Use Your Network to Make a Career Change

Use Your Network to Make a Career ChangeUse Your Network to Make a Career ChangeOne of the wonderful advantages that flexible work offers is the chance to try something new- a toe-touch onto a different career path that can offer rewards that your current career may not. It can also help you make a career change.If youve worked for years in one career field, are feeling burned out, bored, or just ready to move on, you already have a powerful tool at your disposal your network.Using the contacts youve accumulated in your career can be a smart way to try on a new career for size, to use your current skill set in a new field, or to transition to a second, part-time job. Flexible work can be especially useful for mid-career people who may have hit a wall in their current job, or who have put aside the work that they truly want to do, simply to earn a paycheck by slogging away at something they really dont enjoy.Finding ways to work your network can be just the launching pad you need to g et to the next step in your career.Here are five ways to use your network to make a career change1. Spread the word- discreetly.Let select colleagues and friends know youre thinking about making a move, and what kind of career youre thinking of trying, if you know. Never underestimate who your contacts might know who can led you a hand, offer advice, or steer you in the right direction.2. Ask for references (including from unlikely sources).It may be awkward, to say the least, to ask your current boss to recommend you for another job. Instead, think about asking people who are more in tune with what you want to do next.3. Consider lower-paying or volunteer opportunities.Unless youre lucky enough to find your dream-come-true second-career job right off the bat, offering your skills and services pro bono can be a useful way to experiment with a new career and build new contacts while youre at it. If youre like most of us and still need a paycheck, keeping your day job and squeezing i n volunteer work on weekends or in your spare time can help you begin working toward something new.4. Dream big.Nows the time to find your spark Have you done community work that you really enjoyed? Coached a youth league team? Volunteered at an arts festival? Worked with a church group? Think about the activities youve engaged in, or wanted to, and point your job-seeking efforts in that direction. Your non-work experience may not seem like much to you, but it could be just the thing that your next employer is seeking5. Hang out with the right crowd.Go to job fairs, find support groups, research verbunden resources, or take a course with like-minded people in the field into which youre transitioning. Youll likely find new friends, new inspiration, and new ideas that can help you make a career change.Heres how to network when you dont know anyoneReaders, how do you use your network to make a career change? Tell us in the comments below

