Four Reasons to have an Economic Recession

Four Reasons to have an Economic RecessionFour Reasons to have an Economic RecessionFour Reasons to have an Economic Recession MuzioIm as hopeful as anyone that the worst of the recession is over. Ive felt the pinch myself and seen disastrous results on loved ones. This has not been fun. Still, at the risk of being labeled overly optimistic or perhaps overly pessimistic I have to say that Ive also seen some good come out of it.So, I respectfully and humbly offer four reasons why, for the sake of good business, we needed to have an economic downturn.1. Recessions Demand Clarification of PurposeIn my book figuratively and literally clear purpose precedes everything else. While thats easy to say, its remarkably difficult to do. Defining and maintaining an appropriate set of goals for ones own life is challenge enough doing so for an entire organization is orders of magnitude more difficult. When times are good and money is flowing, its easy to let the mission get a little fuzzy.One client of mine is, lets say, one of the worlds ministerprsident producers of widgets. Several years ago they decided to expand to their product offering, including user-experience products, component manufacture, environments for widget-using groups, devices using products similar to theirs, platforms in new markets and more. Any one of these might have been a good strategic move tackling them all at once created the same kind of confusion in the corporation that you felt while reading this paragraph. It didnt work and everything including the primary product line suffered.When the recessioncame around, they got serious, and got focused. Now, they are the worlds premier producer of widgets again, making a small but manageable set of strategic advances.2. A Recession Prompts Waste ReductionWasting resources on too many strategic advances is problem enough, but in many cases waste goes much deeper. From opulent travel policies made famous by high-level executives to misinformed invest ments made in poorly understood (but compellingly packaged) mortgage instruments, to overkill and overrun on green employee programs, groups of people are notoriously bad at deciding what to do with money. In this area, recession creates focus.Much of the group work I do, for example, happens at off-site retreats. In 2009, my clients evaluated how much they spend on those events, and what return they get on the investment. After those decisions were made, I found myself still on the invitation list, but to less expensive venues with less elaborate meals and activities. Organizations that have large conference rooms, for example, are now using them more often in lieu of rented space. The recession didnt stop all capacity development activity, but it did force companies to get clearer on which parts of those activities paid off.3. The Upside of DownsizingWhen you gain weight, you can either go on a diet or you can buy larger pants. The corporate equivalent to this maxim is that when y ou get busier, you can either get more organized and effective or you can add staff. When everyone is overloaded in an economic boom, the easy answer is to hire.But adding staff adds opportunities to create even more work, creating a dangerous cycle of headcount growth without real bottom-line justification.While Id rather see companies creating jobs than eliminating them, I also want those jobs to be viable in the long term. Unnecessary hires lead to waste, layoffs and restructuringsometimes a diet is the wiser option. As the economy turned down, many of my clients began cancelling open requisitions for new headcount as part of their recession staffing solutionstrategy.Remaining requisitions had to be carefully justified and tied directly to bottom line need.As the economy picks up, its important to continue to engage in practical recruiting strategies with potential candidates who have the capacity to address ever-increasing demands for specific skills. To be sure, overly draconia n requisition requirements can stifle necessary growth. But you have to admit that sensible hiring is a sensible requirement.4. The Common Cause EffectHave you ever noticed how quickly a group of people will align against a shared enemy?Nothing breeds solidarity like a common cause.Excessive nationalism, over-competitiveness and myopic focus on the nearest competitor are some of the less desirable organizational manifestations of this very human trait.It can lead to problems, but it can also lead to solutions.The recessionhas been a perfect common enemy against which we could all align.My favorite story of this phenomenon comes from a software company whose leaders determined that revenue delays would put them out of business.They didnt want to get beat and they knew they needed help.So, they gathered their employees to brainstorm solutions, and asked a very simple question what do we do to keep the recession from winning?Their answer was simple and brilliant use our existing talent s to develop iPhone apps in the interim.Their solution worked, their company is still in business. Their apps are now a profitable sideline to their core offerings.Why Does It Have to Hurt?Interesting points, you may be thinking, but I just dont know.Be honest.This whole article presents an uncomfortable notion, doesnt it?Why would an otherwise sane author extol the virtues of economic contraction?Who in his right mind takes a pro-recession stance?My answer is not mine.It belongs to George Santayana, who said those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.Im hoping that by paying attention to the benefits of this recession, we can avoid the next one.Actually, many of the lessons arent all that complicated.The four Ive discussed here be clear about your purpose, avoid waste,expand your small businesshiring when it makes sense, and finally, make sure your teams have a shared cause are common sense, applied. You may be able to think of some other lessons as well.Take a moment and ask yourself, What have I learned from the recession?Youve already been forced to live through it you might as well extract some value.If were lucky, we all will have learned to be better business people, and to create stronger futures. Thats why, despite the possibility of appearing to be out of my mind, Im going to continue being grateful for the lessons the recession has taught us.And, Im going to continue hoping that its over.Author BioEdward G. Muzio, CEO of Group Harmonics, is the author of the award winning books Make Work Great Supercharge Your Team, Reinvent the Culture, and Gain Influence One Person at a Time and Four Secrets to Liking Your Work You May Not Need to Quit to Get the Job You Want. An expert in workplace improvement and its relationship to individual enjoyment, Muzio has been featured on Fox Business Network, CBS, and other national media. For more information visit Make Work Great and follow the author on Facebook.

