Why Students Should Consider Doing At Least One Internship

Why Students Should Consider Doing At Least One InternshipWhy Students Should Consider Doing At Least One InternshipInternships provide a link between academic learning and professional employment. Because many employers require new hires to have completed at least one internship, many applicants will find theirresumes stuck at the bottom of the pile if they havent completed at least one internship during their four years of college. Some college students even go the extra distance and do an internship abroad, an undertaking that substantially boosts their credentials. It is recommended that students try several different internships in order to get a good sense of what its like to workin the particular field theyre interested in. This experience allows students to see what its like to actually workin the office and see first-hand what the industry is like. They also get a chance to evaluate the different types of jobs in their chosen profession that best match their skills and perso nality. Acquiring Knowledge and DevelopingSkills Gets You Hired Internships afford you the opportunity to meet people already working in the field, gain valuable references, and get exposure to the working environment. Theseare just three good reasonswhy students should consider doing one or more internships during their college years. Because many employers use their internship programs to train young people and then select new hires from the internship pool, its crucial that interns do their best to prove to the employer that they have what it takes to be successful in the job. Internships are a way for students to build their knowledge base and increase their skill set while increasing their chances of getting hired for a full-time positionin the future. Internships Increase Your Likelihood of Staying With the Company Not only are employers looking for individuals with relevant experience in the field, they are also looking for people who have had exposure to the field ( and the company) and who understand what its like handling the nitty-gritty of a particular job. Even some of the biggest names in the business hire from within. Union Square Cafe, in New York City, is a top-rated Zagat restaurant known for hiring marketing interns. And, according to the National Organization of Colleges and Employers, 90 percent of returning interns (those who came back for a second internship) were offered full-time employment. Doing an Unpaid Internships Versus Getting a Paid Job Students are often faced with the dilemma of deciding whether its better to do an unpaid internship or find a job that allows them to make some money. There is no easy answer to this because this is a highly personal situation. If you are able to do an unpaid internship without any undue hardship, the experience will provide valuable work experience and may lead to a full-time job with that company, or, at the very least, will help you get a similar job with a synergistic company. St udents who cannot afford to do an unpaid internship might try combining the internship with a part-time job to sustain themselves over the course of the internship. Especially in todays remote-driven world, many internships allow students to work remotely part of the time, and to complete tasks during off-hours like evenings and weekends. Even though an internship is unpaid, the right one will provide valuable experience that paves the way to a future employment. However, many of the large global companies offerpaid internships and you may be able to have the best of both worlds.

6 Leadership Skills You Never Knew You Needed

6 Leadership Skills You Never Knew You Needed6 Leadership Skills You Never Knew You Needed Youre notlage the big boss. Youre not even middle management. So developing some serious leadership skills isnt exactly on todays to-do list - but thats a big mistake. We can all be leaders, no matter what ur official title is, says executive coach Karen Elizaga , author of Find Your Sweet Spot . Groups, irrespective of level within a company, need people to move projects along, take ownership and solve problems. And importantly, from a career trajectory standpoint, when you exhibit leadership skills, you become a prime candidate to actually be that leader. You show people that youre ready and willing to move up to the front of the line.If youve changed your mind and youre ready to lead the work troops by example, heres how, according to our career experts. As career coach Hallie Crawford points out, a successful leader- or employee- has to trust other people to get th eir part of the job done. Thats because, in part, doing everything yourself doesnt promote creativity and doesnt empower others to learn new things- and it actually increases stress, she says. Who knew? So, let coworkers do their thing, Crawford suggests, and only check in on a task when absolutely necessary or before passing it along to a client to ensure its correct. Dont hover. 2. Clearly and concisely express yourself. Just because youre not in a workplace leadership role doesnt mean you should sit silently through meetings. Some think that its enough to produce an excellent work product, says Elizaga. But its not. The ability to advocate your position or opinion puts you in the spotlight, she says. Thats because expressing yourself to your peers and employer illustrates your ability to process challenges, problem solve, and create meaningful resolutions to move forward. If you keep these thoughts to yourself, no one will ever know. And you may just miss out on a mglichkeit to m ove up. You probably have a mentor . (If not, get one- now) But even if youre still learning, you can be an asset to others in your field. In any position, be available to help your fellow coworkers by providing feedback, says Crawford. How? Heres an easy way Ask yourself if theres something you excel at. If so, dont keep the knowledge to yourself, Crawford says. Be willing to share what you know with your coworkers. Your team- and very likely, your boss- will appreciate your communal know-how. Calmly listening to what youve done wrong or how you can improve probably may make you feel like more of a misfit than a leader. But learning to take constructive criticism well is actually a crucial leadership skill every employee should master, Elizaga says. No one is perfect, and we can all benefit from someones perspective on our performance so that we can continue to strive for excellence, she says. And making a tangible change after receiving- sometimes tough - feedback shows your b oss and colleagues that you can listen, your ego is not too big to take into account other opinions, and you can bend and flow for the benefit of the organization.It may be perfectly acceptable to show up to your office in jeans. (Many an industry is going the uber-casual these days.) But even if you can get away with wearing a T-shirt and shorts to work, resist the urge to be comfortable and instead, dress like a boss, says Crawford. It may be a good way to get yourself noticed by the higher-ups, but this is also a move you should make for yourself. Dressing your best- someone who cares about the image they project- will not only help you feel more confident but also will help you build your brand as a professional, Crawford says. Lets be honest It can be tough to keep our cool at work. Sometimes emotions flare, conversations get heated- and as a result, productivity falls off a cliff, says Elizaga. But, if you can keep calm and carry on with work, rather than give in to an outburs t, your ability to stay rational and reasonable even in the face of others emotional issues will show others that you can consistently remain cool-headed and forward-focused, she says. Moreover, when you can remain calm and encourage others to do the same, you lead the way to continued productivity. And then everyone wins.

