How to Handle the Doubt-Filled Depths of Employment Gaps

How to Handle the Doubt-Filled Depths of Employment Gaps Moore’s Law states that computer processing speed doubles every 18 months, a good indication of how fast technology jobs change too. For a job seeker who has employment gaps of more than two years then the odds increase that their skillset may be outdated. However, the way people work is also changing. More people freelance, volunteer, and pursue online education in lieu of traditional 9-5 jobs that can be harder to represent on a resume. When encountering a potential great employee with resume gaps the first important step is to assess what caused them and what they did in between work.   1. Was it elective? Highly qualified candidates often take time off to raise families or care for older relatives. Traditional gender-role thinking sees this applying predominately to mothers but a survey done by the Pew Research Group in 2014 showed that around 2 million fathers stay home to care for their children, with a noted increase in the number of fathers with college degrees doing so. Prompt an applicant to discuss how they spent their time away from work and you’ll learn more about their personal character. Attributes like loyalty, dedication, and modern thinking are just a few of the qualities that can be read through an employment gap of this type. 2. Was it forced?   An alternate reason for an employment gap is the result of firings, downsizing, or quitting. Being laid off from a position or choosing to leave after a year or two is a lot more common in today’s economy. Having an applicant explain to you their work history is important for a different reason though. It’s an awkward situation for an applicant to answer why they left a job or to acknowledge why they were dismissed. This is the chance to analyze a potential employee’s soft skills in communication, problem management, and leadership. Do they have the maturity not to trash their former employer, or the tact to represent their experience as an opportunistic move? Hire someone who knows how to find golden prospects amidst a problem. 3.  Was it a  â€œsabbatical”? Sabbatical sounds prestigious but if it’s on an applicant’s resume be cautious. Ask the applicant to see the project or independent research they were working on during this period. They should respond with how they learned something of unique value to enhance this position. With seven days a week to have at your disposal you could easily learn new languages, computer programs, or travel the world and gain international insight. This would be an appropriate opening to ask about any contract work they may have done as well. If an individual performed freelance work while on sabbatical it means they know how to budget their time, and manage an agenda, even when on “vacation.”   No matter for which reason an applicant has gaps in their resume it’s best to assess what they have to show for their time outside the office. Volunteering their skills to a local organization demonstrates their active interest in working and contributing to a larger community’s success. Additionally free, online courses like Coursera or the Khan Academy allow candidates to pursue continued education to bring new tools to a position.   Author: John Giaimo is President of Software Resources, Inc. an IT Staffing Solutions firm. Founded in 1992, Software Resources is a certified women-owned business enterprise (WBE), and is a national award-winning staffing firm serving clients in the U.S.

Pregnancy Fears you Need to Eradicate for A Smooth Labour

Pregnancy Fears you Need to Eradicate for A Smooth Labour It is absolutely natural to feel worried throughout your pregnancy time. However, with the real facts, doctors state that it is not as scary as you think. Fret not! This article helps you uncover untold truths to help you to have a huge sigh of relief. In fact, only 20 percent of pregnancies can end up with miscarriage and the most of them happens during within a few weeks of pregnancies. Let us present you more facts that will definitely help you to smoothen your labour. Handling Pregnancy Fears Stress Level Nowadays, most of women make themselves worried thinking whether they are doing right things for their pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins, eating and being healthy are important aspects of pregnancy however getting deep into additional rules and guidelines are literally “No Need” issues for you. You do not have to be extra cautious as they simply make you stressed and in fact stress is the one that you and your child do not need during your hard times. Stress is the strongest reason and risk that may cause premature birth. Fear of Birth Defects The percentage rate that your baby may have a birth defect is equivalent to only 4 percent. That includes serious injuries that happened during pregnancy and severe genetic illnesses as well. However, small and insignificant abnormalities such as a tiny heart defect or something related to a toenail will go away really soon after birth and they will not and cannot cause any health. Shape after Pregnancy No doubt that most of women worry a lot about getting their pre-baby body back after giving a birth. Surely, you need to try and keep up staying within the weight guidelines during your pregnancy period as it will take considerable time to get back to your pre baby shape if you gained more than recommended. However, there is a very positive point out of it. Breastfeeding will rev up your metabolism by hundreds of calories daily and this process will help moms to slim down in a natural way. Blood Pressure The percentage rate that you can develop a severe high blood pressure (Preeclampsia) during your pregnancy is only between from 5 to 8 percent. Medical facts suggest that Preeclampsia is common in pregnant women who are under the age of 18 and/or over 35. Regular Prenatal checkups will help your doctor to monitor Preeclampsia related symptoms and catch those evolving conditions in the early stages. Doctors suggest that it is practically impossible to hurt your child by being bumped as there is a huge amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus that protects your baby. Do not think that the pregnant woman can soothe the nerves by drinking 2 pills, these drugs require long-term and systematic application. Excellent methods that help to cope with excited nerves during pregnancy are: drawing, gymnastics, yoga, as well as buying cute gifts for your future child. It is normal to feel worried, so take time to unwind. Get some blooms from your favourite florist or a cool walk by the coast in the evening.

Understand Employee Disinterest, Dont Ignore It

Understand Employee Disinterest, Dont Ignore It Everyones guilty of a little clock-watching from time to time. Maybe theres a really exciting episode of your employees favourite TV series on in the evening, and they just cannot WAIT to leave the office to watch it. Maybe theyre dreading a scary end-of-day client meeting and simply want 5 oclock to come around so they can relax. Wishing our work day away can has its  place now and again. However, when your employees start counting down the minutes to Friday on a Monday morning,  you might want to pay some closer attention. Noticing employees becoming disinterested can signal potential danger  we know this. Often, being disengaged in their career can be unhealthy for an individual  and over time can wear down their workplace wellbeing.  And then theres the flow on effect to colleagues, who can grow frustrated working  with someone who doesnt appear to  care about their work.  For many close-knit teams, the saying youre only as strong as your weakest link stands true, and a seemingly disinterested employee can jeopardise  internal relationships. When you  notice a person growing less  invested or interested in their job or the company, its time to step in. As a manager, its important to do all you can to re-engage that employee, making their workplace wellbeing not just a responsibility, but your priority. You also owe it to the rest of your team to enforce a certain level of input from each member. A great place to start is attempting to understand where their disengagement and disinterest is coming from. Is it boredom? Perhaps the person has decided they have little to no interest in the work they are doing. Perhaps they have been doing the same thing for a long time and their workload has taken on a monotonous, menial function to them. Is their work repetitive or slow?  Have they outgrown their position, in terms of skill set? Is the work they are doing too easy or  too junior for them?  Perhaps they are not being challenged enough. Do they feel overwhelmed? On the flip side, does the person feel constantly flustered, staring at a never-ending workload they can never get on top of? Do they have too many things on their plate, forcing them to execute projects quickly and not at their preferred standard? Are they constantly stressed, never feeling as though they have accomplished what they need to accomplish? This can result in someone throwing their hands in the air and almost giving up, if they feel theres no point trying, because itll never be enough. Do they believe they  are disposable? Perhaps the person feels as though they are just a number and that simply anyone could do the job they are doing. Maybe they dont feel like they are adding any particular value, and that if they were to resign, they wouldnt be missed at all and could  be easily replaced. Do they feel under appreciated? If a person feels like they are never truly recognised for their hard work, its likely theyll stop going the extra mile. If someone else continually gets credit for their hard work, or they are never  shown that their hard work is appreciated, disengagement might occur. Sometimes managers think they are appreciating their employees, when really they never actually so, and therefore employees wonder if anyone is noticing their dedication at all. If someone feels their efforts are in vein, they may do away with their hunger to succeed. Are they dealing with other problems? Sometimes, being disengaged at work has nothing to do with work itself. Sometimes people are burdened by problems stemming from other areas of their personal life. The reason they are disengaged could be due to a fallout with another colleague, or a private matter. If you feel this might be the case, it  is always best to seek professional advice. Attempt to re-engage! When an employee is disengaged, start with trying to understand them. Listen to them; ask them questions; allow them to explain themselves and make it safe for them to do so. Providing an open and honest line of communication is important for any manager. Let them vent frustrations and be frank with you about why they appear to be uninterested in what they are doing. Show you appreciate them  and their work regularly. Show you care for them and support them in achieving their goals. Seek additional help if need be perhaps tactfully involve HR.  Whatever you do, dont simply dismiss signs of a disengaged employee it will do no one any good.

Join us Monday for a Free Interview with Kate White!

Join us Monday for a Free Interview with Kate White! I am excited to announce that THIS MONDAY, October 7th, I will be interviewing Kate White, the author of  I Shouldnt Be Telling You This: How to Ask for the Money, Snag the Promotion, and Create the Career You Deserve.  These interviews are normally only available to Get Ahead Club members but because this interview is going to be SO HELPFUL to EVERYONE who reads my blog, we are opening it up to everyone.  So make sure you mark your calendars for 7am PST (10am EST) on Monday, October 7th and join us! Here is the dial-in information: Phone number:  (206) 402-0100 PIN Code:  350921#   If you would rather listen online, visit: http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=46664571 Who is Kate White? Kate White is an internationally known expert on leadership and success and a New York Times bestselling author of several influential books on work and careers, including, most recently, I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This: How to Ask for the Money, Snag the Promotion and Create the Career You Deserve and Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do. Her advice is based on her extraordinary career running five major magazines. For 14 years she was the Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan, which was the bestselling monthly magazine on the newsstand during her tenure and was published in 64 countries. Kate‘s career in the magazine business began when she won Glamour magazine’s Top Ten College Women contest and appeared on the cover. She earned a position at the magazine and quickly rose from editorial assistant to feature writer and columnist. After holding major jobs at several other magazines, she was tapped to be an editor-in-chief, first for Child Magazine and then later Working Woman and Redbook. She took the helm at Cosmopolitan in 1998. Under her leadership at Cosmo, guaranteed circulation grew by 700,000. She also oversaw Cosmo Books, Cosmopolitan.com, many digital projects, and the Cosmo fashion line introduced at J.C. Penney. Cant wait to share this amazing interview with you on Monday morning! Make sure you leave your questions in the comments section below for Kate!  

Charity Resume Writing Boston MA

Charity Resume Writing Boston MAIf you have ever been in the position of being a charity fundraiser, then you have likely used charity resume writing Boston MA. There are many people out there who are helping individuals and organizations raise funds, yet lack the experience needed to truly be able to write a great charity resume. It is important that when raising money, a professional will not be used to help you because they are the ones that were trained to be professionals in the first place. As an entrepreneur you want to ensure that the fundraiser or organizer you are working with will do the same for you.Whether you are looking to raise money for a community organization or a school, you'll need to make sure you're prepared for it. This includes taking the time to get your resume finished up in a professional way, all the while ensuring that your resume speaks to those who are looking for what you have to offer. Be sure to look online and see what type of charities or organiza tions in Boston Massachusetts are accepting resumes for fundraisers, you will find many local, regional, and national companies who are available to take on your resume writing Boston MA.The main points to consider when writing your resume include how much experience you have and the skills that you possess. Remember that you will be marketing yourself to these businesses as well as to anyone who is interested in what you have to offer. There is a lot of money to be made out there in the world, so make sure you are fully prepared to raise it.Your resume should be prepared in a professional manner from the get go. The end result will be that you are the one receiving the money from donors, not the fundraisers or managers. In order to raise money effectively, you must be prepared to perform a number of tasks. Be sure that you will be given the appropriate training on how to properly raise money for whatever you have in mind.The fact of the matter is that you will find many fundraisers that may be willing to pay you more than others, so consider this when writing your resume. Many companies in Boston Massachusetts will be looking for more than just a good job out of you. They want a person who is able to raise funds for their charity.It is best that you are prepared when speaking to managers about your nonprofit's success. Charity resume writing Boston MA is a good way to be prepared to speak with these managers and will allow you to become comfortable with the entire process. It also allows you to prepare a listing of the things you would like to ask for and show the manager if there is anything that they can add to your resume.It is also essential that you have all the proper financial documents ready to go when needed. The fact of the matter is that most fundraisers need some funding so don't forget about this. You should be aware of how much you are asking for your potential employer.Lastly, be sure that you have a good experience when writing the entire appl ication. Charity resume writing Boston MA should be a very professional experience for you. Take the time to put in the effort and make sure you have the best possible experience when it comes to making a difference in the world.

