9 steps to the confident hire me handshake

9 steps to the confident hire me flosseshake9 steps to the confident hire me handshakeA handshake is how we communicate our first impressions at work. Theyre how otherbei people take our measure, and they tell others whether were confident or faking it. (Hello, sweaty hands).We often dont think about the handshake as a complex set of behavioral tasks, but Denise Dudley, clinical psychologist and author of Work It Get in, Get Noticed, Get Promoted, does and she has broken this critical task for career success into the smallest components anyone of us can do.Its tactile because Im going to be hauching you, Dudley told Ladders. Its visual because youre going to be looking at me and assessing my face and eye contact. And its also auditory because Im going to be saying my name toyou or at least saying the words, hi or hello. Its a bunch of information condensed down to just a few seconds of interaction. Its how we do a quick assessment of who the other person is.Here is the definitive gen eral guide Dudley has studied on how you should handshake in the workplace in the United States1) StandNo matter whos who, older or younger, the best way to initiate a handshakeis to get on your feet and stand in front of the person, if your body is able, Dudley believes. It honors the person, its the polite thing to do. But more importantly, it puts you in the proper alignment to shake hands, she said.2) Square offYou then need to have your shoulders squared off to the person you want to shake hands with, so that you are facing them. When your shoulders are aligned, so are your sympathies.3) AimAimyour right hand towards their right hand and point your thumb towards their shoulder, so it keeps your palm open.As soon as the web of your skin touches theirs, you close your hand around theirs.4) SqueezeHeres the step where people trip up and make bad handshakes. People can wrongly performthe bone-crusher and squeeze too hard or they can imitate a dead fish andlimply let their hands be taken.A strong handshake, or a weak one, are notlage coincidences. Instead, theyre reliable body-language signals that tell us what peoples intentions are.Bone-crushing handshakes are an aggressive action that happen when people want to dominate you or want to remind you that they are more important than you. Dead-fish handshakes can be equally as bad because they make you a non-participant, and create the impression that you have no personal agencyand that you dont want to be doing this. They also make the person whose hand youre shaking feel as if you dont take them seriously and dont want to commit to anything.The best, perfect, hire me handshake is to close yourhand around theirhand and squeeze firmlybut gently, Dudley said. She recommends being on the gentler side if you notice the person is wearing rings on his or her hand.5) Pump your elbowThe pump needs to be executed from the elbow, Dudley said. We dont do a pump, an upward and downward motion, from our wrist because that i sjarring, and itlooks weird and it feels weird. And we dont want to do it from the shoulder. If you initiate a handshake from your shoulder, the see-saw actionwill yank people off of their feet, and you will come off as a domineering jerk. Instead, the shoulder should stay stable as the elbow moves.In the U.S., workers typically pump their hands three times on average, Dudley said, while in several Asian and South American cultures, the pumping hand can come with a slight bow.6) Make direct eye contactThis is a requirement. You must give people your undivided attention in this one moment. When we go for a handshake, we look directly in the eyes of the person were shaking hands with- and nowhere else. Its a rule that cant be broken, Dudley said. You dont look at the next person youre going to shake hands with, you dont look down, you look right in their eyes.In countries outside of the U.S., you may need to look down as a sign of respect, however. In Japan, infamously, too much eye c ontact can be read as a sign of aggression.7) Adopt a neutral or friendly facial expressionSome sort of pleasant facial expression is needed to turn agood handshake into a great one. Smiling is an easy accompaniment to get this across, but you should at least look pleasant, if you cant have a smile, Dudley said.This too has cultural implications smiles are rare in the U.K. and France when meeting someone for the first time, and in fact a big open smile there makes people think youre not that bright or youre easily fooled. Instead, keep an open, attentive, neutral face, which should work in nearly all countries.8) GreetingA handshake is not a silent ballet. While all of these unseen behaviors are happening in seconds, you have to keep in mind to say some sort of greeting or if its the first handshake, an introduction to who you are.There are advanced maneuvers like gently touching your other hand on top of your shaking hand as a sign of affection, but you should only do thisafter you ve met someone.Then there are people who go too farpeople who take their left hand and clamp it over their right hand thats shaking yours are not your friend- they want to make you feel trapped.9) Keep in mind the power dynamics of reciprocal touchHeres a harsh truth about humanity outside of family or very close friends, we touch people more when we think we have more power than they do.If you look at who touches whom in the world, children get touched a lot more than adults, women get touched more than men, students get touched more than teachers, patients get touched more than doctors. So in other words, who touches whom is a function of who believes they have the power in the interaction, Dudley said. We dont want to ever touch people in a way thats non-reciprocal, where they dont feel free totouch us back.That means that when we touch other people, especially at work, we need to make sure its in a way that they feel comfortable touching us back.High-fives and fist bumps are cre ative handshakes that are acceptable in the workplace because they can be reciprocated Theyre simply showing who my brothers and sisters and peeps are. Its a cultural bonding thing, Dudley said.Your supervisorpatting you on the back for a job well done, however, is a non-reciprocal touch. You cant pat him on the back too, after all. This interaction, though well-meaning, is non-reciprocal because theres no way you the employee can pat them back in this power dynamic. Whether or not your touch can be reciprocated isthe overarchingdistinction that should guide what is acceptable and not at work.Those rules should help you master the handshake that gets you the job. Go forth and practice.

Why You Should Brag to Get Ahead at Work - The Muse

Why You Should Brag to Get Ahead at Work - The MuseWhy You Should Brag to Get Ahead at Work If you want to get ahead in your career, therbeies one thing you absolutely have to do brag. You see, youre the only person who really knows how much you do and how hard you work. For instance, when your colleagues charge the door at 5 PM, they dont know that you stay until 8 PM. When your anfhrer is on the golf course, she doesnt know youre putting out fires at the office. A professional acquaintance of mine once explained that she often works evenings and weekends to tie up loose ends and make sure events go smoothly. In the middle of a performance evaluation, she realized her boss had no idea how much work she welches putting in after hours because he wasnt there- and she hadnt been telling him. She made a point of communicating her efforts more clearly and reaped the rewards in praise, pay, and promotions. It can be dangerous to your career to assume that the people around you are aware of your hard work and accomplishments. You have to promote yourself.I know- your parents taught you to be humble and that no one likes a blowhard. Theyre right. Boasting and bragging are obnoxious. But stay with me. To get ahead, you dont need to brag like a 10-year-old. You need to boast in a way that strikes the perfect balance between humility and confidence. Sound tricky? Well, it is- but with these tips, you can master the art of the professional brag. Offer More DetailsTo promote yourself effectively, you need to explain what youre doing without being obnoxious. So, for example, dont dominate a team meeting with a lengthy and detailed description of every single thing you did over the past week. However, dont pass up opportunities to discuss important accomplishments, either- simply use a well-thought out, succinct description. Say your boss asks for a project update during a meeting. An average answer might be, Its been a little hectic, but everything is coming along basically as planned and within our budget.A better, self-promotional- but still humble- answer could be, Ive been visiting the site regularly to ensure the project is progressing and to address any issues head-on. We did hit a snag a couple of weeks ago when we found out that some necessary materials were on backorder. It took some lengthy conversations at odd hours, but I was able to work with our contractor to identify a few other projects we could tackle while waiting on those materials. I also identified a new supplier who could provide the flooring, which was our most urgent need. Thats being installed as we speak. So, we are very close to our projected timeline and still on budget. See the difference? The first answer completely glosses over the odd hours and extra effort that kept the project from lagging behind- which your boss and team should absolutely be aware of.Document Your AccomplishmentsYou also need to be able to eloquently put your accomplishments in writing. Why? Many perf ormance reviews include a self-evaluation portion, and whether or not youre actively looking for a new job, its a good idea to keep your LinkedIn profile and resume updated with recent achievements, too. Youll also want to be able to quickly reference documentation of your accomplishments when an opportunity for a raise or promotion comes up- so you can make a convincing case to your boss that youre the most deserving candidate.One of the biggest mistakes I see when people attempt to record their achievements is a failure to include enough detail. Yes, in writing, you should strive to be succinct. But if your descriptions are too brief, you arent doing yourself any favors.For example, maybe you list the following in your LinkedIn profile, under your job title of manager for Thetfords Office SupplyShift leaderHelped with trainingThese bullets dont tell your employer anything about what youve actually accomplished or what you are capable of. When you say you helped with training, does that mean you showed up to one sole training session and talked for 10 minutes? Or did you help design the curriculum and now present it to each new group of employees? A better description of the same position could includeSupervised 12 part-time associates, including managing schedules, leave requests, and performance evaluationsCollaborated with management to revamp new employee training, which contributed to a 10% reduction in turnoverWhen you fail to explain your accomplishments in detail, you leave your current (or potential) employer guessing- and that will never work out well when there are other employees or candidates who clearly spell out their qualifications. Tell the WorldOkay, maybe you dont need to brag to the entire world. But you do need to get comfortable talking about the work you do with people other than your direct supervisor. Remember, no one really knows what you do unless you tell him or her. Much of your success in the workplace depends on your relationshi ps with your peers. But its not enough to simply be well liked your colleagues need to know that youre capable. Thats what opens the doors to new opportunities for collaboration- which can help you get noticed inside or outside of your company.Lets say a colleague says to you, Hey, I had a great time at the fundraising gala. You did a great job with it A typical humble response might be, Thanks I actually had a lot of help- Ill pass your compliment on to the team. A better way to promote yourself (while still being gracious) would be to say, Thanks Ill be sure to pass your praise along to the rest of the team. You know, I really had no idea how much behind-the-scenes work goes into booking a venue and band for such a large event. It really helped me learn a lot about managing timelines and professional contracts.Boom. You just dropped several key pieces of information Youre a quick learner when you come up against something new, you have valuable project and contract management skil ls, and youre a gracious person who passes praise along to her team. Now, your 20-second response has the potential to open the door to further conversation and opportunities. Being genuine, giving credit where its due, and sharing praise appropriately are important behaviors in the workplace. These behaviors will endear you to your colleagues and help you establish a good reputation. But its equally important to make sure you get your fair share of the credit and praise when you deserve it- because youre the only person who can truly and accurately promote yourself.Photo of handstand out courtesy of Shutterstock.

