Why You Need to Share Ideas with Your Team ASAP

Why You Need to Share Ideas with Your Team ASAPWhy You Need to Share Ideas with Your Team ASAPWeve all heard office horror stories of someone telling a co-worker an idea, only to have that person steal it and take credit for it when the boss comes around. But did you know that this situation doesnt happen as often as you think- and that not sharing ideas with your co-workers could actually be detrimental to your own success?A new study recently published in the Academy Management Journal found that hiding your ideas doesnt lead to greater personal success- in fact, if anything, it creates a hostile work environment.First, researchers found that idea stealing actually happens way less than people think your co-workers usually dont find your proposals as awesome as you do. (Sorry.) But even more importantly, hoarding your ideas creates a lose-lose situation, no matter what schriftart of work environment you operate in.For example, if you work in a competitive company culture (called pe rformance climate) you may feel like you need to keep things close to the vest to get ahead. But youre not likely to gain from it, because in the tit-for-tat culture that prevails in such settings co-workers will respond in kind and the culprits standing with the boss will probably suffer, says Matej Cerne, one of the papers authors.On the other end of the spectrum, if your company encourages collaboration and cooperation (known as mastery climate), theres little to no incentive to hide suggestions, and doing so can make you look like youre not a team player. Bottom line? Open your ideas up to the floor- no one is going to steal them, and keeping them in wont do you any good. Better yet, next time youre tempted to hoard your idea, ask someone what he or she thinks of it, and brainstorm together. You might come up with something better than either of you ever thought possible.Photo of lightbulbs courtesy of Shutterstock.

Do Your Job References Help or Hinder Your Chances

Do Your Job References Help or Hinder Your ChancesDo Your Job References Help or Hinder Your ChancesWhile its no longer a common practice to put references available upon request on your resume, you do actually still need to have three to five professional job references ready to speak on your behalf if youre in an active job search.Finding people to say good things about you may sound like an easy task however, choosing people that can speak to your skills and work ethic on a professional level is something that needs to be taken seriously. And once you find these individuals, its also your responsibility to prepare them to speak to potential employers.Follow these tips to align yourself with the best job references1.Select your job references carefully.Dont ask family members to be professional references. Just because you share the same gene schwimmbecken doesnt mean they know how you operate in the workplace.Choose a past supervisor, current colleague, or another professional in your industry.Know somebody in the company youre targeting? If you know them on a professional level, and they have a good standing in the company, see if they would act as a reference or at least give you a recommendation.2. Prepare job references just as carefully.Theres nothing more awkward for a hiring manager than to call a reference and be met with, Oh, John? I didnt even know he was applying for jobs again. Bad move.When approaching a referenceAlways ask people if theyll be a professional reference for you before you put list them on your reference page. Tell them the types of positions youre applying for, and if you can, the names of the companies youre targeting.Once youve been interviewed, your first call should be to each of your references, letting them know who (company representative) would be contacting them, what the position is, and a little bit about what was discussed during your interview.Remind your references of specific achievements or professional wins youve added that made a positive impact in past positions. The better you prepare your references, the better theyll be able to speak on your behalf.Dont lose out on a great opportunity because you didnt select appropriate references to help you seal the deal on a new job. Choose who will represent you best, keep them in the loop as to whats going on in your search, and thank them when you get that coveted youre hired phone callReady to find a job and apply? Check out these 25 high-potential flexible jobs for 2016Readers, what are your tips for using job references?Tell us in the comments belowErin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, BS/HR, is a certified professional resume writer/career consultant, and the president of Professional Resume Services. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 14 best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. members receive a special di scount on Professional Resume Services

