Friday, December 27, 2019

12+ work-appropriate Halloween costume ideas

12+ work-appropriate Halloween costume ideas12+ work-appropriate Halloween costume ideasHalloween is arguably one of the most fun holidays to celebrate outside of work and even AT work if your company celebrates it. However, finding costumes that are appropriate for work gets more and more challenging every year.Here we share some of the most clever, creative, and quick work-appropriate halloween costume ideas that you can try next time Halloween rolls around1. MimeIts easy Blank skinny jeans, striped shirt, suspenders, white gloves, and classicmimemakeup will have you ready for Halloween at work in no time.2. Mary PoppinsYou can really wear almost anyschooloutfit and carry an umbrella and oversized handbag to nail the wholesome Mary Poppins look. Check outthis ideafrom Marie Claire.3. PencilWear a yellow sheath dress (or a long sleeve yellow top and pants), black or charcoal heels, and an eraser pink hat to finish off the look. You can customize your shirt or dress to say 2 pencil if you feel your ensemble could use an explanation.4. FarmerLayer a pair of bib overalls over a flannel shirt and you have a wholesome, unisex costume thats fun, affordable, and warm. Add a trucker cap for a finished look.5. A Frappe from StarbucksA little creativity goes a long way withthissimple do-it-yourself Starbucks frappe costume (but you might choose a longer dress for the office). After all, what could be more work appropriate than coffee?6. Wheres Waldo?A piece-of-cake costume red and white striped shirt and hat paired with jeans andtenniesyou already own Add round-rimmed glasses and voila you have a quick, easy costume thats okay even for customer-facing workers.7. UnicornUnicorns or the idea of them are all the rage lately, from makeup trends, toys, cartoons and even business terminology. They make an easy, work-friendly halloween costume too Whether you purchase a ready-made plush unicorn onesie that seem to be sold everywhere these days, or you can make your own DIY version by wearing a bright furry top (and matching bottom, if you have it), wearing multicolor unicorn-like sparkly makeup, and putting a horn on your head.8. Nurse or DoctorGrab a scrub top and bottom from a local thrift store or department store, hang a stethoscope around your neck, and wear your favoritetennis shoes (or sneakers, crocs or orthopedic shoes)for a fun, easy costume.9. Clark Kent (Superman)All you need for this is a nice, clean suit, a crisp collared button-down shirt and a Superman t-shirt underneath it all. Keep a few buttons of your white shirt unbuttoned to let the Superman tee show through and there you have it you have this fun, yet subdued superhero costume look10. A ChildPut your hair in pigtails, wear an outfit that could pass as a childs outfit (think overalls, bright colors and sneakers), and carry a backpack all day to pass as a kid on the first day of school you might notpass, but you know what we mean.11. A 50s HousewifeWear a 50s style dress, tie a wrap around your head, and throw on some heels and an apron for a 50s housewife costume.12. GhostThrow a sheet over your regular work attire, cut two eye-holes, and call it a costume. Its (almost) free but it still counts. The perfect compromise for people who dont love to dress up.13. Your BossSteal the show by dressing up as your boss Do whatever it takes a wig, the right shoes, their favorite outfit, the bag he or she carries every dayuntil your identity is unmistakable. This one has the potential to win you the costume contest if you have one, for being most creative but also super relevant and funny amongst coworkersThis article was originally published on Kununu.com.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Grow Your Facebook Fan Page Quickly

Grow Your facebook inc Fan Page QuicklyGrow Your Facebook Fan Page QuicklyYour Facebook groupie page is useless if no one is paying attention to it. Engage your followers, build your audience and grow your Facebook fan page quickly to turn it into a powerful promotional tool for your media brand. Interact With Your Fans When fans deutsche post ag on your wall or comment on your posts, interact with them when its appropriate. For example, if you share a video of local students visiting your station and someone comments on how cute the kids are, post a follow-up comment about how much your station loved having them visit. If someone makes a remark slamming the mayor about your citys murder rate, use your discretion when commenting. You dont want to get involved in a confrontation or say something that will damage your media brand. This is why you need to have a clear social media policy in place.You want to avoid employees, acting on your companys behalf, to interject their opinion s or get into a heated debate with your fans. Balance Your Posts Dont randomly post updates. Use a strategy to balance your posts while following the social networking rules for media pros to grow your Facebook fan page. Bombarding your fans timeline with endless posts willmake fanshit the unlike button. But you also dont want to make your Facebook fan page look like a ghost town because youre not posting often enough. Find when your fans are online by clicking on Insights Posts. The data shows the peak hours your fans are online. Hit those peak times with carefully-planned posts so you can get your posts in front of your target audience without annoying them with a continual stream of content that clutters their timelines. Promote, Promote, Promote Dont stop