Why So Many People Won#8217;t Talk to You, if You Aren#8217;t a Wireless Phone (Part II)

Why So Many People Won8217t Talk to You, if You Aren8217t a Wireless Phone (Part II) Why So Many People Won8217t Talk to You, if You Aren8217t a Wireless Phone (Part II) Because of such technology, people who are physically distant are treated as though they are near, while most of those who are physically near, e.g., at a bus stop, in a hostel or in an elevator, are treated as though they are distant, out of view, out of mind and out of bounds- except for those already admitted into ones digitally-welded, pre-existing social (media) circle.Here, in Part II, the reasons listed in Part I for the massive disconnect with the mass of other menschengerechtity are explored in greater detail1. The rise of the cyborgs and other machines The machines have spoken- they, e.g., iPhones, computers and iPads, are mora interesting than we are, so when we are given a forced choice between spending time with a new iPhone and a new person, the machine wins. Ask any kid given the choice between sayin g hello to a visitor or continuing to play his computer game.The extreme manifestation of this is trans-humanism, in which human perfection is a blending of man and cyborgish add-ons, surrogates or prosthetics that make humans seem lame and the gleaming machine an ideal to aspire to. Movies like Iron Man are the tip of this steel-and-chromeberg.As a result, ordinary humans- especially those notlage already in ones inner circle- seem boring, limited and otherwise imperfect.In fact, it may be argued that the only reason our friends we phone do not seem equally boring is that they give us one more excuse to use or celebrate our wireless phones, or because their participation is required for some of its applications, just as many kids computer games still, but perhaps only temporarily, require other human rivals or partners.2. Stranger danger The more strangers there are, the greater the number, if not percentage, of real or imagined psychopaths in the bevlkerung and the larger the anon ymous crowd into which they can blend and hide.Add sensationalized news coverage of the nut jobs and criminals to the fearful mix, which ensures that stranger conceptually and emotionally morphs to strangler.Hence, time on a mobile phone is perceived as a safer choice than time chatting with a stranger, especially more fun than the time spent on making 911 calls about the weird ones. Ditto for digital social media like Facebook or Skype.In fact, these digital technologies are now laminated onto or compete with each other to create an even thicker security blanket. Mike Lewthwaite, 24, manager of the St. Andrews Tourist Hostel (where I was comfortably ensconced for the New Year holiday, in St. Andrews, Scotland, 2013), expressed his puzzlement at how young women in local pubs will ask for a guys Facebook page, rather than a phone number (at least in part, it seems, to confirm identity, credibility and innocuousness).The embedded (digital) message Your Facebook page is more you than y ou are, stranger.3. Time stress In an economy in which money muscle means money hustle, time is micro-managed. As digital technology makes contacting those we already know easier, it also makes it more professionally or socially obligatory as prescribed digital etiquette, since easier communication not only allows, but also demands more frequent communication.Hence, for every minute a mobile phone saves, theres probably one it uses up in the process of social or job-network maintenance/lubrication and making those one already knows feel special.In any case, there are obvious tradeoffs, in terms of time saved, gained and lost. Such time stress and tradeoffs leave little to no time for strangers- anywhere, anytime.4. Increased conversational and social control There is brilliant underlying social engineering embodied in a mobile phone. It increases control over ones social interactions to levels hard to reach in face-to-face conversation.For example, all manner of unchallengeable excu ses for terminating a conversation become available when the talk switches from face-to-face to place-to-place phone-mediated talk, since disproving that you are walking into a meeting (when you arent) is all but impossible in phone conversations. (However, some control is lost in having no place to hide from the technology, even after work.)5. Homogenization and trivialization of strangers As Ive argued elsewhere, we have become social victims of our economic successes. The triumph of 20th-century democracy and capitalism has not only leveled many playing fields, but has also made the players more indistinguishable from each other.What seems like eons ago, interacting with strangers who didnt appear to be dangerous previously held some promise of a mini-adventure, since there were expected differences in outlook, education, life experience, values, possessions and interests associated with them, kinds of books enjoyed, pastimes and hobbies, travel stories and venues, etc.In those p erhaps over-romanticized days, there was an easily imagined opportunity cost associated with not engaging a safe-looking stranger when there was absolutely nothing else to do under the circumstances (except silently stand in line, sit on a bench, look out a bus window at the rain, stare at the elevator buttons, etc.).Thats completely changed Now, the homogenization of human types and talents, through mass higher education, mass-media and marketing-driven personality shaping, easy and affordable access to the saatkorn mass-marketed toys (such as iPhones, SUVs, running shoes, a safari in Kenya, a masters degree), and the standardization of the appetite for and response to the entertainment culture have made the prospect of talking with a stranger generally unintriguing, unexciting, unentertaining, and neither exotic nor adventurous.More commonly, that stranger is now seen as boringly familiar and therefore predictable at best or an annoyance, a burden an invalidating, trivializing clo ne of oneself, a distraction, a competitor, or, worse, a menacing maniac or exhausting parasite.6. Intolerance and fear of homogeneity Sure, like Chinese senior citizens whose homogeneous circumstances and uniform taste for mahjong and cards fill the many tables in the many lovely parks throughout China (illustrated below), strangers can come together precisely because of, rather than in spite of, the perceived homogeneity of their interests and objectives- including for the purpose of mutually validating their homogeneous identities, opportunities and circumstances.But that works better in a culture in which homogeneity and being the same as others is not only well-tolerated, but also valued.It works less well in more individualistic (or narcissistic) societies like many of those in the West, in which not only do so many individuals want to be precisely that- and not just individuals, but also special individuals who want to feel special, and preferably unique, by associating only with special (but not weird) individuals or groups (such as a Facebook circle).In highly individualistic cultures, the encroachment of homogenization as a threat to specialness of identity and experience is, where not strenuously resisted, assiduously exploited, e.g., in tattoo or Goth subcultures, which fight the homogeneity of appearance and values through artistic novelty of design and innovative technique, while exploiting the sameness for the purposes of specialness by excluding any stranger easily identifiable as outside the subculture.Ironically, the same exclusion can apply to a stranger who far from being outside the subcultural inner circle is clearly within it. In that case, such a like-minded, like-looking stranger may be shunned because of the trivializing, invalidating effect it has on ones presumptively special, yet fragile identity.For example, this kind of thinking and behavior typifies the instinctive distancing, non-engaging, resentful response of many overseas tr avelers to other compatriot Cinderellas who show up at the same travel ball, e.g., trekking the Himalayas, as trivializing, and therefore invalidating clones.Its much better for ones ego to tell others back home about ones special experience by phone or email, since they will not be on hand to trivialize it by making it less rare. Interaction with strangers is desirable only to the extent that they validate, rather than trivialize us.7. Customization of strangers Ironically, concurrent with the boredom of homogenization of tastes and lifestyle toys is the chore of dealing with the customization of these, in the form of niche or merely radically different interests and other lifestyle dimensions.As the technological and marketing flip-side of mass homogenization, mass customization (brilliantly anticipated by Alvin Toffler in his now-classic Future Shock) creates huge numbers of strangers to whom we can relate only by making an equally huge effort to do so.The guy sitting next to you on the train reading Credit Default Swaps and Other Derivatives has a niche interest that probably hasnt interested you and never will, especially if youre reading Arts and Crafts for Kids.Making the effort to change that seems to be too much of a chore, so, you remain silent, and return to your iPhone Google search, trout and bass fishing lures or history of Norwegian end tables.8. Superiority of digital to face-to-face information flow A traditional benefit of talking face-to-face with strangers was the information they had- Excuse me, where can I find a blacksmith?. No longer. The smart phones information access, including detailed maps and street views, dwarfs the archives of the average human mind, including the minds of travelers.Thats another reason why, these days, hostel guests seem to interact much less than one would expect. Compounding the disconnect on the supply side (in virtue of a much larger and better supply of online information than of private anecdotal knowledg e) is the demand-side drawback of asking strangers for information Asking has come to seem suspicious, lazy or old, as a dated, obsolete alternative to rubbing the iPhone magic lamp for answers and wish fulfillment.Ironically, digital talk is often superior to face-to-face for the opposite reason It provides less, rather than more babble, e.g., in text messaging, which generally spares the reader the endless Im likes of modern youth-talk.9. Diminishing marginal utility of strangers Ive said it before and will say it again (having first said it when I was a teenager) People are like fractions- the more you multiply them, the smaller they get. Besides causing disconnects with and disregard of strangers, the smart phones popularity may, ironically, be a consequence of precisely these two distancers, viz., disconnection and disregard.Tuning out of strangers because there are too many of us may drive iPhone purchases as much as being driven by them. An independent variable driving both m ay be high- often absurdly high- population densities the higher the population density, the bigger the disconnect and the greater the disregard.Lower population densities and smaller total local population may be a factor in the incredible friendliness of the Scots toward strangers (including and not only me). With a total population of less than 6 million and smaller than New York Citys, Scotland (as well as Ireland) has a demographic framework highly conducive to the survival of a village mind set.The Scots and the Irish are uniformly (and here I mean 100% in my six weeks experience in Scotland and Irelands small towns and big cities during my 2013 visit) hospitable, relaxed, curious and friendly. One possible reason for this is that they seem to have healthy vestiges of the kind of village mind so prevalent among the comparably friendly mainland Chinese.The latter, despite migrations to Chinas huge population centers, retain (for now, at least) their village values, personalitie s and enjoyment (or at least civil acceptance) of the existence of another human- even if (s)hes a stranger.(The only exceptions in my 2013 half-year travels in these countries were one cranky drunk on a Glasgow bus and a nutty old woman demanding money for taking a photo of someone elses water buffalo in Yangshuo, China.)Given the choice between having an iPhone or the chance to meet a Scottish, Irish or Chinese villager, Id take that chanceespecially since it would be offered by them.

