TED Talk What Is YOUR Definition of Success

TED Talk What Is YOUR Definition of SuccessTED Talk What Is YOUR Definition of Success12In a July 2009 TED Talk called A Kinder, Gentler Philosophy of Success, Alain de Botton suggests that these ideas of success and failure are assumed by some underlying judgments that do not paint a complete picture and cause undue anxiety about ur careers. de Botton feels that we cannot be successful at everything and that any definition of success has to take into account what we are giving up to be successful.A writer and modern day philosopher, de Botton discusses these judgments in more detail. His witty and well-spoken delivery refers to how snobbery, envy, equality, and a sense of meritocracy all cause unnecessary career crises. He feels that while we lament the materialistic nature of our world, we are, in fact, more motivated by emotional rewards. In other words, when we display the material evidence of our success in life, it is because we are seeking the acceptance that others give us as a result.As we talk about work-life balance, which de Botton calls nonsense, its important to be clear on what that means. Someone who strives for work-life balance should be cognizant of the fact that it doesnt mean you will be able to do everything. As a mother of two, I have a full-time, remote location, flexible schedule job. I still have to make choices, and my family understands that my awesome professional situation does not mean I am available for every field trip, lunch, and activity that comes up. I am able to choose the things that are most important to us and can adjust my schedule around those events the vast majority of the time.No my friends, we cant have it all. But we can each define a personal sense of what makes us a success in our careers and in our lives. Work flexibility provides the opportunities for each of us to achieve our own work-life balance and find our own definition of success.Readers, whats your definition of success? How do you answer the question, What do you do for a living?

What to Do When You Keep Getting Job Rejection Email Notices

What to Do When You Keep Getting Job Rejection Email NoticesWhat to Do When You Keep Getting Job Rejection Email NoticesPinYou check your inbox and your stomach immediately drops into your shoes. There it is- another job rejection email for a job that you knew you were a great fit for.Whats the deal? you think to yourself as you begin to type out that mandatory polite and professional reply. You feel like youre doing everything right- so, why are you on the receiving end of so many of those awful thanks, but no thanks messages?Job rejection can be brutal, and its easy to instantly point those fingers at those no-good employers who obviously cant recognize an excellent candidate when youre right in front of their eyes.However, after facing a series of letdowns, its smarter to turn the spotlight on yourself and see if there really are some areas that you could improve in your job search. What exactly should you take a magnifying glass to?Heres what to do when you keep getting job rejec tion email notices1. Review your resume.The first thing you should do is to turn a discerning eye to your resume and ask yourself one key question did you tailor it to that specific job description?If your answer is no thats one big thing you need to start doing differently in your job search. As tempting and convenient as it might be to blanket the whole world in one generic resume, that wont help you get your foot in the door.For the next positions you apply to, comb through the job description to pull out keywords, core responsibilities, and elements of that companys culture. That way you can weave those into your own resume and titelblatt letter- and, thus, make a far better impression on the hiring manager.Did youtailor your resume and still receive a heart-wrenching rejection? Its still a wise idea to match up your resume against the job description once more. Is there anything else you couldve done to make yourself stand out as a seamless fit for that role? If so, jot those n otes down and keep them safe somewhere- theyll help you as you continue through your search.2. Look for typos.Perhaps youre confident that the content of your documents is perfectly polished. But, that doesnt mean a pesky typo or error didnt sneak in somewhere.For that reason, take some time and carefully read through your resume and titel letter to ensure you havent been including a cringe-worthy mistake (theres nothing worse than spelling detail-oriented as detail-oreinted) with your application.It seems like a minor thing- and, in many cases, it is. However, it speaks volumes about your own care and consideration as a professional. In fact, 20% of hiring managers would toss out a resume after spotting a single error, and 28% said that two typos would surely be the end of you.Needless to say, making sure that your document is mistake-free is crucial for getting to the next step in the process.TIP Review your resume and cover letter from bottom to top. Reading in this unnatural ord er forces your brain to focus on each individual sentence, making you that much more likely to catch and fix any errors that you previously let slide.3. Assess your qualifications.Its time to be honest with yourself. Reflect on the last several jobs that you were rejected for. Were you qualified? Did you check off the majority of what those employers were searching for? Or, were all of those jobs a bit of a reach for your skills and level of experience?Theres nothing wrong with challenging yourself and aiming to take the next step on that proverbial ladder. However, if youve been receiving rejection after rejection, it might be time to adjust your expectations just a little bit.After all, if the majority of the jobs youre applying for require at least 10 years of experience and you only have four, you could very well just be setting yourself up for failure.4. Ask for feedback.If youre like most people, youre tempted with one reaction when you receive that dreaded rejection email del ete it immediately, try your best to pretend the whole thing never happened, and then drown your sorrows in the beverage or ice cream of your choice.Thats natural- rejection hurts. But, even so, a much smarter strategy is to swallow your pride, thank that hiring manager for the experience, and then ask if he or she could provide any feedback to help you improve moving forward.This can be difficult and humbling. However, it can also be incredibly enlightening. Being able to get some valuable insights from the other side of the hiring process isnt something you get to do all that often. And, when you do? It can open your eyes to certain things that you may have never considered before.So, dont hesitate to ask for constructive criticism following a job rejection. If nothing else, youll demonstrate that youre a professional whos interested in continuing to grow and develop.Nobody enjoys rejection. But, when youre job searching, its bound to happen. Rather than pointing the finger at the employers who continue turning you down, take some time to reflect on how you could be contributing to the situation. Doing so will empower you with the information you need to improve- and, ultimately, land a jobKnow someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

