Customize this Outstanding Sample Military Resume 1

Customize this Outstanding Sample Military Resume 1Customize this Outstanding Sample Military Resume 1Sample Military ResumeCreate Resume SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONSA highly organized, take charge professional with more than twenty years of law enforcement and security experience. Strong problem solving and decision making skills with the ability to develop and implement effective action plans. Demonstrated experience in the coordination of criminal investigations. Commitment to detail in doing the job right the first time in completing all projects. Excellent communication and presentation skills. A team leader, providing motivation and training by example. Computer literate.AREAS OF STRENGTHINVESTIGATIONS LAW ENFORCEMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRAININGProven project management experience in the collection, analysis, and presentation of criminal evidence in compliance with law enforcement protocols.Solid reporting skills in conducting thorough investigations and maintaining accurate r ecords.Hands-on experience in all aspects of maschine vehicle accident, narcotics, and criminal investigations.Strong instruction and training skills with individuals at all levels.Certifications received Narcotics Dangerous Drug Law Enforcement Certification National Crime Information FBI Certificate School of Handguns Certificate.Specialized training includes Drug Enforcement, Narcotic Law Enforcement, and Computer Information Systems International Intelligence Information Rating.Professional affiliations include Massachusetts Highway Association, Worcester and Essex County Highway Associations, Retired Massachusetts State Police Association, and Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.Professional Excellence SummaryHave experienced in modifying computer systems for enhancing the existing customer deal.Have outstanding data acquisition and analytical knowledge.Have practiced experience in system architecture and software designing along with the features of algorithm. Have various skills of operational and implementation strategies.Experienced with numbers of multipart factual time simulation as well as stimulation coordination with several of extended operational and implementation works.Have excellent data acquisition and analytical knowledge.Have extended experience in testing sub accumulations with various electronic gears for ensuring a standard product.LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCEWURTSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT Tetter, NH 1991 1994Deputy SheriffCoordinated all aspects of prisoner security and transportation from security facilities to courthouses, ensuring the safety of the community and the suspects. Additional responsibilities included serving civil process, evictions, and warrants within the jurisdiction.Recognized for excellence in job performance.MASSACHUSETTS STATE assekuranzbrief Boston, MA 1970 1990State TrooperConducted interrogations and pre-deposition interviews as part of ongoing criminal investigations. Served as an e xpert on narcotics, motor vehicle law enforcement, and accident investigations. Responsible for performing public records research, as well as coordinating interviews and reconnaissance for drug trafficking criminal investigations with other law enforcement departments. Trained and supervised new officers.As court officer, consistently sought out for clarification on points of law and procedures by district attorneys, defense attorneys, and judges.Career achievements in law enforcement include commendations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of State Police, as well as numerous citations and awards for service.EDUCATIONPOLICE STANDARDS TRAINING COUNCIL Concord, NHLaw Enforcement ProgramNORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Framingham, MACriminal Justice courseworkMASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE ACADEMY Framingham, MALaw Enforcement ProgramMILITARYUNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVESAirman, Honorable DischargeCustomize Resume

Gaining Experience Through Postgraduate Internships

Gaining Experience Through Postgraduate InternshipsGaining Experience Through Postgraduate InternshipsAs you approach graduation, you will want to begin thinking about all of your options if you have bedrngnislage yet landed a job in your field. Some jobs require prior experience while other jobs do not require any previous experience at all. Oftentimes employers want to train new employees to their own way of doing things and they prefer that new hires dont have to be un-trained from what theyve learned on another internship or job. On the other hand, job applicants with prior internship or job experience are often preferred by employers not only because of their knowledge and skills in the field but also becausethey understand the field and know that its something they really want to pursue after college. The Effect of the Recession on Postgrad Success Since the beginning of the recession, you will hear countless stories from recent graduates on how they were forced to take any job available, even if it didnt relate at all to what they studied in college. This has been a very frustrating experience for many new graduates since they found themselves doing mundane work that didnt relate to their interests or future career goals. This has also had a profound effect on their financial outlook since once they were able to get a job in their field, they found themselves behind financially since they had to start with entry-level jobs and only getting their dream jobs three or more years out of college. Should I Look for Internships as Well as Full-Time Jobs? One of the questions that college students often ask is if its better to take just any job after college, or is it better to try to get more experience in the field perhaps by doing an internship. The answer is not the same for everyone.A lot depends on your current knowledge and skill level as well as the field you are looking to go into. Another consideration is the shape of your current financial res ources and how much money you will need to pay for your personal expenses. Location can be a consideration as well. Large corporations that are willing to take on new graduates for their internship programs may pay adequately to sustain you while other programs expect their interns to work for free which may not be a consideration at this point when you will need to begin paying your own expenses. If you are graduating this year and have not yet found a full-time job, internships may be the answer. Not only will an internship provide you with experience, often times a companys interns are the first ones considered for any future full-time job openings. Dont Forget About the Value of Networking Be koranvers you speak with everyone you know to let them know what your plans are.Close family and friends and even acquaintances may hear of internship or job openings that you might not find out about otherwise. Your colleges alumni are another good source for networking. Check with the Career Development Center at your college to see if they have alumni contacts that are willing to work with college students as they navigate the internship/job search process. Dont forget that networking is the 1 job search strategy available. Make Your Both Search Specific and Broad Be sure to make an appointment with the Career Development Center at your college to make sure that you are aware of all of the thousands of internships that are posted each year. Each internship listing will usually have a list of requirements and qualifications and often will state if they will take new graduates or not. Once you are sure that your resume and cover letter are ready to send out, be sure to take a proactive approach and apply for every internship that meets your qualifications. Also, be sure to check out Facebook and LinkedIn to see what opportunities are out there and to help employers to be better able to find you. Create an Internship of Your Own The third way of looking fo r internships is through prospecting. Prospecting means looking for employers that would hire individuals with your skills in locations that you are interested in working.Many organizations do not advertise their internships or may consider an intern even if they are not advertising or if they have not had an intern before. Internships Are Not Only for College Students Over the past few years, we have witnessed the rise in high school students that participate in internships. In addition to this population, many individuals interested in making a career transition are also looking at internships as a way to segue into a new career field where they have little to no experience thus far. Although it may be difficult to take on an internship where there is little to no pay, it may be even more frustrating remaining in your current job or taking one that doesnt require the skills of the field you are looking to go into. Sometimes internships are the necessary evil in order to get yo u where you ultimately want to go. Double-Check Your Resume and Cover Letter When applying for internships with a resume and cover letter, be sure to check the following prior to sending out your documents 5 Steps to Improve a Resume Organize your informationHighlight your qualificationsUse bullet points to display important informationInclude only relevant information and remove any clutterMake sure your resume is error-free 5 Steps to Improve a Cover Letter Address your cover letter to the right personCapture the readers attentionMake your cover letter stand outMake sure your cover letter is error-freeAsk for an interview at the end of your letter By following these 10 steps you will be well on your way to getting yourself noticed by employers in hopes of getting called for an interview.The sole purpose of a resume and cover letter is to land an interview, so the effort it takes to improve your documents is well worth the effort.

