Friday, May 29, 2020

My 40 Rules of Life at 40

My 40 Rules of Life at 40 Well, I am VERY far from perfect. In fact, the only thing I do perfectly is imperfections. So, this list is more about ideas, and thoughts and ways of living life. Some is original, some is stolen and some is just nonsense. I don’t know I am just letting it flow. I will give attribution if I remember where I heard or read it. Most is stuff my friends, acquaintances, frenenmies and enemies have heard me repeat, ad nauseum, through the years. Sorry about that! I was inspired by John Perry Barlow’s list of suggestions for being an adult, on his ascension to 30. Oh, and as to why is this on the Undercover Recruiter being a good person in life will always make you better at your job. In 2014, the lines are so much more blurred between your life and your career than they were in 1975. Also, Jorgen has been on my back as I haven’t written anything in a long time And with that, some s**t that I hope makes sense: If someone offers you a mint, you take it. That means even if you aren’t hungry; even if one thin after dinner mint will make you explode. Yeah, your breath is probably fine. Just in case, eat the mint. Never ask if a woman is pregnant. NEVER. Even if the kid is crowning. Heck, if a goddamn hand is sticking out of her yoni. You don’t ask. Accept people for who they are and you will never be disappointed in what they do. [REMOVED FOR DECENCY. Naughty Jeff Editor] If it grows from the ground, you’re probably OK. Pills and powders just stay away! Every man is like the moon; We all have a dark side we show no one else  Mark Twain Beware fighting monsters lest you become one Nietchze Putting people in boxes is one step from putting them away in coffins. “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”  John Lennon Says it costs a lot to win, and even more to lose Robert Hunter Fair doesn’t mean everyone gets the same My Mom Marriage isn’t a 50/50 deal. It works best at 100/100 Enjoy every sandwich Warren Zevon He who isn’t busy being born is busy dying   Bob Dylan All things are true, all things are false and all things are meaningless Robert Anton Wilson It’s hard to be humble when you know you’re great Frank Lloyd Wright Abstinence is the most peculiar of all the perversions Oscar Wilde It is better to apologize for having done something than apologize for not having done something. Time is a face on the water Stephen King This too shall pass Lots of people, but for me, I always hear it on my Grandpa’s voice All inequality comes back to inequality of opportunity. Given a chance everyone would rise to the best they can accomplish If there is a water shortage, go with [Jeff. Editor] [AGAIN REMOVED. Jeff! Editor] All luck is backed up by a lot of hard work. If you’re working real hard and still unlucky, well, that sucks. But its still luck. Sorry. See 20 and 33 and 32 and… well a bunch on this list. Karma grinds very fine but it also grinds very slow. Whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times. Wiccan Law of Threes Ghosts, ESP, Telekinesis All that stuff is real- It’s just science we don’t understand yet. Like if you drove a car down the road in 1770’s London For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert Arthur C. Clarke It isn’t simply chaos vs. order. There is good chaos and bad chaos and there is good order and bad order. Entropy is 100% true, or in Princess Leia’s words the more star systems you seize, the more will slip through your fingers Smiles are like herpes. If you share it, it will keep on spreading ad infinitum with no end in sight Yiheyeh Tovâ€"(Hebrew for It will be OK). Promise. See number 20 Nichevo 9 Russian, with a plurality of meanings.)  Somewhere between shit happens and It cannot be helped with more than a hint of fatality to it. Everything is art if looked at the right way The glass is always half full sometimes, however, it is half full of poison You could wake up dead tomorrow Homer Simpson People miss opportunities because when it knocks its wearing overalls and looks like work Thomas Edison Pepto Bismol should be carried at all times in chewable form. If you take something out of your wallet, don’t put your wallet back into your pants (or purse) until that item is returned. De Facto and De Jure. Learn and know the difference. Its important.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Is Your Resume Being Ignored - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Is Your Resume Being Ignored - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Although many jobs lost during the economic downturn have been replaced, that doesn’t mean getting a job has gotten quicker or easier.  Many people are still looking for work or hoping to move into higher paying jobs and not getting results from their efforts. There are many factors that determine whether or not you get hired. While some of these factors you have no control over, you can control the quality of resume you submit. The resume is your first chance to catch a potential employer’s attention, but many people squander this opportunity with boring or generic resumes. If your resume isn’t leading to interviews, here are some tips to improve your results. 1) Focus on results instead of duties. The best way to stand out is to treat your resume like a marketing piece in which you let the employer know what you’ll be able to do for the company. Instead of listing your skills and experience, rework them into benefits for the employer. 2) Tailor the resume to the job and the employer. Not all job titles and not all employers who need your job skills are the same. A retail establishment that needs an accountant will have slightly different needs than a gym who also needs an accountant. Retail stores have inventory and returns, whereas gyms have various membership levels and equipment rentals. While both need help managing their books and doing taxes, how and what specifically is tracked is slightly different. A resume that addresses the specific requirements of the job and unique aspects of the industry will impress potential employers more than a generic resume. 3) Follow directions. Sometimes, in an attempt to stand out, you might try to add unnecessary information or deliver it in a unique format. But resume submissions that don’t comply to the job post’s directions are usually eliminated without review. If you can’t follow directions during the application processes, what does that say about your ability to follow directions on the job? Supply what the job posts specifies and avoid being cutesy or obnoxious. 4) Deliver a readable, logically ordered resume that highlights skills and experiences related to the job. On your resume, expand on the skills and experiences you have that fits the job and only mention or even leave out skills and experience that are unrelated.  For example, when I apply for writing jobs, I don’t list my social work experience, unless the writing job is related to mental health.   You don’t want to lie or deceive, but you don’t want to deliver page after page of information that isn’t relevant to the job either. Competition continues to be fierce for jobs. Make sure your resume is read and takes you to the next step of the job process by delivering a targeted, easy to read, benefits-oriented resume.

