Animal Assisted Therapy Certification Tips

Animal Assisted Therapy Certification TipsAnimal Assisted Therapy Certification TipsThere are many certification programs available for individuals wishing to become involved with animal assisted therapy (AAT). There are also options for pet owners who just want to volunteer. Certification Programs The University of Denver (in Colorado) offers an Animals Human Health certificate that requires one on-campus course and three online courses. The on-campus course is the capstone, which involves student presentations, group work, and interaction with animal therapy professionals. Applicants must have a bachelors degree or equivalent practical experience in animal assisted therapy. The program cost is $3,500 positiv a one-time application fee of $25 for registration (lodging and travel costs for the campus portion are elend included). The program fee can be paid as a lump sum or in installments. The Animal Behavior Institute offers a certificate program in animal assisted therapy tha t is conducted entirely online. The certificate is designed for those working as therapists, social workers, educators, and healthcare workers. The program involves five courses that take ten weeks each to complete.The program also requires 40 hours of experience in the field as an intern, employee, or volunteer at an approved institution. Students may receive transfer credit for similar coursework completed elsewhere. The total program cost is $5,925 plus the cost of textbooks or other class materials. Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado offers a certificate in animal assisted psychotherapy (CAAP). The program is designed for mental health professionals and students with an interest in animal assisted interventions. The certificate program includes six online courses, which can be completed at the students own pace. The program also offers a virtual classroom allowing students to network. The course is eligible for continuing education credit hours. Applicants must be stu dents or have earned an advanced degree in the mental health field. The total program cost is $2,100. Oakland University (in Michigan) offers a distance learning animal assisted therapy program. The program is conducted online and involves five modules each with five consecutive weeks of study. Students are required to write a full animal therapy business plan at the conclusion of the course. The program includes five courses and costs $2,495. Harcum College (in Pennsylvania) offers a distance learning certificate course in animal assisted therapy. The 10-week program is completed at the students own pace and includes reading assignments, discussions, essays, and two site visits to organizations in their community that utilize animal assisted therapy. The course may provide continuing education credits or help a candidate expand their work in psychology, healthcare, or rehabilitation. Participants are not required to have a specific degree or prior training. Total program cost is $1,065. For Pet Owners/Volunteers There are also several groups that register teams of volunteers and their pets to visit nursing homes, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other community centers. These groups do not require the extensive coursework that must be completed for the certification programsbut instead focus on community service type activities that can be completed with a volunteers personal pet. Pet Partners, formerly known as the Delta Society, registers teams of handlers and animals. To become registered, an individual and their pet must complete a handler course in person (eight hours) or online, pass a screening by a veterinarian, pass an evaluation, and pay the two-year membership fee (which includes liability insurance). Many types of animals have been certified through the Pet Partners program including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, miniaturepigs, equines, llamas, rats, and alpacas. Therapy Dogs International registers therapy dogs that can p ass a two-phase, 13-exercise testing process. Animals will be exposed to a variety of test situations including children playing, adults using walkers, and several people approaching the dog simultaneously. The dogs must also meet all health requirements, including an annual vet visit and up-to-date vaccinations. There is a $10 testing fee per dog. Therapy Dogs Inc. registers therapy dogs that are well behaved and able to pass evaluations by a veterinarian and a tester/observer. The handler must also pass inspection by the TDI tester/observer.There is a one-time new member fee for $10, and dues are $30 per year for a handler/dog team which includes liability insurance.

