Learn About Being a Manufacturers Sales Rep

Learn About Being a Manufacturers Sales RepLearn About Being a Manufacturers Sales RepSales lages cover practically everything you can think of. For the most part, whenever a company or individual makes a product or service, nothing happens unless someone is there to sell it. For manufacturers, making the products that they intend to bring to market is the first step in the process. Once a product is made, its time to turn it over to their ausverkauf force. A manufacturers sales force can be a series of dealers, a direct sales obere extremitt or a team of manufacturers reps. Independent Sales Professionals While not always the case, many manufacturers reps are independent sales professionals who sign contracts with manufacturers to sell their products. These reps usually work under a 1099 agreement, meaning that they are not viewed as employees but as contractors. They are responsible for their own taxes, health benefits and any other employee type agreements. Most of unterstellu ng positions are 100% commission based and include no salary at all. There is no doubt that manufacturers rep positions are not for the faint of heart. Those sales professionals who are uncomfortable working with no base salary, seldom choose a manufacturer rep position. But for those comfortable with their sales abilities and have confidence in the marketability of the product, these positions can be very rewarding. Flexibility and Freedom When working as an employee, you will be expected to work a set schedule, to attend meetings and trainingand fulfilling many other employee requirements. But manufacturer reps truly have but one responsibility Sell These sales reps set their own schedules, handle their own sales training and are (for the most part) free to work when they want to work. As long as they produce and comply with any ethical expectations of the manufacturer, reps are more like entrepreneurs than employees. This freedom is usually what attracts sales professionals t o these types of positions. Many are more than willing to trade the security of receiving a salary and benefits for autonomy. Not For the Unmotivated Successful manufacturer reps have one thing in common They motivate themselves and dont need anyone telling them to get out and sell. Those who are either new to sales or arent certain that they have the internal drive that forces them out of bed in the morning and out onto the streets should think twice before seeking a position as a manufacturers rep. The truth is that while reps can and often do earn a substantial income, the vast majority do not. The primary reason why some succeed where many fail is personal desire. Without it, the temptation to misuse the freedom is too great. Multiple Streams of Income One way that manufacturers reps provide themselves financial security is by selling for more than one manufacturer. While doing so is not always possible or may even be not allowed by certain manufacturers, representing m ore than one company can be a very effective approach. The smartest way to represent more than one manufacturer is to find complimentary products to sell. For example, if you have an independent sales position selling computer parts, finding another position selling networking services may increase your effectiveness and allow you to bring a greater value proposition to your customers. While representing more than one manufacturer can be a good idea, it is seldom a good idea to represent competing products. In other words, if you represent a transmission manufacturer, selling for another transmission manufacturer will either cost you both positions or create some doubt in your customers minds. Career Summary Manufacturer rep positions are a great way to build solid sales experience, earn a substantial income and can afford disciplined sales representatives with autonomy and flexibility. Working on astraight commission may not be for everyone, but these positions are often the hi ghest paid positions for talented and dedicated sales professionals. Manufacturer reps will need to be smart business people with solid an understanding of taxes, deductions and personal investing. If you have the discipline and desire that these jobs demand, finding a position as a manufacturers reps is often easier than finding an employee-type position. The manufacturer has less risk when hiring an independent rep than when hiring an employee and is more willing to give a less-tenured sales professional a shot.

Being Out of Work Is Hard, Getting Back to Work Can Be Harder

Being Out of Work Is Hard, Getting Back to Work Can Be HarderBeing Out of Work Is Hard, Getting Back to Work Can Be HarderAfter two years of unemployment, Rob Smith welches sad and scared to return to work. You may be too. Although its surprising to hear, psychologists and career experts say Smith is more the norm than the exception.After nearly two years of unemployment, Rob Smith finally got a job offer. It welches with a mixture of joy, relief, sadness and fear that he accepted it.One recent Sunday night he went to Facebook and updated his status. He wanted to inform friends and family who had followed his two years of unemployment that his ordeal was ending. He also shared some raw emotions.Anxious and excited about returning to a full-time job tomorrow for the first time in 23 months YIKESExcitement, joy and relief will be understandable to fruchtwein of us. But anxiety, sadness and fear?Yes, Smith, a Boston-area architect, was sad and scared - sad to leave a routine and some projects that had been his life for two years and scared that his technical skills had failed to keep up with advances in the industry.Surprising as it sounds, Smiths combination of feelings is not uncommon, say career experts and mental health professionals. After a long period of involuntary unemployment, a person may be fearful that his skills have deteriorated to the point that he will not be able to function in a new position. He may worry so much about losing another job that he self-sabotages. Or he may grieve for a lifestyle he had developed while staying at home with family.From an emotional standpoint, your pace has been in the slow lane for a very long time, said Cognitive Behavioral Psychologist Debra Brown. If youre in a job where youre suddenly put back in the fast lane, you are now challenged to get up to that pace as quickly as you can.Settling InTwo years ago, Smith was working at a small, design-oriented firm. He had been at the job for about a year when the impact of the recession forced the company to let him go.After giving up hope that he would be rehired, Smith started his search for a new job in earnest a few months later. He sent out resumes and leveraged a variety of job sites and other resources. But his outlook darkened after attending a job fair for architects. The first year I went to a career fair that was overwhelmed with unemployed architects, he said. They totally underestimated the number of people who were going to attend. There were lines outside the door, and I left very discouraged. I think at some point I kind of resigned myself to not finding a job. I felt a little hopeless.Smith settled into his unemployment and decided he needed to do something that would make him feel positive. I wanted to do some things that were related to architecture and my home, so I started getting into the home renovation stuff. I really got enjoyment out of it.Unemployment has its dark side, said Laurence J. Stybel, co-founder of Stybel, Peab ody Associates Inc. and executive in residence at the Sawyer School of Business at Suffolk University in Boston. But the positive sides of unemployment are the good habits you can develop - getting up when you feel like it, speaking with as few or as many people as you wish, being in control of your schedule, etc.As his unemployment stretched on, Smith continued to submit resumes, but he became less and less motivated to do so as the economic and jobless news grew from bad to worse. And then it got better.New job postings, and the end of unemployment benefits in sight, lit a fire under Smith. But instead of just starting off his routine where he had left off, he ramped up his job search a notch - or three. During that belastung leg of unemployment, I was feeling like, ugh, I have to send out these resumes, he said. But then once I got into looking at firms, Id actually get very interested in it and spend six hours looking at things and writing very focused cover letters. It made me feel better about myself professionally. And that eventually led to three or four interviews, and eventually to the job I have now.Stay CurrentWhile he was excited and relieved about the offer, Smith began to feel anxious.For one thing, he said, in the last two years, architectural firms have started using a building information management system called REVIT. Smith hadnt used the program in his last job, and he was worried that his technical skills were lacking.I think I did have a lot of anxieties about things like remembering code, the terminology, things like that, he said. But it does come right back to you. I might have to do a little more research here and there or look at something a little further to get to the next level. I was very anxious about it before, and I feel good that I didnt lose as much of my mental faculties as I thought when it comes to architecture.Psychologist Brown and other experts say that reading industry trade publications and taking classes during a prolonged period of unemployment will help job seekers stay current in their technical skills and the practices of their profession. This will help mitigate gaps in employees work histories, letting potential employers see that they have made the effort to stay abreast, and will lead to an easier re-entry into the workforce once an offer is made. Volunteering, in your industry or within your area of expertise in another industry, is another way to ease the transition back into full-time employment.While out of work, Smith, for example, obtained accreditation in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an architecture certification growing in demand as home builders seek green-building designs. He also volunteered at the information desk at the Build Boston conference. Smith said the former added a valued credential to my resume and the latter the bonus of membership in the Boston Society of Architects and a first year as an associate member of the American Institute o f Architects. Smith said he wouldnt have been able to afford the memberships on his own.Diving InWorkforce transition requires care and planning much like the actual job search process, said Tony Deblauwe, founder of HR4Change, an information and services resource for individual and business productivity. If youve been out of work for a long period of time, there are a few ways to ease back into the workforce effectively, he said. First, dont try to do everything. Like most new jobs, there is a breaking-in period for both you and the company - usually 90 days.Thats not to say that you should go into your new position with anything but your best foot forward, just that you should take it one step at a time.You want to develop a steady pace of solid starting performance, networking and understanding the new business, said Deblauwe. The urge may be to dive right in and do everything at once because you are so happy to be working again, but it could backfire because you may miss someth ing that hurts your future success.It might also help to remember that work is partially a building up of learned habits that are effortlessly unlearned once you retire or are unemployed said Stybel of Stybel, Peabody Associates. When the behaviors once again become habits, you wont think about it anymore. You will just do it.Once Burned, Always ShyWhile there are many things people can do to ease more gracefully back into a 9-to-5 existence, nothing can take away the pain that goes along with the punch in the stomach of unexpected unemployment. There is often that fear that it will happen again.In fact, people who return to the workforce after a long stretch of unemployment also often feel what Brown called anticipatory anxiety. Once youve had an involuntary job loss happen to you, you have this anticipatory anxiety that it might happen again, and that might take some time to shake. If left unchecked, this anxiety could lead to self-sabotage, she said.Awareness can go a long way t oward avoiding this type of behavior, say experts, as will acknowledgement of the difficulty that goes along with such a drastic change - no matter how welcome. When youve been out of work that long, said Brown, its going to be hard to get back in.

Flip A Rock, Find A Job

Flip A Rock, Find A JobFlip A Rock, Find A JobIm going to tell you something you already know..The job hunt can be frustrating, challenging, and scary.Lets face it, its not something you ever really aspired to get good at, and frankly, maybe you feel like youre not very good at it right now.Thats OK, and its OK to be concerned with getting through this tough parte of yur life.For the next few months and weeks, youll be looking for that great job (or, if youve already hopped on one of the mora than 35,000 jobs weve published this year, perhaps you only have days left?)And youll put in a ton of effort, go through high highs and, let me be honest with you, more than a couple low lows, as you wend your way through this hunt for your next place of employment.Thats not an easy prospect to face. Wondering where youll hang your hat next. Worrying about the bills. Sitting across the dining room table from the love of your life and trying to hide the pain and humiliation you sometimes feel whe n those bad days come on in a bad way.So I want you to know that I understand what youre going through.And I also want you to know.. I need you to know, really. one more thingYou will make it through to the other side. You will meet with success. You will find your next great job.The surprising thing, actually, is that it is out there right now. A hiring manager, a recruiter, a Board, has decided that they need someone. Someone just like you.And your job, and, truth be told, my job, is to help you find that sucker as fast as we can its what youve hired me to do. (Thanks, by the way)Unfortunately, even in these days of the internet, even in these days of the most fantastic information sorting and slicing and dicing machines ever invented in the history of this planet, its going to take some elbow grease and hard work.From both of us.I promise you that I, and your team of four dozen high-end job-scouring professionals here at Ladders.com, will do everything in our power to help you.A nd you need to do yours.That job that I mentioned up above? Its out there. Right now. And in fact, there are probably a couple dozen dream jobs looking for you at the moment.The problem is this how are we going to find it? It might as well be under a rock someplace, cause it koranvers is hidden from our view. How in Hades are we going to find it?There are some 20,000 headhunters out there, and perhaps another 100,000 recruiting specialists in HR departments across the US. How are we going to find which of those 120,000 folks needs you? How are we going to overturn the right rock?Well, thats where we at Ladders.com come in. We go out each week and collect as many rocks as we can for you. From headhunters, from corporate recruiters, from hiring managers themselves.And we bring back all those great $100K-plus rocks, er.. jobs. (And, by the way, we throw out any that dont pay more than $100,000 youre not interested in them and neither are we.)You see, unlike job boards, unlike the loca l newspaper, unlike the headhunting firms we wont accept money from people looking to hire our great subscribers.Thats because we work for you, the job-seeker. And our goal is to get all those fantastic $100K+ jobs into your hot little hands as quickly as possible. By not charging the employers, we get to see more $100K+ jobs than any other resource on the entire planet.So our job is to go out and collect the rocks. (Almost 5,000 new ones this week alone)Your job, dear Reader, is to look under them.And I cant tell you which rock your dream job is hiding under, so it is going to take that little bit of elbow grease on your part. Youll probably need to look under 100 or more rocks (thats 100 or more applications) to find it.But the sooner, and more thoroughly, you get through this part, the faster youll get to the really good part showing up at your first day in the new office at your great new job.Your team here at Ladders has been in this business for the better part of a decade n ow, and weve seen it all. From our days at HotJobs.com (I was SVP, Finance Operations) to today, weve seen thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people go through the job hunt successfully.So, even on those days when you feel like youll never get another job, that youre too inexperienced or too experienced, youre too specialized or too much of a generalist, youre too eager or youre too laidback about getting your next job, I can tell one thing for certain You will land that next great job.You will succeed.And well be there with you.So get on it, folks.Today. This morning. Right now.Its Monday, the last day of February in 2005, the last day for you to make a great impression on employers in this month of groundhogs and chocolates and Presidents. So lets make it a great one.Have you called that recruiter back? She might have your rock.Have you emailed your old colleague from years back? He could be keeping your rock for you.Have you followed up on those jobs you appl ied for at Ladders.com last week? Rock, rock, rock. Get looking thereToday is the right time for you to be looking at these jobs folks. Premium people theres a reason we give you a 2-week headstart on the basic folks the sooner you apply to these jobs and get networking your way in, the sooner youre going to land one.So lets get on these today, lets find that rock, lets get you into that next great dream jobAnd lets get there togetherRECRUITERS DISCOVER A SECRET WEAPONWeve been discovered by more and more recruiters here at Ladders.comDave,I have just noticed something quite interesting. I am recruiting for a Business Development Directors position in Manhattan. I am receiving resumes from several sources. I started refining the list this morning from about 30 to 6 potential candidates. All of the final 6 came through SalesLadder. It looks like you have put together a good service.Doug BatchelorDoug BatchelorOwner General ManagerExpress Personnel ServicesBy the way, folks, we don t actually solicit this feedback from people, you all just seem to write in with such kind, kind things to say about us (Actually, I think Id be pretty depressed if my marketing team *were* writing these testimonials and the best they could come up with is you have put together a good service ??And you know what else is great? We really love it when a subscriber turns around and becomes a job posterI thought MarketingLadder was really great. It put me in touch with more real opportunities than any other jobsite I looked at during my search. I liked it so much, that I am using it now to build the marketing team at my new companyBob EgnerWashington Depot, CTThanks for the rocks, BobAnd yet anotherHi MarcI just wanted to say that salesladder.com is an outstanding service. I recently landed a great Job in the Boston area through SalesLadder. I have been at this job for exactly one month and it has been great, great people, great anfhrer etcI am a Sales Manager with a regional company. T his position has kept me closer to home (less travel) and I will make (at plan) well into six figures.I will be honest and say that I didnt think that internet job searches worked, but Im glad that I stumbled (literally) onto your website. I only had the basic service (because like I said I didnt believe in it) but it really worked.So for anyone out there who is skeptical, it worked for me. ThanksBest regards,Chris Howard, Nahant, MAJust imagine, folks, if Chris had been turning over ALL the rocks in SalesLadder, and two weeks earlier to boot how much quicker would he have landed? Just think how much quicker *you* will get thereThanks again, Readers, and do feel free to hit reply and write on inLadders.COM ON SAN DIEGO AND MIAMI TVFolks, check out our latest segments in our recruiter outreach program heres me on local TV in San Diego and MiamiLANDEDFM.COMA cool new internet resource, Landedfm.com is the first Internet radio Web site venture committed exclusively to mid-career prof essionals.Were always in favor of new information sources on the internet, and you can listen to my interview with LandedFM here (third item).

Skills All HR Managers Must Have

Skills All HR Managers Must HaveSkills All HR Managers Must HaveSkills All HR Managers Must HaveDo you have the skills to shine in an HR position?Human resource is a discipline that requires leadership and management training necessary to build the skills that business executives are looking for. HR practitioners who have a deeper knowledge of relevant areas and more practical skills generate more opportunities in the corporate world. The following are the fundamental skills every HR manager must have.Communication skills.As an HR practitioner, you must be able to express yourself clearly, both in oral and written communication. The human resource field requires a lot of talking as the team is in charge of recruitment that entails a series of interviews. Aside from that, the HR manager deals with a lot of people day in and day out, listening to their issues whether work-related or not. Through behauptung interactions, they gain the trust and confidence of the employees, thereby impro ving interrelationships in the workplace. The HR manager also designs and produces the policy handbooks and releases memos for the benefit of all the employees which call for the need of good writing skills.Organizational skills.HR entails a lot of functions including but not limited to recruitment, training, performance appraisals, individual development plans, and employee relations. An HR manager oversees all these functions and must have a systemic way of going through all the processes. For example, there must be a standard employee training platform for each role in the organization. On the other hand, HR involves a lot of paperwork that must be filed systemically such as employee profile and legal documents. With all the processes and administrative tasks involved, keeping organized will help increase your efficiency as an HR manager, being able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.Decision-making skills.There is a lot of decision making involved in HR. One good example is during the recruitment process where they have to decide whether an applicant is the right fit for the role or not. Recognizing good talent is not something you can easily learn. It requires strategy, experience and intuition. This is something an HR manager must have. Another instance is when facing the dilemma of downsizing. It will be part of HRs role to get the message across efficiently even in the midst of a crisis. As such, all HR managers must be sound decision makers to support critical organizational functions like these.Training and developmental Skills.Another function of human resource is training and development. HR managers are responsible for giving employees development opportunities in buchung to maximize performance and increase value. Organizing sessions on leadership and management training, for example, will provide more diverse skills to the employees. This allows them to assume added tasks and support their career growth at the same time.Budgeting skills.Com pensations and benefits all go through HR. The same goes with training and development, social activities, performance appraisals, etc. These activities have to be incorporated into their organizations strategic planning and budgeting, taking into account each departments projects and their individual functions. The primary role of the HR manager is to limit expenditures and not overspend on unnecessary activities.Empathetic skills.The HR team deals with a lot of people and their concerns, from workload to salary complaints to a conflict in the workplace. As a manager of human resource, you need empathetic skills to ensure you understand where the person is coming from before you make any judgment. It could be that the employee just needs to get something off his chest and only needs a listening ear. Or he might be airing his grievances so he can get help. Whatever the case, it is the HR managers responsibility to listen to the employees and ensure they got their message across clea rly.HR is a terrific field with a lot of opportunities. But, you have to have the proper skills to succeed as an HR manager. If youre a real people person, this just might be the career for youHire a TopResume professional resume writer to put your top skills on paper, today.

Building an Effective Online Presence

Building an Effective Online Presence Building an Effective Online Presence Typepad wants you to put your resume zugreifbar using their tafelgeschirr and in promoting this idea, they gave me the perfect starting point to say this YOU CANT JUST STICK YOUR RESUME ONLINE AND CALL THAT A WEB PRESENCESorry for yelling but this is really important.Click here to see what Typepad is promoting as a good use of their service to create a resume.That is HORRIBLE Not only is it boring from a design perspective but the resume is badly written. And theres nothing more online than was in the original resume. What is the point??Just after I saw this, I stumbled upon this post about the importance of a LinkedIn profile. Yes I agree But then I read thisIf you are not the worlds best writer, hire one to help you. By that I mean hire a college student or put out an ad on Craigs list or eLance to find a good writer. There are a lot of writers out there and a lot more of them than usual are probably loo king for some extra cash about this time, with the recession and Christmas double whammy. It wont require a lot of cash either.Put your future into the hands of an inexperienced college kid, or a writer who isnt good enough to be busy?? NOThis is my fear about Web 2.0 the ease of publishing is deceiving. If all it takes to publish to the web is to type some stuff and the hit the submit button, cant anyone do it?Judging by Typepads example, the answer is no.The truth is that writing your web profile is just as hard as writing a great resume. Just as with your resume, you should understand the needs of your audience, know your true value proposition and work to make every du sagst es of your profile communicate that message.But with a web profile especially on social networking sites like LinkedIn, theres another layer to this. You also have to know how the site works for recruiters how do they navigate? What do they see when they run a general search? What makes them choose to rea d one profile and not another? What persuades them to email you?For example, on LinkedIn, recruiters see the sub-header that runs beneath your name when they run a search. If theyre looking at a page filled with these sub-headers, how can you make yours stand out? Can you say something other than marketing manager.? How about marketing executive specialize in integrated marketing targeting the youth audience. If Im a recruiter looking for someone with your skills, you can bet Ill click through to your profile now. But what college kid would know to rewrite that sub-headline?Dont squander your job search prospects by just throwing up an unimpressive online profile or hiring some under-qualified person to write your profiles. Take your online presence as seriously as you take your resume no wait take it more seriously, because unlike your resume, you cant just pull it back and make changes at a later date. Whats out there now is cached and out there for a REALLY long time.If thats not enough to scare you into action, nothing will

How to Choose Administrative Assistant Resume Sample

How to Choose Administrative Assistant Resume Sample An Administrative assistant role is quite critical for organizations to make sure all administrative work is performed professionally and efficiently. In managing resumes, it isnt almost writing and consolidating your abilities but in addition applying strategies and techniques to create your resume stand out. Be aware that if you create a secretary resume, you should have an emphasis on your communication abilities. Focus regarding how you will benefit the organization and not on the way that it can help you. Now you have your skills listed, you should be quite proud of yourself. Skills, in regard to guiding product launches and strategic initiatives, can likewise be included. Additional skills may include the quantity of language you speak. Top Administrative Assistant Resume Sample Choices Office specific location is truly also important. Have a look at the sample resume for bro staff positions at the very top. You f irst have to create the contact details section in which you want to mention name, contact address, contact number and email address. The information that you include on your resume ought to be clear and brief. What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About Administrative Assistant Resume Sample The qualifications of the position largely be dependent on what sector you desire to submit an application for. An effective career objective shouldnt be generic. Also you must make sure you follow your description with bullet points highlighting the particular achievements and duties. Below youll find the top skills needed to fulfill an administrative position.Excellent communicator with influencing skills and capability to relate with various personalities in a skilled and positive method. You should have knowledge about ways to form the technical resume. Ensure you include all of the experience that is going to permit you to stand out as a capable and qualified administrative professional. As an example, in senior administrative resumes, you should begin with your work experience whilst in the entry level administrative assistant resumes, you ought to start by writing your abilities. List the ones that you are conversant with. The first thing which individuals take into consideration when they hear about a legal resume is a lawyer. For instance, you might commute to work and need a whole lot of time and also money. Furthermore, employed people are frightened to prove to be without work. Our resume builder gives you tips and examples on how best to compose your resume summary. Many internet samples are also readily available to assist you in forming any type of resume easily. Only a professional resume can allow you to climb the initial steps towards success. Choose from multiple resume schablone options and discover the ideal option to help you produce your polished, professional resume. Using Administrative Assistant Resume Sample Employers want to get men and women who will address their problems. The very first step to applying for employment is making a resume. Hence, its extremely important to form your resume effectively to assist you in getting wonderful job opportunities. You are just about to compose the ideal office assistant resume For the very first time in your life, you will have complete well-being, dental, and vision insurance. At the close of the day, being in a position to present yourself as the person the provider is seeking for will help you win the interest of the hiring manager. The contents which you will insert in your work experience has to be well organized so the employer can understand it well. Some neighborhood travel to complete office errands might be required. Work experience is crucial on an Office Assistants resume, as their degree of experience may ascertain how much responsibility he or shes offered. The Career Objective is intended to provide the hiring manager a reason to keep on rea ding your resume. If youre an administrative assistant who wishes to update their resume, you may want to have a look at Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Samples. Youre able to understand all of the necessary things, with the aid of anAdministrative Assistant Resume. Administrative assistants should be skilled in the field that theyre working in. There are all sorts of resumes for assorted forms of secretary jobs. Secretarial jobs typically involve a wide scope of tasks and techniques. In addition, you can look for secretary jobs on Monster.

8 Career-Defining Moves To Make In Your 40s

8 Career-Defining Moves To Make In Your 40s 8 Career-Defining Moves To Make In Your 40sPosted July 14, 2016, by Vivien LuuYour forties are downright hectic.Whether youre wrestling your toddler into the car seat, or on yet another red eye flight to get back home in time for your anniversary dinner, you still have to somehow find the time to check in on your steadily ageing parents, throw together a presentation for Fridays meeting, shoot off a dozen emails, and (hopefully) squeeze in a quick gym sesh.Yep, welcome to your forties the rush hour of life as economist Lans Bovenberg describes it.The Rush Hour Of LifeBovenberg points out that as many professionals delay having children until their mid-thirties in order to focus on their careers, its inevitable that youll reach the top of the career game in your forties, just as youre knee-deep in nappies.And even if you dont have any kids, in your 40s youll have a lot more responsibilities (in work and life in general), and far fewer excus es to shirk them.To further complicate your midlife, science says that irrespective of whether or not we have children, were biologically hardwired to be the least happy in you guessed it our forties.Graph showing overal life satisfaction over timeThe U-CurveStudies that have mapped happiness over the course of the human lifespan consistently identify a U-curve effect, where happiness peaks at the beginning and end of life, but takes a serious nosedive around our middle years.Human happiness hits the lowest point around the ages of 40 to 42, writes Melbourne University researcher Dr Terence Cheng, who lumineszenzdiode a longitudinal study into the U-bend phenomenon. The jurys now in. People really do experience midlife crises.Half-TimeSo why do midlife crises occur? Because hitting that big 4-0 is like a screeching halftime siren. It unapologetically wails down on you, wakes you up, and makes you think Oh my god, is this it? Im halfway through my life and my career, and I havent done anythingMaybe youre one of the lucky few whos managed to accomplish everything you wanted, but for the majority of fortysomethings, a mid-career crisis is a very real possibility.Stuck In The MiddleA Gallup poll found that half of Baby Boomers and Gen X employees were not engaged by their work. Jim Harter, Gallups chief scientist for workplace management and wellbeing, told The Atlantic that those in midlife were more likely to complain of feeling locked into their careers and that the trend of a mid-career slump was evident across all industries and all income levels.Harter also noted that university-educated employees tended to report greater unhappiness levels than those who only graduated from high school. He believes that this could be explained by the fact that those with higher educations had higher expectations for themselves, and therefore found career disappointments all the more demoralising.Career Expectations vs. Career RealityIts in your 40s that you really depart ure to re-evaluate your lifes accomplishments, and begin to see the potentially stark difference between the career you aspired to have, and the one you actually have.Economist Hannes Schwandt attributes the midlife slump to this profound sense of dashed expectations. He found that young people had a tendency to overestimate how bright their futures would be, while older respondents were more pessimistic. Those in the middle experienced a terrible double whammy feeling both dissatisfied with life and pessimistic about their future.Schwandts work confirms that the U-shape in life satisfaction is driven by unmet aspirations that are painfully felt during midlife.So what can you do about it? According to the research, quite a lot Here are eight career moves you can make to help you get ahead (literally) of the curve1. If Youre Not Happy With Your Job, Make A ChangeEasier said than done, right? Of course it wont be easy.But is it possible? Hell yes.This can apply to any decade of your c areer really, but its even more important if youre a fortysomething whos starting to feel that midlife anxiety sweep through your soul.How radical does the change need to be? Thats completely up to you.The main thing is to pinpoint why youre feeling so disgruntled, and to start from there.If youre watching your baby-faced millennial colleagues zip past you while you slog it out on the same rung of the career ladder, lay down the gauntlet. Go formalise your years of experience with a qualification, or specialise and push yourself into a new niche.Or perhaps youre returning to work after taking a career hiatus in the name of child-rearing, and youre feeling intimidated by the prospect of job-hunting as an older worker. Arm yourself with must-have skills for the future, and look for companies that offer returnships internships for experienced employees returning to the workforce.Or maybe youre downright miserable at work and want to completely change things up. Well then do it already Lean into the unknown and change your career.The main thing is if youre unhappy, make a change.The future of our workforce is changing, and as our working lives increase, it means that by the time youre in your 40s, youve got another 20 or possibly even 30 years ahead of you.So if youre not happy in your career, now is the time to do something about it.2. Be Driven By A Sense Of PurposeWhat if you know that you need to make a change, but you have no idea what that change should be?Theres no one way to figure this out, but a recent study conducted by Copenhagens Happiness Research Institute might hold the key to understanding what makes for a happier career.The think tank surveyed 2,600 Danish workers to understand the source of professional contentment, and found that irrespective of sector or job title, what contributed fruchtwein to a workers happiness was a sense of purpose in their work.The need to find a deeper purpose seems to become more pronounced as we reach middle age. Ph illip A. Pizzo, director of the Distinguished Careers Institute, a program that connects middle-aged individuals with meaningful work, says when people get to their mid-career phase, they want to give back and do something meaningful.So ask yourself, what is it that drives you? What things fire you up, and how do you want to contribute to world? These questions will help you find your career sweet spot.3. Do That Thing Youve Always Wanted To DoWhatever it is that youve dreamed of doing, do it.Whether its starting a meaningful career as a nurse, realising your dreams of being an author, or finally turning that crazy business idea into a fully-fledged start-up its now or never.The good news is that science is on your side.A US study has tracked the intellectual ability of individuals over their lifetime, finding that respondents in their midlife scored higher on almost every measure of cognitive functioning than they did when they were 25. Reasoning and verbal memory, spatial reasoni ng, numerical ability and verbal ability are vastly improved by midlife.And dont let the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world fool you being older isnt a disadvantage. It can actually be your competitive edge.The average age at which an entrepreneur launches a startup is 40, and a study by the Kauffman Foundation found that people over 55 are twice as likely as people under 35 to launch a high-growth startup.So there you have it Age shouldnt be an excuse. Whatever it is youve always dreamt of doing, go do it.4. Think Big PictureBefore you go completely rogue, run off to Silicon Valley and demand that every angel investor give your company all the money in the world you need to have a plan.Your forties are usually when you start to give your superannuation or retirement any proper thought so any earth-shattering career changes need to be considered in light of the bigger picture.How will this affect your ability to pay bills? How will you provide for your children and/or elderly parents? What does this mean for your retirement? All these things need to be considered before you get stuck in.But they shouldnt hold you back either. Theyre a challenge, not an obstacle.You just need to be deliberate, and think deeply about what you might need to sacrifice, and weigh it up against the cost of not taking action.According to palliative care nurse, Bronnie Ware, I wish Id had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me was the number one regret most commonly voiced by her patients.In your forties, you have the opportunity to execute this change with the wisdom and precision your 20something self would never have been capable of doing. So take stock of where you are now, and map out where youd like your career to be.5. Get Your Career Story StraightWhatever your next move is going to be, make sure its consistent with your career narrative.Your career narrative tells the story of your working life it highlights and articulates your career asp irations, what youre passionate about, and where you want to go next.Whether youre pivoting into a new field or looking to completely revamp your career, its important to consider how this change fits into your story as a whole.Perhaps youve recently discovered a passion for cycling, and have applied for a job with SBS Cycling Central in order to combine your marketing skills with your love for the sport. Maybe youre an outdoorsy person who wants to help people, and thats why youre applying to work as a firefighter.Whatever the change might be, make sure your career story is cohesive and shows clarity about what you want out of a job. A disjointed narrative might send the wrong message and imply that your career choices have been haphazard or random, rather than something deliberate and well thought out.6. Own Up To Your Limitations, Play To Your StrengthsBy your 40s you know exactly who you are. Youre comfortable in your own skin, you know what youre good at, and what youre not.You r 20s and 30s were the time to work on your weaknesses. But if you havent conquered them by now, youre probably not going to master them anytime soon. So instead of dwelling on your shortcomings, focus on what youre really good at, and play to your strengthsBe sure to keep on top of industry news, attend specialist events, take every opportunity to learn new skills, and voice your opinions on platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or even TedEX.By mastering your area of expertise, you can become a thought leader in your field, and develop a distinct personal brand thats remembered and even revered.This is how you can become the go-to person in your niche, and launch the next phase in your career.7. Leverage Your NetworksYouve accumulated two decades worth of industry contacts tap into them Your network is an absolute goldmine of potential, giving you access to skills, insights and industry know-how that your twentysomething self could only dream of.So make sure to nurture your contac ts and maintain your professional networks. Used professional platforms such as LinkedIn and lean on the experience of your own flossepicked brains trust.And network smarter, not harder. In your 40s you simply dont have the time (or the energy) to turn up to every function, and aimlessly hand out business cards. A robust network is built on quality not quantity.Your networks could be the foundation of a new career, a new client base or new opportunities.8. Prioritise Your TimeStriking a true work/life balance is never easy, but in your forties as youre juggling the career ambitions thing with the family thing, and perhaps the midlife crisis thing as well work/life balance can feel impossible to achieve. But that doesnt have to be the case. You dont have an indefinite amount of time on your hands, so learn to prioritise what is most important to you and where possible, delegate or outsource the rest. Embrace the power of the word no. Its a powerful word that has the potential fo r freeing up your time. Your forties are an incredible opportunity to recalibrate, take stock of whats really important to you, and to build a meaningful career. Youve still got a couple of decades left in your working life, so make them countLooking to future-proof your career? Find out what 10 skills all employers are looking for in 2020 and beyond. 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 Searchesgoing abroad for careereffective oral and written communication skillsattention to detail skillsdefine communication skills11 top tips for effective time management CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health Assist anceEnquire Online Enquire Online Vivien LuuViv is a writer who enjoys researching and writing about creativity, how the human mind works, and neuro processes. She values creativity above all else and admires people who pursue their career dreams, no matter the sacrifice. In her spare time, she binges on HBO shows and epic fantasy novels.Related ArticlesBrowse moreUniversityVET/TAFETAFE or Uni - Which one is better?The decision between TAFE or Uni depends on a lot of different factors - from what career youd like to pursue, your learning style and how you plan to pay the tuition fees. Lets look at the differences and help you decide the right path for youCAREER ADVICEPERSONAL DEVELOPMENTHow To Speak To Your babo About Them Paying For Your CourseGaining new, relevant skills plays a major role in your career success but the cost of professional development can really add up Weve put together a game plan on how to ask your boss to pay for your course.EMPLOYER RESOURCESWorkers with disa bilitiesDaffodil Day How employers can support workers with cancerThe NSW Cancer Council is urging Australian employers to create supportive work environments for those battling against cancer, as more of the working population is expected to be diagnosed over the next decade.

Here are 7 of the craziest interview questions

Here are 7 of the craziest interview questionsHere are 7 of the craziest interview questionsYou network, hit the job boards, send out your cover letter, and finally get the callback. Now, comes the hard part the in-person interview.Knowing how to sell your story to managers means knowing how to handle any curveball they throw your way. At some of these well-known companies, that could mean getting a little out there.Using employer-rater Glassdoors listings, Ladders compiled a list of the seven wildest, weirdest interview questions for you to consult now so youll know your answer for later.How can you prepare?Remember that how you get to your answer is as important as what you say. Stay calm. Ask follow-up interview questions if need be. Employers ask these seemingly random questions to push you out of your comfort zone and see how you think and act under pressure.Cisco What kind of tree would you be?According to Glassdoor, Cisco Systems usesthis question is for senior technical write r positions. As with all questions asking you to speak in metaphor, choose a tree thats reflective of your spirit and representative of your career journey. Your answer should be a conversation-starter, not one that raises eyebrows.When asked by journalist Barbara Walters what tree she would be in a 1991 interview, actress Katherine Hepburn had a pragmatic answer. She said shed prefer to be an oak tree, so she could avoid Dutch elm disease.Whole Foods Market Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses?This is a question meat-cutter candidates for Whole Foods have faced, Glassdoor states. Theres not necessarily a right or wrong answer here.Youre being tested on your problem-solving skills, on whether you tackle smaller-sized problems or bigger-sized problems first.Dell Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?Best brush up on your prehistoric history of Homo sapiens to answer thisFacebookHow much do you dienstgrad to wash every window in Seattle?This was repor tedly used at an interview for an online sales position at the tech giant. Amusing answers by online users musing over this questioninclude rain can wash the windows, and I dont do windowsClark Construction A penguin walks over who is wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?An interview candidate who said he was asked this question for an office engineer job at the company said he replied, Wheres the sun screen? Its unclear if this candidate got the job.This could also be a good time to show off your critical thinking skills by asking follow-up questions, such as When? and How did penguins learn how to talk?SpaceXWhen a hot dog expands, in which direction does it split and why?This is the meaty question propulsion analysts for SpaceX face in interviews. The answer, according to physics, is lengthwise. And it may seem trivial, but once you know why and how a sausage splits, youll know how to apply the principles of hoop stress and longitudinal stress to bigger enginee ring structures like submarine hulls and aircraft fuselages.A good engineer would know how to answer this. But as one user on Glassdoor posited, you can have fun with your answer. It expands cooks proficiently where resistance is greater, yet achieves desired results. Much like I will do as a member of your team, this user wrote.U.K. survey If a hippo gets stuck in a hole, how would you get it out?This is a question one worker said they got when they answered the U.K. Association of Accounting Technicians survey. A hiring manager asking this wants to know your creative approach to oddball questions. But if you can figure out the physical logistics to this question, please let us know.What are the weirdest questions youve ever been asked during an interview? Ladders readers are chiming in on The Climb, a new Facebook community we createdfor you to talk about anything and everything work-related - something we dont do nearly often enough.

Too cold Over half of employees fight over office temperature

Too cold Over half of employees fight over office temperatureToo cold Over half of employees fight over office temperatureWere nearing the end of February, which means its leise cold and will be for quite some time. Office workers are still wearing sweaters and cardigans, and some of them have had it with typing away in a freezing office.New research from British heating company Boiler Plan found that 52% of office workers have clashed with colleagues over office climate as you may have predicted, its either too hot or too cold.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreSome employees have taken matters into their own hands, with 14.5% making a formal complaint to HR. A rogue 12.3% have taken action by doing damage to the office thermostat.The office warsObviously, office climate wars have been raging for decades. There have been fancy methods suggested for controlling office temp, but it hasnt been widely adopted. Its even been suggested that people who are way too cold in the air conditioning during the summer could have a temperature allergy.But your office temperature shouldnt have to make you miserable (even though a study shows that temperature is adjusted more for the comfort of a typical man rather than a typical woman). Theres the Hyperchair, with heating and cooling units built-in.The company Smoko makestoast-shaped USB wired hand warmers, which warms your hands up when you plug them in. And someday, super-futuristic thermal bubbles will be able to follow employees wherever they go.In the meantime, listen to a physiologist on how to keep your body feeling warm and restrain yourself from damaging an old-fashioned thermostat while waiting for your own thermal bubble.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 da ily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

10 Secrets of Excellent Communicators

10 Secrets of Excellent Communicators10 Secrets of Excellent CommunicatorsGreat communicators are viewed as successful individuals by coworkers and others. They become go-to people in an organization because people equate efficacy with effective communication. Great communicators contribute more to their organizations and receive more opportunities for promotion and recognition in their careers. There are other attributes, but ten simple communication skills are shared by nearly all effective communicators. Build the Relationship First When a great communicator approaches a co-worker, he takes the time to say, good morning and hows your day going? The effect of the relationship-building forays is incalculable. The speaker demonstrates that, no matter how busy or overextended they are, they have time to care about others. Build the relationship first for successful communication. For even more successful communication, continue to build the relationship in all interactions in any setting over time as goodwill has a cumulative effect. Know What They Are Talking About Great communicators obtain the knowledge, insight, and forward-thinking ability necessary to earn the respect of their colleagues and acquaintances. Coworkers will elend listen if they do elend believe that the communicator is bringing expertise to the table, but will spend time with them if they respect their knowledge and the value that the communicator brings to the conversation. When you think about secrets of great communicators, subject matter expertise may head the list. Think of Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, Angela Merkel, etc. Listen More Than They Speak Imagine if a manager held a performance development planning meeting with an employee and talked 55 minutes of the hour. This is an egregious example of a manager dominating a discussion, but it serves as a reminder that people are unable to listen if they are talking. Understanding others- and what they need- is a crucial skill f or communicators. When they do speak, they are frequently asking questions to draw out the knowledge and opinions of their coworkers. When you allow yourself to listen, you often hear what is not being said. Excellent communicators use this information in order to read between the spoken lines to understand the whole context of the other person and their thoughts and needs. Focus on Understanding the Other Persons Motives When someone else is speaking, great communicators do not spend the time preparing their responses. Instead, they ask questions for clarification and to make certain that they thoroughly understand what the other person is communicating, focusing their mind on listening and understanding. If you find yourself (and that little voice in your head) arguing, prepping your response, or refuting what your colleague is saying, you are not focused on thoroughly understanding her communication. You have stopped listening and have refocused the discussion on your needs. Use a Feedback Loop Saying, Here is what I heard you say and repeating the gist of the content of the message that they received from the other persons communication uses a feedback loop to check their understanding and to make sure they are experiencing shared meaning. When they check their understanding, communicators avoid miscommunication and misunderstanding, circumventing hard feelings and protracted explanations about what their subject meant. Listen to Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal communication is a powerful voice in any interaction. The voice tonality, body language, and facial expressions speak more loudly than verbal communication or the actual words in many communication exchanges. Communicators know the amount of information that they lose when they communicate via email, phone, IM, or texting. The youngest generation at work may not recognize the importance of talking with coworkers in person. If you want information that is richer and deeper, and for disc ussion and exchange, solid communicators seek out their co-workers. Watch for Patterns, Inconsistencies, and Consistencies In any communication, the opportunity for misunderstanding is ever present. Communicators watch for patterns (is this how their co-worker typically reacts) and inconsistencies (is this consistent with what they expect from this person). If any of unterstellung verbal and nonverbal communication factors are inconsistent or sending different messages, communication failure is imminent. Coworkers tend to listen to the nonverbal communication over the verbal. Immediately Remedy a Personal Issue Using I Language Good communicators take responsibility for owning their own emotional reactions. They use I messages ?to demonstrate that they know that they are responsible for the reaction. For example You really messed up that customer interaction is much less effective and honest than, I was upset watching you interact with that customer for these reasons You-ing a co-worker is rarely effective communication. Communicators will most likely receive a defensive response which makes the communication fail. Delivering an honest I message instead is powerful. Wait to Give Critical Feedback If communicators feel they are going to say anything critical or controversial, they try and wait 24 hours before they say it, send it, or post it to see if they still feel that way the next day. ?Pausing before communicating is an under-appreciated skill of great communicators. In fact, communication will be more powerful and thoughtful if the circumstances are allowed to marinate for a longer period of time. Open Their Mind to New Ideas New ideas live or die in their first communication. Using the other communication skills presented here, you can make a new idea flourish or fail in an instant. Rather than immediately rejecting a new idea, approach, or way of thinking, excellent orators pause and consider the possibilities. Consider what might work i n their organization rather than what will fail. They think about the possibility rather than the impossibilities. Great communicators always listen for opportunities and pursue them with gusto. Build Coworker Trust It is not enough to be a good listener and to draw out the other persons opinions. They will not level with communicators or share their real thoughts if they do not trust them. You gain trust in your everyday interactions with people when you tell the truth- even when its difficult. When communicators consistently exhibit integrity and trustworthiness in their daily interpersonal conversations and actions, they build their communicating abilities even further. If you make the effort to use these ten simple communication skills in your interactions with your coworkers, clients, customers, and other organization stakeholders, you will build your professional reputation. People equate effective communication with efficacy and they value people who can engage others and share meaning.