Why Job Searching Isnt Just Job Searching Anymore

Why Job Searching Isnt Just Job Searching AnymoreWhy Job Searching Isnt Just Job Searching Anymore1You might think you want a job as a writer, but did you know that in order to land your job, youll have to have the skills of, say, 10 other positions in order to get the gig? Its true for professionals in any career field. Today, job searching is no longer as easy as sending in an application and hoping to hear back from a potential boss.There are many key skills job seekers need to cultivate and use in order to be effective. Sure, job searching isnt just job searching anymore, but armed with some of behauptung skills, youll master your job search and hopefully be rewarded by finding a flexible jobIn order to get hired when job searching, youll needto use these skills, regardless of your career field1. Social Media ManagementSure, you have accounts on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, but those are for your personal usage. Since the majority of hiring managers peruse a candidates soc ial media profiles, its important for you to have professional ones that showcase your work experience and skill set.2. Business ConsultingEven if youre not looking for a consultant job, its a good idea to think of yourself as one. Why? Being a consultant means youre an expert in your field, possessing knowledge of current trends and information, and that you can offer advice to a potential boss.Plus, having a business consultant mindset can give you an added confidence boost during your job interview, knowing that you have the expertise thatmakes you perfect for the position.3. Public Relations ManagementUnflattering photos. A politically charged tweet. There are lots of ways to present yourself in a bad light on the Internet, and its easy for a recruiter to find this info and possibly count it against you when it comes time to decide on who to hire.Thats why every job seeker must vigilantly monitor whatinformation is out there about themonline. Do a search of your name and see wha t comes up- and then do everything you can to get the egregious info removed.4. schlussverkauf and MarketingMost people shy away from talking about themselves, feeling as if theyre bragging or being boastful. But in order to get hired, youll need to learn how to toot your own horn in a positive way.Practice talking about your accomplishments in a factual (not fantastical) way, using facts and figures to support your claims. This skill will help you in everything from writing a compelling cover letter to talking with a prospective boss during a job interview.5. Hiring ManagerWouldnt it be helpful to get into the mind of a hiring manager? That way, you would know what to say to get your foot in the door at the company of your dreams. Thing is, its not really hard to do- and its something that every job seeker should try to do.Remember, every job at a company is a potential solution to a problem, and its up to you to uncover what the pain points are that the company is suffering from. Once you figure out the companys needs, as it relates to the job youre applying for, you can then create a compelling conversation between you and the hiring manager, offering solutions that will lead you to a job offer.It might seem like job searching for one job feels like youre applying for many positions. But if you take some of the skills from each of the positions listed above, youll not only make yourself a more marketable job seeker, but youll be able to find a flexible position that fits in with what you need, on both a professional and personal level.Readers, do you feel like job searching isnt just job searching anymore? What skills have you had to add to your arsenal in order to become a stronger job candidate? Let us know in the comments below

The Pros and Cons of Using Stock Photography

The Pros and Cons of Using Stock PhotographyThe Pros and Cons of Using Stock PhotographyIf you say stock photographyto anyone worth their salt in an advertising agencycreative department, that person likely willlook at you with a mixture of contempt and fear. Despite stock houses profiting from their photos every year, most big agencies rarely touch them. But why is it so universally hated by the top dogs and loved by smaller shops?Before diving into the issues, lets look at what stock photography is. Basic Definition Stock photography is like clothing you buy off the rack at a popular department store. No matter how beautiful it looks, you wont be the only person wearing that design. Stock photos are taken without any assignment or brief from an agency or client. Photographers take shots and submit them to stock houses to be licensed. These shots can then be purchased for a specific price based on usage or a flat fee. The shots are available to anyone who wants to buy them, resu lting in some shots being used over and over again by many different clients. The Problems Stock photography is generally considered a poor substitute for a custom photo shoot. The shots are taken in advance and delivered as is, leaving no chance to redirect the subject matter, adjust the lighting, or take the shot from a different angle. And thats just the beginning.Here are some of the biggest problems with stock photos and illustration Stock Photography Is Not OriginalNot even close. Photos are never taken with specific products or ideas in mind and usually are vague in execution. Search sites likeGetty ImagesoriStockPhotofor something like happy family or playing with pets. Youll be greeted with many photos that all look similar, with varying degrees of quality.Stock Photographs Can Be Bought by AnyoneThe big problem with this is brand identity. If you produce anything using a stock photograph, be it a flyer or a billboard, you are using images available for anyone else to b uy and use. Many smaller companies have seen their ads look and feel like ads from other companies because they contain the same images. Thats not good for standing out. You can sometimes negotiate exclusive rights, but those rights come at a hefty price and will run out at some point. Stock Photography Often Is Cliche Look through any stock photo site, and you will be bombarded with tired old images of businesspeople balancing on tightropes, families laughing in front of TVs, and people pointing at something in the distance. If you have an excellent idea for a campaign, you almost certainly will not find it executed in a stock photo library. And if you do, remember that anyone can use it. The Advantages Stock images do have their uses, which usually come down to speed, budget, and media.Here are some of the biggestadvantages of stock photos and illustration Stock Photos Are Great for Comps and Mock-UpsThis is the biggest reason creatives like stock. When youre dummying an idea for a client presentation, theres no time or money to do a shoot. It would be a waste of time when you consider how many ideas are presented. You can get an idea across quickly by comping together various stock images to create a unique image. Of course, its rough and low-resolution for any use, but its enough to portray what the final image can look like. Stock photo libraries typically allow you to save low-res comps for free. Stock Photography Is Cheaper and Quicker Than a Photo ShootIn most cases, it takes several weeks (or even months) to coordinate an original photo shoot. And that takes money, too. With stock photography, everythings done for you and ready to go. All you have to do is figure out the price and get client approval.Stock Photography Is Available for Instant DownloadWhen time is of the essence, stock is available immediately.For Brochures, Websites, Editorials, and Smaller Jobs, Stock Is FineIf you have a limited budget, stock can be a nice fallback for the promo tional tactics that arent getting mass media attention. Plus, you dont always need an expensive custom shoot to make your point. Take this article. The image comes from Getty, a vast stock library, and is a great way to lead into the subject matter. An expensive shoot would be cost prohibitive and take way too long. The Two Main Types Many types of stock images are available unterstellung days, but the main two remain rights-managed and royalty-free. Both have strengths and weaknesses, and the costs differ greatly between the two. Rights-Managed (RM) Stock Photography Is More ExpensiveWith RM stock, you have alot of fees to take into consideration. The final price for the stock image will depend on many factors, including usage, media, duration of the campaign, print run, location, size, industry type, and exclusivity. For this reason, RM images can cost many times more than royalty-free shots. But RM shots often are higher quality.Royalty-Free (RF) Stock Photography Is Less Ex pensiveIts worth noting that free does not mean no cost. It simply means the image is free of royalties and available to purchase for a one-time, fixed fee. You can use an RF image multiple times, and there is no time limit. However, there are limits to the number of times the image can be reproduced, and royalty-free shots generally are not as well executed as RM shots.

Technical Trainer Job Description

Technical Trainer Job DescriptionTechnical Trainer Job DescriptionTechnical Trainer Job DescriptionThis technical trainer 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.Technical Trainer Job ResponsibilitiesPrepares employees to accomplish job results by planning, conducting, and evaluating computer training.Technical Trainer Job DutiesConducts computer training needs assessment by collecting information pertaining to work procedures, work flow, and reports understanding job-specific functions and tasks.Determines system utilization requirements by researching and testing systems.Designs computer training manuals by identifying and describing information needs using desktop publishing submitting initial versions for review revising and editing final copy.Maintains safe and healthy training environment by f ollowing organization standards and legal regulations.Conducts training classes by presenting job-specific, company-specific, and generic software applications and personal computer classes.Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements following manufacturers instructions troubleshooting malfunctions calling for repairs maintaining equipment inventories evaluating new equipment and techniques.Maintains quality tafelgeschirr by establishing and enforcing organization standards.Evaluates training by evaluating effectiveness of training to specific job applications.Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops reviewing publications.Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.Technical Trainer Skills and QualificationsPresentation Skills, Written Communication, Training , Training Management, Technical Zeal, Self-Development, Technical Leadership, Presenting Technical Information, Self-Confidence, Dealing w ith Complexity, Microsoft Office SkillsEmployers Post a job in minutes to reach candidates everywhere. Job Seekers Search Technical Trainer Jobs and apply on now. Find out more about social media recruitingYour Companys Social Media Policy 2.0Is your Social Media Policy Generation Facebook-Friendly?Smart Social Media Policy for Healthcare Employers

25 Highest Paying Entry Level Jobs

25 Highest Paying Entry Level Jobs25 Highest Paying Entry Level Jobs Entry level jobs arent typically considered to be particularly lucrative. Conventional wisdom dictates that you start out at the bottom of the ladder with a lower salary, and, over the years, work your way up into higher positions with higher salaries. And while this is often the case, it doesnt always have to be. There are particular roles and fields that pay very generously right from the get-go, with salaries only increasing over time.Glassdoor crunched the numbers to identify these profitable positions - read on to find out the25 highest paying entry level jobs and apply todayCompanies Hiring Vanderbilt University, T. Rowe Price, Optiver US, Tradeweb Markets LLC, Capgemini & moraCompanies Hiring Lenovo, MyVest, John Deere, Snowflake, Relevante & moraCompanies Hiring Cengage, Arthrex, Porsche, Sporcle, KeyBank & moreCompanies Hiring Fisher Investments, American International Bank, LiniumCLT, Huntington National Bank, Delaware North & moreCompanies Hiring Tempus Labs, Briggs and Stratton Corporation, Rally Health, Airtable, Dropbox & moreCompanies Hiring ADP, Fjordnet, Red Spark, Auto-Owners Insurance, eXcell & moreCompanies Hiring Omnicell Inc., IBM, Rootstock Software, EmPowerHR, Beeline & moreCompanies Hiring SMC 3, Crown Equipment, Screativesoft, ISO New England, HCL Technologies Limited & moreCompanies Hiring United States Olympic Committee, Kaizen Approach Inc., Experitec, D.A.S., Intel Corporation & moreCompanies Hiring Spectrum Communications and Consulting, EAI Technologies, Nexient, Reynolds and Reynolds, Centene & moreCompanies Hiring Arlon Graphics, WestRock, Intel Corporation, Clover Global Solutions LP, Kimball Electronics & moreCompanies Hiring Seneca Resources, The Creative Group, GS5 LLC, BlastPoint, Weyco Group Inc & moreCompanies Hiring Procter & Gamble, NXP Semiconductors, TechnipFMC, Whirlpool Corporation, JELD-WEN & moreCompanies Hiring M illiman, State Auto Insurance Companies, Fast Switch, Society of Actuaries, AIG & moreCompanies Hiring Harris, RESA Power Solutions, Chesapeake Utilities, Harris Corporation, Allegheny Technologies & moreCompanies Hiring Airgas, ARRIS, Source One Technical Solutions, Apollo Technical, Microsoft Corporation & moreCompanies Hiring TAIT & Associates, Star Cutter Company, Stryker, RFA Engineering, HUSCO International & moreCompanies Hiring Centene, TRC Companies Inc., West Bend Mutual Insurance Co., AIC, TechStaff Inc & moreCompanies Hiring The MIL Corporation, Shure Incorporated, HHB Systems, PROLIM, QuEST Global & moreCompanies Hiring Ameren, Farmers Insurance, Atos IT Services and Solutions Inc, Monterey County Human Resources, Ipsos & moreCompanies Hiring Xactly Corporation, Brainshark, Kelly Engineering, Oxford Solutions, DuPont & moreCompanies Hiring AdventHealth, Orange County, Saint Lukes Cornwall Hospital, Gordon Memorial Health Services, Dignity Health & moreCompanies Hiring Jobot, Southland Industries, Milender White Inc., Compressor Controls, Shimmick Construction Co. Inc. & moreCompanies Hiring McCarthy Building Co, Georgia-Pacific, AECOM, Bastian Solutions, Performance Contracting & moreCompanies Hiring Topco Associates, Equity Methods, Dhalite, Naked Lime, NewDay USA & moreMethodology Glassdoors Highest Paying Entry Level Jobs report identifies the jobs with the highest median annual base salaries as reported by U.S.-based employees aged 25 or younger on Glassdoor over the time period 1/01/18 12/31/18. Jobs considered for this report must have received at least 25 salary reports in U.S. dollars by U.S-based employees, aged 25 or younger, during the timeframe. In cases where job titles have the same median monthly pay, the job title with the greater number of salary reports receives higher rank. This report takes into account job title normalization that groups similar job titles. Intern level jobs were excluded from this report.

What to Wear to Job Interviews in Hot Weather

What to Wear to Job bewerbungsgesprchs in Hot WeatherWhat to Wear to Job Interviews in Hot WeatherStaying cool during a job interview is a challenge at any time of the year, but the summer months and warm weather locations can be especially difficult. Depending on whatinterview attireis best suited to the job youre trying to land, there are several strategies to help you stay looking and feeling cool and confident despite how hot it is outside. What to Wear for an Interview When the Weather Is Warm What you need to wear to your interview isnt going to change based on the weather. As much as you might like to wear khaki shorts, a polo shirt, and sandals to your interview,business casualdoesnt include shorts or sandals, unless you are interviewing for asummer job at a resortor on the beach. Even then, dressing it up a little can only help. Business Casual Interview Attire If business casual is appropriate, try to stick with lightweight natural or breathable fibers. Women can wear a conservative dress, unlined slacks, or a skirt with a blouse or shell under an unlined jacket or light sweater, hosiery, and closed toe shoes. In a very casual work environment, women may be able toget away without hosierywith a modest pair of conservative sandals. Men will want to look for lightweight khakis or slacks, an absorbent cotton undershirt, and a lightweight button-down shirt. A light wool jacket and tie can be put on at the last minute. As always, dark socks and dress shoes are essential. Business Interview Attire If your interview requiresbusiness attire, the strategy is similar. Be koranvers to invest in a lightweight suit or two. For women, that means skirt, slacks, or a dress. A lightweight suit with a dress is going to be your coolest choice, although it doesnt offer as much flexibility if you are doing multiple interviews with the same company. A jacket, with slacks or a skirt, offers you the opportunity to wear a silk shell, which looks professional and will keep you comfortable. Shells come in many shapes and colors, allowing you to change your look for different interviews without having to invest in numerous suits. Hosiery is a necessary part of the package, as are closed toe pumps. Men will need to look for lightweight suits in classic, conservative colors or patterns. Shirts also come in lighter weight cotton appropriate for the mid-summer heat. Changing the tie and shirt will give you a different look for the second andthird interview. Lightweight cotton socks in a dark color will help keep you cool in your dress shoes. Keeping Cool Getting to the Interview No matter what type of job you are interviewing for during the summer, youll want to follow a few guidelines. Most importantly, allow yourself plenty of time to arrive punctually. If you can drive, do so. Youll be able to sit in your air-conditioned car with your jacket hanging, lint and wrinkle-free, on a hanger until minutes before your meeting. If you must take public transp ortation, shoot for a cab or Uber if possible for a hopefully speedy and air-conditioned ride. If you take public transportationor walk, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time. There is nothing that will tatter your turnout quicker than rushing through city streets trying to make connections in order to make it to your interview on time. Well-planned transportationto your interview will give you the time to compose yourself, reviewquestions you may be asked, questions you would like to ask, and any other notes, rather than making the trip rushing and hoping you get there on time. Bring a bottle of water with you, so you dont get overheated, and give yourself some extra time so you can freshen up in the restroom before the interview. All Year Round During the summer, as well as other times of theyear, there are a few things to remember. Women need to make sure that their skirts are of conservative length when sitting as well as standing, and their blouses are not cut too low.Be sure you dont overdo it withyour makeup, and stay away from heavy fragrances.Make sure your shoes shine, and your clothes are pressed.Your portfolio orbriefcase containing your resume, notepad, working pen, and breath mints must be clean as well. Regardless of the weather, take the time to pay carefulattention to all the details of your interview outfit. This is your best opportunity to make that all-important great first impression.

New Questions About Resume Summary Section Answered and Why You Must Read Every Word of This Report

New Questions About Resume Summary Section Answered and Why You Must Read Every Word of This Report Make sure while preparing your resume, youve mentioned your abilities and experiences in the right format. Writing the education and extra skills section is exactly the same process for other reverse chronological resumes. The lists arent exhaustive, as the keywords and phrases you should increase your resume depend on your experience and techniques. A decent skills list is vital on any resume for teens. Managers and executives should revolve around business skills along with technical expertise even should they fall into a technical industry. Resume objectives can be a little controversial. In a variety of ways, an objective replaces a lot of the detail you would set in your professional experience section. Whenever you wish to emphasize that youre ambitious, that you understand what you want in a career, or you have the skills for the particular job, you could benefit from a r esume objective. Dont neglect to incorporate a career objective simply because you lack experience. A resume objective can explain why youre qualified for the job, even if its the case that you do not own a lot of related experience. The exact same rules apply to the best way to compose a resume. Adding action verbs to your resume is a fantastic way to strengthen it and allow it to be mora targeted to the position youre applying to. Lists, as a rule of thumb, are also simpler to write. The Tried and True Method for Resume Summary Section in Step by Step Detail If youre arranging a move to a different city, your present address may confuse the hiring manager. As a result, while your resume objective should incorporate information on the career that you would like, you also need to spell out why you are the perfect candidate for the job. You have to make sure your resume summary statement concisely demonstrates why youre a best candidate for the particular job and business. The resume summary is simply a bridge to have the hiring manager in your experience. One of the risks of a resume objective is that youre able to focus too much on what you would like in your career, and not enough on how you are going to add value to the organization. Concentrate on Your Goal The best summaries are targeted on one career objective. Finally, stating an objective is optional, but it might help convince employers that you understand what you need and understand the business. My goal is to find the job. The major advantage is the fact that it helps your resume stand out. Lets punish those who include Objectives. It can be quite useful, especially when relaying information where the topic of the sentence isnt clear, but save it for later. The very first sentence provides the reader more information. Since youll discover, even in the event that you dont have any prior professional experiences, you are able to still draw on your school experiences. In the end, e xamples will be supplied, illustrating how to begin writing an objective statement. You must have five objective statements. Whats a personal statement. Resume Summary Section Explained If you want to join a new business and craft a resume, visit the site and have a look at the Resume Summary Examples. The absolute most efficient objective is one which is tailored to the job youre applying for. When applying to internet job postings, using keywords in the aim statement can aid in improving the probability that your resume will be viewed. Writing information like examples of the job which you were doing in the preceding companies allow you to compose a very good creative resume. By carefully targeting resumes for certain jobs, youre able to greatly enhance your odds of getting noticed in the work industry. Alas, many employers only scan resumes for a couple seconds before choosing whether to continue reading. Many businesses now utilize software that scans applications and r esumes searching for keywords that are relevant to the open position. To begin with, examine the job description to see whether it indicates the sort of skills the versorger is seeking.

Spark Hires Top 25 Must Read Blogs for Recruiters - Spark Hire

Spark Hires Top 25 Must Read Blogs for Recruiters - Spark HireRecruiting the best people is no picnic. Companies need top talent in order to survive and thrive in todays tough economy. We all need a little advice and guidance from time to time, especially when times are tough. Weve already shared ur Top 25 Must Read Blogs for Employers, but the game can be a bit different when youre a recruiter. Thats why Spark Hire has put together this list of the Top 25 Must Read Blogs for Recruiters. These sites are filled with advice, robust discussions, and even a bit of lighthearted fun.While the current economic forecast looks gloomy, these sites can chase away the clouds with top-notch tips and guidance. Here are the best blogs, in no particular order, when looking to recruit top-quality candidates1. Talent HQ is the place to turn when looking for the latest and greatest news in the world of recruiting.Congratulate Talent HQ on Twitter2. Recruiter.com is the place to go for top-notch thinkin g about the issues facing recruiters and tips and tricks for finding talented candidates.Congratulate Recruiter.com on Twitter3. The Recruiter Guy, aka Chris Hoyt, shares quality insights on how to utilize social media to find top talent. Your next great candidate could be only a tweet awayCongratulate The Recruiter Guy on Twitter4. Recruitment Viewswill keep you up-to-date on the world of recruitment. The site is full of timely information and articles with a strong point of view.Congratulate Recruitment Views on Twitter5. The Recruiters Lounge is run by recruiter Jim Stroud, who offers career advice and a platform for recruiters to share knowledge. This is one lounge you will definitely want to visit.Congratulate The Recruiters Lounge on Twitter6. Recruiting AnimalLooking for a great mix of podcast and blog posts on the recruiting field? Recruiting Animal is the beast youre looking for.Congratulate Recruiting Animal on Twitter7. Staffing Talk is a general recruiting blog that deal s with everything from social media recruiting to the interesting news of the day.Congratulate Staffing Talk on Twitter8. The absatzwirtschaft Recruiter isnt just for marketers Blogger G. Robert Bishop and his readers share top-notch insights into the hiring process.Congratulate The Marketing Recruiter on Twitter9. Recruiting Blogs is a great place to find a variety of perspectives from a wide-ranging and knowledgeable field of contributors. When looking for a variety of great recruiting content, you couldnt do much better than Recruiting Blogs.Congratulate Recruiting Blogs on Twitter10. Recruiting Unblog is the (un)blog of Bill Boorman who shares knowledge about using the web and social technologies to find great candidates.Congratulate Recruiting Unblog on Twitter11. The Marketing HeadHunter is the place to go if youre looking to fill a position in the marketing or social media field. This blog is full of useful information on what to look for and where to find the best candidates for these positions.Congratulate The Marketing HeadHunter on Twitter12. The Dean Da Costa Blog is full of relevant and sometimes controversial issues facing recruiters today. The site doesnt shy away from tackling the issues, making it a must-read.Congratulate The Dean Da Costa Blog on Twitter13. Past Five is a great blog for tips, tricks, and advice about everything from career development to recruiting best practices. Just because its past 5 pm doesnt mean you should stop gaining knowledgeCongratulate Past Five on Twitter14. Marenated is a blog with a strong voice not afraid to have a little fun. Whether shes talking about recruiting, technology, or marketing you can be sure the content will be entertaining and informative.Congratulate Marenate on Twitter15. Top Echelon Blogoffers great information on the issues of the day and how to find the perfect candidate to fit into your organization.Congratulate Top Echelon Blog on Twitter16. Source Con is the blog for you if youre looking for top-quality news and thought leadership about finding and sourcing great talent. Its also a great outlet to turn when looking for information on the newest recruiting technologies in the online space.Congratulate Source Con on Twitter17. Talent Minded is a great outlet for advice when it comes finding top talent. Best of all, the site has tons of useful information about using emerging technology and social media techniques to help you find and source great candidates.Congratulate Talent Minded on Twitter18. Marcom HRsay is a top B2B blog focusing on tips and tricks for enterprise recruiting for small and midsize companies. If youre looking for great information on business development for businesses of all sizes, Marcom HRsay is the place to go.Congratulate Marcom HRsay on Twitter19. Make HR Happen by Tom Bolt looks to rephilanthropischize the human resources and recruiting field by looking critically at how to find the best people. Whether its talking about using technology o r the importance of paying dues, this blog is a great resource for recruiters.Congratulate Make HR Happen by Tom Bolt on Twitter20. Recruiting Trends offers top thought leadership content with knowledgeable contributors weighing in on the major trends in the recruiting field. And its not just blogs, the site is also a great place to learn thanks to frequent webinars aimed to help professionals keep their edge.Congratulate Recruiting Trends on Twitter21. Lance Haun is the place to go if you want to read entertaining and insightful commentary on the recruiting issues of the day. Hauns style is straightforward and compulsively readable, which is why you should bookmark this blog immediately.Congratulate Lance Haun on Twitter22. Recruiters Wall is the place to visit is youre looking for straight talk about todays top recruiting issues. The site has a variety of smart and thought provoking contributors weighing in on whats happening in the recruiting and hiring space.Congratulate Recruit ers Wall on Twitter23. Vertical Elevation is a blog centered around hiring the right people to build a better company. The site is full of interesting content and even informative videos to help you find and identify the best candidates.Congratulate Vertical Elevation on Twitter24. Impact Hiring Solutions Blog takes on recruiting and managing top candidates in order to get the most out of your hires. The blog is full of thought provoking content and tips on how to hire better and keep those employees as productive workers.Congratulate Impact Hiring Solutions Blog on Twitter25. Human Capital Strategy Blog is the place to go when you not only need to recruit , but also improve the way your company handles employees. The content of this blog is centered around finding employees who will fit into your company culture and thrive in your workplace environment.Congratulate Human Captial Strategy Blog on TwitterWhile there are many great blogs for recruiters, these 25 top off our list of mu st reads. They offer valuable information and unique content, have many followers, and promote meaningful discussions.What do you think? What other blogs are a must read?Claim your badge Copy and paste the snippet of HTML code from the text box below into your blogs sidebarpa href=https//hr.sparkhire.com/human-resources-news/spark-hires-top-25-must-read-blogs-for-recruitersimg src=https//hr.sparkhire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/best-blogs-for-recruiters.png alt=Top 25 Recruiter Blog Badge height=150 width=150/a/pEnjoy this list? Check our list of the best blogs for job seekers

9 words and phrases that make any professional look weak

9 hundertprozentigs and phrases that make any professional look weak9 words and phrases that make any professional look weakHey, Im not sure if you have the time right now, but it would be great if you can read my latest column. Is that OK?said the weakest communicator ever.Confidence is a powerful tool to gain respect and get stuff done.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraAs you compose emails/documents (and in conversation too), remove these words/phrases from your vocabulary. They make you look weak.1. JustIjustwant to ask youItlljusttake a minuteImjustsayingWeak, weak, weak. Just is a little word with big implications. Each time we use just, it suggests we waste someones time. No, if you have something important to say, then say it.Well, anywayitsjusta writing tip.See how that sounds? Weak.2. SorryDont apologize all over the place. In most cases, you didnt do anything wrong. Sor ry is mora like Sorry for bothering you or Sorry for taking up your time.Of course, if youdidscrew up, then yeasay Sorry.But if you have worthwhile information to send in an email or say aloud, then go for it. Respect yourself and the value you add to the conversation.3. Im not sure if you can, but Such an inferior tone. As if the other part is SO important and SO busy that you need to kneel down and beg for assistance.How about Would you like to?Stay on equal footing with the partie across from you. Youre no worse (or better). Eye to eye is the way to play it.4. I hate to bother you, but Similar to 3, I hate to bother you, but connotes the other person has all the power in the relationship. Even if youre an intern, new hire or several years junior to someone at the company, you have every right to stand proudly and say, When you have a minute, Id like your opinion onAnd let me tell you, plenty of business execs can suddenly find 15 minutes in their jam-packed schedules if someone w ants their opinion. Maybe even 30 minutes or an hour.5. I hope thats OK.Dont give up authority in the conversation - you have the same rights to the territory. Instead, go with Thanks for the consideration or I appreciate the help.- Here are four weak writing habits specific to managers and other leaders in an organization.6. The new rule on vacation days has been put in place by me.Passive voice is perhaps the weakest way to communicate with your employees. You must be willing to stand by your decisions, and the best way is to put yourself (I) at the start of the sentence.CorrectionI have put in place a new rule on vacation days.7. Put your call to action or request at the bottom of the message.Timid managers wait until the last line of an email or document to explain what they need employees to do. Its a subtle way to say, Im afraid to give orders or be in charge.Instead, put the directive high up in the message. Employees will see the information right away, and your message wil l have a mora assertive tone.As an exampleHi team,Im writing to remind everyone to have their fourth-quarter reports on my desk by 5 p.m. on Friday. Remember the report must includeStart strong, and employees will take notice.8. More words = less respectA babo who communicates with brevity commands a certain level of authority. That doesnt mean you should write with a terseness that feels cold and emotionless.The best leaders write with enthusiasmandan economical word count. Its a skill that must be practiced every day by managers.Whoops, there goes the passive voice again.Managers must practice the skill every day.9. Misspelling an employees first or last nameWant an easy way to lose an employees respect? Spell his/her name wrong in an email/document.Want to ruin the relationship for the long-term? Spell the name wrong more than once.Before you press send, make sure the names are 100% correct. These are the people who put in the hours for you day after day. If you repeatedly type J ohn instead of Jon, its more than a weak approach.Its a clear lack of respect.- Well, Ihopeyou like my advice. If not,sorryfor the troubleYour words set the tone. Use them wisely.This column first appeared onDannyhRubin.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people9 words and phrases that make any professional look weakHey, Im not sure if you have the time right now, but it would be great if you can read my latest column. Is that OK?said the weakest communicator ever.Confidence is a powerful tool to gain respect and get stuff done.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAs you compose em ails/documents (and in conversation too), remove these words/phrases from your vocabulary. They make you look weak.1. JustIjustwant to ask youItlljusttake a minuteImjustsayingWeak, weak, weak. Just is a little word with big implications. Each time we use just, it suggests we waste someones time. No, if you have something important to say, then say it.Well, anywayitsjusta writing tip.See how that sounds? Weak.2. SorryDont apologize all over the place. In most cases, you didnt do anything wrong. Sorry is more like Sorry for bothering you or Sorry for taking up your time.Of course, if youdidscrew up, then yeasay Sorry.But if you have worthwhile information to send in an email or say aloud, then go for it. Respect yourself and the value you add to the conversation.3. Im not sure if you can, but Such an inferior tone. As if the other person is SO important and SO busy that you need to kneel down and beg for assistance.How about Would you like to?Stay on equal footing with the person acro ss from you. Youre no worse (or better). Eye to eye is the way to play it.4. I hate to bother you, but Similar to 3, I hate to bother you, but connotes the other person has all the power in the relationship. Even if youre an intern, new hire or several years junior to someone at the company, you have every right to stand proudly and say, When you have a minute, Id like your opinion onAnd let me tell you, plenty of business execs can suddenly find 15 minutes in their jam-packed schedules if someone wants their opinion. Maybe even 30 minutes or an hour.5. I hope thats OK.Dont give up authority in the conversation - you have the same rights to the territory. Instead, go with Thanks for the consideration or I appreciate the help.- Here are four weak writing habits specific to managers and other leaders in an organization.6. The new rule on vacation days has been put in place by me.Passive voice is perhaps the weakest way to communicate with your employees. You must be willing to stand by your decisions, and the best way is to put yourself (I) at the start of the sentence.CorrectionI have put in place a new rule on vacation days.7. Put your call to action or request at the bottom of the message.Timid managers wait until the last line of an email or document to explain what they need employees to do. Its a subtle way to say, Im afraid to give orders or be in charge.Instead, put the directive high up in the message. Employees will see the information right away, and your message will have a more assertive tone.As an exampleHi team,Im writing to remind everyone to have their fourth-quarter reports on my desk by 5 p.m. on Friday. Remember the report must includeStart strong, and employees will take notice.8. More words = less respectA boss who communicates with brevity commands a certain level of authority. That doesnt mean you should write with a terseness that feels cold and emotionless.The best leaders write with enthusiasmandan economical word count. Its a skill t hat must be practiced every day by managers.Whoops, there goes the passive voice again.Managers must practice the skill every day.9. Misspelling an employees first or last nameWant an easy way to lose an employees respect? Spell his/her name wrong in an email/document.Want to ruin the relationship for the long-term? Spell the name wrong more than once.Before you press send, make sure the names are 100% correct. These are the people who put in the hours for you day after day. If you repeatedly type John instead of Jon, its more than a weak approach.Its a clear lack of respect.- Well, Ihopeyou like my advice. If not,sorryfor the troubleYour words set the tone. Use them wisely.This column first appeared onDannyhRubin.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can m ake in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

How to Turn Down Your Boss the Easy Way

How to Turn Down Your Boss the Easy Way How to Turn Down Your Boss the Easy Way The most effective way to say no is to provide your boss with a good reason for your response. The reasons for turning down assignments are typically that you are too busy to take on another responsibility or that you are unqualified to do a good job at the requested task. If you are too busy, make a list of all of your current projects and responsibilities to share with your boss. Include data about projected time requirements, anticipated project completion dates and your own time management strategies so that your boss knows you are handling your responsibilities well. This shows your boss your commitment to current projects and that they would suffer with additional tasks.If you are saying no due to a lack of abilities, be upfront and honest. State that you feel that you are not currently capable of doing a good job at the new task. This would be a great time to discuss educational opportunities or mentorships that could add valuable skills to your repertoire.Another method of saying no is to avoid the word no altogether. Instead, share information with your boss that will lead him to landsee that the assignment is not right for you. For example, if you are already spread too thin, ask your boss to go over your schedule with you to help you see how you can fit in a new assignment without harming your current projects. Include time data and your own time management strategies. If your boss feels that the new project is a priority for you, he has the option of removing another task from your list. After seeing how busy you are, it is likely that he will delay the project or assign it to someone else.Soften a no answer by providing your boss with options to get the new assignment completed. Perhaps you know of someone in your department who is more qualified than you and truly enjoys that type of work. Maybe you can think of a way to modify the assignment so that you could handle it. Consider offering to do part of the task or to provide guidance to a capable subordinate who is looking to move up. Offering options when turning down assignments shows that you take initiative and turns saying no into a gunst der stunde to show off other skills, such as flexibility and leadership.Regardless of your reason for saying no and the approach that you take, remember that saying no is almost always better than failing. Stand up for yourself and your professional integrity by keeping your workload sane. A well-reasoned refusal when necessary keeps your work relationships, integrity, and productivity strong.

How to remove jargon from your work communication

How to remove jargon from your work communication How to remove jargon from your work communication In today’s fast-paced, streamlined workplace, buzzwords permeate the landscape … value-add, deliverable, leverage, take it to the next level, it is what it is. And when you get deeper into workplace departments, the jargon gets even more confusing: internet of things, return on investment, total quality management, bleeding edge, capacity planning.These are just a few prevalent terms now used at work. And while departmental jargon sometimes works well to communicate ideas and goals inside a single business unit, once it crosses department lines, it’s often vague, confusing, and even offensive. Departmental jargon can hurt both internal and external business if it’s misunderstood.The bottom line: Workplace communication is hard enough without throwing in departmental jargon!“When everyone is on the same page, it’s so much easier for everyone to do their job,” according to JobMonkey.com. “A failure to communicate is one of the fastest ways to sabotage your business. A s imple comment lost in translation … could all be solved through proper communication.”So how can you “separate the signal from the noise” at work and speak concisely to individuals outside of your area of expertise?Keep email, chat, text, and video free of jargon The best way to make sure your message is clear to anyone not familiar with your department’s specific jargon is to not use buzzwords at all. Use clear and concise wording to get your point across. This helps you avoid confusing those not familiar with specific departmental jargon.Think of it this way: If you were speaking to your mother about a problem at work and she had no idea what your job was, how would you explain it to her? Use this approach regardless of who you are communicating with and the method used, whether via email, chat, text, or video.Email: Write simple, direct emailsWhen crafting an email, avoid using jargon. The reason is simple: You don’t always know who will be reading your email. Plus, y ou can save yourself some time writing it, because you won’t need to explain any buzzwords or concepts that someone outside your department may not understand. This way, regardless of who reads the email, your message will be crystal clear. For example, you may write: “Management is changing the market dynamics” compared to “the company is acting as a disruptor in the market.” Someone may consider the word disruptor a negative in this example instead of a positive if they didn’t have a full understanding of the term in a business context.“Emails, like traditional business letters, need to be clear and concise,” according to MindTools.com. “Keep your sentences short and to the point. The body of the email should be direct and informative, and it should contain all pertinent information.”If you do use jargon in your emails, then make sure to fully explain it.Chat: Eliminate jargon to avoid confusionChat is another area where departmental jargon often causes confusi on. Using buzzwords in a business chat with clients or coworkers could cause your message to get lost amid confusing “business speak.”When a chat involves just your own department, there usually isn’t an issue with communication because everyone understands the same jargon, whether it is about IT, operations, human resources, etc. Problems can occur, however, when a new coworker joins you and isn’t up to speed yet or if individuals from different departments take part in a chatroom conversation and they aren’t familiar with your work or processes.If everyone spoke in their own departmental jargon, how many communication breakdowns would you expect? More than likely, at least a few.And what if you speak with one of your customers through a chat program? While you might know exactly what you are trying to communicate, the customer may not fully understand your message, possibly costing you a valuable business opportunity.Text: Make it clear and to the pointAnother communicat ion method most of us have used over the past few years is text. With text communications, it’s vital that you speak simply and clearly. If you don’t, you risk confusing, or worse alienating, the person at the other end of your text.Just imagine the amount of time it would take to have to explain a complex, jargon-filled text to someone who doesn’t know what you’re talking about. Using simple terms that everyone understands, to begin with, is the best way to get the point of your text across quickly and effectively.In addition to avoiding jargon while texting, it’s important to follow common text etiquette rules to make sure that your text is easily understood. For instance, avoid using emojis and abbreviations in a work-related text. The people you communicate with are your co-workers and clients, and they require a more formal method of communication. “The receiver should not be confused as to what you are trying to say, and if your message is interpreted the wrong way , your miscommunication could cause conflicts and even missed business opportunities,” according to Entrepreneur.com. “Make sure your message is clear, and review it for standalone clarity before hitting the send button.”Video: Instruct or explain using succinct, crisp dialogueIt’s also critical that your video communication is clear and concise. Not only can confusion run amuck if you use departmental jargon, it’s difficult to come back after the fact and explain what you meant. Use terms everyone can understand when making your video presentation. This is especially true for videos meant to educate others in a process familiar to employees who are not in your department. Look at it this way: If you were someone completely new to your department, how would you want something explained to you? Maybe you haven’t had time to pick up on all of the common departmental terms. Think of the confusion that would create. Instead, create a video that avoids that confusion using su ccinct, crisp dialogue.The ultimate goalDepartmental jargon is bound to pop up when you work with others in the same field or team. Keep in mind, though, that company leaders, co-workers in other departments, and customers unfamiliar with the jargon might find themselves feeling lost and confused. Your ultimate goal? Craft clear, concise communications that anyone can understand in order to get your message across each and every time.Alexa Lemzy is a customer support manager and content writer at  TextMagic, a bulk SMS software provider. When she’s not working, you can find her inventing a new pancake recipe in her kitchen or going for a run in the nearest park.

How To Get Hired As A Designer Job Search Resume Advice

How To Get Hired As A Designer Job Search Resume Advice How To Get Hired As A Designer Job Search Resume Advice [clickToTweet tweet=‘’I want to connect with people who want to change the world and help them do it.’’ @MindaugasLT quote=‘’I want to connect with people who want to change the world and help them do it.’’]This was one of the main reasons why we connected with Mindaugas who specializes in helping companies hire designers better, and matching them with jobs they’ll love. He has been doing this for the past 3+ years and one of his top skills has always been working with people.1. Mindaugas, how did you find out that recruiting designers is your passion?I moved to Dublin around 4 years ago. First, I worked as a recruiter for different roles software developers, project managers and so on. But I felt like I couldn’t really connect with them on a level I wanted to. However, by working those different roles I was able to discover design and absolutely fell in love. Eventually, there was an opportunity to solely focus on design roles in my company, I took it and I’ve loved it ever since. I guess it’s because designers can show me what they work on and as I’m quite a visual person myself, it just felt right. I find designers easy to engage with and, as a community, they are very welcoming. If you do it the right way.2. What was the biggest challenge when transitioning to hiring designers exclusively?I think at the beginning I had to make a lot of mistakes, say and do the wrong things. The key for me was quickly learning from those failures, taking the feedback on the chin and improving my process.I realized that for me to be able to do this well I had to learn what designers actually do and not be afraid to ask for feedback on how I was doing, that approach also helped me connect with the design community. It was a long term approach but after 3 years working this way, I can say that now I am part of that community. It’s taken 3 years. To achieve that, I’d go to different design meetups, events, UX Sketch Clubs which would mean going aft er work, in my free time. But I didn’t just sit there, I got involved and I didn’t try to hire anyone at those events. I was just there to build relationships and learn.I also organized a couple of events myself, one was to help junior designers get better jobs, the “Design Disruptors” Irish Premiere, Framer workshop. I always believed the community support would get me ahead and it’s true, I’ve had so many awesome experiences because of that. 3. What is the first thing you look for on a resume of designers?There are stats that recruiters spend something like 9-10 seconds on a resume, and I think it’s true. I usually look for a link to their portfolio or something they might have publicly out there. For me personally, it gives a good sense of what this person might be about. A CV doesn’t always tell the full story. By the way, I’m not starting this whole portfolio debate again ??Also, when it comes to the design of a resume, I feel people sometimes go a bit over th e top. But if a resume is clear and gives me an idea of what type of person I’m dealing with and what they want to do, I continue reading. You often see the usual motivated, team-player, you know, everybody says that. And nobody cares. Tell me what you want to do and where you want to get. If someone is clear about their goals, I instantly want to help them achieve that.Related articles:11 summer books to make you miss work while on vacationThe ultimate guide to building professional reputationHow to be as graceful as Michelle Obama when you leave your job4. If there are 2 designers with similar skills and experience applying for the same company, how do you choose between the two?I would not make the differentiation based on just a resume, that would be so wrong. I’d set up a call or a coffee with both. And go from there. Because it often happens that somebody applies for a job and when I do get to chat with them, we figure out that maybe the company isnt the right one for the m. So that can often happen. That’s why I feel a good, honest job description is crucial to getting more relevant applicants which speeds up the whole process incredibly. Also, soft skills are a big thing these days. If I know the hiring company really well, I know what type of people they’d enjoy meeting. So it becomes less about the tech skills and more about the person. Anyone can match the job description against a resume, but it becomes tricky when you need to match the people. I look for terminology, maybe similar interests, mutual contacts, even tone of voice some sort of common ground the candidate and hiring manager might have. That way there’s a pretty good chance they’ll get on. I love spending the extra time to get to know both sides on a deeper level, you get better results that way. 5. What advice would you give to junior designers starting out?It’s my favorite topic. ?? There are not that many junior designer roles advertised, so what do you do? Get in touc h with the company. That doesn’t mean that you go and email 50 companies saying the same thing. No quality over quantity. And this method works. They should treat it like a project. Do some research, identify 20 companies you find interesting. Put them on the list. Go on Linkedin. See who might be in a hiring position there design manager? Get their names, emails. Then look into their profile in a bit more depth. Find their portfolios or side projects that they’re working on that are public. Look at that and personalize every email, mention something you find interesting about what they’ve worked on or spoke about at a conference. Send 2-3 emails and see if you get any results, if you don’t, try to switch up a little. Try not to ask for a job, but rather for advice. Most people will find some time and meet you and give you advice, and maybe would want to hire you in the future. It may seem like a lot of work, but I’ve seen it result in juniors getting good jobs time and time again. I think this approach works for everyone to be honest.6. Do you think something’s changed in the recruitment when it comes to matching?I think it has. Some companies use the term ‘’company culture’’ but they don’t really care about it that much. But more and more companies do look for a perfect personality match because there’s so much competition out there. Companies are often swamped with irrelevant applications, they need to find somebody who is aligned with their goals and vision. Even if the candidate is more junior and their skills don’t exactly match the job description, they’d prefer someone who can fit in well and they can upskill them. Unfortunately, this still doesn’t happen often enough. But this brings us back to the fact that one needs to show personality in how they apply for jobs to attract the hiring managers attention.7. Why don’t some people get hired?It’s hard to say because I’m not physically in that process with them, I’m not sitting in during the interviews. I think it often happens because the basics aren’t covered at the start of the process. There are very simple ways to figure all that stuff out before it’s too late. I always insist with any client I work with that they do a phone call first or exchange a couple of emails. That helps work out whether there’s a potential match. You’ve seen their resume, portfolio etc, it’s time to get to know the person. Through just having a quick conversation you can learn a lot. I see a lot of times people complain about getting rejected but then you ask did you follow up and ask why and what you could do to improve? I think it’s really important. Some companies won’t bother but some are really awesome at coming back with very specific feedback which will help improve going forward in the job search. You just gotta ask.If youd like to connect to Mindaugas, do it via  Linkedin or follow him on Twitter. You can also check out his Jobs Board.

9 Companies with Cool Office Perks

9 Companies with Cool Office Perks 9 Companies with Cool Office Perks There’s just something about being in a great office that motivates you. When you walk into a working environment that’s modern, attractive and has a few exciting perks to boot, you feel energized, valued and ready to take on the world. After all, investing in a great office space is one of the ways that a company can show their employees that they care. If you’re getting tired of a ho-hum workspace, upgrading your digs at an exciting new company might be just what you need to reinvigorate your career. Check out some of these companies with amazing office perks, and apply now! Cool Perks: Genentech is one of those companies setting the gold standard when it comes to perks. To start with, they make the commute easy by offering shuttle services to their office. And once you’re at the office, the benefits only get better. With on-site child care, car wash facilities, bicycle repair, haircut services, spa treatments and a full-service fitness center, this is definitely a company you’ll want to stick with for the long haul. And if you do, you’ll be handsomely rewarded - employees who have been with the company for six years get a six-week paid sabbatical ! Hiring For: Global Study Manager, Workforce Services Sr Director, Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Protein Crystallography), Senior Administrative Associate, Senior Statistical Programmer Analyst, Interactive Marketing (iM) Program Manager / Senior Program Manager & more What Employees Say: “Nice people. Great mission. Gorgeous campus. Great benefits. The campus overlooks Oyster Point which is beautiful. The on-site gym is beyond state of the art with plenty of interesting classes and free to employees. Open neighborhood environment is nice. Focus on sustainability in building design is great. Fantastic history in general… after all, Biotech started there.” - Current Communications Employee Cool Perks: Perhaps the only company in America to have its own in-house “escape room,” United Shore trains its team members in mortgage knowledge and team-building skills as they must find clues and solve puzzles to escape in a certain amount of time. If that weren’t enough, they also have a state-of-the-art fitness center, their own Starbucks, an outdoor basketball court and more. Hiring For: Scrum Master, Junior Digital Marketing Coordinator, Security Officer, Application Architect, Underwriting Excellence Development Program, Benefits Specialist, Network Engineer & more What Employees Say: “The environment here is a balance of competitiveness, encouragement, accountability, passion, openness, and fun! The expectations are high but if you are a hard worker, focus on the positive versus the negative, lift people around you up, strive to get better, you will succeed here, I’ve seen it.” - Current Employee Cool Perks: PNC Living Well offers activities for each employee - like wellness challenges and biometric screenings - that lead to credits, which are deposited as dollars into HSAs or paychecks. The company also has onsite Well-being Centers in Pittsburgh, PA and Miamisburg, OH, and employees participating in its medical benefits have access to Teladoc which provides 24/7/365 access to quality medical care through phone and video consultations. Hiring For: Branch Sales & Service Associate, Branch Sales & Service Representative, Teller, Application Developer, Operations Associate, Client Solution Specialist Sr, Business Development Officer, Tax Analyst Sr, Fiduciary Advisor, Business Analytics Consultant, Field Examiner, Capital Markets Sr Associate & more. What Employees Say: “PNC has amazing work-life balance. They also have phenomenal benefits;401k, pension, maternity (10 weeks 100% pay), educational assistance, childcare assistance, adoption assistance, etc. They promote from within and give you training to be successful in many areas.” - Current Universal Banker Cool Perks: Voted “the Coolest Office Space” by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, The Penny Hoarder HQ perfectly reflects their unique, quirky culture. Bookworms will love their library complete with a two-sided fireplace and T-Rex head mantle, while moms will appreciate the mother’s room, where nursing mothers can pump. Those looking to get their zen on will enjoy participating in the optional, twice-daily meditation sessions in their quiet room, and relaxing in their indoor park that features artificial turf flooring, company-branded yoga mats and beanbag chairs. And just about everybody can get behind their coffee bar, air hockey and shuffleboard tables. Hiring For: Social Media Director, Director of Email Marketing, On Air Journalist, Vice President of Branded Marketing and Communications, Digital Data Analyst II What Employees Say: “Pros: Company truly cares about [its] employees. Excellent benefits. Stellar Culture to work in. Collaborative bullpen environment. CEO is extremely approachable and caring. Professional Development available. Flexible hours and great work/life split. Management is very supportive and energetic. All in all this is a truly superb place to work, with a group of engaging people.” - Current IT Project Manager Cool Perks:   With their cloud-optimized platform for machine learning and analytics, fast-growing company Cloudera helps organizations transform complex data into clear, actionable insights.  Cloudera has locations around the world and provides great perks like happy hours, Bring Your Child/Parent to Work Day, volunteer time off, quarterly team-building off sites, employee appreciation parties, fundraising events/donations and social events like Giants games, mini golf and even robot wars. Hiring For: Strategic Account Manager, Customer Operations Engineer, Director of Product Management, Data Scientist, Partner Operations Manager, Field Readiness Program and Events Manager & more What Employees Say: “Great opportunities and many avenues for growth. Always challenging work and always learning. Love the culture. Very open and inclusive. Executive team is one of the best I’ve seen” - Current Employee Cool Perks: At Commvault, it’s all about working hard while having fun. Their Tinton Falls, NJ headquarters features an in-office slide from the fourth to third floors, ping-pong, foosball and pool tables, a fitness center, softball field, basketball court and walking trail, to name just a few perks. No matter how cool the office, though, Commvault understands that you’ll want to spend time relaxing and recharging on vacation - that’s why they offer unlimited PTO. Hiring For: Enterprise Account Executive, Customer Support Engineer, Systems Engineer, Marketing Intern, Human Resources Coordinator, District Channel Manager & more What Employees Say: “I love working at Commvault. The culture is unlike any other company I have ever experienced and I really feel that the company values me as an employee. The work I do is meaningful, and contributes to the organization as a whole, which is a huge motivator… The headquarters in Tinton Falls is an incredible building. Each floor has game rooms that employees are encouraged to use, there is an on-site gym, and of course, there is the slide open for employee use at any hour.” - Current Employee Cool Perks: Procore Technologies’ headquarters is lucky enough to have a benefit that not many companies could implement even if they wanted to - a beachside location! And although this construction management software company is located in Southern California, Procore’s Carpinteria, CA office gives Silicon Valley companies a run for their money in terms of perks: catered lunches, a dog-friendly office, a gym and fitness classes and even on-site massages and haircuts. Hiring For: Manager of Customer Success, Marketing Automation Specialist, Billing and Collection Specialist, Business Systems Analyst (HR), Sales Development Manager, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Senior Software Engineer & more What Employees Say: “From the day I started working at Procore, I’ve felt welcome, engaged, and energized. The work is challenging and fast-paced, but the people and culture make coming to the office something I look forward to everyday. Procore truly lives its values of Ownership, Optimism, and Openness â€" visible in everything from the frequent and authentic communication from our executives to the positive and supportive attitudes of our employees. I love being be part of a team working to build a product that positively impacts the global construction industry, making it safer, more organized, and more cost effective.” - Current Employee Cool Perks: Boston-based cloud company Acquia prides themselves on their “fast-paced, highly motivated, enormously fun work environment,” and it shows in their perks offerings. The Acquia office has kitchens stocked with snacks and beverages (including beer on tap), games like foosball, air hockey, ping pong and PS3s, a gym and even a nap room if you need to recharge in the middle of the day. And if you feel yourself starting to become a little bit tense, don’t worry - you can work out the kinks with a monthly in-office massage! Hiring For: Product Owner, UX Researcher, Senior Field Marketing Manager, Offshore Engineering Director, Salesforce.com Manager, Software Engineer, Talent Acquisition Coordinator & more What Employees Say: “Over [the] years Acquia has continued to attract and hire great talent, finding people from different backgrounds that are extremely bright and passionate. As an employee that means you have the opportunity to learn and meet people that can become mentors and be influential to your career. Acquia has always made sure to listen to employees and collect feedback, in order to improve when times were not perfect.” - Former Employee Cool Perks: As a company in the entertainment space, Showtime is able to offer quite a few unique perks like advanced screenings of TV series premieres and free Hulu and Showtime. And according to one employee , “They hosted a very cool ‘Billions’ Day to get employees excited about Season 2.” Outside of that, though, Showtime also provides solid core benefits like 401(k) matching and parental leave as well as innovative health and wellness benefits like an on-demand teledoctor, free flu shots and subsidized backup daycare for children and elders. Hiring For: Sr. Designer (Digital â€" Display Media), Acquisition Social Marketing Manager, Key Account Media Supervisor, Associate Producer (Special Features), VP, Production & more What Employees Say: “People are friendly, knowledgeable and willing to help. However, my advice is not to wait for the conversation to come to you. Take the initiative, engage and share your point of view.” - Current Director

A Career Profile That Includes Duties, Salary and More

A Career Profile That Includes Duties, Salary and More A Career Profile That Includes Duties, Salary and More Zoo habitat designers are responsible for designing animal exhibits and overseeing their construction. They must oversee all aspects of exhibit design from initial planning through final construction. Their duties include coming up with the design concept and writing a design proposal, choosing plants and landscape features, estimating expenses, supervising fabrication and construction, consulting with zoo personnel, and supervising the construction staff. Duties While creating an exhibit concept, zoo habitat designers must research the animal’s natural environment and try to replicate that as faithfully as possible within the constraints of the exhibit area. They must also seek information about the animal’s behavior as it relates to containment (i.e. they must know how far an animal can jump, whether it can swim, and how strong it is to ensure that it is safely housed in the exhibit and separated from members of the public). While working on an exhibit, the designer must collaborate with curators, keepers, zoo educators, and veterinarians to determine the best way to accommodate the needs of both animals and visitors. A habitat designer may work long hours during the design and construction of an exhibit, particularly on nights and weekends, if the schedule is tight. It is important that designers are able to manage their time carefully to meet deadlines and to allow for potential setbacks in the construction process. Designers may also be exposed to changing weather conditions and varying temperatures if they happen to be working in an outdoor exhibit area. Career Options Habitat designers may find projects with a variety of organizations including zoos, aquariums, marine parks, animal parks, theme parks, museums, and wildlife conservation centers. They may also transition to a variety of positions within zoo management, including curator roles. Others may choose to leave zoo design and pursue other aspects of landscape and architectural work. While some designers are self-employed, many work for large firms that may or may not specialize specifically in zoo work. Some large zoos also hire habitat designers as full-time staff members. Education Training In most cases, a zoo habitat designer holds a degree in architecture or landscape architecture. Some have an additional degree (or significant experience) in zoology, wildlife biology, animal behavior, or another animal-related field. A designer should also have signification experience with computer-aided design (CAD) as well as knowledge of how to obtain necessary permits and complete construction documentation. Knowledge of animal behavior and physical requirements is beneficial, though this information can also be acquired through research and discussion with zoo professionals. There are many zoo related internship opportunities that an aspiring designer could take advantage of to gain valuable experience and knowledge of animal behavior. Internships involving landscape and architecture work are also extremely valuable for those hoping to pursue this career path. Professional Groups Zoo habitat designers may be members of professional groups such as the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), an organization that boasts members in all levels of zoo management from keepers to curators. The AAZK currently boasts a membership of more than 2,800 zoo professionals. The International Zoo Educators Association (IZEA) is another professional group that includes designers in its membership. The IZEA seeks to improve the quality of zoo education and to promote interaction of zoo professionals with the public. Salary Compensation can vary widely based on the size of the project, the financial backing of the institution and the specific responsibilities involved. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes zoo habitat designers under the more general category of landscape architects in its salary surveys. During the most recent salary survey conducted in May of 2012, landscape architects earned a median annual wage of $64,180 per year ($30.86 per hour). The lowest ten percent of landscape architects earned less than $38,450 per year while the highest ten percent of landscape architects earned more than $101,850 per year. As with most careers, compensation is directly commensurate with experience in the field. Zoo habitat designers with many years of experience or those with a coveted area of expertise can expect to earn top dollar on the salary scale. Job Outlook The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that landscape designer positions will grow about as fast as the average for all positions (at a rate of approximately 14 percent from 2012 to 2022). With growing public interest in seeing zoo animals housed in natural looking and well-designed exhibits, the prospects should be good for those entering the zoo design niche of the landscape design market.

Blowing with the Wind

Blowing with the Wind Blowing with the Wind Blowing with the Wind Wind turbines rely on efficiency like few means of energy, so when Arturo Villegas team received results of around a ten percent increase in average coefficient improvement at a university wind tunnel through their Aerodynamic Flow Deflector, it was cause to celebrate. And to continue testing. For their technology, it was a matter of redirection, turbines to Villegas taking too simple of an approach to wind farms. Its amazing what a little adjustment can do, he says. Deflecting, the Strategy At Rutgers University, Villegas was already part of a group which wanted to improve wind turbines for wind farms, an ever-increasing means of alternative fuel globally. They found their aerodynamic flow deflector, similar to somewhere around a very thin, plate-like shape or air foil-like shape with a slight curve, can adjust wind power. Wind turbine mounted in the wind tunnel. Image: Rutgers Going through the blade torque and deflector torque, the wind moves through with the blade tangential force and has redirected tangential force with the aid of the deflector, says Villegas, co-founder and CEO of XPEED Technology, the company formed for the technology. We knew there was substantial loss in power in terms of turbines. The thought of how to increase the power focused on really redirecting the velocity into creating more torque. Its not just one deflector. When you put several deflectors around the blade, every one of them are all working towards the configuration of the torque. According to Villegas, the Appalachian University Wind Testing Center, two weeks with deflectors found it to have an annual energy production increase of 8.7 percent to 11.4 percent compared to two weeks without deflectors. At an NREL Regional Testing Center, it was found to be between 2 percent and 8 percent for both turbines tested with 100 hours of deflectors as opposed to 100 hours without. These are considered third party experiments, he reminds. Not just good for the public, but good for us, because we want to be honest with ourselves that were on the right track. The deflector is customizable through wind farm testing for any turbine, he says, but they have the goal to switch to fiberglass for the deflectors, similar to what is often found in wind turbine blades. I Shall Return? Villegas estimates it will take two to three years to see return on investment after implementation to a wind farm, though they are not at the production phase. But for how it can serve you, it has a chance to be a major source of revenue with patience, he says. Beyond that, Im happy it could help keep wind farms going for the positive effect it can have on our world. This is more than a means of profit, but a means of energy that can create power for parts of the world with little and conserve it for countries that dont need to use as much energy. Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further Discussion This is a means of energy that can create power for parts of the world with little and conserve it for countries that dont need to use as much energy.Prof. Arturo Villegas, Rutgers University

How to cope when your mentor jumps ship at work

How to cope when your mentor jumps ship at work How to cope when your mentor jumps ship at work Coping when your mentor leaves the company you work for can be super tricky, but it shouldn’t spell the end. So here’s what to do instead of panicking.Start branching out at workTerri Tierney Clark, an author, advisor and speaker, wrote in The Muse about what to do when your mentor who functioned as your advisor at work leaves.“In this case, turn your mentor’s departure into an opportunity to get some new perspectives. Identify a few other people you could turn to for career guidance and input, and start slowly by asking for advice on a couple of small things and using that as a building point for new relationships. These advisors don’t have to be newly adopted mentors, they just need to be professionals you respect and trust.” she writes.Have more than one option, just in caseThis could definitely come in handy.Kathy Kram, now a professor emeritus of organizational behavior at Boston University, told The Wall Street Journal in 2011 about how you should have more than one source of support.The article was published at a time when “executive changes and reshuffles” were reportedly happening at Apple, UBS, J.C. Penney, JPMorgan and Hewlett-Packard.“In today’s environment, it’s really important to have more than one sponsor … I would advise anyone to build a network of support rather than rely on one person,” Kram told the site at the time.You never know what kind of situation you could find yourself in at work.Use it as a learning experienceThis is a great opportunity to learn, instead of spending all your time freaking out about the changes to come.David Haigh, a Demand Planning Manager at Johnson Johnson and a lecturer at Wilfrid Laurier University, writes on LinkedIn about the positive things he eventually learned when his mentor was fired at work, although it was difficult at first.“But over time, and not a lot of time, I came to accept and grow from losing having that mentor at work, and learned so much more from staying in touch with that mentor in their new life. We don’t see each other as often as we should, but when we can catch up, I always come away thinking about something in a way I hadn’t before,” he writes.Haigh continues, saying that “today, another mentor of mine is taking his next step,” and muses about what that will mean for the future.

11 secrets that will make you more secure on the internet

11 secrets that will make you more secure on the internet 11 secrets that will make you more secure on the internet Hacked accounts in the news. Endless robocalls. Online ads that eerily seem to read your mind. Do I hear Alexa and Siri gossiping about your secrets? It  almost  feels like paranoia is a totally appropriate reaction.In 2018 alone,  data breaches  exposed four-point-five  billion  records to hackers. Three months into 2019 and another two-point-seven billion are already illegally available for sale. But hackers aren’t the only problem…Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!We’ve all read about the 50 million Facebook accounts involved in the  Cambridge Analytica scandal. And another 30 million were exposed in  October of 2018. Oh, and in September another 7 million had  private photos revealed.  Of course, Google knows every search you’ve made (yes, even in incognito mode) and  tons of other stuff  about you. And in 2014,  hackers  released a lot of not-so-clothed pictures stolen from celebrities’ Apple iCloud accounts.Oh, and don’t forget that your internet service provider has a list of  every  website you’ve ever visited at home. Yes, even “those” websites that we don’t discuss at family dinner. And they sell that  info to marketers. Some retail stores now  track how often you visit  and  which aisles you spend the most time in. Three-hundred bucks to the right shady individual can buy me  your exact location at any time. And nobody wants their credit info leaking. But it  already has. Multiple  times.Feeling a bit “1984” over there, Winston Smith? Okay, let’s take a breath. Don’t start folding your tinfoil hat just yet.There is one ironclad rule on our side:  Nobody can abuse information about you that they don’t have.  Which is why we need to take security and privacy more seriously. Because it’s on us. And so I present you with what could be titled: “Internet Security and Privacy: The-More-Than-You-Care-To-Know Edition. ”I’d like to single out  Michael Bazzell  for his fine work that I drew a fair portion of this info from. He spent years at the FBI’s  cybercrime division  and was a consultant on the first season of  Mr. Robot. His incredibly thorough books are  The Complete Privacy Security Desk Reference  and  Hiding from the Internet: Eliminating Personal Online Information.We’re gonna cover everything from fundamentals like good passwords all the way to the paranoid level of aliases and burner phones. If you just want to be safer online or if you want that tinfoil hat to be nicely tailored, this should have you covered.So what’s the first step?Know your “Threat Model”Security and privacy are different. Security is somebody breaking into your online accounts. Privacy is someone having personal details about you. (So putting your entire digital life into Google products is excellent for security - but often terrible for privacy.) You can be more concerned about one and less about the other.And then there’s the “security/privacy” vs. “convenience” trade-off. It’s pretty much axiomatic that more secure means less convenient. You can be concerned about privacy… but not concerned about it enough that you want to live in a Faraday cage. So how can we be responsible  without  being paranoid?The answer is to think about your “threat model.” Ask yourself (non-rhetorically): “What am I afraid of? And how much am I willing to do to prevent it?” Are you more concerned about security or privacy? More worried about hackers or stalkers? Are you someone who just wants to be on fewer marketing lists or are you a whistleblower who may have the resources of a global corporation turned against him or her?Know what you want to defend against and you’ll know what measures will be vital - and what is paranoid overkill.(To learn more about how you and your children can lead a successful life, check out my bestselling book  here.)Alright, we know how to eva luate what’s necessary for each of us. But this first one is non-negotiable, whatever your threat model may be…1) Get FrozenNo, not the Disney movie. You need to get a  credit freeze. It’s the best defense against identity theft. The best time to get one is yesterday. Or sooner.Many of you are saying: “Yawn. I did that a long time ago with all three credit agencies.” To which I would reply, “Actually, there are 6 credit agencies.” Oooooops.So fill out the forms for  Equifax,  Experian,  Transunion,  Innovis,  NCTUE  and  Chex. There’s an excellent overview of the whole deal  here.And if you have young children get a credit freeze for them too. Kids are a  big target  because their credit is not only “clean” but also their reports are unlikely to get checked for, oh, about a decade or so. It would be awful for little Jimmy to be $300,000 in debt by age nine. More info on credit freezes for kids  here.(To learn how to stop checking your phone all the time, click  h ere.)Okay, let’s talk about that computer of yours. It’s feeling vulnerable and needs a little more than a hug…2) Full Disk Encryption, Firewall, And BackupsThis trio is critical for your computer. Full disk encryption keeps your data safer and a firewall protects you from some online attacks. (Here’s how to setup  FDE  and  a firewall  on Mac, and here’s  FDE  and  firewall  on Windows.)Backing up means if anything happens to your computer you won’t lose your data. Think of it like homeowner’s insurance for your digital life. You have to do this regularly, but it’s often easy to automate. If you’re  very  concerned about your data, you want to have multiple encrypted backups, with one of them maintained offsite. The latter means putting an encrypted copy of your info on a USB drive that you keep at a friend’s place (recommended) or in the cloud (not recommended.) This way if a meteor hits your house or the jackbooted minions of the great global conspiracy seize the rebellion’s plans, you’re covered. Good options are  Time Machine  and  Carbon Copy Cloner. And I highly recommend  this little guy.The most important part of smartphone privacy is limiting app permissions like location data, contacts, etc. And don’t download sketchy apps.(To learn the 4-step morning ritual that will make you happy all day, click  here.)Okay, you should be in good shape. But there’s something that comes up again and again that we tend to put off. But it’s vital. In fact, many experts say it’s the single most important thing you can do to increase security…3) Updates Are Annoying. Do Them AnywayMost hackers aren’t geniuses. Often they’re using the same tricks from 5 years ago. But if you haven’t updated your software in 5 years… uhhh yeah, that’s a problem.Those updates you’re putting off? Most of them are security-related. Apply updates ASAP. It often feels like it’s doing nothing but you’re forgetting that when it comes to security ,  â€œnothing” is a wonderful thing and “something” is very very bad.And routinely update  all  your devices. Desktop, laptop, smartphone, firmware on routers, etc. Enable automatic updates on any device that offers it.After any update, check your settings. When new features are added they often default to the least secure options. And sometimes updates even turn on options you turned off. Sadly, the price of digital liberty is often eternal vigilance.(To learn the 4 harsh truths that will make you a better person, click  here.)Okay, you’re updating often. But there’s a way to increase security  and  make updates less cumbersome at the same time…4) Apps Are Not Pokemon. Stop Collecting ThemIf you don’t use something regularly, delete it. Smartphone apps, computer software, browser extensions, etc. This reduces “attack surface.” The more software you have, the more points of failure you have. More things that can have vulnerabilities. More potential rogue software d oing things it shouldn’t do.That said, hold on to your  antivirus  and  malware protection  - especially if you’re using Windows.(To learn how to have a long awesome life, click  here.)Alright, time for an intervention. We need to have a serious talk about a very serious subject. I’m very disappointed in your behavior…5) Your Passwords Bring Shame Upon Your FamilyThe  most common passwords  are embarrassing: “The top two slots have been left unchanged for the fifth year in a row. They are, maddeningly, ‘123456’ and ‘password.‘”In fact, just by knowing the  top ten most common passwords  you could break into almost 1 out of every 50 computers. Okay, maybe your password is slightly better. But slight  ain’t cutting it, Bubba:A password-cracking expert has unveiled a computer cluster that can cycle through as many as 350 billion guesses per second. It’s an almost unprecedented speed that can try every possible Windows passcode in the typical enterprise in less than six hours. By the way, that article is seven years old. You think computers have gotten faster or slower since then? Exactly. You need unique, strong passwords for every account and on every device. 12 characters or more, a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. No excuses.Some people are thinking, “Are you crazy? I can’t remember all those.” But you don’t need to. Get a good password manager like  Lastpass. It will generate super-strong passwords for you and remember them all.Willing to forego convenience for super-duper security? Then forget  Lastpass. You don’t want a password manager that uses the cloud - that means your passwords are out there on  someone else’s computer. Yes, they’re almost certainly safe and cloud-based systems are very convenient - but if you’re a die-hard about security the only place the keys to your digital kingdom should be is on  your  devices. Go with  KeePassXC  and  MiniKeePass  for your iPhone.Beyond that password, guard your primary email account with your life. If I can get into that, I can go to most every site you frequent and request a password reset. Boom - hacking one account gets me all of them. And I’m not speculating here. This is exactly what happened to Wired reporter  Mat Honan.You also need  two-factor authentication. (“2FA”) You know when you log into your bank and they text you a code? Yeah, that. And if you’re getting all your 2FA codes via SMS you are  doing it wrong. Use an app-based system instead, like Google Authenticator (iPhone,  Android) or  Authy. Some sites  only  offer SMS-based 2FA and, inexplicably, many are companies you would expect the  most  security from. (I’m looking at  you, Bank of America.) If SMS is your only choice, it’s definitely better than nothing. A helpful list of all major sites offering 2FA is  here.And finally, what if you want  ultimate  security (but not necessarily privacy) for that precious primary email account? Try  Google Advanced Protection. Then nobody can get into your account without a password  and  a physical  USB key.  And it works. Google instituted it for all employees. How many phishing-based hacks have they had since then?  Zero.(To learn how to deal with out-of-control kids - from hostage negotiators - click  here.)Perfect. But what are you using to log into those accounts anyway? And is it as private as you’d like?6) Stock Browsers Are Bad BrowsersAt least if you’re very serious about privacy. Safari  sends data to Apple  and you better believe  Chrome sends info to Google. If this is part of your threat model, ditch them both and go with  Firefox, which is the most secure of the mainstream browsers.For super-duper security and privacy, here are some recommended extensions:HTTPS everywhere: This is a must for everyone. Forces sites to encrypt your connection whenever possible. Ublock Origin: Great, customizable ad-blocker. Do not install if you love ads. Cookie Autodelete: Prevents tracking. Not for everyone. Very secure, not-so-convenient. Multi-Account Container: This makes each tab operate as if it was a separate browser, preventing those eerie recommendations that seem to read your mind. Not for everyone. Track Me Not: It runs random Google searches in the background to bury your real searches in a haystack of noise. Only needed if you’re very privacy conscious and have a puckish sense of humor.For your smartphone, it’s  Firefox  again, unless you want super-security and don’t mind a convenience hit; then go with  Firefox Focus.And at the  super-extreme  outer edge we have the “Deluxe Snowden Package.” You’ll need  Qubes  and  Tor  (Pro tip: be careful with those  exit nodes.) And you cannot afford to be tracked by your phone. Get a  Faraday bag  - or put it in a martini shaker. Yes,  seriously.(To learn how to deal with passive-aggressive people, click  here.)Browser secured. But that’s not going to help much when the data leaves your computer and heads out there into the big bad internet. How do you keep your online activities secure and private when they’re out of your hands?7) Dig A TunnelYour ISP can see every site you visit when you’re online at home. And so c an the marketers they sell that info to. If a connection isn’t secure, hackers can intercept your traffic and mess with you. And using public WiFi is like making your poor little phone have unprotected sex with very unattractive strangers. How the heck do we stay safe from all these prying eyes and barbarians at the digital gate?It’s called a  VPN  and I’ll go so far as to say everyone should have one. Basically, it creates an encrypted “tunnel” between you and your VPN provider, protecting your internet activities from visibility and attacks. Your ISP now only knows you’re connected to the VPN, and nothing more. Hackers can’t break through the encryption to monkey with your data. And public WiFi gets a much-needed condom.Note that some sites don’t play well with VPNs, because many bad guys use them. VPNs are pretty cheap (roughly $5 a month) and they’re simple to set up on both computers and smartphones.  PIA  and  NordVPN  are recommended providers.(To learn 5 se crets from neuroscience that will increase your attention span, click  here.)So far we’ve discussed a lot of attack scenarios you’re probably familiar with. But here’s one most people aren’t. And if you’re not protected, it could lead to someone emptying your bank account…8) The Phone Number Is The New Social Security NumberWhat do you do whenever you get a new phone? Call your cellular provider and have them move your number to the new device. Easy peasy. But what if I called your cellular carrier and pretended I’m you? They move  your  phone service to  my  phone. And when I log in to Bank of America with your password, guess who gets the text with that 2FA code? Yup, moi. Shopping spree time. (Hacking the password was easy; it’s was “123456”, right?)This is called “SIM swapping.” These days people are signing up for 2FA more often, so SIM swapping is happening more often. If you’re doing 2FA with an app like Authy or a  hardware token, you’re covered. But some sites (*cough*, *cough*, Bank of America)  only  offer 2FA by SMS. Ugh. What to do?Many of the phone companies are now offering to secure your account with a password, so go to their site or call them to get one. People won’t be able to port your number without the code.And what’s the ultimate-privacy-Jason-Bourne-level-security-tinfoil-hat-conspiracy-theory solution? That’s easy:  make sure nobody knows your phone number - not even you.  This will prevent both SIM swapping attacks and shady dudes from selling your GPS location. But how the heck do you do it?Move your current phone number to Google Voice. (You can do that  here  for $10. Instructions  here.) Sign up for a pre-paid mobile plan. (Mint Mobile is dirt cheap and reliable. Join  here.) They’ll give you a new SIM card with a new number. You now get all your calls, texts and voicemail through the Google Voice app. And you never give the new SIM card number out to anyone.  Yes, this works. You can’t be SI M swapped, you can’t be tracked… and anyone you tell about it will probably assume you’re a fugitive, a drug dealer or utterly insane.While we’re driving down paranoia lane, SMS text messaging is fundamentally insecure. Switch to an encrypted free app like  Signal. But the people you’re contacting need to have it as well. So now you’re an insane fugitive drug dealer who is also having an affair. Remember what I said about security vs convenience..?(To learn the neuroscience secret to how to quit bad habits without willpower, click  here.)We’ve covered a lot of technical stuff, but one of the most important things to do when dealing with online security threats is to change your attitude…9) Be More SkepticalPhishing  attacks  don’t always come  in the obvious form of emails from Nigerian royalty. Increasingly, these attacks  appear  to come from close friends, leading you to click links without hesitation. Using a site like  this  I can send you an email that appear s to be from, well, anyone. And  this site  lets me do the equivalent with my phone, spoofing my caller ID. Yes, it’s that easy.Don’t log in to anything important using a public computer or public WiFi without a VPN. Turn WiFi off on your phone to  avoid being tracked in retail stores. And sign up for notifications  here  to find out if any of your personal information has popped up in data breaches.If giving out personal info is an overwhelming concern for you (everybody say it with me now:  threat model) you might want to check out  MySudo. Ever wanted a secret identity? MySudo offers you multiple “aliases” - each with their own working phone number and email address. For when you have to give the hotel a number but don’t want marketing calls, when you’re not sure about that person on Tinder, when buying things online, or if you just want to pretend you’re Stringer Bell from “The Wire” carrying a burner phone.(To learn the 4 rituals from neuroscience that will m ake you happy, click  here.)Okay, you’ve got the skepticism part down. But we’re already using some services that may not pass that new threshold. Time to reevaluate…10) Be Wary Of The Cloud And Social MediaMost of us see free iCloud backup as an awesome service. And it is… but also look at it through your security lens:  any time you backup in the cloud you are putting all of your data on a computer you do not control.The cloud is great for convenience and data loss protection but anything you put on someone else’s computer is subject to data breaches or nosy employees. For most people, the cloud is probably fine. But if you plan on becoming a political dissident or an international celebrity (no, I’m not going to link to the hacked nudes of Jennifer Lawrence but I can’t stop you from Googling them) keep your data on your devices. There’s also a middle path: encrypt files before uploading them. (Free software for that  here.)So what about social media?  Here’s  ho w to get what Facebook knows about you, how to delete it, or to change your privacy settings.  Here’s  Google.  This  is Apple’s data on you, how to delete it, and how to limit ad tracking.For the extreme crowd, here’s  how to delete your Facebook account, your  Google account  and  other social media.Me? I’ll be sharing this post all over social media. But you can’t see my nudes. I know my threat model.(To learn the secret to never being frustrated again, click  here.)I’ve tried to give a balance of reasonable options along with more extreme measures. At this point, the reasonable folks are more than covered. But there are going to be some who say I’m not being paranoid enough. Oooooookay, let’s go to the  total edge case…11) Convinced “They” Are Watching You? Set Traps.If you’ve got a stalker, an abusive spouse, or live in a country where having unpopular political opinions tends to make people vanish, you’ve got a legit extreme threat model. And I’m  h ere to help.Whether it’s a despotic government, your boss, or the henchmen of the Illuminati, how do you know if someone already has access to your computer? What if you had a “canary in the coal mine” to warn you?Canary Tokens  allows you to create, for free, files that send you an email when they’ve been opened, along with the IP address of the intruder. Throw one on your desktop with a  too-good-not-to-click-on  name like “passwords”, “finances” or my personal favorite, “stuff to discuss with therapist” and then never touch them. If you get an email from Canary Tokens, somebody’s looking at your stuff - and it ain’t you.Yeah, agreed, this is all super-paranoid… That is, unless the canary sings.(To learn the science of how to take naps that will make you smarter and happier, click  here.)We have covered a positively  gargantuan  amount of information. I should give you a diploma at this point. Let’s round it all up and I’ll tell you how to get everyt hing you need to get your info off all those sketchy online data broker sites that flood your inboxes with spam and robocall you to death…Sum UpHere’s how to be more secure on the internet: Get frozen: Credit freeze. All 6. For the kids too. (Don’t raise lazy kids. Let them run up their own debt instead of having someone else do it.) Full disk encryption, firewall and backups: Armor and reinforcements. Updates are annoying. Do them anyway:  Many security experts say this is numero uno. Apps are not Pokemon. Stop collecting them: What you don’t download can’t hurt you. Your passwords bring shame upon your family: Get a password manager and 2FA. It’s as simple as 123456. Stock browsers are bad browsers: Get foxy, baby. Dig a tunnel: VPN’s are the best kept secret in security. (Bonus: they also let you watch  region-specific Netflix content.) The phone number is the new social security number: Get a password from your cellular provider, or port your number to briefly turn your life into a spy thriller. Be more skeptical: Please wire me $500. It’s a gullibility tax. Be wary of the cloud and social media: Think twice before putting anything important on computers that aren’t yours. Convinced “They” are watching you? Set traps: “Tweet-tweet,” said the diabolical conspirator. Yeah, it’s a lot. Consider your threat model and do a little bit at a time. (No, you can’t email me with your IT problems. Only my dad gets to do that.)If you want to get your info off those data broker sites, two excellent places to start the process are  here  and  here. Also, in my next  weekly email  I’ll be sending out a PDF with an exhaustive list that will really help improve your online privacy, get you off marketing lists, and reduce the amount info out there that hackers can use against you. To make sure you get it, join  here.And if you want to get more involved in the security and privacy cause, check out the  EFF.I hope this will keep you, your loved ones and your beloved data that much safer.I mean, after all,  They  are watching our every move, you know…A canary told me.Join over 330,000 readers.  Get a free weekly update via email  here.This article first appeared on Bakadesuyo.com .  You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people