How to return to work after caring for a sick relative

How to return to work after caring for a sick relativeHow to return to work after caring for a sick relativeTackling a job search always feels overwhelming - especially when you have a large gap on your resume after becoming the full-time caretaker for a loved one who fell ill.Considering that 61% of caregivers have experienced some sort of change in their employment - be it decreasing their hours, receiving a performance warning, or even giving up working entirely - due to caring for a loved one, its understandable that youre afraid the career detour couldhinder your job hunt.Beyond that, youre left with a lot of lingering questions. Should you openly address why you were out of the workforce for that time? Or, is it better to wait to see if youre asked? Will employers think less of you because of that time off?Heres what you need to know about getting back in the game after taking that time off.1. Be honestIf theres one thing thats bound to poke holes in your confidence during y our job search, its that gap in your employment.Before you rush your resume out the door, consider whether you have something to help fill in that blank space on your resume, even if its not conventional paid work.This may be volunteer work that you did, as long as your volunteer work is related to the type of work that you want to do, explains Victoria A. LoCascio, President of Ace Your Interview. Or, perhaps you did some consulting work on the side while providing for your sick relative or friend.Still, many people who were consumed with caregiving and are now looking to rejoin the workforce may not have had any free time for side jobs.In those instances, its best to be up front and honest about why you stepped away from office life - rather than waiting for an employer to ask you about it (or worse, make assumptions). Most people can relate and sympathize with needing to sacrifice personal goals in order to prioritize the needs of family (whether its a new child or an aging paren t).When and where you choose to explain your employment gap is up to you. Some people choose to include it directly in their cover letter - for fear that they may not get an in-person chance to explain that gap - while others wait to see if they land an interview to divulge that information. Theres not one right way to go about it. Ultimately, its up to what makes you most comfortable.2. Extract value from your experienceYour time away from work welches anything but a vacation - more often than not, it was stressful and incredibly trying. But, it was probably enlightening as well.When you go through a challenging experience, youre bound to learn a few valuable lessons. Highlighting those can make for an incredibly powerful career story and piece of your overall personal brand.Perhaps you were taught the importance of patience, dedication, and priorities (or all of the above). Or, maybe that experience revealed an entirely new career path you want to explore.Those are critical thi ngs that you may or may not have realized had you not taken that time off. So, dont forget to look at your employment gap with a more positive spin and pull out some of the valuable things you learned.You only need to share as much detail as you feel comfortable with. But, emphasizing those lessons is an effective way to show prospective employers that your time off was more than just a break from work - it was an important chapter in your entire story.3. Do your researchResearch is the foundation of any successful job search. And, this is especially true when youve been far removed from the working world for a longer amount of time.Before pulling together your resume, its time to brush up on whats been going on in your profession. Have there been any major industry shifts or updates? Is there something new required of people in your field - meaning you need to expand your skill set? Has the technology you used to use as part of the job changed?The world moves at a rapid pace. So, whether you were caring for your loved one for a couple of months or a couple of years, its worth taking the time to figure out exactly what you need to do to remain competitive in your chosen field.With that knowledge in your back pocket, you can knock the cobwebs off your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile and give them a much-needed refresh. Remember, including information thats seriously outdated or no longer relevant to your desired position is a surefire way to find your application in the hiring managers wastebasket.4. Put yourself back out thereOnce youre feeling a little more confident about what sort of value you bring to the table, its time to take a deep breath and start putting yourself out there once again.First, sign up for daily alerts on LinkedIn and Indeed for job titles in which you may be interested in applying, shares LoCascio, Apply to as many positions as you can during a two-week to three-week period when you start your job search.LoCascio explains t hat this sort of strategy will hopefully keep things moving at the same pace and thus supply you with more options- meaning you wont feel like you need to accept the very first job thats offered to you.Your network can be another powerful asset to you as you hit the ground running in your job search as well. Reach out to industry peers, past colleagues, friends, and really anybody else that you think might be able to help you in order to let them know that youre restarting your career.Considering that one study claims that 85% of all open jobs are filled via networking, it cant hurt to reach out to your web of contacts and enlist their help in your search for a new position.5. Dont apologizeThe fact that youre a little rusty in your profession is enough to inspire sweaty palms and some feelings of guilt or embarrassment, but cut yourself some slack.While offering some explanation for that gap in your employment is understandable (and oftentimes even encouraged), resist the urge to profusely apologize for it - its nothing to feel shameful about. Quite the contrary, in fact.Taking time off to care for a relative is okay for your career, and its admirable, concludes LoCascio, Show companies that you are ready to re-enter the workforce and give 110% to your job, and you will be able to land a new role.

