11 The Inspiration for the Ten Steps to a Federal Job®

11 The Inspiration for the Ten Steps to a Federal JobPost 9/11 The Inspiration for the Ten Steps to a Federal JobPost 9/11 The Inspiration for the Ten Steps to a Federal JobEven the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.- President Obama Written by Kathryn Troutman, President of The Resume Place, Inc.My 9/11 StoryOn September 11, 2011, I welches in Portland, Oregon in a hotel, with my 81-year-old mother. I welches on my way to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to teach a Federal Resume Writing class the next day. I welches going to drop my mother off at her sisters house in Baker City, Oregon and pick her up on the way back. Early that morning, I was working on my laptop and Mom went downstairs to get coffee for us both. She went to the breakfast area and happened to look at the TV. She saw an airplane fly into the World Trade Center. She exclaimed out loud, Why do they put such awful shows on TV in the morning? Everyone heard her. A kind man stood up and went over to her and said, This isnt a movie, this is real. This just happened in New York City. We are under attack here in the United States. He helped her sit down because of her shock. Then he came back up to the room with Mom. I saw Mom walk in with coffee and bananas and a strange man. I was surprised and he said, Your mom was watching TV when an airplane struck the World Trade Center. There is an attack on America. I almost burst into tears, because I knew he was telling the truth, and that the truth was simply awful. We solemnly packed up to drive to Baker City about 5 hours south of Portland. We listened to the news all the way down about people looking for their loved ones. It was horrifying and shocking and sad.Of course, my flight to Oahu and my federal resume course at Pearl Harbor were cancelled, so I stayed a couple of days and then went back to Portland to try to get a flight out of Oregon to go back t o Maryland. My children were teenagers at that time, and I wanted to get home to them.Post 9/11 Americans Wantedto HelpWhen I went back to work at The Resume Place, Inc. we were flooded with phone calls and emails asking how people could get a federal job with FEMA, CIA, NSA, DHS, CDC, any defense agency where they could contribute to the security of America. People were saying on the phone, I want to get a government job where I can make a difference. I want to help make America safe. What can I do to work for FEMA or CIA? People who were working in auto dealerships, warehouses, banks, Walmart, schools, libraries, in all types of work, wanted to get a federal job to help protect America. Since the federal job search is complex, it was difficult to explain to everyone by phone or by email how to get a federal job.I was invited to teach a class at Montgomery County Works about federal resume writing in January 2002, and for that class I created a curriculum called Ten Steps to a Fede ral Job with an American flag on the cover. There were 35 One-Stop job coaches in the room. I asked them what percentage of their clients were interested in federal jobs. They said, 5%. I was surprised because Montgomery One Stop is one exit away from the DC line and the Nations Capital. They told me later that they didnt coach their clients about federal jobs because they didnt know how to navigate a federal job search themselves. So, that day, I came up with the idea to create a train-the-trainer program for federal resumes and federal job search.Out of the Ashes of 9/11Ten Steps to a Federal Job became a book, course curriculum, workshop,and train-the-trainer program to help U.S. citizens and a few non-U.S. citizens find and land a quality federal job. The main mission of the federal government in 2002 was- and still is to this day- protecting America, supporting our military and defense organizations, and making America safe and a great country. I am proud to be able to help Ame ricans serve America in the U.S. Government with my books, ideas and curriculum for trainers. The book and curriculum have trained thousands of military transition personnel, One-Stop staff, federal human resources staff and Americans in a method to land a federal job. I am dedicated to helping the U.S. Government recruit and retain the best and the brightest for all of the missions of the government, but mostly for our safety against abrollcontainer-transportsystem of terrorism. Thank you again for your service to America U.S. Military, Civil Service Employees, and Government Contractors Kathryn Troutman