Friday, May 22, 2020

@work Vacation Planner

@work Vacation Planner Summer is almost here, and since most of us will be taking some time off, it seems like a good time for a discussion of how to leave your office for an extended period.   There are tools available to help coworkers and customers know what to do in your absence, and ways to help the team cope better while you’re gone. First, it’s important to let people know in advance that you’ll be out for an extended period of time.   Take the time to email customers and coworkers that you’ll be out on vacation or business.   Give them specific dates and let them know whom to contact in your absence.   Don’t forget to notify any other groups in which you participateâ€" committees, professional organizations, etc.   It’s important to give people at least a little lead time (don’t push “send” just as you walk out the door) so they can get back to you with urgent business that can’t wait until your return.   If you really want to add value, update them on the status of pending projects or orders.  If you use Outlook as your email system, you can take advantage of the “Out of Office Assistant” (Out of Office Agent in Lotus Notes.) The Out of Office Assistant creates an autoreply  to emails you receive. You can customize the response to indicate how long you’ll be away and where to go for help or information in your absence.   The autoreply only responds to the first email from any source, so it doesn’t repeat itself to senders that already know you’re gone. This simple-to-use tool helps eliminate frustration when you don’t respond immediately to an email. Your voicemail message can assist you in the same way.   Even if you’re out for just a day, attending training or sick at home, letting callers know not to expect a call back until tomorrow helps manage expectations.  For added value, let the voicemail indicate whether you’ll be checking your messages.   If you indicate that you are, some people will leave messages about urgent issues.   If you’re not checking in, those urgent matters will probably be handled in other ways. Either way, it’s less stressful for the caller and for you, knowing how soon you’ll be able to act on business matters. Before you leave, you can also take a few minutes to talk to your manager about important projects that are pending.   Create a brief summary of your workload’s current status to leave behind so someone can see at a glance where projects are.   Add contact numbers for key customers and other data such as account numbers that might be hard to find in your absence. Talk with your manager about team members that might be able to handle issues while you’re gone.   One of the most effective things you can do before you leave is clean your office.   A neat office is a pleasure to return to; leaving clutter will make the first day back even more stressful. An orderly office leaves the impression that everything is under control, in case the boss drops by.    Taking time to inform team members and organize your workload can make a big difference in quality of life when you return to the office. You may even start a trend among your coworkers that will make life easier for everyone come vacation season next summer.

Monday, May 18, 2020

3 Reasons to Have Outdoor Space At Your Office

3 Reasons to Have Outdoor Space At Your Office People in the workforce are all too familiar with the typical office space filled with bland-colored cubicles, harsh lighting and far too little greenery. While this may be the most cost effective way to design and decorate an office, this type of sterile environment does little for the heart and soul of your company. When you need a pick-me-up, it’s nice to be able to take a break from your desk and move into a more natural environment. So whether you’re thinking about adding a deck onto your office space or simply putting a table and chairs in the grass surrounding your building, here are three great reasons to consider adding outdoor space to your office. A Happier Workforce As a modern worker, it’s easy to feel fried after not seeing the sun during the day. In fact, many women find that they’re more easily depressed when they haven’t had at least a little time spent outdoors. Because of this, it follows that having an outdoor space in which some work tasks could take place would result in a happier workforce. In fact, according to Lana Bortolot, a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, outdoor spaces at work are often seen as “areas of respite”, giving all who take advantage of them a chance to get a much needed break and come back to their tasks happier and ready to work. Boosts Productivity Think about a time when you’ve been deep into a task and then hit a wall that stopped you from functioning at your highest level. What helped you move past that wall? For many people, allowing  themselves to find a change of pace was exactly what was needed to increase their productivity and get back down to business. And according to Tara Horner, a contributor to WorkDesign.com, that’s exactly what outdoor workspaces can do. Not only that, but having an area in nature at your work can also increase your focus and enhance your mental attentiveness. Natural Stress Relief Spending hours and hours indoors during the workweek can cause anyone to feel a little stressed. However, by having somewhere that you can go outdoors and get away from your work for a few minutes, Paul Randall Smith of TangramInteriors.com states that you can get yourself some great natural stress relief. The fresh air and sunlight are often just what your body needs to recenter itself and come back to work prepared to accomplish all you have on your plate for the day. With all the benefits that can come from having an outdoor workspace at the office, it’s no wonder why this idea is becoming a trend that many offices are employing. Consider having more outdoor space at your workplace to start enjoying these benefits in your own company as well. Image Source; Image Source; Image Source