The future of work is medically enhanced elite super-workers

The future of work is medically enhanced elite super-workersThe future of work is medically enhanced elite super-workersIn the future, we will be competing against medically-enhanced workers who can work longer and harder than us. Artificial intelligence will make it easier to monitor our every move in the amtsstube. This may sound like science fiction, but its a likely reality, according to a new report by professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.The report, which drew upon a team of science researchers and a survey of more than 10,000 workers based in China, Germany, India, the U.K., and the U.S., predicts that rapid advances in technology, resource scarcity, and population demographics are among the key forces that would radically shape the future of work by 2030.According to PwC, these forces will result in four kompetenz futures one where humans come first, one where innovation rules, one where companies care, and one where corporate is king.Report new breed of elite su per-workers will emerge in 2030In the future world where corporations reign, PwC states thathuman effort is maximised through sophisticated use of physical and medical enhancement techniques and equipment, and workers performance and wellbeing are measured, monitored and analysed at every step. A new breed of elite super-workers emerges.This is a world where performance is everything, and workers will need to create every advantage to stay ahead. This may sound like a stressful objective, but the majority of people surveyed welcomed the challenge.Seventy percent of the workers surveyed said that they would undergo treatments to improve their body and mind if it would improve their chances of employment. This could be because we believe its up to us to improve our careers - even if that means pill-popping performance-enhancing drugs. Of those surveyed, 74% said it was their individual responsibility to update their skills rather than relying on any employer.To visualize this cogniti ve-enhanced future, PwC created a mock news article reporting from 2030 that detailed the first large-scale use of brain-enhancing drugs in the workplace.But you dont need a fake news report to see this future real news reports about augmented bodies in the office have existed for some time. Companies in the U.S. and Europe are already offering microchip implants to workers, so they can enter company buildings and get their chips from the vending machine with the wave of a hand.PwC predicts that the idea of a cyborg workforce will go from science fiction novelty to mainstream in the next few decades.So implants at work are already possible and happening and people will use it socially to pay for things and to get on to buses and public transport. Why would they not 10 years later go, sure, put one in my brain to make me think harder or for longer?Jon Williams, PwCs people and organizations division leader told The Australian about its survey. Its just natural progression.

The Challenges of Left-Brained Job Seekers

The Challenges of Left-Brained Job SeekersThe Challenges of Left-Brained Job SeekersThe job search is tough for everyone, but left-brained candidates have a big mountain to climb. Find out what their biggest challenge and how to conquer it.Much scientific research in recent decades has focused on the left and right hemispheres of the brain and suggested that people in whom one side dominates are likely to share certain ways of thinking.While the right hemisphere is more intuitive and emotional, studies suggest, the left is more logical and sequential. Left-brained thinkers frequently excel in highly analytical fields such as IT, engineering and law.When it comes to job hunting, however, left-brained people often have more difficulty than their right-brained counterparts - but not for the reasons you might think.To compete effectively in the marketplace, left-brained people have to overcome two important obstacles. The first challenge is common to most job hunters the second is speci fic to technical and analytical types.Our difficulties and their originsWhat is the obstacle? After spending more than 18 years helping job hunters in a sortiment of occupations, I have found that most people have difficulty talking about themselves. Whats even more fascinating is that the problem goes deeper. Much deeper. An overwhelming majority of the people who have a hard time talking about themselves have just as much trouble thinking about themselves.In other words, they struggle to acknowledge their own skills, talents and contributions.Where does this obstacle originate? For analytical and technical types, logical, left-brained, process-oriented thinking is exactly what makes them successful professionally. Job hunting, however, is a marketing challenge that relies more on right-brained skills rarely possessed by hard-core left-brained people. Well explore a few options that should help you think more creatively about your experiences, but dont be embarrassed if you struggl e with the concepts.Youre not alone. Just find someone who can coach you through the process.Why right-brained job searches thrive Job hunters in general - and left-brained types in particular - miss most of the opportunities to leverage their experiences because they dont understand the difference between an attribute and a benefit. Even marketers arent always clear on the concept. For years, Castrol Motor Oil ran commercials focusing on the products ability to prevent engine viscosity and thermal breakdown. Unless you are a mechanic, that probably doesnt mean anything to you. This is a great example of a company selling an attribute rather than a benefit.For people at Castrol, the thinking stopped at what the product does. A benefit, in contrast, takes into consideration what the product does for you, the consumer. After all, if you dont know what engine viscosity or thermal breakdown is, it probably isnt keeping you up at night.Lets look instead at the benefits. For the purpose s of this example, lets assume that by using Castrol Motor Oil youd lower automobile repair expenses by $400 per year and your cars would last, on average, five years longer. If true, that would be the benefit of using Castrol. It might even convince you to use the product.Now, apply this thinking to your resume. Your ability to use Java or C++, your proficiency with Oracle databases, and even your advanced degree are attributes. People who possess the same basic skills and credentials are everywhere. Thats not why people are going to hire you. True, companies are looking to hire people with those skills, but there has to be more. What really matters is what you have done with those skills. Thats where youll find the benefit.A few right-brained principlesGive them the benefit. There are six basic ways to quantify your experience1. Time2. Money3. Quality4. Quantity5. Safety6. ComplianceSafety and compliance may not always be relevant, but the first four quantifiers almost always are. First, give people an idea of the types of projects youve done. Start with the basics and describe the purpose, length, scope and results of the project. This is important because employers want to know what you are capable of handling. Then, ask yourself the following questionsWas this part of your job, or were you specially selected to work on the project?What did you do or contribute that otherwise might never have happened?Were you able to convince the company or client to invest more time, money or resources than they originally planned?ansicht questions focus more on your individual contributions. Highlight any projects for which you were specifically selected. This is one of the best ways to show that others value your input. In addition, it is always helpful to identify any ideas you had that improved the outcome of the project. For example, if you came up with an idea and convinced a company to spend time or money to implement it, that can be very compelling. Come up with as many examples of idea generation and problem solving as you can. All companies have problems and are looking for people who can solve them.Applying these principlesTo make these principles work for you, it is absolutely essential to think beyond generic job descriptions and raw skills to actual accomplishments. In this economy, there are countless people who have the same basic skills. Some are more qualified, and some are less qualified. But most dont take the time to quantify their experiences. Thats what will make the difference. Help people understand what you can do and how it will benefit them.This is a particularly difficult challenge because marketing yourself effectively requires more right-brained thinking than you may be used to doing. Remember, jobs dont always go to the most qualified people jobs go to the people who know how to market themselves. Its going to take time to do a thorough self-assessment, but I promise its worth it.It all boils down to one simple choic e You can either invest your time up front creating an inventory of quantified, compelling experiences, or you can spend the time on the back end dealing with a string of rejections and the strong possibility of underemployment. Choose wisely.

