How to Work from home

How to Work from home by Michael Cheary Working from home: you either love it or loathe it.For some of us, the idea of working remotely within the comfort of our own home is the perfect embodiment of a work/life balance. However, if you find it difficult to focus and get things done outside of the office (insert ‘easily-distracted’ here), working from home can be easier said than done.To help you maintain your productivity while you’re working from home, here are some of our top tips:Work on your workspaceFirst things first: if you’re going to be as productive as you are in the office, you need to think like you’re in the office. And that means making sure you have the right tools to do the job.Avoid sitting sedentary on the sofa if possible, and if you have a desk, make sure you use it. Stock up on office supplies before you start to avoid any time wasted wondering where to put your waste paper. It sounds like simple stuff, but creating a slightly more formal setting will help you keep in the office-mindset.And if you’re thinking you can probably get a lot done lying in bed all day, think again. The temptation to nap is far too strong…Plan your timeOnce you know where you’re working, plan your day accordingly.Write a to-do list of the tasks you need to complete before the close of play and attach set times to your activities wherever possible. That way you can build a realistic picture of everything you want to achieve during the day.Not only will it help maintain your focus, imposing deadlines on yourself is also a handy way to try and keep distractions to a minimum.Turn off the televisionOK, so you work better with a little background noise, and you’re excellent at multitasking. The television shouldn’t be a problem, should it?The truth is, whether you’re tuning into to your favourite show or not, even the best of us can get drawn in by some classic daytime televisual delights. All it takes is a catchy theme tune or a nice bit of nostalgia, and your attention could be lost for afternoons on end. So, to avoid temptation, turn it off.The same goes for social media or news sites. Ask yourself: would I be doing this at work? If the answer’s no, it should probably be the same whilst working from home.Take breaksAll work and no play is not a good strategy. Distractions are one thing, but avoiding a little time off to break up the day is quite another.Make sure you take regular breaks, or a regular lunch break at the very least (going al-desko in your dining room does not count).Even something as simple as going for a walk or sitting outside in the sun can help recharge your batteries and avoid burning yourself out.Work set office hoursWorking from home is not the same as flexitime. To put it simply, you’re at work. So work your regular hours.It can be all too tempting to start a little later, or finish whenever you choose, but it’s a temptation you should avoid at all costs.And let’s face it, you’ve managed to circumvent yo ur commute (no, five second commutes don’t count). The least you can do is work your contracted hours.Keep connectedFinally, one of the most important arguments against working remotely is the lack of collaboration and communication between colleagues. To combat this, make sure you’re connected at all times.Whether it’s a quick call to the office to check in, instant messaging information about the latest product iterations or simply responding to your co-workers emails in a timely fashion, keeping in touch should never be underestimated.And, if you’ve made a to-do list, send it to your boss to keep him in the loop. At the very least, it shows that you’re actually attempting to work.Honourable mentions: Plan childcare or activities to keep the kids busy, turn off your personal profiles and telephones, get dressed, bathe.Final thoughtsWhether you work from home full-time, or on more of an infrequent basis, the key to keeping your output productive is to keep focused at all times.Maintain the same mindset as you would in your workplace. If you see working remotely as a day to slack off, you’re already starting on the wrong foot.And if you’re still struggling, try this tip: imagine your boss was in your house. If he or she wouldn’t be happy with how you were spending your day, it may be time to mend your ways.!Still searching for your perfect position? Have a look at all of our current vacancies nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. COVID-19 and work Features Getting Started Self-employment Work from home jobs

