In Deep Shift Why Flexible Working is the Answer

In Deep Shift Why Flexible Working is the Answer The UK is in the middle of a flexible working revolution. But while flexible working is on the rise for a large portion of the UK’s workforce, there’s a vital segment that is being left out in the cold and getting a raw deal when it comes to opening up greater flexibility in their work schedules. And that’s the country’s shift workers. These are the people that get the product you ordered at 9 am on your desk by the end of the day; that fuel you with coffee every morning; that gets you from A to B. In short, these are the people that work to keep the UK working. And yet, for too long, these workers have been relegated to second place when it comes to making working lives better, simpler and more enjoyable. From investment in research through to advances in technology, the primary focus has been on ‘white collar’ professionals in ‘typical’ careers â€" and how to give them greater flexibility, help them perform better in their jobs and make their lives easier. A raw deal And Quinyx has the data to prove it. Our research Work that Keeps the UK Working â€" which polled 2,000 UK workers to gauge attitudes towards flexible working â€" found shift workers are twice as likely to have to miss important occasions like birthdays or weddings because of work, and one in five have had to ditch personal interests and hobbies due to their inflexible schedule. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that twice as many shift workers than non-shift workers claim a lack of flexibility is having a negative impact on their health and wellbeing (14% vs 7%), or that 20% of shift workers feel their employer doesn’t care about their life and well-being outside of work. And it’s not just shift workers that are struggling with demanding, inflexible schedules, but their families too. Our research found one in five shift workers find it difficult to manage childcare responsibilities alongside work, while one in four say their working hours mean they don’t get to spend enough time with family. It’s staggering to see that despite so many changes in the nature of work, and with wider access to new technology to make scheduling easier, this still hasn’t translated into equal opportunities for everyone, no matter their working pattern. Missing out on family moments and dropping extra-curricular interests is only going to lead to unhappy workers, which is ineffective from a business perspective, and disappointing from a personal one. Employers need to understand that flexible working can work for them and their workforce â€" it isn’t just limited to office workers with set schedules. A shift in focus towards a more flexible future At Quinyx we know that a happier workforce is a more productive one â€" and this applies whether you work a 9-5 office job or a shop floor shift job. But why isn’t it the norm for all segments of the workforce? The problem is that it still has a bad reputation. We’re stuck in an impasse in which employers associate flexible working with spiraling costs and scheduling nightmares â€" they see a trade-off between flexibility and financial performance. But this is far from the truth. With the right tools and technologies in place, flexible working can be easy. By cutting down admin and allowing business leaders and employees to collaborate on a schedule that works for everyone, solutions like smart workforce technology can improve productivity, save time, reduce costs and boost employee happiness. With Brexit closing in, bringing with it all kinds of questions around how the UK will keep the engine running as access to labor is restricted, it’s never been more critical for the UK’s workforce to be happy, engaged and productive. For this to happen, we need employers to put flexible working to the top of the agenda â€" and ensure equal access for all members of their workforce. About the author:  Quinyx  was founded in 2005 by  CEO Erik Fjellborg  after a summer spent working at McDonald’s. After witnessing how difficult it can be for managers to sort shifts manually, Erik built one of the world’s first  fully web-based Workforce Management solutions to do the heavy lifting.  McDonald’s loved Erik’s solution and became Quinyx’s first customer.

