near the elevator makes it hard to focus or Seth in Marketing always shuts down my ideas in meetings can help clarify your next steps. For example, you might talk to your supervisor about potentially moving your desk space or getting approval to work from home one day per week, and maybe you can find a meeting buddy who can help make space for you to express your ideas. 3. Figure out What You Really Love to Do First, think hard about your job and what parts of it you love. Nothing is too big or small for this list. Then, brainstorm a dream job description. If you could wave a magic wand and have any job, what would it be? Finally, look for the overlaps. Consider talking to your supervisor about making these tasks a bigger part of your day-to-day work. If there are no overlaps, you can look into opportunities for transfer within your company. Or, if your dream job description entails responsibilities you arent yet qualified for, its time to make a plan of action to figure out how you might get there. 4. Dont Be Afrai d to Ask for untersttzung If you feel overwhelmed, swamped with work, or are struggling with a particular aspect of your job, dont be afraid to consult a trusted co-worker or manager about ways you might be able to find support. See if they can help you figure out ways to delegate work, schedule tasks so your workload is more balanced, or even point you to resources (like training or education) that will make those nightmarish tasks more manageable. 5. Expand Your Network Although it may seem like the challenges you face in your specific role or industry are unique to you, its very likely that others are going through the exact same thing. Make connections in your field by attending industry meet-ups, events, or conferences. This can help build a support system that you can consult or simply commiserate with when times get tough. Note that expanding your network doesnt necessarily have to apply to people outside your company. You can benefit greatly by building relationships wi th colleagues in your organization. 6. Make Use of Your Benefits So maybe you dont love your job, but there are probably perks that are easy to love For example, maybe your health insurance covers self-care practices like massage or acupuncture, or you have a technical budget to treat yourself to a new monitor, or your company offers complimentary gym memberships for its employees. There might even be benefits that you arent aware of, so do your due diligence to find out whats on offer and then make it a priority to make use of them. 7. Stay Present Its impossible to love your job if youre mindlessly browsing Facebook, CNN, or Amazon all day. Try to stay present and concentrate on the task at hand. If you simply dont have a lot to do, consider finding a side project to work on. Completing extra projects shows initiative, and will make a positive impression on your supervisor. If you do have a lot to do but just cant concentrate, set increments of focused time and then reward yourself with mini-breaks as you get stuff done. 8. Create a High-Vibe Workspace Give your workspace a make-over get rid of clutter, hang an inspiring quote or some photos of places or people you love, buy a new pen or planner that makes you smile, bring in a pair of headphones so you can listen to your favorite soundtrack, or light an uplifting candle. By creating positive associations with your workspace, youll feel better about coming into work every day. 9. Make a Gratitude List for Your Job Write down all the little and big things youre grateful for, from the coffee shop you stop at on your way into the office to the fact that your job helps you support your family. Studies have shown that listing everything youre grateful for can help you feel more optimistic about your current circumstances. 10. Remind Yourself Why You Took the Job in the First Place Think back to the initial job offer and why you accepted it. Perhaps youre making good money, or youre working for a good cause, or your schedule is flexible, or the benefits are great. Even if things have changed since then, keeping in mind why you accepted the job offer (and whats important to you now) can help you navigate your next steps, whether thats taking action to improve your job or preparing a plan to find a new one.

