How to Continue Your Job Search During a Family Vacation

How to Continue Your Job Search During a Family VacationHow to Continue Your Job Search During a Family VacationIts perfectly fine to take breaks from your job search(in fact, we encourage it), but there are a few situations in which you may want to consider dedicating at least some of your vacation time to your search.For instance, if you finally got into agood rhythm just before leaving for vacation, and are feeling good about your progress, dont let your time away break that focus. Or, if you receive any emails or notifications with job postings youre really interested in, you wont want to wait until you return home before applying for them (it might be too late by then).Here are a few tips for spending sometime on your job search while on a family vacation1. Be honest with your family and set expectations.Its not easy to sneak in computer timebehind your familys back. Youre on vacation to take a break, not feel more stress. So before you start packing, tell your family that youll need to spend some time on your job searchwhile youre away.Your family will appreciate your honesty and theywont be shocked or too disappointed when they find you on your laptop or phone (so long as you arent glued to those devices).2. Schedule your search time.If youve planned out your vacation you can plan when youll work on your job search.Dont miss out on fun excursions, meals, or family time at the beach or on the slopes. Instead, try to focus on your job search during periods of downtime (for example,when everyone is showering and changing, napping, or between activities).3. Dont talk about it too much.Dont spend the entire trip talking about your job search Even if your family asks questions about it, try to avoid focusing every conversation on it.Its healthy to touch on the subject with your family, of course, but vacation time should be more abouteveryone. elend just you and your job search.4. Conduct your search from a quiet place.We all know how important it is to take a job search seriously. You need to be focused and clear-minded- which can be very hard to achieve when youre ina noisy, distracting hotel lobby or ski lodge.How angry would you be with yourself if you sent a LinkedIn message to an employer riddled with typos becauseyou were distracted by the poolside chaos?When youreediting your resume, submitting your applications, or sending emails to hiring managers, youll want to be in a quiet, distraction-free place. Use the hotels business center or work from your hotel room (when everyone is napping or out of the room).5. Dont let it stress you or your family out.While tries tohelp make your job search safer, easier, and a little less stressful, its no secret that this can be a frustrating process.As much as you can help it, dont let the stress overwhelm you too much while youre on your family vacation. And you should certainly do everything you can to make sure it doesnt rub off on your familyLooking for a company that offers lots of vacatio n? Check out these 22 companies with flexible jobs and the highest-rated vacation policies.