10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job interview

10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job bewerbungsvorstellungsgesprch10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job interviewIn a crowded job market, the last thing you want in a job interview to be is forgettable. Yet people do it every day with this one mistake notlage asking any questions in a job interview.Related from LaddersDont say these 5 types of words during a job interviewHow to answer 5 of the toughest interview questionsHere are 7 of the craziest interview questionsThe mistake is understandable. Youve been so busy preparing to answer questions, that youre forgetting to show the curiosity that lets interviewers see what you really want to know.After all, even if every single one of your responses are flawless and on point, by not asking a question or two of your interviewer you ansturm the risk of coming across as generic.On the otzu sich hand, you dont want to ask terrible questions. Thats even worse.These questions to ask in an interview can sho w the person interviewing you how youre different and why you stand apart from the rest.Why did you join the company?Mark Phillips, who runs a top office for Sanford Rose Associates, one of the largest recruiting networks in the U.S. had a simple question that could be quite complicated. If the interviewer tells you it was because of vacation days or benefits, chances are good that there isnt all that much below the surface. If, however, they tell you about the creativity or integrity of the brand, you know youre kompetenzly going to work for a winner.How does this role further your companys mission? Kelly Lavin, chief talent officer for newly launched Canvas, the first text-based interviewing platform suggests you ask this because While job duties and company culture are important to understand, determining why a company and role exists is just as, if not more, important. It will also allow you to better understand if you align with the companys mission and will feel a sense of pur pose in your new role.Tell me about your fruchtwein successful employees. What do they do differently?Believe it or not, this one is almost a trick question for potential employers Lavin says. The answer to this question will help a candidate understand how a company defines success and what specific behaviors can lead to that success. In one fell swoop youll find out what success means to this company and how you can better achieve it. What do you expect someone in this position to accomplish in the first 60-90 days?University of Richmond Career Advisor Anna Young says, Great candidates hit the ground running, find out how you will be expected to jump in and start contributing to the organization from day one. And in case youre wondering, its fine to modify the question for an internship and ask about expectations for the first few weeks.What, if anything, in my background gives you unterbrechung?Roberta Matuson, President of Matuson Consulting, says this is pretty much the one mus t ask question job seekers should ask in an interview. She says By asking this question, youll be able to overcome any objections the interviewer might have before you leave the room. And if youre smart, you can find a way to combat any preconceived notions by addressing them in a follow up note. What is the turnover in your company, in the executive suite and in the department, I am interviewing for? Dave Arnold President at Arnold Partners says as a leading independent CFO search consultant for technology companies, hes had 100s of people go out to interview with clients, and he thinks thats a question worth asking. While people no longer expect to stay at any given job for decades or more, its nice to know how long you can expect to stick around if given the opportunity. If the interviewer grows uncomfortable or shares the fact that turnaround at their company is higher than Dancing with the Stars, you might want to think twice before accepting the position. What are the opportun ities for growth and advancement?Young says, This can help you to understand the structure of the organization and if there are opportunities to move up and advance your career. Its also a great way of finding out about different ways to progress or move into different roles Also, it could help you to learn if they offered continued training or professional development for employees.If you had a chance to interview for your company again (knowing what you know now), what questions would you ask next time? Ashley White, executive director for Human Resources for APQC, a member-based non-profit that produces benchmarking and best practice research suggested this toughie.This one is slightly sneaky because it also allows you to surreptitiously monitor the interviewers hidden signals. Do they suddenly look uncomfortable before spouting the company line? Do they greet this with a giant grin? You might have more answers to this question by what they dont say, than even by what they do sha re.What havent I asked that most candidates ask?Phillips also suggested asking this question, which sets you apart immediately. On the one hand, youre lumping all the other applicants together and showing a level of confidence on the other hand, youre gaining insight into your potential competitorsthey asked this, but it never even occurred to me.One last thing so that you dont spend the coming days or weeks on pins and needles, its always a good idea to ask this next question.What are the next steps in this process?Young says, If they havent already shared this information, its important to ask about their timeline so youre aware of when you could be notified of a second interview, or a potential offer. What to ask yourselfShannon Breuer, President at Wiley Group was once one of 800 laid off at her former job, Shannon now draws on her own personal experience to provide clients with career coaching and transition services. She offers a list of questions you should ask yourself befor e an interview, and if needed you can flip them and ask the interviewer. What level of work-life balance do you wish to enjoy?How casual do you like to dress?Is your ideal employer an up-and-coming small business, or a century-old corporation with time-tested values and a clear path for future promotions?Do you like the management style of the leadership team?What are the company initiatives you can stand behind?10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job interviewIn a crowded job market, the last thing you want to be in a job interview is forgettable.Yet people do it every day with this one mistake not asking any questions in a job interview.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe mistake is understandable. Youve been so busy preparing to answer questions, that youre forgetting to show the curiosity that lets interviewers see what you really want to know.After all, ev en if every single one of your responses are flawless and on point, by not asking a question or two of your interviewer you run the risk of coming across as generic.On the other hand, you dont want to ask terrible questions. Thats even worse.These questions to ask in an interview can show the person interviewing you how youre different and why you stand apart from the rest.Why did you join the company?Mark Phillips, who runs a top office for Sanford Rose Associates, one of the largest recruiting networks in the U.S. had a simple question that could be quite complicated. If the interviewer tells you it was because of vacation days or benefits, chances are good that there isnt all that much below the surface. If, however, they tell you about the creativity or integrity of the brand, you know youre potentially going to work for a winner.How does this role further your companys mission? Kelly Lavin, chief talent officer for newly launched Canvas, the first text-based interviewing platfo rm suggests you ask this because While job duties and company culture are important to understand, determining why a company and role exists is just as, if not more, important. It will also allow you to better understand if you align with the companys mission and will feel a sense of purpose in your new role.Tell me about your most successful employees. What do they do differently?Believe it or not, this one is almost a trick question for potential employers Lavin says. The answer to this question will help a candidate understand how a company defines success and what specific behaviors can lead to that success. In one fell swoop youll find out what success means to this company and how you can better achieve it.What do you expect someone in this position to accomplish in the first 60-90 days?University of Richmond Career Advisor Anna Young says, Great candidates hit the ground running, find out how you will be expected to jump in and start contributing to the organization from day one. And in case youre wondering, its fine to modify the question for an internship and ask about expectations for the first few weeks.What, if anything, in my background gives you pause?Roberta Matuson, President of Matuson Consulting, says this is pretty much the one must ask question job seekers should ask in an interview. She says By asking this question, youll be able to overcome any objections the interviewer might have before you leave the room. And if youre smart, you can find a way to combat any preconceived notions by addressing them in a follow up note.What is the turnover in your company, in the executive suite and in the department, I am interviewing for? Dave Arnold President at Arnold Partners says as a leading independent CFO search consultant for technology companies, hes had 100s of people go out to interview with clients, and he thinks thats a question worth asking. While people no longer expect to stay at any given job for decades or more, its nice to know how lo ng you can expect to stick around if given the opportunity. If the interviewer grows uncomfortable or shares the fact that turnaround at their company is higher than Dancing with the Stars, you might want to think twice before accepting the position.What are the opportunities for growth and advancement?Young says, This can help you to understand the structure of the organization and if there are opportunities to move up and advance your career. Its also a great way of finding out about different ways to progress or move into different roles Also, it could help you to learn if they offered continued training or professional development for employees.If you had a chance to interview for your company again (knowing what you know now), what questions would you ask next time? Ashley White, executive director for Human Resources for APQC, a member-based non-profit that produces benchmarking and best practice research suggested this toughie.This one is slightly sneaky because it also allow s you to surreptitiously monitor the interviewers hidden signals. Do they suddenly look uncomfortable before spouting the company line? Do they greet this with a giant grin? You might have more answers to this question by what they dont say, than even by what they do share.What havent I asked that most candidates ask?Phillips also suggested asking this question, which sets you apart immediately. On the one hand, youre lumping all the other applicants together and showing a level of confidence on the other hand, youre gaining insight into your potential competitorsthey asked this, but it never even occurred to me.One last thing so that you dont spend the coming days or weeks on pins and needles, its always a good idea to ask this next question.What are the next steps in this process?Young says, If they havent already shared this information, its important to ask about their timeline so youre aware of when you could be notified of a second interview, or a potential offer.What to ask y ourselfShannon Breuer, President at Wiley Group was once one of 800 laid off at her former job, Shannon now draws on her own personal experience to provide clients with career coaching and transition services. She offers a list of questions you should ask yourself before an interview, and if needed you can flip them and ask the interviewer.What level of work-life balance do you wish to enjoy?How casual do you like to dress?Is your ideal employer an up-and-coming small business, or a century-old corporation with time-tested values and a clear path for future promotions?Do you like the management style of the leadership team?What are the company initiatives you can stand behind?This article was originally published on achter monat des jahres 1, 2017.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will 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 productiv ityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Boost Your Online Presence with a Personal Website

