Sunday, December 29, 2019

Nonverbal Communication Skills List and Examples

Nonverbal Communication Skills List and ExamplesNonverbal Communication Skills List and ExamplesNonverbal communication refers to gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact (or lack thereof), body language, posture, and other ways people cancommunicate without using language. When youre interviewing for a job or participating in a meeting,your nonverbal communication is almost as important as your verbal responses. Crossed arms can seem defensive. Poor posture may appear unprofessional. A downward gaze or avoiding eye contact can detract from youbeing seen as confident. Employers will evaluate what you do as well as what you say, and you can use your nonverbal communication skills to makethe best impression. If your skills arent top-notch, you can practice them so you make a positive impression on everyone you meet in the workplace and beyond. The Importance of Nonverbal Communication Most candidates carefullyprepare what they will say during interviewsand networkin g meetings. However, knowing what you will say is only part of the picture. Just as important is having an understanding of how to convey your messages throughyour body language. Your interviewing and networking success will be largely determined by the impression people get of you, and how they respond to what you say. Nonverbal Communication Skills Examples Want to brush up onyour skills? Review this list of nonverbal skills and work on any areas where you think you could improve. Avoid slouching. Sit with your back straightup against the chair or lean slightly forward to convey engagement.Steer clear of smiles or laughter when messages are serious.Display some animation with yourhands and facial expressions to project a dynamic presence. (But avoid talking with your hands excessively, which can appear unprofessional and unpolished.)Dont bring your phone, a drink, or anything else that could distract you to an interview or meeting.Eliminate fidgeting and shaking of limbs. Esta blish frequent but not continuous or piercing eye contact with interviewers.Focus on the conversation.In a group interview, shift eye contact to the various speakers.Introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake. Be sure that your palms are dry.Keep your hands away from yourface and hair.Listen carefully, and do not interrupt.Maintain open arms- folded arms can convey defensiveness.Modulate your vocal tone to express excitement and punctuate key points.Nod to demonstrate understanding. Observe the reaction of others to your statements.Read the nonverbal signals of others. Provide clarification if they look confused, and wrap up if they have heard enough.Refrain from forced laughter in response to humor.Avoid looking at the clock, your phone, or displaying any other signs of disinterest.Respect the amount of personal space preferred by your communication partners.Rotate eye contact to various speakers in group interviewing or networking situations.Shake hands firmly without ex cessive force. Show that youre interested in what the interviewer is telling you.Smile to indicate that you are amused or pleased with a communication.Stay calm even when youre nervous.Steer clear of monotone delivery.Wait until the person is done talking to respond. Communicating at Job Interviews Your nonverbal communications can either support the tone of your conversation or leave the interviewer wondering whether youre all talk and no substance. Displaying nonverbal behaviors that are a match for your messages can help you to convince employers that you are genuinely interested inthe job and suited for the work. Another hiring factor is the subjects apparent ability to relate effectively with clients, co-workers, and other stakeholders. For example, subtly mirroring interviewers body language can make you appear mora trustworthy to them. In the same vein, lack of eye contact is a sign of low confidence and an inability to truly engage with others. In general, whatsmost impo rtant is to be positive and engaging. If you feel confident about your ability to do the job and know youll be an asset to the employer, you can show that by your actions as well as your words. Practice Makes Interview Perfect Practicing your delivery of messages through role-playing with counselors and friends can help you to hone your nonverbal communication skills. Try recording yourpractice sessions so you can analyze some of the nuances of your style. Here aresometips to practice interviewing. Spending some time practicing will ensure your skills are up to par. Youll also feel more comfortable when youre interviewing or networking if youve spent time getting ready. The less nervous you are, the better youll be able to communicate- bothverballyand nonverbally. Communicating at Networking Events When youre attending career networking events, your nonverbal communication skills matter. If you come across as awkward or flustered, youll be less likely to make connections who can help with your job search or career. Practicinghow youll introduce yourselfcan make the entire process go moresmoothly so youcan make the best impression. Communicating at Work In many occupations, establishing credibility and trust is a significant success factor. Using nonverbal behavior (like eye contact, for instance) can further demonstrate your sincerity and engaging personality.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Law School Grades or Work Experience Importance

