How to Work from Home Effectively - Your Career Intel

How to Work from Home Effectively - Your Career IntelThe office landscape has drastically changed. More professionals are telecommuting and working from home than ever before, and the trend continues to gain momentum. In fact, 13.4 mio people, or 9.5 percent of the workforce, now work at home either full-time or part-time according to a new Census Bureau report. As an executive recruiter, I have the opportunity to work from home on occasion and have found that if planned appropriately, my days outside the office can be just asif leid moreproductive than in-office days. However, before you pack up your cubicle and head home to work, consider these three tips on how to work from home effectivelyCreate a dedicated office space. The key to being efficient and successful when working from home is to establish a proper office space from which to work. Sprawling out on the dining room table or setting up camp on the sofa wont lead to the highest productivity rates. Choose which area will be your office, set up all the necessary equipment and supplies, and use that dedicated space to work from each day.Set your hours and plan your day in advance. Along with having a dedicated space to work from, its crucial to set office hours. At home its easy to become distracted or take a break to fit in the laundry or errands. Therefore, its vital to determine when you plan to work each day and what you want to accomplish during that time. Also remember to cover the ground rules with your family so they know what to expect during your work time, as well as how and when they can communicate with you.Get out of the pajamas. While a suit and tie arent necessary, you should dress as if youre headed into the office. This will help keep you in the right mindset and focused on the work at hand. I typically choose to wear clothes that are not overly comfortable, forcing me to sit up straight at my desk and feel professional.With the flexibility and freedom it affords, working from home can help you accomplish your professional and personal goals, whether it be to make better use of your commute time or arrange your schedule so that you can train for a marathon. However, its important to know how to work from home effectively in order to drive success for both your career and your employer.Do you work from home? If so, what are your best practices and work at home tips?