Writing Professional Resume - The Process

Writing Professional Resume - The ProcessYou've decided to apply for a job at a professional resume writing service in New York City. The company you've chosen has designed an amazing resume that showcases your abilities and experience, and they also offer you a free consultation with a consultant to discuss the benefits of working with them. You have your heart set on a job in this field, but you still have no idea how to write one.While many other writers who are offered the same job at this particular writing service may already be well-versed in the art of professional resume writing, you're not. There's no way to help you make your first professional resume. The consultant can provide valuable insight into the process, but you'll have to develop the skills yourself. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.Before you contact a professional resume writing service in New York City, you should compile a list of important accomplishments and skills you have to offer. These shou ld include everything from salesmanship skills to experience as a programmer. If you don't know these types of skills, ask around or go online and research what you know to be true. If you feel unsure about something you may want to consider asking your friends and colleagues. You can also ask other professionals who work in this field.Once you have this list of accomplishments and skills, you can start to consider which areas of the resume you would like to highlight. Always put emphasis on key accomplishments that you feel are the most important, because you'll be presenting your resume to the hiring manager. Do not include all of your achievements, however, since some companies have more stringent standards when hiring employees.Now that you have an idea of the type of professional resume you would like to use, you will want to ask questions about it to the consultant. For example, if you have ever worked with computers, he or she will ask you to describe in detail how you handle d each of the important tasks involved in creating your resume. You can expect your question to be answered with specificity.You may also be asked to present your skills in writing a more generalized term such as 'communication.' When you answer this question, you will be forced to define exactly what you mean. Your consultant will most likely give you a specific example of how you might have used your writing skills in communication. After a few minutes of this type of questioning, your consultant should ask you to complete another form on the computer. This is the critical part of the interview process, since you will be asked to provide a full resume and any necessary references.As you move through the process of interviewing, you may be asked to write your professional resume according to a template. A template can be created for you, so there's no need to worry about learning the actual language of the job you're applying for. You will be given a time limit in which to complete the writing and you may be asked to choose which pages you would like to highlight. You may be asked to select a color scheme and then a basic layout to follow.Finally, after reviewing your professional resume and getting feedback, you will be given a grade. The more information you provide on your resume, the higher the grade. Remember that the experience of the consultant is what makes you a professional resume writer, so you can rest assured you're not wasting their time.

Selfish Versus Otherish

Selfish Versus Otherish (This is one of a series of posts on Give and Take by Adam Grant.) In a previous post, I described what Adam Grant’s research found: that the human race is made of or Takers, Givers, and Matchers. Matchers represent the middle ground and comprise about 60 percent of the population.   They tend to look for an equal balance of give and take, especially in the workplace. Grant writes about a Canadian study of people who had received the “Caring Canadians” Award for lives of service and giving to others. It might be easy to assume that self- interest and interest in others’ well-being would be at opposite ends of a spectrum, but that turned out not to be true. In-depth interviews with the awardees uncovered high interest in helping others (“I care deeply about helping children escape poverty”, for example.) But the awardees also scored high in self-interest as well, wanting to achieve personal success and influence. They did well, and used their power, wealth and influence to do good. Grant calls this mindset “otherish”   the opposite of “selfish.” Grant writes: “Selfless giving, in the absence of self-preservation instincts easily becomes overwhelming. Being otherish means being willing to give more than you receive, but still keeping your own best interests in sight.” This differs from matching in that otherish people don’t expect a match from every giving action; they still give with no expectation of return.   They also know when to say no. Selfless givers eventually burn out. They care more about others than they do their own wellbeing, and they often take on more than they can deliver. These are the givers most likely to fall prey to Takers, who see them as easy targets. Learning to say no â€" not just to Takers, but also to good causes that they just can’t take on  is essential to their health and their ability to give over the long run. The chart below shows the relationship to concern for self, balanced with concern for others. Apathetic people care neither about themselves or others; selfish people care about themselves and seldom about others. Healthy otherish people know how to manage their giving, taking and taking care of themselves. Where do you fit on the scale? Grant doesn’t use the term “martyr” in his book, but you may have encountered what appeared to be selfless givers who aren’t really selfless at all. People with martyr syndrome draw loud attention to their “selfless” giving. They use their suffering and inconvenience as a ploy for sympathy and attention. One quick way to spot a martyr as opposed to an overextended giver: when you withdraw your request or offer to help, the overextended giver will probably be grateful and relieved. The work martyr will refuse your help; being miserable is part of what she gets out of the giving. There’s a difference between doing good to do good and doing good to simply look good.

