Tuesday, December 31, 2019

How You Can Increase Your Job Search Odds

How You Can Increase Your Job Search Odds How You Can Increase Your Job Search Odds Yesterdays New York Times ran this article about executives forced to take low paying jobs because of the bad economy. Its a sad read people who have worked hard and built successful careers suddenly finding themselves scrabbling for jobs with low hourly wages and unable to meet even their basic expenses. But one section really stood out to meWhen Ms. Arlt applied for the job, she sent in a stripped-down rsum that hid her 20-year career at national media companies, during which she ascended to vice president of brand development at the On Command Video Corporation and was making $165,000 a year. She decided in 2001 to start her own business, opening an equestrian store and then founding a magazine devoted to the sport. But with the economy slowing, she was forced to shutter both businesses by June of last year.After applying for mora than 100 jobs, mostly director-level and above in marketing and bra nding, and getting just two interviews, Ms. Arlt said she realized last fall that she had to do something to close the monthly financial hemorrhage.There are a few key points to make here.First, 2 interviews in 100 applications is actually not that bad a ratio especially in this climate and especially given that she has been away from marketing for 7 years. If you simply apply to advertised positions, you can expect a similar (or lower) ratio. Thats why you have to be creative about your search (for examples, check out my 13 Ways to Jump-start Your Job Search, or my post on Using Twitter for Job Search). Stop applying to advertised positions and start doing moreSecond, she found 100 suitable advertised jobs even in this climate. That means there were many more positions that were unadvertised and are being filled by professional headhunters, employee referrals or networking contacts. So the lesson to take away from this is that there are jobs out there. The competition is just more intense but and this is the key point almost all your competition is going to be doing just the basics. They are mailing a resume in response to an advertisement. If you take a different path, you will dramatically increase your options of success.Third, none of the executives featured in this article spoke of getting professional help. I assume if they had paid money to a job search coach or resume writer, they would have mentioned that fact (because it would have helped to illustrate how tough the market is right now). This is another great opportunity for you. Do what your competition is not doing invest in setting yourself apart If you have a strong resume, consider a job search coach who can help you plan a strategy. If youre worried about your resume, consider hiring a professional writer. If thats too costly, read up on resume writing and learn how to write your own exceptional resume. (Options include Resume Magic and my own eBook).We all know the old saying when the goi ng gets tough, the tough get going. Its a cliche because its true. The winners in this tough economy will be the people who throw out the old rule books and do everything they can to give themselves an edge.Lets look at the difference it could make. Imagine that a hypothetical job seeker in the same situation as Ms Arlt used a creative search strategy. First, she networked her way into some of those opportunities using LinkedIn and Twitter and thereby increased the 2% response rate to 5%. Then she worked with a professional resume writer to develop a killer resume that truly conveyed her value to an organization, thus increasing the response rate further to 9%. And then she had worked with a job search coach and learned how to ferret out hidden job opportunities, thus boosting the number of opportunities from 100 to 130. Instead of 2 interviews, this candidate could have secured 11 and therefore had a much better chance of success.In tough times, its all about improving your odds. What can you do today to start doing that? (Or what have you already done?)

