9 Ways to Thank a Colleague That Are Cheaper More Meaningful Than Buying Lunch

9 Ways to Thank a Colleague That Are Cheaper More Meaningful Than Buying Lunch9 Ways to Thank a Colleague That Are Cheaper More Meaningful Than Buying LunchIn case you havent heard, showing gratitude and appreciation to those around you has some pretty big benefits, like making office life better for everyone, lowering your stress levels, and helping you gain perspective and clarity. So, whether its that contact who helped you land your dream job or a co-worker whos always going above and beyond in the office, its always a good idea to thank those around you for their time and effort. Of course, most of us dont have gobs of money to spend on gifts or lunches out to show how grateful we are. But thats OK- as the old saying goes, the best things in life are free. And when it comes to giving back, you dont need to drop any dough at all. Here are a few ideas for how to do it.1. Take on an Extra ProjectDid a co-worker deckblatt your butt during an important deadline? Return the favor by offering to take on something extra that he or she needs help on (or just doesnt really like doing). Learn more about how to do this by following the instructions for a work swap here- just dont give your colleague any of your work.2. Write a Heartfelt NoteWhether its a thoughtful email or a handwritten card, never underestimate the powerful of a well-crafted letter. Check out how writer Aja Frost used this technique to thank people in her life- and how it ended up transforming her career.3. Give a Social Media Shout OutWho doesnt love getting a mention on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook? If a friend or colleague did a small favor for you, it can be nice to let your network know, too. Who says we cant send random tweets of kindness every day?4. Write a LinkedIn RecommendationIf you want to do something on social media thats a little more permanent, visible, and thorough than a tweet, try writing a meaningful LinkedIn recommendation. It not only shows your appreciation, but it also helps someone gain professional cred. Not sure how to write an out-of-this-world LinkedIn rec? Weve got a great five-minute guide to get you started.5. Tell Other PeopleIts great to hear that someone really appreciates your work- especially from other people. I once helped a co-worker find sources for an article with a tight deadline, and in addition to her thanking me profusely, I was really excited when our boss sent me an email to say that my colleague had told her about the awesome work Id done. I got a second thank you it was a double-whammy of gratitude.6. Pass Along OpportunitiesLove the work a friend, professional contact, or colleague is doing? Hand that person a great opportunity (or a referral) so that others can see that talent, too. Heres a quick email template for an intro to make this one even easier.7. Make Their Day a Little EasierDid your co-worker order lunch but then get stuck in on a never-ending call? Offer to grab it when youre out. Is your cubemate scrambling before a meeting? Tell her youll make copies of the agenda and get the conference room all set up. These little acts of kindness can make a stressful day so much better for someone- and we cant think of a better gift than that8. Be a Good ListenerWhether its a colleague who needs to vent about a tough client or a friend who wants to pick your brain about an upcoming job interview, listening to peoples comments or concerns and giving them your time lets them know that theyre valued. Career coach Lea McLeod has a primer on being an amazing listener. 9. Get PersonalIts easy to think of your professional connections or colleagues solely in the context of work. But trying to know them on a more personal level by asking questions shows how much you enjoy their presence. This doesnt have to mean posing deep or intrusive questions- even asking about someones family if a co-worker mentions relatives can spark a great conversation that you can go back to later on. To help you with this, chec k out Alex Cavoulacos secret to remembering anything about anyone.Money doesnt buy happiness, and gratitude certainly doesnt have to cost big bucks. But doing something that is thoughtful and meaningful can go a long way in showing your contacts just how much you appreciate them.Photo of thank you word cloud courtesy of Shutterstock.

How to Spot a Job Scam

How to Spot a Job ScamHow to Spot a Job Scambedrngnis every job scam is an outright con, many are just promises the employer cant keep.If a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So say employment lawyers and career coaches, who warn that, especially in this economy, employers may be making promises they cant fulfill.There is a lot of fraud out there (in job postings), said Barry Janay, an employment attorney who practices in New York. The best way to prevent it is to do your research beforehand.Jill Knittel, an executive recruiter with ER Associates in Rochester, N.Y., said there are some companies that are taking advantage of the large number of people searching for jobs right now. I recently spoke to a client who asked me about a job and said, in my gut it didnt sound right. I told him he needed to go with his gut.Both Janay and Knittel said there are certain things that, if you encounter them on your job search, are red flags that the opportunity may leid be all that it promises. Be aware of these red flags, they warn, and investigate whether the employer can come through on what they promise.An unexpected call from a recruiter. You dont know how the recruiter found you. If you didnt apply for it and they are contacting you through e-mail, that could signal a problem, said Janay. He suggests a job seeker find out how this recruiter found your name, and whether the connection is legitimate.The job requires you to make an investment upfront. Some companies are asking hires to pay for such things as training, said Knittel. Send X dollars and well train you in how to do the job. Or, your salary will start once you make a sale. Take a job and dont get paid? Its not a good idea.The job requires relocation. This doesnt always mean the job is not legitimate, but it does require you to do much more research. Uprooting yourself, and your family, is not something anyone should jump into after a phone interview. At the very least, you should go to the new city to interview and see the business and working conditions for yourself.You are offered a job for which you know you are not entirely qualified. If the job doesnt match up with your qualifications, said Janay, you need to ask why they would be soliciting you for that job. If you do accept a job where your skills dont match the job description he advises that you get something in writing that states your employer recognizes that you do not have the experience or skills originally required for the job.Not a job scam, but a false promiseBoth Knittel and Janay say that a bad employment experience is less about outright scams and more about clarity on both sides of the offer they say it is up to the job seeker to ask the right questions and do everything they can to protect themselves during the job search.Tracey Bernstein, an executive attorney with the New York law firm Himmel and Bernstein, points out that you have the most leverage before you start a job. Once you start, the ability t o negotiate drops dramatically. So make sure you ask questions about compensation and job responsibilities before you start.Bernstein said people in sales jobs are especially vulnerable to employers who might take advantage of their situation.Knittel agrees. Sales jobs are heavily geared toward commission, she says. Candidates need to find out if what the employer is promising is realistic. Find out what your predecessor made. A lot of people are afraid to ask these questions. But they are a legitimate part of the interview process.Other questions to askWhen will I have a salary review? Not just a wertzuwachs review, but a salary review.Whom will I be reporting to? Its possible in this economy that things will change before you start your job, but its best to establish these relationships before you get onboard.Can we put this in writing? Whatever you agree to in the interview that is important for you to succeed in that job, whether its salary, reporting structure, expected work ho urs or title, ask that it be written down.All agree this does not have to be a contract, just a written agreement. It can even be in an e-mail, says Bernstein. You just want clarity on what you agreed to. If all you have is a verbal agreement, then you are going to have misunderstandings.