8 Tips for Women Negotiating Salary

8 Tips for Women Negotiating Salary8 Tips for Women Negotiating Salary8 Negotiation Tips for WomenFight for the salary you deserve.A new employment law in Massachusetts made it illegal for employers to ask a candidate about past salary history.This is great news for making strides in gender pay equality, which was one of the goals of the legislation it marked a significant step in the right direction. However, the law is only one piece of the puzzle. The negotiation-skills gap between men and women continues to be a part of the wage gap problem.So what causes this gap? Is it lack of confidence or lack of negotiation training? Why do women routinely leave money on the table? Is there anything they can do to negotiate mora effectively?Yes When it comes to negotiation, women can be highly effective, and they dont have to copy a male approach to accomplish that. Many negotiating tools actually come easier to women than to men. For example, women tend to smile more, and a smile during ne gotiations can convey the message that you are in control, relaxed, and confident. Women are also good at keeping the conversation from becoming adversarial, moving it forward effectively.Unfortunately, what holds women back is the social cost of negotiating or the negative social impact that negotiation is perceived to have on women. In other words, women read the environment and get a sense that self-advocating can create relationship penalties for them. The good news is that women can overcome this obstacle. By re-framing negotiating and learning a few key skills, you can be on your way to better pay and job opportunities Here are salary negotiations tips you need to get the most out of your conversation.1. Understand the cost of women NOT negotiatingNot negotiating can cost you as much as half a million dollars over your professional life, says Linda Babcock, a Carnegie Mellon University economics professor. According to her research on women and negotiation, only 12 percent of women negotiate salary compared to 52 percent of men.By not negotiating, women are essentially making less than they deserve because they didnt ask for more. Why get paid less than your worth?2. Focus on the benefit to the companyWomen are often better at negotiating for others than they are at representing their own interests. Instead of lamenting this trend, why not put it to work for you?Reframe the conversation as you representing the interests of the company. If you are unable to negotiate now, how can the employer expect you to advocate for the company, employees who will report up to you, and better solutions for the customers? If you enter the conversation with a mindset of working to find a mutual win, you have a better chance of emerging with better compensation and intact relationships. 3. Come in preparedThe research you do before you enter a salary negotiation can make a huge difference on the outcome. Use salary data from Salary.com, Payscale.com, and Glassdoor to set an accurate baseline when the time comes.In addition to researching industry norms online, you may consider talking to others in the field to better understand value drivers, challenges, and precedent. By doing this basic investigative work up front, you ground your argument in solid facts, not just a vague sense that you deserve or need better pay.4. Have reasonable expectationsNo, I do not mean that you should lower your expectations. Instead, combine your industry research with performance expectations and document your past achievements. When targets are clear and accomplishments are tracked, it is much easier to make the argument for a raise even if the company policy is cost of living adjustments only across the board.RelatedBuilding Your Case 7 Steps to Asking for That Raise5. Watch your toneHave you ever looked at a recording of yourself negotiating? Probably not. Invest an hour of your time into staging and taping a salary negotiation with a friend. All you need is a quie t space, a tripod, and your smartphone or camera The recording can teach you a lot about certain habits that may be costing you significant money.Here are a few specific things to watch for Many women end sentences in an upturned tone which makes them sound more like questions than affirmative statements. Another common mistake is overusing I think and maybe, which can make you come across as unsure. The good news is that simple changes in language can set you up for a win. If you observe yourself falling into ending your sentences like questions, work on turning them back into confident statements. Instead of using maybe, consider a more assertive lets try this going forward.6. Use silence as a strategic toolWhat is the longest amount of time you have ever been silent in a negotiation after asking a question or making a statement? If your answer is a minute or longer, you have a rare gift. Silence is uncomfortable for many of us. We dont like it when the other party goes quiet, and we tend to rush to fill the silence with our own voice. As a result, most people will talk themselves into a corner and say things that weaken their position. If you want to be a powerful negotiator, the best salary negotiation tip is that silence is your friend. If your employer goes silent, they are processing what you have just said. Allow that to happen and dont feel the need to fill the silence.7. ListenStereotypically, a good negotiator is someone who is loud and boisterous. In reality, you dont have to dominate the conversation to be an effective negotiator. Listening allows you to really hear what the other party wants, which puts you in a position to find a resolution that works for both sides.8. PracticeWhat holds many women back from negotiating important things like salary and promotions is the perception that they are not good at negotiating. The reality is that you dont have to be great at it you just have to start somewhere and get better. Like riding a bike and swim ming, negotiating is a learned skill, and it can get better with practice.Give yourself permission to start small. Try returning a purchase to the store despite a gelbkreuzgas receipt or an expired 30-day return window. Call your cable company for a reduction in your monthly bill. Ask for an upgrade on your next flight or rental car. If your basic skills need a tune-up, consider digging into additional resources There are dozens of books and podcasts on the subject, with many tailored specifically to women.Just remember Women can be great negotiators. Be sure to come in prepared, play to your strengths, and do your best to keep the conversation focused on finding the optimal solution. It is rare that negotiations result in both sides getting exactly what they want, but through a thoughtful conversation, you can certainly move closer to that marker.Click on the following link for more salary negotiation advice.Does your resume reflect why you deserve the higher salary? Find out with a free expert resume critique.Recommended Reading7 Powerful Ways You Can Improve Your Negotiation SkillsHow to Negotiate a Raise at Work Like Amy SchumerHow to Close the Wage Gap and Earn the Salary You DeserveRelated Articles

Job-Search Deductibles Evade Mistakes, Not Taxes

Job-Search Deductibles Evade Mistakes, Not TaxesJob-Search Deductibles Evade Mistakes, Not TaxesThere are plenty of rules in the tax code, and its easy to break one when filing job-search expenses. Keep these common errors in mind to stay on the right side of Uncle Sam.The U.S. tax code comprises more than 16,845 pages, according to the U.S. Government Printing Office. By comparison, War and Peace, Tolstoys hefty masterpiece, is a mere 1,400+ pages and the Bible a scant 1,200 or so. It is easy to binnensee where any layperson could make mistakes when considering what expenses from their job search qualify as tax deductions.Melissa Labant, a tax expert with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, has seen many in her career but said most of the mistakes related to the job search fall into three main categories - travel, personal appearance and relocation.Travel and mealsThe IRS has special rules about how much of the money we spend on meals is tax-deductible, whether the meals are job related or enjoyed on interview day.A lot of people think meals are 100 percent deductible, but thats not the case, she said.According to the IRS page for entertainment expenses you can deduct 50 percent of business-related meal and entertainment expenses, unless youre subject to the Department of Transportations hours of service limits - check the entry labeled Individuals subject to hours of service limits for an explanation of what those limits are. The 50 percent limit applies to employees or their employers, and to self-employed persons (including independent contractors) or their clients, depending on whether the expenses are reimbursed, according to the IRS.Meals you buy while traveling away from home, whether eating alone or with others, are reimbursable at that 50 percent rate. But dont mix business with pleasure and think you can deduct the whole package, Labant warned.People take trips to look for jobs, but its more a vacation, she said. If theyre vacat ioning three days and looking for work one day, thats not deductible, she said. The primary purpose has to be to seek a job, not personal recreation.As with all job-search expenses, to be considered tax deductible, the job being pursued must be in the same field as your current or most recent occupation.Personal appearanceManicures, haircuts, clothing. Nice suit. Must have cost you a little cashola, huh? But youre serious about your job search. Youll look good in the interview. Besides, you can always deduct it on your tax return, right?Wrong. Your interview duds are considered a personal expense and hence arent deductible, Labant said.The same goes for other personal-care expenses, such as haircuts and manicures, tax experts said.RelocationMoving expenses are in fact deductible, but the new job has to be at least 50 miles farther from your current home than your old job was, Labant said. For example, if your old job was 10 miles away from where you live, your new job has to be at l east 60 miles away. In other words, your commute has to grow by at least 50 miles.In addition, the moving-expenses deduction generally only pertains if youre moving to work full time.Quite a few types of moving expenses qualify, Labant said, including paying someone to pack and move your belongings. Some dont. For example, once you move, if you fly back to visit your old house for any reason, you cant deduct your travel. Nor can you deduct part of the purchase price of a new home or the loss you might take on selling your old home. Tax rules also exclude taking a deduction if you senfgas money on anything having to do with your old home, whether you lost a security deposit on a rental, you broke your lease or you lost money discontinuing membership in a country club.

Mythical Solutions to What to Include on Resume Disclosed

Mythical Solutions to What to Include on Resume Disclosed What You Need to Know About What to Include on Resume You have to put your physical address, telephone number, and your email address. For that reason, it must be polished and professional in order to become noticed. Figure out ways to get on their e-mail list or locate their calendar online. A superb way to begin is to examine examples of resumes and read tips about what to include and the way to format your resume. Utilizing a free resume template is a significant idea. The service is really affordable, but you must consider whether its worth paying the price. In case you be uploading your resume to job search sites, then its suitable to include things like a line References readily available on request at the base of your resume. If youre not great at search engine optimization (search engine optimisation), you may use easy techniques. The Upside to What to Include on Resume A chronological resume is the kind of resume that you probably utilize now or have used previously. The objectives section is the initial thing that catches their eye. It may be the best way to create job specific resumes. The objectives section may be a critical part of a resume and might be the very first thing employers look at. Because most high school students havent held lots of jobs, it is necessary to draw upon all elements of your life which show youve got the correct character, work ethic, skills, and personality to be successful in work. A big mistake that lots of new professionals make is they use a generalized objective statement. If you get a reasonable amount of company or career experience then you should detail them on your resume. Not only is it feasible to receive a full-time or part-time job, but you may also volunteer at an organization or a company two or three hours every week, simply to find exposure to the area. The resume maker is therefore employed for crisis situations whenever the job seeker does not have any idea about ways to act. The majority of your resume will become your education and work history. A strong summary statement at the peak of your resume can increase the probabilities of them noticing what youve got to offer from the beginning. A list ought to be made under each heading with points that may be read easily by the employer to comprehend why he should give you an interview. The One Thing to Do for What to Include on Resume If you are searching for a VP position, a traditional resume format thats crisp, clean, and professional if the appropriate alternative. Make sure your resume format comprises sections which will showcase your finest qualifications. Your resume must stand out. It might be necessary to create many different versions of your resume so you are able effectively market yourself to many different jobs.Among the requirements to qualify for the loan is a great credit score. Applicants move through the procedure at various pric es and dont always find all four steps. The initial application is similar to any regular job application. The assessment procedure gives you the ability to get a detailed picture of your new hire. Choosing Good What to Include on Resume Based on your degree of experience and the jobs youre applying for, what you decide to concentrate on in your resume summary can fluctuate. If you cant locate the resources all on your own, be certain to get in touch with your academic advisor. Including an objectives section at the commencement of your resume provides a succinct introduction to the function of the resume, highlighting your career objectives and the sort of job you are searching for. Entry-level competition for virtually any career, for example, paralegal profession, can be difficult. The objective ought to be about the value you may bring to the provider not your expectations about opportunities the company might have the ability to offer your career The objectives segment might be the most excellent means to construct job particular resumes. Just match your qualifications to every part of the position youre applying for. It will probably be a specific job position, which is the reason why objectives in a resume can be too restrictive. Youre a human with skills, not a work description. You dont know, there can be an additional candidate out there whos working just as hard if not harder to land the job that you desire. You are going to want to make your resume relevant to every job. Any work seeker whether a fresher or a seasoned person has to compose the resume.

