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.