The scientific secret to performing under pressure

The scientific secret to performing under pressureThe scientific secret to performing under pressureAmelia Boonewas standing in a wetsuit, clutching her knees, the wind whipping against her face on a frigid Chicago winter morning. She was running on Lake Shore Drive, while dunking herself in and out of the icy waters of Lake Michigan. Observers decked out in layers of warm winter clothing assumed that these were the delirious actions of a madwoman. But no, the Queen of Pain - as Boone has come to be known - was getting ready for the Worlds Toughest Mudder.The Worlds Toughest Mudder makes a marathon look like a casual stroll. The race is run for 24 hours non-stop. Participants must fight off sleep while conquering roughly twenty of thebiggest, baddest, most insane obstacles scattered across a 5-mile course. Its survival of the fittest Whoever completes the most amount of laps wins.Some of the obstacles are in water, which can drop down to freezing temperatures. To prevent hypothermi a, all participants run in wetsuits. While on land, the wetsuit helps preserve the bodys warmth since body heat tends to dissipate over the course of the grueling 24 hours.Boone is a corporate attorney at Apple by day. When she first started training, she couldnt do a single pull-up. Shes now a four-time world champion and among the best obstacle racers in the world.Her secret is to subject her body to the saatkorn intense conditions that shell experience during the race. You dont race on a treadmill with Netflix in front of you,Boone says, so you shouldnt be doing your training like that.The rain, the snow, the dark, the cold, the wetsuit - they all beckon Boone. By the time the race rolls around, she has been desensitized to the conditions awaiting her. She greets them with a smile that seems to say,Nice to see you again. Lets dance.Theres a name in rocket science for how Boone trains test as you fly, fly as you test. According to the test as you fly rule, tests on Earth must mim ic, to the greatest extent possible, the same conditions in flight. Rocket scientists test the spacecraft as the spacecraft will fly. If the test is successful, the flight must take place under conditions identical to the test. In a machine as complex as a rocket, any significant deviance between the test and the flight can result in catastrophe.The same principle applies to the training of astronauts. The day-to-day reality of an astronauts life is vastly different than the glamour you see in Hollywood movies. Astronauts are workhorses, not space cowboys. They dont fly in space for a living. They train and prepare for a living. Ive been an astronaut for six years,writes Chris Hadfield, Ive been in space for eight days.The remainder of their career is spent on preparation. By the time astronauts fly on their mission, theyve flown the route countless times on simulators. These simulators generate crises on Earth, which prepare astronauts for actual crises in space. Astronauts practic e computer crashes, engine troubles, and explosions, while constantly asking themselves, Whats the next thing that can kill me?Most of us ignore the test as you fly rule. In our personal and professional lives, most practices are superficial dress rehearsals that double as exercises in self-deception. We practice in conditions that are disconnected from reality. We do mock job interviews in our sweatpants with a friend using a predetermined set of questions. We practice a major speech in the comfort of our home, when were fully rested and awake. As a result, on gameday, we are blindsided and we choke.If we applied the test as you fly rule, we would practice our speech in an unfamiliar setting, after downing a few espressos to give us the jitters. We would do mock interviews while wearing an uncomfortable suit and with a stranger ready to throw curveballs at us.Whether its a rocket launch, athletic training, or a job interview, the underlying principle is the same Test as you fly - subject yourself to the same conditions youll experience during the flight - and you will soon begin to soar.Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned law professor and bestselling author.Click hereto download a free copy of his e-book, The Contrarian Handbook 8 Principles for Innovating Your Thinking. Along with your free e-book, youll get the Weekly Contrarian - a newsletter that challenges conventional wisdom and changes the way we look at the world (plus access to exclusive content for subscribers only).Thisarticlefirst appeared onOzanVarol.com.