Internship Tips for First Year College Students

Internship Tips for First Year College StudentsInternship Tips for First Year College StudentsIt canoften be more difficult for first-year students to find a summer internship but it is not impossible for them to find something that will lend to their current knowledge and skills. Doing something substantialwill help students prepare toget a great internship after their sophomore year. First-year students are often viewed by employers as candidates possessing less knowledge and limited skills than upperclassman going to the same college. It is obvious that a first-year student will have less academic preparedness and experience than their upperclassmen, but employers also find that these differences may depend more on the individual attributes of candidates than it does on age and class year. TakingRisks As a first-year student, it is important to begin taking some risks by facing the challenges it takes to land an internship or a job. Reaching out to family, friends, previous te achers and employers is a logical first step. As a first-year student, you may not know what font of internship you want. Conductinginformational interviewswill help you get a better handle on specific careers as well as what employers look for when hiring talented new professionals. Polishing Up Your Resume and Cover Letter Working on your resume and?? cover letter with a career counselor at your college will help you to create professional documents that will make employers take notice. Although as a first-year student you may feel that you have nothing to put on a resume, after speaking to a counselor you may find that you have more things you can put down than you thought. A resume highlights previous and current experiences that provide employers with an outline of your skills and previous accomplishments. This may include high school and college coursework, internships, jobs, community service, co-curricular experiences, and working as a volunteer at a nonprofit organizati on. Your career counselor can provide help with your resume and cover letter to ensure that your most relevant experiences stand out. Using Social Media As a Tool One thing that all college students have as an advantageis their ability to utilize social media to their benefit. Many companies seek students to help them with their social media campaigns since many of their more senior employees are not familiar and dont know how to use it to the companys advantage.?Social media can also be a great way to get your name out there when seeking a summer internship or job. Creating a Blogor Website Many students today have their own blog and websites. This is an excellent way to highlight your interests and skills by getting your name out there. Blogs are a good way to work on your writing skills and are a good way to showcase your skills for employers seeking a college student for an internship or entry-level job.For some professionals like photography, journalism, etc., having a n online portfolio really gives an employer a good opportunity to learn more aboutcandidates even prior to the first interview. Career Exploration Even though first-year students are often not yet sure of their major, first-year gives them an opportunity to explore and research how specific majors relate to future career options. When conducting this research students can also determine what types of internships others do to get some experience in the field they are looking to pursue. The Importance of Internships In todays job market doing an internship is not just a good idea it is a must in order to be considered for employment with certain companies. Whether youre doing community service or volunteer work or something more tangible, by doing these experiences you are showing employers that you have the motivation and initiative to succeed on the job. Ask Those in the Know You can also talk to your professors and other students to find out about internships that they know of. Your peers may be able to provide information on internships they have completed or heard about through one of their personal networks. Faculty works with students all the time and often hear back from students on both the good and bad summer internship experiences they had. Some faculty maintain a departmental website that includes information on internships in the field, or they may just keep a list that they share with students in class or in one-on-one appointments. Looking to the Future You may decide to continue with your previous summer jobs the summer after your first year in college (and thats ok too), but its important to give yourself some time to try out different experiences in order to decide which ones you would like to pursue when selecting a career following your college graduation.

Four Ways to Engage your Top Healthcare Workers

Four Ways to Engage your Top Healthcare WorkersFour Ways to Engage your Top Healthcare WorkersFour Ways to Engage your Top Healthcare Workers BlackMany healthcare systems embrace a team-based healthcare deliveryand for good reason. In this model, a team of physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) work together to ensure patients receive the best care possible.While beneficial, this collaborative approach has created hiring challenges when members of the healthcare team leave the practice. Its a problem that I frequently hear about from healthcare providers.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for physician assistants and nurse practitioners will increase mora than 30 percent during the next eight years. Because these practitioners are in such high demand, its easier for them to shop around for other jobs if theyre not satisfied with their current employer.With increased demand for NPs and PAs comes the need to be mora competitive when hiri ng and more mindful about how toretaintalent.If you are seeing high employee turnover with your PAs and NPs, it may be that their needs are not being met. And salaryis often not the issue. For most clinicians money is a satisfiernot a motivator.Here are a few things you can do to retain and engage these healthcare employeeswhich are often not about the money.The opportunity to learn and grow professionally. It is critical that a positive learning environment be fostered for those who seek additional skills or experience. This can be challenging in the busy world of direct patient care but it will pay long-term dividends. PAs and NPs are looking for jobs that will provide them with new experiences, educationand training. They often accept a job for the opportunity of learning a new specialty, regardless of the compensation.Work/life balance is key. Whether they are balancing child care, school schedules or simply want more time away from work, many employees want workplace flexibilit y. Adding some leeway to an employees daily, weekly or monthly schedule is often seen as a big win and can be even more important than compensation.Working relationships and mentorship are important for professional growth. Do your employees have mentors? Is there someone they can go to for career advice? If not, you may want to look into a formal mentoring program. Asking seasoned employees to guide those younger in their careers can help engage both the mentor and mentee.In addition, consider offering a budget for continuing medical education and time off to take those courses. This will help engage employees and lets them know you want them to stay up on the latest practices and procedures. The added focus on professional growth will also help attract new employees to your facility.Expanded scope of practice improves engagement. Another way that PAs and NPs can grow in their careers is by giving them more autonomy. The more clinical experience they have, the more independently th ey can work.There should be a consistent growth pattern for nursing practitioner job responsibilities in relation to their collaborations with physicians and PAs. This leads to better team-based medicine, as each practitioner can fulfill their roles in concert with each other. Expanding the scope of practice in the clinical setting should occur as more trust is developed.In time, both the PA and NP should be practicing at the top of his or her license. This not only helps these providers be more engaged, it also prevents physician burnout. Focusing on these four steps should help stymie exiting PAs and NPs from your facility. It will also help you recruit a smarter, more engaged workforce, enabling you to achieve your geschftlicher umgang goals.Tyler Black is the vice president of allied staffing at CompHealth, which places PAs, NPs, and CRNAs in permanent and temporary positions around the country. For more tips on hiring and retention, CompHealth.com.

Engineering Graduate Studies Abroad

Engineering Graduate Studies Abroad Engineering Graduate Studies Abroad Many engineering graduate programs now supplement their domestic curriculum with an zwischenstaatlich component-a reflection of the ever-growing global nature of engineering challenges and solutions.Study abroad provides first-hand knowledge of other cultures and prepares students to negotiate differences and to understand global engineering problems, such as alternative fuels and renewable energy sources, from a new perspective. Students who incorporate overseas study into their academic programs also deepen their knowledge and understanding of global political, economic, and social issues, and better prepare themselves for leadership roles in their careers.Study abroad programs are designed to provide an authentic student experience in the host country. Engineering students take classes with their local counterparts and stay in accommodations that are typical for local students. The goal is to provide maximum o pportunities for cultural immersionlearning from local faculty and experiencing daily life at the host university. Graduates become competent and comfortable business travelers who can adapt readily to new situations and successfully interact with colleagues from around the world.Study abroad not only promotes academic enrichment and personal growth, it also enhances employment prospects. Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who have studied abroad. Students who have returned from a successful study experience abroad possess skills that are valued in todays competitive workplace international knowledge and second language skills, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to adapt to new circumstances and deal constructively with differences. Study abroad returnees have demonstrated that they can thrive in new and often challenging environments.One prevailing myth about graduate studies abroad is that it takes longer to attain a degree. In fact, many graduate programs abro ad are shorter and more concentrated. One reason is that overseas undergraduate programs are typically longer than in the U.S. Masters level programs often are condensed to one year programs. For example, in France, the first degree may take five years followed by a one-year graduate degree. Nonresident students can join a degree program for the last year and receive a Masters degree in only one year. In the U.K., many research Ph.D. programs do not require a Masters degree and can be completed in three years.Many graduate schools who encourage students to study abroad offer grants and scholarships to help finance their International studies. There are also government scholarships to consider, such as the Fulbright Program. The Fulbright program was established in 1946 by the U.S. Congress to enable the government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program provides funding for students, scholars, teachers, and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. These Fulbright Fellowships are dispersed to U.S. as well as to foreign graduate students and graduating seniors. Approximately 800 Americans are currently studying overseas and have full or partial support from the Fulbright Grant Program.There is much to be gained by studying abroad academically, professionally, and socially. There are many sources on the Web to search for international study opportunities as well as available scholarships and grants. Helpful sites include degree.goabroad.com/, www.transitionsabroad.com/index.shtml, and www.iie.org/fulbright.Study abroad not only promotes academic enrichment and personal growth, it also enhances employment prospects.

Tips to Start a Viable Post-Military Career for Returning Vets

Tips to Start a Viable Post-Military Career for Returning VetsTips to Start a Viable Post-Military Career for Returning VetsAs the Department of Defense continues its drawdown of American military personnel after decades of major troop deployment, tens of thousands of American troops are preparing to transition out of the military and back into civilian life. The transition will be easier for some than others but with a solid plan and access to helpful resources, returning heroes can find success and satisfaction in a post-military career.Military tafelgeschirr members learn important on-the-job skills that make them valuable civilian employees, says University of Phoenix Military Relations Vice President, retired Army Col. Garland Williams. Knowing how to market those skills correctly helps ensure a smooth transition into a rewarding job after military service is complete.Despite mastering in-demand skills, hurdles often remain. According to aUniversity of Phoenix survey, when past service members were asked about their first civilian job after separation from the military, less than one-third (29 percent) say that they used their military skills to that extent in the civilian workplace. This suggests that while the veteran unemployment rate continues to decline, many veterans may actually be underemployed.To help transitioning service members maximize the career resources available to not just get a job, but departure a viable post-military career, Col. Williams recommends tips to help service members get started1. Start early and get connected.Begin the transition process as early as possible. Talk to peers who made transitions and network with as many people as possible to learn about employers who are hiring and who could benefit from your skills. Create a profile on professional networking sites to keep in touch with professional contacts and learn about possible career opportunities. Conduct informational interviews with veterans who are working with com panies that appeal to you.2. Research your education and career options. Use free online tools to investigate degree programs and possible career paths. The Phoenix Career Guidance System can help you research a degree program based on your interests, skills and experience, and provides insight on local job market trends and industry demands. Also, theMilitary Skills Translator Tooltakes your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code and suggests a list of related civilian occupations.3. Brush up on your job-searching skills.Visit the U.S. Department of LaborsTransitional Assistance Program (TAP), which provides soon-to-be discharged or retired service members helpful information and workshops on job searching, resume and deckblatt letter writing, interviewing techniques and career decision-making. Look for veteran hiring fairs and local hiring events that are taking place across the country. Each year, there are hundreds ofHiring Our Heroesveteran events that help transitioning se rvice members, veterans and their families find viable career options.4. Speak the language.Communicate military experience and training to hiring employers with words, not acronyms, which may not translate on a resume. Promote skills such as leadership, management, cooperation, teamwork and strategic thinking. Mention these attributes in the cover letter and resume alongside all technical skills. Give your prospective employer specific examples of how you utilized these skills in your various assignments during your military tenure and how they will translate to the job for which youre being interviewed.5. Dont sell yourself short.While job searching, remember the valuable skills you learned in the military can make a real difference for employers. Identify a mentor preferably someone with a military background who has transitioned successfully and can help guide the job search process and remind you of your strengths and transferable skills.Service members have a wealth of resour ces available to them, but knowing where and how to start the transitioning process can be overwhelming, says Col. Williams. However, its similar to being in the military developing a plan of attack can set these jobseekers on a path to future career success.

Top Nursing Resume Templates Tips!

Top Nursing Resume Templates Tips The New Fuss About Nursing Resume Templates Please remember that you will require a companion titelbild letter to seal the offer. Studies is a crucial part of several facets of process hunting, and earlier than you get started writing your cover letter, you wish to make sure youve got achieved your studies nicely. You may use the nursing resume vorlage to compose yours since it comprises a comprehensive curriculum vitae and a cover letter. If youre making a number of versions of your resume or cover letter, be certain to label each one with a particular title which will help you remember which is which (including the title of the job which youre applying for). A professional resume design is just the tool you would like to reveal prospective employers the certification. A template is able to help you craft the ideal nursing resume to submit to a prospective employer. Your resume will wind up in an important ATS sooner or later, despite the fa ct that you might have networked the correct path through personal contacts within the industry enterprise. Once your resume is prepared to go, you are going to wish to be sure to receive it in front of as many employers as possible. Task aspirants need to be on the lookout for a resume template rather than a courses vitae template. As soon as you access the webpage, you may then download all the templates onto your PC and use them forever. Choose a template you prefer. The Chronological Resume indicates the specific timeline of someones job history and illustrates their abilities and experience. Whats more, you can customize the CV as you desire. Your CV should demonstrate your possible value to your possible employer. How to Find Nursing Resume Templates Online A good posting for a nursing position will comprise experiences unique to the profession. Make certain you include everything thats related to the job. If you want to locate a do the work then the perfect point to do is definitely to be ready. When you prepare to look for a nursing job, you want to get a strong resume. Wherever youre in your nursing career, weve got a resume sample that may help you write or update your nurse resume. A nurses job isnt easy. Or perhaps youre already employed as a nurse and youre prepared for a new job. Finding jobs as a registered nurse requires a blend of the proper mindset and a particular set of job seeking skills. What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About Nursing Resume Templates A trick to maintain the exceptional layout chosen is to use PDF to conserve the resume. The incorrect formatting may also undermine your resume. A template offers you a suggested structure for your documents, which means you can quickly begin writing. When there are a couple of formatting choices to select from, like chronological, functional, and a mixture, there are specific basics common to all. Nursing is an aged professional with a lot of formal affiliations. Besi des Clinical Rotations will choose the workplace experience. Read More Every expert field has its own standards in regards to resumes. You may also opt to design high-quality resumes for business purposes. Vital Pieces of Nursing Resume Templates In addition, get into the specifics of why you are the very best fit for the job and make sure to reference the work description. A resume builder can help you rectify any errors and supply you with a working vision of the resume as you edit. Whether you arent attempting to find work, an offer, or using your resume to make your own client base, a skilled and well-organized resume is advised. An acting resume design template might become your key to obtaining the portion of a lifetime. The Benefits of Nursing Resume Templates Your new grad Nursing resume objective may most likely be the most important characteristic of your application since it will set the tone for the remainder of your content especially in the way its been format ted. Youre ready to comprehend why you begin with an objective can actually undermine the potency of the remainder of your continue regardless if the rest of the work application is called a work of genius. In the event you lack plenty of experience on the job its important to adhere to a resume objective. If youre feeling a bit overwhelmed about the full job search procedure, youre in luck Choosing Good Nursing Resume Templates Interview skills coaching sessions might help you secure the job that you never thought you could get. Though the nursing field demands specific technical abilities, employers start looking for different abilities, called soft skills-the type of skills that make you an excellent employee. Writing general duties is a typical mistake because applicants think that nursing resembles unique hospitals and departments, but in fact, your duties will differ between different facilities. Youve got different education, experience, and abilities.

3 Ways to Make Your Job Post Work for You - Spark Hire

3 Ways to Make Your Job Post Work for You - Spark HireA job deutsche bundespost these days cannot just exist to attract top-notch talent it has to compete. As more and more job candidates are performing the job search online, you need to ensure your small business or startup is taking the necessary steps to get noticed. After all, an ineffective job post can be the difference between stellar employees that make a big impact and less than desirable candidates that lead to a long search for the right new hire.1. Identify the qualities that you want/need in a new hire.This seems pretty obvious, but youd be surprised by the amount of online job posts out there that are vague or too general. Sit down with the manager or team looking to attract a new hire and get their eingabe on the experience and skills that are most desirable. Help them separate must-haves from nice-to-haves.Include these must-haves in the job post, and make the description of job responsibilities as specific as possibl e. This way, you avoid attracting job candidates who are applying to every job they see. Instead, youre getting resumes and interviews from candidates who have the potential to more than fill the hole in your company and ease the process of small business hiring.2. Include keywords in your job post for better ranking results.Most of the job search for candidates today occurs online. Of the millions of searches done for job opportunities each month, you obviously want your post to appear as close to the top of the search results as possible. But unless you craft your online job post to fit the formula for good rankings results, yours will appear at the bottom of the heap.Finding the perfect job post will take a bit of testing. Start with your initial job post, and record the responses you receive. Change your keywords a bit, repost and record once again. For instance, Recruiter.com states that using rep instead of representative could mean the difference between 40 and 55 prospective job candidates. This testing method will help you develop a job post with keywords that will make it to the top of the search results and attract the talent you want.3. Branch out and include your online post on other job boards.While a job post will get its fair share of hits on your website, it will be seen by a much broader audience if you include the post on outside job boards. These can include job posting sites, social media platforms or sites like Spark Hire, which can serve as a medium between your company and job candidates throughout the entire job search process.Getting the word out about an open opportunity at your company is easier than ever these days. But with the volume of postings from other companies, it can be difficult to get noticed. With an effective online job post, youll rise to the top of the job search results and eventually your industry.What strategies do you implement to help your online job posts? Share your insights in our comments below

