That bombshell screen time study is about parents, not tablets

That bombshell screen time study is about parents, not tabletsThat bombshell screen time study is about parents, not tabletsToddlers who stare at screens for more than an hour each day are not just thumbing their button noses atAAPstandards. Theyre risking developmental delays in communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and social skills, according to a new bombshell study inJAMA Pediatrics. And their parents are letting them do it.But whiletheJAMAstudyis well-designed and draws a strong correlation between screen time and developmental delays, it is not interesting because its wholly conclusive about causation. Outside factors are likely at play and the mechanisms by which screen time seems to affect development arent totally clear. But they are coming into focus. It is notable that screen time reduced both childrens sleep even at this early age and reduced parents reading to children, which we know is a strong predictor of positive child outcomes, such as higher IQ, Douglas Ge ntile of Iowa State University, who welches not involved in the study,toldCNN.The men and women behind the study were more focused on the blue lights. Where theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics recommendsthat children get no more than one hour of screen time per day (and that infants remain entirely unplugged), the researchers behind the new study double down, raising the possibility that screens in and of themselves may be harming childrens brains. The digital interface has bright lights, its really reinforcing, its repetitive, coauthor on the study Sheri Madigan of the University of Calgary toldWebMD. Too much of this might be compromising development when childrens brains are rapidly developing. Still, the researchers werent eager to make highly specific claims.If anything, our findings suggest the broader family context, how parents set rules about digital screen time, and if theyre actively engaged in exploring the digital world together, are more important,said study co-author An drew Przybylski of the Oxford world wide web Institute,in a statement.This finding seems to be in line with what many parents believe.One survey-based studyof nearly 20,000 families seemed to indicate that there is little or no support for the theory that digital screen use, on its own, is bad for young childrens psychological well being. That could be wrong, but there are not totally clear findings to knock down that notion.Even the newJAMAstudy (widely coveredas afinal nail in the coffinfor screen time) subtly hints at the very real possibility that screens might not, in and of themselves, be causing problems and stunting children. Madigan and colleagues allow that parents plop their progeny in front of a screen at the cost of reading a story with themor taking them out to socialize and explore. Screen time might, for this reason, represent a break from learning. And that might be the larger issue.When young children are observing screens, they may be missing important opportuniti es to practice and master interpersonal, motor, and communication skills, the studys authors write. When children are observing screens without an interactive or physical component, they are more sedentary and, therefore, not practicing gross motor skills, such as walking and running, which in turn may delay development in this area. Screens can also disrupt interactions with caregivers by limiting opportunities for verbal and nonverbal social exchanges.Are screens a problem? Possibly. Dismissing AAP recommendations out of hand is poor practice, in general, and the research is still developing. Until we have more studies at our disposal, it certainly makes sense to limit childrens screen time to an hour a day, just to be safe.But lets face it. Most of the adverse effects listed in anti-screen time studies are glaringly similar to the adverse effects of parents not doing their jobs particularly well. Blame the screen if you must- but only after you have, between shows, taken your kid s outside and read them a story.This article was originally published on Fatherly.

