How to Discuss Salary in a Job Interview

How to Discuss Salary in a Job InterviewHow to Discuss Salary in a Job InterviewThere are a lot of areas that require a little bit of prep before a big job interview, everything from your biggest achievements and best accolades on down to your ability to be a team player and work under pressure. But one topic of discussion that can be a source of stress for the interviewee is the salary question. Even though its common to discuss salary during an interview, it can still be uncomfortable when it comes up.Why? An answer that is too high may keep you out of the running, while a low-ball response may stop you from making the amount you truly deserve.If youre currently in the process of interviewing for a new position, consider the following strategies to discuss salary the next time youre askedLay the groundwork ahead of time.You will likely have plenty of time in your interview before the dreaded topic of salary comes up, so use that opportunity wisely to prepare yourself for the negoti ation. Use everything you can- statistics, actual numbers, awards, education, etc.- to prove your worth to your interviewer, that way when salary comes up, youve already proven how much of an asplatzset you would be to hire.Pay attention to the way the question is asked.Generally, during an interview the topic of salary can come up in two different ways either youll be asked what you currently make, or youll be asked what salary you are expecting. Although these are two different questions, you can generally respond in similar ways in order to hopefully avoid giving specific numbers, for at least a little while longer into the interview process.Your first option would be to play up your excitement over this potential new opportunity, as well as the fact that youll be happy with a salary thats consistent with numbers youve seen in the current market (this generally works best if youre asked for your salary expectations of the particular job youre interviewing for).Another option woul d be to explain that youd be happy to come up with a reasonable and fair salary for this new position together, given that you would likely be covering some different responsibilities from your current one (a good response when asked what you currently make). Of course another way to go is to simply say that you arent quite ready to talk about salary until youve learned more about what your responsibilities would be in this new position.Be prepared to get specific.No matter how politely or elegantly you try to divert the question, its always best to be prepared for your interviewer to push you for a response anyway. When that happens, the best response is to have done your research on what the going rate is for people in the same position with your same level of experience and educational background (at least some of this information can be found by digging around on places like PayScale). With these numbers in your back pocket, always give a range, rather than a specific number, an d be sure to include that you expect to be paid competitively based on the assets you would be bringing into the company.If youre interviewing for remote jobs and are wondering if you should expect to be paid less than an in-house employee, check out this piece about how companies set salaries for remote jobs, and this one about whether or not telecommuting jobs really pay less.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

US Army Colonel Lands GS-14 Logistics Management Position in Sigonella, Italy

US Army Colonel Lands GS-14 Logistics Management Position in Sigonella, ItalyUS Army Colonel Lands GS-14 Logistics Management Position in Sigonella, ItalyUS Army Colonel Lands GS-14 Logistics Management Position in Sigonella, ItalyKathryn, you and your organization have our sincere thanks for all of your professional help Last week I received a tentative job offer to go to work for the Navy at their Sigonella, Italy location. It is truly a dream assignment and the tentative offer received is thanks to your organization and especially Lex Levin. Lex has worked with me through thick and thin offering advice and fine tuning resumes throughout this whole ordeal. I believe my resume, expertly prepared by Lex and your kollektiv, was the real reason for my success. Lex helped me tweak it toward job announcements and continued to help me polish several variations throughout this whole job search process. Lex also helped me with job interview prep and that paid off during the job interview pr ocess. By the time the Navy called me for an interview, I was well prepared due to practice with Lex. At the end of the day, you have to depend on yourself but it sure helps to have folks like Lex and your team on your side working to help you. Despite an Army career spanning 30 plus years, I knew nothing of the civilian job market and Lex helped me get through the jumps. He offered me encouragement but also taught me to be practical and to temper my expectations. More importantly, he was always there to answer my questions and to provide me feedback. Your organization is spot on in helping senior military retiring from the service and addressing their needs during this time of stress and anxiety. I told Lex I would be happy to offer any testimonials or sharing information that has helped me during my transition. Lastly, every penny of money investing in resumes and services your organization provided was money well spent and a bargain. Do not hesitate to call or email if I can be o f assistance to you and your organization.Date Hired February 2014Jobseeker Type Veteran to FederalPrevious Job Title Assistant Chief Of Staff/G-4, U.S. Network Enterprise Technology Command (Colonel, O-5)Target Job Title GS-14 Logistics Management position at Sigonella Naval Station, ItalyResult Hired and accepted the job offer.Writer/Coach Lex Levin.Strategy/Process Worked steadily with Army Colonel eager to translate his 30+ years of leadership and management experience into a Federal civilian career. Converted highly technical resume laden with military jargon into a powerful Federal civilian resume closely tailored to 0346 job series targets in the U.S. and abroad. Consulted client extensively on Federal job search requirements throughout the process and prepared the client for his Federal job interview.

