Strategies to Get Organized Find Your Dream Job

Strategies to Get Organized Find Your Dream JobStrategies to Get Organized - Find Your Dream JobWhen youre trying to find a new job, keeping track of all your promising openings, applications, interviews, and networking events can be overwhelming. However, there are easy steps you can take to organize and stay on top of your job search. Strategies for Staying Organized 1. Create a Spreadsheet Creating a spreadsheet is a helpful way to contain and keep track of a variety of information related to your job search. In your spreadsheet, include key columns such as Company nameThe name of the organization to which you are applyingContact nameThe name of the contact at the company (typically, the person to whom you will submit your job application)Contact informationThe email address and/or phone number of the contactDate of applicationThe date when you submitted your applicationApplication summaryThe items you submitted in your application, such as a resume, cover letter, recommenda tions, and/or portfolioInterviewThe date of your interviewFollow-upWhether or not you sent a thank you note after the interview and when StatusWhether or not your application was rejected, you received a second interview, or you were offered the job If youd like, add other columns such as the application deadline, the names of any personal connections at the company, and any other important company information. You can create your spreadsheet by using Excel or Google Sheets, creating a chart in a Word document, or using a spreadsheet app on your phone. Or, use pencil and paper to create a hand-written spreadsheet as well. 2. Use a Job Search Management Site A number of sites offer tools for managing your job search. If you decide to use one of these sites, look for one that is free or reasonably priced. For example, JibberJobber is a free site that helps you track what jobs you have applied for and the status of each application. You can also keep track of networking contacts to rem ember how they have helped you. Sites like JibberJobber allow you to bring all your job search activities onto one portal, minimizing the time you spend going back and forth between websites. Similarly, if you a have a job search website that you tend to use a lot, see if it has a job search management tool. Many sites, including LinkedIn, Monster, and CareerBuilder, help keep track of the applications to which you apply on their sites. If you use a number of different job sites equally, you will have to keep track of your information on each separate site, which might end up being more of a hassle than its worth. 3. Use Your Phone If you use your smartphone more than a computer, you might consider using a job search management app. Apps such as Job Search Organizer and HiJob will help organize various aspects of your search process. Many of these apps are free. You can also keep track of your job applications using your notes or a spreadsheet app. Use your calendar, alerts, and ala rms to keep track of deadlines, interviews, and other important dates. Tips for Staying Organized No matter what strategy you choose for keeping track of your job search, stay organized throughout the job process. First of all, simplify your job search. Apply only to jobs you are interested in and are qualified for. This will limit the number of applications you have to track and enable you to focus on job openings that really matter. The point of organizing your job search is to help reduce stress during the job search process. Therefore, dont let the process of organization stress you out. If you download too many organizational apps or use too many job search management sites, you can wind up with even more work to do. Identify your key needs- such as finding new job possibilities and managing your applications- and find a tool or strategy that helps you with those most important needs.

