Sunday, May 31, 2020

Where Can You Get the Most Time Off Work

Where Can You Get the Most Time Off Work Everyone loves that feeling of walking out of work on the last day before a vacation, knowing that all the daily troubles of the job can be forgotten for a little while. Or that feeling of waking up ill and exhausted but knowing that you can call in sick and take time to recover, because you’ll still get paid. But imagine if these feelings were just wishful thinking because you lived in a country where paid vacations and sick leave weren’t the norm. Around the world there’s very different laws in place to tell companies and their employees how to deal with time off needed for illness, childbirth and public holidays, so if you’ve ever wondered if people where you live are getting a raw deal, here’s your chance to really see what the global picture is like. Taking data from the World Policy Analysis Center, the International Labour Organization and Globalization Partners, here are maps to show which countries give the most time off: Which Countries Have The Most Public Holidays? National holidays give us all the chance to enjoy some extra time with friends and family, and they can also play an important role in national identity and patriotism. All of which means that the citizens of Cambodia must be feeling very fortunate with their 27 paid public holidays a year. Iran also has that many public holidays, but unfortunately for its citizens, none of them are paid. Which Countries Offer The Most Sick Leave? No matter how committed you are to your work, sometimes you need a break because you’re ill. This could be a short term virus that lays you low for a few days or something more serious that keeps you out of action for months at a time. If it’s the latter, countries like Russia and China are the best places to be because they give you some kind of sick pay for the entire duration of your illness. Which Countries Offer The Most Maternity Leave? Pregnancy and childbirth are magical times for a new mother, but also very difficult and painful times that can mean time off work, while even the most career-driven woman will want some time off to spend with their newborn before returning to work. New moms in Latvia are particularly fortunate in that respect as they get an incredible two years’ paid maternity leave, which must be the envy of women in Australia, where there’s no paid maternity leave as standard. Which Countries Offer The Most Paternity Leave? Not many countries offer a good deal on paternity leave, with some not even offering any paid or unpaid time off. France and Spain allow new fathers to take over 1,000 days of paternity leave, though mostly unpaid. Around the world, it’s clear that dads need a better deal. Which Countries Offer The Most Time Off Overall? Russia might not seem like everyone’s idea of a great place to work, but the data clearly shows that there’s no country out there that gives both men and women a great deal when it comes to potential time off. Women can take up to 3,093 days, while it’s 2,953 for men, and while obviously they couldn’t all actually be taken, it’s still a sign that Russians have a good thing going when it comes to needing time off work. That’s something we all need and this research shows just how much where you live affects what kind of time you can take off work and what your chances are of getting paid for it. So, do you feel like you’re getting a good deal now that you know? About the author: James Ellaby  is a freelance writer, journalist, content marketer and researcher working on behalf of  NeoMam Studios.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

How to Write a Resume Under Skills That You Possess

How to Write a Resume Under Skills That You PossessIf you are learning how to write a resume under skills that you possess, you may find yourself on a new track. You will find it a challenge, but not one without rewards.In your attempt to learn how to write a resume under skills that you possess, you should be aware of the pitfalls. This is going to be a different type of learning than what you would have done if you had simply picked up a piece of paper and a pen. In fact, this is going to be an entirely different approach to learning how to write a resume. This article is going to give you some pointers on finding out which skills you possess, and learning to write a resume that reflects your skills. This process is going to be fun, and very rewarding for you, once you finally figure out the direction to take.I have been thinking about this for a while now, and it seems to me that it is a great idea to use a different method of learning to learn how to write a resume for you. One o f the things that makes resumes so special is that they allow us to express our personality, and where we fit in within the work force.The skills on the resume are the best way to express the qualities of the person who has been hired to work for you. People can see this from the minute they meet you, and your resume is their first impression of you. It is important that you select the skills that you want to emphasize and even more important is how you want to emphasize those skills.In some cases, the skills may be written right into the resume. This is an excellent idea if you know what to say. It will just take a little time and practice. You can always begin with the skills that are listed on your resume and then move on to the ones that are listed under other skills. Once you start working with the skills that are on your resume, try to find ways to weave them into other sections of the resume. For example, if you can work a hobby into the work experience section, or maybe work on the skills of your volunteer activities in another section. You want to make sure that you also highlight the traits of your professional success, and your commitment to the betterment of yourself and the people around you.One thing that I find very interesting is to incorporate some of the skills that you already possess into your resume, as well as the skills that you are learning. The important thing is to keep them separate, so that you don't appear 'overqualified.'You can't let your resume become so filled with skills that it becomes unreadable. As long as you continue to write the skills you do possess, the more appealing your resume will be. So think about the skills that you know how to express, and the skills that you have learned to express, and find ways to integrate them into your resume.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