Its OK if What You Think Makes You Happy Doesnt - The Muse

Its OK if What You Think Makes You Happy Doesnt - The MuseIts OK if What You Think Makes You Happy Doesnt I just dont know whats wrong with me, my friend said, nervously shredding the drink jacket that came with zu sich paper cup while we sat at the corner table in one of our favorite local coffee shops. We had agreed to meet for an hour or two so she could vent about various things that were stressing her out. She welches well into her second year as a social worker- a position shed worked undeniably hard for. After her undergrad, a masters degree, and countless internships, she was finally working in the field that she had dreamed about since she could remember. I have exactly what I wanted, she said, neatly organizing the cardboard shreds she had piled on the table, So, why do I still feel this unsettled? Arent I supposed to be happier now?I sighed and told her that I knew exactly how she felt. Honestly, it was a situation I found myself in more times than I cared to count. And, y ou know what? Im willing to bet that youve been there a time or two as well.Perhaps thats why one particular quote from a recent bewerbungsgesprch that author, Gretchen Rubin, did with Alison Green, who runs the popular Ask a Manager site, stood out to me so much Sometimes the things that make us happy arent the things that we wish made us happy- whether its a particular romantic partner or the books we like to read or a specific career track.Thats so true, isnt it? Its so easy to build up these ideas of what should bring us joy based on the reputation we want to cultivate or the image we want to present to the rest of the world. But, heres the danger in that You often end up loving the idea way more than the reality.When you eventually discover that particular thing doesnt actually light a fire inside of you as you had originally anticipated? Well, theres often a hefty amount of shame that comes with that- a sense of failure, despite the fact that youre giving up something you neve r authentically enjoyed anyway (seriously, just ask me about the time I tried to convince myself that I love running).And, that was exactly where my friend found herself After investing tons of time, energy, and resources into her education, she thought her career path was emotionally taxing and not anything like she imagined. And, that discovery left her feeling burdened with guilt and confusion.I wish I had Greens advice to share with her then, because I find her message to be particularly encouraging. Not only are you allowed to try things and then determine that you dont experience the sense of fulfillment or enthusiasm you were hoping for, but youre also usually allowed to drop them like hot potatoes when you come to that conclusion. Even further, becoming aware that something doesnt bring you pleasure isnt just an opportunity to let go of those things that dont make you happy, but also to find the things that actually do. Ive tried to really prioritize figuring out what brings me happiness- even if theyre things that arent entirely aligned with the self-image I want to have- and then try to arrange my life accordingly, Green continues in the interview.So, if youve currently found yourself stuck in a similar situation as my friend and feel like youve been duped by reality, take Greens encouragement and run with it. Remember, while we all have to do things that arent totally joy-worthy every now and then (sorry), lifes way too short to fill your days with stuff that only brings you down. You have my permission Let go of that urge to beat yourself up and instead turn your attention to figuring out what actually will bring you the level of enthusiasm and satisfaction that you know you deserve. Trust me, thats far more productive than the alternative.