Sample Resume for CCTV Technician Job Position

Sample Resume for CCTV Technician Job PositionSample Resume for CCTV Technician Job PositionAs a CCTV technician, you have skills that employers will be happy to put to good use - if they landsee what you can do on your resume. Treat your resume as a calling card that opens the door to excellent employment.Whether youre looking for an entry-level position or have substantial experience under your belt, your resume is the place to show off your accomplishments. Think about the problem-solving and teamwork skills needed to work successfully as a CCTV technician, and highlight them on your resume.Review the CCTV technician resume sample below to get some ideas on how to make your resume shine so hiring managers pick you out of the crowd. Create this Resume Nelson Williams122 Barfield LaneIndianapolis, IN 46278(444)-887-6689n.williamstmail.comObjectiveLooking for a position as a CCTV Technician in an IT services company that distributes and deploys CCTV equipment as well as after-sales supportSummary of QualificationsKnowledge in repairs of high-technology productsSkills in operating all types of electrical tools and equipmentExcellent knowledge in all types of CCTV equipmentEnsures regular checkups of all CCTV equipment of the companyCan work long hoursProfessional ExperienceCCTV Technician, January 2007 Present Enterprise Building, Los Angeles, California ResponsibilitiesMaintained tools and equipment to ensure good working conditions.Repaired CCTV cameras on site.Changed parts and components which broke down and replaced with new parts.Positioned correctly all CCTV cameras in the site for proper recording and assured all areas in the facility is covered.Assured that all CCTV in the facility are running in good working conditions.CCTV Technician, March 2004 December 2006 Union-GFR Banking Inc., Kansas City, Missouri ResponsibilitiesCorrected positions of the CCTV cameras to ensure all angles are covered by the cameras.Assured that the machines of the CCTV ar e in good working condition.Changed and replaced cameras that broke down.Trained the staff who are assigned to operate the CCTV machines.Assured that all parts required are available at all times.EducationMasters Degree in Electrical Engineering, 2004University of ArizonaBachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, 2001 University of Arizona Customize ResumeTechnician Resume Questions1. How do you make a technician resume?Focus on customizing your resume for the specific job you want. For example, an engineering technician resume should be different than an automotive technician resume. One of the best things you can do is find and study a technician resume sample related to your profession and specialty. Use the sample resume to see how the format looks and what information you should put in each section. Our resume builder offers a quick, step-by-step way to create your own high-quality document.2. Whats the best format for a resume PDF, MS Word, or txt?If youre lucky, the job d escription will state the right format. If you dont have that information, its a little more difficult to know which type of file to submit. One of the advantages of submitting a PDF is that you dont have to worry about unintentional formatting changes.If you think the employer utilizes an automated program to screen resumes, you may want to go with an MS Word format instead since PDF files confuse some programs. Word can also make it easy to customize a technician resume sample whereas having a .txt version of your resume allows you to copy and paste when filling out an online application form.3. How do you write about hobbies on your resume?In most cases, you should not include information about your hobbies on your resume. As you can see in a technician resume sample, the entire document should focus on skills, experiences, and education relevant to being a technician. However, there are a couple of times when you should write about your hobbies. If the employer asks for this inf ormation, definitely include it. You can also describe your hobbies if you feel they showcase unique skills that platzdeckchen you apart from other candidates. For example, if you are an automotive technician, classic car restoration is an excellent hobby to mention.4. What do you put on a technician resume for your first job?Even if you dont have any industry experience, you can still create an attractive and effective resume that can be the key to landing your first job. Before you start, get some ideas from a technician resume sample designed for entry-level positions.As youre writing your own resume, focus on making an aesthetically pleasing document. Use a clean, easy-to-read format, and include marketable technician skills and experiences, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and quick-learning abilities. If your previous work isnt related to the industry, you can still describe how your experience makes you a good employee by focusing on your soft skills and positive character traits.5. What should your education section look like in a technician resume?A clear and easy-to-read education section, as shown in a technician resume sample, can help set you apart from other candidates. If you dont have any secondary education, you can list notable achievements from high school, such as graduating with honors. List your in-progress or completed degrees in reverse chronological order. Make sure to include relevant certifications or professional development training. Depending on your industry, certificates could relate to programming languages, drafting software, leadership courses, or medical specialties.More Sample ResumesCCTV Technician Resume Cabin Crew Resume Cabinet Maker Resume Cable Installer Resume Cafeteria Worker Resume Cake Decorator Resume

Air Force Basic Training Chain of Command

Air Force Basic Training Chain of CommandAir Force Basic Training Chain of CommandAll new airmen must memorize the Air Force Chain of Command during basic training. Luckily, you can familiarize yourself with it while still at home in civilian life, leaving one less thing to induce anxiety during the purposefully stressful time of basic training boot camp. The occupants of positions do change, so consider memorizing only names at the top of the list. You wont meet some of the people youll need to know until boot camp is already underway. Air Force Basic TrainingChain of Command You are required to memorize this information at basic training. The President of the United StatesSecretary of DefenseSecretary of the Air ForceChief of Staff of the Air ForceChief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceCommander, Air Education Training CommandCommander, 2nd Air ForceCommander, 37th Training Wing (TRW)Vice Commander, 37th Training Wing (TRW)Command Chief Master Sergeant, 37th Training Wing (TRW) Commander, 737th Training Wing (TRW)Deputy Commander, 737th Training Wing (TRW)Superintendent, 737th Training Wing (TRW)Squadron CommanderOperations Officer Training SuperintendentFirst SergeantSection SupervisorInstructor TeamDorm Chief Current Air Force Chain of Command The President of the United States at the top of the chain is the easiest one to remember. Other offices tie directly into changes at that level. It may be more difficult to find the current occupants of these positions because online sources can become outdated quickly. Practice and memorize the chain positions so you know the sequence by heart, which will make it easier to switch out names. The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. Those positions are likely to change when there is a change in the presidency. The Air Force has a page of its current Air Force Senior Leaders online. You can use it to find the Secretary of the Air Force, Ch ief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and Commander of the Air Education and Training Command. These names are probably as deep as you need togo in memorizing the chain of command before you arrive at basic training. The rest of the list is subject to change more frequently. Other Air Force Command Leadership The next set of leaders from the Commander of the 2nd Air Force to the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 37th Training Wing can be best found with a web search for each position. This may come up with outdated information or no information. The occupants of these positions will only be known to you when you arrive at basic training, and they depend on what squadron you are in The Deputy Commander, 737th Training ?Wing (TRW), Superintendent, 737th Training Wing (TRW), Squadron Commander, Operations Officer, Training Superintendent, First Sergeant, Section Supervisor, Instructor Team, and Dorm Chief.

This is what determines whether or not most people will become successful in life

This is what determines whether or not most people will become successful in lifeThis is what determines whether or not most people will become successful in lifeUnsuccessful peoples favorite phrase is, I dont have time.There are other ones too I dont have the resources. I dont have the support. I dont have the network. I dont have a good relationship with my family. Im emotionally drained. Im depressed. Im too nervous. Im not a people person. Its not that easy. And all the rest.But the truth is, all excuses come back to one grand excuse, and thats the beloved concept of time.And we all have the time.If you have the time to browse Instagram while youre sitting on the toiletIf you have the time to take 20-minute showers in the morningIf you have the time to call your friend to talk about what Kim Kardashian did todayIf you have the time to watch your favorite Netflix showIf you have the time to spend an hour and a half cooking yourself a nice dinnerIf you have the time to take care of your friends dogIf you have the time to deep scrub your bathroom floorIf you have the time to read the entire Twilight seriestwiceIf you have the time to take an afternoon napIf you have the time to do any of the above, then you have the time (more than enough time) to follow your dreams, do what you love, and become really really successful.The only problem is time is exceedingly easy to waste.Never before, in the entire history of the human race, has it been easier to waste time. In fact, our entire digital culture encourages each and every one of us to remain connected, busy, and distracted from our own emotional wants and needs.So, what is the 1 factor that separates those who become successful compared to those who dont?Successful people are aware of their time.They invest it.They protect it.They reflect on it.They spend it sparingly.And as more and more technology begins to infiltrate our lives- more platforms, more messages, more expectations- it will become exponentially ea sier to scroll, swipe, and forget altogether what we were even hoping to accomplish by using technology in the first place.Unsuccessful people, while scrolling through Instagram, say, I dont have time.Successful people do what they have to (want to, need to) get done, DONE.This article originally appeared on Quora.com.