How to Start a Federal Resume Writing Project Military and Veterans

How to Start a Federal Resume Writing Project Military and VeteransHow to Start a Federal Resume Writing Project Military and VeteransHow to Start a Federal Resume Writing Project Military and VeteransQuestionIm currently active duty military, and Im looking to transition into a second career with the federal government. I was wondering how yur service works. Do I give you my performance reports, and you turn them into a resume? I do not have a current resume, and I havent targeted a specific job announcement as of yet.AnswerEven without a current resume, we can certainly help you translate your military (and previous) experience into a federal resume targeted toward a particular occupational series or job announcement. However, you would need to do some initial legwork to locate and prepare the necessary background information. Here is how our process worksStep 1 Collect Your InformationYou will need to send us yourName, address, email address, and phone numberSMART transcript (cont aining your military training and certifications)Education that is not on the SMART transcript (name of school, degree, number of leistungspunkt hours)Awards and honorsFitness Evaluations for the last 10 yearsPlease remember to delete / black out your Social Security number on any documents that you send to us.Step 2 Create Your Work History ChronologyYou will also need to type up your work history, including the following details for each positionJob title, MOS, and rankOffice or programBase nameCity, state, countryStart date (month and year required) and end date (month and year required)Current supervisors name and contact infoHours worked per week if not full timeSalary per year (optional)Step 3 Phone Interview for Additional Background InformationWe start our writing projects by talking with you about your information, identifying the gaps, and getting accomplishment stories from you that will make your resume stand out.We will also talk about your target vacancy announcement o r occupational series, because this information is critical to writing an effective resume. If you dont have a target job in mind, we recommend our Federal Career Coaching service to place you in the right grade and job titles and discuss your federal job search strategy more in detail.Step 4 We Draft Your Initial ResumeUsing all of the information from above, we will then create your first basic outline format federal resume with keywords and accomplishments.Step 5 Perfecting Your ResumeThe first draft will usually identify additional gaps in information, and we will continue to work with you to ensure that your resume is complete and carefully targeted toward your desired position.Many of our military clients can target two different job titles, so keep in mind that we can also write you a second resume if you are qualified to apply for more than one type of position.Ready to Get Started?This process takes time, so be aware that we need 7 to 10 business days to complete unterstell ung five important steps. Do not wait to start this process until you have found an ideal job announcement closing in a day or two. Plan ahead, start early, and contact us for a free estimate

Army Military Police (MPs) Deployed

Army Military Police (MPs) DeployedArmy Military Police (MPs) DeployedLSA ANACONDA, Iraq Hardly a day goes by when the soldiers of the 341st Military Police Company dont experience some sort of hostile activity. We like to call urselves Combat MPs, said Sgt. Mark Estes of the 341st, an Army Reserve unit from San Jose, Calf. What we do keeps us on our toes every day. The 341st is tasked with clearing and monitoring the main supply route from Logistical Support Area Anaconda south to the border of the 1st Armor Divisions area of responsibility. What that entails, says Estes, is being briefed at about 630 in the morning and then driving the route to our checkpoint. We look for any hostile activity, enemy personnel, or that looks out of place from previous runs. Estes said once they travel the route and are sure its clear, they radio back to the convoy commanders and let them know its safe. But their job doesnt end there. After the convoy is clear we stop along the route and wait for t rouble, Estes said. Almost everyday something happens along the route and we need to be close by to react. The something Estes said is anything from Improvised Explosive Devices, or IED, to small arms fire or rocket-propelled grenade attacks to vehicle breakdowns. The Iraqis know the routes we use and conceal IEDs along this and other supply routes almost every day, Estes said. IEDs are one of the biggest problems. They are getting more sophisticated and more deadly. Sometimes you cant even tell if an IED is a piece of debris or what it is. Enemy personnel has done almost anything imaginable with IEDs, Estes said. Theyll bury them along the road or hide them under a dead animal on the road, he said. When we drive the route we try to stay in the middle of the road. Most of the IEDs we have experienced have been to one side or the other. If the MPs find something suspicious along the route they radio back to their headquarters and will stop traffic. Stopping traffic along the main su pply route, or MSRis like shoveling sand with a fork. The locals will stop for a short period of time until they become impatient. If traffic doesnt move in short order, they will do anything to get around the blockage. Sometimes, if weve stopped traffic for some reason, the Iraqis will cross over into the opposite lane and travel in the wrong direction, Estes said. What they dont realize is that what we are doing is trying to protect them as well as our soldiers. We dont want anybody hurt. What is sad is that it is their own people causing this. Spc. Juan Cruz II, Military Policeman, often stands ready on the Squad Attack Weapon, or SAW, in the turret of the HUMVEE. However, Cruz welchesnt always traveling the MSR with the patrols. My original job for the company is supply specialist, Cruz said. But we are short handed and need the manpower. So when my first sergeant asked for volunteers, I said yes. According to Cruz, before he ever went on a patrol he was brought up to speed by h is fellow soldiers. Doing a patrol is a lot different than sitting in a supply room, Cruz said. We work as a team and watch each others backs. Now, Id rather be on a patrol with my team than doing paperwork. Even though its a little dangerous, it has made the time here go by so much quicker. And I feel like I am making a difference here. Not every day is good, Cruz said. Some days here are great? like when we (U.S. Forces) captured Saddam Hussein. Some days are long and others are short. I just try to keep as busy as I can. Cruz said he looks forward to going home and seeing his family. Cruz received the call he was coming to Iraq one week before his wedding. I was mobilized the day after I was married, Cruz said. When I get time off, I call and talk to my wife. This has been very hard for her. But shes doing okay, especially since she knows when Ill be home. A good thing, according to Cruz, is that the Iraqi people are starting to change. These people are strong, Cruz said. They ju st had a bad leader who didnt care about them. They are starting to realize that we are here to help them. Things are always getting better. When we stop on the side of the road and see the smiles on the kids faces, its awesome. We know they havent smiled like that in a long time. More About Military Deployments Deployment Rates for Iraq and AfghanistanLaw of Armed Conflict (LOAC)U.S. Military Casualty Notification Process