3 Solid Resources for Finding a Flexible Job

3 Solid Resources for Finding a Flexible Job3 Solid Resources for Finding a Flexible JobPeople from all walks of life are looking for flexible work. And there are a number of reasons- from wanting to ditch a commute and have a job that moves with them to being able to balance all that their personal and professional lives have to offer. Below, we listed three resources specifically designed for finding a flexible job, and weve covered a few ways to conduct a flexible job search.Resources Specifically Designed for Finding a Flexible JobThanks to the increase in flexible work prevalence, there are multiple resources that are specifically designed to help professionals find a flexible job.Here are some of the major players in the industry that youll want to keep front and center in your job search1. is a site for both job seekers and flexible employers. Designed as a platform for finding flexible work- part-time, freelance, temporary, flexible schedule, telecommuting- delivers an expan sive database of jobs and companies for job seekers to tap into. In addition to the jobs database and the guide for flexible jobs, manages a blog that provides resources to employers and job seekers about flexible jobs, flexible companies, and much, much more2.1MFWF 1 Million for Work Flexibility1MFWF is a collective voice and resource for any person, professional, or company looking to support flexible work, engage in thought-provoking conversations, and drive the flexible work movement. Through 1MFWF, job seekers can learn about different types of flexible work, the latest nachrichtensendung about work flexibility, connect with flexible companies, and much more3.Remote.coAlthough focused toward remote companies, Remote.co can be a great place for job seekers to learn about flexible companies, common flexible practices, and tips for being the best remote worker you can be. In addition to a great deal of information about remote work, Remote.co hosts a small job board with companie s that are verified to be remote and legitimate.How a Flexible Job Search Is DifferentAlthough most job searches have the same end goal, the process of getting there is slightly different when looking for a flexible job. Here are a someways in which a flexible job search will differ from a traditional job searchScams are more prevalent with nearly60 jobs scams for everyone one real work-at-home job.Thelength of the job searchmay be a bit longer due to factors not seen during a traditional job search.Your job search can be expanded thanks to the ability to work from anywhere.You need to know the type of flex you want before beginning your search.You have several niche resources at your disposal to keep you safe, informed, and engaged with flexible employers and career pathsTips for Flexible Job SearchingLooking for a flexible job requires a different approach to be successful. Here are a sometips to make the most of your time and energyUse flexible-based keywords in your search.Keep your social media profiles professional, updated, and integrated with flexibility-related keywords.Network virtually and in person Your network will be one of your most valuable resources.Get to know leaders in the flexible work movement.Focus your search on flexible companies.Explore different search methods, such as looking for geographically open jobs.Make sure to tailor each job application and cover letter for the job you are applying for.Dont limit your search based on job titles. Search by keywords, locations, industries, and companies.Stay attentive and engaged in the search. Be prompt, be polite, and follow up.Readers, what other resources for finding a flexible job would you recommend? What has your success been with? Share with us belowSara Sutton contributed to this post.