5 Reasons Why You Wont Get A Raise - CareerAlley

5 Reasons Why You Wont Get A Raise - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. There are many articles with advice on how to go aboutgetting that raise youve wanted, withtips on how to ask for a raise, setting goals that will allow you to be recognized for a raise, keeping track of your accomplishments and knowing what you are worth in the job market. What about what not to do? What are the actions that will almost guarantee that you will not get a raise? Why wait until another year has passed only to find out that you did something (or didnt do something) that will keep you from getting a raise? If you want to position yourself for getting that raise, consider the following. Suggested Reading:Get Paid What Youre Worth: The Expert Negotiators Guide to Salary and Compensation 1. You Dont Take That Extra Step: We all get hired to do a job and we agree a salary for what is asked. It would be unreasonable to expect that you will get a raise for doing exactly what is expected of you. Taking that extra step, like doing additional work or helping colleagues with their work will get you noticed and put you in line for a raise. Doesnt sound right, does it? However, those that dont go the extra mile or take on special projects typically dont make enough of an impression to get extra pay. When given work, did you give it your all? Did you put 100 percent into it? Well more than 100% will help to get you that raise. 2. You are Late to Work or Early to Leave: Sometimes stuff happens. The train is late, there is traffic, maybe you stayed out too late the night before. Whatever the reason, if you are oftenlate or leavingoff early, it is going to be noticed and nothing good is going to come of it. Allow extra time to get to work. You were hired for a specific set of hours, cutting those hours with lateness and leaving earlyis not going to help you get a raise (or keep your job). Many companies cite tardiness as a reason that a raise wasnt given to a particular employee. 3. You Have a PoorAttitude: No one wants to work with someone who has a poor attitude, especially your boss. While we all have days where we would rather be somewhere else, you really do need to ensurethat you arent coming across as difficult to work with or not pleasant. This is especially true when working with customers. Unhappy customers are not a good.Customers dont want to deal with rude employees. Likewise, you dont want to be a complainer. Those that often complain (or whine)arent going to be getting raises come that time of the year. If you are really that unhappy at work, its time to get a new job or change your attitude. 4. You View Everything as anObstacle: We all have challenges at work, if it was easy they wouldnt need us. If you view every challenge as an obstacle to getting your job done, that is not going to help with a raise. Your manager and your company is looking for solutions. View every problem or challenge as an opportunity for you to make a difference. Dont present problems to your manager expecting them to solve the issue. Present potential solutions as well. 5. Youre Not a Team Player: Some of us are really good at what we do and are proud of our work product. Even if you are not dependent on others to get your work done, a collaborative environment is healthier and most employers prefer a team effort to a bunch of individuals working on their own. If youare not interacting with those you work with, this will have a negative impact on your raise. Getting a raise is not alwayseasy, however losing a raise is something you can avoid by meeting and beating all expectations.If youfall into any of the scenarios mentioned above, its time to fix them.Apply yourself, put in more than 100%, show up on time, have a positive attitude and go beyond your managers expectations. That next pay raise may be going to you. Career Tip of the Day:How much are You Worth? We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

IT Jobs with the Highest Pay and Fastest Growth - CareerAlley

IT Jobs with the Highest Pay and Fastest Growth - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Changes that cause jobs to go extinct often create brand new types of jobs at the same time. Consider the type of factory assembly line work that no longer exists, and the millions of IT jobs that have taken their place the kind of jobs no factory worker in the 1950s could ever have imagined. So if you are thinking about switching jobs, especially jobs in IT, this infographic is for you. According to our research, IT jobs have been fueling the economy worldwide. And it will continue to do so in decades to come. Staff.com Connecting Great Companies with Global Talent This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif