How to Negotiate Better Work Hours

How to Negotiate Better Work HoursHow to Negotiate Better Work HoursHow to Negotiate Better Work HoursHigh gas prices, family responsibilities, nightmare commute. Whatever the reason, many people are longing for mora convenient work hours. And most employers will at least try to be flexible in hopes of retaining good, happy workers. So before you accept a job offer or even after youve settled in with a company, you can try to negotiate a change in work hours. The trick is to emphasize how your employer will benefit from the change, not how your life will be better.For instance, when I started my first full-time, professional job, I welches commuting 30 minutes each way. That was a walk in the park for me. Then I decided to up and move to a neighboring state, increasing my commute by an extra 30+ minutes each way. Add traffic and construction and I was looking at an hour-and-a-half commute each way.That company also adhered to strict work hours, so when traffic began delaying my morni ng arrival, I expressed my concerns about tardiness and managed to shift my 830 to 530 work hours to 730 to 430, in hopes of avoiding rush hour problems. My boss was happy to oblige.NEGOTIATION MOTIVATIONThe key to successfully negotiating a change in work hours, I discovered, was to provide my boss with a list of ways the time shift would be good (or at least not bad) for the companys bottom line.Here are the three main reasons why you would seek more convenient work hours, and how you can pitch any one of them to your bossGas PricesThis is a reason almost any employer can understand today. Your goal here is to eliminate a days commute, which will automatically cut your gas bill by one-fifth.Scheduling OptionsWork four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour daysTelecommute one or more days a weekAlso, part of the reason employers agree to these gas-saving perks is to keep their best and brightest workers from seeking positions closer to home (claims Challenger, Gray Christmas, Inc.). Nightmare CommuteIn my case, I was more concerned about arriving at work on time and decreasing traffic stress than I was about gas prices (this was over a year ago, when gas prices were only $3-something a gallon). The goal for this motivator is to eliminate the need to fight rush-hour traffic.Scheduling OptionsStarting earlier and finishing earlierStarting later and finishing laterFamily ResponsibilitiesFor some people its young children. For others, its aging parents. For many, its both. The time and money commitments of family care leave many workers stressed. If this is your primary motivator, your goal is to have more time to spend with family, and perhaps cut down on their paid care, as well.Scheduling OptionsWork late some days so you can leave early other daysCut back to part-time hours (if you can handle the financial loss)Compress your work week (four 10-hour days)Telecommute at least some of the time (e.g., the first few hours eachmorning)And here are some ideas for pitc hing these ideas to your boss so that the business benefits outshine your personal motives. Offer a detailed work schedule to track your commitments Identify what projects could benefit from a compressed work week Stress your availability by phone, chat, or email at home Emphasize that you will maintainproductivity andkeep distractions to a minimumBut keep in mind that working from home is not a substitute for child care. You still need to do your job and do it well (or youll be back to regular office hours in no time).INITIATE A TRIAL PERIODWhatever motive you have or approach you take, offer a trial period with your pitch. Try out the new schedule for about a month and meet with your boss afterward to see if its working out well - for both sides. As long as your boss has the freedom to reinstate normal hours if the alternative isnt working out, he or she should be more inclined to grant your wishes.I cant promise itll work on an uptight, micro-managing boss though. Youre on your o wn there.

