Sunday, May 31, 2020

Did You Miss Your Calling in Life

Did You Miss Your Calling in Life The importance of pursuing meaningful work has received a lot of attention in the press in recent years. We want more from work than material benefits; we want our work to be personally rewarding. Meaningful work is that which has a purpose in the broader context of ones life, and may be done for personal fulfilment or the greater good and is associated with positive health, life, and job-related outcomes. Do you sometimes think that you missed your true calling in life? If so, it would be a good idea to do something about it, according to research published in the Journal of Vocational Behaviour. An unanswered calling leads to poorer life outcomes than having no vocation at all, and may even harm your health. We know that people who follow an occupational calling have better outcomes than those who don’t. But authors Michele Gazica and Paul Spector of the University of South Florida found those who had a calling that they never pursued were suffering as a result. This was based on Self-Determination Theory, which says that we are motivated to follow paths that lead us to be autonomous and competent within ‘our’ field, but the flipside of that is that we can be left frustrated when we feel we have fallen short. Working for a fulfilled life The researchers surveyed a sample of hundreds of participants, who were split into groups based on their responses: those with a higher sense of unanswered calling than the average, those with a higher sense of having answered their calling, and those with no strong sense of either. Participants provided feedback on a range of measures, and in terms of a fulfilled life-engagement with work, career commitment, and life satisfaction those who answered a vocation were better off than the no-calling group, who were still better off than those with an unanswered calling; this last group rated themselves as the least fulfilled. Those with an unanswered calling also rated themselves lowest in terms of physical stress symptoms and psychological distress. In health terms, therefore, the research suggests that it isn’t that a vocation helps you so much as that ignoring it hurts you. The authors of the study confirm that causality can’t be confirmed. In fact, there is reason to think that the perception of having another calling can be a consequence as well as a cause of unhappiness (the worst work period of your life might well be when you cast around for what you were really born to do). Mid-career rethink What should you do if you’re hearing the call of a new life and career? A mid-career rethink of the kind of work you want do, as well as who you want to work for, may mean transitioning to entrepreneurship from traditional employment. You can leverage your years of experience in a new entrepreneurial venture, or look for a role in a new field. The first question to ask is What holds meaning for me? If a new start is not possible, perhaps you can improve your situation by reshaping the job you have to include those aspects that really matter to you, or find a leisure activity that captures your passions. Traditional career paths are a thing of the past and we change jobs much more often these days, about once every four years, apparently; since most adults spend more than half their waking lives at work it is worth making the right choice. The idea that we have to choose a single career path and stick with it from start to finish is simply no longer true. For an agile approach to your career it helps if you commit to being a lifelong learner and continue to update your skills and knowledge to stay versatile, entrepreneurial, and competitive.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Top Resume Writing Services - Top Tips to Finding the Top Rated Resume Writing Services

Top Resume Writing Services - Top Tips to Finding the Top Rated Resume Writing ServicesThe best way to find the top rated resume writing services for your specific needs is to use the services of an employer research site. This is a job board where employers post jobs and then other companies post job listings on their sites.They will offer a listing of companies that will actually provide you with the resveratrol that you are looking for. The process is called referral marketing and most of the time it will allow you to get the resveratrol you want without actually paying for it.Top Resume Writing Services - Tip One: Determine if the company can actually provide you with the specific products you are looking for. This is very important if you do not want to end up wasting your money. If the company cannot provide the resveratrol that you need, then you do not need to waste your time or your money.Most of the companies that can provide the resveratrol that you need have a web site th at is filled with information on the product and all the different ways that you can use it. You can even get several free trials before you buy.A lot of the top rated resume writing services will actually offer all of this information for you so that you can make the best decision about buying the resveratrol. The fact that they can give you all of this information is a big sign that they are top rated resume writing services.Top Resume Writing Services - Tip Two: If you are going to pay for the resveratrol, you want to make sure that the company has very competitive prices. The best way to find out if they are actually charging what you think they are charging is to simply go ahead and try the service.The best resume writing services will be willing to work with you to help you find the resveratrol that you need without having to charge you so much. All you have to do is sign up and you will be able to begin working with the company.Top Resume Writing Services - Tip Three: When ch oosing a company to work with, choose one that offers you the resveratrol that you need in your body as well as in supplements. It is very important that you know what kind of results you will get because there are very few companies that have successfully helped customers in this way.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

