How Your Boss Could Show Her Appreciation at Work - The Muse

How Your Boss Could Show Her Appreciation at Work - The MuseHow Your Boss Could Show Her Appreciation at Work Your boss A) is perfectly pleasant B) is competentC) is smartD) is appreciative If youre able to check off A through C, youre doing pretty well. You generally like the work youre doing, the hours are decent, plus youve got ritterlich pay, good benefits, and a mission you respect. The only thing missing (aside from peppermint tea in the kitchen) is letter D above. Your boss isnt very good at showing you that youre valued. Come to think of it, you cant recall a time he commended you for a job well done. No complaints about your work or feedback that suggests you have a ton to improve upon, but no praise eitzu sich. If only he knew how far a few words of appreciation at work would go. If he could just say one of the following, youd be motivated to kick butt for at least the next year. 1. Youre Doing GreatOn some level, of course, you know youre doing good work. The feedback you received last year at your annual review was pretty fantastic, actually. Youre on track for a promotion, and you even got the raise you were angling for. All signs point to you getting high marks and a big thumbs up from your boss (and your boss boss). The only thing absent is the praise. Aside from the standard review, you cant recall a time your manager expressed satisfaction in the job youre doing. When has he ever said, Hey, Darren, really nice work on the deck you turned in yesterday. Im impressed. Um, never? And, look, if it were a choice between verbal praise and a padded paycheck, youd take the latter, but why cant it be both? Why cant your boss look you in the eye and let you know that youre a valued asset and that hes duly pleased with your performance more often than once a year during the than the obligatory employee assessment? 2. Thank YouNo, its not as though you think you deserve to be thanked for doing your job. You are getting paid, after all, and some might argue thats a form of gratitude in and of itself, but when it comes to all of those little and not-so-little things your manager asks you to do? Couldnt she, at least some of the time, just say thank you when you turn something in, when you meet a deadline, when you go above and beyond, or when shes pleased with your efforts? Its hard not to feel like youre taken for granted or that your role exists simply to complete your boss demands when those two precious words are incomprehensibly absent from her speech. Fine if she doesnt want to say it every time you check something off the good ol to-do list, but how refreshing would it be to occasionally have your supervisors asks be sealed with a Thank you.3. Happy to Have You on the TeamWhen you stop to consider how the team ever survived without you, youre not being cocky, youre being realistic. There are others out there who could do your job, sure, but you believe the work youre doing for the department is stellar, and the culture fit couldn t be better. So why cant your manager tell you hes happy to have you on his team? Whats so hard about letting you know that youre an asset and that you were a great hire?After all, it reflects well on him that youre working out so well. Day in and day out, you make him look good by how well youre performing. Itd be nice to hear him say what youre pretty sure he already believes.No matter how good you have it, its inevitable not to dream up how things could be even better. If you and your boss have a solid relationship, you should be grateful for it as its not the case for a lot of people. And its not like you absolutely need the praise to keep going- youve been excelling well all this time without it- but you would like it. After all, its nice to feel appreciated. Lest you begin to feel taken for granted, consider what you can do to get your boss to say a few of these simple yet important things.Thank him when it makes sense to maybe hell eventually follow your lead. Ask him outrigh t how he thinks youre doing- he may just be unaccustomed to delivering feedback, perhaps he never had managers who praised him. Inquire as to how you can improve and express interest in knowing what it is he thinks youre doing well. Make this an ongoing conversation, and show him that youre open to both constructive criticism and approval. Just remember, you cant control what comes out of your managers mouth- but you can control what comes out of yours. So if all else fails, build the culture of gratitude you want on the team by openly appreciating others. It might not rub off on him, but itll no doubt rub off on others. Photo of people looking at sticky notes courtesy of Westend61/Getty Images.

Human Resources Assistant Job Description Sample

Human Resources Assistant Job Description SampleHuman Resources Assistant Job Description SampleHuman Resources Assistant Job Description SampleThishuman resources assistantsample 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.Human Resources Assistant Job ResponsibilitiesSupports human resources processes by administering tests scheduling appointments conducting orientation maintaining records and information.Human Resources Assistant Job DutiesSubstantiates applicants skills by administering and scoring tests.Schedules examinations by coordinating appointments.Welcomes new employees to the organization by conducting orientation.Provides payroll information by collecting time and attendance records.Submits employee data reports by assembling, preparing, and analyzing data.Maintains employee information by enteri ng and updating employment and status-change data.Provides secretarial support by entering, formatting, and printing information organizing work answering the telephone relaying messages maintaining equipment and supplies.Maintains employee confidence and protects operations by keeping human resource information confidential.Maintains quality service by following organization standards.Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops reviewing publications.Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.Human Resources Assistant Skills and QualificationsReporting Skills, Maintaining Employee Files, Dependability, Organization, Scheduling, Confidentiality, Independence, Orienting Employees, Verbal Communication, Teamwork, Microsoft arbeitszimmer SkillsHiring your next Human Resources AssistantAs a savvy business person, you know what quality looks like. So do we. Need help getting the attention of high-quality applicants? Sign up for exclusive ht tps//www.youtube.com/ adviceand well send you helpful hiring tips delivered right to your inbox. Well even throw in a special job posting offer to get you moving in the right direction. Youre not alone, and were here to help.

Tax Tips and Information for Book Authors

Tax Tips and Information for Book AuthorsTax Tips and Information for Book AuthorsBook authors face some unique situations when it comes time to file their tax returns. From keeping records to deciphering what it means to be an exception to a key tax rule, heres a round-up of tax-related issues that may affect those who write books. Book Writing Hobby or Profession? The hobbyist vs. for profit distinction for authors matter greatly for tax reporting. Because the job of a book author is not necessarily steady, there is an ebb and flow of income, some years might be more profitable than others - some years, not at all. In addition, with the proliferation of self-published authors - many of whom do see at least some income from their work - it becomes a bit confusing. Profitability is a key factor in how the Internal Revenue Service determines whether or not you can legitimately claim the costs of your writing as business expenses. If you dont already know for sure, its important to be aware of how the IRS makes the distinction between whether youre a hobbyist writer or professional author. Writers and Taxes An Important Exception The profession of freelance author is a bit different than most others in the eyes of the U.S. government - at least as far as capitalizing expenses on a tax return concerned. The uniform capitalization rules require that most taxpayers match expenses with the income related to the expense during a tax year. However, since 1988 writers (and other artists, such as photographers) are exempted from this rule. That means, if youre working on a long-lived book project (such as the biography of a U.S. President), you are allowed to deduct the expenses related to that book (say, travel for research) in the year the expense is incurred rather than in the year you receive the income. Typical Tax Deductions for Authors Bookmarks, launch parties, Book Expo America (BEA) trade show attendance, membership fees for the Authors Guild - those are just a few of the business expenses a book author might incur. While youre gathering and organizing your receipts - or setting up your new-author organization system for the coming tax year - learn about some author-specific, typically deductible expenses, so you can remember to plan or and/or keep the appropriate records for them. Sales Tax Payments for Self-Published Books Income taxes arent the only taxes self-published authors need to worry about. If youre a self-published author and sometimes sell your own books, youll likely need to be collecting and paying state sales tax. DisclaimerThis article is meant to give general insight into tax information that might apply to writers, and to give readers an entry point so they themselves can research further. While every effort welches made to ensure the information in this article was accurate at the time it was written, the Book Publishing site guide is a writer - not a tax expert. Therefore, anyone filing his or her taxes should consult a qualified tax preparer or tax expert for updated federal and state income tax and sales tax laws and further specifics on how these rules might apply to an individual tax situation.