7 Signs Youre Being Breadcrumbed at Work (and How to Deal)

7 Signs Youre Being Breadcrumbed at Work (and How to Deal) Breadcrumbing its the act of leaving small crumb trails to string you along.You may have heard the term breadcrumbing in respect to relationships, when one freund leads on the other partener. But breadcrumbing happens in the workplace, too.If you find yourself stuck in what too often feels like a deadend job, but you feel enticed to stick around because of an ever-illusive future, you might be a victim of breadcrumbing. Here are nine red flags that your manager is breadcrumbing you at work (and how to deal with it).1. Your manager makes empty promises for future growth opportunities.Your manager might have told you about all of the endless opportunities available to you when you first interviewed for this job and thats perhaps precisely what you took the job in the first place. Maybe they offered you a lot of travel opportunities. Maybe they swore that, if you hit your monthly goals, youd be earning a certain amount of mone y. Or perhaps they spoke of an alluring benefits package that just hasnt become available yet. Whatever the case, if your manager is always making empty promises that never binnenseem to come to fruition, it may be a sign that youre being breadcrumbed at work.Perhaps its wise to write down the opportunities that you discuss with your manager, and have them on record for the next time you have a one-on-one meeting. Its easy to forget what was promised to you, when and under what circumstances, but having a tangible list to which you can refer can be helpful. If that list isnt met, it may be time to find abedrngnisher employer to give you those opportunities (or make them for yourself as an entrepreneur).2. Your manager vaguely tells you that, so long as you hit certain goals, youll be rewarded.If your manager is super vague about what kinds of rewards youll receive for performing highly, it may be because they dont want to be or cant be locked into actually giving you that reward. Th ey might not have the biggest budget, for example, and so promising you a certain draufgabe isnt necessarily doable. But what they can do is try to keep you around anyway by promising you that youll receive something for doing well.Its a good idea to sit down for a private conversation with your manager to discuss you short- and long-term goals. Having a written contract that details exactly whats expected of you, and exactly whats expected of them in return, can be helpful in holding both of you accountable. It also clearly sets expectations without any guessing games. If your manager is unwilling to do this, it may be an issue you want to take up with your human resources department.3. Your manager repeatedly passes you up for promotions for which youre qualified.If youre indeed qualified for a promotion, but your manager continues to outsource and hire new talent or, rather, picks someone else for the promotion but continues to tell you next time it may be a red flag that youre being breadcrumbed at work. This is especially true if they insist that they want to see you prove yourself a bit more, and grant you even more work (without the title change or raise) in order to land that promotion.If you continue to see tangible growth in your performance, take on more work and you have the proof to make a case for yourself, but youre not growing in the company, it may be time to leave to move up elsewhere.4. Your manager suggestively talks about their own impending retirement.If your manager is always talking about their own retirement, which would leave a void for you to perhaps fill, but has been around for years, they may be breadcrumbing you. Retiring is hard, and it takes a lot of people much longer than they might have expected. So, of course, this may be innocent. But if your manager is always swearing up and down that youll be at the helm soon enough and whatever that means isnt actually soon enough for you, it may be wise to start looking at your other options.5. Your manager notoriously rewards burnout behavior.If your manager is notorious for encouraging burnout behavior oveworking yourself with consistently long and odd hours, not taking time off, putting work above your health and family all the time, etc. this may be a red flag. Perhaps your manager is always tooting your horn, telling you how much they respect your strong work ethic and reliability. But this becomes dangerous when their praise keeps you working beyond boundaries, burning yourself out.If it comes down to it, you might want to have an honest conversation with your manager about your need to utilize your time off and focus on other priorities, as well. After all, youre given time off for a reason.6. Your manager always thanks you for work thats not part of your job.Again, if your manager is always thanking you for your hard work and for being a team player, it could feel rewarding. But if theyre thanking you for doing work that doesnt belong to you particul arly office housework that detracts from your actual job then they may be reinforcing and encouraging you to take on this work. Of course, its nice to be recognized for others slack you pick up and the little things you do to lend a helping hand, but if these kinds of tasks become expected of you and you continue to do them for the praise, you might be being breadcrumbed.You might want to consider steering away from these small tasks and focusing more on your work at hand. If your manager or someone else asks you why youre not able to help, or penalizes you for it, you can make a case for yourself by demonstrating the work that you actually have to do and sharing how not getting to this work will do the company more harm. If your work is not respected, you might want to find that respect somewhere else.7. Your manager consistently deflects your asks for a raise.The reality is that women do ask for raises theyre just not given them nearly as often as men are. If your manager keeps deflecting your raise, blaming their inability to grant you one on something different every time, it could be a sign that youre being breadcrumbed in your career.If youre not given a raise when its deserved (after a reasonable amount of time and effort, of course), you might want to start looking for a new job. Even if you dont actually want to take a new job, coming to your manager with an offer and allowing them to make a counter offer can get the ball rolling. Otherwise, it may be best to move on.--AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about womens empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram her_report,Twitterherreport and Facebook.

Career Assessment Test

Career Assessment Test Career Assessment Test Tips A career assessment test gives you an opportunity to reflect over your current career, your educational and professional training, your accomplishments and your career advancementor lack thereof. The career assessment is where you be brutally honest with yourself and acknowledge not only your strengths, but your weaknesses and what you need to improve on in order to move forward, whether its within your current profession or on to a new one.Some key criteria covered in a career assessment test are lokalitt overview, objectives, job wertzuwachs and achievements, working environment, job interest, educational background and training, language proficiency, company environment, personal needs and other issues that are important to you.Your position overview in a career assessment test should include information such as your name, your position and tit le, name of the company and department you work for, whom you report to, how long youve worked there, your level of responsibility and job duties, and your current salary and benefits. Include how your current salary is comparable to similar positions outside your company.State your key objectives and goals you wish to achieve within the next 12 months. List all of your key achievements. Provide information on your performance reviews for the last six to twelve months, including ratings. Include on your career assessment test any unique experiences you had during your tenure in your position, such being the team leader on a special project. Give a summary of your progression through the last 5 to 10 years of your career.Do an assessment of your key skills and competencies that are necessary for you to effectively perform your job. Include your educational achievements, on-the-job training, and language proficiencies (i.e., if you are bilingual or multilingual).The company/working en vironment and job interest section of the career assessment test helps you see just how satisfied you are with your current job, as well as gauge your job security against trends in and outside your company . Be honest with yourself. Do you look forward to coming to work everyday or have you grown to dread it recently? How well do you work and get along with your coworkers, your subordinates or your boss? Are you satisfied overall with your job and your company? Do you see room for personal and professional growth within your current position or company? Do you feel you are in a key position that is vital to your companys function? Could your company function without you or your department? If your job was vacant and you interviewed for the position, do you feel you would still be chosen over other internal or external candidates?On the personal end of things, what are your personal needs and wants? What are your financial goals, and what type of work/family balance do wish to achie ve. In other words, are you looking to spend more time with family and stop working 70-hour workweeks? A career assessment test can help you make what could be some tough decisions, as well as informed ones.

Should you bring your baby to work

Should you bring your baby to workShould you bring your baby to workWould you bring your baby to work with you? If the option was available, some parents would do it to financially support themselves. But in a recent New York Timesopinion article, one parent detailed why she brought herbei infant to work even though paid leave was an option.Baby and meSarita James is the chief executive of Embark who said she missed the problem-solving and camaraderie of work and wanted to try a different experience with her third child.So James brought her baby Uma to her office in a hands-free sling. It wasnt always perfect - there were moments Uma cried and was a distraction, but overall James said her daughter seemed to help everyone forget their own agendas and insecurities and form deeper connections.And shes not alone in doing this. Licia Ronzulli, an Italian member of the European Parliament, memorably brought her six-week-old baby to work in 2010. As her baby grew up, Vittoria Ceriolo could be seen mimicking her mothers voting intentions in sessions with a thumbs up or a hand raised. Ronzulli said she brought her baby as a practical matter because she was breastfeeding.Although Ronzulli is appreciative of the attention her decision got her, she wanted to remind people that there are women who do not have this opportunity to bring their children to work, that we should do something to talk about this.And thats exactly the kind of conversation the Parenting in the Workplace Institute wants to formalize and normalize. They said bringing your baby to work can increase employee morale and retention without the costs associated with on-site daycare.They also said babies themselves benefit because they crave information and interaction with other people and the chance to observe people all day longgives them that social stimulation. Through its programs, PIWI said its changed200 companies in more than 30 different industries from skeptics into proponents.How your company can adopt this bring-your-baby policyPIWI has created a template outlining how to successfully get your company to allow on-site babies. In it, they outline the limits of the program. After babies learn how to crawl, they need to graduate from the program and go off to daycare.PIWI also emphasized thatthe employee and employer must makea commitment to make koranvers the baby is not disruptive to other employees If a baby is fussy for a prolonged period of time, causing a distraction in the workplace, or preventing the parent from accomplishing required work, the parent shall remove the infant from the workplace.Having your baby by your side can be a rewarding experience, but as the detailed template reminds us, it takes work too.Overall, bringing babies into the workplace is indicative of the growing movementfor better childcare policies at work. As workplaces grow to accept employees beingwhole humans with professional and personal needs, this couldmean accepting their children too.

