Friday, May 29, 2020

Top 5 Job Interview Songs

Top 5 â€" Job Interview Songs by Michael Cheary Ok, its job interview day. Its 9am, youve hardly slept, but your preparations for success are in full flow:Looking smart? Check.Copy of CV? Check.Printed out the directions? Check.Music? Hadnt thought of that.For many of us, music plays a big part in helping us focus, sharpening the mind and giving us the edge to succeed. But whats going to make the difference for you today?If youre struggling to decide between your Tina Turner and your Tiesto, dont worry. Weve created our playlist of job interview success classics to help you avoid any embarrassing pre-interview iPod fumbling.5. Dont Stop Me Now QueenA little obvious? Maybe. But if youre not smiling by the time it reaches the guitar solo then going for a job interview may be the least of your worries.4. Eye of the Tiger SurvivorA classic. Helped Sylvester Stallone beat Mr. T, and it doesnt get more inspirational than that. Especially apt if your interview involves climbing lots of stairs.3. Sexy and I Kno w It LMFAOAdvantages: upbeat; catchy; will make you feel good about yourself. Disadvantages: no-one likes an ego.2. Fix Up, Look Sharp Dizzee RascalCracking advice and, lets face it, Mr. Rascal doesnt appear to be struggling for work since its release1. Reach for the Stars S Club 7Do we really need to explain this one?Honourable mentions: Mr. Brightside (The Killers), Dont Stop Believing (Journey), Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves), Youre the Best (Joe Esposito)Songs to avoid: Heaven Knows Im Miserable Now (The Smiths), Creep (Radiohead), Everybody Hurts (R.E.M), anything by Justin Bieber.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features Interview Techniques Preparing for an interview

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

College Getting Into Good Habits Early

College Getting Into Good Habits Early College is a huge test of your independence. No, don’t roll your eyes. Chances are you’ve spent most of your life getting your time controlled by other people, right? Your parents dictate your social privileges, your teachers command your attention, your school regulates where you’re supposed to be and for how long. And that’s leaving out things like jobs and extracurricular activities. But the skills you’ve developed over the course of all that are pushed to their limits in college. You’re responsible for your own time and activities and where all of that goes in the long run. And you’re allowed enough freedom to really screw up if you get all that wrong. Does that sound scary? That’s because it is scary. But don’t worry. If you cultivate the right skills early on, navigating college becomes a lot easier. Organizing Your Time Even if your day-to-day life is scheduled by other people, it’s still on you to divide your available time up according to homework, practice time, hobbies, etc., which is an invaluable ability in college. If you’re accustomed to organizing your activities and getting stuff done in your own time, that’s going to be a bonus for when you don’t have anyone looking over your shoulder to make sure you’re on top of everything. Just remember to always make time for laundry. Prioritizing When you’re swamped with commitments, even timing your day down to the second doesn’t help. So learning to prioritize is a handy skill in college, and indeed in day-to-day life. In school you probably learned to do this with homework â€" putting aside more time for subjects you struggled in and less for the ones you found easier. And sometimes you probably had to forego sleeping in or going out. When you’re in college it’s impossible to do everything you want to do, unless you work out what you want to do most. There’s only so much sleep you can do without! Setting Long-Term Goals When you were in school, getting into college seemed like the ultimate goal. Now all that planning’s paid off, it’s easy for post-graduation plans to seem a long way away. But you’re not going to be a student forever. Ask yourself what you really want to get out of your time at college. What do you want to achieve? How will you do it? You don’t have to decide on a career right away, but you should at least narrow down your options each year as you learn more about what you may be interested in doing. Being Proactive The fact that you’re in college means that you already possess some ability to be proactive. But that doesn’t stop now you’re in â€" you’re probably being exposed to more opportunities and challenges you can take advantage of, and it’s more important than ever that you do so. Yes, having a prestigious university on your résumé opens doors, but they’re not going to stay open if you have no internships or experience supplementing your degree. Besides, college is the best time to try new things and work out what you enjoy! Learning Social Skills School requires a certain level of sociability. But dorm life is a whole new level of that. You’ll have a roommate and you’ll be surrounded by students wherever you go. And it’s vital that you maintain good relationships with people, not just for your social life but also for when you need help â€" whether that’s for studying or just for tips on where to get the best food on campus. Got any more useful habits that pay off in college? Share them in the comments.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