Hearsay, Lies and Samples Job Resume

Hearsay, Lies and Samples Job Resume Heres What I Know About Samples Job Resume Show employers that youre updated and make a terrific first impression by selecting the most suitable template. If yur application demands a cover letter then you may use the cover letter template. Resume Templates also be sure that you dont miss out any helpful item of information about yourself which can be important for the firm. Employing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for numerous reasons. In an Internship Resume, an individual must pen down all of the training and abilities which were given to the candidate. Interest or skills section is the most essential and difficult portion of the writing. Personal achievement needs to be highlighted in detail. Applicants write a wide array of qualifications. Samples Job Resume the Ultimate Convenience Again, you wish to make sure that your resume is readable. So it is essential that your resume needs to be convincing and has to be easily read. Landscape Resume by Generous Art2 may be the solution youve been searching for. See Resume Formats to learn more. Fortunately, even when you have not held an official job, youve got education, experience, activities and techniques that may be highlighted on a resume. You also have to speak about past experience. If work experience isnt your key highlight or whether youve got an inconsistent work history, its best advisable to start your resume with your qualifications. The experience youve got in your past can help you become a superior employee later on. The War Against Samples Job Resume Then its an easy job for locating a job. Everyone was in the exact situation when they were searching for their very first job As an issue of fact, on an average, the majority of the recruiters do not search for over 6 seconds at a resume. Take a look at the following links to get started looking for exciting job positions locally.There are a lot of free crea tive resume templates it is possible to use, allowing you to focus your energy on everything else you should do. Getting the most of a resource that wont only help save you time, but is demonstrated to elevate your odds of scoring a work simply is reasonable. 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. All you need to do is point and click. Job seekers deserve to locate decent content quickly. Transportation jobs involve plenty of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can take care of that. Candidates that are looking for welding jobs should incorporate any particular training or experience theyve received during their work history. Resumes give potential employers a means to learn about applicants quickly and readily, and theyre your very first step toward new job opportunities. Take a look at our marketing resume samples and fi nd out how you can successfully market yourself and eventually sell your skills to possible employers. You should also think of the position, company and industry that youre pursuing. The health care industry can be quite competitive. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the exact same skills. The Demise of Samples Job Resume When you format your resume you need to be certain your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. It is possible to also alter the font if you wish (and the exact same goes for each and every template in our list). Picking the correct font can look to be an impossible job, especially since there are dozens and dozens of choices out there. To find some formatting suggestions for your resume, take a look at our samples. In truth, it might not have dates whatsoever, but you must be listed in buchung of relevance instead. However tempting it may be to stretch the truth, lying on your resume is always a poor idea. Hence its pretty much necessary that the resume in the most efficient manner so that you might have a very first great impression on the possible employer. There are numerous benefits of presenting a resume in an ideal format because presenting ones resume in an ideal format including all the necessary skills and qualifications, creates a great impression in regards to the specific person. Dont use lots of contact details as it can serve as an extra work to the individual whos tasked to deliver information regarding the outcomes of your application templates. Bear in mind, a resume is an expert tool. To begin, review information on different components of a resume and whats included in each element.

Daylight Remittance Time a Better Name for Our Time Tinkering

Daylight Remittance Time a Better Name for Our Time Tinkering A penny saved is a penny earned, the other big BenBen Franklindeclared. He also declared a keen, somewhat satiric interest in a notion much like daylight savings timein part because of another of his maxims Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man, healthy, wealthy and wise, one of the earliest slogans championing what we now call work-life balance.Unfortunately and peculiarly, unlike pennies that are earned in exchange for labor or serendipitously found, those saved spring and summer hours have to be paid for in other hours.These are the hours that are sacrificed in the morning to get those extra hours in the resulting longer evenings even though, as is pointed out in an excellent analytical and historical overview, Daylight Saving Time Myths, by Brian Dunning at Skeptoid.com, DST tends to keep dawn and its usual clock time synchronize d, as advancing the clock compensates for the earlier dawn on the longer days.More Damage and Costs than Savings or Bonus?Where not seen as a savings, that extra hour has, in at least one instance, been taken to be a magical bonus. Apparently, when DST was introduced in the U.S., some farmers complained that the extra hours of sunlight during DST would burn their crops. Really, or so I read somewhere.But, yarn or not, that story nicely encapsulates the misconception that somehow we all get an extra something without giving up anything to get it or we really get to save sunlightperhaps mora than we need or is good for us or our crops.Since shifting the clock settings is like paying a penny to get a penny, why on Earth would anyone think of calling those evening hours daylight savings?Daylight remittances makes more sense, since, like money shifted from one place to another, the DST daylight hour saved is shifted from morning to evening, as the clock is shifted ahead one hour. Perhaps because saving or savings sounds like virtuous Puritan thrift, it feels like a satisfying achievement, unlike remittance, which suggests no such thing, except a likely additional cost, in the form of a remittance fee, e.g., screwed up sleep cycles or DST cluster headaches.In general, savings sounds like a better deal than remittanceunless youre getting, rather than paying for one.Daylight Energy Savings?The frequently trumpeted rationalization for the name daylight savings time, namely, that it saves energy, is hotly disputed and complex, with one study or another suggesting minimal or no energy savings, while others suggest worsenet energy losses, especially since the 1970s and the air-conditioning boom at home, the office and in businesses.To see why its not obvious that there will be energy savings, imagine a village that has 100 homes and a factory that employs 100 people who live in those homes, but who also all work in one large factory space, e.g., on an assembly line where there is only a day shift. By delaying the onset of darkness by shifting the clock one hour ahead in the spring, the factory doesnt have to turn on its 20 overhead lights during the shift. Theres an energy savingsHowever, every one of those 100 workers has to turn on at least 100 lights, maybe more, if they are all inveterate early risers who habitually get up at, say 6 a.m., in a zone where the summer days are not substantially longer, since they have to get up a dark hour earlier than they would on Standard Time to get up at what DST identifies as 6 a.m.Geographically, such a pure 1-hour shift in a 12-hour cycle is not only a theoretical possibility its also a fact. At the equator, DST translates into a perfect 1-hour shift, in an unvarying base of 12 hours +/- 10 minutes of daylight, 12 hours-/+ of darkness all year round.Admittedly, among the 11 countries crossed by the equatorwhich seems to be about 10 feet wide, as suggested by the experiment I witnessed in equatorial Kenya sh own in photo here, where draining water reversed from clockwise to counter-clockwise flow, ceasing altogether at one spot smack in the middle, only Brazil has DST, and only in various southern and central regions.Colombia tried it, for one year1992-1993. Farther north or south relative to the equator, the number of countries on DST increases, but with a corresponding increase in the variation of the day/night lengths.In other relatively daylight-invariant zones, DST most closely approximates a pure remittance, with no savings. But, what about the rest of the year, after DST ends? When clocks fall back, as they just did on November 3rd, they return to Standard Time.Ben Frankly speaking, I think that too is a misnomer.It should be called Daylight Re-remittance Time.

Pumping Extremely Hot Metal, Part 1

Pumping Extremely Hot Metal, Part 1 Pumping Extremely Hot Metal, Part 1 Pumping Extremely Hot Metal, Part 1For two long days and nights, Professor Asegun Henrys gruppe of researchers at Georgia Techs Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering anxiously watched their new ceramic pump move molten tin heated to record-high temperatures. At any moment, they expected something to go wrong. The extreme heat could shatter a shaft, break a bearing, melt a seal, as it did during countless tests conducted throughout the pumps four-year development cycle. The students were forced to monitor the machine in case it started leaking dangerously hot metal. They didnt want to burn down the lab.Henry and his students hoped this test would be different. Over the years, the team developed a number of innovations and improvements to perfect a pump they and others expect to spur a new generation of highly efficient, low-cost systems for storing, transporting, and converting surplus thermal energy produced by renewables like solar and wind. It could serve as a new, cheaper type of battery that could generate electricity when needed, big challenge in the advancement of renewable energy. The nuclear and chemical processing industries, among others, could also use the system for advanced applications.Its a big undertaking because you have to change the whole infrastructure of the system.Prof. Asegun Henry, Georgia TechTo handle those needs, the pump had to withstand temperatures that could exceed 1,600 K (1,326 C), making it the first of its kind. As testing moved into its third day, the new pump held. Based on past failures, though, the team expected the worst. Georgia Tech Graduate Student Caleb Amy pours molten tin into a crucible. Image Christopher Moore / Georgia TechThe ChallengeAlmost every form of energy conversion creates heat, making it one of the most prevalent forms of energy. When used for mechanical work, thermal energy is most efficient when it can be moved, stored, and converted at its highest possible temperature. But most of todays pumps and compressors cant handle that extreme heat and must be stored in a cooler parte of the system, limiting the systems overall efficiency. The components usually made from superalloys and ceramics break, corrode, weaken, or wear when exposed to high-temperature liquids for an extended period.The need for a stable heat storage and transfer system is especially important for advanced and emerging nuclear energy applications. The system, for example, could serve as a less expensive, more efficient, and faster way to cool down a reactor in case of an emergency. Finding that solution, Henry says, has been a grand challenge in the nuclear energy industry and one of the main reasons the Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy (ARPA-E) is funding his work.The scary thing with nuclear is the runaway effect, where the reactor heats up faster than you can cool it, Henry says. This type of pump can move hea t faster, and the liquid will stay warmer before it boils. That buys you a whole lot of safety.Please see Part 2 of Pumping Extremely Hot Metal to discover the challenges Henry and his team faced in designing the pump, how they overcame those challenges, and if the new design passed the test. Read MoreNanotechnology Fuels Safe Lithium Ion BatteriesGreen Air ConditioningFlying to Space on schmetterlingsschwimmen Wings For Further Discussion

