Saturday, December 28, 2019

5 Unbelievable, yet Successful Business Ideas

5 Unbelievable, yet Successful Business Ideas 5 Unbelievable, yet Successful Business Ideas Back in the 1950s when he was just a child, he had an idea.We should put water in bottles to carry around with us to drink, hed said. But when he told his family and friends of his idea, they brushed it off, saying it was crazy, that would never work, and no one would ever buy that.Well today, as we all know, putting water into bottles for consumption is a multi-billion dollar industry.I think at some point or anotzu sich, weve all had (or will have) a seemingly wacky idea one that sounds so far off its hard to believe in its success. But let me tell you, Ive seen some pretty crazy inventions, and youd be surprised at what people will buy.If you have an idea for a product or business, why not give it a try? You never know just how successful your entrepreneurial endeavors may be. Take these following five business ideas, for example. Although weird and, for some, unbelievable, these companie s may have started out as a strange idea, but have flourished into successful (and profitable) businesses1. DogglesOne day Ken and Roni di Lullo noticed that their dog kept squinting in the sunlight. After unsuccessfully putting their sunglasses on the dog, the husband and wife came up with an idea- why not make the dog a pair of its own glasses? And thus, Doggles, eyewear for dogs, was born.Fun FactsMulti-billion dollar companyThe US Army ordered Doggles for military working dogs serving in IraqNow has franchise stores around the country2. Microwavable pillowsAfter her husband lost his job in 2002, Kim Lavine decided to turn her kitchen table idea, the Wuvit - a designer spa therapy pillow that you heat in the microwave - into a successful business. She is the author of the book, Mommy Millionaire, which should tell you how profitable her business has become.Fun factsWuvit is designed to soothe tired and aching musclesFirst sold in Saks Fifth Avenue stores in 2004Also has a kids W uvit called Sleepy-Head Fred3. Masters of the HuntIn 2003, Jane Lipps and Lisa Jennings started Masters of the Hunt, an Orlando-based firm that specializes in scavenger hunts. Yes, you read that correctly, this company runs treasure and scavenger hunts for people. The company says the hunts are for team building, corporate hospitality, promotions and personal celebrations.Fun FactsHas bekannt clients such as Verizon, Holiday Inn, Aetna and GNCOffers do-it-yourself and personalized huntsVery successful Amazing Chase Hunt where 2,500 people did a training at sea for their company4. Santa MailWhen you were a kid, did you ever write a letter to Santa? Well, entrepreneur Byron Reese and his Santa Mail company will make sure that the children who do today will receive an answer. Since 2002, the company has sent out more than 325,000 personalized letters.Fun FactsLetters cost $9.95 each, with free shipping5. WinningCalling herself the Contest Queen, Carolyn Wilman has a business of teachin g others how to win contests. She provides information through her book, You Cant Win If You Dont Enter, a newsletter, blog and webinars and seminars.Fun FactsHer sites says her Online Contesting System has helped others win over $1,000,000 in cash and prizesShe hosted a radio show for two years, interviewing the movers and shakers in the promotional industry and sweepstaking community

Monday, December 23, 2019

Signs it is Time to Leave Your Job

Signs it is Time to Leave Your JobSigns it is Time to Leave Your JobWe all experience this at some point in our careers (and if you havent yet, you will). We all work extremely hard to get hired for work or even start a new company. But then one day you wake up and you find yourself dreading the idea of going to work. This can happen in any job, even those which we are most passionate about and love.Here are some signs it is time to leave your job. It does not necessarily make your company or job badeanstalt. These signs simply let you know it is time for a change.1. You clicked on this blog postIf you are contemplating leaving your job, then something is going on in your head you must examine. This may be a sign it is time to leave your job or it is a sign you are unhappy with the type of work you are doing.Note This may also be a sign you can keep the job you have, but you should start looking for new ways to expand your career. Many timeswe feel a need for change when learning and growing ceases to exist in a job. Regardless, you clicked on this post. Something is up.2. You have been enjoying the Red Carpet Treatment for too longThe Red Carpet Treatment at work happens when your job has become so easy, the only thing you need to do is show up to get paid. You know the company and people inside and out. You can just show up and look like you are working to get your paycheck. You can slow down or speed up your productivity and nobody can tell. You are too important to the company.And these are the types of jobs that either become automated or the first to get cut during company downsizing periods. One of the most challenging aspects of todays job market is the changing technology and the need to move on to new work, once you feel a job has become too easy.3. The idea of going to work fills you with dreadIt is normal to not want to go to work. We all have those feelings before morning coffee. But when you are at the front door of your officeand you just feel an overwhelming sense of dread, it may be time to leave your job.Note If you do have one of those dreaded days you should not up and leave right away. It is always a good idea to test and see if the feeling of dread you have today is often repeated. If you dread going to work for several weeks straight, there is definitely cause to consider leaving your job.4. You procrastinate and manipulate your workdayDo you find yourself working mora to make others think you have more to do than you actually do? Do you take your time on tasks and put things off for another day, not because you need to but because you just do not feel like working? If so, it may be time to seek new inspiring challenges.5. Your health is sufferingIf your job has become so stressful, or so imbalanced that you start to take multiple sick days, your blood pressure is high, you are living an unhealthy lifestyle, you are mentally and physically weaker, it is definitely time to leave your job. You cannot grow a career wit hout maintaining health. Health first, always. No job is worth sacrificing your health.Those who work more and stay productive usually make sure to have an equally balanced health life. If they dont, one day the work will consume them.6. You complain too much about your job at workBe good to yourself. If all you do is complain about your job and the people you work with, you need to leave your job before the negative behavior damages your career.7. You are way too overqualifiedIf you have an impressive resume and take a job to make some money that is beneath your qualifications, it is a good idea to keep looking for work. You will not want jobs you can do in your sleep for too long.Note Getting a job to pay for your job search is a good idea. Hopefully, you will not need the job longer than a year.8. No more room for growthAt Find My Profession, all of our clients earn six figures. The majority of them had to leave jobs, or want to leave their jobbecause there is no more room for gr owth. It means that they went as high as they could within a company. Their growth will have to continue elsewhere.9. Your work environment is toxicIf you work in a place that seems to disregard the importance of trust, integrity, honesty, and moral compass, chances are the work environment is toxic. It is sometimes hard to spot at first or you may overlook it because you love your job and think you can fix the problem.But if you find the people you work with seem too pessimistic or lack any motivation you may want to leave your job before that toxicity affects your career.10. Everyone else wants you except the people you work withIf you find the only appreciation you get for your hard work comes from everyone outside the companyand others want to hire you, it may be time to jump ship. There are reasons your current group of colleagues may not want to work with you. It could be culture fit, personality differences, etc.So, if others want to work with you more than the very company w ho hired you, take the chance and go work with those who