How To Become A BadAss Successful Woman In Business -

How To Become A BadAss Successful Woman In Business - Picture this scenario, you have been sent to a conference to network and make connections, and while you are smiling and making polite conversation on the outside; on the inside, you are comparing yourself to everyone in the room. “Should I have worn this outfit?” “These people are so much smarter than me.” “I am the oldest person here” “I am the youngest person here.” The list of self-doubts can be endless. What happened to your commitment to being a badass career girl? Being a badass is not about being a stereotype of a business woman; callus, pant suit, briefcase and a look that could scare anyone into doing what she tells them to do or always getting what she wants. Being a badass is fearlessly and unapologetically being YOU. Feeling so authentically confident in who you are and what you do that you can be in any room with anyone and relax show up as YOU! Easier said than done, right? OK, it’s uncomfortable and awkward but if we are going to feel like we make a difference, if we are going to move the needle even if we just want to guarantee we get a raise next year we need to think differently of ourselves if we are going to make any radical changes in our careers or our lives. I’m OK with making people uncomfortable, in fact, I turned it into a career. I spent six years as a dominatrix and what it challenged me to do is stand in a place of power. Not ‘power over’ as one might think, but ‘power within’. All the while, it was me who was going through the transformation. How to Define a Badass in Business Badasses lean into every day challenges with an ease and a grace. Gone is the hustle and grind that have become a mantra for so many as they climb the corporate ladder. Badasses also have a clear vision of what they will and will not do and where they are going in their career. have learned to master the self-doubt that can cost hours of lost productivity each week. know how to wield energy instead of force, to get what they want. Ready to apply some steps in becoming a Badass Career Girl? Ditch the Apology Tell me the truth; how many times have you said sorry this week? “Sorry, I am so late getting back to you.” “Sorry, I dropped the ball on this.” “Sorry, I forget your name.” Each and every time you say sorry, you diminish your standing as an expert in the eyes of the listener. If you are saying sorry too often, people will begin to doubt your abilities. Which is likely the thing you are afraid of, and yet you are making it come true with “I’m sorry.” Stop! Start taking that power back right now. For the next week, I want you to start each email with “Thank you.” “Thank you for waiting for me.” “Thank you for your patience.” “Thank you for being so understanding.” Beyond conditioning yourself to stop the sorry you are also releasing a tiny hit of dopamine for the receiver. A small hit of the feel-good hormone, making it harder for them to be mad at you. Chuck it in the F* It Bucket! I love to give out Chinese finger puzzles in workshops to imprint on a kinesthetic level that the more you try to muscle your way through a problem the more stuck you become. The challenge in getting out of it, is that the harder you pull your fingers apart, the tighter the trap becomes. It is only when you relax and let it go that you can slide the contraption off your fingers. Those times you pushed yourself to get something done when you needed to take a break, is like pulling your fingers apart in the puzzle, only getting more and more stuck. When you relax and are willing to let that project fail or to lose that opportunity, then your brain power is freed up to find creative solutions for you. The answers come if we start to listen. To get started with this, next time you have a task that you can’t seem to get right, I invite you to take a deep breath, and imagine throwing it all in the F* It Bucket. Take a brief walk and let go of needing any particular outcome. Breathe and relax for a bit. Leave behind the FOMO We are hardwired to desire and strive for connection, in fact, not too long ago in our human history, community and belonging was vital to our survival. The thing is that this hardwired need has been spilling into areas where it is no longer helpful. We are connected to most of the people on the planet through social media and we still have this primal instinct to connect and take part in every situation. It has been scientifically proven that we are incapable of multitasking, yet we continue to say yes, even when we know we shouldn’t or can’t even ignoring the deeper truth that we may not want this at all. That is the FOMO fear of missing out being that is constantly fired off in your brain. You might even feel anxious or irritated when it’s not satisfied. This is your moment to drop in. Let your current surroundings and what you are doing hold ALL of your attention. It is about giving yourself permission to say ‘No’. A word that is greatly underutilized by women. We pile on projects and tasks to complete, finding ourselves feeling the strain of doing too much. To nudge yourself in the direction of permission to say no, each day look yourself in the mirror and say “I give you permission to say No.” Then take a deep breath and release the internal resistance that comes up with the next request you receive. This pattern takes time to overcome, but eventually, you will find yourself saying ‘No’ with ease and confidence. This guest post was authored by Dana Pharant Combining her 20+ years in the wellness and stress management fields along with her experience of building a 7-figure business, Dana is the leading authority at teaching her audiences health habits, mindset strategies and authentic presence so they can tap into their inner power, be top performers and close more sales. She is an award winning speaker, Amazon Bestselling author of Beyond Fear, her new book Inner Dominatrix Guide: Become a Badass in Business goes on sale on Amazon October 15. www.danapharant.com