Tips for Discussing Your Job Search with Friends

Tips for Discussing Your Job Search with FriendsTips for Discussing Your Job Search with Friends1Maintaining a good support system can be vital to keeping your spirits up when tackling the job market. But while you want to share this important chapter of your life with friends- and good ones like to stay posted on developments- watch out for potential pitfalls.Here are several factors to consider when discussing your job search with friendsThink before you speak.Letting everyone possible know that youre searching for a position oftentimes opens up unexpected doors. Your book club buddys brother might be in your industry, or your running partner may have read in the newspaper about a new neighborhood business thats hiring.Be cautious, though, about job hunt talk around your work friends. While you may assume theyll stay tight-lipped, even secret topics have a way of making the rounds- and coming to the bosss attention. Even if management doesnt get wind that you have one foot out the door, the office can become uncomfortable if colleagues become distant or jealous, dismiss your input because youll be gone soon, or jockey for your position or office.Watch out for overuse.Whether you need someone to play the role of hiring manager for a mock interview or would love an introduction to your BFFs college roommate who works at a company you admire, asking for assistance is common when seeking a job. Luckily, friends generally are delighted to help out.Problems can arise, however, when requests become too numerous or arent appreciated. Nobody wants to feel used for their connections or their ability to spot grammatical errors on a resume.A heart-felt thank you goes a long way. Treat someone who has gone above and beyond to coffee or your stellar homemade brownies. And make the phrase let me know what I can do to return the favor a staple.Avoid monopolizing conversation when discussing your job search.Caring friends understand that you have a great deal on your mind. Th eyll allow you to vent, worry, provide regular updates, and dissect every interview- to a point. If you notice that others are taking longer than modell to return your calls or they begin fidgeting when you bring up your latest cover letter revision, it might be time to rein things in a bit.Luckily, remedying is simple. Ask about whats going on in your friends life. Actively bring up subjects besides the job hunt. Pick a fun activity that you can enjoy together the break may be just what you need to return to your search refreshed.Stay away from Negative Nelly.Finally, got an opinionated friend who questions your every move or always sees the glass as half empty? Consider limiting your job search talk around her or waiting to get together until after you have good news to share. Stick with companions who boost your confidence and morale during this stressful timeKnow someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

How to cover for a work colleague the right way

How to cover for a work colleague the right wayHow to cover for a work colleague the right wayWhen your colleague asks if you can cover for them while they are out of the office, think carefully before saying yes. In a recent OnePollsurvey of 2,000 Americans for Nugg, more than half of participants said that covering for a coworker was a significantly stressful event.Why do we do it at all then? Sometimes, out of the goodness of our hearts, but more likely, because we see the favor as transactional. We hope that the favor will be returned one day when we find ourselves scrambling for coverage. Covering for someones work does not need to be a nightmare, though. There is a happy medium that can be achieved once you recognize that coverage does not mean doing two peoples full jobs at maximum productivity. Heres how to take on someone elses workload without losing your mindKnow your limitsForty percent of the survey respondents admitted that when they covered for a colleague, they phoned in their work and did not care if the job was done well. Poorly done work reflects poorly on you, and looks bad for the team. If you know the work is going to be done badly, you should be respectful of your colleague and ask them to pick someone else. But if you think you can handle the extra work, do it while accepting the reality of your situation. You are one employee with human limitations. Acknowledging that it is okay to not get deadlines done at the same level as two people working on it can is part of what will make the experience less stressful for you.Get clarity from your colleague about expectationsIs your colleagues away message directing clients your way? Do you know where important documents needed for projects are located? You need to know what your colleague is telling other people by asking them about what responsibilities they want you to take on. How do they produce and organize work? Your workflow may look entirely different than your coworkers.Before the colle ague becomes unreachable out of the office, sit down with them and have a frank conversation about priorities. Your colleagues are usually not monsters who want to ruin your day. They know that you are doing them a favor. mora than half - 56 percent of respondents - said they felt guilty that workloads had to fall on a coworker when they were out of office. In other words, your colleague is likely to be on your side about making the transition smooth and less cumbersome for you.PrioritizeWhen you are covering for a colleague, you are in survival mode. You do not want to be in the office too late every night. You need to be practical about what you will be able to accomplish in a day. To avoid resentment and burnout, talk to your colleague about the critical tasks that must get done while they are gone.Ask a Managers Alison Green advisesemployees to figure out what must get done over what would be nice if it got done Find out what the top things thatmustbe kept moving while theyre away are, such as responding to urgent queries from clients or finishing a report.Also, make sure that they leave behind important contact info, walk you through any processes that youre not familiar with, and fill you in on the context for things that you might need to deal with while theyre away.Dont be afraid to ask for more helpIf the temporary absence turns into an unexpectedly long one, you may need to call in reinforcements. You do not want to burn yourself out doing two jobs at once indefinitely.If you feel overwhelmed, talk to your higher-ups about getting help. As time management coach Elizabeth Grace Saunders advises, See if a boss can cover a few responsibilities, if a coworker can take notes for you at meetings so that you dont need to attend, if direct reports can take on more of the day-to-day tasks, or if you can get some contract or temp help.Sit down with your boss if you notice your work is suffering. Ask another colleague if they can take on some of the higher pr iorities too. Covering for a colleague means letting other people know about your increased workload so that they know when your limit is being reached.

Actuary and Actuarial Science Careers

Actuary and Actuarial Science CareersActuary and Actuarial Science CareersAn actuary is a highly trained statistician with expertise in evaluating various types of risks. Roughly 60% of actuaries are employed by insurance companies, and play a key role in setting the terms and conditions of insurance policies, including premium rates. An actuary also has career opportunities in pension fund management, forecasting future payouts and determining current contributions and investment policies in light of them. Additionally, actuaries (either in-house or consultants) help companies in all industries entwurf and implement policies and procedures to mitigate risks in various aspects of their operations. Find Job Openings Use this tool to search for current job openings in this field. Education An actuary is expected to have at least a bachelors degree. There is prescribed coursework in statistics or actuarial science (a branch of applied statistics), plus business, finance, and eco nomics. A high degree of computer literacy is increasingly important, especially with regards to software packages commonly used for database and statistical analysis. An MBA can be a useful credential, depending on the firm. Certification The Society of Actuaries (SOA) certifies actuaries in life insurance, retirement plans, and investments. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) certifies actuaries in property, casualty and liability insurance. Reaching the highest level of certification is a lengthy process, requiring coursework and the passing of nine separate exams normally over the course of six to nine years. Three of the first four exams are common to both the SOA and the CAS tracks, allowing the prospective actuary some time to decide on his or her specialty. Duties and Responsibilities The job of actuary involves detailed analysis of data to quantify risks. It also requires expertise with advanced modeling techniques to forecast future probabilities of various outcom es, such as losses or claims and their expected magnitudes. While technical expertise and quantitative skills are a must, advancement is dependent, to a great degree, on the ability to communicate effectively with managers who lack this background. Do not confuse an actuary with an insurance underwriter, who evaluates applications for insurance, and makes decisions on whether to accept or reject them. An actuary works at a more macro level, setting the high-level parameters that guide insurance underwriters. Typical Schedule The typical actuary works close to a standard 40 hour week, normally from a fixed office location. A consulting actuary tends to have significant travel, and thus may work considerably longer hours. Whats to Like An actuary is a highly respected professional who is an important influencer of company policy, if not a final decision maker. It is a well-compensated field that has a vital, visible impact. Whats notlage to Like For those with ambitions to rise in general management, the opportunities may be limited in some companies, which might view an actuary as a narrow specialist. Also, depending on the company and the position, the work of an actuary may become somewhat repetitive and lacking in variety. Salary Range Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual compensation was $93,680 as of May 2012, with 90% earning between $55,780 and $175,330.

Certifications on Resume Explained

Certifications on Resume Explained The Debate Over Certifications on Resume Before you purchase a share or shares from a business, make sure you are sure that the business is doing well in its profitability, and you need to secure your purchase by means of a share certificate. With the growth of rechnerwolke computing and virtualization, there is currently a huge demand for IT professionals that are skilled in virtualization. Even if the aforementioned certifications dont appear to apply to your precise position, companies will typically appreciate that youve gone out of your way to learn new abilities and expand your platzdeckchen of abilities. A certification from this course can maximize your odds of getting hired by means of a startup or other business due to how it offers quick and efficient training on the most popular advertising and marketing strategies, including conversion analysis, SEO, blogging, and other means of building a business deliver success. What the In- Crowd Wont Tell You About Certifications on Resume A certification proves that you possess the abilities and know-how to do a particular endeavor and your knowledge was proven with an exam or practical test. It indicates you have a diversity of experience. If youre able to list several of these category-level abilities, they may be utilized on the resume in a different section. Read more on the topic of achievement-oriented language here. Certifications are indications that you have certain knowledge and techniques that were verified by means of an authority on the topic or region of expertise. ITIL certifications are broken up into modules, so an IT professional is absolutely free to pick from the different modules that focus on various regions of the IT tafelgeschirr management life cycle. Credible certifications could be the something that separates you from the selection of different candidates, so in the event you dont have any certifications yet, time to find some, and s hould you do, do everything that you can to describe them in your resume and get you noticed Some can have additional secondary certifications which are not really pertinent to the position. Choosing Good Certifications on Resume Third, show the way your trucking skills can provide help. Make your basic resume which you are able to edit whenever you want. For instance, a food service certification wouldnt be necessary to landing a job for a mechanic. Including certifications on a resume is a superb means to catch the interest of a hiring manager. Relevant certifications from dependable sources are some of the the very best tactics to boost the credibility of your resume and maximize your odds of landing the job. That way its going to be noticed by the employer. Simply take a peek at job listings to find out what employers are seeking. The employer is going to have the impression of you as someone who seeks to maximize their degree of skill and follows new trends within the f ield of activity. If you would like to discover a brand-new job, the internet is an incredible reference. Themes are available on the net and theyre freely downloadable. When you learn to utilize LinkedIn properly, you will not ever leave. Our resume builder provides you with tips and examples on how best to compose your resume summary. Its quite helpful in making your professional profile. The Ultimate Approach for Certifications on Resume The very first region of your resume affected by means of a certification may be your name. All you need to do is make certain the certification program is not just a class and that its coming from the appropriate authority. In that situation, you are going to want to set your certifications at the peak of your resume near your name. Lets say that your latest certification isnt impressive. Yes, its more complicated than the question of the way to list certifications on a resume. Do this only in the event that youve got a couple of cert ifications to list, if youve got over two certifications consider listing them in another section on your resume. A few of these certifications are incredibly rigorous and, although likely worth it in the future, will place a strain on your time. Even in the event you dont mean to work in IT, these are well-known certifications that are rather simple to get and additionally quite well-known.

The Fundamentals of The First Step in Finding a Job Is Writing a Well-organized Rsum. Revealed

The Fundamentals of The First Step in Finding a Job Is Writing a Well-organized Rsum. Revealed What Does the First Step in Finding a Job Is Writing a Well-organized Rsum. Mean? Youre busy, with a finite period of time to look for jobs. There are a few things that dont belong on a resume for work. If you would like to receive a nice job, you require a good resume. The Fundamentals of the First Step in Finding a Job Is Writing a Well-organized Rsum. Revealed Find more information about the differences between a resume and a cover letter to make sure that you get started writing your cover letter with the right strategy. The increasing number of essay writing services is totally overwhelming. Instead, write an intriguing essay, write an essay you believe is fascinating. Explain that youre asking for work and want to handle your cover letter to the right individual. The First Step in Finding a Job Is Writing a Well-organized Rsum. and the First Step in Finding a Job Is Writin g a Well-organized Rsum. - The Perfect Combination There youve got it the perfect mindset for freelance-writing success. The very first step is to locate a vacancy thats appropriate for your background and your knowledge. The simple truth is, education is an opportunity many members of the world dont have accessibility to. Superior news is, you may have a shining online professional persona in a couple of easy steps The Number One Question You Must Ask for the First Step in Finding a Job Is Writing a Well-organized Rsum. When writers instruct their readers, they give a collection of steps to accomplish a particular job. When writing a resume, the greatest aim is to find the job. If youre studying-studying-studying the concept of freelance writing, but you arent writing anythingstop kidding yourself. Writing is important to everything we do. What Everybody Dislikes About the First Step in Finding a Job Is Writing a Well-organized Rsum. and Why Well it is all dependent on w hether the job posting instructions specify a specific format. Reread the work description to determine if its listed there or check the business site. Even in case you craft the ideal emaille to send a resume, its still true that you require a killer cover letter. Your resume email needs to be short and sweet. Since you might not have lots of experience, its important to include information thats pertinent to your intended job like coursework, projects, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work. Before going into an interview, write down a list of all you should know to be able to make a determination about work. When youre asking for a job which has been posted by a business thats hiring, you will use the application letter style. Nevertheless, when you havent searched for work in the past few years, you can encounter some surprises. the First Step in Finding a Job Is Writing a Well-organized Rsum. Fundamentals Explained Wikipedia isnt merely one of the top five webs ites in the Earth, it is sometimes a good tool for research. Position yourself now so that youll be in the proper place later. Tracking your progress will be able to help you avoid applying to duplicate jobs.