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5 Workplace Fears of Employees Every Employer Must Keep Tabs On!

Everyone might have been subject to some sort of workplace stress at some point in our careers. Workplace fears lead to lower productivity and hinder your career progression.

Despite all this, most employees still suffer from some common types of fears at the workplace. In this article, we will shed some light on some common types of workplace fears that you should get rid of right now.

1. Fear of Being Fired

One of the most common workplace fears among the employees is the fear of being fired. Most employees are ready to do anything to secure their jobs. With growing uncertainty in the business world, layoffs by major corporations and turbulent financial conditions coupled with low productivity levels, businesses are looking to cut down costs by laying off employees.

Concerns and fears of employees are more than justified but employees should focus on giving their best instead of letting the fear get to them and performing poorly, which will eventually lead to firing.

2. Fear of Failure

Failure can put a huge dent in employee’s confidence and force them to go into a shell. Their cautious attitude towards work prevents them from displaying their real talent. As a result, they never achieve the result they are capable of all because of the fear of failure.

Employees should consider failure as an opportunity to learn from their past mistakes and improve instead of fearing failure. Top management should also play a role in eradicating the fear of failure among their employees by giving employees a platform where they can show their real talent without fearing failure.

3. Fear of Embarrassment

No one likes to be shouted at or embarrassed in front of his or her co-workers. The fear of embarrassment forces employees to keep their mouth shuts and avoid any such situation.

Even if they have an opinion, reservations or complain, they will not share it because of fear of embarrassment. This results in a workplace environment where employees are not empowered and they do not have any input in the decision making process. This widens the gap between employees and top management.

According to a study published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggest that embarrassment is not as bad as most employees think. It helps strengthen the relationship and foster trust among both parties, which is quite amazing.

4. Fear of Confrontation

Another type of fear that stops employees from giving their feedback at the workplace is fear of confrontation. Many employees do not speak a word fearing that they will face a backlash from different circles including their peers, managers and other stakeholders.

Sometimes, these workplace conflicts can wreck havoc on the workplace environment, Manager will have to intervene and find a win-win situation for both parties to end the dispute peacefully. If left unattended and allowed to something more dangerous, these workplace issues can burn down your business completely.

5. Fear of Isolation

Every new employee struggles to adjust to the new environment. They fear being left alone if they go against the popular group. You might find sub-teams within a team that have a single agenda and if you oppose it, you will be left alone. To ensure none of your team members is left in isolation, managers will have to play a crucial role and keep all the team members on the same page.

This will help them in achieving the organizational goals and being more productive as a team. Managers will have to identify any such behavior and take appropriate measure to resolve such issues otherwise; you will never be able to achieve your objectives.

Author Bio

ABC is a Career Counselor and a Blogger. She has been in this profession for more than 10 years. She also works for assignment service UK and possesses in-depth insights into the various matters of academic papers.

6 Careers That Will Give You A Salary Boost if You Have an MBA

Earning an MBA could be your key to a high-paying job, networking opportunities, and personal growth and development.

In the UK, you can pull in a solid salary post-MBA. The London Business School, for instance, not only is widely regarded as the top MBA program in the UK, but also is the only business school in the UK to have been awarded the number one position in the FT global rankings. The average weighted salary for MBA graduates at the London Business School is GBP 97,000.

While just about any MBA will leave you better off and position you to enjoy a great career, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some that are better than others in terms of salary boost.

According to the QS Return on Investment Report European Full-Time MBA 2015, Europe ranks at number one in terms of the globe’s best average 10-year MBA return on investment of US$ 0.67 million and US$2.9 million at the 20-year mark. Meanwhile, in Europe the salary hike from pre-MBA — an average of US$50,226 — to MBA — an average of US$91,586 — works out to an average 85% salary uplift.

With that said, read on to learn about 6 careers that will give you a salary boost if you have an MBA.

1. Marketing Manager: Marketing managers develop, roll out, and execute marketing strategies for entire companies. While you can get such a job with an undergraduate degree, you can really open up your options in the field — and potentially make more money — with the skills you’ll learn in business school. According to statistics, marketing managers in London can make as much as about GBP 68,000, while the average salary is more along the lines of GBP 42,000.

2. Financial Advisor: Financial Advisors assess their clients’ financial needs and then help them to develop a plan, which includes investments, insurance, and more, so that they can reach their short-term and long-term financial goals. Financial advisors in the UK can potentially earn financial compensation of GBP 67,818.
3. Human Resources Specialist: Human resources specialists play a key role in recruiting, screening, interviewing, and hiring workers to fill vacancies. As well, they help with employee relations, training, and compensation and benefits. In the UK, a human resources manager could earn GBP 52,201 or more.

4. Fundraiser: Fundraisers are responsible for achieving donation targets by reaching out to corporations, trusts, private individuals, and others as well as for setting up fundraising events. While an MBA degree will give you the business skills needed to thrive at this job, you’ll also need soft skills like being persuasive and likeable to do well as a fundraiser. While salaries are all over the map — senior manager-level fundraisers can pull in between GBP 40,000 and GBP 50,000 — it is possible to make in excess of GBP 100,000.

5. Logistician: Logisticians are responsible for analyzing and coordinating their companies’ supply chain. Specifically, they oversee the complete lifecycle of products, which includes how products are purchased, distributed, and delivered. The median salary for logistics managers in the UK is GBP 30,677, but it is possible to make upwards of GBP 49,914 annually.

6. Medical and Health Services Manager: Professionals in this position are responsible for keeping health facilities, such as nursing homes and hospitals, operating properly. Demand for medical services is expected to expand between 2014 and 2024 to the tune of 17% as a result of the aging baby boomer demographic. For senior positions, you can potentially bring in between GBP 77,850 to GBP 98,453.

Pursuing an MBA can definitely be your ticket towards a better-paying job. If you want an idea about the types of careers that will give you a salary boost if you have an MBA, you can start by mulling over the aforementioned list of 6 such careers to whet your appetite.

By Margaret Buj

7 Jobs For College Grads To Plan a Lucrative Career!

A job is essential for college grads as it allows them to apply their acquired knowledge and expertise. Getting educated is one thing but honing your skills is a different thing altogether. The skills learned in the classroom are exercised practically in the job market.

