An argument for having dogs at work because they help

An argument for having dogs at work because they helpAn argument for having dogs at work because they helpAlthough we hear about dogs in offices through the media as they spotlight companies that have embraced pets, the fact is, those workplaces are outliers.Only 9% of companies allow employees to bring their pets to work every day, according to a 2018 survey from the Society for Human Resource Management.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreStill, in anticipation of Take Your Dog to Work Day on June 21, we might find out that a dog could be the most important member of your team.Wellness Natural Pet Food surveyed1,000 pet owners and found that there is an argument for employees bringing their dogs to work increased socialization between humans (facilitated by Fido, of course), better well-being (a 2012 study said that people who brought their dog to work had lower hormonal stress l evels) fewer worries about employees pups being left at home, and above all, a new tool for recruitment and retention.Having your dog at work curbs distractionsHaving your pet at work can prevent you from being distracted by thinking about your animal buddy being alone at home. More than half (54%) of pet owners reported feeling distracted at work thinking about their pet at home. (67% Millennials felt this way, compared to just 34% of Boomers). One in three (33%) animal owners said taking care of their pet interferes with their work hours.Pet perks are a recruitment and retention toolNearly half (49%) of dog owners said that pet perks are important when considering a job offer. Among dog owners, 25% said that being able to work from home to care for a pet is important. A quarter (24%) said that having the flexibility to leave work and go home to check on or walk their dog is critical.And 18% said that ability to bring their dog to work was high on their list.People include their pe ts in all their decisions including job decisionsNearly a third (28%) of pet owners would consider accepting a job that would give them more time to spend with their pet.People demonstrated the desire to go on vacation with their pet 41% of pet owners said theyd consider planning a vacation that their animals could be a part of.A full quarter (26%) of pet owners would ever consider moving to a new house if it would make their pet happier. And 18% took it even further, saying theyd consider moving to a new town if only it made their pup happier.Pets in the workplace will improve socialization and wellbeingAre there animals in the workplace? Then the workforce should be perking up. One-third (32%) of respondents reported feeling more motivated or productive because of pets in the work environment. Pets benefit company culture, said 65% of those surveyed. They even have magical powers 75% believed that pets would help diffuse a stressful situation in the workplace.And 59% felt that their animals were the key to human socialization, responding that they would get to know colleagues better if there were pets present in the workplace.So take your dog to work on June 21 or print out this article and try to convince your boss, at least.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Inclement Weather or Other Emergency Policy Sample

Inclement Weatherbei or Other Emergency Policy SampleInclement Weather or Other Emergency Policy SampleYou may adapt this inclement weather and other emergency sample policy for your organization and your organizations culture. But, keep in mind the potential disasters that you may experience in your city or region as you customize this inclement weather and emergency policy for your organization. You want your policy to titelbild all of the types of weather and other emergencies that can affect your workplace, your employees, your vendors, and your customers. Your goal is to keep them all out of harms way. Weather and other emergencies range from hurricanes to tornadoes to snow and sleet. You must prepare your business for closure when employees would experience dangerous conditions trying to report to their place of employment. You also need a policy that will alert your clients and customers when you close due to weather or other emergencies. You dont want them trying to reach you under dangerous conditions either. Wondering about the rationale and the factors that were considered in creating this policy? Take a look at the article from which this policy was developed. Inclement Weather Policy Your company recognizes the fact that inclement weather and other emergencies can affect the companys ability to open for business and the employees ability to get to work. The safety of our employees is paramount in an emergency. No policy can cover every potential emergency, so this policy covers the most common. Fortunately, emergencies and inclement weather days are infrequent, but these are the guidelines for when they occur. Company Closure When an emergency such as these examples occurs, the company is closed. over a foot of snow falls,electricity is out,heat in the winter is not available,flooding affects transportation, orthe governor declares a weather emergency and asks people to stay off the roads. We will keep the company closed for the briefest pe riod of time possible. Pay for Employees During the time when the company is closed, exempt employees will receive their full salary for their normal hours worked for up to one work week. Nonexempt employees and interns will receive their hourly pay for their normally scheduled hours for up to one work week. (This means that if an employees normal work hours are 40 in one workweek, the employee will receive their hourly pay for 40 hours. If an interns normal schedule calls for 16 hours, the employer will pay for 16 hours.) No overtime will be paidto any employee. For an unlikely emergency that extends beyond one work week, at the end of the one work week, employees will be expected to use paid time off (PTO) to cover additional days that the company may be closed to ensure that they continue to receive their pay. No overtime will be paid during this time period. In return for this pay during the paid work week while the company is closed, employees are expected to work at home i f feasible. Exempt employees will likely have the opportunity to catch up on paperwork or work online ((if power is available), They might even schedule remote meetings if other needed participants have access to a computer with power. Employees who have jobs that usually require their physical presence at work can do such tasks as developing an up-to-date job description or improving their workflow. Also, thinking about how to do your job so that your work continuously improves is another. Reading journals and books related to your work is also a fair exchange. Employees who had taken the day off will have the day subtracted from their allotted PTO as would have occurred if the company did not close. Benefits Coverage for Employees During the company closure, the employer will continue to provide coverage for all employees with the companys standard health insurance plan and other benefits such as life insurance and short and long-term disability insurance for up to 30 days. Th e regulations of the insurance companies may alter the number of days and/or by Federal or state law. The benefits that are associated with physically attending work such as free beverages, free Friday lunches, and family fests will not be offered during a company closure. Payment of salary or hourly wages to employees who are not at work and who have no approved management approved teleworking plan ends the day the company reopens. Notification In an emergency, managers will make every effort to notify employees by phone of the closure through departmental call trees. Local radio and television stations will announce the closing, employees will be emailed, and the closing will be posted on the website. All of these assume that all or some employees have access to electricity and phones. Employees are encouraged to own, for example, a radio that runs on batteries so that they do not lose contact with the outside world. But, in a regional power outage, recognize that the employer s best efforts to notify employees of the closure may not work. When the employer is unable to notify employees of the closure, employees are asked to use common sense and make their best assessment of the safety and practicality of the situation. In a regional power outage, for example, employees will know that the company is likely to have no power. If 18 of snow falls, employees should come into work only if they can make it safely. No pressure is extended from this employer, at any time, that would encourage employees to take unsafe chances to attend work. Extending Employee Leave When the company closure ends, all employees are expected to report to work whether the closure ends on day two or after that. Payment of salary or hourly wages ends on the day the company reopens if the employee does not show up for work or telework, whatever is the employees normal working arrangement. Certain jobs can be worked from home if chaos continues in the region, but teleworking for exem pt employees must be arranged, on an individual basis, with the employees manager. Teleworking is not available as an option for nonexempt employees. Employees who cannot return to work at the end of the company closure must arrange additional time off with their manager. If the employee has used up PTO, he or she will be required to apply for an extended unpaid leave of absence. The company recognizes that some employees may need additional time off to repair extensive home damage, for mass transit to be available for transportation to work, and a variety of other emergencies. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and decisions will also be affected by the employees job requirements. Part-Day Closure If an emergency event such as inclement weather or a power outage occurs, the executive team may determine that the company will close mid-day. When the company closes mid-day, employees are encouraged to leave immediately so that the conditions do not further deteriorate and affect their ability to safely travel. Exempt employees who were, working at home with prior permission, or at the office on the day of the partial day closure, will be paid their normal salary. Nonexempt employees and interns will be paid for their scheduled hours of work. No overtime will be paid. Employees who had taken the day off will have the day subtracted from their allotted PTO as would have occurred if the company did not close. The Company Is Open, and the Employee Cannot Get to Work Individual employee circumstances may affect an employees ability to come to work. The key to assessing the situation on a case-by-case basis is the communication between the employee and his or her manager. The company recognizes that in a severe national or regional disaster, all methods of communication may be unavailable, but employees should persist, by any method possible, to reach their manager to discuss individual circumstances. All pay, leave, and attendance policies include d here will apply, regardless of the circumstances of the absenteeism. The Employee Needs Time for Repairs The company is aware that in emergencies or inclement weather emergencies, employees may lose family members. They may lose their home and all regular activities such as school and daycare. In any circumstances, all pay, leave, and attendance policies included here will apply, regardless of the circumstances of the absenteeism. The company bereavement policy will apply in the case of the death of a family member. Extended unpaid leaves of absence are available, depending on the need. Employees should communicate with their manager or his or her supervisor to make arrangements. DisclaimerPlease note that the information provided, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. A worldwide audience reads the site and employment laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federa l, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct for your location. This information is for guidance, ideas, and assistance.

A Marathon Strategy Pays Off for Plant Manager

A Marathon Strategy Pays Off for Plant ManagerA Marathon Strategy Pays Off for Plant ManagerOpsLadder member Crista Stamper used herbei hobby as a runner to platzset the pace for her job search.For Crista Stamper, finding a new position after being laid off became a marathon rather than a sprint. Thats why she turned to her long-time running hobby as inspiration. Like many job seekers her age, 50-year-old Stamper, a former chief quality officer for Birmingham, Ala.-based Heil Environmental, which manufactures refuse- and recycling-collection vehicles, had very little experience searching for employment.Id never really looked for a job, and my job-hunting experiences were fairly limited, she said. Stamper, a Michigan native, went to work for General Motors after college, and luck seemed to prevail each time she was ready to consider changing employers.There were a few positions Id held after GM, one of which I got because I happened to pick up the motown Free Press and answer a want a d, Stamper said. In another case, a recruiter shed used to vet potential employees contacted her and offered her a position.Setting the paceThis economy, however, presented new challenges for Stamper, and it wasnt as easy to land even an interview, much less a job. First, Stamper said she reached out to former colleagues and recruiters but quickly realized that many of those recruiters didnt have jobs to recommend. It was then she knew shed have to take a different approach.This market is so treacherous. Id never really been in the job market before, so I never had to develop any job-hunting skills she said. So Stamper, who has been an avid runner for 25 years, decided to fall back on her favorite activity for inspiration, and set a marathon strategy. Each day, she followed a set job-search routine with the ultimate goal being two solid employment offers after two months.I was laid off in January, and I told myself, Im going to job search methodically every day. Before I run every m orning, Ill apply for three jobs, and then my run will be my reward, she said.Hitting her strideOpsLadder allowed Stamper to focus on operations jobs in plant management and afforded her the tools she needed to accurately track and follow up on the jobs shed researched and applied for.Stamper also signed up for Ladders e-mail alert service, which sent her fresh job leads that matched her criteria as they were posted on the site. She even participated in the complimentary resume-critique service.The home stretchStamper reached her goal, garnering two solid job offers by the end of March 2009. She began her new position as plant manager for P H Mining Equipment, a manufacturer of excavating and drilling machines headquartered in Milwaukee, on April 20. Even in a tumultuous economy, Stamper said the position is a step up from previous jobs, and it will allow her to further refine her management skills.In the manufacturing industries, Stamper said, there are still plenty of opportunit ies for job seekers, even as the domestic automobile, food-processing and medical-supply manufacturing segments shrink.As high-volume automotive downsizes, theres going to be a flood of folks with general skill sets available, Stamper said. From her perspective, these workers just have to invest a little more energy into educating themselves on the nuances of specialty manufacturing industries to mine opportunities there.Specialty, low-volume but highly customized manufacturing is where the jobs are right now, and people need to sharpen and focus their skill-sets so they dont get locked into one general area of manufacturing, she advises.She adds that even for job seekers with a generalized manufacturing background, even gaining a few specialized certifications can do wonders for people looking to develop skills in niche industries.Crossing the finish lineIn addition, Stamper said perseverance and a positive attitude are also crucial to a successful job search.I really think because I was so diligent and persistent that it made a huge difference, she said. You cant be alive today and not know someone whos been laid off, so you have to keep yourself positive in any interview, and make that a great first impression, she said.

How to Avoid Work at Home Scams 5 Questions to Ask

How to Avoid Work at Home Scams 5 Questions to AskHow to Avoid Work at Home Scams 5 Questions to AskIts an unfortunate truth, but when looking for a work at home job, its important to keep your guard up.In doing so, you can prevent your online job search from having the very undesirable side effect of entangling you in any one of the many work at home scams that are out there.Although thousands of companies recognize the value of having staff that work from home, it seems that there are just as many scammers who have realized that online job seekers make excellent targets for identity and financial fraud.There are two fundamental reasons why job-seekers are at high risk for a cyber scam. First, job-seekers are accustomed to giving out personal information for a job application, and they may leid realize when the line is crossed of what is normal protocol or legal to ask during the job process.Similarly, even if they suspect a question isnt legal, they may feel uncomfortable protestin g and risk losing the opportunity.Second, someone looking for a job, especially if there is any level of desperation to the job search, may be more willing to put caution to the wind in hopes that an opportunity that sounds too good to be true may in fact be real.The recent rise in unemployment has only exacerbated behauptung problems, as scammers try to capitalize on peoples more urgent need for employment. Some estimates place the number of work at home scam job listings at 40 50 scam job postings for every legitimate listing. As security expert, Robert Siciliano, CEO ofIDTheftSecurity.com, explains the current environment, There was a day when snake oil salesmen were the highest paid sales professionals in the world. Then peoplesmartenedup. Today, we are in the worst economic crisis in more than 70 years. Snake oil salesmen are back on top with noshortageof potential victims.Sara Sutton, CEO of, advises, The most important ways people can protect themselves from becoming a victi m of a work at home scam is to acknowledge that risks exist and to use caution unconditionally. Its worth protecting yourself, because being a victim of a work at home scam can have all sorts of problems, including losing time and money, getting involved in illegal activities, having their identity stolen, and ruining your credit rating.Ask yourself ansicht five questions before you apply or submit any information to a job listing.1. Is the hiring companys anthroponym listed in the job listing?Research the company. The companys website should list a mailing address and phone number. Look for additional feedback on the company positive or negative in web resources such as the Better Business Bureau, Rip Off Report, Scam Busters, and other respected websites. Also, try typing the company name plus the word scam into Google, and see what comes up.If you dont see a company name listed or can leid find information online using the company name provided in the job listing move on Its b etter to err on the side of caution than to risk sending your contact information and work history to a scammer.2. Do you need to pay to get the job?You should never pay for the opportunity to interview for a job, for training to work for a specific employer, to prove you are really interested in the job, or any other preclude to start working for a company.Having said that, some jobs may require that you supply the basic equipment you need for the job (e.g., computer, phone), especially if you are working as a freelancer or independent contractor. But, if you are required to pay for items like assembly/craft supplies or photocopies that you will use to recruit other workers, it is most likely a scam or a business opportunity.3. Does the job listing sound too good to be true?If it was easy to make thousands of dollars for a just few hours of work, everyone would be doing it Any job listing that claims that you will make significant earnings doing a minimal amount work should raise a big red warning flag.In terms of what kind of payment or salary you should expect with work at home jobs, keep in mind what you would make if it were a regular, on-site job. There may be some fluctuation higher or lower, but in most cases the pay will be pretty similar.Also, if a job listing says that you do bedrngnis need any skills, education, or prior experience, be wary.Working at home generally does require discipline and skills because you are not surrounded by colleagues or a manager that can train, mentor, and monitor your work as regularly as if you worked in the same location as them.So unless its a true entry-level job, ideally with some organized online training, its unlikely the opportunity is legitimate.4. Does the company ask you to provide your social security number, drivers license number, credit card number, or bank information?Never provide any of this information to get a job interview, before you get a job, and before you have thoroughly researched the employe r. In addition, this information should never be sent to anyone via IM, email, or an unsecured form on a website.For tax purposes, you do generally need to provide your social security number in order to be paid by a legitimate employer. But by the time you provide your social security number, you should to have a job offer in writing and complete, confirmed contact information for your new employer (full contact name, company name, website, street address, phone, and email). If you have ANY doubt about the legitimacy of this company, do not provide this information.5. Does the job sound like any of the following common work at home scams?This list includes common scams and methods that scammers often utilize. It is not an exhaustive list, but gives you an idea of what to look out for in your job search.Unsolicited contactThe employer advertises the job through an unsolicited email (spam) or by contacting you through a message on a social networking site.Job title is just work at ho me The job title is listed only as work at home, instead of a typical job title that you would see on a business card.Ambiguous job description The job listing leaves you confused and does not provide enough details to understand what the job really entails.Wire Transfer The job requires depositing money into your bank account. You keep a portion of it and write a check or transfer the rest to other accounts. The check you deposit in your account eventually bounces because it is stolen or counterfeit.Stuffing envelopes Real jobs stuffing envelopes by hand do not exist. You will be asked to post ads to recruit others for envelope stuffing jobs.Data entry If you need to pay for information about the job, training, or to get a data entry job, it is a scam. If you get the job, you will be asked to post ads to recruit others for data entry jobs or to pay for useless training.Assembly work You need to purchase supplies to make crafts. In one scam, the company tells you the assembled craft s were not done properly and they will not pay for the crafts you assembled. In another scam, you are supposed to sell the crafts, but the crafts are nothing anyone would want to buy.Multi-level Marketing (aka MLM or pyramid scheme) The business encourages you to recruit others to join the business instead of selling the companys products. The only money brought in to the business comes from new recruits purchasing training and motivational materials or products (that they have trouble, or can never, sell).Shipping Manager You receive packages of items that need to be re-packed and shipped usually to overseas addresses (aka laundering stolen goods).Rebate Processor You pay to apply and train for this job that accepts everyone who applies. The ads explain that charging applicants is a way to weed out applicants who do not really want to pursue the opportunity. Once you start the job, you lose money in additional ways.Its not hard to take steps to protect yourself from becoming a vict im of a work at home scam. The bottom line is that youalwaysneed to be careful andneverfall for anything that sounds too good to be true.Related ArticleHow to Avoid Work at Home Scams 5 Precautions to Take

July is the most dangerous month to go lake swimming

July is the most dangerous month to go lake swimmingJuly is the most dangerous month to go lake swimmingYou may want to think twice before going for a dip in the water this summer. Your favorite lake or river may look refreshing and inviting, but it can be a cesspool of diseases. According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disease outbreaks found in recreational water have caused at least 4,958 illnesses and two deaths from 2000 to 2014.And these outbreaks are mostly happening in the summer. The CDC said that 81% of the outbreaks start in June-August period. If you are scared of what is infesting your waters, avoid swimming in July. It is when more than half of the outbreaks occurred.July is when disease outbreaks most likely to occur in lakes and oceansThe report found that the majority of outbreaks were linked togastrointestinal pathogens like E. coli,Shigella, and the norovirus, which can result in unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stoma ch cramps, and bloody diarrhea.If you still plan on swimming anyways, take heed not to swallow any of the water. We can get sick when we accidentally inhale a mouthful of pond water up our nose, which is why the CDC advises limiting the water you let enter your orifices.Swimmers should heed posted advisories closing the beach to swimming not swim in discolored, smelly, foamy, or scummy water not swim while sick with diarrhea and limit water entering the nose when swimming in warm freshwater, the CDC advised.

What is Truly Happening with Resume Trends 2017

What is Truly Happening with Resume Trends 2017 The Truth About Resume Trends 2017 Pay attention to the resume format you opted to pick, as you will need to reveal your skills, dependent on the format you chose to pick. Organizing your resume is at least as essential as formatting it. Furthermore, you ought to be in a position to demonstrate that competence in your resume. Its also a fantastic format for highlighting well-developed abilities and talents which are related to a particular position. As an issue of fact, employers are extremely intelligent. To stick out from the crowd, you have to select every word with care. Really very good news is that each one of the processes keep stayed the exact same. Because you have to win a competition. Resume Trends 2017 Options One way to produce a positive impression boost your general on-line reputation is by making a LinkedIn profile that highlights your main career achievements. Instead, there are plenty of concrete skills t hat you may pick up quickly in front of a work interview instead. For a lot of people who are fighting to compose their resumes, the advice they receive from experts in the specialty can be a priceless aid. With a well-crafted resume, youre going to be poised to get started lining up interviews. You have an outstanding possibility to compose your own content. It is possible to read more about the procedure for creating your value known inside my latest article. The very first thing that you ought to do, is to comprehend what resume format you want to use, what font of template is preferable to choose, what positioning to use and several more. When you format your resume you need to be sure your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. Resume Trends 2017 at a Glance Catching their eye with your qualifications is crucial to securing the position you are looking for. Just make sure, whichever format you pick, which youre targeting it for the job that youre applying t o. If youre considering looking for a new job, you ought to be conscious of the hottest new resume trends. Tons of different candidates like you are searching for the very same job and prepared to compete with you to find this job. If students are applying for new work in different job fields they may require the most updated CV possible to create the best impression. Some job seekers do understand that in some instances, the very first impression might be the vital factor of the success. A growing number of job seekers only now understand all of the value they might get from alternative job search sources. Use them in the start of each bullet to truly catch the hiring managers attention. Doing this cements the value it is possible to bring to the role, as opposed to what youre searching for in work, Leavy-Detrick states. The work field is a very competitive field where you need to compete with various job applicants scores that are competing for the identical position. What r esume format to utilize in 2017 and the way that it would boost your odds to find the job. Most likely its job portals the very best place for a work seeker, who would like to obtain a work um ein haar and free of efforts. Hiring managers are tricky individuals, theyd utilize Google to search your profile to find another info about you. On these days, an increasing number of companies are seeking co-workers. Resolute Technologies can help you to find an IT employer thats an ideal match for you. You ought to be up on all the most recent tech innovations in your area. If youve been in an industry for over 10 decades, you can look at a two-page resume. Becoming creative not only is critical to stick out from the competition, additionally, it provides you a plus if youre pursuing work with an innovative business. Technology has become more and more significant in recent decades.

What a Candidates Interview Attire Says About Them - Spark Hire

What a Candidates Interview Attire Says About Them - Spark HireLast week Spark Hire touched on what your bewerbungsgesprch attire says about your company, so it seems pertinent to discuss what a candidates interview attire says about them as well. Most employers know what to look for in a candidate when it comes to their attire, but with video interviews there is a bit more to look for. Since the candidate is not sitting directly in front of you in your office, it may take a bit more observation on your end to judge them on their chosen attire.Savvy job seekers do a lot of research in preparation for their job interview. If they are preparing for a video interview, then they will likely do more since its a bit more unfamiliar to them. In their video interview research, job seekers will find that they should treat a video interview just the same as an in-person interview that takes place in an employers office. That means they need to give it the same amount of attention and preparati on to the interview and dress equally as professional. Just because it is a virtual interview does not mean that professionalism goes out the window. So that said, lets take a look at some interview attire cues that can give you more insight into a candidate.Messy HairIf a candidate comes into your office for a job interview, chances are they are not going to walk in with tangled, unruly hair. The same goes for a video interview. If a candidate in a video interview signs on with unruly hair, it may be a sign they did not adequately prepare and lost track of time. Perhaps they forgot they had scheduled a video interview with you and signed on just in time- unfortunately, they look a mess. Job seekers like this may struggle with punctuality and may have the same issues if you hire them for this job. It may also mean they dont care too much for this position since they did not take the time to look professional.Casual AttireWhile some job seekers may think that they can dress in casual attire for a video interview since they are not going to meet the employer directly, they are wrong. As touched on earlier, a video interview is just as important as an in-person interview. This goes for both live video interviews and one-way video interviews. If a candidate joins a video interview with a plain t-shirt or a graphic tee, it may be a sign they are very unprofessional and dont hold much weight on this interview. A candidate that takes the time to put a nice button-down shirt or blouse on, however, shows that they want to look good for the employer and want to make a great first impression. Look for candidates that choose to wear casual interview attire and think twice before you move forward with them in the hiring process.Minor Slip UpsWhen you participate in a video interview, the only visible part of your body is the upper half of your torso- usually. Because of this, many job seekers will opt out of wearing professional pants in the video interview since they aren t visible to the employer or hiring manager on the other end. However, depending on how their camera is angled, this may not be 100 percent true. A candidate that did not take the time to test out their equipment and check to see what was visible in their frame may make one of these video interview schlpfer ups. Perhaps you can see their pants and their pants happen to be plaid pajama pants. Not so professional. This points to their lack of preparation and perhaps how they are not suitable for this position.Another minor slip up is where a candidate chooses to record their one-way video interview or participate in their live video interview. It may not be part of their interview attire, but it is part of their interview and savvy candidates will choose their background wisely. Hint recording one-way video interviews in the bathroom or on your bed is not the best idea. If you encounter candidates that do this, perhaps you should think twice.What are some interview attire cues you loo k for in candidates in video interviews or traditional interviews? Let us know about it in the comments section belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by mbaylor

3 Strategies for Keeping Your Cool at Work

3 Strategies for Keeping Your Cool at Work3 Strategies for Keeping Your Cool at WorkYou get a rude email from a co-worker.You read it once and start to feel annoyed, then you read it again, just to make sure. Yes Its obnoxious. So, you hit reply and start dashing out a response to set the record straight, feeling your blood rise with every tastatur stroke.Sound familiar? Whether its getting angry with an annoying colleague, getting frazzled by a problem in a project, or just getting frustrated by little speed bumps in the day, there will be times when something minor grates on you in the office. And, like me, your first instinct may be to get angry, to snap, or to react.But theres a better way to handle these moments. First- of course- dont send emails when youre upset. But more importantly, you have to relentlessly remind yourself to keep a level-headed perspective on the job.I know- easier said than done. But next time something gets to you, try one of these three simple techniques for staying cool, calm, and collected.1. Ask Yourself How Important it IsWhen I find my blood pressure rising and I start to lose my perspective, I ask myself this simple question Will I care about this in five years? As I stare at whatever email Ive just received or whatever presentation Im working on, the answer is almost always a definitive no. Usually, I will have moved on from it in a month.This rhetorical question is notlage an excuse to become complacent on the job, but it provides me with the outlook I need to step away from my desk when Im feeling agitated, get some fresh air, or boost my blood sugar with a snack. Then, I can return to what Im doing and- with the keen awareness that Im not facing wartime disaster- do my best to keep calm and carry on.2. Dont Take Anything PersonallyI know what youre thinking everything is personal. And its always the sleaziest business executives- at least in the movies- who say things like Its just business dont take it personally.But the re is something you can learn from trying to gain this perspective when youre feeling overwhelmed, attacked, or frustrated. The case for this mentality is made best in The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, who explains how he implements this way of thinkingWhatever happens around you, dont take it personally. Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves. All people live in their own dream, in their own mind they are in a completely different world from the one we live in. When we take something personally, we make the assumption that they know what is in our world, and we try to impose our world on their world.Even when a situation seems so personal, even if others insult you directly, it has nothing to do with you. What they say, what they do, and the opinions they give are according to the agreements they have in their own minds.There are times when you may feel like a less-than-friendly email or snappy comment from your boss has something to do with yo ur performance. And there are certainly times when this may be the case. But more often than not, the people you work with have their own daily stressors that influence how theyre interacting with the world- things that, as Ruiz points out, have nothing to do with you.3. Feed the Right WolfWe are all vulnerable to something called negativity bias, which means that the bad events of the day are more memorable than the good ones. But just because its our natural tendency to dwell on the negative doesnt mean we cant push back against it.In her book Taking the Leap, Pema Chdrn illustrates the negative and positives sides of ourselves as two hungry wolves fighting in our hearts. She asks readers to think of the hautwolf who wins the fight as the wolf who we choose to feed.Most of us have gotten so good at empowering our negativity and insisting on our rightness that the angry wolf gets shinier and shinier, and the other wolf is just there with its pleading eyes. But were not stuck with t his way of being. When were feeling resentment or any strong emotion, we can recognize that we are getting worked up, and realize that right now we can consciously make the choice to be aggressive or to cool off. It comes down to choosing which wolf we want to feed.You can choose to focus on the minor frustrations of your day- or, you can choose to focus on finding meaning in your work. This can feel impossible when youre consumed by something on the job, but try to pause and reflect on whats really important to you. In that moment, you may be able to channel your energy in another direction- to switch gears and work on a project you really care about or to simply take a moment to remind yourself what you appreciate about your job.Work will never be free from stressors or annoyances, but youre always in a position to manage how well you handle them. If do your best to maintain perspective when things get heightened, youll find yourself not getting bogged down by the details of the d ay, and instead, rising above them.Photo of frustrated man courtesy of Shutterstock.

The 17 worst passwords of 2017

The 17 worst passwords of 2017The 17 worst passwords of 2017While we were told to make some pretty big changes to personal password creation a few months ago, password management applications provider SplashData released a 100-entry list of the Worst Passwords of 2017 this week, and a super-easy one claimed the top spot (just like in 2016) 123456.The company estimatesthat around 3% of people have employed this one. Roughly 10%of people have used at least one of the 25 worst passwords on this years list, the company says.This is SplashDatasseventh annual list, and researchers took a look at more than five mio leaked passwords from largely Western European and North American users, but, the press release continues, passwords leaked from hacks of adult websites and from the Yahoo email breach were not included in this report.The company cautioned that some of the entries are NSFW, meaning not safe for work, so well leave those for you to check out on your own time. You should also know that according to the company,use of any of the passwords on this list would put users at grave risk for identity theft.VoilThe 17 worst passwords on the list - apparently, people actually use these1) 1234562) password3) 123456784) qwerty5) 123456) 1234567897) letmein8) 12345679) football10) iloveyou11.) admin12) welcome13) monkey14) login15) abc12316) starwars17) 123123Other words on the list include lakers (37), blahblah (47), cookie (68), and thunder (100).Morgan Slain, CEO of SplashData, Inc. commented on the findings in a statement. Unfortunately, while the newest vorgang may be a fantastic addition to the Star Wars franchise, starwars is a dangerous password to use, he said. Hackers are using common terms from pop culture and sports to break into accounts online because they know many people are using those easy-to-remember words.3 password safety tipsWhat can you do to keep safe instead? Keep these tips in mindConsider using a password managerSplashData recommends that you p rotect your assets and personal identity by using a password manager to organize passwords, generate secure random passwords, and automatically log into websites. (Of course, this is SplashDatas business but its still a good idea. And there are lots of options to chose from when it comes to password managers.)Dont overdo itBill Burr, the man responsible for much of what we know about password creation due to a guide he wrote in the early 2000s, backpedaled on his decade-plus-old advice in recent months, according to The Wall Street Journal.The new rules call for lengthy phrases you can recall with ease - and just making new passwords when it looks like youve been hacked, instead of changing one with special characters every 90 days.Dont rely on passwords aloneAARP reports that you should add a second door.Two-factor authentication services add an extra layer of security to your most vital digital accounts, AARP recommends. You log in to an account using your usual password. Next, t he two-factor authentication site sends your phone a six-digit code that you must enter before gaining access. For a list of websites that offer two-factor authentication, go to twofactorauth.org.mora from Ladders10 ridiculously smart questions you should ask in a job interviewThe best answer when an interviewer asks what animal are you?6 reasons recruiters say theyll toss your resume in the trash

Six Figure Careers with the Highest Growth Potential

Six Figure Careers with the Highest Growth PotentialSix Figure Careers with the Highest Growth PotentialGetting paid well and having career growth potential are all things we find important. These six-figure careers are in high demand and offer the most career growth potential.Tax Manager - $103,000/yrWith the way the US tax system works, and all the crazy laws in between, someone needs to make sense of it. That is why this is a six-figure career in high demand with growth potential. Few people understand taxes in the US, and even fewer understand how to manage taxes for a company.Now that companies are all going global, having a tax manager who knows Federal, State, Local, and International taxes would make this person key to a companys financial growth.Data Engineer -$105,000/yrThese six-figure careers are in high demand because they build processes to help the data flow in a company. Data engineers are like the plumbers of a data pipeline. If it doesnt flow its clogged and doesnt work.These engineers work closely with data scientists who are looking to paint a picture for the company of what all the data means. The growth potential is endless since we live in an age where collecting data is key to company success.Analytics Manager - $109,000/yrThese are the good folks who help us comprehend all the random data. They make a six-figure career of taking loads of information and presenting it to assist with key decision-making. The wide variety of skills required for an Analytics Manager includes visualizations, quantitative skills, data mining, and data modeling.The profession is important because understanding what data means impacts how a company changes and grows.Data Architect - $122,000/yrA six-figure career in Data Architecture requires a mind that is able to think long and short term. You have to make it easy for staff at a company to access critical information when they need it. You are essentially rahmen up the architecture for how all information is collected and organized.Most importantly, you are setting up how that info will be kept secure. The growth potential for this position grows with every story of a data breach. As such, companies may expect you to have a Masters Degree in Data Science.Technical Program Manager - $129,000/yrThese positions are highly important to any company looking to increase their relevance in technology. They handle all aspects of technical projects for their organization. They initiate programs, track the progress of projects, and support tech teams when issues arise.This is one of the best six-figure careers with growth potential because the skills required are very hard to find. These managers lead, plan, schedule, strategize and execute well.Site Reliability Engineer - $140,000/yrEvery company needs a Site Reliability Engineer to keep all teams productive and scalable. The position combines software engineering with operations to create scalable and reliable software systems.This is a six-figu re career for a person who possesses interpersonal skills and knows how to effectively solve problems (not just treat symptoms). They are strategists who work well across all teams.