Friday, May 15, 2020

Do You Know How to Handle a Lawyer Sues Resume Writing Company?

Do You Know How to Handle a Lawyer Sues Resume Writing Company?How to deal with a lawyer about suing a resume writing company is something that almost all lawyers should be aware of. A lawyer who has a case pending against a resume writing company will more than likely file a lawsuit to stop the company from continuing their practices, including their resume writing services.This type of lawsuit is usually filed against a resume writer or a firm that offers resume writing services because the case involves an unsuccessful lawsuit against the resume writer or the company that the resume writer works for. The personal injury law firm that the lawyer is representing may have used resume writing services in order to win a lawsuit against a plaintiff who suffered personal injuries. After the lawsuit was won, the plaintiff found himself or herself unable to work due to those injuries and this is when the personal injury law firm took legal action against the firm.Lawyers who file these law suits believe that the resume writer or the firm is somehow responsible for the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. These lawsuits are often filed by attorneys who do not have enough experience to know about how to handle a lawsuit properly. They try to file a lawsuit against the resume writing company or the person responsible for providing resume writing services, which will then become a much larger and more complicated case.If you are a resume writer or someone who provides resume writing services and you receive a lawyer's lawsuit, you need to take the necessary steps to avoid becoming the defendant in a personal injury lawsuit. The first step you need to take is to contact your attorney and get a written opinion on what to do. Your attorney can tell you how to proceed with your case.You should also find out the types of cases that are most common in personal injury lawsuits. This may include personal injury claims against a nurse who prescribed the wrong medication, a doctor w ho does not perform an important surgical procedure correctly, or a personal injury claim against a surgeon who makes a mistake while performing a surgery. This is one way of figuring out if you will be a suitable target for the personal injury law firm or if your firm will be the target of the lawsuit.Even if you are not a part of a personal injury law firm, you should understand how to file a lawsuit yourself if you come into contact with a lawsuit. It is recommended that you do this before a lawyer files a lawsuit against you. The main reason for this is that it is easier to win a case if you start off your own case rather than having a personal injury lawyer takes over your case.The main tip for how to handle a lawsuit involving a personal injury law firm is to avoid being named as a defendant. You should try to remain neutral about the lawsuit in order to protect your client and yourself. While you will definitely want to protect yourself, the personal injury law firm may want to file a lawsuit against your client without your knowledge or consent.You should never ignore a personal injury lawsuit in order to avoid paying a lawyer's fees. A lawsuit may be coming your way for a wrongful death, a medical malpractice, or some other reason. You should always make sure to notify your attorney of any impending litigation in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

How do you find your playmates - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

How do you find your playmates - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog My good friend Carsten introduced this question some months ago, and Ive been thinking about it ever since: How do you find your playmates? As a kid it was easy: Go up to any house on the road where a kid about your age lived, ring the doorbell, and ask Wanna play? The need for playmates doesnt go away as we get older, but the way we find them certainly changes. Adults dont even call them playmaytes, we call them friends, acquaintances, colleagues, etc. But they still offer us the same space as playmates: A safe environment where you can try new things, be yourself and be surrounded by people you like, who like you. So heres my question to you: How do you find your playmates?. Think about it and comment if you like, Im very curious to know what you think. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Friday, May 8, 2020

