Making Flexible Working Work for You

Making Flexible Working Work for You Working from home often conjures up the image of people lounging about in their pyjamas, possibly stealing the odd nap here and there (well, you would, wouldnt you?), and best of all working without your manager or colleagues watching your every move. But in reality, flexible or remote working is fast becoming one of the best ways to work and is becoming more and more popular. While there are obvious reasons it suits the employee; reducing travel costs, managing childcare and improve work/life balance, it also favours the employer. Im writing this article from the comfort of my home as, luckily, I need very little equipment to make it work: broadband, a laptop, access to work emails and shared drives and a phone. It means Ive got the flexibility to look after my five-month-old without going brain dead by doing something creative. But it comes as no surprise to know that most media jobs allow working from home because of the nature of the job but there are more careers who are jumping on remote working bandwagon. In fact, HR/recruitment was one of the fastest growing areas for working remotely in 2016. Flexjobs, which carried out the research, has also just released its list of the top 100 companies for flexible working and while IT companies dominate the top spots, there are a number of areas which hadnt made the list before. Brie Reynolds, Senior Career Specialist at FlexJobs, says: While medical and health, computer and IT, customer service, education and training and sales have been well-represented on our previous annual lists, the finance and government career fields have really bolstered their presence in remote job opportunities. There are a huge variety of career fields offering remote jobs today. Aon Hewitt, Xerox, and IT Pros have recently recruited for remote jobs in HR and recruiting. Recruiter, human resources specialist, and human resources manager are some common remote job titles in this category. What you need to work remotely? Equipment Now this obviously depends on the business and work involved but, for HR and recruitment, it may be as simple as having access to a computer and internet. Most homes these days have broadband, but if not, then you can arrange the installation of a phone/broadband, or, if you have the provisions, a visit from the employer’s technical staff. Technology This is crucial for working remotely (obviously) and it could be as basic as giving employees  access to  the organisation’s emails and network drives or installing software like Skype to do interviews and video conference calls. A PC or laptop is pretty much all they need to do this and whilst most people will have this at home, a lot of companies do actually provide their own fully-loaded with all the drives, technology and software they need. It also means, if it breaks they can be replaced pretty quickly and easily. Desk space Realistically, this can be an employees  lap, a corner of their sofa or sitting at the dining table, but only if its just their laptop that they need. But if you want them to switch from home-mode to work-mode then they can easily set up their office desk in the corner of one their rooms, which has access to broadband and phone (landline or mobile phone signal), with their computer, paperwork and anything else they need to do the job. They can then treat it as if they were actually in the office, without all the usual distractions like gossiping colleagues, treats brought in for someones birthday, or answering the phone which has been re-directed. Who is remote working for? While we all love the sound of allowing our employees to work from home for a number of reasons like cutting overheads and maximising office space, sadly not everyone is cut out for it. Homeworkers ideally need to be: Happy to spend long periods on their own if theyre someone who needs to be in the company of others then this isnt for them Self-disciplined and self-motivated this speaks for itself. If theyre too laid-back or find they cant resist the draw of day-time TV then they need to stick to working from the office A resilient personality who doesn’t let setbacks get them down there may be times where they wont be able to get things done, especially if technology has let them down and if they cant cope with this or cant find an alternative way of working then theres no point working remotely Confident working without supervision lots of people thrive on this but if they need constant reassurance that theyre doing the task in hand correctly, then theyre better off walking over to the managers desk instead of calling or messaging you every two minutes Able to separate work from home life and this is key. If they cant switch their mind off from all the household chores they can see around them, or they put work at the end of their to-do list, then dont bother asking them to work remotely. Laura Deegan, one of the co-founders of Ernest Hunter Green, says theyve made remote working a success for them. She says: By offering true flexibility through remote working you offer the ideal working environment for an individual, it backs up our ethos of providing a genuinely ‘grown up’ trusting recruitment consultancy which we believe leads to a relationship based approach to candidates and clients. It has enabled us to remove ourselves from the micro managed, volume based, KPI focused recruitment company stigma and do what we do best; consult and advise. Working remotely can often work for both the employer and employee and quite successfully, as its been proven, but its not for everyone. If you like the idea of offering remote working but arent doing it already or you dont want to go all out then you could try allowing some staff working remotely once a month or even once a week to see how it goes.

