10 things you should do every day to improve your life

10 things you should do every day to improve your life10 things you should do every day to improve your lifeThese are the 10 things that scientific research shows can help improve your life.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. Get out in natureYou probably seriously underestimate how important this is. (Actually, theresresearch that says you do.) Being in nature reducesstress, makes you morecreative, improves yourmemoryand may evenmake you a better person.2. ExerciseWe all know how important this is, but few people do it consistently. Other than health benefits too numerous to mention, exercisemakesyousmarter,happier, improvessleep,increases libido andmakes you feel better about your body. A Harvard study that has tracked a group of men for more than 70 years identified it asone of the secrets to a good life.3. Spend time with friends and familyHarvard happiness expertDaniel Gilbe rtidentified this asone of the biggest sources of happiness in our lives. Relationships are worth more than you think (approximately an extra $131,232 a year.) Not feeling socially connected can make youstupider and kill you. Loneliness can lead toheart attack, stroke and diabetes.The longest lived people on the planet all place a strong emphasison social engagementand good relationships are more important to a long lifethan even exercise.Friendsare key toimproving your life.Share good newsand enthusiastically respond when others share good news with you to improve your relationships. Want to instantly be happier? Dosomethingkindfor them.4. Express gratitudeItwillmakeyouhappier.Itwillimproveyourrelationships.It can make you abetter person.It can make life better for everyone around you.5. MeditateMeditation can increasehappiness,meaning in life, social supportandattention spanwhile reducinganger, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Along similar lines, prayer can make you feel better - even if youre not religious.6. Get enough sleepYou cant cheat yourself on sleepand not have it affect you. Being tired actually makes itharder to be happy. Lack of sleep =more likely to get sick. Sleeping on it doesimprove decision making. Lack of sleep can make youmore likely to behave unethically. Thereissuch a thing as beauty sleep.Naps are great too. Napsincrease alertness and wertzuwachson the job,enhance learning abilityandpurge negative emotions while enhancing positive ones.Heres how toimprove your naps.7. Challenge yourselfLearning another languagecan keep your mind sharp.Music lessonsincrease intelligence.Challenging your beliefsstrengthens your mind. Increasing willpower just takesa little effort each dayand itsmore responsible for your success than IQ. Not getting an education or taking advantage of opportunities are two of the things people look back on their lives andregret the most.8. LaughPeople who use humor to cope with stresshave better immune systems, reduced ri sk of heart attack and stroke, experience less pain during dental work and live longer.Laughter should be like adaily vitamin. Just reminiscing about funny moments canimprove your relationship. Humor hasmanybenefits.9. Touch someoneTouching canreduce stress, improveteam performance, and help yoube persuasive. Hugs make youhappier. Sex may help preventheart attacksandcancer, improve yourimmune systemandextend your life.10. Be optimisticOptimism can make youhealthier,happierandextend your life. The Army teaches it in order toincrease mental toughnessin soldiers. Beingoverconfidentimprovesperformance.This article first appeared on Barking Up The Wrong Tree.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 str ong people10 things you should do every day to improve your lifeThese are the 10 things that scientific research shows can help improve your life.1. Get out in natureYou probably seriously underestimate how important this is. (Actually, theresresearch that says you do.) Being in nature reducesstress, makes you morecreative, improves yourmemoryand may evenmake you a better person.2. ExerciseWe all know how important this is, but few people do it consistently. Other than health benefits too numerous to mention, exercisemakesyousmarter,happier, improvessleep,increases libido andmakes you feel better about your body. A Harvard study that has tracked a group of men for more than 70 years identified it asone of the secrets to a good life.3. Spend time with friends and familyHarvard happiness expertDaniel Gilbertidentified this asone of the biggest sources of happiness in our lives. Relationships are worth more than you think (approximately an extra $131,232 a year.) Not feeling socially c onnected can make youstupider and kill you. Loneliness can lead toheart attack, stroke and diabetes.The longest lived people on the planet all place a strong emphasison social engagementand good relationships are more important to a long lifethan even exercise.Friendsare key toimproving your life.Share good newsand enthusiastically respond when others share good news with you to improve your relationships. Want to instantly be happier? Dosomethingkindfor them.4. Express gratitudeItwillmakeyouhappier.Itwillimproveyourrelationships.It can make you abetter person.It can make life better for everyone around you.5. MeditateMeditation can increasehappiness,meaning in life, social supportandattention spanwhile reducinganger, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Along similar lines, prayer can make you feel better - even if youre not religious.6. Get enough sleepYou cant cheat yourself on sleepand not have it affect you. Being tired actually makes itharder to be happy. Lack of sleep =more likel y to get sick. Sleeping on it doesimprove decision making. Lack of sleep can make youmore likely to behave unethically. Thereissuch a thing as beauty sleep.Naps are great too. Napsincrease alertness and performanceon the job,enhance learning abilityandpurge negative emotions while enhancing positive ones.Heres how toimprove your naps.7. Challenge yourselfLearning another languagecan keep your mind sharp.Music lessonsincrease intelligence.Challenging your beliefsstrengthens your mind. Increasing willpower just takesa little effort each dayand itsmore responsible for your success than IQ. Not getting an education or taking advantage of opportunities are two of the things people look back on their lives andregret the most.8. LaughPeople who use humor to cope with stresshave better immune systems, reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, experience less pain during dental work and live longer.Laughter should be like adaily vitamin. Just reminiscing about funny moments canimprove your re lationship. Humor hasmanybenefits.9. Touch someoneTouching canreduce stress, improveteam performance, and help yoube persuasive. Hugs make youhappier. Sex may help preventheart attacksandcancer, improve yourimmune systemandextend your life.10. Be optimisticOptimism can make youhealthier,happierandextend your life. The Army teaches it in order toincrease mental toughnessin soldiers. Beingoverconfidentimprovesperformance.Join over 205,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsLiving a happy life Here are the things proven to make you happierWhich professions have the most psychopaths? The fewest?What is the single most important life lesson older people feel young people need to know?This article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

