The most cringe-worthy, team-building exercise I participated in

The most cringe-worthy, team-building exercise I participated inThe most cringe-worthy, team-building exercise I participated inFabio is at the door.This phrase, uttered in a mockingly dramatic tone, can still elicit groans and laughter in certain Seattle advertising circles. This team-building exercise, which happened over 20 years ago, is legendary in its awfulness.I was a new hire - and new to the role as a copywriter for a large advertising agency which is now part of a behemoth global concern. My first of many jobs for this group of agencies, which are generous as a rule, and tend to have plenty of funds for employee development programs, no matter how dubious.This particular amtsstube suffered from an unusually competitive, back-stabby culture. In retrospect, I also think the culture extended to client and vendor relations. Maybe some of them complained about things like padded invoices and inflated hours which they couldnt prove, or maybe someone thought we needed continuing education in ethics.Regardless of the reason, they thought they could fix things by bringing in this consultant, a Tony Robbins type, who announcedI am here to help you feel inspired.Inspired to, you know, not pad the expense reports and stuff. At least this was the gist of it again in retrospect. But it was all couched in these touchy-feely parables about relationships, including a hypothetical situation he outlined while instructing us to shut your eyes.I want you to imagine youre a woman, home alone. Your husband is traveling on business. He will be gone for awhile. Nobody else is around to see you or hear you.Okay, my eyes are shut. Im picturing myself on the couch with a pint of ice cream, watching As The World Turns like the 1990s stay-at-home housewife I wasnt.Suddenly, you hear a knock. You go to answer it.Fabio is at the door.Huh? You mean that dude on the fake butter commercials? Why would he be at the door?The guy waited with bated breath. What do you do? Do you invite hi m in? After all, nobody will know.Um, ew, no. God no. Thats super creepy, and quite frankly, more of a male fantasy than something women would dream up, especially those who might have been raped or attacked by an intruder.Why on earth would this guy think that this was an appropriate question to bring up in a corporate setting? Its horrible,even in an everyday setting. Like he assumed that if were offered a chance to cheat without getting caught, wed jump at it, even with a total stranger.Besides, Fabio??? I mean, he could have used Antonio Banderas or Harrison Ford or even the guy in the Cindy Crawford Diet Coke commercial. But no, not Fabio.I wasnt the only one to be shocked. Stunned silence was followed by laughter, followed by boos, followed by a lot of people - the women especially - walking out on the whole thing to complain.Funny enough, I did end up meeting Fabio during a personal appearance at Whole Foods years later. He was handsome, I guess, but the attraction was miti gated by the presence of a pckchen fan hed set up so his hair would remain windblown as he talked about the whey protein he was shilling.Nice enough guy, but if he showed up at my door, Id still call the cops.Photo credit me. Im the second person on the left, cuddling up to the big lug.This post first appeared on Quora.

