Im Laid Off

Im Laid Off Editors Note: Kristi Musgrave is a colleague and friend of mine, as well as today’s Guest Blogger. She has oodles of management experience as well as interesting stories to share. Enjoy! ++++ “I’m laid off?” I couldn’t believe it. I had worked for a large biopharmaceutical manufacturer for six years. I loved my job. I worked up from a temporary employee in the Microbiology Lab to the Laboratory Supervisor, and ultimately the Quality Operations Manager. During that time the plant had developed into a very successful manufacturing operation. But now we were closing. I understood the financial reasons behind the decision but it was a shock. Now I had a decision to make, do I stay with the company and transfer to one of the other facilities or do I end up laid off? I was laid off and it was one of the best things that could have happened to me. Being laid off was the beginning of completely different part of my life. It gave me an opportunity to re-evaluate my life and career goals. As a result, my husband I simplified parts of our lives and learned to live with less, I added a new job title “Mom”, and I changed careers. Just like most major events in our lives this was a learning experience for me. I learned about different resources I never knew about, programs for free training, extended unemployment benefits, and free career counseling.I even learned that I could happily live without some of the extras I had become use to. So, what did I specifically do to make this a successful transition? Here are a few things to consider doing after being laid off: Take advantages of all unemployment benefits available â€" In addition to the standard number of weeks of unemployment pay, some states offer extended paid benefits in certain circumstance. There are also state funded programs for free training. Displaced workers who qualify for the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) program can receive a variety of benefits and services, including job training, income support, job search and relocation allowances, a tax credit to help pay the costs of health insurance, and a wage supplement to certain reemployed trade-affected workers 50 years of age and older. That is just one example of the many programs available. Evaluate your career goals â€" This might be something done informally while sitting on the coach at home or more structured with a career counselor. I was able to participate in free career counseling through a local university. Students attempting to complete their master’s degree in counseling are required to complete a number of hours of supervised work prior to finishing their program. I was able to meet with a counselor one on one and discuss my situation. I had access to different career aptitude tests and personality inventories that helped me to better understand what I wanted out of a career and offered career suggestions. Streamline your life â€" Once we found out about the layoff we looked for ways to eliminate all the unnecessary extras that slowly drained money from our budget. We cancelled our satellite service. Since we live in the “country” this meant no television. This is something we talked about doing but just didn’t have the guts to do it. We also eliminated home phone service since we both already had cell phones. We cut grocery bills, drove the more fuel efficient vehicle instead of the newer less efficient one, and opted for home cooked meals instead of carry out. We looked for ways to make ourselves less dependent on two full time incomes. Look for nontraditional opportunities â€" In addition to looking for jobs similar to the one I had, I looked for jobs with alternate work arrangements, flexible schedules, and home based opportunities. I even identified several jobs that I could do where the combined income would be similar to what I made before. Being laid off can be difficult, but it can also be a time for reevaluating what’s important to you and making some changes in your life and career. For me the end result is a job that I enjoy and more time doing the things that I love.

Resume Assistants - Should You Pay For Resume Assistance?

Resume Assistants - Should You Pay For Resume Assistance?If you've done any online search for resume assistance, you will find many sites offering resume writers. The reason they are there is because a lot of people are going to need a resume assistance program.In order to write your own resume, you will need to do the following: gather your skills, write your resume, prepare your application, and then provide it to a professional who can edit and proofread your resume. What happens if you are not able to get a resume editing or proofreading job? You will end up spending several hours looking for someone else to do the work for you, at least this is how it usually goes.These companies will be able to give you the quality resume editing that you need in order to get your job without having to spend all of your free time looking for someone else to do this. This saves you a lot of money and time, which you would be better off.If you have been waiting for someone to offer you resume wri ting, you should start looking into the resources out there. Not all are good but most of them are. That is why you need to be careful when you are searching online.You don't want to settle for a resume writing service just because they offer you a price. While you can get some really cheap services, you could end up wasting a lot of time and money. If you want to be sure that you get what you want, then you should take a little time to read about different companies and the people behind them.Resume writing services should be able to answer all of your questions, especially with regards to the cost of their services. When you can ask a lot of questions, you are sure to find a good one.If you want to really get a good job, you should take the time to look for a good one. Don't worry about the expense, you can always use your computer to help you out.

Working Too Much Over 40 Hours Per Week Lowers Cognition

Working Too Much Over 40 Hours Per Week Lowers Cognition A new study from the University of Melbourne finds that working the standard 40 hours per week could lead to a decline in cognition for people over the age of 40. The study notes that while work can stimulate older workers’ brains, long hours can “cause fatigue and physical and/or psychological stress, which potentially damage cognitive functioning.” For those over 40, working over 25 hours per week could impair intelligence, while working up to that produced the opposite effect. Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duration  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  SharePlayback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedAudio TrackFullscreenThis is a modal window. This video is either unavailable or not supported in this browser Error Code: MEDIA_ERR_SRC_NOT_SUPPORTED Technical details : No compatible source was found for this media. Session ID: 2019-12-31:3442ceea594e90fe7fd352b0 Player Element ID: jumpstart_video_1 OK Close Modal DialogBeginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.PlayMuteCurrent Time  0:00/Duration  0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type  LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time  -0:00  Playback Rate1xFullscreenClose Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, which asks residents about various work-related topics, the study conducted memory, pattern, and reading tests in more than 6,000 workers over the age of 40. Colin McKenzie, a professor of economics at Tokyo’s Keio University and an author of the paper, told the BBC, that 40 is a tipping point because it’s when “most people perform less well at memory tests, pattern recognition and mental agility exercises.” “Work can be a double-edged sword, in that it can stimulate brain activity, but at the same time, long working hours and certain types of tasks can cause fatigue and stress which potentially damage cognition,” he told the BBC. The decline can be attributed to stress and lack of sleep, per McKenzie. But there are other factors. McKenzie hypothesizes that being a caregiver to someone can add additional stress, and creates a job on top of a job.

How To Boost Office Teamwork Through Team Sports - Work It Daily

How To Boost Office Teamwork Through Team Sports - Work It Daily Are you looking to boost office teamwork? Creating cohesive teams in the workplace can be an important part of a company’s overall success. Workers who feel connected to each other will naturally work harder and more joyfully to meet company goals. One activity that can facilitate this connection is playing team sports such as baseball, volleyball, or soccer. Not only employees benefit from this, however. Playing team sports allows managers to get to know employees better and to understand what motivates each of them. To find out what excites each of them and the individual personalities. This knowledge and understanding easily translates from the playing field into the workplace. A boss that knows employees’ motivations, thought patterns, needs, and desires can adjust his or her leading style accordingly. How Team Sports Can Boost Office Teamwork Here are some important tips for coordinating team sports for your company. Setting Times Whenever possible, you should schedule the game during normal working hours. Most employees do not enjoy feeling obligated to attend work-related activities off the clock. Schedule one weekday afternoon each week or month for game time. Friday afternoons may be best, as this is when most people are beginning to feel burned out from the workweek. A game will get everyone’s weekend off to a good start. Gathering Equipment Rent or purchase good quality equipment. This means you should also get the right protective helmets and padding for everyone, and the right-sized equipment. If you have chosen baseball, you will need to choose baseball bat sizes that match the employees. Your 160 pound, tall male executive, will require a different bat size than a 120 pound, shorter female executive. Good equipment prevents injury and ensures every player has a fair chance in the game. Creating Teams Teams may be members of departments, or subgroups within departments. For example, IT professionals could be pitted against the HR department. In shipping, order pickers could be pitted against loaders. Much will depend on the size of your company. For companies with fewer than 40 employees, it may be best to alternate team members. This way, everyone gets to work with each other during the game at some point. Another option is to play team sports with competing companies. Logistically, this is a bit more difficult to work out. It may be more difficult to find times everyone is comfortable with. However, this is an excellent way to instill extra camaraderie among employees. Giving Rewards After the game is over, seal the camaraderie by inviting everyone to a meal or ice cream, regardless of who won the game. Winners can receive other small prizes or trophies relevant to the nature of your company. Article Author: Jennifer Smith Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

The Best And Worst Things To Say During Entry-Level Salary Negotiation

The Best And Worst Things To Say During Entry-Level Salary NegotiationThe Best And Worst Things To Say During Entry-Level Salary NegotiationSalary negotiation is a difficult thing to do at any age. And when youre barely out of college, looking for your first job, asking for more money or benefits can feel ungrateful or downright sleazy.However, most employers are prepared to negotiate when they make their first offerand the worst thing that can happen to you (if youre even a little reasonable) is that theyll say no. So, attempting to negotiate your offer is essentialeven at the entry level.A well-crafted counter-offer can not only get you more money and a better benefits package, but also demonstrate the kind of confidence, self-worth, and intelligence important for later promotions and respect in the workplace.To guide you, weve put together a list of the bedrngnis EVEN ONCEs and the must-says of entry-level salary negotiation.The Worst Things To Say During Entry-Level Salary Negoti ation1. I Need More Money.The ja need is the bad part here. Saying you need more money can signal that youre irresponsible or unrealistic. Can you not handle personal budgeting? Do you have unscrupulous debts or habits? The truth is, none of this stuff is really the employers business, but the only way to tell them that would be to overshare your personal life, which is also a major red flag. It can lead to getting your offer rescinded, or losing the respect of your hiring manager and future team.2. Your Previous Salary Or An Uneducated Guess.Answering the question, How much did you make at your brde job? is never to your benefit. The employer knows how much theyre willing to pay for this role, and thats the only effective factor. You run the risk of low-balling yourself and ending up making more than you last made, but far less than you should be by telling them this info.If youre like most recent college grads or seniors, then you dont actually have a previous salary. However, you probably have had internships. What you definitely shouldnt do is guess how much you wouldve made at your last internship if you were the full-time version of your job. That, too, is rarely to your benefit.You should always wait for the employer to make the first number offer, and then counter. If you cant turn the question around them by asking something like, How much do you think is fair for a qualified, motivated professional to make in this role?, then you should focus instead on using numbers drawn from careful research. Be ready to cite your facts.3. A Bold-Faced LieA common piece of advice you might hear is to tell employers that you have a job offer elsewhere and for more money, even if you dont. While this can be a powerful bargaining chip if yourevery confident in your standing with the company (and its true), it is usually a misstep for someone early in their career to do this. This kind of posturing can cause the hiring manager to extend someone else the job offer, esp ecially if they dont want to meet your demands.It can be okay to tell the employer that youre interviewing elsewhere to apply some pressure. However, is generally a very bad idea to tell your prospective employer a lie. Youll violate their trust anddefinitelyget your offer rescinded if they find out or just suspect that youre lying.The Best Things To Say During Your Entry-Level Salary Negotiation1. A Well Researched CounterofferHands down, the most important part of entry-level salary negotiations (or any negotiation) is doing your research. The number you have in your head should be one sourced from sites like Glassdoor, Fairygodboss, and Payscale. Glassdoor especially does a great job of averaging salaries for harder-to-find titles at specific companies, while also offering general estimates based on job title and location.Coming to the table with numbers like these allows you to speak from an educated, fairly-reliable position.The best part is Whether or not you succeed in gettin g more money, this will demonstrate that youre smart enough to know your worth and have the confidence to take action.2. An Answer That Considers Benefits And PerksWhile salary is the star of the show, benefits and perks are essential supporting cast members. Salary can largely determine how you can afford to live your life outside of work, but perks and benefits affect something equally important How much time you spend working. Benefits include stuff like paid time off, sick days, working from home privileges, and more.If your prospective employer wont budge on salary, an important next step is politely asking them if they would be able to compensate for that with more vacations days, a steady work from home day, or more sick/personal days.The Most Important Thing Always NegotiateIts so important to remember that negotiating, if handled politely and confidently, is NOT rude. Its not being subordinate or showing contempt to ask for more money, vacation days, or other reasonable plu sses.The worst thing that they can do is decline to improve your offer. However, chances are you will receive some sort of boost, whether its in the form of pay, vacation days, work from home days, or something else.No matter what, youll show your prospective employer that you have the tenacity, confidence, and intelligence to advocate for yourself. And thats a set of traits all employers love to see.

The Benefits of Resume Summary Section

The Benefits of Resume Summary Section The Ugly Side of Resume Summary Section Without an objective statement, employers expect that youre applying for exactly the same job as your present job, and that youre looking in the exact same industry. Therefore resume objectives definitely will differ based on the sector in which you are looking for job. You should find out how to earn a quick resume so that you can begin applying for jobs. Its not sufficient to secure you a job. How to Get Started with Resume Summary Section? The one most important role of your resume is selling yourself to a prospective employer. Indeed, in the majority of instances, a resume objective owing to its nature is thought to be a section that brings no valuable info to recruiters. Resume writing can occasionally be a mystery. Resume Summary Section Options The exact first page of your resume is believed to be the most significant. 1 A resume summary is a brief, snappy introduction paragraph that o ffers a summary of your very best work. Youre going to compose a resume summary which gets far more interviews. Now as you know the length of time your summary ought to be you can become down to drafting one. Getting the Best Resume Summary Section A hiring manager will be searching for skills which are the absolute most relevant to the job accessible. The employer will possibly have an ego, besides searching for the very best absprache they can get. Irrespective of where you include your computer section on your resume, you can be confident that the hiring manager will find it best definitely likely to ask about doing it. Keep in mind your resume is the one which can make or break your probability of picking the job. Top Resume Summary Section Choices You dont need to distract the employer from your goal. In spite of the fact that most career objectives exactly sound the exact same, youre able to readily get the interest of hiring managers by giving an overview of who yo u are and what you do. Simply speaking, your summary of qualifications ought to be written to succinctly convey precisely what it is that you offer that will satisfy the employers wants and solve his problems. Following that, an overview of your qualifications would be great as you must allow the employer know right off just what you can provide. Resume Summary Section the Ultimate Convenience Be clear on what you would like to attain. Multiple page resumes are usually only employed for high paying positions. The Bizarre Secret of Resume Summary Section Keep in mind, your summary section is vital to your resumes success. A Resume Summary is your opportunity to actually shine. Writing a resume has never been simpler Resumes Unraveling The Secrets has a wonderful bonus to aid with the difficult resume summary section, including a big collection of power words that it is possible to utilize to impress prospective employers. There are some unique kinds of skill sections and formatting options which you need to think about when crafting your resume. In a resume the choice of a layout is essential. The plan of your resume ought to be created especially to accentuate the exceptional things in your background, together with the data and accomplishments that distinguish you. To acquire the compulsory job isnt actually a very simple endeavor. Top Choices of Resume Summary Section A compelling profile is the secret to your career or company success. An overview of qualifications is utilized to highlight the range of work experiences youve built up as time passes. Concentrate on Your Goal The best summaries are targeted on one career objective. The purpose is to be sure the appropriate words are in your resume. At length, a candidates LinkedIn page is growing more and more important, and have to be consistent with the resume. Next, youll likely need to list your objective statement. A strong summary statement at the peak of your resume can increase the possibility of them noticing what youve got to offer from the beginning.

Want success Just change your spots

Want success Just change your spots Want success? Just change your spotsPosted November 18, 2013, by Andrea Riddell Adaptability has been touted as the key to wellbeing, according to an Australian-first study run by Sydney University. The results, derived from an analysis of 969 high school students from nine Australian secondary schools over two years, showed that students who were able to adjust their thinking, behaviour and emotions were more likely to report greater life satisfaction, and a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Class participation and motivation as well as self-esteem and life satisfaction were assessed to determine how students coped with changing or uncertain circumstances, with the results showing that those who were able to adjust accordingly were more likely to succeed. One guaranteed feature of young peoples lives into the future is that the world will constantly change on them, the studys lead author, Professor Andrew Martin, said. Young peo ple who can adapt to this change are likely to be most effective at coping and seizing tomorrows opportunities. This is the first known research to highlight the importance of adaptability in leading to positive outcomes in young peoples lives which, according to Martin, will help adults assist young people in navigating life. In identifying the components of adaptability and its effects, we are in a good stelle to help young people deal with their lives. Young people can be taught how to think about things differently, how to modify their behaviour, and how to adjust their emotions. When we help them do these things, we build their adaptability, and their future. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searcheseffective oral and written communication skillsattention to detail skil lsdefine communication skills11 top tips for effective time managementhow to demonstrate high literacy and numeracy skills CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAndrea RiddellRelated ArticlesBrowse moreCreative careersFemale entrepreneursMia Freedman - Writer and Website EntrepreneurI have always been passionate about creating tribes of women, communities of like-minded people.FitnessCalling all fitness freaksAre you a fitness fanatic whose idea of a good time is a thigh-burning spin class followed by 200 ab crunches? Do you have energy and drive to spare? Are you a good motivator who enjoys working with people?NetworkingSocial mediaShould social networking be allowed in the workplace?The boundary between work and personal life has become blurred and with the rise of social networking sites that line has become very blurred indeed.