Interior Designer Career Information

Interior planer Career InformationInterior Designer Career InformationAn interior designer enhances the function, safety and aesthetics of interior spaces while taking into account how different colors, textures, furniture, lighting, and space work together to meet occupants or visitors needs. He or she works with both private and public spaces including residences, shopping malls, schools, offices, and hospitals. Employment Facts There were 72,000 interior designers employed in 2008. Educational Requirements Training to become an interior designer takes two to four years and is available from professional design schools or colleges and universities. One can earn an associate degree or certificate by attending a two to three-year program, or a bachelors degree by attending a four-year program. Upon graduating with a bachelors degree, one would most likely begin a one to three-year apprenticeship program at a design or architecture firm and work under the supervision of an exp erienced interior designer. A graduate with a certificate or associate degree would usually start his or her career as an assistant to an interior designer. Other Requirements Many states require interior designers to be registered, certified or licensed. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification administers a written exam that is required by these states. In order to sit for the exam, one needs six years of combined education- at least two years of postsecondary education- and experience. Continuing education is often required to maintain ones license, certification or registration. Advancement Opportunities One to three years of on-the-job training allows interior designers to advance to supervisory positions including chief designer or design department head. These positions are usually available in larger firms. Some experienced interior designers specialize in one aspect of design or open their own design firms. Job Outlook The US Bureau of Labor Stati stics predicts that interior design will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2018 but there will be a lot of competition for jobs. While there are a lot of people who want to work in this field, those who have significant formal training and are creative and persistent will fare best. Earnings In 2009 interior designers in the United States earned a zentralwert annual salary of $46,180. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much an Interior Designer currently earns in your city.? A Day in an Interior Designers Life On a typical design project an interior designers tasks include meeting with a client to find out what he or she wants and needs, how space will be used and what his or her budget iscoming up with a design plan, usually using computer-aided-design (CAD), and a budget estimatepresenting the design plan and budget to the client and then revising the design plan according to the clients inputupon finalizing the design plan, specifyi ng materials, finishes, lighting, and flooringif required by the municipality and scope of the project, submitting drawings to a building inspector to make sure it meets building codes hiring architects to do structural work, if necessary, and other contractors to handle technical worksetting a timeline for the projectsupervising the project to make sure it is done correctly and according to the timelinefollowing up with the client upon the projects completion to make sure he or she is satisfied, and if not, making any necessary corrections Sources Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Interior Designer.Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Interior Designer.

Customize this Outstanding Chief Human Resources Officer Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Chief Human Resources Officer Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Chief Human Resources Officer Resume SampleBeing in the field of menschenfreundlich resources, you know how resume and application packages are scrutinized by employers. You also know that as a candidate to lead the department that tischsets the tone for professionalism at a company, your work is going to be scrutinized by hiring managers looking to see what kind of standard you will set if hired. That makes an active, engaging resume absolutely vital to your success in the job market. Luckily, there are resources such as this chief human resources officer resume sample that you can use when you need a resource to consult. Its also a good idea to use the resume builder to put your resume draft together if youre having trouble.Create Resume Elizabeth Lombardi100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234emailexample.comProfessional Summary Versatile Chief Human Resources Offi cer with experience in employee relations, benefits compensation plans, as well as talent acquisition and recruitment. Dedicated, communicative, diplomatic and a strong leader. Particular interest in retention and building a positive corporate culture.Core QualificationsRetentionEmployee MotivationConflict ResolutionBenefits and CompensationHiring and RecruitingEmployee RelationsTraining and Workforce DevelopmentBackground ChecksExperienceChief Human Resources Officer, September 2010 March 2015ABC Manufacturing New Parkland, CALed retention efforts and provided administrative guidance on motivating employees to build a positive corporate culture.Participated in recruiting and hiring practices, including attending job fairs as a company representative, conducting extensive background checks and participating in search committees.Served a mediator during employee relations issues, provided conflict beschluss suggestions and worked to create a plan to move forward.Chief Human Resourc es Officer, June 2006 September 2010Triangle Industries New Parkland, CADeveloped retention policies and created initiatives toward building positive corporate culture.Oversaw training and development program for all 300 employees, including orientation of new hires.Consulted administrators on legal compliance issues with regard to staffing and employment.Education2006 MBA, Resources and MarketingNew Parkland University New Parkland, CACustomize ResumeWhy Is This a Good Chief Human Resources Officer Resume Sample?If you are looking for specific moves to take from this chief human resources officer resume sample and transplant them into your own, they are there to find. The most important part, though, is the way they come together, which is why it is important to look at the balance of text and the way that different sections operate. The jobseeker in the sample wastes no words in the skills section and utilizes an order that puts all important or strongest attributes at the top. On the other hand, the much longer experience section provides many more details yet still maintains conciseness, relevancy, and order.Its also important to look at the way word choice operates in the longer sections, such as the summary and the core qualifications sections. There, you see the candidate use active and descriptive language, such as versatile, dedicated, communicative, and diplomatic. Here, the candidate conveys her strongest experiences and skills, such as leadership, benefits compensation, and conflict resolution. The lack of bulky construction makes it easier to deliver key details in a rapid-fire manner, and that means that there is a lot of information in a relatively small number of words. In the experience section of the chief human resources officer resume sample, the jobseeker adds action verbs at the beginning of each statement to make it even easier for it to stand out. She uses words such as served, developed, and oversaw, to avoid wordiness in phrases li ke responsible for. Those examples and accomplishments demonstrate the skills from the core qualifications section, and they cover the full range of skills listed there with ease, providing examples of tangible, measurable statements about the candidates effectiveness. Look to mirror that approach as you write to make sure that your language is not only efficient and concise, but also detail-rich and effective.Why You Need to Have a Strong Chief Human Resources Officer ResumeAs a candidate for one of the managerial positions at a company, you are under a lot of scrutiny. Your example is one of the touchstones for workers at the lower ranks hoping to learn the company culture and rise. As the chief human resources officer, your role is scrutinized even more, because you literally set the policies that govern employee well-being while setting an example showing the kind of professionalism that you wish to foster. You are also taking on a role that directs the future of hiring and firi ng at the company. As such, your resume should reflect a professionalism and expertise above and beyond the general expectation for entry-level workers, and you need to make sure it delivers content that makes the case for your candidacy by using the chief human resources officer resume sample to help you make changes.Costly Chief Human Resource Officer Resume Mistakes To AvoidThere are a few ways that your resume can unintentionally cost you opportunities if it is not well-revised and groomed for a specific position. For starters, if it only uses stock skills, doesnt have any original language, or doesnt match any skills required for the position, then you will run the risk that your abilities will not be recognizable at the pace your reader is evaluating resumes, which is only a few seconds according to studies. To make sure you clearly show that you have the skills for the job, you need to write with the same vocabulary as the job ad. You also need to remember that your deliverab les as a professional in human resources are the experiences that specifically make you ready for a managerial job leading the department. Take a look at how the chief human resources officer resume sample makes sure to fold in leadership qualities with its demonstration of human resources knowledge.ConclusionWhen you are applying for a leadership position, your resume needs to exude expertise and leadership. Thats the main goal of the recommendations in this analysis. They all help to shape your resume to reflect the same kind of focus and the same emphasis on competence and leadership by example that you will find in the chief human resources officer resume sample.