A Guide to Paralegal Certification

A Guide to Paralegal CertificationA Guide to Paralegal CertificationThe American Bar Association defines certification as a process by which a non-governmental agency or association grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that agency or association. Certification usually involves passing an examination established by the sponsoring organization and meeting specified educational and/or experiential requirements. Presently, certification forparalegals is a voluntary process no mandatory examination for legal assistants exist in the United States. However, the certification issue has been a subject of considerable interest and debate for the past several years among paralegal organizations, bar associations, and state legislatures. A paralegal certification demonstrates to employers a commitment to the profession and a mastery of certain skills and knowledge necessary to the field. Skills and knowledge tested by certification exa minations include an advanced knowledge of legal procedure, ethics, and substantive law as well as research, communication and writing skills. Many paralegals obtain professional designations after they have gained a few years of experience in the field. While certification is not a prerequisite to paralegal employment, it may enhance your professional credibility, employment prospects, and income potential. Below is an overview of several common paralegal certifications. National Association of Legal Assistants Issuing Body The National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA), headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, began sponsoring a certification examination (Certified Legal Assistant) in 1976. NALA also offers advanced specialty exams. Designation Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP). Over 12,000 paralegals have earned the use of this professional designation. In 2004, NALA registered the mark CP for those who prefer to use the term paralegal instead of legal assistant. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the CLA/CP examination, a legal assistant must meet one of the following alternate requirements 1. Graduation from a legal assistant program that is Approved by the American Bar Association orAn associate degree program orA post-baccalaureate certificate program in legal assistant studies orA bachelors degree program in legal assistant studies orA legal assistant program which consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (900 clock hours or 90 quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours) are substantive legal courses. 2. A bachelors degree in any field plus one years experience as a legal assistant. Successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or 22.5 quarter hours or 225 clock hours) of substantive legal assistant courses will be considered equivalent to one years experience as a legal assistant. 3. A high school diploma or equivalent plus seven (7) years experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the Bar, plus evidence of a minimum of 20 hours of continuing legal education credit to have been completed within a 2-year period prior to the examination date. Examination. The CLA/CP examination is a two-day comprehensive examination based on federal law and procedure. The major subject areas of the examination are Communications, Ethics, Legal Research, Human Relations and Interviewing Techniques, Judgment Analytical Ability and Legal Terminology. The substantive law section consists of five mini-examinations covering the American Legal System and four areas of substantive law as selected by examinees. National Federation of Paralegal Associations Issuing Body The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) offers the Paralegal Advanced Competency Examination (PACE). Designation PACE - Registered Paralegal or RP Eligibility Requirements An associates degree in paralegal studies obtained from an institutio nally accredited school, and/or ABA approved paralegal education program six (6) years substantive paralegal experience ORA bachelors degree in any course of study obtained from an institutionally accredited school and three (3) years of substantive paralegal experience ORA bachelors degree and completion of a paralegal program with an institutionally accredited school, said paralegal program may be embodied in a bachelors degree and two (2) years substantive paralegal experience OR Four (4) years substantive paralegal experience on or before December 31, 2000. Examination The Paralegal Competency Examination (PACE) is a two-tiered exam. viech I addresses general legal issues and ethics. As the need arises, a section for state-specific laws may also be developed. Tier II addresses specialty sections. The National Association for Legal Professionals (Nqua) Issuing Body The NALS (formerly known as the National Association for Legal Secretaries), offers three certifications the ALS (its basic certification), the PP (for paralegals) and the PLS (an advanced certification). Designations ALS, PP, and PLS Eligibility Requirements ALS - To be eligible to take the ALS exam, you must have completed one of the following an accredited business/legal course,the NALS Legal Training Course, orone year of general office experience. PP - To sit for the PP certification exam, a non-degreed paralegal must have five years experienceperforming paralegal/legal assistant duties. A paralegal with a post-secondary degree, other certification or a paralegal certificate must only have four years experience, while a candidate with a paralegal degree need only have three years experience. PLS - Any person with three years experience in the legal field may take the examination. Membership in NALS is not a requirement. A partial waiver of the three-year legal experience requirement may be granted for post-secondary degrees, successful completion of the ALS exam or other certifications. The maximum waiver is one year. Examination ALS - The ALS is a 3-part exam covering written communications office procedures and legal knowledge and human relations and judgment. PP - The PP certification exam is administered in four parts and coverswrittencommunications, legal knowledge and skills, ethics and judgment skills and substantive law. Candidates may retake any failed portions of the exam. Recertification is required every five years but may be accomplished through the accumulation of continuing legal education hours and activities PLS The PLS exam is a one-day, four-part examination which is broken down as follows Part 1 - Written Communications, Part 2 Office Procedures and Technology, Part 3 Ethics and Judgment and Part 4 Legal Knowledge and Skills. American Alliance of Paralegals Issuing BodyTheAmerican Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.(AAPI) Designation AACP Eligibility RequirementsEvery paralegal seeking American Alliance certification must possess no less than five (5) years of substantive paralegal experience and meet one (1) of the following three (3) educational criteria (a) A Bachelor or advanced Degree in any discipline from an accredited institution or (b) An Associate Degree in paralegal studies from an ABA approved paralegal program or a program which is a voting institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education or (c) A Certificate from an ABA approved paralegal program or a program which is a voting institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education. To prove that you fulfill the eligibility requirements, the AAPI requires candidates to submit, along with a processing fee, a certified copy of official educational transcripts and an affidavit or declaration from an attorney attesting to your substantive work experience. ExaminationNone Maintenance/RecertificationIn order to maintain American Alliance certification, every AACP shall renew his/her certification status every two (2) years and complete eighteen (18) hours of continuing legal education (CLE), with two (2) of the eighteen (18) hours being in ethics. Proof of completion of the requisite CLE along with the two-year renewal fee in effect at the time of renewal shall be submitted to the Commission. At the time of renewal, an AACP must be employed as a paralegal.