Aparna Nancherla Proves You Can Be Shy and Succeed - The Muse

Aparna Nancherbeila Proves You Can Be Shy and Succeed - The MuseAparna Nancherla Proves You Can Be Shy and SucceedTheres a common misconception that shy people dont like attention. That social interactions freak them out and theyd rather be alone than with people.As a result, many people convince themselves that because theyre shy, they dont have what it takes to thrive in the spotlight. And that means leading meetings or speaking on a panel is off limits. But if you need any motivation to convince yourself otherwise, look no further than stand-up comedian, writer, and actress Aparna Nancherla.Nancherlas starred in specials and TV shows on Comedy Central, HBO, NBC, and Netflix, most notably in shows such as BoJack Horseman, Master of None, and Corporate. Shes been recognized every year since 2013 as one of the funniest people to watch by publications such as Rolling Stone, Variety, Vulture, and Time Magazine. Shes co-hosted her own podcast, Blue Woman Group, and guest starred on vari ous NPR shows. And she has half a million followers on Twitter (and a pretty stellar social media presence).have you ever met someone with a great attitude its very upsetting- Aparna Nancherla (aparnapkin) June 5, 2018But shes also, as a recent Washington Post article highlights, unassuming, soft-spoken, and reflective. And she was always this way- the articles author, Ellen McCarthy, discusses how Nancherla was an incredibly shy child, clinging to her parents and speaking little in school or in public.And yet she stands in front of an audience every day, by herself, making people laugh. In fact, shes made her shyness a critical part of her job as a comedian. In one skit on her personal website, Nancherla talks about her biggest pet peeve when her social friends also claim that theyre shy sometimes. Dont take the one thing I have in this world to cling to- preferably in the fetal position- as a self-identifierIf you say youre shy you need the street cred to back it up. I have that street cred, Ive earned it, she jokes. And, shes embraced the fact that its OK to resort back to her shy tendencies from time to time. Quotes McCarthy, On rough days, she retreats to her most familiar space her own head. The way some people fantasize about being rich and famous, I fantasize about being very under the radar- working in a bookstore. Thats the thing I go to when I feel so overwhelmed, Nancherla says.You could say Nancherla is breaking barriers by being the opposite of shy in her career, but in reality shes just not letting her weaknesses hold her back. More so, shes found ways to use them to her advantage. And most importantly, shes proof that the spotlight can shine on even the most surprising of individuals.