For the coming year, we have rounded up some high-paying jobs with a great deal of scope in the years to come. Let’s drill them down in this list:

1. Audiologist

Audiologist jobs are at an all-time high. Audiologists treat hearing impairments and provide diagnostic to patients. According to a survey by United States Department of Labor, the median salary of an audiologist is up to $74,890per annum on an average. To qualify for this job you should have a professional degree in audiology. In 2014 alone, there were 13,200 jobs in the US.

2. Interpreter/ Translator

The profession calls for translating different languages for ease of communication. A good example of this job is a translator working at UN general assembly to interpret the speech of the representatives of various countries.

According to US News, an interpreter earns up to an average income of $43,590 per annum. A bachelor’s degree in the designated field is required. A total of 61,000 jobs were reported in 2014 with an outlook for growth of 29% by 2024.

The majority of fresh graduates work with a dissertation writing service to provide consultancy services to foreign students around the world.

3. Cartographer

The job of a cartographer is to measure and update geographic information such as maps and charts. The idea is to plan and develop maps for the Earth and space that serve in education, weather forecasting, and disaster management. The study helps forecast any abrupt climatic changes in a specific geographic location and allows the concerned authorities to alert the people living in that particular area.

With a median pay of $60,930 per year, a cartographer requires a bachelor’s degree and totaled some 12,300 jobs in 2014. The growth outlook is bright; 29% come 2024.

4. Personal financial advisor

As the name implies personal financial advisors provide tailored service to customers in terms of their investment schemes, insurance and mortgages, college savings, real estate, taxes and retirement planning. It is a broad field and encompasses a wide variety of services.

Naturally, the pay is higher amongst all discussed so far. The median pay is $81,060 per year for a personal financial advisor. A bachelor’s degree in finance is essential to qualify for this job. As per the survey by United States Department of Labor, there are a total of 249,400 of jobs in this profession and you can expect it to flourish even more in the future. According to the experts, the field would grow up to 30% more by 2024.

5. Operation research analyst

Operation research analysts are the ones who use the advanced mathematical techniques to resolve complex situations in order to reach conclusive decisions. It is reported that as per 2014, the median pay for an operations analyst is $76,660 yearly. To qualify for the role, a bachelor’s degree is essential.

A total of 91,300 jobs were available in 2014 and the experts suggest that the potential for growth in this domain is 30%, come 2024.

6. Physician’s assistant

A professional in this field is more commonly known as PA who accompanies a team of physicians, surgeons and other medical practitioners to gain on-job experience. They too are responsible for treating and examining the patients. An average pay for a PA can go up to $98,180 per year.

In terms of educational requirements, you need to have at least a Master’s qualification. According to 2014 stats, the number of jobs was a rising 94,400 with a further growth potential of 30% by 2024.

7. Statisticians

Statistics is a profession which deals in numbers and other intricate calculations. Statisticians around the world solve real-world problems pertaining to business, engineering and healthcare departments. The salaries in this profession are high and can go up to $79,990/year on an average.

Master’s qualification is a pre-requisite for the job. The number of jobs in 2014 accounted for some 30,000 in the count, while it is projected to grow by 34% until 2024.

So the aforementioned are some of the disciplines that college grads can seek to make their mark in the professional world. You must understand that these fields require certain benchmarks to be met in terms of education and training. Hence, you must start planning ASAP!

Note:The surveys presented have been quoted from the websites of Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) and US News (www.usnews.com).

Author Bio:

Rebecca Katharine is a professor in a leading institute.

10 Workplace Trends You Can Expect

Despite going through major struggles in the past several years, the job market is finally showing some signs of improvement, although it still has a long way to go. One of the most apparent changes we have been able to see is the way job seekers are looking for jobs. They prefer to use online platforms such as LinkedIn. But, employers are relying on new methods to attract the best candidates, as well. For instance, in addition to offering competitive salaries, they are also focused on creating a better job experience for potential employees.

Let’s take a look at 10 trends you can expect to see in the workplace.

1. Improved Recruitment and Employee Experience

While companies have always focused on creating the best possible experience for their customers, in order to get them to continue buying their product, they have also begun treating their potential employees in a similar manner. Candidates can share their experience via platforms like Glassdoor, which can reflect poorly on companies and make their selection of candidates even smaller. But, they are also treating their employees better in terms of benefits and rewards, in order to improve their engagement in the workplace and their loyalty to the company.

2. Blended Workforce Is Here to Stay

Companies are turning to freelancers more and more, and hiring them for projects in addition to their full-time employees, creating a blended workforce that allows them to cut costs, such as healthcare and benefits, and remain profitable. The number of hours workers spend at the office is no longer relevant, as can be seen here. One additional benefit for the companies is access to global talent pool.

3. Continuous instead of Annual Employee Evaluation

Members of today’s workforce prefer to receive immediate or fairly regular feedback on their work, which is more in tune with their way of life and instant gratification culture. This is why large companies have begun to implement different methods for weekly or even daily employee evaluation, which increases employee satisfaction, since they don’t have to wait an entire year before learning their strength and flaws, and boosts productivity.

4. MIllenials Managing Generation Z

2017 will also see Generation Z find employment, where they will most likely be managed by millenials, which will undoubtedly cause some conflicts, as is always the case in places where generational gap exists. Generation Z will be able to see if their education has prepared them for the real world, and the millenials will try to adjust to their roles as leaders, while both will inevitably challenge the traditional ideas of what an office should be.

5. Virtual and Augmented Reality in the Workplace

While technology involving virtual and augmented reality has been used for entertainment purposes so far, it is slowly, but surely finding its way into the workplace. For instance, companies can use virtual and augmented reality software and hardware to improve the training process of their employees. Thanks to realistic simulations, employees can prepare themselves for real-life situations, and even take tours of their offices.

6. Shorter Employee Contracts and Intensified Hunt for Talent

Because modern technology has allowed people to access one global job market, employers will find it increasingly difficult to retain their workforce. Even those that have long-term contracts are on the constant lookout for better jobs. Companies will have to pay more attention to their company culture and various benefits in order to persuade their workers to stay.

7. Team Work instead of Performance

Regardless of the organizational structure inside the company, most of them are turning toward forming teams that can perform well, instead of just focusing on hiring the best individuals. This trend is rising even in those companies which have blended workforce. Also, this sort of organization is welcomed by the millenials and Generation Z, since they have grown used to working inside a team, whether it’s through sports or video games.

8. Focus on Employee Health and Wellness

Another factor which is at he top of the list as far employee demands are concerned are wellness programs which allow the employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is why you will find companies providing benefits such as gyms, yoga classes, massages, or even chefs. While it may seem like an extra cost, it actually boosts employee satisfaction and productivity, while reducing their stress levels, and saves money when it comes to healthcare.

9. More Employee Perks

Today’s employees are not just looking at the side of their paycheck, but also healthcare benefits or flexible work schedule, which is slowly becoming a priority for most workers. Some companies are even trying to attract employees by allowing them to pay off their student loans and debts, while others offer comforts such as food credit, free coffee, or drinks.

10. Casual Dress Code inside the Office

It is a given that remote workers will wear what they want around the house while they are working, but even those that are coming into the office every day are seeking out those companies which allow them to arrive for work dresses casually. Even managers are ditching their suits and ties in favor of the more informal attire, such as jeans and shirts, or even shorts.

By Kate Simpson is a professional writer and editor. She works for assignment writing service where she is a senior content creator for various projects and also manages an editing team.

10 Essential Verbs to Use in Your CV

Your written vocabulary is obviously extremely important in the process of writing your CV, but you must pay particular attention to the verbs you include. Verbs are used to describe actions and are commonly known as “doing words”, so they are crucial if you want to describe how your input impacts your employers. Verbs quite literally explain what you have done, which is why choosing them correctly will have a huge effect on your CV’s success. So take a look at StandOut CV’s 10 essential CV writing verbs.

1. Managed

Management skills are important across a wide range of professions and industries, but this is not limited to people management only. Skills like time management, supplier management, stakeholder management and process management are also valuable and highly regarded by hiring managers. So include any elements of management you use in your roles to show potential employers that you have control over the outcome of your work.

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Interview Prep 101: Back to Basics

Your CV has received great feedback, you’ve passed the telephone screening and finally been invited to interview. However it’s not time to celebrate just yet; there’s still a lot of work to be done before you land the job.

Job interviews can be stressful and nerve-racking but good preparation will make the process much easier for you. If you have an interview coming up, StandOut CV have created this useful step-by-step guide for simple yet effective interview preparation.

A few days before the interview

The days that lead up to your job interview are extremely important, as this is when you should be doing the bulk of your preparation work. Don’t leave everything until the night before, it’s not worth the risk.

Firstly you need to ensure that you research the company in detail, as 82% of interviewers will reject a candidate if they don’t understand the employer’s business at interview stage. You need to understand what products or services they offer, who their customers are, the company culture and who their key people are. You can use a number of channels to do your research including web searches, the company site and social media. If the role is being handled by a recruiter, you can also ask them for some inside information.

You also need to ensure that you fully understand the role being offered, because if you don’t there is only 5% chance that you will be offered the job. Study the job description and learn the goal of the role, who you will be reporting to, tools and software required and any product or service knowledge needed.

Once you are familiar with the company and the role, you need to understand what makes you a good fit for the role. Compare your CV with the job spec and make notes on how your experience, skills and knowledge match up. Doing this will enable you to answer any questions you may get asked around suitability.

Interviewers will usually be keen to ask about your weaknesses so take some time to learn your skills gaps and how you plan to work around them in the role. If you have a significant journey to travel to the interview, plan your journey a few days in advance and even look into back up routes in case there are travel delays on the day. If you have time, it may even be worth doing a practice journey, as being just 5 minutes late could cost you the job.

Practice answering some common interview questions so that they do not come as a surprise at the time. The 3 most popular interview questions are:

1. Why should we hire you?
2. Why do you want this job?
3. Why are you leaving your current job?

These questions will definitely arise in some form or another, so make sure you have some answers prepared.

The night before the interview

The night before the interview should be fairly relaxed as you’ve done most of your preparation beforehand. Go over your preparation notes and the job spec to make sure it’s all fresh in your mind but don’t stress too much. Plan your outfit to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions in the morning and ensure that everything is washed and looks sharp. You should also pack a smart bag or folder with all your interview essentials such as your CV, the job spec and a pen and note pad. Most healthy adults need between 7.5 and 9 hours of sleep to perform at their best so get to sleep as early as you can once you’re fully prepared.

About the author: Andrew Fennell is an experienced recruiter and founder of CV writing service StandOut CV.

What Are The Benefits Of A Graduate Trainee Programme?

Finding a good graduate training programme can get your career off to a flying start. Graduate recruitment programmes are becoming increasingly popular across a variety of industries. Previously, this post-degree job opportunity was most commonly associated with the financial industry and big multi-national organisations. Now, a wider variety of businesses, including many SMEs, are offering graduate training to attract high calibre, ambitious young professionals into their organisation.

Supported transition from university to the workplace

You may already have plenty of work experience, whether it’s from part-time jobs or work placements completed as part of your degree. That doesn’t stop it feeling a little daunting to go from being a full time student to a full time employee. Good graduate training programmes are specifically designed for university leavers and are structured to help provide valuable support and skills needed to build your confidence in the workplace.

Help to decide your chosen career path

It’s not unusual to be unsure about what career path you would like to take. Many graduate training programmes don’t specify the nature of the degree required because so many of the skills learnt at university are transferable. Looking at graduate training jobs, and the career progression opportunities they set out, can really help you to narrow down your areas of interest. You may even find something which you had never considered before. Many schemes also provide the opportunity to work across several different areas of the business, so you can really discover where your particular skills fit.

Continued professional development

Graduate training programmes often provide the opportunity to study for further professional qualifications through on the job training. This means you not only get the chance to put the skills you’ve already learnt through your degree into practice, you can also develop and channel them with further qualifications to suit the particular career path you have chosen.