Behind Every Success Theres Less Glamorous Work - The Muse

Behind Every Success Theres Less Glamorous Work - The MuseBehind Every Success Theres Less Glamorous WorkEve L. Ewings first book, Electric Arches, was named to best book lists by the Chicago Tribune and NPR. It won the 2018 Norma Farber First Book Award from the Poetry Society of America, the 2018 Alex Award from the American Library Association, and the 2017 Chicago Review of Books Award for Poetry. Chicago Magazine called the collection of poetry, essays, and art one of the most powerful, unique portrayals of Chicago to ever grace the page.Ewing, who is very active (and interactive) on Twitter, told her mora than 138,000 followers that her sales goal for the books first year was exceeded in just three months- a fact that so confused her she thought the publisher had sent over incorrect numbers. Thousands of you have made a place in your life for a weird little book of poetry from a first-time author. Im awed, humbled, and deeply grateful. Thank you, she wrote. But behind the sales reports and accolades, the author reminded everyone, theres not only artistic and literary talent, but also a lot of less glamorous work. She shared a list of skills thatve contributed to the success of my book that have nothing to do with my writing ability- taking constructive criticism- asking for help- meeting deadlines - using social media - event planning - answering email- using a calendar- being friendlyYou dont have to be an award-winning writer, a sociologist who earned her PhD at Harvard University, and a professor at the University of Chicago- as Ewing is- to relate to and learn from her post. Think about the specific items she included. How might improving your own skills in these areas influence how you do your job (whether its writing or something totally different)? Give yourself some credit if you already excel at one or more of them- even if youve yet to achieve whatever professional milestones youve set your sights on. Make your own list of all the skills that ar e crucial to attaining your ultimate goals. It could help you expand your definition of success and create a more nuanced and forgiving way to measure your progress. Not only that, these crucial underlying skills could bolster your case next time youre gunning for a project, a promotion, or a new job. And finally, apply the same idea to others. If youre a manager, think about the full array of skills your hires and direct reports need to truly be great at what they do, and make sure you talk about their performance in those terms and value all aspects of their success. And if youre looking to emulate role models, make sure you pay attention to all the glamorous and not-so-glamorous work that goes into their triumphs. Let Ewings tweet help you think about success in a more holistic way. Because theres almost always more to it than the just the shiny parts.

The 3-step evening ritual that will make you happy

The 3-step evening ritual that will make you happyThe 3-step evening ritual that will make you happyWhats the worst thing thats ever happened to you? Something that you mucksmuschenmucksmuschenstill think about or still affects you to this day.Hold that thought, okay? Right now we need to do storytime with Uncle EricMore than thirty years ago there welches a guy named Jamie, his marriage welches in the toilet, and he was utterly depressed. Despite having big problems, he didnt go to a therapist. (Which is ironic because Jamie was a graduate student in psychology, of all things.)Instead he started writing. A lot. He wrote about his marriage, his career, his childhood. He basically covered every serious issue in his life and how he felt about it. And then something happenedHe felt better. Alotbetter. And he realized how much his wife meant to him. They resolved their issues. Then he had a thoughtmaybe writing might helpanyonefeel better about their struggles in life.And being a psychol ogy grad student, he did a study to test the theoryFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraAnd he was right. Since that first paper was published in 1986 literallyhundredsof other studies have shown the power of expressive writing to help people with, well, damn near everything in their life. (Yes, that sounds extreme. I know, I know. Well get to it. Were just getting started here, okay?)In the thirty-plus years since that first epic writing binge many students on the University of Texas at Austin campus have come up to prof James Pennebaker and said something likeYou dont remember me, but I was in yur experiment a year ago. I just wanted to thank you. It changed my life.Suitably impressed, are ya? Good. Because we gotta get this show on the road, junior.James Pennebaker is the Regents Centennial Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.His book isOpening Up by Writ ing It Down How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain.So what difference can an evening ritual of writing make for you? And how might the worst thing in yur life possibly lead to the best thing?Lets get to it The Following May Be Hard To Believe I have procrastinated writing this section because it feels like something you might hear on an infomercial. Like quackery. Pseudoscience. But its real. Scouts honor.Jamies research found that expressive writing had effects similar to therapy. It was like talking to a close friend or a therapist about your problems but there werent any judgments and it didnt cost $200 an hour.So you probably wont be too surprised that writing helpedpeople suffering from depression, anxiety or PTSD. It helped their relationships too.But that wasnt allTheirphysicalhealth improved as well.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownPeople who wrote about their deepest thoughts and feelings surrounding traumatic experiences evidenced enhanced immune f unction compared with those who wrote about superficial topics. Although this effect was fruchtwein pronounced after the last day of writing, it tended to persist six weeks after the study. In addition, it was again observed that health center visits for illness dropped for the people who wrote about traumas compared to those who wrote on the trivial topics.Okay, so they caught fewer colds? Yeah, and Women with breast cancer reported fewer symptoms and required fewer cancer-related doctor visits. People with asthma and gelenkentzndungreported meaningful improvements in quality of life similar to benefits that would be expected by a successful new drug treatment. Its helped people with HIV, cardiovascular disease and chronic pain. People slept better. Smokers were more likely to quit. Several studies even showed that after expressive writingwounds healed faster Im gonna stop before I start to sound like an infomercial or somebody selling magic healing crystals. I wouldnt blame you at all for feeling some skepticism - I just hope youre as patient as you are skeptical because it will take you an awfully long time to read the17,000+ citations on Google Scholarthat demonstrate the positive effects of expressive writing.Dont get me wrong its leid a panacea. It doesntcurecancer. Its benefits are modest to moderate and it doesnt help everyone all the time. That said, it has a lot to offer. Its stupidly easy. And it doesnt require some app thats gonna bill you $9.99 a month for eternity. Its free.And as the infomercials love to sayBut wait - theres moreBeing happier and healthier is nice but expressive writing also demonstrated concrete effects on peoples lives. Students grades improved. Unemployed people who did it were far more likely to get jobs.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownWithin three months, 27 percent of the experimental parteicipants landed jobs compared with less than 5 percent of those in the time management and no-writing comparison groups. By seven mo nths after writing, 53 percent of those who wrote about their thoughts and feelings had jobs compared with only 18 percent of the people in the other conditions. Particularly striking about the study was that the participants in all three conditions had all gone on exactly the saatkorn number of job interviews.Some might respond by saying they dont have depression or cancer, so theyre going to stick with their current evening ritual of chips, salsa and To Catch A Predator reruns. They dont have big tragic problems so this wouldnt be a good evening ritual for them.Wrong. We all deal with emotional struggles - whether we realize them or elend, whether they make us clinically depressed or not. Expressive writing has shown positive effects in people who werent dealing with anything serious.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownLooking beyond studies specifically with people diagnosed with a clinical disorder, some evidence for the benefit of expressive writing for feelings of depression and general distress has also been found in people who were not clinically depressed.So whats the biggest benefit people report after a few evenings of expressive writing? Insight. fruchtwein people said they understood themselves better. They felt more meaning in life. To my knowledge, nobody has ever reported effects like that from buying a ShamWow or a Foreman Grill.(To learn more about how you and your children can lead a successful life, check out my bestselling bookhere.)Okay, Sherlock, we have a mystery on our hands. Shouldnt anything this amazing involve a doctors prescription, insurance deductibles and nuclear fusion? And why didnt anybody tell me about this after I lost my favorite GI Joe action figure at age 7 or after the Great Eric Depression of 2014?Simply put, how can something so ridiculously free and easy do so much good?How The Sorcery WorksWe all deal with stress, pain and assorted glitches in the source code of life. Yeah, you can ignore them, bury them or distract yourself but theyre still there. (My own personal experiments have demonstrated that bourbon only qualifies as a solution if youre speaking in terms of chemistry.)Emotional upheavals you dont get closure on cause you stress. Mental and physical. They can increase the chance of illness, stroke, heart attack, or worst of all, erectile dysfunction.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownIn the short run, restraining thoughts or feelings can immediately affect our body, for example, by increasing perspiration or causing faster heart rates, as seen during lie detector tests. Over time, the work of keeping secrets serves as a cumulative stressor on the body, increasing the likelihood of illness and other stress-related physical and mental problems Major life experiences that are withheld from others are likely to surface in the forms of anxiety, ruminations, disturbing dreams, and other thought disturbances.Oh, so when it comes to emotional stuff, you just need to get it out? To vent. Right?Wron g. Merely expressing feelings makes itworse.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownThe effects were not due to simple catharsis or the venting of pent-up emotions. In fact, the people who just blew off steam by venting their feelings without any thoughtful analysis tended to fare worse Talking or writing about the source of our problems without self-reflection merely adds to our distressIf all it took was venting then complainers and those who pollute our social media feeds with angry rants would be the most emotionally well-adjusted people around.Its not the expression of our emotions - itsmaking sense of themthat sets us right.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownThe authors asked the students to write about their thoughts and feelings about their lives. Those who showed more deep-level thinking along with constructive problem solving were less depressed later and had fewer health care visits. Those medical students who merely expressed their emotions and described their anxiety had more h ealth care visits A large number of good scientific studies conclude that the mere expression of emotion is usually not beneficial on its own. Rather, people typically must learn to recognize and identify their emotional reactions to events. Talking (and other forms of expression) is beneficial when it helps people make sense of their experiences.You need meaning in your life. And in the modern world, we have tidal waves of information but meaning is about as common as three-legged ballerinas. Lifes inevitable emotional upheavals shake up our vision of the world, mess with our identity and make us question the fragile Etch-A-Sketched vision of meaning weve managed to cobble together over the decades.We ruminate endlessly but that just makes things worse. When youre merely thinking about your problems, you hop, skip and jump all over the distribution policy, never resolving one issue before moving on to the next. Writing forces us to put a structure around life. To make sense of it.Y ouve probably heard some version of the expression, If you cant explain it to someone else, you dont really understand it. Thats true of our emotional lives as well. Writing - just like talking to someone - forces you tomake some sense. And thats what you need most when life takes your vision of reality and shakes it like a snow globe.Once you understand something, once you can find a place for it in the story of your life, thats when you can put it behind you and move on.(To learn the 4 harsh truths that will make you a better person, clickhere.)Got the gist? Good. Now that youre sufficiently gisted, lets clear the decks Getting ReadyYour writing ritual can be used for many purposes dealing with lifes big issues, finally putting some old business to rest, dealing with tough transitions or just stilling an anxious mind.The only time you really want to avoid writing about something is when its still a bit recent and raw or if you find approaching the topic overwhelming.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownThe studies that have hinted that expressive writing could be harmful have involved pushing people to engage in emotional processing of events that are overwhelming, are ongoing, or have happened in the previous days or weeks.The only other thing to keep in mind is that you dont want to use disclosure as a substitute for action. If the problem has negative effects on your life that take place outside your skull, dont think that you can skip actually doing something about it.Just because youve emotionally come to terms with debt doesnt mean you can stop paying off your credit card.