AWESOME Cover Letter

AWESOME Cover Letter Get ready to think out of the box.  This is not a post on how to make the most awesome cover letter. This is a post on how to communicate with your audience, capture their attention, speak to them, and have an impact. Ginger Korljan of Take Charge Coaching, shared this excerpt from a cover letter, which I LOVED (read her post here): Please do not discount my résumé because I am overqualified. I am NOT looking for a supervisory or management position. I want to get back to the basic grunt work of payables, researching invoices, matching them to purchase orders, and preparing the check run. If you hire me you will get experience, maturity, dependability, and a team player with no personal drama ready to hit the ground running. Guess who got the job? Yep.  Read more here. Would you have the guts to be that honest in your communication? AWESOME Cover Letter Get ready to think out of the box.  This is not a post on how to make the most awesome cover letter. This is a post on how to communicate with your audience, capture their attention, speak to them, and have an impact. Ginger Korljan of Take Charge Coaching, shared this excerpt from a cover letter, which I LOVED (read her post here): Please do not discount my résumé because I am overqualified. I am NOT looking for a supervisory or management position. I want to get back to the basic grunt work of payables, researching invoices, matching them to purchase orders, and preparing the check run. If you hire me you will get experience, maturity, dependability, and a team player with no personal drama ready to hit the ground running. Guess who got the job? Yep.  Read more here. Would you have the guts to be that honest in your communication?

Five workplace practices that should be over. Now.

Five workplace practices that should be over. Now. 1. Voice mail It will come as news to most people over thirty that most people under thirty do not leave voice mail messages. Think about it: Voice mail takes a long time to retrieve and its almost never earth-shattering, so its not worth the time it requires. Microsoft is such a big believer in this that all voice mails you leave at the company go straight to email. And you can do the same if you use eVoice. Young people treat their list of missed calls as a page system. And they call the person back. No extra step for listening to the message. Except at work, where the old people leave messages. My twenty-three year old brother used to be an analyst at a big investment bank, and he and his friends were so annoyed with the managing directors obsessive use of voicemail that they used to make fun of it. For example, they would call someone and leave a message to say they were going to the bathroom. (My brother guest blogged about this here.) 2. The reply-to-all button This button should be hidden in all email software. You should have to click through five menus to find the option because thats how many times you should reconsider before you reply to all. This was a great button to have in 1993 when even the busiest people only got fifty emails a day. Back then reply to all was a way to have an inclusive conversation. Now reply to all is only a way to annoy people and make yourself look foolish. And heres a love note to all of you who think you are being really efficient by hitting reply to all: When there are more than four people in the send field, I dont read the email because I know that if theres any action item in that email, someone else will do it. 3. The workplace candy machine Im not saying that work should be paternalistic, but I am saying that your employer should not be a crack dealer. And when I have sat within twenty yards of a candy machine, I felt like I had a drug dealer on my block. It is very, very difficult for me to have a hard problem at work and not let my mind wander to chocolate. And Im not even overweight. So I can imagine it is much harder for people who are already not controlling their eating. So I wonder, who feels good about the candy machine? The vendor, probably. But everyone else feels like crap after they eat a bag of mms, and if you dont feel like crap your body has acclimated to crap and the first culprit you should consider is the workplace vending machine. Instead, companies should have healthy micro market vending options which are becoming very popular in or near the workplace. 4. Soliciting money at work What is up with people asking for sponsorships at work? If you want to do the breast cancer fun run, fine, but that doesnt mean its my favorite charity. Why do we need to solicit at work for our charities? Why is that socially acceptable? I dont get it. I dont need my co-workers to choose my charities. They can choose their own. Also, what is up with six-figure paycheck types asking me to sponsor them? Hello? Write yourself a check. I think my bitterness over workplace check-writing comes from a few things. First, I was involved in a United Way campaign in the Fortune 500 where I was actually forced to go to a meeting in the middle of the workday about why its important to give to United Way. To me this felt like mixing church and state. I go to work to earn money, not to be told what to spend it on. Second, I was the number-one girl scout in Illinois for cookie sales two years in a row. You know how I did it? My mom sold the cookies at her office. So I know the genesis of all those parents passing around a coffer for their kids stuff: Guilt. Instead of making your co-workers cough up bucks for your kids escapades, try this: Being personally involved. Then you wont feel so compelled to make up for it with money. 5. The 800-person office party The only thing a party like this is good for is anonymous hookups with the marketing girl you see in the hallway on Thursdays. Otherwise, there is no point in a party this big. Its way more fun to go out with people you really do work with after work. It used to be that a big office party was a way to know your company cares. Now you know your company cares if they siphon money off to training programs. And you know what? Good training is so much fun, its like a party anyway.

