5 Job Search Tactics You Cant Afford to Skip

5 Job Search Tactics You Cant Afford to Skip5 Job Search Tactics You Cant Afford to Skip4Job searching has taken on a new dimension since the changes in the economy. With more job seekers than open jobs, there are a several job search tactics you cant afford to skip. By overlooking details in your job search, you may be costing yourself a job.A great way to get your foot in the door is by getting on the recruiters radar. With many jobs not being publicly advertised, getting yourself noticed by the hiring party is important. By not skipping important steps in your job search, you can increase your chances of finding hidden openings and landing an interview.Job Search Tactics Not to SkipBe Searchable on GoogleIt sounds clich to keyword search yourself on Google. However, if you cant find yourself on Google, how will the recruiters? Make your LinkedIn page, Google+, About.me, and other social media accounts searchable on the web to increase your chances of being found.Be a Match for the JobSending your resume to every open job is bad advice. Before you apply to any job, make sure your qualifications, experiences, and skills match the requirements stated in the posting. If you arent a match, move on and use the time to find other opportunities that offer more potential for landing the job.Dont Wait, Be QuickJob postings arent open forever. Depending on the job, the company, and the type of candidates being targeted, a job is generally open from a few weeks to a month. If you find a job opening that you are qualified for, dont wait to apply until tomorrow. The sooner you get your application in, the better especially as some companies close the posting after obtaining a certain amount of resumes.Use Your NetworkBuild your network and continue to grow your network throughout your career. A job search is not always planned, so being prepared is half the battle. Additionally, many open jobs are not advertised, but spread through word-of-mouth and employee referral prog rams. Through your network, you can find these hidden gems.Get on LinkedInRecruiters and HR professionals are using social media, most notably LinkedIn, to find and research candidates. If you dont have a profile, you may be hurting your job search. Create a profile, keep it up to date, and harness the power of social media in your job search.Knowing how to effectively job search is important in finding and landing a job. By being searchable for HR professional and recruiters, job seekers can greatly increase their job search success. Remember, the small details matter to those looking to fill jobs.Readers, what job search tactics do you use to make job searching more successful? Share with us in the comment section below

When Companies Merge, Do Resumes Fall Through the Cracks

When Companies Merge, Do Resumes Fall Through the CracksWhen Companies Merge, Do Resumes Fall Through the CracksIn an era of consolidation, hiring software collates every applicants resume. Just make sure you stay at the top of the pile.What happens to your resume when you apply to a company that then goes through a merger or acquisition?Lets say you applied for a job at Merrill Lynch in early neunter monat des jahres 2008. By mid-September, Bank of America was in advanced talks to buy Merrill Lynch. Would your resume be transported to Bank of Americas ATS (applicant tracking system) software once the sale was final?Do companies in such circumstances merge their ATS databases, or do both parties retain autonomous systems? Should you reapply to Bank of America, and if so, when? And how?To unravel the mystery of what happens to your resume under these circumstances, Ladders spoke with Matt Sigelman, CEO of Burning Glass, in Boston, which produces resume-processing and data-extraction t echnologies used by HR departments and recruiters to sort candidates. (To understand how ATS technology screens and sorts candidates, please read Resume, Meet Technology Making Your Resume Format Machine-Friendly.)Sigelman and Burning Glass have helped a number of client companies combine ATS software in the wake of a merger or acquisition.An unwieldy systemThere are better options for merging data systems than was once the case, Sigelman said. As recently as a few years ago, monolithic ERP (enterprise resourcing planning) systems held a companys data store, including any resumes it had acquired.In the days when ERP was king, the consensus would have been that two merging companies would have to be on one shared system, with all data in one place. Thats where ERP systems wound up becoming so popular this theory that you want all data in one place, Sigelman said.The result was typically a well-ordered system in which all parties operated under the same processes and procedures. The t radeoff was unwieldy data storage infrastructure that was difficult to maintain and had trouble transferring resumes and other data between the various parts.I think a lot of companies wound up trading order for efficiency, Sigelman said. You invest $20 million in an ERP implementation, and you get a whole lot of heartache at the end of the day.Separate but equal dataWhat changed the game? The advent of XML (Extensible Markup Language), a data-markup language that aids information systems in sharing structured data. Today, XML attaches software code to documents and files to make the transfer of data easier.Instead of two systems merging into one with the same processes and procedures, companies undergoing mergers can now opt for the most efficient method to maintain separate ATS software and totenstill share resumes in a common applicant pool.Candidates can be considered for positions in various company units without the need to combine ATS software and without the need to standar dize data coming from disparate ATS databases.Will my resume be lost in the shuffle?Your resume is safe, Sigelman said. From what hes seen, most companies are careful with their data stores.The state of the art is to make use of such data, to recognize that such data represents a real asset to a company, whether its current job applicants or the resumes a company has received in the past, he said.In short, job seekers likely neednt worry about reapplying to an acquirer when going after a job at the acquiring company.In the end, it doesnt hurt to send your resume again, Sigelman said.The ATS will alert the recruiter to the existence of prior versions. Just be careful they dont contradict each other.

How SAHMs Can Keep Growing Professionally

How SAHMs Can Keep Growing ProfessionallyHow SAHMs Can Keep Growing Professionally3One of the hardest things to think about for a SAHM is what will happen when it is time to go back to work. For many, putting a career on hold to focus on motherhood is a complete shift, and the idea of becoming irrelevant in the working world can leave a woman feeling more than a bit nervous and vulnerable. With a little planning, and what can some days feel like a lot of effort, SAHMs can keep growing professionally.An article in Parents magazine, How to Keep a Competitive Edge While Being a Stay-at-Home Mom, offers several great suggestions forkeeping yur mind engaged in your professional world and staying current in your industry. Its so easy for a SAHM to get caught up in the million things that need attention every day. Staying connected to something outside the walls of the home can go a long way in feeling fulfilled and balanced, even while your career is paused. Here are some of our favorite t ips from the article, along with some additional ideas.How SAHMs can keep growing professionallyStay ConnectedYour work friends will miss you almost as much as you miss them. Youll need to take the lead on keeping in touch with them through emails, text messages, and an occasional dinner out. It will help you feel less cut off from that part of your life and give you a much-needed break from mac and cheese and chicken nuggets.Find a Kindred SpiritThey say it takes a village to raise a child. That village is probably filled with women in the same boat as you. Dont feel badly about admitting that you miss elements of your professional life. It doesnt make you a bad mom or less committed. It makes you human. Talk with other moms and binnensee what they do to stay connected.Take a ClassLook for workshops and classes that will help you stay up on your industry. The part of your brain that made you so good at your job needs to come out and play every now and then before it is completely t aken over by the words to every Wiggles song ever recorded. There are even online opportunities to take free courses from top universities. Ready to take a Harvard class from your couch in Iowa while wearing yoga pants?See the PossibilitiesThe beauty of taking a step back is that it affords you the opportunity to gain some perspective when it comes to your career. Do you really love what you were doing? Is it something you can see yourself getting back to someday? Think about what you would really love to do and commit to spending your time as a SAHM developing those skills and building a foundation to turn your passion into a career.Get FlexibleThere is no better way to stay engaged professionally than by working. There are so many great work-at-home jobs for stay-at-home moms. Once you feel like you have a good handle on what your time as a SAHM looks like, commit to looking for an opportunity that allows you to keep growing your professional side.Looking for a Side Gig? Check Out These Companies Hiring for Part-Time Work-from-Home Jobs

Security Officer Job Description

Security Officer Job DescriptionSecurity Officer Job DescriptionSecurity Officer Job DescriptionThis security officer sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements.Security Officer Job ResponsibilitiesMaintains safe and secure environment for customers and employees by patrolling and monitoring premises and personnel.Security Officer Job DutiesSecures premises and personnel by patrolling property monitoring surveillance equipment inspecting buildings, equipment, and access points permitting entry.Obtains help by sounding alarms.Prevents losses and damage by reporting irregularities informing violators of policy and procedures restraining trespassers.Controls traffic by directing drivers.Completes reports by recording observations, information, occurrences, and surveillance activities interviewing witnesse s obtaining signatures.Maintains environment by monitoring and setting building and equipment controls.Maintains organizations stability and reputation by complying with legal requirements.Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements following manufacturers instructions troubleshooting malfunctions calling for repairs evaluating new equipment and techniques.Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.Security Officer Skills and QualificationsLifting, Surveillance Skills, Deals with Uncertainty, Judgment, Objectivity, Dependability, Emotional Control, Integrity, Safety Management, Professionalism, Reporting SkillsHire Your Next Security OfficerYou cant have a successful business if you cant rely on your security team to have your backnot to mention the backs of your customers. It starts with making an informed hire. Could you use some help with that? Join for free today. As a member, youll receive hiring tips and advice, s pecial offers, industry trends, and much more. When it comes to security, you cant leave anything to chance. Let expertise help you determine the traits of a top-level candidate, as well as ways to reach outandbring them aboard.Employers Post a job in minutes to reach candidates everywhere. Job Seekers Search Security Officer Jobs and apply on now. Read more aboutthe recruiting processIs Employee Compensation on the Rise in your Job Market?How to Write a Job Description Resource PageMaintain a Legal Hiring Process