James Garners Words of Wisdom for Your Career

James Garners Words of Wisdom for Your Career James Garners Words of Wisdom for Your Career Garner, as writer for The New York Times, Bruce Webber, pens, was a genuine star but as an actor something of a paradox a lantern-jawed, brawny athlete whose physical appeal was both enhanced and undercut by a disarming wit.The award-winning actor was fruchtwein noted for his roles in Maverick, The Rockford Files, and a slew of films. He also received a Purple Heart for his service in the Korean War.So, to honor the legendary film star, I thought itd be a great idea to apply some of Garners on-and-off-air wisdom to our many career pursuits. Below are five different scenarios many people encounter in the many stages of their careers- and how Garners wisdom over the years applies to each one1. The moment when you decide to forgo the traditional route, take a leap of faith and walk in the direction of your dreams- even though they go down an unconventional path.James Garners word of wisdom I di dnt want somebody in an office guiding my career. If I had a failure, I wanted it to be my failure. If I had a success, I wanted it to be my success.2. You scramble through a 30-minute pre-employment test that is full of mathematical equations you havent seen since high school. The questions are timed, of course, and it seems like question after question slips by before you have enough time to solve the problem- yet, you still receive a callback for an interview.James Garners words of wisdom Science only goes so far and then comes God. (Duke, The Notebook)3. Youve negotiated a higher starting salary, but theres one last thing- your schedule. You ask your soon-to-be manager about telecommuting options, to which he or she responds that there are none.James Garners words of wisdom Well, you cant have everything. (Duke, The Notebook)4. Youve been at a new job for a few months now, but you still lack confidence. The workload is more than you anticipated and you question whether you can k eep up. Are you talented enough? Is this really the right field for you? Will you ever reach your long-term career goals? If only your work/skills/abilities were like so-and-sos, then you would be confident.James Garners words of wisdom When I started working, I didnt have a clue what I was doing, in that I was just wandering around, hoping that I could succeed. Then after I got a little under my belt, it took me about 25 years to feel like I knew what I was doing.5. Your aha moment when, after youve worked and worked and accomplished your goals, yet you look back at it all and realize what true success in life means.James Garners words of wisdom I am no one special. Just a common man with common thoughts. Ive leuchtdiode a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but in one respect Ive succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived. Ive loved another with all my heart and soul and for me that has always been enough. (Duke, The Notebo ok)

The Importance of Professional Appearance

The Importance of Professional AppearanceThe Importance of Professional AppearancePeople still judge a book by its cover, and we judge other people by what we see on the outside. For salespeople, its vital to take this into account before you meet with potential customers. In a social situation you can show your trustworthiness over a long period of time, so if someone is put off by their first impressions, you have a chance to change his mind. In a sales situation youll meet with a given prospect only once or twice, so projecting the right appearance from the abflug is crucial theres almost never a second chance. The Goal of Professional Appearances The goal is bedrngnis necessarily to look as attractive as possible, although you will want to shoot for a pleasing look. If your appearance is attractive but not businesslike, you can end up making the wrong impression for a salesperson entirely. The idea is to gain your prospects trust by conveying the idea that you are giving the m good advice when you suggest they buy your products. To that end, a businesslike appearance will get you farther than a superficially attractive one. Trustworthiness In a business situation, trustworthiness is based on several factors. People are inclined to trust businesspeople who are ethical, organized, knowledgeable, and reliable. These are the qualities most salespeople should strive to show in their overall appearance. The precise importance of each of these qualities will vary depending on your particular customer base. Selling to farmers and selling to bankers requires entirely different approaches to building your professional image. Business Attire Most customers will respond best to standard business attire. A basic suit, or a minimum of a tailored shirt and good-quality pants (for men) or a classic blouse and good pants or a skirt of moderate length (for women) is a good place to start. Clothes should be clean, free of stains and not wrinkled. Cologne or perfum e is best used in moderation or skipped altogether, as many people suffer from allergies to these scents. Body Language Your body language also matters a great deal in sales situations. Simple things like sitting up straight, making regular but not excessive eye contact and shaking hands firmly can make a huge difference in how others perceive you. Ideally, you want to convey an impression of confidence and competence without coming across as being arrogant or overly assertive. Attention to Detail Attention to the details of appearance extends beyond your own body. If prospects and/or customers meet you at your place of business, then youll need to prepare your office to convey the same professional message. Your desk should be fairly clear with a few personal touches, such as photographs. Avoid excessive displays of your personal interests and hobbies, as these can detract from the overall impression. A framed certificate for first place in the meerbusen tournament is fine, but covering your workspace with golfing memorabilia is a problem unless youre selling golf clubs. Organization You may be a somewhat disorganized person, but you dont want to shove that fact in your prospects faces. Keep any stacks of paperwork and other clutter discreetly out of sight. Better yet, train yourself to deal with tasks as they arise and then put them away in the appropriate places. Be sure to provide a chair for visitors at a comfortable conversational distance from your own chair. And have a supply of basic items such as pens, paper and business cards available at all times. Your Vehicle Your car should also reflect a professional appearance, as prospects may easily end up seeing it during the course of business for example a prospect might walk you to your car after a meeting. Keep your car squeaky clean and tidy outside and in, and tend to any dents or dings as promptly as possible.