Medical Laboratory Technician Sample Job Description

Medical Laboratory Technician Sample Job DescriptionMedical Laboratory Technician Sample Job DescriptionMedical Laboratory Technician Sample Job DescriptionThis medical laboratory technician sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements.Medical Laboratory Technician Job ResponsibilitiesProvides information for patient diagnosis and treatment by performing laboratory tests in toxicology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology laboratories receiving, typing, testing, and recording blood bank inventories.Medical Laboratory Technician Job DutiesOrganizes work by matching computer orders with specimen labeling sorting specimens checking labeling logging specimens arranging reports for delivery keeping work surfaces clean and orderly.Maintains quality results by running standards and controls, veri fying equipment function through routine equipment maintenance and advanced trouble shooting calibrating equipment utilizing approved testing procedures monitoring quality control measures and protocols.Serves as technical resource by participating in staff training answering questions of other professionals participating in educational opportunities reading professional publications maintaining personal networks participating in professional organizations.Identifies and communicates abnormal patient conditions by alerting supervisory personnel, the pathologist, the patient physician, or nurse reporting mandated information to the public health department or other designated officials.(toxicology) identifies the presence or quantity of drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs, and toxic substances by operating toxicology instrumentation and performing manual methods for the performance of drug screens, blood alcohol levels, and carbon monoxide levels.(chemistry) provides test results for p atient diagnosis and treatment by operating chemistry equipment performing hand chemistries.(hematology) provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating hematology, urinalysis, and coagulation equipment performing manual methods of differentials.(immunology) provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating equipment such as the gamma counter, spectrophotometer, densitometer, and through methods such as radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunossay, and serological testing.(microbiology) provides physician with information for treatment of patient infection by performing technical procedures for the identification or susceptibility of bacteria, parasites, fungi, and mycobacteria.(blood bank) ensures the patient of receiving compatible blood/blood components by completing blood typing, antibody screening, compatibility testing, and antibody identification procedures.(blood bank) assures future retrieval of patient transfusion information by preparing patient packets and maintaining blood bank database.Contributes to a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers by following established standards and procedures complying with legal regulations.Maintains patientconfidence by keeping laboratory information confidential.Serves and protects the hospital community by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and jcaho standards.Enhances laboratory services and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.Medical Laboratory Technician Skills and QualificationsDocumentation Skills, Analyzing Information , Chemistry Techniques, Informing Others, FDA Health Regulations, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment, Infection Control, Training Management, Lab Environment, Clinical Lab Testing, ThoroughnessEmployers deutsche bundespost a job in minutes to reach candidates everywhere. Job Seekers Search Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs and apply on now. Find out more about recruiting trends inthehealthcare industry. Learn more abouthow to hireVideo New Employee OrientationMake the most of Hiring ToolsPower Interviewing

How to Stand Out at a Career Fair

How to Stand Out at a Career Fair How to Stand Out at a Career Fair Career fairs are incredible opportunities for candidates. Dozens of companies gather in one place, offering the chance to explore more jobs and internships in one day than a job seeker might get in a month of submitting resumes online.Many employers even conduct on-the-spot interviews, which means candidates dont have to wait weeks or months after submitting an application to actually speak to the employer. Additionally, career fairs are great networking opportunities. Even if a candidate isnt interested in a position with a certain company at the time of the fair, the connection is there to be leveraged in the future.However, because career fairs offer so much, theyre often swamped with candidates. It may seem impossible to stand out when theres such a large crowd, but youll do great if you follow a few simple guidelinesPlan AheadAccording to one study, 47 percent of candidates are eliminated from the running beca use they have little or no knowledge of the company with which they are interviewing. As a professional and qualified candidate, you should never go into a career fair blind.Find out in advance what companies are going to be at the fair. Have an idea beforehand of the ones with which youd like to connect,and know exactly which positions you want to discuss. Wandering around looking for something that seems interesting is a waste of both your time and the recruiters time.After youve researched the companies youre interested in, create a game plan to tackle them all. Decide in advance which booths to visit first and where you should head if the lines are getting long. Remember that time is limited at a career fair, so standing in lines should be avoided whenever possible. You can always move on to the next booth on the list and come back later.Look the PartA career fair is basically a series of short, personal interviews, and what you wear in an interview matters 65 percent of respond ents to a surveysaid clothes could be a deciding factor between two practically identical candidates.When attending a career fair, dress like you would for any other formal interview but make koranvers youre wearing fairly comfortable clothing. Heels or a stiff suit might be okay for a sit-down interview, but career fairs involve a lot of walking and standing.In addition, dont bring much more than your resume with you. A small bag for essentials works fine, but you dont want to be encumbered by a coat, briefcase, or anything else that might get in the way of handshakes and geschftlicher umgang cards.Sell YourselfThebrief interviews you have at career fairs are not the same as formal, sit-down interviews. The recruiter probably wont ask a series of questions to find out more about you.Instead, youll need to use the interview to sell yourself.Before the big day arrives, practice talking about yourself to friends, colleagues, or even in front of the mirror. You should discuss your inte rests, your qualifications, and anything else thats relevant to the position.In addition to what you say, make sure youre taking note of how you say it. Body language and tone can make or break an interview, so make an effort to sound friendly and confident. Recruiters want to hire people they would get along with, so showcasing your personality as well as your qualifications is a must.Perfect the art of the quick pitchthat covers all the relevant information you wantprospective employers to know. Before the fair, write down everything you think youd like to say. Then, edit the pitch down to only the most vital information and rehearse until you can confidently deliver it.While career fairs are full of recruiters looking for great candidates, there may be dozens of candidates in attendance who are just as qualified as you are. This sometimes makes it difficult to differentiate yourself from the crowd. However, if you plan ahead, dress for the part, and know how to sell yourself, and youll be sure to stand out.A version of this article originally appeared on theClearCompany blog.Sara Pollock is head of the marketing department atClearCompany.

What You Should Do to Find Out About Muse Website Templates Before Youre Left Behind

What You Should Do to Find Out About Muse Website Templates Before Youre Left Behind Create is among the Best Adobe Muse Templates. Free Usually people save the very best for the last, were starting with the very best. Its quite simple to use and comes handy for beginners with little if any technical understanding of designing a webpage. Utilize Squishy to create a professional site. Things You Wont Like About Muse Website Templates and Things You Will Basic is a totally free muse vorlage with a simple portfolio layout. Template has a most vermodern results and a new one of a kind design. Its a virtual resume template. Its great, professional and simple to use template. 1 template is supplied free of charge. These templates can spare you the hassle of crafting a design yourself, but should you wish to design your website from scratch, you are able to take assistance from Muse Tutorials. Its really perfect for web designers who dont understand how to code. Wedding is an in vitation Muse template thats fully responsive and simple to customize. Auram is among the most exciting templates made for designers and photographers. Change fonts, styles and interface elements until you locate the perfect appearance for your shiny new site. As a user, you may now return and modify on top of any version which you like. If you are operating a little business agency or startup even if are trying to find a template best fit for private portfolio site than Rolex is an excellent solution. Besides that, it showcases a slider feature where youre able to set your product details so the viewer can easily read them. You can locate the license information on the links given to the templates authentic source. You may customize the template to coordinate with your branding and accelerate the site creation process significantly. In addition, when applying for work, portfolio templates are a more professional means of presenting your CV. Its the ideal template for virtu ally any business or private website with a very simple mouse scroll widget and hover transition widget. Website builders are available in many shapes and forms but they frequently lack in features. When it has to do with creating websites, most people today feel that web design and development are the very same thing. Very best choice for web developer or freelancer who wants an internet template to advertise and introduce their private profile. Its very likely that different kinds of businesses will observe certain pros and cons employing different vendor combinations. You can also be sure your site is going to have the exact same stylish look on all probable devices of your visitors. My site is presently working like normal. It is possible to quickly design your fantasy website by editing its features. Your website will be prepared in minutes without writing all types of code. All the Adobe Muse templates are extremely simple to use. Then she is the perfect for you to de sign websites. He may notlage have a large user base, but its an attractive option for creating your own site if you have no coding knowledge. He does a good job of offering plenty of features that allows anyone to create a functioning website without having to learn code. Youre able to create any type of website working with this template. Edura is a multipupose site template. You can take advantage of this template to create all type of a single page sites. A totally free PSD template is going to be a very good suite for individual blogging sites.