Law School Grades or Work Experience ImportanceLaw School Grades or Work Experience ImportanceThere are certain jobs youre only going to get if you have excellent law school grades, preferably from a highly-regarded school. These include Supreme Court clerkships, other types of federal clerkships, many BigLaw jobs, and competitive, prestigious government opportunities, such as the DOJ Honors program. What surprises many people is that certain public interest opportunities fall into this category as well Yes, many successful law students are willing to work for very little money to do work they believe in. However, grades will only get you so far, even if theyre excellent. Even in the rarified realm of great grades from prestigious law school, other factors come into play. For the fruchtwein prestigious clerkships, for example, you really need a professor whos on your team to pick up the phone and make calls for you. Failing that, at a minimum, you need several laudatory letters of re commendation. Getting good grades is nice, but I hope youve been nice to your professors, too Youll need their help. Why Work Experience is Critical For the 99.9% of law students who arent thinking about where theyll reside during their Supreme Court clerkship, lets discuss work experience, which can include paid legal work experience, internships, externships, clinics, and pro bono work. Does it matter when it comes time to look for full-time work? In short, yes. When employers do decide to hire, thats not a decision theyre taking lightly. In most cases, they need someone who can come on board and get to work on day one. How do you show youre that person? By pointing to specific things youve done in the past that are directly relevant to what theyd be hiring you to do. If your legal work experience is limited, how will you be able to convince an employer youre the one they want to hire? No one has time for extensive training - you need to be practice ready when you show up for your first day of work. Getting work experience in law school helps you make the case that youre going to be able to perform, from day one. You Need the Experience to Stand Out Most law students show up with the best of intentions, of course. They think theyll pound the pavement for summer jobs, volunteer for interesting pro bono assignments, and so on. But what happens within a few weeks is that most start to focus wholly on their classes. This is understandable - law school is tough, and theres a lot of work to be done. However, its a serious mistake to focus all of your energy on trying to get good grades. Why? Several reasons What if your grades end up being average? With the forced curve in most law school classes, a lot of very smart, hard-working students are going to find themselves with average grades (or below). With only a handful of people in the top 10%, is it worth it to put all of your eggs in that basket? Maybe. Maybe not.Law school is a time of exploration. If you never experiment with different areas of the law, how will you know what practice area is right for you? In the ideal, law school (and the summers between each year) are a time for exploration of different career paths. Far better to do it in school than to realize several years out that the path you chose isnt working Working is how you meet people. In a crowded job market, you need all the help you can get. Whos most likely to help you? The people who have already worked with you (assuming you did a great job). Youll rely on these contacts throughout your career, but especially when youre looking for that first job. If youre still in law school, its time to examine how youre spending your time. If most/all of it is spent on classwork, youll likely find yourself at a disadvantage in the job hunt. Time to pick up a pro bono project or two and get to work Your resume will thank you later.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Survey Finds More Concern About Technology

