How to Impress Your Boss When You Work From Home - The Muse

How to Impress Your Boss When You Work From Home - The MuseHow to Impress Your Boss When You Work From Home If given the choice, most of us would likely opt for a flexible work schedule, one that enables us to balance our busy, multi-faceted lives and do our best work in the hours that make sense for us. I know I wouldThankfully, companies are listening. Organizations such as Aflac, Google, and Dell are pioneering innovative flexible work policies for large corporations. As the co-founder of my own company, Ive worked remotely since we began six years ago. When my business partner and I launched, we chose to build the kollektiv in Atlanta and commute there as often as possible from our home base in Charleston, SC. Apart from the one week per month Im in our Atlanta office, I work from home.And although many of employees do work in-office most days, several take advantage of our flexible work offering because of children, long commutes, or a simple desire to work a non-restrictive, micromanaged schedule. As long as theyre accountable and getting their jobs done, my partners and I see no reason to place a strict office-only policy on our team. In fact, I think mora managers would be open to allowing work-from-home days so long as this is the case. If you manage to convince your anfhrer to let you work remotely- whether for a random day you need to be home for the plumber or every Wednesday- heres how to make sure he wont regret it. 1. Honor Your Hours of AvailabilityThe two main concerns for companies considering flexible work policies are efficiency and productivity. Is the remote employee getting as much work done as when he or she is in the office? One of our employees told me she always emails her manager the hours she is working any day shes not in the office. And if she needs to step away from her computer for a long lunch or appointment, she lets them know that as well. Its key to have certain hours during which you can be trusted to work- and to work di ligently during that time.One of the advantages of working remotely, after all, is the opportunity to work free from office distractions. Use your (quiet) time wisely.2. Dont Be a BottleneckOn the days Im in Atlanta with my team, they can ask me a question, such as Whats your favorite photo for this? or What subject should we use for tomorrows email? and get an immediate answer. In turn, I expect the same kind of timely response from them when I seek input, regardless of where theyre working from. Its crucial to reply to emails and calls quickly when working out of the office, so youre not acting as a bottleneck- which can feel frustrating for the people who arent in your position. Something concise that answers their questions sooner is better than a perfectly crafted response sent later or too late. In other words, respond ASAP to your boss and colleagues, and you wont seem so far away.3. Make Time to SocializeNothing beats in-person time for building camaraderie and a sense of te am culture. Building friendships in the office also makes work more fun. Whether you work from home full- or part-time, try to schedule some in-office visits for coffees, lunches, or check-ins to foster personal relationships at the company. Your team will be more understanding when your remote situation poses challenges for them if they know and like you. When one of our employee moved out of state due to her husbands job, we were happy to create a remote position for her because we liked her and knew her capabilities- plus, wed gotten to know her beyond the work she did, and this helped establish her as a member of our team.My prediction is that flexible work schedules will only become more commonplace as companies continue to prioritize employees lifestyle and well-being. For you, that hopefully means no more fretting each time you request a non-office day and no more feeling bad or guilty about taking regular remote days (or even asking for a full week this summer so you can enj oy extra time at the your familys lake house). If youre like me and really enjoy this type of flexibility, remember to keep your head up and prove to your boss and your team that youre being productive. Working from home doesnt mean slacking it means working even if it does make it easier to take advantage of a midday yoga class in between revising the latest portfolio. Photo of person working remotely courtesy of Hero Images/Getty Images.