The 10 Best Interview Questions to Ask

The 10 Best Interview Questions to Ask The 10 Best Interview Questions to Ask The 10 Best Interview Questions to Ask DeZube The best interview questions tell you about the person behind the resume, revealing the job candidates personality, strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, skills and abilities. The best interview questions also benefit job seekers by giving them an opportunity to speak to details that dont fit on a resume. While a savvy interviewer always includes questions tailored to the position, our list of the 10 best questions works across a variety of industries and job descriptions: 1. From everything youve learned about this role, me and our company, tell me how you feel youd make a contribution. This interview question sorts people into two categories: contenders and also-rans. Those who have really prepared will love this opportunity to shine and stand out, demonstrating that they have done all the homework that can absolutely be done in todays world of instant information, says Darrell W. Gurney, career coach and author of Never Apply for a Job Again: Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest. Those who havent will stumble and try to put some generic response together, which will be obvious. 2. Why should we hire you? This is among the best interview questions because it asks job candidates to define what sets them apart from the intense competition in todays job market, says Doug Schade, principal supervising executive recruiter, Winter, Wyman CompanyNew York Accounting Finance. Faced with a big stack of resumes telling a similar story, this question helps you determine the best candidate. An interviewee who does a great job explaining how her unique experience, education, industry credentials, and personal interests will power your business will do the same thing for your company once hired. 3. If you could start your career over again, what would you do differently? While no one likes to dwell on past regrets, this can be a good question to ask, says Brendan Courtney, president of staffing firms Randstad Finance Accounting and The Mergis Group, Boston. Asking a candidate to explain the major decisions he has made, highlighting the positive and negative, reveals the persons ability to make calculated decisions based on past professional and personal experiences. It also lets candidates share their vision for the future and their ambitions. 4. When I contact your last supervisor and ask which area of your work needs the most improvement, what will I learn? I love this question because its the one that actually garners an honest response from the candidate, says career coach Lauren Milligan of ResuMayday, a Warrenville, Illinois, career-counseling firm. No amount of finesse will influence this answer because when the supervisor is brought into the conversation, the candidate knows the truth will come out anyway. Essentially, its the same question as what is your biggest weakness, phrased in an unexpected way. 5. Describe the best boss you ever reported to. This is a great interview question because it tells you about past relationships, says Kathy Downs, recruiting manager, Robert Half Finance Accounting, Menlo Park, California. Because it highlights the personality and work types the applicant meshes with best, the interviewer can gain greater insights into the candidates communication skills, work style and potential cultural fit, she says. Follow up with questions about what made the relationship clickwas it personality, performance, or perhaps a cheerleader type of boss?Does the candidate prefer autonomy to handholding, or was he inspired by a mutual drive to achieve organizational goals? 6. Tell me about what motivates you. Ask these questions in sequence to better understand the interviewees motivations, explains Janette Marx, SVP with Adecco Staffing US, Melville, N.Y. If what drives the interviewee matches the position and yourcorporate culture, you have a winner. 7. What frustrates you? When the candidate then talks about past frustrations, he reveals details about his personality, diplomacy skills and ability to work on teams. Does the candidate answer by discussing minor irritations or ways that he successfully resolved serious conflicts over time, budgets, or priorities? The latter are candidates who have positive intelligence. 8. Tell me about the toughest negotiation youve ever been in. Every job involves negotiation, and this question yields insight, not only in their direct negotiation skills, but also how the job seeker navigates difficult situations, Marx says. The best negotiators answer this question by laying out both sides of the problem and then explaining how they aligned the issues or followed a process to a mutually-agreeable solution. 9. How do you involve your staff when an important company strategy decision needed to be made? The candidates answer tells you whether a manager is secure enough to involve others in strategic decision-making, says Jayne Mattson, senior vice president, Keystone Associates, Boston, a career management firm. How the job seeker involves his staff via written communication, one-on-one or in a group setting tells you a lot about their management style. 10. Where do you see yourself in five years? With this question, its not what the candidate says but how she says it thats important, says Joey V. Price, CEO of Jumpstart HR, a managed HR services firm in Washington, D.C. If you see someones eyes light up at the thought of the future, then you can tell this is a very ambitious person who knows where they want to go and will do everything in their power to help ensure your organization gets them there. One Last Question For You Interviewing is both an art and a science, and with enough preparation, you can reap the rewards in the form of an awesome new hire whos eager to join your team. Want to make sure youre finding the most qualified talent to choose from? Join for free today. As a member, youll receive interview advice, hiring tips, special offers, industry trends, and much more. With expertise, you can be sure youre asking insightful questions that are tailored to your hiring needs so you find the right kinds of candidates.

10 Tips About How to Keep Your Job

10 Tips About How to Keep Your Job 10 Tips About How to Keep Your Job 01 Be the Go-to, Indispensible Person Who Has Needed Organization Knowledge Echo/Cultura/Getty Images If your current employer appears to be taking appropriate actions during whatever tough times they are experiencing, you will want to ensure that you keep your job.If you believe your employer is unstable and insecure, now is the time to move on to a new employer. In any economic times, job searching specialists recommend keeping your resume up-to-date in case an opportunity too good to miss appears for you.Additionally, it is important to build and maintain touch with your business network. When you decide to job search, they can help you with tips and leads. Its difficult to create a network when you suddenly find yourself unemployed.Please take these words to heart. Whether an employer will share them with you or not, these are ten reasons why an employer will keep you employed- when others are not.Of course, economic mishaps can take down even the best employees (for example, the company closes), but for anything short of this environment, do these things and exhibit these charac teristics to stay on the list of good employees.More About Moving to a More Recession-Proof Company or JobTop Ten Reasons to Quit Your Job5 More Reasons for Quitting Your JobPlan Your Search for an HR JobHow to Find Jobs in Human Resources- Fast

How to Stand Out During a Job Interview

How to Stand Out During a Job Interview How to Stand Out During a Job Interview Helpful tips on how to stand out from other candidates during a job interview.You’ve gotten the interview- that’s half the battle. Now, it’s time to ace the interview and get an offer. That might be a little more difficult. With the job market today, there could be dozens of others that are vying for the same job as you. Because of this acing the interview is crucial, but not enough. You need to find new ways to stand out from the rest of the interviewees, and do something that makes the interviewer remember you from the sea of faces.Start out strong.First impressions are often the most memorable. Besides the interviewer, make sure to be polite to all the staff that you encounter, including front desk attendants. When you finally do meet your interviewer, greet them with a firm handshake and eye contact. If you’re asked how you are or how your day is doing, answer in a clear and succinct manner. You can even memorize some different answers to the simple question of “How are you?”Do your research.Some of the most successful candidates are those that make sure to research the company and the specific position they’re applying for before the interview. Most companies have a website full of information specifically talking about their business and their mission. If you know who your interviewer will be beforehand, it doesn’t hurt to do some research on them as well. Do they have a blog where they talk about business? Do you they have a LinkedIn or other social media profiles? You should take a short amount of time to peruse through what’s available.Talk about improvement.Be prepared to talk about where you see yourself specifically in the company. In this case, talk about how you believe you would excel in the company atmosphere, and ideas you have for improving yourself and the company. Be very careful not to criticize current practices of the company- instead, talk about ways that the company could become more efficient or ideas for improving c ustomer relations.Stay in interview mode.From the moment you pull into the company parking lot to the moment you leave that parking lot, you should be in interview mode. You have no idea who is watching and aware of your actions. As mentioned earlier, you should be polite and courteous to all employees, even if they aren’t directly involved in the hiring process. Even after the interview, it is possible that your behavior is being monitored to see your reactions. Don’t lose a potential job offer by making a simple mistake.Ask your own questions.Many times during an interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. This is your time to shine. Interviewers want to see that you’re interested and willing to learn more about the company and the position. This also gives you more control of the direction the interview is going. Some good questions to ask are: What are the main challenges of this position? What are you looking for in the idea candidate? What does a typic al day at company look like?Follow up afterwards.Even after you leave the interview, your work isn’t over. It’s time to let the interviewer know that you are still interested in the position, and are thankful for the time they spent interviewing you. Sending over a personal thank you note can be a great way to gain more respect from the interviewer, as well as the added benefit of keeping your name fresh in their mind. Make sure to reference specific parts or conversations from the interview- avoid being generic.

Why interning in my mid-40s was an invaluable career move

Why interning in my mid-40s was an invaluable career move Why interning in my mid-40s was an invaluable career move Internships aren’t only for college students and recent grads. The fact is that many people of all ages and experience take internships or even entry-level positions for a myriad of reasons. Many of them are changing careers or are simply looking to dabble in something new - something in which they’ve always been interested.If one could financially afford it, taking an internship or an entry-level job is not necessarily a bad idea. Here are six women who’ve done it at different times in their lives, and their honest advice to those considering it.1. It could kickstart your career“I was 26 when I landed my first internship, as a UX/UI  design intern at a development agency - it was a fantastic learning experience and a great way to get my foot in the door in a very competitive industry,” says Rachel Carroll, the senior head of user experience at Studysoup. “Being an intern can be very challenging at any age, particularly so if you choose to intern later in life. Internsh ips consist of working long and hard hours, meeting difficult expectations with little to no pay, and often many sacrifices must be made. Being able to intern without having to carry a financial burden was a luxury that most do not have later in life, and this can make pursuing an internship exceptionally challenging.“The internships I pursued, although they were extremely challenging, were the starting point to my career, and I will always be thankful. I would always encourage anyone interested in gaining experience in a new career to intern if they are financially able to do so. I would also encourage it even if it may seem impossible to pursue. Often times the most challenging part of beginning a new career is the beginning itself.”2. Be aware that it might help and hurt you“I decided to take an internship in human resources at the corporate headquarters for a large international company,” says Nikki Larchar, SHRM-CP. “I was 28 years old. The job entailed a lot of entry -level tasks like inputting data, faxing, organizing their large file cabinet, etc. All the things one can imagine an intern would be responsible for.“Pros: I was able to gain experience at a large firm, where all of my previous experience was at a small business level. I gained many connections within the organization while I was there for three months. I was provided the opportunity for full-time employment at the end of my internship. I learned how to corporate HR departments function.“Cons: I didn’t gain any tangible skills. They offered me an entry-level position at the company, which I was overqualified for. I was also overqualified for the internship as I already had years of experience in human resources. Ultimately, they could not match the salary amount that I was previously at with the entry-level position.“I would both encourage and discourage. I would encourage those that are looking to go into a new field to try out an internship position. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door, learn new skills, show the organization how amazing you are and network with people within the industry you are hoping to get into. I would discourage individuals from accepting an internship in a field where they already have experience. Following the internship, during the interview process, I had to remind the interviewers that I had previous experience before the internship. It felt as though I had to keep stating that I had work experience outside of the internship and that I was at a level higher than intern or entry-level. Who knows how many of my applications or resume submissions never made it to the next round in the recruiting process simply because I had the title ‘intern’ as my most recent position.”3. Internships provide a lot of value“I changed careers when I was in my late 40s,” says Laura MacLeod, HR expert, consultant, and therapist. “I had a relatively successful career as a professional actress, but roles were scarce and I wanted/needed to find something else. I went back to school in New York City to get a Masters in social work (MSW) - the program included an unpaid internship for two years. Year one: internship at supported housing/residence for mentally ill. Year two: internship in a high-needs high school. Both experiences were invaluable for a few reasons.“1. I had no experience in these settings or in the role of social worker/counselor. As an intern, that was fine - clearly the expectation. No pressure to prove myself. 2. Learning by doing is the norm. Mistakes will happen and the on-the-job experience shows you the real world right away. 3. Networking, professional behavior - these were things I knew I could bring to the internship. They helped me get the most out of the experience. Not being 22 was an asset. I had no problem fitting into the culture and using my people skills to excel and connect.”4. An internship can be the right step forward“I am 34, and I will be starting an inte rnship in two weeks at a PR firm and, looking at the photos of the other interns, I feel like Robert DeNiro - like I will be the Intern Mother,” says Jordanna Stephen. “I felt like it was something I owed to myself. While in college, I had a very brief PR intern experience at a very well-known PR firm. But after that, I didn’t gain any more experience in my field. I was pretty much self-taught, with the exception of the basics I learned in college. I took other jobs and, at the age of 34, I want to re-enter the PR world, and can’t do it without the current know-how.“My dad always said, ‘You have to pay your dues,” and when the opportunity presented itself, I just thought, ‘If not now, then when?’ I start in two weeks and I am nervscited (nervous + excited), but, if I want to move forward, I have to take a brief step back. I get hands-on learning experience from experienced PoweR women who are genuinely interested in my development, regardless of age. I get to meet other young women who I would probably never get a chance to connect with.Cons include feelings of inadequacy, having to learn or re-learn things, taking a dip in salary and being the oldest intern there. [But] I would totally encourage someone to do it. You should always go for your dreams no matter the age. And you never know how your example might encourage someone else to step outside of their comfort zone. There’s a quote: ‘Great things never came from inside your comfort zone.’ And it’s true. We could always learn more and there is nothing shameful really about being an older intern or taking an entry-level position. It just shows determination and drive. And, even in failure (as in if you didn’t like it or it just didn’t work out), there is success because now you know.”5. Internships are new opportunities, and they don’t have to be for the long haul“After shuttering a business I founded and ran for 20 years in Atlanta, it was necessary that I downsize from two houses in Georgia and move to an apartment in Arlington, Virginia, where my husband had started a business,” says Patty Lundy, writer and editor. “I was at a loss as to the path I needed to follow to find my ‘new life.’ I made friends easily and enjoyed most of the networking, but I did not find a good place to land. I picked up the occasional gig developing content for clients’ websites or corporate stories, but it was slow going. I needed more.“Cleaning up my desk one day, I ran across a recruiter’s business card, got on the website, and nonchalantly entered ‘writer’ into the ‘positions available’ search tab. Voila! Recruiter called in 20 minutes, Three days later, I met with the recruiter, was fully vetted in a couple of days, then met with the employer and, within a week of my first inquiry, was offered and accepted a six-month gig with Navy Federal Credit Union. It was a complete 180 from what I had ever known. I was 60! I had been my own boss for 30 years. The work was way beneath my abilities (writing email and text messaging, brochure copy, and other marketing communications), but it was a wonderful experience.“I could not see myself transitioning to full-time job, so when the offer was made to shift to real employee status, I bolted out the door. Happy to be free, but happy to have gone through the experience. Pros were meeting so many interesting people (some interesting in a wonderful way, some interesting in an awful way!), experiencing first-hand how large organizations with lots of ‘teams’ work together, having a well-defined set of tasks every day and carrying out what was required, being paid every two weeks, making a couple of friends I will have for life, and knowing that at the ripe old age of 60, I was still ’employable.’“I would encourage anyone to explore options offered. Even if the work is not precisely what the job seeker is capable of, and even if the environment isn’t a good fit for the long h aul, people should always be open to new experiences. One never knows what might result from being exposed to opportunities that arise in unusual places. That said, however, there is the ‘lost opportunity cost’ that one must consider while they’re engaged in something that’s beneath their abilities. ‘What else could I and should I be doing with my time to deliver me to someplace more suited to my abilities?’ is a common refrain.”6. An internship could lead to something greater“After 16 years in the Air Force (eight years on active duty and eight years in the Air Force Reserves), and even with a Masters degree, I had a hard time finding a full-time job when my husband and I moved to Georgia,” says Carol Gee, Author Atlanta. “While I had held adjunct faculty positions at a couple colleges and several temp positions, interviews for full-time positions didn’t pan out. One day a woman at my temp job at a college approached me. [She was the] secretary in the developm ent department (fundraising) at the school; she was leaving to accept an out-of-state job and thought for a number of reasons her boss and I would be a good match. Although over-qualified according to HR, my goal was to get my foot in the door and advance. I was 39 years old at the time. And 14 months later, I applied for a higher position (my supervisor had also been promoted and moved to another position) and got it. Six years ago, I retired from the college after close to 22 years there and a number of professional positions. So, yes, I would recommend an internship or entry-level position if your interest or personal goals are met.”AnnaMarie Houlis is a multimedia journalist and an adventure aficionado with a keen cultural curiosity and an affinity for solo  travel. She’s an editor by day and a travel blogger at HerReport.org by night.This article originally appeared on  Fairygodboss.  At  Fairygodboss, our mission is to help you create the best career for your life. We’ve helped over a million women do this by crowdsourcing hard-to-ask information about job flexibility, salaries, work-life balance, maternity leave policies and whether women are promoted fairly in their companies and departments. Come see our free job reviews and career advice!

Popular Book Festivals Around the United States

Popular Book Festivals Around the United States Popular Book Festivals Around the United States Book festivals are great fun for readers and great business for authors and publishers. While no means exhaustive, heres a broad sampling of the major book festivals that take place in the U.S.   Brooklyn Book Festival The Brooklyn Book Festival is “the largest free literary event in New York City,”  the center of US book publishing. Featuring over 250 literary stars and emerging authors, the  Brooklyn Book Festival  features booths, authors, and signings, and panel discussions and “this hip, smart, diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages.” The BBF is bookended by Brooklyn Bookend Events, literary-themed events like film screenings, parties, children’s theatre, and literary games taking place across the borough in clubs, parks, bookstores, theatres, and libraries. National Book Festival The National Book Festival is held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in September. The two-day event has been held since 2001 and generally features over 100 authors, many literary luminaries among them. Free and open to the public,  the National Book Festival  is organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts. Baltimore Book Festival Held in September each year, the Baltimore Book Festival is sponsored by the City of Baltimore and the Maryland State Arts Council. The fest features author readings and book signings, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, poetry readings and workshops, panel discussions, walking tours, exhibitors (like literary tee shirt and tote vendors, food vendors, etc.) and booksellers. For kids, the Baltimore Book Festival  has storytellers, hands-on projects, and other performances. Texas Book Festival The first Texas Book Festival took place in 1996. Established by First Lady Laura Bush, the Festival celebrates books and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas, and imagination. Mrs. Bush, a former  librarian, wanted to honor Texas authors, promote the joys of reading and benefit the states public libraries. Held in October in the State Capitol, Austin,  the Texas Book Festival  hosts over 200 Texas and nationally known author along with about 40,000 visitors to the weekend of author readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings, and musical entertainment. Louisiana Book Festival The Louisiana Book Festival is a one-day event sponsored by the State Library of Louisiana, the Louisiana Center for the Book, the Louisiana Library Foundation and other government and retail entities. The literary festival is free to the public and is held in and around the State Capitol in Baton Rouge in October. In addition to events such as author appearances and signings, the  Louisiana Book Festival  features a day of writing instruction for would-be authors and an Author’s Party fund-raiser for the Louisiana Library Foundation. The Miami Book Fair International “The nation’s finest literary festival,” the Miami Book Fair International draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each November. Established in 1984 by Miami Dade College and community partners, the Fair is now part of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College. The Fair hosts Evenings With... readings and discussions with notable authors; a Street Fair that features more than 350 authors (including Latin American and Spanish authors) reading and discussing their work; and more than 250 publishers and booksellers exhibiting and selling books.  The Miami Book Fair Internationals  Children’s Alley activities, including theater, arts-and-crafts, storytelling, and readings by children’s book authors. Jewish Book Festivals Jewish Book Festivals are generally regional and local events that take place in or around Jewish Book Month and that is great for promoting books about subjects of interest to that community- whether modern living or Torah studies.   Virginia Festival of the Book Held each March in Charlottesville and Albermarle County, VA - an area also home to the University of Virginia, Jeffersons Monticello, and other cultural and educational sites - the fest is five days and hundreds of authors. For more info, visit their website. Los Angeles Times Festival of Books The Los Angeles Times  Festival of Books was created in 1996 to promote literacy, celebrate the written word, and bring together those who create books with the people who love to read them. Free to the public, the festival features hundreds of authors, over 300 exhibitors, a Children’s Stage, a Cooking Stage, a Young Adult Stage, the Los Angeles Times Stage, Poetry Stage, panel discussions and writing seminars. Presented in association with the University of Southern California, the  Los Angeles Times Festival of Books  draws between 130,000 and 140,000 each April.   Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest The Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest  is considered to be the largest free outdoor literary festival in the Midwest. It generally takes place each year over two days in early June, in the historically significant Printers Row neighborhood of Chicago. The event features authors, performers, and presenters who participate in hundreds of panels, discussions, as well as hundreds of booksellers from across the country displaying new, used and antiquarian books. The Printers Row Lit Fest is one of the  pre-eminent literary events in the United States.

13 habits of super persuasive people

13 habits of super persuasive people 13 habits of super persuasive people Whether you’re convincing your boss to fund your project or your preschooler to put his shoes on, persuasion is a skill that’s instrumental to your success in life.Persuasive people have an uncanny ability to get you leaning toward their way of thinking. Their secret weapon is likeability. They get you to like more than their ideas; they get you to like  them.Too many people succumb to the mistaken belief that being likeable comes from natural, unteachable traits that belong only to a lucky few- the good looking, the fiercely social, and the incredibly talented. It’s easy to fall prey to this misconception. In reality, being likable is under your control, and it’s a matter of  emotional intelligence  (EQ).Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!In a study conducted at UCLA, subjects rated over 500 adjectives based on their perceived significance to likeability. The top-rate d adjectives had nothing to do with being gregarious, intelligent, or attractive (innate characteristics). Instead, the top adjectives were sincerity, transparency, and capacity for understanding (another person).These adjectives, and others like them, describe people who are skilled in the social side of emotional intelligence.  TalentSmart  research data from more than a million people shows that people who possess these skills aren’t just highly likeable, they outperform those who don’t by a large margin.We did some digging to uncover the key behaviors that emotionally intelligent people engage in that make them so persuasive. Here are the tricks of the trade that exceptionally persuasive people use to their advantage:They’re pleasersPersuasive people never win the battle only to lose the war. They know how and when to stand their ground, and yet they are constantly making sacrifices that help their cause. They are always giving in, giving ground, and doing things for other people that make them happy. Persuasive people do this because they know in the long run this wins people over. They know it’s better to be successful than it is to be “right.”They aren’t pushyPersuasive people establish their ideas assertively and confidently, without being aggressive or pushy. Pushy people are a huge turn-off. The in-your-face approach starts the recipient backpedaling, and before long, they’re running for the hills. Persuasive people don’t ask for much, and they don’t argue vehemently for their position because they know that subtlety is what wins people over in the long run. If you tend to come across as too aggressive, focus on being confident but calm. Don’t be impatient and overly persistent. Know that if your idea is really a good one, people will catch on if you give them time. If you don’t, they won’t catch on at all.They aren’t mousy, eitherOn the other hand, presenting your ideas as questions or as though they need approval makes t hem seem flawed and unconvincing. If you tend to be shy, focus on presenting your ideas as statements and interesting facts for the other party to mull over. Also, remove qualifiers from your speech. When you are trying to be persuasive, there is no room for “I think” or “It is possible that.”They know their audiencePersuasive people know their audience inside and out, and they use this knowledge to speak their audience’s language. Whether it’s toning down your assertiveness when talking to someone who is shy or cranking it up for the aggressive, high-energy type, everyone is different, and catching on to these subtleties goes a long way toward getting them to hear your point of view.They paint a pictureResearch shows that people are far more likely to be persuaded by something that has visuals that bring it to life. Persuasive people capitalize on this by using powerful visual imagery. When actual images aren’t available or appropriate, these people tell vivid stories that breathe life into their ideas. Good stories create images in the mind of the recipients that are easy to relate to and hard to forget.They use positive body languageBecoming cognizant of your gestures, expressions, and tone of voice (and making certain they’re positive) will engage people and open them up to your arguments. Using an enthusiastic tone, uncrossing your arms, maintaining eye contact, and leaning towards the person who’s speaking are all forms of positive body language that persuasive people use to draw others in. Positive body language will engage your audience and convince them that what you’re saying is valid. When it comes to persuasion,  how  you say something can be more important than  what  you say.They smilePeople naturally (and unconsciously) mirror the body language of the person they’re talking to. If you want people to like you and believe in you, smile at them during a conversation, and they will unconsciously return the favor and feel good a s a result. Persuasive people smile a lot because they have genuine enthusiasm for their ideas. This has a contagious effect on everyone they encounter.They acknowledge your point of viewAn extremely powerful tactic of persuasion is to concede the point. Admit that your argument is not perfect. This shows that you are open minded and willing to make adjustments, instead of stubbornly sticking to your cause. You want your audience to know that you have their best interests at heart. Try using statements such as, “I see where you are coming from,” and “That makes a lot of sense.” This shows that you are actively listening to what they are saying, and you won’t just force your ideas upon them. Persuasive people allow others to be entitled to their opinions and they treat these opinions as valid. They do this because it shows respect, which makes the other person more likely to consider their point of view.They ask good questionsThe biggest mistake people make when it comes to listening is failing to hear what’s being said because they are focusing on what they’re going to say next or how what the other person is saying is going to affect them. The words come through loud and clear, but the meaning is lost. A simple way to avoid this is to ask a lot of questions. People like to know you’re listening, and something as simple as a clarification question shows not only that you are listening but also that you care about what they’re saying. You’ll be surprised how much respect and appreciation you gain just by asking questions.They use your nameYour name is an essential part of your identity, and it feels terrific when people use it. Persuasive people make certain they use others’ names every time they see them. You shouldn’t just use someone’s name only when you greet him or her. Research shows that people feel validated when the person they’re speaking with refers to them by name over the course of a conversation.They form connectionsPeo ple are much more likely to accept what you have to say once they have a sense of what kind of person you are. In a negotiation study, Stanford students were asked to reach agreement in class. Without instruction of any kind, 55% of the students successfully reached an agreement. However, when students were instructed to introduce themselves and share their background before attempting to reach agreement, 90% of the students did so successfully. The key here is to avoid getting too caught up in the back and forth of the negotiation. The person you are speaking with is a person, not an opponent or a target. No matter how compelling your argument, if you fail to connect on a personal level, he or she will doubt everything you say.They are genuineBeing genuine and honest is essential to being persuasive. No one likes a fake. People gravitate toward those who are genuine because they know they can trust them. It’s difficult to believe someone when you don’t know who they really are and how they really feel. Persuasive people know who they are. They are confident enough to be comfortable in their own skin. By concentrating on what drives you and makes you happy as an individual, you become a much more interesting and persuasive person than if you attempt to win people over by trying to be the person they want you to be.They know when to pull backUrgency is a direct threat to persuasion, so tread lightly. When you try to force people to agree instantly, studies show that they are actually more likely to stand by their original opinion. Your impatience causes them to counter your arguments in favor of their own. If your position is strong, you shouldn’t be afraid to back off and give it time to sink in. Good ideas are often difficult to process instantly, and a bit of time can go a long way.Bringing It All TogetherPersuasive people are adept at reading and responding to other people. They rely heavily on emotional intelligence (EQ) to bring people to their way of thinking. With 90% of top performers high in emotional intelligence, it’s no wonder that persuasive people rely on this skill to get ahead. Add these skills to your repertoire, and you’re on your way to joining this exclusive group.What other habits set persuasive people apart? Please share your insights in the comments section below, as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.This article first appeared on LinkedIn.