Put on the Spot Here#8217;s How to Own Your Response

Put on the Spot Here8217s How to Own Your Response Article by Kelli RichardsNo one likes being put on the spot, but the experience does teach you to anticipate the unexpected. Thats a lesson forever useful in life and in business.While technological advances in communication have diminished the frequency of in-person interactions, face-to-face exchanges are still among the most preferred forms of business communication, according to marketing strategy firm Ballantine. In one survey conducted by Verizon, 87 percent of respondents said in-person meetings were more creative and productive than virtual meetings.But what happens when face-to-face chats go awry when the conversation pivots in an unforeseen direction and you are suddenly asked to perform on the fly? Adapt or die, as they say. Or perhaps less dramatically, learn how to be an impromptu dicke bretter bohren mssen solver what I call a universal adapter.I once met with a prominent family who op ted to back one of my clients. Turns out, I wasnt prepared for them. Every sibling weighed in on business decisions, which created an unexpected dynamic. The next curveball came when I realized I was essentially auditioning to secure the opportunity. They asked me to present my business approach on the spot, but I hadnt reviewed any materials or plans. With limited information and preparation, I wasnt ready to provide that level of detail.Should I have been more prepared? Yes. Was the situation mildly uncomfortable? Definitely. Still, my predicament became an opportunity to practice thinking on my toes. I operated from my gut, put my best foot forward, and tried to follow the conversation. I responded with as much insight as I could offer. In the end, we moved forward, and it was a great learning experience.With time and practice, my ability to perform as a universal adapter has grown. Its both a mindset and a muscle that grows stronger every time its stretched.Learning to think on the spot doesnt happen overnight. With a little gewandtheit and confidence, you can recover the next time a live meeting finds you scanning the floor for answers.1. Dont Be Afraid to Buy Some TimeWhen youre caught off-guard in a meeting, being fast on your feet is obviously ideal. But if you find yourself panicking, its best to pause. Ask for a short break, even just to use the restroom or take a slow, measured drink of your water or coffee. Use that time to develop an effective response.Another way to buy timeis repeatingthe question. The person to whom youre speaking will see it as engagement on your part rather than a stalling technique. You can also ask about desired outcomes and expectations before answering the question. These simple tactics can turn a stressful scenario intoa collaborative problem-solving session. You and your conversation partner might have been on different pages before, but now youll meet in the middle.2. Lean on Your TeamYou dont have to have all the answ ers. Step back and give your colleagues a chance to shine. Just make sure youve discussed how to best support each other beforehand.When you leverage coworkers in a meeting, you build your own credibility while giving them a chance to shine. Your colleagues can set you up for success by ensuring youre recognized for sharing noteworthy ideas. Moreover, they can refer back to something you shared if someone else tries to take credit for your idea, for example. Your colleagues can serve as evangelists on your behalf by reinforcing your strengths, and you can do the same for them.Once during a group discussion, one of my peers had more direct experience with the topic than I did. So I put the ball in his court by asking him, Didnt you deal with a similar issue recently? How did you address it? By doing this, I demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to bringing value to the conversation by involving an expert.3. Put People at EaseItseasy to forget to be affable when you re nervous and navigating a tough conversation, but being friendly and welcoming can enhance your chances of success. Look into the eyes of the people youre talking to, smile and laugh at their jokes, and try to make them laugh as well. Humor releases tension by creating a sense of levity, which can offset stress and negative feelings.In a study conducted by the Bell Leadership Institute, employees were asked to describe the strengths of their company leaders. They mentioned sense of humor and work ethic twice as much as any other stichworts, suggesting these traits are critical for leadership success.Humor is a vital tool of leadership, institute founder and CEO Dr. Gerald Bell said in a press release about the study. People are used to associating laughter with the best medicine, but they are often surprised that sense of humor is the phrase most frequently associated with the best in leaders.Bell noted that a leader who possesses a strong work ethic and a sense of humor might hav e an edge over leaders who dont. Use this to your advantage in a social setting or meeting Making people laugh creates a great deal of power, reducing the chances of being put on the spot. And if you are put on the spot, humor can make the situation less uncomfortable.On-the-spot moments are unavoidable, but they dont have to be detrimental. Buy time if you need to, rely on your colleagues for backup, and make participants feel comfortable. Do these things and youll be well on your way to expert universal adapter status.A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.A highly sought-after consultant, super connector, trusted adviser, celebrity wrangler, and thought leader, Kelli Richards is the CEO of The All Access Group. She facilitates strategic business opportunities in digital distribution among innovative technology companies, talent and media companies, and brands to foster new revenue streams and deliver compelling consumer experiences. As a trusted adviser, she transforms the quality of peoples lives. Kelli is also the author of a best-sellingeBook, The Magic and Moxie of Apple An Insiders View.

