Four ways for you to have a healthier holiday season

Four ways for you to have a healthier holiday seasonFour ways for you to have a healthier holiday seasonTrigger warningtodays episode of the podcast touches lightly upon dietary considerations that may be triggering for some.Tis the season for quality time with family and friends. But between holiday travel, shopping, and oodles of face time with family, it can be a stressful time of year, too.And while I absolutely love how my familys holiday traditions tend to center around delicious, decadent food, Im bedrngnis a big fan of the sedentary nature of so much celebrating.But with a little bit of foresight, we all can have a healthier holiday season.Heres what Im doing this year to have happy, healthier holidays1. Schedule outdoor family funThis is a great time of year to sign up for family fun runs and 5k races. Theres a hugely popular turkey trot race near my hometown in Manchester, CT that I missed out on this year (Brad and I hosted our first Thanksgiving for a change), but its alw ays such a fun and feel-good way to abflug off your day.I like to find a nice spot for a family hike on holidays, especially on those days that end with hours and hour of eating amazing food. I feel so much better indulging when I know Ive really worked up an appetite and can lounge without feeling like Ive been lethargic all day long.It might be as simple as getting outside to toss a frisbee or football with family members, an inter-generational form of fun youll often see us partake in when Im home for the holidays. If youre in a snowy climate, making a snowman or going sledding gets you up and moving just the same. Even just taking a walk around the block with the dogs is better than nothing, and will get your body moving and still provide some quality time for connecting with loved ones.2. Move before mealsEven if you cant seem to get your family members on board for some outdoor fun, I always try to give myself time to move my body before big meals. I have to remind myself that my hyperactive nature means I crave the stress-busting benefits of fitness more than some of my family members do. And giving myself permission to sneak away for a quick jog or fitness class isnt rude. Im not breaking from the pack or abandoning family time. Im ensuring that I can show up as my best, most patient and kind version of myself.While carving out solo exercise time when Im home for the holidays isnt easy when your family has a pack mentality like mine does. But its a form of self-care And Ive realized over the years that martyring myself to be with my family 24/7 while Im home can tischset me up to explode like stress-filled ticking time bomb.After even a quick 20-minute sweat session, Ive worked up a big appetite, revved up my metabolism, and can now benefit from the mind-clearing calm that I need before a big holiday feast.3. Get in on the greensWhile Im not one to dish out dietary advice, holiday meals are so delightfully decadent that its easy to over-do it. This is especially true in my moms house where delicious rich food is part of our family values. But poor Brad, whos more of a daily PBJ kind of simple eater, welches once home with me for a week of my moms cooking and ended up waking up in the middle of the night with stabbing back pain coming from his very-overwhelmed gallbladder. His body was justnotused to the amount of buttery goodness that was coming out of my mothers kitchen.So my rule of thumb is just to be mindful about having something green on my plate. Whether its something fresh like a salad, or even if its a rich take on vegetables like green bean casserole, making sure that somewhere on my plate veggies are in the mix can help me from feeling completely weighed down by those delicious fried latkes, Christmas ham, and decadent desserts.4. Dont set big new health goalsFinally, the key for me is to not over-do it with any kind of restrictive eating or lofty new health goals during the holidays. For me, food, friends, and family are what this season is all about. Not calorie-counting.Instead of setting yourself up with a restrictive diet, just aim to maintain something close to your usual daily health and exercise regimen. After all, plenty of research shows that the sensation ofdeprivationultimately leads to major rebound. So lower the bar Dont set crazy-ambitious new fitness goals save that ish for the New Year and give yourself permission to indulge during this festive time of year.Because personally, depriving myself while sitting down in front of an amazing spread of holiday delights sounds like the worst way to spend the holidays.This article was originally published onBossedUp.

7 Things to Look for When Hiring a Payroll Specialist

7 Things to Look for When Hiring a Payroll Specialist7 Things to Look for When Hiring a Payroll SpecialistCandidates for payroll specialist positions come with varying skills, expertise and work history. They also work in different roles, from entry-level payroll clerk to payroll administrator and payroll supervisor. As a manager, you know you need operational support staff to process payroll, distribute paychecks, prepare statements and ensure governmental einhaltung. But as you scroll through the job postings and resumes, you may wonder about the best practices for finding payroll professionals, the key interview questions to ask and what, specifically, you need to look for when youre filling these roles.What are the key attributes of a payroll specialist?Education and experience may be clearly defined, but what about other qualifications? Here are seven key features to look for when hiring a payroll specialist.1. Payroll certificationsThe American Payroll Association (APA) offers two types of certification the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) and the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP). The FPC is for entry-level staff, and the coursework for this certification gives a thorough introduction to this field. FPC holders are ideal candidates as payroll clerks or other mid- to entry-level positions.For managerial positions and more complex payroll roles, look for candidates with a CPP. This advanced certification requires previous experience in the field and in-depth knowledge of core concepts such as employment taxes, employee benefits and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). CPP holders have also demonstrated their knowledge of paycheck calculations, payroll systems and payroll administration.2. Payroll software experienceMost payroll platforms are complex. There can be quite a bit of variation from one system to another, and those skills arent always transferable. For example, a person with extensive experience in ADP Workforce Now may not be comfortab le with Kronos.In an ideal world, its better to seek candidates with direct experience in your departments particular software rather than those who might need in-depth training to get up to speed. But because hiring in this field is highly competitive, it pays to consider candidates who havent worked with your companys particular platform but show an aptitude for learning new software.Find out more about the positions we place in payroll.WORK WITH US3. Other software skillsBeyond ADP, Kronos, Workday or Intuit, look for knowledge in a variety of other software. These must-have programs include Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word and Outlook. Some payroll experts roles overlap with accounting, especially in smaller businesses, making proficiency in QuickBooks or Quicken an asset. And of course, because so much of reporting and payment processing has moved online, your new staff member should be comfortable with cloud technology.4. Understanding of complianceThe regulatory lands cape surrounding payroll and benefits is complex. Besides FLSA, theres the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), data protection rules and a host of state and city ordinances to consider. While payroll software platforms can help you stay compliant, theyre not foolproof. The best protection is to have staff who understand the rules and know how to put them into practice. At the interview stage, ask candidates questions about compliance and gauge their level of familiarity with the recent legislation.5. Attention to detailPayroll staff members cant afford to make mistakes. For some roles in the company, you can overlook minor errors such as typos in a resume or a failure to follow the applications instructions. But when youre assessing payroll candidates, their attention to detail is paramount. Make this a non-negotiable attribute.6. Customer tafelgeschirr abilitiesPayrolls clients may be internal, but your team st ill needs a finely tuned customer service mindset. Payroll specialists should provide prompt and courteous responses to phone and email queries. They should be able to offer assistance when employees have trouble navigating the self-service portal. A dedication to customer service includes the related traits of confidentiality, diplomacy and problem solving.Ask interview questions that delve into candidates customers include How do you deal with an employee whos angry about garnishments? and Would you say youre more of a numbers person or a people person?7. Analysis and data skillsSoftware systems handle functional and routine work for most finance teams, which frees up people to spend more time on data analysis and business strategy. And this comes just in time. Todays accounting and finance teams are actively involved in researching and evaluating new systems and software, collaborating with IT on final purchases, and implementation. Its true in payroll, too. Thats why your ideal hires are professionals with expertise in payroll and technology. Future-proof your team by bringing in people with a background in or aptitude for working with data.These seven attributes are not etched in stone, and your company may have other requirements, such as knowledge of multistate payroll. Use this list to help you hone in on your ideal payroll specialists, and then make a job offer they cant refuse.

Using 123RF.com to Get Royalty-Free Stock Photos

Using 123RF.com to Get Royalty-Free Stock PhotosUsing 123RF.com to Get Royalty-Free Stock PhotosThe digital stock agency 123rf.com provides royalty-free and low-coststock photos, vectors, video clips, and audio files for a variety of professional and personal uses. The company adds up to 90,000 new creative works to the site each day and offers a 100% money-back guarantee on purchases. You must register with 123rf.com before you can buy stock content from the company, but registration is free. Before you make a purchase, be sure to read up on the types of licenses and products that are available so that you know what youre getting and how you can use it. Types of Content The 123RF website offers royalty-free content, which means you can purchase content for a flat fee, and after that, you dont have to pay again each time you use it. Buying royalty-free content is usually more affordable and flexible compared to rights-managed licensing, which often restricts how often, when, and where you can use content once you buy it. Content available on 123RF includes stock photographs, vectors (illustrations, clip art, graphics), video footage, and audio clips. The majority of the stock content is ready to use, scalable, and appropriate for use on professional or personal websites, or in commercials and promotional materials. The website also offers editorial images, which are different from stock royalty-free images. These types of images depict newsworthy events or celebrities and cant be altered significantly or used for advertising. Types of Licenses 123RF offers several different levels of licensing and copyrights. The basic license is the Standard royalty-free license. With the voreingestellt royalty-free license, you can buy an image one time and use it multiple times. This makes purchasing images affordable if you plan to use an image more than once, and youre not using it for mass production or on items or merchandise for sale (see below). With a royalty- free license, you do not have to worry about renewals, as you do with some other services. The Extended license is for content that meets one or more of the following conditions It has become an integral part of the product, and it adds value to the product itself.It is being distributed as a part of the product offering.Its being used as part of a product that is being given away for free but has a money generation model attached to it, such as third-party advertising. An extended license would apply to prints for sale, prints on merchandise for sale, design elements in packing material, and design templates or elements for sale. Types of Plans Three main types of plans are available on 123RF, as well as customized plans on request. The prices and plans featured here were effective as of August 2018. On-Demand This type of plan allows you to purchase a certain amount of credits to download voreingestellt and editorial images, vectors, video footage, audio clips, and extended-li cense content. The most popular package is 40 credits for $39 packages of 90, 200, and 400 credits are also available. You can also choose to buy a custom amount of credits, but the minimum is 10. Single pieces of content range from two to 10 credits and are based on license type, size, file type, and resolution. All unused credits expire after one year. Subscription Plans There are two image subscription plans available on 123RF. The first plan includes 150 images per month, with a daily download limit of five images, for $79 a month. The second plan includes 200 images per month, with no daily download limit, for $139 a month. The company touts these options as its best value. Download Packs With this option, you can download a specific number of standard, editorial, and vector images any time within a year of purchase. Five images cost $39, and 25 images cost $169. Free Images You can also find some free images on the 123rf.com site, but the selection isnt nearly as big as that f or the images you purchase. You can download and use them as long as you attribute them appropriately.

