stop claiming subjective traits on your resume

stop claiming subjective traits on your resume stop claiming subjective traits on your resume Do you have anything like the following on your resume?excellent written and oral communication skillsstrong initiativevisionary leadercreative innovatorable to present strategic concepts clearly and persuasivelyIf so, remove it Remove it allYour resume is for experience and accomplishments only. Its not the place for subjective traits that anyone could claim without evidence. Moreover, hiring managers generally ignore anything subjective that an applicant writes about herself, because so many peoples self-assessments are wildly inaccurate what theyre looking for on your resume are facts.Heres the thing If you really are a visionary leader, or you have strong written communication skills, or you have a track record of taking initiative, the way to demonstrate that is by including accomplishments that demonstrate those traits.Employers want to see evidenceof the traits youre claiming, not jus t proclamations.So What have you done what have you achieved that illustrates your work ethic, or your great writing, or your amazing customer tafelgeschirr skills, or whatever else it is that you want employers to see that you have? Thats what belongs on your resume.

What To Do When The Recruiter Doesnt Call Back

What To Do When The Recruiter Doesnt Call BackWhat To Do When The Recruiter Doesnt Call BackINBOX Hi, Jewel. For the 2nd time in 2 weeks a recruiter found me and called me. I heard all about the positions, said I was interested, and they said they would arrange next steps. But both times Ive heard nothing, and I cant get either of them on the phone, plus Ive sent emails.When the phone rings and the email pings, the emotional rush is on. Its like, Finally Yes Somebody wants to take a look at me and have an actual conversationThat high you get when a real part calls you about a real opportunity can quickly turn into a low when nothing comes to pass. While there isnt always a cut and dried solution to tracking down that particular ghost recruiter and getting them to respond, you can devote your energy to other elements of your job search that wont leave you waiting and hoping, but will have you more squarely on the path to the roles you ideally want.What Do You Ideally Want, Anyway?The answer is not just that you want the person to call you. That only seems nice on the surface. Plus, you cant control what other people do and when they do it, so dont lose mental energy trying to, and definitely dont give away your power.Take control of your conversations. Key to doing so over and over when youre in active job search mode is to learn how to clearly, engagingly say what you want.The fundamental question, though the actual words can be phrased 100 different ways, is, So, what do you do? The standard reply most of the time when youre speaking in a conversation is to provide some factual description of your current or most recent job.Nope.You werent asked what a project manager does, or what a marketing director does. The question is, What do YOU do? Lets take that 1 step further and pretend the question is, What do you want to do? The answer to that should automatically veer away from history (which is boring, sorry), and lean toward whats going on right now today.Her es how a clear, engaging response can sound Im in chemical engineering, most recently for DuPont. Now Im looking at companies like Astra Zeneca, McNeil, and Johnson & Johnson for Senior Researcher roles, because what I really want to do is have my hands on a scientific breakthrough that impacts public health.That answer conveys excitement it sounds like youre on the edge of pouring your heart into meaningful work. That answer also clearly tells he other person where you used to be, but much more importantly where youre looking to go. When youre specific, the other persons wheels may start turning, and they may be able to provide you with useful information or a relevant contact.Once You Know What To Say, How Do You Say It To Get Results?Direct contact with a relevant decision maker means all the difference between your job search being a long and winding road, or being the shortest straight line from A to B.It matters how you say what you want and how you ask for help, because youl l either get the help or youll continue to get ignored.Find something in common with the person youre approaching. Jobseekers who get hired fast will not only research the company, but they will also research the individual.Some Internet stalking will take you far here. The Google Machine is the prime place to start. See what comes up when you enter the persons name articles, media mentions, awards, etc. Twitter is your next best resource. What does the person like to talk about when they get social? And dont overlook LinkedIn. Look at the persons activity and groups to find a point of commonality.Eliminate extra thought and extra work for the person youre approaching, especially when you dont know them. Instead of wasting time and space with a preamble telling them how much you value their time, show them you value their time by getting to the point of what you want to ask.Additionally, ask for 1 thing, and 1 thing only. That 1 thing is not, if you know of anybody. I know a lot of anybodys. But if I have to invest the time to wonder and guess at who you might need, the response will take a lot longer if a response comes at all.Heres what an ask can look like Joe I saw your post on the 3 steps you to raise team engagement, and Im going to steal your 2 strategy for myself Regarding a post I came across for a Researcher II role with your organization, and I applied. My background is chemical engineering, most recently for DuPont. I really want to have my hands on a scientific breakthrough that impacts public health. Are you open to a 5-minute call this week? Id certainly appreciate your insights.Make a regular habit of submitting your application, and virtually at the same time, reaching out to a relevant person with a clear, simple message. This puts some control back in your hands, so you dont continue to be slave to the job boards, and living on a hope and a prayer that a recruiter may call.Successful job search isnt an either / or scenario. Should I apply o nline or should I email the decision maker? People get hired because they take control of the things they can control in their job search, and they execute with an and / plus mentality. Im going to identify the role(s) I want, apply the regular way, then find a way into the organization through a real human being. Its important to do not just those steps, but all your steps in the right order. Find out what you need to do, and when to do it with maximum impact, using our new Cheat Sheet over and over again pursue the opportunities they know perfectly well theyre qualified for, and land those jobs.