5 Ways Introverts Can Increase Their Power in a Male-Dominated Industry

5 Ways Introverts Can Increase Their Power in a Male-Dominated Industry When you have a valuable point to make but your extroverted male friend won’t stop rambling about their thoughts that make no sense at all, you just sit there and put on your “active listening” face. Someone asks you a question at a time when you were having an intriguing conversation with your inner monologue, you instantly put that person on your rude list. When you receive an invitation to the biggest networking event of the year and you find yourself saying yes because you canceled the last five times, it takes you three days to recharge and restore your people-friendly facial expressions. And now you have to learn survival techniques in order to thrive in a male-dominated industry. Life couldn’t be any better, right? Just because your social preferences are different than others doesn’t mean that you can’t win in the workplace. You just have to find solutions that don’t leave you with anxiety. Not getting your voice heard and having your value lost in the sea of male voices in the workplace may be frustrating. There are days when you may want to call it quits. But don’t let your introverted ways keep you away from industries that are not occupied by people who act like you. Instead, be bold and pave a way for others who are introverted like you to go after what they want in their career. Here are five ways that you can increase your career power in a male-dominated industry. 1. Let Your Voice Be Heard. Are you afraid to speak up in a meeting? Find alternative ways to share your thoughts. Lead a meeting or deliver a presentation. This helps you to avoid the pressure to speak extemporaneously and gives you a chance to prepare your thoughts. People need to know your ideas and you can start sharing in ways that are more comfortable for you. If you want more practice leading meetings and delivering presentation, visit your local Toastmasters club. Toastmasters is the ultimate laboratory for leaders to hone their communication skills and receive feedback that will allow them to connect with and influence their audience. 2. Get Comfortable Asking Questions. Have a big meeting scheduled this week? This can be your chance to shine. Make sure you review the meeting agenda and do your own research on the topic, taking into account how your job ties in with the meeting and any company research that you have at your disposal. Use this information to ask valuable questions that showcase your curiosity and investment in research. Your question will get you noticed and people will know that they can’t pull anything over on you. Is the thought of asking a question in a small group meeting too painful to take on? Set a goal to raise your hand the next chance you have to attend a large group forum. Make sure that you review the speaker list and topics before attending the meeting so that you can be prepared with a thoughtful question. This goal will also make you stand out in a crowd that is speechless during the QA part of the meeting. 3. Highlight the Strengths in Others. Women aren’t the only ones who suffer from self-esteem issues. Men do too. Use your listening skills to highlight the value that individual contributors add to the team, and they will remember the great things you said when their confidence is running low. This will earn you more allies in the workplace. Recognizing the strengths in others immediately sets you apart as a leader. A leader is someone who provides feedback and empowers others to see a vision about themselves that they are too blind to see at this moment. Your ability to bring out the best in others will allow you to gain more power and confidence in your career. 4. Attract Male and Female Sponsors. Want to get a promotion without having to fight for it? Get a sponsor. A sponsor is a trusted leader who has the brand equity to help others see you as a valuable contributor in the workplace. They will speak on your behalf when you are not in the room and put your name in the bag for the next promotion. Need help finding a sponsor? Sponsors invest their clout and risk their social capital on people who are perceived as quality performers. Make sure that you consistently deliver quality work and perform at the level that you aspire to reach. Then, have a clear vision and mission that is evident in everything you do. Once you strengthen your professional profile, you will naturally attract people who want to join your team as a sponsor. 5. Leave Your Fears at Home. Are you intimidated by others in the workplace? Do you fear taking on that stretch project, constantly thinking that you will make a huge mistake that could cause others to perceive you as incompetent? Don’t let others see you sweat. You dont have to run a public service announcement and constantly broadcast your fears to your colleagues. Instead, ask the right questions and communicate your expectations in order to ensure that you can perform as needed. Lastly, don’t allow internal fears to dictate your career progress. If you want something, let it be known. When you see something that isn’t right, raise your hand and speak up. If you want to grow in your company, don’t be afraid to take a risk. Career confidence is all about finding out what you want and doing things that will get you closer to your goals. Image credits. Main.  Voice.   Fears.

