Saturday, December 28, 2019

The Ultimate Job Interview Checklist

The Ultimate Job Interview ChecklistThe Ultimate Job Interview ChecklistYoull never be unprepared for an vorstellungsgesprch with this complete checklist.If youve been reading my articles on Ladders Career Chronicles, you know that I like to break down the job-search process into three phases Prep, search and close. When you think about it, the einstellungsgesprch process also has three important stages. How you prepare and what you do afterwards is just as important as what happens when youre sitting in the interview room pitching your skills.Below Ive created a comprehensive checklist to walk you through the interview process so youre ready to impress a prospective employer and land the job.Research the company.Employers want to know you took the initiative to learn more about their organization. With the prevalence of social media and mobile technology, theres no excuse for entering an interview unprepared.Visit the prospective employers website and social media accounts and searc h for them on Yahoo Finance to get a better sense of what the company is all about. Run a Google News search on the company and its competitors to catch up on the latest news.If you havent already, subscribe to some email newsletters and other online publications that focus on your target industry. Unsure where to find these publications? Run a good ol Google search such as RV industry publications to start.The goal is to get a better understanding of the companys industry and geschftliches miteinander, their competition, where they stand in the marketplace, and their financial stability so youre better prepared to field and ask relevant questions during the interview.Investigate the company culture.In recruiting, we often talk about the 80/20 rule If youre brought in for a face-to-face interview, approximately 20 percent of the time will be spent verifying you have the necessary skill platzdeckchen. The remaining 80 percent will be spent determining if youll fit in with the team. You can have the best qualifications, but if your personality and work style dont mesh with the existing team, it wont work out.Take another look at the companys social media presence particularly if they have accounts set up for recruiting purposes to get a better sense of the companys personality. For additional insights, visit Glassdoor and The Muse s company sections and talk to anyone in your network who currently works or previously worked for the organization. Click on the following link to learn more about investigating company culture.Identify the market rate.Its nearly impossible to get past the first phone screen, let alone a face-to-face interview, without being asked for your salary requirements. Thats why its important to research the going rate for a position before you set foot in the interview room. Check out Ladders Scout feature and their Job Market Guides, Salary.com and PayScale todiscover the going rate for your targeted job. When using any of these tools, t ake the location, industry, and company size into account. Not sure how to handle this topic during an interview? Check out this article on how to respond to the question, What are your salary requirements? Review the role.Reread the job description and take a closer look at the core requirements for the position. If youre working with an agency recruiter, ask this person what qualifications are most important to the hiring manager when it comes to filling this role. What about your experience, hintergrund, skill set or previous accomplishments are most attractive? This will help you develop your talking points for the interview.Practice your responses.Think about the interview questions you feel least comfortable answering, such as Whats youre greatest weakness? and Tell me about yourself. Create and then practice delivering succinct stories that answer these questions, while demonstrating how you possess the right skill sets and background for the role. I recommend using the STAR method. Need more help? Click on the following link to learn the right way to answer these difficult and essential job interview questions.Prepare questions.When you dont have anything to ask your interviewers, it sends the signal youre not really interested in the role. Dont make this mistake. Prepare at least five questions you can ask every interviewer with whom you meet. Looking for more interview help? Click on the following link to read Ladders Founder Marc Cenedellas list of top interview questions.Select your interview outfit.When was the last time you tried on your interview outfit ? Do yourself a favor and try on the entire ensemble a few days before the interview to make sure everything fits you properly, is clean, pressed and ready to go. Do you need to tighten a loose button or shine your dress shoes? Take care of these little details ahead of time so you can focus on other more important things the day of the interview.Remember, when it comes to interview attire , theres no one size fits all. Consider the company culture and other factors when choosing an outfit for your interview. Need some visual aids? Check out these great articles by The Daily Muse on interview wardrobe options for men and women.Pack your bag.Bring at least two hard copies of your resume, a copy of the job description, a list of three references and their preferred contact information (remember, this does not belong on your resume), a list of questions to ask the interviewer, and a pen and notepad for taking notes. If youre in a creative field, bring your portfolio to showcase your course of work. Last but not least, bring your A game. Confidence, a positive attitude, and a genuine interest in the role and the company will set you fremdlndisch from the competition. When you and another candidate have comparable skill sets, the only thing that will set you apart is your passion.Plan your commute.The last thing you want to do is show up late to your interview. Talk about sending the wrong message Avoid this mistake by doing a dry run of your commute. Travel to the office location at the same time of day your interview is scheduled so you are familiar with the route and can properly budget your travel time. If this isnt an option, pull out your smart device and use apps like Google Maps or HopStop to estimate how long it will take you to get to the interview. Unsure when to arrive for your interview? Check out Business Insiders article on the perfect time to show up for an interview.Take notes.Make sure to collect business cards or write down the proper spelling of the interviewers names and email addresses during the interview process so you can follow up in a timely manner. Take notes during each conversation so you can personalize each message by focusing on the most significant points raised during each interview. Dont be afraid to jot down little details you learned about the interviewer, such as a shared passion or an upcoming trip you can use this information in your follow-up to demonstrate your attention to detail and make your message more memorable.Follow up.Differentiate yourself from other candidates by sending a thoughtful thank-you note to each interviewer within 24 hours of the interview. Use this communication as a tool to address any objections expressed by interviewers and demonstrate your qualifications for the job. Click on the following link to view some of my favorite tips for creating the perfect thank-you message.