CV Personal Statement [2019] - Ultimate Guide + Examples

CV Personal Statement 2019 - Ultimate Guide + ExamplesCV Personal Statement CV Personal Statement ExamplesCreating an effective CV takes time and close attention to detail. Youve already included your jobs and experience, and now you want to allow the recruiter or hiring manager to understand the strategic value you can add. This is when you need to utilize a personal gutachten at the top of your CV.What is a Personal Statement?A personal stellungnahme is a few brief and direct sentences at the top of your CV. The personal statement is also referred to as a career summary or personal mission statement. This is used to grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager and summarizes essential experiences or training that you can bring to this position.Why do I Need a Personal Statement?A recruiter or hiring manager is tasked with sorting through an enormous amount of resumes every single day. A personal statement is a way to separate yourself from the other applicants. This statem ent summarizes your experience and highlights your unique talents. The CV personal statement is meant to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the job.Where do I Start?Always begin by reading the job description carefully and thoroughly. Your personal statement should be tailored to each job description, so it explicitly states the value youll bring to the position you are applying. A generic personal statement cannot do that.Once you have a solid handle on the job description, you can begin writing. Its important to keep your personal statement brief, about 50sIt doesnt matter what chose as your desired career or how much experience you have, use these examples to drive the creation of your own personal statement. You can take snippets from each or write something completely different. Always remember that your personal statement is a reflection of yourself and should align with your own personal goals and experience. If these examples dont fit your exact career, feel free to take some pointers and write yours from scratch.1 Personal Statement Example for Recent Graduate CVAs a recent graduate from university, with an honors degree in communications, I held several internships within leading organizations, including Bertelsmann. These internships enabled me to gain experience in the field and learn how to serve up valuable contributions in a fast for Returning to the Workforce CVA highly motivated and experienced amtsstube administrator, I am currently looking to resume my professional career after an extended hiatus to raise my family. Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, I can lead meetings and work with clients to keep your office running smoothly and efficiently. After spending several years volunteering as an administrative worker for a local charity, I am committed to resuming my professional career on a full for a Career Change CVWith over 15 years as a sales manager, I have extensive experience building high for a Experienced Professiona l CVAs a friendly, professional and highly trained educator, I am passionate about teaching and have an innate ability to understand students needs. Creating a safe and productive environment for optimal learning is my top priority. Ive worked as a teacher for nearly 10 years in a variety of subjects and my experience and skill set make me the perfect fit for your team.Explanation With more experience comes more skills and a better idea of strengths and weaknesses. Showcasing your passion for the industry is a great way to begin a personal statement, as it shows the hiring manager your dedication to the craft.ConclustionA personal statement can be written in many different ways, but it is ultimately up to you to determine what skills you want to highlight for your chosen position. You can follow these examples or take learnings from each to contribute towards your personal statement.If you understand the job you are applying for and know the unique skill set that you bring to the ta ble, you will have a stellar personal statement for your CV that will get you across the table from the hiring manager in no time.

How to Interview Your Future Boss

How to Interview Your Future BossHow to Interview Your Future BossInterviewing someone is always a little tricky. What questions do you ask to hone in on whos going to be perfect for the job? What are those rules on what you can and cant ask a eignung employee, again?But its a whole new ball game if the person youre einstellungsgesprching is vying for the top spot on your team. How exactly does one grill a potential babo?The unfortunate truth is, most of us never even get the chance to test out new management before theyve been hired. And, when that rare opportunity does come along, many of us opt out- I know I have- because we feel were not in a position to question someone who might be managing us in the near future.The good news, however, is that youll have lots of bosses throughout your career, which means its never too late to start getting mora involved in your supervisors hiring process. Here are a few ways you can integrate yourself and what to do once your (potential) future boss is sitting across the table from you, resume in hand.1.Ask to Be InvolvedAside from a few friends I have in the HR world, I cant think of anyone who actually enjoys the interview process. That means, when it has to be done, those in charge of hiring will try to limit the interviews to only those they deem key decision makers. At a managerial level, that usually means people senior to the position- not necessarily those who will report to him or her.But, as a future direct report, not to mention someone who knows the department inside and out, you have valuable input, and its not at all unreasonable for you to ask to get involved.As soon as you discover the hiring process for your future boss has begun, let whoever is in charge know youd like to meet with the top candidates, if appropriate. Now, this probably wont happen during the preliminary interviews- its much more common for direct reports to meet with candidates toward the end of the process- so let the hiring manager det ermine when best to get you involved. Just make it clear that youd like to be.2.Study the ResumeRemember how much time and effort you put into updating your current resume? Well, your prospective boss shouldve done the same, and youll definitely want to take a look at his or her handiwork.When reviewing senior-level resumes, pay attention to two key things what candidates have highlighted as their greatest achievements and where theyve spent most of their management career. How people landsee themselves and where theyve grown up as managers will play a huge part in the type of manager theyll be to you if theyre hired.If you have any areas of concern, jot them down and bring it up when youre interviewing. For example, if youre working at a startup, and youre interviewing a candidate that spent most of her career as a mid-level manager at a giant corporation, ask her how shell adapt her management style to adjust to your companys culture.Dont be afraid to dig into your prospective bos s background to better understand where he or she is coming from, because that will be a strong indication of what you can accomplish together if he or she gets the job.3.Share Your ExpectationsOne of the biggest mistakes Ive made when given the opportunity to interview my bosses before they were hired welches not telling them what I expected of them.We had great chats, discovered things we had in common, and learned a bit about one another, but I never explicitly expressed what I needed from them as my managers.So, when they finally started, they were under the impression they had a green light to get started with their own agenda and werent fully prepared to address the needs of the team outside of what was in their job description.My advice? If you have the opportunity to vet your future boss in an interview, take the time to jot down a wish list prior to your chat. Think about what qualities the best boss ever would have- and be realistic. Do you have areas where you dont feel y ou have enough support from management? Are there classes or conferences you think your team should be attending? Would a more flexible work environment help morale? You shouldnt list out every single thing youre hoping for in a boss in your 15-minute meeting, but knowing what your ideal manager looks like will help you have a more constructive- and revealing- conversation with each candidate.4.Give Constructive FeedbackWhile just meeting with your candidate is important, how you share your feedback with the key decision makers afterward is what will determine whether or not your efforts will be considered in the hiring decision.Of course, you took great notes during your interview, right? Once youve finished meeting a candidate, take those notes and draft up a quick summary of your impressions as quickly as possible after the meeting. In addition to all the more tangible takeaways, your gut feeling is important, too, and thats best captured immediately after your interaction.Next w ill be how you present your thoughts to the hiring manager. If possible, do it in person or over the phone- with your notes and summary in hand, of course. Make sure you stay constructive, and avoid any comments that could be perceived as petty or unprofessional (commenting on a candidates hairstyle or lousy choice in tie, for example, wont add any credibility to your feedback). Instead, share insightful observations about the candidates answers to your questions- and share some of the questions you asked as well. When the hiring manager realizes you tackled some angles the rest of the interviewers hadnt considered, he or she is much more likely to consider your feedback seriously.When the higher-ups see how carefully and professionally you approached the interview process, theyre not only more likely to factor your opinions into the final decision, but theyll have a whole new respect for your capabilities. And, dont be surprised if you find yourself interviewing as the future boss someday as a resultPhoto of man meeting team courtesy of Shutterstock.

The Bizarre Secret of Fitness Resume

The Bizarre Secret of Fitness Resume The Upside to Fitness Resume Our resume builder makes it simple to create a well-written resume in a few minutes. In Sports and Fitness fields, picking a creative resume design is an excellent way to set yourself aside from the crowd. For instance, a company will require a particular number of clients to earn a specific amount each month to obtain the whole amount desired for a year. Want to Know More About Fitness Resume? Google will automatically index your resume to get included in its search outcome, allowing potential employers to locate your information. Customizing your document increases your probability of getting the job that you desire. You can also have your individual site and your social networking accounts. If youre using mobile phone, you can also utilize menu drawer from browser. Writing a fitness trainer resume isnt difficult whatsoever. The fitness business is always evolving. Remember that it is service oriented. Optimal fitness is a mix of lifestyle, nutrition and habits, but nevertheless, it cant be reached without a suitable degree of physical fitness. A professional personal trainer resume can help you secure work in the dynamic personal exercise field. If you would like to have a prosperous career, you ought to be very knowledgeable in different facets of health fitness. Meditation restores electricity and makes it possible to visualize your success. There are numerous exercise organizations that offer certifications. How to Get Started with Fitness Resume? Men and women who write down their targets are somewhat more likely to achieve them. As you will notice from our Personal Trainer resume sample, you must go through the whole nine yards when it has to do with skills and qualifications. Our Personal Trainer resume sample will lead you on the best way to create one that is going to catch the interest of the Training Manager. Your own personal trainer resume skills are essenti ally the important functions youre adept at an expert trainer. You would like to emphasize that you wish to stay and grow with the company for the very long term. If youre a wohlbefinden professional, you are in need of a top-notch wellness resume to acquire jobs in your area. To be a thriving job candidate in any area, it can help to have a comprehensive resume. Make certain you have filled in each field. A well crafted objective can help to demonstrate a trainers capacity to properly fulfill the position. Our experts wrote documents for a wide variety of positions. Also, youll need to mention your areas of expertise. If youre not certain what skills ought to be put on your resume, our skills section guide is a great resource to check out. A Secret Weapon for Fitness Resume You have to show employers that what you bring to the table is precisely what theyre searching for. For example, you need to concentrate on your qualifications and work experience more than your educa tional specifics. You ought to detail the length of your educational, key roles and duties and the way you impacted the organization. The key to a thriving job application is a superb resume that reflects your strengths, experience and qualifications in relate to the job youre applying. Before you submit your resume to make an application for work, take the opportunity to examine and refresh your resume so that its going to provide you with the very best opportunity to have the interview. Even when you have a job that you love, its always advisable to keep your resume updated in the event you find work opening you cant resist. What you would like to do will determine what type of job you may get. Tell the employer precisely what job youre applying for and what you hope to achieve by applying. Make certain your stellungnahme aligns with the work description. Actual job titles act as the foundation for each template. Its rather simple to get rid of an eye on how to compose an up-to-date resume in the most recent format if youve been working hard in 1 job for a number of decades. You ought to use a chronological resume whenever you have extensive work history thats regarding the job youre applying for. Our resume builder gives you tips and examples on the best way to compose your resume summary. Resume profiles are a fantastic way to reveal your qualifications, experiences and abilities in a nice, compact package at the onset of your resume. There are several benefits of presenting a resume in an ideal format because presenting ones resume in an ideal format including all the necessary skills and qualifications, creates a great impression concerning the specific person.