The one time Seth Godin got it wrong

The one time Seth Godin got it wrongThe one time Seth Godin got it wrongHow to identify, attract and keep talent via resumes.Last week, serial entrepreneur and marketing wiz Seth Godin announced on his blog that he is looking for talent.In particular, Seth is seeking people who are skilled, passionate and open to making change happen. The reason why he is embarking on this journey is simple he wants to maintain a file of talented individuals, suited for the execution of the many projects Seths involved in.Yet, the way he is searching for talent has some room for improvement. This article will explain why the strategy Seth has employed to unearth human capital can be enhanced.But first, a bit about who Seth Godin is. For those who arent quite sure. Seth helped invent commercial e-mail (thats not spam) as we know it today. Thats right. For every time your favorite newsletter finds its way to your inbox you have Seth to thank. In addition, he pretty much invented educational computer ga mes for children. And he published 18 best-selling books. And founded Yoyodyne. And Squidoo. Impressed? So are we.Seth knows the nooks and crannies of digital marketing. He crafts each one of his blog posts as if it were his last. He also runs the worlds fruchtwein selective MBA program the altMBA. The guy could use an extra pair of hands, okay?We Enhancers couldnt agree more with Seths idea for a treasure hunt. Even when they are not actively hiring, smart companies have to maintain a file of talented potential employees/contributors. Yet, what is the clever way to do this? Is there an optimal way to spot talent? To get to know the candidate as a professional and an individual?These were the questions that were running through the minds of founders Volen, Georgi and Dimitar some three years ago. Helping people showcase their lifes work is s mission. Finding clever and efficient ways to do it is the companys present.Related articlesHow to use volunteer experience to make your resu me stand outA recruiter explains how to make your resume stand outSam landed a job at Spotify with Yet, Seth appears to have missed the revolution. In 2009, he wrote a blog entry titled Why bother having a resume?. In it, Seth argues that remarkable people should refrain from having resumes at all. Well, Seth. We beg to differ.We know that most resumes are boring and ineffective. That they only get 6 seconds of the readers attention and often take the gestalt of a dull, 2-page list of job responsibilities. This is why we exist to breathe life into resumes. We add the extra dose of sparkle and magic dust. How you may ask?First, resumes are crafted to showcase the tangible summary of your work. Start with a verb, measure your accomplishments numerically, detail the skills you acquired on the job, provide a baseline for the measurement of your personal growth. These are just some of the recommendations provided by the automated resume builder. No way to get it wrong.Second, stimul ates you to provide a prognosis of what you will do for your future employer, rather than a mere account of what you have done for your previous one.Third, having an online platform where you can store your resumes enables you to make each one contextual, concise and targeted. We discourage the spray and pray technique.Fourth and most important, enables you to design an authentic personal brand. We trigger introspection. When you sit down to write your resume, you dont usually think of the books, which have influenced your thinking the strengths and talents, which make you a capable professional or how a pie-chart of one day in your life would look like. The resume nudges you to ask yourself the self-examining questions that make a good resume great.The traditional resume is dead, people. Long live the kind. So heres a quest for you, cherished reader. Help us convince Seth of the value behind meaningful, well-thought over resumes. Send him your creation, showing you are neither average nor destined to wither in a corporate behemoth. In the meantime, you can draw some inspiration from the one we created on Seths behalf. Cheeky us.Looking for more inspiration? Check out our resume examples section that got people hired at their dream jobs.Photo of Seth Godin by MIMA Photos under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

This Is How Resilient People Get Through Really Hard Times

This Is How Resilient People Get Through Really Hard TimesThis Is How Resilient People Get Through Really Hard TimesIf someone just read you the riot act, or you had your you-know-what handed to you by a boss or a peer, its human to feel down and want to process your thoughts. Just dont dwell there too long, or you may venture into victim mentality.Recovering emotionally from a challenging work moment doesnt happen with the flip of a switch. But you have to move on at some point to keep your sanity.Here are five ways resilient people manage their emotions and bounce back to their true form.1. They Assess Their SituationResilient people use their emotional intelligence to do an honest self-appraisal of the situation(s) that may still be making them feel uneasy. They process their thoughts carefully and drill down until they get to the root of the matter. Question for you What is it about your situation that makes you feel the way you do? If something unresolved still lingers, nip that problem in the bud right away. If you dont, youll feel perpetually frustrated and angry.2. They Stop the Drama Playing in Their HeadsWhile healthy egos may take a hit in a crisis, resilient minds recover quickly by reframing. What is that, you ask? Think of it as a technique to tell yourself a different story and come up with a different interpretation. This helps snuff out the drama that you may be scripting in your head. So deal with the factual (whats really true) and the here and now. Leave the ghosts of your past in the past.3. They Have Remarkably Healthy BoundariesPerhaps what hit you so hard was due to your lack of setting limits on others. Maybe you were falsely accused of something that couldve been avoided. The most resilient people recover from bad situations by saying no to anyone who interferes with their goals, schedules, and especially their values and beliefs. So remind yourself you dont have to be a yes-person for anyone- it takes too much effort and leaves you fr ustrated. Offer resistance when your beliefs are threatened. Push back firmly but not harshly, and draw clear lines in the sand.4. They Dont Let Guilt Control ThemOnce they clear their side of the fence with honesty and integrity, resilient people dont allow themselves to feel guilty about things that have nothing to do with them. They know theyre not responsible for the actions and drama of others, and they never beat themselves up for something someone else did.5. They Reevaluate Their Professional RelationshipsResilient people are smart enough to reconsider the risks and rewards of their networks, so that it keeps them safe and serves them well. Your best bet to avoid future finger-pointing is to seek out an inner circle of supportive and encouraging colleagues and weed out controlling or needy takers who care only about themselves.More From Inc.8 Habits of the Most Resilient People10 Core Beliefs of Extraordinarily Resilient People3 Ways to Boost Your Personal ResiliencePhoto of stressed man courtesy of Tetra Images/Getty Images.

10 Mindsets That Drive Successful People Toward Their Goals (Over and Over Again)

10 Mindsets That Drive Successful People Toward Their Goals (Over and Over Again)10 Mindsets That Drive Successful People Toward Their Goals (Over and Over Again)Have you ever wondered what drives self-made, ultra-successful people to such incredible heights?Ultra-successful people view life differently from other people, and its reflected in how they live, work, save, invest, and give.Here are 10 ways ultra-successful people view life and behave differently, many of which you can successfully incorporate in your life.1.They Think BigUltra-successful people look at problems and think about big solutions. They dont look for incremental ways to solve minor problems, or shy away from big challenges because they look too difficult, or require too much risk.Venture capitalist Tim Draperhit this point on the head at a recent lunch, where he explained to young entrepreneurs that he invests only in people solving huge problems, because only bigsolutions lead to real change andopportunities.2 . They Bring the Best Talent Around ThemMy friend Katherine ONeill, who runs Jumpstart New Jersey Angels, often says of founders pitching us Do they want to be king or do they want to be successful? A desire to be surrounded by great talent, rather than being king of a sycophantic sandbox, often separates those who truly are successful from those who merely wish to be.3.They Take Huge But Calculated RisksCalculated risk is different from gambling. Its widely reported that ultra-successful people take risks, which is true, but there is a deeper truth These peopleare clear-eyed about assessing the challenges, risks, and benefits, and are willing to take the risk if it is worth it.Steve Jobs is a perfect example. In the late 1990s, it was a huge risk to return to Appleand risk his reputation- again- on the company that had unceremoniously thrown him out and was on the edge of collapse. But Jobs assessed the risks, decided he could turn it around, and dove in headfirst.4.They ExecuteBei ng ultra-successful requires being good at follow through. You cant just have great ideas, or be a great talker. fruchtwein ultra-successful people are capable not only of having good ideas and identifying opportunities, but galvanizing others behind them.5.They ReadGreat minds like to read what other great minds think, and do, and learn from them. The first lesson that one ultra-successful person taught me years ago was Sure, I know what I dont know, but I want to learn as much of it as possible- and there are others who can teach it to me. Ultra-successful people are life-long learners and respect the knowledge others have in their domains and what they can learn. The mantra among most I know is If you know everything, you learn nothing.6.They Negotiate Hard- But SmartThere is an old adage that wealthy people didnt make it by spending it. This is certainly true. Although many ultra-successful people are incredibly philanthropic and generous of time and money, in business they tend to be shrewd negotiators with great attention to detail. Indeed, as they grow more successful, this tendency appears to increase, rather than lessen, despite their reduced need to sweat the details.7.They Have RoutinesMost ultra-successful people have clear, repeatable routines they willvary when necessary but stick to whenever possible. Continually changing routines upsets the body and creates stress, which can in turn reduce rest and complicate decision making.Using routines to increase your comfort level can help increase your success.8.They Focus on Relationships, Not TransactionsUltra-successful people, particularly the most successful entrepreneurs, typically develop a relatively small set of highly valued relationships with people they work with again and again. Once mutual trust is built, it becomes much easier to have repeat success together.Indeed, many of the most successful startup teams have worked together on multiple projects, and went to the saatkorn group of invest ors for each one9.They ClusterUltra-successful people want to be around other people who they feel are similar. Those clusters of individuals then tend to build more meaningful relationships and work together with more frequency and success.10. They CareJust yesterday, I brought a project to an ultra-successful investor who told me, This seems very compelling, but Im not going to do it because I cant bring myself to care. Mercenary reasons rarely ever work. Ultra-successful people know they need to care and have passion to be engaged enough for something to be successful.More From Inc.The 7 Habits of Super Successful People6 Ways to Grow Professionally in 20165 Unconventional Traits All Successful People Have

Admissions Counselor Job Description

Admissions Counselor Job DescriptionAdmissions Counselor Job DescriptionAdmissions Counselor Job DescriptionThis admissions counselor sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements.Admissions Counselor Job ResponsibilitiesRecruits students by developing alumni networks evaluating recruiting techniques and materials interviewing prospective students initiating campaigns to induce students to attend the university.Admissions Counselor Job DutiesDevelops a network of alumni by identifying and training successful alumni willing to help recruit students coordinating the networks activities.Develops a profile of students attracted to the college by conducting research interviewing applicants designing questionnaires for current students analyzing questionnaire results conducting focus groups.Evaluates recruitmen t techniques by determining the effectiveness of each recruitment technique used by admissions discerning the appeal of admissions literature defining the expectations of the college to be instilled in incoming students by the admissions staff.Recruits students by visiting high schools attending college nights visiting community colleges and technological institutions.Welcomes prospective students by processing paperwork interviewing applicants arranging and conducting campus tours conducting follow-up activities such as letter writing and phone-calling campaigns.Maintains recruiting operations by following policies and procedures reporting needed changes.Completes projects by identifying and implementing new technology and resources redesigning systems.Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes implementing changes.Avoids legal challenges by complying with legal requirements.Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities readin g professional publications maintaining personal networks participating in professional organizations.Enhances admissions department and university reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.Admissions Counselor Skills and QualificationsDecision Making, Motivating Others, Persuasion, Listening, Verbal Communication, Emphasizing Excellence, Supports Diversity, Results Driven, Coordination, Quality Focus, Connecting with ChildrenEmployers Post a job in minutes to reach candidates everywhere. Job Seekers Search Admissions Counselor Jobs and apply on now. Learn more aboutthe hiring processVideo How to Conduct an InterviewMake the most of Hiring ToolsMaximize your Job Description Results

Gossip, Lies and Listing Certifications on Resume

Gossip, Lies and Listing Certifications on Resume Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Listing Certifications on Resume The exam requires the firm to cover your costs of registration and the costs to select the exam, along with the should sponsor you for the majority of the exams. If you are at present employed you ought to be certain to ask your company if they can cover the price of your certification. Remember, however, that an on-line course doesnt equal a certification. You might also, naturally, include any certifications in progress together with the anticipated completion date. Just consider it your very first step in convincing employers that youve got the qualifications they require. Likewise, professionals must be conscious that numerous certifications require renewal on a normal basis, so examine what educational or work requirements could possibly be necessary for upkeep. Lawyer conduct with respect to specialty certification is governed by the states. The education section on your resume should also incorporate degrees youre currently pursuing and certificates needed to execute your job. If youve earned additional certifications from a college which are more relevant to the job which you want, consider a chronological format which allows you to highlight your latest training at the cover of the section. The overview of qualifications in your resume should incorporate the next. Whether your resume is already online or still in paper form, its likely to wind up in a database sooner or later and you should make certain it comes up in the most suitable searches. Education is among a couple crucial sections employers search for on resumes. When many certifications do need money (sometimes a great deal of money), in addition, there are many free ones that are meaningful and attest to real wisdom and skills. The more you are able to create interest all around your work experience, the better. For instance, if you take up an on-line training course in say, metaphysics. Read the five tips below to help you whenever you are trying to discover a new job. Today you may believe that listing your preceding role is irrelevant in the event the position youre applying for is more in accord with your current one. Furthermore, any work hunt calls for a terrific deal of time and energy. When you submit an application for work in person, you could be requested to complete a paper application. Perhaps your skill set is entirely different. The Chronicles of Listing Certifications on Resume There are a few professions like finance or healthcare where specific certifications or degrees are important to getting the job. List the certifications which you have earned over the duration of your career. Certification in the health care profession is often provided by particular specialties. Some might have additional secondary certifications that arent really related to the position. Resume certifications may also land a larger pa ycheck. At length, its essential to not incorporate any certifications that you dont possess, that is to say its strongly advised not to lie on a resume Certification is oftentimes used in the professions of software engineering and data technology. Lets say that your latest certification isnt impressive. Along with listing certifications, make certain to incorporate some information on specialized skills and abilities youll be able to bring to a prospective employer that would be of specific price. Its possible to receive a fair idea of accredited on-line certifications on the subsequent link. There are a huge number of sites and books that provide advice on the best way to create the perfect resume. If youre unsure how to parole your skills, or in case you would like examples of objective statements, see some job websites for ideas. The New Angle On Listing Certifications on Resume Just Released Sure, there probably are a number of recruiters and hiring managers around w ho will discover that its funny or charming. Unfortunately, youll need to get used to everyone pestering you to pull reports for them since they dont understand how. Conflicts When youre asking for work at a new company, take a while to consider whether including the membership is helpful for your job prospects. Therefore, their resumes need to be equally so. How to Find Listing Certifications on Resume on the Web Employers normally find a selection of hard abilities, which youll be able to demonstrate by listing your work experience and qualifications. Certification denotes the evaluation and recognition of the skills, wisdom and competence of a practitioner in the area. Certifications are indications that you have certain knowledge and abilities that were verified by means of an authority on the topic or region of expertise.

Your Employer Won#8217;t Always Be Loyal; Learn to Put Your Own Career First

Your Employer Won8217t Always Be Loyal Learn to Put Your Own Career First Today, loyaltyfeels like a lost art. Its often hard to seewhere allegiances lie and who really has your back. Sadly, this isespecially true in the workplace and in our careers.Over the years, Ive noticed an interesting phenomenon. Even when we know things are going badly, many of us want to hang in there for the good of the company. In theory, its good to be committed but, in practice, this level of dedication doesnt always make sense in todays job market.Company layoffs are a fairlycommon way for organizations to save money. Even the best employees are at risk of being cut after years of service. Its an unfortunate fact, but itstrue nonetheless. Pair this state of affairs with the fact that employees are switching jobs much more often than they used to, and you end up with a job market that is entirely different from what it was just 20 years ago.I often encounter hard-working employees about whom Im concerned. These are the kind of people who put in more time than theyre required to. They take work home at night and on the weekends. The may even take business calls on their personal time.These saatkorn hard-working employeesoften choose to stay at their jobs despite the signs that it may be time to go. Perhaps their colleagues were recently let go, or the company has been restructuring a little too often, or the organization is losing money and the executives seemnervous but regardless of all these red flags, the hard workers are committed. They want to stick it out.Many of themfeel they still have stablejobs and why would anyonegive that up?The schwierigkeit is, if there are signs that things might begoing south, chances arethey will eventually go that way. This means the committed worker may welllose their seemingly stable job, no matter how much work theyve put in.The bottom line is this Business is business. Companies know that. Its why they dont hesitate to cut employees when they need to save money. A business is loyal to the businessitself first and foremost not to the individual workers.In the same way, hard-working employees should take care of themselves. They should put their own careers first.Im not talking about jumping ship for no reason, but if you start to feel likethings are wrong, dont ignore that intuition. Listen to yourself.If you dont, you could end up blindsided by unemployment. Being out of worktakes away your options. It forces you to quickly take a job that you may not really like. At times, unemployment can even sparka vicious cycle of moving from bad job to bad job.But all of that could be avoided if you make your own success apriority.Remember, you are the CEO of your own career. In the same way that businesses must protect their futures, you must protect yours.A version of this article originally appeared in theMemphis Daily News.Angela Copeland is a career coach and CEO at her firm,Copeland Coachi ng.

Data breaches are inevitable heres how to protect yourself anyway

Data breaches are inevitable heres how to protect yourself anywayData breaches are inevitable heres how to protect yourself anywayIts tempting to give up on data security altogether, with all the billions of pieces of personal data Social Security numbers, credit cards, home addresses, phone numbers, passwords and much mora breached and stolen in recent years. But thats not realistic nor is the idea of going offline entirely. In any case, huge data-collection corporations vacuum up data about almost every American without their knowledge.As cybersecurity researchers, we offer good news to brighten this bleak picture. There are some simple ways to protect your personal data that can still be effective, though they involve changing how you think about your own information security.The main thing is to assume that you are a target. Though most individual people arent specifically being watched, software that mines massive troves of data enhanced by artificial intelligence can tar get vast numbers of people almost as easily as any one person. Think defensively about how you can protect yourself from an almost inevitable attack, rather than assuming youll avoid harm.Whats most important now?That said, its unproductive and frustrating to think you must pay attention to every possible avenue of attack. Simplify your approach by focusing on what information you most want to protect.Covering the obvious, keep your software up-to-date. Software companies issue updates when they fix security vulnerabilities, but if you dont download and install them, youre leaving yourself unprotected from malware such as keystroke loggers. Also, be smart about what links you click in your schmelzglas or when browsing the web you could inadvertently download malicious software to your phone or computer, or allow hackers access to your verbunden accounts.In terms of online data, the most important information to protect is your login credentials for key accounts like banking, gover nment services, email and social media. You cant do much about how well websites and companies safeguard your information, but you can make it harder for hackers to get into your account, or at least more than one of them.Reusing login names and passwords is a significant risk.Mihai Simonia/Shutterstock.comHow? The first step is to use a different username and password on each crucial site or service. This can be complicated by sites limits on username options or their dependence on email addresses. Similarly, many sites have requirements on passwords that limit their length or the number or type of characters that they can include. But do your best.The reason for this is straightforward When a bunch of usernames and passwords fall into malicious hands, hackers know its human nature to repeat usernames and passwords across many sites. So they almost immediately start trying those combinations anywhere they can like major banks and email services. A chief information security offic er we know in the banking industry told us that after the Yahoo breach of a few years ago, banking sites were hit with multiple attempts to log in with credentials stolen from Yahoo.Use long passwordsThere has been a lot of research about what makes a strong password which has often led to many people using complex passwords like 7hi5sMyPs4w0rd. But more recent research suggests that what matters much more is that passwords are long. Thats what makes them more resistant to an attempt to guess them by trying many different options. Longer passwords dont have to be harder to remember They could be easily recalled phrases like MyFirstCarWasAToyotaCorolla or InHighSchoolIWon9Cross-CountryRaces.It can be daunting to think about remembering all these different usernames and passwords. Password management software can help though choose carefully as more than one of them have been breached. It can be even safer despite conventional wisdom and decades of security advice to write them do wn, so long as you trust everyone who has access to your home.Use a third line of defenseHave hackers driven us back to the age of the physical key?BautschTo add another layer of protection including against troublesome housemates many sites (Google, for example) let you turn on whats called multi-factor authentication. This can be an app on your smartphone that generates a numeric code every 30 seconds or so, or a physical item you plug into your computers USB port. While they can afford at least some protection, be wary of sites that send you a text with a code that method is vulnerable to interception.With these straightforward steps and the new mindset of thinking like a target who wants to avoid getting hit youll be far less worried when news breaks of the next breach of some companys enormous data files. Bad guys may get one of your usernames, and maybe even one of your passwords so youll have to change those. But they wont have all your credentials for all your online ac counts. And if you use multi-factor authentication, the bad guys might not even be able to get into the account whose credentials they just stole.Focus on whats most important to protect, and use simple but effective methods to protect yourself and your information.W. David Salisbury, Sherman-Standard Register Professor of Cybersecurity Management, Director Center for Cybersecurity Data Intelligence, University of Dayton and Rusty Baldwin, Distinguished Research Professor of Computer Science Director of Research, Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence, University of DaytonThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

They got $5,000 raises. How

They got $5,000 raises. HowThey got $5,000 raises. HowI hope youre ready for a little raise.Ask for it welches my advice two weeks ago. I asked for it, and got it welches the response from many of our 9 million members.I thought Id share a couple of the best stories, with names and locations altered to protect their negotiating secrets. First up is ThomasI welches unhappy at my old job, mainly because of the salary. Old Job refused to give me anything more than a token raise, which would have been fine if my actual salary wasnt below my market value i the first place. With two years under my belt there, a security clearance, and incredibly specialized training out of the way, I was making only $3k more than the day I was hired and the day I was hired I had none of those.I was making less than $50k. I told myself I wanted to make low-60s in my new job, which was humble and realistic but would still represent a dramatic increase to me.So I interviewed at competing firms and, after wee ks of interviews at both, coincidentally got two offers in the same day.My first choice company offered $65k. $65k met my goal, and as Im in my mid-20s in the defense industry, I knew the role itself would open many more doors - I knew the small fish in a big pond factor was also worth a lot.I was about to accept but decided to ask for more. Worst they could say is no, right?I recalled advice to Ask for 10-15% more right off the bat. See how they react.So I asked for $72k. It was done instantly, and they didnt bat an eye.I started in August 2016. I went from $46,000 to (currently) $73,000 just by a couple rounds of interview a few times at a competing company.Salary-wise, I completely skipped the 50s and 60s.A 49% increase in salary.Same city, same industry, same exact job.And I all I did was ask.Thomas Thats a terrific example ThomasNext up is DaveHi, Marc,I have an interesting story for you.When I was interviewing with my current employer almost 5 years ago, I had another possibi lity brewing. This was a little weird for me a few years prior I had lost my job and was unemployed for 11 months straight, followed by being bounced through 3 other jobs for economic reasons. Having two employers at once trying to have me felt odd.Anyway, I got the job at what I thought was a reasonable salary $6,000 more than their initial offer and definitely higher than Id ever been paid, anyway and started working. A couple of weeks in, I got an offer from this other company that was very close to what I already had. I told them I couldnt justify leaving the job I had just started and had begun to settle into, for essentially the same compensation.After a little back-and-forth, they said, We dont normally do this, but were going to offer you $5,000 more.I agreed to think it over.A day later I decided to speak with my manager. I told him about the other offer, and said that I didnt really want to leave, but their offer was somewhat compelling. He asked whether I would stay if they could match the other number. I said I would, even if it were just close to being a match. He promised to present it to upper management and I told him that I appreciated his assistance.A couple of days later I was called up to the VPs office to speak with him and my manager. I went in and had a seat.My manager said, Weve talked it over, and I have to tell you that we are notlage going to be matching the other offer. He held a somewhat defeated expression.I sank a little as I processed what this meant Id either leave the job I had (something Id never done) for a better offer and accept burning a bridge, or Id keep what I had and accept losing the extra money.My manager then continued, We ARE going to beat the other offer by $5,000. The VP then said that it makes him proud when a manager comes to him to support their people, because that means to him that they have good people. Handshakes were had. I then had to call the other company to decline their offer.So its almost as if I didnt negotiate at all rather, I let the companies battle it out. I actually said relatively little. And it played out very much in my favor. It all seemed very lucky.Thanks for the emails in helping me to find something better-DaveWhat a terrific job these two members have done in improving their economic situation for themselves.And all it took was asking for it.Good luck with your ask this weekIm rooting for you.

10 surprising ways you may be reinforcing sexism in the office

10 surprising ways you may be reinforcing sexism in the office10 surprising ways you may be reinforcing sexism in the officeMost people have been the victim of workdistributionspolitik incivility at one point or another - from snarky comments from a coworker, rude interruptions or disrespect via email. Some workplaces can be a breeding ground for this kind of uncalled for behavior, but we often assume that its gendered given the power dynamics of men and women in the workplace.Research from a large-scale study indicates that women tend to report experiencing mora incivility at work than their male counterparts- and the perpetrators are quite often from other women. The theory Women may be mistreating other women because they are more likely to view each other as competition for advancement opportunities in companies.The research composed of three complementary studies involving rather large samples of between 400 and over 600 U.S. employees per study, across a variety of service ope rations and time periods. In each study, the researchers consistently found that women reported experiencing more incivility from other women than from their male coworkers. And examples of this incivility included being addressed in unprofessional terms, having derogatory comments directed toward them, being put down in a condescending way, and being ignored or excluded from professional camaraderie.Of course, this isnt good for anybody.In response to incivility experiences, 48 % of employees intentionally decrease their work effort, 47% intentionally decrease their time at work and 38% internationally decrease the level of quality in their work. Plus, 80 % of employees studied indicated that they lost time at work due to merely ruminating about experienced incivility, with 66% indicating that their performance declined and 78 % indicating that they lowered their commitment to their organization. And due to cognitive distractions and time delays - the monetary cost of incivility c an be upwards of $14,000 per employee. That means that there are financial and human well-being-related costs that come of exposure to incivility at work.So how do you know if youre perpetuating incivility toward other women in the workplace? Here are 10 signs that you could be the culprit.1. You address other women in unprofessional terms.This could be in the way you speak with them verbally or in the way you email them.2. You make derogatory comments directed toward other women.Of course, such comments could hurt them and hurt you if/when you lose your own job for it. Derogatory comments can take a much more serious toll on womens well-being, too. The women studied reported lower job satisfaction, lower levels of vitality and increased intentions to quit their job when they were victims of incivility.3. You put other women down in condescending ways.Again, putting anyone down in condescending ways has no place in the workplace.4. You ignore or exclude some women from professional camaraderie.Keeping some women from attending coworker outings like happy hours isnt good for anybody. It affects team bonding that, ultimately, affects productivity.5. You expect other women to be warm and nurturing instead of dominant in the workplace.Society places expectations on women to behave a certain way and, when they dont, theyre criticized for it. Having expectations for other women is just as wrong as others who have expectations of you.6. You compete with other women for advancement opportunities by putting them down.Its one thing to put your own best foot forward in competition, but its an entirely other thing to knock down your competition to get yourself ahead.7. You assume that assertive women are ruthless.It may also be the case that behauptung assertive behaviors are viewed as ruthless by other women, the researchers write. Given that women are more likely to compare themselves against each other, these behaviors may signal competition, eliciting incivility as a response.8. You place judgement on women for taking charge.Our research suggests that when women acted more assertively at work - expressing opinions in meetings, assigning people to tasks, and taking charge - they were even more likely to report receiving uncivil treatment from other women at work, the researchers explain. We suspect that it may be that women acting assertively contradicts the norms that women must be warm and nurturing rather than emphatic and dominant. This means that women who take charge at work may suffer backlash in the form of being interpersonally mistreated.9. You speak poorly of some women with other women in your workplace.Gossiping has no place in the workplace, both because its inappropriate and because it distracts people from the work they should be focused on completing instead.10. You dismiss other womens professional opinions.When you have no regard for other womens professional opinions, youre silencing them and holding up the glass ceiling tha t hinders all women.AnnaMarie Houlis is a multimedia journalist and an adventure aficionado with a keen cultural curiosity and an affinity for solo travel. Shes an editor by day and a travel blogger at HerReport.org by night.This article first appeared on Fairygodboss.