How to Turn Down Work Invites You Cant Afford - The Muse

How to Turn Down Work Invites You Cant Afford - The MuseHow to Turn Down Work Invites You Cant Afford The company budget for recreational activities is limited, to say the least. Theres the annual holiday party and the yearly department lunch, but thats literally where the buck stops. But thats not where your team stops socializing. In fact, youve never worked at a place where hanging out with colleagues was so standard- and fun. Unfortunately, as much as youd like to join the crew for the standing Thursday happy hour or participate in the organizations sporting events, its simply not realistic based on your own limited budget.While honesty is typically the best policy, its understandable that you might be reluctant to be 100% truthful about your situation- though, to be sure, you have no reason to be embarrassed. After all, who knows if Jocelyn from IT is racking up credit card debt with each lunch invitation she accepts. Still, assuming youd rather not get into the nitty-gritty details of why you cant afford to go out with the group, here are three pain-free options for declining1. Blame Your Absence on Another CommitmentPeople are busy. Thats going to come as a surprise to exactly no one. Its natural that youd want to spend time socializing with friends you dont see every day. Regardless if its a weekday lunch with folks from the marketing team or an invitation to check out Larrys band playing at a bar with a $15 cover charge, youre so sorry, youd love to, but youve got something else going on. Maybe next time.You dont actually have to go into details about why youre declining. Simply sayUgh, my life is crazy right now Im bummed I cant make it, but one of these days, I swear things are going to settle down2. Suggest a (Cheaper) AlternativeIf the thought of spending $10 on a single glass of wine has you perspiring, but youre also experiencing FOMO, consider seeing if your team is up for splitting a bottle in the office kitchen or in a conference room. Thi s way, you dont seem anti-social, and you also save big bucks over time if this becomes a regular thing.You might say this the next time the group starts making plans to go outOh, that place is always so crowded, and I have to get home for the dog, so Id rather not venture too far. What if we grabbed a bottle or a six-pack and found a chill spot in the office to hang out for a bit? I should probably finish up a couple of things here anyway, and I know I wont do that if I leave the building. Have a drink with me and then head out. 3. Say Youre Focused on Your SavingAnd that every little bit counts. Just as people understand that everyones busy, they also generally understand that financial situations vary by a great degree. You dont have to get into your mounting bills, nor do you have to discuss the finer points of your student loan debt or the fact that, at this stage in time, youve allotted just $75 toward recreational use each month, and youve already spent $63.50 with a week to go.Keep it casual Ive been wanting to try that Korean spot too But, sadly, Ill have to pass. Im making an effort to bring my lunch so I can be more spend-y elsewhere. Cant wait to get the full report thoughA caveat though If you actually do want to join in on the fun with your co-workers, consider putting aside enough for one lunch or one drink out every other month, so you dont always say no, and you dont run the risk of becoming a social hermit. Most of us, if we really try, can scrounge up a few extra dollars here or there by cutting something else out. Do you, for example, have a strong sense of the little ways your daily spending habits might be costing you? Here are seven to be aware of. If your relationships with your colleagues matter to you (and youre tired of being the broke guy or girl all the time), take a closer look at your habits and see if you can find a way to a put a little toward hanging out with your co-workers.

