If you live in one of these cities, youre probably happy with your salary

If you live in one of these cities, youre probably happy with your salaryIf you live in one of these cities, youre probably happy with your salaryThe job market continues to be strong as we approach mid-March. According to the latest jobs report, in February the U.S. added 313,000 jobs, the most since July 2016 acrosslow-, middle-, and high-wage industries. Be sure to check out Ladders list of companies hiring for the highest paying jobs as of March, 2018. The jobless rate also remains at its lowest point in a whopping 17 years. In other words, the economy is strong.Hopefully, you are one of those lucky people who leid only has a job but also feels that they are being properly compensated for their work. However, if you dont feel satisfied with your salary it could be because of where you live. Employment review and research sitekununu ran a studybased on 69,378 reviews done in 2017 for companies located in the largest U.S. cities.The study asked employees whether they felt fairly co mpensated for their work to determine the 50 cities with the highest and lowest satisfaction rates. To give you some comparison, the average national annual pay for 2016 was $53,621,according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So which city came out on top? Check out the list below.Washington, DC ($68,000)Minneapolis, MN ($55,010)Seattle, WA ($61,170)San Francisco, CA ($69,110)Columbus, OH ($48,850)Boston, MA ($64,080)Sacramento, CA ($54,690)Omaha, NE ($46,490)New York, NY ($61,790)ran an die buletten Angeles, CA ($55,650)High-wage industries fuel happinessWashington D.C. coming out on top isnt too surprising, as the high-paying tech sector is strong in our nations capital. Last month, we learned that women working in tech in D.C. are actually beating the national pay gap with their salaries.Minneapolis workers may be especially satisfied with their average salary of $55,000 because unlike other cities like New York and Los Angeles, half of their salary isnt spent on rent.Some of th ese cities are dominated by high wage industries like tech and finance and therefore tend to receive high ratings in salary satisfaction too, said Johannes Prller, of Kununu, in a statement. However, as our salary satisfaction datenbankindex shows, you shouldnt preclude midsize cities when searching for a new job.Some of the lower ranking cities tended to be dominated by industries that just arent as lucrative such as tourism and agriculture. San Antonio, TX Las Vegas, NV and Albuquerque, NM were ranked in the last three spots for salary satisfaction with averages between $43,000 and $46,000.Money does help with happiness when it comes to liking where you live (and so do some other things) but when it comes to being satisfied with your job, salary is not the most important factor.A strong work culture with good teamwork and gender equality, employee autonomy and challenging work tasksall ranked higher than compensation.

Getting unstuck The myth of work-life balance

Getting unstuck The myth of work-life balanceGetting unstuck The myth of work-life balanceHave you ever felt like you were in a rut or experiencing a particularly low point in your life? Its times like these when we feel down, hopeless and stuck. This can run the spectrum of significance, such as being unfulfilled at work to grieving the death of a family member or friend, but the symptoms are the same. We become disengaged and cannot fully focus or show up with our best selves. In fact, women are more dissatisfied with their careers than their male counterparts.According to a new report by the Conference Board, a New York-based nonprofit research group, 53.7% of women are unsatisfied - thats over half of all working women The key to getting unstuck is self-care, even when that feels like your lowest priority and the last thing you have time for. But really, self-care is the only way to move forward again.This type of stuck is a fasson of grieving and too often, we try to muscle our way through it instead of moving gracefully beyond it. We try to busy ourselves, self-medicate or avoid the flood of feelings accompanying the situation. Most of us havent been taught how to grieve, and because we are so uncomfortable with the pain we cant sit with it and be patient with the process. It takes time and requires gentle progress toward doing what it takes to feel better one day and sometimes one moment at a time.The good news is, you cant think your way toward better acting, but you can act your way toward better thinking. When youre ready for progress, use the practices below to move forward again. In the process, youll redefine success and what it means to be your best self.ExerciseMany of us fail on this one because we set expectations that are too high for ourselves. When you are coming out of a low period, you need to consistently have the experience of succeeding. To accomplish this, you must lower the bar and set a goal that is attainable given the circumstance s. For example, you might commit to some form of self-care once a week once you are consistent and making progress while gaining energy, only then will you raise your goal to twice a week. If at any point the self-care causes stress, its no longer self-care. Self-care also includes sleep. Often we neglect sleep as a key ingredient to health. At times like this, you may need more than your usual amount to sustain your energy for the long term.Try it Commit to some form of self-care once a week. This could be 30 minutes of exercise, sleeping seven hours in a night or spending quality time with a friend. Youll departure to see the positive impact of these practices and be motivated to do them more often.GratitudeRemembering there are things to be grateful for, even in the darkest of times, helps keep us focused on the positive and moving forward. Keep a gratitude journal and list at least ten things you are grateful for every night before going to bed. This one intentional practice is a game changer for how you approach each new day. Some days the weather may be all youre grateful for and you can detail ten aspects of that at the bare minimum.Try it The Doubler- this is an exercise developed by Shawn Achor that helps increase gratitude and positive thinking. Every night write down the most meaningful thing that happened to you that day. Then, write down three details about that thing. Causing your brain to recall details has the doubling gratitude effect that gives the practice its name. Do it every day for two weeks- you will notice a differenceHealthy dietWhen you begin to treat food as fuel as opposed to a drug, you become more mindful of what you put in your mouth. When youre down, you may not even be conscious of this. Fueling yourself with good foods helps your body stay healthy and your mind stay sharp. Make a commitment to nourish yourself the way you would nourish your children. Time is often a barrier for busy people, but there are many services like O rigins, Blue Apron and Instacart that can help minimize the effort shopping and cooking takes. There are healthy options around being intentional means youll slow down to ensure youre taking care of your body.Try it Youd be amazed how cutting just one thing out of your diet affects your body. Try cutting out sugar just two days a week. As I shared above, lowering the bar will get you started and help you be consistent with the practice. Or, commit to packing a lunch twice a week. Youll save money and most likely choose a healthier option. Planning and dedication will make your practices happen successfully.Support networkSurround yourself with positive people and inspirational messaging. This can be from family, friends and non-human sources like pets, social media, and other reading materials. You need to evaluate how your interactions make you feel do they give you energy or drain your energy? Do you feel forwarded or mired as a result of the interaction? Filter out anything that lessens your energy, including relationships. Take a break from social media or limit the amount of time you spend online daily. When youre stuck, gravitate to what is easily moving you forward. Once youre in a better place mentally, physically and emotionally, you will be able to change your thinking.Try it Take an inventory of the people in your life and how they make you feel. Do you leave interactions with them feeling happy and energized or drained and negative? behauptung reactions are important to pay attention to. Every person has a season in our lives, and at some point, it may be time for your relationship to end. If you dont leave feeling better than you did prior to seeing someone, spend less time with them.Getting unstuck is a process that takes time. Be patient and kind to yourself, and know that even small progress is a success. In addition to the practices outlined above, find other ways to recognize you are winning. When you dont believe you have the time to put you rself first, remember that taking care of yourself is like putting on your oxygen mask before helping others on the plane. If youre not around, you cant help anyone elseMore than just a bestselling author, Sue Hawkes is a keynote speaker, Certified EOS Implementer, Certified Business Coach, WPO Chapter Chair, award-winning and globally recognized seminar leader, and an entrepreneur. She is CEO and Founder ofYESS Your Extraordinary Success Strategies, and brings over 25 years of experience to her clients. Hawkes is also a wife, mom of three, and a bulldog owner. Her new book,Chasing Perfectionis now available for purchase.

7 Tips to Help Millennials Climb the Corporate Ladder

7 Tips to Help Millennials Climb the Corporate Ladder7 Tips to Help Millennials Climb the Corporate LadderOne of the most efficient and secure ways to climb the corporate ladder is to do it within ones current company. However, as reported by Forbes, 91% of millennials plan to stay at one employer for less than three years. The strategy may sound like an old-fashioned career approach, but it can still pay off big time. These seven tips show how to rise from within. Position Yourself Chances to rise and shine always abound, especially in startups. But when opportunity knocks, it doesnt do so for long. To get noticed and be ready to take advantage, you have to fleck yourself as someone who wants to grow within the company. Communicating your ambition to management will allow you to be considered when an opportunity comes up. Be a Learner Truly good leaders are constantly learning. Theyre the first to tell you that they dont know everything, and often the mora they learn the les s they feel they know. As a result, theyre more open to educating themselves, and thats when real growth takes place. Read everything you can about your field and your companys industry. Set your sights high and never limit yourself to a given current title itll enable you to learn more and your work to achieve greater impact. As a result, youll be prepared when higher-level positions open up because your skills and knowledge will have expanded. Let Your Work Speak for Itself When it comes to growth within your company, you should never sell yourself. Rather, your work- and your character- should say everything. This kind of commitment is what ultimately gets you noticed. For leaders looking to promote employees, identifying standouts is easier than you think because the most eligible candidates do everything with excellence. This excellence extends from work to professional conduct to everyday behavior. Understand That No Task Is Below You Thats not my job should never be i n your vocabulary. A can-do attitude is essential to furthering a career. Never neglect your own tasks, but if you see that someone was overloaded or could use an extra hand with a task, dig in and offer to help. Its essential for leaders to see you going beyond the scope of your own position in order to recognize you as a collaborator who wants to grow your role, be an ally to fellow employees and encourage cohesion. Pay Attention to Numbers Statistics, quantifiable results, and numbers are important. Metrics matter. Data can shed a unique light on a trend. They can indicate whats working, or conversely can help to alert you to an impending hiccup or even full-on disaster. If a specific number keeps dropping, for example, you can nip the problem in the bud, allowing you to get on top of issues before they start. In so doing, you can steer clear of potential pitfalls and keep your teams going in the right direction. Communicate Clearly Its crucial to be considerate when comm unicating with others, but that doesnt mean you have to skirt around subjects or not say what you really mean. Growing in a company requires clear communication- with your boss, your team, and your co-workers. That makes it easier for everyone else to deliver and do the best job they can, setting the entire organization up for success. Play-Well With Others At the end of the day, you have to have a belief and sincere investment in teamwork. Company leaders notice if someone has an ability to break down barriers and connect people. Try to understand what people in each position within the organization need in order to succeed, and see how you can be a facilitator to meet those needs. Its easy to assume you need to change employers to advance. But before you jump ship, evaluate the opportunities that you have to grow within your own organization. If your company is amenable to promoting from within, and you know how to leverage your chances, let your current investment in the plac e work to your advantage. You might find that you can travel the farthest by staying close to home.

10 Great New Years Resolutions for Job Seekers

10 Great New Years Resolutions for Job Seekers10 Great New Years Resolutions for Job SeekersIf the first item on your list of New Years resolutions is to find a better job- perhaps one that offers more flexible or remote work options- its time to get serious.Just sending a resume and hastily assembled deckblatt letter to every company that offers a position that is vaguely interesting to you is not the way to go. Instead, you should resolve to be smart and careful as you complete a more targeted search.Here are 10 New Years resolutions for job seekers1. Build a better resume.If its been a while since you updated your resume, invest some time now to improve it. Note skills that youve developed since you last added to it, as well as promotions youve earned or projects youve led. And then have it ready, in both hard copy and digital formats, to give to a potential employer at a moments notice. If youre prepared, thats one less thing youll need to worry about when the right job comes alo ng.2. Build a strong cover letter.Youll want to target any cover letter you write to the specific job for which you are applying. However, it doesnt hurt to create a basic structure for a letter, with some general language about your background, that will work regardless of the position. This will help you move more quickly when its time to apply, and speed can be vital to success for some openings.3. Check your profiles online.Almost all companies will do a little low-key cyber stalking when theyre reviewing job applicants. If youre in the market, make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated and accurate, but also take a look at your other social media accounts. If you see a lot of potentially embarrassing content, tidy them up.4. Build your personal brand.Your social media profiles are part of this, but branding goes beyond those sites. Consider creating a personal website to display some of your work and show off your skills. You also might want to create a blog, and add new conten t to it frequently. Anything you can do to make it easy for potential employers to find you and learn about your abilities will be helpful.5. Create a timeline.Goals become more real and attainable when they include an element of timeliness. Decide on a target date for landing a new job and write it down. Then create a schedule of smaller goals to achieve on your way to that ultimate achievement. This will help you to stay on track and focused as you continue your search.6. Think about the kind of job you really want.If youre going to take the time to look for a new position, it should be something you really want to do. In other words, determine what will make you happy- a higher salary, more flexibility, added responsibility and authority- and let that help drive your search. As a blog post from Robert Half International says, As you conduct your job search, have a clear picture in your mind of the job that would make you happiest and allow you to reach the objectives youve set. W ithout a clear idea of what this job looks like, youll have trouble finding the right fit.7. Make a top 10 list.Just as you should seek a job that youll truly love, target companies that will be a good cultural fit for you. A blog post from The Muse suggests that you build a target list of 10 to 12 companies. One way to create your list is to start first with your dream company, and search for it in LinkedIn, the post says. From the company page, you can scroll down to the People Also Viewed section and find similar companies. Go to those companies pages and so on.8. Build your network.Some people love networking, while others would rather have a root canal than attend a social event with people they dont know. If youre hunting for a new job, however, networking is part of the game. A blog post from Come Recommended says you should schedule at least one networking event every month and take other steps to build up your list of contacts. Following up is key to being successful with n etworking, the post says. If you dont maintain your relationships on a regular basis, you can quickly fall out of touch with those people. When this happens, you could miss out on having a strong contact when an opportunity presents itself.9. Prepare for interviews.Good friends and networking contacts can be valuable in helping you hone your interviewing skills. This is especially important when you have a conversation scheduled, but even as you begin your job search, it doesnt hurt to practice what you will say in different situations by participating in a mock interview. This will get youthinking about the interview process and how to craft responses, the Come Recommended post says. Your friend can ask questions such as, What is your biggest weakness?, Why are you the best candidate for the job?, or Why do you want to work here?10. Learn new skills.While youre working on goals specific to job hunting, it also makes sense to enhance your work-related skills. The Robert Half Interna tional blog post suggests seeking additional certifications or education. No matter your chosen industry or career, change is happening all around you, the post says. Your skill set may need a boost to remain relevant and attractive to employers. Pursuing professional development shows initiative and a commitment to learning, as well as an understanding of what it takes to excel in your field.Seeking a new job is always going to require exceptional effort on your part. But if you follow these 10 suggestions and set goals along the way, you should be moving toward a successful search. And if that means you end the year with a better, more flexible, or more enjoyable job, you will be able to say that your resolution was definitely worth keeping.departure Your Job Search

What to Say to a Lazy Co-worker Who Wont Work - The Muse

What to Say to a Lazy Co-worker Who Wont Work - The MuseWhat to Say to a Lazy Co-worker Who Wont Work You spend each and every workday powering through your own tasks and assignments- which makes it all the more frustrating when you see that one team member of yours repeatedly twiddling their thumbs, detangling their stack of paperclips, and having extended chats by the coffee maker.That person obviously isnt pulling their own weight, and you want to let them know that their constant shirking of responsibilities isnt slipping by unnoticed. But, at the same time, you arent that persons manager and you dont want to overstep by reprimanding or correcting their behavior. So, what do you do? Well, there are some ways that you can nudge that colleague forward- without blatantly calling them out. These three phrases can help. 1. If This Doesnt Get Done, ThenIts easy to become focused solely on the action and forget about the inevitable results. Its why I often find myself scarfing down an e ntire bag of white cheddar popcorn- I conveniently forget about the fact that it always makes me feel sick.Your colleague could be falling into that very same trap. Perhaps theyre only thinking that they cant bear to comb through that spreadsheet and look for trends right now, and are totally overlooking the domino effect that their lack of action sets off. It can be helpful to remind your team member about the negative effects that could result from their slacking- bonus points if those results directly effect them. Consequences are a powerful, powerful thing. What This Looks Like If this presentation doesnt get done by the Friday deadline, then Kate is probably going to make us come in over the weekend to finish it.2. Boss Name Is Expecting Us ToYou know that you dont want to drag your supervisor into this issue right away, but that doesnt mean you cant name drop a little bit to remind your co-worker of the expectations of your manager.Unfortunately, not everybody is a particularl y conscientious worker, and that means that your colleague might not care an ounce about what you think of them or their work ethic. But, Im willing to be they care a lot more about how your babo perceives them. Use this to gently remind your team member that your supervisor is anticipating that youll deliver on what was promised. It kicks the intimidation and sense of urgency up a notch- without you having to be a tattletale. What This Looks Like Jordan is expecting us to have this wrapped up by the end of the day, and I think we can all agree that we dont want to have to break the news that its unfinished.3. Can I Help?I know this seems counterintuitive, but stick with me for a minute. Rather than assuming malicious intent, have you stopped to consider that the reason your colleague isnt making any progredienz could be because theyre stuck, confused, or overwhelmed?Offering to chip in not only reiterates the fact that youre an awesome teammate, but it also lets that person know (i n a kind and subtle way) that youve noticed theyre slacking.Of course, theres a line here. If your co-worker really is just lazy, this shouldnt be an opportunity for them to shift all of their work over to your plate. Theres a difference between being supportive and being a doormat. What This Looks Like Hey, Jim I was just doing some work on our project, and it looks like you havent made any progress in our shared Google Doc. Since that deadline is quickly approaching, I thought Id see if I could clear up any confusion or help out somehow.Lets make one very important thing clear Its definitely not your job to babysit this person and make sure they make it through their own to-do lists. Were all adults, and we should be able to manage our own workloads without constant intervention and encouragement from others. So, if this is something thats becoming an ever-present problem on your team, that warrants a more serious conversation with your higher ups. However, if you just need to giv e a lazy co-worker a nudge to stay focused and productive, these phrases can help you light a fire under them- without overstepping.

One of the Most Incredibly Disregarded Options for Cover Letter Maker Free

One of the Most Incredibly Disregarded Options for Cover Letter Maker Free The Argument About Cover Letter Maker Free PDF vorlages are professional and allow the candidates to easily stick out. Dependent on the job role youre applying, youll get specific style templates to suit it. Employing a template provides you with a framework for each exceptional application. This particular template has great use for new and skilled nurses who want fresh opportunities or work change. Cover letters are a valuable part of the job application procedure. Whether youre asking for a managerial position or whether youre interested in working in the food geschftsleben, there are a lot of templates accessible to compare before completing your titelbild letter. There are lots of tools and resources you may utilize to help you make the ideal cover letter for advancing your career. The cover letter builder does all the work and guides you through the procedure. You begin by answering a few questi ons to make your user profile. If youre not the kind of person to compose documents from scratch, you are going to want to learn about next key, that is the worldwide web. For instance, you could set your contact data in a spinal column at the face of the webpage. Check for grammar and spelling errors and make sure that youve included all of the ideal contact information at the very top of your letter. Cover Letter Maker Free Secrets Utilizing a cover letter maker is possible in your Internet browser. When youre finished creating your cover letter, you can choose how you need to obtain the file. After downloading, you just have to read, understand, then adhere to the guided pattern. After you have customized your monogram konzeption you may download it like a PNG image file. Cover Letter Maker Free - What Is It? If your sending cover letters much like our email cover letter templates as you do not dwell in the region where you would like to work, you must ensure it is crys tal clear that youre prepared to be relocated. 369 fax cover sheets that you may download and print. You shouldnt need to pay for a cover letter template. The bookkeeper cover letter template is the ideal style template to make an application for a bookkeeping job. Using Cover Letter Maker Free An excellent cover letter is going to assist you get your foot in the door and provide you the very best chance at obtaining a wonderful position with any top firm. Any time that youre working with the work application procedure, it is crucial to consider different resources that are readily available to use today right from home. Youve come to the proper place. Just take a peek at our examples to acquire a clearer idea of the way to clean up house with your domestic worker cover letter. The most suitable cover letter will enhance your odds of getting noticed at a prestigious firm. Cover letter creators supply a variety of layouts and templates to pick from that fit within any sor t of industry, which range from business to food and science career paths. Utilizing a cover letter builder is 1 approach to make sure your resume appears completely professional for practically any industry you need to work in. Using our cover letter builder is one particular approach to create a professional resume for any business job seekers wish to work in. New Step by Step Roadmap for Cover Letter Maker Free Again, use our cover letter templates and be certain to prevent easy mistakes at the very start of your letter, because you dont want employers to quit reading or shed interest till they reach your main points. It is likely to make your letter stick out. Reading through our sample student and internship cover letters will provide you with a clearer idea of the way to compose your own.This section might appear unimportant, but a red flag at the exact top of your letter can damage your chances from the beginning. Its possible to move the A and C closer together and y ou may also drag each letter to the right if you would like to allow it to be larger. The very first thing you ought to be aware of is that much enjoy a resume, a cover letter ought to be brief, easy, and simple to read. Therefore, to sum it all up, begin with the very first key, which is to compose an easy cover letter thats brief and gets right to the point. What Everybody Dislikes About Cover Letter Maker Free and Why Additionally, in addition, there are traditional monogram rules and guidelines based on the item on which it appears. If you wish to acquire your cover letter printed professional, you might need to set bleed marks in your design. When creating a present for someone its probably best to use the standard guidelines if you dont are aware that it wont be important to the recipient. A very simple border employed in a surprising way is able to make your cover letter design more interesting.

How to Improve Applicant Experience to Improve Company Brand

How to Improve Applicant Experience to Improve Company BrandIs your company a great place to work, but youre just not attracting the right talent? Part of this could be because your company brand is being negatively affected by the experiences of your job applicants. From the application to the video interview, the hiring process can have a profound effect on how top candidates view companies. More importantly, it can strongly affect whether this top talent accepts a job offer or whether they mosey on over to your competitor.A recent survey by Career Builder dispelling the five myths of recruitment shows just how important it is to make sure candidates feel positively about your company during the hiring process. The survey found that a bad experience could critically influence whether a candidate ultimately accepted a job offer at a company.Bad experiences doesnt just affect the hiring process though it can also damage the company brand and recruitment profile youve worked so hard t o cultivate. According to the survey, a whopping 78 percent of candidates admitted they would talk about a bad applicant experience with friends and family.In addition, about a quarter would share their negative views of the process on social media or through a blog post. This means the deficiencies of your recruitment process might be just a tweet away from going viral. This is certainly bad news if you want to brand your company as a great place to work.Here are some ways to improve the experience of hiring applicants to improve your company brand, and hire great candidates in the processAvoid Endless ApplicationsNo one wants to spend hours filling out a job application, no matter how great the job. If you have a long online application, look at the applicant completion data. Are they following the application all the way through to the end or jumping ship halfway?If you have a lot of applicants fleeing for the life rafts before the finish line, its highly probable your applicatio n is just too long. Go through the application yourself if you need to and landsee if you get tired of the drudgery before the end. You want great candidates to get through the screening process, not take their talents elsewhere.If You Say Youll Follow Up Then Follow UpAt the end of a video interview dont tell candidates youll get back to them and then leave them hanging by the phone. Even if they arent the right fit for this position, this doesnt mean they might not be great for a position in the future. If you left a great candidate hanging however, they will be less likely to look positively at future opportunities with your company.After all, you wouldnt go out on a date with someone who stood you up once before would you? The same principle applies here. All it takes is a short phone call or a small, polite email notifying a candidate of the status of their application. Then if something comes up for which they would be perfectly suited, theyll remember your company as a workpl ace which keeps its promises, even if they were disappointed not to get the initial job.Make the Process FasterTo hire great talent you have to scoop these individuals up before your competitors do. With the traditional hiring process taking as long as 45 days to fill a position on average, its a safe bet that the best and the brightest will already be settling into a new office across town if you dont shorten your process. This is why its important to speed up the process of turning a great applicant into a great hire.Perhaps you need to get all the decision makers together to meet a great candidate so you can decide to turn around a job offer faster. Or you might want to get a candidate to take a test to see if they will be suited for the rigors of the job. Video interviews are also a great way to cut some of the fat out of the traditional hiring process. Both live and one-way video interviews allow employers to see candidates faster, evaluate them more personally, and share and r ecord interviews easily. Whatever method your company uses, make sure its cutting down on wasted time that could lose you your dream candidate.Improving the applicant experience is a fast and easy way to maintain a positive company brand. Good recruitment brands are also great ways of finding better candidates and hiring talented employees to grow your organization. Candidates talk, so its important not to drop the ball on fostering a positive applicant experience for everyoneWhat are some ways you can improve applicant experience to improve your companys hiring brand? Share in the commentsIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by app-master

7 Personal Things to Keep to Yourself in a Job Interview

7 Personal Things to Keep to Yourself in a Job Interview7 Personal Things to Keep to Yourself in a Job InterviewSo before you have your next job vorstellungsgesprch, brush up on these seven personal things youll want to keep to yourself in a job interview1. Your Relationship positionWhether you are recently engaged (or recently divorced), your relationship status should be strictly private. Employers arent legally allowed to ask you if youre married or not, but if youre wearing an engagement or wedding ring, that will give him a clue.But dont feel the need to offer any information about your relationship (e.g., Were getting married in October) or even the gender of your partner, since some employers might unfortunately have a bias. Keep in mind that someemployers will ask illegal interview questions, but you dont have to answer them.2. Your Financial SituationMost people work because they want to contribute to society- and they also want to earn a paycheck, too. That doesnt mean that you have to disclose to a potential boss that youre behind on the bills and you need this job ASAP. So avoid any questions that delve into your financial history.Remember, even an employer asking you what kind of car you drive or where you live can give him an idea of how much you have in the bank, so try to avoid those kinds of questions, too.3. Your Political ViewsThe presidential election is coming up, and hey, everyone has an opinion on the candidates, right? Thats all fine and good, but you should really try to keep your thoughts to yourself. You never know if the hiring manager is a diehard fan of the candidate you despise, or could hold your views against you, costing you the job.4. Your Family (Or Family Plans)You love your family, so it makes sense that you would want to talk about them. Bringing them up during an interview can be like walking on quicksand, though. Your potential boss might think that children are a distraction, and that youll probably miss a lot of days o f work if your kiddos get sick and need to stay home.You might have to mention them, though, especially if you took time off from working to stay home and take care of them, causing an employment gap on your resume. If you do mention them, keep your information short and to the point, and always steer the conversation back to your skills and qualifications, so that a potential employer knows that youre serious about the position.5. Your ReligionSure, its 2016, but there are still plenty of people who have religious biases. No one is saying that you should have to hide your religion, but you also dont have to put it on display during a job interview, either. So if you wear a cross or a Star of David, you might want to tuck it under your shirt, so that it stays where it matters most- close to your heart.6. Your ExtracurricularsBosses dont want to hear how busy you are managing your childs soccer league and volunteering as the Room Parent. They want to know that your top priority is yo ur job.So, if youre interviewing for a flexible job, you dont have to say that the reason you want one is because your social calendar is full with all of your kids activities and you need to squeeze in work around all of your preexisting commitments. You can state instead that you want the work-life balance that comes with flexible work- and no more.7. Your Feelings on Former BossesYes, you absolutely loathed your former micromanaging boss, but your boss-to-be doesnt need to know that. Why? Well, you never know if the two of them know each other (and if youre interviewing in the same career field, chances are that they do). Plus, it doesnt look professional to badmouth old bosses and colleagues it actually looks worse for you than it does for them, even if they were the most horrible people on the planet.Keep in mind that you will probably be asked about your former boss as part of your job interview, so be prepared to mention something (anything) positive about him or her, and don t blame the reason for leaving your last job on them. Youll save face, and it will put you in a more favorable light with your interviewer.During a job interview, you have to be careful not to let your guard down and start talking about topics that can negatively impact the impression youve made on the hiring manager. Stick to the questions being asked of you, and keep the personal things to yourself.Readers, have you ever started talking about any of the above-mentioned topics in a job interview? Did it impact it positively or negatively? Let us know in the comments below

Theres A Solution to Your Age Discrimination Problem

Theres A Solution to Your Age Discrimination ProblemTheres A Solution to Your Age Discrimination ProblemI just had an interview and I thought the conversation went pretty well. But when we both stood up at the end, I could see upside-down on my resume on his desk that he wrote 55 in a big circle. I welches so shocked I didnt know what to do, and now I dont expect Ill be hearing from them.That was pretty blatant. Usually hiring managers are more savvy about finding out what your age is, then using it as a way to keep you out. What strikes me about the scenario above is age was the most memorable point for the hiring manager. What if you left him with something else to remember?Winning at job search requires that you distinguish yourself, first from the masses, then from the short list of qualified candidates. Everyone on the short list is faced with the same standard questions So, tell me about yourself. Walk me through your resume. Whats your greatest weakness? When you study the Int ernet, practice your answers, and deliver those answers in your interview congratulations you look exactly like everybody else.Instead of asking the Internet the best answers to the most common interview questions, devote that same time and energy to real research. You already know you need to research the organization. I hope youre not limiting yourself to the about us and company history pages, but have taken a deep dive into the companys social media platforms. Beyond that, youve heard that you also need to research the person. Usually that translates into finding out where they went to school or what activities or organizations theyre involved in, so that you can identify some point of commonality. Instead, lets shift that personal research into something real that you can use in your interview.Put Yourself In The Hiring Managers PlaceThe hiring manager has a job to get done every day. And she needs to add a person to her team you or someone else in order to do it. A gap exis ts. Perhaps the team is strained now and someones overloaded, or some critical task is not getting done well and customers are feeling it. There is some issue that the hiring manager needs solved. Put yourself in the hiring managers place by considering whats keeping the person up at night. Unless a person is physically ill, the cause of most peoples sleeplessness is stress. What are they worried about? What do they fear could happen? What do they fear is not going to happen?Think Of A TheoryThis is where your real company research comes in. Use what you find out from social media or Google news to build a working theory. Your theory doesnt have to be 100% correct. It only has to be reasonable, something that demonstrates the thought you put into it.For example, theyre interviewing you for the role of ausverkauf Manager. You asked the Internet and found out the organization is expanding into the Midwest. Your theory is they need to assign a Sales Manager in the Midwest because a key competitor has just emerged there.The hiring manager knows that she still has to make quota regardless of the evolving competitive landscape. She has to get a team into the Midwest, and she needs a leader who can hit the ground running so that this team can deliver immediately, continually increase the revenue they generate, and outpace the competitor. This all needs to happen without negatively impacting the existing customer base.Flip The ScriptYouve adopted the hiring managers perspective, reasonably theorized the business problems shes likely facing right now, and youre about to bring this knowledge into your interview. Your goals are to distinguish yourself from the other candidates on the short list, and to make yourself memorable. The way to not achieve that is to answer the tell me about yourself question, stop talking, and wait for her next question.Youre in a conversation. Conversations go back and forth. Theres always a volley and you have to keep the ball up in the air from your side. Therefore, your approach in this and every interview is to answer the question, then ask a question of your own.Heres how that soundszu sich So, tell me about yourself.YOU You know, Im so glad to be in this conversation with you today, because its clear from the ad you need someone who can really guide your team in best practices in consultative selling, which is exactly what Ive been doing for the last 10 years. Thats why Im eager to dive deeper into the conversation today. I was actually thinking about something that I have a question about.herbei Sure.YOU Your particular division is about to expand into the Midwest, right?HER We are. Thats projected for next quarter.YOU (Even though you may already know the answer to your next question) Whats the reason for breaking into that particular frontier?HER Globex just launched there and we want to make sure we have significant presence there as well.YOU Ahhh, how long ago did they open the market?HER About 6 months ago. YOU So is the idea with this Sales Manager role to be able to whip up a team to, basically, deliver almost immediately, and then over-deliver as far as revenue performance?HER In an ideal world, that is what we need.YOU You know, when I was at Initech 2 years ago, it was a very similar scene And you proceed to illustrate how you provided leadership and delivered the type of success the hiring manager is looking for right now.Isnt that a lot more interesting than just walking her through your resume? The hiring manager is a lot less concerned with your age when you demonstrate that youre very concerned with solving the problem thats on her plate right now. And you dont just talk about how youve led teams to meet and exceed sales quotas. Rather, you demonstrate that youve done that exact thing in your recent professional history. Thats what distinguishes you from the other candidates, and thats what shell remember.A new survey just out says a candidate over age of 50 takes 20% longer to get hired than someone in the age 41-45 bracket. But that doesnt have to be you. Theres a cheat sheet and video training on how highly-qualified jobseekers age 50+ land the right job and right salary in 8 weeks or less. Find out the specific steps former jobseekers ages 54, 56, and 57 did to go from job searching to job found

7 Reasons You Should Always Speak Up at Work - The Muse

7 Reasons You Should Always Speak Up at Work - The Muse7 Reasons You Should Always Speak Up at WorkIn the professional world, opinions can be dangerous. Holding a controversial opinion can damage yur reputation stating an opinion that contradicts your boss can leave you vulnerable voicing your opinion at the wrong time can make you appear foolish. The old adage attributed to Abraham Lincoln goes, Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt, and in the realm of business, that seems to be the truth.However, unternehmensverbund your opinions back can actually be mora damaging than speaking them. In fact, opinions are what fuel momentum- all ideas, plans, and decisions begin and end with opinions, and if you consistently refrain from voicing yours, youll be doing both your employer and your career a disservice.1. Youll Appear More ConfidentConfidence is never a bad thing to have. In a job interview, it can make you seem like a more appealing c andidate. In a deal negotiation, it can make you seem like more of an authority. In a meeting, it can make you look like a more important player. Speaking your opinion openly makes you appear more confident, and that effect actually increases depending on the degree of controversy associated with that opinion. For example, if you strongly disagree with everyone else in the room, youll appear more confident than if you go the safe route and openly agree. That confidence will build over time and help propel your career forward.2. You Never Know What Could ChangeA common reason for employees holding their opinions back is a belief that those opinions dont matter- that they wont be listened to, or they wont be acted upon. For example, if a worker is concerned with the effects of a new operations policy, he or she may refuse to voice his or her opinion under the impression that the policy wont change, regardless of circumstances. However, there is no guarantee that your opinion will be i gnored or cast aside. If you speak up, your voice might make the difference, but if you hold back, youll never know what positive outcomes you could be missing out on.3. Youll Drive DiscussionEven if your opinion isnt taken into serious consideration, the fact that you brought it up can still drive a meaningful discussion. For example, if you offer a possible solution in a group meeting, the group may collectively decide that your idea isnt worth pursuing. However, even so, your opinion could generate some alternative lines of thinking and new perspectives that keep the conversation moving forward. Ultimately, discussion leads to results, and the more opinions there are to feed that discussion, the faster and more efficiently youll eventually get to those results.4. If Youre Wrong, Youll Learn WhyLets say you arent sure that your opinion is valid, or that you know for a fact that theres something off with it. This could be an indication that your opinion isnt grounded or isnt releva nt, or it could just be your psyche messing with you. If you want to find out, you have to voice your opinion. If your instincts are right and there is something wrong about your opinion- such as a false assumption or incorrect data- the other people around you will let you know. You wont appear foolish instead, the situation becomes a genuine learning experience and you can walk away the wiser.5. You Could Be the Voice of the MajoritySometimes, workers are intimidated to voice their opinions because they feel like theyre the only ones who feel a certain way. For example, if youre sitting in a meeting listening to your boss talk about a new marketing approach and youre concerned that the approach will be ineffective, you might clam up if you feel like the only one of a dissenting mind. However, everybody else in the meeting could be thinking the very same thing. If you voice your opinion, you could give a voice to everyone else. You may have more support than you realize.6. The Risk s Are LowMost of us have a tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios when faced with an intimidating prospect. When you imagine voicing your opinion, you could envision yourself getting fired or humiliated in front of the entire company. In reality, these possible outcomes are extremely rare- the risks of making your opinion known are much lower than they might seem. If your workplace culture is the type that would support firing an employee because he or she voiced an opinion, you probably shouldnt be working there anyway.7. Regretting Action Is Better Than Regretting InactionThis is a fundamental principle to remember in many areas of your life. Its possible that you voice your opinion and live to regret it, but its also possible that you keep your mouth shut and regret not saying anything. Ultimately, our regrets of inaction are much more severe than our regrets of action, meaning keeping your mouth shut is actually the more likely regret of the two. Take a chance- youll feel good about it, even if it doesnt turn out how you intended.Breaking past that intimidation barrier can be tough, especially if youre used to holding onto your opinions, but its vital that you practice regularly speaking your mind in your career. Be mindful of the appropriate times and places to speak your opinion, but never be afraid to let your true feelings be known.More From Inc.Mark Cuban How Youll Know Youre Ready to Launch7 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Entrepreneur37 Secrets Only Successful People KnowPhoto of a microphone courtesy of Shutterstock.