appreciateyou.11. Your position is being constructively dismantledNothing in business ever happens overnight. If your company is asking lesser and lesser of you each day and using that as an argument to pay you less, chances are your position will not be around in a year or two. Do something about it. The business knows they will have to move you. Dont wait for them to do it. Move into a new jobFinal noteRemember any career move requires consideration. We all have bad and good days, but when you have a series of bad days in a row or your career appears to have stalled, you put in enough time with a company. The point is...Do not leave a job just because you had a bad day. Sometimes our greatest life lessons are learned by the trials we fight through on days when our minds scream, Quit.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Cover Letter Closing Examples

Cover Letter Closing ExamplesCover Letter Closing ExamplesWhen youre writing a titelbild letter or sending an emaille message to apply for a job, its important to close your letter in as professional a manner as possible. As with any job-related correspondence, its best to opt for a mora formal language and tone - a cover letter is no place for XOXO, Cheers, or even a casual take care as a closer. Cover Letter Closing Examples The following is a list of letter closing examples that are appropriate forcover lettersand other employment-related correspondence, such as thank you notes and/or emails to schedule interviews or pass along references. SincerelySincerely yoursRegardsBestBest regardsWith best regardsKind regardsYours trulyMost sincerelyRespectfullyRespectfully yoursThank youThank you for your consideration Closings Not to Use A cover letter is a formal correspondence, so its important not to be too casual or friendly when writing it. Here are some letter closings that are fine to use when emailing or writing to a friend, but are not appropriate to use in a cover letter. AffectionatelyBest wishesCheersEagerly waiting for a responseFondlyWarm regardsWarmest regardsWarmlyTake careTake it easyHave a great dayHave a nice dayLoveSmilesXOXOYoursYours faithfullyAbbreviations (Thx or any other abbreviated word isnt appropriate)Any emoticon (no smiley faces)Sent from my phone (if your phone automatically includes it, you can remove it in the settings) How to Close the Letter Follow the closing with a comma. Then, on a new line, put your name. If youre sending an email, you can add your contact information below your name. For example Best regards, Your NameYour LinkedIn Profile URLYour Email AddressYour Phone Number Whichever sign-off you choose, make sure always to capitalize its first letter. Set Up an Email Signature To simplify, you can set up an email signature that includes your contact information. An email signature will make it easy for co rrespondents to readily see how to get in touch and saves you the time of typing the information repeatedly. In your signature, include your LinkedIn profile URL to make it easy for your recipients to view your skills, accomplishments, educational background, and work history. Depending on your field, you may also want to include a link to your Twitter account if you do so, make sure that your account is professional and appropriate for viewing by potential employers. Its a wise idea, when conducting a job search, to set up an email account (and accompanying address) dedicated solely to this search. Doing so will help to ensure that you dont miss emails from potential employers who might be interested in interviewing you. It also will allow you to provide a professional-sounding email address on your resume and cover letter this email address should be comprised simply of your name (Ex. John_T._Smith at gmail.com). Too often, job candidates use their personal email accounts to apply for jobs, often using cute email names such as Crafty_catladyyahoo.com or OrcWarrior100gmail.com. This casual practice often raises hiring managers, eyebrows, raising red flags about whether a candidate is a serious, qualified applicant for the job to which they are applying. Its better to err on the side of safety and separate your professional and personal email accounts. Find out how to set up a professional email signature, including formatting style and links to help you save a signature in your preferred email program. Cover letters, whether submitted through email or traditional mail channels, are always the first impression you provide a potential employer. Make sure that this impression is a good one by following the best practices outlined in these links so that your cover letter shines. How to Write a Cover Letter Having an appropriate close is just one of the many steps required to craft a winning cover letter. Review the links below to find out how to write a cover let ter, including what to include in your cover letter, how to write a cover letter, typical cover letter formats, targeted cover letters, and cover letter samples and examples. More About Cover Letters Top 10 Cover Letter Writing TipsEmail Cover LettersSample Cover Letters

Friday, December 13, 2019

12 Places to Find Freelance Work Online

12 Places to Find Freelance Work Online12 Places to Find Freelance Work OnlineAlternative workers account for about 10 percent of the nations workforce, according to surveys done by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017 and 2005, with the numbers holding steady during those 12 years. The number was 10.7 percent in 2005, compared to 10.1 percent in 2017. These are workers who do not hold consistent or permanent employment with a single employer and instead earn income through contract work, temporary jobs, or freelance work. This often is referred to as part of the gig economy.Among this segment of the workforce are those who obtain freelance work online, which can be a great way to earn money on the side, perhaps get a foot in the door in the tech industry, or maybe build up a portfolio of work with the hope of securing a permanent position elsewhere.Many of unterstellung platforms will not offer opportunities for big money, but that can come later on when youve established you rself in the industry. Check out the following websites to seek work online and land some side jobs. 01UpworkUpwork is the result of a merger betweenElanceand oDesk, both considered to be leaders in online freelancing in the past. Upwork markets itself as the worlds largest freelance talent marketplace.Freelancers on Upwork create profiles outlining their skills and experiences, along with their job histories and portfolios. Clients post job listings detailing their projects and what theyre looking for in a freelancer.From there, freelancers submit proposals for projects theyre interested in doing. Clients can review freelancers proposals, profiles, and portfolios, choose the one that best fits their needs, and place project funding in escrow.Freelancers and clients then collaborate on an onlinework station, typically with no off-platform communication.02GuruGuru first emerged in 2001 as a passion project. The company is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and caters mora to US-based freelancers.It seems to be designed to attract a more expert base of clientele and freelancers, rather than mixing in a lot of cheap job listings.03Freelancer.comSimilar to Upwork, you can make a freelancer profile and start bidding on jobs posted by clients.Freelancer.com boasts more than 29 million users as of 2018. However, it can be difficultto find high-paying work there.Its a good choice for those who prefer to work remotely and get their feet wet in freelance marketplaces.04Mechanical TurkMechanical Turk is Amazon.coms foray into the online freelance marketplace. Similar to Upwork, Freelancer, and others, Mechanical Turk connects freelancers with businesses who need small jobs- called human intelligence tasks (HITs) on the site.05ToptalToptal is a marketplace geared toward more elite, experienced freelancers, with most freelancers being paid between $50 and $250 per hour. The vetting process is more involved, requiring experience checks and an interview.Jobs posted on Toptal typically aregeared toward finance and software development.In 2016, Toptal acquired Skillbridge, another online freelance marketplace.06FiverrAll jobs on Fiverr cost- you might guess this- $5, or in increments of $5. Fiverr is perfect for those just starting out and looking to build up a portfolio fast.Unlike some otherplatforms, clients and freelancers can post listings- so a client might have a job titled Write one 300-word article while a freelancers version would say Will write one 300-word article.Fiverr focuses on micro-jobs, like writing or editing short articles or customizing bits of WordPress code.07Freelancermap.comFreelancermap focuses on IT projects only. Itincludes web development work, game development, and even social media. Many, but not all, of the projects there are remote.08FlexJobsFocusing on flexible job opportunities,FlexJobsscreens job postings before putting them on its site. This means jobs are almost guaranteed to be legitimate, which, unfortunately, is n ot always the case everywhere. Large and reputable companies like CNN and NBC use FlexJobs to hire talent.Designed to save job seekers time. FlexJobs can be a great choice for people looking to make extra money, those with nontraditional schedules, and others.09People Per HourDaniel GrillCraigslist is not what people traditionally think of when considering freelance work online, but a lot of businesses and entrepreneurs who need to hire help for specific tasks would prefer to find someone locally.When job searching on Craigslist, look in both the jobs and gigs sections of the city or region you are targeting. Use keywords in the search form to target skills you have.For instance, designers should search terms like Photoshop, whereas backend developers should search SQL.When using Craigslist in your job hunt, make sure to thoroughly read the posts and follow the instructions for applying. If there are none, send an emaille with a cover letter and resume to the email address next to R eply to this post at the top.ConclusionOne thing that most online freelance sites have in common is the need to build up a portfolio over time and to develop relationships with clients in order to get the best and highest paying jobs. Dont expect this to happen overnight. Be willing early on to take some less appealing jobs for lower pay in order to show the quality of the work you can do. In time, this will help you to get better jobs for more money. Ideally, along the way, youll make connections with some clients who will wish to go back to you for future jobs because they know they can count on you to be reliable and to do quality work.

Monday, December 9, 2019

The Secret to Sample Software Engineer Resume

The Secret to Sample Software Engineer Resume The Downside Risk of Sample Software Engineer Resume An individual should be cautious to prevent common mistakes that will likely creep in while building a resume. You may discover past threads here. You are prepared to look up for templates which has the ability to produce your work simple and on point, In the event that you not too certain what format is perfect for your letter. Dont hesitate to include your projects within this section also. Sample Software Engineer Resume - Is it a Scam? Time-to-market demands exacerbate the issue, influencing developers to create hasty modifications to the detriment of reliability. Nothing is demanded of you in order to begin your letter. No matter your degree of job practical understanding, your resume structure is vital to making your application stick out. Under these conditions, a one-page resume is the most crucial bestandteil of succeeding. To begin with, construct your master list of every skill youve got. Soft abilities, on the flip side, are interpersonal skills. As you obviously want to concentrate on your technical abilities, you shouldnt neglect your soft abilities or supplementary abilities, either. You must be able to prove that your abilities and abilities can receive the task done better than anyone else. If the business is public, theres certain to be tons of information on the Internet. Make sure you receive the info youre looking for. So only consist of information that you feel are important and ought not to be left out. Always read the work description carefully to make sure youre qualified and that youre including the proper information. Sample job description may be used for writing a work description for an individual or a group of workers. Its actually rather easy to find some. In brief, it contains all the details about the employee. Lets say youre applying for employment at Airbnb. You may then proceed to the particular attrib utes of the employees. You need to make sure you are digging for available info. Analyzing the important characteristics of the resume and going through a number of the resume samples will also assist in getting better ideas. If youre not certain how to do so, our technology resume samples are a fantastic resource that could point you in the correct direction. Side projects are likewise an excellent approach to improve a thin resume if you dont have a lot of experience or an extremely diverse portfolio. All About Sample Software Engineer Resume At times, youve got to work with different developers to make the results needed. The method starts by evaluating user requirements which will be included in the progression of application. Today, theres been a large amount of work being done to simplify embedded software development and allow it to be easy and mora comparable to regular application program development. Use the internet samples to make job descriptions for software engineers. The Fundamentals of Sample Software Engineer Resume Revealed Therefore, it will become required to specify the roles to be played by the employees when theyre recruited. Resume examples by industry you should create a resume that highlights the particular skills employers want. Conduct extensive background research into every one of the companies youre interested in working for. The duties and duties of the employee vary in line with the company profile. Customizing your resume for the job that you want improves your likelihood of getting an interview. If it is a business letter, then attempt to mention the ideal individual who will choose the matter forward and fix its name and additionally the moment. It isnt simple or convenient to compose a work description from scratch. In the event that youre being harassed at work, allow your company know you would delight in the guy or lady who harassing you to be disciplined. What Everybody Dislikes About Sample Softw are Engineer Resume and Why Theres something named Resume paper that is manufactured especially for CVs. For that, you can just use this sample. Its not mandatory, although its possible to list every documents name, in case you desire. All you need to do is choose the perfect template, customize depending on your need and its prepared to use. Life, Death, and Sample Software Engineer Resume Functional Resumes of a software engineer should not be excessively long and should fit within a couple of pages. Software engineers must deal with many kinds of job roles and duties. A software engineer is accountable for the growth of a complete life cycle application. A senior software engineer plays a vital role in software planning or visualization practice. Software developers ought to be technical workers. The Visual Basic developer is an exact analytic profession. An embedded software developer should be aware of the hardware hes working on. Resume design computer software dev eloper.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Where to Find New Graduate Resume

Where to Find New Graduate Resume The summary statement is a brief paragraph summing up yur experience and abilities. Most resumes consist of excellent communication abilities. Bear in mind, your resume or CV should emphasize your individual strengths. Your CV is a crucial door-opener, and thus dont underestimate its importance. On the two-page sample resume format above, you will observe that theSummary of Qualifications and Other Qualifications show up on the very first page since they are definitely the most important portion of your resume. UPenns Career Services department supplies a massive selection of CV samples as well as the resume samples listed above. Making your own academic resume is as easy as filling in your information. Finding academic resume templates could possibly be even simpler than you ever imagined. The New Fuss About New Graduate Resume Learn what you have to find startedand how to develop the absolute best resume Our next valuable suggestion is to concentrate on your skills, qualifications and licenses. Resumes ought to be targeted effectively at the particular kind of marketing job applied for. Things You Wont Like About New Graduate Resume and Things You Will For more information on how best to structure a graduate school resume, have a look at our guide about how to compose a graduate school resume. Your work experience will probably be among the longest sections on your resume. Your education section should always arrive directly following your header. Possessing a good education section will help to display the foundation of your understanding and expertise. The Fundamentals of New Graduate Resume Revealed Fresh graduates often be concerned about locating a job because of their lack of work experience. Marketing is a rather popular career alternative for many men and women. Hiring managers are aware of what they are doing and what things to look for. Hiring managers in the advertising area will wish to be informed about your achievements and successes with your advertising and marketing campaigns. There is nobody right means to structure a resume. What most fresh graduates dont know is that the absence of skilled experience isnt a problem at all especially if youre vying for an entry-level position. Youre able to frame your deficiency of experience within the goal statement in a sense that wont diminish your chances. A good option for high school resumes. Introducing New Graduate Resume Be certain to bring many copies of your resume when attending job fairs, so you may be prepared to apply to a lot of positions out there. Short, one-page resumes are perfect for fresh graduates. As stated above, graduates do not generally have lots of job experience. Most graduates receive their very first CVs wrong.

Friday, November 29, 2019

How Hotjar Built A 100% Distributed Company

How Hotjar Built A 100% Distributed CompanyHow Hotjar Built A 100% Distributed CompanyIm a digital nomad, I work remotely 100% of the time. Nearly everyone I know would love this kind of life. But as much as it sounds exciting and easy, it comes with major challenges. From my own experience, bad internet connection which makes you repeat yourself endlessly is just the beginning.I wanted to know how 100% remote working companies handle these challenges. After doing some research, Hotjar kept coming up as an example. A few emails later, I was very excited that Ken, their VP of Operations, agreed to have a chat about how Hotjar mastered remote work.Somebody Needed to Make MoneyKens first week at Hotjar on a company retreat in Malta.At the interview, Ken was working from a standing desk at a Greenpoint Coworking in Cape Town, South Africa. (And the internet connection was exceptional) When asked how he started at Hotjar, he explained that 3 years ago he and his wife decided to change the ir lives and become nomadic. At that time, Ken was in a corporate world which he loved, but despite that, he took a year off and travelled from the US to Central America with the whole family. After a year they realized they loved it, but somebody needed to make money.Then, he saw an ad for a gig at Hotjar. It was a phenomenal match of his background, culture, and passions. When I asked about his first day, he started laughing and explained it was actually a retreat in Malta. He had just accepted the job a week prior while living in Belize. They flew him to Malta to meet his colleagues who hed never even seen in person.Ever since, Kens been leading the operations gruppe, thinking of ways to improve Hotjars company culture, internal processes, HR and, as he giggled, anything that David, our CEO, doesnt want to do.We then moved on to things that make Hotjar a successful remote company.Your work speaks for itself.Since its launch in 2014, the company has grown to 10 million Annual Rec urring Revenue (ARR) in 2017. Their team has grown from the five co-founders to over 40. Asked what makes Hotjar a successful remote company, he said One of the things that is so key and pivotal to make a remote company work is transparency.Hotjars team members know far more about their company than a typical employee, including 100% of the financials and company performance data. Put simply, Theres no hiding. That transparency also extends to all online communication. Whether its Hipchat, email, or Basecamp. Personalities and the way people work show through these tools. As a remote company, we understand that sitting behind a desk in an geschftszimmer together doesnt mean you do a better job. Your work speaks for itself. This transparency builds extraordinary trust and collaboration.In his study, Professor Noam Wasserman looked at 6,500 failed businesses, 65% of which failed as a result of co-founder conflict or a bad company culture. You could count Hotjar as true believers. They ve built their success on strong, well-defined company values.Related articlesPros and Cons of working in a startupThe key to Leanplums epic growth? Company cultureWhat I mastered about remote workingHow do you work? How do you communicate?Being a remote company, everything needs to be well established and thought through for Hotjar, especially the hiring process. As VP of Operations, Ken makes sure everything is well organized and grounded in their values. At different stages of the hiring process, they test those values in each candidate. For example, one of their values is giving and taking feedback. So, they embed tasks and evaluations into their hiring process to learn how each candidate responds to and gives feedback.Giving tasks as a part of hiring isnt that unique (we do it too), so I wanted to know how Hotjar approaches this in their own way. Ken put it simply We pay individuals to complete a task that simulates their role but also provides value to us. And we can turn arou nd and implement even if they arent the right person.Most interesting for me was the team involvement aspect of Hotjars hiring. Many of their hires have never worked remotely, so they often ask How do you work and communicate? Dont you get bored when youre working from home, not an office? Thats why Hotjar simulates remote working for them before they get hired. It helps candidates understand whether or not remote feels right for them. It also gives us the opposite a chance to see how they work in such environment. Are they quick to pick up the tools that we use, the jargon? It also exposes them to our team members and likewise, our team members get to interact with people who are checking us out. An onboarding process that rocksHotjars Trello board for an onboarding process.If Hotjar hires you, the onboarding process starts before your first day. The first thing that occurs is the team member from our operations team reaches out and introduces themselves. Together, they define wha t kind of office set-up or computer the individual needs. Hotjar provides an office allowance to purchase the tools that are necessary for the team members without any restrictions. Then all their accounts are set up and everythings shipped to the new team member.In addition to their new computer, we also send a welcome packet. It includes stuff such as t-shirts, stickers, Kindle, Fitbit, as well as a couple of books that are critical to some of our values.One of the books is Strengths 2.0, which each new hire reads within the first week, completing a survey to define their top strengths, and putting them into a spreadsheet. This helps their remote team to get to know each other better. Just because you see somebody, it doesnt mean you understand their personality type. This is a way to know more about others than youd traditionally know when you meet them for the first time.On their first day, new hires are welcomed with a self-service Trello board that gives them a series of tasks to get set up. This includes reaching out to certain team members to schedule onboarding calls, joining demo and training meetings, and introducing themselves by sharing 10 fun facts about yourself Ken added.If you want to be a successful remote companyMake everybody 100% remote. This was a surprising statement, something we hadnt considered at . We let employees work remotely whenever they like. Also, we have a Dublin office now, with two members(the rest of us are in Sofia). (Read Vessys story on how she mastered remote working). Ken continued, if half of your company works in an office and sees each other every day, and the other half doesnt, this other half will clearly miss the interactions that the others are having physically every single day. Because of that, it kind of creates 2 different company cultures, that are physical and those that are virtual.Hotjar has an official office in Malta where its founders are from, but they only use it for retreats and as a mailing addre ss. Their diverse team lives around the Americas, Europe, and Asia, enjoying a huge variety of lifestyles.We tell our potential hires if you join Hotjar, be preparedto travel 3-4 times a year. As a person who loves travelling, this would be music to my ears Hotjars team travels twice a year to all company meetups, which are usually a week long. They always choose a fun place with fun activities. The last two meetups were in Park City, Utah for a winter meetup and Marbella, Spain for a summer meetup. This brought back memories from our last retreat in Venice. Creating great memories for the team is something both Hotjar and us at are passionate about.Hotjar also organizes smaller meetups for their teams. Our DEV team would meet for hackathons, which are 3 days of heads down, cranking on critical stuff or new ideas. The operations team calls it a docuthon, which means we work strictly on documentation.Sometimes you can feel a bit isolatedEven though I love it so much, I do miss the ability to say Hey, lets go bestattungs a beer after work, or lets get our kids together. That doesnt exist unless you happen to live in the same town, which is pretty rare.Just as it is with our CSO whos alone in Dublin, Ken mentioned that sometimes you can feel a bit isolated. As a VP of operations, he tries to tackle such situations by coming up with different ideas. A new thing that we tried is encouraging team members to write in a chat Hey, in 15 minutes Im gonna have a coffee break. If youd like to join me, come to this google hangout and get your coffee ready. The last time 10 people showed up. Its important to always try new things and scratch the itch, he added.Ultimately, however, its all been worth it for Hotjar. They would be the first ones to tell you that being a 100% distributed company isnt for everyone. It takes incredible dedication. But the results have spoken for themselves. Today, Ken wouldnt work any other way.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