Craft a Standout Resume With This Supervisor Resume Template for Word

Craft a Standout Resume With This Supervisor Resume Template for WordCraft a Standout Resume With This Supervisor Resume Template for WordIntroductionA strong and compelling resume can make the difference between securing an interview and being overlooked by hiring managers. To create a complete resume that effectively communicates your valuable qualities and expertise to potential employers, refer to our coach resume template for Word. Continue reading for important insight into the features that form an appealing summary statement and thorough skills, work history, and education sections, and create your own winning resume that will take you one step closer to your dream job.Supervisor Resume Template for Word Elora JohnsonCanton, Texas 11111E EloraJohnsone Motivated and professional customer service employee with seven years of experience in the hospitality industry Highly skilled in conflictBachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management 2013University of North Texas, Dallas Magna C um Laude

Hired! Interview Prep Leads to Work in Afghanistan

Hired Interview Prep Leads to Work in AfghanistanHired Interview Prep Leads to Work in AfghanistanConstruction foreman lands job in Afghanistan due to experience in Iraq and Ladders interview prep service.When youre looking for work in a war zone, it helps to do some research to prepare you for what to expect. Peter Vasquez did his research, and it led him to a new work front in Afghanistan.The CEO welches surprised that I knew as much about the company as I did, the UpLadder member said about his interview with the head of Technologists Inc., a construction firm based in Rosslyn, Va., that welches looking to hire people for a new construction project in Afghanistan. Vasquez, who had recently returned from a 15-month stint doing construction as a civilian contractor on a military base in Iraq, had a good sense of what this new job would entail. He knew what type of work Technologists would be doing and what the conditions would be like. And he knew how to find out what projects the c ompany would be working on.In fact, it welches this knowledge that scored Vasquez the interview. I was on the Internet 10 or 12 hours a day, searching for jobs and researching information about companies, he said. I saw that Technologists had won a contract from the U.S. government to build a police-training facility and sent a elende to the CEO congratulating the company on the contract and attached my resume. A couple of days later, I got a note back from them, asking if Id like to come in for an interview.With that hurdle vanquished, Vasquez faced another the prospect of a job interview, something he hadnt had to do in a very long time.More prepared for the job than the interviewVasquez, who had owned his own business for several years before working in Iraq, was a little nervous about selling himself. During his searching of Ladders site, he recalled seeing a feature called Interview Prep. It intrigued me, Vasquez said. I wrote to them Im not an interview guru. Do you have any s uggestions for me? Someone got right back to me.That someone was Alan Cohen, a certified executive coach who works with members of Ladders. With Peter, it was a matter of smoothing out the rough edges, Cohen said. What I saw was someone who was incredibly strong on values, on ethics. He was very hard working he had worked his way up in the construction industry. All of these things set him apart and made him attractive to an eventual employer.Vasquez sent Cohen some information about Technologists along with the job posting, so Cohen could have some background. My coach even did some research himself about the company, Vasquez said. He sent me some questions - the most-asked questions on an interview - and told me to be prepared for them. He conducted a mock interview with me, and along the way would say, Instead of saying that, say this, or, Can you explain this better? Cohen worked with Vasquez over the course of three days, preparing him for how to answer questions such as What are your strengths? and the dreaded What are your weaknesses? steering him to answer in a way that put his skills in the best light.A wealth of choicesPart of the challenge for both Vasquez and Cohen was the fact that Technologists was considering Vasquez for three different stelles. The company had openings for a construction manager, a construction foreman and a project manager. So, the interview would be anything but typical.The key thing I told him going in was to act like a consultant, Cohen said. If you say to the interviewer, Well, it sounds like you are looking for help here. In my experience, this is what I have done, and