Lies Youve Been Told About How to Describe Yourself on a Resume

Lies Youve Been Told About How to Describe Yourself on a Resume Theres a chance, however excellent you believe your grammar to be, you will earn a mistake on your CV. If youre asking for a writing position, a couple of impressive quotes or saying will be able to help you add strength to the resume. Just something to remember, is all. Its good concept to state the overall sort of person youre hoping to meet, but dont overdo it. Even in the event the work-history gap proved to be a forced sabbatical, most job seekers can find with ways in which they stayed productive. The work description explains point-blank what the employer is searching for, Morgan states. Employers wish to know your priorities and your personality will mesh nicely with their company. They know when they hire someone who is results-oriented, they will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Thus a lengthy collection of your job duties arent going to set you apart. If you dont have an impressive resume, you cannot expect to get shortlisted for a fine job prospect. Do not list every job that you have ever had. Of course if youre asking for a particular job, its simple enough to amend a resume to incorporate an objective that matches the work description. If theres a photo, consider the photo and try to remember that the photo can be one taken yesterday or 5 decades ago. Folks want to find out who they are writing to, and several dont wish to begin a correspondence and waste time with a person they dont know if theres even an initial attraction from a photo. Yes, there ought to be a picture on a resume but it needs to be a professional one. Stay away from fancy colours and heavy paper. A resume is your primary lifeline to a brand-new and promising career. Make certain that youre highlighting the most relevant and topical experience essential for the position. A prosperous team is both effective and productive. Moreover, somebody will want to have different personality chara cteristics if theyre employed as a member of a team to if they are responsible for a team. If youre asking for an administrative position, you will need to be well-versed in using Office programs for your day-to-day tasks. As you write your resume, always bear in mind that it is a personal advertising tool and you have to use it in order to put yourself in the very best possible distribution policy to land an interview. As soon as you have added your details and work experience, you may also save your resume as PDF if you desire. Because most resumes feed a good deal of information to the reader its great practice to use a normal font so the resume is simple for the reader to absorb. The How to Describe Yourself on a Resume Pitfall Resumunks resume templates consist of free resume layouts in addition to 17 premium templates out there for a yearly subscription of $19. When you create something you enjoy, you can save yourself the template and reuse it repeatedly. In some ca ses what you will need isnt a resume template in any respect. Prove your worth with a professional resume template A contemporary resume-friendly font. Type of How to Describe Yourself on a Resume Your resume isnt a novel. It is among the important facets. however, it shouldnt be included in the resume. In the event you werent passionate about a part of the role, its assumed that you wouldnt be applying for the position. If you set down too many requirements you will lose out on the chance to fulfill some terrific folks, and very possibly the one which is best for you. Another provider to think about is Resumonk. Then find out more about the industry to identify what employers are interested in. The prospective employer knows the worth of company and application knowledge. Committed Show that youre devoted to your work, begin to finish. If you dont have relevant work experience, set the skills section close to the peak of your resume. The kind of personality an individ ual needs for employment in a sales department differs to what is required for teaching in a school. As a way to conserve space, youre likely to want to concentrate on the skills that are listed in the work description plus whatever else that you feel is relevant. At exactly the saatkorn time, a CV with too much white space will look just like you dont have any appropriate experience or skills to provide the employer. Instead try to spell out how you specialize in a certain area or spent plenty of time concentrating on honing your abilities for a position. One might be the conventional, with an objective at the very top, then education and appropriate coursework, and following that, experience and abilities. How to describe administrative experience to receive any job you desire. How to Describe Yourself on a Resume Ideas The summary statement near the top of your resume is your very first opportunity to earn an excellent impression with the hiring manager. The best method to do so is to tailor your resume and cover letter to fit the work description. Again, think regarding a resume. Someone who demonstrates an unwavering resolve to do whatever must be done to create the greatest long-term benefits, however difficult. A prospective employer would like to understand what youve been up to and if its possible to take care of the work they want done. In other words, engagement at work comes from having the proper conditions that enable employees to maximize their potential. If you are searching for a reversal of employment or just beginning in the workforce, ordinarily, youll need to understand the way to create a resume. A person who has an unwavering resolve.

