Be Better than Grandma at Sending Thank You Cards

Be Better than Grandma at Sending Thank You Cards Do you have a grandma that never misses your birthday? You get a thank you card a day or two before your birthday? Heres what you can do to be better than her Sign up for a free account on JibberJobber Put in as many contacts as you want (it could be just family, or your clients, or your employees, etc.) all you need is their first and last name, AND put in their birthday (at least the month and day, the year is optional) By default, even in the free account, you will get two e-mail reminders for each birthday (you can go to My Account/Preferences to change that): At the beginning of every month, to tell you what birthdays are coming up in the next five weeks, and Two days before the persons birthday. If you send birthday cards perhaps you want notice ten days earlier. Birthday wishes, even if just an e-mail, are a great way to reach out to someone, and continue to nurture the relationship. All these little things add up. What are you waiting for? Sign up for the free account now (it wont ever expire, and I wont force you or trick you into upgrading :)) and get those birthday reminders e-mailed to you! Youll make Grandma jealous! Be Better than Grandma at Sending Thank You Cards Do you have a grandma that never misses your birthday? You get a thank you card a day or two before your birthday? Heres what you can do to be better than her Sign up for a free account on JibberJobber Put in as many contacts as you want (it could be just family, or your clients, or your employees, etc.) all you need is their first and last name, AND put in their birthday (at least the month and day, the year is optional) By default, even in the free account, you will get two e-mail reminders for each birthday (you can go to My Account/Preferences to change that): At the beginning of every month, to tell you what birthdays are coming up in the next five weeks, and Two days before the persons birthday. If you send birthday cards perhaps you want notice ten days earlier. Birthday wishes, even if just an e-mail, are a great way to reach out to someone, and continue to nurture the relationship. All these little things add up. What are you waiting for? Sign up for the free account now (it wont ever expire, and I wont force you or trick you into upgrading :)) and get those birthday reminders e-mailed to you! Youll make Grandma jealous!

7 Tips to Writing an Effective Job Description

7 Tips to Writing an Effective Job Description Recruiting is a very competitive industry. Writing  a good job description is a fundamental step toward attracting the right candidates to applying for one of your job postings, by communicating clearly what kind of individual you are after and what responsibilities and tasks the job entails. Here are some tips on how to write a good job description that can communicate your available jobs and requirements to your candidates effectively. 1. Accurate job title and summary: You should always give the position you are looking to fill a title. The title, including the level of experience, should reflect the job accurately. In addition, make sure that the job title reflects the industry’s standards as well as the company’s culture. Also, include a short and concise description of the position, including its purpose and overview of responsibilities. Choose a writing style that matches the company culture and nature of the role. If you are hiring for a startup with a very casual culture, be sure to use words that evoke that feeling. 2. Be transparent about the responsibilities: You should indicate the essential responsibilities and duties of the job clearly. It is a good idea to list them in bullet point form and begin each point with a verb in present tense. Be clear on how much time and how often a task will be performed, as this will give the candidates an idea on what a typical day at this position will look like. Steer away from fuzzy descriptors, such as “often”, “once in a while” when describing the tasks. 3. Be clear about the skills and qualifications: In the job description, specify all the mandatory qualifications and experience, along with any preferred skills. For each qualification, include the level of experience, licenses and certifications, as well as any necessary technical proficiency. You should also include the traits or attributes you expect the candidate to display in the role, for example  behavioural competencies such as leadership, teamwork, flexibility, initiative and communication. 4. Tell them about the company: Assume that the candidates know nothing about the company so it is important for you fill them in on information about the organisation,  such as the company’s industry, goals and mission. Other useful information such as the branch locations, number of employees, and even annual sales, can also be included. 5. Be specific about the type of employment location: Let the candidates know about whether you are looking for someone to fill a full-time or a part-time position. If it is for an internship position, let the candidates know if it is paid and what duration the internship is for. It is also essential to list the location of the role to ensure that you are targeting the correct candidates, as there is no use people applying if they are out of the area and uninterested in relocating. 6. Include details on salary and benefits: If you don’t have a specific amount, include a salary range- This allows for variation based on education and experience. In addition, include benefits such as number of paid vacation days, medical insurance coverage, pension plans, housing benefits, travel reimbursement, etc. 7. Contact information: Make sure that you include up-to-date contact information so that potential candidates can get a hold of you if they have questions or if they want to apply. An email address is usually sufficient, however you may also want to include a phone number.

Four Tips to Stay Motivated When Working From Home

Four Tips to Stay Motivated When Working From Home People may assume that you’re living the absolute dream working from home, but the reality of the job can become a bit of a nightmare for those who struggle to stay motivated. Unlike working in a co-working environment with the boss lurking around, finding the drive to work independently and in your own space can be a bit of a challenge. If you are a freelancer working from home, how can you stay motivated throughout the day? Here are four top tips to take into consideration: Take regular breaks Although your workload may be piling up, one of the best ways to keep your mind on task is to take regular breaks. Research suggests that our brains can only focus intensely for approximately one hour at a time, so taking a breather away every now and again would be advised. Everyone needs to recharge; especially those who work from home as it can often feel as though your whole life is based in your own home which can feel suffocating. During your breaks, you may decide to sit in the garden for a few minutes or take a short walk around the neighbourhood to break up the day. Have a separate office space While it may be tempting to work from your bed or om the sofa, feeling too comfortable at home may make you less driven to get the job done. It’s a good idea to have a set-up office space in a quieter room of the house to ensure you’re in the right frame of mind; aswell as avoiding any interruptions from those who may live with you. Working freelance may mean you have to work irregular hours when your family members or housemates are at home, therefore you will need all the peace and quiet you can get. When you enter your work environment, switch off your personal mobile phone to prevent outsider distractions and try not to spend valuable time scrolling aimlessly through social media sites you’ll just end up falling even more behind. Plan a schedule One of the best ways to stay productive throughout your day is to set yourself a daily schedule so you know exactly what needs to be completed on a day-to-day basis. Aside from writing down your daily tasks, you should also be setting time aside for breaks. If you don’t manage to complete tasks on the day you had hoped, simply move them on down the list so you’re aware of what needs to be done. Making sure your schedule is both realistic and organised should prevent you from feeling too overwhelmed. Dress for the job Although you’ll probably not be seeing anyone throughout your working day, dressing up in smart-casual attire may help you feel more productive, rather than staying in your pyjamas all day every day. You don’t have to go overboard but doing your hair and make-up and wearing a smart blouse and trousers could work wonders for your productivity levels. Research has stated that If you feel confident about how you look, you’re more likely to stay focused. Laura Bill writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in finding candidates their perfect  internship. To browse our  graduate jobs London listings, visit our website.

Do You Have to Dress Down to Move Up at Work - Classy Career Girl

Do You Have to Dress Down to Move Up at Work Does a woman have to dress down to move up in her career?  Recently, one of my younger clients who works in a male-dominated field, emailed me with the following question: I wonder if you would post about a specific topic for executive women. I have worn the dresses you picked out for me with much success, but almost too much success. I look so good its detracting from my message and attracting some unwanted attention from men. To say that I was taken aback by her request would be an understatement, as I truly thought those threatening days were long gone. I experienced her quandary back in the 80s when I was a hard-working and ambitious woman, surrounded by men with huge egos who had no fear of sexual harassment charges or even knew they existed. Actually, I had bosses and encounters with men who thought nothing of inappropriate behavior. In a way, it was their badge of honor and my baggage to carry. So, how could this still be going on? My client, and apparently other women in male-dominated industries, as per an article in  Forbes, on the subject for sexism, clearly shows that the good ole boys club shenanigans that Ive had to face, still go on, especially in Silicon Valley. So here I am, three decades later, showing women which clothes will flatter them the most, so that their careers can soar, only to find out that unwanted and uninvited attention from men is clipping their wings. The majority of women I work with are not in male dominated fields and do not have to forfeit looking and feeling attractive, in order to show power and receive respect. Yet, I cant stop being disturbed about how women in tech industries have to wrestle with deciding if they have to dress down so as to move up in their careers. I asked my client if she is getting more deals and interest in her services, since working with me, and wearing the clothes I selected for her professional wardrobe. Here is her response: Yes, a lot of doors opened and the deal flows are better, however I think Im pitching a deal and the men think they are getting a date. Could it be that when some men behave like predators, it is their attempt to keep powerful, smart and talented women from passing them on the way up the ladder of a successful career? Or are they simply afraid of what their prey could accomplish if they are allowed to survive? It is wonderful that she, and many of my other clients, careers and income are expanding, yet tainted with the fact that even in 2015, women in certain industries still have to decide if they should dress down and copy the men by wearing suits, or dress so that they feel beautiful, while risking being made to feel that they are sending the wrong signals. How disappointing and sad, that many women still have to say eyes up here. A woman can and should be able to wear clothes that are flattering and give her the ability to command the room, instead of the wrong attention. Her career will always grow, when her appearance reflects her confidence, skills and creativity. Clearly, our work in leveling the playing field in the workplace is still not done, but in no way does that mean women should allow the uber testosterone of some small-minded men, to determine how they dress and feel about themselves. Tired of not knowing what to wear?  Go  HERE  to get 5 tips to help end your stressing about dressing. Note: This is article originally appeared in  Huffington Post. [Related: How to Dress Classy in a Business Casual Work Environment?]

How to Land a Construction Gig with Job Search Skills Nobodys Using CareerMetis.com

How to Land a Construction Gig with Job Search Skills Nobody's Using If you are looking for a construction job that matches your qualifications, you need to acquaint yourself with practical job search skills. With better skills, you can improve your odds of getting hired quickly.Every month, there are thousands of job openings in the construction sector, rendering it a lucrative industry for construction workers. Quoting a report by theBureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 263,000 jobs in the construction industry in June 2018. The report shows the construction sector’s capacity for job creation and employment.evalIn this guide, we explore the necessary construction job search skills that can help construction workers get employed fast. Since every employer will always ask for a resume, you’ll also get to learn the essential construction resume skills.How to Get a Construction Job FastHere are the steps to follow when searching for the construction job you need.1) Use the Construction Job BoardsevalWhen searching for construction jobs on th e internet, it’s wise to use job boards that specialize in construction instead of generic job boards. Finding a construction job in a generalized job board is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It consumes too much time as you might get hundreds or thousands of responses in a single search.Legit construction firms on the lookout for competent employees will often use job boards to hire workers with a mix of technical skills and site experiences. With construction-tailored job boards, your resume stands a better chance of getting noticed quickly by prospective employers, especially if you are a qualified job applicant.Advantages of Using Construction Job BoardsSearching for a construction job in a niche job board that focuses on construction allows you to customize your search to get invaluable results. It saves you productive hours by filtering out irrelevant results. Some other advantages include:High-Quality Construction Jobs: Recruiters understand that savvy job seeke rs use niche job boards to search for construction jobs. They, therefore, post lucrative vacancies in such platforms to find workers with top-notch skills.Detailed Job Descriptions: When posting jobs on the boards, employers can use construction jargon to give better job descriptions. You will have a better idea of the skills and experience needed. Also, it will help you customize your resume.Reduced Chances of Losing Resumes: It’s no secret that generic job boards get thousands of entries daily. That makes it easier for job applicants to lose resumes. With niche job boards for construction, the chances of losing your resume will become low.Examples of Construction Job Boards and SitesThese job sites and boards can help you secure relevant construction jobs. Although other popular platforms like LinkedIn provide listings for construction jobs, it can be quite tricky to narrow down the search results.Here are some excellent examples.Blue Collar JobsConstruction JobsCareers in Const ructionGeneral Construction JobsConstruction Equipment Jobs2) Determine Your Construction SkillsWhen searching for a construction job, you need to note down your skills to help you find the right job position. There are various skills required for every construction task.Some of the construction tasks in the industry include:Carpentry, masonry, drywall finishing, and paintingPlumbing, electrical, wood framing, flooring, and concretingDemolitions, renovations, repairs, and building codesSheet metal work, roofing, ironwork, and metal lathingSurveying, building site supervision, and drawings interpretationSome of these tasks require many physical skills, while others need management or office skills. When making an application, you will need to inform your prospective employer of the experience you have, whether physical, office or management skills.evalGainingresourceful skills for construction jobsis preliminary to job hunting. To get skills of crucial relevance in construction, you need to enroll for training in a highly reputable institution. Notably, every construction project requires a unique set of skills.To be a project engineer, you can start with a five-year degree course in any engineering discipline for construction. It can be either civil or mechanical engineering. For specialized projects such as wind energy projects, an electrical engineering degree can be the best starting point.With a degree at hand, you can start building your profile by working as a volunteer or an intern at a construction firm. The experience you would gain is what will set you up for career advancement. As a project engineer,this articlewill help you gain experience.3) Highlight Your Experience to the Selected PositionAs you write a cover letter and resume for the position you are interested in, you need to tailor your skills and experience to match job requirements. The resume or cover letter should be easy to customize for every construction job you will apply for in the f uture.evalIn all construction job postings, there are usually skills and qualities commonly required. You should identify such skills or qualities and note them down in the spreadsheet. That will help you determine the top requirements for the desired position.If applying for the construction project manager post, outline skills and past experiences for team-building and problem-solving. Also, highlight the projects you have successfully conducted despite risks. Mentioning the challenges you experienced and how you solved them will prove how good you are at handling project risks.With a list of skills and qualities required for a specific position, you need to compare it with your experience. You’ll get ideas for writing catchy resumes. A good resume should highlight all your accomplishments in the construction sector.Consider usingconstruction resume examplesto draft a quality resume.4) Customize Your Application DocumentsIn this case, we look at how you can customize your resume and cover letter. After drafting a general cover letter and resume, it is always essential to update the documents when applying for any construction job.A well-customized cover letter will make you stand out among many job applicants. When updating it, you should mention the company and position interested. Mention vital requirements listed in the job posting to make your cover letter more professional.Your resume must also match the requirements of the position you want. If you have a lot of information to include in the resume, you should first consider the experiences unique to the job title. If you already have a standard resume, remember to edit it.eval5) Prepare for the InterviewNow that you’ve applied for the construction job you want, you should start preparing for interviews. When a company schedules an interview for shortlisted applicants, you should begin by researching the company, including the services they offer.Recruiters in a construction firm usually have concr ete parameters for every job vacancy. If you are applying for the construction manager post, you must prepare enough evidence that proves your competencies in leadership and team building.evalNowadays, interviewers focus on questions that test your construction experience rather than knowledge. As you prepare for an experience-based interview, gather enough proof of your past engagements in construction projects.For every vacancy you applied, find out the crucial aspects of that particular post. If you applied for the construction superintendent post, expect scenario-based questions like:“How did you introduce effective alternatives to reduce project costs when the need arose in your previous project?”“Could you give examples of disputes that arose between workers in your previous project, and how you resolved each of them?”“Which strategies would you use to minimize costs if a construction project goes over budget?”On the day of the interview, dress decently to create a good impression. Remember to show up before the official interview time. If you report late for the interview, the company may not consider you because they might assume you’ll also be reporting late for work.After the interview, write and send a thank-you note to your interviewers. In the email, I appreciate the company for creating time to interview you. Use this chance to restate your interest in the job position and remind them of your key competencies.In many cases, the interviewers would send you a feedback questionnaire. They will ask you about the experiences you had during the interview. Your feedback will help them avoid somecostly mistakes that employers often make when hiring workers.eval6) Consider Construction ApprenticeshipIf you are a school leaver who doesn’t hold any construction degree, an apprenticeship would be the best place to start your career in the industry. You’ll get the necessary skills that construction recruiters often look for when hiring emplo yees.Most construction companies offer apprenticeship programs at different levels from intermediate, advanced, higher, to degree levels. Some of the popular apprenticeship skills you can gain include bricklaying, plastering, roofing, welding, site supervision, planning, surveying, and steelwork.Apprenticeship programs in the construction industry are well-established to improve skills of ambitious employees venturing into the sector. Most construction recruiters value apprenticeships because they are aware you are committed to developing the skills they need.Many professionals in construction started their careers as apprentices. If you genuinely desire to venture into this industry, failure to have a degree should not hold you back. An apprenticeship will help you gain valuable skills in your area of interest.Final WordsSecuring a construction job can be quite challenging at times. But when you follow the six construction job search steps highlighted above, you stand a chance of g etting the job you want.If you don’t have the skills required in construction, consider learning through apprenticeship or enrolling in a construction trade school for training.

JJ Abrams wanted a happy set for Star Wars - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

JJ Abrams wanted a happy set for Star Wars - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog In this video legendary screen writer Lawrence Kasdan interviews?director JJ Abrams about their work on Star Wars, The Force Awakens. At 28:10, they talk about the mood JJ Abrams wanted to create for the people working on the movie, and it sounds a lot like happiness at work to me: When you respect each other, its amazing what gets done. It sounds pollyannaish like?its all, you know, flowers and cookies, but its not that at all its a lot of fucking hard work. Working on?movies can be stressful and tough but Abrams?realized that a happy set would not just make for a nicer experience for everyone involved, it would also result in a better movie. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Tips For Writing a Teachers Assistant Resume

Tips For Writing a Teachers Assistant ResumeIf you are interested in applying for a teaching position, then you might be considering the possibility of writing your own teachers assistant resume. These types of resumes tend to be more straightforward and formal than most.In most cases, you will find that these types of resumes are more likely candidates when compared to a general category resume. This is because the teacher assistant position is usually filled by one person who has to be present at various classes as well as school functions. As such, having a resume that is less varied does not give the impression that the candidate has a great deal of experience.This means that you have to emphasize your experience within the same fields of expertise and different areas of teaching. One tip that you can use is to express how much of an excellent communicator you are. This may be something that is listed in your personal information but it is very important to emphasize this aspect of your work history.If you choose to list your specific facts, it is a good idea to place them in bullet points as opposed to in a broad summary. Doing so will make it easier for the hiring staff to decipher what you have mentioned.The most important part of any teacher's assistant resume is to emphasize what type of specialization you have in particular professional development. If you plan on writing a general resume, then you should indicate that you are interested in vocational or technical teaching. On the other hand, if you feel that your interests lie more in the area of arts or art history, you will want to put those in as well.You should also mention specific details about you during your educational background. Not only should you mention this at the end of your resume but you should also put a section at the beginning outlining your professional experience.The reason for doing this is so that your previous employers and schools will be able to see your professional abili ties in an easier manner. One tip that you should follow is to focus on specific accomplishments, rather than simply stating that you have worked in many areas of education.It is important to keep in mind that a teacher's assistant resume is not just any document that you might read through. It should be completely professional and include a variety of elements that will help with the evaluation process.