Monday, December 30, 2019

Blogging for Bitcoin goes bust for some journalists

Blogging for Bitcoin goes bust for some journalistsBlogging for Bitcoin goes bust for some journalistsIts no secret that journalism is struggling, leaving platforms and publications looking for alternate visions of publishing and, apparently, payment schemes. Civil Media, the online publishing platform, had hatched a plan to cash in on its own cryptocurrency, which it called tokens, in order to pay its journalists, who write for websites like Popula, Sludge, and 16 other newsrooms.The cryptocurrency was given to journalists as a significant parte of their compensation although they had some say over how much of a part and they were told it would increase in value, reported CoinDesk. But last month, Civils token funding sale failed to reach its goal of $8 million, securing only half.Now journalists who agreed to take part of their salary in tokens have been left out in the cold, realizing that theyre worth far less than they believed and that with no hard plan for another sale and no plan for distribution, they may be without a way to get paid for their work. Some are claiming that Civil exaggerated the valuation of the possibilities of the cryptocurrency portion of their salaries.Former Sludge writer Jay Cassano recently left the site because 70% of his salary was tied up in cryptocurrency tokens, he said in a series of Tweets, adding that he felt that himself and the other writers had been defrauded by the company.Civils money problems go beyond cryptocurrency Neiman Lab claims to have evidence of at least one missed payroll this year. Last month, Civil promised another token sale in weeks, not months, but theres no guaranteed financial outcome, of course.While alternative currencies are nothing new, its advisable to insist that your paycheck come in the form of normal currency not collectible coins, crypto, or Disney Dollars.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Why HR Should Never Report to Finance

Why HR Should Never Report to FinanceWhy HR Should Never Report to FinanceAs businesses grow and begin to add employees, the first HR-type activity needed is recruiting, of course. But, additionally, employers must pay people and people need benefits. So, often, the first person holding part of a Human Resources role is the person who pays the staff. This may be an administrative assistant or a member of the finance or accounting departments. No matter what this individuals title or job is, this person generally reports to finance and accounting. Just because this is how a small business usually grows, doesnt make it the right path for your business to travel. Its fruchtwein likely not. Issuing paychecks is dramatically different from understandingwhat goes into calculating an appropriate pay rate. Knowing how to do proper deductions so that taxes and other deductions are done correctly is completely different from knowing how to evaluate which insurance program is best for your grow ing company. So, the skill set of the financial person who pays the staff is generally not up to speed for even the financial aspects of their HR job. The chances of this person knowing and understanding the other facets of the HR role in an organization are nil. Checks and Balances Between Functions Every organization needs checks and balances. When HR reports to finance, the hands of the people most likely to advocate for effective people policies and organization development- your HR staff, are tied. When HR reports to finance, your HR person is moved one step further away from where organizational decision making occurs- at the executive table. When HR reports to finance, policy decisions are primarily finance driven and are often not employee friendly. They need to consider people for your organization to succeed. The primary role of HR is to support the business by recruiting, retaining, and developing the best employees. This often costs money and the hard return on inves tment is difficult to explain to finance. When HR says, We need to run this executive development program so that we can make sure we have a solid talent pipeline, finance is likely to say, That costs $10,000. No way. Its absolutely critical that HR speak the language of finance- HR staff members have to put things in terms the financial staff can understand. But, when the direct boss of HR is finance, there is no one else to advocate for people-related programs. Business leaders need to understand the importance of happy staff and the relationship between employee satisfaction and productivity and contribution. Of course, its also critical that a return on that investment is demonstrated. If your business does spend $10,000 on an executive training program, but your company culture is toxic, all of that money is wasted. So, while its tempting to blame finance for lack of program and recruiting funding, its also critical that HR does its job and does it well. Are good employees prai sed and bad employees reprimanded? Are bullies allowed to run rampant throughout the company? Are pay raises done haphazardly? Are employees asked to fill out multiple forms? Are mandatory sexual harassment training meetings incredibly boring and counterproductive? If any of this is the case, finance is right to disagree with and doubt HR when they say this next program will fix the organizations problems. When, however, HR is doing its job, it needs an advocate who understands the value of spending money now to make more money later. For example, giving a valued employee a needed raise today makes them less likely to quit their job, which saves the organization higher turnover and training costs. Where Should HR Report? In an ideal world, the head of HR should report directly to the CEO. This reporting relationship makes HR part of that senior leadership team that helps guide and direct company policy. All aspects of employment should be considered as checks and balances. Finan ce serves a critical role in a company. Its their job to keep costs down and income high, but having the best people, who are treated well, and paid a competitive salary, is the way to do that. You need to strike down any barriers that stand in the way of your people so that the business can succeed. When HR reports to finance, rather thanbeing equal to them, that is an extremely difficult reporting relationship. Keep your checks and balances in place. HR should never report to finance and accounting.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Online Job Search Portfolio - FlexJobs