How to spot a good graduate training programme

It’s really worth spending time and effort when researching potential graduate schemes available. The opportunities with the big named companies may be the first to come up on an internet search but the bulk of graduate vacancies are now within SMEs. Research also shows that smaller companies tend to attract fewer applications, so although it is still likely to be very competitive, your chances of securing the role could be increased. The graduate schemes offered by SMEs are just as valuable and can some cases can provide even more development opportunities. Working in a smaller environment often provides the chance to gain more experience and to be given more responsibility. When searching for potential roles, look out for clues that it is an organisation you would genuinely like to work for, and one which is going to provide the support you would hope to find in a dedicated graduate programme.

Clear development plan

A good graduate programme will provide clear progression opportunities through ongoing training and the chance to get involved with a variety of different projects. It should clearly state if there is a permanent job opportunity at the end of the programme for those who have shown the right skills and aptitude, and demonstrate the path you will need to take to secure this specific job role.

Long term support

Organisations should be committed to supporting graduate trainees to achieve their goals and to build a long term career with them. Look for roles which clearly state the support you will be given throughout, from regular meetings through to a dedicated mentor.

Award winning companies

Research shows that many graduates are drawn to a company because of its culture just as much as the career opportunity itself. People want to work where they will be happy, supported, rewarded and motivated. A good way to gauge what a company may be like to work for is to look for any accolades which show they have a proven commitment to their staff, such as Investors in People or Best Employer awards.

When it comes to applying for a graduate recruitment programme, make sure you spend time creating an application dedicated to that role. If you are lucky enough to have found several opportunities you are interested in, resist the temptation to speed up the process by copying and pasting information across. Investing time and effort in tailoring your application will increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

By  Gill Buchanan

Gill is a founding Director of Pure Resourcing Solutions has worked in the recruitment field since 1988. Gill’s experience is broad based and includes eight years of specialist recruitment experience within an international specialist recruitment company including five years working within financial services recruitment in Sydney, Australia.

The Best Apps for Lawyers and Law Firms

The iPad isn’t just a game or a toy — it’s a tool that increases efficiency with a number of applications pushing to the forefront as top iPad apps for lawyers. Attorneys are increasingly using iPads in their law practices as part of developing paperless law offices or simply as tools that enable them to do more of their work remotely or while sitting in a courtroom. Whether you want to telecommute, work remotely, operate a paperless law office or have a virtual law practice, the iPad is a must-have tool for your law office.

1.  Dropbox

Dropbox is a free file-sharing system that allows users to share files such as photos, documents and videos from one device to another, whether they be computers, iPhones, iPads, or even Android and Blackberry devices. Any files shared to a Dropbox folder are automatically shared among the devices and people the attorney has authorized. A lawyer can carry the iPad to court to read and notate client files rather than carry paper files. Dropbox is one of the best tools a lawyer can add to his law practice for creating a paperless law office. The bigger the file, the greater the benefit.

2.  ReaddleDocs

ReaddleDocs is a document manager for the iPad that saves documents so they can be accessed anywhere. ReaddleDocs can access PDFs, MS Office documents, Apple iWork files and any other document that’s been converted to PDF. The PDFs can be highlighted using multiple colors, and notes can be added. Files can be uploaded or downloaded using file-sharing services such as Dropbox, GoogleDocs, MobileMe and iDisk. This iPad app for lawyers is a great tool for reading and marking depositions and trial transcripts. Important pages can be tabbed, significant passages can be highlighted, and reference notes can be added from the iPad without having to open the file on the computer.

3.  GoodReader

Attorneys are divided over whether GoodReader orReaddleDocs is the best document viewer for the iPad, so many lawyers download both. GoodReader can display books, movies, maps and pictures while also providing the ability to annotate documents, zoom up to 50x, conduct a text search, and leap from point to point in the document with PDF hyperlinks. GoodReader allows lawyers to “flatten” PDF annotations so they’re non-editable but are displayed in any application that has the ability to use PDFs. GoodReader was the #1 selling non-Apple iPad in 2010. Both GoodReader and ReaddleDocs are very reasonably priced, so there’s no reason not to download both to find out which works best for you.

4.  Fastcase

The Fastcase iPad app provides portable access to the entire Fastcase law library and legal research system entirely for free. The app produces legal research results at an amazing speed, allowing the user full access to state and federal cases all over the U.S. Additional services are available by upgrading to a full Fastcase subscription, but a subscription isn’t necessary for using the free iPad app for legal research. Ever been in a courtroom and wished you could look for a case to cite that you forgot to print? With the Fastcase iPad app, lawyers can do last-minute legal research without leaving the courtroom.

5.  Penultimate

Penultimate is the app that turns an iPad into a legal notepad. Instead of taking notes with pen and paper, lawyers can use a stylus or even just a fingertip to write notes on the iPad by hand. Notes can be saved as PDF files or sent as emails in your handwriting. Penultimate can also be used for sketching, diagramming and anything else you might want to do on a sheet of paper — except for making paper airplanes. The program may not be a complete replacement of paper for those who write in small print, which is difficult on Penultimate, but it’s a convenient way to jot down some basic notes, a phone number, or other information you may need on the run. And it’s erasable, so Penultimate is a great tool for brainstorming ideas too.

6.  Square Register

If you want to accept credit cards with your iPad or even your iPhone, Square Register is the credit card processor for you. You’ll receive a free card reader that plugs into an iPhone or iPad to take credit card payments from MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover when you register on their website. There are no monthly fees — you’re charged a fee based on each credit card transaction. Square Register doesn’t even run a credit check on you before accepting you into the program, but they take a little longer to pay than some credit card processors. Nonetheless, lawyers using Square Register seem happy with it so far.

7.  TrialPad

TrialPad for the iPad is a powerful tool for organizing case presentations for the courtroom. Unlike many apps that have merely been adapted by lawyers to use in their practices, TrialPad was specifically designed by lawyers for use in the courtroom. It lets attorneys organize, annotate and manage their case files for court hearings, jury trials, mediation presentations and other settings. A document or photo in TrialPad merely has to be converted to a format compatible with Adobe PDF. Along with tools such as highlight, redline, and redact, TrialPad allows you to display images and exhibits using a projector or a monitor.

8.  iAnnotate

iAnnotate is a PDF reader and annotation tool that provides more power than most annotation apps. The iAnnotate app is one of the most important iPad apps for lawyers who want to go paperless because it makes it easy to open documents from email, fill out forms, sign contracts, make notes and mark documents through highlighting or underlining. If you make a mistake, just erase it with Undo, Redo, or Erase. The app can import Word and PowerPoint documents, and it converts websites into PDF documents. Annotations can be flattened into the PDF so no one can modify them after you send them out, and you can tab through multiple open documents.