Dont say these 5 types of words during a job interview

Dont say these 5 types of words during a job interviewDont say these 5 types of words during a job interviewThere are so many ways that a job interview can go wrong - the possibility of being super late, being underprepared and other slip-ups - you should also be mindful of your word choice. Your language can speak volumes about who you are as a candidate.Here are some job interview tips regarding things you should avoid saying during a job interview.Dont hurl insults about the arbeitszimmer space you walk intoSo the arbeitszimmer building is a lot less modern than you thought it would be.Does the recruiter need to know that? Of course not. This is much better kept to yourself.Looking for an inspiring way to start your day? Sign up forMorning MotivationIts our friendly Facebook robot that will send you a quick note every weekday morning to help you start strong. Sign up here by clicking Get StartedHiring managers didnt check out your application and invite you for an in-person inte rview to witness you wasting the opportunity.You may not look like a good fit for the company - even if you exceed the qualifications.Use filler words as little as possibleJohn Rampton, an entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of online payments company Due, cautions in Mashable against overusing filler words like um, hmm and erm during a job interview.Personally, I never realized that this was an issue until it was brought to me attention and I started watching footage of me speaking. aya enough, I was throwing out a lot of ums.To correct this problem, I started speaking more slowly. If there was a question that I had to think about, I would remain completely silent until I could find the right words. Dont worry if youre concerned about there being an awkward silence. Its better to pause and say nothing-at-all than filling the air with a stream of filler words, he writes.Lay off the profanityYou should never cross this line.Youd think not swearing is Interviewing 101, but youd be sur prised how often people still do it,According to The Muse. Even if your interviewer drops a few S- or F-bombs, youre better off keeping your language PG.Of course, different workplaces have varying standards of conduct, but you shouldnt assume this is safe territory - especially since you dont yet work there or know the culture.Dont say that you have zero questions for the interviewerYou should always ask questions during job interviews - even if you already know the answer.If you dont, you risk looking like you dont care about the position, the job, or a possible future there. So while youre doing your research for the interview, write down things that strike you and be sure to ask them in person.This will show that youve done your homework, are interested in how the business operates, and are trying to get a better sense of what itd be like to work there yourself.Dont badmouth your current or former employerThis is never a smart move.Alison Doyle, a career expert, author, and fo under/CEO of CareerToolBelt.com,provides examples of statements you shouldnt make during interviews in The Balance - including negative ones about your current position, manager and employer.One of them is, my current company is awful. As Doyle questions, (Are you going to say that about the new company?)Chances are, if youre willing to say bad things about your current workplace, you wouldnt have a problem doing the same if hired to a new one, and clearly arent as concerned about references as you should be.Dont say these 5 types of words during a job interviewThere are so many ways that a job interview can go wrong - the possibility of being super late, being underprepared and other slip-ups - you should also be mindful of your word choice. Your language can speak volumes about who you are as a candidate.Here are some job interview tips regarding things you should avoid saying during a job interview.Dont hurl insults about the office space you walk intoSo the office building is a lot less modern than you thought it would be.Does the recruiter need to know that? Of course not. This is much better kept to yourself.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHiring managers didnt check out your application and invite you for an in-person interview to witness you wasting the opportunity.You may not look like a good fit for the company - even if you exceed the qualifications.Use filler words as little as possibleJohn Rampton, an entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of online payments company Due, cautions in Mashable against overusing filler words like um, hmm and erm during a job interview.Personally, I never realized that this was an issue until it was brought to my attention and I started watching footage of me speaking. Sure enough, I was throwing out a lot of ums.To correct this problem, I started speaking more slowly. If there was a question that I had to think about, I would remain completely silent until I could find the right words. Dont worry if youre concerned about there being an awkward silence. Its better to pause and say nothing-at-all than filling the air with a stream of filler words, he writes.Lay off the profanityYou should never cross this line.Youd think not swearing is Interviewing 101, but youd be surprised how often people still do it,According to The Muse. Even if your interviewer drops a few S- or F-bombs, youre better off keeping your language PG.Of course, different workplaces have varying standards of conduct, but you shouldnt assume this is safe territory - especially since you dont yet work there or know the culture.Dont say that you have zero questions for the interviewerYou should always ask questions during job interviews - even if you already know the answer.If you dont, you risk looking like you dont care about the position, the job, or a possible future there. So while youre doing your research for the inte rview, write down things that strike you and be sure to ask them in person.This will show that youve done your homework, are interested in how the business operates, and are trying to get a better sense of what itd be like to work there yourself.Dont badmouth your current or former employerThis is never a smart move.Alison Doyle, a career expert, author, and founder/CEO of CareerToolBelt.com,provides examples of statements you shouldnt make during interviews in The Balance - including negative ones about your current position, manager and employer.One of them is, my current company is awful. As Doyle questions, (Are you going to say that about the new company?)Chances are, if youre willing to say bad things about your current workplace, you wouldnt have a problem doing the same if hired to a new one and clearly arent as concerned about references as you should be.This article was originally published on January 24, 2018.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that wi ll make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