3 ways to transition back to life without summer Fridays

3 ways to transition back to life without summer Fridays3 ways to transition back to life without summer FridaysIts one thing when you never had summer Fridaysat work in the first place, but if you did,dealing with their eventual endcan be rough, to say the least. You might just feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you - and then thrown out the window.Here are three simple ways to ease the blow when that day comes around.Dont save the worst for lastPushing off that huge assignment until the very last minute when you had the option to work ahead is never a good idea, but it can feel even worse when summer Fridays end. Basically, trying to move mountains from 9 to 5 at the end of the week is the last thing youll want to be doing.So even though you have another full work day ahead, reward yourself with mora time to work on other things - instead of what youre dreading the most. If you do more work earlier in the week, youll be in better shape.Wear something that lifts your moodDo you ever look around on Friday morning commutes to work and see that similar look of resignation in peoples eyes? Everyone seems like theyre completely over the week already and have already checked out into the weekend.If youre one of those people, one way to feel a little better is to wear something that brightens your day. It might not make the time tick any faster, but at least youll be wearing something that ups your confidence level.So instead of picking up the same old thing you wear every Friday, toss it back into your closet and pull on something that feels better.Make plans with a friend after work - or just relaxWhether its happy hour drinks at a local bar, dinner or a movie youve been wanting to see for a while, make plans that youll be looking forward to all day. This might even motivate you to get your work done faster - just make sure youre not swimming in assignments you procrastinated onuntil the very end. If something pressing comes up, handle it the best way you can.But just remember that the opposite also applies theres nothing wrong with heading straight home for self-care after a jam-packed Friday. Dont be afraid to take time for yourself when youve been thinking youdrather be home than anywhere else all day.Pay attention to how youre feeling, and go from there.

What You Dont Know About Best Resumes 2018

What You Dont Know About Best Resumes 2018 Whispered Best Resumes 2018 Secrets Possessing a great resume format is crucial to organizing your data in a manner which will help you become noticed. The very first of our resume writing tips may look like a no-brainer. Organizing your resume is at least as critical as formatting it. Most resumes incorporate the next sections, even though the order is dependent upon the resume format you select. Key Pieces of Best Resumes 2018 In a lot of ways, an objective replaces a lot of the detail you would place in your professional experience section. Resume keywords is the heart of the ATS algorithm. A resume contains lots of specific info. It is possible to read more about the procedure for producing your value known inside my latest article. A lot of job seekers even dont understand where to get abfluged. Be specific, and offer relevant statistics wherever its possible. Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that could aid you with your work search. Place your fruchtwein relevant accomplishments and duties on top of each work listing. Put simply, it is a big game changer. You should supplement your resume with different achievements. Even if your work experience is ideal, a subpar resume could sink your probability of getting a work interview. If you dont just graduated from college, place your work experience prior to your education. On the flip side, if youve got no resume written you have quite bad chances to acquire work. Youve got a lot better shot of receiving an interview as a result of a personal or professional connection. Make certain you didnt miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about When youre working at your present job youre not stressed, seems like everything goes smooth and with no troubles. In case you have any significant employment gaps, you might need to offer a concise explanation. If you still believe, that some resume writers could enable you t o do that youre completely erroneous Once youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes an effective accomplishment statement. At the simplest level, you need to be able to use your own judgment to determine readability. Volunteer experience is also a fine add-on to healthcare resumes since it shows the hiring manager which you have compassion off the work also. Well, it is, but only as long as you understand what youre doing. Best Resumes 2018 - the Story You have to have an intriguing first line. When you format your resume you need to be certain your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. Using soothing blues demonstrates that you wish to be noticed, without being aggressive. Using lines to differentiate section titles assists the eye locate the information it needs. So its important that you create the very best impression possible which means having to p ick the most suitable format of cv resume to best highlight your abilities. Developing an excellent skills section can help recruiters skim your document quickly to see whether you have the qualifications they seek. An attractive, minimal and user-friendly template you may edit in accordance with your abilities and experience. Employing a proper resume format would improve your odds to find the RIGHT JOB Hiring managers will need to scan your resume and locate the information that they need in record time in order that they are able to move on to the next resume. Employers understand that youre young and looking to enhance your experience, so give them as much as you can that shows you will be an important employee. Massive businesses dont have enough time to parse through the many resumes they get for every open position. With the debut of social networking, personal blogs and internet portfolios, recruiters could possibly be scrutinizing a great deal more than your resume. Your resume consists of unique words. As previously mentioned, you wish to decide on a resume format thats suited to your personal profile. The absolute most hard step here is to determine which resume format is best for you. You ought to understand, that resume format is crucial, since it can boost your odds to get invited for an interview. Whatever They Told You About Best Resumes 2018 Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why Employers care a lot more about your successes, and the way youre able to mirror them at their company. Excellent companies may also assure you that if you cant locate a work even after a particular period of time, they will rewrite you resume at no cost. You should also think about the position, company and industry that youre pursuing. For a lucky few, you might not have even had to interview whatsoever, landing positions and promotions by your network alone. Get the Scoop on Best Resumes 2018 Before Youre Too Late Youre probably a single degree of separa tion from somebody who can offer expert design tips. Although its a good alternative, it may appear a little stale and outdated to some. The very last thing you would like to do is receive a job which you cant do. Understanding how to start can be the largest challenge and looking at examples can be quite valuable.

