6 reasons getting fired was actually amazing

6 reasons getting fired welches actually amazing6 reasons getting fired was actually amazingFor a lot of us, losing our jobs can be a crisis. Especially with so many people living paycheck to paycheck and not having adequate emergency funds. For me, getting fired was actually amazing.And no, notgetting FIREdbut that will happen eventually I hopeFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraSome background this is not a recent or new development. My current job is totenstill safe (for now, anyway), but Ihavelost jobs in the past. And even though it seemed like the end of the world for a short moment, I ended up learning some valuable lessons in the process.Yes, we all have bills to pay, and not being able to do so can be a real problem. That is even truer if you have a family to support we have to keep the lights on and put food on the table. These are non-negotiable responsibilities.Types of NeedsEven beyond the biological needs, our jobs tend to dictate many parts of our overall well-being. IvementionedMaslows Hierarchy of Needsa couple of timesbefore. When you think about it, though, its true our jobs heavily influence many levels of the hierarchy.Image credit SimplyPsychology.orgTake a look at the figure above. From my perspective, the only needs our careers may not help are those of self-actualization. They still might, but that depends mora upon the type of job you have. In other words, with self-actualization, its less about the money and more about what youre actually doing.Heres another one pride. For better or for worse, we could never be unemployed because we have too much pride. I tend to think of this as more of an American thing. Maybe Im wrong, but either way, we could never think of losing our jobs.That happens toother people, but never to me. Or so you think until one day, it does.In reality, it doesnt matter if you are laid off or if you get fired. At the end of the day, the end result is the saatkorn not having the steady paycheck you use to pay the bills.Not only that, but many of us are friends with our co-workers. And, as mentioned, being employed imbuesa sense of accomplishment.So how, then, could getting fired possibly begood?1. Getting Fired Helps You Find a Better FitAs I said earlier, we all got bills to pay. And since we consider this is a non-negotiable arrangement, we run the risk of doing a job we hate just to earn a paycheck.Some call it the reality of adult life. Me? I call it a pretty crappy deal.Ive always said I am doing a job I definitely dont love because it pays more than other jobs would. Sure, I might have been able to find a job I enjoyed more, but it probably would have paid less. And I wouldnt even consider that while working on repaying my debt since I was throwing money away on the interest.I feel slightly less obligated to earn excess income now though, fruchtweinly due to being debt-free now. Sure, Im also working toward FI, but at least Im no longer throwing money away.Long story short, I now consider it anoptionto make less money if it allows me to live a life I actually enjoy.2. Helps You Understand the Importance of Emergency FundsOne of the worst things that could ever happen is to have little to money set aside if things go awry.I would know it happened to me.Long story short (and believe me, its alongstory), I accepted a job for which I had no real previous experience.In retrospect, the entire process was a little suspect. The job was halfway across the country, and they couldnt pay to fly me in for an in-person interview. And trust me this organization has money.So I never even had the chance to meet them face-to-face. There wasnt even a video chat or anything like that. Well, it turned out it wasnt a good fit for me, and I got the boot. I was only there for a few months.Again, this was halfway across the country. I had no savings, so I had to move back in with my par ents. Then, I had to take the absolute first job I could get. My old job had been eliminated, so it wasnt there even if I wanted it.I ended up taking a job that wasnt really what I wanted to do, and I was there for two years.All in all, this was almost two and a half years of my life that I felt was basically a waste. I did actually gain some somewhat valuable experience at the job I had for two years, but still. If I could do things over again, Idefinitelywouldnt have taken the original job without having a sizable emergency fund.Know your risk. If you are taking on significant risk (I was), have a significant safety net in placebeforeyou do.3. Gives You More Time for Side HustlingYou know what could be considered a side hustle? This blog Sure, side hustles are typically all about the $$$, and Ive made minimal income from it so far. Nonetheless, so far Ive worked on it, well, on the side. As I said, I am still working, but in an alternate universe, getting fired would give me more time to work on it.This might be more of a silver lining than a good thing of its own, but I see some real potential here. And because blogging takes so much time, having more of it can only be a good thing.Oh, and theres also freelance writing. Ive been trying to get into that for a while without a whole lot of success. But Im hoping to secure my first long-term freelance writing client in 2019.4. Forces You to Plan For the Long-TermI mean, other than this very obvious answer, Im not sure I have a good one. Not that a train full of puppers is such a bad goalBut seriously. Ive somewhat intentionally put off coming up with a long-term plan. And by that, I mostly mean where Im going to live and what kind of work Ill be doing.Ive bounced around to different places for different jobs, but I have to admit that Im starting to want to figure out more of a long-term plan. And being unemployed would certainly give me more time to do that.5. Gives You A Break From the MadnessMost people dont know this, but I sometimes get road rage. Add that to the voluminous list of reasons Id like to be a digital nomad, or at least live in a city where I can walk and/or take public transportation everywhere I go.I try to control my road rage, and most of the time Im successful, but sometimes it just happens. Not too long ago I actually got very flustered while driving home due to people driving exceptionally poorly. As a result of my frustration, I ended up scraping the side of the garage where I park. Its a one-car garage and very narrow, but I still think it wouldnt have happened if I had been less frustrated.At one point, it was decided that my co-workers and I would be allowed to work one day remotely every week. I cant tell you how happy I was just to get one day where I wouldnt have to deal with traffic.I can only dream of the absolute ecstasy I would feel if that became an everyday thing.6. Gives You More TimeThis is my last point, but also the ultimate one in a way.And it migh t be obvious, but its true nonetheless.Did you know that Americans get a pitifully low number of vacation days? On average, we get 10 days off. And according to Gusto.com, a staggering 23% getno vacation at all. Thats in stark contrast to the several (mostly European) countries thatoffer 30 days on average.Having more time can allow us to do all kind of things we otherwise couldnt spend more time on a side hustle, make our homes more organized, spend more time with family, and so on.And, of course more time to look for a new job.Getting Fired A Blessing in Disguise?That is what I have often found getting fired to be.Dont get me wrong it may seem like the end of the world, at least for a time. But getting fired gave me more time. More time to plan, for side hustling, to find a better fit, and to get a break from it all.And, most of all, it gave me more time. There is no substitute for time. I may not always be the most efficient person with my time, but I do recognize its importance .So yes, in a way, getting fired was actually amazing.This article first appeared on Frugal Fellow.