Should You Go to Graduate School to Boost Your Career

Should You Go to Graduate School to Boost Your Career When you’re out in a social situation, how often are you asked, “What do you do?” It’s so common that every time I meet someone, I expect the question to come second only to asking my name. What we do in many ways defines who we are whether we like it or not and is an easy way for people to get an understanding of us right away. So what if you dream of doing something else and cant wait for the day you look forward to answering the question, “What do you do?” What are you going to do to get there? The most common answer is graduate school. It’s like hitting the restart button a chance to select a new career, learn everything you need to know to make it in that career, and then get the new job. Easy, right? Well, when you add on the amount of student loan debt you’ll likely take on (and which could be on top of undergraduate debt) then this decision becomes a lot less clear. So, let’s take a look at everything which goes into this decision to help you decide if you should go to graduate school to boost your career. What Do You Hope to Accomplish? The first question you should ask yourself is what you hope to accomplish. Most people who choose graduate school to boost their career fall into one of two categories: Those who want to break into a career field they have no experience in. Those who want to earn more money and advancement in their current field. Do you fit into either of these two categories? Here is a starting point of research for each one: If you’re someone with a desire to break into a field that’s new to you, then you’ll want answer a few questions: 1.) What are the best schools for your program? 2.) Is there a school near you or do you have to move? 3.) What do you need to do to get accepted? 4.) Is there a night program available which would allow you to work full time? 5.) What are the placement rates for the school of your choosing into this field? 6.) What are the percentages of job openings for this field locally and nationally? 7.) What would the starting pay be for an entry level position? (Don’t assume that the higher degree will enable you to skip steps because this isn’t always the case.) If you’re looking to earn more money and advancement in your current field: Does your employer have a program that offers a raise for those in your position when they graduate? If so, read the fine print mainly you’ll want to know every detail of their requirements for eligibility. This includes what exact degree they accept and from which schools and if they offer tuition reimbursement how many credit hours you need to take each semester and if there’s a time limit on completion. What if your employer doesn’t offer a raise for this but you feel that the degree would allow you to advance in your field? First, find out what exact advancement you want there may be different programs or concentrations within your field of study that could lead to very different jobs. Before you take the plunge into graduate school, be very sure that you’re going into the exact program you need for the job you want. If you’re not sure what job you want, that’s okay! Do some research, download an essay writing guide and explore all of your options to see what could best work for you! Do You Know What You’re Getting Into? The job of your dreams may not be all it’s cracked up to be and you certainly don’t want to find that out after several years and thousands of dollars in tuition payments. Start with a comprehensive list of all the jobs you want to or could obtain with this new degree. Don’t just look at things like pay, titles, and companies. Look at what goes into this job day to day. What will you really be spending your time working on? What skill set do you need to succeed? Although the job itself may sound great, the actual day-to-day duties could be a big turnoff. For example, perhaps you’d love to become a news reporter, but crave stability and feel uncomfortable always looking for the next story but you love to write. In that case, copy writer or editor may actually be a better fit for you. What’s the best way to find out the answers to this? Informational interviews! Find some local professionals who are working the job or jobs you’re interested in and request an interview. Believe it or not, many professionals are open to doing this as it gives them a chance to help out aspiring professionals and talk more about what they do. Ask them the pros and cons of their job, what they had to do to get there, and what their hours and daily duties look like. Not only will this help you learn more about your desire field and job, you may even strike up a new friendship or mentor relationship! Is There Another Way to Advance Your Career? If there’s any chance at all that you can advance your career or break into the new field without going to graduate school then you should probably take it. I know that’s frustrating. I have my own dreams of achieving a Masters or even PhD just as a personal goal, but I was able to switch careers to my dream job without doing that and saved myself thousands of dollars and several years in the process. While I love school and would love the opportunity to go back, I won’t do it just for the sake of a passion for school. It’s simply too costly for that and could set me back years in my career. So what about you? What other options do you have? Let’s go back to our two categories: Desire to break into a new field: One great way to get into a new field is an internship. Internships can be as competitive to get as a full-time position, but they allow you to learn how to do a new job at little risk to the company and give you the basics rather than forcing you to jump into something you don’t know well. Feel like you’re too old for an internship? Don’t! More and more established professionals are breaking into this, a phenomenon called “returnships” that Farnoosh Torabi shares on her website. The fact is, an internship is a momentary sacrifice in money that could lead to the job of your dreams. It worked for me! If internships just aren’t for you, then take a look at entry-level positions at your company of choice or in your field of choice which can help you get your foot in the door. Or, you could try to get a job in your desired field using transferable skills skills that you have now which can actually help you do well in your desired field, even though they aren’t an exact match on job duties. If you’re looking to earn more money and advancement in your current field: This one might be a little harder if you are in a field that gives an automatic raise to someone with a higher degree. If that’s the case for you, then you may have no other choice. But, if you’re looking for advancement, talk to your superiors about the things you can do to get to your desired title. If you work at a company that highly values promoting from within, there may be some sort of path you can follow in-house to get there. Or there may even be projects that you could take on to teach you the skills you need both in the office or in your free time. The fact is, there are many ways to reach the top so talk to those who’re there both in your company and other companies to find the path that works the best for you! I’ve given a ton of information here, but the main thing to take away is that there is no one size fits all way to reach your career goals. So if you try to take the quick fix or most obvious choice, then you could end up hurting yourself in the long run. Be creative, do your research, talk to your superiors, and talk to those you admire in your field. Gather and evaluate this information and you’ll be sure to make a choice that will get you to the career of your dreams! Image Credit:  shinealight

Dont Forget Anything When You Create a Home Office!

Dont Forget Anything When You Create a Home Office! Before you begin setting up a new office, plan out what you need first. Evaluate the purpose of your office. It could be the place you meet clients before heading to a different location. It might be a private room that only you enter. Or maybe you just need a small corner desk with a laptop and coffee pot. Decide how much space you need for work and storage, if you should have a reception area separate from your office, what furniture is appropriate for your business, and other details. Once you have a comprehensive plan, begin construction. Designate an Area as Your Home Office When choosing an area, keep in mind that this will be the place you come to focus and work. For some people to be productive, they want open space and bright sun, while other people need quiet and privacy. Make any repairs or upgrades needed to ensure you have a safe, professional workspace. Once you select an area, section it off from your home life. Clearly delineating personal versus professional space helps you focus on work-related tasks. It also differentiates between which items and utilities are business expenses and which are personal. Design a Comfortable Work Area Make sure that your office area is a place where you will be productive. Choose furniture that is comfortable. Decorate with colors and designs that energize you. Ensure the area is well-lit and incorporate natural sunlight if possible. When choosing a desk, think about what will be in easy reach, how often you will need those items, and if there is enough space for them. Decide if you will need extra drawers, cabinets, or add-ons so you can plan that furniture into your room design. Select a desk chair that encourages good posture and will keep you comfortable throughout the day. Verify that your climate control options are sufficient for your needs. If you are unsure, locate a professional and  schedule a home-evaluation. Large computers and other electronic equipment throw out a lot of heat, and conversely dont work well when overheated. Make sure your HVAC system was recently serviced and is running properly to avoid uncomfortable heat levels. Plan Your Storage Space When laying out your home office, its easy to focus on your desk or your meeting area as the only office space. However, well-planned storage space is equally important. If you have a business in which you keep paper files or folios, be sure that you have adequate filing cabinets and shelving. You may need a fireproof safe to secure documents, system back-ups, and important files on hard drives. Some businesses even require a dedicated server or additional computing power. Office supplies, reference materials, printers, and electronics all take up space and should be taken into account. Plan the layout for the support systems your business needs, and be sure to have an adequate power supply for your equipment. Dont be overwhelmed by the work of setting up your home office. Whatever your needs, with careful planning you can smoothly incorporate a professional space into your house. By knowing your budget before investing, you can responsibly provide a motivating work environment for yourself that is comfortable for your guests as well. . Main  Image via Flickr  by Jeremy Levine Design

Yes Youre Being Judged Why Business Professionals Internet Stalk You and How You Can Prevent It

Yes Youre Being Judged Why Business Professionals Internet Stalk You and How You Can Prevent It It will come as no surprise that your social media profiles tell a prospective employer considerably more about you than any tailored job site.   I worked for several years as the Human Resource Director for a startup company, hiring primarily college students and recent grads for part-time teaching positions. When new résumés came in, I scanned them for applicable content and major errors, and then turned a more detailed eye to the web. Where did I search? First Facebook, then LinkedIn, and then a general Google search to see what other dirt might come up. For reference, books upon books, like  [amazon text=this oneasin=1781909008], have been written for people like me just for this purpose. It will come as no surprise that your social media profiles tell a prospective employer considerably more about you than any tailored job site. I recently stressed this point while talking to a college junior who is just starting the internship application process, explaining that no matter how put together her résumé, if an employer can see even just a few photos of her partying or in suggestive clothing, those pictures may cost her an interview. The worst part is that she didnt even realize some of those photos were publicly viewable. This may be even truer for people who are already established in their positions. More and more frequently individuals are being let go from their jobs because something popped up â€" a status admitting you’re playing hooky when youve called in sick or a photo that doesnt align with the values of your workplace (see the recent resignation of Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for U.S. House Representative Stephen Fincher). And, while it is social media and not business media for a reason, these public exploits can still heavily impact your position. The truth of the matter is that you represent your company whether you’re on the clock or not they have a vested interest in how you present yourself both in and out of the office. I’m sure right now you’re concerned about your social media profiles, wondering if someone â€" and who â€" will go digging into your past. So, what can you do? Option 1: Deactivate your social media accounts. Not your favorite choice? Option 2: Lock them down! I figure this is a good time to note that I am pretty big on internet security (my husband is in IT and we change our passwords at home regularly, which is something everyone should do). It’s really easy to change your settings to keep your social media accounts away from prying eyes. Many sites â€" Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, even your YouTube stream â€" allow you to adjust your privacy settings so that you can decide what is publicly visible and what is not. While you’re at it, go through your friends lists. Don’t want someone to see your stuff? Don’t be friends with them. It’s that simple. If after you change your privacy settings you are still concerned about what might be viewable by other people, logout of each account and then search for yourself to see what is openly available. If you think something might be questionable, hide it or â€" even better â€" take it down (no matter how many “likes” it’s gotten). Be aware that while sites like Reddit don’t show your actual name, you can still be traceable via your username if it is something you use frequently on the internet, such as for your Twitter and Instagram profiles, or even your email address. Additionally, apps like Yik Yak geotag your posts to a pinpoint â€" whether you allow it to be posted publicly or its simply hidden metadata â€" and there is potential for malicious posts to be traced back to you (not to mention that they are internally recording which posts come from which phone numbers). This process may sound tedious, but unless you’re ready to logoff and disconnect (which I know most of us arent!), taking these steps to ensure your privacy is maintained on the big World Wide Web will benefit you in the long run. Still unsure? Check out this awesome, fool-proof infographic on posting etiquette:

I Dont Like Change - It Has to Be On My Terms - Career Pivot

I Don't Like Change - It Has to Be On My Terms - Career Pivot I Don’t Like Change Copyright: flynt / 123RF Stock Photo I don’t like changeâ€"unless I have control over when and how it is implemented. The needs statement in my Birkman report says: It is preferable that you be given advance warning of any change that significantly affects yourlife or work, and that you be provided the opportunity to express your input and ideas concerning suchchange. Related tocauses of stress, myBirkman report says: Frequent interruptions can be a burden to your thoroughness. Changes whichare imposed on you, with little or none of your input, may create resistance within you. Both of these statements are verytrue. I tell people that I do not like to be interrupted and that they betternot screw with my schedule. Forced Change I received the following notice in the mail on October 29th of this year: Listen to the most recent episode AsI said, I don’t like change that I do not have control over. Let me give you a little background. I have had an entrepreneurial streak in me for a long time. I stayed in the corporate world for many years and did not follow my dream because my spouse was uninsurable on the open market. She has been self-employed for the last 15+ years, so I continued to follow the safe route by remaining in the corporate world. Then came the Affordable Care Act (ACA). I am not going to debate on this blog the politics behind this piece of legislation. ACA allowed me to pursue my entrepreneurial dream. Yes, the insurance was expensive, with high deductibles ($13,000 for the family) and limited access to doctors. We were still insured for the worst. When I received this notice I nearly spiraled into depression. I went into my depression preventive methods but I was still in a funk for multiple days. Did I tell you thatI don’t like change that I do not have control over? Focus on What You Can Control I often have clients suffer greatly from MSU Syndrome when there are a lot of unknowns in their lives. If you have not already read about MSU (Make Stuff Up) Syndrome, now is a good time to read Do You Suffer from Make Stuff Up Disorder?and 3 Treatments for Make Stuff Up Disorder. I teach these clientsto focus on what they can control. If they have not heard back from a hiring manager, I have them reach out to those whocan get them a status update. In mycase, I started doing research on alternative and less expensive sources of insurance, both of which haveveryfew. With these things in mind, mywife and I have been considering an overseasmove. This has given us a lot of focus. Quite by accident, I foundHanson McClain’s Money Matterspodcast calledBest international retirement destinations, unethical financial companies, and proactive planning to save money during retirement. Check it out. They spoke withArt Koff, CEO/Founder of RetiredBrains.com, about the ten best international destinations for retirees. He referenced theRetireBrains page on retiring abroad. In 2017, we will explore whether it makes sense to move first to Ecuador and then Panama. I am focused on changes that I can control. What about you? Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Your New Job How To Rock the First 30 Days