Total Employee Benefits Reports Boost Participation

Total Employee Benefits Reports Boost ParticipationTotal Employee Benefits Reports Boost ParticipationMost employees are generally aware of the benefits and salary that an employer offers. However, few may realize the full investment that the employer makes in their overall well-being. This is why a total rewards statement can be so powerful. A total rewards or total compensation statement details all the benefits that a company provides in an organized fashion, giving a complete picture of what the company contributes to workers. If you are looking for ways to boost employee recruitment and retention efforts while encouraging employees to participate in leading healthier lives, here are some ways to get the most from the benefits you offer. Create a Total Rewards anschauung That Speaks to Employee Needs When thinking about total compensation, try to do so from the perspective of employees. Consider the needs that that may have, such as Do the benefits help me to stay healthy?Can I understand the benefits as they apply to my lifestyle?How do my employer benefits compare to those offered at other companies?How much of the benefits are paid for by my employer vs. myself? Structure the Total Rewards Statement You may offer a great deal of employee benefits, but they are varied and hard to understand. Go through all your perks and group them by a category that employees will understand. For example, you can group all health-related benefits together, all financial benefits together, family and individual benefits together, and any special perks the company offers together. Your total rewards statement then appeals to employees who are in different stages of their lives. Be Transparent With Total Compensation Your total compensation statement will best serve your goals of increased participation if you put things into clear dollars and cents. Breakdown the individual benefit costs by employer costs, employee costs, and then add a third layer by indicatin g what it costs not to use the benefits. What does this look like? Communicate the value of the benefits based on claims data. An example of this could be an employee who purchased dental insurance, but who has not used this benefit yet- therefore did not reap the benefit of saving $1200 on standard dental care this year. Offer a Special Incentive for Using Group Benefits Many times, employees purchase their benefits without giving much thought to when and if they will ever use them. As a result, they are wasted dollars. Make it a point to provide a special incentive for employees who schedule an annual physical, a dental cleaning, and at least one trip to a wellness provider in the area. This can be a non-cash incentive, such as a reduced premium on next years coverage. Or you can provide a cash bonus for accomplishing each of these goals. Add this information to your total comp statement. Promote and Market the Company Benefits All Year Long A total rewards statement is no t simply a document to mail out once a year. Instead, it works best when its part of an overall marketing strategy of promoting the value of benefit programs and use during the entire year. Make sure that employees know how and where to get their hands on a copy of an updated total compensation statement, go over this with them in employee meetings so they understand what they are looking at, and create marketing materials around this subject. Posters and employee success stories work well for this, and company swagger handed out during open enrollment periods can be fun too. Remember, employees need to be continually educated about the benefits that they are eligible for, and a total compensation statement is just part of this process. Have a central point of contact for employee benefit programs, and make total comp statements available on demand.