What jobs wont be around 10 years from now

What jobs wont be around 10 years from nowWhat jobs wont be around 10 years from nowThe New York Times ran an article about aswitchboard operatorwho had worked almost 50 years before retiring and how her job has become nearly obsolete.Human computersdate as far back as the 17th century. Its estimated that their jobs finally became obsolete in the 1970s. It can take a long time for a job to fully disappear.Indeed, some jobs will be replaced as a result of technological advancement and automation. Some jobs will become obsolete. Jobs might disappear from one geography, only to rise in abedrngnisher due to global outsourcing. Some jobs dwindle to small numbers and remain in existence in anartisanalorcraftsense. As such, answering the question of what jobs wont be around 10 years from now is not easy to answer. But lets take a stab at it.A Local PerspectiveHere are cases of jobs that likely wont exist in my local economy 10 years from now (but they might exist elsewhere in the world or i n an artisanal sense)Handmade furniture maker. There is a local business I know of that churns out vintage replicas, each one made by hand. They also produce handmade custom furniture direct-to-consumer and on commission for commercial purposes (including reality TV) Compared to mass-produced, factory-made furniture, demand is relatively low and the business does not create very many new jobs.Umbrella manufacturer and retailer. After 82 years and three generations of management, an umbrella manufacturer and consumer retail business in Vancouver is closing its doors. But here is a tale of business models and relevance. Its sister company, founded around the same time, went the route of umbrella distribution and corporate supplier of suppliers - it continues to thrive.Bank tellers and cashiers. Mobile banking and electronic feststellung transfers are eliminating the paper trail for banking transactions and one day we will never need to walk into a bank to carry out day-to-day activit ies in person (that day could be today, except for some reason, I still have to process checks/cheques in person at the bank, especially when its cross-currency).Travel agents. In the United States,the number of travel agents droppedfrom 124,000 in 2000 to 74,000 in 2014. At that rate, it is conceivable that all travel agent jobs will disappear in 10 years. Booking travel will be entirely through digital online platforms and the activity of booking travel will be performed directly by travellers themselves or by virtual assistants (I was about to type personal assistants and replaced it with virtual assistants).The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has a great searchable database, with predictions aboutjobs in decline,fastest growing, as well as specific occupations.This column first appeared at Quora.

New Article Reveals the Low Down on Biology Resume and Why You Must Take Action Today

New Article Reveals the Low Down on Biology Resume and Why You Must Take Action Today Type of Biology Resume Show employers that youre current and make an excellent first impression by selecting the most suitable template. When you recognize precisely how to begin your letter, youve got to understand how to structure the comprehensive item. Ensure you choose the proper kind of template to fit your need. The very first thing which you have to do is describe why youre writing the correspondence by describing just the position youre applying for. CVs are also called studienordnung Vitae. Keywords for Agricultural CV will differ slightly based on the precise position you are searching for. Information that you ought to include in your Agricultural CV will vary slightly based on the particular position youre applying for. Biologists specialize in a number of specialties including marine biology and microbiology which means that it is not essential for two biologists to be doin g something similar. Biology majors learn how to gather evidence to check a hypothesis. Its vital to include your contact info, on top of your college freshman resume. If youre asking for work in which youre be expected to speak publicly on behalf of the business, adding information about conference presentations are sometimes a great thing. The letter is just one of the few records that nearly everyone may want to write sooner or later later inside their life. Moreover, it should be resolved to a particular person, the man that has the maximum influence to protect you in the interview area. Biology Resume Can Be Fun for Everyone Start by brainstorming everything which youve been involved in and set it in order. 1 thing you ought to keep in mind is an administrative cover letter must act as your personal ad. 1 method is to set your education section at the base of your resume. One particular important section of your resume is certainly the section in which you list your abilities. The 5-Minute Rule for Biology Resume You will need to optimize your resumes to make sure the appropriate abilities and keywords standout and that you give yourself the very best opportunity to succeed also. Carefully absprache with each job posting that youre responding to, and tackle the skill sets they want within that special CV. When youre searching for an entry level job in an extremely specialized field, your resume is among the crucial approaches youll be able to display your qualifications. Seeking the perfect job can be hard, but polishing your continue doesnt have to be. You can locate the relevant abilities and qualities for the function of marine biologist in the above mentioned collection of requirements for the position, and use in your resume if you truly have them. If you maintain your resume updated, are always going to have it ready to go once an opportunity presents itself. Employers will appear favorably upon longevity at work. Future employ ers will be considering progressive experience. For instance, if youre asking for a clinical position, you may have to place your clinical experiences first and get into additional information about your prior part in clinical experiences. It is essential for applicants to speak to the company they are applying to to be able to ascertain the particular tasks the position will require. Just like you may sort publications on PubMed by relevance to a particular subject, you can sort your work experience by relevance to a particular position. Resumes are just a page in length (if you dont own a range of years of experience in a given field), and space is at a premium. Type of Biology Resume Biologists work in various specialties where theyre expected to execute both lab work and outdoor pursuits. To receive your career in biology off to a great start, youre going to want a highly thorough CV which gets your abilities and knowledge noticed. Working in marine biology or oceanogr aphy can be a difficult road to travel, but you will be hard-pressed to discover a marine biologist with regrets. Because there are lots of kinds of biology, there are a number of ways to be a biologist. Biology Resume at a Glance All the applicant has to do is to go on the internet and receive a template that can subsequently be customized by ingesting at the necessary information. Uploading to our resume database requires you to make an account. A great deal of PhDs are reluctant to use their University email address when applying to jobs due to the fact that they think their PI is likely to hack in their email account and find out theyre attempting to leave the lab. Its much more difficult to update a resume if you wait until you require it for a work application. 1 member has to be an acknowledged expert from beyond the department. If you are only emerging from graduate school, your school research experience could be the initial and biggest item, but nevertheless, it s houldnt be the just one. Your industry resume must be totally perfect. Putting an objective statement at the peak of your resume wont help you receive an industry job. If you dont understand where to start, we have a couple samples you are able to follow here. As you look at every category, observe the regions that could use more content. Online Free Resume Templates provide different styles and formats of resumes that it is possible to choose from and write so. Resumunks resume templates consist of free resume layouts in addition to 17 premium templates offered for a yearly subscription of $19.

Meet Freddie Mac

Meet Freddie Mac Youre looking for your next career success story. A destination where you can do great work in service to a compelling mission. Where you will be awarded for your contributions and where you will grow as a professional and as a leader. Youve arrived at your next destination.Meet Freddie Mac.Click here to see all available opportunities at Freddie Mac and dont forget to press Follow to receive custom job matches, event invitations and more One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard geschftliches miteinander Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor St atistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicia ns ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Minimum Legal Age to Work in Florida

Minimum Legal Age to Work in FloridaMinimum Legal Age to Work in FloridaAlthough there aresome exceptions, almost everywhere across the United States, young people can begin working at age 14 because thats what federal child labor laws state. However, child labor laws in each state may also indicate the nadir age to work and which permits they need to do so. When there is a conflict between federal and state laws, the more restrictive law will apply. Working Guidelines for Teens in the Sunshine State In Florida, teens do leid need a child employment certificate towork, but they do need to show proof of age. There,14- and 15-year-olds can work up to 15 hours per week, but not before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. and not more than three hours on school days when a school day follows. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays or non-school days, these teens may work up to eight hours. On non-school days when a school day doesnt follow, they can work up until 9 p.m. When school isnt in session, 14 - and 15-year-olds in Florida can work eight hours per day and up to 40 hours per week. During these breaks in the school year, they cannot work before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Florida teens who are 16 and 17 years old may work up to 30 hours per week, but not before 630 a.m. and not after 11 p.m. and for no more than 8 hours when a school day follows. When a school day doesnt follow, these teens do not have a restriction on how many hours they can work in one day. When school is not in session, 16 and 17-year-olds in Florida have no limitations on the hours they work. Teens in both age brackets may not work more than six consecutive days per week. Juvenile workers must receive a 30-minute break after working four consecutive hours. Jobs Available to Florida Teens Florida teens are largely prohibited from working in dangerous jobs. For example, youth in the 14- to 15-year-old age bracket may not work in jobs that require them to operate power-driven machinery or motor vehicles. Th ey may also not work in construction unless its in a clerical capacity. Meanwhile, youth in the 16- to 17-year-old age bracket cannot perform dangerous tasks on the job such as logging, firefighting or wrecking or demolition. Theyre also not allowed to work near hazardous substances such as pesticides or radioactive substances. They cant work with electrical apparatuses or wiring either. Finally, they may not work more than four hours without a break. The Bottom Line Before saying yes to a job opportunity, its important for teens to check the law to make sure that they are legally allowed to work the number of hours their employer requires. For more information about working as a minor in Florida, visit thestate labor website.