4 Tips To Keep You Out Of Financial Trouble

4 Tips To Keep You Out Of Financial Trouble Settling your tax obligations, paying your bills, and being able to purchase or pay for what you want and whenever you want it. These are some of the benefits that come with financial stability. One of the best ways to achieve such stability is by owning a business.    However, it is a sad reality that owning a business can also rapidly turn lead to financial trouble, especially if you dont exercise a proper degree of financial discipline. Being unable to settle your debts or dues can also have extreme financial and psychological consequences. According to bankruptcy attorney Walter Benenati, bankruptcy could be a good option for small business owners if they truly have hit a dead end. Thus, it is important that you talk with an experienced professional to get an objective view on whether bankruptcy is right for you. However, it is best to avoid bankruptcy if possible. Below are four steps small business owners can take, that if adhered to, should help you steer clear of   financial trouble. Use a business plan A business plan is a written document (in other words formal), that clearly defines the goals of your business, how you will realize the goals, and in what specific time frame you will accomplish those goals. This document also includes ways of handling challenges that might affect your business and how to manage or approach growth. Most businesses, probably including yours, operate under a business plan. However, over time and especially at the peak of the business sticking to a business plan might be a little more of a challenge. This might, to some extent, lead to a downward spiral of the business fortunes. To avoid such an eventuality, it would be essential to stick to your business plan for guidance during good or bad times. Get a financial advisor A financial advisor is your go-to professional in matters of finance. An excellent financial advisor should be able to give you advice and insights on how to approach and handle your finances. Such a professional can be instrumental in the growth and stability of your business venture. If you are a relatively new business owner and it all turns out profitable within a short while, you might be ill-equipped to handle instant growth. Develop a culture of saving What is the purpose of being in business if I can not freely enjoy my profits? If that is what is in your mind, then you may be treading on dangerous ground. To be clear, It is no sin to enjoy your profits; in fact, you should. However, you should also keep in mind growth and long-term financial stability, and there is no better way of achieving that better than through savings. It is just a matter of planning and exhibiting unshakable financial discipline. Accountability It is vital to always be accountable when handling your finances. Doing so will ensure that you dont deviate from your business plan and especially when managing your finances. Keeping proper records of your assets and liabilities will always ensure that you are doing the right thing. It would also be a great idea to seek the services of an auditor and especially when dealing with a continually growing business. Summary The above tips, among others, should help you avoid financial trouble. Drafting a business plan may seem like a formality, but sticking to it will always ensure that you are on the right path. And that should help you avoid a financial crisis like bankruptcy.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