5 ways to be more impressive in meetings

5 ways to be mora impressive in meetings5 ways to be mora impressive in meetingsIt can be difficult to communicate clearly with team members in the geschftszimmer when yourehaving a particularly rough morning, or if you work in an environment where you dont feel supported.Here are five things getting in the way of your open dialogue and how to fix them.Seek psychological safetyStress from an old job can follow you, and if you dont clear those old patterns, youll bring fear to every interaction.Nat Dudley had to fight baggage from a toxic workplace that followed her once she was in a job she loved. In a recent Medium post, Dudley talked about her post-traumatic stress disorder from the experience, saying that not everyone will be affected to that level, but urges readers who think they might have it to seek medical help.Fast-forward a year, and thereve been many more things that have surprised me about the lingering impacts of toxic workplaces. Like emerging from an abusive relationsh ip, I discovered that Id internalized many lessons on interacting and communicating that dont apply in a healthy environment. Most of these were driven by fear fear of being yelled at, fear of argument culture, fear of punishment if youve misunderstood or didnt perfectly follow instructions, fear of social ostracism, fear of judgment for not knowing all the answers, Dudley wrote.Earlier in the post, she mentions that her toxic workplace was lacking in psychological safety, and linked toa Google article about ways to build successful team at Google, which also explains the concept- being comfortable enough to take risks in the company of your coworkers.The companyfound that individuals on teams with higher psychological safety are less likely to leave Google, theyre more likely to harness the power of diverse ideas from their teammates, they bring in more revenue, and theyre rated as effective twice as often by executives.How do you get psychological safety? Mainly, see meetings not as a gladiatorial fight to the death, but as a way to communicate better with coworkers and create alliances. Read the room and make sure that youre speaking at the right times and with the right tone and ideas. If possible, use the buddy system and have at least one person who is supportive of you there.You can easily fight your feeling of dreadIts natural to be nervous before a major presentation - and its even worse if you struggle with anxiety - but there are concrete steps you can take to improve the situation.Its key to go clear your mind and go fresh into every meeting, without the baggage of expecting to be treated badly or what happened yesterday or last month.To clear your mind, you can meditate or write a list of your fears and then, next to them, write why theyre unlikely to come true or what specific actions you can take to fight them.As Mr. Rogers used to say, look for the helpers somewhere around the table there is an ally. Back each other up.Work on your confidenc eConfidence isnt a magic spell or a secret that only some people have. Anyone can have it.Erica Gellerman writes about improving yourself in small steps as a way to gain confidence in the office in a 2016 Forbes article.For example, if youre trying to become a more confident public speaker, dont feel the need to jump in and deliver a town hall speech. Instead, look for small ways to make progress that dont completely overwhelm you. You could start by first making a concerted effort to speak up in team meetings. You could then begin running group meetings and start presenting in front of larger and larger audiences, Gellerman writes.Above all, work on your posture, which goes a long way to telegraphing confidence. Hold your back straight and your shoulders squared, and look people in the eye when youre speaking.Ask for honest feedback from people you trust afterwardsSheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer of Facebook, knows successful people when she sees them by using one crite rion they take feedback well,without taking critiques as a personal attack on themselves. Sandberg, an aficionado of radical candor, is not afraid to bluntly tell employees when they are making themselves sound stupidif theyre not getting the hint.Every managers nightmare - and the reason many talented people dont get promoted - is that they get hintermannschaft or resistant to even neutral feedback. That caps their potential growth, limits how well they can perform because theyre resistant to improvement, and forces people to walk on eggshells around them to avoid confrontations.While not every manager or peer is good at feedback, its important to find ones who are, and ask them how you did in meetings. Then - and this is important - take the advice.Project your voice and sound steadyCommunicating your ideas will be difficult if you dont speak up. Often, people kill their chances of being impressive in meetings by muttering or speaking tentatively. Theres no need to be overbear ing or give speeches, but your voice should reflect a calm, steady, strong commitment to your ideas.Tim Enalls, founder of IdeaGenius.com, answered the Quora question, how can I become more articulate in my everyday speech? in a 2015 Slate article.One of his tips was on voice projection You should be capable of talking with enough intensity so that anyone whos 15-20 feet away can clearly understand you. Practice talking at this intensity so that people can clearly understand you and follow what youre saying, thereby drawing favorable attention to yourself.There are ways to start communicating more clearly at work, even if youre not in the best state of mind.

Job Interview Tips for Recent College Grads

Job Interview Tips for Recent College GradsJob Interview Tips for Recent College GradsWhen youre a recent college graduate bewerbungsinterviewing can be a challenge, especially if you havent interviewed much. Thats especially true when youre interviewing for entry-level jobs because, in general, its a level playing field with all candidates having the same basic qualifications. However, there are ways to prepare for an interview so you can stand out from the crowd of entry-level candidates and make the best impression on the interviewer. The more you prepare by practicing your interview skills, researching the company, being able to show why youre qualified, and by following up after the interview - the better chance youll get at securing a second interview anda job offer. Here are tips for acing an interview for college students and recent graduates from Mike Profita, director of career services at Skidmore College for 25 years and college career expert. Top College Grad Job Inte rview Tips Analyze Your Target Job. What skills, knowledge, and personal qualities are required by the employer and are critical for success in that role? Do you have theskill set the employer is landseeking or, at the least, are you a close match for the job?Hereshow to match your qualifications to the job. Make a List of Your Key Assets. Be prepared to share 7- 10 key assets, like skills, course projects, experiences, personal qualities, and knowledge bases, which will enable you to make a solid contribution in that role if you were to be hired. Share Examples. For each of those assets be prepared to share an example or anecdote which shows how you used that strength to complete an academic project or successfully carry out a work or co-curricular role. Sharing real life examples will help you show the interviewer that youre qualified for the position. Show Enthusiasm. Be ready to articulate why you are interested in the target job/organization, how it relates to your goals. Show enthusiasm during the interview for the job. Try to stay positive during the interview, even if youre stressed and nervous. Practice Interviewing. Review common interview questions and think about how you would respond. Practice your responses with advisers and use the interview preparation modules offered by the career office at your college. The more you practice, the more comfortable youll be during job interviews. Conduct Informational Interviews. Conduct informational interviews with college alumni who work in your target field. Find out key trends and what it takes to be a success. Research the Company. Research your target organization. Learn about their challenges and accomplishments. Read the press releases on their website. Look for articles in the business press evaluating the progress of the organization. Search Google and social media for news about the organization. Pay Attention to Your Body Language. During the interview watch your body language shake hands firmly, make eye contact as you articulate your points, and sit up straight. Listen to the Interview Questions. Listen carefully before you respond to questions, ask for clarification if you are uncertain about the focus of a query. Its fine to take a few moments to frame your response. Be Ready to Ask Questions. Be prepared to ask questions about the job that reflect your genuine interest and build on the research you have done about the position. Review this list of the best questions to ask during a job interview. Summarize Why the Job is a Fit. Towards the end of the interview if you are still interested in the job, let the recruiter know that you think the job is an excellent fit (summarize briefly why) and that you are highly interested. Dont Forget to Say Thank You. Make sure you get the contact information for your interviewer and send a follow-up email or letter as soon as possible after the meeting. In addition to thanking them, reference anything which they said that enhanced you r interest and briefly summarize why you think the job is an excellent match. Its Fine to Follow Up. If you dont hear back right away, its appropriate to follow up on the status of your application by phone or via email.? Heres the best way to send a follow up email or make a phone callto see if youre still in contention for the job.