Best Job Hunt Advice for the Online Job Search

Best Job Hunt Advice for the Online Job Search Best Job Hunt Advice for the Online Job Search Finding a job in todays job market can be difficult. Job hunt strategies are rapidly changing as companies rely more and more on automated recruitment tools. If youre sending out the same resume to every company, youre already doing yourself a disservice. Instead, you should be tailoring your resume to every job you want. Here, well talk about resume tailoring and other tips to help you get a job once and for all.1. Focus on a particular field or fields.If youre really concentrating on finding a job, you should limit your search to only a few fields. First, you want to consider the specific industry in which you want to work. If youve worked in a lot of sectors, be honest with yourself about the industry to which you could best market your skills or where your greatest passion lies. Then, you want to only tailor your job hunting to that field in particular. Rather than sending out 10 applica tions a day willy-nilly, this strategy will help you become a logical candidate to a hiring manager.2. Only apply to jobs for which youre qualified.With the advent of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), companies can weed out resumes that dont match their requirements. So, it doesnt make much sense to apply for jobs for which you dont meet the basic qualifications. For example, if a position calls for a number of skills you dont have, the ATS is likely to find candidates whose skills and experience better fit the job description. Instead, be realistic in your job search and honest with yourself about the roles you truly have a shot to fill. Otherwise, youre just wasting your time.3. Choose the best online job hunt tools.There are lots of ways to find a job online. Your job hunt can be simplified by only relying on the best job boards available. Some of the best places to efficiently search for jobs in your field include job aggregators like Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com. Or, if youre looking for a non-profit job, Idealist.org is likely your best bet, and USAJobs is a good place to browse through lists of open jobs with the federal government. But perhaps the best job boards are in specific industries and career fields these boards often have the most up-to-date opportunities in your field.4. Expand your career search.There are plenty of useful ways to search for jobs and network outside of online job boards. For example, you can join up to 50 relevant groups on LinkedIn based on skill or industry. To help with your job hunt, you could join specific LinkedIn groups for job binnenseekers or groups organized by profession. Recruiters will also often join these groups and, if your LinkedIn profile is compelling too, they might connect with you. Whats more, you could also find people outside of your typical network on LinkedIn.5. Tailor your resume to each position.Finding a job ultimately means demonstrating that youre the best fit for that position. Your goal is to make it easy for hiring managers to see you in your new position. Our best advice about how to find a job is tailoring your resume to demonstrate how you match the qualifications and skills they desire in their ideal candidate. To do this, you want to tailor each and every resume you send out to the specifications of the job description. Jobscan can help tailor your resume more quickly by scanning the words from the job application so you can efficiently include them in your resume.

Social Innovations Recognized at 2016 ISHOWUSA

Social Innovations Recognized at 2016 ISHOWUSA Social Innovations Recognized at 2016 ISHOWUSA July 8, 2016 At the 2016 ISHOWUSA (Back row, left to right) Jessica Menold of Amparo Keri Waters from Calliope Water Works Kenneth W. Turner, program officer at the Lemelson Foundation Michael Hahn from Paygo Energy and Paige Rodgers, head of communications and partnerships at the Autodesk Foundation. (Front row, left to right) Paul Scott, director, Engineering for weltumspannend Development, ASME Fausto Marcigot of Paygo Energy ASME Past President Madiha El Mehelmy Kotb and Nick Quintong of Paygo Energy. The creators of three products focused on social impact - a pay-as-you-go system for purchasing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a system for monitoring household water usage, and a bioengineered prosthetic socket - were selected as the winners of the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) in Washington, D.C. The event, which welches held June 16 at District Architecture Center, was the last in a series of three ISHOWs the Society presented over the past two months. Ten teams of socially conscious entrepreneurs took part in the competition, which offers creators of hardware-led social innovations for improving the quality of life with the opportunity to present their prototypes and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. The three winning teams at the ISHOWUSA shared $50,000 in prizes and received an extensive plan and engineering review of their products by a team of industry experts. (Left to right) Kenneth W. Turner of the Lemelson Foundation with ISHOWUSA winners Fausto Marcigot, co-founder, Paygo Energy Nick Quintong, CEO, Paygo Energy Michael Hahn, CTO, Paygo Energy and Paul Scott, director, ASME Engineering for Global Development. One of the three winning entries, the PayGo Smart Meter, is a system that enables households to purchase small quantities of gas for cooking using mobile money. The team believes the meter will provide significant health benefits since i t will help people with limited resources avoid kerosene and charcoal, which are significant sources of indoor pollution. PayGo was represented at ISHOW-USA by co-founder Fausto Marcigot, Nick Quintong, chief executive officer, and Michael Hahn, chief technical officer. The second winning entry, Buoy, was developed by Calliope Water Works Inc., which is based in Santa Cruz, Calif. The system, which monitors household water usage and detects water leaks, employs sophisticated algorithms to monitor water use by specific household systems without relying on remote sensors. Keri Waters, chief executive officer and co-founder of Calliope Water Works, represented the company at the competition. (Left to right) Paul Scott from ASME Engineering for Global Development with ISHOWUSA winner Keri Waters, chief engineer at Calliope Water Works, and Paige Rodgers of the Autodesk Foundation. Amparo, the third winning product at ISHOW-USA, is a bioengineered prosthetic socket that can be fitted in two hours. The inexpensive socket, which was named after the Portuguese word for support, is constructed of an easily molded material that allows the socket to be reshaped when necessary. Amparo was represented at the competition by engineer and designer Jessica Menold, who is working toward a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Menold said her team would use its share of the cash prize to begin rigorous testing and validation of the socket, which she expects will begin clinical trials in Brazil within the next three months. As pleased as she was for the additional funding, Menold was also looking forward to the expert guidance she would receive as one of the ISHOW winners. (Left to right) ASME Past President Madiha El Mehelmy Kotb with ISHOWUSA winner Jessica Menold, engineer and designer, Amparo, and Paul Scott from ASME Engineering for Global Development. For us, winning the ISHOW means that we are able to work with a whole variety of experts from ASME in terms of manufacturin g and production to really get our product in a place that its ready to be mass manufactured, Menold said. So the money is great, but were really looking forward to the 20 hours of design time we get with Catapult and to all of the expert feedback we get in the design and engineering review sessions. Im sure theyre going to rip us apart and theyre super critical, but were really looking forward to it. I think just getting the opportunity to work with experts in these fields is going to be so useful and invaluable for Amparo moving forward.Calliope Water Works Keri Waters was also grateful for the assistance ASME and the ISHOW would provide in her efforts to bring Buoy to market. This is huge validation from a really serious engineering group, which is just a huge honor on its own, Waters said. Its coming at a really timely point because were going from having a prototype to having to manufacture hundreds of units. And were really struggling with how difficult that is. So the design and engineering support - figuring out how to cost reduce our enclosure and deal with some very tactical concerns as we go to market - is really a big help.For information on the other ISHOWUSA finalists, or to learn more about the ISHOW program, visit https//thisishardware.org.