Maximising Your Instagram Reach The Women Using Social Media To Forward Their Careers

Maximising Your Instagram Reach The Women Using Social Media To Forward Their Careers In the modern world career success often stems from the click of a button; and nowhere is this truer than on the social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Whilst Facebook has pages which provide a clear model for businesses and individuals to post information and accrue likes, and Twitter has long been the favourite platform of politicians and opinionated celebrities, Instagram is still finding its feet as a tool for marketing oneself career-wise. Instagram is the platform where you can sell a visual version (or fabrication) of yourself. Becoming not only tech but also camera savvy can result in thousands of followers tracking your every post, a job travelling around the globe and sponsors doling out the cash to have you feature their products. Whilst the young and rich luxuriate in flashing their millions on Instagram, it can also be a great platform for acquiring fans and marketing your own personal brand. Here are some of the tech-savvy women using Instagram to further their own careers, as well as promoting a host of positive and inspiring messages. Whilst some tell more accessible stories, with more attainable goals, each exudes its own sense of empowerment. The Photographer Diana Markosian’s Instagram feed  is a stunning mixture of shots from her journeys across the globe. The simplicity and beauty of many of the images bring out their poignancy, whilst Instagram makes them instantly accessible to her 100,000+ followers. Markosian is a Russian-American photographer, whose recent travels include Mexico and Haiti.  The Actress/Model Turned Career Girl Whilst you may recognise her from Fantastic Four, actress Jessica Alba is also successful business-woman. As founder of The Honest Company and Honest beauty,  her Instagram feed  is filled with a collection of glamorous photoshoots, inspirational quotes and ‘Honest moment’ clips which will inspire you to work hard and excel in your chosen career.  The Career Girl With Interesting Hobbies Alli Meade’s Instagram ‘old soul studio’  tells the story of her life as a 29-year-old firefighter. Her passion for welding and art, alongside her full-on career, comes across clearly in the pictures she posts. She says ‘My professional and art careers unite when I utilise my arc welding skills to create metal sculptures and furniture.’ Tackling issues  of depression  and her choices regarding alcohol on top of her creativity and career-based posts, this is a feed that is infinitely relatable and is not to be missed. The Leader Empowering Other Women Facebook COO  Sheryl Sandberg  uses her account to champion businesswomen and spread messages of positivity. Her book, Option B, charts a journey of progress and positivity after the death of her husband. As a single mum and hugely successful career women, Sandberg is one to watch!  The Fashionista Mum   San Francisco writer and stylist Amy Soderkind has one of the most beautiful, stylish blogs. Combining pictures of  her children  (which are not in-your-face, but strike the perfect tone) with art and fashion, these pictures make you wonder if there’s anything Soderkind can’t do. This Instagram feed reminds us of the importance of family, in amongst a demanding work schedule. The New OBE Having just received an OBE for her career in fashion, alongside being mum to one of the UK’s most followed families of the last few years,  Victoria Beckham  is the ideal candidate for inspiration. Whilst you may not catch a huge amount of smiles in her photographs, there’s a whole host of talent and style. And she hits the mark when it comes to selling herself through a combination of career-based posts and gorgeous fashion. Alexandra Jane  is the writer and editor of graduate career advice  for Inspiring Interns, a graduate recruitment agency. Check out their website to see which  internships  and  graduate jobs  are currently available.  

What To Expect During Your Next Phone Interview

What To Expect During Your Next Phone Interview There is a pretty good chance that you’re going to be required to go through a job interview at some point or another. If this is the case, you might have to do the interview over the phone. That will definitely be awkward at first. Just remember that you still need to take it as seriously as possible. If you do not, you might mess things up and that would probably disqualify you from the job. Within this guide, you’re going to learn more about phone interviews so you will know what to expect. The Schedule  First and foremost, you should know that the boss is not going to call you out of the blue. Instead, they’re going to contact you at a specific time. You’ll probably receive an email or call in advance. Then, you’ll be able to work with the interviewer to set up a time for the interview. This makes it possible to schedule things around your day. Just remember to work with the interviewer to ensure that the time is suitable for everyone involved. The Questions  You’ll also need to be prepared for the questions that are going to come your way. There is a good chance that you’re going to be asked questions about the job. The interviewer is going to ask why you’re interested in the job and what you wish to achieve. They’re going to want to know how much you actually know about the position and their company. They’ll also want to learn more about you in general. Therefore, you need to be prepared to speak about yourself to some degree. Make sure that you’re willing to open up to the interviewer. They’re definitely going to appreciate that. The Duration  When it comes down to it, nobody wants to be on the phone for hours and hours. Nevertheless, you need to realize that you’re vying for a job! You need to be prepared to speak with the interviewer for as long as they wish to talk to you. So, how long is it going to take for the interview to be completed? The truth of the matter is that there is no definite answer here. Sometimes, your interview will be over within a few minutes. Other times, it could last for an hour or so. With that being said, you need to make sure that your schedule is free. The Professionalism  It is true that phone interviews aren’t nearly as strict as in person interviews. Nevertheless, you still need to approach them with pure professionalism. After all, you’re trying to get a job. You need to understand that the interviewer is going to be interested in learning how you carry yourself. You need to impress in this category. Of course, the level of professionalism will depend on the interviewer. Some will approach the situation with a casual perspective. Others will be strict and to the point. You should be prepared for either. Be Ready For Anything  Before your phone interview session, you should sit down and wrap your head around the fact that anything could happen. There is nothing set in stone. You just never know what is going to happen. And, you should understand that each interviewer is different. Some are going to be much stricter and more professional than others. Some might prefer being casual. It is really difficult to say how the interviewer is going to approach things. With that being said, you need to prepare yourself for pretty much anything and everything. Put your mind at ease and remain as confident as possible. As long as you do this, you can guarantee that you’ll do fine. Be open and willing to adjust your strategy depending on the type of interview that you experience. This will ensure that you’re going to land the job! Summary  Being interviewed for a job can be downright tough and somewhat scary. This is why you should know what to expect in advance. Knowing what is going to happen in advance will help remove some of the headaches. Just remember to prepare in advance. As long as you do that, you can sleep soundly knowing what is about to come your way. In return, you’ll have a far easier time nailing the interview and getting the job that you’re after. Main

Top to Bottom How Roofing Foundation Troubles Can Muck Up Your Home

Top to Bottom How Roofing Foundation Troubles Can Muck Up Your Home The foundation and roof of your home are two of its most important parts. These are quite literally the two ends of a house. An issue with either can lead to huge issues and repair costs down the line. Here are a few ways that trouble with your foundation or roof can mean big problems for your home. Don’t Forget the Foundation The foundation of your home has such an audacious name because the whole house is built on it. Without a solid foundation, every other aspect of your home’s structure is at risk of failure. In fact, people often don’t even realize they have foundation problems until they start showing up in other areas of the building. These are some of the most common problems associated with foundation trouble: Cracks in Drywall: Your initial thought upon seeing a crack in your home’s drywall might be that it’s just old. You could also blame it on the person who put it in place. This excuse practically gives itself if you were the person to install the drywall. However, cracked drywall can be symptomatic of something much worse. It could mean that your foundation is shifting, and actually crumbling the walls. Water where You Don’t Want It: If you’re constantly finding water in your basement, it could very well be due to an issue with your home’s foundation. Moisture can quickly become a huge problem for home owners, as it rapidly leads to dangerous molds. There’s another reason why water can be a huge problem for you: It further adds to foundation problems. If water gets into cracks and then expands, it can make weaknesses in your foundation even worse. If you see some of these signs while touring a potential new home, understand that fixing a foundation can be an expensive undertaking. You will absolutely need to have a home inspector take a look at the house before you make an offer. For people who already own a home, get a homeowners insurance quote online to see what plans cover foundation damage. It’s especially crucial for people who live in areas with regular seismic activity to have some form of insurance that covers their home’s foundation. Respect Your Roof The roof of your home is probably taken for granted more than any other partâ€"except for possibly the foundation. When you’re used to something doing its job, you forget that your roof takes a lot of abuse from the elements. A failure in your roof can be catastrophic for your home. Here are a few ways roof problems will affect your house: Damage to Attic and Ceiling: Drip. Drip. It’s one of the worst sounds you can hear as a homeowner. A leaky roof doesn’t just mean that you have to put out pails to catch the rain. Leaks lead to a whole host of issues. First, they can compromise the integrity of your roof and ceiling. This can quickly become extremely dangerous. As the water doesn’t just weaken your roof and ceiling, it makes them heavier. These variables can cause collapse if they are left unchecked for too long. Additionally, if you’re noticing a leaky roof, that means the water has already gone through your attic. That might not be the biggest deal to you if there’s nothing up there besides insulation. But a lot of people store family heirlooms in their attic. Roof damage can put your history at risk if it’s not fixed. Mold: As with foundation issues, water coming through a bad roof will soon breed mold. This isn’t something you want to mess around with, as black mold can cause some serious health problems. Potential Fire Risk: Water coming through the roof can also interfere with your home’s electrical system. If you have a leaky roof, don’t forget to have an electrician come out to make sure your wiring and electrical system is all safe. Your roof is your first line of defense against rain, snow, sleet and other natural elements. Don’t neglect the importance of keeping it in good condition. While they are often ignored and underappreciated, the foundation and roof of your home are absolutely two of its most critical pieces. Keeping these aspects in working order will save you a lot of time, money and heartache down the road.