How to Find a Job This January

How to Find a Job This JanuaryHow to Find a Job This JanuaryIts January 1, and if you havent already, now is the time to get into serious job-hunting mode. With everybody going back to work, lets go over 3 simple steps you can take now in order to execute your job search with 100% precision.Dont Just Dive InThe job boards can make you think theyre just a sea of opportunities. However, instead of diving into this unruly ocean in which you most assuredly will get s-lost fast wade into the water slowly, with a plan.The plan centers on identifying companies you want to work for leid necessarily just individual listings. I know that research can seem like a time-consuming concept, but it doesnt have to be. In fact, we can even dial back the term research and instead just call it preferences.What do you prefer? This is not objective its subjective. Therefore, initially, go with your gut instinct. Brainstorm. What companies are within a commutable distance from your home? What industries are growing fast where you live? What types of companies have you worked for in the past that you liked?Then, take that list and get socialMake Sense of Your Social MediaThe primary online portal to use for job search is LinkedIn, but only if you make your LinkedIn usage something that makes sense. When you log on every day, who and what is in your news feed? If its random, its wrong, so lets change it.Think of LinkedIn the same way you think of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You dont log on and see everyone on the globe. You see the people you chose. Apply that same concept to LinkedIn. On this social media platform, the people you choose to see need to be recruiters, human resources specialists, and functional decision makers at the companies you put on your list.Invite those people to connect. Customize your invitation to express a logical reason why youre reaching out to that person specifically. If, after a few days, the person has not accepted your invitation, go back to t heir profile and click on follow. If youre either connected or following, the persons in your news feed. That means you have the opportunity to see what theyre posting, and if theyre posting about either jobs or organizational growth, jump into the conversation theyre having and make yourself known.Split Your Resume Into 2Two resumes are ideal, but not for the reasons that you may have always thought. Instead of having a resume for one objective, then a second resume for a second objective, concentrate on your primary goal and split your resume into two.One resume is your traditional presentation. The other is a 1-page resume with some unique information at the end. The way you get it onto 1 page is to delete much of the text regarding your duties and accomplishments no ones reading all of that on this version. Give people your expertise, chronology, education, and certifications.At the end, present your list of companies youre interested in. Make a statement about the job titles o f the people you need to connect with. Then, use that resume for networking. With this tool, the person on the receiving end gets a glimpse of what you do and where youve worked, plus much more importantly they know where youre looking to go and who you may need to speak to about your next role.With this method, your networking takes on a distinct purpose. Youre prompting the other persons memory. When they see youre ideally interested in connecting with the Director of Operations or VP of Operations at Companies A, B, C, and D, they can quickly go through their mental Rolodex to see if they know any of the folks you need to know.Landing a job in a matter of weeks is about skipping the nonsense of applying for hundreds of roles hither and yon all over the internet. You dont have to resort to networking like everybody else, trying to reach out to a bunch of random stranger for reasons that appear unclear to them. In our free job search training, How Land Your Dream Job in 8 Weeks o r Less I show you the exact steps successful jobseekers made, plus exactly what they said to the relevant people, in order to get hired. This was despite being overqualified, it being holiday time, or them not having degrees. You can do the same thing. Join us in the free job search training to see how.