By

References:

• William L. Pfeifer, Jr.Law Practice Website of William L. Pfeifer, Jr.
• The Stubborn WriterThe Stubborn Writer
• The Greatest Lawyer Jokes of All TimeThe Greatest Lawyer Jokes of All Time
• How to Start a Successful Law PracticeHow to Start a Successful Law Practice

Internship: Is it Better to Intern For A Small Or Large Company?

It’s Summer internship season and many of you are going to have to decide what size company you want to work for – a start-up, a mid-sized company, or a large firm? Although internships tend to be universal in nature, your role may vary as you move from a larger company to a smaller one. Sometimes it can be stressful to try and select which internship is right for you.

First of all, don’t worry because you can’t go wrong. An internship is an internship and regardless of your company being big or small you’ll get great hands-on experience, a resume builder, networking opportunities, and an opportunity to really decide if you want to continue to pursue that field after graduation.

When I was an intern, I interned at large companies like Fox, and NBC , mid-sized companies like BWR Public Relations, and small companies based out of Tallahassee and Orlando, Florida. I had the privilege of experiencing several different sized business and the perks that go along with each specific type of internship.

At the larger companies, actually securing the internship was a much more in-depth process. I’d meet with a Human Resources department and everything internship related would go through them. They had specific application deadlines, start dates, and end dates. They also had lots of cool programming. At Fox, they gave us professional portfolios, pens, and other goodies. They treated us all (hundreds of interns) to company lunches on the lawn, the Inn and Out Food Truck, and more. We’d have executive lunch series speakers, intern mingling events, and more. At the larger companies, there were more people around but I didn’t necessarily have the opportunity to meet with them.

When I interned with smaller companies and mid-sized companies, I was probably able to make stronger relationships with the people I worked under. There were less of them and less of us (interns!). They did try to have speaker’s series (and things like that) but they weren’t as “grand” as the larger companies. When I’d intern at smaller companies, I felt like I was able to help more people. The tasks I was doing as an intern – admin work, research, taking notes, observing meetings – weren’t necessarily different from the work I did at large companies. The only difference was that I felt there were more eyeballs on me. Again, because there were less of them and less of us (interns!).

I have a few other thoughts to share on the topic. If you are considering an internship with a company who does cool things but no one has heard of them, that’s okay. Do the internship, make a lasting impression, network, and help with as many different tasks as possible. These days, most students are interning with multiple companies over the course of their college career. Once you’ve completed your internship with the smaller company, go do an internship with a recognizable brand name. The other experience should help you land a pretty big name. Having both of these opportunities will balance out your resume and give you great experience at two different sized companies. Hopefully, at the end of the internships, you’ll be able to decide what size company you’d like to work in after college.

By Lauren Berger is arguably the nation’s most in-demand career and internship expert and speaks to thousands of high school students, college students, and recent grads every year, motivating and inspiring them. It all started from her unique personal experience as an ambitious student with no expert advisor to turn to: Lauren completed 15 internships while still in college– interning everywhere from Fox to MTV. Within three years of graduation, she’d founded Intern Queen to provide future grads with the resources she didn’t have and futures became brighter all around the country as a result.

Experience

Lauren completed 15 internships while in college and now runs Intern Queen Inc. (Internqueen.com and Laurenberger.com)

She has written and published two books. Her first book, All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience, is a national best-seller and her second book, Welcome To The Real World, is her most recent published work. In the new book, Lauren re-writes the rules for millennials in the workplace, demonstrating how to succeed in their first, second, and third jobs after graduation. Recently Berger has been featured on The Today Show, Fox & Friends, the Marie Osmond Show, The New York Times, Seventeen Magazine, and more.

Education

Lauren attended the University of Central Florida and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Business Communications.

6 Career Paths Suitable for Both Introverts and Extroverts!

Do you like to go out and socialize, or would you rather stay at home and read a book? Or do both of these things sound appealing to you?

The difference in our personalities is a big indicator of the kind of career in which we can be most comfortable and suitable. Some of us love to talk to others, while for others it can be an irritating thing. Depending on our personality, we can like or dislike an activity.

But, how does that make a difference in our career paths?

As a general rule, introverts are better suited for careers which require less interaction with others, like blogging. On the other hand, extroverts are more suitable for careers which involve communicating with others, for example customer support services. But, there are also professions that complement the nature of both introverted and extroverted individuals.

In this article, we have compiled a list of careers for both introverts and extroverts based on the type of job:

1. Author

Contrary to the popular belief, a writer does not specifically belong to the breed of shy people and anyone can become a writer as long as he has the temperament to conduct research and analyze ideas. Similarly, you can also become a good writer if you can express your thoughts in words.

So if you have a knack for translating your feelings into words, you can make a fortune out of this skill. The only thing you will need today is the computer literacy as majority of the writing is published on online platforms.

2. Graphic Designer

This one is again a suitable profession for both the introverts and extroverts. Nowadays, graphic designing has turned into one of the most profitable profession that can pay you decent amount of money in a month. The graphic designer community has treasure of work in the form of freelance websites, such as Upwork, Freelancer and Toptal.

No matter if you are an introvert or extrovert; this profession can be a blessing for your career. So if you have a love for creating appealing design patterns, a lucrative career is waiting for you that will earn you plenty of money.

3. Software Engineer

Software Engineering is a field which requires the use of intuition and imagination. Since you have to handle the programming part of the computer system, it’s likely to be more suitable for the introverted individuals who have an ability to see the subtleties in a software design.

It’s, however, a wrong notion that a programmer spends all his time writing code. In fact, the programming involves lots of information-sharing process which in turn requires interaction with the people. Therefore, it also requires a certain level of extroversion which also makes it an appropriate profession for the extroverted individuals.

4. Customer Service

Majority of the people are of the opinion that a career in customer services is only meant for the extroverts. On the contrary, the profession is equally suitable for the introverted individuals as well. Since the job requires you to constantly talk with the people, it cuts you off from the surrounding.