The best bosses see employees as humans

The best bosses see employees as humansThe best bosses see employees as humansFormer Apple and Google executive Kim Scott broke down the two essential discussions managers should have with their employees to better understand their goals ina recently-posted Business Insider video.As the author ofRadical Candor Be A Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity, Scotts philosophy provides insight on how to strengthen your feedback skills as a manager - and some things we can all ask of our bosses.Learn about employees goals through their life stories and dreamsThe first conversation Scott suggests having is about employees lives and how they grew up, starting with kindergarten, but emphasizing pivots they made as a way to find out what drives them.Why hone in on the strategic changes your employees have made in life during this discussion?Scott explains in her own words So somebody was a cheerleader and then they became a swimmer because they really could see more results of time in the pool on the swimteam than they could as a cheerleader then you know this partie is results oriented. You start to see whether its hard workor what not that really motivates the person but you get a much richer more textured view of the person if you understand these sort of abstractions in the context of their actual life story.But she also cautions managers not to be intrusive if employees would rather keep private how they grew up. Keep their emotions in mind.Next up? WhatScotts coined the dreams conversation, asking them about what their ideal situation would be, but not limiting them to only one. This way, managers can see things including where the employees skills currently stack up and who they need to know to move forward to those aspirations.Scott then adds specific ways managers can change employees jobs to help them work toward their dreams- even if their current position isnt closely related- including, putting them on various projects, giving them training or academic opportunities or connecting them with others.What Scotts radical candor concept meansA quadrant displayed in an explanatory video displays the ideasframework, and according to the labeled axes, it means toboth care personally and challenge directly. That means that nice bosses have to still hold employees to high standards.Its a way of giving feedback to employees. As Scott urges in the video, say what you think.On the other end, there are the pitfalls that bosses can fall into. The other three parts of the quadrant are obnoxious aggression, or just being a total jerk manipulative insincerity, in which bosses pretend to care, and ruinous empathy, in which bosses care too much about employees, avoiding all kinds of conflict or challenge, and end up ineffective as a result.The website defines each one, saying that obnoxious aggression results when you challenge but dont care. Its praise that doesnt feel sincere or criticism that isnt delivered kindly.The manipulative insincerity port ion is defined as when you neither care nor challenge. Its praise that is non-specific and insincere or criticism that is neither clear nor kind.Lastly, ruinous empathy results when you care but dont challenge. Its praise that isnt specific enough to help the person understand what was good or criticism that is sugarcoated and unclear.This is just part of the philosophy, but it illustrates what can happen when you dare to show employees you care, but stay honest and clear with them.As a manager, getting to know more about employees lives and dreams can help you better understand what they want to accomplish, and giving proper feedback can help both them and you in the long run.

7 Things Job Seekers Do That Say, I Dont Care.

7 Things Job Seekers Do That Say, I Dont Care.7 Things Job Seekers Do That Say, I Dont Care.6A job search, whether planned or unexpected, is a hard job and one that relies heavily on first impressions. If you have had a difficult time landing an interview, or even a call back, perhaps there are things you do that imply you dont care. Sometimes little things job seekers do unintentionally can give off a schwimmbad impression.Being experienced and skilled, as well as having the desire and willingness to work hard, are only part of the equation when being considered for a job. While you may be an ideal candidate on paper, the way you interact with others and fit within the company culture can be a determining factor for many HR professionals.Through the job search process, you have the ability to make a great impression or one that leaves people wondering if you even care about getting the job. If you are curious about what message you are sending, check out the list of things job seeke rs do listed below to see if you give people the impression you arent invested.In your job search, it seems like you dont care ifYou Wait Too Long to RespondIf you receive an email or a voice mail and you dont return it promptly, it could be giving a bad impression. Try to respond within a few hours, but no longer than a business day. This is one of the things job seekers do unintentionally but it gives off a bad impression.You Rush Through Your SearchWhen you rush through anything, you get complacent and lazy. Be mindful of keywords you use, companies you are interested in, and jobs you are qualified for. If you apply to every open job and have no knowledge of the company or job, you will send the wrong message.You ProcrastinateProcrastinating during a job search will produce the results of the effort you have given. If you wait until the last minute to apply for open jobs, send in a resume, set an interview time, or even prepare for the interview, you are limiting your own success by wasting time and being under-prepared.You Miss DeadlinesHiring managers do not look kindly upon job seekers who miss deadlines (or are late to interviews). If your application and resume were due by the first of the month and you didnt get it in until the third, you are now the candidate who missed the deadline. There is a good chance they may not even look at your documents because several other people met the deadline.You Overlook the DetailsIf the job description required a one-page resume or specific answers to be included in the cover letter and you missed them, you are not catching the attention of the HR department for being a quality candidate. In reality, many hiring managers will simply pass on evaluating you further because you didnt follow directions.You Dont Know About the CompanyBefore applying to any job, you should research the company, learn about its culture, the team, and anything else you can find. Its very clear when hiring managers read your application if you dont know anything about their company.You Dont Say Thank YouThis is one of the simplest acts, and yet many job seekers overlook the all-important thank you. A short email after a phone call or interview to express your thanks and continued interest in the position can leave a big impact.Throughout your job search, make sure to be mindful of how you are searching, as well as how you are presenting yourself to potential employers. By maintaining a professional persona in all communications and paying attention to even the tiniest of details, you can greatly improve your chances of being remembered. While everyone is human and can make mistakes, being a lazy job seeker only makes it easier for someone else to get the job you wanted. Sometimes it is the small things that things job seekers do that make or break their chances of getting the job.Readers, what are some other things job seekers do that say, I dont care? Share your ideas with us below