Sutdy says hand gestures will help make your pitch more convincing

Sutdy says hand gestures will help make your pitch more convincingSutdy says hand gestures will help make your pitch more convincingPitching is an inherently difficult thing to do. Much of the consternation revolves around word economy, but if research presented by Joep Cornelissen of Erasmus University is to be believed, gestures actually hold more weight than speaking does, when pitching ideas.Painting a pictureThe findings, which premiered in the May edition of the Harvard Business Review, had Cornelissen and his team of researchers put together four fictional pitches. One of the pitches featured a heavy amount of figurative language, one of the presentations included a lot of hand gestures, one used both figurative language and hand gestures and the last pitch used neither. When the entrepreneur- an actor wed hired- used his hands to explain the idea, investors were more interested in it than when he described it in straightforward technical terms or with metaphors, analogies, an d anecdotes, Cornelissen explained.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreOn average, the deployment of hand gestures accounted for a 12% increase in the likelihood of subjects being interesting in the staged investments. A perfect pitch is one that depicts an idea as clearly and concisely as possible.In Cornelissens measured opinion, the use of hand gestures ensures foreign concepts come across more concretely. Investors could better appraise the products potential because they had a pretty good understanding of how it might look and work.More than the practical reasoning, gestures also make speakers seem more charismatic and passionate. Body language is a great way to suggest confidence, without running the risk of coming across as delusionalor overbearing.On the one handThere has to be some kind of method at play. The wrong kind of hand gestures can have an adverse effect. Too much gesturing could be off-putting, making the pitch more of a pantomime, Cornelissen told Harvard Business Review, Its not about the amount, however. As long as the gestures align with whats being said, they can only do your pitch good. Conversely, hand gestures that are both too frequent and irrelevant will serve as a distraction. Be sure to accompany key moments in the discourse with purposeful gesticulations.If you can be strategic and find one or two killer gestures that really mark your ideas or where you are with a venture- or that clarify what the product or service is about- that could do wonders. Cornelissen explained.Cornelissen research was tagged with another factor that impacts the perception of a pitch. Male investors were much more likely to secure funding than women. Some of winning people over with your ideas have to do with appealing to theirgut feelings and we dont have much power as far as convincing subjects against superficial instincts are concerned, unfortunate ly. The best we can do is offer a cogent, considered, version of our ideas, in as clear and tidy a way as possible.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

The Liberation of a Structured Job Search Strategy

The Liberation of a Structured Job Search StrategyThe Liberation of a Structured Job Search StrategyThe Liberation of a Structured Job Search StrategyThis post is written by Jessee (pictured), a guest blogger. Shes a working professional and the author of the blog BusterPeach. Her career has endured four cross-country moves, two layoffs, a major merger, and the launch of three startups all with just two employers. While her expertise lies in contact center operations management, she has focused heavily on employee training and development and is especially passionate about coaching soft skills and sales performance.The apply online only world we live in makes it convenient to search and apply for jobs from the comfort of your home. But its a huge adjustment to spend your days job searching in coffee-stained pajamas and call that meaningful.After a recent layoff, my struggle with being housebound became most evident when my Mom asked each day, Find any good leads? I daydreamed of dro pping a hot iron skillet on her pinky toe.I missed the hum of work, feeling productive, and the comforts of a schedule.Family life became increasingly difficult. I began to define myself by my output of clean laundry, and I couldnt help but feel exploited every time people had the nerve to put on clean skivvies.After months of hovering over job boards the way I imagine a bookie monitors SportsCenter 24/7, I welches determined to change something up. I decided to jupe this job search old school. Offline and face-to-faceOh, the village elders would be proudRejected and DejectedIn my best suit, with my best foot forward, I walked in to my target companies. I was committed to give a firm handshake, make a connection, and hand off my stunning resume. I even put on makeup.I was not prepared for what I experienced.Every receptionist was armed with a threadbare scriptMaam, Im sorry, you must apply onlineand generic business cards. In minutes, I was back in my car still holding my stunning r esume.These people know their mission is to deflect and redirect. While it felt good to be out of the house, I was spinning my wheels, and wasting my good pantyhose doing itDefeated, I went back home to stalk job openings and calm my jangled nerves with household chores.When my attic reached a state of organized utopia, I was at my lowest point.In a half-insane moment of total clarity, I designed a job search system resembling a schedule Id use if I were working.The schedule looked something like thisACTIVITY Search and Apply for JobsSCHEDULE Mondays and Thursdays, 900 - 1100 A.M.Mondays and Thursdays are the most strategic days, because newspaper job ads run Sundays and Wednesdays.Set up emaille alerts for job boards to notify you of new, relevant jobs.Give yourself permission to stop watching job boards every minute of every day. Trust that youre more effective when youre not burned out.ACTIVITYNetwork SCHEDULEWednesdays, 1200 - 100 P.M. and 700 - 800 P.M.Shamelessly interrogate y our network for leads. It can be as simple as meeting a former co-worker for coffee, going to the library, or attending a job fair.Spend this time outside the house, dressed for business.ACTIVITYFollow Up SCHEDULETuesdays and Fridays, 900 - 1100 A.M.Follow up by phone or email on each job youve applied to. Use a loose script of savvy questions to get on the employers radar and stay there.ACTIVITYOrganize and Track SCHEDULE OngoingSet up a paper or electronic file for each job you apply for Hint Resumes Tracker and Task Manager do a lot of this for you automatically. Include notes onJob description, source of the posting, specific resume and cover letter you sent, relevant company research.Journal your interactions (on paper or online), maintain all contact names, telephone numbers and email/postal addresses. Your first entry on the journal should be something like Applied Online 03/29/09. Subsequent entries should detail names, dates of contact, and any specifics that were discussed .Once I had a schedule with smart goals on it for each day, I could devote the allotted time to advance my job search, feel the pleasure of accomplishment, and then set it aside.As a bonus, I was able to give myself permission to catch up on those DVR recordings and enjoy my family without the constant sense that I was neglecting my job search duties.Pinky toes everywhere are thanking meWhat methods do you use to organize your job search?

Dont Fall for the Training Movie Montage - The Muse

Dont Fall for the Training Movie Montage - The Muse Dont Fall for the Training Movie Montage When Ren first insists on teaching Willard to dance in Footloose, the guy can’t hear a beat to save his life. But three minutes later, he’s a pro, showing off his moves while his mentor perches on a tractor and looks on proudly. To state the obvious, movies are fiction- even those that are based on or inspired by true stories tend to fictionalize for dramatic effect. And you should know that they’re not generally the best models for how things actually work offscreen. Just as the majority of romantic comedies don’t get relationships quite right, most films don’t get careers or accomplishments right. The list of ways that’s true could fill a much longer article than this one, but let’s focus here on the montage. (I was inspired to write about this after reading posts by Austin Kleon and David Wong.) Yep, the montage. You know the one I’m talking about. The part of the movie where the underdog protagonist decides to give it their all- it being preparing for whatever competition or moment will later serve as the climax of the movie. The screen then flashes through snippets of practice scenes, starting with a struggle but quickly fast forwarding through stages of improvement toward excellence, while an uplifting soundtrack ties it all together. Here’s the problem: That montage is terribly misleading. It creates the illusion that mastery can be achieved faster, that success comes more easily, and that the whole process happens more smoothly than is actually the case. The montage is a convenient tool that helps move a plot along, but in many cases even the full period of time it’s condensing wouldn’t be enough to pull off what countless movies suggest is possible. A month or two of rigorous training most likely isn’t going to be enough to make you great. You can’t catch up to, let alone triumph over, those who’ve been dedicated for far longer, no matter how much or how genuinely you want something. Regardless, the montage skims over and glamorizes the hardest, messiest work, packaging it into an arc with a clear upward trajectory toward winning or proving yourself. In the context of the full movie, getting good is a blip, and it flies by. In real life, you can’t predict how long the struggle will last, and you’re sure to fail frequently before you succeed. Let’s look at one such sequence that’s accompanied by one of my all-time favorite Disney songs. At the start of “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” Mulan and her fellow soldiers are, well, pathetic. The first two and a half minutes depict all sorts of flubs and fails- from trips and falls to missed bow-and-arrow shots to accidental explosions. But one early morning, Mulan, her brow furrowed in fierce determination, manages to climb up a tall pole with weights strapped to her wrists. From that moment on, the motley crew suddenly resembles a formidable army and Mulan, instead of trailing behind the men, is a star. Sure, the viewer might learn that one small win can beget another and start a streak. But the drastic turning point does little to reveal what finally clicked for Mulan, let alone for her peers. We don’t see her wrestling with different approaches or persevering through a rough patch of mixed results. It’s all bad until it’s all good. The montage obscures the incremental lessons and improvements and the ups and downs of a real path to success. Even if you know, logically, that you shouldn’t set your expectations based on how it happens in the movies, it’s hard to shake the internalized notion that things shouldn’t be this hard for this long. But they are. I don’t say that to discourage you. On the contrary, it’s meant to help you craft a more realistic plan that doesn’t include an inevitable letdown. In other words, if you expect to will yourself to a meteoric rise, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment. So don’t. Instead of counting on one turn of events to boost you straight to the top, focus your plan on sustained, and sustainable, work that’ll add up in the long term. Be patient- because your dreams won’t come true in a magical three-minute montage, but change will come with time and effort. And if a soundtrack helps in getting you there, by all means, crank it up. (BRB, going to create a montage playlist I can listen to on repeat.)