promoting your Facebook fan page. Promote it on your website, on the air, on your business cards and through your other social media accounts. Never stop promoting your page. Drive people to your Facebook fan page and drive people back to your website and/or on-air product. That circle will give your brand continuous exposure online and off. Ask a Question Use your Facebook fan page to pose a question that engages your readers. Use a trending news story to ask your fans opinions. Ask which bands viewers are looking forward to seeing at the local music festival this weekend. Post short, conversational questions that prompt your fans to answer with more than a yes or no. Statistics show that Facebook posts 80 characters or less perform better than longer posts so cut those long posts down to increase interactivity.?? Share the Comments After youve asked those questions, use the comments on the air, on your website or in your magazine. People want to see their comments shared and it also motivates people who arent yet interacting on your page to do so. All of this will boost your Facebook fan pages interactivity and drive your fan base up. Hold a Contest Facebook changed its rules for co ntests and promotions in August of 2013. Before then, to run a contest on Facebook you had to use an app or risk Facebook shutting your contest down. Now, you can run promotions and contests directly on your Facebook fan page, which means you can collect entries by having fans comment on posts or liking a page post. You can also use likes asvotes in your contest to determine the winner. While Facebooks contest rules give you flexibility on running contests, be sure to implement contest rules that follow the law so you dont end up in legal trouble. Run a Poll The easiest way to increase engagement on your Facebook fan page is to run a quick poll. People who dont normally chime in with their opinions in comments will still take the time to click a button that sums up their opinion. Of course, the poll results arent scientific but they can be used as content on the air, online and in your magazine. Advertise to Your Demographic and Location Targeted advertising on Facebook can grow your fan page by the thousands. Facebooks Ads Manager lets you narrow down who will see your ad, down to your city and the demographic you want to reach. Spend some time identifying who you want to see your ad so you can get the most return on the ad money youre spending.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

A guide to writing the perfect pitch to secure a side hustle

A guide to writing the perfect pitch to secure a side hustleA guide to writing the perfect pitch to secure a side hustleEarly on in my career, I was paid an annual salary to paste blurry photos in PowerPoint presentations. And before you ask - no, this is not what I was told my job would be.About four months in, I realized I needed something more. And it turns out, Im not alone. Most Millennials arent engaged in their work. Instead of choosing to play it safe and feel complacent with the full-time job I had, I began a quest for career fulfillment.When I was in college, I developed a passion for helping women succeed in their careers. I desperately wanted to get back into that space, but I needed to keep my full-time job to pay the bills. I started working part-time for Alexandra Dickinson and herbei company Ask For It - and something beautiful happened. Over the course of one year, I went from feeling completely worthless at my full-time job to feeling confident and entrepreneurial . Through my side hustle with Ask For It, the way I perceived myself professionally and personally completely changed.Side hustles come in all shapes and sizes - for me, I started working for an organization whose values I believed in. And if the thought of working part-time for another organization excites you, youre in the right place. We know that first impressions are important- which is why that initial pitch is crucial to your future success. You can make a seemingly cold reach out feel warm in just three steps. Plus, the skills you gain from this exercise will translate directly into other areas of your life. Talking about your accomplishments with confidence? Check. Asking for an opportunity to do more, have more impact? You bet.Career happiness doesnt have to be just a far-fetched idea. A side hustle can make it your reality. And if you need help getting a start, the guide below will give you the confidence you need to make that initial outreach.Step 1 Start with a clear c onnectionI knew I wanted to work part-time for an organization that was helping women in their careers, so I needed to make that obvious right from the start. Your first paragraph should stateHow you know about the organizationYour shared valuesWhat your ask isFor example, I recently learned about company from your interview on podcast. I was enthralled by your advice, geared specifically for women who are seeking to negotiate for themselves in work and in life. I, too, believe that feeling empowered in your career stems from self-advocacy. Based on our similar focuses, Id love to connect with you about part-time work opportunities.Step 2 Elaborate on the skills you bring to the tableYou want to explain your skills, but dont go overboard. This initial message needs to be short and effective. Your second paragraph shouldState one work or professional experience that exemplifies your skillsIn one sentence, tell them what you did in that roleIn two sentences, explain what passions you developed and