Monday, December 23, 2019

What to Know About Getting Married in the Military

What to Know About Getting Married in the MilitaryWhat to Know About Getting Married in the MilitaryIf you are planning on joining the military and planning on getting married, therbeibeie are certain advantages and disadvantages to tying that kbedrngnis before you leave for basic training. As with any marriage, there are challenges. However, there are many challenges unique to the military. The divorce rate in the United States is about 50 percent, and that statistic follows over to the military. The military divorce rate is traditionally a little higher, because of the difficulty of a military life brings its challenges to the family. Frequent moves and trips, unaccompanied assignments, long working hours, combat deployments, and potentially dangerous work can add to the stresses of married life. Some units within the military such as special operations tend to have a higher average divorce rate than other military counterparts and civilian society. However, the military provides many benefits to help the family, unlike many other employers, do. Advantages of Military Marriage The military is a good employer to those with families as there are many programs and benefits for the family and spouses of the military member. Here is a list of many of them Housing AllowanceA married servicemember receives a Housing Allowance while in basic training and follow-on job training (Technical School, AIT, A-School), to provide a household for his or her dependents, even though they are also living for free in government quarters (barracks). If you get married before joining the military, this tax-free housing allowance begins on the very first day of active duty (the first day of basic training). If you wait until after joining the military to get married, the housing allowance becomes effective on the date of the marriage. It can be a significant and tax-free addition to the monthly payment and usually covers the rent or mortgage in full in most situations. Medical CareDependents of active duty members are covered by the Military Medical System (Tricare), effective the very first day of active duty. During basic training in-processing, the recruit completes paperwork to enroll their dependents in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment System), and for a military dependent ID Card. The ID Card paperwork is mailed to the spouse who can then take it to any military installation and obtain a military dependent ID Card.Family Separation AllowanceMarried members are entitled to a Family Separation Allowance, when they are separated from their dependents, due to military orders. The tax-free allowance begins after separation of 30 days. It means married people in basic training and technical school (if the technical school duration is less than 20 weeks) begins to receive this pay 30 days after going on active duty. Single personnel do not receive this allowance. Movement of Dependents and Household GoodsThe married military member is entitled to move their dependents (and personal property) to the next duty station at government expense. Travel entitlements end when one signs in at their new duty station, so whether or not one can be reimbursed for dependent travel depends on the date of the marriage.Commissary, Exchange, Base PrivilegesYou will find many people on base in the same position as you, and they will become family. Base schools offer unique environments to military children in pre-school and elementary schools on many bases. The no tax and lower than average shopping experience at the grocery store and base stores are also helpful to the monthly budget. Social activities are also prevalent on base and in the surrounding area for the military family to help with the departure of a spouse on deployment. DuringJob TrainingIf a technical school, AIT, or A-school is 20 weeks or longer in duration (at a single location), one is entitled to move their dependents to their school location at government expense. They are then (usually 30 days after arrival) allowed to live with their dependents after duty hours. Single members, of course, cannot move their girl/boyfriends at government expense, nor will they be allowed to live off-base (even at their own expense) at job training locations. If the job training is less than 20 weeks, a married person can still elect to move his/her dependents (at his/her own expense), but would (usually) be allowed to live with them off base. It would be beginning 30 days after arrival, with the school commanders permission (as long as the student is doing okay in class, such permission is routinely granted). If the dependents do move to the members school location, Family Separation Allowance stops. QualificationsThe services require additional paperwork, additional processing, and sometimes even waivers for members with dependents. For example, the Air Force requires a credit check for any member who is married or has ever been married. If youre in theDelayed Enlistment Program(DEP) and decide to get married before shipping out to basic training, youll want to check with your recruiter to determine (depending on what additional processing is required, and when youre shipping out) if this would possibly delay your shipping date. Dependent SupportAll of the services have regulations which require military members to provide adequate support to their dependents. While in basic training and job school, youre being provided a housing allowance for the sole purpose of providing a place to live for your dependent family members. If your spouse makes an official complaint to your commander that you are failing or refusing to provide financial support, you could be disciplined or at least called into the Commanders office. While one doesnt want to think about divorce when they are anxious to get married, divorce is a real possibility. At least a 50% possibility. Military members should be aware that there is a special law that applies to them when it comes to divorce andretirement pay. TheUniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Actallows any state court to treat your FUTURE military retired pay as joint property, to be divided with your spouse, in the event of a divorce.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Air Force Job AFSC 1C6X1 - Space Systems Operations