What to do when you think your life sucks

What to do when you think your life sucks What to do when you think your life sucks When life sucks, it’s hard to be around perpetually perky people. My college room mate had unrelenting positivity and I frequently responded with sharp-tongued barbs intended to wilt her enthusiasm. It never did though - no matter what obstacle or barrier I presented, she found a way around it.As I growled and sniped, however, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the way she always came out on top of the situation. I’m an over-achiever so this was irritating to me - but it turned out to be a game-changer.As I moved into the real world after graduating from college, the obstacles and barriers popping up in my life seemed to take on new, gigantic proportions. The sarcasm and negativity that had seemed clever in the old days no longer seemed so witty.When I applied to the FBI as a new agent, I quickly discovered that, while no one could be called perky, most agents could be described as possessing unrelenting positivity. Even when life sucks, a case looks hopeless, or a barrier a ppears insurmountable, there are differences between agents who just survive and those who thrive in their circumstances.The game-changer for me came when I finally understood that mental toughness is unrelenting positivity in the midst of uncertainty and risk. The strong-minded know how to look for the positive when life sucks. Follow these tips:1. Swap out one emotion for anotherWe’ve all heard that our well-being is increased when we turn our thoughts to gratitude. But gratitude is more than a platitude. It’s impossible to be negative and grateful at the same time.A recent study brings us closer to understanding how gratitude can affect the way our brain works. Participants were asked to write simple, short notes of gratitude to other people for three weeks. An MRI scan measured the brain of the participants and found they showed greater neural sensitivity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain area associated with learning, judgment, and decision making.When we feel that life suc ks, it’s important to find things for which we can be grateful. We may need to force ourselves at first but our heart will soon catch up to what the brain already knows.How To Make It Work For You: When you express gratitude, it has lasting effects on the brain. The study suggests that even months after a simple, short gratitude writing task, people’s brains were still wired to feel extra thankful. The implication is that gratitude has a self-perpetuating nature: The more you practice it, the more attuned you are to it.2. Focus on what’s nextArrests are a mix of organized chaos. As much as an FBI agent prepares for an arrest, there is always the element of the unknown. Would the suspect shoot, grab a hostage, or go berserk? Unintended consequences to an arrest that goes bad immediately escalate from a when life sucks moment into a when the shit hits the fan moment. It does no good to moan or complain when life takes an unexpected turn of events.Questions like, “Why me?” on ly weaken our mindset. When we blame others or make excuses for ourselves, we become victims. As a result, we often feel that we don’t have the strength to deal with our situation.How To Make It Work For You: When you focus on your next steps, you empower yourself to organize your thoughts so you can plan what to do. If you can’t change your situation, plan next steps on how to mitigate the blowback for a better outcome.3. Learn from your setbacksMany people I know do their best to avoid setbacks and obstacles. They don’t want to surround themselves with anything negative. What these precious petunias refuse to acknowledge is that life is hard and pain is inevitable, but growth is optional.If you run away from conflict and mistakes in life, you will die an ignorant person because you didn’t take the time to examine your life. The key is to learn from your mistakes so you don’t make the same ones over and over again.How To Make It Work For You: As long as we learn, we grow. Before you move on from a difficult situation, ask yourself: What is one thing I can learn from this experience? How can I avoid this trap next time? 4. Sweat the small stuffIt’s a temptation to spend 80% of our time on the negative of our situation and only 20% looking for solutions. Switch those numbers around.Your emotional, survival-driven brain will feel safer if you take the time to chart your plan or new reality with small and positive steps. With each success, you will train your brain to feel more comfortable with taking more, and eventually, bigger steps toward your new reality.Be aware that most of us automatically look at change as a negative experience. As a result, you tend to look at your new situation as permanent, pervasive, and personal. Once you realize this negativity bias, you strengthen your mind to accept your new direction with a more positive attitude.How To Make It Work For You: Spend more of your time on the small and practical steps you can take to make things better. Even if things get better a little at a time, you’ve still moved in the right direction. Each step will make you feel more confident and in control of your situation.This  article  first appeared on  LaRaeQuy.com.

4 Tips on Getting Consistent Performance From Employees

4 Tips on Getting Consistent Performance From Employees 4 Tips on Getting Consistent Performance From Employees Some days  are awesome, and some are awful. Some employees regularly knock the ball out of the park and others are in a perpetual slump. What you need, as a manager are employees that deliver consistent, high-quality performance that you can count on receiving every day. Wouldnt this make your work days grand? Its a great thought and its unlikely to ever occur unless you get lucky every once in a while. While you can rarely have every day work out perfectly (after all, youre dealing with humans who get bad colds and who have fights with their family members), you can get more consistent performance if you plan and prepare well. In fact, the heart and soul of obtaining consistent performance from your employees are to: institute procedures,provide training,grant permission to make decisions, andreward employees who consistently perform. Heres how to obtain consistent performance from employees. Emulate the Pharmacists With Consistent Procedures and Practices Pharmacists are famous for delivering quality care to every person. If you come in on a Tuesday and speak to Pharmacist Jane, and then come back on Thursday and speak to Pharmacist John, both will know your condition, which medications youre on, and who your doctors are. Why? Because they document the heck out of everything. Pharmacies can provide consistent care because they have consistent record keeping, and all pharmacists can access everyone elses work. (Within the company, of course. Your CVS pharmacist cant look up what a Walgreens pharmacist wrote.) Most businesses dont deal with life and death the way a pharmacy does, but they can certainly benefit from the idea. Document and have consistent procedures. When do you call for help? When do you say yes? When do you say no? What is the standard of care for each project or procedure?  When everyone on staff can access  the necessary information, youll find more consistent performance from employees. Train and Follow Up With a New Employee to Obtain Consistent Performance Many, many managers are completely swamped with work. So, when they hire a new employee, the training consists of “Your desk is here, your computer login is this, and make sure not everyone in the department leaves for lunch at the same time. If you have any questions, let me know.” And, the new person is left to figure out her job all by herself. Sometimes, the new employee jumps in and does a fantastic job. But, most of the time, a  person needs more training. Even if your new hire is beyond fabulous and does an amazing job with minimal support, the way in which she does the job will be different from how the previous employee performed the job. She will also perform the job differently than the other three people in the department. What happens when insufficient training is provided? Customers or clients (internal or external), get different answers and see different performances from different people. They are naturally going to prefer one person over the others. This then results in a lopsided workload for employees and unhappy clients when they dont get their preferred analyst. Instead, invest in training your new employees. This doesnt mean micro-managing. Consistency doesnt mean you must do everything identically; it just means that the performance is consistent. The client shouldnt be able to easily tell who did the work. After youve trained the new employee, follow up. If your new employee has ideas about how to do the work differently then listen, and if its truly better, have the new person train her peers on how to do the new method. This training never really ends. Its not an all-consuming time suck, though. Its simply a regular follow up with employees, tweaking the process when necessary, and changing the process when an employee develops a better way to perform the tasks. Give Decision Making Authority to Employees for Consistent Performance This may seem counter-intuitive to the idea of consistent performance. If you want consistency, then all line employees should do the same thing, in the same way, and any exception needs to go through a manager. You see this way of operating a lot in retail or call centers. The cashier isnt able to make a return; you have to go to the service desk. The person who answers the phone at your cable company cant lower your costs, but her manager can. While this is standard, it can lead to inconsistent performance and unhappy customers. Why? Because the customers see the front line employees as the enemy that they have to get through to talk to the people who have the authority to solve their problem. People who are aggressive get better treatment than people who are nice (which encourages bad behavior). And everyone has to wait in line, or on hold while you wait for the one manager to make the decision. Instead, give your employees the authority to do almost everything. You can set rules for returns and ask the employees to enforce them. If the employee tells a customer, no, then the manager should back the employee up, as long as the decision is within the written guidelines. The result is customers who receive consistent performance and treatment without waiting. Acting like a jerk doesnt improve the customers chances of getting their own way, and the employees feel empowered. Its a winning situation. Reward Performance Not Personality If you want consistent performance, give consistent praise. Make sure that you dont assign projects and praise based on how much you like the employee but on their performance. If Jane gets praised for so much as showing up, and John only gets a pat on the back for doing an outstanding job, you can bet that you wont get consistent performance out of your department. What you want is for everyone to do a great job all of the time, so you want to make sure you praise actual performance. You may like Jane better, but unless her performance is great, dont praise her. Hold employees to consistent standards and youll get consistent performance in return. Conclusion If you do these four activities well, youll see a more consistent performance from your employees. Consistent performance is a win for your customers, your employees, and your business. - Suzanne Lucas is a freelance journalist specializing in Human Resources. Suzannes work has been featured on notes publications including Forbes, CBS, Business Insider and Yahoo.