Thursday, December 26, 2019

10 Jobs with Fastest-Growing Salaries This Year

10 Jobs with Fastest-Growing Salaries This Year10 Jobs with Fastest-Growing Salaries This Year Planning your next career move? Youve picked the right time. According to Glassdoors Chief Economist Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, the economy added 228,000 jobs in November alone. With unemployment at a 17-year low, these are good times for job seekers, Chamberlain says. The wages for some jobs, in parteicular, are on the rise. When youre looking at your future job, not only is the salary theyre offering now important but also your salarys potential for future growth. According to Glassdoors Local Pay Report , here are 10 jobs with some of the fastest-growing salaries this year, and what it takes to snag one. What It Takes Chopping, mixing, slicing, dicing, sauting, frying cooks need to know how to do it all, and then some. Being a cook, though, isnt all about formal education, although cooking school can help. Other ways to enter the profession include apprenticeships, voca tional training, or working your way up on the job. Cooks need attention to detail, tremendous stamina, the ability to work in teams and preferably a good sense of taste and smell What It Takes Insurance agents work for insurance agencies or brokerages to sell specific insurance policies to customers. Most insurance agents have a background (and preferably a bachelors degree) in business or economics. However, its by no means a prerequisite insurance agents can come from all types of backgrounds. To become an insurance agent, you need a license. Many states require between 25 and 50 hours of class before the exam. Upon successfully completing the exam, youll get your license. Then, all thats left is finding a job at an insurance agency What It Takes Medical technologists work in hospitals or independent laboratories analyzing blood, cells, and bodily fluids. They also may operate laboratory equipment, run tests and analyze results, and log data. Aspiring medical technologies will have a bachelors degree to find a job in this field. An exam administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) provides certifications for medical technologists, allowing them to earn the title of MT. What It Takes Receiving, handling, storing, and distributing different goods are all part of what a warehouse associate executes and helps manage on a daily basis. To be a warehouse associate, a high school degree is needed. However, to level up and become a warehouse manager, generally a bachelors degree, along with experience on the job, is preferred. What It Takes If you like driving, this may be the perfect job for you. Many people also turn to truck-driving as a side hustle, to fill in gaps in their income. To become a truck driver, generally a high school diploma or GED is preferred. Your first hurdle is truck driving school, which teaches you everything you need to know about the practices, regulations, and tricks of the trade of truck driving. Then, you take your states commercial drivers license exam. Upon passing, as well as meeting a few other requirements, your commercial drivers license is your key to a truck driving job. Buckle up What It Takes A barista makes coffees and drinks, helps prepare food, keeps the caf clean, and everything else that keeps customers happy when they order their morning coffee. To become a barista, a high school degree or GED is generally preferred, but not always required. To get an extra edge, some people go to training programs or get certificates to show that theyve studied the arts of being a barista. Other than that, having a cheerful demeanor, being a reliable team player, being a good communicator, and having a love for coffee all help barista be successful at what they do. What It Takes Web designers have a hand in creating every single page youre on when using the internet including the one youre on right now And not every web designer has a degree in computer science. In fact, the tools for t eaching yourself how to be a web designer are available online. It just requires serious determination, grit, and practice on your part. Websites such as Lynda.com , codecademy , and udemy all have tutorials on web development. Youll need to know languages like HTML, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and CSS at a minimum. In addition, to be taken seriously as a web designer, youll need a portfolio of your web design work you can show to potential employers. This will speak way louder than the skills youve written down you have on paper. What It Takes Cashiers help us buy everything, whether its food, clothes, or a new pool floaty. To be a cashier, generally, a high school diploma or GED is preferred, but not always strictly required. Other skills like basic math, quick reading, computer skills, and knowing a second language like Spanish may also be helpful. What It Takes Bank tellers help patrons of the bank deposit, withdraw, and perform other transactions with their money. To be a b ank teller, a high school diploma is required. An associates or bachelors degree may help with opportunities for advancement. Bank tellers generally work very reasonable hours, as most banks have reduced hours on weekends and nights. Being a bank teller requires attention to detail, while still being able to help customers feel at ease and taken care of. What It Takes To work in tech support, you need to be good at identifying problems. Specifically, problems in software, hardware, and other computer equipment. While not strictly required, its generally preferred to have at least an associates degree, and preferably a bachelors degree. In addition, to be an effective tech support, its good to have basic programming experience, an aptitude for problem-solving, and good listening and communication abilities.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Benjamin Henry Latrobe