Online Job Search Portfolio - FlexJobsOnline Job Search Portfolio 71Isnt it nice to find a website that is well-designed, easy-to-use, and tells you exactly what you want to know quickly and without hassle? Or to find a website that instantly inspires you as soon as you see it? (Were looking at you, Pinterest) Recruiters feel the same wayabout finding a job candidate whose application is easy to read, clean, and thorough. They like it when job candidates make it easy to hire them by creating easy-to-read application materials which paint a detailed, well-matched picture of the candidate. Aside from your resume or cover letter, one great way to accomplish this is by creating your own professional online job search portfolio. Its a lot easier than it sounds, and it can be very helpful in your job search.Who should platzset up an online job search portfolio?Anyone with a work history theyd like to show off should consider an online job search portfolio. Specifically, professionals whose work can be easily showcased online are a great match for professional portfolios, includingWriters and JournalistsArtists, Actors, Musicians, PerformersDesigners (Interior, web, graphic, fashion, etc.)Advertisers/MarketersTeaczu sichs, Professors, Tutors, TranslatorsScientists and researchersReal Estate ProfessionalsSports and Fitness ProfessionalsEven if you dont fall into a profession that easily translates into a portfolio, you can use an online portfolio to show off your resume with a little more pizazz than a piece of paper or a PDF allows. Professionals from almost any industry could benefit from having an online portfolio.What do you use to create an online portfolio?Creating a website for yourself sounds expensive, but its not. In most cases, its free. Use a free blog creation site like WordPress or Blogger to get started. They have lots of templates to choose from, so you can select one that looks more like a website than a blog for your portfolio. These sites have two gr eat things going for themTheyre FREE, andThey make it very easy to set up a basic site, which is all you really need.What else can you put on your job search portfolio?By creating a portfolio using a blogging platform, you can also demonstrate your knowledge of current events in your field by writing the occasional blog post about the news in your industry and your thoughts on it. If you decide to blog on your professional profile, your entries should be well-written, professional and intelligent-sounding, and free of errors or questionable material.What should you name your professional portfolio?The best name for your site is your name. For example, Jane Smiths portfolio name could be janesmith.wordpress.com, or even janereedsmith.wordpress.com, if she wants to distinguish herself from the other Jane Smiths of the world. If employers are searching for your full name online, the best option is to name your portfolio using your full name as you have it written on your resume. So, i f Jane Smiths resume header says Jane Reed Smith, she ought to name her portfolio the same way. Consistency is key, so employers always know what they find is YOURS and dont confuse it with someone elses.What should you include in your portfolio?A brief bio about yourself, your experiences, and your openness to future work Show your personality and be positiveA brief overview of your resume (you dont want to copy it word-for-word, just display the highlights)Links to any work youve done on the web (articles, if youre a writer websites if youre a designer, etc.)Snippets of your work, including videos, pictures, and written piecesQuotes from previous clients about how great you are to work withContact info name, e-mail, and perhaps phone (though name and email are most important)A link to your LinkedIn profile if you have oneWhat do you do after you get your online portfolio set up?Once youve got this set up, have friends and colleagues look it over to make sure its attractive to ou tside readers, and to spot any errors you might have made. Then, include the link on your resume, in your LinkedIn profile, and anywhere else you can think of. Facebook, Twitter anywhere you think recruiters might find you. Keep updating it, keep it simple, and keep the job search faithDo you have a job search portfolio? Share it with the group by leaving your link below

Sunday, December 15, 2019

3 Tips for Effective Professional E Mails

3 Tips for Effective Professional E Mails3 Tips for Effective Professional E MailsTips for effective professional e mailsNowadays, elektronischer brief is a normaland constantform of communication in the workplace, so its important to take a step back and evaluate your e-mail voice. Were all busy, and plenty of people fire off e-mails without ever stopping to think of how the recipient will interpret them. Because e-mail is a hybrid type of communication, somewhere between the formality of a written letter and the more casual nature of talking with someone, it calls for a hybrid writing style that meshes the two styles.What sort of writing style is appropriate for e-mail? Well, if the formal written letter is like a black-tie event, and chatting with someone is like hanging out in sweatpants on the weekends, then business e-mails should be like business casual dress. A hint of formality with a casual, friendly tone. And always professional.For example, CEO Sara has received countless e-mails from people applying for jobs that begin with no greeting or introduction whatsoever, and instead dive into a run-on paragraph or several as to why they are the best candidate. While the information is appreciated, without taking a moment to set the tone with a cordial greeting and introduction as to why theyre writing, it can be a very abrupt and unprofessional way to present oneself.Instead, Sara recommends three tips to help ensure your e-mail tone enhances and not detracts from your job application.1) Take a moment to greet your recipient.However brief, a few words or a few sentences, take a moment to ease into the e-mail.2) Use a friendly yet professional tone.Even if what youre writing is about a problem or mistake that youre upset about.3) End with a pleasant closing. Wish them well, let them know you hope to hear from them soon it doesnt have to be poetry or a long, drawn out farewell, but it does have to be there.If you follow these tips for professional e-mails should be like business casual dress. A hint of formality with a casual, friendly tone. And always professional. Here are 3 tips.e-mail etiquette, your e-mails will always be well-received and regarded, and that can go a long way in your job search or professional development.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Finding financial freedom A bucket list for Millennials and Gen Z