Customize this Outstanding Legal Secretary Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Legal Secretary Resume Template Customize this Outstanding Legal Secretary Resume Template In the legal realm, time is money, and as a legal secretary, you are a key part of making an office move quickly. Give yourself an edge over the competition for legal secretary jobs with a resume that stands out above the rest. You can make a great first impression with a targeted resume that clearly illustrates to potential employers how your skills and experience are the perfect match for their needs. Reference our legal secretary resume sample to see how your current resume looks in comparison, and note where you could use improvement. If you still need more help, our resume builder makes it easy for you to draft the best resume possible.Writing the Legal Secretary Resume TemplateCreate Resume Delivering a strong resume helps employers visualize your value to a firm. While it is your content that explains your ability, presentation is also crucial. A well-formatted Legal Secretary resume template will make your skills shine, and the template below is a terrific start to getting t he job.Resume Template for the Legal SecretaryDonna CharlestonProfessional SummaryDedicated Legal Secretary experienced in trial proceedings manages information and documentation in accordance with court rules. Detail-oriented to ensure all documents and related exhibits are prepared for trial. Proven communication skills to help clients through the litigation process.Core Qualifications Microsoft Office, PCLaw, Worldox 80 WPM, Dictation Discovery, preparation and trial experience Data entry Written and oral communication CALPA memberExperienceLitigation Secretary, March 2012 presentConfidential Wheaton Law Firm Wheaton, Illinois Screens cases to determine merit, action or conflict of interest Reviews forms and maintains schedule for 15 person legal firm Screens incoming clients and coordinates initial meetings with attorney Interviews witnesses, collects documentation and evidence for upcoming legal cases Files pleadings, motions, affidavits and motions Develops subpo enas, arranges subpoena service Tracks deadlines, and court schedules for court casesLegal Secretary, September 2006 February 2012Mitchell S. Sexner Associates LLC. Arlington Heights, Illinois Answered phones and directed communications between clients and legal representatives, prioritized emails and maintained calendar for 10 lawyer office Reviewed and directed incoming mail Prepared pleadings, documents in a timely manner to meet deadlines Reviewed filings for state and federal courts Used Worldox for electronic filing, maintained paper filesEntry Level Legal Secretary, July 2001 September 2006Leydig, Voit Mayer Chicago, Illinois Prepared documents for filing pleadings, motions responses, discovery and scheduling Documented production and provided data maintenance of legal files Directed communication between clients, home office, legal partners and other court personnelEducation2001, Bachelor of Professional Studies, Law Office AdministrationRobert Morris Univers ity Chicago, IllinoisCustomize ResumeWhy Is This a Good Legal Secretary Resume Sample?This resume starts out with the professional summary to emphasize the candidates most relevant qualities in a way that is quick and easy to read. Notice the use of powerful descriptive terms such as dedicated and detail-oriented to convey that the applicant possesses key attributes that law firms look for in support staff. The professional summary presents the jobseekers credentials in a concise but impressive way, clearly showing that she is familiar with trial proceedings, court rules, and litigation processes. This short descriptive section lets hiring managers know right away that the applicant is an experienced and skilled candidate for the position. The next section covers the jobseekers core qualifications. We recommend limiting this section to between five and eight skills or strengths that are relevant to the position, rather than including a long list of miscellaneous talents. In this le gal secretary resume sample, the candidate lists the practical qualifications that would be pertinent to her field, including typing, dictation, and data entry. This section is also a good opportunity to point out membership in a professional organization. Tailoring your resume to include the skills mentioned in a specific job posting will help make you stand out to the employer.The career experience section of the legal secretary resume sample shows how the candidate advanced from entry-level work to more specialized positions with progressively more responsibility. List your career experience in chronological order with the most recent at the top, and include dates that you worked at each position. Be sure to point out past accomplishments as well as job duties.The education section rounds out the legal secretary resume sample. Its brief and simply includes the name of the educational institution, the year of graduation, and the degree earned. Any certifications or licenses can al so be included here, or listed in a separate section.Why You Need a Strong Legal Secretary ResumeThe Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the legal secretary occupation is predicted to grow at an average rate through 2024. Competition for jobs in this field is substantial, and applicants with experience and training will have an edge. Multiple studies have shown that employers typically spend only five to seven seconds skimming each resume, so your resume must be exceptional to warrant deeper consideration from hiring managers. Using our legal secretary resume sample and writing tips, you can tailor your own resume to fit exactly what employers are seeking in job candidates. A strong resume that imparts your top strengths and qualifications at a glance is the best way to increase your chances of getting an interview.Costly Legal Secretary Resume Mistakes To AvoidIt seems obvious, but the importance of thoroughly proofreading your document cannot be overstated. Read it through more than once to ensure that your grammar and spelling are error-free. In addition, make certain that all information is correct and factual. Do not include anything that exaggerates your accomplishments or experience, or provide contact information that is out of date. When discussing job experience, use past tense for previous positions and present tense for your current position. Make sure the document is formatted correctly as well.It is essential to include only the most pertinent skills and information in your resume, as shown in the legal secretary resume sample. Potential employers will want to be aware of your typing speed and software experience, but they dont need to know your hobbies. If you have a college degree, dont include information about your high school diploma, as it is assumed that was earned as well. However, you should mention any ongoing professional development training and education.ConclusionCreating an outstanding resume requires some effort and attention t o detail, but its worth it to gain an advantage in this competitive field. Using our writing guidelines and legal secretary resume sample will help you draft the most successful resume possible. Remember to start off with a strong summary, and keep the focus on your most relevant strengths and achievements. Legal Secretary Resume Questions  1. What sections should you include in your legal secretary resume?You can get an idea of the sections you should include in your own document by reading through the legal secretary resume sample. The applicant included a professional summary â€" which most applicants use to showcase their work experience â€" core qualifications, experience, and education sections. Remember your resume does not have to look exactly like this. You could also include certifications, professional affiliations and memberships, and awards sections if you have the appropriate experience.2. What should you do to make sure your legal secretary resume makes it past ATS?Ma ny companies use an Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, to sort through the applications. This system looks for the use of keywords throughout a document to find candidates who match what the employer is looking for. If you want your document to make it to a real person, you need to make sure the ATS can read it.Pictures, tables, and graphs often throw off the ATS. To make sure your document is readable by the system, you should keep your design and layout simple, like that of the legal secretary resume sample. Use one type of font and simple headers. You should also incorporate keywords from the job description into your document to make sure the system realizes youre a good candidate.3. Whats the best way to include digital skills on a legal secretary resume?Employers may expect you to be familiar with certain computer programs. The legal secretary resume sample shows a great way to include these skills. You can emphasize your familiarity and ability with computers by including the skills in your core qualifications section. You could also point out your digital skills in action throughout your experience section.4. Which skills are the best to list on a legal secretary resume?Hiring managers want to find candidates who have the skill set necessary to succeed as a legal secretary. If you want to show recruiters youre a great candidate, you need to point out the right skills. Often, communication, organization, and research skills have an important role in this type of work. You can get ideas of other skills you may want to include by reviewing the legal secretary resume sample. If youre still having writer’s block, you can get step-by-step instructions for each section when you use a resume builder.5. What should go in the experience section of your legal secretary resume?Many people see the experience section as the meat of the resume. This area describes your responsibilities and accomplishments in each position you have held. If you want to catch the att ention of a hiring manager, you need to emphasize accomplishments more than responsibilities. Whenever possible, you should link metrics and numbers to your accomplishments because it helps employers better understand what you did. Read through the experience section of the legal secretary resume sample one more time to see how the applicant infused her past jobs with metrics and other engaging tidbits.

How to Choose an MPA School

How to Choose an MPA School How to Choose an MPA School A master of public administration degree is often sought by government professionals seeking to advance their careers and new college graduates continuing their education without a break between courses of study. Choosing an MPA school can be a daunting task. Unfortunately, there is no formula you can use. It is most important to find a school that fits you and your goals. Considering the 8 factors below can help. See which ones are most important to you, and use them as a yardstick to measure schools and compare them to one another. Curriculum As youre perusing MPA school websites, look closely at the curriculum. See if the courses are geared toward the level of government you want to work in. A rule of thumb for the curriculum is if the degree is called a master of public affairs, the school is preparing graduates for foreign policy, national government, and academic careers, and if the degree is called a master of public administration, the school is preparing graduates for careers in state and local government. This wont always be true, but its pretty close. Faculty Look at the faculty biographies, curriculum vitae and publications. Try to find a handful of faculty members who hold similar interests to yours. Later when you arrive on campus, immediately start developing relationships with those faculty members. At least one of them will likely be on your thesis committee. Cost Be pragmatic when it comes to the cost of your degree. Unless you anticipate a need to impress someone with the name of your MPA school, consider the lower cost schools first. A graduate degree is what you make of it, so if you apply yourself, youll get more than your moneys worth. Location Based on your personal needs and preferences, an optimal location for an MPA school can mean several things. Do you want to be close to family? Close to internship opportunities? Close to your current job? There are enough options that you dont have to reorganize your life around your MPA school. If you are geographically limited, that just helps you narrow down your search for schools. Internship Opportunities If you are starting work on your MPA right after finishing your undergraduate degree and you have no appreciable experience in the public sector, you need to do an internship or find a government job while youre in school. If a school doesnt have a solid track record of placing students in internships, its probably not the school for you. Alumni Talk to a handful of alumni. They will give you the honest, inside scoop. If the program was worthless, theyll tell you. If it was the thing to take their career to the next level, theyll tell you that as well. Ask plenty of questions. In fact, as too many questions. People love to give advice, particularly about things they know about and are proud of. Theyll be flattered you asked them about their MPA experience. Career Services Most universities have a career services department. Department staff foster relationships with employers with the goal of getting their schools graduates placed in entry-level jobs. Many people do not take advantage of career services at their school. Visit with someone in the career services department for each of your top few schools. See if they have experience placing graduates in the type of job you want to have waiting for you when you graduate. Rankings Each year, U.S. News and World Report ranks colleges and universities on various aspects of what the schools can offer students. Dont overemphasize the rankings in your decision-making process. Theyre other peoples opinions, and you need to go to the school that most suits you.

Job Application Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong

Job Application Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong Job Application Checklist Where Are You Going Wrong 6You’ve done pretty much everything in your job seeking power to get hired for a flexible job. And yet, despite your best efforts, you are still woefully unemployed. Could it be that there are some minor details that are majorly impacting your job search? Go through this job application checklist to see where you are going wrong- and how to fix it: ___ Are you targeting your job search to a specific job that you are most interested in?  When you cast the net wide and apply for any ol’ position, you’re much more likely to get rejections- and feel defeated in the process. ___ Are you half-heartedly filling out job applications?  If you don’t take the time to create quality job applications, your chances of hearing back from a potential employer decrease. ___ Are you applying for too many jobs?  If so, you might be suffering from burnout, which can affect the quality of your application. ___ Have you made a list of large and small companies for which you’d most like to work?  By aiming for companies that you’d like to work for, you’ll help to focus your search. ___ Are you tailoring every resume and cover letter you send out to be specific for each job/company?  If you send out generic job applications, it could negatively affect your chances of getting called in for an interview. ___Have you networked with friends and family to learn more about possible job openings?  They can be a great resource and a way to get your foot in the door at a company you’d like to work for. ___ Are your job applications completely filled out?  If you don’t want to take the time to accurately complete the applications, chances are they’ll get rejected by the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), or worse, tossed in the trash by a hiring manager. ___ Are you proofreading your job application (i.e., the resume and cover letter) to ensure accuracy?  If your job application has any errors, they can be counted against you. After all, no one likes a sloppy speller. ___ Are you following up on job applications?  It’s always a good idea to follow up to make sure that potential employers have received your application. It’s typically best to wait at least one week to follow up. ___ Are you active in professional associations or other networking groups?  Even if networking isn’t your thing, you can still make great connections, particularly if you’re looking to make a career change. ___ Have you asked people in your network, if they work for a company you’ve applied to or know someone at a company you want to work for, to put in a good word for you? ___Are you sure that your enthusiasm for the position is evident?  Beyond applying for the position, you need to show a future boss how much you want the job. Following up after you submit your job application is one way to reiterate your interest. ___ Have you had your resume reviewed by a professional?  Resume styles change more often than you might think. Making sure your info is on point can help seal the deal and get you a job interview. ___ Are you sending a cover letter (or cover email) with every application?  Yes, crafting a cover letter for each and every job application can be super time-consuming, but so can a lengthy job search. Find jobs that you really want, and then take the time to write a cover letter worth reading. ___ What is the tone of your job application? Friendly and professional, or negative and gossipy?  You never know who your potential boss is besties with. Never, ever badmouth a former manager or colleagues. Stick instead to why you want the job and why you’re a perfect fit for the position. ___ Is your contact information correct?  Especially if you’re using an older version of your resume, you might overlook that you’ve listed an outdated email address or contact number. Review your resume to make sure everything is up to date. ___ Is your email address professional?  A potential boss might think twice if he has to respond to hellokitty1212 @xmail .com. Your email address listed on your job application should be professional and also include your name. ___ Are your social media profiles professional?  The vast majority of employers will do an online search of candidates they’re interested in. So make sure  your social media profiles are professional and polished, or better yet, consider creating two separate versions, one personal and one private. ___ Do you have any professional online presence, such as a LinkedIn profile?  LinkedIn is a must-have for any job seeker. Take the time to make sure your profile is up to date and complete (e.g., have a current photo, list your previous employers and positions, etc.). You can even consider writing a blog post that showcases your expertise and experience in your field. ___ Do you have a professional portfolio?  If you have a website that encompasses your work history, be sure to include a link to it in your job application. ___ Are you applying to jobs as soon as they are posted?  If you see a posting for a fabulous job that screams your name, you should apply to it ASAP. You never know the timeline of the person doing the hiring; it might be days or weeks. Getting your application in early means that it will be considered. ___ Do you follow job application instructions explicitly?  The job posting specifically stated that you need to submit three writing samples. But you only submitted one- and never heard back. Try to follow the instructions of the job listing exactly as they appear so that your application passes through the ATS- and gains the approval of the hiring manager. It may seem like an arduous process to go through a job application checklist for each and every job that you pursue, but it’s really not. Once you master what it takes to submit a stellar job application, the process will become easier, faster, and get you that much closer to getting hired. Readers, do you have a job application checklist you follow? Let us know in the comments below!