(To learn how to deal with passive-aggressive people, clickhere.)So how do we get the most from our writing ritual?How To WriteDont wake up and immediately try to deal with big life issues. Just. Dont.Theres a reason this isnt a morning ritual. And Jamies research confirms thisAcross multiple studies, we have had the most success with people writing at the end of their workday.So how do you get started?Heres JamieFind a time and place where you wont be disturbed. Ideally, pick a time at the end of your workday or in the evening when you know things will be calm and quiet. Promise yourself that you will write for a minimum of 15 minutes a day for at least three or four consecutive days, or a fixed day and time for several weeks (for example, every Thursday evening for this month). Once you begin writing, write continuously. Dont worry about spelling or grammar. If you run out of things to write about, just repeat what you have already written. You can write longhand or you can type on a computer. If you are unable to write, you can also talk into a tape recorder. You can write about the same thing on all days of writing or you can write about something different each day. It is entirely up to you.Many people experience some initial paralysis around what to write about or how to begin. No need to stress. Its pretty straightforward.Heres JamieOver the next four days, I want you to write about your deepest emotions and thoughts about the most upsetting experience in your life. Really let go and explore your feelings and thoughts about it. In your writing, you might tie this experience to your childhood, your relationship with your parents, people you have loved or love now, or even your career. How is this experience related to who you would like to become, who you have been in the past, or who you are now? Many people have not had a single traumatic experience, but all of us have had major conflicts or stressors in our lives, and you can write about them as well. You can write about the same issue every day or a series of different issues. Whatever you choose to write about, however, it is critical that you really let go and explore your very deepest emotions and thoughts.You can write about anything, but make sure to emphasizefeelings. Dont just record a summary of the events. Look for meaning. Make sense of it. A rule I use is, If writing abo ut a subject feels scary, definitely write about that.And remember that this is for you and you alone. If you think someone else might read it, youre going to hold back or twist the story. After youre done you can destroy it or keep it or make a macaroni picture out of it with glitter and put it on the fridge. It doesnt matter. The exercise is what matters, not the result.Expect to feel a little sad or out of it when youre done. Dont let that scare you from returning to it the next day. Most people in the studies found that those feelings dissipated pretty quickly, in a matter of hours. Its like seeing a sad movie. But weeks and months later most people felt much, much better.(To learn the 4-step morning ritual that will make you happy all day, clickhere.)Alright, you know what to do. Lets round it all up - and answer the big question if writing about your problems simulates the experience of talking to a friend, then why not just talk to a friend?Sum UpHeres the evening ritual tha t will make you happy and healthyHow long has it been?If youre still in the midst of the problem or find thinking about it overwhelming, give it time. Come back to it in a month.Commit to at least four evenings of 15 minutesPick a time and place where nobody will bother you. Yes, you can hide in the bathroom if necessary.Write nonstop about the most upsetting moment of your lifePoints will not be deducted for spelling or grammar. Dont write for anyone but you.For extra creditFocusing on feelings, tying in many aspects of your life, developing a narrative, and looking for cause and effect are all associated with betterresults. Make sense of it. Look for meaning.We see a lot of stuff about how relationships are the key to health - heck, Iveposted a lot about that. But heres the part you dont hear often if you dont open up to those friends about your problems, your relationships have zero health benefits.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownIn large surveys with corporate employees as wel l as college students, we find the same thing that other social support researchers have shown the more friends you have, the healthier you are. However, this effect is due, almost exclusively, to the degree to which you have talked with your friends about any traumas that you have suffered. But here is the kicker. If you have had a trauma that you have not talked about with anyone, the number of friends you have is unrelated to your health.So why write? Isnt it just easier to talk to people?Talking to friends is definitely preferable - but its not always safe. There are some damn good reasons not to open up to others about certain subjects. Some people are blabbermouths who wont respect your secrets.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownAccording to research by Bernard Rim at the University of Louvain in Belgium, the average secret told in confidence is spread to at least two other people.We need to feel safe to really open up. And feeling were not going to be judged is critical. When you feel punished for disclosing problems, your health getsworse.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownSeveral studies have found that when people are punished for disclosing their traumatic experiences, their psychological and physical health suffers Vanessa Juth and her colleagues assessed the health of over 200 bereaved individuals several years after their loss. Those people who reported feeling the greatest pressure from others to not talk about their loss were the people who reported the most mental and physical health problems.This is why many people counterintuitively open up to bartenders or hairdressers instead of friends or family. In distance, there is safety. And there is complete safety and acceptance in writing.Writing shouldnt preclude you from getting support from friends - but when it doesnt feel safe, the scribbled word is always there to help.One more thing its important to remember that your default is resilience. You deal pretty well with 99% of what happens to you . This is best proven by the simple fact that you dont evenremembermost of what happens to you, let alone end up completely traumatized by it.We used to have a culture that bottled up everything and that wasnt a great idea, and now the pendulum has swung more towardeverythingbeing trauma and thats not true or helpful either.Youre tougher than you think. But every now and then things do happen that send us to the emotional ER, and maybe theyre too sensitive to share with a friend. Thats when writing can really help.Okay, Ive typed more than enough. Now its your turn.Youre going to feel much, much better in 2019.Join over 320,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.This article first appeared on Barking Up The Wrong Tree.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistak es you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong peopleThe 3-step evening ritual that will make you happyWhats the worst thing thats ever happened to you? Something that you still think about or still affects you to this day.Hold that thought, okay? Right now we need to do storytime with Uncle EricMore than thirty years ago there was a guy named Jamie, his marriage was in the toilet, and he was utterly depressed. Despite having big problems, he didnt go to a therapist. (Which is ironic because Jamie was a graduate student in psychology, of all things.)Instead he started writing. A lot. He wrote about his marriage, his career, his childhood. He basically covered every serious issue in his life and how he felt about it. And then something happenedHe felt better. Alotbetter. And he realized how much his wife meant to him. They resolved their issues. Then he had a thoughtmaybe writing might helpanyonefeel better about their struggles in life.And being a psychology grad student, he did a study to test the theoryAnd he was right. Since that first paper was published in 1986 literallyhundredsof other studies have shown the power of expressive writing to help people with, well, damn near everything in their life. (Yes, that sounds extreme. I know, I know. Well get to it. Were just getting started here, okay?)In the thirty-plus years since that first epic writing binge many students on the University of Texas at Austin campus have come up to Professor James Pennebaker and said something likeYou dont remember me, but I was in your experiment a year ago. I just wanted to thank you. It changed my life.Suitably impressed, are ya? Good. Because we gotta get this show on the road, junior.James Pennebaker is the Regents Centennial Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.His book isOpening Up by Writing It Down How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain.So what difference can an evening ritual of writin g make for you? And how might the worst thing in your life possibly lead to the best thing?Lets get to it The Following May Be Hard To Believe I have procrastinated writing this section because it feels like something you might hear on an infomercial. Like quackery. Pseudoscience. But its real. Scouts honor.Jamies research found that expressive writing had effects similar to therapy. It was like talking to a close friend or a therapist about your problems but there werent any judgments and it didnt cost $200 an hour.So you probably wont be too surprised that writing helpedpeople suffering from depression, anxiety or PTSD. It helped their relationships too.But that wasnt allTheirphysicalhealth improved as well.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownPeople who wrote about their deepest thoughts and feelings surrounding traumatic experiences evidenced enhanced immune function compared with those who wrote about superficial topics. Although this effect was most pronounced after the last day o f writing, it tended to persist six weeks after the study. In addition, it was again observed that health center visits for illness dropped for the people who wrote about traumas compared to those who wrote on the trivial topics.Okay, so they caught fewer colds? Yeah, and Women with breast cancer reported fewer symptoms and required fewer cancer-related doctor visits. People with asthma and arthritisreported meaningful improvements in quality of life similar to benefits that would be expected by a successful new drug treatment. Its helped people with HIV, cardiovascular disease and chronic pain. People slept better. Smokers were more likely to quit. Several studies even showed that after expressive writingwounds healed faster Im gonna stop before I start to sound like an infomercial or somebody selling magic healing crystals. I wouldnt blame you at all for feeling some skepticism - I just hope youre as patient as you are skeptical because it will take you an awfully long time to re ad the17,000+ citations on Google Scholarthat demonstrate the positive effects of expressive writing.Dont get me wrong its not a panacea. It doesntcurecancer. Its benefits are modest to moderate and it doesnt help everyone all the time. That said, it has a lot to offer. Its stupidly easy. And it doesnt require some app thats gonna bill you $9.99 a month for eternity. Its free.And as the infomercials love to sayBut wait - theres moreBeing happier and healthier is nice but expressive writing also demonstrated concrete effects on peoples lives. Students grades improved. Unemployed people who did it were far more likely to get jobs.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownWithin three months, 27 percent of the experimental participants landed jobs compared with less than 5 percent of those in the time management and no-writing comparison groups. By seven months after writing, 53 percent of those who wrote about their thoughts and feelings had jobs compared with only 18 percent of the people in the other conditions. Particularly striking about the study was that the participants in all three conditions had all gone on exactly the same number of job interviews.Some might respond by saying they dont have depression or cancer, so theyre going to stick with their current evening ritual of chips, salsa and To Catch A Predator reruns. They dont have big tragic problems so this wouldnt be a good evening ritual for them.Wrong. We all deal with emotional struggles - whether we realize them or not, whether they make us clinically depressed or not. Expressive writing has shown positive effects in people who werent dealing with anything serious.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownLooking beyond studies specifically with people diagnosed with a clinical disorder, some evidence for the benefit of expressive writing for feelings of depression and general distress has also been found in people who were not clinically depressed.So whats the biggest benefit people report after a few evenings of expressive writing? Insight. Most people said they understood themselves better. They felt more meaning in life. To my knowledge, nobody has ever reported effects like that from buying a ShamWow or a Foreman Grill.