5 Interview Alarm Bells That Signal a Job Scam - FlexJobs

5 Interview Alarm Bells That Signal a Job Scam - FlexJobs5 Interview Alarm Bells That Signal a Job Scam -2It pains us to have to still write about job scams, but the sad truth is that job scammers are simply not going away. The bewerbungsgesprch alarm bells are sounding. And the stats get worse for remote jobs- its estimated that for every real remote job, there are at least60 scams out there.So lets say that you apply for a job that seems legitimate and yourecalled in for an interview. How can you tell if youre possibly smack dab in the middle of a job scam? Well, there are certain interview alarm bells that should ring loud and clear ifyoure finding yourself wrapped up in ajob scam.Here are fiveinterview alarm bells that signal a job scam1. Your qualifications dont really matter.You apply for a job that seems perfect. Its a flexible job and youd be doing exactly what you love- and bonus, youre totally qualified for it But when it comes time for the job interview, your interviewer d oesnt really ask you that many questions, or worse, it seems that your skill set and work experience dont really seem that important. This is never the case in a real job interview. Employers will put you through the paces, asking you thoroughly about your previous job experience and what makes you a fit for the organization. Mostlikely theyll ask to complete some form of performance test as well. If your interviewer isnt interested in what you bring to the table, you might be in the throes of a job scam.2. Youre offered the job almost immediately.Lets face it Job scammers dont want to conduct lengthy interviews. They just want to lure you in and capture their prey(i.e., innocent job seekers), and then onto the next. So if after 10 minutes of talking with a potential employer, the part offers you the job on the spot, dont be flattered- run. Even for an entry-level position, its rare that you would be hired immediately, even if you do have a dazzling personality and a wide array of w ork experience. So think twice if youre offered a job right away- most companies will typically take a few weeks (maybe even a couple of months) to make their decision.3. The interview is done via instant messaging.Yes, youre a job seeker looking for a remote job. If the company youre looking to work for is based thousands of miles away from where you live, it definitely makes sense that you wouldnt be trekking in for an office interview. That said, job scammers tend to prefer quick ways to contact candidates and conduct job interviews. Their preferred method instant messaging. And again, you might not even raise an eyebrow (heck, you pretty much communicate through IM all day anyway), but job interviews arent usually done via IM. You will probably be asked to do a phone orSkype interview(or both), but its a serious interview alarm bell if your only contact with a potential employer is an IM or via email solely.4. Youre asked for personal information- and money.By far, this is one o f the biggest signals that you might be in a job scam. But if youve been through a round or two of job interviews with the same company, and are offered the position, it makes sense that when the HR person comes along to offer you the job that they would request some personal information. Thing is, if youre asked for your Social Security number, bank account number, or any other information that could put you at risk of identity theft, just stop for a moment and take stock of the entire interview process. Have you checked out whom youre interviewing with by doing a Google search or looking them up on LinkedIn? Have the methods been more traditional (i.e., in-person, phone, or Skype interviews)? Have you contacted the company directly to confirm that the position really exists? If youve done your due diligence, you can proceedwith caution. And as always, never, ever, ever accept a job where your employer asks you to put up money. That always has been (and always will be) one of the t op signs of a job scam.5. Youre not told the company youre interviewing for.A recruiter reaches out to you on LinkedIn looking to fill a position with a top company in your field. Great Youre excited, naturally (and thankful that you took the time to fill in your LinkedIn profile). So when it comes time for the job interview, you excitedly ask what the company is that youre interviewing for- and your interviewer wont tell you. The reason The recruiter is afraid that youll contact the company directly and lose you. Makes sense, you think, but in all honesty, it doesnt happen like that. As a job seeker, you have every right to know the name of the employer, the name of the hiring manager at the company, when the company is looking to fill the position, and what the interviewers relationship is to the company. If the person refuses to provide that info, chances are you might be involved in a job scam. As if it isnt enough making sure your job applications are well-written, searching fo r jobs day in and day out, job seekers today have to worry about falling victim to a job scam, too. But it shouldnt deter you from looking for a flexible job, if you want one. Stay safe and use the tips above to help guide you through your job search. And above all else, listen to your gut- if it seems too good to be true, it probablyis. Learn more about avoiding job scams.Readers, have you fallen prey to a job scam during your search for a remote job? What happened? Let us know in the comments below

Why You Should Create a Personal Website ASAP

Why You Should Create a Personal Website ASAPWhy You Should Create a Personal Website ASAPWhy You Should Create a Personal Website ASAPWant to stand out from other candidates? Creating a personal website might just help you do so.If youre on the job hunt and frustrated feeling like theres more to you than just a piece of paper, dont worry, youre not alone. We all face the same struggle at one point. The good news is, there are other ways to get noticed by prospective employers. One vorkaufsrecht is to build your online image to help pave the way for your success in the Internet age. Your new secret weapon is creating apersonal website.Lets get down to business and abflug exploring the reasons you need to start creating a personal website.1. A personal website helps recruiters find you much more easily.Sure, recruiters have a resume database, but that doesnt mean these submissions are the only thing they consider when searching for the ideal candidate. They also use Google to their ad vantage and conduct online searches for top-notch talent. This means that they can stumble upon you and your personal professional website. Of course, you should bear in mind that when you apply for a job, your potential employer(s) will look you up online, so owning the search results with your unique domain name, together with making a great first impression, will help you secure an interview.2. By having a personal website, youll gain a competitive advantage.Since a personal website also includes your work experience and education, in this respect its similar to a resume. Some even consider it a personal resume website. However, once you start building your personal website, youll be given a plethora of possibilities to polish your online presence. Make the most of them to showcase your strengths and demonstrate why someone should hire you. Make sure you add your portfolio/work samples, relevant images and client testimonials to stay head and shoulders above other applicants.3. H aving a personal website will boost your chances of landing a job.As previously mentioned, your personal professional website gives you the power to stand out from your competitors. You need to show everyone what youre good at, not just inform them about it. Samples of your work or your blog content can be the X factor that gets you short-listed for an interview and gives you the opportunity to shine.Let your sleek website speak for itself. Moreover, if another candidate meets all the requirements and has a similar education/work background, but doesnt have a personal website, this could be a differentiating factor. Furthermore, by having a website, people from all around the world can get to know you, follow you and interact with you, which can result not only in new connections, but also better job prospects.4. A personal website gives you the freedom to be creative.When you start creating a personal website, you are given the opportunity to get your creative juices flowing. Wheth er were talking about your bio, your original articles or the layout youve chosen, your personality will shine through your own corner of the Internet. Every single detail/element of your site speaks volumes about who you are both as an individual and a professional, so make sure you use them to your advantage. Theres no better way to kick up your creativity a notch than by creating a personal professional website.5. A personal website is more dynamic than a resume.Its a wise idea to regularly update your resume and have multiple versions for different job prospects. What sets a website fremdartig from a resume is the fact that you only need to update it, as opposed to having to rewrite and print new versions of it. Youll keep adding fresh things to your personal website - new projects, awards, skills, etc.6. Having a personal website helps you acquire new skills.Once you start working on creating a personal website, youll see what works for you and what doesnt. Youll keep customizi ng and polishing your personal website in order for it to have a professional look and feel. To enhance your personal brand, youll test new ways of conveying your message. Moreover, youll learn how to craft the content that tells everyone what youre all about. Not only will you know how to engage your visitors, but youll also learn how to be more visible on social media and how to promote your site. In addition, when you realize you need to rank well on Google, youll also grasp the basic aspects of SEO. Acquiring additional skills will do wonders for your career.And now youre probably thinking to yourself I know I should have one but how do I create a personal website?Luckily for us, creating a personal website has never been easier thanks to various Content Management Systems (CMS). WordPress and Joomla are probably the most popular platforms, which is no surprise given their ease of use. Moreover, to make this process even easier, we can leverage website builders such as ucraft th at aim to facilitate this process and make it possible for everyone to create a stellar site that reflects their personal brand and business goals. Yes, even those without any coding skills.Want to see how your resume stacks up? Try out our free critique today