Medical School Resume Writing Tips

Medical School Resume Writing TipsIf you are familiar with the methods of job hunting and have been considering making the jump to a career in the medical field, then you will want to read this article on the best way to go about speeding up your pitching skills with your particular career path. So, what is the best way to write a medical school resume?The main aim is to keep the facts straight and this is something that will definitely improve with experience. We all know how fast a human being can pick up and move along information that they cannot understand. One of the benefits of knowing how to do this is that you will be able to offer yourself as a professional when you need to.The other main aim is to make sure that you present yourself as a solid prospect. You will never want to come across as someone who can't write a resume or someone who is not in a position to move forward. This type of impression will not work to your advantage.In order to get your resume to speak for it self, you will need to have an excellent command of the English language. Many people are aware of this but few understand that the rules of grammar and punctuation are actually the hardest aspect of this process. When you feel that you have mastered these rules it is not too hard to master the rest of the process.If you have taken a few English courses in the past, you may want to check into taking the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and becoming familiar with the exact laws and regulations that relate to your career at medical schools. This will give you a very good understanding of what to include in your resume and how to present yourself.A small piece of advice, don't try to include every little detail about your educational background because the more information you include the more it can look like you are trying to fill a blank space in your resume. Youneed to focus on providing a clear picture of your career objectives.You will want to take the time to make sure that the information that you have provided is relevant to the position that you are applying for and is going to speak to the eyes of your potential employer. It is always a good idea to avoid using a personal impression of you or anything like that. Make sure you choose the words carefully.Good medical school resumes are a well written and presented piece of paper that will have the desired effect of presenting you in a professional manner. Remember, the first impression is the last impression and it is not worth making the mistake of trying to put a positive spin on a resume that has no merit.

[Guide] How to optimise your LinkedIn profile - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

[Guide] How to optimise your LinkedIn profile There’s no turning back. The recruitment process has gone digital and a generic resume is not enough to secure a job interview. Even if you’ve tailored it. And have  written a cover letter. Why? Most recruiters use online tools to seek out and run informal background checks on potential hires. More than 80% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find the right candidates. Almost half of all employers reject applicants if they have no online presence. No online presence and you might lose a potential offer.   No LinkedIn profile and you’re definitely missing out on opportunities. Just think about it. You’ve actually caught the recruiter’s attention with your professional resume. They’re game. The only thing in the world that might prevent you from securing the interview is an online image so bad that it would have to make Michael Scott cringe. The recruiter googles your name and… Nothing. As if you don’t even exist. Recruiters don’t like uncertainty. They want to know who you are. They want to be certain that you won’t hurt their brand. You have to show them that you can take care of your own image. Not having an optimized LinkedIn profile is just asking for rejection. Most recruiters actively seek out talent via LinkedIn. You need to get in on that. This guide will help you figure out how to optimize your LinkedIn profile to get job interviews. It provides step-by-step instructions and explains how to: Optimize your profile to make you stand out like a red tulip in one of those pictures of yellow tulip fields. Use the right words and phrases to help recruiters find you faster than the word aardvark in the dictionary. Conduct yourself on LinkedIn to show the true, professional and personable you. With a solid online presence and a fine-tuned LinkedIn profile, landing job interviews will be a breeze! Check it out here.

