Drug Test (Positive) Waiver and Waiting Periods

Drug Test (Positive) Waiver and Waiting PeriodsDrug Test (Positive) Waiver and Waiting PeriodsLike all otzu sich branches of the U.S. military, the Army requires incoming recruits to be tested for illegal drugs at a Military Entry Processing Station, or MEPS. This is where potential soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and other would-be members of the military are evaluated. MEPS is where military applicants are either accepted or rejected for enlistment. Its administered under the purview of the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command. Recruits will take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test to determine which job theyre most qualified for in the military, and will undergo medical examinations, which include a urine test to screen for drugs. What Drugs Does the Military Screen For? The Department of Defense expanded its drug testing for applicants to include screening for all the drugs tested in active duty military members previously they were only teste d for cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. In addition to being tested for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamine, the current testing includes other highly addictive substances such as heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine, among others. With opioid use on the rise across much of the country, the military is keen to weed out (no pun intended) as many drugs as possible. These are the substances that active military members are tested for three times a year. Failing the MEPS Drug Test The first time an applicant fails the drug screening, he or she has to wait 90 days and then may reapply with a waiver at the discretion of the particular branch of the military to which he or she is applying. Be advised This sounds like a quick and easy process, but its not guaranteed. Theres no requirement that the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines must allow someone who tested positive for drugs to re-test. Considering that the majority of recruits pass the drug screen the first time, there needs to be a good reason to allow someone who tests positive for drugs to take the test again. Themilitary used to have different reapplication rules for different drugs, but under the current policy, an applicant has one chance to reapply no matter which drug or drugs is found in his or her system. Testing positive for any of the banned drugs more than once is grounds for permanent disqualification for any branch of the U.S. military. Drug Testing Rules for Prior Service Personnel ?Prior service personnel who test positive at MEPS for any illegal drug or alcohol are permanently disqualified. There are no waivers available for those personnel the reasoning is that they should already know the rules, and know that drug use is a reason to deny entrance to the Armed Services. Testing Positive for Drugs All applicants who test positive will be required to have a police record check conducted as part of the waiver process regardless of any admission or reco rd of civil offenses. Applicants with an approved drug or alcohol test waiver (meaning theyve failed their first drug test) are prohibited from enlisting in any military occupational specialty (MOS)or option that requires a security clearance.

7 signs your commute to work is wearing you down

7 signs your commute to work is wearing you down7 signs your commute to work is wearing you downYou try to balance time between your job and your life outside of the sekretariat. Youre busy. Youre often stressed. You really cant afford to lose hours from your day.But if you commute to work, thats exactly whats happening. You may spend an hour, two hours, or even more every day sitting in your car, stuck in traffic, wishing you were somewhere else.Those lost hours are more than just a waste of time, though. They may have a detrimental impact on yourphysical and emotional health, not to mention yourproductivityand your relationships.Here are seven signs that your commute to work may be wearing you down1. You start and end your day in a state of stressNavigating rush hour has proven effects on you physically. Your body reacts to bumper-to-bumper traffic with a fight-or-flight response, but since you can neither battle nor flee,your stress levels skyrocket. As a result, when you get to t he office at the beginning of the day, or walk through the doors of your home at the end, youre already frazzled.2. Your relationships are sufferingThat commuting stress, and the behavior you exhibit because of it, can make you a less pleasant coworker, spouse, parent, or friend. People struggle to work with or talk to someone who is always on edge.3. You are more likely to grab fast food than prepare a healthy mealWhen youre losing time every day, something has to give. Along commuteforces many people to buy something quick instead of spending time cooking dinner with fresh food.4. Youre gaining weightNote point number three. Also, when youre spending longer on the road each day, youre less likely to make time to exercise. One study found that people who have long commutes are21% more likely to be obesethan those who have shorter travel times.5. Youre losing sleepThe longer it takes you to get to and from work, the less time you have to finish all of the other tasks on your daily t o-do list. To get everything done, many peoplesacrifice sleep. The study mentioned above found that those with longer commutes were 46% more likely to get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night.6. Your productivity is droppingThink about it if youre stressed, tired, and unhealthy, how likely are you to be able to focus on your work? If youre finding that you get considerably less done in the office as your commute time lengthens, clearly its having an effect.7. Youre unhappy.All of the negative physical and emotional impacts of commuting are bound to take a bite out of the joy you feel about life in general. An article fromFastCompanycites a Swedish study that found that much of the making of day-to-day happiness depends on making the mundane parts of life more positive. Theres nothing more mundane than a commute, and its rarely a positive experience. If you can cut an hour out of your commute, that makes a relative difference of $40,000 to your happiness levels, the article says.How to break free of a long commuteDo you recognize any of these traits in yourself? If so, perhaps its time to look for alternatives to that long commute.One option is to seek employment in an office that is closer to your home. But perhaps an even better idea is toavoid the commute entirely.Are you a self-starter who communicates and collaborates well with colleagues? Do you have a functional and comfortable home office? Are you more focused and productive when youre working on your own? If you can honestly answer yes, its time to think about amove to remote work.Ask your boss if you can do a telecommuting test. If she agrees, try working from home and seeing how it affects your productivity, your stress levels, and your physical health.Getting out of rush hour and into your home office may do more than help you be a better worker. It could add years- and happier years, at that- to your life.This post was originally published on FlexJobs.com.