Why Absolutely Everybody Is Talking About Administrative Assistant Resume Skills and What You Have to Do

Why Absolutely Everybody Is Talking About Administrative Assistant Resume Skills and What You Have to Do Whispered Administrative Assistant Resume Skills Secrets Utilizing the most suitable keyword phrases in your resume is critical to getting your resume read. Pick a topic which you are familiar and comfortable with. Template for resume is a typical layout which can be used for any work position. Resume writing can be challenging. Administrative assistants are also accountable for an assortment of tasks which dont fit into predetermined categories. Organizing records and files another major responsibility. Administration workers will have to have special talents in research and data analysis to be able to compile reports and harvest research material for different workers inside their department. Administrative workers will need to see the information. The War Against Administrative Assistant Resume Skills An administrative professional could possibly be asked to plan e vents and other activities at the office and so needs to get excellent planning abilities. It is essential to have a precise comprehension of the rights and requirements of any job, to avert any confusion. It is crucial that one needs to hone their decision-making skills so they can make the majority of the decisions which do not need consulting the boss. Make certain that you have a minumum of one example for a time you demonstrated every one of the top five skills listed here. Though some may think of healthcare assistants as the folks who carry clipboards and show patients to the exam space, clinical skills compose a massive portion of their duties. Make certain you include all of the experience that is going to permit you to stand out as a capable and qualified administrative professional. Boosting your on-line presence may be an effective means of luring kompetenz employers. Your knowledge can address some enormous administrative issues. An important area of the job inc ludes communication and coordinating with people throughout the business, and sometimes with clients too, based on the sort of business. Youre human and so long as youre working hard, your boss will observe that and appreciate that you cannot do the job of seven people. The resume objective was made to provide the hiring manager a reason to carry on reading your resume. In case you have work experience and hands-on experience utilizing computer computer software applications like word processing and spreadsheets, you are going to have the best prospects of locating a job. The earlier you begin, the earlier you will have the most professional resume you can and youre going to be ready to find any job you apply for. While personnel can be certain of working a comparatively static schedule within typical small business hours, there might be occasions where working outside the traditional schedule is going to be required. The Admin role is nearly always forward-facing. Dont negle ct to take a look at the next Administrative Assistant resume sample for mora information about how to make yours perfect If you have enough time, do a fast internship or volunteer at a regional not-for-profit. Resumes are mandatory whilst applying for any work post. The Key to Successful Administrative Assistant Resume Skills Breaking down the number of tasks youve accomplished or the quantity of top-notch executive assistant skills youve mastered at work may look like the most arduous mission youve undertaken, but you have to find busy so as to craft a standout resume. In addition, there are pointers youll be able to use in order to make sure you compose an impressive and standout resume. For a task to be accomplished well, it has to be supplied to the ideal individual. Possessing the necessary skills isnt enough, expressing the exact same impressively in the resume is quite important. You simply need to restore your office assistant resume skills section. In some smalle r offices, an assistant manages the bookkeeping duties also. An executive assistant caters to the requirements of executives. Administrative assistant resume templates from various careers. For the very best executive assistant resumes, cover letters are vital. To create a good resume for the administrative assistant position, it is imperative to mention the skills needed for the job. In the same way, even experienced assistants can submit an application for a senior administrative assistant post utilizing the above resume samples. Some secretaries and administrative assistants, also called virtual assistants, are freelancers working at a house office. They work from a home office. Skilled administrative assistants utilize timely wisely to realize outstanding productivity. Ultimately should you need to have new along with the absolute most up-to-date photograph linked to executive assistant resume skills, please follow all of us we try our very best to supply you with common u p-date alongside fresh and new images. The faster and more accurately that you could type, the more projects youll be able to get done and the greater administrative assistant you are going to be. Administrative Jobs The term administration is utilized to spell out a selection of personnel in an organization that range from filing clerks to executive assistants and theres a huge array of job skills related to administration.

The Strategies You Need to Avoid Recruiter Bias - Spark Hire

The Strategies You Need to Avoid Recruiter Bias - Spark HireWhen youre a recruiter, your job is to find the best candidates for that particular company. However, this becomes a challenge when unconscious biases come into play. Fortunately, there are a number of strategies that you can employ in order to shut down bias before it starts. Keep these tips in mind as you talk to potential new hiresKnow about the issueIn order to resolve the problem of unconscious bias, you first have to understand the issue and admit that everyone is vulnerable. Regardless of how ritterlich you try to be, you can still find your judgment clouded by thoughts in the back of your mind. Allowing yourself to fall victim to biases can negatively impact your work as a recruiter. For this reason, its important to remain aware of the problem, instead of trying to pretend it doesnt exist.Have a structured, ritterlich recruitment processIn order to fight unconscious bias, youll want to develop a strong and thorough recruitment process. This makes it harder for unconscious bias to come into play, thus making the experience a fair one for all involved. The process should center on a well-crafted job description that explicitly states the skills and behavioral traits that the right candidate should have. When recruiters know very specifically what the companies they serve are looking for, it allows them to match a candidate strictly based on personality, skill, and experience level, instead of other factors.In order to keep recruitment fair for everyone, youll want to set up a formal step-by-step process that all candidates must go through as they interview. This helps to lower the risk of unconscious bias, as it sets an even playing field and makes it easier to compare candidates fairly.Record each interviewA fair hiring process requires a significant amount of work on the part of the recruiter and the hiring manager. Copious notes should be taken about each potential hire, making it easy to off er someone the job based on their skills, and not insignificant details that someone picked up on during the interview. Holding all candidates to the same standard is an essential part of playing fair during recruitment.How do you fight unconscious bias when youre recruiting? Are there other strategies that a professional can use in order to keep the hiring process fair for all?

Taxing Situations on the Job Hunt

Taxing Situations on the Job HuntTaxing Situations on the Job HuntNot all tax deductions are created equal.We often use the aphorism that the job search is a job itself. Like most maxims, its easy to take for granted - until theres actual personal value at stake.When you consider your relationship with the IRS, your job hunt does indeed take on a decidedly entrepreneurial cast in many ways, youre hanging out your own shingle and reporting the results of your business venture by April 15.The government is aware that it takes money to make money (to deploy another slogan), and the U.S. tax code allows you to deduct many expenses related to your job search, from travel to training to supplies up to and including some relocation costs. But be aware Not all deductions are created equal, and faulty assumptions can put you at odds with the feds.Ladders editors are not finance professionals, and our first, best advice is to check with an accountant or other qualified financial advisor abou t your specific situation. To get you started, however, weve talked to pros about your prospects for happy returns from your job search.

3 Smart Ways to Brainstorm Better

3 Smart Ways to Brainstorm Better3 Smart Ways to Brainstorm BetterWhen was the last time you brainstormed?Was it over a group assignment in high school? Maybe over a particularly challenging DIY project? Or was it this week, at work?Brainstorming is a tried-and-true way many managers encurage their employees to generate ideas.The goal is to get people in a room with a white board- and snacks, hopefully- and let the fantastic, creative ideas fly.Heres the twist We may have been going about it all wrong.The New Yorkerreports that research consistently proves that traditional brainstorming- the schriftart youve likely been doing yur whole life- is less productive than sending people off to think by themselves. (Although thereisa type of brainstorming researchers recommend- well get to that.)This could be good news when youre privately brainstorming ways to ace your employee review, but it could cause some problems in the office.Namely, you cant just opt out the next time your boss herds you into the conference room. (Plus, you might miss the snacks.)We talked to a brainstorming expert- yes, there is such a thing- to find out why this is, and how you can be a better brainstormer in three easy steps.This Will Make You More CreativeThe New Yorkerwrites that a key principle of most brainstorming is the absence of negative criticism. Thats supposed to encourage people to speak up, since no one wants to volunteer ideas that get shot down.But research shows that its not brainstorming thats ineffective so much as brainstormingwithout any criticism. This is because criticism encourages us to engage more fully with the work of others and to reassess our viewpoints.In an experiment at UC Berkeley, a test brainstorming group encouraged to give negative criticism blew groups without criticism out of the water by generating nearly 20% more ideas.The same professor, Charlan Nemeth, showed in a separate study that people are more creative when exposed to dissenting opinions.There s this Pollyannaish notion that the most important thing to do when working together is stay positive and get along, to not hurt anyones feelings, she tells The New Yorker. Well, thats just wrong. Maybe debate is going to be less pleasant, but it will always be more productive. True creativity requires some trade-offs.3 Tricks to a More Productive BrainstormGerald Solutionman Haman is the founder of four separate innovation and creativity organizations and platzdeckchen the world record for brainstorming by hosting a session with 8,000 people who generated 454,000 ideas for government improvement in Singapore Stadium. In the 20 years since he founded his innovation companySolutionPeople, he has helped clients generate over three million ideas, valued at $2 billion.Clearly, he believes in brainstorming.We asked his advice for how to do it right1. Get ComfortableHaman SaysIve found that if your feet are comfortable, your brain is comfortable. One client actually calculated that people who wore socks generated 13% more ideas that those who did not.When youre comfy, you can devote your full attention to the task at hand.You CanGet appropriately comfortable. You probably cant don sweatpants at work, but you might be able to kick off your shoes under the conference table or wear pants instead of a skirt when you know theres a creative meeting. Pick a spot at the table where you can see the board or screen easily, and bring a sweater in case the room is cold. This principle is doubly true (and even easier to pull off) when youre brainstorming by yourself at home.2. Start AskingHaman SaysDuring the past 20 years, we have helped our clients generate over 3 million ideas by asking over 10,000 questions. We have an entire question bank He built a toolto facilitate innovation, which includes basic but crucial questions such as, What is needed, wanted, or wished? among other images, questions, and ideas that prompt creativity. Unexpected questions lead to unexpected, and p otentially great, ideas.You CanSpeak up. Haman and his team arent the only ones who can ask questions You can achieve a similar effect through asking questions and expressing your (possibly dissenting) opinion. The best ideas come from friction, such as between people in different departments. Speak up, ask questions, express your opinions.Remember Criticism and conversation are key to a productive session. But frame your contributions as improvements rather than refutation This might work even better if weEven outside of the workplace, it can be wise to ask the opinion of someone you trust before acting on an idea you have. By allowing them to ask questions or poke holes in your ideas, you may wind up with a better plan than you started with.3. Dont Give UpHaman SaysInvest more time in brainstorming sessions. I have a model called the M-Curve that shows thatoldideas are generated during the morning of a typical one-day brainstorming session, andnewideas are generated in the afterno on. Near the end of the sessions is when the best new ideas and breakthroughs occur.You CanStretch it out. Sure, your team might only have the conference room for 45 minutes, but you can make your personal brainstorm last much longer. Before your meeting (that morning or the night before, not en route to the room), jot down the ideas you already have. That way, youll be in the right mindset to generate fresh ideas once you hit the table. If youre planning a brainstorm, you might want to break it into two sessions so your group can meet, take a break, and then come back stronger for round two. The same goes for brainstorming at home If the right idea doesnt occur to you right away, revisit the problem later in the day.This article has been republished with permission from our partner,LearnVest. For more financial and life advice thats sound, savvy, and actually fun to read, check out If your profession isone of the most well-rested, were a little jealous. It may seem impossible, but you canstart balancing work and family in 10 easy steps. Mixed signals no more Fend off creepy co-workers withthese four tips.Photo courtesy of Gonzalo lvarez Maran.