Air Force Job AFSC 1C6X1 - Space Systems OperationsAir Force Job AFSC 1C6X1 - Space Systems OperationsSpace systems operations specialists are tasked with overseeing critical aspects of the Air Forces space program, including tracking satellites and ballistic missiles, monitoring space flight operations, and assisting with rocket launches. The Air Force categorizes this important job with Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1C6X1. Duties of Space Systems Operations Specialists These airmen detect, identify, and maintain surveillance on low orbiting and deep space satellite vehicles using active and passive space surveillance systems. Part of their work involves exploring new space surveillance technologies, developing new space operational procedures, and employing new space surveillance sensors. They also use sophisticated Air Force tracking technology to detect and track sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missiles, and detect and track Earth satellites. In addition, these specialists plan satellite contacts, resolve any emergencies that arise with satellites, and conduct satellite commanding during launch, early orbit, daily operations, and end-of-life testing, when the satellites have outlived their use. The satellites they operate include Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites used for military communications. And they assist with launch operations for other Department of Defense and NASA satellites. Qualifying for AFSC 1C6X1 To be eligible to serve as a space systems operations specialist, you need a score of at least 60 on the electronics (E) qualification aptitude area of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in physics, geometry, trigonometry, algebra and computer science will be helpful. And youll need to complete a basic space systems operator course. Since youll be dealing with highly sensitive information in the course of your daily job, you will also need to qualify for a secret security clearance from the Department of Defense. This involves background checks of your character and finances, and a criminal record of history of drug abuse may be disqualifying. Candidates for this job must be U.S. citizens. After Technical Training Following boot camp and Airmens Week, recruits for this job spend up to 100 days in technical school training at Vandenberg Air Force kusine in California. Here youll learn the fundamental skills youll need in this job, such as Satellite C2, space warning and control systems, and space launch processesOrbital mechanicsData analysis proceduresSensor theoryData transmission theoryPrinciples of satellite and ground systemsReceiving, recording, and relaying operational data Civilian Equivalent Jobs Since this Air Force job primarily deals with military satellites and other systems, there is no true civilian job that could be considered equivalent. However, the skills you learn sh ould lay the groundwork for a number of careers in technology hardware and may qualify you for jobs in the aerospace industry or with a defense contractor.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Social Media What I learned when I unfollowed people

Social Media What I learned when I unfollowed peopleSocial Media What I learned when I unfollowed peopleThe most clever life hack Ivelearned is toapply the average of five rule to social mediaJim Rohn once saidYou are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.Now ask yurself Whose content do I consume on social media?The answer for most people is Anyone who comes up in my social media news feed.Do you want to become like anyone or someone?Probably someone.Social media makes us unhappyAfter using social media, most of us feel unhappy because we consumed a significant amount of content that doesnt help us reach our goals.To ensure youre consuming content from the top five social media friends who you want to become, do this unfollow everyone except them, mentees, and family.It may take you an entire day of unfollowing people, but its worth it.Do this for every social platform.Dont worry about what other people thinkI know what youre thinking What if my friends get ups et that I no longer interact with their content?Why should you care?Dont validate their production of content thats not healthy for people to consume.Its better to accomplish your goals than to lay around not doing anything with your life while youre scrolling through Facebook.The only way to become like the people who you admire is to consume content created by them to understand how they learn, think, and grow.Thats it.Everything else is in the way of your goals.The best life hack you can do to change your life is to unfollow everyone except the five people who you admire, mentees, and family.Start today.Your future you will be thankful.This article originally appeared on Quora.Josh Fechter is a growth evangelistat Autopilot HQand an adviser at Praxis.

