Top Career Tips After Graduation

Top Career Tips After Graduation Top Career Tips After Graduation The competition to get post-graduate jobs gets tougher each year. If you have just graduated it is important to do everything in your power to kickstart your career. You have spent years studying and preparing yourself for your working life, now it is time to press on.You may feel anxious as you haven’t lined up a job after graduation, you might be worried that your lack of professional experience will make it difficult to get a job, or you may not have a clear idea about what industry you want to work in.Don’t worry, today’s top professionals were once in your position. Life after graduation can be challenging but this is nothing to fear.What to do after graduation with no work experience? Follow these career tips for fresh graduates to maximize your chances of landing, and nailing, the all-important first job after college. The first thing to focus on is writing the perfect student resumeResume tips after graduation: tailor it for each positionYour resume is the most importan t tool you have to sell yourself to employers. Start by focusing on your accomplishments, qualifications, and experience to write an attractive, professional-looking resume.Follow tips for writing a winning resume and make sure yours is updated and up-to-scratch. The next trick is to tailor your resume for each position you apply for, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume.Read carefully through each job description and highlight the keywords and phrases. Then build them into your resume. This will show the employer that you meet the requirements and are the ideal candidate for the job. Using a resume builder allows you to quickly chop-and-change your resume for each job.Career advice after graduationWhat do you want to doNow you’ve graduated it’s time to really think about what you want to do with your life. You may already have a clear idea, if not it is time to make some very important career decisions.What kind of work do you enjoy doing? What are your strength s? When looking for a job, don’t just take the first job that comes along. Make a plan which will put you on the path that you want to be on.Focus on long-term goalsThis is one of the most important career tips for graduates. Look for a job which will open doors for you. This stage of your career should be about development so keep this in mind.Of course the salary is a big factor in your decision, but the job which pays the most in the short-term may not be the right one for you. See the value of each position not only in monetary terms, but also as an investment of your time and a chance to grow and develop skills.Be patientAlthough some graduates have a job lined up before they’ve graduated and others find something instantly, don’t worry if this is not the case for you. Don’t let yourself be disheartened.Sometimes sending resumes and writing cover letters can feel like a fruitless task. It isn’t. Stay positive, do everything in your power and keep going. You will get t here.Use your contacts and continue to networkLife after college is different, making friends is not as easy as it was. The plus side is that, as a fresh graduate, you are likely to know countless other students as well as ex-professors.Use this to your advantage. Stay in touch with as many friends as possible as this will help to uncover job leads. A recommendation to an employer from a friend is invaluable and may just land you the job.Research and fully prepare for job interviewsJob interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re not used to them. The more you prepare the more confident you’ll feel. The trick is to anticipate the job interview questions.Make sure you research the company as much as possible. Follow job interview tips to prepare yourself fully. This will help to avoid panicky moments where you are scrambling for answers on the spot.Consider internshipsSometimes it can pay off, in the long run, to do an internship after graduating. The experience you g ain can be extremely valuable and lead to something better.However, make sure it’s worth your time. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions regarding the training and development. If you’re not learning anything the internship is of little value.Keep learningJust because you’ve finished college it doesn’t mean you should stop learning. Most jobs require numerous abilities and it’s important to keep your skillset up-to-date. This is one of the key career tips for recent graduatesYou can learn many skills online. Many jobs require the ability to use certain programs, teach yourself how to learn them using online resources and add them to your resume. You may also consider doing on of the many courses after graduation.Starting your first job after graduationMake a positive first impression when you start a new job. Stay positive and enthusiastic.If the work you are doing is too straightforward and simple, ask for more stimulating tasks and for more responsibilities. Your n ew boss will be impressed by your attitude and the job will be more interesting.

Why peoples fitness posts make us feel bad about ourselves

Why people's fitness posts make us feel bad about ourselves Why people's fitness posts make us feel bad about ourselves When you scroll through your Instagram and see friends and coworkers posting about finishing that marathon or meeting that weight loss goal, their happiness about their accomplishment can come at a cost to your mental wellbeing. This is the dark side of #fitspo (fitness inspiration) that a new study published in the journal Health Communication discovered.Researchers Tricia Burke and  Stephen Rains found that the more exercise-related posts you see in your feed, the more self-conscious and concerned about your weight you can become, which can result in an unhealthy body image. “Although people might have positive intentions with regard to posting about exercise online (e.g., promoting accountability and motivation), these posts can result in observers’ body dissatisfaction,” the study concluded.Exercise posts increase our weight concernHow badly you felt about someone’s gym selfie depended on how you viewed the people in your social media feed. When researchers recruited 232 people to count the number of exercise-related posts they saw on their favorite social media platform, they found that people who felt they were similar to those frequent exercise posters were especially prone to feeling self-conscious.“Similarity heightens social comparison, so if the person posting about exercise is someone who’s in your age group, has a similar build or a similar background, you might think that’s a pretty good reference, and that might spark in you even greater weight concern,”  Rains, one of the authors, of the study, said.But a marathon selfie is not always going to send you in a downward spiral about yourself. The researchers found that for people who make upward comparisons, or people who saw the exercisers as superior to them, they developed more positive exercise attitudes. ‘If my awesome friend could wake up early to run, why can’t I?’ becomes your motivating mantra to hold yourself accountable.“With upward social comparisons, you tend to compare yourself to those you perceive as superior to you,” Burke said. “So, for example, if you’re in a classroom, you’d compare yourself to the smartest kid in class. In terms of exercise, if a person is posting a lot about exercise, they must be really fit, so you’re using that as a motivator.”We measure ourselves by other people’s success. Sometimes, it can be motivating to observe your buddy’s fitness journey from afar. But sometimes, it may be better to opt out and unfollow.

Account Sales Representative Job Description Sample

Account Sales Representative Job Description Sample Account Sales Representative Job Description Sample Account Sales Representative Job Description Sample Thisaccount sales representativesample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements. Account Sales Representative Job Responsibilities: Generates revenue by developing market potential through forecasting, lead generation, qualification, and closing sales; recommending new products and services. Account Sales Representative Job Duties: Identifies market potential by qualifying accounts. Initiates sales process by scheduling appointments; making initial presentation; understanding account requirements. Closes sales by building rapport with potential account; explaining product and service capabilities; overcoming objections; preparing contracts. Expands sales in existing accounts by introducing new products and services; developing new applications. Contributes information to market strategy by monitoring competitive products and reactions from accounts. Recommends new products and services by evaluating current product results; identifying needs to be filled. Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities. Accomplishes marketing and organization mission by completing related results as needed. Account Sales Representative Skills and Qualifications: Presentation Skills, Internal Communications, Informing Others, Verbal Communication, Closing Skills, Motivation for Sales, Sales Planning, Territory Management, Prospecting Skills, Persistence, Meeting Sales Goals. Employers: Post a job in minutes to reach candidates everywhere. Job Seekers: Search Account Sales Representative Jobs and apply on now. Learn more aboutthe hiring process: The 50 Toughest Interview Questions Block Out Biases During the Interview Resume Search: Spotting Exceptional Talent

How to Write Your Formal Letter of Resignation

How to Write Your Formal Letter of Resignation How to Write Your Formal Letter of Resignation A new position has come along and the time has come to write your formal letter of resignation. We will show you a polite, classy and professional resignation letter template below and why it is important. Keep your letter for resignation concise There is no need to reminisce about the good times or get emotional and creative. This is also not the time or place to take stabs at the company. Instead, stay on topic and let them know the following: “Dear [insert name], Please accept this formal letter of resignation from my position as [insert job title]. My last day with the company will officially be [insert date].” It is a good idea to give your company two weeks notice in your letter for resignation. Give your company a chance to prepare for your departure. It is the right thing to do for your colleagues. Remember your manners There is an odd psychology behind saying, “Thank you”. Whether you leave the company for good reasons or not, you should always say, “Thank you”. It shows you are appreciative, not petty, and professional. Try writing something like this: “Thank you for the opportunity to work in this position. Over the last [insert number of years] I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with all of you. I’ve learned [insert valuable lessons you learned], which will stay with me throughout my career.” The above section of a formal letter of resignation shows that you appreciate the people you work with and the time spent with them. It will leave them hoping to work with you again, one day. Note how you will help in the job transition A great career skill to have is knowing how to leave a position while transferring into a new role. Companies with toxic work cultures often inspire employees to leave in negative, dramatic fashion. This is not you. You want to remain professional in your formal letter of resignation. If it is hard for you, just stick to the template offered so far and below: “In my final two weeks, I will do my very best to make my transition as seamless as possible. I will finish all job duties and train staff to take over for me. If there is anything you think I need to do in the next two weeks, please let me know how I can help you. Cheers to your continued success. Thank you again, [insert your name]” The most important thing to remember about your formal letter of resignation is to exit with your head held high. You want to be remembered as a classy, professional colleague. As the saying goes, “Always leave them wanting more.” Your formal resignation will show everyone that you are a true professional to be missed! How to Write Your Formal Letter of Resignation A new position has come along and the time has come to write your formal letter of resignation. We will show you a polite, classy and professional resignation letter template below and why it is important. Keep your letter for resignation concise There is no need to reminisce about the good times or get emotional and creative. This is also not the time or place to take stabs at the company. Instead, stay on topic and let them know the following: “Dear [insert name], Please accept this formal letter of resignation from my position as [insert job title]. My last day with the company will officially be [insert date].” It is a good idea to give your company two weeks notice in your letter for resignation. Give your company a chance to prepare for your departure. It is the right thing to do for your colleagues. Remember your manners There is an odd psychology behind saying, “Thank you”. Whether you leave the company for good reasons or not, you should always say, “Thank you”. It shows you are appreciative, not petty, and professional. Try writing something like this: “Thank you for the opportunity to work in this position. Over the last [insert number of years] I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with all of you. I’ve learned [insert valuable lessons you learned], which will stay with me throughout my career.” The above section of a formal letter of resignation shows that you appreciate the people you work with and the time spent with them. It will leave them hoping to work with you again, one day. Note how you will help in the job transition A great career skill to have is knowing how to leave a position while transferring into a new role. Companies with toxic work cultures often inspire employees to leave in negative, dramatic fashion. This is not you. You want to remain professional in your formal letter of resignation. If it is hard for you, just stick to the template offered so far and below: “In my final two weeks, I will do my very best to make my transition as seamless as possible. I will finish all job duties and train staff to take over for me. If there is anything you think I need to do in the next two weeks, please let me know how I can help you. Cheers to your continued success. Thank you again, [insert your name]” The most important thing to remember about your formal letter of resignation is to exit with your head held high. You want to be remembered as a classy, professional colleague. As the saying goes, “Always leave them wanting more.” Your formal resignation will show everyone that you are a true professional to be missed!