Society of Women Engineers to Host First-Ever Online Career Development Conference

Society of Women Engineers to Host First-Ever Online Career Development Conference Society of Women Engineers to Host First-Ever Online Career Development Conference The online conference, Take Charge of Your Career Development, will boast an array of accomplished speakers and bring together distinguished presenters to share their thoughts on how women can take control of their careers.Who Society of Women EngineersWhat Take Charge of Your Career Development Conference offering 4-5 webinar presentations per day ranging from 30 minutes to one hour.When March 13-14, 2014Where OnlineWe listened to the needs of our 26,000 members worldwide and worked to attract the brightest leaders in career development, said Peter Finn, SWEs deputy executive director and chief learning officer. The online format means regardless of schedule or location, attendees can take advantage of this slate of speakers perspective on professional advancement.The upcoming conference was developed for women three to 15 years into their careers and aims to help engineers remain competitive in the marketplace by continuously sharpening their professional and technical skills. It will also show businesswomen how to achieve their career goals while maintaining work-life balance.The summit will offer a range of topics, includingUnderstanding emotional intelligence and its impact in the workplaceBeing an authentic leaderProactive approaches to career planning and transitionsCommunicating effectivelyDeveloping your brandNegotiating your compensationEngaging with community and professional organizationsAnd moreFor more details and to register for the upcoming conference, visit here.

The Dos and Donts of Resume Intro

The Dos and Donts of Resume Intro You may also have a skills section in which you list soft skills in addition to any programs, languages, or certifications youve got. When writing your statement, its important to look at where youre in your professional progression. Chronological resumes are the ideal distributions-mix to highlight your accomplishments. Some resume formats also permit you to include accomplishments. New Questions About Resume Intro Unless you happen to be a graphic designer looking for employment, theres no need to over think the plan of your one-pager. Whether youre asking for work, a grant, or using your resume to construct your own client base, a skilled and well-organized resume is suggested. So if youre truly interested in finding job, then you ought to use the assistance of such on-line firms. Thebest way to begin a resumedepends on numerous factors like your qualifications, experience, and whether you are seeking work in precisely the same industry o r not. The Importance of Resume Intro Your reason behind achieving the number a part of your success story. Perhaps you apply for your work in a creative way or offer a good example of time once your ingenuity saved the day. To earn a one-page resume work for you, it is vital that you prioritize key bits of your work history that are related to the position youre applying for. Resume Intro for Dummies You might also have your communication and disciplinary abilities, in addition to highlight how patient youre with your students. Another way to show your ability is via your educational background. In various ways, an objective replaces a lot of the detail you would place in your professional experience section. You should find out approaches to alter your experience to the demands of the new job and tischset it in such a manner your strengths are displayed on top. Life After Resume Intro Writing a resume can be an intimidating task. Resumes are usually categorized by the style in which the info is presented. They should never be written in third person. Short, one-page resumes are well suited for fresh graduates. Your story ought to be easy and compelling, and it ought to be a superior fit for the work description. There is not anybody golden resume format. Normally, you should have a titelbild letter anyway. Be certain that the cover letter is not overly generic. Getting the Best Resume Intro One is the work description itself. Resume creators permit jobseekers to make and download their finished resumes right from the world wide web to get started applying immediately. You ought to make sure the absolute most important details in your resume appear on the very first page rather than the second. Read the work description and customize What You Should Do to Find Out About Resume Intro Before Youre Left Behind The employer knows the value of such understanding, so before going to your interview, make certain that you supply yourself wi th the very important information regarding client care. A list of experiences can be seen in the applicants resume and the cover letter is where to describe the way the experience may be an asset to the business. The more skills a candidate has, the less they will have to be trained and the faster they will have the ability to donate to the firm. A Startling Fact about Resume Intro Uncovered The trick is to concentrate not on what you would like from the employer, but what youre able to offer them. A proven history of succeeding is worthless without it. It is often as easy as stating your preferred job title, or it may show where youre, and where you aspire to go in your career. Basic resumes typically have an extremely classic and standard tone. Things You Wont Like About Resume Intro and Things You Will On the flip side, once the work applicant has strong experience, there is not any need to require the academic training any longer and it doesnt need to get mentioned. Whe never you would like to emphasize that youre ambitious, that you understand what you want in a career, or you have the skills for the particular job, you could benefit from a resume objective. A resume objective can explain why youre qualified for the job, even should you not own a lot of related experience. When you determine the skills you need to concentrate on, do a bit of research and see whether they line up with job requirements listed for the positions youre seeking.By highlighting a couple of essential abilities and your existing purposes, you give the recruiter or hiring manager a taste of whats to come in the remainder of your resume. Even if you believe you dont have a great deal of experience, you truly do. If you dont have any working experience for a data scientist, then you must figure out the way to signal you could do the work anyway. Only go back further in case you have earlier experience that is immensely relevant.