Finding financial freedom A bucket list for Millennials and Gen ZFinding financial freedom A bucket list for Millennials and Gen ZYouve heard the term bucket list, right? Its a list of all the once-in-a-lifetime places youd like to visit, sights youd like to see, and experiences youd like to have before you kick the bucket. A lot of people think of things like skydiving, swimming with dolphins, or visiting the Taj Mahal when compiling theirs. But did you ever consider that there might be aleidher way to approach your bucket list? Even if theyre not of the thrill-seeking variety, there are many vital life experiences that can still help you round out your vision of the person youd like to become. For example, everybody should know what it feels like to move to an unfamiliar area, start a new job, and control their own finances. The tips below can help you combine touchstone life experiences like behauptung with a plan for moving yourself toward financial freedom (and achieving the mor e far-flung items on your list).Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreMaster the art of the budget Before anything else happens, itll be helpful to figure out how much you make, how much you have to pay each month, and how much you might be able to save. Once you know what kind of margin you have, youll know what else might be possible. Give a thought to these factors when figuring your budgetKnowing why you want to budget Calculating how much money you make (and bring home) every month Compiling a list and total amount of essential expenses you cover monthly and devising ways to minimize themGenerating lists of all of your non-essential wants and ways to cut down on themMaking a budget - and sticking to it - can be tough. Nearly everyone who does it, though, finds the sacrifice worth it. Knowing where your money comes from and where it goes is deeply satisfying, as is the security of building up a financial cushion for the future.To jumpstart your financial bucket list, adopt one or more of these cost-cutting moves at least once in your lifeLive with roommates. When youre young, living with roommates is a rite of passage and can give you lots of stories for later. Its also a great way to save money so you can eventually get off the paying-rent hamster wheel. And if you find yourself single later in life, its worth considering again. Companionship and saving money are great benefits.Be an early bird. Eating on the cheap is an art form, and the early bird special is a great way to do it. Forget any hang-ups you might have about it and dine at 530Stay at a youth hostel. You dont have to backpack across Europe to stay in a hostel. If your adventures take you to New York, Key West, or other touristy cities, give it a shot. Go thrifting. Buy an entire outfit at a secondhand store or find some awesome kitschy decor. Youll find crazy stuff - and see how poverty can ramp up your creativity.Give up meat for a while. Meat is easily the most expensive part of any grocery trip. Try going vegan or vegetarian for a while. Its better for your health, youll save a lot of money, and youll be able to say you tried it.Try extreme couponing. It takes a lot of planning, and you might not want to do it every week, but try it at least once Go to the grocery store and walk out with a bunch of bags, having paid nearly nothing. Its a thrillCreate an emergency fund A major key to staying fiscally stable is understanding that youll likely experience at least one of these emergencies in your lifetimeA medical incident (or a veterinary one) Family issues that require an influx of cash An unstable work environment or sudden firing A vehicle breakdown Home repairs that need to be addressed right awayCheck off some of these proven methods to build up your emergency fundSave coins in a large container. It can be a massive water jug or maybe a ceramic piggy bank that yo u have fun smashing down the road. Everyone at some point should experience rolling a ton of coins and cashing them in.Sell something online. Whether you offer up your gently used clothes, old cell phones, unused gift cards, or hand-crafted jewelry you make yourself, this method can net you some serious cash and let you experience the online marketplace. Have extra money deducted from your paycheck. You can use an online tax calculator to figure out the amount youll need deducted every month to result in a bigger tax refund, then deposit the whole chunk into your emergency fund. Reduce your debtNow turn the other side of the coin If you have debt that youre struggling to pay off, then saving wont do you much good (especially if your debts carry high-interest rates, which lessen your ability to pay down the principal amounts). Strive to pay off your debts as soon as possible so your savings can start to accumulate. These tips can helpUse any windfall, like a tax refund or unexpected bonus, to pay down a chunk of debt.Consider asking the advice of a credit consultant, who can help you look into consolidating your debts or renegotiating payment terms When paying bills (especially for credit cards), try to pay more than the nadir payment amounts. Also, consider other ways you might reduce the strain on your budget. If your living expenses are too high in your home city, then consider moving somewhere more affordable. Living in a less expensive city that still offers ample job opportunities could cut down drastically on your financial burden. For example, you can rent an apartment for $650 a month in Omaha, Nebraska, a growing hotbed for startup businesses. Try checking these debt-reducing strategies off your once-in-a-lifetime listKeep a car long enough to pay it off. Keeping a car long enough to make that final payment is pretty uncommon these days, make it an achievement even more worthy of celebration.Renegotiate payment terms. It may sound scary, but many lend ers will reduce your interest rate if you contact them to negotiate. And once youve pulled this off, its an incredible feeling to know you handle your finances like a boss. Go without for a few months. In this age of automatic payments, its easy to forget everything you pay for monthly. Take a look at what you pay for but dont use - streaming services, subscription box deliveries, and similar luxuries come to mind - then cut out the non-essentials for several months. Youll learn what it feels like to tighten your belt and come out with a chunk of cash at the end.Enhance your revenuesSometimes it takes some brainstorming or just greater effort to entice more money into your cash flow situation. Adding a revenue stream, bumping up your savings efforts, and investing your money to multiply its power can all help move your needle toward financial freedom. Consider these tacticsFinding local businesses who need help Putting savings into a retirement accountSeeking out a new career fiel d that pays more for your skillsFinding a workable side gig to bring in extra cashWhile investments eventually can provide you with the cash flow you need, not everybody has the seed money to get started with a bang, so consider smaller investing options at first. Some strategies offer not only lucrative financial gains but also life experiences that are not to be missedChange careers, especially if youve been in the same spot forever and have always wanted to know what else is out there. People are changing jobs more frequently in todays fast-moving market take advantage of the opportunities out therePick up a side hustle. Youve got skills, so why not make money off them? If you have specialized expertise in areas like languages or math, you could offer online tutoring or lessons. Or hire yourself out as a house-sitter or dog-sitter. And theres always the now-classic experience of delivering food or driving for ber or LyftStart a business. Even if its just a hobby or a side hustle, an extra gig can offer a considerable income stream, especially if you attend trade shows to promote yourself. Plus, being the boss is an experience nobody should miss. Make a bigger play Many money advisors agree that financial limitations are often a product of limited thinking. People believe a lot of myths - which are patently untrue- about their own inability to earn, save, or manage money. Gaining some inspiration and seeking out a few working examples can help you stop limiting your thinking, financial and otherwise, and move on to bigger things.Thinking big is one of the best ways to achieve the things on your bucket list. Refuse to accept traditional limits for yourself and reach for higher goals with these tips in mindRent out your place. Even if you cant afford to buy a rental property outright, you could always rent out your home through a vacation home rental site whenever youre out of town to make some extra cash. Managing a property is the kind of responsibility ev eryone should experience at some point.Buy some stocks and watch what happens. Its not just for old men with monocles anymore With online brokerages, you can set up an account with as little as $100 and make trades for $5. Playing the market is a unique phenomenon, and watching values go up is a thrill.Its a big world, and the possibilities are endless. Consider what you want from life, make a list and a budget, and start risking a little bit toward gaining the rewards that are out there. If your bucket list contains both thrilling adventures and smart life moves, theres no reason you cant achieve them allYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Friday, December 6, 2019

The Indisputable Reality About Hybrid Resume That Nobody Is Telling You

The Indisputable Reality About kreuzung Resume That Nobody Is Telling You The Importance of Hybrid Resume For instance, the candidate might have used Excel in a sales job which is quite a practical skill for accounting. The absolute most important skill for the job that you are applying to should go first. It has an inclination to pigeon-hole work seeker within his present role and industry. To begin with, highlight all the abilities and qualifications in the work ad. Hybrid Resume Ideas No employer would like to employ dead wood. It is possible to add Willing to relocate whether the position requires moving to some other city. If youre changing careers, locate a functional-hybrid resume template. To begin with, if your present career path is five decades or less you will want to demonstrate a couple of years prior. The Hybrid Resume Cover Up There are a lot of resume formats you are able to use, so be koranvers the format you choose best illustrates your abilities and accomplishments. As for resume format, you should check at where youre in your career and decide on the resume format best suited to your circumstance. Some resumes dont have a typical format throughout. There are essentially 3 styles of resumes. What Everybody Dislikes About Hybrid Resume and Why If you held more than 1 position for the identical employer, make sure you list each position separately so that your career growth is more noticeable. You have to mention your career objective at the very top of your resume. None the less, make all attempt to include accomplishments in your latest decades even in the fest you feel your very best years were pre-2001. Thorough understanding of current manufacturing practices, and a crystal clear vision to achieve the company targets. Heres What I Know About Hybrid Resume Our hybrid resume will bring attention to candidates that are searching to highlight things from various regions of their backgrounds. A well-written combinatio n resume can be a potent tool for promoting a professional image and receiving a work interview. So if youre new to the work market, its unlikely you will have a lot of work experience therefore a functional resume format would be perfect. Whenever you have so little time to generate the ideal impression, how you format the contents of your resume is equally as vital as what information you decide to include. Still, although the combination template looks to highlight skills, the reason it is a combination resume is because it permits you to also heavily feature your precise work history. While preparing your resume, you want to stay in mind that its the healthcare professionals which you are likely to address to, so your resume should incorporate content that will answer their unique needs. As soon as its critical to make sure your resume isnt too long, you should also bear in mind when writing a functional resume it does are inclined to lend itself to blank spaces more than a chronological resume. The Secret to Hybrid Resume Also its important that you produce the resume dovetail to the essentials of the specific job which youre applying for so that theres no extraneous information there. A number of the info is subjective. These instructions will provide you with a thorough guide to writing each section. Informational interviews are a really good method to figure out the inside scoop. The key to maximizing the advantages of a resume builder is to get an idea beforehand of what you would like. Claiming it is sometimes a good idea for a couple explanations. As soon as its correct that with age comes wisdom, additionally, it is true that securing a fantastic new job gets challenging after a specific age. The reason most folks utilize the Functional resume format is the fact that it enables them to be creative with certain facets of their work history, highlight key abilities or hide long spans of unemployment The disadvantages of utilizing a f unctional resume is that a lot of recruiters, hiring managers view them with skepticism. A combination layout has a lot of characteristics that can help you produce the desired impact. To put it differently, dont anticipate the functional resume to work nicely with regular on-line applications. The functional resume is perfect for those people who have recently left or will be leaving college in the close future. What You Dont Know About Hybrid Resume The very first thing potential employers will need to understand is what you do and the position youre interested in. The major value of any resume is to bring the most essential info, which hiring manager would love to observe the most. Its much simpler for a recruiter or hiring manager to confirm your work history in the event the order where the entries are listed is the very same in both. These resumes are sure to make you stand apart from your competition. The Definitive Strategy for Hybrid Resume When there are some form atting choices to pick from, like chronological, functional, and a mixture, there are particular basics common to all. Once again this kind of format has its benefits and drawbacks. Selecting the right resume format can be a rather confusing approach.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Redefining #8216;Emotional Labor#8217; A (Slightly) Whimsical Kid-Focused Analysis