3 Tips to Help You Re-Enter the Workforce After an Extended Leave of Absence

3 Tips to Help You Re-Enter the Workforce After an Extended Leave of Absence 3 Tips to Help You Re-Enter the Workforce After an Extended Leave of Absence Anyone who has taken an extended period of time off from work for any reason understands just how terrifying it is to jump back into theprofessional world. Taking time away from your role also means taking a break from developing your skills. As a result, it can be easy to lose confidence in yourself.Given that54 percent of employees surveyed by Pew Research Centersaid training and skills developmentwere essential throughout their work lives, its no wonder we put so much pressure on ourselves when returning to work after an extended absence.The good news is youre not doomed to an unsuccessful career. Here are a few tips to help you rise up and return to the workforce successfully1. Rediscover Your PassionsWhether youve taken time off for three months or three years, your passions have likely changed. This could necessitate a drast ic career change, or just a new focus in the same field. Before making a choice either way, you should reflect on who you were, who you are now, and who you want to become. Start by asking yourself ansicht questions- What activities did I enjoy doing?- What did I miss about my job while away?- Did I feel relieved about not going to work? If so, why?- Did I read anything that sparked my interest?Use the answers to these questions to evaluate your passions anddetermine whether a major career change is in order. Search for jobs with descriptions andorganizations with missions that align with your values and inspirations.Let what you missed about your job - and what you dreadedabout it - guide your job search. These factors will help narrow down your options and give you a bit of confidence in moving forward.2. Regain Your ConfidenceThe job search is hard enough under normal circumstances trying to rejoin the workforce after a long time away makes it all the more daunting. This is espe cially true when youre competing against new grads and job seekers with advanced experience.It doesnt help that we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. In the Pew survey cited earlier, 72 percent of respondents said a lot of responsibility falls on individuals to make sure they have the right skills and education to be successful in todays economy.Remember You were hired once before because ofthe skills and qualifications you have, and you will be hired again. Dont lose sight of your previous achievements. Think back to each time you hit a goal, accomplished a difficult project, or were acknowledged for your hard work.Because insecurity feeds off stress, its important to talk about youraccomplishments out loud.Sit down with a friend or former coworker to chat it out. Have your peer shut down any insecurities along the way. Most importantly, let them help you shift your focusto your qualifications and positive attributes.3. Dive Back InThe next job offer you consider accepting will fe el like a big step. After being out of the game for a while, its natural tobelieve everything needs to be perfect when you make your next move. Sometimes, though, you have to just dive into the water.You can only rediscover so much of yourself outside of the workforce. Getting back into a job - even if its not your long-term career choice - will help build your confidence. It may even lead to some new skills as well.Once your feet are wet, revisit your list of passions. Note what you like about this new job, what you dread doing, and any new passions youve discovered. This will help you decide if youre on the right track, or if this job is just a stop along the way to rediscovering yourself.Val Matta is the vice president of business development atCareerShift.Connect with Val and CareerShift onLinkedIn.