4 Expert Tips to Eliminate Stress from Your Candidate Experience

4 Expert Tips to Eliminate Stress from Your Candidate ExperienceYoure sorting through hundreds of resumes and scheduling dozens of interviews when you receive yet another email from a candidate asking when youll make a decision. Its tempting to just hit delete theres no denying the hiring process is stressful but then you consider the candidates perspective. The job search is also overwhelming.In fact, in a 2017 survey from CareerBuilder, 73 percent of job seekers said the job search was one of the most stressful times in life. Some job seekers end up burnt out and even if theyre perfect for a job, drop out of the hiring process. As a hiring professional, you have a choice do you allow your process to contribute to candidate stress or do you actively try to alleviate it?When you take steps to make your hiring process less cumbersome for candidates, they gestalt a better opinion of your company and are more likely to stick it out to the end. Here are four tips from hiring experts fo r how you can help prevent candidate burnoutCheck for alignment earlyI had a candidate once who applied to one of our positions and I was not sure if their experience aligned perfectly. Before having them come in to interview, I wanted to chat about the position and find out if it was exactly what she was looking for. I also brought up compensation and said that I just wanted to make sure we were in the same ballpark sortiment so that we didnt waste her time. The candidate was very open about what she was looking for and I was in shock. She was being completely underpaid. At the end of the conversation we decided that the position wasnt going to be a good fit for what she wanted, but we had a great conversation about compensation. Vanessa Brulotte, talent acquisition partner and recruiter at BambooHRReduce the number of interviewsOne thing that causes a great deal of stress is having to come into the office for more than three interviews. I know of some companies that have candidate s come in for up to seven interviews for every single position. That is a hr of interviewing and time spent stressing. Ask the why behind every piece of your interview process. Do you need seven in-person interviews? Why? If you make candidates come in several different times, there are three negative things that are likely to happen. First, great candidates are taken off the market very quickly so you risk losing them. Its competitive out there so you have to get the ball rolling. Second, it creates a bad candidate experience. Candidates sacrifice a lot to come in to interview, especially if they are currently working. Making them come in so many different times can put a bad taste in their mouth.Finally, the cost of hiring goes up for the company because of how long the process is.The book Who The A Method for Hiring, by Geoff Smart and Randy Street contains 10 voodoo hiring methods that managers make the mistake of doing in their hiring process. You can totally change the candida te experience by simply paying attention. Are you asking the right types of questions? Are you utilizing the time well? Understanding the voodoo methods and figuring out which one you tend to punkt into will help you change it and create a better experience. Vanessa BrulotteBringing candidates in for a half dozen interviews wastes your time and stresses out candidates. talentacquisitionClick To TweetCommunicate transparentlyFor many job seekers, the two most stressful times are waiting for the phone to ring for the initial interview after applying for the perfect position and waiting for the phone to ring after hearing We will get back to you soon about the next steps.Stay in touch with the candidates, respond to their inquiries, and let them know the status in a timely manner. Even if it is just to let them know there are still more interviews being conducted, certain decision makers are unavailable, or the process is on hold for an extended period of time. It is better to know tha n be left in limbo. It is the not knowing and the lack of response to inquiries that is frustrating and discouraging to candidates. Madelyn Mackie, CCMC and career activator at MadelynMackie.comInform candidates who arent chosen soonerOrganizations should ensure timely feedback, especially for unsuccessful candidates. If a candidate hasnt heard anything for three or more days after an interview, the prospects arent looking good. If someone is not suitable, organizations will have made a decision by then. But rejecting candidates is not the priority because organizations focus on the candidates they like. Speeding this piece up can alleviate stress and improve that companys image in the process. Often, candidates stay interested in companies far longer than they otherwise might have due to this communication. Karla Reffold, founder and managing director of BeecherMaddenWaiting is stressful. Even if youre communicating bad news, job seekers want to hear it sooner rather than later. re cruitingClick To Tweet___