Web Developer Telecommute Jobs

Web Developer Telecommute JobsWeb Developer Telecommute JobsWeb Developer Telecommute JobsThis post is part of a series of posts in which we highlight professions, jobs, and job tasks that can be done in part or fully through telecommuting.Summary Web developers are software programmers that focus specifically on programming websites and web applications. It is a technical job, and can involve working on building simple websites or complex, scalable, database-driven websites. Some web developers also perform design work.Typical TasksProgramming, writing code, testing, building web applicationsSkillsKnowledge of programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, PHP, Ruby on Rails, SQL, ASP, Perl, .NET, and moreEmployers Software development firms, web development firms, web design firms, advertising agencies, public and private companies, and nonprofitsTraining/Education Being a web developer does not generallyrequire a specific license or training, althoughcollege-level cours eworkis widely available in many educational settings, such ascolleges, technical schools, and community education programs. angeschlossen resources (e.g., web tutorials and user groups) and books are available for people who would like to teach themselves.Telecommuting Many companies hire web developers for freelance and project work that can be done off-site. Companies may offer telecommuting options because many, if not all, of a web developers tasks can be done on computers and during non-traditional business hours.Click here to viewcurrent web developer telecommute jobs on .

Your paycheck may not matter to a date, but your debt does

Yur paycheck may leid matter to a date, but your debt doesYour paycheck may not matter to a date, but your debt doesWhen you first start dating someone, youre evaluating them for compatibility with your values, searching for clues for where their interests meet yours. Two new surveys have found that how much our dates earn is not a concern, but whether or not they are in debt definitely does.Surveys Paychecks are irrelevant, but amount of debt is notA survey conducted by job review site Fairygodboss.com found that a date is not likely to walk away if your salary is in the low digits. Both men and women in the survey answered that they would seek a long-term relationship with someone even if they made significantly less money than them.In fact, one in three men and one in four women said that the thought of their lebensabschnittsgefhrtes salary did not even cross their mind, saying that their salary was irrelevant.But a separate survey indicates that when it comes to what their partne r may owe, that number was, in fact, a relationship-ending concern.The price of love is $30,000 apparentlyTrue love can conquer all - until debt gets in the way.A survey from finance site Credible found that debt was a relationship dealbreaker across age demographics. Out of the 1,000 U.S. adults ages 25 to 44 who were asked about student loan debt in dating, 61% of respondents answered that they would be somewhat, or very, concerned about dating someone who owed $30,000.To put that number in perspective, the average student who graduated in 2016 has $37,173 in student loan debt. In other words, as a young millennial out on the dating market, you are very likely to date someone who has numbers in the red. The finding suggests that many of us are worried that our partners financial burdens could one day become our own.One in five respondents said they have decided not to date someone in the past because that person had debt.In fact, the respondents said that someones fiscal responsi bility could be a bigger aphrodisiac than someones education.More than half (54%) of those surveyed said being debt free can make a potential partner more attractive than them having a college degree.Money still endures as a great taboo in society. Two in three participants surveyed said they would not tell a potential romantic partner about their debt until the relationship was getting serious, while one in 10 said they would not even bring up the topic until they got engaged.When we are deciding our suitors romantic suitability, we are not just measuring our love and desire for them, we are also counting how much their financial baggage could hold us back. These surveys show us that romantic courtship is full of complicated contradictions - we may say that money does not matter, even when it clearly does.

Want to transform company culture Start with diversity inclusion

Want to transform company culture Start with diversity inclusionWant to transform company culture Start with diversity inclusionA recent item on my ever-growing reading list was the Boston Consulting Groups Gender Diversity Report. This research is chock-full of interesting nuggets, but heres one of the most striking 91% of surveyed companies had invested in gender diversity programs yet only 27% of women said they had personally benefitted from those efforts.Time and time again, Ive witnessed that leaders have the best of intentions. They extoll the virtues of diversity and inclusion (DI). They put together official DI programs. Yet somehow, they end up as in the case of some of my clients with senior management teams that still dont have enough women, include only those who went to elite colleges or only have one person of color. You see where this is going.What gives?The building blocks of intentional cultureLets widen our view for a moment. Organizational culture, or the way things are done around here, is the everyday expression of your corporate values. Culture will emerge no matter what you do, but you need to be intentional with it to reap positive results. Business leaders are taking bedrngnisice with 87% of organizations citing culture and employee engagement as a top challenge to be urgently addressed, according to NACD.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreA healthy culture is no longer icing on the company cake, but a key differentiator in this tight job market. Whats more, many corporate scandals can be traced back to dysfunctional cultures. (Boeing and Netflix come to mind). Were not talking about places that failed to host lunchtime yoga classes or install video game consoles in their break rooms.If culture is paramount and an expression of company values, it follows that no one wants to go on record as not supporting women, people of color, or other underrepresented segments of the workforce. Thats just one reason why if your groups culture isnt where you want it to be, diversity and inclusion programs are a worthy place to start.The case for DI is overwhelmingThis is not about political correctness. Your companys long-term outlook depends on having employees from a variety of backgrounds. In fact, that BCG report states that companies whose management teams had above-average diversity boasted innovation revenue of 45 percent, compared to 26 percent for those with below-average leadership diversity.I mean diversity in all senses of the word gender, age, race, religion, family structure, and so on. There are endless combinations to the human experience, and they all come with valuable perspectives.Diversity and inclusion are often used in the same breath, but those words arent interchangeable. You can hire a diverse group of people and throw them together in an arbeitszimmer, but that doesnt mean they will feel comfort able speaking their minds. Diversity is being invited to the party inclusion is being asked to dance.Over time being asked to dance breeds employee satisfaction and retention. When your teams feel valued and included, theyll return the favor by being more engaged and productive.Four ways to foster DI right nowHow do you move the needle? Organizational culture is not one-size-fits-all, and therefore there is no one right plan for DI. But here are a few reliable places to start right now.Begin at the top Culture takes shape at all levels of your company, but any major shift needs to begin with leadership. Demonstrate your authentic commitment to DI and others will follow suit. Employees will take particular notenzeichen of any policies or actions that affect how they are rewarded on the job.Check your unconscious bias at the door Perhaps you favor women because you are one yourself. Maybe you gravitate toward people who share your extroverted personality. Whatever they are, know your biases so you can detect and suppress them. Ideally, this will involve formal diversity and unconscious bias awareness training as a start.Listen up Remember, you set the tone for your organization. Welcome others opinions and let them do the talking sometimes, no matter where they fall on the org chart. Dont debate or pivot away how they feel or what they are expressing. Everyone on your team is there for a reason, right? Make sure they feel that way.Mix up your teams It takes time for hiring practices to alter a companys demographics. Meanwhile, there are plenty of ways to encourage diversity. Project assignments, seating arrangements, ice breakers, company-wide presentations are all chances to mix up your staff and encourage new connections.That moment when two people who have worked in the same building for years finally shake hands? When a young person of color sees a version of herself on the board of directors? When someone from IT swings by the corner office to share an idea ?Thats when the magic happens.Shaara Roman is founder of The Silverene Group, a boutique management consulting firm that aligns people programs with business goals to help companies create dynamic workplaces. The Silverene Group works with leaders to eliminate toxic stressors in their workplaces, build engaging cultures, and design effective organizational structures to maximize the employee experience. Find Shaara on Twitter and LinkedIn. 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

The Number One Question You Must Ask for Nursing Resume

The Number One Question You Must Ask for Nursing Resume Without it, nurses wouldnt be in a position to make it to assignments punctually, and the facility would suffer. The nurse has to demonstrate that theyll be committed to the job as there are lives at stake. Such nurses would find it simple to have jobs in any of the top rated reputed hospitals around the Earth, with no hurdles. Graduate nurses or entry-level nurses can discover strategies to showcase their training, while nurses with an established career can discover approaches to highlight relevant abilities and experience to concentrate on the requirements of a specific job. The Ugly Side of Nursing Resume There are several methods in which you are able to acquire your nursing certification. Similar certifications are offered for nearly every specialty in nursing. A nursing certification isnt only a bit of paper that it is possible to increase your nursing resume. RNs have to be prepared to respond to situations as they arise. The Doctorate in Nursing (DNP) is a rather new degree within the field of nursing. Nursing ethics are extremely much intertwined with medical ethics, but in plus-rechnen they differ at some points. A new nursing grad is going to have a resume of only 1 page. Since you are able to see, students will definitely face many challenges should they wish to turn into a member of the buy essay club. So far as the students are involved, writing a research paper is among the toughest and frustrating job in their opinion. Finding Nursing Resume Online So utilizing the location factor for making plenty of money in nursing comes down to finding a location at which you wouldnt mind living, even for a small while, with a minimal price of living and pays the absolute fruchtwein. Ambulatory care today is very different from what it was only 10 decades ago. The size of your resume should be set by your experience. In the fest the candidate is a fresh graduate then theres no sec tion for work experience but in the event the applicant has many of years of track record then they should set the work experience section before the education section. The Dirty Truth About Nursing Resume All our writers have extensive experience working with nursing resumes and they are quite acquainted with the whole application practice. No matter your degree of work knowledge, your resume format is critical to making your program stick out. The whole job description and the work experience have to be mentioned with no mistakes. Hard skills can be classified in a number of ways, depending upon your task title. The aforementioned nursing resume objective statements give various examples that youre able to apply in making yours and improving the ability of your resume. The recruiters could have encounter similar resume habits inside their practical experience, so it is extremely important to alter the resume template to make certain that it appears not the exact same as the s tandard one. The software that you use as an internet application is a bit different. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Nursing Resume There is a very big difference between a resume of a fresher and a seasoned executive. Your resume objective is your opportunity to tell a quick story about yourself. The work description provides you with some indication of what the provider is searching for and if you make certain that youre on the identical page with the organizations goal, you can include that in your resume. You shouldnt be bashful or shy that youre searching for work. What to Expect From Nursing Resume? Making the additional effort to personalize your cover letter and resume will earn a HUGE difference. Few most important skills ought to be mentioned in 1 narrative statement in the aim statement. Including a video to your resume is an easy method to continue to keep people engaged. Making your resume is important. Choosing Good Nursing Resume You r work experience indicates the wisdom and skills you have, but its also important to provide an impression about your nature and your capability to empathize with patients. Interweave your objectives, objectives and abilities into just what the job entails. Wherever you decide to place your skills on your resume, be sure to target your set of skills to the particular job. You have the abilities and knowledge and you have to permit the employer know youve got. Introducing Nursing Resume While there are numerous expert CV and resume writing services available on the web, and theyll certainly do the task for you, it is going to cost you to get it written for you in particular. There are several kinds of applications out there and they all are different. Let your contacts know that youre on the work industry. Professional aid in making resumes can be of a very good choice to look upon. The very first thing the employer will see is the visual look. Keep in mind the reason a CV exists is for a possible employer to decide within a few minutes whether they wish to meet up with you or not. If you wish to catch the interest of the employer there must be something which makes your resume stand out so it doesnt get lost among all the others. Once your resume is prepared to go, you will wish to be sure to receive it in front of as many employers as possible.

Why Everybody Is Talking About Writing a Summary Statement for a Resume...The Simple Truth Revealed

Why Everybody Is Talking About Writing a Summary Statement for a Resume...The Simple Truth Revealed Nowadays you get a rough master list of all you can set into your resume summary votum. If you do decide to move forward with a resume summary statement, be sure to deal with it as your personal highlight reel. You have to compose a personal statement for your resume and are searching for examples. The End of Writing a Summary Statement for a Resume You might also have a look at research summary examples To a prospective employer. Youre going to compose a resume summary which gets far mora interviews. You may want to think about a qualifications summary which we outlined in last weeks postbut if you simply need to have a summaryhere are a couple examples to help you begin. Whilst you write your summary for your resume, attempt to consider what you want them to discuss with you, and what exactly you desire an opportunity to discuss. There are lots of resources available on ho w to a great resume summary, but its tough to locate good ideas for how to do it if you dont have a work experience. Well, summary statements are great in case you have a few years experience in your selected field. The summary communicates key information like your degree of experience, your field of expertise, and your most marketable skills. You could also see career summary examples An expert summary is a concise overview of your skills, experiences and goals directly related to the job posting. Want to Know More About Writing a Summary Statement for a Resume? Such statements makes employer think what type of work suites you instead of what you could do. The most importing thing to keep in mind when writing a resume summary statement is that it needs to be relevant to the position youre applying for, it should tailor to the particular job listing. Your objective statement is the very first thing theyll see and read, as its the very first thing on the webpage. A personal statement on your CV is an excellent way to provide your work application extra effect.

How Smartphones Affect Relationships - The Muse

How Smartphones Affect Relationships - The MuseHow Smartphones Affect RelationshipsIve never seen my co-worker Allen use a phone. I know he has one Ive called and texted him, and he asked my opinion on the iPhone 6 versus the Plus. But those are my only clues to its existence, because Allen has a strict no-phones-around-others policy.That means he will not touch his phone, under any conditions, unless hes alone.When Allen first revealed his boycott, I thought he was crazy. I check my phone all the time, whether Im with other people or not- out of necessity. How else am I supposed to stay on top of a constant flood of emails, social media updates, texts, and calls? However, when I started watching Allen interact with the other people in ur office, I thought maybe he was onto something. No matter who Allen was talking to- a client, our boss, another professional- that person seemed really engaged in the conversation. So I decided to (literally) pocket my phone for a week. Heres what ha ppened.1. People Copied MeI spent four hours straight with one of my colleagues finishing an extremely important project. It was incredibly difficult, but I kept my phone in my pocket the whole time. And for the most part, so did she.This particular co-worker is a pretty active social media user, so I was really surprised to see her be so hands-off. However, over the course of the week, I saw this effect again and again- when people pull out their devices and you dont, not only do they feel pressured to put them away again more quickly, but theyre also far less likely to re-check them.We ended up finishing our project sooner than anticipated, in part because without the interruptions of our screens, we were able to find a flow and maintain it. The productivity boost was totally worth responding to emails a few hours later than I would have normally.The take-away Putting away your phone makes everyone more efficient.2. People Liked Talking to Me moraI didnt tell anyone about my phone ban, and no one said anything. Whether or not they consciously noticed, however, people really seemed to respond. They could tell they had my undivided attention- not only was I not doing that half-nod, half-scroll thing, but I wasnt even thinking about checking my phone. My listening skills went through the roof.As a result, people were much more engaged. When we were discussing something light-hearted, they smiled and laughed more. When we were talking about something serious, they were more honest and thoughtful.I even noticed people initiating conversations with me more. Instead of just saying, Hows it going? as they passed by me in the hall, theyd stop and ask what project I was working on or what my plans were the weekend were. The take-away Putting away your phone makes people feel appreciated and respected.3. People Trusted Me MoreWell, according to the research. Studies show using your phone around someone else makes you seem less trustworthy and less empathetic.In additio n, even having a phone in view hurts our relationships- whether you check it or not.According to the scientists who conducted the study, Cell phones may serve as a reminder of the wider network to which we could connect, which leads to lower relationship quality and less closeness.The take-away Putting away your phone will help deepen your relationships.Since discovering these benefits, Ive decided to follow Allens lead all the time. Im not going to lie, its challenging These strategies make it a little easierI turn my phone off if I know Im about to be with other people.I stow my phone in my bag, rather than my pocket, so its harder to access.I pretend Im playing a game in which I get money for every phone-free interaction.I remind myself of the long-term gratification of building better relationships.If I know someone is waiting to hear back from me (or vice versa), while Im still alone, Ill send a quick email explaining how long Ill be unavailable. If something is really urgent, Ill keep my phone in my pocket, excuse myself to the restroom, and check it in there. Its not ideal, but at least the people Im with dont see me using it.Occasionally, Ill miss an important email or return a call a little late. However, nothing has happened thats made me regret not checking my phone. I may be a little harder to reach virtually, but in-person? Im all yours- and my personal and professional relationships have never been better. Photo of people walking courtesy of Shutterstock.

Tips for Success on Your First Day at a New Job

Tips for Success on Your First Day at a New JobTips for Success on Your First Day at a New JobTips for Success on Your First Day at a New JobPlay your cards right on your first day and youll be koranvers to make a great impression.You got the call, negotiated a salary, and finally landed the job youve been trying to nail down. Congratulations This is the time for optimism and excitement. Could this be the job that truly launches your career?Now its time to get focused. If this truly is your big break, you want to make the most of it right out of the gate. That means that your very first day is crucial it can set the tone for how your boss and your co-workers binnensee you. Making a good first impression matters most right now, so there are a few things to do before starting a new job to make it a success. Thats no reason to stress out and put extra pressure on yourself. Just get yourself ready to rock your first day on the job with these simple tips.Dress the partEven if you take gr eat pride in your eclectic style, you may want to wait awhile to ease into that. Chances are there will be some guidelines in the company handbook that can help in choosing your first-day-of-work outfit. If you dont have that yet, you can still head to their website and look at what employees are wearing in pictures.Are they business casual or straight up business? Maybe this company is mora laid back and jeans are the norm. Whatever you see, you want to dress accordingly to be certain that your outfit is appropriate for your job. If you have any doubts, always err on the side of formal when choosing your gesamtheit for your first day. Youd rather be a little too dressy than too casual.Plan your commuteThis one simple step can save you a lot of embarrassment and help you make a good first impression. One of the smartest things to do before starting a new job is mapping out your best route to your new workplace in advance. Pay attention to how much traffic is on your route during the morning commute. If you really want to be safe, get up one morning and give it a test run. Also, pay attention to any special events that could throw a wrench in that days traffic. However long you decide your commute will take you, leave at least 10 minutes early on your first real day of work. Showing up a little early is okay, but being late on day one starts things off on the wrong foot in a big way.If you need a little help, there are lots of great phone apps to make your commute a little easier.Be ready to work or notOur best new job advice be ready for anything Some supervisors like to start out new hires by throwing them into the fire. If that ends up being the case, be ready to jump in and show your stuff. Ask questions, but dont be afraid to do some problem solving on your own. The type of boss that likes to start things off that quickly usually wants to see how well you can handle yourself on the fly.On the flip side, it could also happen that your new company hands you a bunch of orientation werkstoff and then leaves you alone. What will you do? Before you get there, think about what kinds of things you want to know about your new company. Chances are the answers are in those orientation materials. Know ahead of time what kind of information you want to find.Be friendlyBeing friendly is one of the best ways to make a good impression. As opportunities arise throughout the day to talk to people, do so. Theyll likely ask you about yourself, but be sure to also ask about them as well. Have your 30-second elevator pitch ready, but after that, shift the focus off of you. Get to know what they do and what they like. Asking questions about the person youre talking to makes you instantly more likable than the person who just wants to talk about him or herself. Smile as much as you can while still feeling like youre not faking it. Everyone likes a smile.Related 5 Tips for Making Friends at WorkRemember namesThis piece of new-job advice can be tricky. Youll likely be meeting a lot of people throughout your first day. Remembering names is easy for some, but for others, its a real struggle. When you are introduced to someone new, try not to focus on their clothes or hairstyle but instead focus on their words. When they say their name, repeat it to yourself several times in your head. If you are one of those people who struggle with names, there are lots of little tricks out there to help you get better at it. See if you can find one that works for you.Accept that lunch invitationIf youre lucky, your boss or some co-workers will invite you to go to lunch. This tip for starting a new job is a no-brainer go Lunch is a great opportunity to converse in a more casual setting. Youll learn more about the people you are eating with and possibly get an inside look at how the office works. If the conversation turns towards office gossip, do not engage. Pay attention to who does the most talking and make note of it. Ask plenty of questions. This i s a great time to get to know your new co-workers beyond their job descriptions.That said, you may want to bring a lunch just in case its expected that you dont leave for your afternoon meal. Just be willing to let it go if you do get that invite.Know the companys recent successesEducate yourself ahead of time by conducting some research familiarize yourself with what this company does well and what projects have been recent successes. You may have done this to wow them during your interview, but its still good information for when you are introduced to people and worth refreshing. Perhaps youll meet one of the individuals who was named as a key player. Giving quick kudos and asking a smart question about their project will impress them quickly. Who doesnt like to talk about their home runs?Find out who youll be working with the mostAs you meet people throughout your first day, try to discern who is going to become a part of your daily life at the company and who may be less involv ed in your work. Then, make an extra effort to get to know those who youll be working with closely. Ask questions so youre sure that you understand exactly what they do and how their role connects with yours. By doing this you can eliminate embarrassing job-role mistakes right away. Getting off on the right foot with team members can help set the right tone for your new job moving forward.Your first day at your new job should be exciting, not frightening. As long as youre prepared with a plan going in, youll do great. Keep the focus on learning and making a good first impression. If all goes well, the people you meet on your first day could be the people youll work with for years to come. Start things off on the right foot by having a plan and expecting the best.Click on the following link for more advice on getting ahead.Make sure your resume will land you the new job. Get a free resume critique to see how you stack upRecommended Reading6 Ways to Impress Your BossStarting a New Job ? 7 Tips to Ensure Your SuccessHow and When to Ask for Feedback in the Workplace

