Making Your Home into Your Office

Making Your Home into Your OfficeMaking Your Home into Your OfficeI was fortunate enough to be one of them.When the process began, I had visions of four-digit expenditures (to be paid by the newspaper or the designers) on major renovations to turn this crowded and sometimes gloomy 1217 space into a livable and workable environment.It turns out, it only took $326 and a designer with some good ideas.Here are a few small things you can do to turn any home area into a workspace that is comfortable and inspiring- and where you can pull off professional meetings. Tips come from Hilary Unger, who applied them to my Manhattan apartmentOrganizeMake it feel not too cluttered Pair like with like - pencils in pencil holders, baskets for paper, katechese pad next to phone, she says. Order and neatness go a long way toward creating a work environment that is pleasing to the eye.SeparateIf youre working at your dining room table and you have to fold it up every night to use it for eating, you lose productivity, says Unger. Think about getting a separate desk, or at least a separate area.Like ItLook at your priorities What items do you want to keep? What items do you need to keep? What are your goals and what is bothering you about the space? Unger suggests an evaluation of your work area to find what you like and dont like will help you focus on what you need to rework.(Hilary Unger is owner of Perianth Design and Buy My Eye. Buy My Eye is a slimmed-down service that involves a consultation followed by a detailed analysis and shopping list with options.)Posted by Laura Rich, RecessionWire.comAt the End of Your Robe Finding Your Identity in CrisisRecession Briefing 3.13Love in the Time of Layoff Learning from the Ladies

Hiring Climate for Creatives, December 2017 Update

Hiring Climate for Creatives, December 2017 UpdateHiring Climate for Creatives, December 2017 Update*/Read the infographic text.HIRING CLIMATE FOR CREATIVESDecember 2017 UpdateWhat are your companys hiring plans for full-time creative employees?FIRST HALF OF 2018SECOND HALF OF 2017Expanding/adding new positions5%9%Maintaining/filling vacated positions78%64%Freezing/not filling vacated or new positions17%21%Reducing/eliminating positions0%4%How challenging is it for your company to find skilled creative professionals today?7% Very challenging46% Somewhat challenging25% Not applicable/not looking22% Not challengingTop areas creative executives expect to hire for in the first half of 201825% Content marketing23% Brand/product management22% Digital marketing20% Marketing research20% CopywritingMost challenging areas for companies to fill1. Web design/production2. Marketing research3. Brand/product management4. Digital marketingSource The Creative Group survey of more than 400 adverti sing and marketing executives in the United States.Responses may not total 100 percent due to rounding. 2018 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.

How to Prepare for Pre-Job Interview Questions

How to Prepare for Pre-Job Interview QuestionsHow to Prepare for Pre-Job Interview QuestionsSome companies want candidates to respond to questions prior to their scheduledjob bewerberinterview. To that end, they will send a pre-interview questionnaire with questions to fill out beforehand. If youre asked to complete one, you may need to provide some of the same information that is on your resume and thejob application you submitted. You may also be asked questions related to your background, your skills, your experience, and your availability for work. The questionnaire might also include test questions to measure your ability to do the job. Employers who use pre-interview questionnaires send them to candidates prior to an interview. The questions may be completed online or via email, depending on the company. You will be instructed on how to complete them when you get the questions. Why Employers Use Pre-Interview Questionnaires Pre-interview questionnaires allow employers to ga ther more information about you thanwhat is provided on your resume and cover letter. The goal of asking pre-interview questions is to find outwhetheryou are agood fitfor both the job and the company, as well as to ask questions that might not be asked during the interview. It saves the company time because they will have some of the information they need to make a hiring decision in advance, which leaves more time for other questions during the actual job interview. Tips for Answering Pre-Interview Questions Although you will likely already have an interview lined up when you receive the questionnaire, you still need to take the pre-interview seriously. Occasionally, employers will cancel an interview if your responses indicate youre not a match for the job. Most questionnaires are designed to take the candidate about half an hour to fill out. Thoroughly answer each question without providing too much detail, just as you would in an actual in-person orphone interview. If the qu estionnaire includes space in which to answer each question, dont exceed the space given. Keep your answers concise but complete. Recruiting-Related Questions Rather than asking these questions during the actual interview, employers often ask more detailed, recruiting-related questions during the pre-interview. Below are some examples of these questions Where did you see our posting?Would you be willing to participate in a telephone interview?What is the minimum starting yearly salary that you will accept for this ort?Is there anyone that you would like to meet or talk to during your visit for an interview?What decision criteria will you use to decide whether you will acceptthis job offerif it is offered to you?What other companies have you applied to recently?May I contact the references you listed on your job application?What is your availability? When could you begin work if you were hired? What other companies have you applied to recently? Strengths and Weaknesses An emp loyer will likely ask you about your strengths and weaknesses during the actual interview. However, pre-interview questionnaires often also contain questions about yourstrengths and weaknesses,just in case these questions are skipped over during the interview. Here are typical questions regarding strengths and weaknesses What knowledge areas and technical skills are your strongest?What team and leadership skills are your strongest?Do you have any additional skills or experiences that you did not include in your resume that we should know about?Can you provide us with a sample or demonstration of your best work? Motivation and Frustration Employers want to know whether or not you will fit in with theircompanys cultureand managerial style. They also want to know what motivates you to workatyour best - do you have long-term goals, and are they appropriate for the position to which you are applying? Below are sample questions you may be asked about motivation and frustration in the workplace. Describe a time when you were asked to work overtime without compensation. How did you manage the situation?Where do you expect to be in two years? Five years?Are you interested in further professional development?How does this position fit in with your long-term goals? Skill Test Questions There may be test questions on the pre-interview questionnaire. For example, if you are applying for a writing or editing position, you may be asked to take an editing test. If youre applying for a social media job, you may be asked to explain how to create a Facebook page or a Twitter profile. For applicants applyingfor programmer jobs, you may be asked about the programs you know and the certifications you hold. The types of questions you will be asked, if any, will be related to the type of position the company is hiring for. Check Your Responses Before you send back or submit your questionnaire,be sure to proofread your responses to make sure there are no typos or grammatic al errors. Also be sure the information you submitted matches your resume andjob application. Discrepancies will be a red flag for an employer and could cost you the interview. Information About the Interview In addition to asking questions, employers often include information that will be necessary for the upcoming interview in the questionnaire. This information may include details on what to wear to the interview, directions to the office, and the materials you will need to bring. Key Takeaways Take pre-interview questions seriously Hiring managers will assess your response to the questionnaire, as well as your interview responses, in making a hiring decision.Questions can varyThey may be related to your background or abilities, or may even be test questions designed to assess your skills in specific areas.Follow instructions carefullyIf youre asked to provide three sentences, do so - not four or two. Proofread your responses before submitting.

10 Things Exceptionally Successful Do on the Weekends

10 Things Exceptionally Successful Do on the Weekends 10 Things Exceptionally Successful Do on the Weekends Article by Casey ImafidonIt is one thing to be successful, but it is another thing to be exceptionally successful. To attain such a high level of success, you have to be willing to put in the work. The theme of the modern-day careerist is this How do you get more done in less time?While a lot of people see the weekend as a time to hang out and relax, exceptionally successful people have a different idea of how Saturdays and Sundays should be spent. Here is how they spend their weekends to set the tone for a week of crazy productivity1. They Wake Up EarlyApple CEO Tim Cook is said to wake up at 345 every morning including on weekends. It is wrong to assume that you need to stay in bed until midday because its the weekend. Successful people know time is precious and shouldnt be wasted, no matter what day it is.2. They ReadYou cannot negate the power of reading. Eimantas Balciu nas, CEO of Travel Ticker, says, Reading and staying abreast of what happens in the travel industry puts me in a position to discover those things the competition apparently may have ignored By reading and expanding your knowledge, even and especially on weekends, you are better informed to approach your tasks for the week.3. TheySpend Time ReflectingAs Socrates said, An unexamined life is not worth living. Successful people follow that philosophy by using the weekends to look back at what worked and what didnt over the course of the previous week. By reflecting on your week, you can focus on the improvements you need to make on Monday.4. They Make Time to Pursue Their InterestsSuccessful people know that chasing success doesnt mean they have to forget their favorite hobbies. The weekend offers you the opportunity to be creative and do whatever it is you like to do fruchtwein in your spare time.5. They Give Something BackAlexey Chuklin, founder and CEO of Write, says, I can use the weekend to give back by showing I am a part of a community.Similarly, in the book Rich Habits The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals, author Thomas C. Corley writesthat 70 percent of successful people give back at least five hours every month.6. They DisconnectSuccessful people know they have to carve out downtime during which they put away their phones and dont check their email. The weekend is the most ideal time to seek out a break, even if its a small one.7. They Connect With Their FamiliesWeekdays might not offer busy successful people enough time to spend with their families and friends.The weekend can be the perfect time to catch up.8. They Stay in ShapeExercise can be refreshing. Not only does it strengthen your mind, but it also gives you the opportunity to clear your head and embrace fresh ideas for the new week.9. They Build MomentumSuccessful people dont settle for average. They are always focused on excellence by keeping up the momentum. The weekend is a good t ime to put things in perspective, gain clarity, andrefocus on your most important goals.10. They Plan for the Upcoming WeekTwitters Jack Dorsey has an insane work ethic he works 16 hours a day Monday through Friday. However, hemakes sure his schedule allows him to take off Saturdays, and he uses his Sundays to plan for the upcoming week.So how do you spend your weekends?A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.Casey Imafidon is a full-time writer. He blogs about happiness, success and relationships. He has been featured on Inc.com, Addicted2Success.com, ThoughtCatalog.com, and many more. Feel free to connect with him on Twitterand Facebook.

New Book from an Executive Coach

New Book from an Executive Coach New Book from an Executive Coach Mott, an executive coach and president of Mott Coaching, had this to say about her book The professional world is a difficult and complex place. In this book, its my goal to give readers the tools they need to get out of their own way so they can be successful with some humor, maybe a little guilt, and, of course, direct advice, just like a good Jewish motherMott has traveled the world as an executive coach and uses her experiences to contribute to gainful insights revealed in the book. herbei book includes examples and success stories from executives that have applied her strategies in their businesses and have seen growth and continued success. Mott adds, My multifaceted background has significantly contributed to my abilities and success as an executive coach. More than anything, my experience has taught me exactly what people need to hear to be successfulMott Coaching is an executive coaching and leadership deve lopment consulting company that assists career professionals in getting through challenges to achieve success. She offers 15 years experience as an executive in the healthcare industry, as well as additional years as a public television administrator, producer and director and eight years as a consultant.For more information about Ruths book, visit TheJewishMotherCoach.com.