what skills you cultivatedTry something like, While in school, I worked as a Career Consultant in the career office. Over the course of two years, I educated hundreds of female undergraduates on resume building, cover letter writing, and helping them accomplish their goals. As cliche as this sounds, it was my first (job) love. I developed a passion for motivating the women around me and seeing them succeed. Needless to say, these are the reasons Id love to get involved with company. I believe the workshops and seminars you do are vastly improving the professional world, and it would be an honor to help achieve your goals.Step 3 End with a clear call-to-action or requestYour wrap up should conclude your ask, confirm your assets, and reiterate your commitment to the inquiry.A clear request to get in touchWhat you want to discussA final round-up of the skills youd bring to their teamYou might write, Id love the opportunity to get in touch with you- via phone or email- to discuss how I can assist with the companys mission to quote mission. Id be so grateful to bring my public speaking, organizing skills (from people to schedules), and enthusiastic personality to your team.Put it all togetherWhen addressing your message, be cognizant of what name or title you use. When in doubt, go formal. That means Ms. or Mr. and their last name. If theyre a doctor or have a doctorate, respectfully call them Dr. For those who may be younger, calling them by their first name could be acceptable. Play it by ear, and trust your gut here. Heres an example of a real pitch I made- - - Hi Alex,I recently learned about Ask For It from your interview on the So Money podcast with Farnoosh Torabi. I was enthralled by your advice, geared specifically for women who are seeking to negotiate for themselves in work and in life. I, too, believe that feeling empowered in your career stems from self-advocacy. Based on our similar focuses, Id love to connect with you about part-time work opportunities.While in school, I worked as a Career Consultant in the career office. Over the course of two years, I educated hundreds of female undergraduates on resume building, cover letter writing, and helping them accomplish their goals. As cliche as this sounds, it was my first (job) love. I developed a passion for motivating the women around me and seeing them succeed. Needless to say, these are the reasons Id love to get involved with Ask For It. I believe the workshops and seminars you do are vastly improving the professional world, and it would be an honor to help achieve your goals.Id love the opportunity to get in touch with you- via phone or email- to discuss how I can assist with the companys mission to foster confidence and inspiration in leadership and life. Id be so grateful to bring my public speaking, organizing skills (from people to schedules), and enthusiastic personality to your team.All my best,Lily- - - All in all, your ask will be concise, but inform ative. This template resulted in the best side hustle I could have asked for, and a lifetime of confidence. By day, I was putting photos in PowerPoint. But by night, I was closing the gender wage gap with Ask For It. And that was truly empowering.This article first appeared on Career Contessa.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Why You Should Never Copy a Sample Cover Letter

Why You Should Never Copy a Sample Cover LetterWhy You Should Never Copy a Sample Cover LetterWhy You Should Never Copy a Sample Cover LetterIf youve never written a cover letter, or struggled when youve tried to write one, I wouldnt be surprised if youve searched for cover letter samples to copy and use as your own.This is a common approach, but NEWS FLASH Youre not the only one who thought itd be a good idea. In other words, you risk handing in a cover letter the employer has seen before.Im not saying you should never borrow from someone elses cover letter Im saying you shouldnt copy a sample letter verbatim. Heres an example of an introduction that I took out of a book, word-for-wordDear _________It was with great interest that I read about your opening for a _________, as my background and abilities appear to meet your requirements for this position. Please allow me to explain my skills and how they can benefit your organization.It seems pretty generic and easy to copy, right? Th ats because it is. Its an introduction that every hiring manager has likely read dozens of times. So how do you customize it?Easy. You change the order of elements and play around with the wording. Heres the same introduction with a customized twistDear Mr. SmithI found your opening for a Security Guard on jobfindersite.com and am very excited to see how well my background fits your requirements for the job. I am especially skilled at firearm safety and non-confrontational negotiation techniques, which I know your company places a great deal of value on. Allow me to further explain my qualifications.See what I did there? After rearranging things and replacing certain words, I added a line that wasnt in the original copy (I am especially skilled at...), which further sets this cover letter apart.Theres nothing wrong with drawing your inspiration from someone elses well-written cover letter. (Heck, we provide sample text ins Cover Letter Builder too) Just be sure you use it only as a guide for writing a personalized cover letter that shows a little of your style and addresses the specific job and employer.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Academic Resume Template: the Ultimate Convenience!