How to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile in 5 Minutes and Get Hired

How to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile in 5 Minutes and Get HiredHow to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile in 5 Minutes and Get HiredHaving a LinkedIn profile just because every professional should have it just isnt enough. You have to keep it updated and make it attractive to the recruiter. Keep in mind there are thousands of LinkedIn profiles like yours and if you want the right peopleto notice you in the vast sea of other profiles, it needs to be darn good.LinkedIn profile is not just a digital version of your resume. Its a social network which means you have to be actively involved otherwise you might as well not be on it at all. To see how effective your profile is, LinkedIn shows you the strength of your account.To have an all-star rating of your LinkedIn profile will increase your chances of being noticed, and by extension hired.Today well tell you how to boost your LinkedIn profile and make the fruchtwein of this professional network.The LinkedIn profile essentialsDid you know that majority of LinkedIn accountshave never been completed at all? Your profile will qualify as complete if you haveAt least 50 connectionsYour Industry and Location filled inYour photo includedYour current position updatedEducation and at least two previous work experiences listedAt least three skills listedIf your profile contains all this, youre halfway through to an outstanding profile.Weve got 10 tips for you to improve your profile and become a LinkedIn all-star1. Make your profile visually appealingFirst of all, include a photo that does you justice. Ideally, it should be a good quality headshot where you look professional, natural and likable. Forget the holiday or party photos, cheesy selfies or cropped pictures where you have an alien arm around your neck.You can also add a background photo. Pick one that goes well with your profile picture and that evokes positivity. It doesnt necessarily have to be a picture closely connected to your industry, but of course, try to pick a pi cture that isnt completely offbeat.2. Write a catchy professional headlineHaving a brilliant headline is crucial because it is what people notice first on your profile. Hence, it should advertise you well. It should clearly describe your profession, e.g. UX Designer or Social Media Manager (alternatively with the name of the company youre currently working for). You can make more of your headline by adding an adjective such as Experienced UX Designer or Junior Social Media Manager.Depending on your experience and what youre looking for, your headline canserve as a call for new job opportunities, e.g. Junior Social Media Manager looking for new opportunities in startups. We recommend doing a little research and taking inspiration from what other people from your industry have written in their headline.3. Connect with more peopleIn general, people with a substantial amount of LinkedIn connections appear more professional. Were not saying you should now connect with just anybody only t o get as many connections as possible. First, go through your People You May Know page and send out a couple of invitations. Its best to connect with people from the same industry as you. People who might be potentially interested in you and what youre doing are also valuable connections. Find these people by searching concrete companies or groups that are related to your industry.4.Write a summary that sellsThe summary section is something similar to a cover letterbut in a lot briefer and more functional style. It is up to you whether you decide to give it a bullet point structure or use full sentences formed in a couple of paragraphs.Contrary to cover letter, the summary section on LinkedIn should be a lot briefer and shouldnt include embellishments, buzz words or any long descriptions. You should try to get right to the point and literally summarize the highlights of your professional career thus far.5. Polish up your experience and education sectionRemember that LinkedIn is not your resume, it doesnt have to be brief. In fact, feel free to revel in adding as many details as you want (in case theyre relevant, of course). List a couple of your most important duties, your most eminent achievements, results you delivered exceptionally well and things and skills you learned in each position. You can also attach additional documents or add media to each of your work experiences such as photos, videos, links or presentations.The same applies to your education. There is plenty of additional info that the recruiter viewing your profile might be interested in. Especially if youre a student or a fresh graduate, the more details you provide, the better. Add courses, awards, scholarships, mention your international experience or describe some of the most interesting school projects you participated in.6. Add volunteer experienceYou might be surprised, but recruiters and hiring managers regard candidates who have experience in volunteering as more attractive. Even if yo u think your volunteering experience is not relevant to your future job at all, it can earn you some extra credit with your future employer. You can also add causes you care about. Recruiters love active citizens7. Make a list of 10 of your strongest skillsSkills are one of the most important sections on LinkedIn. List around 10 of your strongest skills. Dont mix up skills that do not really correlate. If youre looking for a job in one specific area, list skills most relevant to this profession. If you need some inspiration, do a little research and see what other people from your industry listed in their skills section.8. Endorse and be endorsedOn LinkedIn, endorsements serve basically as an evidence for the skills you claim to have. Not only will your profile look more professional but the more endorsements you have, the higher rate in search results your profile gets. To get more endorsements, start by endorsing your connections. If you endorseother people for certain skills, the res a chance they endorse you back.You can also directly ask your friends or ex-colleagues to endorse you.9. Ask for recommendationsJust like endorsements, recommendations are an effective way to make your expertise more reliable because it has been acknowledged by other people. Needless to say, the most valuable recommendations are those written by people from your industry. Ask your previous tutors, teachers or colleagues to write a recommendation for you.10. Be active on LinkedInKeep in mind that LinkedIn is a social network so your activity is visible to anyone who wants to see it.Also, the more active you are on LinkedIn, the more chances you have to be noticed by the right people. You can write posts, comment on posts other people from your industry wrote, follow people and companies, actively participate in relevant groups, etc. The bonus is you might bump into an interesting job opportunity.Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