this is what I can do to help you, you can show them how to solve their problems. And that creates value.Cohen said Vasquez was well on his way to presenting himself in that light before Cohen even spoke to him. He told me, Id be willing to just look at the plans and tell them what I can do. He wanted to roll up his sleeves and show the company what he wa s capable of. That was great. He was already thinking like a consultant.The raw material was all there, said Cohen. Peter knew the business, but he hadnt interviewed for a job in a long time. I often tell people, its not so much about selling yourself as having an exchange of information and trying to see if this job is the right fit. He needed to be prepared to answer questions but also to ask questions to find out if this organization was where he wanted to work. If he did, then he needed to go into sales mode.One other point that Cohen strongly coached Vasquez on was salary how to negotiate, and when. He was ready to go into the interview talking about money, said Cohen. But I told him, Dont talk about it until you are offered the job. Oftentimes, job seekers want to talk about it first thing, but that can be a big mistake.Armed with a new approach and a lot of confidence, Vasquez flew to Virginia to meet with several people from Technologists. When he got there, the first person he met was the CEO, and he worked his knowledge of the industry into the conversation.Without a doubt, I felt mora confident going into that interview, Vasquez said. When you dont do this every day, it can be mind-boggling. Put me in a room with architects, engineers, a PowerPoint, no problem. Im not nervous. I could do that all day long. But an interview - thats something a little bit new.Before that interview, Vasquez spent several months wondering if he would find a job He returned to his Chicago home in October from Iraq, needing to take care of loose ends with a business he had sold 18 months earlier. He had been working for KBR, the division of Halliburton that won many government contracts in Iraq. KBR would not hold his job for him when he came back to the States, so it was back to the job search in November.Benefits of international workWhile Vasquez would have liked to find work locally, I looked, and there wasnt much happening in the U.S., he said. Vasquez had another r eason for wanting to work overseas the first $84,700 earned is tax-free, he said, as long as you spend only 35 days in the U.S. a year. That benefit meant he could keep more of his salary. So he hit the job boards, sending out what he estimates was 1,200 to 1,400 resumes.He was looking all over the world Canada, Dubai, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries for jobs as a project manager, an estimator, a contract administrator, a carpenter or a host of other construction jobs. I thought, I might as well look everywhere. It seemed like a bad time, though. I wasnt getting that many responses, he said. I figured, with the holidays coming up, no one was going to hire. Then I thought, After the new year, maybe things will pick up. But it was very slow.Then, the week prior to the Inauguration, things did start to pick up. Thats when I sent my letter and resume to Technologists.Things happened very quickly from there. He returned home from his interview on a Friday by that Sunday evening, he had a job offer via e-mail. Vasquez is leaving for Afghanistan the first week of Feb. 5 to take the construction foreman position with Technologists Inc. He will leave his wife and 10-year-old son in Chicago but hopes he can come back every six months for a few weeks at a time.My wife at first wasnt too keen on my going overseas again. But she sees now that times are hard, and I can get better-paying work in Afghanistan. My son said, You do what you gotta do. I think he understands.This will be different from working on a military base, he said. There will be some Americans, but we will be working with a lot of people from the local village, which is about 30 miles south of Kabul. Some might have construction skills, but were going to teach them how to do construction.And, while it will be hard to be away from his family in Chicago, he is looking forward to the change of scenery. I enjoy the excitement of being in a different place, he said. Its an adrenaline rush. Im not a crazy t hrill guy. But I enjoy different cultures. And this is a good company. It has doubled in size in the past two years. I hope to move up as they move up.This was something that attracted him to this small company based in Afghanistan. Im working for a young and growing company, he said. Im not just a number. Ive been told that there will be jobs in Afghanistan through 2025, so I think this is a good job move.