5 reasons why daily journaling will make you happier

5 reasons why daily journaling will make you happier5 reasons why daily journaling will make you happierAmerican writer, filmmaker, philosopher, teacher, and political activist Susan Sontag once said, In the journal, I do not just express myself mora openly than I could to any person I create myself. The journal is a vehicle for my sense of selfhood. It represents me as emotionally and spiritually independent. Therefore (alas) it does not simply record my actual, daily life but rather - in many cases - offers an alternative to it.I couldnt agree with her more. For me, life makes much more sense when I sit down and write out my experiences, thoughts, and lessons learned. In fact, I believe more people would be happier and more fulfilled if they journaled each day. Why? Lets discuss 1. AwarenessThere is a lot going in our lives. We wake up and begin our day with our typical morning regiment. For me, I take Oprahs lead and I say Thank You. Beginning the day from a distributionspolitik of gratitude is a clear sign to the Universe that you are inviting more things to be grateful for. What is next for me? My days are jampacked with working on my business, my podcast, writing, creating videos, running errands, and everything else that life requires.What do I always make time for? Journaling. It is a moment for me to have Me Time where I can critically think about my decisions and the direction of my life. If you never take time to think and reflect about your life, you will be too busy and miss opportunities or universal signs indicating it is time for you to act to improve your life. Here are some examples of journals that I lovePrayer Journal If you are a faith-based person, this journal helps you maintain your daily faith and support your spiritual growth.Poetry Journal Calling all poets (or poetry fans) this journal will help you write a poem a day. How cool is that?Memoir Journal Would you like to reflect on the last five years of your life? This type of jou rnal is the perfect pick.Journal for Self-Exploration If you want to answer questions and work on YOU, then this is the journal to get.Classic Journal If you prefer to just write your thoughts without writing prompts this beautiful journal will absolutely work for you.2. ResolutionHave you ever had a nasty exchange with someone, and you couldnt stop thinking about the incident in your head long after it took place? Instead of torturing yourself with words exchanged or thoughts about what you should have said. Why not write out your experience in a journal? You can identify what the problem was and how you can act differently in similar events that might take place in the future.Personally, I have found tremendous peace and resolve addressing toxic people and situations in my journal. It is a safe space to work through your anger, hurt or frustration.3. AppreciationWhat makes your life amazing? What do you love to do? Who are the people that truly support you? These are some of the questions that I ask my clients and so many of them are unable to answer. Why? Too many people refuse to actively focus on goodness in their life. We are so caught up tweeting and ranting about what is wrong in the world, politics, or our lives.Yet, we cant forget about the incredible careers, dedicated support systems, loving partners, and loyal friends that make our lives truly amazing. These are the reasons that should be motivating us to wake up and show up for our lives. Writing about these assets you have will solidify the joy and appreciation in your life.4. Effective Goal SettingGoal setting is key to achieving your goals. Most people need to write (or type) their goals down. If you are like me, your calendar is filled with multiple goals you want to achieve each day. In addition to writing your goals in your calendar, it can be extremely helpful to journal about your goals for the following reasonsWork through fears and insecuritiesDevelop new ideas and projectsIdentify he lp or support you needCreate mantras and affirmations to help you stay motivatedDocument memorable moments or quotesCorrect or Address changes needed to move forwardSolidify your excitement and happiness about the project or ventureGrowthThere is so much growth that comes from doing new things or feeling uncomfortable. Journaling can fall into either of those categories for you. Is it easy being honest and open to write down your fears or dreams? No. Does that mean you shouldnt do it? Definitely Not If you arent already doing it, this is exactly why you should start journaling today. Growth is how we become better versions of ourselves.As we develop as people, we can become better parents, role models, business owners, employees, managers, content creators, writers, and leaders in this world. If you think about it, growth isnt optional. It is an integral part of living the lives we want. Isnt it great that you can accomplish this with pen and paper (or your phone and stylus pen)?I w ould be remiss if I didnt share last minute journaling tips. Dont forget the followingThere is no right or wrong way to journal just writeWhether you write your words or type them, just journal in a way that works best for youStay committed to writing every day (even if it is just 5 minutes)It is up to you to make time for yourself in your own lifeNatasha Nurse startedDressing Room 8to provide a web-based resource where women can gain personal and professional empowerment through her fashion and lifestyle focused blog. Dressing Room 8 helps women learn how to think with clarity, dress with confidence, and live with purpose.

The Secret Truth on Marketing Specialist Resume Revealed

The Secret Truth on Marketing Specialist Resume Revealed Dont incorporate any experience that you dont have. When you wish to land that ideal job then you must have a stellar resume. Ability to juggle tasks to acquire a work done. Receiving your fantasy job doesnt mean that you accept the offer and just do what is on the work description. Sample advertising Coordinator Resume Objectives A potential employer is going to be convinced that youre sincerely interested if you employ the name of the institution in your resume objective for a Marketing Coordinator position. For this reason, you must make your work listing as simple as possible to find for potential candidates. Sample Email Marketing Specialist Resume Objectives To find an einstellungsgesprch for the position, its a great idea to compose the name of the organization that you want to work for. Employees may have different perspectives on the path they believe the corporation should do but its your choice to guarantee y ou dont raise their hopes unnecessarily. The Ultimate Marketing Specialist Resume Trick Marketing is among the most diverse professional industries in existence and many companies rarely just employ a marketer. Instead, companies will be searching for more specific expertise and advertising specialists. Today, the majority of the businesses dont spend much time in locating the very best staff. A number of the prestigious multinational companies possess the capabilities to have a huge leap in their business enterprise but some hesitates and fall back. Content is the fashion you use to assert that youre that expert in your area, the way youre promoting the distinctive knowledge your have and the way youre generating more traffic and new leads. Additional company will use the aid of a temp employee whos shown to be a company advantage. You can find a lot of distinctive types of medical care advocates. Ultimately, youre absatzwirtschaft yourself, which usually means you need to showcase the very best you have to provide a possible employer. Possessing the abilities and knowledge is something, but understanding how to sell the elements that will cause you to be a valuable add-on to the advertising department of a renowned organization is another thing entirely. With the knowledge gained from studying the advertising manager job description printed by the employer, you may then present your very best qualities and experiences that are connected in helping the employer meet their requirements for the job. Expressing your wide array of marketing skills ought to be down throughout your resume. You can construct your own blog to display your advertising abilities. A technical skills section is useful in showcasing your understanding of particular systems. You might think that content is time and money consuming to produce, especially once you want to demonstrate that you arent one but THE authority in your business field but, in the long run, it is a compon ent of the worth of your product itself. Therefore its imperative that you understand and know different kinds of earnings jobs that may be found also to realize that the different responsibilities of eachand every. Certain jobs even require quite a few of years of working experience. If youre searching for additional approaches to improve candidate application prices, use our job referral bullhorn as an add-on for your email signature to advertise opportunities youve got at your organization. Market Research Analyst CV Focusing on the important abilities and competencies necessary for the place of an industry research analyst the instance is short, but includes all of the information employers expect to see. To please your bosses you want to find work done. Attempt to prevent public criticism as much as possible. A superb work history acts as a pedestal that may lead to a superb amount of succeeding. Theres not anything wrong in including a brief work history no matter your experience in the area. If you can set a number to your social networking efforts, your resume will stick out in comparison to others. You could say youve got e-commerce experience or youve known social media for some time, but your resume will probably go right to the bin Its this kind of different that recruiters want to know more about.