The Nuiances of Best Resume Writing Services Nj East Brunswick

The Nuiances of Best Resume Writing Services Nj East Brunswick You may even check out several reviews and after that decide on the business that is most suitable for your requirements and inexpensive budget. Yes, its a fact that if youre hired with a company, it may very well fix your problems. Optionally you could also include what youve got to provide the business. You need to use the organizations keywords. What Best Resume Writing Services Nj East Brunswick Is - and What it Is Not First of all, you need to try to answer the employers specific requirements. A well written resume with the assistance of professional resume templates can grab the interest of the employer and earn good impression. Resumes are well known to play a significant role in presenting a better impression facing the employer. Your resume should be formatted in an easy, professional way. What You Should Do to Find Out About Best Resume Writing Services Nj East Brunswick Before Youre Left Behind T here arent any other writers. By writing a true problem-solving resume. Even though its really hard to pinpoint any single resume writing services being at the surface of the line, theres no denying that there is an assortment of writers around who have a high success ratio to show their work. Choosing Best Resume Writing Services Nj East Brunswick Is Simple Resume Writing Services are efficient resource for having a decent resumes as application for those jobs. Saves Time When youre looking for an excellent job, its always great to have a separate resume for each job. Browsing for a job wasnt easy for me. Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Best Resume Writing Services Nj East Brunswick The review is going to teach you whatever you want to understand and then you may place your purchase confidently. Our reviews contain details such as the score of the clients, our rating, starting prices, Discounts, and caliber of the papers. Just thinking you know what works isnt good eno ugh when it concerns the competitive job industry. You have to hold excellent small business communication skill and have to get an ability to develop a rapport with the customers. Its extremely important to read carefully essay services reviews, because you wish to prevent low oben liegend services. Owning an online resume or an on-line portfolio really can separate you from the normal crowd applying for employment.

How to Get Back to Work in Payroll

How to Get Back to Work in PayrollHow to Get Back to Work in PayrollPayroll specialists take leaves of absence for various reasons - raising young children, caring for aging parents or going back to school, for example. If youre one of many professionals who has taken such an off-ramp, its natural to have questions and even some anxiety about getting back to work and into the swing of a full-time job - not to mention finding new employment.The good berichterstattung is that, unlike a decade ago, the job market for payroll professionals has been thriving the last few years and shows no signs of stopping. Demand is still high as companies grow and seek more skilled employees to administer payroll, handle reimbursements and withholdings, generate reports, and help maintain compliance.At the same time, its normal to feel hesitant about diving back in. Is your skill set out of date? How do you talk with potential employers about your time away? Does anyone even want to hire you when you ve been out of the game?Spoiler alert They do. And these seven tips can help you successfully get back to work and restart your payroll career1. Rediscover the requirements for payroll jobsIf youve been away for a year or more, be prepared for significant shifts in accounting technology when you return to work. The essentials of the position remain more or less the same, but the tools are continually upgraded. Cloud-based platforms are the norm now, including QuickBooks, ADP, Paylocity and Workday. Excel still reigns for spreadsheets, although many companies have moved away from desktop versions and use cloud-based schreibstube 365. To see what other new software employers are using, peruse job postings. Then study up so you can talk about them in an informed manner.2. Get up to speed on legislationTax codes and payroll-related compliance requirements change every year. Catch up by reading trade magazines, industry blogs and payroll newsletters. If youve let your membership in a pro fessional associations lapse, rejoin so you can access their informative articles, webinars, courses and conferences.3. Take advantage of LinkedInReconnect with former colleagues and letting them know youre re-entering job market. Be sure to update your social media profile and work history. As you re-establish relationships, ask trusted acquaintances for endorsements and recommendations. Boost your reputation by joining groups and participating in online discussions. The more visible you are, the easier it is for recruiters and prospective employers to find you.4. Revamp your resumeIf its been a long time since youve been working, you may wonder what your accounting resume should look like. Make sure its is written for applicant tracking systems (ATS) as well as philanthropisch readers. This means rather than having one generic resume, you need to customize it for each position. Scan the job post for keywords and use them organically in your application materials to maximize search -friendly language and terminology. For example, payroll hotshot doesnt mean much to talent management software, but ADP specialist and multi-state and Canada experience does.5. Include non-paid work experienceSome hiring managers see gaps in employment history as a red flag. To lessen that kind of impact over an extended leave of absence, list volunteer work that shines a spotlight on your accounting skills, organizational abilities or leadership traits. These could include heading up a community fundraiser or serving as treasurer for a parent-teacher organization.6. Focus on your added valueProspective employers dont want a long-winded justification about why you off-ramped. They want to know that you can handle the demands of the job. So whether youre writing a cover letter or interviewing for a position, address your time away head-on - but dont dwell on it. Keep the focus on how youve stayed active professionally, how youve kept current with regulations and industry software, and why youre the best person for the job.7. Go back to work graduallyConsider easing back into the workforce with temporary or part-time jobs. Besides offering greater flexibility, working as a temp allows you to re-acclimate after a long hiatus.Lets say you were a payroll administrator but quit your job five years ago to raise a child. To ramp back up, you could accept a few short-term assignments through a specialized staffing agency like Robert Half. This approach allows you to learn the latest software and get up to speed on legislation, all while sampling various industries. Whats more, a significant percentage of contract work results in an offer for full-time employment.The bottom line is that if you take the time to do ample research, upgrade your resume and spruce up your social media presence, youll clear most obstacles to your transition back to work. Then you can get ready for the next chapter in your payroll career.

How to Use Company Chat Professionally and Efficiently - The Muse

How to Use Company Chat Professionally and Efficiently - The MuseHow to Use Company Chat Professionally and Efficiently Slack, HipChat, Yammer, Lync, Pie, Bitrix24- one of unterstellung words most likely has a lot of meaning to you. After all, its how you communicate with all your co-workers every single day. (The others might have you scratching your head and wondering how one sentence could have so many typos.)For many companies nowadays, chat rooms are the water cooler. So, just like you need to be respectful and careful of what you say aloud in your office, you need to know the dos and donts of using these tools appropriately. (This isnt 1997, and you shouldnt be asking anyone A/S/L?) Even if youre using it every day, you still might be making some basic etiquette mistakes. Follow these five rules, and you should be good to go. 1. Use it (Only) When You Need Answers, FastIf you need an answer fast or have news your team needs to know now, this is the first place you should turn. People usually have notifications set up so that they see new chats as they come in and can respond to time-sensitive inquiries quickly. However, if what you want to communicate is an FYI, a question that will require some thought, mora of a long-term idea or project, or really anything youd want to reference in the future, turn to email. Youll get a more thoughtful response- and avoid annoying your co-workers. 2. Be FriendlyNow you know that these rooms arent meant for long, in-depth conversations. However, that doesnt mean you can forget your manners under the guise of being brief. Remember please and thanks. Also, note that this is one those rare forms of work communication where emoticons are OK, and a basic smiley face in response to a Youre welcome can do wonders. As can starting a conversation with Hows your day going? before jumping into Is the report ready? 3. Reply QuicklyOne of the biggest advantages of chat over email is that it takes just seconds to send a message. But , that means theres often an expectation that you should reply quickly, too. So, when youre asked something in chat, respond as soon as you can. In most cases, colleagues are assuming theyll hear back instantly. If youre working on something important, in a meeting, or even going to lunch, take a moment to change your position so people know youre not available. 4. Set Up AlertsWith that said, chat can easily be forgotten just running in a background window on your computer all day. Make sure you dont miss a thing by adjusting your settings so that you hear a sound or see a pop-up whenever a message comes in. (Just remember that if youre not regularly using headphones, you should turn off that sound.) In addition to that, you should check your settings to see if you can get conversations sent to you when youre offline. mora often than not, someone will email you if he or she isnt hearing back. But its not a bad idea to stay in the loop and skim over what you missed- especially in gr oup chats where conversation often moves back-and-forth between lighthearted banter and serious topics. 5. Stay on TopicOn that note, since its easy to fire off a string of comments in chat, you can easily get distracted and find yourself discussing your weekend plans instead of talking about tomorrows project review. Keep the conversation productive by sticking to the subject at hand.If you (and your team) struggle with that, set up a separate break room or off-topic chat room for any side discussions. Theres no shame in having a room reserved solely for puppy videos. After all, a good laugh can brighten everyones day. And, theres nothing quite like watching everyone read the same chat and burst out laughing at the same time. Just dont get too carried away or go all NSFW. This is work, after all.Chats quickly becoming the standard for team communication today. So, keep these rules in mind as you work. It wont just make your job easier, it will also make your communication far more effective. Plus, if you really commit to it, your GIF game will be that much stronger.