What Skills to put on a Resume The 2019 Guide with 200+ Sample Resume

What Skills to put on a Resume The 2019 Guide with 200+ Sample Resume What Skills to put on a Resume The 2019 Guide with 200+ Sample Resume Man often becomes what he believes himself to be.On an average, recruiters will spend 10 seconds looking at a resume. A wells: Microsoft Excel or Communications. Transferable Skills for resume Computer and Internet Skills Written and Verbal Communication Organizational Skills Multi-tasking Time Management Hiration's online resume building tool possesses a pre-filled list of skills which are related to your target domain. Adaptive Resume Skills - adaptive skills are personal attributes or skills you use on a daily basis or generally use at work.  Examples: Persuasion or Confidence Adaptive Skills for resume Analytical Adaptable Quick Learner Relationship Building Discreet Flexible Efficient Detail-oriented JobsFiguring out functional skills to list on resume can be difficult. Do not worry we have got you covered.Our entire database of skils for resume shall help your refer to the exact key skills to put on resume. The following is a list of good resume skills examples to put on a resume.Data Analysis Engineering1. Technical Consultant Technical Support Consulting Stakeholder Management Project Management Delivery Platform Stabilization Process Automation Process Re-engineering Optimization Cluster Monitoring Solutions Delivery Performance Enhancement Client Relationship Management Leadership Mentoring 2. Junior Process ExecutiveKey Skills: System Operating Procedures Maintenance Process Improvement Pre-Commissioning Activities Trainings Process Design Safety Commissioning Activities Team Management Procurement Technical Skills: MS Office Matlab Auto CAD HSYS Aspen Plus 3. Maintenance Technician Predictive Maintenance Spare Management Total Productive Maintenance Preventive Maintenance Breakdown Analysis Quality Checks Shift Planning Packaging Machine Operation 4. HSE Manager HSE Plans HSE Training Risk Management HSE Manuals Health Awareness Programs Compliance HSE Management System HSE Coaching HSE Audits Accident Investigations Problem Reporting Teamwork 5. Telecom Team Lead Network Optimization Specialist Network RF Optimization (LTE/WCDMA/GSM) Audits Stakeholder/VendorManagement Project Management Delivery LTE RAN Optimization Troubleshooting KPI Optimization Monitoring Customer Relationship Management Drive Test Data Processing Site Configuration Handover Quality Assurance Issue Resolution 6. MEP Project Coordinator Project Management Contract Administration Project Budgeting Project Financials Coordination Testing and Commissioning Cost Estimation Mechanical Designs Management Reporting Leadership Liaising Business Development Work Allocation Risk Management Cash Flow Customer Engagement/Retention1. PL Leader Customer Engagement/Retention Expert Customer Retention Engagement Customer Life-cycle Management PL Management Strategic Alliances Planning Persistency Enhancement Project Management Cost Benefit Churn Analysis Attrition Reduction Root Cause Analysis Continuous Improvement Operations Portfolio Management Team Leadership Training Modules Process Migration Sales Marketing1. Deputy Manager - Sales Marketing Team Leadership Training Sales Strategy Business Development Partnerships Strategic Alliances Customer Satisfaction Marketing Management Promotions Client Relationship Management Stakeholder Management Brand Visibility Requirements Analysis Escalation Resolution Operations1. Mall General Leasing Manager Leasing FMCG brands Client Relationship Management Mall Operations Fashion brands Sales Marketing Mall Planning Leadership Customer Service New Store Opening Retail Management New Lead Generation Opening New Markets 2. Operations Management Expert Strategy Leader Operations Management Strategy Planning Sales Marketing Recruitment Training Process Optimization Business Development User Acquisition Partnerships Alliances Cost Control Budgeting Franchise Expansion Repeat User Growth Liaison Coordination City Expansion Launch Project Delivery Research Analytics 4. Executive Officer Production Planning Specialist Operations Management Process Optimization Production Planning Control Quality Assurance Control Six Sigma Team Leadership Waste Control PL Management Inventory Control Business Development Sales Vendor Management Product Development Work Center Planning Equipment/Machine/Resource Management SOPs 5. Supply Chain Manager Procurement Specialist Purchase Order Management Supply Chain Management Leadership Team Management Vendor Support Product Procurement Optimization Stakeholder Management Communication Negotiation Reporting Documentation Process Optimization Stakeholder Management PTS Resolution Team Management Leadership Requisition Conversion Innovation Implementation Dashboard Preparation Client Relationship Management Repair Purchasing PO Analysis Report 6. Sales/BD Manager Operations Specialist Sales Business Development Cost Control Operations Management Project Management Delivery Market Expansion Research Client Relationship Management Strategic Alliances Partnerships Stakeholder Management Employee Engagement Retention Financial Management Budgeting Strategy Process Optimization Leadership Team Management Training Mentorship 7. Operations Professional Backend Operations Vendor Management Negotiations Inventory Management Warehouse Management SOPs Processes Policies Liaising Business Strategy Team Management Leadership Training 8. Senior Operations Excellence Leader Lean Six Sigma Consulting Process Optimization Project Quality Management Manufacturing Quality Strategy Supply Chain Optimization Multi-Site Operations Quality Tools Frameworks Process Reengineering Training Mentorship Six Sigma Black Belt Process Improvement Team Management Leadership Administrative, Business, and Finance/AccountingKey Skills Inventory Management Accounts Management Accounting Business Intelligence Business Storytelling Transcription Company Payroll Cost Savings Customer Service Financing Licensing Negotiations Office Administration Financial Statements Tax Auditing Bookkeeping Acquired Skills MS Office Asana WebEx QuickBooks MS Excel SAP Oracle BillQuick 1. Investment Banking Operations Specialist Cross-functional Team Leadership Process Optimisation Reconciliation Mentorship, Training Development Client Relationship Management Operations PL Management Strategy Formulation Implementation Financial Systems Budgeting StakeholderManagement Project Execution Management Audits Compliance Rates Derivatives SME Coordination Liaison 2. Senior Financial Governance Strategy Expert BusinessStrategy Execution Financial Planning Analysis Financial Governance Administration Business Integration Transformation Corporate Governance Oversight Program Management Delivery Risk Assessment Mitigation Communication Presentations Stakeholder Management Metrics Performance Dashboards Process Mapping Reengineering Human Capital Strategy 3. Lead Business Analyst Product Management Expert Business Analysis Research Cross-functional Team Leadership Training Client Servicing Account Management Strategic Planning Team Management Solutions Design and Delivery Process Optimization Change Management Project Management Delivery Stakeholder Management Risk Mitigation Product Lifecycle Management Strategy and Execution Agile SCRUM Documentation Reporting 4. Assistant Manager - Plant Inventory Management Plant Repair Maintenance Team Leadership Plant Failure Analysis Quality Control Assurance Vendor Management Support Workflow Optimization IMS Safety Facility Administration Stakeholder Management Documentation Reporting Resource Utilization OEM Compliance 5. Supply Chain Management Professional Process Optimization Project Quality Management Supply Chain Management Reverse Logistics RTO Supply Chain Optimization Quality Tools Frameworks Vendor/Merchant Management Logistics Distribution Quality Check Data Analysis Liaison Coordination Team Leaderhip Complaint Management 6. Key Account Manager Operations Management Professional Team Management Leadership Relocation Services Delivery Training, Mentoring Development Brand Management Market Research Competition Analysis Client Relationship Management Mobility Management Growth Strategy Key Account Management Sales Marketing Negotiation Stakeholder Management Business Development 7. Business Development Leader New Business Development Global Partnerships Global Alliances Customer Relationship Management Go To Market Planning Negotiations Team Building International Team Management Coordination 8. Product Development Expert Cross-functional Team Leadership Customer Relationship Management User Engagement Key Account Management Product Management Enhancement VAS Consultancy Market Research Penetration Training Mentoring Client Servicing Communication Churn Management Control Quality Control AOP Management PL Maximization Process Optimization Stakeholder Management Business Turnaround High-Growth Strategies Compliance TrainingCorporate Trainer Wellness Coach Finance Budgeting Cash Management Compliance Learning Management System Soft Skills Training Instructional Design Customer Service Requirement Elicitation Reporting Audits Statutory Accounting Principles Team Management Training Stakeholder Management Client Relationship Management Process Optimization Forecasting Legal1. Law Graduate Compliance Due Diligence Drafting Agreements Legal Research Vetting Documents Document Review Contracts Coordination Liaison Legal Documentation 2. Legal Associate Review of Agreements Infrastructure, Energy Insurance Competition Law Constitutional Law Contract Negotiation Drafting Research Briefings Due Diligence Dispute Settlement Arbitration Legal Opinions Team Management 3. Legal Manager/ Advocate Drafting Legal Research Vetting Legal Documents Legal Document Review Arbitration Contracts Agreements Trademark Registration Briefing Counsels Legal Opinions Due Diligence 4. Financial Asset Resolution Corporate Law Expert Asset Reconstruction Resolution Documentation, Drafting Research Arbitration, Briefing Legal Opinions Applications, Agreements Notices Leadership Mentorship NPAs Legal Due Diligence Stakeholder Management Liaison Coordination Regulatory Statutory Compliance Corporate Law Civil Cases Recovery Contract Negotiation Risk Assessment Analysis 5. Legal Director General Counsel Legal Strategy and General Corporate Team Incubation Leadership Due Diligence and Negotiation Investment/Business Agreements Mergers and Acquisitions Legal Risk Management Mitigation Private Equity/Venture Capital Deals IPOs, QIPs and Debt Transactions Litigation and Arbitration End-to-end Compliance Management Judicial Proceedings Representation Drafting Reviewing Documentation SportsCricket Analyst Live Expert Pre-Match Analysis Post Match Analysis End-to-End Match Coverage Pitch Mapping Analysis SWOT Analysis Hawk-eye Analysis Player Performance Assessment Updates Follow-Ups Strategy Game Plan Content Optimization Voice Modulation Cricket Analysis Expertise Medical, Dance Academia1. Radiology Sonology Professional Radiology Cross Sectional Imaging-Neuroradiology Body Imaging Sonology Non Vascular Interventions MSK Slice Machines MRI Machines Onco-interventions Patient Care 2. Assistant Professor M.D. (Dermatology) Chemical Peeling Lasers Electro-cautery Laser Hair Reduction Vesicobullous Disorders Dermatology PUVA/NBUVB Therapy Cosmetology Venereology Radiofrequency Ablation/Radiotherapy STDs/AIDS Counseling Treatment Microdermabrasion Leprosy(With/Without Reaction) OPD Procedures Care Psoriasis (With/Without Arthritis) 3. LanguageSpecialist South Asian Regional Expert Knowledge Transfer Process Optimization Issue Resolution Policy Formulation Geo-political Socio-cultural Awareness Subject Matter Expertise Audits Quality Assurance Legal/OfficialDocumentation Interpretation Translation Community Operations Insights Proofreading Terminology 4. Senior Dance Instructor Administrative Head Administration Studio Operations Maintenance Teaching Evaluation Assessment Documentation Reporting Liaison Coordination Standards-based Instruction Leadership Team Management Choreography Productions Kindergarten/Primary Children's Training Costume Design Recruitment Operations Accounting Body Movements Soft Skills for Resume The most essential soft skills for resume are listed below: Problem Solving Adaptability Collaboration Strong Work Ethic Time Management Critical Thinking Self-Confidence Handling Pressure Leadership Creativity Decision Making Negotiation Motivation Networking Conflict Resolution Customer Service Business Etiquette Planning Adaptability Multitasking Leadership Management Teamwork Problem-solving Collaboration Time management Empathetic Prioritizing Although very rarely used in professional resumes, the soft skills adds value to your resume Let us further break the skills down into their respective categories. Each category showcases the kind of contribution which shall highlight the respective resume soft skills.1. Adaptability-based:adapting to situationsdeveloping solutionsflexibility in approachmanaging unpredictable schedulesadapting methodologyre-prioritizingdelegating tasks for maximum efficiencyfostering healthy relationshipsmaintaining a professional/egalitarian attitudecomplying with guidelinesrevising strategies to align with trends2. Analytical Thinkingevaluating/diluting complex processes into manageable tasksanalyzing large volumes of dataidentify trendspresenting results in clearlyproducing comprehensive solutions to complex problemsextensively analyzing/assessing relevant data setsidentifying and implementing efficiency savingsdetermining relevance of suggested arguments/ideasmanaging time-constrained tasks with rapid, error-free analysisresolving client issuesmonitoring competitor activities3. Attention to Detailplanning strategically overcoming challengesmeeting deadlines without sacrificing qualitycreating step-by-step processesidentifying major obstacles and brainstorm solutionsorganizing highly detailed planningensuring all team members understand their rolesidentifying errors and inconsistenciesrestructuring and reorganizing underdeveloped projectsoverseeing highly detailed projects and discovering loopholes/issues4. Communication-basedengaging with people in person/on the phone/via emailpossessing strong written and oral communication skillsmaking reports, creating signage, filling out recordsemploying tactful, professional speech and correspondencecreating well-crafted writing in the correct formatRelated Resume Keywords Administrative Advising Coaching Collaboration Communication Conflict Resolution Consultation Counselling Customer Service Reporting Negotiation Networking Related Contribution PointsFostering long-lasting relationships with customers and strategic partners to strengthen brand awarenessFacilitating monthly meetings with employees to ensure there is a mutual understanding of a project’s directives5. IT / Computer SkillsOutstanding Typing Skills (WPM = 90)Troubleshooting techniquesMicrosoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.Analytical programmingUp to date with current requirements and innovations6. Cooperationintegrating into all situationspossessing a personable natureopen to teamwork and cooperationnegotiating team and co-worker conflictfocusing on the bigger pictureactively engaging with othersfocusing on overcoming challenges without blamingadhering to all institutional standards7. Dependabilityfinishing all tasks and projects on time with a reliably high level of qualityaccepting requests to fill necessary shifts during unavailabilitymaintaining a professional and egalitarian attitudeensuring minimal interpersonal conflictsa cting as an ambassador for the brandmanaging a strong line of communicationassisting others with tasks and projects during free time8. Independenceseeking answers to questions without needing excessive guidanceasking only when relevant/necessarycreating personal tasks and projects without supervisionactively acquiring skills to avoid over-reliance on team membersoperating independent of team members and managementsubmitting comprehensive reports/feedback to keep projects on track9. Initiativedisplaying a thirst for knowledgebecoming an expert on any product or subjectassuming responsibility for completing important tasksfilling labor gaps wherever necessarybrainstorming and developing approaches to problems in downtimeapproaching challenges as opportunities to improve skills and abilitiesvolunteering for new projectscompleting tasks that are otherwise ignored/avoidedseeking advice and criticism to constantly improvereceiving award for outstanding work ethicssetting challenging bench marks of success and plan10. Innovation Creative Thinkingsuggesting and promoting ideas for analysis and judgementassessing and critically analyzing personally developed ideascomparing, contrasting, and combining ideas using critical thinkinggenerating ideas, developing insights and designing possible alternativesprojecting an innovative outlook that encourages free thinkingchallenging conventional barriers in problem solvingapplying rational analysis and promoting an evidence-based approachappraising situations approaching problems with a consistent/systematic methodologyimplementing efficiency and cost-saving initiatives to improve customer serviceevaluating Risks Rewards related to implementing new projects or programs11. Integritymaintaining an honest outlook in the workplacetactfully designing constructive criticismreviewing project successes/failures dispassionatelyaccepting blame when mistakes are madeseeking methods to prevent future issuesconducting business/personal aff airs according to highest codes of ethicsestablishing trustworthy relationships with clients and co-workersFollow institutional rules, processes and practices at all timessupporting company’s quality management proceduresreporting issues and problems through proper channels12. Leadership Managementmaintaining a visionary outlook and acting towards the desired goal at all timesviewing each challenge in the context of the broader scope of the projectproject confidence and flexibility while accepting differing viewsutilizing interpersonal skills to motivate and encourage co-workersdemonstrating critical thinking under stressful situationsdisplaying integrity honesty while honoring promises and defending valuesassuming leadership role in the absence of the supervisorensuring that the office operated productivelyassisting in the training of new employees to integrate them in the workflow13. Organizationmanaging projects/stakeholder/clients/teams to enable growthscheduling meetings, a ppointments, and travel arrangements for managerscompiling, prioritizing, and processing all new purchasing ordersestimating the work involved to provide both a timetable and the effortdiscussing a project at all levels and clearly articulate the work/issues/challenges14. Persistence and Persuasionovercoming obstacles to facilitate project completionnot adhering to the accepted limitsapplying a logical mindset to derive well researched ideasdissecting counter arguments methodically without prejudiceprojecting positive persona to focus on the positive outcomelistening actively to all arguments and ideas presentedfairly weighing and analyzing ideas before respondingdefending positions forcefully to achieve the best outcomeseeking alternative solutions to stubborn problemsmethodically testing, rejecting, and noting progress/setbacks15. Researchanalyzing large volumes of data to find the required informationproducing creative solutions to complex problemsidentifying important concepts w ithin a project to provide targeted researchidentifying and streamlining research opportunities to increase efficiency16. Self Controlmaintaining high levels of self-awarenessanalyzing one’s own assumptions and valuesfocusing on finding solutions rather than attributing blameupholding customer rights during difficult timesprofessionally dealing with peers, co-workers and clientsseeking de-escalate issues and find ways to resolve issues rationallyavoiding emotional confrontation and arguments with peers and clientsadhering to work schedules and providing a notice before taking time off17. Stress Toleranceremaining calm under pressure while delivering solutions during crisisperforming and overseeing multiple individual tasks simultaneouslyensuring quality and efficiency while remaining within deadlinesmanaging chaotic task loads during time-sensitive crisis periodskeeping teammates focused and under control during high stressefficiently and analytically approaching problemsmaking an d defending critical and high risk decisions based on careful researchaccepting responsibility for outcomesresolving interpersonal conflicts while remaining objective18. Teamworkpredicting team's overall benefits  from any given actionutilizing a diverse skillset to complement any team makeupconveying authority, competence, and a socially oriented attitudefostering friendly relationsconfidently communicating with co-workers and customersseeking new relationships and forming large networks of individualsdeveloping a pool of resources and talent to achieve goals and targetsprojecting warmth and sincerity to peers and clientsworking together to achieve mutual goalsadapting to highly dynamic and changing situationscollaborating with teams to complete projects within TAT and budget19. Willingness to learntech savvy and always expanding skillsetquickly learning and apply new applicationsincreasing value as an asset to the company20. Writingpossessing broad knowledge basewriting on a wide range of subjectshighly developed research skillscreating accurate, informative and in depth content on any subjectensuring error free writing with expert literary skillsexhibiting perfect grammar and style at all timesapproaching a writing style to fit the subject at handusing of suitable/user-centric language for intended audiencemeeting deadlines and targets as requiredResume Skills FAQ1. What is a resume skills summary?The resume skills summary is a resume skills list of the skills you have showcased across all your work experiences in your resume.2. How to list Skills on a Resume?Step 1: Highlight necessary/relevant skills across your work experiencesStep 2: Bucket similar skills into an umbrella/main skillStep 3: Write your bucket as a part of your resume skills list.3. Where is the skills section of resume placed?This skills section of resume is usually placed right below the summary for best readability.4. What to put in Skills Section of resume?The skills section of resume essentially contains a mixture of both your professional and soft skills. Either way, include most of the skills require din the target job description instead of generic skills.Always make sure you justify your skills across your work experiences.5. What Skills to put on Resume?The appropriate skills to put on resume might be complicated. They are mainly:targeted keywordsbucketed phrasesYou shall find them on our database of resume skills. You may also find them on our online resume builder. Key TakeawaysThe most important thing to remember is to select skills that are relevant to the position you are interviewing for, and more important than that, skills that your company puts a tremendous amount of value in.Once you get your skills straightened out, you should make sure that the rest of your resume is congruent with the skills you just selected, namely, that your experience shows that you both used those skills in a work environment and developed the skill with on-the-job tasks.The top desired skills are related to:CommunicationLeadershipPlanning StrategyTeamworkAnalysis ResearchYour skills on resume differentiates you from other candidates applying for the same job.It is possible that nearly every applicant will share the same skills as you.Thus, you should always take the time to plan and strategize your approach to presenting your resume skills before putting them to paper.How you present your resume skills could be the key that gets you inside the interview door. Tailor your skills for resume to make them target job relevantResearch targeted keywords for resume skills to bypass the ATSAdd transferrable and universal resume skills for extra valuesQuantify your skills with numerical values against contributions