4 Steps to Knowing Yourself Better

4 Steps to Knowing Yourself Better Of course, its impossible  to know yourself completely. We’re human, always changing, always moving forwards towards new things and new versions of ourselves. But it is possible to know yourself to some extent, and the benefits that come with knowing yourself a bit better are astounding. You feel a certain security in your own skin, in your movements, in your decisions. Sadly, many of us dont take enough time out of our busy lives to really get to know ourselves. Busy working, socialising, sleeping… Its easy to forget to carve out little slivers of time in our days and weeks to spend some time with ourselves, so that when we get back to the daily grind, we can do it with some peace of mind. Make the time to be alone For many people this is easy, but for some extroverts or chronically busy people, it isnt. But we all need some alone time, some mental quiet away from the hubbub. Maybe it means scheduling one mandatory alone evening a week, or one lunch break away from the office and colleagues, or a couple of hours one morning away from all responsibilities. Light some candles, open a window, take a deep breath and pause. Now be alone with you Alone time doesnt mean doing things like your accounts, or writing that email, or preparing that presentation. It means being alone with yourself. Imagine you’re going on a date with you. What do you love doing? Do it. Is there somewhere youd like to go? Go. And dont take someone else with you! This is about being alone with your thoughts. Do something for you. Think quietly and exclusively about you and your life. Think about what you love In her book  The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving A F***, Sarah Knight invites her readers to seriously think about the things they do care about in their lives. That means things you care about just for you not because you think you should care because other people think you should. What do you love? Where do  your interests lie? What are your hobbies? Maybe its reading, ballet, or  team sports. Think about those defining passions that make you you. Think about what youve always wanted to do Maybe its hot yoga, or  going on a trek to Machu Picchu, or  watching Orange Is The New Black because your friend says its great. Start  making lists, and then when it comes to your time alone each week, go through that list. Its useful  to write “at home” next to all the things you can try at home. First start  with the small at home things, and then as you start discovering new things you love (and things that actually just arent you, which is equally important), revel in getting to know you a little bit better.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Buying Your First Handgun Some Essential Tips

Buying Your First Handgun â€" Some Essential Tips Have you been thinking about getting a handgun for long? Well, purchasing a handgun might not be as easy as it seems. There are innumerable types of handguns and pistols to choose from and making the right decision can be tough. As a new shooter on the block, you may be overwhelmed by the wide varieties of guns available. When you start to do your research you may be surprised to find that you can even get an 80% pistol and build your own. With so many choices you may make the mistake of choosing the wrong gun. Mentioned below are some essential tips which will help you in buying the best handgun: The use of the handgun â€" Before investing in a handgun, it is important to understand the intended purpose of the same. Usually first time shooters look for a firearm for self-defense which they can use conveniently in and around their home. Instead of a handgun, a rifle or a shotgun might also serve the purpose. There is just no point in investing in custom 1911 for a first time shooter as this is a hi-fi range of shotgun for the pros. Shotguns and rifles are easy to operate and can be used with little training. The only problem is that these guns are difficult to conceal.  Whether buy new or used guns â€" This is a very important consideration which needs to be made and solely depends on the buyer’s discretion. Do not be mistaken by the thought that used guns are not good etc. The used guns in good quality come at 25-50% less price than new handguns. You can buy two good quality used handguns at the price of one new handgun by this means. For buying used handguns, it is recommended to purchase the same from a reliable dealer. Quality guns come with lifetime warranty and therefore anyone who purchases the gun (2nd hand or 3rd hand) is covered by the warranty.  Caliber and gun size â€" The caliber to shoot and the gun size are two important things to keep in mind while buying a handgun. A full size chambered gun with low power caliber will be easy to operate and shoot from. The shooting experience is quite enjoyable as well with this kind of gun. On the other hand is a compact pistol, which is chambered in high caliber operating this gun for long period will not be something very comfortable. There are two things actually â€" in one kind there is comfort and ease of shooting; while in the other it is easy to conceal and carry. It depends on your choice and priorities mostly.  Permissible budget â€" You will be spoilt for choices when it comes to choosing guns or handguns. Apart from the styles in which the guns work, the firearms come in varying budgets. In fact people from all income groups can buy handguns as per their needs and requirements. Right from expensive custom 1911 to inexpensive high-point shotguns and handguns, there are umpteen varieties to choose from. Keep the budget in mind while choosing the gun. There are sites where you can compare weapon prices side by side.   Whatever your choice may be, if its a choice between price and reliability, keep  reliable as always  the more important factor.