20 Situational Interview Questions and Answers to Nail Your Interview

20 Situational Interview Questions and Answers to Nail Yur Interview20 Situational Interview Questions and Answers to Nail Your InterviewHere are 20 top situational bewerberbewerbungsgesprch questions, plus the right/wrong way to answer them. But firstBen Franklin said, If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.That goes triple for situational bewerbungsgesprch questions.The situational bewerbungsinterview definition? Tell me about a time you proved youre the perfect person for this job.Situational interviews are an awesome opportunity to stand above the throng.Most people botch them, so its easy to look good.If you can spend the prep time, you can stand out like Dwayne Johnson in a crowd of Peter Griffins.This guide will give you20 top situational interview questions and answers, with right and wrong examples.How to prep for the top interview questions for hypothetical situations.A formula to ace the toughest scenario interview questions.How to figure out which situational questions you ll face.And if you want to turn every interview into a job offer, get our free checklist42 Things You Need To Do Before, During, and After Your Big Interview. Make sure nothing will slip your mindWant to land mora job interviews? Create the perfect resume in our builderPick a professional template.Get expert resume tips from recruiters.Edit and download your resume in minutes.Start getting more job offers. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume.Sample resume made with our builder See 20+ templates and create your resume hereOne of our users, Nikos, had this to sayI used a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume now1How to Answer Situational Interview QuestionsBefore we view the top situational interview questions and answers, heres a tipTo answer situationsAre you team-oriented? The three collaboration interview questions below try to find out.6. Tell me about a time you had to collaborate with a cowo rker who welches tough to please.rightThe other pharmacy tech in our lab always had to have things her way. I picked my battles and actually found out she had some good ideas. When I felt very strongly about making changes to our ordering process, she welches eager to help. We decreased our processing time by 25%.wrongI worked with another pharmacy tech who always had to get her way. I kept my head down and did what she said because it welches easier that way. Eventually she moved on to another job.Employers love to hire applicants who have unique abilities, as in example 1 above.7. Tell me about a time you had to work with an important customer or a difficult manager.Which of the scenario interview questions answers below would you rather give? Which one has more benefit?rightI had an editor who always complained about my work no matter how hard I tried. I added a second round of proofreading on each piece. Since then, Ive received numerous compliments from editors over my level of polish.wrongI had a anfhrer who was always micromanaging me and everybody else in the department. I stayed out of his way and got my job done. It wasnt easy, but I learned to keep my head down.Whats better, an employee who grows through adversity, or one who hides from it?8. Describe a situation where you had to make a good impression on a customer. How did you do it?Prep for situational-based interview questions like this by digging for achievements.rightIn my wedding video business, one client hounded me day and night before her daughters wedding. I asked the venue if I could fire her. They said her photographer, baker, and band had quit, and I was welcome to. I decided to stick with her. She was so happy she hired me to do her other daughters wedding the next year. The venue made me their exclusive vendor.wrongWhenever I have to meet with an important client, I make sure Im dressed professionally and I show up on time.The second of those situational interview questions answers i s like cooked spaghetti. Can you find a win in your past like 1?The scenario-based interview questions below measure your time management. About 57% of hiring managers list that as a must.9. Tell me about a time your workload was very heavy.This is one of those scenarios questions that judge prioritization skills. Spot the difference in these answersrightWe had two big orders at the same time. I delegated one to the assistant lead. He had some problems, but we got both orders shipped on time. We landed $200,000 in repeat business and the assistant lead turned out to be a capable leader.wrongWe had a couple big orders come in at the same time. I worked overtime and we got everything done.Delegation shows both dedication and time management. Working overtime? Just dedication.10. Tell me about a long-running project you handled. How did you manage your time to meet your deadlines?rightMy team had to develop a SaaS app for a major client. We used the Agile SLDC model with 2-week sprints and daily standups/scrums. By delegating time management, we were able to finish the project 20% ahead of time.wrongWe had to develop a SaaS app for a big client. It took a year to get all the kinks worked out. I kept myself on a strict schedule the entire time.Dont forget the benefit. Interview situational questions are always digging for your value.Next up, answers to situational interview questions about a jammed to-do list.11. Describe a time when you had too many to do items on your list. How did you solve the problem?rightOur department downsized and I got twice my normal workload. I found ways to do things quicker by sourcing new transcription software and making a new system for sorting interviews. I was able to do twice the work with the same effort.wrongDuring the holiday rush, I had a lot more to-dos than normal. I had to work some overtime, but I convinced them to hire a temp assistant.What was your biggest time management achievement? Have it ready for your situational job interview.How to Answer Situational Interview Questions About Job-Specific SkillsThe scenarios interview questions in this guide cover general soft skills. Youll also face questions about specific job skills.Identify the skills you need. Theyre listed in the job ad.Come up with a time you used each skill.Identify the problem and how you used the skill to solve it.Figure out a measure for how the company benefited. List dollars saved, revenue earned, time saved, customer satisfaction increased, etc.12. Describe a situation where you used Photoshop to complete a projectExample Job Specific Situational Interview Question and AnswerrightWe had a chance to win over a high-paying client. My design was shortlisted for a Design Week Award. We got their repeat business and raised annual revenue by 15%.wrongIve used Photoshop daily for 10 years. I guess one of my projects was to design a Tri-Fold for a client.Which of those two graphic designers would you hire?These next situational inte rview questions get at your problem-solving skills. More than half the hiring managers surveyed count that as a key requirement.13. Tell me about a tough challenge you faced. How did you solve it?rightWe got swamped with a line out the door and every seat and table filled. I asked the boss if we could serve free soda and breadsticks and explain the wait time to each party. We served everyone in order, and our comment cards that shift were 95% positive.wrongThe elevators went down during a busy check-in. We had to carry all the bags up four flights of stairs all night.Its not just how you handled it, its, how did your idea help?Some behavioral and situational interview questions are booby-trapped. Make sure you find the benefit in this one14. Describe your biggest work failure. How did you handle it?rightI let a big order of defective parts get all the way to shipping. That was