Your New Job How To Rock the First 30 Days New Job: How To Rock the First 30 Days You got the new job and are on top of the world! There so much possibility.   Everything is bright and shiny. This is everything you ever wanted. Awesome. Now it’s time to rock it like the rock star that you are. Some companies will provide an on-boarding process through an orientation or new employee training. But the truth is that many are rather lacking in this department. And this is where you can positively shine and totally rock it. You need to develop a plan to rock the first 30 days of your new job, and here’s a template to get started: WEEK 1: Set up office Meet your co-workers and learn office layout Review business / department goals /objectives for new job Review work flows, communication channels, and organizational charts Schedule meetings with key colleagues Meet with supervisor to outline expectations for position and best ways to communicate with them; also determine immediate priorities If possible, spend time training with predecessor being trained on unique nuances of position Spent time getting familiar with company vision, brand, and culture WEEK 2: Interact with coworkers to get to know fellow team members in new job Gather information about customers and clients to better understand their needs Understand how position supports the short / long-term strategy of the department and, in the larger sense, the entire organization Conduct initial meetings with a wider circle of people you will be interacting with in this new job Gain historical knowledge from others on past key successes; ask questions about previous challenges / obstacles WEEK 3: Solicit feedback performance and ways to improve contributions Start triaging projects to complete easier projects, and then determine what needs to be done with more complex and challenging ones to start working through those; get others involved as needed Provide regular updates to supervisor to check in and note progress in new job WEEK 4: Make suggestions or recommendations for process improvements while garnering buy-in from colleagues Increase capacity to add depth to scope of work in new job Review first 3 weeks with manager to note progress to goal and their expectations; discuss course corrections, if needed, and line out expectations for next 30-60 days Volunteer for special projects to boost bandwidth and increase job knowledge while building connections to additional co-workers Continue work to familiarize self with all key stakeholders and project details By taking the reins, you can rock your new job by creating an outline of what success will look like while providing your boss with reassurance that you are going to hit the ground running. Now go get ‘em!

Writing Center Notre Dame Resume

Writing Center Notre Dame ResumeFinding a writing center Notre dame resume has never been easy. The distance between a university and a business school and the duration between a job interview and the job offer is typically five years or more. However, there are ways to get an education in English writing and eventually find employment at a writing center that suits your needs.Getting an education in English writing may seem like a long-shot. After all, it's an ancient language that people have historically learned from their parents or teachers in a classroom setting. Yet, by the same token, you can also get your education without even leaving your home. By learning how to write professionally in English, you can learn about the principles of writing, why a resume or cover letter is written in a particular way, how to present information effectively, and many other things.If you think about it, though, getting an education at a writing center can be much easier than going to school for English. Most English programs and writing centers offer work-study opportunities. These are opportunities that allow students to work in a writing center for a week or two to help pay the costs of their education.One great advantage of working at a writing center, is that you will get hands-on experience when you're working on your education and this helps to make your experience more realistic. In addition, you'll likely get better opportunities as you move through the writing program.You might also consider learning to read and write English from books. There are a number of good books on the subject that you can find online. While some books are written with more specific ideas in mind, there are also many books that have general information on how to learn English. Overall, however, you should stick to books that are easy to read, especially if you don't have much experience in reading. Perhaps the best way to learn how to learn English from books is to take an English lang uage class. This is a good way to learn the basics of language because you can focus on the things that you need to learn when you want to talk about specific topics. There are some great classes offered in many areas, so you should do some research to find one near you.If you find that you can't go to school or a writing center, it's likely that you will have to enroll in a community college or English program. Although these types of programs may be easier to get an education in English on, they will only give you the foundation you need to get work-ready and make a solid, professional first impression in your job search.It may take a bit of time to get to a writing center or program, but eventually you should be able to land a job and become very familiar with the principles of writing and English. Good luck!