How to be yourself in a world that wants to change you

How to be yourself in a world that wants to change youHow to be yourself in a world that wants to change youWhen Im in a room full of strangers, I never really know how to interact. I listen more than talk, and I overanalyze every movement, word, and thought a hundred times in my head before I react to my surroundings. Just writing that sentence made me feel exhausted however, this happens more often than I would like to admit.Every day when I wake up, I aim to be myself I dress the way I want to dress, I wear my hair the way I want to wear it, and I walk out the door in hopes that my inner self will align with my external world. But, as much as I want to admit that I do things for myself, I cant help but wonder what others will think if I wear a certain piece of clothing or parte my hair a certain way. I dont know why, but I cant help but create these internal struggles that I can only binnensee and feel. I dont want to believe that these thoughts are my truths, but they sometimes t ake precedence. While I dont compare myself to others usually, I cant help but feel that I have to act, talk, or look a certain way to be allowed to be a part of someone elses world instead of just trusting myself that I am enough to be loved for who I am.So, after feeling like this for far too long, Ive decided to try to put a stop to this way of living. Life is what you make of it, and if Im living through others perceptions, then I cant call this life my own. So if any of the above sounds similar to what youre going through, please scroll below to see how you can be yourself in a world that may possibly want to change you. Because, truthfully, the only person you should be seeking reassurance from is you and you alone. So lets do this.1. Take a break from social mediaIt can be hard to find your own voice when youre constantly consuming others thoughts and opinions. While social media channels like Instagram and Facebook are there to connect you with other like-minded people, they can easily put a damper on your day when you see something that could trigger a negative thought pattern. To prevent this from happening, its best to take a break by unplugging every once in a while. Delete these apps, and put your attention into other things that will validate your voice and wont require validation from likes and comments (i.e. journaling, setting goals, talking with close friends on the phone, listening to inspirational podcasts, etc). Swapping your daily swipes with voice-affirming activities that were mentioned above could help you build your intuition and allow you to get to know yourself on a higher level.2. Resist the urge to constantly please othersSeeking validation from others is a surefire way to prevent yourself from living your best life. If you happen to overthink everything, you probably carefully calculate every move and word you say to appease others so you dont have to deal with the feeling of rejection. Even though rejection is a hard pill to swa llow, nothing is more exhausting than cherry-picking everything you do. Remember no matter what you do or say, youre not going to be able to please every single person in the world. Playing it safe wont allow you to chase after your dreams or make yourself be comfortable in your own skin. Its best to let go of the notion that its your responsibility to make everyone else comfortable when the only thing you should be responsible for is your own happiness.3. Only say things you meanNothing is more damaging to your self-worth than saying things you dont mean. This goes hand-in-hand with trying to please others because youre afraid to rub someone the wrong way. Being true to your values and ethos is the greatest gift you can give yourself. This allows you to be open and honest with yourself in ways you couldnt imagine. When something comes up that either bothers you or goes against what you believe, allow yourself to live in the discomfort and politely speak your truth. Usually, people say things they dont mean because they dont know how to sit with things that make them uncomfortable, so theyd rather avoid it all together by just doing what the other person wants.4. Get to know yourself betterYou wont be able to be your true self if you dont know who you are or what you want out of life. Take a few moments and sit with your thoughts. Write in a journal, take a few personality quizzes, ask your family about their history - heck, check your astrology chart. The more you understand your personality, your likes and dislikes, and where you come from, the more youll be able to gauge who you want to be.5. Try not to overanalyze and be fully present in every momentEngaging in a conversation with someone can be overwhelming for some when you overanalyze every scenario. Why did I say that? Are they bored with what Im saying? Think of something funny to say so they like me just might be a few things that would groe nachfrage through your head. However, by having these conv ersations with yourself, youre refusing to be present.Ideally, you want to switch this dialogue to not critique everything you do but to easily flow with whats going on outside of your mind. Essentially, by being present, youre allowing yourself to focus on whats actually happening in front of you instead of focusing on the assumptions that youre coming up with.6. Be kind to yourself and appreciate who you areAt the end of the day, you should be kind and nurturing to yourself while youre trying to figure out how to be more like yourself. Dont beat yourself up or compare yourself to someone else when it seems so easy for them to be open and honest with their thoughts. Youre assuming that theyre comfortable in their skin, when in reality, they could be having the exact same thoughts that you are.Remind yourself to focus on your own journey. Do everything in your power to find your voice and take the next steps to live the life youve always wanted. As hard as it is to remember, nothing is more powerful than being yourself in a world that wants you to be like everyone else, when being like everyone else is, frankly, boring.This article first appeared on The Every Girl.

Back to School, Back to the Job Search

Back to School, Back to the Job SearchBack to School, Back to the Job SearchWhile we recommended ramping up your job-search efforts during the summer months, we know that many of you still took time off to enjoy the beaches and give yourself a break from the stressful job search.Now that the kids are back in school and autumn is officially here, its time to focus on your job goals and recommit to the searchHere are three tips to help you get back into the job-search groove this fallGo school shoppingJust like your children need supplies to get them ready for school, you also need the right tools to be ready for your job search.If your interview outfit could use an update, take advantage of back-to-school and Columbus Day sales to get something that fits you well and makes you feel good about yourself. Make sure your portfolio or briefcase is in good shape to transport your items to and from interviews in style.Invest in a professionally-written resume to make you 40% more likely to l and the job you want.Find your routineFor many, summer is the time when regular schedules are thrown out the door in favor of Summer Fridays and fun activities if you took a break from your search, nows the time to get back on trackTake out your calendar and block off time each and every week to dedicate to job-search activities.Ideally you should spend anywhere from 15 to 40 hours per week (depending on your employment status) on job applications and follow-up, social and professional networking activities, and recruiter outreach and engagement.Reconnect with classmatesUse the back-to-school season as an excuse to reconnect with people you havent seen since swim lessons and vacations took over the calendar. Check in with your professional and social groups and RSVP to their upcoming meetings and events.Use your universitys homecoming weekend or other alumni events to network.Make a point to introduce yourself to the parents on your childs soccer team and say hello at back-to-schoo l night. These mere acquaintances may turn out to be valuable connections during your search.Use these tips and your search will be gaining momentum in no time

Consulting Annual Review Process 101 (Part 1)

Consulting Annual Review Process 101 (Part 1)Consulting Annual Review Process 101 (Part 1)By Kristine Schoonmaker, MyConsultingLife.comEach year consulting firms go through an exercise to rate their talent and promote those ready to move up. The environment is incredibly competitive and the rules of the game are usually anything but black and white. While there may not be a clear science to the process, if you understand what the landscape is really like, you greatly increase your odds of success. But dont hold your breath waiting for the company training on this one. Unfortunately, no one is likely to tell you the down and dirty skinny on the annual review process when you get hired.A few things HR probably didnt mention to you when you joinedIts subjective. Many firms label themselves as a meritocracy, meaning that those exhibit certain talents, aptitude or skills get rewarded (e.g., get good ratings and move up). The challenge for you as the consultant is that this is also hi ghly subjective. In many cases, even though your firm may outline certain factors used to evaluate your performance, they can often lack clarity and specificity. With the human element so largely in play, its rarely black and white (e.g., do this and get this mark). Space is limited. There are a generally a set number of slots for each rating and a set number of slots for promotions. Landing one depends largely on your ability to justify to the powers that be that you deserve it and are already playing at that level consistently. Nailing one project out of three in a year isnt going to cut it. Promotions and good ratings are awards given for proven ability, not potential. You have to stand out from the Jones. You will be ranked against your peers or the others at your level. This gets interesting because rarely will you all have the same role description. Frequently there will be situations where a test team lead is pitted against a change management consultant for one last spot. Theyre apples to oranges, so it will all come down to how well each is positioned and who has the more compelling story. Air time is short. Everyone, including you, the person speaking on your behalf, and your partners are super busy all the time, making it very hard to remember all the great things you did throughout the year. On top of that, firms often use a series of conference calls or meetings at various levels (team, account, practice, etc) to evaluate performance. If youve ever been in a fraternity or sorority its a lot like the recruitment process. Its not uncommon for your representative at the table to have only two to three minutes to make their argument for why you deserve the rating they recommend. Regardless of what you actually did over the past 12 months or what was written in your performance review, what they say in that short time can very easily determine your fate. Politics are in full play. When disputes happen, and they often do, she who has the mos t respected supporters and compelling story wins. There will be one person at each meeting speaking for you, but the others in the room carry as much weight or more in the final decision.Feeling down in the dumps about your prospects? Dont give up just yet. There are a few very specific things you can incorporate into your routine to combat these challenges quite easily. Stay tuned for Part 2Kristine Schoonmaker is The Career Lifestyle Coach for Consultants and founder of MyConsultingLife.com. Her bi-weekly ezine Accelerate offers practical insider advice and quick tips from a former consulting exec to help YOU take greater control of your career and stay engaged in your personal life from the road. If youre ready to have it all an amazing career in consulting without giving up the lifestyle, relationships and experiences you want, get your FREE subscription now at www.myconsultinglife.com.

Detailed Notes on Resume Sample Format in Simple Step by Step Order

Detailed Notes on Resume Sample Format in Simple Step by Step Order All resume samples are categorised so that it is easy to locate the very best sample resume for yourself. Although resumes are composed using standard elements, there is absolutely no prescribed format is effective equally well for everybody. You are going to see that there are 3 types of format used generally employed for resumes. By selecting a template, you dont need to be concerned about the format itself. Knowing the difference between a resume and curriculum vitae is a lot more essential before deciding on a template. Career aspirants will need to be on the lookout for a resume template rather than a training course load vitae template. Before you choose the appropriate format, it is very important to seem thorough the college resume examples readily available online. The Tried and True Method for Resume Sample Format in Step by Step Detail Any appropriate experience youre able to see in your past wil l assist you, but dont be scared to emphasize the skills you learned outside the work field. Distinct kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the exact same skills. If you get a significant collection of honors or awards, a distinct category is most likely appropriate. Actually, you could always create a compelling and strong resume that may brandish all of your relevant skills and experience for you to ultimately get the job that you would like. Even in the event youve never held an official job, its still true that you have life experience thats applicable to the work search. Simply because youve got zero experience or its your very first job. When youre working at your present job you arent stressed, seems like everything goes smooth and with no troubles. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that can help you get your fantasy job. Possessing a strong resume will permit you find numerous great jobs. There was a time every time a proper Resume meant a review of the academic achievements. Employers understand that youre young and looking to enhance your experience, so give them as much as you can that shows youre be an important employee. It is vital to go through company specific Resume. The Sample Format Of Resume For Job may also be structured in the way which best presents your abilities and experience. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills. Youre able to enter your social websites profile address for an extra point of contact. The subject of information technology grows more important each and every day. Ask yourself in case the email address youre using sounds professional or not. If your resume exceeds one particular page, make certain that your name and contact information are listed at the very top of every page. Resume Sample Format Explained You are going to want to settle on a look which best meets your preferences. Resumizer free resume creator allows you to blick auf den kommenden your resume at any location in the creation practice. However tempting it may be to stretch the truth, lying on your resume is always a poor idea. Theres really no reason to wind up with anything under a fantastic resume, and thats what were here to be sure that you do Few errors or mistakes in your resume can lessen your opportunity to find the job which you are searching for. However much or what type of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. You should understand, that resume format is critical, as it can boost your odds to get invited for an interview. Each resume format was made to boost your odds to find the job in 2018. The Most Popular Resume Sample Format You may find it most helpful to decide on a sample resume that matches your existing experiences and is tailored to the kind of position you may be seeking. If you are just about to gra duate explain which youre seeking a permanent position at graduation. If you choose to incorporate an objective, specify the sort of position you are trying to find. If you are in possession of a particular skillset youre potential candidate to fit desired position. You might rather incorporate an objective in a job-search letter instead, especially in the event you wish to be thought about for a variety of positions. My aim is to find the job. Your objective needs to be specific to the job that youre targeting. Generally speaking, an objective on your resume can be useful if it concisely describes your immediate employment goal, but it isnt an important element of a successful resume.

A Startling Fact about Resume Writing Tips and Samples Student Uncovered

A Startling Fact about Resume Writing Tips and Samples Student Uncovered Details of Resume Writing Tips and Samples Student Youre equally as unique and your resume ought to be unique too. In addition, you can look for student jobs on Monster. Key Pieces of Resume Writing Tips and Samples Student Even when you never had a formal job before, theres probably plenty of information you can nonetheless put on an expert document. There are many websites with tips around the internet, but most bring just a small number of them. If you choose to use high school info, make certain its really robust and appropriate content. Analyze job ads You will discover a lot of helpful info on job ads. In addition, you can look for nursing student jobs on Monster. Landing a terrific internship for a college student is an excellent means to get prepared for the challenges of life after the university. If you dont just graduated from college, place your work experience prior to your education. Most college resumes have a large issue. Things You Wont Like About Resume Writing Tips and Samples Student and Things You Will Youve got enough experience to have the job. An interview could also be needed to land the job, but a resume is essential to begin the practice. If you intend to compose a resume since you want to know more about work, its important and necessary to know first what makes up a resume. Objective Tailor your objective to coincide with the job for which youre applying. Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Resume Writing Tips and Samples Student Its possible to also add testimonials from previous employers or coworkers. With some crucial data in the perfect order, everyone can create one. Think about getting qualified help If youre having a difficult time to create your resume, or in case youre receiving no response whatsoever from companies, you could think about choosing a professional resume writing service. Our student resume samples will be able to help you write your own document, but when in doubt, the work listing contains all of the info you really need for a particular job. The truth is it might even hurt your odds of landing an interview. If youre sending a resume to a company, it needs to be a given that youre offered for an interview and you will provide references if requested. Youve got a lot better shot of receiving an interview because of a personal or professional connection. Especially if youre seeking your very first job, writing a resume can help you decide on a work along with help you land an interview. Up in Arms About Resume Writing Tips and Samples Student? Crafting the ideal Education section is essential to creating a thriving college resume. Careful with sample resume templates There are lots of sites that provide free resume templates. Writing a resume is part of business writing. Utilizing a student resume template can help save you time and effort in addition to offer you ideas on which secti ons to include and the way to complete them so as to pull in the correct employers.