How to Get an Agent for Acting

How to Get an Agent for ActingHow to Get an Agent for ActingIf youre like many actors, you may realize you need an agent but dont know why or what they do exactly. The value of an agent is they have industry contacts and insight that you dont- and more importantly, they can find acting gigs for you. When you enlist an agent to represent you, they platzset up general meetings with executives, producers, and casting directors around town to make an introduction. The purpose of these meetings is to put a bug in the ear of the prominent decision-makers. That way, when an acting opportunity comes up that matches your gender, age, appearance, and skill level, youll be considered. Beyond those initial meetings, an agent will also ensure that youre top of mind for fellow agents in related departments at their agency for parts in movies, television, and commercials. Getting an Agent to Notice You The best way to attract an agents attention is to do things that stand out. Start with compil ing a compelling demo reel. Its unlikely that an unknown actor will convince agents to come to see them act in plays, short films or student films. Even so, its still worth seeking out those types of roles- and documenting them. Agents can review your headshot and resume, but seeing your acting ability in action makes a much better case. You can also try creating a buzz for yourself by becoming your own producer. Andy Samberg is perhaps the most well-known example of taking this approach. Together with a pair of friends, Samberg created comedy videos with their sketch troupe The Lonely Island and posted them on YouTube in the mid-2000s. The popularity of those videos led them to get an agent, which then led to jobs at Saturday Night Live. From there, Samberg went on to become a featured player on the series and later starred in movies and other TV shows. A more recent example is the stars of the sitcom Those Who Cant. Before landing their own show, this trio of comedians, Adam Cayto n-Holland, Ben Roy, and Andrew Orvedahl, wrote and produced a pilot with friends that they sold to Amazon Studios. Although Amazon Studios didnt order more episodes, the sitcom was later picked up by TruTV and was renewed for two more seasons. Agents are more inclined to work with actors like this who take the manahme and create their own opportunities. Make It Known That Youre Looking for an Agent Networking is essential to finding an agent. You might be at a casting call where they ask about your agent. Dont lie.Tell them youre in the process of looking for one and ask for recommendations. Many agents find clients by word of other actors, producers, directors, or casting directors. Being active on social media can likewise plug you into a community of like-minded actors. You never know who might be in a position to help you. Establishing a digital presence is also imperative. Having a site dedicated to your acting gives agents a convenient way to download your headshots, revie w your resume, see your demo reel and contact you if theyre interested. You Dont Need to Wait for an Agent to Start Your Career Even when youre fortunate enough to find an agent, youve still got to keep working hard to make a name for yourself. Its a big misconception that all you have to do is wait for the phone to ring once you have an agent. Thats bedrngnis the case most of the time. An agents livelihood depends on finding work for their clients. Typically, they get paid a percentage of the roles they help land- usually between 10 and 20 percent depending on whether the job is union or non-union. Just the same, you might not be their top priority, initially. The reality is that while agents work on your behalf, they have other established clients, and those actors will likely get work first. Its simply easier to attract attention from the industry for known quantities. So sitting around waiting for an agent to generate momentum isnt time well spent. Instead, focus on continua lly pushing your career forward.