Tips for Getting a Job When Youre Pregnant

Tips for Getting a Job When Youre PregnantTips for Getting a Job When Youre PregnantBeing pregnant can be hard. Job searching can be, too. Combining the two makes for a uniquely challenging task. A pregnant job hunter may wonder if she should share the news with interviewers- and when. Simple tasks like finding an appropriateinterview outfitcan require hours instead of minutes, and meeting times may need to be coordinated around pregnancy symptoms. Tips for Getting a Job When Youre Pregnant Still, while it may require adjustments, being pregnant should leid stand in the way of a job search. If youre expecting, and either want or need a new job, heres what you need to know about successfully job searching while youre pregnant. Your Rights as a Pregnant Job Seeker Can companies choose to avoid hiring pregnant women? Put simply No. They arent supposed to. Legally, thePregnancy Discrimination Act(PDA) prohibits employers from discriminating based on pregnancy, childbirth, or rela ted medical conditions. But whats legally correct, and what occurs in practice, do not always match up. For instance,chances are youve been asked at leastone of these illegal questions during an interview. So, its hard not to suspect that some employers would- without saying a word- opt to avoid hiring a pregnant candidate because of conscious or unconscious bias. That can be especially true when your pregnancy is noticeable. One right you dont have as a newly hired person coverage under theFamily and Medical Leave Act(FMLA). Among other things, this act guarantees eligible employees the right to retain their position after going on maternity leave. The key word there is eligible to be covered under FMLA, the company must beof a certain size and the employee must have worked there for at least 12 months. If youre pregnant while interviewing, you are not covered under the FMLA. However, many companies have generous family-leave policies that go beyond the legal requirements. If youre pregnant (even if you get health insurance through a spouse) its particularly important to askquestions about the benefits package, including the companysmaternity leave policy, short-term disability coverage, health insurance options, etc. This way, youll be informed about what coverage you can expect while youre pregnant and beyond. You Can Choose to Tell Potential Employers Youre Pregnant- Or Not Should you tell potential employers youre expecting? The answer to this question is... it depends. While theres no legal requirement for you to tell employers youre pregnant, other factors may convince you to share regardless. As well as whether ornotyou should share, consider when to share the news. You dont want to explain yourself out of a job offer if the employer would hesitate about making one once they know youre pregnant. Here are some considerations to keep in mind if youre debating whether or not- and when- to disclose your pregnancy How far along are you?If youre intervie wing in your third trimester, it makes sense to mention your pregnancy proactively,before (or during) anyin-person interviews, since hiding your bump wont be possible. In earlier trimesters, however, you can dress to obscure your pregnancy. And, if youre very early on, you may not even be sharing the news with close friends and family, so youcertainly wouldnt want to tell an interviewer youd just met. Will it make a difference in the hiring decision?If you need a job and suspect that revealing your pregnancy will influence the hiring manager, avoid mentioning it during interviews. However, do consider what that says about the company and hiring manager. That brings us to the next question... Will not sharing cause a trust issue with your future employer?A company that wont hire you while youre pregnant may not be afamily-friendly place to work. Keep that in mind. If, however,the job isnt doable while pregnant (for instance, if travel by plane is a weekly requirement), its best to me ntion your pregnancy during the interview. That way you can see whether the company can make accommodations. Otherwise, when you share the news after accepting the job, your manager may feel betrayed and you could wind up with a strained relationship. Make Accommodations for Your Pregnancy During Interviews Perhaps you have morning sickness that strikes daily at 11 a.m. Or youre hit with a wave of fatigue every afternoon. Maybe you need to pee more frequently than ever before. All of these things- as well as the changing shape of your body- are something to keep in mind while scheduling and preparing for interviews. Make sure yourinterview outfitleise fits properly (and get a new one if necessary). Also,tryto schedule interviews for the time of day when you feel most alert and unaffected by pregnancy symptoms. When to Share the News If you choose to disclose your pregnancy during an interview (or if its not really an option to keep it a secret), be prepared Discuss your plan s formaternity leaveand transitioning back to work and how you will prepare coworkers for your leave.Keep the employers perspective in mind- theyre likely to be concerned about two things. First, that your leave will be disruptive at work. Second, that you will not return to work after your maternity leave. You can offer reassurances about both these concerns. But dont let your pregnancy dominate the conversation Be professional and keep the interview focused on your skills, experience, and how youll be an asset to the company. If your plan is to be with the company for years and years, your leave time will be just a blip compared to your total tenure at the company, and thevalueofyour contributions. If you do not disclose your pregnancy during an interview, its a good idea to share the news after the company makes an offer. (Note If you are early in your pregnancy, feel free to hold off.) Having a job offer opens the door tonegotiations- now is the time to ask for leave and any oth er accommodations. And remember, the company made you an offer because theyre eagerforyou to come on board. Telling your employer at this point also allows them to plan ahead so that any leave time you take is not disruptive to operations. Doyouhave more questions? Heresinformation on pregnancy and employmentfor both job seekers and employees, including the scoop on family leave, disability, and discrimination issues.

Subscribe to AABME.org to Receive New Biomedical Engineering W...