Boost Your Online Presence with a Personal WebsiteBoost Your Online Presence with a Personal WebsiteBoost Your Online Presence with a Personal WebsiteOpen doors through SEM and SEO with a personal website that shows potential employers you will go the extra mile. TWEETCareer counselors and interview coaches preach the importance of having a personal branding strategy,advertising yourself and networking with your professional community. Those are wonderful tips. This is the digital age, and cut-and-paste hardcopies of your resume are not enough. Its time to dig out those online skills and put them to work building your personal brand through an online presence.Why do I need a personal website?Theres a common saying in public relations and marketing Theres no such thing as bad press. While this isnt true, another truth is gained. Maximizing your exposure helps place you at the top of the game. Passing out resumes is okay, but websites open you to another world of job possibilities. No t convinced? Here are two great reasons to optimize your online presence with a personal website.A website isnt static its dynamic. The online world changes constantly. Each time you have a life altering moment, you can add it to your online collections.Its like Yellow Pages on steroids. Passing out paper resumes limits you to the people you come into contact with. Websites connect you with the world, and they continue building your personal brand 24-7.What should I put on my website?The simple answer is ANYTHING. However, there are a few areas that are must-haves. Think of your website as an advertiser you hired, not just an extension of your resume. Remember, websites are as long or short as you prefer, and there is no limit to content. Here are a few areas to includeHome/About PageWhen building your personal brand, every personal website should have a home or, About Me page. Include a few paragraphs about yourself. This should be first person and casual. Pretend you are talking to the hiring manager. Tell them what you want them to know about you. Include a professional photo. It doesnt have to be black-tie. Just be sure its not from your college partying days.ResumeThis is the most common mistake in personal website design. Many people just offer a link to their paper resume. Dont do that Or, at least, dont let that be the only option. Use the standard sections in your resume, and copy-paste using a template. Many great templates are available online. Follow the same guidelines for a print resume. Most resumes include contact information. Dont include it on this page. There is a special section of your website for contacting you.Contact MeAnd this is the special section. Creating a contact page much like the rest of a personal website and your personal branding strategy is all about personal preference. Some like to include a contact form, while others include their information and a contact form. Either is fine. It is however not advisable to place yo ur home address online. There are plenty of creepy people, and we dont want them knowing where you live. Here are a few rules to keep in mindDont include home addresses.If you include your phone number, list the days and hours you are available to talk.Give them an email address or contact form to contact you.DIY vs. Connect the DotsCreating and hosting a website comes in several selections. For those who can write code, Do-it-Yourself (DIY) is the best option. This provides more custom-designed pages and a feel that is unique to you. Several hosting and domain name services exist. If possible, choose the yearly plan as it will save you money.For those of us who think HTML, CSS, and JAVA are common slang terms used for texting, thank goodness, there are programs that are as easy as playing connect the dots. Wix, WordPress, and Tumblr are some of the most common website builders on the market. Each one provides pre-designed templates and easy-to-follow instructions. All include self- hosting WordPress, and Tumblr are free, except for the domain names. Wix, depending on your preferred features, is freemium.TakeawaysCreating a personal website is essential to the job search and building your personal brand. Adding yourself to Googles index opens doors through SEM and SEO. Having a personal website shows potential employers you are dedicated, creative, have unique skills, and will go the extra mile. Beginners should choose an easy, template-based platform at first. Once you get used to the different features and extensions, try learning a little code and extending your website. The personal branding strategy possibilities are endless.Ready to find your dream job? Hire a TopResume writer today

The Lost Secret of Modern Resume Examples

The Lost Secret of Modern Resume Examples If you look at the schablones weve listed below, you will discover that they all are similar in the manner your information is prioritized and structured. A CV that combines a distinctive design with information presented in a neat and simple to read format is mora inclined to produce a good impression on employers These days, its very simple to develop and enhance ones resume due to the access to high technologies and user-friendly software and schablones. Youve collated all of the information that should go in your resume. The Downside Risk of Modern Resume Examples For HR resumes, for example, hiring managers want to hear about your finest practices and the way you manage to manage distinct employees coming from diversified backgrounds. The employers would would like you to deliver superior business growth strategies, projects, and several more. Its imperative that you dont simply apply these resumes verbatim. A complete pick fo r academics and candidates landseeking jobs in traditional sectors. At a first glance, you may think executive resumes as the exact same with the other sorts of resume. Thus, executive resume templates can supply you with updated ideas and contemporary trends when it comes to writing executive resumes. A superb executive is aware of what he wants. Deciding on the correct small business development executive isnt that easy. The Key to Successful Modern Resume Examples Companies want to understand every bit of software that you understand how to use, including the basics like Microsoft office. Business cards are also included to finish the look. You could also see Modern Business Resume Templates One of the absolute most important things to keep in mind while writing a resume is that its not an autobiography. Free for personal and business use. How to Find Modern Resume Examples Online You may change the colors if you want. Regardless of the deficiency of colours, you may st ill make it seem attractive by deciding on an intriguing typeface to highlight your name. A modern resume ought to be simple to read and attractively designed. Feel free to bring a close look at our most current styles given below. The Modern Resume Examples Game Also, because you would have little work experience, you would have the ability to balance both column resume easily. How well you layout your resume is critical to increasing your odds of getting hired. This template is for the critical professionals with plenty of experience. Researching the business and the work description, and including appropriate keyword phrases and phrases, are vital to your success. In truth, its not that hard as it might appear to be. Employing the right resume format is vital in quickly draw in the interest of a possible employer. If you go for a one-page resume, make certain to tailor it like the example above. Surely, you dont need to bore your possible employer with lifeless simple resume. Your resume is your introduction to a possible employer that is precisely why it important to make certain that youre in a position to set up an excellent first impression in your resume. Its content-packed layout is ideal for engaging employers with different facts, from experience to education. This sort of resume writing displays certain regions of your expertise. You may download this resume design here at no cost. You may easily edit all the panels within the plan. Since you may see, modern resume examples have their particular characteristics in regards to layout and format. Tremendous number of design style will guarantee you will discover a resume template that fits with your taste.Selecting the most suitable fonts for your resume is essential so choose wisely. In addition, dont neglect to send your cover letter together with your CV Choosing Good Modern Resume Examples Youre now able to earn an excellent first impact with professional styling and personal ized appearance. Add some private branding to your resume. This absolutely free CV design supplies a chance to express your very best qualities with a minimum quantity of words. Each one of our creative style templates offer you a perfectly balanced mixture of personality, professionalism and a little style. Try out the Resume template if you need a small versatility in your templates. Its high-quality PSD file is completely customizable. These templates are designed to be clean-cut and right to the point. ur creative templates let you stick out from the crowd. Free resume templates dont need to sacrifice quality. The upcoming free resume template is made in the shape of a brochure. Since you may see, theres a wide variety of freebies to pick from. So you only want a simple resume. The entire assortment of resume templates is made up of an array of creative resume designs. A few of the templates are free while others cost a couple of dollars. Your resume plays a huge part in your application for a new job as its here where you get to discuss your qualifications, your background, your targets, and such. Everyone hopes to put on an opportunity to impress potential new employer at a job interview, but theres no denying that interviews can be quite stressful You also receive a completely free job interview tracker for a bonus. Simply adhere to a few suggestions to represent yourself to prospective employers as effectively as possible.