Why People Hate Advertising so Much

Why People Hate Advertising so MuchWhy People Hate Advertising so MuchLets face it, advertising is often annoying. Its designed to be. Advertising is bedrngnis supposed to blend in or be ignored. It is supposed to shout at you, grabbing your attention in the BEST way (most clearly do not) in order for you to make a good association with the product or service on offer. If you really like it, you may just go on to purchase it. However, all too often, advertising doesnt do its job very well. It either goes completely under the radar, selling nothing, or it hits you in the face like a frying pan in an old Tom and Jerry cartoon. Those are the ads were focusing on here today. Not specific ads, but the content used in them over and over again that rubs you all the wrong way. When behauptung kinds of ads come on, you quickly change the channel, curse under your breath, or punch a hole in the magazine. Is one of your advertising pet peeves on the list? 1. Top of the Line Car and Base Pric e Although its perfectly legitimate for advertisers to misrepresent cars in this way, it is somewhat misleading. 99% of these ads show the absolute best model you can possibly buy, with the lowest possible price listed next to it. Like a top of the range Honda Accord, with the price of the base model listed. It will say something like From just $26,569 but in the fine print it will say Model Shown $38,751. Those are random numbers, but you get the point. Very shady. Very annoying. Its legal, but you hate it, and rightly so. When you walk into the showroom, you are immediately disappointed with what you can actually afford. 2. Oh Those Neverending Medication Side Effects To be honest, medication shouldnt be advertised at all. Its outrageous that the lobbyists got this one through. Only your doctor should be telling you what to take. But anyway, now that there are ads for medicines, there are disclaimers. Oh boy, are there disclaimers. And they go on and on and on and on and on. Usually, they last longer than the benefits part of the ad and include side effects so awful, youd be better off with the disease. The sooner these ads get banned, the better. 3. Fake Husband Wife Scenarios fruchtwein advertising is fake anyway. But those poor actors that have to represent married couples, they top the list of unrealistic scenarios. Either the husband is a moron, the wife is constantly worried about cleanliness, or theyre both asking each other insanely dumb questions. Hey honey, did you know Cereal X is not only good for my digestion, but its also good for my heart too? Of course silly, thats why I bought you two boxes. Its also good for my purse. They both laugh heartily. In what world is this a reality? In fact, it parodied to perfection in The Truman Show, with Trumans wife offering to fix him some new Mococoa drink. All natural cocoa beans from the upper slops of Mount Nicaragua, no artificial sweeteners Trumans response, What the hell are you talking abo ut? Who are you talking to? 4. Making Food Look Insanely Delicious To be fair, there are laws about this. An advertiser or brand cannot do anything to blatantly falsify the product. They must work with the actual food being sold. BUT they can work with the best of the product, and spend hours making it look beautiful. For instance, if making a burger, they will get a food stylist to select the best bun, slice the best tomatoes, and cook a burger to perfection. They will spend a lot of time assembling it, adding just the right ketchup drips, and putting it in the best light. Its a thing of beauty that can take hours. On reflection, your average fast food burger flip has about 20 seconds a best to assemble yours. But, its leise annoying to compare the picture to the sad reality in your hand. Ask Michael Douglas. 5. Those Not-So-Adorable Talking Babies Once, for about five minutes, they were cool. That quickly turned into forgettable. Then annoying. Then really annoying. Then please come back Mr. Charmin, all is forgiven Talking babies advertising finances, cars, insurance or anything else for grown-ups is bad enough. When its for baby products, its a stunning lack of original thinking. What next? Talking dogs for pet food? 6. Those Misspelled Words. Sorry, Wurdz Once it was a sign of rebellion. The brands are so cool, they dont even have to follow the laws of grammar. Now, everyones doing it, and its getting really annoying to people. Brands are adding letters, substituting others, and dropping some altogether. And with so many web domains taken, brands are trying to get creative. An ad on the radio for something called borrow dot com was actually spelled Borro.com. When you have to spell it out in the ad, youre working too hard. In fact, the radical move these days would be to spell everything correctly. 7. Blatant Product Placement Everyone freely admits that product tischordnung happens in the entertainment world, and they understand it helps pay for some of the high costs of the productions. But theres a clear difference between a movie or show using a certain brand of car, compared to one that has a huge focus on it. Who can forget the Texaco scenes in Back To The Future parts one and two? The moral here for advertisers is, do it if you mustbut do it with more subtlety. 8. Very Loud Advertising Youre watching a TV show set on 40% volume, an ad comes on at 90% and makes your ears bleed. This is not a convincing argument for a floor cleaner or bottle of pop. Loud is not a way to break through the clutter, in the same way violent facial acne is not a great way to get noticed. Laws have been in place to stop this from happening since 2011, but the advertisers have found loopholes. Until those loopholes are closed, you are going to keep getting hammered with screaming, shouting, awful ads. 9. Completely Inept People Look...we all know how difficult some tasks can be. Stripping the engine of a Honda Civic to replac e the timing belt is not for the novice. But commercials have us believe that it takes an IQ of 200 to make an omelet without setting fire to the kitchen. Infomercials and As-Seen-On-TV products are the biggest perpetrators of this. Every single task, from opening a can of tuna to putting on your socks, is almost impossible to do. Unless, of course, you buy their new product. 10. Overpromising The advertising term is exaggerating the benefit. You, the consumer, calls ittotal BS. Chocolate is nice, but is it a rich, creamy, decadent experience for your taste buds? Is a car going to take you to the most unimaginable places? Is wallpaper going to change your life? No.

The Biggest Myth About Interpreter Resume Exposed

The Biggest Myth About Interpreter Resume Exposed Interpreters can work in a variety of distinct scenarios. They are not translators. Most interpreters have no less than a high school diploma. Some interpreters specialize in different kinds of interpreting for individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing. Interpreter Resume Ideas Regardless of no knowledge, its still true that you ought to demonstrate experience. In addition to the practical demand for developers in just about any organization, programming skills demonstrate advanced dicke bretter bohren mssen solving skills that may lead to a well-rounded professional. Full-time careers will get increasingly popular as demand increases with the expanding international population of the United States. If you would like a career in the Travel and Tourism industry, you should have the appropriate personality attributes since you will be constantly verstndigung im strafverfahrening with people. What You Need to Do About Inter preter Resume Before You Miss Your Chance Companies are going to have the impression your job performance might be the exact same. In the place of focusing your work target statement solely on emphasizing your major capabilities or strengths, you also will need to be sure to the job that youre applying for and whats mora, you might have to say what you can do in order to help the company or company. Show your conceivable employer why you will be in a position to implement the work much oben liegend than others regardless of much experience youve got. Jobs in the hospitality profession require those who are good working with different individuals. Recruiters dont devote a good deal of time reviewing an application. Finding a job is a procedure that involves several steps and it all starts with your resume. Even though the freelancers may supply you with interpretation at a significantly more affordable rate, yet you cant ever be sure regarding the quality they provide. In t ruth, it could be appropriate to incorporate a more prominent core competencies section at the peak of your resume with thorough descriptions of certain skills if theyre absolutely central to success in the desired position. In reality, there are particular jobs in which its important to set a skill section at or close to the top of the resume. For example, you are applying for five positions, additionally you want to generate five objectives customized for every one of the positions. View the target section for a destination to concentrate on your abilities and accomplishments rather than a wish list for the sort of position youd really like to have. Where to Find Interpreter Resume You are going to have hard time locating a work description that doesnt include things like communication as a crucial skill. To begin with, if youre seeing a great deal of hard skills that you just dont have, it could be better to move on to the next position. Soft skills are a little bit more vague and open to interpretation. You ought to have a mixture of administrative abilities, a sense of an organization, an eye for detail and impeccable awareness of customer services. Interpreting is a very demanding job and you may find yourself working long hours and on weekends, you might also need to travel away from home often, and that means you would really will need to be flexible. The career objective statement needs to be written particularly for the job that you are applying to. Objective can be an important portion of each resume and you want to be rather careful of the same should you like to get hold of work. In that case, a job as an interpreter might be precisely what youre looking for. The goal is the initial statement in a resume that may decide whether the reader might want to take their time to read it to the previous line or simply dump it after just a glance. You will be provided the chance to interpret the spoken words after the speaker has finished c ommunicating her or his message. Furthermore, a court interpreter has to be in a position to refrain from expressing personal opinions or taking a side whilst interpreting. An excellent court interpreter will understand how to fix an issue and as soon as it is critical to bring an issue to the interest of the court. The Bad Side of Interpreter Resume Since you can imagine, its essential that an interpreter is totally fluent in the languages they are translating. Interpreters also desire a fantastic comprehension of spoken and colloquial language. Clearly, a court interpreter must act quickly and understand how to deal with any linguistic or ethical issues which will undoubtedly arise. Though an expert interpreter could be fluent in a foreign language, he or she might not know all the dialects within the language. Interpreter Resume for Dummies Clients might want to see evidence you have the experience necessary to generate a top-notch translation. Our professional resume e xamples can help you stay in front of the competition. When you understand that you require an interpreter for facilitating effective cross-cultural communication in a worldwide conference, meeting, exhibition or another event, you must begin with the next. Additionally, you will have the chance to relay spoken messages, which can help you strengthen your interpreting abilities. What Everybody Dislikes About Interpreter Resume and Why Most standard resume formats incorporate a skill section at or close to the bottom of the resume. On account of the large number of resumes our Denver interpretation provider receives daily, were not able to reply to individual resume submissions. You can present your opinion as feed-back to our web page quality. The skill section may be the most important section on your resume if you set it together correctly. Life, Death, and Interpreter Resume Resume examples will be able to help you impress the recruiter with your abilities and qualificat ions. Writing a good resume can be an intimidating challenge. On account of the technical nature of the job, it is necessary that you highlight skills and experience. Everyone has appealing abilities and activities to supply employers including you Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that could aid you with your work search. Professionally, our resumes are often the very first impression a prospective employer gets of us. There are many examples of resumes, but you need to stay sure to produce your resume and cover letter with your own personal touch. A complete day of work wont be billed as a collection of shorter assignments.