You can be shy and still work as a customer service agent as you will be talking to the people over a phone without having to meet them in a gathering. So there is no way you can easily perform your duty without attracting the attention of the people.

5. Counsellor

Again, there is also a misconception about this job. Just because a large chunk of time of a counsellor is spent interacting with the people, it is not necessarily suited only for the extroverts.

The majority of the time of a counsellor is also spent listening, analyzing, and understanding the information of the clients. Therefore, it also involves working with abstract theories, ideas and possibilities, making it a matching profession for the introverted people as well.

6. Logistician

Logisticians predict future for business and the strategies a company should pursue to achieve the desired results. Therefore, it requires a lot of knowledge and research of an industry. Apart from scientific studies, it also involves a lot of psychological process to achieve a goal.

At the same time, this profession also requires the skills in dealing with the people as it involves a lot of interaction with public relations, making it a perfect career for both introverts and extroverts.

Although, there are plenty of career choices that match with temperament of both introverts and extroverts, the aforementioned are 6 of the best professions that are perfectly-suited for both of these breeds. Hope you’ll like one of them for your particular personality type.

If you know more of the careers that suit both of these breeds, let us know in the comments section.

Author Bio

Anna Marsh is a career coach who shares her insights with working professionals. She is also a part-time blogger who shares her opinions by UK Essay Help Deal platform on career trends based on his personal experiences. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.

15 Quick Tips That Will Help You Get Hired Fast

There are some things that don’t take a lot of time to do that can help you get hired quickly. I’ve heard from job seekers who simply didn’t know some of those things that will help them effectively job search.

One person I spoke to recently didn’t know you should send a thank you note after an interview. Another wasn’t aware that he didn’t need to include all of his many years of experience on his resume

Some of the things on the list are little things that make a difference. Others are significant enough that they can make or break your job search. Here are 15 things you should know about job hunting that will help you find a new job fast.

Review the list to see if there’s anything that you’re not doing and give it a try.

15 Quick Tips That Will Help You Get Hired Fast

1. You can save time job searching by using advanced search options on job boards. All the major job boards (like Indeed.com, SimplyHired.com, CareerBuilder, Monster, and Dice) have an “Advanced Search” option where you can search by keyword, location, a radius of a location, job title, company, type of job, date posted and other options.

2. Applying for every job you find isn’t always a good idea. Focus your search on jobs that you’re qualified for. You’ll have a better chance of getting selected for an interview. Sending out random resumes and cover letters is just going to be a waste of time. Before you start job hunting, take the time to decide what type of job you’re seeking. Even better, come up with a target list of companies you’d like to work for and do your best to get noticed by them. Here’s how to get noticed by your dream company.

3. Don’t stop applying for jobs while you are waiting to hear back from an employer. Most job seekers are rejected by over 15 employers before landing a job.  Learn from your mistakes, and keep applying until you get the right offer.  Worst case scenario, you will be juggling multiple job offers. That’s a good thing.

4. You need a specific cover letter or your resume may not get looked at. You only have a few seconds to impress a hiring manager enough to select you for an interview. I know hiring managers who screen every application personally and they tell me that if you don’t show what you can do for the company in the first paragraph of your cover letter, you’re not going to get an interview. Here’s how to match your qualifications to a job, and tips for how to write a cover letter.

5. You should also target your resume to the job. It’s not just your cover letter. You resume should be edited and tweaked, so it’s as close a match to the job as possible. Otherwise, it may not get picked up by the applicant tracking systems companies use to screen resumes or the recruiter who reviews it.  Here’s how to write a targeted resume.

6. You don’t need to include all your experience on your resume. Someone shared a resume with me that had over 40 years of work experience. Unfortunately, that’s not going to impress anyone. It dates him, and it’s too much information and too much experience for most job openings. Here are what experience and dates to include on a resume.

7. You can include more than full-time employment on your resume. If you’ve been out of work you don’t want your resume to look like you have done nothing since you were laid-off. There are other things besides your employment history you can use to bolster your resume. Here’s a list of what to include on your resume when you have been out of the workforce.

8. Dress like a manager or a successful person in your profession. Maybe appearances shouldn’t matter so much, but they do. The first few minutes of an interview are when you get to make that critical first impression. Be sure you’re dressed appropriately for the type of job and company you’re applying to. Here’s appropriate interview attire for a variety of different jobs and work environments.

9. Be Yourself. Susan Heathfield, About.com’s Human Resources expert says that you need to be yourself. Rehearsed answers, fake smiles, and saying what you think the interview wants to hear instead of what you actually believe, mislead the employer. Employers want to know who they hired, and that’s the person they expect to show up for the first day of work.

10. Storytelling during a job interview is an excellent way to share your experience and skills. One way to show the employer what you’re actually like is to tell a story. When you’re asked questions during a job interview, relay the specific skills and experience you have, as well as how you handled the situations you’re asked about. The more concrete information you provide, the more the hiring manager will know how qualified you are. Here’s how to answer interview questions.

11. Never say anything bad about a previous employer. When I was a hiring manager, I used to cringe when people badmouthed their boss. In fact, one of the most common interview mistakes isbadmouthing your boss or co-workers. The first thing the interviewer is going to think about is what you will say about their company when you’re moving on

12. You should send a thank you note after a job interview. It’s important to follow-up after a job interview. It’s a way to show your appreciation for being considered for the job. It’s also a way to reiterate your interest and share anything you neglected during the interview. Here’s how to saythank you for a job interview, along with sample thank you notes and email message.

13. Networking is an essential component of successful job hunting. Most jobs are still found by networking, whether it’s online or in-person. You never know who can help you find your next job unless you tell your connections that you’re job seeking.  Here’s how to utilize your contacts at a company.

14. References can make a big difference in getting hired. References are important, and employers check them. Get recommendations from bosses, co-workers, clients, subordinates, and suppliers. Store them on sites like LinkedIn and share them whenever possible.  If you are worried about getting a lousy reference from your supervisor, work on getting some personal references you can add to your credentials. Here’s what to do about bad references.

It’s acceptable to apply for the same job more than once. So, you applied for your dream job, and you didn’t hear anything back from the company. Then you see the job posted again. A “do over” is fine, but be sure that you carefully match your qualifications to the job requirements in your resumes and cover letters. Also, check LinkedIn to see who you know. You might be able to get a referral the second time around. Here’s how to find contacts at a company.