Benjamin Henry Latrobe Benjamin Henry Latrobe Benjamin Henry LatrobeDesigner. Engineer. Canal builder. Painter. Benjamin Latrobe the father of American architecture welches all that and more. Emigrating to the United States from his native Britain in 1795, the versatile Latrobe discovered a young nation still searching for its national aesthetic the perfect blank canvas for his unique vision.Steamship pioneer Robert Fulton, with whom he would later do business, said his genius is for works of a higher order, but he has the happy faculty of accommodating it to anything useful.Latrobe welches one of the nations first formally trained architects and one of its earliest steam engineers. Through his designs for the U.S. Capitol and the White House, he defined the style of federal buildings for generations to come. Through his innovative public works, he brought clean water and better transportation systems to cities from Philadelphia to New Orleans.Latrobe was born in 1764 near Leeds, England,to a schoolmaster father and Pennsylvania-born mother. Educated in England and Germany, he was fluent in multiple languages and fully steeped in the arts and classical scholarship.Latrobe began a new life in America after his first wife died in childbirth, drawn by his mothers stories of growing up in Pennsylvania. Over the remaining 25 years of his life, he would make an indelible mark through a series of innovative design and construction projects for government buildings, banks, theaters, cathedrals, prisons and other high-profile institutional structures. He originated the Greek Revival style in American buildings with his widely imitated Bank of Pennsylvania, designed a landmark academic building for Dickinson College at no cost, and parlayed an acquaintanceship with George Washingtons son into a productive network of powerful clients in the new Federal City taking shape on the banks of the Potomac River.Latrobe pivoted seamlessly between architecture and engineering, d abbling in contracting, surveying and other pursuits along the way. Between difficulty keeping projects on budget and some misguided business ventures, Latrobe spent much of his career on the brink of financial disaster.As an early proponent of steam power, he built Philadelphias first waterworks. His design incorporated two behemoth steam engines to pump water from the Schuylkill River. Piping fresh water to homes for the first time in the citys history, his water system greatly reduced the incidence of water-borne infectious diseases such as yellow fever.In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson tapped him as the U.S. Surveyor of Public Buildings. Soon he was assigned to supervise completion of the Capitol Building. He made important changes to William Thorntons original design and contributed to other iconic Washington, DC, structures including the White House and the Washington Navy Yard. Some of the best surviving examples of his interior work in the Capitol include the National Stat uary Hall (formerly the Hall of the House), the Old Supreme Court Chamber and the Old Senate Chamber, with their ornate murals depicting uniquely American motifs such as corn and tobacco among the classical imagery. During James Madisons administration, he worked extensively with first lady Dolley Madison to refurbish the White House to her elegant standards.As a surveyor and canal builder, Latrobe improved inland waterways in and around the capital to promote lokal navigation. He supervised or consulted on a series of canals linking lakes and rivers with otherwise landlocked cities, creating opportunities for the emerging steamship industry and using cutting-edge technology such as hydraulic cement that could harden in water.Latrobe knew and shared similar business ambitions as Robert Fulton. By 1813, he had grown tired of Washington life and was inspired by the prospect of earning a shipbuilding fortune. He took a short-lived job in Pittsburgh as an agent in Fultons steamboat comp any, remaining in the area for the next few years building boats, taking on architectural commissions and struggling to stay out of bankruptcy.He wrote of his struggles to get ahead With us the labor of the hand has precedence over that of the mind that an engineer is considered only as an overseer of men that dig, and an architect as one that watches others that hew stone and wood.After the War of 1812, the government called him back to Washington to refurbish the fire-damaged Capitol. He was ready.Later in the decade, Latrobe relocated to New Orleans to complete a protracted waterworks project that had been launched by his son, who had died of yellow fever. The city had long captured his interest for its potential as a steamship port, and he immersed himself in several important architectural projects including the Customs House and the St. Louis Cathedral.Ironically, the engineer who had done so much to rid urban cities of yellow fever contracted the disease before the water syst em was completed. He died in 1820 at age 56.Michael McRae is an independent writer.His genius is for works of a higher order, but he has the happy faculty of accommodating it to anything useful.Robert Fulton on Benjamin Latrobe

Monday, December 16, 2019

Interview Questions About Your Salary Expectations

Interview Questions About Your Salary ExpectationsInterview Questions About Your Salary ExpectationsNo matter how great the job interview goes, aninterview question about your salaryexpectations can stop you short. What are you looking for in terms of salary? is such a straightforward question and yet the answer is so complex. Its also difficult to know what to say, and what not to say, so youget a job offerthats a win for both yourself and the company. What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know Whydo interviewerswant to know yoursalary expectations? Employers ask about your salary expectations to get a sense of whether they can afford you. They might also ask you this to binnensee how much you value yourself and the work that you do. By doing some research and preparing an answer ahead of time, you can demonstrate to the employer that you are flexible with your salary, but that you also know what you are worth. Why This Question Is Tricky There are a number of ways to answer interview questions about salaries, and its important to determine how best to answer that question because- mora than likely- it will be asked at your next interview. While you want to aim high, you also dont want to aim so high that you put yourself out of the companyssalary range. If you go in the opposite direction and your target compensation is too low, you leave the employer room to go even lower and you could end up feeling miserable with the lack of proper compensation. Its also very difficult to try to decide what you want for a salary before you even know what the jobentails. This often happens when youre asked to disclose a salary range requirement on an application, before youve learnedenoughabout the position. This is not an easy topic,andwhile there may be no right answer, there is a way to think about the question and get what you want. What to Do on an Application Some paper and electronic applications require you to list your salary expectations. One option is to simply skip this question. However, if it is listed as a required question and you skip it, the employer might think you dont know how to follow directions. Some online applications wont even let you move on to the next page until you answer all the questions.In this case, you can do a few things You can put in asalary rangebased on your research.You can also write a schlagwort like Negotiable to demonstrate your flexibility.Avoid putting down one specific salary. This will make it seem like you are unwilling to budge on salary. How to Answer Questions About Your Salary Expectations Topreparearesponse, you should have a sense of what someone in your field, and in your geographic area, typically earns. This will allow you to answer with a reasonable salary range. Use one of the many websites that offer salary averages and estimates. Sites likeGlassdoor.com,Salary.com,Payscale.com, andIndeed.comall have salary data you can review. They should be ritterlichly similar, but there may be some differences. Therefore, if you have time to look at more than one source, you may get a better perspective of thesalaryrange. Remember to narrow your research to your region. Salaries for a job in Austin, Texas, may be different from those in New York City, for example. From this research, you cancome up with a reasonable salary rangeto mention to the employer when asked about your expectations. However, if the research numbers seem off to you, just go with your gut. You dont want to go to the hiring manager with a salary range that is way too high or way too low. 036 Watch Now 3 Ways to Answer Questions About Salary Examples of the Best Answers My salary range is quite flexible. I would, of course, like to be compensated fairly for my decade of experience and award-winning sales record. However, I am very open to discussing specific numbers once we have discussed the details of the position. ExpandWhy It Works This response works well for the candidate because it mentions that the applicant is well qualified for the job, but is also flexible regarding salary requirements. My salary requirements are flexible, but I do have significant experience in the field that I believe adds value to my candidacy. I look forward to discussing in more detail what my responsibilities at this company would be. From there, we can determine a fair salary for the position. ExpandWhy It Works Asking for more information before committing to a salary range is a good way to avoid mentioning compensation before the hiring manager does. You could follow-up with a question about what the company anticipates offering the candidate who is hired. I would need to learn more about the specific duties required of this position, which I look forward to learning more about in this interview. However, I do understand that positions similar to this one pay in the range of $X to $Z in our region.With my experience, skills, and certifications, I would expect to receive something in the range of $Y to $Z. ExpandWhy It Works With this response, the applicant lets the employer know that he or she is aware of what similar positions pay. The answer also mentions a range, which provides more room for negotiation than stating a set salary requirement. I am open to discussing what you believe to be a fair salary for the position. However, based on my previous salary, my knowledge of the industry, and my understanding of this geographic area, I would expect a salary in the general range of $X to $Y. Again, I am very open to discussing these numbers with you. ExpandWhy It Works As with the other answers, its always a good idea to note that youre open to discussing a reasonable salary for a job. Tips for Giving the Best Answer Say youre flexible.You can try to skirt the question with a broad answer, such as, My salary expectations are in line with my experience and qualifications. Or, If this is the right job for me, I am sure we can come to an agreement on salary . This will show that you are flexible. Offer a range.Even if you start by emphasizing your flexibility, most employers will totenstill want to hear specific numbers. In this case, offer them a range (plus or minus about $10,000-$20,000). This will allow you to remain flexible while still giving the employer a clear answer. You can create this range based on research or your own experience in the industry. Think about your current salary.Inadditionto researching salaries, you can come up with a salary range by using your current or previous salary as a starting point, especially if you are making a lateral move in the same industry. Unless your last company was known in the industry for its low salaries, assume that your current salary is in line with market expectations. Of course, if you are making a geographic move, keep in mind any changes in the cost of living. Its always a good idea toknow what youre worthin the current job market. Give yourself a raise.What if you believe its time for a raise? Think about what you would consider a fair raise from your current employer, and that could be a good low-end starting point for the new job. Or ratchet up your current pay by as much as 15 to 20 percent, which gives you anincentive to switch companies, and is still within a reasonable range for your industry and level of experience. Only give numbers youd be happy with.Remember, only offer a range that you find acceptableonethatgives you the means to support yourself and your family, if you have one. Highlight your skills.In your answer, you can subtly emphasize why you are a good fit for the position. You can say something like, Based on my 10 years of experience in this field, I would expect a salary in the range of $Y to $Z. Before mentioning any numbers, remind the interviewer why he or she should offer you a salary in the first place. Be prepared to negotiate.Many candidates are hesitant to ask for more money because they are concerned that it could cost the m a job offer. However, you may be able tonegotiate your way to a higher starting salary. But hold off on asking until you actually have an offer to consider. What notlage to Say Avoid giving a set amount.If you can avoid mentioning a specific salary until after the employer mentions to, it will be easier to negotiate. Dont Price Yourself Out of a Job.Dont ask for a $100,000 salary if your research shows the job is worth half of that. You may price yourself out of a job offer it you come in too high. Dont be Negative.Even if the amount youre offered seems insultingly low, respond gracefully and ask if there is room to negotiate. Related Interview Questions Why would you accept a job for less money? Best AnswersWhat can you contribute to this company? Best AnswersWhere do you see yourself in five years? Best Answers Key Takeaways Research SalariesBefore your job interview, take the time to research the salaries, so youre prepared to answer the question.Know Your Bottom LineCa lculate how much you need to earn to pay the bills, and what the minimum salary youd accept would be.Be Prepared to NegotiateMany employers expect candidates to counter offer, so be prepared to negotiate once youre received an offer.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Ramesh K. Agarwal, 2017 ASME Honorary Member

Ramesh K. Agarwal, 2017 ASME Honorary Member Ramesh K. Agarwal, 2017 ASME Honorary Member Ramesh K. Agarwal, 2017 ASME Honorary MemberRamesh K. Agarwal, Ph.D., is the William Palm professor of engineering in the department of mechanical engineering and materials science at Washington University in St. Louis. He is honored for pioneering, high-impact research in computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer innovative contributions to mechanical engineering education and meritorious service to the mechanical engineering profession.Dr. Agarwal welches the Sam Bloomfield distinguished professor and executive director of the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University from 1994 to 2001. Earlier, he was with McDonnell Douglas Research Laboratories in St. Louis, where he served as program director and McDonnell Douglas Fellow.Over a period of 40 years, Dr. Agarwal has worked in the areas of computational fluid dynamics, computational acoustics and electromagnetics , computational materials science and nanotechnology, and multidisciplinary design and optimization. He has authored or co-authored more than 600 publications, and has given many plenary, keynote and invited lectures in over 60 countries.An ASME Fellow, Dr. Agarwal has been serving on the Fluid Engineering teilens Fluid Dynamics and Computational Fluids Dynamics technical committees since 1988 and 1996, respectively. He also received these ASME awards the Fluids Engineering Award in 2001, the Charles Russ Richards Memorial Award in 2006, the Edwin F. Church Medal in 2011, and a 90th Anniversary Medal from the Division in 2016.He is a Fellow of numerous other societies, the recipient of major national and international awards, and an honorary guest professor at universities in China and India.Dr. Agarwal earned his bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He earned his masters degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. in aeronautical sciences from Stanford University.Video profile produced and written by Roger Torda, ASME Public Information. The copyright of this program is owned by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

The Most Forgotten Fact About Federal Resume Writers Exposed

The Most Forgotten Fact About Federal Resume Writers Exposed The Fundamentals of Federal Resume Writers Revealed You must organize your resume to assist agencies evaluate your experience. If you dont supply the info necessary for the hiring agency to find out your qualifications, you may not be considered for the job. Hiring agencies will search for parteicular terms in your resume to make certain you have the experience theyre seeking. A federal resume is also is the most significant aspect in ranking all applicants to get the ideal match for a specific job within the USA federal government. The Argument About Federal Resume Writers The very first task is being part of the recruitment and placement of an upcoming employee. For an instance, if you never had been applying Federal level position, you might not know the appropriate information like KSA needs to be included in your resume. You may have to adjust your expectations about exactly what makes a good resume when you su bmit an application for federal positions. So, your resume needs to be somewhat much perfect. The Meaning of Federal Resume Writers The pricing for federal resume services varies dependent on quite a few important things. For a normal federal resume, here are the minimal components that must be included. One of the absolute most important federal resume tips is that you want to follow along with every detail of the guidelines, including character counts, for every single section. You also have to identify whether youve ever worked for the federal government and whether you meet the requirements for veterans preference. From grammar to federal hiring systems and strategy, you will learn all you need to stand out as an expert in the specialty. Military experience is vital due to the veterans preference rules. If you want to use education rather than experience to be able to be eligible for a job, you will need to include comprehensive coursework details. Federal Resume Wri ters Ideas Federal jobs often need you to have experience in a particular kind of work for More resume writing tips Important truth about the federal hiring practice. Every Resume is customized to every customer. Unlike resumes in different industries, federal resumes are almost always chronological. The Federal Resume can provide you a chance for the next prospect. You have to consist of lot info in your resume in buchung to acquire a job which you desire. If you get a particular agency in mind and cant discover what youre searching for, see the agencys website. If, as an example, youre writing dessay about ways to earn Money writing for the internet, you require a good deal of advertisements which are extremely very likely to have clicked by women and men seeking to locate out more regarding content composing. Enlisting the aid of an experienced writer can go quite a ways. Federal Resume Writers - the Story You should not include private information on your resume. You have to offer relevant, concise details. All the info should be shown in chronological order. Click the next link for more info about what to put in your federal resume. Definitions of Federal Resume Writers Each component of the resume is necessary to your resume meeting the minimal qualifications. One of the main federal job recruitment changes is the requirement to use the category rating strategy to refer candidates. Under category rating, applicants federal resumes are set into categories or get a particular numeric score. First of all, the very best buzzwords to be included in a federal resume are exact words utilized in the mandatory qualifications and techniques. Part of the national application procedure might incorporate a narrative supplemental ansicht referred to as a KSA or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. The Federal hiring procedure is tedious, not not possible. While developing a federal resume, its also important to go line-by-line by means of a work ann ouncement and deal with every qualification listed. A federal resume is a significant component in the federal recruiting procedure. Employers and recruiters are extremely busy people and expect to read a specific amount of content based on the kind of job they are hiring for. To begin with, you must demonstrate which you are minimally qualified for the designated job. Because want to get the job. If youre looking for a federal job on USAJob we can provide help. What Does Federal Resume Writers Mean? Many employers want to employ people that are detail-oriented and will choose the opportunity to do a work right. The majority of the moment, our customers come to us for help early in the approach. Federal jobs often need you to have experience in a particular kind of work for some period of time. Its accurate, obtaining a federal job is no simple job.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Dealing with disability in the workplace

Dealing with disability in the workplace Dealing with disability in the workplacePosted October 13, 2011, by Louisa VeidelisIf you have a disability or mental illness, entering the workforce can present tricky challenges. You may be confused about your rights and obligations while job hunting and moving through the interview process. Are you legally obligated to disclose your disability to employers? And is your employer required to adjust the role or working spaces to cater for your special needs?The lawFirst up, discrimination on the grounds of disability is illegal. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) it is against the law for an employer in Australia to choose leid to hire you because of your disability. This protection titelblatts all stages of employment, from the selection/interview process to your training, terms and conditions of employment, promotion and dismissal. Employers must hire the best person for the job, whether the applicant is disabled or not. Ho wever, you must be able to fulfil the inherent requirements of the job for this to be applicable.For example, if you have a back condition and are applying for a job that involves heavy lifting, then you will likely be declined the role. However, if you have something like carpal tunnel syndrome (a condition affecting the wrist) and are applying for a job that involves telephone work, then holding the phone in your hand is not considered an inherent requirement because you could use a headset instead.Workplace adjustmentsIf you are the best person for the job, the employer is legally required to make workplace adjustments to help you fulfil your role. Such adjustments may include providing ramps, modifying toilets, providing an enlarged computer screen or offering a support person or mentor. If these changes are too difficult or raise unreasonable costs for an employer, the employer can claim unjustifiable hardship as grounds not to hire you.To disclose or not to disclose?So youve made it to the interview stage and, if your disability is hidden, you have a decision to make tell the employer or not? Legally, you are not required to disclose a disability to an employer, unless the disability may affect your performance at work or your ability to do the job safely and to the safety of your colleagues. Whether you disclose your disability and if so, when is completely up to you. If you will require workplace adjustments for the interview, such as an accessible room, its best to let them know before the interview. If you may need workplace adjustments to do the job, you will need to discuss your disability with your employer at the interview. However, you do not need to disclose specific medical information. According to jobaccess.gov.au, the tiefpunkt you need to discuss isany adjustments needed to ensure a fair and equitable selection processhow the disability may impact on some aspects of the inherent requirements of a jobany adjustments that may be need ed to complete the inherent requirements of the job.If the disability will not hinder your ability to do the job, you may choose not to disclose it at all. For more information about talking about your disability at work, phone the JobAccess advisers on 1800 464 800 (free call).Mental illnessYou are not legally required to disclose a mental illness to an employer, unless it may impact your ability to do the job effectively and safely. If you choose to tell, your employer must keep your disclosure confidential. Whether you choose to tell your employer or colleagues is up to you. Consider your choice carefully and discuss this with your family and friends. Some arguments for disclosing include encouraging an honest and open relationship with your manager, the ability to discuss strategies/adjustments with them and showing that occasional poor performance is due to the illness. You may choose not to disclose your illness if it has no impact on your job and you are concerned abo ut unnecessary curiosity and insensitive questions from others.Finding a jobA good place to start your job hunt is Centrelinks Disability Employment Assistance Services. Contact Centrelink to sign up for your assessment by a Job Capacity Assessment Provider. There are also Disabled Employment Services such as NOVA Employment, which is funded by the Department of Education, Employment Workplace Relations (DEEWR). When applying for jobs, ensure that your resume and cover letter are written for each specific job you are applying for, and ask a friend to proofread them. Career FAQs has sample resumes and cover letters for many different industries and resume and cover letter tips to help you put together a winning application. If you are having trouble finding a job, you could choose to do voluntary work to gain experience, confidence and contacts/referees. If you need more qualifications for the roles youre interested in but have mobility restrictions, you could choose to study a course online or by correspondence. 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 Searcheshow to become a disability support worker in australiahow to deal with bullying in the workplacecareers in disability serviceshow to handle workplace bullyinghow to solve bullying at workplace CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire erreichbar Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineLouisa VeidelisRelated ArticlesBrowse moreCareer changeJob hunting tipsSmart Moves To Make When Your Job Search Is Going NowhereHelp My job search is going nowhere Sound familiar? Weve got 6 smart moves you can make to get attention and land yourself an interview.Career progressionJob advertisement tipsDrop Everything And Read This Guide To Personal BrandingA strong personal brand is the key to personal and professional success. Heres why - along with 9 great tips to create your own unforgettable brand.CAREER ADVICECharles Sturt University (CSU)Make a Difference in Your Community with Information StudiesInformation studies covers it all, from records management and data management to knowledge management and organising company info, as well as of course libraries. See how a course in information studies can help you play a key role in your community.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Acting Director Hired into Director of Strategic Operations After ECQ Rewrite

Acting Director Hired into Director of Strategic Operations After ECQ RewriteActing Director Hired into Director of Strategic Operations After ECQ RewriteActing Director Hired into Director of Strategic Operations After ECQ RewriteDiane Thank you for your help. My essays were approved, and I will be permanent in my position starting on Sunday. I am excited for the opportunityDate Hired October 21, 2012Jobseeker Type GS to SESPrevious Job Title Acting Director of OSORA / Executive Secretariat Office of OSTarget Job Title Director of the Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs (OSORA)Result HiredWriter/Coach Diane HudsonStrategy/Process The clients ECQ essays were disapproved by OPM stating that the essays did not express executive leadership examples and the client was encouraged to select stories that represented her time as the Acting Director for the role she was seeking. I rewrote all of the clients stories in the CCAR format, by conducting several interviews to hel p the client develop strong leadership stories. I reviewed all the stories against the ECQ leadership competencies. The clients ECQs were approved by OPM with the rewrite and she was officially hired into the SES.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Study This is why negative feedback so often backfires and how to do better

Study This is why negative feedback so often backfires and how to do betterStudy This is why negative feedback so often backfires - and how to do betterWhen you give your coworkers some tough but necessary feedback on their performance, you want them to learn and improve from it.But new research from Harvard Business School found that instead of confronting the hard truths contained within negative feedback were much more likely to cut off our relationships with the negative feedback giver.In an analysis of 300 employees peer-review processes, researchers Paul Green and his colleagues found that employees would avoid the coworkers who gave the negative feedback and would seek more positive reviews from new work relationships.Running from the painIn one experiment, the researchers told participants that they were getting negative feedback from a work partner about a story they had written. The participants who got the schwimmbad feedback were more likely to choose a new work partner for the next task than the participants who got self-confirming feedback.Theres an assumption that what motivates people to improve is the realization that theyre notlage as good as they think they are, Green writes. But in fact, it just makes them go find people who will not shine that light on them.Seeking out affirmationThe researchers found that when the feedback giver and recipient still had to work together, the recipient would seek out new people in different departments at work to offset the bad feedback they had heard. The researchers called this shopping for confirmation, or the search for a positive view of ones self when our world get threatened by the idea that were not as valuable as we want to think we are.How to get better at hearing (or giving) criticismBut this psychological defense mechanism can be unlearned. Green and his colleagues found that when employees were reminded of their value before they had to hear negative feedback, they stopped shopping for confirm ation. Likewise, when recipients of bad feedback were given 10 minutes to write about the values that mattered to them, they did not seek out self-confirming feedback.Greens research shows us how one bad critique can rattle us. When someone at work tells us something about ourselves that we dont want to hear, were not inclined to listen. For us to listen to hard truths, we have to feel safe enough to hear them.The lesson for managers and employees is to remind employees of their value within the workplace before we give them the bad news.More from LaddersThese companies let employees work from the comfort of their homesThese are the 15 highest-paying jobs in the nation, LinkedIn foundWatch out for this disturbing new trend in job interviews

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Making Carbon Nanotubes Safer for the Environment

Making Carbon Nanotubes Safer for the Environment Making Carbon Nanotubes Safer for the Environment Even though carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become a key ingredient in advanced manufacturing processes, surprisingly little is known about how they actually gestalt. The most common method for manufacturing CNTs is through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of ethylene. This approach, however, results in a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Some of these are likely important to the CNT formation process and others are byproducts that may actually interfere with the formation of CNTs, creating structural defects and degrading overall quality. Some of these byproducts are also harmful to human health and the environment, including contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.Not knowing exactly how CNTs form also makes it harder to improve on carbon conversion and energy efficiency during the manufacturing process this lack of knowledge also limits how CNTs can be used in product design.To learn mora about the formation mechanism of CNTs via CVD, Desiree L. Plata, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Duke University, designed a research experiment to determine how chemical anleihes are built during nanotube synthesis, with the goal of improving the manufacturability of CNTs and minimizing the environmental impacts of this technology. Her study was published in 2010 in the American Chemical Societys online journal ACSNano.Exciting ResultsIn general, CNT growth by CVD involves introducing a gaseous carbon precursor, such as methane, into a heated (1300 C) reaction zone that contains a free-floating or substrate-supported catalyst, says Plata. The catalyst is typically a transition metal or oxide nanoparticle that is thought to mediate the reaction. While the current understanding is limited with respect to chemical details, the prevailing notion is that the carbon-containing precursor adsorbs onto and then dissoci ates at the catalyst.Nanotubes being grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Image Wikimedia CommonsTo simulate the effect of this thermal treatment without the chemical complexities, Plata delivered trace amounts of individual hydrocarbons, along with ethylene and hydrogen, to a cold-wall atmospheric pressure reactor containing a locally heated metal catalyst (Fe on Al2O3). Using these compound-specific experiments, Plata was able to show that many alkynes (including acetylene, methyl acetylene, and vinyl acetylene) accelerated multi-walled CNT formation. The results also demonstrated that the presence of ethylene enhances CNT growth, suggesting that alkynes and ethylene may react at the metal catalyst.This presents a distinct CNT formation mechanism where the chemical precursors may be intact during C-C bond formation, such as in polymerization reactions, challenging the current idea that precursors completely dissociate into C (or C2) units before precipitating from t he metal, she states.Using this methodology Plata was able to quickly form high-purity CNTs with a 15-fold improvement in yield, a 50-percent reduction in energetic costs, and an order of magnitude reduction in the volume of hazardous byproduct formation (toxic and smog-forming chemicals and greenhouse gases).Future PossibilitiesPlatas research supports the following conclusions Alkynes contribute to accelerated CNT formation while other previously suspected molecules such as benzene and methane do not. If alkyne-assisted techniques are fully optimized for high-volume synthesis, dramatic improvements in CNT yield and mass-per-hour production rates can be realized. Reduced byproduct emissions can prevent unnecessary damage to the environment and public health as industrial CNT production continues to expand. Because carbon precursors are intact when they incorporate into a growing CNT, their structures can be used to influence the morphology of the CNTs Hydrogen can be a tunable parameter to control tube length and quality.Plata is confident that engineers will discover the carbon nanotube growth mechanism in the next five years. This will be an amazing accomplishment because it will make renewable energy sources a truly competitive reality by improving their energy storage and distributions systems, she says. These systems will require novel materials and the best candidates are carbon-based nanomaterials such as CNTs.She also points out that her research highlights an advantage of mechanical engineer-environmental engineer teamworkby knowing more about the process on a molecular level, its performance and cost can be optimized in a more expeditious way than it could without the environmental analysis, Plata says. Also, early incorporation of environmental objectives will actually enhance the lifetime of the process because it wont be banned or regulated if some malignant impact is discovered after it is commercialized.Mark Crawford is an indepe ndent writer.High-purity carbon nanotubes were produced with a 15-fold improvement in yield, a 50-percent reduction in energetic costs, and an order of magnitude reduction in the volume of hazardous byproduct formation.Desiree L. Plata, Duke University