Saturday, March 14, 2020

The Top 5 Jobs in Every Major Industry in the West - TheJobNetwork

The Top 5 Jobs in Every Major Industry in the West - TheJobNetworkif youre looking for a career change (or a change of scenery), here are some of the fastest-growing jobs for 2016 in the far-western part of the u.s., per the u.s. bureau of labor statistics. this platz includes alaska, arizona, california, hawaii, idaho, nevada, oregon, and washington. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) this gegend is unique because it includes some of the most disparate states in the unionstates dont come much different than alaska and arizona. but what they have in common is that theyreall seeing strong growth in core industries.1. tech industry web developerif you build it, they will come. okay, so that was technically a ghost in a cornfield telling kevin costner to build a baseball field. but its just as relevant for the american west, where the beating heart of the tech world lives in seattle and san franciscos silicon valley. one of the hottest positio ns in the pacific region, according to the robert half tech blog, web developers will continue to be in demand. web developers design, create, and maintain websites for companies or personal clients. in addition to designing, they also manage the day-to-day tech aspects of the site and work in different programming languages to update the sites.web developers typically have an associates degree or higher to start. the median salary is $63,490, and the projected growth is strong at 27%.2. tafelgeschirr industry meeting, convention, and event plannertourism is a key industry in the west, particularly in hubs like las vegas. meeting, convention, and event planners are responsible for organizing large-scale events like conferences and company meetings. they manage staffs and coordinate details like food and lodging, locations, and transportation. event planners typically have a bachelors degree, and experience in hospitality is a valuable skill to have, as well.the median salary is $46, 490, and the field is expected to grow by at least 10% in the coming years.3. logistics industry emergency management specialistin a region of the country unfortunately prone to earthquakes, fires, and other natural disasters, complete emergency preparedness is essential. emergency management specialists manage logistics related to emergency planning and training teams for future events.the median salary for this position is $52,590, and california and oregon are among the highest-paying states for emergency management specialists. the field is expected to grow between 6-10%.4. healthcare industry occupational therapistoccupational therapists are an essential part of recovery after injury, and also work with patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. they create treatment plans that include everyday living skills to help patients recover or develop the ability to function. the standard level of education for occupational therapists is a masters degree, with additional cert ification licensing generally required by states.the median salary is $78,810, and the field is expected to grow by 27%.5. restaurant industry chefwe live in a foodie nation these days, and chefs and cooks are often at the front of the neuerung line, with eclectic dishes inspired by local and ethnic cuisines. chefs may work in the traditional restaurant setting, but youll increasingly find them in other places as well private homes, pop-up kitchens, and various hospitality venues. on-the-job training is key for chefs. no specific degree is required, but many chefs and cooks opt for formal culinary school training, and all must meet local food handling guidelines.the median salary is $41,610, and the field is expected to grow by at least 10%.no longer the wild west of old, the western region of the u.s. is a major source of innovation in all areasand the job scene is just as fast-paced.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

10 Qualities of Authentic People

10 Qualities of Authentic People Many Americans have lost their authenticity and have become followers, chasing status and wealth. And followers are overly competitive, seeking only to win and beat one abedrngnisher due to their insecurities, according to psychologist Sherrie Campbell.Campbell wants to help bring society back to successful authenticity.The stand-out successes we all admire are leidlage in the crowd, they arent chasing cash, or being cool. It doesnt mean they dont love nice things or indulge in them it means they approach success from a different mindset, she wrote in Entrepreneur.The psychologist has outlinedthe 10 qualities of authentic people, in order to help Americans become their true authentic selves.1. Theyre self-reflective.To be authentic, unique and individual you have to know who and what you are, which comes through self-reflection. How can you know who you are if you are following everyone else? Campbell said.Self-reflection can help with anxiety and foc us. You become calmer, and you are less worried about what other people may be doing because you are only concerned with yourself.2. They have a healthy ego.There is nothing deep about being superficially better than others or having mora success or money because all of that status is temporary and subjective, according to Campbell.In order to be a successful leader of others, you must do so with courage and empathy. You must be confident enough in yourself and your abilities to consider others feelings.3. They focus on possibilities.When you live authentically you have no time to waste emotion on temporary and sometimes necessary setbacks, said Campbell.An authentic person is consistently focused on what hard work will bring him/her in the long-term.4. They have good character.This means you do not say things you do not mean, promises are not made you cannot keep and you stay in a place of integrity in all of your dealings, in and out of work, she wrote.You are able to gain the tru st of others because of these aforementioned qualities. You are consistent and reliable, and people admire you for that.5. Theyre visionaries.Because you are deeply connected to yourself, you are open and more innovative. You have been visionary in the creating of yourself and this allows you to bring that skill into all aspects of your life, especially business, Campbell said.You also help others to realize their goals and their potential, and you push both yourself and others to reach those.6. Theyre listeners.You are more than willing to consider contradictory ideas with an open mind and change your opinion if the argument makes sense, the psychologist wrote.You are genuinely interested in learning, and you are dedicated to discovering the truth.7. Theyre transparent.Open communication is woven into the fabric of your authenticity. You never leave anyone guessing or hurting because youre transparent, she said.Followers are not honest with themselves or others. They are defensive and sensitive to criticism, unlike those who are their authentic selves.8. Theyre open and consistent.You do not hold judgmental attitudes towards others. As you evaluate the thoughts and opinions others hold, even those you do not agree with, you still place them under an umbrella of respect, said Campbell.You are true to who you are and the principles you hold and do not require another persons approval to feel good about yourself.9. Theyre team-oriented.You build successful teams and give credit where it is due, sharing your success and achievements with your entire team, according to Campbell.You are constantly adapting and are not afraid of change. You want your team to be as successful as you are, and you will not be jealous of that.10. They draw upon experience.You can draw upon experience to work wisely through each new challenge you face on your road to success, making you more confident that you will be able to handle whatever hardships your future holds, the psychologist wrote.You have learned through your own life and improved yourself in thoughtful ways.

Monday, January 6, 2020

Working Mom Joelyn Finds Support At Dell

Working Mom Joelyn Finds Support At Dell In the video above, Dell employee Joelyn shares how flexible work lets her keep her career while caring for a child with special needs, and how Dells new neurodiversity hiring program gives her hope for her sons future. Are you interested in such a flexible, supportive work environment? If yes, then click here to see all available opportunities at Dell, and dont forget to press Follow to receive custom job matches, event invitations and mora One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plan s or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot mora to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted b y Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentatio n technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Work-at-Home Call Center Jobs in Virginia

Work-at-Home Call Center Jobs in VirginiaWork-at-Home Call Center Jobs in VirginiaVirginia has quite a few companies that offer work-at-home call center job opportunities to its residents. Below are some call center companiesthat hire in Virginia. Possible Opportunities Accolade Support Call Center ServicesIndependent contractors work the phones as home-based technical support agents and customer service reps, servicing this business process outsourcing (BPO) firms clients. Pay is a per-minute satz that goes as high as $10/hour. Keep in mind, though, that independent contractors are not guaranteed minimum wage. AloricaAlorica, which merged with West at Home, hires remote customer service agents who are paid on a per minute or per call basis, but since they are employees they are assured of earning the minimum wage in their state. American ExpressCall center agents with experience in reservation systems (as well as travel agents) work from home for the companys corporate travel di vision. Being bilingual is a competitive advantage in getting hired into one of these jobs. Apple At Home AdvisorsThe work-at-home call center division of Apple hires tech support/customer service agents nationwide though the jobs often have locations listed in the postings. Apple provides computer equipment. AROCompanys remote call center employees work in a variety of jobs including sales, and customer service. It also hires insurance auditors and LPNs and RNs to work from home. Aspire LifestylesSpecializing in virtual assistant or concierge services, the companys remote agents handle customer requests by phone, e-mail, and chat. Fluency in French, German, Spanish or Italian is a plus. Carenet Healthcare ServicesRegistered nurses are needed for these medical call center jobs from home. Agents are employees and paid approximately $25/hour. Jobs are full time, and overnight work may be available and/or required. CenturyLinkThis provider of voice, broadband, and video services in 33 states employ home-based call center agents and pays around $10-11/hour. Bilingual skills are a plus. ConvergysRemote call center agents employed by this BPO take incoming calls and provide customer service, sales or technical support. Companys training is paid, and it offers benefits. HSN.comThe Home Shopping Network offers work at home jobs in call centers. Inbound calls are both sales and customer service. Full-time positions provide health insurance benefits. Jobs are based in Roanoke, VA. LiveOpsThis BPO hires remote call center agents as independent contractors for a variety of customer service jobs. Agents are paid at a rate that is based on minutes of talk time plus sales incentives in some cases. Agents must become certified to work for individual clients. This certification is not paid. Agents must pay for their own hintergrund check. Support.comCompany provides remote tech support to clients, via home-based tech support chat and call center agents. Its remote services tec hnicians answer inbound calls and its solutions center supervisors support and supervise the remote services technicians. SYKES Home Powered by Alpine AccessRemote employees receive inbound customer service and sales calls for a variety of this BPOs clients. Training is paid. Starting pay isaround $9/hour. Successful applicants pay $45 for a background check. The hiring process for these call center jobs is online and by phone. Bilingual skills are a plus. TeleTechHomeGlobal company hires associates for20-30 hours/week. to work from home as call agents and other fields. Bilingual call center agents needed. Benefits include paid training, 401k. Pay is $9-10/hour. ThinkDirectCompany hires employees as inbound work-at-home agents, selling magazine subscriptions. Pay with incentives is $10-$14 an hour. Ver-A-FastCompany contracts with home-based call center agents to make verification calls for the companys clients in the newspaper industry.

Friday, December 27, 2019

5 Negative Human Resources Practices That Should Be Extinct

5 Negative Human Resources Practices That Should Be Extinct5 Negative Human Resources Practices That Should Be ExtinctAre you and your Human Resources department dinosaurs? Despite dinosaur movies, paraphernalia, and popularity, dinosaurs are extinct. Certain HR roles and practices need to become defunct, too. If you and your HR department are still spending time and energy on these HR roles, and just plain badeanstalt or out-of-date practices, consider making them extinct. Requiring Social Security Numbers on Job Applications Is a Negative In this age of identity theft and data hacking and insecurities, potential employees dont want to give you their social security number until they believe that they are a viable candidate for your job. Sure, once theyve been through a job vorstellungsgesprch or two and they believe that you are ready for background checking, the interested candidate is happy to give you that number. But, not just to have their online application accepted for r eview. Tracking applicants, or employees for that matter, with their social security number, is a bad practice. Why would you want all of that responsibility for their personal data, well before you actually need it, or listed in multiple locations where it wasnt needed at all? Most universities stopped this practice of using social security numbers for student IDs about 30-40 years ago. Why are businesses so slow to get it? Job searchers frequently complain about the practice and refuse to use their social security number to apply. Youre potentially losing great candidates who refuse to place their social security number on the table until it is actually needed following a job offer. (Increasingly, job search experts recommend that a candidate put all 0s in the social security number question in an online application.) Human Resources Taking the Lead on Disciplinary Matters notlage you, hopefully. Thats a task that belongs to line managers- with your coaching and assistance- ev en your attendance at the disciplinary action meeting, of course. Not positive whether Human Resources staff was, at one time, expected to take the lead on anydisciplinary action with employees, but it sure plays out that way in small and mid-sized companies every day. When asked, HR staff members indicate discomfort with how their managers approach disciplinary action. From tongue-tied in the meetings to downright saying way too much in the wrong words, managers lack training in approaching problem employees. With lawsuits just waiting to happen, HR best serves the organization by training and coaching managers. HR, its not your job to take the lead on disciplinary action. You werent there. You didnt witness the employees wertmiger zuwachs- or lack thereof. You were not privy to any of the coaching conversations, assuming that they occurred. You were not in the middle of setting performance expectations. Nor, were you the keeper of the documentation. You can check your managers doc umentation, ascertain that the appropriate conversations occurred, and coach the manager to an ethical, legal, classy disciplinary meeting- but you cant do it for the manager. Dont even try. The Practice of Doing Basic Employee Admin Work Yourself Spend much of your time changing addresses, benefits information, and helping employees access their employee information? With online capabilities available today, the entire employee transactional ordnungsprinzips should be automated with employees able to access and update their own information. Benefits? HR cannot be the point of contact for benefits either if you expect to spend your time on the strategic needs of the business for employee performance, motivation, engagement, and satisfaction. Major healthcare insurance companies and providers have comprehensive websites and customer service representatives that can access employee accounts and answer all of their questions about eligible services and processes. There is no need f or HR employees to have to explain or be experts on the ins and outs of policies- unless an employee has a problem. In those cases, help the employee solve their problem. Failing to List Salary Info in Posted Positions ?Yes, HR practitioners are aware of all of the arguments, both pro, and con on this topic, and they have been debated at length, in HR discussion groups. But, many HR managers have landed squarely in the court that advocates transparency on salary so that HR staff, hiring managers, and prospective employees dont waste everybodys time. Readers have long complained that they apply for jobs only to find out after an interview or two or a job offer, that the proffered salary is way too low. Candidates also complain about feeling strung along by employers who indicate that a range is available then offer an experienced applicant the lowest number in the range. The old HR attitude about getting employees for the lowest possible compensation needs to change to one of pay ing employees fairly based on their experience and other qualifications. Employers need a fair and equitable compensation system that is transparent in the sense of providing employees guidance about how they can move financially to the next level. Many HR practitioners are not advocates of employees sharing salary information. But, the process for obtaining raises, how an employee goes about increasing compensation, and what they need to do to move to the next level ought to be transparent to all employees. Unfamiliar with any private sector employers who use this practice, but government offices and agencies are still at fault. Says a former government employee, HR Being in Charge of Interviewing and Hiring One dinosaur thing that drove me crazy in the government was that the HR staff did all of the interviewing and hiring. Then, they sent a person to work on your team without any input from the line manager who was filling the position. This practice was bad for the new hire since they often dont really know what they are getting into. It was bad for the existing staff since they didnt get a chance to ask some of the real world questions that would help them determine who was best suited to join the team. Most importantly, neither the manager nor the coworkers owned the new employee or were invested in the new employees success. In one worst-case scenario, the HR staff hired a single mom, placed her in their Atlanta office, and never told her that she would be expected to travel about 25 percent (or more) of her time. This was a disaster for a single mom with no support structure in a new city. While every HR department has some practices and procedures that ought to be reconsidered, these are particularly noteworthy. Sometimes the issue is budget or company priorities, but often the HR practitioners have just not taken the time to think about the impact of dinosaur practices on employees and potential employees.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

