Sunday, December 29, 2019

US Military Enlistment Height and Weights Standards

US Military Enlistment Height and Weights StandardsUS Military Enlistment Height and Weights StandardsAs you can see below, the standards for height, weight and body fat percentages vary among the services. There is no set military wide standard for height and weight for admitted military members as well as active duty members. Height The military only accepts candidates who angelegenheit into a specific height range. This is primarily because the military doesnt have the time or money to order custom-made uniforms and equipment for those who fall outside of the standard ranges. Also shipboard, tanks, and airplane jobs can be particularly difficult if someone exceeds the height standards. The cause for rejection for Armed Forces male applicants is height less than 60 inches or more than 80 inches. The cause for rejection for Armed Forces female applicants is height less than 58 inches or more than 80 inches. The Marines are more restrictive. For the Marines, height standards for male applicants range from 58 to 78 inches. Height standards for female applicants range from 58 to 72 inches. The most notable military member who started his military career within the height standards but grew more than six inches in his first 4 years at the Naval Academy was basketball great David Robinson. Robinson started the Naval Academy at 67 but in four years he was 71 - well over the 80 inches height standard. He finished his time at the Naval Academy, played professional basketball, but served active duty regardless and then continued to serve in the Naval Reserves to fulfill his commitment mainly doing recruitment and Navy promotional campaigns. Weight The services have both height and weights standards. If you fail the height / weight charts, but pass thebody fat standardsyou are leise eligible for service. The height and weight standards do not take into account someone with above average muscle mass on their frame. That makes it difficult for people to meet the h eight / weight standards even with little fat at all. So people can actually fail the maximum allowed weight for the military for his / her height as long as they are more lean muscle than body fat. The additional test is a circumference test where body fat is measured by a series of tape measurements around the neck and belly button area. To make the process quicker, if someone simply passes the height and weight standards, they pass the test and do not require additional taping to check to see if they are within body fat standards. It takes extra time and effort to measure body fat, so the services use weight charts to do an initial screening. There are no waivers for exceeding required body fat limits. Air Force Weight Chart - Male/FemaleArmy Weight Chart - MalesArmy Weight Chart - FemalesNavy Weight Chart - Male/FemaleMarine korporation Weight Chart - MaleMarine Corps Weight Chart - Female Body Fat If the applicant exceeds the weight shown on the above charts, they are measured for body fat. Using a circumference / chart method, which is roughly 3-5% within range of accuracy typically, body fat can be estimated for those members who fail the height weight standards. Body-fat standards for each of the services are Army (Accession standards) Male 17-30 - 24%Male 21-27 - 26%Male 28-39 - 28%Male 40 - 30%Female 17-30 - 30%Female 21-27 - 32%Female 28-39 - 34%Female 40 - 36% Air Force (Accession Standards) Male 17-29 - 20%Male 30 - 24%Female 17-29 - 28%Female 30 - 32% Navy (Accession Standards) Male - 23%Female - 34% Marine Corps (Accession and Regular Standards) Male - 18%Females - 26% The Marines have adopted a new program as of January 2017. Marines who score 285 or higher on BOTH the PFT and CFT are exempt from height/weight standards.Marines who score 250 or higher on BOTH the PFT and CFT are given an additional 1 percent body fat.Another note - The USMC also increased the standards on the PFT and made achieving a 250-285 more difficult. Now the maxi mum score of 300 starts with 23 pullups (previously 20) 115 crunches (previously 100) and a 3 mile run of 18 minutes. The 3 mile timed run stayed the same.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

5 Popular Careers That May Be Extinct in 10 Years

5 Popular Careers That May Be Extinct in 10 Years 5 Popular Careers That May Be Extinct in 10 Years This is not the stuff of Matrix or the Terminator we are not talking extermination, but just the replacement of every day work activities, once performed by humans, by machines. Jobs that exist today, which you might be doing right now, or hiring for now, might not be around tomorrow or perhaps in 10/20 years time. A study from the Oxford Martin School suggests that 47% of US jobs are at risk of being computerized (replaced by robots) to a greater or lesser extent over the next 2 decades.So, the question for candidates and recruiters is will your job or the jobs you recruit for be around in 10 years time? To help answer, below I have outlined five popular careers that wont be around or that may be vastly diminished in the next decade1. Data Entry. This is a career path that workers may need to departure parachuting out of in the next 10 years as the Oxford Martin study suggests a 99 percent gelegenheit of computerization. Admittedly,DOL data shows that general office clerk jobs are projected to grow at 6 percent over the next 10 years, but this is lower than the average rate of growth and not really a ringing endorsement. Workopolis has observed a definite decline in data entry jobs. And with nearly 3 million people employed in office admin, you may want to steer well clear of the fallout in this sector in 10 years time, by moving into employment elsewhere long before that.2. Postal Workers. The future for postal workers, seasonal postal workers and staffing agencies specializing in postal worker placements is unfortunately going to be difficult. Time has been called on this area of work with the DOL forecasting a 28 percent decline in jobs (that is 139,000 jobs) between 2012-22. The Oxford Martin study shows a 90 percent chance that postal worker jobs will be automated in the next 10 to 20 years so, the 20 year forecast is bleak. Workopolis also saw a decline in courier jobs, further underlining the difficulties in this area.3. Taxi, Bus and Truck Driver and Industrial Machine Operators. We can no longer bury our heads in the sand on this one. Google has a fleet of self-driving Lexus cars, and it has taken them just five years to create this from scratch, which means that professional driving jobs are sadly at risk and not at all future-proof. The Oxford Martin study has bus and taxi drivers and chauffeurs as having a 90 percent chance of computerization and a range of truck driving jobs showing between an 80 to 99 percent chance of the same. This is a high-impact area as there are around 3 million delivery truck drivers alone in the U.S. and growth is slower than average. The long-term security of jobs in this area cannot be guaranteed.4. Cashiers. This job is under threat, probably in the near future. Self-service technology exists now to pretty much automate this process, and its just public acceptance thats holding-gesellschaft it b ack. But, when that hurdle is overcome, the flood gates could open, which is why the Oxford Martin study has this as having a 97 percent chance of computerization and the DOL has a forecast growth rate of just 3 percent, which is much lower than average. This is also a very high-impact area with nearly 3,500,000 Americans currently employed as cashiers. Workers in this area need to be developing a plan B, and fast.5. Security Guards. This one surprised me, really, as I thought we were a long way away from an Ed 209 style security, but the Oxford Martin Study sees security guard jobs as having an 84 percent chance of being computerized in the next 10 to 20 years. The DOL does not seem too concerned yet, as it is forecasting 12 percent growth in jobs over the next 10 years. However, this is a high-impact area with there being over 1 million security guard jobs in America so, workers in this area should keep a watching vigil.Now, its not all doom and gloom, as although many doors to jo bs will be closing, many will be opening too, and if you want to know about these, please read my follow up article, 5 Careers That Will Be Booming in 10 Years Time.

Friday, December 20, 2019

How to Convert Book Smarts to Job Smarts

How to Convert Book Smarts to Job SmartsHow to Convert Book Smarts to Job SmartsBeing a student on a university campus is totally different than being a professional in an office building, but your work as a scholar really does prepare you for the world outside the ivory tower. Youve probably heard that it is leid exactly what you learn that countsthe content itself is kind of like the weights you lift. It doesnt matter what color the weights are, what matters is the muscles they build, and your experience has refined muscles that you may not have even realized youve been building. Content changes immediatelyscholarship becomes antiquated almost as soon as its captured in language. Youve acquired the necessary skillsyouve got the muscle to get the job done. What you need to do now is to know it and to sell it.What you bring to the tableRegardless of your major, here are some of the skills that you learned in college You know how to prepare professional-grade answers to questions (thr ough calculation, research, writing, etc.). You know how to write and communicate with high-level professionals like professors, university administrators and teaching assistants. You have experience giving presentations. You are well-versed in time management and you know how to organize and juggle multiple deadlines. You submit your deliverables intact and on time. You are accustomed to working under pressure. You know how to collaborate with a team to prepare, finalize and present a project. These skills are in-demand in the professional world. Think of examples and illustrations for each point thats relevant to your experience. Write them down. Rehearse them. Use them in your interviews. This exercise will build your confidence in yourself and help you shape your answers to interview questions. You have relevant skills and experience. First, convince yourself of that and then you can successfully win over others. What you may not knowWhen a prospective employer interviews a rece nt graduate, the interviewer can see from your resume that you have the relevant trainingthat is why he or she invited you to interview. Take the invitation for a compliment. Its a big deal to get that call. Job postings garner an average of 75 to over 100 resumes per posting. So even if the meeting doesnt yield a job offer, be proud of yourself. You are securing interviews, and thats impressive. Keep in mind that the 9-to-5 world exists in very straightforward economic terms. Interviewers wants to find a candidate they can trust to fill their open position so that they can go back to what they were busy with when the position was vacated. Interviewers are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, a quick learner, a hard worker, a good fit and who will stick around. They are as eager to find that right candidate as you are to find that right job. Your credentials suggest that you can do this work. Your interview is your chance to expand on your qualifications with verbal explanation. Its your opportunity to explain how your resume, a simple list of qualifications, speaks to the various demands of this position. You have the chance to demonstrate how your experience, enthusiasm and can-do attitude round out your credentials. You have accomplished a lot in your four years of higher education. Think of this conversation as your capstonethe final of all finals. Whats on your prospective bosss mind?As with your other finals, its helpful to know how you will be evaluated. While you wont be graded in the manner to which youve grown accustomed, there is a sort of rubric that your interviewers will be using. Your prospective boss is probably the one on the interview team who makes the final call. As your prospective manager interviews you, here are some things he or she is probably thinkingCan I turn over the reigns over to this candidate? Can I trust this candidate to talk on the phone or to meet with my customers/clients/donors? Can I count on him or her to work side by side with my team? Can this candidate shoulder his or her share of the workload?How will a meeting between this candidate and my supervisor play out?Review these points, and if you have relevant experience to cite from jobs, internships or extracurricular activities, add those to the bank of answers that you are rehearsing for your interview. Managers want to hire candidates who can confidently handle the basics of the position with poise and maturity. When you are in school, you are performing exercises that mirror what you will someday do in the professional world, but the parameters are defined for you. You are solving problems that someone assigned you. You are answering questions that someone asked. In the professional world, you not only have to solve those problems and answer those questions, you often have to proactively anticipate those problems and questions on your own. Your future boss will be looking for someone who understands this, who intuits what the needs of the position are and who has a dimension of self-management. This quality enables you to work and grow independently. Yes, you will have a manager, but that person is going to be taxed in all kinds of ways, and your time with your manager will be limited, so you will have to use it strategically. Knowing how to do that will make you valuable to your manager, and it will serve you well as an individual employee. Anticipate this, and cite an example of a time that you were able to take the lead on something and manage it from beginning to end to show prospective managers that they can count on you to take the same charge of the positions for which you are interviewing. The good news is that you are ready for this, and you can handle this interview and this position. But before you convince the people sitting across the table from you, you have to convince yourself.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Featured Resume Template from Irina Pichura