The Good, the Bad and Best Resume Skills

The Good, the Bad and Best Resume Skills The Upside to Best Resume Skills The message quit smoking. Perhaps your skill set is totally different. If you continue seeing a skill or tool mentioned you dont know a lot about, start looking for free or low-cost on-line courses on the topic to bolster your skill collection. There are a few skills that will be totally necessary for any successful candidate. You saw above how to select the most suitable collection of hard abilities vs soft skills. Below youll find the top skills necessary to fulfill an administrative position. Try to remember, the majority of the special skills that you distribution policy on your resume ought to be job-related skills taken from the work description and your best transferable skills. Not bow hunting abilities or nunchuck abilities. Utilizing the most suitable keywords and phrases in your resume is vital to getting your resume read. On-line classes are plentiful and frequently short. Also, read advic e and suggestions for the work interview. Ruthless Best Resume Skills Strategies Exploited As you proceed through the list of skills above, make a distinct list with the skills which you already possess. Dependent on the recommendation of our expert sources, here are a number of broad kinds of skills your resume could include, together with unique methods to express them. Your skills are an overview of what you could do for the prospective employer if you were offered the work at this time. In addition to the practical demand for developers in just about any company, programming skills demonstrate advanced problem solving skills that may lead to a well-rounded professional. If youre interested in submitting an application for a particular job, review the post carefully and observe the list of skill requirements. Read through it a couple of occasions and youll probably spot three or four vital skills mentioned repeatedly throughout the document. The resume summary is simply a bridge to have the hiring manager in your experience. Listed here are six of the most crucial, listed in the bestellung of importance dependent on the outcomes of the survey. Key Pieces of Best Resume Skills Actually, there are particular jobs in which its important to set a skill section at or close to the top of the resume. Thus when writing down your job skills take some time to strategize and find out the very best approach to organize them in your resume. Just make certain to double-check whether adding social media to your particular resume is right for the job The trick to attracting a possible employer to read your resume is to incorporate a mix of both hard and soft abilities both in the section specializing in skills and throughout the remainder of the resume. A great deal of positions arent posted on the standard websites and require a bit more investigating. Until now, plenty of them still use a career objective that seems like a wish list of what it is that they want. To begin with, if youre seeing a great deal of hard skills that you just dont have, it could be better to move on to the next position. Rather than thinking whats going to cause you to get valuable for them think about what would turn you into a must-have for them Irrespective of where you include your skills section on your resume, you can be certain that the hiring manager is likely to find it and definitely likely to ask about doing it. Speak to professionals in the area If youre having a tough time determining what skills an employer might need to see, think about contacting a professional already working in the geschftliches miteinander or position very similar to the one which youre applying for. It is a lot easier for a hiring manager to discover that value in a brief paragraph than attempting to piece it together from a lengthy history of expert experience and education. A hiring manager will be searching for skills which are the absolute most relevant to the job available.

What is it like to work at Amazon Go Beyond the Badge with Jerusha

What is it like to work at Amazon Go Beyond the Badge with Jerusha Amazons flexible environment makes it a good place for women to work. Where could an Amazon badge take you? One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the brde time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labo r Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot mora to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives lumineszenzdiode to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. Th e industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction i n a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Careers in the Video Gaming Industry

Careers in the Video Gaming IndustryCareers in the Video Gaming IndustryThe video gaming industry has caught on among both teenagers and adults alike and has created numerous jobs for people who find themselves fascinated by the process. Talk about following your passion If you find yourself spending hours on end playing your favorite video games, a career in the video game industry might just be theright career for you. Video and computer games have become one of the largest segments of the entertainment industry. As can be imagined, careers in video gaming are on the rise and arealso very competitive due to the thousands of people who would like to land a job in anindustry doing what they love. To get started there are also many internships available in the field of video gaming such as those at Sony and TimeGate Studios. Types of Jobs in Video Gaming Game DevelopersGame DesignersProgrammersTesters Job Descriptions Game developers are just what they sound like, individuals who make video games. The talents of many people go into creating a game. These include but are not limited to software developers, game designers, programmers, and testers. Programmers A programming team is usually involved in creating a computer program through the planning and coding of the software. Within the programming team, there may be individuals included with the following titles graphics engine programming, artificial intelligence programmers, and tool programmers. Programmers are responsible for translating ideas using numeric equations. The video game industry is highly competitive. Programmers with 3-D skills and artificial intelligence expertise are in the highest demand in the industry. Programmer Knowledge Skills One of the prerequisites to become a programmer is excellent math and computer skills. Courses in trigonometry, linear algebra, and analytical geometry are all extremely helpful when thinking of becoming a programmer in the video gaming industry. Game programmers must possess skill and experience using C and C languages which are the ones most often used in the industry. Designers In the initial stages of developing a game, the design team creates a document that lays out each and every aspect of the game. The design team is the group that is responsible for writing the game concept, developing the action of the characters, and establishing the elements in which to play the game. Computer animation and graphic design are an integral part of the design team. Also as part of the design team, the artistic team works to create the images, compose the music, and generate the sound. It is the design team that makes the game entertaining for players. The designers can be referred to as the storytellers, but it is the players who are allowed to control the game and decide on the outcome. It is the artists who create the graphics that end up producing images on the screen. The concept artists then draw sketches and storyboards to enhance the artists ideas. Character artists design and create the characters on a whiteboard, while it is the animators who are responsible for making the characters move by creating personalities through their facial and body movement. The artists will then proceed to build the characters using modeling software on the computer. The background artists create the backdrop for the game and begin the process by drafting what they envision out on paper. Artists then build these creatures on the computer using modeling software. Animation creates the personality of the character through facial and body movements. hintergrund artists create the background and draft it out on paper. Game artists need visual imagination. They find their inspiration by observing, studying movies, comics, and fine art. They love to experiment with new ideas. Most have formal training in fine arts or an arts-related field. They may study drawing painting, color theory, sculpture, and graphic design. Moving from the actual artwork, the sound designers are those individuals who compose the music and create the sound thats included in the game. To create the right mood for the game, sound designers must work very closely with the game designers to provide the right music and sounds to enhance the players enjoyment of the game. Designer Knowledge Skills To be a designer you must possess excellent communication skills, have a strong ability to write, and be able to communicate ideas clearly. Sound designers must be musically creative and have some familiarity with all kinds of different music. Sound designers must also understand the basics of computer hardware and software and understand the work of the programmers working on individual projects. A degree in music and a basic understanding of music theory and composition are also very helpful if not a requirement for the job. Testing At the end of the entire process, the game will need to be tested. Testers are the people who pla y the games for a living (yes there are those kinds of jobs). Testers begin by looking for errors in the overall design and are responsible for working out the bugs prior to the game being sent to production.? Testing Knowledge Skills To be a game tester, there are no major requirements. Of course, an interest in playing video games for hours on end with an ability to spot errors that occur in the game is the minimum of qualifications. Writing and communication skills, computer experience, and a college education may be required for some of the more competitive jobs. Benefits Casual working environmentTraditional benefits usually providedThose in the industry usually enjoy the process and the outcome Disadvantages Long, irregular hoursDisappointment for the thousands of video games that never get published

13 embarrassing self-help books that actually worked for us

13 embarrassing self-help books that actually worked for us13 embarrassing self-help books that actually worked for usAs a diehard literary snob who once had to shut a book club down because it got too popular, this doesnt come easily to me I like the occasional self-help book.This is a list of the books that arent showcased on my bookshelf. I havent read them in coffee shops. If youre like me, you would probably rip the covers off them, download them to your Kindle, buy them on Audible long before devouring.Theres a good reason for that most self-help books are as awful as their horrendously designed covers imply. But in the saturated world of self-improvement, self-confidence, all the selfs, there are plenty of self-help books that will change the way you think, see, do, and act. These are a few of our favorites - and of course, if youve got any recommendations hit us up.1. YOU ARE A BADASS By Jen SinceroLets just abflug with the most obvious option, the self-help book du jour You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. When our CEO, Lauren and I were flying to a work event, and I needed sohonigweinhing to read at the airport, she put it this way, It looks like it would be terrible, but actually, I think youll really like it. And I did, I really did.Essentially, its a modern take (read full of snarky commentary and swear words) on the whole if you believe it, it will happen juju thing. Bonus Sincero includes a list of all her favorite self-help books in the back, which are definitely worth looking into.2. FEELING GOOD THE NEW MOOD THERAPY By David D. BurnsMy therapist specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and often hands me Xeroxed copies of pages or exercises to work on between sessions. Because Im a bit of an overachiever, I sometimes look the books up on Amazon and buy them outright. Feeling Good is one of those books. That glaring yellow cover makes you think youre about to open something absurd, but actually, its written by one of the forefathers of CB T.For those of you that arent familiar, heres my (very) unprofessional explanation the idea is that you see the world through a lens of your own making and, by adjusting that lens, you can improve how you feel. Basically, you cant control what other people do, but you can control how you react to it. Its interesting and also effective - hence why many therapists out there specialize in CBT.3. LOVING WHAT IS By Byron KatieI read this book years ago but just recently revisited it. When I checked into a hip hotel in Berlin earlier this summer, every room had a complimentary copy. And when on that same trip my boyfriend and I broke up, skimming it again brought some much-needed relief. Katies method involves journaling your negative thoughts or beliefs - anything from my ex is awful for breaking up with me in Berlin (ahem) to my father was a horrible parent to As a black woman, I hate white people because theyre scary (two-thirds of the book is comprised of real examples) - and then asking yourself four questions to challenge those beliefs or assumptions.Some people argue this is Katies method is just an informal version of CBT, which I get having read Feeling Good as well.4. THE CREATIVE HABIT By Twyla TharpArguably, this isnt an embarrassing self-help book at all. Twyla Tharp is a famous choreographer and a total badass whose book is perfectly acceptable on your coffee table. The Creative Habit is smart, beautifully designed, and unique. So just read it. (Im obsessed with this thing she does with collecting inspiration like magazine pages and cassette tapes in physical boxes to revisit them later.)5. THE SEAT OF THE SOUL By Gary ZukovConfession I have not read this yet. Its on this list because the friend I stayed within Berlin after my breakup (We know, we know.) told me that reading The Seat of the soulmusik convinced her to end a three-year relationship with her boyfriend who wouldnt commit and move to Germany on her own without a real plan. Shes happy, t hriving, and one of the most stable women I know, so yeah, Im reading this next.6. WABI SABI FOR ARTISTS, DESIGNERS, POETS PHILOSOPHERS By Leonard KorenAs noted in the books title, this is a read thats resolutely directed at creatives. That said, its a breath of fresh air for anyone whos interested in design thinking (i.e. focusing on how to solve problems by redesigning the processes), which should be pretty much anyone. I cant remember now which company makes this required reading for all its new employees (Twitter? Instagram? Zappos?), but thats the context in which I first heard about it. It makes sense given that Koren explains the philosophy like this Pare down to the essence, but dont remove the poetry. Keep