Finding Work When Underemployed

Finding Work When UnderemployedFinding Work When UnderemployedOne of the most frustrating situations can occur when you are not getting paid what you are worth. Many people settle on a job out of college to gain experience and stay with it, even if they are not being paid to use all of their skills. This is a common, but seriouscareer mistake. During difficult economic times, many people settle for jobs that pay less than they would normally just to have a steady source of income. You may be ready tomove on to a new jobright now. Consider Looking Outside of Your Company However, once you are in this cycle it can be difficult to break out of it since many jobs look at your previous salary to determine your new salary. It can be especially difficult to move up within the same business if you are in this situation. While you may be looking for opportunities within the same company you may be mora successful looking for a job with a different company because you can apply for jobs th at you are qualified for without being pigeonholed by your last title. Make Sure Your Certifications and Skills Are Current It is important to keep your skills and your certifications current even if you are not using them in your current position. The more skills you have available to you the more jobs you will be qualified to apply for. You should also keep an up to date resume available so that when you hear about the perfect job you can apply for it. Look for Work While at Your Current Job Continue tolook for workwhile you are working at your current position. You may want to stay a year in order to show your new company that you will not just jump ship for a better offer. It is also a good way to network for a job with another company. A co-worker may know of an opening somewhere else and be willing to recommend you and clients may be able to give you recommendations to another company or tell you about different job offers. Consider Using a Career Coach If you have had a difficult time getting called back for interviews in the past, you should consult with acareer coachto improve your resume and cover letter. Each cover letter needs to be unique to the job you apply for and should contain specifics to the company and position. If you are getting called in for interviews, but not making the next round, you may need to practice your interviewing skills. A career coach can help with this as well. Stick to a Bare-Bones Budget Now While you are looking for a better job, you do need to live on your current salary andstick to a bare bones budget.Some companies will pull a credit check to make sure you are a good candidate. Having too much debt can be a flag and may lose you the job next to a nearly identical candidate. If you currently have a large amount of debt, you may want to take on a second job to clean it up so you can qualify for a better position.Establish good financial habits now to help you get through this difficult time, so being u nderemployed does not take you too far off track. Ask for a Raise Another frustration can occur when your company continues to add responsibilities to your position, without increasing your pay. They may be taking advantage of your skill set, but are still unwilling to pay. First, you shouldask for a raise, and point out the additional duties you have taken on since you were first hired. If they do not give you the raise, be sure to add the added responsibilities to your resume and continue looking for a new job. It is important to keep a positive attitude at your current position since they can contact your supervisor to see how well you work. Create a Plan to Help You Find a Dream Job Take the time to figure out your ideal job, and prepare yourself for it. If you settled on a job now, and you are making enough to get by, you can take the time to figure out exactly what you want to do. People often think they will enjoy a field of work, but once they begin that job, they re alize it is not fulfilling. You can switch your career, but you need to prepare to do it. List the additional skills and experiences you need to complete in order to qualify for the position you want. Then work on that list while you look for the ideal position. You need to be ready to decide if yournew job offer is worth the riskof leaving your secure job behind. Be Patient and Dont Give Up It will take time to find a better position. The higher paying the position, the longer it may take you to find it. However, if you continue to look and stay an active part of any related professional organizations you should be able to find the right job eventually. Keep a positive attitude at your current job but be ready to apply as soon as you find the position you are looking for. You will need to prepare a plan to help yourecover from being underemployedonce you find your new job.