Questions to Ask If You Are Laid Off or Fired

Questions to Ask If You Are Laid Off or FiredQuestions to Ask If You Are Laid Off or FiredWhen you walk into what you think is a normal meeting with your boss and are surprised with a pink slip, its devastating. Even if you absolutely, positively hated your job, when your boss yanks it out from under your feet, it hurts and you cant think straight. You should, however, ask a series of questions even if you feel your brain cant handle it. You can always call or arrange a later meeting to ask these questions. Your employer will generally provide a stack of paperwork that you can go through on your own, so you may bedrngnis need to ask some of the questions I recommend. But make aya you know the answers to all of them before you sign anything other than an acknowledgment that you have received information. (If youre an employer, these are the questions you will need to be prepared to answer in an employment termination situation.) Here are questions you need to ask to help you with deci sion making, planning and to consider your legal options. Questions You Should Ask How much severance will I receive?Severance isnt required by lawexcept in certain situations, such as a union contract or when a high percentage of workers are let go without 60 days notice (see the WARN Act), but severance is common in layoffs. Make sure you know how much severance is coming your way.Will I Be Eligible for Unemployment and Severance at the Same Time?Severance is a company decision and unemployment is a state decision. The company cant deny you unemployment, but they can say if you are receiving unemployment, we wont give you severance. Some companies require you to complete your severance payments before applying for unemployment. Their hope is that youll get a job and wont ever need to apply for unemployment. What happens if I get a job internally?Are youeligible to apply for internal positions? What happens to your severance payments if you get a job internally? Is there a poss ibility of repayment if you take an internal position? Ask, If Im offered an internal position do I have to take it?, If I dont take it, can I still receive severance? and What if its for less money or at a lower level?What happens if I get a job externally?Can I still receive my full severance? Do I need to get a release from the company to take a job elsewhere? Do you still consider me employed while receiving severance? What do you consider my termination date? If Im receiving severance and someone calls to verify employment, is the answer employed or terminated?What happens to bonuses/commissions?Will I see the annual bonus, even if Ive been terminated? When will you pay out final commissions?Will you prorate the bonus? How?What happens to my health insurance?Does it stop immediately? The last day of the month? Is it extended for the period Im receiving severance? Do Iimmediately need to apply for COBRAor independent insurance? Am I eligible for rehire?Some companies dont allow the rehiring of anyone who was laid off. Others encourage everyone to apply for internal jobs. Some have a six month or one year waiting period between the termination and when you can apply for a new job.What will the company say is the reason for the termination?Is this a straight layoff or are there performance issues involved that will affect my reference? If a reference checker calls and asked why I left, what will you say?Is my manager allowed to give me a complete reference or is she required to stick to dates of service?Company policy dictates this, but sometimes its formally written into the documents that the manager can only verify dates and titles. Understand that recruiters can often get managers to break the policy and speak up, but the policy is important. Who else are you letting go?They probably will not answer this directly, but you should be able to figure it out. If you are 40 years or older, you should receive a list of job titles and ages of the employees in yo ur area and if they are terminated or staying. If its a group termination and you dont receive this, ask for the ADEA(Age Discrimination in Employment Act)disclosure.If the termination date isnt today, what happens if I quit before the end date?Will I still get severance? Do I receive a stay bonus for staying to the final day? Am I responsible for training someone to replace me?This is often the case in a situation involving outsourcing.What are the training goalsand what is the timeline? What happens if timelines arent met? Do I still receive my severance/stay bonus on the last day even if the outsourcer isnt ready?What rights am I required to give up in exchange for severance?This should be in the General Release that youll have to sign to receive money. Read it very carefully. Youre most likely giving up your rights to sue for almost anything, except things that are strictly prohibited by law. That can vary from state to state, so read the document carefully. Can I have my attorn ey look at this agreement before signing?If they want you to sign right away, its generally a sign that its a bad deal for you. Any reputable company will not care that youre showing it to an attorney before signing and will, in fact, encourage you to do so. If you have an attorney review your documents, please make sure that the attorney you consult specializes in employment law.If I have a non-compete agreement, does this layoff void that? If I dont have a non-compete, is a non-compete required to receive severance?How long does the non-compete restrict my employment options? What are the restrictions? Whats the geographic restriction? What happens to tuition reimbursement for courses Im currently enrolled in?Can I finish the course and have the company pay?Am I required to pay for current courses? Am I required to repay for courses that Ive completed? Your goal is to avoid any repayment.What happens to any relocation assistance that Ive received?Most relocation contracts have a o ne to two-year repayment clause if you leave before the time is up. Make sure your termination documents waive any requirement to repay.Is outplacement help available? What company? What services are provided? Must I use the services immediately, or can I use them later? How long do I have to use the services? Is it only good in this town, or can I move across the country and still use the outsourcing help? Who can I tell about my severance?My attorney? Financial planner? Spouse? Neighbor? Newspapers? Lots of companies require you to limit who you tell to your attorney, financial advisor, and spouse. You cant even tell your kids the terms of the severance. Find out the terms of the nondisclosure agreement before you speak up. Make sure that you have the answers to all of these questions before signing anything, otherwise, later you may regret your choice.

Skills to Put in Resume at a Glance

Skills to Put in Resume at a Glance The Basic Facts of Skills to Put in Resume There are some unique schools of thought in regards to deciding where to distributions-mix the skills section on your resume. Needless to say, each job will call for unique abilities and experiences, so make certain you read the job description with care and concentrate on the skills listed by the employer. You have to mention the skills which are required for a particular position. Your skills are an overview of what you could do for the possible employer if you were offered the work at this time. The skills section of your resume must encompass all your finest qualities and attributes in a brief summary. Soft skills are the skills that are relevant to every job. Although the skills you put in will vary based on the job youre applying for and ought to be relevant to the recent requirements for a specific job, here are a couple essential ones that will help you out. As stated earlier, assessing sof t skills is far mora difficult. The Hidden Secret of Skills to Put in Resume Using resume developer software may also make sure that your resume makes the appropriate impression. Your capacity to listen helps them understand that youre customer focused. If youre terrified your skills might be insufficient completely free certifications are there to assist you. There are some programs you may utilize to create presentations, including PowerPoint. Finding Skills to Put in Resume Naturally, there are a lot more courses on various topics that will earn a change in your resume. Its also advisable to check their social networking pages and take note if theyre frequently citing specific hard and soft skills that are desired by the provider. Meanwhile, others are going to extend on-the-job training. Depending on the help of our expert sources, here are a number of broad sorts of skills your resume could include, together with unique approaches to express them. Needless to say, certain skills can assist you almost in any position. Training is necessary for any candidate, but theres a point where self-learning is the very best approach to solve job troubles. There are a lot of things you want to take into account if you would like to compose a position resume. Of course, you might ask whether or not a new resume for each new position is needed. Which is vital part of your professional Resume. Finding the job of your dreams is only a resume away, but a lot of job seekers dont realize the significance of a well-written CV. It isnt essential to record each and every job which youve stated before, especially if it is not applicable to the present position or sector youre focusing on. When youd like to do a job resume, the first thing you should consider is what it really is for. Of course if you know what sort of job that you want, its going to be better to create your resume. Thus when writing down your job skills take some time to strategize and find out the very best approach to organize them in your resume. Hard skills to put on a resume are things which you can do that are especially linked to the job in question or the industry youre going to be working in. Despite the fact that you dont need to learn how they all work, you do have to have a good comprehension of several of them. Theres 1 problem, though. For instance, if youre interested in work that revolves in the computer science industry its advised to have a better comprehension of how certain programming languages and software work. For example, if you try to apply for a Chinese-English interpreting job, you have to be fluent in both languages otherwise you would not really qualify for the position. Want to Know More About Skills to Put in Resume? The resume maker ought to have the ability to supply several samples. If you ought to be requesting for work away from the usa, start by means of a template to acquire a CV as an alternate to a resume. If one of t hese categories is a region in which you excel, visit its particular page to learn how resume skills may be used to your benefit. In reality, there are particular jobs in which its important to place a skill section at or close to the top of the resume. Most standard resume formats incorporate a skill section at or close to the bottom of the resume. While resume publishing software can be rather useful, you should place some effort into the process. Life After Skills to Put in Resume At the close of the day, the choice of the skills themselves (and ensuring that the perfect skills are chosen) is the most significant thing. To begin with, deciding on what skills to put on a resume is much more important and probably a little more complicated than you believe. To begin with, if youre seeing a great deal of hard skills that you just dont have, it might be far better move on to the next position. Soft skills are a little bit more vague and open to interpretation. Look through t he work description and see whether any soft skills are mentioned. They are more subjective and harder to quantify, and are often grouped together by what we know as people skills. Mainly because they cannot be easily taught. Hardware skills allow you to physically operate a computer.

