Tuesday, December 31, 2019

I Was Perfect For That Job, But They Didnt Call Me.

I Was Perfect For That Job, But They Didnt Call Me.I Was Perfect For That Job, But They Didnt Call Me.INBOX So far Ive submitted my resume for more than 100 jobs. Why cant they see I was perfect for these positions, because I had every qualification listed in the ad?One of the more difficult aspects of job search is investing time andeffort, but then not getting the results you expect. The expectation is that becauseyou know you can do the job, the rolle on the other end will see you as theideal candidate. But does your resume actually say what the employer needs?Heres how you can make sureSay What You Do Right NowThe 1st line of your resume needs to clearly, boldly proclaim what you can come into the organization and do today. Avoid the standard, Results-oriented professional with 19 years of experience, because no-one speaks the words in a normal conversation that theyre results-oriented, and the 19 years of experience immediately ages you. There are many reasons not to call attent ion to your age, and I definitely dont want to see you do so before the employer even knows what you do.Begin with your title and your impact. For example, Sales Director who builds and leads teams that deliver double-digit revenue growth. Thats a clear, bold high-impact statement that immediately tells the employer what hes getting from you. Also note, there are no million-dollar words there nor do they need to be. Resist the urge to dress things up with a lot of superfluous language that really doesnt mean anything. The real ninja move with this opening statement is to modify it on eachresume so that it matches the ad. This is all about speaking the employerslanguage. The employer will recognize his own language more easily. If the adcalls for a candidate who, drives team performance, then present an openingstatement that says, Sales Director who drives team performance and delivers double-digitrevenue growth.Say What You Did In The PastBy the past, I mean something quite differe nt than history which is boring. The resume is your opportunity to illustrate with words. Instead of thinking in terms of job descriptions for each of your roles, ask yourself why they brought you on in the 1st place. Organizations experience evolutionary journeys they are growing, experiencing rapid growth, executing a series of acquisitions, maintaining a dominant market presence, facing tougher competition, stagnating, or declining. At what point in that lifecycle did you come on board? To contribute what specifically?Illustrating that context makes your achievements deliver more impact. For example, if you tell the reader you joined the organization to lead a performance turnaround, then the accomplishment of raising customer satisfaction scores 22% will carry stronger meaning.Heres a pro tip look at the ad for the job youre interested in, andhighlight what you did in your professional history that matches what the ad islooking for. Use the words in the ad. Am I suggesting a di fferent resume everysingle time. Absolutely not. However, you can modify your words to matchtheirs. You know in your mind you can do the job, but no one can read yourmind. They can only read your words, so your resume has to actually say that.Illustrate The Value Of YourWorkquantifyQuantifyQUANTIFY You can attach a number, dollar figure, percentage, amount, or time frame to 95% of what you do. And for the 5% that you cant, dont put it on your resume, thereby maximizing space for what you can quantify. Your past employers only hired you so you could make or save them money. Fundamentally, thats why your next employer is going to hire you as well. So, its in your own best interest to illustrate the value of what you did.If youre in sales, its easy to quantify the amount of revenue you and your team delivered. But what about other fields? A project manager can talk about the budgets on each project. An HR specialist can present the size of the organization, the number of employees, or the percentage of employees who completed a training program. An operations director can highlight a percentage increase in productivity because of a new process he put into place. Think 1st about what your achievements are, then think about those saatkorn achievements again, and this time, attach a number to it.Its entirely possible to close the gap between what your resume actually says and what the employer needs to hear. If you think youre the perfect match, make sure you dont just think it, but that your resume literally says so. Dont require the reader to have to draw her own conclusions. Its your job to make yourself abundantly clear.Making your resume correct is just step 1 in the job search journey. Who is seeing your resume? It better not be just the job boards and the ATS machines. (You know there are no real human beings there, right?) . Getting in direct contact with the decision maker will make or break your job search, especially if youre a mature, experienced candida te. Find out how to do this for every single opportunity in The 5 Secrets Smart Jobseekers Age 50+ Know That Make The Job Search EASY. Well walk you through the case studies of exactly what older candidates did to talk to the right person, and go from job searching to job found in just a matter of weeks.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

The One Rule of Resume Writing You Cant Afford to Ignore

The One Rule of Resume Writing You Cant Afford to Ignore The One Rule of Resume Writing You Cant Afford to Ignore Just lately, Ive read a rash of articles claiming to reveal the hard and fast rules of resume writing. They have titles like 5 rules of a great resume or 10 words you must never use on your resume. Maybe youve read some of unterstellung articles. Maybe youve even made changes to your resume after finding out that the word innovative is now forbidden and must be replaced, or that using the phrase self-motivated is akin to admitting you are an unimaginative loser with no writing ability.But theres one rule that supersedes all these other rules and thats this one Never change your resume based on one of these articlesSeriously dont do it. You wont get the answer to your resume woes from a 500-word article purporting to lay down the law.Like anything worth doing well, writing a good resume is hard work. And most of the work happens before you ever write a word.Here at Blue Sk y, were getting ready to launch a new line of products and were working with our web developers on redesigning the site to accommodate them. So far not a pixel has been designed and not a word of copy has been finalized because were still trying to decide on the message we want to communicate, and the best way to appeal to our target market. When we have nailed that down, well be ready to start creating the actual web pages. Its been hard work painful at times as we tease out the key messaging. There are tons of things I want to tell people about these new products Im excited about them for all kinds of reasons but if I try to say it all, no one will hear anything. And so we are working our way slowly towards the correct positioning and the message that will resonate.Exactly the saatkorn is true of you and your resume. Most of your work should come before you ever sit down to type a word. If you work on understanding your target audience, defining your own unique value, and pinp ointing the two or three key things that your audience needs to know, you will be in a position to write a resume that has tremendous focus and power. It wont matter what specific words you choose whats important is the central message and themes.So do this work first, and you can feel free to write innovative or detail-oriented or whatever others words an expert deems inappropriate. It wont matter because your resume will say exactly what it needs to in order to generate results.If youd like to learn how to do this in more detail, check out our free resume writing course. Youll be relieved at how easy it is to transform your resume.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Good Time to Be a New Accounting Graduate

Good Time to Be a New Accounting GraduateGood Time to Be a New Accounting GraduateEvery soon-to-be accounting graduate who is preparing to switch mortarboard tassels from the right to the left this spring is likely mora relaxed about the job market than graduates of a few years ago.In todays market, job seekers in accounting and finance have the advantage, according to Robert Halfs special report, The Demand for Skilled Talent. And employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) are in agreement they plan to hire 11 percent mora fresh college graduates from the class of 2016 than they did from the class of 2015.We asked Syed Hussain, vice president of Robert Half Finance Accounting, North America, for his take on the job prospects for this years crop of accounting graduates. Heres his valuable career advice.Q Why is now a great time to be a finance or accounting graduate?A Supply and demand. If you look at the job market, youll see theres a shortage o f accounting and finance candidates. Anyone graduating from college today with an accounting degree will be almost guaranteed a job.We see people graduating and getting a handful of offers in a matter of three to five weeks. Accounting is a great skill set to have, and companies need talented finance and accounting individuals.Read about the dizzying array of options for entry-level accounting jobs.Q Have many of this years graduates already been recruited?A Yes, campus recruiting is part of the strategy of many of the bigger organizations. Many accounting graduates are getting job offers before they even graduate.Q Is it safe to say new grads can look forward to job security?A Absolutely. Accounting and finance is one of the most secure degrees you can get.Think about it from this perspective Every firm needs accurate numbers just to operate. Even if an organization is going through bankruptcy or tough times, it will still need an accounting individual to get everything in shape. The company might let go of sales staff but still will need an accountant to pull all the data together and present it to the bankruptcy authorities.Q What about sign-on bonuses?A I have not seen sign-on bonuses for new accounting graduates, as of yet. Instead, many of the bigger companies are pitching that theyre going to give them a great experience and will put them in a management trainee program, for example.Q What are some of the changes youve seen in the accounting profession?A The accounting and finance profession has morphed. Accountants are no longer sitting in a corner, trying to understand the debits and credits of a business.Instead, its become a business-partnering role. So as more and more organizations embark on that, its important to have that kind of skill set.Q What is it about new accounting grads that appeals most to employers?A Its twofold. While the fundamentals of accounting education have not changed, most colleges and universities now adopt have changed th eir emphasis to more of a business perspective, producing more attractive graduates.More importantly, baby boomers are retiring. Some companies will promote from within, which will create a vacuum with entry-level jobs. As retirements grow, theres more of a need for people with degrees to come in and be part of the organization.Q Are there any challenges for todays accounting grads?A The main challenge I see is communication. This is a generation that grew up on text messages and Facebook. Youve got to be able to communicate well to be where you want to be in years to come.Read Millennials Starting Out 9 Tips for Finance and Accounting Careers.Q Are there specific industries youd recommend to recent graduates?A Health care is a booming industry and will continue to grow. The technology or high-tech sector is another fantastic place to be, in Silicon Valley or anywhere else. There are also great manufacturing opportunities, depending on geography.Q How about specific positions? What do you advise?A When it comes to entry level, you start off, perhaps, as a staff accountant and work your way up. New graduates who get hired by one of the Big 4 accounting and auditing firms will be able to slingshot their career very quickly. These firms are focused on campus recruiting and hiring staff auditors, or auditor level 1, which is a great opportunity for any individual in finance and accounting.Whenever I see a client or hiring manager looking for a chief financial officer (CFO) or a controller, theyre always seeking someone with at least three or four years of Big 4 experience. It sets you up well for the future if you can get that experience at the start of your career.Looking for more career advice? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Syed Hussain Syed Hussain is vic e president of Robert Half Finance Accounting, North America. He joined Robert Half in 2007 and is an expert on trends affecting the finance and accounting market, including the use of social media in recruitment and managing a multi-generational workforce. He is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Customize this Outstanding Experienced Administration Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Experienced Administration Resume TemplateCustomize this Outstanding Experienced Administration Resume TemplateCreate ResumeColene Rose100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 91019Home (555) 322-7337Cell (555) 322-7337example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryVersitile Designated Coordinator skilled in assessments, intakes, quarterly reports and program writing. Works to effectively meet the individual needs of consumers living with a variety of challenges.Skillsflexiblecompassionatepatientorganizedteam playeradaptable to changecalming influencedependableWork HistoryDesignated Coordinator, 08/2005 to CurrentPinewood-Duluth, Inc. 1102 East 4th Street, Duluth, MN 55805Maintain open, positive and professional lines of communication with residential providers, human service agencies, school representatives, guardians and case managers.Complete assessments, program plans and quarterlies, develop Risk Management Plans and reviews for continuation of those plans.Monitor program staff to assure follow-through on goals and objectives. Provide training on new goals and additional training as needed to ensure goal work is being implemented correctly.Ensure that behavior/incident/injury/seizure reports are completed accurately and sent to residential providers, guardians and county case managers as needed. Ensure follow-up observations are being completed.Arrange interdisciplinary team meetings and other special meetings.Ensure that normal precautions are taken by staff to ensure their safety and the safety of others.Assist the Director with the hiring process, training of new employees and implementation of disciplinary action as needed.Transportation/Activity Coordinator, 03/2005 to 08/2005Pinewood-Duluth, Inc. 1102 East 4th Street, Duluth, MN 55805Coordinated transportation needs for consumers.Assigned staff to van runs and arranged fill-ins as needed.Planned and coordinated social/leisure activites for consumers.Job coached consumers at various com munity work sites.Performed in-house, work area vocational staff duties.EducationBachelor of Arts Elementary Education, 1973University of Minnesota, Morris Morris, MNCustomize ResumeMore Social Sciences Resume TemplatesHistorians Resume Templates

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Soar High

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Soar High Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Soar High Imagine a small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hovering over an apple tree, extending a robotic arm, and plucking an apple from the tree and depositing it into a container as similar aircraft do the same across a vast orchard. Seem farfetched? Not according to Dr. Paul Oh, a professor in Drexels College of Engineering and head of the mechanical engineering and mechanics department. Ohs research group, with the help of a three-year National Science Foundation grant, is focusing on developing Mobile Manipulating UAVs with robotic arms and hands capable of performing near-ground tasks.This is just one of the many commercial applications for UAVs being explored by a number of groups. With the demonstrated success of UAVs for military surveillance and reconnaissance missions and weapons deployment, researchers are envisioning innovative civil and commercial applications for UAVs. Interest is growing in using UAVs for ae rial photography, surveying land and crops, monitoring forest fires and environmental conditions, and protecting breservierungs and ports against intruders. According to the FAA, in the U.S. alone, approximately 50 companies, universities, and government organizations are developing and producing around 155 unmanned aircraft designs.The FAAs main concern about UAV operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) is safety. The NAS encompasses an average of more than 100,000 aviation operations per day, including commercial air traffic, cargo operations, and business jets. Additionally, there are more than 238,000 general aviation aircraft in the ordnungsprinzip at any time. It is critical that aircraft do not endanger other users of the NAS or compromise the safety of persons or property on the ground. The FAA, under orders from Congress in a bill signed into law Feb. 14, 2012, by President Obama, is expediting the expansion of domestic drone use.The Eagle Eyea short-range unmanned aircraft used to support maritime homeland security. Image courtesy of U.S. Coast GuardDrones for Domestic SurveillanceThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security already employs a large fleet of domestic surveillance drones used to patrol borders in Texas, Arizona, Florida, North Dakota, and Washington state. The drones are used for a wide array of border enforcement operations, including looking for drug tunnels and interdicting suspected drug smuggling boats. Drones have also been used for reconnaissance after natural disasters such as floods. For farmers and ranchers, drones could bring a safer method to spread pesticides and fertilizer across their fields of crops or check on cattle and fences. Law enforcement is eager to use the unmanned aircraft for surveillance. Utility companies see potential benefit in using drones to monitor oil, gas, and water pipelines or to perform reconnaissance for hazardous waste cleanup.With robotic limbs as proposed by Oh and his research group, some day UAVs may be able to perform tasks such as welding, replacing rivets in bridges, performing search and rescue missions, or searching through shipping containers and vehicle trunks during border inspections. The possibilities seem endless and so do the engineering challenges. One of Ohs challenges is to keep the flying robot stabilized and in the air while accounting for the variable torque and thrust required by the robotic limbs to perform their task.Engineering ChallengesThe most significant challenge is to compensate for reaction dynamics. As the arms dexterously manipulate objects, interaction forces arise that can destabilize the UAV and lead to crashes, explains Oh. An analogy is to imagine a scuba diver turning an underwater valve. The diver contorts his body and aggressively kicks his legs in order to throw his body weight into turning the valve with his arms. Likewise, a UAV must swim through air and may have to vector its body in order for the arms to dexterously manipu late an object with its arms, he adds.Another key engineering challenge is the avoidance capabilities of UAVs while under autonomous flight in the NAS. Collision avoidance is not as simple as dodging an approaching aircraft. The sense-and-avoid system must consider whether a maneuver will put a UAV on a collision course with other nearby aircraft. For UAVs to be fully integrated into airspace with manned aircraft, sense, detect and avoid systems must perform the same essential conflict and collision avoidance functions as a human pilot.Currently, the FAA has a strict process of licensing agencies to operate UAVs within the U.S., and limits where they can be flown for safety reasons. Congress is encouraging more use of drones domestically and has mandated that the FAA identify six test sites in 2012 and integrate drones in the U.S. aviation system by 2015.Tom Ricci is the owner of Ricci Communications.The most significant challenge is to compensate for reaction dynamics as the arms d exterously manipulate objects, interaction forces arise that can destabilize the UAV and lead to crashes.Dr. Paul Oh, professor, College of Engineering, Drexel University

Saturday, December 7, 2019

The Honest to Goodness Truth on Resumes 2018

The Honest to Goodness Truth on Resumes 2018 The Hidden Gem of Resumes 2018 Theres no demand for you to make one from scratch because you can simply adhere to the format and layout presented in yur selected template. The upcoming free resume template was created in the shape of a brochure. Referring a sample template will thus help you in producing the the majority of the opportunity. Simply take a look at another CV template to impress prospective employers. There are two images, a selection of icons, and an unusual layout that lots of ATSs as well as human recruiters will discover difficult to read. There are eight distinct examples that it is possible to look at and choose from, every one of which has layouts different from one another so youre able to choose one that you highly prefer. Whatever font you select, make certain its simple to read. Selecting the most suitable font can look to be an impossible job, especially because there are dozens and dozens of choices ou t there. Hearsay, Lies and Resumes 2018 It is possible to read more about the procedure for creating your value known inside my latest article. There isnt anyone golden resume format. Like, the degree of detail is unparalleled. From the kind of content to its layout, everything matters when youre trying to get the utmost attention of the recruiter. The peak of your resume should includecritical search phrases and a nahe daran sein snapshot of your core strengths, Leavy-Detrick states. You always ought to apply the way in which the employer asks. Bear in mind employment gaps, career trajectory, where youre in your industry, and where you intend on going. Instead, you are going to highlight relevant abilities and achievements from previous work in the neatly-aligned bullet points. Your accomplishments stand independently. So when the hiring company hasnt provided a salary for work, we look at salary data from related businesses and locations to produce a fair estimate f or what it is possible to count on. Tons of job seekers even dont understand where to get started. A hundred other applicants like you do the exact same. Just be certain that its impressive, along with related to the job youre applying to. You have to incorporate the more worthfull info, more information that could explain your value. Have a look at our article on the way to use your job references strategically in case you need more info. Take a look at the list below, and get prepared to make your resume way more exciting. Below, you will locate a list of resume examples that could aid you with your work search. The True Meaning of Resumes 2018 Your resume header is where you are able to strategically add a few crucial words to create a highly effective first impression. Once youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to know how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes an effective accomplishment statement. The response is it depends. Getting the Best Resumes 2018 You may also download completely free templates from our Resume Library to get going on your best resume. When you have just a couple of certifications, you may include them in your resume header. Whatever certifications youve got, make sure theyre related to the work opening. There are lots of several other position and a lot more other approaches. Luckily, there are lots of different tactics to demonstrate youve got the abilities and qualities required to thrive in an advertising position. While every marketing resume ought to be tailored for a certain job, theres still a lot you are able to learn from a huge data approach. Its content-packed layout is excellent for engaging employers with a variety of facts, from experience to education. Simply because youve got zero experience or its your very first job. Dont have the correct skills, and you might lose out on your perfect job prospect. Be certain to be honest with the skills y ouve got Computer skills on resumes are becoming more and more crucial for accountants. The very first thing you ought to do is make sure a prospective employer knows whose resume theyre taking a look at Searching for a job can be a little frustrating on occasion, Bowman told Mashable.com. Its cool that youre searching for a job to have some money, but you need some difficulties with resume. When youre working at your present job you arent stressed, seems like everything goes smooth and with no troubles.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Dont Let Your Net Worth Dictate Your Self-Worth