Position your Staffing Company and Clients for Compliance

Position your Staffing Company and Clients for CompliancePosition your Staffing Company and Clients for CompliancePosition your Staffing Company and Clients for Compliance RossheimLike employers in many industries, staffing firms and their clients are unsure what to expect as President Trump and the GOP-led Congress contemplate how to act on their campaign pledges to reserve more U.S. jobs for American citizens.Despite these uncertainties, its prudent for staffing firms to take action now to examine, and if necessary, beef up compliance with I-9 employment eligibility verification, H-1B and other work visas and related issues.That said, many of the changes in labor law and regulation that the chief executive and Congress are considering would take months or years to enact and implement. Federal regulatory processes often require comment periods, for example.Its also unclear how the new administration will navigate kompetenzprofil conflicts between the interests of its populist and co rporate constituencies.Trumps past would indicate a more pro-business mindset when it comes to visas, says Jeffrey Bell, an immigration attorney and shareholder at Polsinelli. Hes used visa workers for a number of his businesses.Here are key points for staffing firms that seek a firm foundation for compliance related to employment of foreign nationals in 2017 and beyond.Gaps in I-9 compliance are common. I-9 seems like a relatively simple form, but countless employers verification procedures fall short.Companies know they have gaps in their I-9 programs, says John Fay, vice president and general counsel at LawLogix, which sells immigration-status compliance software. I guarantee if employers do a self-audit they will find all kinds of problems they werent aware of.When to audit I-9 compliance? Now.Now is the right time for staffing firms to examine their own I-9 processes and to urge their clients to do sospecially with the revised Form I-9, which must be used beginning Jan. 22, 20 17.This is the time to start on your internal I-9 audit so your documents are in order you know where everything is and the expiration dates on your workers visas, says Lynsey Foreman, an HR consultant with staffing firm Employer Flexible.The revised I-9 comes with 15 pages of instructions. Note that the form contains some additional data fields also note the rule changes regarding which fields can be left blank, for example.A Federal I-9 audit is serious business. Staffing firms and other employers should assume federal auditors will use a fine-toothed comb on I-9 records. Theres been a steady stream of audits since 2009, and some employers who employ unauthorized workers try to make things a bit fuzzy by using a staffing agency, Fay says.Careless I-9 processes can create discrimination claims. In their employment eligibility procedures, staffing firms and other employers must take care to avoid actions that could be deemed discriminatory.There has been a huge increase in the numbe r of I-9 discrimination cases, says Fay. The I-9 form says you cant discriminate, and you cant ask lawful permanent residents to show me your green card. That makes it critically important for staffing firms and their clients to train all relevant workers to follow the I-9 forms instructions. The same goes for the Labor Condition Application for H-1B visas.Visa workers are an important talent pool for staffing firms. Staffing firms should also undertake an audit of their compliance with H-1B visa rules and their vulnerability to potential reductions in available work visas.Those staffing firms supplying H-1B workers are a little bit nervous, says Barry Asin, president of Staffing Industry Analysts.Employers are trimming plans to hire foreign nationals. For staffing firms and their clients, the strongest defense against the potential curtailment of work visas is to reduce dependency on them.Since President Trump welches elected, our clients are taking significant measures to stop or minimize their hiring of visa holders, says Ashwin Bharath, COO of Revature, a software and staffing firm.Revature boosts its own technical recruiting with a 12-week software engineering development program for recent college grads who have shown potential to work in technology. This training program does not accept applications from students who would require visa sponsorship to work.Visa restrictions could drive up wages. Curtailment of work visas could induce sticker shock for staffing clients now is the time to begin educating them.If there are further restrictions on H-1B, it will increase wages for software engineers, says Joe Vacca, chief marketing officer at Revature.The complexities of compliance could create business for staffing firms. On the bright side, a greater emphasis on compliance for firms that employ foreign nationals could increase the attractiveness of staffing solutions.Anything that makes things more complex and puts more burden on employers is likely to brin g business to staffing firms, says Asin.