Monday, December 9, 2019

New Ideas Into Resume for Highschool Students with No Work Experience Never Before Revealed

New Ideas Into Resume for Highschool Students with No Work Experience Never Before Revealed Getting the Best Resume for Highschool Students with No Work Experience Knowing the distinction between a resume and courses vitae is a lot more important before deciding upon a template. Making your resume is vital. These resumes have been specially intended for students that are still in high school or those that are going to graduate. Nationwide, its not uncommon for parents to support the usage of corporal punishment as a sort of discipline. Your school work might seem to be no big thing. Patrick Henry wasnt far behind, however, and could have inched by in more recent decades. Employers arent likely to expect you to have years of paid work experience whenever you are in high school. Business Insider wasnt able to check the credibility of the students Twitter account. Adhering to all the rules in making the format of your resume, it is clear that you will draw the businesss HR. J ob aspirants want to be on the lookout for a resume template as an alternative to a courses vitae template. Content If youre searching for a resume that you may use as is (without having to alter the plan layout), then this is the ideal solution for you. Students are going to learn about the way to use grid system. You might decide to add to your resume that youre a problem solver or solution oriented. No matter your degree of job practical expertise, your resume structure is crucial to making your application stick out. If you dont have the opportunity to design and compose the resume altogether, this tool may produce the work simple for you. Next enkoranvers use of good resume keywords. If you want to put in an application for a lifeguard position, your resume objective should mention all certifications you have gotten. Positioned at the very top of your resume, the summary statement provides the hiring manager a snapshot of your abilities and accomplishments. When you su bmit an application for a job which you do so with your resume. An interview may also be needed to land the job, but a resume is imperative to begin the practice. You should be aware that excellence isnt something you are born with. Thoughts revolving around what you would like to achieve in your career will lead to the response to the most significant question. Write your resume to the company (make for them sure youre the perfect candidate by highlighting the qualities they are searching for) It is extremely important to receive noticed with your CV and to stick out from different participants. The aim of the DAE test was supposed to determine individual conceptions of engineersand engineering. A Startling Fact about Resume for Highschool Students with No Work Experience Uncovered You need to provide potential future employers an idea of how youre get the job done for them. Even in case youve never held an official job, its still true that you have life experience thats ap plicable to the work search. On the flip side, perhaps you have little in the method of paid job experience but a number of volunteer work on your CV. You will need experience to have a job, but you require a job to acquire experience. The point is to grab focus at the ideal keywords to create maximum effect. Remember trying is far better than sitting idle. The best method to get started is not to consider designing a resume format off the peak of your head. You may have to try out all over again from the beginning. However tempting it may be to stretch the truth, lying on your resume is always a poor idea. Its a bit dangerous to just pinpoint 1 thing. The primary reason is they find it way too hard to continue farther. The causes of death have yet to be released.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

New Questions About Best Resume Writing Services Chicago Accountants Answered and Why You Must Read Every Word of This Report

New Questions About Best Resume Writing Services Chicago Accountants Answered and Why You Must Read Every Word of This Report When trying to find the ideal resume writing service for your requirements, its firstly vital that you research into what each service may give you and the way the conditions of your agreement will get the job done. The organization becomes good scores on a couple of websites, but nonetheless, it mostly gets complaints by real users. It has invested a great deal of time in making the website attractive to the customer. For starters, even though it has done a great job in creating the website design and content, there is a serious lack of service options on it. Best Resume Writing Services Chicago Accountants - the Conspiracy Professional resume writers understand the significance of their work, so they are always accountable for the very best result. Youll be surrounded by writing professionals throughout the plan of order placement, and the moment you opt to purchase essay and pick an allocated writer, things are likely to get even more exciting. Professional writers can help you to compose an essay about myself easily. In fact, a seasoned writer can get the job done much faster than any student as theyve been writing academic assignments during their entire life. Things You Wont Like About Best Resume Writing Services Chicago Accountants and Things You Will Make certain every detail is somehow pertinent to the job that you want. Resumes are far more than only a very simple collection of your prior jobs and obligations. Basically, writing skills really make a difference in the way you run into. Resume writing is the most crucial step in presenting your abilities and receiving the job that you desire. To ask an expert to write your resume for you is something that is truly normal nowadays. When preparing to meet with your boss regarding a raise, it is an excellent idea to devote a little extra time with the section of y our resume managing the results that youve achieved in your present job. During the procedure, you will work one-on-one with a certified, experienced professional until youve got a resume youre pleased with. Drafting a resume which is really going to make you distinguish yourself from the rest is no simple job and with a huge amount of resume examples on the internet, we can run the gelegenheit of adding too much, too little or merely sending out carbon copy resumes which are dull and at times too simplistic. Best Resume Writing Services Chicago Accountants Can Be Fun for Everyone It is possible to even take a look at some of the samples of several sorts of resumes for various kinds of careers. Custom writing means a severe company with high standards. Its right where you require it. Based on the field of law for which youre submitting a resume-and if you have sufficient years of experience-you might want to incorporate a transaction sheet as a portion of your resume. Some r esume writing services may not provide a refund should you not get the wanted results youve been promised. By checking out all features and services a business offers, were getting sufficient info to generate a conclusion on which are the best resume services that will be able to help you get the job which you are applying for. One particular special feature given by Resume Writers Service is that if youre a returning customer, you can find any services for half off the normal price. Our services wont only demonstrate your value as an employee to prospective organizations, theyll also convince you of your very own expert worth.

Friday, November 29, 2019

How To Keep Your IT Team Happy

How To Keep Your IT Team HappyHow To Keep Your IT Team HappyHow can IT managers keep employees engaged and prevent job turnover by ensuring their gruppes are happy at work? New research from Robert Half can help point the way.Lets start with a question Whats so important about ensuring that every employee on your IT team stays happy at work? Isnt it enough for employees to simply be good at what they do and make good on their deliverables for the company?A happy employee is a better employeeRobert Halfs happiness study found that a happy employee is in fact a better employee, and thus helps both you as a manager and your company as a whole. This welches found to be as true for professionals in the tech industry as for any other field or industry, regardless of location. The study reports what a growing body of research has also validated that when you have happier employees on the job, youll be working with people who are not only more engaged and more loyal, but also more creative a nd productive than employees who are less satisfied.After surveying more than 12,000 professionals in North America from a wide range of industries including technology, we were able to determine how IT stacks up in terms of workplace happiness.Looking at the study results, several areas stand out for IT managers when considering drivers of job satisfaction for their teams. Compared to professionals in other industries, more IT employees feel that they areRegularly learning new things at work (65% IT versus 54% industries overall)Satisfied with their work-life balance (73% IT versus 66% industries overall)Paid appropriately based on their efforts and achievements at work (66% IT versus 55% industries overall)Able to influence important decisions in their work (63% IT versus 51% industries overall)Get the chance to be creative in their job (58% IT versus 47% industries overall)Receive constructive feedback on their performance (58% IT versus 48% industries overall)Appreciated for the ir efforts at work (66% IT versus 58% industries overall)While IT professionals had higher percentages in each of the above areas compared with the overall study, there is still clearly room for improvement. For example, this data shows that more than one-third of IT talent surveyed is not regularly receiving new learning opportunities at their company, more than one-quarter are not satisfied with their work-life balance, and nearly half dont get the chance during work time to be creative.Learn more about the latest IT hiring trends download our Salary Guide.Here are some specific findings of the Robert Half study on the managerial benefits of having employees in your company who are happy at workMore resilience and loyalty. Happy employees have been found to roll with the punches and stay on the job for a longer time period. Lower turnover means that you as a manager retain the institutional knowledge of the employee, and youll also reduce the amount of time and resources needed fo r hiring and training.Higher quality of work. Happiness in the workplace has been shown to produce oben liegend performance at work for both individuals and teams. Since an employee who is feeling good on the job cares more about the work than those who are not, the former will put in more effort and as a result be more productive.Less employee illness and absenteeism. Put simply, a happy employee is just healthier than an unhappy one, both physically and mentally. As a manager, you benefit from having happy and healthy team members since they will miss less work due to sickness - and your company will benefit too.How IT managers can make their teams happierFollowing are some strategies you can use to help more of your employees feel better about their job and more satisfied at workEmpower your staff. While IT employees, as mentioned above, fare better than those in other industries as far as their ability to influence important decisions in their work, there are still more than on e-third of IT respondents (37 percent) who dont feel that they have enough influence in their company. To address behauptung employees, consider helping them gain strength in these areasBuilding confidence in their decisionsDeveloping critical skills to make more meaningful contributionsBeing more invested in their jobRegularly seeking employees feedback is another way of nurturing their personal commitment to the job. IT professionals want the satisfaction of knowing their ideas are heard and, when possible, acted on. Your goal as an IT manager should be to make yourself available for input and make sure team members know its OK to take smart risks by stretching their problem-solving muscles.Show appreciation for effort. Approximately one-third (34 percent) of IT employees surveyed indicated they dont feel appreciated for their contributions at work. This is an opportunity to increase workplace happiness staring you right in the face. As an IT manager, you can improve this percenta ge by showing your staff that you sincerely appreciate their dedication. This can often be as simple as just recognizing their progress by saying thank you for their hard work. Your abroll-container-transport-system of basic gratitude can help to foster positive emotions on your team.Why bother with saying thanks? Everyone likes being praised, but theres also a scientific reason. According to the study, when people feel appreciated, it prompts their brains to make them feel generally happier. When offering praise, be sure that it is not only sincere, but is also very specific to a particular effort the employee made. Timeliness is important too - dont wait until the moment has passed to express your appreciation. Say something as close to the time of the effort as possible (ideally that same day), rather than delaying your positive feedback.Support work-life flexibility. Taming the juggle between personal and professional responsibilities day in and day out is another way to make w orkers feel better, and in the process less stressed. Tech professionals report the best level of work-life balance out of all industries in the study. But more than one-quarter (27 percent) of tech employees are not satisfied with their current level of work-life balance. To help these employees enjoy more balance, IT managers can encourage people on their teams to take breaks during slow periods at work and explore any flexible benefit options that your company offers.Lead by example, showing people you support their work-life balance as well as your own. Small steps like leaving the schreibstube at a decent hour, avoiding late-night emailing and texting to your team, and truly unplugging from business during your vacations will show your staff that youre serious about protecting your downtime as well as theirs.Provide opportunities for camaraderie. One area where IT employees didnt score much higher than other industries was in the area of friendships at work. Tech employees expe rience in this realm essentially mirrored those in the study as a whole, with around a third (34 percent) expressing that they do not have good friends in the office.As an IT manager, you may want to address this shortfall in your employees professional support system if it aligns with the companies in the study. Having a sense of camaraderie can improve employee happiness by boosting cooperation and communication on teams. In fact, Robert Halfs research found that of the total study population, people who report having positive relationships with others on their team were 2.5 times more likely to be happy on the job than those who dont. Every happy employee countsManagers can create in-house opportunities for employees to forge and strengthen bonds with their coworkers. Whether its a group lunch, one day a month devoted to a team-bonding event, or a holiday gathering in the conference room, your influence in helping your team develop positive workplace relationships will pay divide nds across the board.As you make strides in helping your IT team get happy at work, remember to factor yourself into the equation. Use the principles discussed here to stay engaged in your own experience as an IT manager. Collaborate with your leadership team as needed to increase your areas of decision-making and empowerment, solicit positive feedback and appreciation, keep your life balanced through healthy practices, and build your alliances across the company. As Robert Halfs research reveals, managers moods play a pivotal role in how their employees feel. Cultivating your own happiness habits can help your whole IT team feel better - and do better - at work.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Age Discrimination When the kid interviewing you says youre too old

Age Discrimination When the kid interviewing you says youre too oldAge Discrimination When the kid interviewing you says youre too oldOne of the things I was most surprised by when I got into the jobs business over a decade ago was the prevalence and practice of age discrimination in hiring right here in the USA.Oh, sure were elend like some overseas markets where job ads explicitly demand youth, or a particular gender, or beauty(), in the applicant, but there it isThe blank look on your interviewers face when you talk about growing up in the 60s or 70s. The skepticism with which your Snapchat skills are regarded. The cultural references that pass silently like two Teslas in the nightWell, at least the younger generation seems to giggle at your references to Gunga-galunga.Most of the time.All of it adds up to a pernicious undercutting of your ability to get hired and get ahead. We have to admit the ugly truth that age discrimination exists - theres no doubt about it.And theres no si lver bullet for those facing it. If youre in the job market and over the age of 52, you will almost certainly face stereotypes and negative attitudes regarding your desirability because of your age. And in some cities, in some markets, that negative environment impacts candidates as young as 40 years of age.While theres nothing you can do to stop it, I have, over the years, observed which candidates and applicants have succeeded despite their age and which have failed because of it.If I had to summarize, Id say it appears to me that age discrimination is mindset discrimination first and foremost. And youll need to review how you are presenting your mindset - your attitude - to your future employer.Every hiring manager is asking herself, every HR person is asking himself, unterstellung questions about you and every other candidate theyre interviewingWill this candidateBe able to excel in this role?Be able to learn and adjust as the role evolves?Be able to master the tools and techn ologies involved today and tomorrow?Get along well with others on the team?Take direction and feedback?And its important for you to realize that youth is the symptom, not the cause, of age discrimination.What I mean by that is that hiring managers are hiring for open-mindedness, flexibility, and a sociability with others. On average, theres a perception on the part of hiring managers, whether right or wrong, that those attributes are more frequently found in the young, as opposed to the experienced.And its worthwhile to review why these attributes have so much value in the business world today.As the world changes, businesses change even more rapidly. Companies sometimes need to jump on new trends before they pan out, or hedge their bets, or make sure theyre well-prepared for most contingencies. And that means theres always plenty of new to keep up with.So a workforce that is flexible, open-minded and interested in learning is far better than a workforce that is determined to keep d oing it the old way.The old way works fine might be OK for you around the home, but in business, it has proven to be an enormous destroyer of value. Take a look at the hard times that old famous companies have fallen upon. Heck, even some of the newer tech companies that were darlings within the last decade have had difficulties mastering new environments.So expecting your future employer to be pleased with an old ways are tried and true mindset wont serve you well in your job search.So it is not necessarily youth itself that companies are hiring for, rather, it is those attributes that have proven effective in todays business environment.The cause of age discrimination is the perception around older professionals adaptability, curiosity, and team spirit youth is merely a symptom.Since you cant change your age, your goal is to address the underlying root causes of age discrimination - your goal is not to appear or act age-inappropriate - it is to present yourself, effectively, as a constructive, resourceful, coachable, team player.When confronting misperceptions in your job search, it is always better to show than to tellDescribe situations in which you adapted new technologies to the problem at hand. It is helpful if these examples arent from the seventies, but rather represent transitions that your interviewer herself went through.Recount how you were able to help younger (and older) staffers get to a solution that was stumping all. Detail the challenges you faced and what tactics you used to overcome them.Relate your experiences with receiving and using feedback constructively. Discuss how you used the situation to update your behavior and outlook. Share the process you went through to find where you could perform better and the steps you took to achieve an improvement. Ideally, quantify that improvement.Illustrate with specific stories your interest in, and passion for, the work that you do. Why does it drive you? What excites you about your work? Your y ounger competition does this out of habit - because they cant talk about decades of success in the business - so you need to make sure you put yourself on a fair footing.As you can see, the important thing is that rather than telling the hiring manager that youre open-minded, curious, flexible, adaptable to new circumstances, and sociable enough for the role, show him that you are.And a final word to remake the point about youth being a symptom and not a cause of age discrimination.On occasion, one finds older candidates that mistake having an open mindset with mimicking a twenty-year-olds mindset.There is a difference.Arriving at a job interview replete with the names of the latest bands, dropping age-inappropriate lingo into your answers, and wearing clothes that reveal too much about your desperation by trying too hard, all have the opposite effect of what youd hope for.Interactions like these reconfirm your interviewers fears that youll be obtuse, unsavvy, and a management cha llenge on the job.No, your best tactics are to communicate, verbally and nonverbally, that you are adept at keeping up with the times, and, even more importantly, interested in doing so. And the best way for you to do that is to show them precisely those behaviors and traits for which they are interviewing.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Top 6 Innovations in 3D Printing

Top 6 Innovations in 3D Printing Top 6 Innovations in 3D Printing The year 2015 saw 3D printing continue its march into every dimension of our lives. With new materials, new methods, and new applications, the young field is revolutionizing prototyping and manufacturing, and changing the worlds of design, medicine, construction, and, of course, hobbying.What were the key developments of the year that brought us closer to 3D utopia? Brian Federal gave us his favorites. Federal is a filmmaker out of North Carolina, and a 3D printing evangelist as he describes himself. Hes currently producing a feature length documentary called 3D Printing Revolution. Heres what wowed him in 2015.1) The Printing WelderThe size of most 3D printed objects is constrained by the size of the 3D printer theyre printed in. A group of Dutch manufacturers stumbled on this little fact when they were looking for a way to 3D print furniture. So they invented their own method. The innovation is a robotic arm with a p rint head that extrudes metal strong enough to support structure, says Federal. Working with Autodesk and the Heijmans construction company, theyve managed to print a model of a bridge that will eventually span a canal in Amsterdam. This is a small step into the much broader field of Construction Automation.Elastomeric polyurethane engineering resin. Image Carbon3D2) Speed PrintingThe vast majority of 3D printing technologies use a layer-by-layer strategy (hence the word additive.) For the user, the method has some serious disadvantages. Chief among the complaints is the eons it takes to complete a job. But the building-up tactic also limits potential materials, increases that chance of introducing flaws, and reduces an objects ultimate strength. Carbon3Ds CEO Joseph DeSimone wants to change all that. Inspired by a morphing bad guy who rises from a molten puddle in Terminator 2, their Continuous Liquid Interface Production approach creates monolithic forms out a pool of polymer. And it happens to be 25 to 100 times faster than other printers on the market, with the potential, according to DeSimone, to be 1000 times faster. Securing a tap from The Ford maschine Company, and $100,000,000 in Google Ventures cash, these guys are set to deliver a broad spectrum of innovation, says Federal. This is a company to watch.Amanda Boxtel, a test pilot for a 3D printed hybrid robotic exoskeleton. Image 3D Systems3) Powerful Personal ApplicationsThe world of biomedicine is where 3D printing technology has the greatest potential to significantly alter peoples lives for the better. Its arguably where tailored one-off items are most in need. 3D printed implants and prosthetics have helped many, but what could be more miraculous than letting the paralyzed walk. Scott Summitts 3D Systems partnered with Ekso Bionics to do just that. The Ekso Bionics suit fits to a persons body perfectly and will enable a spinal injury patient without the use of their legs the ability to walk again , says Federal. 3D Systems gave Amanda Boxtel, who had been in a wheelchair for years, a full body scan. They were able to then make form-fitting parts (for spine, shin, and thighs in her case) that integrated seamlessly with the moving parts of an exoskeleton. As a result, Boxtel welches able to walk again. Now Ekso Bionic is producing the system for anyone that needs robotic assistance.4) Prints in SpaceA rocket engine is no game-piece to be sold on Etsy. But that doesnt mean you cant 3D print oneor most of one. In fact, doing so gives you the option to test and retest more quickly and cheaply than any other manufacturing technique. Test and retest is just what Elon Musk and his engineers at SpaceX have been doing for years with their 3D printed SuperDraco rocket engine. This year the rocket finally got off the ground. The innovation of a new, primarily 3D printed, reusable rocket is exponentially delivering new opportunities in space travel, mining, and colonization, says Federal .5) On the CheapWhatever miracles 3D printing may be bringing to space travel, to the injured, and to manufacturers, as a household phrase 3D Printer has just one meaning a tool that allows anyone to produce as much goofy plastic stuff as they can dream up. Many companies have aimed their products at this everyman market, but XYZ seems to stand out. The innovation here is the price point and massive sales distribution, says Federal. The companys CEO, Simon Shen has said that, with the Chinese government, he plans to deliver 3D printers to every school in China. Wish I was hearing that kind of commitment here in the good old USA, says Federal.6) Phone PrinterOf course, no technology has been truly democratized until it can be done with a cell phone. Now Jeng-Ywan Jeng, a professor of mechanical engineering and the dean of the engineering department at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, has invented a printer that uses light from a cell phone to polymerize liqui d resin. This product is not on the market yet but I have seen test prints that had remarkable resolution, says Federal. This innovation could be a major disruptor with the addition of tablet and TV versions that will bring cost to print down dramatically. Jengs dream is to have the phone make the scan and then use its light in the tiny printer to print the end product. And maybe someday well be printing as much as were currently texting.Michael Abrams is an independent writer.Learn more about the latest technologies in 3D printing at ASMEs AM3D Conference Expo. For Further DiscussionThe innovation of a new, primarily 3D printed, reusable rocket is exponentially delivering new opportunities in space travel, mining, and colonization.