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A job as an agent with the FBI, known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, seems like it would be the perfect opportunity. Who would not want to spend their time working on interesting top secret cases and working for the top Federal agency in the United States?
The FBI offers a variety of jobs in many divisions such as special agents, linguists, hostage rescue team, staff and many more. However, there are strict requirements one must meet in order to apply with the FBI. It is a very competitive agency since the FBI only takes an extremely small amount of candidates every year.
Applicants must be between 23 years and 36 years old to qualify. You must have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of related work experience for the division you are applying since the FBI has several divisions including accounting and finance, science, law and law enforcement. For example, experience in law enforcement or the military if you want to work in the division of law or in science if you want to work in forensics.
You must be able to pass strict background checks, medical and physical exams, and psychological exams. A sought out skill from applicants is fluency in several languages. You must also be a US citizen or citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Some things will automatically disqualify you from applying. These things are conviction of a felony, illegal drug use in violation of the FBI’s employment drug policy, default of a government student loan, failure of a FBI administered drug test, and for males only failure to register with the Selective Service.
Showing posts with label Job Hunting/Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Job Hunting/Tips. Show all posts
Jan 19, 2009
How Does a CEO Spend a Workday?
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CEO as a Coach and Leader
CEOs spend their days managing and training sales, financial professionals and technical staff. The position of a CEO requires an individual of multifaceted experience. The CEO will engage with new clients, establish strategic partnering relationships with other corporations and create new production processes or product initiatives with other vendors, manufacturers and firms. For these reasons, a CEO is the most prestigious attendee at conferences, stockholders meetings and training or promotional seminars. Additionally, the CEO is in charge of upholding the company's ethics and overseeing the morale of employees. CEOs must be able to make good judgement calls, especially when it comes to terminating an employee. The CEO is beyond the power of the human resources department and may dictate the requirements for hiring, promoting and firing within the company.
CEO as an Investment Strategist
A CEO is like the mast of a ship, or the center of everything in the company. Likewise, the CEO is the visionary of the company, seeing everything from the top of the company to the bottom and projecting the company's potential for growth and success. The CEO must be a wise strategist when it comes to investing for the company. The CEO will direct, at his discretion, the company's decisions to merge with another company for profit. This individual is the forecaster of the company. The CEO projects where a given path will take the company and ultimately makes the decision whether to proceed or abandon a course of action for the good of the company.CEO as a Reporter
The CEO of a company will be responsible for informing shareholders of the company's status. This means that the CEO will report to board members and shareholders on the corporation's overall progress. These reports will include the production of the company, sales generated and whether or not shares will be reinvested in the company or distributed to shareholders at each meeting. In this regard, the CEO has a great deal of control over the investments and finances of the company. A CEO that does a poor job of reporting or directing the company may be fired, which would require a shareholder's meeting.Dealing with the "L Word" - LAYOFF
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The hum of the systems, clicking of the keys, shuffling of feet coupled with the idle banter can have you lost, waiting to stick your head out for a breath of fresh air. Office, a place where we spend half our lives at some point does get to us.
When that happens you have to unwind, it's easy! You have the controls and the choice is yours to switch channels. The first step is to want to tune out. Once your mind is open to variables at work, possibilities start to pop out of the walls. And this does not include converting cubicles into a little feng shui showroom or involve chimes, bells and nodding dolls that every office already has.
Sound therapy
Tune into a personal space that is devoid of the office sounds. Queue music, as it is the easiest way to tune out and headphones are as private as you can get. Speakers are like a concert in office with everyone on for the gig especially the lip syncers and sing-along-aloud-out-of-tune ones. So turn on the music and have your office tapping to a new groove.
Green therapy
You can't take a pet to office unless you work at the zoo, with plants as the next best living thing to introduce to the office environment. Studies have shown that plants around the office help. But don’t go around watering every plant in the office and put the janitor out of a job. Simple, plant a seed, watch it grow, this will give you time to take a break, water the plant and just maybe a conversation with the little tree may help.
Metaphysical therapy
The head honchos know it, the world talks about it and yet we spend five minutes on wondering how to change the future rather than doing the now. Take five minutes out of office time, get to a quiet place -- the terrace, a balcony, the fire escape, the bylane -- wherever, but it should be quiet. Take time to meditate, breathe easy, breathe out the stress.
Now this won't give you nirvana but it sure as hell will help you recharge your batteries. Your mind can take you places, it's a magic carpet ride and if you haven't tried it, you should.
How To Be A Criminal Profiler
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If you have seen shows like CSI or Criminal Minds, you have seen a little about how a criminal profiler works. A criminal profiler analyzes information from a crime scene and comes up with a behavioral and investigative profile of the criminal or perpetrator. A criminal profiler usually works for the FBI.
The FBI does not assign the title of actual criminal profilers, but rather has Special Agents at the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) at Quantico, Virginia. These agents are criminal investigative analysts and work on federal and state investigations.
A criminal investigative analysts or profiler investigates all types of crimes including homicides, kidnappings, bombings, terrorism, serial rapes, child abductions and extortion to name a few. They perform tasks such as threat assessment, witness and suspect interviews, case strategy, trial preparation, research and training. Analysts use background information of the victim and the suspect, their intuition and reasoning along with knowledge of criminal behavior, and come up with a psychological and behavioral profile. They also assist in coordinating cases with local law enforcement agencies.
One of the basic requirements for working as a criminal investigative analyst with the FBI is completion of three years as an FBI special agent but they generally prefer agents with at least ten years experience in the FBI. Agents have a variety of backgrounds and education but must have previous experience investigating violent crimes.
If you are interested in this field, you must have a four-year degree. Candidates should have a degree in the field in the FBI that interests them. Some recommended degrees for a criminal analysts or profiler would be an advanced degree in criminal justice, Psychology, Behavioral Science or Forensic Science.
5 career mistakes you should avoid
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If this was what your career sounds like, especially in one year, you'd be well advised to leave the smaller stints out of your resume.
There are various types of careers, and many more categories of people who work, driving forward progress. If your goal is to find a good company, work for them, start to save and stick with that company till something more lucrative creeps up, then you are most likely to take less risks in life and be voted 'Employee of the month'. But for those who are ever on the look out for a better pay package, greater job satisfaction or just a change from the rat race, there are some mistakes you should avoid, or never repeat again.
Choosing a career based on remuneration
Big mistake. If your main aim is just money, it may just be the start of the road downhill. True, the indisputable purpose of working is to earn and that of a good career is a continuous salary, but when you choose your career choose one based on your skill sets and not how much an industry pays. If you have an attitude that blatantly screams, "Show me the money!", the only tangible object you may soon see is the exit.
Working in too many places for too short a time
Sure, it's great to say you worked for the best companies, but that's only if you hold more than five or 10 years of experience. Organisations do not see any reason to employ drifters. And if you are drifting, my suggestion is to dock that raft and jump on the big boats.
Josh, a graphic designer in the publishing industry, made one of the worst career mistakes in the formative years of his career. The first year he worked for three companies, the second for two. This left many unanswered questions for his next prospective employer. It gives the interviewer an impression of indecisiveness, uncertainty and basic lack of maturity -- a bad set of attributes to hold.
Jumping industries
Photography, advertising, HR, sound. It's nice to see variety on any resume, but if an individual has no speciality, the uniqueness of employment is lost. No longer do people need someone who can do everything or knows more than what is needed.
The need of the hour is specialisation, the offering you make that not many can replicate. We are not machines, and our individuality is our USP. Constantly shifting industries only works is the area of expertise traverses industries.
This leaves them after a few years with a range of designations, a stack of cash but still no direction. And if you don't know where you're headed, your career is lost.
Punctuality and regularity
Work is not about rebellion, you have to be on time, you have to adhere to the rules. You can bend rules, but breaking them leaves you with career stains that don't easily wash off. All offices demand this dedication, and if you make the mistake, and repeat it, the negative image will stick with you.
Arrogant, more arrogant, most arrogant!
The biggest, yes biggest mistake is arrogance. You may be good, but if you work for someone you have to learn to compromise. To be part of a team that runs with as few kinks as possible, you have to put aside your ego. It doesn't matter what your career, if you can't take orders, you will never work happily.
They say to err is human and forgive divine, but sadly, this doesn't apply to the world of the working man or woman. To err is now a financial liability and forgiveness takes up valuable business time, and our fast paced, hypersonic world chooses not to waste any time on trivialities. So as you go about your pursuit of a meaningful career, make sure you don't commit these career mistakes.
Setting Personal Goals
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Setting goals is the first step to meeting any challenge. This is true whether you are trying to quit smoking, lose weight, better manage your time or even run a marathon. It is good to be ambitious and think about your long-term objectives. But, it is usually best to identify short-term goals that are manageable and can be monitored as you work toward them. The SMART model of goal setting can help.
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Achievable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
Set goals that are:
Specific - Be clear about what you want to accomplish. And, know how you plan to achieve it. Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” try, “I want to lose 15 pounds.” Answer the questions what, why and how. What is the goal that you want to achieve? Why is it important to you? And, how are you going to go about doing it?
Measurable - Set up milestones along the way to measure your progress. It will help remind you that you are on track with your ultimate goal. Ask yourself, “How will I know when my goal is accomplished?”
Achievable - Make sure your goals are attainable. If your goal is set too high, you might get discouraged and give up. Of course, that does not mean you should set the bar too low. If your goal is not challenging enough, you could miss out on a sense of achievement when you cross the finish line.
Realistic - Recognize that there might be some bumps in the road. Realize that overcoming those obstacles is part of the challenge. Have a plan in place to deal with setbacks. And, periodically reassess your goals to make sure they’re realistic for you.
Timely - Goals should have a target date for completion. This will give you structure and allow you to monitor your progress. Remember, an appropriate time frame for completing a goal will vary based on the individual. For example, two months may be a reasonable for one person to lose 15 pounds. But, others may need more or less time to reach the same goal.
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How to Enjoy A Monday Morning
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Many people dread Monday morning because of undesired/unfulfilled jobs and the lack of desire or uncertainty to make a significant change. It can be scary to make a change but it is important for both personal and professional growth. Take a few minutes and review the following tips:
Many people dread Monday morning because of undesired/unfulfilled jobs and the lack of desire or uncertainty to make a significant change. It can be scary to make a change but it is important for both personal and professional growth. Take a few minutes and review the following tips:
- Attend a library or small business
administration lecture/workshop. Small Business mentors may be available to help you review possible business options
- Borrow book from the library about different businesses. Most libraries allow you borrow for up to 1 month so you have time to write down notes in a notepad. Also, you can purchase books/magazines and make notes in the margins.
- Consider taking vacation and adding a day to explore business/career ideas. For instance, if you visit Mexico you can explore working as a tour guide, hotel manager, or retail store owner. By investing in good technology (computer/internet/phone/printer/fax), you can choose a non-traditional job such as creative writer, career coach, or online tutor.
- Discover your talents by volunteering. Many non-profit organizations are understaffed and will welcome cross training you. For example, a good magazine writer earning $200.00 per article may gain the skills to become a press release writer who charges up to $300.00 per release.
- Watch for business/workforce trends to detemrine areas of future growth. Some areas of constant need are business, children, education, environment, and medical. A current schoolteacher may switch to a private tutoring and purchase a franchise or a medical biller can become a management consultant while managing 4-6 offices billing up to $100,000 a year.
The I-Can't-Find-A-Job-Guide to Finding a New Job
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Looking for a new job? Finding it hard? Here is a quick guide to the job search, from someone in your shoes, that might just help.
Tenacity, Courage and Bravery
Like most things in life - job searching requires effort. Lots of it. Having been in the job "market," before and looking for work it took me quite a while finding my last job. I am currently looking for a new job as I am resigning from my current one due to stress.
Three things that are an absolute necessity - bravery, courage and tenacity - you need these three frames of mind if you are about to look for work. Rejection and failure are high on the agenda so adopt a brave face and get going.
250 applications and counting
The last time I hunted for work I applied for a whopping 250 positions. Eventually, I walked into my current job and was hired on the spot. This only happened when I had reached my limit of endurance and tried a different way. Be prepared to think outside the square to land you new work.
Thinking outside the square includes:
- Try a variety of job searching methods - walk into companies and ask. Don't rely on a single method
- Ask everyone; the more people you ask the more chances you have. Lose your pride and be bold.
- There many ways to skin a cat - use emails, online job sites, like seek.com, the phone, local drop ins etc.
Suspension of disbelief
One way to help you improve your chances of finding a new job is to adopt an actors stance. Tell yourself, "I am an actor, I am playing a role, I am suspending my disbelief." That goes back to bravery again. Pretend you are simply playing a part in a play and that way you won't take the emotional rejection so hard. Find a friend, skilled at acting, to coach you through your new role as the job seeker.
Don't take it personally
Everyone has been in your shoes. Remember this. Few people have ever found finding work a breeze. If people give you the brush off - don't take it personally. Companies and people have their own reasons for not hiring you. They also have reasons for hiring you. If you don't take it personally, you will end up being in the right place at the right time on day, and you will hear the words, "You are hired!"
Be optimistic and try a variety of things.
Ask yourself, "What is a job?" Is a job:
- Nine-to-Five, Monday-to-Friday?
- Is a job a part-time role?
- Is a job casual, is it important to me, does my life depend on it?
What is a job to you? Write down what you think the very act of, "having a job," means to you.
Keep the blood flowing - VOLUNTEER
People will always hire a volunteer. Okay, so you are not getting paid but you are working. Volunteering can be satisfying, builds your confidence and keeps you in the work place. In many cases it will lead to paid employment if you are in the right place at the right time.
Girlfriend, are you listening?
Nothing more comforting, more fun and more confidence building is getting together with friends at the cafe and pouring out your innermost thoughts about your dire situation. That's what friends are for. Try to get this struggle of your chest with girlfriends, mates and even a social help line like, lifeline. Talk away your blues, seek a councillor and you will be able to move on.
The numbers game
Finding work is a numbers game. The more jobs you apply for the more chance you have of success. Apply for as much as you can and one day ONE job will be THAT job, that you win.
Defeat isn't neat and victory is sweet
Don't let it all take over your mind and soul. Keep it light and fun. Job Searching is a struggle if you adopt a struggle mindset. Lighten up, watch a funny movie and have fun with the job hunt process - defeat is never your best option.
These days there are so many types of careers. Try some instant careers to get you earning money while you look for a more serious role. These instant jobs include:
-Babysitting
-Dog Walking
-Lemonade stands with the kids
-Garage sales
-Volunteering
...and many more. I made hand-made T-shirts with a friend once and I actually made hundred and hundred of dollars.
Most of all the job hunt is a hard work and rejection is a possibility. Keep going, don't lose heart and try to have fun with it if you can. Be Strong and Good luck!
How to Write a proper resume and cover letter
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The first step in writing a proper resume is the cover letter. Write each cover letter specifically for the company and/or position you are seeking. Next, write Your name, The address where you can be reached, Phone number, Fax number (if applicable), and E-mail address. Skip a line and write the full date (month, day, year). Name of the specific person, title of that person (if available), and the Address of the company.
Here is an example of what it should look like: Robert Smith 5560 Park drive New york, New york 22230 (810)-555-5555 email @anywhere.com May 2, 2008 Ken Williams, Human Resource Director Northern Electric, Inc. 3525 Long Lane Atlanta, Georgia 30052
Now comes your resume. A resume is not about what you want; It's about what you offer an employer." The resume will determine who gets a job interview. Your resume is a mini-statement about yourself. First, start with Your "summary of skills", this should highlight experiences and qualifications that the employer is seeking. Focus on work experience, and list professional experience in order from most to least recent. Your computer skills will be particularly attractive and should be highlighted. Also, consider your volunteer and extracurricular experience.
Use strong action verbs and leave out the word "I. Your resume should be one page only. Don't misrepresent your past -- it will come back to haunt you. There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. Emphasize your talents and show how you used them at the job. Don't mention personal characteristics such as age, height, and marital status on your resume. Avoid unusual or exotic font styles; use simple fonts with a professional look. Check your resume for proper grammar and correct spelling. Finally, Close with a strong reminder of why you are a good match for the job positioin and the organization. Thank them! Sign your name and print it underneath.
How to handle bad Boss?
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Do a reality check on yourself
The first solution in handling a bad boss is an honest analysis of your actions and behavior. Are you a good subordinate? Have you been handling yourself and your job well? If you aren’t’ then perhaps it is not your boss who is the problem but you. Please also remember that all bosses have their own ways to do work and like it or not, it is the subordinates who will have to adapt to their ways. They will be quite reluctant to adapt to yours.
Formal Communication
Regardless of what type of boss you have, an important option you have is to communicate formally with them. Sometimes they may not be aware of their behavior and the aim of the communication process is to let him see your side of the work equation. In the formal meeting, make sure that you talk of the specific behavior in question and tell him how it makes you feel. Leave your emotions at the door, but be prepared for your boss to have an emotional reaction.
Do not make generalized statements like, “you are always nasty” or “everyone in the office does not like the way you manage”. Soften your comments and avoid defensiveness by allowing your boss to save face. Praise him if needed initially (obviously he must have his strengths too), so that his defenses may be lowered. When talking about the problem, use statements like "You may not be aware . . ." or "You may not realize . . .". It’s possible that your boss is unaware of his/her actions, and this meeting could be very positive for all involved. At the same time, you may realize that you might have made many assumptions about his style of management which may not necessarily be right.
Formal communication may not necessarily solve the problem, but at least you will be sure your boss has been informed of your views, feelings and frustrations. There is no guarantee of success, however, and you need to be aware that your Malaysian boss from a cultural perspective might misinterpret your ‘confrontation’ as pushy or aggressive behavior. This might lead to an escalation of your conflict with him.