The Most Ignored Answer for Resumes Model

The Most Ignored Answer for Resumes Model Free resume templates dont need to sacrifice quality. Creating a reliable PowerPoint presentation entails several components to think about. This template from Beautiful Resumes features vibrant colours, but you might just as easily get the exact same effect having a more subtle color scheme. The Resumes Model Game Possessing a crystal clear and professional resume is critical in the health care field. First resume example free of work experience writing your first resume when do bedrngnis have any work experience. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Transportation jobs involve a great deal of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can deal with that. Also show youre a well-rounded worker. You might be working 6 months at one time per job contract. Some businesses will ask you to be accountable for al l documentation. Unique kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the very same skills. To capture the eye of employers, you should demonstrate how you excel in the market, along with your knowledge of it. The medical industry can be quite competitive. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Resumes Model Both are applying for work as a style model. Physical Portfolios Deciding on the number of design pieces to present in an interview is among the most troublesome aspects of being a true designer. If you are searching for model resumes samples, youll find here very professional resume samples. An expert model resume is a written copy of any preceding model work you may have done. To have a notion of the unique common resume designs for the market, look at the model resume samples for inspiration. What you distribution policy on the top is what you would like to get seen first. Then it may be time to bring some style to your resume If youre a ctually certainly not happy with the template youre actually teaming up with merely opt for another coming from the assortment below. Deciding between a conventional text or graphically designed resume really depends upon your profession and industry. Some people might think that fancy is better, but in the event of a prosperous executive resume, easy and professional is the best way to go. Actually, the objective of a resume is not to secure you a job, yet to enable a possible employer decide if you meet the requirements for an interview. Last, dont neglect to have a look at our professional cover letter examples. At the exact same time you dont need to list all youve done but the most essential roles and events first followed by others performances and emphasize on the crucial roles youve performed. Its fast and simple to use. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills. The employer will also be determining whether youre a fantastic fit for their company culture. Dont be deterred if you dont meet all the qualifications. The extra skills can be in accord with the job or completely different. While all resumes should offer information on your work and education experience, in addition to your abilities and accomplishments, there are various ways to present this info. You are unable to work as a Delivery Driver if you arent professionally licensed. Resumes are usually categorized by the style in which the info is presented. This type of the Nurse Resume is an illustration of a cyber-safe chronological resume. Basic resumes typically have an extremely classic and standard tone. Infographic resumes seem nice, but you also have to be concerned about applicant tracking system program. Chronological resumes are the ideal place to highlight your accomplishments. Resumes with maps or infographics offer the exact same chronology of information, but with a little more flair. On-line portfolios permit you to present all your work in one spot. When its an on-line portfolio, do that with a hyperlink. Show you understand what the agency is searching for, and the way youre able to provide help. You are also able to get a feeling of the internal language used within a specific industry or company. An image linked to the profession or industry sends a message straight away and can encourage the reader to discover more. If youre still fighting to locate a format that is suitable for your requirements, look at using templates to have you started. The left sidebar provides you with extra room to get around the two-page resume, and the principal body area is ideal for your resume objective or summary and your work experience. What is it that youre bringing on board which will probably benefit the organization. Its also important to think about the sort of work you really wish to be hired to do. In it, showcase all of the amazing work youve done up to now.

How Apprenticeship Programs Can Solve the Skills Gap Issue - Spark Hire

How Apprenticeship Programs Can Solve the Skills Gap Issue - Spark HireThe unfortunate reality today is that a college degree no longer guarantees an easy path to a well-paying job after graduation. As of 2012, 44% of recent college graduates are unemployed or working in jobs that that do leid require the degree they have. Moreover, over half of recent college graduates are working jobs that dont require a college degree at all. In his article for The Wired, Dave Hoover reports that the youth unemployment rate in the U.S. of 15% is almost double that of Germanys, which is 7.4%. In addition to being a huge problem for young people facing extreme student debt, high youth unemployment costs the U.S. government $25 billion.Hoover shares his experience of developing a software apprenticeship program at Obtiva (acquired by Groupon) after learning of Germanys dual-path education ordnungsprinzip that guides young people towards pursuing employment opportunities. He felt that employers, educa tors, and politicians in the U.S. were not doing enough to provide young people here with the same guidance and support and decided to do something himself.An apprenticeship program combines on-the-job training with academic instruction and allows people to utilize their academic skills for practical use in various careers. Hoover explains that the key components for a successful program are a mentor, a project team, and an open culture of learning.Hoover ran his software apprenticeship program for 5 years taking on aspiring software developers and giving them the chance to work hard for 6 months. The program allowed novice software developers to learn and develop skills that turned them into competent software developers.The apprenticeship program helped to grow Obtivas engineering team from 5 to 50 engineers. Additionally, the program helped Groupon grow their engineering team to around 500 people.Hoover and the apprenticeship program he established at Obtiva is a great example fo r other companies to follow if they want to overcome the skills gap. Rather than wait for candidates who possess all of the skills required for a job to suddenly appear, companies should engage and work with local amateurs who have the potential to be productive members of their team who will contribute to their success.Companies may be wary about not hiring based on degrees and certifications, but Hoover encourages employers to make the jump. He cites tenacity and a passion for learning and developing as being just as, if not more, crucial to a companys future success.There are millions of young people who could possibly be the superstars companies are looking for. They just need to be given the opportunity to hone the skills they already have and learn the skills they need to be amazing team members.Are apprenticeship programs something youre considering for your company? Wed love to know your thoughts. Share in the comments belowImage Goodluz/BigStock.com