Are You Struggling with Change in Your Life - Hire Imaging

Are You Struggling with Change in Your Life - Hire Imaging As Tom Hanks so crispy put it in the film Forest Gump, “Change happens.” Change happens. After years of having Thanksgiving and Christmas at our cabin with our two grown sons and their families, this year is different. Some moved to Seattle. The other to Denver. We sold their adjoining cabin to some nice folks. No opening presents at the cabin or sliding down its hills into the lake. No collaborative tree decorating, reminiscing with stories around ornament histories. Our traditions have changed. Webster’s Dictionary defines change as, “to make different in form; to transform’; to give and take reciprocally; to transfer from one to another; to become different; to alter; to remove and replace coverings; to pass from one phase to another; a variation or deviation.” All these definitions resonate with the changes that happen during career transition. Change is certainly a constant in our lives. It happens anywhere and everywhere. It can be permanent or temporary. You can want it, and plan for it. It can also pull the rug out from under you. One client told me, “I don’t know what happened. I was rolling along, and suddenly I had no job, and no idea of what to do next.” People resist change because they: Want to keep the status quo â€" still dreaming of how things were: “I miss my job, even though I knew it in my sleep, and found it boring; I wish I were still there.” Don’t feel ready: “Why couldn’t this have happened a few years down the road? I’m not ready for a workplace downsizing now!” Are stuck in old habits or routines: “I’ve been checking in every day with my staff to see how my project is going.” Fear the unknown: “I can’t picture doing something different. I’ve done this work most my life. I have no idea what I can do next. I feel anxious and scared about the future.” Want to hold onto tradition: “I’ve always done it like this. I’m used to it. How do I change now?” Fear taking a risk or what others will think: “I’m not comfortable networking to find a new job. I’m overwhelmed by the internet in searching for a job too. Where on earth do I start?” You can resist resistance to move forward: Pinpoint and undo the ties that bind you. Confront and challenge the problems and barriers that are preventing you from acting. Get to the work of developing a realistic plan of action. What if you don’t do these three things? You risk getting stuck in worry, anxiety, fear and negativity  ; in analysis paralysis. Pat’s inspiration and lessons learned: My client, Pat had worked his way up the ladder with a Fortune 500 company. He started as a junior accountant, and steadily moved up to the role of Senior Vice President of Finance. When his company downsized, he faced an unexpected life change. “After 35 years with the same company, my life has been full of patterns and routines. I felt that I was losing both my stature and my network,” he told me. He said that initially, he intended to stay busy job searching. He did land interviews and networking meetings. The feedback was that he was too expensive. “At age 60, doors were closing all around me,” Pat said. So, when a cousin suggested they move near him in warm, sunny New Mexico, Pat and his wife decided to take the plunge. They sublet their apartment up north for six months, and moved. For a while, Pat worked for a well-known coffee franchise in his new home state, directly serving customers behind the till. Then, he opened his own store! His change in employment inspired him to try new venues and options. He hired good managers, explored the business of coffee shops. In short, Pat spent time in a neutral zone of exploration, without fully giving up his past roots. The lessons George learned were: Take risks. Don’t reject an idea until you’ve tried it. Explore options that appeal to you, even if they seem unusual. Breaks from the old patterns can be a time to find your authentic self. Change can be uncomfortable. And so many of us are resistant to change. It’s not always easy. I’m reframing my own thoughts from “no more cabin holiday celebrations” to “certainly there might be future cabin celebrations during the holidays; and I get to visit two amazing cities where my family is healthy, waiting and ready to start new traditions!” “We must be the change we want to see.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi How are you tackling change  in your career or life? I’d love to hear from you. Please comment below.