Informal Communication
Most of the time, the recommended action with a bad boss is to take him or her to lunch or a drink after work to discuss the problem in a non-confrontational way. This type of informal encounter will serve to overcome the problem better as the non-work environment may lessen the tension and thus make it more amicable for a more fruitful discussion. Always thank him for taking the time to have the discussion and impress upon him that your only interest in this discussion is to have a more healthy working relationship.
Ganging Up
This might seem to be an unorthodox solution, but it has its strengths. If several people from the same department voice similar views or frustrations, then there is a chance that the head of department might take heed. This voicing of opinions can take place individually or else at a meeting where everyone is present. If it is the latter, then it has to be handled sensitively, as you do not want to create the impression that there is a mutiny in the department. At the same time, be aware of the fact that there may be some people in the department who might try to gain political mileage out of this situation by being the odd one out of the ‘gang’ to gain favor. The good thing about ‘ganging up’ is that it is very difficult for a boss to take the situation lightly as the number of messengers is high, and all carry the same message. Do not however expect the boss to change immediately.
Ask for a Transfer or Resign
If none of these strategies work, then you have two choices. If you really love your job because you are learning a lot and you like the people you're working with, then you will just have to ‘bite the bullet’ and accept your boss as best you can. Or, if all else fails, ask to be transferred to another department or finally simply hand in your resignation letter. Only you know your own worth, and if you don't feel respected and motivated then just move on. This is a difficult course of action, but one that you must always have as an option. Remember however that the other side may not necessarily be ‘greener’.
Conclusion
Managing ‘bad’ bosses is a very difficult and sensitive exercise. Always remember that finding a perfect boss/employee match is almost impossible. There will always be grounds for conflict in any working relationship. You have to try to work on each other's flaws and strong points to complement your work methods. The onus is on you as the subordinate to adapt to your boss’s style of management.
A final piece of advice and that is, when dealing with bad bosses the worst thing you can do is simply to do nothing, hoping the problems will get resolved. No job, boss, or company is worth losing your health, sanity, or self-esteem. If you can’t find a way to resolve these issues and your boss simply will never change his behavior, then you should immediately start looking for a new job, within or outside the organization. But before you do this, please do carry out an objective performance appraisal on yourself. It might change your mind.
Do a reality check on yourself
The first solution in handling a bad boss is an honest analysis of your actions and behavior. Are you a good subordinate? Have you been handling yourself and your job well? If you aren’t’ then perhaps it is not your boss who is the problem but you. Please also remember that all bosses have their own ways to do work and like it or not, it is the subordinates who will have to adapt to their ways. They will be quite reluctant to adapt to yours.
Formal Communication
Regardless of what type of boss you have, an important option you have is to communicate formally with them. Sometimes they may not be aware of their behavior and the aim of the communication process is to let him see your side of the work equation. In the formal meeting, make sure that you talk of the specific behavior in question and tell him how it makes you feel. Leave your emotions at the door, but be prepared for your boss to have an emotional reaction.
Do not make generalized statements like, “you are always nasty” or “everyone in the office does not like the way you manage”. Soften your comments and avoid defensiveness by allowing your boss to save face. Praise him if needed initially (obviously he must have his strengths too), so that his defenses may be lowered. When talking about the problem, use statements like "You may not be aware . . ." or "You may not realize . . .". It’s possible that your boss is unaware of his/her actions, and this meeting could be very positive for all involved. At the same time, you may realize that you might have made many assumptions about his style of management which may not necessarily be right.
Formal communication may not necessarily solve the problem, but at least you will be sure your boss has been informed of your views, feelings and frustrations. There is no guarantee of success, however, and you need to be aware that your Malaysian boss from a cultural perspective might misinterpret your ‘confrontation’ as pushy or aggressive behavior. This might lead to an escalation of your conflict with him.
Informal Communication
Most of the time, the recommended action with a bad boss is to take him or her to lunch or a drink after work to discuss the problem in a non-confrontational way. This type of informal encounter will serve to overcome the problem better as the non-work environment may lessen the tension and thus make it more amicable for a more fruitful discussion. Always thank him for taking the time to have the discussion and impress upon him that your only interest in this discussion is to have a more healthy working relationship.
Ganging Up
This might seem to be an unorthodox solution, but it has its strengths. If several people from the same department voice similar views or frustrations, then there is a chance that the head of department might take heed. This voicing of opinions can take place individually or else at a meeting where everyone is present. If it is the latter, then it has to be handled sensitively, as you do not want to create the impression that there is a mutiny in the department. At the same time, be aware of the fact that there may be some people in the department who might try to gain political mileage out of this situation by being the odd one out of the ‘gang’ to gain favor. The good thing about ‘ganging up’ is that it is very difficult for a boss to take the situation lightly as the number of messengers is high, and all carry the same message. Do not however expect the boss to change immediately.
Ask for a Transfer or Resign
If none of these strategies work, then you have two choices. If you really love your job because you are learning a lot and you like the people you're working with, then you will just have to ‘bite the bullet’ and accept your boss as best you can. Or, if all else fails, ask to be transferred to another department or finally simply hand in your resignation letter. Only you know your own worth, and if you don't feel respected and motivated then just move on. This is a difficult course of action, but one that you must always have as an option. Remember however that the other side may not necessarily be ‘greener’.
Conclusion
Managing ‘bad’ bosses is a very difficult and sensitive exercise. Always remember that finding a perfect boss/employee match is almost impossible. There will always be grounds for conflict in any working relationship. You have to try to work on each other's flaws and strong points to complement your work methods. The onus is on you as the subordinate to adapt to your boss’s style of management.
A final piece of advice and that is, when dealing with bad bosses the worst thing you can do is simply to do nothing, hoping the problems will get resolved. No job, boss, or company is worth losing your health, sanity, or self-esteem. If you can’t find a way to resolve these issues and your boss simply will never change his behavior, then you should immediately start looking for a new job, within or outside the organization. But before you do this, please do carry out an objective performance appraisal on yourself. It might change your mind.
How to become an Encouraging member or Leader in a Team at work place?
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It is becoming harder and harder to maintain positive attitude in the current working environment when people are facing such an uncertain future because of current unprecedented economic crisis in our nation. Yet, there are simple ways we can adopt to change conditions at work.
First, start a day with a cheerful greeting with colleagues. When asked of How are you doing, say 'I am doing great or wonderful' with great energy. This attitude enlightens the sprit of not only yourself but others as well.
When you have a chance to describe a person or co-worker before many people, please always say positive aspects of that person. People have different strengths in many different areas with a lot of potentials. Words will eventually go around and they will find out any negative words.
Please try to encourage a person or give praises for the work. Simply focusing on weak point of person will not help at all in a team environment. Be open to giving praise and recognition. You yourself will eventually see the benefit by praising the person's work.
As a team, if your group or member is assigned to a new project which may be challenging, please always response with positive attitude by saying that we have a great opportunity instead of saying that we got another mundane task as usual.
Be very generous to others and be extremely thorough in everything you are doing. You will be trusted and set up role model among people. Make yourself available when your colleague needs help or assistance.
Print out these tips and put it down on dashboard in your car, so that you can see them every morning. People tend to not remember things, and need to see it to remember.
We all are working with people. The interpersonal and relational skills are so critical for the success of business. Right now most companies are facing such a difficult and challenging economic situation. The above tips definitely help all employees. Furthermore, you can adopt these tips even to your spouse, and to your children. Work and family are inseparable, and we will see a huge improvement when both work place and home are maintained with such a positive sprit.
We will be winners again!
It is becoming harder and harder to maintain positive attitude in the current working environment when people are facing such an uncertain future because of current unprecedented economic crisis in our nation. Yet, there are simple ways we can adopt to change conditions at work.
First, start a day with a cheerful greeting with colleagues. When asked of How are you doing, say 'I am doing great or wonderful' with great energy. This attitude enlightens the sprit of not only yourself but others as well.
When you have a chance to describe a person or co-worker before many people, please always say positive aspects of that person. People have different strengths in many different areas with a lot of potentials. Words will eventually go around and they will find out any negative words.
Please try to encourage a person or give praises for the work. Simply focusing on weak point of person will not help at all in a team environment. Be open to giving praise and recognition. You yourself will eventually see the benefit by praising the person's work.
As a team, if your group or member is assigned to a new project which may be challenging, please always response with positive attitude by saying that we have a great opportunity instead of saying that we got another mundane task as usual.
Be very generous to others and be extremely thorough in everything you are doing. You will be trusted and set up role model among people. Make yourself available when your colleague needs help or assistance.
Print out these tips and put it down on dashboard in your car, so that you can see them every morning. People tend to not remember things, and need to see it to remember.
We all are working with people. The interpersonal and relational skills are so critical for the success of business. Right now most companies are facing such a difficult and challenging economic situation. The above tips definitely help all employees. Furthermore, you can adopt these tips even to your spouse, and to your children. Work and family are inseparable, and we will see a huge improvement when both work place and home are maintained with such a positive sprit.
We will be winners again!
How to de-stress at office
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The hum of the systems, clicking of the keys, shuffling of feet coupled with the idle banter can have you lost, waiting to stick your head out for a breath of fresh air. Office, a place where we spend half our lives at some point does get to us.
When that happens you have to unwind, it's easy! You have the controls and the choice is yours to switch channels. The first step is to want to tune out. Once your mind is open to variables at work, possibilities start to pop out of the walls. And this does not include converting cubicles into a little feng shui showroom or involve chimes, bells and nodding dolls that every office already has.
Sound therapy
Tune into a personal space that is devoid of the office sounds. Queue music, as it is the easiest way to tune out and headphones are as private as you can get. Speakers are like a concert in office with everyone on for the gig especially the lip syncers and sing-along-aloud-out-of-tune ones. So turn on the music and have your office tapping to a new groove.
Green therapy
You can't take a pet to office unless you work at the zoo, with plants as the next best living thing to introduce to the office environment. Studies have shown that plants around the office help. But don’t go around watering every plant in the office and put the janitor out of a job. Simple, plant a seed, watch it grow, this will give you time to take a break, water the plant and just maybe a conversation with the little tree may help.
Metaphysical therapy
The head honchos know it, the world talks about it and yet we spend five minutes on wondering how to change the future rather than doing the now. Take five minutes out of office time, get to a quiet place -- the terrace, a balcony, the fire escape, the bylane -- wherever, but it should be quiet. Take time to meditate, breathe easy, breathe out the stress.
Now this won't give you nirvana but it sure as hell will help you recharge your batteries. Your mind can take you places, it's a magic carpet ride and if you haven't tried it, you should.
How to Find a Career That Makes You Happy
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Over 70,000 hours of the average person's life is spent working. Does that statistic encourage or depress you? In this article, I will give tips on finding and pursuing a career that does not feel like "work" to you.
1) First, you need to figure out what you really want.
Take some time on this. For most people, the time around high school and college goes by so quickly--and with so many snap decisions--that they really have not thought their career goals through.
Just as you wouldn't plan a vacation without knowing where you're going, this needs to be approached with a similar process. You need to do some research and write down your skills, hobbies, personality needs, and your interests. From this, you should begin to see a pattern of ideas. Use these to brainstorm careers that match your traits and that you would enjoy.
2) For most career changes, you don't have to immediately stop what you're already doing.
Just take some of your free time and begin to take steps towards job searching. You may be able to find something part-time that can eventually turn into full-time, but you'll have your current job to still pay living expenses. If what you want to do is going to require you quit your current job, take a few months to prepare financially and do as much as you can to get experience before taking the leap. Even volunteer work can help you get a better feel for certain positions.
Part-time businesses are another option for certain fields. You will likely make more money over time this way, but keep in mind you'll have to be more patient and wait for your income to build up before transitioning to full-time business ownership/self-employment.
3) Try to get around people who are in the field you'd like to explore. They may be able to give you insight that you wouldn't normally get otherwise, and it will help you know what to expect.
Also, don't let it bother you if your first idea does not work out as expected. Sometimes it take trying different things before you find what's right for you. It's okay to make mistakes, especially when trying to avoid the biggest mistake of staying in a position where you're miserable.
Additional Tips:
- There are several online sites with free personality tests. If you've never taken one, it may help give you a starting point if you're having a hard time figuring out careers that will fit your personality.
- Don't let fear or money keep you in a position you hate. Fear can be overcome, and money will come when you do what you love better than the people doing it only for money.
- Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you have to like it. You want to keep your skills in mind, but they should not be the only factor you consider.
Accepting Criticism Gracefully
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Criticism is part of everyday living. We give it, we get it, and in order to be effective and successful in any chosen career, we need to learn to deal with it effectively. With a bit of honest self-evaluation, and a few simple changes in thought process, criticism can become a welcome friend rather than a dreaded enemy!
Grow thicker skin. If you constantly take criticism, disagreements, and even lighthearted, innocent jokes as personal, malicious attacks, eventually you won't even be able to communicate with your lawn mower, let alone your landlord without suffering a nervous breakdown or bursting in to tears. This is especially vital within a working environment. When your superiors offer you advice or direction about errors or need for change, allowing your handle to fly off in their general direction is not going to bode well for you.
Patience is a virtue for a reason. Patience allows us to prevent experiencing 20/20 hindsight. Patience gives your blood a chance to stop boiling, and your brain a chance to wrap itself around the real meaning of the message received.
Honesty, and the ability to evaluate your own behaviors, characteristics and performance are all essential in accepting criticism gracefully. Every single human being makes mistakes. It's what you do with those mistakes that counts more than being called on them. Do you learn from them? Do you attempt to make changes in your work processes or in your attitude? Or, are you stuck on blaming everyone else for everything that goes wrong? Mistakes exist as teaching tools. Learn from them. Listen to your evaluations and criticisms. Educate yourself. Take your performance to the next level. Rather than wallowing in self pity, put the advice and information to work, and create improvements.
Accepting criticism gracefully means exercising full control of your temper. It means not lashing out and attacking the person giving you feedback or criticism. Accepting criticism means having the ability to openly receive feedback in a gracious manner, hear it out, mull it over, learn from it, and either vocally or internally being grateful for the chance to conquer your weaknesses and improve upon your strengths.
Some things to remember about accepting criticism:
· Often, employers are judging employees based upon their ability to accept feedback and criticism. The reaction to something less than pleasurable is a meter by which your employer can gauge future performance and accomplishments.
· Be receptive, in person, through body language. Don't clench your fists, grit your teeth, or look as though you're about to have a root canal. Breathe and listen. Ask questions for clarification. Display your willingness to improve.
· The moment you stop learning, you're dead.
· If you display irrational and unreceptive behavior to colleagues, and throw tantrums over minor issues, you may get noticed, however, that attention will more than likely not be positive.
· Be able to separate emotions from business, especially when it comes to reviews and criticism. Displaying anger or irritability demonstrates a lack of maturity that will hold you back.
Learning more about your personality and temperment can help you to improve your skills in the workplace, and develop a more rational approach to success. Check out sites that offer personality testing, such as Personality Pathways . Read up on communication skills, as well, and learn new ways of taking and giving feedback. Most importantly, keep an open mind, try new approaches, and never stop trying to improve!
How to Act Busy at Work
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During these times of economic uncertainty, many companies are looking for opportunities to tighten their corporate belts and eliminate any personnel they perceive to be under performing. Don't be one of those unfortunate employees! Armed with the right information, you can still be an unproductive idler and maintain your employment. Here are some tried and true tips to help you appear productive while remaining a sluggard.
1 - Keep your work area untidy. Whatever you do, don't be a neatnik. Everybody knows that an employee who has time to clean his or her work area doesn't have enough work to do and may be expendable. Keep a few printed graphs and spreadsheets strewn about your desk. One sheet (slightly crumpled) should be sitting at your feet - you were too busy to notice it fell. Scatter a few pens about and keep a notebook filled with illegible and meaningless notes nearby at all times. Having one or two empty coffee-stained styrofoam cups around will really finish the look.
2 - Stare at your monitor intently. Maintaining the appearance of intense concentration is key whether you're playing an online game, writing an eHow article or checking the value of your stock portfolio. Don't look up when co-workers pass by your cubicle. You're far too busy to be cordial. If the passerby is your boss, kick the act up a notch by furrowing your brow and letting out a subtle, yet audible sigh. If a co-worker stops by to talk shop, be sure that you act slightly startled to show that you've been jarred out of some deep cost savings analysis.
3 - If you have a telephone headset, wear it. You're obviously swamped handling customer calls if you can't even bother to remove that uncomfortable headset. How could someone question your diligence if you don't even care how silly you look with that thing on your head? This tip is also good for preventing the pop-in visit from co-workers you don't want like to speak to. When they walk in, just point to the headset and silently mouth the words, "Sorry, on a call." Shrug and look disappointed. They fall for it every time.
4 - If you must step away from your desk, always have work-related paperwork in your hands. As you're meandering the halls of your office to shoot the breeze, a report or invoice in your fist will give the appearance that you're investigating a troubling business truth. To the untrained eye, you're on a mission to the save the company money. Who is going to question that?
5 - Eat at your desk. Even if you just came back from a 2 hour lunch at Chili's, make sure you eat (or at least have) some food at your desk. An apple is great for this. Take one bite from it and leave it on your desk with the bitemark in plain view. Once it starts to brown, your cube mates will realize that you didn't pull yourself away from your work long enough to satisfy your most crucial of physical needs. You're obviously a key player and a keeper.
How to Update Your Resume without Getting Overwhelmed
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Whether you are looking for a new job or just want to bring your resume up to date. You should not get yourself overwhelm on where you should start. Below I have outlined some practical steps you can follow to simplify updating your resume.
Start at Bottom - Start by adding any new skills you may have acquired in your present job like computer programs, training, and even awards. These can be valuable qualifications for your next job.
Review your oldest job - Look at your earliest job and ask yourself if it’s still relevant. Remember that you want to try to keep your resume only one page long. If this job is old and not relevant to your updated resume, then remove it.
Review your current job- Any new job responsibilities, projects, promotions need be updated into your current job. Keep the update small to one or two bullet points. You can always elaborate on them during a job interview.