(To learn more about how you and your children can lead a successful life, check out my bestselling bookhere.)Okay, Sherlock, we have a mystery on our hands. Shouldnt anything this amazing involve a doctors prescription, insurance deductibles and nuclear fusion? And why didnt anybody tell me about this after I lost my favorite GI Joe action figure at age 7 or after the Great Eric Depression of 2014?Simply put, how can something so ridiculously free and easy do so much good?How The Sorcery WorksWe all deal with stress, pain and assorted glitches in the source code of life. Yeah, you can ignore them, bury them or distract yourself but theyre still there. (My own personal experiments have demonstrated that bourbon only qualifies as a solution if youre speaking in terms of chemistry.)Emotional upheavals you dont get closure on cause you stress. Mental and physical. They can increase the chance of illness, stroke, heart attack, or worst of all, erectile dysfunction.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownIn the short run, restraining thoughts or feelings can immediately affect our body, for example, by increasing perspiration or causing faster heart rates, as seen during lie detector tests. Over time, the work of keeping secrets serves as a cumulative stressor on the body, increasing the likelihood of illness and other stress-related physical and mental problems Major life experiences that are withheld from others are likely to surface in the forms of anxiety, ruminations, disturbing dreams, and other thought disturbances.Oh, so when it comes to emotional stuff, you just need to get it out? To vent. Right?Wrong. Merely expressing feelings makes itworse.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownThe effects were not due to simple catharsis or the venting of pent-up emo tions. In fact, the people who just blew off steam by venting their feelings without any thoughtful analysis tended to fare worse Talking or writing about the source of our problems without self-reflection merely adds to our distressIf all it took was venting then complainers and those who pollute our social media feeds with angry rants would be the most emotionally well-adjusted people around.Its not the expression of our emotions - itsmaking sense of themthat sets us right.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownThe authors asked the students to write about their thoughts and feelings about their lives. Those who showed more deep-level thinking along with constructive problem solving were less depressed later and had fewer health care visits. Those medical students who merely expressed their emotions and described their anxiety had more health care visits A large number of good scientific studies conclude that the mere expression of emotion is usually not beneficial on its own. Rather, people typically must learn to recognize and identify their emotional reactions to events. Talking (and other forms of expression) is beneficial when it helps people make sense of their experiences.You need meaning in your life. And in the modern world, we have tidal waves of information but meaning is about as common as three-legged ballerinas. Lifes inevitable emotional upheavals shake up our vision of the world, mess with our identity and make us question the fragile Etch-A-Sketched vision of meaning weve managed to cobble together over the decades.We ruminate endlessly but that just makes things worse. When youre merely thinking about your problems, you hop, skip and jump all over the place, never resolving one issue before moving on to the next. Writing forces us to put a structure around life. To make sense of it.Youve probably heard some version of the expression, If you cant explain it to someone else, you dont really understand it. Thats true of our emotional lives as well. Writing - just like talking to someone - forces you tomake some sense. And thats what you need most when life takes your vision of reality and shakes it like a snow globe.Once you understand something, once you can find a place for it in the story of your life, thats when you can put it behind you and move on.(To learn the 4 harsh truths that will make you a better person, clickhere.)Got the gist? Good. Now that youre sufficiently gisted, lets clear the decks Getting ReadyYour writing ritual can be used for many purposes dealing with lifes big issues, finally putting some old business to rest, dealing with tough transitions or just stilling an anxious mind.The only time you really want to avoid writing about something is when its still a bit recent and raw or if you find approaching the topic overwhelming.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownThe studies that have hinted that expressive writing could be harmful have involved pushing people to engage in emotional processing of events t hat are overwhelming, are ongoing, or have happened in the previous days or weeks.The only other thing to keep in mind is that you dont want to use disclosure as a substitute for action. If the problem has negative effects on your life that take place outside your skull, dont think that you can skip actually doing something about it.Just because youve emotionally come to terms with debt doesnt mean you can stop paying off your credit card.(To learn how to deal with passive-aggressive people, clickhere.)So how do we get the most from our writing ritual?How To WriteDont wake up and immediately try to deal with big life issues. Just. Dont.Theres a reason this isnt a morning ritual. And Jamies research confirms thisAcross multiple studies, we have had the most success with people writing at the end of their workday.So how do you get started?Heres JamieFind a time and place where you wont be disturbed. Ideally, pick a time at the end of your workday or in the evening when you know things will be calm and quiet. Promise yourself that you will write for a minimum of 15 minutes a day for at least three or four consecutive days, or a fixed day and time for several weeks (for example, every Thursday evening for this month). Once you begin writing, write continuously. Dont worry about spelling or grammar. If you run out of things to write about, just repeat what you have already written. You can write longhand or you can type on a computer. If you are unable to write, you can also talk into a tape recorder. You can write about the same thing on all days of writing or you can write about something different each day. It is entirely up to you.Many people experience some initial paralysis around what to write about or how to begin. No need to stress. Its pretty straightforward.Heres JamieOver the next four days, I want you to write about your deepest emotions and thoughts about the most upsetting experience in your life. Really let go and explore your feelings and thoughts about it. In your writing, you might tie this experience to your childhood, your relationship with your parents, people you have loved or love now, or even your career. How is this experience related to who you would like to become, who you have been in the past, or who you are now? Many people have not had a single traumatic experience, but all of us have had major conflicts or stressors in our lives, and you can write about them as well. You can write about the same issue every day or a series of different issues. Whatever you choose to write about, however, it is critical that you really let go and explore your very deepest emotions and thoughts.You can write about anything, but make sure to emphasizefeelings. Dont just record a summary of the events. Look for meaning. Make sense of it. A rule I use is, If writing about a subject feels scary, definitely write about that.And remember that this is for you and you alone. If you think someone else might read it, youre going to hold b ack or twist the story. After youre done you can destroy it or keep it or make a macaroni picture out of it with glitter and put it on the fridge. It doesnt matter. The exercise is what matters, not the result.Expect to feel a little sad or out of it when youre done. Dont let that scare you from returning to it the next day. Most people in the studies found that those feelings dissipated pretty quickly, in a matter of hours. Its like seeing a sad movie. But weeks and months later most people felt much, much better.(To learn the 4-step morning ritual that will make you happy all day, clickhere.)Alright, you know what to do. Lets round it all up - and answer the big question if writing about your problems simulates the experience of talking to a friend, then why not just talk to a friend?Sum UpHeres the evening ritual that will make you happy and healthyHow long has it been?If youre still in the midst of the problem or find thinking about it overwhelming, give it time. Come back to i t in a month.Commit to at least four evenings of 15 minutesPick a time and place where nobody will bother you. Yes, you can hide in the bathroom if necessary.Write nonstop about the most upsetting moment of your lifePoints will not be deducted for spelling or grammar. Dont write for anyone but you.For extra creditFocusing on feelings, tying in many aspects of your life, developing a narrative, and looking for cause and effect are all associated with betterresults. Make sense of it. Look for meaning.We see a lot of stuff about how relationships are the key to health - heck, Iveposted a lot about that. But heres the part you dont hear often if you dont open up to those friends about your problems, your relationships have zero health benefits.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownIn large surveys with corporate employees as well as college students, we find the same thing that other social support researchers have shown the more friends you have, the healthier you are. However, this effect is due, almost exclusively, to the degree to which you have talked with your friends about any traumas that you have suffered. But here is the kicker. If you have had a trauma that you have not talked about with anyone, the number of friends you have is unrelated to your health.So why write? Isnt it just easier to talk to people?Talking to friends is definitely preferable - but its not always safe. There are some damn good reasons not to open up to others about certain subjects. Some people are blabbermouths who wont respect your secrets.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownAccording to research by Bernard Rim at the University of Louvain in Belgium, the average secret told in confidence is spread to at least two other people.We need to feel safe to really open up. And feeling were not going to be judged is critical. When you feel punished for disclosing problems, your health getsworse.FromOpening Up by Writing It DownSeveral studies have found that when people are punished for disclo sing their traumatic experiences, their psychological and physical health suffers Vanessa Juth and her colleagues assessed the health of over 200 bereaved individuals several years after their loss. Those people who reported feeling the greatest pressure from others to not talk about their loss were the people who reported the most mental and physical health problems.This is why many people counterintuitively open up to bartenders or hairdressers instead of friends or family. In distance, there is safety. And there is complete safety and acceptance in writing.Writing shouldnt preclude you from getting support from friends - but when it doesnt feel safe, the scribbled word is always there to help.One more thing its important to remember that your default is resilience. You deal pretty well with 99% of what happens to you. This is best proven by the simple fact that you dont evenremembermost of what happens to you, let alone end up completely traumatized by it.We used to have a cultu re that bottled up everything and that wasnt a great idea, and now the pendulum has swung more towardeverythingbeing trauma and thats not true or helpful either.Youre tougher than you think. But every now and then things do happen that send us to the emotional ER, and maybe theyre too sensitive to share with a friend. Thats when writing can really help.Okay, Ive typed more than enough. Now its your turn.Youre going to feel much, much better in 2019.Join over 320,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.This article first appeared on Barking Up The Wrong Tree.

The New Angle On Presumed Incompetent Just Released

The New Angle On Presumed Incompetent Just Released For crime victims that are age 21 or older, their spouse, and their children under 21 decades old, might be considered indirect victims. An adult 18 years old and older can give consent for her or his own therapy, unless they have a guardian whos designated to offer consent for the person. If convicted, the kid could be put on probation for a minimum of five decades but leid beyond the time of 21, Minger explained. He or she is simply allowing someone else to act for him. Lies Youve Been Told About Presumed Incompetent In filing the petition, the assistance of a mental wellbeing or guardianship lawyer is helpful to the petitioner. In fruchtwein instances, its preferable to have a whole power of attorney effective immediately. The minors counsel or the court could express a doubt regarding the minors competency. Negligence on the portion of the victim contributing to the origin of the crash or to the seriousness of the inju ries can be taken under consideration by a judge or a jury to diminish the damages awarded. When there is duress, the court wont think about the lawsuit. Another court proceeding regarding guardianship has to be held. Such a competency ruling may not be applied as evidence against the defendant should they later pleads insanity for a defense in the criminal trial. For other third parties, reasonableness will rely on the circumstances and the conditions of the ability of attorney. If you want to obtain a clearer idea of your legal alternatives, you can speak to a medical malpractice attorney for support. Unless the prosecution can show that you committed all of the necessary elements of the crime, you ought to be judged not guilty. Powers of attorney remain one of the most crucial constituents of a well-drafted estate program. A consultation with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney is the best plan of action for everybody injured as a consequence of the behavior of somebo dy else. From time to time, a prior provision, including from a former will can be reinstated. The notion of a superior contract usually means that both people are making the agreement of their very own free will and that no one was made to sign. Though there will be occasions when its obvious that someone lacks capacity they might be unconscious in most of cases people retain the ability to make some decisions. A witness wholly without capacity is tough to imagine. Consent is a procedure in place of a one-off choice. Counsel is required in all instances, even in circumstances where it is clear that the kid lacks the capability to make decisions for him or herself. Youre only ever deemed incompetent with the aim of a particular choice. The expression incompetency has a lot of meanings in the law. Generally speaking, a contract doesnt need to be in writing, but some kinds of contracts have to be in writing to be enforceable. The definitions set forth within this subsecti on might not be construed to influence a Hoosier veterans eligibility for virtually any state plan that is based upon a specific part of the Hoosier veterans service like a disability or a wartime service requirement. There has to be a psychological evaluation of the individual subject of the petition to be run by a health practitioner. Patients can only refuse treatment by way of an advance decision, they cannot commission treatment beforehand. Examples incorporate a surgeon amputating the incorrect limb or leaving a surgical instrument within a body cavity of the individual. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Presumed Incompetent The forced heir merely has what is known as the naked ownership of their forced part. Our storms may appear different in life, but all of them have the chance to change us. When somebody is judged to be incompetent, a guardian is appointed to take care of the individuals property and individual affairs. The fact that he does not fully unde rstand the full meaning and all ramifications of a contract does not mean that the person lacks contractual capacity.

The Most Effective Ways to Appeal to the Class of 2014 - Spark Hire

The Most Effective Ways to Appeal to the Class of 2014 - Spark HireWhen youre looking for new talent, particularly from the class of 2014, youll want to take a proactive approach. Employers are realizing just how valuable these team members are, as they know that they bring an unbeatable passion and enthusiasm to an organization. In order to make your company stand out to recent graduates, consider implementing these strategiesGet socialUnlike older workers, recent graduates are becoming increasingly focused on social media when it comes time to find a job. Gone are the days of using the classifieds to find your next position. The class of 2014 is scanning LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms in search of a great opportunity. This means that your company needs to be there to greet them when they arrive. Make it easy for them to find your job postings, and provide plenty of information about your geschftliches miteinander and the perks of working there.Understand that its not just about the resumeMany employers get so hung up on a persons resume that they overlook recent graduates in favor of someone with more experience, only to regret their decision. Does experience matter? Of course. But making the perfect hiring decision means that youll have to go beyond the resume. You cant teach things like passion, positivity, and a love of learning. What your new graduate lacks in experience, they may make up for in enthusiasm. Dont disqualify someone simply because they havent spent 10 years suffering as a middle manager somewhere. Think about how theyll contribute to company culture too.Lastly, its important to offer proper training if you want to entice new graduates. No one wants to get thrown into a job that theyre not ready for, only to fail because they didnt have proper training. If you want to attract the class of 2014, make sure that you have a strong training program in place. When they know that your organization is someplace they can grow and le arn, their interest levels will be through the roof.Check out Spark Hires infographicHow to Hire the Perfect qualitt

3 ways to keep your relationship strong when you have young kids

3 ways to keep your relationship strong when you have young kids3 ways to keep your relationship strong when you have young kidsIts true that the love you feel for your child is incomparable, but thechallenges kids pose to a marriageare well-documented, too. Studies, in fact, show ahappiness penaltyorhappiness gapfor parents versus non-parents, especially in the U.S.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and morePart of thestress and anxiety around parenthoodstems from a lack of infrastructure in the U.S. - we have skimpy governmental resources to support our families, including limited parental leave and expensive childcare costs, which exacerbates our everyday trials and tribulations. The financial burden, conflicting parenting styles, minimal time to spend as a couple, and endless chores can all conspire to strain your relationship.While the stress is real, especially when young childrens needs are impossibly large, there are ways to embrace the madness as a team and come out stronger. Heres howJoin forces during a meltdownThe tantrum is the worst assault a small human can inflict on us - worse than dirty diapers or spit-up, which have quick and easy fixes. If there are witnesses beyond you and your partner, its even more stressful. (Other peoples eyes on you and your screaming child feels like an automatic judgment on your parenting skills.)Its counterintuitive, but dont fight back. Stay steady and keep a calm, firm voice as your child continues to spiral into momentary madness. If you let it escalate by feeding into the drama, it will increase stress levels all around. A child will only be as calm as their parents, Julia Yeary, a clinical social worker atZero to Three, a nonprofit focused on the development of babies and toddlers, tells Thrive. If you cannot regulate your own emotions, your child is not going to be able to regulate theirs, she emphasizes.If your p artner is on the cusp of losing it, Yeary encourages us to give them an out, such as a walk around the block. If they come back and the kid is still mid-meltdown, you should take a walk around the block. Develop a tag-out system or code word/hand signal that you can use, that immediately signals your need to cool off, Beth Goss, a certified Gottman educator and training specialist for theBringing Baby Home programat the Gottman Institute, suggests.Giving each other breaks through the epic cryfest will help preserve your energy (for each other) and make you feel supported, which will help fortify your bond.Create small rituals of connectionFor many couples, the hour or two right before bedtime is the only quality one-on-one time they get in a day. If it gets disrupted by a childs inability to sleep alone in his or her own bed - a very common and exasperating dicke bretter bohren mssen - it can quickly begin to feel like a gulf is growing between the two of you. But small gestures o f gratitude and love shared throughout the day go a long way.Find ways to be intimate in everyday moments, Goss says, urging us to create rituals of connection, such as a goodbye kiss each morning, holding hands when sitting next to one another, or rubbing one anothers back. Regularly express gratitude for all your spouse does for you and your family, Yeary suggests, whether via text or even an old-fashioned love note, and take a bit off their plate when you can. Do small things often for each other, like doing the laundry if its not usually your chore, Goss recommends. These things add up to a positive perspective on the relationship and act as a buffer when things get tough.Have adult conversation even while your kid is presentLook at me isthetoddler command that beats like a loud drum throughout the day. Because everything is new to them, kids require an inordinate amount of recognition and feedback to gain the confidence they need to navigate the world successfully and independe ntly, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. You need to be able to exist as a unit, even when your kids in tow.A toddler or preschooler can often feel jealous when parents try to grab minutes together and will purposely interrupt or act out to get their attention back, Goss says, emphasizing that the fix is all in the parenting. Teach them how to ask for your attention in a non-whiny or disruptive way, such as gently putting their hand on your arm, Goss recommends, and how to respect the conversation you are having by waiting their turn.This article originally appeared on Thrive Global.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Seven Top Tips for Applying to the Senior Executive Service