Time to upskill and get a better job

Time to upskill and get a better job Time to upskill and get a better job?Posted October 13, 2011, by Aziza GreenEver get the feeling that life and opportunities are passing you by? Perhaps you feel stuck in a job where you are continually overlooked for promotions or maybe you spend your days groping around the Internet looking for a new job. The feeling of being stagnant in your career is frustrating and can lead to anxiety over job security.If this sounds like you, it may be time to take action. Upskilling gives you the perspektive to develop new skills that will make you more attractive to employers so you will no longer be passed over for those interviews and promotions.If your career is not progressing in the direction you want it to, the best thing you can do is to get proactive and invest in your personal and professional development. With newly acquired qualifications and skills, you could move onto a career path that better aligns with your interests and goals.So how do yo u know if its time to upskill and what skills should you start improving on?Are you looking for a new job?Have you sent out dozens of resumes and job applications but feel like youve hardly made a blip on recruiters radars? Or after every interview you get a phone call explaining that another candidate was more qualified than you?These experiences are part of the job-hunting process for many people, particularly if you are just starting out or starting again in a new career. However, if you have been actively seeking a new lage but feel continually let down by your current skill set or experience, it may be time to upskill. There is a clear association between the qualifications you possess and your ability to get a job. According to Skills Australia, workers will need additional qualifications in coming years, particularly diploma and degree qualifications. The areas of greatest skills demand will be in finance and insurance, technical and computer services, community and welfare services, university and vocational teaching, trades, sales and administration. The first thing you need to do is to look at the required skills in the job ads that you are targeting, as well as the feedback you receive from recruiters. Do you tick all their boxes and have all the skills they want? If your lack of qualifications and training is holding you back, you should seriously consider further study. You can also develop new skills by engaging in volunteer or work experience roles in the industry that you wish to enter. As well, many companies have internship programs that you can apply for, or provide in-house training to new employees.Want to make yourself more valuable to your company?Do you feel under-utilised in your current position? Perhaps your tasks are tedious or maybe they are so easy that you schliff all your work by lunch and spend the rest of the day trying to look busy. This may by ideal for people who are trying to take it easy at work, but it may eventuall y lead to feelings of uncertainty as your role may be seen as unnecessary. If you want to contribute more, grow in your role and increase your job security, you will need to actively seek out more responsibilities. Looking for opportunities to develop skills in other areas will not only expand your knowledge and experience, but will increase your professional value and send a positive message to your employer that you are enthusiastic and eager to grow with the business highly desirable qualities in an employee. When seeking out areas in which to upskill, its good to get the guidance of experienced colleagues. You could begin by speaking to your boss about areas of the business that need more focus or support. Once you identify an area that you can become involved in, jump right in by offering to help. Doing a course at the saatkorn time can help enormously too. Perhaps you could develop your administration or IT skills in order to help support the everyday running of the busines s. Alternatively, you may identify an area in which your companys competition excels, which you want to develop in your own organisation. For example, having a strong marketing strategy will translate to increased sales for a business, so you may like to add strong marketing skills to your repertoire in order to help your business move forward and turn yourself into a star performer in the process.Are you looking to progress and gain promotion in your industry?Effective managers and strategic executives are highly sought after, and organisations are willing to pay top dollar for great leaders. As a result, managerial and executive positions demand a greater investment of time and energy. Focus and hard work will be required if you are seeking to progress to an executive level. To get started on the journey toward your dream leadership role, its important to invest your resources into developing your management and leadership skills. You will need to learn to manage people, budget s, projects and planning, amongst other things. Completing an MBA is particularly valuable, as it will foster your leadership potential and strategic thinking, as well as provide you with a qualification that gives employers confidence in your management abilities. Another way of progressing to the next level in your career is to gain a higher qualification that builds on your

The History and Decline of Album Liner Notes

The History and Decline of Album Liner NotesThe History and Decline of Album Liner NotesLiner notes, the written accounts accompanying a record, cassette or CD, have been an important element in the presentation of commercial music. Changes in the way music is delivered to listeners, however, haschanged the function and utility of liner notes, which have also been affected by social and political trends. Record Industry Background The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which certifies gold andplatinumalbum sales, has been keeping records of annual album sales only since 1973. Using the available 1970s and 1980s data, we can look back a few years with some accuracy and landsee that beginning in the early 1950s with the introduction of long-playing vinyl records (LPs), something very significant happened. The LP turned a relatively small segment of the entertainment industry in 1950 into what was, by 1973, a behemoth with a little under half-billion units sold. The g rowth trend continued through the 1970s, peaking in 1999 with total sales of about 1 billion units. But something else happened during the seventies, which was that sales of the LP, the dominant delivery medium in 1971, consistently declined through the following two decades until by 1990 it was basically a niche product, replaced by cassettes and, increasingly, CDs. The Heyday of Liner Notes in the 1970s This matters, because the LP came in a 12-inch square package, providing a minimum of 144 square inches of editorial space on the back titelblatt alone for whatever the artist and record company agreed belonged there. As often as not, editorial narratives continued on the albums liner- the protective cover that slipped inside the LP cover. Eventually, the practice adopted as liner notes grew longerso that eventually most of the written comments appeared not on the back cover but on the albums liner, hence liner notes. These notes containinformation about the record- credits for everyone involved in the recording, information about the record label putting out the record,copyright information, and sometimes, song lyrics- as well as growing editorial content peripherally related to the music. Social and Political Influences on Liner Note Content This expansion of the liner notes function coincided with another trend that increased its importance. The 1960s social revolution transformed music from a relatively innocuous vehicle for romantic yearnings in 1950 into a zeugungsfhig socio-political force by the late 1960s. The biggest artists of the late sixties and early seventies were, like much of their audience, convinced that part of their mission was to change the world. Huge hits like Come On People, All Together Now, recorded by The YoungBloods, typified pop record content of the era. Most of Bob Dylans biggest hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s were, along with being artistically important, stringent social messages, as were many of Motowns bigge st hits. During this era of political and social discontent, social critics and music critics alike found the liner notes to be a great place to sound off. Fantasy Records Ralph Gleason typified the trend. Gleason, who combined the roles of social critic, music critic, and record industry exec, wrote acute, well-written liner notes not only to express his opinion about the albums musicbut also to ruminate on its social/political significance. The Demise of the Liner Note For reasons directly related to the circumstances that brought liner notes to prominence, they have declined in importance and use throughout the 1980s and continue that decline in the 21st century, where liner notes, including not just notes on the liner but in any other place, have become increasingly terse and are often absent altogether. By 1980, the era of the LP was substantially over. Vinyl records exist today but as a niche product. In 1980, the dominant vehicles for delivering music to buyers were the n ew smaller cassettes (not the larger, original 8-track product) and CDs. Both of unterstellung are much smaller objects. Even the larger CD has only about 25 sq. inches of available space for narrative comments, comfortable for a sonnet. Although extensive commentaries occasionally continue in CD booklets, put inside the CD package, the era of the socio-politically important liner note was essentially over Decreased space wasnt the only reason. By the 1980s, the recording industry had become an integrated part of a trillion-dollar entertainment industry. None of the dominant companies - among themEMI, theWarners Group,Sony, and BMG- were run, no surprise, by social/political radicals with an interest in a political comment. Artists, too, followed the depoliticizing trend. Rappers continued to be politically involved more than other musicians, but their comments were there for all to hear in the raps of NWA and countless others. They didnt need liner notes. Although some musicians websitescontinue to offer digital downloads of commentary on their music, in general, the significance of liner notes diminished even further a little later in the 21st century as the industry shifted more and more toward digital downloads and streaming.

The Robot Walk

The Robot Walk The Robot Walk The Robot Walk Jonathan Hurst, associate professor in the school of mechanical, industrial and manufacturing engineering at Oregon State University, has been involved in locomotion for as long as he can remember. Legos, the robotics club growing up, Carnegie Mellon, he says. Ive always been obsessed with the subject. Hed have to be. Trying to make robots walk like people takes time, and an acceptance of repeated failure. By Hursts assessment, the one hes working on now, ATRIAS, is the first machine to reproduce the basic physics of human walking. ATRIAS is a bipedal robot that I think is on its way to showing us the future, says Hurst, who previously worked on a bipedal robot named MABEL at Carnegie Mellon University. Were not trying to build a product to go in peoples homes with this. ATRIAS is both a vorfhrung in the real worldsomething that only existed in theorybut more importantly a learning platform.The coordinate configuration of the robot. stellu ng Oregon State DRL Testing has had its share of positives and negatives. It would take a couple of steps and fall, he says. But its improved over time. Its been able to do well in stepping up and stepping down. I will also say that we didnt originally think about the turning, but that was one of the reasons it falls, because the orientation of the robot and the direction its going dont match. Inspired by the motion of animals, the key is for the roughly 160-pound robot, which has six motors, to be able to keep its balance. Distributed around the robot are the microcontroller boards they made. Each one of them locally picks up and interfaces with local sensors such as the encoders on the motors, he says. The amplifiers are Elmo motion control, with two motors on each leg, and theres a harmonic drive transmission on each of those. Motors are at the hip, with both motors cooperating to extend the legs.The ATRIAS robot and graphical user interface. Image Oregon State DRL Leg design is analogous in many ways to a Pick and Place machine, he says. Were trying to match a theoretical model which is a spring mass model, he says. To do that when it impacts the ground you need low mass and low inertia. It has a safety tether on it because, if the robot falls, it breaks badly and the team doesnt want to constantly repair it. Some of the future applications from this work could be limbs for those who are physically challenged or robotically delivering packages to your front door. Robots can assist us far more than they do now, he says. Its exciting to see where the technology is heading. But Hurst again reminds that ATRIAS, powered by a lithium polymer battery, is still about exploration. Its not an application-oriented machine. ATRIAS is both a demonstration of something that once only existed in theory but, more importantly, a platform for further investigation. Eric Butterman is an independent writer.ATRIAS is both a demonstration in the real world- something that only existed in theory- but more importantly a learning platform.Prof. Jonathan Hurst, Orgeon State University