How to Add Freelance Writing to Resume

How to Add Freelance Writing to ResumeIf you're an aspiring writer and you want to work as a freelancer but you don't have any experience in this field, then it would be better for you to learn how to add freelance writing to resume. You can be one of the best freelance writers if you know the art of crafting a great resume that can attract more employers. Just follow these tips and you'll surely land a job.Be Careful of Where You Put Your Resume. You should be careful of where you put your resume as many employers might not know what it is and what it can do. You can be totally unaware that many other people are doing the same thing as you, but you should be aware of this. You should also be aware that once you share this information with your employer, they might put you on a specialized team or write you up as a specialist because you had just shared your resume with them.Write Effective Writing Skills. As you're already aware, you should be able to write well. In order to be a pr ofessional freelance writer, you have to be able to write as well as you're expected to make sure that your clients get the best service possible.Be Familiar With the Industry. Be familiar with the various jobs in the industry so that you can focus more on the specific requirements of each job. There are a lot of things that you need to keep in mind like your location, your skills, the particular type of project, etc. By knowing all these, you'll be able to focus on the best writing job for you.Be Familiar With the Company's Requirements. Find out how the company looks at the resume and evaluate how the job is written. Sometimes, the company will need certain information and they won't give it to you, but as long as you know what they are looking for, you'll be able to write a better resume. Of course, when you're adding freelance writing to resume to a position that requires you to put a certain length of time on the job, make sure that you have enough information.Make Sure You Hav e Enough Experience. Most freelancers don't start their writing career just by writing articles for free. They must have at least some experience with different types of jobs. If you don't have enough experience, then you should get some. By getting enough experience, you'll be able to find out if you really have what it takes to be a freelance writer or not.Make Sure That You Have As Much Information As Possible. You should also try to have as much information about your skills as possible, about the company, and about the type of projects that you can handle. When you can, you should also take a look at previous works and try to get those.These are just a few tips on how to add freelance writing to resume. It's not that hard, and you should be able to find out how to add freelance writing to resume even if you're not an experienced writer.

Pooooooooowder - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Pooooooooowder - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog This week Im snowboarding in the alps with my wonderful girlfriend, so I wont be around to blog much. Just to keep things active around here, Ive set up a few blog posts that will run during the week (including a very important announcement on Tuesday), but apart from that, all the action is at the Happy at work link site. There are lots of interesting stories and links on there, and you can add your own and vote for the ones you like. Check out the most recent stories or the highest rated stories. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Targeted Job Search - Whos Hiring in Technology Vol 5 - CareerAlley

Targeted Job Search - Whos Hiring in Technology Vol 5 - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Almost everythingall external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failurethese things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. Steve Jobs Back to basics with one of my more popular topics targeted job search. Specifically, job search leads for specific industries. An the most popular of my popular posts is of course jobs in technology. So at first glance you might wonder why anyone would have to tell a technologist how or where to look for jobs on the Internet. But, you may be good at technology but that does not necessarily mean you know where to look for a job. And, like everything else in life, technology jobs come in all sizes and shapes. There are jobs at actual technology companies or tech jobs at non-tech companies. Todays post focuses on the not in the top ten tech companies because sometimes size or popularity does not matter. Some of the Companies you Know and Love: Google -Lets work together is the tag line for Googles careers page. And, they have a pretty neat careers site (as you would expect). There are all of the stories about the difficult job interview process, but people do get hired. Top left hand side of the page has links to Joining Google and Life at Google (along with office locations). Center page is the job search function (key word, locations and categories). Browse by locations or visit their social media channels. Apple Jobs at Apple Part Career, part revolution the tag line on their careers page. Apple has been on the upswing for some time now, and they are admired on many fronts (with or without Steve and we will miss him). A fairly simple page, which has Start Your Search at the top right hand side or select Retail or Corporate jobs center page. Clicking Search Jobs links to a job search engine (where you still need to select Retail or Corporate). You can register for the site or just search. A generic search returned 2,006 job opportunities in corporate and tons more in retail. Some of the Other Companies you Know: Intel Intel is known for computer chips and their careers page is well put together. The left hand side of the page is filled with relevant links (like Job Search, Intern/Grad Opportunities, Student Center and so much more). The center of the page starts with a brief overview, followed by a quick Jobs Search box (below which are links for advanced search and recent grad/student searches). Bottom center page has a few targeted searches. The right hand side of the page has an enhanced applicant tool with an additional job search link. There were 677 job opportunities when I checked the site. Cisco Systems Cisco is known for network communications and their career site is fairly simple. The left hand side of the page has links for Featured Jobs, Search Jobs, Graduate Intern Career Programs and more. There is also a small video you can play. The right hand side of the page has related links and search career opportunities at Cisco. There were 1,269 job opportunities when I checked the site. Where to Find Technology Jobs: Not sure where you want to work? Check the link below. CareerAlley Technology Job Search Yes, my very own site (powered by SimplyHired), this will link you to a search of technology jobs on my job search site. You can further refine your search by using the companies, titles, location and job types on the left hand side of the page. You can also use the boxes at the top of the page. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook