Monday, November 18, 2019

5 reasons big money doesnt get people excited about working in Silicon Valley

5 reasons big money doesn't get people excited about working in Silicon Valley 5 reasons big money doesn't get people excited about working in Silicon Valley All that glitters isn’t gold in Silicon Valley.Scoring a job at a major company like Apple or Google means membership in the highest tax brackets, so you can afford anything right?Not necessarily.Mid- to senior-level engineers from a handful of companies in San Francisco, including Airbnb, Google and Twitter, fork over between about 42%-54% of their monthly income to live near the office,  according to rental listing company Radpad and job-seeking site Anthology.With astronomically  high costs of living, even well-paid tech workers can be alarmed by their quality of life.Here are five classic stories of the worst living conditions and housing problems that come along with good jobs in one of the richest metro areas in the world.Using a compost bucket as a bathroomAn Apple employee living in Santa Cruz was taking shelter in a  garage in Santa Cruz, according to The Guardian. How did he manage to use a  restroom in the garage, you ask?Two words: compost bucket.The same article also h ighlighted the experience of a Silicon Valley techie at a coding bootcamp, who shared a two-bedroom apartment with 12 other engineers through Airbnb.“It was $1,100 for a f***ing bunk bed and five people in the same room. One guy was living in a closet, paying $1,400 for a ‘private room’,” he told The Guardian.Living in a homeless campOne of the worst horror stories we’ve seen is a worker whose life spiralled downward after being unable to find housing in San Jose, California, near San Francisco, where the median home price broke a record last year at $1 million, according to the National Association of Realtors. Robert Aguirre used to own a Silicon Valley engineering consulting firm, but after losing his apartment and then his job, his living situation went sharply downwards: he had to live in his car, then move with his sick wife to what has been called “the nation’s largest homeless encampment,”  according to Mother Jones in 2014.Part of the problem, he suggested, is age discrimination against older tech workers.“The jobs that do remain are very technical and usually they hire people right out of school or while they’re still in school. Old farts like me don’t have a chance of competing. I lost my business and the house I owned. When the economy took a dump it took me with it,” he told the magazine.Aguirre believes tech companies need to think more carefully about how they hire and maintain employees.“I think the tech companies have an obligation to help out; they’re the ones who’ve outsourced middle-class jobs and driven rents and property values far beyond many people’s reach,” he told the publication.“It sold in 24 hours for $1.7m”Navigating the housing market in Silicon Valley is no joke.Michael,  an employee at a networking firm, took home $700,000 last year - that’s Wall Street-level money - and attempted to  cut down on his 22-mile, hours-long commute by looking at a place closer to the office. He was too late to get in on the property market, according to The Guardian.The place was snapped up by hungry house-hunters.“We went to an open house in Los Gatos that would shorten my commute by eight miles. It was 1,700 sq ft and listed at $1.4m. It sold in 24 hours for $1.7m,” he told The Guardian.He told The Guardian that since he’s tired of  the grueling route to work and cost of living, he’s packing his bags for San Diego to take a job for half his previous salary - and a lot less frustration.Bunking in a truckSome have chosen to avoid the unforgiving housing market  altogether.A software engineer moved from Massachusetts to the San Francisco Bay Area to work for Google.While interning at the company in 2014, he bunked in Google’s cheapest housing option: four people sharing two bedrooms at about $65 per night (about $2000 a month), he told the publication.  He chose to live in a truck in the company’s parking lot to save money in 2015, according to Business Insider.“I realiz ed I was paying an exorbitant amount of money for the apartment I was staying in - and I was almost never home,” he says. “It’s really hard to justify throwing that kind of money away. You’re essentially burning it - you’re not putting equity in anything and you’re not building it up for a future - and that was really hard for me to reconcile,” he said.But Facebook is one company that has given its employees a leg up on the Silicon housing market before.People working in the social media company’s Silicon Valley office were offered at least $10,000 to find places closer to work, according to Reuters. Generous, but hardly enough: by our count, that would cover only about three months’ rent in the Bay Area.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

This is the city where you should buy your first home

This is the city where you should buy your first home This is the city where you should buy your first home You might want to check out one of these areas if you’re a first-time homebuyer.If you’re in the market to make possibly the biggest step in adulthood, Tampa, Fl was recently ranked the best city in the US for first-time homebuyers, according to personal-finance WalletHub.The study compared 300 US cities across three key components - affordability, real-estate market, and quality of life - while evaluating different metrics to give each a numerical score.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!The findingsTampa ranked No. 2 on the real estate market while having a strong quality of life, ranking within the top 15 in the country. Other cites that filed in behind the top spot were Overland Park (Kansas), Thornton (Colorado), Grand Rapids (Michigan), and Boise (Idaho).For the most affordable housing, WalletHub found that Ohio is a hot-bed for cheaper options with Akron, Toledo, and Cleveland taking the top three spots. Cleveland also had the highest rent-to-price ratio at 6%, which is more than six times higher than Sunnyvale (California), the lowest city in that category.On the flip side, finding a home in most areas of California was considered the worst option, according to the survey. The Golden State had seven cities ranked in the worst cities for first-time homebuyers including Berkeley, which took the top spot due to it being in one of the most expensive markets.Outside of California, Detroit (Michigan) and areas in Northern New Jersey (Newark and Elizabeth) were ranked as some of the worst cities, as well.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

The State of Tech Hiring in Nashville

The State of Tech Hiring in Nashville The State of Tech Hiring in Nashville THE STATE OF TECH HIRING IN NASHVILLE Q3 and Q4 2019 TOP SKILLS IN IMMEDIATE DEMAND: 1. Cloud security 2. Cloud architecture 3. Cloud computing 4. Cybersecurity 5. Virtualization; Mobile development; Agile* OF TECHNOLOGY LEADERS SURVEYED … 69% plan to expand their teams. 30% plan to fill only vacant positions. 87% say it’s challenging to find IT talent in their area. 99% are confident in their company’s prospects for growth. 97% will bring on project-based IT employees. Below are the top reasons: When there’s a sudden vacancy 67% For especially busy times 53% Consultants are part of our hiring strategy 50% For unplanned, time-sensitive projects 41% When a skill does not exist internally 38% Multiple responses allowed. TOP BUSINESS CONCERNS 1. Maintaining security of IT systems 2. Innovation or helping grow the business; Investing in new technologies* 3. Cloud projects/initiatives

Friday, November 15, 2019

Using Pronouns and Gender-Inclusive Language at Work - The Muse

Using Pronouns and Gender-Inclusive Language at Work - The Muse Using Pronouns and Gender-Inclusive Language at Work Picture this: You’re gathered around the coffee machine one morning with a group of your co-workers when Joe says, “You guys missed a great story Robin told while we were manning the conference booth yesterday. No seriously, dude, she’s so funny.” Sounds normal enough. But read it over again and see if you can spot all the ways Joe might’ve unintentionally made people feel uncomfortable or excluded. He probably didn’t mean to insult or distress any of his co-workers, including Robin, who actually uses they/them/their pronouns. But the language he chose- referring to a mixed group as “you guys,” using the gendered term “manning” instead of a neutral one like “staffing,” and calling someone by the wrong pronouns- may have done exactly that. (For the record, hypothetical Joe uses he/him/his pronouns.) You, like Joe or any other well-intentioned colleague, might inadvertently be using language that makes people around you feel uncomfortable, othered, or even endangered. But by adopting language that is more gender-inclusive, you can ensure that you’re treating all of your co-workers, clients, customers, and any other professional contacts with respect. An integral part of helping employees thrive is creating a space where every individual feels they can bring their full selves to work. Elden Seropian “An integral part of helping employees thrive is creating a space where every individual feels they can bring their full selves to work,” says Elden Seropian, a software engineer for product at Asana who co-founded the company’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group, Team Rainbow. (Full disclosure: Asana is a current client of The Muse.) “Even in supportive environments, many transgender and gender non-conforming individuals can still expect uncomfortable conversations, one of them being around pronouns,” they add (Seropian uses they/them/their pronouns). “Small tweaks can lead to better communication for everyone- whether you’re transgender or simply someone with a name that could be mistaken for a different gender between different languages, cultures, or generations.” And while you probably know to say things like “salesperson” instead of “salesman,” there are plenty of other ways gendered language can creep into our everyday speech and not only make people uncomfortable, but also unconsciously perpetuate outdated power structures. It’s true that this probably isn’t a topic anyone at your office was discussing a few years ago (or even today, depending on where you work). But it’s worth making the effort. With a little learning and a lot of practice, you have the power to help make your workplace more welcoming for everyone. Here are a few ways to start. Don’t Assume When it Comes to Pronouns It’s a habit that’s so ingrained, we don’t even realize we’re doing it. Most of us are used to looking at someone, categorizing them into “he” or “she” by some unconscious instinct, and then starting to talk about them that way. But a person’s name, their clothing, or any other outward signals don’t necessarily tell you how that person identifies. That goes not just for transgender folks, but those of any gender identity. And being misgendered (referred to in a way that assumes a gender other than the one the person identifies as) can be hurtful, not to mention disrespectful. “Perhaps I’m guessing [a person’s pronoun] correctly, but it’s still just guessing,” says Beck Bailey, Deputy Director of Employee Engagement for HRC’s Workplace Equality Program. “When we get it wrong, it’s awkward and alienating for both parties- the person who misgendered someone and the person being misgendered.” When we get it wrong, it’s awkward and alienating for both parties- the person who misgendered someone and the person being misgendered. Beck Bailey It can shut down rather than foster work relationships and rapport building within teams and companies and, if you’re in a customer- or client-facing role, it can even turn away business if “that person doesn’t feel welcome or seen,” Bailey says, who uses he/him/his pronouns. So if you’re referring to someone before you know what pronouns they use, opt for gender-neutral pronouns (like they/them/their) or none at all (for example, by using their name), until you know more. Because, as Bailey says, “nothing is more indicative of respect and basic dignity than talking to someone with the name and form of address they desire.” Think, too, about assumptions you make when someone’s telling you a story about a person you don’t know, says Seropian. Did they mention their friend was a doctor or lawyer or a professional in some other historically male-dominated field and you assumed it was a “he”? Work on “getting into practice of using gender-neutral language when a gender hasn’t been specified or is not relevant.” Ask About Someone’s Pronouns Using gender-neutral pronouns or repeating someone’s name is a useful solution, but it’s only a temporary one. Continuing to avoid the matter might signal that you don’t care to take the time to learn about someone and get it right. “Using the correct pronouns is a matter of common courtesy,” Seropian says. They point out that beyond the fact that using someone’s name as the only way to refer to them over time “reads as being unwilling to accept a person’s pronouns or make an effort,” it can also result in some pretty awkward sentences. (Think: “I was talking to Elden and Elden said that Elden had a cat.” It’s not great.) One way to proceed is to ask. By doing so, Seropian says, you’re “demonstrating that you care about addressing them correctly.” You might want to try: “Hey, what are your pronouns?” “What pronouns do you use?” “I was just wondering how you’d like me to address you.” “I just want to make sure I’m using the correct language to refer to you.” Seropian emphasizes that you should avoid any language around preference (such as “what pronouns do you prefer?”), because correct pronouns “aren’t really a preference, they’re a requirement.” Unfortunately, the asking approach can be problematic on multiple fronts. “If you only ask people who ‘look trans,’ you risk singling them out as not passing or bringing them unwelcome attention,” Seropian explains. But “if you start asking everybody, you’ll find some cisgender people [whose gender identity corresponds with their sex assigned at birth] get very offended that you ‘can’t tell by looking at them,’” they add. (In explicitly queer spaces, asking broadly is more expected and accepted, “because there’s a general understanding that everyone in the room knows you can’t tell by looking and are trying to be respectful.”) Or Better Yet, Share Yours The best solution, then, is to “lead by example and introduce your own [pronouns], then give people space to optionally tell you theirs,” Seropian says. “I would say, ‘Hi, my name is Elden and I use they/them/their pronouns’... Generally if you lead with your own, people who care about you knowing will respond in kind and you don’t need to ask.” There are also ways people can share pronouns outside of face-to-face interactions. For example, Seropian spearheaded an effort to add a pronoun field to profile settings in the Asana app so that any company using the work management platform could allow workers to share their own and learn those of others who’ve chosen to do the same. Generally if you lead with your own, people who care about you knowing will respond in kind and you don’t need to ask. Elden Seropian The same could be done by allowing people to add pronouns to an internal company directory, in job applications, and on name tags at events, or through individual efforts by adding pronouns to Slack profiles, email signatures, Twitter bios, or any other profile or communication. By sharing your own pronouns rather than putting the spotlight on someone else, you’re “sending a signal that you’re inclusive,” Bailey says, without singling anyone out. It could help create a safe environment where, over time, colleagues feel more comfortable sharing how they identify and what pronouns they use. Take the Lead, But Be Smart and Sensitive Bailey acknowledges that sharing pronouns is not yet a common corporate practice, explaining that the conversation is driven primarily by younger workers in urban and especially coastal areas, and probably more common in industries such as tech and education than perhaps an area like institutional investing. So while being a proactive ally by sharing your own pronouns might be all the more meaningful in more conservative spaces, your efforts may also carry different risks. As with anything, consider the safety of everyone involved. If you’re in a position of privilege- because you’re in a management role or simply white, straight, cisgender, a man, etc.- it can be a powerful statement if you take it upon yourself to begin making change by adding your pronouns to your email signature, wearing a pronoun pin, introducing yourself with your pronouns, or even just bringing up an article you read or someone you know who’s come out as transgender or non-binary and informally discussing what you’ve learned. It might start just with your team but could lead to a larger conversation, and that’s what we want. Beck Bailey “That takes maybe a little bravery,” Bailey says. But “if you have the agency and you want to be a leader, that would be a good way to start,” he adds. “It might start just with your team but could lead to a larger conversation, and that’s what we want.” If you have a colleague who’s not explicitly out but you’re unsure what pronouns they use, you can privately offer your own and ask after theirs. For example, you might say, “I really want to be inclusive of everyone in the workplace, and I want to refer to you respectfully. I use he/him pronouns. What pronouns do you use?” Seropian adds that if you do chat privately with a colleague “you don’t know how to address or suspect others are addressing incorrectly,” don’t forget the next step. “If they do turn out to be TGNC (trans or gender-nonconforming), make sure to get clarity around how they want you to refer to them in front of co-workers, as they may not be out at work.” React Appropriately When someone shares their pronouns with you, some appropriate responses, according to Seropian, include: “Thanks for letting me know!” “Cool, my pronouns are [they/them, he/him, etc.].” “To make sure I’m using those right, is that like ‘Xe is my co-worker’?” “Great, I’ll look up how to use those correctly. Mind spelling them for me?” On the flipside, you should avoid doubting a pronoun is real, telling someone “[the] singular they is grammatically incorrect,” saying “I’ll try, but I’m going to mess it up,” or giving up before you even start and telling them you’ll just use their name. Beware of Other Gendered Language That may feel like a lot to think about already, but don’t forget that pronouns are hardly the only examples of gendered language we use on a regular basis. “Think about boarding an airplane or sitting down to have breakfast at your favorite diner,” Bailey says. “You often hear, ‘Welcome aboard, sir!’ or ‘Good morning, ladies!’” As he points out, these are all meant to be signs of politeness and respect, but they can backfire. If you get them wrong, he explains, you’ve not only failed to accomplish what you set out to, but also done some damage. Why not just say “Welcome aboard!” or “Good morning, everyone!” using your tone of voice and body language (like a smile!) to communicate warmth and respect? Seropian recalls seeing something on Asana’s website about recruiting talented men and women to work for the company. “I know what you’re trying to do here,” they thought, but “men and women doesn’t include me.” To the credit of the people responsible for the language, they responded to Seropian’s email within half an hour and had changed the phrasing on the site. Here’s an (incomplete) list of common gendered terms and what you can use instead: Instead of “you guys,” try “you all,” “y’all,” “folks,” “friends,” “everyone,” “people” Instead of “dude,” “man,” and “bro,” well, how about just ditch those, no replacement necessary? Instead of “ladies and gentlemen,” try “everyone,” “folks,” or nothing at all Instead of “men and women,” try “people,” “employees,” or “workers” Instead of “sir” and “ma’am,” try nothing at all Instead of “man hours,” “man the door,” “manpower,” etc., try “work,” “staff,” or “people/person,” as in “work hours,” “people hours,” “staff the door,” etc. Instead of “mankind,” try “humankind” Instead of “freshman,” try “first-year student” Instead of “fireman,” “congressman,” and “waitress,” try “firefighter,” “legislator,” and “server” (and the same extends to all sorts of professions) Correct Yourself As dedicated as you may be to using more inclusive language, mistakes are bound to happen once in a while. How you correct yourself is nearly as crucial as what words you’re trying to use in the first place. If you’re having an in-person conversation and realize right away you’ve messed up a pronoun, you can easily fix it in the moment, Bailey and Seropian agree. For example, you might be talking and say, “He’s over there, I mean, they’re over there,” or, “I was talking to so-and-so and he, sorry she, said such-and-such.” Seropian adds that if you make a mistake on Slack, you can quickly edit your message. And Bailey notes that if you find yourself using “you guys” or another gendered term, you can also make a mental note that you don’t want to do that again. But if you get a pronoun wrong on an email thread that includes a whole bunch of people, you’ll want to carefully consider your next step. Rather than hitting “Reply All” (which is almost never the right move, whether you’re dealing with pronouns or anything else), you might want to make a quick, private apology to the person you misgendered. For example, you could write or say, “Hey, I saw that I misgendered you there. I won’t do that again,” or, “I noticed that I messed up, and I’m sorry about that.” And you can ask them if they’d like you to make a more public correction. Whatever they decide, respect their wishes, but regardless, make sure that the next time you refer to that person in the thread, you use the correct pronouns. But Don’t Dwell Don’t make a small mistake worse by dwelling on it. You might instinctively want to keep talking about how sorry you are, or how hard you’re trying. But as Bailey explains, “when you do that you’re asking a person to tell you, ‘That’s okay.’” You’re ultimately asking them to take on responsibility for educating you and relieving your guilt. That’s a big emotional burden for them to bear, on top of the discrimination, harassment, and other obstacles they may already face. And by doing so, you’re ultimately asking them to take on responsibility for educating you and relieving your guilt. That’s a big emotional burden for them to bear, on top of the discrimination, harassment, and other obstacles they may already face. The same goes for questions: Remember that no one is actually required to answer your inquiries about being trans or how to be an ally. Instead, put the onus on yourself to do some research. “We don’t need a big scene, we need folks to work on getting it right,” Bailey says. And definitely don’t try to explain yourself with a comment about someone’s deep voice or outfit or whatever. “Just own it and move on. It’s not about a voice or dress or pants or makeup,” he says. “Don’t make it about that. It’s about how people are telling you how they want to be addressed.” Practice Ditching old habits and training yourself to adopt new behaviors- including using gender-inclusive language- doesn’t happen at the drop of a woke hat. You have to work on it. “It takes practice,” Bailey says, adding, “I’m someone who’s very aware of this and does this for a living, and I have to really work at not using a gendered reference… It is so socialized and so a part of our culture, it does take conscious effort to do it differently.” It is so socialized and so a part of our culture, it does take conscious effort to do it differently. Beck Bailey The good news is that the more you offer up your own pronouns, ask people about theirs, avoid other gendered terms and phrases, and make note of and correct your mistakes, the easier it’ll get. Help One Another Learn and Be Accountable Learning about and practicing using gender-inclusive language (and inclusive language more broadly) doesn’t have to be a lonely endeavor. Even if no one else at your job is discussing it explicitly yet, chances are you’re not the only one who wants to do better. At Nuna, a healthcare technology company, Bron Lewis facilitated a discussion titled “Language Matters: Challenging Bigotry in Everyday Vocabulary” at the company’s annual retreat. “In the mere 20 minutes we had to talk about this topic, the #watch-your-language Slack channel was born,” Lewis wrote in a blog post. The channel was designed to be “a space where we could ask questions and support each other as we try to change the language we use to be more inclusive.” Employees could opt into the channel to help one another learn and find “a safe space where we could admit to messing up and ask questions without judgment.” In another kind of effort, a group of employees at the startup npm made a “Guys jar,” where people could voluntarily put in a dollar when they said “you guys,” used another gendered term unnecessarily, or misgendered someone. They decided to give the funds to charity whenever they’d accumulated $50, with their first donation going to Girls Who Code. To circle back to hypothetical Joe, next time he’ll try to remember to say, “You folks missed a great story Robin told while we were staffing the conference booth yesterday. No seriously, y’all, they’re so funny.” And the better he gets at using gender-inclusive language, the more all of his colleagues will know how much he respects and values them.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Recruiters Best Networking Tips

Recruiters’ Best Networking Tips Recruiters’ Best Networking Tips Six ways to be more memorable at networking events and holiday parties from recruiters who have been on the meet-and-greet circuit.Recently, I attended what was billed as the “largest networking party of the year.” There were more than 1,600 people at this event in New Jersey, run by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.John S. Fitzgerald, chairman of the chamber, spoke about attendees’ opportunities to make contacts that can lead to new jobs and new customers. This got me thinking about what makes an effective networker.I asked around, and here’s what top recruiters and hiring managers said:1. Go to the top.According to Savio Chan, an inveterate networker who counts among his friends the CEOs of many of America’s top companies, the key to networking is to “connect to people at the top. Otherwise you get to well- meaning people who are not in a position to really help you.” As the co-founder of Leader Connections, Chan teaches his successful networking techniques to others. While many of us outside the C-suite might wonder why a CEO would want to network with us, Chan has successfully put into practice his belief that we all have something about which we are more knowledgeable than the people with whom we seek to network. That includes CEOs.Top executives will network with you if your expertise can be helpful to them, regardless of your status. Chan advises treating the people with whom you network as peers. With When it comes to the special talents you have to offer them, you are more than their equal. Underpinning his approach is the basic principle practiced by all effective networker s: Networking is about what you give to others rather than what you want to get.2. Prioritize small gatherings.While large networking groups offer the chance to connect with a wide range of individuals, smaller venues, both online and in person, make connecting easier. According to Nancy Ancowitz, business-communication coach and author of the just -released b ook “Self-Promotion for Introverts,” “Some of the best business relationships I’ve formed over the years got started at small networking groups, special- interest groups at professional organizations, boards of directors I’ve served on, volunteer groups I belonged to, and in other relatively small group settings.”Ancowitz points out that these small network settings provide “an opportunity to connect in a more intimate setting with people who may share your interests and you don’t get lost in the crowd. Introverts, in particular, often prefer a small group setting. We prefer conversations with one person at a time or in small groups. Small group members who see each other at regular intervals - say, monthly - and get to know each other are more likely to take a personal interest in each other’s success”Marcia Glatman, an executive recruiter and founder of Coffee and Connection, is putting into practice her preferred method of networking by connecting small grou ps of individuals who come out of the same industry and are at the same level. By facilitating networking within these small groups, she helps the participants “get behind the resume” and truly connect with each other. This knowledgeable group of peers then becomes a personal board of advisorsOnline networking is also an option, but be selective. You can make connections on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Some organizations, such as the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO.org), are launching smaller exclusive networks because these networks can be better vehicles to develop relationships between members. Regardless of the platform, “the real value of social media comes from the active engagement of the participants.3. Don’t find the right party, throw the right party.Career coach Irene Sinteff notes, “The holiday season tends to draw people together.” She suggests participating in holiday activities in your town and at your place of worship. Attending friends’ Christmas parties if they are allowed to bring guests is a good way to make networking contacts. Throwing a party and asking everyone you invite to bring a new friend or acquaintance will also allow you to meet new people.4. Choose a wingman.Craig Price of Price Points offers a technique he refers to as “barnacle networking” for individuals who are not really comfortable networking. He advises that you “find someone you know and like who is great at networking. They will be your cruise ship while you tag along with them like a barnacle.” They will introduce you to new people without the awkwardness of having to introduce yourself. For some people, an introduction raises their comfort factor.5. Cross-promote a friend.Caroline Ceniza-Levine of Six Figure Starts suggests a different type of “tag team” at your next networking mixer. She suggests “going together but networking separately.” This approach has you looking for people for your friend, not yourself. That way you can “talk up” your friend. And your friend does the same for you. “It is much easier to sell someone else than to sell yourself, she notes and, “at the same time, you get immediate credibility by vouching for each other.”6. Wear something memorable.Joyce Boncal of Advertise You tells her clients to wear something noticeable and memorable when they go to networking events. Perhaps a man could wear a colorful pocket square, or a woman could wear a “statement piece” of jewelry.Whether in a large group or a small one, online or in person, ultimately networking success comes from the relationships you develop. The best definition of good networking I ever heard came from Wendy Vigroux, a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney: “Networking is not about what you want but about making a human connection.” To that I would add: Networking is about giving because that is how you make that connection. Only after you do so will people want to help you.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

6 signs youre being taken advantage of  and what to do

6 signs you're being taken advantage of â€"  and what to do 6 signs you're being taken advantage of â€"  and what to do Especially when you’re a natural-born overachiever, going above and beyond at the workplace is second nature to you. Not only because you want to impress your manager but you have high standards for yourself and your performance. While this is a positive trait to have, those who are incredibly self-motivated run the risk of being taken advantage of. Those who aren’t as hard working or enthusiastic can prey on you, since they know you’ll deliver whatever project, deadline or presentation is put in front of you.Branding and career expert Wendi Weiner challenges those who may feel undervalued to speak up… stat! “Standing up for yourself shows empowerment and self-respect. If someone is continuously taking advantage of you, then they aren’t showing you the respect that is due and owing. You then become a doormat to the person and their expectation is they can always walk all over you,” she explains.Here, clear signs you’re not being respected:You never feel good enoughAft er weeks of working diligently on a new launch for your company, the big day comes and goes swimmingly. But even though you gave your all and exceeded expectations, your boss fails not only fails to acknowledge your work, but has negative feedback. You probably find yourself scratching your head and wondering what you missed the mark on, which can be bad news for your sense of self-confidence. When you never feel like you live up to expectations, it is more likely that you shrink, instead of rise to the next level of your career.This type of upper leadership attitude illustrates your manager’s perception of you, according to branding expert and career coach Ali Craig. “It is human nature to crave validation so withholding verbal praise is an easy way to control someone,” she explains. “The same holds true if your efforts are always being nitpicked. Living in a state of constant criticism increases anxiety and stress responses.”When your boss lists out what you did wrong †" or doesn’t say anything at all â€" take a deep breath and ask for feedback. What specific tasks could you have done better? How can you improve? What did they think â€" and why?You are always helping othersSomeone needs help editing an email? You’re there. Another person needs you to pick up the slack where someone left off? You got it. Though this helpful mentality is appreciated, it is also easy for many to take a people-pleaser for granted.“It is one thing to help out a co-worker who is in a pinch, but if it becomes a weekly situation, then it’s a red flag that you are being taken advantage of,” Weiner continues. The best way to handle it is to advise that you are buried in time-sensitive projects and can’t help right now, she says.Your boss never takes responsibility â€" or takes all of itWhen a client meeting bombs- are you left with the burden of the fail? Or when it goes swimmingly- is your name somehow left off of the big company-wide announcement email? When y our manager refuses to take responsibility for the bad stuff but always steps up for the praise, Craig says you’re treading on unhealthy grounds.“It may seem like a cultural phenomenon, but lack of assuming responsibilities isn’t just bad manners, it is also a sign that the relationship isn’t valued,” she explains. “The person taking advantage usually never takes responsibility for anything from their words, actions, and subsequent outcomes, and instead puts all of the responsibilities of the other party.”When this happens, pull your boss aside and have a discussion. Though it might be uncomfortable to articulate, coming armed with examples will help make your case, and hopefully, provoke a change.You are doing way more work than you’re paid forNo matter the industry, everyone is short-staffed sometimes - whether because of vacation or a slew of folks jumping ship for new opportunities. Being understanding of the company’s needs, you might step up and take on extr a work. Though that is a welcomed short-term solution, it isn’t one that should be insistent … if you’re not getting a salary bump or title change in exchange. “If your boss doesn’t acknowledge your new additional responsibilities, you are being taken advantage of, and you may want to have a conversation with your boss about how you can be compensated for your extra help,” she advises.You’re always apologizingTwo words that are far too often in the frequent vocabulary of most professionals (particularly, females)? ‘I’m sorry.’ And 99 percent of the time, you have no reason to apologize- you’re merely showing how antsy or on edge you feel with your manager. As an experiment, keep a record of how many times you slip these words daily. You’ll probably be surprised by the number!“If you find yourself always apologizing especially if you are doing it just to ‘keep the peace’ â€" you aren’t being respected. This increases the giving party’s stress level b ut it also subconsciously increases their commitment to seeing the relationship through,” Craig explains.The solution here? Stop apologizing, unless necessary. Instead, justify or stand firm on your choices and actions, showing your manager or co-worker how tough your backbone actually is.Your ideas are never taken seriouslyYou spend countless hours brainstorming ideas and you take your time to provide thoughtful, thorough suggestions when your manager requests them … but nothing is taken seriously. This can be a big downer on your own opinion of your work and contribution to a team, and as Craig says, a clear indicator that your boss is taking advantage of you.In this extreme, recurring case, it might be in your best interest to seek new employment, where you can recreate a respectful relationship from day one.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Volunteer Section on Resume: the Ultimate Convenience!