7 Tools to Help You Land an Interview

7 Tools to Help You Land an Interview Do you want to increase your odds of getting an interview? The solution is simple: network. The New York Times highlighted the news that employers (such as Ernst Young)  are ramping up their employee referral hiring. Why? Simple, according to a Mr. Nash of Ernst Young, “Our analysis shows referred hires perform better, stay longer and are quicker to integrate into our teams.” To support Mr. Nash’s analysis, Giorgio Topa, one of the authors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York study, also referenced in the NYTimes article, states referred employees are 15 percent less likely to quit. So why are you still throwing your resume in the pile without getting a referral? Could it be because you don’t think you know anyone? Think again. Use social networks to stay connected Social networks enable us to stay connected in this ever-changing and transitioning world, despite changes in jobs, companies, telephone numbers, and email addresses. Social networks are also changing how hiring and business gets done, making it easier and more cost effective for companies to source candidates. But by no means are they a magic wand or replacement for good old fashioned face-to-face networking. Seize opportunities to strengthen new or old relationships by reaching out with a phone call or email. Try using the tools mentioned below to find someone inside a company! Tools to connect some reminders Start your outreach with people who know you best. They are more likely to advocate for you or put in the extra time and effort to introduce you to someone you should know. Don’t overlook the hidden job market- those opportunities that never publicly posted. In order to find these gems, you will have to look beyond job postings and identify companies. You want to beat the competition, so please stop chasing jobs as your primary search method! A tool is nothing if the user isn’t using it correctly or appropriately. You will need strong communication and interpersonal skills to leverage your network. LinkedIn 400 million and going strong LinkedIn is the number one professional social network, with 400 million users and counting. Learn how to use it well. Learn the ins and outs and etiquette to help you leverage meaningful conversations with people. And don’t overlook these important tips: Have a complete profile. Join groups. Search for people inside companies. Learn the different ways to connect with someone. Send a customized invitation to connect. Matching JOBS with connections The tools listed below help you find connections within your existing social networks. For the best results, it helps to have more than just LinkedIn account. The more people you are connected with across different networks, the greater your chances of finding the right company contact. But don’t sacrifice the quality of your relationships with the quantity. Quality trumps quantity any day: Jackalope Jobs Find jobs using Jackalope Jobs unique job posting aggregator and then the tool will help you identify the best people to connect you to those opportunities. If you link your LinkedIn, Facebook, and Plaxo profiles, you’ll have a wide assortment of people who can help refer you for a job posting. The advantage of using this tool is that you only need to log into one platform to find jobs and reach out to helpful connections. Career Sonar  Career Sonar also uses job postings and matches them with your connections. You specify the jobs and companies you are interested in and CareerSonar scans your social and professional networks (LinkedIn and Facebook), matching the employment history of everyone you know with the jobs it finds across the Web. SimplyHired  Known first as a job board, SimplyHired aggregates job postings from various job boards. When you use their social network integration, your LinkedIn connections are matched with the jobs you are interested in to help you find people inside those companies. Transforming Facebook finding work connections Facebook is where many people have built their personal network. Who says that friends, family, and people we went to school with can’t help with our job search? The tools below give you the ability to search Facebook by the companies your friends work for: Glassdoor’s Inside Connections    When you connect your Facebook account with Glassdoor’s site, you are able to see the connections that are either an employee or know an employee at the company with a job you are interested in. Monster’s BeKnown Facebook application  BeKnown is an application on Facebook that allows you to search and connect similar to LinkedIn. Of course it connects with Monster’s job postings as well. BranchOut Facebook application  BranchOut had an early lead in this manipulation of Facebook data and connections. Their application allows you to find and connect with people based on the professional work history listed in their Facebook profile. But because many people view Facebook as a personal network, many users have not included their work history in their profiles. Finding connections WITHOUT a job posting Goalee  By far the better NETWORKING tool, Goalee helps you tap into your LinkedIn and Facebook networks to find people who work at companies, finds things in common and provides talking points and a customizable message you can send to connect. This message focuses on a reciprocal approach to connecting, by giving you hints on what value the other person might find in connecting with you. Conclusion Can’t beat them? Join them! If you read the New York Times article mentioned above, then you may have also noticed over 300 comments; many of which cite the unfairness in employers’ hiring practices and the frustration associated with the job application process. We all agree, the system has some flaws, but with a little flexing, job seekers can and must adjust to the changing trends. As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Tips For Writing a Resume For Mechanical Engineering