Working as a Virtual Assistant From Your Home Office

Working as a Virtual Assistant From Your Home Office Working as a Virtual Assistant From Your Home Office Have you considered working as a virtual assistant? This work-at-home job offers a lot of flexibility and can be fairly lucrative as you advance. However, it’s not for everyone! See if you have what it takes and then start your search for virtual assistant positions. Virtual Assistant Duties and Qualifications As the name implies, a virtual assistant (VA) provides assistance to individuals from a remote location. The types of things that a virtual assistant might do for clients include: Social media managementTravel arrangementsManaging voicemail and emailResearch for professional projects or personal needsScheduling and calendar managementTrack expensesPrepare reports or presentationsSend giftsPlan events Considering the variety of tasks virtual assistants take on, it’s no surprise that resourcefulness is perhaps the most important quality in a virtual assistant. Also, VAs need to be extremely computer literate, have a pleasant phone manner and be well organized. What Virtual Assistants Don’t Do Virtual assistants don’t usually do tasks that require specialized skills, like bookkeeping, editing, design work, etc.  However, they may  provide some support in those tasks, such as tracking expenses or light proofreading. And sometimes the same companies that hire virtual assistants hire for these positions as well. While virtual assistants may work for corporations rather than individuals, they do not usually perform customer service or sales tasks. This is virtual call center work. Though some less-than-honest companies might position call center jobs as virtual assistant positions, they are not the same. How Are Virtual Assistants Paid? As you browse the list of companies that hire virtual assistants below, you will see  how much variety there is in the work arrangements and pay structures used by virtual assistant companies. While most virtual assistants are independent contractors, there are a few companies that hire them as full or part-time employees. VAs can have their own business but since the work is remote finding clients can be difficult if you don’t work with a company that will connect you with clients. Typically virtual assistants, even those who are contractors, are paid an hourly wage. Pay might start as low as $11-12 an hour, but there is a wide range in potential pay, depending on your experience and the kind of work that is required.   What You Need to Be a Virtual Assistant Generally virtual assistants, even those that are employees of a firm, need to have a home office with a reliable computer and high speed internet. The office should be a quiet distraction-free place. Usually a cell phone is sufficient, but some companies might require a dedicated landline. Also a webcam usually required. 7 Places to Get Started as a Virtual Assistant AssistantMatch  makes a platform available for virtual assistants to connect to clients. It charges clients a match fee, and the hourly rate for assistants varies by their duties. It offers training for virtual assistants, but this is not required to register as a VA on the site. Belay Solutions  hires virtual assistants but also hires more specialized positions like virtual bookkeepers, content creators and webmasters. Its model is to hire independent contractors for these positions. Equivity  hires its VAs as part-time employees paid a starting salary of $15 hour. In addition to its virtual executive assistant positions it hires specialized assistance in marketing or law. Bachelor’s degree is required. Team Delegate  contracts with freelancers to work with its corporate clients. At least two years experience as an executive or administrative assistant is required. Timeect  hires independent contractors in the United States and United Kingdom with experience working as a virtual assistant, personal assistant, executive assistant, secretary or admin assistant. The work includes administrative tasks, form filling, schedule management, travel arrangements and possibly social media, writing or blogging. Pay starts at $11 an hour. Upwork  is a freelance exchange site where you can offer your services as a freelancer. It has a fairly robust section dedicated to virtual assistants. It takes a percentage of your earnings from clients that you connect with through its platform. Zirtual  hires U.s.-based virtual assistants as employees (and offers benefits). The application process includes an extensive questionnaire and uploading video of yourself.

How To Find a Remote Job

How To Find a Remote Job How To Find a Remote Job Whether you’ve decided to rejoin the workforce after raising kids, or you need a little more work flexibility in your schedule, a remote job might be just what the career doctor ordered. It’s fairly easy to find a job that allows you to telecommute, if you know how to structure your search. Here are some tips on how to find a remote job. Pursue your passion. If you’ve always dreamt of teaching kindergarten children, now is your chance to pursue that passion- remotely. There are certain traits of great flexible workers (such as self-discipline and resourcefulness), you’ll need to love what you’re doing as you transition to working independently. Connect with contacts. While it’s always a good idea to keep a (positive) connection with former bosses and colleagues, you’ll need those contacts now more than ever as you search for a remote job. Reach out to your most current ex-bosses and colleagues from previous jobs to see if they (or someone they know) is looking for a remote worker. Think local. If your connections well runs dry, it’s time to do a little legwork- literally. Scour your area for businesses that are in the same industry you’re interested in, and find out if they need off-site help. Emphasize the benefits of remote work to your potential employer (i.e. they won’t need to pay for extra office space for you, plus all overhead costs such as electricity and office equipment). Think globally, too. After you’ve reached out to local businesses in an attempt to work remotely, it’s time to think bigger. As in, globally. Don’t be deterred by borders- look for companies and organizations worldwide that you’d like to work for and find out if they already employ remote workers. If they don’t, that shouldn’t stop you from applying for a position, though. When sending your resume and cover letter to a potential hiring manager, explain why you’d like to work for that organization and highlight how your work experience can help benefit the company. Restructure your resume. Sure, your resume shows all your accomplishments and successes. But when you’re looking to find a telecommuting job, you’ll need your resume to spotlight your ability to work at home. So showcase your at home job skills (such as your excellent communication skills, your ability to meet deadlines and your laser-like focus) to show that you are a very capable candidate. When applying for a remote job, the companies that you can work for are limitless. Doing a little company research, highlighting your work at home job skills and previous experience can help you find a great job anywhere in the world that you can perform from your home office. Readers, have you applied for a remote job? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section below!

Important Job Skills for Office Managers

Important Job Skills for Office Managers Important Job Skills for Office Managers Often confused with a secretary or  administrative assistant, office managers in many companies operate at a very high level with one of the most challenging jobs in the entire building. Office managers typically lead and work closely with other department heads to build a healthy work environment. Those looking to hire an office manager are going to be selective. If you desire this type of work, you can dramatically improve your chances of getting hired by knowing which of your skills and experiences to highlight during the  application and interview process. What Skills Do You Need to Be an Office Manager? Office managers take responsibility for making sure the entire office or complex of offices runs smoothly. This could include duties such as managing and  supervising one or several administrative assistants.  Office managers usually do not need specialized education, but they do need plenty of relevant experience and well-developed skill sets in both administrative and  management  roles. Not all office manager positions require exactly the same  skill set. Much depends on how many office assistants you must supervise, how many people use the office youll manage, and what kinds of software and other systems your employer uses. Types of Office Manager Skills Administrative As an office manager, youll be responsible for completing  several administrative tasks. These include hiring and firing employees, conducting performance evaluations,  training new employees, and supervising others.  Approving formal requisitions, conducting general business operations and maintaining paperwork  and personnel records may fall into your jurisdiction as well. MultitaskingInformation ManagementMail ProcessingSchedulingConflict ResolutionDelegationDecision-making Analytical Part of your role will be to find ways to do your job better. If you can identify inefficiencies in how your office runs and provide solutions, you may be able to save your employer a lot of money and save your colleagues a lot of aggravation. A great office manager will continually ask herself,  regarding all processes, practices, and procedures, “Does this make sense? Is this the best we can do?” It is recommended to include a  list of analytic skills  on your resume. CreativityOptimizationProblem-solvingCritical ThinkingProcess ManagementDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning Attention to Detail   As the office manager, the buck stops with you. You will be responsible for ordering the correct office supplies in a timely way, for maintaining records accurately and in an organized manner, and for keeping track of the needs and issues of everyone else in the office. If you do your job well, the office will seem to run itself. If you get some details wrong, other people may be unable to fully do their jobs. RecordkeepingDetail-orientedIntuitionProactivityAccuracyIdentifying Systemic Issues Communication Like office assistants, you will often be one of the first people visitors see, and you may at times be the only one they see if one of the professionals working in your office happens to be out. You must act as an effective receptionist while simultaneously carrying out your other duties. You may also be the primary point of contact among various people who use the office and possibly between your office and others within the same organization. You may have to practice  conflict resolution  and  delegate  work. All of that adds up to a lot of communication, both written and verbal, all of which must be accurate, efficient, friendly, and professional at all times. Written CommunicationOral CommunicationReceptionPhone EtiquetteApproachableActive Listening Computer Its important that office managers have a wide range of  computer skills. The specifics will depend on your employer but usually involve data entry,  spreadsheets, and general IT tasks. Managing offices can involve a tremendous amount of responsibility. Office managers generally work at the apex of an organization, with their hands in every aspect of the company. If this central role appeals to you, continue to review the skills list to see if this could be a career for you. Microsoft Office SuiteOperating SystemsData EntryDigital CalendarsEmail ManagementKPI SoftwareSoftware TroubleshootingFile Sharing Finance Your responsibilities may include bookkeeping, invoicing, budgeting, and accounting. You may also be required to handle payroll, petty cash, and  QuickBooks  entries. Quarterly and semiannual reports may fall into your range of duties as well. At the very least, if your office handles money at all, you’ll be ultimately responsible for making sure its handled well. BookkeepingBudgetingAccounting SoftwareFinancial StatementsInvoicesComplianceIntegrity Leadership As the supervisor of what may be a large group of office assistants, you’ll need to keep everybody motivated and coordinated. You’ll have to make  teamwork  happen. Your job will include setting a standard for everyone else’s work and making sure those standards are met. Leading often means helping other people to grow in their careers, and to help people self-start and communicate well with one another. CoordinationSetting and Managing ExpectationsTeamworkCollaborationMotivationGuidanceManagementInterpersonal Skills More Office Manager Skills AuditingBenchmarkingIntegrationBillingDesktop PublishingTranscriptionFormalityBearingProcess of Packaging and Sending Legal DocumentsNote TakingMemoryProblem SensitivityTime ManagementPrioritizationStress ToleranceTroubleshootingSocial Media ManagementProofreadingRevisingDraftingProper Use of Search EnginesReport WritingDevelop and Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)DeadlinesMultilingualProfessionalismCustomer ServiceResilience How to Make Your Skills Stand Out Add Relevant Skills to Your Resume: Use the names of your relevant skills as keywords in your  resume, so the hiring supervisor can clearly see that you have what they’re looking for.Highlight Skills in Your Cover Letter: Make sure that your letter identifies your core competencies using some of the skills listed above.Use Skill Words in Your Job Interview: When you prepare for your  interview, come up with at least one specific example of a time you  use your most relevant skills.