How Introverts Can Make Friends in a New Job - The Muse

How Introverts Can Make Friends in a New Job - The Muse How Introverts Can Make Friends in a New Job You’re about to start a new role. It’s exciting because yay, fresh start, but it’s also incredibly intimidating. You’re not anti-social or shy, but you are an introvert and it takes you a little bit longer to become friends with people. But you want friends at your new workplace! So, you’re probably feeling a little anxious about the fact you’re about to be surrounded by a whole lot of unfamiliar faces. Well, you’re certainly not alone in this fear. In fact, we talked to five introverts on how they managed to build relationships with their co-workers when starting a new job. Here’s what they suggest: Take the First Few Days to Just Observe A different environment with different people, responsibilities, and schedules is a lot for introverts to take in. So, when it comes to making friends, don’t feel obligated to jump right in. “Spend the first few days observing and listening to conversations in breakrooms and around the water cooler. Keep a low profile and just watch and listen, then decide who you would like to get to know more,” says Mychelle Fernandez, social influencer, blogger, and self-identified introvert. Alisha Powell, PhD, LCSW, agrees: “I’m a travel social worker, so I have a new set of colleagues in a new office every few months. One thing I’ve found helpful is to observe the office dynamic.” And, she says, “Observing people doesn’t have to be super creepy. It just means that you do what you need to do but you also pay attention to what is around you. You listen to conversations without feeling the need to interject your point. Learning through observation is a great idea if you’re shy and not sure where to start.” Think of this timeframe like your planning period (and introverts love planning)- you’re getting a lay of the land, which will help you better understand who you’ll mesh well with and the best ways to approach certain people. Start Small From there, you can begin to take baby steps. Powell and Fernandez suggest starting with small talk, then moving this to a one-on-one meal or coffee. “By asking for recommendations on places to eat [for example], he or she may end up inviting you to join him or her,” says Fernandez. “It’s not in an introvert’s nature to talk to a lot of people at once, so that’s why I suggest to talk to one person at a time. Make an effort to talk to one new person a day, even if it’s just introducing yourself,” adds Lauren Crain, Digital Marketer at Health Labs. Seek Out Groups That Interest You This is great advice for anyone in a new job, but especially for introverts who struggle to come up with ways to insert themselves into cliques. “Many offices offer clubs or after-work activities. Choose ones that are interesting to you and dive in by asking about others’ days, jobs, and personal lives. At Fundera, I joined the running club- which is restricted to a Slack channel for the time-being- where runners share advice on products, races, and general tips. For me, it provided familiarity with new co-workers and a topic to bring up when I bumped into another runner,” says Nicolas Straut, Content Marketing Associate at Fundera. Be Your Kind and Wonderful Self Finally, remember that you’re a smart, nice, and awesome person that people will like because they have zero reason not to. “Be yourself- unapologetically. Let your co-workers know what you like! I, for example, love contemporary art, so I took a fellow intern to a few galleries last summer; on another occasion, a co-worker (whom I'd never met) and I celebrated and critiqued our favorite writers and filmmakers for hours after she noticed one of my laptop stickers, a tribute to my favorite movie. We talked for so long that our dumplings had gone cold,” says Melissa Ho, a marketing team member at Fueled. “Three months ago, I joined my current company and made it my mission to make new friends despite my introversion. My top tip for fellow introverts in this situation is to remember that your new co-workers want to meet someone who is cool and friendly. Once you start, make a good impression by smiling often and being warm when others engage you. My first week, I accidentally grabbed someone else’s coffee mug and when they asked where it was in a general Slack channel, I was quick to apologize and introduce myself in a friendly manner when I gave it back. The mug’s owner and I are now good friends despite my mistake,” adds Straut. Did you try these and find that you’re still not having luck? One thing to remind yourself is that making friends in a new job is hard- for everyone. So cut yourself some slack if you’re not hitting it off with people right away. You’ll get there.