Survey Finds More Concern About Technology Survey Finds More Concern About Technology Americans are still optimistic about the latest engineering and scientific marvels, but are wary about many technologies that are close to reaching market, according to a study by the Pew Research Center and Smithsonian magazine. Overall, twice as many Americans (59 percent) believed technological change will make peoples lives mostly better than those who said it would make lives worse (30 percent). Yet there are large discrepancies in the data. While age hardly matters, sex, income, and education do. For example, 67 percent of men are optimists, compared with only 51 percent of women. Those earning $75,000 or mora were three times more likely to say technological change will improve peoples lives than not. Among those earning $30,000 or less, slightly more than half saw an upside, while 38 percent thought technology would make things worse. Asked about technology, college graduates were three time s more likely to be optimistic than pessimistic. For those with a high school diploma or less, 56 percent were optimists, and 35 percent pessimists. Men with a college degree had an especially sunny outlook 79 percent of this group believed that future technology will have a mostly positive impact, while only 14 percent expected a mostly negative impact. Americans have mixed expectations about technologies that may emerge over the next 50 years. Eight out of 10 believe we will have lab-grown organs for transplant, and five out of 10 expect computers to create art as well as humans do. Americans view teleportation as more likely than weather control (39 percent vs. 19 percent). One out of three thought long-term space colonies likely. Pew asked about four technologies closer to commercialization, and concerns emerged. For example, nearly two out of three Americans believe manipulating DNA to produce smarter, healthier, and more athletic children would be a change for the worse. Nearl y the same number had negative views about using humanoid robots to care for the elderly and allowing drones to fly through most U.S. airspace. The lines were more evenly drawn regarding wearable and implantable devices that stream information to users. Although 53 percent of respondents thought this would make things worse, 37 percent thought it would be a change for the better. While men were evenly split on the question, women went negative by a 59-29 percent margin. The same caution showed up when Pew asked respondents if they wanted to try some new inventions. Only 48 percent said they would ride in a driverless car. There were more takers for brain implants to improve memory or mental capacity (26 percent) than there were for eating lab-grown meat (20 percent). Finally, Pew asked people what futuristic invention they would like to own. Travel-related technologies scored highest overall, especially among people under 30. Time machines were also popular (who wouldnt want to go b ack and invest in Apple stock when it was $2 per share?), followed by health-related inventions. Personal robots were a distant fourth. Seniors older than 65 seemed less interested in future inventions, and 56 percent said either they couldnt anthroponym a technology they wanted or said flat-out they werent interested in any. View the current and past issues of Mechanical Engineering. For Further Discussion Those earning $75,000 or more were three times more likely to say technological change will improve peoples lives than not. Among those earning $30,000 or less, slightly more than half saw an upside.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Your Job Search Doesnt Always Have to Be Serious

Your Job Search Doesnt Always Have to Be SeriousJob Search Doesnt Always Have to Be SeriousYour Job Search Doesnt Always Have to Be SeriousJob searching is serious stuff, especially when youre unemployed. OK, now that Ive stated the obvious, I should add that there are times in a job search when people need to loosen up a bit and laugh.Case in point A recent post on The Onion, a leader in satire (also known as heavy sarcasm, also known as this is notlage real) sparked outrage among many readers. The faux news stories on The Onion are so brilliantly written that people not familiar with the site often assume its real news, and thats what happened here.The post carried this headline Report Unemployment High Because People Keep Blowing Their Job Interviews. The upshot of this story? The federal government suggests that job seekers poor interviewing skills and not the economy are preventing them from getting hired, as if the government, no matter which party controls the White House, wou ld go out of its way to insult Americans.Here are a couple of absurdities from the reportPresident Obama, who last week signed a law extending unemployment benefits, said the legislation would also address joblessness by creating a $1.2 billion program aimed at training Americans to use firm but approachable body language to make a great first impression.This economy will not recover until job candidates learn how to put their best foot forward, said Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, warning that even a small increase in stuttering among applicants who are asked to describe their weaknesses could cause the entire labor market to collapse.If that wasnt enough to tell everyone they were reading satire, a look at other nearby headlines, such as the blatantly outrageous NASCAR To Abandon Racing Portion Of Business, Concentrate On Ads should have. But the post sparked as many rants as laughs on the web. (Maybe thats why The Onion didnt have a Comments thread at the end of the post.)Now for th e serious part The post did highlight a few things job seekers do to undermine their chances. Among themNot asking questions in the interview. If you dont ask questions, you may be sending a signal that you arent all that interested in the job or company.Not limiting their cover letters to one page. Three or four short paragraphs should cover it, then let your resume take over from there.Not making their resumes visually appealing. No hiring manager is going to be excited to see a resume thats one solid block of dense text without bullet points, boldface type, or anything to make it easier to read.Your job search is serious, but dont lose your sense of humor as you look for something better seriously