Top 5 Social Skills for Workplace Success

Top 5 Social Skills for Workplace SuccessTop 5 Social Skills for Workplace SuccessWhat are social skills, and why are they essential for workplace success? Social skills, also called interpersonal skills, are those we use to interact and communicate with other people. These skills include both verbal skills (the way you speak to other people) and nonverbal skills (your body language, gestures, and eye contact). Why Employers Value Social Skills Social skills are importantsoft skills- the personal qualities (as opposed to professional hard skills acquired through education, training, or job experience) that are key to interacting well with others. Almost every job requires social skills. If you work on a team, you need to be able to get along with others. If you work with clients, you must listen attentively to their questions and concerns. If you are a manager, you will be called upon to motivate employees. Even if your job does not involve interacting with other people very muc h, you still need to possess a few social skills to interact with your employer and colleagues. Because social skills are so important, almost every employer looks for job candidates with unterstellung competencies. It is therefore vital that you demonstrate that you have strong social skills in your resume, cover letter, and interview. Here is a list of the top five social skills that employers seek in candidates for employment. Also have a look at the subsequent tips on how to demonstrate that you have social skills throughout your job search. Top 5 Social Skills 1. Empathy Empathy is a very important skill. To interact well with others, you must be able to understand how they are feeling. Empathy is especially critical when dealing with clients who come to you with questions or problems. You need to express genuine concern for their issues, as well as helping to solve them. 2. Cooperation Cooperation is especially important when you work on ateam, where you will be required t o partner with others to reach a commongoal. However, even if you do not work on a team, cooperation is still necessary on those occasions when you are asked to work alongside colleagues to help achieve the goals of your organization. 3. Verbal and Written Communication Verbal communicationis the ability to express yourself using clear language that others can understand. Youll need solid verbal communication skills whenever you speak to others in person or on the phone. Written communication comes into play whenever you write an email, text, letter, report, or presentation here, appropriate grammar, spelling, and format are necessary. 4. Listening Another important communication skill that helps you interact well with others islistening. You need to be able to listen carefully to what your employer tells you to do, to what your colleagues say in a meeting, and to what your employees ask of you. You must listen to clients concerns, and express to them that you have understood them. People respond well to others when they feel they are being heard. 5. Nonverbal Communication While verbal communication is an important skill, so isnonverbal communication. Through your body language, eye contact, and facial expressions, you can express that you are an empathetic person who carefully listens to others. How to Show Your Social Skills During a Job Search Try to demonstrate that you have all of these social skills throughout your job search process. Firstly, be sure to incorporate the social skill words discussed here (empathy, cooperation, verbal and written communication, listening, nonverbal communication) into yourresume. Good places to use these keywords are in your work history or in yourresume summary(if you have one). Secondly, you can use these words in yourcover letter. In the body of your letter, mention one or two of these skills, providing specific examples of a time when you demonstrated them at work. Thirdly, you can use these skill words in aninte rview. Make sure you have at least one example for a time you utilized each of the top five skills listed here. Of course, each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure you read the job description carefully, and focus on the skills listed by the employer. Interviews also provide the perfect forum to demonstrate your interpersonal talents. Make sure to usenonverbal communicationthat conveys your interest in the interview, the employer, and the job. Speak clearly, and listen carefully to the questions being asked. Displaying these interpersonal skills in person is the best way to convince an employer that you have what it takes to excel in the position theyre offering.