3 Smart Ways to Make Your Boss a Better Communicator

3 Smart Ways to Make Your Boss a Better Communicator3 Smart Ways to Make Your Boss a Better CommunicatorJust smile and nod, smile and nod- and then, once your boss walks away, you can ask your co-workers if anyone else understood a word she said.Sound familiar? When your boss isnt a good communicator, your job tends to be lot harder than it should be. Whether your manager is overly vague or so verbose that you cant quite separate the necessary information from the trivial, youre often left in the lurch. So, how do you get your job done when youre not getting the information you need?Dont give up hope. Try these three strategies that will not only help you get what you need now- but that can actually help improve your managers communication in the long run.1. Hone in on His or herbei Communication Style- and Challenge ItIf your boss is stuck in one particular communication style- one thats obviously not working- it may be time to push back a little. Now, Im not recommending insubordin ation or making your boss feel attacked in any way, but if youre not getting what you need to be successful, respectfully counter your manager with a different method of communication.For example, if your boss prefers to communicate via email, and those emails are filled with short, vague bullet points, try initiating a change of pace. Instead of responding electronically (which can just fuel the miscommunication fire), swing by her office to reference the message. Point out specific phrases that werent communicated effectively and ask for clarification You mentioned that your priority for me is to increase sales, but how much of an increase are you looking for, and in what timeframe?Or, if you boss tends to fire off complex, detailed information when she casually stops by your cubicle to chat, follow the conversation up with an email. Mention that you want to make koranvers that you have all the details you need, and ask for a short-and-sweet version of your talk, boiled down to th e high-level information.Encouraging your boss to embrace different communication styles will show her what works and what doesnt- when she realizes that you stop by her office every time she sends an email, shell probably get the picture that those emails arent as effective as she thinks they are.2. Repeat Instructions BackA former boss of mine once asked me to summarize and repeat whatever she said back to her. It sounds strange, but she wanted to make sure I completely understood what she said, whether she was communicating instructions, goals, or company information.It became a running joke at first When she popped her head into my office to say, Hey, Im leaving for the night, Id reply, So what youre saying is, youre going home? When shed ask if I wanted to go to lunch, Id say, So what youre saying is, youre going to buy me food?- and so on.But sarcasm aside, this technique can actually be a useful tool when executed in the right way. When your boss says something vague (Can you get me those numbers soon?), counter the statement by repeating what you think he means (Sure, I can get you the call-handling statistics from this week by the end of the day.). It may seem silly, but it will give your boss the opportunity to correct and clarify his statement, if needed (Oh, I actually meant the numbers for next months advertising budget- and I just need them by the end of the week). With one simple- albeit, repetitive- statement, youve just clarified the meaning of your bosss muddled instructions.And in the long run, this can help your boss may realize that hes not as good a communicator as he thought- if hes constantly having to clarify or repeat instructions, sooner or later hell just start explaining them more clearly in the first place.3. Get His or Her Undivided AttentionYou may think its the bosss job to call meetings, but when youre unclear about something your manager said or want to clarify goals or expectations, you should feel comfortable requesting som e one-on-one time with her. In the everyday hustle and bustle of the office, your boss may toss out vague instructions or information- so if you need clarification, youre going to need to separate yourself from everything else going on around you.So, send your manager an Outlook or Google Calendar invitation for a short, 15-minute meeting. In the body of the message, make sure to include the issues youd like to discuss, so your manager has some context and the ability to prepare. Then, come to the meeting with several specific points youd like to cover or questions youd like answered.With a specific chunk of time set aside, the office door closed, and all attention on you, youll be able to clarify your needs and concerns- and shell be able to focus solely on you without distraction.Depending on the size of your team, you may also be able to request that your meeting turn into a recurring event. For example, I have a weekly one-on-one meeting with my boss, which has given me the regu lar opportunity to bring any questions, concerns, and ideas to him- and this open forum has been great for making sure were always on the same page.Itll take a little extra effort on your part, but if you commit to helping your boss communicate better- she will. And the more often you help her out, the better chance that shell make it a lasting change.Photo of boss and employee courtesy of Shutterstock.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Unproductive Meetings Got You Down Technology Can Help

Unproductive Meetings Got You Down Technology Can Help Unproductive Meetings Got You Down Technology Can Help Weve all sat through at least one meeting thatleft us thinking,Well that was a waste of time. It happens to the best of us One thing leads to another, and then another, and eventually, someones unrelated tangent goeson for the whole hur.Unfortunately, this isnt only a common problem its also a serious one.Unproductive meetings dont justwasteyourand your companys time. They also waste a staggering amount of money. According to Business Insider, American companies lose $37 billion every year on unproductive meetings.Just how do unproductive meetings cause such losses?Well, consider that a manager gets paid $2,000 for 40 hours of work every week, explainsShiv Sharma, Taskworlds content manager. If he sits in a two hour meeting that doesnt lead to any actionable conclusions, thats equivalent to burning $100.In the past, companies could easily blame this problem on a number of things e.g., unforeseen circumstances, a lack of resources, or even poor employee performance.But, if you want to move beyond excuses, now may be a good time to check out the various ways in which geschftliches miteinander technologies have come to rescue us all from unproductive meetings. Now,we have access toproductivity platforms like the aforementionedTaskworld that allow us tocreate projects for our meetings, assign action items in real time, and set completion dates for eachtask. With a simple app like that, meeting can become a lot more productive.Imagine starting your computer and finding a screen that tells you exactly what you need to do for the day, gives you all the files that you want, and allows you to communicate with any member of your team. Now imagine it also suggests specialized workflows to help organize your work. Thats the kind ofproductivity platform your company could benefit from if youre still struggling with unproductive meetings.Get Your Meetings Right The Four Golden Rules of Meaningful MeetingsThat being said, productivity platforms arent magic cure-alls. They wont automatically save you from bad meetings. In fact, before a productivity platform can help you, Sharma says, you have to learn and adhere to the four golden rules of meaningful meetingsHave a specific purpose.Involve the right people.Follow the schedule.End with planned actions.The word specific in that first step isextremely important. Generic agendas will only invite generic discussions.Instead of saying youll be discussing pricing in the meeting, say youll be coming up with pricing limits for enterprise costumers, Sharma says.And of course, you should invite only the people who can adequately contribute to the topic of conversation. According to Sharma, If you invite people who dont need to be there, your meeting will be longer, less efficient, and thus, more expensive.Ultimately, the key to having productive meetings lies in standardizing the way companieshold t heir meetings.We at Taskworld have created a methodology based on the above rules, Sharma explains. Even though the agendas of various meetings may differ, this methodology will still hold true.Beyond standardizing as much as possible, its also important to treat meetings as limited resources.With the advent of the latest technologies in project management and communication, it has become possible to avoid meetings for a lot of projects, Sharma says. Having fewer meetings keeps people motivated and focused.The truth is, nobody really likes having meetings. But theyre a necessary part of any business operationand they arent going anywhere, so we might as well make the most of them. And there are few things more satisfying than leaving a meeting with clarity, purpose, and a general sense of accomplishment.This is something we all like to feel in the workplace and, if you follow the tips outlined above, you will.Youll save your company some money, too.