3 U.S. Olympians Share Their Totally Unathletic First Jobs

3 U.S. Olympians Share Their Totally Unathletic First Jobs There are some pretty exclusive clubs in the world, but perhaps none more so than Olympic gold medalists. Only the world’s best athletes reach that pinnacle, and only once every four years. But contrary to what you might expect, they do not spend their entire lives running, jumping or swimming. Just like the rest of us, they also work at regular gigs. For the latest in Reuters’ First Jobs series, we talked to a few elite American athletes about their humble jobs, before â€" or sometimes after â€" they reached the top of the medal podium. Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Shannon Miller Two golds in balance beam and team gymnastics, 1996 First job: Commercial actress “My first job was a commercial with a gymnastics sponsor. I was only 13 years old, so it was a huge decision for me and my parents. As a gymnast, I could not accept payment without giving up an opportunity for an NCAA scholarship. “At the time, I was only a year out from making my first World Championship team and hoping to try for the Olympic team in 1992. With the expenses of training, it made the most sense to go professional to help offset some of those bills. Read: We Just Tried to Book Last-Minute Travel to the Olympics. Here’s What Happened “The payment was minimal, but we were thankful for the opportunity. I bought a pair of grips (the hand guards we wear on uneven bars) for $100 with the payment. Those were the grips I wore at my first Olympic Games! “The actual commercial was probably the easiest thing I did that year. It was the 6-7 hours of daily training that helped make it possible. It was gymnastics that taught me the most important life lessons: Learning to set long-term and short-term goals, the importance of teamwork, why a positive attitude is crucial, and making every moment count, especially the moments when the cameras aren’t on you.” Carmelita Jeter Gold in 4x100m relay, 2012 First job: Chuck E. Cheese “I was 16 years old, and I remember it because it was the best job ever. It was at the Redondo Beach, California, location, and our uniform was navy blue shorts, white shoes, a gray Chuck E. Cheese polo shirt and a red visor. I was a runner, which meant I was the one running food to the tables. I was also a birthday host. “The part I loved the most was that during the birthday song, all the hosts had to get up there with Chuck E. Cheese and sing and do dance moves. I swear I still know the routine. “It was so much fun, because we were all from around ages 16-21, and it was like going to Disneyland every day. At closing time we would put on music and just dance. Read: 5 Ways Parents Can Raise World-Class Athletes “I made $6 an hour, but as a birthday host you would get tipped, so on a good weekend I could come out of there with $300-$400 … I could put gas in my ’88 Volkswagen Jetta and get my hair done. “At that time I wasn’t thinking about becoming one of the fastest women in the world. I was only thinking about things like prom and homecoming. “The only thing I didn’t like about that job? Cleaning the bathroom. That was tragedy.” Dominique Moceanu Gold in team gymnastics, 1996 First job: Jewelry designer “My first non-gymnastics job was designing jewelry. I always admired my mom’s jewelry growing up â€" she had some really beautiful pieces, even though she was very thrifty and didn’t have a lot of money. Eventually I developed my own style. “I wanted to put my business degree to use, so I partnered with another ‘gym mother’ who had experience in jewelry, and within six months, we had a company up and running (www.creationsbycandc.com). We use computerized designs to make things like pendants of poses from my greatest routines. “I still get on the mat on weekends, or whenever I have time, but it is definitely nice to have a life outside of gymnastics. It has allowed me to expand my creativity and to discover my passions outside of the sport. “I did learn a lot from gymnastics that I apply in my business every single day. Things like determination, and goal-setting, and perseverance. As a business owner you have some really challenging days â€" and you just have to find a way to get things done.”

Video Resumes The Authoritative Guide [ Examples]

Video Resumes The Authoritative Guide ExamplesVideo Resumes The Authoritative GuideJuly 1, 2019 By the Resume Genius Team Reviewed by Mark Slack, CPRWMaking a video resume can be tricky. Some employers love them, otherbeis think they are a cheap gimmick. However, making a video resume the right way could give you the edge over other candidates. Build My Resume NowTable of ContentsWhen should you make a video resume?Rules to followHow to startThings you need Equipment, software, and lightingParts of the videoThe greatest filmed resumeWhen should you make a video resume?Before we dig our hands in, you should know whento make one. Whilethe jury is still out on whether theyare the next big thing, there are some fields where using one could put a solid spin on your application profile. These are fruchtweinly industries dependent on visual engagement and consumption.Media this could be anything from video editing, production, or even news broadcasting. Some jobs involving acting or be ing on camera require a film reel of your previous work, so why elend just go the extra step? In a field where video and camera work are necessary, a video is an extra opportunity to illustrate your abilities.Fashion if you are trying to design clothes, showing work youve previously done on living models might help sell yourself and highlight your abilities. Runway footage can be really dynamic, and it also gives you the chance to discuss your unique style and lay a foundation for an einstellungsgesprch.Sales / customer service in fields where you are frequently interfacing with clients and customers, interpersonal skills and confidence are important features. A video helps to highlight behauptung aspects before youve even been invited for an interview, so if a firm seems open to creative applications, this kind ofresume may be a huge help.Tech IT fields tend to be mora relaxed and forward-thinking than others and thus mora receptive to unique applications. This style of resume m ight help demonstrate your experience and skills in a visual format (especially if you embed links to your work). Design this is another field where bildschirming past work might work as well, if not better, than the traditional resume. Whether you design interiors, cars, or websites, the additional visual aid of an eye-catching resume can be a big help.There are some fields where a video resumemight not be helpful. If you are applying for a position that requires a high degree of formality, say like an executive position or medical work, take a pass on preparingone. Other jobs that are old economy like accounting and archiving also probably wouldnt benefit from applications with visual aides. Finally, some careers simply frown on the concept it would be kind of silly to make one when applying for construction, transportation, or security work.This video is a great example of a reel format, and it works great for someone who is looking to get into video production. The aufgabe is, we see nothing of the creator and its unclear what he is aiming to achieve. Its also really long and feels like a music video.zu siche is a strong example of an interview-style video, but instead of the applicant doing all the talking, he lets former colleagues speak for him. The video showcases his work and is highly creative, but it is also entirely too long and maybe a little overindulgent.Rules to followBefore you even begin the process of making your resume, there are some crucial guidelines you should be aware of. These will help you avoid making the worst kinds of videos.LengthAll you have are 90 seconds. Plenty of people have tried making longer videos and it doesnt work unless its really, really good. Some people recommend 60 seconds maximum, but if it goes over a bit (and is solid), you should be okay. However, no hiring manager is going to watch five minutes of a candidate when they could glance at a traditional resume and know whether or not to engage the applicant in s ix seconds.Combine shots dont try to do the whole thing in one takeMake koranvers that you take lots of shots, and break up what you are saying. Just like a traditional resume has sections, so should your video version. Make sure those breaks are clean and make sense. Feel free to cut often and have a different shot for every few sentences or so. Be careful though dont cut mid-sentence or in awkward places. Also, think about mixing your narration with other features, like photos or shots of your work, to hold the viewers attention.Aleksey Vayner made a laughably schwimmschwimmbad video. It went viral.Be creative (or at least sincere)Because this resume formatis most often utilized for positions demanding creativity, if not outright artistic capacity, you should showcase this skill heavily. If your video is canned or boring, it will end up hurting mora than helping.But what if you arent artistically creative but still want to usea video application for a sales position? If you aren t prominently creative, at least be as sincere as possible. Visualresumes can dazzle a possible employer, but they can also allow your personality to shine through, and if you are earnest and genuine you will come across as a strong candidate.Let your personality shine throughAs we mentioned, videos have the ability to present the real you to an employer much better than a traditional resume can. Your job is to make sure your video actually does this. Showcase your talents and skills and do it clearly. This is your chance to tell people what you care about and what you want to share with their company.Stay positiveJust like in a job interview, it is beyond important you display a positive and friendly attitude. Surprisingly, a number of job seekers seem to forget this. Avoid complaining about past employers or your current situation. Try not to rationalize why you might not have a skill instead focus on skills you do have. Whatever you do, smile and stay upbeat.Show confidenceThe v ideo resume is almost like a mix between an interview and a resume application you need to embody some features from one and some from the other. Having confidence, like in an interview, will not only get you mora attention, but it will instill a sense of trust from potential employers. You could be the best video editor in the world, but if you look scared and arent able to confidently articulate what you can do, a hiring manager just isnt going to believe you. Remember, look into the camera, keep your head up, have good posture, and speak so they can hear you just like in real life.Mr.Leruste does a great job of being creative, showing confidence, showcasing his personality, and keeping our attention with strong editing. Being humorous is a great idea, but it does risk alienating some employers, so be careful.Mr.Eldridge makes some fatal mistakes, most notably speaking straight through his video. Especially considering he is applying for a cinematography position, his resume lac ks creativity and he doesnt take the time to showcase his skills (or does so poorly). Also, always remember to check your spelling its hard to get a job if you spell the name of the position incorrectly.How to startSo you think a video resume is right for you? Then its time to get down to business. Follow behauptung simple steps to make sure you start off on the right foot.Make a paper resumeBefore you do anything else, make sure you have a strong paper resume. You can think of this as your basic script. If you havent done this yet, write a resume and print it out as your first step. Alternatively, use ourfree resume templates pack and save time formatting, or create your resume in minutes with our resume maker.Determine what you want to emphasizeWhat message are you trying to send with your resume? Say you are applying for a web design job you need to decide if you want to talk about the technology you are most familiar with or if you should highlight your experience with a well-k nown client. Or say youre trying to get a position in video editing do you emphasize your skills or your years of experience? Some job seekers approach it from a personality or values perspective. In contrast to a traditional resume, the video format allows you to showcase yourself. Its not about your skills or experience or education, its about you.If you are turning in a traditional resume along with the video version, the experience and skills info is already included. Using the video to promote your personality is a good way for who you are to shine through. Your emphasis depends on what youre trying to accomplish and what you think your employer needs to know.Pick a formatThere are as many possible formats as there are angles from which to film, but choosing the right one can do a lot to support the aspects youre trying to emphasize. This list certainly isnt comprehensive, but these are a few popular format options.Narration simply speaking to the camera can be plenty effecti ve, especially if you have any degree of screen presence. Be careful though some job hunters make the mistake of talking through the whole video, which is obviously boring. Try to break it up. A good spin on this strategy is to get others to do the talking for you think of asking former employers or coworkers.Interview another fun strategy is filming a mock interview. You can do this one by either asking another person to fill in as the interviewer, or you can play both roles. This shouldnt be a real interview of course it is just a clever format for introducing yourself. You can also film this style as a serious application or a humorous one. TipWhen in doubt, be sincere rather thanfunny in your video. Unless youre certain it will go over well, funny videos can be too risky.Project showcase actions speak louder than words, so actually showing your work might be the best route.A showcase format is exactly what it sounds like, a showcase of work youve done. Many employers enjoy this style as it allows the work to speak for itself. The biggest pitfall with the project showcase is people have a tendency to show too much too fast. Pick your best five or six pieces and highlight those. The showcase format is best suited to design resumes.Reel similar to the project showcase is the acting or news-style reel. This one emphasizes what you have done on camera, so it makes a lot of sense for aspiring actors, hosts, or newscasters pretty much any job that requires a camera presence. As a matter of fact, a lot of on-camera jobs require a demo reel as part of the application (these are usually longer, however). Be careful that you dont just turn your reel resume into a music video its supposed to illuminate you as a candidate, not simply entertain.Mix while all of these formats have their merits, taking the strengths of each of them can be the most effective approach. Mixing narration with input from former colleagues or clients along with a bit of showcasing and creative cutaways will do a lot to speak for you as a candidate. Be careful however using a mixed format can turn into a hodgepodge, so keep it concise. TipEven if you want to stick to mostly one format, we strongly recommend some minor mixing. Think about adding cutaways to your work while you narrate.Outline a scriptNow that youve decided on a format, you need to sit down and write out what exactly youre going to say or show. This is important for any type of format. First, consider what your employer is going to want to know. Also think about your values, gifts, and talents, as well as how youre going to express them.Remember, professional language is crucial. Even if your style is relatively informal, you should still be able to speak to industry specific terms and with a professional feel. Informality is not the same thing as sloppiness. Finally, when writing the script for your video, you must decide how you will define yourself or your brand. This the whole point of the vi deo in contrast to a traditional resume, the video format allows you to showcase yourself. Its not about your skills or experience or education, its about you.Evaldass video isone of the better resumes weve found. Heuses a mixed format, leuchtdiode by his narration. He dynamically showcases his skills, features a clear organizational style, and does it all in 68 seconds.Mr. bin Roslis resume, on the other hand, has some pretty significant flaws. Most obviously, the music drowns out his narration, which doesnt speak well of his editing skills. He also lists almost every technology he is proficient with, making what could be a concise resume last a little longer than it needsto.Things you need Equipment, software, and lightingOne obvious drawback to a video formatis the amount of equipment needed to make it clean and professional-looking. Plenty of job seekers have tried with their laptop web camera and found it to be more difficult than they expected. While a laptop camera is workab le, in order to do it right you need to have a bit of gear and some patience to get it all right. Otherwise you might be making a resume that provokes the wrong kind of laughter.Camera this is the most obvious and important piece of equipment. The only hard and fast rule here is that its high-definition capable. You can use a webcam if you are interested in making a very short, very low budget video (which isnt necessarily bad). However, if you have greater ambitions you might need a more advanced, stand-alone unit. Consider renting a video-capable DSLR camera with a tripod for relatively inexpensive, but quality results.Audio besides being seen, being heard is next in importance. Whether its you speaking, someone else, or music, it needs to be clear and audible. If it sounds tinny, muffled, or if music is drowning out more important spoken info, you need to re-edit or shoot. Quality is incredibly important here keep it clear and sounding great.Light proper lighting is both crit ical and tricky to do. The easiest choice is natural lighting, but if you have soft, natural-looking light indoors where youre filming, you can try that too. If you want to be sure to have good lighting, research some easy techniques for making your videos look more professional. TipIf you make a simple video but have good lighting and audio, the lack of production value matters much less. Make sure you pay attention to light and soundClean set / background one of the most common mistakes in video production is not paying attention to what is in the frame. So many people film important pieces with messy or distracting backgrounds, and its a mistake thats totally avoidable. Before you start shooting, pick your location, look at the frame, and clean up anything that ought not be there.Editing software you could, in theory, make a video with no editing by shooting all at once, but we dont recommend doing that. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to download free editing software . Not only will this help you adjust your lighting, audio, and other visual effects, but it will also allow you to break up your shots and integrate example work or other features.Think about a production company it isnt uncommon for people interested in making a professional level video to hire a production company to help them. While this might seem like an expensive choice, if you have to buy your own gear, use your own time, and still make a sub-par clip, using a production kollektiv is a wise investment. They will help with wardrobe, makeup, storyboarding, filming, and editing, saving you a decent amount of time, money, and stress.Ms. Doty is applying for a position in finance and management, so its likely her video production skills arent her strong suit. Therefore, she wisely chose to employ a production company and was able to produce a solid and straightforward application.https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-6omiB9wXYMs. Bad-es resume might not be the most polished, but its a lso not bad. Her narration is fairly clear and she is organized and to the point. It could obviously stand some work she is just narrating straight through, and it would help to touch up the lighting, add music, and some graphics. Still, if all you have is a laptop cam, that shouldnt disqualify you from trying out your own.Parts of the videoOkay, its finally time to start making your own There are a few standout sections that you must feature, as well as a couple other sections you will want to consider. Every resume is different, and thats a good thing. Just make sure you follow the rules we mention above and you should be fine.IntroThe main function of a resume, whether it be paper or video, is to introduce yourself to potential employers. There are a couple of things you want to state in this section. First, obviously, you want to state your full name, and possibly have it written somewhere on screen for reference. Also, generally state what it is you do are you a software deve loper? A videographer? An actor? Make sure viewers have a solid idea of what your expertise or title is. Finally, you need to state what kind of job you are looking for. This may be difficult as you are applying for a number of positions, not all of which are exactly the same. If this is your situation, make sure you mention the field you are exploring and the kinds of positions you have your eye on.You can consider introducing a few other aspects of yourself. Some people like to mention their age or where they live. If you are fresh out of school, its also not a bad idea to briefly introduce your university or your educational background here. You could also, very quickly, mention which companies youve recently worked for, especially if they are famous or seen as powerhouses in your particular industry.Experience summaryTalking about experience on video can be tricky. In short, there are two paths for you to take you can either talk about your experience generally, or the most rec ent companies youve worked for. Remember, you have just seconds to express how much experience you have, so whatever you do, avoid listing off all the jobs youve ever had or projects you have completed. Save that for the paper version. If you talk about your experience in general, mention how long youve been in the field and specific technologies or industry-specific skills you are competent with.If you decide to talk about specific companies youve worked for, only mention the most recent and maybe the one previous, just briefly. State how long you worked for them, your most important accomplishments while you were there, and most importantly, what exactly you learned during your tenure. Be careful not to take too long when talking about your experience you will be tempted to get more in-depth, but this format doesntallow for a lot of that. TipThink of your work experience in terms of greatest highlights. Your video is the highlight reel of your previous experience, so emphasize your achievements as briefly and clearly aspossible.Standout attributesYou also need to address what about you stands out or is most impressive. Think of this as your resume skills sectionbut less fleshed out. Pick no more than four skills or personal attributes to emphasize. This is where things like specific knowledge of a technology or soft skills can shine through. Make sure you show a mixture of both if you are stiff as a board and only talking about the technical certifications you have, should you really be making this kind ofresume in the first place? Show some personality for sure, and hint at skills youre mentioning. If you have interpersonal skills, make sure you come across as warm and friendly in your video. Do you have a capacity for leadership? Make sure you come across as authoritative. This is one of the core sections of your resume make sure viewers see your personality through it.ConclusionThe last mandatory part of your clipis the conclusion. This section is ve ry short, but it needs to be strong. What does that mean? Make sure you restate or quickly summarize why a company should hire you, but use focused and direct language. If you are narrating, exude confidence especially in this section. If others are speaking for you, make sure you use the strongest, most direct statement as your conclusion. Regardless of the format, make sure the concluding part of the video is the most memorable and showcases what you have to offer.Other possible sections or featuresIf you stick to these main parts, you should be set. However, if you have been brief and to the point, as you should be, you might be able to stick in another quick section. Also, there are a few more features you should think about including to really polish your video.Significant accomplishments this is separate from your experience section as it gets into specific highlights of your career. It isnt a bad idea to mix this in or extend your experience section with stand-alone accomplis hments. These could include awards youve won, sales benchmarks reached, or even revenue from films or projects youve worked on.Clickables if you plan on posting your video to Youtube (and you should be), we strongly recommend embedding links into your video for viewers to follow. This could be links at the end to your traditional resume, links to your universitys home page, or to further video / web evidence of your skills.We strongly recommend embedding links into your video for viewers to follow.Music music can be tricky, but we recommend using some. Make sure its relatively light but not tacky. Also important is to make sure you dont make the music too loud or drown out any narration. This is a common mistake, but one that can be fatal to your application.Informational graphics adding graphics to your video can be helpful and make it much more digestible than just talking into the camera. Using them requires a bit more skill in editing, but if you can swing it, use them. They can more clearly state what you are talking about. With onscreen text and images, your narration has something of a tag-team partner to lubricate the viewing experience of potential employers. If you can add them, you should.With onscreen text and images, your narration has something of a tag-team partner to lubricate the viewing experience of potential employers.Mr. Bellings video is organized and outstandingly edited. He lets his personality and creativity shine through, as well as showcases his technical capabilities. It is, however, really long. He pulls it off with its format and links, but only because it is such a strong effort.Ms. Villenos resume looks fine and is decently edited, but it also seems a little disorganized. She mostly lists subjective personality features, and not in any particular order. And while she seems able to use graphics for her attributes, she missed the opportunity to use them when introducing herself, her education, and her experience.And that should do it if you follow these steps and put in the time you are sure to produce a quality, even entertaining, video resume. Having one will significantly increase your chances of landing your dream job in a creative industry. Do you have any suggestions or ideas? Let us know in the comments below

Think Extroverts Win In The Workplace Think Again

Think Extroverts Win In The Workplace Think Again Imagine, for a moment, an introvert and an extrovert. Now, imagine that both the introvert and extrovert are salespeople for a living. Knowing nothing else about them, who would you guess is the better salesperson?Youre far from alone if you guessed that the extrovert is the more gifted salesperson. However, thats just flat out wrong. According to research done by University of Pennsylvania prof Adam Grant, there is no statistically significant relationship between sales income earned and extroverted personality schriftarts. That said, the introverted salespeople Grant studied didnt fare much better. In fact, Grant concludes a third personality type -- the ambivert -- is best suited to being successful at sales. What is an ambivert?Ambiverts are a personality type that is neither very extroverted nor very introverted. If asked, How do you feel when youre around other people? Drained, or energized? an ambivert would answer, It depends. Ambiverts fall in the middle of a personality continuum. Most extroverts and introverts themselves are not at the far reaches of either side of the continuum. However, ambiverts fall very much in the middle and are defined as people who are moderately comfortable with groups and social interaction, but also relish time alone, away from a crowd.But why would an ambivert perform better in a sales environment? Professor Grant hypothesizes Whereas extraverts may seek stimulation and social attention at the expense of listening carefully to customers concerns, ambiverts are likely to be more flexible in the ways in which they engage with customers, drawing from a wider repertoire of behavioral options to find the appropriate balance between selling and serving.Under this theory, being an ambivert means you can take a balanced approach to listening to people and conveying your own point of view -- both of which may be important to closing a sale, despite the stereotype that salespeople mu st be aggressive and primarily only interested in accomplishing their agenda.Do Ambiverts Do Better In The Workplace Than Introverts Or Extroverts?Is Grants research relevant to job roles beyond sales? It stands to reason that it may be. In the work context, most of have to sell ourselves to someone else, at least some of the time. For example, most of us want a pay raise and versetzung every couple of years (if not more frequently). In fact, the commonly dished career advice to build a brand is basically premised upon the idea that you are essentially selling yourself to other people all the time.Whether youre a teacher, research scientist, lawyer or executive, we all have people we need to like us if were going to get the best assignments at work -- or just get paid more next year. Not an ambivert? Dont despair Now that you know ambiverts may have a natural advantage at accomplishing their goals, you can work to counteract your natural tendencies. Even if youre not 100% comfortabl e with everything you do, you still have the ability to behave as if youre not as introverted or extroverted as you naturally may be.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

Key Pieces of Writing a Resume for Bar Management

Key Pieces of Writing a Resume for Bar Management An excellent sample manager resume will contain keywords a couple of times throughout the document. Once you are finished with listing your fruchtwein important info, you can decide to list whatever you feel is critical. The lists below can help you get inspired. Life, Death and Writing a Resume for Bar Management As a project manager, your primary duty is to communicate to your teams, verbally or written if a particular sort of communication is mentioned in the work description, be certain you use the stated one. Education if you are feeling your education is just one of your strong suits, then you can place it before Work Experience. If your education is linked to the job, it is a no-brainer. The target of your resume is to secure you the interview. The capacity of good managers to delegate various responsibilities to employees gives workers a feeling of worth, teamwork, drive, and the chance to learn new skills as each aim is met. Project managers are those in charge of earning a change. They arent just limited to a single field of work either, in fact, most industries will require a project manager at some point. The hiring manager will be searching for someone whos an exceptional applicant. Then show you comprehend the work description. If youre on the lookout for a job for a bartender, your introduction type needs to be dependent on the quantity of experience youve got bartending. Furthermora, you can look for bartender jobs on Monster. Life, Death and Writing a Resume for Bar Management The hiring manager merely wishes to see whether you bring any skills to the table which arent highlighted or clear in the remainder of your resume. In fact, youve got to create all your prior positions and be truthful at it. For instance, you may have collaborated with a group of 23 employees during your tenure with your preceding employer. What Everybody Dislikes About Writing a Resume for Bar Ma nagement and Why Bar Managers run pubs or bars and make certain customers are happy. The bar manager ought to carefully monitor the supply of liquor stocks and be sure they never come to an end. The bar manager must handle the whole bar. Inventory Bar managers must continue to keep a close watch on inventory. The Ideal Strategy for Writing a Resume for Bar Management Therefore locating a person who knows the way to write properly can be a huge help. In addition, there are a few helpful methods to help you craft a successful resume. Please call us if you will need help at 321.704.7209. Email me if you need assistance or wish to go over. The Importance of Writing a Resume for Bar Management To learn more on what it requires to be a Bar Manager, take a look at our complete Bar Manager Job Description. Your manager resume clearly needs to concentrate on your precise experience and should not be overly generic. Assistant managers help manage staff and make sure customers are happy with their dining experience. Your new position for a restaurant manager will undoubtedly ask that you execute a range of technical and administrative tasks. A Microsoft Word document may seem funny, based on the monitor. Though your letter doesnt need to be very long, it ought to be densely packed with good info about your work history and why youre qualified and would succeed if hired. Writing a cowl letter can be among the most traumatic facets of task seek.

Meet My Heroes

Meet My HeroesMeet My HeroesA few months ago, Readers, I asked you to send in pictures of yourselves to remind Ladders.com team that its all about you the heroes of this economy.This week Id like to introduce you to a few of Ladders.coms everyday heroes your fellow subscribers who have found great new jobs here on the site. After all, folks like Sandy, Susan, Chris, Kurtis, Michael and Jim and you are the reason were here.Ex-Military Fire Chief Returns to War ZoneSandy Sanders is a hero by any measure. After 20 years in the Air Force, the belastung 10 as a fire chief, and several more as a civilian fire chief, he welches looking for a job that would use his skills managing a big fire department or multiple operations. Working through OpsLadder, Sanders landed a position as fire chief for construction- and engineering-services giant KBR. After he finishes a training program in Houston this June, he will be in charge of fire stations in 44 locations in Asia and the Middle East. His job is to make sure all these locations, many of them in war zones, are running smoothly.Read moreAfter a Break, a New Door Opens in Real EstateUpLadder member Susan LoGiudice used the time after getting laid off from her real-estate management job to explore work toward her MBA, roles as a TV extra and a trip to Europe. When she returned from that trip, LoGiudice had not one, but two job interviews waiting for her. She is now working as director of leasing for Vantage properties of New York, one of the citys leading investors in residential and retail properties. If you are laid off, you should definitely post your resume, maximize your use of recruiters and tell everyone you meet that you are looking for a job, LoGuidice said. You do have to put yourself out there. But look at it as an opportunity to do something youve always wanted to do but couldnt because you were stuck at work.Read moreTuning Up a Career in Music MakingChris Anderson loves to make music, and the MktgLadder mem bers new job brings his profession and passion together. After he was laid off as national director of shopper marketing for Pepsi Co., Anderson used Ladders to score his dream job, global product manager for Gibson Guitars in Nashville, Tenn. This is an opportunity to get paid for something I love, and Im so glad I had the patience to really think my priorities through before I got into the search, Anderson told Ladders.com. I had the patience to wait and make sure I was getting the right job for me, not just taking the first thing that comes along.Read moreAfter 35 Years, a Change of GearsKurtis Tatum had been working as a consultant at Unisys for the past 35 years and enjoyed his work. Hed done many different jobs there, and for the past five years had been traveling worldwide optimizing data centers. But last June, he decided that he needed to start thinking about looking for another job. He said he needed to be proactive, rather than react to the market. Through TechnologyLadde r, he landed a job as practice lead for Siemens IT Solutions and Services. They have money to invest and innovate, Tatum said. The job is doing very similar work to what I am doing now. And they were looking to bring in senior people to help them grow. They liked the experience and skills I could bring to their team.Read moreRegional Sales Manager Finds Higher Pay in Medical SalesSome days, in sales you can feel like you are on top of the world. Other days, you feel like you have been stepped on and trampled on. But I have done the cubical job and I have done the hard-labor job and I have done the sales job, and even at my worst day in sales, I will take that any day over any of the other industries, said SalesLadder member Michael Meyer of his position as regional sales manager for Sleep Solutions Inc, a privately held diagnostic service dienst focused on products for patients suffering sleep disorders. There is no doubt that this is where I see myself. And every day, I love it.Rea d moreHired From Army Reservist to Veterans HRJim Deimer faced a real challenge at the end of his active duty. A former human-resources professional in the financial sector, the Army reservist was coming up on the end of a long activation in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as a personnel officer. So, as he prepared to come off active duty, Deimer turned to Ladders to help him network. I found The Ladders to be a good resource not just for the $100K jobs. It gets your name in front of people. Deimer is now a human-resources manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping other military veterans bridge the gap.Read moreOK, Readers, I hope you enjoyed these six stories of success in the trenches. Now lets write yours

Working Mom Career Tips

Working Mom Career TipsWorking Mom Career TipsField trips. Daycare germs. Babysitting backfires. Morning meltdowns. Pediatrician appointments. Class parties. These are just a few of the extra demands that the working mom has to juggle along with job responsibilities. And while we want to be a patient, present mother for our little ones, we want to be an indispensable employee, too.More employers are starting to get it Nearly half of human resources managers surveyed by OfficeTeam said their organization had made policy changes in recent years to better accommodate working parents. But however family friendly the company, a woman raising children and working toward an administrative professional career will often be stressed by the constant push and pull of competing demands.OfficeTeam is here to help with tips on how to juggle career and family, impress the boss, and maintain a peaceful kingdom at home and at work. Here are five common challenges the working mother faces and how to d eal with them in a professional manner.Youre running late for a meeting due to a morning hiccupBeing a working mom requires excellent time management skills, including the ability to cope with the unexpected. If a tantrum, sick kid or forgotten permission slip causes you to run late for a meeting, here are some suggestionsCall ahead and let the organizer or attendees know youre running late. Provide an estimate of when you expect to be in the office.Offer a sincere apology, especially if its a one-on-one meeting. But keep it brief. Youre not the only mother (or father) whos been in this situation.Email any information or documents you were responsible for bringing so others dont have to wait for you to arrive to get started.If possible, dial in to the meeting so you can join from the road.If youre running more than a few minutes late, or youre a key presenter, propose a time to reschedule the meeting.When you do arrive, take a minute before stepping in to compose yourself, drop your coat and bag off at your desk, and silence your phone.Slip in without interrupting the meeting or calling attention to yourself.Make yourself available for questions after the meeting and let your colleagues know youre happy to follow up with them individually for updates as necessary.If the meeting had to be postponed, arrive early for the rescheduled appointment.You need a day off to be with your kidWhether your daughter develops a fever, and youve got no one to care for her while youre at work, or you want to request a vacation day to coincide with a school holiday, field trip or class party, a working mother is very familiar with the need to take scattered days off. Consider behauptung options when you need to be out of the office, but the job still needs to get doneMake your time off requests as much in advance notice as possible so you - and your manager - can plan ahead.Team up with another mom or dad in your department and make a pact to pick up the slack for each other i n a pinch. Share your calendars with each other and schedule a regular touch-base to go over any important items that might need to be covered if parenting duty calls. Be sure your manager is informed about your plan.If your company offers remote work options, utilize them. You may be able to do some work while your kid naps or plays during the day, or you could catch up on email in the evening. Check that you have the necessary technology and tools at home to allow for this before you find yourself suddenly needing to telecommute.Also talk to your boss about flexible work hours. If your baby is sick, you may be able to work in the morning, then return home to relieve your spouse in the afternoon. Although not a full day, such an arrangement could allow you to be in the office for key meetings or deadlines.At the start of the school year, network with a few other parents, and agree to take turns caring for one anothers children on school holidays. Establish a schedule and get cleara nce from your manager for needed day offs.Read about the best work-life balance benefits and get tips for juggling your personal and professional obligations.Youre called to pick up your kid from daycare or schoolWeve all had those periods in parenting where a week doesnt go by without getting a call to pick up a sick child, particularly during the daycare and preschool years. Heres our advice for minimizing the impact on your jobFocus on critical work first thing in the morning, before the calls from school or daycare are likely to arrive. Work on longer-term or lower priority projects in the afternoon.While its admittedly difficult to identify someone who is willing to watch a sick kid (especially if the person has healthy children at home), make it a point to find a back-up babysitter. A relative or close friend who is retired or doesnt work outside the home could be a good option. The goal is to have someone you can call in an emergency when you absolutely have to get that repor t filed by 5 p.m.Review your work schedule with your spouse Sunday night and discuss days and times its critical for you to be at the job - and vice versa. Its a proactive way to avoid scrambling to determine which working parent is going to respond to the call if it comes.Let your boss know if your child has a chronic health condition, or a nasty cold is making its way through your daycare facility. Together, you two can discuss priorities and ways of keeping up with your work.If you have a child with a chronic illness, you may be able to apply for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Consult your human resources department about your eligibility or about other leave of absence options.Learn how to craft an effective out-of-office message if you need to be away from work for an extended period of time.Youre exhausted from being up all night with a sick babyIf youre a sleep-deprived working mother whos been up all night caring for a sick baby, try these tactics to keep you r energy high throughout the workdayIts OK to reach for the caffeine, but remember to start the day with a good breakfast. A healthy balance of carbs and protein will give you instant energy and help you sustain it.If your workday allows it, think about taking a 15- or 30-minute power nap.Try to tackle your most pressing work first-thing in the morning before your energy starts to wane in the afternoon.Drink lots of water and take short breaks from your workstation to stretch and rest your eyes. Getting your blood flowing, and stepping out for a little sun and fresh air will help you shake off the brain fog.Keep a stash of healthy snacks at the office for days like these when you dont have the energy to pack them in the morning.Resolve to work hard and make the most of the hours in the office so you can leave on time and go to bed early.Check out this list of healthy snacks to increase your stamina at work.Youre distracted by family obligationsYoure thinking about the call from your childs teacher discussing your daughters difficulty acclimating to kindergarten. Your sons winter recital is scheduled for the middle of the school day. Your spouse needs to vent about a rough morning with the kids. These struggles can eat away at your productivity. Here are some tips for a working mom dealing with common interruptions or unavoidable gaps in the workdayIf you need to leave early to make it to your daughters soccer game or take a couple hours in the middle of the day for your childs dentist appointment, check in with your boss first. Let him or her know when youll be gone and how youll make up the time.Try to catch up on work in the evening or come into the office on the weekend if you cant use paid time off to cover your hours away from the job. Just be sure to communicate with your manager so the two of you can come up with the right solution.Schedule appointments as far in advance as possible and put them on your work calendar so you can plan ahead and adjust you r workflow accordingly.If you cant make it to every school program or class party, ask a fellow parent to snap a few photos of your kid and email them to you. Then, offer to return the favor. Or commit to chaperoning a field trip with each of your children once a year. This can help you stay involved at school without sacrificing all your time off.Hopefully, you work in an environment where your boss and coworkers are sympathetic to your unique challenges as a working mother. You can minimize the impact on your workflow and colleagues if you plan ahead, anticipate how youll respond to spur of the moment issues, and build a support network at work and home.Read How Ive Changed Since Becoming a Working Parent for more great balancing tips for the working mom and dad.More work-life balance tips4 Work-Life Balance Tips for the Real WorldOffice Humor Redefining Work-Life Balance

How to Choose the Right Health Insurance

How to Choose the Right Health InsuranceHow to Choose the Right Health InsuranceChoosing a health insurance policy that covers everything you need can be difficult. The changes with the Affordable Care Act have changed the process too. It is important to make sure that your plan meets those requirements.Your employer may offer numerous insurance plans, and all of these should meetthe Affordable Care Act requirements. It is important to carefully consider your options before determining which plan to use. There are several factors that can change the outcome of your decision. It is important to find a plan that works well for you. Consider the Coverage Limits and Options The first thing to consider is how much each plan will pay to cover your expenses. A good plan will have no lifetime benefit maximum. If something such as cancer were to happen to you, you would be surprised at how quickly you will reach that limit. If you do bedrngnis have the option of the no lifetime benefit m aximum, you should choose the highest available maximum and the annual maximum you can afford. Look at Your Out-of-Pocket Expenses You should look at how much your deductibleis each year, as well. It is the amount that you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance will start paying for part of the cost. Some insurance plans have you pay the deductible before they will cover office visits. Other insurance plans require a co-payment for office visits and do leid count that amount towards the deductible. You need to look at how much your co-payments and co-insuranceare. Your co-payment is the upfront cost you pay to go to a doctor, a specialist or the emergency room. Your coinsurance is the amount of each bill you are responsible for after the insurance pays its part. The most common coinsurance amount is 80/20. The insurance will pay eighty percent of the costs, and you will pay twenty percent of the costs. Next, consider the out-of-pocket maximums that each plan has listed. Once you reach this limit, your insurance will cover everything else (except for co-payments). If you have a high deductible health insurance plan, your maximum out-of-pocket costs should be the same as your deductible. There are hybrid plans with a high deductible that continue to require co-payments after you meet the deductible. These accounts will not qualify for health savings accounts. Consider your deductible, co-payments, and co-insuranceLook at the limits on coverageCompare out-of-pocket maximum Total Your Maximum Costs Finally, add up how much you will end up paying from each plan if the worse thing were to happen to you. Be sure to add in the cost of insurance to yourself for each plan. If you have poor health, you will want to choose the plan that will cost you the least amount out of pocket for the entire year. If you are in relatively good health, you may choose to go with the plan with the lowest premiums or you may decide to go with the middle option. The best p olicy may not be the least expensive policy depending on your situationLook for ways that you can save once you have your health insuranceDo not forget to include plans offered by your employer in your search. Dont Write Off High Deductible Insurance Options Many employers are beginning to offer high deductible insurance. This insurance has a lower premium, but you are responsible to pay for everything until you meet your deductible. The deductible is anywhere from $1000.00 to $5000.00 per family per year. If this is the case, you should set aside enough money to cover the deductible each year. Try to avoid using a health sharewhich sounds like health insurance, but it works differently and may not give you the same amount of coverage. You should also avoid hybrid plans that have a high deductible before coverage starts but then as you continue to pay co-insurance and co-payments. It can end up costing you more than either of the other options. Make the Most of Your Health I nsurance Once you have found a good plan, it is important to make the most of your policy. Read the benefits booklet. Make sure that you understand the different rates that are charged for different services. For example, an x-ray may be covered at an urgent care as part of the visit, but may not be covered fully if your doctor orders one and you have to visit a separate lab to get the x-ray. Call your insurance company and verify coverage before any medical procedures. Visit your doctor and try to limit urgent care and emergency room visits. It is also important to carefully review the medical bills that you receive and dispute any mistakes that are made. The process can take time, but it is important to make sure you are not paying more than you are required to since medical bills can add up quickly.