Academic Resume Template the Ultimate Convenience More important, weaknesses in any region of yur professional credentials are rather simple to spot. With just a little creativity and some thought about yur top abilities, you will find a fantastic position and start your work history. The usage of academic resume can be observed in many aspects in the industry of education. An academic resume also enables you to determine which accomplishments to highlight. Academic Resume Template - Overview There are a great deal of openings waiting for the best applicants and a great deal of prospective staff hunting for openings essential to them. By Doris RufOn Dec 27, 2017 Resume A prospective employer doesnt require an exhaustive collection of whatever you have done in a prior job. Following up is an important skill that each PhD must develop if they need to have a non-academic job. Senior year ought to be fun. The very first section of your resume should incorporate information o n the way the employer can contact you. Also avoid listing too many that you do elend wish to appear as in case you have dabbled in a variety of fields but have not developed expertise in any. Its fast and simple to use. So How About Academic Resume Template? Its wise not to ramble. Dont forget, your resume or CV should emphasize your individual strengths. The CV delivers an unlimited quantity of space, so in the event that you have certain courses, projects, or papers you want to highlight, go ahead and do so. What You Can Do About Academic Resume Template Starting in the Next 15 Minutes Resumunks resume templates consist of free resume layouts in addition to 17 premium templates offered for a yearly subscription of $19. The templates are made in a manner they make the resume get noticed. Using templates will provide you with the jumpstart when you want to make your academic resume. The web templates are made in such a manner they make the resume stick out. The Fundame ntals of Academic Resume Template That You Will be Able to Benefit From Beginning Right Away Career Objectives are excellent for resumes with a particular function. Figure out the latest pictures of Professional Academic Resume here, and also youre able to find the pictures through our very best Resume collection. Finding academic resume templates could be even simpler than you ever imagined. Academic Resume Template - Dead or Alive? For more information on how best to structure a graduate school resume, have a look at our guide on the best way to compose a graduate school resume. High School Resume templates are a fantastic resource for such students. A students resume is quite important. High school students may require a resume to submit an application for work or as an element of a university application. The resume should contain only what a particular school will want to understand, as stated by The College Board. In the same way as any other aspiring applicants, a th orough and well-done resumes will be able to help you land work, especially whenever youre a high school student with zero work experience. For more ideas on the best way to strengthen your program, take a look at our education and teaching resumes. Finally, make sure to list any completed coursework regarding the job. You dont need to list all you have ever done if you dont feel its pertinent to the position youre seeking, but its great to demonstrate a pattern of past achievement. Your education section should always arrive directly following your header. Your work experience will probably be among the longest sections on your resume. The academic resume should be a tool which makes the process less difficult for you. Academic Resume Template at a Glance When it is high, its an excellent way to catch the eye of a hiring manager. If you need assistance figuring out the best way to do so, take a look at our office worker resume samples and expert writing tips. Sitting dow n to compose your resume can be an overwhelming job, particularly when you are a fresher. The challenge of being a true student searching for a job tends to be a deficiency of earlier job experience. For instance, if you want to work as a branch manager for a financial institution, then previous work for a bank teller or loan officer will accelerate your application and supply you with the tenure you want to get interviewed for the post. Selection committees often study your scholarship resume before they begin reviewing different documents. Pick a proper scholarship resume template, and you will have the ability to serve the committee what theyre searching for on a silver platter. In case you have, you could possibly be at the application stage. Key Pieces of Academic Resume Template If you would like to create your very own academic resume or any other forms of resume, you might use our resume samples as guides. Making your own academic resume is as straightforward as fi lling in your information. Oftentimes a resume is limited to a single page or possibly two pages in some instances. There are lots of explanations for why youre looking for information about Resume And Cover Letter, and surely, you are looking for fresh suggestions for your requirements. Definitions of Academic Resume Template You are, clearly, very valuable. Academic resumes are not simple to combine because of their non-visual content type. The academic resume isnt the identical thing as an athletic profile that is an essential portion of the athletic recruiting practice.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Join New Relic + PowerToFly For A Networking Lunch for Women In Sales, Marketing More

Join New Relic + PowerToFly For A Networking Lunch for Women In Sales, Marketing More Do you have lunch plans on December 11th? Join New Relic and PowerToFly at an invite-only lunch learn for experienced sales, marketing and people operations professionals like yourself. This intimate salon will include a fireside chat featuring New Relics women leaders plus plenty of time to network over complimentary food and refreshments. New Relic is a cloud-based platform that gives developers, engineers, operations, and management a clear view of whats happening in todays complex software environments. More than 50% of the Fortune 100 rely on New Relic every day to help them solve their toughest business challenges. Some of New Relics over 17,000 customers include Cond Nast, Adobe, HR Block, Hearst, REI, Wix, and many, many more. This intimate gathering will take place on Wednesday, December 11th from 1200 pm to 100 pm at New Relic HQ, located at 188 Spear Street, Suite 1000, San Francisco. P owerToFly will provide a complimentary Lyft code to help you get home after the event. var exampleCallback = function()

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Why I dont believe in Womens Day

Why I dont believe in Womens DayWhy I dont believe in Womens DayI dont believe in Womens Day.Before you get mad, please let me share a little of my own experience - Ill explain why.As an adolescent, I spent a lot of time with my father. He taught me to love the outdoors, gave me the talk, and played a full-time role as my golf coach. He drove across counties and states to fuel a dream which would ultimately never come true.Dad welches my first role model. I still want to be him when I grow up.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThroughout school, I found camaraderie in boys only. Looking back, Im not sure I could have helped it. It made sense that being seated boy-girl-boy-girl was the worst punishment imaginable.Clearly, men ran things. In high school, ur all-male singing group ruled the choir. We were adored, even (especially) if we were terrible.The all-female group received pol ite applause at best, even if they were perfect.And they were often perfect.My first job was more of the same. If you were a man, you got to run the business. You got to rub elbows with the customers. You got to fit in.If you were a woman, you got to bring beer to the men.After leaving work once to hang with some friends, I once said 12 words which make me sick to my stomach todayAny man is pretty much better than any woman at anythingIt got a good laugh and some nods. We all kept on living, steadfast in our beliefs.Imagine my astonishment when I graduated from school and received, by some wicked stab of horrible luck, a string of female bosses.Martha- one of the best editors I have ever known. She spent hours coaching me in the ETSU newsroom, wiping out my idiotic mistakes and showing me a better way.Shanelle- who runs the best summer camp in Nashville, Tennessee. She placed me in an age group I hated at first, then grew to adore. Not many people can demand respect while eating ani mal crackers. Shanelle can.Marissa - led the six-year-olds at said camp. Halfway through one summer, her despicable spouse shattered their marriage. Guess what? Marissa kept doing her job. She showed me how to work like it matters. Because it matters.Tami - ran the Learning and Development team in my first real job. She is unstoppable energy. Most millennial spend a year at their first job. I stayed 5 out of love for her. She made me.Cathy - facilitates my current work life. Every time someone asks how I can be so creative, I point at Cathy. She sorts through dirt and drama and deadlines so I can make a living doing work I love.I could write a book about the other role models in my life, whether I worked for them or not. A few names are Cindy, Paige, Candy, Mary Alice, Alaina, Kayla, Anna, Holly, Kristin, Caitlin, Misty, Juliette, Jeanne, Aysha, Fernanda, Emily, and Lisa and honest to God I shouldnt have started this list because can keep typing for hours and I am very scared I w ill forget someoneOh, and my mother?My mother was there, always. I can give her no higher compliment.Mom was there when dad and I returned from our travel. Mom was there when I asked why girls didnt like me. Mom was there when I went through my first breakup. And when I sobbed in the corner of a funeral home after losing my grandmother, mom was there too.Your grandmother loved you somuch.She said this even though it was her own mother lying lifeless in a coffin six feet away.(By now you will have realized I faked you out with the headline. This felt important enough to pull a cheap internet marketing trick)The reason I dont believe in Womens Day is that there should be no need for such a thing. EVERY DAY should be Womens Day. Any other approach is a miserable injustice.This conclusion didnt happen because I am some evolved, progressive male. It happened because powerful, strong, competent women surgically removed my stubborn chauvinism piece by piece.None of them had to tell me wome n were better, they just WERE better.Do you know why you dont know this? Because women never talk about how good they are.When they do talk, we call them worse words than women.A final thought.I texted my wife Kate about this revelation. Kate is my rock, my light, and my best friend.Also, she tells the truth, which is why when I messaged her how I felt about Womens Day, she responded with thisI already know that shit. Tell theworld.Much love as always ?- Todd BThis article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Sunday, November 24, 2019

How to Become an Information Broker

How to Become an Information BrokerHow to Become an Information BrokerWant to appeal to hiring managers? Come to them with useful information, not an appeal for employment.Almost every week, I lead workshops for laid-off professionals. Their new job is to get a job, and I give them two performance benchmarks for success These job seekers should be having five to six job-search related conversations every day and speaking to two or three hiring managers every week.Job seekers generally understand the importance of that first task, but the second causes eyes to roll. Sure, Im going to have two to three interviews a week, in this economy. RightThats when I correct their interpretation. Did I say interviews? No. I said, Speak to two or three hiring managers every week. That simply means have a conversation with them.How can you get the attention of hiring managers who may be able to help you later? Offer them something of value, without demonstrating blatant expectations for a job. To ge t more participation and better results from hiring managers, become an information broker. Instead of coming to them with your need for a job, approach them for an exchange of information preferably, based on information that you can give them.Someone fixated on approaching a job search through the front door cant understand this approach. Why would a hiring manager speak to me unless its an interview? If the only reason youre speaking to the hiring manager is because you need a job, I agree It wont happen. But if you can find creative reasons to speak with hiring managers or anyone, for that matter for reasons other than your need for a job, you can and will have many conversations that will advance that goal.Nowadays, one surefire way to ensure that you wont have those productive conversations is to wear the fact that you need a job on your shirt sleeve. Crying about your employment situation is depressing, and it will drive away people who could help not because theyre unint erested but because they definitely dont want to come up short if they cant help you. Its easier just to avoid engaging with you.Here are some key points for positive information brokerage1) You can never have too much information. Have you ever had a job you wished youd understood better in advance? Odds are you have. But in your rush to get the job, you skipped some homework on the way. Lets change that. Beginning today, seek information from folks about the direction your job search is headed perhaps that means asking questions about an industry, a trend, a new field youre exploring or some other information that can help you become a better-educated candidate. Not only will you be able to give the people you approach the satisfaction of demonstrating their expertise, but youll gain the tools to make better decisions about your next job.2) You dont need to tell people you need a job. People arent stupid. If you come up with good enough research projects that touch on your areas o f interest and simply start conversing with people on those areas, theyll know that youre interested in pursuing opportunities in that direction. If you build and nurture those relationships over time, they will think of you when they hear about opportunities that might interest you. By seeking information and treating the person you approach like the only person on the face of the planet that can give it to you you will cultivate a bigger circle of influence than you will wearing a sandwich board saying, Out of Work3) Knowledge and information are power. Hiring managers rarely have time to follow everything going on at the cutting edge of their industries after all, theyre busy with their daily tasks. You, on the other hand, have plenty of time to research trends and industry news, and you can parlay that research into information that makes you a valuable information broker, connector and conversation partner. If people in your professional network especially hiring managers c an benefit from talking to you, they will. Increase frequency, and youve got yourself on the radar.What does an information broker look like?In his book What Color is Your Parachute, author Richard Bolles shows the concept of the information broker in action. He tells the story of a gentleman who wanted to get into the petrochemical industry a field he knew nothing about but was fascinated by. So, he set up meetings with companies in the business and used the informational interviews to conduct research on the industry.His initial meetings simply allowed him to learn the terms, issues and workings of the field. As he progresses, he exited each interview with a better understanding of the business. Before long he was able to hold meaningful discussions about the industry. During his fifth such interview, his hosts asked if he would like to view a video they had just compiled about the state of the industry and gave him a copy to take home.On his sixth and subsequent meetings with va rious petrochemical companies, the gentleman would bring the video with him and used it to launch a discussion of his research. By then, he was collecting and sharing information about an industry that he had known nothing about just a few weeks earlier. Hed become a thought leader, an information broker and, thus, someone worth hiring without ever asking.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

6 red flags in job descriptions that should have you running for the hills

6 red flags in job descriptions that should have you running for the hills6 red flags in job descriptions that should have you running for the hillsApplying for jobs can feel like a job. But as with your actual career, a little extra effort can go a really long way. Though its super tempting to skim and scan job descriptions in the hopes that the perfect fit will just leap out, this tactic can cause you to waste precious time and energy filling out applications and heading out to interviews that arent right for you.Worse yet, failing to pay attention to job description red flags could cause you to end up working at a job thats a horrible fit. Here are a few red flags that should cause you to think twice about an opportunity.1. The description is missing specificsIf a job description gives scant details, take the lack of information as a warning sign that the company is unsure of what they want. If the company isnt capable of clearly describing what skills and level of experience they require, they likely wont be too great at guiding you into your new role with their company, either. Steering clear of vague descriptions or convoluted titles can save you a lot of frustration and wasted time down the road.2. The description lists too many requirementsAlternatively, excruciatingly specific descriptions can be a bad sign for a different set of reasons. If their post makes them seem like their expectations are too high, that may be a sign that no matter who gets the job, their expectations will continue to be over-the-top. They may also have a poor idea of what the role actually requires, which can lead them to overcompensate by adding more detail than is actually necessary.3. No benefits are mentionedThe employer and employee relationship should be reciprocal. If the description asks for a lot of qualifications, skills and experience without mentioning what the company will do for their employee, consider that to be a major warning sign. Companies who are hesitant t o sing their own praises should be viewed skeptically. After all, if theyre trying to attract the best candidates, shouldnt they be screaming about how great their benefits are? The bottom line if a geschftliches miteinander offers little to no information about the positives of working there, they likely have little to offer.4. Flexibility is mentioneda lotWhile on the surface having work flexibility definitely seems like a positive, a company who overemphasizes the perk may be twisting the words meaning (no pun intended). Choosing what days you come into the office each week and having the ability to decide what hours you work may sound like a dream job come true, but your potential employer could mean that they want you to work nights and weekends. Unless youre cool with answering phone calls after dinner time or spending your weekends submitting status reports instead of chilling at afternoon brunch, approach listings that emphasize schedule flexibility with extreme caution and make sure that before you walk out of an interview, your employer and you share the saatkorn definition of flexible schedule.5. The earning potential sortiment is wideWhen you see $100,000 listed in the space for salary, it can be so hypnotizing that you barely even glance at the first part of the range $30,000. A major disparity between the lowest and highest salary listed is a red flag for a few different reasons. First, if the phrase earning potential is used, that may be a sign that your salary will be based off of commission, which could be a negative- especially if you have little to no sales experience. Second, though you may want to give the place the benefit of the doubt and believe that even if youre not earning six figures, youll be earning something close to it, thats probably just what the employer wants you to think. Having an uncharacteristically high salary listing can attract a higher number of applicants who wont walk away after theyve spent enough time interviewin g and getting roped into working for less than they anticipated.6. The job posting is anonymousThere are a number of reasons why companies may choose to leave out their personenname on posting boards, and some of them are pretty shady. The company may have earned a bad reputation either for poor business practices, being caught in scandal, or being flagged on websites for being a bad employer. Just as companies have the ability to check on prospective employees behavior, so to do prospective applicants have the ability to check on the behavior of companies. Another reason why companies may choose to take the route of anonymity is to hide the fact that they are searching to fill a position that hasnt yet been officially vacated. If this is the case and someone is blindsided shortly before you fill in, this could lead to a major scene on your first day, and hostile coworkers (who may unfairly blame you for the persons recent termination). This could also be a sign that the company in question lets employees go on the spot, which suggests a lack of job security.A version of this post previously appeared onFairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.6 red flags in job descriptions that should have you running for the hillsApplying for jobs can feel like a job. But as with your actual career, a little extra effort can go a really long way. Though its super tempting to skim and scan job descriptions in the hopes that the perfect fit will just leap out, this tactic can cause you to waste precious time and energy filling out applications and heading out to interviews that arent right for you.