Update your resume format - You may want to go onto a job search website and review some of their sample resumes they have online. Your resume appearance may be outdated and you may want to update its look so that it will appear more attractive to employers.
Check Spelling and Grammar - Always check and double check your spelling, grammar and sentence structure. Your resume is a direct reflection on your writing abilities. Have someone else read your resume and critique it for you. A second opinion can only help and you may get some useful suggestions.
How to Join the Military
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Many people consider an enlistment in the military every year, and with the economy’s current state, it has become an option for many who may have never considered it before. The pay and benefits are among the best for recent high school and college graduates, as well as those who may initially lack the in-demand skills needed to be highly competitive in a growing job market.
At some point, you have probably heard stories about the military from someone you know, and more often than not, the stories tend to have quite a bit of embellishment. As a former military recruiter, I can tell you that there is a lot of misinformation passed around about the process and qualifications for enlisting. Let me give you the real scoop on how to go about enlisting in the military.
Shop the Services
Each branch of the military can actually have very different options, job opportunities and qualification requirements when it comes to enlisting. Check out each branch and see what they are offering. Don’t get hung up on perceptions from others about which service to join. The pay rates are the same for every branch and are based on rank and time of service. Quality of life is also very comparable with each branch offering excellent housing, recreation and support programs. One major difference between the services is their method for job selection. Make sure you understand what is guaranteed and what is not. Also, it is very important to note that any transaction that happens in a local recruiting office is non-binding. All contractual obligations take place at what is known as the Military Entrance Processing Station or MEPS for short.
Determine Your Qualifications to Join
Each service may vary slightly with their enlistment criteria, but the general requirements are very similar. The qualification categories fall into Moral (law violations), Physical (medical issues), Dependency (number of family members financially supported), Financial (debt) and Mental (HS diploma graduate and ability to pass entrance exam).
Generally, if a person has several major law violations such as two or more misdemeanors, or a felony charge, it can be difficult to join the military. It would require a waiver or exception to policy in that case, and is a long, drawn out series of statements and interviews to determine suitability. The days of “go to wear or go to jail” are a thing of the past as each military branch focuses on being a professional organization and not a rehabilitative one.
Medical issues are another major obstacle that causes many to fail at joining the military. An applicant must meet the stringent height and weight requirements for their age. This criterion is non-negotiable. Also, any major illness, surgery or injury requires medical documentation to be submitted by the applicant PRIOR to processing to determine medical suitability, followed by a full military physical. Applicants are also screened several times before enlistment for drug usage which is a disqualifier.
All applicants must meet the dependency eligibility criterion before being allowed to process for enlistment. This can vary between services, but four or more financially dependent family members are a disqualifier. Also, with the exception of the Reserves, a single parent with custody of any children is a disqualifier.
Finally, all applicants must take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB test in order to be eligible for enlistment. The minimum score varies from service to service, but most incentives such as bonuses and college money are available for scores of 50 and higher. A score below 31 on the ASVAB is currently disqualifying. Also, military applicants should have a high school diploma as a minimum education level. It is very popular for GED graduates to attempt to join the military, but GED’s are not accepted all of the time. Each service is only allowed a very small percentage of enlistments each year to fall into the GED category and the requirements on the entrance exam are also higher than that of a high school graduate.
There honestly is not a much better opportunity for young people today to gain financial stability, development of responsibility and valuable experience and knowledge, all while accruing better than average pay and benefits. Researching each service can be overwhelming at first with all of the programs available, but understanding the enlistment process and requirements can get you off on the right foot!
Many people consider an enlistment in the military every year, and with the economy’s current state, it has become an option for many who may have never considered it before. The pay and benefits are among the best for recent high school and college graduates, as well as those who may initially lack the in-demand skills needed to be highly competitive in a growing job market.
At some point, you have probably heard stories about the military from someone you know, and more often than not, the stories tend to have quite a bit of embellishment. As a former military recruiter, I can tell you that there is a lot of misinformation passed around about the process and qualifications for enlisting. Let me give you the real scoop on how to go about enlisting in the military.
Shop the Services
Each branch of the military can actually have very different options, job opportunities and qualification requirements when it comes to enlisting. Check out each branch and see what they are offering. Don’t get hung up on perceptions from others about which service to join. The pay rates are the same for every branch and are based on rank and time of service. Quality of life is also very comparable with each branch offering excellent housing, recreation and support programs. One major difference between the services is their method for job selection. Make sure you understand what is guaranteed and what is not. Also, it is very important to note that any transaction that happens in a local recruiting office is non-binding. All contractual obligations take place at what is known as the Military Entrance Processing Station or MEPS for short.
Determine Your Qualifications to Join
Each service may vary slightly with their enlistment criteria, but the general requirements are very similar. The qualification categories fall into Moral (law violations), Physical (medical issues), Dependency (number of family members financially supported), Financial (debt) and Mental (HS diploma graduate and ability to pass entrance exam).
Generally, if a person has several major law violations such as two or more misdemeanors, or a felony charge, it can be difficult to join the military. It would require a waiver or exception to policy in that case, and is a long, drawn out series of statements and interviews to determine suitability. The days of “go to wear or go to jail” are a thing of the past as each military branch focuses on being a professional organization and not a rehabilitative one.
Medical issues are another major obstacle that causes many to fail at joining the military. An applicant must meet the stringent height and weight requirements for their age. This criterion is non-negotiable. Also, any major illness, surgery or injury requires medical documentation to be submitted by the applicant PRIOR to processing to determine medical suitability, followed by a full military physical. Applicants are also screened several times before enlistment for drug usage which is a disqualifier.
All applicants must meet the dependency eligibility criterion before being allowed to process for enlistment. This can vary between services, but four or more financially dependent family members are a disqualifier. Also, with the exception of the Reserves, a single parent with custody of any children is a disqualifier.
Finally, all applicants must take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB test in order to be eligible for enlistment. The minimum score varies from service to service, but most incentives such as bonuses and college money are available for scores of 50 and higher. A score below 31 on the ASVAB is currently disqualifying. Also, military applicants should have a high school diploma as a minimum education level. It is very popular for GED graduates to attempt to join the military, but GED’s are not accepted all of the time. Each service is only allowed a very small percentage of enlistments each year to fall into the GED category and the requirements on the entrance exam are also higher than that of a high school graduate.
There honestly is not a much better opportunity for young people today to gain financial stability, development of responsibility and valuable experience and knowledge, all while accruing better than average pay and benefits. Researching each service can be overwhelming at first with all of the programs available, but understanding the enlistment process and requirements can get you off on the right foot!
Where to Search ALL Job Listings At Once
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With so many layoffs, there are thousands of people looking for employment, many of them returning to job searching for the first time in more than a decade. Job Hunting can be a frustrating and time-consuming task. Many of us look to the Internet to start the search, but with so many sites, job boards, and search engines out there, where's the best place to find a job? Try INDEED.com! Indeed is a simple job search engine, with a twist: it includes all listings from job boards like Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com, Craigslist.org, newspapers, and company career pages (Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Google, McDonalds). You can search by job type, location, or a variety of other criteria and then save your job search. All job listings show WHEN they were posted, and update frequently throughout the day. Indeed.com can also send you email alerts anytime a new job matching your search criteria is posted. Here's some tips on how to make Indeed work for you:
- Create a my.indeed account (it's free!). Once you've created an account you can save job searches, save job listings with notes, and create or manage email alerts.
- Start searching. The basic search boxes are setup to include two things: What and Where. Click on Advanced Search and you'll find you can add criteria such as the type of employment (part-time, full-time, internship) and salary requirements. Once you've entered all your criteria, click Find Jobs. You'll now see not only a list of all available jobs matching your search parameters, but look to the left side of the screen and check out the refinements! You can drill down even further by selecting one of the refinement categories.
- Now click on one of the jobs listed. The hyperlink will take you to the original posting where you can view additional job information or complete the steps to apply for that position. Every job you view is listed under the My Jobs tab on your account.
- To have job alerts sent to your email, click on the My Alerts tab and enter your criteria. Hint: If you want to set up an alert that only notifies you if a particular company posts a new job opportunity, in the What search box you would type 'company:Google' for example. You'd then only receive an email alert if Google posted a new job listing.
- Indeed.com also has other tools that can be of help in your search. Click on Job Trends and search for trends by company, keywords, or job title. The search info is returned in a 3-year graph. Or click on Tools, and get a Firefox job search plug-in, a Google homepage display, or a Windows Live gadget.
How to Get Paid for Photos, Pictures, Art and Images
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Free photo classes for anyone can be found at http://www.schoolofphotography.com and http://www.photographycourse.net
Alamy.com- Never changes your photos, user friendly website offers customer service team to help with questions and needs. You keep all copyright and edit controls of your pics and images.
Associated Content.com- Offers upfront payment and bonus incentives. Tracking system for each image's earnings. Network with others, including other media. They now offer performance bonusus to let you keep earning even after paying you upfront for images.
BigStockPhoto.com- Upload your images and artwork here for people to download and buy. They split portion of revenue with you. Pays their photographers by PayPal, Moneybookers and check.
CanStockPhoto.com- Allows members to to sell photos after you fill out application and they approve you as member. Easy process. On web since 2004.
iStockPhoto.com- Photographers must read a tutortial by clicking on "Upload file" link. You must take short test based on tutorial. You then have to upload 3 samples that are to be approved by their inspection team. Paid 20% royalties on this site. Read FAQ for more information.
Shutterstock.com- Web designers, magazine editors, and other graphic artists purchase monthly subscriptions to Shutterstock to download pictures. You upload your pictures and images and get paid .25 every time someone downloads your photo.
123rf.com- Anyone can submit and you earn 50% for every pic downloaded.
Dreamstime.com- Sell your stock images and get 50-80% from each sale you make. Join this new expansive photo community and reach new stock photography markets to sell your pictures and images.
FeaturePics.com- A great online community that encourages users to interact with each other. Users get paid 70% for all commissions.
PaidPictures.com- If you love to take good quality pictures and want to make moeny then this is the site for you. The provide you with all the informtiaon you need, the kind of pictures they need and the formats they need them in. Just take the pictures, e-mail them to PaidPictures and get paid. They need photographers from all around the world.
How to Get Paid Through Freelance Websites That Post Daily Jobs (exact Sites Listed)
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Deb's Ng's Freelance Writing Gigs -- http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com -- By far one of the best freelance writing job sites. Go here for more than just jobs, there is discussion, networking, blogging and a community of resources for all types of writers.
Work At Home Moms -- http://www.wahm.com -- This site is not just for moms, it is a lalapalooza of resources and information for everyone wanting to work at home, including daycare resources, articles and tons of telecommuting jobs. You can chat here and partake in message boards too.
ProBlogger JobBoard --- http://jobs.problogger.net/ --- This site has tons of jobs but they do disappear rapidly so you need to be quick. They have jobs in blogging, writing, web design
Gofreelance.com is a great site dedicated to (blurb from their site) bringing the following "writing and editing jobs web design and development projects medical and legal transcription jobs Internet research and email support work data entry and administration jobs programming and technical projects graphic design and illustration jobs wide range of telecommuting jobs" to people.
http://www.odesk.com --- odesk is not the same as the rest of the freelance job sites because you do not bid per project, you bid per hour. Employers can list the amount of hours/week and # of weeks they need out of a potential freelancer. You fill out a profile and go from there.
http://www.getafreelancer.com --- This site is bombarded with jobs that you bid on. There is a lot of competition and pay is low but it is a great place for beginners in freelancing. Sign up is free but they get paid $5 from your escrow if you get awarded the bid.
Guru --- http://www.guru.com --- This site is great but geared more to the professional freelancer. However, anyone can apply for jobs here. Their website is nice, clean and maintained very well. Projects pay very well and are on a large scale.
http://programmermeetdesigner.com/ --- writers, programmers, entrepreneurs, web designers, web developers all find each other on this very unique website to create wonderful, functioning websites!
See my blog at http://www.motormouthmandi.blogspot.com for a list of 30 websites.
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