Technology Navigating Turbulent Times Ahead

Technology Navigating Turbulent Times Ahead Technology Navigating Turbulent Times Ahead Technology: Navigating Turbulent Times Ahead by Dr. Pallant Ramsundar, Assistant Professor, University of Trinidad and Tobago Technology development has historically resulted in upheavals in human society. Civilizations with more sophisticated weaponry and better tactics inevitably dominate their less capable adversaries. Since the industrial revolution, in which large amounts of power were harnessed from coal fired steam engines, the pace of technological change has been steadily growing. In modern times the introduction of the microprocessor in the 1970s heralded a rate of technological change unprecedented in history, resulting in product obsolescence in ever shortening timeframes. Developments in the fields of nanotechnology and biotechnology in the 1980s further fueled opportunities for product innovation. In this chaotic environment, the determination of which technology to embrace is crucial for company survival. Many helpful articles and books have been written on strategies for success, but making the right choice is elusive and promises to remain so. There are three characteristics of technology d evelopment that can help practitioners and decision makers understand the nature of technological change, and prepare them to navigate the future. These functions are Speed, Miniaturization and Product Intelligence. Speed Speed has long been recognized as an underlying factor in development, through its link to productivity. Increased productivity brings down product cost, thus enabling wider product dispersion and improved quality of life. Product speeds increase as technology improves and in instances where speed is restricted as for example by regulation, improvement has continued along the lines of increasing efficiency. A typical example of the last case is the automobile industry, where the permitted top speed for the mass market has been unchanged since the 1950s, and developments have shifted to areas such as safety, cost and fuel efficiency. The introduction of the microprocessor has dramatically increased the rate of speed improvement to products and processes. Nowhere is this more indicative than in the computing industry. The Intel 4004 microprocessor launched in 1971 achieved a clock speed of 740 kHz. By 2012, clock speeds of up to 3.8 GHz were achieved for the Intel i5, a more than five hundred thousand percent increase. In the communications arena, the 1G wireless data transmission rate in 1981 was 1200 bit/s. Current 4G Mobile WiMax has a download speed of 144 Mbit/s, which is one hundred and twenty times faster. No doubt, the high infrastructure cost for wireless communication is a deterrent to faster growth in commercial transmission speeds. Though the computing industry has produced spectacular improvements in performance, the push to extend boundaries exists for every industry and enterprise. High speed metal cutting machines developed in the last decades of the nineteenth century increased cutting speeds five to ten times that of conventional machines, while service companies like banks have reduced waiting time on some transactions from hours to a few keystrokes. Miniaturization Another factor in technology development that often acts in tandem with speed is miniaturization. Size reduction in a system yields benefits of reduced material consumption, reduced manufacturing costs, better portability and general improvements in efficiency and cost reduction. These are all desirable factors in product competitiveness. The clock speed improvement in microprocessors indicated previously, was possible because chip feature separation shrunk by a factor of more than three hundred, from 20 microns to 64 nanometers, enabling more compact structures. On a larger scale, weight reductions in aircraft systems have over the years, boosted payload capacity, range and fuel efficiency. Miniaturization is closely related to precision in that smaller products require working in shorter distances. Thus, a convenient benefit of miniaturization is higher accuracies and tighter tolerances, which contribute to improved quality. Nanotechnology and biotechnology have only just begun to make an impact on miniaturization, and beyond this region lies molecular and atomic scale manipulation. Product Intelligence One particular measure that warrants special mention is that of product intelligence. Automation has long been recognized as a vehicle for improving productivity and accuracy. In essence, what automation does is enable systems to carry out complex tasks automatically. Developments in the computer industry have revolutionized this field, so that programmable systems offer much higher degrees of complexity and flexibility than mechanical or other systems. Microelectronics has made it possible to shrink sensors and data processors to the extent that capabilities and features can now be unobtrusively incorporated into products. Increasing product intelligence is typified by the mobile phone which progressed from being a wireless voice device to one that can additionally serve as a media player, high definition camera, GPS device and internet interface. The automobile is another good example where product intelligence has been a factor in improving fuel efficiency and providing added safe ty with features such as electronic braking, stability control, air bags and collision warning systems. This subject of product intelligence brings out an interesting perspective on the KIS (Keep it simple) principle. By simplifying components and processes KIS has traditionally yielded manufacturing and assembly cost savings as well as reliability improvements. Product intelligence however, is geared to simplifying the human interface, which requires product sophistication and complexity. The application of the KIS principle is still valuable in optimizing product construction, but the objective to make a more capable product must take precedence if businesses are to remain competitive. Developing a winning strategy There are many factors that determine the success of a product in the marketplace, and this includes all aspects of the business. With comparable business models, the product which provides the best interface experience for the user has the competitive advantage. Although specific technologies change over time, their impact is to create products that are more capable. The key then is to use available technology to advance product capability, but to be prepared to migrate to new technology that brings about superior improvements in speed, miniaturization or improved product intelligence. By keeping track of these three factors, practitioners and decision makers can not only ensure survivability of their business, but may be able to outfox the competition. About the author: Dr. Pallant Ramsundar, an Assistant Professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, has been practicing in the field of manufacturing for the last thirty-six years and is a lecturer in Product Design and Development.

56% of employees take a lunch break of 30 minutes or less

56% of employees take a lunch break of 30 minutes or less 56% of employees take a lunch break of 30 minutes or less While research has found that more than half of Americans say that they can’t go on a lunch break,  new data from staffing firm OfficeTeam shows that  56% of American workers have a lunch break of 30 minutes or less and 52% of American employees spend it on the internet.An independent research firm surveyed more than 2,800 adult office workers “in 28 major U.S. cities.”  Here’s how long people take for lunchHere are the averages: “0-10 minutes:” 7% “11-20 minutes:” 8% “21-30 minutes:” 41% “31-40 minutes:” 4% “41-50 minutes:” 10% “51-60 minutes:” 27% “More than 60 minutes:” 3% While most people say that they take a lunch break between an average of 21 and 30 minutes, the next most popular amount of time was an average of between 51 minutes and one hour at 27%. Just three percent say of workers say they take lunch for an average of more than an hour.“Certainly, there are times when work is extremely busy and going out for a lunch break isn’t feasible, but you should always strive to take one because skipping a midday break could lead to lowered productivity, especially as the day progresses,” Brandi Britton, district president for OfficeTeam, told Ladders.What people do â€" other than eat â€" during lunchtimeHere’s the breakdown - people had the option to choose multiple answers: “Surf the web/social media:” 52% “Catch up on personal calls/emails:” 51% “Socialize with coworkers:” 47% “Run errands:” 32% “Read:” 32% “Exercise/take a walk:” 30% “Work:” 29% Men were more likely to “socialize with” their colleagues at 51%, compared to 44% of women. But while 54% of people ages 18 to 34 said they do this, 47% of those 35 to 54 said they do, and 34% of those ages 55 and old said they do.The cities with the lengthiest lunch breaks are San Francisco (#1), Los Angeles (#2) and Miami (#3). The states with the shortest ones are Salt Lake City (#1), Des Moines (#2) and Cincinnati (#3).  In terms of which workers work out or go on a walk the most during lunch, those in San Francisco, Chicago, and Cincinnati do so most.

Finding and Keeping Best-Fit Retail Jobs

Finding and Keeping Best-Fit Retail Jobs Finding and Keeping Best-Fit Retail Jobs According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of June 2019, there were 5.8 million people employed in the U.S. retail sector. Many of them were looking to create a rewarding retail career path that included one or several best-fit retail jobs. Those looking to make a career in retail must be customer-focused and derive satisfaction from helping others acquire things they need or want. If that doesnt sound like you, you should probably consider a different career choice. If it does sound like you, you should focus on finding and growing in a series of retail jobs that fit your individual interests, values, and life outlook. In the short term, it might seem more important to select a job based mostly on compensation or on which store is offering the biggest employee discount- and that discount is a nice perk of retail jobs. But over the long haul, many workers are chronically dissatisfied until they land a job that provides them with personal fulfillment- one that is the best fit for them. Evaluating Yourself and Potential Employers The first step in finding a best-fit job is to think about what motivates you, makes you happy, and holds your interest. Think about your values and goals in life. Then start matching the priorities youve established with those of retailers that have a presence where you live. One place to identify retailers that offer good entry-level jobs and opportunities to advance and that stay true to their stated company values and purposes is the list of the 20 Best Workplaces in Retail compiled by Fortune and Great Place to Work. The 2018 iteration of this annual list is based on anonymous surveys of over 631,000 U.S. retail employees. Each survey consisted of more than 60 questions aimed at quantifying employees experiences of trust and reaching their full potential as part of their company, regardless of job title. Great Place to Work also considered employees’ opinions on company innovation and the effectiveness of their leaders. Another way to identify potential employers is by reading retailers websites to see what they say about the businesses ethics and goals. Sometimes, of course, these statements are only feel-good words that dont reflect the day-to-day reality of employment at the company. But theyre a decent starting point to determine whether, at the very least, an organizations stated priorities align with yours. Landing the Job Once youve settled on a few potential employers, look on the jobs page of the companies website or ask in person to find out whether theyre hiring. Its often helpful to have had previous retail experience when applying for a retail job, but businesses know everyone has to start somewhere. Your ability to demonstrate enthusiasm for the job and the references of trusted people who can vouch for your potential in the retail sector can make up for a lack of experience. Write a great cover letter and resume that are directed at the specific job youre applying for. Learn as much as you can about the company so you will be well prepared for your interview and you will have intelligent questions to ask. You should also practice answering the most commonly asked interview questions for retail jobs. During interviews with an HR representative and the hiring manager- or perhaps only with the owner of the store, if its a small business- conduct yourself professionally but show your eagerness for the job. Play up any experience you have exceeding customer expectations and make it clear your No. 1 goal is to help patrons. Before accepting a job offer, consider whether the position is truly the best fit for you. Think about the priorities you set at the beginning of the job search process and honestly evaluate whether the job and the employer jibe with them. If they do, take the job. If not- and you are able to hold out for something better- turn it down. Keeping the Job Once youve gotten your best-fit retail job, the winning-est strategy for holding on to it is to do your best work every day. If the organization is truly interested in promoting the hardest and most capable workers, your contributions will be noticed and you will be rewarded. If you go above and beyond what your job description requires, the company will want to retain you and offer you even greater challenges. Your employment will be as secure as you can possibly make it in the ever-changing retail world. Creating Your Retail Career Path Regardless of how well you perform, your career is unlikely to go straight up one companys ladder. If you feel stuck or are finding it hard to be motivated in your current job, its probably time to look elsewhere. Go back to your list of priorities and research opportunities for your next best-fit retail job- one that will keep you on your best-fit retail career path.