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWorse yet, failing to pay attention to job description red flags could cause you to end up working at a job thats a horrible fit. Here are a few red flags that should cause you to think twice about an opportunity.1. The description is missing specificsIf a job description gives scant details, take the lack of information as a warning sign that the company is unsure of what they want. If the company isnt capable of clearly describing what skills and level of experience they require, they likely wont be too great at guiding you into your new role with their company, either. Steering clear of vague descriptions or convoluted titles can save you a lot of frustration and wasted time down the road.2. The description lists too many requirementsAlternatively, excruciatingly specific descriptions can be a bad sign for a different set of reasons. If their post makes them seem like their expectations are too high, that may be a sign that no matter who gets the job, their expectations will continue to be over-the-top. They may also have a poor idea of what the role actually requires, which can lead them to overcompensate by adding more detail than is actually necessary.3. No benefits are mentionedThe employer and employee relationship should be reciprocal. If the description asks for a lot of qualifications, skills and experience without mentioning what the company will do for their employee, consider that to be a major warning sign. Companies who are hesitant to sing their own praises should be viewed skeptically. After all, if theyre trying to attract the best candidates, shouldnt they be screaming about how great their benefits are? The bottom line if a business offers little to no information about the positives of working there, they likely have little to offer.4. Flexibility is mentioned a lotWhile on the surface having work flexibility definitely seems like a positive, a company who overemphasizes the perk may be twisting the words meaning (no pun intended). Choosing what days you come into the office each week and having the ability to decide what hours you work may sound like a dream job come true, but your potential employer could mean that they want you to work nights and weekends. Unless youre cool with answering phone calls after dinner time or spending your weekends submitting status reports instead of chilling at afternoon brunch, approach listings that emphasize schedule flexibility with extreme caution and make sure that before you walk out of an interview, your employer and you share the same definition of flexible schedule.5. The earning potential range is wideWhen you see $100,000 listed in the space for salary, it can be so hypnotizing that you barely even glance at the first part of the range $30,000. A major disparity between the lowest and highest salary listed is a red flag for a few different reasons. First, if the phrase earning potential is used, that may be a sign that your salary will be based off of commission, which could be a negative- especially if you have little to no sales experience. Second, though you may want to give the place the benefit of the doubt and believe that even if youre not earning six figures, youll be earning something close to it, thats probably just what the employer wants you to think. Having an uncharacteristically high salary listing can attract a higher number of applicants who wont walk away after theyve spent enough time interviewing and getting roped into working for less than they anticipated.6. The job posting is anonymousThere are a number of reasons why companies may choose to leave out their name on posting boards, and some of them are pretty shady. The company may have earned a bad reputation either for poor business practices, being caught in scandal, or being flagged on websites for being a bad employer. Just as companies have the ability to check on prospective employees behavior, so to do prospective applicants have the ability to check on the behavior of companies. Another reason why companies m ay choose to take the route of anonymity is to hide the fact that they are searching to fill a position that hasnt yet been officially vacated. If this is the case and someone is blindsided shortly before you fill in, this could lead to a major scene on your first day, and hostile coworkers (who may unfairly blame you for the persons recent termination). This could also be a sign that the company in question lets employees go on the spot, which suggests a lack of job security.A version of this post previously appeared onFairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.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 kleinstes Franklins daily schedule that will double y our productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people