How to Prepare for Business Analyst Interview Questions Management Resources

How to Prepare for Business Analyst Interview Questions Management ResourcesHow to Prepare for Business Analyst Interview Questions Management ResourcesBusiness analysts will be in high demand next year, according to the 2016 Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance. But even in this job seeker-friendly market, employers are being choosy about the professionals they select for these specialized roles in the finance function - even when hiring consultants and project professionals. This is why many are asking tough geschftsleben analyst interview questions, which can be challenging for candidates who dont anticipate them.Hiring managers and recruiters make assessing the technology skills of geschftsleben analysts a top priority, of course. But they also want to get a sense of a candidates business acumen and interpersonal abilities. Given the critical role that business analysts play in companies today, they want to make sure to hire professionals who are likely to fit in at the company, and start making contributions from day one.That said, while you may encounter a number of common business analyst interview questionswhen meeting with hiring managers,there really is no set list that you can study to prepare. Two key reasons for the lack of standardized questions is that business analysts are hired to help kooperation or manage so many types of projects, and every company has its own unique mix of business and financial objectives.Job descriptions stand as your guidefor anticipatingthe types of technical questions you might field in an interview, as they will usually outline the specific knowledgeyou will need to bring to a business analyst position. Other types of business analyst interview questions are likely to focus on the following three areas1. How you can help the company solve problems today - and in the future?Business needs are always changing, which means you should emphasize your range of abilities in your job application materials and during the interview process.For example, perhaps you applied for a role to help assist with a major data analytics project. But then you learn from the hiring manager that the company is also considering a major enterprise resource planning (ERP) system upgrade in the coming year, and she asks if thats something you might be able to support as well. If you can demonstrate that you have the analytics skills for the current project, and the ERP and change management experience to assist with the future upgrade, you might stand out dramatically from other candidates under consideration.To ensure you can pivot like this during an interview, you need to do your homework. Take a close look at the job description again before meeting with the qualifikation employer, so you can prepare a narrative that will speak directly to the organizations needs. And find out what you can about the businesss future plans (or recent changes) from the news, the companys website and media releases, and pe ople in your network who might have insight into the organization.2. How can your skills create value for the business?Companies like Google and Amazon have a reputation for asking unique problem-solving questions - even presenting riddles - to their job candidates. But even if a hiring manager doesnt throw out a business analyst interview question thats a brainteaser, you can be sure many inquiries will be designed to test your analytical-thinking skills - and determine how those abilities can translate into business value.Employers want to feel confident that the people they hire for business analyst roles can think of creative solutions to complex problems. So, seize every opportunity in the interview to present information that sheds light on your ability to help the business identify risk, uncover new opportunities, create more efficiency, and use resources more strategically and cost-effectively.3. How do your soft skills measure up?You are a business analyst, therefore you analyze. But you wont be working in a silo, looking at financial data, testing theories and creating reports all day, every day. You will likely need to share information with others in the business, at all levels. You will need to collaborate on projects - and perhaps, lead them. You might even need to help guide others through change initiatives, and could advance to a position managing others in the finance department.Responsibilities like these call for solid interpersonal skills. In fact, in todays highly collaborative work environment, many employers are paying far more attention to soft skills when hiring business analysts and other accounting and finance professionals. More organizations are also taking care to hire candidates who are likely to excel in the prevailing corporate culture.So dont be surprised if you encounter business analyst interview questions such as Do you feel you could thrive in a team-oriented environment? or Have you ever had to help diffuse a conflic t in your office, and, if so, how did you do it? or What was your last big idea, and how did you get buy-in for it?While you should be fully prepared to demonstrate your technical knowledge and expertise as a business analyst to potential employers, you should be equally ready to discuss your full range of professional abilities. You can be assured some business analyst interview questions you encounter will be centered on assessing your potential to complement the finance team - and enhance the company - in ways that transcend your basic job duties.More resourcesIf youre a consultant who is interested in finding new project and interim work opportunities, Robert Half Management Resources can be a valuable resource in your search. Explore our site to find assignments in your local area.Search JobsWhat salaries are business analysts commanding right now? Visit our Salary Center to download a free copy of the latest Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance.Get the Guide

Combination Resume Sample Secrets That No One Else Knows About

Combination Resume Sample Secrets That No One Else Knows About The Awful Secret of Combination Resume Sample The combination resume format may be your very best bet. You ought to begin your resume writing by choosing a format. You are able to observe different resume formats on the net. Have a peek at these examples to select which format is right for you. Conclusion You will have the ability to structure your resume well in the event that you proceed through some sample resumes. Utilizing the combination format, you have the capacity to disguise certain elements of your private history you dont want highlighted. Use a particular template for a reference in making the content and format of your general resume. LiveCareer provides various tools that may help you do not just settle on the best resume format for your individual needs, but also build the resume from the bottom up. Combination Resume Sample Can Be Fun for Everyone Its far better to limit the information to thin gs which are related to the job that you are looking for. What you know mora about the job chase is essential to your success now. Of course you can also be searching for a different job because of personal answers. You would like to do something considerably different from your present job. Last, you enter your greatest level of education. For about 5 per month you may set up an expert self hosted blog. You will be able so that you are able to write the job receiving continue only whenever you have comprehensive comprehension of job application writing. Dont hesitate to browse through our curation and choose the ideal general resume to utilize for the application sample that you are involved in. How to compose resumes is a skill youll be able to learn and there are lots of resources available to assist you. There are 3 basic kinds of resumes that are employed in various application processes. Creating marvelous resumes and the many technological delivery options can set you in addition to the competition. Fortunately, there are way more effective procedures of managing quirks in your work history. An individual should put in lot of work and attention whilst creating a resume. There are a number of easy tweaks that may make a functional resume advantageous However much or what kind of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. The Awful Side of Combination Resume Sample You do not need to replicate the resume here and chat about responsibilities, but instead youre able to tell about your final selling prolocation. By this time, youve weighed the advantages and disadvantages of staying in your present position. You will be able to likewise say that youre purchasing a different job for a consequence of ethical facets. Above given tips will definitely help you in forming an impressive and winning customer tafelgeschirr resume in banking sector to assist you in getting the work prospect . Resume Profile Examples play an important part in assisting and supporting job seekers in the correct method. Concentrate on the transferable skills youve got. Application abilities and talents play a significant part in raising the typical of your resume. Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Combination Resume Sample No matter which type of resume you decide on, there are a few vital characteristics that are found in all them. The very first step is to review the work description carefully so that you are able to be certain the position is a superb match for you, and know which qualities and expertise to emphasize on your resume. You have to tailor each resume for every single position which you are applying for. Otherwise, how are you going to be in a position to apply for all of the various sorts of positions. Combination Resume Sample at a Glance By carefully targeting resumes for particular jobs, its possible to greatly enhance your odds of getting noticed in the work marketplace. No two jobs are made alike, so no two resumes will probably be the exact same, either. Candidates who need to prevent coming across as overqualified. Avoid functional resumes A. Most employers hiring college graduates understand they do not have plenty of employment experience. A Its great to see someones resume represent all of the experience and hard work theyve put in their careers and not only the names of the places theyve worked at. Due to the increasing competition in every area, it is currently vital for each and every job looking individual to stay different from almost every other candidate to acquire attention from the employer. Clearly, theres a good deal of competition out there from other job seekers vying for exactly the same position.

How to Involve Everyone in Your Candidate Search [INFOGRAPHIC] - Spark Hire

How to Involve Everyone in Your Candidate Search INFOGRAPHIC - Spark HireA candidate search should be a team effort. Youre not just hiring a person, but hiring a critical member of your team. As such, it only makes sense to pool your companys collective resources in order to find the best candidate for you. Involving everyone in the candidate search is one way to ensure access to a variety of top candidates, often previously vetted by your own employees.This infographic from Work4 Labs (full size below) shares some startling figures on the extended networks your employees and friends have in their arsenal. For instance, if one recruiter shared just one job a week with their social media connections for a year the job would be shared on average 33,342 times. Thats a lot of eyeballs seeing your opening. Additionally, the infographic shows that 92% of people are more likely to trust job recommendations from friends and family members online.What the infographic really hits at is the adv antages that group candidate searching can have for your hiring. The infographic shows that building strong talent pools reduces the cost of sourcing by approximately 50%. In addition, social sharing helps increase the number of applicants, and job views. Since anyone on Twitter can see your postings, the possibilities for social sharing of job openings is endless. Unlike just a stagnant posting, social sharing allows you to reach an exponential number of candidates already connected to your employees.Encourage your employees to get involved in the hiring process. This can mean referring you to good candidates, posting openings on their social media profiles, or even taking someones resume to your hiring team. Determine as a company what the most acceptable practices for referring candidates are and advocate that your employees help out. Let them know their recommendations not only matter, but are vital to the success of the team and creating a cohesive unit.When possible, utilizing everyone in your network to help market to, and identify, candidates for your opening gives you the best chance for hiring a person that clicks with your company. As the infographic points out, social sharing in hiring practices is the way of the future, you dont want to miss out on a great candidate because someone elses employee connected with them first.Do you involve everyone in your candidate search? Spark a conversation below.