Redefining 8216Emotional Labor8217 A (Slightly) Whimsical Kid-Focused Analysis CONTRACTUAL SMILE?How would you like a job that pays you to do little mora than relax, indulge your hobbies, play whatever sports you enjoy, spend time with your friends, dress as you please or expensively, get pretty much whatever you might ask for (within reason and budget), watch lots of big screen TV and roll on the lawn with your dog and a stick? The only catch You have to make sure that youdont cause any problems for your employerdont repeatedly break important rulesseem to enjoy learning and succeeding at whatever you choose to doperform emotional labor that makes your employer(s) feel good about themselves and you.There is one job exactly like that.Being a modern kid who gets a cash allowance in a modern economy.Having this job means having as your main task the wertmiger zuwachs of emotional labor, in the form of having as your only occupation the job of making your parents feel good about having you.The Long Road from Child Physical Labor to Child Emotional LaborMaking small children perform physically demanding, dull, dirty or dangerous labor by operating massive carpet looms or crawling into chimneys is now a thing of the Dickensian past in much, even though not all, of the modern world. But clearly there was a time, and a very long one at that, when kids everywhere had to pull their own weightand often a whole lot more kilograms than thatin the form of substantial, manual labor contributions to the familys survival and economic well-being.Child labor laws, where they exist, have put an end to much previous outside employment, e.g., as the chimney sweeps and factory loom operators, while modern prosperity, labor-saving household and farm technologies, pampering and family welfare laws have dramatically decreased kids household jobs and chores as well as the willingness to do them.Yes, things have changed. For many modern kids, their main job appears to be to make their parents feel good about themselves, their children, their childrens futures and family life as a whole.In other words, traditional child physical labor has been replaced with child emotional labor, in the sense that a childs main job is to create, sustain and support a certain emotional tone for the family, with no conventional economic output expectations or hopes whatsoever, save for possible (but not guaranteed) payback for parents decades later, e.g., in child-paid monthly retirement-home payments in the distant future.Cushy job, if you can get it. The only qualification Get born into a family that will keep you and treat you nicely.Do We Need Emotional-Labor Laws for Kids?Recalling the psychoanalytic observation that the child is father to the man, may it not also be true that the childs economy is father to the mans?in the sense that there may be an economic niche for adults working in compan ies that is analogous to and an extension of the kind of emotional labor that a modern, pampered child performs merely by existing and not giving others too much grief? Thats an interesting question. But theres another, more pressing one to look at first.Also recalling how long it took for adults to get around to framing child labor laws that protect children from various forms of physical labor, it may behoove us to ask whether there may be an as yet unmet need for child emotional labor laws, as a natural extension of conventional child-labor legislation. The case for such child emotional labor legislation would be compelling if there are adult forms of emotional labor, currently also being performed by children, that actually are or would be inappropriate for kids.Likewise, consideration of child emotional labor legislation would be warranted in cases where children perform emotional labor that no adult could perform or that no adult would agree to, on analogy with physical tasks such as crawling up into chimneys too narrow and cramped for full-sized adults.Need to Prohibit or Regulate Child Emotional Labor?Some Cases and ConceptsSo, are there any forms of conventional emotional labor that should be prohibited for children? Consider some candidatesThe fast-food franchise Have a nice day, said to parents as they leave for work in the morning That chirpy counter-person farewell, as a task, is emotional labor because it is generally regarded as requiring 1. at least pretending, even if not actually feeling, that the rest of the customers (or parents) day actually matters, or, 2. making the customer (parent) happy as a consequence of saying it, because (s)he believes someone cares.Notice that fulfillment of just one of these conditions can be considered to be a complete form of emotional labor, even if (1)the pretending or really feelingis not required as a task.Theoretically, a McDonalds counter-person could say Have a nice day robotically or just because it se ems right, with neither feeling nor pretense required or experiencedan instance in which concrete daily practice more often than not matches abstract psychological theory.Moreover, if the customer or parent feels happy as a consequence of hearing the farewell, the actual motivation of the worker or child is irrelevant to successful performance of that bit of emotional labor.Recognizing these two conditions as separate is tantamount to (re)defining emotional labor by its required