Meet 33Across Director of Product Management

Meet 33Across Director of Product Management Below is an article originally written by PowerToFly Partner 33Across, and published on March 16, 2018. Go to 33Across page on PowerToFly to learn mora.The best products are a result of a team who knows project management well. Alison Connard, our Director of Product Management is no exception to this rule. Bringing a wealth of experience, Alison works closely with a number of teams including our Engineering and Marketing teams to ensure that 33Across product offerings are competitive and commercialized successfully. For this edition of Friday Fives, Alison gives us insight on how she got into product management, the skills needed for the role, and where her bebrdeung vacation was.How did you get into product management?I started my career in various ad operations roles, some of which worked very closely with publishers. I learned the ins and outs of advertising technology and decided that I wanted a role that involved developing products that would help publishers effectively monetize their content.Is there a certain skill-set you have that you believe makes you great at product management?Starting out in ad operations has helped shape my product management skills. In order to holistically manage a product you need to be able to wear various hats and not be afraid to dig into other areas of the geschftsleben that arent necessarily your focus. This is something ad ops teams know all too well.Is there an ideal product that you would like to see developed?I would like to see products developed that more effectively address the problem surrounding capturing quality consumer attention. This is critical as digital consumption becomes increasingly fragmented. Truly reaching consumers at the right time, with the right message, is ultimately the solution. Using myself as an example, I do most of my browsing on my smartphone. I prefer to be reached there, with contextually relevant product offers and a limited number of quali ty ad executions that dont disrupt the overall experience.In your experience, what factors make a project successful?Carefully curating who needs to be involved, knowing the goal of the project as well as the expected results makes a project successful. Its also important to not just move on to the next project once the current one is complete. While nothing is ever perfect, incomplete products are sometimes launched. Taking a step back to figure out the things which guarantee long-term success is key. In all, I enjoy the complexities of product management. Its a delicate balance between revenue, business needs, user experience, and resources. Never a dull momentHow did you spend your last vacation?Our yearly family ski trip to Stratton Mountain with my siblings, nieces and nephew. Its the one week a year I typically ski, so I make the most of it and usually return very tired and worn out, but totally worth it One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries t oday is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives leuchtdiode to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Assoc iated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, o r a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