The Debate Over Writing a Resume when You Have No Experience

The Debate Over Writing a Resume when You Have No Experience Everything youll ever need to understand about resumesfrom the parts which make them awesome to the parts you should delete if you need a work interview. Use some of the significant phrases on your own resume. Especially for a first resume, utilizing a template is a superb idea. A superb approach to start on your resume as a high school student is to examine examples of resumes and read tips about what to include and the way to format your resume. Should you have experience gaps you have to speak to a resume writing expert and possibly even pay for their expert services. Writing a resume is not so difficult if you simply bear in mind a few standard methods. You can open a freelance writing career with zero experience. From the example above, you will observe that there are plenty of skills listed. Top Writing a Resume when You Have No Experience Choices Generally the difference between acquiring a work intervie w and not obtaining a work interview is the way well you write your resume. There are some things you need to remember if you are supposed to create a decent resume. Take a good look at your volunteering work and provide it the exact same attention as you would to any appropriate work experience. If its a quick list you may actually have some experience gaps that isnt likely to work in any circumstance. The Chronicles of Writing a Resume when You Have No Experience Entry-level employees, who dont have lots of on-the-job experience, should incorporate every job possible when emphasizing the skills that match the work listing. With the economy the way its, we all understand that even applying for jobs isnt effortless. Since your resume is essentially your own private schlussverkauf letter, make certain you include all your very best qualities regarding the work opening. When youre attempting to collect a cover letter free of experience it is sometimes a true challenge to convi nce an employer that you have what it requires to deal with his companys job.