Bonus Tip

Polish your shoes prior to your interview. This one’s an extra, but, yes, hiring managers do look at your shoes. If you don’t have shoe polish, a leather or multipurpose cleaning wipe will work. It’s important to look your best from head to toe!

By Alison has been the job search expert for About.com since 1998.

Alison Doyle is one of the industry’s most highly-regarded career experts, with all the know-how to help you with job searching, interview skills, resumes, cover letters, personal branding, social networking, leaving your job, employment trends, and even more!

25 Surprising Job Interview Questions

There are interview questions that are typical interview questions, questions that are difficult to answer, and then there are questions that are just, well, a bit weird, a challenge to answer and probably unexpected during most job interviews.

Glassdoor.com has gone through the thousands of interview questions shared by interviewees to come up with a list of the Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions. Some are definitely strange, most of them are unique, and some of them are a challenge to answer because there is no right or wrong response.

Top 25 Weird Interview Questions

1. If you could throw a parade of any caliber through the Zappos office, what type of parade would it be?
2. How lucky are you and why?
3. If you were a pizza delivery man, how would you benefit from scissors?
4. If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?
5. Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
6. If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?
7. If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why
8. Do you believe in Bigfoot?
9. Why is a tennis ball fuzzy?
10. What is your least favorite thing about humanity?
11. How would you use Yelp to find the number of businesses in the U.S?
12. How honest are you?
13. How many square feet of pizza are eaten in the U.S. each year?
14. Can you instruct someone how to make an origami ‘cootie catcher’ with just words?
15. If you were 80 years old, what would you tell your children?
16. You’re a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?
17. How does the internet work?
18. If there was a movie produced about your life, who would play you and why?
19. What’s the color of money?
20. What was the last gift you gave someone?
21. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
22. How many snow shovels sold in the U.S. last year?
23. It’s Thursday; we’re staffing you on a telecommunications project in Calgary, Canada on Monday. Your flight and hotel are booked; your visa is ready. What are
24. Describe to me the process and benefits of wearing a seat belt.
25. Have you ever been on a boat?

How to Answer a Weird Interview Question

If you are asked an interview question that seems bizarre, don’t panic. Below is a list of tips on how to handle a weird interview question.

Prepare. The best way to prepare for any interview question is to practice. Practice answering common interview questions with a friend; this will help give you confidence during the interview. Ask a friend to ask you a couple tough interview questions during your practice as well.

Stay Calm. If you are asked a question that stumps you, first take a deep breath. Maintain good posture, and look the interviewer in the eye. You want to appear calm and confident, even if you don’t feel that way.

Buy Some Time. If you draw a blank, know that it is ok to take a little pause before answering. You can also buy some time with a comment such as, “that is a very interesting question; let me think about that for a moment.”

Ask Questions. Most odd interview questions are intended to assess your critical thinking skills. Quite often, there is no “right” answer. Explaining your reasoning out loud as you respond to the question will demonstrate your thought process, even if you struggle to arrive at the answer. If you are at all confused, ask clarifying questions.

Think About the Job. Remember that interview questions are designed to determine whether or not you have the skills required for the job. As you answer a question, think about answering in such a way that demonstrates a skill or quality you have that qualifies you for the job. For example, if the interviewer asks what color best represents you, you might say, “blue, because it is a calming color, and I am good at staying calm under pressure.”

Come Back to it Later. If your mind is still blank, consider saying something like, “that is a very interesting question. May I take some time to consider it and get back to you later?” Hopefully, after a little time, you will be able to answer the question.

By Alison Doyle. Alison has been the job search expert for About.com since 1998.

Alison Doyle is one of the industry’s most highly-regarded career experts, with all the know-how to help you with job searching, interview skills, resumes, cover letters, personal branding, social networking, leaving your job, employment trends, and even more!

Things You Should Not Do When You’re Applying for Jobs

There are lots of things you should do when you apply for a job, but there are also ways that you can hinder your job search by not applying for jobs correctly. It’s important to know what you shouldn’t do, along with what you should do when you are applying for jobs. Here’s how not to apply for a job.

How Not to Apply for a Job

Submit a Job Application, Resume or Cover Letter With Typos
Check your resume, your cover letter, and every single email you send for grammar and spelling – even if it’s just a quick email or LinkedIn message or Facebook message to a networking contact. If you submit a job application with a typo, it can knock you out of contention for a job. This means writing in full sentences, and checking spelling and grammar.

Don’t Know Your Employment History
When you apply for jobs, online or in-persons, employers expect you to know your employment history, including dates of employment, job titles, and company information for each job you’ve held.

What can you do when you don’t remember your exact dates of employment? Here’s how you can compile your personal employment history when you’re missing all the details.

Tell Everyone You’re Job Searching
It can be a good idea to tell everyone you know you’re job searching – if you’re unemployed. If you have a job and you want to keep it, be very careful who you tell that you’re job searching. Also, make sure that you’re using tools to keep your job search confidential. You don’t want your boss to hear you’re looking and possible jeopardize the job you currently hold.

Take Advantage of Your Connections
It’s appropriate to use your connections to help you get a job. However, it’s not appropriate to try to bypass the hiring process in order to try to get hired. Use your connections carefully and make sure they are advocating for your candidacy in a professional manner.

Dress Inappropriately
Don’t wear jeans or shorts, tank tops, crop tops or anything too low cut (cleavage is not a good thing when you’re job searching) or too short. Make sure you’re not showing too much skin i.e. your belly should not be showing. Don’t wear spike heels, platforms, flip flops, or your favorite pair of old ratty sneakers. It is always important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed and to present a positive image to the employer. Here’s what you should be wearing to apply for a job.

Forget Your Resume
When applying for jobs in-person and when interviewing, bringing extra copies of your resume is a good idea. Also, consider bringing your transcript as well if you’re interviewing for an academic-related position.

Keep Your Phone On
Filling out a job application or an interview isn’t a place to sneak in a few texts. If your phone is constantly beeping or ringing , it creates a very distracting environment and reflects poorly on you. So, make it a priority to turn your phone on silent and stow it away in your bag or pocket.