Do Successful People Really do These 5 Things

Do Successful People Really do These 5 Things I recently read an article called, 5 Things Successful People do in the Evening. Quite interesting. Were always seeing five and seven steps to xyz aimed to help us better our personal and professional lives. And while all this type of content can be considered a good read, some career advice should be adhered to while other advice should be taken with a grain of salt.Below are the five things successful people do in the evening, and some mora advice from Recruiter.com on whether you should keep or pass on these tidbits1. Take a break in the afternoon or early eveningMany of the most successful and well-known night owls take a break from their day in the afternoon or evening presumably to recharge before returning to work and continuing much later than most people work.Recruiter.com says pass. The old saying says to work smarter, not harder. Just beca use a person works longer hours into the night doesnt mean he or she is going to be successful. Americans are already deemed workaholics and struggle with achieving work-life balance. A better alternative to taking a break in the evening before continuing to work is to learn to leave work at work. By this I mean platzdeckchenup a set schedule for yourself (or go by your current 9am-5pm work schedule) and work hard to stick to it. When cutoff time arrives, cut it off. This will help ensure you separate the office duties/work responsibilities from personal activities. Sometimes you just have to learn to say, No.2. Finish the day by preparing for tomorrow something anyone can doOne of the common themes with successful people of all kinds not just night owls is to end the working day by preparing for the next day. Anything from looking over the schedule, doing preparatory reading and research to planning and adjusting what will be done.Recruiter.com says keep. This is actually a help ful piece of advice because it helps structure your schedule and daily tasks. By preparing the day before, when you come into the office, youll already have a set list of tasks to accomplish. Preparation helps workers to be more organized and productive.3. Reflect and AdjustA common practice for night owls is to use part of that time to look back at the day and reflect on it and use that reflection to adjust the way they do things or to learn valuable lessons. This can be as simple as keeping a journal.Recruiter.com says keep. Although one may not have time to reflect on his/her day each night, setting a specific time to do so at the end of each week will be beneficial. Review your weekly goals and see what you actually accomplished. Take note of the tasks you didnt complete and why. This will help uncover week areas and/or distractions in your work habits. Then, after review, you can set goals to properly adjust for the upcoming week.4. Finish ThingsEvening work is great for grabbi ng uninterrupted, clear time to finish things off. During the crowded, busy, interrupted day it can be hard to check, go over and draw a final line under tasks and projects.Recruiter.com says pass. This is again talking about working late into the night. To avoid allowing work time to seep over into off-the-clock time, workers should focus on one or two priority tasks per day (if possible). We all want to multitask, and while beneficial, sometimes this can become overwhelming and unproductive. If possible, schedule out your day to concentrate on a couple tasks, making sure youll have adequate time to review each assignment upon completion. This will increase productivity so workers arent starting multiple projects at once only to allow some tasks to fall through the cracks as he/she crams to complete work assignments.5. Do NOT do the little, ordinary tasksIt turns out that everyone finds it hard to do the annoying tasks like returning calls and answering email that is important but not critical. The evening turns out to be a better time for creativity and longer, harder projects and is best saved for that.Recruiter.com says keep. Stick with doing the housekeeping when you first come into the office. Return calls and answer emails first thing in the morning to get these seemingly menial tasks out of the way, so you can devote the remainder of your workday to completing larger, more detailed projects.

Animal Assisted Therapy Certification Tips

Animal Assisted Therapy Certification TipsAnimal Assisted Therapy Certification TipsThere are many certification programs available for individuals wishing to become involved with animal assisted therapy (AAT). There are also options for pet owners who just want to volunteer. Certification Programs The University of Denver (in Colorado) offers an Animals Human Health certificate that requires one on-campus course and three online courses. The on-campus course is the capstone, which involves student presentations, group work, and interaction with animal therapy professionals. Applicants must have a bachelors degree or equivalent practical experience in animal assisted therapy. The program cost is $3,500 plus a one-time application fee of $25 for registration (lodging and travel costs for the campus portion are notlage included). The program fee can be paid as a lump sum or in installments. The Animal Behavior Institute offers a certificate program in animal assisted therapy that is conducted entirely online. The certificate is designed for those working as therapists, social workers, educators, and healthcare workers. The program involves five courses that take ten weeks each to complete.The program also requires 40 hours of experience in the field as an intern, employee, or volunteer at an approved institution. Students may receive transfer credit for similar coursework completed elsewhere. The total program cost is $5,925 plus the cost of textbooks or other class materials. Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado offers a certificate in animal assisted psychotherapy (CAAP). The program is designed for mental health professionals and students with an interest in animal assisted interventions. The certificate program includes six online courses, which can be completed at the students own pace. The program also offers a virtual classroom allowing students to network. The course is eligible for continuing education credit hours. Applicants must be stud ents or have earned an advanced degree in the mental health field. The total program cost is $2,100. Oakland University (in Michigan) offers a distance learning animal assisted therapy program. The program is conducted online and involves five modules each with five consecutive weeks of study. Students are required to write a full animal therapy business plan at the conclusion of the course. The program includes five courses and costs $2,495. Harcum College (in Pennsylvania) offers a distance learning certificate course in animal assisted therapy. The 10-week program is completed at the students own pace and includes reading assignments, discussions, essays, and two site visits to organizations in their community that utilize animal assisted therapy. The course may provide continuing education credits or help a candidate expand their work in psychology, healthcare, or rehabilitation. Participants are not required to have a specific degree or prior training. Total program cost is $ 1,065. For Pet Owners/Volunteers There are also several groups that register gruppes of volunteers and their pets to visit nursing homes, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other community centers. These groups do not require the extensive coursework that must be completed for the certification programsbut instead focus on community service type activities that can be completed with a volunteers personal pet. Pet Partners, formerly known as the Delta Society, registers teams of handlers and animals. To become registered, an individual and their pet must complete a handler course in person (eight hours) or online, pass a screening by a veterinarian, pass an evaluation, and pay the two-year membership fee (which includes liability insurance). Many types of animals have been certified through the Pet Partners program including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, miniaturepigs, equines, llamas, rats, and alpacas. Therapy Dogs International registers therapy dogs that can pass a two-phase, 13-exercise testing process. Animals will be exposed to a variety of test situations including children playing, adults using walkers, and several people approaching the dog simultaneously. The dogs must also meet all health requirements, including an annual vet visit and up-to-date vaccinations. There is a $10 testing fee per dog. Therapy Dogs Inc. registers therapy dogs that are well behaved and able to pass evaluations by a veterinarian and a tester/observer. The handler must also pass inspection by the TDI tester/observer.There is a one-time new member fee for $10, and dues are $30 per year for a handler/dog team which includes liability insurance.

Internship Tips for First Year College Students

Internship Tips for First Year College StudentsInternship Tips for First Year College StudentsIt canoften be more difficult for first-year students to find a summer internship but it is not impossible for them to find something that will lend to their current knowledge and skills. Doing something substantialwill help students prepare toget a great internship after their sophomore year. First-year students are often viewed by employers as candidates possessing less knowledge and limited skills than upperclassman going to the same college. It is obvious that a first-year student will have less academic preparedness and experience than their upperclassmen, but employers also find that these differences may depend more on the individual attributes of candidates than it does on age and class year. TakingRisks As a first-year student, it is important to begin taking some risks by facing the challenges it takes to land an internship or a job. Reaching out to family, friends, previous te achers and employers is a logical first step. As a first-year student, you may not know what type of internship you want. Conductinginformational interviewswill help you get a better handle on specific careers as well as what employers look for when hiring talented new professionals. Polishing Up Your Resume and Cover Letter Working on your resume and?? titel letter with a career counselor at your college will help you to create professional documents that will make employers take notice. Although as a first-year student you may feel that you have nothing to put on a resume, after speaking to a counselor you may find that you have more things you can put down than you thought. A resume highlights previous and current experiences that provide employers with an outline of your skills and previous accomplishments. This may include high school and college coursework, internships, jobs, community service, co-curricular experiences, and working as a volunteer at a nonprofit organizati on. Your career counselor can provide help with your resume and cover letter to ensure that your most relevant experiences stand out. Using Social Media As a Tool One thing that all college students have as an advantageis their ability to utilize social media to their benefit. Many companies seek students to help them with their social media campaigns since many of their more senior employees are not familiar and dont know how to use it to the companys advantage.?Social media can also be a great way to get your name out there when seeking a summer internship or job. Creating a Blogor Website Many students today have their own blog and websites. This is an excellent way to highlight your interests and skills by getting your name out there. Blogs are a good way to work on your writing skills and are a good way to showcase your skills for employers seeking a college student for an internship or entry-level job.For some professionals like photography, journalism, etc., having a n online portfolio really gives an employer a good opportunity to learn more aboutcandidates even prior to the first interview. Career Exploration Even though first-year students are often not yet sure of their major, first-year gives them an opportunity to explore and research how specific majors relate to future career options. When conducting this research students can also determine what types of internships others do to get some experience in the field they are looking to pursue. The Importance of Internships In todays job market doing an internship is not just a good idea it is a must in buchen to be considered for employment with certain companies. Whether youre doing community service or volunteer work or something more tangible, by doing these experiences you are showing employers that you have the motivation and initiative to succeed on the job. Ask Those in the Know You can also talk to your professors and other students to find out about internships that the y know of. Your peers may be able to provide information on internships they have completed or heard about through one of their personal networks. Faculty works with students all the time and often hear back from students on both the good and bad summer internship experiences they had. Some faculty maintain a departmental website that includes information on internships in the field, or they may just keep a list that they share with students in class or in one-on-one appointments. Looking to the Future You may decide to continue with your previous summer jobs the summer after your first year in college (and thats ok too), but its important to give yourself some time to try out different experiences in order to decide which ones you would like to pursue when selecting a career following your college graduation.