Paraeducator Job Description - Algrim.co

Paraeducator Job Description - Algrim.co Paraeducator Job Description Template Download our job description template in Word or PDF format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Using Your Template Follow these instructions to use your new job description template Step one: Fill out all details in your job description template using the provided sample on this page. Step two: Customize your requirements or duties to anything special to your workplace. Be sure to speak with team members and managers to gauge what's required of the position. Step three: When the census of the team has agreed on the description of the work, add in a Equal Employment Opportunity statement to the bottom of your job description. Step four: Check with your legal department, management team, and other team members to ensure the job description looks correct before creating a job advertisement. Choose a job board that's specific to your needs. Related Hiring Resources Paraeducator Cover Letter Sample

What To Do After a Job Interview - CareerMetis.com

What To Do After a Job Interview Photo CreditThere is so much advice out there are about what to do in the run up to a big and important interview. There is also lots of tips and tricks to totally nailing the interview itself.However, there is far less of what to do afterward. Once you shake hands and leave the room, what next? Should you say thank you again? How soon is too soon for following up? What if things don’t work out?Read on for all you need to know about how to handle the after.1. Leave the AreaevalThis is more for your benefit than anyone else’s. After a tough interview, you might want to just go and collapse in the nearest cafe. But the nearest one could also be where your interviewer goes for coffee breaks or lunch. Bumping into him or her again could be awkward for both of you. Plus, leaving the area will give you some physical distance between the interview and allow you to start relaxing again.Photo Credit2. Send a Thank You messageAround a day after your interview, be sure to say thank you. You could send a thank you card after interview day, or just an email. Showing your appreciation for the fact that the interviewer took time out his or her day out and schedule to meet with you is good practice. It will also put you back into his or her mind, without being pushy.3. Be PatientIf the interview went well and you’re really keen on the job, you may be tempted to start badgering them for a decision. Absolutely don’t do this. Even if you ended your interview on a great note, this could really taint things. It says that you think that you knowing the outcome is more important than their time. It may, in fact, put them off hiring you, especially if they take your keenness as pushiness. Even if you’re going stir-crazy, distract yourself with something else for a few days.4. Follow upAs all jobs, companies and scenarios are different, there is set rule for when you should follow up after an interview. One or two days is definitely too soon. In general, five to seven days is a good time. The chances are that whatever reply you get will be helpful. It may be that they haven’t finished seeing all of the candidates yet. It could be that the decision maker has gone on holiday for a week! Or it could be that they haven’t yet had time to make the final decision.Make your follow up polite and most of all succinct. Don’t take up their time by making them read a long and lengthy message.5. Don’t be deterred by rejectionIf you hear back with good news, congratulations!Clearly you are a great candidate for the role, so be confident and proud of yourself. However, if the news hasn’t been so positive, don’t be deterred. If they haven’t offered up any reasoning, ask if they would be kind enough to give you any feedback. The worst they can say is no, and the best is that they tell you something you are able to learn and grow from.

