Army Training Phase Restrictions

Army Training l RestrictionsArmy Training l RestrictionsAll of the military services restrict privileges and personal freedoms during basic training and job training. Below are the training/restriction requirements for U.S. Army personnel undergoing Initial Entry Training (IET) as required by TRADOC Reg 350-6. IET is the period from the first day of basic training, through job training, and ends when the soldier graduates from their job training and reports to their first permanent duty assignment (PDA). The Army has two different IET processes. The first process is where the recruit goes through basic training for nine weeksand then goes to a separate school called Advanced Individual Training, or AIT to learn their Army job. The second method (used mostly for combat jobs) is called One-Station-Unit-Training, or OSUT. It combines basic training and job training into one single course. When we discuss the training ls below, leiters I through III are for basic training, and the first nine weeks of OSUT, which is the basic training portion of OSUT. Phase IV begins on the first day of AIT (job school) or week 10 of OSUT. General Restrictions During Army Initial Entry Training The goal of IET is to transform civilians into technically and tactically competent soldiers who live by the Armys values and are prepared to take their place in the ranks of the Army. This transformation from civilian to soldier is accomplished during a five-phased soldierization process which begins with a soldiers arrival at the reception battalion and ends with the awarding of a MOS upon completion of IET.By definition, soldierization is a tough, comprehensive process which totally immerses an IET soldier in a positive environment established by active, involved leadership. This environment sets high standards, provides positive role models and uses every training opportunity to reinforce basic soldier skills. This demands that all soldiers in IET, regardless of rank, strictly adhere to the standards of excellence and commitment. It is essential that the officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and Departeement of the Army (DA) civilians assigned the crucial responsibility of transforming Americas sons and daughters into professional soldiers be motivated, disciplined, and competent professionals. Leaders must leid only demand that IET soldiers achieve the Army standard during high quality, rigorous training, they must also demand that every IET soldier is treated with the dignity and respect entitled all soldiers. It requires active involvement by professional leaders and trainers who maintain the highest levels of technical and tactical competence in their profession. Phased Training In Basic Training, AIT and OSUT The concept of phasing and associated goals was established to provide intermediate objectives that give common direction and serve as milestones for IET soldiers during IET. The training cadre informs IET soldiers of the goals and standard s for each phase of training. IET soldiers then know what direction to work towards and generally what effort must be applied to achieve the goals. Movement from each phase is viewed as a gate or passage for each soldier. The training cadre evaluates each soldier against the desired standards for each phase before advancing to the next phase. The first three phases of IET are associated with basic training and the basic training portion of OSUT.The last two phases are associated with AIT and the MOS skill portion of OSUT. In OSUT courses, Phases III and IV may be combined. It will generally depend on how early in the course MOS training begins and whether basic skills testing is conducted at mid-cycle or end-of-cycle. The installation commander as part of the phased training program will determine actual phase lengths. Phase I (Basic Training) Phase I is designated as the Patriot Phase (Red Flag). This phase encompasses weeks one to three of basic training and OSUT. It is an env ironment of total control where an active, involved leadership begins transforming civilians into soldiers. Training during this phase is focused on inculcating Army values, traditions, and ethics, as well as beginning the development of individual basic combat skills and physical fitness training. The goals for soldiers in Phase I includebut are elend limited to Pass Phase I testPay strict attention to detailConform to established standardsMaster basic skillsMaintain individual and platoon areasDevelop physical fitness consistent with time in trainingReceive an introduction to Army values, history, heritage, and traditions Phase II (Basic Training) Phase II is designated as the Gunfighter Phase (White Flag).This phase encompasses weeks four to six of basic training and OSUT.As its name implies, this phase is centered on the development of basic combat skills, with special emphasis on weapon proficiency. Skill development, self-discipline, and team building characterize phase II along with a lessening of control commensurate with demonstrated performance and responsibility. IET soldiers receive additional instruction on Army values, ethics, history, and traditions. The goals for IET soldiers in Phase II include, but are not limited to Pass the Phase II testConform to established standardsDisplay self-disciplineQualify with the M16A2 rifle or assigned weaponDevelop physical fitness consistent with time in trainingReinforce Army values, history, heritage, and traditions, and define the seven Army values Phase III (Basic Training) Phase III is designated as the Warrior Phase (Blue Flag). It is the last phase of basic training and encompasses weeks seven to ten of basic training and OSUT. This phase is designed to develop and foster the IET soldiers understanding of the importance of teamwork. This phase culminates with the application of all skills learned in basic training (and basic skills portion of OSUT) during a 72-hour field training exercise. This exercise is designed to stress IET soldiers physically and mentally and requires each soldier to demonstrate their proficiency of basic combat skills in a tactical field environment while operating as part of a team. The goals for soldiers in Phase III include, but are not limited to Conform to Army standardsPass the APFT to Basic Training standard (50 points each event, 150 points total)Pass the EOCTComplete all Basic Training POI requirementsDemonstrate the ability to think, look, and act like a soldier, without detailed supervisionDemonstrate knowledge of the Army Core Values, history, heritage, and traditions Phase IV (AIT and OSUT) Phases IV (Black Flag) and V (Gold Flag) of the soldierization process occur in AIT and OSUT and are characterized by lessening of control and increased emphasis on the technical aspects of an IET soldiers designated MOS.IET soldiers also receive reinforcement training on values and an introduction to the history, heritage, and traditions of the ir specialty branch. This lessening of control, expansion of privileges, and focus on MOS skills are all part of the evolutionary process marking the transformation from a civilian to someone who thinks, looks, and acts like a soldier. Phase IV begins at the start of the first week of AIT, or the tenth week of OSUT. Phase IV continues to the end of the third week of AIT, or the thirteenth week of OSUT.It is characterized by reduced supervision by drill sergeants (DSs), reinforcement training of common skills, values, and traditions taught in basic training and an introduction to MOS tasks. IET soldiers starting AIT will receive initial counseling upon arrival at the AIT unit. This session will be used to establish goals consistent with the soldiers MOS training requirements as prescribed in the appropriate POI and this regulation. During this phase and Phase V, DSs should evaluate IET soldiers behavior, and their behavior should be consistent with Army core values. Phase V (AIT and OSUT) Phase V begins at the start of the fourth week of AIT (fourteenth week of OSUT) and continues until graduation from AIT/OSUT. It is characterized by reinforcement training of common skills, training, and evaluation of MOS skills, a leadership environment which simulates that in a field unit, and a culminating tactical field training exercise that integrates common skills and MOS tasks. This exercise is designed to reinforce the basic combat skills learned in basic training and how they apply to the soldier in the execution of their MOS duties in a tactical field environment. Graduation From AIT or OSUT Graduation from OSUT/AIT signifies successful completion of the first five phases of the soldierization process.All IET graduates, by definition, have demonstrated the technical and tactical skills necessary to join the ranks in the field and be a contributing member of the units mission accomplishment. It does not signify the end or completion of the soldierization pro cess. Soldiers continue to develop professionally throughout their military careers, both in and out of the institutional training base. Reinforcement at the unit level and in the non-commissioned officer education system (NCOES) are essential aspects of the Armys soldierization program. Amount and Type of Control During IET, the cadre leadership should evolve from total control over soldiers to the point where it duplicates the leadership environment in field units.This gradual change supports the soldierization process, yet lets the DS gauge how self-disciplined the soldiers are and maintain or relinquish control accordingly. A period of total control (e.g., continuous cadre supervision, soldiers restricted to company area, limited free time) will be enforced during phase I of IET. Privileges/Limitations for IET Soldiers Privileges granted in IET should support the phase training program, which establishes intermediate goals to help recruits in their transformation from c ivilians to soldiers. Specific privileges will be associated with each phase as incentives, and soldiers should be eligible for those privileges as they progress in training. However, the decision to award privileges must be based on individual performance.Soldiers should be given additional freedom as they demonstrate more self-discipline and the ability to accept responsibility. These are privileges, not rights, and as such, can be withheld, modified, or withdrawn by commanders based upon performance, mission, and program requirements. The following privileges are the outer limits and, as such, commanders can be more restrictive, if desired. Phase I (weeks 1 through 3 of basic training). No passes are permitted, and IET soldiers are restricted to the company area.IET soldiers in this phase will be escorted to post exchange (PX) by the DS for necessities or as a reward for achievement. Soldiers are prohibited from driving privately owned vehicles (POV) and from wearing civilian cl othes. They are also prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages and using tobacco products. Phase II (weeks 4 through 6 of basic training). Passes in brigade area may be authorized. (Outside brigade area, in formation and escorted only). This modification is used as a reward for excellent achievement as determined by the battalion commander for the use of theaters, swimming pools, etc., which may not be available within the brigade area). IET soldiers in this phase are prohibited from driving POVs and from wearing civilian clothes. They are also prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages and using tobacco products. Phase III (weeks 7 through 9 of basic training).On-post passes may be authorized. Off-post passes may be authorized after graduation from Basic Training. IET soldiers in this phase are prohibited from driving POVs and from wearing civilian clothes. After graduation, if of legal age, they may be authorized to consume alcoholic beverages while on pass. IET soldiers ar e prohibited from using tobacco products. Phase IV (weeks 1 through 3 of AIT or weeks 10 through 13 of OSUT).Off-post day passes on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) may be authorized. IET soldiers must remain within a 50-mile radius of the post, and all passes must end NLT 2200 hours. IET soldiers will wear the proper military uniform while on pass (includes off-post passes). IET soldiers are prohibited from driving POVs. If of legal age, they may be authorized to consume alcoholic beverages while on pass. IET soldiers are prohibited from using tobacco products. Phase V (weeks 4 through 9 of AIT or weeks 14 through 19 of OSUT).The first off-post pass will be a day pass only. All others may be off-post and overnight passes on weekends. Distance limitations will be imposed by local commanders however, all passes must end NLT 2200 hours Sunday (or 8 hours prior to the next training day, whichever is earlier). If of legal age, they may be authorized to consume alcoholic beverages while on pass.IET soldiers are prohibited from using tobacco products or driving POVs. Uniform for off-post passes is left to the Commanders discretion. Phase V, plus (more than 9 weeks of AIT or more than 20 weeks of OSUT).The following policy applies to all IET soldiers upon completion of the 9th week of AIT (or 20th week of OSUT) For those installations with the facilities to separate Phase V soldiers (at weeks 9/20), from other IET soldiers, privileges will be the same as permanent party soldiers.On installations where separation is not possible, use of tobacco and alcohol will be restricted. Completion of Phases In addition to the attainment of published training objectives, every IET soldier is required to meet the qualification standards. These requirements include but are not limited to Basic Training and Phases I-III of OSUT Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) with a minimum of 50 points in each event, 150 points totalQualify with individual weaponPass all end-of-phase testsPass the End-of-Cycle Test (EOCT)Complete all obstacle and confidence courses as prescribed in the appropriate POIComplete bayonet and pugil fighting training as prescribed in the appropriate POIComplete kralle-to-hand combat training as prescribed in the appropriate POIThrow two live hand grenades and successfully complete the Hand Grenade Qualification Course as prescribed in the appropriate POI Complete the Protective Mask Confidence exerciseDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Army Core ValuesComplete all tactical field training, to include foot marches and field training exercises (FTXs) required by this regulation and the appropriate POI in Basic Training, OSUT AIT and Phases IV-V of OSUT Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) with a minimum of 60 points in each event, 180 points totalPass all end-of-phase testsPass the End-of-Course Comprehensive Test (EOCCT)Demonstrate performance of MOS-specificcritical skills (skills determined mandatory for the awarding of a MOS) as identified by the proponent school and as prescribed in the appropriate POIComplete all tactical field training, to include foot marches and field training exercises (FTXs) required by this regulation and the appropriate POI in AIT, and OSUT These requirements are set forth in order to produce the high-quality soldier demanded in todays Army. Therefore, only in extraordinary circumstances will constructive credit be granted. The installation commander may grant constructive credit to an entire class or an individual soldier for a missed training event. For example, a class may receive constructive credit for an event missed due to severe weather conditions for which time and/or resources preclude rescheduling and execution. An individual may receive constructive credit for a missed training event due to circumstances beyond his or her control (such as illness, injury, emergency leave, etc.). Every effort must be made to reschedule and conduct the missed training befor e a decision to provide constructive credit is made. The intent is to provide the means to a training center commander to graduate a soldier who is deemed fully qualified, but through no fault of the soldier, has missed a required training event. This credit should be selectively used and only in those cases where there is a clear demonstration that the soldier meets and exceeds the IET graduation standards. It will not be used to pass marginal soldiers who have not shown the ability to pass a particular training event. This constructive credit authority is applicable to all IET graduation requirements.Constructive credit authority resides with the TRADOC ATC or installation commander level and may be delegated no lower than the IET brigade commander level. For those training sites located at non-TRADOC installations, this authority will reside with the first general officer in that schools chain of command.

6 Ways to Be a Good Co-worker When Youre Busy - The Muse

6 Ways to Be a Good Co-worker When Youre Busy - The Muse6 Ways to Be a Good Co-worker When Youre BusyOne of the hardest things Ive come to realize recently is that sometimes, when Im overbooked and stressed, Im not the best friend or colleague. As I struggle to balance my hectic life, I find myself distant or half-listening when people are talking to me, cutting otzu sichs off to discuss my own stresses, or not showing up to meetings Im expected to be at.And it pains me to see myself acting this way, because I care about the people I work with- not just as fellow employees, but as individuals whom I respect. Plus, I work hard to be a good co-worker and Id hate to lose that reputation over a couple stressful weeks. Is there a compromise? How can we be there for our colleagues when the world seems to be revolving (and falling apart) around us at the moment?After reading this great Fast Company article on how to be a better friend when youre swamped at work, I was inspired to come up wi th some easy solutions for busy co-workers as well. After all, you dont just want to be a good co-worker because its the right thing to do, but because when you reach out to someone for help, you want him or her to enthusiastically say, Yes Not to mention, its pretty nice to work alongside people who like you. 1. Really Be Present During BreaksI have a horrible habit of doing work through lunch, or worse, bringing my work to lunch. And it usually leads to me going through my inbox on my phone, unaware while others are chatting and laughing around me.But this time is supposed to be a break, so take it as a get-out-of-jail-free pass to set aside your assignments and your technology (yes, leave your phone on silent for 10 minutes- I promise nothing will implode while youre gone) and spend time with your co-workers talking about something unrelated to your to-do list. Give them your full attention and really listen to what theyre saying and how theyre feeling, and you might just plektro n up on some things you didnt notice before when you were distracted.Dont have lunch breaks? This goes for when you bump into someone in the kitchen or other common spaces, too. No matter how short your breaks are, use them. 2. Take a Few Seconds to Check InI have a friend who checks in on me daily with a simple Hey, how you doing today? text. Some days I message her back a long paragraph explaining my issues with several sad emojis, and other days I send a quick fine and the conversation ends there. But just having that reminder that someone is thinking about me and hoping Im doing OK is extremely reassuring, and I am grateful she hasnt stopped doing it yet (in fact, I look forward to it every morning).And this is why technologys a great thing Even if youre glued to your desk trying to complete some assignment, it takes you next to nothing to open up your companys group chat or send a quick Saw this article/GIF and thought of you message.3. Take Your Casual Moments More SeriouslyWh en I put something into my calendar, Im deciding for my future self that I must complete it. So, when Im really swamped but havent talked to someone in a while, my best bet is to schedule a time for us to sit down and grab a cup of coffee, or take a walk around the block, or meet for drinks after work. Maybe its only five minutes, or maybe its 30, but once I make that official, non-negotiable plan for myself, its easier for me to schedule around it like it was any other important meetings. This is me giving you permission not to feel guilty putting spend time with co-workers on your to-do list, schedule, or calendar. 4. Practice Random Acts of KindnessEven on my worst days, if one single person smiles at me, it can turn my whole day around. Thats it, and thats completely free. Random acts of kindness dont require you to buy someone a three-course lunch or a puppy (although a puppy is never a bad idea). It just means that you maybe plektron up a coffee for your colleague when you go to get yourself a cup, or draw your friend a cute picture on a sticky note and tape it to his computer monitor, or say hello to the new guy. And the best thing is that kindness is scientifically proven to be a two-way street- youre making someone elses day while also adding to your own sense of well-being.5. Only Make Promises You Can KeepOne mistake we often make during these stressful periods is to throw out vague promises for the future Ill see you at next week for drinks I swear Youll definitely get to tell me more about that meeting later, just not right now. Id love to help you on that, but how about possibly tomorrow? But what ends up happening is we dont follow through on them, usually because what we say is pretty noncommittal and therefore can be pushed off for a later time.Instead of just saying something to make someone happy, try to make promises you can actually keep- even if it means making a lot fewer promises. If you say youll go get drinks with someone, know a spec ific date you can actually go to happy hour and mark it into your calendar. If you can only afford to help a co-worker on a project for an hour, let him or her know thats how much youll be willing to do. People will forgive you if you can only give so much out of your day, but they are less likely to forgive you if youre constantly flaking.6. Pick and Choose Who You Spend Your Time OnTheres no way you can be a true and constant friend for every single employee in the office, but you can pick and choose who you want to be there for. And offering help and support to people who wont appreciate it or will brush you off is exhausting and unproductive, especially when you have so many other things to do, so be honest with yourself and decide how and with whom youll spend whatever leftover energy you have.Being a good co-worker doesnt mean you have to drop everything. But, if you care enough about it, it can be worth it to take some time out of your day to let others know that your relatio nship hasnt gotten lost in the pile of to-dos.

I lived like Gwyneth Paltrow for a week and it broke some bad habits

I lived like Gwyneth Paltrow for a week and it broke some bad habitsI lived like Gwyneth Paltrow for a week and it broke some bad habitsI tried to live like Gwyneth Paltrow for a week, and it didnt quite work out the way Id planned.Paltrow famously leads an intense life. In terms of exercise, she used to do an hour of cardio and an hour of weights six days of the week. Her lifestyle brand Goop also hawks all sorts ofhardcore detoxes and cleanses.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraBut all that doesnt really reflect Paltrows current reality. She recently toldNet-a-Porterthat she doesnt have the time or energy to tackle that grueling schedule anymore Im getting old, my back hurts Its depressing. Some days, the gym gives me this rush of energy and I feel amazing, but then my bodys like f- you.She also doesnt stick to any Goop cleanses for a long amount of time. She told Net-a-Porter s he passes on breakfast and eats a low-carb lunch so my energy levels dont peak and valley through the day. Then, for dinner, she typically decides to loosen the reins.I decided to follow zu sichbei diet as best I could, as well as take up her previous exercise routine. Here are the rules I welches determined to follow for a weekSkip breakfast.Have a low-carb lunch.Put in an hour of cardio exercise.Go for an hour of weights-based exercise.Eat a dinner along the lines of her typical evening meal A glass of wine, maybe a baguette dripping in cheese, some fries.I didnt prepare at all for this. I just jumped into it, sparking concerns among the people I know. Youre going to die, several coworkers told me when I described my plan. Family members predicted I would seriously injure myself and expressed concerns about my shambling running style.All of this just bolstered my determination to rise to the occasion.The experiment itself left me somewhat surprised. On the one hand, some of Paltro ws dietary habits were easier to tackle than I thought. On the other, I ended up pulling my shoulder.Heres a look at what happened when I tried to live like Gwyneth Paltrow for a weekBefore this Gwyneth Paltrow challenge, kleines rundes brtchens were my go-to morning meal. Id often grab one - poppy seed with cream cheese or butter - before heading into the amtsstube.But, like some other celebrities, Paltrow skips breakfast altogether. So I had to kick the habit. Instead of stopping by the bagel shop, Id just hop on the train and head to work.Truth be told, this wasnt particularly challenging for me. Back in college, I rarely ate breakfast. It may or may elend be the most important meal of the day, but Ive never had a problem skipping it.I managed to follow this aspect of Paltrows schedule for the entire week, and I think the week-long bagel cleanse worked. I havent had a bagel since. Health-wise, theyre far better as an occasional treat than a breakfast staple.I didnt have too muc h trouble with lunch either. Normally, Id grab a sandwich or a slice of pizza from some place near the office. For the experiment, I needed to spring for low-carb choices instead.I tried to get fancy and even looked up some of Paltrows salad recipes. There were some tempting options in her cookbooks. I figured Id try to make a few, to tide me over for the week.Heck, I even bought a jar of cornichons - which are adorable, tiny pickles, btw.But, to be honest, I ran out of time before I could snag all the ingredients necessary to throw together some of Paltrows recipes (what the heck is silken tofu, anyway, and where am I supposed to find it?).So I ended up improvising. My non-fancy salad was pretty good, though. Id pack it up in Tupperware and eat it at my desk every day around noon with a ginger ale.I enjoyed the salads, but I was bummed to have to decline a ton of delicious and tempting offerings throughout the week. My coworkers seemed to show up to work with chocolates, cookies, and other sweet treats every other day during my challenge.By the end of the week, I was getting a bit bored with salad, although I tried to spice things up by switching up the dressings.In fairness, I probably couldve gotten more experimental with my lunches - low carb can include a whole range of meals, of course.But I only have so much brain power to devote to planning out and cobbling together what Im going to eat ahead of time.Still, I didnt have much of a problem sticking to low-carb lunches for the entire experiment.Once I got home from work, Id hide in the basement, where no one could see me flailing around with a medicine ball and hand weights, looking like a reject from the worlds worst workout video.I was unsurprised to find out that weights arent my strong suit. I didnt really know what I was doing, so I just switched in between different moves for the hour. It was boring and hard. And Im sure my technique left much to be desired.Around Wednesday, my left shoulder began to really hurt. An hour of weights is probably too much if youre clueless about exercise - especially if youre making a leap from couch potato to workout fanatic, like I was. After Wednesday, I had to cut down on the weights a bit.Overall, Id say I truly disliked this aspect of the experiment. Id rather do cardio for an hour than do weights for an hour. At least you can read while walking on the treadmill. The weight exercises just felt repetitive and tedious after about 30 minutes.Before I started my experiment, I envisioned myself sprinting around outside, running through twilit parks and drinking in the fresh winter air.Reality quickly shattered that cardio fantasy. Im usually home after sundown. Running outside in the cold darkness didnt sound like a good idea. Itd be really embarrassing to get hit by a car while doing an exercise experiment for work.So, while I did go on a few night runs, I mostly opted for working out on the treadmill.I quickly found that I dont have the sta mina, pacing abilities, or patience to full-on run for a whole hour. Id switch between power walking, jogging, and running.As I walked, Id balance a book on the treadmill in front of me to stave off the boredom. I simply dont have the attention span for long workouts.The running was fine, but I feel like I couldve gotten more out of an intensive 30-minute jog than an hour spent switching between paces.Naturally, dinner was my favorite part of this whole experiment. Bread? Cheese? Wine? Whats not to love?There was another dinner option I didnt go for. Homemade fries are a favorite of Paltrows - she mentioned eating those for dinner in her Net-a-Porter interview.I swear, I was going to try to figure out how to make them, but it just didnt happen.Working out for two hours a day has a way of draining your interest in putting in any extra effort in other areas of your life.Plus, I had no complaints about the cheesy baguettes. They tasted a bit like a grilled cheese if you forgot to toas t the bread. That description doesnt sound fantastic, but they were delicious.Typically, Id throw some gouda in a frying pan, melt it down, and drip it onto a baguette.One time, the chunk of cheese was too big and melted weird. I ended up getting a slightly burnt, crispy cheese sandwich and a kitchen full of smoke. Mostly, though, these dinners were easy to whip up.By the time the evening rolled around, I was usually quite hungry. It was kind of nice to have something decadent to look forward to at the end of the day. But Im sure Id get sick of this meal if I had to eat it for more than a week.Im also not a dietitian, but Im fairly certain salads and cheesy baguettes dont contain all the essential nutrients we need to stay healthy.Paltrow likely eats more well-balanced dinners than this - homemade fries and baguettes dripping with cheese were likely just her go-to examples, not her only two meal options - but I wanted to follow exactly what she said in her Net-a-Porter interview.I did pretty well with my experiment, until Thursday. That was the night of our office party. My timing for this health and exercise-based experiment couldnt have been better.Back when she was working out for two hours a day, Paltrow said she only kept up the routine for six days a week. I knew I was going to throw my rules out the window at the office party, so I justified that by counting Thursday as my cheat day.I skipped my workouts. I stopped asking myself, What would Gwyneth do? I tried to mitigate things by choosing not to eat breakfast or lunch in anticipation of the party - which is definitely what youre not supposed to do at an office party.The results were pretty predictable. I ended up eating a lot of chocolate, drinking wine, and eating a whole plateful of cheese cubes at the party. It was great - but Ill admit I definitely overstepped on my cheat day.Despite my major office-party hiccup, I was mostly able to follow through on the routine for the entire week.The diet w as pretty easy to handle. The exercise was difficult to keep up with. Overall, though, I was surprised to find there were some things I really appreciated about this experiment.Two hours of exercise a day is a lot. Its pretty unsustainable for someone with a nine-to-five and other life responsibilities.Regardless of whether youre in shape, thats a lot of time to carve out of your schedule.Plus, theres the issue of safety. If youre like me - enthusiastic but clueless - you could end up hurting yourself. In my case, my sore shoulder isnt a big deal and it feels fine now. But its still best to be careful.But the experiment certainly broke me out of some unhealthy tendencies, like my automatic trips to the bagel shop or tendency to chow down on sandwiches and pizza at lunch.The food portion of the experiment actually worked for me.I wouldnt say its something I could continue doing indefinitely, but it was pretty helpful if you treat it as a pseudo cleanse.All in all, I wouldnt say tha t Id recommend this diet or exercise routine to anyone.And I probably wont be asking myself, What would Gwyneth do? going forward.But I certainly appreciate that this process has helped me kick a bad habit or two.This article was originally published on geschftliches miteinander Insider.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 peopleI lived like Gwyneth Paltrow for a week and it broke some bad habitsI tried to live like Gwyneth Paltrow for a week, and it didnt quite work out the way Id planned.Paltrow famously leads an intense life. In terms of exercise, she used to do an hour of cardio and an hour of weights six days of the week. Her lifestyle brand Goop also hawks all sorts ofhardcore det oxes and cleanses.But all that doesnt really reflect Paltrows current reality. She recently toldNet-a-Porterthat she doesnt have the time or energy to tackle that grueling schedule anymore Im getting old, my back hurts Its depressing. Some days, the gym gives me this rush of energy and I feel amazing, but then my bodys like f- you.She also doesnt stick to any Goop cleanses for a long amount of time. She told Net-a-Porter she passes on breakfast and eats a low-carb lunch so my energy levels dont peak and valley through the day. Then, for dinner, she typically decides to loosen the reins.I decided to follow her diet as best I could, as well as take up her previous exercise routine. Here are the rules I was determined to follow for a weekSkip breakfast.Have a low-carb lunch.Put in an hour of cardio exercise.Go for an hour of weights-based exercise.Eat a dinner along the lines of her typical evening meal A glass of wine, maybe a baguette dripping in cheese, some fries.I didnt prepare a t all for this. I just jumped into it, sparking concerns among the people I know. Youre going to die, several coworkers told me when I described my plan. Family members predicted I would seriously injure myself and expressed concerns about my shambling running style.All of this just bolstered my determination to rise to the occasion.The experiment itself left me somewhat surprised. On the one hand, some of Paltrows dietary habits were easier to tackle than I thought. On the other, I ended up pulling my shoulder.Heres a look at what happened when I tried to live like Gwyneth Paltrow for a weekBefore this Gwyneth Paltrow challenge, bagels were my go-to morning meal. Id often grab one - poppy seed with cream cheese or butter - before heading into the office.But, like some other celebrities, Paltrow skips breakfast altogether. So I had to kick the habit. Instead of stopping by the bagel shop, Id just hop on the train and head to work.Truth be told, this wasnt particularly challenging for me. Back in college, I rarely ate breakfast. It may or may not be the most important meal of the day, but Ive never had a problem skipping it.I managed to follow this aspect of Paltrows schedule for the entire week, and I think the week-long bagel cleanse worked. I havent had a bagel since. Health-wise, theyre far better as an occasional treat than a breakfast staple.I didnt have too much trouble with lunch either. Normally, Id grab a sandwich or a slice of pizza from some place near the office. For the experiment, I needed to spring for low-carb choices instead.I tried to get fancy and even looked up some of Paltrows salad recipes. There were some tempting options in her cookbooks. I figured Id try to make a few, to tide me over for the week.Heck, I even bought a jar of cornichons - which are adorable, tiny pickles, btw.But, to be honest, I ran out of time before I could snag all the ingredients necessary to throw together some of Paltrows recipes (what the heck is silken tofu , anyway, and where am I supposed to find it?).So I ended up improvising. My non-fancy salad was pretty good, though. Id pack it up in Tupperware and eat it at my desk every day around noon with a ginger ale.I enjoyed the salads, but I was bummed to have to decline a ton of delicious and tempting offerings throughout the week. My coworkers seemed to show up to work with chocolates, cookies, and other sweet treats every other day during my challenge.By the end of the week, I was getting a bit bored with salad, although I tried to spice things up by switching up the dressings.In fairness, I probably couldve gotten more experimental with my lunches - low carb can include a whole range of meals, of course.But I only have so much brain power to devote to planning out and cobbling together what Im going to eat ahead of time.Still, I didnt have much of a problem sticking to low-carb lunches for the entire experiment.Once I got home from work, Id hide in the basement, where no one could se e me flailing around with a medicine ball and hand weights, looking like a reject from the worlds worst workout video.I was unsurprised to find out that weights arent my strong suit. I didnt really know what I was doing, so I just switched in between different moves for the hour. It was boring and hard. And Im sure my technique left much to be desired.Around Wednesday, my left shoulder began to really hurt. An hour of weights is probably too much if youre clueless about exercise - especially if youre making a leap from couch potato to workout fanatic, like I was. After Wednesday, I had to cut down on the weights a bit.Overall, Id say I truly disliked this aspect of the experiment. Id rather do cardio for an hour than do weights for an hour. At least you can read while walking on the treadmill. The weight exercises just felt repetitive and tedious after about 30 minutes.Before I started my experiment, I envisioned myself sprinting around outside, running through twilit parks and dri nking in the fresh winter air.Reality quickly shattered that cardio fantasy. Im usually home after sundown. Running outside in the cold darkness didnt sound like a good idea. Itd be really embarrassing to get hit by a car while doing an exercise experiment for work.So, while I did go on a few night runs, I mostly opted for working out on the treadmill.I quickly found that I dont have the stamina, pacing abilities, or patience to full-on run for a whole hour. Id switch between power walking, jogging, and running.As I walked, Id balance a book on the treadmill in front of me to stave off the boredom. I simply dont have the attention span for long workouts.The running was fine, but I feel like I couldve gotten more out of an intensive 30-minute jog than an hour spent switching between paces.Naturally, dinner was my favorite part of this whole experiment. Bread? Cheese? Wine? Whats not to love?There was another dinner option I didnt go for. Homemade fries are a favorite of Paltrows - s he mentioned eating those for dinner in her Net-a-Porter interview.I swear, I was going to try to figure out how to make them, but it just didnt happen.Working out for two hours a day has a way of draining your interest in putting in any extra effort in other areas of your life.Plus, I had no complaints about the cheesy baguettes. They tasted a bit like a grilled cheese if you forgot to toast the bread. That description doesnt sound fantastic, but they were delicious.Typically, Id throw some gouda in a frying pan, melt it down, and drip it onto a baguette.One time, the chunk of cheese was too big and melted weird. I ended up getting a slightly burnt, crispy cheese sandwich and a kitchen full of smoke. Mostly, though, these dinners were easy to whip up.By the time the evening rolled around, I was usually quite hungry. It was kind of nice to have something decadent to look forward to at the end of the day. But Im sure Id get sick of this meal if I had to eat it for more than a week.Im also not a dietitian, but Im fairly certain salads and cheesy baguettes dont contain all the essential nutrients we need to stay healthy.Paltrow likely eats more well-balanced dinners than this - homemade fries and baguettes dripping with cheese were likely just her go-to examples, not her only two meal options - but I wanted to follow exactly what she said in her Net-a-Porter interview.I did pretty well with my experiment, until Thursday. That was the night of our office party. My timing for this health and exercise-based experiment couldnt have been better.Back when she was working out for two hours a day, Paltrow said she only kept up the routine for six days a week. I knew I was going to throw my rules out the window at the office party, so I justified that by counting Thursday as my cheat day.I skipped my workouts. I stopped asking myself, What would Gwyneth do? I tried to mitigate things by choosing not to eat breakfast or lunch in anticipation of the party - which is defi nitely what youre not supposed to do at an office party.The results were pretty predictable. I ended up eating a lot of chocolate, drinking wine, and eating a whole plateful of cheese cubes at the party. It was great - but Ill admit I definitely overstepped on my cheat day.Despite my major office-party hiccup, I was mostly able to follow through on the routine for the entire week.The diet was pretty easy to handle. The exercise was difficult to keep up with. Overall, though, I was surprised to find there were some things I really appreciated about this experiment.Two hours of exercise a day is a lot. Its pretty unsustainable for someone with a nine-to-five and other life responsibilities.Regardless of whether youre in shape, thats a lot of time to carve out of your schedule.Plus, theres the issue of safety. If youre like me - enthusiastic but clueless - you could end up hurting yourself. In my case, my sore shoulder isnt a big deal and it feels fine now. But its still best to be careful.But the experiment certainly broke me out of some unhealthy tendencies, like my automatic trips to the bagel shop or tendency to chow down on sandwiches and pizza at lunch.The food portion of the experiment actually worked for me.I wouldnt say its something I could continue doing indefinitely, but it was pretty helpful if you treat it as a pseudo cleanse.All in all, I wouldnt say that Id recommend this diet or exercise routine to anyone.And I probably wont be asking myself, What would Gwyneth do? going forward.But I certainly appreciate that this process has helped me kick a bad habit or two.This article was originally published on Business Insider.

The Balance Careers Product Review Editorial Guidelines

The Balance Careers Product Review Editorial GuidelinesThe Balance Careers Product Review Editorial GuidelinesOur Team Were a team of experienced writers and editors who obsessively scur the retail landscape (both online and off) to find the best products for yur life. Besides being experts in our fields, having worked for brands likeAmazon, eBay, and Time - were consumers too - and we personally have a passion for products and services that make your life easier. Our Mission It is our mission to help our users make the best purchase decisions - its that simple. The internet offers endless consumer choice with millions of products at your fingertips. To be honest, it can be more than a little overwhelming and time-consuming to sort through all the options. Thats where we come in. We streamline the research process so you can find what youre looking for - quickly and reliably. What We Do We exhaustively research and recommend a broad range of products and ultimately make a curated list of recommendations from writers with subject-matter expertise in every product category we cover. We do receive an affiliate commission on some, but not all, of the products that we recommend if you decide to click through to the retailer site and make a purchase. After we publish an article, we dont just forget about it. Our team is relentless when it comes to updating and keeping our existing recommendations fresh, accurate, and helpful. We have our fingers on the pulse when it comes to the latest product and services, from sales books to presentation clickers and more. Our recommended products run the gamut from budget to splurge-worthy, and were not loyal toany onespecific retailer or brand. We make it a point to source recommendations from reliable companies who deliver exemplary customer service, so you can have a seamless shopping experience. We also know how frustrating it can be to do your research on a product only to add it to your cart and see that its out of stock , so we try to mitigate this by having dedicated editors check availability daily to provide you with the best user experience possible. Why You Should Trust Us The product recommendations from The Balance Careers are purely editorial. Our team never takes free samples for reviews nor lets retailers, public relations firms, or salespeople dictate our content and product coverage. Instead, we do the heavy lifting ourselves by tapping into our network of experts and testers to help you make smarter purchases - and to avoid that dreaded buyers remorse. Meet Us konservativer Brangham, Head of Commerce Tory joined the commerce team at Dotdash in 2017 after three years of overseeing lifestyle content for About.com and ultimately launching The Spruce. Tory brings over twenty years of retail and digital publishing experience to Dotdash - having worked most recently at Amazon and Quidsi (Diapers.com, Soap.com) and before that she enjoyed a long tenure at iVillage. She combines her years as a Merchandise Director with her experience in editorial content to create a best in class commerce team of editors and writers all working in concert to help our users make their best purchase decisions. Tory received her BA from Colgate University. Andrew Skwarek, Lead Commerce Editor Andrew helped launch the Dotdash commerce department back in 2016 and brings to the table a decade of experience in the online publishing industry. Hes no stranger to the commerce sector, either. Prior to joining Dotdash, he was Senior Producer Editor at Jetsetter (A TripAdvisor Company) and also held a position on the deals team at ShermansTravel Media. Andrew received his BS in Journalism from The College at Brockport, State University of New York. Dwyer Frame, Lifestyle Commerce Editor Dwyer joined the commerce team in September 2017 and has worked in the print and digital publishing industry for over 15 years. Throughout her career, Dwyer has always focused on gesundheitsgefhrdender stoff guide s and product roundups concentrating in the lifestyle and health space. She has worked at InStyle, Time Inc., and Health and her work has appeared in Real Simple, People, Rachael Ray Every Day, What to Expect, Brit Co, Womans Day, and Redbook. Dwyer received her BA in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Mandy Rich, Health Commerce Editor Mandy joined the Dotdash commerce team in November 2018 and brings with her years of experience writing, editing, and producing both print and digital content in the health and wellness space. Prior to joining Dotdash, Mandy spent five years at WW (formerly Weight Watchers) as an editor for WW magazine and WW.com. She holds a BA in East Asian Studies and Communications from McGill University and an MS in Communications with a concentration in Journalism neuerung from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Ajay Kumar, Tech Commerce Editor Ajay joined Dotdash in November 2018 and brings with him nearly a decade of experience in tech journalism, consumer electronics, and online publishing. Prior to joining Dotdash, he spent over three years at PCMag where he reviewed hundreds of products, built several new testing procedures, and developed a considerable range of PR and industry contacts. Hes also run the gauntlet in the daily berichterstattung beat, working as a tech reporter at Newsweek Media Group to cover the latest product releases and industry developments. Ajays earlier experience includes an eclectic mix of freelancing, advertising rating, law, and public policy research. He received a BA in Political Science and History from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick. Julia Warren, Director of Product Testing Julia joined the commerce team in May 2018 and brings with her a decade of experience working in the digital publishing industry. Prior to working at Dotdash, Julia was a freelance commerce writer and the editorial producer at TravelandLe isure.com, where she managed the sites sponsorship initiatives. Her work has appeared online for What to Expect, Food Wine, Martha Stewarts Everyday Food, and This Old House. Julia received her BS in food science from Cornell University and graduated from the culinary arts program at the International Culinary Center. Mary Kate Hoban, Associate Editor, Product Testing Mary Kate joined Dotdash in December 2018. Previously, Mary Kate worked as an assistanteditor at American Media Inc., where she covered fashion and beauty for Life Style, In Touch Weekly, and Closer magazines. She has also worked as an entertainment news editor at Elite Daily and a social media account manager at Socialfly, anagency specializing in strategy and content for clients in the hospitality, fashion, and lifestyle industries.Mary Kate received a BA in Journalism from The University of Georgia. Avery Stone, Associate Editor, Product Testing Avery has been with Dotdash since September 2018. Before joining the team, Avery worked as an associate digital editor at the luxury magazine DEPARTURES covering travel, food, and culture. She has also worked as a staff writer at For the Win (USA TODAY Sports) as well as a news and trends reporter at HuffPost. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including Elle, Billboard, Noisey (VICE), Travel Leisure, PAPER, Lenny Letter, and more. Avery received a BA in English Literature from Amherst College. Emmeline Kaser, Associate Commerce Editor Emmeline has been with Dotdash since May 2018. Prior to joining the commerce team, she worked at eBay as a product curator and writer for the sites Editors Picks collections. She has years of experience searching the e-commerce cosmos for the best and most story-worthy products to meet all kinds of consumer needs. Emmeline received her BA from Sarah Lawrence College where she studied writing and liberal arts. Chelsea Stuart, Associate Commerce Editor Chelsea has been with Dotdash since May 2018. Before joining the team, she was an editorial assistant and staff writer at Jetsetter, a TripAdvisor company where she drove the companys commerce initiative publishing destination-specific packing guides, travel accessory roundups, and the like. Prior to that, she was also a freelance contributor to online travel outlets like Matador Network. Chelsea received a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College and sailed with Semester at Sea in Fall 2013. Katherine Louie, Associate Commerce Editor Katherine has been with Dotdash since August 2018. Through her background as an English/Creative Writing major at Marist College and her previous work experience at Hearst Magazines, she prides herself in creating content that inspires and informs readers. She has contributed to a variety of online publications including NBC Today, Readers Digest, Everyday Health, What to Expect, Mens Health, and Womens Health. In her new role, she looks forward to bringing her talent, passion, and creative energy to the Dotdash brands. Contact Us If you have questions, comments, or opinions youd like to share with our team of editors, please feel free to email us atcommercefeedbackdotdash.com

Two Important Free Ten Steps Trainer And Coach Webinars

Two Important Free Ten Steps Trainer And Coach WebinarsTwo Important Free Ten Steps Trainer And Coach WebinarsTwo Important Free Ten Steps Trainer And Coach Webinars TEN STEPS TO A FEDERAL JOB?FREE UPDATESTwo Important Free Ten Steps TrainerAnd Coach WebinarsKathryn Troutman, Author and PublisherSeptember 6, 2017WEBINAR 1 WITH KATHRYN TROUTMANIMPORTANT TEN STEPS POWERPOINTAND USAJOBS UPDATESTIMESSept. 14th, Thurs 14th 730 830 pm EDTSept. 15th, Friday 15th 9 10 am EDTREGISTER HERE for TEN STEPS UPDATESNEW WHITEBOARD VIDEOS IN THE TEN STEPS SLIDE DECK VIEW THE FIRST ONE HEREVoiceover by Mike Koslowski, Ten Step Trainer from Ft. Ruckers, ALVideo production by Hungrydog.comScript by Kathryn TroutmanWhats new with USAJOBS and the applications New Blue Button Problem that states ONLY Internal Candidates Can Apply The USAJOBS vacancy announcements are CHANGING EVERY DAY WEBINAR 2 WITH BOBBI ROSSITER,MILITARY SPOUSEThe Stars are Lined Up with Military Spouseson PPP-S, USAJOBS, NAF an d Excepted ServicesTIMESSept. 27, 730 to 830 pm EDTSept. 28, 3 to 400 pm EDTREGISTER HERE for MILITARY SPOUSE DOD JOB UPDATESHelp your military spouses in the US apply for DODfederal jobs at their installation with Priority Placement Program for Military Spouses Program S HandoutsYou can access a copy of the PowerPoint during this one hour workshopYou can also download a PDF of the STARS book for your reviewRead Bobbis Program S Story The Stars Are Lined Up for Military SpousesFIRST-EVER BOOK FOR MILITARY SPOUSES AND FEDERAL CAREERSWith information on USAJOBS, Program S, NAF and Excepted Service Why a federal career for Military Spouses?Great salaries, promotion potential, family friendly, family leave, training and MORE

New Questions About Resume Executive Summaries Answered and Why You Must Read Every Word of This Report

New Questions About Resume Executive Summaries Answered and Why You Must Read Every Word of This Report Resume Executive Summaries Explained Resume is a type of document utilized by individuals that are seeking for employment. Since its the very first section that the recruiter will see, youve got to be sure that you write one thats solid and will cause you to stick out from the remainder of the applicants. Show the employer that youre the ideal candidate to satisfy the requirements of the provider. By applying the overview of qualifications as a tool by which to persuade the employer that youre the perfect candidate featuring all the crucial capabilities to satisfy the work role, you will set yourself aside from the other applicants. The Pain of Resume Executive Summaries The main purpose of the executive report is to provide the readers an immediate comprehension of a report without needing to read all of it. You will certainly be directed towards the ideal report writing help. The candidates resume is an excellent illustration of clear and strategic formatting for the next reasons. Now imagine if this SAME resume had had a summary gutachten on top clearly outlining why youre the ideal candidate. Employing an online resume builder is a powerful tool that will help you compose a winning resume. A resume summary statement is comparable to an objective statement in that its a quick way for a work seeker to catch a hiring managers attention by summarizing critical information at the peak of your resume in a simple to read format. Add the senior execs name if at all possible, to allow it to be personal. Everything in your resume needs to align with what theyll be searching for in candidates. The 5-Minute Rule for Resume Executive Summaries While its going to be a bit additional work, be certain to make a new headline for each work application. The resume summary is only a bridge to have the hiring manager in your experience. The piece you truly need the hiring manager reading is your latest work experience (and be sure you tailored that info to fit the work description). Most resumes show a lot of work history that is suitable for the work description. The resume sample has a strong ability to keep up a readers interest over the span of the full document. To put it differently, your aim is to have a job. Needless to say, when you compose a precise and very clear summary and offer relevant explanations in it, it will certainly help you in the finest possible ways. You will have to consider grammar and mechanics as you draft and as you edit. Youre a technology pioneer accountable for ensuring a provider is making great products for their customers. Specifically discussing the geschftliches miteinander plan executive summary template, your business enterprise investor would first wish to understand what your company is about or what you currently have. Focus on how youre an advantage to the companynot the way the bu siness can help you. Executive summaries also offer a writer great approach to generate a lengthy small business presentation or plan easily understandable for preparations ahead of business meetings and seminars. The Ultimate Approach for Resume Executive Summaries Managers and executives should concentrate on business skills and technical expertise even should they fall into a technical industry. To best showcase the number of skills you have as an admin executive, examine the admin executive job example to find out how its organized. Despite no experience, you still ought to show experience. You dont require experience to get achievements. Definitions of Resume Executive Summaries An executive summary is a one-page statement of the issue, the use of the communication, and an overview of the results, conclusions, and recommendations. It is a short statement at the top of your resume that quickly summarizes what makes you the right candidate for the job. It must be your be st friend because they are very important in a business proposal or research study for examples. If your executive summary doesnt have urgency, the readers are not going to read it. 1 A resume summary is a brief, snappy introduction paragraph that delivers a summary of your very best work. Youre going to compose a resume summary which gets far more interviews. Even if you are aware that your instructor will be reading everything which you submit, write the executive summary for a stand alone document. You may want to look at a qualifications summary which we outlined in brde weeks postbut if only you need to have a summaryhere are a couple examples to help you begin. Make it immediately apparent that you have what is necessary to excel within her position. The duration of an executive summary depends upon the duration of the document. If you do decide to move forward with a resume summary statement, be sure to take care of it as your personal highlight reel. The resume sum mary will act as their sales pitch. Where to Find Resume Executive Summaries Before you canA know what things to devote an executive summary, you will need to understand what it is. An executive summary is among the most essential sections of your resume. It must have a structural principle. Your executive summary doesnt need to be quite lengthy. Resume Executive Summaries for Dummies Professionals with a large variety of experience in numerous fieldsAs a professional, you can take advantage of an executive summary to provide the recruiter a general view of what is written in your resume. As the recruiters check whats up-front and center, its vital to put the most crucial info in an executive summary. Now that numerous businesses want to make an executive summary, they can take assistance from online summary templates.

5 Career Personas... What Career Stage Are You In

5 Career Personas... What Career Stage Are You In 5 Career Personas What Career Stage Are You In?Posted April 1, 2019, by EleshaWhat career persona are you? Whether youve just landed your first job, returning to work after a sabbatical, ready to step into leadership or somewhere in between, were all at different stages in our journey.Lets take a look at 5 different career personas, success tips for each one and binnensee where you may sit.Career Starter Youre brand new to the workforce, a graduate or still trying to land your very first job. Getting started in your career is an exciting and important timeEvery successful person started out somewhere. The job you begin with might leid be your lifelong career but the key is to get your break into the workforce and maximise every opportunity in your early roles.Create Your Career Action PlanIf youre a career starter, its a smart idea to set some mid-term (3-6 month) and long-term (6-18 month) professional goals for yourself. These goals form your career action plan and are a key part of successful career progression. Remember, for each goal you should come up with the steps you need to take to get you there, including relevant professional development. If you dont know where to get started on your career action plan, reach out to a career counsellor for guidance.Get Your Resume Sorted Weve got a few tips for making writing your first resume less daunting Highlight any experience youve had in volunteer roles, internships or clubs and the skills you learnt that will apply to the workforce. Check out resume and cover letter templates for inspiration and where possible, incorporate the keywords and phrases into your resume from job ads youre interested in.Landed The Job? Take On New OpportunitiesCongrats Youve landed your first job Squeeze all the experience out of the role you can by raising your hand to volunteer for any opportunity that comes up. Get involved in that new project, attend those seminars, meet new peo ple and get involved in extracurricular activities with your team. New challenges will open doors to areas of the industry you might not have realised existed.Career UpskillerAfter working in your industry for a couple of years, youve decided its the right career path for you and now youre keen to get some formal qualifications.Upskilling is the smart way to take your career up a notch, prevent a career plateau and make a good impression with your employer. Upskilling shows youre dedicated to moving forward in your industry and create the stepping stones to take you to the next level.If the upskiller career persona sounds like you, here are a few tips for getting ahead.Invest In Your Professional DevelopmentFormal qualifications to boost your experience and CV credibility.Investing in your professional development doesnt always mean youll need to foot the bill yourself. Heres how to ask your boss to pay for your course or you can research government study loans you may be eligible f or.Know Your NicheSuccessful upskilling isnt just about completing any old course or padding your CV with training workshops. Identify the right type of professional development for you and get clear on how it fits with your career goals. Check out job descriptions in your industry for the type of role youre aiming for and note the qualifications employers are seeking.Based on the Australian Qualifications Framework there are 10 qualification levels from Certificate I (Level 1) through to a Doctoral Degree (Level 10).Choose The Right Study ModeProfessional development, whether its a one day workshop or anMBA, is a commitment of time and money so you want to make sure you choose not only the right course but the right study mode too.An online course is great if you need to fit study in around a busy schedule but you need a fair amount of self-discipline to keep yourself on track when youre managing your own study time. Maybe interactive learning is more your style, engaging with your fellow students and the instructor about course material. This type of learning includes workshops, face to face courses and seminars.Career ShifterChange is in the air. The shift isnt just about a new job at a different company youre ready to embark on a totally new career in a completely different industry.A bold, exciting moveIf you feel like your career persona is a career shifter, there are a few ways you can make the transition to your new industry as smooth as possible.Get Help From A Career CoachA great career coach can help you navigate the steps to take you from where you are now to where you want to be.Your career coach will come up with new perspectives in relation to your career which you might not have considered. Theyll help you identify your strengths, training you may need to open up new opportunities and your transferrable skills.Identify Transferable Skills Transferable skills are the skills and knowledge youve acquired through your current role that can be appli ed to various jobs across different industries. The key to shifting industries is to get clear on the transferable skills you have to offer. This provides a good starting point for your job search and determining your suitability for the new industry youre interested in. Keep An Eye On The Job MarketYoure up for a change but youre not quite sure where youre headed next. Taking the leap from office management to HR seems like a smart move, but youve always thought event management could be your thing too. Check out job boards for vacancies in the industries youre considering. Are there particular roles that seem to be in demand? How might your current skill set fit the requirements of these positions? If your career persona is a Career Shifter, craft a few versions of your current CV to fit these position descriptions with your transferable skills using the same keywords in the job ad.Career Accelerator Moving on up. Its your time to shine and youve set a goal to step up into a leade rship role. Youve got more than five years experience under your belt and feel committed to your organisation. Even if you feel ready, transitioning to a management role might not be as easy as you think so its time to get your strategy in distributions-mix to accelerate your career. Talk To Your BossYou might be excited to take the next step but does your boss know about your leadership ambitions? Book in time to have a chat about your career goal to advance and ask for feedback on how your plans might align with the organisational structure. Ask them for input and put their advice into practice. Act Like A Leader Now your boss knows about your ambitions, volunteer to head up smaller projects or take on some managerial tasks. Putting your hand up for more responsibility and doing what it takes to get things done is the best way to demonstrate your commitment and put yourself in line for a management position. Find A Mentor Dont underestimate the role a great mentor can play in your career success. A mentor is someone who has already reached the leadership roles youve got your eye on and can teach you a lot about the skills and mindset it takes to get there.A real mentor will provide you with honest feedback about the skills you need to hone and suggest management training courses to make your mark in a leadership role.Career ReturnerCareer breaks. Sometimes theyre carefully planned like maternity leave or a travel sabbatical but other times they come unexpectedly, like taking time out to care for a sick loved one. This career persona is all about getting back into the workforce after months or even years. You might be feeling a little overwhelmed about getting back into it and feel like your skills may have become a little dusty in your time away from the workforce. Dont panic, landing a dream role after a career break is totally possible.Take A Refresher CourseIf youre worried your skills arent up to date, dive in a take a refresher course to put you back on top. Social media, for example, moves at lightning speed so if youre a marketing manager whos returning to work after a few years, you may want to brush up on your digital marketing knowledge. It freshens up your CV, shows potential employers youre invested in your professional development and of course, will give your confidence a great boost knowing youve got your groove back.Work On Your Online Presence LinkedIn provides a wealth of virtual networking opportunities to reach out to both old and new contacts and let them know youre open to new opportunities. If your career persona is a career returner, spend some time updating both your LinkedIn profile and CV. Be sure to account for the period youve been away from the workforce but keep it concise.Get Over Interview NervesInterviews can be nerve-racking. Especially if you havent had one in years. When you do land the interview, get super prepared before the date. Spend time on the company website, write down at least 3 questions to ask, role play interview questions and answers... the list goes on.What Is Your Career Persona?Which career persona do you identify fruchtwein with? No matter where your are on your career journey, weve got the right tips, resources and expert advice to help you get to where you want to be. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesjob outlook career quizcareer survey questionnairewhat does ai mean for your careernursing career objectivecareer quiz australia CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineEleshaRelated ArticlesBrowse moreSocial mediaOPINION Why it pays to be socialSocial media. A proactive tool for personal branding or a one way ticket to self-destruction? Our writers go head-to-head.Employment trendsLeadershipThe top 6 skills youll need in 2014Want to get ahead of the curve before the new year? Weve done the research to give you the top soft skills employers will want in 2014.Charles Sturt University (CSU)MBAHow to Find The One When Choosing An MBAMaking the decision to study an MBA should not be taken lightly, it requires a good amount of time, effort and money, so to help ensure you choose the right MBA weve put together a little checklist.

Basic Management Skills for Beginners

Basic Management Skills for BeginnersBasic Management Skills for BeginnersLevel 1 of the Management Skills Pyramid shows the basic skills any beginning manager must master. It is the foundation of the management skills pyramid, which shows the skills a manager must master to be successful and shows how these management skills build on each other toward success. Basic Management Skills There are four basic management skills anyone must master to have any success in a management job. These four basic skills are toplan, organize, direct, and control and they are discussed separately in detail below. Plan Planning is the first and most important step in any management task. It also is the most often overlooked or purposely skipped step. While the amount of planning and the detail required will vary from task to task, to skip this task is to invite sure disaster except by blind luck. Thats what provides the old adage of the 6 Ps of planning Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance, (or the 7 Ps Proper, Prior,Planning, Prevents, Piss, Poor, Performance) depending on how you count. Although most people associate the term planning with general business planning, three different levels of planning actually exist Strategic PlanningTactical PlanningOperational Planning And, different kinds of planning are used to achieve levels and areas of preparedness Disaster PlanningSuccession PlanningCrisis PlanningCompensation Planning Basic Management Skills Needed for Effective Planning These are some sample skills that you must have to effectively plan. Envision a future stateMentally organize the essential mission and vision that will move you to the future state desiredDetermine an overall strategy that will achieve the future state desiredSelect short term goals and activities that will get you there Organize A manager must be able to organize kollektivs, tasks, and projects in order to get the teams work done in the most efficient and effective man ner. As a beginning manager, you may be organizing a small work team or a project team. These same skills will be required later in your career when you have to organize a department or a new division of the company. Clearly, overlap exists between planning the work and in organizing it. Where planning focuses on what you need to do, organizing is more operational and is more focused on how to get the work done best. Basic Management Skills Needed for Effective Organizing When you organize the work, you need to Determine the roles needed to accomplish the planAssign tasks to the rolesDetermine the best resource (people or equipment) for the roleObtain the resources and allocate them to the rolesAssign resources to the roles and delegate authority and responsibility to them. Whether you have been assigned a small team or a project to manage, beginning managers must also be able to organize offices and data systems. More Related to Organizing You may not be able to physically move people around in order to get your team together, but you should consider the possibility. On the other hand, you may need to move several people into a small space and you will have to organize things so the team can work effectively within that space. Later in your career, you may need to organize an office to accommodate teams from several different departments and their specific needs. You will also need to be able to organize all of the computer systems that will handle the data your team needs to collect or distribute. You must decide whether, for example, you need to set up shared web pages on the companys intranet or just a shared folder on the file server. Decide how are you going to organize the systems so everyone who needs information has access to it (and that it is not available to those who should not see it, like your competitors). If your team needs or produces something other than information, you must organize so that your team gets what they need, when they need it, and can get out to others what your team produces at the right time. Organize Yourself Dont forget about organizing yourself. This is covered at a higher level in Level 3 of the Management Skills Pyramid, but even as a beginning manager you must be able to organize yourself, your time, and your space so that you can be most effective. Finally, you will find that it is seldom enough to organize projects once. With constant changes in resources, goals, and external factors you will usually need to reorganize to adjust for them. Direct Directing is the action step. You have planned and organized the work. Now you have to direct your team to get the work done. Start by making sure the goal is clear to everyone on the team. Do they all know what the goal is? Do they all know what their role is in getting the team to the goal? Do they have everything they need (resources, authority, time, etc.) to do their part? Pull, Dont Push You will be more effective at directing the team tow ard your goal if you pull (lead them) rather than push (sit back and give orders). You want to motivate the people on your team and assist and inspire them toward the team goals. Basic Management Skills Needed for Directing When you direct the teams work, you need to Provide clear direction so the team can succeedMake certain that team members are clear about the role they need to play for the team to succeedProvide the least amount of direction to the team so the team is empowered to succeedProvide inspiration and follow-up to maintain a presence in support of the team Control Some writers try to soften this basic management skill by calling it coordinate or similar terms. The stronger term,control, is essential, though, so that the manageris able to control the teams activities. In the steps above, you have planned the work, organized the resources to make it happen most efficiently, and directed the team to abflug work. In the control step, youmonitorthe work being done. You compare the actual progression to the plan. You verify that the organization is working as you designed it. If everything is going well, you do not need to do anything but monitor. However, that seldom happens. An employee gets sick, the database sort takes longer each iteration than projected, a key competitor drops their prices, a fire destroys the building next door and you have to evacuate for several days, or some other factor impacts your plan. Readjusting the Project The control step now dictates that you have to take action to minimize the impact and bring your project back on to the desired goal as quickly as possible. Often this means going back to the planning stage and adjusting plans. Sometimes it may require a change in the organization. and you will have to re-direct everyone toward the new goals and inspire them. Then, of course, you control the new plan and adjust if needed. This cycle continues until you complete the task. Basic Management Skills Needed for Control ling When you control the work, you need to Monitor the progress of the team and projectsAscertain that each role is accomplished by an employeeSet standards for performance and qualityHelp the team solve problems and remove barriers to their successProvide feedback on actions taken and the teams progressProvide rewards and recognition for the teams successes and progressMake adjustments to decisions made at the planning, organizing, and directing phases as needed Managers Also Control Tools In the control step, you set standards for performance and quality and then you monitor to make sure they are met. There are as many tools available you as there are things you need to monitor. Scheduling tools A number of software tools allow you to input your schedule and then update progress regularly. The program will highlight changes in the schedule so you can identify corrective action to take.Financial controls as a manager, you will usually have a budget. The reports from the Financ e Department will let you know how your spending (on people and other resources) matches the plan.People control you must make sure all the people on your team are performing as planned. If they are not, you need to find and fix the cause. Do they not understand the goal? Do they not have some resource or skill they need? Is the task too big for them and needs to be modified or assigned to a different resource? Your job as the manager means giving your team members feedbackon how their performance meets the plan. When it doesnt, you need to take corrective action. The Bottom Line The beginning management skills plan, organize, direct, and control are fundamental to a managers ability to accomplish their assigned goals, projects, and the work products and progress of the portion of an organization for which the manager is responsible. With success in each of these basic skills, a manager is on the right track to a successful management career.

15 Words and Phrases to Never Include in a Cover Letter

15 Words and Phrases to Never Include in a Cover Letter15 Words and Phrases to Never Include in a Cover Letter While many job applications have the word optional next to the field that asks for a titel letter , it shouldnt be overlooked. After all, a cover letter is intended to show you off and captivate a hiring manager, kind of like a movie trailer. Its meant to tease and entice the recruiter or hiring manager to keep reading and be so interested in you that they simply cannot put down your resume. Think personable and professional.Some of the best cover letters tell interesting stories about the candidate andhelp them to be seen as a good culture fit for a company . Recruiters always remember the personal side of cover letters - this is when you become more than just another applicant, says career expert Heather Huhman. They connect your experiences with your name because youre giving them another dimension of you, sharing what makes you unique.Given the importan ce of a cover letter, you cannot afford to blow it. Once youve got a working draft, its time to grab your red pen. Here are 15 words and phrases that are simply dragging your cover letter down. Cut em Take the expert advice below to craft the best cover letter possible and let your personality , not robotic prose, shine through.Generic salutations, while professional, can be a bit sterile. Do a little digging to find the name of the hiring manager or the recruiter. Lets say you discover an opening for an electrical engineer position at an engineering organizations website. The position description indicates the employee will report to the lead electrical engineer. You decide (initially) to beipass the companys automated application system so you can customize your communications, advises Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, master resume writer. You sail over to LinkedIn and begin researching. Use the advanced search feature and type in name of company for the company name, lead electric al engineer for keywords and 64152 for a zip code for greater Kansas City (where the company headquarters and this position are located) and click enter. Your results will appear.Recruiters read thousands of cover letters and resumes. Its their job. So try hard to make reading your cover letter a treat. Career coach Angela Copeland says, more specifically, stay away from phrases that are known to annoy hiring managers, such as heavy lifting or think outside the box or game-changer. Be creative instead of using meaningless buzzwords.When it comes to todays job search process, another thing to remember is your online footprint , says Copeland. Phrases like this one underestimate a recruiters ability to Google and may come across as naive. HR professionals and recruiters do their due diligence on you. Trust us, they know. In a way, your Google search results are a lot like the modern day cover letter. After an employer reads your cover letter, they will also Google you. Beat them to the punch and Google yourself. Be sure youre comfortable with the information that shows up on the first two pages of the Google search results. Look through social media , photos and any other websites that show up when you search for yourself.Job seekers should try to minimize phrases that are very industry-specific, especially if theyre switching industries, advises Copeland. Although these phrases may sound impressive within one industry, they will most likely confuse your hiring manager in the new industry you want to switch to.Instead of simply saying youre good at what you do, Huhman advises providing a valuable anecdote.Lets say youre applying for a absatzwirtschaft director position. Among other aspects in the description, the job requires several years of marketing experience, a deep knowledge of lead generation and strong communication skills. Describe how, in your previous role as a marketing manager , you ran several campaigns for your clients and exceeded their expe ctations of lead generation (with specific numbers, if possible), and how you also trained and mentored new associates on how to manage their own accounts, which improved client retention rates. In other words,show how effective you have been in the past. Your anecdote is accomplishing a lot at once - its demonstrating one of your top hard skills, lead nurturing, and showcasing how you can collaborate with trainees, communicate effectively and educate new employees on processes and client relations, says Huhman. Youre proving that you can meet the communication standards and marketing knowledge theyre seeking.Cut the millennial speak. You shouldnt just say that you want the job or that you love your industry. You have to show your passion, says Huhman. Share why your career path best suits you and how your love for your work drives and motivates you. For example, answer some questions about what made you want to enter the field, how your personality helps you succeed and what pas t experiences influenced your career decisions. Embellishing in a cover letter is one way to set yourself up for letting down your future employer once youve been hired, warns Huhman. Steer clear of touting skills you dont really possess or overselling your impact on a key project at your current employer. The best-case scenario is that lying on a cover letter creates uncomfortable situations. Worst case scenario? Youll lose the job because you are not the candidate they were looking for.When youre looking for a job, do your best to bring your authentic self to the table. As the old saying goes, people hire people. Often, youre hired because the hiring manager likes you - not just because you can do the work, says Copeland. Nobody likes insincere flattery. It leaves an impression that you arent authentic and therefore cant be trusted. In geschftliches miteinander, especially in an employee/employer relationship, trust is paramount. Avoid being insincere, and focus on building a true relationship with your future hiring manager.Ending your cover letter with a clear call-to-action is key, but instead of being gentle, be direct. Show your confidence and prove to the recruiter that you know you wrote a compelling cover letter by wrapping up with a more self-assured request for an in-person interview or phone screen.Get away from stuffing cover letters full of clichd phrases and think clear, honest and impactful. Think in terms of telling a story, says resume expert Anish Majumdar. Youre not a dynamic, agile leader who can deliver rapid marketing and biz dev ROI in rapidly-changing environments. Instead, you are someone who thrives on helping companies more fully realize their vision, and have some amazing successes on the marketing and business development front that youd like to discuss.Instead of tiptoeing around the impact youve had at your current company with words like significant, measurable or huge, get specific. Nicole Cox, Chief Recruitment Officer at national recruiting firm Decision Toolbox, advises job seekers to, substantiate your accomplishments with numbers. Some recruiters prefer to see actual numbers (such as cut manufacturing costs by $500,000), while others prefer percentages (cut manufacturing costs by 15 percent). Either way, provide enough context to show the impact. If your objective welches to cut manufacturing costs by 10 percent, make it clear that you exceeded the goal.Flowery language and excessive adverbs can come off as insincere. Dont get me wrong, you need to share your accomplishments in your cover letter. Nobody else will do it for you. But, you want to come across as confident , not arrogant, says Copeland. Fluffy jargon will risk turning off the hiring manager.Resist the temptation to write a cover letter that regurgitates what youve outlined in your resume . Instead, recognize the opportunity that a cover letter presents. Use the cover letter as an opportunity to highlight the parts of your resu me that align to the job, says Copeland. And, add things you dont normally include in your resume that are relevant to the work. For example, I once coached a job seeker who was a university administrator. He was interested to work for a large hotel chain. Although he didnt have direct hotel experience, his hobbies included both real estate investing and managing a fitness franchise location. This information was critical to him landing a job with the large hotel company.These are whats known as frequent offenders amongst cover letter and resume experts. They are overused and carry little weight these days. Treat a cover letter as a chance to make a human connection , not a formality, says Majumdar. What gets you excited about this job? What have you been up to recently that theyd find interesting? What should they know about you that they couldnt discern by reading your resume? All great points to touch on in this letter.While it may be tempting to head to thesaurus.com to add a f ew high-brow words and smart-sounding phrases, resist the temptation. Be yourself. Be honest. This is a prime opportunity to showcase skills, says Majumdar. Words like change, execute, communicates and relationship building will all get the job done effectively when paired with strong anecdotes and authenticity.

Why Employers Dont Care About Your Cover Letter (and How to Change That)

Why Employers Dont Care About Your Cover Letter (and How to Change That)Why Employers Dont Care About Your Cover Letter (and How to Change That)Most of the job seekers I know get hung up on writing their cover letter. How do I tell the hiring manager everything he needs to know about me in one page? they ask.And I answer You dont.Heres the thing In your cover letter, employers dont only want to hear about you. They want to hear about themselves, too. Think about it Some employers receive hundreds- even thousands- of applications for a single standort, and presumably, a large percentage of those applicants are qualified for the job. They read pages upon pages of very qualified people describing their very relevant qualifications- so, unless youve done something really out-of-this-world, yours may or may not stand out.On the other hand, if you can show a company right away how (and why) youd add value to their team- thats compelling.So, for your next cover letter, stop making it all ab out you. Heres what you should be saying instead.1. Why You Love the CompanyThe best cover letters Ive read are from people who have a passion for my company, and can make that passion come to life on a page. The letters that make me say, Yes This person really gets it. Because, at the end of the day, I want to hire people who already get it. Most hiring managers do.But most candidates dont go the extra mile of showing that they get it. At best, theyll mention the company name or say something like, I want to work at an exciting company- neither of which really say much. Instead, spend the first paragraph of your cover letter sharing, in great detail, why you love the company and just how much you get it.2. What Youd Do ThereYour resume is a list of your qualifications and skills, so you dont have to regurgitate those in your cover letter. What you should do instead? Talk about how those qualifications and skills would be put to good use at the company. In detail. Dont just say, I k now I could put my social media expertise to good use on your marketing team- share 1-2 very specific ideas of what you might do once hired at the company (backed up by your track record of amazing accomplishments, of course). For example, talk about an on-brand hashtag campaign youd run on Twitter to engage users (and mention youve done this before, if you have), or make some concrete suggestions on how the company might adapt its Pinterest strategy to better get in front of its target demographic. Make the hiring manager think he or she cant live without you.3. Why Youre a Culture FitLast, but certainly not least, your cover letter is the perfect place to show how youd fit in with the company culture. You dont necessarily have to describe why youre a culture fit (and in fact, this can be annoying), but you can show you are by the tone, words, and level of formality you use. (Uber-corporate office? Keep it professional. Creative ad agency? Absolutely ditch the I was excited to find this position opener.)But, by all means, if there are specific cultural references you can include, do. Is the place known for being the most dog-friendly company in your city? Say how much you and your golden retriever would like to join the team.If you can show your passion, your ideas for the company, and your personality, and translate them into language the hiring manager understands, youll be doing so in no time.Photo of cover letter courtesy of photo source.