Friday, May 15, 2020

What Shouldnt Be on a Nanny Resume?

What Shouldn't Be on a Nanny Resume?Nanny resume writing is not that difficult. In fact, if you really think about it, writing one is pretty easy and the hard part is putting it together. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about what needs to be in the resume. Most of them are based on the fact that it is for an employer or potential employer to see.The truth is, nanny resumes should not have a lot of other applicants' information in them. This is because when employers read the resume, they want to know how the nanny or babysitter fit into the future plans of the company. They don't want to see any other information on the resume, they just want to see who is hiring.Therefore, nanny resumes should not be filled with contact information such as the address and phone number of the company. The reason for this is that employers do not really want to have to go through a bunch of applications to get to the job they are looking for. So they will either pass over someone who does not have the right information or they will spend some time to write down the information and keep the entire thing in the top of their heads.Of course, employers can make use of the nanny resume information in a couple of ways. The first way is to see if they need the person to fill out an application, and the second way is to check out the information on the resume. When they do choose to interview someone, they will use the information on the resume to determine whether or not the individual has what it takes to be a nanny. This is especially true for first time applicants because they will be wasting a lot of time going back to fill out additional information.When employers are interviewing someone for a nanny position, they are mostly concerned with the nanny resume. The reason for this is that if they see that a potential employee has good references and is well trained, then they have everything they need to decide whether or not they are hiring the person. If they are not go ing to hire the person, then they are going to send the individual home with a thank you note that does not offer any assistance. When that happens, it could really hurt the nanny's pride to have to spend even more time on something that will not work out.Now, it may also be that the potential employer might be a friend or relative of the nanny or babysitter and they may have seen the nanny resume. In this case, they may feel the need to make contact with the potential employer to see if they are going to be hiring the person. However, they don't want to hire someone that will leave them disappointed because they feel it was not their idea to hire them.In any case, it is important that the nanny resumes are accurate. This way, if the potential employer ever does call and ask questions, they will be able to tell the difference between an accurate resume and an inaccurate resume. If they do call in, it is up to the nanny to make sure they are answering all of the questions correctly a nd provide all of the necessary information.A nanny resume should only be filled with contact information as a nanny needs to build a nice work history so that their skills will be worth paying for. With the right information, nannies will be successful in their career.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

What Are Companies Looking For in a Background Check - Sterling Career Concepts

What Are Companies Looking For in a Background Check What Are Companies Looking For in a Background Check? The following is a guest post by Lisa Green. Job hunting is a stressful process. It is filled with anxiety-filled weeks spent checking email and voicemail and high-pressure interviews designed to cross-examine your qualifications. So by the time that you finally reach the stage where a company is performing a background check on you, it’s natural to start irrationally worrying about what can be found on a background check that could eliminate you from getting your dream job. A background check can at times actually help you get a position. After all, companies run background checks not to find every hidden wrongdoing from your past, but to rather provide the hiring manager with a more clear assessment as to whether you are a worthy investment. There are also protections in place to ensure that only relevant information is included. While there are certain federal regulations in place, what searches are run and what is allowed to be included in a background screening actually varies from state to state as well as from position to position. It is important to research what your state and industry may require in a background check. But generally speaking, there are a few database searches that are included in most standard screenings: Employer, Education and Reference Verification This search is designed to simply make sure that what you’ve put on your resume is true. It can vary in how it is performed, but it traditionally involves matching graduation records with your resume, contacting previous employers to verify you did work there and calling your references to ensure that they will indeed speak highly of you. Drug Tests This screening tends to be run more for certain industries such as financial services and pharmaceuticals. This test will require active participation on your part and you should receive warning before you are asked to provide a sample. You will also be asked to sign an additional waiver to show that you agreed willingly to the screening. Credit Check This is a particularly crucial element if you are working with money, but can also be an indicator of the amount of responsibility a candidate possesses. However, this check is not run as regularly as most and will require your Social Security number to be run. Social Security Reports This search will not only ensure that you can legally work within the country, but it also sheds light on where you have previously resided. This allows employers to see what state regulations were in place for any previous positions you might have held as well as allow them to target a criminal history search. Civil and Criminal History Your potential employers might not be legally allowed to hire criminals of a certain nature within their company, which is why this check is run. This search will also alert the company to any outstanding warrants, letting them know if you are currently wanted in any state. Also, ensure that you have been given warning that these checks are being run, as well signing a waiver stating you have agreed to the search. Without your consent, these screenings are an invasion of privacy and are considered illegal.   In summary… It’s important to keep in mind that even if a company finds a negative mark on your record, it doesn’t mean that your candidacy will be discarded immediately. A company must alert you if you have failed a background screening and give you the exact reason as to why they have decided not to pursue you as an employee. If you feel that a negative mark is an error, you can dispute the check. However, this can be a long process and difficult to pursue with an HR department. One smart way to ensure that your check is thorough and correct is to have your screening run by a reputable background check company. When submitting your paperwork to your company before the check is run, inquire as to how they conduct their searches and if they are done in house or by a professional outside business the question could save you from fighting an error in the long run.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Job Search Stress Busters

Job Search Stress Busters Job loss ranks high on the list of most stressful situations. Many report going through a grieving process, similar to the stages people go through after the death of a loved one. Shock, denial, anger, and depression are all common reactions to the loss of a job. These emotions are important and you should acknowledge them. Unfortunately, some people become stuck in one of these stages and this is detrimental to a successful job search campaign. Below are seven strategies you can use to reduce stress and generate acceptance and enthusiasm during your search. Maintain a RoutineMany job seekers report that creating routine alleviates stress during a job search. Keep the same schedule you had when you were working. Wake up at the same time and leave your house at the same time. Plan to be somewhere at 9 am. Go to the library to do research on a target company, plan a networking meeting, or go to a scheduled event.VolunteerWhen you volunteer you are doing something positive for a particu lar group or community. It allows you to channel your energy and develop focus. It is also a way to help others in need and it can help put your current situation in perspective. By volunteering, your name becomes known among the organization’s members. Chairing a committee or event allows you to showcase your skills in a particular area or gain new skills that can enhance your overall job profile.Keep a JournalKeeping a record of your search and your personal thoughts regarding that journey is a good way to identify what’s working and what is not working in your search. It can also be a very cathartic process and a private place for you to record your goals and dreams.Create a Financial PlanWith a little bit of research and planning you may be able to reduce your financial burden after a job loss. Take the time to look at your finances, tally up your assets and set a plan for your future spending. Review any money coming in including unemployment benefits, severance package, an d money from pension and retirement funds. Review expenses such as COBRA, rent, and food. Check out unemployment benefits and inquire if you qualify for any government assisted training through the Department of Labor. Job related expenses may be tax deductible, so check with an accountant. Schools and colleges may offer payment schedules and creditors may offer alternative collections options.Check back tomorrow for some more stress buster ideas