Subscribe to AABME.org to Receive New Biomedical Engineering W... Subscribe to AABME.org to Receive New Biomedical Engineering W... Subscribe to AABME.org to Receive New Biomedical Engineering White Paper SeriesJuly 28, 2018 ASMEs new Advanced BioMedical Engineering website (AABME.org) is launching a series of biomedical engineering white papers that are available free to those who subscribe to the AABME site. The second white paper in the series, which will be sent to subscribers soon, explores the topic of genome editing, a new field in engineering and life sciences that focuses on precisely modifying genomes using engineered nucleases.AABME.org, which was introduced this spring, was designed to engage members of the multidisciplinary biomedical engineering arena across industry, research, academia and government and achieve the goals of collaboration and information sharing across disciplines. The site offers engineers, scientists and physicians a platform where they can keep u p-to-date on topics ranging from cell therapy and thermal medicine to medical devices and 3D printing, as well as gain access to the Societys collection of bioengineering-related journals, standards, conferences and products. Subscribing to AABMEs free white paper series will provide you with the opportunity to broaden your understanding of bioengineering, apply what youve learned from the white paper case studies to your own work, and encounter new ideas that inspire innovative thinking. By registering for AABME.org, you will also receive the weekly Biomedical Content Alert, which is a free e-mail update that highlights the most recent editorial content from AABME.org.The new white paper, Genome Editing and Biomanufacturing, by Gang Bao of the Nanomedicine Center for Nucleoprotein Machines at Rice University, details how decoding the information stored in genomes and making particular changes to them will transform the fields of healthcare, agriculture, the environment and ene rgy. The first AABME white paper, Automated Biomanufacturing and Three-Dimensional Tissue and Organ Fabrication Success Stories of Clinical Translation for Regenerative Medicine by Kaiming Ye of Binghamton University, State University of New York, was sent to subscribers earlier this month.To learn more about the AABME white paper series, or to subscribe, visit https//aabme.asme.org/promotions/biomedical-engineering-white-papers-promotion.

The importance of me time in your job search

The importance of me time in your job searchThe importance of me time in your job searchMe time is a hot topic in this 24/7 digital era where you can literally work around the clock. When your work is your job search, youre faced with the same possibilities of spending endless hours, perhaps without breaks, trying to scare up that next opportunity. And if your job search equates to hunting down new clients as an entrepreneur or freelancer, youre in the same boat, since you may feel even more pressured to do your existing client work plus continue to market for new prospects.All of this time and energy funneled into seeking a new job or fresh income streams can quickly result in niedergeschlagenheit if you dont pause once in a while to practice self-care.Here are some specific strategies on how you can periodically unplug from your search efforts and take some me time, while still platzdeckchenting and reaching ambitious milestones and goals for your career or business.Pace yourselfBu rnout can occur from overdoing it in any type of activity, including your job/client search. Psychology Today describes burnout as a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism and detachment, and feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. Put even more simply, when you find yourself feeling run down from spending too much time on your job search and uninterested in doing anything related to it, you may be experiencing burnout.The best way to avoid the malaise of burnout is to nip it in the bud before it can flourish. This means pacing yourself through your job search, rather than constantly pressuring yourself to go full steam ahead. This is where an understanding of the importance of me time comes in. While your search for new opportunities is ostensibly for you, the fact that it involves what can only be described as work means that you need to take breaks from it to do something that feels fun to you.Prepare for itDont rely on w him to take some time for yourself in the midst of your job search responsibilities. Instead, schedule set times to do something different, calendaring me-time breaks just as you would any other important appointment. It also helps to identify in advance distinct activities that you plan to do during this time slot. By deciding that youll take a scheduled break from your job hunt to exercise, read, or meet a friend for coffee, for example, you can prepare what you need and anticipate your enjoyable respite.Another helpful element of this preparation is deciding the number of me-time breaks youll take each day, each week, and each month, and calendaring those out on a longer-range basis. For example, if youre self-employed and find yourself spending too much time doing marketing activities related to identifying potential new clients, you may benefit from scheduling set hours each week to devote to scouring for opportunities, paired with equal periods on the back end of those blocks where you recover with some well-deserved me time.Look for signsYou may be nervous about devoting chunks of time to recovery from your professional initiatives at this stage in your job search. Perhaps you feel that you need to devote a certain amount of effort to your hunt before youll feel comfortable working in regular and reliable steps toward self-care. If thats the case, you should at least familiarize yourself with the signs of burnout so that you can recognize when its definitely the moment to give yourself some me time.Psychology Today lists the following signs related to burnout, whether from exhaustion, detachment, or lack of accomplishment. If you notice these symptoms arising, then take a step back and schedule in some me time before its too lateFeeling exhausted most daysDifficulty concentratingAnxietyPessimismHopelessnessIrritabilityThe bottom line is, dont let yourself get to the breaking point when it comes to finding work or seeking new clients. By allowing yoursel f to take care of your needs beyond the job search, youll be a stronger and more resilient candidate.This article was originally posted on FlexJobs.com.

Functional Resume Template Guide

Functional Resume Template Guide Initially there were very few businesses in the business but as people came to know more about the value of the insurance and its benefits, several new companies emerged. Given the simple fact that the template is something which gives ready-made outline for a resume, an individual might believe that the nature of it isnt flexible, but thats bedrngnislage true. Its cool that youre searching for a job to have some money, but you need some issues with resume. Everyone knows that having a nice and professional resume helps us to discover a good job. The Battle Over Functional Resume Template and How to Win It When its about you you know what resume format you ought to use. You desire a functional resume template. Utilizing a template is fast, simple, and even enjoyable. Any template with advanced alternatives for formatting is ideal because it is going to supply you with the required flexibility to format a successful resume. New Step by Step Roadmap for Functional Resume Template In addition, the ATS robots wont have the ability to scan your resume properly. There are three kinds of resumes, each with its own benefits and pitfalls. Hybrid resumes take the best characteristics from each one of the other formats. Read More, here are several resume templates that it is easy to adjust to satisfy your requirements. If youre searching for fill-in-the-blank resume templates, youve come to the correct place. Alongside its basic look, the template provides you the sections you should include with subtle prompts to provide help. Some templates are good enough to land an exemplary job since they expertly showcase your abilities. Life, Death, and Functional Resume Template The very first page should concentrate on your abilities and experience Organized The reader should immediately be in a position to see your strong points Accurate The information which you provide should be error free and totally honest. In the backe nd, ordnungsprinzip will care for the whole obligation required as a way to carry on transaction smoothly. If you dont have sufficient work experience, you should earn a functional resume instead of a chronological one. For those who have database management experience, for instance, it carries more weight if its possible to associate it with a particular job you held for a couple decades, in place of just listing it as a skill. Rumors, Lies and Functional Resume Template Utilize your career research to learn how you match your intended jobs. When it has to do with your job search, you will need to concentrate on your strengths. Actuary There are a number of job positions in the area. Career in Insurance There is an assortment of positions in the field at which you can work and earn a career. You may also see Teacher Resumes. Functional resumes are extremely tricky and might or might not go nicely with the recruiters. A Functional Resume or Skills Resume is intended to hig hlight your abilities and accomplishments on top of your resume instead of grouping them below the jobs or positions which youve held as in a chronological resume. In the event the functional resume does not appear well-suited to a specific situation, there are two other formats to plek from. Keep in mind that if you apply using a functional resume format, it should be comparatively brief. You should understand, that resume format is critical, since it can boost your odds to get invited for an interview. Each resume format was made to boost your odds to find the job in 2018. You dont have to incorporate any work experience that isnt pertinent to the job youre applying for, which means that you can focus exclusively on your relevant experience, wisdom and expertise. You could draw on your main sales accomplishments from your whole career and handle the job requirements all in 1 section. Continue reading for ourtips and suggestions on how to construct a functional resume to c reate a winning resume which encompasses each one of your skills, achievements and experiences pertinent to the work vacancy. Its possible to briefly highlight your abilities and traits which make you successful. Hiring managers are busy people and should they scan your resume and cant locate some information or skills fast you arent the one, whod find a call today A functional resume can make it simpler for potential employers to observe the way you can add value to their organization and might help you get your foot in the door for a work interview. As soon as it isnt necessarily perceived as dishonest, you ought to be well prepared to answer questions a hiring manager may ask about your work history. You could find that your job search is going to take a positive turn you hadnt previously experienced. If you want to see resume samples for a different market, you can view all our resume samples here. The lesser-known functional resume can be an excellent solution for cert ain positions requiring many technical abilities or for certain candidates with plenty of potential. Dont forget, you can remove entire sections if you prefer to, like the computer abilities or language locations. Research well and refer to a couple examples as well before you get started filling your resume. The Appeal of Functional Resume Template Individuals who worked on volunteer positions and want to display their abilities. Rather than that, you use the name of a particular skill for each heading. Functional resumes are excellent for highlighting transferable skills which are going to be applicable to your new field of work. A functional resume doesnt have to present your previous employment dates, and therefore it may not demonstrate a crystal clear picture of how your career has progressed.