7 Steps to Achieving Your Career Goals - CareerAlley

7 Steps to Achieving Your Career Goals - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Remember when you were a kid playing games with your friends and something unexpected would go wrong and you would ask for a do-over? Most of us start our careers with a goal in mind. Whether it is CEO, Head of IT or Retail Sales Manager, we think we know what we want. Sometimes it does not work out as planned. Stuff happens along the way and we lose focus, get stuck in a dead-end job or cant seem to find the right opportunities. But no matter what your dreams are, its never too late to make changes to your approach to your career and get a fresh start on your goals. People restart or refocus their careers all of the time, perhaps a program such as an RN to BSN online program. Some are successful, but most are not. Some of the key factors that determine success are a solid plan and commitment to get it done. Your goals do need to be reasonable and achievable. Once you make the decision to reboot your career and start the process, you will start to see the impact. (Re)Defining the Goal: The True Path to Career Readiness in the 21st Century Price: $14.98 Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 Self Assessment: Before you can begin to plan and achieve your career goals, you need to take a self-assessment. This only works if you are honest with yourself. Following are a few examples of what you should consider when starting your self-assessment: Where are you on your career path? Just started, 5 years in, etc. What have you accomplished in your career and your job(s). How do you perceive yourself? How confident are you in your abilities and skills? If you could start over and do something different in your career, what would that be? If you could acquire/learn new skills, what would they be? How do you feel about your career? Did you make the right career choice? Where are you most comfortable working? In teams? Working on your own? What motivates you? Have you taken the Myers-Briggs personality test (take a look at The Myers and Briggs Personality Test) source Time Management: A key component of managing your career is managing your time. Work/Life balance (focused, committed time on your career as well as your personal life and family) is key to success for your career and your personal life. Planning helps, and this includes periodic tasks such as educational development (reading up on key aspects in your career) and family night (setting dates to do stuff with your significant other, friends and family). Consider the following: Plan some down time where you can do anything you want (or nothing). Set aside time to work on your career and your career plan. Regularly scheduled sessions (alone or with others) work best. Prioritize your work at the start of each day (most important tasks first). If you are unclear which tasks are more important, ask your manager to help. Start one thing and finish it. Starting multiple tasks will cause you to lose focus and 5 started tasks are not as good as 1 or more completed tasks. This is true for your personal life and your career. If you really struggle with this you should look into courses that help with diary management. Remember this is a learned skill, not something people are born with. Learn to say no to additional work if you feel overwhelmed or if it forces you to give up a personal event. Again, ask your manager to help prioritize any new tasks that will interfere with you completing work already assigned. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity Price: $12.76 David Allen’s Getting Things Done has become one of the most influential business books of its era, and the ultimate book on personal organization. Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 Develop Your Networks: Leveraging your networks is another important task when attempting to achieve your career goals. And, whether you think you do or not, everyone has a network. Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash Your personal networks (this is really the people you spend the most time with outside of work. Take the time to make a list of your friends, family current/former coworkers for your network list. Make an effort to meet at least one new person a week. These should be people who have something in common with you in terms of your career or job. This can be at an event that you attend or even a business meeting or a job conference Maintaining your network is also key. As you build your network, you need to work on maintaining the contacts you have made. Send an email or call every so often to see how they are doing. Utilize your network in a way that allows people to make recommendations without putting too much pressure on them if they are uncomfortable in doing so. Make sure your LinkedIn account is active and updated. Add your contacts to your Google+ and Facebook accounts. Highly Effective Networking Price: $11.91 Virtually all job hunting experts agree that networking is the best way to find a great job. But most people don't have connections to the decision-makers who do the hiring. Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 Have a Vision for Your Career: What do you want to be when you grow up? Knowing the end game, where you want to go, is an important part of achieving your goals. If you know where you want to go, you are well on your way to your goals. Goal-setting techniques are used by successful people in all fields. By setting sharp, clearly defined goals, you can measure your progress and continuously motivate yourself to progress toward the vision you have for your ideal work life. You will be able to see forward movement in what might otherwise feel like a long, pointless grind. By setting and taking action toward your goals, you will raise your self-confidence. Berkeley.edu Know What You Need to Change: If youve done the self-assessment from step 1, now its time to do a skills assessment. You have your own views as to what you are good at (and you are probably right), but what about the stuff you dont know about (which can be key in your career goals). Take a look at Aptitude Tests. Know Your End Game: Know what you need to achieve your career goals. If its one or more promotions, make sure you know the requirements The questions youll face at a job interview are anything but typical yes/no questions, so you want to make sure youre mentally ready to go into as much detail as possible about your experience and the industry. Tweet This Practice Makes Perfect: Focus on the skills you would like to improve or learn. Take courses at night school or online Earn an advanced degree Learn more about your industry Attend industry conferences Read industry periodicals Visit your college or university career office (yes, even if youve graduated) One of the biggest career obstacles is understanding and practicing the key success factors that will help you maximize your career goals. Making a difference in your company and industry as well as becoming a motivating force in your workplace will help you bring it to the next level. Managing to enjoy your job and make an impact at the same time requires a drive and commitment that takes intense focus. Examining the online profiles of a number of successful executives and trendsetters often reveals what it takes to get to the top of the success ladder. No matter who you are or whom you know, your career will have its ups and downs. Make a plan using the seven steps to achieve your career goals. ZipRecruiter Price: Never miss an opportunity. On ZipRecruiter, top companies reach out to you. Complete the required steps to get started. Get Recruited We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to launch your career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search