Volunteer Section on Resume: the Ultimate Convenience! Typically, you should incorporate any volunteer or paid work from the past ten years within this section. Volunteer work may have a larger impact for you than a seasoned candidate, which means you need to draw the reader in from the beginning. Learn what related volunteer work you are able to put on a resume. So, you can want to think about leaving potentially-revealing volunteer work out. If you are pleased with one profession, you can't consider altering your career. A legal professional seeking the most suitable job should have a strong resume to be able to be noticed by the employers. A career highlights section is most effective for a seasoned job seeker and ought to be used in place of an objective. Don't despair if change career resume examples appear to be not working as it's quite possible that you'll need some expert assistance who's a specialist in the area. Consider what'll be absolutely the most impactful and relevant to the role or business you're targeting. So, it's required to make an outstanding first impression by developing a Personal Support Workerresumethat presents you in a positive light and positions you as the very best candidate for the job you're applying. A lot of letters do precisely what they shouldn't do which is concentrate on the job seekers' needs. When you include examples of your achievements in voluntary positions you're also displaying the results of your private involvement and so giving the hiring manager with concrete instances of how you'll be an ideal fit for their company. Facts, Fiction and Volunteer Section on Resume That is the reason why it is vital that you use samples to your benefit. You're attempting to sell something when you compose a cover letter, only the item is you. In these page, we additionally have variety of images out there. Resume examples will reveal to you just what type of information is necessary and the format it is required in. The Fight Against Volunteer Section on Resume It is possible to demonstrate these employers your abilities by simply using resume samples that will help you better your own resumes. The examples that you may locate to use, can help you understand what specific information which you want to be sure is on there. If you're using mobile phone, you may also utilize menu drawer from browser. Don't incorporate an individual volunteer section. There are several new especially well. Browse thousands of Volunteer Resumes Samples to find out what it requires to stand out. The Hidden Gem of Volunteer Section on Resume You also don't wish to include references readily available on request for the exact same reason. In such situations, it's better to remain quiet. PaperCoach can assist you with all your papers, so take a look at the moment! Many times there's a unique format required and if you don't refer to resume examples then you may not know that requirement whatsoever. In some instances, the hiring manager may be scared to call you in for an interview in any way if you include church references in your resume, as stated by the Business Insider site. Some employers utilize GPA for a screening tool. Some resumes are reviewed by many distinctive employers and don't give them with the information that they are hunting for. Take a look at the following links to get started looking for exciting job positions locally. Change career resume examples demonstrate that you should begin with personal info. Including a GPA can be complicated! This is the location where you give a succinct overview of who you are and what it is possible to bring to the table. Resume examples for free will help you in a detailed process on how best to compose your resume. Ask somebody who understands or works in a hiring role should you include it depending on your private circumstance. A well written resume is one that is not so overwhelming in the opinion of employers. 1 thing a lot of people don't understand about writing resumes is you have to be certain it has each of the pertinent information that will help you get hired. Just be certain to be up-front regarding the nature of each job if asked. If you want to make a great impression on an employer looking at bad resume examples might be excellent tool for you. When you haven't been in a position to get out into the community lately, start looking for ways that you can help out to remain current. It is a personal option to include your volunteer work, and your decision may change depending on what you would like to highlight about yourself and where you're applying,'' says Sidon. Relevant volunteer work may be only the thing to capture that employer's interest.