How financial issues impact your mental health

How financial issues impact your mental healthHow financial issues impact your mental healthIt is fashionable to believe that finances shouldnt have much of an impact on your mental health. According to the media, mental health should be equivalent across various socioeconomic classes.However, when you are struggling financially, it can have a very real effect on your mental and emotional functioning.Ways finances impact your mental healthHere are some key ways that mental health can be dramatically impacted by your financial situation.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreNo safety netKnowing that there is no financial safety net in place in case of an emergency is extremelystressful.While others may have an emergency fund in case they get laid off from work or need emergency car repairs, for example, you may not have this luxury. This means that while others can treat fruchtwein sit uations as not a matter of life or death, you may not feel the same.More daily stressorsOther people may be able to pay for extra things to help make their lives easier, but if you cant afford to do so, then these daily stressors mount endlessly.For instance, while someone with more disposable income could pay for a bottle of water or get lunch out, you have to plan ahead to have your lunch packed. This, of course, means you need to remember to pack the lunch and to get groceries in the first place. Over time, all of these stressors build up and life feels more burdensome.Inability to fix problems that ariseMoney greases the wheels of life and allows problems to be more easily resolved.While someone else may be able to pay to get their broken washer and dryer repaired, for instance, you may have to wait for months. During this wait, doing the laundry turns into a stressor that takes up an inordinate amount of time andenergy.Feeling of inferiorityIn todays materialistic culture, it i s hard to avoid being bombarded by images of clothes, accessories, vacations, and other expensive trappings ofwealth.When you are unable to afford these sorts of luxuries, you can feel inadequate or that you dont fit into our materialist society. This can contribute to feelings of wirtschaftskrise and lowself-esteem.Anxiety about the futureWhile everyone struggles with some version ofanxietyabout the future, this can be much worse when you are struggling with financial insecurity and uncertainty.Your life choices are likely limited by your financial situation, in terms ofjob options, school options, and kompetenzprofil travel or leisure activities. Instead of looking forward to the future, people who face financial instability may feel an overwhelming sense of stress and fear.There are low-cost options to help you through financial anxietiesIf you are struggling with your financial situation and it is significantly impacting your mental health, dont lose hope. There are many options for low-cost, high quality health care.Of course, Talkspace is one option. Another is university mental health clinics, where many psychologists do their training. Since youre seeing a PhD student (under close supervision), fees can be nominal. There are also many low cost clinics, and even pro-bono (free) options, as well as utilizing your insurance and seeing which providers are paneled in your area.Working with a therapist can help you deal with the issues noted above, and a therapist can also help you figure out ways to work on growing more financially stable in the future. Everyone deserves to feel secure andhappy, no matter their financial situation.This article originally appeared on Talkspace.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 intervi ew, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong peopleHow financial issues impact your mental healthIt is fashionable to believe that finances shouldnt have much of an impact on your mental health. According to the media, mental health should be equivalent across various socioeconomic classes.However, when you are struggling financially, it can have a very real effect on your mental and emotional functioning.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWays finances impact your mental healthHere are some key ways that mental health can be dramatically impacted by your financial situation.No safety netKnowing that there is no financial safety net in place in case of an emergency is extremelystressful.While others may have an emergency fund in case they get laid off from work or need emergency car repairs, for example, you may not have this luxury. This means that while others can treat most situations as not a matter of life or death, you may not feel the same.More daily stressorsOther people may be able to pay for extra things to help make their lives easier, but if you cant afford to do so, then these daily stressors mount endlessly.For instance, while someone with more disposable income could pay for a bottle of water or get lunch out, you have to plan ahead to have your lunch packed. This, of course, means you need to remember to pack the lunch and to get groceries in the first place. Over time, all of these stressors build up and life feels more burdensome.Inability to fix problems that ariseMoney greases the wheels of life and allows problems to be more easily resolved.While someone else may be able to pay to get their broken washer and dryer repaired, for instance, you may have to wait for months. During this wait, doing the laundry turns into a stressor that takes up an inordinate amount of time andenergy.Feeling of inferiorityIn todays materialistic cultu re, it is hard to avoid being bombarded by images of clothes, accessories, vacations, and other expensive trappings ofwealth.When you are unable to afford these sorts of luxuries, you can feel inadequate or that you dont fit into our materialist society. This can contribute to feelings of depression and lowself-esteem.Anxiety about the futureWhile everyone struggles with some version ofanxietyabout the future, this can be much worse when you are struggling with financial insecurity and uncertainty.Your life choices are likely limited by your financial situation, in terms ofjob options, school options, and potential travel or leisure activities. Instead of looking forward to the future, people who face financial instability may feel an overwhelming sense of stress and fear.There are low-cost options to help you through financial anxietiesIf you are struggling with your financial situation and it is significantly impacting your mental health, dont lose hope. There are many options for low-cost, high quality health care.Of course, Talkspace is one option. Another is university mental health clinics, where many psychologists do their training. Since youre seeing a PhD student (under close supervision), fees can be nominal. There are also many low cost clinics, and even pro-bono (free) options, as well as utilizing your insurance and seeing which providers are paneled in your area.Working with a therapist can help you deal with the issues noted above, and a therapist can also help you figure out ways to work on growing more financially stable in the future. Everyone deserves to feel secure andhappy, no matter their financial situation.This article originally appeared on Talkspace.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

Aim And Shoot - Customize Your Resume For Each Job

Aim And Shoot - Customize Your Resume For Each JobAim And Shoot - Customize Your Resume For Each JobAre you also one of those people who consider a task well finished after completing your resume and then forward it to a million employers so that you find a job real soon? Well then youre one big escapist. This phenomenon, popularly known as resume blast, has been common for quite a while now. Although it makes the work of the job seeker real simple, job providers have developed a serious aversion to it. Theyve learned to ignore such resumes making your job search a futile exercise. So at times when youre unable to track down what might be the cause of your rejection, make sure you dont ignore the constant ditto resume forwards you do to each employer.Think of it this way. If you seriously care about someone, dont you bother to write a rolleal notlagee or message for them? So why ignore your prospective employers? Think of your employer as one of these people who are going to play an important part in your life and write to them as if once they read theyre convinced that youre the person wholl make their organisation complete. Essentially what Im trying to say is that you need to start writing personalized resumes for each employer whom you want to work for.No matter how corporate a writing a resume sounds, also, no matter how much mechanically it is treated with respect to the function of merely conveying information, an all-encompassing resume will take into account whos going to be the prospective reader of the document.So the question now is what do you do to make the resume-reading-experience for your hirer special? With personalized writing I mean the person whos going to read your resume has to feel that he/she has been given priority. You have to speak the same dialect that they expect you to speak, but still manage to convey what you essentially have to. This doesnt mean at all that you dont maintain your individual identity and uniqueness of your perso nality going too far flattering your employer.Whats going to work magic will depend on how industrious you are. You need to actively edit your resume, make modifications, additions and subtractions just to make sure your document suits the requirements of the position at which youre going to work. Your skills cannot be at disjunction with each other. You cannot look for a managerial job when your skills section says youre a good editor or something totally random. Things have to be re-organized themselves between skills, hobbies and abilities. Youre still going to be the same person but in a different format.Similarly, your job seeker may not be very pleased with your experience in guitar training when youre looking for the job of a store manager. Relevance has to be strictly taken care of. You need to present before the employer what exactly hes looking for. But while youre doing so, make sure youre not just making up information just because all of it has to sound relevant. Psycho analysing your employer comes only after you psychoanalyse yourself. You first need to know where you belong and then things will fall into place much easily.So dont just throw arrows in the air, instead aim and shoot. Dont make one resume for all employers, but make one for each of them. I know it sound like a lot of work, but believe me, it going to prove to be of a lot of benefit.This post has been contributed by Gayas Eapen.

The Nuiances of Resume Formatting Template

The Nuiances of Resume Formatting Template What Everybody Dislikes About Resume Formatting Template and Why Again, you would like to make sure that your resume is readable. Your resume needs to make them obvious. The Tried and True Method for Resume Formatting Template in Step by Step Detail Websites like Etsy make it possible for you to download professionally designed resume templates all you need to do is add your own info. Lets begin by viewing the 3 key kinds of resumes and which would be ideal for you. Resume formats can be quite tricky and a beautiful resume expects a lot of fine-tuning. You may also download totally free templates from our Resume Library to get going on your best resume. You might want to have several distinct resumes for various employers. While Canadian resumes are available in many unique formats, they share some standards that you ought to know about. Resume guidelines can fluctuate from industry to industry, therefore its advisable to get fa miliar with specific industry examples. Resumes utilize single-line spacing for the complete body content, for example, header components of your contact info. You need to make sure your resume is leid difficult to read and highlights the fruchtwein relevant info on your resume. While a lot of the information on your resume should begin with a left-margin, its proper to begin some information with a right-margin to created a balanced appearance. The Lost Secret of Resume Formatting Template Making sure employers dont need to work to understand words on your resume is the most essential element when deciding on a font. Key takeaway If you opt to use a template, you could help save yourself plenty of time and energy. You dont need to include your telephone number on your resume, if you dont want, since you will include it in your cover letter and on the application. Microsoft word isnt a skill in 2017. Aligning a resumes is a rather straightforward procedure, as its usually left-aligned and is how most individuals would read text. Just make sure, whichever format you select, which youre targeting it for the job which youre applying to. Resume structure has changed over recent years. Youve got to prepare a good resume format thats concise and readable in a fast glance at the exact saatkorn time should convey all your strengths. Vital Pieces of Resume Formatting Template You will have to tailor your resume to the work description with the addition of keywords and abilities from the offer. Dont forget that your resume is supposed to sell you as the very best person for the job, so concentrate on describing your achievements rather than detailing all your menial job duties. Its possible for you to set the skills on top, beneath your executive summary, or you could put them below your experience. You use your finest skills that are related to the job as subheadings. Now you have chosen your career youre now prepared to visit the next step Last, yo ure want to bring a skills section. By way of example, below a career listing in the job experience section you may align your work title against the left margin when listing the years you worked the job on the exact same line against the appropriate margin. Whether you are searching for your very first job or seeking to earn a career change, the practice starts with your resume. Justified text appears ugly if you dont use some sophisticated desktop publishing computer software. The conventional document margins in conjunction with the default font settings limit the amount of characters youre able to fit within a line of text to about 90 at the maximum. Generally speaking, you should only use 1 font. When deciding what font to use for your resume, bear in mind that it ought to be clear and simple to read. Resume Formatting Template Secrets That No One Else Knows About Margins shouldnt be less than one-half inch to prevent a cluttered appearance. Though margins would nonet heless be acceptable when varied by tenths of a point, it may be problematic for an amateur resume writer to genuinely understand whats acceptable in the business, thus its encouraged for them to adhere to the standard. In most instances, they should be no less than a half inch and no greater than 1 inches, depending on the format you choose. As an example, setting one-inch margins provides a structure so that you will know the length of time your resume is when formatting is used. One of the very first aspects to think about when analyzing the form of your resume is the proportion of the page margins. The duration of your resume is a critical formatting factor that will earn a huge effect on the general aesthetic of the document. Maintain an ideal size in order for your awesome content appears aesthetically pleasing.

Employees Prefer Flexibility over Salary Increases

Employees Prefer Flexibility over Salary Increases Flexible staffing firm Mom Corps has released the findings of its Labor Day study looking at the work/life preferences of working adults. The results of the new survey showed that 45 percent of working adults would give up some percentage of their salary in exchange for a mora flexible work schedule. The average salary proportion respondents were willing to sacrifice for more scheduling options was 8.6 percent, up from 5.8 percent from the inaugural 2011 survey. 67 percent of employees feel that it is possible to have it all regarding work-life balance. Over half of respondents indicated that they would be more productive if allowed to work from home occasionally. For 18 to 34 year olds that proportion rose to 62 percent. 60 percent of workers agree that the state of the national economy does not impact their want for more flexibility at work.Thi s years dialogue surrounding work/life issues has helped professionals realize that having control over the way they work shouldnt be an extraordinary request, says Mom Corps CEO, Allison OKelly. Companies are becoming more amenable to alternative work programs, and as professionals come to terms with the idea of flexibility, they are shaping their careers accordingly.Additionally, over 80 percent of working parents felt that increased work flexibility would allow them to be better parents to their children. Over 70 percent of working parents feel that flexibility is a primary factor when considering which company to work for.

New background blur feature can help WFH employees blend in

New background blur feature can help WFH employees blend inNew background blur feature can help WFH employees blend inLast year, the young daughter of Robert Kelly confidently stomped into her Dads room, interrupting her fathers Skype interview with the BBC. The moment she walked into the background of her fathers live interview, she became a symbol of the struggles that parents working from home face everywhere. A home has variables you cannot control. When you need to do video conferences from your room, you never know when a rambunctious child might pop in to derail a conversation.Background blur can level video playing field for remote employeesOne way to make video conferences easier is to remove the distractions altogether. Kelly is an example that Microsoft uses in a demonstration of its newBackground Blur feature that is now available to its customers. The artificially-intelligent technology uses facial detectiontoblur the background of your surroundings if you video chat on the companys Teams group messaging app. All Teams customers can remove distractions and focus your video on what matters most. (You are welcome, BBC Dad), the company states in an announcement.If you cannot blur your background, you will need to be your own visual editor and choose a neutral background for your video. You want your space to look tidy so that the coats piled behind you do not build a story that is different than the one you seek to tell. When you are working from the comfort of home, you still want to communicate that you are professional, and that can be trickier when your bed multitasks as a desk.Ultimately, what is behind you is just as important as what you are saying on a video chat when your face and space is magnified. By blurring the background, the new Microsoft feature puts the focus back on the partie talking, not on where the person is having that conversation. For some remote employees working in environments with curious children, this neutral backgrou nd will be a relief.

Dude! Wheres My Job 5 Reminders for the Class of 18

Dude Wheres My Job 5 Reminders for the Class of 18Dude Wheres My Job?Dude Wheres My Job 5 Reminders for the Class of 18September may prove to be a bit strange for our newest college graduates, the Class of 2018. In most cases, they have spent every previous September becoming mentally prepared for yet aelendher year of school after a summer filled with activities, earning money, and/or sleep.This year, theres none of that (exception those departureing grad school). Theyve joined the ranks of the employed, some in their chosen careers or something close enough for now. Most likely wrote resumes and cover letters that got them hired into entry-level roles.But if youre newly degreed and still looking for that first job, and youve been actively looking since spring, why is it not happening for you?It could be any one (or more) of these five things that you can fixYour focusDo you know what you want and what value you can bring to an employer? Can you marry what you have to offer with wha t the employer needs? More importantly, can you communicate that clearly in your cover letter and in the Summary section of your resume? Even more importantly, can you articulate it clearly in a job interview? If youre still not sure, maybe you can get some insight into your personality by doing career assessment tests or working with a career coach.Your resume (and maybe by extension, your cover letter)Does your resume highlight your best skills, job-related accomplishments and experience, and academic credentials? Is it attractively designed and limited to one page (which is all you need if youre a recent college graduate)? Make your resume and cover letter support your focus by emphasizing what youve done and how it aligns with what the employer is looking for in the job description that has drawn your interest. Finally, make sure your resume and cover letter are error-free no misspellings or grammatical errors.Your presentation skillsIf most of your college life was spent on cam pus, things are a bit different in this new world of job interviews and make-you-or-break-you first impressions. Ditch the jeans, t-shirt, and flip-flops for more professional, business-like attire. Make sure your hair is well groomed and be ready to greet each interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake. And, practicing your interviewing skills can go a long way to helping you be your most articulate self in the interview.Your zugnglich personaAs for how you appear on social networking sites such as Facebook, make sure you remove any references to those wild on- and off-campus parties - especially embarrassing pictures. A potential employer can - and probably will - hunt down your name on the web for flashes of irresponsible behavior that might take you out of the running.Your targetsAre you looking at the wrong companies or industries? Have you researched the industries that can benefit from having someone with your skills and potential? Do your homework If youre interested in a particular company, search the web for information about them, their competitors, and the industries in which they operate. Get a good idea of what would make a good mutual fit. Further, if you come across a company that invests in personal career development, consider it a potential target. More companies are doing that today to help reduce employee turnover.Take a hard look at any of these five areas in which you think you could do better. Then, start tweaking your job-search plans so you can land the type of role that will help you launch a fulfilling career.If youre a recent college grad - or can remember back that far - did you have to make adjustments in your job search strategy to get hired? Please share them with us.

Leverage the Downturn and Hire the Best Talent Available

Leverage the Downturn and Hire the Best Talent AvailableLeverage the Downturn and Hire the Best Talent AvailableLeverage the Downturn and Hire the Best Talent Available Chinsky MatusonWhen it comes to hiring employees, your small company can leverage the downturn to effectively onboardhigher-level candidates.Patricia Hunt Sinocole, CEO and founder of First Beacon Group LLC believes this is the ideal time to seek talent for several reasons. First, there are many strong candidates that are looking. Many candidates were holding back job-seeking efforts in late 2008 and 2009. The feeling was that at least I have a job or the known is better than the unknown. I am finally seeing some movement, states Sinocole.Denise Horan, Principal, Integrated Management Sales Consulting notes there are great people, many who are unemployed due to no fault of their own, that are seeking work. Like Sinacole, Horan thinks this is a very transitional time for many workers. If you are employed, you may be o verworked or underappreciated, states Horan. If you are unemployed due to a downsizing, you are ready and willing to work hard for someone else.Use the Fall to do Spring CleaningIt is difficult to get better results from your team if your workplace includes procrastinator employeeswho are merely taking up space. Sinocole suggests asking, If you had to hire this person again, knowing what you know now, would you? This question really helps small geschftsleben owners and hiring managers identify the keepers and those that are not keepers. If thats the case, be sure you know how to handle an employee termination. But sometimes, when you take the time to look around, you realize that what you have is best.Competing with the Big Guys for TalentMany small businesses find that standing out in a large sea of employers is a tall order, when it comes to attracting top talent. It doesnt have to be that way. There are a number of ways you can make your small company stand out to job candidates. According to Sinocole, there are many small companies that are not household names that have certainly created a lot of buzz in the employment marketplace. It is important for small businesses who are building their brand to treat candidates in a warm, professional and friendly manner. These impressions are lasting. Word of mouth is powerful says Sinocole.Ann Latham, President of president of Uncommon Clarity, Inc., a firm that helps clients achieve superior results faster and with greater confidence, believes the biggest disadvantage many small businesses have is an inferiority complex when it comes to attracting talent. Attracting top talent is a sales job. Why do your employees like working for you?Typical advantages that help drive employee motivation include the ability to make a difference and acquire a wide range of skills and experiences quickly, greater variety and flexibility, and the potential for a rapid increase in responsibility, states Latham. This information should be imbedded in your recruitment collateral and included on your website as part of your small business marketing strategy.Horan suggests marketing yourself locally by putting out good press. Announce your successes through press releases and participate in charity events or community service to engage with potential candidates. Horan adds, Many workers admire that and may want to be part of that type of corporate culture.Connecting the Recruiting DotsReign in your recruitment strategy by starting with your own people. Good people tend to associate with other good people. Ask your star performers if they know of anyone who might be a good fit for the organization. If possible, offer a bonus for employer referrals to get your employees thinking more earnestly about this. Use your connections in the community and dont forget to ask your vendors and clients if they know of people who might fit the bill.Organizations are really pumping up the use of social media to get the word out about job opportunities. Usesocial media platformsas part of your social media recruiting and hiringstrategy andto linkpeopleto jobs postedon Monster.Keeping your Hiring RealLatham reminds business owners to hire what they need. Terms like top talent or great talent conjure images of award-winning, Ivy-degreed innovators who sit indisputably at the extreme end of a giant talent yardstick, says Latham. It may be great for your ego to hire the overqualified candidate,but will this person still be there the moment the economy shows signs of improvement?A down economy is a great time to take stock of the talent on hand and to upgrade where necessary. Just dont wait too long, as economists are already predicting a recovery is just around the corner. 2010 Human Resource Solutions. All Rights Reserved.Author BioRoberta Chinsky Matuson is the President of Human Resource Solutionsand is the author of the forthcoming book, Suddenly in Charge Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All Around, (Nich olas Brealey, January 2011) Her firm helps organizations accelerate productivity and profitability by increasing employee engagement. Sign up to receive Robertas complimentary newsletter, HR Matters.