Job interview question and answer Describe a time when you have worked as part of a successful team. What do you think contributed to your teams overall success

Job interview question and answer Describe a time when you have worked as part of a successful team. What do you think contributed to your teams overall success Job Interview Question And Answer Describe A Time When You Have Worked As Part Of A Successful Team. What Do You Think Contributed To Your Teams Overall Success?Posted October 13, 2011, by Andrea Riddell This behavioural-based interview question is quite commonly asked in the application for graduate, vacation or internship programs. The ability for a team to work together effectively is a critical factor in the smooth running of a business, whether you like it or not. Recruiters want to know that you have experience working in cohesive and successful team environments outside of work as well as at work. Give an example of a time you have worked in a team and your reflection of the experience. You may choose to discuss a work assignment or an extra-curricular activity. Paint the interviewer a picture by describing the scenar io and the details of your team. When you discuss your team, talk about the role that you played and the contribution you made to the teams success. You will need to find the balance between portraying yourself as doing too much and doing too little, in order to avoid the unwanted labels of slacker or control freak. Be sure to mention the qualities and strengths that you drew on to accomplish the task. Dont be afraid to mention any weaknesses you faced and how you worked through them. It is essential that you discuss the methods that your team put in place in order to work together effectively and achieve success. Did you allocate one person as the leader? Or perhaps you were each in dienstgrad of a different task. Feel free to mention any challenges or obstacles that you had along the way and how you worked together to overcome them. Sum up your answer by saying what you learnt form the experience. This is more important than the quantifiable success of your team. Showing the inte rviewer that you have reflected and learnt from this experience shows that you are a mature and adaptable worker and hopefully just the applicant they are looking for. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesconstruction manager interview questions and answerssports coach interview questions and answershow to write a mail to hr for asking for joballied health assistant job descriptionpersonal trainer interview questions and answers CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire ansprechbar Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAndrea RiddellRelated ArticlesBrowse moreEmployment trendsWellbeingThe 10 Happiest Jobs Of 2016The results are in, and no, panda huggers and doughnut taste testers arent on the list Find out what jobs made the cut. The results will blow your mind.AccountingAccounting more than a numbers gameGood with numbers? Get into accounting it offers great salaries, job prospects and the key to spicing up your love lifeTurn beer into a careerYou will remember Dr Chuck Hahn from Career FAQs Weird & Wonderful, the book that takes you on a white-knuckle ride through the world of wacky work.