11 things unsuccessful people do over the weekend

11 things unsuccessful people do over the weekend11 things unsuccessful people do over the weekendEverybodys working for the weekend, but how you spend your two days off may say something about how successful you are.What you get up to doesnt really matter, per se. If you prefer lounging around the house to spontaneous adventures, thats great You probably need that time to wind down.But when it comes to weekends, the main thing that separates successful people from unsuccessful people is mindfulness.Are you planning ahead and truly thinking about how to spend your free time?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHere are 11 things thatunsuccessfulpeople tend to do over the weekend - and why you should avoid themThey forget to scheduleNot every minute of every hour of your weekend needs to be planned out, but its good to have a general idea of what youd like to do or get done - even if youre just scheduling downtime.Thatll allow you to protect your time, and maybe even schedule in some fun events.They ignore loved onesIt can be hard to make time for the ones you care about during the hectic week. Make up for that over the weekend.They let technology take overPut away your phone. Shut off your work email - and make it clear to your coworkers that you wont be responding. Dont get addicted to technology.They forget to unwindWhether youre unwinding alone or going out with friends, make sure to do something that makes you happy during your time off.They sleep the entire timeMaybe you drank too much on Friday and are recovering. Maybe youre just super tired. Either way, this could really mess up your sleep cycle, and you probably need to fix that.They rack up expensesYou pinch pennies all week, and then blow it all over the weekend.Heck, you shouldtreat yourselfevery once in a while. That being said, if youre overspending on the weekends on frivolities that you dont ne ed, then its time to consider some cheap but fun options,like staycations or free local events.They avoid taking time to reflectDuring your busy week, it can be difficult to snag some time to just think about your life and goals. Its important to check in with yourself every once in a while.They arent presentOn Fridays, its a great idea to set out an agenda for the next Monday. Being prepared is great being a workaholic is not.Kick back and relax a bit on Saturday and SundayThey laze around and regret itChilling out over the weekend is definitely a great way to unwind. But if your slothfulness is making you bored or bummed out - or causing you to neglect important errands and chores - then you may want to rethink how you spend your Saturdays and Sundays.Theyre stressed outAt the other end of the spectrum are people who pack too much into their weekend schedule.In order to be productive (and therefore successful) at work, its important to use the weekend to recharge your batteries. If your weekends include zero downtime, then youll never feel rested or refreshed, which can be detrimental to your success.They get too comfortable with the time offSunday nights are the perfect time to plan for the week ahead. You can make a to-do list, update or review your calendar, or just think about what it is youd like to accomplish in the coming days.This article originally appeared on Business Insider.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The Untold Story About Good Cover Letter for Resume That You Need to Read or Be Left Out