Navy Enlisted Promotion System Point Calculation

Navy Enlisted Promotion System Point Calculation Navy Enlisted Promotion System Point Calculation Updated May 2014 by Patrick Long, incorporating Navy enlisted promotion system changes announced by Navy Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 114/14. In the Navy, promotions to the paygrades of E-4 through E-7 are competitive. That means sailors compete against other sailors, within their same rating (job) for available promotion slots. In order to determine who gets promoted, the Navy, like the other services, use promotion points. Basically, there are limited promotion vacancies within each pay grade for each job. When determining who gets promoted, those with the most promotion points are the ones who get the stripes. Service-Wide Promotion Test Standard Score Chief petty officers (E-7 to E-9) from each Navy rating develop advancement examinations. The examinations consist of 150 questions. Generally, 135 questions pertain to the rating (job) and 15 questions pertain to general military subjects. Examinations are administered to most candidates worldwide on the same day. Examinations are given according to a set schedule at locations and times that are announced in advance. The standard score is a reflection of how well you did compared with your peers taking the same test. The Navy first averages all the scores to get the arithmetic mean, and then average how far each score is from the mean. Your score is a direct reflection of any relative difference. Say, for example, you not only scored higher than anyone else  but scored way above the next highest candidate. Your score would reflect that and be relatively higher. On the other hand, lets say you had the highest score in a huge group of high scorers. You would still have the highest standard score, but it would be only slightly higher than the next highest score. In a general way, a standard score of 20 means no one scored lower, 30 only 2 percent scored lower, 40 about 15 percent scored lower, 50 is average, 60 only 15 percent scored higher, 70 only 2 percent scored higher, and no one gets higher than 80. (80 is the highest possible standard score on Navy Promotion Examinations). For more information, standard score is covered in all introductory statistics books in a chapter on descriptive statistics. Performance Evaluations Sailors are rated periodically on their duty, conduct, and performance, by their supervisor(s) using written performance evaluations. These written evaluations include numerical promotion recommendations, as follows: Early Promote 4.0Must Promote 3.8Promotable 3.6Progressing 3.4Significant Problems 2.0 To calculate the Performance Evaluation Promotion Points or PMA (performance mark average), used in the chart below, one simply uses the average of the ratings received while in the current paygrade. Add up the marks received in the current paygrade, then divide by the total number of evaluations. Carry to three decimal places and round up/down (less than 5, round down, 5 and up, round up). Time in Grade (TIG) As used in the chart below, TIG is in years, and fractions of years. For example, three years and six months TIG would be 3.5. Decimal conversions for fractions of months are as follows: 1 month .0832 months .1663 months .254 months .3335 months .4176 months .57 months .5838 months .6669 months .7510 months .83311 months .916 Past Not Advanced (PNA) Points PNA points are awarded to E-4 through E-6 candidates who achieve a relatively high score on previous Navy-wide advancement examination/have relatively high-performance mark averages during an examination cycle in which the candidate competed for advancement but was not advanced because of quota limitations. PNA points are comprised of written examination standard score and performance mark average. PNA points are only creditable from the most recent five exam cycles in that pay grade. PNA points are only awarded to the top 25 percent of Sailors not advanced; 1.5 PNA points go to the top 25 percent of Sailors by test and 1.5 to the top 25 percent by performance mark average. Total PNA points are determined from a Sailors last five advancement cycles, capping at a maximum of 15 possible points. Again, only PNA points from the last five promotion cycles can be carried over to the current cycle, and the maximum number of points (after they are multiplied by 2 according to the below chart) are 30. For promotion to E-7, the above factors are just the first step and are used to determine which E-6s meet the promotion board, and which do not. Those E-6s who score (total points determined above) within the top 60 percent of each rating (job), go on to have their records evaluated by a Navy-wide promotion board. Its the promotion board who then determines who actually gets promoted, or not, depending on the number of available promotion vacancies. Promotion Point Calculation Navy Enlisted Promotion Point Calculation for E-4 through E-7 Promotions FACTOR PAYGRADE COMPUTATION MAX POINTS % MAX SCORE Performance Mark Average (PMA) E-4 / E-5 (PMA*80) - 256 64 36% E-6 (PMA*80) - 206 114 50% E-7 (PMA*50) - 80 120 60% Standard Score (SS) E-4 / E-5 EXAM SCORE 80 45% E-6 EXAM SCORE 80 35% E-7 EXAM SCORE 80 40% Awards E-4 / E-5 BUPERSINST 1430.16F, Advancement Manual NAVADMIN 114/14 10 6% E-6 BUPERSINST 1430.16F, Advancement Manual NAVADMIN 114/14 12 5% Individual Augmentee E-4 / E-5 Individual Augmentee Points 2 1% E-6 Individual Augmentee Points 2 1% Passed Not Advanced (PNA) E-4 / E-5 PTS for top 25% SS and PMA for last 5 exam cycles 15 9% E-6 PTS for top 25% SS and PMA for last 5 exam cycles 15 6% Service in Paygrade (SIPG) E-4 / E-5 SIPG / 4 2 1% E-6 SIPG / 4 3 1% Education E-4 / E-5 2 PTS Associate;4 PTS Bachelor or higher 4 2% E-6 2 PTS Associate;4 PTS Bachelor or higher E-4 / E-5 maximum total promotion points are 177 E-6 maximum total promotion points are 230 E-7 maximum total promotion points are 200

An entrepreneurs advice for women looking to start their own business

An entrepreneur’s advice for women looking to start their own business An entrepreneur’s advice for women looking to start their own business As a historically male position, entrepreneurship can be a very difficult undertaking for women. From developing the initial business idea to identifying potential investors to opening a business’ doors, men seemingly have an advantage over women in the world of starting your own business.Still, that doesn’t stop the nine million women who own companies in the U.S. from accomplishing their entrepreneurial dreams. After all, women are founding companies at a historic rate. According to USC Marshall, women-owned firms have grown by 1.5 times the rate of other small enterprises in the U.S. throughout the past fifteen years. This gives hope and provides comfort to the hundreds of women who plan to start their own companies.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!In my own experience, it’s true: starting and owning your own company as a woman is not easy in and of itself. So when you consider the other typical entrepreneurial setbacks, such as minimal funding, lack of experience, or fierce competitors, being a woman who starts her own business becomes that much more difficult. It simply means we have to work that much harder to elevate our companies to success.So what’s the secret to success for women in these positions? While there may be no magic formula other than hard work and perseverance, here are three pieces of advice I have for any woman looking to form her own company.Focus on your self-confidence It may sound simple, but in reality, developing confidence can prove to be a very difficult endeavor. However, the most important piece of advice I give fellow female entrepreneurs is to have confidence and move quickly with your ideas. Far too often, female entrepreneurs are held back by their fear of failure, especially as it compares to their male counterparts. That mentality can be extremely debilitating. As women, our brains oftentimes tell us we n eed to have a perfect business plan or product before we ask for help or engage mentors, but the truth of this is our fears have more credibility in our heads than they do in reality.A study conducted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that women are twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder than a man, so the unfortunate reality is that many women have to actively work to turn off the self-deprecating thoughts that hold them back. However, it’s completely possible to block out these fears and maintain a sublime sense of confidence â€" it just takes a little work sometimes.Ultimately, having confidence in yourself is extremely beneficial to entrepreneurship for a number of reasons. Primarily, it will allow one to have the courage to chase after their dreams and turn them into a reality. However, it will also help starting entrepreneurs to counter the negativity and failure that often comes with starting your own business. As previously mentioned, for wome n, in particular, it can be difficult to ward off negative self-talk, but to operate with an improved self-confidence can make all the difference in one’s professional success.Quickly develop your networkAs a budding entrepreneur, one of the most vital contributors to your success will be the network you create. From key investors to professional mentors and more, it’s important to keep in mind no one is successful on their own. As you begin to develop your business idea, take a look at the network you’ve already created and determine who can provide you advice, support, and resources. From there, use the connections already in your network to expand upon. See if those people can introduce you to others who will be beneficial to your journey. Look for individuals who have started their own companies, or someone who is particularly passionate about whatever field you’re creating your company in. You’ll find those who will be the most resourceful to you probably aren’t mor e than a degree or two away.Additionally, as a woman, networking and expanding your circle will be particularly helpful. Be sure to seek out other women who have taken similar paths or who will be able to support you throughout your journey in a number of roles. Consider joining women-focused professional groups where you’ll be able to quickly engage with others and expand your network. Personally, my experience in groups like these has been particularly beneficial for my career and has given me the opportunity to mentor and work with other women who are setting out on this same path.Regardless of how or with whom you build your network when you’re first setting out on your entrepreneurial journey, the timeliness of this initiative will be particularly important. Don’t wait long to develop your network. Instead, make this a priority from early on and be sure to put gusto behind it in order to accelerate the rate of which you build your network. By focusing on your connections and how you can mutually benefit one another, you’ll find a plethora of resources that will all benefit your up-and-coming business.Determine your mission Women-owned businesses take shape in a number of forms. Whether you’re selling a product, starting a nonprofit, or offering a service, it’s important to determine your unique mission from the start.For my partner and I, when we created our company, we sought to develop something that would evolve into the most people-focused eyewear company in the world. To do this, we knew we needed to put customers, team members, and our community at the heart of our mission. People were our mission and we’ve let it drive us ever since.Having a concrete mission will allow female entrepreneurs to take their companies far. When you know exactly what you’re doing, and why, you’ll find other things start to fall into place. This will also help you to develop your network and entice others who are passionate about your mission as well.Set ting out on to the path to entrepreneurship can be a difficult and sometimes overwhelming journey. Being a woman can further complicate that path, knowing you’ll have road bumps and blocks along the way that your male counterparts won’t endure. However, with the help of a strong, diverse network, a concrete mission, and a heightened self-confidence, women can take part and flourish in the fruitful journey to entrepreneurship.Angie Stocklin is the COO and cofounder of One Click Ventures, an online eyewear retailer based in Greenwood, Ind.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