bad and created a lot of scrap. After, I suggested we install mistake-proofing so it could never happen aga in. We created some dies with pins in them so the parts can only be put into the machines one way. We havent had a single defect since.wrongI shipped a big order of defective parts to a customer. It cost the company a big contract.You want the silver lining to be bigger than the cloud. Which of the situation questions answers above works best?More than 56% of hiring managers require effective communication skills. The next group of situational job interview questions judges yours.15. Tell me about a time you made a great presentation.Facing situational-based interview questions like this means knowing if the employer prefers PowerPoint, Keynote, or plain old public speaking skills.rightWe had to convince a big client to go with a costlier alternative that would ultimately make them higher profits. I put together a demonstration based on 10 real-world applications. They not only went with our suggestion, they became a long-term client.wrongI had to make a presentation to a client to convince them to pick the costlier of two alternatives. They did, and we got a bigger payment for the deal.Some answers to situational interview questions reveal hidden facts about you. Which of the two applicants above seems more ethical?Here are three more scenario-based interview questions.16. Tell me about a time you used written communication skills.rightI wrote reports as part of my daily shift. My department head frequently commented that my reports were the shortest and easiest to understand of all the officers.wrongI used written communication skills to write reports every day.That first one shows a workplace hero. The second probably wakes up tired every morning.Our next situation questions and answers focus on communication and interpersonal skills.17. Describe a situation where you needed information from a coworker who was slow to respond. What did you do?rightThe sound engineer in our company took a long time getting back to me with vital details. I started taking coff ee breaks with him to catch up. I got faster answers and completed projects 15% sooner.wrongOur sound engineer always took a long time getting back to me. I had my manager talk to him about being more prompt.Theres nothing wrong with answering situational interview questions like that second example. However, the first answer shows valuable interpersonal skills.The next of our scenario interview questions gets at your persuasion skills.18. Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone to see your side of things.rightThe owner was convinced our gift shop was a moneymaker. I analyzed our cash flow and found it was running at a 10% deficit. I built data visualizations that showed we could increase store revenue 40% through focusing on more popular products.wrongThe owner thought our gift shop was profitable. I sat him down and explained to him that he was wrong. He saw my side of things and agreed.That last example proves persuasiveness. The first also shows measurable results plus communication skills.Pro Tip All hypothetical questions are a chance to share achievements. Well actually I faced that situation and excelled, beats I would assess the situation and act accordingly any day.The next of our situational interview questions looks at flexibility. How do you adjust to change? 51% of hiring managers want to know.19. Tell me about a situation when your job went through big changes. How did you adjust?rightWhen our company grew, I went from a network administrator to a full system administrator. I read 5 books on systems admin and took a class to get a handle on my new responsibilities. I then used automated system monitoring and strategic hardware location to save us $50,000 a year in lost time and materials.wrongI was upgraded from a network admin to a systems admin. It was a lot more work and responsibility, but I adjusted well.Can you see the benefit in example 1? That scenario question unearthed a super-employee.Next on our list of situations questions and answers confidence.20. Tell me about your proudest professional accomplishment.rightI made an educational video for a consultant that brought in over $1 million in revenue.wrongI made an educational video for a consultant that brought in over $1 million in revenue. I only made $1,000 for it but I asked him for a cut of the profits on future jobs.Sometimes answering situational questions for interviews means knowing when to stop.21. Describe a situation where your boss was 100% wrong. What did you do?Are you confident enough to step up to the boss? Do you have the grace to accept when she says no regardless?rightMy boss said we couldnt afford a bigger machine, but I knew the small one was hurting production. I took her to the shop floor during a production run and showed her all the defects and rework caused by forcing our equipment beyond capacity. She said, price out the larger one tomorrow. We got one, and our production costs dropped 30%.wrongI knew we needed a bigger TV to h elp video sales. My boss said we couldnt afford it. I said we couldnt afford not to. I stood my ground and he finally gave in.Again, problem, solution, benefit to the company.Pro Tip Does preparing for situational behavioral interview questions and answers sound hard? You only have to do it once for any number of interviews.Thats that in terms of situational interview questions. Time to prepare for the rest.Start withCommon Job Interview Questions and Best AnswersNext, move on to behavioral questionsSTAR Method for Acing Behavioral Interview QuestionsFinally, move on to specific answersHow to Describe Your Current Job ResponsibilitiesTell Me About YourselfWhat Are Your Strengths?What Is Your Greatest Weakness?What Is Your Management Style?Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?Why Do You Want to Work Here?Why Should We Hire You?Want dozens of other tips to take your interview performance to pro level? See our guide 50+ Successful Interview Tips, Advice GuidelinesKey TakeawayHeres a recap of situational interview questions and answersPrepare for situational questions in advance. Identify the key requirements in the job ad. Then find achievements in your past that match.Answer hypothetical interview questions with a problem you faced, a solution you came up with, and a benefit to the company.Get ready for scenario questions around popular soft skills like dependability, work ethic, and collaboration.Expect scenarios interview questions about job-specific skills shown in the job ad.Do you have questions about how to answer situational interview questions?

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Job growth cools raising concerns and caution for next month

Job growth cools raising concerns and caution for next monthJob growth cools raising concerns and caution for next monthJob growth cools raising concerns and caution for next monthOn Friday, September 2, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly employment situation report for August, which is a widely used indicator for the health of the labor market. The August report raised concerns and created mixed signals as job growth slowed. The overall labor force further expanded as more people entered the workforce keeping the unemployment rate steady.Key TakeawaysU.S. adds 151,000 new jobs in August below expectations and raising caution about Septembers jobs reportThe unemployment rate held steady at 4.9% as more people continued to entered the labor force in search of workThe labor force participation rate welches unchanged at 62.8%The size of the labor force has increased by about 177,000 in the past five months2nd-quarter GDP expanded at a slightly faster 1.1% paceWant to kn ow more about the top trends in the job market? Check out the US Labor Market Update from Intelligence.