4 Times You Should Ask Why at Work - The Muse

4 Times You Should Ask Why at Work - The Muse4 Times You Should Ask Why at WorkAs a kid, you probably werent afraid to express a little curiosity- specifically, by responding to every buchung from your parents (Clean your room) with a simple, yet, in your young mind, compelling, Why?While most parents probably dont blink an eye at that retort, when your boss issues an order (I need that PowerPoint ready by 3 PM), Why? is probably not the most appropriate response. In a professional setting, asking Why? can seem disrespectful and combative- and if you want to succeed in your position and move up in the company, thats probably not the attitude you want to exude. Used appropriately, however, that one word can make a difference in your productivity, happiness, and career advancement- particularly in these four situations. 1. You Dont Agree With the Way Youre Supposed to Do SomethingCompanies love processes. They document voreingestellt operating procedures, best practices, and step-by-st ep instructions for everything from making a sales call to brewing coffee in the break room. While established processes can be helpful, you may have ideas to do things in a different, more efficient way- and asking Why? can be the perfect way to initiate a dialogue about changing up the old standards. For instance, to finalize a report, the current process may require you to get approval from a number of managers across several departments- who dont actually have anything to do with the report. In your mind, there must be a more efficient way to get that item checked off your to-do list. Asking your boss, Why do we do things this way? will either reveal why those approvals are necessary or urge your manager to reevaluate the process (and give you and your idea a chance to shine).2. Youre Asked to Do Something Outside of Your Job DescriptionIn some roles, no responsibility is off limits- especially when it comes to startups. You may be writing code one day, then organizing the suppl y room the next. In many cases, its important to pitch in where youre needed without complaint. But there is a line. For example, maybe your boss asks you to make a number of calls to help organize a personal party shes hosting. Or, even though you were hired as a sales representative, your manager constantly asks you to take customer support calls, which hinders your ability to connect with your prospects.To make sure you can continue to fulfill your core responsibilities and grow within your role, you may need to respectfully approach your manager with a thoughtful Why? You could say, for example, Im not sure this aligns with my role- can you help me understand why Ive been assigned this task? With that question, you can open up a conversation to more clearly define your role and responsibilities. 3. You Get Feedback You Dont Agree WithThere are few things more disheartening than turning in an assignment youre extremely proud of or scheduling a performance review after what you th ought was a stellar year- only to hear feedback thats completely out of line with your expectations. Instead of praise, youre told your assignment needs multiple revisions. Rather than giving you a raise, your manager suggests that you should completely revamp your management style to be more effective. If that feedback doesnt match up with your expectations, now is the perfect time to dig deeper and ask for details. For example, you could point to a specific portion of your assignment that was marked with edits and ask your manager, Why did you made this change? Or, in response to a suggested change in your management style, you could say, Can you explain why you think this is a better approach?Its only when you truly understand that feedback that you can make the necessary changes. 4. You Didnt Get Something You WantedMaybe you made a strong case to your boss for a raise, voiced your interest in a promotion to a manager role, or interviewed at your absolute dream company- but you didnt make the cut. The embarrassment of that defeat can be enough to make your turn your head and pretend it all didnt happen- youll just try again next year. But vowing to simply do better leaves you with no tangible goals. Instead, the simple question Why? can help you can gain insight into what you need to do differently to achieve that goal. For example, maybe you ask your boss, Can you tell me why Aaron was chosen for the promotion? You might discover that while youve been a high-performing team member, Aaron spent the last year getting certified as a project manager and volunteering for cross-departmental projects, and used those achievements to position himself as the ideal candidate.Now, you have insight into exactly why you werent chosen- and what you can do differently to boost your chances next time. Asking Why? doesnt have to be rude or disruptive. Phrased respectfully, the simple question can help you do your job better, be more productive, and boost your career succes s.Photo of conversation courtesy of Shutterstock.

3D Printing Creates Electronic Fabric

3D Printing Creates Electronic Fabric 3D Printing Creates Electronic Fabric 3D Printing Creates Electronic FabricEngineers at the University of Minnesota have developed a one-of-a-kind printer that produces a tiny swatch of what they call stretchable electronic fabric. The fabrica cube about as big as a peppercornis studded with embedded sensors and may set the stage for robots with a sense of touch or menschenfreundlichs who have enhanced prosthetic printed directly on their fingertips.The research team spent about a year tinkering with materials and fabrication before perfecting their printer, which uses four alternating syringe-like nozzles to squeeze out strands of specialized inks in rows the width of human hairs.The skin consists of a base layer of silicone, top and bottom electrodes made of a conducting ink, and a coil-shaped pressure sensor. A sacrificial layer that holds the top layer in place while it sets eventually washes away.Significantly, the flexible inks are printed and cured at room temperature, eliminating a major obstacle to affixing these tags to the human body. Conventional 3D printing is too hot, and the objects too hard when they set, to be printed directly onto skin.The new sensory devices could give robots the ability to feel their environment. Image University of MinnesotaWe set out to advance the technology of 3D printing, said Michael McAlpine, associate professor of mechanical engineering and leader of the research team. 3D printed objects have limited functionality because they are rigid plastics. What we can do here is print a stretchable electronic device on a curved surface like a finger. We first 3D scan a model finger and conformal print electronics on the surface.Though they have yet to use human skin, McAlpines team has printed a device on the finger of a model human hand. And one of the tactile sensors laminated to a students wrist detected and measured his pulse in real time as he went running.Because of the versatility o f our tools, you can imagine printing many kinds of electronic devices all over the body, McAlpine said. By exploring a diverse palette of soft, nanoscale materials, he envisions printing different types of sensors on skin for, among other purposes, health monitoring, or for soldiers in the field to detect poison gas or explosives.One advantage of the teams innovation is that the manufacturing is built into the process, McAlpine said. Indeed, the 3D printer is a manufacturing tool that can be made portable, he continued, and perhaps be carried around in a backpack, to print electronics on the fly.In the near-term, the team hopes to use the stretchable devices to conform to the geometry of robots used in minimally invasive surgery, giving them a sense of touch. Currently surgeons rely solely on cameras.In the future it would make the surgery more precise to have tactile, or haptic, feedback to these surgical tools, McAlpine said, because right now youre basically just looking into a TV screen. Read the latest issue of the Mechanical Engineering Magazine. For Further DiscussionIndeed, the 3D printer is a manufacturing tool that can be made portable, and perhaps be carried around in a backpack, to print electronics on the fly.Prof. Michael McAlpine, University of Minnesota

How to Negotiate Salary

How to Negotiate Salary How to Negotiate Salary For fruchtwein people, talking about money is, well, just plain awkward. Whether its among friends, family, or coworkers, most of us would rather the topic be avoided completely. There is one time when talking about salary can (and should) be discussed. When youre in the process of accepting a new job, this conversation cannot be brushed under the carpet, as difficult as it may be.Here are some tips weve learned along the way, as well as expert advice from Career Advisor Bob McIntosh, CPRW, on how (and when) to negotiate salary.Whento Negotiate SalaryTiming is everything. Part of the challenge of negotiating salary is knowing when the appropriate time is to do so.Lets start with when its notappropriate to talk salary during the hiring processOn your resumeDuring the initial interview/phone interview (unless asked)After youve accepted the jobThats a lot of times when not to negotiate salary, huh? So, when should you negotiate salary? Onl y when the salary question is asked, most likely during a telephone interview, should a candidate talk salary, McIntosh tells us. Never be the first one to bring it up. Talking about benefits can also be construed as inappropriate.You want the employer to see that youre interested in the job, not just the pay.Knowing Your WorthHow do you really know how much you should be asking for? McIntosh suggests candidates do their research using sites like Salary.com, PayScale, and Glassdoor, but warns that different companies put a different value on positions. The best way to determine what an employer can afford is by talking with someone within the company. This person can provide more insight than a salary calculator, McIntosh says.If you dont personally know someone at the company, check your LinkedIn connections or try making a new connection. You can send a friendly message asking if the range you have in mind is appropriate. While it may be tempting, dont sell yourself short just to get an edge on the competition. Similarly, dont accept the first offer youre given just to avoid looking greedy. In fact, failing to negotiate can actually make you look bad as a candidate.Dont sell yourself short just to get an edgeJOBSCANMcIntosh says, Employers expect job candidates to negotiate salary, so candidates shouldnt worry about appearing greedy. In some cases, employers may be disappointed if candidates dont negotiate, especially if the job calls for negotiating skills.That doesnt mean you should ask for two times the original offer or tens of thousands more than your counterparts, McIntosh explains. You still need to be realistic and respectful of the hiring manager.How to Negotiate SalarySalary negotiation occurs in a number of ways. It might happen face-to-face with a hiring manager in the interview, or it can happen via phone or email. While each scenario has its pros and cons, your ability to negotiate confidently shouldnt vary.When the question of salary finally d oes come up, McIntosh suggests first asking the employer what range they have in mind. Most often, they will tell you. If they dont give a range, thats when you can tell them the range you came up with based on the research you did prior.Its unusual for an employer to offer more than your suggested range, or to even meet you at the top of your range, so be sure youre comfortable with the numbers you give.And remember, if youre uncomfortable with the way the negotiation is going, or if they are offering much less than you believe is appropriate, its always acceptable to ask for some time to think about the offer.

A Deadly Mistake Uncovered on Resume Website and How to Avoid It

A Deadly Mistake Uncovered on Resume Website and How to Avoid It The Dirty Facts About Resume Website Best companies may also affirm you that if you cant locate a work even after a particular period of time, they will rewrite you resume at no cost. So if youre really interested in finding job, then you ought to seek out the help of such on-line firms. Its vital that your on-line portfolio presents both your work and your talent in the very best way possible. Work from home business opportunities give you the suppleness to supervise your time and correct a limit of earning. By comparison, a resume website will just gain from multimedia content. Online resume website schablones are the greatest and impressive approach to reveal your individual data to the skilled companies. 1 Resume is an absolutely free one page web template that includes a smooth jQuery slide between sections of the webpage. Create a Multimedia Timeline of Your Work History Find a site template that will p ermit you to create a page which is long and scrolling, and that lets you put things into various sections, called an index. If youre searching for a more robust option, however, think about using WordPress and a WordPress resume themes. Consider the Resume Dojo HTML resume template if youre searching for a personal site design that has a lot of qualities to display not simply your abilities and education but your hobbies and awards also. Remember though, not all website templates are made equal. Employing an HTML template is a fantastic method to begin and to find an expert site up quickly. Resume Website - the Conspiracy There are several of them available online and theyre made for different purposes. Be as professional as possible even in regards to crafting a web site for your CV. Whether youve got one page portfolio site, or several URLs of your work, your portfolio should remain fresh and updated. A web resume is an excellent location for displaying your portfolio. T he template is an ideal fit for people to create a CV, resume or portfolio site, along with for smaller agencies. Either way, it is going to be termed as an educational site. Even if its your private site, that doesnt mean you need to share every tiny detail about yourself. The Argument About Resume Website Possessing the link right there makes it simple for them to find you and look at your full resume. In order to gain from the thousands of folks browsing your terms each month, your personal user page is a powerful way of promoting yourself, your expertise, and your expert services. You require a website as you will need a house base for yourself. Possessing a personal resume website isnt just a means to display your computer and website building abilities. Another awesome method to bring a tiny novelty to your personal online resume page. Everything you are searching for is already online. The web is a huge place to be. As the amount of people and companies grow, so do es the variety of sites. Also consider methods to make each page feel a little bit more cohesive and stand-alone. Thus, for each and every need, there are basic types of sites which can be made use of. Pascals website includes all of the information regarding his abilities and education together with highlighting some of his very best work. As an example, the about me section might be your experienceand education. By clicking on red language links at the base of a term page, youll be prompted to put in a translation of the term and its definition inside that language. Blue-colored links suggest that the term is already translated into that language. It is possible to add the links of sites, blogs or the URL of the job youve done till now. Employers wish to observe the individual behind the resume. When you have your online resume prepared to go, dont be scared to share it You are going to be paid on an hourly fundament ordinarily. Guarantee that the provider accepts PDF r esumes. Our resume builder will provide you with tips and examples on the best way to compose your resume summary. Its fast and simple to use. Its better to use the appropriate tool for the proper job. The website resume allows a possible employer to view you as a sophisticated candidate whos serious about their career and prepared to take the essential steps to demonstrate their professionalism. Kemies website is the best presentation of her illustration abilities and her personality. A wonderful personal website will reveal your nature and your skills while still keeping up a professional tone.

Details of Experience Grant Writing on Resume

Details of Experience Grant Writing on Resume The 5-Minute Rule for Experience Grant Writing on Resume Many grant writers decide to work in a particular arena or select a specific cause they feel passionately about and thus as a grant writer you might discover yourself working for a selection of employers, from corporate organisations to historical societies and museums. If it still appears doable, you will need to register for as an individual in the event the grants are for yourself or as an organization in the event the grants are for your company. If youre a grant professional youre well aware that grant writers can come to be very protective of their proposals theyve developed. As soon as youve selected the most suitable grant, its time to start your proposal. The Benefits of Experience Grant Writing on Resume In the event the grant application is rejected, youve basically given your services at no cost. List only jobs or volunteer experience youve had that are related t o the grant youre applying for. There are primarily two kinds of grants. There are various types of approaches to receive federal grants. Attending a grant writing workshop can be among the best investments that can be made into learning the full grant writing process. Some even do the job for free merely to familiarize themselves with the procedure and earn exposure in grant research and writing. Youll learn the fundamental elements of grant writing and the way to compile a successful proposal. Applying for a grant is a complex procedure, and more frequently than not, you are going to be facing a good deal of competition. Top Experience Grant Writing on Resume Choices If youve worked as an independent grant writer, list yourself as a freelancer and include the dates that you are freelancing your expert services. Impressive as it might be, proving it is another story. You need to use a chronological resume whenever you have extensive work history thats regarding the job y oure applying for. Experience Grant Writing on Resume - Is it a Scam? Self-employed grant writers face additional challenges, including finding enough work and directing their own small business. The capacity of good managers to delegate various responsibilities to employees gives workers a feeling of worth, teamwork, drive, and the chance to learn new skills as each aim is met. Functional resumes are perfect for men and women who dont have plenty of work experience regarding the job they are applying for. Getting the Best Experience Grant Writing on Resume You dont want all your descriptions to sound the exact same. Functional and conventional resumes arent the only resume types to pick from. On-line classes are a rather common option since they may be accessible. You ought to be able to come across local classes available at community organisations in your region.

The Difference Between a #8216;Job#8217; and a #8216;Passion#8217; Â and How to Find Your Passion

The Difference Between a 8216Job8217 and a 8216Passion8217 and How to Find Your Passion The Difference Between a 8216Job8217 and a 8216Passion8217 and How to Find Your Passion There are three general approaches to work having a job, having a career, and having a passion. I presume that most of us are looking forpassions that can also equate towell-paying careers/jobs.Does finding your passion have to mean finding amillion-dollar job? Not necessarily. Your nightmare job could be another persons passion, and vice versa. Finding your passion isa matter of what you value.For instance, my mother-in-law is the worlds most amazing nurse. She worked hard to become one, and she loves every day of her job. Despite the many downsides (constant re-certifications, the emotional toll it can take when patients dont make it, and the 12-15 hour shifts), nursing is her passion. But for me? Those things would be a nightmare.So, how do you find your own passion? Start by taking these seven elements in to consideration1. Self-AwarenessGet to know yourself. What are the best moments youve experienced at work that really made you love your job? What is it that you value enough to leave your job for? Are you among the 49 percent of employees who feel the need to leave their employers when theyre ready for a aufsteigen?Are you part of the27 percent of employees who would quit a job for a position offering creative freedom?Knowing what you value willprevent you from wasting time onjobs you shouldnt even bother with and point you in the direction of positions you should strive for. If you find it difficult to assess your values, take a career-matching assessment to closely define your personal and professional values. They say you cant manage what you dont measure, and that definitely applies to your career.2. Challenging WorkIf youre stuck performing the same tasks every day, your job will go stale and fast. Giving yourself a challenge every once in a while, on the other hand, can add some much-needed space to your daily grind.Set goals for yourself (or amongyour coworkers, if youre the competitive type)ask to take ontasks in a department youve never worked in (you might find passion in untouched territories) ask your boss if you can start a special project that might give you the gelegenheit to use some of your untappedskills or gather some reading materials on your current position to landsee if theres something you could be doing differently to be a more efficient worker.Whatever it is you need to do to challenge yourself, youll likely be surprised by the results it produces in terms of your passion. If you find yourself hating something you once loved, try conquering something you didnt think you could when you first started the position.3. Environmental VarietyThis element may require some creativity, depending on therestrictions you may face in your role. For example, if your job is pretty stationary, try working on an exercise ball, from the lunch room, o r outdoors if the option is available to you.You dont have to overexert yourselfto bring some feng shui to the workplace. Simply cleaning off your desk and bringing order toyourworkspace could be enough to cleanse your mind.Justhaving a small plant on your desk can boost your productivity by 15 percent.Anything you do to break out of your environmental norms can help freshen your perspective.Maybe finding a new placeto work in will spark innovative thoughts and inspire new ideas. AtRed Branch Media, we change desks every month or so, and it always gets our creative juices flowing.4. A Positive AttitudeIts hard to be optimistic if you allow every obstacle you come across to make you angry. And sure, I could just tell you to become an optimist, but thats hard to do when youre feeling depressed or frustrated at work.Flipping the switch that allows you to reframe these daily hassles as learning experiences is difficult, but adopting a more positive perspective willhave great results. Re member that life is never going to be perfect,and getting upset by setbacks wont change that.Dont dwell on obstacles.Instead, work with them and learn from them. Think rationally, act mindfully, and seechallenging situations for what they arechallenges that give you the opportunity to stretch yourself.5. Providing Yourself With OptionsThe keeping your options open mindset can keep you fromgiving intoanxiety-driven the grass is definitely greener on the other side thinking. Instead of feeling stuck, keep your options open by doingthe followingFrequently update your resume.Keep a list of accumulating accomplishments and achievements.Sign up fora job board newsletter or app that will notify you of new jobs in fields that interest you.Sometimes this emergency kit is all you need to combat the anxiety of feeling stuck at your job.6. Maintaining BalanceJob commitment is attractive to employers, and now that our smartphones and mobile devices allow us to receive emails at all hours of the day, its very easy for us to always be on. Is this okay? Some days, you need to answer that emergency email at 7 PM, but its dangerous and unhealthy to do this on a regular basis.Set parameters for yourself. What circumstances callfor that late-night email response, and which fires can wait for the morning? There are endless benefits ofworking from home, including boosted productivity (reported by 86 percent of those who work from), higher efficiency (30 percent), and lower stress levels (82 percent). All of these factors give us rose-colored glasses that allow us to ignore the cons of workingfrom home.Keep your sanity. Clock your eight hours, take a 30, and respond only to absolute emergencies after hours. Set your parameters and stick to them to maintain that work-life balance everyones all hyped about.7. A Sense of PurposeTwenty-eight percent of workers derive their sense of purpose from work, so youd best make it count. Think about your companys mission. Most of the time, its to help others do somethingeasier, faster, more efficiently, etc. What do you love about that mission? If you dont love your companys bottom line, you might need to start job hunting. In the past, we have had a lot of skilled, smart, talented people on staff at Red Branch Media who just werentthat into B2B marketing. Thats okayHalf of your workplacepassion comes from the company and its values, and the other half comes from you finding your own valuesand leveraging your skills and passions for the companys goals. Find your passion, cater to it, andmake sure you have a job that channels that passion.Maren Hogan is thechief marketing brain atRed Branch Media.

7 simple passive income ideas for busy people

7 simple passive income ideas for busy people7 simple passive income ideas for busy peopleMaking money while you sleep has a nice ring to it. I mean who wouldnt want to be making some extra money while playing with the kids or while watching a game?The only problem is that most passive income ideas that youll come across are truly not passive at all. Since youre already busy with your everyday life you wont want to pick up a 2nd job that you dont have time for. Most passive income ideas require you to put in a lot of work.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreFor example, a lot of people online tout abfluging a blog as a good source of passive income.The only problem is that blogging is a lot of work. I runThe Finance Twins, a growing personal finance blog, and my brother and I easily spend 50-60 hours a week writing, absatzwirtschaft, and researching for new content. Not exactly pass ive.The truth is that to truly generate passive income youll need to make aninvestment into an astischset that produces passive income for you. Unless you are making money the old-fashioned way (inheriting it), youll need to put in some effort.Starting something from scratch will never be passive from the get-go because the act of starting it will be very time consuming and rigorous. And thats okay if you have the time to devote to it.The good news is that you dont necessarily need a new cash outlay either. If you already have an asset that isnt being fully used then that can serve as your investment. Check out the details below to learn more.Today, lets talk about a few passive income ideas if youreready to investand make your money work for you instead of losing value in a bank account.7 Top Passive Income IdeasPassive real estate investingAcquiring an affiliate marketing websiteRenting your primary home via AirBnb or another platformRenting your carInvest in dividend stocksRun a site with anzeige adsRefer friends to great products you already use1. Passive Real Estate InvestingWhen it comes to passive income, talk to anyone whos a landlord and theyll tell you that passive is the last word theyd ever use to describe having to replace a washing machine after a full day of work.However, there are a ton of companies that give you the ability to invest in commercial and residential real estate projects without having to actually do any of the heavy lifting yourself.One example isDiversyFund. Its a private REIT (real estate investment trust) that allows you to invest in professional real estate projects passively foras little as $500. The thing I love about companies like DiversyFund is that they dont make money unless the investors make money since they invest and manage the projects themselves.When incentives are aligned, you give yourself the best chance to win.2. Acquiring an affiliate marketing websiteI already discussed how starting a website from scratch w as no easy undertaking (unless you know what you are doing and have done it before). So why not find an existing site that is already making money from affiliates and take it over?Affiliate marketing is essentially where you get paid a fee for referring new customers to brands. So for example, if you have a site likeContacts Compareor Kayak.com that compares prices, you can earn a commission for referring customers to existing brands.This type of investment can be truly passive if its already generating revenue with very little hands-on involvement.3. Renting your primary home viaAirbnbor another platformI was recently contacted by a long-time reader who had just received her first passive income check in the mail and she was ecstatic. She was a single mom of two daughters and her youngest had recently gone off to college.She had always dreamed of running a bed and breakfast but never had the time to devote to it. But once she became an empty nester, she realized she had two empty b edrooms she could rent out to guests.After signing up forAirbnband jumping through the hoops she was able to rent out her rooms for $50/night each. In fact, she said shes considering moving out to a smaller space and renting out the entire home since its in an in-demand area of Fort Worth, TX. She said she is making enough money to hire a neighbor to handle the clean-up duties, so its as passive as can be.Not bad4. Renting your carCompanies likeTuroand GetAround are making it easier than ever for you to rent out your car when you arent using it. And lets face it, if you live in an area with Lyft and Uber service, theres a chance you might not even need your own car on a daily basis.Youll want to keep in mind that you renting out your car will mean additional wear on your car so your repair bills might increase, but users have said its well worth it for the passive income checks coming in the mail.If you have a 2nd car sitting around that never gets used or you have begun to bike to work and no longer need the car daily, this might just be the absolute perfect way to finally start generating some passive income.5. Invest in dividend stocksDividends are profits that are paid out to owners of stocks. Some companies pay dividends on a regular schedule, which means it can become a solid source of income.Investors who love dividend stocks will talk about the fact that your investment is not only generating dividend income but potentially also appreciating in value. But its good to remember that the opposite can also happen.Dividend stocks are similar to other stocks in the sense that its usually best to buy and hold for a long time.Some people even rely on dividend checks for their regular expenses, which means they must own a pretty large number of shares If you have some extra cash to invest this is probably something worth looking into.6. Run a site with display adsIf youve spent any amount of time on major sites like ESPN, The Weather Channel, Google, etc., then youve seen lots of advertisements on them. If you dont remember seeing ads, then you either have an awesome ad blocker or youve simply learned to ignore them. NiceAs you can imagine, the reason these sites haveads on displayis that they are being rewarded handsomely in order to do so. The key to generating income in this way is to have a site with a lot of users since there is a strong correlation between the number of eyeballs on your website and the amount of income youll be making. Easy enough to understand.If you have a friend with an old site that they never use it might be worth acquiring it if they have traffic. Adding ads to a site is super simple and you could be earning some passive income pretty quickly.7. Refer friends to great products you already useCompanies likeEbates.comhave existing referral programs that pay out cash for every friend you can refer. If you have a lot of friends or social media followers this can be an extremely easy way to earn money.All you have to do is set up an account usingthis link, go to your account settings and click where it says refer and earn to get a link you can send your friends.To find other programs like this its super simple. Nearly any company that delivers food or other products will usually offer something like this. They are called referral programs so a simple search will make it obvious who offers a similar program.The Bottom LineAs I mentioned before, generating truly passive income requires creativity and some initial work to set things up. Especially if you are already super busy. But if you are able to pull it off, youll be the talk of the town because youll be making money while everyone else is breaking their back.This article first appeared on The Money Mix.

How to Use Jealousy to Your Advantage - The Muse

How to Use Jealousy to Your Advantage - The MuseHow to Use Jealousy to Your Advantage I used to proudly broadcast that I wasnt a jealous person. Im confident, successful, and happy, Id think to myself, while flipping my hair over my shoulder and batting my eyelashes (elend really, but you get it). I have no reason to be envious of anybody But, then I quickly realized I was only lying to myself.No, Im not necessarily jealous in the sense that I cant let my husband leave the house for a few hours without feeling the itch to constantly check in- he can grab a few beers with his buddies without me so much as even noticing at times. But, when it comes to my career success? Well, I become downright covetous.To a certain extent, I think thats natural. Our careers are competitive, so its expected that youll turn a little green with envy each time someone else reaches an achievement youve been working toward yourself.But, while a little bit of jealousy is anticipated, its still not necessaril y productive. On the contrary, really- it can serve as a distraction that only slows you down. That is, unless you learn to harness it to give yourself a much-needed kick in the pants.Sound impossible? I assure you, its not. To prove it, herbeie are three times youre sure to feel jealous in the office, as well as how you can use each one to boost your own motivation and reputation.1. When Someone Else Scores a PromotionYour co-worker was just promoted. And, while its not even a position you were in line for, you cant help but to feel a twinge of jealousy at the very thought of her pay increase and shiny new job title.Sure, you respond to that office-wide email thread with a hearty, Congratulations, Ashley and gladly indulge in a piece of that celebratory cake in the break room. But, on the inside? That green-eyed monster is slowly consuming you.When is it my turn? you ponder to yourself as you pack up that leftover cake and stick it in the fridge, I deserve a step up around here, to o How to Leverage Your JealousyTheres nothing that can inspire an intense bout of envy quite like someone else in your workplace getting promoted. It doesnt matter if you werent up for consideration or the new role isnt even in your department- everyone in your office will suddenly feel slighted.But, rather than wallowing in your own self pity and dreaming of the days youll get your own delicious way to go ice cream cake, youre better off analyzing the situation to determine what steps youll need to take to reach that saatkorn milestone.Was that newly promoted person there for a certain amount of time? Did he go above and beyond what was expected of him- such as frequently volunteering for the companys blood drive? Did he recently reach some major achievement that served as the catalyst for this next step?Yes, youre allowed to feel a little envious. But, once youve taken a moment, set those feelings aside and take a good, hard look at the situation to determine what exactly you need to do to follow in those footsteps. 2. When Your Colleague Receives PraiseYoure in a team meeting when your supervisor openly compliments your co-worker, Rebecca, on a job well done. Kudos to Rebecca for churning out such a top-notch report under such a tight deadline, he says in front of your entire team. But, what do you actually hear? Likely a little something like, Rebecca is the greatest employee this company has ever had, and shes putting the rest of you low-life schmucks to shame around here.Whenever someone else in your office receives recognition- be it praise or an official award- its only natural to feel a little envious of her success. But, theres something better you could be doing with your time and energy. How to Leverage Your JealousyFirst things first, make sure you recognize your co-workers hard work as well. You may be jealous, but you still want to be an encouraging team player.What next? Resist the urge to go head-to-head to this person. That type of passive-ag gressive approach will only breed tension, and likely only make you look a little on the crazy side.Instead, your best course of action is to file this person away as a resource who you can lean on when youre feeling stuck or have specific questions. Obviously, Rebecca knows what it takes to not only get a project done- but get it done well. So, rather than resenting her for that, why not learn from her?Do that and youll instantly turn the tables- a situation that previously existed to eat away at your confidence will now actually help you to continuously improve.3. When Your Co-worker Lands a Big ProjectYour department is responsible for handling a ridiculously daunting project, and your boss is keeping his eyes peeled for one of you to spearhead the entire thing. Youre absolutely sure that youll be the chosen one who earns that coveted spot.So, when your boss announces that Jason will be leading the charge, youre understandably surprised. This project is make or break- how could h e possibly entrust it to Jason? What does he have that you dont have?Weve all been there. Even if you didnt particularly want the assignment (it means extra work, after all), you still feel as if your boss shouldve been knocking at your door just begging you to take it on.But, thats not the way things played out. And, now youre left feeling envious of Jason- the one who apparently proved himself worthy enough of such a large responsibility. How to Leverage Your JealousySo, you werent picked to head up the entire project. Yes, thats a bit of a blow to your ego. But, that doesnt mean you cant still be involved and prove that youre a worthwhile member of the team.If the task is truly that important, Jason is likely going to need (and desperately want) some extra help. So, drop those feelings of resentment, step up to the plate, and offer to take on some additional work.Youll strengthen a relationship with your teammate, get to learn some new things, and prove to your boss and co-worker s that youre willing to go the extra mile. With all of that, youll likely be the one gaining some well-deserved recognition soon. We all feel jealous sometimes- particularly in our careers. But, just because its a natural emotion, that doesnt necessarily make it beneficial.So, the next time you feel envy taking over in the office, remember these three situations and do your best to rise above. In the end, youll be much better off.