Saturday, May 30, 2020

The Future of Workspace

The Future of Workspace Because the nature of work has dramatically changed in every industry throughout the world, workspace design and architecture has evolved, too. Many years ago, employees moved around a lot, whether that’s going to the next room to hold a team meeting, running to the next building to hand-deliver important documents, or even traveling to a client’s place of business. While a significant amount of that kind of physical labor is still being done today, technology has significantly made things easier and faster. Important documents are now digitized and sent through email, meetings can be done through call or video conferencing, recruitment can be accomplished through HR software, and collaboration can be achieved through many different apps. Plus, what was once done by multiple machines can now be accomplished by a single, mobile computer â€" the laptop. And with all these technological improvements affecting the way business is done, come the changes in the work environment. But of course, today’s workspace design is highly influenced by those of the past, from the open offices of the 1950s when smoking inside offices was the norm and the cubicles of the 1960s that encouraged privacy, to the glass windows of the 80s and the coworking spaces of the 2000s to today’s wellness-centered offices. As such, commercial properties for rent or sale have adjusted to the demands, especially since a lot of businesses are taking a cue from creative tech companies that have revolutionized their environment. Google, for instance, is known as one of the best tech companies to work for. Why? Because you get to experience what it’s like to work in Googleplex, their massive facility in California where you can have free access to state-of-the-art amenities. Fitness gym, sports facilities, massage rooms, and kitchens that serve yummy and healthy meals are just a few of what Googleplex offers its employees. Of course, Apple is never far behind. Its eco-friendly tech office is aptly nicknamed “the spaceship”. The 175-acre property features 9,000 drought-resistance trees, meadows, ponds, and gardens so employees can feel relaxed and one with nature amidst all the work. Would you feel stressed at work if you’re in an office such as this? Maybe not. The social media giant, Facebook, has a gigantic facility as well that features modern architecture and outdoor art installations that truly encourages creative thinking. Not just that â€" they have lounges and relaxation corners where employees can decompress. And if they need to go from one building to the other? They can ride a bike or use the tram for free! Microsoft is another tech company that sets the bar high when it comes to sophisticated workspaces that are eco-friendly, too. Their 500-acre office complex in Washington are equipped with sensors and building automation systems. Some of their buildings are even powered by renewable energy to encourage employees to be more environmentally conscious. Walkways and roads between buildings are designed for biking or walking, to prompt employees to move around and stay fit. Meanwhile, Salesforce and Amazon are companies that are taking office architecture and design to a whole new level. Salesforce, for one, is the tallest office building in San Francisco and is considered to be a famous landmark in the area. Its top nine floors have LED lights that give passersby and tourists a nightly light show. Amazon’s glass dome biospheres, on the other hand, has drawn people’s attention everywhere. In fact, Amazon’s office has become a tourist destination. Just be sure to book your tour in advance to see the amazing architecture and interiors. Now, with all the tech improvements that have been going on and with the way these tech companies are setting the bar, you must be wondering: What’s the future of workspace? Check out this infographic that details the evolution of workspaces and the various features that employees may start to look for in their work environment. About the author: Jennifer Dela Cruz spent eight years in real estate, with six years in commercial leasing and facility management. She is now the leasing director of Figari  handling leasing and business development. Her charisma and dynamic attitude certainly make her the life of the party. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and getting a tan.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Get a College Graduate Resume Template For Free

Get a College Graduate Resume Template For FreeIf you are a recent college graduate, there is a pretty good chance that you are having a hard time finding a job. Many people who were educated years ago are still hoping to find a job and they want to know if there is anything that can be done to improve their chances of landing a job. If you have been out of college for quite some time, you may not even be aware that there are any jobs available in your field. That is why one of the best ways to ensure that you get a good job is to get a resume template that will help you land a new job.There are literally thousands of resume templates that you can use to help you land a job when you are searching for a job. The problem is that there are only a few hundred of them that can actually be of any help to you. This means that you are probably going to end up spending a great deal of time looking through all of them to find the one that fits your needs and skills the best.If you are like mos t people, you probably just don't have the time to waste when it comes to looking for a resume template. If that is the case, then you need to find a way to eliminate the stress and frustration that are often associated with the process. Luckily, there is an easy solution to this problem and that is to purchase a resume template.When you first graduate from college, you should be prepared to start your search for a job as a college graduate. Even if you have a work experience, having a college graduate resume template can help you get your foot in the door of your desired career field. If you don't have any experience in your chosen field, then you are going to have to show that you are very knowledgeable about the industry in which you want to work.Using a resume template can help you do just that. You will be able to write a resume that is formatted in such a way that it will stand out and get you noticed. In addition, your resume will also show that you have the experience and kn owledge that employers are looking for.Now that you know what a resume template can do for you, how can you find one? First, you should consider browsing on the internet to see what companies are offering you for free resume templates. There are plenty of websites that have them and they are free to download. You can even print them out if you wish.Second, you should find some additional resources that can help you get a good resume template for free. Check into free resume services, for example. You should be able to find plenty of them online and they should be able to create a resume that is formatted to meet your specific needs.Finally, one of the best ways to get a resume template for free is to use the service of a freelance writer. A freelance writer can produce a professional resume for you that will be impressive enough to land you the job. In addition, the writer will create the resume in such a way that it will make your prospective employer want to call you for an interv iew.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

How to Pass the Time Without Using Social Media

How to Pass the Time Without Using Social Media Spending too much time on social media sites can affect your life in negative ways. You can get bombarded by comments of people who might not agree with you on political or social issues. You can start to feel like a failure as you watch the posts of others who are getting great jobs, getting married, having children, or buying a nice big house while you sit in your home wondering when something great will happen to you. If this is happening to you, you need to get away from social media sites and start passing the time on the internet doing other things. Here are some things you can do to bring pleasure back into your internet experience. Become a Fiction and Poetry Writer There are many websites that look for poetry and short story writers, so why not become one of them? You can excite your creative juices and write about your life, how you feel about things, and the imaginary world you want to create. Some of these sites will even pay you for your poetry and stories. Become a Survey Taker Another option you can use to make money is by taking surveys and reviewing websites. These sites typically are looking for people who are willing to express their views on products or services. The companies use this information to help them target their message to a receptive audience or to make changes in their products or services so they are better suited to meet the requirements of potential customers. Some of the surveys can be 10-20 minutes long, so it’s a great way to pass time. Create a Website If you have a special hobby or interest that you want to teach others about, you can spend time on the internet creating a website dedicated to that hobby or interest. There are many sites that will teach you how to put a website together with pictures, videos, and words. All you have to do is create a name for your website and hire a website hosting company that will put your website on the internet. Don’t let social media take up too much of your time. Try getting involved in one of the above recommendations instead and you’ll soon be glad to see the back of Facebook and Twitter! . Images via pixabay.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

How to Answer Illegal Interview Questions

How to Answer Illegal Interview Questions There may be a number of times within an interview where you feel that the potential employer or interviewer is getting a little too personal with their questions. Never assume that an interviewer is asking a question simply because it benefits them, sometimes they’re just feeling chatty and would like to get to know the real you rather than the perfectly robotic 9-5 that you will inevitably pretend to be. However, just because the interviewer has good intentions, doesn’t mean that you should have to answer all of their quirky questions. What is discrimination? Discrimination is where you are treated less favourably than another individual on the grounds of sex, religion, race, age and so on. Discrimination comes in many different forms, each of them being illegal. The main categories covered by the discrimination act include: Age, Children, Citizenship, Criminal Record, Disability, Marital Status, Race, Relatives, Sex and Union Affiliation. Examples of discrimination and how to deal with them: Due to the nature of these particular questions, they can be quite difficult to answer appropriately. It’s due to the distress that these questions cause that we’ve provided you with some examples of illegal interview questions and how you could go about answering them: 1) How old are you? Whilst this question may appear innocent at first glance, it is actually illegal to ask the age of a candidate until after they have either been employed or their application has been declined.  On the other hand, your interviewer could have worded their question poorly and what they really want to know is whether you are of an age in which you are legal to work within the UK. If you are happy to disclose your age, feel free to do so but there is no requirement to answer this question. If you choose not to, look to add a little humour to the conversation to avoid offending your interviewer and direct the conversation back to your skills and experience. RELATED:  How to Get a Job Past the  Age  of 50 2) Are you married? If you are asked this question do not act defensive as the reaction that you give could potentially cost you the job. Instead of clamming up and choking on the question think about what it is that the interviewer could be asking â€" do you have any commitments besides the job? If you have priorities aside from the role that you are applying for politely inform them of your availability without relinquishing your marital status or interests. 3) Do you have any disabilities? This can be a very difficult question to answer as it is illegal for an employer to ask directly about disabilities or to reject a job application due to a physical or mental disability. If you are asked this question you must think to yourself whether or not you have a disability that might affect the way that you carry out the job role. If you feel that you can carry out the role without hindrance you should answer by saying: I can competently perform the duties required of me by the position I have applied for. By introducing a measure of subtlety you can discourage the individual from asking related questions.  However, if you would consider yourself disabled and in need of assistance within the job role you should answer by letting the interviewer know the exact type of assistance that you would require to perform your duties. If you feel uncomfortable talking about this topic you should remember that you do not have to go into detail when explaining your disabilities to the interviewer; only reveal as much information as you are comfortable with. 4) Which religion do you practise? Religion can be in incredibly sensitive subject as you may have a different religion to your potential employer, due to this you should attempt to answer politely without answering the question that has been asked. If your potential employer enquires about your religion they may actually want to know whether you’re available at specific times of the year and whether or not you can adhere to their work schedule. You can answer this question politely without actually answering by saying that your faith will not interfere with your work â€" this is a polite way of avoiding the topic. 5) Where do you live? Although an employer will find out where you live once you have been employed by them, it is illegal for them to ask this question within the interview.  If you are asked where you live and do not wish to disclose the information you can state whether or not relocating would be an issue for you if the company you to move. An alternative to stating whether or not you would be happy to move would be to give an extremely vague answer such as “My commute isn’t very long” or “I don’t live too far away”. If you believe that the interviewer is asking personal questions on a frequent basis and you are unhappy with the way in which the interview is progressing you should discuss the issue with the individual that is interviewing you. Failing this, you can request for another member of staff to be present throughout the interview. Author: Alastair Dawson currently works at www.access2barristersdirect.com, a company dedicated to providing the public with expert legal advice and guidance.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Tips For Using a Resume When You Submit For College Application

Tips For Using a Resume When You Submit For College ApplicationA good resume is an essential tool to use when you submit your resume for college application. A resume needs to reflect the right information about you. This will help a potential employer quickly see if this is the right person for the job. Here are some tips for you to use.Make sure to include your career objective first. Tell the employer what your goals are for this career. Having a career objective on your resume can help motivate you and it will give the employer a good idea about how you plan to reach your goals. It will also give the employer a clear idea of how you intend to make a success of your career.When designing your resume, choose a specific number of bullet points. Each bullet point should include all of the information about your accomplishments, what skills you possess, your educational background, your skills and abilities, and what awards you have received. Choose bullets that are related to the typ e of position you are applying for.Determine which careers match your career objectives. Look at your resume and identify areas that might be in line with the skills you want to develop. This may involve creating several lists of skill sets that are related to the positions you are applying for. You can then put these into each career section on your resume.Use paragraphs to list your most recent year's experience. Include details about your job responsibilities, how many hours you worked each week, how many days you worked each week, and the start and end dates of each of your assignments. Write a few words about each assignment and follow up with the dates.Another important area to include on your resume is a list of the benefits you receive from working for this company. Create a summary of the different types of benefits you will receive. Add the sum total of these benefits and include the contact information for the Human Resources department. This will make it easier for you t o get a hold of the right person to answer any questions that you may have regarding your employment.Put together a cover letter for your resume that goes along with your resume. Give an accurate description of the position you are applying for. Add a few sentences about yourself and how you think this position is the perfect fit for you. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity and ask them for an interview. An interview is not necessary but it will ensure that you get a second chance at getting a job.Your resume is an essential tool to use when you submit your resume for college application. Make sure to include the career objective and write down the skills you possess that are relevant to the job. It may take some time and effort to put together your resume but it will help you achieve the best results.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

3 Job Search Tips for the Shy or Introverted - Hire Imaging

3 Job Search Tips for the Shy or Introverted - Hire Imaging Popular media often views introversion and shyness as the same. The two get connected because they are both related to socializing. In the academic community, there is a difference. Introversion is a preference to spend more free time alone rather than socializing. It’s about you. Shyness is a fear of how others may perceive you; of whether they will disapprove of you or reject you. It’s about other people.   Both can feel like a weight when you’re in a job search, because reaching out to people is essential to the process in your job campaign. You need to network. You must interview to get the job. If you’re concerned about your reservations or reluctance to network, here are some ways that might help. 1.       Know yourself Typically introverts are quiet, but they aren’t necessarily shy. Pay attention to how you feel when you are around people. Imagine how you would feel if you had to make a speech or presentation. If you would feel anxious, you may have a fear of the situation. Or perhaps you struggle with not knowing what to say or have physical reactions like sweating or blushing. You may just be a quieter individual who prefers to spend as much time as possible in the company of your own thoughts and ideas, even when with other people. You may care a great deal about people but be confident in your own skin. Mingling or giving a talk doesn’t scare you; you’d just prefer not to. Recognize, write down and deal with the aspects of networking or interviewing that bother you most. If you’re pushing yourself to meet people, practice with friends or family. Tell them about your interests and strengths. If you don’t feel comfortable interviewing, role-play with a trusted confidant or professional career coach until you feel confident in interview connection and collaboration around what they need and how you can help â€" your career success stories.  And if fear is keeping you from moving forward, ask yourself this magical question, “What is the worst that can happen?” There. You have a tangible to address (probably much worse in your imagination than in reality). 2.       Make a plan One of my favorite truisms is that Preparation + Persistence = Progress. Planning your job search strategies and activities will give you momentum that takes you out of “winging it” mode and into “control throttle”. Plan what you want to say in your phone calls. Create your positioning statement to let others know what you want and offer. Prepare for events and interviews. That positioning statement is important here too. Anticipate questions and practice your responses. A common trait with introverts is thinking to talk. If this is you, focus on listening rather than self-promotion in initial job search conversations. Carefully select what events to attend and target those at the top of your list. Have a list of open-ended questions to ask network contacts (“How did you get started in the __business?”) and interviewers (If I were your hire, what would you want me to do first?”). 3.       Use social media. Technology is a great tool for preparing to meet folks in person. Use LinkedIn and other social media sites. I think it’s interesting that clients frequently say they “on there but doing nothing” with regard to LinkedIn. And other sites? Well, it’s usually an “I’m not going there” or “That’s social; I keep it separate.”  You could be missing the big boat, particularly if you’re a reserved person. Facebook, Twitter and other sites can set the stage for bonding with others. Adjust your mindset in how these can be used. Facebook enables you to connect with people you’ve lost touch with. And here’s the deal. They might be the perfect contacts. With discretion and personal messages, you can connect, tell people what you want and need, give back, and show you care. It’s networking in its finest form. On Twitter, you can make new friends in a target industry by following interesting people (your definition of that), replying to their tweets that touch you, and posting message of your own. The sky’s the limit. And LinkedIn; well, more than 93% of recruiters and hiring folks go there first to scout and screen talent. How can you justify not being there? As the Nike commercial says, “Just do it!” Beef up your profile, with special attention to your headline, summary, and skills. Post a friendly headshot photo. Join groups, connect and regularly use LinkedIn to find opportunities and to be found. Whether it’s your preference or fear driving your hesitation, you can move forward toward your goal. It’s not about changing your personality or natural style, but embracing and expanding who you are. Sometimes stretching beyond your comfort zone, yes, but in ways that can work for you. Photo: trinidad sky

Friday, May 8, 2020

Are You Wasting Your LinkedIn Profiles Potential

Are You Wasting Your LinkedIn Profile’s Potential Are You Wasting Your LinkedIn Profile’s Potential? LinkedIn Profiles If you are looking for a new job having a robust LinkedIn profile is essential. Full stop. Sadly, most don’t use LinkedIn to their best advantage. It’s not just the barely completed “skeleton” profiles still displaying LinkedIn’s generic blue background that make career professionals cringe. It’s the misguided things people do deliberately. #1 Quotes in the Headline A lot of people seem to think that having an inspirational quote as their headline will somehow help them. It won’t for a few reasons. First, recruiters search LinkedIn based on jobs, skills, etc. and it’s unlikely inspirational quotes include “skill” words like “performance improvement “ or “business development.” Second, recruiters want to know if you’re qualified for the job they are trying to fill. If you do come up in a recruiter’s search but your headline doesn’t indicate your qualifications, they may go on to the next profile in their search. If you feel a quote expresses your philosophy, management style, etc. by all means use it in the Summary section. #2 Looking for Opportunities in the Headline Putting “looking for opportunities” in LinkedIn’s headline doesn’t work either. Same two reasons as above. And third, the phrase looking for opportunities is vague. What type of opportunity? This is a bad idea, but if you are wedded to it at least be specific about what you’re looking for. I wrote an entire post about it, to read it click here. #3 Focused on the Employer Your LinkedIn profile should be about you not your employer. Yet, many people fill their summary AND the job descriptions with information about what their employer does. If you’re lucky, the information about your employer will have key words that raise you in a recruiter’s search. Sadly, a resume devoted to your employer won’t give recruiters a reason to contact you. Also, it’s probably incredibly boring. #4 No Contact Information Always make it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to contact you.   A lot of job seekers think that recruiters who want to contact them will use InMail. That depends. If you are the perfect candidate, the illusive “purple squirrel, they will go to great lengths to contact you. On the other hand, if you are a maybe, they may not bother. They only get so many InMails a month and want to use them wisely. Make it easy for people to contact you by putting your email address in your LinkedIn summary. If you are unemployed or opening looking, put a call to action along with your email. If you are conducting a confidential job search, put an innocuous phrase like “Always interested in connecting with colleagues . . .” along with your email address. Make it easy for recruiters to say yes to you. #5 Bad Photos Although both are considered social media, don’t confuse LinkedIn with Facebook. Photos of you with your partner, spouse, child, pet, etc. don’t belong on LinkedIn. Neither do obvious group photos that usually look weird when cropped. Particularly, if your photo shows someone’s arm over your shoulder. Read this for more bad photo choices. If you can afford to hire a professional photographer that’s great. If not, a smartphone photo of you in professional attire, preferably smiling, should be fine. Run a few photos through photofeeler to get some objective opinions. While LinkedIn profiles have different constraints than resumes, there are consideration. Resumes need to be attractive, easy-to-scan, 2-page documents that are packed with value.   Resume writers write tight to save space. LinkedIn has character limitations. For that reason, it’s essential not to waste space. LinkedIn also needs to be searchable. A “skeleton” profile with a Headline that reads “looking for opportunities” is unlikely to come up high in a recruiter’s search. Make sure each section of your LinkedIn profile works for you.