The Untold Story About Good Cover Letter for Resume That You Need to Read or Be Left Out Youre going to want to understand what theyre doing too. Your task is to clearly show your consciousness of the organization. At the same time, remember to mention that you would call to prepare a mutually convenient time for us to meet in a couple of days. You should also understand what a great deckblatt letter resembles. The cover letter is among the most crucial documents of your job search. Your cover letter ought to be well written, and needs to be targeted to the stelle for which youre applying. An excellent cover letter should complement you RESUME. So you should create the cover letter count. Below are a few tips that can help you make a decision as to what to include so you may create the very best possible cover letter. Cover letter samples are an excellent place to begin before writing your own letter. Before you begin, it can be useful to review some cover letter samples , just so youve got a visual of how everything fits on the webpage. Keep in mind that youre writing a letter to impress the employer so it ought to be in great condition. Some simple approaches to produce your essay stick out from the rest is to make guaranteed it isnt uninteresting. There is no use in writing a cover letter if youre notlage likely to request something Using Good Cover Letter for Resume The perfect cover letter specifically emphasizes your fit for the position and the way your specific abilities and experience can assist the employer. It is possible to attempt to be a little creative only as long as youre asking for a creative position if you need to create by the essence of the activity (designer, copywriter, PR manager, animator, and others). Just be sure the distinctive format you use is suitable for the business youre applying to and their industry. Essentially, style will be contingent on the sort of job and industry you want to know more about. Years p ast, job applicants are permitted to submit the exact same cover letter for each industry they applied to. In my professional opinion, if your resume is too short, it may look as in case you dont have sufficient experience to deal with the job. Essentially, there are significant abilities and experience necessary to be qualified for the job. You find the ideal job which you would like. The keywords in your resume can help you get selected for a work interview. If required, you may add information on how you became attentive to the work position. You examine the work advertisement. A work application procedure is a step-by-step practice. Theres no common instance of a letter, but you can many excellent examples online. There are 3 general kinds of cover letters. Often letters have an excessive amount of useless details. Your cover letter is able to help you take that excess amount of control over your application package. The Good Cover Letter for Resume Cover Up Also, i f youre not sure on your writing skills you always have the option to look ask for an expert help. Mention which you have a great expertise, extensive experience, and robust grasp of the tasks involved in your work. When it has to do with applying for work, most applicants, especially students find writing an excellent cover letter for resume quite tricky. Bear in mind, there are a number of other men and women who want the very same job, which means you must show decent cause for a prospective employer to extend an interview. Use personal abilities or attributes to show what makes you the ideal fit for the position. Its much better to say that you wish to study and develop in the organization, name the regions of activity that you want to know more about. Such letters attract attention not just due to the lists, but also since they differ from others. Not only are you going to be able to deal with your letter accurately, you will also demonstrate your manahme and genuine inter est in the job.

Effective Networking - Spark Hire

Effective Networking - Spark HireProfessional networking can take place in a number of different forms unterstellung days. It can happen unexpectedly on an elevator or the opportunity canpresentitself in a meeting of professionals. We think of these methods as rather typical ways of networking. For many, though, the idea of striking up a conversation with a stranger in an elevator is not comfortable and attempting to choose a friendly face to engage with at a networking event can be daunting.When youre looking to develop your professional network, its very beneficial to develop the skills that make you comfortable in numerous networking situations. As you encounter more of these opportunities, hopefully youll feel more inclined to shake off discomfort and introduce yourself. But it also may be true some forms of networking simplyarenteffective for you. Based on your job, availability, and comfort level, are you aware of what the most effective forms of networking are for you?Effectiv e networking is not always networking exclusively with peers. CK Company owner and president Cynthia Kay suggests in an article in West Michigan Woman that she enjoys networking with the next generation. If a friend or fellow employee asks her to talk with their young son or daughter, she gladly takes up the task. Great insight and fresh perspective can come from the younger generations, while the older generations can give bright-eyed young professionals career advice and offer sage wisdom, hard won over years of experience. People in all stages of life should be looking to expand their networks with those in the workforce with less experience as well as more.Dont just attend the events, plan them. In many places there are groups geared specifically toward professionals in the community, or community organizations that plan regular events. Groups of this sort are an excellent way to network on a smaller scale. By joining their board or planning committee, you can help to plan even ts, all the while networking professionally with the smaller group leading the charge. Youll likely make longer lasting connections and if youre wary of the crowded environment of typical networking, this may be the most effective method for you.Take advantage of social networking. There is a lot to be said for face to face interaction, but in the hustle of our daily lives, the convenience of professional social networking lets you screen and vet potential connections before you schedule a lunch meeting or other meeting time which may prove uneventful. Share conversations and information on Facebook, LinkedIn, or other networks before meeting someone in person. Answering an inbox message on LinkedIn will take you considerably less time than meeting someone for lunch.Like so many other things in business these days, networking is not just something to do over lunch or like speed dating. There are numerous methods of networking, many of which were not mentioned here. However, these ar e a few ideas to try if youre not as excited about crowded networking events or making cold calls. You can blaze your own networking trail and take advantage of numerous different kinds of networking opportunities until you find the formula that works for you.What networkingmethods work for you?Do you ever network outside of your peers? Connect with us in the commentsIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr byganderssen1