7 Expert Things to Say in Your Cover Letter - Algrim.co

7 Expert Things to Say in Your Cover Letter - Algrim.co What should your cover letter say? The answer is simple but is going to take some time for you to think through. Effective cover letters often discuss a few points that propose why you are an effective candidate for the position. Carefully implementing these communication strategies into your cover letter can change your cover letter from a generic one to a highly targeted, opportunistic business letter. 7 Things to Say In Your Cover Letter An effective cover letter proposes these seven discussion points Your understanding of their business culture Propose the fact that you understand what their business values. Show the reader that you know their work ethic, their office culture values, and how they value their own work. Speak to that in the opening paragraph if you can. This will target your cover letter to the business and show you’re passionate about their business. Your willingness to relocate or travel If the job description mentioned travel, reinforce that you’re okay with travel. The frequent ask will be roughly 20% to 30% of your annual working hours that are committed toward travel. Speak to the fact that you’re okay with that. Reinforcing your ability to relocate can be an effective way to show passion for the business and supporting that your interest is in working with them, regardless of the geography. Your soft skills that are required for the job In the job description, employers often list not only requirements or duties of the job but desired skill sets. These skills are considered either hard skills (like knowing computer programming languages) or soft skills (like knowing how to motivate others). Speak to the soft skills that the job requires. Your previous work achievements What have you accomplished? What’s significant? What can you share that will make you stand out as a candidate as well as show that you know how to perform the job to the nth degree? Share bullet points of your achievements as a way to support this idea to the reader. Use anywhere from three to four impactful bullet points from any previous job experience that speaks to your ability to perform both the job and within the company. Personalize your letter Don’t say “To Whom It May Concern” when you address the cover letter. Instead, speak to the manager of the department you’re applying for or speak to the hiring manager if you can find their name through the job posting online or through LinkedIn. If you don’t know the managers name or the hiring managers name, personalize the letter by speaking to the CEO: “Dear Mr. Smith”. If you don’t feel comfortable with that approach then use a backup like “Dear Hiring Team” or something more unique than “To Whom It May Concern.” Speak to the job requirements Reiterate the fact that you comprehend the job requirements and the type of work environment that is conducive to the success that you can create. For example, a teacher. Their cover letter should speak to what makes their in-class experience unique. If you didn’t find the job through the job posting, perform a Google search using the company name and the job title to find the online listing. This can be a great way to target talking points for your resume, cover letter, and future interview. Mention why you’re unique If you followed all of the rules above, you’ll stand out. But how can you stand out even more? Share something insightful about yourself. Is it an educational achievement? A club that you’re part of? A unique fact? Personalize your letter by sharing something that’s going to be attractive to the employer as well as make them smile. Bonus: Speak to company goals A Google search for the company might show recent news, press releases, earnings reports, or other facts that can help you learn about what the company is valuing this year or this quarter. You can use that information to better target your cover letter in a way that proposes what you might be able to bring to the job function as well as to the company. Learn which products, services, or goals the company has. Then try to support your ability to perform against those goals.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Keeping Up Appearances in Interviews

Keeping Up Appearances in Interviews How many articles or blogs have you read about how your appearance can affect the outcome of a job interview? I can answer that…too many. We all know what to wear to an interview, and what not to wear. We know about proper grooming and hygiene habits, and how first impressions last. But recently, I came across slides from a webinar entitled The Ballad of Ken and Barbie: Why We’re Destined to Commit False Positives when Hiring  that shed light on some surprising information about job seekers’ appearances. Looks do count in the workplace I was not surprised to read that the better looking you are, the better you fare in the workplace. According to this webinar, studies have shown that the more attractive you are, the more likely positive skills and behavioral traits will be applied to you in an employment setting. Surprisingly, men are actually more at risk of this bias than women. Not only do employees and hiring managers of the opposite sex often discriminate in favor of attractive coworkers or job seekers, but employees and managers of the same sex will often discriminate against the “beautiful people.” Taller employees earn more What I was most surprised to learn is the specific monetary losses that can be attributed to those who are, well, not physically gifted. Ever been self-conscious about your height? On the average, taller employees earn an average of $789 more per year, per inch of height than their shorter coworkers.  As you may guess, however, this is definitely gender-biased, as most men do not prefer women who are taller than they are. Overweight employees Overweight employees stand to suffer the most financial loss due to discrimination in the workplace. And unlike general attractiveness, this bias tends to affect women more than men. According to Forbes.com, 74.1% of US residents and 63.8% of UK residents are overweight. However, despite the numbers being in favor of the overweight, the average female employee suffering from obesity stands to earn 6.2% less in her lifetime than a slender coworker with the equivalent qualifications. Similarly, an obese male employee can expect to earn 2.3% less. On the average, 64 extra pounds of body weight results in a 9% drop in pay over one’s lifetime. Concerns over health issues Aside from the issue of appearance, employers may discriminate against overweight job seekers due to concerns regarding health issues that could lead to frequent absences and costly medical claims. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reported that obese employees’ medical claims costs were seven times higher and indemnity claims costs were 11 times higher than their thinner coworkers. Additionally, heavier employees filed twice as many workers’ compensation claims and missed 13 times as many workdays as normal-weight employees. Candidates looking older than they are And what about ageism in the workplace? Is this solely attributable to companies not wanting to pay more for experience? Not likely. With the advent of social media, smart phones and apps for every conceivable purpose, companies want to appear youthful, vibrant and cutting-edge. In an online survey conducted by Newsweek, 84% of hiring managers said they believe some bosses would hesitate before hiring a qualified job candidate who looked much older than his or her coworkers. In fact, in the same survey, when hiring managers were asked to rate nine character attributes from one to 10 (with 10 being the most important), a candidate’s looks scored a 7.1, even higher than education, which scored a 6.8. Conclusion Unfortunately, there is little we can do to combat society’s fixation with looks. In today’s world, where the music charts are ruled by beautiful singers whose vocals are auto-tuned to hide their lack of musical ability, and TV networks are inundated with attractive yet talentless reality show stars, it seems that our desire to keep company with the beautiful people is not going away any time soon. But for those who have felt their frustration grow throughout this article, there is some comfort…physical beauty doesn’t last forever. It’s a revolving door, and while the public’s fascination with looks may be here to stay, the same people will not always be able to take advantage of it. Knowledge and experience, however, last forever. For those who have enjoyed the advantages of having the tables turned in their favor due to their appearance, they are faced with the frustration of being rewarded for something superficial rather than their ability, qualifications and hard work. In the end, when it comes to discrimination in the workplace, even the winners lose. Image: Shutterstock

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Do You Need Help Writing Your First Resume?

Do You Need Help Writing Your First Resume?You may be wondering if you need help writing your first resume. You may be working on your own but not sure how to start. Knowing that you do not know how to write a resume will make it that much more difficult for you to find the information you need to put together the perfect resume.Fortunately, if you know where to look you can easily find the answers to all of your questions. By simply taking the time to learn more about what type of resume to use and where to find it you will be well on your way to learning how to write your first resume.What should you write on your resume? The answer to this question is a little bit different for every person, so you need to think carefully about what you need to include on your resume.If you are self-employed, the most important aspect of your resume will likely be the skills you have acquired over the years in order to be able to provide the services that you are providing. Be specific in your ski lls and experience. Being specific about your job or industry will help you get hired and will also help you get the job you want.If you are employed by a company, you may also need to list your skills or education that relates to their business. Some of the skills that you can add to your resume are customer service skills, customer loyalty, customer satisfaction, or any other skills related to the company you are working for. Knowing what skills you can include on your resume will help you to see what information you should add and what you do not need to include.When you are searching for information, you may also need to take a look at the resources that are available to you. You will want to visit the library or bookstore and look through a book on resume writing. You will find that there are plenty of books available that are focused on writing resumes.If you feel like you are having trouble coming up with the answers to any of your questions when it comes to the resume that y ou are going to need to go through, you should seriously consider hiring someone to help you. Professional writers are extremely skilled in coming up with the perfect resume for a variety of people who want to write their own.Finding someone to help you is as easy as a search online. Simply find a company that offers this service and sign up with them to see what they can do for you. You will find that they will help you learn more about writing a resume, gain more confidence in your abilities, and help you create a resume that will get you the interview you have been waiting for.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Some Simple Tips for Writing a Resume For a Chemical Engineering Internship

Some Simple Tips for Writing a Resume For a Chemical Engineering InternshipWriting a resume for a chemical engineering internship isn't an easy task. While there are a lot of similarities to the college application, it is necessary to convey the important information in the proper manner.At the time of applying for the internship, you have to provide details about your academic and industrial experience. The details included here include your academic background, list of course work completed, the type of work that you've done, what has been your favorite subject in school, your hobbies, special interests, current employers, educational courses you have already taken and any internships you have taken before applying for the internship. Also included here is any achievements that you have done while at the college level or while you were attending a technical school.It is important to highlight these points because, it will be the first thing your potential employer will see on your resume. Also, you need to emphasize that the level of education that you attained while in college was accomplished while taking courses from a recognized university. When it comes to specific courses that you have completed, mention those courses in all of your essay. If you have done other works and projects during the academic year, these should also be mentioned here.If you are going to be completing an internship within the next two to three months, be sure to give details about the position that you have applied for and about the duration of the chemical engineering internship. Include your complete name and present address as well as the title of the program in which you have applied for. Provide a brief description of the job duties of the position in which you have applied. Do not forget to write down a call number and/or a physical address for the position you have applied for.In order to get your application considered for an interview for a chemical engineering internshi p, you have to put some effort into preparing for it. Make sure that you go through your academic records and other records. Create a detailed list of all the subjects that you have successfully completed. Be sure to mention in your resume that you have also completed classes and courses that can be transferred over to the internship program.Always include your present addresses and call numbers on your resume. You may also want to create a list of all the contact persons that you have had during your previous college and/or vocational training programs. Also, be sure to include in your resume with the names of the other people who you have worked with throughout your academic and/or industrial experiences. This includes your professors, instructors, employers, fellow students, and anyone else who is important to your experience.Before you submit your resume, make sure that you have gathered all the necessary information regarding your educational background and all the important de tails that will help to provide additional insight to your resume. There should be a bio section where you can list any previous experiences that are of interest to your potential employer. Include a sample of your essay in this section as well as your contact information and any photographs that you have taken throughout your academic career.When submitting your resume for a chemical engineering internship, you need to remember that this process is a long one and can take some time to complete. So, be sure to take every minute that you can to write a stellar one!

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Gentle Monster Sunglasses Review - Cubicle Chic

Gentle Monster Sunglasses Review - Cubicle Chic Gentle Monster Sunglasses Review Home Life, Lifestyle April 20, 2016 0 CommentsHello. My name is Jessica, and I’m addicted to sunglasses.I’d like to think that a lot of you can relate to the above statement.  It also doesn’t make it easier that I live in sunny Southern California, where I’m in my car a lot and whenever I drive, I have to have my shades on.  Over the years, I’ve collected many, and I mean many sunglasses,  mostly of the designer breed.So, imagine my surprise when I saw Gentle Monster sunglasses for the first time in 2014. I was honestly like….are those Dior, Karen Walker, Tom Fords, or Oliver Peoples?! It turned out to be a brand new brand from South Korea that has since then taken over the fashion scene by a storm. And not only do that make amazing sunglasses, their retail stores are half product display platforms and half art gallery. They actually just opened their first U.S. store recently in New York. Also, see One Modern Couple‘s experiencing browsing/shopping at their South Kore an store in Gangnam.    Gentle Monster’s pop-up space at Opening Ceremony. Photo: Courtesy of Gentle MonsterAnyhow, read on to see me experimenting with and reviewing 4 different pairs of Gentle Monster sunglasses. (Note: This is not a sponsored post; all opinions are mine. Also, my opinion about fit is obviously only for people with Asian features.) PS. CLICK ON PHOTOS TO GET “WHERE CAN I BUY THIS” INFO!First up: Gentle Monster 56MM Round SunglassesThis style is very quintessential Gentle Monster, in my opinion. They’re totally statement-looking, something that is instantly recognizable. The pattern is a light tortoise kind of print, which is SO chic and timeless.One thing I will say about this pair is that they’re heavy, as many Gentle Monster pieces are. So if the nose piece doesn’t hug your nose bridge, they WILL slide. And unfortunately, that’s what this pair does on my face. So as beautiful and fashionable as they look on me, this one’s gotta go.Secondly: Gentl e Monster 56mm Retro SunglassesThese mirrored sunglasses are SO in, and just instantly adds edginess to your ensemble. They’re also conducive to cutting off eye contac, if that’s something you want to avoid. So these are perfect when you’re traveling through airports and just want to be left alone. Hence a lot of celebrities opt for sunglasses like these.For me, these have kind of the same problem as the 56mm Round sunglasses above â€" the nose piece doesn’t fit perfectly, and as a result, they tend to slide a bit. These aren’t as heavy as the first pair so they stay in place just a tad better. But in the end  I couldn’t keep something that aren’t 100% comfortable. So they have to go too.Third time is the charm: Gentle Monster 52mm SunglassesIt’s funny.  I can see the difference in the way I feel about this pair completely reflected in my smile. It’s a more confident and comfortable smile. And yes… these were THE ONE. They’re light, comfortable, hug my nose br idge like they are a match made in heaven. This pair has the understated but undeniable chicness like all the other pairs do, but they are the right size and weight for my face. I can already see myself wearing and over-wearing them.Fourth/Lastly: Gentle Monster Sunglasses purchased on PoshmarkThese guys are probably a slightly older model, and I can’t find them online anywhere, anymore. I have a link for you to see all the Gentle Monster sunglasses available on Poshmark (there are 15+ pairs available). In my opinion, sunglasses are one of the best things to buy used, especially when it comes to designer sunnies. Of course this is assuming you can find ones that are kept in great condition, and where sellers are willing to provide you with a lot of descriptions. Poshmark happens to be such a place!If you go to the link I provided, you will see that this pair is actually in the line up of sunglasses being on sale. The reason is again, the fit.So, what do you think?Leave me a commen t about which pair you’ve tried on, and which pair you’re itching to try! Lastly, I will leave you with the impeccable and ridiculously luxurious packaging that Gentle Monster provides for each and every pair of their sunglasses. I am simply speechless.

Friday, May 8, 2020

How to Talk About Yourself During an Interview

How to Talk About Yourself During an Interview Picture this: You’ve landed an interview for your dream position and have spent countless hours reviewing for it. Company history, job qualifications, salary negotiations â€" you’ve prepped for it all. The interviewer takes a seat, relaxes and asks nonchalantly, “So, tell me about yourself.” You freeze like a deer in headlights. What do you talk about? Your family? No, they’d probably be bored by that. Your education? But they’ve already seen your resume and portfolio. “UmUhh…Well,” you stutter. Relax! Take a deep breath. This is the number one question asked by interviewers, and it’s an easy one. After all, who knows more about you than you? You’re being asked this because the interviewer wants to get to know you and to see if you’re a fit for the position and company. Now’s your chance to give them a picture of the person behind the resume. Here’s how: The Don’ts When you are faced with this seemingly daunting question, here are three things you don’t want to do: Asking the question, “What do you want to know?” Don’t let this dreaded phrase pass your lips. Asking what the interviewer wants to know will give the impression that you didn’t prepare for this interview at all. They just said they wanted to know more about you. Remember, you’re here to sell yourself. An easy way to turn off an interviewer is to tell them every mundane detail about your life and hobbies. They aren’t particularly interested in what you did last weekend or how many pets you have. After all, research shows that 48% of employers will do online research on candidates. Keep your answer focused on your education and professional life. Along with oversharing, rambling will make your interviewer dismiss you as a candidate pretty quickly. Being anxious during an interview is normal. In fact, 92% of adults suffer from interview-related anxiety. But don’t let this show in your speech. Rambling shows that you are unprepared and don’t act well under pressure. Your response should be clear and structured, so the interviewer isn’t left wondering what you were talking about. The average interview lasts 40 minutes, and it would be unwise to spend all that time talking about things other than the job. The Do’s Here are three things you can do to ensure your response to the question earns your interviewer’s seal of approval: Tell a story. A good way to engage the interviewer when talking about yourself is to use the Present-Past-Future formula as a framework. Begin by talking about your present situation and occupation. After that, talk about past experiences, like what lead you into your field. Consider picking one skill in your field that you excel at and emphasize how you got so good at it. End by addressing the future by giving the interviewer some information about your impressions of the company and why the job is such a great opportunity and fit for you. You don’t need to give them your whole life story, but be sure to touch on these three points. Keep it simple. Once you start talking about yourself, it’s easy to fall into the trap of elaborating too much. Your goal is to give the interviewer the information they’re looking for as concisely as possible. When talking about previous jobs and experience, be brief, and only highlight elements that are relevant to the position. Avoid talking about your five-year plan as well, unless the interviewer specifically asks about it. If your plan doesn’t jive with the job, chances are, you will be passed over for the position. The company won’t want to hire someone they’ll have to replace in five years. Focus on what they want to know. Yes, they want to get to know you. But they don’t want to get to know your entire life. Just what interests them, which is what you can contribute to the team, what you’ve accomplished and that you’re qualified to do this job. Think of it like a movie preview â€" give them just enough to pique their interest and provide a storyline without going too much into the details. Leverage your elevator pitch. If all else fails and you still draw a blank during your interview, you can piggyback off your elevator pitch. The goal is to keep it under two minutes. Start by identifying your goal(s), explain your career focus and bring up what makes you unique. Tie it together by flipping the conversation to the interviewer. Ask them a question related to your pitch or the job, like “How can someone with my experience fit into your organization?” Want more help crafting your pitch? UC Davis offers a great worksheet to help you work through the process of developing an elevator pitch. Oh, and one last thing: Do it quickly  because 33% of interviewers know within the first 90 seconds whether they’ll hire you or not. No pressure. Stick to these tips, and you should be able to ace this question with no problem. Just keep your answer simple and engaging â€" and remember to practice, practice, practice! Have any other tips for how to nail this question in an interview? Share them with us in the comments! While you’re here, be sure to subscribe to the PC newsletter for more interview tips!