4 things to do when a colleague works with your boss behind your back

4 things to do when a colleague works with your boss behind your back4 things to do when a colleague works with your boss behind your backAfter finding out that your coworker has deliberately left you out of a decision-making process and worked with your boss without your knowledge,a loomingfeeling sets in.Well beyond themillennial social media concept of FOMO(Fear Of Missing Out), this makes you feel like you are no longer a valued member of your team at work - and maybe even like your days there might be numbered.This could be especially hard if its happened to you on multiple occasions.Heres how to manage the situation.Remember all of your big contributions to the teamDont forget what youve already done. When someone completely removes you from a crucial process or decision, it can be easy to doubt yourself. You might even wallow in self doubt, thinking that it was only a matter of time until people at your job found out that youre not as talented or knowledgeable as you appear.W hen you begin to question your value, write down the work accomplishments youre most proud of for a confidence boost.Gather informationAmy Gallo,author of the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict at Workand Harvard geschftsleben Review contributing editor, shared advice from author Caroline Webb in the publicationIf you dont know all the facts of the situation perhaps you just heard about the conversation through the office rumor mill try to find out what really happened. You might go to your boss and ask in a neutral way about what transpired Hey, I heard you and Carlos were talking about his new idea. Take care to maintain a casual, non-accusatory tone so that your boss doesnt think youre trying to abflug a feud.Try using this line on the colleague leaving you out of the loopAlison Green, author of the Ask a Manager blog, offers advise in QuickBaseWith a coworker who keeps going over your head, you might say Im the person managing X and Id appreciate you bringing concerns about it to me to resolve. If were not able to reach a resolution and you feel the issue is important enough to escalate, you of course can do that. But Id like you to start with me first so that I have a chance to hear your concern. Can you do that? Let your boss step inSara McCord, a former staff writer for The Muse, wrote in the publication that your final option when someone does something like demand totalk to your supervisor instead of you is to be a tattletale.She says that if addressing the person about it directly on your own doesnt solve the situation, you should tell your supervisor whats going on, and that they can have a conversation with the personIf its an external stakeholder, your boss may have a variety of ways she can smooth things over. She can chime in that shed love to take over, but as she is terribly busy, she wont be able to get to this persons urgent requests for several weeks. She can say that youve only said the most wonderful things about this other person and s hes so glad to hear that things are moving along as swimmingly as she had hoped. Or, she can say that shed love to help, but as you are the expert, shell be consulting with you prior to each and every conversation because yours is the most valuable feedback of all.

5 Signs Your Insecurities Are Showing at Work - The Muse

5 Signs Your Insecurities Are Showing at Work - The Muse5 Signs Your Insecurities Are Showing at WorkYouve probably had times at work when youve had to suck it up, project a happy face (even though your mood was anything but), and get on with it. A little faking it to get through the work week is normal, but if youre constantly putting on an act with the intention of appearing confident, thats a problem that needs fixing.Feigning it on a regular basis can really just make things worse by highlighting the fact that you dont feel confident in the first place, forcing you to over-compensate to mask insecurities, and struggling to keep up the act. Odds are that if youre doing this, you know it- and so do your colleagues and your boss. Unsure if this is you? Here are five signs that youre bedrngnis fooling anyone at the office. 1. You Love Being Right a Little Too MuchWanting to always be right is something a lot of us are guilty of- but its notlage a great way to be at the office. You tr y to get your own way in a meeting, work to prove things how things would be better if an earlier decision had gone your way, and aim to be the one in the room to come out shining.Youre probably doing these things for two reasons First, because you have a desire to be seen as right (since that means youre doing great) and secondly, because the drive to avoid being seen as wrong (which would mean you dont have all the answers) is strong. This urge to be correct all the time is a response to the insecurity inherent in not knowing whats going to happen. Beyond that, its driven by the fear of being judged.Whats particularly unfortunate is that this need to be correct- or just perceived as correct by your peers- often comes at the cost of being happy. In other words, you spend more time and energy on proving a point than you do in pursuing what really matters. Thats not only not smart, but its also a clear indicator that youre putting your confidence in the wrong place.So, always be read y to ask yourself, Would I rather be right or happy?2. You Suffer From Bull-in-a-China-Shop SyndromeYou stride into your office, insert yourself into your team, or onto your project, and then proceed to crash around and smash all the good china.You attempt to commandeer meetings and steamroll your way through others presentations. You often try to dominate the conversation and find a way to make it all about you and your projects. Behavior like this is noisy and clamoring, a blustering front designed to fool everyone into thinking you know what youre doing. Its arrogance masking insecurity, and the attention you get from it feels validating.And yet, a person who possesses real confidence doesnt need validation, and doesnt create noise to disguise discomfort. If you have the courage to listen to others, accept feedback and own up to your mistakes, rather than pretending you never make any, your value in the eyes of your colleagues and clients will soar. 3. Youre Happy All the TimeIm kind of an upbeat, smiley guy, and I bring a smile with me most places I go. But pretending that you dont sometimes have crappy days is like looking at the soggy grey clouds rolling overhead and thinking, damn, this sunshine is gorgeous.I know youve woken up on a Monday morning feeling anything but joy and youve forced yourself to schlep into work with a huge grin, chirping Morning to anyone whose path you cross. And while its useful to sometimes suck it up and pretend that things are fine, if youre truly not feeling good because youre overly stressed or a certain project has you on edge, adopting a happy-go-lucky persona is eventually going to reveal itself as an unproductive avoidance strategy. The truth is, we all feel down, burnt out, or overly stressed sometimes, and theres nothing wrong with that. You dont have to throw yourself a pity party or whine over every little thing, but if your go-to is avoidance, eventually the confidence you do have is going to take a hit. So, squar e up to the reality of the business youre in rather than sticking your head in the sand and grinning when you feel like groaning. Be open and honest with your team when the going gets tough theyll respect you more for being up front. 4. Your Self-Deprecation Goes a Little Too FarMy hairline resembles a retreating ice-shelf. My tendencies toward being a control freak stop just shy of attempting to dominate others in an authoritative manner. And despite still feeling like a 20-something, I shudder at the thought that my middle age makes me old enough to be a parent of those bright-eyed world-changers joining the workplace.I like to think that my self-deprecating humor is equal parts charming and endearing, but Ive seen people who take it a little too far. Are you someone whos guilty of this? You routinely mention that you dont have the soft skills your position requires. You put yourself down at the drop of a hat, saying that your phone behavior is hopeless or that you could never giv e a good presentation. You say things about how youll never get promoted, your hard work will never be recognized- even when you dont really believe that. Nobody cares for someone who doesnt know how to act with confidence or authority when the situation calls for it. And repeatedly putting yourself down when you might actually excel at your job and everyone knows it will only be like shouting, Hey, everyone Lack of confidence right hereSo if you regularly use self-deprecating humor to diffuse, entertain, or connect, its worth checking in from time to time on whether theres something deeper in there that you need a little confidence to deal with.5. Youre Extrinsically MotivatedShow me someone whos motivated by getting a Senior or a VP in front of their job title, and Ill show you someone who wont be happy when they get it. Show me someone whos chasing a corner office, and Ill show you someone who wont be content with an entire floor. And show me someone whos motivated by respect fro m their peers, and Ill show you someone who will prioritize that over doing work that matters.Extrinsic motivators like job titles, salaries, awards, or reputation are pretty compelling, and the pay-offs can feel oh-so-good. But those things can also be a diversion from asking the big questions, like, what kind of work matters to me? Or how can I make a difference through my work? Or even, what kind of person am I becoming?If you want to stop faking it and embrace your confident side, youve got to change how youre motivated. Since extrinsic success will only ever build a hollow and temporary confidence, theres little point in just checking off the boxes you think will lead you to the top of the ladder. Instead, invest in your professional self enough to explore why youre doing what youre doing and figure out how you can continue to be an asset to your organization without being disingenuous.Chasing status and the appearance of success alone wont help you go from faking it to making it, not by a long shot. Natural confidence is, in many ways, intrinsic- though it can be strengthened and honed if you work to make it happen. And thats the key here. You dont have to fake confidence because it is somewhere within you already. Now its just up to you to find it.