Featured Resume Template from Irina Pichura Featured Resume Template from Irina Pichura In conjunction with Jobscans new resume optimization checks which include formatting checks for headings, dates, file types, and more weve invited career coaches and resume writers to share exclusive resume vorlages with our readers. Next up is Irina Pichura out of New York City. Be sure to follow herbei on LinkedIn and check out her website.These featured templates do not necessarily reflect Jobscans typical advice.You can upload the template into Jobscan to see how it syncs up with our advice.Learn more about Jobscans new resume checks at the bottom of this article, or try them out for yourself.About Irina PichuraIrina Pichura is a Career Coach and owner at CareerManifestations.com. A New York City native, Irina is a Fordham University alumnus and has experience recruiting for Fortune 500 companies like ADP and Goldman Sachs, as well as some of NYCs hottest startups like Investopedia and The D aily Beast.After screening, interviewing, and hiring thousands of candidates for these companies, she learned what made a candidate successful, what impressed hiring managers, and what mistakes were immediate deal-breakers. She works with new grads to C-suite executives clients, representing a variety of industries and professions.Her services include 1-on-1 Job Search Strategy Coaching 1-on-1 Services Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Profile Optimization Digital courses and workshops for Job Searching and Revamping Job Marketing MaterialsDownload Irinas resume templateDownload .docxMore about this resume templateRecruiters like a resume that easy to scan at a glance (they make their decisions in seconds). This template is easy to digest because its presented exactly how one would normally read anything up and down, left to right. Also, by avoiding tables and keeping it text-based, it is easy for automated systems to parse text off of it, improving the chances of it getting thro ugh the ATS properly.Whats new at JobscanJobscans resume optimization toolnow checks your formatting based on applicant tracking system and recruiter best practices. New intelligent checks make even the best resume templates more ATS compatible and recruiter-friendly than ever.ATS ChecksHard skills, soft skills, and keyword matchingJob title and education matchingATS-friendly section headingsNEWATS-friendly date formattingNEWATS-friendly file typeNEWATS-friendly columns and tablesNEWNeed more ideas? Check out Jobscans newATS-friendly resume templates. Get a bonus template by signing up here.Recruiter ChecksMeasurable results, word count, and words to avoidContact informationNEWSentence lengthNEWPredicted skills missing from the job descriptionNEWIndustry-specific insightsNEWFont readabilityNEWKeep an eye out for additional new features. Jobscan is updated every two weeks and new formatting checks are on the way

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

The Little-Known Secrets to Relevant Skills Resume

The Little-Known Secrets to Relevant Skills Resume Employers wish to realize that you have what it requires to be successful at work. Since many job seekers may list skills in a different section of their resume, in addition, it is important to weave them into descriptions under every one of your prior positions. Your contact information should always go on top of your resume, so that employers can readily find it. The Basics of Relevant Skills Resume When a user browses exactly the same site later on, the website may extract or retrieve information stored in the cookie to be able to be informed of the former user activity. Each page on your site ought to be targeting a particular keyword. The majority of the tools on the list are made particularly for influencer marketing from beginning to end. Website will also be in possession of a Monthly News Letter. Utilizing best practices and creative solutions are able to help you maximize your emaille advertising strategy and rece ive the outcomes you desire. Imagine that youre now an advertising executive, and youd love to become head of marketing. If you wish to use influencer marketing as part of your general digital advertising and marketing strategy, pick the tools that supply you with more features, such as Awario or BuzzStream. Today, digital influencer marketing is among the most cost-effective types of marketing. In that case, the publication date is going to be an important clue as to whether the report or book is relevant. The term professional springs to mind. It is crucial to be aware that despite the need to produce choices between conceptual definitions, there are not any right or wrong answers. Part of the main reason why relevance appears mysterious is because its often regarded as a static entity something that you may attain or achieve. Relevant Skills Resume No Longer a Mystery Therefore, keyword rank plays an important role. Its true, youre need keywords. Any thriving optimiza tion involves putting the proper key phrases in the proper places. Although a company can make an effort to differentiate itself through content thats of a greater quality or has some kind of special attribute, relevancy is able to help you stick out from the crowd. Like query models, there are many different kinds of document models popular in search. Its also obvious that the collected information is combined with information from various different sources to make an extensive profile. Some results lists will let you know specifically what the merchandise is, but you may also tell from the citation. The websites you visit will work with internet advertising companies to supply advertising thats as relevant and useful as possible. Its important to get measurable targets, so that youre able to track your progress and keep motivated. When excess jobs or focus isnt an issue, you can select an alternate presentation for a set of short-term jobs. For students that are new to the work market, interests and activities are a fantastic means to show employers you have skills they are searching for. Then you can choose which opportunities are worth pursuing. For instance, the inference The described process doesnt run in sequential purchase. The program isnt open-ended, however. Your resume will be broken into sections. The expression relevant range is contained in the definition of fixed costs, since if a businesss volume should happen to decline to an extremely low level, the corporation would take action to decrease its overall amount of fixed costs. If you are needed to use only scholarly sources, you will want to find out whether the product is scholarly or not. Its possible to just make the essential changes in the information keeping the simple format same. If you really need to present your intended market something theyll appreciate and find useful, youve got to be sure it stays relevant. Using Relevant Skills Resume There are four strategies that could get the job done. It is crucial to think about the consequences of conducting research that isnt relevant in developing countries. For an entry-level job at a financial institution, cash handling skills will be required. If you would like to conserve time, effort, and money, automating your small business workflow systems including your email promoting strategy will help you greatly. An appropriate cost for a specific decision is one which changes if an alternate strategy is taken. There are several negative results that can happen because of firms basing their decision on irrelevant info. To make the best decisions, you have to know what things to measure. The absolute most productive decisions are created by finding the suitable measurement.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

The Truth About How to Write Papers in College

The Truth About How to Write Papers in College There are a lot of various types of papers its possible to write. Hitting the needs of a paper is important as its what the professor would like to see in the paper and would like to observe how much information which you have to use. Write down key truth about the given topic that you want to compose papers for money. Writing college papers is a lot simpler if youre organized and understand the sort of paper youre writing.However long your paper must be or how little time youve got to complete it, there are a few general tips which will help you finish a first-rate research paper. Obviously the sorts of sources needed will count on the paper and the assignment. Well, our experts understand how to make the appropriate structure for virtually any paper and can assist you out. If youre searching for writing services to helpyou write ahistory paper, you will need to employ the very best. What You Should Do About How to Write Paper s in College Beginning in the Next Four Minutes The college essay may be the fruchtwein frequently encountered sort of paper youll write in the early portion of college. So freshman have to know that it is going to stay a work in progress and they will need to acquire better at writing everyday so that theyre prepared when theyre challenged with assignments that require them to writeFreshman also will need to understand who their audience is when they write. In college its all your choice Its super easy to receive fixed on the little picture during a hectic semester, and thats an incredibly hard rut to escape from. Writing is a significant factor of being a true teacher. All students have various requirements. Many students place a lot of work into not doing their work. Students at colleges and universities across the nation are probably facing the identical daunting job. Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About How to Write Papers in College Is Wrong Going back to my mott o about everyone being a specialist at something, perhaps you truly feel like creating and designing a training course isnt your thing. Folks will listen, since you will reward their attention. Nobody is yelling at you, nobody is telling you what things to do, its a place of serenity. Lets look at some ideas that can help you grow to be a greater public relations writer. Going to the gym is actually a lifestyle in their opinion. How to Write Papers in College Features You pick, persuasive essay on the advantages and disadvantages. The MLA rule book claims that the paragraphs should start with leaving a half-inch space at the start. Any less is too weak and the thesis will be not able to stand by itself. Writing is among the most essential sections of a successful public relations campaign. The Basics of How to Write Papers in College That You Can Learn From Beginning Immediately The title should not simply sell your essay in a couple of words but in addition provide a no tion about the main point which youre going to make through the essay. Whether you prefer books, magazines, newspapers or any sort of on-line content, any sort of reading is an excellent way to enlarge your vocabulary and improve your general writing abilities. If you locate a cheap Kindle book on your subject, you may want to purchase it. Once you have submitted your purchase form, you must pick a writer from a list of writers that are qualified to manage your purchase. Reading content from various other writers is an easy method to assist you enhance the manner in which you write. One, we apply an extremely careful range of our writers. The writers go through a unique vetting system and training to make sure theyre the very best writers for students who need to cover papers online.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Resources sector looks to the future

