Friday, December 27, 2019

Work-Life Balance With a Workaholic Boss

Work-Life Balance With a Workaholic BossWork-Life Balance With a Workaholic BossYou want to please your manager or the CFO, but it seems there just arent enough hours in the day. Youre afraid your workaholic boss and your never-ending workday will destroy your chances for work-life balance.Its an ideal situation when you find a supervisor who is a good fit with your personality. But having a positive relationship with management doesnt necessarily mean you have to embody all the same traits. On the contrary, some bosses possess characteristics best avoided. One example is the tendency to work long and arduous hours, even when working smart is the better alternative.Workaholic bosses are complicated, because it seems like a good thing that theyre giving 100 percent all of the time. But it can also be detrimental to the office environment, the quality of work being done and the work-life balance of employees when they expect the same of you.If you find yourself in a job wrought with wo rkaholism, follow these four tips to remain a productive and effective employee1. Talk to your boss about work-life balanceWhile supervisors may think a 60-hour workweek is the best thing for them, it might be the absolute worst thing for you. There are plenty of tactful ways to explain this to even the fruchtwein work-addicted managers. Let them know youre more effective when you can get out of the office at a reasonable hour. Maybe you simply cant focus on work if you know you need to be home at a certain time to feed your kids, walk the dog or get to your spin class. If youre good at what you do, your boss will acknowledge that and will respect your approach.2. Give yourself a break (or two)Dont wait for your manager to let you get up for a brief break every hour or so. If your boss is a workaholic, chances are that he or she isnt taking many breaks. However, that doesnt mean you should chain yourself to your desk as well. Stretch your limbs and get re-energized with a snack or a cup of tea. Stop to have a quick chat with a colleague, and you may find it gives you fresh perspective on an important project. If you give yourself mental and physical breaks throughout the day, youll be better able to focus on the tasks at hand.3. Know the value of time offTime off doesnt always have to mean two weeks on a tropical island. But chances are youve earned some vacation days, so ensure that you maintain a healthy work-life balance by requesting some time off. Even if you only take a day or two for a quick getaway, a break can leave you refreshed, recharged and more productive at work. If your boss doesnt take vacation time, dont follow his or her lead. Youve earned those days and its your right to take them.Stop to read How to Take Time Off and Unplug to Recharge Your Career.4. Honor your time out of the officeIt might be impossible for you to disconnect from your job completely, but you should protect your free time - especially if your workaholic boss tends to blu r work-home boundaries. Never set a precedent that youre available 24/7. If you can, shut your phone off after a certain hour at night. The 9-to-5 workday might be outmoded, but that doesnt mean you have to be the first person in and the belastung to leave. At the end of the day, its all about achieving productivity while maintaining a positive work-life balance.Next time youre in the job market, be sure to read this Work-Life Balance Can I Ask About It in a Job Interview? Subscribe to our newsletterWhen you subscribe to the Robert Half newsletter, youll get articles and resources to help you build a successful career in accounting and finance - all sent directly to your inbox. Click the button below to sign up todaySUBSCRIBE NOW

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Cover Letter For Unadvertised Job

Cover Letter For Unadvertised JobCover Letter For Unadvertised JobIf you have a company you want to work for, do take some time to apply for it even if they are elend currently hiring. Writing a cover letter for an unadvertised job actually gets you noticed. The hiring managers wont have to read hundreds of letters and you can easily make a memorable impression.Also, not all companies advertise job openings. Still, they may consider hiring you if you meet the requirements for their company. So, do not hesitate to submit a cover letter and resume for an unadvertised job.Generate my cover letterTry our free cover letter generator for freeWhen You Know The Company Has An OpeningIn some cases, the company may have a job opening but is not advertising it. If you get to know of it somehow, then do apply for the position with a conservative cover letter approach. Include all the relevant qualifications for the job position.When You Dont Know If The Company Is HiringIn this type of a situati on, when you do not know if the company is hiring or not, you need to mention why and how you are helpful to the company. You need to give a strong impression of yours.As for the beginning of the letter, if you know someone in the organisation, mention that. Even if the company isnt hiring, you can start the letter with mentioning your contacts. It provides a reason why you are applying for the job.Be specific about how you can be useful to the company, how your relevant skills and experiences can help the company reach their goals.Generate my cover letter

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Use Your Morning Commute to Get Energized for the Day

Use Your Morning Commute to Get Energized for the DayUse Your Morning Commute to Get Energized for the DayHow to Use Your Morning Commute to Get Energized for the WorkdayTake advantage of your morning commute.For many of us, as soon as the morning alarm goes off, our thoughts turn to work and our upcoming commute. Whether youre getting in a car or climbing aboard a bus, a rigid daily routine like this can often lead to your arriving at work in a daze, not really knowing how you got there.While you cant eliminate your morning commute (aside from moving next to your workplace), you can put that time to good use. Let your morning commute energize and motivate you to tackle the day to come. These tips will help you transform from a sluggish-before-10 a.m. sleepwalker into a morning go-getter whos ready to seize the day1. Check in with colleaguesTo really get into the business frame of mind from the very abflug of the day, consider making some calls while on your way to work. This might n ot work with every type of commute, but if you have a quiet walk or drive to your workplace, it might be worth touching cousine with your team just before you get in.If your commute doesnt require your full attention (e.g. riding the bus or subway), use the time to begin sorting through your inbox on your smartphone. Even if you dont get through every email, you will at least have some advance notice of what the day has in store.The benefits of these things are twofold. For one, you will feel more on-the-ball when you walk in the door. On top of that, having your business head on early in the morning will help you shake off your mundane commute and put the time to good use.2. Get activeExercising in the morning gets your endorphins flowing, giving your mindset a welcome breakfast boost. Combining your commute with exercise can help you optimize the time you spend journeying to and from work, and there are plenty of options out there.You could cycle, walk, run (or even swim to work i f youre Munich commuter Benjamin David) the benefits are all similar. Just make sure youre well-prepared by utilizing an on-site shower and packing a change of clothes. Taking an active approach to your commute is also proven to help you lose weight and reduce stress, and it will even help you gain a new perspective on your home city. Sounds like an invigorating start to your day of work.Related12 Things Successful People Do Each Morning3. Supercharge your breakfastIts true that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if youre a charge-out-the-door type, you might tend to overlook this essential meal. As the first meal of your working day, breakfast gives you the vitamins and nutrients you need to take you through a long or tricky morning.Taking extra time the night before to pack some on-the-go breakfast foods will help you start your day off right without having to spend your precious morning minutes in the kitchen. Superfoods such as blueberries and chia seeds, for example, offer numerous nutritional benefits, from the blueberries potassium and Vitamin C to the chia seeds high antioxidant quotient. Of course, your tastes will dictate what you like in the morning, but since youre already taking this proactive breakfast step, you may as well try to keep it healthy.4. Exercise your mindYou can use your commute to energize your body, but what about your mind? After all, sharpening yourself up for the workday can be done without having to jump into your inbox or onto a bike. Giving your brain a quick workout in the morning has become popular, with many people lauding the benefits of logic puzzles when worked into their daily routine.Smartphones allow you to take this brain training on the go, and your morning commute is a great opportunity to get to work. There are plenty of programs out there that will help you hone your cognitive skills for the day ahead. Lumosity offers a bevy of fun and challenging brain-twisting games, while similar apps Peak and Elevate offer their own exciting takes on the genre.Ultimately, your morning commute can be whatever you want it to be. Of course you can continue to sleep through it, but why not take advantage of this travel time to help you start off your day with energy and mindfulness? Whether its a relaxing time to slowly prepare yourself for the days work, or a workout to get the endorphins pumping, just make sure you adopt a fresh attitude to your mornings journey and youll be surprised by the benefitsThis article was written by Alex Jones, the features writer for Start Fitness, providers of running, cycling, gym, football, and outdoor products.Click on the following link for more career advice.Put some energy into your resume. Submit today for a free, objective resume critique.Recommended ReadingHow to Stay Motivated at WorkProductivity Tips That Really Work9 Things to Do on Your Day Off to Really Recharge

Thursday, December 12, 2019

What to Know About Paying Your Music Producer

What to Know About Paying Your Music ProducerWhat to Know About Paying Your Music ProducerHaving the right music producer can have a huge impact on an bewegungsknstlers album, and it can make a big impact on your budget as well. Most producers want to help make your songs the best they can be, but a bad deal with a producer can haunt you for a long time. The best way to prevent a nightmarish scenario is to understand how producers are compensated for their work so you can accurately evaluate the deal thats on the table. Get a handle on what advances, royalties, and recording fees all mean. What Record Producers Do The first step in the production process is listening to the artists material and picking the best songs. A producer is looking for both commercial tracks- the elusive hit song- and album tracks. The artist and producer will go through the songs and hammer out arrangement ideas. Theyll look for areas where instrument parts are clashing, and for ways to make a song mora memorable or catchy. Each track is an instrument- theres a track for a vocal, and there are others for guitar, bass, or kick drum. Overdubs are added, usually vocal tracks or guitars. The next step is mixing- adjusting volumes and effects on each track and producing a stereo mix. This mix is then taken to the mastering house, where its sweetened so its less harsh. Compression is added to glue the mix together. How Do Music Producers Get Paid? Music producers contract terms can vary considerably. Everything from the genre of the music to the bargaining power of the producer determines what kind of money they can demand. There are some generalities, however. Producers have two main streams of income advances and royalties. Advances A producer whos new to the business might receive no advance at all and work solely for the purpose of building a portfolio. Other producers get a per-song fee, based on their experience and success, the artists level of success, and the number of s ongs to be recorded. The fee also can be influenced by whether the label is local or national, independent, or a major record company. Some producersforgo advances and charge an artist a flat fee. This is a good way for new producers and new artists to work together in acost-efficient way that helps both their careers. Recording Fees The advance might include the actual recording cost when producers own their own studios. This is sometimes called a fund deal. Its up to the producer to make it clear in the contract what percentage of the funds go to the advance and how much is considered a recording fee. Recording fees arent generally recoupable against producer royalties, but advances should be recoupable or subtracted from royalties ultimately paid to the producer, just as the name suggests. Its advance money that will technically be earned later. Royalties Many producers receive a percentage of an artists royalties earned on an album. unterstellung percentages are also cal led points. One point equals 1%. Traditionally, the royalty is based on how the artist was paid, which is typically a percentage of the records sales price multiplied by the number of CDs or downloads sold. The record royalty to the artist is around 15% to 16% of the sales price of the audio product. The record royalty for a music producer is usually between 3% and 4% of the records sales price, or 20% to 25% of the artists royalties. Determining Sales Price The sales price used to calculate royalties can take one of two forms the suggested retail list price (SRLP) or the published price to dealers (PPD). PPD is based on what distributors charge to dealers. Its effectively the wholesale price- which, of course, is less than retail. SRLP is based more on what the record store or website charges to the consumer. Record One Royalties Producers are typically paid record one royalties. Theyre paid for every album sold, unlike artists who only receive royalties after recording cos ts have been recouped. Most producer contracts specify retroactive to record one clauses to make that clearer. The artist doesnt owe the producer any royalties until they or their label recoups their recording costs. The producer is owed royalties on everything sold going back to that first record, however, after the costs are recouped. The Bottom Line Never sign a deal you dont understand, and dont shy away from negotiating or getting a lawyer to negotiate a deal for you. Move on to another producer if you cant come to an agreement on advances, fees, and royalties.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Top Federal Resume Choices

Top Federal Resume Choices You have to organize your resume to aid agencies evaluate your experience. Resumes are written depending on the physical fitness evaluations. Now, employers understand very well that it is difficult to continue the job with numerous employers with no gap. They today often use software programs to search for keywords specific to the position. The vacancy announcement is a good place to source the info you will need to customize your federal resume in truth, its required While the info necessary for a resume for federal job opportunities may appear to be long and detailed, its vital that you make sure you quickly get to the point. You might just be the very best candidate for the position, minus the perfect keywords you might never even get an interview. The aim of the federal resume in the private sector is to find an interview, after which an employer will request mora information. The pricing for federal resume services varies dependent on qui te a few important elements. Click the next link for more info about what to put in your federal resume. You are able to seek the advice of a federal resume writing service to boost your federal resume. Besides the standard contact info, though, a federal resume requires more specific info, like your social security number and your country of citizenship. Now Pick 1 or two or three positions you want to apply for. The resume should also demonstrate the panel members that youre an authority in the essential position. Resumes arent translated in regard to duties and obligations from military terminology into federal job duties. So, your resume needs to be somewhat much perfect. What Everybody Dislikes About Federal Resume and Why Bearing that in mind, there are some tips you may utilize to maximize your likelihood of getting your resume past the first filters. Because every work announcement will require a tailored resume, theres no federal resume writing guide that will sup ply you with surefire outcomes. If youre keen on submitting an application for a federal job, you will need to adhere to a different set or norms and techniques. Writing a federal resume means following federal resume guidelines to ensure hiring managers are ready to come across the precise details they are searching for with only a quick glance. At times, clients come to me wondering why theyre not getting any results from after putting in an application for lots of government jobs. You also need to make sure whatever you declare, it has to be backed up by providing something that is factual. Yes, the procedure is a true beast. The important thing to remember while developing your resume is that you would like it to be simple to comprehend. Character matters as soon as it comes to federal job opportunities. Make certain you select jobs youre qualified for. You also need to mention about the things which youve accomplished in your prior jobs. Speak to us for a completely free consultation if you would like to know more or if you truly feel prepared to start on your high-quality federal job resume. Any extra career documents will also be useful for our career coaches to evaluate the process, cost, and next actions in the federal government resume-writing practice. The margins of the document ought to be no less than one inch. If you truly want to settle down at specific career field path After working for some time, youve come to a realization which you really want to spend the majority of your 8-hour days for one specific career path. Developing a federal resume is a really in depth procedure, and it is extremely crucial that you recognize just how to code or write your USAJobs resume to create a hiring authoritys interest in you. The federal government has opportunities in an assortment of fields. As the amount of applicants for federal jobs keep growing, so do the variety of resume companies appearing to make the most of them. Your academ ic record ought to be placed in your resume in chorological purchase. Rates of Different Famous Resume Writing Services Every individual has right to look at the purchase price and features of services that he want to purchase and then select the best service both regarding cheap price and superior capabilities. Federal Resume Explained Applying for a federal job may appear a bit intimidating, on account of the very long collection of special requirements regarding your application. Applicants need to submit hard copy resumes of as many as five pages in length to an individual, office or address supplied in the work listing. When an applicant is not relevant by the essential closing date, the application will typically be rejected. If you know somebody who worked for the government, the individual would have the capacity to reveal to you the way out. To acquire the appropriate assistance, you can incorporate the Federal Resume pattern. So youre seeking to land your very fir st Federal job and are just going to get started working on your resume. Folks are working to undercut the reduced salaries by securing a Federal job position, which often will come with job security. The Ultimate Federal Resume Trick Among the requirements is a resume in a particular format, called a federal resume. Moreover, federal presentation resume format depends on specific job announcements. It resume format is not something completely different from the other resumes you have seen on the web. One of the absolute most important federal resume tips is that you have to follow along with every detail of the guidelines, including character counts, for each and every section.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Alison Mitchell - Clinical Naturopath

Alison Mitchell - Clinical Naturopath Alison Mitchell NaturopathPosted November 14, 2017, by Jenny Sakr Alison is passionate about helping people reclaim good health and despite being much younger than her friends in the field, has an impressive 10 years of experience. Read about her career journey from candy girl at the local cinema to natural health professional Where are you currently based? I work as a sole trader and rent rooms in two different clinic locations. I am currently based in Health Dimensions in Windsor, and Dural Osteopaths in Dural. I also work as a contract academic at Endeavour College of Natural Health, teaching naturopathy and nutrition. How long have you been a naturopath? I have worked as a Clinical Naturopath for nearly 10 years and a Contract Academic for 1 year. What did you study and what are the steps you took to become a naturopath? I started at UWS studying a Bachelor of Applied Science (Naturopathic Studies), then went on to complete the Postgraduate Diploma (Naturopathy). From this, I applied to two of the major Naturopathic associations - NHAA and ATMS - which provides me with the connections to get insurance to practice, and the ability for my patients to claim consultations on their private health funds. I sent my resume to a few natural health clinics to work there as a naturopath, and Health Dimensions welches my first position. Since then I have worked at other clinics as well and started at Endeavour after my son was born. A few years ago I also trained as an Infant Massage Instructor, where I learnt how to teach parents and caregivers the skills to confidently and safely krpermassage their baby. What did you want to be when you were younger? The list is long of the various job titles I dreamt of when I was very young but the ones that lasted the longest was a vet, a florist, an actress, a casting agent, and then finally a natural health practitioner. When did you first know you wanted to work as a naturopath and what inspired you? Ive always been attracted to the image of the medieval herbalist and healer. As a teenager, I used to massage my mothers shoulders and it seemed I had a knack for it, my friends would ask me for massages too and I liked that I was helping people feel better. When it came time to choose a path after school my parents felt it was important to get a university education, and whilst scouring the university booklets, the description of Naturopathy (which at UWS included massage training) appealed to me a lot because it combined herbal medicine and massage. Explain a typical day at work The days of my work can vary depending on whether I am doing a clinic day, a teaching day or what I call a behind the scenes day. Clinic Day I arrive at clinic and set up my room (tidying if needed, laying out the towels on the massage bed, turning on my laptop, organising my files for the day) and then familiarise myself with the bedrngnises of the patients I am due to see. Then once the first patient arrives, I begin the consultations. For a typical naturopathy consultation, it will involve me talking to them about their health concerns and their progress, performing any relevant examination, discussing test results, and explaining the treatment I am providing to them. In the last section of the consultation, I prepare their remedies. This usually involves a herbal tonic, which I make by combining liquid herbs to make a formula that addresses their health concerns. Making a formula is an act that has taken a lot of practice to become good at, as there is an art and science to making a good one. I will also usually recommend some nutritional supplements or diet/lifestyle modifications. Nutritional education is often done over a few consultations as I have found that small changes are easier for patients to implement than a complete overhaul at once. Throughout the consultation, I have been taking notes, and I finalise the notes while the patient is seeing the recep tionist. For many of my patients, I type up a summary of their instructions along with any resources they will benefit from into a PDF which I email to them afterwards (this often takes some time so it is done that night or during a behind the scenes day). Occasionally I will provide a remedial massage, which is self-explanatory. I have 1 or 2 thirty minute breaks throughout the day where I will have lunch, work on the instruction documents, and reply to emails. I may also makeup repeat herbal formulas for patients, answer phone calls or emails in any spare time I have throughout the day. Behind the Scenes Day In a behind the scenes day, which at the moment is when my baby naps on my days off or has gone to bed I perform various book work tasks, answer emails, research specific topics for patients, or read new research to keep up to date. I try to write articles for my website which helps to market myself as well and attract new patients, record podcasts or videos, or write meal pl ans. A requirement to continue practising is staying up to date with CPE points, which also requires me to attend seminars and workshops - this may be done on a weekend or evening and would occur about once a month. Some of these are webinars which I will fit into my spare time too. Whats the most interesting thing thats happened to you in your career? I am always learning about fascinating new revelations in the health world, and I am also frequently amazed at some of the stories my patients tell me. I am constantly learning and being challenged, and I find this exceptionally interesting. I would not like to be in a static job. Name the best and worst parts of your job The best part is when a patient tells you of their improvements and their success stories, especially when it is a condition theyve been battling with for a long time and not found answers for - in particular conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome. I also take immense pleasure in receiving the news that a patien t has had a healthy baby, after working with them for fertility. I also like the benefits that come from working for yourself, I can set my own hours, I dont have to wear a uniform and the harder I work the more I succeed. The worst parts would be that some cases are upsetting, and being a sensitive person I have a hard time not taking their emotions on myself. As much as I would like to be able to help everyone this is not always possible, so if a patient does not respond as well as I had hoped I am bothered by this, and often spend a great deal of time trying to work out why else I can do to help them. Working for yourself also has its downsides - if I dont see patients I dont earn any money, I dont get sick pay, holiday pay, maternity leave and I have to pay my own superannuation, the number patient bookings can fluctuate depending on the time of year or if someone cancels at the last minute or does not turn up I lose money as well. At some times there may also be a lot more beh ind the scenes work to do, and I am the only one who can do this I will have to work longer to do this. Whats the most important career tip someone has given you? When I first graduated I looked very young, and I was also the youngest in my class - many people choose to become naturopaths later in life after dealing with their own health issues successfully through naturopathy. When I got into practice I was very self-conscious of people judging me based on my age, especially because the mature age students were often assumed to have already had years of experience. I tried to counter this by acting what I thought was very professional and clinical. When a year or so had gone by, someone said that I was coming across as cold and that I should just be myself (which is usually warm and friendly) so I dropped the mask and ever since my clinic blossomed. While some people still made comments about my age, the warmth and care that I let show was what became one of my strengths. What do y ou wish someone had told you before starting in this industry? Find an area to focus on and make it your niche. And remember, you cant help everyone and dont try to push your help onto people until they ask you for it. Where do people have to start to get into this field and what is a standard salary for this role? At present there are no regulations on becoming a naturopath, however to become insured and accredited most associations are now accepting a minimum of a Bachelor degree in Naturopathy. People may wish to start by working in a health food shop to gain an insight into the industry whilst starting their studies. In the field of natural medicine, there are extremely varying salaries. As many clinicians work for themselves the income can range from a few hundred dollars a fortnight if they see only a few clients, to a few thousand a week for the clinicians in the busy, well-off areas. It is also possible to work as a brand rep, a researcher, a technical support advisor in a product company, a writer, a teacher, or to work in a retail environment. Name a career highlight Once every couple of years a large conference is held where speakers from all over the world gather to share their wisdom. I love attending these conferences, and basking in the wisdom of the speakers and getting to socialise with my naturopath friends. Whats next for you? I plan to continue as I have been with my clinic work and teaching, but I am slowly working on ebooks and programs that I would like to have for sale on my website. Tell us about life outside of work.. While I dont get much time for it anymore, I am moderately skilled at drawing, knitting and crocheting. I love cooking and eating, and in my spare time I also enjoy gardening and playing video games. Check out some of Alisons work and connect with her on Webhttp//www.naturopathnsw.com.au/ Facebookhttps//www.facebook.com/Alison.Mitchell.Naturopath LinkedInhttps//www.linkedin.com/in/alison-mitchell Articleshttp//www.natu ropathnsw.com.au/media Think youve found your calling? Get the right skills to make your career dreams come true when you enquire about a course in Naturopathy.Naturopathy ResourcesNaturopath sample cover letterNaturopath sample resumeInterested in becoming a?Holistic wohlbefinden CoachNaturopathIridologistHomeopathWestern Herbal Medicine PractitionerPopular Career Searchesgovernment funded natural therapy courses onlinegov funded massage courses qldiridology courses australiaaromatherapy courses sydneygovernment funded natural therapy courses melbourneNaturopathy CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire Online Jenny SakrJenny found her way with words while interning during uni, since, shes produced articles on it all from hair and beauty to homewares, travel, career advice a nd study tips. On a weekend youre most likely to find her lining up for a table at the latest cafe or restaurant.Related ArticlesBrowse moreBeauty TherapyMassageHealing handsFor anyone who enjoys interacting with people and who loves hands-on, physical work, working as a massage therapist can be an ideal and flexible career choice.Natural TherapyNaturopathyNatural Medicine WeekAnyone interested in natural medicine and the important role natural medicine practitioners play should get involved in this years Natural Medicine Week, kicking off May 21.MassageNatural TherapyNatural Therapies Careers The Path To WellbeingWellbeing. Worklife balance. Holistic health. These arent just buzzwords anymore but are now the mantras for many people, from corporate high flyers to students, mums and natural therapists.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Study Binge drinking at happy hour can affect sleep and work

Study Binge drinking at happy hour can affect sleep and workStudy Binge drinking at happy hour can affect sleep and workThink happy hours help you unwind after work? Think again. A new study shows how a single binge drinking episode affects the gene that regulates sleep.According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Previous one in six U.S. adults binge drinks at least four times a month. This statistic may include those Friday happy hours youre enjoying with coworkers.Now, new findings from the University of Missouri School of Medicine explain how even a single episode of binge drinking can affect the gene that regulates sleep, leading to sleep disruption in mice. The studys primary author is Mahesh M. Thakkar, Ph.D., Professor, and Director of Research, Dept. of Neurology, University of Missouri School of Medicine.Thakkar isnt saying not to socialize with coworkers but says remain aware of how many drinks youre having.Limit yourself and practice moderation, Thakkar says. u r research suggests that a single episode of binge drinking (five drinks) affects sleep. Thus, moderation or drinking two drinks may have minimal effects on sleep. Also refraining from drinking alcohol on consecutive days will prevent alcohol tolerance development.Binge-drinking can lead to sleep disturbancesTo prove the research, a mouse model was used, and Thakkar monitored the effect of binge drinking on sleep patterns. Thakkar found mice exposed to binge drinking experienced a significant increase in non-rapid eye movement sleep four hours post-binge, followed by increased wakefulness and reduced sleep during subsequent sleep periods. Thakkar also discovered post-binge mice did not experience an increase in a sleep-promoting chemical, adenosine, in the brain nor increased sleep pressure during sleep deprivation. The research also revealed binge alcohol consumption affects the gene that regulates sleep, resulting in sleep disturbances.What we have shown in this research is that a particular gene - which is very important for sleep homeostasis - is altered by just one session of binge drinking, Thakkar said. We were not expecting this. We thought it would be affected after multiple sessions of binge drinking, not one. That tells you that as soon as you consume four drinks, it can alter your genes.In addition to sleep disturbances, Thakker discussed the after-effects of binge drinking.Thakker says binge drinking profoundly impacts job performance. Imagine going to work feeling very sleepy because you did not have good night sleep, adds Thakker. Thinking, decision making even things like driving become difficult.So, the next time theres a work outing with alcohol, limit drinks to two and call it a night.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Recession-Proof Your Career

Recession-Proof Your CareerRecession-Proof Your CareerA road map to resilienceOnce upon a time in the world of work, professionals at all levels could expect to not only keep their position, but move up the ladder based on their dedicated service and eventually retire from the same employer with a good pension. Those days are history. And in fact today quite a different scenario shakes the lives of professionals in all organizational ranks.How do you manage and recession-proof your talents within a global economy wherbeibeie constant technological and (thus) organizational change are commonplace? How do you sustain your career in a work world where theres no job security?Lets take a look at two different approaches to career management that illustrate the answers pretty neatly.Keith was a director at a telecom company who was blindsided when his position was eliminated. Hed noticed that his division wasnt performing as well as in prior years, but concluded the situation was beyond hi s control and adopted a wait and see stance. Keith didnt update his skills - nor did he study for certifications in his field. He also didnt have a clue about other industries where his skills could be applied. When he was laid off, Keith didnt know where to begin.Mary Anne, in sharp contrast to her colleague, continually remained one step ahead of the curve throughout her career. Not only did she heed the early warning signs in the division and study global industry trends, but she actively diversified her personal career portfolio. She continually expanded her skills sets, achieved professional designations, became a recognized expert in her field and carefully maintained her network. She also clearly identified her marketable skills, maintained up-to-date career marketing tools and became knowledgeable of the other industries to which she could transfer her experience.Consequently, Mary Anne is well-positioned and armed with knowledge of her internal and external options, as wel l as tools to launch her search in advance of job loss. Her re-employment efforts were more focused, efficient and successful. Would you rather be looking for work with 15,000 others from your industry or three months in advance?Unfortunately Keith didnt fare so well.In todays ever-changing geschftlicher umgang climate, managing your work life requires vigilance. The basis of successful career management is the process of dealing with continuous change. Nothing can equip you better to manage change than adopting the strategy of exhaustive situational assessment - understanding and awareness of your total environment. Just as its an integral part of every pilots training, you can incorporate this basic principle into your own career management to optimize your career resilience.Think of your career as a business and of yourself as the owner of that small business. Your career, in essence, is the product. Similar to any entrepreneur, you wear a number of hats that range from research and development to marketing and senior management.For example, as RD manager, you diversify your product offerings, develop new or improved versions of your products and identify new applications and uses. As product manager, you need to understand how your product measures up to the competition, what its features and benefits include and how to price it effectively. As marketing director, you must be constantly alert to industry trends within your industry and across others you also need to understand customer needs and market changes over time. As sales manager, you create visibility for your product, introduce it to the marketplace, identify potential buyers and close the deal with customers. Finally, as CEO of your business, youre accountable for overall product quality and effectiveness.Just as any organization needs a business plan, so does your career. It remains in your control to develop a business plan and strategy for effective career management, to articulate your guid ing mission and values and to define your product identity. Through this combination of roles, you build a career that will satisfy and better position you in the marketplace.At the heart of your planning should be the knowledge you acquire of internal trends (your department, division or business unit) and company and external trends (your industry, related industries, and others). Become and remain informed about emerging trends and technology advances both within and outside of your company through research, courses, seminars, professional/industry associations, business publications and other sources.Equally important is to engage in activities that boost your visibility and credibility in your profession - those pursuits that aid you in becoming a known entity in your field or industry. What are some of the avenues that will help you build professional status? They includeIdentifying your talents, expertise and interests as the basis for designing and executing your career vis ion.Developing a strategy and game plan to turn your career vision into a reality, complete with a plan B in the event of unforeseen circumstances.Maintaining a leadership role on committees, special initiatives or as a board member on professional, civic or community organizations that allow you to meet other movers and shakers.Achieving recognition in your area of expertise through speaking engagements at professional meetings, conferences, seminars and other venues attended by those in your industry.Authoring articles or books on business topics and being interviewed by the media in industry publications that are read by recruiters, hiring managers and other executives in your field.Actively developing, expanding and maintaining business relationships and other contacts - keeping in touch periodically.A proactive approach to planning, directing and managing your professional life - in terms of a new position, occupational direction or industry change - is how to recession-proo f your career and avoid being caught unexpectedly in the tides of change without a lifeline.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Law Schools May Be Getting a Trump Bump

Law Schools May Be Getting a Trump BumpLaw Schools May Be Getting a Trump BumpTrump bump. Its fun to say. Its fun to type. Thats probably why people have been using the phrase to describe everything from the bullish markets to the inclusion of one of Trumps lawyers firms in Vaults latest Top 100. But it seems that the decade-long slump in law school admissions may be coming to an end thanks to a Trump bump. (And no, its notlage just because Tiffany Trump just started classes at Georgetown Law).According to LSAC, the organization that administers the LSAT, mora than 27,000 people took the entrance exam in June, a nearly 20% increase from June 2016. Its the largest year-over-year increase since the 1980s and the largest total number of takers since 2010, in the depths of the recession. While there are a number of factors that may help explain this large increase (a slight shift in the testing calendar, the removal of a cap on exam attempts), the bump is especially impressive in light o f several law schools indicating that theyll now accept GRE scores in place of LSAT scores. Which led many to speculate that the increase in LSAT takers may be related the new presidential administration. LSAC president Kelleye Testy said last month, I think people are starting to understand again the necessity for the rule of law. Our current political climate has demonstrated that.And while several media outlets were asking if this was a Trump bump, one LSAT prep company decided to find out. Blueprint LSAT Preparation surveyed more than 500 of their 2017 LSAT students and asked them, Why do you want to become a lawyer? Of six possible choices, 24% of respondents ranked the current political climate/ Trump administration as the most important factor in their decision. And in response to a separate question, more than 52% of respondents said the Trump presidency was at least moderately influential to their decision to apply to law school. The survey also found that recent events suc h as the Charlottesville protests were at least moderately influential to the decision of what type of law to study to more than 52% of respondents.So it looks like the big spike in LSAT takers may be stemming from the fabled Trump bump. Fortunately, law schools seem to be responding, with professors retooling their con law syllabi to address Trump-specific issues.You can view the full survey results here.Follow me on TwitterVaultLawand follow Vault on InstagramVaultCareersandFacebook