The Importance of Different Types of Writing to Put on a Resume

The Importance of Different Types of Writing to Put on a Resume Different Types of Writing to Put on a Resume - the Story There is an assortment of opinions on the sort of resume and which one will fit your requirements. Because there are a lot of resume types and variations, have a quick glance on different types to determine which one would be the most suitable fit to serve your goal. Basically youd have a distinctly different resume with respect to a sizeable part of your content for each kind of job that youre applying for. Youll find more details on various sorts of skills for a resume in the previous section. The Supreme Strategy to Different Types of Writing to Put on a Resume If youve decided that. Rather than having a work history section at the very top of your resume, you could have an expert experience or accomplishments section that lists various skills you have developed through the years. Therefore, there are various kinds of resumes which means you can just have a glance at them and decide which the one appropriate for you according to needs is. New Step by Step Roadmap for Different Types of Writing to Put on a Resume Understanding your sort of unemployment is able to help you focus your energy in the directions which are most productive for your job search. The Advantages Disadvantages The keyword is fit for specific conditions specifically in the vorstellung the employer would like to minutely scrutinize through your CV. There are a lot of standard kinds of resumes you may use to submit an application for job openings. Therefore, it isnt fit for you if youd like to exhibit all of your knowledge, skill and experience to the employer whilst putting in an application for work that wants all your prior data in detail. The Appeal of Different Types of Writing to Put on a Resume Its fast and simple to use. There are various templates available for creating resumes and several distinct types of colored paper. There are a couple co mmon kinds of resumes, and were likely to evaluate when (or if) you ought to use every one of them. Theres an abundance ofdifferent kinds of resumes and it can be challenging to pick. It is essential to also emphasize on your prior experience of work about the particular field. Finding a new job a can be a lengthy procedure and there are lots of stages and all of them are important and need careful consideration. Winning an award for giving a presentation at college indicates that you own a range of unique varieties of communication abilities and its a lot more convincing than simply stating that youre a great public speaker or have good communication abilities. For example, your time management abilities or knowledge of specific computer programs would be helpful in most any position. How to Choose Different Types of Writing to Put on a Resume Active folks usually become involved in different sorts of freelance work. For the interest of writing a resume, the 2 words are in terchangeable. If your work asks for particular certifications, degrees or education, think about the combination resume. For instance, you could just be searching for a change in career, and a way to transition to another field of work. The Supreme Approach for Different Types of Writing to Put on a Resume A persons unique set of skills is among the many aspects of a resume. At the peak of the resume is a list of somebodys skills and qualifications. Dont simply compose the keywords in, consider the times when youve demonstrated the necessary skills. Double-check if youre utilizing the ideal abilities and experience keywords.

The Run Down on Levels of Language Proficiency Resume Revealed

The Run Down on Levels of Language Proficiency Resume Revealed Possessing a universal approach to speak about your language proficiency can help you distinguish yourself in a crowded area of job candidates or school applicants. The two decades of study has to be completed before the beginning of the program. All students ought to be given the chance to learn a world language in a program that provides appropriate time allocations and oben liegend instruction. They take a language assessment prior to the start of the program. The History of Levels of Language Proficiency Resume Refuted Some English levelling schemes are constructed in to a specific English test, while some are theoretical frameworks with no associated test. Well, it is dependent on what you wish to use the scale for and where you need to utilize it. The most dependable means to learn your English level is to have a well-designed assessment test. In most instances, these levels are broken up into 6 or 7 sta ges, in agreement with the CEF (Common European Framework). The Dos and Donts of Levels of Language Proficiency Resume Possessing a printed script of a language you cant speak effectively defeats your wish to be in a position to comprehend and speak the target language in a sense that enables you to take part in real and proficient conversation. There are lots of ideas about languages a huge number of speakers share. There are simply too many nuances in any language. You need to have a particular languages section which gives more comprehensive info on your ability. Once people have acquired a fantastic comprehension of the language, they generally have the vocabulary and for that reason the confidence which they can begin to develop the capacity to speak. Quite simply, it tests the persons latest understanding of a particular language. There are instances when it could make sense to depart from your language skills off your CV. To provide the employer a better idea about y our language knowledge, include what youve done utilizing the language in preceding jobs or associated experiences. At the conclusion of your interview, youll find out which JAPN course is most suitable for your present Japanese proficiency abilities. If any of the essential documents are missing, your interview wont be scheduled. Starting at a greater level will produce the procedure too challenging and additionally, it will create the teachers job of reaching the learner problematic. A low excellent test isnt going to assess your skills correctly, and putting it upon your CV isnt going to cause you to resemble a significant candidate. The Lost Secret of Levels of Language Proficiency Resume Your level will find out the value of your skill with the business. An individual may choose the exam based on their degree of learning and kind of career opportunities each level can offer. How each person improves will be impacted by contextual and individual variables. Make certain to include a level descriptor too. Likewise, input beneath the learners level wont be constructive for them. For example, he or she might have declarative knowledge of a target form but be unable to use it properly in spontaneous discourse. Use the self-assessment tools to find out your level in every language you speak. The language assessment isnt part of the application approach. The outcomes of your level test is going to be sent right to your email address. Please be aware that requests for reviews of test results wont be entertained. These pages supply all the information needed to comprehend and register for the exam from any distributions-mix in the world. For those purposes of your CV, the major thing which you want to think about is how academically rigorous the test is. Because the world has gotten more digital, the work application process has followed suit. You will have the ability to speak with interesting individuals in whatever part of earth you intend to see. As the number of individuals studying Japanese is rapidly increasing worldwide, so are the opportunities to set their skills to utilize in wide array of careers. For instance, if you are asking for work in the EU, utilize the CEFR levels. To be able to be fluent, youve got to be in a position to do certain things. An integral point is the fact that it is far better to be more conservative rather than less conservative. Resume template will be an absolute best guide readily available to aid you in creating a resume thats perfect. In the event that you are setting stuck onto the exact perfect means in the first place, templates can on occasion be a wonderful kickstarter. What You Dont Know About Levels of Language Proficiency Resume Its possible to create clear, detailed text on a broad selection of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the benefits and disadvantages of various choices. So if youre very fluent, I mean if youre at university level, y oure likely to know far more words than someone who can only read at a grade three level. There are not any industrial study guides obtainable for the DLAB, and one may not study for the DLAB in the conventional way, since the DLAB is intended to measure language-learning potential, not current understanding. The speed by which youre ready to comprehend sentences remains measured and theres still uncertainty in your selection of words. There are various degrees of language proficiency. Although fluency in two languages is needed for interpreters, bilingualism alone isnt sufficient to be certain that the bilingual individual has the particular skill-set required for interpreting between both languages. In linguistic terms, proficiency doesnt translate to the exact same meaning as fluent. So, assessing language proficiency is a crucial part of program evaluation. There are quite a lot of measures utilised in schools across the nation that categorize English learners into profic iency levels. At a policy level, language hierarchies are quite seen in the methods in which school curricula are constructed, for example. If learners havent been encouraged to assess their own learning throughout their prior education, they might not understand how to do it. The identification of ELLs language and academic needs is extremely important, as it turns into the foundation for the evolution of an appropriate program of instruction.