Air Force Job AFSC 3D0X1 Knowledge Operations Management

Air Force Job AFSC 3D0X1 Knowledge Operations ManagementAir Force Job AFSC 3D0X1 Knowledge Operations ManagementKnowledge Management Specialist might seem like an overly broad job title. Thats appropriate in a way because, in the Air Force, these specialists are responsible for coordinating and distributing information across all departments. This may include work like writing missile launch manuals or ensuring the secure disposal of important documents. Its up to knowledge management specialists to ensure that all the data and information the Air Force needs to complete its mission is created, stored and handled appropriately. This job has an Air Force Specialty Code of (AFSC)3D0X1 Job Duties for AFSC 3D0X1 These airmen plan, coordinate, share and control data and information assets. This includes managing technologies to capture, organize, and store both tacit and explicit knowledge. This job is responsible for updatingdata vocabularies and metadata catalogs, which allows data to be accessed, tagged and searched regardless of physical location, media, source, the owner or other defining characteristics. They also structuredata and information for specific purposes in a specific context for collaborative groups of users and manage databases for the storage, modification, and retrieval of information. This is information that may be used to produce reports, answer queries and record transactions. These airmen also develop workflow procedures and train others on how to use them. They make sure information is published in a timely fashion and is kept up to date, and oversees compliance and management of any tools used to publish official Air Force documents and data. And they are responsible for making sure the Air Force is complying with legal and statutory requirements in publishing and handling information. This includes developing www and e-mail use policies and creating manual and electronic file plans. It also involves being familiar with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the appropriate procedures for compliance. Training for AFSC 3D0X1 Like all Air Force recruits, the training forKnowledge Operations Management specialists starts with boot camp (formally known as basic training), followed by Airmens Week. For their technical school assignments, these airmen take the Knowledge Operations Management course at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. This lasts approximately 37 days and results in the award of a 3-skill level (apprentice). Following basic and tech school, airmen in this AFSC report to their permanent duty assignments, where they are entered into 5-level (technician) upgrade training. Qualifying forAFSC 3D0X1 To be eligible for this job, recruits need a composite score of at least 28 in the administrative (A) section of the Air Force Qualification Area of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests. In general, a security clearance from the Department of Defense is not required for knowledge operations management specialists. But there are some assignments where security clearances may be necessary if the airman will be handling sensitive or classified information on a regular basis. Airmen in this job need a high school diploma or its equivalent, ideally with courses in business, English composition, computer science or information systems, mathematics and technology.

Job Search Virgins Guide to Finding New Jobs Online

Job Search Virgins Guide to Finding New Jobs OnlineJob Search Virgins GuideJob Search Virgins Guide to Finding New Jobs OnlineAre you a job search virgin, trying to get hired for the very first time? Or maybe youre a born-again virgin youve been around the job search block plenty of times ... just not in this decade. Even if you fancy yourself to be quite the skillful job searcher, you might find these shortcuts useful. There are zillions of jobs advertised on the Web, and this post will help you find them. It will also tell you how to find job openings on employer web sites, job boards, and through an all-in-one job search engine, as well as how to set up a job search agent that magically places new job descriptions in your email inbox.OK, first things first. There are basically four ways to find job ads on the web1.Check employer web sites2.Individually search job boards3.All-in-one search with job search engines4.Set up email job search agents1. Employer Web SitesIf you want to wo rk for a specific business, check their web site for job openings. On the home page, look for a link such as Employment, Jobs, Careers, or Opportunities.If you cant find any such link right up front, try clicking About, About Us, or Contact. Some sites put the link to their job openings there. (If you still cant find it, theyre probably too small to have a jobs section. Go to the boards or search engines.)2. Job Boards ExamplesMonster.com, CareerBuilder.com, YahooHotJobs.com, Dice.com, LatPro.comJob boards are searchable web sites that contain listings from employers, recruiters, and staffing agencies that have paid to place their job ads there (but the boards are free for job seekers). There are major (generalist) job boards, and niche (specialized) job boards.The major job boards (Monster, etc.) attempt to serve everyone, carrying listings from all industries and regions.Niche job boards target particular groups by industry (e.g., nursing, education, banking), job functions (e.g., technical), demographics (e.g., retirees), or geography (e.g., Alaska).3. Job Search Engines ExamplesIndeed.com, SimplyHired.com, JobCentral.comThese are great timesavers think of them as one-stop shopping for all of the above. Instead of checking every board every day, you can go to one of these aggregator job search engines and it will check ALL employer web sites and job boards for you When you see a job youre interested in, just click the link and it sends you to the original listing. So easyUPDATE As of June 2009, you can access jobs right from your account. Powered by Indeed, the job search tool will display job opportunities that match your profile. You can also modify and refine your search by job title, geographic area, and more.4. Job Search AgentThis is the real magic of the Internet setting up a job search agent means you can have the job listings come to you New openings are emailed directly to you once youve saved your search criteria. Most job boards and job search e ngines have this feature. You can also specify how frequently you receive email updates so if youre actively job seeking, sign up to get them at least once a day. If youre just casually keeping an eye on whats out there, get a weekly update. (Even if youre happily employed, you should be doing this, because you just never know)Once youve established a network of colleagues and contacts, networking is the most effective way to land a new job. But when youre a job search virgin, the web is definitely your friend.