consequences as much as or instead of by its required employee-intentions.To insist that intentions to perform specific forms of emotional labor are necessary for emotional labor to be carried out is to wrongheadedly confuse agreement and consequences with intent.An employee can contractually agree to perform emotional labor in the sense of doing things that have positive emotional consequences and implications for clients and customers, without having to intend or pretend to feel anything, as the robotic or merely appropriate Have a nice day illustrates.So, assuming that such chirpy farewells do older teenagers and adults no harm, is there any reason to prohibit them as part of a kids (tacit) family-job description? As an argument to the contrary, it can be maintained that, far from being inappropriate or somehow damaging for a child, emotional labor in the form of morning farewells is excellent preparation for the adult job market.In fact and in practice, the mere presence of ones child at the breakfast table (presumably an expression of nutritional self-interest), whether silent or even sullen, tends to count as fulfillment of tacit family emotional-labor contract clauses to the extent that these days parents are grateful and happy to even see their kids sit down with them for breakfast or for any other reason.This means that, irrespective of any intent on the part of the child, emotional labor is being performed, defined in terms of the consequences-criterion of emotion labor (even though the intention-criterion is not satisfied if the child is silent or sullen).Hence, there is no need to ban kids breakfast farewells or breakfast attendance, as forms of emotional labor.Stock-broker-like expressions of sympathy (e.g., over portfolio meltdown) Nothing is more endearing than a child who displays adult sympathy, whether toward other kids, pets or adults. Ideally, this is not faked. But, on the other hand, and as argued above in terms of the consequence-criterion of emotional labor, it doesnt have to really be emotionally felt or faked to count as emotional labor.Merely expressing sympathy will suffice (from the contractual, if not existential/psychological standpoint), to the extent that it makes parents feel grateful for the commiseration and encouragement from such adult behaviora key goal in emotional labor to make others, including employers and clients, feel good or better (and therefore more likely, in the case of employers, to extend or enrich your contrac t).Expressing sympathy without feeling or faking is something adults do all the timein both professional and non-professional contexts. Im sorry for your loss is often said because it is the right thing, the proper thing to say, as a cultural, social, moral or professional ritual with neither a trace of emotional pretense, employer pressure nor of heartfelt emotion.That kind of duty-based acknowledgment of the right thing to express or do is what separates what is called acting from a sense of duty from pretense, employer coercion or emotional inclination.To the extent that acting from a sense of moral, cultural, social or professional duty can proceed with neither faking, force nor feeling, it represents a key, largely unrecognized underpinning and distinct category of emotional labor of adults as well as children that is a third way around pretense and passion.Again, like the whimsical, yet illustrative breakfast farewell, expressions of sympathy as familial emotional labor seem p erfectly fine for kids, as well as for adults, especially since they can be prompted by a sense of what is right and fitting, instead of by uncomfortable pretense or fear of non-performance.Such consequence-(re)defined emotional labor will, however, invite moral or legislative oversight when the resulting emotions the labor generates are problematicwhich is an issue for adult consequence-defined emotional labor as well as that of children, e.g., the ringside joy of watching lethal, no-holds-barred gladiatorial combat.This is the legislative door opened by creating the consequence-defined category of emotional labor.Simply being Imagine that you could meet your contractual job obligations merely by existing and not causing problems. In particular, imagine that your only real job is to perform existential consequence-defined emotional labor, by making your employer or clients feel good just because you exist and exist well and happily.Thats the utopian job playfully described in the o pening paragraph, above.Its also the job of the average modern kid around much of the modern world.Its the easiest job there is, since pretending to exist is not only not a requirement, but is also not an option. As for intending to exist, thats pretty much a given for kids, evidenced in the glee with which they are inclined to do it, especially when very little.Finally, as for being forced to exist, that somehow sounds oddas odd as suggesting that the chance to live and experience the wonder of a universe larger than a phone booth and in full color were an imposition.But, as wonderful as the on-the-job perks of the job of being a kid are, one of the best things about the job is that so many among us, now adults, got the job so easily and enjoyed it so much.as a labor of love, given and received.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Determine the Best Candidate