Why you feel like a fraud and what to do about it

Why you feel like a fraud and what to do about itWhy you feel like a fraud and what to do about itYou dont belong herbeie.Youre bedrngnis good enough.You got lucky.Theyre going to realize you arent that smart.Ever heard this voice in your head? Youre far from alone. Its called impostor syndrome.More than 70% of successful people have felt it at one point.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of ItIn a study of successful people by psychologist Gail Matthews, a whopping 70 percent reported experiencing impostor feelings at some point in their life.Are you one them? Ask yourself these questions.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of ItDo you chalk your success up to luck, timing or computer error?Do you believe if I can do it, anybody can?Do you agonize over the smallest flaws in your work?Are your crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence of your ineptness?When you do succeed, do you secretly feel like you fooled them again?Do you worry that its a matter of time before youre found out?And even if you havent heard that voice in your head, someone you care about almost certainly has. It plagues successful women Sheryl Sandberg wrote about it in her bestseller,texas tea In.Ive posted a lot about how to be more successful. But the interesting thing about impostor syndrome is that you already are successful. You just have trouble accepting it.People with impostor syndrome have trouble internalizing competency. You can see the achievements on yourresume but youre emotionallydisconnected from them. The story the resume tells and the story you tell yourself dont line up for you.Lets learnwhy this happensand what you can dotofix itWhat is Impostor Syndrome?Why do so many know-it-alls really know nothing while so many smart people are unsure of themselves? Its a serious question.Be rtrand Russell once saidThe whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Psychologists found an answerits called the Dunning-Kruger effect. Basically, inept peopledont have enough experienceto properly evaluate how littleexperiencethey have, so they think theyre brilliant when theyre not.(Think about the people at the beginning of every season on American Idol. Yup. Bingo.)On the other hand, experienced people realize how often theyve been wrong in the past and will sometimes second-guess themselves - even when theyre right.And tons of very successful people youre familiar with have voiced these feelings.Albert Einsteinthe exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held makes me very ill at ease. I feel compelled to think of myself as an involuntary swindler.Maya AngelouI have written eleven books, but each time I think, Uh-oh, theyre going to find out now. Ive run a game on everybody, and theyre goi ng to find me out.Mike MyersAt any time I still expect that the no-talent assekuranzpolice will come and arrest me.Whats even more ironic is that not only do verytalented people often have impostor syndrome, but they are actually less likely to really be dishonest. People with impostor syndrome turn out to bemore honest than average.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of ItIn fact, people who identify with the impostor syndrome have proven to be less likely than non-impostors to engage in academic dishonesty such as plagiarism or cheating.Some studies show its equally common in males and femalesbut others have found its much more prevalent among women. The term impostor syndrome was coined ina study of high-achieving women by Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes.Sheryl Sandberg summed up a number of the studies showing women consistently underestimated themselves at work and school.ViaLean InMul tiple studies in multiple industries show that women often judge their own performance as worse than it actually is, while men judge their own performance as better than it actually is. Assessments of students in a surgery rotation found that when asked to evaluate themselves, the female students gave themselves lower scores than the male students despite faculty evaluations that showed the women outperformed the men. A survey of several thousand potential political candidates revealed that despite having comparable credentials, the men were about 60 percent more likely to think that they were very qualified to run for political office. A study of close to one thousand Harvard law students found that in almost every category of skills relevant to practicing law, women gave themselves lower scores than men. Even worse, when women evaluate themselves in front of other people, or in stereotypically male domains, their underestimations can become even more pronounced.Why might impostor syndrome be such an issue for women?Because its extremely common among anyone who feels like an outsider, like they dont belong.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of Ita whopping 85.7 percent of foreign-trained medical residents in Canada tested high for impostor feelings.And when youre not an outsider, these effects often go away.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of ItAs researchers at Massachusetts Institute for Technology discovered, once the percentage of female students in a department rose above 15, womens academic performance improved. Girls who attend single-sex schools have higher career aspirations than both boys and girls at coed schools. Studies repeatedly show that if you attended a womens college, you are likely to have higher self-esteem and more intellectual self-confidence than your counter parts at coed institutions. The saatkorn is true for African Americans who attend historically black colleges.And reality can follow feelings when you feel powerless you actually perform worse on cognitive measures. Feeling marginalized actually (temporarily)makes you dumber.And if youre in a situation where stereotypes say you shouldnt do well, you perform worse. Are girls worse at math than boys? They definitely are if you remind them that theyre girls.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of ItThe simple inclusion of a check box for gender on a math test causes women to perform worse than men.And this goesfor men too.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of ItMen who were told that a test measured social sensitivity, on which men do worse than women, performed more poorly than those who were told the test measu red complex information processing. In the same scenario, womens performance did not differ.(To learn how to be happier and more successful, click here.)So when youre feeling like an outsider or are dealing with negative stereotypes about your abilities it can lead to impostor syndrome. But if you actually are performingwell, why cant you accept it and break free? Theres a reasonThe vicious circleStudies show impostor syndrome is related to anxiety and intense fear of failure.So yourace to keep up the facade but when you work hard to make sure youre not found out, it only reinforces the impostor belief.You fooled them again. But next time you might not be so lucky.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of ItThe fact that researchers have found a strong link between fear of failure and the impostor syndrome is hardly surprising. In one way or another youve spent your entire adult life trying to avoid stumbling. In the impostor world there is no such thing as constructive criticism - there is only condemnation. To not make the grade in some way only serves as more proof that youre a fraud. And to receive less-than-positive feedback from someone else - well, that just makes it official.You keep working harder but never feel better. As Jim Carrey once said about his own impostor syndrome and subsequent hard workIf I remain worthless in my own mind, I will be the king of show business.But now not only are you feeling bad and overworking but youre also alone. You cant tell anyone your secret.You feel like you cant ask for help because youll look incompetent.In the end, its exhausting. Working hard, afraid of being found out and not being able to turn to anyone is enormously stressful. Eventually you may see self-sabotage as the only way out.(To learn how to stop worrying, click here.)But there are ways to get overimpostor syndrome. Heres how1. Focus on learningDrawing on the resea rch of Carol Dweck, one study recommends focusing on learning instead of performance.People with impostor syndrome often think theyre not smart enough. And they dont think they can get smarter.So they focus on performance goals like, How can I get that perfect score? instead of learning goals like, How can I improve?Focusing on improvement means you know youre not perfect but you know you can get better. With that attitude, you can. And if you fail, hey, you learned something.But focusing exclusively on performance goals means anything less than perfect is death. Thats incredibly stressful and pushes youto do things that are extreme, unhealthy and maybe unethical.(To learn the neuroscience behind 4 rituals that can make you happy, click here.)So if youre focused on learning, what should your goals be?2. Aim for good enoughMicrosoft software has bugs. And they know it. And thats okay. Valerie Young quotes James Bach as sayingMicrosoft begins every project with the certain knowledge t hat they will choose to ship a software product with known bugs.If they tried to make it perfect, it would never be finished. Ever. So they focus on good enough.Via The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of ItJust stop expecting yourself to remain in a constant state of extreme brilliance. Instead strive to feel comfortable with being fabulously adequate. The reality is, even the brightest and most talented among us spend the majority of their waking hours smack in the middle of the competency scale.Swarthmore professor Barry Schwartz says good enough is the secret to happiness and neuroscience studies agree.Instead of doing everything to keep up this illusion that youre perfect, accept that youre not. Dont build self-confidence, build self-compassion. Forgive yourself when you screw up.Research shows increasing self-compassion has all the benefits of self-esteem - but without the downsides.(For more o n howto buildself-compassion, click here.)Learning goals and good enough can help but theyre not the silver bullet. This is . . .3. Take off the maskAt its essence, curing impostor syndrome is simple take off the mask. Dont be an impostor.John Churton Collins saidIf we knew each others secrets, what comforts we should find.The pressure, the pain, the discomfort all come from the secrecy. But, as we established, 70%of successful people have felt like this at one point and a substantial number are feeling it right now. SoYou are the majority.But the pain is caused by not talking to all the others who are just like you.No,you dont have to email everyone at your company or school, subject line IM A FRAUD. No self-flagellation with a cat-o-nine-tails is necessary. You just need to tell someonehow youre feeling.You suffer in silence because youre silent.Via The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women Dynamics and Therapeutic InterventionA group therapy setting or an inter-actional gro up in which there are some other high achieving women experiencing the impostor phenomenon is highly recommended. If one woman is willing to share her secret, others are able to share theirs A group setting is also valuable because one woman can see the dynamics in another woman and recognize the lack of reality involved. Mary cannot believe that Jane thinks she is stupid. After all, Jane has a PhD from an outstanding university, is a respected professor, and is obviously bright. In a group setting, the ways in which an individual negates positive feedback and maintains her belief system emerge in clear relief and can be brought to the attention of the client.It doesnt have to be a therapy session. It can just be a chatA particularly effective tactic is talking to other people. We cant peer into the minds of others and see that, Wait a minute, everyone else is also just as mystified says Kruger, so people need to make the effort to discuss their performance with their peers. When y ou discover that the people you admire (or fear) sometimes worry about their own achievements, it can give you perspective on your own anxieties.Talk to someone you suspect may be dealing with or may have dealt withimpostor syndrome. Someone thatcan relate. When you share your feelings, three things happenYoure not an impostor anymore. Youre not faking it. You took off the mask.Youll hear that someone else hasfelt this way too. Youre not alone. And itdoesnt need to be hidden.And most importantlyThey get to look you in the eye and tell you just how insane you sound. Now if it stopped there, you might be able to dismiss it theyre just being nice. But the best part of itis this person thatyou respect is going to tell you how theyve felt like a fraudand then youre going to tell them how insane they sound. And then youre going to realizeHey, uh, do I sound as crazy as they do when I say Im a fraud?Yes. Yes, you do.And thats how thespell is broken.(To learn the lazy way to be awesome at l ife, click here.)It may not happen immediately, but sharing with someone else and realizing how common this is is a huge first step.Still think youre alone? 210,000 people get my weekly newsletter. Thats a lot of people. You dont think Ive said to myself Im writing this in my underwear while drinking cold coffee why in the world would anyone take me seriously?So, no, youre not alone. ??Now lets round this up and take the vital first step toward curing impostor syndromeSum upHeres how to overcome impostor syndromeFocus On Learning Forget appearing awesome. You can get better if you try, so focus on that.Good Enough Goals Stop trying to be prefect. (Yes, that was a typo. Im not fixing it. Its good enough.)Take Off The Mask Talk to someone you think is facing the same issue. Youre not alone.As Neil Gaiman saidThe moment that you feel, just possibly, you are walking down the street naked, exposing too much of your heart and your mind, and what exists on the inside, showing too much of y ourself That is the moment you might be starting to get it right.So whats the best first step?Schedule an unmasking. Right now. Send an email to someone you think will understand and set a time to sit down and talk.We all wear masks every now and then. Its part of life. But from now on, if youre going to wear one dont do it because youre an impostor - do it because youre a superhero.Join over 210,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsHow To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done 5 Expert TipsHow To Get People To Like You 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior ExpertNew Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree. ??Now lets round this up and take the vital first step toward curing impostor syndromeSum upHeres how to overcome impostor syndromeFocus On Learning Forget appearing awesome. You can get better if you try, so focus on that.Good Enough Goals Stop trying to be prefect. (Yes, that was a typo. Im not fixing it. Its good enough.)Take Off The Mask Talk to someone you think is facing the same issue. Youre not alone.As Neil Gaiman saidThe moment that you feel, just possibly, you are walking down the street naked, exposing too much of your heart and your mind, and what exists on the inside, showing too much of yourself That is the moment you might be starting to get it right.So whats the best first step?Schedule an unmasking. Right now. Send an email to someone you think will understand and set a time to sit down and talk.We all wear masks every now and then. Its part of life. But from now on, if youre going to wear one dont do it because youre an impostor - do it because youre a superhero.Join over 210,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsHow To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done 5 Expert TipsHow To Get People To Like You 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior ExpertNew Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

Elevator Mechanic - Job Description

Elevator Mechanic - Job DescriptionElevator Mechanic - Job DescriptionElevator mechanics install, maintain, or fix elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. Each type of work- installation, maintenance, and repair- requires a different skillset, and therefore those who work in this occupation usually specialize in one area. Elevator mechanics may also be called elevator installers, repairers, or constructors. Quick Facts Elevator mechanics earn amedian annual salaryof $79,480(2017).22,100 people work in this occupation (2016).Most jobs are full-time positions and include working overtime and being on-call in case of emergencies.Building equipment contractors employ the majority of elevator mechanics.There will be a high demand for workers during this decade, mostly attributable to construction of non-residential buildings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026. The government agency cl assifies it as a Bright Outlook occupation because of its excellentjob outlook. However, many people will apply for the available jobs making competition intense. What Does an Elevator Mechanic Do? These are some typical job duties specified in online ads for elevator mechanic positions found on Indeed.com Examine, maintain, and repair elevators as well as other conveyance typesDetermine the need for and perform major overhaul or replacement of defective equipmentPerform proper time keeping and accounting of materials and expenses for assigned projectsRead and interpret blueprintsFollow appropriate maintenance and service proceduresMeet and assist with third party municipal inspections The Downside of Working in This Occupation Elevator mechanics may have to be on-call to respond to emergencies and do repairs during the nightand on weekends and holidays.They spend time working in tight places. This makes it a less than ideal choice for those people who are uncomfortable in those situations.This work can be dangerous. Injuries caused by falls, burns, and muscle pulls are common. How to Become an Elevator Mechanic To prepare to work in this occupation, you will have to complete a four-year apprenticeship that consists of 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. You will learn about electrical and electronic theory, mathematics, physics, safety, and how to read blueprints. Apprenticeships, which are usually sponsored by unions and contractors, are open to high school graduates or those who have earned equivalency diplomas. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and physically able to do the job. Before getting admitted to a program, you will have to pass math, reading, and mechanical aptitude tests. Taking math, shop, and mechanical drawing classes in high school will help prepare you. Elevator mechanics need alicenseto work in some states. To find out if your state requires one, see the Licensed Occupation To ol from CareerOneStop (Hint typing only the word elevator into thesearch packung will bring up all relevant job titles). Although it is not required, some people working in this field choose to become certified. Voluntary certification, available from trade associations like the National Association of Elevator Contractors, can make a job candidate more appealing to an employer since it demonstrates that he or she has met specific standards. What Soft Skills Will You Need? In addition to your training, a license, and voluntary certification, particular soft skills- personal attributes with which individuals are born or acquire through life experiences- are essential. Elevator mechanics need Physical Strength and StaminaAs an elevator mechanic you must be able to lift heavy equipment and do grueling work for extended time periods.Detail Oriented This ability will allow you to keep track of maintenance schedules.Troubleshooting You will have to determine the causes of problems.Cri tical Thinking Before you can fix some problems, you will have to identify and compare alternative solutions. What Will Employers Expect From You? In addition to skills and experience, what qualities do employers look for when they hire workers? Here are some requirements from actual job announcements found onIndeed.com Demonstrated customer service skills and the ability to remain calm when confronted with difficult situationsApplicant must be able to lift and move eighty pounds without assistanceMust be a strong team player and must be able to work independently and as a team memberMust be self-motivatedTakes direction in a positive mannerMust have demonstrated strong mechanical reasoning and comprehension skills plus hands-on mechanical aptitudeAble to follow instructions, make suggestions, and is willing to learn Is This Occupation a Good Fit for You? Do you have theinterests,personality type, andwork-related valuesthat make this career a good fit? A thoroughself assess mentwill let you find out. Here are the traits elevator mechanics should have Interests(Holland Code) RIC(Realistic, Investigative, Conventional)Personality schriftart(MBTI PersonalityTypes)ISTJ,ESTP, ISTP, ISFPWork-Related Values Support, Working Conditions, Independence Occupations With Related Activities and Tasks DescriptionMedian Annual Wage (2017)Minimum Required Education/TrainingElectricianInstalls wiring and other electrical components in residences and businesses.$54,110ApprenticeshipBoilermakerMakes, installs, and repairs boilers, vats, and tanks.$62,260Apprenticeship or trade schoolSheet Metal WorkerFabricates and installs products that are made of thin sheets of metal.$47,990Apprenticeship Sources Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,Occupational Outlook Handbook Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,O*NETOnline(visited May 24, 2018).

Free Certifications to Add to Your Resume

Free Certifications to Add to Your Resume Free Certifications to Add to Your Resume Many positions require advanced education, degrees or courses to progress in a field or even land your first job. Every field values its own unique certifications, but these certifications often come with hefty price tags and long ramp-up times. Fortunately, the internet is making it a lot easier to educate yourself at home and on the cheap. Here are five options for free training and certifications that can help you add distinctive digital skills to your resume without investing time and money in a degree or certification program: Google Analytics Online Courses Google is a major player on the internet. Is it any surprise the company also offers free online analytics courses? Individuals who want to better understand digital analytics, the Google Analytics platform, ecommerce analytics or mobile app analytics, can head to the Analytics Academy  to learn and test their knowledge. While these skills will be particularly valuable for marketers, writers and digital strategists, understanding Google Analytics would make professionals in any position stand out. Basic Digital Marketing Skills In today’s digital economy, any employee may be asked to contribute to a marketing campaign or provide a quote about ongoing work for marketing purposes. To be a well-rounded candidate, just about everyone would be well-served by having some awareness of social media, content marketing and digital marketing. Introduce yourself to digital marketing concepts (and add an attractive certification to your resume) by going through HubSpot’s Inbound Marketing Certification. This certification covers the fundamentals of SEO, blogging, landing pages, lead nurturing and conversion analysis. Even if you aren’t in a marketing position, this will give you an added edge over candidates within your field who aren’t familiar with basic marketing concepts. Free Courses and Education There is also a larger category of free online education resources that are expanding every year. Coursera  provides access to real college courses from top universities such as Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, Yale and Stanford. The free courses do not come with a degree, but you can complete certain courses in sets to create a free or low cost specialization, such as Big Data  or Business Foundations. Udemy  is an online marketplace for individual courses. By searching for free courses, you can access training on such topics as accounting, Android development, Adobe Illustrator and more. Code Academy is an online training hub for technical topics. You can take free courses on topics like SQL, website development  and basic programming  to develop your skills in this area. You can also peruse OpenCulture’s comprehensive list of certificate-offering courses  from a mix of platforms such as Coursera, FutureLearn and individual universities. Free courses and certifications may not carry the weight of high-level certifications or official degrees, but they are a great way to explore new skills and show that you’re invested in your own personal and professional development. Check out these five certification and education opportunities to see if they could help you round out your skills for your current or prospective job.

4 Tips for Creating Successful Content Around a Trending Topic

4 Tips for Creating Successful Content Around a Trending Topic 4 Tips for Creating Successful Content Around a Trending Topic There is an endless number of topics that start trending, either on a periodic basis or as cultural events occur. The Super Bowl, a rise in cryptocurrency price, Christmas flight travel volume, the Stranger Things finale - the list goes on. Content marketers can capitalize on these by creating material that readers are craving. So, how do you know if you can leverage these topics as they arrive to the news cycle? There are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind before deploying your team to cover the latest trend: 1. Angle: Can You Add Something Unique to the Existing Discussion? Just because something is being discussed online doesnt mean all additional relevant content will be successful. A rehashing of what has already been written will likely be a flop. The most effective content marketers recognize a need by discovering what information is missing from the current conversation, and then they provide it. This will look different depending on the topic, of course. Marketing material around the latest class of MLB rookies, for example, will take a different form than content around Disney World travel strategies. Consider the example of Christmas flight travel volume. Its one of those topics that is covered in the news every year without fail - a high number of travelers plus winter weather always leads to delays. Is this something marketers can use as material Absolutely - your campaign just needs to tell readers more than what is already known. Its not a surprise that airports on the East Coast experience flight delays due to winter weather, but drilling down into the details or analyzing whats known in a different way can lead to compelling content. A unique angle could be to analyze which of the airports is best equipped for the weather. Comparing storm severity by airport location to each ones delays would  give readers a new perspective on Christmas travel news. 2. Appeal: Can You Make the Topic Interesting to a Wider Audience? In some cases, there are national discussions that interest nearly everyone. However, there are many more topics that are covered only by certain niches or news beats - real estate, sports, local interest, parenting, food, etc. Some of these  are large enough that content tailored specifically to them can be very successful. However, marketers can maximize a campaigns effectiveness by widening the scope of interest. A lot of times, topics within a certain category can be expanded to be relevant to many more readers. Airbnb rentals, for example, are often discussed at length. Stories focused on this companys earnings by market and local government regulations are coming out each day, and they are generally tailored to the real estate news beat. A way to leverage this conversation in content generation could be to determine how much money is earned, on average, by Airbnb hosts in cities across the U.S. Not only does this  provide a data set not yet available, but it also widens the pool of readers who would be interested. Now, those interested in personal finance or those located in the cities analyzed would find your content relevant - in addition to those who already follow the real estate/housing development beat. 3. Timing: Can You Launch the Campaign When Appropriate? Everyone has heard the phrase 15 minutes of fame, and it sums up how the news cycle generally works. A topics newsworthiness, just like someones fame, doesnt always last. Appropriate timing is essential for trendy content to be effective. With too late of a launch, you risk no one being interested anymore. Too early, as in the case of upcoming topics like annual sporting events, you risk no one being interested yet and your material seeming out of date by the time the event occurs. For topics that become unpredictably trendy, such as cryptocurrency, youll want to launch your content as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the higher chance there is of the news cycle moving on or someone else providing something similar before you do. For topics that you can predict, such as the Olympics or Black Friday, youll want to make your content available as the news cycle starts heating up. Post-event marketing content - e.g., a post-Olympics medal analysis - tends to be less successful than content launched before the peak of news coverage. By looking at when coverage peaks historically, marketers can determine the ideal launch date for their type of content. 4. The Topic Itself: Do You Want Your Brand to Be Associated With It? There are headline-maker topics that are undoubtedly at the top of mind for many consumers and news outlets. In other words, there are plenty of people ready to digest new content around these topics. The question  for a marketing organization is: Do you want your company name embedded in an article discussing the topic? Consider two examples: the latest political scandal and NFL draft predictions. Political drama lends itself well to comedians looking for new material, but it does have a generally negative tone. A brand creating a marketing campaign or online content around it - like a US heat map of corruption - may be interesting or comical, but this could potentially cause readers to associate your brand with negativity. Worse, it could be perceived as your brand taking a political position in this specific case. An alternative and much more positive focus would be to highlight the most influential leaders in politics or across a variety of fields. As for the NFL draft, its not exactly a simple, fun sports story. As many know, the past NFLA season was infused with controversy surrounding player protests during  the  national anthem. If you decide to create a marketing campaign around the upcoming draft, make sure your content leaves readers engaged and positively impacted. Mapping out past draft picks hometowns against where they ended up could be a fun piece that wouldnt produce negative backlash. However, an analysis of how sponsorship deals have changed for players who protested could produce such a backlash. - Marketers can sometimes get caught up in high-level strategies and forget their ultimate purpose - to reach and positively influence consumers. Always consider how your marketing content will be received and by whom. With these four guidelines, you can maximize the effectiveness of your next campaign on a trending topic. Maddi Salmon  is a senior content marketing associate for Go Fish Digital, a full-service digital marketing agency.

New SES Book Explains How to Join the Governments Senior Executive Service

New SES Book Explains How to Join the Government’s Senior Executive Service New SES Book Explains How to Join the Government’s Senior Executive Service New SES Book Explains How to Join the Government’s Senior Executive Service Want to join America’s most elite group of senior professionals, the Senior Executive Service (SES)? Already there and eying another position? The Federal Government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) estimates that as many as 50% of federal senior executives employed at the start of 2011 will leave government by the end of 2015. The mass departure of these Baby Boom-generation federal executives will create a crucial need for strong new Federal workforce leaders. But if you want to join the SES, you first must learn how to jump through many application hoops. These are not easy jobs to get. The New SES Application, the latest title from noted Federal Career authors Kathryn Troutman and Diane Hudson Burns and award-winning Federal Career Publishers, adeptly covers the challenges and intricacies of applying for the best Federal jobs available today, the Senior Executive Service (SES). This just-released book covers all new changes in SES applications since the Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) decision in 2008 to pilot a new method for SES applications, adopted by many agencies since 2009. Now is the time to think SES, as the OPM predicts a surge of retirements by senior executive Baby Boomers over the next four years. Part of the challenge is that these are the most senior Federal civil service jobs, and have highly demanding technical and leadership qualifications. Another challenge comes from President Obama’s 2010 initiative calling for improvements in federal recruitment and hiring. Applying for SES positions can be confusing. “The process of applying for SES has changed a lot recently,” notes Federal Job Guru Kathryn Troutman, one of the co-authors of The New SES Application (Fall 2011, $21.95, 189 pp.). “They’re trying to get rid of the separate essay-style narratives, the 10-page Executive Core Qualification Statements (ECQs), and they created a comprehensive five-page SES federal resume to replace it. Not all the agencies are doing it, so the book was created to cover all the various possible requirements.” Her co-author Diane Hudson Burns notes that applicants need to scrutinize their selected vacancy announcements carefully. The announcements will reveal which SES application format should be used. Chapter 3 explains how to analyze announcements and it describes the different formats in use. “However I would suggest you prepare a full SES application in advance,” Hudson Burns says. “Then, when an announcement is posted, you can customize the documents to fit the specific opening. Otherwise, you might be scrambling and miss an application deadline.” Books from Federal Career Publishers, a division of Troutman’s Resume Place, are known for their top-rate samples of resumes and other application pieces, and this most recent title is no exception (see Chapter 9). Another helpful feature of The New SES Application is Chapter 7, “Lessons Learned.” It’s the “What Not To Do” chapter. “It’s based on actual feedback applicants received from OPM,” reveals Troutman, “and includes crucial writing tips and the main reasons an application might be rejected.” This book presents a process for writing the application package based on years of in-class training experience. The authors recommend kick-starting the writing by drafting a list of your Top 10 Accomplishments (Chapter 4). “Thank you, David Letterman,” Troutman joked. “When you write your accomplishments, and spell out what you’ve done, it gives you a solid starting place.” Wondering if you’re SES ready? “The Leadership Journey” chart at the beginning of Chapter 2 can help as it displays the competencies required at the different management levels in federal government. The chart can also help you plan for a federal senior-executive career. Additionally, the book is a great resource for employees being groomed within a government agency for SES through a Federal Candidate Development Program. The SES hiring process uses the application and the interview together to score candidates. “The structured interview format is the most popular for SES,” notes Troutman (see Chapter 8). A two-day intensive SES workshop run by the Resume Place utilizes The New SES Application as a text. The workshop offers support on application writing and interview prep for federal managers and administrators, military officers and senior enlisted, as well as private industry executives considering SES careers. Attendees learn about the SES corps, develop a 5-page SES federal resume, and practice their interviews using video and class feedback. The next scheduled SES Application Writing Course is January 17-18 in Catonsville, MD. It can take 20 hours or more to write a SES application package. Troutman’s firm also offers consulting and writing services for time-pressed executives and others who need support beyond the book. Bryan Hochstein is an SES applicant who decided to turn to the Resume Place for help in writing his application and prepping for the interview. “They obviously have the experience, and understand the process,” he observed. “Out of fifty candidates, I was among the top five who qualified for an interview.” Another one of Hudson Burns’ clients received three SES job interviews and two job offers after working with her on a SES application. “I have been dreaming of obtaining an SES position for 25 years,” the applicant revealed. “You helped me achieve a personal goal.” “Writing the SES application is really about articulating leadership,” explains Hudson Burns. “It’s a complex process, but it is necessary to meet the SES requirements. The book explains all the nuances of the application process clearly, including development of what I call the super resume, the new five-page SES/ECQ combined resume.” More information and easy online ordering »

What Recruiters May Be Learning About You Online

What Recruiters May Be Learning About You Online What Recruiters May Be Learning About You Online 2 In this era of Google, social media, and personal websites, your online persona is also bound to come under scrutiny. In fact, a Jobvite survey indicated that 92% of recruiters use social media to find candidates, and almost 70% of recruiters have rejected candidates based on their social networking profiles.  Therefore, you should take the time and make the effort to ensure your virtual image is what you want it to be. Heres what recruiters may be learning about you online, and what you can do to make sure youre sharing the right message: Evidence of Accomplishments and Expertise In your resume and cover letter, you tout your experience, knowledge, and proven ability to complete tasks. Recruiters are going to look online for more evidence to back up those claims. If you have a personal website that includes a portfolio or blog, you can provide that information in a way that is easy to find and understand. Background on Your Personality, Interests, and Hobbies Chances are good that recruiters will do a little low-key cyberstalking, checking out your profiles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other sites to see what kinds of things you post, what articles you like and share, and what causes or organizations you support. Its great to show your personality through social media sites, and you probably dont have anything to hide. After all, youre posting this information for all to see. But if recruiters find red flags (racist or sexist rants, mentions of illegal drug use, etc.), it could eliminate you from contention. For most reasonable people, that shouldnt be a problem, but its worth remembering nonetheless. How You Refer to Former Employers As noted in an article from Work It Daily, a hiring manager is likely to think twice if youre trashing a former employer, colleagues, or boss online. In fact, they’re thinking something like this, If we hire them and, for some reason, they don’t work out, what if they bash US all over the web? That’s not a good look for our brand. So, please don’t broadcast your woes all over the Internet, the article says. Along the same vein, if you have a Facebook post that reveals confidential information about your current or past employer, or if you use cyberspace to air your companys dirty laundry, a recruiter is likely to notice. It should be obvious, but if you receive information in confidence, keep it private. If your online actions show you are not trustworthy, it will definitely raise a red flag for potential employers. Discrepancies in Your Employment History If information you share online doesnt match what youve submitted in your resume, you could run into problems. This is especially relevant to your LinkedIn profile, according to a Fast Company article. So when your dates of employment, job titles, or other facts are different on your profile than they are on your resume, a recruiter might worry about how detail-oriented you are- or if there’s reason to believe that you’re not being truthful on one or the other, the article says. Make sure youre consistent and honest at all times. Indicators of Creativity and Problem-Solving Abilities This suggestion comes from a Workopolis article, which notes that the way you choose to use the latest networking tools and technologies can say a lot about how social, savvy, and skilled you are. Employers will be looking to see how innovative and original you are in what you do online. Signs Youll Be a Good Culture Fit Culture is more than just a corporate buzzword. Companies are investing thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours in creating corporate cultures that are attractive to job candidates and appealing to clients or customers. What you share online will give recruiters clues regarding the kind of culture that will work well for you, so be sure your posts and website portray an image that is true to who you are. What Other People Say About You In addition to the language and information you share, hiring managers also may examine how friends, family members, colleagues, and acquaintances respond to your online presence. Do they respect you? Do they mention that youre a hard worker? You cant control what others say, but you should be aware that their responses may be viewed by someone who could have an impact on your future employment. Almost every job candidate is going to have some kind of online presence, and once something is on the Internet, people can find it. Even if youre not looking for work right now, keep that in mind as you decide what to post on your blog or on social media sites. If you are getting into the job market, take a few minutes to examine your cyber profile and tidy it up a bit. If you handle it correctly, your online persona could boost your chances of landing a job, instead of giving a fatal blow to your hiring prospects.

Managing Cultural and Emotional Contradictions at Work

Managing Cultural and Emotional ‘Contradictions’ at Work Managing Cultural and Emotional ‘Contradictions’ at Work But ambivalent feelings, unlike colliding cultural beliefs held by the same person, do not create contradictions. That’s because it can be true that a job or a pizza is great in one respect, such as the great pay or the sauce, but also true that it is not so great in another, different respect, e.g., the horrible work load or the unwanted fattening calories. So, theres no contradiction in hating one thing about pizzas and loving another. Nonetheless,   emotions cannot- despite being somehow “opposite”literally “contradict” each other, since they are not statements of belief that can be characterized as “true” or “false”. On the other hand, truly contradictory beliefs (within as well as between psyches), instructions and tasks (un)consciously routinely impede and burden job performance- often with a “cultural” source, including national, regional and work cultures. For example, as “translations” and implementation of beliefs, office instructions of the “I want you to….” form can rightly be regarded as “contradictory” when logically they cannot all be obeyed and amount to “I (don’t) want you to….”. An emotional contradiction, expressed in statements, would exist if and only if, for example, we loved and hated exactly the same thing, in exactly the same respect and for exactly the same reasons, e.g., “I love and hate my job because it keeps me busy (with no ambivalence about being kept busy).” Is this possible? Contradictory   Emotions: Something the Brain Won’t Allow Such “emotional contradictions” are, I believe, impossible. Our brain physiology probably won’t allow it at all. That’s because specific emotions are immediate physiological responses to specific internal or external stimuli, cues and information. When an emotion changes, the associated stimuli, cues and information must change as a cause or consequence of that emotional change. That is to say, when an emotional change occurs or difference exists, it is to be expected that it will be the result or cause of changes in perceptions of and beliefs about situations, objects, relationships, etc., usually direct and immediate. (Some effective psychotherapy is based on that connection: to change an emotion, change the beliefs and perceptions, if not also the environments and brain chemistry, that trigger it.) Hence it is impossible, or at least unlikely in the extreme (barring weird effects of weird drugs, medication, Zen meditation, hypnosis, etc.) that we could ever have “opposite” emotional responses to exactly the same thing with no ambivalence whatsoever. “I love you and hate you (or my job) for one and the same reason!” No way. Emotional ambivalence? Yes, it is possible. Emotional “contradictions”? No. But Beliefs Are Another (Brain) Matter However, beliefs, as opposed to emotions, are an entirely different matter. Somehow our brains are perfectly capable of believing one thing and its denial, mostly because of ignoring, denying or being unaware of the missing links or logic that would directly connect, compare and expose them as contradictory. Many, in Western cultures, lament factory farming, but devour fried chicken. The inconsistency here is hidden by the logical, evidential and physical distance between the processing plants and our plates and palates, and is overridden or hidden by the savory sauce. Although this cultural and personal tension is likely to be experienced as emotional ambivalence- “it’s tasty, but nasty”, “great ends, cruel means”, the unalterable bottom line, from the standpoint of decision making, action and the underlying beliefs, is “I should eat chicken” and “I should not eat chicken”, a clear contradiction, irrespective of whether it is based on ambivalence. Expressed as exhortations, the clash becomes “Eat chicken!” and “Don’t eat chicken!” Since these are not true or false, they are not statements that can contradict each other, but they are absolutely incompatible actions. One of the most common and disconcerting examples of a very stressful workplace-culture contradiction is the all-too-prevalent “shifted goalpost syndrome”, created by the all-too-familiar manager or boss who assigns one task only to redefine or reject it upon completion. Even though this is a sequence of inconsistent decisions, it is also a set of beliefs, and therefore can be regarded as a workplace contradiction: “This job should and should not be done this way.” Karen Horney’s Cultural Contradiction-Neurosis Nexus A wonderful tool for understanding and analyzing cultural contradictions was developed by the psychoanalyst Karen Horney, and is a concept that seems to be “culture-free” (i.e., universally valid, as opposed to “culture-bound”). In her 1937 book, The Neurotic Personality of Our Time, Horney identifies cultural contradictions as a trigger of neurosis- contradictions that almost all members of a culture are exposed to and to which some, unable to ignore, cope with or compartmentalize them, succumb by developing neurotic behavior patterns, including self-defeating, vacillating or paralyzing ones spawned by such contradictions. Such behaviors can be caused by (un)consciously accepting contradictory culturally-implanted beliefs, e.g., when a self-described average person believes both “I must try to be really special” and “I’ll never really be special”. This contradiction often results in trying (and necessarily failing) to be special in the same way as everyone else is trying, by attempting to do two incompatible things: 1. Be unique; 2. Adopt mass-marketed (and therefore) obsolescent, passing and ultimately self-defeating symbols and forms of uniqueness, such as piercings, tattoos, the latest iPhone, a BMW a GQ-Calvin Klein image or cookie-cutter MTV gangsta rapper attitudes. When means and ends are inconsistent in this way, and efforts are guaranteed to be self-defeating, the stage is set for neurosis (even if only mild), much of which is characterized by such self-defeat, as the self becomes its worst enemy, e.g., by literally starving oneself to death in order to look healthier or sexier, or by demanding “respect” as “special” for looking and behaving like every other off-the-rack Nike-psyche mall-prowling thug. Writing within a culture that has changed, but not completely, Horney paid particular attention to the American contradiction between the trumpeted exhortation to sacrifice oneself or at least cooperate (in her day, more commonly heard in Sunday school and in church) and the diametrically opposite exhortation to “look out for number one”, to unswervingly strive for Charlie Sheenish “winning!” and to fiercely compete (a psychological staple of fiercely competitive elite schools and individual professional sports, such as boxing). Such intense competitiveness is perhaps just as, if not more ferocious in 2012, given job markets (nearly) as bleak as those of 1937, exacerbated by the much greater number of under- and unemployed post-secondary graduates with higher degrees and correspondingly higher expectations. As for the other half of the contradiction- self-sacrifice, intense media coverage of self-sacrificing heroes (as rare, necessary reminders to put others before oneself) partially fill whatever cultural vacuum has been created by dwindling Sunday school attendance. More Examples Another example of American cultural contradiction: In the days of the U.S. draft, military culture collided with the then prevailing educational culture to the extent that the “think for yourself” critical and reflective ideology of university education clashed with the essential “obey, without question”, “I don’t know, but I’ve been told…” mind set required for an army to function. For some caught in that bind, the mental and emotional squeeze challenged their adaptive skills and resilience, with some risk of “discharge”- emotional and/or administrative. A virtually identical clash is deeply embedded within U.S. culture and the American psyche In the form of a perceived and persistent collision between public education and private religion. Educational and business demands for critical scientific thinking and empirical evidence collide with the demands for and of blind religious or metaphysical faith, manifested, for example, in the endless evolution vs. special creation/”intelligent design” debate that should have ended with the Clarence Darrow “Scopes Monkey Trial” in 1925. When such conflicting norms are internalized in an individual, the contradiction becomes personal, as well as cultural, e.g., when exhortations to fiercely compete and cooperate with everyone are internalized as rules of behavior. For some, that conflict is damaging. For many, if not most, others, there are ways out of the conflict. In China, this kind of conceptual and emotional clash may exist in anyone who has been unable to compartmentalize and isolate from each other the clearly colliding and pervasive ideologies of unleashed competitive entrepreneurial capitalism and official “cooperative” political communism, or traditional filial and sober Confucian conservatism with modern self-indulgent and frivolous materialism. Techniques of Emotional and Logical Evasion: The Super Bowl and Supermen Of course, with respect to the competition-cooperation contradiction, the most common solution is to cooperate with an in-group and compete with an out-group. That’s one reason why the Super Bowl is so popular. The game vividly reinforces while mitigating and partially evading that contradictory compete-cooperate model and message, as players display equally superhuman levels of cooperation and competition, thereby resolving what would otherwise be very nagging and awkward tension in the American psyche. It works for the Green Bay Packers; it works for IBM, it works for the average American employee and Little League kid who wants to be the star of the team. Within the narrower in-group, cultural contradictions can also be repackaged and re-experienced as more reasonable and manageable emotional ambivalence- the kind of diametrically opposite, yet mixed feelings typical of 12-year-old boys when they first start to think about girls: “Eeeewww!” and “Ooooo!”. For example, in some cultures many, if not the majority of men both intensely fear and deeply desire women- the same women or woman (but for different reasons). What would otherwise have to be recognized as contradictory beliefs are reduced to acceptable ambivalence. They may be very predisposed to believe that when their (super-)masculine power has been lost to a woman, their remaining power must be exerted (in a state of denial, if not also anger or fear). As a result, they are under cultural and psychological pressure to resolve the psychologically hidden but logically obvious contradiction between “Men are stronger than women” and “Men are weaker than women”. Hence, some very confused and self-defeating male behaviors and feelings seem all but inevitable. Among them is the bizarre “elevation” of women to the status of precious family jewels that must therefore be kept under lock and key like common chattel, or cut in unnatural ways to enhance their value, e.g., cosmetic surgery or worse. A mild, relatively innocuous version of this is our male custom of opening doors for women: Do we do it as an expression of our power over them (since they “need our help” to push the door open), or their power over us (as their devoted “servants”)?- a question that the characterization of the practice as “gentlemanly behavior” tastefully suppresses and sidesteps. Workplace Management of Contradictions In workplace culture, whenever an employee is torn between helping and competing with, if not sabotaging, the new guy, (s)he is experiencing a cultural contradiction in a very vivid, if not articulated way: “I want to help, but without grooming somebody to replace me or make me look bad.” If the in-group solution is unappealing or impractical, providing just enough help to create gratitude, but not a serious competitor, is a second way to “resolve” the contradiction. The same problem and solution are sometimes evident in the relationship with clients. That’s how some extremely competitive and less “spiritual” martial arts instructors may attempt to resolve the contradiction between believing they should and should not train others to be better than themselves. By slowing down the belt-awarding process, and spending way too much class time practicing and repeating one basic kick (something that I was too often forced to do as a karate student-client), they, by such an evasion, delay the day they will have to confront the tension between their beliefs (while, as a bonus, maximizing total fees paid by disciple-clients)- something I really disliked and give an emphatic “thumbs-down”. …Without a trace of ambivalence or contradiction.