This is the ultimate guide to workplace gift gifting

This is the ultimate guide to workplace gift gifting This is the ultimate guide to workplace gift gifting Fact: You spend more time at work than you do with your loved ones. Also, true: you should put just as much thought into your gifts to your co-workers, bosses, assistants, and peers as you do in your family and friends. Issue: there are certain boundaries you definitely don’t want to cross to keep a level of professionalism and respect. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with your holiday gift - no matter if it’s for a Secret Santa gift exchange or a white elephant goodie. The trick is in finding the ideal something for everyone you work with day-in and day-out. Since you have many end-of-quarter goals (and year) goals to make, we did the research for you, so you can go out-of-the-box with these clever (yet sentimental!) ideas:For your coworker who keeps Starbucks in business. The Welly BottleEvery office has that girl. You know the one whose desk looks like a Starbucks drive-thru by the time the clock strikes 6 p.m. It’s a little gross- and perhaps a tad bad for the env ironment. Not only is Welly Bottle a more sustainable option, but it will also keep her drink cold for 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours. No second run needed.Welly Bottle, $29For your coworker who keeps up with wellness trends.Feel Good Digestive EnzymesOnce the New Year hits, you’ve got that officemate who kicks his or her health into high gear. They try it all - and achieve some of it. This year, perhaps a small stocking stuffer is in order. Instead of going down the Whole30 bandwagon, give them a bottle of 90 capsules that’ll help them absorb more nutrients and reduce bloating.MySolluna, $35For your office lunch buddy.Green ChefConsider your favorite work pal to walk to grab lunch with. They’re fun to chat with, help you make healthy options and provide a refresh for your day. Consider getting a month’s subscription for him- and for you! This way you can spend more time chatting in the cafeteria, rather than battling the cold. Green Chef, a USDA certified organic meal kit has diet-specific plans such as gluten-free, paleo, and vegetarian, so it can work for anyone.GreenChef, starting at $79 a weekFor the professional who is always freezing. Recycled Grandview PrimaLoft ShortieCommuting in the cold weather is no joke. But working in an office? It can be just as chilly- year round! That’s why many professionals keep sweaters, sweatshirts and other layers to remain toasty. This ultra lightweight jacket can multi-task, taking her from work to her workouts to post-work drinks to whatever else the season brings her.Athleta, $148For your office friend who lives in leggings. Lululemon Wunder Under Super High-Rise TightThanks to the millennial generation, there are now several office appropriate ways to wear leggings to work- and your office pal can pull ‘em all off. Her wardrobe begs for a little black legging to match her little black dress. With this one, she can pair it with a tunic or sweater for work and then throw on a tee and sneakers for her post-work spin class.Lululemon, $98For the boss who just nabbed a corner office. The Hotel Collection Candle by Aroma360Reaching an executive level that not only comes with a mighty-fine paycheck, but a corner suite brings plenty of bragging rights and influence. And another thing? The ability to do and decorate as you please, within reason of course. If she’s a frequent flier with a flair for luxury, she’ll love adding this hotel-themed candle to her desk. Inspired by the country’s most-loved hotels, ranging from hotel chains like Marriot to the 1 Hotel in South Beach- these luxe candles will make her feel like she’s on vacation even when she’s not actually OOO.HotelScents, $60For the assistant who is always stressed AF. Savor Beauty Roll Glow KitOne of the greatest gifts you can give well, anyone, is self-care. This is definitely true for a super-dedicated assistant who somehow manages all of her work and some of yours, too. This kit allows her to give some TLC and RR a t the end of the day, complete with a with a trendy rose quartz roller and raspberry serum.SavorBeauty, $99For the anti-coffee drinker. Just Tea MeWhile most of the office needs coffee ASAP, your workmate is a fan of tea- and only tea. This beautifully-packaged set comes with everything he needs for the perfect cuppa. Turn his productivity pick-me-up into a decadent afternoon treat with this box of goodies including two types of tea, chocolate, handmade all-butter shortbread cookies, and honey sticks.BasKits, $34For your manager who is still a bit old school.Rocketbook EverlastThere are two types of managers in this world: Those who use paper and those who rely solely on their computer. Bring your more traditional manager to the modern era with Rocketbook Everlast, a notebook that connects to services like Google Drive, Evernote, and email. Once they upload and save their notes, they can wipe the pages clean and start all over again, creating less waste and more desk space.RocketBo ok, $34For the networking master. Oliver Premium Leather WalletHe can’t pull a business card out of any ‘ole wallet. Not anymore, that is! Treat him to his premium leather card case- available in distressed brown leather or black calf leather- to keep all of his credit and business cards in one stylish, organized spot. MoralCode, $46For the solo-entrepreneur. MOO’s business cardsThey said this would be the year- and it was! Your friend finally branched out and started their own gig, and you couldn’t be happier for them. You can help them advance to the next level by giving them a gift card to MOO. With this nice gesture, they can customize business cards that best suit their style or let them take control of their branding. Either way, they’ll start off their year in business-ready style.MOO, Starting at $20For those who work-at-home.Follain Essential Experience Aroma Diffuser LampShe doesn’t just work at any office - she works at a cool office. Ya know, her living room . Sometimes her desk. Other times her kitchen table. If that’s the case, add this natural beech wood and ceramic essential oil diffuser to her desk space. It’ll look chic and keep her calm during crunch time.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFollain, $60For your mentor. Léon GeorgeThere’s a lot of talk about why plants are beneficial in the workplace. But there’s another special message they send: ‘Thanks for helping me to grow!” For the mentor who has made an impact on your career, these green beauties from Léon George come in custom ceramic pots that’ll catch her eye every time they step foot in her office. And if she’s lacking a green thumb, each plant comes with lifetime plant doctor support so she can nurse her new office buddy back to health.LeonAndGeorge, Starting at $109 and up For the standing desk friend. Saucony Guide ISO 2You know what would make his standing desk even better? A pair of marathon-worthy sneakers! Whether he’s walking around the office or clockin g in steps from his apartment to work, the Guide ISO2 sneakers, complete with WRFOAM  and EVERUN foam, is as good as it gets.Saucony, $120For the assistant who teaches you a thing or two. Seville Classics AIRLIFT ® Gas-Spring Standing Desk ConverterIf you have a standing desk, so should your assistant. Or rather, since your assistant suggested a standing desk to help with your aches-and-pains, perhaps getting them their very own is a smart gesture. This easy-to-assemble option, which comes in black, white or walnut, is especially helpful for people with back or neck pain. Plus, if they get tired of standing, they can convert it to a regular desk.Seville, $200For your intern who is definitely getting hired. Mason Market Oxford Gift BoxThese aren’t your average desk supplies- just like your intern goes above and one. So much so, you’re making a case to hire them next year. This curated box of high-quality supplies might give them a little hint, but also make them appear as profe ssional on the outside as they are on the inside.MasonAndMarket, $48For your boss who is also a grill boss. Omaha Steaks Delicious Corporate GiftHe runs the office with respect, intelligence and humor. And hey, he does the same at the grill for your annual backyard BBQ, complete with only the finest cuts. Gift him his second-favorite thing to his job with Omaha Steaks. This flavor-packed pack comes with six cuts of meat, including two bacon-wrapped Filet Mignons, two boneless pork chops, and two stuffed sole with scallops and crabmeat. Yum!Omaha Steaks, $50For the boss who is actually superwoman. Bestowe Gifting The Organized Woman Gift BoxIt’s incredible how your manager does it all: She manages a team, a home, a family and a social life. Make 2019 her most organized- and stress-free- year yet thanks to the leather clutch, key ring, and soothing bath salts in this on-brand gift box.Bestowe Gifting, $95For your friend who went freelance full-time. Chasing Paper x Ban.do Serious B usiness Woman art printThere’s no way around it: Your best friend is a rockstar. She finally took the plunge and went freelance full-time, managing deadlines, clients and invoices all by her badself. Let her workspace- or at least her living room- represent the serious businesswoman that she is with this fierce and feminine print covered with everything that makes her the inspiration that she is. For brownie points, get it framed.Chasing Paper, starting at $30For the office manager who likes to goof around. Jenga ® GIANTâ„¢ JS7 Hardwood GameYour office manager isn’t a small-minded kind of guy. So when it comes to gift-giving, the bigger, the bigger. Or more so: the better of a game, the more ‘in’ they are. This human-size Jenga game starts at 25 inches high, which will encourage your whole office to think outside the box at your next company party. Plus, it doubles as a great team-building activity.Amazon, $141For the founder who is growing … fast. Nespresso ® with Nespres so ® Peet’s Espresso CapsulesYour founder started something cool. And then it got cooler. Now? It’s on fire- and the office needs coffee to keep going. But hey, you’re trendy, so you shouldn’t settle for watered-down, break room coffee. Instead, go in together on an espresso machine with a sampler pack of Peet’s coffee so that they can fulfill their caffeine needs all day long- without even stepping out of the office. They’ll appreciate having one less item on their to-do list to think about, trust us. Bottoms up!BedBathAndBeyond and Peets, $250 and $30, respectivelyFor the office snackerOlympia Provisions Royale SamplerThat person who always seems to be eating, no matter the time of day? They need this. And you’ll probably want a bit, too. This sampler of 13 salami offerings will take his taste buds to France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. The rest of his body, however, won’t go far. Olympia Provisions, $130