Your Guide to Job References

Your Guide to Job ReferencesYour Guide to Job ReferencesYour Guide to Job ReferencesThere was a time when all resumes ended with the phrase References Available Upon Request. That time has passed. If that line is still on your resume, delete it. Youre wasting space and stating the obvious. OK, now lets talk about the references themselves. Do you even need them anymore? If so, who should they be? And when do you hand over your reference list to the employer? This post will answer those questions, and give you the long and short of what you need to know about employment references in todays job market.1) Do I need references?Short Answer Yes Long Answer Its true that many employers today dont bother checking references. They rely on the web and their own instincts when they hire someone. As one CEO put it, Why would I expect an objective opinion from someone the candidate hand-picked? But plenty of other employers do check references. They want to talk to people whove worked with you and know you. Since you dont know which category a prospective employer falls into, be prepared with a list of references, just in case.2) Who should be on my references list?Short answer Ideally, three past supervisors or colleagues who liked you.Long answer Choose at least three people who are willing and able to comment directly on your work abilities, and say positive things about you. Former bosses (if you parted on good terms) or your current boss (if s/he knows about and supports your job search) will have the fruchtwein credibility. Other acceptable references might include a peer who served on a team with you or a former direct-report (if youre seeking a managerial role). If youre a student or recent grad, consider professors, teachers, school administrators, advisors, or coaches. Family, friends, or others who only know you socially are usually poor choices for references.3) What information should I include on my list of references?Short answer Name, job title, company, p hone, email, and relationship. Long answer References are part of your complete package of career documents, so the header (with your own contact information) should match your resume, cover letter, and any follow-up letters you present to the employer. Always verify that all of your references contact information is up-to-date and error-free.Heres an example of what a reference listing might look likeAlgernon Schloffeldinger, IT Manager Scaglione IndustriesWorcester, MA (508) 555-5555 x0005aschloffeldingerscagmail.comRelationship Former supervisor (2004 -2006)4) What will employers ask my references?Short answer Anything they want.Long answer Thats right, anything. Its up to the person providing the reference to decide how to answer. Employers might ask about things like your skills, talents, honesty, work habits, reliability, initiative, learning speed, or ability to work with others. Or, they might want to verify statements you made in your resume or interview. 5) When should I p rovide my list of references?Short answer Upon requestnot beforeLong answer Do NOT send references with your resume unless the job description specifically asks. Have them ready on paper at your first interview, and electronically for emailing. Its fine to offer them at the end of the first interview, but the hiring manager may not want them yet. If employers want references, they usually only ask for them from a short list of finalists. 6) How can I be sure Ill get only positive references?Short answer Pre-screen and prepare your references beforehand.Long answer You cant be sure, but you can minimize the risk of a bad referenceby always getting permission before listing anyone as a reference. Call and ask the person if theyd be comfortable speaking positively about you, and give them an easy way to back out if theyre not (e.g., say something like, I totally understand if you have a policy against giving references.) What you dont want is a reference who says yes just to be polite, but later gives you an unenthusiastic endorsement. Once youve selected your references, make sure they are well-prepared to help you. In a recent WSJ.com article, Elizabeth Garone summed it up this wayYou dont want a reference to be caught off guard when he or she receives that all-important call. If you are planning on listing someone, send an email thanking him or her for agreeing to serve as a reference and include a copy of the job description. It couldnt hurt to refresh a references memory by including a list of your responsibilities and achievements from when you worked together. In short, the secret to referencesuccess is to prepare ahead of time, choose people who will speak highly of you, and make it easy for them to do so.

Smoke Free Workplace Policy for Your Company

Smoke Free Workplace Policy for Your CompanySmoke Free Workplace Policy for Your CompanyWhereas in earlier years in workplaces, smoking was commonplace in offices, conference rooms, lunch rooms, restrooms, and everywhere else in the workplace, this has changed. People became increasingly aware of the negative impact of smoking on health. More and more employees quit smoking. The employees who had never smoked grew increasingly vocal about the smell of smoke and the potential negative effect of second-hand smoke on health. So, employers were faced with a dilemma. In the early days of employees becoming vocally negative about smoking, in many workplaces more employees, valued employees, smoked than not. Employers started out by building attractive smoking areas for employees or designating one room as a smokers lounge. This made no one happy as non-smokers usually felt like they needed to walk through a cloud of smoke to get to work. This was because employers wanted the smoking shelte rs as close to the job as possible so employees took less time for their smoke breaks. Employees were also increasingly vocal about the fact that employees who smoke took more breaks than non-smokers. Workplaces became less and less friendly to smoking employees. Areas outside, away from doors and entrances became the designated smoking areas, or employees could smoke in their cars on strictly enforced breaks. Increasingly though, employees who smoke became a minority in many workplaces. Employers tired of enforcing policies about how far from an entryway employees could smoke. And, state and local legislators decided employees and customers had the right to clean air and smoke-free businesses. For example,Michigan residents and visitors became protected from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke in all restaurants, bars, and businesses (including hotels and motels), due to Public Act 188 of 2009, Michigans Smoke-Free Air Law. Know and understand your state and local laws when you d etermine your smoking policy and whether or where employees are allowed to smoke. This is our policy recommendation. Smoke Free Workplace Policy To protect and enhance our indoor air quality and to contribute to the health and well-being of all employees, the (Company Name) shall be entirely smoke-free effective (date). Additionally, effective (date), the use of all tobacco and smoking products, including chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes), is banned from the (Company) workplace, except as designated in this policy. Smoking is prohibited in all of the enclosed areas within the (Company) work sites, without exception. This includes common work areas, the manufacturing facilities, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, private offices, hallways, the lunchrooms, stairs, restrooms, employer-owned or leased vehicles, and all other enclosed facilities. The only designated smoking area in (Company) is outdoors, on the far west end of the building, within the fe nced-in area. No one may smoke along any pathway or walkway leading to or from the designated smoking area, nor may employees smoke at the picnic tables nor outdoors in any of the grassy areas or the parking lots. Additionally, employees may smoke in their personal vehicles, but the smoke and tobacco products must be completely contained within the vehicle. It is not acceptable that either smoking or non-smoking employees are subjected to smoke that they must walk through to reach their vehicle or any other destination on the (Company) premises. While the (Company) makes ansicht areas available to smokers, it in no way has any legal responsibility to do so. Employees who choose to use these smoking areas do so at their own risk. No additional breaks are allowed to any employee who smokes. Finally, smokers and users of tobacco products must dispose of the remains in the proper containers. This helps to keep a neat and clean environment for all employees and our visiting partners and customers. Failure to comply with all of the components of this policy will result in disciplinary action that can lead up to and include employment termination. I acknowledge receipt of and understanding of the (Your Company) Smoke Free Workplace Policy. The policy is effective (Date) until further notice. _______________________________________________________ Employee Signature _______________________________________________________ Employee Name (Please Print) ________________________________ Date___________________________

A Look at Logistic Officer Responsibilities

A Look at Logistic Officer ResponsibilitiesA Look at Logistic Officer ResponsibilitiesThe logistic officer is instrumental in identifying and evaluating procedures and processes, and determining the best procurement options for maintaining operations. Its a field that requires an eye for detail, a strong knowledge of the specific industry, how to address issues in that industry, and a good sense of business, project, and personnel management. Its also imperative that a logistic officer has interpersonal skills so that they can maintain and develop positive relationships with management, department heads, project managers, suppliers, vendors, and more.If you believe you have an interest in this field, here is a list of logistic officer responsibilities that employers are on the lookout for.Development and implementation of plans, budgets, and timelines for operations.Investigation, planning and execution of methodologies and tools that enable implementation of logistic planning.Collab orate with department heads to see that all staff is trained and cross-trained.Conduct and record technical survey missions for new projects, assignments, and pre-deployment corroborative visits to other countries.Guide, train, mentor, and oversee performance of junior and new logistics personnel.Ensure organization always has access to reliable and competent suppliers.Development of contingency plans in case of interruption in operations.Present and coordinate logistics helfende hand to all operations across land, rail, air and water.Ensure all operations and requirements take gender specific needs into consideration.Develop policies and standards of operating methods that allow efficient management of logistic operations.Monitor timeliness, accountability and cost-effectiveness of personnel and cargo.Investigate and identify logistic training needs to achieve higher performance standards.Coordinate logistics that manage funding and procurement.Design and execute logistics that sup port methodologies, polices, and processes to the betterment of all operations.Create reports on personnel and material movements, and operational logistics problems.Organize and manage transportation of goods.Identify, research, and address barriers that interfere with optimal operational efficiency in procurement.Development of scheduling for downsizing and liquidation.Monitor use of materials and goods to manage losses, fraud, and waste.Quality record keeping.Bachelors degree in business management, procurement, logistics or related industry study. If you find this set of logistic officer responsibilities to align with your education and skills, youre ready to click on Resume Builder and create a document that shows hiring managers that you have the abilities theyre looking for.. Related Articles A Promotion Announcement Letter is More Than a Pat-on-the-BackApology Letter for Being LateApology Letter for Missing an Interview

Network Engineer Resume Secrets That No One Else Knows About

Network Engineer Resume Secrets That No One Else Knows About When the employer is convinced about your potential, you will certainly be granted with a chance to begin a network engineering career. Some businesses will also wish to understand the sort of training taken by you to hone up your network engineering abilities. Network engineering is getting a hot industry these previous years. Today, what it requires to be a network engineer isnt so apparent. Network engineers may also work their connections to seek out equipment that may otherwise be tossed out, Akin stated. A Telecom Engineer is a good example of this. The Demise of Network Engineer Resume More information are available on Microsofts website. There are thousands of resume samples on the web to take a clue from. You are able to have a look at a couple of on-line services for examples so that you can picture it. All while being a small vague and general because a great deal of information about our network and the way its managed is confidential. New Ideas Into Network Engineer Resume Never Before Revealed So ive been employed as an electrician for the past 8 decades, ive never worked in IT. If youre searching for work, no longer rely on just 1 solution to track down careers. You are interested in work. Locate the ideal automobile insurance quotes here at low rates. A massive bulk purchase of equipment may also result in relatively lower prices if youve got the capital available and understand how to work some subsequent deals, Morris stated. If youve got zero experience in an IT or customer service role, you might discover that its tricky to land even the most fundamental of help desk jobs. Assess market requirements and determine your offering Think about your present job. Also, if you want to have achievements mentioned, you must put it to the qualification summary parts. Hence, you should be in a position to present your aims clearly and carefully in your CV. Youve got to h ave clearly written career objectives. Speak with them about your suggestions and goals. Gossip, Lies and Network Engineer Resume You will then have to list off your work experience. Sales people utilize the exact saatkorn technique Im recommending all of the time. Way any it ought to be emphasized. Education and Training Training supplies you with technical skills. The aim of your enterprise card resume is to take part in an interaction with the man or woman to receive them to remember you. Your summary section is probably the very first thing a hiring manager will read, which means you wish to enaya it is the best aspect of your resume. With that awkward analogy from the way, just bear in mind that HR is typically the very first step in screening candidates. Writing a thriving paper consists of many essential elements whatever sort of academics work you need to finish. Ensure you print the cover letter on a fantastic excellent paper. Also ensure you customize the docu ment to the job which youre applying for. Bear in mind there are a number of other candidates making an application and writing their resumes to standout from various other candidates. The Downside Risk of Network Engineer Resume Kevins objective is to promote you with a 1 page resume. In the very first line, you should define yourself. Dont forget to decide on a quote or motto thats in accord with the values and demands of the organization and position you apply to. Youve got to mention professional experiences in rather first line. When you see areas that youre knowledgeable in, be sure you list them here. Applying for a position in the computer and data technology industry can be difficult. Utilize linkedin jobs buy pattern paper on-line malaysia to harness the ability of your network and become hired. When youre interested in receiving work in the network engineering field, your resume should be especially catered to the demands of this discipline. The Foolproof Netw ork Engineer Resume Strategy Attempt to receive your personality to show in your resume so youre memorable The very last thing which you would love to do is usually receive a job which you arent do. You meet somebody who needs something and you would like to offer assist. Most importantly take some comfort in knowing that a great deal of technical interviewers dont do it frequently, and typically only every time a role has to be filled.

3 Experts Share How Virtual Interviews Help Them Find Their Best Candidate

3 Experts Share How Virtual Interviews Help Them Find Their Best CandidateTheres nothing better than finding a true rockstar candidate. In fact, theres something invigorating about it. But even the best recruiters have dry spells when you just cant binnenseem to find the right person for the role. To get out of unterstellung ruts, sometimes it helps to hear how others find recruiting success. You can gain a new perspective on the best way to identify great candidates and refine yur own strategies for growing your candidate pool.For inspiration, we asked expert recruiters how they were able to find their best candidate via virtual interview. Here are their stories and a few takeaway tips to help you improve your recruiting game1. Understand candidate motivationsCanned interview questions get canned interview responses. Because I dont meet my candidates face-to-face, I take additional steps to verify and give myself confidence in their fit.In the case of finding my best candidate, I asked, Why are you looking for a change?, Why is now a good time to make a change?, and What are you trying to improve about your current situation that you cant get at your current employer? I wanted to understand his motivation and what he was trying to solve to make sure I could match him up with opportunities that truly could improve his situation.Greg Ivory Account Executive, Commercial Construction at Management Recruiters of Cedar RapidsKey takeawayDont make the mistake of using the same canned interview questions for every open position. The motivations that make an exceptional salesperson are not the same as a software developer. Find a way to learn each candidates needs so you can determine if they align with the organization. When you encourage candidates to talk about something that matters to them, you get a better idea of how happy theyll be with your company in the long run.Dont just use candidates words to assess them. Also, consider clues about their personality you see in the virtualinterviews.Click To Tweet2. Look for the personal detailsOne thing that stood out about my best candidate was his chosen backdrop for the virtual interview. He recorded the interview in his study at home. The background wasnt a bland, nondescript environment. It had personality but wasnt overly busy. I felt that I got some insight into his personality. The books on his shelf revealed that his interests spanned beyond his marketing profession into interesting hobbies and sports. The pictures revealed a tight bond with his family. I could tell that this candidate was a dynamic individual that could fit in well with my clients team. Matt Dodgson, Director at Market RecruitmentKey takeawayWith virtual interviews, you can review candidates responses more than once. After listening to their answers, take another look for details in the shot that give a hint to the candidates interests and personality. Since job seekers can record virtual interviews anywhere they like, c hances are the schauplatz they choose will reveal something about who they are.3. Be sure to move quicklyAs any recruiter would know, there is much follow-up between each hiring step, so one additional step in this process can mean hours of additional work per candidate. By using virtual interviews, we are able to combine the phone screen and in-person initial interview into one interaction. We had hundreds of applicants for the VP of Marketing position and, as the main recruiter, I was able to virtually meet with over 50 candidates in a reasonably time-effective way. We believe that time to hire is a critical driver of acceptance when it comes to competitive applicants. Virtual interviews save time in the hiring process, hence directly increase the likelihood that our top choice accepts our offer. In our recent search for VP of Marketing, we would have lost our top choice candidate had we not followed an efficient virtual interview process and moved quickly to offer. We were able t o make an offer within two weeks of receiving her resume. She later reported that she had another competitive offer come in right after she accepted ours and would have accepted the other offer had we not moved quickly.Jen Raines-Loring, VP of People and head of recruiting at Springboard RetailKey takeawayRemember that the hiring process is a two-way street. Candidates are making a decision about your company as youre making one about them. Set clear criteria for the position before posting the job so there is no second guessing once video interviews roll in. This will ensure you can keep up with the pace of the virtual interview process and make an offer to your top choice before its too late.Dont let your top choice candidate get away because your hiring process is too slow. recruitingClick To Tweet