Creating and Pitching Your Creative Portfolio

Creating and Pitching Your Creative PortfolioCreating and Pitching Your Creative PortfolioPaving the path to a job offer often starts with creating - and presenting - a killer creative portfolio.Developing a creative portfolio can be pretty intimidating. Whether putting together a first portfolio or updating an existing one, many creative professionals dont know where to start or find themselves paralyzed by indecision. Thats a problem because a strong portfolio is the single most important career tool for creatives today.And while its fine to have a printed portfolio, you absolutely need a digital one. In fact, many job seekers and freelancers land offers exclusively with online portfolios, never assembling a physical book at all. A TCG recruiter in Denver told me that hiring managers often ask to see a persons work before a resume. And by work, they mean a link to an online portfolio.When not meeting with clients and candidates, TCG teams spend a big chunk of their time reviewing digital portfolios. If they find themselves struggling with a sites navigation or overall entwurf, theyre going to quickly move to the next one. You likely have about 30 seconds to capture the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager and draw them in closer. (Thats probably less time than you spend writing a social media post.)TCG recruiters always say good design grabs them first, but it takes amazing creative work to keep them looking. That doesnt mean you need a super-fancy website, especially if youre not a web designer.Focus on creating a digital portfolio thats clean, intuitive and reflective of your personal brand. Your overall goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to see your very best work and get a sense of your style, range and who you are as a creative professional.Putting the right pieces in placeBe a tough and strategic editor. Take a hard look at your samples and put your most impressive pieces first. If youre struggling to make a decision, ask a collea gue, designer friend or mentor for a second opinion. They can help give you a gut check on which creative pieces and projects are truly your best.Skip the design bells and whistles. Take a cue from spare, white box art galleries. White space gives your work plenty of room to breathe and a place for the viewers eyes to rest. Mimicking this feel online keeps the emphasis on your samples.Include captions. Written descriptions add context and value (assuming theyre free of spelling and grammatical errors, of course). When writing captions, think about unterstellung questionsWhat did I contribute?Did the piece generate sales or boost the bottom line? How much?Did I receive positive feedback from a boss, client or the target audience? (Metrics matter, but compelling qualitative information can also be helpful.)Did I overcome major creative, budgetary or timeline constraints?Did the project win any industry awards or get mentioned in the media?Focus on quality over quantity. Personally, Id rather see eight great pieces in a creative portfolio than 20 mediocre ones. Its tempting to pack in as much work as possible, but showing you know how to spot the best concepts and tailor your portfolio to the job opening is even more important. One bad sample can call your skills and judgment into question.Make sure your website is responsive. Always think of functionality and the end user. Put your portfolio to the test by checking image load times and making sure your portfolio functions properly on every version of every browser on every platform.Be consistent with your branding. If you create a visual theme, carry the design through. The theme should also be evident in your resume, cover letter or other application materials.Use a portfolio site if necessary. Not an expert designer? Sites such as Behance, Coroflot or Carbonmade can get you up and running quickly thanks to a template. The Creative Group also offers a free portfolio tool to registered candidates and we showcas e exceptional talent, tooTake the time to customize. Tailor your samples to the needs of the company. Think about whether youre applying to a buttoned-up Fortune 500 firm, a scrappy start-up or something in between. Its easy for employers to spot whos done their research and who hasnt.SEARCH CREATIVE JOB OPENINGSPitching your creative portfolioAs the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Dont head out to present your portfolio to a potential employer or client until youve created a compelling and cohesive overall pitch.Think of it like this Youre auditioning for the job, and how you present yourself (and your work) gives clues as to how youd perform in a meeting with internal or external clients. While your creative work will be the focus, your interpersonal abilities will also be evaluated. Show some personality. Its your job to engage, persuade and enlighten your audience.Hiring managers often tell us theres nothing more disappointing than someone with a great creative portfolio wh o doesnt have the ability to connect in person. Employers need to know youll be able to successfully fit in as part of a larger creative team, collaborate with other departments and sell your ideas. With all this in mind, use technology as a presentation tool and not a crutch.Organize your samples and customize them for each interview or meeting. For each individual sample you feature, think about your caption content and then use this simple formula problem, solution, results.The problem the client faced was To solve this challenge, I As a result, there was Be as specific as you can, especially about results. Dont be afraid to brag about a bump in conversions or sales. Offering specific numbers when you have them can help bolster your case and show that you think strategically.Take the time to practice talking aloud about each sample and be prepared to answer tricky questions. An interviewer might ask you about a typography selection or how you approached the discovery process. Mak e sure youre ready to answer.Ideally, youll be able to walk the interviewer through the bulk of your work. But often, hiring managers are pressed for time. To be on the safe side, develop a top five pitch. Choose the five best samples in your portfolio the ones that show off your skills and most closely match the companys creative needs. Then spend 30 seconds talking about each one. Youll want to develop a condensed version of the problem, solution, results formula I mentioned above. This will enable you to showcase both your work and your ability to communicate quickly a skill all busy managers, executives or potential clients prize.Diane Domeyer is executive director of The Creative Group. For more tips on landing a new job or freelance work, subscribe to the blog now.