Sprints The secret technique to getting more done in less time

Sprints The secret technique to getting more done in less time Sprints The secret technique to getting more done in less time Work overload is a distraction. Many people struggle to find the willpower and energy to focus on what’s really important.Starting today, reclaim your ability to focus, be mindful of what you are doing, and you will create meaningful accomplishments every week.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!The more focused you are, the higher the quality of work you’ll do, and the more you’ll get done.Don’t forget the human element of work.Your energy reservoir diminishes as the day wears on, which is why it’s so difficult to get to the hardest work late in the day.We’re designed to pulse between spending and renewing energy. If you know your peak times, you can do a lot more focused and deep work every day.I get more important work done during the first 90 minutes of the morning than in the rest of the hours of the day put together. I make the most of sprints in the morning.W orking in sprints with regular breaks leads to maximum productivity.After every sprint comes the rest.Use the 90 minutes cycle to your advantageThe human body operates on cycles called “ultradian rhythms.” According to research, during each of these cycles, there is a peak when we are most energized and a period when we are exhausted. You are most active in the morning.Your brain can only focus for 90 to 120 minutes at a time. Afterwards, a 20â€"30 minute break is required for you to get the renewal to achieve high performance for your next task again, according to research.During a productive sprint, you focus only on one task at a time and avoid distractions. Each sprint has a specific goal, and the end of the sprint signals a break to relax and set up for the next sprint.In a post on Zapier, Stephen Altrogge says:“With the 90-minute focus technique, you take full advantage of the energy peaks and troughs that occur throughout your day: Work 90 minutes and then rest for 20†"30 minutes. Working in 90-minute bursts allows you to correlate your maximum energy levels with your task list, which then gives your productivity a major boost. You’re working with your body instead of against it.Tony Schwartz, wrote his book, “The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working: The Four Forgotten Needs That Energize Great Performance” in under six months by carving his workday into a trio of 90-minute chunks.He wrote no more than four and a half hours a day, and finished the book in less than 6 months. Schwartz explains the 90 minutes cycle:More than 50 years ago, the pioneering sleep researcher Nathan Kleitman discovered something he named the “basic rest-activity cycle” - the 90 minute periods at night during which we move progressively through five stages of sleep, from light to deep, and then out again. Although it’s much less well known, Kleitman also observed that our bodies operate by the same 90 minute rhythm during the day. When we’re awake, the movement is from higher to lower alertness. Other researchers have called this our “ultradian rhythm.”In his book, Schwartz writes:“While working on The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci regularly took off from painting for several hours at a time and seemed to be daydreaming aimlessly. Urged by his patron, the prior of Santa Maria delle Grazie, to work more continuously, da Vinci is reported to have replied, immodestly but accurately,‘The greatest geniuses accomplish more when they work less.”In his renowned 1993 study of young violinists, performance researcher Anders Ericsson found that the best ones all practiced the same way: They practiced in the morning They practiced for three sessions Each sessions was 90 minutes or less There was a break between each session That same pattern is found in other top performers, Schwartz reports: focus then rest, focus then rest.Harness “flow”When you push the limits of your ability and give yourself a goal, you’re apt to enter into what positive psychologists call flow.In positive psychology, flow, also known as the zone, is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a psychologist who has studied the relationship between attention and work, has written extensively about Flow. Mihaly enourages us to muster enough energy to do what we know we should do. “We create ourselves by how we use this energy”, he says.In “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience”, he writes:“Contrary to what we usually believe, moments like these, the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times - although such experience s can also be enjoyable, if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.Optimal experience is thus something that we make happen. For a child, it could be placing with trembling fingers the last blockon a tower she has built, higher than any she has built so far; for a swimmer, it could be trying to beat his own record; for a violinist, mastering an intricate musical passage. For each person there are thousands of opportunities, challenges to expand ourselves.”Establish a routine once you know your peak timesStarting and maintaining a positive daily routine is an investment and a way to do your best work everyday.It also gives you structure, building forward-moving habits, and creating momentum for the rest of the day.It helps you establish priorities, limit procrastination, keep track of your goals and do your best work when you are most active.Once you establish a routine, it ceases to be a struggle to get in productivity mode everyday because the habit becomes part of you.Many people pay little attention to the natural rhythms of their body. But once you know what times in the morning you can work better, use it your advantage and your body can deliver at its peak.Working in 90-minute bursts allows you to correlate your maximum energy levels with your most important task, which then gives your productivity a major boost.It’s only when you come to appreciate and accept the ebbs and flows of your body that you can really start to deliver maximum results.A focused work rule is important for peak performance.Dig deeperMy new course, Thinking in Models is open for enrollment. It’s designed to help you to think clearly, solve problems at multiple levels of depth, and make complex decisions with confidence. Join the community of people on a mission to think clearly, work better, solve problems at multiple levels of depths, and make complex decisions with confidence! Click here for details.You can also subscribe to Postanly Weekly (my free weekly digest of the best posts about behaviour change that affect health, wealth, and productivity). Subscribe and get a free copy of my new book, †œThe Power of One Percent Better: Small Gains, Maximum Results”. Join over 45,000 people on a mission to build a better life.Oppong is the founder  @Alltopstartups. Curator at postanly.com, Columnist at Inc. Magazine. Featured at Business Insider, Quartz, CNBC, Entrepreneur, HuffPost, etc.This post originally appeared on  Medium  and is reprinted with permission.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 Sprints The secret technique to getting more done in less time Work overload is a distraction. Many people struggle to find the willpower and energy to focus on what’s really important.Starting today, reclaim your ability to focus, be mindful of what you are doing, and you will create meaningful accomplishments every week.The more focused you are, the higher the quality of work you’ll do, and the more you’ll get done.Don’t forget the human element of work.Your energy reservoir diminishes as the day wears on, which is why it’s so difficult to get to the hardest work late in the day.We’re designed to pulse between spending and renewing energy. If you know your peak times, you can do a lot more focused and deep work every day.I get more important work done during the first 90 minutes of the morning than in the rest of the hours of the day put together. I make the most of sprints in the morning.Looking for an inspiring way to start your day? Sign up for  Morning Motivation!It’s our friendly Facebook robot that will send you a quick not e every weekday morning to help you start strong. Sign up here by clicking Get Started!Working in sprints with regular breaks leads to maximum productivity.After every sprint comes the rest.Use the 90 minutes cycle to your advantageThe human body operates on cycles called “ultradian rhythms.” According to research, during each of these cycles, there is a peak when we are most energized and a period when we are exhausted. You are most active in the morning.Your brain can only focus for 90 to 120 minutes at a time. Afterwards, a 20â€"30 minute break is required for you to get the renewal to achieve high performance for your next task again, according to research.During a productive sprint, you focus only on one task at a time and avoid distractions. Each sprint has a specific goal, and the end of the sprint signals a break to relax and set up for the next sprint.In a post on Zapier, Stephen Altrogge says:“With the 90-minute focus technique, you take full advantage of the energy peaks and troughs that occur throughout your day: Work 90 minutes and then rest for 20â€"30 minutes. Working in 90-minute bursts allows you to correlate your maximum energy levels with your task list, which then gives your productivity a major boost. You’re working with your body instead of against it.Tony Schwartz, wrote his book, “The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working: The Four Forgotten Needs That Energize Great Performance” in under six months by carving his workday into a trio of 90-minute chunks.He wrote no more than four and a half hours a day, and finished the book in less than 6 months. Schwartz explains the 90 minutes cycle:More than 50 years ago, the pioneering sleep researcher Nathan Kleitman discovered something he named the “basic rest-activity cycle” - the 90 minute periods at night during which we move progressively through five stages of sleep, from light to deep, and then out again. Although it’s much less well known, Kleitman also observed that our bodies operate by the same 90 minute rhythm during the day. When we’re awake, the movement is from higher to lower alertness. Other researchers have called this our “ultradian rhythm.”In his book, Schwartz writes:“While working on The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci regularly took off from painting for several hours at a time and seemed to be daydreaming aimlessly. Urged by his patron, the prior of Santa Maria delle Grazie, to work more continuously, da Vinci is reported to have replied, immodestly but accurately,‘The greatest geniuses accomplish more when they work less.”In his renowned 1993 study of young violinists, performance researcher Anders Ericsson found that the best ones all practiced the same way: They practiced in the morning They practiced for three sessions Each sessions was 90 minutes or less There was a break between each session That same pattern is found in other top performers, Schwartz reports: focus then rest, focus then rest.Harness “flow”When you push the limits of your ability and give yourself a goal, you’re apt to enter into what positive psychologists call flow.In positive psychology, flow, also known as the zone, is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a psychologist who has studied the relationship between attention and work, has written extensively about Flow. Mihaly enourages us to muster enough energy to do what we know we should do. “We create ourselves by how we use this energy”, he says.In “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience”, he writes:“Contrary to what we usually believe, moments like these, the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times - although such experience s can also be enjoyable, if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.Optimal experience is thus something that we make happen. For a child, it could be placing with trembling fingers the last blockon a tower she has built, higher than any she has built so far; for a swimmer, it could be trying to beat his own record; for a violinist, mastering an intricate musical passage. For each person there are thousands of opportunities, challenges to expand ourselves.”Establish a routine once you know your peak timesStarting and maintaining a positive daily routine is an investment and a way to do your best work everyday.It also gives you structure, building forward-moving habits, and creating momentum for the rest of the day.It helps you establish priorities, limit procrastination, keep track of your goals and do your best work when you are most active.Once you establish a routine, it ceases to be a struggle to get in productivity mode everyday because the habit becomes part of you.Many people pay little attention to the natural rhythms of their body. But once you know what times in the morning you can work better, use it your advantage and your body can deliver at its peak.Working in 90-minute bursts allows you to correlate your maximum energy levels with your most important task, which then gives your productivity a major boost.It’s only when you come to appreciate and accept the ebbs and flows of your body that you can really start to deliver maximum results.A focused work rule is important for peak performance.Dig deeperMy new course, Thinking in Models is open for enrollment. It’s designed to help you to think clearly, solve problems at multiple levels of depth, and make complex decisions with confidence. Join the community of people on a mission to think clearly, work better, solve problems at multiple levels of depths, and make complex decisions with confidence! Click here for details.You can also subscribe to Postanly Weekly (my free weekly digest of the best posts about behaviour change that affect health, wealth, and productivity). Subscribe and get a free copy of my new book, †œThe Power of One Percent Better: Small Gains, Maximum Results”. Join over 45,000 people on a mission to build a better life.Oppong is the founder  @Alltopstartups. Curator at postanly.com, Columnist at Inc. Magazine. Featured at Business Insider, Quartz, CNBC, Entrepreneur, HuffPost, etc.This post originally appeared on  Medium  and is reprinted with permission.