things clean and unencumbered, but dont sterilize.7. THE ARTIST WAY By Julia CameronStuck in a creative rut? This book is renowned for a reason. Julia Cameron is/was a writer, director, playwright, etc. who (after she quit drinking) started teaching other people how to conquer creative blocks, which ultimately turned into a book. Most people have a love-hate relationship with The Artists Way - indeed, if you Google it, youll find countless articles about why it drives people crazy - but its also brilliant in its simplicity and focuses on action.According to the New Yorker, its a book that can be classified as self-help but is mora like common sense a program designed to help readers reject the devils of self-doubt on their shoulders and pursue creative activity not as a profession but as a form of therapy. The action parte involves writing morning pages AKA free-form journaling every day. Theres also the artists date which involves taking yourself to one cultural place per week. Straightforward, right?8. INTUITIVE EATINGBy Evelyn Tribole and Elise ReschThis is a book I often re-read when Im feeling self-conscious about my body or how Ive been treating it. And honestly, even if shes a diehard feminist committed to body acceptance, what woman doe snt have those days? Were imperfect. Intuitive eating is about tuning into your own hunger and needs and finally letting go of the diet mindsets most of us have. Its interesting, though. Once you grasp the concept, you start thinking about how you can focus on mindfulness and making intuitive decisions in other aspects of your life including relationships and work. Hence why it made this list.9. HOLD ME TIGHT SEVEN CONVERSATIONS FOR A LIFETIME OF LOVE By Dr. Sue JohnsonI came to this book after Googling relationship fight loops because my ex-boyfriend and I always seemed to be in them. The search returned a hit for an article in The Cut that seemed to be about us (but was actually about the writer and her husband).There are several interesting concepts in Dr. Johnsons approach, which shes termed emotionally-focused couples therapy. One of them is that in a society that primes us to believe we shouldnt need anyone as adults, its precisely that lack of vulnerability thats destroying o ur relationships. Theres also this thing called demon dialogues - including fight loops - which are the patterns we fall into when were fighting with someone we love. Johnson argues that if we can recognize them as theyre happening, a miraculous thing happens the behavior becomes the enemy, not your partner. Did it save my relationship? No, but now I realize nothing could have. That said, those loops we had became much more infrequent.10. 10% HAPPIER By Dan HarrisI came late to the Dan Harris craze by way of this documentary called Minimalism, which frankly, I thought was awful. Still, I liked some of the premise, and when the cameras panned to Harris, I perked right up. A self-medicating spiral, a panic attack on national news- this is one of those personal narratives that screams If hes figured this out, maybe I can, too. Thats about when Harris found meditation. This book takes the heaviness out of meditating, which makes it feel much more accessible than I ever considered it c ould be.11. ZEN MIND, BEGINNERS MIND By Shunru SuzukiWhen I left my first full-time job at a music ticketing startup, one of the most zen (couldnt help myself) people Ive ever met handed me a copy of this. Hed somehow sensed how stressed out I was at work - hence why Id applied to and found a new job - and he recommended giving this a try. I was like Yeah, okay, Joe, thanks a lot. But I did read it, and he was right, it helps. Thus, it became my first ever experience with an embarrassing self-help book that actually works.12. YOULL SEE IT WHEN YOU BELIEVE IT By Wayne DyerThis is our editorial assistant, Jacquelines dads favorite self-help book. And if you met Jacqueline or heard stories about her dad and the kinds of zen AF things he texts her every day (this mornings was Im honored to be your dad and to be loved by you), youd want to read it, too.13. YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE By Louise HayThis is another one of those change your life via positive thinking self-help books, which can definitely start to feel clich. Except heres the thing it was one of the very first. Shes also the originator of all these affirmations such as life loves you and only good can come to me. So heres what Id say read as much of it as you can before the metaphysical bits start to drive you nuts, take the parts you like, leave the ones you dont. But coming from someone who hated the idea of affirmations youll be shocked to realize how much they actually work.Thisarticlefirst appeared onCareer Contessa.

Ten Highly Requested Soft Skills

Ten Highly Requested Soft Skills Ten Highly Requested Soft Skills Soft skills are an important part of your professional toolbox. They are essential to virtually every job, and not all of them can be acquired through education or on-the-job training.Soft skills make up all the intangible qualities of a person that make them an ideal match for the job, company culture, etc.For many employers, an applicants soft skills will make or break their chances at getting the job. Hiring managers sometimes enter soft skill keywords in to applicant tracker software just as they would education and hard skills required for the position.Learn moreHard skills vs. soft skillsThis makes adding, or at least finding a way to show your soft skills on your resume, critical in a modern resume.There are two ways to add soft skills to your resume. You can state them obviously in a list through a special skills and qualifications area of your resume, or insert them into your work history as part of your accom plishments and responsibilities.After all, many employers believe soft skills have to be demonstrated rather than simply listed.For example, a career call center manager might list accountability as a soft skill by injecting it into a bullet point on their last job. Creating bullet points as part of a soft skills resume section or throughout your work experience can workAccountability Created a new call center grading matrix that resulted in decreased turnover and a 25% increase in efficiency.Created a multi-team competition to improve accountability for call metrics in an effort to increase efficiency throughout the department.Not all soft skills can be added directly to a resume. Emotional intelligence is one such example. It isnt a phrase you would use to describe a job function. The positiv side of this is it wouldnt be searched for by the hiring manager using applicant tracking software.Instead, soft skills like these are more often revealed through the interview process.Now th at you know how to inject these keywords into your resume, we will focus on which soft skills employers are looking for the fruchtwein.Here are 10 soft skills that are in high demand among employers.FlexibilityFlexibility is a big one for almost every employer. Employees that arent flexible in their schedule, job duties, and/or the challenges they face in their jobs are harder to work with from the employers perspective.Flexibility can be demonstrated in your resume in a number of ways. For exampleFlexibility Managed representatives across multiple shifts to aid in the transition to new metrics standards.Work EthicWork ethic, like flexibility, encompasses several habits that are especially desirable to an employer. Your willingness to take ownership of shortcomings, make good on company mistakes (regardless of fault), and to correct errors (even when they are to your advantage).Demonstrating work ethic is likely to happen during the interview process through questions about failures or challenges, but this skill can be touched on in your resume. For exampleLead a multi-team training program emphasizing the importance of ownership, accountability, and strong work ethics.Work Ethic Maintained perfect attendance during my five-year term of employment with the company.harte nuss SolvingProblem solving is an exceedingly difficult skill to teach someone. It comes naturally to some people, while others struggle with it throughout their careers.A good problem solver is very valuable as it shows the employee has the promise of taking on additional roles and adapting to challenging situations.Here is an example of problem solving as they might appear in a resumeProblem Solving Created a new process for handling customer complaints resulting in an 80% increase in customer satisfaction.TeamworkHow well you work as an individual is important, but how well you work with a team will determine your long-term success with a company.Demonstrating teamwork is an important part o f your resume, and it can be done very easily. Here is an exampleLed a quarterly team-building workshop designed to improve teamwork and morale.Time ManagementTime management means a lot to an employer. Good time management skills means you can get more done in less time, or that the time you have is spent as efficiently as possible.This can be demonstrated in several ways. Heres an exampleTime Management Consistently exceeded company efficiency goals.CommunicationCommunication skills are key, especially in positions that require you to coordinate between multiple departments or individuals. Customer service is one area in particular where communication skills make or break and employee.Here are two ways to demonstrate communication skills in your resumeCommunication Rated highest in the department in customer service resulting from after-call surveys.Established and maintained a line of communication between departments resulting in the successful completion of several key projects .AdaptabilityMany companies are big on cross-training and encouraging multitasking among their employees. If you are slow in your department, but have the skills to help out another, this makes you a bigger asset to the business.Adaptability reflects your ability to work in a rapidly-evolving environment. Here is an example of adaptability in a resumeAdaptability Volunteered to be cross-trained in multiple departments to provide additional assistance as needed.Technical SkillsBasic technical understanding is a given for most jobs today, but not adding this information to your resume does you a disservice when hiring managers turn to software to filter applicants.If your job requires a specific set of technical skills, list them. If you are technically savvy, find a way to work it into your resume, as well.Beta tested multiple content management systems to determine viability for the department.Created a spreadsheet that calculates payment plan installments and automatically generate s notes for the representative.ResearchAkin to problem solving, the ability for an employee to study a problem and assess a situation is an important quality for many jobs.Improved call center efficiency by 20% by researching statistical data and identifying inefficiencies.Work Under PressureHow are you in high-pressure situations? Do you have a story about a time when you had to pull out all the stops during a busy time at the office? Hold on to it, you will probably need that story during the interview.Before the interview, however, you will want to at least hint that you work well under pressure.Maintained top quality standards during peak months.Your soft skills are an important part of your professional qualifications. Dont be afraid to add them to your resume, they just might help you land your dream job.Does your resume list enough soft skills? Double check by scanning it here