How to Say Later Without Being a Hater 5 Tips for Dealing When a Coworker Quits

How to Say Later Without Being a Hater 5 Tips for Dealing When a Coworker Quits Its hard to be the one left behind. Whether its your office bestie, your work spouse, or just a colleague whose good work makes your life easier, it can be difficult to lose a great coworker. But it can also be hard to lose a not-so-great coworker, especially if their departure means their work is going to land squarely on your plate.Regardless of how upset you may be, professionalism should reign supreme when a coworker quits. How do you navigate a colleagues departure without causing any personal drama? Here are a few tips1. Offer CongratulationsWhen a coworker resigns, it can feel personal, especially if you are closewith the person leaving. Its okay to have feelings about losing a work friend or be worried about how atheir departure might impact your day-to-day workload, but do your best to keep these concerns to yourself.The best thing you can do when a coworker annou nces that theyve given their notice is to offer up the sincerest congratulations you can muster. In all likelihood, your coworker is gaining something by leaving the company mora money, a better title, or ajob at a dream employer.These are all great reasons fora person to leave, and they should be celebrated.Occasionally, a coworker may quit for other reasons, like to travel or to deal with a personal situation. In those cases, too, congratulations are in order. It takes a lot of nerve to resign from a job without another job lined up, and encouragement from friends and colleagues can help a person feel more confident about their decision.2. Avoid Office GossipOffice gossip can run rampant when someone resigns, especially ifthe reason for a colleagues departure is unclear. Dont join in the conversation. Instead, stay above the fray and concentrate on your own next steps.3. Set a Meeting to Start the Handover ProcessIf the person leaving is a kollektiv member, a superior, or a subor dinate in other words, if their role at the company is at all related to yours its a great idea to set up a meeting or a series of meetings to discuss how projects will be handled when they leave.Having a formal handoff discussion when a coworker quits the company willhelp you get a handle on their current projects and deadlines, get status reports, and figure out how to distribute the work once they are gone.4. Set up a Celebratory Lunch or Happy HourYou may not feel like kicking up your heels when a coworker quits the company, but they probably do. Help them celebrate their new opportunity by offering to organize a happy hour or a lunch.Depending on the size of your company, you might invite everyone or just the persons close work friends and team members. If your company isnt footing the bill for the outing, be sure to choose a restaurant or bar that is moderately priced and will accommodate the dietary needs of everyone attending. If you have a vegetarian coming to the luncheo n, its best not to choose a steakhouse.5. Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation and Offer to Write One as WellParting is such sweet sorrow, but also the perfect time to add another recommendation to your LinkedIn profile. It isnt too opportunistic to seize the day and ask a departing colleague to write a quick recommendation for you. Your work is fresh in their mind ask them to reflect on it before theyre out the door and on to their next adventure.LiveCareer develops tools to help job seekers draft cover letters, prepare for interviews, and build targeted resumes via its resume builder and an extensive collection of resume templates.

How Long Does the Hiring Process Take

How Long Does the Hiring Process TakeHow Long Does the Hiring Process TakeHow long does the hiring process take in todays job market? That varies depending on a number of factors, says Matthew Rowles, senior resource manager at Kavaliro, a national staffing firm specializing in placing qualified candidates in the information technology, engineering, finance, accounting, administrative, and professional services industries. Factors include, but are not limited to these reasons, says RowlesEntry-level jobs Lower level punkts tend to move much mora quickly, as there are less decision makers involved in the process.Managerial jobs Managerial roles can move much slower as there may be more people involved in the hiring and interviewing process, and/or more background check and vetting of the candidate needed.Size of an organization Smaller organizations are typically more lean with less red tape to slow the process down. In larger organizations there are talent acquisition teams in place that review hundreds of applications submitted for a single job opening. Within those 100+ resumes there may only be a handful of qualified applicants. Talent acquisitions responsibility is to vet the applications and bring qualified candidates to the hiring manager, who will then decide to set up interviews.Arlene Vernon, a human resources consultant, management trainer, and speaker, says each company has a different process for how they handle applications, applicants, interviews, and selection decisions.I have clients with elaborate processes that take weeks or a couple of months to complete and other clients with formal processes that move along more quickly, says Vernon. Theres really no rule of thumb regarding time to hire. Sometimes it depends on the urgency of filling the position and sometimes on the availability of the hiring manager to find the time to screen, interview, and hire.Even though the job market has improved, this doesnt necessarily mean the hiring process will take less time, says Rowles. The improved economy can actually have the opposite effect as there are many people that find this as their best opportunity to make a move from their current position or company. This increases the application pool and can slow down the process, says Rowles.Other factors that influence the hiring process include how quickly the employer is looking to hire for the position, what the market demand is for the skill level required, and the length of the internal process, says Danann Smith, vice president of Robert Half Finance Accounting.Regardless of economy, there are some industries that may take longer in the hiring process, says Smith. Much of this is driven by the technical requirements and potential credentialing and certification verifications required.That could include industries such as federal or government jobs, which could require more security clearance.When applying for jobs, consider these factors that also play a role in the hiring proce ss, says SmithCompanies look at candidates well beyond skills match. Personality and culture play a large part in a hiring decision. This could translate into additional interviews with different employees at the company for buy in.Occasionally, other candidates will draw theprocess out longer than necessary by kicking the tires on particular positions or companies. While shopping for the right fit as an employee is important, stretching a job or company beyond the capabilities it has to provide could prove to be a waste of your time and company resources.Avoid applying for positions well below your salary range thinking you may negotiate a higher salary or jobs below your skill set believing you will grow the position. Most companies have budgeted salaries for the roles of their employees and look for candidates who will stay in the position for more than six months.When interviewing, asking the right questions about the follow-up process can save time- and stress. In many cases, j ob seekers forget or are not willing to ask questions that will give them an indication of the follow-up process with the potential employer, says Smith. During the interview process, Smith says its perfectly okay toAsk about the next steps in the interview and hiring process.Ask when the employer hopes to make a decision.You have a follow-up requirement as well. Handwritten thank-you notes following interviews are still the best and most thoughtful approach to showing interest in a position, says Smith.Following up, however, may not have the affect job seekers expect.In my communication with HR staff, following up doesnt typically speed things up for you, says Vernon. And theyre usually too busy to respond to applicants- especially in those positions where the quantity of candidates is large. However, if youre somehow connected or networked with someone in the organization or youve been referred by someone in the organization, it is appropriate to follow up with that contact.Vernon also adds this, from personal experience, When Ive done searches, it hasnt helped the candidate to contact me. I contact the people who are the best fit after looking at the normal factors of education, experience, skills, and compensation. The phone call doesnt make a difference.The key is to be patient, says Vernon. Remember this, she says If youre right for the job and youre a top candidate, youll be contacted.Readers, how long does your hiring process take? What have you done in hopes of speeding up the process? Share with us below