How to Ask for a Raise and Get It

How to Ask for a Raise â€" and Get It How to Ask for a Raise - and Get It How to Ask for a Raise - and Get It Money might talk, but only if you do. Asking for a raise is one of the most awkward and intimidating conversations you can have. Most people don't like talking about money to begin with, especially not with their bosses! Learning how to ask for a raise might be the last thing you want to do, but if you feel underpaid, read on. The trick to asking for and getting a raise is all about timing and preparedness. Before you go storming into your boss' office demanding a bump, cool down and read this first you just might change your mind. Timing is everything. Your timing has to be impeccable, there's no question about it. Data gathered by LinkedIn shows that the best time to ask for a raise is just before the start of January, June, or July, around the time of your company's year-end, before budgets are allocated. The correct timing also refers to other variables, such as when revenues are high, objectives are met, and your own performance is noteworthy. Be reasonable. If the company is tanking, should you be asking for a reward? Prepare to back it up. If you're scanning this article looking for the the one piece of advice you can't skimp on, it's this: Be prepared. Preparedness sets you apart. Be ready to justify your worth in terms your boss values (hint: bottom line and key strategic imperatives). You'll need to showcase your merit with real life examples that underscore why what you do matters. You'll want to paint the picture that you and your contributions are essential. Be sure to know your market value and have a clear understanding of what your job is worth on the job market. There are plenty of online surveys to help, but use caution. Many online surveys, especially those associated with staffing agencies, bump up salary ranges by at least 10 percent. Check out PayScale or Salary.com for information on current salary ranges. Be clear on your why. Being clear on your purpose and motivation will steer you away from disaster. Think about this: Why do you really want a raise? It's really easy to get caught up in the comparison ring. You hear so-and-so makes X per year. You read an online salary report that screamed how underpaid you are. Your coworkers are talking about salaries in the lunchroom. E-a-s-y. Now, slow down. This is where your preparedness comes into play. You do not I repeat you do not want to ask for a raise out of emotion. Will more money solve your problems? A higher salary won't make an insufferable job suddenly great. A raise won't make your boss appreciate you. Know the why. Accept the risk. If you've plotted out the perfect timing and you've thought everything through, here's one more thing to consider. Whether it's the right thing to do or not, your boss may take issue with you asking for more money. Because we're dealing with fickle, dynamic humans who have their own beliefs, values, and hang-ups about money, realize that your boss may bring personal baggage into your salary discussions. Again, it might not be right, but it's real. Going back to understanding your personal motivations, you need to be comfortable with the fact that your boss may interpret your motivations differently than you do and pass judgment. If your boss feels cornered to give in, he or she might say yes today but hold it against you in the future. Accept the risk that the discussion may open you up to more risk than before. If you feel that you truly have done your research and you deserve it, then ask away. Don't let someone else's hang-ups hold you back. The alternative. You don't have to ask for a raise. You don't have to make more money. Perhaps this is the unpopular answer, but it's a realistic, intrinsic solution. Shift your energy to adding value and doing your best work. If the company just isn't doing well enough to warrant salary increases or if you did your research and you can't justify asking, then decide to be happy with what you've got or start the search for a new opportunity. If the company offers exciting work, a fun culture, and opportunities to contribute and learn, then seize the day! You could even shift the conversation with your boss from I want more money to I want more responsibility and see what opens up for you when you focus on something else. Salary discussions trigger deep feelings within all of us about worth, quality of life, and overall success. Don't let it be a nagging comparison. Shifting your perspective to a growth mindset where you focus on learning and contributing will direct positive experiences your way. The money will come if you put love into your work. Click on the following link for more salary negotiation advice. Recommended Reading 6 Ways to Get Your Boss to Notice You (in a Good Way!) 11 Signs It's Time for a New Job How to Handle the Dreaded Salary Question During Your Next Interview

The Top Positives and Negatives about Job Descriptions

The Top Positives and Negatives about Job Descriptions The Top Positives and Negatives about Job Descriptions Employee job descriptions are written statements that describe the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications and reporting relationships of a particular job. They are based on objective information obtained through job analysis, an understanding of the competencies and skills required to accomplish needed tasks, and the needs of the organization to produce work. Employee job descriptions identify and spell out the responsibilities of a specific job. They also include information about working conditions, tools, equipment used, knowledge and skills needed, and relationships with other positions including the immediate boss. Effectively developed, employee job descriptions are communication tools that are significant to your organizations success. Poorly-written employee job descriptions, on the other hand, add to workplace confusion, miscommunication, and make people feel they dont know what is expected from them. If you use employee  job descriptions as living, breathing documents that are updated regularly to reflect the changing requirements of each employee, these descriptions can become more of a job plan than an irrelevant document. Positives about Job Descriptions Job descriptions provide the following: Provide an Opportunity to Communicate Your Company Direction and Inform Employees How They Fit Into the Big Picture: Whether youre a small or large business or a multi-site organization, well-written employee job descriptions will help you align employee direction with the direction of your senior leadership.Alignment of employees with your goals,  vision, and  mission spells success for your organization. As a leader, youre guaranteeing the trans-functionality of all of the positions and roles needed to satisfy your customers. Set Clear Expectations About What You Expect From People: Ferdinand Fournies, in Why, Dont Employees Do What Theyre Supposed to Do and What To Do About It?  says that worker expectation is the first place to look if people arent doing what you want them to do. He says you need to make certain that all employees clearly understand your expectations- and that understanding starts with the employee job description. It holds true whether youre recruiting new employees or posting jobs for  internal applicants. Help You Cover Yourself Legally: As an example, for compliance with the  Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), youll want to make certain that the description of the physical requirements of the job is accurate down to the letter.Help Organizational Employees, Who Must Work With the New Hire, Understand the Boundaries of the Persons Responsibilities: People who have been involved in the hiring process are more likely to support the success of the new employee or promoted coworker. Developing employee job descriptions is an easy way to involve people in your organizations success. Remember, as you develop employee job descriptions, recognize that they are one component in an effective performance management system. Consider these warnings about employee job descriptions. Negative Potential of Employee Job Descriptions Employee job descriptions have their downside, including the following:   They Become Outdated in a Fast-Paced, Changing, Customer-Driven Work Environment: You must supplement employee job descriptions with regularly negotiated goals and developmental opportunities, at a minimum, quarterly- preferably monthly. It requires the employee to meet with the boss, or the team, to establish the next set of specific, measurable objectives.This meeting must also be realistic. If the employee receives new goals and is still responsible for every task listed in the original employee job description, this is unfair.Especially, if the goals and job accomplishments are tied to salary or bonus, you must take a look at where the employee is investing his or her time. If the employee job descriptions provide an inaccurate picture, change the employee job description. Dont Always Have Enough Flexibility so Individuals Can Work Outside of the Box.: Employee job descriptions must be flexible so that employees are comfortable cross-training, can help another team member accomplish a task, and have the confidence that they can make appropriate decisions to serve their customers.You want people who are comfortable taking reasonable chances to stretch their limits.  Dont Always Provide for Reviews of an Employees Day-To-Day Work.: In addition to the updating of regular goals and objectives suggested, employee job descriptions are an integral part of the performance management and evaluation system. They are used to determine salary increases and bonus eligibility.They are a job reference for determining how an employee spends her time at work on a daily basis. They provide a measurable focus for energy and attention.   Can Sit Unused in a Drawer and Therefore Are a Waste of Time: Employee job descriptions must be integral in your hiring selection process. Bottomline You can use employee job descriptions to obtain employee ownership and to trace the parameters of the skills and abilities you seek for the position. When hiring, well-written employee job descriptions can help you make sound hiring decisions. And hiring the right team is critical to your future success.