Resources sector looks to the future Resources sector looks to the futurePosted October 13, 2011, by Helen Isbister Coming off the back of a mining boom the economic downturn has left the resources sector somewhat startled but its not all doom and gloom. At the beginning of 2008, the resources sector was renowned for paying big bucks as it attempted to lure skilled workers to combat a shortage that was holding back the booming industry from its full potential. Soaring demand from China and India created 21 000 resources jobs over four years in Queensland alone. More than 5500 staff were taken on in the first half of belastung year when demand peaked and prices hit record highs. Fast forward a year and the falling dollar, the global economic crisis and its dire impact on Chinas economy, tightening of available credit and falling commodity prices has blown away thousands of jobs with many more under threat. But while these are challenging times, the long-term outlook for the sector i s not as depressing as it may seem. The Queensland Resources Council believes that the current mine closures and job losses have to be put in context and that the industry will be able to hold on to most of the gains made over the past four years. However, the union representing coal miners says that QRC is out of touch with mine workers by playing down the effects of job losses. The National Skills Industry Council representing drilling, mining, quarrying and civil infrastructure (Skills DMC) says while the economic downturn has created a sense of panic throughout the industry there are some definite bright spots. In Queensland, the expanding Coal Seam Gas sector is expected to require thousands of workers in coming years. Civil infrastructure is also set to see very positive growth and ongoing expansion while the price of gold is performing better than ever despite the majority of commodity prices falling. And although China is experiencing difficulties, India has been relatively sheltered from the economic downturn and leise offers opportunities for expansion. Furthermore, an ageing workforce who are coming up to retirement means there will be plenty of job opportunities for the up and comers who see a future in one of the broad career areas that mining has to offer. SkillsDMC believes the development of a nationally recognised workforce development system is crucial to getting through these tough times. They are looking at attracting people to the industry at a younger age and retaining them for a longer period so that the industry is well positioned when the recovery comes. According to SkillsDMC, approximately 35 000 new entrants will be required each year to maintain and grow a workforce that is aligned with industry needs and to replace the workers who are due to retire over the next five to 10 years. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human R esources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesnew york resume templatewhat jobs will there be in the futurefuture of work the top jobs of 2025human resources cover letter no experienceentry level human resources cover letter CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire verbunden Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineHelen IsbisterRelated ArticlesBrowse moreCoworkersResignation tipsThe 1 Threat To Your JobTheres a hidden danger threatening your career, and its not what youd expect. Molly finds out what the latest Career FAQs poll has revealed about why so many Australians are calling it quits.International studentsChen Yining - Chinese International Student, Charles Sturt UniversityAustralian food is too full of oil There are no spicy foods in Australia, which was ha rd to adapt to. And Vegemite? Its not food at allCareer counsellorHigh schoolNavigating subject selection in year 10Year 10 students have some big decisions ahead of them. Julia highlights some of the main factors students need to consider when navigating the minefield of subject selection.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

I took a staycation and it was exactly what I needed

I took a staycation and it welches exactly what I neededI took a staycation and it was exactly what I neededI was late in life to catch the travel bug. As a terrible flier, notlage going somewhere that involved me boarding a tin can in the sky was quite easy a decision to make. But then travel pretty much became a way of life for my generation and you werent anybody unless you were taking a big trip at least once a year as well as frequently escaping somewhere wonderful for a quick weekend. Millennials may not be buying houses, but most of them are well-established jet-setters.After all the United Nations estimates that 20% of all international travelers are millennials (approximately 200 million people) and 75%of young professionals in the U.S. see business travel as a major work perk and 65% consider it to be a status symbol, according to a recent survey commissioned byHilton Hotels Resorts. And lets face it, traveling is awesome. Experiencing new and exotic places, people and thi ngs is incredible and if you are lucky enough to do it, you should do it. However, at the same time, traveling is still a pain. It is annoying, inconvenient, exhausting and sometimes dangerous.That is why I opted for a staycation one weekend this summer. I could have actually gone to a fun wedding in New Orleans that weekend but it would have been a quick, turn around trip and just the thought of it was too much. So, I decided to stay at a hotel, about 10 blocks from my house (though many people just stay in their own homes for staycations) and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I had been feeling particularly stressed and this was the weekend of relaxation I needed.Here are some of the major benefits of a staycation1. Its cheaperUnless you go on a shopping spree or stay at the worlds most expensive hotel, a staycation is definitely cheaper. Even if you order meals out, you will inevitably save money by not taking a car, train or plane. According to theSimplemost/Dont Was te Your Money 2017 Travel Surveymore than half (52%) of respondents cited money as a travel stressor.2. Its easier to get thereNo waiting in lines, no airport security (and feeling violated after), no screaming children (unless they are your own) and no jet lag that will mess up your body and your clock. Being able to walk to my destination with only one small overnight bag was utterly delightful compared to the hell I put myself through when I overpack.3. Less planning is involvedTraveling is great but lets face it, the planning of a big trip becomes a second job that you dont get paid for. With a staycation, you can totally plan it out but if you dont have an itinerary, you will probably come up with something else to do. Winging things is not as easy when you travel especially if your party is bigger than just you. You also dont have to worry about meals as much because you know where to get what you like and not every meal needs to be a three-hour production. According to the Si mplemost survey,19% of respondents say logistics is a major stressor.4. You know people on your staycationIts great to pull a Reese Witherspoon in Wildand find yourself by doing the whole solo travel thing, but sometimes you just want to be surrounded by people you know. You can travel with friends but that can be tricky to coordinate with everyones crazy schedules but it is easy to grab a drink with a friend if you both live in the same place.5. You make discoveries about your hometown or cityWhen you do a staycation you may discover some hidden gems in your own neighborhood. For my staycation, I stayed at the Arlo Sohoand discovered all the perks this charming hotel has to offer. In addition to its super fun rooftop, I also discovered this hotel is a great place to just hang out during the day (super sweet staff, chill and inviting lounges, free Wifi, beautiful people walking around, Monday movie night and you can bring your dog) in case I ever need a daycation. It has also has a glamping section set up right in its courtyard so technically I went camping on my staycation without even leaving the city.6. You can actually disconnectOf course, you can disconnect when you travel but you have to make a real effort and you often need your phone and a Wifi connection to navigate and communicate but on a staycation, you may truly be able to unplug, even if it is just for a bit. Travel is great but I find I dont truly relax on trips but if I am in a familiar environment where I know I can let my guard down, there are a whole lot more possibilities.Consider a staycation if you are getting stressed out about planning a trip.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

How to Spot Work-From-Home Scams

How to Spot Work-From-Home ScamsHow to Spot Work-From-Home Scams One day, I received a message from someone on LinkedIn . A company Id never heard of offered me a work-from-home position. The pay was phenomenal. All I needed to do was turn in my first assignment quickly, Id get my first paycheck and then we could settle in for a more regular agreement.Now, Ive been offered legit opportunities through LinkedIn before and even done work (and been paid) as a result of connections through the site.Unfortunately, this was leid one of those situations.I re-arranged my schedule, turned down other work and found myself out $800 when the company, which called itself Write Stuff, disappeared after I submitted my writing assignment.Did my spidey-sense go off during any part of this interaction? Sure it did. But its easy to get swept up in the idea of making a lot of money quickly, and I ignored some red flags . Dont end up like me. Heres how to spot work-from-home scams.One of the biggest red flags is the idea that you can solve all your money problems with this one work-from-home system, said John Rampton, founder of the freelance invoicing and payment-processing app Due .In the back of our minds, we know theres no such thing as easy money, he said. But our common sense tends to flee when offered the potential for big gains.If someone offers you a large sum of money for relatively little work, or if they have a system that promises to replace your day-job paycheck within a few weeks, run the other way.Some work-from-home scams prey on the unsuspecting by asking that you foot the bill for upfront costs.According to Rampton, some of these costs seem reasonable. Maybe they tell you to pay for a hintergrund check , or insist that you send money for a special piece of equipment you need for your job, he said.But most legitimate businesses wont ask you to cover the expense for these things. They pay for background checks and send you any custom items you need for the job.Additionally, Rampton warned, dont send money via Western Union or wire transfer. Maybe youre told to wire $500 for a specialized headset, he said. You send the money, but the headset never comes, and the company disappears, leaving you poorer.The same is true of ordering special work-from-home kits. Back in 2012, the Federal Trade Commission helped consumers get back more than $2 million after they were scammed by fraudsters using names such as Google Money Tree and Google Treasure Chest.Consumers purchased $4 kits, providing personal credit card information, only to find out later they had also signed up for recurring monthly charges of $72.21. Consumers were told the kit would help them make $100,000 in six months.Stay away from work-from-home kits or systems. They cost money, and rarely work as promised.When you look at the contact information for a work-from-home opportunity , is it helpful? Or is it useless?Many scammers set up legitimate-looking websites, but wh en you look for contact information, all you end up with is a submission form, said Rampton. Thats a major red flag. There should be an actual schmelzglas address for a point person.You also have to watch out for scammers posing as real companies, Rampton added. Take the information you receive, and compare it to what you can find for the company through a separate online search.Another course of action - instead of taking a companys word for it - is to check the database on FlexJobs . These are legitimate companies with flexible work-from-home opportunities. You can cross-check what a company sends you with the database.Increasingly, scammers are becoming more sophisticated. They offer URLs that seem legitimate and spoof official websites, said Rampton. Some of the ways scammers do this includeCarefully vet the URLs of work-from-home jobs you see. If the work claims to come from a specific company, compare the listing with the careers section of the companys official website.Wo rk-from-home scams tend to provide scant detail about how the job works or what youll be doing. In my case, the recruiter just told me they needed something, stat, and that Id get more information after finishing the first piece. They dangled the fabulous payment as a carrot, and I went along.If you arent being offered full details ahead of time, take a step back. When someone is trying to hide whats happening or gets skittish about going into depth, thats a sign you could be dealing with a scam, said Rampton.This one is tricky. As a freelancer , Im often contacted with work offers. However, theres a difference between being offered a freelance job and a work-from-home scam where someone offers you a full-time job - without you applying.Its true that you might be headhunted, Rampton said. However, once the initial contact is made, you need to be alert for other red flags. Be skeptical of someone who just offers you a job you didnt apply for without asking for an interview or go ing through some other process youd see with a normal job.Beyond any specific warning signs, Rampton said, you should trust your gut. We all have this voice in our heads telling us something just isnt quite right, he said.If it feels a little off, it probably is. When something seems too good to be true, thats a sign you could be looking at a scam.Most work-from-home scams have at least two or three red flags , said Rampton. If something isnt sitting quite right with you, investigate further, he suggested. Theres a good chance you will find other signs that this opportunity really isnt one.Instead, if you are looking for a legitimate work-from-home career, check out some of our articles on real home-based jobsThis article was originally published on Student Loan Hero . It is reprinted with permission.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

How to Write the Perfect Internship Cover Letter Including Examples

How to Write the Perfect Internship Cover Letter Including Examples How to Write the Perfect Internship Cover Letter Including Examples Cover letters may be just one document consisting of a few paragraphs but theyre a very important document because they are the first step in getting a job. Theyre also your  potential bosses introduction to you. Especially for interns, writing a cover letter can be daunting because even if youve completed an internship, youve still not spent a lot of time in the work world and writing may not be your forte. There are three main components to drafting an internship cover letter beginning with the first paragraph, which states why you are writing, the second and third paragraphs, which state what you have to offer, and the last paragraph, which states how you will follow up.  Lets take it step-by-step.   When sending out a cover letter it is important to let the employer know what you are applying for at the very beginning of your letter. Example of a First Paragraph Please accept my application for the summer analyst position recently posted on MonsterTRAK. Always be clear, concise, and specific in your communications. This provides the employer with the exact information they need to direct your letter to the appropriate person or department. If you have a mutual contact that referred you, you should put that in the first paragraph. Example If Youre Being Referred to the Company   Ms. Mary Smith, a Brandeis alumna and Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Merrill Lynch, recommended that I mention her name when applying for the Merrill Lynch summer analyst position recently posted on MonsterTRAK. My strong academic commitment in addition to my participation in a number of co-curricular activities (and my previous internship with Smith Barney) makes me an excellent candidate for this position. Second and Third Paragraphs While you havent been a member of the workforce, you have knowledge and skills acquired in your college courses, co-curricular and volunteer activities. Not to mention your previous internships and jobs. You can either devote one paragraph to relevant coursework and co-curricular activities and another paragraph to relevant work and internship experiences or include both in the same paragraph. Example if You Have School Experience During my first two years at Brandeis University, I excelled in all my business courses, especially finance and economics. I have enjoyed the challenges that these courses provided and found myself totally immersed in the overall management and business course culminating in a major project and presentation made to several visiting corporate executives. The project required a great deal of organizational and teamwork to make the presentation successful. The outcome was well received and the feedback included a plan on the part of the executives to implement several of my recommendations at the corporate level. Additionally, I served as treasurer of my sophomore class for two semesters and helped orchestrated two major fundraisers for charities in four short months. Example of Internship Experience My internship with Smith Barney allowed me to fully utilize my analytical skills and quantitative reasoning skills acquired  at college. After six weeks, my supervisor recommended that I participate in a project involving senior analysts and I assisted with the final presentation made to the Board of Directors. This experience helped teach me how to think on my feet and raised my level of self-confidence. Last Paragraph The last paragraph is your  opportunity to sum up your qualifications and how you intend to follow-up. Unless the job posting states that you do not contact the employer, this is where you explain how you will follow-up to ensure receipt of your material and request an interview. By following up, you not only ensure your documents were received; you afford the employer the opportunity to take a second look at your qualifications. It also tells the employer you are still interested in the position. Example of a Last Paragraph Thank you for taking the time to review my resume and cover letter. Given my extensive  experience with other brokerage firms during previous summer internship programs, I feel well-suited for the Smith Barney internship position. I hope to be afforded the opportunity to intern with Smith Barney and will call soon to see if we can arrange an interview.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

#MeToo movement finds an unlikely champion in Wall Street

#MeToo movement finds an unlikely champion in Wall Street #MeToo movement finds an unlikely champion in Wall Street If you were worried that the #MeToo movement might fade away, fear not. It has been carved into one of the most immovable objects in human history.Legal boilerplate.And not just any boilerplate. But the language in giant merger agreements, used when one company is buying out another company.Basically, corporate lawyers have been adding a sentence that forces companies to disclose allegations of sexual harassment. On Wall Street, it has come to be known as the “Weinstein clause.”That’s new. In my years as an employment lawyer, I worked on more than 50 corporate acquisitions. The work somehow managed to be both boring and stressful, as I rapidly sifted through masses of personnel documents to figure out what needed to be disclosed.Although it was common to disclose ongoing lawsuits or threats of litigation, “allegations” or even internal complaints of harassment were not on anyone’s radar.The arrival of the Weinstein clause signals how important #MeToo has become â€" not ju st as a social movement but as a business risk.When employment law was small potatoesThe “Weinstein clause” appears in a section of the agreement called the “representations and warranties,” where the seller attests that it has complied with certain laws or denies certain liabilities.For example, the agreement might say that there are no ongoing lawsuits against the company. If that statement is untrue because the company is litigating a discrimination case in federal court, then the company needs to list the name of the case in a huge side document called a “disclosure schedule.”Previously, employment-related stuff, like harassment or discrimination, was considered small potatoes in a corporate acquisition. These cases are usually not worth more than US$100,000 or $200,000, which is practically a rounding error when you’re talking about a merger worth hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars.So in large mergers, the representations and warranties tend to only call for the disclosure of big ticket liabilities. A disclosure schedule in those deals is like the All-Star Team of massive liabilities. It’s where “We don’t own any of our intellectual property” goes to hang out with “We bribed foreign government officials” and “Our only liquid assets are fidget spinners.”As an employment lawyer on a large deal, I was essentially a benchwarmer. I was pumped if I got a lawsuit or two added to the disclosure schedule â€" that was my two minutes of playing time.A mere harassment allegation? Please. That wouldn’t even make it into the memo I prepared that no one would read.The advent of the Weinstein clauseBut sometime around March of this year, lawyers started adding so-called “Weinstein clauses” to their merger agreements.For example, in a $4.9 billion deal in June to acquire health care analytics company, Cotiviti, the merger agreement called for the disclosure of any “allegations of sexual harassment” against officers, di rectors or employees who supervise at least eight other employees if it would result in a “material adverse event.”The term “material adverse event” means “so bad that it would noticeably affect our profits, keeping in mind that we’re worth 4.9 billion dollars.”The inclusion of this language is remarkable because it assumes that an allegation of harassment might actually turn out to be more than a blip on the radar of a big company.That would have been unthinkable a year ago. And yet now is firmly within the realm of the plausible after Harvey Weinstein’s $200 million entertainment company went bankrupt and shareholders of Wynn Resorts lost $3.5 billion in value in the wake of harassment scandals.Other mergers compel similar disclosures, regardless of whether the allegations are “material.” In some cases, they ask about allegations against high-level employees going back five, eight or 10 years.That’s way past the statute of limitations. In other words, we’re not talking about legal risks any more. This is about the seismic risk of a brand tainted by misconduct.A new normal for complianceThe arrival of the Weinstein clause may seem inconsequential, but it signals recognition that harassment qualifies as a massive liability. And massive liabilities command attention and resources before a merger is even in the cards.In a business environment where initial public offerings are few and far between, a merger may be the best way for early investors to profit. Investors and venture capitalists will now care a lot more about how companies handle their harassment complaints, because it affects their ability to cash out. These players will then put pressure on startups and other fast-growing companies to clean up their acts.That’s the best performance I’ve seen from boilerplate in a long time.Elizabeth C. Tippett, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of OregonThis article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the origi nal article.

Monday, November 18, 2019

The cost of renting vs. buying a home in every state

The cost of renting vs. buying a home in every state The cost of renting vs. buying a home in every state The primary benefit of renting an apartment is flexibility. Renters can move to a different neighborhood (or another city altogether) without worrying about selling their homes. But, according to our latest analysis, that flexibility often comes at a cost - renting is more expensive on average in 40 out of 50 states.The numbers for our map and visualization come from Zillow̢۪s housing data for March 2018, but our friends at GoBankingRates actually collected it. The map provides an intuitive look at the geography of renting vs. owning. We used a simple cutoff to compare buying and renting- if the difference was less than $50/month either way, we classified the state as neutral. That̢۪s simply not enough money for us to make a judgment about if owning a home makes sense. But with a difference of more than about $50/month, the scales begin to tip in favor of one or the other.We also wanted to visualize the numbers another way to understand the total cost of living across the US. We c reated a stacked bar chart comparing average monthly mortgage payments (pink) and monthly rent payments (blue). This approach lets you easily see which states have a significantly higher cost of living, and which are relatively cheap in comparison.These are the 10 states where it makes the least sense to rent a home (the amounts are for the average mortgage minus the average rent):1. New York: -$1,4712. Maine: -$6753. Rhode Island: -$6564. Massachusetts: -$5865. Illinois: -$4716. New Jersey: -$4377. Florida: -$4048. Vermont: -$3799. Pennsylvania: -$36810. Ohio: -$296Both the map and the visualization give us a unique insight into the age-old debate about the merits of renting vs. buying. For starters, it is definitely more financially savvy to purchase in the great majority of US states. The only pocket where it̢۪s better to rent than own is out West, plus a few outliers in New Hampshire, Washington, DC, and Hawaii. Our data are from March, 2018 when mortgage rates were already tre nding upward. Only time will tell if the housing market cools off, but clearly homeowners are getting a better bargain than renters.Our visualization also highlights the vast differences in the housing market across the country. At the very uppermost end of the spectrum, owners in Hawaii shell out an eye-popping $2,839 on average each month. Renters don̢۪t fare much better, spending $2,300. Compare that to the bottom of the graph, where West Virginians spend a relatively tiny $778 to own a home or $1,000 as renters. Across the country, the average difference is -$186 in favor of owning. That might not sound like a lot of money, but it comes out to $2,232 every year. Multiply that savings across a 30-year mortgage- and consider the prospect of building equity every month- and that̢۪s real money.Data: Table 1.1This article first appeared on HowMuch.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Using Social Media to Find an Online Job

Using Social Media to Find an Online Job Using Social Media to Find an Online Job In your job search, have you considered using social media networks to find an online job and get the word out that you are looking for an online opportunity? Take it from successful marketers, who will tell you that the key to getting attention in this very competitive world is to get yourself out there and involved with as many social media networks as possible. The major social media networks are Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Myspace. There are many other social and professional networks you can join for free to let others know you are looking for a telecommuting job. The truth about trying to find an online job is that sometimes it̢۪s a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Oftentimes, this means knowing someone who knows of a company that̢۪s hiring, or some other opportunity posted on a site like . If you want to increase the chances of finding that perfect telecommuting job, then you need to be actively involved with these social media networks and communities. You̢۪ve already taken the first step by being a part of the terrific community here and setting up a personal profile at . However, you may want to be open to letting your other social media networks know more about you on a professional level, to increase the chances that you will land the perfect online job for you. Be sure to find out more about how to use social media networks to find a great new online job by signing up for our FREE in-depth live webinar on Wednesday, May 6th at Noon EST. Job Search 2.0: Using Social Media to Find an Online Job Learn how to use social media tools to assist in your job search. This free 60-minute live webinar will cover the following topics: Intro to social media Personal blogs Using Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to maximize your search Job skills 101

Saturday, November 16, 2019

The hidden complexities of common sense (how to be less wrong)

The hidden complexities of common sense (how to be less wrong) The hidden complexities of common sense (how to be less wrong) To err is human, but millions of people go through life assuming (and sometimes insisting) that they are right about nearly everything.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!Common sense is a paradox.Thomas A. Edison once said, “The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”Common sense is information gathered from everyday knowledge.It’s a collection of prejudices, accumulated advice, experiences, received wisdom, and inherited beliefs over the years. It’s based on the premise that we are smarter together than we are individually.It’s supposed to prevent us from making irrational mistakes or decisions.Common sense is sound practical judgment concerning everyday matters, or a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge that is shared by nearly all people.It’s the most important yet most misunderstood human skill.When applied prudently, it can lead to better relationships, success in life and career, happiness, beating stress etc.Karl Albrecht calls common sense  practical intelligence.He defines it as “the mental ability to cope with the challenges and opportunities of life”.Mark Turner, the author of “The Way We Think: Conceptual Blending And The Mind’s Hidden Complexities,”  writes:Common sense suggests that people in different disciplines have different ways of thinking; that the adult and the child do not think alike, that the mind of the genius differs from that of the average person, and that automatic thinking, of the sort we do when reading a simple sentence, is far beneath the imaginative thinking that goes on during the writing of a poem.Common sense is often referred to a minimum level of rationality expected from an adult, but a flawed way of thinking can lead to some pretty bad decisions, especially when we all have a different idea of what common sense means.Will Rogers said almost a hundred years ago that, “Common sense ain’t common”, and half a century before that Horace Greely also said, “Common sense is uncommon.” Duncan Watts, author of “Everything is Obvious: Once You Know the Answer”  explains.The problem with common sense is not that it isn’t sensible, but that what is sensible turns out to depend on lots of other features of the situation. And in general, it’s impossible to know which of these many potential features are relevant until after the fact (a fundamental problem that philosophers and cognitive scientists call the “frame problem”).Common sense is normally thinking that just feels right.You are convinced in yourself that the simple and straightforward action you are about to take is the right one.“We can agree that something is common sense as long as we share the same set of assumptions. I think people really don’t understand how much of a problem this is, because they assume that what they think is common sense is right” says Watts.Many people have the tendency to assume that their deeply-held beliefs are common sense because they cannot imagine anyone thinking otherwise.But here is the thing, what feels right to one person may not feel right to another. What is common knowledge to you may not feel the same to someone else.And the same set of assumptions cannot be used to make life-changing decisions or solve complex problems that require critical thinking.“…common sense is actually very good for resolving everyday situations, where everyone shares the same set of assumptions. The problem is that it feels so effective to us in these circumstances that we’re tempted to use it to make decisions and plans and predictions about situations that are not everyday situations, argues Watts.People rarely test common sense for validity and soundness because it sounds right. If they are a reflection of the worldview and ideologies they have internal ized, or believe, they are more readily accepted.When they are not, they, are more readily rejected.When we rely solely on our common sense to make decisions, we easily jump to conclusions and fall prey to the clear limits of personal experience.Our default state is to feel like we’re right all the time, says Kathryn Schulz, author of  Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error. She writes:“A whole lot of us go through life assuming that we are basically right, basically all the time, about basically everything: about our political and intellectual convictions, our religious and moral beliefs, our assessment of other people, our memories, our grasp of facts. As absurd as it sounds when we stop to think about it, our steady state seems to be one of unconsciously assuming that we are very close to omniscient.”When you think about it, common sense is more about judging (based on what we already know) than objective thinking.But as a sociologist, I’ve also learned to be skep tical of common sense, especially when it is invoked as the solution to complex social problems, says Watts. Watt writes:“Why is it, for example, that most social groups, from friendship circles to workplaces, are so homogenous in terms of race, education level, and even gender? Why do some things become popular and not others? How much does the media influence society? Is more choice better or worse? Do taxes stimulate the economy? Social scientists have struggled with all these questions for generations, and continue to do so. Yet many people feel they could answer these questions themselves?- ?simply by examining their own experience.When everything is obvious, we arrive at conclusions without thought, and the outcomes feel true, regardless of whether they are, notes the psychologist and best-selling author of  Thinking Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman.Common sense begs the question: Are we psychologically well equipped to judge our own thinking and actions?“Unlike for problems in physics and biology, therefore, where we need experts to tell us what is true, when the topic is human or social behavior, we’re all “experts,” so we trust our own opinions at least as much as we trust those of social scientists.We are highly susceptible to a range of cognitive biases, in many personal decision-making processes.“Never assume the obvious is true,” says William Safire.Trusting common sense alone causes us to make poor judgments.Common sense is a hindrance to problem-solving, argues Dean L. Gano, author of “Apollo Root Cause Analysis: A New Way of Thinking”.Gano says that, because the way each person perceives the world is unique, the notion of common sense as a cure for problems won’t lead us to good solutions.More difficult life problems can’t be solved by common sense as it requires higher level thinking or the application of multiple layers of problem-solving skills.How to be less  wrongInstead of focusing on being right all the time, focus on being  less wrong.Expose your ideas to testing and validation.When you believe you know the answer to common and simple problems, you make flawed assumptions about even complex situations.This can cause disagreements over things you haven’t really thought through as much as you may think you have.But when you keep in mind that even your most valued beliefs, values, and assumptions about life and living it could be wrong, you will not get too attached to them. You will maintain an open mind.Instead of ignoring opposing views, and discounting arguments not in favour of your common knowledge, we need to take the time to understand others and why they take certain decisions.Jim Taylor PhD of Psychology Today  writes:“The bottom line is that if we can learn to think in more open and rigorous ways, we can draw the most accurate conclusions and make the best decisions possible for the myriad of questions, concerns, and issues we face every day, be they mundane or impactful. And we mig ht just all get along a little better too.”The human mind can easily be convinced that an idea is right contrary to indicators clearly demonstrating otherwise, especially when it supports preconceived assumptions.Test your values, beliefs, and basic assumptions at all times to try to ascertain the practical consequences of applying a specific decision when solving problems.Practice reflective thinking.“Reflective intelligence is about being able to stand back and view the bigger picture so that you realistically appraise the situation or environment directly around you rather than forcing yourself to conform to its suitability or practicing wishful thinking”,  writes  WikiHow.Making the most of the modern world and living life abundantly require us to understand cause and effect in complex systems, with consequences unfolding over years or decades.And to increase your odds of success in life and career, there is no reason to believe that common sense is much of a guide to ever y problem.This article first appeared on Medium.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Tax Day is Coming! 5 Tax Tips for Freelancers

Tax Day is Coming! 5 Tax Tips for Freelancers Tax Day is Coming! 5 Tax Tips for Freelancers As any freelancer will attest, the freedom of making your own money on your own schedule is a wonderful perk. However, that freedom can be confusing when tax time comes around. It’s a little less clear what you’re supposed to do. The following list of tax tasks is not comprehensive, and it’s important that you connect with a tax professional to make sure you cover all of your liabilities as a freelancer. That said, here are five basic things you need to know when you start to process your freelancer taxes. You have to file any income over $400. Whether it’s babysitting, singing at a wedding or crafting award-winning graphic design, you have to file any income over $400 and pay taxes on that income on a quarterly basis. The easiest way is to manage your filing and quarterly taxes is to set up an account with the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) and connect a bank account that you can use to pay quarterly estimated taxes. Clients will send you a 1099. In a given year any client that pays you more than $600 will send you a 1099 form, which you will use to file your taxes with a tax professional. Before they send this form to you, you must send them a W-9 form with all of your tax information. If a client doesn’t send you a 1099 form, you can still file your taxes using your profit and loss statement from recording payments throughout the year. You can also reach out and contact the client to request a 1099. Student loans will send you a 1098. As you work down your student loan debt, you can deduct the interest you’ve paid over the year. Each student loan will send you a 1098  noting how much you can deduct for this purpose. If you have a home office, you can deduct that square footage, a portion of your utilities and office expenses. How you process these deductions will depend on your tax professional, but make sure you keep track of how much you spend on utilities and office expenses as well as the size of your office relative to your home so that you can deduct these expenses on your tax return. Bookkeeping and expense reports are different. Speaking of deductions, sometimes it’s easy to get different parts of accounting mixed up, such as bookkeeping and expense reporting. While you’ll want to monitor and record your expenses throughout the year (software subscriptions, new pens and a business book), you’ll also want to keep an eye out for bookkeeping tasks such as depreciating assets like new computers and office furniture. Your tax professional may charge you differently depending on the kinds of bookkeeping support you need, so you’ll want to understand what you have and haven’t been taking care of in that regard. Are you a freelancer? How do you prepare for tax season? And if you’re expecting a tax refund, here are six things you can do to reinvest it into your career.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

What to do (and not do) when youre unemployed

What to do (and not do) when you’re unemployed What to do (and not do) when you’re unemployed It’s one of the scariest positions to be in. It’s the thing that you hope will never happen. But unemployment is real and many of us find ourself in the midst of it at some point in our lives. Regardless of how long you’re unemployed, it can wreak havoc on your peace of mind and your finances. There are, however, some steps you can take to try to limit that negative impact. Many of these steps will also protect your credit in the long run.File for unemploymentI wrote last week about when and how to file for  unemployment benefits. This is a great safety net offered by our federal and state governments. If you’re eligible, make sure you file so that you can have some money coming in while you search for a new job. There’s no shame in taking advantage of the programs that were created to protect us when we’re vulnerable.Alert your student loan providerIf you’re having a financial hardship, you can  defer your student loans. If you’re unemployed, that definitely counts a s a hardship, and your student loan servicer understands that. They would rather you defer your loans now and stay current on payments later. So, reach out to your provider and tell them what is going on.Putting your loans into deferment will protect you from late fees and penalties. It will also protect you from having missed payments put on your credit report. These sorts of marks can negatively affect your credit score for years, which will impact your ability to get future loans and credit.Apply for marketplace insuranceIf you’ve lost your job, you’ve most likely lost your health insurance as well. Since losing your job is considered a life event, you will be eligible to get insurance through the  marketplace  once you’re unemployed. Not only will this  protect you  if you have a health emergency while you’re unemployed (and allow you to get coverage for your existing needs), but it will also be much more affordable than other options, like COBRA (see more about that bel ow).PS: You don’t have to get laid off in order to apply for marketplace insurance. If you leave a job for any reason, you’re eligible. The amount you will pay each month will determine how much you will be earning. Fun fact: I have Kaiser Permanente insurance through the marketplace now that I’m self-employed. It’s super affordable, so I don’t hesitate before going to the doctor.Search for new jobsIf you file for unemployment, you will be required to apply for at least three jobs each week, and show proof that you’ve done it. Not only does this ensure that you’re getting your benefit check, but it’s a good accountability measure to make sure you are staying on top of your job search.If you don’t know where to start, reach out to the people in your networks! There are so many people out there who want to help you when you’re struggling. Reach out to friends, former colleagues, and acquaintances who work in the field you’re interested in. Maybe they can’t lite rally get you a job, but they may have advice or leads for you. Check out listservs like the  WIN list  to get started!Turn to your emergency savingsHopefully, you’ve been able to build up some sort of  emergency savings  for times like this. And if you haven’t yet and are still employed, start prioritizing it now! It can be scary and frustrating to have to use your emergency savings, but that’s literally what you saved it for. Losing your job is definitely an emergency, and you need that money in order to keep a roof over your head, food in your belly, and your bills current. So I am giving you permission to use your emergency savings on your bills in this scenario.Ask for helpWhen my dad was unemployed for six months when I was a kid, he still had bills to pay and three children to take care of. To make matters worse, he had previously taken out a 401k loan (you’ll see how I feel about this below) for home improvements. It turns out, when you quit or get laid off, you have to pay back your 401k loan very quickly or else you’ll get taxed and penalized as if you withdrew early for retirement. My dad wanted very much to avoid this penalty, so he asked his father if he could borrow money to pay it back. Luckily, my grandfather had that money and was able to loan it to my dad. He did charge interest so that he wouldn’t lose money himself, but it was a fair rate and was better than my dad could have gotten from a bank loan. This helped to prevent a lot of stress and loss of money, so I’m grateful that my dad turned to my grandfather for help when he needed it.Of course, borrowing money from loved ones can get really complicated. It can cause problems in relationships and make things awkward. So if you do borrow money from a family member or friend, make sure to document your agreement in writing. Map out a repayment plan with a deadline. That way, everyone will be on the same page, and no one will get frustrated or resentful. If you end up having tro uble paying the money back on time, be honest! Have a conversation with your loved one so that they know what’s going on.Don’t borrow from your retirementThis is so, so, so important. And I will yell this from the rooftops for the rest of my life. Never borrow from your retirement! You will be much worse off later if you do this. Like I mentioned above, if you borrow from your retirement account before the aged of 59.5, you’ll be penalized. You will have to pay taxes and fees for withdrawing early. This means that you will lose a lot of that money you’ve diligently saved for your retirement years.Plus, even if you’re able to pay that money back eventually, you’ll have lost money. If you attended the  July Money Circle gathering, you know that  compound interest  is your friend. This means that the longer your money is out of the market, the less it’s able to grow on itself. So you should try to keep your investments in the market no matter what. Your 65-year-old self w ill thank you.Don’t only rely on COBRAAfter you lose or leave a job, you typically get a letter in the mail about  COBRA  insurance. If you don’t know what COBRA is, it stands for  Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, which was a law passed that requires there to be an insurance option for those who leave employment.COBRA is available whether you left your job voluntarily or not. You don’t have to be laid off in order to use it. COBRA is typically available for you to use for about 18 months, if you’re unemployed or underemployed for that long. It’s a great benefit that was the only option for insurance covered before the Affordable Care Act was passed. If you’re unemployed, don’t automatically assume that COBRA is your best or only option. Compare benefits and costs to the insurance plans in the  healthcare marketplace. You might find plans with more coverage for a lower cost.Don’t rely on your credit cardsOne of the keys for financially protectin g yourself is to not use your credit cards unless you have the money to pay them back. Of course, this can be impossible when you have bills to pay and mouths to feed, with not much money coming in. But if you have other options than using your credit cards, it’s best to do that. Otherwise, you may find yourself deep in debt even once you’re employed again.If you do have to turn to your credit cards to get by, you do have options to protect yourself. Call your creditors and let them know about your situation. The thing is, they want to get paid, so if you can’t pay your bills, that hurts them too. Call them and ask them if it’s possible to lower your interest rates while you’re unemployed, so your interest charges don’t balloon and make it harder to make your payments.You should also find out if you have  payment protection insurance  on your current credit cards. This is a benefit that will suspend your interest rates and pay your minimum payment for a period of time. I t can prevent you from having missed payments that will be reported on your credit report, which will hurt your credit score. Of course, there is a monthly fee that comes along with this protection, and you are not able to get the insurance once you’re already unemployed. So if this is something you feel like you might need someday, look into it now.Maggie Germano is a feminist and financial coach for women. She helps women improve their relationship with money so they can take control of their financial future. She does this through one-on-one financial coaching, workshops, writing, and speaking engagements. She also founded Money Circle, which is a safe space for women to talk about money without feeling judged. It’s a way to create community and openness around personal finance. Passionate about many issues affecting women, Maggie is a member of the Women’s Information Network and was trained as a salary negotiation facilitator by AAUW.This article first appeared on Bossed Up.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The Ultimate College Graduation Gift A Better Job Search

The Ultimate College Graduation Gift A Better Job Search The Ultimate College Graduation Gift A Better Job Search If you know a college student graduating this spring, give them a useful, unique college graduation gift that can help them jump into  their career. Gift certificates for college graduates are now available on .com, offering packages of one month, three months or a year subscription to kick-start careers with resources such as researched job listings, skill testing, and job search advice. Recent college graduates have made it clear that they are looking for flexibility and mobility. A recent article on CNN Money, Recent Grads Finding Jobs â€" In Their Living Rooms, highlighted the “growing number of young professionals choosing to work from home.” makes this goal a reality with researchers adding new job listings every day with flexible positions from over 1,800 companies from across the United States. At  .com, we provide  membership-only access to the best database of hand-screened professional job leads, all of which also offer some kind of work flexibility, such as telecommuting, freelance contracts, and flexible schedules. A Gift Certificate enables the recipient to safely and easily review over 4000+ online job listings in 50 different career categories, and once they find jobs they are interested in, have staff-written research on the company at their fingertips, accolades the company might have won (such as the 50 BusinessWeek Best Companies to Get Your Career Started With), and the most direct way to apply to the job. In addition, resources such as skill testing and resume and cover letter tips are available to members, providing a job search experience with support, guidance, and protection from scams along with excellent customer support. “Because our jobs are researched and pre-screened by a dedicated team, we offer only legitimate job opportunities with real employers,” said Sara Sutton, CEO. “Job seeking college grads won’t find any scams or too-good-to-be-true offers on . Our goal is to provide quality, professional-level job listings to make employment searches easier, faster, and safer.” gift certificates are available for one month ($14.95) three months ($29.95), and yearly ($59.95) subscriptions and can be purchased at www..com/GiftCertificates. Every subscription includes a Satisfaction Guarantee. “We truly want our users to be satisfied with our service and to feel that its been worthwhile. For gift givers who would like more information, we invite you to check out our website or give us a call at 866-991-9222,” added Sutton. Give the gift of career flexibility to a college graduate this spring with a gift certificate!

Monday, November 11, 2019

Top Guide of Professional Profile Resume Examples

Top Guide of Professional Profile Resume Examples Choosing Good Professional Profile Resume Examples The profile isn't a succession of sentences, but instead a series strategically placed words and phrases. You're able to increase your credibility by employing quite a few concrete details to speak about your contributions. Our site provides custom writing help and editing aid. Then the ideal way is place a request I want to acquire essay papers written. Be sure to eliminate the brackets as you're replacing text. DIY HTML Resume offers you a very simple remedy to start your searches for a job when you're ready. Utilizing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for several reasons. The choice of using several pages with diverse sections is also there. The Nuiances of Professional Profile Resume Examples There's no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better likelihood of standing from the crowd even supposing it's made utilizing a template. Many professionals fall in the trap of thinking they will need to include things like a whole catalog of their work experiences and techniques in their resume. Theywork best for somebody who has a great deal of experience, since they function as a highlight reel of your previous accomplishments. When you have included all of the essential information, add a few personal facts that may humanize your speaker a little, it rounds out th e profile and aids the audience connect with them. An expert profile summary is practically always best. It is a lot more challenging to swiftly focus when reading a resume that does not own a profile. A profile should be concise to work. You always need to have an expert profile, as opposed to an objective within the resume. Professional Profile Resume Examples: No Longer a Mystery By carefully targeting resumes for particular jobs and situations, it is possible to greatly enhance your odds of getting noticed in the work industry. If you receive to the bare bones of what you would like to do, you will make it simple for a hiring manager to determine if you're a severe match for work. Aim for a minumum of one recommendation for every single job that you've had. During times of unemployment, many workers find themselves faced with considerable amounts of free moment. A snapshot of your achievements may have an excellent influence on the recruiter. Instead you might want to include things like an expert summary that states what you need to offer you the employer for a candidate, instead of what you're searching for. Now, it's getting more and more common to observe a summary statement or an expert profile instead. Confusing an expert summary with a profile can end up costing a work seeker that sought-after interview. It serves to show what you have to offer an employer what you will do for the company in the future. Your profile ought to be customized to coordinate with the qualifications the employer is seeking. What You Should Do to Find Out About Professional Profile Resume Examples Before You're Left Behind Transforming your career to another field doesn't indicate you're at a disadvantage. Highlight your company analysis accomplishments and ensure it is crystal clear that you're qualified for the kinds of BA jobs to which you're applying. More than that, you will learn just what to do next to expand your small business analysis opportunities. A resume writer might or might not have a profound grasp of the company analysis profession. Analytical Skills To be able to analyse and understand the huge data present today, analytical skills are critical. Show examples where you have been in a position to make the the majority of your communication skills to successfully finish a project. Team leader and superior controller with exceptional relationship-building abilities and resource optimization abilities. Keep away from skills like excellent time administration. A profile is very helpful if you've got a work history that's unrelated to your present career goals it enables you to highlight only your most relevant experience. Fortunately our team is made up of professional writers which possess the capability to create remarkable content for you. Zety's resume templates are made with the aid of recruiters and adhere to the best practices in HR. Writing a resume for a career change is among the most difficult kinds of resumes for the majority of people to write.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

The Benefits of Career Objective Examples for Resume

The Benefits of Career Objective Examples for Resume What You Should Do About Career Objective Examples for Resume Starting in the Next Eight Minutes Finally, it's not essential to have a quantifiable stat for every single point on your resume. Therefore, our aim is to offer you the very best tools you must succeed. Now you've really defined your goal you're prepared to go. What You Need to Do About Career Objective Examples for Resume A well-written one is going to impress on the hiring manager the manners in which you are a best candidate for the job. You look through the listings and select a job which you want, then tell the company what you need to get paid and when you're able to finish the job. Look through the work description to decide which qualities the organization is the most interested in, then emphasize your strengths where they fit the work ad, too. To begin with, examine the job description to see whether it indicates the kind of skills the provider is seek ing. Actuary There are various job positions in the area. You are able to work a number of jobs at the same time in case you need or you're able to take a rest or vacation anytime you really feel like it. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find several great jobs. There are a lot of job abilities and behaviors that are essential for successful job performance in an assortment of different career fields. Writing a resume has never been simpler! If you're attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Everything about your resume is selling one product you and if you want to work in retail, you will need to prove that you understand just what it requires to sell yourself. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Characteristics of Career Objective Examples for Resume Today you must control all you do to make sure you win the respect of others and motivate them to reach their targets. Along with the abilities and work history sections, you also had better place them in the resume objective. In a lot of ways, an objective replaces a lot of the detail you would set in your professional experience section. Entry-level objectives can be particularly hard to write since you likely don't have loads of work experience, but you do want to solidify that you know the sort of career you're searching for. Career Objective Examples for Resume Explained Teaching is thought to be among the noble professions on earth. There are various courses for teaching at several levels. The best thing about a teaching job is it isn't restricted to any 1 field or region of study. Teachers, employers and parents would also gain from taking the courses because it will teach them how to handle volatile personalities. A History of Career Objective Examples for Resume Refuted You might also have a peek at some useful resume keywords to further increase your resume. The sphere of information technology grows mo re important every single day. There's a lengthy field of career objective examples that can be put in on entry level resumes. Another reason it is much better to be more specific than general is that if you own a track record at a senior level and are seeking a role, a recruiter sees it as a given that you may deliver. Transferable Skills There are a lot of core abilities and competencies that may be applied to a number of different careers. A very clear statement about how you'll utilize your strongest relevant abilities and professional experiences to satisfy the specific role you're applying for 3. You are more inclined to obtain an interview if you comprehend the role you're applying for, and explain the value you're able to add to that specific role. Accounting and finance managers may wish to see your technical understanding. How to Choose Career Objective Examples for Resume You will require a plan and you ought to start small. You are able to use our resume buildi ng software to create your own from scratch. The huge benefit of starting your own company is there are no background checks. Your resume was made to sell 1 productyou. Career Objective Examples for Resume - the Conspiracy Then, in addition, there are vacancies for machine operators. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a number of the very same skills. Also show you're a well-rounded worker. Not to mention, there's a lack of certified accountants on the planet. Job seekers deserve to come across decent content quickly. Lists, as a rule of thumb, are also simpler to write. You are able to also Simple Resume Template. If you choose to include an objective statement, make sure you've got a targeted job, you know what skills you need to mention or you're applying for a specific position. You may discover extra information for the job that you want on LinkedIn. You will need a resume targeting the specific position you're applying for. Career in Insurance There is an assortment of positions in the field at which you can work and earn a career.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Secret Techniques for Counselors Resume Only Couple of People Know

