How to Handle a 401k When You Change Jobs

How to Handle a 401k When You Change JobsHow to Handle a 401k When You Change JobsWhen starting a new job, theres a lot to think about. There are new responsibilities, new processes, new people - and, most likely, theres also a new 401k plan to consider. Even as you sort out your new tasks and work environment, its important to make your retirement plan a priority. Timing is everything, and when changing jobs you have a lot of options that could help you to streamline your retirement plan and investments. Heres how to handle the transition from one 401k plan to another. Questions to Ask About Your New Employers Plan Employers typically include 401(k) plan information in a new hire package. You should get a letter outlining the specifics of your companys plan, and maybe a brochure with investment options and other details. Most 401(k) providers have websites that will walk you through an introduction. Take a few minutes to skim and read the details and get to know a little bit abo ut the plan. Look for answers to the following questions, when reviewing the plan details Is there an employer matching program? More than 95 percent of large U.S. companies match the contributions that employees make to a 401(k). The average employer contribution amount is 4.5 percent of salary some companies contribute up to 6 percent. Think of it as a 6 percent, tax-free zugabe and you get why an employer match is not a benefit to be missed. Whats the vesting schedule? Many employers offer a vested match, which means that although the company is contributing up to 6 percent of your match, your access to that money is given on a timeline. After year one or two, you get 25 percent of the money, then 50 percent, until you receive the full 100 match after five or more years. Getting started on a vesting schedule is one of the reasons its important to sign up for the 401(k) as soon as you can. Youll optimize the funds the company matches if you enroll at the earliest possible date. Wh at types of investment options does the plan have? There are financial professionals who would argue that a portfolio with one or two broad-market, low-fee index funds (e.g., a Standard Poors 500 fund) is enough for most young savers. But its still nice to have options to choose from. You can look up each fund offering on a site like Morningstar. The site offers star ratings for each fund, but those do not tell the whole story. Look at the investment style box to binnensee if it fits your own (for example are you looking for aggressive growth, or afraid to risk losing money?). When comparing two fund choices, look to the fees and expenses. And if you opt for a target-date retirement fund or lifecycle fund that does the asset allocation for you, theres no need to invest in anything else. How Much Should You Save in Your 401(k)? Some experts recommend that individuals save 10 percent to 15 percent of pre-tax salary for retirement. Others simply advise saving as much as you possib ly can. A good rule of thumb for starters is to save at least what your employer will match. Anything less and you are leaving money on the table. If your employer will match it, save up to 6 percent with the goal of working your way up to 10 percent and beyond. If the new job represents a jump in salary for you, consider increasing your contribution amount. As you continue to rise up the corporate ladder and earn more, try to increase the amount you put away in your plan. If you shift 1 to 2 percent every few years, youll hardly notice the difference. What to Do With Your Old 401(k) Many 401k plans offer the ability to move money from a former employers 401(k) into a new plan. If you like your new employers plan, it makes sense to combine accounts and reduce your total amount of investments and fees. Moving Your Old 401(k) to the New PlanThe information on how to move the former 401(k) should be included in your new plans sign-up package, or you can ask the plan sponsor directl y. Once you cash out of one plan, you only have 90 days or less to get it the assets into the new plan, otherwise it will be considered a taxable distribution. The funds should ideally be transferred directly from one company to the next.If you get a check mailed to you personally, do not cash it. Contact the new plan manager to find out how to transfer the assets correctly. If you dont particularly like the new employers plan, its still worth saving there to get the opportunity to invest pre-tax dollars and take advantage of the employer matching funds. Move Your Old 401(k) to a Rollover IRABut your old 401(k) doesnt have to be part of the new plan. Instead, you can move the money into a rollover individual retirement account (IRA). Think of a rollover IRA as a catch-all account that combines all the assets from the 401(k)s you leave behind. With a rollover IRA, you can choose from a huge selection of investments, and the money continues to grow tax-deferred until retirement. That takes care of the 401(k). Now to find the good lunch places in your new office neighborhood.

Top 10 luxury spas for a couples getaway

Top 10 luxury spas for a couples getawayTop 10 luxury spas for a couples getawayLong gone are the days when spas were just for women only. Over the past few years, spas and spa resorts have greatly expanded their offerings to not only envelop guests mind, body and spirit, but also welcome couples- of any gender- to enjoy all things wellness.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreOffering their own unique combination of ambiance, services, amenities and products, these international luxury spa resorts will leave you and your partner rubbed, scrubbed, and rejuvenatedAlderbrook Resort Spa Union, WashingtonIn Washington State, two hoursfrom Seattle, the Alderbrook Resort Spa combines the spectacular beauty of the Pacific Northwest with an amazing luxury spa experience.The setting of this full-service spa, surrounded by the Olympic Mountains on the shores of the Hood Canal, a glacier-car ved fjord, is enough to captivate the senses.The wide variety of treatments includes luxurious hot oil scalp massages, seestreitkraft algae, sea brine and aloe wraps, volcanic pumice scrubs and ginger renewal,and invigorating body scrubs combined with full body massages. You can also opt for a glycolic peel or aromatherapy indulgences. Head-to-toe Spirulina Splendor, Moor Wellness, and Soothing Summer are among the Alderbrooks Seasonal Experience offerings.Kirini Suites Spa Santorini, GreeceNestled on a spectacular cliff in the village of Oia in Santorini, Kirini Suites Spa attracts an international clientele seeking the finest, holistic health and wellness services and the ultimate in relaxation.At A. SPA, choose from three elegant and serene suites- The Kalliste, Iris or Thalia- in which youll enjoy their signature rejuvenating and restorative facial and body treatments. Among them are the Chill Out massage, using clam shells with self-heating properties and cold-pressed avocad o oil, the Apivita Signature combining trasditional massage techniques like reflexology and shiatsu, the Aqua Vita Deep Hydration Treatment designed to replenish and prevent premature aging, and the St. Barth Softness Body Exfoliation with Caribbean Sea sand, coconut oil and fresh papaya, just to name a few.CastaDiva Resort Spa Blevio, ItalyPerched on the shores of scenic Lake Como, just north of Milan, CastaDiva Resort Spa provides guests with the ultimate in nourishing, restorative and sensory experiences. The distinctive setting melds with the historic 19th-century villas dotting the area, creating an intimate, romantic ambiance at every turn.Pamper your face with a Caviar Essence, Rose Infinity or Essential Man Facial. Revel in an apricot polish Skin Refining Scrub, or a chestnut, arnica, and menthol extract Light Legs Treatment. Or, heighten your tactile senses with a Crystals Chakra Balancing, Intensive Muscle Relief, or Calming Hot Stones Massage.For the ultimate treat, cho ose one of their extraordinary Water, Fire, Air, or Earth-themed combination treatment experiences for couples.Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph CollectionPart of the Autograph Collection of the Marriot portfolio, the magnificent Hotel Punta Islita, set along the picturesque shores of Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica, is the ideal place to relax your body and soothe your soul.Here, natural ingredients combined with ancient Chorotega healing wisdom- derived from a tribe of American Indians that inhabited this area during the time of the Spanish conquistadores- are the basis of the resorts Casa Spa signature wellness treatments. Guests can enjoy everything from couples massages to relaxing foot baths, facials, and paraffin hand treatments, detoxifying body wraps, restorative mens skin services and more in an unforgettable lush tropical setting.Schloss Elmau Elmau, GermanySchloss Elmau- Schloss, a German castle or manor house, and Elmau, a nod to the town in the Bavarian Alps where it resides- has been family-owned for over a century, and represents a unique combination of history and culture.Choose from multiple facilities and experiences at seven distinctive spas specifically tailored for adults, couples and families. The Badehause Spa Experience (for adults only) is touted as an oasis of perfect calm featuring a reception area with open fireplaces, tea lounges, 15 treatment rooms, a salon, steam baths and saunas, fresh and saltwater infinity pools, a cold plunge, and Pilates, Taiji, QiGong and Jivamukti Yoga.The Oriental Hamam Spa focuses on ancient traditional Chinese medicine healing techniques. Here youll find both family and adults only areas, each with three different spas and pools. Steam baths, water tubs, dome rooms with hot stones, and a relaxing Orientaltea lounge round out the experience.The Sports Performance Break Palacio Estoril Sports Performance, PortugalHitting an athletic plateau is demotivating and unbelievably common. On the sunny coast of Cascais, luxury 5-star resort Palacio Estoril offers sports enthusiasts an opportunity to overcome physical and mental barricades, enhancing performance and refining skill. Utilizing treatments such as physiotherapy and Chinese medicine, guests benefit from improved posture and well-being. In addition to an array of fitness classes, the programme focusses on nutritional performance enhancement, providing all the tools necessary to achieve athletic goals.The Mediterranean Healthy Escape Ayii Anargyri Healing, CyprusA boutique hotel amid a valley of mature trees in the village of Miliou, Cyprus, Ayii Anargyri promotes an idyllic location for a healthy healing escape. Restore well-being as you harness the time-tested, natural healing powers of the areas mineral-rich waters. Find profound calmness and tranquillity through hydrotherapy treatments, such as underwater massage, and treat ailments in the phlebology, kinesiotherapy, and rheumatology pools. The healing waters are also uti lized in spa therapies like the indulgent mud therapy cocoons and massages.The Detox and Pilates Break Amatara Detox, ThailandWith stunning views out over Cape Panwa, Phuket, Amatara is an idyllic destination for a relaxing detox and Pilates retreat. Following a juice cleanse and healthy eating regime, achieve optimal well-being with treatments such as colonic hydrotherapy, coffee cleansing, manual lymphatic drainage, and detoxifying ayurvedic massages. Gain strength and flexibility with mat Pilates and private reformer Pilates in stunning surroundings. This healthy holiday will give you the chance to experience your fruchtwein energized and most radiant self.The Safari and Yoga Break Karkloof Safari Yoga, South AfricaCombining passions for yoga and nature, this wellness holiday takes you to one of the most exceptional and unspoiled areas of South Africa. During the Safari Yoga program at Karkloof Safari Spa, guests experience two game drives, observing wildlife such as giraffes, rhinoceros, and a plethora of bird species. With daily yoga classes, mountain biking, fishing, and guided hikes, finding your connection with nature and developing inner peace has never come more naturally.The Short-haul Health Booster Six Senses Kaplankaya De-stress Reconnect, TurkeyGive your health a well-deserved boost this year as you enjoy a selection of indulgent spa treatments including massages and body wraps at Six Senses, Kaplankaya. Disengage from the stresses of daily life as you find your calm with sunrise yoga or a morning coastal walk, then work out your tensions in an invigorating personal training session. Whether its a quick break or an extended getaway, this Turkish stay is guaranteed to help you take a step back, finding clarity in the process.This article first appeared on Travel Squire.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from jng ste im bunde Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Sick of Re-Entering Your Info After Uploading a Resume Heres Why Companies Do It

Sick of Re-Entering Your Info After Uploading a Resume Heres Why Companies Do It Sick of Re-Entering Your Info After Uploading a Resume Heres Why Companies Do It Youve spent an hour or more painstakingly tailoring your resume. You researched the company, learned everything you could about the role, and perfectly optimized your resume for the job description. You click Apply Now and upload your resume. Done, right? Not so fast Now re-enter your name and contact ingestaltation. Re-enter every single job title, employment date, and qualification from your work history. Re-enter your education info. Answer a questionnaire while youre at it.Youve now sunk an entire evening into a single job application and are wondering why the resume was necessary at all. Why are hiring companies torturing applicants like this?Why Companies Make You Re-Enter Resume InformationBelieve it or not, one of the reasons online applications are set up this way for the applicants benefit.Some applicant tracking s ystems (ATS)automatically parse your uploaded resume into a digital candidate profile that can be searched or filtered by recruiters. Unfortunately, systems that rely on parsing tend to let highly qualified candidates slip through the cracks. For example, if yourresume isnt ATS-friendly, critical information might not be parsed correctly. This could cause you to be overlooked when a recruiter runs a keyword search for a skill that is on your resume.Read more What is an applicant tracking system?When a company configures their ATS to receive your resume then ask for all that same information via text eingabe fields, theyre avoiding some of the problems associated with resume parsing. The resume you uploaded will be used if a recruiter wants to give it a once-over or print it out. The information you manually input into the system will be used for searches and other ranking algorithms.In some cases, this redundancy may simply be the result of a poorly configured recruitment process or a necessity of corporate process and bureaucracy. Nevertheless, assuming that its intentional and taking text fields seriously could provide a big boost to your application.Do Not Write See ResumeAfter youve already invested so much time into creating the perfect resume, re-entering all the info might seem like a bridge too far. Its easy to fall into see resume mode.Via TwitterJust know that see resume and similar responses could be death to your application. By punting these fields, youre counting on a recruiter to manually sift through all their (potentially hundreds of) applicants, click on yours, and decide to read your upload.Thats not typically how recruiters operate. Often, they search for skills and keywords to narrow down their applicant pool before looking at any resumes. Unless they search for see resume, youre out of luck.Take Text Fields SeriouslyAt a bare minimum, paste in the information from your optimized resume. Get instant optimization tips and keywords by using the form below.You might also gain an advantage over other applicants by beefing up application text fields beyond whats in your resume. If you were struggling to fit all your qualifications or resume keywords onto a single-page resume, use these supplemental sections to expand upon your experience. This could help you come up for additional search terms.????Challenge AcceptedRemember, if an application feels arduous or overwhelming to you, other applicants are feeling the same way. Many will have abandoned their application and others might be phoning it in with see resume responses. Giving your full attention to redundant fields can be enough to get your resume to the top of the stack.Learn more about ATSWhat is an Applicant Tracking System?Taleo 4 Ways the Most Popular ATS Ranks Your Resume8 ATS Resume Secrets You Need to KnowJobscan Learning Center Applicant Tracking Systems

Lights Camera Engineers

Lights Camera Engineers Lights Camera Engineers Hopper Engineering has been through it all World War II, spies, Transformers (the robotic, larger-than-a-building kind). Just abedrngnisher day at the office for this Redondo Beach, CA-based engineering firm, which has been in the film business since the 1980s. Hollywood may seem an odd destination for an engineer, but it isnt. Hopper Engineering worked on special effects for The Avengers movie. Most of what we do is structural, says Wes Brown, a principal of the company. The use of hydraulics to move gimbals, which might have a ship on it, to simulate rocking and rolling in the ocean With The Avengers, we worked in the city of Cleveland to blow up a bunch of cars and power them into the air through mechanical flipping thats off a parking structure going stories up. Much of the equipment and concept comes from the film crew themselves, Brown says. The special effects department usually has an idea of what they want to dowe expand on it and we determine how much force will be necessary to move a structure at the rate of speed they want. Its how much force from a structural point of view will move this structure with a rotation of 25 degrees in two seconds . And they always want it right away. Safety Engineering Safety is also critical so they design the steel and brackets to hold all mechanical devices using code requirements, Brown says, Its Work as fast as we can to get results and make sure no one is injured, he says. If they dont come to us in time to do it safely, thats not our fault. We do a lot of repeat business with special effects people so theyre beginning to understand the engineering timeframe. For Pearl Harbor, HEA designed a cantilevered rotisserie gimbal capable of both rotating and pitching the ship as well as the foundation for the gimbal. With computer-generated graphics, the job of the engineer will change, but Brown says there are always directors who feel the computer cant do everything or on ly part of a scene. Take Michael Bay, for example. In Pearl Harbor, the USS Oklahoma gets hit on the side by a torpedo and capsizessailors sliding off the deck as the boat rotates, Brown says. We did a gimbal that rotates part of the ship in the movie but it was combined with computer graphics. It looks like the whole ship is going under but only from the first turret is us. Job Satisfaction Brown admits that some special effects workers on movie crews would rather not have an engineer at all but theyre valued because of the liability that exists without them, not to mention the comfort level they give those higher up. Special effects has smart people but there are those who still want to know what an engineer thinks just to be safe, he says. Wes Brown And you can hear just a little satisfaction in his voice as he explains the companys role in the film business. Asking Brown how much fun it really is, he replies I worked in petrochemicals for 20 years and no one wanted to know I did work for refineries. Now everyone thinks I have the best job in the world. I agree with them Eric Butterman is an independent writer.I worked in petrochemicals for 20 years and no one wanted to know I did work for refineries. Now everyone thinks I have the best job in the world. I agree with themWes Brown, Principal, Cooper Engineering

Hired! A Coachs Track Record Shows Financial Value

Hired A Coachs Track Record Shows Financial ValueHired A Coachs Track Record Shows Financial ValueStrive to show your worth in dollars and cents.In difficult times, training is one of the first things that gets cut, Suzanne Frawley said. Now many companies look at training as a cost center for their organization. After nearly four-and-a-half years as a training and development manager at Novartis Animal Health, Frawleys position welches eliminated in July.But by late September, the Columbus, Ohio, resident and HRLadder member had landed an interview for the position of learning and development manager at the local offices of German pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim. She began work at zu sich new company in mid-October.Frawley had originally considered a career as a veterinarian or doctor before a chance intervention made her change tack. She worked for a veterinarian throughout school, and one day she was approached by one of the schlussverkaufpeople who called on the office where she worked.His advice would change her course Ive been meaning to tell you that the way you work with people and with your knowledge, you would make a great sales rep. I know that youve been thinking seriously about veterinary medicine, but I would encourage you to take a look at this profession because of the kind of income that you can make and the benefits. Frawley decided to take the plunge and started as a company sales rep for Pharmacia Animal Health I was fortunate to have a very good manager and was able to do well and learn a lot. Frawley went from sales consultant to training manager but stayed within the animal-health side because it was an arena in which she already had a strong background and felt a sense of familiarity.Although all of her previous experience had been focused on animal health, when she found the position at Boehringer Ingelheim she was ready to explore new territory. While Boehringer Ingelheim does produce animal-health products, the human-pharmac euticals sector is the companys largest division, accounting for by far the greatest percentage of its sales. Im learning mora and Im seeing a different side of the business, which I am really enjoying, she said.Frawley closely investigated the company before accepting the position. In my research, she said, I found out they are privately owned by a family, and that attracted me to them. And other individuals at other locations within Boehringer Ingelheim had told me about the company culture. It was described as a positive, coaching type of culture, and that intrigued me. And they were growing and still are in a growth mode. 120 years after the companys establishment, Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the worlds top 20 pharmaceutical companies, and for some years has been one of the fastest-growing companies in the pharmaceutical industry.But these are tough times, and pharma has not been immune. While some pharmaceutical stocks have continued to rise regardless of fluctuations in the nations economy, there certainly are, she said, pharmaceutical companies that are cutting their sales forces. Pfizer just announced a restructuring in Europe. They are cutting their Paris office, and about 800 people are going to be scaled back. Glaxo is cutting. So I think that the economy is hitting pharma.Trainers must stand and deliverIn this environment, Frawley recommended that anyone working in the pharmaceutical field especially in training should strive to show their worth in dollars and cents. Rarely will an organization completely eliminate training, but learning and development managers are increasingly under pressure to justify their fiscal value to the firm. Companies, Frawley said, are now more sensitive about how training adds value to the organization. So one of the things I realized, as I wrote my resume and had coaching on resume preparation, was that I needed to demonstrate what I have saved for the company or how I have increased performance results for indiv iduals.So as I wrote my resume, Frawley recalled, I really had to translate what I had done into value numbers and how much I had saved. For example, she was able to show how she had saved her firm more than $140,000 by sharing pace-learning programs throughout the company at a global level. That was one of my bullet points or accomplishment statements, as we call them on my resume. Once I had figured that out and put it into print, I thought Wow That is what companies are now interested in.

What Everybody Else Does When It Comes to Programming Resume and What You Must Do Different

What Everybody Else Does When It Comes to Programming Resume and What You Must Do Different New Ideas Into Programming Resume Never Before Revealed Not utilizing the perfect keyword phrases in your job application is among the most typical mistakes folks are doing when writing a rsume. An applicant which has a close match of keywords utilized in their job application with the ones utilized in the work ad is going to have greater probability of being hired. Sometimes you must just be certain the keyword is there to find the resume in the front of the eyes of a person who knows technology. If I see quite a bit of the ideal search phrases in your resume, its a pass. If you would like to receive an opportunity to prove your skills, you have to catch the recruiters eye. Additionally, you dont have to include skills which dont relate to the job accessible. If you dont list that experience, I will assume you have little if any experience with it even if its on your skill list. Har d skills can be classified in various ways, depending upon your job title. Computer programming is just one of the very best paying professions. Therefore, while writing the resume for software engineers, you will need to concentrate on your programming skill thats the principal job that you should do. To begin with, you should learn a minumum of one programming language. If you want to understand the R programming language for a beginner, this tutorial will offer you enough understanding on just about all of the concepts of the language from where you are able to take yourself to higher levels of expertise. Utilizing general keywords like Marketing, Graduate, Engineering, Designer ought to be avoided since theyre too vague and can mean various things. Also, dont forget that, as a programmer, you should be quick and productive. Youre going to compose a killer programmer resume. For instance, a computer programmer with one professional role whos on the lookout for advancement ought to have a one-page resume. So How About Programming Resume? Its also hard to deal with concurrency issues at two unique levels. In summary, theres no single right approach to make an application within this diverse field. Whether youre asking for work, a grant, or using your resume to construct your own client base, a skilled and well-organized resume is suggested. It can be difficult to locate the right resume template when you are simply going into the workforce. Now that youre conscious of how recruiters screen your resume, here are 10 actionable approaches you can do in order to increase your resume. If you are a newcomer to the computer programming business, the experience section of your resume should list any employment opportunities youve had in the last few decades. Recruiters are just as with any other group of users. Some individuals may think its not recommended to inform the Hiring Manager that youre an entrepreneur. Most entry level jobs are extremely s imilar across companies. Make sure to be aware that you learn how to use common development programs, and describe your degree of skill. Thats the reason why its introduced at a subsequent stage in schools. To generate a balanced resume is the trick to make the best of it While technical pros resumes do not will need to be pretty, formatting can earn an enormous difference in a resumes readability. Find out whether you wish to be a game developer. Furthermore, programmers work hard to resolve errors and bugs since they pop up during the procedure. Whether this Computer Programmer resume example welches not sufficient for you, youre totally free to review several other samples and templates from our website. Who Else Wants to Learn About Programming Resume? Weve covered these topics in the last articles. Resumes are usually categorized by the fashion in which the info is presented. Chronological resumes are the ideal place to highlight your accomplishments. Resumes of 3 pages or longer are acceptable just for executive-level candidates.

Playing Nice with Candidates Who Dont Make the Cut - Spark Hire

Playing Nice with Candidates Who Dont Make the Cut - Spark HireIn an age where one article or social media post could sully your companys image, its mora important than ever to monitor how your company and its employees treat others. But its more than in how you treat your customers and other companies with whom you do business. Rather, it extends to your employees, future employees and those you dont even hire at all.In a survey from CareerBuilder earlier this year, it was revealed that job candidates take their application and job interview experience to heart with companies, according to TIME. It could impact decisions they make regarding that company and their product for life. And unfortunately, if its a bad candidate experience, it could lead to a ripple effect for your business.Of the 4,000 survey respondents, a third said theyd be less inclined to purchase products from a company that did not respond to their application and 42% said they would never apply to that company aga in, reports TIME. Now, note here that they keyword is respond. It benefits your company to acknowledge receipt of applications as well as to inform candidates of the hiring status.For instance, 82% of respondents state that they expect to hear back from a company about the job theyve applied to, even if theyre not the chosen candidate. With that, 75% of the survey respondents claimed that they never heard back from companies after they applied. Furthermore, 60% of those that made it to the job interview never heard from the company again, according to TIME.So its no surprise that a third of these job candidates dont respect the company enough to purchase products from it in the future. See the ripple effect there?Just as there can be a negative ripple effect for companies who mishandle job applications, there can be a positive one for those that handle job applicants with care. Approximately 56% of CareerBuilder survey respondents stated that they would apply for a job with that com pany even if they werent hired the first time around.Further, 37% said they would encourage friends and family to apply and 23% claimed they would be more likely to purchase products from a company that had a good job application experience, reports TIME.As you can see, job candidates are very much like customers. They want to be acknowledged through the process and expect a degree of honesty from you as a potential employer. Even if theyre not the ideal candidate, they want to be treated as if they matter. And if your company is able to successfully pull that off, you have a better chance of attracting more loyal customers.How does your company ensure a positive candidate experience for all job applicants? Let us know in the comments below