How to Handle Mental Health Issues In The Workplace

How to Handle Mental Health Issues In The WorkplaceHow to Handle Mental Health Issues In The Workplace You may have seen the story that recently went viral about an employee who was 100 percent honest about the fact that she needed to take a couple of mental health days. It might seem like a brave thing to admit, but her CEOs response spoke volumes about the companys forward-thinking approach to mental health. I just wanted to personally thank you for sending emails like this, the CEO wrote in an email to the employee. Every time you do, I use it as a reminder of the importance of using sick days for mental health I cant believe this is not standard practice at all organizations. You are an example to us all, and help cut through the stigma so we can all bring ur whole selves to work. Unfortunately, this kind of response isnt exactly standard. Still, this should be an example to leaders everywhere, says Dr. Richard Shuster, psychologist and host of The Daily Hel ping Podcast . Not only is it good for employees to be in touch with their mental health, but it actually makes business sense, too. There is a large body of research that indicates when employees are happy and healthy, they are more productive, says Dr. Shuster. Further, an employee who receives a response like the woman in this story did is likelier to feel a stronger sense of loyalty to the organization. Employee retention is a hot topic these days, and this is a perfect example of how companies can improve their policies to keep their talent happy and at the top of their game.So why dont more companies encourage mental health days, and what can you do to make them more accepted? We spoke to experts to find out. Why We Need to Destigmatize Mental HealthAsk any mental health professional, and theyll tell you that your mental and physical health are directly linked - yet physical ailments are much easier to talk about in the workplace. Our society is comfortable with someone t aking a sick day for being physically ill, but as a culture we totenstill discount and minimize the importance of taking care of our emotional and mental health, explains Jude Miller Burke, Ph.D., psychologist, leadership coach, and author of The Adversity Advantage Turn Your Childhood Hardship Into Career and Life Success . Its not easy to change a work culture thats been around pretty much forever, but it is possible- and dont worry, it doesnt involve spilling your most intimate secrets to your coworkers. To destigmatize, its key to exorcise falsehoods about what strength is, says Dr. Perpetua Neo , a clinical psychologist who works with high achievers. Instead of coping alone, not asking for help, rationalizing mental health issues away, we should emphasize and actively build stronger teams who have each others backs, she says. This is especially so for the Type A, perfectionist high-achievers who inevitably set the tone for the workplace culture given their leadership roles. And while the road to destigmatization starts at the top, theres something to be done at every level of a company to help bring mental health into the conversation.In the leadership world, you hear about company culture all the time. Establishing a forward-thinking policy on openness about mental health is a great example of what having a fantastic company culture is really about. If the workplace culture promotes an acceptance of caring for ones mental health as important, it reduces stigmatization and increases the likelihood that an employee who truly needs help will seek it out, explains Dr. Shuster. It is important for company leadership to normalize mental illness in the same manner that one does other medical conditions. That means encouraging employees to make use of the resources available to them, whether thats highlighting the companys insurance coverage of mental health care, creating an open-door policy with HR to discuss how workplace stress can be lessened, or be efing up an employee assistance program.The key to being a great boss is first and foremost having your own act together. That why you should start with yourself, according to Shaun Wehle, Psy.D. , a psychologist, trainer, speaker and consultant specializing in workplace wellness and work-life balance. A major contributing factor to employee wellness is the relationship with the superior, he says. Basically, if you want to take care of your employees and promote their well-being, you need to put yourself in a position where you are actually equipped to do so. See a psychologist, he recommends. You dont have to be psychoanalyzed if you dont want that. There is a (not so new) trend of positive psychology that doesnt overly pathologize and instead looks at psychological principles as a way of improving the overall quality of life. This can help in both workplace culture and the home life, Dr. Wehle explains.Secondly, its important to acknowledge that mental health issues are incredi bly common. Realizing this can help prepare managers to deal with the inevitable situations that will arise with their direct reports. In a study of 310 high achieving men and women that I just completed, 60 percent of the participants struggled with issues stemming from childhood abuse, witnessing domestic violence, chemically dependent family members, poverty, mentally ill family members, or loss, says Dr. Smerling. Essentially, that means over half of the employees coming into work on any given day, at all levels in an organization, are bringing a negative childhood template that may resurface as stress increases. In other words, many people have dealt with issues in the past- or are dealing with them in the present- that can cause significant mental strain. Knowing this from the get-go can help managers feel less awkward when discussing mental health with their employees.First and foremost, employees often wonder what they should say if they need a mental health day. If you know you have a boss and/or corporate structure that is receptive to the idea that a mental health day may be needed, asking for one and being open about that would be an ideal situation, says Dr. Wehle. I would suggest avoiding being dishonest about why youre taking the day off, he adds. And if your office isnt so open about psychological struggles, often just saying youre taking a sick day or a personal day will not be contested, he says. As for bringing up overall mental health with your coworkers and superiors, youll have to gauge that depending on your individual professional bonds and current work culture. Many of us would like to have an open and honest relationship with our work family, says Dr. Wehle, but that doesnt necessarily mean you will want to (or should) get into the nitty gritty of what youre going through with your colleagues. And if you have trouble wrapping your head around making mental health part of your professional well-being , think of it this way As an emp loyee, its your responsibility to do the best work you can, which means being in the right frame of mind to get the job done. For smaller issues, taking a mental health day may do the trick, but if youre grappling with something bigger- the fallout from a death in your family, depression, divorce, or anxiety, for example- its a good idea to have a brief but honest conversation with your supervisor. If one fails to communicate with their superior that they are having mental health difficulties, it leaves their performance issues to the imagination of their boss, explains Dr. Shuster. Again, no need to tell them all the details, but its smart to let them know about the issue in terms you feel comfortable with. Lastly, it is helpful to express to your supervisor a plan of action such as seeking treatment, he says. This demonstrates that you plan to address it head-on so that you can continue performing at your best on the job.