What to Write in Your Resume (If You Have Nothing to Mention)

What to Write in Your Resume (If You Have Nothing to Mention)What to Write in Your Resume (If You Have Nothing to Mention)The time has come for you to search for a job, and that means writing a resume.Its not very difficult to write a resume, especially when there are so many tips and tricks around. Websites share articles on resume writing. HR managers share tips, too. Many successful employees share their experience in their personal or professional blogs.But nothing works or helps you if you have nothing to mention in your resume.Maybeyou are a graduate with no job experienceyou do not have any official job experienceyour experience is not professional enoughyour experience does not fit a job you are going to apply forLucky for you, you always have something to include into your resume to make it professional.1. You DO have work experienceThe problem for many young people when they start their job searches is a lack of work experience. They do not know what to write in a resume be cause they have not worked before. Even if you think you do not have experience, you have it.Have you ever made something? Did you have work probation? Did you have any part-time jobs,even if they did not fit your major? Did you take part in any volunteer projects? Did you helpanyone as a freelancer? All this information can be mentioned. Moreover, it may give a recruitermuch more information than you think. It may tell the recruiter about your organizational skills,talents, your leadership potential, etc.There are things that make you special. Put them in your resume.2. Do not write a long resumeYour resume should be no longer than one side of one page. Its easier for a recruiter to read,and its enough space to mention all information that may be important for a recruiter to know.This would include your education, all your achievements and your job experience. Yes, you havesome job experience even if you think you dont. Check the above mentioned section one more time if you still h ave some doubts.3. Think about formatPay attention to structure. Make your resume clear and easy to read because recruiters need lessthan 30 seconds to understand whether your resume is worth their attention.Include paragraphs and lists. When you do not have enough facts to write in your resume, lists can help. Use them to mention your achievements, expectations for the job, your strongest traits and your educational courses. A recruiter can read it quickly and pick up information needed to understand whether you fit their expectations as an employee.4. Your education is your saviorGraduates and other people with no work experience have thin resumes. The trick is to persuade a recruiter that your potential can compensate for your lack of practice. Mention all languages you speak, your major and all specializations from college, even if you consider them unimportant for your career. You can also include the topic of your dissertation, if you had one it may help a recruiter understand what fields you know well.5. ReferencesYour former boss is not the only one who can give you a positive reference. You can get it fromyour college professor, for example. If you have experience working as a freelancer, you may askfor references from your clients. If you participated in volunteer projects, some referencesmay be taken from those leaders as well. The Internet can help, too. Some positive feedback on LinkedIn can help a recruiter get an impression about you as a potential employee.Important Proofread your resume before sending it to recruiters. Do not let one grammar or spelling mistake kill your chance to get a job. If you are going to print your resume, use a laser printer to make the text look presentable.And please, try to avoid all common resume writing mistakes.Lesley Vos is a blogger for Bid4Papers company and teaches the French language. She will finish her first e-book this year and cant imagine her pastime without reading. She is honored to be a guest contrib utor of many authoritative websites, including Recruiting Blogs, College Recruiter and College Puzzle Stanford.