Determine the Best CandidateDetermine the Best CandidateDetermine the Best CandidateIts an excruciating situation for managers Youve navigated the hiring process and are down to a few equally qualified candidates for one key position. How do you make an informed choice? The pain can be mitigated by knowing what interview questions to ask and how to assess each candidates answers.Well-thought-out, scripted questions, written specifically for each job and asked to each and every candidate, are critical to every interview, says Lissa Weimelt, principal of The Hiring Experts, a retained executive search company. Managers need to predetermine key success factors not skills or experience needed in the job or company.These hiring strategies will help you get the information you need to make the right decision.Identifying Success FactorsAccording to Weimelt, success factors include a candidates character traits, habits, motivators, teamwork skills, reaction to failure or success, and abili ty to manage stress or change. She urges managers to listen carefully for clues to the candidates approach to each one. At the end of the candidates answer, ask yourself What did I learn about her that translates to success in our company?Its also helpful to understand candidates weaknesses. Can they be coached to improve? Also, determine their motivation for job hunting. Are they running from something or to new opportunities?Interview Questions to Differentiate CandidatesCorporate consultant Curtis Crawford, founder, president and CEO of XCEO and author of Corporate Rise The X Principles of Extreme Personal Leadership, recommends asking ansicht questions to help reveal key differences among candidatesConsidering we have three reasonably similar and extremely well-qualified candidates for this position, what are the significant attributes you believe you offer that should substantially differentiate you from the others? Why should we select you as the next XCEO employee?Do you beli eve there is a significant difference between invention and innovation? If so, please share your perspective.How do you describe your long-term career aspirations, and what do you expect from this company in your pursuit?Do you believe that XCEO should place a higher value on managers who have consistently produced outstanding financial results or those who consistently demonstrate the ability to develop successful employees?Interview Questions to Aid Decision MakingCrawford says the following questions are useful when making tough hiring decisionsWhich is most important to you money, power or prestige? If none of the above, what motivates you to perform at your highest capability?Since we are not the current leader in our industry, if you had an opportunity to work for either us or our main competitor, which company would you choose? Why?What motivates you to pursue and ultimately achieve outstanding results, and what do you consider the best reward for great work?Are role models i mportant to you? If so, do you have any professional or personal role models who inspire you to achieve greatness? Are you comfortable sharing them with me, or would you prefer to keep it personal?What is the one word you believe best describes your style?Interview Questions that Surprise Candidates and Prompt Revealing AnswersManagement consultant Regina Barr, owner of Red Ladder, suggests looking for the flinch factor Ask questions that may surprise the candidate, and take note of not only the answers but also interview body language and the reaction to a pressure situation. Consider these examplesTell me about one of your biggest failures. What did you learn from the experience?Tell me about something you did that you regret. Why did you do it, and what did you learn from it?Give me an example of a time when you had to conform to a policy you disagreed with. Describe that experience and your response to it.Marni Hockenberg, principal of The Hiring Experts, cautions that some man agers dig to find the reason not to hire a qualified candidate. If you look long enough, reasonable doubt exists in any candidate. Having a structured interview process will help you identify someone who is a good fit and get your next good employee on board more quickly.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