4 Tips for Dealing with an Indecisive Boss - The Muse

4 Tips for Dealing with an Indecisive Boss - The Muse4 Tips for Dealing with an Indecisive BossIf youve ever worked for someone who cant make up his or her mind, you know how frustrating an average day on the job can be. An indecisive boss creates a unique challenge for you as an employee Its tough to build yur experience and portfolio when your managers mind changes with the wind. So how do you deal when your supervisor wont stop wavering and make a damn decision about work and assignments that affect you? Actually, theres quite a bit you can do to help and get things moving.If youre going to overcome an obstacle, it helps to understand what youre dealing with so you can approach it optimally. Likely, one of two things is behind your supervisors indecision his own indecisive boss or fear of failure. Yes, your department head (or CEO, or whoever is in charge) may be equally- if bedrngnis mora- indecisive than the person you work under, which probably makes it hard for him to make a c onfident decision, let alone any decision at all. Factor in insecurity and a worry about failing, and its no wonder youre forever waiting on concrete direction. Once you have a grasp of the hurdles your manager is dealing with, do your best to keep her on track with the following tips. 1. Ask QuestionsOne approach to pushing past a stuck spot is to ask strategic questions thatll ultimately help your boss clarify the next step. If you inquire as though youre trying to elicit information to help you do your job, your supervisor will have a hard time leaving you hanging. The questions you pose will vary by your industry and the specific project, of course, but the broad examples below will give you an idea for how to get startedWhat is our primary goal?What is our biggest priority? Why?Who are we responsible to? What evidence do we need to demonstrate efficacy?How hard is our deadline? What happens if we dont deliver on-time/in-budget/within expectations?By discussing priorities, clien t expectations, and potential ramifications if a project doesnt go well (i.e., a decision isnt made) youll aid your boss in working through potential snags while being mindful of why its important to move forward. Youll also arm him or her with a logical argument if she needs to sell it to her own indecisive leader. 2. Offer a ProposalAnother way to help a supervisor see past indecision is to propose the course of action you wish to pursue. And I dont mean simply saying, I think we should do this Put together something concrete and well-reasoned and present it to him. It might be a detailed project outline, mock-ups of print materials, a written justification that cites relevant research, or anything else thatll help your supervisor visualize a clear path to the desired outcome. By doing this prep work, your boss wont have to muddle through different options youll have done the hard work for him. Not only will this approach help alleviate your managers fear of making the wrong choic e, but itll arm her with a strong argument to use higher up the chain of command if necessary. This maneuver has the subsequent benefit of demonstrating what a proactive, solution-focused team member you are. 3. Address it Head-onIts possible your boss doesnt realize that she wavers so much, or how much distress it creates for her team when she does so. This person might be in charge, but he or shes also human, subject to the same personal blind spots as the rest of us. So if youve tried more subtle approaches to addressing indecision with little progress, it might be worth a face-to-face meeting so you can lay your frustrations out on the table. As always, avoid accusations and finger-pointing. No human in the history of the human race generally responds well to hostility. Focus on the work, the hurdles that the indecision creates, and what it is that you need from your supervisor. Be clear that you are eager to find a way forward that allows you to be more productive. Remember to incorporate concrete evidence when possible. For example, if you use an app like Toggle to track the time you spend on projects, you can bring that data to your meeting and show exactly how time-consuming frequent changes in direction- or the lack of any direction- really are. Multiply that time by your hourly rate, and you have even more substantial evidence pointing to the expensive cost of indecisiveness. 4. Maintain Perspective and Your ReputationSometimes an indecisive boss will be an indecisive (maddening) manager, no matter what you do. Remind yourself that you cant control everything or everyone. If a project stalls out because he cant decide how to address an obstacle, hes the one whos going to have to face it and figure out a way to keep things moving forward. To avoid any finger-pointing, be sure to document your attempts to be proactive and decisive. If necessary, calmly address your efforts to move past the problem, without including inflammatory remarks or accusatory details. Have a suggestion for how to proceed, and youll continue to present yourself as a solution-and-action-focused professional. Remember that no matter how indecisive your boss is- and no matter how he or she responds to your efforts to address said indecision- you are not powerless. Take control when and where you can, and make sure other key people in your organization are aware of your efforts. When your manager is busy agonizing over a decision that hinders your productivity, look for other tasks to focus on. A simple, quick mention of your accomplishments in conversation or via an email exchange lets others know that youre action-oriented without being obnoxious or negative.If your bosss indecision leads to a complete stand-still in your work, look for opportunities to collaborate across departments. Take a stroll or pick up the phone to chat with your contacts around the company. When, during those conversations, an opportunity arises for you to offer your support on som ething, jump on it. Your determination to be productive and add value to your company will open doors for you, even if your manager stays in his or her own revolving door of indecision. Photo of woman at work courtesy of Shutterstock.