Exactly how many times you should follow up after an interview

Exactly how many times you should follow up after an interviewExactly how many times you should follow up after an interviewYou wrote the perfect rsum. You quickly landed a job interview. You nailed the meeting - and youre pretty sure they loved you.But you can still screw it all up.Your follow-up plays a bigger part in the process than you may realize, said Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job.The quality of your follow-up can underscore a successful interview, or sabotage it, Taylor told geschftlicher umgang Insider.Not sending a thank you email quickly enough (or at all), for instance, can seriously hurt your chances - as can checking in excessively.Following up with hiring managers is tricky to navigate because its elend always easy to gauge your standing, and a lot is at stake, Taylor said. Sometimes, if the chemistry is right, you can flat out ask where you stand, bu t thats a big if.You want to come off as interested - not desperate or impatient.So, how can you strike that perfect balance?Taylor said the follow-up process will look different depending on your specific situation. But, here are some general guidelines on how many times you should check in after the interviewCheck-in 1 The initial follow-upSending a stand-out thank you note is also an easy way to stand out from a host of candidates.Write a thank you over email that afternoon if your interview was in the morning. If it was in the afternoon, send it over first thing the next day.Hiring managers are gauging your enthusiasm, and by being prompt, your action speaks volumes. It also shows respect for their time, Taylor said.The thank you note is also a great venue to expand once more on what you can bring to the organization and how youre an ideal fit.The thank you note can and should be a very empowering part of the interview process for you, Taylor said. For instance, by mentioning w hat intrigues you about the department and/or company after having met the key players, youre demonstrating your listening abilities, how you process information, and how you apply it in selling the fit. Its your opportunity to market yourself and demonstrate how well you fit the corporate culture.Check-in 2 A couple of days after they said youd hear from themHopefully, you asked, When can I expect to hear from you again? or When do you expect to make a decision? in the interview.If you did, and they mentioned a specific day or time frame (By the end of next week or By Monday, etc.) its acceptable to check in a few days after that date passes.Check-in 3 When they ask you to check in againPerhaps their email said something like, We are still interviewing candidates and should be making a decision soon. If you dont hear from me by Thursday, please feel free to follow up. If so, go right ahead and do just thatCheck-in 4 If, and only if, they still seem very interested in youIf you aren t getting any feedback, then be careful not to pester the hiring manager or HR. You dont want to appear desperate theres a fine line between enthusiasm and being too aggressive.If youve received positive feedback each time youve talked to the hiring manager, or are asked to keep them apprised of your job search progress, you have the green light to keep the lines of communication open until told otherwise, e.g., We will get in touch with you, or get no response, Taylor said.How you approach this tricky part of the interview process speaks to your ability to fit into the workplace culture.This is a litmus test of your emotional intelligence, which can override your credentials, Taylor said. Your handling of follow-up can confirm that youre courteous, respectful, reliable, and a team player. Or, you can appear disinterested or disorganized by not responding on a timely basis.Check-in 5 If weeks or months go by and they still havent made a decisionIf the job opening lasts for a couple weeks or months - and they still seem interested in you - theres no harm in keeping in touch and sending another email or two.But vary your messages, says Taylor. You might send links to interesting articles let the hiring manager know of a relevant industry webcast or seminar keep them apprised of any kudos youve received at your current job a charitable project you just completed, and so on.Check-in 6 If you didnt get the job but want to thank them again for their time and considerationHopefully, you do get the job and dont have to send this thank you anyway email.But if you dont, its smart to send one last (non-bitter) email thanking them for their time and consideration - and asking if they might be able to share any feedback.You can also say something like, If you think I might be a good fit for any roles that open up in the future, please dont hesitate to contact me. Id be very interested in exploring other opportunities here.Jacquelyn Smith contributed to a previous versio n of this article, which first appeared on Business Insider.