Dont Let Your Net Worth Dictate Your Self-Worth Article by Aditi ShrikantWhen I graduated college and decide to pursue a career in writing, I knew I would notlage be making a lot of money. What I didnt anticipate was how bad that would make me feel. While all of my friends were taking girls trips to Miami and moving into one-bedroom apartments, I was sharing a bathroom with three other people and calculating whether I had enough money to fly home for Christmas.After a while, it became hard not to equate my value as a person with my value as an employee, and my negative attitude about both spilled into my personal relationships. I would have a bad day at work and find myself snapping at my roommates or whatever family member had the audacity to call me and see how I was doing.It was only when I started to focus on the value I had in all parts of my life not just the ones I was paid for that my net worth stopped dictating how I treated people and how I treated myself. Here are four tips to help you keep your net worth from deciding your self-worth.1. Understand Your Market ValueIf you choose to enter a competitive field, sometimes you will have to make financial sacrifices. Half of New York City seemed to be pursuing a career in writing alongside me. This meant that I was easily replaceable and didnt have the leverage to ask for a whole lot of money. Those were, and still are, realities I had to face every day.If you feel you are being legitimately undervalued at your job, talk to someone about it. A mentor, the person who holds the position right above yours someone who will be honest with you about what you should be getting paid and how to ask your employer for mora if your salary is not meeting those goals.Once you flesh out what your market value is, it will be easy to feel less hurt by how much money you are making. Your salary doesnt define you, and it shouldnt be your only source of happiness. Your market value is just that your value in a specific market. Dont make it mora than it is.2. Dont Bring Your Work HomeWhen you make a mistake at work, there are two things you need to do Learn from it and then let it go. According to Gail Saltz, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry at The New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell Medical College, work stress does damage. It causes a rise in blood pressure, G.I. issues, and brain cell death over the long haul.In other words, work life causes a lot of physical and mental stress. Becausewe dont want to show any stress or anxiety at work,we often end up bringing that stress home. We can fall into cycles of slipping up at work, being in a bad mood in our personal lives because of it, and feeling guilty about both. If you keep your work mistakes at work and out of the home, youll be less likely toconflate the value of the two.3. Engage in Fulfilling Activities That Are NotYour JobThe easiest way to feel more valuable is to find joy and purpose in an acti vity that does not earn you money. A common and worthy suggestion is volunteer work. According to HelpGuide.org, Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.If you dont feel like you can commit to volunteering, try picking up an old hobby. Creating something on which you wont be judged gives meaning to how you spend your time and how you value yourself. You are more than what your company pays you it might just take you picking up knitting to believe it4. Dont Compare Your Market Value to OthersThis may seem obvious, but making a conscious effort to focus only on your own progress each day is actually a lot of work. There are endless numbersof people to whom you can compare yourself, andits likelyyouwill compare yourself to someone who has accomplished something you wish you did.Comparing yourself to others can keep you from being genuinely happy for those who are progressing. Set person al goals for yourself that have nothing to do with those around you, and you will be more willing to celebrate your own and others accomplishments.A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Digital detox How to stop wasting time on the internet

Digital detox How to stop wasting time on the internetDigital detox How to stop wasting time on the internetWe all waste a lot of time on the internet these days. And due to mobile devices, we do iteverywhere, bedrngnis just at home.(In fact, right now there is enormous pressure on moi to make sure you feel readingthisis productive and leid just mora time-wasting on the internet. Yeesh.)So how do we address Oh, dear me, I almost forgot to include the obligatory scary statistics that are essential when talking about how technology is ruining ur lives. Alrighty, better check that boxHolly Shakya of UCSD and Nicholas Christakis of Yale did a study of over 5200 people titled,Association of facebook inc Use With Compromised Well-Being A Longitudinal Study.And, boy, that title is quite the time-saver as far as my job is concerned, lemme tell yaOur results show that overall, the use of Facebook was negatively associated with well-being.By the way, that research wasnt published in the Fancy Pants Journal of Happiness or the The Review of Ivory Tower Digital Studies Nah. It was approved and published by The American Journal of Epidemiology. Yes, thats the study ofdisease.Email, texting, Netflix, Xbox, 64 flavors of social media The screens have declared victory. Weve got an iPhone in one hand and were waving a white flag with the other.And for those who grew up in a screen-dominated world, its even worse. Teens spend an average ofnine hours a dayconsuming media. And theirrates of depression and suicidehave skyrocketed. Id love to tell you those things are totally unconnected but SDSU psychology professorJean Twengesays,Much of this deterioration can be traced to their phones.What do we do?Cal Newportwants to abflug a revolution. He calls it Digital Minimalism. Put the baseball bat down were not going neo-luddite and smashing the machines. We want to control how we use tech - so it doesnt control us.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy WorldDigital minimalism definitively does not reject the innovations of the internet age, but instead rejects the way so many people engage with these tools.And Cals the right guy to guide us out of this mess. Not only is he abestselling author- but did I mention hes also a professor of computer science at Georgetown? Hes the furthest things from a technophobe and knows a lot mora about our digital world than you or I do.His upcoming book isDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.Lets get to it The digital minimalism manifestoScreen time has become the default. And thats a problem. Waiting in line? Look at your phone. Sitting on the toilet? Look at your phone. Friend said three words that werent fascinating? Look at your phone.You dont spielblttchen up a hammer unless theres a nail around. It has a specific purpose. But we dont see our digital tools like that. Cal says we need to.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy WorldA philosophy of technology use i n which you focus your online time in a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly beistand things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else.Our devices provide plenty of benefits. But were often really bad about balancing that with the costs in an optimal way. Social mediacanmake us happy, but face-to-face time makes us happier and one usually comes at the expense of the other. But social media is more convenient. So we dont make the best choice we make the easy choice.These technologies took hold pretty suddenly. Most of us havent taken the time to decide what place they have in our lives so they dont take over our lives.Thats addiction.We want to be more deliberate and intentional about our technology use. No nail? Dont pick up the hammer. But you reflexively pick up your phone the second the movie of your life feels like its scoring less than 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy WorldDigital minimalists see new technologies as tools to be used to support things they deeply value not as sources of value themselves. They dont accept the idea that offeringsomesmall benefit is justification for allowing an attention-gobbling service into their lives, and are instead interested in applying new technology in highly selective and intentional ways that yield big wins. Just as important theyre comfortable missing out on everything else.We dont need to toss our phones but we do need to perform some cost-benefit analysis and decide what works and what doesnt. Henry David Thoreau put it best over 150 years ago.FromWaldenThe cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.In the moment, we think our overuse of tech comes at no cost. But then we wonder where Sunday went. Why we always feel like theres not enough time. And why we havent seen certain friends face-to-face in six months.(To learn more about the science of a successful life, check out my bestselling bookhere.)So how do we start making changes? Were going to rehab, pal.No, youre not checking into a facility - but I hope you like the taste of cold turkey The 30-day digital declutterYoure going to take a 30-day break from optional technologies. (Yes, really. This has been done before by a large number of people and surprisingly few of them died from it.)During the 30 days youre going to rediscover the things that bring you joy which dont involve a screen. The things that made you a human instead of a well-trained click monkey.After the month ends youre going to re-introduce only those technologies that have a net-positive effect on your life. And youll do it in an intentional way with a specified use plan that maximizes your life, not your time online.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy WorldMuch like decluttering your house, this lifestyle experiment provides a reset for your digital life by cleari ng away distracting tools and compulsive habits that may have accumulated haphazardly over time and replacing them with a much more intentional set of behaviors, optimized, in proper minimalist fashion, to support your values instead of subverting them.And this isnt some theoretical idea. Cal actually ran this experiment with his mailing list before writing the book. When he first launched einzelschritt DIGITAL DECLUTTER he expected 40-50 people to participate. He was wrong 1,600 did. So you are not alone.Whats the first step? Defining what optional technology means to you so youre clear on what is no longer kosher for the month.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World consider the technology optional unless its temporary removal would harm or significantly disrupt the daily operation of your professional or personal life.In other words, default to verboten unless theres areallygood reason. Nobodys saying you have to ditch your work email, your microwave, or y our electric toothbrush. But Facebook, Instagram and video games are out. Delete all not-mission-critical apps from your phone.Sure, some technologies are largely optional but have critical use cases. Personal email, texting, etc. These need operating procedures. tischset time limits or create filters so only messages from important people get through.And everything else digitally tempting that cannot be outright banned gets rules.Maybe you do watch Netflix, but only socially, never alone for the 30 days. Maybe you listen to podcasts, but only on your commute.If you find yourself debating how to handle something, ask a smart friend to make the judgment call.(To learn how to stop checking your phone, clickhere.)Okay, all your digital drugs have been flushed down the toilet and youre going to stay clean for 30 days. But now what the heck do you do with your time?Detox + high-quality leisure30 days. Mark it on the calendar.Believe it or not, there was a time before smartphones and the internet, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. And people were happy. Probably happier than you are now.The goal of the next 30 days is not merely to suffer. You want to reset. Tobreak bad habits, realize what is important, and rediscover all those things you enjoy that never scream LOW BATTERY.Dont just treat this as merely a detox. Much like dieting, if you eat healthy for 30 days but then go back to your old ways, youll just gain the weight back. You need to fill the digital void with some new, more rewarding activities.Screens aside, what do you enjoy? What do you miss? What have you been meaning to do?Reading books. Starting a hobby. Exercising. Learning to cook. Hiking. Seeing friends. Playing sports. Being the parent at the playground who is actually looking at their kids instead of their phone.What have people mentioned to you in the past few years that you replied to with, That would be great but I dont have the time?Well, like it or not, youve got more time now, Bubba.Ca l recommends setting a goal for the month. Maybe pick the songs youre going to learn on the guitar and have a party at the end of the 30 dayswhere you will play them for friends. That gives you a plan and a deadline. And the threat of embarrassment if you dont follow through.(To learn 5 secrets from neuroscience that will increase your attention span, clickhere.)Okay, the 30 days are over. Youre leaving rehab. But how do you make the transition without returning to your bad habits? Well, were gonna get some help from the most unlikely of places Managing technology (courtesy of the Amish)But the Amish dont use technology.Wrong.The Amish use tractors but not cars. Many have electricity but its not connected to the municipal grid. And while personal phones are prohibited, many towns have a community phone booth.Whats the deal? How do they draw the line? It comes down to values.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy WorldThe Amish, it turns out, do something thats bo th shockingly radical and simple in our age of impulsive and complicated consumerism they start with the things they value most, then work backward to ask whether a given new technology performs more harm than good with repect to these values.Tractors help them feed their family.Approved. Cars mean people drive to other towns instead of spending time with friends in the community.Banned.You just did 30 days hard time. So what tech really makes life better? What has far more upside than downside? What was more time-saver than time-waster? You have a blank slate. What should be welcome back in your neo-Amish lifestyle?Cal offers 3 rulesFromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy WorldTo allow an optional technology back into your life at the end of the digital declutter, it must1) Serve something you deeply value (offering some benefit is not enough)2) Be the best use technology to serve this value (if its not, replace it with something better)3) Have a role in your life that is constrained with a standard operating procedure that specifies when and how you use it.Yes, youre still gonna do some aimless web-surfing and Netflix bingeing from time to time. Were not going to be unrealistic here. But how do you manage that going forward?The calendar and the clock are your friends.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy WorldSchedule in advance the time you spend on low-quality leisure. That is, work out the specific time periods during which youll indulge in web surfing, social media checking, and entertainment streaming. When you get to these periods, anything goes. If you want to binge-watch Netflix while live-streaming yourself browsing Twitter go for it. But outside these periods, stay offline.(To get Cals tips on how to stop being lazy and get more done, clickhere.)Sounds good but the phone is always there tempting you. It buzzes and rings and calls to you, literally. How do we handle it?Do not disturb is the new defaultYour smart phone has a do not disturb setting. Just leave it on by default. Or you can schedule when it will automatically turn on and off. And, yes, you can designate certain numbers and texts that always get through. Play with the settings until you find a balance that works for you.And you want to respond to texts in batches. Designated periods of time where you respond to everything rather than an incessant back and forth that pretty much eliminates your ability to concentrate.And if youre really feeling bold, try leaving your phone in the glove compartment of your car when you drive somewhere. Youcango get it if you really need it, but youll be much more likely to pay attention to the friends youre with or to turn to that book you were smart enough to bring.And what about other devices? We discussed how the general purpose nature of digital tools can be problematic. So to restrain your impulses Cal recommends turning yourgeneralpurpose devices intosinglepurpose devices. The Netflix app an d social media are only on your iPad. Theres nothing but work stuff on the desktop. Texting notifications only show up on your phone.This allows you to put certain devices away and focus on one thing at a time.(To learn Cals tips on the best way to manage your time, clickhere.)Okay, youve graduated rehab and joined the Neo-Amish. Lets round it all up and answer the big question people always askIf Im spending dramatically less time texting, emailing and using social media, isnt that going to hurt my relationships?Sum upThis is how to stop wasting time on the internetThe 30-Day Digital Declutter Designate optional technology, build rules around the non-optional, and then go cold turkey for a month.Detox and high quality leisure Rediscover what you used to enjoy. Engage in the activities you never have time for. Fill the digital void.Managing technology (courtesy of the Amish) Think about whats important to you and only re-introduce tech that best addresses those things. Weigh benefit sandcosts.Do not disturb is the new default No notifications unless they will stop you from getting fired or prevent a child from drowning. Texting in batches. Make devices single purpose.So if you make these changes, wont that mean fewer connections with people? Will you be cutting yourself off from the world - all too much like The Amish do?No doubt youll reduce the amount of low quality interactions you have. But if you just make a few tweaks, you can trade shallow connections for deep conversations and improve your important relationships.Cal recommends having schreibstube hours much like a college professor might.Designate set times on set days during which youre always available to talk. Cal learned this from a friend who established 530PM on weekdays as his office hours. Its no accident thats when hes stuck in traffic commuting.This not only spares him from constant texting and emailing, it actually deepens his important relationships.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focuse d Life in a Noisy WorldThe logistical simplicity of this system enables this executive to easily shift time-consuming, low-quality connections into higher-quality conversation. If you write him with a somewhat complicated question, he can reply, Id love to get into that. Call me at 530 any day you want.But that still leaves the problem of less time on social media and friends who might get upset that youre not liking all the pictures of their new baby. Again, we want to trade frequent shallow connection for less frequent but more meaningful conversation.FromDigital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy WorldOne person I mentioned this strategy to, for example, expressed concern that if she didnt leave a comment on a friends latest baby picture, it would be noted as a callous omission. If the friendship is important, however, let the concern about this reaction motivate you to invest the time required to set up a real conversation. Actually visiting the new mom will return si gnificantly more value to both of you than adding a short aww to a perfunctory scroll of comments You can be the one person in their life who actuallytalksto them on a regular basis, forming a deeper, more nuanced relationship than any number of exclamation points and bitmapped emjois can provide.Visit. Pick up the phone. Send a hand-written card. Those are the things that touch us. Dont be the digital ghost. Be the real friend who reaches out.Liking is something we should do with people, not with buttons.Join over 320,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.This article first appeared on Barking Up The Wrong Tree.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Data Warehouse Analyst Job and Salary

Data Warehouse Analyst Job and SalaryData Warehouse Analyst Job and SalaryGood news for data warehouse analysts, and those aspiring to start a career in the field Theyre in demand. Their role is critical to a companys ability to make sound geschftsleben decisions.A data warehouse analyst collects, analyzes, mines and helps the business leverage the information stored in data warehouses.Professionals in this role research and recommend technology solutions related to data storage, reporting, importing and other business concerns they also define the user interfaces for managing the interaction between data warehouses and data marts.A data warehouse analyst is often expected to collaborate with business intelligence analysts and developers to translate data requirements into logical data models.Technology professionals considering this career should feel comfortable translating between what current technology can do and what the business needs for the future are, says Ryan Shaughnessy, Director of Strategic Accounts at Robert Half. Understanding data needs for key business functions such as finance and forecasting, sales, marketing, manufacturing, planning and risk assessment is also essential.According to the 2019 Robert Half Technology Salary Guide, the midpoint salary for a data warehouse analyst is $96,250.To search for specific salary information for your location, use Robert Half Technologys Salary Calculator.Job requirements for a data warehousing careerBelow are the most commonly sought qualifications for a data warehouse analystExcellent research, analysis and problem-solving skillsA bachelors degree in computer science or a related fieldExtensive knowledge of relational database theoryThree to five years of work experience in database systemsExperience with data modeling and architectureStrong verbal and written communication skillsStrong listening skills (important for communicating to technical and nontechnical kollektiv members)How to get a data ware house jobIf lack of experience is an issue, certain certifications can help you stand out to potential employers. As mentioned earlier, a professional certification in a database application such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle is a valuable commodity.Shaughnessy explains that candidates for data warehouse analyst roles need to learn reporting tools - especially SQL, if possible - and work towards getting certified. A CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional) certification is a big plus, he notes.For those looking to break into the field, Shaughnessy advice is straightforward Do everything possible to get your foot in the door. If you cant find a permanent position immediately, pursuing an internship is another route.Once a candidate has the necessary skills and experience, opportunities should follow, according to Shaughnessy. The warehouse analyst possesses a specialized skill set, and theres a strong market for those skills, he says.Look to Robert Half Technologys latest Salary Guide for job descriptions and starting compensation trends for a wide range of IT jobs - including data warehouse analyst.This post has been updated to reflect more current information.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Why an Emergency Fund Should Be Part of Your Career Plan

Why an Emergency Fund Should Be Part of Your Career Plan Why an Emergency Fund Should Be Part of Your Career Plan As you progressin your career, finding a new job can become harder and harder. One of the big reasons for this has to do with salary. When you first start working, you are generally open to just about any job and will happily take a tiny paycheck.However, as you rise through the ranks of your industry, your salary requirements will evolve.One challenging situation that many job seekers face is when they want to leave a job but are financially unable to. In general,one of two scenarios is preventing the job seeker from leaving They are either living right up to their means and spending every dollar they make each month, or they do bedrngnis have a safety net in the form of an emergency fund.A job seeker with no emergency fund who needs every dollar to pay their basic bills feels trapped. Its even worse if the job seeker is being treated poorly at work They cant financial ly afford to leave, butthey cant emotionally afford to stay.Dont Get Trapped Start an Emergency FundTo protect yourself from gettingtrapped in a scenario like the one described above, do two things.First,scale back your fixed expenses if possible. Then, take the extra money youre saving each month and put it into a savings account. That account will serve as your emergency fund. Ideally, your emergency fund should carry you through six months of living expenses. I recommend keeping your emergency fund in a savings account because itwill be protected from market fluctuations that way.Creating an emergency fund takes time and dedication. Its not something you can do overnight, and its not easy. But if you feel stuck in a bad work situation, think about how much differently you might feel if you knew you had six months of living expenses in an account just in case.The benefits of an emergency fund cant be overstressed. Having a backup plan gives you room to breathe and the power to wa lk away from jobs (if necessary) without having to worry about how youll pay rent.Along these same lines, when you land a new job that pays more, dont immediately jump to increase your fixed monthly expenses. A new house or car may be tempting, but give yourself a chance to decide that you really like your new job first and that the company really likes you. The last thing you want is to lose that job and be stuck with living expenses that reflect your lost income.The bottom line is this. Things can (and will) go wrong at work. You may get a bad boss. Your company may go through layoffs. But if you manage your finances carefully, youll give yourself an out. And, in the end, youll create both breathing room andprofessional freedom.A version of this article originally appeared in theMemphis Daily News.Angela Copeland is a career coach and CEO at her firm,Copeland Coaching.