STEM Goes Viral on YouTube

STEM Goes Viral on YouTube STEM Goes Viral on YouTube STEM Goes Viral on YouTubeIn the mid-2000s, U.S. engineering schools experienced an abrupt downturn in undergraduate enrollments and graduation rates, renewing fears of a looming shortage of engineers. Amid those concerns, as if on cue, a new internet video-sharing network called YouTube debuted and promptly went viral. It was a match made in engineering-outreach heaven. YouTube, with its promise of free, unfettered access to anyone with an internet connection, directly answered the professions call for innovative new ways to cultivate future engineers. And as importantly, the platform served as a bridge to young viewers too often excluded from engineering careers because of gender, race, or economic barriers.Thirteen years later, YouTube claims a in aller welt audience of 1 billion, about one-third of the internet. An independent 2018 study by the Pew Research Center found that 94 percent of Americans between 18 and 24 use it reg ularly. Younger viewers gravitate toward the myriad of YouTube channels dedicated to kid-friendly coverage of pop culture, video games, extreme sports, and entertainment. Whatever the topic, the popularity of a channel is primarily driven by the personality of its creator/host, the best of whom enjoy bona fide superstar status and a multimillion-dollar share of the ad revenues their videos attract.How do creators of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) content hold their own amid all the fun, fame, and flash of the YouTube community? Pretty well, says Angela Y. Lin, YouTubes head of family and learning for North America. Viewers have a variety of interests, so science creators dont need to compete with other types of content because theres a place for it all to thrive.For You 7 Ways to Move Up the Ladder with a STEM Degree Engineerings include Learn Engineering, Real Engineering, Engineerguy, and Explore Engineering.YouTube channels like Learn Engineering give any viewer with an internet connection a way-in to start learning about STEM topics.The most popular STEM related channels touch on engineering as part of their broader coverage of science and technology. CrashCourse, for example, is a recently produced miniseries taking an in-depth look at the principles and practicalities of engineering as a discipline and as a profession, with focused discussions on the main branches of civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. With funding from YouTube in association with PBS Digital Studies, CrashCourse boasts nearly 8 million subscribers. Channels like SciShow, TED-Ed, and Its Okay to be Smart use a similarly broad brush to bring science and engineering to life for younger viewers.Weve worked hard to build great partnerships with YouTube and creators in the learning community, Lin says. Its amazing to see the impact behauptung partnerships have had for learners all over the world. I cant even count how many times someone has come up to me to tell me how much they love these channels or how one of these channels influenced their interest in a particular topic.In June, Lin moderated a panel discussion at VidCon 2018, an annual fan fest for some 74,000 YouTube devotees and content creators in Anaheim, CA. During the session, several of YouTubes most visible STEM content creators shared their strategies for reaching younger audiences. One of the key takeaways was that storytelling is a powerful tool when it comes to science, Lin says. Youll often see science explainer videos that simply dissect a specific issue. But storytelling brings the viewer in for a different kind of journey. The key elements of a successful science video are similar to any good story having a general arc, context, character, journey, tension, and emotion.She cited AsapSCIENCE, Physics Girl, Jabrils and Dr. Shini Somara as prime examples of successful STEM content creators whove developed a strong bond with viewers, including many from under-repre sented groups. The diverse areas and styles of channels make the ecosystem rich, and Ive found that hosts who are able to achieve an authentic connection with their audience are often the most memorable for viewers, she says.The YouTube environment lends itself well to engaging viewers in content that may be otherwise be intimidating.The beauty of YouTube is that its easy to start from a point of relatability with the viewer, where elend knowing is kind of the way in, Lin says. People tend to be really uncomfortable with scientists not having a 100% clear answer, but YouTube enables the hosts to explore and learn alongside their viewers, and to reach people in a more authentic way.Michael MacRae is an independent writer.Read More10 Skills to Transition from Engineering to Project Management10 Ways GDPR Will Affect EngineersHow to Make Being a Tech Geek Your JobThe key elements of a successful science video are similar to any good story,Angela Lin, YouTube

Top 8 Best Job Search Websites of 2016

Top 8 Best Job Search Websites of 2016 Top 8 Best Job Search Websites of 2016 Some job search sites can make finding the jobs best suited to you simple. Others, like those that give you job search advice, can help you fill in the gaps that youre missing in your application package. Here, well review eight of what we think are the best job search websites of 2016.CareerealismCareerealism posts useful tips in blogs and sends out a daily newsletter detailing job search and career development suggestions. The sites CEO J.T. ODonnell has nearly two decades of experience in HR and recruiting and more than a 1000000 followers on LinkedIn. The website also has a Recruiter Directory that you can search to connect with recruiters. We particularly like Careerealisms Sneak Peeks, or feature articles about companies you might want to explore further.Career SherpaA website created by Hannah Morgan, a job search and career coach, Career Sherpa gives you job search advice, including tips on persona l branding and job search navigation tools. We think Career Sherpa is one of the best job search websites because Morgan provides a unique perspective on building an online presence, creating an infographic resume, and choosing persuasive accomplishment statements. The MuseStylish, up-to-the-minute, and contemporary, the Muse provides career advice from some of the top resume experts. Think of it as a great resource for the kind of person who wants to have a life aside from her job. Offering job search advice and tips for the workplace once youve been hired, the Muse provides the kind of real, upfront talk that keeps you motivated through what can be a difficult and long-term project searching for the job you want and keeping the job you love.Charlie AppWhile its technically an app and not a website, we love Charlie App too much not to mention it. For interviews, you want to have information about the people youll meet and the organization youll be talking about so you know how to i mpress during your interview. Charlie App searches through information about your interviewers and the company, and then provides you a one-page summary that helps you better prepare.Ask a ManagerIf you want the inside scoop about how hiring managers think, it only makes sense to Ask a Manager. Thats the purpose of what we think has been one of the best job search websites of the year. Former manager Alison Green answers real questions about careers, interviews, and management in upfront, truthful blogs. LinkedInRecruiters love LinkedIn because its so easy to use. Recruiters can search for candidates by work history, job titles, or college. Its often used to search for candidates who arent actively looking for new jobs. If you update your LinkedIn profile regularly, the social media platform can be a great tool for networking and recruitment. USAJobsIts the federal governments database for hundreds of job listings across every federal agency and organization across the United States . We like USAJobs because it offers the latest job postings and designs searches specifically for senior-level executives, students, and veterans. Learn how to write a federal resume.LaddersOne of the best up-and-coming job search sites, Ladders, gives you the details on recruiters search patterns and exclusive job postings sometimes before theyre even posted. Ladders job search algorithm also matches you with the most relevant job opportunities available for your particular skillset. Once youve optimized your job search and resume using these tools, scan each potential job posting and your resume through Jobscan. The tool will give you suggestions for how to make your resumes keywords match those on the job description. Remember, a good match between desirable skills and the words on your resume is the only way your application will make it to a real person. Recruiters find candidates resumes the same way we use Google to find websites with keywords that best match the qualities theyre searching for.

3 Networking No-Nos for Finance Consultants

3 Networking No-Nos for Finance Consultants3 Networking No-Nos for Finance ConsultantsFinance consultants depend on a robust network of professional contacts to help them consistently find accounting and finance jobs. When you make a career out of project-based employment, constant networking becomes one of the most effective ways to boost long-term prospects. Your relationships with industry professionals can open doors to opportunities where you least expect them.Its easy to fall into traps while attempting to network, however. Doing it right requires a certain amount of dedication and perseverance. Here are three mistakes consultants should avoid when building their networks1. Not committing to the processNetworking tools are everywhere, but these days it seems like most of them exist online. LinkedIn, Twitter and other resources have made it possible for like-minded people to connect with ease. However, be careful not to spread yourself too thin on these platforms. Even something as simple as maintaining a LinkedIn account requires commitment. Your profile may give you access to a list of connections, but it wont automatically present job opportunities to you. You have to maintain an active web presence before your profile actually generates interest from hiring managers.Its also important to think critically about where you dedicate your networking efforts online. The internet gives you no shortage of options to choose from, but that doesnt mean you have to sign up for all of them. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can realistically dedicate to an online resource before signing up. Another way to maximize your efforts when networking is to focus on the tools that offer the most value.2. Pushing too hardNetworking as a finance consultant doesnt always have to be about landing a job. In fact, it shouldnt be. If you reach out to contacts only when you need help, youll weaken your ties.Consider the way hiring managers approach the process. A Robe rt Half Management Resources survey revealed that while 60 percent of chief financial officers network with the purpose of growing their own businesses, a good 20 percent also appreciate networking for the ability to keep up with industry nachrichten and trends.Dont go overboard in pushing your services and qualifications, and generously share news and expertise with your contacts. This way, when the time comes someone needs your services, youll likely be at the top of the list.3. Being impatientBuilding a strong network takes time. Dont expect to have opportunities jump at you immediately, and keep in touch with your contacts, even if nothing imminent is on the horizon to discuss. That way, you will have colleagues to turn to when you need a hand in the future.Consultants cant afford to take the networking process lightly. Building a career out of offering your skills and expertise on a project basis depends on a firsthand understanding of the industry. Its much easier to gain this level of insight when youve built meaningful relationships with other leaders in your field.Want more insights on how to further your financial consulting career? Subscribe to our newsletterSUBSCRIBE NOW