Work What Does The Ideal Home Office Need

Home/Work What Does The Ideal Home Office Need As the benefits of remote working appear to be outweighing those of the standard office scenario, the influx of people choosing to work from the comfort of their own home doesnt just mean a benefit for them personally, but for that of the business. But, it seems that we are unable to get the balance right. A lot of people view working from home as a little vacation, when in actual fact, it should aid your productivity, rather than hinder it. So this means youll need to consider exactly what the ideal home office needs. And if you are running a business that demands the necessity of home working, and you are someone who is spending more time at home than in the office, what do you need? Ease Of Access Many businesses spend years thinking about maximizing productivity by laying out the fundamental components in close proximity to each other. Take this method of thinking to heart when setting up your space. If you have a lot of multifarious tasks, you need instant access to every aspect. If you work with a lot of paper files, you need a filing cabinet nearby, or if you are constantly on the phone or dipping in and out of Skype meetings, you need a method of productivity that lends itself well to your home environment. Consider your layout in relation to the amount of space you have and this includes the amount of equipment to have in your home. For example, do you need a photocopier in your home office? Or is it unnecessary expenditure? The Ability To Focus Working from home can provide so many distractions, that you may find yourself pining for the sterile nature of an office. Having the ability to focus is important, and whether this includes the right lighting, as well as sufficient privacy, you need to ensure that you have these demands met. You need to think about your own ability to focus, for example, do you need to block out sound? If so, do you need to soundproof the walls in your working space? Or will earplugs suffice? Its A Safe Space Health and safety is viewed as a bugbear of many modern offices, but its still worth thinking about even though you are at home, this includes ergonomics, especially in relation to your desk and chair, but also, are you working in a part of the home that is going to aid your productivity? For example, if youre using your basement as the working space, will it actually be a safe space to store electronics? Waterproofing the basement is something that can be costly from time to time, but you can choose Helitech or various other building specialists to waterproof your basement, so you can have an abundance of electronics down there. While setting up your home office space could be a dream come true, there are some things that need to be implemented to ensure that you are working productively. The ideal home office is, unfortunately, a replication of the working environment in essence. Remember, its not about sitting on the couch with your computer on your lap.

How To Use Your Retail Resume Skills To Land The Position That You Want

How To Use Your Retail Resume Skills To Land The Position That You WantIt is important to have excellent retail resume skills if you want to land a retail job. You should also be prepared to face some form of discrimination if you happen to be a woman. This discrimination can occur at all levels of the employment industry, but it is often worse for women, simply because they are statistically more likely to be in a store than a man is.Unfortunately, the first impression that a potential employer makes on them when they interview someone will often stay with them even after the interview, especially if the person happens to be a woman. This is why it is so important to know how to use your retail resume skills to your advantage. In this article I am going to discuss a few of the most important steps that you can take to ensure that you land the position that you really want.The first and most important element of being qualified for a retail job is to know your industry. You should st udy up on what retail means in general, and the different sectors within the industry. This will allow you to identify which sectors are looking for a certain type of candidate, and which sectors need very specific skills. The sectors where you are most likely to land a retail job are retail management, retail sales, customer service, retail marketing, and retail customer service.If you have a strong background in one of these industries, then it is going to be much easier for you to land the position you want. However, if you have not worked in an industry before, it is important to learn about the sector that you are applying for and the particular skills that are needed. If you are trying to get into the hospitality or food service industry, you will want to be sure that you have excellent customer service skills.If you do not have customer service skills, then you will need to find someone who does. There are many resources available for you to find someone who has the skills th at you are looking for. A good tip is to do a search on the Internet for vacancies in your industry and then advertise in newspapers and online job boards, so that you can get in touch with those employers who may be willing to hire you.As I mentioned earlier, it is important to study up on the sectors that you are interested in, before you apply for positions in that industry. Reading as much as you can about retail employment is a great way to get an overview of what you are getting yourself into. If you do not already know that retail management is an industry, it is probably a good idea to do some research on the subject before you start to apply for positions. You may be surprised by the types of job descriptions you come across.Another important factor that you need to consider is how much experience you have in that industry. Most retailers have two years of experience as a minimum, but this varies depending on the department of the store. Some stores have very strict standar ds for experience, and some are very lenient. It is important to take the time to get your retail resume skills right, so that you are qualified for the position that you are looking for.Taking the time to develop your retail resume skills is going to help you land the best retail jobs. These jobs tend to pay higher wages, have a lot more training and education, and require a great deal of experience. It is important to know where to apply your resume skills, and to know what the company is looking for when they are looking for a retail associate.