Walk in with your Earphones and Your iPod Playing.
Although you might be dying to catch the end of your favorite song, put your iPod away before you walk in to a apply for a job or go on a job interview.

Bring Food or Drink
Plan ahead and grab a coffee or other beverage or a snack before or after your interview, because it isn’t professional to eat or drink during your interview. Finish (or throw out) your coffee or food before your interview.

Bring Your Parents or Friends
You should go to apply for jobs and go to job interviews alone, so don’t bring your parents, your friends, or your boyfriend or girlfriend. If you’re applying for a retail job and you’re with friends have them wait outside the store or elsewhere. The only time this would not apply is if you and your friends were applying at a company that was hiring for several positions.

Act Unprofessionally
No matter how difficult your job search is, make an effort to greet your interviewer kindly, and be active and engaged during the interview process. Be outgoing and positive, even if you don’t feel that way.

Don’t Be Upfront About When You’re Available
When you know when it’s feasible for you to work, be honest with your prospective employer. You don’t want to end up taking on more hours than you can handle or commit to a schedule that won’t work out, inconveniencing both yourself and your employer.

Ask for Money
I cringe when someone tells me they’ve asked for a certain salary when they haven’t even been interviewed yet. Avoid mentioning compensation until you have a job offer or, at least, until the employer brings it up. Even then, be careful as to how you negotiate salary.

Top Job Search Mistakes
What are the worst job search mistakes you can make? Some are major mistakes that can halt your job search before it even gets going. Others are small mistakes that, given a competitive job market, can be enough to knock you out of contention for a job. Be sure to avoid the top job search mistakes, so you’re in the best position to effectively job search.

More Job Search Mistakes to Avoid
What’s the worst mistake you can make when you’re job searching? Read about the top mistakes that could cost you a job offer and add your advice on job search mistakes to avoid to the list.

By Alison Doyle. Alison has been the job search expert for About.com since 1998.

Alison Doyle is one of the industry’s most highly-regarded career experts, with all the know-how to help you with job searching, interview skills, resumes, cover letters, personal branding, social networking, leaving your job, employment trends, and even more!

Landing a Job in the Fashion Industry

Whether you’re looking for your first job or thinking of making a change, it can be tempting to stay within your chosen field of experience. But to truly keep your options open, you need to consider two things: all jobs come with a wealth of transferable skills, and a company’s industry does not always dictate its career opportunities. It’s important to remember that your experience can help you land a position in an industry you do not have a direct background in.

The fashion industry employs over half a million people in the UK, and not all of them are cutting edge designers. Behind each clothing company is a team of marketing and PR professionals, web developers, distribution managers and many more people that help the brand operate smoothly from design room innovation to in-store sale. To gain a little more insight into the range of disciplines employed behind the scenes of a fashion retailer, we spoke with three members of staff at bonprix about their career paths, transferable skills and how they landed positions in the fashion industry.

Job search tips to secure that job skills Recruitment

Our interviewees are Rosie – Offline Campaign Manager, Paul – Services Manager and Lydia – Project Manager.

How did you land your current role and why did you pursue it?

Rosie – I had four years’ experience working in a couple of marketing roles. I was lucky enough to get a taste of both B2C and B2B companies’ communications. Through that experience, I figured out exactly what my interests and strengths were and what type of environment I wanted to work in. This realisation led me to the role that I am in now and I couldn’t be happier.

Paul – My first role as a graduate was in a marketing department where I was coordinating direct mail campaigns.  I was identified as someone who had a head for numbers so I was drafted into the analysis team and I’ve done this ever since.

Lydia – I was given the opportunity to work on a bonprix website migration project which then led to further opportunities focusing on specific project work. bonprix had a big project on the horizon which involved the migration of a warehouse and customer systems to the UK and I was asked to play the role as Business Change Manager on the project, which I accepted and thoroughly enjoyed.

What kind of work experience did you undertake in the past?

Rosie – Before gaining full-time marketing positions after university I was lucky enough to have had jobs from the age of 16: waitressing, bar work, retail, promotions and stewarding.

Paul – From the age of 16 I worked in supermarkets and pubs, which gave me a good work ethic and customer focus.

Lydia – My placement year at university was spent at a nursery and baby company, and by the time I left I was a product expert for their full range of pushchairs and car seats. My work experience allowed me to put into practice some of my learnings but most importantly prepared me for the real world when I completed my degree.

What’s the best part of working for bonprix/in fashion?

Rosie – The best part about working in fashion is that I have a personal interest in the industry. Being able to see how the business works and taking part in activities that all link to a subject that genuinely appeals to me is a real bonus and something that provides great job satisfaction.

Paul – The team at bonprix are fantastic. As long as you are working with people you like, coming to work can be enjoyable.

Lydia – It is exciting working for a brand with such great potential. It’s been great seeing bonprix grow in the UK and it’s so exciting to see what the future holds.

What would you look for in a potential employee?

Rosie – A potential employee needs to be passionate about the position, have a clear eagerness to learn and show enthusiasm. If they don’t have any direct experience in the industry then I look for transferable skills, two main ones being a good work ethic and being articulate.

Paul – Somebody who I’m happy to spend 40 hours of my life each week with and somebody with the aptitude for the job they are going to be doing and a willingness to learn.

Lydia – Experience is really important to me: what have they done previously and what can they bring to the role. I also think adaptability is a really positive thing to have in any team. Not being able to adapt to change can really hold you back in your career!

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

Rosie – I would try and think about tasks in a more strategic way, but my way of thinking has been developed over time and recognising the journey is a very rewarding exercise. I’d suggest to my younger self to not worry so much and enjoy the opportunities that come my way.

Paul – Don’t get stressed about things.  Look at your boss – if they’re not worried, you don’t have to be.

Lydia – I probably would have planned my time a bit better and started my university coursework a lot earlier in order to stop that last minute panic. Fail to plan, plan to fail!

Fashion is, of course, just one of the many industries you can consider working in. Keep an eye out for positions in which you could use your experience in new and exciting fields, or look for those with strong transferable skills. Not all positions require direct, prior experience, but what they do require is someone passionate, adaptable and ready to make the most of every opportunity they’re given.

By  Margaret Buj