Get paid to hang out with a bunch of cute cats on a Greek island

Get paid to hang out with a bunch of cute cats on a Greek island Get paid to hang out with a bunch of cute cats on a Greek island Move over, “Mamma Mia” - we’ve found a new Greek island dream. There’s a group on the tiny island of Syros looking for a cat caretaker and we’re all over it.God’s Little People Cat Rescue  on the Greek Cycladic island of Syros is a cat sanctuary and adoption center that houses 55 rescue cats and feeds an entire colony of stray cats on the island.Now, we’d be tempted by anywhere calling itself a cat sanctuary, but we gotta say this is a pretty plush deal. In addition to getting paid for your cat labor (four hours a day), you’ll get a little seaside house with a view of the Aegean Sea and a peaceful garden.Your cat duties would include caring for 55 cats - bonus points if you’re a vet - and generally loving felines. The  job description on Facebook reads,  â€œYou will at times be expected to trap or handle a feral or non-sociable cat, so knowing something about a cats psychology too is important + cat-whispering skills should come natural to you.”The shelter has two policies animal lovers love: no cages and no killing. A big part of the job is working with local vets on the island to make sure all the kitties stay in tip-top shape.“You’ll no doubt thrive best if you are the type of person who appreciates nature and likes tranquility - and rest comfortably in your own company,” said the job posting. “That said, you’ll never feel lonely in the company of the cats and you’ll be expected to live with a small handful of cats in your house.”The posting also makes sure to clarify that this  is not  a joke and that cat lovers should definitely apply. The job would start in November and last six months. Six months living among the kitties on a Greek island? PurrrfectThis post  was originally published on  Swirled.com  in the Thrive section, which covers valuable career and personal finance content for Millennials.

Demand Letter FAQ - United States

Demand Letter FAQ - United States Demand Letter FAQ - United States GeneralIs the demand letter just a form of threat intended to compel the other side to pay up?No, the demand letter is designed to reach a civilized solution to the financial predicament that one party has caused to the other. By pointing out that further legal action may be taken if no resolution is found, the demand letter is intended to encourage settlement rather than going to trial. Should I keep a copy of the letter for my own records?Yes, you should retain a copy of the letter in case further legal action is required and the recipient of the letter attempts to deny having received it. If I do not receive a response to my demand letter, what should I do?If your demand has been ignored or the Recipient refuses to agree to your terms in the letter, your next course of action would be to file a lawsuit. What method of delivery should I use?To ensure that the demand letter is received, you should use certified mail where possible. Debt OwedDo I need to provide documentation of the debt owed with the demand letter?No, but providing copies of any documents you have evidencing the debt that is owed will increase the likelihood that the debtor will pay back the debt rather than letting the issue go to court. Can I use the Debt Owed Demand Letter even if the debt isn't owed entirely to me?Yes, you can use the Debt Owed Demand Letter, but only demand payment of the portion of the debt that is owed to you. NSF CheckWhat does NSF mean?NSF stands for not sufficient funds, and refers to a Check that has been drawn on an account with insufficient funds to meet the value of the Check, or an account which has since been closed. If my demand is ignored, and I file suit against the writer of the Check, can I seek other damages?Yes, in most states the Payee of a Check can receive up to three times the amount of the Check in damages, but damages are frequently limited to a maximum of $1,500. Am I required to send a demand letter to the writer of the Check before filing suit against them?No, you do not have to contact the writer of the Check. However, sending a demand letter is often the quickest and easiest way to collect money owed because of a NSF Check. Stop PaymentWhen can I use the Stop Payment Demand Letter?Use this form of demand letter when a Check that was written to you was stopped by the writer of the Check, resulting in you not being paid what you were owed. How much time should I give the writer of the Check to make payment?Generally, there is no required time frame, but you should give the writer of the Check sufficient time to examine their records and determine if they have a good faith dispute over the payment that was stopped. Three to five days is usually a sufficient amount of time. SettlementWhy would I even consider accepting a lesser amount than what I am owed?In cases where you know that the debtor will not be able to repay the entire debt in a reasonable period of time, you can offer to accept less than what you are owed to ensure that you actually recover at least part of the debt. This option is most often exercised when the creditor knows that even if they win at trial, the debtor will likely be unable to repay all the debt. You may also accept a lesser amount because you want to avoid the uncertainty of trial, you need your money right away, or your legal expenses will be high and you may get little of these costs back even if you are successful at trial. What if the Recipient agrees to pay me?Having the Recipient acknowledging the letter and stating that he agrees to the terms of the letter is merely an agreement to agreement. Unless you have paid some consideration or given some value such as accepting a lesser amount or accepting payment over time, the agreement to agree would not be legally binding. If you are accepting payment over time and there was some doubt as to the Recipient's liability to pay, you might want him to sign a promissory note instead. If you are accepting a lesser amount, you might want to use an Accord and Satisfaction (see LawDepot's Release Agreement).

How to Foster Employee Motivation

How to Foster Employee Motivation How to Foster Employee Motivation Employee motivation is a continuing challenge at work. Supervisors and managers walk a tough road, particularly in work environments that dont emphasize employee satisfaction as part of an embraced and supported overall business strategy. On the one hand, they recognize their power in drawing forth the best employees have to offer, while on the other, they may not feel supported, rewarded, or recognized themselves for their work to develop motivated, contributing employees. The suggestion for managers? Get over it. No work environment will ever perfectly support your efforts to help employees choose motivated behaviors at work. Even the most supportive workplaces provide daily challenges and often appear to operate at cross purposes with your goals and efforts to encourage employee motivation. No matter what climate your organization provides to support employee motivation, you can create an environment that fosters and calls forth motivation from employees. Opportunities to Influence Employee Motivation You can take daily actions that will increase employee satisfaction. Recommended are actions that employees say, in a recent Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)  survey, are important to their job satisfaction. Management actions in these areas will create a work environment conducive to employee motivation. Here are seven consequential ways in which a manager or supervisor can create a work environment that will foster and influence increases in employee motivation. Communicate Responsibly and Effectively   Employees want to be members of the in-crowd, people who know what is happening at work as soon as other employees know. They want the information necessary to do their jobs. They need enough information so that they make good decisions about their work. Meet with employees following management staff meetings to update them about any company information that may have an impact on their work. Changing due dates, customer feedback, product improvements, training opportunities, and updates on new departmental reporting or interaction structures are all important to employees. Communicate more than you think is necessary.Stop by the work area of employees who are particularly affected by a change to communicate more. Make sure the employee is clear about what the change means for their job, goals, time allocation, and decisions. Communicate daily with every employee who reports to you. Even a pleasant good morning enables the employee to engage with you.Hold a weekly one-on-one meeting with each employee who reports to you. They like to know that they will have this time every week. Encourage employees to come prepared with questions, requests for support, troubleshooting ideas for their work, and information that will keep you from being blindsided or disappointed by a failure to produce on schedule or as committed. Encourage Communication With Senior and Executive Managers Employees find interaction and communication with and attention from senior and executive managers motivational. In the recent Global Workforce Study by Towers Perrin (now Towers Watson), which included nearly 90,000 workers from 18 countries, the role of senior managers in attracting employee discretionary effort exceeded that of immediate supervisors. Communicate openly, honestly, and frequently. Hold whole staff meetings periodically, attend department meetings regularly, and communicate by wandering around work areas engaging staff and demonstrating an interest in their work.Implement an open door policy for staff members to talk, share ideas, and discuss concerns. Make sure that managers understand the problems that they can and should solve will be directed back to them, but it is the executives job to listen.Congratulate staff on life events such as new babies, inquire about vacation trips, and ask about how both personal and company events turned out. Care enough to stay tuned into these kinds of employee life events and activities. Create Opportunities for Employees to Develop Their Skills Provide the opportunity for employees to develop their skills and abilities. Employees want to continue to develop their knowledge and skills. Employees do not want jobs that they perceive as no-brain drudge work. Allow staff members to attend important meetings, meetings that cross functional areas, and that the supervisor normally attends.Bring staff to interesting, unusual events, activities, and meetings. It’s quite a learning experience for a staff person to attend an executive meeting with you or represent the department in your absence.Make sure the employee has several goals that he or she wants to pursue as part of every quarter’s performance development plan  (PDP). Personal development goals belong to the same plan. Reassign responsibilities that the employee does not like or that are routine. Newer staff, interns, and contract employees may find the work challenging and rewarding. Or, at least, all employees have their turn.Provide the opportunity for the employee to cross-train in other roles and responsibilities. Assign backup responsibilities for tasks, functions, and projects. Provide Opportunities for Employees to Self-Manage and Take on Responsibilities Employees gain a lot of motivation from the nature of the work itself.  Employees seek autonomy and independence in decision making and in how they approach accomplishing their work and job. Provide more authority for the employee to self-manage and make decisions. Within the clear framework of the PDP and ongoing effective communication, delegate decision making after defining limits, boundaries, and critical points at which you want to receive feedback.Expand the job to include new, higher level responsibilities. Assign responsibilities to the employee that will help them grow their skills and knowledge. Stretching assignments develop staff capabilities and increase their ability to contribute at work. (Remove some of the time-consuming, less desirable job components at the same time, so the employee does not feel that what was delegated was “more” work.) Provide the employee a voice in higher level meetings; provide more access to important and desirable meetings and projects.Provide more information by including the employee on specific mailing lists, in company briefings, and in your confidence.Provide more opportunity for the employee to have an impact on department or company goals, priorities, and measurements.Assign the employee to head up projects or teams. Assign reporting staff members to their leadership on projects or teams or under his or her direct supervision. Enable the employee to spend more time with their boss. Most employees find this attention rewarding. Address Employee Concerns and Complaints Elicit and address employee concerns and complaints before they make an employee or workplace dysfunctional. Listening to employee complaints and keeping the employee informed about how you are addressing the complaint are critical to producing a motivating work environment. Even if the complaint cannot be resolved to the employee’s satisfaction, the fact that you addressed the complaint and provided feedback about the consideration and resolution of the complaint to the employee is appreciated. The importance of the feedback loop in addressing employee concerns cannot be overemphasized. Keep your door open and encourage employees to come to you with legitimate concerns and questions.Always address and provide feedback to the employee about the status of their expressed concern. The concern or complaint cannot disappear into a dark hole forever. Nothing causes more consternation for an employee than feeling that their legitimate concern went unaddressed. Employee Recognition and Awards Recognition of employee performance is high on the list of employee needs for motivation. Many supervisors equate reward and recognition with monetary gifts. While employees appreciate money, they also appreciate praise, a verbal or written thank you, out-of-the-ordinary job content opportunities, and attention from their supervisor. Write a thank you note that praises and thanks an employee for a specific contribution in as much detail as possible to reinforce and communicate to the employee the behaviors you want to continue to see.Verbally praise and recognize an employee for a contribution. Visit the employee in their workspace.Give the employee a small token of your gratitude. A card, their favorite candy bar, a cutting from a plant in your office, fruit for the whole office, and more, based on the traditions and interaction in your office, will make an employee’s day. Foster Employee-Supervisor Relationships Employees appreciate a responsive and involved relationship with their immediate supervisor. Avoid canceling regular meetings, and if you must, stop by the employee’s work area to apologize, offer the reason, and immediately reschedule. Regularly missing an employee meeting sends a powerful message of disrespect.Talk daily with each employee who reports to you. The daily interaction builds the relationship and will stand for a lot when times are troubled, disappointments occur, or you need to address employee performance improvement.The interaction of an employee with their immediate supervisor is the most significant factor in an employees satisfaction with work. Practice just listening. Encourage the employee who brings you an idea or improvement. Even if you think the idea wont work, that the idea has been unsuccessfully tried in the past, or you believe your executive leadership wont support it, this is not what the employee wants to hear from the supervisor. Remember that your nonverbal communication  says more than the words you use to convey your honest response to employee thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. Pay attention, ask questions to further elicit information, and focus on understanding the employees communication. Lose your reactions: shrugged shoulders, rolling eyes, or partial attention are insulting and degrading.The supervisors relationship with reporting staff is the single most important factor in employee retention. Stay on top of what your staff needs and wants to provide a work environment for employee motivation. Employee motivation is a common interest for supervisors and managers who are responsible to oversee the work of other employees. If you pay constant attention to these significant factors in employee motivation, youll win with motivated, excited, contributing employees.