Wise Bread (Career and Income posts)

10 Tips to Make Working From Home a Success

Parenting Squad — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:48:16 +0000

It's estimated that 10 to 15 million Americans work from home. Many people, including a great percentage of moms and dads, find the work-from-home opportunity the perfect fit for their lifestyle.

But working from home is hard work, especially with kids in the picture. Whether you're contemplating a work-from-home opportunity or already heading to your in-house office each day, here are 10 tips to help make the business adventure a success. (See also: 3 Sources for Freelance Work at Home Jobs)

1. Get everyone in the house on board

Without family support, your at-home business won't survive. The kids must understand the times when mommy or daddy might be home but can't be disturbed. Your spouse must step up to duties you might otherwise assume but can't because of work. Share the household workload.

2. Create an office or work space

Even if you can do your job sitting on the couch with laptop in hand, creating work space is important. Whether it's an actual office with doors and a desk or a corner of the bedroom partitioned by a room divider, you need an area that's off limits to the kids. Another bonus: Office space for an at-home business is tax deductible.

3. Establish a schedule — but work when you can

Establish a base schedule: A set chunk of hours, certain days of the week, etc. where you perform the bulk of your duties. This is especially important if you have clients working traditional business hours at an office.

But embrace the flexibility working from home allows. Are you an early riser or night owl? What tasks can you complete late at night when the family's asleep, or in the morning before everyone wakes up? Do quick tasks when the baby's napping.

4. Take breaks

Just because you're already home doesn't mean you don't deserve a break. Take a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break, long enough to stretch your muscles, do some breathing exercises, or make a quick personal call. Schedule a lunch hour and step away from the computer.

5. Don't do laundry during office hours

It's so tempting to fold those clothes or unload that dishwasher, but you couldn't do any of that if you were at an office building. Treat your at-home job as you would any other job, avoiding the temptation to do house chores during business hours.

6. Write a job description and keep track of goals and achievements

Write a job description that highlights your duties and responsibilities, and track your goals. Doing so keeps you on target. Additionally, having an updated resume is essential when you're working from home. Writing a job description makes the task simpler.

7. Multi-task wisely and organize

If juggling multiple duties at once doesn't come naturally, figure out a way to learn this all-important skill. Working from home affords flexibility, but with flexibility comes the need to do multiple duties. Organize your day. White boards and calendars become your new best friends. Also, check out Zoho.com, recently featured on Lifetime Television's The Balancing Act. Zoho has organizational solutions, paperwork, productivity apps, and much more for professionals who work from home.

8. Utilize pre-school, child care, or sitters

Ah, the joys of taking business calls with a tired toddler at your feet! Don't confuse working from home with being at home. If your budget permits, consider preschool, child care, or other options during daytime hours. You'd do so if your office was downtown instead of downstairs, right?

9. Establish connections within the profession

Join a professional association, attend conferences and seminars, and participate in online forum discussions. Networking and staying in tune with current topics within your industry are critical for your professional development.

10. Get out of the office

Remember the idea of taking a break that was mentioned earlier? Make one break long enough to allow you time out of the house. Meet a friend for lunch, go to the gym, walk the dog. Yes, it's your office, but it's also your home. You'll burn out and go stir crazy if you don't find a change of scenery.

Working from home is a great alternative for many women wanting to balance their personal and professional life, as long as family support and the right mindset and tools are in place.

Working from home is hard work, especially if you have kids in the picture. Here are 10 tips to help make the business adventure a success.

Guest Post Blurb:

This post is by Kelli Robinson from our sister blog, Parenting Squad. Visit Parenting Squad for more parenting tips and news:

Written by Parenting Squad and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Getting the Most Out of Free College-Planning Resources

Julie Rains — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:48:09 +0000

Having heard so much about the difficulty and stress of choosing, applying to, and getting accepted into college, I was concerned that I needed to spend lots of time coaching my son during his senior year of high school, looking over his shoulder, asking the right questions, pursuing varied choices, and more. Now that this process is over, I realize that neither my son nor I did everything exactly right. But effective use of these free resources gave us enough direction to help him land a slot in the freshman class of the college of his choice. (See also: Wise Bread's College Guide)

Here are the resources that were useful to my family.

Online Resources

There are many online resources that help students with college planning. College Board, College Navigator, and CollegeView help you find colleges and universities that meet your requirements. Others, like Unigo, provide insights into college life.

Because my son was already using College Board to register for the SAT, practice solving sample problems, and send test scores to colleges, this site was a natural go-to source of information. Admittedly, I have a love-hate relationship with College Board. This organization is the sole provider of the SAT and other standardized tests (such as AP course tests and SAT Subject tests), which play an expensive role in providing information on prospective students to colleges and universities with seemingly uncertain returns on investment.

I love the site, though, for its free resources. There you can find colleges that fit your criteria and determine if you fall within their requirements. It lets you specify your wants in a college or university and drill down to a short list of possibilities. This process can be useful in developing a preferred list of colleges and universities or locating a safety school if you aren’t selected for your top choice. Anyone can use this feature, but you’ll need to sign up for a free account if you want to save your searches and their results.

To get started, go to College MatchMaker:

Make your initial selections, then “submit and continue."
Keep going or refining your results until you have a manageable number of colleges to consider or there are no more selections to be made.
Click "see results" when you have finished specifying relevant information.

Specifying the college major is not intuitive. Here's what to do so that you can find colleges and universities with the academic programs you want:

Select a college major by entering keywords or selecting categories, press “go,” and then select majors among the results, adding individual or all selections to your list.
Find schools that have at least one of these majors or all of these majors by selecting the "any" or "all" radio button.

After you make your list, learn more about each college or university. Key items to note are admission requirements and academic stats on class rank and GPA under "At a Glance." You can also check out other characteristics like what type of student housing is available, campus and city amenities, and special non-academic programs.

What Worked for Me

My son's top choice was UNC-Chapel Hill (my alma mater), but I felt he needed a Plan B, aka "safety school." Using the College MatchMaker, I found a school that met his criteria for location, setting, academics, and size. He and I both wanted a larger school with all the majors of his choice so that if he changed his mind, he could easily switch his course of study without having to transfer to another college or university. Finally, we looked at admissions criteria to make sure that he really was applying to a safety school based on its admissions requirements and his qualifications.

Guidance Counseling Office

Guidance counselors can help you navigate the college selection and application process. Many school-based counselors carry a heavy student load, so it is helpful to prepare a list of questions or specific agenda for a meeting.

Over time, I learned about guidance counseling services, which include:

Providing you with information on class rank, beginning as early as the end of freshman year
Writing letters of recommendation for college applications and scholarships
Sending transcripts to schools on your behalf or providing you with official transcripts in a sealed envelope
Providing a list of scholarships offered by universities and area organizations
Offering guidance in exploring careers and colleges that match your talents and strengths.

Access to an educational consultant was free to my family, who offered his services at no charge to members of his church (which included our family). Some of these services might also be available through a guidance counselor:

Assistance in selecting target colleges or universities based on academic achievements plus desired courses of study
Clarification of college goals, preferences, and needs
Guidance on summer activities that will be meaningful to the student and colleges
Advice on classes to take and extra-curricular activities to highlight
Responses to specific questions about the planning, selection, and application process

What Worked for Me

The guidance counselor assigned to my son changed at least once during his high-school career. His reticence and the changes were a couple of reasons we didn't use this resource as much as we may have. However, his designated counselor did write a letter of recommendation based mainly on his high-school resumé, review of his academic record, and a meeting with him. Also, the team of counselors pulled together to help him get testing accommodations when he broke his right arm a few days before the SAT.

The counselors at my son's school developed a process for student requests of transcripts, which was useful to know given the strict deadlines for admission and scholarship applications (plus the tendency of some students to wait until the last minute to make a request). This process covered mail and electronic submissions, timelines from receipt of request to fulfillment, and methods of documenting completion of requests.

The educational consultant offered intelligent, sound, and objective advice to my son. He outlined the college planning process, created a short list of colleges and universities for consideration, and answered specific questions my son had throughout his high-school career, like whether to re-take the SAT.

School and College-Sponsored Forums

Forums with panel presentations and Q&A sessions are often held by high schools as well as colleges and universities. Guidance counselors may speak at school events. At systemwide and college- or university-sponsored events, representatives from many schools are available and they take turns sharing insights. The topics covered in these sessions might include:

How to choose, pursue, and showcase high school courses and extra-curricular activities
Overview of admissions philosophies and insights into the selection processes
What not to do
Profile of ideal students (or discussion of the fallacy of an ideal student)
Methods of navigating the college-applications process so that you will meet all deadlines

What Worked for Me

An admission forum helped my husband and I to feel comfortable with our son's choices of activities. We learned that honest, dogged pursuit of what was interesting to him was way more meaningful than dabbling in activities esteemed by grown-ups.

A presentation by the guidance counselors on the last day of my son's junior year was helpful to get started during the summer before his senior year, when he was not overloaded with class assignments. This session also helped me understand how the counselors perceived their roles and the family responsibilities in planning and applying for college.

In regard to the essay, I learned that admissions staff are most interested in getting a glimpse of the student's personality, not reading perfectly written documents. Just as I was debating whether to ask my son to continue improving his essay, a friend told me that the university reps warned against parental meddling, often evidenced by abrupt changes in tone and style. As a result, I encouraged him to make edits that he thought were needed and stayed calm when one of his former English teachers told him that the essays weren't all that good.

Colleges and Universities

The college and university representatives who I encountered in face-to-face, online, and phone conversations were surprisingly honest and accurate about what makes a good match between the school and student plus what steps to take in getting your application to them. You can easily access their advice via websites, blogs, phone calls, and campus tours to get this type information:

Academic programs
Admission standards and selection processes
Application procedures and deadlines
Opportunities for study abroad
Eligibility for merit and need-based scholarships and financial aid

What Worked for Me

Because my son's interest in exploring universities beyond Chapel Hill was almost non-existent, we used these resources on a limited basis. However, I did enjoy learning about how UNC had changed since my graduation during a campus tour. And admissions officials there and at one of my son's safety schools were patient and kind when answering my questions about application processes.

What free resources did you use to plan for college? Tell us how you make the most of them in the comments.

Written by Julie Rains and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

5 Ways Blazing Internet Speeds Can Save You Money

Carlos Portocarrero — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:00:15 +0000

This technology article is sponsored by Comcast Business Class, the nation's leading communication services provider.

Benjamin Franklin said it best — time is money.

This is especially true today, when the speed of your internet connection can directly impact your bottom line. There are many ways employees, entrepreneurs, and business owners can benefit financially from blazing fast internet connections.

1. Knowledge

If you want to thrive in today’s world, you need to know everything you possibly can about your competition, your industry, and your reputation. That means keeping up with the latest research, news, and trends.

The average American consumes 34 gigabytes of data per day. That’s a lot of presentations, video feeds, emails, and documents. Wouldn’t you rather spend time digesting that information instead of waiting around for them to download?

Imagine if faster internet saved you 1 minute per hour. If you worked 8 hours days, you would save 40 minutes a week, which adds up to 2,080 minutes (34.6 hours) a year. That’s 4.3 work days saved per year for just one person.

Faster internet speeds also help you look ahead and grow.

For example, iTunes lets you take entire college-level courses in a bunch of different subjects. MIT’s business school also offers all of their course materials online free of charge. If you run a business, you can add more talent to your team and employees get to develop their skill sets without spending a fortune.

2. Telecommuting and Communication

High speed internet is needed to power high-quality video conferencing and VoIP — two key tools for improving employee collaboration, reducing travel costs, and making your company appear more professional to clients.

If you look at the gas prices lately, telecommuting should be a no-brainer. Having one employee work half of his time from home saves his company about $10,000 per year, and the employee up to $6,800 per year, according to the Telework Research Network.

A drawback of telecommuting is that you get cut off from coworkers. This is why quality high speed video conferencing is so important. Studies show that only 7% of communication involves actual words; 55% of communication is visual (body language, eye contact), and 38% is vocal (pitch, tone of voice).

There’s a world of difference between a pixelated version of you chopping in and out of a video conference versus an HD version that’s crystal clear. The right connection correctly projects your body language and tone of voice — fully bringing you into a meeting. On the other hand, a slow connection can create disastrous misunderstandings (Cartwright!) that will inevitably cost you money.

3. Efficiency and Happiness

Slow internet speed creates distractions that lower your efficiency. Think about it — you’re trying to complete a task, and then you run into a speed bump. Say the large PDF you’re downloading has stalled or the training video you’re watching stops streaming. So you switch over to your email or Facebook to see what’s going on there. You’ve just distracted yourself and become inefficient.

Doesn’t sound like a big deal right? Well, those seconds add up. The average worker switches tasks every three minutes, and, once distracted, that worker takes nearly a half-hour to get back to work, reports the New York Times. Interruptions and the time it takes to recover from them consume 28% of a worker’s day.

Aside from distracting you, slow internet speed can also frustrate you to the point of throwing things. Nobody likes to wait for downloads, especially when it’s crunch time and things need to get done. Frustrations at work are not only annoying, but they also affect an employer’s bottom line. Unhappy workers are less engaged with their work, and are generally 10% less productive.

On the other hand, happier workers are 12% more productive. Studies show that when websites loads faster, the users experience less frustration, lower blood pressure, higher engagement, and deeper flow states. All these positive effects can lead to higher productivity, lower absenteeism, and a general sense of well-being around the office.

4. The Cloud

Productivity and morale are important, but every business knows that without data, nothing gets done. Whether it’s your database or your research, you need to have fast, immediate access to all your data if you’re going to make educated decisions.

The last thing you want to worry about is losing all your precious data, and that’s why cloud technology has been such a boon. Storing your data in the cloud ensures it’s safe no matter what happens to your hardware.

Cloud storage also saves you money. When files are stored on remote servers, your local computer spends less energy storing and processing data. According to recent reports, cloud technology will save the global business community $12.3 billion on energy bills, and save the planet from 87 million metric tons of carbon emissions.

Of course, there’s a catch to backing up to the cloud — it’s not going to be convenient unless you have a fast internet connection. Storing everything in the cloud would be a huge mistake if you can’t get to your data quickly. Implementing cloud computing without upgrading your internet connection is like putting rocket fuel into a Model T.

5. The Future

If your goal is to grow and maintain your business indefinitely, you have to be prepared to adapt to new technologies and new ways of doing business. Who knew ten years ago that Facebook and Twitter would play such an important role in everyday life?

Nobody did — and that’s the point.

There are going to be new technologies that are going to kick ass…if you have the speed for it. YouTube would’ve been useless to most people back in the day of slow, screeching modems. But today’s speeds mean HD video is available to most of us.

I wish I could tell you I know which new technology is going to take the world by storm, but I don’t. I do know this — it’s going to be neat for most people and killer for businesses with fast Internet. Maybe it’s 3D videoconferencing that actually looks good or virtual reality or a better way of cooperating with people across the world.

Who knows...but if you want in, you’d better step on the gas.

Personally, having faster internet has made me smarter (I’m taking a programming course on iTunes) and more inspired (TED talks, anyone?). What has speed done for you?

Written by Carlos Portocarrero and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Your 31 Hidden Networks That Can Help You Land Jobs

Julie Rains — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:00:35 +0000

This series is brought to you by TurboTax Federal Free Edition.

As a job hunter, you know that networking is often essential to finding a new position. You may have already called your old boss or sent your résumé to the neighbor who is a human resources manager.

But you know more people than you realize. Tap your hidden network of contacts, which can help you on the path to landing a great position in many ways:

Alert you to job openings or potential opportunities
Explain areas of responsibility and duties associated with various functions and job titles, and how these fit within the organizational structure
Provide recommendations, either on paper or via LinkedIn
Enlighten you on attributes desired by the hiring manager and team members
Offer you a position or introduce you to someone who can
Advise on how to navigate the candidate screening and selection process.

Take a moment to consider who you know in these networks:

School Contacts

Your initial list of school contacts will most likely include high school and college buddies, sorority sisters or fraternity brothers, and members of your alumni association. That’s a great start but there are more who fall into these categories:

Classmates in leadership development schools and colleagues in training programs for professional and industry designations

Former teachers, counselors, advisors, and coaches

Past professors, particularly those who consult with corporations as well as those who serve on advisory boards for entrepreneurial ventures and non-profits

Community college instructors, including those who hold full-time positions at area businesses or freelance in their specialty areas

Parents of your child’s classmates, whom you may encounter at school events or serve with on volunteer committees

College or school-specific groups within the university system (for example, there are networking opportunities with the University Alumni Association and Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Alumni chapters that meet largely for social interaction

LinkedIn groups associated with your college or university

Athletic and band booster clubs

Community Groups

If you are involved in a faith community, you have probably called those you see on weekly basis. You may also network with people in your local civic or chamber groups.

However, there are many people in community-based groups that you meet with face-to-face on a regular basis but you haven’t considered as part of your network. By serving (or sweating) side by side, they may know much about your work ethic, value, and dedication to teamwork as well as your ability to lead meetings, recruit and organize volunteers, coordinate special events, etc. Think of people such as:

Volunteers with outreach ministries, either directly associated with your church or comprised of people from many churches in the wider community

Cycling, running, and triathlon club members

Members of your community pool and tennis club, fitness facility, or local “Y”

Fellow artists or performers associated with arts associations, theater groups, or dance troupes

Members of affinity groups such as book clubs

Parent volunteers associated with scouting groups and youth athletic teams

Service Providers

You might have gotten in touch with a corporate recruiter or your career-services provider as soon as you realized that you needed to find a new place of employment. Other service-oriented people may be able to help also, such as:

Fellow job hunters and organizers associated with community job-search support groups

Your accountant and attorney, who may know business owners and hiring decision-makers

Your insurance agent, who likely comes into contact with thousands of people each year

Your barber, dry cleaner, bike mechanic, etc. who also know a lot of people

Work Networks

Naturally you think of your old boss or the owner of the company where you worked. Others from your past work experiences include:

Customers, who can attest to your excellent service and industry knowledge

Vendors, who are familiar with how you conduct business

Colleagues, who may have matured and grown professionally since you last worked together

The children or the parents of coworkers (depending on your age, those who are a generation younger or older may be excellent contacts within your hidden network)

People you met through trade associations and professional groups

Online Contacts

Of course, you think of your direct LinkedIn connections and perhaps your extended network (mine contains more than 3 million people), but consider these also:

Facebook friends

Those in your Google+ Circles

Twitter followers

Online forum leaders and members with whom you interact on a regular basis

Friends, Relatives, and Neighbors

You have probably let your circle of friends, family members, and next-door neighbors know about your job search. But consider those whom you’ve known for a while but may not see quite as often:

Friends of friends, including those who may be more connected than you realize because their volunteer activities, front-line positions, or avocations puts them in contact with community or business leaders

Far-flung relatives or those outside of your immediate family, whom you see infrequently but predictably at family reunions and weddings

Current neighbors, including those in your neighborhood association, plus those from childhood and early adult years and the now-grown children of your neighbors.

Are there hidden networks that you have tapped to help you land a job? Share in the comments.

Written by Julie Rains and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

15 Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance

SavvySugar — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:24:22 +0000

Staying on top of your A-game and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can feel like an oxymoron. Most of us experience an uneven pull between our social lives and work commitments, which isn't surprising considering the current economy and fact that employees everywhere are working overtime to show they're an indispensable part of the team. Nevertheless, it's important to establish a healthy harmony between your job and personal life. This doesn't just mean working overtime to please your boss and boyfriend; it means creating a balance of time spent working, playing, and pleasing yourself.

Foster Healthy Weekday Habits

If we're not careful the weekdays can become one big work blur. Instigate healthy habits by taking a trip to the grocery store (save on groceries with these tricks) on Sunday and planning the meals you will make at home during the week, or challenge yourself to visit the gym four nights in one week. The time away from the computer and work worries will clear your mind, allow you to focus, and likely inspire you to be more productive when you are at the computer.

Learn the Value of Saying No

Most SavvySugar readers admit they have a hard time saying no to work and social invitations, which means many of you are getting roped into projects, parties, and events you'd rather say "no way, Jose!" to. Next time you are invited to something, weigh the benefit and cost before saying yes. If you think the event or project will have a positive impact on your productivity, career, and networking without disrupting your non-work schedule, go for it. If you think your personal life will suffer because of it, say no.

Remember, don't be too "nice" or you may not be able to get ahead at work.

Set Calendar Reminders

Set goals, appointments, lunch dates, or even eye breaks or gym appointments in your work calendar. The little office notification will pop up and force you to stop what you are doing and focus on your goal.

Put Family First When You're Home

Your family and loved ones will come to resent you if you keep your eyes on your laptop or phone every night. Make quality-time dates with your family or significant other after dinner to distract you from your workload. The work will always be there in the morning, or after Glee. Savor your at-home time while you can.

Get Your Zzzs

When you're running up against the clock and finishing a high priority project, it's easy to lose track of time and pull an all-nighter. But chances are you won't produce your best work at 4 a.m. after 20 hours in front of the computer. Don't compromise your sleeping schedule or ignore the power of your beauty rest. The pile will still be there in the morning, and chances are your co-workers won't respond to their email before 9 a.m. anyway.

Having trouble waking up? Use these tips to wake up and get out of bed fast.

Know When to Unplug

While most of us can't finish all our tasks while we are in the office, it's crucial to set boundaries. If you carry your laptop home with you at night and often work on it while watching TV or hanging out at home for more than an hour, stay at work for an extra 45 minutes instead to finish critical tasks and leave your computer at the office. If you carry your BlackBerry with you everywhere and check work email every five minutes, make a rule to only check it once or twice an hour. You'll be more productive and still be able to relax and focus on your non-work life.

Sign Up For a Class

If challenging yourself to cook or visit the gym isn't doing the trick, sign up for a class you can't miss. If you pre-pay for a yoga or French pastry class you will be more likely to show up and detach from work for those few hours.

Take Personal Breaks During the Day

Unless your employer asks you to clock in and out for breaks, you should assume responsibility for your time. Make sure you've scoped out your manager's take on personal breaks and then make a schedule to give yourself 15 or 20 minutes of break time during the day. Take a walk around the block and call your mom or BFF. Make a list of errands you need to accomplish during the week and then sit outside Starbucks for 15 minutes while you make your phone calls. Your fellow employees will appreciate you not making personal calls in the office and you will feel as though you've taken a work break and taken care of your personal items.

Leave Work at a Decent Time

Employers pay attention to the time you commit on the job, but that doesn't mean you need to stay until dark every night of the week. Stay late when you need to finish a project, but don't be afraid to make plans during the week that will force you to leave the office at a decent time. Getting outside at a healthy time will boost your mood and make you happier about resuming your work in the morning.

Schedule "Work Hours" at Home

If you must work at home, set some time limits. Make dinner with your family, wind down with a little TV or a chapter of a book, and then work for an hour or two and return to "me time." Better yet, work for an hour before dinner and then spend the rest of the night worry-free.

Keep Work (and Your Laptop) Out of the Bedroom

If you do work at home, make sure to establish "no-work zones" in the house. In my mind, work, laptops, and smartphones shouldn't be allowed in the bathroom or bedroom. Set up a definitive work area at the dining room table, your home office, or the coffee table.

Figure Out How to Be Happy at Work

Being happy with your work life is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Make a friend at the office and invite her to lunch once a week, or grab your work BFF and the new gals from the department upstairs and indulge in an ice cream or happy hour. The better your relationships with colleagues the more likely you'll be to turn to them for project support or advice if you need it.

Challenge Your Partner or a Friend

If you have trouble detaching from work and unwinding from a stressful day at the office, challenge your partner or friend to get out of the house too! Plan weekly runs or walks through the neighborhood, a new dish you can make together, or simply commit to sitting and talking for two hours about anything but work. You'll quickly find you have a million things to talk about other than the annoying girl down the hall who keeps undermining you in meetings.

Drowning? Speak Up!

If the projects keep piling up and you're physically incapable of finishing all your assigned tasks during work hours (and all the overtime you put in!), sit down with your manager and explain the situation. Let her know how many hours you have been working overtime and discuss other team members who may be able to assist you or the possibility of hiring an intern. Chances are your manager is fully aware of how hard you have been working (or should be!) and can help you devise a better time management plan.

Reward Yourself

After challenging yourself to focus on your work-life balance, don't forget to reward yourself for making an effort to change. Send yourself flowers or treat yourself to a manicure. You'll feel proud every time you look over at the flowers or your fancy nails and be motivated to keep your new healthy habits.

Want to be happier at work AND at home? Follow these suggestions to keep yourself balanced, healthy, and joyful.

Guest Post Blurb:

This is a guest contribution from our friends at SavvySugar. Check out more useful articles from this partner:

Written by SavvySugar and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

The Senior Resume for High School Students

Julie Rains — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:48:18 +0000

As a career-services provider, I have developed resumés for high school seniors to accompany their college applications. Much of this work involved organizing innumerable details of a laundry list of activities, highlighting academic and extra-curricular achievements, and demonstrating leadership skills.

Now, as the mom of a high school senior, I have a different take on the high-school resumé. While learning about the college-application process, I discovered that this document was not supposed to remake my nearly adult child into the most stellar applicant ever (though, certainly, there are students who reasonably have such a goal) but to show who he is. More precisely, its purpose is to shed light on how he spent his time, what novel and difficult situations he encountered, and what he valued (evidenced by how he allocated his hours in high school), whether in sync with his parent's desires or not.

So, I'll share with you the specifics of what I learned, hoping to relieve some stress and improve your productivity during your senior year. (See also: Great Ways to Improve Your Resume Today)

Why a High-School Senior Needs a Resumé

The best reason to put together this type of resumé is to capture what’s relevant about your high school career in order to help you develop your applications to colleges, universities, or technical schools. Specifically, you will use this information for the following reasons:

Provide insight to teachers, counselors, supervisors, etc. for letters of recommendation
Discuss your background with guidance counselors and college advisors
Identify topics on which to elaborate in personal statements and essays
Recall information to complete various sections of college applications and scholarship applications

And, unlike most types of resumés, the main purpose of this document isn’t to win a job interview or land a job. However, those who may be pursuing work-study arrangements, a part-time job, or an internship can make adjustments to emphasize work experience, entrepreneurial ventures, and freelance activities.

What to Put on the Resumé

The guidance counselors at your school probably have a form for you to complete or an example to follow. Use that as a guide to make sure you include pertinent information. Depending on your school’s requirements, complete the forms as requested, but feel free to create your own version of your high-school history (or take a look at this example resume I made). Typically, the major categories are:

Name and Contact Information
College and Career Choices (optional)
Academic Record with info on Class Rank, GPA, SAT scores, AP classes, etc.
School Activities
Community Activities
Work Experiences
Honors and Awards
Other Items of Interest (such as personal interests that are not covered in the above categories or a short personal statement indicating obstacles you have overcome, like a learning disability, personal or family setback, or unexpected change in circumstances)

When you are putting everything together, most of the information will emerge naturally. You’ll remember which years you played soccer or volunteered at the humane society, the fall seasons that you ran cross country or played in the marching band, and the dates that you were in the school play or were inducted into the honor society.

But other information may be tougher to bring forth, so take your time to recall as much as possible, whether you immediately consider an activity relevant or not. Ask your parents, friends, and grown-up advisors (like teachers, coaches, youth group leaders, etc.) about things you may be missing.

How to Categorize, Explain, and List the Activities

Some items, like your name and AP courses taken, will be easy to categorize and need no further elaboration. A few are straightforward, like your participation on the soccer or swim team. But many are more complicated, as certain activities could fall under more than one category plus need elaboration for readers to understand.

Place activities in the category that makes the most sense to you. For example, my son tutored elementary school kids during the off-season and worked on a Habitat for Humanity project as a part of an outreach program organized by the head football coach. Likewise, he completed service hours as part of membership requirements for the academic honor society. Rather than placing these items under “football” or “honors,” he classified these activities as community service.

Explain and elaborate on certain activities. Most people have heard of Habitat for Humanity, so listing the item is sufficient. But the two weeks that my son spent repairing homes and getting to know impoverished homeowners in rural areas with a lesser-known group can use some explanation. And special designations or leadership roles, even minor ones, need elaboration; that is, tell us if you were a photographer for the yearbook or the sports editor for the school newspaper.

Figure out and give time frames for each activity. Specify frequency and over what period of time. Be consistent with each activity, using the same types of references for all items (for example, list junior year or Grade 11, summer after junior year or Summer 20XX rather than a mixture of these formats). Many applications will request hours devoted to each activity, which can be useful but is not necessary for this type of resumé.

Add or adjust categories that best reflect your activities and accomplishments, even if this means deviating from a standard format. For example, consider a heading for awards to list accolades associated with music, science, and scouting apart from academic honors; a separate section for these makes sense even if most people you know don’t have such a heading. Create an experience category if you have held a traditional job, run a side business, or earned money by providing manual labor for neighbors. If you'd like, add a personal statement so that you can have that information handy when you fill out applications.

Senior year should be fun. This mom's advice is to go ahead and put together the resumé as early as you can so that you can move quickly but thoroughly through college applications.

What have you learned about writing a high-school resume? What worked best for you?

Written by Julie Rains and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Great Ways to Invest in Yourself

Carlos Portocarrero — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:16 +0000

Most people are scared of investing because it involves risk. No matter how sure you are about a stock, mutual fund, or business opportunity, there’s always the chance that you could lose all your money.

And that’s scary.

So what if I told you there’s a way to invest with absolutely no risk? I can’t promise an exact return on the investment, but I guarantee it will always be positive.

It’s called investing in yourself.

I know it sounds cheesy, but when was the last time you learned something new made you a better employee or job candidate? Instead of trying to get rich by putting huge piles of your hard-earned money into a stock you think is going to go up, why not invest time and money into improving your skills and boosting your earning power? (See also: Best Investment: Yourself)

More skills can lead to a higher pay, more job opportunities, and added job security. Bonus — more skills also make you more interesting.

That sounds great, but how do you invest in yourself without going back to school and paying thousands of dollars for a degree?

Here are some ways you can invest in yourself to boost your skills.

Read a Book

Books are my favorite way of learning new things. Everything I learned about investing and personal finance I learned from reading books. I read everything I could get my hands on and became knowledgeable enough that I started my own site, The Writer’s Coin. I recommend I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi to start.

Start a Blog/Site

When I started my site I did it because I felt I had something to say about personal finance. I had no idea it was going to teach me about networking, social media, SEO, entrepreneurship, CSS, and PHP, or that it would start to make real money for me. Bonus — blogging regularly will make you a better writer, and that’s an essential skill in the world today. Go to Wordpress.com and start your own blog today — it’s free!

Subscribe to a New Site

Learn what an RSS fee is. Then start adding new sites to your reader, and you’ll stay up to date on whatever topic you’re curious about. This is how I injected myself into the personal finance blogosphere.

Take a Course

There's a course for anything you can imagine out there. Whether it’s a local class to learn how to cook or an online course about computer programming, if you can think it, I guarantee someone out there is teaching it. You’ll meet new people, learn new skills, and broaden your horizons. Thanks to the Internet you can learn pretty much anything you can think of. iTunes U has tons of cool courses for free!

Teach Something

The best way to become an expert on something is to have deep knowledge of it and then try to teach it to others. It works your brain in a totally different (and good) way. Plus you’ll meet some interesting people. Pick a sport/instrument/topic you know a lot about and teach your niece/nephew/child a basic concept about it — you gotta start somewhere!

Learn a Language

This is easier said than done, but if your job requires a lot of travel or will be investing in another country soon, then another language might be essential. Tip — Duolingo is gonna be awesome.

Freelance

Freelancing is a great way to get a taste of another job without leaving your current one. It’ll also teach you about handling clients, running a business, and marketing. Check out Craigslist or ask your friends if they need help with something.

Be Smart About the Skills You Learn

Don't expect your boss to give you a raise simply because you can say "hello" in French. Be smart about which skills you tackle and how they fit into your career plan. If your company just signed a major client from France, then go ahead. If you're doing it because you like Paris, it probably won't have an effect on your value to the company.

Written by Carlos Portocarrero and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

How to Find Unlisted Jobs and Win Every Salary Negotiation

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:36:18 +0000

Ramit Sethi, the New York Times bestselling author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich, recently did an amazing Q&A session on how to land your dream job.

He has given Wise Bread permission to highlight his best answers to these popular job hunting questions:

How do I find and land unadvertised jobs?
How can I grow my network when I don't know anyone with connections?
How do I explain a resume gap where I was a stay-at-home parent for 8 years?
How do I negotiate my salary when they said it isn't negotiable?
How can I get a job at a company with a strict GPA cut off?
How can I find out during the interview if a company is a great place to work?
How do I land my dream job in a declining industry?
What is the best way to ask for a raise?

1. How do I find and land unadvertised jobs?

This is a great question because the best jobs are not advertised. They are often gone before they even reach the market.

Constantly have your network find jobs for you

The most important thing is to find powerful mentors with great connections to find the dream jobs for you. Reach out to your network systematically. Let the people in your network know that you're looking for a job, and most importantly, exactly what kind of job you're looking for.

Your key network contacts are very busy people. Make sure you do your homework before contacting them. Know exactly what you want and communicate it succinctly.

What if I don't have a network?

Some people might say they don't have a powerful network because they didn't go to a fancy school or came from a rich family. That is a poor excuse. Your network is a lot bigger than you think. They include:

friends and peers
older people
alumni from your college
people who used to work at the company you want to apply to

The last group is great because they are more likely to tell you the truth about the companies you want to work for.

2. How can I grow my network when I don't know anyone with connections?

Create friendships with people by helping them out and adding value to their lives. This way people will know that you are able to perform and deliver as an employee. How do you do this? Make sure people know you are dependable and reliable.

How do I get started?

Start with coffee shop meetings with people to ask for their advice. Follow up with them to let them know you utilized their advice then be sure to contact them from time to time to find out if there is anyway you can help them. Listen to people to find out what the challenges are in their lives, then try to help. Networking requires that you give in hopes that one day it may come back to you. At it's core, it is about helping someone else before you ask for anything in return.

Also, start reaching out to understand the lay of the land. Find people who work or worked at companies you are interested in and take them to coffee. Ask them for their advice, not a job. Doing this will help you find who you can help and who may be able to someday help you.

Isn't using your connections "cheating?"

It is important to cultivate relationships with the people you know because top performers know that the people around them help them. If you've got an advantage, don't think twice about using it.

3. How do I approach the job search after being a stay-at-home mom for the last eight years?

One of the most important things about finding the job of your dreams is to differentiate between what to pay attention to and what not to pay attention to. You have to be able to focus on what is important to you right now. Right now what's important to you (and the hiring manager) is the fact that you are trying to get a job.

How do you show the hiring manager you are worth hiring and get the job?

Do your research! Have a solid understanding of the potential job titles you are interested in as well as companies you are interested in. Then narrow it down to one job title at one company and do elaborate research. Take people to coffee and ask questions. Do research online. Know the challenges of the position and everything else about the it so when you sit down in front of a hiring manager you can talk about the position better than the hiring manager can. Demonstrating why your experience is incredible has more weight and relevancy than the fact that you were a stay-at-home mom. Focus on your research and the person you are trying to get a job from.

4. How do I negotiate my salary when they tell me the salary isn't flexible?

This is a classic scare tactic companies use because people are naive and terrified of negotiating.

Why does a company tell you this?

If a company tells you this, chances are you did something wrong during the interview process. Average candidates put the company in control of their salary during the interview process by making it clear they have no other options, other offers, or maybe even telling the interviewer how much he or she was compensated before. It's game over before the negotiation process even starts.

Top performers set the stage in advance for salary negotiation because they say things like "at my last job I was very well compensated and I am certainly looking for compensation that is a good fit for me but I'm also looking for a better fit in terms of my values and what I want to do with my career." Subtle comments like this make an impression on the interviewer so that the interviewer knows when it's time to negotiate salary, it's game on.

How do you make your salary negotiable?

Have multiple offers. Do your job search with multiple companies and time the offers so that you can get a bidding war going.
Make it clear throughout your engagement with the company that you want to be evaluated on the value you bring to the company.

If you have already been told your salary is non-negotiable, how do you negotiate?

You have to make a case for why you should be given a higher salary. How do you do that?

Get comparable salaries from payscale.com, salary.com, and glassdoor.com.
Show them why you are worth the money and why you deserve to be at the top range of the pay spectrum by talking about what you are planning to do with the company.

If this doesn't work because you were an average candidate and put yourself in a non-negotiation bind, make an agreement with the interviewer that if in six months you have done an extraordinary job for the company, they will revisit negotiating your salary. Make sure they put that in your contract. In your first 30 days at your job, ask the company what would constitute you doing an extraordinary job. Have them write it down and be ultra specific about things. Ask them for numbers, hit those numbers, then blow past them. This will show you are a top performer and salvage your salary negotiation.

5. How can I get a job at a company with a strict GPA cut-off when I have a low GPA?

Unfortunately, you can't. It is better to focus your time and energy on jobs that are more appropriate for you than to go for the one in a million chance you might get a job despite your low GPA. If you excel at the jobs you do qualify for, you may be able to go back one day and apply for opportunities that are currently out of your reach.

6. How can I find out during the interview process of the company is a great place to work?

This is a great question because young people should focus on making better decisions about their career as opposed to how much money they are going to make. During the interview process it is important to find out if the company is a great place to work by doing your research. How do you do your research?

Use websites such as glassdoor.com, salary.com, and payscale.com to read reviews from current and former employees.
Use Google to search for reviews and interviews about what people are saying about the company.
After doing basic online research, reach out to people who work or have worked at the company, take them to coffee, and get their advice. People love talking to young people because young people are viewed as more innocent and they like to stay abreast of what young people are doing.

7. How do I land my dream job when it's in a declining industry?

This is a great question because many young people dream of working in a glamorous job such as media, journalism, or entertainment. Because these jobs are in such high demand and there are many people looking to fill these jobs, employees don't get paid a lot and many of the jobs are getting outsourced.

The bad news: You will be competing against hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people for these jobs.

The good news: Many of these people are average (or even terrible) at what they do especially when it comes to their job search.

So how do you make it to the big leagues?

A lot of it boils down to luck. But you also need to get out there and talk to the people you admire. Find people who have your dream job, reach out to them or get a warm introduction to them, and ask them how they got to where they are. Give them a little background on yourself in regards to who you are and what your career aspirations are, then offer to meet them at their convenience to talk. Offer to take them to coffee or dinner at a restaurant of their choosing. Ask them for five minutes of their time so they can tell you what decisions they made to get where they are now.

The overall strategy: Don't be an average candidate.

Talk to the top people. If you can't get to someone in the top tier of your industry, go for the second or third tier and work your way up. Ask then what differentiates them from the rest of the people in their field, then try to do what they do.

8. What is the best way to ask for a raise?

Here are the five steps to follow to ask for a raise:

Find out what your boss wants. Make your boss look great. Does your boss want his boss to see the results of what's going on on your team? Or does he want to go home at 5pm to play golf?
Let your boss know you want a raise. Ask what it would take to get a raise and what ultimate success would look like to him or her.
Let your boss know you are working towards that. It is vital to tell your boss what you want and that you are gunning for it in a positive way.
Execute what it would take for you to get a raise and exceed what your boss wants.
Ask your boss to discuss your raise based on the fact that you have done what he or she has asked and more.

Keep in mind that there is one characteristic that will help you get a raise: having other options. If you have other job options available to you and you aren't getting your raise the second or third time you ask and you deserve it, follow the lead of other top performers and seek out your other options.

This is just small sample of Ramit's tips on how to land a dream job. He provides a lot more actionable advice in his free newsletter. For example, did you know that 93% of your job interview's success depends on nonverbal cues? Click here to get additional free job hunting advice from Ramit.

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Job Search Tips That Will Get You a Job in 2012

SavvySugar — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:36:15 +0000

Unemployment has dipped to 8.6%, but there are still quite a number of people who are searching for jobs. Even among my circle of friends, I see that some of them are still facing layoffs or are struggling to find jobs. There really is a trick to job hunting, and interviewing is a skill you can pick up. Make sure you're not doing the wrong things by reading a roundup of the best job search tips we've featured in the past, and use those to get your dream job in 2012!

Use Google Doc Templates

If you're job hunting, the Google Doc Templates gallery will be your BFF. You can download relevant templates and customize them to use for your application or your prep process. Here are a couple templates you might find helpful:

Modern Résumé: A very modern and clean looking résumé that has a simple design. It doesn't look too cluttered up and has just the right professional touch.
To-Do List: When you're job hunting, you're going to have a never-ending to-do list for things like reaching out to contacts, going to events, sending résumés to a certain company. Keep your job search tasks organized in this Google template.
Job Interview One-Sheeter: This is a great, great interview tool that will help you prepare. It's nice to have all your points located on a single sheet of paper so you can make sure you're covering all your bases. It's also handy because you can print it out and quickly look over for a refresher before an interview.
Networking Tracker: To keep track of the many people you'll come in contact with while networking for a job, use this sheet to stay on top of things. Note: Although the preview doesn't seem to be working, the template still downloads and works fine.

Send a Thank You Letter

It's very important to follow up after a job interview, because even if you think the interview went badly, keeping in touch may improve the interviewer's perception of you. It reflects persistence, and it's also polite to thank the hiring manager after the interview. Remember to also send the note within two days of the interview; although, if you've passed the two-day mark, a late response is better than no response.

There is such a thing as being too pushy, so keep it light, cheery, and professional. Here is a sample of the kind of email you should send:

Dear Interviewer,

It was great meeting you today, and I appreciate you taking the time to interview me. I'm excited to be considered for the (name the position) as well as all of the opportunities the company presents. I had a good time discussing my passion of (insert what you're passionate about) and really enjoyed learning more about (insert what new tidbit you learned about the company).

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to following up with you.

Best,

Interviewee

Ask the Right Questions

A job interview is incomplete without a question and answer session that has you doing the asking. You should be prepared with relevant questions about the company, the job at hand, and your potential future with the organization. Keep your interview on the right track and your foot out of your mouth by asking questions the right way.

Don't Seem Entitled

Don't Ask: How long before I get a promotion?
Do Ask: What are the opportunities for advancement, and do you typically promote from within?

Don't Make Your Interviewer Uncomfortable

Don't Ask: Is there anything about me that would prevent me from getting this job?
Do Ask: What qualifications are you looking for in the person who fills this job?

Don't Be a Gossip

Don't Ask: I heard the CEO was involved in scandalous activity; is that true?
Do Ask: While researching your firm I learned that the company recently [fill in the blank]. Can you tell me a little bit more about this development?

Don't Get Bogged Down in Details

Don't Ask: Can you break down my day in terms of hours spent doing A, B, C, D, etc.?
Do Ask: Can you tell me what my average day would be like?

Don't Seem Greedy

Don't Ask: What kinds of perks do you get around here?
Do Ask: What do you enjoy most about working here?

Don't Focus on the Negative

Don't Ask: What's the worst part about this job?
Do Ask: Given my background and experience, what do you think will be the greatest challenge for me in the beginning?

Don't Ask Frivolous Questions

Don't Ask: How many other applicants are you interviewing?
Do Ask: How soon do you expect to make a decision?

Bring the Right Items

Job hunting is a process more people are having to go through as companies undergo big layoffs in the face of a challenged economy. It's competitive out there and the little details matter more with crowded applicant pools. Make your case stronger by showing up prepared — check for these five items before you head out the door.

Interviewer / Company Phone Number

Even if you've allowed plenty of time for traffic the unexpected can always happen, like an accident that prevents you from getting to your interview on time. Have the phone number handy so you can call and discuss timing, and possibly reschedule your interview over the phone for another time.

Reference Sheet

Bring a sheet separate from your résumé that lists your professional references. It's usually a good sign when the interviewer asks for references, so eliminate any hesitation by providing your reference list on the spot.

Résumé

Print several out on nice paper and carry them with you in the same portfolio where you keep the reference sheet. Interviewers are usually prepared with their own printed version, but what if the printer ran out of ink just before you arrived? Eliminate hassle by supplying a copy of your own.

Notebook With Prepared Questions

It is inevitable the interviewer will ask if you have any questions for her. As long as you've remembered to bring the notebook where you outlined prepared questions, this part of the interview will be a breeze.

A Pen That Works

You'll need something to write down notes during your interview, for your own information and if there's anything that triggers questions you may want to save for the end. Just be sure to scribble before you leave the house so you're not stuck with a useless pen.

Have the Six Degrees Mentality

When you're slogging through those job applications and waiting anxiously by your phone, you must be thinking, there's got to be an easier way to do this. There is — having the six degrees separation mentality will help make the job hunting process a lot smoother. It's the theory that everyone in the world is connected to each other within six steps, so this means that if there's someone you're trying to meet, you're connected to him somehow, perhaps through a friend of a friend.

The six degrees separation mindset helps when you're job hunting, because you'll know that somewhere, somehow, someone will be able to make introductions for you and help you get your dream job. All you need to do is to tap into your friend network and try to find someone who works in the industry or company where you'd love to be. A great way to figure out your connections is LinkedIn, because the social network maps out all your professional relationships for you. But the way that seems to help the most (at least when I was job hunting), is to ask everyone around if they know of anyone at the company or industry you are interested. Just start asking today, you'll be surprised at how small the world really is.

Fill in Résumé Gaps

You're looking for a job, but it's taking a while, and the gap in your résumé seems to be growing bigger as time passes. Your situation is pretty understandable, as this is a tough economy, so don't feel insecure about it. What you can do to make yourself stand out as an excellent job candidate is to prove that you've been making good use of your time. Here are some things you can do to fill the résumé gaps:

Volunteer

Don't shy away from stating your volunteer activities on your résumé, whether it be for a nonprofit for a cause you love or doing some pro bono work in your field. Both kinds of volunteer work make for great learning experiences.

Professional Organizations

Being part of an organization related to your field will help your résumé gap as well as aid you in your networking. Try to lobby for a position at a professional organization, and participate in activities that will give you a lot of face time with people.

Temping

We've given some tips on listing your temp jobs on your résumé. But do consider temping while you're looking for a job; it's a great way to earn cash, and maybe even a chance for you to get a foot in the company you're keen on working for.

Blogging

Blogging is a great way to release your frustrations and can be an interesting detail to put on your résumé. To make it more relevant, it would be great if you can blog about something in your field. You can also polish your web design skills so your employer knows that you have a lot of talent up your sleeve!

Classes

Taking some courses at a local college is a good way to learn new skills or polish up old ones, which will make you a more valuable job candidate. It will also show that you're really serious about continuously improving yourself.

Freelance

Start freelancing or even start your own company while you're out there looking for jobs. A lot of people start their own small business as a way to make extra cash, and even if it isn't related to your field, it shows a lot of initiative and creativity.

Organize Your Job Search in a Simple Way

Shooting out so many job applications that you're not spending time catering your résumé and cover letter to each position is simply counterproductive. However, an efficient job search includes dedicating several hours each day to the employment cause, and ideally this means applying for a handful of jobs each day. Keep track of your daily job search by creating log. Maintain a spreadsheet with the following details and update it at the end of each day.

Applications sent — name of positions and companies.
Where you found the job.
Follow-up status.
A section listing the job sites you visited that day.

Organizing your job search will ensure that none of your efforts slip through the cracks, and looking at your full spreadsheet will make you feel accomplished.

Show You Care About the Company

When you're in an interview, try your best to show that you care about the company and how you want to help it grow. Asking questions about promotions or continuously focusing on what you can get out of this job position may be off-putting to your interviewer. Questions about career progression should be asked after you get the job, and after you've been at the job for a good while. The best time to address the topic of promotion is usually during a performance review.

Remember, your interviewer has probably talked to a ton of job candidates, which means she pretty much knows what you're thinking when you ask questions with promotions in mind. She will know why you're asking her how long she's been at her position and how long it took for her to move up. Don't get me wrong, it's OK to bring it up briefly and with finesse, but you need to be really careful about how you phrase it. Be sure not to belabor the point and put less emphasis on what's in it for you, and more on what you can do for the company.

Become a Networking Whiz

There really is an art to networking, and don't worry if your efforts haven't been paying off — workin' your contacts is a skill that can be learned. In this poor job market, people might be a little jaded about strangers reaching out to them for a job, so make sure you're being smart about your approach. Here are some things to start doing in order to become a networking whiz:

Build Up a Relationship Before You Ask for Help

Don't get to know a person because you want to ask them for a job, work on building a relationship with the future possibilities in mind. And even if you don't get a job, perhaps your contact will be able to give you valuable career advice or maybe even make the right introductions. This is also known as having "a knack for spotting future opportunities," Jonathan Kriendler, the founder of an online career management tools site, says. "...companies are like living organisms. Things change constantly. People retire or quit and new projects get launched, so new opportunities are always on the horizon...by putting yourself ahead of the curve, you find out about them in advance rather than after the fact."

Remember Details

Take note of conversations you've had with this person so you'll be able to reference back to them later.

Listen and Learn

Listen "twice as much as you talk." If you're doing more listening than talking, you'll be able to recognize trends and take advantage of them as they're happening or even before they take off.

Share Your Knowledge

Go online and share your expertise with people. Build your name and reputation so others maybe start reaching out to you because of your visibility on the web. Answer questions on LinkedIn groups or check out Quora, which is sort of like a more professional version of Yahoo! answers.

Clean Your Social Media History

If you need a reason to watch what you tweet and Facebook, know that potential employers have their eye on everything you've ever published on social media platforms. Initially, we assumed people only had to be wary of their recent history, but this firms actually have the ability to get a record of your whole social media history, which includes things you've posted on Craigslist, image-sharing sites, and YouTube.

It's getting easier for firms to look up your history thanks to startups, which do the searching for them. There's one called Social Intelligence that neatly compiles a report of all your Internet activity in the last seven years and searches for things like "online evidence of racist remarks; references to drugs; sexually explicit photos, text messages or videos; flagrant displays of weapons or bombs and clearly identifiable violent activity."

Here's how to make sure your records will be squeaky clean.

Google Yourself

Thoroughly Google yourself to see what online footprints you've left on the web. Use combinations of your name and add keywords such as the companies you've worked for or the schools you attended.

Make a List of Emails and Accounts

You may have forgotten about old emails you had way back when. Make a list of the emails and try to access them to see if there are any websites or accounts for you to check up on. Then make a list of accounts, community boards, websites you've visited and participated in. For example, is there an old Xanga or Friendster account that you've forgotten about? Have you been a little loose-lipped on your Reddit account? Check them out to make sure that there aren't any red flags, or even delete them if you don't feel comfortable with the accounts.

Play Around With Privacy Settings

Consider making your Twitter private and play around with privacy settings on Facebook so that users who are not your friends can only see very basic information, such as your name and your gender. Or, you can even make yourself unsearchable if you click on certain options. Remember to be cautious with new social media sites such as Google+ and make sure you're fully aware of their privacy settings before sharing too much on the platform.

Don't Put Up Anything Racy or Offensive

The best way to keep your record clean is to be clean on the Internet. Keep personal thoughts, pictures, and videos to yourself and don't write anything too controversial if you don't want it coming back to haunt you.

Make the Right Moves to Work in Your Dream City

You might dream of packing your bags and running off to make it big in New York City, but the fact of the matter is, it's extremely hard to get a call back from an employer if you don't live the same city. To raise your chances of succeeding, here are some things you should do:

Move There

The best way to find a job in the city you'd love to work in is to be on the ground, networking, and interviewing in the city itself. That will save you plenty of awkward questions about where you're actually living. However, this option is not ideal for everyone since it's going to be hard to cover the cost of moving and living expenses when you're not making any income. Although this is probably your best bet for getting a job in the city you want, it's also the most costly.

Find a Company Contact

Since your location is working against you, you need an extra edge to get an "in" at the company. Network through your existing contacts or through networking sites like LinkedIn and do your best to find an employee or a friend who knows someone at the company. It'll definitely increase your chances of scoring an interview despite your zip code.

Borrow an Address

Approach a friend and ask her if you can borrow her address for your résumé. I've heard from several friends that they only started hearing back from employers when they used a local address. Try not to make it a focal point during an interview, and remember if it comes up, be honest about where you live, and voice your plans to relocate.

Get a Google Voice Number

Enlist the Help of a Local Recruiter

Contact a local recruiter who specializes in your industry and use their services to help find you a job in that city.

Negotiate Your Starting Salary

If you're job-hunting, don't start sweating when an interviewer asks how much you would like to get paid. Be aware that salary talk might come up during your interview, so make sure you're prepared. Just keep these five tips from Jim Hopkinson, author of Salary Tutor: Learn the Salary Negotiation Secrets No One Ever Taught You, in mind, and you're good to go!

"Defer all specific salary talk until you know that they want you for the job. That means evading salary questions on job applications (write “negotiable”) and during initial screening interviews (stress the need to learn more about the position first)."
"As a job seeker, you should never be the person who brings up salary first."
"Once the salary question does come up, use the 'Right Back at Ya' method to put the ball back in their court."
"Use effective pauses in the conversation, as people tend to speak to fill the silence and may divulge important information in the process."
"There is more to a job than just salary. Remember that other benefits may also be negotiable — a better title, more vacation, flextime, bonuses, education reimbursement, and paid travel to conferences."

Remember, salary negotiation at the start of your new job is very important, because it will affect your future earnings. One of the main reasons why women earn less than men is because they don't negotiate at the start of their new job. Keep these tips in mind when you're interviewing!

Improve Your Résumé

Your résumé might be a single piece of paper, but that document is an extension of you. It's one of the first ways employers evaluate your potential to fill an open position, so even if you're confident in your interview abilities, you won't get an invitation to show them off unless your résumé is compelling. Here are some ways to improve it.

Make It Current

Before you make any other changes to your existing résumé, add any accomplishments you've scored recently. You'd be selling yourself short to leave out anything important, so stay on top of the game by updating your résumé on a regular basis.

Delete What's Irrelevant

Somewhere down the road, someone told us that we should include fluffy language in our résumés. Things like, "good communication skills and multitasker," are just taking up space and won't mean anything to the person reading it. These qualities should speak for themselves through the professional experience you spelled out in your cover letter and résumé.

Organize

It's been said that hiring managers spend less than a minute to make a judgment about your résumé. Get them to absorb as much information about you in a short time by using an easy-to-read format. You don't need fancy design skills; you just need to know how to use bullet points for separating thoughts and clear headers to announce distinct sections.

Self-Edit

If any of your bullet points require multiple breaths to read aloud or contain sentences within, you have a pretty good indication that you're being too wordy. Ask yourself what the main point is for each of your bullets and write down your immediate answer. Some things might need to be condensed, while others might just require another bullet point.

Be Verb-Smart

Think nothing is worse than a spelling error? I'd argue that using incorrect tenses is just as bad and tells your interviewer the same thing — that you're sloppy. Triple check that each of your points begins with a verb in its proper tense (i.e., use current tense for your current job or activities and past tense for your previous positions).

Showcase Your Experience

There comes a time in a young professional's life when she has enough experience to make it the first thing a recruiter sees on her résumé. Education is still important, but it's not as important as your professional experience after you've spent some time in the real working world. After you've landed your first job after college, it's time to push the education section below experience (this is true in most professions but can vary for specific careers).

Discover more résumé improvements here.

Find Out Why You Didn't Get the Job

So you got rejected from a job, but you got an email from your interviewer telling you that you were great, they loved your résumé and interview answers, and think you're a perfect match for their company, but it's just that they can't find the right position for you. However, they'll keep you in mind for the future. Maybe they even called you to tell you that. They seemed so sincere and actually made the effort to tell you, so they must be telling the truth right? Well, there's a chance that it might be the case, but sometimes they are just trying to soften the blow. After all, the firm can't tell you the real reason for not hiring you because the company may get into legal trouble. The risk for them to tell you why you lost out to another candidate is great — you might see it as discrimination.

The best way to find out why you didn't get the job is to do some mock interviewing with your friends or professional contacts. If you're getting all positive feedback and aren't learning anything new, perhaps you need to pick different people to practice with. Try prepping with your best friends, because good pals don't shy away from telling you the truth if it'll help you.

Make this year the year when you get a new job — or even your dream job — with this comprehensive collection of suggestions, resources, and more.

Guest Post Blurb:

This is a guest contribution from our friends at SavvySugar. Check out more useful articles from this partner:

Written by SavvySugar and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

What to Do When You Want to Quit Your Job

Tara Struyk — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:36:26 +0000

I’m in Arizona this week with a few old friends. In the desert, everything seems to be in sharp relief: earth, scrub, cloudless sky. If only everything in life were so clear! When I have tough decisions to make, it often feels like I’m under water, where emotion clouds my judgment. It made me think about the last time I quit a job, when nothing was clear. I was fraught with indecision, anxiety, and doubt. Maybe the stress that change brings is normal, but every time I’ve quit a job, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how best to do it. Because while marching in, throwing down your resignation, and enunciating each detail of your long suffering and dissatisfaction is certainly satisfying in the moment, its drawbacks may come back to haunt you. If moving on to a new job is on your mind, here are some things to consider when you give your notice. (See also: How to Quit Your Job)

Remember: It’s Just a Job

I often get really tied up in my work — it’s easy to because I spend so much time doing it. But at the end of the day, it’s a just a job. Today your job may feel like your heart and soul, but 10 years down the road, you’ll probably be unable to distinguish the cubicle you’re sitting in now from the ones that came before it — or after. This is why quitting is often so important. You may have to work to live, but it’s your family, your friends, and the things you love that are really worth sticking it out with for the long term. If your job isn’t compatible with your life — or the life you want to live — it’s time to move on.

Make Sure You Can Afford to Quit

Whether you love your job or not, most people spend hundreds or thousands of hours of their lives working for one main reason — the money. No matter how much you think you hate your job, you’ll really be kicking yourself if you find yourself unemployed and unable to pay your bills. Before you quit, work on getting another job, even if it’s only a temporary one that’ll keep you going while you look for the perfect position. I know it is oh so tempting to quit your job on the spot, but your life is not a Hollywood movie, and this dramatic approach is unlikely to have a happy ending — particularly in the current job market.

If you have a savings account that will pay your basic expenses for at least six months, quitting might be a reasonable risk to take. Just be sure to put some thought into whether your current situation is really bothering you enough to warrant tapping into your emergency fund. And remember that any current dissatisfaction with your job is likely to evaporate as soon as you walk out the door, while the financial repercussions of quitting in a huff may stick with you for years.

If You're Doing It, Do It Soon

I’ve seen a lot of people who were really unhappy in their jobs but stuck around anyway. Their lack of enthusiasm really showed, and it didn’t help their reputation around the office. Quitting a job is uncomfortable, but if you already know you aren’t going to be happy where you are, start working on a plan to get out. Persisting in a job you hate will only make you bitter, and most people just don’t do a great job of hiding that from their coworkers for eight hours a day. Your grouchy behavior may even reduce your chances of getting references from your coworkers; if it goes on long enough, it could put you at risk of being fired. Quit your existing job the minute it’s financially possible. Letting go will take the weight off your shoulders — and allow you to leave with your reputation intact.

Root Out References

If you’ve worked somewhere for a while and did your best, chances are you’ve made a few friends who can speak to your abilities. You’ll no longer be seeing these people every day, so be sure to ask them if they’d mind being a reference while you’re still well acquainted. If they agree, get their phone numbers and emails so that you can provide them to potential employers. You don’t need a lot of references, but if you have managers or supervisors who are happy with your work, that’s a good place to start. Coworkers can make good references too, just be sure to choose someone that you trust will speak well of you. Finally, avoid spending your last week or two of work Facebooking about how eager you are to leave. Instead, work hard to leave things in order for your replacement and make that transition easier for your coworkers — they'll remember you for it.

Prepare Yourself

Quitting one job and starting another can be a rewarding experience — but also a very stressful one. Rather than assuming that the rest of your life will be an easy downhill ride once you move on, be prepared to experience stress and even sadness. I have liked something about nearly every job I've had, and despite being grateful for being able to move on, I always miss the people I met, the tasks I covered, or even the coffee shop I visited before each workday began. I like routine; chances are that if you've been working full-time for any length of time, you do too.

One great way to deal with the stress and disorientation that disconnecting from a job can entail is to give yourself a week or two away from work between jobs. If you can afford the time off, it will give you some time to decompress, destress, and arrive at your new job ready to take on the world. If that's not an option for you financially, consider going away for the weekend.

The bottom line is that if you break your routine, it should feel out of the ordinary, not as if you're playing hooky on a Wednesday afternoon. This is why if you quit your job outright and are looking for another, it may be a good idea to develop a plan for how you will spend your time. While sitting at home and watching reality TV probably sounds pretty sweet while you're still working full time, spending too much time as a couch potato could affect your job search and even lead to depression. if you plan to be at home for any length of time between jobs, make a plan to take a scheduled break. Once that time's up, set your alarm in the morning, get up, and get the ball rolling on your job search. This will help you keep perspective and momentum, and set you up for success.

Say Goodbye

If you aren’t happy at your job, quitting can be the right thing to do — I know, I’ve done it! But no matter how desperate you are to get out, don’t let frustration or anger cloud your long-term judgment. If you resign in the most polite and professional way possible, you’ll be able to make a clean break from your job and move on to something better.

Written by Tara Struyk and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Ask the Readers: Do You Use Business Cards? (Special $100 Giveaway)

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:36:24 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to our first prize winner, Aaron L, and our second and third place winners, Guest and Emily.

Business cards are one of the most important networking tools. Professionals, job seekers, freelancers, and even students have used business cards to advance their careers. Whether you hand them out to clients or prospective employers, a tasteful business card provides people with a great first impression.

Do you use business cards? If yes, how do you use them? If no, why not?

Tell us if you use business cards and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or two sets of die-cut business cards courtesy of our sponsor UPrinting.com.

Prizes: $100 Amazon Gift Card & Two Sets of Die-Cut Business Cards

This week we will be giving away thee prizes:

First Place: $100 Amazon gift card

Second and Third Place: Each will get a set of 250 die-cut business cards courtesy of UPrinting.com. Winners of the business cards can choose among UPrinting.com's available die-cut shape and sizes and cardstock option. Standard turnaround time and shipping applies (no shipping charges). Restricted to people 18 years and above, US residents only. Check out these beautiful samples.

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Comment Entry. Answer this question in the comments below: "Have you used business cards? If yes, how do you use them? If no, why not?"
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If you do all 3 things you get 3 entries into the contest. Maximum 3 entries per person. Be sure to always include your email when leaving a comment.

Giveaway Details:

Contest ends Monday, January 16th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after January 16th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking UPrinting.com's Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
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Tell us if you use business cards and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or a set of die-cut business cards!

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Productivity Tips to Carry You Through 2012

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:48:10 +0000

The start of a new year is a good time to take a review of the best productivity tips we have shared with you. These tips help maximize your efficiency at work so you're getting more done in less time. Read on to find out what our best picks for productivity tips are so you can use them to have an even more efficient 2012!

Doodle During Meetings to Help Retain More Information

Scientific research has shown that humans can pay attention to one thing for up to 20 minutes. After that period, it gets harder and harder to focus on it. If you feel your attention span has reached its limit, perhaps you should take a notepad out to doodle. A study in the Applied Cognitive Psychology Journal tested the doodling theory on a group of participants. Half were instructed to listen to a phone call that recited a list of names of people and places, and the other half were told to doodle when listening to the message. Those who doodled were able to remember 29 percent more than those who didn't. Psychology Today says:

In the study, the phone message was intentionally designed to be boring. One possibility is that doodling distracted participants from their boredom. Yet it demanded less concentration than drifting off into a daydream, so the doodlers may actually have been more focused than non-doodlers.

Make a Do-Not-Do List

If you're like me, you may constantly find yourself tackling never-ending to-do lists. I think one of the worst drawbacks of a to-do list is that it becomes entrenched in your mind — you're always thinking about what you have left to do, and that can take a toll on you. For example, sometimes I can't help thinking about it when I'm in bed, and that leaves me restless.

The solution to reducing the stress of a to-do list is to counter it with a do-not-do list. Russell Bishop, a life coach, gave some great advice on Huffington Post: at the end of each day or workweek, not only should you cross out the items you have accomplished, but you should also mark that you're not going to do the remaining tasks for the rest of the night or weekend. Writing it off on your list will help to give your mind a mental break from the to-do list. This is such a savvy, yet simple tip — do you have more ideas on how to better manage a to-do list?

Leave a Text Instead of a Voicemail Message

I recently heard a unique voicemail message I thought was a great idea. Her voicemail said the best way to reach her is to "leave a text instead of a voicemail message" because she barely checks her voicemail messages. For those of you who are super texters, this is a great way to keep track of missed calls.

Another awesome alternative is the function on Google Voice that gives you transcripts of your voicemail messages.

Use Nature to Beat Work Fatigue

Although it's recommended to take a short walk to unwind from work, what you're surrounded by during your walk actually matters a lot. For example, if you're walking through a busy street filled with flashing lights and loud noises, the stroll won't really be an effective time-out.

University of Michigan researchers found that subjects who strolled through a nature setting saw a 20% improvement in attention and focus tests. However, participants who took a brief walk in a busy city did not see any cognitive benefits. Even spending time in a quiet room with a picture depicting nature was more effective than a city stroll.

Schedule Emails to Be Sent Later With Boomerang

Boomerang is a Firefox and Chrome plug-in that will let you schedule your emails to be sent at a later time and date, anywhere from a minute later to years later. You can install one for Gmail or for Outlook. The tool even lets you take out emails from your inbox and resend them back to you at a later time when you actually need them. For example, if your friend sent you an email today, but you're not going to have any time to respond until the weekend, you can use Boomerang to remove the email from your inbox and resend it to you on Saturday.

I just downloaded the plug-in for my Gmail account, and I love it! I wrote an email late last night that I scheduled to be sent at 9 a.m. today, which went off without a hitch. I even had time to look over it before it was sent.

I can imagine this feature coming in really handy on Friday when I'm writing work emails, because people are more likely to forget to reply as they usually put off replying to Friday emails until after the weekend. Using Boomerang to schedule those emails for Monday mornings may cut down on the hassle of sending follow-up emails.

Be Specific When Setting Goals

Whether it be saving more or deciding to lose weight, achieving goals can be quite hard for most people. It's easy to set them and pledge to yourself that you're turning over a leaf. And then when you find yourself making excuses to skip the gym or indulging in something you can't afford, you're wondering how your plan got derailed. I came across this neat tip that'll help you better achieve goals in an email from Ramit Sethi's blog I Will Teach You to Be Rich. Ramit says:

"'When it comes to self-persuasion, vague goals are death. For example, people have really vague goals — 'I want to get a six-pack' — which is an excuse to do nothing, since the path to a six-pack is unclear. It would be better to say 'I want to go to the gym two times this week.' Once you accomplish that minor goal, you can escalate it: 'I want to run on the treadmill for 10 minutes without stopping . . . now 15 minutes . . . now 30 . . . ' and finally, once you get to an advanced level, you can set more ambitious, vague goals like a six-pack."

Whenever you're making goals, try applying this concept to them. For example, if you're trying to save money, write down some concrete and specific steps you can take, such as shave $200 off your monthly rent by getting a roommate or moving to a smaller apartment, or saving $24 a week by bringing lunch to work three times a week.

Organize Your Workdays by Theme

I really don't know how Jack Dorsey does it. He's currently managing two fast-growing tech companies — Twitter and Square. He apparently spends eight hours at each firm every day and he says the only way to juggle two companies is to "be very disciplined." He also themes his 16-hour days. Here's what his schedule is like, according to CNN:

Monday: Management meetings and "running the company" work
Tuesday: Product development
Wednesday: Marketing, communications, and growth
Thursday: Developers and partnerships
Friday: The company and its culture
Saturday: Hiking
Sunday: Reflection, feedback, and strategy

I actually think Jack's "theme your days" idea is a good one, and I think I'm going to start implementing a slight variation of that strategy at work. However, I don't think I'll plan my weekends out. I like to be as spontaneous as possible on Saturdays and Sundays!

Don't Drink More Caffeine Than Necessary

If you intake more coffee than your usual amount, it might make you more stressed if you're already feeling some tension, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Bristol. Stick to your regular cup of joe, and if you think the taste of coffee will calm you down, try opting for a decaf coffee instead.

Stop Spammy Calls

Spam calls can be a frustrating waste of time. Get rid of those pesky calls with these tips:

Do Not Call Registry

This is probably the best piece of advice for putting an end to those telemarketing calls. Once I registered my cell phone number with the Do Not Call registry, which is managed by the Federal Communications Commission, I stopped received telemarketing calls. Let me tell you, silence is truly golden! If the calls still persist, you can even file a complaint with the FCC online.

Keep It Private

Be wary of giving out your phone number and try to limit it to friends. Be very careful about entering in your phone number when you're participating in contests or signing up for promotions.

Straight to Voicemail

If you're getting too many telemarketing calls, you can save yourself the hassle of dealing with them each time by letting an unknown number go straight to voicemail. You can then check your voicemail messages at the end of the day to see who you should really call back.

Stay Optimistic

People who have a positive view about their willpower and believe they have an unlimited amount of it are able to work longer without a decrease in performance quality versus those who believe they have a limited amount, Stanford University researchers found. The

And remember, being happy doesn't have to cost you anything! Check out these feel-good tips on how to have a happier life for free.

Write Down Your Big Wins

Time passes so quickly, doesn't it? Before you know it, it's performance evaluation time again. Here's a tip for you: write down your big wins as they happen over the year. It doesn't matter if it's in Excel, Google Docs, or a plain notebook, start keeping track of your accomplishments. That way when you're pushing a raise, you'll be able to easily whip out the detailed facts and be able to make a stronger case of why you deserve one. After all, memories can fail, and it's easy to forget certain achievements over the course of a year.

This year, you can be more efficient, happier, and less stressed. From work to the weekend, make 2012 your best year yet with these suggestions.

Guest Post Blurb:

This is a guest contribution from our friends at SavvySugar. Check out more useful articles from this partner:

Written by SavvySugar and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

The Secret to Time Management and Work-Life Balance

Nora Dunn — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:36:10 +0000

Somewhat ironically, I've been sitting in front of my computer displaying a blank page and the title above for the last half hour, while gazing out the window. The window in question happens to be revealing a constantly changing gorgeous autumn landscape aboard the epic Trans-Manchurian train from Moscow to Beijing; which is part of the Ultimate Train Challenge — a 30 day trip from Lisbon to Saigon, all by train.

As so often happens, I'm trying to multitask “life” and “work” in a precarious — and frequently unsuccessful — balancing act. (See also: The Fallacy of Multitasking)

Work-Life Balance

The idea of delineating between “work” and “life” unto itself creates an unhealthy divide in our lives. Some people would say that if you love what you do for a living, it shouldn't be considered “work”. I disagree with this philosophy; I need to earn money to live, and although I love my location-independent writing career, it also impedes on the other things I love to do in life (for example, hiking, cooking, volunteering, conversing, and of course, traveling).

What's important about this (almost cliché) concept of “work-life balance” is that we need to consciously understand the choices we make and how we manage our time.

Time Management

Here's another cliché that is so often used but so rarely understood or applied. We have software programs that analyze the time we spend on our computers, day planners to manage our busy schedules, and sometimes assistants to handle the work we just don't have time for.

Even with these tools, do you get everything done in a day that you need to? Do you go to sleep at night feeling satisfied with the work you got done, as well as all the “non-work” activities you wanted to do?

I know I rarely do.

And I believe it's this feeling of constant self-dissatisfaction that perpetuates the continued pattern of work-life balance and time management issues dominating our lives.

Another View: The Three Pillars of Life

There's a school of thought that says there are three pillars of life, and that we can only excel at two of them at a time. These pillars are career, relationships with family and friends, and health and fitness.

This makes sense. If you are focused on your career and your health, you'll spend 8-10 hours a day at the office (and commuting to and fro), and another 2-4 hours a day training for that marathon. Your family and friends will consequently fade into obscurity.

If family and friends and career are important, your exercise regime will likely take a back seat. And so on.

So already, with this philosophy, we are forced to make decisions in our lives about which two of the three pillars in life we want to excel at (or the one pillar we're prepared to slack on).

But I wonder if it really has to be that way.

Juggling It All

So back to my Trans-Siberian window-gazing (I mean, working) experience.

As a full-time traveler for five years, I have the simultaneously enviable and almost-impossible task of balancing my location-independent writing career with a life lived fully on the road. Contrary to popular opinion, I don't sit on the beach every day drinking girly drinks and lapping up the sunshine. In fact, I put in almost as many work hours as most other people do — I just happen to be doing it from varying far-flung locations around the world. In my “spare time,” I learn to live life (shop, cook, socialize, etc) in the way of the local culture I'm visiting.

I also juggle staying in touch with family and friends, researching and booking onward travel arrangements, and regular volunteering.

In fact, despite my having traded in the “rat race” for what was supposed to be an “early retirement” of sorts, I recently found myself in an entirely different rat race — volunteering 30 hours per week in trade for my accommodation and food, and working almost another 30 hours per week on my writing.

When I realized this predicament in a stress-induced frenzy one day, I reduced my volunteer obligation to 18 hours a week. This, I figured, would buy me the down-time I craved for socializing, relaxing, and hiking.

Instead, to my confounded surprise, after creating space in my day, my time filled up with things I can't even account for. And I was still going to bed every night feeling tired, scattered, and frustrated that I hadn't gotten everything done that I wanted to.

A Solution: Managing Expectations

But maybe it's in the expectations I had set that I blundered. As efficient as we can be at times, maybe we can't do everything we want to. Maybe it's in the concept of excelling at the pillars in life (a very North American tendency — to want to be the best of the best or nothing at all) that we err.

What if we were to shoot for the stars, but be happy when we hit the moon? What if we forgive ourselves just a bit for not being the superstars we know we are, instead allowing ourselves to gaze out the window of an amazing train ride and simply appreciate the beauty around us?

I had intended to write three articles today. Instead, I'm finding myself gazing out the window, and I'll be lucky to complete one article between day-dreaming sessions.

And you know what? That's okay.

My time management and work-life balance comes from within, is controlled from within, and whether I go to bed tonight feeling satisfied — or not — is entirely up to me.

How well will you sleep tonight?

Written by Nora Dunn and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Tips for Thriving in Long-Term Unemployment

Xin Lu — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:48:08 +0000

The sagging economy forced many people from their jobs and left the young and old alike searching for income. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8.6% of the U.S. labor force is unemployed, as of November 2011, and the unemployment rate in the U.S. has remained in the 8-10% range since February 2009. Additionally, millions of the long-term unemployed have fallen off the official unemployment rolls, and these folks are labeled as "discouraged workers." Here are some tips to making your long-term unemployment an opportunity for advancement. (See also: Help! I Lost My Job!)

Use All of Your Resources

There are many new and innovative job resources available to help you find a job and put some food on your table. Many community colleges and community centers host career fairs to allow members of the community to meet prospective employers, so be sure to check your local listings for career fairs in your area. If you went to college, you still may be eligible for career guidance from your school. Consider contacting a career counselor at your alma mater or checking your school’s career advising websites for job postings in your field. Otherwise, social media has turned many websites into personal job boards. Check for job postings on sites like Mashable, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Some of these sites have separate areas for job postings, but your friends may also post an opportunity in your newsfeed.

Build Your Resume While Unemployed

It sounds horrible if you tell a prospective employer that you’ve been doing nothing but searching for a job for the past three years because you were unemployed. Instead, find something to productively occupy your time. Volunteering is a great way to gain job experience to put on your resume and show potential employers that you’re a productive go-getter. Most businesses, political campaigns, organizations, hospitals, and religious groups love having extra hands to assist with free labor. Look for opportunities in your field or in a field you’re passionate about, and see if a business or organization in that field will let you help out for a few hours a week. You’ll pick up some job skills and experience, and you can add the extra line to your resume to show that you were not sitting on your butt while the unemployment rate was high. With the 2012 elections coming up, there are many opportunities to volunteer for your favorite candidates.

Learn New Things

Look for training classes in your area that you are interested in. It is possible to start a completely different career than what you had before. I have heard of laid off police officers who became barbers and laid off engineers who went back to school and became dentists. It really depends on your interests and motivations. You could also just go to the library, borrow books, and learn skills. You could even read about how to improve your interview skills.

Supplement Your Income With Odd Jobs

Babysitting and mowing lawns may sound like jobs for teenagers, but young people do them because they provide quick, easy, and tax-free money. Do your kids’ friends always need rides to school or after-school activities? Consider forming a chauffeur service for kids in your neighborhood. Also, there are multiple, legitimate opportunities to make money online. From taking surveys to writing blog posts, there are virtual odd jobs that can fit anyone’s interest and skill level.

Work on Your Own Business

I have talked about having your own side income before, and if you are unemployed it is actually a great time to work on a side business. You have more time to try out different ideas that you had and perhaps bring your business to the next level. Sometimes being unemployed lights a fire under people's butts and successful businesses are born. The key is to use your energy and time in a productive manner.

The job market may be dismal, but there are still so many opportunities for financial gain, no matter how big or small. Be creative, be enterprising, and find your opportunities. Remember that every dollar helps, and every work opportunity may open a new door for you. Use your unemployment as an opportunity for advancement and don't be a "discouraged worker."

What are your experiences? Have you been unemployed for more than a year?

Written by Xin Lu and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

From Clutter to Clean: Make Your Desk Awesome

Andrea Karim — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:48:14 +0000

Clutter will swallow you alive if you don't control it. Stop tuning it out and start dealing with. Trust me, you don't need that to-do list from October. If you did, you would have done all that stuff by now. Whether it's the job, the boss, an upcoming project, or facing down your afternoon commute, you might find yourself feeling seriously stressed out during the workday.

The good news is it's possible to reduce your stress right at your desk — just follow these easy de-stress tips to find your workstation Zen. (See also: Creating Productive Workspaces)

Organize a Clean Workspace

You can't take your boss out with the recycling, but you can remove the clutter in your workspace to create a more relaxing environment. Is your desk so cluttered that it makes you want to cry? Take some time out to organize, shred, and file everything.

Photo by Mingo Hagen

Take advantage of vertical space to post reminders, but automate everything that can be automated by using your email or phone-based calendar to keep track of tasks, appointments, and meetings. Is your computer desktop a mess? Spend an hour or so creating new folders and filing things where they belong. Don't just do it on the fly — try to find a real folder structure that makes sense to you.

Adjust Your Monitor Settings

Photo by MoneyBlogNewz

If you work on a computer all day long, make sure that your screen resolution and refresh rate are optimal for you. If you find yourself squinting at your monitor, maybe you need to set the font size a little larger. If you have the ability to customize the look and feel of your operating system's settings, use a desktop background that you enjoy and choose colors that you like (but that aren't too hard on the eye — so no Hunter Orange).

Get Personal

Photo by J'ram DJ

Everyone has a different purpose in life, a different cause that drives them to succeed. For you, family photos might inspire you to work, even when you feel tired and stressed out. For others, it might be helpful to look upon beautiful landscapes, flowers, or even posters of famous athletes or musicians. Take images of whatever it is that inspires and relaxes you and place those images in plain view. As long as it doesn't fly in the face of workplace rules, make your workspace your own.

Take a Sound Break

What kind of music relaxes or energizes you? Jazz, heavy metal, classical, alternative? Pinpoint the tunes that you find relaxing or invigorating and make a point of listening to them for a few moments every couple of hours. If you don't have your own office space, headphones can transport you away from it all for just a few musical minutes. Listen to your favorite song on your break, if you have to — just get those notes tumbling around inside your brain.

Photo by David Blaikie

You may find that a little background noise can help you relax while working. You can purchase meditation CDs and play them quietly (or listen to them on headphones). Saving your pennies? Simply do a web search for "relaxing sounds" and listen to the free MP3s that are available online.

Get Green

Indoor plants can and give your workspace a sense of serenity — assuming you don't kill them all. Houseplants are cheap, adore fluorescent lighting, and will help you breathe easier at your workstation. Choose plants that are pleasing to your eye — whether you like cacti, bonsai, or bamboo, be sure to find potted office mates that you enjoy looking at and that you can easily take care of.

Photo by David Goehring

If you aren't a fan of plants or simply have a notorious black thumb, then skip this idea altogether — after all, plants can get dusty and clutter up a space as much as anything else.

Just Get Out

Not everyone works in an office, of course. Working retail often means little personal space to hang photos or keep cactii. If your "office" is more of a warehouse floor, and you need an escape, try to make a point to leave the premises when you can. Even a walk around a warehouse district on your lunch break is healthier, and a better stress relief, than sitting and staring at the TV in the lunchroom.

Photo by Mark Hunter

Then again, if the TV really helps you zone out, then that can be your escape as well (especially during lousy weather!).

Stretch and Breathe

Stretching while you work is easy and counteracts the damage that you do your body through repetitive daily movement (or lack of movement). Try some simple stretching exercises while seated or stand behind a chair and stretch your muscles using fluid movements.

Photo by David Spinks

Meditation has received plenty of press for its health benefits, like improving immune system function and lowering blood pressure. Well, you can take meditation into the cubicle farm and help make your day less stressful. Meditation in the office doesn't have to involve loud chanting or piles of cushions and burning incense. You can meditate at your desk without making a sound. Like stretching, deep breathing and mind focusing exercises can help you concentrate on the tasks at hand, no matter how boring.

Does your workplace make it hard to relax and concentrate? Do you have any tricks for finding a sense of peace and quiet amidst work chaos? Please tell us in the comments!

Written by Andrea Karim and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.