Seven Top Tips for Applying to the Senior Executive ServiceSeven Top Tips for Applying to the Senior Executive ServiceSeven Top Tips for Applying to the Senior Executive ServiceIf youve got sterling management skills, deep professional experience, and the passion to serve yur country, you might consider applying for a position in the Senior Executive Service (SES). But this prestigious federal employment is hard to come by the SES made just 300 new hires for its workforce of 7,900 in 2013. Because the application process is demanding and competitive, it pays to prepare most of your application in advance, then just tweak those materials to meet the requirements of specific job announcements when they appear.So now is the time to prepare to apply for SES positions in 2016. Here are my Seven Top Tips for preparing the SES application, especially the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) that will tell the stories of your expertise and experience1. Plan Your Career PathReview the Leaders hip Journey Chart in the 2016 edition of The New SES Application. Compare your resume with the leadership competencies associated with the ECQs on the chart. If you see gaps, request work assignments to fill them or make a lateral job change.2. Understand the SES Selection ProcessKnow that you are writing your ECQ stories for three audiences human resources, a board from the agency where youre applying, and a board of current senior executives drawn from multiple agencies. The latter board focusses on executive skill, not technical expertise. So your ECQs must focus on the leadership competencies specified on the Leadership Journey Chart.3. For Each Job, Identify and Prepare the Applications ComponentsRead each job announcement carefully and note its application requirements. Required documents can vary by agency.Format 1 Traditional SES Application The traditional SES application includes a four-to-six-page executive resume that includes bullets for all ECQ accomplishment stories 10 pages of Executive Core Qualifications stories in the CCAR (Challenge, Context, Actions, Results) format and one or more Technical Qualification statements of one or two pages each, if the agency requires them.Format 2 Five-page Resume-based SES Application This application is a resume that boils down all of the ECQs, TQs and traditional resume components into five pages. This challenging format must include bullets that summarize the ECQs and TQs.Other formats Candidate Development Programs, Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification, Air Force SES, Senior Leader, and other special programs or organizations may have their own requirements for the SES application. Read the announcements carefully and follow instructions to the letter.4. Develop a Dozen Accomplishment StoriesPrepare a list of 10 stories for the ECQs and two for the TQs. ECQs are not duties but narratives of accomplishments presented as brief essays. Your stories should elevate your application above the competition, which is formidable. (For 30 openings in the 2014 Candidate Development Program, the Department of Homeland Security received 5,500 applications.)5. Draft ECQ and TQ Accomplishment Stories in the CCAR FormatSES applications require that accomplishment narratives use the Challenge, Context, Actions, Results format. Each of the 10 stories should be approximately one page composed of four paragraphs in the specified typographic format. Double-check that for each story youve included the challenge, context, actions and results many applicants forget to describe the actions or results. (See my blog post on CCAR.)6. Map Leadership Stories to ECQsAfter youve created your Top 10 list of stories and outlined each one in the CCAR format, its time to map the stories to the ECQ leadership competencies. If one of your stories talks about forming partnerships, you could map it to the leadership competency called Building Coalitions. If another story focuses on personnel supervisi on and conflict resolution, it might illustrate Leading People. Even if you write compelling stories in the CCAR format, should they do not map to the ECQ leadership competencies, they wont support your application in the review process.7. Finalize the Executive Resume, ECQs, and TQsHave you have identified the leadership competencies, written at least 10 stories in the CCAR format, and drafted your resume and career history? If so, youre ready to customize your application to meet the requirements of individual job announcements. Typically the ECQs need not be adapted for each job, though you might need to modify the page total, for example. You may also need to select one of the TQs youve written, or draft a new one.Proofread all application materials before you submit them. Print documents and proof them. Read them aloud. Have someone proofread your materials and ask if they understand everything. Revise any stories that are even a bit confusing. When I write ECQ packages for cli ents, I tell them, As a lay reader, if I cant understand your stories, theyre not ready. We cant assume the reader will know anything about your background, areas of expertise, or the stories you are telling.If you begin now, you will be ready to apply for SES positions in 2016 with well-written, edited, and polished ECQs, TQs, and an executive resume. If you need additional assistance, check out our newly updated book (December 2015), The New SES Application, or visit our Services page for a quote. Diane can also deliver hands-on training in ECQ writing at your agency. Diane Hudson (Burns) is a multi-credentialed career coach, executive resume writer and editor, specializing in posturing federal and non-federal employees to enter the federal governments Senior Executive Service (SES). She is co-author of The New SES Application, the first book written about the five-page SES federal resume and the traditional 10-page ECQ format. Diane is an experienced trainer in Senior Executive S ervice, ECQ/TQ, KSA and federal resume writing topics for SES Candidate Development Program candidates. Agency instruction experience includes Commanders Leadership Development Program at the Naval Shipyard, Air Force Headquarters, U.S. Army Missile Command, FEMA, Defense Acquisition University (Fellows), EPA,PTO, and others. Diane is an instructor for military employment readiness specialists and retiring military as well as train-the-trainer at career industry conferences internationally on outplacement and career search topics.

What to Do If Offered a Job on the Spot

What to Do If Offered a Job on the SpotWhat to Do If Offered a Job on the Spot14Receiving a job offer is the ultimate goal of any job seeker. However, getting offered a job on the spot can be a bit startling, especially when you are not sure what to do if offered a job on the spot. Considering both facts and personal instincts can help in making a decision when getting a job offer on the spot.Instincts are truly powerful, and when considering an on-the-spot job offer, they are useful to help gauge your real feelings. If you have fully researched the company, asked questions, and feel comfortable with the job, then accepting on the spot may be your ideal situation.However, if you have any reservations or think that the job may be a scam, it is best that you ask for a little more time to consider the offer. Here are some common situations to consider when offered a job on the spot.Three Ways to Decide What to Do If Offered a Job on the SpotReady to Accept?If you know for sure that the company is one you want to work for and the job is one you are truly interested in, then there are a few things to consider. Whenoffered a job on the spot, and you want to take itFirst, you should ask for and obtain an offer package. From there you can consider what is offered and return with any negotiations that you wish to proceed with.Second, you need to consider your legal obligations to your current employer if you are working. Inquire about the start date so that you can turn in your notice to your current employer in the required time frame.Third, BE EXCITED If this is your dream job, and you have been waiting for this on-the-spot offer for months, allow yourself the opportunity to be happyStill on the Fence?This is an understandable position to be in. Very rarely are job offers, especially legitimate ones, offered on the spot. If you are still unsure about what to do, consider the following.Ask if you can have more time to consider the offer. If the company obliges, great I f not, as Sara Sutton, founder and CEO of , has stated it may be an indication that the company is generally inflexible or strong-handed and not a company youd want to work for anyway.Do you have any other offers? Is this your dream job or company? Consider the company culture, job duties, and offer package to decide what is best for you and your family.If you need some more perspective, consider talking to a third party. Sometimes another point of view can help with being objective, even if its just getting your concerns or worries off your mind.When NOT to Accept?Unfortunately, not all opportunities that have offered a job on the spot are real. There are certain times when you should not accept a job on the spot.Was your einstellungsgesprch on IM? If you were interviewed solely through instant messenger or through social media channels, that is a red flag that the job is a scam. An interview, normally, will be conducted in person, over the phone, or using a video messaging system. Have you even had an interview? Surprisingly, there are scams that are bold enough to provide a job offer on the spot without even the slightest hint of an interview. If this is the case, do not acceptIs the company being too forceful about getting an answer? If the company has not provided you with any information about the job, the company, or the benefits, chances are it is a scam or its not a company you would really want to work for.Can you find info about the company? Company information should be plentiful. If you have not been able to verify the companys existence or find a moderate amount of information about the company, it could be a job search scam.Remember, when offered a job on the spot, follow your instincts. If you have researched the company, interviewed, and feel good about the job and benefits, then the job offer may be one you want to accept. However, be cautious of scams that take advantage of job seekers by offering job offers on the spot and with little intera ction. If you are looking for a legitimate job, is a trusted source for all types of work flexibilityReaders, have you been offered a job on the spot? What advice would you give when deciding whether or not to accept it? Share your tips and story in the comments below