Secret Techniques for Counselors Resume Only Couple of People Know His sister is just one of them. Absence of suitable comprehension of work family relationship differences in different words can slow down the practice of producing work-family balance. Otherwise, you're likely to get people feeling resentful and left out, that's the precise opposite of what activities in this way are thought to achieve in the very first place. Take control of your career! What You Should Do About Counselors Resume Starting in the Next Three Minutes While the firm itself is considered an overall recruiting company, it might be staffed with recruiters who focus on an industry or kind of job. Frequently, staffing agencies work with a huge variety of businesses to fulfill their recruiting requirements, including law firms, restaurants, corporations, construction firms, factories and both small and big businesses in a number of other industries. Check it out, visit a workshop and you could possi bly be surprised your job search is simpler than expected at See the newest news stories around the USA. I've been working in admissions for the last five decades and am therefore extremely confident in my capacity to fulfill your requirements. Have a look at the entry-level financial loan officers and counselors resume sample to work out the ideal way to showcase your abilities and experience on paper. Brainstorming can be achieved in a variety of ways but one key issue to remember is that daniel labaronne critique essay do not censor ideas in this practice. A student who persists does not need to be recruited. What You Don't Know About Counselors Resume For instance, if you've got a gap in employment, are older than age 50 or have other exceptional conditions, don't attempt to cover this up. It might also be appropriate to bring the state in which you're certified, especially if you're applying for jobs away from your house. I don't believe the bridge is burned in any way , unless you would like to consider it burned. Basically, it's the unemployment office. By carefully targeting resumes for particular jobs and situations, it is possible to greatly enhance your odds of getting noticed in the work industry. Intelligent organizations are interested in where their employees are going to wind up and brand themselves that manner. This is my very first job with benefits, and I'm not certain what's normal to search for in the future. Even if you aren't looking, it is best to continue to keep your network active. What Does Counselors Resume Mean? For independent recruiters with lots of of experience in a particular field, a specialized recruiting company may be a fantastic place to do the job. Altering your career to another field doesn't indicate you're at a disadvantage. The recruiting business has many distinct kinds of recruiting organizations to help corporations locate the ideal talent for their open positions. Discover how to create informed decisions about your career exploration approach. Whether you should submit any more doc umentation is dependent upon the length of time you've been licensed in the jurisdictions wherever your license is current. A resume won't be accepted instead of or besides the forms. If you're licensed five or more years in any 1 jurisdiction, no additional documentation is required. You have 60 days to finish the requirements. One other important qualification of several counseling positions is certification. I have successfully run this event for the last two years, and thus know I possess the attention to detail and commitment to quality that you need in an admissions counselor. Good program planning and leadership abilities. Describe and establish the skilled organizations, preparation standards, and credentials applicable to the custom of clinical mental health counseling. After the student seems to be a critical suicide threat, and the parent doesn't look able or prepared to supply the needed supervision, a report of neglect ought to be made by the school to DCFS. The most prosperous students used more than 1 service. Observe and discern the prospect of substance abuse disorders to mimic and co-occur with a number of medical and mental disorders along with distinguish basic psychopharmacological classifications and medications. Remarkable wisdom and comprehension of counseling theories and methods for individual and group counseling.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

My Perfect Resume Login: No Longer a Mystery

My Perfect Resume Login: No Longer a Mystery The True Meaning of My Perfect Resume Login In addition, you may always view customer testimonials to begin with Kickresume. Your CV should force you to stick out from the crowd of different applicants whether you're a nurse in Ireland or another nation. Make sure as you're listing experiences to get started with the latest experience and work back from that point. Your professional experience is an indispensable portion of your resume. The way the role and the outcomes are almost always bold. Mention how you heard about the business and the opening, and mention how your precise abilities and experience is going to be a very good fit in their opinion. Find out more about the organization and role before applying to be certain you are in possession of a crystal clear grasp of the job specifications. You have the mandatory skills to fulfil the role and the organisation that you are applying for is 100% the location where you would like to do the job. The Little-Known Secrets to My Perfect Resume Login The resume templates are totally editable and totally free. Avoid, if you're able to, common resume templates. Templates play a major part in your job search as it saves lots of your time and supply you a better format for your CV. Employing a template can help you to create a cover letter with a typical structure. Each font passes on a wide spectrum of emotions and misusing a particular font might cause a specific amount of dissonance. Highlighting certain sections of your resume by utilizing an accent color is a great idea design-wise. When choosing a resume it is much simpler to choose one that's offered in Microsoft Word format for you to customize. Resume editing isn't much simpler. Selecting the most suitable format is always important so guarantee that the format you select is associated with the job and reflects your personality and techniques. Why Almost Everything You've Learned About My Perfect Resume Login Is Wrong Therefore, it's far better to adjust your resume to every particular job opening. Writing a resume may be an intimidating, confusing undertaking and there's already enough pressure browsing for a new job without the headache of creating a new resume. 1 final thing Stay positive No one states it's simple to find work. Detecting a job in your region will begin to fill in the information. A digital product which wouldn't call for a substantial amount of my time once set up. You must be quite careful when choosing your job references. Make certain you get the information you're looking for. Keep your referred person updated while you're applying for work. Also unfortunately, there isn't a lot a work seeker can do in order to fight it. All you say and do should reinforce the notion that you're indeed the ideal candidate for the position. You will first have to identify your fantasy job or the qualities of your fantasy role and concentrate on getting the vital abilities and education for the job so you can then apply for your fantasy job and enhance your probability of finally landing it. Now that you have all of the self-promotional tools that you require to obtain work, the very last thing you should work on is yourself. My Perfect Resume Login Explained Creating your resume has never been simpler! Utilizing a resume builder to create an entire and catchy resume is a fantastic way to entice a prospective employer. It's necessary to format your resume so that it has the perfect quantity of whitespace within it. The absolute most hard step here is to determine which resume format is appropriate for you. Plain text is tough to read when printed out. Everybody knows the way to utilize Microsoft Word. Free Resume Templates offers you the ideal solution together with quick fixes to your resumes. They will provide you the raw format of resume.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Fundamentals of Resume Examples for Customer Service Revealed

The Fundamentals of Resume Examples for Customer Service Revealed The Secret to Resume Examples for Customer Service No matter your degree of job knowledge, your resume format is critical to making your application stick out. Regardless of your level of work knowledge, it is vital to making your application stand out. Regardless of your level of job knowledge, it is vital to making your application stand out. Whatever your level of job practical knowledge, it is vital to making your application stick out. The extra skills section is an amazing means to conclude your resume with some applicable skills. As you compile your list, make certain to include a mixture of soft and difficult skills. Special skills would be a section to spell out the sort of skills which has been developed through the years. Relevant skills ought to be backed by further info in the resume. Customer service is a significant portion of every small business. You might find it helpful to practice your customer service abilities. An energetic and quick learner who's committed to excellent customer support. A premium quality sample customer service resume will incorporate numerous suitable key terms and phrases that could include things like phrases like customer satisfaction, customer retention, processes or efficiency, based on the particular job. You have to tailor your resume to the work offer. Salary is also based on the employing business and the kind of work an individual will be doing. If you've lost your job, you must earn a work search program. You want to have that retail job. What should determine your pick of summary or statement is where you're in your career. Remember, the major purpose is to catch the interest of the employer and demonstrate the competency for the job. If you discover you cannot honor a deadline for some reason, get in touch with your customer before the deadline and say so. Our resume builder gives you tips and examples on how best to compose your resume summary. Even if you just happen to neglect to incorporate the education section in the slightest. You have to offer relevant, concise info. In addition, there are certification programs which will help you prove your competence for a Receptionist, and highlighting your self-motivation. The Fundamentals of Resume Examples for Customer Service Revealed If you trained other employees, it indicates you have management ability, and a lot of experience. The skills section also tells what you are able to increase the company for a cashier and not what you've been doing so long. They should be modified slightly to make it applicable for the specific job description. Communication and computer handling skills are also rather important in regards to cashier resume. It's not that each and every team member should have the ability to construct your product from scratch, but rather they need to know the the inner workings of how your product works, just enjoy a customer who uses it every day would. The above is a perfect example of how sample customer service resumes are best structured and the best way to write them for high likelihood of succeeding. Do not await the client to confront you about being late. The reason isn't far-fetched. The perfect way to receive an excellent cashier resume is researching the work description. List up to 10 and choose the ones which you're great at. There's rarely any demand for formal education for the speedy food cashier, but a lot of restaurants do provide fundamental training for the newly employed cashiers. Committed to remain constantly mindful of customer should guarantee a secure and secure shopping atmosphere.