My Journey to the C-Suite as a Millennial Executive

My Journey to the C-Suite as a Millennial Executive My Journey to the C-Suite as a Millennial Executive If I had to summarize my career in one word, it would be exhilarating. Over the course of 13 years, Ive had opportunities to mentor aspiring leaders, establish overseas operations, and run the global sales organization for the one company Ive been working for since graduating college. I started my career at global recruitment technology provider Bullhorn as an entry-level sales representative after I graduated from Babson College in 2005. At the time, Bullhorn was a fledgling startup poised to achieve some incredible milestones. I was thrilled to play a role in influencing the companys future. After receiving the opportunity to help Bullhorn expand its international operations at just 27 years old, I was lucky enough to find myself on an accelerated career trajectory that brought my wife and I to London - and eventually returned us to the US as a family of four. While spending six years in London, I not only helped Bullhorn increase its European and Asia-Pacific user bases, but also opened numerous offices across mainland Europe and Australia. The most exciting part of my journey has been working with an outstanding team. So many of the emerging leaders with whom I originally worked when I arrived in London are now running their own sales teams at Bullhorn, and it has been amazing to mentor them and watch them succeed. As the economy constantly changes, leaders must be willing to embrace ambiguity and thrive in the unknown. For the next generation of leaders looking to accelerate their career journeys, here is my advice: Ditch the Traditional Five-Year Plan My father always told me to have a master five-year plan - which wasnt bad advice, of course - but I resisted it. I never wanted to architect too far into the future because I wanted to live in the present. Instead, I looked  1-2 years into the future and developed my goals around that timeline. Why? Because the technology landscape changes incredibly fast, so goals that we set one year might not be relevant the next year.  This also means  my job will be different each year. Varying market demands and shifts will warrant new solutions to old problems. Therefore, my strategic vision has long focused on the opportunities and challenges in front of me at the moment. As a leader of tomorrow, you need to embrace change today. That will help create longevity in your career. Focus on what is in front of you and let those moments mold your goals. Youll become extremely versatile. Dont Overthink Whats Right in Front of You When I interviewed for jobs after college, I envisioned working at a financial services company. With a business management degree, I thought it made the most sense to work in that sector. But something didnt seem right to me when I interviewed with companies in this field. I never found what I was looking for in a career: an agile workplace. Instead of opting for well-established companies, I decided to place a bet on startup life. I figured the pace of that environment would allow to me flourish the most. When Bullhorn asked me to move to London, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. The benefits of opening and leading a new office in a new location certainly outweighed the risks of moving out of the country for the first time. If the opportunity didnt work out for unforeseen reasons, I knew that I could always return home. In order to grow your career, you must seize opportunities that are right in front of you. Dont overthink the outcomes or setbacks. Be bold, take charge, and grow. Its the only way to learn faster and further develop your skills. Speak Their Language At the executive level, Im participating in strategic conversations about business operations and growth, and I need to position that information as  effectively as possible to my team. The majority of our 160-person sales team is comprised of millennial employees like myself, which means I need to translate our business vision into results my team understands. In other words, I need to speak their language. As were expanding and deepening our business strategies, I need to communicate with my leaders about how I see us executing those strategies based on feedback from my team.  At the same time, I need to discuss with my team why those strategies are right for the business. Understanding the why and the what of your companys objectives is important for your success because it enables you to work toward shared goals. If you can decipher information and understand the big picture of how you and your team can make the most impact in your business, then youll position yourself as a valuable employee. The more valuable you are, the more chances you have to flourish. - Creating a rewarding and meaningful career is one of the most exciting accomplishments you can achieve. It is a journey that you own, define, and shape, one where you can challenge yourself every day, overcome obstacles, and relish the opportunities that will keep you  moving toward the next chapter. You may even find that you, too, can define your career as exhilarating. Mike Restivo is the chief revenue officer for Bullhorn.

The Basics of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans

The Basics of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans The Basics of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans As a healthcare consumer, youve no doubt heard the term HMO before. In fact, this is the most popular of all health care plan models in the market. Where do HMOs come from? Heres some history on this type of employee benefit. In 1973, The Health Maintenance Organization Act amended the previous Public Health Service Act of 1944 and effectively transformed the way health benefits were to be managed in America and around the world. An Overview of HMO Plans An HMO is not really that complex. Under current US legal code, an HMO is defined as a public or private entity that meets both of the following requirements: provides basic and supplemental health services to its membersis organized and operated in a state-approved manner Therefore, an HMO is an organization that has the sole purpose of providing equal access to health care services in exchange for members agreeing to certain terms. In most cases, this is an agreement to remain within a covered network of providers who have pre-negotiated for lower cost services, while still retaining the quality of care. These providers must meet high standards in order to join the network, and they must maintain excellent care ratings, so its a win-win for consumers. In many cases, the HMO supports preventative wellness care, which is what health care providers advocate for. This works well with corporate wellness programs and recommended routine medical care for certain demographics of the population. All HMOs undergo close scrutiny by many government organizations, including each State Department of Health in which they operate. HMOs came under fire in the late 1990s when it was discovered plan members were not getting the timely response and care they deserved. Since then, HMO management has improved thanks to electronic data management which streamlines data management and enrollment processes. The Benefits of HMO Plans HMOs are still one of the more popular health management options that employers offer, for a number of reasons. They are relatively easy to manage because of flat rate premiums for plan member types.Claims are less worrisome for plan members because they know how much their portion is, including office co-pays.HMOs are often cheaper health care plans for employers and members over the life of the plans.The quality of the doctors and health care centers are carefully monitored to the highest of standards, so plan members know they are getting the best possible care.An HMO approval process controls expensive medical claims before they take place, and this also protects consumers from fraud. Trends in the Health Care Market About HMO Use According to the experts in health care, the trend away from traditional fee-for-service health care plans has been steady over the last two decades. The  US Department of Labor advises that fee-for-service plans accounted for 96 percent of health care plans offered by medium and large public employers in 1984 and 20 years later they account for less than 15 percent of employer-provided health insurance.  Managed health care policies continue to replace former cash-for-service health programs. Many companies offer at least three-tier employee benefits plans, with one or more as part of an HMO network. It is a cost-effective way of managing health care insurance and maintaining the quality of care. HMOs, continue to be a strong proponent of care in the health insurance market today.