Critique Your Resume Like a Hiring Manager

Critique Your Resume Like a Hiring ManagerCritique Your Resume Like a Hiring ManagerCritique Your Resume Like a Hiring ManagerIn order to critique your resume effectively, you need to understand how a hiring manager will look at it. As a rule, resume reviewers start by making a snap judgment based on their first impression. If there are no immediate red flags, theyll spend the next 10 to 30 seconds scanning it to determine whether you seem to have the right qualifications. If your resume passes those two tests, it has a good chance of being reviewed more thoroughly, and with luck, winning you an interview. What does all this mean to you and your resume? It means you should worry less about listing your past job duties, and more about making an outstanding first impression Here arethe important factors toconsider as you evaluate your resume.1) First ImpressionOverall appearance is neat, organized, and easy to read.Length is no more than 2 pages (1 page is fine if everything fits neatl y).No obvious errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, or word usage.No obvious inconsistencies in use of numbers, spacing, punctuation, or capitalization.Contact information is complete.Email address is professional, not shared, not goofy, and not your current work address.2) Quick Check of QualificationsResume starts with a summary that lists the most compelling qualifications that match the employers needs.Calls attention to relevant experience from past jobs.Matches keywords and expressions from the job ad.Uses descriptive job titles (e.g., Dont just say Machinist, say Robotic-Arm Machine Operator).Includes licenses, certifications, or coursework that support qualifications (if applicable).3) Other Things to Look ForAction verbs introduce each sentence or bullet phrase.No unnecessary words or repetition.Acronyms or technical jargon are adequately explained.4) Things You Should Leave OutOlder job experiencesExperience from more than 10 or 15 years ago is probably irrelevant now. Personal informationAvoid topics such as religion, politics, age, race, marital status, lifestyle, or disability.Older educational detailsAlways list your highest level of education, but after a few years stop mentioning GPA,as well as your roles in clubs, sports, or other school-related activities. If youre an older job seeker, leave out the year of graduation.A self-critique should be part of the process any time you submit a resume. We havent mentioned the cover letterbut the same critiquing principles can help you create a cover letter that makes a great impression and opens the door to your resume. Critiquing your own resume mightseem like a lot of extra work, but if the mistakes are there, wouldnt you rather find them yourself than let the hiring manager do it for you?