This is what bosses find to be the worst employee behavior

This is what bosses find to be the worst employee behaviorThis is what bosses find to be the worst employee behaviorWhen it comes to workplace etiquette, there are things that people consider generally dealableand then there are others that people think are over the line (to quote John Goodmans character in The Big Lebowski.) Sometimes, coworkers and bosses encroaching on your personal and mental territory can be the thing that takes your job from enjoyable to intolerable.Customized signage company Signs.com surveyed 800 people half managers, half employees about decorum at work, focusing on behaviors they found most inappropriate.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreEmails at nightOnly 3% of non-management employees said they received zero work-related emails after working hours. All managers reported receiving at least one after-hours email every week 12% said they received 21 o r more emails after hours on a weekly basis.These nighttime emails create a chain of obligation to reply. While only 5% of employees said they received the same amount of after-work emails as managers, 81% of employees felt obligated to respond in a timely fashion to those emails.Feeling like youre always on and working for free off the clock can contribute to free-floating stress and anxiety, indeed, about a third of respondents said they felt stress over after-hours work communication.Bad employee etiquetteBosses seemed to resent employees when they felt they were being taken advantage of, or breaking etiquette by abusing unspoken rules or abusing company time (i.e., lateness).90% of bosses found chronic lateness unacceptable83% getting romantic making unwanted advances towards anyone at work80% spending too much time on social media77% making too many personal calls76% telling inappropriate jokesBadder bossesThe top complaints from employees against their bosses breaches of work etiquette all had to do with abuse of power.Playing favorites was hated by 82% of men and a whopping 92% of women.Informal threats to fire employees were found unacceptable by 82% of men and 84% of women.Making romantic advances towards employees was deemed unacceptable by 81% of men and 82% of womenUsing the company expense accounts for personal use was resented by 79% of men and 85% of womenTaking leistungspunkt for other employees work was found unacceptable by 77% of men and 85% of women.Then there are the little things that can turn into big irritants in the enclosed space of an office.Using a speakerphone in an open/shared office was found unacceptable by 65% of men and 75% of womenGossiping was found unacceptable by 66% of men and 70% of womenUsing ALL CAPS was found unacceptable by 62% of men and 69% of womenNot silencing cellphones was found unacceptable by 52% of men and 60% of womenThe takeaway? Its been said before managers and employees have different ideas about whats a breach of etiquette. Employees, dont be late, stay off social media, and be free to subtly fight back against stress youre probably not obligated to answer those after-hours emails.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from jngste im bunde Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Get the Professional Training You Need

Get the Professional Training You Need Get the Professional Training You Need Conferences, courses and certifications are all great ways to show your employer your ever-increasing value. However, costs for these training opportunities - in terms of both time and money - can get high. Although employers know that paying for professional development is a great way to retain employees, they won’t automatically rubber-stamp any paid training you ask for. That's why you should come up with a plan to get the professional training you need. Here are four ways to make it happen: 1. Write and submit a proposal to your employer Whatever training you’re going for, be thorough with your cost estimates and research. Be sure to point out how the company will benefit from your professional development through your expanded skills. Also, you want to attend seminars, professional conferences or events, focus on the industry connections and potential clients you’ll encounter while you’re there. 2. Tie it to a specific and immediate need If you can turn your professional training into an even more direct investment in the company’s current needs, you’ll likely improve your chances of getting your employer to pay for it. If, for example, your firm needs someone to take the lead on social media marketing, taking a course on business social media won’t just be generalized training for you. It’ll translate into an immediate benefit for the company. You can also tie continuing education to business needs by reminding your manager of how regulatory compliance concerns and laws change from year to year. 3. Go for a dollar-for-dollar match Perhaps your company is too small to be spending thousands of dollars to develop multiple employees. If that’s the case, you can ask your boss to match your payments and essentially split the cost 50/50. It may not be a free ride, but sharing the cost might make the difference between getting your professional development and waiting for something that probably won’t ever happen. 4. Follow through with your proposal Once you’ve received your training or certification, use your newly acquired expertise on the job. Be sure you are delivering on the points you made in your proposal so your boss sees the tangible benefits of funding your training. Take it a step further and offer to share your knowledge with colleagues, maybe through some in-house training or mentoring relationships. Once management starts to see that the investment in you is paying dividends, they’ll likely be more inclined to subsidize your professional training in the future. With a successful track record and the support of your employer, you can keep up with the changes and demands of modern accounting without breaking the bank. Don't miss our hot-off-the-press career insights and advice. Subscribe to our newsletter When you subscribe to the Robert Half newsletter, you’ll get articles and resources to help you build and manage a winning accounting and finance team - all sent directly to your inbox. Click the button below to sign up today! SUBSCRIBE NOW