Tips For Writing a Resume For Mechanical EngineeringWriting a resume for mechanical engineering is not easy. First of all, you have to really know what you want to achieve in life. Since this field requires highly specialized training and knowledge, you will also have to think about your career goals. In order to be successful in the field, you need to have all these attributes.Since you are a student of this subject, you should already be a good writer. However, since this is your first attempt at it, don't expect miracles. In other words, you cannot write your resume without making mistakes. The better the writer you are, the easier the process will be.When writing a resume for mechanical engineering, you should only choose the sections that pertain to your education. There are several places where you can find basic information about the courses you took. Just remember to fill them up carefully. Try to focus on the major points that are relevant to your career goal.After doing thi s, you can start writing a paragraph for each section. Since you have enough information about each course, you can now go back and fill in the rest. You may also choose to list more than one entry for each of these sections. Try to give the names of these sections and their definitions in the same way you wrote the sentence above. Following this method, your resume will be organized well.One of the major questions that you should answer before writing a resume for mechanical engineering is the name of your school. This is the place where you will place the address and telephone number of your school. When a person calls this information, they will probably ask you for some information that relates to your school.Some of the key questions you should answer first include the ones mentioned above. You should give them specific details about your education. Then, you should ask yourself how you see yourself as a student. Go over your answers with your loved ones. They may have some ide as that will help you clarify the details you gave.Your answers will also make you more confident when you are asked to write your objective statement. Since you already have some ideas about what you want to achieve, you can write about a few specific things that will make you happy. Be sure to put your profession first and put some specific jobs that you want to do once you graduate.In the end, writing a resume for mechanical engineering is not an easy task. For many students, the writing process is a process that should not be taken lightly. A mechanical engineering student is required to put in a lot of time and effort when preparing for the admissions test and other forms of interviews. You should make sure you put in the same amount of effort when writing your resume.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

How To Keep Your Cool Despite The Overwhelming Workload

How To Keep Your Cool Despite The Overwhelming Workload With the demanding workload business professionals have to put up with in between the regular 9 to 5 routine However, although exposure to moderate levels of stress can be good for us, too much of it can be detrimental to our emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. Here’s what you can do to keep your cool despite the overwhelming workload.1. Take Deep BreathsThe term “relaxation response” coined by cardiologist Dr. Herbert Benson in the 1970s is defined as the physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress It may be hard to think clearly and be able to decide things when you’re swamped with work. You think trying to finish off every task you can get your hands on might get you to finish your tasks quickly, but it will only leave you more stressed.You’re getting things done but at the same time, you’re worrying about how many are left and how you’re going to finish them all. That’s why it’s important to get organized and pr ioritize.?Clear your head and get a piece of paper or open a checklist application on your laptop. Then, list down all your tasks for that day and sort them according to their level of priority. By doing this, you’ll be able to finish your tasks more smoothly, and without the clutter in your head.3. Have a Change of SceneryevalWhen you feel stuck on a particular task and you feel like you haven’t been able to do anything productive for the past 30 minutes, you’d be surprised at how going somewhere else to work can do wonders to your mental wellbeing. It can be in a café or at the park, as long as it gets you away from the four walls of your cubicle