Career Management and Development

Career Management and DevelopmentCareer Management and Development

The Career Mistake You Didnt Know You Were Making Stereotyping

The Career Mistake You Didnt Know You Were Making StereotypingThe Career Mistake You Didnt Know You Were Making StereotypingAs humans we try to organize information in a way thats easily understandable. We have preconceived notions about people who dress a certain way, who come from certain geographies and who work in certain departments. In our effort to comprehend the world we generalize and put people into neat categories.Even in the professional world, as unbiased and open-minded as wed like to think it is, stereotypes about coworkers and departments creep up. Stereotyping at work, like all stereotyping, is harmful. It can hinder us from understanding others and ourselves. Sometimes the people whom we least expect to be fit for a role are the people who really thrive in them. Lets take a look at two workers from within Simply Hireds own ranks.The Sociable Software Engineer In the tech industry engineers are seen as the brilliant brains and builders of the company. They often are perceived as nerdy, studious, idiosyncratic, reserved and antisocial. Recruiter Avni Shah says that to some extent these assumptions about engineers are true and points out that fitting into these partality types can be a good way to fit in with a team or department. Shah said, Personality shapes you and people tend to gravitate towards a role that fits their personality.But what about the case of the super social engineer?Justin is a software engineer who describes himself as outgoing, social, loud, boisterous and talkative. He also says that the stereotypes about engineers are fairly accurate but adds that those generalizations are not true of all engineers. For himself, he admits he doesnt fit into the stereotype. Justin says that he dislikes sitting still at his computer all day, a common misconception about his department and peers. He is also known to dedicate his weekends to sports and social outings, contrary to the assumption that engineers prefer to be alone.Despite all th ese indicators that his traits dont befit an engineering role, Justin leads many projects at Simply Hired. He cites his gregariousness as a strength that helps him excel in his work. His social nature and outgoing personality make him a strong communicator and better collaborator. He asks questions and becomes aware of how his work fits into business goals. Justin demonstrates how his seemingly unusual personality has shaped him into an excellent engineer.His advice? If you have an extroverted personality and want an engineering job, go for it 100 percent. Dont become discouraged. You will end up in a high demand stelle with desirable soft skills. See it as opportunity to buck the trend.The Shy and Soft-Spoken SalespersonSalespeople are often seen as outgoing, engaging, chatty, smooth talkers and assertive sellers. Shah says that displaying these traits during interviews will help give the impression you are suited for a sales job. However, she said, During the interview process you want to portray yourself as accurately as possible because recruiters are aware that what you see is not always what you get.What happens when a salesperson is more of a listener than a talker?Joy is a sales development representative who views herself as a little shy at first, detail-oriented, diligent, a good listener and patient. She acknowledges that many see the sales department as loud, energetic, ostentatious and suave, sometimes unknowledgeable and always looking to make a sale. Joy says that she doesnt have the traditional make-up of a salesperson and falls somewhere in the middle between completely quiet and extremely talkative.She says that her sales peers generally fit into those descriptions, but its not wise to stereotype the team. Some actually take the time to learn the product, she said. Joy also says that in sales you need patience and meticulousness to follow up and remember your last conversation with a prospect. She doesnt push sales that are unfit for customer s, claiming that transparency is what helps her to succeed and better relate to her customers. Ultimately what makes Joy different from the typical salesperson enables her to succeed in her position.To be successful in sales, it comes down to hard work, confidence and understanding your customers needs, she said.There are specific hard and soft skills required for any job, but an individual can offer so much more than what their job description dictates. Oftentimes we assume that a persons role also defines their personality. This is misleading. What seem like atypical personality traits can reveal themselves to be unexpected assets. What makes you different can be your strength and give you an advantage over others.Dont underestimate others or yourself by falling victim to generalized assumptions. No personality type is better for a given role than another, and there is no cookie cutter personality when it comes to a career path. In the end, if you play to your strengths you can fi nd success on any path you choose.