How to Get Over Your Fear of Your Boss

How to Get Over Your Fear of Your BossHow to Get Over Your Fear of Your BossFor each of the eager beavers out tzu siche who seize upon any opportunity to remind the higher-ups of their existence, there are handfuls of fearful employees doing whatever they can to avoid unwanted attention or judgement from management. If you fall in this category, youve probably mastered the art of always appearing busy as a mechanism to avoid conversation, memorized your boss schedule so you can avoid run-ins, and learned the straight-and-narrow approach to completing tasks in a way that doesnt raise eyebrows or warrant the most dreaded experience of all being called into the boss office. Why are so many of us fearful of our employers? Is the herunterkommen workplace really dominated by Machiavellian tyrants? Probably not. Data shows that any given boss personality might be irrelevant to these anxieties. In fact, as many as one in four people fear being yelled at by their superior, regardless of his o r her past behavior. But unfortunately, the fear is real. Its uncomfortable, and it often hinders the creative risk-taking that can help both you and your employer get ahead. So, what can you do to overcome your fears and reach your full potential? Here are a few ideas.Realize Its Not All About YouA client once told me that, for years, she would agonize every time she rambled in a meeting or misspoke on a conference call. After meeting her husband, the CEO of a telecommunications firm, she realized that the problem was universal. He would come home from work worrying about a comment he made to an investor or whether hed misjudged a big decision. His fears were never about his employees minor screw-ups- they were about his bosses. Think about it You arent losing sleep over the mistakes the intern made today, are you? Its the same way with your boss. He or she is often more focused on big projects than on your missteps. See Things as They Truly AreYou cant change that which you dont a cknowledge. For this reason, its crucial that you check in and pay attention to your fear-based thoughts. Be honest with yourself Is the fear that you feel toward your boss based on some other work or life experience deep in your past? Is it really about this particular person?In many cases, this fear has little to do with your boss. For example, a client recently told me that her biggest workplace fear is getting fired. This fear influenced many of her interactions in the workplace, particularly by deterring her from speaking up when there was an issue that demanded a conversation with her supervisor. There was an occasion where I was being bullied by a colleague, she explained to me, and as much as I knew it should be addressed, I ultimately decided to keep it to myself due to my extreme fear of being fired. After speaking further, the true source of her fear became obvious Her father was laid off during the recession, and her parents divorced shortly thereafter. I watched tears f all down as she spoke of a time when her father lost his job, and the stress was seemingly a catalyst for her parents eventual divorce. Who wouldnt carry this fear on after that? And thats exactly why its so important that we get to the root of it. One creative way to do this is through writing. Make a list of your fears and what they might be telling you. Give them a voice. Youll likely learn a lot- and maybe even find that they arent so scary after all. Humanize Your BossFor most of us, there will be times when the boss is unpleasant or treats us with less respect than we feel we deserve. In some of those cases, her reaction will be warranted, but more often than not, her behavior will be the side effect of something else in her life. mora than anything, its important to realize that almost nothing in the workplace is truly personal. Ask yourself if your boss treatment toward you is a pattern youve seen in his or her behavior elsewhere. By examining where you see it also showing u p, youll realize that its not really about you. I also recommend reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, which has some great practical exercises to help you not take things personally. If youve done that, and you really do feel like your boss might have it out for you, address it so that your boss has an opportunity to check in with you. For example Ive gotten the impression that theres perhaps something that I can do to be a stronger employee. Can we set up a meeting to discuss how I could better serve you? This is a huge (and scary) step, but it holds fruitful results.Be IrreplaceablePerhaps the best way to overcome your fear of your boss is to build a closer relationship with him or her- to get to the point where you know that youre irreplaceable. This doesnt have to come through conversation in fact, its better to do so through action. And this doesnt necessarily mean staying in the office late or working weekends. Great employees pay attention to their boss priorities and pain points, and they constantly offer to take on side projects- projects that the boss may not have initially thought about- to improve a process or ease the workload. How? In order to come up with projects that truly make his or her heart sing, you must anticipate circumstances or projects that may present challenges in the near future. What are your boss goals, priorities, and- most importantly- problems? Your ability to identify mitigate issues before they arise is key to becoming an irreplaceable employee. The more you know that youre needed (and wanted), the more that the fear will subside. Create a Professional IdentityWe are conditioned from a young age to seek acceptance from our peers. I call this the social self, our natural default setting that is driven by the desire to be liked. On the other side of this desire is the fear of not being liked. For this reason, its critical that we create a professional persona as we evolve in our careers. The ability to draw a disti nction between who you are in your social life- your social self- and who you are in your professional life enables you to departmentalize your fears.Take some time to envision who you want to be in your professional life and commit to honoring that vision. This might feel inauthentic because it requires you to reprogram those long-standing default settings, but there is nothing more powerful and authentic than creation. Once you have determined who you want to be professionally, assess other aspects of your work life that may also have to change. For example, if your professional self is committed to no longer being late for your standing morning meeting, its crucial that you start setting your alarm clock. Whether your fear is in response to criticism or in anticipation of it, being scared of your boss is incredibly detrimental to your performance in the workplace. The only way to get past this fear is to get clear on the root of it awareness is a powerful mechanism that sparks ch ange. Your fear serves as an invitation for personal growth. Learning to identify will help you move past your insecurities so that you can focus fully on what matters to your employer and to your own professional evolution. Photo of man being stepped on courtesy of Shutterstock.

Company Tested 4-Day Work Week, Results Were Overwhelmingly Positive

Company Tested 4-Day Work Week, Results Were Overwhelmingly PositiveCompany Tested 4-Day Work Week, Results Were Overwhelmingly Positive New Zealands Perpetual Guardian is not some kind of a crazy startup. On the contrary.Theyre one of New Zealands biggest trust businesses. Whats more, their heritage dates all the way back to the end of the 19th century. As far as being conservative goes, theyre basically the definition of it.Which is why nobody expected them to come up with something crazy. Especially not something crazy AND cool like a 4 day work week.But as it turns out, they knew exactly what they were doing.During a six-week trial period, reported stress levels lowered from 45% to 38% and work life balance improved from 54% to 78%.All of that while maintaining their pre-trial productivity levels.Disconnecting productivity from hours in the workplace.I wanted to disconnect productivity from hours in the office, writes Andrews Barnes, the CEO of Perpetual Guardian, in his LinkedIn post.I wanted them to only come to work four days of the week but I would still pay them for five. With no extra hours worked on their four days. he adds.It all started over the Christmas. Barnes had read a couple of research reports which suggested that productivity in the workforce can be as low as one and a half hours a day.Although these numbers are nothing new, theyre in no way less shocking because of it.But if Barnes experiment is anything to go by, 4 day work week could be the answer.Five days of work squeezed into a 4 day work week.Barnes invited academics into the office to observe the trial to ensure that reduced hours wouldnt overburden staff. Naturally, he also wanted to make sure it wouldnt lead to reduced output.But even to his own surprise, there was no drop in productivity. In other words, employee productivity rose by 20% for the number of hours worked.Even better, the researchers saw an increase in staff satisfaction and engagement. It also led to a desire to kee p working with the company longer.The stress levels went down from 45% to 38%, while work life balance increased from 54% to 78%.Now its up to the companys board to review all the feedback and decide about continuing the four day week as a permanent offer to their staff. So stay tunedOh, and if youd like to learn a bit more about business benefits of flexible working arrangements, heres a really good article by NZ Herald about it.Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

5 Cliche Statements That Can Bomb Your Job Search

5 Cliche Statements That Can Bomb Your Job Search5 Cliche Statements That Can Bomb Your Job SearchPicture this cartoon thats circulating on the Internet A woman sits across the desk from a job hunter and says, I eliminated all the platitudes and cliche statements from your mission statement, and Im left with this blank sheet of paper.Like with mission statements, when writing cover letters andrsums or interviewing for a new position, its too easy to eagerly conform to what you think others want to hear. This may be due to thefact that you are intimidated by the process itself and have yet to gain the confidence needed to claim your skilled, job-hunting voice. One of the most overused claims found onrsums is excellent communications skills, and this can be detrimental when you demonstrate just the opposite. Here are five common communication fails that limit job search success1. Dear Sir. So many people begin cover letters with this outdated and pascha salutation it boggles the min d You might eliminate the sexist part with, Dear Sir or Madam, but that will still sound far too stilted. Instead, take the time to research who is the hiring manager or human resources staffer in charge of this job requisition. Address your letter directly to him or her by name Dear Ms. So-and-So. If you strike out and cant find a specific name, begin with Dear Hiring Manager, Dear Recruiter or Dear Hiring Team.2. Im ideally suited (or perfect) for this job.Whether in a cover letter or conversation, this statement can be seen as a boast, an assertion or a conclusion. No matter how you see it, its a judgment you cant and shouldnt make.You dont know how you stack up against other candidates or the hiring authoritys precise priorities. Plus, more likely than not, this statement will make you look brash or arrogant. Instead, its your role to provide all the facts that demonstrate your value based on your experience, skills, knowledge, certifications and education. In short, you need to make your case in such a way that leads the employer to conclude that you are ideally suited for this job.3. Hard working, results-oriented, team player with excellent communication skills. Its hard to count the number of times hiring managers have encountered constellations of buzzwords assembled into jargon-richyet meaninglessself-descriptions at the tops ofrsums. Remember You are trying from the outset to distinguish yourself from others. Who is going to begin with the opposite? (Im a lazy, lone-wolf worker, interested in punching a clock rather than actually producing anything.) No one, of course4. When it comes to salary, Im negotiable. When you respond to the what are your salary requirements question this way, you can easily be perceived as noncooperative. This is not generally a sought-after quality Moreover, while you might intend this statement to mean Im flexible, it can be heard as just the opposite. You might give someone a false impression that youll play salary h ardball at the end of the process. On the other hand, you dont want to box yourself into a lower salary than you might otherwise receive or eliminate yourself from consideration because you have stated marginally higher expectations than some other candidate.Show a spirit of cooperation by talking about your past or current salary. Calmly explain that while this can provide a measure of guidance, you dont yet know precisely what would be appropriate for the job in question. 5. References available upon request. Everyone knows that references are part of the hiring process and that at an appropriate time, youll supply them. Have you ever heard of anyone saying the opposite on arsum?(I wont supply references to share with you.) Of course not By eliminating this statement at the bottom of yourrsum,you gain a line or two. Use the extra space to add a bit more detail about some relevant accomplishment. Or even an extra line of white space is better than this over-used clich.Happy hunti ngArnie Fertig, MPA, is passionate about helping hisJobhuntercoachclients advance their careers by transforming frantic Ill apply to anything searches into focused hunts for great fit opportunities. He brings to each client the extensive knowledge he gained when working in HR staffing and managing his boutique recruiting firm.