or office space. This change of scenery can help you regain your focus and allow you to be more productive.?If you work in a place where employees aren’t allowed to freely go out anytime, you can just wait until the next break to take a walk or eat outside. This will make you feel more refreshed and ready to take on your tasks wh en you come back.4. Focus on Your Wellbeing?Indeed, prevention is better than cure. By taking the time to focus on boosting your health and wellbeing, you are lessening the impact of future episodes of stress. Though these might not guarantee complete immunity from it, it will surely give you the strength you need to deal with the overwhelming tasks at work.Eat healthy.You can handle stress better when you’re in good shape, that’s why it’s important that you eat healthy all the time. People have different ways of dealing with stress, and some do it through binge-eating and turning to comfort food such as pizza, ice cream, and chocolate.?Apparently, these are the worst possible choices because they will only make you feel more tired, on edge, and stressed than you already are. Rather than binging on your “comfort” food, opt for fruits and vegetables or high-fiber, carbohydrate-rich food instead.Also, avoid eating for the purpose of relieving stress. This tends to turn into overeating and will only result in guilt. Look for other ways to distract yourself instead, such as taking a quick walk or talking to your colleagues instead.Get physical.It’s no secret that being stressed on a regular basis can be detrimental to one’s health. It’s inevitable, but there are ways to lessen its impact, such as exercise. A simple stretching exercise every now and then or running every weekend can contribute a lot to improving your physical wellbeing.?Not only can exercise improve your physical health, it also increases your overall health and sense of wellbeing. Aside from giving you the strength to power through future difficulties, engaging in physical activities can help you combat stress directly as well.Exercising pumps up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins, which can instantly boost your mood after a long day’s hard work. Regular exercise will also help you shed daily tensions and forget the day’s irritations, resulting in a clearer head and a calmer, more optimistic disposition.eval?Moreover, exercise improves your mood and can increase your self-confidence. You can also bid your insomnia goodbye, as exercise can improve your sleep which is often disrupted by stress, depression, and anxiety.The thought of having to get out of bed, putting on your sweatpants and running around the neighborhood or hitting the gym might seem like too much work for most people.?It’s a good thing you can count on these fun fitness apps and VR fitness software to make your journey to living a healthy lifestyle fun. After all, you’re doing this for your own good and reaping its benefits in the long run.Get adequate sleep.It’s common knowledge that an adult needs between 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night to function well the next day. However, survey findings show that stress may be getting in the way of quality sleep and 43% of American adults have reported that sleep causes them to lie awake at night. This lack of sleep results in a stressful day the next day, and again, difficulty sleeping at night. It’s a vicious cycle, but it can be broken.evalYou can start by identifying your stressors, or the things causing you to be stressed out. Once you’ve identified them, you can do something to minimize or completely eliminate them. Spending time and laughing with your loved ones is also an effective way to decrease your stress levels and shed the day’s tensions.?Lastly, ask help from your colleagues or delegate tasks to your employees if you feel like you can’t handle all your tasks and responsibilities at the same time anymore. This will help lessen your burden and give you more time to sleep at night.ConclusionA great American philosopher once said, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” No matter how overwhelmed you are with work, know that you don’t always have to be a victim. You have the power to overcome those difficulti es; it’s just a matter of managing it.?Just remember to always at healthy, sleep well, and stay physically active to maintain a clear head and positive disposition and handle whatever hardships that may come your way. Power through stress before it overpowers you. What other things have you tried to de-stress at work?

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Leadership interview questions and answers - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Leadership interview questions and answers A few days ago I wrote an article about how to describe your leadership abilities and experience during a job interview. If you’ve missed it, youll find a link at the bottom of this article. Given the importance of effective leaders in any organization, the companies try to ask many questions to evaluate a candidate’s leadership qualities In this article I will give you some examples of interview questions on leadership and the ways to handle and answer these questions.?The article provides examples of leadership questions/answers and suggests 4 skills to evaluate:?  Leadership Behavior, Project and Team Leadership, Decision-Making Leadership, Leadership Communication Skills. Here are some examples: Behavioral leadership interview questions and tips Provide an example of a time when you played a key leadership role in: an event/activity, a team work unit, or a project. Describe how you influenced/affected the activities â€" how people reacted to your actions as a leader? Was there ever a time that you disagreed with your management and were you able to prove your conclusion and persuade your superiors? Have you ever experienced a situation in which you had difficulties getting people to accept your ideas? What was your approach to handling these situations? What practices do you implement during conflict situations and are they successful? If we were to ask your superiors (reporting staff) or your teammates to comment about your leadership how would they respond? Tips on answering these questions: ?The interviewer wants you to define your leadership style.?Why do people listen to you? How do you influence people? What actions do you take to control these work efforts??Therefore, provide examples of events in your previous workplaces where you’d been able to prove your positive leadership characteristics to support a company effort.?You should also tell about the way people react to your leadership â€" How were they affected? Project leadership team leadership skills: team lead interview questions and answers How often do you consult team members? Define your key team members? How do you motivate your team? Have you ever used your listening abilities to achieve goals? When beginning a new project, can you outline the steps you implement? Can you outline a project from beginning to end that you finished and the specific steps used? Are you often satisfied with your actions and outcome? Are you flexible and able to achieve your goals in a fast moving environment? Are you able to meet deadlines? Have you ever missed a deadline? Could some of your team members assist you with meeting a difficult deadline? How do you best use your time and what disciplines do you use? Answer:? The interviewer wants to verify an important issue: the methods you use to manage and lead a team for achieving the goals within timelines.?These questions are more of “leading questions” to explain your team leadership discipline.?Therefore, explain â€" What course actions do you take for key situations? How do you recognize use others team members skills to achieve goals? How do you manage your time to achieve your objectives? Leadership and Decision making skills, leadership and analytical thinking skills Have you ever had to make a decision without knowledge of all the necessary data? How do you approach complex problems? Can you give an example of a conclusion you had to change after obtaining new knowledge or facts? Have you ever arrived at a wrongful conclusion? Can you explain what part of your analysis went wrong? Do you believe all conclusions should be 100% accurate 100% of the time? Tips on answering these questions:? It goes without saying that a decision-making makes a leader â€" one of the important qualities of a leader is to make a decision when all others are shaking or pray for a miracle. Many people avoid making serious decisions   here comes a leader who takes action.?Therefore, personal stories are welcome in these types of questions. You have to describe the ways you take a decision â€" the risk management and advantage/disadvantage factors for each decision. Leadership: Personal Communication Skills for leaders Are you most comfortable with verbal or written presentations? How do you build a case and present it to an audience? What are conversation impressions other than words? How do you use these to communicate effectively with others? What are the techniques that you use to clarify the meaning of unclear messages? How do you maintain a positive discussion? Answer: ?Communication is the flow of information and ideas from one individual to another. Many problems occur because of people failing to communicate effectively â€" faulty communication causes problems in organizations and can cause a good plan to fail.?Therefore, the interviewer expects you to describe the methods you take to deliver your (and others’ ) messages. Discuss how you gather people around you for having a good discussion and talk about listening to one another and exchanging thoughts and ideas. There are hundreds more questions of course and in my experience, a lot of people struggle with preparing relevant and specific examples that truly demonstrate their leadership capabilities. If you’d like some help with answering competency-based questions related to your leadership style and creating examples that will make a great impression at your next interview, please email me on margaret@interview-coach.co.uk Finally, you might also be interested in reading the following articles: How would you describe your leadership style? How to succeed in your new leadership role Top ways to improve your leadership skills __________________________________________________ Margaret Buj  is an  Interview Coach  who’s helped hundreds of professionals across Europe and the US to get the jobs and promotions they really wanted. Margaret also has 9 years of experience recruiting for a variety of positions at all levels across Europe and in the US, primarily in technology and e-commerce sectors. If you want to find out how recruiters read resumes, why you are not getting hired, how to sell yourself successfully in a job interview, and how to negotiate your best salary yet, you can download her  FREE “You’re HIRED!” video course.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Are You Puttylike

Are You Puttylike If youve spent more than 10 minutes talking to me, the subject of being a Renaissance Soul has probably come up. Its also probably lead to you having to shut me up about an hour or two later, due to the fact that I cant stop talking about how weve misperceived, how were amazeballs but nobody in this day age appreciates it (which makes me sound super old), how we can honor our Renaissance Souls and still have thriving careers, how the word focus is The F Word in my vocabulary.um, Ive obviously proved my point. So, instead of reading all of these passionate arguments (maybe I can be a Renaissance Soul lawyer when I grow up!) for hours on end, you can listen to my interview on Puttylike instead!  Emilie and Abraham are kick-ass multipotentialites (what they call Renaissance Souls) who spread the same gospel I do. Theyre super smart, super creative, andwellplain ol super! Head on over to hear the gospel, pick up some tips and tricks to thrive because of (not despite!) your multipotentialite personality, see a picture of me at 10 (its so worth seeing, especially if you want a good laugh) and feel understood cause we do. ________________________________________________