10 Steps to Take Before Submitting a Resume

10 Steps to Take Before Submitting a Resume10 Steps to Take Before Submitting a Resume5The reality is, even if you do follow the latest and greatest in resume writing tips, theres probably even more youcould do before sending your resume.In fact,TheUnderdeckblattRecruiter.com article 5 Things Youre Forgetting to Do Before Sending Your Resume discusses additional tips and strategies one should always focus on before submitting a resume. There are some obvious and some not-so-obvious strategies for reviewing and fine-tuning a resume before hitting send.Here are10 steps to take before submitting aresume to an employer1. Read the application instructions carefully.If the instructions ask for the resume in PDF format, dont send it in Word. Do exactly as requested in the application instructions. If it requests a cover letter- send a cover letter. Dont do what you think is enough, do exactly as the employer asks.2. Tailor your resume to the specific job.It seems difficult to tailor a resum e when one is blasting out 20 resumes a day to employers. But the reality is, no one is the right fit for 20 positions. So why not take the time to tweak your resume to the jobs you are the best fit for and most interested in? A one-size-fits-all approach doesnt work.3. Read the job description multiple times to know whichskills to highlight.What are the key skills the employer is looking for? What skills do you have that are a match? List them in bullet point format near the top of the resume, such as in a profile section, or in the bullet points underneath each job listing.But dont just list the skill. The old Areas of Expertise section witha bullet point list of keywords/skills is dated. Applicant Tracking Systems read through that. Instead, list a skill and back it up with proof of accomplishment.For example, if the job is looking for someone with account management experience, list a bullet like thisAccount management Managed 15 accounts totaling $2.5 million in revenue in the hospitality, food and beverage,and consumer packaged goods industries.The skill account management. How many accounts? 15. Revenue? $2.5 million. What industries? Three different industries were referenced. See how much more you told the employer? Dont make them guess. And bold key skills or successes. Employers scan resumes before reading them- this helps key items stand out if an actual person is reading the resume.Leave out bullet points that arent relevant to the job you are applying for, says Debby Magnuson, vice president of talent management for Career Partners International, an executive coaching, leadership development, career planning, and outplacement services organization. Most resumes include too many job bullet points, which are too often role responsibilities rather than achievements.4. Explain what each company you have worked for does.Dont expect the next employer to understand exactly what your company does. If you work for Google, Oracle, Microsoft, or other well- known companies, sure, the employer will recognize the company, but there are literally thousands of businesses employers know nothing about. So if you work for Acme Manufacturing, explain what they do, like thisProduction manager, Acme Manufacturing, Minneapolis, MN (2011-2016)In this leadership role for manufacturer of plastic injection widgets for consumer packaged goods industryBullet point of achievement related to skill requested in job application.List a skill backed by success using that skill.List more bullet points for the most recent jobs. Less bullet points for older jobs. Its a what have you done lately mentality for employer reading resumes.5. Provide a list of technology skills.Think beyond Microsoft Word. Create a separate section to list what experience you have with software/computer skills.Think What software or systems did you use to do your job? Did you use Salesforce? Are you experienced in WordPress or Adobe Experience Manager? Do you have programming experien ce- what technologies do/did you use? Did you use Excel for reporting? What internal/proprietary systems does your current company use, or have you used in your career?List the most relevant first (better yet, try and list an example of how you used that skill), and eliminate dated technical terms like data entry, 10-key, or Xerox, for example.6. List relevant certifications or training.Most people remember to list their education. But what about any certifications, training, continuing education, or seminars completed or attended? List those as well. Sell yourself as a lifelong learner- employers like that.7. Eliminate first-person language.This is frustrating for employers to see, says Magnuson. I, me, my, and mine do not belong in resumes, says Magnuson.Start sentences with an action verb or an adjective. Rather than, I am known for my ability to communicate say instead, Strong communication skills Backed by a proof or example using communication skills in that role. Instead of I am a dynamic, highly skilled IT leader with experience in say, Dynamic, highly skilled IT leader experienced8. Adjust the verbiage to speak to each company.Make sure the language used on your resume matches the language asked for in the job application. For example, if they ask for someone with account management experience, use the word account management (versus, say, business development) in a resume to show proof. Dont use an internal acronym that only your company would recognize (in fact, avoid internal acronyms all together).If you have a sales background, dont use that word in a summary at the top of the resume when the job is for an account management professional. Instead of saying, Seeking sales role where 5+ years of experience will add value say, Seeking account management role, where 5+ years of experience managing up to 30 accounts adds value. Talk their language. Adjust for each job.9. Proofreadand proofread again.Dont just read the resume on a computer screen. Prin t it out and reviewandlook for spacing issues, such as extra spaces between words or after periods. Read it from the bottom to top. Write it, let it sit a day, and re-read when fresh.10. Test and tweak your resume.How so? Use a resume reviewing tool or program likeJobscan,whichis built from similar algorithms used in top Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), or resume screeners. It allows you to take a job description and your resume and plug them into their system to see how closely it fits the job description/employer needs and provides tips on how to fix it.Dont overlook ansicht steps before submitting aresume. Take the extra steps listed above to get noticed and get an interview.Start Searching for a Flexible Job

The Benefits of Proper Spelling of Resume

The Benefits of Proper Spelling of Resume The Ultimate Proper Spelling of Resume Trick Including a potent summary section at the peak of your resume is the ideal approach to receive your next boss excited to meet you and would like to call you in for an interview. A well written resume with the assistance of professional resume templates can grab the interest of the employer and earn good impression. There are several different manners in which you can spice up your resume to make it even mora attractive to the jobs which you would like. To be able to type up a good resume you first need to understand the fundamental components a resume is composed of. If you would like to get a finished paper at an affordable price, youre in the area you require By writing an issue solving resume, youre showing a business precisely what your value is, and youre going to greatly shorten the period of your job search in the practice. The magnitude of a company really can impact your feelings and your work. Presenting the details in a well organized fashion will boost your opportunity of getting work. Obviously, but only if theres an actual need. Of course you may also be on the lookout for a different job because of personal explanations. The pivotal reason behind the same has become the change in the requirement of the possible recruiters as well as the work profile. Write the letter the way that youll write a normal cover letter. Understanding how to write a correct CV is one particular approach to insure that someone does notlage wind up among the unemployed masses. This statement states precisely the same thing with 27 less words Salutations like Dear Sir or Dear Madam ought to be used only as a final resort if youre simply unable to locate the individuals name. Employers want people who are able to play nicely with other people. Internships can also create a fantastic impression on the employer. Resumes are produced to highlight the very best side of an indiv idual. Though a concise, bare-bones CV that merely lists each of the relevant facts can appear professional in certain conditions, its sometimes not the ideal approach. Statements ought to be concise. Employers will demand for at least two references when you submit an application for any job. While searching for a work online, there are times when you will notice employers requesting a CV rather than a resume. You should know what things to put in your curriculum vitae and what things to avoid. Some resumes dont have a typical format throughout. CVs are the norm in the majority of European nations and can differ from the conventional American CV. In general, they are used throughout most of the world, while resumes are the common format in America. As an example, when applying for work in the subject of information technology, an individual could list amateur hacking as an expert familiarity with computer code. A plethora of relevant interests also illustrate how active a nd dynamic youre. Human resource specialists do not generally hire people. Utilizing resume templates permit you to make sure that you are appropriately laying out all the accomplishments you have done, and also permit you to make certain you have the ability to set your thoughts together in a way that will cause you to get attractive for a wide selection of unique work in the industry in which youre applying for. At times it feels that your resume is supposed to introduce you to a business that will fix all your problems. A CV includes a thorough description of someones work experience, educational background, and techniques. The work objective in resume explains about the personal aims of the candidate working in the specific position. Your resume should not mention your individual hobbies, unless these have an immediate bearing on your preferred career path.

The 5 Difficult Work Conversations Youve Been Avoiding - And How To Handle Them

The 5 Difficult Work Conversations Youve Been Avoiding - And How To Handle Them How To Have 5 Difficult Work Conversations That Youve Been AvoidingPosted March 8, 2017, by Zahra Campbell-Avenell Difficult work conversations we all dread them. Whether its giving a coworker constructive feedback, telling your boss youre resigning, saying no to a project or dealing with a workplace bully, its important to know how to approach unterstellung difficult and often awkward conversations at work with grace and poise. Here are a few tips on how to handle tough conversations effectively. We need to talk. Those 4 little words can send shivers down your spine. Nobody likes confrontation. Not at home, not at school, and especially not at work. Thats why we become experts at avoiding these painful conversations. We tell ourselves its not that bad, that were blowing things out of proportion and we end up putting them off. Wed rather suffer in silence than awkwardly work through a conflict wit h a colleague or ask the boss for a well-deserved pay rise. But we avoid these conversations at our own peril. At some point in your career, youll need to have that talk. Youll need to quit, tell someone their work isnt up to scratch, or receive feedback that youre less-than-thrilled about. Sounds tough, right? Well thats because it is. Thats why weve made life easier for you. Here are 5 common workplace conversations (with example scripts) to navigate those awkward moments like a pro. 1. How To Tell Your Boss Youre Quitting Much like breaking up with a partner, this is a conversation where youll need to tell your employer that youre leaving them (and possibly also that youve found someone else.) Even if you cant wait to leave, its important not to burn any bridges and leave on a high note. Schedule a meeting with your manager or boss and when you sit down with them, remember to keep things neutral, professional, and wherever possible, positive. This is not the moment to c omplain about your current role (after all, your manager could be a future reference) or gloat about your new one (its not classy, and may cause unnecessary resentment.) Heres an example I want to let you know that Im resigning from my position. This was a difficult decision for me Ive really enjoyed working with the team and Ive learned a lot during my time here. However Ive received a job offer that will allow me to progress further in my career. As per my contract, I am providing X weeks of notice. Please let me know how I can help to ease the transition. 2. How To Have The Conversation About Negotiating Your Salary Going into a negotiation conversation is never fun. Whether its talking about your starting salary with a new employer or asking for a remunerierung increase at your annual performance review, you need to be prepared to put a number on the table often one that is considerably higher than whats on offer. Rather than balking at the thought (and avoiding the situation entirely, which could leave you $600,000 poorer by the end of your career), heres how to approach the conversation For a new job Thank you so much for the offer Im really excited about the role and Im confident that Ill be able to contribute to the teams success. However, according to my research, the typical salary range for this position is around $X. Would you be able to match this figure? For your current job As you know, Ive been overperforming in my role over the past year, and my accomplishments have (made the company X amount of money/reduced turnover/reduced time spent on X tasks). I really love working here, and I would love to continue giving my best to the company. Can we explore whether Im being compensated accordingly? According to my research, the typical base salary for someone in my position is $X. If the prospect of asking for a raise still makes you queasy, use our science-backed tips to negotiate the salary you deserve. 3. How to Give Constructive Feedback Giv ing feedback is the best way to help someone recognise (and hopefully change) their behaviour. Whether you need to give feedback to a subordinate, a peer or even your manager, how you phrase it can make all the difference. Start off with asking them for permission, and then use the BIO model (Behaviour, Impact, Outcome) to keep things from getting personal. Its important to focus on the behaviour that you observed, rather than your perception of the persons intention or the outcome of the situation. Heres a sample script Sally, do you have a minute so I can share some quick feedback with you? In the meeting today, I noticed that you were checking Facebook (B). As a result, you appeared uninterested in the meeting, and it made me feel that you did not want to be there (I). I know the meeting went on for longer than expected, but it would be great if everyone agreed to leave our phones outside the meeting room, so we can all contribute to the discussion (O). What do you think? As in the example above, its a good idea to use phrases like I noticed, It appeared and It made me feel which are hard to argue with, compared to something like Youre always looking at your phone during meetings thats just rude. After delivering the feedback, pause and listen to what the other person has to say, so its not a one-sided conversation. 4. How to Receive Negative Feedback Getting critiqued on your work can sting. But no matter how much it hurts to hear it, receiving constructive criticism will help you improve and develop professionally. When you receive feedback, start off by thanking the person for taking the time to share it with you, then try and understand the situation and your options moving forward. Heres a sample script Hi Vinh, thank you for your feedback about my presentation. I just wanted to clarify when you said that I binnenseemed nervous, what did you mean by that? I really want to improve my presentation skills, and it would help me if you described what I did today that made me seem nervous, and what I could do differently. While its never fun to hear less-than-glowing feedback, it will help you to mature and grow as a person. If people see you as someone who welcomes feedback, they will be more likely to share it. Better still, if you actively solicit feedback, youre going to be seen as someone who cares about improving, and you can use the insights to your advantage for your personal and professional development. 5. How to Say No To Your Boss Saying no to your boss is right up there on the fun-o-meter with filing your taxes and getting root canal therapy at the dentist. But sometimes you just have to say no to a task that your boss is asking you to do. There are lots of ways to say no (we found at least 49) but when you have to refuse something your boss has asked you to do, you have to phrase it in a way that is tactful and still makes you seem like youre a team player. Heres a sample script for what to say to your manager when you already have too much on your plate Thanks so much for thinking of me At the moment, Ive been working on the TPS reports as my top priority. I want to make sure that I give this my best, so could you please help me prioritise my current projects to figure out where this fits in? By telling your boss exactly where you stand with other projects, and asking them for advice, youre demonstrating that youre responsible, on top of your workload and good with time management. Having difficult conversations is never fun, but following the 5 tips above will help you stop avoiding them. Dealing with a difficult coworker? Heres how to handle many different types of toxic colleagues, including bullies, know-it-alls, gossips and backstabbers. 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 Sear chestime management techniques at workeffective oral and written communication skillsattention to detail skillsdefine communication skills11 top tips for effective time management CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire Online Zahra Campbell-AvenellZahra started writing at the age of 6, and hasnt stopped since. When shes not creating content about careers, learning and personal development, you can find her researching her next travel adventure, bingeing on Netflix or shopping online.Related ArticlesBrowse morePERSONAL DEVELOPMENTHow to Move mora in an Office Job - 5 Easy TipsAn office job means long hours of inactivity which is known to be bad for your health. Upgrade from a sedentary lifestyle to become a bounding energy ball with these tips. Take the first steps toward a n ew you today.EducationOnline studyDistance education for teachers a course for celebrationStudying by distance isnt everyones cup of tea. But for 44 year-old education student Sylvia Taylor, it provided an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong wish to become a teacher.HabitsJob advertisement tipsThe 8 Science-Backed Secrets To Stop Procrastinating, Once And For AllStudies have shown that chronic procrastination is associated with lower pay, unemployment, higher stress, reduced life satisfaction and lack of a partnership - true story. Heres how you can finally stop procrastinating - we have the science to prove it.

6 things not to say in a job interview

6 things notlage to say in a job interview6 things not to say in a job interviewYoud be surprised how many people think these are fine responses in a job interview.Believe it or not, most interviewers arent trying to trick you. They want you to do well in the interview, and be the candidate of their dreams. As the interviewee, however, its easy to overthink or underthink a question and respond in a way that raises a red flag. Our job-search experts at Ladders have gathered 6 of the top flag-raising phrases candidates say in interviews, and were telling you what youre really saying to the interviewer.You say Im a highly motivated, proactive problem-solver. They hear I have no noteworthy skills. Rattling off a list of industry jargon and phrases that anyone can say (but cant prove) shows your interviewer that you couldnt think of a solid skill related to your profession to use to describe yourself. Lean on your elevator pitch here and show why youre the best candidate for the role.Yo u say Whats your vacation policy?They hear What do I get out of this job if youre so lucky to hire me? The company is hiring you because they have a need. Your job as a candidate is to prove that you are the person who can meet their needs and help the company meet their goals. Prove that you can grow the business, improve processes, and contribute to the bottom line. Save the perks talk for negotiations after youve been offered the job.You say My greatest weakness? Im a perfectionist. They hear Nothing. You havent given the hiring manager any insight into what youre like as a worker, or how you power through your own shortcomings. This is your opportunity to show how you can grow as a person and team member. Be honest, share a flaw youre aware of, and explain the steps youre taking to overcome it. Providing a fake weakness makes you sound rehearsed at best, like you have something to hide at worst. Here are a few more tips for answering this tricky question.You say My last boss? Te rrible.They hear Im unprofessional. Everyone has gripes about their job or employer. But no matter how bad your situation was, you should never, I repeat, NEVER badmouth an employer. This makes you sound like an unprofessional complainer, and potentially difficult to get along with.You say What do you do around here?They hear I didnt do any research The most important thing you can do as a candidate is research the company youre interviewing with. Search online for employees who could potentially be interviewing you, and get an understanding of their background. If youre not prepared for the interview, what else might you be unprepared for in the future?You say No, I dont have any questions. They hear Ive heard enough, Im not interested. Theres no way you know everything about the job, culture, and company at the end of an interview. So by not asking questions, youre signaling that you dont care to learn more. Arrive with a list of probing questions in tow that prove youre prepared, interested, and can continue an engaging conversation with your interviewer.

4 LGBTQ female entrepreneurs changing the game

4 LGBTQ female entrepreneurs changing the game4 LGBTQ female entrepreneurs changing the gameTim Cook might be the first name that comes to mind when you think openly gay CEO. In fact, before Cook came out, tzu sichbeie were no openly gay CEOs in the Fortune 500. But there are countless other women (and men) challenging the status quo of what it means to be an entrepreneur. We love the below women who have forged their own path. Created their own careers. And continue to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community.Gigi GorgeousBeing inspired keeps up alive. And YouTube star Gigi Gorgeous, currently clocking 2.2 million followers on the video platform and 2 million on Insta, is nothing short of inspiring. Born Gregory Lazzarato, the middle of three brothers, Gigi began sharing YouTube videos from her bedroom in Toronto in 2008. They were confessionals, makeup tutorials, and normal goofy videos with high school friends. At the time Gigi identified as a gay male, receiving support from b oth her parents. Her brothers appeared in videos alongside her as well. It was after losing her mother to cancer that Gigi posted a video officially identifying as transgender. That was December 2013.Shes spent almost a decade in front of the camera. She edits all her own videos. Shes taken acting classes and made a few moves in the world of cinema. As to who she wants to work with? Any major star would be amazing, she says. I really love acting. But shes also broken barriers, working with major brands like Pantene and Crest- what she calls pinch me moments. When I signed the deal for the Crest campaign for 3D White, I bawled my eyes out to my dad, but it shows what you put in, is what you get out.Being a transgender woman I know the hardships that the people in my community go through, she says. I think its important to get my story out there for the world to see. We saw this with Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox theyre huge media icons but they made transgender a household topic and thats really powerful. It changes peoples perspective.For our full bewerberinterview with Gigi click here.Ingrid NilsenIn the world of YouTube there are those considered to be top of their game. Beauty blogger Ingrid Nilsen is one such name. Her charm and smile are infectious. As is her honesty.In her coming out video titled, Something I Want You to Know, Ingrid told her subscribers the she was gay. The video has over 15 million views to date. Im gay, she tells the camera, laughing and crying, it feels so good to say that.Though it felt natural and important to her, it was also a big step in bringing my audience closer and letting them in. I didnt want to hide. I didnt want to shut them out.YouTube has been a space where people can be themselves, and be themselves in whatever light that is that day and receive acceptance, she says. I think thats why its why its so accepting of the LGBTQ community. Its rooted in authenticity and acceptance at its core.For our full interview with Ing rid click here.Nicolette MasonWe think its maybe a little too obvious about how much we fan girl over writer and influencer Nicolette Mason, but the sharp-witted bloggers is the real deal. I never thought working for a fashion magazine was ever in the realm of possibility for me, said blogger and writer Nicolette Mason. I had the education and the background, but there was no one who looked like me. No one I could look to as an example, she shared. When Vogue Italia reached out to me and asked if I would be a contributor and a year from that point Marie Claire asked me to come in as a columnist and I penned a column for five years it was so amazing and surreal to know that my voice did have the potential and ability to be part of the mainstream.Nicolette says, Its the job of content creators and media creators to reflect our real world.For more on Diversity and Representation in Media click here.Rachel Berks, founder of OtherwildOtherwild Founder Rachel Berks didnt set out to open a boutique shop slash graphic design studio (making her an official slashie), but when the graphic design world and a brief stint at William Morris designing presentations for fast food companies didnt align with the vision she had for her future, she shifted gears. Otherwild was born in LA in 2012 and just opened a second location in New York this past May.Now shes focussed less on fast and more on building community and offering an inclusive space for the LGBTQ population. Its the glue that binds Otherwilds followers together and also sets her apart as a business owner. You might recall Rachel as the unapologetic force that brought back The Future is Female shirt after seeing the image on HerStorys Instagram, which focusses on the herstory of lesbian imagery. Shes also committed to representing the multi-dimensional and expansive queer community.For our full interview with Rachel click here.This article first appeared on Create Cultivate.

How To Succeed as a New Project Manager

How To Succeed as a New Project Manager How To Succeed as a New Project Manager How To Succeed as a New Project Managerby Carol MilanoThe most important thing for a new project manager to keep in mind is to understand your employers expectations, and to make them visible, advises Professor Linda Nozick, Director of Cornell Universitys program in Systems Engineering. Start out by thinking about what youre getting into. Whats the condition of the project? Can you get what you need to do a great job? Make your own assessment to be sure this project is doable, Nozick explains. Do your homework Find out the existing company knowledge about this project, all the background information, any relevant documents, and the current thinking.Some key questionsExactly what does your employer expect?When is the date they want it?Will you have access to all the needed resources and staff members?What is being promised to the client or co-workers?Usually, projects are part of a larger program. For exa mple, if your assignment is to design a car part, someone is overseeing the entire car, or a bigger component. Identify the subject matter experts on your gruppe, so that all of you can sit down with the program manager and discuss the project. If this isnt a brand-new team, ask whats happened so far, and where stumbling blocks might be, Nozick suggests. If a previous project manager has been promoted, go talk to them.If this project had not succeeded, was the original commitment unrealistic, the funding insufficient, or were the resources too limited? Depending on the projects history, you may need to make adjustments or reassignments. With team members who are older than you, remember that age is just one dimension, Nozick emphasizes, If youre assigned to an ongoing project, ask to be involved in renegotiating the deliverables. Always share all the goals with all your team members. Make sure that no one working for you (or for your customer) is surprised.Nozick stresses knowing yo ur role in the organization. If the project manager has direct customer contact, simply introduce yourself, very courteously. You could say, Ill be taking over the project and I look forward to working with you. Please feel free to contact me.How can you tell if youre succeeding? Are you making your milestones and deliverables? Are your team members generally happy? If theyre learning, expanding their own skills, and gaining confidence, then the project is likely to be moving along well, also, says Nozick.A new project manager may be nervous, having never been in this role before. You may not yet know the politics or behavioral issues of dealing with team members ( even if youve been one) and the people you report to, Nozick observes. Project managers have to work with everyone on their team. Keep the right perspective its irrelevant whether you have the same interests or lifestyle outside of work. Having team members outside the U.S. presents multi-cultural dimensions. People may have different ideas of how to interact and communicate. Always respect those differences.Nozicks observations reflect a trend. Im receiving an increasing number of requests to help teams understand differences in work styles among team members, reports Lenny Borer, a communications trainer in Portland, Oregon. Hes developing new exercises to improve interactions among staff members working on projects together. For many people, its eye-opening to realize that the personality clashes they have with other team members are really based on classic, predictable style differences, Borer finds. Theyre glad to learn specific ways of flexing their own style to work with someone who seems different. One approach is trying to modify the golden rule think about treating others the way they want to be treated. That isnt necessarily the same as the way youd want to be treated.