Top 10 Things That You Should Never Do at Work

Top 10 Things That You Should Never Do at WorkTop 10 Things That You Should Never Do at WorkWhen youre at work, you need to work, of course, but, youre also human. That whole human thing means that you make mistakes from time to time and you take some actions that are not ideal for your career. Everyone does, and its not a huge problem in most cases. But tzu siche are some things that you should never, ever do at work. They are career damaging, reputation damaging, and they will cause you to lose respect from your coworkers, your senior team, but most particularly- the person you fondly call the boss. Here are the top ten things you should never do at work. 1. Use Your Computer for Anything You Wouldnt Want Your Boss to Know About Lots of bosses dont careif you check your personal email, post to your Twitter account, or shop for flowers for Mothers Day on your work computer. That doesnt mean that you have free eigentlich on your computer. You should limit what you do on a work-ow ned computer even if your job doesnt have formal internet and e-mail policies. No porn, of course, at any time. It is never appropriate to view at work. But dont job hunt, tweet anything inappropriate, or do anything that would cause your boss to freak out either. Remember, your company IT department can have access to everything you do on that computer, even when you use it at home. They access work computers when they suspect suspicious behavior by an employee. 2. Whine You can whine at home to your friends and family, but whining at work is a career killer. This doesnt mean that you cant complain about problems. When you complain, however, your complaint should identify a problem that is fixable with an action plan that you and your organization can implement. When you whine, its just whining and whining makes you look immature. 3. Overshare Yes, you want to become friends with your coworkers. But they dont need to know all of your drama whether it is relationship drama, family drama, or medical drama. This doesnt mean that you need to be a closed book, but it does mean keep the sharing of the personal drama under control. Telling your coworkers that youre going through a divorce is alright. Sharing every detail about what your soon-to-be ex is doing- and how you feel about it- is not. Keep business relationships professional. 4. Ignore Your Bosss Warnings When your boss says you need to come into work on time, she means it. When your boss says your attitude needs adjusting, it needs adjusting. When your boss says she wants you to focus on task A before going on to task B, you better make A, your priority. When youdont pay attention to these warnings, you put your career on the line. Some bosss preferences are career breaking to ignore. 5. Always Say Yes Your boss didnt hire you because she needed a robot. She hired you because you had knowledge, skills, and abilities that make you great at what you do. This means you need to speak up and sh are your ideas. After youve expressed your doubts about an idea and your boss says she still wants you to do it her way, do it that way, but use your intellect to present new ideas. 6. Anything Illegal This really shouldnt have to be said, but so many people break so many laws all of the time, they dont think its a big deal. Think about speeding. Everyone does it, right? But dont do it when youre driving on company business. What about working off the clock? You shouldnt do that either. Dont sign documents youre not legally authorized to sign. Dont do drugs. Dont let regulations slide. Be a stickler for legality in all of your actions. 7. Anything Immoral Dont lie. Dont have an affair. Dont set out to undermine your coworker. Sure, all of those activities can seem fun at the moment, but if youre busted, even if its not directly related to your job, it lowers your colleagues opinion of you. You dont want people thinking of you like Jane, who had an affair with her boss, or Pa trick, the guy who tried to make his team look badeanstalt to a senior manager despite his involvement in the failed project. 8. Recommend Your Friends Just Because They Are Your Friends Lots of companies have employee referral programs, and they are great. If you know a person who would work out fabulously in a position in your company, by all means, recommend that person. If someone you recommended gets hired, youll likely get a bit of extra cash- at least positive recognition and a big thank you. Awesome. But, dont recommend a person just because you are friends. That tends to end up as a disaster. Remember, its not just about the referral bonus, and its not just about getting your friend a job, its about your reputation. If you know or even worry about the possibility that your friend is a slacker, dont recommend her. 9. Spread Germs Around the Office Now, its true that many companies dont have sick plans and in some cases, youll get in trouble for taking time off, even if you have a fever of 104 and spend half the day in the bathroom. If thats the case, then put a pox upon your bosss head and hopefully, he catches whatever you have. But if your company has a sick plan or any PTO that you could use when youre contagious, for Petes sake, take it. When youre sick, youre not working up to speed, and youre infecting others. If they catch your disease, their productivity drops as well. One person with the flu can decimate an office. Stay home. If you cant stand notworking, work from home if possible, but pretty please, keep the germs to yourself. 10. Let Anger Take Over Your job can be one of the most stressful components of your life. Dont, however, let your stress turn into anger that turns into bad behavior in the office.Yelling, screaming, punching a wall- or even worse, punching a person- can be career limiting. Punching a coworker also falls under that no illegal things category. Youll probably get fired and might land yourself in prison. Lear n to count to 10 before responding. If you find yourself yelling a lot, use your companys EAP and get some anger management help. It will save your career. You want your coworkers to like and respect you, and your boss to appreciate you and your work professionally. You want to make the time you invest at work happy time, too. So if you avoid these ten actions, what you want will come true, and youll have missed most opportunities for committing career suicide.