Monday, December 9, 2019

Life, Death, and Resume Builer

Life, Death, and Resume Builer Want to Know More About Resume Builer? If youre looking to advance your field, obtaining a degree is a better choice. Also make certain that you tailor the document to the job youre applying for. If candidates wish to create their resume themselves, there is an assortment of options they are able to look at. If you get a specific skillset youre potential candidate to fit desired position. How to Get Started with Resume Builer? When you distitelbild the appropriate file for your requirements and just click the link for a hassle free download. Its possible for you to import the simple information from social media such as Google, Facebook or Twitter. In the same way, there are assorted sites which allow posting an expert portfolio online. Everything in your resume ought to be simple to read and simple to comprehend. Every one of them boasts a clean appearance, yellow accents, and Roboto font, which will provide a modern appearance to your doc uments. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a potent accomplishment statement. The solution is yes in the event that you need to. Additionally, there are a few instances of cover letters. The Secret to Resume Builer Youve finally prepared all of the essential information. When you have added your details and work experience, you may also save your resume as PDF if you want. 1 Resume is a completely free one page web schablone that comes with a smooth jQuery slide between sections of the webpage. Resume builder includes an instantaneous preview, and therefore you dont will need to save and refresh the page to see the way that it appears like. Resume Builer and Resume Builer - The Perfect Combination You may want to look at a qualifications summary which we outlined in last weeks postbut if you simply need to have a summaryhere are a couple of examples to help yo u begin. Below, you will locate a list of resume examples that could assist you with your work search. Your application should stick out so as to find attention. Your resume, after all, isnt an autobiography, but instead a summary of your previous experience and qualifications. What You Should Do to Find Out About Resume Builer Before Youre Left Behind A number of them come with variations so that you can select your favourite design. The value of superior design is indisputable. Once you have selected your perfect resume template from our selection, follow our absolutely free expert guidance about ways to craft the ideal modern resume. Sometimes all you will need is a timeless style template thats clean, clear and right to the point. Up in Arms About Resume Builer? An elegant resume template is comparable to good packaging since it ought to be attractive and inviting. When you choose a template youll be shown a dialog box that shows you a bigger view of the template. T he template is totally at no charge and prepared to print. The other templates are readily available to Pro subscribers. The download files also include things like social icons that are editable in Adobe Illustrator. The upcoming free resume template was created in the shape of a brochure. Utilizing a template can lower the quantity of time you must spend formatting your document, which permits you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. Utilizing VisualCVs CV editor you can readily switch from 1 template to another, which means you can easily use the very best template for the job every single time you apply. The 30-Second Trick for Resume Builer Be very cautious when employing all kinds of image, unless youre an expert designer. When youre asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you require a resume template which you can inject a little more personality into to make it pop. The crucial moment of making an excellent first impressio n has passed. You might, in that circumstance, wish to bring a little bit of color. If it comes to being overqualified, there are quite few resources which actually offer you a blueprint. You are able to still incorporate distinctive charts and pictograms, if you would like. If you are in need of a blueprint, then I would like to show you exactly what has to be accomplished. The majority of the templates are offered by named, resume writing specialists and thus the quality is extremely good. When applying for employment in a big business you may find they use specialized software to help weed out candidates. Attempt to keep the resume no longer than 1 page, especially if youre asking for an entry-level job. So, all the advice about how to compose a resume still stands. Theres no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better prospect of standing from the crowd even supposing its made utilizing a template. Needless to say, it doesnt ind icate that your resume will fail. Simply take the opportunity to search online, and youll find something that both appeals to you visually, and aids you organize your ideas and experience. Then it may be time to bring some style to your resume Resume Builer for Dummies Zetys resume templates are made with the assistance of recruiters and adhere to the best practices in HR. Its important to get your resume stand out from the work competition. Professionally, our resumes are often the very first impression a prospective employer gets of us. Infographic resumes supply you with the chance to creatively show off your finest assets.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

The Foolproof Resume Writing 2018 Pdf Strategy

The Foolproof Resume Writing 2018 Pdf Strategy In case you have any significant employment gaps, you might need to offer a succinct explanation. Developing an excellent skills section can help recruiters skim your document quickly to see when you have the qualifications they seek. You can also incorporate details about volunteering on your resume, especially when you have few or no prior jobs to write about. There are scores and scores of resume writing services online who claim they are the greatest and you might wonder why you need to choose ResumeGet agency. To begin with, you must guarantee a consistent design. Rather, it is a strategic tool for marketing your personal brand. However polished your writing skills are, at times its far better to employ a professional who can frame your experiences in a manner that enables you to command the eye of the greatest companies in your industry. studienordnung vitae important note theres not really an appropriate means to do a c v. Employing the advice given in the cv editor left vertical menu youre able to make the greatest possible impression at your interview and receive the job. The Benefits of Resume Writing 2018 Pdf Its also important to think about the sort of work you really wish to be hired to do. Even if your work experience is ideal, a subpar resume could sink your probability of getting a work interview. For instance, you could just be on the lookout for a change in career, and a way to transition to another field of work. Youve got a lot greater shot of receiving an interview due to a personal or professional connection. Naturally, you most likely already know that you need tont use coloured backgrounds, tons of unusual fonts, or anything else which makes your CV seem odd and difficult to read. Also, be certain that there is enough white space on the page to ensure it is effortless to scan. You need to be able to communicate all you will need to say on a single page. With industry-spec ific text examples ready that you personalize, you may produce a perfect resume any moment. The War Against Resume Writing 2018 Pdf When its crucial, its your obligation to make sure that the recruiter sees it. Your cv might be different than someone else. To begin with, recruiters have a tendency to care more about what theyre searching for than what youre searching for. A recruiter searching for a marketer might look for someone familiarized with Google Analytics and Google AdWords. What You Should Do About Resume Writing 2018 Pdf Starting in the Next 7 Minutes You might want to bring a graphic teil like a horizontal line to help section off your contact info. There are several online resume maker tools which will sure help you to have a resume in pdf format only as long as you pay them. Most resumes incorporate the next sections, even though the order is dependent upon the resume format you opt for.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

The Fundamentals of Ramit Sethi Resume Revealed

The Fundamentals of Ramit Sethi Resume Revealed A good deal of entrepreneurs hit the ceiling since they dont realize they need to systematize their businesses. Fantastic recruiters can sometime be an abundance of knowledge. It usually means your traditional education and your traditional comprehension of marketing have become obsolete. Sign up here in order to receive a completely free preview course on locating a profitable concept, marketing, sales, and advanced techniques. Facts, Fiction and Ramit Sethi Resume You may elend even need them. By visualizing your aims, you will be in a position to remain focused and motivated even when it becomes hard. Like visualizing your aims, choosing your priorities will help you decide a direction for many of your financial decisions. During the career development procedure, students continue being open to new career thoughts and possibilities. Youre left reading this book feeling uplifted and prepared to use his advice to enhance yo ur financial circumstance. This blog post can help you understand the reason why this is true, and offer you a few ideas about how to prevent it. This book demonstrates how to attain all your goals by focusing on creating a difference with what you currently have. Ramits book doesnt make his readership feel guilty should they have made financial mistakes before. How to Find Ramit Sethi Resume on the Web Jobsbac finds the proper folks readily, quickly and effectively Plus you get all these premiums servicesabsolutely free As an employer, you will acquire access to a few of the fruchtwein qualified candidates around. The employers have opted to hire somebody or two for mainly two reasons. Prospective employers are aware of what they want and it might or might not be you. The business you work for wont help save you. Have some documents and industry reports ready for the normal salary being given to the men and women that are holding the similar positions in the business. C omparable to when you are being sold any item or service, make sure to read the fine print to assist you understand what youre buying. The second reason may be they want someone whos specialized in solving a normal problem which the current people in the business are unable to. The Foolproof Ramit Sethi Resume Strategy Page numbers might not be provided for some objects, such as online materials. Youre prepared to construct your dream career. You dont need to devote hours and hours planning your very first video. Ramit Sethi Resume - What Is It? Prepare your advice so that its simple for other people to follow. If you wish to just take their ideas and do it yourself, you can. Some advice may look like it will cause you to get uncomfortable. So consider your desires and requirements. Then simply, repeat this step till you have found what you want to get. You know, I was not asking for employment, and I was not even on the lookout for coffee. Lets hope it is possible to enjoy it. To start with, start thinking of your job as your main client and attempt to quit expecting a paycheck and begin attempting to earn a paycheck. New Questions About Ramit Sethi Resume You may be amazing, but these 2 parts of paper represent EVERYTHING a provider knows about you. Instead, you must concentrate on the stock marketplace. If you dont understand what youre doing, thats a surefire means to find frustrated and lose tons of money. In case you have money compounding for you, and you dont need it for a lengthy time, then youre in an extraordinarily great location. The Benefits of Ramit Sethi Resume A word of caution here you will need to believe that your move should not make your boss insecure if hes not the employer. Regardless of what stage of business youre in, everyone leaves inspired, motivated, and prepared to pursue their next huge idea. Dont rush, step back and ask the appropriate questions about whatever you would like to do in your professional c areer. There isnt any use in going to each interview with no preparation. Introducing Ramit Sethi Resume Anything else isnt important at this time. To begin with there arent many things you have to consider before applying this technique. Briefcase technique works in every business subject to your understanding of the full thing. Smaller steps over a lengthy time period will have a better effect on our lives than bigger steps in a shorter length of time, wrote Aliche. Some resumes are reviewed by many unique employers and dont give them with the information that they are looking for. Many times theres a particular format which is required and if you dont refer to resume examples then you may not know that requirement whatsoever. While pulling out the document, you also have to make certain that youre providing it to the suitable rolle otherwise it wouldnt work as effectively as it should.

Monday, November 25, 2019

3 Soft Skills That Help You Stand Out at Work - The Muse

3 Soft Skills That Help You Stand Out at Work - The Muse3 Soft Skills That Help You Stand Out at WorkCultivating the right skills in your career will make the difference between getting a promotion and getting passed over for one, landing your dream job and settling for a role you dont love, and being given that big new account or watching your leid-so-favorite co-worker get the opportunity. The question is, which soft skills are the right ones?Whether youre a career veteran or just entering the workforce, here are three highly-underrated soft skills thatll help you no matter where you go in your career1. FocusIn his book, Deep Work Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, author Cal Newport outlines the benefits of the intense focus you have when youre fully engulfed in a task (a.k.a., not checking Twitter or Facebook).Newport lays out three reasons why its such a valuable skill. First, those periods of concentrated effort allow you to produce more than usual. Second, most p eople gravitate toward easier work (checking email) versus hard, satisfying tasks (that big project youve been delaying), so itll help you stand out. Third, it maximizes the use of your skills and talents in a way that gives your work more meaning and you more satisfaction.Develop It Block Out Time (and Space)Its impossible to practice your focus if youre constantly interrupted to go to meetings. Fix this by identifying one segment of your day and block it off from any meetings. Look for a two-hour time slot when you can just think and work- and then mark it as busy on your calendar.Next, set up your environment so you can focus on difficult tasks without temptation. Consider browser apps like Self-Control- its free- or Freedom. Put your phone on airplane mode. Turn off notifications on your computer. If your team is on Slack, set yourself to Do not disturb. The more time you make to practice and engage with focused work, the more prepared youll be to tackle these kinds of projects when they arise.2. Openness to FeedbackIt doesnt matter how well you deliver feedback If you wont listen to critiques about your own work, youll never grow (not to mention, youll make yourself pretty unapproachable). People will not only be less inclined to work with you, but they also may discount your advice in return. In Thanks for the Feedback The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well, authorsDouglas Stone and Sheila Heen walk through the challenges of receiving feedback. For example, when you hear constructive criticism, your initial gut response is often to say, Youre wrong. But being defensive wont help you grow.Develop It Listen AttentivelyInstead of insisting the other person is wrong, Stone and Heen suggest a different tact Thats interesting. I would like to understand more about why we binnensee this differently. By asking for specifics, you can get to the root behaviors and observations leading to their judgment.Now, often in feedback conversations, two or more topi cs pop up. Dont try to tackle everything at once.For example, lets say you walk into your managers office and receive this onslaughtI just wanted to chat with you about that project youre working on. Youre behind schedule, and Im concerned that its not headed in the right direction.There are actually two issues here. First, theres the pace of the project. Second, theres the overall direction. Trying to tackle these at the same time means each could get short shrift. Instead, when you notice this happening in conversation, use this line from Stone and Heens bookI see two related but separate topics for us to discuss. They are both important. Lets discuss each topic fully but separately, giving each topic its own track.When you say this- and then actually listen- youll impress your co-workers with your ability to both hear and incorporate their feedback.3. AccountabilityIts one thing to enthusiastically volunteer for a new project. But its another to see it though to completion.Someti mes you may bite off more than you can chew, but you dont want to make it a habit. According to a study on over-commitment, its hard to know what future tasks will take up our time, so we underestimate and expect to have more available time in the future than we actually do. Additionally, people underestimate how long projects will actually take.Develop It Overestimate and Plan for the WorstUse the Scotty Principle Determine how long you think a task will take. Then, add 25% to 50% and promise itll be done by the end of the lengthier estimate. Best-case scenario, youll finish with time to spare.But best-case scenarios, while awesome, are not what you should be planning for. If youre chronically struggling with deadlines, stop scheduling your day based on everything going right. Assume at least one thing wont swing your way. Better yet, plan for this by rahmen aside blocks of time strictly for unexpected items. For example, three or four days a week, I build in a 45-minute block just for catch up on random tasks that I didnt anticipate. This way, youre building in contingencies so you can start meeting deadlines and be seen as someone whos 100% dependable.Like any other skill on your resume, you cant master these within a week or even a month. It will take consistent work however learning these skills is a surefire way to keep growing and stand out at work.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

How to Use a Flexible Schedule

How to Use a Flexible ScheduleHow to Use a Flexible ScheduleAre you fruchtwein productive in the wee hours of the morning, but then taper off by late afternoon? Do you need to be home for your kids in the early evening, but then have no problem working late into the night to catch up? Until recently, it didnt matter- most workplaces maintained a fairly strict 9-to-5, 40-hour, in-bro work week. Your schedule revolved around the business needs, not the other way around.But more and more, companies are offering the benefit of a flexible schedule- that is, the ability to adjust your hours (and where you put in those hours) based on your needs and preferences.So if you snag a job at one of these workplaces, can you go ahead and start working from 5 AM until 1 PM each day? Or permanently relocate your workspace to your kitchen table? Not so fast. While a flexible schedule is a great benefit, you have to approach it reasonably. Here are a few guidelines to craft your perfect schedule- witho ut taking it too far. Get the Lay of the Land Before Jumping InIf you just started working at a company that offers this benefit, youll probably- and understandably- want to start taking advantage of your flexible schedule as soon as possible. But before you jump in, its best to take a few weeks to simply observe. Pay attention to your boss and co-workers and see how they use the perk. Do they work from home one or two days a week, or is it closer to once a month? Does everyone work eight hours a day, or do they put in a varying number of hours, as long as they get all of their work done?Also get a sense for the tactical details of setting that schedule. For example, do team members send out a department-wide email if theyre going to be coming in late or leaving early, or does each person simply OK the schedule change individually with his or her manager? Gathering this intel will help you determine whats widely accepted within your team- which will equip you set a schedule for your self that wont be considered excessive or out of the ordinary. Look for Situations That Benefit Both PartiesWhen you think about the possibilities of a flexible schedule, you tend to think about how the arrangement will benefit you You get to skip the lengthy commute, arrive home in time to spielblttchen up your kids from school, or put a load of laundry in while listening to a conference call. But to make koranvers you dont go too far with your schedule, shift your thinking- by instead considering how a flexible schedule could benefit your company, too. For example, a couple of years ago, I was working on a huge project with a tight deadline. I knew I could get the work done much more efficiently if I worked from home for a few days, so I could avoid co-worker chitchat and other common office distractions. In this situation, sure, working from home would be convenient for me- but it would also enable me do more focused, quality work, which would ultimately benefit my employer.Not e very situation will have an apparent benefit to the company (lets be honest- sometimes you just need to work from home because the cable guy gave you an eight-hour appointment slot), but keeping this in mind will help you create a schedule thats in line with the goals of the business.Consider the Effects on OthersAs you create your ideal schedule, consider how your physical absence from the office may affect your colleaguesFor example, are you working from home during a brainstorming session for a group project that youre heading? Sure, you could call into the meeting, but if youre the only one on the phone while everyone else is face-to-face, you may find its harder to fully participate.That doesnt mean that you can never call into meetings or should always adjust your schedule for everyone else, but if youre constantly out of the office for important meetings and rely solely on calls and email instead of showing up in person, you may start becoming a hindrance to your team, or the y may start to feel like youre not fully invested.By thinking ahead about how your schedule will impact the people you work with, youll be able to keep yourself from going overboard with your flexibility. Youll realize that there are times when you really should be physically in the office, and that will help you determine an acceptable schedule.Need some flexibility in your work life? Check out jobs at BAE SystemsDont Go Off the Grid During Normal HoursHaving a flexible schedule often means you get to disappear from the office when you otherwise wouldnt be able to- but it doesnt mean you can disconnect entirely. A flexible scheduling arrangement can go awry if, when you work from home or work nonstandard hours, youre not available to connect with your team.To make sure your schedule doesnt push the limits, make sure to stay available to your team and manager while youre outside of the office- and clearly convey to your colleagues how to reach you. For example, if youre working from home and have an office-wide messaging or chat system, make sure youre online for a good chunk of the day. Or, if you only work until 3 PM, while the rest of your co-workers stay until 6 PM, make sure they know how they can reach you if necessary. Theoretically, yes, you should be able to leave at 3 and not return to work until the next morning, but in reality, that leaves your co-workers without you for a few hours each afternoon. In this case, you could give your colleagues your cell number for emergencies, or agree to check your email at 5 PM each afternoon, which would be minimally disruptive to you, but still allow your co-workers to get in touch if they absolutely need to. Stay in Touch With Your BossThe key, of course, to keeping your new flexible schedule under control is to maintain open communication with your boss. Its easy to go wrong if you assume everything is going swimmingly without asking anyone elses opinion. So, during your regular one-on-one meetings with your b oss (which, if youre not already having, you should set up now), simply ask if your schedule is working out on his or her end. In addition, ask if any of your teammates have brought up concerns or mentioned any issues that have occurred because of your schedule. Regularly asking for that feedback can help you understand the right balance and make sure the arrangement is working for both you and your officemates. If your company offers a flexible schedule, by all means, take advantage of it But to continue to be a productive and effective member of your team, its important that you dont take it too far. Follow these guidelines, and youll be on your way to working when and how you prefer- while working well with everyone else. Photo of woman leaving work courtesy of visualspace/Getty Images.