What Authors Need to Know About Copyright

What Authors Need to Know About CopyrightWhat Authors Need to Know About CopyrightCopyright legally protects an authors works and as a result, it is vitally important in book publishing. According to the U.S. government, Copyright is a gestalt of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. In other words, you cant copyright things like skywriting. Copyright provides protection against literary piracy, which is especially critical in todays world of easy digital reproduction and distribution. Here are some frequently asked questions specific to authors and book publishing that reflect the laws of the U.S. government. Why Is Copyright Important to Authors? Copyright is extremely important to authors because it constitutes the ownership of ones original work. Having ownership means you can protect your work as intellectual property and control who makes money off of it- which is you and th ose to whom you assign rights. What Does Copyright Protect? Copyright is a form of intellectual property law and as such protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. These works include poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. In other words, your story (or piece of music or building plans) must be fully developed, fleshed out, and exist in some visible manner in order for it to be considered copyrighted. This is a compelling reason for authors to alwayswrite down their plots, instead of just talking about them. At What Point Is My Book Protected by Copyright? Your book is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly (e.g., on paper) or with the aid of a machine or device (e.g., an e-reader such as a Nook or a Kindle). Therefore, copyright covers both published and unpublished works. Do I Have to Register With the Copyright Office to Be Protected? In general, registration is voluntary because copyright exists from the moment the work is created- therefore, the short answer is no but theres a caveat. It is highly recommended that authors register their work for a number of reasons. Many authors want to register their works because they want a public record of the facts of their copyright which comes with a certificate of registration. Also, authors have to register if they want to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work and to be eligible for statutory damages, as well as attorneys fees. Finally, if registration occurs within five years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law- meaning, its enough to establish that you are the owner of the work. Traditional publishersregister the books they publish but if you are publishing the book yourself, you should check with your indie publishing service to make koranvers you understand who is responsible for registering your work with the copyright office. Is It True That Titles Cant Be Copyrighted? Yes, that is true. You cannot copyright a title. What Is a Poor Mans Copyright? The practice of sending a copy of your work to yourself is sometimes called a poor mans copyright. Because the U.S. Postal Service is a federal agency, there has been a common but erroneous presumption that your stamp somehow validates your copyright. However, there is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection. Mailing your work to yourself is not a substitute for the additional legal proofs that a registration provides. Is My Copyright Good In Other Countries? The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world. UNESCOs World Book and Copyright Day highlights the global value of copyright. However, the United States do es not have such copyright relationships with every country.